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

Upcoming events

    • Wed, April 16, 2025
    • Wed, May 28, 2025
    • 7 sessions
    • Online via Zoom
    Register

    Reviews from previous Non-Profit classes:

    • "The content was very meaningful and will be very useful in my position as an Executive Director. Scott did an excellent job presenting the information".
    • "Scott Herceg was a great teacher. He was very well prepared and had a lot of information as well as allowing time for questions and comments. Highly recommend this class".

    Are you part of a Board of Directors that has "challenges"?

    Are you a newly elected Board Member or newly hired Executive Director and you are not sure what you are supposed to do?

    Does your organization need to learn how to recruit new people for the future?

    Do you want to make your Non-Profit Organization or Association the best and most high functioning that it can be?

    If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then this class is for you!

    Join Certified Association Executive and Non-Profit Organizational Management Specialist, Scott Herceg, MSML, CAE, as he guides you through the best practices, industry standards and useful experience that have helped him successfully lead award winning, non-profits and membership based organizations for over 20 years.

    Whether you are brand-new to non-profit work, or if you are an experienced veteran, there is something in this series of classes for everyone to take back to their organization that will make it better.


    Sessions 1 & 2 - The 5 M’s of Association Management and Non-Profit Administration©

    Basic Training for anyone (Staff or Volunteer) involved with a Non-Profit Organization or Membership Based Association. Money, Membership, Management, Marketing, and Mission are the building blocks of any non-profit organization or association. Everything your organization does should be based on properly and effectively using these 5 key elements and the best practices that go with them. Understand the 5 M’s and your organization will be successful.


    Session 3 - Board Development and Governance

    Essential for any member of a Board of Directors or Staff of a Non-Profit Organization. Learn what it takes to be an outstanding Board Member or Executive Director of a High Functioning Board. Explore the Do’s and Don’ts of Board Operations and learn how to implement them for your board.


    Session 4 - Budget Development/Management/Growth

    If we are a non-profit organization, that means we aren’t supposed to make any money, right? WRONG! To help your organization and your mission be sustainable into the future, organization leaders need to learn how to build a healthy budget, keep it that way and then grow it. Topics explored include non-profit accounting basics, financial reporting that every board member can read, benchmarks for good budgeting, templates for profitable program and event production, how to plan for the future, and how to properly file your financial reports today


    Session 5 - Membership Growth/Management/Retention

    If your organization is not growing, you are dying! It’s as simple as that…well, sort of. Learn how to evaluate the health of your organization and your programing through membership trends. Explore techniques for gaining new members while engaging your current members in a positive way. It is always easier to keep a member than recruit a new one. This class will dive into the importance of good member relations and how to best keep them engaged and renewing year after year. Topics covered include: value propositions, why join statements, market penetration, quality “onboarding” procedures, new member’s 1st year or aka “I just joined, now what?," membership standards, and legal issues related to membership that could sink your organization if you are not careful.


    Session 6 - Everybody is an Asset

    How to properly use your nominating committee to grow your board strength and your organization's capacity for success. Learn how your organization can get the right people in the right positions, doing the right jobs for the right reasons. Topics include proper nominating committee procedures, how to encourage diversity in thoughts and demographics, why a good orientation for board members and new staff is so important, and the life cycle of a volunteer and staff… do they burn out, flame out, or heroically ride off into the sunset as the credits roll. Also, Staff, Board of Directors, or Committees...just who is responsible for each thing anyway?


    Session 7 - Executive Director & Board Chairperson Coaching

    Whatever the titles are: Executive Director, President, Board Chairperson, Executive Officer or just Leader. The top people, staff and volunteer need to fully understand their role in the organization and why the importance of that role functioning smoothly has a great influence on the rest of the organization's operations. Learn how the roles for the top staff person (Chief Staff Executive) and the top volunteer leader (Chief Elected Officer) work in tandem for the good of the organization but how they also have very different responsibilities. Other topics covered will include preparation for board meetings, agenda building, board management best practices, and how to conduct a smooth flowing board meeting that gets stuff done.

    Registrations are non-refundable within 48 hours of the first session.


    About Scott A. Herceg, MSML, CAE

    Certified Association Executive and Organizational Management Specialist with twenty years Managing and Directing award winning community non-profit organizations, chambers of commerce, and membership based professional trade associations across three states.

    As the author of “The 5 M's of Non-Profit Administration and Association Management©”, Scott has used the “5 M’s” as a framework for success throughout his career, by leading organizations to develop the edge they need to take the next step and to bring under-performing or under-developed organizations back to a position of success. Now, with Northern Edge Consulting, he is looking to help many more organizations reach that same outcome.

    Scott’s specific areas of expertise include strategic planning, change management, goal setting and execution, board development, basic training for new professionals, volunteer recruitment and development, membership growth strategies, fundraising techniques, effective budgeting for growth and non-profit industry best practices.

    • Sat, April 26, 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • NCMC - Library Conference Center
    • 15
    Register

    Sponsored by the Little Traverse Bay Beekeepers Guild



    Currently, the United States is in the midst of what could be the greatest yearly honey bee die off in over a decade. Large scale bee losess have been with us for the past several years and it seems to get worse every year. We can do a lot to keep our bees healthy and winter ready but losing bee colonies is a reality all beekeepers will experience. In order to sustain our beekeeping hobby it is useful to learn how to make new queen bees and new colonies of bees.

    This will be an in-class workshop discussing and demonstrating how to produce your own bee colonies by splitting existing bee colonies, making queens, managing nucleus colonies for sale or as a way to sustain or increase your colony numbers. Any beekeeper with one or more colonies of bees can use these skills to become more sustainable.

    Please note: This is an indoor class only. Bee suits are not required.

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

    • Sat, April 26, 2025
    • Sat, June 21, 2025
    • 3 sessions
    • NCMC - Borra Bldg RM 123
    • 7
    Register


    Self-Care Saturdays: A 3-Month Group Coaching Experience

    Clarity. Confidence. Connection. One Saturday a month—just for you.

    Imagine having dedicated time each month to pause, breathe, and refocus—without distractions, without guilt. Just one Saturday to pour back into yourself. Self-Care Saturdays is a holistic group coaching program designed to help you go from feeling scattered and depleted to grounded, confident, and in forward motion, with a community that truly gets you.

    Over 3 months, you’ll:

    ✔️ Gain clarity on what you really want and why it matters

    ✔️ Learn to follow through without burnout or second-guessing

    ✔️ Build confidence in your decisions, your boundaries, and your next steps

    ✔️ Create supportive routines that nourish—not drain—you

    ✔️ Feel seen, heard, and supported in a safe space of like-minded people

    This isn’t about adding more to your plate—it’s about making room for you on it.

    What You’ll Experience Each Month:

    With the same small group each time, we’ll build real connections while moving through a carefully guided growth journey:

     Reset: Let go of what’s weighing you down and get clear on what truly matters

     Refocus: Identify the patterns keeping you stuck and shift them with intention

     Spring Into Action: Create a personalized, doable plan to move forward with confidence

    Each session blends mindset coaching, guided reflection, group conversation, and gentle accountability. You’ll be supported by a Master Transformational Coach and an encouraging community that sees your value—even when you forget it yourself.

    ✨ This is for you if you’re...

    The over-giver who always puts others first and feels drained from never being on your own list

    The dreamer with goals and ideas, but no momentum or structure

    The growth-seeker who craves community, clarity, and soft accountability to stay on track

    What Makes This Different?

     Consistent Connection: Same group. Same energy. Deep trust.

     Real Results: Tangible progress on your goals with less stress and more ease

     Holistic Growth: Focused on the whole you—mind, body, spirit

     Support that Sticks: Tools, routines, and confidence that last well beyond the 3 months

    You deserve a space that’s just for you. A space to be real, reflect, and move forward—supported every step of the way.

    We’re starting soon—and this is your invitation to take up that space.

    Let’s grow together!

    ***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. 


    • Mon, April 28, 2025
    • 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
    • NCMC Borra Learning Center - Room 49B
    • 3
    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 further that comfort with the cards. Likewise, you may find that friends and family ask you to read for them, or you may wish to explore reading for the wider public. This workshop explores key factors to consider when reading for ourselves and others; how those endeavors are similar and different; common situations readers encounter when interpreting cards and how to navigate them; and strategies to help us make the most of our readings. Basic familiarity with the cards is helpful, but all are welcome regardless of level of experience. As always, the workshop will build in plenty of activities to explore and apply these concepts with your own Tarot practice.

    NOTE: You will need access to a Tarot deck for this workshop; 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 Arts and Sciences at North Central Michigan College since 2014.

    • Tue, April 29, 2025
    • Tue, May 20, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • NCMC Athletic Bldg Rm#536 (Apr 29 & May 6) & Rm#550 (May 13 & May 20)
    • 1
    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. Please 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, May 01, 2025
    • Thu, May 22, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • NCMC Athletic Bldg Rm#536 (May 1 & May 8) & Rm#550 (May 15 & May 22)
    • 7
    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. Please 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, May 02, 2025
    • 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
    • NCMC Library Conference Center
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Sorry, this lecture is full, but if you join the waitlist we will notify you of any cancellations.

    Veterans that served in Vietnam during the war can receive a free registration to this lecture (if there are openings) by calling Cathy Degnan at 231-439-6378

    America’s war in Vietnam officially ended in April of 1975 at a cost of 58,000 American lives and as many as three million Vietnamese dead. Vietnam is a vastly different nation today. Charlie MacInnis, who spent 14 months with the U.S. Army’s 25th Division in Cu Chi, South Vietnam, in 1969 and 1970 will compare images he collected then with his new images and impressions from a dramatically changed country today. Military veterans of the Vietnam war will be admitted free to this program.

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


    Charlie MacInnis in Vietnam

    • Sat, May 03, 2025
    • Sat, May 24, 2025
    • 4 sessions
    • NCMC Athletic Bldg Rm#536 (May 3 & May 10) & Rm#550 (May 17 & May 24)
    • 9
    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.

    • Sat, May 03, 2025
    • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
    • NCMC Health & Sci Bldg Rm 333
    • 11
    Register


    A shade garden can be a tranquil retreat. To help you create a visually appealing and peaceful outdoor sanctuary, we will discuss thoughtful design and plan creation.


    We’ll also talk about the importance of foundation plantings with a focus on height, layering, color and texture for shade plants specifically.


    We’ll discuss mulching techniques as well as weed & pest management, and we’ll take a look at some exciting new shade plants to incorporate into your shade garden this 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. Kim is also an avid skier and cyclist. She spends 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. However, “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.”



      • Tue, May 06, 2025
      • Tue, May 27, 2025
      • 4 sessions
      • 3 online sessions, final class on location - Elder Piper Beer & Cider Brewery, 923 Baxter St., Petoskey
      • 0
      Join waitlist


      This 4-week course offers a unique opportunity to explore the history, process, and culture of beer and brewing.  The first three classes will be online, allowing you to participate from the comfort of your own home.  The fourth class meeting will take place in person at the Elder Piper Beer & Cider Brewery in Petoskey.

      Join us online for three engaging one-hour virtual classes.  Learn about different beer styles, understand the brewing process from grain to glass, and master the art of pairing beer with food.

      The three online classes will cover:

      • Beer History, Traditions, and Styles
      • The Process of Brewing
      • Beer Service & Food Pairings

      For the fourth and final class (May 27 6-7:30PM), join us in person at the  Elder Piper Beer & Cider Brewery in Petoskey for a private tour and tasting.

      Expand your palate and become a true beer aficionado!

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

      Eeva Redmond, co-founder and creative director of Petoskey's Elder Piper Beer & Cider, brings a wealth of brewing industry experience to this course. A certified Cicerone (Beer Sommelier) with experience as a trainer and beer educator at some of the country's largest craft breweries including Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and Highland Brewing Company. Eeva began her craft beer career in 2015. She has served as a writer for Porch Drinking Magazine and a beer judge for the prestigious Great American Beer Festival. Eeva and her husband, award-winning brewer Trace Redmond, opened Elder Piper Beer & Cider in 2024. The brewery has already garnered local and national acclaim, including being named one of Hop Culture Magazine's "Top 17 Breweries to Watch in 2025."

      • Tue, May 06, 2025
      • Tue, May 27, 2025
      • 4 sessions
      • NCMC Library Teal Rm (May 20th class wll be in Borra Bldg. RM #142)
      • 0
      Join waitlist


      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!


      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.


      • Wed, May 07, 2025
      • Wed, June 11, 2025
      • 6 sessions
      • NCMC Room TBD
      • 8
      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.

        Scholarships to cover class fees are available. To inquire, please call Cathy Degnan (231) 439-6378



        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.


        • Sat, May 10, 2025
        • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
        • NCMC Health & Sci Bldg Rm 333
        • 13
        Register


        Container gardening can create beautiful green spaces and bursts of color for non-traditional yards, balconies, patios and decks. Pots of trees, shrubs and plants can easily be combined to add appeal in yard areas with poor soil conditions or in dull spaces. In this class we’ll discuss creativity in selecting appropriate plants for your conditions and choosing suitable yet fun containers.

        We’ll also discuss leveraging leaf color and texture as well as thoughtful color selection for maximum show & to meet your specific situation, and we’ll take a look at how plant height and layering can help you create maximum curb appeal. We’ll discuss some of the best and worst performers for pots based on real-world experience, and get you ready to make smart choices before you buy & plant this spring.

          ***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. Kim is also an avid skier and cyclist. She spends 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. However, “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.”

          • Sat, May 10, 2025
          • 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
          • Online
          • 25
          Register

          How To Play Piano by Ear

          Learn one of music’s deepest mysteries: How to play songs without relying on music. A very practical presentation of music theory that includes predicting chord progressions, learning from recordings, and transposing-all expressed in everyday language. This is an ideal follow-up to the “Instant Piano” class and is open to anyone who has a basic understanding of chords on any instrument. Expand your musical horizons, and free yourself from sheet-music dependence, and be the life of the party! Prior experience with chords recommended. Fee includes the online book, online follow-up lessons, a recording of the class and an optional monthly question and answer session.


          Class is held online using zoom.


          Topics include:​

          • How to find the starting note​​​​
          • How to determine when chords change
          • How to predict the chord progression​​
          • How chords help you find the correct melody
          • How the melody helps you find the correct chords​
          • How to learn songs from recordings
          • How to transpose​​​​​
          • The Universal Key Signature
          • How to use the Circle of Fifths​​​
          • How to recognize the most common chord patterns


          Craig Coffman
          Craig 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.

          • Wed, May 14, 2025
          • Wed, June 11, 2025
          • 5 sessions
          • NCMC Library Conference Room (May 14 & 21) and NCMC Harris Garden Circle (May 28 - June 11)
          • 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).

          • Wed, May 14, 2025
          • 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
          • Online via Zoom
          Register

          Mascots were fairly common on Great Lakes ships, and the animal of choice was a dog. Ric Mixter chronicles some of the most famous storms and the canines that made it through, including the LC Waldo’s bulldog in the 1913 Storm, and the pets of the captain and cook that rode 20 miles in a lifeboat with gold medal lifesavers from Charlotte, New York. Soogie, the Coast Guard dog, rode through the same storm that sank the Edmund Fitzgerald! The recent discovery of the Huronton also brings to the surface the legend of the ship’s dog by a man who survived over a dozen shipwrecks.


          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


          • Sat, May 17, 2025
          • 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
          • NCMC Health& Science Building RM #333
          • 1
          Register


          This course, taking place at the NCMC campus in Petoskey, offers a low pressure, lightened-up environment for those interested in deep meditative connections with nature through the challenging art of casting dry flies to trout.


          Among the many topics we will discuss:

          • Then and Now: A Brief Introduction to a Literary Tradition
          • Commerce and Competition: Failure is an Option, Actually
          • What It’s Really About
          • Animal Time
          • Trout and a Few Lesser Fish
          • Equipment: balance, rods, reels, lines, leaders, tippets and tools
          • What-knots- a few essentials
          • Bugs and Bug Stuff
          • Wet and Dry Flies
          • Line Management
          • Casting to Imaginary Fish in an Imaginary River

          Attendees are encouraged to bring their own equipment, but a variety of rods and reels will be available to try out in the last hour of the course.  The instructor is happy to inspect personal gear for you. 

          We will practice casting outside, rain or shine.

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

          James McCullougha retired North Central Michigan English professor, grew up in northern Michigan in the 1960’s and 70’s when Petoskey was still a remote tourist town. He began fishing on Walloon Lake every summer since before he can remember and graduated from the worm and bobber to the fly rod fifty-three years ago. It is an activity central to his life, friendships, and the primary subject of his writing.  He is author of a book about the writer and fly fishing icon, Robert Traver (John Voelker), with whom he fished when he was fifteen, entitled, Voelker’s Pond: A Robert Traver Legacy, which was selected by the Library of Michigan as a notable book for 2003. Also, in 2018, he authored Echoes, a collection of reflective, outdoor essays published by Deep Wood Press. A twenty-year contributor to Traverse Magazine, McCullough also published essays in The Bear River ReviewBlue: The Michigan MagazineThe Dunes Review, and The American Journal of Fly Fishing.  


          Copies of McCullough’s book, Echoes, will be available at the class for purchase.

          • Sat, May 17, 2025
          • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
          • Offield Family Preserve Parking Area on 515 Quick Rd., Harbor Springs
          • 0
          Join waitlist

          Wildflower Walk in the Offield Reserve

          with Brad Von Blon



          When the winter snow melts in Michigan, a variety of wildflowers begin to emerge, some of which grow nowhere else on earth. Our state and our planet are home to a vast variety of life—known as biodiversity. Many of these flowers bloom in abundance. Others are at risk of disappearing. Because the loss of one species can speed up the loss of others that depend on it, scientists say we must act urgently to help nature rebound this decade—and that will require big commitments from countries, companies and communities.

          Just a few miles from downtown Harbor Springs, the Offield Family Preserve has become a favorite community destination for wildflower viewing, hiking, dog walking (on leash), and nature classes. A mix of open meadows and forested hilly woods are found. Seasonal ponds are known as vernal pools and are especially common in spring and fall.

          Join Brad Van Blon, of the Little Traverse Conservancy, on a walk through the preserve identifying and appreciating the beauty and importance of different wildflower species.

          • Mon, May 19, 2025
          • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
          • Online
          Register

          Learn how to find the right surgeon, how to know when it's time for surgery, and how to optimize your recovery


          Dr. Joshua T. Anderson, MD, Great Lakes Orthopaedic Center

          Dr. Anderson is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with fellowship-training in hip and knee replacement surgery. Dr. Anderson is passionate about optimizing patient outcomes and rapid recovery.


          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.


          • Wed, May 21, 2025
          • 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
          • NCMC Natural Area (behind College at the end of Howard St.)
          • 6
          Register

          Spring Foraging for Wild Herbs


          Sierra LaRose, Certified Herbalist, Wild Harvester, and owner of Bear Earth Herbals, will lead a walk in the woods 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.

          • Wed, May 21, 2025
          • 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
          • Online via Zoom
          Register


          Group photograph of Company K after the Battle of the Wilderness

          Company K, of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters, was the largest all-Indian regiment in the Union Army during the Civil War. Company K fought in some of the most pivotal battles of the Civil War. Numerous Odawa from Northern Michigan were part of this unique company, which included the areas of Cross Village and Petoskey. This talk will focus not only on the battles of the Civil War but also the social and political world in which Company K was coming from.

          Eric Hemenway 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.

          • Wed, May 28, 2025
          • 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
          • NCMC Natural Area (behind College at the end of Howard St.)
          • 17
          Register

          Spring Foraging for Wild Herbs


          Sierra LaRose, Certified Herbalist, Wild Harvester, and owner of Bear Earth Herbals, will lead a walk in the woods 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.

          • Tue, June 03, 2025
          • Tue, June 24, 2025
          • 4 sessions
          • NCMC Athletic Bldg Rm#550
          • 7
          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. Please bring yoga mat and water bottle.


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