• Dear Members, Neighbors, and Lake Lovers:
  

  Annual Meeting:  The Annual Meeting, July 26, starts at 4:00pm at the Spofford Yacht Club.  Early bird tickets ($60.00) will go on sale on Tuesday, July 1. Beginning July 19, the price increases to $75.00.  Tickets sales will end on Thursday, July 24.  Look for a special email with Annual Meeting details and a link to ticket sales on July 1. 

  As a friendly reminder, in addition to a fun social event, the Annual Meeting is our sole gathering where a formal vote is taken.  As noted in the May 24 Gazette, members who have renewed their membership for this year are eligible to attend (and thus vote) at the meeting.  If you haven’t already, please go online and join or renew your membership now. If you prefer to pay by check, bring a check to the Annual Meeting or look for our annual mailing that includes a pre-addressed envelope for your convenience.   

• Lake Water Level:  Because of the Town’s efforts to manage the boards at the dam, the lake water level is now only 1 inch over the target summer level. Regardless, the shoreline remains fragile after weeks and weeks of high water. Motor boaters, enjoy the Lake, but please stay 300 feet from the shore. 
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• Pierce Island Maintenance:  The SLA has an arrangement with the State to assure that the paths are safe and free of debris and that Island signage is in good condition.  Many thanks to Art Huggins,  and his crew of volunteers, Larry Smith, Chris Sheehan, and James Corliss for their early morning work on June 21.
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• Independence Weekend Celebrations:  

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    July 4:  

  • Boat parade, 🛶 🚤 begins at ~2pm in the cove by North Shore Beach. A cannon starts the lead boat, a catamaran, with a large American flag as its “main sail.”  Cannons and bells  🔔 sound off as the parade passes the South Shore Road and Silverdale areas about 3pm.  
  • Please remember NO WATER BALLOONS, even the “compostable” kind.  Compostable water balloons take years to break down. Those found in the Lake can easily be ingested by our loons, fish, eagles or other animals that live here or visit.  
  • Camp Spofford will again offer a fireworks display around 9:30pm.  

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    July 5:  

  • Spoffest Waterside Concert 🎶 , afternoon, attend by boat or float
  • Spofford Sky Show.  9:15 pm.  Drone show followed by more fireworks.

Pinnacle Springs Planning Study: In May, Horsley Witten Group and FB Environmental published the preliminary engineering designs for the Pinnacle Springs Road stormwater study.  The three priority sites identified are:  1) swale at 78 Pinnacle Spring Road, 2) "Horse Pond" at 78 Pinnacle Springs Road, which flows onto Bennett Road, and 3) the culverts on the east side of Pinnacle Springs Road.  Designs call for the installation of stormwater control measures (SCMs) including a bioretention basin, naturalized detention basin, and log check dams, which will promote stormwater infiltration and slow stormwater to reduce erosive forces. The project was presented to the community on May 28, via Zoom and in person at the Chesterfield Town Offices. 

The study project will conclude with a final report in June, which will include a scope and cost estimate for final design, permitting, and implementation of work at the three sites. The study can be used in future grant applications to fund implementation work. 

Many thanks to the local residents who have provided their input throughout this project!

Boat Ramp Update, one last time:  The lane marker has been painted, one bollard has been repositioned, and the last of the signs have been posted at the ramp.  Dock and boating rules are now in place.  Temporary signs, e.g., high water, loons, and cyanobacteria can be hung as needed.  Our goal was to convey necessary information with a minimum of clutter and in an attractive way.  While we are pretty sure the lake residents are well informed and act in the best interest of our beautiful lake, please highlight the rules to any renters or guests that you might have who bring their boats, temporarily, to Spofford.  

Boat Ramp Parking Lot:  Many thanks to the staff of Camp Spofford who showed up, unannounced, to clean up the boat ramp parking lot. Armed with rakes, shovels, and tarps, they removed a trailer full of leaves and debris. Many hands made light work and they were done in a jiffy. Thank you so much Dan, Dave, and the whole crew.

Be cyanobacteria aware:  ‘Tis the season.  Warm weather tends to bring out the cyanobacteria.  Be on the lookout, especially for the most worrisome type, pictured below, which one person described as ‘blue green paint spilled in the water.”  Report any suspected instances.  Contact information is on our cyanobacteria webpage.

Our Store:  Don’t forget to update your summer wardrobe with Spofford Lake gear. Check out fab new designs at our new store and wear them to the Annual Meeting.

Community Events:

• Stone House Tavern:  After years of work and many dollars of private donations and grants monies, the Stone House Tavern is now open to the public every Saturday (except July 5) from 10am–1pm.  Entrance is FREE but donations for ongoing upkeep are gratefully accepted.  In 1831, Ezekiel Pierce established the inn and tavern for stagecoach travelers and vacationers.  The tavern sits on his family's homestead, which once covered 100 acres including part of the Lake, which one could own then.  With only 10 owners in its 190+ year history, few changes have been made to the actual stone house, testament to the importance of the building to the area.  Take a step back in time and visit this summer.  The ballroom displays the original fiddler's bench.   The third floor served as meager quarters for stagecoach drivers.  Rooms are filled with historic memorabilia including a Lake Room with lots of history on Lake Spofford.  And a children's room has lots of hands-on opportunities.  Happy touring.

• Pierce Island Swim:  Join in the fun and test your swimming skills and stamina.  Camp Spofford is sponsoring a “swim event” on September 1.  For details, click here or go to www.pierceislandswim.com. 

Eagles and Loons:  In case you missed the recent NH LAKES session, here is a recording, “Summer Serenade:  Loons on our Lakes.”  Enjoy!  Also, thanks to Steve Hooper, who recently took this photo of Spofford newest eaglet stretching its wings, with a parent keeping tabs nearby. 

Happy July 4^th. Be safe out there.  🇺🇸😎

Warm regards, 

The Spofford Lake Association