A place where ideas come to life and views can be exchanged – The Scarrow Friday Forum meets each Friday during Bay View’s summer program. A different speaker each week provides a 45-minute lecture presentation followed by audience participation with questions and comments. The speakers are experts in their field and cover topics pertaining to current issues or societal trends affecting our national and/or global communities.

June 25 – Obama’s ‘Team of Rivals’ vs. Trump’s Axis of Adults: Changes in Elite Foreign Policy Beliefs   Dr. Scott LaDeur, Professor of Political Science at North Central Michigan College

July 2 – The First Amendment and “Censorship”   Kendall P. Stanley, Retired editor, Petoskey News Review

July 9 – The Great Lakes: Defining Our Region and Our Way of Life   Jill Ryan, Executive Director of Freshwater Future

July 23 – Why Are You Bullying Me? Life Stories and Research Message   Mary Gray McPhail, PhD, Taos Behavioral Health Board Chair and Leadership Consultant

July 30 – Northern Removal of Tribal Communities in the 1800’s   Eric Hemenway, Director of Archives and Repatriation, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa

August 6 – Demographic Changes in Northern Michigan   Eric A. Guthrie, PhD, State Demographer, Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives, Department of Technology, Management & Budget

August 13 – Humanity in Deep Space   Kris Kimel, Co-Founder and Chairman of Space Tango

New for 2021! A presentation and discussion on current events.

July 10 – Racism: A Mother’s Perspective — Dr. Auburn Sheaffer will share her experience and insights following the racialized targeting of her son, Mandela.

July 17 – Dialogue About Race: Lessons from the Jim Crow Museum — Video presentation and discussion, Katie Merrell, Facilitator.

July 24 – The “Genderbread” Person –LGBTQ+ — Elise Allen will present information and common misconceptions about gender identity.

July 31 – Panel: Healing Divisiveness Begins at Home — Panelists: David Kidd, Sarah Hescheles and Hilary Lake discuss the spiritual, emotional/social and physical aspects of healing.