Eastman’s Lakes & Streams Committee issued the “birth announcement” the week of July 4, asking people to be respectful of the new family by keeping their distance. Using binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens will provide close up looks of these fascinating creatures.

Eastman Lake has a public boat launch and motors are allowed, but the speed limit (as set by the state of New Hampshire) is 10 miles per hour, making this is a great lake for kayaks and canoes.

Take a look at the great photos of the new loon familytaken by Eastman Member Cathy Lacombe.

For more information about making Eastman your family’s home, begin your search on our home page or call 603-863-4240.

Come see for yourself why the New Hampshire Golf Association has chosen Eastman Golf Links as its host course for the NH State Amateur Championship July 12-17. What more proof do you need that the course is in the best shape ever?

Make your tee time up to seven days in advance so you don’t miss this great opportunity. Book on-line or call 603-863-4500. Limited tee times are available for the $49 rate.

Eastman Golf Links also offers practice areas, a full service pro shop, and lessons for beginners as well as those who just want to improve their games.

For complete information about Eastman Golf Links, visit our website, call 603-863-4500, or come see us: Exit 13 off I-89 in Grantham, NH. Just follow the signs for your chance to play for just $49.

Since 2004, the NH Dept. of Environmental Services has recognized at least one volunteer for dedication and commitment to volunteer lake monitoring. This award has been appropriately named the Volunteer Limnologist Award because each time a volunteer monitor collects a water sample from a lake or pond or conducts a Weed Watcher survey, the volunteer is performing the role of a true limnologist. In addition, the Secchi Disk Award is given to the overall Volunteer Limnologist award winner that truly stands on the “cutting edge” of volunteer monitoring.

ECA Board President Bob Peterson congratulated the Lakes & Streams Committee volunteers who made the award possible. “This is wonderful recognition of your conscientious work to protect our lake, and it shines a very favorable light on our community.”

Monitoring at Eastman Lake began in 1987, when Eastmanite Dave Frucht joined the VLAP and continued sampling for the next 15 years or so. He recruited a few more volunteers along the way and added stream and beach sampling as well. Dave received the Volunteer Limnologist Award in 2005.

“It’s difficult to say how many volunteers have been involved over the years, but I’d estimate it to be around 100 people,” said Jackie Underhill, who co-chairs the Lakes & Streams Committee with Ebba McArt.

“The Lakes & Streams Committee has evolved over time,” said Underhill. “What was once a committee of a few has grown into a well-organized committee of 13 at the present time. Its visibility in our community has grown steadily over the years, providing us with the ability to educate our residents on prudent stewardship of our natural amenities here in Eastman. We are fortunate to be part of a community that supports our mission.”

At the present time, Eastman Lakes & Streams Committee has approximately 25 Weed Watchers, 30 Lake Hosts, 13 Water Quality Monitors and 10 Events volunteers.

Specific projects accomplished by the committee include:

> Boat wash opened in 1992

> YSI meter purchased in 2005 to monitor conductivity values, dissolved oxygen and water temperature at the Deep Spot. Also monitored the perimeter of the lake for conductivity values.

> Lake Appreciation Week established in 2006 as a yearly event to include fun activities and educational opportunities centered on the lake

> Chloride testing initiated during the spring snow melt in 2007 as recommended in the annual VLAP report.

>Weed Watchers Group organized and established in 2008

> Lake Host Program becomes a part of Lakes & Streams Committee in 2008

> Worked with the Loon Protection Committee to build and deploy a nesting raft in 2008

> Ice Out Contest and Chowda Suppa organized in 2008 to raise lake awareness and education. Has run for three years now.

> Installed wave attenuation barriers in 2008/09 at two beaches to reduce wave-induced erosion.

> Offered CMA (calcium magnesium acetate) co-op beginning in 2008 to residents as a de-icer alternative for salt

> 2009 Watershed Management Study and Plan completed. It now serves as a major focus for the 2010 Work Plan.

> Iron and manganese testing added to the usual VLAP-recommended protocol in 2009/10 to shed some light on our lake’s historically high conductivity values.

> Youth Lake Conservation Corps formed in 2010 in partnership with NH Lakes through a grant from the Eastman Charitable Foundation.

For the 28th year, Eastman Golf Links will be the primary sponsor and host for the Eastman Classic Golf Tournament and silent auction to benefit the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

Golfers may sign up for the 10 a.m. June 25 outing either individually or in teams of two, three or four. Anyone not already in a foursome will be paired up by Eastman Head Golf Pro Mark Larrabee. Cost is $130 per person and includes a gift bag, grilled lunch, golf and cart, and an after-golf party with hors d’oeuvres by Bistro Nouveau at Eastman.

“This is a great way to support a very worthwhile charity while having a fun day with your golfing friends,” said Larrabee.

Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are also available, ranging from $50 to $1,500.

The public is invited to attend the silent auction and dessert party beginning at 6:30 p.m. June 24 at The Center at Eastman. The auction will include art and craft items, merchandise, and services provided by area artists and businesses. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to NCCC. Admission is $15 per person pre-paid and includes one drink and many dessert choices. Reservations are required-please make your check out to ECA-DHMC and mail it to ECA-NCCC Tournament, PO Box 53, Grantham, NH 03753.

For more information and to download player, auction or sponsor forms, visit www.eastmannh.org/nc.

Eastman Golf Links is a championship, 18-hole golf course that is open to the public. The course will host the 2010 New Hampshire Golf Association Men’s State Amateur Championship in July.

Do you know a child who is interested in participating in a triathlon while helping a great cause? If so, now’s the time to sign up for the eighth annual Splash, Mash and Dash Sprint Triathlon being held June 19 to benefit the Upper Valley Humane Society.

The triathlon, hosted by Eastman Community Association in Grantham, has a full field of adult participants, but there’s plenty of room in the Kids’ Race, which is structured for individuals or teams.

The youth course includes a 200-yard fresh water swim in Eastman Lake, a 2-mile bike ride on Road ‘Round Lake and Wellfield Road, and a 1-mile run on Clearwater Drive. The entry fee for the Kids’ Race is $25/individual and $40/team. Racers who are not USAT members will be charged a $5 fee for a yearly membership to the USAT. All racers will be awarded a finisher’s medal.

A Post Race Bash will be held at the South Cove Activity Center.

For information about or to register for the children’s race, please visit the Splash, Mash & Dash website or contact Eastman Recreation at (603) 863-6772. Checks should be made payable to Eastman Recreation and mailed to Eastman Recreation, P.O. Box 53, Grantham, NH 03753.

The course opens to the public on Saturday, April 17, with all 18 holes and greens in play immediately. “The tees and fairways are in very good condition, almost perfect,” said EGL Golf Pro Mark Larrabee. “The greens are very rich and healthy.”

Don’t miss your opportunity to play on opening day. Book your tee times on-line.

If you’ve never been a member at Eastman Golf Links (or have not been a member since 2004), now is the time to join and get 25 percent off your membership.

Looking to improve your game? Golf lessons can be arranged with any member of our skilled staff.

New to the game? Sign up for Get Golf Ready (Golf 101) through our Play Golf America website. Five-week sessions start Monday, May 3 and Tuesday, May 4 at a cost of $99 per person, and continue throughout the summer. All you need is a good sense of humor and a pair of sneakers. Assistant Pro Kalem Taft will teach this class, and Mark Larrabee will instruct the Golf 201 group. Prepare to have fun!

Eastman Golf Links also offers a great Junior Development Program.

The practice green opened for the season on Tuesday, April 13. Come chip and putt to your heart’s content on our lush practice area. The driving range will open on Saturday, April 17 with use limited to 150 yards or less.

Also beginning on opening day, golf carts will be used with the “90-degree” rule on most holes; snacks and drinks will be available in the golf shop; and portable bathrooms will be provided for a short time before the water is turned on for the season.

Our Pro Shop is open with plenty of golf supplies, many “free to demo” golf clubs ready for you to try, and Eastman Golf Links merchandise.

Take a virtual tour of our wonderful course now. If you’d like to talk with someone in our Pro Shop, call 603-863-4500, or you can visit Eastman Golf Links’ website.

The biggest moneymaker this year was The Loon Project, which brought in over $7,000 in a sealed bid auction for 24 uniquely decorated loons.

All proceeds from the event benefit David’s House, a home-away-from-home for families of children who are being treated at CHaD at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

Upcoming fundraisers hosted by Eastman include the annual golf tournament to benefit the Norris Cotton Cancer Center and the Splash, Mash & Dash sprint triathlon to benefit the Upper Valley Humane Society.

During the last several years, Eastman has installed an irrigation system and improved the course drainage. Ongoing course maintenance has continued to make great strides as well, and the result is a superb course that offers a challenge to every level of golfer.

The state competition will begin with pre-qualifying rounds at several sites throughout the state beginning in April. The low qualifiers, along with the players exempt from pre-qualifying, will be eligible for the 36-hole qualifying round at Eastman Golf Links on July 12 and 13. Sixty-four players will begin match play on July 14, with a champion crowned on July 17.

Eastman Golf Links is scheduled to open on April 17 and is open to the public seven days a week for the entire season. Memberships are also available.

Visit the Eastman Golf Links website for more information on memberships, public play, tee time reservations and more.

Yankee Doodle Loon by Al Wakefield

The new Loon Project to benefit David’s House was featured recently on WCAX Channel 3, which posted the video for everyone to see. The news story included interviews with ECA Activities Coordinator Charlie Taber and Eastman resident Al Wakefield, who is one of the artists contributing his talent to make this project a success.

The Loon Project features two dozen 16-inch, wooden loons that have been uniquely finished by local artists in the media of their choice. Photos of the artwork can be seen at the Loon Project website.

The loons will be formally unveiled during a reception beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12 at Bistro Nouveau at The Center at Eastman. The artisans will be available for everyone to meet, and sealed bids will be accepted. Cost is $10/person and includes hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. The loons will be displayed throughout the week, with bids accepted until the conclusion of Winter Fest on Feb. 20, when the winning bidders will be announced.

This year’s Winter Fest will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 at the Eastman Cross Country Center. Everyone is invited for a fun filled day of outdoor activities, including skiing, sledding, ice skating, games and races, and the world famous Chili Cook-off, which begins promptly at noon.

 The cook-off is usually very well attended, so get there early, to make sure you get to taste all the entries. Winners, chosen by the votes cast by attendees, will be announced at the end of the event.

Cost for the Winter Fest and Chili Cook-off is $10 for adults and $6 for children 12 and younger.

All proceeds from Winter Fest, the Loon Project and the Chili Cook-off benefit David’s House, a home-way-from-home for families of children who are being treated at CHaD at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

For more information on The Loon Project, Winter Fest or Chili Cook-off, contact Eastman Recreation at 603-863-6772.

The adult field is half full for the eighth annual Splash, Mash and Dash Sprint Triathlon being held June 19 to benefit the Upper Valley Humane Society.

The triathlon, hosted by Eastman Community Association in Grantham, has had a full field of adult participants for the last three years. “We’re three weeks ahead of schedule,” said Triathlon Coordinator Charlie Taber. “Last year we were full in early May, but this year we may be full in mid to late April.”

The adult race, which is USAT sanctioned, is designed for both individuals and teams of two or three. The course encompasses a 1/3-mile freshwater swim in Eastman Lake, a 12-mile bike ride through scenic Eastman and along NH Route 10, and a 5K run along the west shoreline of Eastman Lake.

The pre-registration fee is $60 for an individual and $95 for an adult team; race day registration is $10 more.  Racers who are not USAT members will be charged a $10 per person fee for a one-day membership to USAT.  Race day registration begins at 6:30 a.m. if the 200-person field limit is not reached prior to the race. 

There is also a Kids’ Race that is structured for individuals or teams. The course includes a 200-yard fresh water swim in Eastman Lake, a 2-mile bike ride on Road ‘Round Lake and Wellfield Road, and a 1-mile run on Clearwater Drive. The entry fee for the Kids’ Race is $25/individual and $40/team. Racers who are not USAT members will be charged a $5 fee for a yearly membership to the USAT. All racers will be awarded a finisher’s medal. 

A Post Race Bash will be held at the South Cove Activity Center. Awards will be given to the top three men and women in each age category, and the top three finishers of the team competitions.

For information about or to register for either the adults’ or children’s race, please visit the Splash, Mash & Dash website or contact Eastman Recreation at (603) 863-6772. Checks should be made payable to Eastman Recreation and mailed to Eastman Recreation, P.O. Box 53, Grantham, NH 03753.