Welcome to the Grand Traverse Humanists. If you value science, reason, and compassion and believe that humans are responsible for their own destiny, you have come to the right place. We are a community for the non-religious in the Grand Traverse area, offering a forum for discussing and advancing a secular worldview based on our common humanity. Our programs include monthly speakers and discussions, film and book groups, and various volunteer and social events. All are free and open to the public. Check out Upcoming Events below, or click on the calendar. Nontheists, agnostics, atheists, freethinkers, rationalists, humanists, and more…we welcome you to join us!
Grand Traverse Humanists Main Meeting
Second Monday of each month, 7 p.m.
Traverse Area District Library main branch, 610 Woodmere Ave., TC
Upcoming Events
- Meeting at the Library: South Fox Island Light Station
Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Avenue
7 p.m.
Join the Grand Traverse Humanists as they present Catherin Allchin with “The History and Mystery of the South Fox Light Station.”
Catherine Allchin was instrumental in founding the Fox Island Lighthouse Association almost 20 years ago and is current VP of FILA. She’ll talk about the amazing work they’re doing to preserve the lighthouse. Come hear the story and fall in love with this historical gem nestled in the open waters of Lake Michigan.
- Hungry Humanists: Robby’s Mexican and Spanish Cuisine
RESCHEDULED: Monday, February 25, 2019 at 7 p.m.
We’ll gather for our monthly Hungry Humanist outing at Robby’s Mexican and Spanish Cuisine, located at 1796 S Garfield Ave., near the northwest corner of South Airport and Garfield (just north of Burger King) in Traverse City. RSVP to Marlene at marlene.smith8@gmail.com.
- Célia Villac on the Red Tide
Monday, January 14, 2019, 7 p.m.
VENUE CHANGE:
Grand Traverse Circuit, 225 W. 14th St.
Célia Villac will give a presentation on the Florida Red Tide and other Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Célia is a research scientist at the Harmful Algal Bloom group at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission in St. Petersburg, Florida. She received her PhD in Oceanography from Texas A&M University and has completed post-doctorate appointments in research institutions in Brazil and Canada. With over 30 years of experience in marine microalgae teaching and research, she has lectured on microalgae taxonomy and ecology to undergraduate and graduate level courses and has worked in diverse coastal regions, from subtropical Atlantic South America to temperate Pacific North America.
- Humanist Movie Night
Sunday, December 30, 2018Humanist Movie Night
4 p.m.
Grand Traverse Humanists will gather at the home of Linnaea Melcarek at 4:00 for potluck and conversation, then watch a (yet-to-be-determined) movie.
RSVP to Linnaea at lmelcarek@gmail.com for address information.
- Solstice Party
Saturday, December 22, 2018Solstice Party
7 p.m. at 7670 East Shore Rd., Traverse City
We’ll gather at the home of Mark Elliott and Heather Kingham to celebrate the lengthening of the days and enjoy the company of friends old and new. Bring a dish to share if you like.
- Meeting at the Library: TART Trails and GTRLC
Monday, December 10, 2018Meeting at the Library: TART Trails and Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy
7 p.m. at 610 Woodmere Ave., Traverse City
Join the Grand Traverse Humanists as they present a program on local efforts to preserve and enjoy our natural resources. Brian Beauchamp, Outreach and Policy Director with TART Trails, will talk about TART and their local non-motorized trail network: the history of the trails, where you can get out and enjoy trails currently, and what’s coming in the future.
Brian Beauchamp joined the TART staff in 2014 after having served on the Board of Directors for 5 years. He also manages the Vasa grooming program which grooms over 35 kilometers of trails for cross-country skiing all winter long.
We’ll also hear from Marissa Duque, Campaign Coordinator for the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, who will talk about the most ambitious effort in GTRLC’s history: the $71.4M Campaign for Generations. For over 27 years, GTRLC has worked hand-in-hand with communities to protect the land and water resources that are critical to our region, our quality of life and our economy.
Marissa grew up in Traverse City and moved to Colorado after high school where she earned her B.A. in Strategic Communication from the University of Denver, with a minor in Environmental Science. Marissa started at GTRLC five years ago as a Fund Development intern and now serves on the Fund Development team.
