Bottled message returned to sender 4 years later

ERLANGER, Ky. - An 8-year-old boy from Erlanger, Ky. (now 12), took a chance four years ago.  Ethan Snyder and his dad were on a camping trip at Kincaid Lake State Park, about six miles north of Falmouth, Ky. in Pendleton County.

Ethan's dad encouraged him to write a note and stick it in a bottle.  His note explained who he was and asked that whoever found the message to please respond.

The bottle weathered frigid winters and blisteringly hot summers over the years before the lake deposited it near a cabin. It was then found by four fourth-grade girls from Johnson Elementary School in Fort Thomas, Ky. They read Ethan's letter and responded.

(Click the letter to enlarge it)

Their letter is dated Jan. 29, 2012. The girls' last names have been removed:

Hello, Ethan Snyder my friends and I found you letter at Kinkade Lake down by my cabin.  Oh, I'm sorry I forgot to introduce my self and my friends  Well I am Riley and my friends are Briann and her sister Brittny and my other friend Madilin.  We go to Johnson Elementry in Fort Thoms Kentucky and if you reply return the letter to Johnson Elementry.  Me and my friends are in 4th grade and love to play together we were astonish when we found your note  I hope you reply

Sincerely, Riley, Brianna, Brittny, and Madilin

Ps. We love to look for bones at Kinkade Lake and we love to make stuff out of clay and duck tape.

The girls photocopied his letter and mailed it along with their response to Ethan's school, Miles Elementary. The girls kept the original note.

"I was thinking, 'Wow,'" said Ethan. "I was amazed how this small lisle glass bottle lasted four years in the lake."

Ethan's mother, Julie Durrett, was glad that social media and technology were not used to connect the kids' messages.

"I think it's a great thing to do," said Durrett. "I think we've all, as a child, done something like that, and wished something would come back."

It took four years and Ethan will be writing back. Right now he is practicing his penmanship so the girls can read his response.

"He wanted to type it," Durrett said. "But I said he wasn't allowed to type it."



If you know the family who responded please contact 9 News reporter Tony Mirones here .