Courtesy Photo Boo-Boo (Tim Barrow) and Yogi Bear (Brett Burke) prepare to jump into icy water at a previous Polar Plunge held at the Sand Bar and Grill out at Long Lake. This year’s event is being held in memory of Barrow, who passed away in the fall of 2023.

∫ Art in the Loft, on the third floor of the Center Building at 109 N. 2nd Ave. in Alpena, is currently showing its “WinterView” exhibit, on display through March 2. 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.

∫ Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan is featuring the Girl Scout exhibit, “Preserving the Past, Promoting the Future — 112 Years of Girl Scouts,” now through March 31. The exhibit is the Silver Award project for Scouts Lucy Duthler and Emma Kinsel. Beverly Wolf’s photography is also on display at the museum, located at 491 Johnson St. in Alpena. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, closed Tuesday, and open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. 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. Winter hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday (January through March). 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.

∫ Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library and the Alpena Downtown Development Authority present a micro-exhibit called “Lost Buildings of Downtown Alpena,” viewable through March 1 on the library’s first floor at 211 N. 1st Ave., Alpena. For more information, contact the George R. Cook and Edith Angell Cook Special Collections Department at 989-356-6188, ext. 17.

Today, Feb. 13

∫ Celebrate Love Your Library Month with ACL! Read the paper, eat delicious treats, and enjoy coffee from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library every morning from Feb. 12 to 16. Enjoy prizes and guess the amount of candy in the jar to win a whole jar of candy!

∫ 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. 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 at the Habitat for Humanity offices at 2630 U.S.-23 South in Alpena.

∫ Every Tuesday in February, 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 this fun and interactive group.

∫ 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.

∫ Join ALL to learn about Michigan’s Black Eden: Entertainment, Recreational and Civil Rights in Idlewild at 1:30 p.m. at M. Briggs Center. The Black resort community of Idlewild was carved out of a remote landscape in Michigan’s Lake County in the early 1900s. It was intended to be a haven where Black families could fish, swim, camp, hunt, and enjoy the outdoors. It became that, and so much more. The famous nightclubs hosted Black singers, dancers, actors, poets, writers, entrepreneurs, politicians, and performers. Idlewild was one of the largest Black resort communities in the country. Known as the “Summer Apollo,” performers including the Four Tops, Jackie Wilson, Della Reese, B.B. King, Cab Calloway, Etta James, and Sarah Vaughan entertained thousands over the years at Idlewild. A young Marcus Garvey gave rousing political speeches while a contemplative W.E.B. Dubois boated in the lakes. While the community was abandoned in the 1960s because of desegregation, it left behind a legendary story of the pursuit of civil rights through recreation and entertainment in rural Michigan. Amanda Campbell Crawford is an instructor at Alpena Community College, teaching Anthropology, History, and Geography. She also serves as an archaeologist for the U.S. Forest Service, focusing on historical sites of civil rights and resistance. Her work on archaeological civil rights sites in Michigan will be published in Michigan’s first volume on Historical Archaeology, due out this year by Berghahn Books. In her spare time, she researches Michigan’s role in the Underground Railroad. She is a graduate of Alcona High School, Albion College, and Western Michigan University. Amanda and her husband, Adam, own and operate Crawford’s Masonry. They live in Harrisville with their rescue Chiweenie, Evo.

∫ Are you impacted by cancer? Whether you are the patient or not, if cancer has left you wanting, you are welcome at the new Tuesday groups meeting at 4:30 p.m., called Making Sense of it … with Friends. On the first Tuesday, join Traci Boyle and friends to experience first-hand the benefit of sound. Learn ways to channel and ease your mind in this hour-long program. Second Tuesdays (today) will be about learning, third Tuesdays about art, and fourth Tuesdays about food, all at 4:30 p.m. at Friends Together, 105 Prentiss St., Alpena. Call 989-356-3231 for more information.

∫ PIF Cider will host a Galentine’s Day event to celebrate ladies from 5 to 9 p.m. at 205 W. Chisholm St. in downtown Alpena. Everyone is welcome, and attendees are encouraged to bring some lightly used clothing items for a clothing swap. Any leftover items will be donated to Hope Shores Alliance domestic violence shelter.

∫ 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 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, Feb. 14

∫ HAPPY

VALENTINE’S DAY!

∫ AARP Tax Prep for low/limited income people and for senior citizens is being offered in the Alpena area on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, by appointment only. Please call 989-278-8104 to schedule.

∫ 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 the Alpena County Library Wednesday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon for Open MakerLab. Makers of all ages can tinker, collaborate, and create a project of their choice in our lab. Staff help is available if needed. Participants ages 5 to 15 will need parental supervision at all times. A signed waiver is required prior to using the MakerLab. MakerLab rules apply in the lab at all times because participant safety is ACL’s top priority. If you have questions, call 989-356-6188, ext. 20.

∫ 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.

∫ 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.

∫ 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, Feb. 15

∫ Community Walking Club meets at 9 a.m. every Thursday in the parking lot of the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library. Call 989-724-6796.

∫ 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.

∫ On Thursdays in February, yoga meets from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Harrisville branch of Alcona County Library. Learn how simple movement can change your life with Liz! This class meets every Thursday until March 28, brought to you by Harrisville Yoga. Call 989-335-1777 for more information.

∫ 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.

∫ ALL presents a Valentine Tea Party at 3 p.m. at CTR 104 on the Alpena Community College campus, behind 106 (enter at Newport Center at the rear of parking lot B). The cost is $7 per person, and preregistration is required by Tuesday, Feb. 13 (bring fee to ALL office). Enjoy a very special afternoon tea with Laura Hoffman and teacups stories. The afternoon tea will include a very special tea with a menu of white chocolate apricot scones with Devonshire cream, cucumber sandwiches, egg salad sandwiches, chicken salad canapes, shortbread, Madeleines and (of course) chocolate. Downton Abbey, eat your heart out! Come prepared to share a very special experience and hear delightful stories about Laura’s beautiful teacups. Be prepared to share your own stories if you choose. Every really good friendship always involves a cup of tea shared and a story told. In 1966, Laura married Dr. Warren Hoffman. She became the proud co-owner of 12 beautiful teacups. Each one had a story. As with all things of beauty, there is an insatiable desire for more. Over the last 27 years, Laura has collected more than 200 teacups. Many of them have stories. Laura loves to share her teacups and good tea in an effort to encourage people to share their stories. Rev. Laura Hoffman is the Spiritual Care Manager for MyMichigan and the Chaplain at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. She has 30+ years in the spiritual care arena. Laura was chosen by Gift of Life Michigan to receive the Hospital Spiritual Care Champion Award for 2023.

∫ 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.

Friday, Feb. 16

∫ AARP Tax Prep for low/limited income people and for senior citizens is being offered in the Alpena area on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, by appointment only. Please call 989-278-8104 to schedule.

∫ 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.

∫ ALL will visit The Fur Harvester’s Trading Post at 10 a.m. on Friday at 3550 U.S.-23 South, Alpena. “Throughout our lives we have enjoyed spending time in the great outdoors hunting, trapping and fishing,” the owners stated. “Over the years we spent more and more time focusing on furbearers. Although you can still spot us with a fishing pole, bird dog, or deer rifle from time to time, harvesting furbearers is our passion and is the focus of our company.” The owners, Shawn and Ralph Inglis, will take attendees on a tour of the store, including the shipping area. They will also discuss their interest in furs. If you have not visited the store before, here is the perfect opportunity to check things out. Shawn and Ralph Inglis grew up in Millersburg and have been in the fur trading business for some 20 years.

∫ 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. 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.

∫ 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.

Saturday, Feb. 17

∫ The 16th Annual Polar Plunge is on Saturday, being held in memory of Tim Barrow, a beloved man who was excited to dress up in a wacky costume and jump into the frigid February waters of Long Lake, all to support the Special Olympics. A Special Olympics athlete himself, Barrow participated in the Polar Plunge for many years until he passed away in the fall of 2023. All proceeds from the Polar Plunge benefit the Special Olympics. Event registration starts at noon at the Sand Bar and Grill, 9027 W. Long Lake Road. The Polar Plunge will begin at 1 p.m. Costumes are encouraged. Participants are to obtain donations of at least $100 to participate, or you may donate $100 yourself to support Special Olympics. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, and a “party in a sled” to be raffled off. The Michigan State Police are very involved in providing support for this event, including a dive team, promotions, and fundraising. Pictured, Boo-Boo (Tim Barrow) and Yogi Bear (Brett Burke) prepare to jump into the cold water at a prior Polar Plunge.

∫ 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.

∫ AARP Tax Prep for low/limited income people and for senior citizens is being offered in the Alpena area on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, by appointment only. Please call 989-278-8104 to schedule.

∫ Alpena Human Services Coordinating Council is holding Alpena Project Connect from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at Alpena High School (Commons). This free community event will feature booths from more than 20 human service organizations and service clubs. The public is encouraged to attend to receive resources for health and wellness, education, housing and more. Tours will be available of the Alpena High Health Center and a food distribution will be available to attendees. (Registration is required inside the event prior to picking up food.) The Alpena HSCC group notes that we are stronger as a community when we come together to support our friends and neighbors. This Project Connect event is for anyone who can benefit from a little extra help or who would like to learn more about the resources available in the Alpena community. Alpena HSCC Chair Courtney Holmes states, “We are happy to be able to bring this event to the community on a Saturday for the first time ever. We expect this will allow more people to be able to attend. Alpena HSCC is also grateful for our event sponsors Alcona Health Center, the Exchange Club of Alpena and the Food Bank of Eastern MI and for the help of Alpena Public Schools in making this event possible.” To see a list of participating service organizations and other information about the event, visit http://bit.ly/PCAlpena24.

Sunday, Feb. 18

∫ 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, Feb. 19

∫ AARP Tax Prep for low/limited income people and for senior citizens is being offered in the Alpena area on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, by appointment only. Please call 989-278-8104 to schedule.

∫ Exercise is at 10 a.m. each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Alpena Senior Citizens Center.