BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Currently executive director of the Vermilion Community College Foundation, Sarah is devoted to education and the arts. Well known in Ely and surrounding areas for her watercolor classes and paintings, she spent many years as executive director of the Dorothy Molter Museum. Her administrative and development skills are of great value to us. She “loves history and the need to value historic buildings,” and respects “the educational component of the LVCC project.” Sarah and husband Andy live in Ely where they raised two daughters.

Many years ago, when he was part of the leadership team of the University of Minnesota Research History Center, Joel Wurl served on the Ironworld (now the Minnesota Discovery Center) advisory committee in Chisholm and fell in love with the Iron Range. He then joined the National Endowment for the Humanities as deputy director of the Division of Preservation and Access. As a member of the Society of American Archivists he was named a distinguished Fellow of SAA in 2007. His expertise has already been extremely helpful.

Kathrine Handford and her husband, Bill Lund, are longtime seasonal residents at their cabin on Eagles Nest Lake. Kathy is a concert organist and university professor with a wide range of interests and accomplishments. She has performed concerts in the United States, Canada, England, Italy, France, and Scandinavia, where she has been a featured artist at international music festivals. We are thrilled to have her experience and expertise present as we seek to complete our building project and pursue creative programming.

For over ten years, Janice Kimes has written, produced, and directed our Midsummer musical programs. Her late husband, Bill, narrated our tributes to many countries. Since his death, Jan has taken on the role of narrator as well. She founded and directed the Bel Canto Voices, a metro-wide Twin Cities girls choir which performed all over the world. Jan has also served on the staff of the Minnesota Opera for nearly 40 years. She has had this year’s Midsummer in Norway written and waiting ‘in the wings’ for over a year due to COVID. We warmly welcome Jan and her unique experience in arts programming.