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| The VanGilder School was located on 17 Mile Road about 2 and 1/2 miles west of Big Rapids in Big Rapids Township. The VanGilder home was west of the old school site on 17 Mile Road. It was west of the city limits on West Avenue. The old school building has since been convested into a residence. Teachers that I have found that taught at VanGilder, however at this point I don't know the dates. Teachers Belle Olis Fenstermacher Mrs. Isabel Jensen Mrs. Anna Lisco Amanda Johnson Mrs. George Pratt Mrs. Lloyd Hasselbring Mrs. Iola Cameron Mrs. Gene Rundquist |
| VanGilder has 10th Reunion - August 1968 About 30 people attended the 10th annual VanGilder School reunion last Sunday. Three former teachers were present. They are Mrs. Isabel Jensen, Mrs. Anna Lisco and Miss Amanda Johnson. The oldest person present was Mrs. Nellie Pearson Jackson. Festivities began with a potluck dinner at 1"00 p.m., after which a short business meeting was conducted by the chairman, Mrs. Charles Jensen. New officers elected are Mrs. Lola Fitzgerald, chairman, Miss Fern Ross, secretary-treasurer, and John Filters, publicity. Miss Fern Ross showed slides of her recent trip to the Holy Land and of the group who attended the reunion last year. Guests came from Moline, Ill., Grand Rapids, Morley, Stanwood, Paris and Big Rapids. Next year's reunion will be the last Sunday in August. |
| VanGilder School has Reunion - August 1970 Twenty six members and friends of the VanGilder School neighborhood met Sunday in the Senior Citizen's Building for a potluck dinner and reunion. Among those present was the oldest living teacher of the school, Mrs. William (Bessie Foster) Hanson of Ft. Wayne, Ind. She is 93 years old and lives with her daughter, Mrs. Maynard (Margaret Anger) Canaan. A number of her pupikls were present, including Harvey and Will Fitzgerald, Mrs. Hazel Fitzgerald Fetters and Herbert Westfall. Following the ample meal, Mars. Harvey Fitzgerald, president, conducted a short business meeting at which new officers were elected. The new president is Mrs. John Fetters, vice president, Mrs. Margaret Miller, secretary and treasurer Mrs. Fern Ross and publicity chairman, Mers. Herbert Westfall. Ray Winters was asked to show his Alaskan slides, taken on his recent trip to Alaska, and they were enjoyed by all. The tables were beautifully decorated with bouquets of flowers by Mrs. Harvey Fitzgerald. The next meeting will be held in the same place, again on the regular meeting date, the fourth Sunday in August. |
| VanGilder School Reunion - August 1971 Twenty pupiks, teachers and friends of the Van/gilder rural school met Sunday in the Senior Citizen Building on Waterloo for a potluck dinner and reunion. Officers elected for the following year include Mrs. John Fetters, who continues as president, Mrs. Fred Miller as vice-president and Alice Fitzgerald who replaces Ferne Ross as secretary and treasurer. Mrs. Herbert Westfall continues as publicity chairman and head of the entertainment committee. Entertainment for the meeting included two vocal solos by Darryl Woodward of Springport, accompanied by Rev. Lynn Chapel. Mrs. Herbert Westfall showed slides of the trip she and Mr. Westfall took through the southern and eastern coastal states. Prizes were awarded to Mr. William Fitzgerald of St. Joseph as the oldest pupil, to Mrs. William Fitzgerald as representing the family traveling the farthest, and Mrs. George Lisco as the oldest teacher of the VanGilder school. Next years reunion will be held on the fourth Sunday at the VanGilder home west of the old school site. A potluck dinner will take place at 12:30 and members are asked to plan ahead in order to bring a larger number to the reunion. |
| Former Students, Teachers attend VanGilder Reunion - August 1973 The annual reunion for members and friends of the former VanGilder School District was held Aug. 26 at the VanGilder home west of the old school site. A potlunch lunch was served to the 56 guests. Five former teachers of the school present were: Mrs. Ann Jensen Lesco, Mrs. William (Pearl) Fitzgerald, Miss Amanda Johnson, Mrs. Isabel Tornblom Jensen and Mrs. Albert Cameron. Door prizes were presented to Gene Tschopp, Mrs. Gordon Gilchrist and Craig Moore. Mrs. Arthur Hamm (Carrie Strouse) came from Moline, Ill, to attend the reunion. Officers were elected to plan the next meeting to be held at the same place the fourth Sunday in August 1974. They are president, John McLeod, vice president Alice Jensen Fitzgerald, secretary, Margaret Schryer Moore and publicity chairman, Isabel Jensen. |
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