For all the former campers and staff who still reside in Michigan, winter was one for the books with flooding and ice storms. On our drive north the fallen trees, and copious amounts of firewood for sale were a reminder. Camp Maqua did not escape the wrath of winter with many trees and limbs down. The lodge sustained damage from an ice dam on the back east dormer, which led to damage on the inside bedroom ceiling. Also a few limbs took out power to the house and caused some minor exterior damage. Finding people to repair and roof are almost impossible with so many in need. This hundred year old building is in constant maintenance, but it keeps my husband busy in his retirement with projects.
We decided to create a workout room in the craft hut, and gave it a great clean. Over the winter we had windows and sills repaired, and have plans to eventually re-stain the floors, but for now it has a brand new indoor-outdoor rug. Weights, medicine ball, kettle bell, arm and leg weights, exercise mats, a recumbent bike, and a tv have been donated for those who want to kick it up a notch. We may even install a window A/C unit, but for now the screens and a fan will do. The two camp cot frames will be relocated to the upper part of the boathouse. Believe it or not, families still use “Hut Nine” with their inflatable air mattresses! Thanks to Kim Gorman, the Camp Brownie has a refurbished and creative door.
Our Camp Maqua Association has also been busy with a new undertaking. New President, Bill Baker, along with his VP Dominic Smith, and Secretary/Treasurer Christopher Gorman have done research on ways in which residents can protect our shared 63.5 acre property, while reducing long-term ownership costs. The decision by our ten families was unanimous, and we are enrolling in the CFP conservation /forest management program, which will make us eligible for 2027 tax savings. The intention is to not only give us tax benefits for the next twenty years, but improve forest management and land preservation. Our association has always found ways to be good stewards of this gorgeous property. If you are interested in what this program offers, log into Michigan.gov and type in https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/environment/forestry/qualified-forest-program
The pine pollen was not as heavy this year, so the tarps are off and our lodge porch is ready for all the company and camaraderie of our neighbors.We are all looking forward to the lake warming up, and in the meantime the boats are in the water and we love watching the Eagle and the Loons. We think a Pike or the Eagle got the eggs this year and have no babies:) Camp Maqua will again host the annual July 4th boat parade and hot dog picnic, and this year with the 250th birthday, it should be a patriotic parade! What a grand country we live in! Happy summer!