Community Calendar

Join us--first thing in the morning--a new book club in collaboration with the Grand Traverse County Senior Center Network. We will talk about books, authors, read excerpts, maybe even have an author visit! Anything goes with this new book club, we set the rules together, you just show up and we will stay golden together.

For Immediate Release: October 25, 2025
Contact: Christi Bardenhagen 231-883-0071
https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/11601313

On Veterans Day, we remember and celebrate the brave men and women who risked their lives to
defend our way of life. We honor these veterans’ courage and sacrifices. Give the gift of life in
honor of a veteran you love. Donate blood on November 6 from 12:30 to 5:00 pm in the Lower Level Community Meeting room of the Leelanau County Government Center. Click on the URL code above or call 866-642-5663 to make an appointment. You can also visit versiti.org/mi. Walk-in donors are also welcome.

NAMI-GT is calling all bingo enthusiasts! Benefit Bingo is happening at Lil Bo on Thursday November 6th, 5-8pm.

For a suggested $5 donation, you'll get a bingo card and the chance to support a great cause. All donations go directly towards supporting the mission of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Grand Traverse. Their mission is to provide hope, support, education and advocacy for those living with mental health conditions and those who care for them.

So come one, come all! Bring your family and friends for a night of fun, snacks, and drinks. We’d love to see you there!

Army Veteran David Taylor will share the story of famed Civil War military units from Michigan, including the famed Company K of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters.

The program will be followed by a short business meeting.

Fifty years after the fateful sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, the National Writers Series welcomes New York Times bestselling author John Bacon to the City Opera House to discuss his new book, “The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”

Drawing on over 100 interviews with the families, friends, and former crew mates of those lost, The Gales of November is the definitive account of the ship’s role in Great Lakes’ shipping, the lives of her sailors, her fateful sinking, and the heartbreaking aftermath for those left behind. Haunting and captivating, “The Gales of November” indulges readers in the mysteries still circling in the waves of Lake Superior after the famous wreck and honors the lives of those lost.

“The wreck of the Fitzgerald has long fascinated and frustrated storytellers. Now, at last, the story is deftly and deeply explored by John U. Bacon in this terrific, gripping account.” —Jonathan Eig, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for King: A Life

Bacon will take the stage on November 6th to uncover the mysteries of the Edmund Fitzgerald. The event will begin at 7 PM and includes Q&A and an author signing.

In-person and virtual tickets for this not-to-be-missed glimpse into the past are available at nationalwritersseries.org! Be sure to grab yours today!

The Leelanay County Historic Preservation Society will present their recent documentary film Saving the Barn: the Leelanau County Poor Farm. The film relates the history of this important landmark and the dedicated effort to preserve the barn.

YOU ARE INVITED!!! RED KETTLE KICKOFF EVENT FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2025, 9:30 AM TO 10 AM, Tom's Food Market - West Bay!

Please join us for the announcement of our 2025 Red Kettle Goal, live Christmas music, Cookies and Cider, ribbon cutting with Traverse Connect Ambassadors, and SANTA!!!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Step into the spirit of the season at the Dennos Museum Center’s cherished Holiday Artist Market—a festive, two-day indoor event celebrating the creativity of 30 talented Michigan artists. Set within the museum’s Sculpture Court and Milliken Auditorium entryway, this juried marketplace offers an inspiring experience for art lovers and holiday shoppers of all ages.

Browse original, heartfelt artwork and handcrafted goods, indulge in treats from a local specialty food vendor, and explore the Museum Store’s Holiday Corner, brimming with artisan-made ornaments, holiday cards, and perfect stocking stuffers. Don’t miss the popular holiday raffle, with prizes donated by participating artists—all proceeds support educational programming for children. Admission is free for all!

Learn more about the participating artists at shop.dennosmuseum.org.

Join us for a vibrant celebration of Indigenous art and culture at the Jordan River Arts Council. This exhibit builds on the success of our 2023 show, showcasing contemporary visual and performing arts rooted in the traditions of Native Peoples from Northwest Michigan. Featuring a diverse array of media, the exhibition honors Indigenous voices and creative excellence. Small works by participating artists are also available for purchase in the JRAC Gift Shop. Featured artwork is "Spirit Lodge" by Gary Andress

Exhibit is open everyday from 12:30-4:30pm.

SHAKE YOUR GROOVE THING and GET DOWN ON IT to raise funds for the Grand Traverse Ski Club! We're bringing the funky stuff with a delicious retro-inspired dinner, far-out 70s vibes and a dance floor hotter than a disco inferno! Proceeds benefit the Grand Traverse Ski Club in efforts to make skiing accessible.