Thanks to the efforts of Sally Hogan’s third-grade class at Schickler Elementary, a new sign is now on display at the birthplace of Lapeer’s own Marguerite DeAngeli. Mrs. Hogan’s third grade class sold enough pickles to raise money to restore the Marguerite DeAngeli sign at Oregon and Main Street. There will also be new landscaping to beautify the space around the home.

During her life, she wrote and illustrated 28 of her own books, and illustrated more than three dozen books, numerous magazine stories and articles for other authors . 

This project started when Sally’s class read Copper-Toed Boots by Marguerite DeAngeli. The books were donated by Lapeer’s  Rotary Club to each third grade student this past year. 

DeAngeli’s childhood years in Lapeer were recalled as happy, and when Copper-Toed Boots was published in 1938, local adults and children alike delighted in the telling of what Lapeer life was like for a kid — in this case deAngeli’s father, Shad Lofft — growing up here in the 1800s. Those stories are still inspiring kids here, and in return, those kids are making sure the mark DeAngeli left on this little town is not forgotten.

“I’m so proud  of my students for their work with community members  to restore the landmark sign,” she said.

Thank you to the third graders, our  Schickler family,  Express Auto Graphics, Signs, and Apparel, Vlasic and the Lapeer Historical Society for your support. We appreciate your contribution and dedication to our community to make this civic project a success !