Community Calendar

Join us Friday, November 21 at Gilbert Lodge at Twin Lakes for an evening of lively music and joyful dancing! Sway, spin, and step your way through contras, squares, and line dances to live music.

Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or brand new to the floor, all are welcome. Friendly guidance will be provided by Pat Reeser of the Bayside Travellers, with a special beginner’s lesson starting at 6:30 PM to walk through the basics.

No experience or partner necessary—just bring your enthusiasm and dancing feet!

Suggested donation: $10–$20 to help support our musicians and venue. Everyone is welcome, regardless of ability to pay.

Torch Area Artisans Guild (TAAG) is sponsoring their annual Art and Craft Show on Nov 22, 2025 from 9am-3pm. Event will be at Helena Township Hall, 8751 Helena Rd, Alden. There will be quality arts and crafts for sale by area artisans. TAAG has a lovely Quilt to Raffle and will host a Bake Sale.

Lunch will be available and periodic door prizes awarded donated by the vendors.

No Entry Charge.

Find us on facebook.com/TorchAreaArtisansGuild

The 19th Annual Mancelona Community Craft Show will be taking place on Saturday, November 22 from 9am - 3pm at Mancelona Elementary School (231 W Limits, Mancelona MI 49659).

Embrace the season's spirit and discover a treasure trove of unique handmade craft, delightful treats, and festive joy with over 70 vendors!

Skip the big box stores and shop local this season! Discover one-of-a-kind art and gifts from Michigan artists at Crooked Tree Arts Center’s Holiday Art Market—where creativity meets holiday spirit.

From November 8 thru December 13, enjoy our indoor art market, holiday workshops, and two weekends of pop-up artist booths!

HOURS
Tuesday - Friday | 11am - 5pm
Saturday | 10am - 4pm

Women's March Traverse City will host a food and clothing drive to benefit Jubilee House and Grace Episcopal Church Food Pantry at Grace Episcopal Church)

All donations will directly help our homeless and hungry neighbors in and around Traverse City.

Warm clothing, blankets, Warm socks, gloves, hand warmers, personal hygiene, and easy, nutritional food to prepare food.

Please see our FB page (search: Women's March TC) or FB event page for more information or call Monica at 231-325-6812.

Financial donations will also be gratefully accepted.

Come see Luke Winslow-King wsg/ Graham Parsons in concert at the Cadillac Elks Lodge.

Gopherwood Concerts is a small 501c(3) nonprofit group located in Cadillac, MI, whose goal is to bring quality musical entertainment to everyone in the area.

For more information about this show, call (231)846-8383 or visit the Gopherwood Website at gopherwoodconcerts.org . Gopherwood concerts is affiliated with and funded by the Cadillac Arts Council.

Something To Smile About: Mixed Media Paintings By Carol C Spaulding

Leelanau County artist Carol C Spaulding brings Something To Smile About, a small group of new mixed media paintings, to the Glen Arbor Arts Center’s Lobby Gallery. The exhibition runs September 2 - December 17.

Working intuitively, Spaulding combines cut-paper collage with exuberant painting. She creates lively compositions in a bright, uplifting palette, full of expressive lines, inserting an array of delightful marks and icons. “I like to begin with an open mind and a playful attitude,” Spaulding said.

Something To Smile About may be viewed in the Lobby Gallery or online, GlenArborArt.org / EXHIBITS.

The GAAC is open:
Monday - Friday, 9 am - 3 pm
Saturday and Sunday, noon - 4 pm

The Glen Arbor Arts Center’s 2025 Small Works Holiday Exhibition is an annual showcase of 2D + 3D work that offers small, original art at affordable prices, $150 or less. The exhibition is November 5 – December 17, 2025, and features more than 100 works of art, 12” x 12” or smaller, by 19 artists working in glass, mixed media, collage, needlework, paper, paint, clay, and photography.

PREVIEW WEEK: Preview Week is November 5 - 13. Leisurely peruse the artwork online or in the Main Gallery. Small Works objects will be available for purchase at the Grateful Gathering on November 14, 6 - 8 pm. Artwork purchases continue through December 17.

GRATEFUL GATHERING: Enjoy holiday refreshments, and morsels while perusing the exhibit. In addition, the GAAC’s Art Wish List returns. Visitors can donate a wish to help with the GAAC’s year-round programming.

The 2025 Small Works exhibitors are: Michele Aucello, Sarah Bearup-Neal, Mark Bowyer, Mercedes Bowyer, Frank Clements, Lauren Everett Finn, John Huston, Claudia Keglovitz, Jessica Kovan, Cynthia Marks, Alice Moss, Nori Obata, Steb Prieto, Shana Robinson, Pam Spicer, Amy Stevens, Nina Tarr, and Judy Wieske.
View the Small Works exhibit online beginning November 5. For more information go to GlenArborArt.org / EXHIBITS.

Celebrate the Holiday of Hope by donating blood in the Program Room of the Glen Lake Library.

Appointments are preferred. To set up an appointment call 866.642.5653 or click here to schedule online

Walk-ins are welcome as the schedule allows.

As a thank you, all attempting donors with a valid email will receive a $25 e-gift card.

The weekend kicks off from 4-6 p.m. Friday Nov. 28 with the Habitat for Humanity Festival of Trees, a silent auction of trees, wreaths and table decorations, at the Benzie Area Historical Society. Everyone is invited to visit the museum for free, enjoy the decorations, and participate in the silent auction, which raises funds for affordable housing in Benzie County. Bidding will continue from 12-6 p.m. on Saturday, and 12-3 p.m. on Sunday. This year all bidding will be online. To register to bid or learn more about the affordable housing efforts, visit benziehabitat.org.

From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday Nov. 29 the Benzonia Public Library welcomes all ages to make a commemorative ornament for 2025. This activity is free and all supplies, and some snacks, are provided by the Friends of Benzonia Public Library.

At 6 p.m.Saturday the Mills Community House hosts opening night of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, adapted by Joseph Robinette from the novel by C. S. Lewis, and presented by the Mills Community House Association and the Benzie County Players. The performance runs approximately 90 minutes, and a suggested donation of $15 is gratefully accepted at the door to cover expenses. There will be a second performance at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30. More information is available at millscommhouse.org.

Following the Saturday performance, at 8 p.m., the community is encouraged to gather in Academy Park to light a Christmas tree, sponsored by our local Family Fare. Musical entertainment, and free snacks and hot cocoa will be provided. Several smaller trees, sponsored by local businesses and families, will also be lit in the park and in front of those businesses. These trees are made possible by the Crystal Lake Community Business Association and Scout Troop 10, who have for years placed trees at Beulah and Benzonia businesses.

In between activities, the Benzonia Planning Commission hopes residents will participate in Small Business Saturday, a national initiative to encourage shopping at small and local businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The Roadhouse Restaurant and Hilltop Soda Shoppe will have special holiday-themed treats and specials available.

For all the details about activities and a full list of sponsors, a program book will be available beginning Friday, Nov. 28. The book can be picked up at Hilltop Soda Shoppe, the Benzie Area Historical Society, the Benzonia Public Library and Nugent Ace Hardware.