Book about combating hunger given to students in memory of local teacher

Kathy Borlik
·4 min read
2
Phyllis Wezeman, center, gives a presentation about her book "Petra's Pier Picnic" at El Campito Child Development Center in South Bend. The author and Mishawaka resident has been visiting local classrooms and giving away copies of the book, which is about combating hunger, in memory of Sarah Proctor, a local teacher who died Dec. 2, 2022, in a car accident.

Numerous messages are being delivered in a few local classrooms.

Message No. 1 is to care for others who are hungry. No. 2 — work for a solution to help those in need of food. These timely words of wisdom are presented on the pages of a children’s book.

A third message, which is a little more hidden on the inside cover of the same book, is also going out to the young readers. Inside the book’s cover is a sticker that says it has been donated in honor of Sarah Proctor. Friends say she was special and a great teacher. Much loved by all and a person who influenced many young teachers.

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She died in a car accident on Dec. 2 in Michigan. Sarah taught in Dowagiac Union Schools for nearly 20 years. In her obituary, her family asked that donations be given to support teachers.

Ah, that means books. Teachers need those. There’s a lot of information here. So let’s start talking about books and good teachers.

Jamison Sama reads his copy of Phyllis Wezeman's “Petra’s Pier Picnic.” He is a student at Montessori Academy in Mishawaka, one of the schools Wezeman has visited recently to read and give away copies of the book about combating hunger in memory of Sarah Proctor, a local teach who died Dec. 2, 2022, in a car accident.
Jamison Sama reads his copy of Phyllis Wezeman's “Petra’s Pier Picnic.” He is a student at Montessori Academy in Mishawaka, one of the schools Wezeman has visited recently to read and give away copies of the book about combating hunger in memory of Sarah Proctor, a local teach who died Dec. 2, 2022, in a car accident.

First off, the book is “Petra’s Pier Picnic.” The book was written by religious educator and Mishawaka resident Phyllis Wezeman. Phyllis, who has written more than 2,000 books and articles, is a member of First Presbyterian Church of South Bend.

Phyllis knew Sarah when she attended services at First Presbyterian. So there is a longstanding connection.

The star of the book is Petra. She celebrates her birthday with a fishing trip with her father. She learns about the need for some people to fish to feed the family. It is important for survival. Petra is made aware of hunger in the world and she needs to respond in her own way.

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Phyllis has been visiting local schools for several weeks and will make one more stop this Wednesday at Monroe Primary Center. Two of the teachers, Lydia Dreyer of Montessori Academy, Edison Lakes, Mishawaka; and Becca Byers of Monroe Primary School knew Sarah. And that brings the story full circle.

The school visits are part of the Living Matthew 25 program. Phyllis said the passage says “it is our obligation to care for others. It is not optional, or only when it is nice outside, not just for an hour. It is a way of life.”

Avigail Avram-Carmi is a student at the Montessori Academy in Mishawaka. Here, she displays the note about the teacher Sarah Proctor in her copy of religious educator and Mishawaka resident Phyllis Wezeman's “Petra’s Pier Picnic.” Wezeman has been visiting local classrooms and giving away copies of the book about combating hunger in memory of Proctor, who died Dec. 2, 2022, in a car accident.

Petra learns to care for others and Phyllis likes to present this message to young children. She reads the book and then the floor is open for discussion. Each child in the classroom receives an autographed copy of the book.

Phyllis hopes the message and the book are taken home.

When Phyllis saw Sarah’s obituary and the request to help teachers, she saw a perfect way to pay tribute to the young teacher. First Presbyterian agreed to purchase the books and get them in the hands of the young readers.

Becca said she knew Sarah through church and church camp. Although Becca was younger than Sarah, she said she had warm memories of talking with her. “I remember having conversations with her. No one ever said anything negative about her. She was always thoughtful.”

Autumn Owens at El Campito Child Development Center in South Bend reads her new book, "Petra's Pier Picninc." The author, Mishawaka resident Phyllis Wezeman, has been visiting local classrooms and giving away copies of the book about combating hunger in memory of Sarah Proctor, a local teacher who died Dec. 2, 2022, in a car accident.
Autumn Owens at El Campito Child Development Center in South Bend reads her new book, "Petra's Pier Picninc." The author, Mishawaka resident Phyllis Wezeman, has been visiting local classrooms and giving away copies of the book about combating hunger in memory of Sarah Proctor, a local teacher who died Dec. 2, 2022, in a car accident.

El Campito Child Development Center was another stop on the Phyllis and Petra reading experience. Aleyna Mitchell, director of development and community outreach, said the visit was impactful. “The kids were engaged. We are always talking about sharing. Having the author there made a difference."

Although Aleyna did not know Sarah, the connection to the message of teaching was strong.

Lydia said the visit from Phyllis to the Montessori classroom was deeply appreciated. It made an impact on the students, and Phyllis gave the students a lot of love. “The kids were impressed that the author was there. They took the book and reread it after she left. They thought it was so cool.”

Lydia Dreyer’s class at Montessori Academy in Mishawaka poses with author Phyllis Wezeman, rear, second from left. The Mishawaka resident has been visiting local classrooms and giving away copies of “Petra’s Pier Picnic,” her book about combating hunger, in memory of Sarah Proctor, a local teacher who died Dec. 2, 2022, in a car accident.
Lydia Dreyer’s class at Montessori Academy in Mishawaka poses with author Phyllis Wezeman, rear, second from left. The Mishawaka resident has been visiting local classrooms and giving away copies of “Petra’s Pier Picnic,” her book about combating hunger, in memory of Sarah Proctor, a local teacher who died Dec. 2, 2022, in a car accident.

Lydia also believed the subject of hunger and helping others was impactful. “As teachers, we try to address homelessness and hunger. We try to have meaningful discussions on how we are alike.”

Lydia added that the connection to her friend Sarah was important to her. “She had the biggest heart. I think about her often, and she may be a little more at peace knowing she will continue to have an impact on more children.”

Kathy Borlik
Kathy Borlik

You can reach Kathy at kfborlik@yahoo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Local author visits schools to read book about hunger and give it away