SUDBURY -- A Sudbury nurse has started a new nightly tradition in recognition of all essential workers during this pandemic.
Josee Dechevigny-Leclair is a nurse at Health Sciences North (HSN). For the last month, every night at 7:30 p.m. she goes out on her front porch, singing and dancing. She was inspired by similar acts around the world that have gone viral.
"I added a bit of spice to it and I played a song to it," said Dechevigny-Leclair. "I just thought it was a great idea...at first it was just me and my grandpa, and then more people started coming."
Dechevigny-Leclair said the crowd size varies depending on the night. In addition to her nearby neighbours frequently participating, sometimes friends from afar stop by and residents walking by simply stop.
"During this horrible pandemic, making people smile at the end of the day and giving us hope, so it's wonderful, I love it," said Linda Fontaine, a personal friend. "I look forward to it everyday. I get up in the morning and I just wonder what is she going to sing tonight to make us all happy?"
Dechevigny-Leclair said the song and potential costumes changes everyday. Working on the frontlines herself, she has found that the nightly performances has helped with her mental well-being.
"Just the music, brings up my sprits," she said. "It's a bit of exercise, gets my adrenalin going and for that few minutes of dancing around I'm lost in that song so I'm forgetting what's actually going on in the world for those few moments and I come out all rejuvenated."
With public health officials still strongly enforcing physical distancing, signs are hung on her front-lawn as a reminder for those there to stay by their vehicles.
On one recent night, fellow HSN nurse and friend Louise St. Jean came out to show her support.
"We're here to support all our health care workers and all us nurses, and all the frontlines and hospital workers, we need to support each other."
While she herself works on the frontlines at HSN, Dechevigny-Leclair said her nightly performances are meant as a tribute to all essential workers who continue to report to their shifts during this pandemic.
"There's essential workers out there, grocery clerks, other people that have to go to the stores. I think they all deserve the same appreciation as we do because they're putting themselves at risk to make sure that we're taken care of as well."
Next-door neighbour Barry O'Rourke counts himself and one of Dechevigny-Leclair's biggest fans.
"Everybody loves her. What can I say? She's just the best there is."
