The Lake Geneva Public Library is partnering with StoryCorps to collect meaningful conversations from a unique community of life-long residents, newcomers, summer visitors, lake shore homeowners, and townspeople. Adding these rich oral histories to our local collection and the Library of Congress archive is our gift to the future.
Featured Community Voices of Lake Geneva Interviews
Peter Baker and Chris Brookes
Chris Brookes (73) interviews her friend Peter Baker (57) about growing up in Chicago and coming to Lake Ivanhoe, a Black community in southeastern Wisconsin. Peter relates the history of the community from its founding in 1926 up to the recent recognition by the Wisconsin State Historical Society with a historical marker.
Sara Nichols and Shannon McCarthy
Sara Nichols (50), Executive Director Open Arms Clinic, has a conversation with her colleague Shannon McCarthy (37) about how Open Arms Free Clinic came to be.
Teri Marton and Terry Quinn
Teri Marton (82) shares her experiences in and escape from Hungary during WWII with her friend and neighbor Terry Quinn (66).
All Community Voices of Lake Geneva Interviews
Victoria Gillio [no age given] interviews her mother Viva Gillio [no age given] about her life as she met her husband and their correspondence during the war.
Teri Marton (82) shares her experiences in and escape from Hungary during WWII with her friend and neighbor Terry Quinn (66).
Ed Schwinn, Jr. (74) relays family stories and local history to his son, Andrew Schwinn (38), including insight about the formation of the Schwinn Bicycle Company.
Kathleen Phillips (77) interviews Sonja Akright (50) about StoryCorps, historic preservation, and her personal research project on sanitariums in Lake Geneva, WI.
Friends Dave Harman (80) and Tom Busse (80) recount their 65+ year friendship spanning military school, the Air Force, the Navy, the Vietnam War, marriages, families, and other life experiences.
JaNelle Powers (71) shares life stories with her friend Chris Brookes (73). JaNelle recalls her days as a child actor and model, her marriage and family, moving to Lake Geneva, and purchasing an 1867 French Second Empire house 32 years...
Sisters Marilyn Heiden (76) and Nancy Heiden Langlas (77) shared their memories of growing up as children in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Superintendent of Lake Geneva Schools Peter Wilson (45) interviews his parents, Stephen Wilson (76) and Marcia Wilson (75), about their childhood experiences and their families. Marcia and Stephen also talk about their role models, family stories, and mutual support in...
Greg Pennington (74) talks about his experiences as a boat captain on the Lake Geneva Gage Cruise Line with Chris Schultz (68).
Bakery owners Amy Peterburs (41) and Jennifer Adams (46) discuss their experiences in business, changes in the food service industry post-Covid, and prices, ingredients, quality of scratch baking.
Timothy Dunn (75) shares some family history dating back to the Mayflower as well as some memories of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin with friend Chris Brookes (74).
Jim Reynolds (80) talks with friend John Notz (91) about his family history and their influence on the development of Fontana-on-Geneva Lake.
Mother and Son Nicholas "Nick" Vorpagel (35) and Kathy Vorpagel (59) talk about Kathy's recollections of growing up in a family-owned butcher shop.
Spouses Phil Neimeyer (76) and Donna Neimeyer (73) talk about their life stories, reflecting on their many positions in ministry and teaching. They also touch on family, occupations, and dreams.
Chris Brookes (74) interviews author Pam Meyers (78) about growing up in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and writing historical romance novels based on the area.
Friends Kevin Fleming (69) and Kathy Yih (71) discuss their retail business experiences in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Jean Henderson (74) and Joan Davis (74) talk about their experience as twins.
Janice Peterson (79) interviews friend Sherryl Engstrom (73), who shares excerpts of letters written to her mother by her father during his World War II enlistment.
Lisa Aurand (62) talks with her brother Eric Rude (60) and nephew Charles "Charlie" Rude (30) about their parents and grandparents, respectively, Charles and Maxine Rude. They remember Charles and Maxine's Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, connections and their legacy of respect...
James Shindelar (28) interviews his mother, CarolAnn Shindelar (69), about her childhood spent on a farm in Iowa and the impact that had on her life and, by extension, his life.
Friends Dave Desimone (53), who is the site director of Black Point Estate & Gardens historic house museum, and Laurin Mack (44), who is a descendant of an original Chicago beer baron, Conrad Seipp, discuss Seipp family history and the...
Friends Debbie Ipsen (68) and Robert "Bob" Pavlik (79) remember Debbie's father and Bob's former colleague, Bruce Johnson. They talk about Bruce's life and his teaching career at Badger High School in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Chris Brookes (73) talks with author LaMont Prospect (63) about his journey as a book writer and screenplay writer.
Conversation partner Chris Brookes (73) interviews husband and wife Rosemary Badame (77) and Robert Sima Krkljus (71) about their lives in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and his immigration to the United States.
Chris Brookes (73) interviews her friend Peter Baker (57) about growing up in Chicago and coming to Lake Ivanhoe, a Black community in southeastern Wisconsin. Peter relates the history of the community from its founding in 1926 up to the...