∫ 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. Linda Beeman, the 2023 juried art show winner, has a solo exhibit on display in the Center Gallery. The 2024 juried art exhibit is on display as well, now through Oct. 30. The Besser Museum is located at 491 Johnson St., Alpena. 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. Gary Etzler, award-winning carver, is the gallery’s featured artist for August. 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. August visiting artists are Karen Cracchiolo and Chuck Schroeder. The Dragonfly Art Gallery was founded in 2009 as a cooperative nonprofit, owned and run by the gallery’s member artists. The gallery’s mission is to provide local artists with the opportunity to display and sell their work, while also offering the residents of and visitors to Alcona County a venue for enjoying art. Visit dragonflyartgallery.net, as well as on Facebook.

Tuesday, August 27

The Aliferis Memorial Race will take place Saturday morning in Alpena.

∫ 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. 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.

∫ Practice ukulele at 10 a.m. at the Harrisville branch of Alcona County Library, with ukuleles available for checkout, and all skill levels welcome.

∫ 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.

∫ The Family Search Center at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is closed for regular visits during the month of August. The center is available by appointment by calling Ella Purkiss at 989-306-6250.

∫ The Alpena Lions Club hosts their weekly meetings at noon on Tuesdays at First Presbyterian Church, Alpena. For more information, visit alpenalionsclub.com or the Alpena Lions Club on Facebook. For detailed membership information, call 989-464-5313.

∫ Friends Together will host Eat With Friends Pop-Up Neighborhood Market, with free produce, from 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday in the parking lot of Friends Together, 105 Prentiss St., Alpena. Drop by and pick up some fresh produce and healthy eating resources. This Friends Together event is free of charge and open to everyone.

∫ 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.

∫ Bay View Center hosts a diversity support meeting at 4 p.m. each Tuesday. This weekly meeting 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, August 28

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

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

∫ 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.

∫ Join the Alpena County Library Youth Services Department from 10 to 11 a.m. every Wednesday for Weekly Storytime. Come for a few stories, then stay for an activity or craft! All ages are welcome. If you can’t make it on Wednesday, join ACL at 1 p.m. on Thursday.

∫ Join the Alpena County Library from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday mornings 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 our top priority! If you have questions about lab rules call 989-356-6188, ext. 20.

∫ 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.

∫ ALL offers pinochle from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at M. Briggs Center with Julie Byrnes.

∫ S.T.E.A.M., formerly called Homeschoolers at the Library, will meet at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library.

∫ 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.

∫ Friends Together offers a support group for those dealing with cancer, meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. each Wednesday at Alcona Elementary School Library in Lincoln.

∫ 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, August 29

∫ 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 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. Please contact Betty at 734-693-2869 for weekly location.

∫ Join ALL for Spitzer from 10 to 11:30 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.

∫ 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.

∫ Two nonpartisan organizations, Keep Our Republic and Michiganders for Civic Resilience, have partnered together for a Northern Michigan Community Conversation Tour, which will stop in Alpena on Thursday, Aug. 29. The program will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Granum Theatre at Alpena Community College. The purpose of the tour is to offer residents a deeper understanding of the elections process, and detail what happens after voters cast their ballots. Former Michigan House Democrat Leader Christine Greig and former Michigan Republican Senator and House Representative Tonya Schuitmaker, both representatives of Michiganders for Civil Resilience, along with Keep Our Republic representatives, are hosting conversations with Kent County Clerk Lisa Posthumus Lyons in five Northern Michigan communities: Traverse City, Cheboygan, Alpena, Marquette, and Escanaba.

∫ 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, August 30

∫ MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena Volunteers will host a used book sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday in the Healthplex North Entrance Hallway. The public is welcome.

∫ 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. 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, Storytime and Craft for Kids meets 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 Association of Lifelong Learners 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!

Saturday, August 31

∫ MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena is proud to host the 24th annual Aliferis Memorial Race on Saturday. The race is named after longtime pathologist and laboratory director, Dr. Peter Aliferis, who earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan and joined the hospital in 1963. In his 37 years, he touched many members of the community, and this race is a celebration of his dedication to health and wellness and to celebrate his alma mater and the partnership with the University of Michigan. All proceeds benefit the Aliferis Scholarship Fund, the Cancer Center, and patient enhancements and advanced technology at the Medical Center. Events include the 1-mile run/walk, the 5K run/walk, the half marathon, the 18.5-mile bike race, or the 6.5-mile bike tour. In the past years, there have been over 200 participants that have come out to get some exercise early on a holiday weekend. This family-friendly event has participants from 3 years old to 86 years old, and is open to all. The morning begins with the half marathon shuttle to the start at 6:30 a.m. and concludes with trophies, medals and prizes at about 10:30 am. All entrants have a chance to win a pair of University of Michigan football tickets. For more information, race maps, or to register, go to www.mymichigan.org/race, or call 989-356-7738. Registration fees are $25 – $35 depending upon the event, and a race shirt is included. To prepare for the race, online race registrations close at midnight on Thursday, but race-day registrations will be accepted.

∫ 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.

∫ Anchor Market, 5160 N. Hubbard Lake Road, Spruce, will host Cars and Coffee from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. All are welcome to admire and show off a variety of vehicles from classics to modern marvels.

∫ All branches of the Alcona County Library will be closed on Saturday for the Labor Day weekend.

∫ 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.

∫ The Sunrise Side Co-op Market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays in the parking lot behind Mango’s Tequila Bar in downtown Alpena. The new farmers market will be open each Saturday through the end of October.

∫ 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. They have allowed local crafters and artists to sell their items since the 1970s. An artisan market is like a farmers market, a place giving you an opportunity to meet the creators and learn how and by whom your unique product was made. 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. For more information, check out the Homestead Artisan Market and Gallery on Facebook.

∫ Taylor Swift fans are invited to begin their Library Era from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday. There will be music, games, and crafts for every Fearless fan in Alpena! This event is geared toward ages 5-17 but everyone is welcome to join … if they’re Ready For It. Leave the Tortured Poets Department Behind and Shake It Off at the Alpena County Library, 211 N. 1st Ave., Alpena.

∫ A pulled pork dinner, silent auction, raffles, and more will be held on Saturday, Aug. 31 to benefit Tammy Bancroft, who was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in June, at the age of 49. The benefit event will start at 2 p.m. on Aug. 31 in the Merchant Building at Alpena County Fairgrounds, 625 S. 11th Ave. The cost for the pulled pork dinner is $10 per adult, $5 per child ages 6 to 12, and free for children age 5 and younger.

∫ PIF Cider will host Conor Larkin live from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday at the taproom, 205 W. Chisholm St., downtown Alpena. Come sip cider while listening to Larkin play an acoustic set.

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