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Porch party brings neighbors together

News Photo by Crystal Nelson Alpena resident Deb Ludwiczak took to her porch Sunday as an opportunity to socialize with her neighbors and wave at passing motorists.

ALPENA — Inspired by videos of people singing from their balconies in other countries, Deb Ludwiczak took to her porch Sunday in an effort to cheer up her neighbors and motorists passing by.

The 72 year-old Alpena resident, who has stayed at home for the last 12 days, had the idea after going for a walk and noticing a number of houses with their porches empty.

Ludwiczak thought holding a porch party would be a good way of connecting, so she suggested members of the community take to their porches Sunday at 1 p.m to wave, sing, or play instruments.

“I had seen videos online of other countries where people have come together across the streets and connected and I thought maybe Alpena could do it,” she said.

While Ludwiczak has family and friends in the area, she couldn’t help but think of the homes she walked by that looked empty but knows there were people inside. She said there are some people who are more isolated than others and maybe don’t have family or friends in the area.

“I thought the porch party would be a way to get people to socialize without social distancing recommendations,” she said.

Her neighbors Lisa Stepanski and Jason and Christina Wirgau also participated in the porch party.

Stepanski described the pandemic as “scary” not just health-wise, but because she is a small business owner. Stepanski owns EJ’s Custom Cards and Treasures, which has temporarily closed to the public under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order.

In the meantime, Stepanski has been binge watching CSI Miami and homeschooling her granddaughter.

“Oh Lord, it’s driving me batty,” she said of the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order.

That’s one of the reasons she decided to get out of her house on Sunday to attend the porch party.

Christina Wirgau said she has been home with the children for two weeks, but ventured out twice to go to the grocery store. Jason Wirgau continues to work at Omni Metalcraft Corp.

The Wirgaus have been playing a lot of games and watching a lot of movies during the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order.

Christina Wirgau said she is just assuming the coronavirus is in the community.

“We really, really don’t want to get it because you don’t know how it affects anybody to be honest,” she said.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.

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