In our Saturday editions, for the duration of the pandemic, we’re going to try something new.

With little sports news, we’ve decided to transform our Saturday Page 1B, typically our sports section front, into a page called “We’re All in This Together,” where we will feature profiles on some of the essential workers keeping the world turning during the pandemic, plus stories from the Associated Press about good things continuing to happen all around the world.

The page will return to normal as soon as the world does.

To kick off the new feature, in this past Saturday edition, we ran a photo collage of Alpena-area residents who’ve decorated their homes to show support and encouragement for their neighbors.

We had plenty from which to choose.

All over town, all over the county, all over our region, people have put inspirational phrases and charming images in the front windows of their homes and businesses.

They’ve spent a little time and creativity to make something that brings a smile to the faces of passersby.

As a commodity, about the only thing more valuable than a smile right now is toilet paper.

It’s thrilling to see the community come together in this fashion. We’re always proud of our readers, but the show of unity is making us beam.

Keep it up, Northeast Michigan, and stay safe.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)