Oh, Deer! Hunting Season is Here

Posted on November 15th, 2023

It’s Deer Season! November 15^th, a well-respected holiday in northeast Michigan where the kiddos have the day off from school and many people use their vacation days to take time off of work. It’s none other than the opening day of firearm season for deer hunting season. This day is considere…

Top Haunted Places and Urban Legends of Alpena

Posted on October 24th, 2023

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 history that…

Gravely Art From the Hart: Catching Up with Nick Hartman of Chapel of Ghouls

Posted on October 19th, 2023

Every now and then we like to reach out to Alpena natives who are out there making a name for themselves with their talent. This year we reached out to the talented Nick Hartman a.k.a Chapel of Ghouls to find out more about his ghoul art and the message about mental health behind his creatures… &nb…

Find Fall Color in Alpena’s Top Walks in Nature

Posted on October 16th, 2023

Overcast skies, colorful forest beds, stunning lakeside views, and rich pieces of history are just the beginning of what you’ll discover when you explore the Alpena region. We are into peak fall color season here in NE Michigan and here is where you can enjoy some seasonal fall color in the reg…

7 Ideas for a Rainy Day in Alpena

Posted on August 23rd, 2023

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 7 ideas to make the most o…

Stargazing at Rockport State Recreation Area. Photo by Paul Gerow

Preparing for the Perseids: Alpena’s Dark Skies

Posted on August 10th, 2023

Astrotourism is a growing trend, and with three state dark sky parks nearby, the Alpena area is an ideal destination for enjoying the cosmos. Rockport State Recreation Area, Thompson’s Harbor State Park, and Negwegon State Park all have sufficiently low enough levels of light pollution to be desi…

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…

Alpena – A Sanctuary of Dark Skies

Posted on April 17th, 2023

If we had to pick something off the Alpena bucket list that you should never miss, it would be our dark sky experience! In February 2016, three state parks in the Alpena area received dark sky designation. These sanctuaries are far away from the harsh effects of excessive artificial light pollution…

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…