Courtesy Photo Pets like this pretty pooch will get to have their photos taken with the Easter Bunny on Saturday at the Alpena County Fairgrounds, for a donation to help Alpena County Animal Control.

∫ Art in the Loft, on the third floor of the Center Building at 109 N. 2nd Ave. in Alpena, is normally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, but the gallery is currently closed in preparation for the 2024 Young Artist Exhibit, opening with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 4. The exhibit will be up through April 27, featuring student artwork from over 20 Northeast Michigan schools, with over 600 pieces made by kindergarten through 12th graders. Visit artintheloft.org, email director@artintheloft.org, or call 989-356-4877 for more information.

∫ Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan is featuring the Girl Scout exhibit, “Preserving the Past, Promoting the Future — 112 Years of Girl Scouts,” now through March 31. The exhibit is the Silver Award project for Scouts Lucy Duthler and Emma Kinsel. Beverly Wolf’s photography is also on display at the museum, located at 491 Johnson St. in Alpena. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, closed Tuesday, and open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, call the museum at 989-356-2202, or visit bessermuseum.org.

∫ Thunder Bay Arts Council Gallery, 127 W. Chisholm St. in Alpena, features 25 local artists’ work on display and for sale. Kamara Marsh is the featured artist for March and April. Winter hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday (January through March). Visit thunderbayarts.org or call 989-354-2586.

∫ Dragonfly Art Gallery, 116 E. Main St. in Harrisville, is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, call 989-820-9614.

Today, March 19

∫ Alpena Optimist Club presents its Spring Break Free Family Fun Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday at Alpena High School and Plaza Pool. You must register at the registration table and receive a wristband to participate in all activities, which include exhibits, carnival games, bicycle raffles sponsored by Walmart, face painting with 4-H Club, dodgeball with the Army recruiters, vegetable tasting with Alpena Farmers Market, weaving with the Weaver’s Guild, children’s yoga with Amanda Boboltz, and many fun crafts. There will be an open swim and coin dive at the Plaza Pool. Those age 7 and younger must be accompanied by an adult in the water. You must be registered and have a wristband on to swim. Swim times are 9:30 to 11 a.m. for ages infant to 7 years old, and noon to 1:30 p.m. for ages 8 and older. The coin dive is sponsored by Alpena Optimist Club, Dean Arbour Ford Lincoln, and Cliff Anschuetz Chevrolet. Concessions will be available, with hot dogs from Perch’s IGA, chips, popcorn, pop from Pepsi, and snacks. If you have questions, contact Beckie Thomson at 989-884-1989 or thomsonbeckie@gmail.com.

∫ The Association of Lifelong Learners hosts Mexican Train Express dominoes from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays.

∫ Great Start Collaborative Playgroup is held weekly at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays at Alpena County Library. No registration necessary.

∫ TOPS #1614 Alpena welcomes new members who are looking for support in their weight-loss journey. Meetings are held every Tuesday morning at the First Presbyterian Church at 1600 W. Chisholm St. in Alpena. Weigh-ins start at 9:45 a.m. and meetings start at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call 989-255-4787.

∫ Potential homeowners can find out the steps they need to take to get closer to homeownership from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Tuesday at the Habitat for Humanity offices at 2630 U.S.-23 South in Alpena.

∫ Every Tuesday in March, practice ukulele at 10 a.m. at the Harrisville branch of Alcona County Library, with ukuleles available for checkout, and players of all skill levels invited to join.

∫ Alpena Senior Citizens Center offers quilting at 10 a.m. and Spitzer at 12:30 p.m. each Tuesday.

∫ Good Grief is a grief support group at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, in-person at Friends Together, 105 Prentiss St. and via Zoom. Call Friends Together at 989-356-3231 for the link.

∫ Free Family Films are showing this week at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, 500 W. Fletcher St., Alpena. There will also be free popcorn at this event offered to give families something to do during spring break. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Today and Thursday, “Nim’s Island” (96 min.) will be showing at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. On Wednesday and Friday, the following films will run on a continuous loop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: “The Riddle in a Bottle” (30 min.); “The Shark Riddle” (30 min.); “Stranger in the Woods” (25 min.); and “The Marvelous Musical Report of the Marine National Monuments” (10 min.).

∫ Hop on over to the Alpena Senior Citizens Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday and again the same times on Friday to meet the Easter Bunny, and pick up an Easter egg to support the Meals on Wheels program. Visiting with the Easter Bunny is free to anyone, and photos are encouraged. The fundraiser for Meals on Wheels is ongoing Monday through April 5, and is a partnership with three local credit unions: HPC Credit Union, Wolverine State Credit Union, and Alpena Community Credit Union. To support the Meals on Wheels program, you can stop by any of the credit union locations, or the senior center, and pick up an Easter egg filled with a surprise, for a minimum donation of $5, which will support the senior center’s meal program. For more information, call the senior center at 989-356-3585.

∫ The Alpena Lions Club hosts their weekly meetings at noon on Tuesdays at First Congregational Church, Alpena. For more information, visit alpenalionsclub.com or the Alpena Lions Club on Facebook.

∫ Mindful Movement, a healing, gentle, unique yoga program designed to nourish, inspire and empower each woman healing and dealing with cancer, is at noon on Tuesdays, in-person and via Zoom. For more information and the Zoom link, call Friends Together at 989-356-3231.

∫ Alpena County Library hosts Tinker Tuesday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Participants must be age 5 or older.

∫ ALL’s Moveable Feast will meet at 4 p.m. at Player’s Pub and Grub, 113 S. 9th Ave., Alpena. If you plan to attend, call Sue to RSVP at 989-736-7105.

∫ Are you impacted by cancer? Whether you are the patient or not, if cancer has left you wanting, you are welcome at the new Tuesday groups meeting at 4:30 p.m., called Making Sense of it with Friends. Third Tuesdays are about art, at Friends Together, 105 Prentiss St., Alpena. Call 989-356-3231 for more information.

∫ The Alcona Historical Society presents a free program, “Bombs Away,” at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library. Ric Mixter, an award-winning producer, author, pilot, scuba diver and historian, will share rare footage and interviews with the men and women who made history at our local airbases, including Selfridge, Kincheloe, Sawyer, and Wurtsmith. These airfields have launched the Tuskegee Airmen, biplane aces, and one of the longest bombing missions in history. Light refreshments will be served at this free “Cabin Fever” program.

∫ Cub Scouts meet from 6 to 7 p.m., and Boy Scouts meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. each Tuesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 727 S. 2nd Ave., Alpena.

∫ Bay View Center hosts a diversity support meeting at 6 p.m. each Tuesday. This weekly potluck is for those in the LGBTQ community, their families, and supporters, at Bay View Center, 710 N. 2nd Ave. If you have questions, call 989-340-0955.

∫ Karaoke Night is from 7 to 10 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Black Sheep Pub in downtown Alpena.

Wednesday, March 20

∫ AARP Tax Prep for low/limited income people and for senior citizens is being offered in the Alpena area on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, by appointment only. Please call 989-278-8104 to schedule.

∫ ALL pickleball plays from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the APlex. Call the ALL office at 989-358-7207 for details.

∫ Join the Alpena County Library Wednesday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon for Open MakerLab. Makers of all ages can tinker, collaborate, and create a project of their choice in our lab. Staff help is available if needed. Participants ages 5 to 15 will need parental supervision at all times. A signed waiver is required prior to using the MakerLab. MakerLab rules apply in the lab at all times because participant safety is ACL’s top priority. If you have questions about lab rules call 989-356-6188, ext. 20.

∫ Alpena Senior Citizens Center exercise is from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

∫ Guys Like Us is a Wednesday morning coffee crew of men who are coping with cancer, meeting at 10 a.m., in-person at Friends Together and via Zoom. Call Friends Together at 989-356-3231 for the link.

∫ Free Family History Classes will be offered from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays at the FamilySearch Center inside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 411 Long Rapids Plaza in Alpena. Classes include: What’s in a name on March 20; Photographs, Cyndi’s List and more on March 27; and Female ancestors’ maiden names on April 6 and 13.

∫ Sewing Club is held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Alpena County Library. Registration is required for this class. To register, call Barb Brege at 989-255-8969.

∫ ALL offers a Second Square Dancing Class from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays at M. Briggs Center.

∫ Women on Wednesday is a support group for women with cancer meeting in-person and via Zoom at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at Friends Together. Come for a dash of hope, some laughter, and real talk.

∫ Alpena Sportsmen’s Club is a nonprofit located at 4260 M-32 West in Alpena, open to members and non-members — everyone with an interest in shooting sports. Skeet and sporting clay shooting are offered from 5:45 p.m. until dark on Wednesdays, and from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, text Joel Suszek at 989-255-4928 or Jeff Welch at 989-255-6068.

∫ Open Mic Night is from 6 to 9 p.m. each Wednesday at Patchwood Plaza in Hillman. For more information, call the Hillman Area Chamber of Commerce at 989-742-3739.

Thursday, March 21

∫ Community Walking Club meets at 9 a.m. every Thursday in the parking lot of the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library.

∫ Join the Alpena County Girlfriends at JJ’s Steak and Pizza House at 10 a.m. on Thursdays for coffee and conversation. This is a women-only group whose purpose is to make friends and socialize with women from Alpena County and the surrounding areas.

∫ Join ALL for Spitzer from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday at M. Briggs Center, led by Marilyn Klingshirn.

∫ Zoom Book Club is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each Thursday, with the Alpena Senior Citizens Center. For more information, call 989-356-3585.

∫ Pinochle and bridge are held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays at Alpena Senior Citizens Center.

∫ On Thursdays, yoga meets from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Harrisville branch of Alcona County Library. Learn how simple movement can change your life with Liz! This class meets every Thursday until March 28, brought to you by Harrisville Yoga. Call 989-335-1777 for more information.

∫ Zoom meditation is at 2 p.m. on Thursdays, led by the Alpena Senior Citizens Center.

∫ Needles and Threads group is held from 2:30 to 4:30 pm every Thursday at the Grand Lake branch of Presque Isle District Library. Bring your latest knitting, crocheting, sewing, needlepoint, or other crafts. Call 989-734-2477, ext. 2 with questions. The library is located at 18132 Lake Esau Highway, Presque Isle.

∫ Thursday Eve Serenity Group meets from 7 to 8 p.m. every Thursday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 351 Wilson St., Alpena. If a problem drinker has or is affecting your life, Al-Anon can help you. Meetings are anonymous and confidential. Call 989-354-5476.

Friday, March 22

∫ MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena Volunteers will host a used book sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday in the hospital lobby, open to the public.

∫ AARP Tax Prep for low/limited income people and for senior citizens is being offered in the Alpena area on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, by appointment only. Please call 989-278-8104 to schedule.

∫ ALL pickleball plays from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the APlex. Call the ALL office at 989-358-7207 for details.

∫ Exercise is at 10 a.m. at Alpena Senior Citizens Center. Then at noon, Mahjong is played, and pinochle starts at 12:30 p.m.

∫ Presque Isle District Library’s Posen branch offers knitting and crocheting from 10 a.m. to noon on Fridays. All levels are welcome. If you have questions, call 989-734-2477.

∫ On Fridays in March, Storytime and Craft for Kids is at 10:30 a.m. at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library.

∫ Visit with the Easter Bunny from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Alpena Senior Citizens Center.

∫ ALL hosts contract bridge from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Fridays at M. Briggs Center. This is a teaching class, but experienced players are welcome at any time, as well.

∫ Grace Episcopal Church will host a grilled cheese and homemade soup dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, by donation. There will also be homemade desserts. This month’s proceeds will be given to the Baby Pantry. The church would like to thank those who attended the February dinner. The amount of $250 was raised for Hope Shores Alliance, and $250 was raised for Corey Morrison’s cancer fundraiser.

∫ The Hillman VFW Post 2356 hosts its Friday Night Fish Fry from 4 to 7 p.m. every Friday night, with your choice of fish or shrimp, potato, coleslaw, roll, and drink. The fish fry is open to the public, and the cost is $12 for the fish dinner or $14 for the shrimp dinner.

∫ ALL hosts square dancing from 4 to 6 p.m. For more information, call the ALL office at 989-358-7207 or email all@alpenacc.edu.

∫ The APlex presents the 2024 Special Needs Prom, with the theme Hollywood Nights. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will be at 6 p.m. This event is open to anyone in the community with special needs. For more information, or to volunteer, contact Elaine at 989-354-6164.

∫ Hot Cocoa and Canvas will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Art in the Loft, for ages 6 and older, taught by Alison Rae Campbell. The cost is $35 per participant, which includes supplies. Adults can choose to stay and create art with the young ones, or drop off the kiddos for the class. Enjoy a hug in a mug with all of the fancy fixings and a fun Friday night for your young artists in this step-by-step painting class. Class kicks off by creating a yummy mug of hot cocoa. Get cozy as you create your very own painted masterpiece. Artist and educator Alison Rae Campbell will guide students by brush stroke through a variety of artful images (all while leaving plenty of room for and encouraging creative expression). In this session, students will create an adorable spring bunny with a nod to Easter. Scholarships are available. Apply at artintheloft.org.

∫ Hillman Christian Academy presents a 4 One Quartet concert at 7 p.m. on Friday. This concert is a fundraiser for the academy. The cost is $5 per person or $25 per family. Food will be available for purchase at the concert as well. The event will be held at Hillman Christian Academy, 331 W. 3rd St., Hillman.

Saturday, March 23

∫ The Alpena Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mich-e-ke-wis Park, 1302 State Ave. in Alpena. Visit Friends of the Alpena Farmers Market on Facebook.

∫ AARP Tax Prep for low/limited income people and for senior citizens is being offered in the Alpena area on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, by appointment only. Please call 989-278-8104 to schedule.

∫ On Saturdays in March, forge new friendships, strategize with your party, and let your creativity soar in the teen-exclusive Dungeons and Dragons Club, now meeting upstairs at the Hollyhock Emporium in Harrisville from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

∫ Bring your cats and dogs out to the Alpena County Fairgrounds on Saturday for a photo with the Easter Bunny, to benefit Alpena County Animal Control. For a $5 minimum donation, get your furry friend’s photo to take home and cherish for years to come. All funds collected will go to Alpena County Animal Control. The pictures will take place from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for dogs, and from 1:30 to 2 p.m. for cats, inside the Merchant Building at the fairgrounds, 625 S. 11th Ave., Alpena. All pets must be leashed or in a carrier.

∫ Join artist and educator Sharon Wade for Pastel Landscapes from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Art in the Loft. The cost is $45 per student, ages teen to adult. Learn how to use the beautiful colors and mark making effects of soft and hard pastels to create pastel landscapes. Beginners and intermediate levels alike are welcome in this hands-on lesson flow with Wade. During this session, you will review specialty papers, a variety of pastels and a wide range of techniques from broad sketching and color blending to composition and scumbling. Wade will demonstrate how to create beautiful clouds, landscapes and more before working with students individually. All supplies are included to share, but feel free to bring your own. Wade recommends both a hard and non-oil soft pastel. Her product and brand preference is NuPastel hard pastel sets, as well as soft pastel sets from one of the following: Sennelier, Terry Ludwig, Richeson, Rembrandt, Unison, or Girualt. Scholarships are available. Apply at artintheloft.org.

∫ Jim Berry will lead a free Maritime Sketching Class from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 23 at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, 500 W. Fletcher St. Participants will have their choice of sketching a dugout canoe, birch bark canoe, or wooden schooner. Sketching supplies will be provided. Space is limited to 12 participants, so sign up today by emailing cassandra.sadler@noaa.gov or calling 989-312-3716. Berry has been a lifelong sketcher, beginning with studying commercial art at a technical high school and attending The Art School of the Society of Arts and Crafts in Detroit. He earned a history degree from the University of Michigan and continued to sketch out projects as a curator at history museums across Michigan.

∫ A Mikado Community Open House will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, at the community building, 2991 F-41. Come see the renovations to the building, and see what the township has to offer its citizens. There will also be a time of recognition for the township firefighters. Children can help Smokey the Bear celebrate his 80th birthday. Attendees can learn about fire safety in the home, talk to the firefighters outside, and much more.