Now-April…Michigan State Police “Purses with a Purpose” – drop of new purses or tote bags with personal care items, blanket, comfort items for kids, slippers, socks, etc. to benefit the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan. Designed to coincide with Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. Donate during business hours at the Gaylord Police Post, Cheboygan County Prosecutor’s Office or Boyne City Boat Yard. Info:989-732-2778

Week of March 13

March 14-15, 22 & 23…Free Student Music Festival 7pm at Cheboygan Opera House. March 14-Cheboygan HS Jazz Band, March 15-Cheboygan HS Choir, March 22-Mackinaw City Concert Band, March 23-Cheboygan Middle & High School Concert Bands. Doors open at 6:30p.  Info: theoperahouse.org

March 15…Paint & Sip Pottery 6pm at Boyne Valley Vineyard-Petoskey. Paint a custom bowl to help the Manna Empty Bowls fundraiser. $35, $5 benefits Manna Programs. Food and drinks available for purchase. Option to create a second bowl to take home $5. Info: givebutter.com/paintandsippottery

March 15…Business Expo & Taste of Charlevoix 4-7p at Castle Farms. Info: charlevoix.org

March 15…Paint & Sip Pottery 6pm at Boyne Valley Vineyards. $35 ticket.Your glazed bowl will be donated to Manna's Empty Bowls fundraiser in November. Drinks and snacks will be available to purchase.$5 from each ticket directly benefits Manna's programs. *The option to create a second bowl to take home is available for $5. Info: mannafoodproject.org

March 17…St. Patrick’s Day Dinner 5-7p at the Norwich Township Hall – Moorestown. By donation. Proceeds benefit the food pantry.

March 17-18& 24-25…Northland Players present “Kitchen Witches” dinner theater at the Eagles Club – Cheboygan. Tickets $27. Doors at 6, dinner 6:30, show 7:30p. Info: 231-627-4051

March 17,24,31…Lenten Fish Fry 4:30-7pm at St. Francis – Petoskey. Adults $15, 7-12 yr old $7, 6 & under free. Proceeds benefit the Brother Dan Pantry & Outreach. Info: 231-347-7423

March 17-18…Home and Outdoor Living Show at NCMC-Petoskey. Fri 11-5, Sat 9-5. 50+ vendors with ideas for home improvement, outdoor landscaping, and much more. $5 adults, kids free. Info: homeshowupnorth.com

March 18…Mackinaw City Job Fair 11-1 at Mackinaw City Rec Center. Full & part-time, seasonal, various industries. Bring your resume. Info: miworksne.org

March 18…Benefit fundraiser for Jerry Cannell (retired Cheboygan teacher) to help in his battle against cancer. Starts at 3pm at the Cheboygan Moose Lodge. Raffles, 50/50, food for a donation.

March 18…Visit the Easter Bunny 1-3p at Grandpa Shorter’s – Petoskey. Info: petoskeyarea.com

March 18…Green Grass River Maple Fest noon-3pm at the Grass River Pavilion at the nature center – Bellaire. Stop by any time and see the process of making maple syrup. Info: mancelonachamber.org

March 18…”Moomers for Meals” 11a-9. Hot fudge sundaes $10 to benefit Meals on Wheels at Moomer’s – N. Long Lake – Traverse City. Donate online: mealswheelslove.org/donate Info: 231-346-2112

March 18…Parent to Parent sale 10-2p at Castle Farms-Charlevoix. Buy or sell new or gently used baby/child/maternity clothing, toys, books, furniture and more. $3 admission between 10-11a, $5 from 11-2p. Free 12 & under. Info: castlefarms.com

March 18…Leapin’ Leprechaun 5K 9a-noon starting on Lake Ave. – Traverse City. Proceeds benefit the new Family Birth & Children’s Center at Munson Medical Center. Info: traversecity.com

March 24-26…Northwest Michigan RV & Camping Show at Grand Traverse County Civic Center. Fri & Sat 11a-8p, Sun 11-5p. Info: traversecity.com

March 25-26…Gaylord Gun & Knife Show at The Elllison Place. Dealers & collectors, firearm enthusiasts; buy, sell, trade. Sat 9-5, Sun 9-3. $7 adults, kids under 14 free w/paid adult. Info: 989-798-8709

March 30…Whiting Park Selfie Scavenger Hunt 1-4p. Pick up instructions at the Green Building – Boyne City. Prizes. Register by March 28^th. Info: 231-582-7040

April

April 1…Pancake breakfast & Easter egg hunt 8a-noon at Boyne Valley Fire & Rescue-Boyne Falls. Breakfast by donation. Info: 231-549-2000

April 1…Bowling down Main Street noon-2pm downtown Harbor Springs. Free hot cocoa & donuts for the kids, free bowling card, free ice cream. Info: harborspringschamber.com

April 1…Easter Egg Hunt 2pm at Brownson Memorial Park – Kingsley. Games, fun prizes. Registration begins at 1:30. Ages 10 & under. Info: 231-263-5278

April 1…Downtown Gaylord Annual Easter Egg Hop 11:30-1p. Info: gaylordmichigan.net

April 1…Spring Craft Show 9a-4p at the Indian River VFW. Benefits Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. Info: northerncraftshows@gmail.com

April 1, May 6…Traditional Country Dance 7:30-10 at the Littlefield-Alanson Community Building-Alanson. $7 person/$10 couple/$15 family. All dance taught, no partner necessary, all ages. Part of the Bliss Fest Concert Dances program. Info: blissfest.org

April 2…Paradise Emergency Services Pancake Breakfast 8a-2p at Kingsley Area High School. $5 person/$15 family. Proceeds help fund new equipment. Info: paradisetwp.org

April 5… Community Potluck 6-8p at the Friendship Community Center – Suttons Bay. Bring a dish to pass. Info: thecentersb.com

April 8…Downtown Cheboygan Easter Egg Hunt! Kids up to 5 at Washington Park; 6 & up at Major City Park. 10am, bring a basket or bag. Info: cheboyganmainstreet.com

April 8…Cedar Easter Eggstravaganza 11am downtown Cedar. Info: traversecity.com

April 8…East Jordan Lions Club Easter Fun & Games 10-11:30 at EJ Elementary. Games, prizes, giveaways Easter Bunny and more. Info: Anderson4inmi@gmail.com

April 8…East Egg Hunt 1pm at the Elmira Township Hall. 3 age groupd. Bring your own basket or bag.

April 8…Easter Egg Hunt 10am at Mineral Springs Park – Frankfort. Info: traversecity.com

April 13…NCMC Annual Career Fair 11a-3p at the student community resource center. Networking, recruiting and interviews. Info: ncmich.edu

April 14…Benefit Spaghetti Dinner & Auction 5pm at Mancelona High School. Raffle, basket raffles, door prizes and more. Info: mancelonachamber.org

April 14-15…St. Ignace Home Show & Spring Expo & Gun Show at Little Bear East Arena. Fri 4-8p, sat 10-5p. Info: saintignace.org

April 15…Craft Show 9a-3p at the VFW 2780 post – Traverse City. Lunch special, bake sale, raffles, free admission. Proceeds help local Veterans. Info: vfwpost2780.org

April 15…Cheboygan Kiwanis will be holding a Food Drive 9a-4p at the History Center in Cheboygan. Please, no outdated food. All proceeds will go to St.Thomas Food pantry, Northern Care Center, and District 4 Health for the WIC program.  Health and baby items are needed too. Info: cheboygankiwanis.org

April 15…Wolverine Community School Fundraiser Pool Tournament noon-tournament ends at 2Wheel Tavern – Wolverine. 8 Ball partners, double elimination. $40 per team, silent auction, raffle. Registration deadline April 10^th. Info: 231-525-8388

April 15-16…Kalkaska Gun & Knife Show at the Kaliseum Rec Center. Sat 9-5, Sun 9-3. $7 adults, kids 14 & under free w/adult. Info: igunshow.com

April 16…Traverse Symphony Orchestra Symphonic Series 3pm at Corson Auditorium-Interlochen Center for the Arts. $28-$65. Info: traversesymphony.org

April 22…Free admission at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in celebration of National Parks Week.

April 22…Family Fun Fair 10-2p at Gaylord Middle School. Focus is on kids birth-8yrs, older siblings welcome. Free. Crafts, snacks, exploring, nature, building and more. Info: gaylrodmichigan.net

April 22…Northern Michigan Cancer Crusaders Decades Dance 6-11p at the Boyne City Eagles Club. Come dressed as your favorite decade. Silent & ticket auction, cash bar, music, prizes. $6 donation. Info: 231-582-7585

April 29…Grand Traverse Sheriff’s Department vs Detroit Lions Basketball Game 1-2:45p at Traverse City West high School. $20 person/$35 couple/$50 family. Lions will be signing autographs at halftime. Info: gtcdsa.publicsafetypsa.com

April 29…Fallen Outdoors Benefit Dinner 3-7p at the American Legion – Cadillac. Lasagna dinner, raffle. Fallen Outdoors is a pno-profit that get Veterans/active duty back into the outdoors. Info: 231-944-4669

April 29…”A Recycled Night To Remember” Parents Prom 7pm at Indian River Golf Course. $50 person, limited tickets. Benefits the Inland Lakes Class of 2025. Heavy hors d’oeuvres, dancing, silent auction, cash bar and more. Info: 231-818-5239

Apri 30…8^th Annual Autism Acceptance Walk. Registration begins at 9am, walk at 10am. Veterans Memorial Park – Boyne City. $10 person. Walk is about ½ mile. Prizes and family activities. Info: 231-347-9605

May 2023

May 3… Community Potluck 6-8p at the Friendship Community Center – Suttons Bay. Bring a dish to pass. Info: thecentersb.com

May 6…13^th Annual Mud, Sweat & Beers Fat Tire Mt. Bike Race at Mt. Holiday-Traverse City. Info: mudsweatandbeers.com

May 14…Hard Hats & Hope Mother’s Day Brunch 10:30-1p at the K of C Hall-Cheboygan. Live music, silent auction, raffle, live music and more. Benefits Cheboygan County Habitat for Humanity. Info: habitatcheboygan.org

May 19-20…Buckley Old Engine Show & Swap Meet – Buckley. Tractors, engines, steam equipment, antique parts and more. Info: buckleyoldengineshow.org

May 19-21…National Morel Mushroom Festival – Boyne City

May 20…Otsego County Fire Department Pancake Breakfast 8a-11a at the fire station. All you

can eat, dine in or take out. Suggested donation $10 adults/$5 kids. Benefits the OCFD Firefighters fund. Info: 989-732-8859

May 20…Outdoor Craft & Vendor Show 10-3p at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons – Traverse City. Jelelry, art, crafts, food and more. Info: traversecity.com

May 26-28…Cherry Capital Comic Con at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. Info: cherrycapitalcon.com

May 27…Petoskey Stone Festival at Barnes Park – Eastport

May 28…Cars in the Park – Northport. Info: northportomenachamber.org

May 29…Memorial Day Parade - Alden

ONGOING

TFN…Harbor Light Community Chapel of Harbor Springs is collecting cans and bottle returns to help the less fortunate at 8220 Clayton Rd. All bottles and cans should be left next to their central trash bin in the main parking lot. Info: 231.347.5001 

Every Monday and Wednesday from noon-1pm Free Food Market is open in the parking lot of the Salvation Army Community Center on Barlow-Traverse City. Info: centralusa.salvationarmy.org

TFN…The St. Thomas food pantry is open on a drive-thru basis every Monday 10a-1pm. Bring photo ID with current Cheboygan address, proof of household income and proof of address for all household residents. 332 Western Ave. Info: 231-627-3167

TFN…The Acme Christian Thrift Store is in need of volunteers 3-5p any day Tues-Sat. Info: 231-267-3002

Now-TFN…Hospice of Michigan is available to help families in need of compassionate hospice care for a loved one. Call 888-247-5701 or visit hom.org

TFN…The Cheboygan Rec Center is open on Monday and Wednesday for boys and Tues/Thurs for girls from 5:30-8pm. High school and adults 8pm-10:30pm. Must wear mask at all times.

TFN- The Northern Care Center is a medical clinic for those uninsured or underinsured. Patients are seen on Tuesday afternoon/evenings. Located at W State Street, Cheboygan. You need to wear a mask and when you come to the parking lot you need to call the clinic, first come first seen. They also have vouchers for product at Goodwill and personal hygiene products for those in need. Please knock on the door for product. Please call with any questions 231-333-3019.

TFN… Cheboygan County Veterans host a coffee hour the 4th Wednesday of the month, 9:00 a.m. at the American Legion - VFW Post on State Street, Cheboygan. Coffee provided by McDonald's and donuts courtesy of Family Fare.

Now – TFN…Antrim County Veterans Affairs Coffee Talks every 3^rd Monday 9a at The Dam Shop – Elk Rapids and every 3^rd Wed 8:30a at M88 Morning Grind. Info: 231-533-8499

TFN…Boyne City Market at the Pavilion every Saturday 9a-12:30p with local meats, baked goods, crafts, artesian food, live music and more. Info: boynecitymainstreet.com