all is quiet, at last!

All is quiet at the Lockkeeper's House today. After all of the hullaballoo with moving, dedicating, contractors "punch -list" completions, the Village of New Bremen's heroic efforts to get the place in tip-top shape, and the fine work by MECCA and the NB Historic Association with the canal content and displays, it is nice to have some quiet for a change. Pam will be in and out of the office over the next few days due to an illness in her family. We're finally ready to settle into a summer routine here at the LKH and begin the task of making each visitor feel welcome.
As for me, this "Locktender" is off to West Virginia for a vacation with his wife's family! I don't know how much I will be able to post while we're gone but I'll try to check in. We'll be rafting, hiking, fishing, "corn-holing" and relaxing. In the mean time, take care of yourselves!

"catch of the day..."

I thought we'd start with a bit of "local life" here along the canal. 

These youngsters come down to fish nearly every day.  Local anglers often catch fish elsewhere and release them into the lock basin or upper canal, south of the lock to "stock" the canal for local kids.  Recently, dozens of catfish were released into the canal and you can see from the photo that this provides local kids with some wonderful summertime fun. 

No doubt, these boys will grow up and have fond memories of fishing along the canal.  This sort of thing has been going on since the canal was finished in 1845.  Kids catch bluegill, crappie, bass, catfish and carp all up and down the canal in town. 

Note the Schwieterman Pharmacy building in the distance behind the boys.  There are many old photos of local residents fishing along the canal with this same skyline in the background.

welcome!

I'm just going to kick things off and say hello for now.  This little project is a writing experiment for me.  I want to chronicle life in the modern lockkeeper's house now that we're all moved in and "open for business" with the Chamber of Commerce, in the Miami and Erie Canal Visitor's Center.

 You'll read about the mundane everyday life, events held here, chamber of commerce "adventures," stories told by visitors, the history of the canal and who knows what else.
Enjoy, please comment, and plan to participate in the discussions held here.

Off we go!