My friends call me Charlie Kuenzel, and I’m a very proud 7th generation Saratogian. After graduation from Saratoga Springs High School I attended college with a major in Geology and became a secondary level Science teacher in my hometown. I taught Earth Science for most of my 36 years in the classroom and then added a Senior elective, Astro-physics/Astronomy for the last ten years. I was very active in professional groups and was blessed with many awards for my teaching experience. I was very excited to have been named Teacher of the Year twice, recipient of the Saratoga Springs Rotary Community Service Award and recently induced into the Saratoga Springs High School Hall of Distinction. I have been married to my wife Margaret for 45 years and have three adult children.
I was co-owner of Saratoga Tours for 20 years and presently serve as President of the Saratoga Springs History Museum. I have authored two books on local history and have written articles for the last 12 years for Simply Saratoga magazine.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Wife Margaret and adult children Matthew, Bryan and Lauren
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Secondary Science educator, small business owner and volunteer. I love Saratoga Springs, and each of my careers helped me to touch a part of this great community.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Hardest question yet! Saratoga is loaded with great restaurants of many different styles. Pennell’s, Sperry’s, 15 Church, Hatties, Olde Bryan Inn, list goes on.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived and worked in the community my entire life.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
As a real space nerd I had the pleasure of meeting Buzz Aldrin during his visit to Saratoga. Although not from our city it was a real pleasure to meet a space pioneer.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Being initially trained as a geologist I would love to go back to Montana to see the glaciers I work on so many years ago.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Casablanca and a variety of TV shows in many different subject areas.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Become involved in your community. Your service will pay you back many times over with experiences, friendships and pride in your community.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
My bucket list is complete.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I like all styles of music from rock to classical. Hard to pick one.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Having been here for almost 70 years many of the businesses’ of my childhood have changed name or ownership. Therefore I would pick Impressions as a business that I love to visit because of the wonderful items that highlight our city.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Barak Obama. Since he was the 44th President of our great country he would be fascinating. Picnic in the Congress Park as I gave him a tour of the city.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
As a geologist I have to say the mineral springs. The waters of this great city are not appreciated by most today. I totally enjoy them and how unique they are in the world.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Hopefully enjoying the beauty of this great city.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I’m a certified Moon Rock handler. Yes I got certified so I could work with samples coming back from the Moon on the Apollo missions.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Glacier National Park
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
June Christmas Christmas Eve 12/24
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Whenever I’m with my family and close friends. I try to have many 10’s along the way.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Many people inspire me. I think you have to really get to know people and you find they all have a story of overcoming some hurdle in life. In my family, my grandmother was my inspiration to succeed.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Cinnamon and the smell of pine in a forest.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Safety, Pride and Belonging
