Bring your friends and family to Lincoln Elementary's Spring Carnival and Silent Auction on Friday, March 20th - 6:00-8:30 p.m. at 616 Connable Ave., Petoskey. The theme is "The Wonderful World of Dr. Seuss," so join in the fun by dressing as your favorite Dr. Seuss character! Tickets are 5 for $1, with most games costing only 2 tickets. Admittance is free and open to the public. Carnival will feature a bounce house, games in all classrooms and in the gym, including new Dr. Seuss themed games - Green Eggs and Ham, Seuss Racing, and Put Me in the Zoo. Carnival is not a fundraiser, but any profits will be used for end of year field trips for our students. For more information, contact Sue @231-348-2482

Carnival Weekend at Boyne Mountain Resort, March 20th-22nd. The biggest and best spring celebration in the north is back, Carnival Weekend. Nearly every establishment offers a party with free entry to ages 21+. From the Wig & Crazy Hair Party in the Trophy Room Pub & Pizzeria to the Foggy Goggles Pool Party and an evening with The Breakfast Club, an 80s tribute band from Chicago, in the Civic Center, the party never ends. Sunday's Last Man Standing Breakfast and Bloody Mary Bar in Stein Eriksen's will have you walking straight in time to plunge into the Slush Cup. Skim, soak, or spectate on lower McLouth starting at 11 a.m. Carnival Weekend isn't recommended for kids, just adults that want to act like kids!

Be sure to visit the newest AT&T location in Petoskey at 2160 Anderson Road (just a few doors down from Glik's) for their Grand Opening on March 21st.  KLT will be onsite from noon to 2 pm. There will be snacks. refreshments and several giveaways. On March 21 you will receive a 25% discount on accessories. Other great deals include smartphones for $0 down with AT&T Next and a free tablet promo with the purchase of any smartphone on the AT&T Next program. Visit or call today to learn more (231) 753-2785.

This Saturday, March 21st from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. join us at The Circus Shop for our Captured in Clay Tile Event! Our first event at this location and we're thrilled to introduce our unique way to preserve your precious hand and/or foot prints forever in a clay tile. Looking for a unique gift for mom or dad this Mother's or Father's Day? No age is too young (newborns) or too old (parents & grandparents) to capture and the detail of each print is AMAZING! Visit www.kidtiles.com to choose from the different options for your unique tile. Then sign up here. Please sign up by 8:00 p.m. Friday so we can ensure that we have enough clay for everyone. Call with any questions! 231-347-3433.

Join Nub's Nob on March 21st for Mardi Gras - Our annual Spring Fling with fun and games for all.  Don't miss the Soaker Cup, Costume contest, Crazy couples, face painting, Dorie Sarns Open races and the Petoskey Steel Drum Band on the deck!

Upcoming Events at Independence Village of Petoskey: Please join us this Saturday, March 21st, at 10 a.m. as we host Shannon Reed from the Alzheimer's Association. She will be giving the Alzheimer's Association educational program called "The Basics." This presentation will address detection, risks, causes, stages of the disease and treatment. Please RSVP (231) 348-8498. Later this month, Independence Village invites all area Social Workers for our complimentary Social Worker Appreciation Breakfast. This event will be held on March 31st at 7:30 am. Hospice of Michigan will be onsite to provide a CEU. Please bring your business cards and collateral information to network and be entered into prize drawings. Please RSVP (231) 348-8498.

Krazy Daze at Boyne Highlands Resort is Saturday, March 21st. Every year at Boyne Highlands, we celebrate spring with our something-for-everyone weekend of no-holds-barred festivities - Krazy Daze! Join us for live music, lighthearted activities, and upbeat events tailored to every member of the family. Whether you're a face-painted kid taking a pass at the Silly Slalom, or a kid at heart warming up for the Ski Over the Pond competition at a tailgate party you'll find enough fun and laughter to keep you smiling all weekend long. Details

Maple Moon Sugary is offering FREE TOURS this weekend, Saturday March 21st and Sunday March 22nd at 2:00 p.m. and again at 4:00 p.m. and will continue to give tours through April. The tour begins outside by the maple trees, then goes into the production facility to see the equipment at work, and ends up in the store for tastings! The tour lasts 1 hour. Please dress for the weather.

Celebrate Maple Syrup Season at the Parsons Farm in Charlevoix with the Harwood Gold maple syrup open house and taste testing event on March 21st and 22nd from 12-4 p.m. Learn about our maple syrup making process and enjoy free maple treats made with our new maple syrup products.  For more information call 231-547-2038 or visit www.harwoodgold.com

Charlevoix Area Community Pool is hosting the 3rd Annual Aqua Egg Hunt on Sunday, March 22nd! The first hunt is from 12:00-1:00 p.m. with a 2nd egg hunt from 2:00-3:00 pm. The Easter Bunny will be on hand for pictures and to exchange found eggs for goody bags! You could win a 1-year family pass valued at $330! Pre-registration is strongly recommended as each wave is limited to 50 participants. If the scheduled hunts fill up, a 3rd "wave" will be added from 10:00-11:00 a.m. $8/child or $10/child with a parent. Children 5& under must have a parent in the water within arms-reach. To register, call the Pool at 231.547.0982. Pre-payment is required to guarantee your spot! For more information, visit our web site at www.charlevoixpool.org. 

Friends of the Petoskey Library Lecture Series presents Jimmy Spencer with Pond Hill Farm on Monday March 23rd, 7:00 p.m. at the Carnegie Building. Jimmy has been farming since 1996 and majored in horticulture at Michigan State University.  Along with his mother Sharon; wife Marci; children Emma, JJ and Lily; and talented staff and interns, Pond Hill Farm offers a fun-filled farm experience year-round. Learn more about Pond Hill Farm and how agriculture has changed in the 21st century and how small farms have had to adapt to survive and remain part of the local economy and infrastructure. All Friends at the Carnegie events are open to the public.  For more information visit www.petoskeylibrary.org, or call 231-758-3100. 

Crooked Tree Arts Center is celebrating Women's History Month on Tuesday, March 24th. Professional magician and illusionist, Jania Taylor, will be presenting, "Those Magical Dames" in the Gilbert Gallery at 10:00 a.m. as part of the ever popular Coffee @ Ten lecture series. Magic has always been thought of as a male dominated field; women are stereotypically viewed as the beautiful assistant and not the performer. There are very few women performing as the magician, and when one does see a female performing it's a rare thing. However, magic has a rich history of women performing as the conjurer. The lecture is free and open to the public; refreshments are available, along with fresh coffee generously provided by Roast & Toast Café.

The City Park Grill is presenting March of the Pinots featuring Row 11 Wine. The event includes a tasting of seven glasses for only $20.  Half-off appetizers will be available as well. The event is Wednesday March 25th at 6 p.m.  Please call the City Park Grill at 347-0101 for reservations. 

A Birthday Bash FUNdraiser to benefit programs and services of the Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan will be held at Whitecaps Restaurant in Petoskey on Wednesday, March 25th. The event starts at 5:30 pm with an array of hors d'oeuvres and the Silent Auction - the Live Auction starts at 7:00 pm with a variety of biddable items such as: a 3-day stay at a cozy Cross Village cottage on 160 feet of beautiful Lake Michigan beach frontage; a ride on a Petoskey City fire truck for up to three people; a European cooking class; and a Mackinac Island getaway package. Tickets are $10 per person at the door, or call the Women's Resource Center of Northern Michigan at 231-347-0067. To learn more visit wrcnm.org. 

It's time for more lunchtime learning from the NCMC Corporate and Community EducationProgram. Next week with Sommer Poquette and take your Facebook marketing to the next level on Wednesday March 25th from Noon - 1 p.m. $10/session includes materials Room 536, Student Community Resource Center, North Central Michigan College. Create effective Facebook ads using a few simple tips to increase viewer engagement and drive traffic to your site. Use analytics to fine-tune your ads - look, content and scheduling for maximum effect. Sommer Poquette, professional blogger, social media consultant, and author of My Mommy is a Blogger, will help you boost your markets using free web programs. 

The Emmet County Road Commission will be hosting a Public Forum at the Emmet County Fairgrounds on March 26, from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. on the May 5th ballot Proposal 1 (road funding initiative). Senator Wayne Schmidt and Representative Lee Chatfield are scheduled to be in attendance along with representatives from the City of Petoskey, City of Harbor Springs, Petoskey Schools, Harbor Springs Schools, and numerous townships. Be an educated voter.  Learn about the most important transportation funding plan in Michigan History.

North Central Michigan College will present author Jack Hobey at the Luncheon Lecture on Friday, March 27th. The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. with the presentation starting at noon. Herman Swift founded the Beulah Home for orphaned and troubled boys just outside of Boyne City in 1902 and became one of the city's most prominent citizens. Then he was accused of molesting many of his young charges. The case of The People vs. Herman Swift became one of the most sensational cases to ever go to the Michigan Supreme Court. Author Jack Hobey wrote a book about this long-forgotten chapter of Northern Michigan history, "Lost Boys: The Beulah Home Tragedy." $10 cost includes lunch. Reservations required. Call 231-348-6600 to reserve your place at the table.

Staycation in your hometown! Not able to get away for spring break this year? Downtown Petoskey and Stafford's Perry Hotel have you covered! March 27th - 29th, you can book a one night's Staycation Package at the historical Perry Hotel. A staycation is a trendy way to make the most of your hometown. Usually life happens: work, school, driving the kids to afterschool activities, and weekends pass in a blur of to-do lists and early alarm clocks. So instead of expensive plane tickets and a week away, a staycation encourages you to enjoy the town you're usually too busy to take advantage of and save money while you do it! Downtown merchants are offering amazing Staycation specials too, find our more at www.petoskeydowntown.com.

Race Weekend at Boyne Highlands Resort is March 28th-29th. What better way to wind down the winter season than with a weekend full of ski racing. Boyne Highlands has opportunities for the entire family to fulfill their need for speed March 28 and 29. On Saturday, gather a team for the Family & Friends Race. Also Saturday, root on your favorite team in the Dos Equis Ski League Championships. Speaking of Dos Equis, World of Adventure presents Dos Equis Apres Ski from noon to four on Saturday, with live music from Medicinal Groove and three dollar Dos Equis drafts. Then on Sunday, feel the thrill of world cup style racing - with the Boyne Highlands Chocolate Cake Downhill - great for both racers and spectators.

Easter Sunday Brunch at Stafford's on Sunday, April 5th. We honor and celebrate this holiday of growth and renewal. We'd be honored if you joined us for Easter Brunch. $23.95 per adult, $13.95 per child.

Annual Titanic Dinner at Stafford's Perry Hotel is Saturday, April 11th at 6 p.m. All aboard! Join us Saturday, April 11th at 6 p.m. for our annual Titanic Dinner. Evening includes a five course dinner, historic presentation by local historian David Kaplan, models, displays and complimentary photos by Paul Retherford Photography. $65 per guest. Reserve at 231-347-4000.

North Central Michigan College's Lecture Series will feature Marvel Comics Creative Director, Bill Rosemann, on Wednesday, April 15th, at 7 p.m. in North Central's Student and Community Resource Center gymnasium on the Petoskey campus. This lecture is free and open to the public.  Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Admission is free, but tickets are required. Tickets are available in Petoskey at the North Central Michigan College Welcome Desk in the main administrative building, in the College Library and in the College Store in the Student and Community Resource Center.  They are also available at the College's Gaylord and Cheboygan offices. For more information, call 231-439-6225.

The 5th annual Instant Wine Cellar is scheduled for 7p.m. Friday, April 17th, at the Perry Hotel in Petoskey. Entry to the event is either a ($15 value) bottle of wine, a six-pack of craft beer, or $15. With the purchase of raffle tickets, guests have a chance to win an "Instant Wine Cellar" from the donated beverages, as well as many other fantastic prizes. There will be live music throughout the evening along with a silent auction, Stafford's hors d'oeuvres, and cash bar.

The 17th annual Curves Food Drive runs until March 27th.  This is a unique way for the community to come together and feed the needs of local food banks while simultaneously feeding the need for women's health and fitness.  Curves is inviting both non-members and members to take part in the Food Drive by bringing in a bag of non-perishable food or a monetary contribution of at least $30.  All new members who make a food or monetary donation will receive a $0 enrollment fee when joining Curves.  Call 231-487-1950 (Petoskey) or 231-526-7455 (Harbor Springs) to schedule your consultation or visit https://www.curves.com/article-detail/stories/feed-the-hungry-nourish-your-soul.  Donations can be made at the Petoskey club (829 Charlevoix Ave) or the Harbor club (8494 M-119)
 

Coming soon to a museum near you! Not everyone travels over spring break and for those who are staying close to home for whatever reason; the excitement is building at Raven Hill Discovery Center as they have collaborated with NASA to bring a display of lunar geological specimens to northern Lower Michigan. Visitors will also be able to see shuttle tiles from Atlantis and Endeavor. This special exhibit runs daily from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 28 through Friday, April 10 and is open to the public. The hands-on museum and animals will also be available for visitors to explore and the outdoor exhibits will be open. General admission is $10 per person.  For more information, call 231.536.3369 or email info@ravenhilldiscoverycenter.org. 

Hospice of Northwest Michigan invites you to join our four week "Journey Though Grief" group bereavement program beginning Thursday, April 16th and meeting each Thursday until May 14th. The group begins at 6pm and is meeting at the First Baptist Church, Community Room, 06781 M66 North, Charlevoix. This program is open to anyone looking for assistance in their grief process and is facilitated by Rev. David Behling. There is NO CHARGE to attend. Please feel free to call Hospice at 231-547-7659 to register or for more information.
 

Bay Tennis & Fitness has a special on 10 Punch Group Fitness Cards! Non-member $78 (reg price $98) and member $59 (reg price $69). Enjoy as many of our standard group fitness classes as you want! This special expires March 31st (cards are still valid for future classes). Visit our website for a complete schedule: http://www.baytennisandfitness.com/group-fitness-classes.html Call 231-487-1713 for more details.

MacGregor Cares - Monthly Community Giving Program. March's MacGregor Cares participants are: The First Tee of Northern Michigan, Friends of the Boyne River, Veterans Education Initiative at NCMC. One of these fine groups will win $500 from MacGregor Plumbing & Heating. Click the link below to vote! Do you know of a group, organization or fundraiser that needs help in the community? We're here to help them reach their goals. Nominate by clicking the following link! http://www.macgregorplumbing.com/macgregor-cares

Thinking of a small ship cruise? There is still limited space for 2015, but many are planning ahead to 2016 as these ships sell out early. Patty at Alaska and Beyond is now making appointments to see if small ship cruising is for you and your family! Very popular for anniversaries, milestone birthdays and multi-generational families. See glaciers, whales, and much more up close. Also includes Mexico, Hawaii, Antarctica and the very popular river cruises worldwide. It costs the same or less to book with a local agent vs online, and you get friendly professional service! www.AlaskaandBeyond.com or call 231-753-8530.

Find Your Next Legacy Powerboat at Walstrom Marine! Legacy Yachts by Tartan from Fairport, Ohio is pleased to announce that Walstrom Marine has been appointed as the exclusive dealer for the Legacy line of traditional, Downeast style powerboats for those who do their boating on Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, the Straits of Mackinac and the US North Channel region. Family owned and operated since 1946, and founded in Harbor Springs, Michigan Walstrom Marine has a well-deserved reputation for unparalleled customer service. In addition to the original location in Harbor Springs, Walstrom also has sales and service locations in Bay Harbor, Cheboygan, and Traverse City.

Introducing the new toddler area at Busy Bodies Bounce Town. Come check it out for only $5 all day! Wristbands allow you to bring the little ones in to enjoy the space and give you the freedom to leave for snacks, naps, or just pick up the other kids from school and come back to play at no additional charge. The $10 all access pass lets you go between the main and toddler area all day as well. Located at 1337 Spring Street.  Tel. (231) 881-9090 or visit www.busybodiesbouncetown.com to learn more.