Author: Neil Santos

On Saturday afternoon, September 13, 2025, Pawtuckaway Lake was the scene of hilarity and excitement. From 1:00 – 4:00 PM, a group of enthusiastic players competed in the PLIA’s FIRST Annual Pawtuckaway Games event. There were contests and challenges presented to pairs of participants – on a timer, no less – at five properties along the shore of the lake.

To say the least, spirits were high as teams completed seemingly impossible tasks. One competitor summed up her experience like this:

“I do not live on Pawtuckaway Lake but for me it is full of childhood memories. More were created today.

Ever try to fill 6 plastic cups with air from a balloon in order to lift it with nothing but air – and build a pyramid with them?

Ever lug buckets full of lake water with holes in the bottom and dump it into another bucket with the hope of floating a rubber “duckie” out?

How about trying to open a Russian-egg type package with many inner packages while wearing Oven mitts? (At the Ovens’ – of course !)

Now you may have more experience with cornhole or puzzles. Any good Laker brings some skill to these. But do it with a timer going???

My partner and I did not go away with any trophies. (Clearly cornhole does not need a strong pitch.)

But when was the last time you spent a Saturday afternoon just playing games just for the fun of it?

Nice job by Lamprey 18-30! The Lake and its neighborhood benefited.

And we created another great memory on Pawtuckaway Lake.

A good time had by all.

Thanks,

Monica A. Joyal”

Thanks for the testimonial, Monica, and thanks to our volunteer organizers for this wonderful opportunity to celebrate our lake community and raise money for the PLIA at the same time.

 

And, see you on the lake!

Yes, it’s a thing!

September 15 – 19 is national SepticSmart Week, which was established to emphasize how important it is to take proper care of your septic system.Erin Mastine, Outreach Manager at NH LAKES, has sent a special news blast inviting all lake lovers to be part of it. We who live or vacation on Pawtuckaway Lake should heed the call!

Here is Erin’s message:
“Taking care of your septic system isn’t just about preventing unpleasant backups in your home. Failing systems can leak nutrients and bacteria into nearby water sources, contributing to harmful cyanobacteria blooms and other water quality issues in the lake you love.By maintaining what’s underground, you’re helping to protect what’s above—our clean, healthy, and beautiful lakes.

Keep reading for simple steps you can take to care for your septic system—and make a lasting difference for New Hampshire’s lakes.”

Schedule Regular Inspections and Pumping

Have your septic system thoroughly inspected—including tanks, valves, and leach fields—by a licensed professional every three years at a minimum. This helps uncover hidden issues before they become costly disasters.

 

Practice Water Conservation

Spread out laundry and dish loads, install low-flow plumbing fixtures, and turn off water when brushing teeth or lathering

up. Small changes can reduce strain on your system.

 

 

Respect Your Drainfield

Don’t park vehicles or build structures over the drainfield. Also, avoid planting woody vegetation

within 10 feet—roots can damage underground components.

 

 

 

Be Mindful of What You Flush or Pour Down the Drain

Only toilet paper should go down the toilet. Avoid pouring fats, oils, paint, bleach, and other chemicals down the sink. Compost food scraps rather than using a garbage disposal.

 

 

Keep Systems Accessible

Keep the area above your septic system easily accessible for inspections and pump-outs. Think of it like blending usability with a neat, manageable landscape.

 

 

Pawtuckaway residents were treated to a lively summer concert from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Saturday, August 30. Over thirty boats and countless kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes convened at a point of land on the south end of the lake to enjoy JD Ingalls’ vast repertoire of musical numbers.

PLIA Fundraising and Membership Chair Shelly Heit ventured out on her paddle board going boat to boat as she welcomed people in the audience with a gentle reminder about the PLIA.

On land during intermission in the program, Shelly announced that the event was sponsored by the PLIA to celebrate the spirit of our lake community. She encouraged attendees to join, renew their membership, or make a donation to the tax-exempt PLIA. Our fee-free payment platform, Zeffy, is the easiest way to do that, and you can access it here.

Funding of milfoil prevention and removal programs are big priorities for our lake association.

Wayne Ives, Hydrologist for the Watershed Management Bureau, NH DES has announced a third relief pulse from Dolloff Dam.
“I am scheduling a relief pulse on September 16, Tuesday. This relief pulse will be another 10.5 cfs release from Dolloff Dam only. The relief pulse will result in 0.05 feet (0.6 inches) of lake level decline. (See graph.)

Pawtuckaway Lake elevation is 249.69 feet; 0.71 feet below the full level of 250.4 feet.

Mendums is drained and too low to provide flow even by pumping.

Lamprey flow is 7.94 cfs – below both the critical and rare flow criteria. By September 16 the time below the protected flow threshold will exceed the rare duration criteria. (See graph.)

There has been no significant rain. The rain forecast for this weekend shows only a little, likely too little, rain.”

SIGN UP NOW FOR PAWTUCKAWAY GAMES

Saturday, September 13, 2025 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Registration is open! To sign-up, click here.

Get ready to be part of a really fun activity to benefit the Pawtuckaway Lake Improvement Association. It’s an event like no other, and we want you to be there!

Teams of two players compete to finish a challenge round of activities on each of five abutting lake properties in the shortest time.

Date: Saturday, September 13 (Rain date Sept 14)

Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM followed by an after party at 24 Lamprey Dr. (snacks/finger foods provided)

Price: $30/team (only open to 30 teams of 2…Age 12+)

Location: 18-30 Lamprey Dr. (5 abutting properties) Starting spots for each team will be assigned by email prior to the event. Paddle or drive to your starting location.

Details: Participants will visit 5 properties on the lake and complete a non-strenuous, timed game. Time to complete the task will be recorded on your team card. Lowest total time for all five challenges wins!

1st/2nd/3rd place prizes will be awarded.

Arrive at 1:00. Instructions will be given at each location.

All proceeds will benefit the PLIA. So, sign up now while places are still open!

To sign-up, click here.

The men and women who make the work of the PLIA possible gathered for a cookout on Sunday, August 17, at the State Park Pavilion.

Steve Soreff got the group organized with name tags, our crew of Board members showed off their talents at the grill, and everyone got down to the business of schmoozing and dining.

 

 

 

 

President Tom Duffy welcomed the crowd and gave a brief update on work at Dolloff Dam, finally finished to the relief of all who live within earshot of the drilling.

He invited any curious volunteers to join him for a trial run as a boat greeter and inspector at the Lake Host station on the Fundy ramp.

Milfoil Team Coordinator Neil Santos outlined the work ahead of us in finding and extracting this invasive, which is returning to shallow areas of the lake in troublesome infestations.

He lauded the work of Lake Hosts and Weed Watchers in preventing and finding milfoil in the lake. Bob Given invited interested swimmers to learn how to “hookah” for milfoil searches.

 

 

 

                         

Dessert was a medley of cookies and biscotti hand crafted by Neil Santos.

Organizer Pam Kelly invited attendees to take home a small gift of thanks – a water bottle proclaiming their important role in the PLIA.

If you should see volunteers doing their wonderful work on the lake, please thank them yourselves!

   

 

 

 

 

First, a shout-out to Weed Control Divers Aaraon Wojtkowski, Sarah Patey, and Jamie Burleigh, who removed milfoil beneath 18 markers in Tuckaway Cove, clearing the way for boats to travel and float nearby to attend this event. They remain our Local Heroes!

 

The open-air concert sponsored by the PLIA on Saturday, July 26 was a blast! About 50 boats – and those don’t include paddle boards, canoes, kayaks, life vests, and floats – gathered on the water to enjoy musician JD Ingalls as he performed on shore.

The weather couldn’t have been more glorious, the sound carried beautifully across the lake, while friends and neighbors took advantage of the opportunity to socialize and relax.

If you missed it, or if you are looking forward to doing it again, you are in luck! There will be another Party on the Point on:

Saturday August 30, 2025, 5:00 – 8:00 PM

Please mark your calendars and join us for another chance to celebrate our lake organization and community. The PLIA deserves your support, so if you are not a member or haven’t renewed your membership this year, please take advantage of our easy payment platform now:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/fba5d7d1-2915-46bf-b83a-233702e63343

On Saturday, July 12, 2025, 22 volunteers arrived at the meeting place on Route 156 to get their assignments from Road Clean Up Director Pete Wawrzonek. Twelve of them were new to this event!

Reflective vests were distributed, along with regulation collection bags, and long-handled

 picker-uppers offered by member Therese Thompson to make litter grabs along the roadside easier. 

Despite the high, thick foliage, our crew braved high humidity as well to search for trash along the stretch of road that is the PLIA’s responsibility to patrol. We even acquired a mascot for the day – meet Lucy!

 

When the dust had settled, volunteers returned to the collection site with 22 bags of trash and 12 bags of cans. Those recyclable aluminum cans will be brought to the Nottingham Transfer Station for disposal. The State will pick up and sort the rest.    

       

 

When we do these clean up sweeps, besides litter we also remove groundwater pollutants like motor oil, tires, and battery acid. Thanks to all who participated in making this stretch of land along the road in Nottingham cleaner and safer!