A Peek Inside the Posen Potato Festival

Posted on September 9th, 2021

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 …

Your Summertime Guide to Outdoor Dining in Alpena

Posted on July 29th, 2021

Summertime and the livin’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:…

8 Ideas for a Rainy Day in Alpena

Posted on July 7th, 2021

The arrival of spring and summer brings us warmer weather, greener foliage, and bluer skies. We often credit rainy days for spoiling our plans with somber days inside. Kick those rainy day habits to the side and let mother nature take a day to rest and grow while you follow these 8 ideas to making the mos…

10 Must See Lake Huron Beaches in the Alpena Area

Posted on June 24th, 2021

Picture this: the “Big Lake” breeze dancing through your hair while blue waves lap at the golden sand under your feet. The air is warm and unsalted. Alpena is welcoming you! The coastal beaches of Alpena and surrounding areas are little gems. Gems tucked away in this Northeastern cor…

Making Waves with Great Lakes Great Responsibility

Posted on April 20th, 2021

Alpena local and environmental community leader, Meag Schwartz, is making waves for a positive and cleaner future. Meag is the creator and founder of Great Lakes Great Responsibility (GLGR), a non-profit organization whose purpose is to empower and educate individuals to take action to protect…

5 Ways to Tell Spring Has Sprung in the Sanctuary of the Great Lakes

Posted on March 26th, 2021

Spring may have been “official” on March 20th, but a well-seasoned Michigander knows that spring is not really here until mother nature tells us so! Here are 5 ways for you to remember how to tell when spring is “official” here in Alpena… 3 pretty Robin eggs; pho…

Everyone Is Irish On St. Patrick’s Day!

Posted on March 15th, 2021

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 p…

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

Posted on December 29th, 2020

The new year is coming and 2020 really did a number on us all, so it is time to be excited (or maybe cautiously optimistic) about 2021! 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…

Let it Snow! 5 Fun Things to Do After a Snowstorm in Alpena

Posted on December 17th, 2020

There are so many things to do after an Alpena snowstorm, like shovel…plow…snow blow…you know, the adult stuff. Set that aside for a couple of hours of care-free fun with these MUCH better ideas, from us to you! Check out this awesome snowman! Construction and photo courtesy o…

Top Haunted Places and Urban Legends of Alpena

Posted on October 20th, 2020

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 rich histo…