2010 Closing Time...Pt. II

August 13th, 2010

We finished the one storm panel that was unfinished last night and then Lowell hung the one at kitchen window and Paul Voyer brought his handy power screwdriver to drive the screws in the two big remaining frames. All was tight around the windows at last.


Then to collect anything left in yard and take to shed or porch. We sealed the porch slider at both ends, removed slider screen and placed on porch and placed wood frames inside against the sliders. We swept and washed down where needed and finished the last-minute packing of final suitcase and collecting stuff I forgot to pack…humm.

We emptied the refrigerator in kitchen. One of porch was cleaned and defrosted Wednesday.

We started on disconnecting the water system about 8:30 a.m. and with the help of Paul Voyer (our angel indeed), we retrieved the foot valve in milk crate stand without incident. I planned to wade into the lake and pull it toward shore and then empty the rocks and pull up to shore. But, just in case I needed to wade all the way out to the crate, Lowell and I decided I should have a rope attached to me just in case I slipped and hit my head….as we were securing the rope around my waist, Paul V. spotted the two of us (probably heard me laughing at Lowell’s question as to how did I want to be pulled in? head or feet first?) and insisted we wait for him to get his trunks on and let him help. I really thought we were fine but Paul insisted so he appeared momentarily and went into the lake and did exactly as I had intended. The crate slid easily with several tugs of water line by Paul and Lowell. Paul instructed us how to clean the screen and set the foot valve for winter and it was done in less than 20 minutes….

Then Lowell and I opened the covers to access the water valves under the camp and were able to drain the water in no time. We drained the water tank and added antifreeze for camps and RVs in the pump and all drains in camp. Think we did it right….time will tell and so will the winter. Thanks to Adam’s imngenuity and installation of shutoff valves in water lines at each unit the draining went without a hitch (we hope). Again we are thankful for all the work and care invested in the camp over the years beginning with Dad and Mom and Ron and Marj and Johnny and Donnie and Patrick and Peter and Neil and Danny and Molly Dutilly and Johnjohn and Ed and Kelly (yes Kel) and Andrew and Mat and Kim and Peter and Katie and Linda and JoAnna and Adam and our adopted brother Paul V. and Tom Voyer and anyone we may have forgotten. Their efforts have made Maine Camp the special place it is.

We didn’t have to drain the water heater since we had no hot water for the last two weeks were in camp. Will install the units and fill the tank when we open next June, God willing.

I had cut the grass early in the morning so Lowell waited for the motor to cool before storing it in shed. Everything left to be was placed in shed was taken care of by Lowell and the shed was locked.

We turned off the gas, made a final check, emptied all the buckets inside and placed the bucket under the spot where roof leaks on porch and locked up. By now it was almost 2 p.m. so we were forced to make the trip in two days.

We managed—with a few detours for missed signage---to get to Vernon Conn. and had dinner at the Jewish deli in the neighborhood of the Comfort Inn.

We raced for the hot shower and were in bed by midnight.

Thank God we did it!

August 14

We got up, had breakfast and repacked suitcases and car and took off before 7:30 a.m.

Headed west to New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania with a few stops and arrived home at 3 p.m.

Too late to get the mail which was held while we were gone but there was plenty to do to get things organized again and prepare for trip to California and Minnesota.

Another summer in the Camp History Book and another step in the restoration project of Connemara North.

Hope more who enjoy the woods and Maine will join us next year at one of the most peaceful (some times) places in God’s earth. Let us know so we can leave the kitchen spotlight on for you…

Thank you Lord for preserving Maine Camp and for allowing us another year to enjoy it.


Love and God bless,

Joan…..and Lowell

2010 Closing Time... Pt. I

August 10, 2010 Tuesday

The closing process has begun and that leaves little time for fishing. I did go out on the dock last night and while the fish were playing with my lure, they didn’t hang on so other than lose another lure, it was not newsworthy. The lure I lost was caught on a rock beyond Voyer’s lot near the middle of the cove. Tried everything short of going into the water to untangle it and finally tug hard and it snapped. Initially it felt like a big fish but it may just have been the initial tug from getting caught under the rock.

We started working on the grounds and camp before closing. Lowell and I worked on fixing the frame of window on north side of loft (facing Voyer’s camp. Took much longer than we anticipated but we finally fixed it and screen and then painting the trim (yellow) and some of peak (Waldeyer green). While on the roof (to fix screen and paint) I inspected the entire roof and found two areas we have to work on before we leave. Have some loose shingles so I will see what we can do.

It was very hot on the roof and my knees were stiff after working on the window. Lowell was on the loft steps and he was stretching and engineering the project. He has great ideas for fixing things to last. We worked all afternoon and never got dinner until 8:30 p.m.

Lowell was working on painting the window on porch and living room. He also did some touchup of the porch green and finished the window in bathroom which opens on to porch (up high). We took time to go to dump and get a paper but we didn’t go into swap shop!

We were hoping someone had dropped off some discarded wooden windows or screens but no luck. We have two frames that are damaged so we were hoping to get old windows to make the storms for the windows for winter.

Tomorrow we will finish the boat, pull the dock to cover and pull in the gang plank. Paul said he would help. Sat down to watch movie and had trouble keeping eyes open. Finally went to bed at midnight.



August 11...Wednesday

We started out at 6:30 a.m. with collecting tools and making plans for painting and repairing the storms. It was 10:30 when we both remembered we hadn’t eaten breakfast. Paul came over to inspect the gangplank which was damaged. He was repairing his dock at 7 a.m. He looks for things to do to help us. He is a real dear and so patient with our clumsiness. Before we started on the dock, Linda V. came over and asked us to join them for breakfast. Since we hadn’t eaten, we decided to take a break. It was delightful and she wouldn’t let us help her. She is doing so well, God bless, and really is happy in Maine.

What’s not to be happy here?

We continued painting and touching up areas of porch and outside on camp. I pulled off the storms on porch and cleaned up after the bats had made their homes between the screens and storms. Painted one of storm windows which have not been painted on the side facing porch inside. Also began repairing the storms we put on the windows on first level. Lots of work because some were cracked and the plastic was cut by some creature. We think it was the chipmunks chewing off material for their nests which are under the house near where we stored the frames in summer.

Hummingbirds are back and feeding at my feeder as well as Linda’s two.

Paul came over and began working on gang plank and dock by himself. Said he would call when we could help. He had some pulley or something to help him lift gang plant and eventually Lowell went down and the two of them got gang plank on dock. The connecting board to land pulled off when the dock came from its moorings and slide down the lake a little while Tim was on the dock. He thought he did it but the number of boats racing in the lake sent a huge wash into the shore and knocked all the docks around. The wood obviously was old and pulled out one side. Paul thinks it needs real work and suggested we look into a new dock and runway before we try to work on the existing system. He said it is in bad shape under dock. We knew that but were hoping it would stay afloat until Florida is sold.

Oh well, we will investigate a dock system and then decide. Better spend the retirement funds while there are any left the rate Obama is spending our money. Pray for Obama and this country. Some of you may not know Grandma Connor urged everyone to pray for Russian leader Nikita Khrushchev during Cold War and she always told us to add him to our prayer requests. She said he needed God’s attention. It worked…

Anyhow, back to camp fun and games. After Paul assessed the condition of the gangplank and dock, we decided to pull it around to the cove and decide what to do before Spring. He gave me the name of a place that makes reasonably priced docks and walkways so we will check there. In meantime, the dock is sick and in need of life support. We also turned the boat upside down on cinder blocks for the winter and secured it to a tree. Getting there little by little.

We continued to work on the storm frames. When I went to do laundry, I drove to Momouth and the lumber place which has building dept. which makes docks etc. The fella in charge of work was on vacation but they gave me his name and I also got tar and roofing patch there.

I was able to cover the two spots and hopefully get a few more years before we have to reroof. Get your plans ready Andrew and Peter and all… roofing party is in the works.

Paul and I (mostly Paul) put up the storms on back side with his power screwdriver. (That’s at the top of my Christmas list. A good battery screw driver. Skill or Sears….) Paul Voyer and Lowell got the one bedroom and one kitchen storm up. Two to go.. kitchen and our bedroom on driveway side.

We found the repairs to the storm panels was more involved than expected so we were one short when we called it a day at 7:30 p.m. We had a quick supper and went over to Paul and Linda’s for ice cream and cookies and wine. We brought the ice cream and cookies and brownies and they provided the wine. Finished up the ice cream in the freezer. Getting there.

We both were so tired we turned in early… 11 p.m. for me and Lowell tried to watch a movie but slept through most of it and came to bed sometime later. Thursday is packing up and leaving day. Hopefully.




August 12… Thursday


Got up early and began working on packing and getting things ready for Lowell to pack the car. Then went to work on storm frames which were still not ready to hang.

We worked on getting everything into shed and Lowell started packing car. Still have two crates of paint and stuff we don’t want to leave because they will freeze. Cuts down on space.

We didn’t quite get things done as fast as hoped so we decided at 4:30 p.m. we were not leaving today. Water still not taken down and packing car was not finished. Besides, we had stuff to put on porch and we had to seal the doors and windows. We lost some time trying to fix entry way on side which had rotted out from leak in roof. Lowell made temporary fix for this year. It’s a “to do” project for Spring.

We had a pickup supper (cleaning out fridge) and I tried to finish cleaning the kitchen. Paper plates in morning...Now to get ready for bed.

Oh yea. The electrician stopped with the two units for water heater around 8:30 p.m. . We will be waiting until June 2011 to install them and the young fella also plans to finish the electrical work on porch so we can get rid of extension cords and substandard wiring. He took the boat motor to his dad’s boat place (Larrabee) for winter servicing to save us the trip.

So we are here another night. That’s OK. The loons are out. The chimes are singing in the breeze and it is a beautiful night. Lowell is already asleep –in bed this time—and I am going pronto.


It is so peaceful on the lake. I do hate to leave but I also thank God for allowing us the time we have been here. Truly a blessing for these old folks. I can understand why Ma and Dad Connor were so content here. Really is a very special place. Too bad more people can’t enjoy its charm.

Tomorrow we will be getting up early (hopefully) and getting car packed and finish details in cabin and take down the water system. Sooner than later, please God. I doubt we can get home by nightfall but we might try. Depending on time we leave and how tired we are. And how many stops we have to make…


Till next time, God bless,

Joan … and Lowell at Cobbossee…

More Maine Musings from Grandma Joan

All is quiet in Connemara North as it is just the old folks again now that Katie and the great Innes grandkids have left (and arrived home safely) yesterday. The chipmunks have been slowly returning now that granddog Scooter is no longer running them back into their holes. But that delightful (?) Reilly dog next door at Clark’s place is a frequent threat so they are not as many showing their heads.


The peanuts I tossed out for them yesterday were taken this morning by the nasty grey squirrel. That dear animal also tried to ride one of my chimes just in case there was food on the top.


We are still without hot water ….going on a week now… but there is hope in sight. Finally found a dear electrician (Jonathan Larrabee) who responded in one day (a record for Maine in summer) and concurred with Peter that the elements were burned out. One was nothing more than a button…rest of element must be inside the water tank? He spent more than two hours trying to find a replacement ($$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!!!!!!!!!) and finally had to call Sears National Parts Center and we are scheduled to receive by expedited (?) shipment the elements Tuesday. The electrician will return Tuesday to install it if they send the correct replacements. Naturally the parts are not standard and the story of “make do” continues.

It was kinda funny listening to the grandkids taking showers in lukewarm lake water all week. Made for quick showers and held down the chance of flooding the septic tank…. So there was a blessing in no hot water folks!

It was sad for me that Adam and JoAnna were not here when Katie and grandkids were here. They always have such a great time. Ditto for Linda and Bill (where are you Bill, it has been so long since you enjoyed Maine camp and you really would not recognize all the “improvements”?) and all the DeGothseir grandkids. And Mat and Kim…. At least Mat and Kim made it up in June when we had hot water and much fewer mosquitoes….

We had a grand time (hear that Ryan) with the Innes folks. Weather was pretty good for Maine in summer.. in fact it was great all but one day when we had rain and threat of rain. Most rain was at nights so the days were sunny and tolerable except for one hot and muggy (Philly style) day near the end of their stay.

Fishing was not too productive but Kyle and Casey were game. Unfortunately Ryan was not interested and Tim had little success when we went fishing in the cove Wednesday evening. There are fish but they must not be very hungry. Kyle caught several sunnies and small bass off the dock including one sunny about two inches!!!!I will try to send a photo. It is the smallest catch I ever saw. Kyle has a good sense of humor and still had fun.


I have not caught anything this trip except for lots of seaweed and one sunny. Got my prize last time, I guess. Pretty pricey fish when you consider how Maine jacks up the price of licenses for the “outsiders.”

We had grand time playing games at night and in addition to Kings in the Corner and Go Fish we played Clue (or at least I tried) and the kids played some fancy Disney game with the TV? More than my limited brain can handle…

Lowell and I got some painting done before Katie and grandkids arrived since they were delayed until Friday. We did the deck and some outside trim but there is more to finish.


Yesterday, I began to paint the wooden planks on boat seats. Put on primer coat and today I plan to paint the seats a woodsy green?! Lowell says we have so many shades of green now… But this is Grandma Joan green and I am sure it will be just fine. Will see. I thought the inside of boat was tan but Lowell says it is salmon or rose??? Humm. Bring your sunglasses when you take out the boat!

Lowell went around and touched up the trim (yellow) on the windows; only problem was he forgot to change his shorts so his almost good shorts now have spots of yellow to go with white he added to them a year ago. Fortunately we discovered his lapse before he really messed up the shorts and he changed into his painting pants before he finished. Ah…. Memory is the first to go?

It is what you call Maine fresh today. Must have gone down to the 40s during the night and it is chilly now. I think the air outside is warmer than the camp but we did not turn on the heaters. We probably should test them since we have not had them on this season.

Shower water is beyond cool today. Guess if I really want a shower I will have to get it in the lake. Sure that is warmer than what comes out of the cold tap and we have no water in the water heater pending the arrival of the element.

We have to decide what we are doing this week about closing. Until then we are trying to take care of a number of “camp problems” that have surfaced.

Which brings me to the important point of just how much Ron and Marj and John and Donnie did to preserve Maine camp after Dad died. There are so many signs of their ingenuity and sacrifices to keep things running and to keep the camp for the rest of us to enjoy. No amount of talk can fully describe how many things they did and how much their talents and love are crafted in this camp. I am so grateful and feel so blessed they were willing (???) to put so much sweat and energy into the camp. I do wish they could enjoy it as much today as we are… most of the time. Hopefully the next generation will appreciate their work and enjoy it.

Right now we are looking at rebuilding the walkway to the dock which came apart when the dock shifted after we brought in the boat Thursday afternoon. Looks like the strain was too much for the old wood at the joint so now we need to figure how to rebuild/repair. I do wish they would have allowed me to take shop in high school. I know it can’t be all that difficult once there is a plan. Lowell has become pretty good at figuring solutions to our challenges here so maybe we can come up with a plan over the winter?

Right now we have to fix the window over the steps to the loft. The frame at the lock is separated. We plan to brace it for now. I had hoped to replace the loft windows by now but things seem to keep pushing that down the list of “to do’” items.

And we discovered what appears to be a break in the top roof. Must be 25 years since Dad and Ron put on that roof….That will be a job for a roofer after we sell the condo, God willing…..

For now we will hope it is not too serious. At least that is slanted so the roof will not hold the snow and ice as much as on the other two roofs…..hopefully.

Still have not solved the gutter issues. Lowell wants to extend gutter entire length of side near driveway so water doesn’t run to area of septic tank. Sounds good to me but we didn’t get to it this year so it is back on “to do” list…

Ah, good thing the paper is looooooong.

Oh well….. there is always something to keep us busy in Maine.

But lest you think it’s all work, worry not. Lowell is sitting at porch table playing solitaire and watching westerns. I am listening….as I write. And we see Red Sox games and other sports.


We may go to a concert tonight if we can get the paint off our hands and hair…

And we spend time sitting and listening to the loons and the wind chimes which are quite active today in the brisk wind. Love the sound of the chimes… like the clang/chimes we used to have here. Don’t know where they went but I do love the chimes. I now have two and maybe if I am real foolish I will buy one of those really big ones for next summer.

Speaking of big, I found a greenhouse here, thanks to Linda and Paul Voyer, which has GREAT BIG bird feeders which are squirrel proof. Will order one when I get home and retire the ones I now have which the squirrels attack with ease. The greenhouse is Longfellows and what a GREAT find… in addition to all kinds of plans and shrubs they have a delightful gift shop with all kinds of wonderful items…. Worth the trip…….

I have been fishing and just enjoying the chipmunks and the wind on the terrace. Really God’s country. And cooking and having fun with washing dishes in boiling water….

Well, it must be time for breakfast. And then out to paint…. And then to the dump (and swap shop) and then to the laundry.

I took the load of laundry to laundry yesterday but the YMCA had taken over the Laundromat and so it still is piled in back seat of car. We had to scurry last night to find warm clothes in the cool night but we managed. It is supposed to be cool for couple days and then it will warm up to 80s first of week. If we decide to close up, we will be leaving Thursday or Friday.

Wish we could stay longer but I can’t wear out Lowell’s good nature and patience with my dream camp… he has been so willing to make the trips and has really been a big help with all the fun projects….

Well, off to breakfast and work and play….. wish all of you could enjoy this as well…truly a gift from God from whom all blessings flow. Praise the Lord and thank you for your many blessings.

Love to all who read this…

Grandma Joan