Courtesy Photo Julie Gandulla stands behind the counter of her new store, Rewildings, at 526 W. Chisholm St., Alpena. Her grand opening is Friday and Saturday.

~ Art in the Loft’s “SummerView” exhibit is on display now through Sept. 6 at 109 N. 2nd Ave. in Alpena. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Classes are offered, and scholarships are available. Visit artintheloft.org, or call 989-356-4877.

~ Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan presents the Northeast Michigan Artists’ Guild’s annual exhibit “Anything Goes,” now through July 30. This Saturday is the annual Log Cabin Day, with old-fashioned demonstrations and family-friendly activities in the Historic Village in the museum’s back yard. 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.

~ Thunder Bay Arts Gallery, 127 W. Chisholm St., Alpena, is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Visit thunderbayarts.org or call 989-354-2586.

~ Brush Creek Mill presents the Northeast Michigan Artists Guild’s annual exhibit, “It Figures,” on display now through June 28. Brush Creek Mill is open from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at 121 S. State St., Hillman.

Tuesday, July 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. For more information, call 989-255-4787.

~ Alpena County Library hosts Early Connections, a socialization program for children ages newborn to 5, and their caregivers, from 10 to 11 a.m. every Tuesday. 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.

~ 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 welcome.

~ Alpena Senior Citizens Center offers quilting at 10 a.m. and Spitzer at 12:30 p.m. each Tuesday.

~ The Alpena High School Class of 1953 will meet at 11:30 a.m. today at Twin Acres 19th Hole. Call Jeanne with questions at 989-356-0606.

~ 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, or call 989-464-5313.

~ Coping Through Loss With Christ, a grief/loss group, will meet from 2 to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, starting today, at the Holy Cross Cemetery office. Then, a job loss and other forms of loss group will meet at 6:30 p.m on Tuesdays at the Friendship Room in Alpena. For more information, contact Seth Peters at 989-354-3019. All are welcome.

~ Alpena County Library hosts Tinker Tuesday from 4 to 5:30 p.m., for ages 5 and older.

~ Bay View Center hosts a diversity support meeting at 4 p.m. each Tuesday for those in the LGBTQ community, their families, and supporters, at 710 N. 2nd Ave. 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 safe, confidential, peer-to-peer support group welcomes women with a past or present cancer diagnosis.

~ Cub Scouts meet from 6 to 7 p.m., and BSA 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, July 9

~ Friends of the Library’s used book store is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Wednesday at Alpena County Library.

~ Alpena Senior Citizens Center exercise is from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

~ Guys Like Us, a Wednesday morning coffee crew of men coping with cancer, meets at 10 a.m. at Friends Together and via Zoom. Call 989-356-3231 for the link.

~ Join the Alpena County Library from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays for Open MakerLab. Staff help is available. Participants ages 5 to 15 will need parental supervision. Call 989-356-6188, ext. 20.

~ ALL will host The Lost Art of Handshaping Surfboards and Surfing on the Great Lakes from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday at M. Briggs Center. Get ready to dive into the mesmerizing world of surfboard craftsmanship with Joshua Weisfeld, a Maui native. This dynamic presentation will take you behind the scenes of a fading tradition — the meticulous, hands-on process of building custom surfboards from scratch. Whether you’re a surf junkie, a design enthusiast, or simply love the spirit of the ocean or the Great Lakes, you’ll be inspired by the skill, patience, and passion poured into every handcrafted board. Weisfeld and his family relocated to Alpena in 2023 where he discovered the Great Lakes’ thriving freshwater surf scene. He continues to handcraft high-quality surfboards, blending his oceanic expertise with freshwater needs, all while keeping the spirit of traditional surfboard craftsmanship alive — salt-free stoke in every board.

~ Alpena County Library Tech Help is from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

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

~ S.T.E.A.M. meets at 1 p.m. Wednesdays at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library. Homeschooled and alternatively schooled youth participate in a weekly S.T.E.A.M. activity.

~ Moon Market Wednesday is held from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Alpena Marina, 400 E. Chisholm St., Alpena.

~ Circle of Hope is a women’s only cancer support group 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. Call 989-356-3231, or drop in.

~ Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona’s Great Start Collaborative will host a Family Fun Day event from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Rotary Splash Park at Starlite Beach in Alpena. This event is for families and caregivers with children ages birth to 12 years old, and older siblings are also welcome. Activities will include chalk painting and a scavenger hunt. If you have questions, call 989-354-3101.

~ Alpena Sportsmen’s Club, at 4260 M-32 West in Alpena, is open to members and non-members. Skeet and sporting clay shooting are from 5:45 p.m. until dark on Wednesdays, and from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. 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., Alpena.

Thursday, July 10

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

~ Weekly Storytime will be held from 9:15 to 10:10 a.m. on Thursday at Alpena County Library, 211 N. 1st Ave. This free program is for ages newborn to 5. Two sessions are offered: 9:15 and 9:45 a.m. Participants read a story, sing a song and move, and finish with a craft.

~ 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. Call 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 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.

~ ALL presents Greenland — Why would anybody want it? This program, led by Rocky Roland, will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at M. Briggs Center. Historically, the Vikings and many other groups and nations — most recently the United States — have shown interest in Greenland due to its strategic location, natural resources, and potential for military advantages. The island’s position in the Arctic, along with its abundant minerals and proximity to Europe and Asia, has made it a desirable target for various reasons throughout history. This presentation will trace the history of Greenland and its emergence as a strategic entity in modern geo-politics.

~ Needles and Threads group is from 2:30 to 4:30 pm every Thursday at the Grand Lake branch of Presque Isle District Library, 18132 Lake Esau Highway. Bring your latest knitting, crocheting, sewing, needlepoint, or other crafts. Call 989-734-2477, ext. 2.

~ Alpena County Library will host Reading Buddies/Peer Buddies from 5 to 5:45 p.m. on Thursdays through Aug. 14, in two four-week sessions. Reading Buddies is an opportunity for youth going into kindergarten through third grade to read with their older peers. Peer Buddies will help participants navigate the collection, build literacy skills, and learn to love reading. Peer Buddies need to be in fourth grade or higher. If Peer Buddies need volunteer hours, you must follow the guidelines for a work permit at https://bit.ly/43nwyd5. Snacks will be provided for all participants. This program counts toward Summer Reading goals. Reading Volunteers/Peers register at https://bit.ly/3FbeVFh. Reading Buddies/Readers register at https://bit.ly/4jYLRA0. For more information, contact the youth department at 989-356-6188, ext. 23.

~ The Gone To Pieces Quilt Guild will hold their monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday with a picnic dinner followed by games, gifts and the meeting. Members are asked to bring three summer-themed fat quarters to the meeting at First United Methodist Church, 167 S. Ripley Blvd., Alpena. Guests are welcome. For more information, call Jane at 989-916-9284

~ 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 host an outdoor concert at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Alpena Bandshell at Bay View Park. The band will play every Thursday through Aug. 7. Themed concerts will be the Children’s Concert on July 24, and the Polka Concert on Aug. 7. Bring a lawn chair for an hour of relaxing band music. The Alpena City Band rehearses every Tuesday at ACC’s Granum Theatre. All interested musicians are welcome to attend. The band is among Alpena’s longer-established civic organizations. It is a nonprofit organization and relies upon community support for its continuing existence. Donations can be made to Alpena City Band, P.O. Box 14, Alpena, MI 49707.

Friday, July 11

~ The Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Good Morning Alpena breakfast and program on Friday, July 11 at E-Free Church Alpena Campus, 500 N. 2nd Ave., Alpena.

Come learn about E-Free Church’s community involvement, as well as local economic development, the Chamber and more. Breakfast starts at 7 a.m. followed by the program at 7:30 a.m. The cost is $12 per person, and advanced registration is required to info@alpenachamber.com or 989-354-4181. This program is sponsored by E-Free Church.

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

~ ALL will host a Walking Visit to Island Park from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Friday, led by Judy Kalmanek. This is an opportunity to learn some history of Duck Park and Island Park, learn about the flora and fauna, and the revised plans for the Thunder Bay River Center.

~ 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.

~ Rewildings, a new zero waste store and more, will host its Grand Opening on Friday and Saturday at 526 W. Chisholm St., Alpena. On Friday, a ribbon cutting with the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce will be held at 12:30 p.m., followed by the in-store event with refreshments and cake. Then at 5 p.m., a Time in Nature mini class will be offered. On Saturday, a pour over demo and taste testing will be held at 12:30 p.m. and then at 3 p.m., Julie Gandulla, Rewildings owner and the author of The Magic Book Series, will host a meet and greet with a short reading, Q & A, and a take-home activity. Rewildings is a zero waste store, which means you bring your own bags and containers for bulk herbs, spices, natural cleaning supplies, and many more sustainable products. RSVP at rewildings.net.

~ ALL hosts contract bridge from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Fridays at M. Briggs Center.

~ The Hillman VFW Post 2356 hosts its Friday Night Fish Fry from 4 to 7 p.m. every Friday, with your choice of fish or shrimp, potato, coleslaw, roll, and drink. The fish fry is open to the public, and the cost is $13 for the fish dinner or $15 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.

Saturday, July 12

~ The Alpena Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays at Mich-e-ke-wis Park, 1302 State Ave. in Alpena. Visit the Friends of the Alpena Farmers Market on Facebook. On the second Saturday of the month from May to September, The Alpena Farmers Market will host a vintage and artisan market along with the other regular market vendors. If you are interested in participating in this special event, please contact Tim Allen from Chippewa Valley Leatherworks at 989-590-0263.

~ The Alpena Garden Club will host a Garden Tour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, featuring seven beautiful gardens in the area. Tickets are available for $10 apiece at the Alpena Senior Citizens Center and Real Estate One on Chisholm Street in Alpena.

~ The Sunrise Side Co-op 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, at the Alpena Marina at 400 E. Chisholm St., Alpena.

~ The Besser Car Show will be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Besser Company parking lot, 801 Johnson St., Alpena. Registration is from 11 a.m. to noon. This free community event is for all ages, and there are no costs to register or attend. All makes and builds are welcome. Take a tour of Besser facilities and learn about history and developments. This is a rain or shine event.

~ True North Radio Network’s Summer Concert Series continues from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Alpena Bandshell at Bay View Park, featuring Whiskey 6. Upcoming concerts include Risque Band on Aug. 9, Jedi Mind Trip on Aug. 16, and Strings Attached on Aug. 23.

Sunday, July 13

~ 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.