PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

SECRETARY

Karen grew up in Des Moines, Iowa and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood from Colorado State University in 1974. She met her husband at CSU and were married in 1974. She raised 4 active daughters in Salem and all attended Salem Central School.

She is a retired professional who worked at Washington County Head Start for 43 years. The first 5 years as a lead teacher and the last 38 years as an education coordinator. She supervised and supported 5 Head Start centers with 12 classrooms throughout the county. (Washington County Head Start was rebranded in 2021 to LEAP Head Start/ Early Head Start.)

She joined the Historic Salem Courthouse board of directors in 2015 and assumed the position as secretary since. She wanted to get to know her community and give back in any way possible to make Salem a vibrant, safe, and fun place to live. She currently volunteers at the Historic Salem Courthouse Shoppe Off Broadway one day each week. She has been on the following agency boards: Washington County Cooperative Extension, Washington County Home for Aged Women Foundation, and a member of the National Association of Young Children. She enjoys hiking and has completed the 46 high peaks in the Adirondacks, two-thirds of the 272 miles on the Vermont Long Trail, and many miles around Salem with her golden retriever dog. 

TREASURER

Michael discovered Washington County serendipitously on a day trip in 2020 with his father, soon after finding a Victorian in Shushan to be called home for himself, his partner Noosh’Anna, and her mother. He grew up in Rockland County, New York where he also served as a Town Councilman, a Rockland Conservatory of Music board member, Sparkill Civic Association founder, and local newsletter publisher. His primary skillset is around sales and marketing, selling business computer software for 15+ years and more recently launching an online course for rural residents to enter and thrive in the world of remote work. Civic engagement has always been important to Michael and he is happy to contribute to the Historic Courthouse, which is a crucial part of our community fabric in Salem and beyond.

MANAGER, THE BATTENKILL KITCHEN

Before moving to Salem full time , in the summer 2018, Patty had experience with cooking dinner for the Overflow Shelter residents and also cooked at a Breakfast Program while living in Albany. Patty took over the reins as the Manager of the Battenkill Kitchen in January, 2020.The joy for Patty is seeing the excitement in the faces of the renters when the renters realize that the kitchen is certified and they can comfortably make their food products for the Farmers’ Markets and other Retail Shops.

Todd DeGarmo grew up in the rural mid-Hudson valley, with family ties to his father’s family farm in Saratoga County, and his mother’s homeplace on Long Island. Since the late 1980s, Todd and his family have lived in Shushan, a stone’s throw from the Battenkill. He is a graduate of Colgate University, and has graduate degrees from SUNY Albany and George Washington University, cutting his professional teeth in folklife studies with the Smithsonian’s Festival of American Folklife. Todd just celebrated his 30th year as the founding director of the Folklife Center at Crandall Public Library in Glens Falls, an award-winning program known for its research collections, gallery exhibits, and innovative public programing. For the past 12 years he’s been the editor of Voices: The Journal of New York Folklore.

Mary has lived in the Salem area for almost 30 years, starting her veterinary practice here in 1996. She is proud to call the village of Shushan her home, and has enjoyed traveling the many back country roads of Washington County, visiting horse and alpaca farms. Now it is time to give back to this community who has given so much to her. Being on the board of directors of the Historic Salem Courthouse has been a fun and educational experience.

I am a native-born upstate New Yorker. I was raised and attended school in the small village of Northville (Fulton County) on the Great Sacandaga Lake where members of my family still live.

Following my graduation from Binghamton University where I earned an MBA in the Arts, I lived and worked in London (UK) for 30 years for numerous non-profit organizations, including the Royal Albert Hall and the Natural History Museum. I was also the Chair of the UK Institute of Fundraising London Region for several years.

I returned to the US in 2016 and now live in West Hebron where I was elected to the Hebron Town Council in 2019 and re-elected in 2023. I am an active member of the Historic Salem Courthouse Board of Directors and currently chair the Fundraising & Marketing Committee.

DIRECTOR

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR

Marissa graduated from the University of Vermont in 2012. She spent most of her career working in hospitality management across the northeast. Since becoming a stay at home mom over four years ago, Marissa has come to love the slower things in life—like time spent gardening, exploring more of the outdoors, cooking & baking, reading books with her favorite book group and enjoying all the little moments with her family. Marissa is so grateful to now also spend her time working at the Historic Salem Courthouse; she is so grateful that her role as Administrative Director enables her to create and foster community connections. Her motto at the Courthouse is “here to help”- so please reach out to her with any ideas or questions!

BUSINESS MANAGER

Tish Russell has been the Business Manager for the Courthouse since 2018. She resides in Hebron with her German Shepherd, horse and 2 cats on 25 acres of gorgeous property. She is active in the Susi Shoes dance group as well as yoga and gardening.