On January 1, 2008, the Oberholtzer Foundation Board of Directors named Beth Waterhouse as its Executive Director.  Beth succeeds Jean Replinger as first program director and Mary Swalla Holmes as the organization’s first Executive Director.  Beth will now be the primary contact for program information for Mallard Island summer weeks. 

Beth says, “It’s a dream come true to be able to work for an organization that I have enjoyed this much and come to believe in over all these years. The island is a magic place. The Board is healthy and active, and there are dozens of volunteers who help hold everything together on Mallard. I’m eager to walk in the shoes of both Jean and Mary, and to do my very best to make the peace and beauty of Mallard Island accessible to you all.” 

Except for summer weeks on Rainy, 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 grandsons, Ryder and Noah, who live in Mississippi and Florida respectively, but who may occasionally enjoy the north woods of Minnesota as well.

Don will be volunteering with his astute understanding of the maintenance issues for Mallard Island, after some 25 years of attention to its books and buildings. Beth will also continue her nature writing and environmental ethics teaching work, on a contract basis.