lucile lindsey, helen mumford, warren lindsey, old mission peninsula, old mission, old mission michigan, old mission gazette, peninsula township, old mission history
Marian Lindsey with younger siblings - twins Helen and Martha, and Warren | Johnson Family Archives
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Here’s a recipe for peanut butter cookies from Lucile Lindsey, who like most of the OMP elders past and present, has been a part of my life since the day I was born.

To test out that theory, I looked in my baby book and sure enough, there on the Visitors & Gifts page, my mom notes that Lucile Lindsey and Jeanne Beuker gave us a “Brag Book.” You probably can’t see it too well, but in my mom’s tiny handwriting, you’ll see their name on the right-hand side about a third of the way down.

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It’s right below a pink rosebud from Pearl Langworthy and right above a white blanket from Dorothy and Evelyn Kroupa. I’m sure some of you longtime locals will see your kin’s name in there, too.

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Jane Boursaw’s Baby Book – Visitors & Gifts | Jane Boursaw Photo

I also came across this Christmas Card from “R. Lindsey’s,” which would be the Robert Lindsey family. In the photo is Lucile Lindsey with the twins Helen and Martha, and their big brother Warren. The year was 1950.

marian lindsey, lucile lindsey, helen mumford, warren lindsey, old mission peninsula, old mission, old mission michigan, old mission gazette, peninsula township
Marian Lindsey with younger siblings – twins Helen and Martha, and Warren | Johnson Family Archives

The Lindseys lived in what was once the Mapleton schoolhouse on Seven Hills Road just as you turn off from Center Road. My dad, Walter Johnson, who grew up about a mile north of Mapleton, went there. I went to Bible study there when I was a kid.

The Lindsey’s home/Mapleton schoolhouse burned down many years ago, however, and along with it, many of the archives from both Old Mission Peninsula and the OMP United Methodist Church, where Bob Lindsey recorded every church service on a reel to reel tape machine.

Students and teachers at Old Mission Peninsula School will remember the giant ring of keys Bob always wore as he tended to his building custodian duties, and of course, Lucile worked as a cook in the school lunchroom, along with Jo Brown (check out her Sloppy Joes recipe here) and Clarissa Boursaw.

Thanks to Lucile’s daughter, Helen Mumford, and Marge Kroupa (who made them for the OMP United Methodist Church’s recent Christmas bazaar) for passing this recipe along to share with all of you. While Bob and Lucile passed on many years ago, it’s clear that they live on in our hearts – and our kitchens.

Lucile Lindsey’s Peanut Butter Cookies

1/2 c. shorting
1/2 c. butter
1 c. white sugar
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. peanut butter
2 eggs
3 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix well and shape into balls. Press two ways with a fork. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes until brown.

A NOTE FROM JANE: I started Old Mission Gazette in 2015 because I felt a calling to provide the Old Mission Peninsula community with local news. After decades of writing for newspapers and magazines like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Family Circle and Ladies' Home Journal, I really just wanted to write about my own community where I grew up on a cherry farm and raised my own family. So I started my own newspaper. Because the Gazette is mainly reader-supported, I hope you'll consider tossing a few bucks my way if I mention your event, your business, your organization or your news item, or if you simply love reading about what's happening on the OMP. Check out the donation page here. Thank you so much for your support. -jb

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19 COMMENTS

  1. It is really fun to read all of these names… I went to Mapleton school for 3rd grade and remember Lucile’s cooking well. Martha and Helen were in 3rd grade with me.

  2. Along with being an excellent cook, Mrs. Lindsey was my 4H Leader for many years and taught us sewing and knitting. It was always a fun time riding the bus to her house, having an after school snack and then visiting and working on our project.

  3. Those peanut butter cookies where wonderful. But how about the Cinnamon rolls!

    They were both fixtures in my childhood memory. Thanks for the story.

  4. Truth. THOSE cinnamon rolls! Who were the other 2 cooks working with Mrs. Lyndsay. Seems like Olive (?) was one. Marge, do you have contact info for Kathy G? Great slumber parties at her house!

  5. I remember the home made buns for hot dogs and sloppy joes! You were only allowed one hot dog or sloppy joe, but there were always extra buns with butter. Another favorite was the home made pizza. Funny that I don’t remember the cinnamon rolls like everyone else. Mrs. Lindsey was my 4H leader too. What wonderful memories of the wonderful homemade lunches. Those were the days!!!

  6. I read this thread originally a week or two ago. Someone mentioned that one of the cooks was Olive?. After much thinking and getting my mom involved, between the two of us, we came up with Olive Ostlund. I think she was one of the original cooks with Mrs. Lyndsey. She married Carl McManus late in life. I was in Old Missions first kindergarten class in 1956.

    • Yes I remember Olive also Barb. She was a sister to Axel Ostlund who Peninsula Fruit Exchange for quite a few years. I went to school with Robert McManus and recall when
      Roberts dad and Olive were married.

  7. I am Mrs. Lindsey’s granddaughter, DeAnn Fuller McClintock. My grandma was a great cook. I would like to make a correction to the people identified in the picture. The older girl with Helen, Martha, and Warren is Lucile & Bob’s oldest daughter, Marian, my mom.

    • Thanks so much, DeAnn! I’ve corrected the photo caption to indicate that it’s Marian and not Lucile. So do you have a sister? I’m thinking I went to Vacation Bible School or something with another of your clan…

    • Thank you, DeAnn,
      I thought that looked like Marian. I went to TCHS, and Ogdensburg Church with her. Is she still with us? My maiden name is Schavey.

  8. Love all the comments about our beloved Mrs. Lindsey! Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey are a great example of people who lived quietly in Christian faith, but made such a big impact on everyone they met – even now, generations later. All these comments are a beautiful testament to that.

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