Portland District Library Lines

Hopefully the warmer weather and springtime colors have gotten your creative juices flowing, because Portland Creates is back! Artists ages 6 and older can submit artwork of all types--paintings, drawings, sculptures, photos, and more. The submission period runs through April 24, so now’s the time to put your talents to work and make something to submit.

The artwork will be on display throughout the month of May, and once again, you can come in to vote for your favorites! Stop by the library to pick up the rules and submission forms, and join us for this year’s Portland Creates.

Put the “Book” in “Pocketbook”

What could be cuter—or more environmentally friendly—than turning old books into fun and funky purses? With a little bit of sewing and a little bit of gluing, you can add this statement piece to your wardrobe. Register anytime, and then check out the instructional video and your bag of supplies on March 30. Ages 15 and up, registration is limited to 15. Don’t miss your chance to “bag” this project!

CHILDREN’S AND TEEN Talking Is Teaching Spring Scavenger Hunt

The Talking is Teaching County-Wide Scavenger Hunt is back this spring! Starting Saturday, April 1, all seven county libraries and the Ionia County Great Start Collaborative will offer this 8-week-long outdoor scavenger hunt to patrons in each community. Complete the hunt by locating themed clings and lawn signs in and around the community and visit that library afterwards to claim your prize.

Try to complete all of them no later than Wednesday, May 31 to receive a total of seven special “Talking is Teaching” themed prizes! You do not have to complete all of them; prizes can be earned in each community you choose to visit. Visit the Youth Desk starting April 1 to register.

Contact Youth Librarian Eileen Pock at 517-647-6981 ext. 3 or epock@portlandmilibrary. com with questions!

Dot It All The Way: Want to submit a piece of art into Portland Creates but not really sure where to start? Dot

- SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2023

Coming events (up to 30 words) can be placed in this column at no charge for nonprofit organizations. Deadline is noon on Thursday. Email to kara.raimer@att.net; send to the Ionia County Shopper’s Guide, Box 46, Saranac, MI 48881; or fax to 616-642-6040. Remember to include your name, address, and phone number.

Age by Deanna Raybourn. 11:00 a.m. at the Lyons Township District Library or 5:30 p.m. at the Lyons Bar.

APRIL 25 – GAME NIGHT 4:00 p.m. at the Lyons Township District Library. Join us after school on Tuesdays to play board games, Roblox, puzzle, and more!

APRIL 26 – KNITTER'S CIRCLE 11:00 a.m. at the Lyons Township District Library. Join fellow knitters to craft and learn in a supportive, friendly environment. Beginners welcome!

APRIL 27 – WRITERS GROUP 10:00 a.m. at the Lyons Township District Library. Enjoy coffee while engaging with fellow writers for feedback and inspiration.

APRIL 27 – YOUTH WRITERS GROUP 4:00 p.m. at the Lyons Township District Library. Enjoy snacks while engaging in creative writing exercises with fellow youth writers.

MAY 5 – MOBILE FOOD PANTRY Check-in begins at 5:00 p.m., Distribution starts at 5:30 p.m. at Twin Rivers Elementary, 435 Lou Lemke Lane, Muir. THURSDAY – POINT THE WAY at First Christian Church, 138 W Garden Street, Muir from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. K-12 youth welcome for this free event through June 8, 2023.

– PORTLAND –

APRIL 16 – BREAKFAST BUFFET FUNDRAISER for Portland Police, Fire & EMS. 7:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Portland VFW Post 4090. $10.00 for all you can eat & free coffee. Stop by to see Police, Fire & EMS equipment on display out front.

MONDAY – PORTLAND COMMUNITY FOOD BANK Portland United Methodist Church, 310 E Bridge Street. Open 9:00 to Noon. All of Portland School District eligible.

MONDAY – DALE E. HYLAND AMERICAN LEGION POST 129 meets the second Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Portland VFW on 1324 E Bridge Street.

MONDAY – BINGO at 6:00 pm at the Portland Senior Center, 144 Kent Street. For more information call 517-647-4004.

TUESDAY – EUCHRE 1:00 pm at the Portland Senior Center, 144 Kent Street. For more information call 517-647-4004.

WEDNESDAY – AREA ALANON MEETING 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church, 421 East Bridge Street in the Fellowship Hall. We're great listeners; everything said at our meetings is held in confidence; we can help you regain your serenity! Call 616 575-8000 for information.

THURSDAY – EUCHRE at 1:00 pm at the Portland Senior Center, 144 Kent Street. For more information call 517-647-4004.

THURSDAY – PORTLAND COMMUNITY FOOD BANK Portland United Methodist Church, 310 E Bridge Street. Open every Thursday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. All of Portland School District eligible.

THURSDAY – TOPS (TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY) A non-profit weight loss support group meets weekly, 6:30 - 8:00 pm at Portland Apartments, 1800 Lillian Blvd. Community Room. Call 517-647-2025.

FRIDAY – BINGO at 9:30 am at the Portland Senior Center, 144 Kent Street. For more information call 517-647-4004.

Saranac

MONDAY – BOSTON SARANAC HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETINGS

Regular monthly meetings are at 7:00 pm the 3rd Monday of each month.

THURSDAY – FOOD PANTRY at Saranac Community Church, 125 Bridge Street is open the FIRST & THIRD Thursdays, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm – no appointment needed. Must be Saranac-Clarksville resident. For information call 642-6322.

THURSDAY – SAMS (SARANAC AREA MUSICIANS AND SINGERS) PRACTICE in the Saranac High School band room. Choir is from 6:00 to 7:00 and band is from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Anyone welcome. For more information call Karen at 616-902-7237.

It All The Way is perfect for you! Learn how to mix your own paint colors first. Then experiment with paint using a technique called pointillism. Finally, create a work of art you can be proud of!

Registration for Take-and-Make bags will begin on Friday, April

14. This program is recommended for ages 6-12; some parental supervision may be required to complete the project. Only 35 spots available!

Teen Advisory Board

Go ahead teens, boss us around! Does your love of our library make you want to be more involved? Do you have ideas about how we could improve?

Share your voice, creativity, and knowledge to help plan programs and expand our collections. Bonus: you can earn volunteer hours and boost your resume! Register at the Youth Desk beginning Wednesday, March 1. The first meeting is Tuesday, April 18 from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. in the Community Room.

COLLECTIONS & CONSIGNMENTS NOW BEING ACCEPTED

LOCATED AT THE BARRY CO. EXPO CENTER, 1350 N M-37, HASTINGS,

Mi

FRIDAY MORNING, MAY 26TH AT 8:00 AM

We presently are accepting consignments, collections, and estate accumulations of modern and antique long and handguns of all types. Whether you have one piece, or an entire collection, feel free to contact us to discuss including your items in our next sales scheduled for FRIDAY MORNING MAY 26th, 2023.

Our auctions produce interest from buyers all over the United States as well as buyers participating internationally. Our recent gun sales have generated nearly three-quarters million dollars ($750,000.00) – seeing individual pieces selling to full-house crowds who have attended from all over Michigan, as well as adjoining states. Many of the standout examples sold included a New Haven “Henry Patent” 44 lever action rifle that brought $30,800; CZ Barrett Model M-107 that sold for nearly $11,000; Winchester King’s Improvement Model 73 44-40 rifle $3,740; Winchester King’s Improvement with brass studs’ decoration $4,400; Colt PTFA revolver with engraved stock $3,300; Heckler & Koch German handgun $2,100, and many others. Our recent auction saw a crowd of over 300 collectors in attendance at the event.

In addition to the firearms, our auction includes the sale of ammunition, and related articles to the field. There is also a strong market for swords, civil war memorabilia and Indian articles, items of this type and other pieces will be accepted for our firearm auctions, as well as our antique live and online auctions. Free pickups available for collections. Our ATF license handles all required paperwork for the sale of the long and handguns being offered.

Prepare

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WALNUT LOGS for Sale. Call 989-640-8414.

SHOPPERS GUIDE HOURS

Monday - Thursday 8am to 3pm. Closed Friday -Sunday. DEADLINES ARE NOON ON THURSDAYS!!!

RIVERBANK TREASURES! Tuesday-Sunday 12pm to 5pm. 436 W. Main St, Ionia . 517-5264692.