Choze Powell

MDHHS May Send You a Text About Vaccine

With all the text and email scams circulating, people may be skeptical if they receive a text from an unknown number. However, MDHHS has started a new text campaign to encourage Michiganders to get vaccinated.

The text messaging program will go out to 1 million people in counties throughout Michigan, and the text will ask about COVID-19 vaccine plans.

The first message will clearly identify the sender as the “Michigan Department of Health and Human Services” and then link people to vaccination sites in their area along with links to resources about the vaccine.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy for Health with MDHHS, said, “We are reaching out to people through a variety of channels to make sure they have the access and information they need to protect themselves from COVID-19 with this safe and effective vaccine.”

People who receive these text messages from MDHHS can opt out by replying “STOP” to any of the messages at any time.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Is It Time to Book Your Next Trip?

Many people put off travel plans for the majority of 2020, and now they are feeling ready to plan their next adventure. According to a local travel agent, now is the time to plan cruises, trips to amusement parks, and tours overseas.

Rules, regulations, and restrictions vary by country, mode of travel, and destination, so working with a travel agent may be more valuable than ever. D’Ann Kolan from St. Clair Travel said keeping up with what’s happening where is her job.

Although nothing is set in stone, many travel destinations and cruise companies are requiring visitors be vaccinated and/or COVID tested, and currently, COVID testing is required for those re-entering the U.S. from outside the county. These extra steps are not deterring travelers, and many are comforted by the idea.

“Travelers are biting at the bit to travel.” said Kolan. She is actively scheduling trips to Disney World and Disney Land (which just opened up), Switzerland, and Mexico for this year. Disney currently requires both tickets and reservations to get into the parks  which makes things a little more complicated, and masks are required throughout the park, but Kolan says people are enjoying the lower capacity in the parks.

“Disney does things right. They have everything in place and they have the employees to keep it up. You do not need to be vaccinated to go [at this time],” she said.

Travel discounts vary by destination. Kolan says, “If you’re going to Vegas this summer, you’re probably going to get a good deal, but if you’re booking far out on a future holiday, it’s tough. That’s going to be more expensive.” The main issue is that with limited flights, air fare is more expensive. 

If you’ve never used a travel agent, Kolan, who has been in the business for 30 years,  says St. Clair Travel’s services apply to trips big and small. They regularly do air and hotel packages and air and car rentals.  She said, “We do travel to anywhere and all different types, and we don’t charge service fees.”

To learn more about St. Clair Travel, visit their website:

https://www.stclairtravel.net/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

TEC Students Win Awards at DAFT

St. Clair County, MI — Eleven Digital Media Technology seniors at St. Clair TEC won or shared 10 awards at the 2021 DAFT Student Film Festival. 

Lesley Murphy, the DMT instructor at TEC, said, “All of our DMT entries won an award, with two earning Best in Show, which is the highest honor.” 

The DAFT Student Film Festival provides a public venue for the work of students in grades K-12, as well as giving recognition and significant awards to young media artists. The film festival is presented through the nonprofit organization DAFT (Digital Arts, Film, and Television). 

The TEC winners are: 

Honor Award 

  • Kristian Duffy, Port Huron Northern High School The Spear, Narrative Film 
  • Gwen Golembiewski, Memphis High School The Book, Narrative Film 

Excellence Award 

  • Stephanie Briggs, St. Clair High School, and Elizabeth Kilyk, Port Huron Northern High School It’s Bathsheba, Narrative Film
  • Taylor Darhower, Port Huron Northern High School COVID Season, Documentary/Event
  • Kyle King, Port Huron Northern High School Death Valley, Narrative Film
  • Ethan Pechman, St. Clair High School Summer 2021, Music Video
  • Ethan Pechman, St. Clair High School The Hunt of Midwinter, Narrative Film
  • Renee Pokotello, St. Clair High School Art in Motion, Documentary/Event 

Best of Show 

  • Zach Floyd, Virtual Learning Academy VIRUS, Narrative Film 
  • Sam Tricomo, St. Clair High School I Love You, Narrative Film

The Best of Show winners will be streamed on www.daftonline.org as well as on Facebook and YouTube. 

  • – “VIRUS” by Zach Floyd 
  • “I Love You” by Sam Tricomo 

Submitted by St. Clair County TEC

Tickets on Sale for Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club

Detroit, MI — Three of the world’s 11 best golfers will be hitting the green at the Detroit Golf Club in July to compete in the Rocket Mortgage Classic, and spectator ticket for the event are now on sale.

The Rocket Mortgage Classic is the first PGA TOUR event to be held in the city of Detroit, and the event raised more than 1.2 million dollars for charity in 2019.

This year’s list of players at the July 1-4th event include PGA Championship winner and World Golf Hall of Famer, Phil Mickelson, along with Patrick Reed, Webb Simpson, Jason Day, and defending champion and Rocket Mortgage ambassador, Bryson DeChambeau.

Currently, DeChambeau ranks No. 4 in the Official World Gold Ranking, Reed ranks No. 8, and Simpson ranks No. 11.

The event sold out in 2019, so tickets are expected to go fast for this event. Tickets are available at RocketMortgageClassic.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

Lake Huron Medical Center May Employees of the Month

Port Huron, MI – Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its May 2021 Employee of the Month, Barbara Ski. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of staff and volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area.

Barbara works as a Certified Nursing Assistant on the Med/Surg Unit and been an employee at LHMC since October 2011. She was nominated by a patient who stated, “It was such a blessing to have Barbara care for me. She helped me to and from the washroom, in and out of bed using proper body mechanics and so much more. She always made sure I was washed, and my teeth were brushed! Barbara was my hero during my stay – awesome job! Thank you!”

Lake Huron Medical Center is proud of each of its employees and volunteers; and extends a special thank you and congratulations to all our team members, especially Barbara, as we celebrate their accomplishments.

To learn more about the programs and services offered at Lake Huron Medical Center, visit www.mylakehuron.com.

The Rotary Parade is On for July 21, 2021

Port Huron, MI — The summer calendar in the Blue Water Area is filling up! In June, Downtown Port Huron will be hopping with regular Shop, Rock & Stroll events each Friday, Drive-in Movies at McMorran, and Art on the River, and there are plenty of events to look forward to in July including the Rotary International Day Parade.

The Rotary Club of Port Huron will host their 101st parade on July 21st. The theme for this year’s parade is “Decades” which was intended to celebrate the club’s 100th anniversary last year.

Port Huron Rotary President Scott Babin said, “It was such a disappointment to cancel last year’s 100th Anniversary activities and events for our club. We are thrilled that both the Governor’s announcement on lifting outdoor event limits and the timing of our annual parade support Rotary hosting the event this year.”

Those who visit the parade are asked to follow whatever state guidelines are in effect on the day of the event, but, at this time, all broad epidemic orders are expected to be lifted on July 1st.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand