I reconnected with a friend recently after many years of living in several different states.

He told me that Alpena is on his short list of places to retire when the time comes. He likes it that much after spending just a few months total in the area over the course of 12 years.

Another friend who has since moved away and lives elsewhere in Michigan recently told me he often misses it Up North, and, although he likely won’t move permanently north, he does want to visit and bring his family.

Another group of people from out of state who visit the area annually in the summer shared that they are repeatedly impressed by several things every time they visit.

In all three of those recent examples, stories were shared that supported their positive perspectives of Northeast Michigan.

They shared stories of servers at restaurants striking up conversations with them instead of just shuffling them in, serving them, and shuffling them out.

They told stories of complete strangers seeing them around town and asking if they needed help, directions, or referrals for places to eat or visit, and even striking up conversations with them and wishing them well on their time visiting the area.

They shared examples of instances in which waitstaff remembered them after just one visit to an establishment, asking on their second visit if they wanted the same thing to drink as the week prior.

They said that stores they are familiar with because they have the same ones where they live are cleaner and have friendlier staff in Northeast Michigan.

It has also been said that Alpena continually shows up as one of the top stops for the cruise ships we’ve been seeing all summer. The guests spend part of one day exploring Alpena and allegedly (I have not seen the surveys personally, but I did talk to two of the travelers downtown one day) consistently say the people are friendly and welcoming and that there are plenty of interesting places to visit and explore.

I love change, adventure, and new experiences. I love meeting new people and learning about their lives. Sometimes, I fall into the trap of feeling restless with the community and I find myself thinking about relocating to a new place where things would be new to me and exciting.

But then I hear those stories and it reminds me that I live and have built a career in a place that others adore. They adore it not just because it is new to them, but because of the people who live here who strive to make every interaction with others a positive one.

For those of you who are the ones those folks are talking about, keep it up. It is being noticed and appreciated and the sincerity of it is palpable.

For anyone out there who, if a visitor interacted with you, would leave them with a negative experience or taste of the area, knock it off. We can and should all play a role in making our hometown a beautiful place full of kind and caring people. If you cannot say nice things about where you live, then find a place that is a better fit.

I wish I knew who those people interacted with during their time in the area. I’d send them all thank-you notes and would recognize them by name in this column.

My guess is that they aren’t even aware of the impact they are having on the community by being positive to those with whom they interact.

When visitors are happy and impressed, they will spend more money and are more likely to return and suggest to others that they also visit.

Outside dollars and a positive perspective are important to a community’s health.

Keep up the good work.

What you are doing matters, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!