Almanac

The National Writers Series is delighted to welcome Angela Flournoy, National Book Award finalist and author of “The Turner House,” to the Milliken Auditorium on October 3rd to discuss her eagerly anticipated second book, “The Wilderness,” a hilarious and emotionally moving foray into the enduring bonds of found family amidst a restless and often volatile America.

Spanning two decades in the lives of five Black women, “The Wilderness” traces their journeys through young adulthood and into midlife as they navigate motherhood, ambition, estrangement, viral fame, and building lives in rapidly shifting cities. With nuance and depth, Flournoy explores the complexities of contemporary womanhood and the connections that sustain us.

“These women, these friends—in their grief and loss, their dedication and their communion—are so achingly real it’s hard to let them go.” —Justin Torres, National Book Award-winning author of Blackouts

The event will begin at 7 PM and includes Q&A and an author signing.

Be sure to grab your in-person or virtual tickets for this unforgettable evening at nationalwritersseries.org today!

Tickets are General Admission and do not include a copy of the book. If you are interested in purchasing a copy, please visit nationalwritersseries.org. Each sale benefits our local partner Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City.

The Elk Rapids Farmers Market is brought to you by the Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. This Friday morning market offers a wide selection of locally grown fruits and vegetables, fresh flowers and plants, baked goods, cheese, meats and fish, jams, maple syrup, local honey, coffee and tea, lavender products and so much more! In 2025, the Market is open every Friday from 8:00am to Noon from May 30th through October 3rd.

Explore the connection the Anishinaabe, Grand Traverse Bay's ancestral residents, have to the Bay. Tera John, a Knowledge Carrier and Story Keeper from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians will be our guide as Manitou sails across the waters that have been a vital resource since time immemorial.

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling our office at 231-941-2000

Join us at the East Bay Branch Library for a visit from our friends from North Sky Raptor Sanctuary to learn about birds of prey and their habitat, meet two "Raptor Ambassadors" and browse a hands-on artifacts table full of fun and educational items centered around birds of prey.

No signup is required for this free, all ages event.

This will take place in the North Conference Room of the East Bay Township Building, across the parking lot from the library.

The Suttons Bay Farmers Market is held every Saturday morning from 9 AM – 1 PM.

For the 2025 season, we will be at our established location on St. Joseph St. at the north end of the village. Located on the east side of the intersection of M22 and M204 (between Concord St. and Race St.)

Market Dates of Operation: May 24 – October 18, 2025

October 4
Hours: 10am – 3pm

Description: Head to The Village at Grand Traverse Commons and shop local on our historic front lawn! Browse Michigan vendors offering art, jewelry, crafts, food and more. This is a free event and great for all ages.

Raku Firing Saturdays
Session 11
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Time: 1–4 pm
Experience the excitement of traditional Japanese Raku pottery as practiced in the West today. Glaze, decorate, and fire already-made pots in this one-day workshop. We may even write a haiku.

This fall, jumpstart your creativity in a workshop designed for artists and writers in all disciplines. From exploring our artistic family trees and map-making current projects to taking in the natural beauty and inspiration of Leelanau County to discussions of visionary texts from choreographer/dancer Twyla Tharp, painter/sculptor Audrey Flack, sculptor Anne Truitt, writer Annie Dillard, printmaker/teacher Sister Corita Kent, music producer Rick Rubin, and many more, this class will energize your curiosity and creativity. Share what you know and learn something new — inspire and be inspired—in this autumn reset.
Skill Level

All
Objective

Creativity Enhancement, Personal Growth
Outcome

Inspiration and Creativity, Building of Community

Four visual artists exhibiting work in the Glen Arbor Arts Center’s HIStory / HERstory: Whose Story exhibition talk about the power of the visual arts to take on difficult subjects. This facilitated discussion is October 4, 1 pm in the GAAC’s Main Gallery.

The HIStory / HERstory exhibition critically examines the power of voice. It digs into the idea that the victors write history while other histories are ignored, deleted, denied, left out of the official record. Artists Margo Burian, Mary Fortuna, Todd Lininger, and Stephanie Schlatter approached these ideas from feminist, judicial, and mythologic avenues. The discussion, facilitated by GAAC Gallery Manager Sarah Bearup-Neal, will delve into how these artist use visual language to translate difficult subjects, and the psychic and emotional benefits of being able to speak through one’s creative work.

More information about the HIStory/HERstory exhibition can be found online: GlenArborArt.org / EXHIBITS. The panel discussion is free and open to the public.

Explore the connection the Anishinaabe, Grand Traverse Bay's ancestral residents, have to the Bay. Tera John, a Knowledge Carrier and Story Keeper from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians will be our guide as Manitou sails across the waters that have been a vital resource since time immemorial.

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling our office at 231-941-2000