Meet Suzanne Welle and Roy Isen

The Welle/Isen/Moore family first arrived at Duck Harbor Pond in 1984. Suzanne Welle and her husband, Roy Isen—then longtime Manhattan residents—still recall their first visit, marveling at the sight of a lone deer in the distance as they toured the area with Joel Hill of local sawmill fame.

In those early days, the family took turns living in a camper until their house was completed in 1987. Not long after, they added a back deck, later expanded with the help of fellow lake residents Jim Wells, Bill Mason, and the late, much-loved Ron Valliere, husband of Vicki Bradshaw (former president of the Equinunk Historical Society).

To the amazement of some, the family has managed to share their vacation home for decades without conflict—each contributing to the care and upkeep of the property. Their children, now grown, continue to return from as far as Ohio and Colorado to enjoy boating, swimming, hiking, fishing, barbecues, and the simple beauty of the lake. They fondly remember exploring creeks and woods, and even climbing the sawmill waterfall rocks (long before a safety fence was added)—all without a scratch.

Suzanne and Roy also recall riding out Hurricane Irene in 2011, when the power was out for three days. Without a generator, they made do by cooking campfire meals, sharing candlelit dinners, and reading by flashlight. The quiet, off-the-grid experience was oddly comforting—until the sudden glow of phones and computers marked the return of electricity.

Through the years, Duck Harbor has become much more than a vacation spot. For Suzanne, Roy, and their extended family, it is a place of cherished memories, enduring friendships, and a kind, generous, and fun-loving community they are grateful to be part of.