Of prime importance in any community is the education of its children. Schools were often the first public building. Students of all ages attended in one room with one teacher, who often roomed with families of students. Older students may have been asked to tend the fire and pump the water.
Mark ‘Bo’ Stephenson was born and raised in Hillsdale County, grew up on a family farm and graduated from Pittsford, Michigan. He attended Western Michigan University (where the nickname Bo began), graduating with a bachelors in manufacturing and engineering technology. Met Maris (Lothian) Brennan through WMU’s marching band trumpet section, who introduced me to my wife, Hollie (Lothian) Stephenson (GHS retiree). We have two children, Thomas Maxwell, and Sarah Michelle, both Greenville high school graduates (attended lumberjack camp & lifelong fans of Jean/Keith Hudson). Employment started as hired hand on a dairy farm, several jobs in manufacturing prior to and during college. After college graduation moved on to CNC programming, worked as a die upgrader in the Detroit area and ended up in Belding at Jordan Manufacturing as a manufacturing engineer. After about 2 1/2 years began work as a journeyman plumber for Zayler‘s Plumbing and Heating in Greenville. In 2008 began work as Bo The Plumber, in Greenville and surrounding area. With a lifelong interest in past history and artifacts, and having been employed by the FRHS for projects, I have certainly watched the growth of the museum through the years. I look forward to furthering the continued evolvement of this wonderful organization in Greenville with my fellow museum members.
Ryan, a.k.a. Scoop, has been a newspaper journalist for more than 20 years, first working for his hometown paper in St. Ignace and Mackinac Island, then at The Daily News in Greenville. He has lived in the Greenville area for more than 10 years. Scoop, who rejoined the Flat River Museum Board in 2023 after a few years of hiatus, has a passion for local history, having also served on the Michilimackinac Historical Society, helping it publish an Images of America book based on historical photos of St. Ignace, and is currently writing a historical fiction book. “I’ve always been fascinated by history, especially local history, because I love seeing where we came from and how communities like Greenville developed. Being able to connect to the past really shows you how we got to where we are today.” Preserving that past, he said, is important to teach current and future generations, which is one of the biggest reasons why he joined the FRHS board.
Susan is a transplant to the Greenville area since 2019. She grew up on the East side of Michigan but relocated to Grand Rapids after attending Aquinas College. She has had a diverse career background including banking, owning a business and sales positions. She traveled for a year with Up With People and enjoys learning about history and cultures! She was looking for connections during Covid and on a visit to the Flat River museum fell madly in love with the history and artifacts of Greenville. She began volunteering as a docent and is excited to add her energy to the dedicated board of the Flat River Museum!
Cory joined the board in 2018 and his many talents are much appreciated. As a reporter and photographer for the Daily News he keeps the board updated on happenings and issues in the community as well as providing journalistic and photographic coverage for the museum’s special events and activities. His contacts with local schools and city hall help information flow in both directions. Cory is a 2004 graduate of Greenville High School, having grown up just west of town in nearby Oakfield Township. His interest in history comes from a desire to learn how the hometown community he reports on came to be and how past events influenced the shape of the community as it is today. “Working for a newspaper that can trace its roots in this community all the way back to 1854, I’m proud to not only work to document modern events, but to serve on a board that dedicates itself to preserving and showcasing the long history of Greenville,” Cory said.
Judy’s interest in history goes way back to her high school days, researching for term papers at the Grand Rapids Public Library. Much later, as secretary at Lincoln Heights school for 20 years, she enjoyed coordinating special student events with teacher, Robin Walter. With both now on the museum board, they again collaborate on projects and programming for both children and adults. “I also love using my writing skills to produce the Logmark newsletter of the Flat River Historical Society and to promote museum activities in newspaper articles.” Before moving into Greenville from Oakfield township in 2016, she was active with the Oakfield Museum and continues to represent both Oakfield and Flat River Museums with the Tri-River Historical Museum Network of 33 small museums, serving as its vice president and publicity person. (Judy received the 2023 State History Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service from the Historical Society of Michigan.)
Robin was a teacher and administrator for Greenville Public Schools for over thirty years, so it’s natural for her to develop and coordinate the hands-on education programs, providing the link between the museum and area schools. As a Master Gardener, she has assumed the responsibility of overseeing the renovation and maintenance of the museum’s Victorian Garden which extends the museum experience into a public garden setting with outside exhibit pieces. Robin says, “I love serving on the museum board in the community where my family roots run deep. I was born and raised in Greenville, as was my mother (born in 1925) and grandmother (born in 1886). My great-grandfather was born north of Greenville in Cato Township in 1860. I enjoy history and am always eager to learn more about our area and then share that information with others.” Robin’s enthusiasm for children, local history, research, and education make her a great fit for the board. (Robin received the 2022 State History Award for Educator of the Year from the Historical Society of Michigan!)
Steve is part of a family business, Kemp Insurance Sure, that has been a part of Greenville’s history since 1879, so his love of history comes naturally! Steve joined the museum board in 2015 and served as its vice president for several years. Since he’s working in downtown Greenville every day, Steve provides info on what’s going on there and has provided a contact place for people to get tickets for our events when needed. Steve passes his museum interest to his children as well; his daughter has participated in fashion programs at Flat River and she and her brother both often help distribute candy at the museum’s Hallowe’en event. In his spare time, Steve says he enjoys spending time with his family and going to his children’s sporting events whenever possible.
Larry was born in 1943 in the old Hospital on Barry Street! Larry and his wife moved back to Greenville in 1983 and Larry joined the Greenville Lions Club that year. Larry says, “We lived about two doors from the Flat River Historical Museum and we used to hear the loud alarm bell go off quite often! Finally, about four years before my wife’s death we thought we would take a look, to see what was in this building down the street. We did enjoy our first visit and in 2013, I was asked to serve on the Board.” Larry’s hobbies are Amateur Radio, music, and learning Greenville history. Larry adds, “I enjoy greeting people when they come. Sometimes their comments bring flash-backs of my youth! I also enjoy the museum projects, working with other Board members and friends.”
Carolyn graduated cum laude in 1969 from Albion College with a Teaching and Music Major and added grad courses at U of M, CMU and U of California. She met husband, Bill Garlick, at Albion, at the quaintly named Last Chance Dance (It was the last dance before finals!) In July of 1969, Bill proposed on the day he left for Viet Nam and upon his return, they began their 49-year (and counting) marriage. Nearing retirement after 35 years of teaching elementary music to literally three generations of Belding students, Carolyn considered helping out in the Flat River Museum garden, so told Bill that she’d like to attend a museum board meeting. So- the next Tuesday evening they went into town…BUT, Bill headed to The Fighting Falcon Museum, since a WWII friend and museum founder had invited him there. The net result was that both of them became deeply affiliated with BOTH Greenville museums, and though Carolyn now focuses on the Flat River Society and Museum, she still participates in Fighting Falcon events.
Bill’s family ties to the Greenville area go back to 1849! He graduated from Greenville High School and Albion College where he majored in Physics – and met his wife, Carolyn! In 1969 he volunteered for the US Navy and served one tour as part of the Naval Advisory Group Viet Nam, then returned home, married Carolyn and they began their married life — with Bill going to sea to finish the war off the coast of Haiphong, North Viet Nam. They returned to Greenville in 1974, where he became a partner in Pine Valley Pro Hardware. In 1997, he closed the business and started Pine Valley Construction Service, which he still actively operates today. Bill has been past President of both the Flat River Historical Society and The Fighting Falcon Military Museum, and involved at the Oakfield Museum. He is currently the Senior Vice Commander of VFW Post 3794, and serves on the American Legion Post 101 and VFW Honor Guard. He and Carolyn have been in Love for 50 years and married for 49. (Carolyn is an emeritus member of the FRHS board.)
Lee earned his Eagle Scout honor in 1994 and just five years later was working for Walt Disney – as a transportation intern, driving a tram at the Animal Kingdom of Walt Disney World! However, he realized that business and finances were more to his liking, and he now holds Masters degrees in Business Administration and in Accounting. When he joined the museum board about 2013, his financial expertise was soon recognized and he was asked to serve as the FRHSM treasurer, a position he has held ever since. He loves keeping track of all the generous support of our community and visitors and seeing that the bills are paid. Lee says, “The museum has come a LONG way since 2013.”
Jean moved to Greenville in 1980 to work for Bob Hansen at his music store in addition to her music teaching position at Palo Schools. Jean says “My interest in history goes back to my parents talking about relatives and family history. We also went to museums or historical places when it worked with summer vacation plans and the family budget.” In high school, Jean was a member of the history club and several public school teachers fostered her interest in local, Michigan and American history: Mrs. Clark-8th grade, Mrs. Wiltse-9th grade and Mr. Bleke-11th grade. Jean and her husband, Keith, were asked to join the board in 2012 and have been active with it ever since. “The board has made many beautiful improvements to the museum thanks to the support of the community and the Greenville Area Community Foundation!” she adds.
Keith is a train buff and loves local history. In the early 1980’s, he spent a fair amount of time at the museum doing research for a multi-media project about the history of the railroads in Montcalm County. He then joined the executive board of the Flat River Historical Society and was President for several years in the mid-80s but left the board by 1990. In 2012, after a concert at the Fighting Falcon Museum where his wife, Jean, and Flat River board member Carolyn Garlick were performing, Carolyn invited Keith to rejoin the FRHSM Board. Being retired, he had the time and encouraged Jean to join also. By 2013, he was President again. Keith says, “What I love the most is doing research into the rich history that Greenville has.”
