THE POWER OF THE WRITTEN NOTE

by Julie Peterson

Birthdays, weddings, holidays and other momentous occasions have long been celebrated with cards and letters. The rise of emailing, texting and social media has made writing letters a forgotten treasure as many of us have instead come to use quick but fleeting messages via technology. Perhaps it’s time to bring back the nostalgia, the handwriting and a box full of stationery for all occasions. A handwritten note ensures someone will know we took the time to think, write and send. Here’s how to get started. Stock Supplies. Nothing inspires writing notes more than a box or drawer full of inviting cards and paper. Cards that are blank inside are multi-purpose. Stickers and beautiful postage stamps can make an envelope look like a gift. Get a few good pens in a variety of colors and start writing. Be Thankful. After receiving a gift or an act of kindness, send a thank-you card or letter. Do it soon after the event, so that the memory is fresh and the note will contain specifics. But even if it’s for something that took place farther in the past, “better late than never” certainly applies.

Talk-Write. Don’t get stuck when pen hits paper, just imagine what would be said out loud and write those words. Our words won’t sound like the poem in a storebought card, but words from the heart are better because they are personal and likely more meaningful to the recipient. The reader will hear the writer’s voice in the note. Be honest and sincere.

Write and Repeat. Make writing

a habit by sending three notes each week. If nothing spurs a thank-you, then send a card just to say hello or give appreciation. Perhaps it’s a “remember when” or an “I miss you” note. Browse through contact lists to get inspiration. If nobody strikes a chord for a note, write a self-praise letter. Be sure to list your best and most lovable qualities and put it in the mail. It will be a nice warm-fuzzy surprise when it arrives. These kinds of letters and cards are like loving hugs. For some, a sweet note via mail or tucked somewhere to be discovered may be a much needed joyful spark.

Julie Peterson writes from Wisconsin. Reach her at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com. Here at Square Deal we feel pets are part of the family. Our Knowledgeable staff is here to help you find food, treats, and products that

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

Online: Pressure Canning – 6-7:30pm. Learn all the steps for pressure canning and remove the fear factor so you feel confident operating a pressure canner and preserving fresh foods that you can enjoy all year long. Instructor: Kara Lynch. Free. Register: Oryana.coop.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

Watercolor Workshop – 10am-12pm. In this beginner Watercolor Farmers’ Market Flowers workshop, artist Megan Swoyer will teach students how to create a sweet bouquet of farmers’ market flowers that features sunflowers, dahlias, zinnias, greenery and other blooms. Explore organic contours and shapes as well as light, medium and dark values as they play with pinks, oranges, yellows, greens and more. Charlevoix Circle of Arts, 109 Clinton St, Charlevoix. CharlevoixCircle.org.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

24-Hr Virtual Fundraiser for Suicide Prevention

– 11am. Hosted by Garrett’s Space. Includes Senator Debbie Stabenow and Oscar, Grammy, Tony, and Golden Globe Award-winning songwriter Benj Pasek, CNN Senior Political Correspondent David Axelrod, among many others. There will also be a silent auction with goods and services available from many businesses. More info: GarrettsSpace.org.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

Houdek Dunes Natural Area Hike – 10am. Nature’s Circular Waste-free Economy. Enjoy a leisurely guided hike with Leelanau Conservancy docents, as they share some of Houdek’s diverse, self-sustaining yet always evolving ecology. Free. Houdek Dunes, Leland. Register: LeelanauConservancy.org. Elk Rapids Arts & Crafts Show – 10am-4pm. Over 50 vendors. Free. River St, downtown Elk Rapids. ElkRapidsChamber.org/arts-crafts-show.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Little but Mighty Bridge Walk – 1-1:15pm. Gather in front of Townhouse Bar at 12:30pm. At 1pm everyone will walk to the north side of the bridge after it is raised and lowered for boats. T-shirts for sale beginning at 11am outside of Townhouse Bar, 231 Bridge St, Charlevoix. For more info: 231-675-5993 or Charlevoix.org.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

Hike for Healing – 4-5pm. Join GRNA, National Writer’s Series, and Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center for this hike with award-winning environmental author Pam Houston. Space limited. Reception at Cellar 152 in Elk Rapids after the hike. $10/person. Grass River Natural Area, 6500 Alden Hwy, Bellaire. GrassRiver.org. regular basis, it all starts with what’s in your pantry. FWW team member Liza Baker, we’ll take a look at how to stock your kitchen with the best-choice foods—whatever your current eating style. $12/ person. Register: Tinyurl.com/uubyjy96.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

Foot Reflexology Sessions – 11am-6pm. Pat McGhan combines reiki energy balancing with reflexology and application of therapeutic-grade essential oils. $35/30 mins, $70/hr. Higher Self Bookstore, 313 E Front St, Traverse City. 231-9415805. HigherSelfBookstore.com.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Pottery Painting – 5:30-7:30pm. Once a month Sept-Dec. Perfect opportunity to get creative throughout the season. Fun for families, friends or and evening to yourself. All items make wonderful gifts, too.All classes include colored glazes, brushes, supplies, step-by-step instructions and professional glaze and firing. Acrylic painting available by request. See website for project details. $40-$60. Charlevoix Circle of Arts, 109 Clinton St, Charlevoix. Pre-registration required: CharlevoixCircle.org.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

Online: Vegan for Beginners – 5-6pm. Workshop and live cooking (2 separate events on 2 separate dates). Learn the basics, then watch it in action. $3. Via Zoom. Register: Tinyurl.com/4yhw7ss7. Cacao Ceremony and Ecstatic Dance – 7-9pm. An evening of exploration in body and spirit. Begin in circle with ceremonial cacao. Then journey into movement through our Ecstatic Dance practice. No prior experience needed. $30. Yoga Roots Petoskey, 444 E Mitchell St, Petoskey. 231-838-8992. YogaRootsPetoskey.com.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

Online: Let’s Get Saucy – 6-7pm. Join Chef Loghan of Planted Cuisine for a deep dive into the world of sauces through the lens of the plant kingdom. Explore how vegetables can be the base of delicious sauces from savory, to zesty, to cheesy. All sauces will be vegan and gluten-free. $10. Register: Oryana.coop.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Fall Women’s Circles – 7-9pm. Explore our connection with the Divine Feminine that is within us all. No prior experience is needed. All spiritual practices are honored. Today working with the Maiden Archetype of Abundance, Romance, and Joy. Also held Oct 20 & Nov 17. $33 or save $20 and register for all 3 for $79 by Sept 15. Yoga Bellaire, 106 W Cayuga St, Bellaire. Details & to register: YogaBellaire.com/events.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

Online: Give Your Pantry a Makeover – 121pm. Whether it’s been a long-term goal of yours or a more recent, pandemic-inspired one to figure out how to meal plan and cook from scratch on a

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Native Seed Collecting – 5-6:30pm. Learn to ID native plants and their seeds, and how to collect, store. and plant them. Everyone will go home with a bag of native seeds that they collected. $10. Grass River Natural Area, 6500 Alden Hwy, Bellaire. GrassRiver.org. Designing Landscapes with Native Plants – 12:30pm. Will focus on the key elements of beneficial landscape including the combination of plants in rain gardens and shoreline buffers to create a habitat for wildlife and pollinators. Elk Rapids Memorial Harbor Pavilion, Cedar St, Elk Rapids. ElkRapidsGardenClub.com. Online: Vegan Harvest – 6-7pm. Learn how to make the best of the autumn harvest with easy basic recipes and techniques. All techniques/recipes will be strictly plant-based. Instructor: Ali Lopez. $10. Register: Oryana.coop.

PLAN AHEAD

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9

Dream Catcher and Gaia Totem Workshop – 10am2pm. Integrate elements from nature into your own spiritual art piece. Start collecting rocks, crystals, wood, feathers, shells, bones, leather; anything that you find in nature that speaks to you. Learn how to bring the energy and the materials together to create a unique Earth-blessings art piece. Children 10 & up welcome. $20. Location TBD. Shama Arial’s Lightworks Facebook; 231-383-0803;Lightworks@aye.net.

ongoing events

daily

Virtual & In-Person Yoga Sessions – 9am-7pm, Mon-Fri; varied times on weekends. For adults and kids. Private, family and group offerings available for private sessions or at a scheduled time on our site. Our wellness professional will assist you on your journey. Details: GoodVibzYoga.com.

mondays

Virtual Pilates with Gwyn – 9:30-10am. Build a better understanding of your mind & body connections through alignment, posture and natural movement awareness. $5/class. GwynJonesPilates.com. Cancer Care Support Discovery Call – 6-6:30pm. For those looking to incorporate a holistic, function-

al element of care into their cancer treatment plan by working in conjunction with your oncologists, surgeons, primary care physician andphysical medicine practitioners. More info: MIHolisticMed.com. Magickal Community Q&A – 7:15-8:15pm. With Kafi, Merrie and Rodasi. Do you feel drawn to nature spirituality and don’t know where to start? This is a safe place to ask questions from those that have been practicing and have knowledge to share. Different topic each week which will announced via Facebook. Free. Online and in person at Higher Self Bookstore, 313 E Front St, Traverse City. Register: 231-941-5805. Facebook.com/higherself.

tuesdays

Blooms and Birds: A Wildflower Walk – Thru Sept 21. 10am-12pm. A relaxing stroll on the trails with Grass River Natural Area docents, Julie Hurd and Phil Jarvi, each week to find and identify the beautiful and unique wildflowers. Free. Grass River Natural Area, 6500 Alden Hwy, Bellaire. GrassRiver.org.

wednesdays

Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers’ Market – 8am12pm. Lot B, SW corner of Cass & Grandview Pkwy, Traverse City.dda.downtowntc.com/farmers-market. Online: Conscious Leaders Group Coaching – Thru Dec. 3-4pm. A place to receive continuous guidance for leading with compassion and flow. Includes 2 monthly calls, where you can bring questions or issues to be coached around. Learn about your blind spots, tackle your growth edges, and build resilience for your leadership. $222/mo. AmbrosialAnimals. MyKajabi.com/offers/Fcot2cjT/checkout. Wine Down Wednesdays – Thru Oct. 6-8pm. Join 1918 Cellars for live music, food, wine and more. Check website to see who’s performing. Castle Farms, 5052 M-66, Charlevoix. CastleFarms. com/events/wine-down-wednesdays.

thursdays

Yoga in East Park – 8:30-9:30am. With Charlevoix Yoga. Weather permitting. $20. East Park 400 Bridge St, Charlevoix. CharlevoixYoga.com. Weekly Facebook Live with Dr. McSwain – 5:306pm. More info: MIHolisticMed.com. Mindfulness and Meditation Circle – Thru Dec. 5:30-6:30pm. Every week is different as we learn about the art and science of mindfulness. Co-led by Aria Everts and Eric McDonald. Donation. Yoga Bellaire, 106 W Cayuga St, Bellaire. YogaBellaire.com. Sacred Drum Circle – 7-9pm. 2nd Thur. No drum necessary but feel to bring an acoustic item of your making. Earth Blessing will start each evening. Dress for outside. Children must be in control of adults; advantageous if kids are old enough to join in on the rhythm that evolves. RSVP nice but not required. Love offering. Take H 633 south of US 31 2.9 miles; turn in at the Bear sign on the right. House of Bear, 4242 County Rd 633, Grawn. Shama Arial’s Lightworks: 231-383-0803. Lightworks@aye.net. Facebook.com/ Shama-Arials-Lightworks-579284359208041. Bellaire Farmers’ Market – Thru Oct. 8am-12pm. ASI Community Center & Park, 102 Maple St, Bellaire. BellaireChamber.org. Elk Rapids Farmers’ Market – Thru Oct 8. 8am12pm. Rotary Park, U.S. 31, Elk Rapids. 231-2648202. ElkRapidsChamber.org/farmers-market. Sacred Drumming Circle – 7-9pm. 2nd Fri. No experience necessary. No drum necessary but feel to bring an acoustic item of your making. Earth Blessing will start each event. Free, but donations accepted. The House of Bear, 4242 Co Rd 633, Grawn. Tinyurl.com/dzpvap92.

saturdays

Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers’ Market – 7:30am-12pm. Lot B, SW corner of Cass & Grandview Pkwy, Traverse City. dda.downtowntc.com/ farmers-market. Harbor Springs Farmers’ Market – Thru Oct 16. 9am-1pm. W Main St, Harbor Springs. 231-8811863. HarborSpringsFarmersMarket.org. InterPlay: Dive Deep into Creative Self-Expression – 3-5:30pm. 3rd Sat. An active, creative way to unlock the wisdom of the body. Through simple improvisational forms, it uses movement, sound, storytelling, stillness and contact to provide a powerful forum for creative expression, self-exploration, connection and play. New Moon Yoga, 10781 E Cherry Bend Rd, Traverse City. 231-421-3120. SoulWaysHealing.com.

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