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!
Upcoming Events
- Hungry Humanists: Sleder’s Family Tavern
Monday, June 26, 6 p.m.
Sleder’s Family Tavern
717 Randolph St., Traverse City
Join the Grand Traverse Humanists for dinner at Sleder’s in Traverse City! Kissing the moose is optional (and actually not recommended).RSVP to Mark at 231-392-1215 (text or call).
- Paddling Humanists: Betsie River
Saturday, July 1, 12 p.m.
Grace Road River Access
44.605747, -86.112601
Join the Grand Traverse Humanists for a paddle trip down the Betsie River! Experienced river guide Linnaea will lead you down this section of river that is appropriate for beginners: it’s mostly slow and swampy, with lots of opportunity to view wildlife, relax, and enjoy a couple hours on the water.We’ll meet at the Grace Road access (coordinates 44.605747, -86.112601) at noon and paddle down to Lewis Bridge aka River Road West/Adams Rd access, which doubles as parking for the Betsie Valley Trail (coordinates 44.618578, -86.168920). We’ll set up a shuttle before paddling to get most of the cars down to the end point.
Please bring your boat, paddle, sunscreen, snacks and water, and sturdy river shoes, as well as a change of clothes to leave in your car.
Please be advised that this section of river contains multiple “braids,” that is, there’s sometimes more than one way to go. But as long as you’re going downstream, it all ends up in the same place, so don’t worry too much if you get separated for a while! Just try to not pick a branch that looks like it’s going to be full of obstacles!
If we feel like it, we might get dinner afterwards (I nominate The Roadhouse in Benzonia).
Important!: RSVP to Linnaea at lmelcarek@gmail.com to attend. Rain date will be the following Saturday, July 8.
- G.T. Humanists Meeting: Community Supported Agriculture
Monday, June 12, 6 p.m.
Traverse Area District Library
610 Woodmere Ave., Traverse City
Join the Grand Traverse Humanists for a presentation by Nic Welty, co-founder and treasurer of MI Farm Cooperative and co-owner of 9 Bean Rows in Suttons Bay.Nic is dedicated to the pursuit of sustainable agriculture, saving farmland and supporting local farmers. He’ll discuss the new model of food production including economics, regulatory barriers, food safety, resilience and how to access it locally.
- G.T. Humanists Book Club: The Death and Life of the Great Lakes
Sunday, May 21, 4 p.m.
7670 East Shore Rd., Traverse City
Our next book club selection is The Death and Life of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan. We’ll meet at Mark and Heather’s house at 7670 East Shore Rd. Please RSVP to Mark at 231-392-1215. Feel free to bring an optional dish to pass.Book description from Amazon:
“The Great Lakes―Erie, Huron, Michigan, Ontario and Superior―hold 20 percent of the world’s supply of surface fresh water and provide sustenance, work and recreation for tens of millions of Americans. But they are under threat as never before, and their problems are spreading across the continent. The Death and Life of the Great Lakes is prize-winning reporter Dan Egan’s compulsively readable portrait of an ecological catastrophe happening right before our eyes, blending the epic story of the lakes with an examination of the perils they face and the ways we can restore and preserve them for generations to come.
In an age when dire problems like the Flint water crisis or the California drought bring ever more attention to the indispensability of safe, clean, easily available water, The Death and the Life of the Great Lakes is a powerful paean to what is arguably our most precious resource, an urgent examination of what threatens it and a convincing call to arms about the relatively simple things we need to do to protect it.”
- Hungry Humanists: Barrio Tacos
Join us Monday, May 22,at 6 p.m. at Barrio, 305 W Front St. in Traverse City, for a meal and conversation. RSVP by noon on Monday to Mark Elliott by calling or texting 231-392-1215.
- G.T. Humanists Bike Ride
Sunday, May 7, 11 a.m.
Darrow Park (1025 Bay St.), Traverse City
Join the Grand Traverse Humanists for our first monthly bike ride of the year! We’ll be riding on the Leelanau Trail up to Suttons Bay, have lunch up there and then ride back. Meet at Darrow Park at 11 a.m.
