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.

Come hear from local author Gene Kelly as he talks about his reflective works, which include How I became Irish, Three American Men, and From there to here.

To join us via Zoom, please register here.

Please join us at the NMC Library on Thursday, January 29th from 4:30 to 6:30 PM as we celebrate Black History Month, diverse characters, and the power of reading to break down barriers at our Fifth Annual Embrace the Dream Read-Aloud & Craft Night!

This is a completely FREE event with no registration necessary and children ages 3-12 are invited to READ, CRAFT & get a FREE BOOK!

Parents can join in on the fun or find a space in the building to relax while the kiddos hang out with us, reading and getting crafty!

For more information, please contact the NMC Library by phone at 231-995-1060 or by email at library@nmc.edu.

"The Barn Raisers" tells the fascinating and true story of America's vintage barns and the mysterious men who built them. Barns were constructed by farmer-craftsmen, professional builders who moved from job to job, and even architects like Frank Lloyd Wright. What do barn settings, styles, and building materials tell us about the people who built them, and the life they lived? "The Barn Raisers" examines barns through the lens of architecture and paints a cinematic portrait of an enduring cultural icon. Insightful interviews with barn owners, historians, architects, artists, and preservationists are combined with "country cathedrals" in Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Michigan to tell this uniquely American story.

Runtime: 54 minutes

Watch this film in the middle of our photo exhibit of Michigan's heritage barns - including one from Grand Traverse County! (Thank you to the Michigan Barn Preservation Network for making this film and exhibit possible.)

A Live Storytelling Event Presented by the Leelanau Historical Society & Here:Say Storytelling

The Leelanau Historical Society (LHS), in partnership with Here:Say Storytelling, is proud to present Meet Me at the Loaf: A Celebration of Sugar Loaf in Stories, an evening dedicated to the memories and voices connected to one of Leelanau County’s most beloved landmarks: Sugar Loaf Mountain.

Doors open at 5:30 PM, offering guests the chance to reconnect with old friends, neighbors, and fellow “Sugar Loafers.” The storytelling program will begin at 6:30 PM.

Tickets are $20 per person and are available online or in the Museum Gift Shop. Guests will enjoy snacks, drinks, historical displays curated by LHS, and exciting door prizes generously provided by Boyne Mountain, Crystal Mountain, and additional community partners.

Meet Me at the Loaf features scheduled storytellers, including Tom Nelson and Jacob Wheeler, who will share first-person stories inspired by Sugar Loaf Mountain. All stories are connected to Sugar Loaf and explore themes of keeping secrets, finding community, growing up on the hill, and navigating the twists and turns of the hill’s history. Collectively, these stories capture the wild, warm, and unforgettable spirit of a place that shaped lives on and off the slopes.

Whether you’re a former employee, longtime local, weekend skier, or someone newly curious about the mountain’s legacy and future, this event invites everyone to relive cherished memories, discover new perspectives, and celebrate a place woven deeply into the identity of Leelanau County.

Join GTCD for a self-guided snowshoe hike, and take in all of the winter beauty that the Natural Education Reserve has to offer! Bring your own mug, and GTCD naturalists will greet you with hot cocoa and help ensure your snowshoes fit properly. A limited amount of adult snowshoes will be available to borrow.

When: Friday, January 30th from 10:00 - 11:00am

Where: Natural Education Reserve. Meet at the Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Rd., Traverse City, MI 49685

Registration: $5/person. Registration is required. Please visit www.natureiscalling.org/events.

Audience: Adults & families.

Ken Harrison, a successful sculptor, is paralyzed and kept alive by support systems. Outwardly he's cheerful, but he's overwhelmed that he has lost control of his life. He does not want to live only as a medical achievement, but his physician is determined to preserve his life. This powerful, emotional, drama asks the question of who has the choice when it comes to being a medical miracle.

A play in Old Town Playhouse’s Studio Theatre series, performed in the Schmuckal Theatre in the lower level of the OTP building.

Come visit Alden District Library and see Karen Movsesian’s collection of vintage Pyrex dishware.

The display can be viewed during normal library hours. Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri 9:30a-5p, Tue 9:30a-6p, Sat 9:30a-2p.

The library is located at 8751 Helena Rd, Alden, 231-331-4318. Free Event.

The morning begins with a refreshing snowshoe through the vineyard — crisp air, scenic views, and just enough movement to earn that well-deserved glass of wine. Afterward, guests will warm up inside with a glass pour from Aurora Cellars, seasonal soup, fresh bread, and cozy conversation.

“Snowshoe first. Wine after. It’s all about balance,” says Northern Michigan Woman Founder Kerry Winkler. “This event is about enjoying winter in a way that feels fun, relaxed, and to make the most of our snowy season!”

The open-house style gathering allows guests to move at their own pace — whether that means hitting the trail right away or heading straight inside for warmth, wine, and connection. The atmosphere is welcoming, lighthearted, and perfect for women looking to enjoy a winter morning that feels refreshing, social, and fun.

Tickets include one glass of wine, soup, warm bread, light nibbles, and access to the vineyard snowshoe trail. Tickets are $35 each or 2 for $50, and space is limited.

For tickets and details, visit northernmichiganwoman.com or contact kerry@northernmichiganwoman.com.

Join Crooked Tree Arts Center of Traverse City for a thoughtful and engaging conversation with selected artists from the upcoming Between Us exhibition. Each artist will share the personal lens through which they interpreted the theme—connection, distance, and the many spaces (emotional, physical, or imagined) that exist between people, places, and moments.

Hear directly from the artists about the inspiration behind their work, the stories woven into their pieces, and the creative processes that brought their ideas to life. From concept sketches to final touches, this talk offers a behind-the-scenes look at how meaning is built layer by layer.

You don’t need to be an artist to enjoy this conversation—just bring your curiosity. It’s a wonderful opportunity to gain deeper insight into the exhibition, connect with the makers, and experience the artwork in a new light.