By Shari Young | March 2025
Our featured members this month are a testament to longevity—Mort and Carolyn have been married for 37 years, members of SLTWYC for over 30 years, and this month, Mort is celebrating his 90th birthday!
How They Met
Carolyn, a local realtor and insurance professional, was raising her children in Tahoe when she met Mort, who was teaching business classes at Lake Tahoe Community College. (Author’s note: Years ago, I heard a sweet story about their meeting from a mutual friend, Gail Taylor, past president of the former SLT Chamber of Commerce. When I asked Mort and Carolyn if it was true, they confirmed it was!)
The story goes like this: At a Chamber conference, the grand prize was a trip to Hawaii—and Carolyn won. As she stood at the podium thanking the Chamber members, Mort made his way to the base of the stage. As she stepped down, he asked if she needed someone to carry her luggage. She did. The result? A year-long honeymoon in Hawaii! (PS: The author still loves this story.)
Adventures in Boating & Travel
A year after they married, Mort announced they were buying a boat. First, however, he gave Carolyn a choice: a tour of Europe or a trip down the Colorado River. She chose the river, calling it “the best trip of my life!” They eventually did make it to Europe, traveling through Germany, Switzerland, and London.
Mort’s career included teaching business courses on a military base in Germany, helping soldiers and sailors transition to civilian jobs. He later taught at a Sylvan Learning Center in Hawaii, and around 2000, the couple opened their own Sylvan Learning Center in Carson City, operating it for three years.
In 2003, Mort embarked on a solo sail to Hawaii in a 27’ Nor’Sea. He had dreamed of sailing around the world, but by the time he reached Hawaii, he realized he missed Carolyn too much. When asked about the journey, he simply said, “Very boring.” He had a radio for news and music—until he spilled water on it. Oops.
With no communication for 21 days, Carolyn was understandably worried. She traveled to Hawaii and went to the Coast Guard, who asked her two key questions: “What color is the ice container?” and “Did he file a float plan?” (For non-boaters—like this author—ice containers float, providing a visual reference if a boat capsizes. And no, Mort had not filed a float plan.)
Fortunately, his radio dried out enough for him to call the Coast Guard as he neared the island. They relayed his location to Carolyn, who went to watch him arrive—except Mort had sailed the opposite direction around the island. After waiting for hours, she returned to the Coast Guard station. (Apparently, she forgave him.) The next day, Mort wanted nothing to do with the water, so they headed to the highest point on the island!
They later shipped the boat to Seattle and sailed it to Alaska, repeating the journey for five years, venturing deeper into Alaska each time.
Community Contributions
From 2015 to 2023, Carolyn served on the board of Habitat for Humanity, bringing the “A Brush with Kindness” program to Tahoe. This initiative provided exterior maintenance—painting, landscaping, and minor repairs—to help homeowners in need, enhancing both their homes and the community. She was also deeply involved with the Historical Society, serving as a past president and helping to preserve Lake Tahoe’s history.
Reflections on the Club
When asked about the club and its future, Mort shared, “It’s been great—so many friendships we’ve made here have been an integral part of our lives.” Carolyn added, “Lots of good times, good memories, and we look forward to many more!”
