COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS | News, Sports, Jobs

News File Photo
Rotary Club of Alpena member Ann Diamond, left, pours drinks during the 2023 Brew on the Bay Craft Beer and Wine Festival at the APlex in Alpena. The event returns March 7.

∫ Art in the Loft, on the third floor of the Center Building at 109 N. 2nd Ave. in Alpena, is open from 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. 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. Kamara Marsh is the featured artist for March and April. Winter hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday 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, March 5

∫ 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. 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 info, 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 March, 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 the Zoom link, call Friends Together at 989-356-3231.

∫ On Tuesdays, March 5 and 19, Knitting Klub and Crochet meets at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library, 1:15 to 3:15 p.m.

∫ Alpena County Library hosts Tinker Tuesday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tinker Tuesday is about getting together and exploring projects ranging from Makey Makey, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, 3D Printing, Strawbees, littleBits, Snap Circuits, sewing and more. Let your curiosity take over and explore! Participants must be age 5 or older.

∫ ALL will meet at the Alpena High School office at 4 p.m. on Tuesday to visit the AHS Robotics Team. To get to the office, take the driveway off Garden Street to the back oval entry door. Attendees will meet at the AHS main office and go tour the lab. You may see the robot in action (or not) depending on what is happening on that day. The team is in the build season, so anything could be happening … programming (or reprogramming), practice (and they could then do a demonstration), or they may have the robot apart to fix or change something. The robotics team has a competition two days after this visit, so they will be preparing for that.

∫ 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 of the month, 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 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.

∫ 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.

∫ 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. 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 info, 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 March, 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 the Zoom link, call Friends Together at 989-356-3231.

∫ On Tuesdays, March 5 and 19, Knitting Klub and Crochet meets at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library, 1:15 to 3:15 p.m.

∫ Alpena County Library hosts Tinker Tuesday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tinker Tuesday is about getting together and exploring projects ranging from Makey Makey, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, 3D Printing, Strawbees, littleBits, Snap Circuits, sewing and more. Let your curiosity take over and explore! Participants must be age 5 or older.

∫ ALL will meet at the Alpena High School office at 4 p.m. on Tuesday to visit the AHS Robotics Team. To get to the office, take the driveway off Garden Street to the back oval entry door. Attendees will meet at the AHS main office and go tour the lab. You may see the robot in action (or not) depending on what is happening on that day. The team is in the build season, so anything could be happening … programming (or reprogramming), practice (and they could then do a demonstration), or they may have the robot apart to fix or change something. The robotics team has a competition two days after this visit, so they will be preparing for that.

∫ 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 of the month, 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 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.

∫ 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, March 6

∫ 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.

∫ 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. Participants ages 5 to 15 will need parental supervision at all times. A signed waiver is required prior to using the MakerLab. If you have questions, call 989-356-6188, ext. 20.

∫ Alpena Senior Citizens Center exercise is from 10 to 11 a.m.

∫ 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.

∫ Free Family History Classes will be from noon to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays at the FamilySearch Center inside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 411 Long Rapids Plaza in Alpena. This week’s class is about maps and land records. Upcoming classes include: Oral histories on March 13; What’s in a name on March 20; Photographs, Cyndi’s List and more on March 27; and Female ancestors’ maiden names on April 6 and 13.

∫ On Wednesdays, March 6 and 20, dive into the world of knowledge and imagination. Homeschoolers at the Library for school-aged children promises a burst of inspiration and camaraderie from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library.

∫ Sewing Club is held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Alpena County Library. Registration is required for this class. 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.

∫ 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.

∫ Alpena Sportsmen’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 info, 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, March 7

∫ 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.

∫ ALL will learn about Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library at 10 a.m. on Thursday at M. Briggs Center. Come learn about your library. The Alpena CountyLibrary is more than books. Hear about the R.E.A.D. Adult Literacy Program, which offers services for basic literacy, GED study, and English as a Second Language. Learn about technical learning opportunities, including an introduction to Makerspace and an invitation for personal help at 1 p.m. every Monday through Thursday for your tech questions.

∫ 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. 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 Center. Call 989-356-3585.

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

∫ ALL will learn about Solar Energy, Holcim, and Alpena at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday at M. Briggs Center. Come hear about Holcim’s program to get to 100% purchased renewable energy by 2030. The Alpena cement plant’s first step on that path is the current development of a 25-megawatt solar field on the plant properties. Jeff Scott became plant manager of the Alpena cement plant in 2019. The Alpena cement plant has been in operation for 117 years and was at one time the largest cement plant in the world. Today, manufacturing over 2 million tons of cement, the plant is critical to supporting infrastructure across all the Great Lakes states. Since joining the company in 1996, Scott has been a part of the cement manufacturing organization, working in both the U.S. and Canada, holding diverse roles in manufacturing and corporate support leadership at five different cement plants and more.

∫ The Rotary Club of Alpena presents the 70th Annual Rotary Auction and Brew on the Bay Craft Beer and Wine Fest from 6 to 10 p.m. on Thursday at the APlex, 701 Woodward Ave., Alpena. Tickets are $25 per person, which includes six tastings and a souvenir tasting glass. Food vendors will be on site. Proceeds fund Rotary Club projects, including the expansion of the Alpena Splash Park at Starlite Beach. Brew on the Bay is sponsored by Alpena Agency, Robert Barrigar Farm Bureau Insurance, Besser Co., Bruce and Julie Dietz, and Wolverine State Credit Union. Get your tickets at Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce, Perch’s IGA, Robert Barrigar Farm Bureau Insurance, Wolverine State Credit Union, or from any Rotarian.

∫ Agatha Christie’s classic play “And Then There Were None,” opens at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at Alpena Civic Theatre. Directed by Jessica Luther and Lucas Moquin, “And Then There Were None” brings 10 strangers to Soldier Island, invited by a mysterious host. In an unexpected turn of events, each of them is accused of a horrendous crime by a disembodied voice. As members of the party begin dying mysteriously, they realize they are trapped with a murderer on an island with no escape. Shows will run Thursday through Sunday from March 7 to 17, with evening performances beginning at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Call 989-354-3624 or visit the Alpena Civic Theatre Box Office, 401 River St., Alpena, to purchase tickets. The cast includes Doug Niergarth, Dani Ayotte, Lucas Moquin, Isabel Luther, Joey Lanier, Alex Czarnecki, Matt Southwell, Kristin Loughery, Bill Powell, and Bri Lubbers. The crew includes Stage Manager Dani Ayotte, Technical Director and Scenic Designer Jason Luther, Producer Carol Rundell, Lighting Designer Jay Kettler, Sound Designer Andrew MacNeill, Light and Sound Operator Jackie Herbert, and Costumers Mary Ann Crawford, Herbert, and Marilyn Kettler.

∫ Yoga meets from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Harrisville branch of Alcona County Library every Thursday until March 28, by Harrisville Yoga. Call 989-335-1777.

∫ 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 at 18132 Lake Esau Highway, Presque Isle. Call 989-734-2477, ext. 2.

∫ 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, March 8

∫ The Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce will host Good Morning Alpena breakfast on Friday. Attendees will learn what the Alpena High School Career and Technical Education program is and what it has to offer. Breakfast begins at 7 a.m., and the program starts at 7:30 a.m. at AHS, 3303 S. 3rd Ave. The cost is $10, and registration is required to info@alpenachamber.com or 989-354-4181.

∫ 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. 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.

∫ On Fridays in March, storytime and craft for kids is at 10:30 a.m. at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library.

∫ ALL hosts contract bridge from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Fridays at M. Briggs Center.

∫ Friday, March 8 is International Women’s Day! This year’s theme is “Inspire Inclusion.” Head over to the Alcona County Library in Harrisville and get botanical. Each wonderful woman is invited to swing by and pick up a plant of their choice from 3 to 5 p.m. Enter to win a Gardening Basket from Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union.

∫ 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.

∫ Alpena County Library will host a Teen Murder Mystery Dinner from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday. For more information, call the library at 989-356-6188.

∫ Agatha Christie’s classic play “And Then There Were None,” shows at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Alpena Civic Theatre. Call 989-354-3624 or visit the Alpena Civic Theatre Box Office, 401 River St., Alpena, to purchase tickets.

Saturday, March 9

∫ 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 about the Alpena Farmers Market, visit Friends of the Alpena Farmers Market on Facebook

∫ Alpena Sportsmen’s Club will host its annual Wild Game Dinner at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday at the club, 4260 M-32, Alpena. Tickets are $50 per person and include a wild game dinner and beverages. There will be 20 firearm raffles throughout the night and many other drawings and giveaways. There will be a live auction and a silent auction, and a special drawing for a Henry Golden Boy Rifle for youth attendees. Tickets are available at Cliff Anschuetz Chevrolet, or from any Sportsmen’s Club member. Premiere sponsors include Huron Distributors, Pepsi Co., and Cliff Anschuetz Chevrolet.

∫ The APlex will host two entertaining events on Saturday at 701 Woodward Ave., Alpena. Comedy Night will be held in the upstairs conference room, featuring Bill Bushart, Steve Sabo, and Kevin Kramis. Admission is $10, with proceeds to benefit the Special Needs Prom. Doors open at 6 p.m., and Randy Bouchard will perform opening music. The comedy show starts at 7 p.m. In the main ballroom, Risque will perform hits from the 1960s to 1990s. Tickets to the concert are $15 each, with proceeds to benefit the Special Olympics. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Get your tickets at aplex.org. Call the APlex at 989-354-6164.

∫ Agatha Christie’s classic play “And Then There Were None,” shows at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Alpena Civic Theatre. Call 989-354-3624 or visit the Alpena Civic Theatre Box Office, 401 River St., Alpena, to purchase tickets.

Sunday, March 10

∫ The VFW Auxiliary of Posen Post 7804 will host a chicken dinner from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, with baked chicken, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, and homemade bread and desserts. The cost is $12 per adult, $5 per child ages 5 to 12, and free for children younger than age 5. Takeout meals will be available for $12 each. Proceeds will benefit Posen Robotics.