Fall in Alpena...Experience the Season

Celebrations

Plan To Attend Halloween Party Weekends at Camper's Cove , September 23-24 and September 30-October 1-Halloween is such great fun, why wait until October 31 to have a great time? Campers Cove’s special Friday and Saturday Halloween Parties feature many fun activities including Trick-or-Treating from camper-to-camper, a site decorating contest, pumpkin carving contest, child and adult costume contest, piñatas and much more! Campers Cove is located on Long Rapids Road in Alpena. With an indoor heated pool, game room, mini-golf, sauna, stocked fishing pond, canoeing, kayaking, special events and more, it’s no wonder they call Campers Cove “An Adventure in Family Camping”! Call for details at (989) 356-3708 or visit their web site at www.camperscovecampground.com.

34th Annual Fall Harvest Day , Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan, October 1-Celebrate the harvest days of fall from past to present at the Besser museum’s Fall Harvest Day. In keeping with the old-fashioned theme, a homemade pie contest will take place. Bring your best made-from-scratch pie to the museum for judging by 10:00 a.m. The best pie wins fifty dollars! Following the competition, pies will be sliced and sold by the piece throughout the day as a fund raiser for the Founders Society. Other food will also be available. Visitors will also enjoy craft demonstrations, music and children’s activities. Harvest Day is a fun event for the whole family. Hours are from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Admission is by museum admission, which is $5.00 adults, $3.00 for seniors and children. The museum is located on Johnson Street in Alpena. For more information, call the museum at (989) 356-2202.

11th Annual Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival , October 6-9- The Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival began with the idea of raising money to address the plight of lighthouses along the shorelines of the Great Lakes. Many of these important, historic landmarks are in desperate need of care, and proceeds from the festival go toward restoration projects. The main center of activity (vendors, exhibitors, speakers and entertainers) is the Thunder Bay Recreation Center, located on Woodward Ave. off of Johnson Street in Alpena. The 2005 festival kicks off Thursday evening with a Welcome Party for all visitors, vendors, volunteers and friends. Coast Guard personnel, lighthouse keepers and sailors will be on hand. There will be entertainment, a silent auction, a special tribute and dinner featuring Hearty Shipmates Stew. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the recreation center will be packed with maritime-related exhibits, vendors, educational programs and entertainment, featuring nationally-known performers, entertainers, authors, photographers and artists. Aerial (plane and helicopter) lighthouse tours are available, as well as boat tours to the Middle Island in Lake Huron. A number of special events take place each day of the festival including auctions, breakfasts, dinners and a family day. For detailed information on the festival, go to www.lighthousefestival.org or call (989) 595-3632

Fun farm activities for the whole famiy!

Alpena Farmers Market through October 29 -The Alpena Farmers Market is located behind City Hall in downtown Alpena. Every Wednesday and Saturday morning in the summer through late October, the parking lot is hopping with farmers, gardeners and shoppers from all over. The market features fresh produce, flowers, plants, baked goods, herbs, maple syrup, honey, arts and crafts. Market vendors arrive to set up their booths at approximately 7:00 a.m. and are open for business shortly thereafter. The market is open until around noon or until vendors sell out; come early because things sell quickly. For more information, visit www.alpenafarmersmarket.com or call (989) 356-5995 or (989) 356-6422.

Knaebe’s Mmmunchy Krunchy Apple Farm & Appleseed’s Mercantile , Rogers City- A visit to the Mmmunchy Krunchy Apple Farm is a MUST-DO fall activity for families. 32 varieties of apples are grown on this 13-acre farm and you can buy apples by the bag or by the bushel, as well as delicious cider, homemade apple crisp, apple pie, homemade donuts, and gooey caramel apples. Kids can visit with a variety of animals in the petting zoo, and wagon rides and pony rides for children are offered on September and October weekends, weather permitting. The gift shop features a variety of gift items including candles, Christmas items and more. The general store offers kitchen items such as cookie cutters and kitchenware and a nice selection of Michigan and Midwest products like jams, honey products and maple syrup. The farm is located on Karsten Road. To get to the farm from Rogers City, go to the intersection of US 23 North and M-68. Go west on M-68 for four miles to Karsten Road. Turn left at the big red apple and travel on Karsten Road for 1 ½ miles. The Mmmunchy Krunchy Apple Farm is open from Labor Day Weekend through the weekend of Thanksgiving. Open 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Tues. - Sat., 11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sundays. Closed Mondays except Labor Day. Hours shorten after Halloween, so call ahead. (989) 734-2567. Outing tip: Mmmunchy Krunchy Apple Farm is near Karsten’s Pumpkin Patch (see below) Combine both farms for a fun-filled fall afternoon!

Karsten’s Pumpkin Patch -Jeff and Kathy Karsten invite you to visit their charming country pumpkin patch near Rogers City. You can pick your own pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, make a wish while inside the corn stalk tee-pee, and visit with the three little pigs, fashioned from pumpkins. You will also find fall decorating products including gourds, Indian corn, mini pumpkins, corn “shocks” and straw bales, plus 13 varieties of yummy squash and nature crafts. Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from mid-to-late September through the end of October “daylight to dark” and the rest of the week by appointment only. Call ahead for firm opening date. (989) 734-4503.

Fright Sites

Scarecrow Village’s Haunted Village- What has happened to all of the cute, whimsical scarecrows at Scarecrow Village? It seems they are in one place one minute and the next…have they moved? Have their adorable little smiles twisted into sinister sneers? There are scary and unexplainable goings-on at the village. Someone or something is up to no good. Perhaps the once-charming (now alarming?) S’crows are being inhabited by some evil force? No, it’s probably just our overactive imaginations, right? How about if YOU go out check it out and let us know what you think? Unless of course, you’re scared…

The Haunted Village at Scarecrow Village’s sixth Screamin’ Season featuring Village of the S’crows promises more scares than ever before! This made-for-scares attraction is open for four nights in October only, so make your plans to attend now! The village is open October 21, 22, 28 and 29 from 7:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. with no new victims accepted after 10:15 p.m. Admission is $6.00. Scarecrow Village is located at 5390 M-65 North in Lachine. For more information, visit www.scarecrowvillage.com or call 989-379-2272.

Warning: Scarecrow Village is definitely NOT for little children. Parents must decide if their children are mature enough for this haunted attraction.

Visit the Alpena area’s top two haunted places

Two of the most notorious haunted places in the area are the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse in Presque Isle and the John A. Lau Saloon in Alpena. Are these places really haunted? You decide!

Haunted Lighthouse-The Old Presque Isle Lighthouse is said to be haunted by the ghost of George Parris, who served as caretaker of the lighthouse for 15 years. George died of a massive heart attack in the winter of 1992 and that summer, people began to notice a light shining in the lantern room of the tower. It's important to note that Old Presque Isle is non-working light; the lens gears had long ago been removed and electricity disconnected to ensure that no accidental lighting would occur to confuse boaters with the working light at New Presque Isle Lighthouse, one mile to the north. Many local residents, tourists and boaters; even Air National Guard pilots reported seeing the light. The US Coast Guard looked into it, but their investigation came up with no explanation and the mysterious light was classified as "unidentified". People continued to see the light and began to wonder if perhaps place was haunted; maybe by George Parris. When a small girl insisted that she actually spoke to George in the lighthouse tower, the haunting idea skyrocketed to the top of the list (actually the only other thing on the list was weather phenomenon or something) of possible weird light causes. Things calmed down at the lighthouse after that first summer. The light came on less and less and nobody ran into George again, with the exception of a persistent tale that George (or another ghost who looked so much like him, he could have been his brother) made an appearance at the New Presque Isle Lighthouse a mile down the road. But people who spend time on the grounds say that there are still some things that happen there today that just can't be explained. Check it out for yourself! If you are interested visiting the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse, you need to do so prior to mid-October, when the lighthouse closes for the season. For more information on the Old and New Presque Isle Lighthouses, call (989) 595-9917.

Haunted Saloon-Little is known about the life and death of Agnes Lau, but the owners of the John A. Saloon in "Old Town" Alpena believe it is her feisty, protective spirit that haunts their saloon. Agnes was married to John A. Lau, the proprietor of a saloon that catered to lumberjacks during the lumbering era. She gave birth to two children and died at the age of thirty following an extended illness. When she became ill, Agnes was sent to the care of relatives in the Detroit area. She died in Detroit, but is buried in Alpena. Upon Agnes' death, the two children were sent away to a Detroit convent. John A. Lau died at the age of 58 and is also buried in Alpena. The old John A. Lau Saloon sat abandoned and neglected for years until the current owners bought it in 1987 and began the process of restoring it. It wasn't long before a presence began making itself known. A medium brought in to the saloon gave enough clues about the spirit to confirm the hunch that the resident ghost was probably Agnes Lau. The ghost's actions have led the staff to make some conclusions about her personality. She seems to be protective of the saloon and of the employees that have been there a long time. Saloon staffers say that if Agnes decides that a new employee doesn't belong, she'll taunt them by flipping and pulling their hair and causing their trays to crash. Agnes doesn't seem to tolerate ghost bashing very well. New employees are advised not to (they really say this) "spoof the spook" because employees who portray Agnes as a humbug have had things thrown at them and have had their trays overturned. Agnes has a soft side as well; a troubled employee might feel a reassuring pat or squeeze, but when they look to see whom the comforter is, no one is there. Agnes also seems to be a ghost who likes routine and order; she bangs things around or can be heard pacing back and forth if employees are at the saloon earlier or later then she thinks they should be there. Some customers have reported unexplained happenings including rushes of cold air, sudden funny smells and even a vibrating toilet, but most of Agnes' contacts seemed aimed at the owners and employees of the saloon. Does the ghost of Agnes Lau roam her old saloon? Check it out for yourself!

Foliage Frenzy...Our favorite routes for color by car

Around the Lakes Color Tour-Two of Northeast Michigan’s most beautiful lakes, Long Lake and Grand Lake, are circumnavigated on this tour, which begins in Alpena. Interesting side trips include stops at two historic lighthouses and a natural area that was the site of an old logging village. Call (989) 354-4181 or stop by the Community Development Building in Alpena for a map.

Hubbard Lake Color Tour-Hubbard Lake, the largest inland lake in Northeast Michigan, is beautifully located among the forests and hills of Alcona County. Excellent roads connect all sections of the lake with US-23, F-41 and M-72, and offer miles of colorful woodlands and great views of the lake. Call (989) 354-4181 or stop by the Community Development Building in Alpena for a map.

Flying Foliage Frenzy...Color by air

For the highest vantage point, fall color seekers may opt to see the fiery reds and brilliant yellows of autumn from the air. Aviation North offers walk-on air color tours weekends during the color season (usually mid-September through mid-October). Call Aviation North at (989) 356-6361

Spooky Spots...Check out a "ghost town" and a graveyard

Besser Natural Area- When lumbering was in its heyday, a particular stand of pine trees on a particularly beautiful stretch of Lake Huron shoreline was spared the lumberman’s ax. Alpena philanthropist Jesse Besser eventually came to own this land, and in 1966, he gave the pine forest and surrounding land to the people of Michigan. Back in the late 1800’s, this land was home to about 100 people. The village of Bell had a store, a school, saloon, sawmill and several houses. Residents earned their livelihood by working the woods and the mill. When the timber was removed from the surrounding area, the residents of Bell moved away. Scant evidence of their occupation remains; a chimney and a few collapsed walls can be found along the one-mile foot trail. Other points of interest along the trail include a bronze dedication plaque and a small lagoon. A total of about 30 village residents and sailors who washed ashore and were buried by the inhabitants of Bell rest in the Bell Cemetery, along with several Indians who were buried in the same area prior to the arrival of the White Man. The Besser Natural Area is located 14 miles north of Alpena on East Grand Lake Rd. For more information, call (989) 354-4181.

Three Men And A Bottle-Three buddies with a pact lie side-by-side in the Presque Isle Township cemetery. Read their story and then check out their unusual graves yourself! In the early days of Presque Isle Harbor, neighbors and friends were few and far between. In the late 1920's and early 30's, Fred Piepkorn, Charlie Priest and Bill Green were friends (a fact disputed by some). Fred operated a fishing tug out of the harbor, prior to operating what became known as Harbor Lodge (site of the Portage Restaurant). Charlie Priest operated what was known as a blind pig, getting its start during the Prohibition, it's alleged. All three were known to have an occasional drink together, and the story goes that they made a pact that if any of them should pass on, the others would not forget them, but in the spirit of Independence Day or some other suitable occasion, the survivor(s) would pour a drink down to the demised as a testimony of their friendship. The location of the graves, one next to each other, is the back row of the Presque Isle Township Cemetery. If you visit this site, you can still take note of the three cement slabs covering each grave, and you can see that there is a hole in each, whereby the strange tradition may be continued.

Other Fun Stuff

Elk Viewing/Gourmet Dinner Carriage Ride- Thunder Bay Golf Resort's popular adventure is an exciting and memorable way to celebrate fall. The activity begins with a horse-drawn carriage ride through forest trails, including a stop to see some of Thunder Bay's resident herd of majestic Rocky Mountain Elk and trophy Whitetail Deer. Guests continue their tour through the woods and arrive at the Elk Antler Log Cabin, where a five-course dinner is served in the warm glow of the fireplace. Wine tasting, featuring locally produced wines is also included. After dinner, folks climb back aboard the sleigh for the return to the resort, taking with them a delightful sense of satisfaction and memories to last a lifetime. Thunder Bay Golf Resort, located just outside of Alpena County in Hillman, also offers the ride/dinner experience in the summer and in the winter fall aboard a sleigh. Packages with lodging are available, as well as comedy and murder mystery weekends and other special events. For more information, call the resort at 800-729-9375 or (989) 742-4502 or visit their web site at www.thunderbaygolf.com.

Make a Halloween Craft at the Alpena County Library , October 22- Kids preschool and up can choose from several different Halloween crafts to make. The activity is free and takes place from 10:00 a.m. until noon. Pre-registration is not required, but you can find out more about the activity by calling the library at (989) 356-6188.

Friday Night! Downtown Fall Festival , October 28 -Kids! Dress up in your Halloween costume and come and trick or treat in downtown Alpena! Kids can trick-or-treat from one downtown business to another, plus there will be entertainment and family fun. The special event takes place from 5:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m. For more information, call (989) 356-2167.

Halloween Costume Parade at the Alpena Mall, October 29-Join the Alpena Mall for an evening of family fun for everyone. Bring your kids (12 and under) in costume for prizes, entertainment and a costume contest. Kids can trick or treat from store to store. The activity starts at 6:00 p.m. For more information, call the mall office at (989) 356-9016.