Community Calendar

Bundle up and join us for a hike on the longest night of the year. Enjoy the brisk air while following a glowing trail. Afterwards, enjoy a fun treat, hot cocoa, and make a solstice ornament. Lanterns will be available for each family to help guide the way. Registration and payment of $5 per person required by Friday, December 19. Call 574/654-3155 to register and pay.

COME SEE HOW THE WORLD COULD BE.

Welcome to HADESTOWN, where a song can change your fate. Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album, this acclaimed new show from celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and original director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today... and always.

Intertwining two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — HADESTOWN is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go.

Performance Schedule:
Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 - 2:00 & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 - 2:00 p.m.

Elves have hidden ornaments around the St. Joseph County Parks, and they want YOU to embark on a quest to find them! Every Tuesday in December, the elves will unveil clues on the Parks’ Facebook page (facebook.com/sjcparks) to help lead you to the secret ornament hideaways. Join the game, locate the ornaments, snap a photo, and submit them to mgohn@sjcparks.org for a chance to win park prizes!

Raku Fired Clay for Experienced Potters with instructor Len Cockman

Raku Fired Pottery Workshop

Instructor: Len Cockman

Cell: 574-309-7740

Classes: Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Course Length: 8 studio sessions

Maximum of 5 students

Studio Space: This class is geared toward students who already have experience in a clay studio. Len Cockman will be able to coach you through refining hand-built and wheel thrown pieces. Students enrolled in this class are eligible to one additional open studio day per week. Studio hours are listed on the website and front door. Production of forms will take place during the first 4 weeks of this class.

Fees: $210 tuition plus $45 materials. Total $255 The supply fee includes one 25 lb. bag of Raku appropriate clay (half a box) and use of FireArts glazes. Glazes that will be used are for Raku decorative pottery and, primarily due to the firing techniques, are not kitchenware safe. Your work will be fired to various temperatures based on the specific glaze during the last four weeks of the class.

Covid 19 Consideration: There are currently no restrictions related to Covid-19.

Format: We will be working with wet clay for the first 4 classes. Classes 5 through 8 we will firing pottery based on the specific glazes. They are:

Wednesdays, March 19th, 26th, April 2nd, and April 9th: Students will use these four sessions to create work for the raku firings.

Wednesday, April 16th: Clear crackle with tape or glue resists.

Wednesday, April 23rd: Naked Raku Slip

Wednesday, April 30th : Horsehair and Feather Pottery

Wednesday, May 7th: Copper Matte and Copper Luster

Our elves are hard at work, getting ready for the holiday season. Come out and join us for a merry and bright Holiday Light experience this December, and also check out some of our new and exciting pop up events throughout the month.

This Saturday, take a step back in time. Visit Pears Mill, an 1857 water-powered mill. Located in Buchanan, Michigan’s downtown Historic District. The mill is adjacent to Buchanan Farmers Market. Pears Mill is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday through Labor Day. There is no charge.

New this year, an exciting single loop 1.5 mile course made just for the kids! This race transforms a typical run into a dazzling holiday experience!

This race will take off before the Dash Away 5K to allow kids to run with some daylight and very clear signage to direct them through the course.

This race is designed for kids ages 5 - 12, and we highly encourage festive attire. (This will not be a timed race.)

The Dash Away 5k transforms a typical run into a dazzling holiday experience! Participants run a route illuminated throughout the fairgrounds with sparkling lights and theme decorations. This family-friendly event encourages participants of all ages and skill levels. Costumes are encouraged, so come dressed in festive attire!

Our elves are hard at work, getting ready for the holiday season. Come out and join us for a merry and bright Holiday Light experience this December, and also check out some of our new and exciting pop up events throughout the month.

Elves have hidden ornaments around the St. Joseph County Parks, and they want YOU to embark on a quest to find them! Every Tuesday in December, the elves will unveil clues on the Parks’ Facebook page (facebook.com/sjcparks) to help lead you to the secret ornament hideaways. Join the game, locate the ornaments, snap a photo, and submit them to mgohn@sjcparks.org for a chance to win park prizes!