CANCELLED - Family Nature Exploration - Earth Day Celebration!
2023-04-22 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Detroit) | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
Join us for an Earth Day Celebration!
Inspired by the wisdom of Dr. Seuss’ Lorax! “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
During this family friendly exploration of nature, we will learn different ways to help protect earth by implementing the Three R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle, and by being good stewards of our natural resources. A fun art project using recycled materials will reinforce the concept of reusing objects we usually throw in the trash to create art.
Space is limited. Register early to avoid disappointment.
Funding for this program provided by The Americana Foundation.

Les Cheneaux Farmers & Artisan Market
2023-05-07 10:00 - 14:00, 2023-05-14 10:00 - 14:00, 2023-05-21 10:00 - 14:00, 2023-05-28 10:00 - 14:00, 2023-06-04 10:00 - 14:00, 2023-06-11 10:00 - 14:00, 2023-06-18 10:00 - 14:00, 2023-06-25 10:00 - 14:00 and 10 more dates
An ever-changing array of vendors bring fresh and preserved local produce, locally raised meats, eggs, gourmet baked goods, jams and jellies, soaps, gifts, fabric art and utility products such as bags, aprons and linens, artisan crafted jewelry, birch bark frames and woodworking, and MORE.

HOURS: EVERY Sunday from May thru December from 10am – 2pm

New vendors are always welcome – please email lescheneauxfarmersmarket@gmail.com for details.

Please note that the farmers market is not coordinated by Hessel School House. They rent the space to hold their event at our location. Hours and dates are subject to change without notice. Any questions or concerns about the market should be address the “organizer” listed below. Their facebook page does a good job of alerting people to unforeseen schedule changes in the winter months.

Family Nature Exploration: All About Birds
2023-05-21 15:00 - 17:00
You can learn a lot about birds just by looking at their many unique features. During this fun family friendly time of exploration, we will take a closer look at birds, their adaptations, and even make a bird friendly art project. All materials are included. Space is limited and usually fills quickly. Register today! $5.00 per person.
To register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/626434962837

This class is offered at a discount thanks to funding from the Americana Foundation. Additional support provided by the Michigan Arts & Culture Council and the Endowment for the Arts.

Aldo Leopold Festival
2023-05-31 - 2023-06-04
Les Cheneaux welcomes you to celebrate the legacy of Aldo Leopold — one of America’s most influential naturalists — during our festival, May 31st – June 4, 2023 hosted at the Hessel School House. Activities include paddling excursions, orchid and wildflower tours, birding trips, presentations, and many other nature-based activities. Experience the woods and water that formed Leopold’s early impressions of the natural world as we honor the mark he made on conservation and the environment.

For complete details, visit https://www.aldoleopoldfestival.org/

Drop-In Art Projects for Kids!
2023-06-03 10:00 - 15:00
In celebration of Aldo Leopold, children of all ages are welcome to join us for some fun nature related crafts on Saturday, June 3.
Enjoy stick painting with Sue Bakkila from 10:00 – Noon. Brighten up any room, garden, or hike with your own custom painted stick. Sticks and all materials are included. Available while sticks and supplies lasts.
Between 1:00-3:00 PM come learn how to do block printing, fish and leaf prints, or create a nature journal to keep all of your nature observations in. These classes will take place in the outdoor classroom on the storybook trail (weather permitting).
A festival pass is not required for these FREE family fun events. Donations are appreciated to help offset the costs of the materials.

Birdwatching 101 with Jamie Platt
2023-06-06 19:00 - 21:00
Birdwatching 101
In this class you will learn the basics of birding such as optics, field guides, birding technology, predicting migratory flights using weather and radar, attracting birds to your yard, and the where, when and how to find and identify birds. Avid ornithologist, Jamie Pratt will provide everything you need to know to get started on this fun and exciting pastime!
Class Size: Min. 6 / Max. 20
Class Fee: $20
Pre-registration is required for this special presentation.
REGISTER ONLINE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/568650437767

Jamie Platt is an alumni of Northern Michigan University where he graduated with a degree in Zoology. He has taught or lectured at Washtenaw Community College, Monroe County Community College, Schoolcraft College and the Ann Arbor Adult Education program. He is also the founder of Hell’s Birders, a birding organization based in Ann Arbor.

CANCELLED - Family Nature Exploration: What's a Watershed
2023-06-11 15:00 - 17:00
Did you know you live in a watershed? What is a watershed? Come learn about your local watershed and explore how your daily activities within it can impact the health of our lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater. Join Ms. Kristy as we conduct a science experiment or two to help us understand what a watershed is and how we can keep it heathy. Afterwards we will do a topic related art project with Mrs. Gordon. All materials are included. Space is limited so register early.
Class Fee: $5.00 per person.
This class is offered at a discount thanks to a grant from The Americana Foundation. Additional support provided by Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
This class was cancelled.

Author Reading & Reception
2023-06-27 18:00 - 20:00
Join us for a reading and reception with author, artist and educator Cindy Hunter Morgan on Tuesday, June 27 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Hessel School House. Enjoy readings from Cindy’s written works. Light refreshments will be provided. A donation at the door is appreciated.
Cindy is the author of Far Company (Wayne State University Press, May 2022) and Harborless (Wayne State University Press), which was a 2018 Michigan Notable Book and the winner of the 2017 Moveen Prize in Poetry. She also is the author of two chapbooks, Apple Season (Midwest Writing Center Chapbook Award, 2012) and The Sultan, The Skater, The Bicycle Maker (Ledge Press Chapbook Award, 2011). She has taught poetry, creative writing, and book arts at Michigan State University for several years and now heads up communications for Michigan State University Libraries. She is a co-founder of the MSU Filmetry Festival, an annual event showcasing short films adapted from poems, and she leads various poetry workshops and book arts workshops.
Support for this program provided in part by the Les Cheneaux Community Foundation, the Michigan Arts & Culture Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

CLIMATE CHANGE: Exploring the facts and future with Dr. Knute Nadelhoffer
2023-07-06 18:00 - 20:00
Climate change is more than rising temperatures, precipitation changes, and extreme weather events. Scientific studies prove that climate change has already started disrupting agriculture and forestry, shifting wildlife populations, and causing many emerging human health issues. These impacts result in increased insurance rates, skyrocketing energy and food costs, and economic consequences for business and tourism. Knute Nadelhoffer, professor emeritus at the University of Michigan, will discuss the implications of climate change based on scientific studies and give you a glimpse of how it may affect you and our environment in the future.
Thanks to funding from the Americana Foundation and the Chippewa Luce Mackinac Conservation District this presentation is being offered free of charge. Donations at the door and pre-registration is appreciated.
Please reserve your seat online. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/549741911857

Paint a Lawn Frog
2023-07-08 10:00 - 13:00
Join us at the Hessel School House from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM to paint an outdoor lawn frog!
We will have large blank wood cutouts of fun frogs that you can paint and take home. Cutouts will be available while supplies last. There is not fee or registration for this event. Donations are appreciated.
This event is being held in conjunction with the Les Cheneaux Watershed Council’s FROG FEST.

Family Nature Exploration: Macroinvertebrates (aka Water Bugs)
2023-07-23 15:00 - 17:00
Come explore the underwater world of aquatic bugs, also known as macroinvertebrates. These tiny vertebrates what are visible to the naked eye are crucial food sources for larger animals and an excellent indicator of stream health. Young naturalists will view many examples while we learn about their unique qualities. Afterwards we will do a special nature-based craft project with Mrs. Gordon. All materials are included. $5.00 per person.
REGISTER ONLINE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/641590062147

This class is offered at a discount thanks to funding from The Americana Foundation, Michigan Arts & Culture Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Story & Craft Time with the Author
2023-07-24 13:00 - 15:00
Help us celebrate the release of the book “Who Am I?” by local author Julie Buchholtz. Children of all ages will enjoy a reading by the author followed by a Q&A session where children are free to ask Julie questions about being a writer. A craft time inspired by the book follows.
Introducing children to an author can be a formative moment. It may be the spark that lights a passion for writing in a young person that could last a lifetime! This event is fun and educational for all ages. Please register online to save your seats. Space is limited for this FREE event.
Books will be available for purchase and signing.
REGISTER ALL CHILD SEATS HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/626538482467

Family Nature Exploration: Time For Turtles
2023-08-20 15:00 - 17:00
Ubiquitous and slow-moving, turtles are among Michigan’s most easy-to-study animals. This family exploration time introduces young naturalists to the biology of turtles in a fun and exciting way – through a combination of hands-on science and art. $5.00 per person. Pre-register online.
REGISTER ONLINE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/641601727037
This class is offered at a discount thanks to funding from The Americana Foundation, Michigan Arts & Culture Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
