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COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Courtesy Photo Apple Pumpkin Fun Day will be held on Saturday at the Alpena Antique Tractor and Steam Engine Club on French Road.

∫ Art in the Loft, on the third floor of the Center Building at 109 N. 2nd Ave. in Alpena, presents its annual juried art exhibit, called “Food for Thought: The Art of Food.” The exhibit will be on display through Nov. 7, which is Art in the Loft’s annual fundraiser. 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. 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 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. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Find out more about the gallery at dragonflyartgallery.net, as well as on Facebook.

Today, Oct. 8

∫ 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.

∫ ALL will tour the Hammond Bay Biological Station from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The station is located at 11188 Ray Drive, Millersburg. Lauren Holbrook is a communications associate for the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) and Margaret Spens is a communications fellow with the GLFC. Both are stationed at Hammond Bay Biological Station along the shore of Lake Huron, near Rogers City.

∫ ALL’s Moveable Feast will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Lighthouse Restaurant, 377 N. Third St., Rogers City. Reservations are required by calling the Association of Lifelong Learners office at 989-358-7207 or emailing all@alpenacc.edu.

∫ 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.

∫ Alpena County Library hosts Tinker Tuesday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. 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.

∫ ALL’s Photography Club will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. via Zoom. For the link, email all@alpenacc.edu.

Wednesday, Oct. 9

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

∫ The Family Search Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will be starting a series of classes relating to genealogy and family history. The classes will be held twice on the scheduled days to make it easier for people to attend. The first session will be from 10 a.m. to noon, with the second session running from 1 to 3 p.m. The classes will be held at the Alpena Chapel building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 411 Long Rapids Plaza Road, Alpena. These classes will be taught by Sharon Young and Ella Purkiss, both of whom are well-versed in genealogy research and have over 85 years of research and teaching between them. To register or for more information, contact Ella Purkiss at 989-306-8090 or ella.mae.purkiss@gmail.com. The following are the class dates and topics to be covered: Oct. 9: Family History for and about Native Americans; Oct. 16: Navigating the use of the center’s computers and finding free research sites available on the center’s computers; Oct. 23 and 31: The use of Family Search.org and the use of other free programs available with it; and Nov. 6 and 13: Where can lessons be found on doing research on the computer? These lessons would be mainly on U.S. research and can be done at home as well as at the Family Search 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.

∫ 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.

∫ 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.

∫ ALL will go Behind the Scenes with Motel Owner Hanlie Engelbrecht from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at M. Briggs Center on the campus of Alpena Community College. Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes when you own and run a motel? Hanlie Engelbrecht immigrated from South Africa with the dream of owning a small motel in the U.S. Her search took her and her husband five years and covered most of the United States. How she ended up at the Big Bear Lodge in Alpena is but a part of her interesting story. Hanlie’s lively sense of humor and love of people will keep you thoroughly entertained as she takes us on her journey to realize her dream. She and her husband have owned the Big Bear Lodge on South State Avenue for five years.

∫ 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, Oct. 10

∫ ALL will tour Montmorency County by bus from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call the ALL office for details at 989-358-7207.

∫ 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 about this club, call 989-356-3585.

∫ The local chapter of Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel will hold their next meeting at noon on Thursday at the First United Methodist Church on Ripley. A catered meal will be provided at a cost of $12.50 payable at the door or you can always pay a month in advance when you are at the meeting. Reservations were due Monday to Ruth LeBarre by calling or texting her at 989-560-8876. You may also bring your own lunch if you choose. The guest speaker will be Kristine Spicer who will be talking about senior nutrition. Join fellow retirees and have a wonderful meal, visit with fellow retirees, listen to our guest speaker and hear any updates on insurance and pension.

∫ 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.

∫ 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.

∫ As the leading breast health provider in the region, MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena is hosting a special breast cancer screening event with extended mammogram hours and special giveaways. The event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Medical Center in Alpena located at 1501 W. Chisholm St. Attendees can check in at the hospital entrance and will be directed to the mammography suite. Appointments are required for mammograms. Those interested in making an appointment may call 989-633-5252 or 888-367-2778. A provider’s order is needed, and insurance will be billed for the mammogram. Those interested in more information on the comprehensive breast health program at MyMichigan Health may visit mymichigan.org/breast.

∫ The Alpena County Republican Party will hold a meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10 in the Alpena Community College Center Building, Room 106. At the meeting, Dr. Bob Turek will speak about proposed housing in Alpena County.

∫ 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 for more information.

Friday, Oct. 11

∫ 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 ALL office at 989-358-7207 or email all@alpenacc.edu.

∫ Revolution Dance in Harrisville will host a costume party from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, for $3 per person. All ages are welcome. Please keep costumes family-friendly. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No outside food or beverages. If you have questions, call 989-272-8152.

Saturday, Oct. 12

∫ 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. Visit the Friends of the Alpena Farmers Market on Facebook.

∫ A Lumberjack Breakfast will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Ocqueoc Outdoor Center, 7142 Ocqueoc Lake Road, Millersburg. This is a fundraiser for the Ocqueoc Outdoor Center, sponsored by Friends of Ocqueoc Outdoor Center. Tickets are $10 in advance, or $12 at the door. For advance tickets, call Mary Ann at 989-351-9700. There will be a silent auction, camp tours, and a bake sale. Attendees are encouraged to wear flannel shirts.

∫ The Harrisville Farmers Market, located in the upper parking lot of the Harrisville Harbor at the corner of N. Lake St. and E. Harbor Ln., would like to invite you to the final day for this season this coming Saturday, Oct. 12. The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please visit The Real Harrisville Harbor Facebook page for more information.

∫ 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.

∫ Leaves are Falling, Autumn is Calling vendor and craft show will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at Green Township Hall, 14261 M-32, Lachine. There will be homemade crafts, Scentsy, ColorStreet, Tastefully Simple, and more.

∫ Apple Pumpkin Fun Day will feature free pumpkins, while supplies last, games, demonstrations, a puppeteer, face painting, a petting zoo, fresh pressed apple cider, and more, presented by the Alpena Antique Tractor and Steam Engine Club. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Tractor Showgrounds, 6850 French Road, Alpena.

∫ The Metz Fire Story Swap will be held at 2 p.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church Parish Hall, 2045 E. Metz Highway. Coffee and cookies will be served. Bring a friend and come hear and tell stories about the Metz Fire.

Sunday, Oct. 13

∫ Rapid Wings Pheasant Farm proudly hosts a pheasant hunt to benefit the Susan’s Wish Fund. This will be a European Tower Hunt full-day event, for $300 per hunter. For more information and reservations, contact Lee at Rapid Wings Farm at 989-916-8880 or Daryl Barton at 989-590-3753. Doors open at 8 a.m., and sign-in begins at 9 a.m. There will be light morning refreshments, a catered lunch, and birds will be cleaned and packaged for pickup. Bird dogs and guides will be provided. One hundred percent of the event’s profits will go directly to cancer patients and their families. Susan’s Wish helps with hotel stays, gas, food, and pharmaceutical supplies that are not covered by insurance. The event will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with raffles and cash prizes. Rapid Wings Farm follows all Michigan DNR safety rules. A $50 nonrefundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. Rapid Wings Pheasant Farm is located at 12591 Hawkins Road, Hubbard Lake.

∫ The Alpena Bands Mattress Fundraiser will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday at Alpena High School. Every purchase benefits the band programs at Alpena High School. The public is welcome to come purchase a brand-new mattress with full factory warranty. All sizes will be available, with more than 25 styles on display. Delivery is available. Financing is also available. Twin mattresses start at $259, full from $389, queen from $459, and king from $599 and up. There will be many national brands to choose from.

∫ 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.

∫ A Discover Scouting event will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday for Cub Scout Pack 3092 of Alpena, at the old Aces building, 600 Pinecrest St., Alpena. Come see what Alpena Scouting has to offer your family. Boys, girls, and adults are welcome to try out the obstacle course, shoot water bottle rockets, and participate in other fun activities. This event will be held rain or shine. There will be a free meal from The Smoking Trolls food truck, and donations are welcome. Adults interested in volunteering are always welcome. For more information, email pack3092alpena@gmail.com, or call or text Paige at 231-724-0391.

Monday, Oct. 14

∫ 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.

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