Gretchen Ehle Sharlow was born in Potsdam and grew up in Massena. She attended Syracuse University and holds a Master’s degree in Mark Twain Studies from Elmira College. After 20 years, she retired as the Director of the Elmira College Center for Mark Twain Studies. Gretchen served as the Center’s director from 1992 until 2002. She and her husband, Tim, spend summer and fall at their camp at Lake Ozonia.