ABOUT FOWL
Friends of the Winthrop Public Library (FOWL) has supported the Winthrop Library for well over 50 years! In 2022, the five-year effort to create, fund, and build a new library was successful when its doors were opened and building ownership was transferred to the Town of Winthrop. NCW Libraries staffs and operates the Winthrop Library as a branch of the 3-county, 30 library system. Now, FOWL’s mission is to support and promote the Winthrop Public Library as a vital community resource. Meet the all-volunteer Board that is leading the effort.
CRAIG SEASHOLES, CHAIR. Craig has enjoyed a 40+ year career in education that began in the outdoors. He returned to the Methow Valley after almost 20 years as a teacher-librarian in Seattle schools. A decade with the National Outdoor Leadership School included summer mountaineering in Wyoming, Washington, and Alaska; and backcountry ski touring trips, including a season in the Pasayten Wilderness. Indoors, Craig's 35-year career as elementary school teacher and librarian has engaged and guided students and staff with adventures in library and information technology. He's served leadership roles in the Washington Library Association and American Association of School Librarians and keeps his eye on the libraries of tomorrow. From a snug yurt along the Chewuch, Craig and his wife enjoy ski touring and hiking as much now as when they met 40 years ago working the trails, glaciers and peaks of the North Cascades. A favorite book: If on a Winter's Night a Traveller, by Italo Calvino.
COURTNEY ABER, VICE CHAIR. Courtney joined the board of FOWL in 2022 because she believes that libraries are a key part of a great community. Her professional background is in nonprofits and education. She thinks the Winthrop Library is already demonstrating the many ways libraries can innovate to meet the needs of the community and she is excited to help continue that work. A favorite book: The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman.
CATIE BARBER, SECRETARY. Catie Barber is a dedicated educator and book aficionado. She has taught all over the world in amazing places like Nicaragua, Dubai and Poland. She met her mountaineering husband, Scott, while trekking in Nepal and they have been traveling together ever since. When in Dubai, they added to their family a tiny Ethiopian baby boy who they named Brodi. The family moved to the Methow when Brodi was in third grade after buying a summer house then realizing this is where they were meant to be all along! Brodi is now attending University of Washington. Catie was the elementary librarian for a good long time, and now is back in the classroom. She loves a good long walk, playing games, spending time with friends, baking and cooking, fiddling around with her sewing machine and creating strange little monsters and birds. Her favorite book is Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese but she also loves to sink her teeth into any book with dragons, elves, or mysterious forests.
NICKI McCULLOUGH, DIRECTOR. Nicki joined the FOWL Board in March, 2026. She moved to the valley in 2015 after retiring as a community planner in Alaska. Nicki has volunteered in the Methow Valley including serving as an Edelweiss board member and president, roads committee chair, trail and event volunteer with Methow Trails, volunteer coordinator for the Winthrop Quilt Round Up, and organizer for the Smiling Valley Quilters. She also implemented a quilt fundraiser and silent auction at the opening of the Winthrop Library. One of Nicki’s passions is making things; focusing on quilts and surface designs. She hopes to support expanded use of the Library’s MakerSpace.
BARTH MERRILL, DIRECTOR. Barth, a Washington native, grew up in libraries, while helping his school librarian mother. In his 34 years as a Naval officer and physician Barth never lost his love of reading and learning. Having moved over 16 times while in the Navy, he and his spouse Carmen are overjoyed to call the Methow Valley their forever home. Since retirement Barth has enjoyed volunteering at the library, helping local vets through the American Legion, and serving as an assistant track and cross-country coach at Liberty Bell Middle School. Barth is excited to bring his leadership experience and unique perspective to the FOWL board. A recent favorite book is The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson.
RICK ROTTMAN, DIRECTOR. Rick Rottman moved to the Methow Valley in 2012, six months after a weekend skiing the Nordic Trails with his wife. This was the start of a new life phase, as he was retiring from a 25 year career providing patient care in hospitals and surgery centers. Born and raised in Seattle, he lived in several West Coast communities, most recently Portland,Oregon. Always a reader, Rick made use of the library resources where ever he was. He read the entire Harry Potter series to his young children, one or two chapters a night before bedtime. Rick’s reading interests are broad, from science fiction, to non-fiction science topics, to history, biographies, and even an occasional mystery. Always interested in supporting the community, Rick has volunteered with the Methow Trails organization, and Fire District 6, as well as the homeowners associations where he has lived. Now he is giving to the community in a less stressful way, supporting the Winthrop Library and the community programs it offers. His all-time favorite Book is South by Ernest Shackelton, the failed expedition to the South Pole.
FOWL always welcomes new board members to join our efforts. Contact FOWL98862@gmail.com to learn more.
Past Board Members and Leadership Team 2017-2025
Shannon Huffman Polson, Board Chair, 2017 - 2022
Jill Sheley, Executive Director, 2019 - 2022
Shane Swanson, Director, 2019 - 2022
Bruce Honsinger, Board Vice Chair, 2018 - 2022
Boo Turner, Director, 2019 - 2023
Wendy Sims, Director, 2019-2023
Char Alkire, Director, 2019-2023
Harris Clarke, Treasurer, 2020 - 2022
Matt Hinckley, 2022-2024
Jen Houston, 2022-2024
Kate Richmond, 2022-2024
Duana Kolouskova, 2023-2024
Monica Galeucia, 2023-2025
Margo Peterson-Aspholm, 2024-2026
Non-Profit Status
Please contact us at fowl98862@gmail.com for access to our non-profit disclosures, including governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements.
Our federal Tax ID # (EIN) is 82-1525939. FOWL is a 501(c)(3) organization and is registered with the State of Washington Secretary of State’s Office under the Charitable Solicitations Act. You may call 1-800-332-4483 or visit www.sos.wa.gov/charities for more information.
Volunteer
From time to time, FOWL needs volunteers to help with gardening, library clean up, bake sales, events that take place at the library, and many others.
If you would like to be on the FOWL volunteer list, please email us at FOWLVolunteer@gmail.com