Did you think nothing was happening with our pond? Wrong, wrong, wrong!! Look closely at that one picture…see the stakes in the water? While people were on “Spring Break” our Dr. Roman Jesien, from the Maryland Coastal Bay Program was in that cold water staking out the pond to show the bobcat driver where to deposit the sand. If I remember correctly it was raining that day. He says this project is going to be completed and I believe him!
Today, Jasper Johnson and son-in-law Brian got the fountains out of the pond. Bob Lechner was on the shore pulling out the lines. Last year the pond didn’t have much grass; but this year the grass hanging on the fountains made them really hard to pull up. The little fish babies were swimming all over the place trying not to get pulled out of the water. They didn’t have to worry; the grass was only out for nano-seconds.
The fountains will be cleaned, and repaired from the eel damage. A shield will be placed on the fountains to keep the eels away from the lights. They are so nosey!
Vera said to tell you that her husband is still recovering at Baltimore/Washington Regional Hospital in Glen Burnie. That hospital is now affiliated with Johns Hopkins and University. His care has been excellent. When he is released they will bring him back to Montego Bay…even though he will have to be on dialysis three times a week. Vera plans to take him to Berlin by broom…her usual mode of transportation.
Daphne :)

A REWARD!
Yesterday, Jim Walker wrapped the silt-cloth around our sand. This is to contain the sand, and required by law. That must be really heavy sand because it didn’t blow away in all that wind we had.
To give you some idea of the amount of sand there, just look at the pump house and think of it for your frame of reference. I thought you would like to see what we have because we haven’t taken any snaps since the first truckload.
Not only friendly people were visiting the pond, but also a new bird rewarded us with his/her presence. He’s not nearly as big as our Great Blue Heron. It’s hard to tell his color because he was wet from fishing.
The one lady we spoke to remarked how clumsy the Canada Geese are; they dive under the water then can’t seem to get themselves righted properly when they come back up. They are funny to watch.
Daphne

We have a wonderful opportunity if we can get that sand distributed before the last of May. Here’s the deal: Yesterday Vera received this email—

Vera – Roman from Maryland Coastal Bays Program gave me your name as a possible source to plant some smooth cord grass or Spartina alterniflora. I work for the National Aquarium in Baltimore and coordinate the Wetland Nursery Program. The program consists of school groups growing spartina on their school ground through out the school year and at the end of the year planting their grasses at a restoration site. Unfortunately, Stephen Decatur is our only school located on the eastern shore and far away from any of our restoration sites. This is where your project at Montego Bay comes in to play. I would like to have the school children plant their spartina plants along the perimeter of the community pond. Are you interested in the free labor and plants? If time permits the school kids could plant other plants that need planting at the pond (Roman mentioned you have bought some plants form Environmental Concern) . Roman did say you are waiting for the sand to be distributed around the pond; do you think this would be completed by late May? The end of May is when we are hoping to plant the pond. If you would like to discuss the project in more detail please do not hesitate to call or email.

We can’t pass up a wonderful opportunity like this! Faith alone is not going to push that sand to its destination. We can ask God’s blessing on our work, but we have to do it.
We need a bobcat with rubber tires and a skilled person to run it. I can guarantee you the gratitude of the pond creatures as well as people for years to come. Your gift will be a feeling of personal satisfaction for a job accomplished. Will you help us?
Daphne
Email us: 1vm.mccullough@verizon.net

BELIEVE IT!!
We only thought it was windy yesterday…that was just a breeze compared to today. These are pictures of the Assawoman Bay. I’m glad I’m not a little swimmer out there.
Daphne

A BIT WINDY
Vera took her little dog out this morning for their morning walk, and to check on the sand. About midway the wind picked up a bit, but they kept going. They had to smiled at the sand so beautifully aligned, counted the piles, all nine of them the same size. Then Vera noticed something in the grass: tiny flowers. She thought at first that they were violets, but no, they weren’t shaped like violets. They look like miniature pansy, with their pussycat faces, and all different colors. They must be a gift from the birds.
A sudden gust of wind almost knocked them over. It went from gusts to constant. The wave action in the bay looked more like the ocean today.
After they got home another truck of sand was delivered.
Bring your sand pail and a little shovel and we can start distributing the sand.

SAND!
Haines Construction trucks started rolling in at 8AM this morning with the first load of sand. Our mitigating permits were approved as of 03/31/06. Isn’t this exciting!

About yesterday's posting about the alligators: April Fool! Those babies live in South Carolina, perhaps in a water hazard on a golf course. Our friend Frank sent me the photo saying he no longer retrieves balls that go into those ponds. No, we just have to worry about foxes. It seems they have cleaned out the bunny situation here. We thought they were nocturnal animals, but not so! Make sure you carry a stick when you are out walking.

Two years ago when Friends of Walkers Pond was first being organized the first order of business was to write a vision statement. No one person wrote this: they all did. Much progress has been made, but we have a long way to go.
The purpose of these postings is to keep you informed.

VISION STATEMENT

We envision the Pond in the Montego Bay community as a priceless treasure that will welcome humans as well as wildlife. It should be a living classroom where residents and vacationers alike can learn about birds and aquatic creatures. This area needs to be restored to the beautiful wild life sanctuary it was intended to be.

Property owners living on the pond should be free from worry that the pond will flood its banks because of erosion. The grassy area between the pond and the footpath should be restored to the original width of 5 feet to ensure safe footing for walkers.

The banks of the pond should be free of all dead and rotting foliage and replanted with shrubs and plants that are indigenous to a salt-water NON-tidal pond.

The future health and beauty of the pond requires better education for those entrusted with its care. They need to be educated in the proper use of chemicals, algaecides and enzymes that will keep the pond odor free, yet not endanger the birds or aquatic life in the pond.

The fountains are not only esthetically pleasing, they play an integral part in maintaining the life of the pond by supplying oxygen to the water. The aerator lines running along the bottom of the pond should be running again. The motors and compressors should be serviced regularly.

Our desire is to have the pond once again be ecologically sound.

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