Now – Dec 12…Holiday Assistance registration is now open through the Traverse City Salvation Army. Online visit SATraverseCity.org or in person at the community center on Barlow – Traverse City. Info: 231-946-4644 ext 308

Tickets on sale now for a Benefit Dinner December 13^th 6:30-9pm at Nittolo’s Pizza – Lake Leelanau. Hors d’oeuvres, salad, dinner, dessert, silent auction, special guest speakers. Limited seating, by reservation only. $99 benefits Freedom Hunters- a non-profit military outreach program. Info: 231-994-2400

Reservations are now being taken for a Wild West NYE Party at the Gaylord Bowling Center. It’s a Wild West Hoedown, with cosmic 9-pin bowling, heavy hors d’oeurves, music, prizes, costume contest, party favors and more. Space is limited. $40 person. 2 options: 7-9:30 and 10p-1a. Info: 989-732-3574

Now-Dec 18…Free photos with the Grinch every Sunday 2-4pm at Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts – Petoskey. Bring your own camera. Info:231-347-2603

Now-Dec 22…Drop off letters to Santa in the big red mailbox at Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts – Petoskey. If you include a return address, Santa will write back. Info: 231-347-2603

Week of Dec 4

Dec 8…Ladies Night 5-9p downtown Traverse City. Info: downtowntc.com

Dec 9…Hometown Christmas Light Parade & Tree Lighting 6-7p Mackinaw City Marina. Info: 231-436-5574

Dec 9…Christmas with the Agee Family Drive-in Concert 6pm at the Salvation Army – Cheboygan. Hot cocoa and popcorn available, donations accepted for the Red Kettle Campaign. Info: Cheboygan.com

Dec 9…Northwestern Michigan College Concert Band Holiday Concert 7:30pm at Milliken Auditorium – Traverse City. $8-$12. Info: traverecity.com

Dec 9…Cheboygan High School Drama presents Miracle on 34^th Street 7pm in the school auditorium. Info: chebschools.org

Dec 9…Homes for the Holiday Ball 6-9p at the Cheboygan Eagles Club. Buffet dinner, silent auction, raffle, bake sale and more. Tickets $50, available at Habitat ReStore. Limited tickets. Benefits Cheboygan County Habitat for Humanity Info: habitatcheboygan.org

Dec 9…The Friendship Community Center in Suttons Bay is hosting a holiday event called “Celebrate” starting at 6pm. Silent auction, food, music and more. Free admission. Info: 231-271-4630

Dec 10…A Colonial Christmas 3-7p at Fort Michilimackinac. Lanterns light the path where storytellers recount traditions of the past. Crafts, games, snacks. $10 adults, age 5-12 $6, 4 & under free. Info: mackinacparks.com

Dec 10…Holiday fun on the Children’s Trail of Cheboygan 1-2:30p. Santa & Mrs. Claus will be there to share hot cocoa and cookies. Info: cheboygan.com

Dec 10…Breakfast with Santa 9-11a at Audie’s Restaurant – Mackinaw City.

Dec 10…Photos with Santa 11a-3p at Jim Wernig Chevrolet – Gaylord. Bring a donation to benefit the Otsego County Toys for Tots.  Treats & crafts. Info: jimwerning.com

Dec 10…Christmas Bazaar & Burger Bash noon-4p at Moose Lodge #999 – St. Ignace.

Dec 10…Coats for Kids Benefit Hockey Game 6pm at the Cheboygan Ice Rink. Admission either monetary or winter clothes (hats, gloves, scarves, coats) Info: 231-627-3155 ext 888

Dec 10…Cookies and Cocoa with Santa noon-3pm at Inland Lakes High School. Have a photo taken with Santa, make an ornament, decorate a cookie. $10 person, children must be chaperoned. RSVP by text or phone 231-818-5239 Benefits the Class of 2025

Dec 10…Roaring 20’s Celebration 6-10p at the Old Art Building - Leland. Dress in your finest 1920’s outfit, enjoy heavy appetizers, live music, dancing and more. $75. Info: oldartbuilding.com

Dec 11…S’mores with Santa 1-3pm at Camp Daggett – Petoskey. Winter scavenger hunt, explore the trails, enjoy hot cocoa around the campfire. Free. Info: campdaggett.org

Dec 11…Kids Christmas Pary & photos with Santa 1-3p at VFW Post 5114 – St Ignace. Food, cake walk, games, crafts and more.

Dec 11…Toys for Tots Celebrity Poker Tournament at Odawa Casino-Petoskey. Cash prizes. Bring an unwrapped toy. To register, 877-442-6464 ext 8876

Dec 11…Elk Lake Community Choir Christmas Concert 4pm at the First Presbyterian Church – Elk Rapids. Info: 231-264-8167

Dec 15…Men’s Night 5-9p downtown Traverse City. Info: traversecity.com

Dec 15…Ladie’s Night 4-8p downtown Charlevoix

Dec 15-16…Great Lake Chamber Orchestra presents Handel’s “Messiah” at 7pm at the Great Lakes Center for the Arts – Petoskey. Info: glorchestra.org

Dec 16…Polar Express Pajama Party 6pm at the Cheboygan Public Library. Hot chocolate, snacks, movie. Free. Info: cheboyganmainstreet.org

Dec 17…Holiday fun at the Elk Rapids District Library 10:30am. Cocoa and cookies, letters to Santa craft station, Polar Express Movie. Info: 231-264-9979

Dec 17…Gingerbread House Workshop 11am at the St. Ignace Public Library

Dec 17…Christmas Festival 6-8pm at Mount Hope Church – Gaylord. Bon fire, horse drawn sleigh rides, live nativity and more. Info: gaylordchamber.com

Dec 17 – Dec 31…Festival of Trains at Creekside Community Church – Traverse City. Mon-Sat 10-6p, Sun noon-4p. $5, kids 4 & under free. $30 festival pass for unlimited visits per household-includes 2 adults and up to 3 kids. Info: traversecity.com

Dec 17…Santa Skate 6-8p at the Petoskey Ice Arena. $10 person/$30 family. $6 skate rental. Cookies & cocoa. Info: petoskeyicearena.com

Dec 17…Santa’s Elves “Make it – wrap it – gift it” Workshop 4-7p at Little Bear East Arena – St. Ignace. Enjoy cookies, hot cocoa, games, music, handcrafted gift making and more. Info: saintignace.org

Dec 18…Bowling with Santa 11-4 at the Gaylord Bowling Center. Decorate cookies, bowl, play in the arcade. Bring an unwrapped toy donation and get a free game. Info: 989-732-3574

Dec 18…Jingle Bell Run 5pm starts at the Workshop Brewery – Traverse City. Info: traversecity.com

Dec 21…Sweets with Santa 4-6pm at Lucky Stars – Cheboygan. Decorate cookies, visit with Santa, crafts, cocoa and more. Donations accepted, non-perishable food items as well. (located in the Hallmark Plaza, next to A&T) Info: 231-445-2662

Dec 23…Christmas at the Old Art Building – Leland. It’s a variety show spectacular hosted by Andrew Dost, includes caroling, comedy and holiday cheer. Tickets $40. Info: oldartbuilding.com

Dec 25…Ski Free with Santa 9a-4:30p at Schuss Mtn. – Bellaire. Info: shantycreek.com

Dec 28…Coast Guard Community Skate 4:30-5:30p at the Cheboygan Ice Arena. Info: cheboygan.com

Dec 31…New Year’s Eve at the Arts Center 5-9pm – Crooked Tree Arts Center – Petoskey.  Musical performances, music, dancing, arts & crafts, s’mores station, pizza buffet and more. Concludes with “Midnight at 9” Times Square style ball drop. All outdoor festivities are free and open to public. Admission buttons $10 for adults (18+), $5 students 2-17, under 2 free. Info: petoskeyarea.com

Dec 31…CherryT Ball Drop – Downtown Traverse City. $3 donation. Gates open 10p, event ends at 12:20am. Benefits local charities. Info: cherryballdrop.org

January 2023

Jan 14, 28, Feb 4, 18…Sledding & S’mores at Kiwanis Park – Harbor Springs. Jan 14 & Feb 4 5-8p; Jan 28 & Feb 18 noon-3p. Info: 231-526-2104

Jan 21…Jam with The Jam 1011a at the Boyne District Library. Boyne City Jam music group invites kids to listen and learn about various music instruments. Ages 6-13 welcome. Children must wear masks. Info: boynechamber.com

ONGOING

TFN…Harbor Light Community Chapel of Harbor Springs is collecting cans and bottle returns to help the less fortunate at 8220 Clayton Rd. All bottles and cans should be left next to their central trash bin in the main parking lot. Info: 231.347.5001 

Every Monday and Wednesday from noon-1pm Free Food Market is open in the parking lot of the Salvation Army Community Center on Barlow-Traverse City. Info: centralusa.salvationarmy.org

TFN…The St. Thomas food pantry is open on a drive-thru basis every Monday 10a-1pm. Bring photo ID with current Cheboygan address, proof of household income and proof of address for all household residents. 332 Western Ave. Info: 231-627-3167

TFN…The Acme Christian Thrift Store is in need of volunteers 3-5p any day Tues-Sat. Info: 231-267-3002

Now-TFN…Hospice of Michigan is available to help families in need of compassionate hospice care for a loved one. Call 888-247-5701 or visit hom.org

TFN…The Cheboygan Rec Center is open on Monday and Wednesday for boys and Tues/Thurs for girls from 5:30-8pm. High school and adults 8pm-10:30pm. Must wear mask at all times.

TFN- The Northern Care Center is a medical clinic for those uninsured or underinsured. Patients are seen on Tuesday afternoon/evenings. Located at W State Street, Cheboygan. You need to wear a mask and when you come to the parking lot you need to call the clinic, first come first seen. They also have vouchers for product at Goodwill and personal hygiene products for those in need. Please knock on the door for product. Please call with any questions 231-333-3019.

TFN… Cheboygan County Veterans host a coffee hour the 4th Wednesday of the month, 9:00 a.m. at the American Legion - VFW Post on State Street, Cheboygan. Coffee provided by McDonald's and donuts courtesy of Family Fare.

Now – TFN…Antrim County Veterans Affairs Coffee Talks every 3^rd Monday 9a at The Dam Shop – Elk Rapids and every 3^rd Wed 8:30a at M88 Morning Grind. Info: 231-533-8499

Now-Dec 31…Harvest Food & Supply Drive to benefit the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan. Info: wrcnm.org