Community Calendar

Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Time: 9 am–12 pm
Registration Deadline: Thursday, July 9, 2026
Location: TBD
Skill: All

Other Sessions in 4-Part Series: Monet (July 7). Porter (July 21). Kahn (July 28).

Imagine if history’s greatest landscape painters had the opportunity to paint in Sleeping Bear country, “The Most Beautiful Place In America.” This is a class to not only learn the techniques of plein air painting but also to learn about the methods of history’s great landscape painters. Each class will start off with a brief illustrated presentation, beginning with The History Of Landscape Painting, and moving on to newly featured artists for 2026, including Claude Monet, Wassily Kandinsky, Fairfield Porter, and Wolf Kahn. Following the presentations, students will seek to incorporate ideas learned into their own paintings. The instructor will give frequent demonstrations and provide close personal attention to each student.

Objective: Conceptual Understanding

Outcome: Development of Personal Style

The Elk Rapids Garden Club will hold the 2026 Garden Walk on July 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s theme, “Blue to Green and All the Colors in Between,” celebrates the beauty, creativity and diversity of seven local gardens throughout the greater Elk Rapids community.

Proceeds from this event support the Club's mission to protect the environment, educate members and the community, and beautify the Village.

Tickets for the Walk are $15. For tickets and more information go to www.elkrapidsgardenclub.com.

This week-long event has contests for pros, amateurs, ladies and youth. Learn more and register at http://ludingtonoffshoreclassic.org

Every Wednesday May 6th, 2026 - Oct 28th, 2026, Except the 3rd Wednesday of each month and July 29. Free lessons at 11:30am. Lunch (bring your own) and bridge talk at Noon. ACBL-sanctioned bridge game for $5.00 begins at 12:30pm.

For more details, contact Lou Slyker at 248-770-6152 or ljslyker@gmail.com

Sponsored by Alden District Library and held at Helena Township Community Center, 8751 Helena Rd, Alden, 231-331-4318.

Free, peer-led mental health support groups: NAMI Family Support and NAMI Connection Group.

Both held Wednesdays, 12pm at Christ Church, 430 Fair St. (See website for zoom link)

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.

Matthew Bertrand, Landscape Architect, will share his journey and inspire you to start your own rain garden installation.

For Zoom information, join PIW mailing list. Go to Plantitwild.net.

This week-long event has contests for pros, amateurs, ladies and youth. Learn more and register at http://ludingtonoffshoreclassic.org

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.

Come on out for Live Music at the Vineyard, where the vines set the stage and the good times come naturally.

At French Valley, we’re pouring wine, beer, and cider in a space that’s made for everyone—families, friends, and anyone looking to kick back and stay awhile."