Irene and Armand Schoppy By Lori Fluge-Brunker

Two MPG leaders; one great team. That’s Irene and Armand Schoppy. Both from southern New Jersey, they grew up in the same county, but did not meet until they ended up on the same volleyball league as adults. And when MPG Chair Barry Wulff asked the two to be leaders, they decided why not. “Irene thought it would be a good idea,” said Armand. “She is good with the details and plans, I am good with people, so we make a great team.” Both of the Schoppy’s have always enjoyed outdoor activities. Irene grew up in a rural area, and spent most of her childhood in the woods and garden and riding her bike. Armand enjoyed many family camping trips and visits to parks as a kid. One of his early backpack trips was with his Boy Scout troop; a 50-miler into the Smoky Mountains. As adults, both Irene and Armand are into hiking and backpacking in the wilderness, and biking and running around Corvallis.

“I got interested in hiking when I went on a trip to Vermont with my family soon after graduating college,” said Irene. “I like getting away from the city. I enjoy being in nature and observing my surroundings, and I really like the quiet. I don’t listen to music or talk on the phone when I am in nature. I just enjoy the sounds of nature.” Leaving the crowds in the city for the beautiful scenery of the countryside is what attracts Armand to the outdoors. “I enjoy going to places that only a few people venture to and see,” said Armand. “I also enjoy the peace and quiet, and the sounds, smells and visions of the wild.” One of the Schoppy’s backpacking heroes is Earl Shaffer, the first person to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. “Shaffer thru-hiked the Appalachian three times,” said Armand. “The last time was the 50-year anniversary of his first thru-hike, when Shaffer was 79.” The Schoppy’s took Shaffer’s queue and took on the Appalachian Trail, a trip they site as one of their greatest outing adventures. “We thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail on our honeymoon in 2001 starting at the end of March and finishing in the beginning of October,” the couple reminisced. “It was an amazing experience and a great way to start off a marriage!” Irene’s mom caught the Appalachian hiking bug as well, and she headed out in March on a thru-hike along the same trail. The Schoppy’s also know you don’t have to go far to enjoy the outdoors. Among Armand’s favorites are the Santiam foothills area and Crater Lake. Irene says she loves that there are so many beautiful places to visit that are so close to Corvallis, like Mary’s Peak,

Silver Falls, the coast, and the Cascades. Their favorite places to hike and backpack that aren’t close include the Grand Canyon, the Southwest and the White Mountains in New Hampshire. In her professional career, Irene works at OSU in the College of Forestry on websites and other administrative duties. She also teaches yoga classes in the area. Armand teaches at an alternative education school program, working with at risk youth. “I have the opportunity to take these youth outdoors to perform service learning projects,” said Armand. “Some of the projects they have worked on include invasive species removal, habitat restoration and hiking trail maintenance in the Lebanon and Sweet Home area.” And, after a long day of hiking or backpacking, you might find the Schoppy’s enjoying a home brew. Or maybe you’ll find them working in their organic garden, or bike riding around Corvallis. Or, in the case of Irene, practicing a little yoga. Both Irene and Armand feel that getting out-of-doors gives you a different perspective on life from what is portrayed in the media and popular culture. Their feeling is; if people learn to appreciate the natural world, they will take the steps necessary to preserve it.