Manchaug Pond Dam Subject of Grant for Hydropower Study

Sutton Town Administrator Jim Smith reports the town has been awarded the Green Communities’ Grant in the amount of $140,000.  Included in the list of items earmarked to benefit from these monies is a feasibility study looking at hydropower at the Manchaug Pond and Stevens dams. The grant was part of the administrator and selectman’s decision and push to align the town’s goals with the Green Community initiative. Selectman Geraghty stated the grant was very substantial for a town the size of Sutton. Past photo of the Manchaug Pond dam with flow from the low level gate. Past photo of Stevens Pond dam.

Thankful on Manchaug Pond

Turkeys visiting the Old Holbrook Place campground a few years ago.         Manchaug Pond from Waters Road – October 2008 Manchaug Pond shoreline – Oct 25, 2008 The covered bridge photo from Sutton Falls Family Camping

PATRIOTS RAFFLE – Ticket #1-5 Available!

   Raffle tickets # 1-5 have just surfaced, unsold and available for the taking!  Only 200 opportunities to win 4 incredible seats just 8 rows behind Coach Belchick in the Pats verses Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, December 4, 2011. If you want a ticket, let us know now before they sell out! Call a board member or  the MPF secretary directly at manchaugpondsecretary@gmail.com. Your $20/chance goes to preserve Manchaug Pond  – specifically earmarked for the dam ownership issue.  Drawing at the Manchaug Monster Mash event, Saturday, October 29th.  Dudley-Gendron Post, Boston Road, Sutton Monster Mash tickets now on sale – $10/person Live Band FINAL NOTICE,  food,  prizes for best costumes, raffles and more! You’re sure to leave laughing! A huge thanks to the MPF Board member who donated these incredible tickets!  and to our FUNdrai$ing Committee, Event Coordinator and FINAL NOTICE  for a promised super evening.

Just in: Runners Love THE DAM RACE !

Anonymous said… Fantastic race run by a fabulous group of volunteers! Tuesday, October 18, 2011 4:44:00 AM EDT Just received at the post office box:Dear Manchaug Pond Association/The Dam Race Organizers,I wanted to send a quick thank you note to express how wonderful your race was on October 15th and how much my family and I enjoyed it!  Everyone was so friendly and welcoming!The scenery was lovely, the volunteers were extremely helpful (especially the kind gentleman who let us use his RV bathroom!) and it was an outstandingly organized race!  Looking forward to next year’s race already!   L.S. of Sturbridge, Massachusetts

Want to celebrate with us?    Did you enjoy our Rockin’ Spring Fling? …well, hold this date for the MANCHAUG MONSTER MASH Saturday, October 29th  Dudley-Gendron Post 414Boston Road, Sutton From 7 pm-12 midnight,  be entertained by the live band, FINAL NOTICE.    Prizes for the best costumes, extraordinary raffle items, and light fare will be served.   $10 admission charge to benefit Manchaug Pond. AND!!  Special Patriots raffle drawing at the Manchaug Monster Mash: ! WIN ! ~ PATRIOTS RAFFLE ~ ! WIN ! ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL! WIN 4 TICKETS ~ $20/chance Seating just 8 rows behind Coach Belichick on the Patriots’ 50 yard line. NE Patriots Vs. Indianapolis ColtsSunday, December 4, 2011 @ 8 pm. Proceeds benefit Manchaug Pond Drawing: at the Manchaug Monster Mash! ! WIN ! ~ PATRIOTS RAFFLE ~ ! WIN !     Thank you to our FUNdrai$ing Committee for organizing another great event and activity to benefit Manchaug Pond! Thank you to our generous donor for these incredible tickets! 

UPDATE: Manchaug Pond Dam

WORCESTER TELEGRAM Tuesday, October 18, 2011 Voters OK purchase of Manchaug Dam for $1 SUTTON —  Voters at last night’s fall town meeting voted overwhelmingly to allow the Board of Selectmen to purchase Manchaug Dam on Torrey Road for $1. The dam’s current owner, Hydro Projects North, which is a subsidiary of Interface Inc. of Atlanta, has also agreed to give the town $350,000 for the maintenance of the dam that controls the level of 380-acre Manchaug Pond. Before the vote was taken by the approximately 200 people at the meeting, Manchaug Pond Association member Andrew Mosher commended the Board of Selectmen and Town Administrator James Smith for their efforts to negotiate the offer that was being considered last night. Mr. Mosher said purchasing the dam was a quality-of-life issue for the people living on the shores of the pond. Other people said the entire town would benefit from the purchase of the dam that was built in 1836. While the Finance and Warrant Advisory Committee voted 4-1 to back the article, member Robert Recore said he was worried about the town’s liability if the dam was bought. He wondered how long the $350,000 would last and how much it would cost …

Thank you RUNNERS! Here’s your time

“This is the best little race we run in a long time!”  “What a wonderful spirit!” Jake Murray 23:08                    1st Place Men’sEric Shrayer 23:23                   2nd Place Men’sLinda Spooner 24:44                1st Women’sHoward Bottomly 26:16           3rd Men’sGreg Dubell 26:16                     4th Men’sNicole Salmonsen Gantt 26:48  2nd Women’sNancy Ryan 27:59                     3rd Women’sChris Sullivan 28:59Richard Costa 29:11Lizette Gomer 29:18Donna LeBlanc 29:50Larry Costinos 30:31Sandra Kuipers 31:09Jill Bronson 31:55Michael Frost 32:29Katie Schmidt 33:49Michael Andrus 34:11Tessy Schlemmer 34:50Laura Turner 35:16Kathleen Laperle 35:25Lauren Salmonsen 36:22Kevin Stockhaus 36:41Danielle Salmonsen 36:53Paul Eklund 38:41Patti Eklund 38:41Kathleen Rocha 39:41Kathy Lyons 39:41Maddie Vega 42:23Judy Castonguay 50:45Jackie Isble 51:30Rose Charpentier 57:27Lesa Bickford 1:02:41Kim Mosher 1:02:41Kandi Schmidt 1:05:10Timmy Isble 1:05:11Andrew Biafore 1:06:47Kate Biafore 1:06:47Monica Gauthier 1:09:30Paula DeMeo 1:09:30Alice Smith 1:12:45 A big and hearty congratulations and thank you to all those who ran, walked, rode in a stroller, cheer’ed us on, donated and volunteers! All to benefit the preservation of Manchaug Pond. (Check in later for photos and more!)

ATTENTION RUNNERS!

Race Day is here!  And the weather forecast is calling for clear skies! Thank you to those who have registered to run!  or walk! Runners should park at the finish line which this year is at the crosswalk at 19 Holt Road across from Kings Family Campground. Beginning at 8 am,  Knights Limousine will shuttle you to the start at Waters Farm. Registration for all runners will begin at 8:30 am at Waters Farm.  If you haven’t registered, you can do so the day of the race!All proceeds do benefit the Manchaug Pond Foundation and our work to preserve the water level and dam. Race begins at 9:30 am.  Water station at Holbrook’s Campground.  Restroom facilities at start, water station and finish.  Finish line this year is past the dam around the corner to the crosswalk at 19 Holt Road in front of King’s Campground store.  Refreshments, music and more. See you there!

! WIN ! ~ PATRIOTS RAFFLE ~ ! WIN ! ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL! WIN 4 TICKETS ~ $20/chance Seating just 8 rows behind Coach Belichick on the Patriots’ 50 yard line. NE Patriots Vs. Indianapolis ColtsSunday, December 4, 2011 @ 8 pm. Proceeds benefit Manchaug Pond Drawing: at the Manchaug Monster Mash! ! WIN ! ~ PATRIOTS RAFFLE ~ ! WIN ! 

ATTENTION RUNNERS! This comment was left for you.

“THIS IS JAKE MURRAY AND I’M COMING BACK THIS YEAR!” 2010 THE DAM RACE Men’s 1st Place Winner #47 Jake Murray at 24:06 ******************************************************************************** At 12 years old Jake Murray captured first place.  Join him this year!  Run or walk  …. Register by October 1 to reserve your t-shirt! Download the registration form  here and send to MPA, Box 154, Manchaug, MA  01526. Or use the Paypal button on the right. See you on October 15th with your running shoes on,  or be out there to Cheer us on! All proceeds to benefit the Manchaug Pond Foundation and our work to preserve the water level and dam. Runners can park at the finish line at 19 Holt Road, Sutton.  Knights Limousine will shuttle you to the start beginning at 8 am. Registration begins at 8:30 at Waters Farm.  Participant’s number and t-shirt given at registration.  Race begins at 9:30 am.  Water station and facilities at Holbrook’s Campground.  Finish line celebration with prizes, refreshments, music and more. See you there!