Courtesy Photo The cast of Rogers City Community Theatre's "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" poses at rehearsal. The musical adventure opens Thursday at the Rogers Theater.

∫ Art in the Loft is currently closed to prepare for the upcoming “Young Artist” exhibit, which opens with an artists’ reception at 6 p.m. on Thursday and will be on display through April 26. The gallery is normally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Classes are still 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 presents its new “Discover Northeast Michigan History” exhibit. Two local artist exhibits are currently on display: Pam O’Neil and Joe Donna. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, closed Tuesday, and open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, at 491 Johnson St., Alpena. Call 989-356-2202, or visit bessermuseum.org.

∫ Wendy Werth is the April Featured Artist at Thunder Bay Arts Gallery in downtown Alpena. Werth’s colorful artwork includes many painted gourds, such as giraffes and birds, as well as ornaments and paintings to hang on the wall. Thunder Bay Arts Gallery, 127 W. Chisholm St., features more than 20 local artists’ work on display and for sale. TBA Gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Visit thunderbayarts.org or call 989-354-2586.

Today, April 8

∫ ALL hosts Mexican Train Express Dominoes from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. each Tuesday at M. Briggs Center 143.

∫ 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.

∫ Alpena County Library will host Early Connections, a recurring play and socialization program for children ages 0-5, and their caregivers, from 10 to 11 a.m. every Tuesday. This program is free. Caregivers must remain with their child for the duration of the program. No registration necessary.

∫ Potential homeowners can find out the steps they need to take to get closer to homeownership. Stop by the Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan offices at 2630 U.S.-23 South in Alpena from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Tuesday for more information.

∫ 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.

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

∫ Sewing Club meets from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday at the Alpena County Library’s Makerspace. This club is open to all skill levels, ages 10 and up. Registration is required for this class by calling Barb Brege at 989-255-8969.

∫ ALL will host a Book Lover’s Gathering from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday at M. Briggs Center. Join Carey Rapin for suggestions from fellow book lovers for your spring/summer reading. Bring a book or two to trade. A list will be made for your reference.

∫ Alpena County Library hosts Tinker Tuesday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Let your curiosity take over and explore! Participants must be age 5 or older.

∫ Pizza Hut will host a tip night fundraiser from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, featuring Kyra and Laura Lancewicz and Shelby and family as guest servers. All tips and donations will go toward medical expenses for Paige Lancewicz to help her and Shayne with expenses associated with her moyamoya disease.

∫ 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.

∫ A women’s cancer support group meets from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in the lobby of the Alpena Cancer Center. This group welcomes women with a past or present cancer diagnosis. This is a safe, confidential, peer-to-peer support group.

∫ Alpena County Library will host a Sea Shanty Singalong at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, led by Great Lakes-based shantyman Ben Traverse. Connect with a centuries-old tradition of communal singing — right in your own port of call.

∫ 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, April 9

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

∫ Friends of the Library will have a used book store open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Wednesday on the third floor of the Alpena County Library. The public is welcome.

∫ 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 from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday mornings for Open MakerLab. If you have questions, 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’s Moveable Feast will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Little Town Lounge, 10026 M-32, Herron. Participants are responsible for the cost of their meal and beverage. Please call the ALL office at 989-358-7207 or e-mail all@alpenacc.edu or register online so the restaurant and coordinator can plan accordingly. Little Town Lounge is a local restaurant/bar on M-32 in Herron. They are well-known for their tender baby back ribs, but offer an extensive menu with friendly staff and ample parking.

∫ Circle of Hope is a women’s only cancer support group that meets from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday at Friends Together. This is a supportive, understanding group of women of all ages, all backgrounds, and all cancers. Unite with others, no matter where you are on your cancer journey. You are not alone. For more information, call 989-356-3231, or drop in. No pre-registration is required.

∫ Anything But A Paintbrush, a free art session for adults, will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Alpena County Library, 211 N. 1st Ave., Alpena. Use your finger, fork, pipe cleaner, a pom pom, or any other wacky tool to create a painting on a 4�–4 canvas. Art supplies and tools will be provided.

∫ 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 cancer support group at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at Alcona Elementary School, 181 N. Barlow Road, Lincoln. This group is for anyone facing cancer, no matter where you are on your journey. You are welcome to bring a support person with you.

∫ 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, April 10

∫ Community Walking Club meets at 9 a.m. every Thursday in the parking lot of the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library.

∫ Join the Alpena County Library Youth Services Department at 9:15 a.m. each Thursday for Weekly Storytime. Come for a few stories, then stay for an activity or craft! All ages are welcome.

∫ 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.

∫ Join Harrisville Yoga instructor Liz McNicholas for Stretch and Strengthen, a free series of yoga classes, open to all, at 1 p.m. every Thursday at the Alcona County Library in Harrisville.

∫ The Montmorency Landowner Education Workshop will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on April 10 at the Hillman Wright Library, 610 Caring St., Hillman. The Headwaters Conservancy is hosting this free meeting about resources available to landowners in Michigan. There will be speakers from local organizations who work with private landowners to steward and manage their land. Seating is limited, so please RSVP at forms.gle/9jgzr61ZoZRscGsh8 or email sglass@headwatersconservancy.org.

∫ ALL will learn about the birds of Duck/Island Park from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at M. Briggs Center. Two members of Thunder Bay Audubon Society will lead you on a photographic tour of Duck/Island Park using a map and photos of birds that you would have a chance of seeing there. At a later time, if you wish to visit the park on your own, take binoculars and camera if you have them, and enjoy. Karen Tetzlaff and Judy Kalmanek have been members of Thunder Bay Audubon Society for many years. Both take part in most TBAS events and have bird feeders at home. There is always something new and exciting to learn about birds, and they love sharing their knowledge with others.

∫ Rogers City Community Theatre presents “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $20 per seat for adults, and $10 per seat for students. The productions will be held at the Rogers Theater, 257 N. Third St., Rogers City. If you have questions, call 708-808-7228. Co-directed by the father and daughter team of Jeff Janowiec and Cozy Janowiec, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” is a musical based on the beloved 1968 film version of Ian Fleming’s children’s book. The play follows the adventures of absent-minded inventor Caractacus Potts, his dear Truly Scrumptious, his father and his two children in the flying car called Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. They get into a plethora of shenanigans in their efforts to outwit a child-hating Baron and Baroness and their Child Catcher henchman. “It’s a really fun musical adventure,” Jeff Janowiec said. “It’s a great family-friendly blockbuster that I think everybody’s going to love.” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” features a cast of 28 actors of all ages.

∫ 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.

​​∫ More than 600 pieces of original artwork by local students will soon be on display in Art in the Loft’s “Young Artist” exhibit, opening with a reception on Thursday. The exhibit will feature artwork in a wide variety of mediums, made by students of all ages, from nearly 30 area schools. An open house reception will kick off the exhibit from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Art in the Loft, at 109 N. 2nd Ave. in downtown Alpena. The exhibit will be on display until April 26.Young artists, their families and friends, and community members are invited to attend the opening reception.

∫ 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, April 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.

∫ Alpena Eagles will host a Friday Fish Fry from 5 to 7 p.m. on Fridays during Lent. The public is welcome, and the cost is $15 per person. The Eagles hall is located at 1960 M-32, Alpena.

∫ The Boys and Girls Club of Alpena’s Bowl for Kids’ Sake Fundraiser will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday at Thunder Bowl Lanes, 2192 U.S.-23, Alpena. This year’s theme is “Let the Good Times Roll.” The cost is $120 per four-person team, which includes a T-shirt, pizza, pop, an hour of bowling, and bowling shoe rental. Prizes will be given for the grooviest outfits, high/low score, and more. There will also be a deer blind raffle, with tickets for $10 each, sponsored by BCubed Manufacturing. The drawing will be held at 8 p.m. All proceeds will support the mentoring programs at the Boys and Girls Club of Alpena. The winner of the deer blind will be responsible for all taxes and hauling the blind. You do not need to be present to win. For more information, team registration, or sponsorship opportunities, call Catt at 989-356-0214.

∫ Rogers City Community Theatre presents “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $20 per seat for adults, and $10 per seat for students. The productions will be held at the Rogers Theater, 257 N. Third St., Rogers City. If you have questions, call 708-808-7228. Co-directed by the father and daughter team of Jeff Janowiec and Cozy Janowiec, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” is a musical based on the beloved 1968 film version of Ian Fleming’s children’s book. “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” features a cast of 28 actors of all ages.

Saturday, April 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. For more information, visit the Friends of the Alpena Farmers Market on Facebook. The Easter Bunny will be visiting the Alpena Farmers Market on Saturday, so bring the little ones out, and pick up some fresh produce and handcrafted goods while you’re there.

∫ The Sunrise Side Co-op Market (indoor farmers market) is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday, with 40 vendors represented weekly for your bakery, farm products, wellness items and high-end gift needs, located in the blue marina building at 401 E. Chisholm St., Alpena.

∫ A spring craft bazaar to benefit Feeding Kids Ministry will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at VFW Post 2496, located at 2900 Connon St., Alpena. The event will feature vendors, a plant sale, vintage book sale, kids’ crafts (freewill donation), a lotto board raffle, and light concessions. The Easter Bunny will be there, and Fat Freddie’s food truck will also be on-site. Admission is $1, or a canned good. Kids get in free. All proceeds will go to Feeding Kids Ministry, a nonprofit organization that provides packed meals to children in need.

∫ An Easter Bake Sale and Journey to the Cross will occur simultaneously from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Peace Lutheran Church in Rogers City. Journey to the Cross is a free gift to the community — an inspirational experience with guided tours that run about every 15 to 20 minutes. A few new features have been added. Peace Lutheran Church is located at 1401 M-68 Highway.

∫ True North Radio Network, McDonald’s, and Alpena Optimist Club present an Easter egg hunt starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the APlex, 701 Woodward Ave., Alpena. This event starts right at 10, and the eggs get scooped up fast, so parents and caregivers are reminded to arrive early enough to park and get their children ready to gather eggs. Children up to age 9 are invited to gather eggs full of candy. Prizes will also be given, from many area sponsors.

∫ The Hubbard Lake Community Association is sponsoring Library Friendship Day from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 12 at the Hubbard Lake Community Center, 1561 Hubert Road. Lunch will be provided by Hubbard Lake Connect. The cost is $12 per person, and seating is limited. The event will feature speaker Darby Hinkley, Alpena native who grew up summering on Hubbard Lake, and daughter of local author Mike Cornelius, who wrote books on Hubbard Lake history. There will also be activities, a silent auction, and prizes. For more information, call Margaret at 989-727-1157.

∫ TriPoint Church of God will host a free Easter egg hunt starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday at 500 S. Brooke St., Alpena (corner of Brooke and Grant). This free community event is open to children up to age 12. Egg hunt areas are set up by age group. Every child will get a prize, and some eggs contain an extra prize. There will also be a bike raffle, with eight bikes being awarded (one girls’ and one boys’ bike per age group). Attendees are asked to arrive between 1:30 and 1:55 p.m. to register for the bike raffle prior to the start of the Easter egg hunt.

∫ Rogers City Community Theatre presents “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $20 per seat for adults, and $10 per seat for students. The productions will be held at the Rogers Theater, 257 N. Third St., Rogers City. If you have questions, call 708-808-7228. Co-directed by the father and daughter team of Jeff Janowiec and Cozy Janowiec, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” is a musical based on the beloved 1968 film version of Ian Fleming’s children’s book. “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” features a cast of 28 actors of all ages. It is a family-friendly adventure audiences will enjoy.