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Jeff Vande Zande of Midland poses with his newest book, "Rules of Order," at his home.

Midland author Juan Garces reads his copy of "Don Quixote" on July 19, 2022.

Skaters of all ages take laps around the rink during "Let's Roll Together," an event hosted by The Arc of Midland and Roll Arena, Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022.

Many flowers are still in bloom as people visit Dahlia Hill Monday, Sept. 14, 2020. (Katy Kildee/kkildee@mdn.net)

Guests enjoy cocktails, food and music in the Pendulum Lounge which is open Thursdays at Midland Center for the Arts. (Daily News file photo)

Chippewa Nature Center will offer naturalist-led kayak trips this summer. 

Chippewa Nature Center hosts Nature Play.

Chippewa Nature Center will host Homestead Sundays at 1-5 p.m. on Sundays, June through August. 

People gathered at Dow Gardens to enjoy a music performance from Freeland band "Laura and the Lefties" from 12-1:30p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 10. 

Editor’s note: If you have an event you would like to have included, please email the information to Reporter Victoria Ritter, vritter@mdn.net.

River of Time is set to begin at 9 a.m. at Vets Park in Bay City. Hundreds of re-enactors dress, act and live the part of Native Americans, colonists, French voyageurs, and Civil War-era soldiers - just to name just a few. Demonstrations of 18th century crafts, music, children's activities, meal preparations and so much more are a part of the daily scene along the Saginaw River. This event is free and continues through Sunday, Sept. 25.

The Pendulum Lounge is open 4:30-8 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts. Easystreet & Company will provide live music. Guests can enjoy craft cocktails, small plates and hearty offerings. Tickets are not required to attend the Pendulum Lounge, seating is available on a first-come first-served basis.

A Garden Mandala Workshop is set for 5:30-7 p.m. at Dow Gardens. Create a mandala using natural materials and botanicals. A relaxing and reflective journey through the gardens will allow guests to select a color and texture palette that reflects their personal traits and preferences. No experience necessary. Mandalas are not transportable participants are asked to bring a camera to capture their creation(s). Visitors should be prepared to walk up to 1 mile on uneven terrain. Cost is $10 per person plus admission.  Due to capacity, reservations are required and can be made at  dowgardens.org/events/mandala.  

Yoga is set for 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Dahlia Hill. Come early to peruse the blooms, then settle in for an all-levels yoga practice led by Sarah Nelson. No experience is necessary. Participants are asked to bring their own mats if they have one. This event is weather-dependent. Donation-based pricing ($5 suggested minimum) or use a class pass. Pre-registration is required at sarahnelsonyoga.com/classes

From Seeds to Trees is set for 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Help CNC plant acorns and hickory nuts. Participants will learn the challenges trees face, how we help them survive and which animals plant trees without even knowing it. Meet at the Visitor Center. This event is free.

A book signing with Jeff Vande Zande is set for 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Grape Beginnings Winery. Vande Zande will be signing copies of his newest book, "Rules of Order." Copies of the book will be available for purchase at a discounted price.

An Evening with Author Juan M. Garcés is set for 7-8:30 p.m. at Creative 360. Come for an evening of love, family secrets, subterfuge and discovery as Midlander Juan M. Garcés shares passages from his novel "Love in Four Dots." The historical fiction is based on authentic coded love letters rich with political intrigue hidden in an 1844 edition of Don Quixote that Garcés had purchased as a college student. Pre-registration is required for this free event. Light refreshments, wine and cheese will be served. Donations will be gratefully accepted.

Nectar & Thorns is set to perform 7-8 p.m. at Coleman Area Library. This one-man-play was written and will be performed by Raymond Goodwin. This fictional story takes place in summer 1978 in Missaukee County, Michigan. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public. Due to the play's intense themes, the material is suitable for ages 14 and up. For more information, call the Coleman Area Library at 989-465-6398.

The Commons Live Music series will host Brett Mitchell & the Mitchfits at 7-9 p.m. at the Pedestrian Plaza Stage at the intersection of McDonald and Main streets in Downtown Midland. Bring a chair (or snag one of the outdoor tables), grab a drink and some food from a downtown restaurant and enjoy the music. This event is free.

Michigan Antique Festival is set for 8 a.m.-6 p.m. at Midland County Fairgrounds. Hundreds of dealers will be on hand with merchandise and finds from across the country. Four huge barns will be packed with vintage toys and holiday decorations to unique jewelry and fine art pieces. Admission is $10 per person, children 12 and under are free.

A sturgeon release is set for 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Bob Caldwell Municipal Boat Launch in Midland. Join the Saginaw Bay Watershed Lake Sturgeon Reintroduction Program as young lake sturgeon are released into the Tittabawassee River. Fish will arrive at approximately 11 a.m. and participants of all ages are encouraged to help release individual fish into the river. Please wear secure fitting shoes that can get wet as participants releasing fish will need to wade 1-2 feet deep in the river. For more information about the Sturgeon Reintroduction Program or to "Adopt a Sturgeon," visit www.saginawbaysturgeon.org. This event is free.

Old Hope Civil War Veterans Cemetery Tour is set for 1-2:40 p.m. at Old Hope Township Cemetery just north of Midland. Listen to stories from Hope’s own Civil War veterans (portrayed by local actors) and hear of the war and life after when they came to settle and make their way in early Midland County. Tours will be conducted every 20 minutes. This event is held rain or shine. Admission is free for museum members, $8 for the public. Pre-registration is required and social distancing is encouraged on the tour. Sales will close at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23. Ticket purchasers will have their name on a list at the cemetery on Saturday, so an actual event ticket is not necessary. Walk-ups will be allowed at the cemetery if space remains; cash only sales for walk-up entrance. 

International Day of Peace Block Party is set for 2-5 p.m. at Creative 360. There will be food trucks, games, art, face painting, music and more in celebration of Midland being named an International City of Peace. There will also be a Neighboring Week table promoting neighboring as the first step to inclusive peace in our city. This event is free.

The Commons Live Music series will host Coleman Road at 7-9 p.m. at the Pedestrian Plaza Stage at the intersection of McDonald and Main streets in Downtown Midland. Bring a chair (or snag one of the outdoor tables), grab a drink and some food from a downtown restaurant and enjoy the music. This event is free.

Michigan Antique Festival is set for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Midland County Fairgrounds. Hundreds of dealers will be on hand with merchandise and finds from across the country. Four huge barns will be packed with vintage toys and holiday decorations to unique jewelry and fine art pieces. Admission is $10 per person, children 12 and under are free.

Senior citizens are invited to play Uno and enjoy snacks, 1-2:30 p.m. at Greater Midland Community Center's 50+ Center. Deck of cards will be provided. No experience is necessary; if this is your first time playing, come 10 minutes early for instructions. Cost is $5 for community center members, $10 for non-members. Participants must register by Sept. 20. Reservations can be made to Amanda Ewald at aewald@greatermidland.org or by calling 989-832-7937, ext. 2270.

A Neighboring Week Car Seat Check, Food Drive and Cookout is set for 4-7 p.m. at Midland Law Enforcement Center. Car seat technicians will be available to ensure that car seats are installed appropriately and will be able to answer questions in regards to child passenger safety. Non-perishable food items will be collected and all food will donated to the Bridge Food Center.Hot dogs, chips and other refreshments will be available to those that donate to the food drive. No appointment is necessary and this event is free to the community.

Riverside Writers – Writing & Telling Your Story is set to meet 3-4 p.m. at Riverside Apartments. Everyone’s life is a story to tell. Anne McGeehan-Woodard leads the writing and/or telling of stories. Participants can share their stories in this relaxed atmosphere. There is no charge to attend. Contact Creative 360 if you're interested in attending.

A Harvest Celebration is set for 6-7 p.m. at Phoenix Community Farm at Windover High School. There will be activities for all ages and a fundraising pig roast and farm to table dinner.

Spider Sniffing is set for 8:30-9:30 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. Join an interpretive naturalist at the Lanigan Pavilion at the end of the Homestead Road to dive into the world of spiders. The group will use flashlights held to the tips of their noses to “sniff” out eight-legged friends. CNC has a limited supply of flashlights to loan. This event is free.

A Lunch and Learn session is set for 12 p.m. at the Greater Midland Community Center's 50+ Center. This lesson will focus on benefits of aquatic therapy, presented by Abbi Brady, PT, DPT. Independence Village Senior Living will provide lunch. This event is free to seniors. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Amanda, 989-832-7937 ext. 2270 or aewald@greatermidland.org at least one week prior to the event.

A virtual reality experience is set for 2-4 p.m. at the Coleman Area Library. Want to virtually swim with dolphins in the ocean? Maybe slash some beats like a musical Jedi? Or, play a game of virtual putt-putt golf with your friends? Guests can experience virtual reality with the library's new VR Quest2 headsets. Help and guidance will be provided to get guests started. This free event is meant for ages 13 and up. Teens must have a waiver on file from a legal guardian before they can participate. For more information, call the Coleman Area Library at 989-465-6398.

Floats with Goats is set for 5:30-7 p.m. at Grace A. Dow Memorial Library. Celebrity scoopers from the City of Midland will host a Faygo float social complete with a petting zoo, yard games and crafts for the family. No registration required. Cones of animal feed will be available to purchase for $1, and carrots will be available for $3 – cash only.

Sprouts & STEMs: Sustainable Garden Art is set for 7 p.m. at Creative 360. The accessible and inclusive teaching garden at Creative 360’s Bayliss site is the perfect location to learn about art, environmental responsibility and natural science. Please pre-register by calling Creative 360 to let them know how many people are coming. This event is free.

The Pendulum Lounge is open 4:30-8 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts. Kimberly Megoran will provide live music. Guests can enjoy craft cocktails, small plates and hearty offerings. Tickets are not required to attend the Pendulum Lounge, seating is available on a first-come first-served basis.

Yoga is set for 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Dahlia Hill. Come early to peruse the blooms, then settle in for an all-levels yoga practice led by Sarah Nelson. No experience is necessary. Participants are asked to bring their own mats if they have one. This event is weather-dependent. Donation-based pricing ($5 suggested minimum) or use a class pass. Pre-registration is required at sarahnelsonyoga.com/classes

The AAUW Fall Book Sale is set for 9 a.m.-8 p.m. at the Midland Mall. The sale will continue 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday. Book lovers may browse through hardcovers, paperbacks, fiction, nonfiction, children's books and more. Most books are priced $1-$2, with a small selection priced individually.

Neighboring Week: Brownies and Bookmarks is set for 10 a.m. at Safe and Sound Child Advocacy Center. Visit the center for a brownie, bookmark and tour the agency. It's the perfect time to get questions answered about keeping kids safe. This event is free.

A Fall Walk is set for 5-8 p.m. at Dow Gardens. Enjoy an evening walk, through the luminary-lit forest, at the peak of fall color. This event includes live music and seasonal refreshments (available for purchase at the Café). Included with admission or purchase of an annual admission card. 

Broadway Flight Series is set for 7-9 p.m. at Creative 360. Creative 360 is pairing Broadway musicals and wine for a “balanced evening of smooth, live entertainment with a spicy finish.” Performers from the Great Lakes Bay Region will whisk audiences through a taste of four Broadway shows while they enjoy a coordinated selection of wines. Guests may bring their own beverage. Cost is $20 pre-pay, $25 at the door.

The Commons Live Music series will host the Sinclairs Band at 7-9 p.m. at the Pedestrian Plaza Stage at the intersection of McDonald and Main streets in Downtown Midland. Bring a chair (or snag one of the outdoor tables), grab a drink and some food from a downtown restaurant and enjoy the music. This event is free.

Fall into Politics: Chili, Ratatouille and Candidates is set for 4-6 p.m. Learn more about the candidates running in Midland from U.S. Congress down to county commissioner. Guests can pick up literature, signs, and good food, good friends and visit with candidates. The Midland Democratic Party will be at the pavilion on Manor Street.

The Commons Live Music series will host Stone Street Revival at 7-9 p.m. at the Pedestrian Plaza Stage at the intersection of McDonald and Main streets in Downtown Midland. Bring a chair (or snag one of the outdoor tables), grab a drink and some food from a downtown restaurant and enjoy the music. This event is free.

The 50th Midland CROP Hunger Walk is set for 12:30-3:30 p.m. at the old Farmers Market by the Tridge. Pre-walk festivities and games will take place at 12:30 p.m. with the walk starting at 2 p.m. For more info about CROP Walk, contact Judy at jsmcdowell@charter.net.

Riverside Writers – Writing & Telling Your Story is set to meet 3-4 p.m. at Riverside Apartments. Everyone’s life is a story to tell. Anne McGeehan-Woodard leads the writing and/or telling of stories. Participants can share their stories in this relaxed atmosphere. There is no charge to attend. Contact Creative 360 if you're interested in attending.

The Pendulum Lounge is open 4:30-8 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts. DJAM will provide live music. Guests can enjoy craft cocktails, small plates and hearty offerings. Tickets are not required to attend the Pendulum Lounge, seating is available on a first-come first-served basis.

An Evening of Disability Culture is set for 7-8:30 p.m. at Creative 360. Join disabled artists Stephanie Heit and Petra Kuppers for an offering that will include poetry, fiction, movement and more in an evening that will invite and celebrate creative expression. Refreshments will be served. This event is free, but donations are always welcome. 

A Spooktacular Halloween Flea Market and Craft Show is set for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at 132 Ashman Circle in Midland. Twenty craft vendors and food trucks will be present. Visitors can scour booths for unique Halloween crafts and vintage flea market items for sale. Coffee will be available for purchase through the Stranded Yarn Coffee Shop. Parking is in front of the building. There is additional parking located in the back of the building.

Writing Workshop I with Sephanie Heit and Petra Kuppers is set for 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Creative 360's Downtown Midland space. In this generative workshop, participants will use sensory experiences as starting points for writing in poetry, fiction, or nonfiction. The group will engage in writing experiments for the majority of the session with the remaining time used for optional sharing. Suggested $15 donation.

Sensorial Forests Experience with Stephanie Heit and Petra Kuppers is set for 3-5 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center. The group will tune into our bodyminds using breath and movement; explore surroundings through a menu of texture, sound, memory, smell, language, gesture; and collaborate as a group to create support, cultivate pleasure and tend themselves and the space around them. Suggested $15 donation.

The Fall 2022 Midland County Treasure Hunt is set for 4:15-9:30 p.m. Participants will gather at the old Farmers Market area by the Tridge. From there, they'll solve a series of Star Trek-themed puzzles which will take them around the area, ending at a final destination where everyone will enjoy a meal together. The cost is $20 per person. Email midlandtreasurehunt@gmail.com with any questions. Registration is available at https://forms.gle/cbkhSgk3AGxbaYfa6

Writing Workshop II with Stephanie Heit and Petra Kuppers is set for 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Creative 360. In this generative workshop, participants will use their environments as starting points for our writing in poetry, fiction, or nonfiction. Participants will engage in writing exercises for the majority of the session with the remaining time used for optional sharing. Suggested $15 donation.

Riverside Writers – Writing & Telling Your Story is set to meet 3-4 p.m. at Riverside Apartments. Everyone’s life is a story to tell. Anne McGeehan-Woodard leads the writing and/or telling of stories. Participants can share their stories in this relaxed atmosphere. There is no charge to attend. Contact Creative 360 if you're interested in attending.

Agree to Disagree Live Show is set for 7 p.m. at Grace A. Dow Memorial Library. Hosted by Breaking Bread Village. This event is free.

The Pendulum Lounge is open 4:30-8 p.m. at Midland Center for the Arts. Dave and Andy will provide live music. Guests can enjoy craft cocktails, small plates and hearty offerings. Tickets are not required to attend the Pendulum Lounge, seating is available on a first-come first-served basis.

Evil Dead the Musical is set for 8-10:30 p.m. at Stratford Woods Park. Six Eleven Theatre Company will be taking visitors deep into Stratford Woods park to a cabin in the woods. This will be a three-weekend performative event with the Evil Dead musical, food trucks, a small scare walk, costume contests and more.Tickets are available at www.sixeleventheatre.org/evildead. Evil Dead the Musical will continue at the same time on Oct. 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29.

The 42nd Annual Ski Swap is set for 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Greater Midland Community Center, hosted by the Snow Snake Mountain Ski Patrol. Families will have the opportunity to purchase new and used ski and snowboarding equipment of all sizes at reasonable prices. Available equipment includes skis, snowboards, ski and snowboard boots, XC equipment, helmets and winter clothing. Due to construction activities at the Community Center, the main parking lot is closed; parking is available in parking lots off of Nelson, East Collins, and George streets.

The Midland Fire Department's annual open house is set for 1-4 p.m. at their Headquarters Station on Haley Street. Guests are invited to come and meet firefighters, tour the station, check out equipment, and learn about fire safety.

Victoria Ritter grew up in Midland and after earning a degree in English at Grand Valley State University, returned. She joined the Daily News as its newsroom clerk, and eventually began editing obituaries, and in 2016 wrote her first article. She loves the arts, from reading and creative writing to catching a movie or singing in her church choir.