Serving the

Chain of Lakes Area

Acme * Alden * Atwood

Bellaire * Central Lake

Eastport * Ellsworth * Elk Rapids

Kewadin * Rapid City

Torch River * Williamsburg

Guide to Newsletter


  • Chamber Events
  • Job Listings
  • Events/Classes/Workshops
  • Member News/Specials/Information
  • Snapshot of Upcoming Events
  • Local Government News and Public Meetings

To ensure your events are included in the Monday Minute, please email christina@elkrapidschamber.org by Friday. Reaching over 2.7K subscribers with an open rate of over 60%.

Chamber News & Events

The Acme Christian Thrift Shop & Food Pantry is excited to join the fun in downtown Elk Rapids during Ladies Night Out! Stop by Harbor Wear on Thursday, December 11th, from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and let us take one holiday task off your list.


Bring your gifts and our volunteers will wrap them beautifully in exchange for a donation to ACTS, supporting our local food pantry and families in need this season.

This year, the Chamber has chosen to adopt three of our nonprofit members for the holiday season. With food insecurity on the rise, we are focusing our efforts on supporting local food pantries that are working tirelessly to help our neighbors in need.


Each pantry has shared a short list of items that would make the biggest difference right now. We invite you to take a look, donate what you can, and help us spread a little extra kindness this season. 


We’ll have a clearly labeled tote for each nonprofit inside the Chamber office for easy drop-off. Together, we can make the holidays brighter for families across our community.


Thank you for giving back, supporting local nonprofits, and showing what the Elk Rapids area is all about—caring, generosity, and community.


CLICK HERE TO VIEW NONPROFIT LISTS

Congratulations, Mitten Health & Performance - Winner of the breakfast giveaway.


🤩 WIN Breakfast for Your Office!

The Dam Shop has teamed up with the Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce to give away a breakfast pack for 6–8 people every single week thru January 2026!



How to enter:

👍 Like

👥 Follow

💬 Comment on Facebook or Instagram

One lucky workplace will be drawn every Friday.

Be the office hero—enter now and start your morning the delicious way! 🍽️

Job Board

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL JOB OPENINGS!

Community Events This Week

Books On Tap


Tuesday, December 9th - 6-7pm

The Dam Shop


A sweeping love story with the pace and twists of a thriller, “Broken Country” is a novel of simmering passion, impossible choices, and explosive consequences that toggles between the past and present to explore the far-reaching legacy of first love.

A limited amount of copies are available for check out at the library and on Libby. Copies can also be requested through MEL.

Christmas Afternoon Tea


Wednesday, December 10th, 1 to 2:30pm

Applesauce Inn


Enjoy Holiday themed savory treats, homemade scones with jam, and Christmas sweet treats!


231-533-6448

Reserve your seats today!

$40 per person

Ugly Sweater Party


Wednesday, December 5 - 8pm

The Holiday Lodge at Riverwalk Grill


We’re keeping the festive momentum going and would love to see you for our Ugly Sweater Christmas Party! 


Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, prizes, and plenty of holiday cheer as a thank-you to everyone supporting us this season.


Throw on your best (or worst!) sweater and come celebrate with us at the Holiday Lodge! 

Bingo


Wednesday, December 10th - 6 to 8pm

Shorts Pull Barn



Liven up your Wednesday night with Bingo at the Pull Barn! Head over to the Pull Barn for a night of thrilling games, delicious brews, and great prizes!

Winter Seed Sowing Workshop


Thursday, December 11th - 6 to 8pm

Grass River Natural Area


Join Grass River Natural Area and CAKE CISMA for a hands-on winter gardening workshop at the Grass River Center! As part of CAKE CISMA's Go Beyond Beauty program, we’ll highlight how gardeners can transition away from invasive ornamentals by incorporating native plants into their landscapes. Some seeds require a temperature change to trigger the end of dormancy (or sleep) period; a process called cold stratification. Many native seeds have this built-in dormancy which protects them from germinating before killer frosts or in times of drought. One of the easiest ways to cold stratify seeds is to use Michigan winters to do the work for us! This workshop will cover everything gardeners need to know about cold stratification and growing native wildflowers from seed. Please bring empty and clean milk jugs if you have them available. Register online here: GRNA Programs

Birds, Brews & Conservation News


Thursday, December 11th - 6 to 8pm

Shorts Pull Barn


Come out, meet fellow Northern Michigan upland enthusiasts, and catch the latest habitat updates from Zach Evans, the new Forest Conservation Director for MI/OH/IN, along with Marc Hershfield, Forest Wildlife Specialist and Pere Marquette Watershed Collaborative Coordinator. Good people, good conversation, and plenty to learn — don’t miss it!

Destination Storytime


Friday, December 12th - 10:30am to Noon

Elk Rapids Cinema


Join us for a special lights-up, low-volume movie experience perfect for little ones and first-time theater goers! We’ll kick things off with a fun read-aloud, then enjoy a short cartoon on the big screen—all in a calm, kid-friendly environment. And yes… there will be popcorn. This is a wonderful way to introduce your child to the magic of the movies in a gentle, welcoming setting.


We can’t wait to see you there!

The Art of Vinemaking


Friday, December 12th - 5:30 to 7pm

BOS Wine


Join winemaker Dave Bos and author Bette Dickinson for an evening of conversation around Bette's new book, The Art of Vinemaking. Over the past six years, Dave and Bette have explored the intersection of spiritual formation and viticulture—work that became the inspiration for the book. Together, they’ll share stories, insights, and reflections on how the vineyard invites us into a deeper rhythm of life, death, and resurrection.

The Christmas Journey


December, 12, 13, 14 - 5:30 to 7:30pm

New Hope Church


Experience the Christmas Journey — from creation to cradle to cross —during a 45-minute outdoor tour. Watch scenes unfold as a narrator leads you along a woodland path filled with actors, scenery, and live animals. Meet the wise men on their journey in search of the king. Share in the shepherds’ awe as angels appear in the evening sky. Witness the elation of Joseph and Mary as they welcome their newborn Son into the world. Join us as the powerful scenes of Christmas are brought to life.


This Christmas Event is 100% outdoors. Please dress appropriately.



www.newhope.cc/journey

Free Saturday at Raven Hill


Saturday, December 13th - Noon to 4pm

Raven Hill Discovery Center


Christmas Tree Sale


Saturday, December 13th - 10am to 1pm

Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church



The Best Christmas Pageant Ever


December 13 - 2 to 4pm & 7-9pm

December 14 - 2 to 4pm

HERTH


Adults $20

Seniors $15

Students $10


Santa at VM


Sunday, December 14th - 1 to 3pm

Village Market


Food Competition


Sunday, December 14th - 4-8pm

Short's Pull Barn


Think your recipe has what it takes to win bragging rights? Or just love to eat your way through the competition? Either way, Sundays at noon are about to get delicious.

Here’s what’s on deck:

  • 12/14 | Appateasers

Bring your best dish — or your best appetite. Either way, you don’t want to miss it!


Christmas Show


Sunday, December 14th

Santa Visit - 4-6pm

Show Starts at 6:30pm

Torch Lake Cafe


A Christmas Show with Dominic Fortuna


Click here to view the full events calendar!

Register for upcoming classes and workshops on our website! Check back often as we will be posting more classes and workshops



REGISTER FOR CLASSES/WORKSHOPS




Art and Connection

🎨965 Green Street 🎨Elk Rapids

🎨 (231) 498-2522


300 Isle of Pines

Elk Rapids, MI

(231) 264-9979


www.elkrapidslibrary.org

Library happenings, the newest of the new titles, upcoming events, Friends of the Library updates, and more! 

See website calendar for schedules

Save the Dates!

Next Week

December 15, Line Dancing with Kay at Town Club, 6-8pm

December 16, Trivia with Quizding at the Pull Barn, 6-8pm

December 17, Gingerbread House Decorating at ER Library, 3-5pm

December 17, Foodie Book Club at Art & Connection, 6-7pm

December 18, Men's Night Out Elk Rapids, 5-8pm

December 18, Holiday Beach Glass Workshop at the Pull Barn, 3-6pm

December 18, Tyin' Thursday at Ethanology, 6-8:30pm

December 19, Men's Market at Ethanology, 5-9pm

December 19, Amvets Fish Fry, 5:30-7pm

December 20, Breakfast with Santa at the GT Resort, 9:30-11:30am

December 20, Christmas Tree Sale at Sacred Heart, 10am-1pm

December 20, Christmas on the Farm at Hubbells, 10am - 4pm

December 20, A Starry, Starry Night at HERTHA, 6-9pm

December 20, Lighting of the Bridges at Grass River, 6-8pm

December 20, Holiday House Pajama Party at Ethanology, 7-10pm

December 21, Holiday Cheers & Beers at Shorts Pull Barn, Noon-3pm

December 21, Pokemon Club at Elk Rapids Library, 1-2pm

Weekly Reoccuring Events

Mondays

~ Embodied Yoga Flow at ER Yoga Flow, 9:30 am

~ Mug Club Monday at Short's Pull Barn, 12 - 8 pm

~ Happy Hour at the DAM Shop, 2-5 pm

~ Chess Mondays at the ER Library, 4-5:30pm

~ Adult Coloring Club at Art & Connection, 4-6 pm

~ Monday Night Flights at BOS Wine, 5-7pm

Tuesdays

~ Elk Rapids Rotary Meeting at The Dam Shop, 8am

~ Kundalini at Elk Rapids Yoga Flow, 9:30 am

~ Art Group at Art & Connection, 2-4 pm (2nd Tuesday only)

~ Happy Hour at the DAM Shop, 2-5 pm

~ Tech Help at the ER District Library, 10:30 am - 12 pm

Wednesday

~ Antrim Women's Coffee Group, 10-11:30 am

~ Afternoon Tea at Applesauce Inn, 1-2:30pm

~ Crafternoons at Art and Connection, 1-4pm

~ Euchre at Art and Connection, 1-4pm

~ Island House Readers Book Club-ERDL, 12-1:30pm (1st Wednesday of the month)

~ Happy Hour at the DAM Shop, 2-5 pm

~ Locals Wednesday at Ethanology, 2-9pm

~ Slow Flow at Elk Rapids Yoga Flow, 5:30 pm

Thursdays

~ Strength & Flexibility at ER Yoga Flow, 9:30 am

~ Storytime at ER Library, 10:30am

~ Family Playgroup at Grass River Natural Area, 10:30am

~ Leftover Men's Coffee Group at Art & Connection, 11:00-12:30 pm

~ Puzzle & Pour at BOS Wine, Noon to 6pm

~ Tech Help at the ER District Library, 1-2:30 pm

~ ER Knitters at the ER District Library, 2-4 pm

~ Locals Day at the DAM Shop, 2-5 pm

~ Euchre at the Side Door at the Blue Pelican, 6:30 pm

FRIDAYS

~ Vin Yin at Elk Rapids Yoga Flow, 9:30 am

~ Storytime for all at the ER District Library, 10:30-11:30 am

~ Friday Night Fish Fry at the Town Club, 5pm

Saturdays

~ Vinyasa Flow at Elk Rapids Yoga Flow, 9:30 am

~ Authentic Mexican Foods and farm activities at Providence Farms, 9 am-5:30 pm

~ Euchre at Art & Connection every other Saturday starting (7/19), 6:30-9pm

~ Live Music at Ethanology, 

Sundays

Member News and Specials

Winter Warmth Drive


Our friends at Waterside Wellness are partnering with the Antrim County Sheriff's Office to spread a little extra warmth this holiday season!


During Ladies Night Out on Thursday, December 11, they’ll be collecting new or gently used hats, gloves, and coats for children and adults in our community.


If you’ll be out enjoying the evening and supporting local businesses, consider bringing a donation to help keep our neighbors warm this winter. Every contribution makes a meaningful difference.

Let’s come together to support our neighbors in a simple but meaningful way.

Updated Class Schedule


Visit elkrapidsyogaflow.com for more information!

Brick Oven Winter Opening


Don’t let the cold keep you away—we’re firing up the oven to bring you our famously delicious brick oven pizza, along with a brand-new lineup of hot, comforting sandwiches and savory wings. Escape the chill and satisfy your cravings with us all season long.


Sundance Brick Oven Hours

Thursday: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Take Out Only)

Friday: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Saturday–Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

A Starry Starry Night


Save the Date!

Get your tickets now for the HERTHA Fundraiser

Click here

Community Resources

For more information on these resources click the links above.

Community Public Meetings

  • Monday, December 8th, ER Township Board, 9:00am - Agenda
  • Monday, December 8th, ER School Board, 5:30pm - Agenda
  • Monday, December 8th, ER Harbor Commission, 6:30pm - Agenda
  • Wednesday, December 10th, ER DDA, 6:00pm - Agenda
  • Thursday, December 11, ER District Library Board Meeting, 3-4 pm, Agenda


Village of Elk Rapids

Elk Rapids Township

Milton Township

Torch Lake Township

Antrim County

Acme Township

White Water Township

Helena Township

Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce

(231) 264-8202 | WEBSITE | EMAIL


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