At the January annual board meeting, the directors of the Lake Vermilion Cultural Center (LVCC) bid farewell to Don Erickson upon his retirement, and welcomed Dr. Amy Banks to the board. Erickson served as chairman for two years and served on several committees including fundraising, where he secured an Arts and Tourism grant from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board. This grant helped with the continuing restoration project. Erickson is a practicing attorney and has been instrumental in updating the LVCC bylaws. He lives in Virginia with his wife Sandy, and they look forward to continuing attending many events and supporting the LVCC.

Amy Banks says, “I am looking forward to being an integral part of the LVCC community and hope to help further our growth and mission in the community.” Banks has many roots on the Iron Range having grown up in Mt. Iron. She then earned her degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Following that, she received her M.D. at the University of Minnesota Medical School and 1s currently a physician at Scenic Rivers Clinic in Tower. She has enjoyed getting to know many local residents, both professionally and personally, during her four years in residence and is “grateful this community is her home.” Her children, Harley and Ari, attend Tower-Soudan Elementary School and they can often be seeing playing around town with their two pups.

Banks is excited about the ways the LVCC enriches the Tower-Soudan community. “During early times of COVID-19, our communities were stressed in ways we never dreamed possible, but as diligent Minnesotans, we pushed ahead. We are now regrouping with many of us reevaluating our lives, our personal choices and our physical and emotional health. I am hopeful that the past years of uncertainty will be a stepping stone for more mindful ways of living, which will connect us deeper to each other and our community.”

Featured image: President Mary Batinich presented outgoing board member Don Erickson with a thank you plaque for his service on the LVCC Board of Directors. Standing left to right are Mary Batinich, Secretary Shelby Vaske, Chair Elaine McGillivray, and new board member Dr. Amy Banks.