Things to Do: Entertainment in the Midland, Great Lakes Bay region

Tuesday, Jan. 5

Evening Snowshoe Hike is set for 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! We will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. Ages 15 and older; younger than 18 with adult. Reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. Registration required. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

Wednesday, Jan. 6

Versiti Midland Community Blood Drive is set for 1 to 6 p.m. in the gym at Saint Brigid Catholic School,130 W. Larkin St., Midland. Hosted by Saint Brigid Catholic Church. Appointments preferred. Call 866-642-5663 or visit versiti.org/MI

Thursday, Jan. 7

Evening Snowshoe Hike is set for 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! We will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. Ages 15 and older; younger than 18 with adult. Reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. Registration required. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

Saturday, Jan. 9

Come Meet the Makers, an event to showcase and support local makers and growers, is set for 7:30 a.m. to noon at Live Oak Coffeehouse, 711 Ashman St. Midland. There will be two to eight vendors every Saturday through April, picking up where the Midland Farmer’s Market left off and takes a break for the season. All vendors and patrons will adhere to current mask and social distancing guidelines, and hosts will limit traffic and gathering in common areas, provide opportunities for sanitizing. Interested in being a vendor? Sign up on the following form to inquire about being added to the schedule: http://bit.ly/MeettheMakers2020.

A Bottle and Can Drive is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lowe’s in Midland, to help support the local and international humanitarian efforts of The Glory Ministry. A drop and go location for donations will be at Lowe’s, 1918 Airport Road in Midland, also on Jan.16 and 23. People who are unable to make these dates or times can contact Robert at 989-324-8937 or visit www.thegloryministry.org

Monday, Jan. 11

Evening Snowshoe Hike is set for 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! We will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. Ages 15 and older; younger than 18 with adult. Reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. Registration required. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

Wednesday, Jan. 13

Evening Snowshoe Hike is set for 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! We will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. Ages 15 and older; younger than 18 with adult. Reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. Registration required. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

Saturday, Jan. 16

Come Meet the Makers, an event to showcase and support local makers and growers, is set for 7:30 a.m. to noon at Live Oak Coffeehouse, 711 Ashman St. Midland. There will be two to eight vendors every Saturday through April, picking up where the Midland Farmer’s Market left off and takes a break for the season. All vendors and patrons will adhere to current mask and social distancing guidelines, and hosts will limit traffic and gathering in common areas, provide opportunities for sanitizing. Interested in being a vendor? Sign up on the following form to inquire about being added to the schedule: http://bit.ly/MeettheMakers2020.

A Bottle and Can Drive is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lowe’s in Midland, to help support the local and international humanitarian efforts of The Glory Ministry. A drop and go location for donations will be at Lowe’s, 1918 Airport Road in Midland, also on Jan. 23. People who are unable to make these dates or times can contact Robert at 989-324-8937 or visit www.thegloryministry.org

Monday, Jan. 18

Van Jones, a political commentator who regularly appears on nationally-televised TV programs, will deliver the keynote address for the 12th annual Great Lakes Bay Regional Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. This year’s event will be presented virtually. Jones will appear 7 p.m.in an Saginaw Valley State University-hosted live event, streamed free online. To view the event, participants must register at svsu.edu/mlk. The program will include the presentation of regional scholarship awards by the Bay Area, Midland Area and Saginaw community foundations to high school seniors who have embodied Martin Luther King Jr.’s ideals.

Tuesday, Jan. 19

Evening Snowshoe Hike is set for 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! We will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. Ages 15 and older; younger than 18 with adult. Reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. Registration required. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

Thursday, Jan. 21

Family Snowshoe Hike is set for 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland. Event is for ages 5 and older with adult. Reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. Registration required. Bring the whole family for an afternoon of exploration on snowshoes – no experience needed! We will search high and low for signs of animals as we explore on and off trails. Please bring a sled to pull younger children. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

Saturday, Jan. 23

Come Meet the Makers, an event to showcase and support local makers and growers, is set for 7:30 a.m. to noon at Live Oak Coffeehouse, 711 Ashman St. Midland. There will be two to eight vendors every Saturday through April, picking up where the Midland Farmer’s Market left off and takes a break for the season. All vendors and patrons will adhere to current mask and social distancing guidelines, and hosts will limit traffic and gathering in common areas, provide opportunities for sanitizing. Interested in being a vendor? Sign up on the following form to inquire about being added to the schedule: http://bit.ly/MeettheMakers2020.

A Bottle and Can Drive is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Lowe’s in Midland, to help support the local and international humanitarian efforts of The Glory Ministry. A drop and go location for donations will be at Lowe’s, 1918 Airport Road in Midland. People who are unable to make these dates or times can contact Robert at 989-324-8937 or visit www.thegloryministry.org

Snowshoe Sampler is set for 10 a.m. to noon at Chippewa Nature Center in Midland. Free for all ages, 18 and younger with adult. It’s time to play outside! Drop by any time to give CNC’s snowshoes a try, do a winter scavenger hunt or warm up by a campfire. Meet at the Homestead Cabin and come enjoy a winter morning in the snow. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

Monday, Jan. 25

Evening Snowshoe Hike is set for 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! We will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. Ages 15 and older; younger than 18 with adult. Reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. Registration required. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

Wednesday, Jan. 27

Evening Snowshoe Hike is set for 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland. Come discover the beauty of a winter night! We will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. Ages 15 and older; younger than 18 with adult. Reserve snowshoes online or call 989-631-0830. Registration required. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

Thursday, Jan. 28

Full Moon Stroll is set for 5 to 6 p.m. at the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland.This month’s Wolf moon recognizes the shorter days and longer nights that occur near the winter solstice. Bundle up to look and listen for nocturnal wildlife moving under the moon light. Wear dark clothing and bring a flashlight. www.chippewanaturecenter.org. Free, ages 9-plus; younger than 18 with adult. Register by Jan. 27

Jan. 29-31

Zehnder’s Snowfest: Join us for Zehnder’s Snowfest (limited event) . Although Snowfest will be different this year, visitors may still enjoy a limited number of larger-than-life snow sculptures and beautifully detailed ice carvings.Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s event will not include entertainment, warming tent or fireworks but we encourage guests to view the snow and ice sculptures throughout downtown Frankenmuth.

Saturday, Jan. 30

Come Meet the Makers, an event to showcase and support local makers and growers, is set for 7:30 a.m. to noon at Live Oak Coffeehouse, 711 Ashman St. Midland. There will be two to eight vendors every Saturday through April, picking up where the Midland Farmer’s Market left off and takes a break for the season. All vendors and patrons will adhere to current mask and social distancing guidelines, and hosts will limit traffic and gathering in common areas, provide opportunities for sanitizing. Interested in being a vendor? Sign up on the following form to inquire about being added to the schedule: http://bit.ly/MeettheMakers2020

Winter Tree Identification is set for 1 to 2 p.m. at Chippewa Nature Center in Midland. Learn to identify trees in winter by their bark, branches and buds. Compare characteristics of opposite, alternate or whorled, then look closer at bud shape and color. Dress for the weather for this outdoor program. Free for people ages 9 and older; 18 and younger with adult. Free. www.chippewanaturecenter.org

As Michigan begins to open up and events are being organized, the Daily News is resuming its popular What’s Happening column, your guide to local entertainment-type events in the Great Lakes Bay region. If you have an event you would like included, please email the information to Managing Editor Lori Qualls at [email protected]

For the health and safety of others, social distancing and face coverings are recommended and required in some cases.