• Wednesday-What'sUP January 20 - 05:37 pm

It was a long road, but the Hancock Public Schools officially replaced all their original buildings with the dedication of the new Middle School last weekend. The new entrance is featured in the top photo, supplied to us by Laurie Fraher. The remaining pictures were sent in by Roland Burgan who is the photographer for the City of Hancock.

They feature:
Second Photo: Superintendent Monica Healy giving the opening remarks for the dedication ceremony. She's on stage with other dignitaries that had a role in the process of completing this project.
Third Photo: Former Superintendent Gordon Barkell (for whom the Elementary School was named back in 1989), addressing the crowd. He was one of the "movers and shakers," who worked at getting the bond issue passed by the Hancock voters, so the new middle school could become a reality.
Fourth Photo: Middle School Students get the honor of cutting the ribbon, with Superintendent Monica Healy (on the right) and others in the crowd, cheering them on.

What an exciting day for everyone involved, especially these young students, who now get to enjoy learning in a new environment. Congratulations to everyone involved, on a job well done!

Good morning

Gordon Barkell was the High School principal when I attended Hancock Central High. I graduated in 1970 and his daughter, Janice, was in my class. How wonderful to see his photo and to see that he is still involved in education in the Hancock community. I do hope the school building that the Middle School most recently occupied and that I attended from 1st through 12th grade, will be saved. It still seems in good shape and Oh, the memories!

Mr. Barkell was the only dignitary I recognized, and what a stand up guy...we should all strive to be a titch as wonderful as he is!!!

Where is the new Middle School? Is the E.L. Wright school still up after the fire there?

Yes, the Wright school is still there but not as a school. It seems to me that there are some little businesses in it. It still looks good from the outside - I haven't been in it.

Did Gordon Barkell go to school in Lake Linden? I seem to recall my mom mentioning him as a classmate. Could be wrong! Nice school! The kids will love it!

I recall attending games at Lake Linden as a ten year old and watching the team with Barkell, Tumprie, Guard etc. I think these guys graduated in 1947. This was a year before my brother Don played and 8 years before I was a member of the WhizKids. In those days we also rode out bikes to Houghton Dee Stadium to watch the late Tony Butkovich and the Rhuelle brothers play for the Portage lake Pioneers.