VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
What: Algae and Cyanobacteria Control Project
When: Saturday, April 23, 2022
Where: Nashawannuck Pond, Easthampton, MA
Why: Over the past number of years, lakes and ponds throughout the United States and the world have been experiencing increased occurrences of algae blooms. These blooms are a result of warmer climate temperatures and particularly affect shallower water bodies. Not all, but some of these blooms, may contain Cyanobacteria which can be very harmful.  Because the Nashawannuck Pond has experienced these blooms in the recent past, we are trying to see if using Barley Straw will help.

It has been found that Barley Straw, as it decomposes in certain waterbodies, will release a non harmful agent that will prevent these blooms from occurring. Thus, we are locating mesh bags of Barley Straw at specific locations to help prevent these blooms from happening.

We need 6 volunteers - to prepare Barley Straw bags. Meet at Valley Malt, 4 North Bridge Street in Holyoke (approx. 8 miles from Easthampton) April 23rd from 9am-noon. Volunteers will stuff two sections of Barley Straw from a bale into each of the 100 onion bags together with 2-3 floats.

We need 2 volunteers - to be in a boat on the Nashawannuck Pond to deploy the Barley Straw bags. There will be 2 boats with a pilot and a volunteer. The task is at designated areas with water depth approx. 2' - 3' deep, pounding in a stake approximately 2' deep, tying the Barley Straw bags to it and tying on an identifying ribbon. May need waders. Meet at the boat ramp on Water Street on Saturday, April 23rd at  12:30pm. 

Please email nashawannuckpond@gmail.com, if you wish to volunteer or have questions and concerns.

IMPORTANT WINTERFEST UPDATE!  Out of an abundance of caution regarding the increased presence of COVID-19 in our community, INDOOR WinterFest activities have been cancelled, or postponed. As a city committee, the Nashawannuck Pond Committee must follow the city health director’s guidance regarding eliminating indoor public gatherings at this time. 

This directive does NOT apply to individual businesses and organizations who wish to hold events during WinterFest.  In order to help the public best identify "official" WinterFest activities, committee sponsored activities show as “Featured Events” on our calendar.  All other activities are sponsored by private businesses or organizations. 

We hope you will enjoy all the wonderful outdoor and online activities we have worked hard to plan this year. We also wish to thank our many sponsors of WinterFest. 

The Nashawannuck Pond Committee raises funds throughout the year for many pond projects, including:

• Controlling invasive species
• Monitoring and testing the pond for cyanobacteria
• Educating the public about the pond

​Nash pond t-shirts and hoodies (right now limited sizes for hoodies but will restock in 2-3 weeks) available The Water's Fine goods + coffee & Wedge Works Art & Home .
Reuse bags available at above and Sonnet & Sparrow Big Bear Used Books and Cafe Big E's Supermarket
Please consider a small donation by purchasing and using our cool swag!


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The Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee is pleased to announce the 8th Annual Easthampton WinterFest has begun.  We admit that the event looks a bit different this year, but we wanted to do something to bring our wonderful community together for a little safe fun this year.  Many activities will take place in the weeks leading up to Feb. 13th, our official WinterFest date.

Most of our events will be VIRTUAL, allowing participants to join in the fun from home, or in small family circles.  Our theme this year is simple - - -  LOVE.  Love the pond, love our community and love each other.  It's fitting that WinterFest often falls on Valentine's Day weekend and love is in the air. 

Enter contests for the best Window Displays, Snowflake Making, Pond Photo, and sponsored events including naming a new ice cream flavor for Mt. Tom's Ice Cream, creating a winning snow sculpture with Valley Paddlers. Take a walk in the woods at Arcadia and discover snow fleas (yes, they are a thing!). Are you a trivia fanatic? Enter our Pond Trivia contest.  Love a good Scavenger Hunt? We've got that, too.  There is something for everyone at WinterFest!!!

WinterFest has been our main fundraiser for the last seven years, and we have relied on the funds raised through local business and resident support to help us care for the pond. We are an advisory committee to the city and do not receive any funds through our city government for important pond health projects. We work collaboratively with our mayor's office, city planning department, park and rec department, local conservation commission, DPW, city health department, CPA (Community Preservation Act) committee and other supporters.  If you would like to become a sponsor of WinterFest, you can download a form here.

Check out our calendar of activities here.

They say it takes a village . . . . It sure does, especially when working out the logistics of the long standing tradition of creating a visual lighting display on the pond.  A group of semi-secret "elves" led by Mike LaValley, owner of The Brass Cat, made sure that the tree shined its light for all to see for more than twenty years. After a year's absence, a number of volunteers decided to bring the tradition back and worked hard to gather supplies and labor to make it happen. 

In late November, a tree was once again donated by Mrs. Mumblo who had a Christmas Tree Farm for many years in town. The Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee, led by Paul Nowak, Pat Brough from Finck and Perras Insurance Co., volunteers and equipment from Williston Northampton School, Chief Alberti from the Easthampton Police Dept. and Dan Whiteley, of Whiteley Electric who supplied the technical lighting knowledge and electrical power made it all happen.  Paul put his boat captain license to good work as he guided the tree by boat to its resting spot. 

The pond lighting display joins the light on Mt. Tom as a symbol. Let the light shine each night as we keep in mind what a wonderful, caring community we are lucky to have. Pasqualina Azzarello, our City Arts Coordinator, says it best. . . "Easthampton, a little city with a big heart."

Are you scratching your head thinking about what to get the special people on your holiday shopping list this year?  Look no more!  We are excited to say the our Pond Bags are back in stock and available in the following shops:
Cottage Street Cultural District:
Water's Fine Goods & coffee 
Wedgeworks Art & Home  
The Boutique Easthampton Crystal & Mineral Shop  
Book Moon
Sonnet and Sparrow  
Comic's N More  
Corsello Butcheria  

Union Street

Big E's
 
The Mill District
Vintage Cellar  East (Keystone)
Big Bear Used Books and Café (Keystone)

Our reusable shopping bags are well-made, feature the art of Michael Henry (winner of our 2019 Photo Contest), and generously made possible by local business support. 

Gift them to your boss, your neighbor, family members who miss living in Easthampton, service providers -- and don't forget to pick up a few for yourself!  Please support our local businesses and shop local this year, and every year. All proceeds go directly to support the health of Nashawannuck Pond.

May your holidays be thoughtful, bright and full of love!