Courtesy Photo by Bronwyn Woolman The cast of “Young Frankenstein, the Musical” poses at a recent rehearsal. In front are Alek Degen, Samantha Rinnert, Fallon Gandulla-Ghekiere, Elsa Schultz, Riley Pelto, Kristine Loughery, Dani Ayotte, and Doug Haines. In back are Steve Holmes, Donna Roussin, Nick Hartman, Larry Johns, Matt Southwell, Zach Clement, David Usher, Traci Boyle, and Amanda Hulsey.

∫ Art in the Loft, on the third floor of the Center Building at 109 N. 2nd Ave. in Alpena, presents its annual juried art exhibit, called “Food for Thought: The Art of Food.” The exhibit will be on display through Nov. 7, which is Art in the Loft’s annual fundraiser. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Visit artintheloft.org, or call 989-356-4877.

∫ 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 October at Thunder Bay Arts Council Gallery, 127 W. Chisholm St. in Alpena. The gallery features more than 20 local artists’ work on display and for sale. 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. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Find out more about the gallery at dragonflyartgallery.net, as well as on Facebook.

Today, Oct. 22

∫ The Association of Lifelong Learners hosts Mexican Train Express dominoes from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays.

∫ The Salvation Army of Alpena will host Share the Warmth distribution from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday. Coats, hats, and gloves, and other winterwear will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at 722 N. 2nd Ave., Alpena.

∫ Great Start Collaborative Playgroup is held weekly at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays at Alpena County Library.

∫ 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 989-356-3231 for info.

∫ The Alpena Lions Club hosts their weekly meetings at noon on Tuesdays at First Presbyterian Church, Alpena. Visit alpenalionsclub.com or the Alpena Lions Club on Facebook. For membership information, call 989-464-5313.

∫ Sewing Club meets from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Alpena County Library’s Makerspace. This club is open to all skill levels, ages 10 and up. Bring your sewing machine, supplies (scissors, straight pins), and project to work on. There are three machines on site for use. Registration is required by calling Barb Brege at 989-255-8969.

∫ Join ALL to hear about experiences in the life of a sports official with Mr. Kuznicki, who officiated for 50 years at the high school, college, and professional levels. During that time, he officiated three high school state finals, one Little League World Series, and hundreds of local games. He is a three-time nominee for the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Vern Norris award. This program will be from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at M. Briggs Center.

∫ 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.

∫ A new women’s cancer support group is offered from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m on Tuesdays at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena’s Cancer Center. All women with cancer are welcome. This is a safe, confidential, peer-to-peer support group.

∫ 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, Oct. 23

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

∫ The Family Search Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints offers classes on genealogy and family history on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon, with the second session running from 1 to 3 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 411 Long Rapids Plaza Road, Alpena. To register or for more information, contact Ella Purkiss at 989-306-8090 or ella.mae.purkiss@gmail.com.

∫ 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! If you have questions about lab rules 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.

∫ Circle of Hope 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, Oct. 24

∫ 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 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. 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.

∫ 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.

∫ ALL will hold a tech workshop with Alpena High School students of the DECA club helping ALL members to make sense of their gadgets and technology devices. Bring your tech devices to this workshop from 3 to 5 p.m. at M. Briggs Center.

∫ Sewing Club meets from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Alpena County Library’s Makerspace. Registration is required for this class by calling Barb Brege at 989-255-8969.

∫ A National Faith and Blue scam and fraud awareness and prevention seminar will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at TriPoint Church of God, 500 S. Brooke St., Alpena. Registration is not required. Call 989-356-2021 or email tripointalpena@gmail.com.

∫ 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.

∫ Alpena Civic Theatre presents a fun and spooky delight in “Young Frankenstein, the Musical,” opening Thursday. The comedy musical will run this Thursday through Sunday, with evening performances at 7:30 p.m., and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Then, next week, there will be evening shows on Wednesday, Oct. 30 through Saturday, Nov. 2, which will be the final show. ACT is located at 401 River St. Call the box office to reserve your tickets at 989-354-3624. Individual tickets are $20 per seat for all shows. College students with a valid ID pay $15 per seat, and elementary through high school student tickets are $10 per seat.

Friday, Oct. 25

∫ MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena volunteers host a used book sale 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday at the Healthplex North Entrance.

∫ ALL pickleball plays from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

∫ 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.

∫ Grace Episcopal Church on Long Rapids Road in Lachine is hosting a soup and sandwich dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, featuring homemade soups, sandwiches, breads, and assorted desserts. The cost is by donation. This month, the church is collecting items and donations for Alpena County Animal Control. Items needed include: laundry soap, bleach, towels, blankets, cat litter, cat food, dog food, and toys.

∫ The Hillman VFW Post 2356 hosts its Friday Night Fish Fry from 4 to 7 p.m., 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.

∫ Bay Athletic Club’s annual Thinner Winner community weight loss competition is back! BAC is now enrolling teams of 4 to 6 people. Rules and costs are the same as in prior years: $50 for members and $100 for guests, which includes access to BAC. The program provides accountability, optional group workouts at a variety of times, a nutritional guide, tracker, support, and fun. This six-week competition kicks off with a rolling registration, weigh-in and material pick-up at Bay Athletic Club, located inside MyMichigan Medical Center, from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday. Stop into BAC for an application, or call 989-356-5600 for more information.

∫ Trick-or-treat throughout downtown Alpena from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Businesses will be passing out candy to visitors. This is the same evening as Trunk-or-Treat, which is taking place behind Alpena City Hall at the same time.

∫ Top off (or kick off) your trick-or-treating evening with a trip to the Haunted Museum inside the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday. This is an all ages, free event. There will be trick-or-treating, games, and the haunted ship/museum is optional. This event is possible because of support from Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, many candy donations, and lots of volunteers.

∫ The Poetics Lab will host an open mic night from 5 to 6 p.m. Friday at PIF Cider, 205 W. Chisholm St., Alpena. The open mic will be the pre-show for the Halloween drag show to follow that evening.

∫ Alpena Civic Theatre presents a fun and spooky delight in “Young Frankenstein, the Musical,” at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The comedy musical will continue through Sunday, with evening performances at 7:30 p.m., and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Then, next week, there will be evening shows on Wednesday, Oct. 30 through Saturday, Nov. 2, which will be the final show. Alpena Civic Theatre is located at 401 River St. Call the box office to reserve your tickets at 989-354-3624. Individual tickets are $20 per seat for all shows. College students with a valid ID pay $15 per seat, and elementary through high school student tickets are $10 per seat.

∫ Wok ‘n’ Otaku restaurant will host Otaku-ween from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at 2401 U.S.-23 South, Alpena. Join them for a laid-back evening of appetizers and drink specials after you wrap up festivities downtown. Come in costume for giveaways!

∫ Friends Together will host Northeast Michigan’s largest Halloween party, The Shadows, on Friday at the APlex, 701 Woodward Ave., Alpena. Doors open at 6 p.m. The event will feature live music by High Speed, chances to unlock the WATZ Cash Cube, costume contests for individuals, couples, and groups, skeleton keys to unlock cash and prizes. You must be 21 to enter. Admission is $20, and skeleton keys are $20. There will be a cash bar and concessions available. Everyone who attends will be entered for door prizes. Tickets are on sale online at bit.ly/4cQzJfW or at the door. This fundraiser event is sponsored by WATZ, The Bird, and Connie’s Cafe.

∫ Rogers City Community Theatre presents the one-man show “Underneath the Lintel,” by Glen Berger, for two weekends: Oct. 25 through 27 and Nov. 1 through 3 at the Rogers Theater, 257 North Third Street, Rogers City. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Cash price at the door is $14 for adults and $6 for students. In this gripping story, an eccentric librarian, played by Karl W. Heidemann, discovers a weather-beaten book in a return bin — 123 years overdue. Sparked into action, he embarks on a sometimes emotional quest that takes him around the world and 2,000 years into the past.

Saturday, Oct. 26

∫ MyMichigan Health Foundation’s Annual Support Committee is hosting their annual shooting event, Clays for a Cause, at the Alpena Sportsmen’s Club on Saturday. All funds raised from this year’s event will go toward a new ultrasound system for the Breast Health Suite at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. Participants must pre-register by Thursday and bring their own gun and shells. The shoot will feature 14 stations with 50 clays available per shooter. Shooting will be followed by a luncheon with raffles, giveaways and an awards presentation. The cost is $70 per person or $280 per team. Registration includes lunch, beverages, a T-shirt, and a raffle ticket for a gun only available to the shooters. Doors open at 8 a.m., with shotgun starting at 9 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for the top teams as well as some individual shooter awards. Ammunition is available for purchase at the range. For more information, contact ann.diamond@mymichigan.org or 989-356-7738.

∫ 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 the Friends of the Alpena Farmers Market on Facebook.

∫ Living Hope Church invites all men in the community to enjoy breakfast, fellowship and a Bible study at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The church is located at 1499 M-32 in Alpena.

∫ 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.

∫ Tweens ages 9 to 13 are invited to join Alpena County Library from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday for laser tag. Each attendee will have the opportunity to play multiple short team games in the Stillion Conference Room, unless otherwise specified. Registration is required to attend. Space is limited to 20 players per session. Please reach out to Brad with any questions at bcrevier@alpenalibrary.org.

∫ Harvest Community Church will host a chili cookoff from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Sanborn Elementary School gym. The public is invited. Donations will be accepted to go toward shipping costs for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes sent to children in underdeveloped countries.

∫ The Alpena County Library will host Stories from Beyond, a cemetery tour with two times offered — 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Join the Alpena County Library Special Collections Department staff for a spooky cemetery walk as they unearth true stories, strange coincidences, gruesome happenings, and mysteries long buried in Evergreen Cemetery. Space is limited and registration is required. To register for the 2 p.m. tour, visit bit.ly/3BjoXSB. To register for the 6:30 p.m. tour, visit bit.ly/4eabZVD. Or call 989-356-6188, ext. 17. Program content may not be suitable for those under 16 years old.

∫ Boo Skate will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at Northern Lights Arena, for $10 per skater. Children age 8 and younger get in for free with the purchase of a $10 admission. There will be a live DJ, trick-or-treat stations, a costume contest (must be family and skating friendly), and skating games.

∫ The Marine Corps League Alpena Detachment is hosting a Polish dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday in the Canteen of the VFW on Connon Street. Dinner includes pierogies, sauerkraut and sausage, potatoes, dinner roll and your choice of desserts. This is dine-in or take-out. The cost for the dinner is $15 per person. For take-outs, please call the Canteen at 989-340-0385. The VFW Post “Ace of Spades” drawing will be held at 4 p.m. You need not be present to win. The dinner and the drawing are open to the public.

∫ Hillman Senior Center will host a euchre tournament on Saturday. A meal will be served at 5 p.m., and play starts at 6 p.m. The entry fee is $20, and prizes and food will be provided. For more information, call 989-464-4463 or 989-742-4080.

∫ Alpena Civic Theatre presents a fun and spooky delight in “Young Frankenstein, the Musical,” at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. The comedy musical will continue with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Then, next week, there will be evening shows on Wednesday, Oct. 30 through Saturday, Nov. 2, which will be the final show. Alpena Civic Theatre is located at 401 River St. Call the box office to reserve your tickets at 989-354-3624. Individual tickets are $20 per seat for all shows. College students with a valid ID pay $15 per seat, and elementary through high school student tickets are $10 per seat.

∫ Rogers City Community Theatre presents the one-man show “Underneath the Lintel,” by Glen Berger, for two weekends: Oct. 25 through 27 and Nov. 1 through 3 at the Rogers Theater, 257 North Third Street, Rogers City. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15.45 for adults and $7.05 for students if paying with credit card and are available in advance at rcct.ludus.com or at the box office starting one hour prior to showtime. Cash price at the door is $14 for adults and $6 for students.

Sunday, Oct. 27

∫ 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.

∫ Alpena Civic Theatre presents a fun and spooky delight in “Young Frankenstein, the Musical,” at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Then, next week, there will be evening shows on Wednesday, Oct. 30 through Saturday, Nov. 2, which will be the final show. Alpena Civic Theatre is located at 401 River St. Call the box office to reserve your tickets at 989-354-3624. Individual tickets are $20 per seat for all shows. College students with a valid ID pay $15 per seat, and elementary through high school student tickets are $10 per seat.

∫ Rogers City Community Theatre presents the one-man show “Underneath the Lintel,” by Glen Berger, for two weekends: Oct. 25 through 27 and Nov. 1 through 3 at the Rogers Theater, 257 North Third Street, Rogers City. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15.45 for adults and $7.05 for students if paying with credit card and are available in advance at rcct.ludus.com or at the box office starting one hour prior to showtime. Cash price at the door is $14 for adults and $6 for students.

∫ The Alpena Peace Community, Temple Beth-El, and Grace Lutheran Church invite the community to a peace event on Sunday, featuring a conversation between a pastor and a rabbi on the topic: “How do we cultivate a world of peace?” The free event will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at Grace Lutheran Church, 119 W. Dunbar St., Alpena. Led by Pastor Tom Orth and Rabbi Howard Morrison, Part One will cover Jewish and Christian overviews, and Part Two will focus on challenges in contemporary times. There will be light refreshments. Attendees are welcome to bring a nonperishable food item for Grace Lutheran’s Little Food Pantry. This event is sponsored in part by the generosity of the Ravitz Foundation Initiative for Michigan Small Jewish Communities. For more information about the Alpena Peace Community, email alpenapeacecommunity@gmail.com, or see Alpena Peace Community on Facebook.

Monday, Oct. 28

∫ 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. For more information, 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.

∫ Craft with Friends is a support group at Friends Together meeting at 3 p.m. on Mondays. This group is for men and women. This is a recurring class with a different craft project being offered on Mondays every other month (Feb, April, June, August, October, December). Call 989-356-3231 for more information.

∫ Friends Together presents Monday Mixer, a support group for men and women coping with a cancer experience, at 4:30 p.m. each Monday at Friends Together and via Zoom. Call 989-356-3231 for more information.

∫ GriefShare meets at 5 p.m. on Mondays at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alpena. This 13-week program started Sept. 9, led by facilitator Brent Finzel. For more information, call Carol at 989-354-3758.

∫ If a problem drinker is affecting your life, Al-Anon can help. Confidential and anonymous meetings are held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Monday at the Alano Club located at 3100 Piper Road, Alpena. For more information, contact Diane at 989-821-9601.