COUNTRY SCHOOL EXHIBIT

As part of the Annual LOHS Alumni Display all local country schools are included with a display of photos, documents, memorabilia and other items related to the one-room schools of this area. The exhibit will be at the Lake Odessa Museum Complex during the week-end of June 27-28 and will include all country schools within the present day Lakewood School District. The photo above depicts The Bippley School which was located in Odessa Twp. as District Number 7. There is no date with this photo with only a few of the students being identified. It is a wonderful visual of the early days of the one room school and will be a part of the upcoming display. If anyone has photos, historical items or anything related to the country schools the museum would be glad to display these as part of this annual event. Please contact the society for more information.

WE'VE COME A LONG WAY!

We've come a long way since this picture was taken in 1995! This shows the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the Depot Museum during Depot Day that year. This building has served us well and continues to be the focal point of the Lake Odessa Museum Complex. The restoration of this historic Pere Marquette Depot has been a successful venture for the Historical Society and the ongoing maintenance continues to give renewed life to this structure. Plans are underway to organize volunteers to give the Depot a new coat of paint. The week-end of September 11-13 has been set aside for scraping and painting. Cost for the project has been estimated at approximately $2,000.00 with over half of that amount donated already. If you are interested in helping out in any way please contact the Society. Your efforts and donations are what makes these projects possible. Thank you and watch for more details soon!

RALPH C. LAMBERT

Ralph C. Lambert (pictured above with his father Lewis Lambert) was selected for the Veterans Hall of Fame to represent the era of World War I. Ralph was nominated by his daughter Nora Hallenback. Ralph enlisted in the U. S. Army and served in Battery D 57th Artillery CAC. Nora wrote that: "Private Lambert boarded the converted mercantile cruiser OTRANTO for a destination overseas with 780 troops and 380 crew members. On a Sunday morning, off the coast of Ireland, and during a horrendous North Atlantic storm, the OTRANTO was rammed by the S. S. KASHMIR also carrying troops. The KASHMIR, although disabled, made it to port. There was a loss of many, many lives. One of the lucky survivors was dad."

WENDELL "BUD" SCHEIDT

Wendell Bernard "Bud" Scheidt was nominated by his daughter, Wendy J. Barnum, for the Veterans Hall of Fame. He represents the World War II era. Wendy wrote that: "My father enlisted in the military on June 15, 1943, immediately following graduation from Lake Odessa High School. Originally trained as an air cadet at Case Western Reserve University, he was transferred to the infantry when the army's need for more infantrymen became increasingly evident.....My father's military career came to an end in Belgium, 1945, when the jeep he was driving hit a land mine. When he recovered consciousness, he was in a hospital in Paris. Later transferred to a hospital in England then Chicago, he finished his recuperation at Fort Custer, where after several months, he was released. He was awarded the Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars and the Good Conduct medal for his service."

LYLE FAULKNER

Selected to represent the post World War II era for the Veterans Hall of Fame was Lyle Faulkner. His daughter, Terri Slade, wrote the letter of nomination. She stated that: "My dad was in high school at the time of World War II and his parents refused to give their permission for him to quit high school and join the military so when he turned 18 in August of 1945 he enlisted in the Navy. He was taken by bus to Detroit to leave for basic training from there the following day. When they got up in the morning and went outside preparing to leave there were all kinds of people in the streets cheering. He asked someone what was going on and they tol dhim that the Japanese had just surrendered. He always told us, as kids, that they heard he was coming so they surrendered!"

JIMMIE LEE REESE

Jimmie Lee Reese was selected for the Veterans Hall of Fame to represent the Viet Nam era. Jimmie was nominated for this honor by his sister, Betty Soule. Jim went into the army and to Viet Nam in March of 1969. He served his country until November of 1970. When he returned home he suffered from severe diabetes. His health issues continued for many years. In 2006 Jimmie passed away as a result of a heart attack. Betty wrote in her nomination letter that: "Jim's many friends have many memories. He is missed by all who knew him."

NYLE YATES III

Nyle Yates III was selected for the Veterans Hall of Fame representing the War in Iraq. The letter of nomination for Nyle was submitted by a friend Jessica Cazarez-Harmon. Corporal Nyle Yates died on March 16, 2006, while serving his country in Iraq. Nyle was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY. Nyle grew up in the Lake Odessa area and attended Lakewood Public Schools. In Jessica's letter of nomination she wrote: "There isn't a day that goes by that Nyle Yates isn't remembered in our hearts and minds and by honoring him at this military tribute, his legacy will continue on in our community forever."