Browse Interviews

Sally Tatnall (b.1937), a radical feminist and community activist, speaks about her childhood in Buffalo, New York, and what it was like coming of age in the 1940s and 1950s. She describes her marriage to her husband, her civil rights activism and feminist activism with him, and her eventual divorce and introduction to lesbianism. Sally describes life in the lesbian-feminist collective in her Cleveland Heights home, Hag House or Berkshire House, and describes the work of radical feminist…

Ernest Biebel was born in 1941 in Uivar, Romania, and immigrated to the United States in 1955 to pursue a new life after World War II. In this interview, Biebel discusses his childhood experiences in Europe, his family's move to the U.S., and his life as a native German speaker.

Isam al-Zaem is a Syrian. He arrived in Cleveland in 1974 and worked for many years as a pharmacist. Now he is retired. He is married and has one daughter. He is now active in CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations) and the Islamic center in Parma. He is involved in interfaith dialogues to promote mutual understanding and build cultural and religious bridges between people. He urges fellow Americans to not rely only on media to learn about Islam, rather through close and direct connection…

Bob talks about moving to Cleveland, for which he is very glad, his involvement in the CHC and getting his wife and hopefully his mother involved in hiking

Katherine Malmquest is a relatively new member of the Cleveland Hiking Club. She talks about the "East side sunrise hikers" and about the focus on mileage versus social aspects of the club. Katherine also talks about some members that she especially admires.

Bob joined the CHC in 2014 and became very active very quickly. He discusses his work as camp chair and his hopes for what camp should become.

Bob McLaughlin recounts how he joined the Cleveland Hiking Club, his years as camp chair, trips to Niagara Falls, Kentucky, Redwoods, and day trips in Ohio, how he led Hobo Hikes for many years, and changes in the club over the years.

Sharon Horvath, a self-described tomboy in her youth, felt that rediscovered her childhood when she joined the Cleveland Hiking Club. She describes some of the more challenging hikes, her wedding to a fellow member at camp, the steak roast that they hosted for many years, improvements at the camp, leading trips, and the personal benefits she has received by being a club member.

Dave and Denise Tobiasz joined the Cleveland Hiking Club in 1994. They discuss a number of trips that they led, some of the funny things that happened on those trips, and some of the special people they met in the club including Emily Gregor and Jim Sprague. They talk about changes over the years, weekend getaways, and how much behind-the-scenes work it takes to make the club work.

Cleveland Hiking Club member Chris Rettig describes her memories of hiking, social events, and personalities in the club starting in 1986.

Marilyn and Dave Richards, 20-year members, of the Cleveland Hiking Club, talk about local, national, and international hiking experiences.

Lee and Carol Schiemann joined the Cleveland Hiking Club in 1988. They had started hiking seriously when Lee was transferred for work to England. They lived in a small town where everyone used the "footpaths" recreationally. When they returned to the US, they began to hike regularly with the Cleveland Hiking Club and especially enjoyed many of the excursions.

Marcia Steffen shares her passion for math, and her love of the outdoors and the Cleveland Hiking Club. She worked at NACA, which later became known as NASA. Once she joined the CHC, she hiked, led hikes, and was an officer.

Norma Delp joined the Cleveland Hiking Club in 1987. She talks about her musical family, her early work history at Cleveland Pneumatic Tool, and joining the club. She is very involved with long hike support (26 and 40-mile hikes) and keeping the CHC camp in good shape. She also talks about special old-time members.

Ruth Skuly and Leo Deininger joined the Cleveland Hiking Club in 1974. Along with discussing their earlier experiences in hiking with other leaders, they describe how they found leading hikes in Ohio counties to be most satisfying and took on the role of organizing such hikes.

A physicist and a nurse talk about their Cleveland Hiking Club experiences, including favorite hikes and social activities.

Ron Koniecynski joined the Cleveland Hiking club in 2001. He describes many hikes he has led and discusses the benefits of hiking.

Jeanne Henry joined the club in 1999. Having been well-prepared athletically, she ventured into hiking as her primary venue. Not only has she completed five 40-mile hikes but has done so as an older adult. She expresses her sadness in the loss of her hike leader on a hike. She ends voicing pleasure that her family who at one time did not hike are now hiking and assumes this will go on.

This is an interview of a longtime member of the Cleveland Hiking Club who led excursions in Switzerland and "coffee break" hikes.

This is an interview of a longtime member of the Cleveland Hiking Club who often recited poems at CHC events and remembers Louise McDonough.

Don Hoffman talks about his participation with Cleveland Hiking Club starting in 1985, including reasons for joining, social experiences, a club excursion to New River Gorge, and changes he has observed in the club over the years.

Mila Mandic joined the Cleveland Hiking Club in 1989 when she was working and single. It was the start of lifelong traveling for her. She remembers favorite hike leaders, and trips including the Colorado Rockies, Bryce and Zion, Washington State, France, England, and Argentina.

Barb Appel joined the Cleveland Hiking Club in 1985. After returning from a hike on her own at Mount Washington, she did a 10-mile hike with the club at the North Chagrin Reservation, and was hooked. She recalls favorite people, hikes and trips, including 16 Ridges and her five 40-mile hikes, and trips to England, Alaska, Washington, New Mexico, and Tennessee, as well as weekend trips.

In their narrative, Ohio natives Pat and Jim Spoth share many of their ambitious hiking experiences since becoming members of the Cleveland Hiking Club in 1987. One of the significant aspects of their dialogue is how they assumed the role of hike leaders for a particular hike in the Mill Creek Park area of Youngstown. Another significant milestone for the Spoths occurred in 2013 when they completed the Appalachian Trail.

Shirley Pashall recalls when the Cleveland Hiking Club was much smaller, enabling close friendships to form more readily. Aside from her hiking accomplishments, which include completing the 40-mile hike four times, backpacking numerous times, and leading hikes as well, Shirley has been in charge of the Kids Day at Camp Onwego. She first assumed this role in memory of her friend, Louise McDonough, and now 15 years later, Kids Day goes on with Shirley still at the helm.

Earl Waltz joined the Cleveland Hiking Club in 1987. In this short interview he recalls hikes in Ohio and Switzerland as well as Elderhostel trips.

Loretta Taggart joined the Cleveland Hiking Club in 1989. She heard about the club from a patient while she was working as an orthopedic nurse at the Cleveland Clinic. She describes hiking experiences in Ohio, Idaho, California (Yosemite National Park), Oregon, Washington, and on the Anhinga Trail in the Everglades.

John and Rita Gabrovsek joined the Cleveland Hiking Club in 1979. Rita is from Germany, where hiking is part of the culture. John learned about the club when some hikers were walking through Cleveland Heights near their home. The Gabrovseks describe favorite hikes and trips, hike leaders and other members, and New Year's parties at the club's camp. The club was much smaller when they joined.

This is a brief interview of a longtime member of the Cleveland Hiking Club.

This is a brief interview of a longtime member of the Cleveland Hiking Club.

This is a brief interview of a longtime member of the Cleveland Hiking Club.

This is an interview with long-time members of the Cleveland Hiking Club.

Peter Geller, a New York transplant, joined the Cleveland Hiking Club in 1988.

Dick and Darlene Wiegandt, Cleveland Hiking Club members since 1990, talk about their life in the Detroit area and other places before moving to Cleveland. They joined the Cleveland Hiking Club after meeting a CHC member who was also president of the Buckeye Trail Association. They started hiking the Buckeye Trail and then joined the CHC to "get credit" for their mileage. They eventually led Buckeye Trail hikes and talk about some of the trail happenings--a dog rescue, having police called…

Kathy Wilmer, a librarian and chaplain, describes her recollections of hiking in Ohio and nearby states starting in the 1970s and personal notes about the emotional and physical benefits of hiking.

Eloise and Cedric Plavney discuss their experiences with the Cleveland Hiking Club since they joined in 1987. Highlights include Camp Onwego experiences, outstanding hiking trips, and memories of hiking club members past and present.

Carol and Fred Jarosz discuss their experiences with Cleveland Hiking Club from joining in 1987 to the present. Topics include reasons for joining, club activities and excursions, memorable hike leaders, and changes in the CHC over the years.

In this brief interview, Cleveland Hiking Club member Jane Hill relates memories about local and international hikes as well as hiking club social events.

Diane Soukup, who joined the Cleveland Hiking Club in 1988, discusses her experience in the club.

Ruth Crowl, a chemical engineer and a member of the Cleveland Hiking Club since 1981, relates memories of hiking and social aspects of the club.

Jerry James, a U.S. Navy veteran and a member of the Cleveland Hiking Club since 1974, reflects on hiking and the camp experience both locally and overseas in this brief interview.

Mary Baldwin, a marketing professional from Bedford, joined the Cleveland Hiking Club in 1985. She talks about being among the younger members of the club when she joined, special hikes including the Buckeye Trail and other hikes designed to show something of the land, friendships made and how being a member of the club has changed her perception of the city of Cleveland.

Patience (Pat) Cameron Hoskins joined the Cleveland Hiking Club in 1977 after marrying her husband, Harry Cameron, and moving to Cleveland. She and Harry were the authors of "Cleveland on Foot" and "Beyond Cleveland on Foot," hiking guides to the trails in the Cleveland and Northeast Ohio area. Pat talks about her beginnings hiking in New England, her move to Cleveland, and writing the books, including using the hiking club hikes for the first drafts of "Cleveland on Foot."

Gail Boughton joined the Cleveland Hiking Club in 1977. She describes backpacking experiences in Laurel Highlands, some memorable members including Frank and Miriam Cepp, Guy and Martha Butters, John Schade, Jay Beswick and Florence (Effie) Burrell. She also talks about her time as president of the club and good times at camp.

Blanche Vanis, a daughter of Czech immigrants, was active in sokol (gymnastics) as a youth and relates how an early appreciation of outdoor activity eventually led her to join the Cleveland Hiking Club. In this brief interview, she reflects on some memorable hikes.

Dorothy Ipavec joined the Cleveland Hiking Club in 1948. She reflects on her experience of hikes and social events, as well as on early members of the club and how they influenced her interest in hiking and canoeing and knowledge of nature.

Sylvia Banks joined the Cleveland Hiking Club in 1986. She has hiked more than 10,000 miles, served on the club's board and as its photo contest chairman, and enjoyed many trips, including rafting on the Colorado River and hiking in Great Britain. She also recalls memorable experiences in what later became the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

In this very brief interview, longtime Cleveland Hiking Club member Gayle Zipay recounts what led her to join the hiking club in 1983. Her interview includes reminiscences about a couple of notable club members, a youth hostel that once operated in the Cuyahoga Valley, and some of the chores associated with maintaining the club's camp.

Jim Sprague joined the Cleveland Hiking Club in 1979 and was an active member through the 1980s. In this short interview, Sprague recalls memorable hikes and illustrious club members he encountered.

Jeff Lennartz joined the Cleveland Hiking Club in 1981. In this short interview, Lennartz provides vivid detail about memorable nighttime hikes in North Chagrin, Bedford, and Mill Stream Reservations. He also recalls notable hike leaders, including Jay Beswick.