Courtesy photo This is a photo of a display at the Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum.

ALPENA — The Association of Lifelong Learners (ALL) programs for next week will feature a lot of fun, exciting, and education opportunities.

– On Monday, there will be a presentation by the Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum at the ACC Madeline Briggs Center 140 from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.

It will include information about some of the infamous Michigan shipwrecks, lives lost and survivors’ stories that are exhibited in the Maritime Museum in Rogers City. More importantly, we learn about the developments in shipbuilding, safety equipment and life saving devices that occurred subsequent to these early waterway disasters.

Mike Horn, Director, Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum is the presenter. Born in Cheboygan, Mike is a lifelong resident of Rogers City.

He is a 1976 graduate of U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Mike’s shipping experience: Deep Sea, Great Lakes, Near Coastal. His retirement jobs– Watch Officer and Instructor aboard GLMA Training Ship State of Michigan, GMDSS Radio instructor.

While best experienced in person, this presentation is also available via Zoom ID: 811 3119 7762 Passcode: 528368

– On Tuesday there will be a presentation focused on KISS in Cadillac: When Rock and Roll Came to Town from noon until 1 p.m. at theACC Madeline Briggs Center 143.

KISS came to Cadillac in 1975 and neither the band nor the small Michigan town would ever be the same. Join us to hear one of the greatest stories in the history of Rock and Roll – a legendary tale celebrated fifty years later. This is a Historical Society of Michigan History Hounds Virtual Lecture offered via Zoom at Madeline Briggs.

– Tuesday will also have an All Your Questions about Eye Care Answered event at the ACC Madeline Briggs Center 140 from 1:30 p.m. until 3 p.m.

This presentation will cover the fundamentals of dry eye disease, including common causes, symptoms, and treatment options such as artificial tears, warm compresses, and lid hygiene to improve comfort and vision. We will also review the importance of overall eye health including regular dilated exams, and discuss early warning signs of macular degeneration and cataracts.

Dr. LeAnn Burns was born and raised in Posen, Michigan and completed her Bachelor of Arts and Science at Ferris State University before earning her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2019.

Dr. Sophia Grabiel is originally from Sheridan, Michigan, and earned both her undergraduate degree and Doctorate of Optometry from Ferris State University’s Michigan College of Optometry.

– On May 6, there will be a Writing Workshop at the ACC Madeline Briggs Center 143 from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

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. Mary Ann Krajnik Crawford has been a personal journal writer and teacher of writing for many years.

– On May 6 there is also AHS Exchange Students 2026 event at the ACC Madeline Briggs Center 140 from 11 a.m. until noon.

High school exchange students from Spain, Aloa Casanoves and Carlo Rodrigo Mace from Alpena High School, along with Julia Coso from Alcona Community Schools will share their experiences as exchange students, their impressions of the USA as well as information about their lives in Spain. This program will feature discussion and questions from the audience.

Susan Riedlinger, AHS Counselor and Lori Vought, retired exchange student mentor will accompany the students.

– On May 7 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. will be an Alzheimer’s Researcher Spotlight presentation at the Alpena Senior Citizens Center.

Join ALL as Dr. Morgan presents a timely update on the latest advancement in Alzheimer’s and dementia research. Refreshments will be provided. Dr. David Morgan is a professor in the Department of Translational Neuroscience at Michigan State University. Dr. Morgan’s research is aging and brain function, focusing on developing and testing treatments for Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

RSVP to Kristen Weber: kmweber@alz.org 231-714-6736

– On May 7 there will be a presentation on the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) at the ACC Madeline Briggs Center 140 from 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.

This little known law provides important protections for (surprisingly, given the title) not only women but anyone who is the victim of violence, whether committed by an intimate partner or someone else. Before its passage in 1994, law enforcement tended to look at domestic violence as a private matter, leaving victims, particularly wives, defenseless under the law. Reauthorization requirements for the law have led to significant controversy over various provisions, especially those involving the LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities. One requirement of the law is that the Department of Justice consult with tribal nations once a year about their problems with violence and what is needed to address them.

Jan Charter is a retired attorney, splitting her time in retirement between Alpena and Santa Fe. She became interested in the problem of Indigenous women in New Mexico going missing or murdered with little law-enforcement follow-up, which led her to an exploration of the Violence Against Women Act.

While best experienced in person, this presentation is also available via Zoom ID: 829 8476 1812 Passcode: 397909