ROV sessions are offered throughout the summer at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center.

∫ Art in the Loft, on the third floor of the Center Building at 109 N. 2nd Ave. in Alpena, presents its “SummerView 2024” Exhibit, featuring the artwork of nearly 40 artists. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Classes are also offered, 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 now through July 24. This year’s theme is “It Figures.” 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 is the featured artist for June. 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. The Dragonfly Art Gallery is proud to have Dorothea Sandra as their visiting artist for the month of July. Please stop in to see and enjoy her art.

Today, June 18

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

∫ Alpena County Library hosts Tinker Tuesday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tinker Tuesday is about exploring projects like Makey Makey, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, 3D Printing, Strawbees, littleBits, Snap Circuits, sewing and more. Participants must be age 5 or older.

∫ Free ROV drop-in sessions are offered this summer from noon to 3 p.m. starting today and scheduled for various dates throughout the summer. These sessions will be held in the Maker Space near the large Marine Technology Training Tank at Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. The whole family can pilot their ROV in NOAA’s test tank and learn how these vehicles are used for science and industry. Modify your ROV to perform tasks such as lifting “debris” and restoring fish habitat. Earn stamps for each mission to track progress and celebrate as you move through the levels. You can attend multiple dates and progress each time. In addition to today’s session, upcoming dates include June 26, July 2, July 11, July 26, Aug. 6, Aug. 10, and Aug. 21.

∫ ALL’s Moveable Feast will be at The Night Hawk Inn, 173 Pinkerton Ave., Hawks. You may sign up for lunch at 12:15 p.m. or dinner at 4:15 p.m. ALL will also take a tour of Recollections, Inc. Costume Shop in Hawks, at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Recollections, Inc. is located at 7956 County Road 451, Hawks. Your tour will include the facility and shop floor the cottage industry now calls home in Hawks. Be one of the first to see the newest addition to the growing business: an Eastman CNC machine used to cut fabric for the traditional line of dresses, skirts, blouses, petticoats, camisoles, and pantaloons which originally made Recollections so popular. Recollections was founded in 1981 and quickly grew into a bricks-and-mortar retailer and mail order company, specializing in wedding attire inspired by the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Recollections is a costume design shop that features dresses from the historical periods Regency, Victoria, the 1920s and the 1950s. Because of space limitations and safety reasons the number of attendees is limited per session. For more information, call the ALL office at 989-358-7207 or email all@alpenacc.edu.

∫ The Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library presents a program in which participants can read to squirrels. Called Paws to Read, the program is offered from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays now through July 30. Paws to Read will be held in the MakerLab at the library, 211 N. 1st Ave., Alpena. Meet two very special squirrels, Spech and Daisy, with Wildlife Rehabilitator Melisa Smith, and sign up to read to a squirrel! The program runs from June 18 to July 30, every Tuesday, except for July 2. Participants must sign up each week to reserve a session if they wish to participate multiple times. Contact the Youth Services Department at 989-356-6188, ext. 23.

∫ Wow guests with welcome signs created using the Alpena County Library’s Glowforge. Paint, design, and take home your new sign from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. This free program is offered for adults age 18 and up, and no registration is required.

∫ 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.

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

Wednesday, June 19

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

∫ Join the Alpena County Library Wednesday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon for Open MakerLab. 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.

∫ Alpena County Library offers Tech Help from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

∫ ALL presents From Star Gazing to Star Capturing: My Journey into Astrophotography, with Jon Butler, at 1:30 p.m. at M. Briggs Center at Alpena Community College. Butler will detail his interest in astronomy and how it began for him, the telescopes he has owned, facts about our universe and solar system, how he started in astrophotography, equipment used in the field, how photos are taken of solar system objects both in and out of our galaxy, and he will go over images he has taken and provide descriptions.

∫ 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.

∫ The annual meeting of the League of Women Voters for Northeast Michigan will be held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday at Alpena Community College in Van Lare Hall Student Lounge. Lenny Avery will be the guest speaker. He is the Economic Development Coordinator for the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce. Members will vote on officers, and board members, as well as the annual budget.

∫ The Catholic Central High School Class of 1960 will meet for dinner at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19 at The 19th Hole. All classmates and guests are invited to attend. We will discuss plans for our 65th reunion next year. Those planning to attend should notify Jane Helinski at 989 595-6168 or jahelinski@hotmail.com.

∫ 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.

∫ Rusty Petunias Marketplace will host a wine tasting event with five of their distributors, with proceeds to benefit the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan. For $40 per person you will receive a 6-ounce Rusty Petunias wine tasting glass and 12 tickets to try 1-ounce samples of up to 30 different wines, while you shop the home decor with your $5 off coupon! Additional tickets will be available to purchase if you run out. Ten percent of what is purchased will be donated to the Besser Museum. Charcuterie will be included. Call 989-340-2194 or stop in to purchase your tickets.

∫ 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.

∫ Next up in the Sanctuary Lecture Series is “Lost Ships of the Underground Railroad” presented by guest speaker Kevin Ailes, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, 500 W. Fletcher St., Alpena. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for this free community event.

Thursday, June 20

∫ ALL will host Coffee and Controversy — Labels: How They Drive Our Everyday Behavior, at 9 a.m. at M. Briggs Center in the Northwood Conference Room 143, led by Rocky Roland. ALL Coffee and Controversy is a recurring event where curious and concerned folks will gather over a cup of coffee or other liquid and discuss (cordially) some of the most concerning topics, events, or actions influencing our everyday lives. Attendance is strictly limited to 12 — as that is the capacity of the conference room. Reservations are highly recommended.

∫ 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.

∫ 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.

∫ Friends Together will host a Rock ‘N’ Roll-a-thon 24-hour drive-through fundraiser starting at noon on Thursday and ending at 2 p.m. on Friday. Free hot dogs will be served from noon to 2 p.m. on both days. The event is made possible with support from LeFave Pharmacy and HPC Credit Union. The fundraiser will be held in the Friends Together parking lot at 105 Prentiss St., Alpena. The public is encouraged to drop off donations to help Friends Together continue to provide rides to people with cancer. If you have questions about the fundraiser, call Friends Together at 989-356-3231.

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

∫ ​​WCMU Public Media hosts character story time from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Alpena County Library. Meet Molly of Denali.

∫ ALL presents The Defence Rests: The Tragically Ordinary Story of Celia, an Extraordinary Young Woman (c. 1837-1855) at 1:30 p.m. at ACC’s Fitzpatrick Hall in Van Lare Hall. Celia was a young girl who spent her teenage years enslaved on a small Missouri farmstead. She endured abuse at the hands of her enslaver. On June 23, 1855, a pregnant Celia resisted these advances and paid the ultimate price. Her actions and the subsequent legal proceedings became the foundation for one of the most pivotal cases in Missouri history and is still debated today.

∫ 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.

∫ The Alpena City Band will perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 20 at the Alpena bandshell located at Bay View Park. Concerts will be held there each Thursday evening through Aug. 13. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and enjoy an hour of music performed by local musicians. There will be no evening concert on July 4, as the band will be participating in the parade earlier that day. Special themed concerts include the July 11 Patriotic Concert, July 25 Children’s Concert, and the Aug. 13 Polka Concert (last concert of the season). A special Veterans Concert will be performed on July 24 inside the tent at the Brown Trout Festival.

Friday, June 21

∫ 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.

∫ ALL will offer Voting Options and Certifying the Vote from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday at M. Briggs Center. In 2022, Michigan voters passed Proposal 2 with over 60% of the vote. Learn how passage of this proposal has expanded voting rights for Michigan’s registered voters. In addition, find out how the Board of Canvassers certifies election results as well as the built in safeguards to insure election integrity.

∫ On Fridays, get ready for a world of giggles, wonders, and creativity at Storytime and Craft for Kids at 10:30 a.m. at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library.

∫ 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.

∫ Bad Art Night for teens and tweens will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. on Friday at the Alpena County Library. Create the most ridiculous, ugliest art imaginable! Supplies provided. The ugliest masterpiece wins!

∫ Boataroo Music Festival will start at 6 p.m. Friday at the Lane Barn on Behning Road in Ossineke, featuring many musicians playing until 1 a.m., and the lineup continues at noon on Saturday, with bands playing until 1 a.m. both days. Friday musicians include Matt Orlandi, Brian Natzel, Aldrich, Jason Eller, Stray Trio, and Bobbing for Piranhas. Saturday’s lineup features Corpus and Son, Intellectual Jive, Midwest Coast, Jason Eller, Mike Moran, Aldrich, Winaschnitzel, High Speed, and Alabaster Casual. Tickets are $20 and include admission and camping for both days. For advance tickets, call 989-464-2295.

Saturday, June 22

∫ Madi and Izzy Szymanski are heading up the Run With Your Heart Race for a Cause on Saturday, June 22, starting from the north parking lot of Northern Lights Arena on Woodward Avenue in Alpena. Run With Your Heart will feature a 5K and a 1-mile race. Registration is open at runsignup.com — Run With Your Heart Alpena. The entry fee is $25 per adult, and free for children age 12 and younger. T-shirts may still be available for $10 each. Same-day registration will start at 8 a.m., for $35 per adult, payable by cash or check made out to United Way — Run United. The 1-mile race starts at 9 a.m., and the 5K will kick off at 9:30 a.m. The course includes trails and paved sections. Participants are encouraged to wear red or blue in support of congenital heart defect awareness. If you have questions about the race, email rununitedalpena@gmail.com.

∫ 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. Storytime will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on June 22. For more information, visit Friends of the Alpena Farmers Market on Facebook.

∫ The Harrisville Farmers Market, located in the upper parking lot of the Harrisville Harbor at the corner of N. Lake Street and E. Harbor Lane, is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays from June through October. Market items are locally produced, grown, harvested, baked, and gathered. For more information, visit The Real Harrisville Harbor Facebook page.

∫ Remembering Our Children, for families who have lost a child of any age, will hold their annual R.O.C. Walk at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, at the Alpena County Fairgrounds. Family and friends are invited to join in celebrating the life and memory of our children who have died. The walk will begin at 10 a.m. and last for about an hour. Attendees will walk to the Tree of Remembrance, release butterflies, and then walk back to the fairgrounds. A short gathering and light refreshments will be provided after the walk. Feel free to wear a T-shirt with a picture of your child. Bring an umbrella in case of rain, as the walk will be held, rain or shine. If you have any questions, call Polly at 989-356-0849 or Karen at 989-619-7728.

∫ Temple Beth-El Alpena announces a visit from a very talented cantorial soloist. On Saturday, June 22, Temple Beth-El’s Shabbat service will be led by Cantorial Soloist Marci Lyn Shulman. Temple Beth-El hopes you will join them for a very special Shabbat service on June 22. Seating is limited, so please call 989-595-3544 for reservations and important information. Marci Shulman’s visit is sponsored in part by the generosity of the Ravitz Foundation Initiative for Michigan Small Jewish Communities as well as donations by Temple Beth-El members and friends.

∫ The Homestead Artisan Market and Gallery is in the Kauffman Homestead 8015 E. Grand Lake Road in Grand Lake. The Kauffman Homestead is owned by the Grand Lake Association and is a historical site. The Homestead Artisan Market and Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, now through Labor Day, and some special activity days.

∫ On Saturdays, 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.

∫ Boataroo Music Festival continues at noon on Saturday at the Lane Barn on Behning Road in Ossineke, featuring a variety of musicians playing until 1 a.m. Saturday’s lineup features Corpus and Son, Intellectual Jive, Midwest Coast, Jason Eller, Mike Moran, Aldrich, Winaschnitzel, High Speed, and Alabaster Casual. Tickets are $20 and include admission and camping for both days. For advance tickets, call 989-464-2295.

∫ Thunder Bay Arts Council is excited to partner with Mango’s of Alpena to host a Summer Fiesta from 3:30 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 22 at Mango’s Patio, the Pocket Park and alley. The public is invited for fun, food and music. Pinata fun will begin at 3:30 p.m., and a live band will play from 5 to 8 p.m. This event is made possible with support from Besser Foundation, Michigan Arts and Culture Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and members and patrons of Thunder Bay Arts, in collaboration with Mango’s Tequila Bar.

∫ The Alpena VFW 2496 Auxiliary and Marine Corps League invite the public to a steak dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 22.The cost is $25 per person, and tickets are on sale at the VFW 2496 Canteen at 2900 Connon St., Alpena. There are only 80 tickets available, and there will be no sales at the door. For more information, contact Darryl McQuarrie at 989-657-6275.

∫ Hillman Senior Center will host a euchre tournament on Saturday, with a meal served at 5 p.m. and play starting at 6 p.m. The entry fee is $20, and prizes and food will be provided. For more information, call 989-464-4463 or 989-742-4080.

Sunday, June 23

∫ 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, June 24

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

∫ 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. For more information, call 989-354-2306 or 989-595-5119.

∫ Friends Together North is a cancer support group for men and women that meets at 12:30 p.m. each Monday at the Presque Isle District Library in Rogers City.

∫ Friends Crochet and Craft is a support group at Friends Together meeting at 3 p.m. on Mondays. This group is for men and women, and offers crafty ways to overcome “chemobrain.” Call Friends Together at 989-356-3231 for more information.

∫ Friends Together presents Monday Mixer, a support group for men and women coping with a cancer experience, at 4:30 p.m. each Monday at Friends Together and via Zoom. Call 989-356-3231 for more information.

∫ GriefShare meets at 5 p.m. on Mondays at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alpena. This 13-week program started March 4, led by facilitator Brent Finzel. For more information about GriefShare, call Carol at 989-354-3758.

∫ If a problem drinker is affecting your life, Al-Anon can help. Confidential and anonymous meetings are held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Monday at the Alano Club located at 3100 Piper Road, Alpena. For more information, contact Diane at 989-821-9601.