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Today’s Photo of the Day is courtesy of the Maple Grove School on Center Road, which now serves as a wine tasting facility for Peninsula Cellars, a winery founded by longtime Old Mission Peninsula residents Joan and Dave Kroupa.
This photo is taken from Carroll Road behind the building. When I was a kid, the Bells lived at the end of this road – Steve Bell was in my class, and his older brother Dave Bell was in my brother Ward’s class. Their older sister Barb Bell was, I believe, in my sister Carol’s class. They were always known as “those smart Bell kids,” because they were super smart.
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To back up my statement, I’ve attached a clip from the Traverse City Record-Eagle, Feb. 21, 1966. Barb Bell made the A Honor Roll, along with Nancy Blackmore, Nancy Demaray and Barb Frisby.
As for the Maple Grove School, I believe it operated as a school from 1896 to 1958. My brother Dean went there for one year while Old Mission Peninsula School was being built. My hubby Tim’s older brother Tom went there, as well, and Tim remembers going to a school Valentine’s party in the basement of Maple Grove School in the 1950s.
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Went to school there!!!!
Were you in Dean’s class? -jb
The last year classes were there was the 1955-56 school year. The “new” school, on Island View Rd, began classes in September 1956. My husband, Gary, began kindergarten that year and thus, was the first class to go all the way through (8th grade).
Love it Janie love itdo you know where we could dig up some old photos of Watson store??
Will look through the archives, Shirl! -jb
Dean graduated with Gary and me, so I’d guess he didn’t attend there. The “new” school opened in 1956, when Gary started kindergarten. He ( and I assume, Dean) was in the first class to go all the way through eighth grade.
Thx for the intel, Wendy. I’ll check with Dean – we were thinking he’d gone there for one year prior to OMPS. -jb
We went there for several days before the new school was ready. We did attend there albeit briefly
Were you in Dean’s class, Craig? -jb
I went there in kindergarten the last year it was open. I started at the new school as a 1st grader and went there all through the 8th grade.
I went to kindergarten there on the last year it was open. Went 1st grade to 8th at new school
my father Rex Bixby andhis two sisters both attended this school and are in a photo on the wall in the winery
Thank you, Jane. I enjoy your informative writing!!
Barb Switzer
Thanks, Barb!
Although really I just start the conversation and everyone else fills in the details. 🙂
We so enjoy your finds.
I have some old snapshots of Watson’s Store, but also think there were some in the special phone book that was put out by Jack and Vi Solmonson.