Business Expo, book sale Saturday at APlex

ALPENA -- The Alpena News Business Expo and Newspapers in Education Book Sale offers people from around Northeast Michigan the chance to learn more about local businesses while helping provide students newspapers is their classrooms.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the ballroom at APlex, 701 Woodward Ave., will be filled with more than 30 local vendors showcasing their products and services. In the adjoining room, there will be thousands of used books for sale, with money raised covering the cost of making sure newspapers are available to teachers who want to utilize newspapers for projects and lessons in the classroom.

News Advertising Manager Christie Werda said the event is an opportunity for small businesses to promote themselves to people who may not be familiar with their products. She said each business has a booth set up with a representative who can answer questions or explain their products. Many of the vendors have samples, small gifts and games for potential customers.

"A lot of them are local, family-owned businesses, and the expo helps them to get their word and message out," Werda said. "Many have literature people can take home and look over, while others have treats or goodies."

People will also be able to register for larger prizes that are donated to the event. This year, Cliff Anschuetz Chevrolet provided a pair of car detail packages for the grand prize, and Friends of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary donated two tickets for the glass-bottom boat shipwreck tour.

The book sale is always a popular event and there is much more than just books for sale. Not only is there fiction, non-fiction, romance, cookbooks and other books, movies and other items are also available. Books cost as much as $2 for a hardcover and 25 cents for a small children's book.

News Circulation Director Ken Pokorzynski said offering papers to schools helps students learn about local, state, national and world news, which can be incorporated into their assignments. He said it also helps make students aware of what is developing around them so they can react accordingly as they become adults.

"Newspapers are an important way for people to learn about what is going on in the community and about issues that can impact their lives," Pokorzynski said. "Being able to offer kids papers is important to help them get connected and engaged with what is going on."

All told, The News provides 230 papers to 14 classrooms in Alpena, Posen, and Hillman three days a week.

Pokorzynski said people from Alpena and beyond have been very supportive of the NIE program, as well as the Business Expo. He anticipates the story will be the same at the free event Saturday.

"Get there early, because there is always a large line of people waiting to get in," he said. "The entire event is very popular and well attended."

Once the doors open, Arby's Relay for Life Team will be selling food and beverages, which will go toward its cause of fighting cancer and helping those who struggle with it.

Schools or teachers who wish to participate in the NIE program and wish to receive a paper can contact Pokorzynski at 989-354-3113. Books that aren't sold Saturday will be available for sale in the lobby of The Alpena News at 130 Park Place.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpeanews.com.

If you go

∫ WHAT: The Alpena News' Business Expo and Newspapers in Education used books sale

∫ WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

∫ WHERE: The APlex, 701 Woodward Ave.

∫ HOW MUCH: Free

∫ INFO: Businesses from across the area will have informational booths set up for the expo while used books are sold to help fund The News' Newspapers in Education participation, which puts newspapers in 14 classrooms across the area. Food and beverages will also be for sale and door prizes will be offered.