News File Photo The Alpena Suicide Prevention Walk will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Bay View Park in Alpena.

∫ Art in the Loft, on the third floor of the Center Building at 109 N. 2nd Ave. in Alpena, will reopen Wednesday for their annual juried art exhibit, called “Food for Thought: The Art of Food.” The exhibit will open with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday. “Food for Thought” will be on display through Nov. 7, which is Art in the Loft’s annual fundraiser. The gallery is normally 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. 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.

∫ Jake Bowen is the featured artist for September and October at Thunder Bay Arts Council Gallery, 127 W. Chisholm St. in Alpena. The gallery features more than 20 local artists’ work on display and for sale. 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 in September, then starting in October, it will be open three days per week, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Find out more about the gallery at dragonflyartgallery.net, as well as on Facebook.

Today, Sept. 24

∫ The Association of Lifelong Learners hosts Mexican Train Express dominoes from 9:15 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 Family Search Center at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 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.

∫ Sewing Club meets from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Alpena County Library’s Makerspace. No sewing experience? No problem! This club is open to all skill levels — newbie to expert, ages 10 and up. Bring your sewing machine, supplies (scissors, straight pins), and project to work on. Space and guidance will be provided. For those without a sewing machine, there are three machines on site for use. Registration is required for this class by calling Barb Brege at 989-255-8969.

∫ ALL will hear NOAA’s Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary staff give an update on education efforts and summer highlights from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in the theater. Get an update on Sanctuary education efforts and summer highlights. Learn about the ROV program and how it will host the MATE ROV Competition World Championships in 2025. Meet new staff and how their roles will further the mission of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Stewardship and Education Specialist Daniel Moffatt will lead this program.

∫ 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.

∫ The READ Adult Literacy Program at Alpena County Library is looking for caring individuals to join their team as tutors. This September, they are offering free training sessions from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Stillion Conference Room upstairs at the library on the following dates: Sept. 24 — English as a Second Language; and Sept. 26 — GED Preparation. Attend any or all sessions at no cost. Light refreshments and all materials will be provided. Ready to make a difference? Register today by calling 989-356-6188, ext. 15 or emailing readprogram@alpenalibrary.org. The Alpena County Library is located at 211 N. 1st Ave. in downtown Alpena.

∫ 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, Sept. 25

∫ 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.

∫ ALL Classroom Technology and Training will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the M. Briggs Center.

∫ 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. Get help with your computer, phone, or tablet from the library’s knowledgeable and patient staff..

∫ 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. each Wednesday at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library.

∫ The Alcona County Library Board of Trustees will meet at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Mikado branch, located at 2291 S. F-41.

∫ 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.

∫ Join Alpena County Library for Bob Ross Art Night: Painting Level 101. Follow along to one of Bob Ross’s painting tutorials. Attendees attempt to replicate a mini version of it and then vote on the winner at the end. Registration is required at https://bit.ly/3M2aSuJ. Call the library with questions at 989-356-6188.

∫ 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.

∫ Art in the Loft’s “Food for Thought” juried art exhibit opens at 6 p.m. Wednesday with an artists reception, where winners of the show will be announced. From paintings to tapestries to sculptures and more, each piece centers on food, offering a delicious smorgasbord for the eyes. Forty-five artists are in the show, and some have multiple pieces, making the total 89 pieces of artwork throughout the third-floor gallery at 109 N. 2nd Ave. in downtown Alpena. Appetizers will be available, as well as a cash bar. Attendees will get to experience the artwork up close and mingle with the artists. There will also be live music. Awards will be given for Best of Show, second place, third place, and several honorable mentions. The show runs through Nov. 7, which is when the Loft’s annual fundraiser, “A Taste for Art,” will be held. Tickets to that fundraiser are now available at artintheloft.org.

∫ 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, Sept. 26

∫ 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.

∫ Pinochle and bridge are held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays at 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.

∫ Sewing Club meets from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Alpena County Library’s Makerspace. No sewing experience? No problem! This club is open to all skill levels — newbie to expert, ages 10 and up. Bring your sewing machine, supplies (scissors, straight pins), and project to work on. Space and guidance will be provided. For those without a sewing machine, there are three machines on site for use. Registration is required for this class by calling Barb Brege at 989-255-8969.

∫ 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, Sept. 27

∫ 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.

∫ 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.

∫ Knitters, crocheters, spinners, and anyone interested in the fiber arts will not want to miss the Northern Michigan Fiber Festival, which starts with classes on Friday morning at the APlex, and continues with more classes and a vendor show on Saturday and Sunday. This year’s event will feature classes and over 60 vendors, concessions, giveaways, drawings, demonstrations, and more. The vendor show will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29. Classes include basket weaving, felting, building a blending board to create and spin art yarns, spinning, wool dyeing, naalbinding, and much more. There is no admission charge to get into the show. There is a fee for each class, which varies by topic. For a detailed list of vendors and classes, visit the Northern Michigan Fiber Festival website at fiberfestival.net. If you have questions, call 989-916-9284.

∫ ALL hosts contract bridge from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Fridays at M. Briggs Center on the campus of Alpena Community College.

∫ ABA Pathways Autism Center Alpena will hold a ribbon cutting at 3:30 p.m. for their new location at 350 Pinecrest, Alpena.

∫ 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!

∫ Join the Presque Isle District Library to view award-winning short films from around the world during the 27th annual Manhattan Short Film Festival at the Rogers Theater. The festival runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Freewill donations are welcome. To view the film schedule, visit www.manhattanshort.com.

Saturday, Sept. 28

∫ 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 Northern Michigan Fiber Festival continues Saturday and Sunday at the APlex. This year’s event will feature classes and over 60 vendors, concessions, giveaways, drawings, demonstrations, and more. The vendor show will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29. Classes include basket weaving, felting, building a blending board to create and spin art yarns, spinning, wool dyeing, naalbinding, and much more. There is no admission charge to get into the show. There is a fee for each class, which varies by topic. For a detailed list of vendors and classes, visit the Northern Michigan Fiber Festival website at fiberfestival.net. If you have questions, call 989-916-9284.

∫ 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 through October. Market items are locally produced, grown, harvested, baked, and gathered. For more info, visit The Real Harrisville Harbor Facebook page.

∫ September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and the fifth annual Alpena Suicide Prevention Walk will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Registration will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. at Bay View Park in Alpena. The walk route is about two miles, throughout downtown Alpena. Prior to the walk starting, resource tables from a variety of mental-health related organizations will be available for attendees to browse and learn more about each organization and what they do. Speaker Jackie Krawczak, representing The Sunset Project, will share prior to the walk. Participants can still register online at the Partners in Prevention website: partnersinpreventionnemi.org. You can also register in-person the day of the walk. Registration is $25 per adult and $10 per child, and includes a newly designed T-shirt featuring this year’s theme: Never Alone. T-shirts were designed by Olivia Reyes, a member of Rogers City Natural Helpers. You can pay by credit or debit card online, but only cash or check will be taken for same-day registrations. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available 24 hours a day by calling or texting 988, which is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

∫ 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 Northern Michigan Fiber Festival continues Sunday at the APlex. This year’s event will feature classes and over 60 vendors, concessions, giveaways, drawings, demonstrations, and more. The vendor show will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29. Classes include basket weaving, felting, building a blending board to create and spin art yarns, spinning, wool dyeing, naalbinding, and much more. There is no admission charge to get into the show. There is a fee for each class, which varies by topic. For a detailed list of vendors and classes, visit the Northern Michigan Fiber Festival website at fiberfestival.net. If you have questions about the Fiber Festival, call 989-916-9284.

∫ 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.