 When will the ice finally disappear from Nashawannuck Pond? Make your prediction—and make a difference. With a donation, you can enter “The Great Nashawannuck Pond Thaw” prediction contest and support the work that begins the moment the pond thaws. Your gift helps fund invasive species management, water quality monitoring, and ongoing stewardship that protect Nashawannuck Pond through the spring and summer. Over the years, questions about ice on the pond have been asked by Easthampton residents and visitors alike. "Is it safe to skate on the pond?" . . . How thick is the ice on the pond?" . . . "How come some areas of the pond never freeze?" . . . "Is there ice fishing on the pond?" . . . "What is ice harvesting?" . . . and "When does the ice disappear from the pond in the spring?" Believe it or not, we do have some pretty reliable predictions of when the ice has left the pond in past years, thanks to long-time, recently retired, city clerk, Barbara LaBombard.  Beginning in 2005, as we crept closer to spring, Barb began observing the pond daily, jotting down the day when no ice was visible looking from shore to shore while standing at the same spot near the boardwalk.
This year, we're letting everyone get into the action by entering our Great Nashawannuck Pond Thaw prediction contest. The winner with the closest date will receive 50% of all entry proceeds - - along with awesome bragging rights, and the balance of the proceeds will remain with The Friends of Nashawannuck Pond, Inc. to help keep the pond healthy! If you want to learn more about the contest and how to enter, check it out here.
0 Comments
 In remembrance of Dave Rothstein, 2018 WinterFest WinterFest 2026
Dates: January 2 – February 14, 2026 Location: Various locations throughout Easthampton WinterFest is a community-wide, family-friendly fundraiser hosted by Friends of Nashawannuck Pond and the Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee to support the health and restoration of Nashawannuck Pond. Funds raised support invasive species management, cyanobacteria prevention, and future infrastructure projects, including the reconstruction of a stabilization wall planned for spring. The multi-day festival features approximately 30 events over six weeks, including online contests, trivia, and arts and crafts and a chili tasting event. THE MAIN EVENT: Saturday, February 14th: The day will feature nature activities, an historical ice harvest demonstration, wagon rides, lots of family-friendly indoor activities, and for the truly winter enthusiasts - the 3rd Annual Freezin' For a Reason Polar Plunge on the pond! Many events are free thanks to generous business sponsorships. Donations are always appreciated. Full calendar and details: www.nashawannuckpond.org/winterfest Outdoor events are weather permitting. "FRIENDS OF NASHAWANNUCK POND, INC." FORMED FOR ENHANCED PRESERVATION AND FUNDRAISING EFFORTS The Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee was established in 1985 with a mission to promote the cleanup and preservation of Nashawannuck Pond at the intersection of Williston, Union, and Cottage Streets. Under the leadership of Amy Marsters, a current committee member, the Steering Committee is proud to announce "The Friends of Nashawannuck Pond, Inc.," a Massachusetts non-profit corporation operating under the authority of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 180. "Our mission is to financially support the City of Easthampton’s Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee for the maintenance and preservation of Nashawannuck Pond for generations to come.” Realizing rising costs and potential grant opportunities for pond improvements, the structure of being a committee within the City was limiting the pond’s needs. Amy Marsters, in collaboration with Mayor Lachapelle, their attorney, and the city solicitor, has spearheaded the creation of a 501(c)(3) organization. This change empowers the "Friends of Nashawannuck Pond, Inc." to fundraise more effectively, access a wider array of grant opportunities, and reduce the burden on the city and reliance on Community Preservation Act dollars. Going forward, the Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee will continue with its steadfast dedication to the environment. Nashawannuck Pond is vigilantly monitored for invasive plants, and, when necessary, herbicide treatments are employed to maintain its ecological balance. The committee is actively engaged in implementing preventative measures for cyanobacteria using barley straw and conducts testing whenever there is an indication of cyanobacteria, ensuring the safety and health of the pond. Currently, the committee is evaluating the retention walls installed in 2001 for shoreline stabilization, recognizing the importance of preserving the pond's natural beauty. The Committee sells merchandise and organizes the annual WinterFest to generate funds for the pond's upkeep. The basic annual maintenance and operating costs are approximately $10,000. WinterFest sponsorships will continue to be a crucial component in achieving their financial goals. The Friends of Nashawannuck Pond will lead robust efforts for grants and donations as a separate nonprofit organization. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors, with Amy Marsters as the President, Beth Tiffany as the Treasurer, and Hillary Ballantine serving as the Clerk / Secretary. Directors: Paul Davis, Elaine Wood, Veronica Frantz-Eggleston. The Board will also appoint and oversee committees and committee chairs responsible for their respective areas of focus. To join us, or for more about The Friends of Nashawannuck Pond, Inc. please contact Amy Marsters at [email protected]. About The Friends of Nashawannuck Pond, Inc. The Friends of Nashawannuck Pond, Inc. is a Massachusetts non-profit corporation dedicated to supporting the City of Easthampton Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee in the maintenance and preservation of Nashawannuck Pond. The organization's tax-exempt purposes are overseen by a dedicated Board of Directors and carried out by a team of dedicated volunteers and practitioners. Their mission is to ensure the continued vitality of Nashawannuck Pond for future generations. REMEMBER US FOR YOUR TAX DEDUCTABLE CONTRIBUTIONS ! 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 [email protected], 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.  MEDIA ALERT
December 20, 2021 For Immediate Release Contact Information: Beth Tiffany, Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee - WinterFest Chair [email protected] (413) 320-3124 www.nashawannuckpond.org City plans 9th Annual Easthampton WinterFest to celebrate winter and raise funds for Nashawannuck Pond. Easthampton, MA - On Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022 the 9th Annual Easthampton WinterFest will be held in locations throughout the city. Due to covid awareness some events are online, others outdoors and must wear masks indoors .The festivities begin January 2, 2022 with online events Nash pond photo contest, snowflake making contest, online pond trivia and Mt.Tom ice cream flavor contest.. The festival is organized by the Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee and is a fundraising event created to bring public awareness about ongoing efforts needed to keep Nashawannuck Pond healthy for generations to come. Most activities are free to attend due to generous business sponsorship, and are family friendly. Donations are gladly accepted. A Historical Ice Harvest on Nashawannuck Pond features historian Dennis Picard. Participants can try their hands at using a pond saw to "harvest" blocks of ice as they learn about Easthampton's part in the area's ice industry. Other outdoor activities include a nature walk at Arcadia, draft horse wagon rides and a fire by the pond. Ice carver MIke Rondeau will be creating an ice bar luge and table tops on the Keystone Mill patio. Indoor activities are at Keystone Mill 122 Pleasant St. Juggernaut Glass blowing demonstration, Art in Motion dance demonstration, The 1 Man Party trivia and Bumble will be there for photo ops.. Bring the kids, grandparents, friends and out of area visitors and make it a day in Easthampton. Adult fun includes the first Winterfest Fire & Ice Gala at Boylston West Room featuring Ice Bar outdoors on the Keystone patio with ice carvings by Mike Rondeau, along with Johnny & the Flashbacks Pioneer Valley’s premiere dance band and appetizers by Meyers Catering. A ticketed event. WinterFest On Tap with live music at Abandoned Building Brewery. To view activities, please visit the event calendar: https://www.nashawannuckpond.org/winterfest.html. More information about sponsorship and volunteering are available on the pond's website: www.nashawannuckpond.org. For up to date information, join our mailing list, follow Nashawannuck Pond on Facebook and our Facebook events. All outdoor events are weather permitting and may be cancelled without notice.  The Nashawannuck Pond Committee raises funds throughout the year for many pond projects, including:
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! |
RSS Feed
|
Nashawannuck Pond Steering Committee
c/o 50 Payson Ave. Easthampton, MA 01027 Click HERE to learn more about Friends Of Nashawannuck Pond, Inc. 501c3 Donations in the form of checks can be made out to and mailed to: Friends of Nashawannuck Pond, Inc. 50 Payson Ave, Easthampton, MA 01027 |
When subscribing you get the below message, please check your spam folder for the confirmation email
|
Get Social With Us!
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved