NEA Big Read Lakeshore

Baby Storytime
2025-10-08 11:30 - 12:30 (America/Detroit) | MADL Norton Shores Branch, 705 Seminole Rd, Norton Shores, MI, 49441, United States
This is for babies up to 18 months old. We’ll sing songs, read a story, and play together. You can meet other families, and your baby will learn to listen and say their first words. Grown-ups, bring your little one for some special time!

Thai Beats & Bites
2025-10-08 14:00 - 15:00 | MADL Muskegon Heights Branch, 2808 Sanford St, Muskegon Heights, MI, 49444, United States
Create a musical instrument while exploring the sounds and flavors inspired by Thailand. Try traditional Thai treats—both sweet and savory—then build your own simple musical instruments. Discover how music, food, and culture bring stories like A Wish in the Dark to life in new and exciting ways! Registration required. This program is part of our Big Read Lakeshore Initiative, which is an annual fall community read and has been inspired by this year’s selected books: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger; A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat; and Journey, by Aaron Becker. Visit the MADL website for registration information.

Adventure Nature Journey
2025-10-08 15:30 - 16:30 | MADL Montague Branch, 8778 Ferry St # 2, Montague, MI, 49437, United States
Journey with the folks from P.J. Hoffmaster State Park as they show you how to connect with nature, use your imagination, and learn about different plants, animals, and amazing things you’ll find outside. Using your creativity, you’ll decorate an outdoors-inspired journal that you can fill with your discoveries. Registration required. This program is part of our Big Read Lakeshore Initiative, an annual fall community read inspired by this year’s selected books: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger; A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat; and Journey, by Aaron Becker.

The Durian: King of Fruits
2025-10-08 15:30 - 16:30 | MADL Egelston Branch, 5428 E Apple Ave, Muskegon, MI, 49442, United States
The durian is a unique and fascinating fruit that divides opinion due to its strong smell, but is celebrated for its delicious taste and rich nutritional value by its many fans. Come to the library and learn about this fascinating fruit with tasting candies and cakes, creating a durian craft, and take home a fun gift. Registration required . This program is part of our Big Read Lakeshore Initiative, an annual fall community read inspired by this year’s selected books: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger; A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat; and Journey, by Aaron Becker.
Visit the MADL website for registration information.

Lights & Legends
2025-10-08 16:00 - 17:00 | MADL North Muskegon Branch, 1522 Ruddiman Dr, North Muskegon, MI, 49445, United States
Create your own paper lantern, lotus flower tea light, and Gyotaku (Japanese fish painting) activity while enjoying tasty Thai-inspired snacks. Step into the glowing world of A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat. Middle Read Book selection! Inspired by the vibrant setting and themes of the book, like the magical lights that fill the sky in A Wish in the Dark! Registration required. This program is part of our Big Read Lakeshore Initiative, which is an annual fall community read and has been inspired by this year’s selected books: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger; A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat; and Journey, by Aaron Becker. Visit the MADL website for registration information.

Shaping the Landscape: West Michigan's Environmental History
2025-10-08 17:30 - 18:30 | MADL Dalton Branch, 3175 5th St, Twin Lake, MI, 49457, United States
Join the Lakeshore Museum Center for a talk about the environmental past, present, and future of West Michigan. We’ll highlight the different industries that have impacted the environment and how the community has been working to clean and restore our natural environment.This program is part of our Big Read Lakeshore Initiative, which is an annual fall community read and has been inspired by this year’s selected books: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger; A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat; and Journey, by Aaron Becker. Visit the MADL website for registration information.

Cruisin' with MADL on the Aquastar
2025-10-08 17:30 - 19:30 | Aquastar, 560 Mart St, Muskegon, MI, 49440, United States
Back by popular demand: Join us for this awesome cruise to kick off our series of Big Read Lakeshore events. We invite you to join us aboard the Aquastar as we cruise Muskegon Lake, enjoy refreshments, and listen to Valerie van Heest. Adult beverages available for purchase. This event is free, but space is limited. 21 and up, and registration is required.
MADL Library Card required. 5:30 pm boarding. Cruise departs promptly at 6:00 pm.

Family Storytime
2025-10-08 18:00 - 19:00 | MADL Norton Shores Branch, 705 Seminole Rd, Norton Shores, MI, 49441, United States
Enjoy reading, singing, talking, and playing, featuring stories, rhymes, music, and movement to entertain and educate your children. For children ages 0 to 5 and their caregivers.

Understanding Grief
2025-10-09 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-16 13:00 - 14:00 | MADL North Muskegon Branch, 1522 Ruddiman Dr, North Muskegon, MI, 49445, United States
Join Trinity Health at Home for a 10-week series exploring grief and healing. Participants will be guided through the text “Understanding Your Grief” by Dr. Alan Wolfelt. Registration required. Participants are expected to attend all sessions and must register before the series starts. This program is part of our Big Read Lakeshore Initiative, which is an annual fall community read and has been inspired by this year’s selected books: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger; A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat; and Journey, by Aaron Becker. Visit the MADL website for registration information.

Float Your Crafty Boat
2025-10-09 15:30 - 16:30 | MADL Ravenna Branch, 12278 Stafford St, Ravenna, MI, 49451, United States
Row, row, rowing your boat down the stream is easy and fun! Launch your imagination, creating a craft sailboat out of everyday materials. Sail away on your Journey! Missed or can’t make this day/time? Check other branch locations! Registration required. This program is part of our Big Read Lakeshore Initiative, an annual fall community read inspired by this year’s selected books: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger; A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat; and Journey, by Aaron Becker.
Visit the MADL website for registration information.

Escape Room Adventure
2025-10-09 15:30 - 16:30 | MADL Norton Shores Branch, 705 Seminole Rd, Norton Shores, MI, 49441, United States
In this immersive escape room adventure, step into the world of A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat! Inspired by the daring journey of Pong and Nok, you’ll work in teams to solve puzzles, decipher clues, and unlock the secrets of the city of Chattana—all within one hour. Use your wits, courage, and teamwork to solve the clues before time runs out. Perfect for tweens and teens who love mysteries, challenges, and stories filled with light and justice. Registration required. This program is part of our Big Read Lakeshore Initiative, which is an annual fall community read and has been inspired by this year’s selected books: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger; A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat; and Journey, by Aaron Becker. Visit the MADL website for registration information.

Float Your Crafty Boat
2025-10-09 17:00 - 18:00 | MADL Muskegon Township Branch, 910 E Apple Ave D, Muskegon, MI, 49442, United States
Row, row, rowing your boat down the stream is easy and fun! Launch your imagination, creating a craft sailboat out of everyday materials. Sail away on your Journey! Missed or can’t make this day/time? Check other branch locations! Registration required. This program is part of our Big Read Lakeshore Initiative, an annual fall community read inspired by this year’s selected books: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger; A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat; and Journey, by Aaron Becker.

Books, Bikes, & Brews
2025-10-09 18:00 - 19:00 | Fetch Brewery, 100 W Colby St, Whitehall, MI, 49461, United States
Join fellow readers and riders for a cycling meet-up followed by laid-back conversation at Fetch Brewing! Whether you stop in before or after your ride, we’ll be chatting about I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger—the 2025 Big Read Lakeshore selection. Enjoy the breeze, the brews (if you’re 21+), and the bookish banter. Don’t choose to refuse and miss the ride—or the discussion! NOTE: The ride starts at 6 pm, returning to Fetch around 7 for the conversation. You are welcome to do 1 or the other, or both! This program is part of our Big Read Lakeshore Initiative, which is an annual fall community read and has been inspired by this year’s selected books: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger; A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat; and Journey, by Aaron Becker.

Family Storytime
2025-10-10 11:00 - 12:00 | MADL North Muskegon Branch, 1522 Ruddiman Dr, North Muskegon, MI, 49445, United States

On the Same Page Virtual Book Club
2025-10-10 13:00 - 14:00 | virtual
Join MADL’s virtual book club, On the Same Page. We meet every month via Teams and discuss the book of the month. Registration required. September 12: The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict October 10: I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger November 14: A Short Walk Through A Wide World by Douglas Westerbeke This program is part of our Big Read Lakeshore Initiative, which is an annual fall community read and has been inspired by this year’s selected books: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger; A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat, and Journey, by Aaron Becker. Visit the MADL website for registration information.

Fly High with Paper Hot Air Balloons
2025-10-14 15:30 - 16:30 | MADL North Muskegon Branch, 1522 Ruddiman Dr, North Muskegon, MI, 49445, United States
Let your imagination take off, making awesome paper hot air balloons! Using colorful paper, glue, and your creativity, design your very own balloon. Think about all the amazing places you and your balloon could go! Get ready for some high-flying fun! Missed or can’t make this day/time? Check other branch locations! Registration required. This program is part of our Big Read Lakeshore Initiative, which is an annual fall community read and has been inspired by this year’s selected books: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger; A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornva; and Journey, by Aaron Becker.
Visit the MADL website for registration information.

Thai Beats & Bites
2025-10-14 15:30 - 16:30 | MADL Ravenna Branch, 12278 Stafford St, Ravenna, MI, 49451, United States

Memory Jars
2025-10-14 17:30 - 18:30 | MADL Egelston Branch, 5428 E Apple Ave, Muskegon, MI, 49442, United States
Join staff to make a sea glass-inspired memory jar! Use it to store your written memories, mementos, or small items that represent significant moments or people. Inspired by the 2025 Big Read Lakeshore novel I Cheerfully Refuse, a dystopian novel set on Lake Superior exploring themes of grief, loss, hope, connection, and resilience. Registration required. This program is part of our Big Read Lakeshore Initiative, which is an annual fall community read and has been inspired by this year’s selected books: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger; A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat, and Journey, by Aaron Becker. Visit the MADL website for registration information.

Memory Jars
2025-10-14 18:00 - 19:00 | MADL North Muskegon Branch, 1522 Ruddiman Dr, North Muskegon, MI, 49445, United States
Join staff to make a sea glass-inspired memory jar! Use it to store your written memories, mementos, or small items that represent significant moments or people. Inspired by the 2025 Big Read Lakeshore novel “I Cheerfully Refuse” by Leif Enger, a dystopian novel set on Lake Superior, exploring themes of grief, loss, hope, connection, and resilience. Registration required. This program is part of our Big Read Lakeshore Initiative, which is an annual fall community read and has been inspired by this year’s selected books: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger; A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat, and Journey, by Aaron Becker. Visit the MADL website for registration information.

Float Your Crafty Boat
2025-10-15 13:00 - 14:00 | Library for the Visually and Physically Disabled, 4845 Airline Rd. , Suite 5, Muskegon, MI, 49444, United States
Row, row, rowing your boat down the stream is easy and fun! Launch your imagination, creating a craft sailboat out of everyday materials. Sail away on your Journey! Missed or can’t make this day/time? Check other branch locations! Registration required. This program is part of our Big Read Lakeshore Initiative, which is an annual fall community read and has been inspired by this year’s selected books: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger; A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornva; and Journey, by Aaron Becker.
Visit the MADL website for registration information.

Float Your Crafty Boat
2025-10-15 17:30 - 18:30 | MADL Egelston Branch, 5428 E Apple Ave, Muskegon, MI, 49442, United States
Row, row, rowing your boat down the stream is easy and fun! Launch your imagination, creating a craft sailboat out of everyday materials. Sail away on your Journey! Missed or can’t make this day/time? Check other branch locations! Registration required. This program is part of our Big Read Lakeshore Initiative, which is an annual fall community read and has been inspired by this year’s selected books: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger; A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornva; and Journey, by Aaron Becker.

Tumbled Glass Suncatcher
2025-10-15 17:30 - 18:30 | MADL Montague Branch, 8778 Ferry St # 2, Montague, MI, 49437, United States
Create a unique suncatcher using tumbled Glass from Goodwill and CDs. A brief presentation from Goodwill about their sustainable products will take place before instruction begins. Registration required. This program is part of our Big Read Lakeshore Initiative, which is an annual fall community read and has been inspired by this year’s selected books: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger; A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat, and Journey, by Aaron Becker. Visit the MADL website for registration information.

Float Your Crafty Boat
2025-10-16 15:30 - 16:30 | MADL Norton Shores Branch, 705 Seminole Rd, Norton Shores, MI, 49441, United States
Row, row, rowing your boat down the stream is easy and fun! Launch your imagination, creating a craft sailboat out of everyday materials. Sail away on your Journey! Missed or can’t make this day/time? Check other branch locations! Registration required. This program is part of our Big Read Lakeshore Initiative, which is an annual fall community read and has been inspired by this year’s selected books: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger; A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat; and Journey, by Aaron Becker.

Visit the MADL website for registration information.

Thursday Night Music Club: Lee Murdock
2025-10-16 19:00 - 20:00 | MADL Norton Shores Branch, 705 Seminole Rd, Norton Shores, MI, 49441, United States
Thursday Night Music Club presents Lee Murdock. Lee has uncovered a boundless body of music and stories in the Great Lakes. Taking snapshots from history, his songs summon the listener to look through the eyes and into the hearts of individuals who have shaped our heritage on and around the Great Lakes. Lee is a fluent instrumentalist on six and twelve-string guitars and combines ragtime, Irish, blues, and folk styles with this flair for storytelling in songs. This concert is free with no tickets or registration required. This program is part of our Big Read Lakeshore Initiative, which is an annual fall community read and has been inspired by this year’s selected books: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger; A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat, and Journey, by Aaron Becker.

Tween Book Club: A Wish in the Dark
2025-10-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Georgetown Township Public Library, 1525 Baldwin St., Jenison, MI, 49428, United States
Join us for a special book club geared for tweens and teens, where we will discuss A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat. The first 5 people to register for the event can stop by the library and get a free copy of the book to keep. For those in 5th grade and up. Registration required.

Lights & Legends
2025-10-20 16:00 - 17:00 | MADL Holton Branch, 8776 Holton-Duck Lake Rd, Holton, MI, 49425, United States

Lantern Sewing at Culture Works
2025-10-20 17:30 - 20:00 | Cultureworks, 150 E 8th St., Holland, MI, 49422, United States
“You can’t run away from darkness… It’s everywhere. The only way to see through it is to shine a light.” ~ Christina Soontornvat, A Wish in the Dark
Monday, Oct 20 – family friendly, teens-adults
We’ll provide vegetarian soup, corn bread, and fruit
5:30-8:00 (feel free to just come for part of the evening, but it takes 2 or 2.5 hrs to make a lantern)
Wednesday, Oct 22 – women’s night out
Vegetarian soup, corn bread, fruit, and wine
5:30-8:00 (feel free to just come for part of the evening, but it takes 2 or 2.5 hrs to make a lantern)

Tumbled Glass Suncatcher
2025-10-20 18:00 - 19:00 | MADL Norton Shores Branch, 705 Seminole Rd, Norton Shores, MI, 49441, United States
Make a unique suncatcher out of tumbled Good Glass from Goodwill and CDs. A short presentation from Goodwill about their sustainable product will take place before instruction starts. Registration required. This program is part of our Big Read Lakeshore Initiative, which is an annual fall community read and has been inspired by this year’s selected books: I Cheerfully Refuse, by Leif Enger; A Wish in the Dark, by Christina Soontornvat; and Journey, by Aaron Becker. Visit the MADL website for registration information.

Sustainability Symposium
2025-10-21 09:00 - 20:30 | Jack H. Miller Concert Hall, Hope College, 221 Columbia Ave, Holland, MI, 49423, United States
Morning Agenda:
9:00-9:30 Welcome and Symposium Kick-Off. High School Student Driving Question: How can we build a community of sustainability and stewardship?
9:30-10:30 Speaker Dr. Andrew Gronewold. Title: Water Security and Sustainability Across Earth’s Largest Freshwater Bodies: A Great Lakes Perspective
10:30-11:00 Break and Hope College student posters displayed in the atrium
11:00-12:00 Hope College Student Panel on Different Topics (transportation, waste, water issues, microplastics, climate change, Michigan, trees, etc…)
12:00-1:30 High School Student Scavenger Hunt, Lunch, and Team/Mentor Discussion Meeting
*9:30 Keynote Description: The Great Lakes hold roughly 20% of all the Earth’s fresh surface water, and the ten largest lakes in the world (including the Great Lakes) hold approximately 80% of all the Earth’s fresh surface water. Understanding how water flows through large lakes and how it is used by people and wildlife living in large lake basins is therefore critical to long-term global water supply and water security, as well as human and environmental health. In this lecture, Dr. Gronewold explores advances in regional and global hydrologic and climate science and how that science is being used to improve coastal resilience and long-term sustainable use of the Laurentian Great Lakes and other large lakes around the world.

Evening Academic/Community Lecture Agenda:
6:30-7:00 pm Hope College Student Research Posters
7:008:00 p.m. Lecture Dr. Andrew Gronewold (Record for sharing with other classes). Title: Understanding Changes across Global Transboundary Waters and Implications for Sustainable Water Resources Management
8:00-8:30 pm Hope College Student Research Posters

Lecture Description: Nearly half of the Earth’s land surface is in a watershed or basin that transects the boundary of two or more sovereign nations. This geopolitical context serves as a backdrop for a world in which water security (including a need to recognize water as a shared resource) hinges on positive multilateral relationships. As different regions experience changes in precipitation, flooding, drought, and potential shifts in population dynamics, they are correspondingly faced with a broad range of water resources management challenges. This lecture provides a new look at how different regions are meeting those challenges, and how a global perspective might help improve water resources management at regional and basin scales (including at the scale of the Laurentian Great Lakes).
