By Staff
There is still time to nominate famous Niles residents for The Michigan Walk of Fame. Nominations can be made through Dec. 2 at www.michiganwalkoffame.com. The Michigan Walk of Fame was created to honor Michigan residents, past or present, who have contributed significantly to the state, nation or world. The nomination process is open to all current and former state residents.
The Michigan Walk of Fame will feature bronze plaques embedded in the sidewalks of downtown Lansing, Michigan's capital city. Each plaque will display information about the inductee's life and contribution.
Listed below are some Niles residents who might be appropriate for nomination in each of the six categories.
Information about each of the nominees comes from Once Upon a River: A Children's History of Niles which was recently published by the library and the Fort Saint Joseph Museum. The book is available for purchase at the library for $15.00.
Arts and Entertainment: Tommy James moved to Niles when he was 11 and still thinks of it as his home town. In 1960, James was working at WNIL radio station that he, along with The Shondells, made their first record, “Hanky Panky,” which would become a big hit two years later.
Business and Industry: Aaron Montgomery Ward lived in Niles from age nine to 17. His name became famous throughout the country when he revolutionized retail business with the invention of the mail order catalog.
Civic and Community Leadership: Jan Van Vliet's contribution to abolition was brief, but brave. For several months during 1845 she published The Star of Freedom and used the newspaper to inform her readers about the evils of slavery.
Medicine, Science and Technology: Frederick Bonine, born in 1863, was a famous eye doctor. He graduated from Niles High School and practiced at 126 East Main Street after graduating from the University of Michigan Medical School. His unique treatment for cataracts drew people from around the world.
Athletics and Recreation or Education and Literature: Ringgold “Ring” W. Lardner's unique career qualifies him for nomination in either of these categories. The Athletics and Recreation category includes, among other things, sports writers and journalists. Education and Literature includes, among other things, creative writers. Lardner was all these things. Perhaps Niles most famous native son, Lardner was born in Niles and graduated from Niles High School. He was a sports reporter and columnist for the South Bend Tribune and the Chicago Tribune, among other newspapers. His short stories about bush-league baseball appeared in the Saturday Evening Post. Lardner has a place of honor in baseball and literary history.
The first 12 inductees, two in each of the six categories, will be unveiled during Michigan Week, May 20-26, 2006.
The nomination process is open to all interested people and/or organizations and Michigan residents are strongly encouraged to make a nomination.