The Northern Lifestyles section was created to showcase the unique hobbies and interests of Northeast Michiganders. It features anything from artists and organizations to local history and festivals. It’s a chance for readers to see what their fellow community members are up to and what different lifestyles look like.

This year, The News saw plenty of talent, occasions, and other interests in the community to feature in the paper.

Unique hobbies and skills are one of the most popular topics for Northern Lifestyles stories.

For example, this year, Grace Riemer was featured in March, showing off her skills as a fire dancer, an art relatively unknown in the area, but something Riemer has enjoyed for years. She said it’s how she expresses herself and receives an adrenaline rush at the same time.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco Destiny Bidinger shows off bread she recently made while restocking her baked goods stand in September.

Also in March, former Alpena mayor Carol Shafto showed The News her growing Lego collection, describing her love for assembling the pieces of art as an addiction.

In June, The News featured Bob Wissmiller’s greenhouse, where he grows and raises hundreds of carnivorous plants. Wismiller said he has raised meat-eating plants for 25 years.

Destiny Bidinger opened a small business this year to support her baking hobby. As seen in The News in September, Bidinger opened Baked on Bloom, where she sells anything from bagels and muffins to herbs and jewelry.

Then there are those who turn hobby into sport, like April-featured Jimmy Wright, who started his strongman journey last year. Wright challenges himself in intense strength and endurance competitions that test physical and mental limits.

Artists are often featured in Northern Lifestyles, as well, showing off the work they are doing in the area.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Bob Wismiller shows off his collection of carnivorous plants in his greenhouse on June 6. He has eight pure species, three of which are endangered, and some hybrids he made himself.

Posen’s Samantha Freske was featured in July, explaining how her work can be seen across Alpena. After she was hired to paint in the windows of various businesses, created a mural at Alpena Shipwreck Tours, was selected to paint at Alpena Boat Harbor, and was asked to paint live during Alpena’s Flower Festival, Freske developed a vast portfolio for the public to appreciate.

Dorothea Sandra was another artist featured in The News this year, in June, showing off her work using evidence-based design to paint pieces that make viewers happy.

Professional cosplayer, Brooke Stenz, based in Alpena, showed off her artistic hobby in March as she told The News how she creates costumes, accessories, and more to transform into various pop culture characters.

Projects and providing a hand are other subjects associated with Northern Lifestyles.

For example, The News showed how Career and Technical Education classes at Alpena High School were doing their part in November to raise money for Sunrise Mission homeless shelter in Alpena. Students built more than 100 tiny houses to give to businesses to collect donations for Homelessness Awareness Month.

Courtesy Photo Brooke Stenz poses in her personally crafted Ooogie Boogie cosplay from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in a photo by Forest Edge Photography.

In September, a group of volunteers was featured as they worked to clean up local beaches.

“The beaches are irreplaceable,” Jeff Welch, who helped organize the cleanings, said for the story. “We’ve got to take care of them.”

Inspiring youth are also featured in The News, like Jazzmyne Kowalski, who was featured in July for her hard work and responsibility she learned from 4-H. Kowalski raises both show animals, which are judged and are often pets at home, and market animals that are sold.

Stories of local history, like a trip to Thunder Bay Island or honoring influential women in Alpena’s past, were also featured this year.

Several other Northeast Michiganders and local organizations were featured throughout 2024, and more will surely see their chance in the spotlight in 2025.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz A wall of flames burns in front of Grace Riemer as she dances with the fire props on March 21 at Bay View Park in Alpena.

Community members’ anecdotes, a behind-the-scenes look at plays, popular events and festivals, incoming museum exhibits, the impact of murals, and more were and will continue to be featured in Northern Lifestyles.

Each Saturday, there is a new story to be told about the possibilities of a Northeast Michigan lifestyle.

If you or someone you know has a unique hobby, an inspiring story, an aspiring dream, etc. reach out to The News at newsroom@thealpenanews.com for a chance to be featured and have that story told.

News Photo by Mike Gonzalez Jimmy Wright lifts a large weight over his head in front of his home in April.

Courtesy Photo Alpena High School CTE students paint the tiny houses after building them for a project to benefit Sunrise Mission during Homelessness Awareness Month.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Carol Shafto shows off the instruction book for her latest LEGO project which is a replica of the Taj Mahal in India.