Making Dreams a Reality
Gretchen Uhlinger, Founder and Colleen Christensen, Former Director of Operations
Fall 2002: Imagine the excitement of not only a new school year, but a new school! The North Long Lake Campus became home for The Children’s House after an 18-year journey that began at the school’s inception in 1984 to a point when demand for the program inspired and justified the construction of our dream school. We eagerly embraced the opportunity to build a facility that supported our Montessori principles.
Interviews with several architectural firms landed us with an architect, Greg Aerts, who listened carefully and responded with a design that took our breath away. Some cautioned us that the construction and design we chose would not withstand the wear and tear of children over the years. The naysayers obviously didn't understand the value of the Montessori prepared environment and the care of the environment that is integral to our curriculum and practices. Twenty years have not diminished the features that shone brightly that first fall – natural light, outdoor classrooms, communal gathering space, emphasis on beauty and order, space that facilitates freedom of movement and independence in a safe surrounding. The architect listened and our contractor was on board to make it happen.
This building was a big leap for our non-profit program. Dedicated families provided the courage for this endeavor, but financing the building required more help. I’d like to insert a little history here for perspective. Prior to 1997, The Children’s House was fortunate to have benevolent landlords who charged manageable monthly payments. We rented a farm house in Suttons Bay and four classrooms from The Congregational Church on Old Mission Peninsula (yes we had two locations for many years). In 1997, we unexpectedly lost our lease at the Church and had less than a year to relocate a program of about 100 children. We had little money saved and no history of borrowing large sums of money, but in less than a year, we built a 10,000 square foot building on West Royal Drive.
Royal Drive turned out to be a stepping stone in our evolution by showing evidence that the school could sustain enrollment and manage owning a facility. Four years later, a wait list that could not be accommodated at Royal Drive prompted the move to the Long Lake Campus.
The Children’s House’s dream school made a reality, 2001
So, how did we do this? Our connection to Connie Deneweth, who was president of Republic Bank at the time, proved to be the key ingredient. Connie had faith in us and in our business plan. She initiated relationships with the people that would help finance the project. She facilitated financing through the County Economic Development Corporation and a small group of investors known as the Friends of Montessori. The EDC loan was crucial to our business plan. Low interest payments made all the difference. The Friends Group covered the down payment.
A fortuitous listing of the Long Lake property (Saundra’s Gardens) by Reed Zitting and Saundra Hintz provided the plentiful, rural space we needed. Hallmark Construction stepped in as general contractors and has remained a supportive friend to this day. Children’s House board members Kim Hagerty and Greg Holmes, building committee chair Eileen Mikulski, school families, and staff rallied to make the move that more than doubled our indoor space and quadrupled our outdoor space. A rainbow surrounded the school at our Grand Opening, certainly a sign of many good things to come. The Dream School was now a reality.
