A pasta dinner to support martial arts programs will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday at the APlex, 701 Woodward Ave., Alpena.

The meal includes your choice of pasta with meat sauce, chicken alfredo, or lasagna, with salad, garlic bread, drink, and dessert. This dinner will be dine-in or takeout.

The cost for ages 13 to adult is $12 per person, or two for $22. Meals for children ages 5 to 12 are $10 each, and children under age 5 eat for free.

Master Tim Schepke is a sixth-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do, which is the style of karate taught at Thunder Bay Martial Arts. He has been practicing karate for 30 years.

News Photo by Darby Hinkley Students and instructors in the Thunder Bay Martial Arts beginning karate class gather for a group photo at the end of a recent class held at the APlex.

“The idea of the fundraiser is, we want to reduce the cost of the tuition for students,” Shepke said.

He said students come from all over the area to classes at Thunder Bay Martial Arts, held at the APlex in Alpena.

The Alpena County Youth and Recreation millage sponsors a certain number of scholarships each year for those residing in Alpena County, but Shepke said people living in other counties also attend martial arts classes and could use some help with tuition.

“We can get a reduced rate for certain students, but we have a lot of them that are not in the Alpena area,” Schepke said.

He said having fundraisers like the one on Friday helps them raise funds to assist students coming from Hillman, Posen, Rogers City, Harrisville, and other areas nearby.

Schepke said martial arts benefits students of all ages.

“It gives them confidence and helps them with everyday life stuff,” Schepke said.

He said it helps them gain discipline and confidence while they are exercising and learning self-defense skills.

The students also learn a lot about respect, he said.

Schepke added that he used to get nervous speaking in front of people, but he has gained a lot of confidence from doing karate.

“I think it does help out, quite a bit, with that,” he said.

In the martial arts training room, a sign hangs on the wall containing the Student Oath:

“I promise to train hard to build a strong mind, strong body, and strong spirit. To stand strong in the face of adversity. To be a champion of freedom and justice. To never misuse the martial arts. To be loyal to my instructor and to my fellow students. To bring honor to martial arts and to myself.”

To learn more, or to sign up for martial arts classes at the APlex, call 989-354-6164.