ALPENA — The Association of Lifelong Learners has many September programs on tap, with registration open now.

Unless otherwise noted, programs are held at the Madeline Briggs Center, 665 Johnson St., on the campus of Alpena Community College.

To register, or if you have questions, email all@alpenacc.edu or call the ALL office at 989-358-7207. Office hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. The office is closed on Wednesday. The ALL website is associationoflifelonglearners.org.

Tuesday, Sept. 2

A program on Christianity will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m., led by the Rev. Bob Case. Pretend you are an early Christian and there is no Bible, no Apostle’s or Nicene Creed. There are many Gospels circulating besides the four we know. The Gospels of Mary, Peter, Truth, Light, even a Gospel of Judas, plus many letters being circulated. Who is Jesus and what is the kingdom of God? There are all sorts of answers to these questions, and they all call themselves Christian. There is not one Christianity, and it is not obvious that Christianity would look like it does now. There are people who to this day think there is not one Christianity but several. Take some time, look around at all the different

churches. How would you answer that question?

Case is a pastor emeritus from the First Congregational United Church of Christ and keeps trying to enjoy his full retirement. He continues to offer thoughtful presentations giving ALL members much to consider and ponder.

Thursday, Sept. 4

Our State, Our Stories: The Historical Society of Michigan will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., led by Emily Powell. This program will also be offered via Zoom. Established in 1828, the Historical Society of Michigan is Michigan’s oldest cultural organization and helps connect Michigan’s past to its residents and organizations through programs and events, publications, awards, workshops, networking opportunities, and support for local history organizations.

Attendees will learn about HSM’s key initiatives–such as Michigan History magazine, History Hounds lectures, and regional history conferences — and how individuals and communities can get involved in celebrating and sustaining Michigan’s past.

Powell is the Senior Manager for Events at the Historical Society of Michigan. She holds both a B.A. and M.A. in Anthropology from Western Michigan University. After spending several years in the field of historical archaeology, Powell transitioned to museum work, dedicating a decade to outreach and education. Her work today combines a love of event planning with a passion for connecting people — through stories, shared history, and access to valuable resources. She is especially committed to creating inclusive, engaging programs that build community through history.

Tuesday, Sept. 9

Learn about Operation Christmas Child from 1:30 to 3 p.m., led by Jackie Barber and Meg Goerke. Barber will explain the purpose of Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child is a part of Samaritan’s Purse. She will discuss choosing items that are allowable for shipment to over 100 countries. She will discuss which items are needed as well as the cost of shipment and how to motivate the giving spirit.

Goerke went on a distribution of shoeboxes and will share her experiences in Peru. Her time there was life-changing and you can feel it as she speaks. Times and items will be available for anyone who would like to pack a shoebox.

Barber has been packing shoeboxes since 2005 and is the area drop-off leader as well as church relation lead. As a drop-off leader, it’s her job to collect the shoeboxes from individuals and churches in the Alpena and Roger City areas and get them to Gaylord for their next journey. Her job as church relation lead is to try and get churches to pack boxes and to assist churches that already pack boxes.

Goerke is the Area Coordinator for the Tip of the Mitt from Cheboygan to Elk Rapids and over to Alpena. She started packing boxes in 2000 and became the drop-off leader for Indian River in 2006 then Area Coordinator in 2016. In 2024 she was selected to be part of a Vision Team to Peru after praying for the opportunity for 24 years.

Thursday, Sept. 11

INK ON THE SCREEN, Part Two: With Special Introduction by Doug Pugh will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

If you missed the first half ofthe double feature, no problem. This entertaining and informative look at newspaper movies will cover entirely different material, as old-time journalist Tom Ferguson (Detroit Free Press, Cleveland Plain Dealer, etc.) discusses some favorite newspaper films. The program will include smoking, drinking, language, and flashing lights (but only in the video clips shown).

Ferguson worked as an editor and reporter at several of the country’s smallest newspapers and two of its biggest (the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News) before moving on to what he calls “freelance word-pushing” — mostly editing and ghosting books and speeches. He is so old that he and his Free Press colleagues had pre-VCR popcorn parties with a rented movie and 16 mm projector.

Monday, Sept. 15

Booklovers Gathering with Carey Rapin will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

As we enter into fall and possibly into more serious reading, we welcome you to join our Gathering to share your ideas and hear those of others about possibilities of future reads. A list is compiled for your future reference.

Consider joining our “warm and friendly” group. This is one of Rapin’s most enjoyable days with ALL.

Tuesday, Sept. 16 and Wednesday, Sept. 17

Tour of the Collection of Dr. Aeneas Constantine from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at 307 N. U.S.-23, Harrisville.

Attendees must register for this program. No walk-ins will be allowed.

Are you a collector? Stamps perhaps, coins, books? No matter what you collect, or even if you don’t collect, you will be astounded by the vast material collected by the late Dr. Aeneas Constantine, a well-known physician in Harrisville. Once you have seen this unique trove of eclectic articles, you will likely talk about it for years. Join Roger Lemons, trustee of the collection, for an overview and tour of this amazing material. Lemons, nearly a lifelong resident of Harrisville, was once a patient of the doctor’s and has developed a passion for the doctor’s passion. The tour will take place in Harrisville and is limited each day to 15 individuals who, due to limited parking, are encouraged to carpool. Because this is a limited tour, it is being offered on two different days to enable more people to attend. So sign up early! If you are successful in gaining a spot and later find that you cannot attend, please let the coordinator know so that someone else can have your spot.

Lemons has been the State Farm Insurance agent in Harrisville for many years. He also operated a successful photo business, hauled by horses, on Mackinac Island where in one three-month period, he photographed around 50 weddings. He loves to ski, heads up the Old Timers Baseball Game every summer in Harrisville, loves to swim in Lake Huron with his dog Redford, but most of all loves to acquaint people with Dr. Constantine’s collection. In that regard, he started the Harrisville Institute of Cultural Learning in 2006, which has an inventory of over a million items.

Tuesday, Sept. 16

ALL Photography Club meets from 7 to 9 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month, at M. Briggs Center and via Zoom.

Join in the discussions about photographic techniques and equipment. Or just

stop in and check out some of the photos from club members and visitors. All

skill levels are welcome.

Wednesday, Sept. 17

ALL will take a Downtown Mural Tour of the Fresh Waves murals from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., beginning at the Aquatic Mural in the pocket park next to Mangos on Chisholm Street.

Fresh Waves is a public arts initiative that was created in 2019 to introduce vibrant, one-of-a-kind artwork to Downtown Alpena. The program continues to expand with a variety of new murals this year. Come join us as we take a walk through downtown while we learn about some of the murals in the downtown area. After the tour, ALL will gather for a Moveable Feast at Hopside Brewery (please register separately for lunch).

Anne Gentry has been Executive Director of the Alpena Downtown Development Authority since Spring 2017, where she manages day-to-day operations and leads execution of DDA goals, programs, and strategies. She graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature, with a concentration on English and Italian literature. She has also studied in Bologna, Italy and in Adelaide, South Australia. She grew up in Alpena and is proud to be a part of downtown’s renaissance in her role at the DDA.

Wednesday, Sept. 17

ALL’s September Moveable Feast will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Hopside Brewery on Chisholm Street in downtown Alpena.

Each participant is responsible for the cost of their meal and drink.

In conjunction with the downtown Alpena mural tour, ALL will meet for lunch at Hopside Brewery and Distillery. If you are unable to attend either the tour or lunch, please don’t let that keep you from enjoying the other event. Please call the ALL office at 989-358-7207 or email all@alpenacc.edu or register online so the restaurant and coordinator can plan accordingly.

Hopside Brewery and Distillery is the dream of five local owners who started home-brewing beer and have turned their talents to opening a microbrewery and Alpena’s first legal distillery. All beers and spirits are 100% made in house from all natural and locally-sourced ingredients.

Thursday, Sept. 18

Suncatchers Stained Glass Project will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. at Suncatchers LLC, 106 N. 2nd Ave., Alpena.

The cost is $25 per person, payable to Suncatchers on the day of the workshop.

Come learn a new craft at this stained glass workshop. You will create, make and take home a small stained glass project – it’s a simple two-piece leaf with a stem done in fall colors — the perfect fall decoration in your house.

Terri Powers purchased Suncatchers LLC, formerly My Glass Wings, in January to prevent the doors from closing permanently. Powers was a student and attendee at the shop for four years and learned a lot about the business prior to purchasing it. The goal is to provide a fun space for people to create works of glass art through make it and take it workshops and instructor-led classes as well as a place to purchase glass art and other unique gifts.

Tuesday, Sept. 23

Alpena Bus Tour of Vintage Homes will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thunder Bay Transportation Authority bus boarding will start at 1:10 p.m. in the parking lot behind Alpena City Hall, with a 1:30 p.m. departure time.

The cost is $15 per attendee. Boarding passes will be sold at ALL office starting Sept. 15 on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be no refunds unless your seat is filled from the wait list. A wait list will be maintained and you will be called by the coordinator if a seat becomes available.

Curious about the history of Alpena vintage homes? Who built them? Who has lived in them? Which house was the home of the 33rd governor of Michigan? We all know the stone castle Henry house on State, but what about the three houses that were built for wedding gifts? This year’s vintage house tour will include six vintage homes and their histories. There will be personal memories from residents who currently live in the distinguished homes. We will not tour inside the homes.

Ellen Runkel Eagan moved to Alpena in August 1952 and had the privilege and pleasure of growing up in the rectory at 135 1st Ave., one of the houses on the tour. Eagan holds bachelor and master’s degrees in speech pathology from Western Michigan University. She worked at Northeast Michigan Community Mental Health Services, MyMichigan Medical Center, and Alpena Community College, where she taught psychology for 30-plus years. She has served on the board of Hope Shores Alliance and coordinates Sunday Supper and the food pantry at Trinity Episcopal Church. Married to John Eagan, a retired psychiatric social worker, she enjoys Viking River Cruises, reading non-stop on her Kindle, NYT word games, and cooking.

Thursday, Sept. 25

AHS Tech Workshop will be held from 3 to 5 p.m.

Bring any and all of your technology devices that are giving you headaches to this workshop, as well as all your questions.

The Alpena High School students of DECA Club are here to help. These students know it all; if one can’t help, another can. Club Advisor Amanda Pilarski also shares her knowledge and skills. This is one-on-one help that focuses on your situation and concerns. The students participate in various statewide competitions in the spring. If you find their skills helpful and valuable, any donation to help offset

the expense of these competitions would be appreciated.

Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) is a high school and college program for students interested in business. The organization prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.

How to Purchase ALL Presque Isle Bus Tour Tickets

Tour Date and Time: October 16, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Only 45 seats are available on the tour bus. Tickets go on sale to ALL members

at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24, on a first-come, first-sold basis. Ticket price for ALL members is $35 and includes lunch, snacks and water. If seats remain available after Oct. 1, sales will be open to the general public for $45.

Unsold tickets will be available in the ALL office after the initial sale during regular business hours. When you come to buy your ticket(s) please wear your ALL name tag and provide the name of any other ALL member for whom you are purchasing a ticket. Cash or check only. A brief information form is required from each participant. All sales are final. No refunds unless we can fill your seat. ALL will keep a waiting list for those seeking tickets after all seats are sold.

Thursday, Sept. 25

September Happening — Presenters will be from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Alpena County Library. Please save this date to help ALL celebrate and recognize the past year’s presenters. More information will be shared as the details are finalized.

Tuesday, Sept. 30

A tour of the Boys and Girls Club of Alpena will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. at the club, 801 Miller St.

The Boys and Girls Club of Alpena provides a safe, supportive, and fun environment where youth in Northeast Michigan can learn, grow, and thrive. Serving young people ages 5 to 18, the club offers comprehensive after-school and summer programming focused on academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character development.

Bradley Somers, Chief Executive Officer, Boys and Girls Club of Alpena, has worked with the Boys and Girls Club organization for 25 years in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Alpena. He started as an AmeriCorps volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club of Alpena in 1999, transitioned to a youth development professional, volunteer director and unit director. Eventually he took over as the CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Alpena 2011. Somers is a graduate of Business Administration from Eastern Michigan University. He is married to his beautiful wife Felonie and they have two kids, Zennon (7 years old) and Zuri (9 years old).

Tuesday, Sept. 30

A Changing Life Experience From Nigeria to the USA will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Journey with family, to the seminary, to priesthood, to assignment in the Diocese Of Gaylord and then Alpena. Father’s experience will include the Nigerian culture, politics, religion and the Boko Haram crisis.

The Rev. Emmanuel Finbar is an ordained priest and the pastor of All Saints Parish in Alpena. He is a native of Nigeria and open to sharing his experiences in Nigeria with a comparison of our life in the USA and the Diocese Of Gaylord.