Northern Michigan University’s Social Work Department will hold two events marking the 50th anniversary of its “unwavering dedication to social justice, community engagement and transformative education.” A reception will take place from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at the Landmark Inn’s Harbor Room. An open house on campus is scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. in 2400 Jamrich Hall. Alumni, students, faculty and community partners are invited to honor the department’s legacy and envision its future. The reception will feature a welcome and opening remarks by Department Head LaMart Hightower; land acknowledgement by Graduate Administrative Assistant Shelby Boggs; department history and highlights from

NEA Big Read Elder Caregiving Thursday, March 20, 2025, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.  Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church.  Adults, Seniors, Family Friendly.  For this event, a representative of the Alzheimer’s Association will discuss how to care for individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia.  No admission charge.  For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.

NEA Big Read Global Cinema:  Tokyo Story Friday, March 21, 2025, 12:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.  Peter White Public Library, Community Room.  Adults, Seniors.  PWPL screens Yasujiro Ozu’s crowning achievement, Tokyo Story, a devastating film that explores the themes of old age and parenting.  Following the film, there will be a discussion about the effects of aging and caregiving for the people who made us, including elements from Roz Chast’s Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.

This month’s Northern Michigan University Jazz Festival will be preceded by a presentation on the history of jazz at NMU to coincide with the university’s 125th anniversary and feature opening and closing concerts with guest artist Matt Wilson, a drummer, band leader and educator. The annual festival brings middle and high school students from throughout the region to campus for performances and clinics. Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center Director Dan Truckey will discuss the little-known history of the first jazz performers in Northern’s dance halls, gymnasiums and auditoriums during a free public presentation at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, in Mead

  Northern Michigan University students at Radio X (WUPX-FM) will broadcast an all-day NMU 125th Anniversary Alumni Show from 6 a.m. to midnight Saturday, March 22. Radio X alumni are scheduled to guest-DJ radio shows, and there will be interviews with other alumni. Radio X announcements from the past will air, and students will present NMU history moments that they have researched in the NMU Archives. The day-long broadcast can be heard on WUPX at 91.5 FM, or streamed online at http://www.nmu.edu/wupx.

NEA Big Read The People Library Saturday, March 22, 2025, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library, Community Room. Adults, Seniors, Family Friendly.  For this unique program, participants will be able to “check out” individuals from the library for short, individual conversations about their lives and experiences as miners, Native Americans, authors, teachers, clergy, individuals with mental illness—the people who make up our home.  For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.