Brenda Ehrmantraut

My hometown is Williston, North Dakota.I am both a North Dakota State University and Miami University (of Ohio) graduate. I have taught Language Arts and Reading at all levels 1-12 in Ohio and Washington. My husband and I returned to the Dakotas to raise our two children near family.

I write and publish children's books through a company I started 6 years ago. The publishing process feeds my creative hunger.

Of all the board members, I'm the newest to the community. I hope that brings a fresh and approving eye to the group.I think the thing I say most often when people ask me if I like living in Aberdeen now is, "Yes. There's so much going on."

With an award-winning community theater, an orchestra program that begins in elementary school, cooperative arts council and recreation offering year-round programming for the entire community, and an historical museum which is, itself, a work of art, there is no place to stop bragging about Aberdeen.

Perhaps if you have been immersed in the community for a long time you don't see what a shining gem it is in providing opportunities in the arts, but as a newcomer I can assure you, it's a standout.

I'm thrilled to be serving on the board, learning more about what it takes to maintain this level of offerings in our community for ourselves and our future generations.