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The weather was cool and a bit of rain fell upon us but hundreds of people of all ages joined the Middleton Stream Team at Creighton Pond Camp for an exciting afternoon. People still rowed out to see the beaver lodge across the serene pond, found out just what an owl ate for dinner, tested soil samples and pond water with Essex tech students, and enjoyed an interactive and creative ocean pollution exhibit by the Masconomet environmental students. Bob Andrews of Mass Fish and Wildlife and the local Peary Family did a great job teaching between 50 and seventy kids to fish, and many fish were caught and released. The scouts cooked delicious cake in a Dutch oven over nice warm coals and shared with many. Children were amazed at the quick sequence of life for meal worms at the exhibit from Mandal Garden Farms of Middleton. North Shore Nature had tanks with snakes, turtles, crayfish and frogs for an up close and personal look at what lives in and near the pond. Starting at noon instead of one due to the weather, families enjoyed pizza, Sol Bean coffee, Artisan Ices and creams, Messenger’s infused waters, popcorn and even the dogs that joined the event had treats from Patty’s Biscuits! Many liked the earlier start time to have lunch so that might be a good change for next year! The Flint library promoted caterpillars and North Shore Bank’s Green Team led a litter pick-up hike! Essex County beekeepers educated people about the importance of bees. The Cellar Door of Ipswich had delicious meat rubs and the mammal display demonstrated that we all share different passions for the wild! The Daisy troop had bird feeders to make and other vendors offered crafts as well as Kathy Davis nature bags, essential oils, and the Stream Team’s tees and new cloth grocery bags. The Boutillier family started each child with a booklet to stamp when each station was visited. The Ipswich River Watershed educated people about how to protect our river. Liz Cameron made folks giggle but didn’t scare any children as a roaming beaver. The Letterboxing activity by Katie Bernard and Marion Duval could be challenging on such wooded and diverse lands. The Creighton Pond Day Camp is such a huge and beautiful area, with the covered pavilion, the big lodge and the pond, it is never too crowded even though the entire back field was filled to capacity with patron’s cars. The Stream team is very thankful that Lynn Boys and Girls Clubs offer us the use of the facility and it is truly a joint venture due to LeLand Boutillier’s contributions. We thank each and every one of you, both the groups that helped make it such a successful event and the people that came out even in a cool sprinkle to enjoy the day with us. Our mission is to encourage you to keep enjoying and protecting our local wild places, including our precious river and wetlands. Many species, including humans, depend on healthy natural ecosystems! As you remember all the Mother’s this month, please take a moment to help Mother Earth!