43rd Annual Meeting of the Members THIS Saturday!

Attention all members! Just a reminder that the Manchaug Pond Association will hold its 43rd Annual Meeting this Saturday,  August 21, 2010 at the YMCA Camp Blanchard facility on Manchaug Road, Sutton. We’ll begin at 10:30, visit with lake neighbors and friends over a coffee or ice tea (punch for the children), purchase your flares for the Labor Day lighting of the shoreling event, pick up a registration form for our next fundraising event – The Dam Race, check out the new MPA logo hats (2 color!) and t-shirts (safety orange, black, dusk blue, azalea to name a few!) and view the 319 stormwater grant exhibit will on display with all the handouts to help you around your landscape. The business meeting will begin with reports and updates (it has been a busy year!) from the committees, board of directors, and president and end with the election of officers and directors for the 2010-2012 term. (If you are interested in serving – give us a call or email.) This year’s speaker is Representative Jennifer Callahan of Sutton. Dr. Callahan is a strong defender of Manchaug Pond working on the state level the past few years with the MPA, Rep Kujawski, and …

From the Window of the Camper…

Each of us has our own view of Manchaug Pond; a portrait of the lake framed by a camper window, the porch of a summer camp, the large picture window of a year-round home, or even more simply from the vessel we launch at the state boat ramp. the view out the back window of our camper… Advocating for this natural resource is the mission of the Manchaug Pond Association. Founded in 1967, we collectively work “to promote the welfare and correct use of Manchaug Pond and the contiguous area.” To deepen our efforts, the MPA formed a 501c3 last October- the Manchaug Pond Foundation. If you want to do more than look at pretty pictures of the lake while sitting back in your lakeside lawn chair, stand with the members of the MPA by joining today!  For you convenience a PayPal button has been put on this site.  For  $35.  you can become a friend of Manchaug Pond – receive all mailings and meeting notices as well as our new quarterly newsletter SPLASH – or make a donation of any size to help us in our work. Volunteer now – I look forward to hearing from you!This photo was …

A Pair of Herons

As the water evaporates, exposing the wall in the channel, a pair of herons drop in to survey the area.

Manchaug Pond Foundation Wildlife

Snapping Turtle

Why did the turtle cross the road? To get to the other side to lay her eggs.

Cormorant ~ “Sea Crow”

For more information on this waterbird and resident visitor to Manchaug Pond, click the title of this post. Thank you to the photographer and MPA member who sent these in for all to enjoy!

Pan Mass Challenge Passing Holbrook’s Campground, Sutton

Just in – video from Holbrook’s Campground on Manchaug Pond, Sutton of the Pan Mass Challenge!  Campers come out in numbers on this cool clear morning to cheer the cyclists on!! … and those cyclist keep on coming!! Check the link for the route from Sturbridge to Provincetown! http://www.pmc.org/ride.asp?topic=Ride/routes Special thanks to the owner of The Old Holbrook Place Campground for the just in photo and video!

Heads Up! Pan Mass Challenge tomorrow

Tomorrow morning starting around 7:30AM Manchaug Pond will have some very energetic lake admirers bicycling from Sturbridge to Bourne then to Provincetown on Sunday to raise money for the Jimmy Fund. There are several possible two and one day routes but I think ours is the most scenic! If you are an early bird, join me by boat at the north shore of the lake to cheer them on.

Highlights of the Aerial Tour of Manchaug Pond

From an elevation of 1530 which is about 1000 feet in the sky, here is Manchaug Pond! Blueberry Island YMCA Camp Blanchard Boat House and Beach Swenson’s Island State Public Access Boat Ramp on left and a campground on right Manchaug Pond Dam Very special thanks to the MPA Board members, the pilot and the photographer, for this unique opportunity to view our beloved lake from above!

Blimp at 12:00!

At 11:30 a call came in, “Do you have your camera ready?!” as a blimp was flying over Douglas headed toward Manchaug Pond. Minutes later it showed itself on the northern side of the lake. Here’s a closeup as it passes over Waters Farm.

Christmas in July on Manchaug Pond

Saturday while the campers at King’s Family Campground were having a merry old time celebrating Christmas in July with their strings of lights, mistletoe and games, blowup Santas, jolly music into the night, and more…..….. the Big Guy was flying over Manchaug Pond with his sights on the Christmas Tree at Blueberry Island. Hmmm… naughty or nice… wonder if he had his list with him. Tell me… did the campers at the Old Holbrook Place get all the presents?