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…

Planting Irish Roots in Downtown Alpena

Posted on March 16th, 2018

As we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this Saturday, we reflect on the history behind this holiday which brings us high spirits and full bellies. Locally, Alpena has some of its own Irish roots. Read on to learn some history about one of Alpena’s most prominent Irishmen, as well as in…

It’s Officially Thunder Bay International Film Festival Week!

Posted on January 25th, 2018

This week brings the 6th Annual Thunder Bay International Film Festival to Alpena, with over 40 Oceanic and Great Lakes films created by filmmakers from all over the world. One special film that will be featured is “The Big Five Dive“. This 28-minute adventure documenta…

Street Talk: The Story Behind Alpena’s City Streets

Posted on January 12th, 2018

4th & Chisholm in Alpena 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 e…

10 Ideas For Winter Adventure in Alpena

Posted on January 4th, 2018

Old man winter wraps Norway Ridge in a beautiful blanket of fluffy white! Winter photography by Laura Wolosiewicz The hustle and bustle of the holidays are now over. This is the time when the full effects of a true northern Michigan winter start to wash over us, bringing feelings of cabin fever, …

Exploring Alpena History with Kids this Holiday Season

Posted on November 30th, 2017

In less than a month it will be Christmas break for the kiddos. Which can only mean three things: lazy mornings lounging in pj’s til afternoon, cartoons for days, and the inevitable phrase every parent hears at least once or more during school break “I’m bored”. Cue the Alp…

16 Things We Are Thankful For in Our Sanctuary of the Great Lakes

Posted on November 22nd, 2017

Exploring your “blue space” adventure is only 5 minutes away in Alpena. Photo courtesy of Paul Gerow. With Thanksgiving approaching this Thursday it is important to remember that there is more to this annual holiday tradition other than stuffing our faces with turkey and cranberry s…