News Photo by Darby Hinkley Pictured s the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan tree display at Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan.

∫ Art in the Loft, on the third floor of the Center Building at 109 N. 2nd Ave. in Alpena, is currently open and showing its “WinterView” exhibit, in conjunction with Carol Lund’s “Barbie Teaches Art History” exhibit. An artists’ reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at Art in the Loft, featuring appetizers, music, and a cash bar, all surrounded by beautiful artwork for show and sale. “WinterView” will be on display until March 3. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Visit artintheloft.org, email director@artintheloft.org, or call 989-356-4877 for more information.

∫ The annual Season of Light and Community Trees displays are on display now through Jan. 6 at Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan, 491 Johnson St. in Alpena. For more information, call the museum at 989-356-2202, or visit bessermuseum.org.

∫ 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. 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. 28

∫ Today is Giving Tuesday, and this year marks the Community Foundation’s ninth year leading a regional event here in Northeast Michigan. Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving meant to harness the collective power of individuals, communities, and organizations to celebrate generosity worldwide. The 24-hour giving event is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) to kick off the holiday giving season. To help the 62 participating local nonprofits take part in Giving Tuesday, CFNEM will provide the technical infrastructure through its website and social media to showcase and manage donations, all at no cost to the participating organizations. One hundred percent of every donation will go to the nonprofit of the donors’ choice. Donors can visit cfnem.org on Giving Tuesday and make donations to any, some, or all of these nonprofits. Giving Tuesday Northeast Michigan began at 12 a.m. on Nov. 28. The public is able to make donations for a full 24 hours, and monitor the total amount donated online throughout the day. The total amount donated to each organization will be announced at a live online event on Dec. 6. While Giving Tuesday Northeast Michigan is primarily an online giving event, donors are welcome to drop off checks at the CFNEM offices at 100 N. Ripley, Suite F, in Alpena. Checks must be dropped off today to be counted as a Giving Tuesday donation.

∫ The Friends of the Alcona County Library Silent Auction began on Monday and will run until 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Donated prizes available for bidding will be on display at the Harrisville branch of the library. Proceeds from the silent auction will go toward the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to benefit children of Alcona and Iosco counties.

∫ 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. Looking for social and learning experiences designed to help your child grow? Join ACL for Early Connections, a recurring play and socialization program for children ages newborn to 5, and caregivers. Caregivers will participate in music and movement, social/play activities, and/or math activities with their child or children each week, followed by a short story time. Adults will interact with their child during the program, not sit on the sidelines. No registration necessary.

∫ 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.

∫ Every Tuesday in November, 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. For more information, 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.

∫ 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.

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

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 29

∫ Participate in the Salvation Army’s 2023 Red Kettle collection by driving your car up to Banner Realty, and they will bring out the Red Kettle and ring the bell for you. By calling 989-356-1177 ahead of your arrival, Margie Haaxma, broker of Banner Realty, will greet you wearing a Salvation Army hat with a side bow from the ’40s as a thank-you for helping the children have a good Christmas. ​​Banner Realty is celebrating its 12th annual collection of hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves for a warm winter for children and adults for the Salvation Army. Drop off items from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Banner Realty, 259 S. Ripley Blvd., Alpena, and register for a drawing for a chance to win a gift from your friends at Banner Realty.

∫ 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.

∫ Join ALL to learn about Fermentation from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday at M. Briggs Center. Being that we all eat and consume beverages, fermentation is a significant part of our lives. Denny Doubek will provide an overview and a brief history of fermentation and Pete Doubek will display various fermented items. Pete will also speak about practical applications of fermentations. Denny Doubek is a retired Alpena High School teacher, teaching social studies for 36 years. He was with the Association of Lifelong Learners from the very beginning and served as its president for many years. Pete Doubek is also a retired teacher from AHS, having taught biology for 33 years.

∫ 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 Friends Together at 989-356-3231 for the link.

∫ Join the Alpena County Library for the fall session of Sewing Club, meeting from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays. This club is open to all skill levels, from newbie to expert, ages 10 and up. Bring your sewing machine, supplies, and project to work on. We will supply the space and guidance. For those without a sewing machine, there are three machines on site for use. Registration is required. To register, call Barb Brege at 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. 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.

∫ Overeaters Anonymous, a 12-step program of recovery for those with compulsive eating behaviors, 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, 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, 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. 30

∫ 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. Call 989-724-6796 for more information.

∫ 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.

∫ 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.

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

∫ ALL presents White Man White Space to White Man Black Space from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday at M. Briggs Center. Dr. David Rabbideau’s career in education began in a school district in which the student body was 78% white and the staff was 100% white. In less than 10 years, the demographics of the student body had shifted to over 80% African American, yet the staff demographics remained unchanged. The adult responses to this demographic change included deficit thinking, low expectations, strict discipline practices, white flight, and more. His research explored the role that race played in shaping his responses to the demographic changes, how he could use this new understanding to improve his practice as an educational leader, and how his research and experience could serve as a model for other White leaders, who like him, represent most educational leaders serving all students and in particular, African American children. Rabbideau has been the superintendent of Alpena Public Schools for the past three years. He has over 20 years of experience in public education, coming to Alpena from Harper Woods Public School District. He holds a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Oakland University.

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

∫ Needles and Threads group is held from 2:30 to 4:30 pm every Thursday at the Grand Lake branch of Presque Isle District Library. Bring your latest knitting, crocheting, sewing, needlepoint, or other crafts. Call 989-734-2477, ext. 2 with questions. The library is located at 18132 Lake Esau Highway, Presque Isle.

∫ Art in the Loft will hold a “WinterView” artists’ reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, featuring appetizers, music, and a cash bar, surrounded by beautiful artwork for show and sale, and a chance to meet with artists. This reception is open to the public.

FRIDAY, DEC. 1

∫ ALL pickleball is 9 to 11 a.m. 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 989-734-2477.

∫ ALL hosts contract bridge 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 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!

∫ Free Family Fun Fridays will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Plaza Pool, located at Alpena High School, 3303 S. 3rd Ave., Alpena. Children age 6 and younger must be accompanied by an adult in the water. These free events are sponsored by the Alpena County Youth and Recreation millage and Friends of Plaza Pool.

∫ The Rogers City Christmas Parade will begin at 6 p.m. starting from Westminster Presbyterian Church and heading down Third Street to end at the Senior/Community Center. The parade is presented by the Rogers City DDA. If you have questions, call Kim Margherio at 314-583-6867.

SATURDAY, DEC. 2

∫ 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.

∫ Ella White Elementary School and PTO present the annual Christmas Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Thunder Bay Junior High School, 3500 S. 3rd Ave., Alpena. The anticipated holiday event will feature over 60 vendors, a PTO bake sale, and the ever-popular classroom raffle baskets, with the drawing to be held at 2 p.m. All proceeds go back to the classrooms. Raffle tickets will be sold in the media center. Last but certainly not least, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to meet with children at the bazaar. Come get into the holiday spirit and get your shopping done!

∫ Grace Lutheran Church will hold a Christmas bake sale from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday at 119 W. Dunbar St., Alpena. The event will feature assorted cookies, candy, bread and other baked goods.

∫ Author J.A. Gandulla will sign copies of her newest children’s book, “The Magic: Empowered” from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Parallel 45 Books and Gifts on North 2nd Avenue in downtown Alpena. The time was stated incorrectly in an article on Monday’s Lifestyles page. For more information about the book, view the Lifestyles section at thealpenanews.com.

∫ Magic in Our Midst: A Magical Event will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2 at Island Park in Alpena. Tickets are free, but limited, and must be picked up starting Tuesday at the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce, 235 W. Chisholm St., Alpena. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. After walking the trail, which will take about 30 to 45 minutes, you are invited to stop at the Northland Area Federal Credit Union Trailer for hot chocolate and animal crackers. The bridge to Island Park will be closed to all non-ticket holders from 2:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2.

∫ The first Special Needs Christmas Dance will be held on Saturday at the APlex. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. Concessions will be available. If you are interested in volunteering, call Elaine at 989-354-6164.

∫ The Alpena Symphony Orchestra will perform its annual Holiday Celebration concert at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2. This performance will be held at the Alpena High School Auditorium located at 3303 S. 3rd Ave., Alpena. This will be a traditional, holiday pops program with maestro Jim VanEizenga conducting the ASO. VanEizenga is the director of orchestras for Novi High School in Novi. Spring into the holiday spirit by listening to this uplifting orchestral music. The admission charge for this concert is $15 for adults, with students and children admitted free. The ASO is a nonprofit organization. A reception will follow the concert in the lobby. Contact Andrea Arbuckle at 989-464-9586 for more information.

SUNDAY, DEC. 3

∫ Experience the enchantment of Motown Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the APlex. Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Alpena Lions Club. This event invites you into a world of soulful melodies and festive delight. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., ushering in an afternoon filled with music and holiday spirit. The event commences with the captivating tunes of Tim St. John at 1 p.m., followed by a mesmerizing show starting at 2 p.m. With tickets priced at $15, not only will you enjoy soulful performances but also savor delectable hors d’oeuvres, creating a truly immersive experience. To complement the festivities, a cash bar will be available, allowing you to sip your favorite beverages as you bask in the joyful atmosphere. Join in this musical celebration that not only promises a memorable time but also supports the altruistic endeavors of the Alpena Lions Club.

∫ The Northeast Michigan Crime Stoppers present the Buddy Jewell Christmas Concert at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Alpena High School Auditorium, 3303 S. 3rd Ave., Alpena. Single tickets are $18 and the whole family ticket for Mom, Dad, and all the kids is a holiday season bargain at $45. For tickets and concert information, call the ticket hotlines at 989-340-6002 or 800-205-7174. Buddy Jewell was the first winner of USA Network’s “Nashville Star” talent contest. In 2003, his debut single “Help Pour Out the Rain” was number three on the country charts, #29 on the pop charts, and also made the Christian music charts. Speaking of Christian music, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” was one of the first songs that Buddy learned to play. Other Buddy Jewell hits include “Sweet Southern Comfort,” “One Step at a Time,” and “If She Were Any Other Woman.”