GREEN OAK
HISTORIAN
Official Newsletter of the Green Oak Township Historical Society
Vol. 23, No. 4, Sept., 2004
Comments about the Green Oak Historian and suggestions for future issues are invited. Send to address on pg. 2
Membership Meetings are held at the 1856 Historic Township Hall, 10789 Silver Lake Rd., 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the 3rd Sunday of March, May, & Oct. unless otherwise stated. Green Oak Day is in August.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS
General Fund :
Bruce &
Stacy
Gamble,
Susanne
Hines,
George
& Vivian
Kane,
Jack &
Luceil
Pedler, Walter & Barbara Pivinski, Bob & Sally Pregitzer.
Those who helped with our July Open House, & with the Green Oak Day Celebration: Marieanna & Bert Bair, Lee Ann Hubbard, Erlah Lambert, “Sam” Lanning, Gerry Macks, Cleo Moran, Cindy Morianti, Lorry Wagner, Jo Ann Williams, Sally York.
Those who have dropped off either treasured items for display or things from
our wish list:
Larry Harrell, Sandy Peavyhouse, Chris Williams, Ann Zinn. If you drop off supplies etc. please leave a short note so we know who to thank.
Donations made in memory of Edna Peach: Cleo Moran, Norm & Anne Nebozenko, Samuel & Karen Patterson, Cyril & Nellie Skrlec, David Skrlec, Mona Wenzel, Chris & Jo Ann Williams.
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MEMBERSHIP
2004
NEW INDIVIDUAL: Christine Mullaly, Mary Zellen.
NEW FAMILY:
Robert & Sharon
Goins,
Walter & Barbara
Pivinski,
Joel & Evelyn
Johnson,
Jim & Anita
Rockel,
Steve
Tamplin. STUDENT: Ryan Karolak. PATRON: John & Jan Kaiser, Brian McAtamney, Jack & Luceil Pedler.
BUSINESS:
Mike & Nancy
Beyer,
of
Clip Coupons.
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Green Oak Day Report
The Society’s 29th annual celebration of
Green Oak Day was very successful.
The food was great, and Sally York’s presentation
on “Light houses in the Western Basin of Lake Erie” was
exceptional. Her presentation
was followed by enthusiastic audience participation..
*Visitors
enjoyed the display cabinets containing jewelry,
fans, calling cards,
and toiletries from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
A display room was set up to exhibit some of the artifacts the
Historical Society has acquired over the years.
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WISH LIST
Photos,
documents, letters, journals, maps, etc. 20 # white copy paper & # 10 envelopes *External zip drive Folding Chairs Over head projector Document Flat File (to store documents & maps flat)
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Membership Drive
We are happy to announce that we
have added
19 new
members since our last newsletter.
There is strength in numbers.
The Society is sending special mailings to residents in the township over a
period of several months to encourage members to renew for 2005 and to reach
out to prospective new members.
Please encourage friends and neighbors to become members of Green Oak’s very
own Historical Society.
Dues for 2005 may be paid at the Annual Membership Meeting.
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Resale Shop Donations The Society has opened an account at the South Lyon Resale Shop. Anyone who would like to donate items to this fund-raiser, please contact “T” Shelvey at 248-437-3273.
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Though she hadn’t lived in Livingston County since moving to Arizona
to live with her daughter in 1996,
Edna died July 24, leaving behind an impressive legacy that will live
on, including her work as founder So
revered was Edna that Green Oak Township honored her with “Edna Peach
Day” every November Edna was the first Green Oak Citizen of the Year Award (1984). She was nominated for the Michigan 150 First Lady Award for Community Service (1987).
She also received the Rebekah’s Lodge Badge of Chivalry (1983) and the
125th
Volunteering was something Edna took seriously. She was a Red Cross
leader during World War II and gave
Edna also served as chair of the Editorial Committee for the writing
of Yesteryears
of Green Oak, 1830-1930.
She also served on the committee for the Green Oak Sesquicentennial
Celebration in 1987.
“She always said that helping people was the most important work one
could do.
Edna is survived by her daughter, Celia Ann Havelka (husband,
Patrick); two grandchildren, We join her family and friends in mourning this wonderful woman.
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Gathering Memories
Adding to our Archives
The Society is currently gathering information on several key areas in the township: Island Lake Area, the place-to-be during the roaring 20s; old farm road areas such as Tuthill, Spicer, Peer, Doane and Maltby; Four Lakes Drive area and the Upper Peninsula Club, off of Nine Mile Rd. If you have any information, photos, newspaper clippings or memorabilia, please contact us. We will copy the material and return the originals to you.
Preservation in Progress
The 1856 Historic Township Hall
A newly-donated sign across the front of the Hall calls attention to the work being done and asks for community support of this historic resource.
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In the plan to stabilize the building, the first priority is to rebuild the foundation. This requires removing shrubs, handicap ramp, front porch, and siding for a few feet up. On the inside, the floor ( including benches & shelves) must be removed.
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A certified contractor removed the asbestos siding, revealing the building’s Greek Revival architectural style. Bids for the foundation are now in progress.
Except for asbestos removal and the openings cut in the floor to permit assessment of the foundation, the work already completed has been donated, including the carpet being removed and re-layed in another area. Second in priority is the redesign/re-shingling of the roof. Painting must wait for funds to become available and the stabilization to be completed.
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If you are able to help with funding, materials
or work, please contact 248-437-8461 or
JoWilliams@aol.com