2012 North Berrien Photography Contest invites submissions

"Summer Evening Meadow," Photographer Sandy K. Warren, 2011 Honorable Mention

This summer the North Berrien Photography Contest invites submissions of original photographs that capture the distinctive character of our area.  Eligible photographs must depict a location in North Berrien County, which includes Coloma and Watervliet cities and Hagar, Bainbridge, Coloma, and Watervliet townships.  Photos should represent an aspect of North Berrien, including, but not limited to, architecture, landscapes, nature, public buildings and events, and historic locations.  Submissions will be judged based on technical excellence, composition, and overall impact of the image.  Winners will be selected from three age groups: Youth (Age 17 and under), Adults (18-64), and Seniors (Age 65+).  Winning photographs and honorable mentions will appear in a public exhibit at the North Berrien Historical Museum in September 2012.  Winning photographers will be awarded a local gift certificate courtesy of the Coloma-Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce.

To obtain an Official Entry Form and Rules, contact or visit the North Berrien Historical Museum in Coloma, or follow this link to download: http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102564336732-182/2012+North+Berrien+Photography+Contest.pdf

The final deadline to postmark or hand-deliver submissions to the museum is Tuesday, August 21, 2012.  Complete submissions will include the Entry Form, a brief photograph description, and the photo entry printed on 8 by 10 inch photo paper.  The 2012 North Berrien Photography Contest is co-sponsored by the North Berrien Historical Society and the Coloma-Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce.  For more information about the North Berrien Photography Contest or to request an Official Entry Form and Rules, contact the North Berrien Historical Museum at (269) 468-3330.

"Biplane," Photographer Scott Isbrecht, 2011 Honorable Mention

“Memoirs of an Ex-Nun” Author to speak in Coloma

On Tuesday, May 15, at 7:00pm, the North Berrien Historical Museum will host a presentation by author and Watervliet resident Patricia O’Donnell-Gibson, whose book The Red Skirt: Memoirs of an Ex-Nun was published in 2011.  In a talk titled “Writing The Red Skirt,” O’Donnell-Gibson will discuss her writing process, focusing on memories from a five-year period of her life, as well as ultimately publishing her memoirs as a book.  The program is free to attend and will be followed by refreshments.

Patricia O’Donnell-Gibson has also authored several published poems, and was a teacher of English and Literature until her retirement in 2002.  She is on the Author’s Committee for the Dogwood Fine Arts Festival in Dowagiac and advisor for the “Ladies of the Lake” Book Club on Paw Paw Lake.  According to the book’s website, The Red Skirt recounts “the five years she spent as an Adrian Dominican nun struggling to balance her desire for a secular life with her great fear of turning her back on God's call.”  Visit www.patriciaodonnellgibson.com to learn more about The Red Skirt, order the book, or see a list of local bookstores carrying the book.

The North Berrien Historical Museum is located at 300 Coloma Avenue, on Red Arrow Highway across from Coloma High School.  The museum is now open for summer hours through September, Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 4pm.  Admission is free.