What’s Going On in the Near North This Week

Want to know what’s happening in the area? We pick one event per day and sometimes two (except Saturday when we always choose two and this week it’s 3) to feature with an emphasis on variety. If you have an event coming up send us an email at [email protected] and you may see it in this weekly offering.
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Monday
Two events we like today
Branstrom Earth Day Cleanup by the Wildflower Friends Nature Group starts at 10am. These are the folks who put on the weekly toddler and baby walks each week. Just show up. They will provide bags and gloves.

We don’t know much about the Wings of Fire Graphic Novel Book Club, but it’s being hosted by the White Cloud Community Library who have been gifting the community with some innovative programming of late. The description says:”Join us for a time of mixing reading and theater as we act our way through the Wings of Fire Series." 10:30-11:30am

Tuesday
A short bit of a drive but Third Nature Brewing Co. in Rockford is located along the White Pine Trail. On Tuesday if you hike or bike a bit on the trail they knock $2 off your first pint afterwards. Be sure to check-in at the host stand. Dogs are welcome in their Biergarten if you would like for your four legged friend to tag along.

Wednesday
Too cold to go to a ballgame but the GR Museum has a very cool exhibit going on. Play Ball boasts the world’s largest collection of Detroit Tiger autographed baseballs. Being a forever fan I will undoubtedly have to take this one in a time or two. From Al Kaline and Miggy Cabrera to Skeeter Barnes and Rico Brogna and maybe the unforgettable Enos Cabell, I will search for them all. Here are details:
https://www.grpm.org/play-ball/

Thursday
Hit the Road Joe reopens after a 2 month sabbatical that saw Chef Tracy polishing up her extensive culinary resume with some cooking classes in Oaxaca, Mexico. It might be a bit cool for al fresco dining on this day but by the weekend we’re to be in the 60s and the outside dining at HTRJ is a treat in itself. Their take out dinner for Friday is Corned Beef and Cabbage and their epic pizzas return on Saturday. Regular hours are 8am-2pm Thursday through Monday. See you there.

Friday
 Stage Door Players final weekend performances  of Nana's Naughty Knickers. We have heard the play is a laughable lark and if there is anything we need lately it’s a good laugh or two. 7pm with doors open at 6:30pm. Here’s an article about it.
https://www.nearnorthnow.com/features-and-fun/stage-door-players-to-perform-nanas-naughty-knickers
And for pity’s sake support community theater. Always.

Saturday 
Three worthy events.
What’s the season without the convivial chaos of an Easter Egg Hunt? The  Moose Lodge & the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored hunt includes Prizes, Crafts & Games for all ages and (who said there was no such thing as a ) Free Lunch – Enjoy hotdogs and chips! 10am. Vets Park in Fremont.

Encanto sing along 3pm at the Dogwood. C’mon you know you want to go to this and let loose as part of an epic sing-a-long. Here’s more info:
https://www.nearnorthnow.com/features-and-fun/encanto-sing-along-at-the-dogwood-center-on-april-12.

S.F. Wessling Observatory will be hosting their first Star Party of the year. It is, of course, weather dependent (clear skies required) but the long range forecast is somewhat optimistic. If you haven’t visited Newaygo County’s very own observatory you truly don’t know what you’re missing. Here’s the skinny:
https://sciencefestival.msu.edu/Event/View/185.