Mark your clendars for the Annual Festival of Trees and Silent Auction which will be held Thanksgiving weekend, November 25 through the 27th.  Decorated trees and wreaths done by community businesses. organizations and individuals are bid on at the silent auction with proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity of  Benzie County.  The event takes place at the Benzie Area Historical Museum inBenzonia in conjunction with the museum’s very special holiday exhibit, the Twelve Days of Christmas.  Free will donations at the door are shared by Habitat and the Museum.  Hours for the Festival of Trees are Friday and Saturday 12-8pm and Sunday 12-4pm.

Habitat’s annual Dan Straubel Memorial Golf Outing,  held on a gorgeous September day, was a big success.  Not only did the weather cooperate, but over 90 golfers turned out to support our fundraising efforts.  A good time was had by all with good food provided by Mistwood Golf Course’s kitchen staff.  A special event was held for closest to the pin on Hole #4 with the prize of golf for four at Crystal Mountain Resort.  Dan Straubel was a very special Habitat volunteer who loved the game of golf and who we honor with his name for our annual event.  We’re sure he was looking down at us and smiling.

Blaine Christian Church sponsors their annual Chicken Barbeque Dinner on Saturday, October 8 at a new location, the Mills Community House, on US 31 in Benzonia.  The new location coincides with the Fall Festival going on in Benzie county that weekend.  The dinner is $10 and is served from 4 – 7pm.  The dinner includes barbequed chicken, baked potato, coleslaw, biscuits, dessert and beverage.  Take out is available.  All proceeds benefit the work of Habitat for Humanity in Benzie County.

Frankfort United Methodist Church in Frankfort hosts their annual Spaghetti Dinner this Saturday, September 24 from 4:30 – 7pm. Spaghetti, salad, dessert and beverage are included for a donation to Habitat.

Sunday, August 21 at 3pm there will be a benefit concert at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Beulah for Habitat for Humanity of Benzie County.  The New Third Coast trio will play folk music in an afternoon concert.  The New Third Coast is a trio of musicians who come together to deliver a unique Power Folk, Leelanau County style sound.  Their strong three-part harmonies, combined with diverse instrumental musical expression, have created a large following throughout Northwestern Lower Michigan and beyond.  The trio plays bass, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, keyboards, harmonica, and conga/percussion.  Admission is by donation and all proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity of Benzie County.  St. Andrews overlooks Platte Lake and beyond to the dunes and is located at 8190 Lincoln Road, Beulah, off US 31 between Beulah and Honor.  For directions or more information call the church at 882-4241,  M-F 9-3.

The ReStore has started their Summer Hours.  Like last year, they will be open Wednesday – Saturday, 10-6.  Come check out the wide variety of items for sale, which change daily as new items are brought in.  Remember that you can donate, shop or volunteer.  Call 231-325-7750 for information, including scheduling a pick-up of your donations.

Click on Picture to Download Registration Form

The Dan Straubel Memorial Golf Outing is an annual benefit for HFH of Benzie County. It will be held on September 18, 2011 at Mistwood Golf Course in Lake Ann. The format is a 4-person golf scramble. The cost is $65 and includes a round of golf, cart, pizza lunch prior to the round and a barbecue dinner following golf. Registration is from noon to 1:15 with a shotgun start at 1:30pm.  CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE REGISTRATION FORM.

The First Congregational Church of Thompsonville will host the Annual Chili Supper and Silent Auction on March 26, 2011. For information, you can contact the church or Sue Meredith at 231-639-1728. Silent auction items are needed so contact Sue if you have something to donate.

The Festival of Trees, co-sponsored by Habitat for Humanity of Benzie County  and the Benzie Area Historical Museum will be held Thanksgiving Weekend at the Historical Museum.  Festival hours are:

Friday November 26 

 Saturday November 27

12:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Sunday, November 28 – 12:00pm – 4:00pm

A silent auction of decorated trees and wreaths done by individuals, civic groups and schools will conclude at 4:00 pm Sunday.  The museum has special displays including World War 2 era “Home for the Holidays”.  This is the 9th year of the Festival and it has become a tradition for Benzie County as well as a valuable fundraiser for Habitat. 

The ReStore announces their new hours for the winter.  They will be open 10-6 Friday and Saturday.  Sales and donations have been very good this fall.  With the colder weather, store hours have been reduced to conserve energy costs.  A great selection of items is on hand, so please stop in and check us out!