MPA Annual Meeting 2009: The Chowda!

Capt’n Dick The Gray Beard said… Aye, Matey… ‘Tis gettin’ crisp on the water as we be enjoyin’ the foliage. Me was thinkin’ that a great way to warm up after a cruise would be with a bowl of Capt’n Paul’s Seafood Chowda that we tasted at the MPA Annual Meeting! But me cook ain’t got no recipe. Me thinks you aught to post his recipe or we’ll be pillagin’ an’ plunderin’ ’till we get some more of that wonderful grub. Thank you! September 25, 2009 10:33 AM Seems we have pirates in our midst with our Annual Meeting Seafood Chowder being our greatest treasure!

Cormorant Found Dead!

This cormorant was found by a neighbor last night along the shore. Cause of death unknown. Here are photos taken last month of a pair, alive and well:

Saturday’s Cleanup Event a Success!

While Weed Cleanup volunteers shed a bit of mud, sweat, and laughter on the shoreline of Manchaug Pond Saturday, the day provided beautiful weather for those enjoying the water! Our first WEED Cleanup Event brought together 18 MPA volunteers from 9 households (waterfront/waterrights property owners) to “hand harvest” emergent invasive weed species from the north and east shorelines of the lake. With pitch forks and shovels in hand, the group worked from before 9 to 1:30 removing two dump trucks loads of harmful weeds. Right off, the MPA extends a huge thanks to the Town of Sutton Highway Department and Transfer Station staff and Conservation Commission for their unending support and work on our 319 Non-Point Pollution Grant Project and another huge thank you to Tom Berkowitz for the use of his dump truck during this event. Our coordinator educated participants in identifying problem plants to be removed from the native sedges and rushes which were to remain. He explained how in his home town in upstate NY, the invasives took over acres and acres of his 5 mile long pond. The weeds crowded out the native plants which are more desirable as a food source for wildlife, and replaced …

Weed Cleanup Today! 9 to 11

Blue skies, golden sunrise, no wind, low 40’s = great day for this first WEED Cleanup! So get your MPA hooded sweatshirt or MPA fleece vest, a pair of work gloves and boots and a sharp shovel or pitch fork and meet Jim, Ted, Ray, Linda, David and the rest of the crew down at the boat ramp! Come by boat or vehicle. If you don’t know what to do, don’t worry – come anyway. If you don’t think we need you, you’re wrong we want YOU there! Target: new infestations of common reeds, cattails, canary reed grass, and purple loosestrife growing along the shoreline… and if we think the floating waterlillies and watershield are getting to thick we can do some thinning there too! Jim has a truck lined up to haul it all away. See you there!

Manchaug Pond Foundation

In the news: Invasives a Problem for Lakes and Users

Invasive aquatic species have been the big topic this week, in news papers, mailings and MPAction! ~ The Central Mass chapter of the Congress of Lake and Pond Association (MaCOLAP), in this week’s mailing for membership renewal gave a News Alert!! of the Laurel Lake zebra mussel discovery and noted the MaCOLAP directors are supporting the proposed Senate Bill 2113. Bill 2113 looks to protect our lakes and ponds but realistically I question whether it could ever be successful. In essence, the bill makes it a criminal offense to put a contaminated boat in a lake or river in the Commonweath. That means if your boat or trailer has any weeds -invasive species -not only zebra mussels but a piece of milfoil or fanwort or Asian Clam, you could be fined or imprisoned. Take a look at the bill for yourself:http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/186/st02/st02113.htmAn Act protecting lakes and ponds. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows: Section 1. Chapter 90B of the 2008 official edition of the Massachusetts General Laws is hereby amended by inserting the following section:- Section 5D. No one shall place a vessel that …

Fall in the air! Time for cleanups.

Nighttime temps may be in the 40’s with the beginning of the autumn season, but the days remain lovely on Manchaug with sunshine and temperatures in the 70’s. This is good weather for cleaning up boats and putting stuff away for the winter season. If you are looking to do any work along the shoreline or put in a new dock, be sure to check out the local regulation. The MPA will be sending to all members an informational flyer put together by the Douglas Conservation Commission. This flyer was also available at our Spring Social, Annual Meeting and as part of the grant exhibit. You can check the town conservation websites for specific regulations: http://www.douglasma.org/cdd/concom/regs.htm http://www.suttonma.org/Pages/SuttonMA_BComm/wet/index MPA has two cleanups scheduled: This Saturday, September 26th for emergent aquatic weeds and October 17th for trash along the shoreline and area roads and the boat ramp. All MPA members, campers, and Manchaug Pond users are invited to join us for both events. We will meet at the Public Access Boat Ramp at 9 am and fan out from there. If you can’t join us until later, come along and look for the work groups along the shore, roads and at the …

Traveling to a distant shore… a new, magical land… and new boats!

This evening as the cool air settles in and the wind dies down, the lake takes on a magical glow in the distance… traveling to another shore in a far off land – Australian to be exact… we can visit the movie set of the latest Narnia film thanks to “Aussie Annie” and her children. boats on the set… and the magnificant Dawn Treader! http://www.narniaweb.com/ Aussie Annie’s blog:http://starrymantle.blogspot.com/2009/08/set-from-voyage-of-dawn-treader.html I would also like to note that today’s newspaper reports the passing of an MPA member from Area 6. Grant him eternal rest, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine on him.

Sawyer Beetle NOT Asian Longhorn!

This photo taken on a home in the Manchaug Pond watershed features the native Sawyer Pine Beetle, NOT the dreaded Asian Longhorn Beetle from China which is now plaguing areas of Worcester, Holden, etc. The whitespotted Sawyer Pine Beetle (Monochamus scutellatus)is a “native beetle that attacks diseased and damaged pine trees, emerges from trees earlier in the season than ALB, which is not expected to be seen in Massachusetts until July.” http://massnrc.org/pests/alb/

MPA Annual Meeting 2009: You! Volunteer Opportunities.

One of our readers wrote:Anonymous said… Well said!!! I would like to hear about upcoming opportunities to volunteer, opportunities where people can join in and help make a difference! September 02, 2009 6:29 AM All right Manchaug Pond fans! The lake needs YOU! Here are two opportunities where you can join with other lake lovers to make a difference, a big difference! The first is new to the MPA but recommended this year by environmental scientist at Lycott Environmental in their 2009 survey of Manchaug Pond. So here we go! Sept. 26th ~ INVASIVE WEED CLEANUP! 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet at the State Boat Ramp and spread out from there! This time we are after a new villian in our cleanup- not trash but INVASIVE PLANTS! A weed, by definition, is a plant out-of-place, unwanted! Invasive tells us it will take over – pushing out the native plants and with our shallow lake, replace acres of water with thick and high reeds, cattails and loosestrife. These plants came in this spring – “hand harvesting… is best used for pioneer infestations. Pulling and cutting is labor intensive and must be done at a time when plants are not producing …

Last Night’s Sunset and Deer

While capturing the sunset from Holt Road…. … I was missing an opportunity to get a photo of the doe and her three young up close and in the daylight. One of these days I am going to get a great shot of them with the camera!

Campers Still Celebrating!

Some may think the season is over on Manchaug Pond but it is not. It definitely has slowed down and quieted down with the cooler weather but one of the campgrounds is still hopping with music/band/DJ on the weekend. This summer they celebrated Christmas in July and Halloween in August… anyone heard what the highlighted celebration in September will be? Someone even got a bit too creative and set up a tree on Blueberry Island – pinwheel decorations and all. Thanks to a reader/ commenter for submitting this photo taken this summer. Hopefully the tree will be taken down soon as fall is approaching. Hint! Hint! It is not a favorite of mine – I would prefer the real thing.