Mason with Don Williams

Mason Solimini, 10, is a long-time summer resident of Great Herring Pond here in Plymouth.  Like many his age, he enjoys swimming, tubing, and boating.  He had been disappointed the last two summers when harmful cyanobacteria blooms had shut the pond down.  On top of all that, this year, he had school summer homework that would keep him from doing his favorite pond activities.  He had to start a business, keep it running and, hopefully, make some money.

And then a wonderful idea came together.  Mason’s grandparents, Joe and Barbara Solimini, were members of the Herring Ponds Watershed Association (HPWA); Joe was a member of its Water Quality Committee and often drove his boat to be used in collecting samples.  His parents, Mark and Nicole Solimini, encouraged him and he decided to sell refreshments pondside and roadside at his grandparents’ house to raise money to donate to the Herring Ponds Watershed Association to help keep their water clean.  When asked why he decided to donate his profits, he said it was because the Watershed Association “helps keep our water clean.  I was so sad the pond was closed.”

At Grandpa Joe’s suggestion, Mason contacted Don Williams, HPWA President and Water Quality Co-Chair to ask if he could help publicize the event.  The day of the event, people walked, boated, and drove to buy his refreshments. 

In the photo, Mason is presenting a check for $545 to a grateful Don Williams.  At their meeting, Don asked Mason what he had learned during his business experience.  “I learned to handle money, advertise, organize and plan.”

Mason will be the guest of honor (as a major donor) on our scheduled August 22 water sampling.  He is eager to learn more about water quality.

Mason is off to great start and Herring Ponds Watershed Association is another step closer to eliminating cyanobacteria.  Thanks, Mason!