∫ 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, April 2

The Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce will host its Good Mid-Day Alpena luncheon on Thursday at the Alpena County Library.

∫ ALL 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. Looking for social and learning experiences designed to help your child grow? Join ACL for Early Connections, a recurring play and socialization program for children ages newborn to 5, and caregivers. Caregivers will participate in music and movement, social/play activities, and/or math activities with their child or children each week, followed by a short story time. Adults will interact with their child during the program, not sit on the sidelines. 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. There is no obligation to join if you attend your first meeting. 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 April, 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.

∫ The FamilySearch Center is open from noon to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 411 Long Rapids Plaza in Alpena.

∫ 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.

∫ Join the Association of Lifelong Learners via Zoom from 2 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday to hear from Ben Granlund about Traveling Through Iceland. For the link, email all@alpenacc.edu. Take a trip through and around Iceland by ship, bus, and foot. See the beauty of the countryside, the rugged terrain, waterfalls, puffins, volcanoes, and the people who live there. Learn how trolls are part of the Icelandic culture and see the uniqueness of Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. Stop at the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa, heated by volcanic activity and recently threatened by a nearby volcano. Granlund is a retired teacher from APS. He is an avid skier in the winter, a former member of the National Ski Patrol for 43 years, and a biker in the summer. He and his wife Marge have traveled to many places, Iceland being the most recent. Jerry and Debbie Krans, former Alpena educators, also visited Iceland last summer and contributed most of the slides, showcasing their superior photography skills.

∫ Alpena County Library hosts Tinker Tuesday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tinker Tuesday is about getting together and exploring projects ranging from Makey Makey, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, 3D Printing, Strawbees, littleBits, Snap Circuits, sewing and more. Let your curiosity take over and explore! Participants must be age 5 or older.

∫ Are you impacted by cancer? You are welcome at the new Tuesday groups meeting at 4:30 p.m., called Making Sense of it … with Friends. On the first Tuesday of the month, join Traci Boyle and friends to experience first-hand the benefit of sound. Learn ways to channel and ease your mind in this hour-long program. Second Tuesdays will be about learning, third Tuesdays about art, and fourth Tuesdays about food, all at 4:30 p.m. at Friends Together, 105 Prentiss St., Alpena. Call 989-356-3231 for more information.

∫ 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, April 3

∫ ALL pickleball plays from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the APlex. Call the Association of Lifelong Learners 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.

∫ ALL hosts a Writing Workshop from 11 to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday at M. Briggs Center, led by Mary Ann Krajnik Crawford. This writing workshop series focuses on writing, sharing, and feedback. Everyone has stories — some are told, some are written, and some, like memoirs, are written to be shared with others. Sessions will examine issues with writing, share techniques for writing and revising, and practice some editing. Participants write between sessions, share their writing, and get feedback for revising and polishing their stories. Crawford has been a personal journal writer and teacher of writing for many years. She retired from CMU as emeritus professor of English and director of the Writing Center, and continues to write for the fun of it.

∫ The Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce’s next Good Mid-Day Alpena Lunch will be held on Thursday, April 4. Attendees will hear from sponsor Northern Title and Escrow Agency and much more. Lunch is at 11:30 a.m., followed by the program at noon, in the upstairs conference room at Alpena County Library, 211 N. 1st Ave. The cost is $10 per person, and registration is required in advance to info@alpenachamber.com or 989-354-4181.

∫ Alpena County Library offers Tech Help from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Do you have a gadget that you need a little help with, or a technology question that you need answered? Get help with your computer, phone, or tablet from ACL’s knowledgeable and patient staff, offering a one-hour, four times a week session with our Technology Specialist on a first-come, first-serve basis.

∫ 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: Female ancestors’ maiden names on April 6 and 13.

∫ Bingo is at 12:45 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday at Alpena Senior Citizens Center.

∫ Sewing Club is from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at Alpena County Library, open to all skill levels — newbie to expert, ages 10 and up. Bring your sewing machine, supplies, (scissors, straight pins) and a project to work on. For those without a sewing machine, there are three machines on site for use. Registration is required for this class. To register for this program, 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. Come work on your square dance calls. This is an ad hoc event for the purpose of improving your Mainstream and Plus calls. There will be no caller, but experienced dancers will be there to help and fill in a square or half square. The intent is to repeat calls, so the muscle memory is there when you attend a dance.

∫ 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 located at 4260 M-32 West in Alpena, open to members and non-members. 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 info, 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.

∫ Rich Rider hosts Open Mic Night from 7 to 10 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Black Sheep Pub, 113 S. 2nd Ave., downtown Alpena.

Thursday, April 4

∫ Community Walking Club for Everyone meets at 9 a.m. every Thursday in the parking lot of the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library. Call 989-724-6796 for more information.

∫ 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.

∫ You Can Knit A Bear! Learn how from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday with the Association of Lifelong Learners. Priscilla Homola will lead this session at M. Briggs Center, located on the campus of Alpena Community College. How about getting together with friends to knit or crochet for a good cause? The Mother Bear Project has the mission of “Creating comfort and hope for children in emerging nations.” This workshop will teach how to knit or crochet a bear, a comfort toy, to be sent to a charity. Participants need basic knitting or crocheting skills–enough to knit a scarf. All supplies needed will be provided. From a child in Zambia, “The bear is my only friend.” Homola has taught English at the college level for 50 years. She has been a knitter for 50 years, and loves converts.

∫ 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, April 5

∫ 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 April, get ready for a world of giggles, wonders, and creativity at 10:30 a.m. at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library. Storytime and Craft for Kids is not just about learning; it’s about unleashing the joy of discovery!

∫ ALL hosts contract bridge from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Fridays at M. Briggs Center. This is an ongoing group of card players who welcome any players at any time. This group is a teaching class but experienced players are also welcome.

∫ 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. Come brush up on your mainstream and plus dancing. Fabulous caller Dave Boggs will be reviewing mainstream calls and teaching and reviewing plus calls.

Saturday, April 6

∫ The Alpena Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mich-e-ke-wis Park in Alpena.

∫ Welcome Spring with the Presque Isle Garden Club. The 13th Annual Growing Green Luncheon will be from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at Peace Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 1401 M-68 Highway, Rogers City. Doors open at 8:45 a.m. Topics are: What’s New 2024 from Netta’s of Posen, Garden Maintenance with Nancy and Friends, Your Landscaped Trees with Forester Jacob Grochowski, and Delightful Daylilies with Kris. The cost is $30. Reservations are requested by calling Jean at 989-619-0300 or Kris at 989-733-4056 or emailing pigardenclub1@yahoo.com.

∫ On Saturdays in April, 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.

∫ Author Cally Trandell will host a book signing and launch party from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Rusty Petunias, 123 W. Chisholm St., Alpena. Trandell, born and raised in Alpena, has written her first book, “Little Backpack Big Dreams: The Diary of a Budget Backpacker,” a travel memoir about the three months she spent budget backpacking through Europe in 2014. “The book is meant to inspire and encourage fellow adventures to pursue their travel dreams while doing so on a budget,” Trandell said in an email. The book signing event is open to the public.

∫ Get ready for a night filled with laughter at the Comedy Night featuring Dave Dugan and Keith Lenart on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at The APlex, 701 Woodward Ave., in the Upper Conference Room. Doors open at 6 p.m., and admission is $10 per person.

Sunday, April 7

∫ If a problem drinker is affecting your life, Al-Anon can help. Confidential and anonymous meetings are held from 2 to 3 p.m. every Sunday at St. Raphael Church in Mikado.

Monday, April 8

∫ Exercise is at 10 a.m. each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Alpena Senior Citizens Center. Euchre starts at 12:30 p.m.

∫ Experienced bridge partners looking for some challenging competition can join the Alpena Duplicate Bridge Club that meets from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Mondays. Call 989-354-2306 or 989-595-5119.

∫ Head over to Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan from 2 to 4 p.m. on Monday for the Great American Eclipse Viewing Party, brought to you by the museum and 105.7 The Bird. This unique celestial event will not be viewable from Northeast Michigan for another 20 years. Admission is $5, which includes a pair of solar eclipse viewing glasses and a planetarium show. There will also be music and the Smoking Trolls food truck on-site. Bring your own lawn chairs. Partners from Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library and Starbase Alpena will be present to educate attendees and answer questions.

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