North Berrien Photo Contest Exhibit on display throughout September 2012

Winner - "Hagar Township Park"
Photographer Richard Lyon

The annual North Berrien Photography Contest invites photographers to capture scenes in the Coloma, Watervliet, Hagar, and Bainbridge areas of Berrien County in Southwest Michigan. Two Winners and numerous Honorable Mentions have been selected among the submissions to this year’s Contest. These photographs will be displayed in a Photo Contest Exhibit at the North Berrien Historical Museum throughout the month of September 2012. The museum is open Summer hours through September 29, Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm, and admission is free. (The museum will be closed September 1 for Labor Day.)

            

Winner - "Was will be"
Photographer Stephen Parrigin

Fourteen works by local photographers appear in the North Berrien Photo Contest Exhibit along with the artist’s notes about their image. The Winners of the 2012 Contest are Stephen Parrigin of Covert in the Adults age category, and Richard Lyon of Coloma in the Seniors category.  Parrigin’s photo “Was will be” memorably captures the cellar of a historic barn on Coloma Road and inspires the viewer to reflect on the past and the future. Lyon’s winning photo is entitled “Hagar Township Park,” and depicts a group building sand castles on a remarkably beautiful day of clouds and waves on Lake Michigan. The winning photographers were awarded a local restaurant gift certificate and movie passes to the Loma Theatre courtesy of the Coloma Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce.

            

The 2012 North Berrien Photo Contest was co-sponsored by the North Berrien Historical Society and the Coloma Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce.  The historical society is thankful to all the Contest entrants, as their photography directly supports our mission to preserve the local history and culture of North Berrien for future generations. The North Berrien Historical Museum is located at 300 Coloma Avenue, on Red Arrow Highway across from Coloma High School.  For more information about the Photo Contest or Exhibit, call the museum at (269) 468-3330.

Honorable Mention - "Old St. Joseph Church"
Photographer Joseph Littleton

Honorable Mention - "Sparks of Life"
Photographer SteVee Parrigin

Farewell Event for Museum Director Alex Gates is September 14, 2012

            The North Berrien Historical Museum regrets to lose Executive Director Alex Gates when he leaves his position on September 21, 2012. After five years with the museum, Gates will be relocating to Paris, France to continue his education. The North Berrien Historical Society wishes him the best of luck on this adventure and all his future endeavors.  We have organized a Farewell Party on Friday, September 14, at 7:00pm.  The gathering will be held Upstairs at The Friendly Tavern in Coloma, and all are welcome to attend.  Call the museum at (269) 468-3330 with any further questions.

            Alex began with the museum in June 2007 and since then much has been accomplished. During Alex’s tenure as Director/ Curator, over 2,000 objects, photographs, and documents were added to our collection while over 21,000 people were served in programs. A new parking lot and front sign made the museum more accessible and a year-round programming schedule kept visitors coming through the front door. The renewal of our operating millage in 2010 was no small feat during this recession.  Gates writes, “I am thankful to our community for their continuing support. I have had the pleasure of getting to know many area residents personally, and learning about local history first-hand. I look forward to staying in touch and hearing of future success here at the North Berrien Historical Museum.”  Further comments from Alex appear in the Fall 2012 Newsletter of the North Berrien Historical Society. The Board of Directors is interviewing candidates in early September to fill the position of Executive Director.

Thunder Dog author to speak in Coloma August 29, 2012

Michael Hingson, blind since birth, and guide dog Roselle had just arrived at his job in the World Trade Center when American Airline Flight 11 crashed into their building in the terrorist attack. They survived the initial impact and, after descending 78 flights of stairs, were just 100 yards away from Tower Two when it collapsed. Hingson said his disability gave him and Roselle the ability to respond to the disaster to ensure their survival. After the explosion, Roselle remained calm, and because Hingson trusted her judgment, he did not panic.

Hingson said his blindness and the bond between dog and man saved lives and brought hope during one of America’s darkest days. He shares his message that the life-changing experience gave him to challenge people’s conventional thinking and encourages people to creatively respond to the adversity one faces by keeping an open mind.

Hingson and Roselle were thrust into the international limelight, sharing their unique survival story on hundreds of TV and radio interviews. After a 27-year career in high tech computer sales and management, Hingson joined the Guide Dogs for the Blind team in 2002 as the national public affairs director, sharing his 9/11 story throughout the world. In 2008, he left the team to form The Michael Hingson Groups, Inc. to travel the world speaking about the importance of teamwork and trust in our professional and personal lives, along with serving as a consultant for corporations and organizations that need assistance with inclusion, diversity, and adaptive technology training.

After just two weeks, Hingson’s book Thunder Dog  was at #29 on the New York Times Best Sellers List for non-fiction.

Michael will share his story at Midway Baptist Church 7517 Red Arrow Hwy. Watervliet on Wednesday August 29^th at 7:00 p.m. with book signings before and after.  Space is limited for this free presentation but you can reserve a spot by contacting Chana Kniebes at 757-2457.  Thank you to Coloma Community Schools, Coloma Lioness, Coloma Public Library and North Berrien Community Development for their financial support of this event.  

Museum hosts expert to discuss War of 1812 on the Great Lakes

  The North Berrien Historical Museum welcomes the public for a free presentation called “Commemorating the War of 1812 on the Great Lakes,” to be held on Tuesday, August 21 at 7:00pm.  Discover how events that occurred 200 years ago are being remembered in Michigan today.  Our speaker will be Jim Spurr, Chairman and First Officer of the tall ship Friends Good Will at the Michigan Maritime Museum.  Friends Good Will is modeled after a sloop built in Michigan and captured by the British in 1812, and in July 2012 she sailed to Mackinac Island to participate in a re-enactment.  Mr. Spurr is a member of the state’s Commission on the Commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.  He also recently chaired the Michigan Maritime Museum’s Exhibit “War on the Great Lakes!” and is the author of three books in the Great Lakes, Great Guns Historical Series.

This program at the North Berrien Historical Museum is free to attend and refreshments will follow.  The museum is located at 300 Coloma Avenue, on Red Arrow Highway across from Coloma High School.  For more information, contact the museum at (269) 468-3330.