Almanac

CSI3* Grand Prix
Head to Flintfields Horse Park for a Sunday afternoon of fast-paced show jumping, great food, boutique shopping, and open-air fun. Gates open early, and the main competition begins at 2 PM.

Bring a blanket for the lawn or upgrade your experience with shaded seating, VIP access, or a Cabana Box for your group.

All general admission proceeds benefit local nonprofits—this week, your ticket supports the International Affairs Forum (IAF) NMC Foundation-- bringing global perspectives to Northern Michigan through education and discussion.

Tickets begin at $15 and are available online or at the gate. For an enhanced experience, consider our VIP upgrades.

Details at: traversecityhorseshows.com/visit

The Benzie Area Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Tom Riccobono will be performing Mozart's Clarinet Concerto with guest artist, Jeanmarie Riccobono, followed by Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 2.

Tickets are available at the door.

The popular Bayside Concert Series returns this summer to the Petoskey waterfront! This free, family-friendly series of outdoor concerts will take place Sunday evenings from 5–7 PM, July 6 through August 31, on the Promenade near the waterfront clock tower.

The series, co-sponsored by Big Water Creative Arts and the City of Petoskey, features an exciting lineup of local musicians performing a variety of styles — all with a stunning view of Little Traverse Bay.

2025 lineup:
July 6 – Two Track Mind
July 13 – Eric Dane Jaqua
July 20 – Steel & Wood
July 27 – The Real Ingredients
August 3 – Michelle Chenard
August 10 – Kevin Johnson
August 17 – Lara Fulford
August 24 – Laura Crowe
August 31 – Continuous Imposition

Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy an evening of great music on the bay. No tickets or registration required.

For more information, visit: www.bigwatercreativearts.org or petoskey.recdesk.com.

Date: M/T/F July 14, 15 and 18, 2025
Time: 1 pm–4 pm
Registration Deadline: Monday, July 10, 2025

In this popular class, you will learn the basics of extruding and slab-rolling clay to construct tiny clay houses. Various decorating techniques will be used to finish the houses. Weather permitting, we will Raku fire the houses on Friday. The tranquil setting of Thoreson will inspire you to think of home and place.

As part of our 100 Year Celebration, Benzonia Public Library and the Mills Community House are issuing a call for photos and memorabilia. If you are willing to let us scan your photos or are looking to donate them to the organizations, please plan to attend one of the above days. There will be someone onsite to assist with scanning and you will leave with your original documents that day. Thank you!

Get an inside look at WUWU, Elberta’s new community radio station, launched in 2024! The creators will walk you through their process of building a radio station and discuss everything from local stories to the future of broadcasting. Whether you’re a radio enthusiast or just curious, this event has something for you!

Learn and practice wedging, centering, throwing, and trimming basic forms. Enjoy one-on-one interaction as you learn the skills needed to become comfortable working on the potter’s wheel. In addition, the class will include the basics of decorating, glazing, and firing finished work. Open Studio and one 25# bag of clay included for all three sessions.

For the July meeting of the Grand Traverse Humanists, Dr. Eric Patterson will give a talk on GMOs in agriculture and the glyphosate (Roundup) controversy. The title of talk is "What's all the fuss about herbicides, GMOs, and organic agriculture?"
Dr. Patterson will scientifically explain the basis of chemical weed control, the basics of genetically modified food, and the associated risks to human health. He'll address many of the common questions and misconceptions in regards to these sensitive topics.

Dr. Patterson is an assistant professor of weed science at Michigan State University. His research focuses on the genomics of weedy plant species as well as herbicides and how resistance evolves on rapid timescales in weedy species.

Join Jill, a certified Laughter Yoga leader, from Peaceful Vibrations for a fun filled hour of laughter and fun.

The Club will meet at the Mills Community House in Benzonia and the Beulah Village Park on alternating weeks. Mondays at 7pm.

Laughter yoga involves various movement and breathing exercises to promote intentional laughter.

Breathing exercises are used to connect to the diaphragm and to prepare the lungs for laughter. What follows are a series of ‘laughter exercises’ that combine gentle improvisational movements and playful visualization techniques. Laughter exercises are interspersed with breathing exercises.

Anyone can participate in laughter yoga. It helps to have an open mind and sense of curiosity. No special equipment is needed.

This is free event, all are welcome! Donations will be accepted to support the venues.

Questions? Email Jill at peacefulvibrationsupnorth@gmail.com

Round up the family and head out to Coy Mountain, located at 9011 Valley St. in Alden, to enjoy a romp in the woods and reading a good book along the way.

A new story will be placed each month and covers about a 1/2-mile portion of the trail. The storybook for the month of July is “On the Night of the Shooting Star” by Amy Hest and Jenni Desmond.