Oct. 14, 2005

The Michigan Historical Center is now taking reservations for the Odyssey 2005 All-Star Celebrity Gala, taking place from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Michigan Library and Historical Center in Lansing.

Proceeds from the event – which includes the presentation of the Odyssey Award to four educators who excel at teaching Michigan history – are used to expand the Michigan Historical Center's award-winning education programs, which reach more than 70,000 Michigan students every year.

"You don't want to miss this unforgettable evening of fun and fantasy, which helps Michigan's future leaders discover our state's rich heritage," said Michigan Historical Center Foundation Board Chair Deb Muchmore.  "This special event is also our way of honoring the dedicated, outstanding teachers who bring Michigan history to life for their students."

Guests at the Odyssey 2005 All-Star Celebrity Gala will have the opportunity to:

• Stroll under the spotlights, down the red carpet and through the "Walk of Fame"
  
• Meet and have photos taken with impersonators of Michigan celebrities Madonna, Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross
  
• Dance to music performed by Global Village
  
• Bid on silent-auction items such as Detroit Pistons tickets, a weekend at Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel, and a golf or ski package for two
  
• See the presentation of the 2005 Odyssey awards
  
• Get a sneak preview of the new "A Soldier's Life" exhibit coming to the Michigan Historical Museum, which explores the daily lives of troops who lived at various Michigan forts over the last two centuries
  
• Enjoy an array of hors d'oeuvres, Michigan beer and wine, and a martini bar
  
• Have a caricature drawn

Tickets for the event are $100 per person.  For more information or to make reservations, visit www.michigan.gov/odyssey or call (517) 373-2565.

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern are co-chairs for the Odyssey 2005 All-Star Celebrity Gala.  Jane Aldrich of WLNS (Channel 6) and Kip Bohne of WSYM (Channel 47) will serve as the evening's emcees.

Odyssey Award recipients, who will each receive a plaque and $500, were selected based upon their depth of knowledge about Michigan history, creativity in teaching Michigan history and demonstrated leadership in helping others learn about Michigan history, both in their local school district and in the community.  This year's winners are Jennifer Goedtel of Shroeder Elementary School in Troy, Jessica Reder of Floyd Elementary School in Midland, Michele Vandervelde of Sand Lake Elementary School in Sand Lake, and Thomas Wiltse of Sterling Elementary School in Carleton.

Event sponsors include: AFT Michigan Art Craft Display, Ahptic, Auto Body Credit Union, Clark Farms, Clark Properties, Classic Wines, d/s Events, DeRoy Testamentary Fund, General Motors, Global Village, Ingham Regional Medical Center, the Majority, Larry Meyer and the Michigan Retailers Association, Michigan Brewing Company, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Mid-Michigan MRI, David C. Morris, Muchmore, Harrington, Smalley and Associates, Inc., Old Country Caterers, Shirley Pasant, Preston Cartoon and Design, and State Employees Credit Union. The Host Committee includes W. K. Kellogg Foundation, Patrice and Grady Merritt, Keith and Jane Molin, Deborah and Dennis Muchmore, Mr. and Mrs. William C. Rands III, Dulcie and Norman Rosenfeld, Congressman John "Joe" Schwarz, and Mr. and Mrs. Jonathon T. Walton.

The Michigan Historical Museum is located inside the Michigan Library and Historical Center, 702 West Kalamazoo St., Lansing (two blocks east of M.L. King Jr. Boulevard). There will be valet parking for the Odyssey event.

The Odyssey 2005 All-Star Celebrity Gala is presented by the Michigan Historical Center Foundation (MHCF).  The MHCF is the private, not-for-profit organization that raises private donor funding for the history education programs of the Michigan Historical Center, an agency of the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).  Dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity, HAL also includes the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Library of Michigan, the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.  For more information about HAL, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.