By Ed Busch

While researching pledge drives and circle suppers, I stumbled upon an intriguing mention of the Lamplighters – a social group for single adults in the UU Lansing community. Curious, I noted to explore this group's history later. Over the past few weeks, I explored its history, uncovering its vibrant contributions to fostering connection and community.

Historical Overview

What is a Lamplighter? Looking at Webster, a “lamplighter” is one that lights a lamp. Duh. Okay, no alternative mention of groups using that name. I then turned to one of my friendly AIs. I’ve been alternating between ChatGPT and Claude AI, and this week’s answer is from Claude. Here’s what the Claude AI had to say,

“There are a few types of organizations that have used the title "Lamplighter" or "Lamplighters":

Community volunteer groups: In some towns and neighborhoods, volunteer organizations have taken on the name "Lamplighters" to evoke the historical role of lamplighters who would light and maintain the gas street lamps. These groups often focus on community improvement, beautification, and public service projects.
Social clubs and fraternal organizations: There are examples of clubs, fraternal orders, and other social groups that have used the "Lamplighter" name, likely drawing on the symbolic meaning of illuminating the community.
Youth programs: Some youth development organizations, such as after-school programs or summer camps, have incorporated "Lamplighter" into their names or activities. The title references guiding and mentoring young people.
Historic preservation societies: Groups dedicated to protecting and celebrating a community's history and historic architecture have sometimes adopted the "Lamplighter" name, connecting it to the role of lamplighters in maintaining the built environment.”

I also thought it might be good to know a little about single social groups of the 1970s-1990s. I was single for part of that period but was not connected to any organized group. Here’s what Claude AI had to say about this topic:

“Single social groups from the 1970s to the 1990s played a significant role in connecting people in an era before online dating and social media. These groups provided a space for singles to meet, socialize, and form relationships, and their focus often varied by region, demographic, and cultural trends of the time.”

From the few photographs we have in the archives, I would say our group early on had a mixture of younger and older, but at the end, it may of been more of an older senior group. Below, I’ll share some samples of events from the Lamplighters over the years and add sprinkles of what was also going on at the church.

The 1970s

I started searching some of the scanned annual reports to see if this group popped up, and indeed it did in the 1973-1974 report. With that knowledge, I started looking at our newsletters from 1973. At that time our minister was the Rev. Robert Green. The May 4, 1973 church newsletter includes an announcement for the organizing meeting of the Lamplighters, UU Single Adults.

“The meeting will begin with a potluck supper on Saturday, May 18 In the social hall at 6:00. Ladies and men who cook, bring casserole or vegetable or salad or dessert. Men who don't cook, grab something from the supermarket that can be put right on the table. Cocktails and conversation begin at 5:45. Call Judy Weaver for further information.”

The next reference is in the May 25, 1973 newsletter, which announced another potluck supper and general meeting on Saturday, June 21. The newsletter article also states that attending the previous meeting was not required and that any single person is welcome to attend. It went on to announce a dinner party for Friday, June 8, at the University Club. There is also mention of a separate Lamplighters’ newsletter—unfortunately, no copies of this exist in the archives.

This group was very active, with lots of activities each month. In September 1973, they went to a grape and wine test in Paw Paw, and later that month, they went to the Crazy C Riding Stables and, in October, the Detroit Art Institute. Other events include local theater plays, progressive dinners, Friday Night eat-outs, and monthly potlucks.

In the December 4, 1978 newsletter, there was an announcement for the Lamplighters Christmas Dinner on December 9 at the Walnut Creek Country Club. Below are a couple of photographs we have in the archives from that event.

Lamplighters Christmas Party at Walnut Hills CC, December 1978. Front row- Jean Rosewig, Geraldine Powell, Jean Fisher, ? Krueger, Dick Davidson, ?, Marion Vaughn, Millie Cooper. 2nd row- Ernie Reynolds, Ginny Walters?, Jane Mikesell, ?, Jean Bohnet, Crosby Washburne, Jean Gore, Judy Weaver, Mary Voelker. 2009.0121.

The 1980s

In 1986, our interim minister was the Rev. Robert Lehman, and our president was Henry Dykema. The November 3 newsletter calendar for the first half of the month included events such as committee and board meetings, choir, Sunday morning Forum, Issues and Action Women, Bookreading group, and Circle Supper. Articles in the newsletter included a Pledge update, upcoming services, R.E., Social Action Committee report, Denominational Affairs, Notes from the recent Congregational meeting, Bazaar Committee, Rummage Sale Committee, Congregational Updates (past minister Rev. Cleary’s illness and 50th anniversary for the Thorntons), and Lamplighters. The Lamplighters were having a progressive dinner on November 15th at Esther McCann’s home.

The 1990s

In 1996, we had an interim minister, Rev. Norman Naylor, and Church President, Jim Smith. The calendar in the newsletter for the week of April 9 listed many activities, including the Women’s Investment Group, Four Faiths, Ballroom Dancing, Understanding the Bible, Tai Chi, UU Women’s Fellowship (UUWF), Men’s Group, and several committee meetings. The Lamplighters had an entry in the body of the newsletter announcing a Meet to Eat and say good-bye to Esther McCann and Judy Weaver. For the many years of Lamplighters, Esther and Judy appeared to have been the main organizers of their events.

Meet to Eat Gathering and Goodbye to Judy Weaver and Esther McCann, April 20, 1996. At Left: ?, Judy Weaver, Maxine Herbert, Kay Fitzgerald, Esther McCann. At right: Laura Ziskgraff, Henry Pruitt, PearlAnn Miller, Harriet Wyman. 2008.0812.

Meet to Eat Gathering and Goodbye to Judy Weaver and Esther McCann, April 20, 1996. Judy Weaver, Maxine Herbert, Kay Fitzgerald, Esther McCann. 2007.0023.

The 2000s

Dot Thorburn took over organizing the events after Judy Weaver left. Gatherings of this group continued and appear to have ended at the end of 2004. In 2004, the Rev. Kathryn Bert was our minister, and Lynn Scott was the president. The December 7, 2004 newsletter had the alarming headline, “CHURCH FACING BUDGET WOES.” The attached article goes on to explain that the pledge drive will meet its goal, but the Board and Finance Committee had become aware of underlying unresolved problems with uncontrolled growth in costs for utilities and benefits the real problem and that they had been using “rainy day” funds to deal with financial issues for the past 2 years. Using these funds has hidden the real cost of running the church. They reported that the current budget goal won’t cover restoring program budgets or providing COLA. This sounds like what we have been experiencing with using COVID funds to balance our budget. Thankfully, our pledge drive this year was successful, and we won’t be doing that any longer.

Further in this newsletter, an entry for Lamplighters for their yearly celebration at the University Club for a Holiday Brunch on December 12, right after the church service. I have not seen any newsletter entries after that date, though my search has not been exhaustive. If anyone knows more about this, please let me know.

Reflections and Contributions

Thank you for joining me on a look at the Lamplighters group at our church. The Lamplighters enriched our congregation by offering a space for singles to connect and grow together. Were you a Lamplighter? What did this group mean to you? Do you have any photographs from these events?

We’d love to hear your stories! Share your memories or ideas for future blog topics at uucgl.archives@gmail.com. Don’t forget, we’re always grateful for photos or materials to enhance our archives.

[Blog post edits suggested by ChatGPT]

About the Author

For those wondering who’s behind these blog posts: I’m Ed Busch, and I’m excited to share the history of UU Lansing with you. I retired in 2023 after 15 years as an Electronic Records Archivist at Michigan State University’s Archives & Historical Collections. My background is in archival administration and information science, with an undergraduate degree in Fisheries and coursework in Computer Science. Prior to a career shift, I also worked in fisheries, aerospace, Information Technology, and a time as a stay-at-home dad. My wife, Leigh White, and I began attending UU Lansing in the early 2000s and became members in 2006. I’ve been involved with the church archives since 2007, and both of our daughters went through UU Lansing’s RE program.

Sources:

1973-1974 annual report.

May 4, 1973 church newsletter.

May 25, 1973 church newsletter.

Lansing Uni-Universe newsletter, December 4, 1978.

Liberal Express newsletter, November 3, 1986.

Liberal Express newsletter, April 9, 1996.

Liberal Express newsletter, December 7, 2004.

The Lamplighters: A Social Group for Single Adults in UU Lansing