Tots in socks
MTU Preschool hosts ’50s style celebrationBy JANE NORDBERG, DMG Writer
Article Photos
SOUTH RANGE - Most of the people at the South Range Community Center Saturday afternoon were too young to remember 1998, let alone 1958, but that didn't stop them from sock-hopping in their newfangled poodle skirts and greaser-style T-shirts.
The event, one of the Michigan Technological University Preschool's fundraisers, honored its golden anniversary this year.
Formed in 1958 as the Michigan Tech Co-operative Nursery Center, the center has grown from 42 families to an enrollment of 53, said teacher Janeen Stephenson.
"A lot of the adults in this room were at the center then, and now their kids have gone to the preschool," she said. "There's multiple generations here, and a lot of alumni."
Decorated to the hilt with construction paper record albums, a bevy of balloons and festive twinkle lights, the hall was transformed back in time.
Katrina Carlson brought her nieces, Adelie Kari and Chloe Grochowski, who were filling "I Spy" plastic bottles with puzzle pieces and pasta at one of the many craft stations located throughout the hall.
"It's good to support the MTU Preschool and it's a fun day out," Carlson said. "It's something the girls look forward to."
Houghton siblings Finn Storer, 11, and his sister, Zoe, 7, showed each other the sock puppets they had just made with pom-pom noses and wiggle eyes.
Six-year-old May Amelia Shapton of Hubbell had just finished her sock puppet in time to watch one of the two performances by members of the Superior School of Dance.
A crowd gathered as the dance troupe performed to the tunes of "Good Golly Miss Molly," and other 1950s hits.
"Our 16-year old daughter is dancing, our 13-year-old son is here and we've got our 2-year-old," said Carla Strome, slinging her toddler son on her hips.
"Yes, one driving and one in diapers," said her husband, Fraser. "It's a family occasion."
While May Amelia was too transfixed by the dance performance, her brother, William, 2, was more interested in building a Lego village.
"I think Lego is celebrating its 50th, as well, so William's celebrating in his own way," said William's father, Wil. "As for me, I'm looking forward to the ice cream floats."
For Arbutus Bleise, who taught at the preschool in the mid-1960's, the event brought back a lot of memories.
"This is the first one of these I've attended, and there's a lot of people here," said Bleise. "I remember a lot of the parents, and of course, the kids."
Jane Nordberg can be reached at jnordberg@mininggazette.com.
