1st Annual Boat Decorating Contest a Blast!

18 vessels entered today’s contest with many more watching and joining in! Spectators on shore and in the water were amazed as the boats passed by with flamboyant decorations, music, props and more! Waves and cheers as the lake stood still to watch the boats go by! And the judges, well they were overwhelmed by the creativity, patriotism, and cleverness and thoroughness of design by all the entries! Throwing out the traditional 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, our MPA panel of judges decided to award 1 Grand Winner and 6 second place winners!!! Yes! 7 winners! With a sorry judge reporting others she loved and wished to win! more details, and photos to come…. but after the lighting of the shoreline, campfires, lighted boats, etc..

Still time ….for Boat Decorating and Lighting the Shoreline!

Last night’s patriotic sunset was a perfect entry into the Fourth of July weekend! We have 16 vessels registered so far for the 2010 Boat Decorating Contest scheduled to meet at Blueberry Island today at 3 p.m.  Various themes from patriotic to those you would never have thought of!! and vessels from pontoons, to bowriders, to fishing boats, to paddle boats and kayaks have entered.  Should be great fun for both participants and spectators!  If you haven’t registered for the Boat Decorating Contest and would like your vessel judged, give Karen a call at 508-234-9239 or email her at manchaugpond.bronson@gmail.com. You should also click on the Calendar of Events tab above for details on where to meet, etc.  Be sure your assigned number is prominently displayed. The “Support Our Troops” Flag Ship, entry #1, has been asked to lead the boats past the judges station.Special thanks to the Boat Decorating Contest Committee, Paula, Alice and Karen, for the idea, organizing and publicizing the event! Also to the MPA Board of Directors for appropriating $150. for prize money! And to our esteemed Judges who will take the time on this busy weekend to review each entry!  And to all participants  – …

Manchaug Pond Foundation

MassWildlife Working on Manchaug Pond!

Mass Wildlife/Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game are out on the lake taking a survey of our fisheries.  With this year’s waterlevel they are able to take their boat into the coves! Thank you to the 3 MPA directors and 1 member who called in the info and sent this photo.  More are on the way!

Boaters! Watch the water for…

 Do you see it? DIVER-DOWN Flag What does it mean? According to the  Official Massachusetts Boating Handbook it is required equipment.   “All persons scuba diving, skin diving, or snorkeling must display a red and white divers flag. Divers or snorkelers must remain within 100 feet of the divers flag.If possible, vessel operators not engaged in the diving operation should stay at least 100 feet from a displayed flag. If not possible, vessel operators must reduce speed to no more than three miles per hour. Two types of flags are used to indicate diving activity.Divers Flag: A rectangular red flag with a white diagonal stripe, at least 12 x 15 inches in size and constructed of rigidly supported material. This flag must be displayed on a vessel or surface float and must extend a minimum distance of three feet up from the surface of the water.Alfa Flag: A blue and white International Code Flag A (or Alfa flag), flown from a vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver. This flag indicates that a vessel is involved in a diving activity. The Alfa flag may be displayed in addition to the divers flag but does not replace the divers flag.

If you didn’t click the Calendar of Events tab – this is what you are missing!

July Fourth of July Weekend ~  BOAT DECORATING CONTEST and LIGHTING OF THE SHORELINE BOAT DECORATING CONTEST  Judging at 3:00 p.m.,  Saturday, July 3rd The MPA invites you to participate in a Boat Decorating Contest for the Fourth of July weekend! Ca$h prize$ will be awarded for the best decorated boats! You only need to register if you would like to be judged. Anyone is welcome to join in at no charge. Spectators are welcome! Pick any theme from patriotic to wherever your imagination takes you! Keep it simple or come up with an elaborate plan with costumes and accessories for your vessel, crew and guests!   (Remember safety first! Do not exceed your boat’s capacity, and be sure decorations do not obstruct your vision.) Register your boat if you want to be judged in the contest. (see below to register.) Display your number (assigned when you register) prominently on the starboard side and readable from the judges’ station on shore.  Meet at 3:00 p.m. Saturday near Blueberry Island for judging.  Boat # 1 will begin the contest, proceeding slowly and safely past the judges’ station at the northern end of the lake in a counterclockwise direction allowing all vessels to be viewed …

No Storm on Manchaug Pond!

A heron flys in the heat and sunshine of the blue, cloudless skies of Manchaug Pond. Psst! Check out the Calendar of Events tab for the MPA’s latest bit of fun for Manchaug Pond!and Hey! What did you think of that fancy newsletter? Next on comes out the beginning of September with an August 15th deadline… Want to place a classified ad? get on the mailing list? submit an article? Email manchaugpondsecretary@gmail.com and I’ll forward you to an MPA volunteer!Thanks for supporting the MPA’s work to preserve Manchaug Pond!

And the Winner of this year’s BOAT RAFFLE is …

Ticket # 99!  Congratulations to Don and Marilyn Klocek!  The 2010 winners of the MPA Boat Raffle/$8,000 Giveaway! MPA Fundraising Committee co-chairman and Master of Ceremonies, George Cammuso, gets the last two ticket holders on the phone to see if they want to split the winnings or go for broke! (one was visiting the state of Maine, the other on his way to the airport!) Deciding to go for it all, Mr. and Mrs. Klocek edged out David and Beverly Gravison – holders of ticket #79 – as the duck bearing the winning # 99 was pulled out of the pool. The day was a huge success with attendees enjoying the beautiful weather, good company, and a hugely delicious barbecued chicken dinner at the Camp Blanchard boat house on the shores of Manchaug Pond. Special thanks to the YMCA for use of the facility, to USA Marine for providing a prize boat on site the day of the event, and to all those who purchased a ticket, sold tickets, and attended the event which raised $12,000 to benefit the formation of a 501c3 foundation for the preservation of Manchaug Pond. It was great fun for a great cause with the …