http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/militerarymap en 2008-08-18T22:33:00+00:00 http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/militerarymap/penn_william_s/ March 21, 1949 - Place of Birth:  Los Angles, CA Place of Principle Residence:  East Lansing, MI Biography: William S. Penn was born in Los Angles, CA in 1949.  Throughout his life he has lived in many regions of the U.S., as well as in England.  In 1971 he graduated from the University of California with an A.B. and an M.A., and in 1979 graduated with his Doctorate of the Arts from Syracuse University.  He has taught the State University of New York, Pace University, and Hostos Community College before becoming a professor at Michigan State University, giving courses in oral tradition, comedy and cultural survival, literature of the Americas, and creative writing.  Penn has published fiction, essays, and reviws, drawing inspiration from his urban mixed blood Nez Perce heritage.  He has received numerous awards, including the New York Foundation for the Arts Prize, and the Distinguished Faculty Award from Michigan State University.  Penn lives in East Lansing, MI with his wife Jennifer and has two children: Rachel Antonia and William Anthony.  Selected Works:         The Absence of Angels (1994)         All My Sins Are Relatives (1995)         Killing Time with Strangers (2000) Awards:         1970 Departmental Citation for the Outstanding Undergraduate in English         1977, 1979 Stephan Crane Prize in Fiction         1979 Michael Alssid Prize         1979 University Research Fellowship         1979 Departmental Citation for Distinguished Work         1982 Honorable Mention, James B. Phelan Awards         1983 Montalvo Center for the Arts Fellowship         1983 Yaddo Fellowship         1984 Finalist, Iowa School of Letters Award for Short Fiction         1985 Supporting Grant, Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation         1987 Finalist, P.E.N. Nelson Algren Awards         1988 New York Foundation for the Arts Prize         1988 All University Research Initiation Grant, Michigan State University         1990 Michigan Council for the Arts Grant         1991 Nominated for Pushcart Prize         1994 North American Indian Prose Award, University of Nebraska Press, All My Sins are Relatives   All University Research Completion Grant, Michigan State University         1996 Critic’s Choice Award for the Most Acclaimed Books of 1995-96, All My Sins are Relatives         1997 Native American Writer of the Year in Non-fiction, Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers         1998 Native American Editor of the Year, Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers         2000 American Book Award for Literary Merit, Killing Time with Strangers         2003 Writer of the Year in Creative Prose, Wordcraft Circle, Feathering Custer   Distinguished Faculty Award by Michigan State University Critical Reception: For All My Sins Are Relatives: “All My Sins Are Relatives is both a beautifully wrought memoir and an important addition to the body of critical writing on Native American literature. The book is demanding in its sometimes dense prose and complexly developed images and ideas, but it yields rich rewards. “All good stories contain in themselves something about the act of storytelling or storywriting ... and usually a discoverable awareness of this aesthetic.” By Penn’s own definition, All My Sins are Relatives is a good story, and one of the pleasures of reading it is the depth and clarity with which he expresses this aesthetic.” - Jeanne Rosier Smith, Professor of American Literature at Seton Hall University “What more can be said about a book that has to be read to the end in order to get to the beginning? That Killing Time with Strangers is unlike any novel you have read before? Or perhaps that it is agonizingly familiar, giving us glimpses of a young man finding his precarious way in life? But when the power of dreaming is unleashed, time becomes negotiable and life’s joys and sorrows go up for grabs. And as sure as yellow butterflies will morph into Post-It notes, you will know you have experienced a new and utterly captivating way of looking at the world.” - The University of Arizona Press Relevance of Place to Author’s Work: Penn draws on his ethnic heritage to serve as a professor at Michigan State University.  He has taught courses in oral tradition, comedy and cultural survival, Literature of the Americas, and creative writing, all of which play a role in his writing.    Essayists, Novelists, Southeast: Region Six, Short Story Writers 2008-08-18T22:33:00+00:00 http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/militerarymap/peck_william_h/ October 2, 1931 - Place of Birth: Place of Principle Residence: Biography William H. Peck was born to Mildred and William Peck in Savannah, Georgia.  He attended Ohio State University and Wayne State University, graduated from the latter in 1961 with a Master’s Degree.  Employed by the Detroit Institute of the Arts in 1960, Peck started as a curator in the education department and began a lifelong study on art and Egyptian history.  Over the years, Peck has composed articles for journals, books, dictionaries, and encyclopedias, in addition to authoring his own books on Ancient Egypt and the history of the Detroit Institute of the Arts.  The duration of his research has also led him to work as a field archaeologist with New York University and the Brooklyn Museum at Egypt excavations, and to give lectures across the United States.  Peck now works as the senior curator for the Detroit Institute of the Arts and lives with his wife, Mildred, in Detroit and has four children: Alice An, Sarah, Louise, and William.  Selected Works:       Splendors of Ancient Egypt (1997)       Fann al-rasm ‘inda qudama’al-Misriyin (1987)       Drawings from Ancient Egypt (1978) Awards:     1962 Ford Motor Co. of England - Travel Grant     1971 American Research Center in Egypt Fellowship     1975 Smithsonian Instution Travel Grant     1985 Wayne State U. Award in the Arts for Distinguished Alumnus Critical Reception For Drawings from Ancient Egypt: “The attractive book under review with its sixteen colour plates and 132 monochrome illustrations of drawings on ostraka, papyri, walls, and ceramics is likely to appeal to art-lovers who find it hard to come to terms with the impersonality of monumental Egyptian art. A brief introduction by Cyril Aldred explains the context of these scattered works, and William Peck provides a survey and informative commentaries of the illustrations. Here one’s only regret might be that the indications of measurements—so relevant in many cases—are relegated to the list of plates at the end of the book.” - The Gombrich Archive Relevance of Place to Author’s Work: Peck has been employed at the Detroit Institute of the Arts since 1960.  Besides using his experience there to study, write, and educate, he has also authored a book on the history of the Detroit Institute of the Arts.    Historians, Non-fiction Writers, Southeast: Region Six 2008-08-18T22:22:00+00:00 http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/militerarymap/peterson_wilfred_arlan/ August 21, 1900 - June 2, 1995 Place of Birth:  Whitehall, MI Place of Principle Residence:  Grand Rapids, MI Biography: Wilfred Arlan Peterson was born to Peter and Elsie Peterson in Whitehall, MI.  He graduated from Muskegon High School and took extension coursed from Michigan State University and the University of Michigan.  From 1928 to 1965 Peterson worked as a creative direction and vice-president for Jaqua advertising, and in addition served on the advisory board for Sunshine Magazine and the editorial board of Science of the Min Magazine.  His inspirational essays first appeared on the “Words to Live By” page of This Week Magazine in 1960, which was in 42 metropolitan Sunday newspapers, reaching over 13 million readers.  Shortly after Peterson published his first book, The Art of Living, which quickly turned into a series.  Eventually William J. Nicholas, editor of This Week Magazine, recorded Peterson’s first book into an album.  In the course of thirty-seven years Peterson published ten books, which were translated into six different languages.  His work was said to “save marriages,” and many readers affectionately esteemed him.  Between 1970 to 1980 Peterson’s essays were made into greeting cards, calendars, and gift books and appeared in Hallmark stores.  Peterson was married to his wife for fifty-eight years, before she passed away.  He attributed her to being the inspiration of his books.  For the majority of his life, Peterson lived in Grand Rapids Michigan, and had one daughter, Lilian. Selected Works:       The Art of Creative Thinking (1991)       The Art of Living Day by Day (1972)       The Art of Living (1961) Awards:       1958 George Washington Medal, Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge       1963 Silver Medal Award, Advertising Federation of America, National Advertising Man of the Year Critical Reception: “One of the best loved American writers of the 20th century, renowned for his inspirational wisdom and aphoristic wit.” - Independent Publishers Group For The Art of Marriage: “[The] most frequently recited English-language wedding poems and one of the greatest odes to matrimony. It embodies the sentiments, the ideals, and the love to which any marriage aspires. The memorable simplicity of its language makes the poem a touchstone for all couples, both at the start of a relationship and after the blessings of a lifetime in love.” - Souvenir Press Relevance of Place to Author’s Work: Peterson spent all of his life in Michigan, living the majority of it in Grand Rapids, MI.  Non-fiction Writers, Midwest: Region Three, Poets 2008-08-18T22:13:01+00:00 http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/militerarymap/parker_virginia_bailey/ September 25, 1947 - Place of Birth:  Chillicothe, OH Place of Principle Residence:  Canton, MI Biography: Virginia Bailey Parker was born to Virginia and John Bailey in Chillicothe, Ohio.  She graduated with an AA degree from Henry Ford Community College in 1967 and a BA in history from Michigan State University in 1969.  After earning her MS degree in historic preservation at Eastern Michigan University, Parker took additional graduate credits at the University of Michigan on heritage interpretation.  Parker started off as a history teacher at Crestwood High School before becoming a professional writer and lecturer.  She has led many workshops, including business and writing workshops at Ford Motor Company at various universities.  In addition to writing and lecturing, Parker owns Snowy Creek Press that publishes books and offers a wide variety of writing and editing services, professional development seminars, and special projects including writing company histories.  During her writing career she has researched and written about local folklore and has written many articles for magazines and newspapers.  Her book The Water’s Edge won two national awards, including Book of the Year award from ForeWord magazine.  She currently lives in Canton, MI with her husband Donald Parker. Selected Works:       The Water’s Edge (2001)       An Oral History of Our Community (1995)       Canton Township: A Community in Transition (1991) Awards:       1995 Historical Society of Michigan Award of Merit for Canton Memories       1995 Historical Society of Michigan Award of Merit for Crossroads of Canton       1998, 1999 Managing editor of Michigan Psychiatric Society Newsletter when publication received two Certificates of Honorable Mentions and an Award for             Five Years of Continued Excellence from the American Psychiatric Association       1997 Nominated for a national Oral History Association Media Award for the archival video series, Canton Memories Critical Reception: For The Water’s Edge: The author has done her homework with this novel, which is filled with good historical research. And although this book is by no means something I would label feminist literature, it certainly has an underlying theme on the plight of seventeenth century English women, such as the fact that midwives were licensed by bishops because childbirth was considered more a religious matter than a medical one—and, even worse, that any midwife discovered doing anything to ease suffering during childbirth would have her license revoked. Highly recommended.   - The Historical Novels Review Magazine of the Historical Novel Society Relevance of Place to Author’s Work: Parker has devoted much time and energy into researching the local folklore of Canton, MI where she currently resides.  In addition she has earned degrees in history, historical preservation, and heritage interpretation at Michigan universities.   Historians, Non-fiction Writers, Novelists, Southeast: Region Six 2008-08-18T22:01:01+00:00 http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/militerarymap/pokagon_simon/ 1830 - 1899 Place of Birth: Indian village on St. Joseph River, near or on Indiana border, Berrien County, MI Biography: Simon Pokagon was born to Elizabeth and Leopold (famous Potowatomi chief) Pokagon in Berrien County, MI.  He was educated at Notre Dame University and Oberlin College, and throughout his life became known as the best educated full-blooded Indian in North America.  He served as the chief of the Potowatomi tribe and spent much of his life convincing his fellow Indians to educate themselves and integrate into other cultures, as well as campaigning for Indian rights and trying to get payment for the land his father sold to the US government.  Pokagon met with President Lincoln twice and smoked a pipe-of-peace with President Grant, both with the purpose of receiving payment for his tribe.  When he attended the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893, Pokagon was outraged to discover that no American Indian had been asked to serve in any official position at the World’s Fair when dignitaries came from all over the world to attend.  He wrote a defense entitled The Red Man’s Greeting, that was originally published on birch park and sold by Indians at the exposition before being picked up by the Chicago Press, reviewed by the National Press, and quoted in journals in England in Europe.  This defense brought world fame to Pokagon, and paved the way for more of his work, including defense and persuasive pieces.  The Chicago mayor asked Pokagon to be the keynote speaker for Chicago Day at the Exposition, where thousands arrived to hear Pokagon speak.  He wrote ten articles for The Forum, Harper’s, The Chautauguan, Review of Reviews, and The Arena on topics including the future of the Indian, problems of race, Indian legends, and the Fort Dearborn Massacre.  In addition to his articles, Pokagon wrote one book, Queen of the Woods that reflected on his early courtship with his wife, Londinaw, using nature to express ideas and abstract thought.  Pokagon died in 1899. Selected Works:       The Red Man’s Greeting (1893)       The chi-kog-ong of the red man (1897)       Algonquin Legends of South Haven (1900) Critical Review: “He was a man of great moral strength. His appetites and passions were always under control of an awakened conscience. There was also something of the woman’s tenderness and sweetness in a nature that could be stern when wrongs were to be denounced. He was a poet, orator and philosopher. In his creations there not infrequently flashed forth much of the fire and impassioned the great chieftains of the Algonquins, and which not infrequently suggest the old prophets of Israel when they fearlessly denounced wrong and justice. With his death there passed from view one of the noblest children of the red race – a man whose life, thought and deeds proved how closely akin are the noble natures of all races, ages, and times.”   - Literary Digest Relevance of Place to Author’s Work: Pokagon’s book, Queen of the Woods, included much imagery on nature, as well as his love for the forest woodlands of Michigan.  As chief of his people, Pokagon tirelessly campaigned for their rights, especially in receiving payment for their land. Essayists, Non-fiction Writers, Novelists, Southwest: Region Five 2008-08-18T21:50:00+00:00 http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/militerarymap/peeradina_saleem/ October 5, 1944 - Place of Birth:  Bombay, India Place of Principle Residence:  Adrian, MI Biography: Saleem Peeradina was born to Noorunnisa and Habib Peeradina in Bombay, India.  He graduated from St. Xavier’s College with a BA in 1967, a MA at Bombay University in 1969, and another MA at Wake Forest University in 1973.  After earning his Masters degree, Peeradina worked several jobs in Bombay, including as a director at Sophia College for Women and a copywriter for Hindusthan Thompson Associates.  In 1989 he moved with his family to teach English at Siena Heights College in Adrian, MI.  Peeradina has published several books of poetry, including First Offence in 1980 and Group Portrait (1992).  He has given readings across the world, and draws inspiration for his poetry from his life in Bombay.  Peeradina lives in Adrian, Michigan with his wife and has two children: Shoneizi and Lail.  Selected Works:       First Offence (1980)       Group Portrait (1992) Awards:       1983 British Council Writer’s Grant       1971 Fulbright Travel Grant Critical Reception: For The Ocean In My Yard: This unmissable honesty, coupled by the lure of tender nostalgia, takes the reader on a pleasant cruise to the past. There are no tempestuous adventures along the route, but one is unlikely to miss them. A great fan of old Hindi melodies, Peeradina sang his favourite from Awara at the book launch: “Dum bhar tho udhar muh phere, oh chanda… Main unse pyar kar loongi, batein hazar kar loongi.” As you read The Ocean... you want the tumultuous present to look the other way, for a while, and allow us the pleasure of a brief banter with a lyrical past.         - The Hindu (India’s National Newspaper) Relevance of Place to Author’s Work: Saleem Peeradina has taught English at Siena Heights College since 1989.     Novelists, Poets, Southeast: Region Six 2008-08-18T21:41:00+00:00 http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/militerarymap/perry_rachel/ October 2, 1974 - Place of Birth:  Pontiac, MI Place of Principle Residence:  South Lyon, MI Biography: Rachael Perry was born to Barbara Alban and Thomas Perry in Pontiac, MI.  She attended Michigan State University, where she worked for The State News, during which the newspaper won two consecutive Pacemaker Awards, one while Perry was editor-in-chief.  After graduating in 1996 with her B.A. in Journalism, Perry went to graduate school at Bowling Green State University, and in addition to her studies taught undergraduate workshops, worked as the technical editor for The Mid-American Review, and received a Devine Fellowship.  In 2000 she graduated with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing.  Perry’s work has appeared in many publications, including Our Working Lives, StarQuartedly, and Heyden’s Ferry Review.  She recently released her first novel, How to Fly: a collection of short stories.  Perry lives in South Lyon, MI with her husband, Steve Showerman, and her daughter, Grace. Selected Works:       How to Fly (2004)       Short stories in Quarterly, Elysian Fields Quarterly: The Baseball Review, Hayden’s Ferry Review, Confrontation, River City, Driftwood Review, South Dakota Review, and New Delta Review      Awards:         July 2004 Best Book Award for Fiction by the Center for Great Lakes Culture at Michigan State University Critical Reception: For How to Fly: “Although Michigan native Rachael Perry wrote most of these short stories while working in Germany, they are very much of the Midwest, whether they be her account of the lonely carpenter who sees an extraordinary event turn into an almost mythical experience, or of the outsider who literally falls in love with a lake. This collection is highly recommended for venturesome readers.” - The Dallas Morning News “Perry is an important up-and-coming writer who explores the lives of the people of the Great Lakes region in sensitive and perceptive ways.” — The Center for Great Lakes Culture at Michigan State University “Within these fifteen stories, Rachael Perry gives her readers many wonderful characters that will remain with them for some time. They will do so, not because of some monumental achievement, or due to some unbecoming physical trait. Instead, these characters will remain with her readers because they do what each of us wishes we had the gumption to do - they are comfortable with being themselves, and with following their dreams, no matter their individual little quirks.” - Emerging Writers Network “The heroes—healers, ice sculptors, visionaries, rainmakers—of Rachael Perry’s brave stories move gently through a mythic, transcendental Michigan, always earnest, always encircled by a murmuring public. Their hearts practically crack their chests with longing. A wonderful, whimsical collection by a writer with a palpable skill for the English language.” — Anthony Doerr, author of The Shell Collector Relevance of Place to Author’s Work: Perry drew inspiration for her collection of short stories, How to Fly, from growing up in Michigan.  The book revolves around fictional individuals in the Great Lakes Region.  In 2004 the novel won the Best Bok Award for Fiction from the Center for Great Lakes Culture at Michigan State University.    Novelists, Southeast: Region Six, Short Story Writers 2008-08-18T21:28:00+00:00 http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/militerarymap/pittman_philip_mcmillan/ April 6, 1941 - April 20, 2007 Place of Birth:  Detroit, MI Place of Principle Residence:  Cedarville, MI Biography: Philip McMillan Pittman was born to Sally and Lansing Pittman in Detroit, MI.  In 1963, Pittman graduated with an A.B. in English literature, and a Ph.D. in English literature from Vanderbilt University in 1967.  Between 1967 and 1968 Pittman worked as an assistant professor of English at the University of Victoria, and then as an associate professor at Marshall University from 1968 – 1980.  Upon his retirement, Pittman moved to Cedarville, MI with his wife, Margaret, and became an author, editor, publisher, and historian.  He was actively involved in his community, and published several books on his historical research, including Don’t Blame the Treaties: Native American Rights and the Michigan Indian Treaties.  He died on April 20, 2007, survived by his wife and three children: Philip McMillan III, Mary Christine, and Noel. Selected Works:       Fishing the King Salmon in Michigan’s Northern Waters (1992)       The Portrayal of Life Stages in English Literature (1989)       The Les Cheneaux Chronicles: Anatomy of a Community (1984) Awards:       AASLH Award, 1986 Critical Reception: Pittman was the recipient of the AASLH Award, and was included in several biographical books. Relevance of Place to Author’s Work: Pittman was actively involved in his community, serving as president of the Les Cheneaux Historical Association, member of Les Cheneaux Islands Association, and board member of Little Travers Conservancy.  He used his retirement and involvement in local historical activities to pursue a career as a historian, publishing his research.   Historians, Non-fiction Writers, Southeast: Region Six, Upper Peninsula: Region One 2008-08-18T21:19:01+00:00 http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/militerarymap/porter_phil/ January 29, 1953 - Place of Birth:  Grosse Pointe, MI Place of Principle Residence:  Cheboygan, MI Biography: Phil Porter was born to Lorone and William Porter in Grosse Pointe, MI.  During his youth, Porter and his family spent summers at their home on Mackinac Island where Porter’s life-long interest in the region began.  During his summers at college, he worked as a uniformed guide at Fort Mackinac.  In 1974, Porter graduated from Kenyon College with a BA, and in 1975 he graduated from the State University of New York with a Masters in History Museum studies.  Porter has worked for the Mackinac Island State Park for over thirty-one years, serving as a curator of collections, curator of interpretation, and most recently was appointed director of the Mackinac Island State Park.  He is considered an authority on the history of the Mackinac region and has published several books on the subject.  In addition, Porter serves on the board of trustees of the Michigan Museums Association and the City of Cheboygan Historic Resources Commission.  Porter lives in Cheboygan, MI and has five children: William, Joseph, Susanna, Katherine, and Elizabeth. Selected Works:       The Eagle at Mackinac, the Establishment of United States Military and Civilian Authority on Mackinac Island, 1796-1802 (1991)       View From the Veranda, the History and Architecture of the Summer Cottages on Mackinac Island (1981) Critical Reception: Porter is considered the authority on the history of Mackinac Island, and has received attention for his books on the subject. Relevance of Place to Author’s Work: Most of Porter’s life has been spent on Mackinac Island.  Ever since a young boy he has involved himself in the region, and for over thirty years has worked for the Mackinac Island State Park.  All of his work is revolved around the history of Mackinac Island.   Historians, Non-fiction Writers, Southeast: Region Six, Upper LP: Region Two 2008-08-18T21:05:00+00:00 http://www.calvin.edu/weblogs/militerarymap/pahz_james_alon/ September 11, 1943 - Place of Birth:  Chattanooga, TN Place of Principle Residence:  Shepherd, MI Biography: James Alon Pahz was born to Abraham and Katherine Goldfeder in Chattanooga, TN.  He attended Ohio Wesleyan University for three years before switching to Tennessee Temple and graduating with his B.A. in 1967.  In 1972 he received his M.S. degree and in 1975 his M.P.H. degree, both from the University of Tennessee.  Pahz started as a director for the Comprehensive Service for the Deaf, and subsequently served as a coordinator for the Tennessee School of the Death, and then a teaching assistant in Public health at the University of Tennessee.  Pahz ended up moving to Sheperd, MI with his wife Cheryl, where he now is a professor in public health education.  Pahz has co-written several books with his wife, most of which concern deaf awareness.  In addition, Pahz and his wife started an adoption agency, Children’s Hope, helping families surpass the difficulties of international adoption.  Pahz has three children from Honduras and has done much traveling abroad. Selected Works:       The Girl Who Wouldn’t Talk (1975)       Robin Sees A Song (1977)       Total Communication : The Meaning behind the Movement to Expand Educational Opportunitties for Deaf Children (1978) Awards:       1999 Community Service-Learning Award   Certificate of community service from Chattanooga Area Council on Alcoholism and Other Substance Abuse Relevance of Place to Author’s Work: Pahz currently works as a professor in public education at Central Michigan University.  He is actively involved in his community, raising awareness for handicaps and helping families adopt internationally.  Many of his books concern his passion for helping others.     Non-fiction Writers, Midwest: Region Four 2008-08-18T20:52:00+00:00