Community Calendar

Sparking Creativity with instructor Carol Hohle

Registration Deadline: Sunday, January 4, 2026
Location: GAAC Classroom
Skill: All Skill Levels
Cost: $130 member/ $145 nonmember

Launch the new year with a new view of creativity. Using “best hits” from the book The Artist’s Way–A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron, participants will engage in journal writing and creative play to express ideas and intentions and come away with a deeper, creative approach to life.

Back again for 2026! Launch the new year with a new view of creativity. Using “best hits” from the book The Artist’s Way–A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron, participants will engage in journal writing and creative play to express ideas and intentions and come away with a deeper, creative approach to life.

People of all skill levels, including beginners, are welcome! For more info, contact Sue Archer at 231-944-0013.

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

Join us for part two of 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 documentation for continuing ed hours will be available.

#2 Grounding In History: This second conversation will dive into our complicated past with disability including poor laws, institutionalization, “ugly laws”, eugenics, and the object of normality and we’ll explore how these have shaped our attitudes and our community spaces.

Join GTCD at Hickory Meadows for a quiet, lantern-lit, self-guided hike under the striking beauty of the Blood Moon - a total lunar eclipse that casts the moon in a deep red glow. As winter begins to give way to spring, experience the mystery and stillness of nature after dark.

When: Tuesday, March 3rd from 5:00 - 8:00pm

Where: Hickory Meadows Natural Area. Meet at the Randolph Trailhead.

Registration: $5/person. Free for ages 12 & under. Registration is required. Please visit www.natureiscalling.cog/events.

Audience: Adults & families.

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)

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.

The Music House is proud to welcome violinist Jay Julio and pianist Josh Tatsuo Cullen Thursday, March 5th at 7:00PM

After first meeting on tour with Broadway’s Hamilton, first-generation Filipino-American violist and Interlochen alum Jay Julio and Japanese-American pianist Josh Tatsuo Cullen are taking the main stage in a duo tour highlighting music by diverse composers with ties to the United States.

Tickets can be purchased at MyNorth Tickets, by going to musichouse.org or by calling 231-938-9300. We hope to see you there

This annual favorite will feature hundreds of works by talented students in grades K-12 from regional schools. A wide variety of media will be on display, including photography, digital art, ceramics, painting, drawing, sculpture, and mixed media. The work will be juried by area artist and educator, Glenn Wolff. Awards for first place through honorable mention will be awarded in several categories.

A reception, sponsored by A & W of Frankfort, will be held on Friday, February 13th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM.

EXHIBIT RUNS: March 6 - April 11, 2026
OPENING RECEPTION: Friday, March 6 from 5-7pm.

Modern Expressionism, spontaneity and abstraction in watercolor.

About the artist: Rocco Pisto has spent over 50 years as an artist focused primarily on abstract watercolor painting.

Rocco earned a Bachelor of Fine Art degree from Eastern Michigan University in 1974 with post baccalaureate studies and Master of Fine Art work at both Wayne State University and Eastern Michigan University. As a graduate student, Rocco was granted a teaching fellowship.

Currently, Rocco is President Emeritus of the Michigan Watercolor Society (MWCS) after serving for more than 10 years on the board holding various positions. He also holds both a Signature Membership and Great Lakes Fellow designation in that group; as well as memberships in the National Watercolor Society, International Society of Experimental Artists (ISEA), and the Brighton Art Guild. Rocco’s artwork has won several awards from different nationally recognized artists that jury the
MWCS Annual Exhibitions. He has also been asked to jury various community exhibitions and provide experimental watercolor workshops. Currently based in Michigan, Rocco has exhibited in a number of galleries in Ohio, Michigan and Arizona.

Come experience the sugaring process through time. Learn the history of maple sugaring from the Anishinaabe, then travel to the present day at the Olsen Farm. End your adventure by sampling warm syrup or making maple taffy.

The event is free with a park pass.