∫ Art in the Loft, on the third floor of the Center Building at 109 N. 2nd Ave. in Alpena, is displaying its juried exhibit, “METALS” now through Thursday, which will be their special fundraiser event, starting at 5:30 p.m. Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Visit artintheloft.org, email director@artintheloft.org, or call 989-356-4877.

∫ Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan, 491 Johnson St. in Alpena, is closed to the public now through Nov. 20 in preparation for its upcoming Season of Light display. Visit bessermuseum.org or call 989-356-2202.

∫ Thunder Bay Arts Council Gallery, 127 W. Chisholm St. in Alpena, features 25 local artists’ work on display and for sale. Kelly Belew is the featured artist for November and December, and a reception will be held in her honor from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Visit thunderbayarts.org or call 989-354-2586.

∫ Dragonfly Art Gallery, 116 E. Main St. in Harrisville, is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, call 989-820-9614.

TODAY, NOV. 7

∫ The Association of Lifelong Learners hosts Mexican Train Express dominoes from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays.

∫ Great Start Collaborative Playgroup is held weekly at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays at Alpena County Library.

∫ 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. There is no obligation to join if you attend your first meeting. For more information, call 989-255-4787.

∫ Potential homeowners can find out the steps they need to take to get closer to homeownership from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Tuesday. To learn more about home ownership, pick up an application, or discuss options, visit the Habitat for Humanity offices at 2630 U.S.-23 South in Alpena.

∫ The Salvation Army’s Christmas Assistance Sign-Up for families and individuals living in Alpena County starts today. Applications are being taken at The Salvation Army Church located at 722 N. 2nd Ave., Alpena from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today; from 1 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday; and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday. For more information, contact Kathy at 989-358-2769.

∫ Every Tuesday in October, 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 invited to join.

∫ Alpena Senior Citizens Center offers quilting at 10 a.m. and Spitzer at 12:30 p.m. each Tuesday.

∫ Good Grief is a grief support group at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, in-person at Friends Together, 105 Prentiss St. and via Zoom. Call Friends Together at 989-356-3231 for the link.

∫ The FamilySearch Center is open from noon to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 411 Long Rapids Plaza in Alpena.

∫ The Alpena Lions Club hosts their weekly meetings at noon on Tuesdays at First Congregational Church, Alpena. Visit alpenalionsclub.com or the Alpena Lions Club on Facebook.

∫ Mindful Movement, a healing, gentle, unique yoga program designed to nourish, inspire and empower each woman healing and dealing with cancer, is at noon on Tuesdays, in-person and via Zoom. For more information and the Zoom link, call Friends Together at 989-356-3231.

∫ ALL will host a Learn to Curl program at 1 p.m. at M. Briggs Center. This will be an introduction to the basics and fundamentals of curling. Simple rules and strategies will also be explained as well as equipment and ice conditions. Mike Wojda is a retired teacher/coach from Hillman. He is the president of the Thunder Bay Curling Club.

∫ Knitting Klub and Crochet meets from 1:15 to 3:15 p.m. on Tuesdays, Nov. 7 and 21 in the conference room to share stories, tips and tricks while working on knit and crochet projects. All ages and skill levels are welcome to join the club at the Harrisville branch. Bring a project you’re currently working on, or start a new one while chatting with the group.

∫ ALL will host its 18th Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Auctions from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday in the Besser Technical Center Commons Area at ACC. The public is invited. Takeout meals will be available. This event raises funds to support ALL programs and activities for the residents of Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Presque Isle counties. ACC President Dr. Don MacMaster and his wife Dr. Tina Rossi will serve as the celebrity chefs. Along with the dinner, there are two great auctions — a silent and a chance — with items donated by ALL members and community organizations. Plus, a 50/50 game will be held during the event. The winners of the auction items and 50/50 will be identified starting at 6:30 p.m. You do not have to be present to win. You will be notified later. Spaghetti dinner prices are $13 for adults, $6 for students (K-college) and free for children 5 and younger. Purchase dinners at the dining room entry.

∫ Cub Scouts meet from 6 to 7 p.m., and Boy Scouts meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. each Tuesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 727 S. 2nd Ave., Alpena.

∫ Bay View Center hosts a diversity support meeting at 6:30 p.m. each Tuesday. This weekly potluck is for those in the LGBTQ community, their families, and supporters, at Bay View Center, 710 N. 2nd Ave. If you have questions, call 989-340-0955.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 8

∫ ALL pickleball plays from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the APlex. Call the ALL office at 989-358-7207 for details.

∫ Alpena Senior Citizens Center exercise is from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

∫ Guys Like Us is a Wednesday morning coffee crew of men who are coping with cancer, meeting at 10 a.m., in-person at Friends Together and via Zoom. Call 989-356-3231.

∫ Alpena Senior Citizens Center will hold its Thanksgiving Feast from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the dining room at 501 River St., Alpena. The menu includes turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, vegetables, cranberry sauce, roll, cookie, and apple juice. The suggested donation is $3.50 for seniors 60 and older, and the cost is $7 for those younger than 60.

∫ On Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m., join Julie Byrnes and ALL for pinochle at M. Briggs Center.

∫ Join the Alpena County Library for the fall session of Sewing Club, meeting from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, for all skill levels, ages 10 and up. Bring your sewing machine, supplies, and project to work on. For those without a sewing machine, there are three machines for use. Registration is required. To register, call 989-255-8969.

∫ ALL offers a Second Square Dancing Class from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays at M. Briggs Center. Come work on your square dance calls. This is an ad hoc event for the purpose of improving your Mainstream and Plus calls. There will be no caller, but experienced dancers will be there to help and fill in a square or half square. The intent is to repeat calls, so the muscle memory is there when you attend a dance.

∫ Women on Wednesday is a support group for women with cancer meeting in-person and via Zoom at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at Friends Together. Come for a dash of hope, some laughter, and real talk.

∫ A new meeting of Overeaters Anonymous, a 12 step program of recovery for those with compulsive eating behaviors, began Oct. 18. The group meets at 5:30 p.m. every Wednesday at 3100 Piper Rd. Alpena, in the back room. For more information, contact Diane R. at 989-821-9601.

∫ Alpena Sportsman’s Club is a nonprofit located at 4260 M-32 West in Alpena. It is open to members and non-members — everyone with an interest in shooting sports. Skeet and sporting clay shooting are offered from 5:45 p.m. until dark on Wednesdays, and from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, please text Joel Suszek at 989-255-4928 or Jeff Welch at 989-255-6068.

∫ Open Mic Night is from 6 to 9 p.m. each Wednesday at Patchwood Plaza in Hillman. For more information, call the Hillman Area Chamber of Commerce at 989-742-3739.

THURSDAY, NOV. 9

∫ ALL presents Coffee and Controversy — The Second Amendment at 9 a.m. on Thursday at M. Briggs Center. All Coffee and Controversy is a recurring event, where curious and concerned folks will gather over a cup of coffee or other liquid and discuss (cordially) some of the most concerning topics, events, or actions influencing our everyday lives. Attendance is strictly limited to 12, and reservations are required, so sign up early. Come and talk.

∫ Community Walking Club for Everyone meets at 9 a.m. every Thursday in the parking lot of the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library.

∫ Join the Alpena County Girlfriends at JJ’s Steak and Pizza House 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.

∫ Join ALL for Spitzer from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday at M. Briggs Center, led by Marilyn Klingshirn.

∫ ALL will participate in Bowling for Fun from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday at Thunder Bowl Lanes, 2192 U.S.-23 South, Alpena. The cost is $10 per person for two games, with shoes and ball included. Those of all ability levels are invited to try this fun and exciting leisure activity. You can even get a free lesson! Lunch is available — pizza, burgers, and the best fries in town.

∫ Zoom Book Club is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each Thursday, with the Alpena Senior Citizens Center. For more information, call 989-356-3585.

∫ Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel (MARSP) will meet at noon on Thursday, Nov. 9 at the First United Methodist Church on Ripley Boulevard. The guest speaker will be from the Salvation Army. Come early to visit with other retired school personnel.

∫ Pinochle and bridge are held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays at Alpena Senior Citizens Center.

∫ Zoom meditation is at 2 p.m. on Thursdays, led by the Alpena Senior Citizens Center.

∫ Needles and Threads knitting group is held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. every Thursday at the Grand Lake branch of Presque Isle District Library in the Banner Room. Bring your latest projects. Call 989-734-2477, ext. 2 if you have any questions. The library is located at 18132 Lake Esau Highway, Presque Isle.

∫ The Curtis Township Library in Glennie will host an informational meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9 about the upcoming 2024 Curtis Township Library Millage.

∫ Art in the Loft will host its signature fundraiser event, Elements of Art, at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9. Festivities include the popular small plate challenge from four local chefs, live music by the Dan White Quartet, unique bidding experiences, signature cocktails, and more. Chefs competing in the small plate challenge are Kevin Peterson of Red Brick Tap and Barrel, Ben Darga of Thunder Bay Catering, Reid Krebs of Blue Moon Cafe, and Annette Carlson of Save Your Fork. The silent auction will be once again a mobile bidding experience, and the live auction will feature a variety of signature packages, including a mural on your business, a party on State Avenue, and a chartered fishing trip followed by cooking your fish with a professional chef in Art in the Loft’s kitchen. Tickets are $100 each, on sale at artintheloft.org. Each ticket includes $20 in drink tickets, a ticket to all four chefs’ booths, two heads and tails beads for a chance to win great prizes, and the ability to bid on all live and silent auction items. The event is also a fundraiser to continue providing art programs and scholarships to allow everyone to experience hands-on art in Northeast Michigan.If a problem drinker is affecting your life, Al-Anon can help. Confidential and anonymous meetings are held from 7 to 8 p.m. every Thursday at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

FRIDAY, NOV. 10

∫ ALL pickleball plays from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the APlex.

∫ 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 the library at 989-734-2477.

∫ At 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 10 and 17, children of all ages are welcome to attend Story Time and Craft at the Harrisville branch.

∫ ALL hosts contract bridge from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Fridays at M. Briggs Center. This is an ongoing group of card players who welcome any players at any time. This group is a teaching class but experienced players are also welcome.

∫ Region 9 Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is hosting a free Caregiver Webinar Series via Zoom from 1 to 2 p.m. on the second Friday of each month through February 2024. Friday’s topic is Building Resilience to Avoid Burnout. The AAA’s priority is to provide support to local family caregivers that are unable to leave the home due caregiving restraints by providing virtual options. All caregivers are welcome to attend this free, informative, and interactive virtual conference.

∫ The Hillman VFW Post 2356 hosts its Friday Night Fish Fry from 4 to 7 p.m. every Friday night, with your choice of fish or shrimp, potato, coleslaw, roll, and drink. The fish fry is open to the public, and the cost is $12 for the fish dinner or $14 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. Come brush up on your mainstream and plus dancing. Fabulous caller Dave Boggs, of Desert Aire, Washington, will be reviewing mainstream calls and teaching and reviewing plus calls. No partner, no problem – Singles are very welcome!

∫ The Plaza Pool will host Free Family Fun Fridays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 10 and 17. Children age 6 and younger must be accompanied by an adult in the water. These events are sponsored by the Alpena County Youth and Recreation grant, and Friends of Plaza Pool.

∫ Kelly Belew is the featured artist for November and December at Thunder Bay Arts Council Gallery, and a reception will be held in her honor from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday at the gallery, 127 W. Chisholm St. in Alpena. The public is welcome.

SATURDAY, NOV. 11

∫ HAPPY VETERANS DAY! Thank a veteran for their service.

∫ A Veterans Day service will begin at 11 a.m. at Little Flanders Field in Alpena.

∫ The Alpena Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mich-e-ke-wis Park, 1302 State Ave. in Alpena. For more information, visit Friends of the Alpena Farmers Market on Facebook.

∫ The Wishing for Christmas Craft Show will feature 150 vendors this year, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the APlex. Because of even more vendors this year, the event space will include both the ballroom and the tennis center. Come get your Christmas shopping done and check out all the amazing artisans and unique items available! Concessions will be on hand for purchase as well. The APlex is located at 701 Woodward Ave. in Alpena.

∫ A Memorial Bell Ringing for those lost on the Edmund Fitzgerald will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum in Rogers City. The public is invited to join the GLLMM in honoring the sailors lost. Bell ringers are welcome at this free event.

SUNDAY, NOV. 12

∫ 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.

MONDAY, NOV. 13

∫ Exercise is at 10 a.m. each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Alpena Senior Citizens Center. Euchre starts at 12:30 p.m.

∫ Experienced bridge partners looking for some challenging competition can join the Alpena Duplicate Bridge Club that meets from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Mondays. Call 989-354-2306 or 989-595-5119.

∫ Friends Crochet and Craft is a new support group at Friends Together meeting at 3 p.m. on Mondays. This group is for men and women, and offers crafty ways to overcome “chemobrain.” Call 989-356-3231 for more information.

∫ Friends Together North is a cancer support group for men and women at 3 p.m. each Monday at the Presque Isle District Library in Rogers City.

∫ If a problem drinker is affecting your life, Al-Anon can help. Confidential and anonymous meetings are held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Monday at the Alano Club located at 3100 Piper Road, Alpena. For more information, contact Diane at 989-821-9601.