Courtesy Photo Next up in the Sanctuary Lecture Series is Warfighter Scuba: Decompress the Stress on Wednesday at the NOAA Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena.

~ 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 Juried Art Exhibit and Chuck Schroeder’s solo art exhibit, both on display now through Oct. 29 at 491 Johnson St., Alpena.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 is open from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at 121 S. State St., Hillman. Brush Creek Mill is open year-round and features a gift shop, a variety of events and activities, a memorial garden on Brush Creek, and the Hillman Area Historical and Genealogy Society Museum.

Today, Aug. 19

~ 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 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.

~ ALL will host How Can Home Care Help You? The program, led by Sonia Taylor, will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. today at M. Briggs Center. Learn about home care programs, what they do, who is qualified, what is covered, how long you can get the service, and more. Taylor has been a nurse for 30+ years and loves the northern living. She has been at MyMichigan since she moved here from Idaho four years ago. She managed inpatient discharge planning and then moved to the manager of Home Care nearly a year ago.

~ Coping Through Loss With Christ, a grief/loss group, will meet from 2 to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays 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.

~ Friends Together presents Art With Friends – Easy Block Printing, instructed by Melissa Burns, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. today at 105 Prentiss St., Alpena. In this Summer Harvest Block Printing class, learn simple ways to create and print beautiful designs inspired by Northeast Michigan’s vegetable gardens. No experience required. Whether you are creating art or appreciating it, the emotional response is meaningful in many ways. Learn to harness the power of creativity and beauty through art while engaging with others who have been impacted by cancer. Whether you are a current patient, a survivor, a caregiver, or a loved one of someone who had a cancer diagnosis, you are welcome to attend this free class. This is a recurring class offered on the third Tuesday of each month. Topics and instructors change monthly. To register, call Friends Together at 989-356-3231.

~ 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.

~ ALL will host Photography Club from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at M. Briggs Center and via Zoom. For the link, visit associationoflifelonglearners.org, or email all@alpenacc.edu. Call 989-358-7207 for more information.

~ Karaoke Night is from 7 to 10 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Black Sheep Pub in downtown Alpena.

Wednesday, Aug. 20

~ 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.

~ 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 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.

~ Warfighter Scuba: Decompress the Stress is a free lecture at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at the NOAA Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. The program will be presented by Kevin Sheard, Warfighter Scuba board member and technical diver. The public is invited to come learn about Warfighter Scuba, a nonprofit dedicated to helping combat-wounded veterans heal through the transformative power of scuba diving. This month, a group of Purple Heart recipients are coming to Alpena to work with Warfighter Scuba. Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (TBNMS) offers an extraordinary opportunity to explore maritime history while engaging in meaningful, hands-on conservation work. Sheard will share how scuba diving not only supports physical and mental rehabilitation for veterans, but also empowers them to become citizen scientists — helping TBNMS with documenting historic shipwrecks, monitoring aquatic life, and collecting data. Expect a fascinating blend of personal stories, underwater exploration, and cutting-edge therapy that’s changing lives. Learn how the serenity of diving and the strength of community are helping veterans rediscover purpose and connection — all while contributing to the preservation of sanctuary resources.

~ 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, Aug. 21

~ 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.

~ 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.

~ ALL will host its Moveable Feast from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Fireside Inn in Presque Isle, 18730 Fireside Highway. Join the ALL Moveable Feast at the historic Fireside Inn on beautiful Grand Lake for a delicious, family-style, all-inclusive dinner of chicken alfredo. The meal includes a salad bar, entrée, beverage, and dessert for $16 per person. For those who prefer a meatless meal, you can order a salad bar, beverage, and dessert for $13. Be sure to bring cash, a checkbook, or a friend who has either since credit cards are not accepted here. Call the ALL office at 989-358-7207 or email all@alpenacc.edu or register online so the restaurant and coordinator can plan accordingly. The Kauffman family built the Inn and opened in 1908, and the current owners (the McConnell family) are celebrating 50 years of ownership this year. The Inn was featured on “Under the Radar” and boasts the second longest “board” porch in Michigan – second only to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. You will not be “bored” sitting on this porch relaxing while you gaze at Grand Lake. If you come early, relax until they ring the dinner bell!

~ Spratt United Methodist Church will host a soup, sandwich, dessert and drink dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. The cost is $12 per adult, and free for children ages 12 and younger. Proceeds go to local charities and scholarships for local students. The church is located at 7440 M-65 South, one mile south of Werth Road, in Lachine.

~ Tween/Teen Laser Tag will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday in the Stillion Conference Room at Alpena County Library, open to ages 9 to 17. For more information, contact James at jdevault@alpenalibrary.org or 989-356-6188, ext. 23.

~ 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.

~ Free Summer Splash Volleyball for teens in grades 7 to 12 will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays, Aug. 21 and 28, at the Alpena Plaza Pool, located at Alpena High School. This event is sponsored by the Alpena County Youth and Recreation Grant and Friends of Plaza Pool.

Friday, Aug. 22

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

~ Grace Lutheran Church will host a rummage sale from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday and Saturday at the church, 119 W. Dunbar St., Alpena. The sale is a fundraiser to continue the church’s quilting mission. All items will be sold by donation.

~ 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.

~ Representative Cam Cavitt will host a coffee hour from 1 to 2 p.m. on Friday at The White Elk Coffee House, 12315 State St., Atlanta. No appointments are necessary to attend the meetings. Those who are unable to attend but would still like to share their thoughts with the representative may call his Lansing office at 517-373-0833 or email CamCavitt@house.mi.gov.

~ 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.

~ Grace Episcopal Church will host its monthly dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, with grilled hot dogs, assorted salads, sandwiches, ice cream and homemade desserts. The cost is by donation. The church is located at 13488 Long Rapids Road, Lachine.

~ Katharsys Theory has announced their final performance will take place at 9:30 p.m. on Friday during this year’s French Road Bash, located at 3461 French Road, Alpena. Formed in 2018, Katharsys Theory began their journey playing small venues across Northern Michigan. Over the past five years, the band achieved national recognition and earned spots on major rock festival lineups alongside some of the genre’s biggest names. The band will be stepping away from the stage indefinitely as frontman and guitarist Carlos Vivero prepares for a major personal milestone: a kidney transplant. Diagnosed in 2022 with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) — a rare kidney disease — Vivero is currently on the transplant list with two potential donors identified. Katharsys Theory will be performing a 90-minute set packed with fan favorites and high-energy rock. For more information about the event, follow French Road Bash on Facebook.

Saturday, Aug. 23

~ 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.

~ 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.

~ Support local artists and businesses at the first-ever Local Makers Market at Paul Bunyan Family Campground, 2498 E. Hubert Road. The event, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, will feature a variety of local makers offering unique, handcrafted, and locally made goods. The event will be held in the pavilion and near the community bonfire area.

~ Art in the Loft will host a Faux Stained Glass Workshop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Whether you’re a beginner or just looking for a fun project, this hands-on workshop is a great way to unleash your inner artist. Just bring your creativity. Spots and designs are limited, be sure to register early to reserve your space. For more information, visit artintheloft.org, or call 989-356-4877. Art in the Loft is located on the third floor of the Center Building, 109 N. 2nd Ave. in downtown Alpena.

~ Strings Attached will perform modern rock from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Alpena Bandshell at Bay View Park, as part of True North Radio Network’s Summer Concert Series.

Sunday, Aug. 24

~ Posen VFW Post 7804 will host a breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday at the VFW Hall. The menu includes eggs to order, pancakes, hash browns, sausage, ham, biscuits and gravy, and desserts. The cost is $10 per adult, $5 per child ages 5 to 12, and free for children under age 5. The building is handicap accessible, and takeouts will be available.

~ Community Church in the Park will be held at 8:30 a.m. every Sunday during August at the Alpena Bandshell at Bay View Park. First United Methodist Church invites you to come and enjoy coffee, juice and snacks as you worship in this beautiful lakeshore setting.

~ Join Alcona Humane Society, Huron Humane Society, and Reborn Rescue for an in-person meet and greet of adoptable pets from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Water Street Commons, 123 Water St., downtown Alpena.

~ Hope Lutheran Church will host a Strawberry Social at 11 a.m. Sunday, following the 10 a.m. worship service. The event will feature strawberry shortcake, ice cream, iced tea and coffee and some great fellowship. This event is sponsored by the Outreach Committee, and freewill offerings will be accepted. The church is located at 5462 W. Nicholson Hill Road, Hubbard Lake.

~ 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.