The board of directors of the Shady Side Rural Heritage Society has announced the appointment of Vicki Petersen as interim director. She fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Laurel Fletcher. Petersen has served as the society's administrative manager since 2005 and has done exhibit planning, design and installation. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Maryland and is a Brownie troop leader for the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland.