Since there are big changes afoot for the Peninsula Community Library, I thought it’d be fun to post a little throwback photo from the vault, circa 1957. Pictured in this photo, left to right, are Clarissa Boursaw (my husband Tim’s grandma), Virginia Hubbell and Deni Hooper. They’re setting up the shelves at the library’s temporary home, which was on the stage in the gym at Old Mission Peninsula School.
Peninsula Community Library opened to the public on July 15, 1957, not long after the school itself was built. The first classes began school there in the fall of 1957. Tim’s kindergarten class was the first one at the new school (with Mrs. Dewitt as teacher – I had her eight years later). But Tim says the kindergarten classroom wasn’t ready yet, so that fall, their class was held in the lobby of the gym.
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That gym got a lot of use that first year!
Update: I originally noted the middle person in the photo as Rebecca Mericle, but received this note from Tess Bates-Williams: “I have an original of this picture, and the person in the middle is not who is stated. It is my mother, Virginia Hubbell. Both my brother and sister went to Old Mission – they were Ric and Cyndi Hubbell.”
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 like the New York Times and Los Angeles Times, and magazines like 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 of course, 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 Old Mission Peninsula. Check out the donation page here. Thank you so much for your support. -jb
I have an original of this picture and the person in the middle is not who is stated it is my mother Virginia Hubbell – both my brother and sister went to Old mission – they were Ric and Cyndi Hubbell –
Oh thank you! Will make the change. Tim was good friends with Ricky. And was Dan Hubbell your cousin? And of course, we still talk about Ned Bates – is that your brother? -jb
thank you ! No Dan was not our cousin and yes Ned was my step brother – my mom had great memories of Old Mission School!
Love love love itbut I love everything about Old Mission School❤️
Love it and knew all three women
My mother was so very, very proud of being able to help start the OMPS Library. She loved books..
I am Clarissa Boursaw’s grandson. I have never seen this picture. Thank you Jane. I worked a long summer in the orchards and Gleason’s. I lived with my grandma. She was so caring, like my mom, her daughter. This post made my day. I loved her.
That’s cool, Mike. I’m trying to remember if I ever met Clarissa. Tim and I got together around 1979, and she’d either already passed by then or was at the end of her life. Do you remember what year she died? I may have met her towards the end. And she wasn’t in the OMPS lunchroom when I came up through school – Mrs. Lindsey and Mrs. Brown were there during my years at OMPS. -jb
I was there in 1976 for the summer. Our bicentennial. Sadly, when I walked into the house grandma did not know who I was. But the clouds cleared. Maybe the best summer of my young life. I spent it in Bo’s room. And worked ridiculously long hours. And loved every single one.
And I love that you call me Mike. Only the closest people in my life call me that!
❤️