Talk
Chalk
…from the Hessel School House, home of The Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center
Spring 2023 Volume 7, Issue 1
In Celebration of Hessel School’s Alumni and their beloved Teachers…
...this issue is dedicated to the 20 years Hessel School was open from the fall of 1937 to early 1958…
a distinctive period in the history of this area that provides much food for thought regarding yesteryear’s approaches to primary and elementary schooling in contrast to today’s, as well as an awareness of the many opportunities in the past that children, with nature surrounding them, had at hand to stretch their imaginations to the fullest; this in comparison to the present, so markedly influenced by our ever-changing, high-tech world. Added to the uniqueness of Hessel School is the fact that many descendants of the original families have remained here or returned. Four alumni and a descendant serve on the current 10-member Board of Directors, and an alumnus on the Advisory Board. Thus, traditions and values, as well as the Board’s mission, have been retained. The Avery Learning Center’s wealth of programs is designed to stimulate imagination and creativity for all ages, and the Storybook Trail winds through the woods where the students once played, inviting today’s children to share similar experiences. Appropriately, the Board is hosting the dedication of the Hessel School Students Memorial Garden on Saturday, July 29th, in concert with the Annual Hessel School
Bronze plaque in recognition of the late Dave Heiss’s enduring contribution.
Alumni Picnic. An honored guest will be award-winning, internationally respected sculptor, Andy Sacksteder, who created the statues of mid-1940s students Buddy Wabiginese, Loretta Mongene, and Ray Hansen, now permanently installed on the rocks of the garden’s water feature, appearing at play as they may have in their era. The development of the feature, under the supervision of board member Dan Reelitz, was accomplished by Steve and James Hicks of Green Thumb Garden Center and alumnus Johnny Hessel, with the assistance of Jim Huffman, son of alumnus Jim (J.O.) Huffman. All this was made possible through an exceptionally generous contribution by the late Dave Heiss and his wife, Sandy, longtime summer residents from Grand Haven. When they made their gift in 2021, Dave asked that they not receive any special recognition. A prominent Michigan landscaper, he loved the historic character and pristine world of the Les Cheneaux Islands, and thus was intrigued by the restoration of the Hessel Schoolhouse, and the Board’s landscaping plans to respect the natural setting. Most sadly, the aftereffects of the
pandemic delayed construction of the water feature until last October, so Dave was never able to see the creation of it and its surrounding native plant/ pollinator garden. He passed away July 20th, but Sandy’s and his beautiful gift to the Hessel School House will endure, providing special meaning of the school’s historic uniqueness for many generations to come. (see pack page for more details)
Ray Hansen “shadowing” his statue when visiting last summer.
LtoR: Andy Sacksteder, Jim Huffman, and John Hessel, preparing to lift “Buddy” to his rock.
LtoR: 1st grader Ray Hansen, 5th grader Buddy Wabiginese, 4th grader Loretta Mongene
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