Eight point bucks in the city are a rarity here in Benton Harbor. In the 25 years of living on Pipestone Street I have not seen deer running through the neighborhood, let alone and eight point buck! Others have been spotted in the area as well. The Ox Creek ravine follows Pipestone Street from downtown out to I-94 providing, for a short time, cover and some limited food for the wild life now trying to escape from the previously undisturbed habitat along M-63 and North Shore Road, and Jean Klock Park, where the Harbor Shores Development is now destroying woodlands and other wild areas previously left undisturbed. There have been sightings of foxes, as well as other wild life, along Pipestone Street and other areas in both cities including Ridgeway Avenue in St Joseph.
Why is this of concern? As we all know from recent news programs global climate change and collapse of wildlife populations are serious issues for the entire planet. Future generations- even those now living will suffer catastrophic consequences from these human initiated phenomena. The balance shifts daily towards complete destruction of all living beings and even incremental change positively continues to push us towards a cataclysmic end within our lifetimes. While Harbor Shores may have a positive economic outcome, the destruction of natural areas needs complete mitigation, including provision of preserve areas where the wild life now being displaced can relocate, and restoration of trees and undergrowth can welcome migrating bird populations, as well as absorb carbon dioxide given off by human activity. Without mitigation efforts really aimed towards these ends Harbor Shores will be one more example of corporate destruction of the Earth for private gain. Is Global climate Change and the destruction of the Earth to be The Whirlpool Corporation’s enduring legacy? I hope not.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
I've Been to a Marvelous Party... July 22nd 2007 Tour
An abstract concept neighborhoods are idealized a place... the people... shared values...
In the context of recent achievements, the neighbors of Historic Pipestone Street, and Benton Harbor all have something to be proud of.
The recent historic homes tour was about so much. A fundraiser for the block club, the tour was also a gift the home owners gave to the community, by preparing and opening 10 Pipestone Street homes. With many hours of work and planning, the tour touched the nearly 600 visitors- more than we can ever know. Benton Harbor, and the people who care for her, believe that someday our city will receive the respect she deserves as we honor and pay respect to the people and places which are our heritage.
The built environment we see on South Pipestone Street is in a state of transition, a slowed drift towards decay and demolition through neglect. Deliberate and misguided city policies, and decades of deliberate disinvestment, racial and other types of discrimination have all continued to take a toll on the residents and the beautiful homes in this area of the Benton Harbor as in other areas. Lending practices which destroy inner city areas due to flawed and out-dated appraisal methadologies and redlining have made improvement almost impossible for some. Yet there are glimmers of hope!
Some people will not be dissuaded or discouraged by past set-backs or unhelpful professionals. Many of us must look for unconventional ways to buy and improve their dream homes- using family financing, or other means to borrow personally to repair, or restore roofs, mechanicals and interiors... Our city is reliant on the spirited people who will not be talked-out of the neighborhood or home they have their hearts set on.
Sunday, younger people came to see a different view of familiar streets, and as many others, were so surprised to know that we had something so special right here. They are the next generations of home owners and social entrepreneurs.
The Pipestone Houses make a statement of a proud past of accomplishment, hospitality, and beauty that was lovingly shared Sunday the 22nd. It was a priviledge to be a part of the second neighborhood tour in 20 years.
Thanks to all who visited the John Nellis Klock House, and those who support our neighborhood efforts to improve quality of life, build relationships among residents, and awareness of Historic Benton Harbor.
In the context of recent achievements, the neighbors of Historic Pipestone Street, and Benton Harbor all have something to be proud of.
The recent historic homes tour was about so much. A fundraiser for the block club, the tour was also a gift the home owners gave to the community, by preparing and opening 10 Pipestone Street homes. With many hours of work and planning, the tour touched the nearly 600 visitors- more than we can ever know. Benton Harbor, and the people who care for her, believe that someday our city will receive the respect she deserves as we honor and pay respect to the people and places which are our heritage.
The built environment we see on South Pipestone Street is in a state of transition, a slowed drift towards decay and demolition through neglect. Deliberate and misguided city policies, and decades of deliberate disinvestment, racial and other types of discrimination have all continued to take a toll on the residents and the beautiful homes in this area of the Benton Harbor as in other areas. Lending practices which destroy inner city areas due to flawed and out-dated appraisal methadologies and redlining have made improvement almost impossible for some. Yet there are glimmers of hope!
Some people will not be dissuaded or discouraged by past set-backs or unhelpful professionals. Many of us must look for unconventional ways to buy and improve their dream homes- using family financing, or other means to borrow personally to repair, or restore roofs, mechanicals and interiors... Our city is reliant on the spirited people who will not be talked-out of the neighborhood or home they have their hearts set on.
Sunday, younger people came to see a different view of familiar streets, and as many others, were so surprised to know that we had something so special right here. They are the next generations of home owners and social entrepreneurs.
The Pipestone Houses make a statement of a proud past of accomplishment, hospitality, and beauty that was lovingly shared Sunday the 22nd. It was a priviledge to be a part of the second neighborhood tour in 20 years.
Thanks to all who visited the John Nellis Klock House, and those who support our neighborhood efforts to improve quality of life, build relationships among residents, and awareness of Historic Benton Harbor.
Friday, May 11, 2007
TRANSFORMATION and CONTRIBUTIONS of BENTON HARBOR FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UCC
This posting is prompted by an article in the Benton Spirit Newspaper as, in part, a letter to the editor.
I was lucky enough to have encountered Reverend Richard H. Taylor (Rick) when organizing NISE Youth Support Task Force's "YOUTH DAY" I invited Rick Taylor to give an invocation and blessing as part of the opening ceremony of a day long celebration of sports, arts and fun activities as culmination of weeks of fun in the parks. Rev Taylor thanked God for fingers and toes we could all use for playing games and having fun...
I became a member of the First Congregational Church in the early 90s as a result of my involvement with Pastor Taylor and highly committed volunteers from that congregation at work in the neighborhoods repairing housing, working with youth through its summer program. My weeks of teaching Sunday School became vital to my understanding of the state of education in Benton Harbor- St Joseph. Teaching 4,5,6th graders from various backgrounds with everyone at different levels of skill and development was a huge challenge providing a small glimpse into the world of grammar school teachers. Serving on the Board of Trustees was a glimpse into financial planning and facility management, and capital fundraising on a close and intimate level. We raised enough to restore stonework, interior spaces, and artglass windows through the grace of God and the support of the greater community...
The First Church I joined was a special place made up of a small group of grey hairs and a few young families neighborhood kids and suburbanites. We all were blessed with a fantastic 1927 English Gothic Building with a few Art Deco flourishes. The Building was a large for the small group of us who met there, (aprox 125) but it was home to many who had been members all their lives and even their parents and grandparents lives. The gifts of a full carillon of bells known as the Children's Bells (from JN Klock), a large BF Skinner organ, great stained glass, theater/ gym, parlors and huge educational wing set this building apart from all church buildings of the time and even now. The Fillstrip, Klock, HS Gray, Elisha Gray, Banyon, Payne, Miller, and Gideon Families, and many others who all made major contributions to the city and building attended there.
Samaritan Center, Cathedral/Community School of the Arts, Twin City Area Literacy Council, Citizen's Mediation Services, NISE, National Association of Churches. and other important programs began there or had a special relationship with the church. Roosevelt Park was a gift of JN Klock to the city in order to open-up a view of the church to the city...
I was honored to be invited as a gay man to participate in holiday services there with my then partner as a family in the early 90's before any other community churches were "Open and Affirming". Along with people of all colors, economic backgrounds, gays and lesbians and bisexuals were welcomed into the family alike. We all worked together trying to enlarge the circle reaching out to no avail. As the neighborhood continued in its slide, and crack-houses and flop houses surrounded the church, the gray hairs became fewer and fewer and the young finding little in common with those left moved to other churches. Despite the work of a few to hold on the leaders became tired...
The closing and transition of the church is a difficult change, but "The Church with a Heart in the Heart of Benton Harbor" will live on in the hearts of many as new leadership, and a new congregation, take-up God's work at 292 Bellview at Pipestone Street.
Trinity UCC located at 400 West 95th Street is now going to take the helm at the oldest Benton Harbor Church. The following info is from their website provided simply as a service to those interested in knowing about the values and philosophy. Their website is located at: WWW.TUCC>ORG.
I was lucky enough to have encountered Reverend Richard H. Taylor (Rick) when organizing NISE Youth Support Task Force's "YOUTH DAY" I invited Rick Taylor to give an invocation and blessing as part of the opening ceremony of a day long celebration of sports, arts and fun activities as culmination of weeks of fun in the parks. Rev Taylor thanked God for fingers and toes we could all use for playing games and having fun...
I became a member of the First Congregational Church in the early 90s as a result of my involvement with Pastor Taylor and highly committed volunteers from that congregation at work in the neighborhoods repairing housing, working with youth through its summer program. My weeks of teaching Sunday School became vital to my understanding of the state of education in Benton Harbor- St Joseph. Teaching 4,5,6th graders from various backgrounds with everyone at different levels of skill and development was a huge challenge providing a small glimpse into the world of grammar school teachers. Serving on the Board of Trustees was a glimpse into financial planning and facility management, and capital fundraising on a close and intimate level. We raised enough to restore stonework, interior spaces, and artglass windows through the grace of God and the support of the greater community...
The First Church I joined was a special place made up of a small group of grey hairs and a few young families neighborhood kids and suburbanites. We all were blessed with a fantastic 1927 English Gothic Building with a few Art Deco flourishes. The Building was a large for the small group of us who met there, (aprox 125) but it was home to many who had been members all their lives and even their parents and grandparents lives. The gifts of a full carillon of bells known as the Children's Bells (from JN Klock), a large BF Skinner organ, great stained glass, theater/ gym, parlors and huge educational wing set this building apart from all church buildings of the time and even now. The Fillstrip, Klock, HS Gray, Elisha Gray, Banyon, Payne, Miller, and Gideon Families, and many others who all made major contributions to the city and building attended there.
Samaritan Center, Cathedral/Community School of the Arts, Twin City Area Literacy Council, Citizen's Mediation Services, NISE, National Association of Churches. and other important programs began there or had a special relationship with the church. Roosevelt Park was a gift of JN Klock to the city in order to open-up a view of the church to the city...
I was honored to be invited as a gay man to participate in holiday services there with my then partner as a family in the early 90's before any other community churches were "Open and Affirming". Along with people of all colors, economic backgrounds, gays and lesbians and bisexuals were welcomed into the family alike. We all worked together trying to enlarge the circle reaching out to no avail. As the neighborhood continued in its slide, and crack-houses and flop houses surrounded the church, the gray hairs became fewer and fewer and the young finding little in common with those left moved to other churches. Despite the work of a few to hold on the leaders became tired...
The closing and transition of the church is a difficult change, but "The Church with a Heart in the Heart of Benton Harbor" will live on in the hearts of many as new leadership, and a new congregation, take-up God's work at 292 Bellview at Pipestone Street.
Trinity UCC located at 400 West 95th Street is now going to take the helm at the oldest Benton Harbor Church. The following info is from their website provided simply as a service to those interested in knowing about the values and philosophy. Their website is located at: WWW.TUCC>ORG.
"We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian... Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent. We are an African people, and remain "true to our native land," the mother continent, the cradle of civilization. God has superintended our pilgrimage through the days of slavery, the days of segregation, and the long night of racism. It is God who gives us the strength and courage to continuously address injustice as a people, and as a congregation. We constantly affirm our trust in God through cultural expression of a Black worship service and ministries which address the Black Community.
The Pastor as well as the membership of Trinity United Church of Christ is committed to a 10-point Vision:
- A congregation committed to ADORATION.
- A congregation preaching SALVATION.
- A congregation actively seeking RECONCILIATION.
- A congregation with a non-negotiable COMMITMENT TO AFRICA.
- A congregation committed to BIBLICAL EDUCATION.
- A congregation committed to CULTURAL EDUCATION.
- A congregation committed to the HISTORICAL EDUCATION OF AFRICAN PEOPLE IN DIASPORA.
- A congregation committed to LIBERATION.
- A congregation committed to RESTORATION.
- A congregation working towards ECONOMIC PARITY."
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Musings From Benton Harbor
Benton Harbor-Saint Joseph was treated to a special treat on Saturday, May 5, 2007 in the form of a float in the Blossomtime Festival's Grand Floral Parade. There are few times in the cities' history when Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual persons have had such public visibility. The YWCA OUT & Affirmation Center's volunteers created a float representing all of us, LGBT or not, as a symbol of the tolerance guaranteed, but not always given by our constitution as citizens.
The resulting visibility must now be put to work creating opportunity for dialogue with old and new friends as we try to educate the community about our everyday lives. We are after-all not only friends, we're family, neighbors, co-workers, teachers, pastors, doctors, who have a legitimate place in the life of the community. Our needs for health care, safe and affordable housing, rewarding work, recreation and healthy family life are little different from others here in this area. We must educate the community about the lack of legal protection in housing, benefits, and employment other groups enjoy.
While we have lots to celebrate , we have much to do as we approach Pride Month in June...
The resulting visibility must now be put to work creating opportunity for dialogue with old and new friends as we try to educate the community about our everyday lives. We are after-all not only friends, we're family, neighbors, co-workers, teachers, pastors, doctors, who have a legitimate place in the life of the community. Our needs for health care, safe and affordable housing, rewarding work, recreation and healthy family life are little different from others here in this area. We must educate the community about the lack of legal protection in housing, benefits, and employment other groups enjoy.
While we have lots to celebrate , we have much to do as we approach Pride Month in June...
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