Lakeside Cooperative Nursery Inc. scrapbooks, photos and newspaper clippings

Archive

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Saugatuck Douglas Historical Society

From the green 14x12" scrapbook

From the green 14x12" scrapbook

Name/Title

Lakeside Cooperative Nursery Inc. scrapbooks, photos and newspaper clippings

Entry/Object ID

2023.44.01

Scope and Content

Green, 14x12" scrapbook containing photos, issues of "Offspring" newsletters, nursery newsletters, guides and brochures from 1975 [when the nursery opened] to Oct. 1979. Red, 13x13" scrapbook with photos and rosters from 1980-1983 Hundreds of photos, bagged by year or event, after removal from nine scrapbooks that had non-archival, wax-adhesive pages. Most of the photos are of field trips to the Saugatuck fire station, Teusink's pony farm, Babbitt farm or John Ball park; in the 4th of July parade; holding certificates of achievement on the last day of school; dressed up for Japanese doll festival/celebration/week or Halloween; and visits from Santa, Newspaper clippings about the school. High school graduation newspaper clippings and greeting cards to Mrs. Babbitt from her former students. This collection came from Jane A. Babbitt who served as the sole, paid teacher for 14 years. Some of the photos were contributed by the parents of the students. A 2009, five-page, handwritten letter by Mrs. Babbitt summarizes the history of the school.

Context

In 1975, under the guidance of the Michigan Council of Cooperative Nursery Schools and the leadership of Mrs. Lathrop Morse, parents in the community formed a nursery school to accustom their 3- and 4-year-old children to the world outside their homes. Parents of enrolled children were expected to participate by serving on the 5-member board, committees and/or taking turns providing snacks and assisting the professional teacher. The nursery was initially located at All Saints Church. The close-to-town location allowed students to go on (prearranged) outings to businesses or to trick-or-treat at neighbor's homes. Teachers included Carrie Morse, Sandy Peterson, Mary Engel and Jane Babbitt. In the early 1990s, All Saints could not keep pace with state and federal facilities requirements. The school moved to the community center at St. Peters Catholic Church. About three years later the school closed because Douglas Elementary School began offering a preschool that did not require parents to participate as was thus more convenient for working parents.

Collection

Education and schools, Festivals, events, parades, celebrations

Cataloged By

Winthers, Sally

Acquisition

Accession

2023.44

Source or Donor

Babbitt, Jane A. (Koning) 1943-

Acquisition Method

Donation, unconditional

Lexicon

Search Terms

early education, child development, preschool, socialization, activities, child care, learning, play, parental involvement

Location

Box

191 Lakeside Cooperative Nursery

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Saugatuck Township Fire District, All Saints Episcopal Church, Babbitt, Jane A. (Koning) 1943-, Lakeside Cooperative Nursery School 1975-?, Lark, Sherry, Plapp, Kathy, Geerdink, Charlotte, Lamb, Sherry, Rininger, Barbara 1947-2025, Morse, Carrie, Burkholder, Ruth, Schreckengust, Carole 1939-2017, Engel, Mary, Peterson, Sandy, St. Peter Catholic Church

General Notes

Note

Students who attended the nursery school include: 1975/6 Dane Schreckengust, Laurie Smith, Julie Rininger, Brett Geier, Cari Gray, Lori Sanford, Laura Lamb, Carrie Morse, Sara Gallas, BJ Jones, Skippy Morse, Karen Rininger, Dickie Burkholder, Christine Jillson c1980 3-year-olds Kelly Aldrich, Victoria Anning, David Brockington, Shawn Brown, Kristin Burd, Jamie Juros, David Loew, Mathew Marone, Carrie Miser, David Potts, Steven Raebel, Laurel Rutledge, Sutton Stevenson, Becca Stucker, Kelly Oja 4-year-olds Stacie Durham, Ben Elenbaas, Jennifer Geerdink, Matt Landry, Katie Lanning, Michael McMahon, Chris Meincke or Meinche, Timothy Muller, Mary Elizabeth Nowak, Emily Renschler, Debbie Strom, Daniel Van Dyke, Michael Vereeke, Jennifer Verplank, Erin Wilkinson, Carrie Baker 1983/4 3-year-olds Kara Kort, Becky Hansen, Shannon Marcy, Erik Geerdink, Charley Sampson, Kari Klinge, Jeffry Hoshor, Cloey Lankton-Lenzo 4-year-olds [A.M. class] Mac Boyce, Dana Burd, David Cadman, Brian Hartigan, Adam Herbert, Justine Kinnaman, Casey McMahon, Jessica Mitchell, Anthea Roberts, Aaron Teeters, Nathan Willis [P.M. class] Amy Aldrink, Joey Wicks, Stephen Jones, Heather Jacobusse, Mandy Kelch, Stephen Grilley, Sam Brockington, Cortney Aldrich, Anna Miller, Nicholas Bild 1984/5 4-year-olds Trevor Bussies, David Cadman, Sheila Feringa, Erik Geerdink, Becky Hansen, Devon Herrell, Jeffry Hoshor, Brent Johnson, Monica Johnson, Jonathan Juros, Cloey Lankton-Lenzo, Lawrence Lawson, Robert Lawson, Shannon Marcy, Charley Sampson, Adam Skinner 1985/6 4 year olds Joe Bagierek, Sara Bandsma, Nathaniel Bruursema, Michael Doucette, Becky Engel, Megan Harthorn, Josh Harrington, Matthew Keen, Carrie Lafountain, Anna Landry, Amanda Lindahl, Addie Lowe, Dustin Rea, Brandy Starring, Broek Williams and Robyn Zumbrink. 1986/7 3-year-olds Will Wicks, Aron Lowe, Sarah Bagierck, Jodi Harington, Korina Smith, Joseph Phillipus, Ashley Rea, Chris Burlingham, Billy McVea, Alex Kemasch, Abby Berghuis, Julie Valeau, Michael Starring 4-year-olds Joseph Knickelbine, Nancee Nielsen, Chat Ferrunga, Jennifer Biana, Erik Lafountain, Andrew Brockington, Anna Landry, Heataher Aaldernick, Kevin Clark, Jennifer Starring, Kurt Troutman, Thomas Williams 1988/9 Stephanie Battjes, Annie Simpson, Ginny Beery, Katie Beery, Stephen Phelps, Abby Self, Ryan Alexander, Jimmy Dickson, Sarah Bagierek, Erin Burlingham, Jason Ruttar, Melissa Gillard, Stephen McCauley, Scott Norris, Nicholas Phillippe, Abby Self, Lydia Wiensch, Andrew Skimer, Bobby Johnson, Elise Blanchard, Anne Kurrash, Aaron Whiteman, Angie Finney, John Sullivan, Koey Koppenaal, Sam Williams, Kate and Liz Waltensperger, Karley Beery, Carolyn Raebel, Joey Phillipus, Abby Berghuis, Billy McVea

Create Date

September 27, 2023

Update Date

October 2, 2023