Community Calendar

Play in your pajamas! The children's program room will be open for ages 0-5 and their caregiver(s) for an evening of play. This is a great opportunity to connect with each other, play with some different toys, and look at and check out library books.

Recurring every Tuesday and Thursday 6/2-8/27 5:30-6:45pm

This presentation features Stephen D. Tongue, author of Lanterns & Lifeboats – A History of Thunder Bay Island and takes a deeper look into the “cradle” of Alpena’s history. It is co-hosted with the Thunder Bay Island Lighthouse Preservation Society (TBILPS).

Beginning with the voyage of Le Griffin in 1679, Thunder Bay Island has provided shelter along Lake Huron’s rocky shore. Lanterns and Lifeboats connects the history “above the water line” with Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary’s efforts to preserve and interpret the area’s fascinating underwater archaeology. Tongue will give an overview of the island’s fascinating connection to our rich Great Lakes maritime heritage.

Those who venture to remote Thunder Bay Island today will find remarkable features such as:

- The second oldest lighthouse still standing on Lake Huron
- Remains of a lifesaving station that assisted in the rescue of over 1000 lives
- A coast littered with the remains of numerous shipwrecks
- Limestone rock carvings dating back to the 1800s
- Evidence of a fishing colony that was home to the earliest settlers
- Rare flora and fauna which thrives in the island’s unique “alvar” ecosystem

Steve’s book is for sale in The Sanctuary Store inside the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. Also, TBILPS will be gifting special anniversary stickers to attendees.

“The Sanctuary Presents” is a monthly community outreach event hosted by Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. They are free, educational, and a great way to get into your sanctuary.

Step back in time at the Port Oneida Fair and experience life as it was in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Imagine the life of the pioneers as you help bale hay or watch a broom-maker at work. Learn about spinning, basket weaving, soap making, butter making, candle dipping, and fur trapping. Listen as park rangers and local history experts share the area's history. Watch as teams of oxen and horses cut, load, and haul hay and artists and craftsmen demonstrate their skills.

Arrive anytime between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. Most people spend 3-4 hours at the fair.

All programs are free with a valid park entrance pass. Passes may be purchased at the Phillip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire, Michigan, and cost $25 (per vehicle) for seven days, $45 for an annual Sleeping Bear Dunes pass, or $80 (or less) for the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands pass series.

Step back in time at the Port Oneida Fair and experience life as it was in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Imagine the life of the pioneers as you help bale hay or watch a broom-maker at work. Learn about spinning, basket weaving, soap making, butter making, candle dipping, and fur trapping. Listen as park rangers and local history experts share the area's history. Watch as teams of oxen and horses cut, load, and haul hay and artists and craftsmen demonstrate their skills.

Arrive anytime between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. Most people spend 3-4 hours at the fair.

All programs are free with a valid park entrance pass. Passes may be purchased at the Phillip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire, Michigan, and cost $25 (per vehicle) for seven days, $45 for an annual Sleeping Bear Dunes pass, or $80 (or less) for the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands pass series.

Play with the toys on Monday! This is a great opportunity to connect with each other, play with some different toys, and look at and check out library books. Drop-in between 10:00am and 11:30am or stay the whole time.
This program is best for ages 0-5. Siblings and children of all ages are welcome.

Recurring every Monday from 6/1-8/31 10-11:30am.

MIDLAND MAN SCOUTS

Second and fourth Monday of each Month
7:00 – 8:30 pm / $8 each day - Let us know you are coming!
Jan 12
Jan 26
Feb 9
Feb 23
March 9
March 23
April 13
April 27
May 11

WHAT: Men developing camaraderie and a social network through participation in a variety of tasks and challenges.

HOW: We will meet up to chat and pick tasks, challenges, competitions to complete. For instance, we might task each member to write one sentence about their life each day for fourteen days. At the next session, members share what they completed. We might challenge everyone to pick one health related behavior and do that for two weeks, reporting back to the group. The competition will obviously be arm wrestling. Group members will be encouraged to plan and participate in mutually beneficial outings.

Let’s show this loneliness epidemic who is boss!

With Eric Beasley, Ph.D., Sociology Michigan State University. Eric has been a professor for many years and likes improv, yoga, comedy, basketball, and guitar, along with whatever you're interested in! Send any questions, suggestions, one-liners, etc. to Eric at beasle23@msu.edu.

What's included
Chatting, bonding, and fun challenges!

Play in your pajamas! The children's program room will be open for ages 0-5 and their caregiver(s) for an evening of play. This is a great opportunity to connect with each other, play with some different toys, and look at and check out library books.

Recurring every Tuesday and Thursday 6/2-8/27 5:30-6:45pm

Please Attend this FREE Presentation given by independent researcher Charles A. Koehler jr. about his new and original research on ancient lost native trails in Cheboygan, Otsego and Montmorency Counties Michigan. He has been researching native trails that were drawn on the original survey maps by John Mullett and William Burt in 1837 to1850. Charles has gone into the field and completely relocated two trails totaling 17 miles. Conducted an Archeological survey, updated the 1850 map to 2024 and G.P.S. mapping. Charles through difficult detective work has been able to find enough evidence in science, Aboriginal antiquities and the archeology of the environment in Northern Lower Michigan's history to date 1 trail back to 7,000 B.C. Come and see the evidence for yourself of this ancient native mother of all trails in this area.

Wednesday, August 12 / 7:00 - 8:00 pm / Ages 15+ (12+ with a guardian) / $5 / BYOB

We have ukuleles! We have an engaging instructor! Bring your own beverage and we'll have you strumming chords and singing together in no time.

If you have a ukulele, bring it! Come even if you already play!
This will be an evening of fun and camaraderie.

Instructed by Gloria Heye. Reservations strongly suggested.

Play in your pajamas! The children's program room will be open for ages 0-5 and their caregiver(s) for an evening of play. This is a great opportunity to connect with each other, play with some different toys, and look at and check out library books.

Recurring every Tuesday and Thursday 6/2-8/27 5:30-6:45pm

The Little Traverse Historical Society is holding its annual fundraiser, a Corn Roast Cookout, on Friday, August 14 at the museum on the Petoskey Waterfront. The menu includes: roasted corn, brats, hot dogs, coleslaw, potato salad, tomato salad, watermelon, and brownies. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.

Saturday, Aug 15 / 7:00 – 8:00 pm / Let us know you are coming!
No charge! · BYOB

Anyone can do Improv - and here's your chance to give it a try! Join Improv 360 coach Ariel Rak and other Improvers as we play games, make new friends, and just generally have a blast. No experience needed - just come ready to have fun.

Play with the toys on Monday! This is a great opportunity to connect with each other, play with some different toys, and look at and check out library books. Drop-in between 10:00am and 11:30am or stay the whole time.
This program is best for ages 0-5. Siblings and children of all ages are welcome.

Recurring every Monday from 6/1-8/31 10-11:30am.

Play in your pajamas! The children's program room will be open for ages 0-5 and their caregiver(s) for an evening of play. This is a great opportunity to connect with each other, play with some different toys, and look at and check out library books.

Recurring every Tuesday and Thursday 6/2-8/27 5:30-6:45pm

Wednesday, August 19th / 7:00 – 8:30 pm / $5 covers materials / BYOB

Let’s explore watercolor together as both an individual and community mindfulness practice. Watercolor is the perfect medium to teach us how to let go of perfection, to continue when things aren't going exactly as planned, to appreciate one another's creative journeys, and to find flow.

The focus is on the journey rather than the outcome. This is not a class with a teacher, but rather an experience of creativity in community. Zero experience or "artistic ability" strongly encouraged. This experience will create a welcome space for all who wish to participate.

Space is limited. Please preregister.