By Sterling McGinn
Newberry resident Barb Bennett is a familiar face at the J.L. DeCook Gymnasium at Newberry Schools. With her daughter serving as the Varsity Girls Basketball coach and her granddaughters playing on the team, she spends plenty of time cheering from the stands.
After recent improvements like a newly refurbished gym floor and freshly painted walls, Bennett noticed a few other areas that could use attention. The scorekeeper’s table needed replacement, and the entrance rugs near the admission tables were badly worn.
“I even took one of the rugs home and tried to scrub it,” Bennett said. “But it was just too far gone.”
Determined to help, Bennett reached out to local businesses and organizations for support. Donations from First National Bank of St. Ignace, Nicolet Bank, Helen Newberry Joy Hospital, Newberry Motors, Rahilly’s IGA, and MATSIF helped fund new entrance rugs featuring the school logo.
With additional support from the Tahquamenon Area Schools Sports Boosters, a new scorekeeper’s table was also purchased. The Boosters used memorial donations honoring longtime teacher, coach, and community member James Depew to dedicate the table in his memory.
“This small-town community has the biggest heart,” Bennett said. “Thank you to everyone who worked with me on this project.”
Bennett says she hopes to continue making improvements to the gym, including upgrades to the locker rooms and coaches’ offices.
