With huge applause for last year's Kelly Board (above) and especially President Carol Hickman, who led us through the tornado-ridden chaos, we say good-bye to the past and look forward to the new year. President Belyn Richardson and Vice President Linda Lewis are not really new, however, because both have been serving on the Board this past year. Belyn has helped tremendously in our search for a new property, and Linda has led a committee to review and update our core documents to help us in obtaining grants.
Libby Christensen is the new secretary, trying desperately to replace the indefatigable Phyllis Kennedy while Barbara Bennett agreed to stay on as treasurer for another year. Also new, though, are Board Members Ed Montoya and Justin Edwards, who already have both eagerly jumped into the mix with new ideas and energy. Sadly, we had to replace hard-working Judy Ruffer, who resigned, but we won't miss her too much, we hope, because we fully expect to see her as a volunteer this year.
Also new this year we have a new curator. Curator--yes, new--not really--because former President Carol Hickman agreed to take on this difficult position as we are losing Hope Brannon. Hope has been the underlying instigator of most of The Kelly's activities and all of the 180 acquisitions. She created and manned the website, worked on all the exhibits, wrote some of the grants, and did so many different tasks that it'll take an entire squad to replace her. However, she needs the time to tend to important family matters and has earned a respite. We are confident that Carol will step up and become a wonderful curator. Indeed, she's already developed a docket of exhibits and activities, and under Belyn, the Board has already rented a new temporary space. It it clear that we are in good hands with the changes.