Almanac

The Bay Area Senior Advocates (B.A.S.A.) will hold their 11th Annual “Ideas for Life Senior Expo”, on Wednesday, May16 at the Traverse City Civic Center from 10am to 3pm. This community-based event is a celebration for older adults, highlighting nutrition, health, wellness, education and advocacy. This event is free. For more information visit www.tcseniorexpo.org/sponsors12.html.  

Mary Jane Doerr, author of Bay View; An American Idea will speak at 7pm on Thursday, May 17 at the Elk Rapids Area Historical Society Museum at 301 Traverse St. (corner of Pine St.). Mary Jane Doerr is a member of the Bay View Association and owns a cottage in the historic district.  All programs are open to the public for a suggested donation of $5 per person. For more information go to http://elkrapidshistory.org/may_17th_20120.aspx.

The first program in the Saving Birds Thru Habitat Speakers Series will be held on Thursday, May 17 at 7pm at Saving Birds Thru Habitat's Discovery Center, 5020 North Putnam Road in Omena. When fourth generation Beaver Islander Pam Grassmick became aware that Phragmites australis was invading her beloved island, she took action immediately. Mobilizing other concerned islanders, she spearheaded a movement to manage this invasive alien plant. Join her for an information program on how Beaver Island residents are dealing with "Phrag" and other noxious plants and how their work has become a model for our area and the whole state in dealing with these invaders. For more information call 271.3738 for further details or go to www.savingbirds.com.

Learn about the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy with executive director Glen Chown while walking agricultural fields, hardwood forests, and beautiful beaches.  This hike is open to the public. The gathering and leisurely walk is a great opportunity to learn about the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and what their work means to the US 31 corridor and our region. Glen will also tell the story of Maple Bay Farm and the surrounding conservation property, explaining how it came to be, what's happening on the property now and what the future might hold.  

Directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=44.843105,-85.447454

Preserve Information: http://www.gtrlc.org/preserve/maple-bay-farm-house-management-summary/

To RSVP please visit www.gtrlc.org or call 929.7911.  The hike will be leisurely but does include some hilly terrain. Please bring water and comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for the weather.

A ten mile challenge Walk through Shanty Creek Resort will be held to raise money for breast cancer prevention and education on Saturday, May 19.  Opening Ceremonies will be at Shanty Creek Resort, base of Schuss Mountain at 8:15am.  To register visit http://antrimcountyhightea.org/ or you can register day of event from 7:45 to 8:15am. The event starts 8:30am.

Introduction to Boating, Boating Laws & Regulations, Boat Safety Equipment, Safe Boating Operation, Navigation & Rules of the Road, Boating Problems, Trailer Boating, PWC & Water Skiing Safety is an eight hour course on two consecutive Saturdays, May 19 and May 26 from 8:30am to 12:30pm at the US Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, 1175 Airport Access Road.   The cost is $30 and if a family member takes the course and shares the course material; cost for the second family member is $15.  Preregistration required, go to www.gtbayboating.org and select Course & Seminar Offerings.

This hike is a partnership hike with Saving Birds Thru Habitat and will be held on Saturday, May 19 at 9am at the Lighthouse West Natural Area with SBTH Director Kay Charter and docents Ann McInnis and birders Ed and Linda Ketterer. During our hike we will also wander over to the Leelanau State Park as well as an adjacent private property protected by a conservation easement. Bring your binoculars.  If you plan to attend please call 256.9665 or email info@theconservancy.com so they can provide you with the best experience possible. Please note--no dogs on docent-led hikes, which last about 2 hours. Visit our website, www.leelanauconservancy.org to learn about all upcoming hikes, workbees, and events.

Join the Grand Traverse Hiking Club for a hike on the North Country Trail on Saturday, May 19. They will hike 8.8 miles from Starvation Lake to Sunset Trail at CR612, east of Manistee Lake. Meet at 9:30am at the Kaliseum on M-72 in Kalkaska, then drive to the trailheads, dropping cars off on the way. They will hike approximately 2 mph, with a short lunch break, finishing by 3:30pm. Any updates will be posted the week before at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GrandTraverseHikingClub/.  Trailhead maps are available at http://www.northcountrytrail.org/gtr/Brochures.htm.  

Got cabin fever? Cure it by playing cards at Birchwood Inn from May 19th-20th. Join us at noon for six matches over three rounds of contract bridge play, dinner, afterglow, continental breakfst, and awards luncheon. Lodging package is only $199 per team and the non-lodging package is $145 per team.

Come to the Holy Childhood Parish Community Hall for a community supper event. Enjoy crepes, pancakes, make to order omelets, Belgin Waffles, sausage, fresh fruit & more! Tonight breakfast is for supper. The supper lasts from 5 to 8pm.

Come hear Fernando Ortega at Bay Pointe Community Church on Saturday, May 19th at 7:30pm. It is $15 general admission, $25 Gold Section (includes meet and greet before the show). Proceeds benefit Freedom Builders and Traverse Bay Christian School. Tickets atwww.wljn.com. Call for details at 946-1400.

Join the Michigan Legacy Art Park in kicking off the summer season with a day filled with activities for all ages to enjoy! The Art Park is located in Thompsonville at Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa. This event will begin at 1pm and will last until 4pm, holding activities throughout the afternoon such as art projects, fun bingo games and a photo scavenger hunt if you bring your own camera. There will also be the annual hike to the Fort and the raising of the flag. Join in dedicating the newest sculpture at 2pm. This sculpture will be dedicated to Gov. William and Helen Milliken for their legacy of conservation and environmental protection. Refreshments will be provided at the amphitheatre. Also, Boy and Girl Scouts can also earn a patch on site! In case of inclement weather, the event will be held indoors at Crystal Mountain. For further questions, please visit our website www.michlegacyartpark.org or call 378-4963.

On Tuesday, May 22 from 1 to 4pm, Michigan Legacy Art Park will hold a class for beginners to skilled artists who just want to brush up on their approach to watercolor with Susan Lingg. This workshop is a paint-along; Susan and each student will have a packet of 5×7 watercolor notecard stock with envelopes. Paints, brushes and paper will be supplied by the instructor. Everyone will leave with two finished pieces. The fee is $40 per person, including supplies. Deadline to sign up is Friday, May 18. For more information, please visit www.michlegacyartpark.org or call 378.4963.

Matthew Bertrand of the GT Conservation District will explore how our landscapes impact the living creatures around us, focusing on how plants form the basis of regional ecosystems. He will also talk about how the GT Regional Invasive Species network is working to preserve the quality of our region. This event will take place May 24 at 6pm at the Elk Rapids Public Library, 300 Isle of Pines Drive in Elk Rapids. Contact Michelle at michelleboettcher@gmail.com for more information.

On Saturday, May 26 at 8:30am, hike the Michigan Legacy Art Park with Keith Westphal, an active birder for 46 years, to identify birds by their song. Bring your binoculars to spot birds that make the 30-acre preserve home each spring. Meet at the Art Park trailhead. Cost per person is $5. Advanced registration required. For more information, please visit www.michlegacyartpark.org or call 378.4963.