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🌱 How a new nature preserve near Alpena could reshape your shoreline access

Alpena, Michigan Patch AM: a 4 min read

Hey there, Alpena! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a new nature preserve near Alpena could reshape your shoreline access
  • Will Alpena’s fairgrounds become a year-round entertainment complex?
  • How Second Avenue will transform for Alpena’s Flower Festival this weekend

Also on today's calendar: Alpena Community Conversation with Bridge Michigan and 4 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the carpenter ant say when he walked into the bar? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Partly sunny and warm, with a high of 81 and low of 47 degrees.
  • Thursday: Remaining warm with some sun, temps: high: 83, low: 60.
  • Friday: A couple of afternoon showers, with a high of 73 and low of 62 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Huron Pines launches $1.5 million campaign to protect Potters Point in Alpena (9and10news.com) — A major land conservation effort just outside Alpena could permanently protect Potters Point and open new public access to Lake Huron and Misery Bay. Huron Pines is seeking $1.52 million by summer’s end to buy the 41-acre property, completing a ring of protected shoreline and expanding low-impact recreation, education, and wildlife habitat for Northeast Michigan residents.
   

2. Alpena fairgrounds entertainment proposal awaits decision as fair season begins (wcmu.org) — A major decision is looming over the future of the Alpena County Fairgrounds, where officials are weighing a proposal to turn the site into a larger entertainment complex. County leaders, the fair board, and 4-H groups are debating access, noise, and infrastructure concerns, with a key discussion and possible vote expected on June 9.
   

3. Alpena Flower Festival 2026 blooms bigger (thealpenanews.com) — Downtown Alpena will close part of Second Avenue this weekend as the Alpena Flower Festival returns with 34 fresh-flower installations, over 20 vendors, and live music until 10 p.m. Look for displays at Culligan Plaza, Water Street Commons, and along 2nd Avenue, plus a Petal Pub Crawl Thursday and a 5K run Saturday morning through the floral route.
   

4. Community Foundation announces summer grant opportunities (thealpenanews.com) — Nonprofits, schools, churches, and local governments serving Alpena County can now apply for two summer grant opportunities from the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan. Women’s Giving Circle grants, focused on issues important to women, are due July 1, while broader Community Impact Grant applications are due July 15, each offering up to $5,000.
   

5. Governor signs bill to ready Selfridge Air National Guard Base for new fighter jets (legalnews.com) — State funding to upgrade Selfridge Air National Guard Base could indirectly benefit Alpena, since Selfridge supports the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center and other Michigan installations. The $152 million investment is designed to unlock major federal dollars, modernize runways and infrastructure, and prepare for new F-15EX fighter jets arriving by 2028.
   

📸 Around Alpena

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Alpena

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★ Featured events ★

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Other local events
    Friday June 5
  • Reiki and Jin Shin Jyutsu with Friends
    Friends Together Alpena Equilibrium Holistic Care, 115 N 1st Ave., Suite 102, Alpena
    • Monday June 8
  • Craft with Friends
    Friends Together Alpena 105 Prentiss St, Alpena, MI 49707, USA
    3:00 pm
    • Wednesday June 10
  • Alpena Community Conversation with Bridge Michigan →
    Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, 500 W Fletcher St, Alpena
    9:00 am
    • Friday June 12
  • Bay Art And Craft Festival →
    Bay View Park, 208 N 1st Ave, Alpena
    10:00 am
    • Saturday June 13
  • Scramble for Friends
    Friends Together Alpena 105 Prentiss St, Alpena, MI 49707
    • Friday June 26
  • Todd Allen Herendeen →
    Alpena Events Complex, 701 Woodward Ave, Alpena
    7:00 pm

📣 Alpena Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Huron Pines is raising money for its 'Protect Potters Point' project near Alpena. Plus, the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season begins today. (X: upnorthlive)
  • Alpena braces for summer after a cool May wraps-up... (X: TheAlpenaNews)
  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate in Alpena. Apply here.
  • Gordon Food Service posted a job opening for Part Time Store Associate in Alpena. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Alpena here.

Ok Alpena! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Is the bar tender here? (Thank you W. M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Alpena

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Alpena

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.