Journey Through Abstraction, a group exhibition of diverse abstract art will open with a reception on Friday, February 23rd 2024 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm at the Oliver Art Center.

The work of Michigan artists, Kenneth Anbender, Nancy Clouse and Marat Paransky is showcased in this exhibition. Visitors will journey through abstract and surreal dreamworlds represented by collages, sculptures and paintings. Vibrant color will abound; interesting juxtapositions of textures, proportions, and forms, from sleek industrial geometry to rough-edged organic, will be on display, and content will challenge viewers to tap into their own dreams and subconscious to draw out memory, stories, and fantasy.

Let the good times roll at Crystal Mountain with activities galore during Mardi Gras at the Mountain! 

Please Note: All activities are weather permitting and subject to cancellation.

NOON - 4PM

• DJ CDX will be playing your favorites at the Crystal Center Patio!
• Find the Crystal Mountain Court Jester skiing on the mountain.
• On-Slope Scavenger Hunt - Find the Fleur de Lis scattered around the slopes. Bring one back to the Park at Water's Edge for a prize!

1 - 3pm: Mardi Gras Mask Making - Held at Lodge Pavilion Tent. $10 per mask.
Let your creativity roll with masks you can decorate! Select your mask shape and adorn it with jewels, feathers and more. No reservations required but we encourage you to arrive at least 30 minutes before the end of the program to ensure enough time to complete your project.

2pm - 5pm: Live Music in the Vista Lounge
Ages 21+ only.

3pm - 5pm: Live Music in the Slopeside Tent

8pm - 11pm: Live Music in the Vista Lounge
Ages 21+ only.

Celebrate spring the "up-north" way, with all kinds of snow-filled fun! Fun-in-the-sun costumes are highly encouraged. Get ready for events and activities for the whole family can enjoy during Spring Carnival. 

Please Note: All activities are weather permitting and subject to cancellation.

9:30 - 10:30am: Cardboard Classic Registration
Please review the rules prior to creating your sled. Held slopeside on the Lodge Patio. Only two racers are allowed per sled. Helmets are required. Day-of-registration required 30-minutes before event start time (10:30am). All participants must be present at registration for a wristband. All participants are required to complete a waiver prior to the event, adults must sign for participants under 18 years old.

10:45am: Creative Sled Contest
Build a sled using only cardboard and duct tape. Sleds must be pre-registered to participate in the Cardboard Classic

11am: Cardboard Classic Race
Held on the Cheers to Lou slope! View the rules prior to building your sled.

11am - 1:30pm: Slush Cup Registration 
Held on the Lodge Patio. Participants must be at least 12 years of age. Helmets are required. Rental gear is prohibited. All participants are required to complete a waiver prior to the event, adults must sign for participants under 18 years old.

NOON - 4PM

• Executive Sounds will be playing your favorites at the Lodge Patio!
• On-Slope Scavenger Hunt - Find the surfboards scattered around the mountain and bring one back to the Park at Water's Edge for a prize!

2pm: Slush Cup
Ski or ride through a giant pit of icy slush! Day of registration required at the Lodge Patio at least 30-minutes prior to the start time. Helmets are required. Rental gear is prohibited. Participants must be at least 12 years of age. Held at the base of Thor.

2pm - 5pm: Live Music in the Vista Lounge
Ages 21+ only.

8pm - 11pm: Live Music in the Vista Lounge
Ages 21+ only.

Cheers to a fun-filled St. Patrick's weekend, with plenty of activities for everyone.

9:30 - 10:30AM: Kayaks on the Snow Registration
Be the fastest one down our race course. Equipment provided, personal equipment is prohibited. All participants must have their own helmet and be at least 8 years old. Day-of registration is required 30-minutes prior to the event starting (11am). All participants must be present at registration for a wristband. Registration located slopeside on the Lodge Patio. All participants are required to complete a waiver prior to the event, adults must sign for participants under 18 years old. 

11AM: Kayaks on the Snow Race
Held on the Cheers to Lou slope.

NOON - 4PM

• Executive Sounds playing your favorite hits at the Lodge Patio!
• Look for our Leprechauns out skiing on the slopes!
• On-Slope Scavenger Hunt - Find the shamrocks scattered around the mountain and bring one to the Park at Water's Edge to win a prize.

2pm: Slush Cup 
Ski or ride through a giant pit of icy slush. Day-of registration required at the Lodge Patio at least 30-minutes prior to the start time. Helmets are required. Rental gear is prohibited. Participants must be at least 12 years of age. Held at the base of Thor. All participants are required to complete a waiver prior to the event, adults must sign for participants under 18 years old.

ARTiFACTORY 2024 will begin with a short class on the basics of poetry writing, led by poet and teacher Steven Veatch on Saturday, March 23 from 9:30 am – 11:30 am at the Art Center. After the class, participants will head to the Benzie Area Historical Society Museum in Benzonia to explore the historical artifacts on display and select an item from the collection that inspires them to create an original poem. Students will submit a photo of their chosen artifact and the poem they created to the Oliver Art Center by April 15. The poems will be published in a keepsake chapbook and will be exhibited with the artifacts at the gallery beginning April 26. The exhibit will include a guest reception and live readings of the poems.

The $25 course fee includes class, handouts, a National Poetry Month poster, museum tour, one chapbook, and admission to the reception event. Art Center members receive a 10% discount. The program is free to students 18 years and under. Participants are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch and a writing instrument.

Register through the Oliver Art Center website: www.oliverart.org

This four-person scramble includes 18 holes of golf with cart, two beverage tickets and boxed lunch, plus prizes for the Men's and Mixed divisions! 

Men will play from the white tees. Men ages 70+ will play from the green tees. Women will play from the red tees. Please bring your scorecards to the scoreboard immediately following the round. Cards not returned in a timely manner will not be eligible for prizes.

Deadline to sign up is April 22, 2024.

Time: Shotgun start at Noon.

Cost: $85 per person. 

Held at the Wild Tomato. Reservations required. Please call 888-581-9891. 

Cost
Adults: $46.95
Kids 7 - 12: $19.95
Kids 6 & Under: $12.95

In honor of Nursing Home Resident's Day celebrated every May, Blaine Christian Church, 7018 Putney Road (corner of Joyfield and Putney Roads), will again host an “Annual Senior Citizens Dinner” for our community.

Blaine extends an invitation to this special occasion to those who live in assisted living facilities in Benzie and Manistee Counties, their relatives, care givers, and any senior citizen in our area who would like to come, including anyone in a wheelchair.

This year’s dinner at Blaine will be served on Thursday, May 16th, at 4:30 pm.  There is no cost to attend.   However, anyone interested in coming is asked to make reservations by calling Bonnie Putney, 231/499-6788, no later than Sunday, May 5th.

Blaine’s church family will provide a home cooked meal.  Betsie Bay Minstrels will present a program after dinner.  Blaine’s church family, especially our senior citizens, will visit with our guests, as well as host, help, and serve the meal.

On May 16, 2002, the third Thursday in May was designated as “Nursing Home Residents Day” by proclamation of Michigan’s Governor.  The declaration states:
        "Whereas:  Nursing Home Resident's Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and recognize the tremendous contributions nursing home residents have made to the growth, prosperity, and cultural richness of our Great Lakes State.  Therefore I, John Engler, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby declare May 16, 2002 as NURSING HOME RESIDENT'S DAY . . . "

Blaine Christian Church looks forward to celebrating this  evening with our community.  If you have questions, need more info or directions, check out our website - www.blainechristianchurch.org, or our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/BlaineChristianChurch/

Join our 17th annual celebration of Michigan made food and craft beverages happening Saturday, May 25, 2024.

Enjoy live entertainment from The Drew Hale Band and The RockShow while sampling an enormous selection of Michigan's finest microbrews, meads, hard ciders, wine, liquor and gourmet brats from northwest Michigan markets.

VIP Admission begins at 3pm, General Admission from 4-8pm. Ages 3 and under are free. 

Annual Outdoor Art Fair on Main Street.  Booth Spaces are 12x12 for $85