A few final touches! Donovan and Tillisa Anderson hang the gorgeous Herman Miller library clock donated in honor of the Norconk family.

The Honor Roll, lovingly crafted and donated by MarEll Porcelain, was hung with pride above the front door lintel to remind all who enter these doors that our library belongs to the people of Bear Lake who came together to pledge their love of learning and this place we call home!

The Manistee County Library System always strives to provide the best possible services to its patrons. Please contact Dawn Kisley, Administrator if you would like more information or would like to participate in any way. 231 723 2519.

Friday July 12, kicked off Bear Lake Days 2002 with a special presentation by the famous "Buck Wilder" aka Tim Smith!

In conjunction with the Bear Lake Lions Club Kids Fishing Competition, Buck gave a valuable lesson in learning to love the natural world which makes Bear Lake such a special place to live. He also used this message to explain that a library like ours is a place to unlock the wonders of that natural world - and a place to also unlock the magic of finding out what is that one special gift we all have inside us!
To be who we really are and never give up on our dreams!
And that sometimes - finding life 'outside the lines' may be just exactly the right thing to do!!!

Our Dedication Day began with a fitting tribute to Calvin Davis. Calvin Murphy raised the Library Flag for the first time in honor of his cousin while an Honor Guard saluted and a bugler played Reveille to symbolize this new beginning.

The inaugural display in our Library Community Showcase depicts the story of Calvin Davis, a local man who defied the prejudices of his day to become a highly decorated WWII airman.

At the Dedication Ceremony Mr. John Martin spoke of his memories of growing up with Calvin Davis and attending the one room school at Malcolm and how the love of learning and books gave them both the tools to make a make a real difference in this world.

John and Genevieve Martin began the drive to fund our new Keddie Norconk Memorial Library. Ken and Diane Edwards gave the property for our building site. And countless others opened their hearts, their check books and rolled up their sleeves to make our community dream a reality. Looking on far left is Dr.William Anderson, State of Michigan Director of History, Arts and Libraries, Jerry Mathieu, and Al Decatur who together with his team of masons donated all the brickwork. The corner stone set in the wall was donated by Oak Grove Cremation Center and Edwards Funeral Home. And sitting underneath is this.............

Eventually a stone engraved plaque will accompany our little girl - but the temporary inscription reads:

In Honor of The "First Ladies" of Bear Lake Library

Ayvonne Cook
Glenna Pennell
June Iverson (seated left)
Diane Edwards
Connie Johnson
Marcella Guinan (our current Librarian seated right)

If you can read this sign - GO HUG YOUR LIBRARIAN!

But.......... she's a little busy right now!

AS you can see we had quite a full house on opening day!

The Keddie Norconk Memorial Library, located at 12325 Virginia Street, Bear Lake, is now open.
Monday - Wednesday 11-5; Thursday 1-7, and Friday11 -5

The Manistee County Library System always strives to provide the best possible services to its patrons. Please contact Dawn Kisley, Administrator if you would like more information or would like to participate in any way. 231 723 2519.

Come inside and see what you built Bear Lake!