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 27

Now-April 1…Chain of Lakes Relay for Life “Egg My Yard”. $15-60 to have stuffed eggs dropped off. Easter baskets available for $25. Orders and payment due by April 1^st. Benefits Relay for Life. nfo: 231-350-3254

Now-March 29…Free movies at the State Theatre  and Bijou by the Bay during spring break. For a list of movies and times: stateandbijou.org

March 29…Learn about foster care and enjoy bowling! 2:30-5:30 at Spare Time Lanes – Cheboygan, $6 person, includes shoe rental, 2 games, 1 pizza & 1 pitcher of soda for each family group (4-6 people). Info: 989-588-1625

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

March 31…Lantern Lit Hike 6-8p at Kids Creek Park – Traverse City. Self-guided. Meet at the trailhead between Kohl’s and Michael’s. Info: traversecity.com

March 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

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…Easter Egg Hunt 10m at the Petoskey District Library for ages 2-6. Info: petoskeylibrary.org

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

April 1…St. Paul’s United Methodist Church free kids Easter event 10-11a – Cheboygan. Egg dying, cookie decorating, crafts, games and more. Info: 231-627-5262

April 1…Easter Egg Hunt 1p at Brave Hearts Estate – Pellston. Bring your own basket or bag.

April 1…Easter Fun 11-2 at Sara Lee – Traverse City. Easter egg hunts, Easter Bunny, music, food and plant tour. Free. Info:

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

Week of April 3

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

April 6…Easter Bunny Pizza Party 3:30-6:30 at the K of C Hall – Cheboygan. $5 person, includes slice of pizza, drink, goodie bag, visit with the Easter Bunny and a craft. Info: 231-445-9045

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…Downtown Bunny Hop Scavenger Hunt and story time 10a-noon at participating businesses-Traverse City. Kids will be provided with a card full of fun items to find, once completed, turn in at Horizon Books for a chance to win an Easter basket of goodies. Story time with the mayor noon-1. 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 groups. Bring your own basket or bag.

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

April 8…Easter Egg Hunt noon-2p at Johannesburg Christian Church. 4 age groups, ages 1-14. Registration starts at 11:30. Info: gaylordchamber.com

April 8…Elk Rapids Easter Egg Hunt age 0-5 10a & ages 6-11 at 11am at Cherryland School. Downtown scavenger hunt noon-4p Info: elkrapidschamber.org

April 8…Easter Eggsperience Family Fun 11-1 at the Salvation Army Community Center – Traverse City. Crafts, egg hunts, family photo booth, ice cream truck, bounce houses, food and more. Free. Info: centralusa.salvationarmy.org/traversecity

April 8…Egg Scramble 11-1 at the Emmet County Fairgrounds – Petoskey. Info: petoskeyarea.com

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

April 13…Paint & Pour Party 5:30-8:30 at the Blue Pelican-Central Lake to benefit the Antrim County High Tea for Breast Cancer Prevention. $35. For reservations: 248-231-8820

April 13…Craft Show 8:30-4:30 at Cross in the Woods Family Center – Indian River. Benefits Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. Info: northerncraftshow@gmail.com

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

April 14…Tedd Bear Sleepover 3-5p Boyne District Library. Drop off your stuffy and work on a craft. Your stuffy stays over for a night of adventure, pick your stuffy up Sat from 11-1 and eat a donut. Info: boynechamber.com

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 21-30…Traverse City Central HS presents “Into The Woods” in the HS Auditorium. 7pm. Info: tcaps.booktix.com

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

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:

gaylordmichigan.net

April 22…Earth Day Events-St Ingace. 10-3p community clean-up at the public library; 10-3 seed library open; community picnic 2-4p at American Legion Park with hot dogs, live music and crafts. Info: 906-643-8318

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 22…Big Little Hero Race 9am NMC Main Campus – Traverse City. Wear your favorite superhero costume. $15-$30. The Fun Run is free and every participating child will receive a free cape. Awards, prizes, food and activities. Benefits Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Info: 231-330-9667

April 26…Crime Victim Awareness Walk 5:30p starting at the Cheboygan Opera House. Donations being accepted for the Women’s Resource Center. Info: cheboyganmainstreet.org

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

April 29…Arts & Craft Fair 10-3p at Elk Rapids High School. Jewelry, baked goods, candles, local artists and more. Info: elkrapidschamber.org

April 29…Spring Craft & Vendor Show 10-3 at Gaylord High School. $1 admission. Info: gaylordmichigan.net

April 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 5…Spring Art Walk 4-7p downtown Traverse City. Music & artists. Free. Info: downtowntc.com

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

May 7…Wine Walk 11-1 at Timber Ridge Resort – Traverse City. Wine, food, hike, music, prizes and more. Benefits the Smith Family Breast Health Center. $50-$55. Info: mi-girl.com

May 12…Downtown Gaylord Summer Concert Series every Friday Night (minus Alpenfest weekend) at Claude Shannon Park 7-10. BYOC (bring your own chair). (Bad weather shows will be held under the Pavilion on Court) Info: gaylormichigan.net

May 13…Run-Walk for a Cure! 9a-11a downtown Charlevoix. Supports individuals battling breast cancer. Registration at 8. Entries with $30 or more in donations receive a commemorative t-shirt. Info: visitcharlevoix.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 19-21…32^nd Annual Zoo-de-Mackinac. Bicycle through beautiful areas starting at Boyne Highlands, 51 miles to mackinaw City, to Mackinac Island. Early registration $60, late $75. Info: zoo-de-mac.com

May 20…5K Fun Run with a splash of color 11a at the Pavilion on Court – Gaylord. Food & music before and after. Benefits TACKLE fun, providing assistance to those with cancer. $30 until April 5, price increase after. Info: gaylordmichigan.net

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 27, July 15, Aug 4, Sept 2…Arts & Crafts Shows 10-4p on River Street, downtown Elk Rapids. Info: elkrapidschamber.org

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

May 18-Oct 26…Downtown Farmer’s Market 9a-1p every Thursday-Charlevoix

June 9 – Oct 6…Elk Rapids Farmer’s Market 8a-noon. Info: elkrapidschamber.org