Celebrating Volunteer Community Builders: The Zlogars 

By Wendy Almeida

For the past 20 years, Mike and Sue Zlogar have dedicated countless volunteer hours to Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS). Their contributions, from repair projects to cooking family-style meals, have touched every corner of summit life. Their love for the Observatory and the people they’ve met along the way lies at the heart of everything they do. For the last decade, they’ve also delivered a special gift each year — the annual summit Christmas tree — bringing holiday spirit to staff during the season. 

The Zlogar’s volunteer journey began after listening to stories from Marty Engstrom. “We were fascinated by the Century Club,” Sue said, referring to the tradition of braving 100+ mph winds. “I’ve yet to make it and doubt I will, but that’s when it started.” 

Over the years, Mike and Sue have volunteered during every season, but they both agree winter is their favorite. “We love the quiet,” Sue shared. “Our favorite time is early morning, having coffee and looking out over the mountains — if we see them! — and the rime ice. We’ve enjoyed that enormously.” For Mike, it’s about the weather extremes. “We don’t see winters like this in Western Massachusetts,” he explained. “Being able to come up here and just enjoy the winter weather is a special treat.” 

The Zlogars‘ impact goes beyond their appreciation for the landscape. Mike is a jack-of-all-trades and a go-to volunteer for all kinds of repair work at the summit. “It probably comes with being a firefighter,” he said. “I just kind of got asked to help with things — painting, helping contractors with ceilings, and so many little things around here.” Over the years, he’s collaborated with others on building the summit bunk rooms and parapet decking. One of the more unusual requests he still chuckles about was the time he pressure-washed the tower interior to prepare it for painting. “I like staying busy and just doing things to help out,” he said. “We just pitch in wherever and it’s just been fun.” 

Sue enjoys baking at elevation and said the key is figuring out how to use leavening. “The first time I came up, there was a sign on the back of one of our cupboards that said, ‘at this elevation, do this.’ It makes a difference.” She summed up her summit baking experience with a big smile: “It’s always an experiment.” 

One of her most memorable experiences baking at the summit was when she got a call to help bake cookies for the Seek the Peak event. “I made 658 cookies – I counted! That was a lot of fun. And only about 2 dozen were left over.” 

The Zlogar’s love for the summit extends to the moments that make volunteering special. Sue fondly remembers when a fox wandered up and sat beside her during one of their early visits. “It was really pretty cool,” she said. For Mike, memories range from de-icing in 90+ mph winds to a rare calm September day when bugs unexpectedly appeared. “It’s different every time,” he reflected. “The lighting, cloud cover, sun, ice formations — it never gets old. The only thing we’ve missed so far is seeing a good aurora.” 

However, for Mike and Sue, the community is the heart of their volunteering experience. “It’s about the people,” Mike explained. “The crews have become friends over the years, and we still stay in touch with many of them. It’s the friendships, the personal connections, and the opportunity to just be part of it.” Sue added, “For me, it’s collecting stories. There are so many wonderful people, and they tend not to toot their own horn. I’ve learned so much from them and enjoyed their company enormously.” 

Mike and Sue’s contributions, from their teamwork in the kitchen to their willingness to tackle any project, embody the spirit of the Mount Washington Observatory. Their generosity and positivity create an environment where staff, visitors, and volunteers feel welcome. 

“Every night having dinner with the crew is a real joy,” Sue said. 

As the Observatory reflects on the impact of its volunteers, Mike and Sue’s story is a reminder of the meaningful connections that define this organization. Our volunteers’ time and talents help the summit run smoothly and foster a sense of belonging that makes MWOBS truly special. In the past year alone, volunteers collectively contributed more than 3,500 hours at both the summit and the valley office – a testament to the dedication and vital role all our volunteers play in advancing the Observatory’s mission. 

Learn more about volunteering with Mount Washington Observatory.