The Shovel Crew; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw Photo
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Heatherlyn Johnson Reamer got a little teary while addressing the crowd of supporters gathered at the corner of Island View Road and Center Road on the Old Mission Peninsula yesterday to celebrate the groundbreaking for the new Peninsula Community Library (PCL).
“I’m very emotional about this,” said Reamer, president of the PCL Board. “We all know why we’re here today. You gave money, and we’re going to build this absolutely beautiful library.”
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Reamer went on to say that she’s a sixth generation cherry farmer, and that her grandmother, Mary Johnson (my mother), sat on the PCL board for 20-some years and was part of the group who had the foresight to purchase the property in the 1990s with this day in mind.
PCL Board President Heatherlyn Johnson Reamer; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw Photo
Reamer noted that the capital campaign has raised nearly $2.1 million of their $2.5 million goal in just 22 months. “We still have a little further to go, but not too far,” she said. “Today is a very monumental day, not only for the library, but for the community.”
Christy Kuhnke, President of Tom’s Food Markets and an OMP resident, also spoke at the gathering. Tom’s donated funds for the children’s and teen’s space in the new library, and Kuhnke said it’s an “absolute honor.”
“This is a tremendous joy to be part of this,” she said. “It’s always been part of our operating philosophy to reinvest in the communities where we do business, and to especially focus on lasting and meaningful things that will enrich the lives of our neighbors. What can be more meaningful than a new library?”
Donor Christy Kuhnke, Tom’s Food Markets; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw Photo
Kuhnke added, “There is nothing quite as specially exquisite as the written word. It’s a way for us to share our thoughts, ideas, stories and education, and so there’s just nothing that can top this investment. It’s absolutely very special.”
Reamer thanked all the people responsible for making the new library happen, including the donors, volunteers, supporters, library board members, Peninsula Township board and staff, Peninsula Fire Department, contractor Grand Traverse Construction, engineer Gosling Czubak, Cornwell Architects, and grant donors, which include AcenTek, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Mariel Foundation, Sage Foundation, Towsley Foundation and Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.
From left, Paul Mahon, G.T. Construction; Mark Humitz, Cornwell Architects; Robert Verschaeve, Gosling Czubak; Bryan Lawton, G.T. Construction; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw Photo
Major donors include Mack and Lorraine Beers (naming rights for the Children’s Garden); Tim Carroll (History Room); Bill and Nancy Davy (lead donors); Daniel and Meredith Falconer; Friends of Neahtawanta; Friends of Peninsula Community Library; Paula Kelley (reception area); Ellen Kerr (hearing loop); Jon and Sue Kinne (coffee area and more); Jim and Fran Krupka (back porch); John and Jane Matz; Lisa and Mary Monson representing the McDermott/Fiferek family; Bill and Gretchen Soutear; and Tom’s Food Markets.
Donors John and Jane Matz; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw Photo
Reamer also made special mention of PCL Director Vicki Shurly, noting, “Without her at the helm, we would not be here at this very moment.”
From left, current PCL director Vicki Shurly with former PCL director Julie Maxson; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw Photo
For more information on how you can make a donation to the new Peninsula Community Library, visit the library’s website, call the library, (231) 223-7700, or call PCL Board member John Bercini, (630) 235-1475.
You’re also welcome to support the new library by buying a brick. Click here for more information.
Check out a video of the groundbreaking event by Tim Boursaw, and view a photo gallery below.
Nancy Davy, Vicki Shurly and Heatherlyn Johnson Reamer are interviewed by TV 7&4/UpNorthLive.com; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoShovels at the ready; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoFrom left, Bryan Lawton and Paul Mahon, Grand Traverse Construction; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoVicki Shurly with (left) Peninsula Fire Dept. Lt. Brent Strom and Paramedic Joe Sicoli; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoJack and Carol Olson; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoThe Shovel Crew; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoThe Shovel Crew; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoFrom left, Monnie Peters, Heatherlyn Johnson Reamer, Vicki Shurly and Penny Campo-Pierce; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoThe Shovel Crew; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoThe Shovel Crew; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoThe Shovel Crew; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoFrom left, PCL Director Vicki Shurly; Paul Mahon, G.T. Construction; Mark Humitz, Cornwell Architects; Robert Verschaeve, Gosling Czubak; Bryan Lawton, G.T. Construction; PCL Board President Heatherlyn Johnson Reamer; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoMonnie Peters and Nancy Davy; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoHeatherlyn Johnson Reamer and former PCL director Julie Maxson; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoFrom left, Dean Johnson, Cory Reamer, Brent and Phyllis (Johnson) Cooley; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoFrom left, Martha Myers, Nancy Davy and Roger Myers; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoTim Boursaw signs the picture frame; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoPicture frame with signatures will be placed in the new library; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoCoco; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoTerilee Johnson and Tim Boursaw; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoFrom left, Penny Rosi, Rebecca and John Bercini, and Nikki Sobkowski; serve up donuts and cider donated by Tom’s Food Market; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoFrom left, Madelyn Ryan, Gretchen Soutear and Virg Mouch, G.T. Regional Community Foundation; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoDonors John and Jane Matz; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoAmy Lyman signs the picture frame as husband Brad Lyman and Penny Campo-Pierce look on; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoFrom left, Laura Johnson, Amy Lyman, Ellen Kerr, Gretchen and Bill Soutear; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoFrom left, Dean and Laura Johnson, Terilee Johnson, Heatherlyn and Cory Reamer; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoMartha and Roger Myers head home to Bewitched Farm after the celebration; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoFirst equipment on site; Peninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoPeninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoPeninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw PhotoPeninsula Community Library Groundbreaking, Oct. 14, 2018 | Jane Boursaw Photo
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