Connecting Thread
Written By Josh Reuck

Elaine

Presque Isle State Park, PA

June 2025

Elaine, a retired school nurse and lifelong teacher, stays active by volunteering at Presque Isle State Park. She leads free pontoon tours, sharing both local history and lessons on how industry has shaped the waterfront. Off the water, she works with seniors on balance and strength, and spends time kayaking with her husband. For her, teaching and giving back remain ways of staying connected; to people, to health, and to place.



After photographing Elaine and her husband, Klaus, she showed me how to Polka dance! Elaine is full of energy and says she just can’t stop moving, learning , and teaching!

More from The Connecting Thread

Explore other Chapters

CHAPTER BLOG
What’s next
What’s next

Each chapter is handled with care, honesty and respect. Here is what is takes to be considered for the next one

E 185th Spillway
E 185th Spillway

A spillway rebuilt so steelhead trout can find their way back to Lake Erie. Coming Fall 2026.

Vultures Knob
Vultures Knob

A 50 year old private trail, its final season open before logging moves in on land once used as a landfill.

3 Trackers
3 Trackers

An adaptive ski program where students and volunteers make the slopes work for everyone.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Where this project began, a free national park that taught me how much people shape a place.

The Buckeye Trail
The Buckeye Trail

The volunteers who keep a 1,400 mile trail connected across Ohio, one blaze and cleared log at a time.

The Gorge Dam
The Gorge Dam

A dam removal on the Cuyahoga River and the people affected by the restoration. Coming Fall 2026.

The Connecting Thread
The Connecting Thread

Kite surfers, mountain bikers, skaters, people met in passing rather than by appointment.

University of Akron
University of Akron

Portraits of Akron students building a life around the outdoors, met through a campus climate symposium and the people who followed.

Josh Reuck
Previous
Next