Friends of Peninsula State Park

An organizational meeting, held February 14, 2007, established the Friends of Peninsula State Park. At that meeting: Left to right, First Row: Jan and Jim Wolowicz, Kathleen Harris. Second row: Carol Aulabaugh, Jo and Bill Schaars, Gail Anderson, Tom Blackwood, Nick Anderson. Third row: Bob Bultman, Dianne Trenchard, Norm Aulabaugh, Jim Arnold.

President, Norm Aulabaugh
Vice-President, Chris Holicek
Secretary, Gail Anderson
Treasurer, Carol Aulabaugh

Nick Anderson, Jim Arnold, Bob Bultman, Gary and Michelle Kemp and Bill Schaars.

Jim Arnold started coming to Peninsula State Park with his wife Pat in the late 60's. Now retired from teaching and living in Door County, Jim finds the serenity and beauty of the park to be calming and a source of inner peace. He is excited to help preserve this natural gem and help others experience the park through "The Friends."

Nick and Gail Anderson discovered the Park about thirty years ago and have been enjoying its beauty ever since, whether hiking, x-c skiing or biking. As Friends, they hope to work with other volunteers on projects such as removing invasive species and enhancing the Park's many programs and activities.

Norm and Carol Aulabaugh are retired and live on a farm south of Madison, Wisconsin. Norm began camping in the park in 1950. Norm and Carol spent their honeymoon camping at Nicolet bay in 1970. Both these board members love Peninsula State Park and know they are not alone! They believe the Friends of Peninsula State Park can provide a way for people to channel their love into projects that will contribute positively to the park’s mission.

Bob Bultman enjoys working and playing in the Great Outdoors. He is a lifelong visitor to Peninsula State Park and has been living in Baileys Harbor for 9 years where he serves as a firefighter and first responder. Bob is a consulting naturalist and environmental educator with particular interest in restoration ecology, caves and the Niagara Escarpment.

Gary and Michelle Kemp are retired and are year round Door County residents. For more than 20 years Gary and his wife Michelle have been returning to Door County for its beauty and to the park for its tranquility. Their hope is simply to leave the park a "little better" through their involvement with the Friends!

Bill Schaars grew up in Green Bay and discovered the park as a child. Later, as a husband, father and sailor, he anchored his sailboat in Nicolet Bay many weekends. His children used the park as a playground, and he and his wife Jo found calm away from the hassles of the week. Now retired and living in Door County, he is enthusiastic about the role The Friends can play to enhance the park.