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A few of my favorite things

I once had someone cut me off mid-sentence and tell me I sounded like a commercial for Alpena. Considering that it is my job to sell the community to attract overnight visitors, I wasn’t offended by the comment. Talking about the positive things happening and the great resources we enjoy as residents of the area is an easy task because I 100% believe in what I am talking about, professionally and personally. However, sometimes I know that we take things for granted when they are available to us every day. Things can seem mundane if it is something that is always there and we don’t have to work for it.

So in honor of the Christmas season I’m going to join in the fun of the popular song, “My Favorite Things.” Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens; bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens … these are a few of my favorite things. It is a great time to point out a few of the things that are my absolute favorites about this region. See if you agree with any of these:

A Few of My Favorite Things:

∫ Mist rising from Thunder Bay River on a spring or fall morning.

∫ People fishing off the bridge by the Ninth Avenue Dam.

∫ Seeing sea kayakers launch from Mich-e-ke-wis Park to paddle around Lake Huron’s Thunder Bay.

∫ Christmas lights on the covered bridge at Duck and Island Park.

∫ Sunrises at Blair St. Pier.

∫ The small river rapids at Maple Ridge Township Park.

∫ The families that invite people to family holiday events so they won’t be alone on the holidays.

∫ The service clubs that help to implement projects that better the community.

∫ Rockport State Recreation Area when the stars come out.

∫ Gentle breezes swaying through the fields in farm country.

∫ Local business owners that give back to the community.

∫ People passionately protecting our natural resources.

∫ Families gathered to watch the parades.

∫ Flowers placed at the gravesites of loved ones passed.

∫ Strangers helping strangers.

∫ People who speak positively of others, even when they may have a reason not to.

∫ Bike rides at Norway Ridge Pathway.

∫ Taking someone to see the Presque Isle Lighthouses for the first time.

∫ Public Art.

∫ The sound of crickets and peepers in the summertime.

Now it’s your turn. What are a few of your favorite things about the Alpena area?

Mary Beth Stutzman’s Inspiring A-Town runs bi-weekly on Tuesdays. Follow Mary Beth on Twitter @mbstutz.

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