CLUB HISTORY
In 2001 Joseph (Joe) DiGiacomo Jr., President of The Woods and Waters Club of Northern Ohio, along with Rob Wallace created The Woods and Waters Club Website with the Internet name, www.WOODSANDWATERSCLUB.COM. This initial design afforded the opportunity to record some “History” of the organization. Anyone with relevant information can contact Joe at 440-835-0780 or email address: woodsandwatersclub@yahoo.com.
In March 1949 charter members:
Hawk Andrews
Walter Bailey
William Lee Birch
Art Hart
Harry F. Lowther
Pat Patterson
Fritz L. Schweitzer
Al Simmons
met and developed the concept of a “club” as a downtown luncheon club of men “dedicated primarily to the outdoors, hunting, fishing, conservation and all of the many facets that have to do with preserving our natural resources for the enjoyment of present and future generations”.
Twenty-two men attended the second meeting and a President, Vice – President, Secretary, Treasurer, Program Director and Directors were elected. The group selected the name Woods and Waters, drew up By – Laws and incorporated as a non – profit organization.
The program format was very simple: monthly luncheons and an Annual Banquet. The first luncheon meetings were held in the old Hollendan Hotel. Subsequent luncheon meetings were held at:
Purple Tree Restaurant of the Manger Hotel
The Statler
Keiffers
Hofbrau Haus
Holiday Inn Rockside
and at our present location
Harry’s Steakhouse.
The luncheons attracted one hundred fifty to two hundred members and guests. Door prizes were a regular feature and a monthly luncheon raffle was added along the way. Fellowship and a good meal was standard fare. In addition, an outdoor film would be shown. The common love of the out – of – doors and the use of films at the luncheons fostered strong ties with organizations like Ducks Unlimited(D.U.), The Safari Club, Trout Unlimited, The National Rifle Association(NRA) and many more organizations instrumental in producing films. The ties with Ducks Unlimited were so strong that an annual luncheon of both organizations was highly attended. The U.S. government and many states also produced high quality relevant films. The Canadian Government and all of the Provinces and Territories of Canada also produced films fanning the imagination of our sportsmen. Bill Grey and Roger Cloutier of the Canadian Travel Bureau were very generous on our behalf. In addition, Bill Willows of Air Canada and some of his associates were extremely helpful. The club also enjoyed films from Africa, South America, Europe and India.
Many manufactures produced films much to the delight of a pre – television membership and included:
Fred Arbogast Co.
Eppinger (Daredevil) Co.
Fisk Lokators
Garcia
Johnson Motors
Lazy Ike
Tymon Boats
Marlin Arms
“Old Crow” Burbon
Reb Coho Lures
Remington
Scientific Anglers
Shakespeare Fishing Tackle Co.
South Bend Tackle Co.
Winchester – Western
Zebco
Dick Kotis and Joe “Castaway” Kulis were active in producing, staring in and soliciting
films.
An interesting appeal appeared in the luncheon announcement of September 19th, 1967.
Reasonably intelligent male needed to operate 16MM Movie and sound equipment once a month. Opening due to retirement of Board member and projectionist, Phil Cohen. You’ll be member of the Program Committee, if you’d consider that an honor (we members do), and you’ll share with the Board and Committee the satisfaction of making the club “tick”.
No compensation, unless someone buys you a drink, and sometimes you might have to lug the equipment upstairs if a bellboy isn’t handy. Apply to any officer or Cloyd Scheiger. Matter of fact we’d like to have several volunteers.
The Annual Banquets were generally held in February. Crowds of six to seven hundred members and guests showed up for fellowship, a good meal, door prizes, raffle prizes, to honor outstanding citizens and to hear prominent speakers. In the early years films were shown including world club premiers. The initial banquet was held at the Hotel Manger Ballroom. Thereafter banquets were held at:
The Windsor Ballroom of the Cleveland Plaza Hotel(formerly Statler Hilton
Hotel)
The Grand Ballroom of The Statler Office Tower
The IX (International Exposition) Center in Brookpark
The Holiday Inn Independence Rockside in Independence
and the current location
American Croation Lodge in Eastlake.
Along the way “Bunny Girls” were hired to help sell raffle tickets and helped add to the festivities.
The banquet has always been a fun night out. In addition any funds surplus to banquet expenses and costs associated with maintaining the club were donated to worthy organizations and/or issues. Some of the beneficiaries include:
BelleFairie Summer Camp
Boy Scouts of America
Camp Cheerful
Citizens for Clean Air and Water
Coon Skin Cap Brigade
Ducks Unlimited
E End Youth Group
Isaac Walton League
Lake Erie Amateur Athletic Association
Lake Erie Junior Nature & Science center
Lakewood YMCA Indian Guides
League of Ohio Sportsman
National Wildlife Federation
Ohio Conservation Congress
Phyllis Wheatley Association
Police Athletic League
Sports Fishing Institute
Tar Hollow & Muskingham
University Settlement Campership Fund
Y.M.C.A. – Back – a – Boy – Pledges
In 1986 under the leadership of Harry L. Davis Jr., Albert F. Klavora and William A. Minnich and other past Presidents of the Woods and Waters Club of Northern Ohio ( The official name has been changed along the way to reflect the membership as “Northern Ohio” rather than “Cleveland”) the Woods and Waters Club of Cleveland Presidents Scholarship Foundation, Inc. was formed. Donations from the Woods and Waters Club have been donated to this Foundation to help fund the objectives of the Foundation. (See Presidents Foundation on our website).
WOODS AND WATERS CLUB
PAST OFFICERS AND AWARDS
| 2007/2008 |
Jim Faddoul |
President
Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Person of the Year Award President's Award |
| 2006/2007 | Kit Kimmich Paul Karla Ron Varesco Jack Gregg Lester Demaline |
President
Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Person of the Year Award President's Award |
| 2005/2006 |
Kit Kimmich Paul Karla Ron Varesco Bill Murphy Lester Demaline Cathy Kowalczyk Christopher M. Fassnacht |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Person of the Year Award President's Award |
| 2004/2005 |
Cathy Kowalczyk Dan Forrester Paul Karla Bill Murphy Lester Demaline Adam Grimm Joseph DiGiacomo Jr. |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Man of the Year Award President's Award |
| 2003/2004 |
Cathy Kowalczyk David Beary Paul Karla Dan Forrester Lester Demaline Rob Sexton (VP Government Affairs- U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance) Paul Karla |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Man of the Year Award President's Award |
| 2002/2003 |
Joseph DiGiacomo Jr. Cathy Kowalczyk Paul Karla Dan Forrester Lester Demaline Senator George Voinovich Jack Gregg |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Man of the Year award President's Award |
| 2001/2002 |
Joseph DiGiacomo Jr. Cathy Kowalczyk Paul Karla Dan Forrester Lester Demaline Bob Askew Jim Faddoul |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Man of the Year Award President’s Award |
| 2000/2001 |
Dennis Kratochvil Joseph DiGiacomo Jr. Paul Karla Dan Forrester Lester Demaline State Senator Robert A. Gardner William Switaj |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Man of the Year Award President’s Award |
| 1999/2000 |
Jim Faddoul Dennis Kratochvil Craig Gorsuch Dan Forrester Lester Demaline Sara Jean Peters Dan Forrester |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Outstanding Achievement Award President’s Award |
| 1998/1999 |
John Murphy Jim Faddoul Dennis Kratochvil Dan Forrester Lester Demaline Michael J. Budzik Geoffrey B. Carter |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Man of the Year Award President’s Award |
| 1997/1998 |
Jack S. Gregg John Murphy Jim Faddoul Robert Mayer Lester Demaline Leonard F. Hengenius Anthony Smeraldi |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Award of Merit President’s Award |
| 1996/1997 |
William Switaj Jack S. Gregg John Murphy Robert Mayer Lester Demaline Howard L. Calhoun Lester Demaline |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Man of the Year Award President’s Award |
| 1995/1996 |
Ray Hunt William Switaj Jack S. Gregg Robert Mayer Lester Demaline Richard B. Pierce Edward M. Walsh |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Man of the Year Award President’s Award |
| 1994/1995 |
Anthony Smeraldi Ray Hunt William Switaj Jack S. Gregg Lester Demaline M. Ben Gaeth Thomas M. Seese |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Men of the Year Award Men of the Year Award |
| 1993/1994 |
Edward M. Walsh Anthony Smeraldi Ray Hunt Jack S. Gregg Lester Demaline Randy Thurman John Kason |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Man of the Year Award Conservation Award |
| 1992/1993 |
Arnie Lozzi Edward M. Walsh Edward Rahel Jack S. Gregg Lester Demaline Albert F. Klavora James S. Schuler |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Man of the Year Award President’s Award |
| 1991/1992 |
Stan Bazan Arnie Lozzi Edward M. Walsh Jack S. Gregg Lester Demaline Kenneth R. Kuentz Judge Rodney H. Reed |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Man of the Year Award President’s Award |
| 1990/1991 |
Edward A. Stupka Stan Bazan Arnie Lozzi Jack S. Gregg Lester Demaline D’arcy Egan State Senator Gary Suhadolnik Philip Salem |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Man of the Year Award President’s Award The Woods and Waters Club Award |
| 1989/1990 |
William Taylor Jr. Edward A. Stupka Stan Bazan Jack S. Gregg Lester Demaline Joseph J. Sommer Richard E. Ursem |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Man of the Year Award The William H. Peterson Award |
| 1988/1989 |
Raymond R. Czech William Taylor Jr. Leonard Hengenius Jack S. Gregg Lester Demaline Edward M Stupka Leonard Hengenius David M. Fassnacht Vern Riffe |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Program Chairman Man of the Year Award The William H. Peterson Award President’s Award |
| 1987/1988 |
Lou Nagy Raymond R. Czech Richard Ursem Jack S. Gregg Lester Demaline Andrew Kraynak Jr. Kenneth R. Kuentz Harry L. Davis Jr. |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Program Chairman President’s Award The William H. Peterson Award |
| 1986/1987 |
John A. DiFranco Lou Nagy Raymond R. Czech Jack S. Gregg Charles H. Daum Andrew Kraynak Jr. Charles H. Daum |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Program Chairman President’s Award |
| 1985/1986 |
George L. Vosmik John A. DiFranco Lou Nagy Jack S. Gregg Charles H. Daum Andrew Kraynak Jr. Bob Evans Richard J. Kotis |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Program Chairman Man of the Year Award The William H. Peterson Award |
| 1984/1985 |
Randolph A. Thurman George L. Vosmik John DiFranco Jack S. Gregg Charles H. Daum Andrew Kraynak Jr. Lou Nagy Darrell O. Pace |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Program Chairman Program Chairman Man of the Year Award |
| 1983/1984 |
Alan R. Daus Randolph A. Thurman George L. Vosmik Kenneth R. Kuentz Andrew Kraynak, Jr. Lou Nagy William H. Peterson |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Program Chairman Program Chairman The Arthur E. Hart Award |
| 1982/1983 |
Howard F. Guerin Alan R. Daus Randolph A. Thurman Kenneth R. Kuentz William E. Dean Jr. David W. Baldwin Keith Russell William Lee Birch |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Program Chairman Man of the Year Award The Arthur E. Hart Award |
| 1981/1982 |
George G. Carter Howard F.Guren Alan R. Daus Kenneth R. Kuentz William E. Dean Jr. David W. Baldwin John M. Ashbrook |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Program Chairman Man of the Year Award |
| 1980/1981 |
Charles H. Daum George J. Carter Howard Guren Kenneth R. Kuentz William E. Dean Jr. William H. Peterson Harlon B. Carter |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Program Chairman Man of the Year Award |
| 1979/1980 |
Leonard F. Hengenius Charles H. Daum Robert F. Gray Kenneth R. Kuentz William E. Dean Jr. William H. Peterson Robert W. Teater |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Activities Chairman Program Chairman Man of the Year Award |
| 1978/1979 |
Alfred F. Klavora Leonard F. Hengenius Charles H. Daum Kenneth R. Kuentz William H. Peterson Governor James A. Rhodes Fred M. Priest |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Program Chairman Man of the Year Award The Arthur E. Hart Award |
| 1977/1978 |
William A. Minnich Alfred F. Klavora Leonard F. Hengenius Kenneth R. Kuentz William H. Peterson William A. Kirkpatrick William F. Taylor |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Program Chairman Man of the Year Award The Arthur E. Hart Award |
| 1976/1977 |
Fred M. Priest William A. Minnich Alfred F. Klavora Bruce M. Szabo William H. Peterson Dale E. Haney Bill Nash |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Program Chairman Man of the Year Award The Arthur E. Hart Award |
| 1975/1976 |
William E. Dean Jr. Harold H. Harrington William A. Minnich Bruce M. Szabo William H. Peterson Fritz L. Schweitzer William M. Gressard |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Program Chairman Man of the Year Award The Arthur E. Hart Award |
| 1974/1975 |
Norman C. Brewer William E. Dean Jr. Harrold H. Harrington William J. Bender William H. Peterson Kenneth F. Taylor Joseph Bush Jr. |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Program Chairman Man of the Year Award The Arthur E. Hart Award |
| 1973/1974 |
William F. Taylor Norman C. Brewer William E. Dean Jr. William J. Bender William H. Peterson Lee C. Howley Dr. J. Arthur Herrick |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Program Chairman Man of the Year Award The Arthur E. Hart Award |
| 1972 |
Harry L. Davis Jr. William F. Taylor Norman C. Brewer William J. Bender William H. Peterson Dan C. Armbroster |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Program Chairman Man of the Year Award |
|
1971 |
Robert S. Latham Harry L. Davis Jr. William F. Taylor A. J. Tom DeMinico William H. Peterson Fred E. Morr Seba Estill |
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Program Chairman Man of the Year Award The Arthur E. Hart Award |
| 1970 |
Len Copeland Robert S. Latham Harry L. Davis Jr. William F. Taylor Cloyd H. Schleiger |
President Vice President Secretary/Treasurer Asst. Secretary/Treasurer Program Chairman |
| 1969 |
Thomas L. Laughlin Jr., M.D. Len Copeland Robert S. Latham Harry L. Davis Jr. Cloyd H. Schleiger Harry G. Schmidt |
President Vice President Secretary/Treasurer Asst. Secretary/Treasurer Program Chairman Man of the Year Award |
| 1968 |
William H. Peterson Thomas L Laughlin Jr., M.D. Robert M. Stepp Robert S. Latham Cloyd H. Schleiger |
President Vice President Secretary/Treasurer Asst. Secretary/Treasurer Program Chairman |
| 1967 |
Jack W. Woodburn William H. Peterson Don S. Helwick Cloyd H. Schleiger |
President Vice President Secretary/Treasurer Program Chairman |
| 1966 |
Judge Roy F. McMahon Jack W. Woodburn Don S. Helwick Cloyd H. Schleiger |
President Vice President Secretary/Treasurer Program Chairman |
| 1965 |
Henry L. Steck Fritz L. Schweitzer Paul M. Minter Cloyd H. Schleiger |
President Vice President Secretary/Treasurer Program Chairman |
| 1964 | ||
| 1963 | ||
| 1962 |
Harvey G. Oliver Paul M. Minter |
President Secretary/Treasurer |
| 1961 | ||
| 1960 | ||
| 1959 | ||
| 1958 | ||
| 1957 | ||
| 1956 | ||
| 1955 | ||
| 1954 | ||
| 1953 | ||
| 1952 | ||
| 1951 | ||
| 1950 | ||
| 1949 |
At this point we need your assistance in identifying all past Presidents listed below and their years of office if possible, in order to recognize and honor their contribution to The Woods and Waters Club. We would also like to acknowledge earlier award recipients in this history.
Past Presidents:
Hank Andrews
Art Hart
Pat Patterson
Lee Birch
Bill Taylor Sr.
Bill Bender
Past Man of the Year Award:
Frank Lausche:Mayor of Cleve., Governor of Ohio, U.S. Senator
Louis Bromrielo: Author
Burt Brickner: Izaak Walton League of America
Governor James A. Rhodes
Daniel C. Armbruster: Retired Chief Division of Wildlife
Len C. Howley: President of DU 1972
Kenneth C. Crawford