Almanac

Join ISN and the Grand Traverse Conservation District at Hickory Meadows to help manage invasive garlic mustard and restore impacted areas by planting trees! Please wear appropriate clothing and closed toed shoes, as well as water and gloves if you desire to wear your own. Snacks and water to refill water bottles will be provided. All tools needed for garlic mustard removal and tree planting will also be provided. Please register on ISN's website (www.HabitatMatters.org/Events.

Welcome to the most fun you’ll have on a Saturday morning! This beginner improv class is perfect for anyone who’s ever thought, “Improv sounds fun, but I could never do it!” Spoiler: Yes, you can—and we’ll prove it.

No experience? No problem. You’ll be supported every step of the way, with exercises tailored to your comfort level. Whether you’re looking to stretch your creative muscles, meet new people, or just step out of your comfort zone this class is for you.

Learning objectives and outcomes:

Introduction to the tenets of improvisation, most famously the “yes, and…” mantra, which builds an abundance of agreement between players.
Group cohesion, collaboration, and connection among players through games and team building.
Utilizing characters, emotions, and strong points of view to elevate scene work.
Experience in playing short-form games (think “Whose Line is it Anyway?”)
Come join us, let go of perfection, and rediscover the joy of play. After all, the world could always use a little more laughter—and so could you!

Join the Grand Traverse Conservation District and the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network in planting native seedlings at Hickory Meadows. We will also hand pull invasive garlic mustard that has been located in parts of the park.

Let’s not let summer busyness keep us from making the most of this most fabulous season in this most fabulous place!

Together, let’s spend a day and prepare for the gifts of summer by fortifying our powers of awareness, awe, play, and mental poise. Using The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron and Finding the Deep River Within by Abby Seixas, along with other practices Carol’s developed, we’ll spend the day dipping into creative exercises such as journaling, nature immersion, and meaning-making. We’ll come away with a foundation to embrace all the summer season has to offer.
Skill Level

All
Objective

Creativity Enhancement, Personal Growth
Outcome

Inspiration and Creativity

Our Spring Art Market features 25 Michigan artists selling their work indoors along with free admission to the museum and special programming to celebrate artists, spring, and moms!

Indulge in a Mawby sparkling cocktail at our afternoon cash sparkling bar while you take in the art with a pianist in the galleries. Support artists and shop unique gifts and artwork. Create a Mother's Day card in our Discovery Gallery. A day of fun for all!

Spring Art Market | 10 AM - 4 PM

Mother's Day Card Making Project | 10 AM - 2 PM

Pianist in the Galleries | 12 - 3 PM

Snacks & Lemonade | 12 - 3 PM (or as long as they last)

Mawby Sparkling Cocktail Bar | 12 - 3 PM (or as long as they last)

See the full list of artists and find more details at: https://shop.dennosmuseum.org/2025-spring-art-market

Benzie Conservation District is hosting a free Nature Journaling workshop for all experience levels. Nature journaling is a creative, easy way to collect your observations about nature in the pages of a notebook. You don't need to be an artist or naturalist to begin!

With workshop leader Judy Kelly, we’ll explore how to keep a nature journal and record observations in one, while walking Ransom Creek Trail (within Ransom Lake Natural Area). The creek trail is located directly off of Lake Ann Road.

Registration is required and will be capped at 15 people.

Visit www.benziecd.org/events for more details and to register.

Books collected will be used for the Annual Friends of the Library Book Sale.

Visit or call the library at 231-271-3512 with any questions and for more information, including drop-off details.

It’s paws-itively back! Doggie Day at the Movies returns for its second year, welcoming dog lovers and their four-legged companions for a special matinee screening of The Friend. Bring your well-behaved pup and enjoy this tail-wagging tradition with fellow canine fans.

The Friend tells the story of a woman whose life is upended—and unexpectedly enriched—by a 150-pound Great Dane named Apollo. It’s a funny, soulful film that celebrates the healing power of friendship, loyalty, and unexpected love.

Last year’s event was magic—advance tickets are strongly encouraged!

Observe the signs of spring at Ludington State Park and how nature celebrates Mother’s Day. Discover how plants and animals prepare for the transition to sunny summer through finding pairs, raising young and helping to strengthen our ecosystem. The walk covers about a mile and a half, with easy terrain and views of the park’s diverse landscape.

Join Traverse City Roller Derby for their pop up roller skate rink at the Grand Traverse Civic Center May 10 for two sessions, one from 3-5pm and the other from 6-8pm! Entrance and skate rentals are both $5 each.

Bring your own skates or roller blades and only pay the entrance fee.

Helmets and padding are recommended.

Come early, skate sizes are limited.

No scooters, wheelie shoes, or other wheeled toys.