Neil Zurcher, with his wife Bonnie, made a visit to the new Bay Village library to share stories in his new book of Ohio disasters. No One-Tank-Trips here but fascinating stories of Ohio memories.

BAY VILLAGE, Ohio – Neil Zurcher has been a beloved storyteller in the Cleveland area for decades. He knows how to spin a story whether for his famous One Tank Trips or a story on how the Amish live.

This time, his visit to the new library in Bay Village was occasion for informing a room full of fans about “Ten Ohio Disasters: Stories of Tragedy and Courage that Should Not Be Forgotten.”

With his wife, Bonnie, by his side Zurcher stood for his entire talk though the rollator-walker-for-seniors he is using bespeaks some arthritic challenges. But his strong voice, compelling, descriptive storytelling, and an added sense of humor, kept the room of about 75 entertained every minute.

When Zurcher’s time for his presentation was up (it was hard to believe the time went so fast) his ongoing popularity was confirmed by the lines of people stepping up to buy his new book and to revel in having it signed by a man who is an indisputable Cleveland legend.

Without giving away the interesting and sometimes gripping stories in his new book, a quick, short list is in order.

He began with a 1942 Ringling Brothers circus fire then moved to a skydiver’s tragedy but with a pleasant ending. Next was a “fiasco” story about letting helium balloons go all over the area, then a story about the terrible tornado in Xenia, Ohio, and a One-Tank Trip he wishes he had not taken, as well as an exciting, Cleveland blizzard story.

The book is a sure page-turner but maybe the kind some might not want to read right before going to sleep at night—though some of the stories are down-right funny.

Audiences can be a curious thing when they come to listen to someone talk about something. Some audiences may be silent and critical, others may be yawning with boredom and others may be having surreptitious, whispering, side conversations.

But there could be no audience that would exhibit any of those negative characteristics when Neil Zurcher is in the room, reminiscing about all the years he was in our living rooms and always bringing something interesting and unforgettable to tell us about.

It’s nice to know he hasn’t lost his touch.

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