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.

Sunshine!

The sun broke through and temperatures are in the 70’s! Enjoy the water!

Massachusetts- Zebra Mussel Continues to Make News

Zebra mussels continue to appear in the news. In July, Massachusetts Fish and Game took emergency action by closing a number of western Mass public access boat ramps for 30 days as well as Quabbin Reservoir and then extending that closing to October 15th for contaminated Laurel Lake. Here’s a cartoon from the 9/3 issue of a local Worcester Telegram FLASH. http://www.telegram.com/article/20090903/FLASH/909030508 The MPA views zebra mussels and other invasives as extremely serious. Back in 2002, the MPA realized the threat of zebra mussels as already in neighboring states. Our public access boat ramp as well as our three on-lake campgrounds means high boat traffic in and out of Manchaug. So in 2002, an MPA board member wrote and submitted a grant to the then DEM Lakes and Ponds Grant Program asking for matching funds to provide a boat wash station with a trained authority on duty at the public ramp to inspect boats coming on to the lake during the summer season. Problem – the state wanted Manchaug to serve as a wash station for all the area lakes. Guess we had a good idea but, for this area it would have meant too much traffic, too small a …

Big Fish – Found Not Caught

Okay. Here’s my disclaimer: the following post may NOT be too pleasing or pretty to all readers! Photos include a skeleton and dead fish up close and personal! … these fish were found by two of my daughters on Manchaug Pond – cause of death unknown. A pickerel I believe – big but not a champion! This skeleton found by my youngest while she explored the old causeway in the spring. Definitely an exciting find for a young scientist! Another daughter brought this bass home in early August. She could not believe the size of it! The gash on the side… do you think a prop got it once it was dead and floating belly up?

MassWildlife Goose Control – Hunting Sept 8th

From MassWildlife:2009 Early Goose Season Dates and Bag Limits Set The early Canada goose hunting season dates are September 8 – September 25, 2009, with hunters allowed a bag limit of 7 birds per day. “Data collected from agency goose banding activities this summer indicate the early goose hunting seasons have kept populations stable in the central and western parts of the state and full bag limits are rarely reached,” commented MassWildlife’s Waterfowl Project Leader H Heusmann. “However, in northeastern and southeastern Massachusetts, where we find our densest goose populations, hunters frequently filled their 5-bird limit. This indicates that the potential to reduce what are often nuisance population levels of resident Canada geese can be increased with a higher bag limit. The early season provides goose hunters with ample hunting and gives more time to landowners to allow hunters to reduce the size of nuisance flocks of resident geese.” Waterfowlers are reminded that state and federal waterfowl stamps are required for hunting waterfowl and that hunting hours begin one half hour before sunrise and end at sunset. http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/hunting/hunting_opportunities.htmhttp://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/hunting/hunting_opportunities.htm

The Unexpected Guest!

Three boats tied together visiting in the middle of the lake on the calm waters of Thursday evening… with an unexpected guest joining them for pretzels, chips and a little drink!

Labor Day Eve – Lighting of the Shoreline!

On Manchaug Pond we have a tradition begun over 35 years ago where we light the shoreline with flares on the eve of July 4th and Labor Day. The practice was suggested at the 1974 MPA Annual Meeting by member Professor Robert Nunnemacher and has been done ever since. This year be sure to join in! Show your solidarity as the MPA continues to promote the welfare and correct use of Manchaug Pond and the watershed! It has been quite a year and united, our members make a difference! Flares should be lit Sunday, Sept. 6th at 8:00 p.m. It is a beautiful sight to see the shoreline a glow. To purchase flares: visit the campground store at Holbrook or call your Area Representative. Flares are sold for cost by the MPA at 2 for $5 or 1 for $3.

MPA Annual Meeting 2009: You! The Membership

This year’s MPA Annual Meeting took place at a location we know well and has been home to many meetings over many decades – the YMCA’s Camp Blanchard. The Dining Hall held the close to 80 attendees (if you count the kitchen crew!) – who came together on a perfect hot summer day to hear the reports and updates outlining the many hours of effort on behalf of the lake and to the benefit of the many who enjoy this resource. After the business meeting, our speaker gave a humorous look at boat safety, passed out the latest copy of the Massachusetts Boater’s Guide, and offered safe vessel checks for all boats on Manchaug during Boat Safety Week 2010. The day ended with a social and luncheon with plenty of delicious food! New MPA logo embroidered t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, visors were available at cost to members and updated maps of lakeshore residents were for the taking. The educational 319 stormwater grant display and brochures were also available for more info. So…Favorites of the day? Definitely #1 would be Paul’s homemade seafood chowder – rave reviews! The price tag for annual herbicide applications for aquatic weed control got a few laughs …