Courtesy photo

The Association of Lifelong Learners (ALL) have a busy schedule planned for next week. The group will learn about writing techniques, about the projects in downtown Alpena from last year, and a third event about churches.

The writing workshop is slated for Feb. 4, from 11 a.m. until 12:30 pm in the Alpena Community College’s Madeline Briggs Center room 143.

This writing workshop series focuses on writing, sharing, and feedback. Everyone has stories, some are told, some are written, and some, like memoirs, are written to be shared with others. Presenter Mary Ann Krajnik Crawford has been a personal journal writer and teacher of writing for many years.

Also on Feb. 4 there is an event titled What’s Up Alpena from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the Madeline Briggs Center room 140.

The event will include a look at Alpena’s downtown development projects from 2025 and going forward into 2026. What was completed, what’s the status of in-progress activities and what’s on the slate for the future. This should be interesting and “good to know” for all Alpena residents and our close-by neighbors who want to learn what’s happening in Alpena downtown. Presenter Anne Gentry is the Executive Director of the Alpena Downtown Development Authority, whose mission it is to cultivate economic vitality in Downtown Alpena by bringing people together to create a thriving community for businesses, residents, property owners, and visitors. Since 2017, she has secured over $2.6 million in grant funds to support and kickstart 27 downtown redevelopment projects, public art initiatives, and historic preservation projects. She grew up in Alpena and is proud to be a part of downtown’s renaissance in her role at the DDA.

Best experienced in person but available via Zoom : Meeting id: 846 2793 9558 Passcode: 678181

The church event is on Feb. 5 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. at the ACC Madeline Briggs Center room 140

Many churches across the theological and cultural perspective show the real stress of decline. It is obvious that many congregations are smaller and older. Why has this happened? Come and hear what Reverend Bob Case has to say about this. Bob 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 and guests much to consider and ponder.