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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 [email protected]
• Community Thanksgiving: 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 25, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 408 W. Bellevue, Big Rapids. Community members who may be alone or in need are invited to a sit-down Thanksgiving dinner at no cost. Please RSVP at 231-796-6684.
• Black Friday Craft and Vendor Sale: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 26 at the Mecosta Township Hall, 18729 11 Mile Road, Big Rapids.
• Small Business Saturday: Nov. 27. Shop local, shop small for your holiday needs.
• Shop Local: 10 a.m. to 3 pm. Nov. 27 at St. Mary’s Parish Hall, 919 Marion Ave., Big Rapids.
• Canadian Lakes Christmas Craft Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, at the Castle, on Pere Marquette Drive, Canadian Lakes. More than 35 vendors selling handmade items. For more information, contact Tricia Donegan, 231-872-0673 or [email protected]
• Community Giving Day: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, at Big Rapids Eagles 2535, 18361 16 Mile Rd Big Rapids, and online at communitygivingday.org. Give to your favorite Mecosta County area nonprofit, in person or online. Contact: 810,938-0803, [email protected]
• Star of Wonder Drive Thru Live Nativity: 6-9 p.m. Dec. 3-5, at CranHill Ranch, 14444 17 Mile Road, Rodney. See the story of Jesus’ birth come to life through actors, animals, lights, and narration. Cost: Free. Contact: 231-796-7669, [email protected]
• St. Mary-St. Paul Christmas Bazaar: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, and 8:30-11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at St. Mary Parish Center, 919 Marion Ave., Big Rapids.
• Christmas Craft Bazaar: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4 at Morley Community Center, 151 E. 7th St., Morley
• Visit with Santa: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at Morley Community Center, 151 E. 7th St., Morley. Bring your children to have a visit with Santa.
RECURRING EVENTS
• 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.,
• Mecosta Co. Genealogical Society: Open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every second Saturday, at 424 N. Fourth Ave., Big Rapids, next to Recycle, or by appointment. Volunteers needed to help with sorting and indexing. Call Maureen Nelson at 231-250-5555 for more information.
• 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
• 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.
• Reed City Food Pantry: Open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 831 S. Chestnut St., Reed City.
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. 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.
• Fundamentals of Photography, Intermediate: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Nov. 9-Dec. 14, Cost: $75. Register at www.artworksinbigrapids.org/photography.
• Holiday Market: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, Nov. 15-Dec. 24.