Community Calendar

National Alliance on Mental Illness offers support groups for families and individuals living with a mental health challenge. Groups are confidential, free and no registration is required.

Email info@namigt.org or call 231-944-8448 for more information.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Bureau of Aging, Community Living, and Supports, is tasked as the State Unit on Aging with developing and administering a Multi-year State Plan on Aging that provides goals and objectives related to assisting older residents, their families, and caregivers under the Older Americans Act. MDHHS is seeking input on the experiences of older adults living in Michigan.

Community Conversations are being held throughout the state and here in Traverse City on
Friday, October 31, 2025, at 9:00am to discuss the needs of older adult residents. The goal is to learn about the individual and community needs and experiences of those age 60 and older so programs and services are better able to support the health and wellbeing of Michigan's older adults and caregivers.

Please RSVP to the Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan at (800) 442-1713 or (231) 947-8920.

Community Conversation Location:
Michigan Works Conference Center
1209 S. Garfield Road
Traverse City, Michigan 49686

Northern Michigan Woman Magazine invites women of all ages to come together for a day of inspiration, learning, and connection at the NoMiWoman Wellness Expo, happening Saturday, November 1, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Kirkbride Hall in Traverse City.

This open-house style event celebrates all things wellness — body, mind, and spirit. Guests can explore a variety of local vendors, meet wellness experts, sample products, and take part in experiences designed to refresh, recharge, and reconnect.

“We wanted to create a space where women could discover new ways to care for themselves and feel supported by their community,” says Kerry Winkler, founder of Northern Michigan

Woman Magazine. “Northern Michigan has so many talented women who are passionate about helping others live well — this event is a chance to bring them all together in one inspiring place.”

Tickets are just $5 in advance (or 2 for $10), and $10 at the door.

The NoMiWoman Wellness Expo is a wonderful opportunity to connect with local businesses, enjoy a few hours of “you time,” and walk away with fresh ideas for self-care and living well in every season.

For tickets, visit www.northernmichiganwoman.com.

PAINTING WITH WOOL:
Felted Sunset
NOVEMBER 1, 2025
SATURDAY
1 - 4 pm

REGISTER BY: October 30

CLASS FEE: $50 or $45 for Members​

This class is a fun beginner friendly introduction to needle felting. Painting with wool teaches two-dimensional needle felting, using wool fibers as "paint" to create art on fabric. Participants will create a two dimensional work of art crafted from wool. Students are encouraged to bring a photo they would like to use for reference (landscapes, or a favorite pet for example). Needle Felting is a very forgiving fun medium. Come stab your stress away, and bring home a piece of art!

All materials will be provided.

For the November meeting of the Grand Traverse Humanists, Dr. Daniel Zielinski will present an update on the Traverse City FishPass Project. Dr. Zielinski is the principal engineer and scientist with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and project lead on the FishPass project.

National Alliance on Mental Illness offers support groups for families and individuals living with a mental health challenge. Groups are confidential, free and no registration is required.

Email info@namigt.org or call 231-944-8448 for more information.

The League of Women Voters of Leelanau County is presenting a public forum at noon on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, entitled "Federal Dollars & Rural Healthcare: What's Ahead for Our Region? From a panel of four, find out how budget cuts in the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill will impact our region's healthcare services, including our rural hospitals, mental health services, the Indian Health Service and more.

Our rural healthcare system is heavily dependent on Medicaid and Medicare. The OBBB includes significant Medicaid cuts as well as cuts to subsidies for private insurance. We all need to understand and prepare for the cuts ahead. The panelists include Ed Dolan, an economist with the Niskanen Center who will give an overview of the OBBB cuts nationally, and their expected impact in our region; Gabe Schneider, director of Governmental Relations for Munson Healthcare; Greg McMorrow, a board member of Northern Lakes Community Mental Health; and Mari Rafael, an RN from the Tribal Health Services. The public is invited. You are welcome to bring a sack lunch and non-alcoholic drink of your choice.

For more information, go to the League's website: www.lwvleelanau.org

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 noon – League of Women Voters of Leelanau County Public Forum - “Federal Dollars & Rural Healthcare: What’s Ahead for Our Region?” - Leelanau County Government Center 8527 E Government Center Drive, Suttons Bay.

Find out how budget cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) will impact our region’s healthcare services, including our rural hospitals, mental health services, the Indian Health Service and more. Our rural healthcare system is highly dependent on Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance subsidies and the cuts in the OBBB will dramatically impact the financial landscape for our health services. We all need to understand and prepare for the cuts ahead.

Panelists:

• Ed Dolan, an economist with the Niskanen Center, who will give an overview of the cuts in the recently passed OBBB and their expected impact in our region.
• Gabe Schneider, director of Governmental Relations for Munson Healthcare
• Greg McMorrow, a board member of Northern Lakes Community Mental Health
• Mari Rafael, an RN from Tribal Health Services

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League of Women Voters of Leelanau Countylwvleelanau@gmail.com

The League of Women Voters is a national, political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in their government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. The League is non-partisan and as an organization does not endorse or oppose candidates or political parties.

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.

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!