Stories of Yesteryear: Remembering Alpena’s Winter Carnival

Posted on February 8th, 2019

All of this winter weather we’ve been having has a reminiscing on days gone by. Back between the early 1930’s to the 1960’s when Alpena hosted a winter carnival during the snowiest time of the year. Alpena’s first winter carnival queen, Mary Meharg 1935. Photo cour…

Street Talk: The Story Behind Alpena’s City Streets

Posted on January 11th, 2019

We’ve told you about some of the namesakes surrounding Alpena history in our previous blogs, “Alpena: What’s in a Name?”, and “The Names, the Myths and the Legends of the Sanctuary of the Great Lakes“, but have you ever wondered about Alpena’s …

Little Red against the backdrop of winter on Lake Huron; photo courtesy of Infinity Graphic Design

Homage to the Alpena Light

Posted on December 13th, 2018

Also known as “Little Red” and “Sputnik”, the Alpena Light has been a shining beacon through the storm for over 100 years now. Here is a little History 101 of Alpena’s one and only lighthouse within the city limits: Let’s take it way, way back to 1875. The early…

The Besser Museum Season of Light Shines Bright

Posted on November 21st, 2018

Once again, Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan has brought us the beauty of world traditions relating to Christmas. Each year during their “Season of Light” display, Besser Museum offers us a walk through nations around the world to see how diffe…

Never Miss Another Adventure with WBKB’s Field Trip Fridays!

Posted on November 8th, 2018

From discovering sinkholes in Mystery Valley, to hiking the forgotten village of Bell, never miss out on an Alpena area adventure again by following WBKB’s Field Trip Fridays! Maybe you’ve always wanted to venture out into the sinkholes, take a dance class, or splash in Ocqueoc Falls…

Top 10 Haunted Places and Urban Legends of Alpena

Posted on October 25th, 2018

A bump in the night, a whisper in your ear. Is it your imagination? Perhaps it’s the wind. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s something else. Hauntings, urban legends, and Native American folklore are cultural experiences that can be found all over the world. Alpena is no exception with a r…

Where to Find Halloween-Themed Fun in Alpena: Sanctuary of the Great Lakes

Posted on October 18th, 2018

October brings us the season of colors, sounds, feelings, candy, bumps in the night, and all things Halloween! So gather your costumes and prepare your bellies for these fun, must-see October themed events happening soon– Scarecrow Village The Ridge– October 20th & 27th …

History & Heritage as Told Through Our Industry

Posted on September 27th, 2018

Every town has a story. Every dot on the map is there for a reason. A town may have been established as a major place of commerce, or located along a wagon route rich with a necessary resource like fresh water, or exist simply because it was halfway between here and there. Alpena’s story is r…

A Peek Inside the Posen Potato Festival

Posted on September 6th, 2018

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 67 years. Generations of families have grown up learning how to dance …

People from the Past: Sarah Carter, Alpena’s First Female Pioneer

Posted on April 27th, 2018

Daniel & Sarah Carte Mrs. Sarah Carter was a remarkable woman. As Alpena’s first woman settler, she was a true pioneer. She and her family trekked far from civilization into the vast, remote wilderness of northeast Michigan. Daniel and Sarah Carter, and their daughter Mary Lavin…