Your Summertime Guide to Outdoor Dining in Alpena

Posted on June 2nd, 2023

Summertime and the living’s easy in your Sanctuary of the Great Lakes! Nothing like relaxing on the patio with some good eats and a cold beverage, right? If you want to skip the effort and mess of cooking at home this summer, here are some great spots for outdoor dining in Alpena: Downtown Alpena…

Michigan Maple Syrup: the Inside Scoop on a Backyard Production

Posted on April 5th, 2023

Michigan is blessed with an abundance of maple trees, and maple syrup is the first farm crop to be harvested in Michigan each year. The process of making maple syrup didn’t begin with pancakes, though. North American Indians used it both as food and as medicine. Early American settlers observ…

Everyone Is Irish On St. Patrick’s Day!

Posted on March 14th, 2023

On March 17th, everyone is Irish! This week we will celebrate the annual tradition of St. Patrick’s Day and our Irish heritage by wearing green, drinking green beer, and eating corned beef and cabbage. But where did this all come from? The traditional Irish St. Patrick’s day feast consisted of pork a…

A Peek Inside the Posen Potato Festival

Posted on September 7th, 2022

Local Experience Writer Lara King gives readers an inside look at a familiar favorite in Northeast Michigan. Alpena’s neighbor to the Northwest, Posen, has been celebrating the local potato harvest in Northeast Michigan for 68 years. Generations of families have grown up learning how to dance th…

Alpena’s Bucket List: The New Year’s Resolution Edition

Posted on December 29th, 2021

The new year is coming and it’s time to leave 2021 in the past along with 2020! Whether you are a local or a tourist, a bucket list is a great way to explore your own backyard and Michigan treasures. As the official Sanctuary of the Great Lakes, Alpena is particularly full of treasures; you just ne…

Get Out of the Elements and Into Your Element at These Alpena Art Workshops

Posted on February 6th, 2020

Does the winter season have you feeling the full effects of cabin fever? Do you want to get out of the house but not into the cold? No need to brave the elements, get into your element by painting, sculpting, crafting, and meditating your way into spring! We have the cure for your cabin fever blues with th…

Crafted in the Hand; Michigan-Made Spirits at Nucleus Lounge in Alpena

Posted on August 15th, 2019

What do bananas, rye, and Alpena all have in common? Answer: the one and only perfectly custom-crafted Journeyman Distillery rye whiskey- only available at Nucleus Lounge in downtown Alpena! Chef Eric Peterson of the Fresh Palate/Nucleus Lounge wanted to bring a signature style to the drinks in…

12 Days of Christmas in Alpena: The Ultimate Guide to Holiday-Themed Activities

Posted on December 18th, 2018

By Guest Blogger: Lara King Only 1 more week until Christmas! However, we made a list and checked it twice so you can fit in all of these events and activities before Christmas time. Enjoy these holiday-themed activities, shopping local, and festive plates in “The Ultimate Holiday GuideR…

A variety of Alpena apparel at The Local Basket Case.

Alpena’s Holiday Shopping Guide

Posted on December 6th, 2018

Looking for that special, unusual Christmas gift or stocking stuffer? Do you have a someone in your life that seems to already have everything? Don’t get lost in online conglomerates and big box stores! Here’s a list of Alpena’s hidden treasures full of unique items for everyone on your list. The Or…

Changing the Narrative, One Scoop at a Time

Posted on November 28th, 2018

When Aaron Buza and his wife Kari were approached about taking over ownership of Downtown Scoops in Alpena, they were honored and excited. Established in 2011 by Chris and Missi LeFave, Downtown Scoops has delighted local residents and visitors with their homemade waffle cones, unique flavor var…