Johnson

Punk music and skaters have always had a very close relationship. Unfortunately the punk & skating scene have developed a lot of nasty stereotypes over the years: Dirty, crusty, defiant, anarchist, loud, gross, etc.

But that was not the scene at Riverside Skatepark on Father’s Day in Alpena. I can tell you with full confidence it was quite wholesome. Yes, there was loud music, but there were also so many smiles, so few screens, and so many kids outdoors having fun with their families. Human connection, creativity and play was alive and well in our lakeside city.

It’s a shame smiles without screens has become a rarity, but you have to admit, we’ve all seen the setting where families are gathered together for a meal, a car ride or a campfire and subsequently every one of them are on their phones. No conversation, just eyes pointed downward with rounded shoulders and that brutal curve at the top of their spines, giggling at a TikTok video or sometimes breaking the silence to show another family member a meme.

This pattern was broken at Go Skate! Day in June, organized by the founders of Friendly Foodies. There were bands, vendors of all kinds, and the overarching theme of the day (at least from my perspective) was “have fun, be kind, move your body”. The organizer’s motivation wasn’t financial gain, it was to get kids skating again… and boy did they ever!

With the help of several Alpena area businesses and individual donations, they gave away 60 high quality skateboards and helmets throughout the event. Regardless of the child’s economic background, they too could participate in this super fun outdoor activity. And let’s be real, what is human connection without inclusion?

As a Personal Trainer, I can speak to how important it is to match people with the types of exercise and activities they enjoy. If it feels like play, the better the relationship with the activity will be, and the more likely you will want to continue to do it. Not to mention, the less you’ll need to convince yourself to make time to do it, because you already know it will be enjoyable.

Pairing kids up with a sport they’ll love and furthermore, providing them with the equipment they need to remove the barrier from trying it, is nothing short of a gift to our community.

Seeing our skate park bustling these last few weeks following the event has been a blessing. It means more kids are staying out of trouble, off their phones, and getting active. It’s also an incredible opportunity for introverts who are uncomfortable participating in team sports. The skatepark can be a group or solo activity. Kids can get active, learn a new hobby, and spend time skating with others on their own terms, when they are ready.

During the 4th of July I had the opportunity to rollerskate in the parade with the Shipwreck Alley Rollers, our local roller derby team, passing out candy, water and high fives. It’s always such a thrill to do so because I know there are little girls in the crowd seeing these strong women on

roller skates and thinking “I want to/can/will do that!” However, this year I had a different type of interaction that I thought was just as powerful.

At the beginning of the parade I hit a rough patch of cement on 11th Avenue and fell HARD, landing on my hands and knees. A girl looked at me and said with wide eyes, “Are you OK?!” The truth is, we fall a lot in roller derby, so I wasn’t nearly as phased by the fall as she was, so I assured her I was ok and told her “Fall down seven times, get up eight” with a big, happy smile.

Setting this kind of example by moving our bodies in a way we love speaks volumes to the children in our community, but creating the opportunities for them to do it themselves, empowers the notion that it is not just possible for them, but that it is also within reach.

So bravo to those who are making these kinds of things happen for the youth in our community. Bravo to those creating a scene where there was once only the wish of something cool to do. Bravo to all of the volunteers regardless of the sport, who referee games, organize leagues and spend their weekends creating human connectivity, creativity and play. And finally, bravo to Friendly Foodies for being authentic in their approach and not dumbing down, dressing up or changing a single thing about the scene in order for it to be more palatable. Let the kids decide what’s cool; they always will.