Cristi Johnson

ALPENA – Ten years ago my husband Scotty and I moved here from Sacramento, California where we had lived for the previous decade. The land of sunshine, governators, and some of the best Mexican food that has ever entered my belly had lost its luster and we just wanted to be back in Michigan where we had spent our youth. Homes were more affordable, there was less traffic, and our family resided here. However, any time we told people where we had moved from, we were always asked “…but why?” as if even the residents of Alpena didn’t know what the area had to offer a young couple.

In truth, it was something I also asked myself the second day we were in town. I remember vividly standing in front of Cabin Creek, crying because it was unexpectedly snowing in April (something I clearly have now come to expect), I had taken a 50% pay cut to move here and nothing was familiar. In a moment of levity I jokingly whined to my husband “..and why does this entire town smell like cinnamon rolls?!?!” not realizing it was actually the smell of pressed wood coming from DPI.

Despite early frustrations, once the snow thawed, Alpena began to show her true self. The beauty of the lakes, some of the kindest neighbors we had ever met, and the amount of potential in the Downtown area was undeniable; this was our new home. We purchased our own house in October of 2016 and decided to plant roots, permanently.

During the last ten years, one of the biggest differences I’ve noticed between Sacramento and Alpena was the ability to initiate change. In Sacramento when trying to organize groups, creating a movement or simply promoting events it often felt like screaming into the void. There were so many people vying for attention that messages couldn’t help but get lost. However, in Alpena simply by volunteering your time, getting involved with service groups or creating your own opportunities, we found you could make waves. Big, gigantic, beautiful waves. The kind that surprisingly ended up enriching our own lives.

As an Alpenian I dug in and got busy. I have had the opportunity to start a roller derby league, a powerlifting team, serve on the DDA Board of Directors as well as the Alpena Chamber Ambassadors, and start a new business that both changes lives and has created jobs in our area. Please believe me when I tell you, this is not because I am special. I’m just an ordinary gal who raised her hand. All of this has happened because Alpena is ripe with opportunity.

The opportunity to serve others is a great honor, and that opportunity is everywhere in Northern Michigan.

If you have a desire to make a great impact on your community, just raise your hand. Driven individuals in Alpena are doing their best to educate, feed, house, create, grow and build where needed. There are service groups who are always thrilled to have passionate individuals get involved. Working together, we can make great things happen.

I hope I get to shake your hand sometime during my next 10 years in Alpena, so I can thank you for your meaningful contribution to our community. Rather than complaining about what Alpena needs or doesn’t have, consider creating what is missing. Chances are, others will join you in the effort. Your opportunity to help Alpena become the best version of itself is waiting for you. Let’s make something happen.