F.O.H.H.A.S

Paul Chase (President)

Growing up in Ashland, I lived on the outskirts of town, an easy walk to farms, creeks, woods, and vales. Winter and summer, my friends and I would go up to the “crick” to explore, sled, ski, snowshoe, and play. Once we played junior engineers and dammed up the creek. The farmer who owned the property at that point admonished us not to do it again–but he never told us not to play there.

I see Hunt Hill as a sort of adult version of that young person’s paradise. A place to encounter the natural world and learn its secrets and enjoy its wonders. As a lifelong educator, I am looking forward to working with the Hunt Hill board and staff as they strive to preserve and enhance this remarkable oasis as a site for engaging young and old with the science and beauty of nature.

Mike Harvey (Vice President)

My wife Vicky and I have been actively involved with Hunt Hill for four or five years now. We had heard of Hunt Hill over the years, read about it from time to time in the newspapers, but until we moved to Rice Lake, had lived too far away to become actively involved. When we moved we immediately became volunteers and tried our hand at almost everything Hunt Hill had to offer. Volunteering at Hunt Hill is both fun and exciting. Being avid outdoors people and concerned about the environment, Hunt Hill’s mission was an easy one for us to adopt. Serving on the FOHHAS board has also been rewarding. We look forward to continuing to serve Hunt Hill into the future.

Craig Fowler
(Treasurer & Finance Committee Chair)

I grew up in northern Illinois and at an early age loved heading to Wisconsin for the outdoors. These adventures included attending a YMCA camp in East Troy for five summers, family vacations to Lac du Flambeau, and visiting my best friend’s cabin in Hayward.

In 1998 my wife and I decided to move our family to Rice Lake to work and live in this wonderful community.

I retired in 2020 from Northwood Technical College (WITC) as a vice president where I wore several hats, including being the executive director of the college’s foundation for several years. 

Hunt Hill is a very unique place. I love hiking and snowshoeing the trails, and look forward to attending many of the educational opportunities that are offered. I’ve been on several boards within our community, but Hunt Hill’s is special.

Paula Kodesh (Secretary)

I am a resident of Rice Lake and am married to Ray Kodesh.  I am the mother of three children and grandmother to ten.  I am licensed as an RN and retired after working 40 years in the area, the last 24 years as a school nurse.   I am also a small business owner, managing Southside Laundry in Rice Lake since 1984.    I have a personal connection to Hunt Hill in that Frances Andrews was a family friend of my grandmother.  I appreciate the legacy and want to see its’ success continue to grow.  I joined the Board in 2020, am on the Fundraising Committee, but enjoy helping out with other needs as well.    I live on Long Lake during the summer months and enjoy the silent sports, especially my kayak.   My other hobbies include hiking, camping, biking, cross-country skiing, cooking and reading. 

Nick Allen

After roaming around the world I finally settled down in Madge nearly 30 years ago, drawn to the natural beauty of the area and the friendly sense of local community. Growing up I spent much of my free time around the water or off in wild places – enjoying the quiet majesty of coasts, deserts and high mountains. Over the years I came to realize that the natural balanced beauty of the world was not to be taken for granted: it is under perilous threat and must be courageously defended on many fronts!

Thinking globally, I saw a place for local action right here in our forests and lakes and volunteered at Hunt Hill. I strongly believe in the importance of Hunt Hill as both a nature sanctuary and an education center
to instill a love and understanding of the land in our community, particularly our younger ones.

Amazing things are happening here right now: pipe dreams coming true thanks to years of careful, thoughtful planning and hard work. I am proud to add my energy to the countless volunteers who make Hunt Hill such a wonderful place. Come join us in any way you can and help preserve the natural beauty we enjoy here!

Carolyn Cleveland
(Fundraising Committee Chair)

Carolyn moved to Madge with her husband, Dave, in 2002.  She quickly became involved with Hunt Hill, joining the Board of Directors in 2006. She served as Secretary, Fundraising Chair, Program Chair, Vice Chair and President. She is retired from a career in interior design and has put her talents to work serving on the Building Committee and remodeling of the cabins. Her latest involvement was when her and husband, Dave, offered the Million Dollar Match. After a year off the board, she has rejoined in 2021, stating “A year off the Board is too long.”

Gary Erickson
(Facilities Committee Chair)

My wife Cathie and I became Stone Lake residents in 2005 after 25 years of cabin ownership in
western Washburn County. Cathie and I love the outdoors and have dedicated much of our
retirement years to volunteering for environmental causes. I served on the FOHHAS board for 6
years prior to 2019 and I chaired the Facilities Committee for 5 of those years. I will continue as
chair of Facilities during my current Board term and volunteer where needed.
I am a retired Civil Engineer who worked across the discipline, from design to construction and
administration, and in both the private and public sectors. Hunt Hill is a gem that I have been
honored to be associated with and I look forward to their continued success and growth.

Thom Gerst

I spent the bulk of my years in the Twin Cities going to school, getting a degree in biology, finishing med school and working as a family medicine physician in the same clinic for 32 years before retiring at the end of 2016. Since I was five years old I’ve enjoyed NW Wisconsin as “the fun place” where weekends were spent at a cabin near the Namekagon River just south of Cable. Fortunately we had the outdoors in which to entertain ourselves without any competition from the internet and TV programming was so meager that it could be exhausted quickly. After retiring, my wife (Cindy) and I moved eight miles west of Spooner on the Yellow River. I have traveled extensively and enjoyed photography, hiking and mountaineering on six continents. I love the Boundary Waters and have skied the Birkie 24 times. More recently I was excited to take one of the Wisconsin Master Naturalist Volunteer Training week long classes and look forward to taking advanced classes and continuing my education. I’m excited to be a part of Hunt Hill’s board and am committed to its mission.

Heidi Olson Hong
(Membership Committee Chair)

Hunt Hill has allowed me to be part of a board with people that like me, savor the beauty of the outdoors and work towards preservation of our last wild places here in northern Wisconsin.

Having been part of many BOD’s, from local to national levels – I must say that this group really rocks! We are all committed to helping make Hunt Hill a destination where you can wander our trails and paddle the lake while learning about our precious environments. I’m so happy to be a small part of this place with an exceptional and knowledgeable staff.

I enjoy traveling, have been an outdoor photographer since the 70’s, and a water seeker since middle school. On or in the water – I’m there, most days in a kayak on a river. It is my passion for the outdoors and the dedication to informing others of the importance of ‘getting out there’ amid the wild things that brings me to Hunt Hill. There are many opportunities and adventures waiting for you, I hope to see you at the Hill.

Johniece Johnson (Program Committee)

Ten years ago Johniece hiked Hunt Hill while camping in the area. She was impressed by the primitive state of the woods and immediately became a member. She and her husband changed their retirement plans and moved to Sarona to be closer to family and Hunt Hill! She enjoys working as an Environmental Educator and sharing her enthusiasm for preserving nature with school children, volunteering and attending many of the programs. If you’ve attended events in the past 4 years, you’ve likely seen her in the audience or helping out. 

Sue Luedtke

Sue is a retired RN and a resident of Long Lake with her husband, Jim.

Her experiences at Hunt Hill began 25+ years ago as she brought her young kids to a wonderful variety of activities, programs, day camps, scouting events, etc.  They continue to enjoy Hunt Hill’s events, programs and trails.

Sue says, “It truly has been exciting to see the growth and success of Hunt Hill over the years and I am eager to have the opportunity to help out and give back!”  

Tom Nelson

Visits to Washburn County began for me thirty-seven years ago when my family and I bought a lake home on Long Lake. The first view of the lake after we make the three-hour drive from our home in Medina, Minnesota continues to thrill us after all these years.

As a board member for Hunt Hill, I bring over 45 years of business experience to the table. I started in the manufacturer’s rep business in 1972, and in 1980, started my own firm. Retirement allows me to pursue other areas of interest, including spending more time with my wife Deb, our three children who live near and far, and with our five grandchildren, each of whom love our lake home paradise as much as we do.

Having attended Cakes at the Lake with our kids and grandkids over the years, being on the board with Hunt Hill seems like the perfect opportunity to get involved and help make a difference to our beautiful summer community. 

Bob Papendieck

Bob is a 20-year resident of Birchwood, WI and has been a long-time volunteer at Hunt Hill, serving many roles such as trail guardian, event helper, tent erector and program attendee. He retired from Andersen Windows in 2016 following a 40+ year career in management in the areas of Manufacturing, Logistics and Health Care. Bob is the father of 3 daughters and has 4 grandchildren. He is currently in his second term as the Church Council President at Long Lake Lutheran Church in Sarona and would be honored to join the Hunt Hill Board of Directors. 

Susan Ritchie

Susan is a retired CPA and resident of Bear Lake (Barron County), currently serving on the Finance Committee for Hunt Hill.  She has experience serving on other non-profit Boards, including a camp/conference center in MN where she also served as Treasurer.  Currently she serves as Treasurer for her church; served in the past as Treasurer and Board member for the Bear Lake Association; and is currently a member (past Treasurer) of the Rice Lake Rotary Club.  She enjoys being outdoors, especially hiking, biking, water sports, gardening, skiing and snow-shoeing.