Community Calendar

Please join us at the NMC Library on Thursday, January 29th from 4:30 to 6:30 PM as we celebrate Black History Month, diverse characters, and the power of reading to break down barriers at our Fifth Annual Embrace the Dream Read-Aloud & Craft Night!

This is a completely FREE event with no registration necessary and children ages 3-12 are invited to READ, CRAFT & get a FREE BOOK!

Parents can join in on the fun or find a space in the building to relax while the kiddos hang out with us, reading and getting crafty!

For more information, please contact the NMC Library by phone at 231-995-1060 or by email at library@nmc.edu.

The morning begins with a refreshing snowshoe through the vineyard — crisp air, scenic views, and just enough movement to earn that well-deserved glass of wine. Afterward, guests will warm up inside with a glass pour from Aurora Cellars, seasonal soup, fresh bread, and cozy conversation.

“Snowshoe first. Wine after. It’s all about balance,” says Northern Michigan Woman Founder Kerry Winkler. “This event is about enjoying winter in a way that feels fun, relaxed, and to make the most of our snowy season!”

The open-house style gathering allows guests to move at their own pace — whether that means hitting the trail right away or heading straight inside for warmth, wine, and connection. The atmosphere is welcoming, lighthearted, and perfect for women looking to enjoy a winter morning that feels refreshing, social, and fun.

Tickets include one glass of wine, soup, warm bread, light nibbles, and access to the vineyard snowshoe trail. Tickets are $35 each or 2 for $50, and space is limited.

For tickets and details, visit northernmichiganwoman.com or contact kerry@northernmichiganwoman.com.

Join Crooked Tree Arts Center of Traverse City for a thoughtful and engaging conversation with selected artists from the upcoming Between Us exhibition. Each artist will share the personal lens through which they interpreted the theme—connection, distance, and the many spaces (emotional, physical, or imagined) that exist between people, places, and moments.

Hear directly from the artists about the inspiration behind their work, the stories woven into their pieces, and the creative processes that brought their ideas to life. From concept sketches to final touches, this talk offers a behind-the-scenes look at how meaning is built layer by layer.

You don’t need to be an artist to enjoy this conversation—just bring your curiosity. It’s a wonderful opportunity to gain deeper insight into the exhibition, connect with the makers, and experience the artwork in a new light.

Enjoy a bit of Michigan’s finest winter magic at the Pure Ludington Brrrewfest, returning to our quaint lakeshore town on January 31.

This is a sure cure for the winter blues: Put on your warmest long underwear, wrangle your friends and hustle to Legacy Plaza for an afternoon of sipping! Here, you will find a heated tent, a rockin’ stage, and crafters from 20 Michigan breweries. Sample beer, cider, wine and mead from 1-6 p.m. Proceeds from this event benefit Friends of the Ludington State Park, a non-profit volunteer group that cares for the local park. The Friends group adds programs, activities and volunteer support where needed for items not traditionally funded by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Why are we so divided?

Why do Americans living in the city and the country experience politics as a battle between “us” and “them”?

In Rural Versus Urban: The Growing Divide That Threatens Democracy, co-authors Suzanne Mettler and Trevor Brown write that America’s deep political division now pervades every state in our country.

Event Details
Doors open at 1:30 p.m. with live music, and the conversation begins at 2 p.m. This event includes a Q&A session and an author signing immediately following in the lobby.

Content Rating

Unless otherwise noted, NWS events are designed for adult audiences and may not be suitable for children.

The Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network (ISN) is partnering with the Bay Community Theatre to bring the community an independent film with a message all Go Beyond Beauty program and environmental supporters can all get behind - gardening for the planet (and habitat) in mind! While this 58 minute documentary is based out of the southern Midwest, most plant species mentioned and overall film ethos are applicable to us northerners.

A portion of ticket sales will be generously donated to ISN from the Bay Theatre. Full concessions and ISN fundraising merchandise will be available for purchase - with some surprise freebies for attendees - as well as free outreach and handouts to go along with the film!

Buy tickets ($15) to the February 1st 4pm showtime at the Bay's Box Office: https://thebaytheatre.org/box-office

Stop in during our craft pop-up to make your special someone a unique Valentine card or booklet.

All supplies and assistance provided. RSVP.

What is Soup and Bread? It’s simple. Local restaurants donate soup. You come, eat, and pay what you want. All money raised goes to a local non-profit.

November: Planned Parenthood
December: North Sky Raptor Sanctuary
January: FLOW For Water
February: Jubilee House
March: Women's Resource Center

Participating Restaurants include: Bubbies Bagels, Cooks House, S2S, Umbo, Modern Bird, Black Star Farms, Common Good Bakery, Identity Brewing, and Farm Club

Free, peer-led mental health support groups:

*NAMI Family Support (Mondays at 6pm. Online and in-person at HBA, 3040 Sunset Ln. See website for zoom link.)

*NAMI Connection Group (Mondays at 6pm. Online, see website for zoom link)

Join us for a five-part conversation series hosted by Derenda Lefevre of Open Your Eyes To Access (OYETA). These conversations will focus on centering disability stories, the history of disability in our communities, and provide opportunities for non-disabled people to learn about disability, ableism, and what it means to embrace accessibility and equity in our community spaces. Refreshments will be served and continuing education hours offered.

#1 Your Lens On Disability: At this first conversation we’ll set our gathering agreements, begin to build relationships, introduce the learning arc for this series, explore our individual lens on disability, and learn from a disability activist.