....Hot Off the Presses in Embden, Maine...

June 30, 2008 -- Summer in Embden

The camp is open for another summer season. While at camp, Lesley, Ethan, and friend Lynnette spotted a red-breasted merganser with 10 ducklings in tow! Several loons visited the cove, as well. The first night of their stay, a thunderstorm rocked the camp, with cracks of thunder so loud that the floor of the camp shook. Though the lights blinked out a few times, the power came right back. "I was glad we had a couple of lanterns, just in case," Les said. Ethan was thrilled to discover that the bunk beds had moved from the log cabin to the camp, and immediately opened negotiations for the top bunk. To no one's surprise, he managed to convince his mom that, with the addition of a few strategically-placed pillows, the top bunk would be perfectly safe for a big boy of four.

January 01, 2006 -- Happy New Year!

The new year is off to a good -- though very, very cold -- start at camp.  Brad, M, Gary, and friends had a successful opening day of ice fishing season.  Brad pulled in a 22.5", 3.5 lb. salmon today. Gary thinks he should be able to claim it, since it was his trap, but Brad thinks that "he who pulls it, claims it."  At press time, bragging rights were still under dispute. 

October, 2005

It's certainly been a while since the last update!  Here's what's been going on:

• The biggest change to the camp lately has been the replacement of the roof.  You can see photos of the new roof on the photos page.

• There's a new dock, which is much sturdier and a little longer, with a bench at the end.

• Brad and Gary pulled out the dock and unhooked the water for the winter.  The phone has been disconnected.  They also removed the kitchen wood stove in order to repair it.
  

July, 2003

Summer's finally here, thankfully!  Here's the latest camp news:

• Mike and Jim installed a new countertop last August to replace the old bright red one.  This one is a big improvement!

• Brad and Gary installed a ceiling fan with light in the kitchen last November.

• Last winter's fishing was more successful:  Brad caught a 14" brook trout that Mammy had for lunch, a 23" salmon, and a number of smaller salmon.  At the same time, Brad and Gary introduced a fan that requires no electricity to operate, and circulates the heat from the stove in the living room.  Everyone thinks it's unique.

• In May, Brad and Gary put the dock in and turned the water on.  The camp is up and running for another season!

• In June and July, Steve, Sue, Scott, and Greg (plus family and friends) were at the camp and they fixed the septic so that it operates on "automatic" instead of on "manual."  Great job!  At the same time, they did a major camp cleaning, putting up new curtains and making the place look great. 

May, 2002

• Here's the spring report, courtesy of Brad: the water is on. Gary and Brad hooked it up the weekend of May 18th & 19th. No leaks so far!
  

• The camp survived another winter, but the fishing was horrible, mostly due to a lack of ice almost the entire season. Only one salmon was caught all winter. Brad says, "Maybe the townsfolk who refer to it as 'Empty Lake' whenever I stop by the local Solon baitshop are onto something!"
  

• You can bring or rent your favorite movies to watch while at camp this summer. For more information, e-mail Brad or Gary.

• Brad's replacing the rusted screens on the small bedroom and kitchen windows; the new screens should be up in the next few weeks.

• More news to report! Gary replaced the fireplace in the living room with a newer, safer stove.

• Gary and Steve replaced the front screen door (the once that faces the water) with one that's a bit sturdier, has a better lock, and will keep out the snow. It looks nice!

• Look for photos of the new stove, door, and couch on the photos page.

• Big news! The camp's septic system was replaced -- not once, but twice! In accordance with new rules, the septic system was replaced. It was a major undertaking. Then, when finished, the septic tank collapsed! It had to be dug up again and replaced. Hopefully there won't be any further problems!

• See the photo page to view the work in different stages of progress.

• Unfortunately, there was a break-in at the camp. Gary found evidence that someone had broken in when he noticed one of the bedroom windows had a broken hinge. Also, the log cabin's door lock had been broken. Despite this damage, nothing was stolen except for a few beers. Gary reported the damage and break-in, and discovered other nearby camps had also been broken into. A group of local boys later confessed to the crimes.

• Greg brought up a new couch for the living room. It's a big improvement over the old brown couch and is a sleeper-sofa.

• Gary assembled an entertainment center in the living room.

• Brad spent several hours filling holes in the log cabin with wool batting and (in extreme cases) expanding foam.

• Also cleaned the log cabin up, swept the floor, etc.

• Put all of the innertubes that are in the cabin overhead in the rafters and under the beds; put a mattress in the top bunk of the bunk beds where there was not one in the recent past.

• Fishing Report:
Brad: 1 15" Salmon
George: 2 Salmon close to 20"


• Brad admits, "Yes, George is actually doing well this year; I can't always catch the big ones!"

• Gary hung some plastic and strapping in the storage shed to tighten it up a little bit. That should cut down on those nasty drafts!

• Brad and company were at camp these past two weekends. They report that they installed new carpeting in the camp's living room. They squared the floor up against the pattern of the vinyl floor in the kitchen, giving the illusion that the camp is square.

• The kitchen cooking stove also needed a replacement flourescent bulb and fuse; they fixed some interior wiring, as well. The light works!

• Brad hung a picture of some Canada geese in the living room.

• Fishing Report: Gary Withers caught an 18 3/4" Togue and an 18" Salmon. Brad Withers caught a 16 1/2" Salmon. Dan "George" Thissell caught a 19 1/2" Salmon. So yes -- there are fish in Embden Pond! Ice: about 10" in the cove area. Snow: about 1 foot. Temperature: too cold!!

• The camp's all ready for winter now; the phone and water are off for the winter season.

• As you all know, the storage shed was moved this summer. Gary finished the floor and boxing area. It's ready for business.

• A friend of Brad's offered to put in a new living room carpet at cost. Plans are under way.

• The dirt road between the main road and the camp road is under construction. Much work has been done to widen the road, and loads of gravel have been hauled in. It looks like it will be nice next year.