BLAISDELL LAKE NEWS

2002 SUMMER EDITION

Published by your BLPOA Board of Directors

ANNOUNCING THE BLPOA 2002 SUMMER CALENDAR!

July 5 FLARE NIGHT 9:30PM

July 20 YARD SALE 9:00AM-2:00PM

August 3 ANNUAL MEETING 10:00AM

You won’t want to miss out on these important events and you’ll find more details throughout this issue. Support your lake association!

Flare Night … Happy Birthday America!

Flare night has become a popular annual tradition, where owners and renters around the lake light off flares after dark to celebrate Independence Day. It’s a magnificent sight to see the whole lake “lit up” in the spirit of this important national holiday. In case you’re wondering, here are some FAQ’s:

· Why July 5^th, and not the 4^th? We generally schedule Flare Night on Friday or Saturday when the holiday falls mid-week (so those who have to work before or after the 4^th won’t miss out) and try to avoid conflicts with other area celebrations (Bradford fireworks, etc.).

· Why 9:30PM? Because that’s when it gets (really) dark! Now, this one is important … so please hold off, even if the kids are getting itchy. Synchronized ignition is just a spectacular thing to witness!

· What’s the best way to enjoy the display? First, be sure to buy some flares and light them off from your dock or waterfront at 9:30. They cost $3(1), $5(2), $8(3), or $10(4). You can purchase flares from Bill Hallahan, Estelle Rooney, or any BLPOA Director. Then, join your neighbors at the waterfront and celebrate. Enjoy the fireworks that appear and cheer on the boat parade, If you have a boat, join the parade … but be sure to observe safe boating rules and keep your running lights on.

It’s an evening to remember!

Blaisdell Lake Yard Sale

Saturday, July 20, 9AM-2:00PM

@ Estelle Rooney’s Dog House

Rain date: Sunday (same time)

We are back by popular demand and need your participation and support! We ask all association members bring at least one item that is clean and in good condition (with a value of at least $10.00) to the Dog House on Friday night, July 19, between 6:00 and 7:00 PM. If you have something that you would like to donate but cannot deliver at that time, please call Carol Belliveau 938-2358 or Cynthia Donovan 938-5306. Also, if you would like to help please give one of us a call, it’s a great way to see old friends and meet neighbors. We can always use folding tables if you have one we could borrow for the day. We also welcome home baked goods that are individually wrapped for sale. Start looking for that wonderful item or service that you would like to donate, and remember to come and find a treasure the day of the sale. Tell your friends to come to the sale and buy, buy, buy! We have great prices and cool stuff!!

BLPOA Raffle

This year, for the first time, we will hold a raffle and offer some great prizes to the lucky winners. Ticket sale proceeds will support our ever-expanding efforts to build awareness of water quality issues and educate the board and the membership on exotic weed prevention and control programs.

2 books of raffle tickets are enclosed with this newsletter, along with a Raffle Flyer that will answer your questions. We hope you will support the raffle by selling tickets to friends and neighbors or purchasing them yourself. You will help to protect the quality of the water in Lake Blaisdell … and who knows, you might even walk away with a prize!

You can return ticket sale proceeds to Betty Blodgett (@ BLPOA, PO Box 453, South Sutton, NH 03273) or give them to her at the annual meeting on August 3.

Water Quality

The spread of exotic aquatic plants throughout the NH lakes region has become a major problem and is the topic of debate and legislation in the state and local governments, including our own town of Sutton. Fortunately, Blaisdell remains (weed) problem-free, thanks in large part to the efforts of our Conservation chairman, Bill Hallahan, and his team of dedicated helpers.

Water Quality (cont.)

Our water quality program is as comprehensive and active as any in the state:

• The Conservation Committee has been expanded and revitalized. Its current focus is on exotic weed prevention and control, particularly milfoil.
• On June 13, BLPOA officers, along with Bill, met at Lake Massasecum with Dick and Marcia Keller, for an “up-close and in-person” look at milfoil and the havoc it wreaks. The Kellers have spearheaded their association’s successful 5 year efforts to contain the weed and its spread. They have graciously accepted our invitation to speak at the BLPOA annual meeting in August.
• A “Weed Watcher” team has been formed and is active, each with an area of the lake to patrol and monitor.
• Weed Marker buoys have been made up, thanks to Norm Forand, and will be used by the Weed Watchers to temporarily mark any suspicious growth.
• We hope to have a series of “coffees” around the lake this season to expand awareness and provide some education on exotic aquatic plants.
• BLPOA is represented at the regular educational seminars offered by the NH Department of Environmental Services (DES)
• Signage is prominently displayed at the Wright’s Beach boat launch area
• Boat launchers are required to complete a form prior to launch
• Pamphlets are made available to boat launchers and to the public
• Water testing is conducted 6 times in-season. 2 tests are complete (with good results), the others are scheduled for 7/30, 8/6, 8/27 and 9/24
• We will arrange for the purchase of our own water testing equipment before the end of the season. This will greatly simplify testing program logistics.
• An “Attention Boaters” brochure, published by DES, is enclosed with this mailing. It shows the extent of the problem in southern New Hampshire and offers helpful hints. Additional copies can be obtained from the board.

What About Blaisdell?

The lake is clear, clean and in very good shape. Right now, it is free of invasive exotic aquatic plants like milfoil, but it will take the awareness and concern of us all to keep it that way. These plants are generally brought into a lake on the motors and trailers of boats. They grow and spread rapidly and choke out other “good” plants and algae. This permanently alters the habitat for fish and plant life, eventually choking them out. Milfoil is close by, on Sunapee and Massasecum. Treatment programs are expensive and so far, none have eliminated the problem entirely. We don’t want to see these plants in Blaisdell!

What Can I Do To Help?

· Clean your boat and trailer thoroughly before launching, especially before and after you transport it to another body of water.

· Be sure that boats from visitors or renters are inspected and cleaned before launching them.

· Keep your eyes peeled when you are out on the lake and report any suspicious weed growth; things you haven’t seen before.

· Take a sample if you can. Cut the weed with a knife, put it into a plastic bag or moist towel, keep it damp and cool, and get it to Bill Hallahan (or one of his Weed Watchers). They will arrange for DES analysis.

· Get involved! Talk with Bill and volunteer to help out on the weed watch.

Water Safety Update

Don Hall reports that all NH Marine Patrol Officers and Auxiliary Officers must carry identification badges, in response to homeland security requirements. He encourages boaters to check officer identification, in the event they are stopped or inspected.

Don is available for boat safety inspections on the lake. The inspection is good for one year and the board highly recommends that you have your boat inspected and stickered.

The NH Boater Education Law is now in effect, and all boaters born after 1/1/83 must currently possess a valid safe boating education certificate to operate a power boat with an engine in excess of 15hp. The certificate fee is $15 and can be obtained on-line at www.state.nh.us/safety/ss/education.html , or by attending a NH Dept. of Safety boating education course. Schedules are available on-line or by calling 1-888-254-2125.

Membership Matters … Join Us!

The BLPOA membership base is the foundation of our dam preservation and water quality efforts. It has been fairly stable at 70-80 in recent years, but there is the real potential to get that number to 100 and more. The 2002-2003 dues notice is enclosed in this mailing … and BLPOA needs YOU!

· If you aren’t already a member, please consider joining us

· If you have neighbors or friends that aren’t members, talk with them

The dues notice outlines the benefits of membership … it’s a worthwhile investment, helping to preserve the lake for generations to come.

Adopt-A-Highway Program

You’ve all seen the highway sign on Rte 114, just up the hill from its intersection with Rte 103. Well, thanks to John and Sally Biewener, and a few helpers, BLPOA is involved in a truly helpful community outreach program. The work is not difficult, the hours aren’t long, and the rewards are measured in the smiles from those that use the highway … but the Bieweners need your help! Call John at 938-2740 and sign up for his team.

“Ice Out” Record

Estelle Rooney, our resident lake historian, reports that “the ice went out” on April 1, the earliest date on record (her records go back to 1956) and that the ice went out “backwards”. Now, she’ll have to explain that part to you, so stop by to see Stell when you visit the Blaisdell Lake Yard Sale on July 20! We ought to work on Yankee Magazine for a feature story on her, don’t you think?

Oh, by the way, even though the ice disappeared early, there was a blinding snow storm 6 weeks later on May 18 (so there’s a second record for Stell’s book) … and at least one power boat was spotted on the lake, maneuvering through the snow flakes. Fishing was reported as poor.

BLPOA Annual Meeting

Saturday, August 3, 10:00AM

Camp Wabasso Dining Hall

This year’s meeting will feature a milfoil awareness program, presented by Marcia and Dick Keller from the Lake Massasecum Improvement Association. The program will inform and educate … and include a question and answer period.

The agenda will also include financial and business reports, distribution of the new BLPOA By-Laws booklet, election of officers and directors, and a vote on whether or not to lower the lake in the fall of 2003. The board has voted to recommend the lowering and put it to vote at the meeting. This will allow enough time for property owners to obtain necessary permits.

You won’t want to miss this meeting!

In Memoriam

Mason Blake, whose grandfather owned water rights to the Blaisdell dam 100 years ago, and whose family has been involved in meaningful ways with the lake ever since, passed away this winter. Mason was a well-known area businessman, active Shriner, and former BLPOA director. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his widow Florence, and to his extended family.

Please feel free to contact any officer or board member with questions or suggestions:

’01-’02 Board of Directors Contact List (Summer Numbers*)

President: Gail Olson 938-2446 Dan Morrissey 938-5537

Vice President: Dave Donovan 938-5306 Moe Geoffrion 938-5922

Treasurer: Dave Hansen 938-2717 Al Byam 938-2358

Clerk: Dave Young 938-2066 Jane Pratt 938-5448

Dam: Bruce Ellsworth 938-2323 Mike Gudefin 938-2997

Membership: Betty Blodgett 938-2965 Norm Forand 938-5843

Water Quality: Bill Hallahan 938-2339 Peg Demone 938-5484

Water Safety: Don Hall 938-2525 Floyd Mundy 938-2331

You can write to BLPOA at our business address:

PO Box 453, South Sutton NH 03273

HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER

… ENJOY THE LAKE!!

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