by Jim Lytle

 "We're havin' a party" was the refrain heard from 202 East Main Street last Saturday. The Children's Museum of Fennville was celebrating it's fifth year as part of the Fennville Downtown streetscape.
   Marking the occasion the museum offered free admission to the exhibits, prizes and a lavish spread of refreshments. More than 100 children and adults turned out for the celebration. Mary Kasprzyk, executive director and founder of the museum, along with board members, Sandi Busscher, Susan Gorgas and Judge William Baillagreon and Fennville Mayor Dan Rastall were among the officials present.
  While the museum has only been in Fennville for five years it's legacy goes back to 1999 when Mary Kasprzyk began serious planning for the museum. The first board of directors was formed in November 2000 and acquired their official non-profit status in 2002.  
 

   In the early years, the museum traveled from site to site, usually schools. All the exhibits were housed in a trailer and volunteers set up and tore down the exhibits at whatever venue hosted the current exhibition. It was a lot of work and often the setup and teardown time exceeded the time the exhibits were actually on display. (as a one time volunteer helping with the setup and teardown, I can speak with some authority there. Ed.)
   Mary is excited about a recent grant from the Great Lakes Energy People fund. "This will allow us to design new exhibit pieces" said Mary. "I've gone to the schools and for input on designing new exhibit pieces."  She's been pleased with the response and new exhibits are on the way.
   If you haven't been to the museum you're missing an important fixture in our community. To learn more, check out the museum's website at: www.fennvillechildren.org