Making a Difference: Charlotte and Craig Karges

Charlotte and Craig Karges were introduced by friends while attending Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Craig, 68, is a proud Wheeling native and a 1976 graduate of Wheeling Central Catholic High School. Charlotte, 67, was raised in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. They have been married for 45 years.

Craig is an award-winning “mentalist,” entertainer, speaker and author. He has made more than 5,000 appearances in 27 countries on four continents — including all 50 states — and has logged more than 40 national television appearances.
Charlotte is a force in her own right. She managed Craig’s career for more than 30 years and today describes herself as a “design concierge.” She is an entrepreneur and gallerist who represents a variety of artists.

The dynamic, down-to-earth couple could live anywhere in the world, but they have chosen to call Wheeling home for the past 44 years.

They’ve had many dogs over the decades and regularly walked them in both Oglebay and Wheeling Park — “always cleaning up,” Craig adds with a laugh.

Their dogs often traveled with them. “We’ve walked our dogs in parks everywhere we’ve traveled. Nothing compares or comes close to our parks. Oglebay is the crown jewel of Wheeling,” Craig says. “All the things you can do and experience in our parks for free — fireworks, concerts, playgrounds, festivals, gardens — it’s incredible,” Charlotte adds. “We’re so lucky. Craig’s right — there really isn’t anywhere comparable to our parks.”

When asked about favorite spots, Craig names the Habitat Discovery and Falls Vista trails behind the Schrader Environmental Center, where he walked their dogs for years. He’s also a big fan of Trace Chophouse. Charlotte loves the entrance to Wilson Lodge and the Garden Bistro. “I grew up in the country with a 3-acre vegetable garden — the Grow Lab lettuce and herbs are incredibly fresh; I can taste the difference.”

Craig performed a benefit show for the Oglebay Foundation at the Capitol Theatre in 2015. His onstage persona mirrors the warm, thoughtful demeanor he carries in daily life. Charlotte played a key role in the interior design of the Oglebay Foundation office in 2018. She served on the Wheeling Park 100 Gala committee and continues to serve on the Home for the Holidays, Cocktails for a Cause gala committee.

Each summer, the couple has a ritual: at least one Swan pedal boat ride on Schenk Lake.

Charlotte and Craig support the annual fund through a recurring monthly gift. “It’s so easy to set up, and it adds up quickly, making a larger gift a lot less painful,” Craig says. They have also included the Oglebay Foundation in their estate plans.

Talk about making a difference in the parks.

Charlotte and Craig Karges were introduced by friends while attending Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Craig, 68, is a proud Wheeling native and a 1976 graduate of Wheeling Central Catholic High School. Charlotte, 67, was raised in Point Pleasant, West Virginia. They have been married for 45 years.

Craig is an award-winning “mentalist,” entertainer, speaker and author. He has made more than 5,000 appearances in 27 countries on four continents — including all 50 states — and has logged more than 40 national television appearances.
Charlotte is a force in her own right. She managed Craig’s career for more than 30 years and today describes herself as a “design concierge.” She is an entrepreneur and gallerist who represents a variety of artists.

The dynamic, down-to-earth couple could live anywhere in the world, but they have chosen to call Wheeling home for the past 44 years.

They’ve had many dogs over the decades and regularly walked them in both Oglebay and Wheeling Park — “always cleaning up,” Craig adds with a laugh.

Their dogs often traveled with them. “We’ve walked our dogs in parks everywhere we’ve traveled. Nothing compares or comes close to our parks. Oglebay is the crown jewel of Wheeling,” Craig says. “All the things you can do and experience in our parks for free — fireworks, concerts, playgrounds, festivals, gardens — it’s incredible,” Charlotte adds. “We’re so lucky. Craig’s right — there really isn’t anywhere comparable to our parks.”

When asked about favorite spots, Craig names the Habitat Discovery and Falls Vista trails behind the Schrader Environmental Center, where he walked their dogs for years. He’s also a big fan of Trace Chophouse. Charlotte loves the entrance to Wilson Lodge and the Garden Bistro. “I grew up in the country with a 3-acre vegetable garden — the Grow Lab lettuce and herbs are incredibly fresh; I can taste the difference.”

Craig performed a benefit show for the Oglebay Foundation at the Capitol Theatre in 2015. His onstage persona mirrors the warm, thoughtful demeanor he carries in daily life. Charlotte played a key role in the interior design of the Oglebay Foundation office in 2018. She served on the Wheeling Park 100 Gala committee and continues to serve on the Home for the Holidays, Cocktails for a Cause gala committee.

Each summer, the couple has a ritual: at least one Swan pedal boat ride on Schenk Lake.

Charlotte and Craig support the annual fund through a recurring monthly gift. “It’s so easy to set up, and it adds up quickly, making a larger gift a lot less painful,” Craig says. They have also included the Oglebay Foundation in their estate plans.

Talk about making a difference in the parks.

Making a Difference: Syd Sonneborn

Wheeling native and accomplished artist Sydney Sonneborn was a passionate supporter of the communities he called home. With a life marked by creativity, civic service and a deep commitment to the arts, Syd left an enduring legacy, not only in the places he lived, but especially in the city of his birth.

Syd graduated from Linsly Military Institute (now Linsly School) in 1956 before earning a Bachelor of Arts in Painting from the University of Illinois. After serving in the United States Air Force, where he worked on guided missile systems, he continued his education and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from West Virginia University.
In 1967, Syd and his wife Sandy moved west to Miles City, Montana, where they lived happily for more than three decades. There, Syd became an integral part of the community as both an artist and educator. A lifelong creative force across a wide range of media — from painting and pottery to jewelry making and woodworking — Syd taught art at Miles City Community College from 1967 until his retirement in 1998. That same year, the Sonneborns moved to Palm Desert, California, where Syd continued to create and contribute to the arts community.

Syd’s impact on Miles City was profound. He was a co-founder of the Waterworks Art Museum, where he also served as president and a longtime board member. He played a key role in bringing National Public Radio to the region by constructing a receiving antenna atop Signal Butte, and later served on the board of Yellowstone Public Radio. He was also the inaugural president of the Montana Alliance for Arts Education, advancing access to the arts across the state.

The Sonneborn family’s connection to Wheeling Park stretches back generations. Syd’s grandfather, Charles Sonneborn Sr., along with Louis Haller, made it possible for the city of Wheeling to secure the land that would become Wheeling Park in December 1924. The Sonneborns’ generosity helped shape the park’s most beloved features, including the entrance gates, Sonneborn Shelter and the iconic “Wheeling Park” floral plantings along National Road. Charles’ wife, Pauline Frank Sonneborn, contributed her family’s legacy as well — serving as the inspiration behind the Frank Rock Garden.

Syd and Sandy continued this tradition of philanthropy. Records indicate that they supported the Oglebay Foundation for more than 25 years — as far back as the Foundation’s digital records go. Syd passed away in April of this year, but his commitment to the parks he loved lives on. Through a charitable remainder trust, Syd ensured that the Sonneborn family’s impact on Wheeling Park will be sustained for future generations.

Funds from his gift will be used to maintain and preserve the Sonneborn legacy at Wheeling Park.

Talk about making a difference — Syd Sonneborn lived a life filled with meaning, imagination and generosity. His story is one of lasting beauty, both in the art he created and the communities he enriched.

Pictured above: Syd Sonneborn surrounded by sons, William and David Sonneborn, grandchildren Andrew, Lauren, Lily, Max and Mia Sonneborn as well as nephew Peter Sonneborn and nieces Julie, Allie and Emily Sonneborn.

Making a Difference: Chris Muroski

Retired chemist Chris Muroski, 67, moved to Wheeling in 1989. She began her career at Mobay Chemical Corporation — a joint venture between Monsanto and Bayer — in 1982, when the company was based in New Martinsville, West Virginia.

“Since 1955, the Ohio Valley has been the heart of the polyurethane chemistry industry and continues to be the global leader in these core chemicals,” Chris said. These chemicals are essential to a wide range of applications, including coatings, paints, adhesives and medical products such as catheters and general-purpose tubing.

While her professional career took her from New Martinsville to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Chris’ personal life has been shaped by a deep passion for community service and a lifelong love of golf.

“My parents were hardworking, loving people. From an early age, I understood the importance of giving back to the community thanks to their example,” Chris said. “My personal giving focuses on causes that matter to me — where I can see the impact of my gift in the near future.”

Chris is an active volunteer with Wheeling’s Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), serving as a member of the YWCA’s HartfordSmart529 scholarship committee. This summer, she and a team of others are developing a YWCA STEM summer camp — an all-expense-paid week that provides high school girls with exposure to the sciences in a fun and interactive way.

When asked about her support for youth golf at Oglebay, Chris explains, “Golf is one of the few sports you can play throughout your life — truly the game of a lifetime. It’s you against the course. There’s no team, no competitor and no special physique required. Golf is all about technique.”

“Encouraging young people to get involved in a sport like golf not only increases the likelihood that they’ll lead more active lives, but it also teaches them sportsmanship, patience, honesty and perseverance.”

Chris continues, “The golf program at Oglebay is successful because it’s customer focused. They offer both resort and resident pricing, the courses are immaculate, accessible to all skill levels, and the staff is incredibly friendly. The Youth Golf Program is a cornerstone of Oglebay’s success — and one of the reasons it continues to thrive, unlike many clubs that are struggling or closing.”

“I often wonder — when you didn’t grow up with Oglebay and Wheeling Park as your backyard, maybe you appreciate it even more. The concerts, the festivals, the sports — the opportunities here are endless.”

Chris has generously included Oglebay in her estate plans — talk about making a lasting difference in the parks.

Making a Difference: Lisa & Barry Allen

Lisa Allen, 67, has spent a lifetime in Oglebay and Wheeling Park. Her earliest memories include waiting for the bus at the end of her neighborhood street with an excited gaggle of friends and siblings, packed lunches in hand, to join hundreds of community friends at Oglebay Day Camp.She fondly recalls the retro, round-nosed 1960 buses bouncing along National Road, with Jon Banco overseeing the camp in those days.

Toward the end of each summer, the Day Camp Carnival was a highlight. Lisa remembers hiking the Oglebay hills with her friends and counselors, collecting plankton leaves to use as carnival currency. Even today, the scent of summer rain hitting hot asphalt instantly transports her back to those cherished camp days.

As a teenager, Lisa worked as a lifeguard at Oglebay, earning $1.60 an hour. She recalls her boss, Tom Pinto, asking her to help at Schenk Lake or set up tables for events in the Pine Room. After earning a Parks and Recreation/Management degree from Ohio University, she returned briefly to Oglebay to help open the new indoor pool at the lodge and to work with the National Training Center, where she saw firsthand the impact of a well-trained, empowered staff on guest experiences. Lisa is the immediate past chair of the Oglebay Foundation and is a current board member.

Barry Allen, 61, a proud son of Tennessee, discovered Oglebay later in life. His first memories include driving through the Festival of Lights, attending Oglebay Institute’s Board Benefit, watching fireworks from the hillside with their budding family and running six miles through the hills of the park on the morning of their wedding at Palmer House. “Lisa and I got in our early morning run, made breakfast for all of our kids and some guests and got married later that day. It was a full Oglebay Park kind of day!” Barry recalls with an easy laugh. Today, the couple has six children and 16 grandchildren.

Throughout their professional careers, they have championed leadership development and collaborative problem solving, as well as inspiring organizations to hire the best people while providing ample, ongoing training and support. “Great guest experiences can become memory-makers when each person recognizes their role in the organization’s success, feeling personally connected to the mission and outcomes of the business. Ongoing leadership training and support can inspire those experiences,” Lisa explains.

Lisa and Barry direct their financial support of the Oglebay Foundation toward leadership development and staff training. Their contributions have helped the Foundation leverage West Virginia Tourism grants, allowing Oglebay to train all staff in personal ownership and new service standards for the recently renovated Skyline and Trace restaurants.

Additional support from the Allens has funded training in customer-centric service and conflict resolution. “Our parks are an extraordinary asset to the Wheeling community. Investing in leadership and staff development is a long-term investment in the parks themselves,” Lisa says. “Great experiences lead to repeat visits and loyal and devoted guests. And when a committed guest thinks, ‘Wow, this park is amazing — how can I support it?’ their influence comes full circle by learning about, understanding and supporting our Oglebay Foundation.”

Barry nods in agreement. “Oglebay is an essential part of our lives. Why wouldn’t we give back in a way that develops leaders and provides training to make it even better for everyone today and for future generations?”

Talk about making a difference in the parks.