Community Calendar

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.

Topics of discussion will be plans for upcoming programs, book sales and volunteer opportunities. Anyone interested in supporting the library is always welcome.

9:30am social time & 10am meeting held at Helena Township Community Center, 8751 Helena Rd, Alden. 231-331-4318.

Creative Wellness Monthly Gathering
Facilitators: Carol Hohle & Meridith Mulcahy

Time: 1:30 pm–3 pm

Registration Deadline: N/A

Location: Meet at the GAAC front desk, then follow the fun—we may head to locations like Pine Street Studio or Thoreson Farm Studio during the summer. (Reserve Pinestreet Classroom as permanent option)
Skill: All Skill Levels
Cost: $10 member/ $12 nonmember
Min/Max: N/A
Time to Set Up: 15 minutes
Time to Clean Up: 15 minutes

This group will gather once a month to share and learn more about the value of creativity in our daily lives. Over a warm mug of brewed tea/coffee (or ice tea/lemonade in the summer!), come connect with others, share ideas, find inspiration, and practical tips to lead a more creative and whole-hearted approach to life. Each month, in addition to checking in with one another, we will explore different practices (journaling, stitching, collaging, photography) that may pique your creative curiosity.

Each week the group will meet at the front desk of the Glen Arbor Art Center and will move to locations such as Pine Street Studio, the GAAC Classroom, the GAAC grove or Thoreson Farm.

This fun comedy begins with a theater-loving narrator playing his favorite cast recording. As the record spins, a 1920s musical springs to life in his apartment. The show-within-a-show follows a wedding disrupted by gangsters, mistaken identities and a tipsy chaperone. Hilarious and heartfelt, it’s both a loving parody and a tribute to the magic of classic musicals.

The Annual NMC Hero Race, formerly the Big Little Hero Race, is back for another great year. Proceeds from the event support NMC’s College for Kids program and help provide scholarships for children in the community who need them so they can take part in these engaging, hands-on learning experiences.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 18, 2026. The 11th Annual NMC Hero Race will take place on NMC’s campus and promises a morning full of energy, smiles, and a little friendly competition. Bring the whole family for the one-mile fun run, join the 5K run/walk, or challenge yourself with the 10K.

It is more than just a race. Enjoy a carnival atmosphere with games and activities, grab some yummy food, and stick around for awards. We will recognize top finishers, hand out prizes for best dressed, and present a special Hero Award to heroes who make a difference in our community.

More details, including start times and race day information, will be shared soon. Be sure to follow along on social media for updates and registration information. We look forward to seeing you at the starting line.

Register online at nmcherorace.com.
Early bird discount ends 3/18

Boat America is an 8-hour class . This boater safety class is for recreational boaters age 12 and older. Topics covered include boating safety and safety equipment, emergency procedures, navigation rules and aids, and boating regulations.

The class meets on Saturday, April 18, from 9 am – 5 pm. The class is held at the Traverse City Coast Guard station.

Lunch on your own.

Cost: $15 to cover cost of book and boater safety certificate.

You must attend all 8 hours to receive your boater safety certificate.

Preregister by April 16. Tickets must be purchased through Eventbrite or the ticket link below.

Showcasing works in wood, paper, and fiber, featured artists will present furniture, textiles, paper assemblages, basketry, and more in both functional and decorative creations.

Exhibit runs from March 14 - April 18
Tuesday - Saturday from 10am-4pm
Sunday from 12pm-4pm

Artist talk April 18-2:00

Join Us for Family Fun Days!

Family Fun Days are free, community-focused events hosted by YMCA Hayo-Went-Ha Camps in partnership with the Great Start Collaborative Traverse Bay. These days are a wonderful way for families to play together, explore the outdoors, and connect with local resources.

What to Expect:
Music & Storytelling: Don't miss special performances by Miriam Pico and Jen Strauss starting at 10:30 AM!

Giveaways & Prizes: Thanks to our sponsors, we are hosting raffle drawings every 15 minutes, including a chance to win a free week of Sparks Day Camp for kids ages 5–10.

Activities & Food: Enjoy arts and crafts, campfire s'mores, and a free lunch served from 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM.

How to Give Back:
While the event is free, we encourage families to bring a non-perishable food item to donate as they arrive to help support our local community.

There’s nothing more exciting than the first bloom of spring – especially here in northwest Michigan! This open call exhibit will feature work from a range of local and regional artists in a variety of media – all in celebration of spring!

Take in the beauty of Bloom! beginning April 4th in ourFisher Room Gallery.

Winter Gallery Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday – Noon to 4:00 pmClosed Mondays, Holidays and for Occasional Events

Admission to our Galleries is always free!

Gopherwood is thrilled to see the return of Willy Porter to our stage. Some folks are lucky to find what they love to do at an early age and quietly settle in for the long haul expanding and developing their work over the arc of a lifetime. Willy Porter is one of those artists. He has followed his own path to explore the sacred language that music truly is. 30 years after his solo recording debut, he continues to reach further into his guitar & pen while stretching the form of what his own music can be. He recently released his 13th full length album, The Ravine, in September 2023.

Willy Porter continues on a musical and personal odyssey spanning over two decades, 13 albums, and multiple continents. His journey has been defined by an inquisitive love for humanity and the language that describes what we all hold to be true. Porter’s songs weave a universal perspective about the questions, struggles, and triumphs of human existence. His live shows are guitar-driven grit, soul, silence and muscle– at times electrifying, dynamic, and unique in the way that Porter’s voice blends and fuses with his fret work.