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Locals Gather for State of the Union Viewing Party

HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – President Barack Obama gave his State of the Union address on Tuesday night and local residents gathered together at viewing parties to listen to what the Commander in Chief had to say.

“It gets strangers together for a common cause,” said Mark Garrahan, who hosted a viewing party at his Hastings home. “That just doesn’t happen in our society these days. I feel like it’s good to do my part.”

Garrahan hosted locals at his apartment to enjoy chips and dip along with drinks to watch the speech on his big screen television fit for a Super Bowl party.

“I’d never heard of anything like this before until Mark brought it up,” said Hastings resident Leonora Merkel. “It’s an interesting idea. It kind of makes the speech more fun, having a party like this.”

Garrahan said the viewing party is something he’s been thinking about doing for a while, but this year was the first time he’s hosted one. He even took webinars online to get a few tips on throwing a viewing party himself. A self-professed political junkie, Garrahan said his goal for hosting an event like this is to get people excited about the presidential race.

“I think it’s more the political junkies and nerds out now,” he said. “It’s hard for people to get interested this early in the season. All I can do is provide the venue to try and get people excited.”

The State of the Union is something that many residents, regardless of political party, said they look forward to each year as it is often a look into the president’s plans for the near future.

“To be honest, it’s about trying to get people organized for what’s coming next,” Garrahan said.

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