 |
|
|
|
Mammoth Lakes, CA
|
Monday, January 5, 2009
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special events abound during 39th annual Manzanar Pilgrimage |
|
|
Thursday, 24 April 2008 |
 A moving sight on day's end, April 28, 2007, at the cemetery obeliskPhoto by Tim May/Courtesy pbase.com
On Friday, April 25, the Independence Chamber of Commerce and the Friends of Eastern California Museum will host a public reception from 4-6 p.m. at the Eastern California Museum at 155 Grant Street in Independence. During the event, Keith Bright, a former Inyo County Supervisor and member of the 1992-2002 Manzanar Advisory Commission, will be honored for his many contributions to Manzanar. In addition, the Eastern California Museum will host special exhibits including the Shiro Nomura collection, Kango Takamura’s watercolors, and the new Anna and O.K. Kelly Gallery of Native American Life. The Eastern California Museum is open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Tuesdays.
The big event, however, is the Manzanar Committee’s 39th annual Pilgrimage, which starts at noon Saturday at the Manzanar Cemetery. The Pilgrimage includes guest speakers, an interfaith memorial service, and taiko drumming by UCLA Kyodo Taiko. This year’s Pilgrimage theme is “Continuing the Legacy.” Featured speakers are Dr. Arthur A. Hansen, Professor of History, California State University, Fullerton and co-author of Manzanar Martyr; Bruce Kaji, a former Manzanar internee; and Mickie Okamoto, President of the UCLA Nikkei Student Union. The afternoon program concludes with the traditional interfaith service and Ondo dancing. Park Rangers and volunteers will offer guided walks from the cemetery after the ceremony.
The "Manzanar At Dusk" (MAD) program, sponsored by the Manzanar Committee, Friends of Manzanar and Lone Pine High School, once again takes place from 4-7:30 p.m. at Lone Pine High School Auditorium in Lone Pine. The program will feature a special screening of Music Man of Manzanar, a short documentary film by Brian Maeda. The filmmaker, along with original members of the "Jive Bombers," will be in attendance for a brief question and answer period following the screening. MAD participants will then have the opportunity to interact with former internees and each other.
Manzanar History Association will host author Diana Meyers Bahr, author of The Unquiet Nisei: An Oral History of the Life of Sue Kunitomi Embrey and Viola Martinez, California Paiute: Living in Two Worlds. Bahr will sign her books Saturday from 10-11:30 a.m. and 2:30-4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-noon in the Interpretive Center bookstore.
On Sunday, April 27, and Monday, April 28, special guest docent and well-known Eastern Sierra fishing guide Cory Shiozaki will share stories, images and artifacts related to Japanese Americans who ventured out of camp to fish. On both days, he will present one hour talks beginning at 11 a.m. in the West Theatre of the Manzanar Interpretive Center. At 1 p.m. Sunday he will present a 90-minute talk and walk at the former Manzanar Reservoir. High clearance vehicles are required. At 1 p.m. Monday, Shiozaki will lead a walk to Bairs Creek, one of many internee fishing hole; meet in the bookstore lobby. Shiozaki will also be available to meet with visitors in the Interpretive Center both days from 3-5:30 p.m.
In addition to the exhibits and award-winning film, visitors are invited to experience Manzanar History Association’s “Selected Artists from the Henry Fukuhara Annual Alabama Hills and Manzanar Workshop” art show and sale through May 2 on the Interpretive Center stage.
On April 26, the National Park Service celebrates National Junior Ranger Day. Kids of all ages can receive a free Junior Ranger Activity Booklet consisting of a dozen activities that highlight Manzanar and the Owens Valley. While activities are targeted to children between the ages of four and 15, anyone is welcome to participate and earn a Junior Ranger badge and certificate.
With the exception of Friday’s reception and Saturday’s MAD program, all events will take place at Manzanar National Historic Site, located six miles south of Independence and nine miles north of Lone Pine, approximately 230 miles northeast of Los Angeles, off U.S. 395.
Nearly 400,000 visitors have experienced the Manzanar Interpretive Center since its April 2004 grand opening. The Interpretive Center is open daily from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Admission Call (760) 878-2194 or visit www.nps.gov/manz. -NPS
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 01 May 2008 )
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2009 The Mammoth Times All Rights Reserved
|
|
