Programs – Summer Program Director

Beth Waterhouse

Beth Waterhouse wraps up her second year as Executive Director of the Oberholtzer Foundation. She succeeds Jean Replinger as program founder and Mary Swalla Holmes as the organization's first Executive Director. Beth is the primary contact for program information for Mallard Island summer weeks.

Summer 2009 was a resounding success after some interesting and deep challenges. We all worked hard to finally solve the water system issues, and can now report that an effective filtration and treatment system is bringing in excellent quality water to island visitors. On June 3, Beth Waterhouse severed her achilles tendon, but that, too, seems to be healing well at this point and did not stop her from her normal (what is normal?) caretaker duties on Mallard Island in August and until September 12. The week-long programs rolled out just as intended, and island creativity in song, word, and photo was running higher than ever in the beautiful month of August after a very cold June and July.

September also proved warm and wonderful as we tried out three first-ever daytime visits for pre-registered folks who wanted to share the island in that way. Bob Hilke made a terrific presentation about Ober and Billy Magee’s 1912 journey in the drum room — an afternoon to remember. All in all, the summer of 2009 was one to remember, especially with the early September acceptance of the Frigate Friday as a houseboat now owned and maintained by the Foundation.  

Except for those summer weeks on Mallard Island, Beth Waterhouse lives with her husband, Don Maronde, in Excelsior, Minnesota. Each has grown children: Rachel Hager, Loreli (Roger) Ghee, and Dan (Asami) Maronde. They also have two grandsons, Ryder and Noah, who live in Mississippi and Florida respectively, but who may occasionally enjoy the north woods of Minnesota as well. Don continues to add (mostly volunteer) his astute skills and understanding of the maintenance issues for Mallard Island, after some 25 years of attention to its books and buildings. Beth also continues her nature writing and editing work, on a contract basis.