“A former Mankatoan bequeathed almost $1.1 million to two local nonprofits when he died a year and a half ago,” writes Trey Mewes in the Free Press (Mankato, Minnesota). “The Blue Earth County Historical Society and Mankato Symphony Orchestra announced Tuesday they will each receive about $540,000 from Edward McLean, who died in December 2016…. The orchestra plans to form a committee to determine how to spend McLean’s money. It will be chaired by a friend of McLean’s, Mankato native Jim Johnson of St. Paul. Orchestra officials say they may start an endowment fund to ensure the organization’s continued growth. ‘This gift from the Edward McLean estate came as a complete surprise,’ said Kenneth Freed, music director and conductor… Both organizations hope to reach out to McLean’s surviving family … to get their input on how to honor McLean. They are also planning coordinated exhibits, such as an upcoming program on the county’s history combined with music from the late 19th and early 20th century. ‘It’s really exciting,’ [Blue Earth County Historical Society Director Jessica] Potter said. ‘He didn’t say that was his plan, but you can tell that with his gift it’s bringing his two passions to life.’ ”
Posted July 26, 2018
