Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve
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CH Memories- Susan Gedeon Lingenfelter,  "Sancha"

Hello Lynn,

This is Susan Gedeon Lingenfelter. AKA Sue, camp name Sancha. I grew up in Fairview Park. Ohio.

We met on the hill on the way to Fernwood and Innisfree on Saturday  June15th, I had my friend Colleen with me. We probably  could have talked for hours on that hill but you had a plant to plant. And we had places to go. And it was hot.  I don't know if you want to know all my history  but once I got going, it just keep coming.

I have a personal  history with Hilaka / Crowell from 1969 thru 1988. I was a camper, counselor apprentice,  counselor, site coordinator.
I was in Girl Scouts in the LEGSC all the way through from 2nd grade through 12th and was on Senior Planning Board. 

My Mother Ruth Gedeon was my older sister's Troop leader. So little Sue hung out at troop meetings even before 2nd grade.  Prior to 1972 my Mom worked part time as the secretary at the Girl Scout Office on the west side at Kamms corner. After my Dad died in 1972 the Council asked her to work full time at the downtown office as the training secretary; she worked with Tommy Schaffer. Other people she worked with: Gunta Douglas, Martha Barbar, Jo Eglin, Itsu Suzaki. Later when I worked for the council these ladies who as a younger person I called Mrs. Eglin, Mrs. Barbar, Mrs. Douglas,
... became Jo, Martha, Gunta, Peg etc. Most of these wonderful ladies were at my wedding in 1985. I worked for the LEGSC from March 1980 to March 1988 when my husband and I moved to Georgia for his work.

I was a camper at both Julia Crowell (1 yr) and Hilaka. I was in Beechcliff,  Waterfront Unit, Paddlers, River Canoe Trip, Sailors, a Counselor Apprentice  at Hilaka and  then a waterfront counselor (I taught swimming, rowing , canoeing, and sailing) until they closed resident camp. I then went to Kentucky  as a counselor and worked  in a Girl Scout  council my last 2 summers of college (1978 and 1979) at Camp Judy Layne and Camp Cardinal.
My  older sister Kathy Gedeon Thomas (Kappy) was also a counselor at Hilaka for many years (water front director +). She also worked with  Lori ?(Rainy- camp director) during her time there and is still in touch with her. After she got married and they had a son, her husband David Thomas and their baby Joshua (born 1975) were both on site during resident camp. They lived upstairs in Coach house. David worked as handy man. He was also an artist and was commissioned to paint Innisfree falls by Mary Hoyes (Sunny).  Its the painting that normally hangs over the fireplace in Garfield. Sunny was also at my wedding 39 years ago.

In March of 1980 I started working  for The Lake Erie Girl Scout Council as a Field Director / Field Coordinator.  My territory was Lake County at first and later added Geauga county. I worked there till 1988. During that time I also spent some time at Camp Hilaka as a site coordinator. My responsibility  was to check in the troops that came in on weekends for troop camping.

There is so much more I can share. Info on how the dining hall worked. Who set up, who played hostess, songs after every meal.  Dancing on the bouncing floor at JC. The camp Julia Crowell  song, The camp Hilaka song. Freezing Frogs.

The sinks/ shelter that are in the clearing of what used to be Waterfront unit used to be in front of Seely Cabin not in that location. There were steps at the back of the boathouse and we would have sleep overs on the roof of the boathouse. There was a wooden dock extending out from the dock at the boathouse. We would sit on it in the dark and watch the stars.  There was a dock across the lake at Paddlers unit, we used to canoe across the lake to meals when we didn't cook them ourselves. 

It was such a joy to walk over the paths of Hilaka /Crowell. It was my fountain of youth, no aches and pains just good memories  and the beauty of nature.

Projects

Kirby's Mill Restoration
Historic Home Stabilization
Native Species Restoration

Contact Us

Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve
P.O. Box 194 
Richfield, OH 44286-0194
​(Our address change took place in October 2023.  Our former address is the home of our founder who is still very involved in Friends.  He will make sure that any mail sent to the old address will get to the right place!)  
​

[email protected]

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  • Home
  • What's Here
    • Directions
    • The Property >
      • Google Map
      • Video
    • History
    • Maps
    • Nature Sightings
    • Memorials
  • About Us
    • What is a Friends'Group?
    • Reports to the Community
    • MillWrite News
    • Board of Directors
    • Bylaws
    • Board Portal
    • FoCH History
    • Partnership with RJRD
    • Incorporation
  • Get Involved
    • Contact
    • OUr Supporters 2024
    • Our Supporters 2025
    • Kirby's Mill Restoration
    • Education and Outreach
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
  • Events / Hikes