Almanac

The League of Women Voters of Leelanau County, Suttons Bay Community Church and Versiti will hold a Blood Drive on Thursday, September 4 from 12:30 to 5:00 pm in the Lower Level Community Meeting Room of the Leelanau Government Center.

Appointments: Preferred, but walk-ins are also accepted. You can schedule an appointment through the Versiti website: https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/11601309
or by calling (866) 642-5663.

By donating double red cells, you're helping patients who need larger volumes of red blood cells, such as those undergoing heart surgery, trauma recovery, or cancer treatments. In fact, trauma patients may require up to 4-6 units of red blood cells to stabilize, while surgical patients often need 2-4 units. Your one double red donation provides two units of red blood cells, which could help multiple patients at once. And the best part? You only need to donate half as often, making your contribution both impactful and convenient!

The purpose of the East Bay Corners Farmers Market is to provide fresh and locally grown products, educate the public on the importance of farming best practices, promote local agriculturally based business development, forge partnerships with local farmers and community partners, and create a community gathering space at the Township Hall. East Bay Corners Farmers Market accepts SNAP/EBT benefits and also offers a Power of Produce program for kids ages 5-13. There is family-friendly programming throughout the summer including live music, food trucks, and family game nights. It is a great night out for the whole family.

The Market will open on June 5, 2025 and run until October 2, 2025. It will be held on Thursdays from 2:00pm to 6:00pm at the Township Hall at 1965 N. 3 Mile Road Traverse City, MI 49696. More information about the East Bay Corners Farmers Market and other Food Security programs can be found on the East Bay Township website by visiting: https://eastbaytwp.org/residents/food_security.php

Come join us for an enjoyable evening with Louise Penny and her remarkable novels in a presentation by Robert Van Dellen, Ph. D.

Recognized as one of the finest novelists in the murder-mystery genre, Louise Penny's writing career spans over twenty years. Her novels, which feature Chief Inspector Gamache and the engaging cast of characters of Three Pines, are best-selling and award-winning.

This talk, complete with power-point slides, will discuss the life of the author and her range of novels. There will be time for questions and discussion, as well as a book signing.

A discussion with David Shambaugh, Professor of International Affairs & Director of the China Policy Program, Elliot School of International Affairs, George Washington University and Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford University on his most recent book Breaking the Engagement: How China Won & Lost America

For over five decades following the 1972 rapprochement between the United States and China, the two countries seemed to be steadily building a sound relationship, even accounting for periodic setbacks like the Tiananmen Square massacre. The last decade, though, has seen a sharp increase in tensions and a complete reorientation of American policies toward China—from "engagement" to "competition." What happened? In Breaking the Engagement: How China Won & Lost America, esteemed scholar David Shambaugh examines the evolution, expansion, and disintegration of the American engagement strategy towards China.

September 4, 7:00 pm program, 6:00 reception.
Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium,
1701 E. Front St, Traverse City.

Hybrid event with online livestream available. Advance in-person tickets recommended. Tickets & details at TCIAF.com.

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.

The National Writers Series is thrilled to kick off our fall season with Edgar-nominated and award-winning author and journalist Bryan Gruley in conversation about his chilling new crime thriller: “Bitterfrost.”

Set in a fictional Northern Michigan town of the same name, “Bitterfrost” follows former ice hockey star Jimmy Baker as he finds himself embroiled in the aftermath of a gruesome murder—and he’s the prime suspect. The following quest for the truth in the race against time is full of hair-raising suspense and reveals that even in the coldest places, the past is never too far behind.

“Visceral, vivid, and suspenseful, BITTERFROST immerses readers in a chilly―and chilling―world of lost dreams and deadly feuds. I was instantly and completely engrossed. Masterfully done.”― Meg Gardiner, #1 New York Times bestselling author

On September 5th, Gruley will take the stage alongside national bestselling author John Bacon at the Alluvion in the Commongrounds building. The event will begin at 7 PM and includes Q&A and an author signing. This is a general admissions event.

In-person and virtual tickets are available now at nationalwritersseries.org!

Tickets are General Admission and do not include a copy of "Bitterfrost," but books may be purchased at nationalwritersseries.org. Sales support our local partner Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City.

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

DO you have an instrument to buy or sell? This is your day!

Saturday, September 6, 2025 at TC West Middle School

• 9:00am-11:00am Drop off instruments for sale (appraisers will be available)
• 12:00pm-2:00pm Used instrument sales to the public
• 2:00pm-3:00pm pick up checks or unsold instruments

15% of each sake will be used for The TC Music Boosters' scholarship program and classroom mini-grants.

Questions? Please call the TCAPS District Music Office at 933-6984

CASH, CHECKS AND CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

After the magnificence and fullness of summer, let’s step away for a day to reflect, set our intentions, and focus on the gifts of autumn. Rather than letting autumn be a season of “going back to normal activities” we’ll rethink and refresh our view of what the harvest season symbolizes and how that can inform a deeper and more meaningful life. Using Finding the Deep River Within by Abby Seixas and The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, along with other practices Carol has developed, we’ll spend the day experiencing creative exercises such as journaling, nature immersion, and artistic meaning-making. We’ll come away feeling grounded to embrace with a greater sense of gratitude what this season of harvest and closure represents for ourselves and the world around us.
Skilll Level

All
Objective

Creativity Enhancement, Personal Growth
Outcome

Inspiration and Creativity

Presentation by five-time Michigan Photographer of the Year Steve Jessmore of his Birds Doing Stuff wildlife photography project on Torch River.