A calm winter morning at Island Park, by Amy Lijewski

10 Things to Do During an Alpena Winter

Posted on February 28th, 2019

The hustle and bustle of the holidays have long been over. This is the time when the full effects of an Alpena winter are washing over us, bringing us feelings of cabin fever, seasonal depression, and an anxiousness for spring. Don’t fall into the doldrums of winter, follow this guide to kic…

Bench at Lake Huron in winter. Photo by Steve Jakubcin.

The Beginners Guide to Loving Snow in Alpena, Sanctuary of the Great Lakes

Posted on January 31st, 2019

If you google, “How many words do the Inuit have for snow?” the answer will come up as 50. Some sites may tell you even more. You will also find articles by modern linguists claiming this as a myth, citing examples of how we have many different terms depicting snow in English. Words such as b…

New to Forest Bathing? Here are 5 Tips to Winter Forest Bathing in Alpena

Posted on January 18th, 2019

It’s January, which means the spell of winter has been cast down upon us in full force. The frozen ground glistens with a blanket of white snow, the sky…well we haven’t seen much of it these past few weeks. Which is why winter forest bathing should be priority uno on your to-do list.…

Autumn Mornings on Blair Street Pier. Photo by Justin Christensen Cooper.

Through the Lens: A 2018 Instagram Recap of Alpena, Sanctuary of the Great Lakes

Posted on January 4th, 2019

Do you follow @sanctuary_of_the_great_lakes on Instagram? If not, don’t miss out on another year of Alpena’s best photo-ops! Here is a recap of our fan favorites for the year of 2018: Nothing stopped us from going to the beach…not even the month of January. In February we advent…

Quick List of Celebrations & Adventures to Ring in the New Year in Alpena

Posted on December 28th, 2018

Preparations for celebrating the New Year are underway! Numerous Alpena establishments are rolling out their holiday best while bringing in the new year and new beginnings. Where will you be toasting? Check out this list of some of Alpena’s hot celebrations and low-key adventures t…

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…

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…

Exploring sinkholes. Photo by Josh Stephan.

8 Inspiring Ways to Go Camping in Alpena: Sanctuary of the Great Lakes

Posted on August 2nd, 2018

Camping, Glamping, Survivalist, Tenting. What kind of camper are you? From the interior of a dense forest to fresh breezes off Lake Huron, camping provides an opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of our region and reconnect with friends, family, or even just the solitude of our own daydre…