Traveling to the MPA Social – Watch for Cyclists!

Seems Manchaug Road will be a popular place this Saturday!  MPA’s Annual Spring Social is not the only event planned…. seems we will be sharing the road with over 300 cyclist who will be competing in the 1st annual Purgatory Road Race bicycling race. So expect delays and please drive cautiously!  Cyclist will be racing from Whitins Road to Manchaug Road to Lackey and Putnam Hill.  Check back here later as I am checking with officials to determine if there will be any detours or one-ways. The Boston-based cycling team, Green Line Velo, is hosting the competition and their forum tells of an expected 300 cyclists. Update:  Lackey Road will be a one-way heading north up the hill.

BOAT RAFFLE Tickets are a Hit!

SOLD OUT!!!  The FUNdrai$ing Committee co-chairman reports with just a month of promotion all 100 tickets have been sold.  As we are still getting requests for tickets, the MPA Board of Directors deeply appreciates the community’s support of this event and our work to preserve Manchaug Pond! Next is the DRAWING & Celebration:  this Saturday, June 19th at the YMCA Camp Blanchard facility.  Weather permitting we will be down at the boat house along the shore of Manchaug Pond. Our Co-chairmen, George and Kevin, who brought this idea to the MPA, promise a good time for this year’s social: at 11:00 we begin with coffee and conversation and an introduction to the 501c3 FOUNDATION.  11:30 the REVErSE DRAWING will give a few laughs as the numbers are pulled and checked off as we climb toward the winning ticket!   by noon, you’ll be enjoying a lake side menu of barbecued chicken, red bliss potato salad, tossed garden salad, a roll and butter, and the traditional Helen’s Bakery brownies for desert. Rumor has it Chef Paul is bringing a large pot of his legendary seafood chowder. A 50/50 raffle for a buck will add to the fun! Also you’ll have an opportunity …

Set to Break a Record…16 yr. old Sailor Rescued at Sea

Since it has been raining much of the day on Manchaug Pond, lets turn to the Indian Ocean for a story of skill, determination and courage… the story of a young woman out to set a world record for sailing around the world. This week, two thousand miles off the coast of Australia a storm took the mast of her sailboat, “Wild Eyes” making a rescue at sea necessary. Click on the title of this post to read more of her story on the personal blog of 16 year old sailor Abby Sunderlund. Below are a few photos from her blog.

Biological Indicators of Watershed Health: HEX HATCH 2010

As the rain comes down the Mayflies (Hexagenia) are hatching! Flying in large numbers just above the water causing fish to jump and the swallows to dive! Last year it happened June 10th, with our 1st Vice President blogging it here and her neighbor reporting it as the largest hatch he had seen in his 75 years on the lake. She wrote:“One of the best indicators of the health of a lake are the bugs that call it home. Last night there was a significant Hex hatch (Hexagenia a.k.a. Mayfly) and this morning I counted over 120 that were resting on the screens and doors of my house. According to my neighbor Harry, this is the largest hatch he has seen during his 75 years on the lake. These Mayflies are a great indicator that our lake is healthy. Mayflies are loved by Trout as well as the local Robin who has been plucking them off the deck.” Click in the title for a link to the EPA Bioindicators information.

Have you looked out your window lately? Moose in Sutton!

Can you believe it?!  This moose was caught on camera in Sutton just about 2 weeks ago on the south side of Central Turnpike! Mass Wildlife says when you see a moose to stay a respectful distance away and enjoy the sight of this magnificent animal! I’d like to add to that advice: Don’t approach BUT get the camera, zoom it, take the photo and then be sure to email it to me so I can put it on the blog!! Click here for more info from  MassWildlife’s Living with Moose This moose sighting so close to home brings to mind the importance of open space as wildlife corridors. A past president of the MPA worked with the Metacomet Land Trust to begin the Lake Manchaug Greenway and Wildlife Corridor, an effort which seeks to establish a wildlife corridor just south of the area this moose was found which links the Douglas State Forest with the Sutton State Forest and Purgatory Chasm. Here’s a look at the Metacomet map below of Sutton’s protected lands – Manchaug Pond is on the lower left side straddling the Douglas and Sutton line.  A huge thank you to the photographers who captured the moose …

Did you see us in the Telegram today?! C4 Outdoors

“A very special boat raffle is being held to benefit the preservation of Manchaug Pond, a favorite fishery of many local bass anglers….”  Mark Blazis, Outdoors columnist, Worcester Telegram June 8, 2010. A HUGE thanks to Mr. Blazis for his kind words today promoting our first fundraiser for the Manchaug Pond Foundation.  It is truly an honor to be included in his column with the many educational pieces about Massachusetts wildlife and the anecdotes of the many people who work and enjoy the woods and waters of our communities.

Thoughts on the Raffle – with ONLY 10 TICKETS AVAILABLE !

Here’s a heads up for all you faithful readers:  there are ONLY 10 RAFFLE TICKETS LEFT – yes, only 10! – so if you’ve been meaning to email me about getting a ticket you had better do it right now!   When the list of supporters/participants is posted – and your name or company is not listed – don’t say you didn’t have a chance! So here we go – email: ManchaugPondSecretary@gmail.com   or    infoMPA@charter.net or call George at 774-280-2328. If you are in the area, we’ll deliver your tickets.   If you are not,  just let me know and we’ll hold your ticket. You can put your check, made payable to “Manchaug Pond Association”, in the mail to MPA, P.O. Box 154, Manchaug, MA  01526.  I’ll send you your free chicken barbecue ticket and your raffle ticket! We have received some wonderful responses and support!  Here’s a few comments:  “This isn’t about winning a boat, its about supporting the lake.”“My husband and I enjoy going to Manchaug Pond and would like to purchaseraffle tickets and attend the barbeque.” “I need a ticket this time around so I’ll be on the list for next year!” “Only 100 sold – I like those …