Elk Rapids Area

Chamber of Commerce

"Monday Minutes" Newsletter

November 20, 2023

Chain of Lakes Area

Acme * Alden * Atwood * Bellaire * Central Lake Eastport * Ellsworth * Elk Rapids * Kewadin * Rapid City * Torch River * Williamsburg

CHAMBER WINTER HOURS ARE MON-WED-FRI, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

BE SURE TO READ THE COMPLETE NEWSLETTER ~ LOOK FOR "THE END"

Enjoy time with family and friends this Thanksgiving Holiday!

We are thankful and grateful for the support of our members and community!

We have seen some amazing holiday decorations so far! Reminder we will be out there judging this coming weekend so send in your photos to be included in the Christmas Decorating Contest!

Do you stress over organizing a Christmas party for your employees? If you did organize a holiday event, do you not have enough employees to really have an enjoyable time? Or maybe you are simply looking for a way to celebrate the festive season with both your employees and your community? Well, look no further. The Mingle & Jingle at HERTHA Hall on December 16th is the answer. Enjoy appetizers galore, cash bar, music, and tons of Christmas spirit. Tickets are $30 per person and can be purchased by calling Marina at 231-342-5070 or visiting: www.herthahall.com

2023 Chain of Lakes Area

Snapshot of Upcoming Events

Where to go, What to see, and

What to do in the Chain of Lakes Area

(Scroll down for details on each event)

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Weekly Recurring Events

Mondays ~ Mug Club Monday at Short's Pull Barn, 12 - 8 pm

Tuesdays ~ Board Game Day/Night at Short's Pull Barn

~ Tech Help at the ER District Library, 10 am - 12 pm

~ Euchre at Cellar 152, 5 pm

~ Trivia Night at The DAM Shop, 6 pm

Wednesday

~ Walk-in Wednesdays at ER Animal Hospital, 8 am-12 pm

~ Locals Night at BOS Wine, until 8 pm

~ Euchre at Art & Connection, 1 - 4 pm

~ Community Cornhole Tournament at the DAM Shop, 6 pm

Thursdays ~ Storytime at the ER District Library, 1:30 pm

~ Tech Help at the ER District Library, 1 - 3 pm

~ Knitting at the ER District Library, 2-4 pm

~ Wine Tastings at Cellar 152

~ Euchre at The Side Door Saloon, 6:30 pm

~ Open Mic w/Nick Vasquez at Torch Lake Cafe', 7 pm

~ Wine Tastings at the DAM Shop

Fridays ~ Storytime at the ER District Library, 10:30 am

~ Live Music at Cellar 152

~ Live Music at Torch Lake Cafe, 7:30 pm

~ Karaoke at The Side Door Saloon, 9 pm

Saturdays ~ Trivia at the Side Door Saloon, 7:30 pm

~ Live Music at Cellar 152

~ Live Music at Ethanology

~ Live Muse at Torch Lake Cafe, 7:30 pm

Sundays

~ Live Music at Torch Lake Cafe, 6:30 pm

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Nov. 20, Drop-in Chess at ER District Library, 5-7 pm

Nov. 21, ER Community Cupboard Grocery Pick-up, 4:30-6:30 pm

Nov. 22, Bingo at Short's Pull Barn, 6 pm

Nov. 23, Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

Nov. 24, ER Community Cupboard Grocery Pick-up, 8:30-9:30 am

Nov. 24, Christmas Tree Lighting ~ Downtown Elk Rapids, 5 pm

Nov. 24, Pizza and Pipes at Music House Museum, 6 - 7:30 pm

Nov. 25, Alden's Christmas Celebration, 3 - 8 pm

Nov. 25, SHOP SMALL SATURDAY ~ Support Local Shops

Nov. 25, ER History Museum Christmas Holiday Display, 1 - 4 pm

Nov. 25, Amvet's Euchre Tournament, 6:30 -9 pm

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Nov. 27, Drop-in Chess at ER District Library, 5-7 pm

Nov. 29 Sunrise Academy Spaghetti Dinner Annie Kotowsky Scholarship Fundraiser at Johnny's Torch Riveria, 5 - 9 pm

Nov. 30-Dec. 2, A Collection of Christmas Comedies, ERHS, 7 pm

Dec. 1 & 2, Holiday Greens Workshop at Pine Hill, 11 am

Dec. 1-3, The Christmas Journey, New Hope Community Church, 5:30 pm

Dec. 2, Switchback Christmas Concert at HERTH, 7:30 pm

Dec. 2, Myrtle and Maude's Ladies Night, 3 - 7 pm

Dec. 2, Polar Express Train Display & Santa in Elk Rapids, 11 am-3 pm

Dec. 3, Interlochen Recital by Academy Flute Studio, 2 pm

Dec. 3, Makers Market at The Pull Barn, 12- 4 pm

Dec. 3, Pokemon Club at the ER District Library, 1 pm

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Dec. 5, ER Community Cupboard Grocery Pick-up, 4:30-6:30 pm

Dec. 6, Bingo at Short's Pull Barn, 6 pm

Dec. 7, Sound Journey at ER Yoga Flow, 6:30 pm

Dec. 8, ER Community Cupboard Grocery Pick-up, 8:30-9:30 am

Dec. 8 & 9, Holiday Greens Workshop at Pine Hill, 11 am

Dec. 8-10, The Christmas Journey,New Hope Community Church,5:30 pm

Dec. 9, Jingle, Jog, and Run/Walk for Project Graduation, 8 am - 12 pm

Dec. 9, Santa & Reindeer visit Elk Rapids, 11 am - 2 pm

Dec. 10, Artist Laura Schichtel at Waterfire Vineyard, 1 - 5 pm

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Dec. 14, Ladies Night in Downtown Elk Rapids, 5-8 pm

Dec. 14, Friends of the Library Sip & Support at Cellar 152, 6-8 pm

Dec. 16, Lighting of the Bridges at Grass River Natural Area, 6 - 8 pm

Dec. 16, Community Mingle & Jingle at HERTH, 6 pm

Dec. 17, Musician James Dake at Waterfire Vineyard, 1-5 pm

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Dec. 20, Bingo at Short's Pull Barn, 6 pm

------------------------------------------------------------Jan. 20, Cocoa Crawl Downtown Elk Rapids, 12- 3 pm

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Please email laura@elkrapidschamber.org with any updated event dates.

Visit our Events Calendar

Read News Releases

Visit our Website

Public Meetings about Our CommUNITY

Tuesday, Nov. 21, ER Village Council Meeting, 7:00 pm

Agenda and Zoom Instructions

Tuesday, Nov. 21, Torch Lake Township Board Meeting, 7:00 pm

Agenda and Virtual Instructions

JOIN AN ELK RAPIDS BOARD OR COMMISSION!

Want to make a difference in the Elk Rapids community? Join a board or commission!

There are many choices to serve. Check out the application HERE to see if your experiences and skills match the needs of these groups.

Current board and commission open positions include:

Beautification Commission: Two (2) for the Beautification Commission (both terms expire 2025) – must be Village residents.
Harbor Commission: One (1) for Harbor Commission members (term expires in 2024) – applicants must be Village residents unless the Village Council approves proposed ordinance 2023-11 to allow no more than three (3) members to reside outside the Village limits.
Housing Commission: One (1) Housing Commission member (term expires 2027) – must be a Village resident.
Planning Commission: One (1) Planning Commission member (term expires 2025) – applicant must be an elector of the Village.
Zoning Board of Appeals: One (1) for the Zoning Board of Appeals (term expires 2025) – applicant must be an elector of the Village.
*New* Elk Rapids Housing Coalition: All seats are open.

Questions? Reach out to Village Clerk Kaitlyn Szczypka at kszczypka@elkrapids.org.

Thanks for considering serving our wonderful community!

Village of Elk Rapids: www.elkrapids.org

Elk Rapids Township: https://www.elkrapids.com/

Milton Township: https://miltontownship.org/

Torch Lake Township:www.torchlaketownship.org/

Antrim County: antrimcounty.org

Acme Township: acmetownship.org/

Whitewater Township: whitewatertownship.org/

Helena Township: https://www.helenatownship.com/

View the full list of webinars

www.sbdcmichigan.org

For recorded webinars and upcoming workshops: +

https://www.score.org/traversecity/local-workshops

ONLINE LIVE EVENT

How to Transition from W2 Employee to Employer

Tuesday, November 21, 2023, 1:00 pm EST

In this webinar, we will explore the different types of business ownership models, such as start-ups, purchasing an existing business, and franchising

Read the Latest News

>> November 15, 2023 Edition

→ Mark your calendars for the Northern Michigan Policy Conference and Annual Celebration Gala all happening on January 19, 2024, at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. Come for the policy and stay for the party! Tickets are also available to solely attend the Gala in the evening.

→ Networks Northwest wants to hear from as many employers in northwest Michigan as possible using the Employer Child Care Survey to learn how the lack of child care impacts employers and their employees.

→ Anishinaabe culture is being honored as a vital part of the present-day community in two projects underway this fall, the timing of which coincides with Native American Heritage Month.

Pure Michigan Debuts ‘Fresh Start’ Winter Ad Campaign

Pure Michigan is launching its winter advertising campaign to inspire travelers to plan their winter getaways and adventures in Michigan. Tourism is one of the state’s top industries. >> Read More

20Fathoms Lands $7.3 Million In State And Federal Grants, Plots New Chapter

For its fifth birthday, 20Fathoms is getting $7.3 million.

That windfall, coming to the Traverse City tech incubator courtesy of two major grants, will allow the organization to kick off a brand-new chapter – one Executive Director Eric Roberts dubs “20Fathoms 2.0.” The organization will use the funds to implement a three-year strategic growth plan that will expand its geographic reach, launch new programs, provide early-stage companies with access to capital funds, grow or facilitate partnerships with local and non-local organizations, bring big-time research projects to Traverse City, and grow the region’s budding reputation as a tech epicenter.

NLEA Establishes New Revolving

Loan Fund with EDA Support

The U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration has announced that it has awarded the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance a $400,000 investment to establish a revolving loan fund. The fund will serve as a financing tool for Northern Michigan businesses to support jobs and investment in the NLEA service area of Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, and Emmet Counties.

The loan fund is a gap financing tool for small businesses and will work in partnership with the borrower’s primary lender. The goal of the fund is to be a component of a business’s capital mix to bring growth and jobs to the region. Click below to hear from economic development professionals and elected officials about the importance of this $500,000 loan fund. >> Read Press Release

Read NLEA November Newsletter

MDARD Announces Grant Opportunity for Rural Communities

Proposals are due by 3 p.m. (EST) on January 9, 2024

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is offering a competitive grant program to promote the sustainability of land-based industries and support improving infrastructure in rural communities across Michigan.

"The success and long-term prosperity of Michigan's food and agriculture industry is deeply rooted within our rural communities. At MDARD, we're committed to providing support and resources to help our rural communities grow and thrive," said Director Tim Boring. "This grant opportunity prioritizes sustainable practices and infrastructure improvements which will benefit rural communities for years to come." >>Read More

$50 million in grants available to help Michigan businesses grow talent and support employees with more skills and bigger paychecks

Applications for cycle 1 of Going PRO Talent Fund open on Oct. 9

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan employers looking to take advantage of the Going PRO Talent Fund program will be able to apply for a share of approximately $50 million in competitive training awards over the course of two application cycles starting Monday, October 9. These dollars help grow Michigan's workforce and support residents' access to good-paying, in-demand jobs.

Going PRO Talent Fund helps ensure employers have the talent they need to grow and stay competitive by providing awards to assist in training, developing and retaining current and newly hired employees. Since the program's launch, the Going PRO Talent Fund has provided training for approximately 175,000 Michigan workers and supported the needs of more than 6,000 businesses. >>Read Full Press Release

Here Come the Holidays – Ready or Not

Most people have plans to make and shopping to do along with preparing homes for celebrations and guests. So how much of this activity is happening during working hours or taking time off for the holidays and all of the preparation that goes with them?

Visit Jobs Posted

We're hiring a Program Coordinator!

See our employment page for more details.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Antrim County Transportation-Driver
Commission on Aging - Meal Site Coordinator
Commission on Aging - Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Commission on Aging - Homemaker
County Administrator - Administrative Assistant
Sheriff's Department - Corrections Deputy
Sheriff's Department - Road Patrol
Veteran Affairs - Director

Job Openings:

Forklift Driver

General Labor

Maintenance Processor

Sanitation Worker

Help Wanted:

Part-time Part-time Waitstaff

Branch Office Administrator in Elk Rapids

Looking For:

Human Resource Director

Looking for:

Contemporary Worship Director

Dr. Ann Kuenker

Needed: Medical Assistant-Traverse City Office

Seeking:

Licensed Cosmetologist

Looking For:

Marketing Associate

Looking for:

Shop Supervisor and Shop Employees

Join Traverse City Horse Shows as our Social Media Specialist

HIRING FOR ALL POSITIONS!

Village Market * 250 Ames St.* Elk Rapids* (231) 264-5629

The Village of Elk Rapids Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board of Directors is seeking a qualified, energetic part-time DDA Executive Director – $30 – $35 per hour DOQ. The Executive Director is the coordinator, administrator, and facilitator of the DDA’s activities and is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the DDA’s projects and programs and its Tax Increment Financing Plan.>>Read More

Become an Amazon Hub partner. You and your staff will assist in local deliveries while creating extra income for your business. For more information visit https://logistics.amazon.com/hubdelivery/marketing/

Do you love trains?🚂

The Downtown Elk Rapids Association is once again having the Polar Express Event that will be set up at Bayfront Beach and Bike for the Holiday season. If you would like to have some fun and help put it together, stop in at Bayfront Beach and Bike where

they will be busy setting it up!

CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS

Traverse Bay Farms wins Four More National Food Awards!

Celebrate while saving money!

Traverse Bay Farms won four more national food awards at the 2024 Scovie Awards, bringing their total to over 42 national food awards. The winning products for the 2024 Scovie Awards included:

Cherry Barbecue Sauce

Strawberry Poppyseed Dressing

Raspberry Jalapeno Jam

Cherry Poppyseed Dressing

To celebrate these new national food awards, Traverse Bay Farms is offering a $1 discount off these four items from Tuesday, November 21 through Saturday, November 25 in their Elk Rapids store.

Visit their downtown Elk Rapids store at 204 River Street. Visit their website for more information at www.TraverseBayFarms.com or call 1-877-746-7477

Cherry Capital Airport will be hosting a TSA PreCheck enrollment event in collaboration with IDEMIA, a TSA PreCheck authorized enrollment provider. This will take place December 4th through December 8th from 9:00 AM - 12:00 AM, and 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM.

The Music House Museum

7377 U.S. 31 North

Williamsburg, MI 49690

(231) 938-9300

Upcoming Events - The Music House Museum

Pizza and Pipes

Friday, November 24, 2023, 6:00-7:30 p,m,

The Music House presents a Post-Thanksgiving Pizza and Pipes, a delicious gourmet pizza dinner and a very special concert from Red Wings organist, Dave Calendine, on the ‘Mighty Wurlitzer’ theater organ. Enjoy a great dinner with great music. Doors open at 6 PM for dinner, with the concert around 6:30 pm. This is a very popular event so reservations are highly recommended. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children 10 and under. Dave Calendine is an amazingly talented organist and pianist and a great entertainer. >>Read More

The Music House Museum is proud to present a very special flute recital by the students of Nancy Stagnitta from the Interlochen Arts Academy Flute Studio on Sunday December 3 at 2:00 pm, with accompaniment by Interlochen pianist Hyemin Kim. >>>Read More

The DAM Shop * 118 Bridge Street * Elk Rapids, MI 231-498-5855

Royal Farms * 10445 N. US Hwy 31 * Ellsworth * (231) 599-3222

Pies can be ordered gluten-free, just ask

Short's Pull Barn in Elk Rapids

211 Industrial Park Drive

Unwrap the magic of the season at our Makers Market on December 3, 2023

Local artisans are bringing their A-game with handcrafted treasures that make the perfect gifts. Shop and sip local, support artists, and spread the joy this holiday season!

Space for Lease

Located in beautiful Elk Rapids, MI, this 1,947 SF standalone flex office building has a shop and retail/showroom area, which allows for a wide variety of uses. There is a centrally located kitchenette and bathroom which provides a nice separation of the retail space from the shop space. One street over from Ames St but visible from the main road providing good visibility.

https://www.threewest.com/property-listings/?ptype=CM_3&listingID=1911588#

SALVATION ARMY BELLS WILL BE RINGING STARTING FRIDAY NOVEMBER 3RD!

The Salvation Army's 2023 Red Kettle Campaign kicked off Friday, November 3rd at The Village Market in Elk Rapids at 10 a.m. The Elk Rapids Rotary will be ringing bells and helping to recruit volunteers throughout the 2023 Holiday Season. Money raised at red kettles stays local and makes a huge impact on the lives of many hard-working low-income families. To give you can donate at any red kettle located in Emmet, Charlevoix, and Antrim Counties, mail to The Salvation Army at 712 Pleasant Street in Petoskey, or give online at SAPetoskey.org.

BOS Wine Local's Night

Every Wednesday evening from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Join in for some wine and camaraderie with friends and neighbors.

BOS Wine 🍷135 Ames Street 🍷 Elk Rapids 🍷 (231) 498-2073

CASTLE FARMS

Find details of events at

Upcoming Events – Castle Farms

Castle Farms * 5052 M- 66 * Charlevoix *

(231) 237-0884

Register for upcoming classes and workshops on our website! Check back often as we will be posting more classes and workshops

https://www.artandconnection.org/register-draft

Available Classes

Thurs. Dec. 7, Painting with Wool-Advanced Class
Sat. Jan. 6, Watercolor for Beginners

Art and Connection🎨965 Green Street 🎨Elk Rapids🎨 (231) 498-2522

~~~~~~~~~

Join us for Small Business Saturday on November 25 from 11am - 3pm and discover the many amazing local artists with work for sale at our art center! If you are looking for gifts for the holiday season, look no further. We have cards, prints, calendars, tumblers and so much more. 100% of sales go directly to the artists.

Pine Hill Nursery Pine Hill Village Gardens

886 US 31 N 1126 Carver St.

Kewadin Traverse City

231-599-2824 231-941-8089

www.pinehill-nursery.com !

Holiday Greens Workshops

at Pine Hill

December 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th

(Friday, Saturday)

Class times are 11 a.m. Create your own beautiful wreath ($55) or porch pot ($55) in this fun workshop. The wreath class fee includes wreath form, greens, and natural bits. Porch pot class includes a black pot with soil, greens, and red twigs. Other embellishment items are available for purchase. Classes are held in our greenhouse, so we recommend dressing in layers. Please bring your own garden gloves and pruners. We will have some for purchase if you need them.

Location: 1126 Carver St. Traverse City

Please call to register as classes tend to fill up quickly. 231-941-1808

Make your own unique and beautiful porch pot this holiday season. Porch pots look amazing all winter. Give us a call to sign up for a class.

TC 231-941-1808 or Torch Lake 231-599-2824

Happy Thanksgiving from Pine Hill

Read newsletter for holiday specials

The Christmas Journey

December 1-3 and December 8-10, 2023

5:30-7:30 pm

Experience the Story of Christmas from Creation to Bethlehem and beyond in a 45-minute outdoor walking tour. Watch scenes come to life as a guide leads you through a woodland path filled with actors, scenery, and live animals. Feel Joseph and Mary’s stress as they are sent to a stable to have their baby, and the shepherds’ awe when angels appear in the sky. Meet the wise men on their journey and see other scenes of Christmas come to life.

The Christmas Journey is 100% outdoors. Please dress appropriately.

New Hope Community Church * 5100 Bethesda Ct. * Traverse City

Click HERE for more information and application

Monday Dinner Specials

5:00 - 7:00 pm $10

Thanks to the Ladies Auxiliary for all they do!

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Amvets * 410 Bridge Street * Elk Rapids (231) 264-5182

AMVETS Post #114 Euchre Tournnament

Saturday, November 25, 2023, at 6:30 pm.

ALL ARE WELCOME!

$10 per person, Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place

You do not need to be an AMVETS member to play. You do not need to bring a partner to play. There will be a break about halfway through. Feel free to bring an appetizer to share!

Elk Rapids Yoga Flow * 212 River Street * Elk Rapids

elkrapidsyogaflow.com * 231-463-4556

Book your Next Yoga Class today at

www.elkrapidsyogaflow.com/schedule

Are you hosting a Thanksgiving celebration this week at home? If so, you may need your yoga practice more than ever!! Or perhaps some of your guests would like to practice while they are traveling! We have all the props needed for them with easy drop in classes that they can book online. We are in studio (and Zoom) all week with most of our regular morning/evening classes available.

On Thursday morning, please join us for a Thanksgiving Day Vin/Yin practice at 9:30am! Book your classes here and see you soon! https://www.elkrapidsyogaflow.com/schedule

404 Bridge Street, Elk Rapids (231) 264-8184

www.indulge-elkrapids.com * FACEBOOK PAGE

NOVEMBER HOT DEAL

Customer Appreciation Event

Celebrate with us the entire month of November. Specials all month long!!

~ 25% off All Retail

~ Purchase $50 in Retail Products, Get an Entry into a Prize Drawing

~ Purchase $100 in Retail Products, Receive a Complimentary Gift

~ Buy 1 Massage or Facial, Get 1 50% Off

GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE

Message from Judith ~

I hope you're able to enjoy some quality time with friends and family during this season of Thanksgiving.

To help keep you moving through the holiday, come join me on Black Friday, November 24 for Vinyasa Yoga at 9 am at 508 Elm Street. You can buy a punch card for $10 off when you come. Join us!

For Class Schedule and Recipes READ FULL NEWSLETTER

For more information about our services check out our website at erbodywise.com and check out our updates HERE.

Waterside Wellness Schedule Alert

Updated October - December Schedule!!! Starting Monday, October 23rd!

Two new evening options Tuesday at 5:30 pm and Thursday at 6:30 pm.

All group guided sessions will now be available via live streaming!

Private sessions also available online.

Book online through https://www.vagaro.com/watersidewellness

Grass River Natural Area

6500 Alden Hwy ~ Bellaire

(231) 533-8576

check online for events: www.grassriver.org

Tuesday, November 28, 12:00 pm

Winter Camp Registration Opens

Jewelry donations are accepted also at the library during business hours.

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!

Read the Latest Newsletter

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

Events at the ERDL!

See their website calendar for schedules

Follow school and sporting events events on the Elk Rapids School Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/erschools

www.erschools.com

School Calendar: https://www.erschools.com/downloads/district_files/year_at_a_glance_23-24_-_final.pdf

Athletics Calendar: https://www.erschools.com/schools/elk-rapids-high-school/athletics/athletics-calendar/

Click HERE to Register for Run/Walk

Euchre at Sacred Heart Community Center

All are welcome to play Euchre on Saturdays

~ 9/23, 10/7, 10/21, 11/4, 11/18, 12/2, 12/16

Begins at 6:30 pm cost is $5 per person, and cash prizes are based on attendance.

For more information call (231) 676-4496

Sacred Heart * 143 Charles Street * Elk Rapids

Fall/winter hours - The Center will be open noon to 4 pm Saturdays; 2 pm to 4 pm Sundays and other times, including holidays, by appointment. Give a call if you are interested in visiting! Call 231.536.3369 or email info@miravenhill.org to make appointments to visit other times, including major holidays.