After suffering through bad weather for the last couple of years, the organizers of HarborFest 2005 finally got the kind of day they had hoped for. What a beautiful day it was!

As a representative of the Mill Pond Model Yacht Club I was involved in helping with the Kids' Model Regatta. This year, the regatta was held in memory of Walter McKey, an organizer in years past. I believe there were 108 boats involved this year. That would have made Walter very proud.

For the first time since its inception, the regatta had to be held at Baxter Pond because of the heavy weed condition at Mill Pond. One quick look at Mill Pond is a lesson in environmental science. Since it is actually a salt water cove, Mill Pond once depended upon periodic exchange of water to remain clean. Since the drain valve has been broken this exchange cannot take place. Therefore, the pond is now basically a catch basin for anything the surrounding acres throw its way. According to Cameron Engineering's January 2003 fact sheet, heavy metals such as arsenic, chromium, mercury, copper and lead exist in the pond as well as a large load of nitrogen and phosphorus due in large part to fertilizer run-off. If the valve was operational, the pond could be drained and refilled periodically, keeping the weed growth to a minimum. Next time readers drive by the pond, please take a look. A little fertilizer goes a long way.

Hopefully the valve will be repaired in time for next year's regatta.

Thanks for listening.

Dave James