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

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

☀️ Rise & Shine, Elk Rapids! ☀️

Have you heard? The Dam Shop just launched an incredible new breakfast menu—and trust us, it’s good. We’re talking:

🌯 Breakfast burritos

🍳 Scrambles

🥑 Avocado toast

🍞 French toast

🍗 Chicken & waffles

🥪 Grab-n-go sandwiches

… and so much more!

And it gets even better…

🤩 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!

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

Community Blood Drive

Tuesday, November 18th - 1 to 5pm

ER Amvets

http://versiti.org/mi

Crafty Bookworms

Tuesday, November 18th - 4pm

ER District Library

Step into the world of Wings of Fire at the Elk Rapids District Library!

Teens and tweens are invited to join us for an afternoon packed with fiery fun, creative crafts, and dragon lore inspired by Tui T. Sutherland’s beloved fantasy series.

-Tribe Sorting Challenge – Find out which dragon tribe you belong to. Are you a SkyWing, SeaWing, or NightWing?

-Dragon Egg Craft – Design and decorate your very own shimmering dragon egg to take home.

Click here for details!

Holiday Tastings

Thursday, November 20th - 1 to 5pm

Village Market

This is your opportunity to taste the finest reserve products and prepare for the holidays. Featuring: spinach & goat cheese, roasted vegetable pizzas, assorted caramel toppings, jams and wine!

Shop local!

Beachglass Workshop

Thursday, November 20th - 3pm-5pm

Short's Pull Barn

Join us for a Beach Glass Workshop!

At our workshop, you'll have the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes of beach glass to use in your creation. With so many options, the possibilities are endless!

Choose from the following beautiful creations:

Tree - Choose between a traditional tree or a unique Grinchy design, standing at 9 inches tall
Wreath - With a 6 inch diameter
Angel - Available in 6 or 8 inch sizes
3-Pack of Tree Ornaments - Measuring 3.5 inches
Gnome - Add some whimsy at 9 inches tall.

No matter which creation you choose, our beach glass workshop is a fun and relaxing way to spend an afternoon or evening. Plus, you'll get to take home a beautiful piece of art crafted by your own hands.

Ages 10 and up

All participants must sign a waiver

Click here to sign up!

Drop-in Lego Party

Thursday, November 20th - 4pm

ER District Library

After-School LEGO Party!

Looking for a fun way to unwind after school? Bring your kids to the library from 4–5 PM for a free hour of LEGO building, snacks, and creative play. Great for all ages—no sign-up needed!

elkrapidslibrary.org

New Moon in Scorpio - Guided Meditation

Thursday, November 20th - 5:30pm

Twisted Fish Gallery

Join Alice Rubert for a donation based pop-up 20 minute guided meditation.

Holiday Wreath Workshop

Thursday, November 20th - 6:00pm

The Dam Shop

Grab your spots via the link below before they’re gone!

Tyin' Thursdays

Thursday, November 20th - 6 to 8:30pm

Ethanology

November-March we will host a bi-monthly fly-tying class, curated by DNR biologist, and avid fly fisherman Eric Crissman. The classes will feature 1-2 unique fly patterns, and will encompass a multitude of techniques, tricks, and styles.

Attending each class will allow you to build on your skills and perfect different fly designs. All skill levels are welcome, all material will be provided, and if needed, all tools will be provided.

Classes start at 6:00pm sharp and will end at approximately 8:30.

Suggested donation is $20 to instructor to cover material costs.

Holiday Soiree

Thursday, November 20th - 6 to 8pm

Ethanology

Let's toast to the holidays!

Join us for an evening of fashion, friends, & fun. Bubbles & beautiful new arrivals await!

Vilah Bloom will be poppin' up with The Bag Bar & Charm Bar! come customize these pieces - great idea for a gift for someone or a treat for yourself!

Click here for details!

Avoiding the Pitfalls of High School Dating

November 20, 21, 22 - 6:30 to 7:30pm

Peterman Auditorium

This "seminar" for high school students who have trouble going on dates is bound to bring laughter to all. Your hosts for the evening are Lucky Daye and Starry Knight, two people who have invested their entire life savings into creating this simple system of five "never-fail" rules for dating success. Lenny and Matilda, two outcasts, have been brought in to demonstrate the system by going on a series of speed-dates to bring the five simple rules to life. Through a series of humorous and humiliating scenes and hilarious one-liners, we will see if the system is really all it is cracked up to be, or if Lucky and Starry are in for a long, long night. This one-act comedy will keep everyone rolling in the aisles-- even if they came without a date!

TICKETS: Tickets will be available at the door, cash or check only. Adults are $10 each,Students/Children are $5 each.

Switchback's Celtic Christmas

Thursday, November 20th - 7pm to 9pm

Elk Rapids Cinema

Kick off the holiday season with this beloved concert featuring traditional Irish melodies, festive favorites, and the world-class harmonies of Switchback. Proudly sponsored by Blarney Castle Oil & Propane and its family of EZ Mart Stores. All proceeds benefit the Elk Rapids Cinema, The Platform, and Village Radio.

Click here for tickets!

Amvets Fish Fry

Friday, November 21st - 5:30 to 7pm

Elk Rapids Amvets

Dine in or to go!

Proceeds Benefit Amvets Post 114 and our local veterans.

Grass River Trivia

Friday, November 21st - 6 to 8pm

Short's Pull Barn

Join us for Nature Trivia Night at the Short's Pull Barn in Elk Rapids! Get your team of 2-6 players together and get ready to stretch your brain with 5 rounds of clever, family-friendly trivia. Don't worry if you're not a nature expert; questions will draw from other areas of knowledge - like movies and music - as well. $5 per player, which supports GRNA. Players will pay upon arriving at Short's.

Holiday Greens Class

Saturday, November 22nd - 11am to 1pm

Pine Hill Nursery

Create your own beautiful wreath ($55), porch pot ($55) or centerpiece ($40) in this fun workshop. Wreath class fee includes wreath form, greens, natural bits. Porch pot class includes a black pot with soil, greens, red twigs. Centerpiece fee includes a container, floral foam, greens, natural bits, and one embellishment (we will have a few items to choose from). Other embellishment items available for purchase. Classes are held in our greenhouse. We recommend dressing in layers. Please bring your own garden gloves and pruners. We will have some for purchase if you need them. Coffee and hot cocoa will be available for class participants. Class participants also receive a coupon to use for gift shop items that day! Beer and wine will be available for purchase.

Click here to sign-up!

Pastels Art Class

Saturday, November 22nd - 1 to 3pm

Grass River Natural Area

Autumn has brought many changes in the colors here at Grass River as we transition to winter. Pastels are the perfect media to represent this panorama whether it's the bright colors of leaves or the muted colors of winter. All materials are supplied for this art class. Register at: www.grassriver.org/classes-and-programs

$10 per person, please pre-register, limited space

Ladies Night Out On The Farm

Saturday, November 22nd - 4 to 9pm

Myrtle & Maude's

Our VERY LAST event of the year! Gather your girls together and come on out to the farm for a unique shopping experience! Our little market is completely transformed to all things Christmas! Get yourself some good food and mocktails and take in the unique shopping experience!

$15 admission. Purchase ahead of time online!

Tickets available at the door as long as we are not sold out!

Holiday Mocktails

Festive hors d’oeuvres & baked potato bar!

Early Christmas Shopping

Vintage decor and gifts

Refurb furniture

Outdoor decor

Live Music

A fun night out with the gals closest to you!

Pianist Hyemin Kim and Oboist Daniel Gurevich

Saturday, November 22nd - 7 to 8:15pm

Music House Museum

The Music House is proud to present the fourth event of Hyemin Kim’s 2025 Classical Voyage: Intimate musical story telling at the museum: Pianist Hyemin Kim and Oboist Daniel Gurevich.

http://musichouse.org

Owl Prowl

Saturday, November 22nd - 7 to 8:30pm

Grass River Natural Area

Join us as we learn about our local owls and their conservation with an introductory presentation, and then head out for a night hike in search of these amazing birds. Participants should be comfortable walking outdoors at night for about 1 mile on uneven trails. Bring a light. $10 per person. Must pre-register. No walk-in spaces available.

Crockpot Competition

Sunday, November 23rd - 12 to 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.

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

Fall Wine Club

Sunday, November 23rd - 1 to 3pm

BOS Wine

Wine Club Members Only: Come visit us at the Wine Garden to pick up your new club releaseon November 23rd from 1-3pm! Join us for an afternoon of tasting a few of the new club vintages and enjoy 25% off all bottles! No reservation needed—just stop by anytime between 1-3pm. We hope to see you there!

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

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

November 25, Trivia with Quizding at the Pull Barn, 6-8pm

November 26, Bingo at the Pull Barn, 6-8pm

November 27, Happy Thanksgiving

November 28,29,30, Holiday Greens Class at Pine Hill Nursery, 11a m & 2pm

November 28, Ribbon Cutting - Holiday Lodge at Riverwalk Grill, 11am

November 28, Black Friday Sale at BOS Wine, 12-8pm

November 28, Pizza and Pipes at Music House Museum, 5:30-7pm

November 28, Tree Lighting & Santa's Arrival Downtown ER, 6-8pm

November 29, Shop Small, Buy Nearby, Give Big, 10am-5pm

November 29, Small Business Saturday at BOS Wine, 12-8pm

November 29, Hands-on Mushroom Workshop at ACD, 1-3pm

November 29, Alden Christmas Celebration, 3-7pm

November 30, Makers Market at The Pull Barn, 12-3pm

November 30, ER Library Monthly Volunteer Social, 4-7pm

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

~ Adult Coloring Club at Art & Connection, 4:30-6:30 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

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

Parks & Rec Community Survey

The Antrim County Parks Department wants to hear from you! The Antrim County Parks Department is updating its 5-year Parks & Recreation Plan, and your input will help shape future improvements and priorities.

Please take a few minutes to complete our community survey and share your thoughts about County parks, trails, and recreation opportunities. The survey can be found by scanning the QR code.

Visit Santa at the Village Market

Save the date!

Third Coast Wealth Planning

Sweatshirt Drive

Now Thru Thanksgiving

Sacred Heart Church

A Starry Starry Night

Save the Date!

Get your tickets now for the HERTHA Fundraiser

Click here

Lions club accepting fall grant applications

ELK RAPIDS – The Elk Rapids Lions Club is currently accepting Organizational Grant Request applications this fall for community projects that support the Club’s mission of “serving the community.” Applications will only be accepted if they are received between now and Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.

The Organizational Grant Requests should be from Elk Rapids and surrounding areas.

“This process gives us the ability to proactively fundraise over and above our annual events as we become aware of special community needs,” said Club President Shirley Hill. For more information or an application, organizations should contact Hill at 231-258-4894 (lhirley@yahoo.com) or Dave Lein at 231-620-5707 (upnorthdave1@gmail.com). Applications may also be downloaded directly by visiting: https://eclubhouse.org/userfiles/4521/file/OrgRequestForm(1).pdf

Individual Medical and Emergency Assistance:

The Lions Club also accepts requests and responds to emergency assistance from individuals for eyeglasses, hearing aids and other emergency-related needs throughout the year. For individual requests and an application, visit https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/elkrapids/page-6.php, contact Hill at 231-258-4894 (lhirley@yahoo.com) or Lein at 231-620-5707 (upnorthdave1@gmail.com) for more information. Names of individuals applying for assistance always remain anonymous. Group and organizational projects supported by the Lions are publicly announced when they are awarded. The Elk Rapids Lions Club has been actively supporting community projects since 1969.