"Slavery by another name" film - September 17 showing, 7 p.m. Geddes Hall

The Center for Social Concerns at the University of Notre Dame will present a free to the public showing of the Documentary "Slavery by Another Name". It was based on Douglas A. Blackmon's Putlizer Prize-winning book by the same title. Introducing the film about post-1865 Americam is Prof. Monica Tetzlaff, associate professor of history at IUSB. There will also be commentary by fellow film makers Prof. Margie Pfeil of Notre Dame, Prof. Laurie Cassidy of Marywood University, and Prof. Alex Mikulich of Loyal University New Orleans. Admission is free at the University of Notre Dame's Geddes Hall.

Origin and history of "Old Rugged Cross" (by evangelist George Bennard of Albion, Michigan)

from Historian Frank Passio at www. albionmich.com/ history: the great hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross" was written here in Albion in December, 1912 by evangelist Rev. George Bennard (1873-1958) at the Delos Fall house on E. Michigan Avenue. We have previously written about that in this column, and those articles are republished on the www.albionmich.com website. Did you know however, that Rev. Bennard operated his gospel music printing company and tract society here in Albion for many years in the building which now houses the Moose Lodge? It was the Bennard Music Company, located at 108 W. Porter St. It operated in the back of the Art Craft Press during the 1930s and into the 1940s. This would be on the west half of the first floor. George lived with his wife Araminta at 1104 E. Porter St. in the vicinity of Albion College. I’ve been told that Rev. Bennard would walk to work each day from his home by all the way to his office on W. Porter St. In later years he also had a "western address" during certain months at Hermosa Beach, California. I own three Bennard songbooks, all printed in Albion (my guess is right there at the Art Craft Press) with song copyrights ranging from 1912 to 1942 of those that Bennard wrote himself. Bennard was quite an entrepreneur. In looking through these songbooks, the back pages always listed items he had for sale. For example, you could purchase Old Rugged Cross bookmarks. The description states: "The entire four verses and chorus neatly printed on silk ribbon 9 x 3 inches. Varied colors. 25c. each." He wrote a book entitled, "Would You Believe It?" The description states, "The story of the Old Rugged Cross is out at last. It is by the author, Rev. George Bennard, and gives data on how it came to be written, some striking incidents resulting from its use in churches, over radio, in hospitals, missions, tabernacle, prison and outdoor services. Attractively bound in leatherette with Cross on front cover, and stamped with gold. Price $1.00."

"Lincoln and the West" James McPherson lecture at Ft. Wayne, IN Lincoln Finl. Collection on Sept. 10, 2013, 7 p.m.

posted at www. LincolnCollection dot-org -- also now on "FaceBook" 2013 R. Gerald McMurtry Lecture, Tuesday, September 10, 7:00 p.m. "Lincoln and the West" Renowned Civil War historian James M. McPherson will present the 2013 R. Gerald McMurtry Lecture on Tuesday, September 10, 2013, at 7:00 p.m. in the Theater of the Allen County Public Library’s Main Library. Dr. McPherson will speak on “Lincoln and the West.” Dr. McPherson is a winner of the Pulitzer Prize for his book Battle Cry of Freedom (1988). Among his other Civil War publications are “Ordeal by Fire: The Civil War and Reconstruction,” “This Mighty Scourge,” “Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief,” “For Cause and Comrades,” and most recently “War on the Waters.” The McMurtry Lecture is sponsored by Lutheran Health Network and presented by the Friends of the Lincoln Collection of Indiana and the Friends of the Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, Indiana. The event is free and open to the public.

Hottest Temperature of 2013 predicted (National Weather Service Statement): SW Michigan and N. Indiana on Sept. 10, 2013

from Weather dot-com -- posted 4 a.m. on September 10, 2013 ________________ ... VERY HOT TODAY... A STRONG UPPER LEVEL HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM OVER THE OHIO VALLEY WILL RESULT IN SUNNY SKIES AND VERY HOT TEMPERATURES ACROSS OUR AREA TODAY. AFTERNOON HIGHS ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN THE MIDDLE 90S. THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL MAKE IT FEEL EVEN HOTTER... IN THE UPPER 90S. PEOPLE WHO ARE PLANNING PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO THE HEAT OR STRENUOUS OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES SHOULD USE EXTREME CAUTION TODAY IN ORDER TO AVOID HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS.

In what ways are Christian tradition and virtues promoting healing and wisdom in 21st Century?

a "Christian Culture" lecture sponsored by the Moreau Center, St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN NPR broadcaster KRISTA TIPPETT -- on September 24, 7:30 p.m. at O'Laughlin Auditorium. Tickets are required for this free event and are available at the Moreau Center Box Office (MoreauCenter dot-com) or by telephone (574) - 284-4626. Box Office hours M - F just 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Further information about the journalist - author can be found at www.stmarys.edu/Tippett

Independent Films (Film Festival at Niles & South Haven, MI) Sept. 12 - 14, 2013

Organizers are calling it "Myrtle Beach International Film Festival" and including a Saturday September 14, 2013 Party at the downtown historic Ready Theatre (Main Street, Niles, MI 49120). Information about tickets and party details at www.mooretheatres.com/

September 3, 1783 -- end of America's Revolutionary War

Noticed in "Writer's Almanac" (American Public Media: Garrison Keillor): The U.S. War of Independence officially ended on September 3 in 1783 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. The war, which began at Lexington and Concord in the spring of 1775, had more or less been over for two years, since Cornwallis surrendered his army at Yorktown, but the American Navy continued harassing the British. And by the time the treaty was signed, the American fleet had captured dozens of British ships. The treaty required Britain to recognize the independence of the United States and to cede all lands east of the Mississippi to the U.S.

Conclusion of Major League Baseball Year 2013

from MLB -- website of projected calendar: __________ September 29, 2013 Final day of regular season Last weekend date waivers will be processed until next Spring Training Last date that assignable Draft selections may be traded (until start of 2014 season) October 1, 2013 Postseason begins September 30-October 15 Article XX(D) free agency period October 23 (best four of seven games, sites alternated) World Series begins.

Origin of Grandparents Day (U.S. holiday) is just 35 years old?

from Grandparents dot-com organizational website: Back in 1970, Marian McQuade, a West Virginia housewife, came up with the idea of a day set aside to encourage families to visit their elderly relatives. With a firm resolve to make it happen, she began lobbying policymakers. McQuade got through to her Senators, Jennings Randolph and Robert Byrd, who introduced a resolution to make Grandparents Day a national holiday. It took a while to reach the White House, but finally, in 1978, the resolution declaring National Grandparents Day as the first Sunday after Labor Day, was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter. National Grandparents Day is celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day, annually. •September 8, 2013 __________ http://www.grandparents.com/grandkids/grandparents-day/when-is-grandparents-day

National Wilderness Month -- federal observance September 2013

In September 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Wilderness Act into law, recognizing places "where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain." Throughout our history, countless people have passed through America's most treasured landscapes, leaving their beauty unmarred. This month, we uphold that proud tradition and resolve that future generations will trek forest paths, navigate winding rivers, and scale rocky peaks as visitors to the majesty of our great outdoors. My Administration is dedicated to preserving our Nation's wild and scenic places. During my first year as President, I designated more than 2 million acres of wilderness and protected over 1,000 miles of rivers. Earlier this year, I established five new national monuments, and I signed legislation to redesignate California's Pinnacles National Monument as Pinnacles National Park. To engage more Americans in conservation, I also launched the America's Great Outdoors Initiative. Through this innovative effort, my Administration is working with communities from coast to coast to preserve our outdoor heritage, including our vast rural lands and remaining wild spaces. As natural habitats for diverse wildlife; as destinations for family camping trips; and as venues for hiking, hunting, and fishing, America's wilderness landscapes hold boundless opportunities to discover and explore. They provide immense value to our Nation -- in shared experiences and as an integral part of our economy. Our iconic wilderness areas draw tourists from across the country and around the world, bolstering local businesses and supporting American jobs. During National Wilderness Month, we reflect on the profound influence of the great outdoors on our lives and our national character, and we recommit to preserving them for generations to come. NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2013 as National Wilderness Month. I invite all Americans to visit and enjoy our wilderness areas, to learn about their vast history, and to aid in the protection of our precious national treasures. www.whitehouse.gov/

Electronics Recycling Event (Niles Library, Niles, MI) - Sat. Sept. 7 morning

from Niles Library Main Web Page (www.nileslibrary.com/) Electronic Recycling Event September 7 Community members, businesses and residents from surrounding communities are encouraged to recycle their unwanted electronic items at The Niles District Library. The event will be located at the 620 E Main St. Niles, MI 49120 on Saturday, September 7 from 10 am – 2pm. Green Earth Electronics Recycling will be operating the event. Accepted items include computers, laptops, smart phones, monitors, TVs, telephones, cameras, DVD players, cords/cables, printers, toner cartridges, cell phones, refrigerators, air conditioners, appliances and any other electronic items or items with a cord. A hazardous waste fee will be collected for CRT monitors ($5) and tube TVs ($10). Efficiency UNITED will be offering rebate incentives to customers of a participating utility provider (Indiana Michigan Power, South Haven Public Works, Dowagiac Electric) when they recycle a working refrigerator, freezer, dehumidifier, or room AC ($30 rebate for working refrigerators and freezers/$15 rebate for working dehumidifiers and room AC units). An Efficiency UNITED representative will at the event collecting customer information and rebates will be mailed after information is submitted and processed. All other items are recycled free of charge. All hard drives are wiped to Department of Defense specifications or shredded. All businesses are encouraged to preregister by emailing pickup@greenearth1.comThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling Green Earth Electronics, headquartered in St. Joseph, is a company whose focus is to keep unwanted electronics out of the landfill by using the best practices in information destruction and recycling. They are a registered as a recycler with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Their services include corporate and institutional pickups as well as community drop-off events. For more information please visit www.GreenEarth1.com or email pickup@GreenEarth1.comThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . To contact Niles District Library visit www.nileslibrary.com or call (269) 683-0075. CONTACT: Green Earth Electronics Recycling, 269-326-1232,