Strolling the quiet streets of historic Bay View, Petoskey’s beautiful northern neighbor, you might hear strains of a soprano rehearsing an aria from Bizet’s “Carmen” or a trumpet tearing through Bach, preparing for one of the many concerts and recitals open to the public throughout the summer.
Walking past Loud Hall, one of the charming century-old clapboard public cottages on Bay View’s campus, you might smell cherry pie baking during a cooking class or catch a glimpse of a circle of painters, intent over their canvases during a watercolor workshop.
If you pause, you’ll undoubtedly eavesdrop on a conversation taking place on a porch of one of the 420-plus Victorian summer cottages where generations have gathered to share ideas, laughter and fellowship since 1875.
The summer community is part of the Chautauqua Movement, a uniquely American institution committed to bringing the four pillars of religion, recreation, education and the performing arts to a broad spectrum of the public.
Today, classes, lectures, concerts, sailing and tennis programming continue steadily through Labor Day and beyond, and are all open to the public. A complete calendar, tickets and details are available at bayviewassociation.org or at the Bay View Post Office, 24 Park Ave, one block off U.S. 31. Tickets and information are available at the box office at Voorhies Hall, 1660 Encampment, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-noon on Saturday, or by calling (888) 596-1027.
Here are some picks for the best of Bay View through Labor Day.
1. Learn Something Fun
Aug. 9 — Glass Window Painting; Aug. 4 — Power Tools 101; Mondays and Thursdays through Aug. 24 — Drop-in Yoga; Thursday evenings — Ballroom Salsa Dancing; Aug. 7-10 — Watercolor Sketchbook Journal with Catherine Carey; Aug. 17 — PsychoEconomics: Psychology of Money and Meaning
2. Music Feeds the Soul
Cellist Stefan Koch and pianist Robert Conway will perform the compositions of Viennese composer Richard Stöhr at 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, at Voorhies Hall.
3. Tackle Opera
Bizet’s “Carmen,” one of the most popular operas ever written, returns to Bay View in a scintillating new production full of well-known tunes. Aug 3-5; tickets $28.
4. Get College Ready
Aug. 11 — Trump Meets the World: Continuity and Change in U.S. Policy with Scott LaDeur, PhD, North Central Michigan College
5. Be the Bay
While summer sailing lessons are just about over, you can rent a kayak, SUP or Sunfish daily 10 a.m. a.m.-5 p.m. through Aug. 11. Plus, great sunsets from the Bay View beach or Sunset Park.
6. Go Deep
Each week, Bay View invites a member of the clergy to preach Sunday and lecture at 10 a.m. weekdays on an enlightening subject. Aug. 6-10 meet Father Renninger, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, Va. Aug. 13-17 meet the Rev. Richard F Ward, professor of Homiletics and Worship at Phillips Theological Seminary, where he holds the Fred B. Craddock Chair and is the author of “Speaking from the Heart: Preaching with Passion.” Aug 20-27 meet the Rev. Thomas P. O’Dell, a retired Episcopal priest who lives in Bay Harbor, active in mission work in West Africa, and in the Dominican Republic.
7. Banish the Sunday Night Blues
There are concerts every Sunday night in John M. Hall Auditorium. Rock & The Mamas and Papas —8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6. Whether J.S. Bach or the Jackson 5, musical talent often runs in the family. This spirited evening of entertainment brings together well-known names from the last 200 years of music. The Bay View Music Festival features more than 30 professional faculty artists, more than 100 collegiate musicians and local talent.
8. Hike Historic Woods
The Bay View Woods offers 167 acres of pristine natural woods, featuring safe and easy trails accessible from Knapp Avenue. Maps at both entrances on Knapp Ave. Run the Algonquin trail for a challenging workout. Dogs are welcomed leashed, with off-leash hours in the west woods, 6-9 a.m. and 6-9 p.m.
9. Walk and Learn
Self-guided walking tours of this national landmark is available online. Check out the historic buildings and markers. Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures.
