April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease. The cause is unknown, and although there is currently no known cure, treatment options exist such as medication and surgery to manage the symptoms of PD.

Parkinson’s involves the malfunction and death of vital nerve cells in the brain called substantia nigra. Some of these dying neurons produce dopamine, a chemical that sends messages to the part of the brain that controls movement and coordination. As PD progresses, the amount of dopamine produced in the brain decreases, leaving a person unable to control movement normally. The specific group of symptoms that an individual may experience varies from person to person. Primary motor signs of PD include tremor of the hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; bradykinesia or slowness of movement; rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; and postural instability or impaired balance and coordination. Some nonmotor symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, cognitive changes, sleep disorders, mood disorders, constipation, depression, visual disturbances, and loss of smell.

Incidence of Parkinson’s increases with age; the average age of disease onset is 58. Men are 1.5 times more likely to have PD than women. As many as one million Americans live with PD, including 30,000 in Michigan, which is projected to increase to 70,000 within 13 years.

Many research articles document improvement in balance, confidence, quality of life, and reduced fall rate for those with PD when they are participating in an exercise program. Exercise needs to be a lifelong habit, and the benefit fades it exercise stops.

Glowforge workshop today at Alpena library

ALPENA — The MakerLab for Community Creativity and Exploration at the Alpena County Library presents an introductory Glowforge Workshop from noon to 4 p.m. today. Participants will learn how to create designs using the 3D laser printer, creating their own door signs.

Registration and a $10 fee are required to help cover materials costs. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/msx75umj.

For questions or more information visit alpenalibrary.org or call 989-356-6188, ext. 20.

Activities in the MakerLab for Community Creativity and Exploration were made possible in part through the support for the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan, the First Federal Legacy Foundation, and Walmart.

Alpena Writers’ Group meets May 9

ALPENA — The Alpena Writers’ Group meets on the second Tuesday of each month to provide local authors and writing enthusiasts an opportunity to network with others interested in the art of words.

The group’s focus is to put the “pen” back in Alpena, encouraging people of all ages and skill levels to craft, share, and reach their own personal goals. (We do ask that a parent or guardian is present with children under 15 years of age.)

For May, the main topic up for discussion is “Creating a Successful Writing Routine.”

If you have ever had a story in your head that you want to share with others, but have struggled to begin or complete, consider joining the group on Tuesday, May 9 at Parallel 45 Books and Gifts in downtown Alpena. Social time starts at 5:30 p.m. with the meeting beginning at 6 p.m. You can also find Alpena Writers’ Group on Facebook.

ACC Art+Design Student Expo opens May 5

ALPENA — The Alpena Community College Art+Design Program cordially invites you to attend the Spring Semester ACC Art+Design Student Expo from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 5. The reception is open to the public and free of charge. Live music will be performed by The Scholastic News, and refreshments will be served. The exhibition will remain on display through Friday, May 12. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Aid by the Dozen holds April meeting

ALPENA — The April meeting of the Aid by the Dozen was held at the 19th Hole for dinner. Chris Dubey was the hostess and it was also her birthday, so singing and cake were enjoyed by all. A generous donation was given to the soup kitchen. Marlene Montie sent cards, and thank-you notes were read. Marlene, Leora Jacobs, and Chris received secret pal gifts. The hostess gift was a fruit basket won by Leora. The evening concluded with Chris treating everyone with sweet treats. Tammy Daleski will host the may meeting at Rosa’s Italian restaurant at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24.

Alpena library celebrating Preservation Week

ALPENA — Join the George R. and Edith Angell Cook Special Collections Department as they celebrate Preservation Week from May 1 to 5. Preservation Week is a national celebration of sharing strategies to slow deterioration and give future generations access to what we cherish — our family history.

The library’s goal is to show that anyone can make a difference when it comes to the preservation of family collections. Throughout the week, community members can learn more about material preservation, find guides on how to handle their material and attend programs discussing best practices when working with family documents.

Scheduled programs include Preserving Family Documents at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, and Digitizing your Family Collections at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 4.

For more information, visit alpenalibrary.org or call 989-356-6188, ext. 17.

Cedarville Bell Ringing Ceremony May 6

ROGERS CITY — A Cedarville Remembrance Bell Ringing Ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 6 at the Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum, 367 N. Third St., Rogers City. “CEDARVILLE REMEMBRANCE”

Museum Director Mike Horn will give a brief history of this tragic event, followed by the reading of names of those men who lost their lives and the rest of the crew who is no longer with us. The public is invited to attend this free event. Bell ringers are needed.