Fife Lake Historical Society News
November 29, 2007

On September 7, 2007, the Fife Lake Area Historical Society "kicked off" "Historic Schoolhouse and More" Campaign with a goal to raise $144,00 for the purchase and renovation of the 1878 Schoolhouse plus the renovation of the Museum and the Old Firebarn.. The Campaign Committee has been meeting regularly carrying out the Campaign which the Board authorized. As well, the Advisory Council has had two meetings with resulting activities.

Following the "First Day of Class" on September 21 for Society members, a letter was sent to those members who did not attend. Donations and pledges have been received as a result of that letter. Mickey Baker is receiving such donations and pledges and maintaining the records. .

Two sets of appeal letters are now "in the works". During the Library campaign, many persons expressed a concern about what would happen to "the old Library". Opportunity is being given to Library Cornerstone members to now give their support to our Campaign. The second set of letters is going to the persons who visited the Museum this year and signed the Register.

One grant request has already been submitted and others will be submitted as the deadlines approach. Letters have also been submitted to numerous community organizations requesting their support; there has already been a positive response.

The Advisory Council has planned two events for this fall and early winter. The one is the placing of Contribution Cans in four Village business places. The second one is the planning of a December 15, Saturday afternoon First Annual Fife Lake Holiday Open House. This event, initiated by an Advisory Council Project Team, now includes local businesses and has become a Community Wide Event which will encompass the American Legion Christmas Party, followed by a Student Art Exhibit, hot chocolate and goodies at the Schoolhouse and a party with caroling around the decorated tree at Memorial Park. This event will create excitement and awareness of our campaign, Community members will also be given an opportunity to place a self-inscribed ornament on the Village Green Tree; a donation to our Campaign will be encouraged from individuals and families placing an ornament.

The Advisory Council has planned a big Barn Sale for early July, 2008.

Major articles with pictures have appeared both in the Kalkaska Leader and The Grand Traverse Herald. A community wide communiqué will be planned for later in the campaign. A sign designed and created by Katie DeBarr, Forest Area High School art teacher, and one of her students, Becca Arpan, is now in place in front of the Schoolhouse.

Finally, the total to date in donations, pledges and designated sources is
approaching: $60,000. Pledges or donations can be made to: Fife Lake Area Historical Society, PO Box 305, Fife Lake, MI 49633,