Community Calendar

Join the Manistee Audubon chapter for a walk along the universally accessible boardwalk at the Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve! Volunteer leader Brian Allen will highlight the many bird species–including songbirds, shorebirds, wading birds, and raptors–that can be viewed from the boardwalk at this time of the year.

Before the hike, feel free to check out our Arcadia Marsh Bird and Botanical Guide for a preview of the species we’ll be on the lookout for.

What should I bring?

Consider bringing your camera and/or binoculars—birds and wildflowers will be abundant!

Dress for the weather! Always check the forecast in advance.

Sunscreen and bug spray for your safety and comfort.

Because of sensitive wildlife, dogs are not allowed at this preserve.

Directions

We will meet at the M22 parking lot.

Registration is required, click here. Cancellations due to weather or any other reason will be communicated with registered participants via email.

Thank you for your interest in joining us! If you have any questions, please contact us at (231) 929-7911 or info@gtrlc.org.

Date: Tuesday, May 19, and Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Time: 10 am–3 pm
Registration Deadline: Thursday, May 14, 2026
Skill: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate

This workshop is designed to harness the power of soft pastel while interpreting and painting from your own favorite landscape photos. There will be a comprehensive review of this marvelous medium and its related materials, tips, and techniques. Through lecture, demonstration, and handouts, Barbara will help students create studio landscapes that are dynamic, filled with light, and full of personal expression. She will share tips from her many years of plein air painting, as well as review the fundamentals. This is a fun and relaxed workshop with lots of personal attention and encouragement along the way. Students should bring to class several landscape photos that they have taken themselves, along with the Supply List items. This Workshop is for Soft Pastel, not Oil Pastel. Prior art experience is helpful.

Objective: Skill Development

Outcome: Improved Technique

Every Wednesday May 6th, 2026 - Oct 28th, 2026, Except the 3rd Wednesday of each month and July 29. Free lessons at 11:30am. Lunch (bring your own) and bridge talk at Noon. ACBL-sanctioned bridge game for $5.00 begins at 12:30pm.

For more details, contact Lou Slyker at 248-770-6152 or ljslyker@gmail.com

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

Free, peer-led mental health support groups: NAMI Family Support and NAMI Connection Group.

Both held Wednesdays, 12pm at Christ Church, 430 Fair St. (See website for zoom link)

The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay will host a Swim for Grand Traverse Bay Open House on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. aboard the Traverse Tall Ship Company’s tall ship Manitou, docked at Discovery Pier.

The Open House is a casual, drop-in event for anyone currently registered for the 2026 Swim for Grand Traverse Bay, as well as those considering participation or interested in volunteering to support the event.

Free, peer-led mental health support: NAMI Connection Group. Held Wednesdays, 5pm Online (see website for zoom link) and at Child & Family Services, 3785 Veterans Dr.

At Norte Youth Cycling, we believe that riding bikes is for everyone, regardless of gender. However, we also know that many girls prefer to ride with other girls, so we launched our More Girls on Bikes initiative. This opportunity is designed to empower girls (4th grade and up), young women, and women of all ages.

Sign up here.

Take a virtual walk with Carolyn Henne, botanist for the Manistee National Forest for more than 20 years, through the native plant garden at Chittenden and the only wildflower sanctuary in the National Forest system, Loda Lake.

Join Quinn Sommer, seasonal technician and avid birder, for a walk through a beloved LTC birding preserve, Waldron Fen Nature Preserve.

For more information about upcoming Little Traverse Conservancy events, click here.

9:30am social time & 10am meeting held at Helena Township Community Center, 8751 Helena Rd, Alden. Topics of discussion will be plans for upcoming programs, book sales and activities.

Anyone interested in supporting the library is always welcome.

Held at Helena Township Community Center, 8751 Helena Rd, Alden. 231-331-4318.