CANCELLED - Fabric Flowers
2026-03-07 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Detroit) | Hessel School House – Avery Arts & Nature Learning Center, 3206 West Cedar Street, Hessel, MI, 49745, United States
March 7 • 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Bring the beauty of flowers into your home with fabric! Artist Marissa Wissner will guide you through the process of creating your own fabric flowers! Using colorful fabric, thread, and embellishments, learn how to choose and cut patterns, sew stitching techniques, and apply materials to your work. Everything for this class will be provided, so bring your enthusiasm for learning and creating! Enjoy your afternoon experience even more by bringing a friend!
Class Fee: $40/person
To register, call 906-484-1333 or CLICK HERE to register online.

CANCELLED - Jam Session
2026-03-17 14:00 - 16:00
🎶 Jam Sessions at Hessel School House! 🎶
We’re excited to announce a brand-new monthly event at the Hessel School House — and you’re invited!
Starting this month we’ll be hosting Jam Sessions once a month, offering an easygoing afternoon of live music-making in a welcoming, historic setting.
🎸 Bring your favorite instrument
🎤 Sing along
🎼 Play your heart out
👂 Or simply sit back and enjoy the music
Musicians of all levels are welcome — whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years. Not a musician? No problem! Come soak in the sounds and spend a relaxing afternoon with friends and neighbors.
📅 Upcoming Dates:
• March 17, 2026 – CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
• April 14, 2026
• May 19, 2026
All sessions are held from 2:00 – 4:00 PM.
Mark your calendar, invite a friend, and join us for music, community, and good vibes. We can’t wait to see you there!
For additional information, call Tricia Little —(906) 203-7844

Irish Puzzle Palooza
2026-03-21 13:00 - 16:00
Saturday, March 21 • 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Irish-Themed Puzzle Palooza Party
A Fundraiser for Hessel School House

Put your puzzle-solving skills to the test at our Irish-Themed Puzzle Palooza Party! Gather your team of four or join others for an afternoon of friendly competition and fun. See who can assemble a jigsaw puzzle the fastest while enjoying light refreshments and beverages.

Tickets: $30 per person (includes entry and assorted snacks)

Sign up with a team of four, or we’ll happily pair you with fellow puzzle enthusiasts. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. This event is usually sold out! Prizes for the top three teams!

Join us for a great time, a chance to win prizes, and to support a wonderful cause. Don’t miss out—Registration closes on March 18!

To Register: Call 906-484-1333 or CLICK HERE to register online.

Book Reading & Signing: A Good Animal with Sara Maurer
2026-03-28 13:00 - 15:00
Book Reading & Signing: A Good Animal with Sara Maurer
Join us for an intimate afternoon with debut novelist Sara Maurer as she reads from and signs copies of her acclaimed first novel, A Good Animal. Set against the emotional landscape of the rural Midwest, the novel explores the complicated bonds between people, place, and the choices that define us—tender, unflinching, and deeply human.
Sara Maurer lives with her family in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Albion College and her master’s from Eastern Michigan University, and she honed her craft through Stanford’s Continuing Studies Novel Writing Certificate program. Her short fiction has appeared in Dunes Review, Hominum Journal, and The Twin Bill. A Good Animal marks her powerful debut as a novelist.
The afternoon will include a reading, a brief conversation about the writing process and the journey to publication, audience Q&A, and a book signing. Whether you’re a longtime reader of literary fiction or discovering Sara’s work for the first time, this event offers a thoughtful and engaging look at a remarkable new voice.
Books will be available for purchase at the event.
This event is FREE and open to the public. Pre-registration is appreciated for planning purposes. To save your seat, call 906-484-1333 or register online.

Jam Session
2026-04-14 14:00 - 16:00
🎶 Jam Sessions at Hessel School House! 🎶
Jam Sessions offer an easygoing afternoon of live music-making in a welcoming, historic setting.
🎸 Bring your favorite instrument
🎤 Sing along
🎼 Play your heart out
👂 Or simply sit back and enjoy the music
Musicians of all levels are welcome — whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years. Not a musician? No problem! Come soak in the sounds and spend a relaxing afternoon with friends and neighbors.
📅 Upcoming Dates:
• April 14, 2026
• May 19, 2026
All sessions are held from 2:00 – 4:00 PM.
Mark your calendar, invite a friend, and join us for music, community, and good vibes. We can’t wait to see you there!
For additional information, call Tricia Little —(906) 203-7844

CANCELLED: YOUTH: Keychain & Ribbon Tassel Making
2026-04-18 10:00 - 12:00
Keychain and Ribbon Tassel Making
Saturday, April 18, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Youth Grades 5th – 12th
Want to dress up your bags, purses, and backpacks? Come and learn how to create your very own keychain and ribbon tassel! Artist Karen Mazzoline will guide you through the process of designing and constructing your own bag accessory! Choose from a variety of materials such as beads, ribbon, and twine to take home some bag bling! All materials will be provided so bring a friend and enjoy a morning of creating together!
Class Fee: $20.00

CANCELLED: Spring Watercolor Resist Painting
2026-04-18 13:00 - 15:00
Spring Resist Watercolor Painting
April 18, 2026
1:00 – 3:00 PM
Spend an afternoon with artist Karen Mazzoline as we explore the resist technique in watercolor! Choose from a variety of spring themes and color schemes to create a beautiful work of watercolor art! All materials will be provided! No experience is necessary and exploration is encouraged!
Adult & Teen Class
Class Fee: $40.00

Mommy & Me: Ocean Theme Art Party
2026-05-09 10:00 - 12:00
MOMMY AND ME OCEAN THEME ART PARTY (adult/child/teen)
Saturday, May 9th
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Come to Hessel School House with the special person in your life to create together! With the ocean as our theme, choose colors and materials to make keychains, bracelets, and painted seashells! Join artists Karen Mazzoline and Marissa Wissner as they teach you the art of designing jewelry and art! All materials, light snacks, and fun will be provided! Enjoy a morning making memories! NOTE: Ticket price is for Mom and one child (any age).
$40 per couple (Mother and child of any age).
To register, call 906-484-1333 or register online at https://www.eventeny.com/events/ticket/?id=29738

Jam Session
2026-05-19 14:00 - 16:00
🎶 Jam Sessions at Hessel School House! 🎶
Enjoy an easygoing afternoon of live music-making in a welcoming, historic setting.
🎸 Bring your favorite instrument
🎤 Sing along
🎼 Play your heart out
👂 Or simply sit back and enjoy the music
Musicians of all levels are welcome — whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years. Not a musician? No problem! Come soak in the sounds and spend a relaxing afternoon with friends and neighbors.
May 19, 2026
2:00 – 4:00 PM
at Hessel School House
Mark your calendar, invite a friend, and join us for music, community, and good vibes. We can’t wait to see you there!
For additional information, call Tricia Little —(906) 203-7844

Aldo Leopold Festival
2026-05-27 - 2026-05-31
Aldo Leopold Festival
May 27-31, 2026
Les Cheneaux welcomes you to celebrate the legacy of Aldo Leopold — one of America’s most influential naturalists — during our festival, May 27-31, 2026. 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.
OVER 60 tours, workshops, and lectures to enjoy during the 5-day festival! For a complete list of events, tickets, and more information, visit the festival website at https://aldoleopoldfestival.org/

Jam Session
2026-06-09 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-14 14:00 - 16:00
Jam Sessions at Hessel School House!
Jam Sessions offer an easygoing afternoon of live music-making in a welcoming, historic setting.

Bring your favorite instrument
Sing along
Play your heart out
Or simply sit back and enjoy the music

Musicians of all levels are welcome — whether you’re just starting out or have been playing for years. Not a musician? No problem! Come soak in the sounds and spend a relaxing afternoon with friends and neighbors.
All sessions are held from 2:00 – 4:00 PM.
For additional information, call Tricia Little —(906) 203-7844

Hessel School House Historic Tour
2026-06-10 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-06-17 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-06-24 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-07-01 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-07-08 13:00 - 15:00
Did you know that the Hessel School House originally served as a school? Founded in 1938, the building housed students from kindergarten through fifth grade. We invite you to join us as we share stories about our alumni, teachers, and community, as well as the various roles the building has served over the years. We will also be serving the legendary Hilda Johnson peanut butter cookies.
While there is no charge to attend, donations are appreciated. Pre-registration is highly encouraged to help with planning of the tours.
To register, call 906-484-1333 or register online at
This tour is offered weekly during the summer.

3rd Annual Writer Symposium
2026-06-13 09:00 - 15:00
3rd Annual Upper Peninsula Writer’s Symposium
Join fellow writers for the 3rd Annual Upper Peninsula Writer’s Symposium on Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM EDT in Hessel, Michigan. This inspiring day of creativity, craft, and community features a keynote address by renowned author Karen Dionne, along with your choice of three breakout sessions designed to help writers strengthen their voice, expand their storytelling skills, and gain practical tools for the writing life.
Participants will enjoy interactive workshops on topics such as narrative possibility, poetry, writing style, image and tone, book cover design, and place-based storytelling. The ticket includes the keynote address, three breakout sessions, a catered lunch, and refreshments. Attendees are encouraged to select one session from each breakout block in advance to reserve their preferred workshops.
Whether you write fiction, memoir, poetry, or nonfiction, this symposium offers a welcoming space to learn, connect, and leave with renewed creative energy.
$75 per person. Includes keynote address, 3 of 6 breakout sessions, lunch, and snacks throughout the day to ensure you can focus and stay energized during this highly informative day for writers of all skill levels.
TO REGISTER: Call 906-484-1333 or register online at https://www.eventeny.com/events/ticket/?id=30530

Keynote Session presented by Karen Dionne
Karen Dionne is the USA Today and internationally bestselling author of the acclaimed psychological suspense novel The Marsh King’s Daughter, a gripping thriller that became a major motion picture starring Daisy Ridley and Ben Mendelsohn. Her novels have been translated into more than 25 languages and have earned numerous honors, including the Barry Award for Best Novel and recognition as one of the best books of the year by Library Journal and other national publications.
A longtime advocate for writers, Dionne is also the cofounder of the influential online writing community Backspace and has served on the board of directors for International Thriller Writers. Drawing from her own publishing journey—from aspiring writer to internationally recognized novelist—she inspires writers to persevere, trust the creative process, and continue pursuing their stories with dedication and resilience.
Dionne lives in Michigan, where the wilderness landscapes surrounding her home continue to shape the atmosphere and emotional depth of her fiction.
Choose Three Breakout Sessions
SESSION 1: 10:10 – 11:00 AM (Choose one of these two session)
The Infinite Possibilities of Narrative
Presenter: Joseph D. Haske
This session will include a writing exercise and a philosophical discussion that addresses potential writing strategies. From the inception of a project to the revisionary stages, an author must remain open to every opportunity for improvement. This workshop/discussion will enable writers to consider multiple approaches to plot, subplot, character development, and many other aspects of narrative conception.

Finding Your Voice Through Poetry
Presenter: Ellen Lord
In this interactive workshop, poet Ellen Lord will guide participants through the creative process of writing poetry inspired by themes from Vigil. Attendees will explore imagery, emotion, rhythm, and personal storytelling while learning practical techniques for crafting meaningful poems. In a time when many seek connection, reflection, and healing, poetry offers a powerful way to process experiences and express authentic thoughts and feelings. Whether you are new to poetry or already writing, this session will encourage you to discover and strengthen your unique voice.
___________________
SESSION 2: 11:10 – 12:00 PM (Choose one of these two session)
Break Through the Familiar: New Approaches to Image, Tone, and Subject Matter
Presenter: Daniel Mendoza
Learn how to move beyond clichés and your own predictable writing patterns. Through generative exercises and guided shifts in perspective, workshop participants will explore how to disrupt their common writing habits and approach their poetry with greater flexibility and surprise. Ideal for poets looking for tools to keep their writing dynamic and engaging.

Success Signals for Writers: Know Your Writing-Style Color and Make It Help You Write Better
Presenter: Jule Covert
An interactive presentation to identify your writing and communication style so you can make your time at the keyboard more productive.

Do you get frustrated when can’t write as easily as you’d like?
Does something hold you back, that you can’t put your finger on?
Come learn what your Writing-Style Color is.

When you can identify your style then you can learn how to make it work to your advantage, minimize its weaknesses, and incorporate wearing a different color hat to get you out of the jam jar, resuscitate your muse, and get your writing back on track.
Take the quiz in advance at hjwords.com/resources then come learn about your writing-style color. The Success Signals for Writers quiz will also be available at the symposium.
___________________________
SESSION 3: 12:50 PM – 2:00 PM (Choose one of these two session)
Designing Book Covers That Work: Understanding Your Genre and Avoiding Common Mistakes
Presenter: Daniel Mendoza
Create book cover ideas that communicate with readers and stand out in a crowded marketplace. This workshop will explore common, but fixable design issues. It will also consider the visual language of different genres, helping authors make insightful decisions when designing their book covers. Discover how to balance originality with clarity to ensure your cover connects to your target audience.

Place-Based Writing: Using Landscape and Memory to Shape Story
Presenter: Helen Raica-Klotz
This breakout session explores how landscape, memory, and lived experience can deepen and shape compelling storytelling. Participants will learn techniques for using setting as more than background—transforming place into a living part of narrative and character development. Through guided prompts and discussion, writers will discover how personal memories, sensory details, and emotional connections to place can inspire authentic and powerful writing. Whether crafting fiction, memoir, or poetry, this session will help writers create stories grounded in atmosphere, meaning, and a strong sense of place.

CANCELLED - UPCYCLE: Turn Old T-Shirts Into Summer Decor
2026-06-16 10:00 - 12:00
Tuesday, June 16 • 10 am-12pm
Don’t know what to do with all those extra t-shirts in your closet? Bring your shirts and join artist Marissa Wissner as she teaches braiding and tying techniques to give new life! Create wreathes, baskets, and wall décor from your tired tees! Marissa will provide all the materials and bling to help you create a unique design!
Class Fee: $40.00
This class was cancelled due to a lack of registrations.

CANCELLED - Oops! Now what do I do? Acrylic Painting
2026-06-16 13:00 - 15:00
Tuesday, June 16 • 1 pm-3pm
Have you ever started painting only to end up with mistakes that you’re not sure how to fix? Artist Karen Mazzoline will offer tips and tricks that will help you fix those issues, so that you can finish your masterpiece! Using acrylic and canvas paper, practice these techniques, so that you can apply it to your own work. Bring in your OOPSIES, so that we can tackle them together! You will have the opportunity to email your issues to Karen directly before June 16, so she can address your specific issues during the class. All materials and instruction are included, so just bring your Happy Little Accidents with you to class.
Class Fee: $40.00
This class was cancelled due to lack of registrations.

CANCELLED - Oops! Now what do I do? Watercolor Painting
2026-06-23 13:00 - 15:00
Tuesday, June 23 • 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
Have you ever started painting only to end up with mistakes that you’re not sure how to fix? Artist Karen Mazzoline will offer tips and tricks that will help you fix those issues, so that you can finish your masterpiece! Using watercolor and watercolor paper, practice these techniques, so that you can apply it to your own work. Bring in your OOPSIES, so that we can tackle them together! You will have the opportunity to email your issues to Karen directly before class, so that she can give you the info you need for the class. All materials and instruction are included, so just bring your Happy Little Accidents with you to class.
Class Fee: $40.00

CANCELLED - Sea Glass and Seashells Wall Art
2026-06-25 13:00 - 15:00
Thursday, June 25 • 1-3 pm
Bring the beauty of summer to your home with sea glass/seashell wall art! Learn how to utilize the natural elements of the lake to create an animal scene on a base. Artist Marissa Wissner will instruct you on how to design, arrange, and attach items such as sea glass, seashells, pebbles, and driftwood. All materials will be included, but if you have items you would like to use, feel free to bring them along.
Class Fee: $40.00

Spangled Geranium Watercolor Class (Youth)
2026-07-02 13:30 - 15:30
Thursday, July 2 • 1:30-3:30 PM
Get creative with watercolor and paint a bright, beautiful spangled geranium with instructor Les Cheneaux Arts Council artist Sarah May! This class is perfect for youth ages 12 and up, with younger artists welcome alongside a parent or guardian. All materials are included, so just bring your imagination and get ready to have fun while creating a painting you’ll be proud to show off!
Class Fee: $40.00
To register, call 906-484-1333 or register online.

Sketching in Nature
2026-07-09 10:00 - 12:00
Thursday, July 9 • 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Interested in learning how to “capture” nature quickly in a sketchbook? With guidance from artist Karen Mazzoline, learn how to observe, sketch, and add detail to your work while enjoying the beauty of the nature trails at Hessel School House! Bring your favorite folding chair as we sit in nature and sketch away! Paper and drawing media will be included, but if you have a sketchbook, you are welcome to bring that along! In case of rain, we will draw inside the schoolhouse.
Class Fee: $40.00
Registration: Call 906-484-1333 or register online.

UPCYCLE: Hair Accessories
2026-07-09 13:00 - 15:00
Thursday, July 9 • 1 – 3 pm
(Adult/Teens)
Create your very own hair clips, scrunchie, or head band with the help from artist Marissa Wissner! Using a variety of materials, make a curated hair piece that you’ll enjoy for yourself or give as a gift! Choose from scrap fabric, ribbon, buttons, bottle caps, beads, and more as you design your one upcycled accessory! Learn different techniques for each hair piece. You’ll practice each technique before implementing them into your own piece to take home. All materials will be provided!
Class Fee: 35.00
To Register: Call 906-484-1333 or register online.

Fairy Frolic
2026-07-11 11:00 - 13:00
Saturday, July 11 • 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Join us for a magical walk through the woods 🌿 where live fairies await along the trail!
📖 A special storybook will be featured for the day — perfect for curious readers and fairy believers of all ages.
Free and open to the public.

A.R.K. Wildlife LIVE!
2026-07-11 13:00 - 15:00
Saturday, July 11 • 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Step into a hands-on wildlife adventure at the Hessel School House. This engaging and family-friendly event invites curious minds of all ages to connect with nature through an up-close experience featuring LIVE ambassador animals. Presented by A.R.K. (Association of Rescue Kritters), this program showcases non-releasable wildlife ambassadors—animals that can no longer survive in the wild but now serve an important role in education. Through guided interaction and storytelling, guests will learn about each animal’s species, habitat, and the conservation challenges they face. Participants will also have the rare opportunity to explore a collection of authentic, touchable artifacts, including wings, pelts, talons, and more. These hands-on elements deepen understanding and spark curiosity, making science come alive in a memorable way.
Space is limited. Pre-registration is required.
Presentation Fee: $10 per person
To register: Call 906-484-1333 or register online.

Dragonfly Journal Cover (Youth)
2026-07-14 13:30 - 15:30
Tuesday, July 14 • 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Learn to draw dragonflies in this fun, beginner-friendly class taught by Les Cheneaux Arts Council artist Sarah May! Students will create several practice drawings, then design and complete a unique dragonfly journal cover to take home. Perfect for ages 12 and up, with younger artists welcome when accompanied by an adult. All materials are provided. Join us for a creative experience and leave with new skills and a handmade project.
To register, call 906-484-1333 or register online.
Class Fee: $45.00

Tempera Paint Art Class
2026-07-16 13:00 - 15:00
Thursday, July 16 • 1 – 3 pm
(Adults/Teens)
Come and learn the unique properties of tempera paint with artist Karen Mazzoline! Karen will give you an inside look at the possibilities of this paint medium! Learn how to work with tempera as you paint a few simple scenes. No painting experience is necessary, and all materials will be provided!
Class Fee: $40.00
To register, call 906-484-1333 or register online.

Still Life Class
2026-07-21 13:00 - 15:00
Tuesday, July 21 • 1 – 3 pm
Come learn the basics of still life and how to capture it on paper! Using various items, artist Karen Mazzoline will guide you in the process of observing, drawing, and detailing your still life. You are welcome to bring your own items to draw and your favorite pencils, but materials and still life objects will be provided. Enjoy an afternoon of drawing together!
To register, call 906-484-1333 or register online at https://www.eventeny.com/events/ticket/?id=30160
Class Fee: $40.00
