News Photo by Darby Hinkley Mitchel Dipzinski, Art in the Loft director of outreach, stands in front of artwork by Kamara Marsh in "Hello Yellow" which opens with an artist reception at 6 p.m. Thursday.

~ Art in the Loft, located at 109 N. 2nd Ave. in Alpena, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The “Hello Yellow” juried art exhibit opens at 6 p.m. Thursday with a reception, open to the public, with live music, appetizers, a chance to talk with artists, all in a beautiful gallery atmosphere. “Hello Yellow” will be on display through Nov. 1. 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. The Featured Artists for September and October are Northern Michigan Fiber Festival Artists, including Kate Goodrich-Arling, Diane Block, Shelia Robbins, Marion Jagst, and Connie Stafford. For more information, 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. The Applefest Arts and Craft Show and Apple Pie Contest will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at Brush Creek Mill.

Today, Sept. 30

~ 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.

~ ALL will tour the Boys and Girls Club of Alpena from 10 to 11 a.m. today at 801 W. Miller St., Alpena. 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. Boys and Girls Club CEO Bradley Somers 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. He took over as the CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Alpena in 2011.

~ 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.

~ The VFW 2496 Canteen at 2900 Connon St. in Alpena will be holding Euchre games at 1 p.m. every Tuesday. Come one, come all!

~ ALL will learn about A Changing Life Experience From Nigeria to the USA from 1:30 to 3 p.m. today at M. Briggs Center and via Zoom. Journey with family, to the seminary, to priesthood, to assignment in the Diocese Of Gaylord and then Alpena. Father Emmanuel Finbar’s experience will include the Nigerian culture, politics, religion and the Boko Haram crisis. Finbar is an ordained priest and the Pastor of All Saints Catholic 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.

~ 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.

~ In the program, “Lake Monsters of the Great Lakes,” Michigan-based author and paranormal travel journalist Shetan Noir will present accounts of historical sightings of monsters in the Great Lakes. She will share the legends of the creatures that may be lurking beneath the surface of the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth. The free program will be from 6 to 7 p.m. at Alpena County Library.

~ 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, Oct. 1

~ 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.

~ ALL’s Writing Workshop with Mary Ann Krajnik Crawford will be from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at M. Briggs Center. Sessions will examine issues with writing, share techniques for writing and revising, and practice some editing. Participants write between sessions, share their writing at sessions, and get feedback that they can use for revising and polishing their stories.

Crawford has been a personal journal writer and teacher of writing for many years. She retired from Central Michigan University as emeritus professor of English and director of the Writing Center and continues to write for the fun of it.

~ Tech Help is from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday at the Alpena County Library. Do you have a gadget that you need a little help with or a tech question that you need an answer to? Get help with your computer, phone, or tablet from the library’s knowledgeable and patient staff.

~ 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.

~ ALL’s Hands-on Bakery Cookie Baking will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday at Alpena Senior Citizens Center, 501 River St. The cost is $8 for ingredients, payable at the program. We will be making Levain Bakery copycat cookies – chocolate chip with pecans, dark chocolate

chocolate chip, White chocolate chip with macadamia nuts and cranberries, caramel coconut chocolate chip, and peanut butter. We will taste test our efforts when done baking. You will be given copies of the recipes. Bring a container to take some cookies home, too. Program leader Lisa Rosenbeck is recently retired and loves to bake.

~ 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.

~ Wild Wednesday Karaoke Night is from 6 to 9 p.m. each Wednesday at Bolton Ridge Bar and Grill, 9101 Bolton Road. If you show up early, happy hour is from 3 to 5 p.m.

~ 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, Oct. 2

~ 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.

~ Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan invites the public to celebrate new homeowners and tour three nearly completed homes from noon to 3 p.m. on Thursday. The homes open to the public for walk-through tours and refreshments on Oct. 2 are located at 307, 317, and 321 Bedford Street. The open house will be followed by Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan’s Annual Dinner at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, 500 W. Fletcher Street, Alpena. Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) CEO and Executive Director Amy Hovey, representing Michigan’s largest funder of affordable housing, will deliver the keynote address. If the federal government is shut down on Oct. 2 due to pending budget approval, the annual dinner will be relocated to JJ’s Steakhouse, Phoenix Room, 411 N. 2nd Ave., Alpena. Limited tickets are still available for $75 each. For more information, visit www.habitatnemi.org, call 989-354-5555, or visit the office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 2360 U.S.-23 South, Alpena.

~ 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.

~ Etched in Stone, and Keeping It That Way: Helping Grave Markers Leave Their Mark is an ALL program from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Holy Cross Cemetery, 1300 W. Washington Ave., Alpena. This hands-on program is led by Granite Gardens Tombstone Preservationists MikePhillips and Danyeal Dorr. They will have ALL members working with them inpreserving and restoring a cemetery monument. Participants should be dressed for the weather and the hands-on participation of restoring and preserving oneof these monuments.

~ 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.

~ 105.7 The Bird and Friends Together bring you the “Chopped Challenge” from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Players Pub & Grub, 113 S. 9th Ave., Alpena. The Bird’s morning DJ Leo and station listener Justin are facing off in a fun fundraising challenge for Friends Together. If either challenger reaches their minimum goal of raising $1,057 for Friends Together, they will get their long hair cut live by Suzi at Player’s Pub & Grub on Thursday. The “Chopped Challenge Party” will feature food and drink specials, games and raffles. Contestant haircuts by Suzi from Salon Suzi will happen after 6 p.m. Hair will be donated to “Wigs for Kids” for children’s wigs/hair pieces. The challenger raising the most money for Friends Together wins bragging rights and the “GOAT” Trophy! Are you Team Leo or Team Justin?

~ Art in the Loft’s “Hello Yellow” juried art exhibit opens at 6 p.m. Thursday with a reception, open to the public, with live music, appetizers, a chance to talk with artists, all in a beautiful gallery atmosphere. “Hello Yellow” will be on display through Nov. 1. Classes are offered, and scholarships are available. Visit artintheloft.org, or call 989-356-4877.

~ 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.

~ Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, 2026 Gubernatorial Candidate, will visit with constituents from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday at PIF Cider, 205 W. Chisholm St., downtown Alpena.

Friday, Oct. 3

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

~ 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 contract bridge is 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.

~ Yoga with Puppies, a fundraising event to help raise funds to send Alpena athletes from the USA Powerlifting Team to South Africa for the WPC World Championships, will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday at Canine Communication, 310 B W. Chisholm St., Alpena. Yoga with Puppies will be hosted by the lovely Tina Robbins who is not only a yoga instructor but also one of the Powerlifters representing Alpena internationally at the competition. Come wish her well and get in a super fun practice, sure to be full of giggles and maybe even a bark or two! A minimum donation of $20 is appreciated. Please bring your own yoga mat if you have one, as there will be a limited number available to borrow.

~ Get your spook on! Enjoy a nice stroll through the Haunted Trail from 7:30 to 11 p.m. each Friday and Saturday night at 3746 Elm Highway, Posen. The cost is $10 per person. The Haunted Trail will be open Fridays and Saturday from Oct. 3 through Nov. 1.

Saturday, Oct. 4

~ The 19th annual Zonta Walks for Women will begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday starting from the NOAA Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, 500 W. Fletcher St., Alpena. Zonta’s Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk raises funds for local breast cancer initiatives and honors individuals affected by breast cancer. The event will be held rain or shine. Registration is $25 per person, and includes a T-shirt. On-site registration is from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., followed by opening remarks and the walk.

~ Brush Creek Mill, 121 S. State St., Hillman, will host its annual Applefest Arts and Craft Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4. The event will feature homemade hot apple dumplings with caramel sauce, ice cream, an apple pie contest with cash prizes, a bucket raffle for contest pies, an arts and craft sale, and the River’s Edge gift shop will be open.

Pre-order frozen dumplings to take home for $8 per two-piece bag with baking directions. To order, call 989-742-2527 or fill out the form at brushcreekmill.org. The office is open from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Pre-orders must be prepaid by Sept. 27. If you would like to enter an apple pie into the contest, call the Brush Creek Mill office.

~ 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.

~ Come celebrate the season with a day full of discovery, creativity, and community spirit at Besser Museum’s Fall Festival, from noon to 4 p.m. at 491 Johnson St., Alpena. Admission is $5 per adult, $3 per senior (60+), $3 for children, and free to museum members.

Activities include a pumpkin patch for kids, face painting, kids’ craft stations, apple cider, donuts, hot dogs, and popcorn for purchase, carnival games with all proceeds toward the Family Resource Center Children’s Museum Project, Devonian fossil hunting (keep what you find!), sea lamprey display by Hammond Bay Biological Satation, tours of Great Lakes fisheries vessels, historic building tours, historians Janet Young and Tim Kent hosting the Discover Northeast Michigan History Exhibit, old-fashioned games and sing-alongs in the 1912 Spratt Church, hosted by the Girl Scouts of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Rob Abram from “Michigan Rocks” sharing his passion for Michigan’s unique stones, Author Nancy Abram sharing her new mystery/crime novels, and traditional drumming demonstration with Gennie Morgan from the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians in the Planetarium.

~ Enjoy Hallowine in the Pines from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday at Burrone Family Vineyards and Winery, 212 Pinebrook Drive. Wine and paint with Brooke for $35 per person on a first-come first-served basis. The cost covers your own canvas, brushes, art supplies and one-on-one direction by the Winery’s winemaker and painter. Trivia with Jake will also be offered with chances to win Hallowine merch. There will also be carriage rides, mulled cocktails, s’mores by the fire, and more. Costumes are encouraged but not required.

~ Give Us A Lift VIP Dinner Party, hosted by the SkellaFit Powerlifting Team, will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Art in the Loft. Dinner will be provided by Sherwood Pita Wagon, with beverages from PIF Cider and dessert from Woodland Confectionary of Rogers City. This is an exclusive event limited to only 30 people! Tickets must be purchased in advance at skellafit.com.

Sunday, Oct. 5

~ Pilates with Kittens, a fundraiser for SkellaFit Powerlifting to represent Team USA at the World Championships in Durban, South Africa, in November, will be from noon to 1 p.m. Sunday at Canine Communication, 310 B W. Chisholm St., Alpena. There will be 13 adoptable kittens available. A minimum $20 donation is encouraged.

~ Euchre Sundays are from noon to 3 p.m. each week at Bolton Ridge Bar & Grill, 9101 Bolton Road. Doors open at noon, and cards hit the tables at 12:30 p.m. sharp. If the Lions are playing, the game will be on the big screens during card play.

~ 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.

~ The 7th annual Falloween will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Dinosaur Gardens, 11160 Get ready for a fun-filled, family-friendly Halloween celebration! The event will feature a Trick-or-Treat Trail, and costumes are encouraged. VIP Early Access is offered for $15 per person. For more information, visit dinosaurgardensllc.com.

Monday, Oct. 6

~ Sewing Club will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays at the Alpena County Library. 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. To register, call Barb Brege at 989-255-8969.

~ A GriefShare program for those who have lost a loved one will be held at 5 p.m. on Mondays at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alpena. The program will be facilitated by Brent Finzel. If you have questions, call Carol at 989-354-3758. This 13-week program began on Sept. 15.