Community Corner

🌱 Remember when downtown Alpena was packed with big-name department stores?

Also, don't miss December Silent Book Club Meet-Up & Book Swap on the Alpena Patch calendar

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Hi Alpena! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Remember when downtown Alpena was packed with big-name department stores?
  • How painted chairs are helping fund breast cancer care in Alpena
  • Why was Gov. Whitmer in Alpena for a high-tech challenge?

Also on today's calendar: The Crooked Nook Bookstore Pop-Up and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Alpenafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Alpena? Post it to Alpena photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Alpenafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Cloudy and not as cold, with a high of 34 and low of 30 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Breezy in the morning, temps: high: 36, low: 26.
  • Thursday: Rain, with a high of 41 and low of 16 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

• A whimsical memory of Alpena's downtown department stores (thealpenanews.com) — Memories of Alpena’s former downtown department stores are tied to today’s revamped Culligan Plaza, now a festive hub with a giant tree, Santa center, and cozy gathering spots. The writer recalls J.C. Penney, Montgomery Ward, Vaughn’s, and other long-gone shops while celebrating how new retailers and restaurants are reshaping Alpena’s core.
   

• Lost Lake Woods supports Breast Health Fund (thealpenanews.com) — A creative “Chair-ity” silent auction by Lost Lake Woods Club raised more than $500 to support the Breast Health Fund at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, helping local patients access critical breast cancer screenings and care. Club members transformed ordinary chairs and household items into whimsical art pieces displayed during October, turning community creativity into tangible help with mammograms, imaging, recovery supplies, and transportation.
   

• Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan governor, author, longtime public servant (freep.com subscription) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently visited Alpena to kick off an Uncrewed Triple Challenge, where teams moved a package across water, air, and land using unmanned systems from Alpena to Grayling. That stop is one moment in a wide-ranging photo-driven profile tracing her political career, policy work, and public appearances across Michigan and the nation.
   

📸 Around Alpena

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Alpena

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📣 Alpena Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Home Depot (Retail) posted a job opening for Freight/Receiving in Alpena. Apply here.
  • Healthcare Services Group posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Alpena. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Alpena here.

🗞 Nearby News

Onaway

  • Vote! Who should be Daily Tribune's Athlete of the Week for Dec. 8-13? (cheboygannews.com)

Oscoda

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: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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