'Cultivating Community:' Celebrating cultural diversity in Branch County

Rosalie Currier, Coldwater Daily Reporter
·3 min read

BRANCH COUNTY — For being a rural community, Branch County is culturally diverse.

“Cultivating Community” celebrates that diversity and hopes to help residents learn more about their neighbors. It’s a way to “talk over the back fence,” so to speak.

Community leaders Christine Delaney, Kris Jenkins and Erica Hemmiger collaborated and invited other groups to support the community-wide cultural celebration of art, music, dance, speakers, book, conversation, food and community service.

"Cultivating Community" activities began in September and will continue through October at various venues in the area.

Branch County Pride Festival opened Sept. 10, followed by KARAMA: An Arab World Music & Dance Celebration, Sept. 17 at Tibbits Opera House. "Hoptoberfest" was held Sept. 30 on Monroe Street in Coldwater as a tribute to local German heritage with Sister City Soltau, Germany. At 2 p.m. is a Hispanic heritage music show at Tibbits Opera House, featuring Daniel Oropeza and Celestina y Los Sanchez.

Still to come

Safe Zone, 6-8 p.m. Oct. 7 at Tibbits, is an opportunity to learn about the LGBTQ+ community, examine prejudice, assumptions, learn pronouns and learn the meaning of gender X.

Pow Wow Exhibition will be 7 p.m. Oct. 8 at Tibbits, with the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi. It will offer a Native American cultural experience through a narrated exhibition of drums and dance. Tickets are available at tibbits.org.

Yemeni Community Event is set for 4 p.m. Oct. 16 at Tibbits. Members of the local Yemeni community will share their culture and music.

Food

Culinary arts students at Branch Area Careers Center are offering "Global Cuisine" 5-7 p.m. Oct. 20. It is a tasting event of international food prepared and served by students. They will have four stations — Mexican, Asian, Middle Eastern and desert. No reservations necessary.

Coldwater Area Chamber of Commerce has planned A Taste of Branch County, complete with a food passport. On weekends in October, several restaurants will be offering a cultural cuisine special.

Diners can pick up a Cultivating Passport at Coldwater Area Chamber of Commerce or any participating restaurant:

  • Bill’s Grill House serving European cuisine: Oct. 8-9.

  • Broadway Grille, a German favorite: Oct. 15-16.

  • Tasteful Kreations in Bronson will offer Polish food: Oct. 26-27. It is a take-home food venue. Meals must be ordered at facebook.com/tastefulkreations by Oct. 20 and picked up 3-6 p.m.

  • JT’s is serving Italian Oct. 28-29

Coldwater restaurants, El Taco Loco, Los Tequilas, El Cerrito, Super Grand Buffet, Mancino's and Mr. Gyros; and Azteca Mexican in Bronson, serve cultural cuisine so patrons can have their passport stamped at any time. More Taste of Branch County details are coming at tinyurl.com/mpf3pzvf.

Education

Educators are playing a role in Cultivating Community. On Oct. 14, Coldwater Community Schools and Branch Intermediate School District staff will learn more about building an understanding of the Muslim community.

At Kellogg Community College Grahl Center, 5-7 p.m. Oct. 26, a student panel representing diverse cultures will share their experiences and perspectives.

Ongoing events include:

  • "America the Beautiful" exhibit featuring art by local and regional artists of all ages will be on display at the Tibbits art gallery.

  • Arab American Museum exhibit at KCC Grahl Center is open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

  • "StoryWalk," at Branch District Library branches, will offer the opportunity to explore the pages of an oversized picture book.

  • Fiber Arts Textiles Trunk show at Union Township Branch of Branch District Library will display embroidery styles of various cultures, including Native American, Amish and folk art.

Cultivating Community is sponsored by Aira of Coldwater, Branch County Community Foundation, Branch District Library, Branch Intermediate School District, Branch Pride, City of Coldwater, Coldwater Area Chamber of Commerce, Hope Cafe and Kellogg Community Center Grahl Center.

— Contact reporter Rosalie Currier at rcurrier@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: 'Cultivating Community' campaign explores diversity in Branch County