The Rosenbergs for the Porch Project - Photographing Communities impacted by Pandemic by Roger Hoover

The Rosenberg’s. Kent, Ohio.

Gwen (31, self reported), Aaron (47), Harry (19), Leo (18), Milo (16), Bernie (12), Spaetzle (13), Slimeball (1).

The  Rosenberg family own and operate Popped!, a popcorn and confectionery  business they started eight years ago in Kent. They opened another location in Ravenna, Ohio just six months ago. Both have been closed for  two weeks already, cutting off their income but not the mounting  business and residential bills for rent, utilities, mortgage and health  insurance, etc. 

Gwen is also a Kent City Council Person-at-Large and has been watching the  city and county ramp up the emergency response as the pandemic spreads.

Harry’s  sophomore year of college at Ohio University came to an abrupt end during the middle of his spring break. Leo’s senior year, and promising  lacrosse season at Kent Roosevelt High School was disappointingly upended by the pandemic. He plans to attend OU with Harry in the fall. Milo and Bernie are skateboarding and playing video games,  respectively. 

Gwen and Aaron aren’t attempting to force home schooling on anyone. Instead they are nervously eyeing the eroding finances, and watching for signs of a mutiny. The house is small for six people, the library books are unread, projects remain unfinished and absolutely everyone is tired of eating increasingly stale popcorn. Gwen relates that “We’re all doing our best to keep a sense of humor, give ourselves a  break when we need to, and staying healthy. The last thing we want is to survive the pandemic but kill each other in the process.”

Slimeball thinks this is all wonderful. Spaetzle is indifferent.