Manistee County's Finest...

  • Artifact Pottery, 3501 Madison Road, Manistee, MI 49660. 
    Contact: Colleen Tucker, artist/owner
    Phone: (231) 723-3495 
    Website: www.artifactpottery.com
    Description: Colleen creates one-of-a-kind stoneware and raku platters, bowls, vases, mugs, masks, incense burners, petroglyph fragments, and jewelry with an “ancient feel.”   Colleen frequently participates in local/regional art fairs and shows, check her website for details.  Home gallery hours are flexible, so please call first.  Cash, personal checks, M/C & Visa accepted. 
    Conservatory of Dance, Inc. 263 River Street, Manistee, MI 49660.
    Phone: (231) 723-8090
    Contact: Amanda Knight
    Website: www.theconservatoryofdance.net
    Description: Professional dance education. Jacob Knight, director, has succesfully completed Dance Masters of America training and is Certified in Ballet and Jazz.
    Dickson School Cultural Center, Ltd. P.O. Box 206, Brethren, MI 49619.
    Website:  www.dicksonschool.org                                       
    Contact: Jean Shaffer.  Phone: (231) 477-5346.
    Description: The Dickson School Cultural Center's vision is to provide a community cultural center for the Dickson Township/Brethren area, complete with a public library branch, a senior center, a multicultural museum, a community all-purpose room, and possibly a youth recreation center, among other things.  The 1922 school, from which acclaimed actor James Earl Jones graduated in 1949, was purchased in 2004, and the group and other volunteers have been active in cleaning it up, both inside and out, in preparation for renovation.  Recently, the non-profit organization received a grant from EnVision Manistee to help demolish the gymnasium, which is beyond repair, and not part of the original building.  The DSCC is always looking for volunteers, of all ages.  Please send an email to the above address if you would like more information about meeting times, clean-up schedule, programs, etc.

    Friends of Note.  Friends of Note is sponsored by the Brethren Heritage Association and is reminiscent of the Literary Society, active in the early 1900s, where musicians and poets gathered with friends to share their music and art.  Friends of Note meets the last Wednesday of each month at Zeppi's, on E. Coates Highway in Brethren, and welcomes drop-in artists to share their enjoyment of their art in an informal atmosphere. 

    Contact person: Janet Stroup

    Phone: 231-477-5526

    Email: janet2000@coslink.net

    Janet Stroup, 17955 Coates Highway, Brethren, MI 49619.

    Phone: (231) 477-5526   Email:  janet2000@coslink.net
    Interests:  Music and the Brethren Heritage Association.
    Kaleva Art Gallery 14449 Wuoksi Street, P.O. Box 243  Kaleva, MI 49645.
    Website:  www.kalevami.com/artgallery                                       
    Contact: Sandy Evens.  Phone: (231) 362-3552.
    Description: Unique arts and crafts by local artists.  Acrylics, watercolors, oils, basketry, metal sculpture, woodworking, stained glass, pottery, photography, jewelry, dried and pounded flowers, soap, fibers, candles and Finnish glassware.  Open Friday and Sundays 12-4pm. Saturdays 10-4 pm. phone: (231) 362-2749.
    Kaleva Historical Society  14551 Wuoksi Ave., Kaleva, MI 49645. 
    Contact: Jim Draze.  Phone: (231) 362-3519.
    Email: jimdraze@hotmail.com
    Description:  The Kaleva Historical Society operates the Bottle House Museum in Kaleva, MI.  Hours are Sat. & Sun. 12 to 4 pm.  Memorial Day through Labor Day, other times by appointment.
  • Manistee Art Institute  The Sands Building, 30 Jones Street, Manistee, MI 49660.
    Contact: Pat Lottie.  Phone: (231) 477-5627
    Manistee Choral Society, 12873 Cedar Creek Road, Wellston MI 49689.
    Contact: Carol Voigts
    Phone: (231) 848-4301           
    Email:  voigtsc@gmail.com                            
    Description: A 30-40 voice community choral group that has a 50 year history in Manistee.  We perform at least twice a year with regular programs, and an occasional extra event or two throughout the year.  Our Victorian Dessert Concert regularly opens the Thursday of the Manistee Sleighbell Weekend.  A spring concert of lighter music is performed also. 

    Manistee Civic Players, PO Box 832, 101 Maple Street, Manistee, MI  49660-0032.

    Contact:  JoAnn Muma

    Business Office:  231-723-7188

    Box Office:  231-723-9948

    FAX:  231-723-6982

    Website: www.ramsdell-theater.org

    Email:  civicplayers@ramsdell-theater.org

    2008 Season Ticket Booklets are now on sale!  Each booklet includes six coupons that can be used to see any production in any combination that you choose.  You can see each performance individually, take a friend, or even see a favorite show for a second time…whatever suites you best.  Not only are you supporting community theatre by purchasing Season Ticket Booklets but you're also saving $$money.  Each booklet saves you $50 off of individually priced tickets…it’s like getting two tickets for free!!!  And, don’t forget, Season Tickets make a great gift idea for that ‘hard to buy for’ person in your life. 

    Performances are in April, July, October and December.  Check this site's calendar of events to see which plays are to be performed.  To purchase 2008 Season Ticket Booklets call the Business Office of the Manistee Civic Players at (231) 723-7188.  They are located in the Ramsdell Theatre Building on 101 Maple Street, Manistee, MI  49660.

    Manistee Downtown Development Authority, 70 Maple Street, P.O. Box 358, Manistee, MI 49660.

    Contact: Sarah Wojciechowski

    Phone: (231) 398-3262

    Website: http://www.manisteedowntown.com

    Email: ManisteeDDA@jackpine.com

    Description: Please visit the DDA website (www.manisteedowntown.com) for more information.  If you would like to receive the DDA’s monthly email newsletter, highlighting all the events in the shops and offices in downtown Manistee, please email them at: ManisteeDDA@manisteedowntown.com and ask to be added to their mailing list.

    Manistee High School Performing Arts, 516 Maple Street, Manistee, MI. 49660.
    Contact Person--Sarah Helge,     Phone: (231) 398-2561  
    Email:      helge@charter.net

    Manistee Kiwanis Club, c/o Russell I. Larson, P.O. Box 43, Manistee, MI 49660.
    Meets every 2nd & 4th Wednesday at 6:30.

    Marilla Historical Society
    Contact: Mary E. Brooks
    Phone: (231) 362-3263    

    Website: http://www.skibigm.org/Pioneer%20Place%201.html    

    Description: The Marilla Historical Society operates the Marilla Museum and Pioneer Place, and hosts the many events held there each year, which are listed on the ACA calendar of events page.  The museum areas consist of the lower level of the Marilla Township Community Center, an original 1900 two-story restored barn with early farming & logging machinery and tools, an 1870 two-story, hand-hewed, fully-furnished log house, and an early full-size replica of a logger/hunter cabin.  The goal of the Marilla Historical Society is to use the resources they have to educate, entertain, preserve, and interpret history through music, story, special demonstrations, and wonderful displays of a vast collection.  Open Hours----May through October will be each Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.  Otherwise you may call for an appointment.  Ask for Jan or leave a message at 231-362-3430.  The Marilla Museum & Pioneer Place is located 5 miles south of M-115, on Marilla Road, east of Copemish. 
    Pioneer Tea & Tour and Luncheon Groups: For a very special way to enjoy this fine rural museum, arrange to either have tea & dessert in the Pioneer House with a group of friends or have a luncheon tour with a larger group.  Includes some storytelling and music. Either way, you're in for a real treat!  Call Jan for details at 231-362-3430.  Available year around by special arrangement.  This is a very special experience!
    Other Options: The Pioneer House makes a great place for book groups, Bible studies, celebrations, and more.  We've had lots of great feedback about people's experiences doing this.  Arrange by calling the above listed telephone number.  School groups or other youth groups have several visitation options.  Educational "workshop sessions" are offered as well as regular tours.  There is much to see and do at the Museum! There is a suggested donation of $2 per student to help defray costs.  Call 231-362-3430 for more information. 

    Phil Joseph, 9220 S. Portage Point Drive, Onekama, MI  49675

    Phone: (231) 889-4794

    Email: josephpm@TM.net

    Project Kaleva  P.O. Box 283, Kaleva, MI  49645. 

    Phone: (231) 362-3480 

    Contact: Cindy Asiala. 

    Email: caasiala@jackpine.com

    Description:  Project Kaleva is a committee of the Kaleva Historical Society that sponsors the Log Cabin Fridays in August and Juhannus-Mid-summer day celebration.  Through contributions and sponsorships this group supports improvements in the town such as the Depot RR museum et al.

    Ramsdell Theatre, 70 Maple Sreet, P.O. Box 358, Manistee, MI 49660.       

    Phone: (231) 398-9770

    Contact: Ed Bradford

    Email: ebradford@ci.manistee.mi.us

    Website: www.Ramsdell-Theater.org; New website, under construction: www.RamsdellTheatre.org.

    Ramsdell Theatre Restoration Project

    Contact: Nancy Lyon
    Phone: (231) 723-9452

  • Shannon Simoneau, 183 Monroe Street, Manistee, MI 49660

    Phone: 231-398-3335; Email: manisteesimoneau@gmail.com

    Spirit of the Woods Music Association, 11171 Kerry Road, Brethren, MI 49619

    Website: www.spiritofthewoods.org
    Contact: Tim or Wanda Joseph, phone: (231)     477- 5381  Email: spiritmusic@jackpine.com

    Description: The Spirit of the Woods Music Association is a group of folks who love traditional music and get together to do the necessary work to bring musicians and music lovers together. Since 1978 they have sponsored the annual Spirit of the Woods Folk Festival, held at the Dickson Township Park in Brethren, Michigan, the third Saturday in June. The festival features a day full of music on two stages, arts and crafts vendors, children's activities, great food, and sometimes a closing dance. Spirit of the Woods also presents concerts, dances, open mics, and special events during the fall and winter months.

    S.S. City of Milwaukee - National Historic Landmark, 99 Arthur Street, Manistee, MI 49660

    Website: http://www.carferry.com/

    Contact Person:  Linda Spencer

    Email: lspencer@carferry.com

    Phone: (231) 723-3587

    Description:  The last traditional great lakes rail-car ferry.  Offering guided tours from late spring through early fall, the ship also features a Boxcar Museum.  Its annual "Ghost Ship" runs in October.

    Tim Joseph, 11171 Kerry Road, Brethren, MI 49619

    Phone: (231) 477-5381 Email: tjoseph@jackpine.com

    Interests:  Folk Music

    Description: Tim and his first cousin, Byron Joseph, both natives of Onekama, play and sing a variety of traditional American Folk and country songs and ballads. They have been performing together since they were ten years old.  With Byron on guitar and Tim on dobro, banjo, fiddle and guitar, the duo bring an eclectic mix of styles and sounds to the stage - music that they love, and that reflects the life and culture of northwestern Michigan.  For more information, or to arrange for a performance, contact Tim at (231) 477-5381 or tjoseph@jackpine.com.

  • Wanda Joseph

    Phone:  (231) 477-5381

    Contact for Music-Supporting diverse- ethnic cultural activities.

William Hattendorf, 9241 Lakeside Avenue, Onekama, MI 49675.

Phone: (231) 510-1539

Interests:  Fine Artist/2-D art