Water Carnival next weekend!

Friday Night Sep 2nd, 7:30-10:30 pm – Sunset, Music Boat & Lighting of the Lake

Enjoy the sunset at Stow Pine Bluffs Town Beach just before 7 pm and watch the “Lighting of the Lake” as residents turn on decorative lights and light luminaries along the shoreline.

The music boat, featuring “Hard Knox” playing familiar rock, blues, and folk songs from the 60s through 90s, will begin in the narrows of the first (north) basin at 7:30 pm, going around counter-clockwise and passing the Town Beach about 8:00 pm. It will proceed into the second (south) basin about 9:15 pm, again going counterclockwise. Folks are invited to sit by the shore or go out in a boat, canoe or kayak (all must have lights) as the music boat passes by. Residents are encouraged to participate in “lighting of the lake” with small holiday lights or luminaries (but not bright flood lights) along the shoreline. In case of bad weather the music boat may be postponed to Saturday night. Call 978-562-2203 after 6 pm for a recorded message.

Saturday Sep 3rd, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm Water Carnival Beach Day
Stow Town Beach/Pine Bluffs Recreation Area

9:30 – Canoe races

10:30 – Field events

11:45 – 1:00 Lunch

12:30 – Children’s entertainment

1:30 – Beach events, swimming races

Ribbons will be awarded for many of the races. Bring a picnic or purchase a grilled lunch prepared by the Lake Boon Association.

The comprehensive History of Lake Boon by Prof. Richard Gelpke and a variety of LBA shirts, hats, stickers and bags will be available for purchase with cash or Venmo.

Sunday Sep 4th

10:00 History Boat Tour (register by email to grayscale@earthlink.net)

2:15 – 4:00 Annual Decorated Boat Parade

The parade begins at the First Basin Narrows Buoy with registration on the water before 2:15 pm, and continues counter-clockwise around the first (north) basin and then to the second (south) basin. It should pass the Stow Town Beach about 2:30 pm. We thank supporters including Main Street Pizza, Honey Pot Hill Orchard, Stow House of Pizza, Nan’s Rustic Kitchen & Market, Brothers Pizza, CJ’s of Hudson & Sudbury and the Lake Boone Ice Company.

Monday Sep 5th, 2:30 – 4:00 Sailing Regatta

During Labor Day quiet hours and weather permitting, join other sailors for informal cruising and ad hoc racing in the first basin beginning at the Pine Point buoy. Slow power boaters and landlubbers at the Town Beach are welcome to observe the thrills and spills of sailing (depending on the wind).

Healthy Lake Boon/PFAS talk online

If you missed the presentation on Healthy Lake Boon at the last Sustainable Stow Randall Library talk, it is posted on Stow TV’s Youtube channel, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClGJu94nuW4. Thank you to Dan Barstow, project coordinator, and Dave Gray, LBA project liaison, for providing an update on findings.

The second half of the program focused on identification and testing for PFAS in Stow’s well and groundwater, with speakers Mary Jude Pigsley, Regional Director of MassDEP’s Worcester office and Timothy Maus, a geologist specializing in the assessment and mitigation of PFAS in private wells.

Wednesday, August 17: Healthy Lake Boon update via Zoom

As part of a Sustainable Stow / Randall Library program on water quality, you can hear the latest from the Healthy Lake Boon project. Speakers are Dave Gray and Dan Barstow. The talk starts on Zoom at 7 p.m. and you can register at this link: bit.ly/3zF9qsV

Also on the program, PFAS contamination of wells. Speakers are Mary Jude Pigsley, Regional Director of MassDEP’s Worcester office and Timothy Maus, a geologist specializing in the assessment and mitigation of PFAS in private wells.

Lost and found items

This double float was lost from Pine Point Road a few days ago. If you have found it, please leave a comment and we will put you in touch with the owner.

These life vests were found floating in the 1st Basin near Pine Point. The black vest is an XL adult, and the red is a youth size. They were taken by the finder to Monahan’s Cove and can be left somewhere accessible by water or car on Temple Avenue for the owners. Again, leave a comment if they’re yours and we’ll put you in touch with the person who found them.

Stow Town Beach officially reopening

See statement below from the Nashoba Associated Board of Health. Nevertheless, keep a watch in other parts of the lake for algae blooms. There is a thick one now in the Hale Road cove at the east end of the second basin.

Hello everyone,

This office received the second lab report indicating the algae cell counts are below the DPH guidance, and an inspection of the town beach this morning finds the water to be clear. The test results and inspection allows the Board of Health to lift the beach closure, the beach can reopen for swimming.

Any closure signs at the beach can be removed.

Jim Garreffi, Director

Nashoba Associated Board of Health
30 Central Ave
Ayer, MA 01432

Upcoming events! Music, environment and schedule of events for the Water Carnival

There’s lots going on between now and Labor Day weekend. Note that these are the corrected dates for Water Carnival events.

Saturday, August 13 – approx 2:00 p.m., Open Mike shoreside concert at 130 Barton Road next to the dam, compliments of the Conleys

Sunday, August 14 – Hard Knox shoreside concert CANCELLED due to health issues

Wednesday, August 17 – 7:00 p.m., Healthy Lake Boon Update by Zoom as part of a Sustainable Stow / Randall Library program on water quality including PFAS contamination of wells. Speakers are Mary Jude Pigsley, Regional Director of MassDEP’s Worcester office, Timothy Maus, a geologist specializing in the assessment and mitigation of PFAS in private wells, and Dan Barstow and Dave Gray from the Healthy Lake Boon project. .Register for this session here bit.ly/3zF9qsV

September 2 – 5: the Lake Boon Association Water Carnival! Plan your Boat Parade theme now! (pizza coupon for entering)

Friday, September 2 – 7:30 p.m. Lighting of the Lake and Music Boat, beginning in the first (northern) basin, going CCW around the lake

Saturday, September 3

  • 9:30 a.m. – Canoe races, field events at Pine Bluffs Town Beach
  • 12:00 p.m. – grilled lunch and children’s entertainment.
  • 1:30 p.m. – beach events, swimming races (algae conditions permitting)

Sunday, September 4

  • 10:00 a.m. Historical boat tour, registration required at grayscale@earthlink.net, embarkation location tbd
  • 2:15 p.m. – Boat Parade beginning at the narrows buoy in the first basin and going CCW around the lake

Monday, September 5, 2:30 p.m. – Sailing Regatta gathering at Pine Point buoy across from Town Beach

Lake Boon Commission meets Wednesday, August 3

The Lake Boon Commission will meet Wednesday, Augsut 3 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. Participation via calling in or using your computer is encouraged. For instructions on how to connect, please see the posted agenda on the Town of Hudson website, here.

Agenda Topics:

  1. Welcome and orient new LBC member Dan Tereau
  2. Public Comment
  3. Meeting Minutes – Review/Approve
  4. Bills for Payment – Review/Approve
  5. Review LBA signs being posted around the lake
  6. Old Business
  7. New Business
  8. Date of Next Meeting
  9. Adjourn