To contact any of our officers send an email to: reservations@venersborgschoolhouse.com
Kathy Holtby, past President and now Treasurer of VHPS, is the Real Estate Manager for the Port of Vancouver. She has a B.A. in business from Michigan State and has worked in real estate for over 30 years. During her tenure, grants were obtained to replace the roof on the schoolhouse in 2018, and replace and completely rewire the entire building with heating, lighting and electrical circuitry up to code in 2022. Kathy loves animals — hers and furry ones who belong to other people. In her younger years she summered as an intern at Yellowstone National Park. She says, “The majestic beauty of nature and wildlife was incredible. I met people from all over the world.” Kathy loves crafting, especially needlecrafts and making natural stone jewelry. These days she enjoys spending time with her beautiful, enchanting granddaughter, Bailey.
BJ Schulte, president emeritus, was personnel director for many years at Portco company in Camas. While there she helped negotiate a difficult strike and brought it to a good resolution. BJ knows the history of the club and she often shares stories about the goodhearted ways the club has worked in the community, knowledge she gained from working closely with Esther Moberg who was president of the club for many years. BJ enjoys reading, writing, drawing with charcoal and painting. BJ is mother to two sons and a daughter, has ten grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Jacqueline Freeman, past President and current Community Historian and Vice President, has lived with her husband Joseph on the former Moberg property south of the schoolhouse since 1998. She is an expert and published author of several books about beekeeping, preserving bee habitat and ecosystems to help mitigate the climate crisis. During her leadership, the school was able to design, add on, and pay for a much needed bathroom facility with volunteer donated funding, bringing it to the modern age. Jacqueline spearheaded fall apple tasting and spring seed exchange events at the schoolhouse. She helps her husband conduct equine classes twice a year at the schoolhouse. As Community Historian, Jacqueline obtained grants to conduct oral interviews with a number of descendants of local pioneer residents. Click on Venersborg History Project to view and listen to the stories of these early 20th Century migrants to the area now named Venersborg.
Sue Kvamme, retired secretary/key holder, is a retired registered nurse who raises goats, sheep, chickens and long-horned, red-haired Scottish Highland cows. She’s an avid gardener, intrepid hiker and talented artist. She loves living in Venersborg near her children and grandchildren. We very much appreciate her helping nature.
Celeste Reising, current Co-President, has lived with her family just up the road from the beloved schoolhouse for the past 34years. She is now retired from the healthcare industry, and is devoting her time to many community organizations, including the Vancouver Food Bank and her church. She is a talented craftsperson, and loves organizing the annual schoolhouse Holiday Bazaar and Wreath Making Workshop.
Emily Meek, current Co-President and Secretary, is a retired teacher-librarian from Battle Ground Public Schools, and has resided just up the road for the past 27 years on property lovingly tended by her beloved husband, who passed away in February, 2024. She enjoys cleaning and organizing the maintenance of the schoolhouse, taking rental requests, and publishing agendas and minutes to the monthly VHPS meetings. She enjoys meeting prospective event renters and showing them the facility and its amenities.
Other VHPS members deeply involved in upkeep and event organizing are: Susan and David Tripp, Sally Savona, Donna McLarty, scout troop leaders Tara Chrest and Dennis Moore, and a growing number of enthusiastic community members!