Are you looking for a fun way to volunteer? Become a Michigan History DayR Judge! We need the help of educators and community members with an interest in history to serve as judges at the Michigan History DayR State Finals competition. The State Finals will be held in Bay City on April 28, 2018, at the Bay City Central High School and will involve a full-day time commitment. The most important quality for a judge is enthusiasm for interacting with students. Judges should have a lively interest in history but do not need a professional history background. HSM provides training for how to judge the History Day entries, and new judges will be placed on teams with seasoned veteran judges to evaluate participants' entries and provide constructive feedback to students. <http://hsmichigan.org/mhd/judges/> Visit our website for more information The History of Groundhog Day The first Groundhog Day was celebrated on February 2, 1887. Groundhog Day has its roots in the ancient tradition of Candlemas, when candles were blessed and distributed for the winter - the candles represented how long and cold the winter would be. Germans expanded on this concept by selecting an animal-the hedgehog-as a means of predicting weather. Once they came to America, German settlers in Pennsylvania continued the tradition, although they switched from hedgehogs to groundhogs. It's Time to Submit Your U.P. History Award Nominations! Each year, the Historical Society of Michigan presents two awards at the Upper Peninsula History Conference: the Charles Follo Award for individuals and the Superior Award for historical organizations based in the Upper Peninsula. Do you know an individual or historical organization that has done marvelous things to preserve and promote the history of Michigan's Upper Peninsula? For individuals, please consider nominating that person for the Charles Follo Award, which is presented to the individual who has made the most outstanding contribution to the preservation and promotion of U.P. history. For historical organizations, please consider nominating them for the Superior Award, which recognizes historical societies, museums, and other historical organizations that have preserved and advanced U.P. history. <http://hsmichigan.org/programs/awards/upper-peninsula-history-awards/> To nominate an individual or historical organization, visit our website to download the nomination form! <http://www.hsmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Michigan-in-Perspectiv e-online.pdf> It's time to register for the 60th annual Michigan in Perspective: The Local History Conference! Join hundreds of Michigan history fans at one of the largest Michigan history conferences of the year! Friday & Saturday, March 23 & 24, 2018 Sterling Heights, Michigan <http://www.hsmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Michigan-in-Perspectiv e-online.pdf> Click here to download the brochure for more information and session descriptions. <http://www.hsmichigan.org/conferences/local-history-conference/registration /> Go to online registration. Michigan in Perspective: The Local History Conference is held annually in the Wayne/Oakland/Macomb tri-county area and is open to anyone interested in state or regional history. _____ The Historical Society of Michigan is our state's oldest cultural organization, founded in 1828 by territorial governor Lewis Cass and explorer Henry Schoolcraft. A nongovernmental nonprofit, the Society focuses on publications, conferences, education, awards and recognition programming, and support for local history organizations to preserve and promote Michigan's rich history. _____ For more information on the Historical Society of Michigan, please visit <http://www.hsmichigan.org/> www.hsmichigan.org or e-mail us at <mailto:hsm@hsmichigan.org> hsm@hsmichigan.org. _____ The Historical Society of Michigan 5815 Executive Dr. . Lansing, MI 48911 Phone: (517) 324-1828 . FAX: (517) 324-4370 <https://hsmichigan.org/store/donate/make-a-donation/> Looking for a historical and fun way to learn more about Michigan's history? Attend one of our upcoming History Skills Workshops! Upcoming Workshops: February 16 - Fading Photos: How to Identify, Scan, Restore, and Archive Historical Photographs March 2 - Selling History: Operating a Museum Store March 7 - The Do's and Don'ts of Successful Grant Writing Special Off-Site Workshop in Coloma March 9 - Keeping Cemeteries Alive! Preserving Headstones and Monuments <http://hsmichigan.org/programs/workshops/> See the full line-up on our website! Sniff out some history with History Hounds! "The Worst Colonel I Ever Saw": Francis Quinn and the Battle of Shiloh Wednesday, February 14 7 p.m. Colonel Francis Quinn of Niles led the 12th Michigan Infantry into action in the Battle of Shiloh, but his incompetence led to disaster. Michigan Governor Austin Blair dubbed Quinn "The worst colonel I ever saw." Come hear about Quinn and his command in one of the war's bloodiest battles. <http://hsmichigan.org/programs/history-hounds-lecture-series/> Interested in attending? Learn more on our website! Upcoming Events From Our Members The Grand Rapids Public Library presents "Wagoosh: The Fox, Louis Campau," Thursday, February 8, in Grand Rapids. The Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society presents "Vintage Valentines Open House," Sunday, February 11, in West Bloomfield Township. <http://www.hsmichigan.org/calendar/> For more calendar events, see our website! Interested in featuring an event or exhibit on HSM's online calendar and eNews? We are always looking to support our member organizations, and one of the ways we show support is in advertising your events and exhibits. Have an exhibit or event you'd like promoted? <http://www.hsmichigan.org/calendar/event-submission/> Feel free to submit your listing via our online calendar registration form here. This e-mail is sent to our members and friends to keep you updated on historical activities and opportunities to learn more about our state's history. To opt-out, please respond to this e-mail with "remove" in the subject line.