Merrimack River Watershed Council

Mid-Stream eNewsletter
July 2009

About MRWC | Science | Publications | Donate | JOIN | Volunteer | CONTACT

In This Issue:   Paddling Trips | New Members | Board Snapshot | Merrimack Miles | Brush Gallery | Summer Interns | | Office Update | Contact Info | Kayak Day | Festival

MRWC Board of Directors
Cecilia Mazza, President
Kathryn Carter, 
Vice President
Susan Sanborn, Treasurer
Steven Zelubowski, Secretary
Joseph Bernard, Director
Edmund Greene, Director
Alan Sherburne, Director
Gwen Whitbeck, Director
Vicky Wu Davis, Director

About half-way through the 2009 Paddling Season, and it's been great!

Anyone that paddles the rivers of New England knows that most rivers or streams have to be run at certain times of the year due to their water level. At this time of year we are usually hoping that we can continue with our planned schedule in spite of the lack of rain. This is the second time in a few years that we?re working with just the opposite!  We?ve been lucky so far and have only had to move one trip to a different river for safety concerns.  We will always do this if the need is there. If you have any questions on a particular river please call the trip leader. [See schedule for contact information.] They will welcome your questions. See you on the River!

- Gwen Whitbeck

MRWC Director 

and Paddling Program Coordinator

At right, Paddling trip leader Earl Flanders keeps his sights on the members of his group. Above, paddlers enjoy  the Pemigewasset River between a cover of river bank trees.

2009 Paddling Trips Sponsors

Charles River Canoe & Kayak

Polartec

Contoocook River Canoe 

Kittery Trading Post

Plum Island Kayak

Paddling trips continue through October 10th. See schedule. 

Please join us on some of our remaining trips - there is something for everyone from experienced to novice. For example: a trip on the Ipswich River, a moonlight trip on Lake Potanipo, and a  trip on the Merrimack which includes a highlight of seeing the remains of the old lock and canal system. Every trip offers a day or evening of enjoyment with old or new friends in a unique setting bringing people together.

New Members.....Welcome!

University of Massachusetts Lowell

The Kennedy Foundation

MKS Instruments, Inc.

Hydrologics

Digital Credit Union

Toner Express of NH

Horsley Witten Group, Inc.

Mill City Environmental Corporation

Environmental Compliance Services, Inc.

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  Board Snapshot - Joseph Bernard

Sometime before, Joe Bernard spent his undergraduate years with the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, earning his B.S. in engineering, and later a master of science in electrical engineering; a master of science in systems management from Southern California University, and an MBA from George Washington University. He served with the Coast Guard until 1990, where after he worked successfully in vice-president and management capacities at high-tech companies.

Joe is a Member of Merrimac River Rowing Association, and being a morning person, he can be seen rowing out early and often on the water. "I very much enjoy the serenity of rowing on the river in the early morning," he explains. Joe is married and has four children, and teaches at the Tsongas Industrial History Center in Lowell in the Power to Production and the Industrial Watershed programs.

When not paddling, Joe Bernard enjoys peddling as well.

Regarding the MRWC and the river itself, Joe feels, "We have made significant improvements in the overall river quality since I first moved here in 1987, and have more work to do." Some of his current concerns include pursuing unanswered questions on river contaminants such as heavy metals and pharmaceuticals, and testing for such.

Joe not only likes to get into boats and venture up/down stream, he also likes to build them. He is involved with Lowell's Boat Shop in Amesbury (founded by Simeon Lowell in 1793, and the oldest continuously operating boat shop in America) and enjoys the challenges of learning the craftsmanship of wooden boat building. "There's something natural about it, like the river," he says.

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  MRWC at Brush Gallery Green Event

The Merrimack River Watershed Council proudly displayed their information and materials at the Brush Gallery Event, "Green: More than a Color" on Saturday, June 27 in Lowell. The event was well attended and numerous people stopped by to express a sincere interest in both our organization (and thank us for our work) and to sign up as a volunteers or members. 

Ed Greene's daughter Makayka welcomes visitors

with both hands and MRWC materials.

There was plenty of tasteful art exhibited to view and great food/drink for adults and children. I would personally welcome another similar event by the Brush Gallery and MRWC's attendance/participation. While there, I learned that I could (and will be) taking a historic canal trip through Lowell. These trips are managed by the U.S. National Park Service.  There is always new things to learn about the river and the surrounding areas affecting the health of the Merrimack.

- Ed Greene

MRWC Director

The MRWC is pleased to welcome interns Cindy Morell (top), Ryan Jennison (middle) and Deedee Kiv (bottom). Cindy and Ryan will be working primarily with Water Resources Manager Tracie Sales, assisting with the current MAPP Program as well as take on special ancillary projects. They will also take part in river water monitoring, so keep your eye out for them on the water. Deedee will focus on office operations and projects working with Membership Coordinator Murielle Georges and Office Manager Jim Magarian. There is a rumor she might also venture to the river...

Cynthia Morell is from Andover, MA, and is a Bachelor of Science candidate in Environmental Science at UMass Lowell. Ryan Jennison is from New London, NH and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Science from UMaine Farmington. Deedee Kiv is from Lowell and is a second year student at Middlesex Community College pursuing a Liberal Arts degree. The interns provide new energy in the office and each offer special resources to help achieve goals.

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Contact Info

Membership Numbers....are down a little, but both individual and family memberships remain an affordable means to show support and concern for clean, safe water in the watershed region. Membership donations help to fund on-going and special projects, not to mention the daily operations of the MRWC. Have you responded to your membership renewal letter? Have you considered increasing your membership donation? Have you encouraged a few friends to become members? Memberships begin at just $25...renewing or becoming a member is easy...

  Quote of the Month:

Water, like religion and ideology, has the power to move millions of people. Since the very birth of human civilization, people have moved to settle close to it. People move when there is too little of it. People move when there is too much of it. People journey down it. People write, sing and dance about it. People fight over it. And all people, everywhere and every day, need it.

 

-Mikhail Gorbachev, Founding President of Green Cross International 
quoted in Peter Swanson's Water: The Drop of Life, 2001

Contoocook River Kayak Day - Concord, NH

Saturday, August 29th - 12noon - 4pm

MRWC and the Contoocook River Canoe & Kayak Company have partnered to offer a learning day full of fun at special reduced rates for MRWC members. *Details*

2nd Annual Merrimack River 

Maritime Festival - Salisbury Beach

Saturday & Sunday, July 25th & 26th - 10 am ? 5 pm  *Details*

MRWC on    

Become a Member *easy*