ALPENA — Programs from the Association of Lifelong Learners have been announced for next week, May 3 to 7.

These programs are open to the public. Some are in-person and others are virtual. Just send an email to all@alpenacc.edu to receive Zoom connection information.

Pickleball

Pickleball is played from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday inside the APlex in Alpena. APlex fees apply. Masks may be required. Call the APlex for details at 989-354-6164.

Dominoes

Mexican Train Express dominoes is played from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, May 4, 11, 18 and 25 at Alpena Community College’s M. Briggs Center.

Ready for a fun, addictive and fast-moving game that has lots of surprising twists and turns? Join ALL for Mexican Train Express. This dominoes game does not have partners and can be played with two, three, four, five or more players. You will learn some tricks and techniques. You may join this class any time during the year.

Conversations with ALL

Conversations with ALL will be held via Zoom only at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 3.

In this age of COVID, do you miss gathering around the table and engaging in casual conversations with family and friends? Conversations with ALL will be virtual, with the hope to bring back that spontaneous and fun supper-table talk. Each monthly conversation will be an informal conversation on a topic to be decided by participants. The second session will be a discussion on what participants are reading, and why?

The Curious World

of the Honeybee

The Curious World of the Honeybee will be offered at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4.

An overview of Honeybee biology, the different roles Honeybees play in the colony, what’s killing our Honeybees and the importance of Honeybees in our lives.

Rodney Bear has a degree in mechanical engineering and a lifelong interest in honeybees. His grandfather was a beekeeper in southern Virginia and, although the grandkids were not allowed near the hives nor tagging along behind Grandpa, the mystery of what happened in those hives, how and why, persisted into adulthood.

Learning/Refresher Bridge

Learn how to play bridge or refresh your game in person at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays, May 5, 19 and 26, and at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12.

Interested in learning bridge or refreshing memories from playing bridge long ago? This is the group for you. You might ask, “Why should I learn to play bridge?”

Here are some answers: Bridge offers intellectual and social stimulation on a routine basis. An area in the brain used in playing bridge stimulates the immune system. Playing bridge can help older people retain their mental sharpness. And the ALL Friday bridge players are in need of some new participants.

Thompson’s Harbor Stewardship Project

Thompson’s Harbor Stewardship Project will meet via Google Meet at 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday, May 5.

Log on for an overview of the Posen High School Thompson’s Harbor State Park stewardship project. Topics discussed will range from unique ecosystems within the park, park general information, unique plant species (Dwarf Lake Iris and carnivorous plants), and importance of land stewardship by community members.

This presentation will be led by Stephanie Dege, science teacher at Posen High School (teaching biology, advanced biology, environmental science, marine science, anatomy). Dege has 17 years of teaching experience (14 years in Michigan City, Indiana, and three years at Posen High School). She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Aquinas College, a master’s degree in education from Nova Southeastern University, master’s +15 coursework from Loyola Marymount University, and master’ +30 coursework from Andrews University. The project involves Posen High School students in marine science and advanced biology classes ranging from 10th to 12th graders.

Ambient Learning

at ACC

Ambient Learning at ACC will be held in person at Besser Technical Center and CTR at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 7.

Join this casual strolling tour of recent art installations as part of ambient learning efforts underway in the halls and classrooms of ACC. Ambient learning is an effort to use art as inspiration for learning in public spaces throughout campus while at the same time spicing up the walls with some fun and color, sure to strike up conversation and help stimulate the mind. This guided tour will last one hour and include narrative about the overall objectives of the project and details about some of the more significant installations. Meet by the president’s office in the BTC Atrium.

Tour guide Tim Kuehnlein is an instructor of political science and history and was the ACC Endowed Chair for 2009. As a member of Michigan Arts and Culture Northeast, Kuehnlein was very involved with the planning of the Lake Huron Discovery Tour and also served as its president. He served on the committee for Ambient Learning at ACC.

Catch up on YouTube

Enjoy over 70 + recorded programs on the ALL YouTube Channel. Type in the search area: Association of Lifelong Learners at Alpena Community College.

Find the following latest videos there:

¯ ALICE and the $1.9 Trillion Stimulus Presentation

¯ Alternatives That Support Healthy Living

¯ US-23 Heritage Route

¯ Model Railroading in the Tip of the Mitt

¯ Mental Health — the Other Health

¯ Unusual Cuts

¯ Is Christ King?

¯ Thunder Bay Arts Council Virtual Art Gallery Tour

¯ Nutrition and Chronic Diseases

¯ Electricity Generation By Nuclear Power

¯ The Changing Face of Northeast Michigan

¯ Bagley Street Bridge Project with Ryan Brege and Ron Young

¯ “Pivot” with Kimberly Schultz and Janelle Mott

¯ Meet “Nether” — Artist and Mural Painter with Justin Nethercut

¯ Challenges and Fun of Taking Pictures with Mark Hansen and Judy Hompstead

¯ Smart911-How To Make It Work For You! with Andy Marceau and Dick Bremer

¯ A Virtual Tour of Artist’s Metal Sculpture Studio with Ann Gildner https://youtu.be/3RFagNdrdh0

¯ Hummingbirds Of The Great Lakes Region — A Straits Audubon Society Program

¯ Michigan Native Americans

For more information about any of these programs, call 989-358-7207 or email all@alpenacc.edu.