∫ Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, closed Tuesday, and open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Beverly Benson Wolf’s photography is on display now through July 20 at the museum. The Northeast Michigan Artists’ Guild invites the community to their annual exhibit at the Besser Museum now through July 24. This year’s theme is “It Figures.” The Besser Museum is located at 491 Johnson St., Alpena. 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. Gary Etzler, award-winning carver, is the gallery’s featured artist for July and August. A reception in Gary’s honor will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 12 in the TBA Gallery. The reception is open to the public and free of charge. Summer hours are 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. The Dragonfly Art Gallery is proud to have Dorothea Sandra as their visiting artist for the month of July. The public is welcome to stop in to see and enjoy her art.

Today, July 2

Courtesy Photo The Scholastic News will perform at Rusty Petunias on Friday and PIF Cider on Saturday.

∫ 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. 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, 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, at Friends Together, 105 Prentiss St.. Call Friends Together at 989-356-3231.

∫ The Family Search Center at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will be closed for regular visits during the months of July and August. The center will still be available by appointment. Those wishing to make an appointment can contact Ella Purkiss at 989-306-6250.

∫ Free ROV drop-in sessions are offered this summer from noon to 3 p.m. today and scheduled for various dates throughout the summer. These sessions will be held in the Maker Space near the large Marine Technology Training Tank at Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. The whole family can pilot their ROV in NOAA’s test tank and learn how these vehicles are used for science and industry. Modify your ROV to perform tasks such as lifting “debris” and restoring fish habitat. Earn stamps for each mission to track progress and celebrate as you move through the levels. You can attend multiple dates and progress each time. Dates include July 2, July 11, July 26, Aug. 6, Aug. 10, and Aug. 21.

∫ The Alpena Lions Club hosts their weekly meetings at noon on Tuesdays at First Presbyterian Church, Alpena. For more information, visit alpenalionsclub.com or the Alpena Lions Club on Facebook.

∫ Get ready for an afternoon filled with laughter, creativity, and the soothing rhythm of needles and hooks with Knitting Klub and Crochet from 1:15 to 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library. Share your passion, exchange tips, and maybe even unravel the mysteries of new stitches! Call 989-724-6796 for more information.

∫ 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.

∫ Bay View Center hosts a diversity support meeting at 4 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.

∫ 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.

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

Wednesday, July 3

∫ ALL pickleball plays from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 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. If you have questions about lab rules 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.

∫ The UAW Retirees hold a gathering at 11 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at JJ’s Steak and Pizza House. There is parking on the street and in the parking lot across the street. JJ’s is located at 411 N. 2nd Ave., Alpena. A representative from the UAW Trust and BCBS will be at each meeting. The meeting will be held at 11 a.m., and then, at about noon, a variety of pizza, breadsticks and salad is served. If you choose to join in the lunch, the cost is $8. People start to arrive a half-hour early for some socializing before the meeting. The remaining meeting dates for 2024 are July 3, Aug. 7, Sept. 4, Oct. 2, Nov. 6, and Dec. 4.

∫ Friends of the Alcona County Library will meet at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the Alcona County Library in Harrisville.

∫ Alpena County Library offers Tech Help from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

∫ Dive into the world of knowledge and imagination with Alcona County Library’s exciting STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) program! Whether you’re a seasoned homeschooling family or just curious about the possibilities, this brief but impactful event promises a burst of inspiration and camaraderie for all school-aged children. Meet from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library. Call 989-724-6796 for more information and embark on a journey of discovery and fun!

∫ 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.

∫ 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 information, text Joel Suszek at 989-255-4928 or Jeff Welch at 989-255-6068.

∫ The Long Lake Improvement Association will hold a meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Parker House Restaurant. The public is welcome.

∫ Rich Rider hosts Open Mic Night from 7 to 10 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Black Sheep Pub, 113 S. 2nd Ave., downtown Alpena.

∫ Fireworks will be launched from Mich-e-ke-wis Park around 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Thursday, July 4

∫ HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

∫ The Alpena News Sandcastle Contest will be held on the Fourth of July at Starlite Beach. Entering the contest is free and for all ages. Registration starts at 8 a.m. Look for The Alpena News’ yellow tent, where you can sign up according to age group and size of the group building the sandcastles, which do not, in fact, need to be castles. Creations need to be family-friendly, but, other than that, the beach is your canvas, and you’re the artist. Categories include groups of one to five builders, six or more builders, and the children’s division up to age 11. In the one to five builders and six or more builders categories, first place will receive $100, second will get $50, and third will win $25. In the kids division, first place will receive $50 and second place will receive $25. There will also be people’s choice voting available for $1 per vote, and the winner of that category will receive all the cash used for voting.

∫ The 46th Dork Brothers 5K run/walk and 1-mile races will be held the morning of Thursday, July 4 starting from the APlex, 701 Woodward Ave., Alpena. The 1-mile starts at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K starts at 9 a.m. All proceeds from this event go to support the work of the United Way of Northeast Michigan as they bring the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to preschool aged children newborn to age 5 in Alpena County.

∫ The 2024 HPC Credit Union Fourth of July Parade will begin at 11 a.m. starting from The Alpena County Fairgrounds and ending in the large parking lot on the right before the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. Follow the HPC Credit Union Fourth of July Parade Facebook page for updates and a live stream of the parade the day of! The parade route begins on 11th Avenue, turns right onto Chisholm Street, left onto 2nd Avenue, and left onto Fletcher Street.

∫ The 35th Alpena Optimist Club Rubber Duckie Race Raffle will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at 601 River St., Island Mill Park. Get your tickets in advance from any Optimist, for a $5 donation per ticket. You do not need to be present to win.

∫ A Fourth of July Cruise In will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on the old JJ’s Awesome Acres go-kart track on U.S.-23 in Alpena. Everyone is welcome.

∫ The Rock Show with Tommy K will perform a concert from 7 to 10 p.m. on July 4 at the Alpena Bandshell at Bay View Park. This is part of the True North Radio Network’s Summer Concert Series. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a free concert, as well as giveaways!

Friday, July 5

∫ Popcorn Friday is here to treat your taste buds! Head over to the Alcona County Library in Harrisville and savor the magic of a complimentary bag of movie-style buttered popcorn. But act fast – this delicious delight is available only while supplies last!

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

∫ Travel to the stars at the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library with StarDogs Astronomy’s portable planetarium from 10 to 11 a.m. All ages are welcome, but registration is required. To register, visit https://bit.ly/3XIamsY. The library is located at 211 N. 1st Ave.

∫ 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.

∫ The Scholastic News will perform a concert from 6 to 9 p.m. at Rusty Petunias Marketplace, 123 W. Chisholm St. in downtown Alpena. Grab a drink or charcuterie while you watch!

∫ 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, get ready for a world of giggles, wonders, and creativity at 10:30 a.m. at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library. Storytime and Craft for Kids is not just about learning; it’s about unleashing the joy of discovery!

∫ 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. No partner, no problem — Singles are very welcome!

Saturday, July 6

∫ 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, call J.B. Cook at 989-255-9372, or visit Friends of the Alpena Farmers Market on Facebook.

∫ The Harrisville Farmers Market, located in the upper parking lot of the Harrisville Harbor at the corner of N. Lake Street and E. Harbor Lane, is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays from June through October. Market items are locally produced, grown, harvested, baked, and gathered. For more information, visit The Real Harrisville Harbor Facebook page.

∫ The Homestead Artisan Market and Gallery is in the Kauffman Homestead 8015 E. Grand Lake Road in Grand Lake. The Kauffman Homestead is owned by the Grand Lake Association and is a historical site. They have allowed local crafters and artists to sell their items since the 1970s. An artisan market is like a farmers market, a place giving you an opportunity to meet the creators and learn how and by whom your unique product was made. The Homestead Artisan Market and Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, now through Labor Day, and some special activity days. For more information, check out the Homestead Artisan Market and Gallery on Facebook.

∫ Thunder-Con is back! The Thunder Bay Science Fiction and Fantasy convention returns to Art in the Loft from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in Alpena.

∫ The Scholastic News will perform from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at PIF Cider, 205 W. Chisholm St. in downtown Alpena.

Sunday, July 7

∫ Thunder-Con continues from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Art in the Loft, located on the third floor of the Center Building in downtown Alpena.

∫ 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.

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

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

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