Lake trout caught by Heather Chamberlin off of Pine Point this winter using a jig and 4 pound line. Heather returned the trout to its home in the lake shortly after this picture was taken. She grew up fishing on Merrymeeting with her dad, but it has been 15 years since she fished here. What a reunion with the lake!

2021 Lake News and Guide Message from the President

What a year! Although 2020 was a year of significant challenges, it was also a year of significant accomplishments made possible by the incredible generosity of our community. Thanks to your enthusiastic support for the “Keep Merrymeeting Clean” campaign, 1,143 additional acres are now in conservation with the successful expansion of the Birch Ridge Community Forest and protection of Mount Molly. These lands for enjoyment of hiking and recreation are now permanently a gift for future generations to enjoy! The mission of the Merrymeeting Lake Association (MMLA) is to help preserve and protect the beauty, quality, Conserving the land in the integrity, and value of Merrymeeting Lake watershed around our lake is the and its surrounding watershed for most important action we can future generations. The organization engage in to protect the pristine exists for the betterment of the lake and water quality that makes our lake for the enjoyment of its inhabitants. life so special. With unwavering BOARD OF DIRECTORS support from our members, strengthened by our partnerships Ofcers with the Southeast Land Trust of President – Laurie Smith NH (SELT) and Moose Mountains Vice President – Pat Chiumiento Regional Greenways (MMRG), in Secretary – Brenda Mullaney the last three years we have taken a big step forward by increasing the Treasurer – Mark Sullivan conserved land in our watershed from 4.4% to 29%. Directors Jan Allard Jef Allard We work hard for the health of the lake, but we also like to play! Our Nancy Bryant Jim Buttafuoco Preserve and Protect Committee spends significant hours planning fun and John Chapin Jef Chiumiento safe activities for your enjoyment. Last summer, residents around the lake Lisa Keslar Daniel Leach gave a resounding thumbs up to the boat parade, with delighted spectators Bruce Long Chap Nystedt David Roy Jen Seusing along the shore cheering, clapping, and waving at the creatively decorated Richard Waldbauer Russ Weldon boats cruising by. Our first ever “Music on the Lake” highlighted an evening of talented performers at various locations all enjoyed by boaters on the water. Both events will be reprised this year, as well as a family 2021 ANNUAL MEETING picnic with children’s activities. And, although summer is the most active Saturday, July 10 via ZOOM season, life at the lake doesn’t stop when the cold weather sets in. This winter we partnered with SELT and the Powdermill Snowmobile Club to Please attend! Involved members - like you - are the key to a strong, successful participate in a successful event at the Birch Ridge Community Forest MMLA. cabin.

Not a member yet? To join, you can remit What’s next? We will remain focused on future conservation opportunities the form included with the brochure sent and continue to plan fun and educational events to inspire lake-friendly in May along with a check, or, pay your living. Please support the MMLA by joining as a member and participating dues online at www.mmlake.org. in these great activities! MMLA PO Box 468 Here’s to a wonderful summer! New Durham, NH 03855 With appreciation, www.mmlake.org Laurie Smith President, MMLA

page 2 merrymeeting lake association summer 2021 To Download a PDF of the Birch Ridge Community Forest Trail Map, visit the SELT Website at:

https://seltnh.org/ seltlands/birchridge

Conservation Land Turns into Salvation for Many People

Who would have thought the Birch Ridge Community Forest (BRCF), the recently donated Collins property and Devils Den would have such a positive effect on people's lives in the midst of a global pandemic!

The property originally intended to preserve water quality and wildlife has turned into a sanctuary for many people living in New Durham and the surrounding communities this past winter. These beautiful properties have helped people around Merrymeeting Lake manage both their physical and mental health in this very difficult pandemic year. The land and trails, managed by Southeast Land Trust (SELT), has been growing every year and will exceed 3,500 acres around Merrymeeting Lake this year.

Groups have been hiking, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing every day and sometimes twice daily on the land. One hiking group boasts having hiked up every mountain around the lake, exploring Mount Molly, Mount Eleanor, Mount Jessie, Mount Bet, Caverly, Rattlesnake, Copple Crown, and the Moose Mountains. SELT has been actively developing new trails and marking existing trails, with more planned for completion this spring and summer.

New BRCF parking lots on Merrymeeting Road and at the top of Birch Hill Road, as well as a parking area at the beginning of North Shore Road to Devils Den provide access to many trails and mountain tops. Beautiful views of Merrymeeting Lake from both Eleanor and Molly, and a spectacular view of Winnipesaukee from the top of Caverly are the hiker’s reward.

We are very fortunate to have this land to hike and bike this summer. Hopefully you’ll mark your calendar to take a hike with your friends and family to enjoy these amazing resources that many in our community have donated to and worked hard to preserve.

protecting the beauty and quality of merrymeeting lake mmlake.org page 3 Please join us for the Annual Merrymeeting Lake Community Roadside Cleanup!

Enjoy the beautiful weather, greet neighbors, and participate in the lake community annual roadside cleanup on Sunday, May 30 at 9:00 AM (Memorial Day Weekend). For everyone’s well-being, we won’t gather together but will practice social distancing while having fun and protecting our lake environment for all to enjoy! Please bring your own trash bags and gloves for the safe collection of trash and recyclables, and encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to participate. If the road near your home is not in need of attention, we welcome volunteers to cover portions of Merrymeeting Road from Brackett Road to the marina. Check out the Merrymeeting Lake Facebook Page to see other areas that are being covered, as it’s updated frequently by enthusiastic participants. Please take some fun (or serious) pictures of your group in action and share them with us at [email protected]! Let’s clean up our roadside and protect the lake environment for all to enjoy!

2021 Marina FIREWORKS!!

Fireworks will be held on July 3rd, August 7th, and September 4th. This year each Fireworks show will also feature a music event! All shows are sponsored by the Merrymeeting Marina. Monetary donations for the fireworks will be accepted and matched by the Merrymeeting Marina. Notes from the MMLA

IMPORTANT NOTE: LAKE DRAWDOWN FALL 2021 Pesticide Application Around The draw down of the lake is scheduled for this fall. If Merrymeeting Lake you are planning to do shoreline work, don’t forget to apply for a DES permit soon! The Merrymeeting Lake Association would like to provide information relating to the application of pesticides for insect control by residential property CLF Litigation Against Powder Mill Fish owners, private applicators, and commercial Hatchery applicators. NH law prohibits the application of pesticides within 50 feet of the natural mean high The MMLA Board of Directors continues to follow the water level ("reference line") around Merrymeeting progress of the Powder Mill Fish Hatchery litigation Lake. NH regulation also imposes on all pesticide in Concord, NH federal court brought by the applicators the responsibility to prevent drift or offsite Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) against the NH movement of pesticides into the waterfront buffer. Fish and Game Department. The CLF’s lawsuit alleges Exceptions to the 50-foot distance requirement may be that the state-owned Powder Mill Fish Hatchery has available only through special permit. If you use violated the Clean Water Act by dumping polluted pesticides, please do so sparingly and in accordance wastewater into the for decades. with NH law. For more information, please contact the The wastewater, comprised of fish food and fish NH Dept of Agriculture, Markets & Food (Division of waste, contains high levels of phosphorus which Pesticide Control) at https://www.agriculture.nh.gov/ has been identified as the primary cause of the divisions/pesticide-control/index.htm, or at (603) blue-green algal blooms occurring in the river. A 271-3695. summary of the present status of this case has been posted on the MMLA website. page 4 merrymeeting lake association summer 2021 PRESERVE AND PROTECT COMMITTEE SUMMER EVENTS

The MMLA Preserve and Protect Committee continues to bring programs, information, and events to the lake community aimed at preserving the beauty of the watershed, maintaining the exceptional water quality, and encouraging enjoyment of the lake and all it has to offer. Because of the COVID pandemic we remain uncertain about indoor events, even with the availability of vaccines. So, once again we are planning events that keep our community safe but still allow us to get outdoors and enjoy not just the incredible scenery, but the company of our neighbors and friends.

We will once again be holding a Boat Parade on July 17 (rain date July 18) at 4:00 PM. The theme for this year will be “Celebrate Summer”, which is open to your interpretation but it’s a good excuse to decorate the boat with flags, lights and decorations. You know you want to! We respectfully request that no political statements or themes be presented. We will meet at the area near the dam and Nancy Bryant will lead the parade on a two-hour tour of the lake. If you cannot participate, please cheer us on from your waterfront. Photo by Matt Murphy We also plan to reprise Music on the Lake on July 31 (rain date August 1) from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. We started this event last year and it turned into an instant favorite! We will be seeking musical acts to perform around the lake, so please contact Jen Seusing if you would be willing to perform, or to provide recorded music on your dock ([email protected] or private message on the Merrymeeting Facebook Page). Remember that while sound does carry across the water, you will need amplification to broadcast effectively with boats G Clef by Dixie52 CC-BY-SA gathered around.

We are planning a new event this year for adults and children. Picnic at the Cabin will take place at 12:00 Noon on August 21 (rain date August 22) at the Birch Ridge Community Forest (BRCF) Cabin. The cabin is easily accessed from the new BRCF parking lot at the end of Birch Hill Road, or via a longer hike from the BRCF parking lot on Merrymeeting Road. Please bring your own picnic (BYOP) and follow the “Leave No Trace” principle to “Carry In and Carry Out”. We will also feature special children’s outdoor activities at this event.

Please join us, your friends, and your neighbors in enjoying time together safely outdoors. We expect that next year will bring a return to normalcy and the Preserve and Protect Committee will focus again on events/presentations related to protecting this most valued resource. In the meantime, let’s have some fun on and around our special lake. protecting the beauty and quality of merrymeeting lake mmlake.org page 5 Please support your local businesses - they support us!

page 6 merrymeeting lake association summer 2021 mml eats & treats “Wave us over for an on the water treat from Merrymeeting Lake Eats & Treats” Marina Roy (603) 860-3885 mml eats & treats [email protected] Follow us on Social Media!

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protecting the beauty and quality of merrymeeting lake mmlake.org page 7 Daniel Leach Shares Lake Memories of Family and Friends

Thanks ma and dad. In 1958 Glenn and Mary Leach saved $2000 which was enough to buy a lot on a lake and build a summer cottage. A friend of theirs found them a beautiful lot in Alton on the big lake. They passed on it because they would have had to save for another couple of years to get enough money to build. Howard Northridge on South Shore Rd told them about Merrymeeting Lake. In 1958 they bought 110 feet of frontage, lot number 78, from Ralph and Mary Richardson owners of the marina and many lots on the lake. This lot was on a very steep hill and across from the spring (which old timers will remember) but what a view it had. In 1959 they rented a camp on 30 South Shore Road for a month so they could start building.

They did not have the money to get rid the large granite boulders so they built over them or around them. They put the camp closer to the street because, as Glenn often said, you bring a lot of things to the camp but you only bring towels, tubes, and beer down the 63 steps to the lake. My family became close friends with the Thorntons, Dufors, Fitzpatricks, Northridges, and Pitmans here on Merrymeeting Lake. In 1960 the group decided to have a 4th of July clam bake on South Shore Rd at what is now the home of Bobby and Noreen Northridge. For a 9 year old I remember how much fun it was watching the fire pit being built as we gathered rocks and wood for the fire. The most fun was going to get the seaweed at the beach and digging the clams, something we did for many years afterwards. At least 100 people attended.

When I became a teenager there were some times I wanted to be in Manchester with my friends but I realized I had many friends at the lake that I liked more. Even now I think about the many people like Bob, Chap, Bev, Barb, Cheryl, and Brian who were just some of the many people that would go to the snack bar or Irwin Garden at the Weirs. We also went to the Store to try to buy beer. Some of these people are still around the lake. We no longer water ski but still go swimming. We still hike up Mount Major or Devil’s Den, but definitely slower! My late wife Susan and I, and our doggie Kennedy, used to like slowly boating around the lake and noticing the new places. Now my new dog Dewey and old friend Cheryl, a former resident of Meaders Point Road and teen waitress at Taylor’s Snack Bar, now slowly ride around the lake looking at bigger houses and I’m always saying to myself, “thanks ma and dad!”.

Lake Host Program Continues to Prove Its Worth

Clean water, happy wildlife, and stable property values depend on a healthy lake, free of invasive species. The NH LAKES Lake Host Program is the first line of defense in keeping our lakes free of invasive plants and animals. Through this nationally-recognized aquatic invasive species education and prevention program, each summer hundreds of individuals trained as Lake Hosts inspect boats, trailers, and gear for hitchhiking plants and animals. They teach thousands of boaters each year about “Clean, Drain & Dry” method for aquatic invasive species prevention. Since 2002, Lake Hosts have conducted over one-million courtesy boat inspections and have made nearly 1,600 ‘saves’ of invasive species that had just hitchhiked out of a lake or were about to be launched into a lake. The number of additional ‘saves’ Lake Hosts have contributed to by inspiring boaters to always Clean, Drain, & Dry their boat trailer and gear, even when a Lake Host isn’t at the launch to help, is immeasurable! Starting Mid-May the Merrymeeting boat launch will typically be manned 7 AM to 5 PM during the week and 7 AM to 7 PM on weekends. Thank you to our members for your support of this important program.

page 8 merrymeeting lake association summer 2021 “Fireworks” an Opinion Piece

BUT SOMETHING JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE HERE...

Our conservation efforts are hugely successful and more land is in the pipeline. We are well on our way to protecting the water quality of Merrymeeting Lake forever. Thank you all for your help, support, and donations. It has truly been a team effort. BUT there is something that we need to address that is outside of the conservation efforts, something that is polluting our lake, but is within OUR control to stop.

WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN. When fireworks are launched lakeside, paper and chemicals are being dropped directly into the lake. Fireworks contain ammonium perchlorate, sulfur dioxide, lead nitrate, lead chloride, and copper—which pollute both the lake and our ground water. These chemicals can increase algae and cyanobacterial blooms on the water surface and can cause harm to people, pets, loons, and other wildlife.

Is there a way to enjoy a fireworks show AND protect the Lake? I think there is...

It is recommended that fireworks be launched at least 250 feet back from the lake and outside of the designated shoreline protection area. This is not easy to do at most homes. We are planning to have three fireworks shows this year on July 3, August 7, and September 4. We can concentrate all our monies on shows launched at the Marina, 500 feet away from the lake.

We need to get the word out to everyone around the lake that we have a plan to consolidate our money and efforts to CELEBRATE WITHOUT POLLUTING OUR LAKE. If you rent, please let renters/guests know you don't allow use of fireworks. Reach out to your neighbors and family members who like to launch fireworks and ask them to please contact us at the Marina about donating fireworks or money to hold three fireworks shows that are lake friendly. Best of all, the Marina will match all contributions dollar for dollar. If we receive the support we anticipate, we plan to have different live music at each of the three events to enjoy on your boat while social distancing. Please help us by passing the word to your neighbors who love fireworks, and ask for their support in helping us celebrate safely while keeping our water the cleanest in NH!

Allen Weldon. Merrymeeting Marina

protecting the beauty and quality of merrymeeting lake mmlake.org page 9 In Remembrance

Photo by Allan & Janet Thorell

Phyllis I. (McAskill) Nadeau, 91, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family on April 3, 2021. She had a natural ability to listen, respond lovingly, and inspire quietly. She nurtured and supported the needs of a large and diverse family. Her commitment and dedication have left an indelible mark on each member of her immediate and extended family. As Phyllis' family grew, she welcomed each new addition, guided by the same principles she had with her own children, cherishing their unique qualities, while helping them to understand they are an important part of the family. Her family is eternally grateful for her wisdom and love. Phyllis will be remembered lovingly by her family and close friends for her genuinely warm and selfless nature. She was fully present when you were in her company. After 82 days of being apart, Phyllis was reunited with her late husband, Norman.

Norman and Phyllis are deeply missed by their children and their families; Kathleen Nadeau, John (Jack) Nadeau and his wife, Stephanie, Kenneth Nadeau and his wife, Diane, Gerard (Gerry) Nadeau and his wife Brenda, Gary Nadeau and his wife Theresa (Terri) of New Durham, Marcia Nadeau of New Durham, Maryanne (Nadeau) Ham and her husband Dana, and Joseph Nadeau and his wife Holly. They cherished their 14 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Her complete obituary is at: https://obituaries.salemnews.com/obituary/phyllis-nadeau-1081949479/

Norman Nadeau, 93, died at his home after a brief illness on January 11, 2021. He was the love of Phyllis’ life and best friend. They celebrated their 69th Wedding Anniversary last July. During their marriage, the couple raised their 8 children in Salem, MA. When their children were young, they built a camp on Merrymeeting Lake together and upon retirement renovated the camp where the family had summered, splitting their time between homes in New Durham, NH and Islamorada, FL. They enjoyed traveling throughout North America and Canada in their Airstream.

Norman was an outdoorsman and a self-taught hobbyist, carving and creating artful pieces with the recurring theme of wildlife. He was an avid fly fisherman, former hunter, bird/waterfowl watcher, and conservationist. He was a quiet philanthropist who led by example. He will be remembered lovingly by his family and close friends for his quiet, yet strong moral compass. He leaves a legacy of integrity, where actions spoke louder than words, doing the "right thing" was a way of life, acceptance of all, unspoken sacrifice and patience were naturally balanced by a quick wit and a great sense of humor. His complete obituary is at: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?n=norman-nadeau&pid=197537048&fhid=4151

Elizabeth Mary Allard of 363 South Shore Road passed away on December 11, 2020 after a long illness. Liz was born in Victory, Vermont – a town so small that the Main Street remains a dirt road today. She grew up in Littleton, New Hampshire where she graduated from High School in 1973. She was married in 1975 to her husband Jeff, and after many moves to places from Idaho to Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York, they realized their dream and settled in New Durham permanently in 2008. She worked as an accountant and a realtor for many years.

Elizabeth is survived by her husband, Jeff, of 45 years, her daughter Crystal who lives with her husband, John and two children Clara and Elsie in Baltimore, MD, and her son Paul who lives with his wife Loren and their daughter Grace in Bethlehem, NH. She also leaves two sisters, Dot of Lunenburg, VT, and Connie of Littleton, NH.

Liz was a quiet and thoughtful person who loved her family, especially her granddaughters. She was a kind and loving woman and to know her was to love her. She was the glue and provided the support that allowed her family to face each day and succeed. She left us too young and will be remembered for her gentle love and kindness.

page 10 merrymeeting lake association summer 2021 Tips for Boaters and Jet Skiers

We all love getting out on Merrymeeting Lake with our watercraft to enjoy water sports, fishing or a relaxing day or evening cruise. Motorized boats can, however, have a significant impact on the environmental health of lakes. It is estimated that for every 100 gallons of boat and jet ski fuel expended, about 20 gallons goes directly into the water as raw fuel (Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, 1999). The two-cycle engines employed on personal watercraft have the largest percent of unburned fuel passing through the engine and into the water. Two-cycle outboard engines are also very inefficient.

Tips for boater and jet skiers to reduce pollution: Photo by Allan & Janet Thorell ● Consider using newer engines that have direct fuel injection, catalytic converters, and other pollution-control measures. ● Refrain from running at top speed, which expends more fuel. ● Limit boating in shallow areas where boats can disturb bottom sediments and tear up and spread aquatic vegetation. ● Re-fuel carefully to prevent spills. ● Keep engines in good repair.

Let’s do what we can to help “Keep Merrymeeting Lake Clean”.

Some sources of further information: • Social responsibility from the Personal Watercraft Industry Association: https://www.sea-doo.com/us/en/owner-zone/ safety/social-responsibility.html

Local and regional guidance: • https://nhlakes.org/wp-content/uploads/13-Lake-Friendly-Recreation-Lake-Friendly-Boating-NH-LAKES.pdf • https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/qb/pwc-mgt-guide_0.pdf

Reference

Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (1999, Jan 19). Report on Possible Water Pollution from the Use of Two-Stroke Carbureted Engines. https://anrweb.vt.gov/PubDocs/DEC/WSMD/lakes/docs/lp_2-strokereport.pdf

Report Released by NH Commission to Study Wake Boats

Wake boarding and wake surfing (riding the wake without a tow rope) both require a high boat wake, often achieved by pumping lake water into built-in compartments or ballast bags on an inboard boat. While these water sports can be fun, they can potentially cause ecological harm to lakes.

A “Commission to Study Wake Boats”, authorized by the NH Legislature, met several times in 2019 and 2020 and issued a final report dated June 30, 2020. The Commission identified some of the good effects (versatile recreational enjoyment and tourism dollars) and bad effects (high waves and potential transport of aquatic invasive species through ballast water) of wake boats. High waves can pose risks for swimmers, other boats, and wildlife such as loons. High waves can also cause erosion to vulnerable shorelines, leading to land loss for property owners and adding silt and nutrients to a lake. Silt can harm fish and nutrients can increase aquatic vegetation and algal growth.

The Commission recommended safety legislation for wake surfers but could not come to a consensus on recommending new laws specific to wake boats. Instead, the Commission emphasized the need for wake boater education specifically on the following two areas:

1) Clean, drain and dry procedures should be followed so that ballast water potentially containing aquatic invasive species is never transported from lake to lake. 2) When generating high waves, wake boats should keep as far away from the shoreline as possible (at a minimum of 150- feet safe passage), giving time for their waves to dissipate before coming to shore. A link to the Commission’s full report can be found on the MMLA website. protecting the beauty and quality of merrymeeting lake mmlake.org page 11 Merrymeeting Marina Update 2021

Adapting to Covid-19 by Allen Weldon

Last summer we were in the middle of the pandemic, but trust that this season we will be on our way to a return to normalization-- or at least to the "new normal”. Although it may be fall by the time most of us are vaccinated, the numbers are promising.

In preparation for a safe summer, we’ve done some remodeling and improvements at the Marina to enable us to bring back ice cream. Take-out windows now grace the front of the store where the entrance was previously located, with a new all accessible entrance now on the side of the building.

We will be offering hard and soft serve ice cream, sodas, bottled water, slushies, milk shakes, sundaes, chips, and candy bars. Food will be sold through our new takeout windows only, and additional outdoor seating areas are being added with social distancing in mind.

Inside the marina, we will be open for watercraft related business, including boat repairs, boat sales, boat storage, moorings, and other general business. No food will be offered inside the building. Our restroom has been remodeled and we’ve added a new ramp to make it accessible for everyone. We hope that these changes will make the "new normal" safer for our customers and our employees.

We look forward to serving you again this summer, and thank you for your loyalty, your business, and your support!

HOURS OF OPERATION

Memorial Day Other Weekdays All Monday, October Monday, November 2nd Weekend to Labor Day Summer 11th

Friday - Sunday Monday - Thursday Snow mobile repair begins 9 a.m to 6 p.m. Last call for boats Gas available (just ask an employee for assistance)

page 12 merrymeeting lake association summer 2021