Looking for something to do? Here’s a list of local community and nonprofit events. Please check with your club or organization to be certain of meetings, outings and classes, as they may be canceled due to bad weather or COVID-19. If any listing is inaccurate or to submit an event, contact Julie Norwood at 231-592-8358 or julie.norwood@pioneergroup.com.
• Coffee with a Cop: 8:30 am Wednesday, Oct. 6, at Currie’s Amoco, 620 Maple St., Big Rapids. Discuss issues, build relationships with Officer William Sell from the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety. Contact: 231-527-0005, [email protected]
• Craft/Vendor Show: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at Mecosta Township Hall, 19729 11 Mile Road, Big Rapids. Contact: 231-796-8935
• Wheatscouts: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at the Gladys Wernette Classroom Building, 7251 50th Ave., Remus. Kids and their parents are invited to join Wally and Rachel Ewing for Ole’ Time arts, crafts and interactive music activities using nature. Bring a sack lunch. Water and snacks will be provided.
• Wheatland Jamboree: 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, outside of the Cabin at Wheatland Music Festival site, 7251 50th Ave., Remus. Jam with other acoustic musicians at this informal gathering. All levels and abilities are welcome.
• Little Women: 7 p.m. Oct. 8, Oct. 9; and 2 p.m. Oct. 10; at CrossRoads Theatre, 249 W. Upton Ave., Reed City. Tickets are $10 each and can be reserved by calling 231-465-4044.
• Wine & Canvas: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, at Artworks, 106 N. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids. A unique social painting experience. Bring your own beverage and snack. Cost: $40. Register at www.artworksinbigrapids.org/painting-drawing or by calling 231-796-2420.
• Basket Weaving: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at Artworks, 106 N. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids. Learn to make a large laundry basket. Cost: $80. Register at www.artworksinbigrapids.org/basket-weaving or by calling 231-796-2420.
• Mimosas, Muffins, Mix & Mingle: 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17, at Artworks, 106 N. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids. A fundraisers benefiting Artworks and featuring world renowned guitarist Trevor Gordon Hall. Tickets are $25 each, available at www.artworksinbigrapids.org/tickets.
• Tuba Bach Festival: 4 p.m. Saturdays, Sept. 11-Oct. 17, outside at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 726 Fuller Ave., Big Rapids. A separate concert will be livestreamed online only, as well as on Sunny 97.3 FM at 4 p.m. Sundays. Visit www.tubabach.org. for links.
• Corn Maze/Haunted Maze: Noon to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2-5 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 26-Oct. 31 for Corn Maze; 8-10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 8-30, for Haunted Maze; at Four Green Fields Farm, 15693 Wilson Road, Rodney. Cost: $3 for corn maze, ages 5 and under free; $2 for wagon rides; and $4 for haunted maze.
• Swiss Steak Dinner: 4-6:30 p.m. the last Friday of every month, April-October, at the Barryton Senior Center, 71 Northern Ave., Barryton. Includes dinner and dessert. Everyone’s welcome.
• Tai Chi: Noon on Wednesdays at Hemlock Park. Improve muscle tone, flexibility, balance and coordination. Newcomers welcome. brpr.org.
• Mecosta Co. Genealogical Society: Open 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every second Saturday, at 424 N. Fourth Ave., Big Rapids, next to Recycle. Thousands of obits and hundreds of books with history and genealogy for the Mecosta Co. area. Stop by or call Maureen Nelson at 231-250-5555 to set up an appointment.
• Mecosta County Sheriff Posse: 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the Mecosta County Jail basement training room, 225 S. Stewart Ave., Big Rapids. This volunteer group is always looking for more members. For more info call 231-250-9241
• Lord’s Table Food Pantry: 3-5 p.m. Wednesdays at Faith Community Church, 610 Green St., Big Rapids. Everyone is welcome.
• Reed City Food Pantry: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, beginning Sept. 7, at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 831 S. Chestnut St., Reed City.
• Morley Community Center: The center, at 151 7th St., Morley, hosts weekly pickleball, open gym, indoor garage sales and outdoor market, in addition to monthly ancestry class, craft night and blood drive. For a list of activities, visit morleycenter.org/events or call 231-856-4496.
ARTWORKS ONGOING CLASSES, EXHIBITS
106 N. Michigan Ave. in Big Rapids / 231-796-2420 / artworksinbigrapids.org
• After School Arts: 3:45-5:15 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 1-29. Drop-ins welcome on a first come, first serve basis, but registration recommended. Register at Artworks gift shop or by calling 231-796-2420 the Monday before each session.
• Open Pottery: 5-8 p.m. Tuesdays. Cost: $10 per session, $60 for an eight-session punch card. (Additional firing fees apply. Clay may be purchased in bulk for $20 per 25 lbs.) Call 231-796-2420 to schedule your session.
• Hand Built Pottery Fall Session: 6-8 p.m. Mondays, Sept. 13, 20, 27, and Oct. 4, 18, 25. Cost: $150. Register by calling 231-796-2420 or online at www.artworksinbigrapids.org/pottery.
• Beginning Wheel Fall Session: 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 15, 22, 29, and Oct. 5, 12, 26. Cost: $150. Register by calling 231-796-2420 or online at www.artworksinbigrapids.org/pottery.
• Fundamentals of Photography Beginner Course: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 15-Oct. 19. Cost: $75. Register by calling 231-796-2420 or online at www.artworksinbigrapids.org/photography.
• Forged in Fire for Beginners: 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 5-Nov. 9, at The Forge, 5710 18 Mile Road, Barryton. Learn the basics of bladesmithing by doing. Everything will be provided. Closed toe shoes are required. Cost: $150. Register at artworksinbigrapids.org/specialty-workshops.
• Exhibit — Art in the Time of COVID: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, Oct. 12-Nov. 14. Featuring creations from Dan Kaminsky, Kym Nicolas and other artists.