May 3, 10, & 17
Free Theatre after 11:00 pm!
Shelly Ragland and her Bohemian Productions present a series of short plays by Shel Silverstein at Michael's Bar & Grille.
Shelly's passion is to present theatre that's different and entertaining. And, this series of 15-minute one-acts is a great way to sample theatre if you haven't been exposed to it.
Michael's serves dinner until 11:00 pm, so plan on a late dinner before. Note, these plays do contain adult theme and language, so you must be 18 and older to attend.
May 3 - The Best/No Soliciting
May 10 - All Cotton/Gone To Take A...
May 17 - No Dogs Allowed/Smile
129 E. Ludington Ave., 845-7411

May 5-31
West Shore Art League's Membership Show
This woven piece by Cass Schorsch is one of the many in this annual exhibit, where you can experience the richness of artistic talent in our area.
And, this year the show is at the expanded Todd & Brad Reed Gallery. 843-0777 (Brad).

May 17-18
Picture Perfect Weekend
Todd & Brad Reed have a very busy month in May. Not only are they previewing their newly expanded gallery and their new book, but they'll be offering one of their popular photography workshops at the Cartier Mansion. (Call Sue Ann at 843-0101 to register).

May 19
Reception - West Shore Art League's May Membership Show
7 pm at Todd & Brad Reed Photography Gallery. 843-0777 (Brad)

May 22 & 29
Creative Writing Workshop
Taught by George Dila of Ludington Visiting Writers, this workshop will focus on fiction and memoir. It's open to writers of all experience levels and will meet for four Thursdays (also June 12 & 19) from 7-9. Check out their website for details and registration or email George.

May 24
Mural Dedication
2 pm at the Elks Club, 129 E. Ludington Ave., The Mural Society dedicates of a unique, three-dimensional S.S. Badger careferry mural. 845-9189 (Sonja).

Fridays in May
Happy Hour at PM Steamers
starting at 4:00 pm, featuring $3 beer, glass of wine and appetizers. 843-8555.

May 8
Wine Extravaganza to Benefit COVE
An annual event that is always loads of fun and music (provided by Kevin Kimes and friends). And, it's for a great cause - COVE, which helps victims of domestic violence. From 5-8 at Jamesport Brewing Co. Tickets are $20 at the COVE office or $25 at the door. Call 843-2541 for info.

May 9
First Sail of the Season

May 11
Mother's Day Brunch from 10-1 at PM Steamers. Call 843-9555 for reservations.

May 16 & 17
Women's Literary Club Garage Sale
302 N. Emily St. Proceeds go to the Ludington Public Library for children's programs. Items (no clothes please) from the community are welcome. 843-4030 (Glenna)

May 17
Pet Walkathon and 7th Annual Doggiepalooza
9 am at the Loomis Street Boat Launch. 843-0886

May 18
Mason County Garden Club's Plant Exchange
12:30 at Leveaux Park, Ludington. Open to the community. 757-2565 (Suzanne)

And, the rest of the story
of downtown Ludington
and beyond...

---

My Town - Five things you must find time to do in downtown Ludington in May.

Love, Marie - Spring clean-up in Ludington is worth the 2,000 mile trip for our southern correspondent.

Long-Story-Short - When enjoying a day in Ludington, be sure and stop at Melting Sands, the studio of glass-blowers Jud Scott and Holley Binando.

Here's a way to save money and help the environment -- stop drinking bottled water. Why? Well, in many cases you might be paying for water that actually comes from the same source as public tap water. And, think about all the fossil fuels that get used to make those plastic bottles and transport them to you. Find out more.

This monthly green tip is brought to you by our own local organization devoted to being a friend to the earth:

Nancy Anthony Estola has been sewing longer than she'd care to admit -- oh, okay, she'll tell you -- she's been doing it for 30 years, but she started very young!
She's been making costumes and formals, and doing alterations and monogramming out of her home for years. Nancy is nuts about what she does (she even has a degree in clothing and textiles from Central Michigan University).
But, she decided it was about time to open up a store to make it more convenient for customers to stop by with their alterations and occasionally, what Nancy calls, "an emergency wardrobe malfunction."
When she found out space at The Mermaid's Perch was available, she decided to jump in.
The building is also home to a few artists and to the Hen House Group website and marketing firm, so Nancy's whimsical, artful attitude fits right in.
Oh yeah, and did we mention that Nancy makes her own soaps, scrubs, candles, and purses? You can check them out at her own new digs too.

Sew On, Sew Forth is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30-5:30 and Wednesdays and Fridays from 12-6.

416 S. James St.
231-233-8256

May 5 - new session starts at Smiling Lotus Yoga. Call 852-0849 for information and to register.

May 27 - new classes starting in Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement
Full details at bodyworkbyjudith.com

Various dates this month: Bikini Bootcamp (yes really!) starts up again, along with Beginner Mat at Cynthia Lang Pilates: 233-7704.

Ludington Fitness offers classes seven days a week in step aerobics, zumba, cardio kickboxing. Ask about their swing dance classes & personal training. 845-7194 or 690-3188.

The Grand Rapids Press recently covered the growing art scene in Pentwater, Manistee, and Ludington, highlighting The Red Door Gallery, Todd & Brad Reed Photography, and the future Center for the Arts in downtown Ludington.

The May issue of Traverse Magazine raved about organic, slow food The Plaza Cafe, calling their all-natural burger "a new Ludington classic" and shared chef Tom McKenna's recipe for asparagus guacamole. The story's not online, so you'll just have to stop by The Plaza Cafe and find out what the fuss is all about!

MLive.com featured the Lamplighter Bed & Breakfast (Maggie, the four-legged innkeeper is shown relaxing by the fireplace) and a slew of downtown restaurants - Old Hamlin, Luciano's, House of Flavors, Jamesport Brewing Co., and P.M. Steamers - in a travelogue on the lure of Ludington.

June 3
Sandcastles Children's Musuem re-opens for the summer.

June 6
Summer Reading Kickoff - 7:00 PM
Mason County District Library (Ludington)
Registration is required. All library programs are free of charge. All Children under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult. 843-8465 (Sue). www.masoncounty.lib.mi.us

June 7
Book Signing & Open House at Todd & Brad Reed Photography. 1-5 pm Celebrate the release of their new book: Ludington State Park: Queen of the North in their newly renovated gallery. 843-0777.

June 7
Beach Sweep
Meet at the south concession stand of Stearns Park at 7:00 p.m. Email for more information.

June 13-15
Father's Day Weekend & Murder Mystery Lovers' Weekend: "A Lethal Luau" at The Candlelite Inn. Call 845-8074 for details.

June 14
Lakestride Half Marathan and 5K Race
www.classicrace.com

June 23
Pet Care & Safety - 1:00 PM
Mason County District Library (Ludington)
843-8465 (Sue) www.masoncounty.lib.mi.us

June 23
West Shore Art League Membership Meeting - Memorial Medical Center lobby, 7:00 pm.
MaryLou Earnshaw, director of Medical Imaging, will give a guided tour of the budding art collection displayed throughout the hospital. Collection consists of mostly local artists' work. (231) 392-4709 (Amanda)
www.westshoreartleague.org

June 27
6th Annual Artist Reception - 7:00 PM
The Red Door Gallery, Ludington
Annual Open House to introduce the community to artists behind the red doors. Great art, great friends and great fun! (231) 392-4709 (Amanda)
www.ludingtonreddoor.com

June 28-29
Gus Macker 3-on-3 Charity Basketball Tournament
Stearns Park Beach, Ludington

June 30
Meet the Llamas 6:30 pm
Mason County District Library (Ludington)
843-8465 (Sue) www.masoncounty.lib.mi.u