Steering Committee
Biographies | Presidents at Large | Meetings
Cindy Taylor, President,
Biography: I first learned about SOLAR from a co-worker and friend, Paula Dirkes and attended my first meeting in September 2000. I'm so grateful to Paula for introducing me to SOLAR because I've learned so much and have had some great adventures as a member. Show moreShow less
At the time, none of my friends or family shared my love of the outdoors and, until I found SOLAR, I had no idea there were so many others who did. Most of my friends, family, and co-workers think I'm crazy when I describe my adventures. Since joining, I've taken the Beginning Backpacking, Intermediate Backpacking, Wilderness First Aid, Land Navigation, Search and Rescue, Enjoying Michigan Winters, and Winter Survival classes. I never would have thought I would enjoy camping in the middle of winter, but I absolutely loved it! I enjoyed it so much that now I volunteer to be an instructor most years so that I can do it again.
I have to say that I've met some wonderful people at SOLAR and continue to do so with every activity I get involved in. I have found that it is the people that make this club so unique and special. As I've heard many others say, the only thing I regret about this club is not having found it years ago!
I've been on the steering committee for several years now as Secretary and By-laws Chair and Vice-President and now President. While it can sometimes be time consuming, I have enjoyed the experience and hope to be able to continue to help SOLAR develop so that others can learn and experience all of the potential for growth and camaraderie that SOLAR has to offer them.
Cindy can be reached via email
Carol McCririe, Vice President,
Biography: I joined SOLAR over 20 years ago and have done almost everything the club has to offer. Before the advent of prerequisites, my 1st class was the Survival class and boy was it an eye opener. I had never backpacked let alone try to survive without equipment! From there I actually took the backpacking class as well as pretty much every other class the club has offered in the past 20 years. Show moreShow less
After a few years of backpacking, I started to teach the beginning backpacking class in 1989. In the mid 1990's Cindy Harrison and I started teaching an advanced backpacking class which is now taught by Mike Banks. For the past several years, I have also taught an intermediate backpacking class, which I turned over to Leslie Cordova this year as I had too much on my plate. I still help with this class as well as Search and Rescue.
I was always taught to believe that the people you go to school with would be your friends for life, but for me the people I spend a majority of my time with are the people I have met in SOLAR. My best friends are people in SOLAR and much of my free time and vacations revolve around activities and trips and get together with other SOLARites. These people have become my lifelong friends and I treasure all the times that I have had with SOLAR.
I have held many positions on the SOLAR steering committee; in my early years, I held the positions of activities, program, secretary, and treasurer. I left steering committee after two years as treasurer to start offering up my time as an instructor and have been teaching classes ever since. I've been back on steering committee for about 5 years, having recently served 3 terms (or more) as equipment chair and I just started my 3rd term as treasurer.
In my other life, I am a practicing CPA and have had my own business for 15 years. We work primarily with small businesses and individuals doing financial, tax and consulting work. SOLAR gives me the opportunity to get away from the stress of my office life and enjoy the simple things the outdoors can offer – solitude, wildlife, no phones, and no e-mail!
Carol can be reached via email
Sherri Doebel, Secretary,
Biography: I am a decade old SOLARITE! I joined SOLAR, because I was looking for adventurous outdoor people like myself! That is exactly what I found! Show moreShow less
Over the years, I have taken many SOLAR classes and trips offered by SOLAR volunteers. Some of the classes are Spring Backpacking, Rock Climbing, Land Navigation, Winter Backpacking and Basic Mountaineering. One of many trips offered by SOLAR seems to stick out the most. It is the dog sledding trip. Even though I was run over by my own sled and another leader dog came between me and my sled and knocked me off the sled, it was fun! It was even more exciting watching another SOLARITE perform a back flip to take control of the sled I was knocked off since no one was driving it anymore! With each of these classes and trips, I gained more knowledge, skills, experience and friendships.
The skills, experience and knowledge provided me with opportunities to go where I never imagined! I have rock climbed in Ontario, Red Rock Canyon, Red River Gorge, New River Gorge, British Columbia, and El Potrero Chico. Also, I have backpacked and hiked several popular places as well.
My most recent accomplishment was summiting Mt. Rainier in July 2007 with a bunch of other SOLARITES!
Volunteering to be SOLAR’s Secretary is the best way for me to say THANK YOU to SOLAR for all the memories
Sherri can be reached via email
Michelle Delaporte, Treasurer,
Biography: A co-worker of mine kept talking to me about a club his friend wanted him to join. He couldn't remember the name of the club, or much about it at all. He said there was a meeting that night, so I said "Let's go!" I went to the meeting, signed up right away for the Beginning Backpacking class in Spring with Mike Banks as Lead Instructor. Class started the very next night! I learned so much in that class, and had so much fun. I met some awesome people that I will never forget! I couldn't believe how many people were actually involved in doing outdoor activities - and lovin' it! I was hooked that first night. Show moreShow less
Since that first class, I have taken several other classes that SOLAR has to offer - rock climbing and Mountaineering among them. Since becoming a Member of SOLAR, I have done many 'firsts' that I never dreamed I'd even try. Joining SOLAR has been one of the best experiences of my life – I've met so many wonderful people, and everyone is always willing to help out a 'newbie' with any sport I happen to find myself getting into. I hope to pass on some of the knowledge and experience I have gained and be more involved with the club.
Michelle can be reached via email
Samantha Schafer, Activities Chairperson,
Biography: I learned about the outdoors when my parents purchased a trailer when I was just four years old. I have enjoyed camping, campfires and s’mores ever since. Between my family outings and traveling with my husband, Gary, I have been camping all over the country. As a youngster, I have been to all the State of Michigan, Florida, Yellowstone NP, Arizona, Texas, and Washington DC. Since I have been married, I have camped in the Florida Keys, Ontario, Smoky Mountain NP, and New Orleans. My husband introduced me to backpacking 20 years ago on our honeymoon. He bought me an external pack (that I only used once) while on our honeymoon to take me on an overnight trip into the Smokey’s. In 1998, Gary took me to Isle Royale for the first time. I had a great time. We found SOLAR and became members in 2005. Since then, I have taken many classes and gone on many great trips. I have even lead a couple. I find that I learn something new from everyone that I meet in this group.
Samantha can be reached via email
Mary Price, Membership Chairperson,
Biography: When my husband, Harry and I joined the club in June, 1994, we probably joined for a different reason than most new members. We have both been very involved in the Boy Scout program (yes, women really can hold leadership positions in Boy Scouts) for many years (in fact that's where we met). Our involvement includes everything from working weekly with our troop to training adult leaders from through out the state. Show moreShow less
A good friend of ours from Scouting, Steve Marlar, had joined the club and was sure we would enjoy the club also. On his recommendation we came to our first meeting and were hooked. Finally we had found a place that was putting together great outdoor activities and we just had to show up with our gear and we weren't "in charge." That didn't last too long though when we both joined the Steering Committee in May 1995, Harry as the Bylaws chairman and myself as Membership Committee.
Harry and I have five children (four sons, and one daughter) ranging in age from 25 to 30, and two granddaughters, Katelyn (5) and Alexandra (4). My favorite activities include hiking, backpacking, canoeing, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Unfortunately, due to Scouting commitments and scheduling conflicts, I have not been able to participate in as many SOLAR activities as I would like to, Over the past six years, through the classes and activities, I have met so many great people and have made many lifetime friendships.
SOLAR seems to attract people who are fun loving, caring, and always ready to try new things. There is always a sense of family when we are together, whether at meetings or in the great outdoors.
Mary can be reached via email
Chuck Smith, By-Laws Chairperson,
Biography: I joined SOLAR in January, 2005. I knew I found the right group for me as soon as I pulled into the parking lot. On the first Tuesday in January, most cars had roof racks, and on them were 3 kayaks and 5 bikes. My kind of people! They didn't think I was crazy when I talked about SCUBA diving the St. Clair River in January. I joined that night. Show moreShow less
I've always been active in the outdoors. I've hiked in China, Japan, Mexico, Italy, and much of the USA. I am an active kayak builder & user, SCUBA diver in the Great Lakes & beyond, rock climbing novice, former Windsurfing instructor, lived out of my tent for 3 months, and have had to chase everything from ground squirrels to bears out of my camp.
I've taken as many SOLAR classes and trips/activities as my schedule allows. I never fail to learn something (or a lot of things!), and have a great time in the process. My favorite class and favorite trip are both the same: The next one.
Chuck can be reached via email
Allan Duncan, Education Chairperson,
Biography: There are two things about my path to SOLAR that probably hit home with a lot of SOLAR members. First,as a kid and an adolescent I spent a lot of time in the outdoors, primarily through scouting. At that time in my life, we lived in the southeast and I spent many weekends and several weeks in the smoky mountains, on the Appalachian Trail, and exploring western North Carolina and the foothills region of upstate South Carolina. Second, I walked away from that and somehow lost about two decades getting an education and trying to figure out where I fit in the working world (I still don't know). Show moreShow less
During those "lost" 20 years, I would get out for a trail run or mountain bike ride whenever I possibly could. One day in late 2005 I had this epiphany; "Damn. If I would just slow down, I might actually see and hear how beautiful this trail is. Not only that, Jan (my wife) might enjoy being here too." At the Banff Mountain Film Festival in March of 2006 I saw the SOLAR table. That's where this all started. "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear."
Allan can be reached via email
Debbie Zuchlewski, Historian,
Biography: I did not grow up appreciating outdoor sports. It was not until I moved to California that I discovered outdoor activities like backpacking, river rafting, skiing, canoeing, hiking in the mountains. After 20 years of enjoying the beautiful outdoors of California I decided to move back to Michigan. Although I was happy about the move, I thought I was going to miss all of my outdoor activities (since I did not participate in outdoor activities growing up in Michigan I did not realize that Michigan also had many outdoor activities available). Shortly after moving back to Michigan 7 years ago I met someone who told me about SOLAR and all the activities that the club participated in, such as backpacking, dog sledding, bicycling, canoeing/kayaking, caving, hiking, cross country skiing. . . I was ecstatic. I could be in Michigan and still have many wonderful outdoor activities to participate in. I quickly joined SOLAR and since then I have participated in just almost every activity the club offers. I've met many wonderful friends through SOLAR. There are so many activities and classes available through the club, and most of all there are many wonderful people in the club to enjoy the activities with.
Debbie can be reached via email
Jan Duncan, Programs Chairperson,
Biography: I am Jan Duncan. I grew up in a camping family and have always enjoyed the great outdoors. My childhood experiences however, were limited to car camping, a very well loved pop up camper, and in later years, a plush minivan for traveling in "style". When I married, my outdoors adventures truly became more adventurous, as I learned the joys of whitewater kayaking, biking across Iowa, Wisconsin and Indiana and winter camping. I joined SOLAR in the summer of 2006 along with my husband, Allen. We were seeking opportunities to meet people who, like ourselves, enjoyed outdoor recreation. Since joining we have benefited from great programs, fun and engaging classes and camaraderie with other SOLAR members.
Jan can be reached via email
Pam Szakal, Public Relations,
Biography: I grew up in Connecticut and when I was 10, my dad sent me to a YMCA wilderness camp in the Berkshires. My first trip was backpacking for 5 days in the Green Mountains of VT. I liked it so much that I went on a canoe trip to the Adirondacks later that summer. I was a regular camper for four more summers and then became a counselor for three more. Over the years I have backpacked, canoed, kayaked, rafted, and long distance bicycled in many other wonderful places such as the White Mountains, Rockies, Northern Quebec, Cape Cod and West Virginia. Show moreShow less
Although I went to college in Maine and Connecticut and lived in Buffalo, I was never able to repeat those same outdoor experiences I had grown up with. I found a few people crazy enough like me to want to spend a week in the woods rather than on the beach. But what was missing was a core group of people with the same interests and love of the outdoors.
Fortunately, when I moved to Michigan in 1997, I found SOLAR. Since joining, I have taken classes in Rock Climbing, Winter Camping, Advanced Backpacking and Leadership, Basic Mountaineering, Search and Rescue, and Wilderness First Aid. I have also met lifetime friends and my lifetime companion - my husband Lou (President). SOLAR has taken me to many new places - Mt. Rainier, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Ontario, Switzerland, LaMauricie, and numerous parks and rivers throughout Michigan. I have also expanded my interests with cross country skiing, snowshoeing, mountaineering and rock climbing.
I now teach in many of the SOLAR classes. As PR Chairperson I am responsible for promoting the club, organizing community projects and creating ways to gets the SOLAR name out to the public at large.
SOLAR is a wonderful place to learn, participate and meet new people. Our black Lab, Riley, is even an official member.
Pam can be reached via email
Peter Lamb, Ray Editor,
Biography: I've been tons of places and love SOLAR activities often writing about them as the SOLAR Ray Editor.
Peter can be reached via email
Sherri Doebel, Equipment Manager,
Biography: Sherri is doing double duty --Equipment and Secretary positions
Sherri can be reached via email
Willi Gutmann, Webmaster,
Biography: I believe we grow and evolve by taking risks, becoming mentally adept to handle the adventure of life. Exploration of new environments, challenges, and experiences keeps the mind sharp and focused thru adrenaline. Your mind is your greatest survival tool, use it. "Fear protects us from danger, but without confronting the danger, we have lost an opportunity to learn about ourselves." quoted by author Michael Michalko
Willi can be reached via email