For more local adult education opportunities, please visit the Bay View Association website.

Upcoming events

    • Mon, September 22, 2025
    • Wed, October 29, 2025
    • 6 sessions
    • NCMC Library Conference Rm
    • 7
    Register

    In partnership with


    This class will first meet on Monday, Sept. 22nd, 6-7:30 pm with the Basic Improv Class.  From then on, Improv II will meet on Wednesday evenings, Oct. 1- Oct 29th, 6-7:30 pm

    Improv is the form of theatre, often comedy, in which most or all of what is performed is unplanned.  This fun Level 2 improv course is the perfect course for those with some improv experience or for those wanting to refresh their improv fundamentals. The course will explore “long form” improv, more complex settings and solo improv skill. If you want to take your improv skills to the next level this is the class for you.

    By the end of this course, you will have learned the fundamental tools of long form improv through engaging exercises and group game play designed to bolster your soft skills (agreement, active listening, being supportive, etc.) and lay the foundation that will allow you to create without self-judgment.

    A Level 2 course provides a safe environment to explore your creative potential and experience the freedom and joy of improvisational play. It is open to students 16 years or older.

    Scholarships to cover class fees are availableTo inquire, please call Sarah Hartley (231) 348-6661



    Dean Tahtinen

    In 2002 Dean was introduced to theatre as a co-leading man in play “The Best Man.” Since then, he has been onstage, backstage, and next to the stage as an actor, stage manager, assistant director, and light and sound technician for 15 or more productions. He began his improv journey with the Second Sunday Improv troop that preformed for 7 years on the second Sunday of the month raising funds for non-profit organizations. As the members of Second Sunday left the area, Dean took a couple of years off before forming the Petoskey Improv Troop or PIT that performed for 2 ½ years. He has lead improv after school classes with elementary schools in Petoskey, Alanson and East Jordan. He has provided the basics of improv: "don’t say no....make everyone look better and listen", to various organizations thru staff in-services.  Dean's formal training consists of an intensive workshop at Second City Improv in Chicago, and informal training includes hours of research and visiting improv troops in Chicago, Toronto, Denver, Boston, and Melbourne Australia. Dean has a love for bringing the joy and creativity of improv to adults and children.

    • Mon, September 22, 2025
    • Mon, October 27, 2025
    • 6 sessions
    • NCMC Library Conference Room
    • 9
    Register

    In partnership with




    Theatre


    Come join the fun in this popular class!!

    Whether you have 10 years of improv experience or are completely new to the art form, this class is for you! Over the course of 6 weeks, you’ll dive into the core concepts of improvisational theater, with a focus on foundational skills like “Yes, and...”  and  “Follow the Follower.”  These principles won’t just stay in the classroom—they’ll become part of your everyday life!

    Improv is all about connecting with your intuitive self, helping you get out of your head and into the present moment. You won’t be sitting through long lectures; instead, you’ll immerse yourself in the experience through interactive games and exercises.

    In addition to being a ton of fun, improv has been shown to activate the language and creativity centers of the brain, improve brain connectivity, reduce social anxiety, increase confidence, and help manage stress. It’s the perfect way to boost your creativity and embrace the uncertainty of life with confidence and joy.

    On the first day of class, we will have our Improv II class joining us for an evening introduction, instruction, creativity...and laughter! 

    Dean Tahtinen has been immersed in the world of improv for the past 20 years, performing with groups such as Second Sundays and the Petoskey Improv Troupe (P.I.T.). His mission is to share the transformative power of improv with as many people as possible. While Dean humbly admits that he may never be the "best" teacher, but he is committed to continuously improving his teaching skills through workshops and attending improv performances around the world.

      Scholarships to cover class fees are available. To inquire, please call Sarah Hartley (231) 348-6661



      Dean Tahtinen

      In 2002 Dean was introduced to theatre as a co-leading man in play “The Best Man.” Since then, he has been onstage, backstage, and next to the stage as an actor, stage manager, assistant director, and light and sound technician for 15 or more productions. He began his improv journey with the Second Sunday Improv troop that preformed for 7 years on the second Sunday of the month raising funds for non-profit organizations. As the members of Second Sunday left the area, Dean took a couple of years off before forming the Petoskey Improv Troop or PIT that performed for 2 ½ years. He has lead improv after school classes with elementary schools in Petoskey, Alanson and East Jordan. He has provided the basics of improv: "don’t say no....make everyone look better and listen", to various organizations thru staff in-services. Dean's formal training consists of an intensive workshop at Second City Improv in Chicago, and informal training includes hours of research and visiting improv troops in Chicago, Toronto, Denver, Boston, and Melbourne Australia. Dean has a love for bringing the joy and creativity of improv to adults and children.


      • Sun, October 19, 2025
      • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
      • NCMC - Borra Learning Center Rooms 18B & 18C
      • 2
      Register


      Come and make a beautiful, soft, 100% silk marbled scarf in your choice of colors. It’s fun! Splatter paint into a tray of fluid, use tools to swirl the colors, and add the blank scarf. Heidi provides all materials, instruction, and as much (or as little) guidance as you need. Scarves vary in base-color and length from 54 to 72” long and are colorfast and hand-washable. These make great gifts!

      Participants need no prior experience in art to be successful, and the class is designed for beginners. Participants may make additional scarves, time permitting, for $40 each payable on the day of class.

      For adults and late-teens.

      Additional information for students: Though aprons are provided by the instructor, please wear unimportant clothing and shoes. Bring rubber gloves if you wish. Marbling is messy fun! Questions? Students may contact the instructor anytime at midwestartist@msn.com or (260) 667-8719

      Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.



      Heidi Reichenbach Finley is a professional artist and art instructor in Petoskey, Michigan. An oil painter, Heidi is one of only a few professional marbling instructors in the nation. Heidi revels in sharing the traditional craft of marbling with students of all ages. She offers marbling, acrylic pour, card making, and fused glass classes and private instruction at her home studio and various teaching centers in Michigan, Indiana, Ontario, and beyond. Please visit www.marblingsupplies.etsy.com for a glimpse at Heidi’s custom designed marbling supplies, papers, and gift items sold to enthusiasts in 60+ countries around the globe.
      • Mon, October 20, 2025
      • Fri, November 14, 2025
      • 20 sessions
      • Charlevoix County Sheriff's Office, 1000 Grant St., Charlevoix, MI 49720
      • 17
      Register

      Officers are in high demand.

      It's a great time to begin a new career!


      Classes begin Monday, Oct. 20th, 2025

      Registration deadline Friday, October 3, 2025

      The Michigan Sheriffs’ Coordinating and Training Council (MSCTC) approved one hundred sixty hour (160) Local Corrections Officer Academy for correctional personnel supervising inmates in county jails. The Academy is required within one year of hire or for new hires into Sheriffs Office Correctional facilities as a Local Corrections Officer. The Academy is being offered by North Central Michigan College, an approved educational partner. The Academies are conducted by instructors who are certified by the MSCTC.

      Topics covered:

      Booking and Intake
      Correctional Law
      Cultural Diversity
      Custody and Security
      Defensive Tactics
      Ethics
      Fire Safety
      First Aid/CPR/AED
      Interpersonal Communications
      Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA)
      Prisoner Mental Health, Suicide and Behavior Awareness
      Professionalism
      Report Writing
      Stress Management
      (Comprehensive) Final Examination

      Special note: Students will need to bring a laptop to the class. If one is not available, please contact Donna Cannon at dcannon1@ncmich.edu to secure one for the student to use.

      Where:
      Charlevoix County Sheriff's Office, 1000 Grant St., Charlevoix, MI 49720

      Graduation: November 14, 2025 (same location as classes)

      Academy Tuition:
      $ 1,500.00*
      *This program is eligible for Michigan Works! funding and does not require completion of FAFSA. Reach out to your local agency for assistance. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Rob at rscholey@ncmich.edu

      Questions? Contact:

      ​​Robert Scholey
      Corrections Academy Director, Adjunct Criminal Justice Professor
      North Central Michigan College
      1515 Howard St.
      Petoskey, MI 49770
      Phone: 888-298-6605
      rscholey@ncmich.edu

      • Wed, October 22, 2025
      • 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
      • NCMC Nature Area
      • 1
      Register


      Sierra LaRose, Certified Herbalist, Wild Harvester, and owner of Bear Earth Herbals, will lead a walk in the woods of the NCMC Nature Area to learn about wild plants and their properties.

      This walk will cover plant identification, ethical harvesting, herbal remedy preparation and much more. Bring a notebook and gear for possible changes in weather. 

      Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.

      Growing up in Northern Michigan, Sierra LaRose spent most of her youth in nature exploring, building, tasting and smelling. She developed a deep relationship with the wild and it's many dwellers and by age seven she was determined to move into the forest full time. At sixteen she finally found a way and finished high school a year early to move out into the subtropical forest of Kauai, Hawaii where she spent the majority of the next four years. Every day living out there was truly human for Sierra. Gathering wood and water, plants for food and medicine, and greeting other feral beings were daily events. Sierra's passion for plants and herbalism deepened as she lived closely with the land and learned indigenous ways. Over the years She volunteered on farms and in botanical gardens, and read every plant book she could get her hands on. In 2012 after the birth of her son, Sierra moved back to her home of Northern Michigan and knew it was her destiny to pursue a life in herbal medicine. While starting an eco-friendly cleaning business and working full time cleaning houses, Sierra worked hard to pursue her true passion. She became a certified herbalist and started to develop a product line. By 2015 she transitioned fully from house cleaning to attending five farmers markets a week. Sierra now teaches classes, holds workshops, experiments with techniques in growing and harvesting herbs, develops herbal products, and spreads the word to everyone and anyone willing to learn, hoping to ignite the same passion in others and keep the ancient tradition of herbalism alive.

      • Fri, October 24, 2025
      • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
      • NCMC Library Conference Center
      • 77
      Register

      Once highly abundant in cold water streams in the northern Lower Peninsula, Arctic Grayling were in trouble in the 1880s and gone by 1936. For decades, numerous strategies to bring them back ended in failure. Ed Eisch, assistant chief of the fisheries division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, has long been involved in the search for a solution. He will explain the collaborative effort now underway with nearly 50 partners that may finally be the answer. Ed is a 36-year veteran of the DNR and has worked in various capacities at the three state fish hatcheries in northern Lower Michigan.

      Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.


      Ed Eisch

      • Sat, October 25, 2025
      • 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
      • NCMC Library Classroom
      • 16
      Register


      Do you wonder how you can take a sharp barbed needle and unspun wool to create beautiful 3-D designs? Let me show you how!! I will show you how you can make pumpkins, witches, and cauldrons and more using a specialty needle and wool. I’ll teach you the basics so you can use your own creativity. Supplies will be provided.

      Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.



      Kimberly Clare

      Step into a world where creativity and tradition come together. I’m Kimberly Clare from Harbor Springs, and I can’t wait to share my lifelong love of sheep and traditional fiber arts with you. Since my teens, I have been sewing, knitting, and crocheting, and through years of raising sheep, I have learned the full journey from fleece to fabric, including shearing, cleaning, carding, spinning, and felting.

      In my classes, you will not only learn the techniques, but you will also leave inspired, confident, and connected to a timeless art form. Let’s create something beautiful together!

      • Tue, October 28, 2025
      • Tue, November 25, 2025
      • 5 sessions
      • BLC Rm 122 (Lecture Hall)
      • 34
      Register


      Starting with the 1950's, History With A Soundtrack! presents an overview of rock & roll music one decade at a time, defining "rock and roll" broadly as a family of musical styles. In addition, we will examine the historical origins and evolution of rock and roll music within the context of cultural, social, political, and economic history, elaborating on the pervasiveness and persuasiveness of rock and roll in modern society.

      Beginning with the Blues and proceeding to Rock 'n Roll and some of its roots (R&B, Gospel, Doo-Wop, Country, Rockabilly), we will survey, among others, styles from Soul, Motown, the many "rocks" of the 1960s and 70s (Folk, Psychedelic, Art/Progressive, Heavy, Glam, Punk), Funk and Disco, to more recent trends (Rap, Hip-Hop, Techno). Along the way we will discuss influential "imports" such as Reggae and British Punk and look more closely at a few exceptional artists.

      Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.


      Erick Haight
      After a brief tenure as an adjunct professor at Kirtland Community College, Erick Haight was hired as the full-time Psychology professor at North Central in the fall of 1998, earning a Master's degree in Experimental Social Psychology from Central Michigan University. In 2004, Erick earned a Master's degree in General Humanities from CMU, which sparked the opportunity to teach courses in film, music, and history for North Central.

      A former high school choir boy, Erick worked as a bar/club DJ and at various record stores around Michigan for over 15 years; in addition, Erick wrote record reviews and artist features for the magazines Alternative Press and Bust. His father and grandfather taught in the Roscommon K-12 systems for decades, and his step-father taught science at KCC for around 30 years, so one could say that teaching remains the family business.

      • Tue, October 28, 2025
      • Tue, November 18, 2025
      • 4 sessions
      • Borra Bldg Student Commons
      • 5
      Register


      Gentle yoga relieves stress, increases flexibility, calms the mind, and strengthens the body. It's performed at a slower pace, with less extreme positions. This one-day a week, 4-week class is designed with gentle floor-based sequences with some standing positions helping you relax the muscles fully, integrating mind, body, and spirit, bringing ease to the breath, and tuning into the nervous system's healing capacity. Yoga is for every BODY - tall, small, big, tiny, young, old, and gender fluid. It truly is a way to move your body for every person on this planet. The purpose of the class is to create a space for all ages, abilities, and body types to move their bodies in a healthy and safe environment. This practice is open to all levels.


      What to bring:  Yoga mat and water bottle


      Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of the start of this class

      Jennifer Lovely

      Jennifer is a recovering healthcare professional. It wasn't until she had her own health issues that she realized the "care" in Healthcare was missing. After 20 years in the industry, Jennifer decided to take the leap into Wellness Coaching. To her it's been the most rewarding career. Seeing people change their lives and experience freedom from within has been a beautiful thing for Jennifer to witness. She's learned a lot throughout her time caring for people this way, learning one consistent thing is that people want to be seen, heard, and truly cared for. As part of overall wellness, knowing that exercise needs to be a key component and that it takes a lot of work to get started from ground zero. If exercise is already part of your life, you are one step closer to having the puzzle pieces fit together for overall health. Yoga offers nurturing, kindness, and compassion for the body, no matter what stage you are at when beginning the practice. Yoga is for every BODY-tall, small, big, tiny, young, old, and gender fluid. It truly is a way to move your body for every person on this planet. Jennifer wants to create a space for all ages, abilities, and body types to move their bodies in a healthy and safe environment. The wonderful thing about changing careers later in life is that Jennifer CHOOSE to be here and help people find their peace and freedom from within.

      • Wed, October 29, 2025
      • 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
      • NCMC Nature Area
      • 15
      Register



      Sierra LaRose, Certified Herbalist, Wild Harvester, and owner of Bear Earth Herbals, will lead a walk in the woods of the NCMC Nature Area to learn about wild plants and their properties.

      This walk will cover plant identification, ethical harvesting, herbal remedy preparation and much more. Bring a notebook and gear for possible changes in weather. 


      Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.



      Growing up in Northern Michigan, Sierra LaRose spent most of her youth in nature exploring, building, tasting and smelling. She developed a deep relationship with the wild and it's many dwellers and by age seven she was determined to move into the forest full time. At sixteen she finally found a way and finished high school a year early to move out into the subtropical forest of Kauai, Hawaii where she spent the majority of the next four years. Every day living out there was truly human for Sierra. Gathering wood and water, plants for food and medicine, and greeting other feral beings were daily events. Sierra's passion for plants and herbalism deepened as she lived closely with the land and learned indigenous ways. Over the years She volunteered on farms and in botanical gardens, and read every plant book she could get her hands on. In 2012 after the birth of her son, Sierra moved back to her home of Northern Michigan and knew it was her destiny to pursue a life in herbal medicine. While starting an eco-friendly cleaning business and working full time cleaning houses, Sierra worked hard to pursue her true passion. She became a certified herbalist and started to develop a product line. By 2015 she transitioned fully from house cleaning to attending five farmers markets a week. Sierra now teaches classes, holds workshops, experiments with techniques in growing and harvesting herbs, develops herbal products, and spreads the word to everyone and anyone willing to learn, hoping to ignite the same passion in others and keep the ancient tradition of herbalism alive.

      • Thu, October 30, 2025
      • Thu, November 20, 2025
      • 4 sessions
      • Borra Bldg Student Commons
      • 11
      Register


      Gentle yoga relieves stress, increases flexibility, calms the mind, and strengthens the body. It's performed at a slower pace, with less extreme positions. This one-day a week, 4-week class is designed with gentle floor-based sequences with some standing positions helping you relax the muscles fully, integrating mind, body, and spirit, bringing ease to the breath, and tuning into the nervous system's healing capacity. Yoga is for every BODY - tall, small, big, tiny, young, old, and gender fluid. It truly is a way to move your body for every person on this planet. The purpose of the class is to create a space for all ages, abilities, and body types to move their bodies in a healthy and safe environment. This practice is open to all levels.


      What to bring:  Yoga mat and water bottle


      Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of the start of this class

      Jennifer Lovely

      Jennifer is a recovering healthcare professional. It wasn't until she had her own health issues that she realized the "care" in Healthcare was missing. After 20 years in the industry, Jennifer decided to take the leap into Wellness Coaching. To her it's been the most rewarding career. Seeing people change their lives and experience freedom from within has been a beautiful thing for Jennifer to witness. She's learned a lot throughout her time caring for people this way, learning one consistent thing is that people want to be seen, heard, and truly cared for. As part of overall wellness, knowing that exercise needs to be a key component and that it takes a lot of work to get started from ground zero. If exercise is already part of your life, you are one step closer to having the puzzle pieces fit together for overall health. Yoga offers nurturing, kindness, and compassion for the body, no matter what stage you are at when beginning the practice. Yoga is for every BODY-tall, small, big, tiny, young, old, and gender fluid. It truly is a way to move your body for every person on this planet. Jennifer wants to create a space for all ages, abilities, and body types to move their bodies in a healthy and safe environment. The wonderful thing about changing careers later in life is that Jennifer CHOOSE to be here and help people find their peace and freedom from within.

      • Fri, October 31, 2025
      • 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
      • Bear River Trail Head on Lake Street in Petoskey
      • 10
      Register



      Observing the natural world after dark can be a truly magical experience, as many nocturnal creatures become more active and exhibit fascinating behaviors under the cover of darkness. To fully appreciate and explore this nighttime world, join Nocturnal Excursions, as they take a walking tour on the Bear River trail using night vision goggles. Enjoy a side of Petoskey you may never see with the naked eye. Please note, the goggles weigh approximately 5 pounds. 

      The walking tour will start at 8:00 pm at the Mineral Well picnic shelter on Lake St. across from Petoskey City Hall/Fire Dept. Each participant will be given binocular night vision headgear. The tour will last approximately 1 hour. In case of rain, Nov. 7th has been set aside as a secondary plan.

      Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.

      • Sat, November 01, 2025
      • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
      • HESC Building, Rm 333
      • 22
      Register


      Welcome to "Your Winter Garden," where we explore the beauty and potential of your garden even during the colder months. This class is designed to inspire and equip you with the knowledge to create a vibrant and thriving winter garden. Here's a sneak peek at what we'll cover:

      Live Planters

      Discover creative winter planter ideas that seamlessly transition into spring. Learn how to use evergreen plants to add color and texture, work with broadleaf evergreens, and incorporate dried or cut plant material to enhance your garden's aesthetic.

      Winter Interest in the Garden

      Find out what to plant for maximum winter impact and learn the best practices for trimming and shaping your plants now versus in the spring to ensure a visually appealing garden throughout the winter months.

      Height, Color, & Texture

      We’ll explore how plant selection, including height, color & texture impact the overall look of your garden even in the winter months. We'll delve into working with broadleaf and evergreen color and texture to create a harmonious and eye-catching garden design.

      Winter Protection

      Protect your garden from the harsh winter elements. Learn effective strategies to prevent wind burn and safeguard your plants from deer. This knowledge will ensure your garden remains healthy and beautiful.

      Early Spring Impact

      Get a head start on spring by planting now for early Spring surprises. We'll discuss the best plants to introduce to your garden for an early burst of color next year.

        ***Refunds are unavailable for cancellations made within 48 hours of the class***


        Kim Seelinger is a Master Gardener, certified through Michigan State University in 2002. Kim has worked in several retail greenhouses and has developed and maintained many public and private gardens. She also does some residential landscape design, consulting & maintenance. Her specialty is creating layered landscapes for multi-season interest, using leaf color and texture to create drama. “Gardening is my passion—I love getting my hands dirty, and I truly believe that an hour in the garden puts life’s problems in perspective.”

        Kim is also an avid skier and cyclist who spends her time skiing in the mountains every winter and is a certified ski instructor. She also spends many hours on her bike in northern Michigan in the summertime.

        • Mon, November 03, 2025
        • Mon, December 15, 2025
        • 6 sessions
        • NCMC - Iron Horse Cafe Conf. Rm 4
        • 0
        Join waitlist


        This 6-week course is for guitarists seeking an introduction to, and exploration of, the acoustic guitar’s most common role: that of accompaniment to song. Participants will learn basic chords, a variety of strumming styles, and some finger style patterns, using familiar songs as course material, with the goal of achieving a wide enough core knowledge of chords and styles to be able to learn songs quickly and to play them reliably in a group, social, or solo setting. Acoustic guitars are preferred, but electric guitars are welcome. Electric guitarists must provide their own amplifiers. There is a six student minimum and twelve student maximum for this course. Minimum 16 years of age. Note: No class on November 24th.


        Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.



        Owen James is a vocalist, guitarist, pianist and music instructor, with over 30 years of performing and teaching experience. In addition to performing in cafés, clubs and concert halls across the U.S., he has offered private and group lessons in voice, guitar and jazz improvisation. No matter the setting, his chief goals are to educate and inspire those around him, to share the love of music and to create opportunities, through music, for personal growth, self-expression and communication.
        • Mon, November 03, 2025
        • Mon, December 15, 2025
        • 6 sessions
        • NCMC Library Conference Room
        • 19
        Register

        In partnership with




        Theatre


        Come join the fun in this popular class!!

        Whether you have 10 years of improv experience or are completely new to the art form, this class is for you! Over the course of 6 weeks, you’ll dive into the core concepts of improvisational theater, with a focus on foundational skills like “Yes, and...”  and  “Follow the Follower.”  These principles won’t just stay in the classroom—they’ll become part of your everyday life!

        Improv is all about connecting with your intuitive self, helping you get out of your head and into the present moment. You won’t be sitting through long lectures; instead, you’ll immerse yourself in the experience through interactive games and exercises.

        In addition to being a ton of fun, improv has been shown to activate the language and creativity centers of the brain, improve brain connectivity, reduce social anxiety, increase confidence, and help manage stress. It’s the perfect way to boost your creativity and embrace the uncertainty of life with confidence and joy.

        Dean Tahtinen has been immersed in the world of improv for the past 20 years, performing with groups such as Second Sundays and the Petoskey Improv Troupe (P.I.T.). His mission is to share the transformative power of improv with as many people as possible. While Dean humbly admits that he may never be the "best" teacher, but he is committed to continuously improving his teaching skills through workshops and attending improv performances around the world.
        *NOTE: No class on Nov. 24th.

          Scholarships to cover class fees are available. To inquire, please call Sarah Hartley (231) 348-6661



          Dean Tahtinen

          In 2002 Dean was introduced to theatre as a co-leading man in play “The Best Man.” Since then, he has been onstage, backstage, and next to the stage as an actor, stage manager, assistant director, and light and sound technician for 15 or more productions. He began his improv journey with the Second Sunday Improv troop that preformed for 7 years on the second Sunday of the month raising funds for non-profit organizations. As the members of Second Sunday left the area, Dean took a couple of years off before forming the Petoskey Improv Troop or PIT that performed for 2 ½ years. He has lead improv after school classes with elementary schools in Petoskey, Alanson and East Jordan. He has provided the basics of improv: "don’t say no....make everyone look better and listen", to various organizations thru staff in-services. Dean's formal training consists of an intensive workshop at Second City Improv in Chicago, and informal training includes hours of research and visiting improv troops in Chicago, Toronto, Denver, Boston, and Melbourne Australia. Dean has a love for bringing the joy and creativity of improv to adults and children.


          • Tue, November 04, 2025
          • Tue, November 18, 2025
          • 3 sessions
          • BLC Rm 70
          • 20

          PLEASE NOTICE:

          Due to unforeseen circumstances, crochet classes have been canceled until further notice. Please read our newsletter and watch for updates.


          Join us for CrocHEY!.....a fun and engaging beginner’s crochet class where you’ll learn the basics of this timeless craft in a relaxed, social setting. Whether you’ve never picked up a hook before or need a refresher, this class will guide you through the essential stitches and techniques to get you started on your crochet journey.

          In this class, you will:

          • Get a grip on how to hold your hook and yarn comfortably
          • Learn the lingo of crochet & begin to read patterns
          • Conquer basic stitches like chain, single crochet, and double crochet
          • Create your first useable project (a dishcloth)
          • Get hands-on guidance and troubleshooting help
          • Connect with fellow beginners in a supportive, creative space

          No experience is necessary—just bring an H crochet hook, one skein (ball) of cotton yarn and one skein of light-colored acrylic yarn along with your enthusiasm and get ready to say, “Hey! I can crochet!”

          Let’s get hooked together at CrocHEY!

          Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.


          Hello! I am Holly Kotz, a proud wife & mother of two adult children. I am overjoyed that a little person calls me Grammie. Originally from the Detroit area, I spent many years in Grand Rapids before relocating to Petoskey in 2020, following the path of so many seeking the beauty of northern Michigan. In my leisure time, I indulge in the  art of crochet, am an avid reader, and find peace in cultivating my flower gardens.


          • Tue, November 04, 2025
          • Tue, December 02, 2025
          • 5 sessions
          • NCMC Borra Learning Center - Room 49B (downstairs)
          • 11
          Register


          One of the beautiful aspects of Tarot is that cards can be interpreted singly or as part of a larger story. As the first card of the Tarot, the Fool begins from ground zero and sets out on a journey through life, meeting key individuals and navigating encounters, trials, and lessons along the way to grow in experience and wisdom. The twenty-one remaining cards of the Major Arcana are the key signposts of that life journey; as signposts, they offer us an opportunity to explore deeper storytelling connections between the cards and their applicability to situations we may experience in our own lives.

          Please join us for a series of five interactive, applied workshops that explore in-depth the Fool’s Journey of the Tarot. Folks newer to Tarot are very welcome, though prior exposure to the cards is helpful; at the end of the day, you only need a deck and desire to explore the interpretive possibilities of the Fool’s Journey and their relevance for you.

          Topics explored include symbolic elements of the individual Major Arcana cards and the journey progression between cards; overarching journey stages and transition points; the role of companion cards; and alternate journey structures to expand storytelling possibilities. The workshops are experiential, with plenty of activities to help deepen your comfort with the cards and understanding of this journey through the Major Arcana. While the workshops cover basic principles, comfort comes with practice. For this, optional resources and activities are also offered to help as you independently practice and refine your skills.

          NOTE: You will need access to a Tarot deck for these workshops. Please feel free to bring a deck you have; if you need to acquire one, Inspired Living (Boyne City) and Poetess and Stranger (Petoskey) have a variety of great options.

          Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.

          Sara Glasgow, Ph.D., Dean of Arts and Sciences, NCMC

          Sara has been practicing and sharing her love of Tarot for over thirty years and Norse runes for fifteen years. Through workshops and consultations, she aims to raise awareness of the diverse ways that these systems nurture creativity, meditation, and personal empowerment. She is also a teacher, scholar, and administrator, and has served as the Dean of Arts and Sciences at North Central Michigan College since 2014.

          • Wed, November 05, 2025
          • Wed, December 17, 2025
          • 6 sessions
          • NCMC Library Conference Rm
          • 14
          Register

          In partnership with


          Improv is the form of theatre, often comedy, in which most or all of what is performed is unplanned.  This fun Level 2 improv course is the perfect course for those with some improv experience or for those wanting to refresh their improv fundamentals. The course will explore “long form” improv, more complex settings and solo improv skill. If you want to take your improv skills to the next level this is the class for you.

          By the end of this course, you will have learned the fundamental tools of long form improv through engaging exercises and group game play designed to bolster your soft skills (agreement, active listening, being supportive, etc.) and lay the foundation that will allow you to create without self-judgment.

          A Level 2 course provides a safe environment to explore your creative potential and experience the freedom and joy of improvisational play. It is open to students 16 years or older. NOTE: No class on Nov. 26th.

          Scholarships to cover class fees are availableTo inquire, please call Sarah Hartley (231) 348-6661



          Dean Tahtinen

          In 2002 Dean was introduced to theatre as a co-leading man in play “The Best Man.” Since then, he has been onstage, backstage, and next to the stage as an actor, stage manager, assistant director, and light and sound technician for 15 or more productions. He began his improv journey with the Second Sunday Improv troop that preformed for 7 years on the second Sunday of the month raising funds for non-profit organizations. As the members of Second Sunday left the area, Dean took a couple of years off before forming the Petoskey Improv Troop or PIT that performed for 2 ½ years. He has lead improv after school classes with elementary schools in Petoskey, Alanson and East Jordan. He has provided the basics of improv: "don’t say no....make everyone look better and listen", to various organizations thru staff in-services.  Dean's formal training consists of an intensive workshop at Second City Improv in Chicago, and informal training includes hours of research and visiting improv troops in Chicago, Toronto, Denver, Boston, and Melbourne Australia. Dean has a love for bringing the joy and creativity of improv to adults and children.

          • Thu, November 06, 2025
          • Thu, November 20, 2025
          • 3 sessions
          • NCMC Library
          • 20

          PLEASE NOTICE:

          Due to unforeseen circumstances, crochet classes have been canceled until further notice. Please read our newsletter and watch for updates.

          Woman hands knitting crochet.Crochet hook

          Ready to level up your crochet game? Welcome to double crocHEY, where we take your basic crochet skills and give them a double dose of fun! If you’ve mastered the slip knot, chain stitch, single crochet, and double crochet (no sweat, right?), then it’s time to move beyond the basics and get your hands into something a little more exciting.

          In this class, you will learn how to:

          • Work in the round
          • Increase and decrease stitches
          • Read those "mystical" patterns that once made you want to scream into your yarn stash
          • Change yarn colors
          • Explore specialty stitches like the shell – no, not the kind you find at the beach, but the ones that will make your projects pop!

          Get ready to challenge yourself, laugh a lot, and maybe even shed a few happy tears when you finally conquer that tricky stitch. So, grab your yarn, your hook, and let’s get crocheting – it's time for double crocHEY!

          Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.


          Hello! I am Holly Kotz, a proud wife & mother of two adult children. I am overjoyed that a little person calls me Grammie. Originally from the Detroit area, I spent many years in Grand Rapids before relocating to Petoskey in 2020, following the path of so many seeking the beauty of northern Michigan. In my leisure time, I indulge in the  art of crochet, am an avid reader, and find peace in cultivating my flower gardens.


          • Thu, November 06, 2025
          • Thu, December 18, 2025
          • 6 sessions
          • NCMC - Iron Horse Cafe Conf. Rm 4
          • 7
          Register

          This 6-week course is for guitarists seeking to expand on their core guitar knowledge by adding advanced chords and more complex finger style patterns, as well as pertinent scales for single-note melody playing and improvisation. By applying these acquired skills to familiar songs in a variety of genres, attendees will develop further knowledge of the fretboard, expand their known repertoire, and improve their ability to read music—both standard notation and tablature—enabling them to play with confidence in new settings and situations. Acoustic guitars are preferred, but electric guitars are welcome. Electric guitarists must provide their own amplifiers. There is a six student minimum and twelve student maximum for this course. Minimum 16 years of age.


          Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.



          Owen James is a vocalist, guitarist, pianist and music instructor, with over 30 years of performing and teaching experience. In addition to performing in cafés, clubs and concert halls across the U.S., he has offered private and group lessons in voice, guitar and jazz improvisation. No matter the setting, his chief goals are to educate and inspire those around him, to share the love of music and to create opportunities, through music, for personal growth, self-expression and communication.
          • Fri, November 07, 2025
          • Fri, December 19, 2025
          • 6 sessions
          • NCMC Borra Bldg Rm 49A
          • 10
          Register


          Northern Michigan is a strong and steady presence in all manner of creative writing, from poetry to drama to fiction and more.

          In this six week course, we will read models from notable writers in different genres to learn how Northern Michigan has inspired creative writing, as well as work on our own contributions to the literature of the region.

          We’ll read folks like Jack Driscoll, Jim Harrison, Ellen Airgood, Angelina Boulley, and others as we make sense of how the landscape and the inhabitants of this region we call home shape the writing of others. From the flora and fauna to the dialects of the many corners of both the northern part of the Lower Peninsula, as well as the Upper Peninsula we’ll dive into how settings and characters are shaped by our woods, our waters, and our challenges.

          This class is designed for anyone with an interest in reading and writing, but especially those who wish to examine how the landscape and the people of this region impact writers across a spectrum of genres.

          Students should plan to read widely, but also to practice their own ways of infusing the particular sights and sounds of Northern Michigan into creative writing of a variety of genres.

          Students should have a copy of Jack Driscoll’s The Goat Fish and the Lover’s Knot for use in class. We will also share other texts most weeks.

          Please note: There will be no class Thanksgiving week

          **Refunds are unavailable for cancellations made within 48 hours of the class**


          Glen Young is the author, most recently, of "Four Seasons of Mackinac Island," in addition to more than 500 essays on books and reading. He is Associate Editor of Walloon Writers Review, as well as a co-director of Top of the Mitt Writing Project. His poetry and essays have appeared in regional and national publications. He holds degrees from the University of Michigan and Marygrove College. He is a National Writing Project fellow, and has earned grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, as well as the IREX/Fulbright International Teacher Exchange Program. He is a ski instructor and a kayak guide, and divides his time between Petoskey and Mackinac Island.

          • Fri, November 07, 2025
          • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
          • NCMC Library Conference Center
          • 37
          Register

          A proposed constitutional amendment to significantly change the way Michigan voters elect federal and certain state office holders will likely be on the November 2026 general election ballot. Advocates say that “ranked choice voting” would produce winners with the broadest support. Opponents strongly disagree, arguing that a majority would be manufactured rather than a true mandate. Maine, Alaska, Minneapolis, San Francisco and New York City use that process now and some Michigan cities would too if the amendment is approved. Scott LaDeur, Ph.D., NCMC political science professor, will analyze the proposal and look at what else voters will decide a year from now.

          Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.


          Scott LaDeur, Ph.D., NCMC Political Science Professor,

          • Sat, November 08, 2025
          • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
          • Borra Learning Center, Room 123
          • 12
          Register


          The holidays have a way of bringing out the best… and sometimes the most stressful parts of our relationships. From well-meaning questions about your life choices to the pressure of saying yes to every invitation, it’s easy to lose your peace in the middle of the chaos. Setting boundaries during this time of year isn’t selfish—it’s how you preserve your energy, enjoy the season, and show up as your best self.

          This session is about learning how to say “no” without guilt, stand strong in your values, and create more balance when family dynamics get tricky. We’ll talk about real-life scenarios (because who hasn’t had that awkward holiday dinner moment?) and practice language you can actually use. You’ll leave with a plan that helps you navigate holiday stress without feeling like you have to please everyone else first.

          Think of it as your personal survival kit for the season: a combination of practical strategies, mindset shifts, and supportive community conversations. Together, we’ll create space for gratitude and laughter without letting the pressure eat away at your joy.

          ***Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of the start of this class***


          Jennifer Lovely

          Certified Mastery Transformational Coach and Yoga instructor

          Jennifer brings a wealth of knowledge and empathy to guide through transformative processes. She has been consulting with and advising clients on lifestyle changes and goal-focused initiatives for years and have conducted over 2,700 coaching calls. As a coach, Jennifer specializes in helping you prioritize your well-being, and uncover the steps needed to transition gracefully into the next chapter of your life.

          • Tue, November 11, 2025
          • 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
          • NCMC Athletics Ctr Bldg - CCE Room 536
          • 3
          Register

                       BLS Full Provider Course

          AHA’s BLS Course provides the foundation for saving lives after cardiac arrest. Updated to reflect new 2015 science, BLS teaches the concepts of high-quality CPR, improvement of chest compression fraction, and high-performing team dynamics.

          WHO SHOULD TAKE THE COURSE?

          Healthcare professionals and other personnel who need to know how to perform CPR and other basic cardiovascular life support skills in a wide variety of in-facility and prehospital settings.

          Healthcare professionals and other personnel who need to know how to perform CPR and other basic cardiovascular life support skills in a wide variety of in-facility and prehospital settings.

          COURSE COVERS

          • New science and education from the 2015 AHA Guidelines Update for CPR and ECC
          • The components of high-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants
          • The AHA Chain of Survival for prehospital and in-facility providers
          • Important early use of an AED
          • Effective ventilations using a barrier device
          • Importance of teams in multirescuer resuscitation and performance as an effective team member during multirescuer CPR
          • Relief of foreign-body airway obstruction (choking) for adults and infants

          Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.


          Megan Mainland is an Adjunct Faculty member of North Central Michigan College that has been teaching CPR for over 15 years. She currently monitors other instructors to assure their skills are up to date.

          • Tue, November 11, 2025
          • 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
          • Online Presentation
          Register

          The Edmund Fitzgerald Investigations


          To honor the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, join us for an online presentation that will talk of the crew and the ship that went down in stormy waters on Lake Superior on November 10, 1975.  


          A song turned the Edmund Fitzgerald into a legend, but how much of it is true? Researcher Ric Mixter has interviewed the men who built and sailed the ship, and his profile of the investigations from Coast Guard to the bell raising project have been featured on PBS for over twenty years. Ric is one of only a handful of people who have visited the wreck personally, diving 550 feet down in a tiny submarine to explore the site for over an hour. This was actually the beginning of over 20 years of research for Mixter, who has collected one of the largest film archives of Fitzgerald related material. Ric’s lecture includes exclusive footage of the building of the ship near Detroit, along with interviews from the men who worked at the shipyard. When Fitzgerald splashed into the Detroit River, it was the largest object ever dropped into freshwater- over 729 feet in length.

          Details from five major expeditions published in Ric’s book, the most indepth look at what each team found, and the controversies that ensued. Also featured are a dozen other shipwrecks that were among the first to be explored by submersibles during each of the tours.

          The Fitzgerald was investigated by the Coast Guard with a remote robot in 1976, and then by Jacques Cousteau in 1980. Ric shares interviews from both, including rare audio from the CURV III team and Jacques’ son Jean-Michel, who was in charge of Calypso when they lost a diver exploring the Great Lakes. Investigations in 1989, 1994 and the bell raising in 1995 are also covered in the lecture, along with Ric’s insight on what might have happened to the ship and crew. Ric’s documentary on the Fitzgerald is considered to be the most comprehensive available, and it outsells all other shipwreck documentaries on the Great Lakes. He has captivated audiences all around the lakes with this topic, with a special invitation to share his scientific findings on the topic at NASA’s Goddard Space Laboratory in 2019.


          Ric Mixter Bio

          With dozens of appearances in two countries and three states last year, Ric Mixter is certainly one of the busiest maritime speakers, rumored to be the most requested historian on the Great Lakes. Visiting museums, libraries, schools and his live music concert “STORM”, thousands of audience members get a new appreciation for our unique inland-sea history through his spellbinding lectures.

          Millions of television viewers recognize Ric Mixter as a shipwreck researcher, diving over 100 shipwrecks in the Great Lakes, including the Edmund Fitzgerald. He has produced over 30 programs for PBS and the Outdoor Channel, and appeared as a shipwreck expert on the History and Discovery Channels. He leads the pack when it comes to sharing our unique underwater resources with the general public, and thousands of dive show patrons and countless school kids know him as the energetic story teller who uses video like no other presenter can. His stories appear in books, magazines and in radio and TV news programs. Mixter’s YouTube videos have over a million views, covering shipwrecks in four of the Great Lakes and adventures in several foreign lands.

          Ric served as SCUBA cameraman on underwater expeditions to the Great Lakes largest shipwrecks, the Edmund Fitzgerald and Carl D. Bradley. He has interviewed dozens of shipwreck survivors over the past 15 years, including two from the 1913 Storm, two from the 1940 Armistice Day Storm and survivors from the largest shipwrecks in lakes Michigan, Huron and Erie. Today he runs his own production company, Airworthy Productions. He’s been Emmy nominated and has taken several awards including the Addy, Aurora, Michigan Association of Broadcasters Best Use of Medium, AP, UPI and was the 2007 Vescio award winner for a video on mental health advocacy. With over 20 years of stories on historical preservation, Ric was awarded the 2009 Award for Historic Interpretation by the Association for Great Lakes Maritime Historians. In 2011 he was elected to their board of directors. Ric is also on the board of directors for the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association, elected to serve as their president starting in January of 2016. Ric has hosted the largest dive show in Ontario and also MC’d the midwest’s largest show in Chicago. He is a frequent speaker at Ghost Ships in Milwaukee and Michigan’s largest show “Great Lakes Shipwrecks”.

          Ric is also a pilot- flying not only single engine planes, but also has flight time in several military jets. These include the US Air Force’s Thunderbird F-16 Falcon, and over 100 hours of camera work in the B-52 Stratofortress. He’s flown in the Goodyear Blimp and countless biplanes and aerobatic aircraft and has also jumped several times from over 12,000 feet as a skydiver. Ric also adept to filming in helicopters, from flying over the jungles of Honduras with the Army, to being lowered in a rescue basket into Lake Huron by the Coast Guard.

          Historical Documentaries:

          Sunken Treasure 2012

          Offshore Outposts 2011

          Cement Boat 2009

          Bombs Away 2008

          Cutter Rescues 2006

          Final Run: Storms of the Century 2005

          Safe Ashore: The 1940 Armistice Day Storm 2004

          Great Lakes In Depth (26 episodes on PBS and the Outdoor Channel) 2000-2001

          Deep Six: Titanics of the Great Lakes 1998

          The Edmund Fitzgerald Investigations 1997

          Expedition ’94 to the Edmund Fitzgerald 1995

          Best Adventure Yet 1993

          Books & Periodicals

          “The Wheelsmen” 300 page book reprinted 2015

          “Nordmeer” Michigan History Magazine 2015

          “McDougal’s Dream” Michigan History Magazine 2013

          “Bombs Away” Winter 2011

          “Shipwrecks of Saginaw Bay” Michigan History Magazine July 2014

          “Voices of the Lakes” article in book 1993


          • Thu, November 13, 2025
          • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
          • Online
          Register

          Health & Wellness Series

          in partnership with


          Whether you're still working or entering retirement, taking care of your body now pays tremendous benefits as you age. Learn how to offset the effects of aging on the musculoskeletal system.


          Jeff Samyn, PT, OCS, CSCS

          Jeff earned his B.S. in Psychology and Master's in Physical Therapy from Central Michigan University. He has earned his board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Jeff heads up our Worksite Medicine program, which focuses on ergonomic assessments, job analysis, and Functional Capacity Evaluations. His expertise is in the management and treatment of back and neck pain, peripheral joint rehabilitation, and treating general pain conditions. He has a special interest in working with runners of all ages and ability levels. Jeff and his wife have a daughter, a son, and a black lab named Goose. In addition to spending time with his family, Jeff enjoys mountain biking, fitness training, fishing, snow-shoeing, hiking, and coaching baseball and softball.


          • Thu, November 13, 2025
          • Thu, December 18, 2025
          • 5 sessions
          • NCMC Borra Learning Center Bldg Rm# 49B
          • 15


          French Conversation and Culture II continues where the first class left off. The class will refocus on themes but through varying verb tenses, based upon given vocabulary lists and topics. Each tense will be explained and practiced, applied through simple conversations/activities/short readings, It is suggested that students bring a laptop to visit some practice sites in class that will help enrich their experiences.

          If you hope to travel to a French speaking country sometime soon, this class will be a fun way to practice conversational French.

          Week One: Present tense encompassing pillar iregular verbs, using the Olympics in Paris as our vocabulary base.

          Week Two: Future and future simple tenses. Activity based upon speaking of our futures as we may best predict.

          Week Three: Using learned information from the previous weeks classes to apply to free questioning and responding. We will treat this class as a time to mingle along with wine samples/cheese/and various other treats.

          Week Four: Past tense with avoir and etre - storytelling.

          Week Five: Examined through poetry, past tense with imperfect uses/and special applications.

          **Refunds are unavailable for cancellations made within 48 hours of the class**


          Susan Baker-Smith is an instructor who has been differentiating the learning of French for all ages for over 30 years, and has completed expansive travel in France (and many other countries throughout the world) with students and adults alike.


          • Thu, November 13, 2025
          • Thu, April 09, 2026
          • 6 sessions
          • NCMC Iron Horse Cafe
          • 24
          Register


          Join us each month for an exciting opportunity to dance to vibrant Latin rhythms! Each session kicks off with a fun, easy-to-follow lesson, followed by plenty of music to dance to, including Merengue, Salsa, and Bachata. It’s the perfect chance to dress up, learn some fresh moves, and enjoy a night of dancing. These are partner dances, so we recommend signing up with a dance partner.


          Refunds are unavailable within 48hrs of this class.

          Instructors Dirk and Megan Esterline have been dance partners for over 15 years. Dirk is a Spanish professor at North Central Michigan College, with more than 30 years of teaching experience. He honed his dance skills while studying in the Dominican Republic and Chile. Megan is a massage therapist who learned her Salsa while traveling through Mexico and Spain.

          • Fri, November 14, 2025
          • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
          • NCMC - BLC Room 122
          • 45
          Register


          The United States created, funded and mandated Native American children to attend schools which focused on forced assimilation into American culture. Native languages, traditions, beliefs, etc. were systematically eradicated at these school. Odawa children from Northern Michigan would attend these schools across the country, as well as having one of these boarding schools operate at Harbor Springs, the Holy Childhood of Jesus Indian Boarding School. This talk will discuss the creation of the schools, with a focus on Northern Michigan.

          Eric Hemenway

          Eric is an Anishnaabe/Odawa from Cross Village, Michigan. He is the Director of Repatriation, Archives and Records for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indian, a federally recognized tribe in northern Michigan. Eric works to collect and preserve historical information for LTBB Odawa. That information is used to support the LTBB government and create educational materials on Odawa history, such as: exhibits, signage, publications, presentations, curriculums and media. Eric has worked on numerous repatriations of native, human remains under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). He is a former member of the NAGPRA Review Committee and currently sits on boards for the Michigan Historical Commission and Little Traverse Conservancy.

          • Sat, November 15, 2025
          • 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
          • NCMC Athletics Ctr Bldg - CCE Room 536
          • 6
          Register

                       BLS Full Provider Course

          AHA’s BLS Course provides the foundation for saving lives after cardiac arrest. Updated to reflect new 2015 science, BLS teaches the concepts of high-quality CPR, improvement of chest compression fraction, and high-performing team dynamics.

          WHO SHOULD TAKE THE COURSE?

          Healthcare professionals and other personnel who need to know how to perform CPR and other basic cardiovascular life support skills in a wide variety of in-facility and prehospital settings.

          Healthcare professionals and other personnel who need to know how to perform CPR and other basic cardiovascular life support skills in a wide variety of in-facility and prehospital settings.

          COURSE COVERS

          • New science and education from the 2015 AHA Guidelines Update for CPR and ECC
          • The components of high-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants
          • The AHA Chain of Survival for prehospital and in-facility providers
          • Important early use of an AED
          • Effective ventilations using a barrier device
          • Importance of teams in multirescuer resuscitation and performance as an effective team member during multirescuer CPR
          • Relief of foreign-body airway obstruction (choking) for adults and infants

          Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.


          Megan Mainland is an Adjunct Faculty member of North Central Michigan College that has been teaching CPR for over 15 years. She currently monitors other instructors to assure their skills are up to date.

          • Wed, November 19, 2025
          • Wed, December 17, 2025
          • 5 sessions
          • NCMC Library Conference Room
          • 17
          Register


          Tai Chi originated as an ancient martial art in China. Over the years, it has become more focused on health promotion and rehabilitation.  It is a practice that involves a series of slow gentle movements and physical postures, a meditative state of mind, and controlled breathing. 


          Tai Chi and chronic pain:

          Research shows that Tai Chi can help with chronic pain, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and tension headaches. Tai Chi is a low-impact exercise that can improve muscle strength and joint flexibility.

          Tai Chi and memory:

          Studies have shown Tai Chi improves memory and brain health. The Internation Institute of Tai Chi Health has merged medical research and traditional Chinese medicine to create this program. Tai Chi for Memory is especially useful for people with memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease and similar conditions. It is also designed to prevent these conditions.

          Caring for people with memory loss is challenging for family: the mind body program engages everyone for a quality time together. It will improve most aspects of health including balance, immunity and relaxation and can be practiced and enjoyed by anyone.

          Tai Chi and Diabetes:

          The Tai Chi for Diabetes program was developed to prevent and improve the control of diabetes. It incorporates medical research and traditional Chinese medicine to make Tai Chi sager, more effective and accessible.

          The program has helped many people with and without diabetes gain better health, improve balance, immunity, relation and quality of life.

          Refunds are unavailable within 48hrs of this class.

          Gretchen Stelter:  Instructor

          Gretchen Stelter is a certified Tai Chi for Health Instructor. Her certification is through the Tai Chi for Health Institute in Australia and the Dr Paul Lam, (MD) program which began in 2005 ( taichiforhealthinstitute.org ). She has been certified since 2012 and recertified every other year, to teach the classes all over the United States and abroad.

          Gretchen teaches classes to those that might be suffering from arthritis, balance issues, Parkinsons, Muscular Dystrophy and for those that want to increase their strength, coordination and over all well-being (mentally and physically).

          • Fri, November 21, 2025
          • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
          • NCMC Library Conference Center
          • 78
          Register

          For the past 12 years Keely Frye has been a community outreach educator and advocate for survivors of crime at the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. Previously she was a victim witness coordinator for Charlevoix County prosecutor’s office and a foster care specialist. She will review the realities of human trafficking, domestic violence and sexual assault in our world today. She will also recount the terrible persecution of indigenous people that went on for a century to “kill the Indian to save the man.”

          Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.


          Keely Frye

          • Tue, December 02, 2025
          • Tue, December 16, 2025
          • 3 sessions
          • Borra Bldg Student Commons
          • 8
          Register


          Gentle yoga relieves stress, increases flexibility, calms the mind, and strengthens the body. It's performed at a slower pace, with less extreme positions. This one-day a week, 3-week class is designed with gentle floor-based sequences with some standing positions helping you relax the muscles fully, integrating mind, body, and spirit, bringing ease to the breath, and tuning into the nervous system's healing capacity. Yoga is for every BODY - tall, small, big, tiny, young, old, and gender fluid. It truly is a way to move your body for every person on this planet. The purpose of the class is to create a space for all ages, abilities, and body types to move their bodies in a healthy and safe environment. This practice is open to all levels.


          What to bring:  Yoga mat and water bottle


          Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of the start of this class

          Jennifer Lovely

          Jennifer is a recovering healthcare professional. It wasn't until she had her own health issues that she realized the "care" in Healthcare was missing. After 20 years in the industry, Jennifer decided to take the leap into Wellness Coaching. To her it's been the most rewarding career. Seeing people change their lives and experience freedom from within has been a beautiful thing for Jennifer to witness. She's learned a lot throughout her time caring for people this way, learning one consistent thing is that people want to be seen, heard, and truly cared for. As part of overall wellness, knowing that exercise needs to be a key component and that it takes a lot of work to get started from ground zero. If exercise is already part of your life, you are one step closer to having the puzzle pieces fit together for overall health. Yoga offers nurturing, kindness, and compassion for the body, no matter what stage you are at when beginning the practice. Yoga is for every BODY-tall, small, big, tiny, young, old, and gender fluid. It truly is a way to move your body for every person on this planet. Jennifer wants to create a space for all ages, abilities, and body types to move their bodies in a healthy and safe environment. The wonderful thing about changing careers later in life is that Jennifer CHOOSE to be here and help people find their peace and freedom from within.

          • Wed, December 03, 2025
          • Wed, December 17, 2025
          • 3 sessions
          • Borra Learning Center Bldg Room#52 (downstairs)
          • 14
          Register

          Herbs are the friend of the physician and the pride of cooks ~ Charlemagne

          This three-part series will address some of the biggest challenges of getting through winter and how we can support ourselves and our families through the shortened and colder days, with the help of herbal remedies.

          Week 1:  Exploring herbs for mood and mental wellness

          Week 2:   Covering remedies for immune support

          Week 3:    Uncovering herb and lifestyle hacks for pain and inflammation.

          Participants will learn easy recipes and practices they can incorporate into their lives and will gain clarity on the effectiveness and safety of some of the current popular herbs like St. John’s Wort, Elderberry and Turmeric. 

          Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.


          Growing up in Northern Michigan, Sierra LaRose spent most of her youth in nature exploring, building, tasting and smelling. She developed a deep relationship with the wild and it's many dwellers and by age seven she was determined to move into the forest full time. At sixteen she finally found a way and finished high school a year early to move out into the subtropical forest of Kauai, Hawaii where she spent the majority of the next four years. Every day living out there was truly human for Sierra. Gathering wood and water, plants for food and medicine, and greeting other feral beings were daily events. Sierra's passion for plants and herbalism deepened as she lived closely with the land and learned indigenous ways. Over the years She volunteered on farms and in botanical gardens, and read every plant book she could get her hands on. In 2012 after the birth of her son, Sierra moved back to her home of Northern Michigan and knew it was her destiny to pursue a life in herbal medicine. While starting an eco-friendly cleaning business and working full time cleaning houses, Sierra worked hard to pursue her true passion. She became a certified herbalist and started to develop a product line. By 2015 she transitioned fully from house cleaning to attending five farmers markets a week. Sierra now teaches classes, holds workshops, experiments with techniques in growing and harvesting herbs, develops herbal products, and spreads the word to everyone and anyone willing to learn, hoping to ignite the same passion in others and keep the ancient tradition of herbalism alive. 

          • Thu, December 04, 2025
          • Thu, December 18, 2025
          • 3 sessions
          • Borra Bldg Student Commons
          • 11
          Register


          Gentle yoga relieves stress, increases flexibility, calms the mind, and strengthens the body. It's performed at a slower pace, with less extreme positions. This one-day a week, 3-week class is designed with gentle floor-based sequences with some standing positions helping you relax the muscles fully, integrating mind, body, and spirit, bringing ease to the breath, and tuning into the nervous system's healing capacity. Yoga is for every BODY - tall, small, big, tiny, young, old, and gender fluid. It truly is a way to move your body for every person on this planet. The purpose of the class is to create a space for all ages, abilities, and body types to move their bodies in a healthy and safe environment. This practice is open to all levels.


          What to bring:  Yoga mat and water bottle


          Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of the start of this class

          Jennifer Lovely

          Jennifer is a recovering healthcare professional. It wasn't until she had her own health issues that she realized the "care" in Healthcare was missing. After 20 years in the industry, Jennifer decided to take the leap into Wellness Coaching. To her it's been the most rewarding career. Seeing people change their lives and experience freedom from within has been a beautiful thing for Jennifer to witness. She's learned a lot throughout her time caring for people this way, learning one consistent thing is that people want to be seen, heard, and truly cared for. As part of overall wellness, knowing that exercise needs to be a key component and that it takes a lot of work to get started from ground zero. If exercise is already part of your life, you are one step closer to having the puzzle pieces fit together for overall health. Yoga offers nurturing, kindness, and compassion for the body, no matter what stage you are at when beginning the practice. Yoga is for every BODY-tall, small, big, tiny, young, old, and gender fluid. It truly is a way to move your body for every person on this planet. Jennifer wants to create a space for all ages, abilities, and body types to move their bodies in a healthy and safe environment. The wonderful thing about changing careers later in life is that Jennifer CHOOSE to be here and help people find their peace and freedom from within.

          • Thu, December 04, 2025
          • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
          • 122 BLS
          • 70
          Register

          Three Words, One Habit = Freedom.

          Stress isn’t going anywhere but how you respond to it can change everything.

          In this powerful and interactive session, you’ll learn a simple, science-backed habit that stops stress in its tracks and resets your body and mind in just seconds. Whether you’re a student, parent, leader, or teacher, Pause Breathe Proceed gives you a way to shift from chaos to calm, reaction to response, and burnout to balance, anytime, anywhere.

          You will learn 3 secrets:
          1.  Freedom from Stress, the silent epidemic
          2.  Freedom from the subconscious program that is running your life
          3.  The Freedom solution, three words, one habit.

          This is a tool you can use right after the talk; at work, in class, at home, or in the middle of a heated conversation.

          Join Karen Wright and Kecia Freed for an energizing hour that will leave you clearer, calmer, and more in control of your life than you’ve felt in years. Three words, one habit. A new way of living with a new way of thinking.


          Karen Wright, founder of Pause Breathe Proceed, brings a rare combination of corporate consulting, bodywork, and mindfulness expertise. Her career spans program management at Delco Systems Operations, corporate consulting for Fortune 500 companies, and years of hands-on experience as a licensed massage therapist. Driven by a lifelong desire to help people navigate life’s transitions.


          Kecia Freed  As a seasoned designer and consultant with over 40 years of experience with major brands such as General Mills and Cracker Jack, Kecia brings Pause Breathe Proceed to life. Her passion for creating meaningful strategies and her deep understanding of well-being make her a key partner of the movement. Kecia’s own experience with mindfulness and emotional intelligence, especially how they can positively influence young learners, fuels her dedication to helping others thrive. 

          Together, Karen and Kecia combine business insight, emotional intelligence, and real-world wisdom to make stress reduction simple, practical, and transformative. Their mission is clear: to create a world where we all slow down long enough to choose peace over pressure, compassion over chaos, and intention over reaction.



          • Tue, December 09, 2025
          • 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
          • NCMC Borra Learning Center - Room 49B (downstairs)
          • 15
          Register


          As we gain comfort with our Tarot cards, one of the ways to put that comfort into practice is through reading. For ourselves, this may involve perhaps a daily card for meditation, or more focused readings to help us problem solve, explore creativity, and the like. Consistent reading also helps us develop even more our comfort with the cards. One of the ways this happens is moving from applying keywords for individual cards we find in books or websites to telling stories across them through their symbols, figures, and scenes—and, as always, with our intuition guiding the way. But how do we make that leap from memorized terms to more fluid storytelling? Join us for an interactive Tarot workshop that offers both strategies and interactive practice to develop those skills. Some basic familiarity with Tarot cards is helpful but is not required. All experience levels are welcome.

          NOTE: You will need access to a Tarot deck for these workshops; a second deck can be helpful but is not necessary. Please feel free to bring a deck you have; if you need to acquire one, Inspired Living (Boyne City) and Poetess and Stranger (Petoskey) have a variety of great options.

          Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.

          Sara Glasgow, Ph.D., Dean of Arts and Sciences, NCMC

          Sara has been practicing and sharing her love of Tarot for over thirty years and Norse runes for fifteen years. Through workshops and consultations, she aims to raise awareness of the diverse ways that these systems nurture creativity, meditation, and personal empowerment. She is also a teacher, scholar, and administrator, and has served as the Dean of Liberal Arts at North Central Michigan College since 2014.

          • Tue, December 09, 2025
          • 7:00 PM - 8:15 PM
          • Online Zoom Presentation
          Register


          As the holidays approach and the days grow shorter, many people find themselves bracing for the emotional toll of the season. Depression is one of the most common mental health challenges worldwide, and for those who have experienced it before, the fear of relapse can feel overwhelming.

          In this timely online presentation, clinical psychologist Dr. Lilah Clevey will guide you through practical, evidence-based strategies to help prevent depression and reduce the risk of relapse after depression remission has been achieved.

          Whether you've struggled with depression in the past, are supporting someone who has, or simply want to take a proactive approach to your mental health, this session offers tools, insights, and hope. Learn how to take control of both the biological and behavioral components of depression in order to take control back over your life.


          Dr. Lilah Clevey completed her doctoral training at Eastern Michigan University. As a therapist, she works with adults across the lifespan specializing in trauma, OCD, anxiety, LGBTQ issues, and relationship concerns. She has completed research projects examining the impact of mentors across the lifespan, along with multiple projects examining perceptions of sexual assault survivors. She is passionate about empowering vulnerable populations and improving the ways in which we communicate. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors and is passionate about the therapeutic impact of nature.

          • Fri, December 12, 2025
          • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
          • NCMC Library Conference Center
          • 81
          Register

          There is good news in the long search for affordable housing in Emmet County. The 60-unit Lofts at Lumber Square in Petoskey for middle-income workers is nearing completion. The Meadowlands, a 38-unit mixed-income subdivision of modular homes near Alanson, is filling up with new homeowners committed to adding “sweat equity” to their investments. Two other major projects are also well underway: Pine Pond in Bear Creek Township and The Block at Petoskey on the Bear River. David “DJ” Jones, executive director of the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation will explain the foundation’s long journey to bring success to the Lofts. Kyle Ulrich of Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity will explain his organization’s strategy to bring affordable new homes to the Meadowlands.

          Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of this event.


          David Jones and Kyle Ulrich

          • Tue, January 06, 2026
          • 5:30 PM
          • Tue, January 27, 2026
          • 6:30 PM
          • Borra Bldg Student Commons
          • 12
          Register


          Gentle yoga relieves stress, increases flexibility, calms the mind, and strengthens the body. It's performed at a slower pace, with less extreme positions. This one-day a week, 3-week class is designed with gentle floor-based sequences with some standing positions helping you relax the muscles fully, integrating mind, body, and spirit, bringing ease to the breath, and tuning into the nervous system's healing capacity. Yoga is for every BODY - tall, small, big, tiny, young, old, and gender fluid. It truly is a way to move your body for every person on this planet. The purpose of the class is to create a space for all ages, abilities, and body types to move their bodies in a healthy and safe environment. This practice is open to all levels.


          What to bring:  Yoga mat and water bottle


          Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of the start of this class

          Jennifer Lovely

          Jennifer is a recovering healthcare professional. It wasn't until she had her own health issues that she realized the "care" in Healthcare was missing. After 20 years in the industry, Jennifer decided to take the leap into Wellness Coaching. To her it's been the most rewarding career. Seeing people change their lives and experience freedom from within has been a beautiful thing for Jennifer to witness. She's learned a lot throughout her time caring for people this way, learning one consistent thing is that people want to be seen, heard, and truly cared for. As part of overall wellness, knowing that exercise needs to be a key component and that it takes a lot of work to get started from ground zero. If exercise is already part of your life, you are one step closer to having the puzzle pieces fit together for overall health. Yoga offers nurturing, kindness, and compassion for the body, no matter what stage you are at when beginning the practice. Yoga is for every BODY-tall, small, big, tiny, young, old, and gender fluid. It truly is a way to move your body for every person on this planet. Jennifer wants to create a space for all ages, abilities, and body types to move their bodies in a healthy and safe environment. The wonderful thing about changing careers later in life is that Jennifer CHOOSE to be here and help people find their peace and freedom from within.

          • Thu, January 08, 2026
          • 5:30 PM
          • Thu, January 29, 2026
          • 6:30 PM
          • Borra Bldg Student Commons
          • 12
          Register


          Gentle yoga relieves stress, increases flexibility, calms the mind, and strengthens the body. It's performed at a slower pace, with less extreme positions. This one-day a week, 4-week class is designed with gentle floor-based sequences with some standing positions helping you relax the muscles fully, integrating mind, body, and spirit, bringing ease to the breath, and tuning into the nervous system's healing capacity. Yoga is for every BODY - tall, small, big, tiny, young, old, and gender fluid. It truly is a way to move your body for every person on this planet. The purpose of the class is to create a space for all ages, abilities, and body types to move their bodies in a healthy and safe environment. This practice is open to all levels.


          What to bring:  Yoga mat and water bottle


          Cancellations are non-refundable within 48 hours of the start of this class

          Jennifer Lovely

          Jennifer is a recovering healthcare professional. It wasn't until she had her own health issues that she realized the "care" in Healthcare was missing. After 20 years in the industry, Jennifer decided to take the leap into Wellness Coaching. To her it's been the most rewarding career. Seeing people change their lives and experience freedom from within has been a beautiful thing for Jennifer to witness. She's learned a lot throughout her time caring for people this way, learning one consistent thing is that people want to be seen, heard, and truly cared for. As part of overall wellness, knowing that exercise needs to be a key component and that it takes a lot of work to get started from ground zero. If exercise is already part of your life, you are one step closer to having the puzzle pieces fit together for overall health. Yoga offers nurturing, kindness, and compassion for the body, no matter what stage you are at when beginning the practice. Yoga is for every BODY-tall, small, big, tiny, young, old, and gender fluid. It truly is a way to move your body for every person on this planet. Jennifer wants to create a space for all ages, abilities, and body types to move their bodies in a healthy and safe environment. The wonderful thing about changing careers later in life is that Jennifer CHOOSE to be here and help people find their peace and freedom from within.

          • Thu, January 15, 2026
          • Thu, February 05, 2026
          • 4 sessions
          • Online
          Register

          Planning Your Retirement 

          Steady, committed saving and investing might not be exciting, but it will give you far more ability and power over your way of life in your retirement years.  Join in this 4-week noon-time series to learn the when's, why's and how's of retiring with confidence.

          Week 1: Retirement Goal Setting

          Retirement, some people dream about it, some people dread it and others wonder if it’s even possible. Most of the time all it takes is a little forethought and planning to make that retirement dream a reality. And the only way you can plan is if you know where you want to go. In this class Austin Willson, will guide you through an exploration of what retirement might mean to you, highlight common pitfalls, and discuss how what gets you to retirement isn’t the same as what gets you through retirement. This is the first in a 4-part series on the subject so snag your spot today!


          Week 2: Income After the Paychecks Stop

          The most important question about retiring is how do you pay for things once you stop working? That’s exactly what this class will cover. Austin Willson, will provide an overview of how to determine what income you may need, how to create that income stream and most importantly how to not outlast your savings. This is the 2nd in a 4-part series on retirement so snag your spot today!


          Week 3: Taxes in Retirement, The Other Certainty

          One thing’s for certain, taxes will still play a role in the overall picture of retirement. During this class Austin Willson will discuss three important areas of tax planning for retirement including possible sources of income, the 3 ways investments can be taxed, and some tax strategies you can implement to help ensure you’re well positioned from a tax perspective as you enter retirement. This is the 3rd in a 4-part series on retirement so snag your spot today!

          Week 4: Planning for a Confident Retirement

          With the markets and economy changing all the time, you may feel less than confident about reaching your retirement goals. In this class Austin Willson will lay out some tips and strategies that can help you plan for a more confident retirement and understand how financial and physical health may be intertwined. It will also cover ways to generate dependable income that could last through your whole retirement. This will be the final class of this 4-part series

          Please note: This presentation series will not be recorded.



          Austin Willson

          Austin Willson is a CFP® Practitioner and Financial Advisor at OsborneKlein, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services LLC, with offices in Petoskey and Alpena MI. Austin got his start in the financial services industry over 5 years ago in the Detroit Metro area. After a brief stint as a writer and editorial relations executive with a financial news startup, Austin moved back to his hometown of Petoskey to join the team at OsborneKlein. Currently, Austin focuses on helping clients feel more confident, connected and in control of their financial life through financial planning and investment management.

          • Wed, January 21, 2026
          • Wed, February 25, 2026
          • 6 sessions
          • NCMC Borra Bldg. Rm 49A
          • 14
          Register


          Creative Writing: Poetry for The Rest of Us

          So many folks want to appreciate poetry, but find it hard to fathom or too much work. Whether it’s dense metaphors or synonyms that make no sense, readers often abandon poetry as too hard to understand.

          In this six week creative writing class, we will make poetry accessible and fun and approachable, both by reading poets like Billy Collins, Ted Kooser, Carol Ann Duffy and by poems like History Lesson by Natasha Tretheway or Talking about the Day by Jim Daniels, poems that are more easily digestible to the non-poet or new poet. We will also try our hand at writing poetry, whether sonnets or haikus or odes or other.

          Each class session will include reading the works of established poets, as well as trying our hand at crafting or revising our own poetry. Students are encouraged to share their work with the class in order to gain feedback as well as to refine and reshape developing work. There is a hope, but no expectation about sharing personal work.

          Students should have a copy of Ted Kooser’s Poetry Home Repair Manual for use in class each week. We will also share other poetry, as well as the work of students.

          **Refunds are unavailable for cancellations made within 48 hours of the class**


          Glen Young is the author, most recently, of "Four Seasons of Mackinac Island," in addition to more than 500 essays on books and reading. He is Associate Editor of Walloon Writers Review, as well as a co-director of Top of the Mitt Writing Project. His poetry and essays have appeared in regional and national publications. He holds degrees from the University of Michigan and Marygrove College. He is a National Writing Project fellow, and has earned grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, as well as the IREX/Fulbright International Teacher Exchange Program. He is a ski instructor and a kayak guide, and divides his time between Petoskey and Mackinac Island.

          • Mon, April 06, 2026
          • Sat, April 25, 2026
          • 4 sessions
          • NCMC -
          • 12


          In this 3-week music appreciation lecture series and  Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra’s “Violins of Hope” concert attendence, participants will survey the music of Jewish classical composers throughout history and explore the elements of Hebrew folk music traditions that have found their way into classical, popular and jazz styles.

          Each week's lecture will culminate in a discussion of the specific pieces of music to be featured in the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra’s “Violins of Hope” concert. Course registration will include tickets to the Orchestra’s concert on April 25th, 2026. Class will have reserved seats together.  To see concert description Click here.

          April 6th Lecture - A survey of Jewish composers in Western Music

          From Felix Mendelssohn to Gustav Mahler and Arnold Schoenberg; from George Gershwin to Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein; from Irving Berlin to Carole King and Paul Simon, some of our most beloved, innovative and inspirational music has been created by composers raised in the Jewish faith, and steeped in its musical traditions. Participants will listen to and discuss musical excerpts.


          April 13th Lecture - An exploration of Hebrew Musical Traits

          Many musical stylistic characteristics, as well as specific scales, structural forms and genres, such as Klezmer, have Hebraic origins. Course attendees will examine these characteristics through recorded excerpts.


          April 20th Lecture - Violins of Hope 

          The Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra concert on April 25th will feature works by Dmitri Shostakovich, Marcus Paus, Noah Bendix-Balgley and John Williams. This lecture will include musical excerpts of the specific works to be performed, with emphasis and musical characteristics and historical context. Familiarity with these pieces’ style and substance will enhance participants’ experience of the upcoming concert, allowing them to more fully enter into the musical worlds conveyed.


          April 25th Performance night - "Violins of Hope"

          (Tickets included in course registration fee) 

          Time:  7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

          Location:

          Great Lakes Center for the Arts

          800 Bay Harbor Dr.

          Petoskey, Michigan

          ***Course registration cancellations are non-refundable within 2 weeks of class start date***



          Owen James is a vocalist, guitarist, pianist and music instructor, with over 30 years of performing and teaching experience. In addition to performing in cafés, clubs and concert halls across the U.S., he has offered private and group lessons in voice, guitar and jazz improvisation. No matter the setting, his chief goals are to educate and inspire those around him, to share the love of music and to create opportunities, through music, for personal growth, self-expression and communication.
          • Mon, April 13, 2026
          • 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
          • Online
          • 25
          Register

          In just a few hours, you can learn enough secrets of the trade to give you years of musical enjoyment. Learn to play piano the way professionals do-using chords. The chord method is LOTS of fun and dramatically easier to learn than reading notes. Fee includes the online book, online follow up lessons, a recording of the class and also an optional periodic question and answer session. Class is held online using zoom and is partly hands on instruction and partly lecture demonstration.


          Craig Coffman
          Craig Coffman is an experienced piano and guitar instructor, professional pianist and music director.  He has over 30 years’ experience teaching piano privately. His piano and guitar seminars, offered through Community Colleges and Community Education Programs, have been attended by over 30,000 students throughout Arizona, Minnesota and the United States over the last 27 years.   He has a degree in Sociology from Illinois Wesleyan University in Illinois (where he also studied piano) and a Master of Divinity degree from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.   

          • Tue, April 14, 2026
          • 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
          • Online
          • 25
          Register

          In just a few hours you can learn enough about playing the guitar to give you years of musical enjoyment, and you won’t have to take private lessons to do it. This crash course will teach you some basic chords and get you playing along with your favorite songs right away. Fee includes the online book, online follow up lessons, a recording of the class and also an optional periodic question and answer session. Class is held online using zoom and is partly hands on instruction and partly lecture/demonstration. For ages 13+



          Craig Coffman

          Craig Coffman is an experienced piano and guitar instructor, professional pianist and music director.  He has over 30 years’ experience teaching piano privately. His piano and guitar seminars, offered through Community Colleges and Community Education Programs, have been attended by over 30,000 students throughout Arizona, Minnesota and the United States over the last 27 years.   He has a degree in Sociology from Illinois Wesleyan University in Illinois (where he also studied piano) and a Master of Divinity degree from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.   

        Past events

        Sat, October 11, 2025 Instant Guitar for Hopelessly Busy People
        Sat, October 11, 2025 Spooky Self-Sabotage: Busting the Ghosts in Your Routine
        Sat, October 11, 2025 Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People
        Sat, October 11, 2025 BLS - Basic Life Support Provider Course
        Fri, October 10, 2025 Luncheon Lecture - Landing in Antarctica
        Wed, October 08, 2025 Little Traverse Bay's Golden Age of the Railroad
        Wed, October 08, 2025 Caring for Aging Loved Ones
        Sat, September 20, 2025 The Magic of Fall Gardening
        Fri, September 19, 2025 Luncheon Lecture - Dying from Fentanyl: What You Need to Know
        Sat, September 13, 2025 Overwintering Honey Bees with Jim Anglewicz
        Sat, September 13, 2025 Reset & Refresh: Routines That Stick
        Sat, September 13, 2025 Getting Started with Native Plants
        Wed, September 10, 2025 Then and Now: Greenwood Cemetery Walking Tour
        Tue, September 09, 2025 Then and Now: Greenwood Cemetery Walking Tour
        Mon, September 08, 2025 Then and Now: Greenwood Cemetery Walking Tour
        Thu, September 04, 2025 Then and Now: Greenwood Cemetery Walking Tour
        Tue, August 19, 2025 Family & Friends CPR with Megan Mainland
        Thu, August 14, 2025 A Home Not Forgotten: Middle Village Tour with Eric Hemenway
        Wed, August 13, 2025 Heartsaver First Aid CPR & AED
        Tue, August 12, 2025 Family & Friends CPR with Megan Mainland
        Sat, August 09, 2025 Jumpin' Grasshoppers! with Brad Von Blon
        Thu, August 07, 2025 Gentle Yoga on Thursday Evenings
        Thu, August 07, 2025 Luncheon Lecture - Servant Leadership
        Wed, August 06, 2025 Oden State Fish Hatchery Tour: A Gem in Emmet County
        Tue, August 05, 2025 Gentle Yoga on Tuesday Evenings
        Tue, August 05, 2025 Reading in Practice: A Tarot Workshop
        Mon, August 04, 2025 Celebrating the Coast Guard: Cutter Rescues with Ric Mixter
        Sat, August 02, 2025 A Women's Reset Retreat: A Day To Return To You
        Thu, July 31, 2025 Luncheon Lecture - The Underwater World of Odors
        Fri, July 25, 2025 New-and-Improved Fused Glass Fish Decoration
        Thu, July 24, 2025 Westbound Lighthouse Cruise
        Wed, July 23, 2025 Earl A. Young Homes Walking Tour
        Tue, July 22, 2025 Family & Friends CPR with Megan Mainland
        Tue, July 22, 2025 Family & Friends CPR with Megan Mainland
        Sat, July 19, 2025 Tree Identification Walk with Brad Von Blon at the Litzenburger Nature Preserve
        Sat, July 19, 2025 Wild Gardening 101
        Fri, July 18, 2025 The Everything Bowl in Fused Glass
        Tue, July 15, 2025 Outdoor Tai Chi in the Morning
        Wed, July 09, 2025 Protecting Yourself Against Financial Scams, Schemes and Abuse
        Tue, July 08, 2025 Cross Village History Walking Tour with Eric Hemenway
        Thu, July 03, 2025 New-and-Improved Fused Glass Fish Decoration
        Wed, July 02, 2025 Oden State Fish Hatchery Tour: A Gem in Emmet County
        Sat, June 28, 2025 Moss & Lichens Hike - Oden Island Nature Preserve
        Thu, June 26, 2025 Luncheon Lecture - Ice Storm Emergency Management
        Wed, June 25, 2025 Cross Village History Walking Tour with Eric Hemenway
        Mon, June 23, 2025 NMSMC Optimizing Outcomes Following Hip and Knee Replacement with Dr. Joshua T. Anderson and Jeff Samyn
        Sun, June 22, 2025 Fused Glass Plant Stand
        Sat, June 21, 2025 Fused Glass Plant Stand
        Thu, June 19, 2025 Earl A. Young Homes Walking Tour
        Wed, June 18, 2025 Bay View History Walking Tour
        Mon, June 16, 2025 Storytelling: A Tarot Workshop
        Thu, June 12, 2025 Bay View History Walking Tour
        Wed, June 11, 2025 Bay View History Walking Tour
        Tue, June 10, 2025 Bay View History Walking Tour
        Sat, June 07, 2025 Perimenopause & Menopause 101
        Thu, June 05, 2025 Gentle Yoga on Thursday Evenings
        Tue, June 03, 2025 Gentle Yoga on Tuesday Evenings
        Mon, June 02, 2025 Gentle Yoga on Monday Mornings
        Wed, May 21, 2025 Odawa and the Civil War - Company K with Eric Hemenway
        Sat, May 17, 2025 Wildflower Walk in the Offield Reserve with Brad Von Blon
        Sat, May 17, 2025 A Fly Fishing Primer: Beginning with the Basics, Off the River
        Wed, May 14, 2025 Howling Winds: The Misadventures of Maritime Mascots
        Sat, May 10, 2025 How To Play Piano by Ear
        Sat, May 10, 2025 Container Gardening:  Fun Pots & Planters for Summer
        Mon, April 28, 2025 Reading for Yourself and Others: A One-Day Tarot Workshop
        Sat, April 26, 2025 Sustainable Beekeeping with Jim Anglewicz
        Wed, April 23, 2025 First Time Home Buying in our Northern Michigan Communities
        Tue, April 22, 2025 Instant Guitar for Hopelessly Busy People
        Mon, April 21, 2025 Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People
        Mon, April 21, 2025 Getting Creative with Tarot
        Sun, April 13, 2025 Getting Started with Native Plants
        Sun, April 13, 2025 Getting Started with Native Plants
        Sat, April 12, 2025 Planting for Pollinators
        Sat, April 05, 2025 Nationally Certified Wilderness First Aid (SOLO) Course
        Sat, March 01, 2025 Garden Design – Building YOUR Perfect Garden
        Sat, March 01, 2025 Garden Design – Building YOUR Perfect Garden
        Wed, February 26, 2025 Briny Depths: The Lakes Salt Industry and Shipwrecks with Ric Mixter
        Tue, February 18, 2025 Instant Guitar for Hopelessly Busy People
        Wed, February 12, 2025 The History of Petoskey's Winter Carnival
        Fri, February 07, 2025 Luncheon Lecture - Maestro!
        Tue, February 04, 2025 Solo Travel: Embrace the Adventure of Traveling Alone
        Tue, February 04, 2025 Solo Travel: Embrace the Adventure of Traveling Alone
        Thu, January 09, 2025 Heartsaver First Aid CPR & AED
        Thu, January 09, 2025 Planning Your Retirement: A Four-week Series
        Wed, January 08, 2025 Indoor Tai Chi in the Morning
        Wed, January 08, 2025 Indoor Tai Chi in the Morning
        Wed, December 18, 2024 The Christmas Tree Ships with Ric Mixter
        Mon, December 16, 2024 Seeing With New Eyes: How Telescopes View the Universe
        Thu, December 12, 2024 NMSMC Strategies to Prevent Falls
        Tue, December 10, 2024 Tarot Spreads Workshop
        Wed, December 04, 2024 A Christmas Story: Free Community Screening
        Tue, December 03, 2024 Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: Dispelling Myths & Creating Paths to Recovery
        Sat, November 23, 2024 How To Play Piano by Ear
        Sat, November 23, 2024 Your Winter Garden
        Wed, November 20, 2024 Charlevoix's Allie Moore: World Roller Skating Champion & Local Boat Builder
        Tue, November 19, 2024 International Lecture - Hezbollah: Resistance, Politics, or Proxy?
        Wed, November 13, 2024 Indoor Tai Chi in the Morning
        Sat, November 09, 2024 On Location Tour of Club Manitou and Ponytail Club
        Thu, November 07, 2024 Hooch, Gambling and Rock-n-Roll: The Story of Club Manitou and The Ponytail Club
        Thu, November 07, 2024 French Conversation and Culture II
        Wed, November 06, 2024 Creative Writing
        Tue, November 05, 2024 Tarot 101: An Interactive Introduction
        Mon, October 28, 2024 International Lecture: A Short History of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
        Wed, October 23, 2024 Michigan’s Haunted Lighthouses with Dianna Stampfler
        Fri, October 18, 2024 Finance Friday: How to Navigate Volatile Markets
        Wed, October 16, 2024 Favorite Stories from Petoskey History
        Sun, October 13, 2024 Silk Scarf Marbling
        Wed, October 09, 2024 Demystifying Dyslexia
        Wed, October 09, 2024 The Basics of Improv
        Sat, October 05, 2024 Introduction to Turkish Marbling on Paper and Fabric
        Sat, October 05, 2024 Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People
        Fri, October 04, 2024 CATEE Bruncheon and Hard Hat Tours
        Thu, October 03, 2024 Non-Profit and Association Management 101
        Mon, September 30, 2024 NMSMC Current Considerations in Hip and Knee Replacement
        Thu, September 26, 2024 French Conversation and Culture for Beginners
        Thu, September 26, 2024 Storytelling: A Tarot Workshop
        Sat, September 21, 2024 Overwintering Honey Bees with Jim Anglewicz
        Thu, September 19, 2024 Fluent Guitar with Owen James
        Thu, September 19, 2024 Storytelling: A Tarot Workshop
        Thu, September 19, 2024 Making Michigan Technology Showcase for NCMC Students
        Wed, September 18, 2024 Turning Memories into Memoirs
        Mon, September 16, 2024 Conversational Guitar with Owen James
        Sat, September 14, 2024 Fall Gardening: It's Not All About Spring & Summer!
        Fri, September 13, 2024 Petoskey After Dark
        Tue, September 10, 2024 Lost at Sea! A Walking Tour of Greenwood Cemetery
        Thu, September 05, 2024 Lost at Sea! A Walking Tour of Greenwood Cemetery
        Wed, September 04, 2024 Earl A. Young Homes Walking Tour
        Tue, September 03, 2024 Lost at Sea! A Walking Tour of Greenwood Cemetery
        Thu, August 29, 2024 Lost at Sea! A Walking Tour of Greenwood Cemetery
        Sat, August 24, 2024 Moss & Lichens Hike - Oden Island Nature Preserve
        Wed, August 21, 2024 NCMC Harris Garden Tour
        Wed, August 14, 2024 Recovery Coach Seminar
        Sat, August 10, 2024 Jumpin' Grasshoppers! with Brad Von Blon
        Wed, August 07, 2024 A Storybook Day: Castles, Dragons and Fairies!
        Wed, July 31, 2024 A Day at the Hatchery with the "Little Fishies"
        Mon, July 29, 2024 The Everything Bowl in Fused Glass - Evening Class
        Mon, July 29, 2024 The Everything Bowl in Fused Glass
        Thu, July 25, 2024 Fun with Fossils
        Thu, July 25, 2024 Luncheon Lecture - Cleared for Takeoff
        Wed, July 24, 2024 “Scrap Fish” in Fused Glass
        Wed, July 24, 2024 Eastbound Lighthouse Cruise
        Wed, July 24, 2024 NCMC Harris Garden Tour
        Mon, July 22, 2024 Westbound Lighthouse Cruise
        Sat, July 20, 2024 Tree Identification Walk at Hailand/Helstrom Family Nature Preserve
        Wed, July 17, 2024 Earl A. Young Homes Walking Tour
        Mon, July 15, 2024 Cross Village Walking Tour with Eric Hemenway
        Mon, July 15, 2024 Two Fused Glass Sailboat Pendants
        Wed, July 10, 2024 Line Dancing with Suzie Cartwright
        Wed, July 10, 2024 Gardens Galore at Castle Farms
        Tue, July 09, 2024 Cross Village Walking Tour with Eric Hemenway
        Tue, June 25, 2024 Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People
        Tue, June 25, 2024 Getting Creative with Tarot
        Thu, June 20, 2024 Titanic Insights: Focused Exploration of the RMS Titanic
        Wed, June 19, 2024 NCMC Harris Garden Tour
        Tue, June 18, 2024 Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People
        Tue, June 18, 2024 “Scrap Fish” in Fused Glass
        Thu, June 13, 2024 Family & Friends CPR with Megan Mainland
        Thu, June 13, 2024 Family & Friends CPR with Megan Mainland
        Thu, June 13, 2024 NMSMC Shoulder Pain: What Is It, and How Do I Get Rid of It?
        Tue, June 11, 2024 Anxiety: Where it Comes From and Strategies to Manage it
        Tue, June 11, 2024 Living More Gently with Yourself, Even Amidst the Chaos
        Tue, June 11, 2024 Two Fused Glass Flower Pendants
        Mon, June 10, 2024 Health and Welfare: Body Image in Soviet Culture
        Thu, June 06, 2024 Luncheon Lecture - Great Music Explained
        Tue, June 04, 2024 Max Steiner - The Genius Behind the Music
        Sat, May 18, 2024 Wildflower Walk in the Offield Reserve with Brad Von Blon
        Sat, May 18, 2024 Celebrating Little Traverse Historical Museum
        Sat, May 18, 2024 Sustainable Beekeeping with Jim Anglewicz
        Thu, May 16, 2024 Luncheon Lecture - All about Birds
        Wed, May 15, 2024 Celebrating Harbor Springs Historical Museum
        Fri, May 10, 2024 Reading American Photographs
        Wed, May 08, 2024 Is College Worth It?
        Thu, May 02, 2024 A Beginners Guide to Personal Finance
        Wed, May 01, 2024 Celebrating Charlevoix Historical Museum
        Wed, April 24, 2024 Global Classroom: Expanding Educational Access to Forcibly Displaced Students
        Thu, April 11, 2024 NMSMC Tips and Tricks to Manage Back and Neck Pain With Jeff Samyn
        Tue, April 09, 2024 Revolutionary Impressionism: More than Pretty Pictures
        Thu, April 04, 2024 Farming With Climate Change
        Wed, April 03, 2024 Native Voices of the Great Lakes
        Wed, March 27, 2024 League of Women Voters and it's History in Northern Michigan and Nationally
        Tue, March 26, 2024 Solo Travel: Embrace the Adventure of Traveling Alone
        Fri, March 22, 2024 Luncheon Lecture - Thank You For Your Service
        Wed, March 20, 2024 Ladies of the Lights with Dianna Stampfler
        Mon, March 18, 2024 International Lecture: India; A Culturally Rich and Diverse Country
        Thu, March 14, 2024 Reading for Yourself and Others: A One-Day Tarot Workshop
        Mon, March 11, 2024 Reading for Yourself and Others: A One-Day Tarot Workshop
        Thu, March 07, 2024 Sailing into Oblivion: On the High Seas with Jerome Rand
        Wed, March 06, 2024 Odawa Women in History with Eric Hemenway
        Tue, March 05, 2024 Combining Solar with Agriculture Series
        Wed, February 28, 2024 The History of Harbor Springs Part II
        Fri, February 23, 2024 Luncheon Lecture - Juvenile Justice: Better Outcomes For Young Offenders
        Tue, February 06, 2024 Get More Done!
        Thu, February 01, 2024 Winter Birding Basics and Winter Bird Photography
        Wed, January 31, 2024 Why Securing Your Financial Future and Legacy with Insurance Makes Sense
        Mon, January 29, 2024 Michigan’s Lighthouse Matriarch: Elizabeth Whitney Williams with Dianna Stampfler
        Fri, January 26, 2024 Luncheon Lecture - Leadership Little Traverse Community Service Project
        Thu, January 25, 2024 Planning Your Retirement: A Four-week Series
        Wed, January 24, 2024 Casting Lines: Fishing Rights of the Odawa in Northern Michigan with Eric Hemenway
        Tue, January 23, 2024 Pursuit of Wellness: Changing Everyday Health Practices in Uncertain Times
        Mon, January 22, 2024 Family & Friends CPR with Megan Mainland
        Fri, January 19, 2024 Luncheon Lecture - The State of Public Health 2024: Charting a Path Forward
        Wed, January 17, 2024 Treasure Ships of the Lakes with Ric Mixter
        Thu, January 11, 2024 Secrets of the Underground Railroad
        Wed, January 10, 2024 The History of Harbor Springs
        Fri, January 05, 2024 A Native History of the American Revolution
        Wed, December 20, 2023 NMSMC Setting Meaningful New Year's Goals
        Tue, December 19, 2023 Winter Tour of Castle Farms: History, Appetizers and Holiday Cheer!
        Mon, December 11, 2023 Family & Friends CPR with Megan Mainland
        Tue, November 21, 2023 The James Webb Space Telescope: Discoveries and Puzzles from the First Year
        Tue, November 21, 2023 NMSMC Minimize Aches and Pains During Holiday Travel
        Mon, November 20, 2023 The King of Storms with Ric Mixter
        Thu, November 16, 2023 Thanksgiving Centerpiece Floral Design at Lavender Hill Farm
        Mon, November 06, 2023 The Songs of J. Will Callahan, Tin Pan Alley’s Blind Lyricist
        Wed, November 01, 2023 Water Quality of the Grand River
        Tue, October 24, 2023 Haunted Petoskey Ghost Walk with Christopher Struble
        Tue, October 24, 2023 Forgotten Founders
        Tue, October 24, 2023 International Lecture: Growing Up Polish in Southeast Michigan
        Tue, October 17, 2023 Midwest Grows Green: Protecting Pollinators at Home
        Tue, October 17, 2023 Oden State Fish Hatchery: From Egg, to Stream, to Lake...to Life!
        Thu, October 12, 2023 Investing 102: Stocks vs. Bonds
        Wed, October 11, 2023 Haunted Petoskey Ghost Walk with Christopher Struble
        Tue, October 10, 2023 NMSMC Fall Prevention Strategies For the Upcoming Winter
        Fri, October 06, 2023 British History with Dr. Julie Taddeo
        Thu, October 05, 2023 Bottled Goodbyes with Ric Mixter
        Wed, October 04, 2023 Castle Farms of Charlevoix Fall Tour with Optional Wine and Live Music
        Sun, September 24, 2023 Silk Scarf Marbling
        Thu, September 21, 2023 Glacial Landforms Walking Tour with Doug Fuller
        Wed, September 20, 2023 Fall Floral Design: A Posy in a Pumpkin!
        Sat, September 16, 2023 Introduction to Turkish Marbling on Paper and Fabric
        Thu, September 14, 2023 Hidden Superpowers of Roth IRAs
        Wed, September 13, 2023 Glacial Landforms Walking Tour with Doug Fuller
        Tue, September 12, 2023 NMSMC Making Behavior Changes Stick
        Tue, September 12, 2023 Transgender: What Can We Learn From Non-Western Societies?
        Tue, September 05, 2023 Earl A. Young Homes Walking Tour
        Thu, August 31, 2023 Historical Tour of Greenwood Cemetery: Greenwood's Earliest Burials
        Wed, August 30, 2023 Historical Tour of Greenwood Cemetery: Greenwood's Earliest Burials
        Wed, August 30, 2023 Petoskey Hemingway Tour
        Thu, August 17, 2023 Family & Friends CPR with Megan Mainland
        Wed, August 16, 2023 History Museums and Ferry Rides
        Wed, August 09, 2023 Lavender Hill Farm Owner-Guided Tour
        Wed, August 09, 2023 Oden State Fish Hatchery Tour: A Gem in Emmet County
        Wed, July 26, 2023 Lavender Hill Farm Owner-Guided Tour
        Thu, July 20, 2023 Lavender Hill Farm - Flowers on the Farm
        Thu, July 20, 2023 Family & Friends CPR with Megan Mainland
        Mon, July 17, 2023 Tree Identification Walk at Hailand/Helstrom Family Nature Preserve
        Wed, July 12, 2023 Lavender Growing and Harvesting 101
        Thu, July 06, 2023 Lavender Growing and Harvesting 101
        Wed, June 28, 2023 Family & Friends CPR with Megan Mainland
        Tue, June 27, 2023 Getting Creative with Tarot
        Tue, June 27, 2023 2 Fused Glass Sailboat Pendants
        Wed, June 21, 2023 Castle Farms of Charlevoix Summer Tour with Optional Wine and Live Music
        Mon, June 12, 2023 Critical Care Emergency Medical Transport Program
        Sat, September 10, 2022 Creatively Engaging the Deep Rhythms of Nature in partnership with CTAC - Classroom Component
        Fri, February 04, 2022 Digital Photography
        Sat, October 16, 2021 Smart Smartphone Photography
        Tue, June 22, 2021 Houseplants 101



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