March 2019

Fast becoming one of Michigan’s biggest winter events, the Schuss Mountain Snow Challenge transforms the late season slopes into side-by-side uphill truck racing. Watch as modified trucks, jeeps and more steps on the gas and race to the top. A portion of proceeds from the event is donated to Michigan’s Disabled American Veterans. Note: No coolers, outside beverages or dogs allowed.
For race registration and more details, visit griztekusa.com/SnowChallenge.

The Elk Rapids District Library is hosting “Spring Break @ the Library,” a series of afternoon programs for kids, March 27-30, beginning at 1 p.m. each day. NASA STEM & Lego Challenge on March 27 will encourage kids to learn how eclipses work and introduce them to the moons of the solar system. Kids can make a “UV kid” for their backpack and create a lunar landscape with Legos. Sherman the Reading Dog will visit on March 28, and the library’s meeting room will become a cozy reading nook where attendees can read and create a craft with a “gentle giant” Bernese Mountain dog.

Good Samaritan Family Services is hosting a Spaghetti Dinner on Monday, March 25 from 5-7 p.m. at the Ellsworth Elementary School. Proceeds from the event will go toward Good Sam’s emergency assistance fund. The need for helping with propane has almost passed. Soon the agency will be hearing from people who need help avoiding electricity shut-offs.
To find out more, contact Pastor Dave at 231-350-6533 or dave@thegoodsam.org.

All are encouraged to place an order for pasties now for pick-up between noon and 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, March 21-22. The pasties are being prepared by the Central Lake United Methodist Church. Cost is $6 with gravy. To place an order, call 231-544-6084 or text 231-676-2989. Leave a message including your name, phone number and amount of pasties.

To welcome a new season the Grass River Natural Area will host “Spring Pastels and More” at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 16. Participants will take a short walk looking for signs of spring’s awakening. Afterwards, the group will use pastels and a variety of other media to illustrate what they have uncovered. Cost for the two-hour program is $8 per person, and all supplies are provided. To find out more, visit grassriver.org.

Mancelona Public Schools will present, “The Magical Land of Oz,” at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16 at Mancelona Elementary School. The musical will feature students from all three buildings including the high school art department, high school robotics team, and the Mancelona drama program.  The event is being made possible through minigrants from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, Michigan Youth Arts, and support from the Mancelona Education Foundation and Communities In Schools of Northwest Michigan.