Community Events in Northern Michigan!

The Entrepreneur Club of Emmet County will host the 2^nd Annual Petoskey Multigenerational Business gathering on Tuesday, January 18 from 5:30 to 7 pm. This gathering will showcase successful businesses that have survived through many generations in the Petoskey area. These business owners will be on hand to discuss succession plans, longevity, changing with the times, and much more. If you are interested in attending this event, CALL (231) 347-4150. There is no cost to attend any ECEC meetings.

The January Petoskey Business After Hours is coming up the Bay Harbor Resort and Conference Center (above Galley Gourmet) from 5-7 p.m. on Thur. Jan. 20. In response to the fantastic feedback from last year's event - we will again feature a Hawaiian Shirt theme for this evening. You are encouraged to dig back in the closet and pull out your bright floral shirts and wear them for a chance to win prizes. There will also be prizes for most authentic Lei. Great place to network.

Onekama: Come on out for the 3rd Annual Portage Lake Winter Festival on Saturday January 15th and Sunday January 16th! Two days of outdoor activities and events are planned, including Ice Fishing Contests, Ice Golfing Contests, a 5K Fun Run, Best Ice Shanty Contest, Snowman Contest,Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing, Ice Skating and sledding, and a bonfire and refreshments. Most events will take place at the Onekama Village Park and on Portage Lake at the Village Park. The sledding will take place at the Onekama High School hill and the cross country ski and snowshoe events will take place at Douglas Valley Organic Vineyard. For registration forms and details contact Andy's Tackle Box in downtown Onekama, 231-889-3371.

Snowshoe Demo Day: 1/15/2011

Traverse City: Never snowshoed before? Well, here is your chance to learn how for free! Stop by the Boardman River Nature Center anytime between 1 and 4 p.m. and learn everything you need to know from experts who will be lending snowshoes for Free! Once you get geared up, you can take a hike with one of our naturalists on the trails of the Natural Education Reserve. Hikes will take place at 1, 2, & 3 p.m. When you are done playing in the snow, come on inside to the Nature Center for some hot chocolate!

$5 suggested donation. Call 231-941-0960 with any questions.

The Winter Warm Up at the Wineries on Old Mission, Saturday, Jan. 15 from noon til 5. Guests may visit any of the seven Old Mission wineries between 12-5pm to purchase a souvenir mug for $10.  This mug is your "ticket" into each participating winery and business on Old Mission, allowing you to enjoy warm comfort food and drinks.  Some peninsula area restaurants are offering special promotions when you present your mug.  Visit www.wineriesofoldmission.com.

Wonder what to do with your old electronics? You can now recycle TVs, monitors or computers for Free. Broken and obsolete TVs, computers (desktop and laptop), and monitors will be accepted at Emmet County Recycling Drop-off Center on Pleasantview Road for Free. The Drop-off Center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Recycling of other electronics, like telephones, fax machines, computer accessories, printers, DVD players, VCRs, and videogame consoles carry a fee of $2 per item. For more information visit EmmetRecycling.org. 

Free Throw Contest for kids 9-14 is coming up Saturday, January 15^th at the Charlevoix Middle School. Participants shoot 10 free throws and winners continue on to regional and statewide contests. Registration starts at 12:30 and the contest starts at 1.

Sno-Blast Winter Festival in East Jordan is Jan. 14-16^th. Tons of activities for snow lovers including snow sculpting, snow bowling, cardboard box race, snowshoeing, moonlight hike, ice fishing contest, guided rafting, music and lots of other activities for the whole family. For all the details, go to EJChamber.org.

4th Annual Preschool and Enrichment Fair: 1/22/2011 Traverse City: The 4th Annual Preschool & Enrichment Fair is a day of FREE family fun and information. Bring the family to meet the area's preschools, enrichment classes, and businesses that serve young families. Shop the mom-to-mom sale, meet babysitters at The Great Babysitter Swap mixer, and receive free customized child care referrals! Each exhibitor will host a hands-on kid-friendly activity. More information is available at www.momandpopclub.com.

Greenwood Sanctuary Outing, January 29th, 10:00 AM to Noon
Visit one of the largest private properties in our service area now protected with a conservation easement. Greenwood Sanctuary is a haven for elk, porcupine, and a multitude of other wildlife. Landowner George Jury open his gates and invites us in to explore. Trails will be groomed for skiing and snowshoeing, if snow permits. Please call (231) 347-0991 to register and get directions.
Contact Information: Little Traverse Conservancy
Phone: (231) 347-0991

First Annual Women’s Wellness Night Out is Thursday, January 27, 5-8 p.m. at the Community Center Building, Emmet County Fairgrounds. Tickets are $10 and you can learn more about your health and wellness including healthy snacks in 10 minutes, Dr. Wendy will talk about health and nutrition, women’s fitness/personal training, the Pellston Market will talk about wine tasting, health & stress information and the Grain Train will talk about the benefits of local and organic food. All net proceeds go to support Women’s Resource Center of Northern MI.

A fun event for the whole family is coming up as Bearcub Outfitters presents the 10th Annual Snowshoe Outings at Camp Daggett! Mark your calendar for the last Saturday night in January (the 29th) and the last Saturday night in February (the 26th). From 5:00 to 9:00p.m., there will be groomed, torch-lit trails, along with hot chocolate and cookies in the lodge! Snowshoes will be available for all ages. The event is free but they invite you to make a donation to Camp Daggett.

Donations and volunteers are needed for the fourth annual Charlevoix-Emmet-Antrim Project Connect, Wednesday, February 2 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Petoskey. Project Connect connects people in need with a range of health and human services needed to improve their lives. Over 50 local non-profit agencies, as well as some businesses, will be on hand to provide a wide variety of free services and resources. Lists of specific food, personal care, household, clothing or other items that are most needed are available on the United Way website www.charemunitedway.org, under Special Events. 

Volunteers are needed to help with the event. A list of volunteer opportunities at Project Connect will be posted on United Way’s Volunteer Connections website. or more information about Project Connect, to volunteer goods, services or funds, contact United Way at 231-487-1006. 

Michigan State Jazz Orchestra

February 18th, 2011, 8:00 PM, Boyne City Performing Arts Center

This concert features the Michigan State University Jazz Orchestra - Be-Bop Spartans playing big band favorites.

The nineteen-piece Jazz Orchestra I (The Be-Bop Spartans) is a young, swinging college band playing the repertoire of the great jazz masters as well as a wide range of soul, swing, blues, and gospel. The group's instrumentation includes saxophone, trombone, trumpet, bass, drums, piano, guitar, and vocalists.

Tickets are $15 for CTAC Members; $20 for Non-Members; $5 for Students

Contact Information:
Crooked Tree Arts Center

Phone: (231) 347-4337