∫ Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan is closed to the public now through mid-January for the installation of the new “Discover Northeast Michigan History” exhibit. There will be no “Season of Light” exhibit this year. The museum will open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1, for the Thunder Bay Arts Council Christmas event, Yuletide, which will take place in the Historic Village. The Besser Museum is located at 491 Johnson St., Alpena. Call the museum at 989-356-2202, or visit bessermuseum.org.

∫ Mark and Lucia Behmer are the Thunder Bay Arts Gallery Featured Artists for November and Decemeber. 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.

Today, Nov. 26

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

Courtesy Photo Thunder Bay Arts presents Yuletide from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan Historical Village. There will be an outdoor Christmas market similar to the one pictured.

∫ 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, not sit on the sidelines. 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 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.

∫ For those looking for a unique way to face life’s challenges, MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena has launched “Life As Improv,” a new, eight-week adult support group. The group is designed to encourage adults to work together, listen and create a story. During the group sessions, participants will also learn about community resources and connections. The free support group will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, now through Dec. 17. Sessions are held in the Behavioral Health Conference Room at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. The final Dec. 17 session will be held at Joshua Tree Studio and Spa, 112 W. Chisholm St., Alpena. Registration is required. Call 989-356-8193 or email karen.nowicki-compeau@mymichigan.org.

∫ Sewing Club meets from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Alpena County Library’s Makerspace. No sewing experience? No problem! This club is open to all skill levels — newbie to expert, ages 10 and up. Bring your sewing machine, supplies (scissors, straight pins), and project to work on. Space and guidance will be provided. For those without a sewing machine, there are three machines on site for use. Registration is required for this class by calling Barb Brege at 989-255-8969.

∫ ALL will host Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Seniors from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday at M. Briggs Center. Presenter Rocky Roland will give a basic introduction to AI for seniors or those concerned about AI and its impact. We’ll delve into what AI is, how it is being used, and the applications in our daily lives. Some of the concerns we will look at include “deep fakes,” embedded viruses, AI-generated scams, and misinformation/disinformation. We will try to develop a balanced skepticism about AI, realizing that it is here to stay and may be crucial to our daily lives, but we must be aware of the dangers and potential pitfalls.

∫ 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 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, Nov. 27

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

∫ Friends of the Library will have a used book store open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Wednesday on the third floor of the Alpena County Library. The book store is currently holding a Christmas special of five books for $3. The public is welcome.

∫ The Family Search Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints offers classes on genealogy and family history on Wednesdays. The first session will be from 10 a.m. to noon, with the second session running from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Alpena Chapel building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 411 Long Rapids Plaza Road, Alpena. These classes will be taught by Sharon Young and Ella Purkiss. To register, contact 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 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. A signed waiver is required prior to using the MakerLab. MakerLab rules apply in the lab at all times because participant safety is our top priority! 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. Do you have a gadget that you need 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 a 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.

∫ Alpena Sportsmen’s Club is a nonprofit located at 4260 M-32 West in Alpena, open to members and non-members. 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.

∫ Living Hope Church in Alpena will host a Thanksgiving service at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, open to all members of the community. The church is located at 1499 M-32, Alpena.

∫ 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, Nov. 28

∫ HAPPY

THANKSGIVING!

∫ The Dork Brothers Racing Team will host the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K. Registration will be from 8 to 8:45 a.m., and the race will start at 9 a.m. from the APlex, 701 Woodward Ave. You can register online at RunSignUp, or on race day. There will be special awards for the first overall male and female, and the first 100 finishers will receive a specially designed Turkey Trot award. There will not be age group awards. Registration is $25 per person. A limited supply of specially designed long-sleeve T-shirts will be available for $10 each, while supplies last. This event will take place no matter what the weather. Come earn your Thanksgiving dinner, and support the United Way of Northeast Michigan.

∫ The public is invited to the Werdas’ annual free Thanksgiving dinner from 3 to 6 p.m., or until food runs out, on Thursday at the Alpena VFW Post 2496 at 2900 Connon St., Alpena.

Friday, Nov. 29

∫ 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.

∫ ALL hosts square dancing from 4 to 6 p.m. 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!

∫ The annual Bolenz Jewelry Holiday Parade will start at 5:30 p.m., making its way down Chisholm Street toward 2nd Avenue through downtown Alpena. The tree lighting ceremony and arrival of Santa Claus in Culligan Plaza will follow the parade.

Saturday, Nov. 30

∫ 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. A Christmas Market will be featured from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit the Friends of the Alpena Farmers Market on Facebook.

∫ Downtown Alpena invites you to celebrate Small Business Saturday by shopping downtown at your favorite local stores.

∫ The Poetics Lab is partnering with the Susan Lane Foundation to present an open mic celebration on Saturday at Art in the Loft. Cocktail hour will be 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., with music by Tranquil Trauma. The Poetics Lab Chapbook Vol. IV release and HOMES Haiku winner announcement will be held during the program, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This event will also be live streamed. The Poetics Lab has partnered with the Susan Lane Foundation on the HOMES Haiku Competition, supported by the Community Foundation of Northeast Michigan’s Women’s Giving Circle funds.

∫ Dion Stepanski will play live electronic music from 8 to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday at PIF Cider, 205 W. Chisholm St.

Sunday, Dec. 1

∫ The APlex and Alpena Beverage present the first in the Sunday Memories concert series, a tribute to Gordon Lightfoot. The Sunday Memories series is great for anyone who likes the oldies but goodies. These concerts are designed for seniors or anyone who likes the music to be a bit quieter, and from an era gone by. They are set up so you can grab a group of your friends and come out to enjoy the show and some good snacks, and be home before dark. The $20 admission fee includes hors d’oeuvres.

∫ Step back in time to the holidays of yesteryear from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday for Yuletide at the Historical Village at Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan. The event will feature Christmas carolers in the Spratt Church, Alpena Civic Theatre skits in the schoolhouse, Santa and his elf in the bank building, and spinners and weavers in the log cabin. Other fun family activities will include horse and wagon rides, a petting zoo, children’s activities, holiday cookies and crafts for sale, and more.

∫ 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, Dec. 2

∫ 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.

∫ 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.

∫ Thunder Bay Arts Community Chorus presents its Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. on Monday at Stanley C. Beck Auditorium at Alpena High School. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

Tuesday, Dec. 3

∫ It’s Giving Tuesday! If you’re looking for Giving Tuesday Northeast Michigan, head to the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan’s website.Sixty nonprofit organizations throughout Northeast Michigan, as well as a few of the Community Foundation’s key programs, will team up to raise funds for the good of our communities. Last year, this campaign raised over $336,000 in a 24-hour period. CFNEM’s Giving Tuesday Northeast Michigan page will go live for giving at 12 a.m. on Dec. 3. Check out the list of participating nonprofits at cfnem.org/givingtuesday.

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