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. 

Art Cats Gallery in Downtown Petoskey, Time for our Spring STAY-CA-TION Sale!

If you are on VACATION or STAY-CA-TION, Visit us for our STAY-CA-TION Sale. We are making room for new work. Enjoy Up to 30% off selected artwork. ALL jewelry in the gallery is 10-30% off from March 27th-29th, April 3rd-5th and April 10th-12th. Can't make it to the gallery? SHOP ON OUR WEBSITE. Current hours; Friday and Sat 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. -4 p.m.

The Blissfest Cabin Fever Review will continue the Blissfest Folk and Roots Winter Concert series at Crooked Tree Arts Center on Saturday March 28th. Show time is 7:45pm with a preshow Reception at 7:00pm. Tickets are available at the door or in advance at Grain Train and Crooked Tree or on line at www.blissfest.org and by calling 231-348-7047.The Cabin Fever Review features all Michigan artists, most who will be performing this summer at the 35th annual Blissfest Festival. $10 General Admission - $7 Members - $5 College Students. Blissfest is also promoting downtown Petoskey restaurants with its Night On the Town featuring 10% off meals with an advance ticket the day of the show. Visit the website or call for more details.

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.

Be there on March 29th for the annual Nub's Nob Telebration returns featuring a fun day filled with demo's, tele turns, swill and chill for all our free heel friends.  Contact Josh Baker at The Outfitter at (231) 526-2621 for info and registration.

Vernales will be closed Sunday, March 29 through Wednesday, April 1. We will reopen Thursday, April 2, at 4:00 p.m. for dinner service. We're doing some Spring Cleaning and a few minor updates! Thank you for your patience while we get everything ready for you!

The American Red Cross will be holding a blood drive on Tuesday, March 31st at the Perry Hotel.  Appointments are recommended. Please see the attached flyer for details. The Perry is offering a special priced buffet to anyone who gives blood. The menu is Mixed Greens Salad w/ Ranch & Italian Dressings, Garlic Bread, Spaghetti & Penne Pasta, Marinara Sauce, Bolognese Sauce, and Assorted Cookies for Dessert. Soft Beverage Included with Buffet. Anyone who gives blood will receive the Buffet @ $4.95.

Harbor/Brenn Insurance Agencies will be "Lighting it Up Blue" beginning April 2nd for World Autism Awareness Day! All our staff will be wearing blue on April 2nd and our outdoor lights will remain blue for the entire month of April.  Harbor/Brenn challenges all area businesses to do the same. Lowe's donated 500 blue light bulbs and they will be available for free beginning this Sunday, March 29th from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. You can pick one up at Lowe's or at D&W Fresh Market.
 

Sagamore's Dining Room presents Easter Brunch. Gather friends and family and celebrate Sunday, April 5th from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. Enjoy a decadent waffle bar and traditional favorites like leg of lamb and sugar glazed ham. Create a new holiday tradition with The Inn at Bay Harbor. Adults $32, children 12 and under $16.  There will also be an Easter egg hunt and games in the Arlington Room from noon-4pm. Reservations are recommended, 231.439.4059.
 

Join The Bistro for Easter Buffet and Dinner on Sunday April 5th! Easter Buffet served from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. $22 per person, $12 twelve and under, 3 and under Free! Dinner served from 6pm-8pm off our regular menu. Our Lunch and Dinner Menu are also available during Buffet Hours. Buffet Menu Breakfast: Omelet Station, French Toast, Waffles, Eggs, Eggs Benedict, Bacon, Sausage, American Fries, Pastries. Carving Station: Spiral Ham, Top round of Beef au Jus, Pork Tenderloin, Mac and Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, Vegetable, Pasta, Salads. Fresh Fish Station: Peel and Eat Shrimp, Smoked Salmon and a Dessert Station.
 

US-31 reconstruction in Petoskey starts April 6. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be reconstructing 4.2 miles of US-31 in the city of Petoskey and Resort Township, from US-131 to Camp Daggett Road. Traffic Restrictions: Between Eppler Road and US-131, eastbound traffic will be detoured on Eppler Road, Sheridan Road, and US-131, while westbound traffic will be maintained on US-31. That portion of work is scheduled to be complete before the Fourth of July holiday. Traffic will be maintained on US-31 between Camp Daggett and Eppler roads with lane closures and lane shifts. That portion of the project is scheduled to be completed by Oct. 2. Download MDOT's Mi Drive traffic information app: www.michigan.gov/drive you may also view a project map https://goo.gl/maps/rUhSp
 

Call for Young Writers! Crooked Tree Arts Center, in conjunction with the Petoskey News-Review, the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, and McLean and Eakin Booksellers, is hosting the 13th Annual Young Writers Juried Exposition.  Elementary, middle and high school writers in the Charlevoix-Emmet ISD (or home school students in Charlevoix or Emmet counties) are invited to submit up to one work of poetry and one of prose. All work must be submitted by a parent or teacher online at www.crookedtree.org, beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7 through 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15.  For writing requirements and more details about the Young Writers Juried Exposition, please visit www.crookedtree.org or contact Alex Dailey at Crooked Tree Arts Center, 231 347-4337 or email alex@crookedtree.org. 
 

North Central Michigan College is offering two information sessions in April about their new eldercare certificate. The sessions will take place on Friday, April 10th at 5:30 p.m. at the Wawatam Area Senior Citizens, Inc. Center in Mackinaw City and on Thursday, April 16th at 12:30 p.m. at the Friendship Centers of Emmet County in Petoskey. Lynn Turner, North Central's Plus 50 Encore Completion Coordinator, will describe the history, rationale and details of the new certificate program.  For more information on the eldercare certificate, contact coordinator Lynn Turner at 866-680-0771 or lturner@ncmich.edu or visit www.ncmich.edu/pdfs/Eldercare.pdf.
 

Annual owl-banding and stargazing nights at the Headlands International Dark Sky Park set for April 11th-12th at the Headlands International Dark Sky Park from 8 to 10 p.m. each evening, rain, snow or shine. Each year, Emmet County partners with the Straits Area Audubon Society at the Headlands International Dark Sky Park for an evening of learning about the rare and wonderful Saw-whet owl. The program takes place both indoors and out. Due to the nature of habitat and weather, event is by reservation only, 231-348-1713. Please note that the Saturday night event is now full; there are still spots available for the Sunday event. If you have questions, call Adams at (231) 348-1713 or email darksky@emmetcounty.org.
 

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.
 

Hands-On Holidays: Spring Break - TO THE MOON AND BACK at Raven Hill Discovery Center from March 28th - April 10th. Noon to 4:00 pm Raven Hill Discovery Center. Enjoy, Educate & Experience: Lunar and Meteorite Discs from National Aeronautic Space Administration (NASA), Shuttle Tiles, Spinoffs from the Space Program, Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation & Three Laws of Motion, "Lost on the Moon" Raven Hill Discovery Center. Raven Hill is located between East Jordan & Boyne City, just off C-48 at Pearsall Road. For more information call 231.536.3369, or email info@ravenhilldiscoverycenter.org or visit www.ravenhilldiscoverycenter.org.
 

Whitecaps Restaurant will be closed from March 29th - April 22nd for spring cleaning. Reopening on April 23^rd. Be sure to join them for Petoskey Restaurant Week during May 1th - May 8th.
 

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.
 

Comfort Keepers of Northern Lower Michigan now offers a 24-hour care team at both American House of Charlevoix and American House of Petoskey. This team provides around the clock medical care and other assistance including medication management, personal care services, mobility assistance, diabetic care, and nursing. American House Senior Living Residences offers apartment living in a dynamic senior community and provides residents with fine dining, maid service, recreational activities, social enrichment, transportation and more. With Comfort Keepers on site twenty-four hours a day, residents have ready access to any additional services needed, whether for a short-term recovery, or to meet ongoing. To explore your options, or for more information about Comfort Keepers, visit www.comfortkeeperspetoskey.com.
 

The summer gates at Greenwood are now open! That doesn't mean it is summer yet as can be felt by the 29 degree temperatures right now. The roads are open but there's still snow in the Cemetery. We are notifying you of this because some of you want to remove your wreaths or tripods to use again next year.  We will be picking all of the winter items up on Monday or Tuesday, March 30th or March 31st. They will be disposed of so if you want them you need to pick them up prior to Monday. The ground is still frozen but when it begins to thaw it will be muddy so please try to stay on the paved roads as much as possible.
 

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.