The Alpena Farmers Market will host its annual mum sale fundraiser from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

∫ 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. Classes are also offered, and can be viewed online. Visit artintheloft.org, email director@artintheloft.org, or call 989-356-4877 for more information.

∫ 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. Linda Beeman, the 2023 juried art show winner, has a solo exhibit on display in the Center Gallery. The 2024 juried art exhibit is on display as well, now through Oct. 30. 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. 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. Learn more at dragonflyartgallery.net, as well as on Facebook.

Today, Sept. 3

∫ The Association of Lifelong Learners hosts Mexican Train Express dominoes from 9:15 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 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 for more information.

∫ The Family Search Center at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is available by appointment by calling Ella Purkiss at 989-306-6250.

∫ 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. For detailed membership information, call 989-464-5313.

∫ Knitting Klub and Crochet meets at 1:15 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of the month at the Harrisville branch of Alcona County Library. All levels are welcome to participate.

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

∫ Bay View Center hosts a diversity support meeting at 4 p.m. each Tuesday. This weekly meeting 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, Sept. 4

∫ The Alpena Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at Mich-e-ke-wis Park in Alpena.

∫ ALL pickleball plays from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 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 Friends Together at 989-356-3231 for the link.

∫ Join the Alpena County Library Youth Services Department from 10 to 11 a.m. every Wednesday for Weekly Storytime. Come for a few stories, then stay for an activity or craft! All ages are welcome. If you can’t make it on Wednesday, join ACL at 1 p.m. on Thursday.

∫ Join the Alpena County Library from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday mornings 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.

∫ ALL will host a Writing Workshop from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday at M. Briggs Center, room 143. This writing workshop series focuses on writing, sharing, and feedback. Everyone has stories — some are told, some are written, and some, like memoirs, are written to be shared with others. Sessions will examine issues with writing, share techniques for writing and revising, and practice some editing. Participants write between sessions, share their writing at sessions, and get feedback that they can use for revising and polishing their stories. Mary Ann Krajnik Crawford has been a personal journal writer and teacher of writing for many years. She retired from Central Michigan University as emeritus professor of English and director of the Writing Center and continues to write for the fun of it.

∫ The UAW Retirees hold a gathering at 11 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at JJ’s Steak and Pizza House, 411 N. 2nd Ave., Alpena. There will be a representative from the UAW Trust and Blue Cross Blue Shield at each meeting. The meeting starts at 11 a.m., and then, at about noon, a variety of pizza, breadsticks, and salad is served. If you choose to join in on the lunch, the cost is $8 per person. People start arriving a half-hour early for some socializing before the meeting. Remaining meeting dates for this year are Sept. 4, Oct. 2, Nov. 6, and Dec. 4.

∫ Alpena County Library offers Tech Help from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Do you have a gadget that you need a little help with, or a technology question that you need answered? Get help with your computer, phone, or tablet from ACL’s knowledgeable and patient staff, offering a one-hour, four times a week session with our Technology Specialist on a first-come, first-serve basis.

∫ ALL offers pinochle from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at M. Briggs Center with Julie Byrnes.

∫ S.T.E.A.M., formerly called Homeschoolers at the Library, will meet at 1 p.m. each Wednesday at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library.

∫ 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.

∫ Friends Together offers a support group for those dealing with cancer, meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. each Wednesday at Alcona Elementary School Library in Lincoln.

∫ 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.

Thursday, Sept. 5

∫ 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 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. Please contact Betty at 734-693-2869 for weekly location.

∫ Join ALL for Spitzer from 10 to 11:30 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 will host The Mother Bears from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday at M. Briggs Center. “These knitters had such a fun time working on the bears for donating to the Mother Bear Project that they decided to make the gathering a habit and get together once a month,” explained Florence Stibitz. Priscilla Homola leads attendees on the making of a comfort toy — a cuddly bear. These bears are then sent to children in underdeveloped countries. As a child in Zambia said, “The bear is my only friend.”

∫ 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.

∫ The Alpena County Republican Party will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday at their headquarters, 139 N. Ripley Blvd., Alpena.

∫ 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 for more information.

Friday, Sept. 6

∫ It’s Popcorn Friday at the Alcona County Library. Stop into the Harrisville branch for some free popcorn, 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.

∫ 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, Storytime and Craft for Kids meets at 10:30 a.m. at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library.

∫ The 73rd Annual Posen Potato Festival kicks off on Friday, with vendors open from noon to 10 p.m. An opening ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. at the Polka Pavilion, around the flagpole area. Native Amusements will have carnival rides and games open from noon to 11 p.m. Tours of the Historic Elowsky Grist Mill will be given from 3 to 6 p.m. at 13796 Leer Road, for $7 per adult, and free for children under 8 years old, with a parent. Then, at 6 p.m. will be the 2nd annual burnout competition, with a new class for motorcycle, and more classes for cars and trucks. For more information on the burnout competition, call Rocky at 989-351-7008. Burnout attendees, show your wristband at the Polka Pavilion, and only pay $5 admission. All others pay $10 admission to the Polka Dance from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., featuring The Dyna Brass and Duane Malinowski Band, both from Toledo, Ohio. The K of C and Srodek’s food booths will be open, and coolers are not allowed. For the full schedule of events, visit posenpotatofestival.com.

∫ 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.

Saturday, Sept. 7

∫ The 73rd Annual Posen Potato Festival continues on Saturday, starting with the Spud 5K walk/run. Registration/check-in begins at 8 a.m., and the race starts a 9 a.m. at Posen High School. For more information about the run/walk, contact Missy at 989-351-9742. The Knights of Columbus breakfast will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Green Pavilion, with potato pancakes, Rygwelski kielbasa, and all the trimmings. Vendors will be open all day. Potato displays and potato dish contest registration will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Community Center at Posen Township Hall, and the judging will take place from 10 a.m. to noon. Cookbooks will be available. Registration for the bump and run demo derby will be from 9 a.m. to noon, and the event will be held at 1 p.m., with $10 admission for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for those age 5 and younger. Tours of the Historic Elowsky Grist Mill will be available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. An arts and crafts show will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Posen Consolidated School gymnasium. A kiddie parade will start at noon from the Community Center, down Main Street, with registration from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. A polka dance will be held from noon to 6 p.m. in the Polka Pavilion, featuring Pan Franek, Zosia and the Polka Towners, and Dyna Brass. Native Amusements will have carnival rides and games from noon to 10 p.m. Then, from 7 to 11 p.m., Steve Drzewicki Band will play polka music in the Polka Pavilion, for $10 per person. Over in the Green Pavilion Country Western Building, Gunnar and the Grizzly Boys will play from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m., and admission at $10 per person. You must be 21 or older to attend this show.

∫ 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. This Saturday will be the annual mum sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Funds raised during this event will go toward the expansion of the market, and Kids’ Day, which is set for Sept. 21 this year. Beautiful, large hardy mum plants in 9-inch pots will be available in red/burgundy, yellow, white, purple, and rust. For more information, visit Friends of the Alpena Farmers Market on Facebook.

∫ This year’s Tunnel to Towers 5K Run and Walk will be held in a new location, at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, 5884 A St., Alpena. The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 7. The race starts at 9 a.m. The Tunnel to Towers Run and Walk Series was created to honor the heroic life and death of Stephen Siller, a New York City firefighter who lost his life on September 11, 2001 after strapping on his gear and running three miles through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation honors those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 by supporting our first responders and military who make extraordinary sacrifices in the line of duty. This will be the eighth year of the event in Alpena. For more information and to register, visit T2T.org.

∫ 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 Sunrise Side Co-op Market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays in the parking lot behind Mango’s Tequila Bar in downtown Alpena. The new farmers market will be open each Saturday through the end of October.

∫ 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. 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.

∫ If you’re a fan of Dion Stepanski’s jazz, you won’t want to miss his electronic set from 8 to 10 p.m. on Saturday at PIF Cider, 205 W. Chisholm St. in downtown Alpena. Come check out this musical master’s set. He’ll play bass, guitar, sing, and mix some sick beats, including chill house, experimental, ambient, drum, and bass.

Sunday, Sept. 8

∫ The 73rd Annual Posen Potato Festival continues on Sunday, with a VFW breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon, for $12 per adult, and $6 per child ages 6 to 12. Vendors will be open all day. A Polish heritage mass will be held at 10 a.m. at St. Casimir Church. An arts and crafts show will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Posen Consolidated School gym. A dinner to benefit Options Pregnancy Center will take place from noon to 4 p.m., for $15 per adult, $10 per child ages 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and younger. Native Amusements will have carnival rides and games open from noon to 7 p.m. Starting at noon, the Kielbasa Kings, out of Dearborn, will play polka music in the Polka Pavilion, as well as Pan Franek, Zosia and the Polka Towners, with music playing from noon to 9 p.m. The Grand Festival Parade will be held at 1 p.m., with this year’s marshals being Dennis Goupell and Marge Nowak. A bump and run demo derby will take place at 2 p.m., for $10 per adult, and $5 per child ages 6 to 12. Then, at 4:30 p.m., a tribute to armed service personnel will be held at the Polka Pavilion.

∫ 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.

∫ Grace Episcopal Church invites the public to their Harvest Dinner from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The menu includes scalloped potatoes, baked ham, squash, baked beans, glazed carrots, cole slaw, rolls, and assorted homemade pies and desserts. The church invites you to join them on your way home from the Posen Potato Festival. The church is located at 13488 Long Rapids Road, at the top of the hill, west of M-65.