Perry Sanford escaped from a Kentucky plantation, avoided slave catchers and ended up in Battle Creek. He was one of the African-American pioneers to begin a long, rich history in this city that was a major station on the Underground Railroad and home to activist Sojourner Truth. There are a number…
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Sojourner Truth was a dynamic voice for abolition and suffrage. She was able to escape slavery, went to court to save her son and spent time helping African Americans transistion into post-slavery life after the Civil War. She was born into slavery and given the name Isabella in about 1797. It…
Read MoreThey say most new year resolutions fail by February. But that doesn’t mean you should give up just yet. “Maybe instead of trying to change everything at once -- because that is overwhelming -- maybe it’s just changing one thing at a time,” Dr. Lori Zettell said. Dr. Zettell founded Outside the Box…
Read MoreSparkles and feats of strength were on display in Kellogg Arena over the weekend of February 14th. It’s the 25th year of the Cereal City Classic. The event has been happening long enough that kids who once competed as gymnasts are back as coaches. “We’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to see…
Read MoreWhat happens when the trade show is over, and there’s still ice cream left over? It goes to prom. Last weekend, the Great Lakes Ice Cream and Fast Food Association donated ice cream to the St. Philip High School sophomore class. Jacob Thome, the sophomore class president at St. Philip High School…
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Calhoun County was an important stop on the Underground Railroad, as African Americans made their way to Canada. Marshall and Battle Creek were known to be welcoming places and a number of African Americans decided to settle here instead of leaving the country. They still had to contend with slave…
Read MoreWelcome to Battle Creek! Here’s the visitors guide to Battle Creek for gymnasts, parents and officials. THINGS TO DO If you need to kill an hour Walk around downtown Battle Creek. You can start at the Welcome Center. Tony the Tiger thinks a selfie with him would be Grrrrrrrrreat! We also have…
Read MoreAbraham Lincoln’s birthday is Feb. 12. While you get your log cabin cake ready, keep in mind there’s a larger-than-life Lincoln on display. A. Lincoln is a portrait made entirely out of pennies. It’s in the Lincoln Room, found at 32 W. Michigan Ave. By the numbers It took 24,500 pennies to create…
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Oak Hill Cemetery (255 South Ave.) contains many voices from Battle Creek’s past, including Sojourner Truth and the Kellogg brothers. But some of the most interesting stories come from ordinary people who lived through extraordinary times. Perry Sanford escaped slavery in 1847 and made it to a safe…
Read MoreAlbion was once known as “Little Detroit,” because of its industrial jobs and diverse culture. Like many old factory towns, Albion is going through some reinvention right now, which includes a new brewery, bakery and hotel. But the history of “Little Detroit” can still be found in displays around…
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