FRIENDS @ THE CARNEGIE SPEAKER SERIES program for Monday, September 22^nd at 7 p.m. will be "Michigan's Ghostly Beacons" with Dianna Stampfler of Promote Michigan. The event will be at the Carnegie Bldg., 451 E. Mitchell St. What is it about lighthouses that attract ghostly spirits? Nearly two dozen lights in Michigan are rumored to be haunted - from Seul Choix Point Light to White River Light Station to Waugoshance Shoal, these stories will entertain all ages - just in time for Halloween season. Open to the public and admission is free. Sponsored by Petoskey District Library and Friends of the Library. For more info, call the Library at 231-758-3100.

Fall Culinary Classes at CTAC. Registration is open for the popular Culinary Arts Series at Crooked Tree Arts Center. Limited to only 12 participants, the Culinary Series classes fill quickly.The series begins September 23 and runs through October 28. Registration is available online at www.crookedtree.org or by calling the Arts Center at 231.347.4337. Spice up the fall with CTAC's Culinary Arts Series.

Visconti Medical Spa is hosting four amazing events this fall that you won't want to miss! Our first event is a Cool Nite Out. Are you sick of looking at those stubborn bulges? Do you have a "muffin top"? Then this is the event for you! Not only will we be discussing how to FREEZE your fat with CoolSculpting® but Dr Carin Nielsen will be giving a brief informative session on weight management. Space is limited....RSVP required! This event is on Tuesday, September 23rd from 5-7pm. Come join us for appetizers and special event pricing! RSVP to Becca@drvisconti.com or 231.347.SKIN.

Cork & Canvas - A Creative Evening Thursday, September 25th, 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Back by popular demand, Stafford's Gallery brings back an evening of wine and art! Local artist Katie Brines provides step-by-step instructions allowing you to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece on canvas - no painting talent required! $50 per guest, includes all supplies, wine tastings and light hors d'oeuvres. Each guest will take home a finished piece of artwork. Reservations required - 231-347-0142.

Petoskey Historic Homes Tour. The Little Traverse Historical Society announces a tour of historic Petoskey homes on Saturday, September 27^th, between 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.  The tour begins with an orientation at the Little Traverse History Museum, and then the four beautiful and unique homes. Tickets cost $20 per person and can be purchased at the Little Traverse History Museum and at the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce. The four chosen homes are located at 1005 East Mitchell Street, 448 Grove Street, 918 Howard Street, and 100 Arlington Avenue, and represent diverse architectural styles and histories.  Please note: not all areas of the homes are handicapped accessible. This event is rain or shine and tickets are non-refundable.

For more information call 231-347-2620 or visit info@petoskeymuseum.org.

Angel Ambassadors is hosting its 1st Annual ATV/Poker Run on September 27th Saturday. It's Called OPERATION: Trails For The Troops, In Honor and Memory of Heath Robinson.Entry Fee is - $25.00 per Poker Hand or $10.00 for BBQ Dinner and Music(Evershine and Fraid Knot).BBQ Dinner / 50-50 / Silent Auction / Prize for the most Patriotic Decorated ATV. Registration: 9 a.m. at Northern Knights Motorcycle Club on Mitchell Rd and a 10 a.m. start with stops at Alanson Park, Camp "Sinsuwas" For Sandwich Lunch (Fergeson Deer Camp), MooseJaw Junction, Bathroom Break Surprise Stop, ending at Northern Knights Club House for BBQ Dinner and Bands. www.angel-ambassadors.org Call Marcie - 881-3565 or Margie - 838-5032 with questions.

Hops 'n Highlands Microbrew Festival. Fall is in the air and it's time to celebrate the great beer state that we call home! The inaugural Hops 'n Highland Microbrew Festival will feature 35 Michigan breweries showcasing more than 100 of Michigan's finest craft beers. Don't miss this opportunity to sample some of the best of the fall season on Saturday, September 27th from 1-6pm at Boyne Highlands Resort. Visit boynehighlands.com for event details and a list of participating breweries.

Northwest Michigan Works! is offering a scholarship for an unemployed individual to enroll in a CNC Certificate Program that begins this fall in Charlevoix. The nine month long program is offered through Baker College of Cadillac and starts September 29 during the evenings at Charlevoix High School. Class sizes are small and taught by working professionals to provide plenty of one-on-one interaction and hands-on training, including actual work experience. Students learn to operate lathes, mills, precision measuring tools, and related attachments and accessories to cut, drill, shape, and finish products and component parts. To be eligible, individuals must be unemployed, laid off from a previous job, and capable of completing the training program. Anyone interested in the scholarship should contact Renee at Michigan Works!, 231-439-5231.

6th Annual Skitoberfest is October 4^th. Celebration and giving, festival style... Join us for the sixth annual Skitoberfest, a fall extravaganza and homecoming at the Boyne Mountain Village and surrounding area. Skitoberfest celebrates the best of fall's family offerings in an Oktoberfest style setting and the coming winter season with a Winter Expo hosted by Olympian Cary Adgate. Highlights include gourmet foods from northern Michigan restaurants and food trucks, Michigan beers, wines, and spirits for tasting, plus music and endless family entertainment. It's art, it's drama, it's entertainment plus food, beer, wine and fun for everyone!  Admission is free, and tickets for food, brews and some activities are available. Special event lodging rates are available, for more information, please call 800.462.6963 or visit boynemountain.com. 

A Career Expo Event is scheduled for Friday, October 10^th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at North Central Michigan College. The event will offer an opportunity for over 400 students from the local high schools to explore a variety of businesses and companies that correlate with the Michigan Career Pathways (Arts, Communication, Business, Management, Marketing, Technology, Engineering/Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, Health Sciences, Human Services, Natural Sciences, and Agriscience).  The event is being sponsored by Career Jump Start, Charlevoix Emmet Intermediate School District, North Central Michigan College, and Northwest Michigan Works. The focus will be on career exploration. If you are interested in participating in this event and/or have specific questions, please contact:Kelly Johnson (Char-Em ISD) @ johnsonk@charemisd.org or Jim Tisdel (NCMC) @ jtisdel@ncmich.edu

September Happenings at Dripworks Coffee: Weekly Lunch Specials based around the best local ingredients the season has to offer; soups, salads, snacks and more all made from scratch. Afternoon Tea every Sunday from 12 - 4 beginning September 14th; a pot of black or herbal tea, freshly baked scones, our own homemade jam and clotted cream. Embrace your inner Brit! Tea Tasting Sunday September 21st from 3 - 5; learn all about and taste the majestic tea plant in all its myriad forms - black, oolong, green and white. $15 per person. Call now to reserve your space! 10% off all catering orders through the end of September. Need something special for your next event? Give us a call!

MacGregor Cares - Monthly Community Giving Program

Congratulations to the August winner, Paper Pantry - Cross of Christ Lutheran Church!

Do you know of a group, organization or fundraiser that needs help in the community? We're here to help them reach their goals through MacGregor Cares! Nominate Here: http://www.macgregorplumbing.com/macgregor-cares/nominate-a-group

It's Truck Month at Fox Charlevoix! From now until the end of September, you can experience great savings on all in-stock Ford, Chevy and RAM trucks. We currently have a collective stock of over 80 different trucks in several different colors, sizes and options. Whether you need a daily driver or a work horse, we have the perfect truck for your lifestyle. Find great lease options for under $300 a month, for more information please go to: http://www.foxcharlevoix.com/september-truck-month.htm

The work of Lynn Dinning, instructor of glass arts and art business courses at North Central Michigan College, will be featured in a solo show of her blown, fused, and kiln cast glass art in the Atrium Gallery at Crooked Tree Arts Center, 451 E. Mitchell Street, Petoskey. All are invited to an Opening Reception on Friday September 12 from 4-6 PM. The show runs from September 12 to October 25, 2014. Call 231-347-4337 for information.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be temporarily widening US-31 between Camp Daggett Road and Eppler Road. Work beings soon and will include tree clearing, removing and replacing culverts, minor water main and drainage work, and reconstructing side roads at Mason and Blackbird roads. This work is in preparation for a 2015 project to reconstruct and resurface 4.2 miles of US-31 from US-131 to Camp Daggett Road. This project will require lane closures under flag control and has an expected completion of October 31^st. For more details and to see a project map visit https://goo.gl/maps/UFBqK 

BICYCLE RACKS ON AREA BUSES. Straits Regional Ride bus system, in cooperation with the Top of Michigan Trails Council, has installed bicycle racks on seven of its twelve buses. SRR serves Cheboygan, Emmet and Presque Isle counties. Each rack carries up to three bicycles. For schedules and other information look at SRR's website. http://www.cheboygancounty.net/straits-regional-ride-100/

Odawa Casino has booth space available for vendors for its Women's Show on October 18^th from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in Ovation Hall. Join 50+ vendors for the premier event for reaching women in Northern Michigan! Booth space is limited; for more information or to register, please contact Suzanne Sipe at 877-442-6464 ext. 7004 or ssipe@odawacasino.com.