by Justin Gibson | Jan 7, 2016 | Community, Schoolcraft, Vicksburg
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Mary Secondi, Schoolcraft police, joined other officers from South County to take children shopping for Christmas gifts for the families.
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Vicksburg Police Officer Henry Kite, takes a youngster shopping for Christmas gifts.
By Sue Moore
Ten youngsters from the Vicksburg area were treated to a Shop with a Hero day, getting help selecting Christmas presents for their families. The heroes were from the South Kalamazoo Fire Authority, the South County EMS, and the Vicksburg and Schoolcraft Police Departments. The location was Meijer’s store on Shaver Road.
Each child received a $200 gift card to shop for their families for Christmas and also received a holiday food basket from LIFE EMS. The 10 heroes volunteered their time to escort the children through the shopping experience.
South County Community Services chooses the youngsters and their families to receive this fun and rewarding experience, according to Danna Downing who heads the service agency. “It is a thrill of a lifetime for the children and their families,” she said.
The officers pictured volunteer their time each year and love to do it, according to Eric West, Vicksburg police chief. Those participating included Loretta Brundige and Dan Elliott from SKCFA; Ally West and Chris Koeneke from South County EMS; Mary Secondi and Jamie Edwards from the Schoolcraft Police Department; Mark Petersen and Henry Kite from the Vicksburg Police Department.
by Justin Gibson | Jan 7, 2016 | Community, Vicksburg
The Vicksburg United Way campaign got a big bump up with contributions from Vicksburg Community Schools’ employee contributions, according to campaign chairperson Laura Howard.
The total raised for 2015 stands at $35,116.90 as of the December reporting period she said. The individual campaign is $760 higher than in 2014 and the business campaign is $4,518 higher, due to the school employees’ greater participation.
Last year the committee raised $31,715, so it’s already way ahead with an anticipated goal of $40,000. The contest to beat what is being raised in Gull Lake, came to an end on January 1, and it is hoped that Vicksburg’s increase in donations will bring home the $1,000 award. The schools will benefit; the prize money is to be directed toward the STEAM program at Indian Lake being crafted by art teacher Jake Biernacki for grades K-5.
by Justin Gibson | Jan 7, 2016 | Community, Vicksburg
Matt Weddon in concert. Photo by Liz Weddon.
By Sue Moore
From a boy who was sometimes hired to play background music at local events, Matt Weddon of Vicksburg has come a long way– a recent first place in the Michigan State University Piano Honors Competition. A $1,000 scholarship and an appearance with the MSU Symphony Orchestra on March 25, were part of his prize.
Weddon, now a junior in MSU’s music school, started taking piano lessons at age 8.
For the competition, he played Tchaikovsky’s First Concerto in B Minor on the stage of MSU’s Fairchild Theatre, competing with a number of graduate level students.
While at Vicksburg High School before his 2013 graduation, Weddon played concerts, gave lessons, and was involved in many of the high school musicals. He traveled to Europe the summer of 2014 with a group of musicians from the university under the direction of his teacher Deborah Moriarty, who is professor of music and chair of MSU’s piano area.
Flying fixed-wing aircraft is Weddon’s other passion. He has passed his requirements for daylight navigation and is working on his instrument flying requirements. While home this summer, he helped as a groundskeeper at Kline’s Resort.
by Justin Gibson | Jan 7, 2016 | Community, Vicksburg
Terrence Wilson.
By Sue Moore
Vicksburg’s Performing Arts Center will again host Gilmore Keyboard Festival pianists in performance this spring.
Kalamazoo is world-renowned for the festival, which started in 1991. It has received acclamation because it choses its Gilmore Artist Award for pianists every four years. That person doesn’t audition but is chosen by a jury of peers, a process unique in the piano world. As the festival has grown and expanded through the legacy of Irving S. Gilmore’s financial trust, performances have been assigned venues all over southwest Michigan.
Pianists coming to the Performing Arts Center include Terrence Wilson at 7 p.m. March 21 and Daniel Hsu, a Gilmore Young Artist Award winner, in recital at 4 p.m. May 8.
Wilson will take the stage March 21 as part of the Gilmore Family Concert series. This 50-minute concert of world class piano music, accompanied by engaging visuals, is open to the public free of charge, according to Tim Fuller, manager of the PAC.
Wilson has established a reputation as one of today’s most gifted pianists. He has appeared as soloist with many prestigious ensembles and is an active recitalist in his own right. Wilson will guide audiences through the world of dance and movement through the sounds of the grand piano. The repertoire is still in development, but selections will be pulled from Stravinsky’s Petrushka, Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, Bernstein’s West Side Story and other piano works that are ballet or dance-influenced.
The Gilmore Young Artist Award is presented every two years to single out the most promising of the new generation of U.S. pianists, age 22 and younger. Nominations are made by music professionals from around the world, and an anonymous selection committee evaluates the nominees over a period of time. Candidates for the Award are unaware that they are under consideration.
Each Gilmore Young Artist receives a $15,000 stipend to further a musical career and educational development, as well as a commission towards a new piano composition for which the artist will have exclusive performance rights for one year. The award is strictly monetary and advisory, and does not involve managerial assistance from the Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival.
Since 1990, 32 pianists have been recognized as Gilmore Young Artists. Hsu and Micah McLaurin were named for 2016.
by Justin Gibson | Jan 7, 2016 | Community, Vicksburg
Nancy and J.R. Fulton beside the plaque on their building facing W. Prairie Street in Vicksburg.
The Vicksburg Historical Society’s plaque committee has placed five bronze plaques on historical buildings in Vicksburg that are significant to the town’s growth and development. The latest is on J.R. and Nancy Fulton’s building at 100 S. Main Street. Following is the wording on the plaque:
“Records of 100 South Main Street date from 1835. The first known structure there was a log building built in the early 1840’s by Mathew Wilson, a blacksmith. By 1850, Russell Bishop owned a store where Wilson’s smithy had been. It is the same framed building that still stands to this day (2015) at 100 South Main, likely the oldest retail building in Vicksburg.
“In 1874, the building was purchased by Manfred Hill, known for his honesty and held in highest esteem by his fellow business men and the community. He established Hill’s Grocery which remained in the family for 50 years. From 1874 through 1968, the businesses in this building sold groceries and sundries under the names of Hill’s, Richelieu Store, Kroger, Crommel’s Grocery, and the Party Store.
“The second floor housed various other trades including Baldwin & Condon Agency, Chas. Baldwin Insurance Agency, Ladies Library Association meetings, Vicksburg Commercial, a tailor shop and Susie Atkins Bonnet Shop.
“Purchased by J. R. and Nancy Fulton in 1971, the building has since housed an art gallery, antique shop, Amish crafted oak furniture, appliances, a bridal shop, D & D Variety and investment and accounting offices.”
by Justin Gibson | Jan 7, 2016 | Community, Vicksburg
Shown left to right: Courtney Hardy (kneeling), unknown, John Polasek, Tim Galovan with his son, Dave Reno, Steve Brundige, Gary Vermeulen, Andrew Reno with the Hardy’s son Jase on the dolly, Alice Galovan, Toby Hardy, and Ron Smith.
Every Christmas the Vicksburg Lions Club members help distribute turkeys and hams to families in need. The food has been purchased through the many donations from churches and community members and have been purchased by the South County Community Services. There was a family Christmas party at the Vicksburg United Methodist Church the same day.
