Courtesy Photo by Bronwyn Woolman The Barbershop Quartet performs in "The Music Man" at Alpena Civic Theatre, running this weekend and continuing May 23 through 26.

∫ Art in the Loft, on the third floor of the Center Building at 109 N. 2nd Ave. in Alpena, is currently closed until May 22 as they prepare for their upcoming SummerView Exhibit. The gallery is normally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Classes are still being held, and can be viewed online. Visit artintheloft.org, email director@artintheloft.org, or call 989-356-4877 for more information.

∫ Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, closed Tuesday, and open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Beverly Benson Wolf’s photography is on display now through July 20 at the museum. The Northeast Michigan Artists’ Guild invites the community to their annual exhibit at the Besser Museum from April 15 through July 24. This year’s theme is “It Figures.” Artists will be in attendance from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 at the museum to discuss their artwork. The Besser Museum is located at 491 Johnson St., Alpena. Call 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. Dorothea Sandra will be the featured artist for May and June. A reception will be held in her honor from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 17 in the TBA Gallery, at 127 W. Chisholm St., downtown Alpena. The reception is open to the public and light refreshments will be served. Spring and summer hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 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, May 14

∫ 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. 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 May, 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, at Friends Together, 105 Prentiss St.. Call Friends Together at 989-356-3231 for more information.

∫ 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 about the club, visit alpenalionsclub.com or the Alpena Lions Club on Facebook.

∫ ALL will visit Netta’s Nursery, 13624 M-65, Posen, for Creating A Beautiful Arrangement from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll receive expert guidance in selecting the perfect combination of plants tailored to your preferences, whether it’s sun-loving, shade-dwelling, pollinator-friendly, drought-tolerant, or even deer-resistant. Included in this event will be a tour of the greenhouses. You will go home with either a 12-inch pot for $65 or a 16-inch pot for $85. In the late 1980s, Annette (Netta) Taratuta began selling locally-grown, dried flowers, arrangements, and calligraphy at local shops and markets. In 1993, she and her husband Dennis opened their first “greenhouse” in a lean-to structure added to their home. Since then, Annette and Dennis have added 10 greenhouses and a tree farm to meet the needs of their customers. This expansion includes a full inventory of annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs from early May until the end of September.

∫ 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. Participants must be age 5 or older.

∫ Bay View Center hosts a diversity support meeting at 4 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.

∫ 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.

∫ Partners in Prevention presents the second session of Youth Mental Health First Aid from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday at TriPoint Church of God, 500 S. Brooke St., Alpena.

∫ The “Women of the Word” Ice Cream Social will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at New Life Christian Fellowship, 317 S. Ripley Blvd., Alpena. This gathering is hosted by WOVEN (Women of Victory Experiencing Newness), and there is no cost for this event, which will begin with a shared meal. Join New Life as they wrap up their WOVEN season with an encouraging evening filled with fellowship and a variety of speakers. Call the church office at 989-354-0095.

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

∫ ALL’s Photography Club will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. via Zoom. Join the club as they discuss reorganizing the focus of camera club to rekindle the excitement of taking superb photos. For the link, email all@alpenacc.edu.

Wednesday, May 15

∫ 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. For info, call 989-356-6188, ext. 20.

∫ The Alpena Senior Citizens Center is hosting a Dementia Walk on Wednesday morning. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at 501 River St., Alpena. The walk will begin at 9 a.m., with the route around the Thunder Bay River in the downtown area. The cost is $25, which includes a DREAM T-shirt. DREAM stands for Dementia, Resources, Education, Advocacy, Mentorship. Funds raised will go toward dementia awareness programs at the senior center. If you have questions, call BJ Sander or Annie Hepburn at at 989-356-3585.

∫ 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.

∫ Alpena County Library offers Tech Help from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Help is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

∫ Homeschoolers at the Library for school-aged children and teens promises a burst of inspiration and camaraderie at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library, 1 to 2 p.m. Now every Wednesday! Call 989-724-6796 for more information.

∫ 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.

∫ 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.

∫ 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, May 16

∫ 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 the library 989-724-6796 for more information.

∫ Thursday, May 16 is Dementia Awareness Day, with a program by Dr. Scott Counts from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. at the Alpena Senior Citizens Center. Counts is an associate professor of Translational Neuroscience and Family Medicine at the Michigan State University Grand Rapids Campus. He will give a timely update on the latest dementia treatments. His current research focuses on vascular contributions to dementia. The Alzheimer’e Association has made this presentation possible. After the presentation, lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for a suggested donation of $4.50 per senior age 60 and older, and a cost of $8 per person under the age of 60. Then from 1 to 4 p.m., representatives will be talking about the resources available in the dementia program at the senior center, including You Are Not Alone support group, REACH program for caregivers, Miles for Memories, and Spark A Connection Memory Cafe.

∫ 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.

∫ Friends Together presents Journaling with Friends, from noon to 1 p.m. every Thursday. Explore creative ways to organize your thoughts. Registration is required by calling 989-356-3231.

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

∫ ALL presents Moving Your Body Well: Pain, Posture, Picking Up and Your Aching Back from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at M. Briggs Center at ACC. This program will explore the physics of human motion and ways to improve motion to protect and strengthen the body as it matures to prevent and help back issues. Rob Stafford is a Level 2 Physical Therapist for MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. As a physical therapist of 22 years, goal setting, habit formation, and learning are the most important single factors in healing most back injuries or functional limitations.

∫ 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.

∫ A weekly series on Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma begins from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday and runs weekly through June 20 at Hillman Methodist Church, 111 Maple St., Hillman. These sessions are free to residents of Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, and Presque Isle counties. The out-of-area cost is $50 for those not residing in the four-county area. Register now and learn more about all of Partners in Prevention’s courses at partnersinpreventionnemi.org/workshops.

∫ 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.

∫ Alpena Civic Theatre presents “The Music Man” by Meredith Willson, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and continuing through Sunday, then again May 24 through 26. Full of lively tunes and beautiful ballads, the show promises to leave theater-goers humming the tunes for days to come. Starring Mike Furtaw as traveling instrument salesman Harold Hill, and Olivia Martin as Marian the Librarian, “The Music Man” features a full cast of 34 people ranging in age from 8 to over 80. The stage will be full of actors and musicians throughout the high-energy show, co-directed by Kirstine Furtaw and Nan Hall. For tickets, call the ACT Box Office at 989-354-3624. The theater is located at 401 River St., Alpena.

Friday, May 17

∫ ALL pickleball plays from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the APlex.

∫ Alpena Civic Theatre presents “The Music Man” by Meredith Willson, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and continuing through Sunday, then again May 24 through 26. Full of lively tunes and beautiful ballads, the show promises to leave theater-goers humming the tunes for days to come. Starring Mike Furtaw as traveling instrument salesman Harold Hill, and Olivia Martin as Marian the Librarian, “The Music Man” features a full cast of 34 people ranging in age from 8 to over 80. The stage will be full of actors and musicians throughout the high-energy show, co-directed by Kirstine Furtaw and Nan Hall. For tickets, call the ACT Box Office at 989-354-3624. The theater is located at 401 River St., Alpena.

∫ 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 May, 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, of Desert Aire, Washington, will be reviewing mainstream calls and teaching and reviewing plus calls. No partner, no problem – Singles are very welcome!

∫ Thunder Bay Arts Council Gallery, 127 W. Chisholm St. in Alpena, presents Dorothea Sandra as featured artist for May and June. A reception will be held in her honor from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday in the TBA Gallery. The reception is open to the public and light refreshments will be served. Spring and summer hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Visit thunderbayarts.org or call 989-354-2586.

Saturday, May 18

∫ 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. For more information, visit Friends of the Alpena Farmers Market on Facebook.

∫ The second annual Mental Health Movement 2K, 5K, and 10K Run/Walk will be held on Saturday morning at Northeast Michigan Community Mental Health Authority, 400 Johnson St., Alpena. Registration ends at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, May 16. There will be no same-day registration. Early bib/packet pickup will be available on Friday, May 17 at NeMCMHA. Saturday bib/packet pickup will open at 7:30 a.m. Please arrive and pick up your packet at least 30 minutes before your event is scheduled to begin. The 10K Run will begin at 8:30 a.m. The 2K and 5K Run/Walk events will both start at 9 a.m. All participants will receive a finisher medal and gift. Top finishers will receive awards. Pets are not allowed. The events will be held, rain or shine.

∫ Harrisville May Fest will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church, 110 S. State St., Alpena. The event will feature a chili cook off by local businesses, classic car show, and a ’50s/’60s costume contest and dance off, as well as some local vendors.

∫ On Saturdays in May, 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.

∫ The Northeast Michigan League of Women Voters will hold a special lunch at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at JJ’s, 411 N. 2nd Ave., Alpena, to welcome new members and guests. All LWVNEM members are welcome and please feel free to bring a friend. JJ’s offers both breakfast and lunch at this hour. This will take the place of our Lunch Bunch for the month of May. The public is invited.

∫ Romance enthusiasts and book lovers are invited to the Spring into Romance Author Panel at 1 p.m. on Saturday, hosted by the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library. The panel will feature distinguished Michigan contemporary romance authors Lyssa Kay Adams, Sonia Hartl, Kelly Ohlert, and Meryl Wilsner.

∫ The Northeast Michigan Artists’ Guild will be in attendance from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 at the Besser Museum to discuss their artwork.

∫ The Alpena Lions Club’s Strike Against Hunger Bowl-A Thon will take place at at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 18 at Thunderbowl Lanes. Interested parties are encouraged to call Alpena Lion Gary Stevens at 989-595-6384 or reach out to the Alpena Lions at alpenalionsclub.com.

∫ The Thunder Bay Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Banquet will be held at the APlex on Saturday, May 18. For tickets and information about the fundraiser and banquet, call Beckie Thomson at 989-884-1989. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s mission is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, and habitat, and our honor our hunting heritage.

Editor’s note: Submit calendar items to lifestyles@thealpenanews.com. Call 989-358-5691 if you have questions.