News File Photo Shades of Fall returns to Alpena on Saturday, featuring a scarecrow contest downtown.

∫ Art in the Loft, on the third floor of the Center Building at 109 N. 2nd Ave. in Alpena, is currently closed until Sept. 25 as they prepare for their upcoming annual juried art exhibit, called “Food for Thought: The Art of Food.” The gallery is normally 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.

∫ Jake Bowen is the featured artist for September and October at Thunder Bay Arts Council Gallery, 127 W. Chisholm St. in Alpena. A reception in his honor will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday at the gallery, free and open to the public, with refreshments. The gallery features more than 20 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. Find out more about the gallery at dragonflyartgallery.net, as well as on Facebook.

Tuesday, Sept. 10

∫ 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 High School Class of 1953 will meet at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the 19th Hole for their monthly luncheon. Please call others about this reminder. If you have questions, call Jeanne Frantz-Szymanski at 989-356-0606.

∫ 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.

∫ Join ALL for Growing Up On Mars — The Decline of Play-based Childhood and the Rise of the Phone-based childhood, presented by Joe Gentry, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at M. Briggs Center on the campus of ACC.

∫ Alpena County Library hosts Tinker Tuesday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Participants must be age 5 or older.

∫ 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.

∫ Alpena County Library will host Movie Trivia Night from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the library, 211 N. 1st Ave. Film industry aficionados can test their knowledge in all things movie-related at this trivia night. Snacks will be provided. Call 989-356-6188.

∫ ALL’s Photography Club meets from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday both in-person at M. Briggs Center and via Zoom.

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

Wednesday, Sept. 11

∫ 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 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. If you have questions, call 989-356-6188, ext. 20.

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

∫ 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.

∫ ALL presents Navigating Medicare in 2025 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday in CTR 106 on the campus of ACC. Presenters include Tanner Kostelic, Micah Olsen, and Mark Boyk.

∫ 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.

∫ ALL will host “Little Shope of Horrors” from 7 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at M. Briggs Center and via Zoom. This presentation will cover aspects of raising carnivorous plants, as featured in the movie, “Little Shop of Horrors.” Alpena native Bob Wissmiller has been growing carnivorous plants for 24 years.

∫ 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. 12

∫ 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.

∫ Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel (MARSP) will hold their first meeting of the year at noon on Thursday at the First United Methodist Church on Ripley Boulevard. The guest speaker will be from Friends Together. There will be a catered lunch at a price of $12.50 or you may bring your own lunch if you wish. Reservations were to be made to Ruth LeBarre no later than Monday, Sept. 9 by calling her at 989-506-8876. You will then pay at the door when you come. Join other retired school personnel and visit before the meeting and then listen to our speaker and also hear updates on our pension and insurance and any new bills that are being discussed concerning our retirement benefits.

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

∫ Join ALL to hear a presentation about Cambodia Corps Inc., by Max Lund and Carol Lund, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at M. Briggs Center. This is a keynote presentation of the history and status of Cambodia Corps Inc., a nonprofit that offers high school and college degrees for Montagnard children, who have all returned to help their people.

∫ 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 Area Chamber of Commerce will host the 13th Annual Grub Crawl pirate-themed event on Thursday. Participating locations include: Court Yard Restaurant, HopSide Brewery, Joe’s Bar, Latitudes Tavern, Nowicki’s Sausage Shoppe, PIF Cider, Player’s Pub and Grub, and Red Brick Tap and Barrel. A shuttle will be running throughout the night to the outlying locations. Grub Crawlers will have from 5:30 to 10 p.m. to collect stickers from all locations and can then turn in completed game boards by 10 p.m. for a chance to win prizes. Tickets are available for $20 each at the Alpena Chamber and must be purchased in advance. The ticket price includes a bandana, game board, shuttle, games, appetizers, and drink specials. Each participant who turns in a completed game board will be entered into a prize drawing for a variety of fun items. Winners will be announced via Facebook live at 10:30 p.m. that night and then will be contacted the next day. Participants will also be voting for their favorite stop, once again. Only a limited number of tickets are available.

∫ 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, Sept. 13

∫ 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.

∫ 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.

∫ Crafters ages 12-18 are invited to a floral crafting experience from 4 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13 at the Alpena County Library. Attendees will paint a canvas tote with real flowers. All supplies will be provided. The library is located at 211 N. 1st Ave. For more information, call 989-356-6188.

∫ 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.

∫ Jake Bowen is the featured artist for September and October at Thunder Bay Arts Council Gallery, 127 W. Chisholm St. in Alpena. A reception in his honor will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday at the gallery, free and open to the public, with refreshments.

Saturday, Sept. 14

∫ 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.

∫ A fall craft bazaar to benefit Feeding Kids Ministry will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 500 S. Brooke St., Alpena. There will be a $1 cash entry fee for adults, and children get in for free. The event will feature vendors, a lotto board raffle, plant and perennial flower/bulb sale, kids crafts by freewill donation, a bake sale, and food and beverages for sale. Most items will be cash only. All proceeds go to Feeding Kids Ministry to provide weekend backpack meals to children in our community experiencing food insecurity. Feeding Kids Ministry is a ministry of Resurrection Lutheran Church.

∫ 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.

∫ Volunteers from Rogers City are joining the thousands of people who are gathering this season in towns across the U.S. to promote suicide prevention. The annual Northeast Michigan Out of the Darkness Community Walk, hosted by the Michigan Chapter, will be held on Saturday. Registration will start at 9 a.m. and the program starts at 10:30 a.m. This gathering will support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s education, research and support for survivors of suicide loss. In addition to raising awareness and funds to fight suicide, the walks give those who attend a chance to connect with others and know they are not alone, whether they walk in memory or in support of a loved one or in honor of their own mental health journey.

∫ 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 annual Shades of Fall festival kicks off Saturday in downtown Alpena in conjunction with a new Harvest Festival sponsored by Thunder Bay Winery. The Thunder Bay Arts Council-sponsored Shades of Fall is from noon to 3 p.m. and features a puppet show, an inflatable obstacle course, crafts, hayrides, the annual scarecrow contest, and more. From 3 to 9 p.m., the winery’s Harvest Festival features live music, a taco bar, a hot dog eating contest, a food truck, and more. Shades of Fall’s puppet show featuring Kevin Kammeraad happens at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. The event will also feature an inflatable obstacle course courtesy of the National Guard. Attendees can also assemble sailboats to float in the Culligan Plaza Fountain courtesy of the Home Depot. Hayrides will feature a singalong. That afternoon and evening, Mango’s Tequila Bar will offer a taco bar. Bob’s Bullpen will host a hot dog eating contest. The bands Ethereal Purr, Way Out Wayne, and June Street Riot will perform. The Smoking Trolls food truck will be on hand. For more information, visit ThunderBayArts.org or call the Arts Council at 989-354-2586.

∫ Classic baseball is back at 1 p.m. on Saturady at Cuyler Park in Harrisville. The public is invited to come out and watch the “Old Timers” game. All proceeds from concession sales will support the Alcona Community Schools Backpack Program.

∫ Michigan Poet Laureate Nandi Comer will visit Alpena on Saturday and Sunday in two free events. Comer will share her poetry and engage with the Alpena community at a Poetics Lab open mic night from 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday at PIF Cider in Alpena. Then, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Comer will do a formal reading and question and answer session at Granum Theatre at ACC. Registration is required for the Granum Theatre event on Sunday. To register, visit tpoeticslab.com/event-details/nandi-comer-does-a-formal-reading and click on the ticket link.

Sunday, Sept. 15

∫ Michigan Poet Laureate Nandi Comer will visit Alpena on Sunday. From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Comer will do a formal reading and question and answer session at Granum Theatre on the campus of Alpena Community College. Registration is required. To register, visit tpoeticslab.com/event-details/nandi-comer-does-a-formal-reading and click on the ticket link.

∫ 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, Sept. 16

∫ 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.

∫ Experienced bridge partners looking for some challenging competition can join the Alpena Duplicate Bridge Club that meets from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Mondays. Call 989-354-2306 or 989-595-5119.

∫ Friends Together North is a cancer support group for men and women that meets at 12:30 p.m. each Monday at the Presque Isle District Library in Rogers City.

Submit items for the Community Calendar to Lifestyles Editor Darby Hinkley at lifestyles@thealpenanews.com. Call 989-358-5691 with questions.