Community Calendar

The Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference gathers full-time farmers, home-scale growers, and the farm-curious to explore growing practices, business skills, and community collaboration.

Join us for the 2026 conference in downtown Bellaire, which includes farm tours at Providence Organic Farm and Daybreak Dreamfarm, a screening of Farming While Black, a keynote from Rosebud Bear Schneider, and two days of sessions covering a wide array of topics.

What kind of conundrum does a landscape painter find herself in when the landscape changes? If it is threatened by development? If it is challenged by climate change? Three, well-known, Northern Michigan landscape painters will explore these questions during Trouble In Paradise: The Landscape Painter’s Conundrum, a panel discussion on October 4, 11 am at the Glen Arbor Arts Center.

Artists Margo Burian, Lori Feldpausch and Stephanie Schlatter have all come up against things that trouble and alter the landscape. Do they feel constrained by the expectation they can only create works that showcase the region’s natural beauty? What does it mean to be known as a landscape painter only to deviate from that topic into territory not as scenic? What does it mean to be a landscape painter when the landscape is under siege? Ignore it? Deny it? Make some noise? During the October 4 program, the artists will talk about these questions, as well as their thinking about using their work to take on political issues.

Pictured: Clouds Building, oil, Lori Feldpausch

Celebrate the Leelanau Peninsula’s rich farm heritage with Ruby Ellen Farm’s annual Fall Festival Fundraiser, Sunday, October 4th, 12 noon to 4pm.

Fun, free, family activities, museums highlighting farm life/families; demonstrations of cider pressing, rope making, wood turning, fiber arts; plus petting zoo, antique
vehicles, hiking trails, gardens, marketplace and gift shop.

Farm-style pig roast meal from 1-2pm, ($25/adults, $10/kids), and bake sale followed by the now
famous baked goods auction at 1:45pm.

Step into Ludington’s past and celebrate the rich lumber heritage that helped build our community during Ludington Lumber Days, a fall festival weekend packed with lumberjack-inspired fun, history, music, and adventure for all ages.

Get ready to celebrate the best of autumn at the 6th Annual Bread Lady Pumpkin Party, happening Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Hosted by the local micro-bakery, The Bread Lady, this highly anticipated event is moving to a spacious new location this year on the TCH GEAR property in Interlochen (1899 Rogers Rd, Grawn).

It is a completely free, fall festival designed to give local families a beautiful, memorable afternoon of wholesome fun without having to spend a fortune.The festival is packed with classic fall activities for all ages, including horse-drawn wagon rides, old-fashioned hand-dipped beeswax candle making, live music by Jesse Jefferson, pumpkin painting, and free face painting.

Guests can also look forward to seasonal treats like fresh-pressed hot apple cider, caramel apples, and pumpkin doughnuts. Built entirely on the generosity of local volunteers and a dedicated community shirt fundraiser, this grassroots celebration captures the true spirit of Northern Michigan togetherness.

Everyone is welcome to come out, grab a treat, and stay awhile.

Paul DeLange, president of the Helena Township Historical Society and Alden Depot Museum will be presenting a pictorial history of the Tyler addition to the northern Alden area, circa 1900.

Sponsored by Alden District Library and held at Helena Township Community Center, 8751 Helena Rd, Alden, 231-331-4318.

Come hang out with us for live music. We'll be serving wine, seasonal cocktails, cider, coffee, and tapas-style small plates to share. Bring your crew or show up solo — Dune Bird is that kind of place.

This is a free event — no reservation required. Seating is first come, first served.

Please check our social media for the most up-to-date event information.

This gentle movement practice brings peace and tranquility to your day and moves energy and circulation in the body, helping ease pain and strengthen our muscles, joints, bones and spirits.

Led by instructor Flora Biancalana, this class is very approachable for all experience and mobility levels. The class is done standing, or in a chair, and does not require any special equipment or ability.

Suggested Donation: $10/class

The Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference gathers full-time farmers, home-scale growers, and the farm-curious to explore growing practices, business skills, and community collaboration.

Join us for the 2026 conference in downtown Bellaire, which includes farm tours at Providence Organic Farm and Daybreak Dreamfarm, a screening of Farming While Black, a keynote from Rosebud Bear Schneider, and two days of sessions covering a wide array of topics.

Date: Monday, October 5, 2026
Time: 12:30 pm–4:30 pm
Registration Deadline: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Location: Glen Arbor Arts Center Classroom
(no oil media, maximum of 12 students)
Skill: Beginner to Intermediate

Celebrate Polish Heritage Month and discover the beauty of Wycinanki, the traditional Polish folk art of hand-cut paper design. In this fun and creative workshop, you’ll have the option to personalize one of the instructor’s samples—no two are ever alike—or design your own original composition. Using layers of colorful paper, scissors, and modern tools, you’ll explore the patterns, symmetry, and storytelling that define this time-honored art form. Along the way, you’ll learn key techniques and design principles, as well as a bit of the fascinating history and cultural significance behind Wycinanki. Whether your inspiration comes from nature, heritage, or imagination, your finished piece will be uniquely yours—ready to mat, frame, and proudly display. This hands-on experience blends tradition with creativity, offering a meaningful connection to Polish folk art and a fresh appreciation for the artistry of paper cutting.

Objective: Skill Development, Creativity Enhancement

Outcome: Creation of Artwork, Inspiration and Creativity