George James

Sarnia’s Mitton Village Sees Community Improvements with New Public Spaces

Work is underway on a project that will see a new, permanent space for the public established in Mitton Village in Sarnia. 

Residents in the area may have noticed features of the pop-up parkette at the 135 Mitton St. South municipal parking lot being removed over the past week as the City prepares to reconstruct the lot and create a permanent parkette at the site.

Mitton Village is one of two Community Improvement Plan (CIP) areas identified for investments under the City of Sarnia’s 2020 plan. It is hoped that City-driven public-realm enhancements will encourage more businesses to invest in Mitton Village.

The parkette will feature tree-shaded areas alongside permanent seating and support infrastructure for active transportation.

The desire for public realm improvements was highlighted by the success of a pop-up parkette installed by the City in June 2022 with support from the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative. The pop-up parkette featured eight picnic tables painted by local artists, minor landscaping, and features such as a community bulletin board and Little Free Library.

Beyond complete reconstruction of the parking lot, the project will include the installation of new lighting, alongside decorative concrete, planters and tree wells for the parkette. Construction is expected to start this week and wrap up in November, with the parkette’s trees, plants, and street furniture to be installed in 2023.

Reporting for WGRT – George James

Henry Ford Health Announces Availability of New Early Detection Cancer Test

Henry Ford Health and GRAIL, LLC, a healthcare company whose mission is to detect cancer early when it can be cured, has announced Henry Ford Health as the first healthcare provider in Michigan to offer Galleri®, GRAIL’s Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) blood test. Henry Ford is among an early group of healthcare providers in the U.S. to offer this MCED test.

The Galleri test is intended for use in those who are at an elevated risk of cancer, such as individuals ages 50 or older. Some younger people may also have an elevated risk of cancer, which is why Henry Ford is making the Galleri test available to patients who are 22 years or older, have no history of cancer or have been cancer-free at least three years, and are not currently pregnant.

Galleri MCED test can detect many cancers that are not commonly screened for today to allow for earlier treatment, and can be incorporated into a routine healthcare visit.

Those who may be interested in the Galleri test should consult with their Henry Ford primary care physician to determine whether the test is appropriate for them.

Because the test is not currently covered by insurance, the Galleri MCED test is an out-of-pocket cost. Patients may be eligible to participate in the interventional PATHFINDER 2 study, which is evaluating the implementation and performance of Galleri in a clinical care setting. The study is currently enrolling individuals who meet the eligibility requirements, which include:

  • 50 years or older and receive care at Henry Ford Health.
  • Have never been diagnosed with cancer or have been cancer-free at least three years.
  • Are not participants in previous or ongoing GRAIL sponsored studies.
  • Henry Ford team members and their dependents who are enrolled in a Health Alliance Plan (HAP) of Michigan insurance plan may be eligible for a test at no cost.

To learn more about the Galleri test at Henry Ford Health, visit henryford.com/cancerbloodtest.

Reporting for WGRT – George James

The International Symphony Orchestra Announces Comeback Season

The International Symphony Orchestra, led by Maestro Douglas Bianchi, has announced “ISO65”, a full-season concert hall return with seven Canada/US concert series beginning this September and running to April 2023.

The symphony will open the comeback season Friday, October 14th at a brand-new venue, the Great Lakes High School Auditorium, marking the orchestra’s first Canadian live concert since February 2020. On the Michigan side, the orchestra will perform through the season at both McMorran Theatre and Port Huron Northern High School Auditorium.

Founded in 1958 as a cross-border community orchestra, the ISO has evolved into a semipro organization with membership between London and Detroit. Cross-border status enabled the organization to deliver Nexus, a digital season featuring small-group empty hall concerts in both Canada and the US, but the continuance of a sealed border delayed plans for a comeback season at a time when orchestras across North America were making their concert stage returns.

Maestro Bianchi is upbeat about an onstage return. “We made it through with digital delivery, but the goal was always to return in-person for our subscribers and friends. We had to accept the good and bad of our unique place among orchestras on the continent, and now we’re finally able to get back onstage. And this time we’re also providing a livestream service for those who still wish to enjoy it at home.”

Tickets & subscriptions are available for purchase at:

Canada https://tinyurl.com/ISO65CAN

US https://tinyurl.com/ISO65USA

For more information:

Phone: (519) 337-7775 Canada / (810) 984-8857 US

Website: www.theiso.org

Email: tickets@theiso.org

Reporting for WGRT – George James

Saturday is National Hunting and Fishing Day

Established in 1972, National Hunting and Fishing Day celebrates and recognizes hunters and anglers for their immense contributions to fish and wildlife conservation and to society.

That year, Congress resolved, “That the President of the United States declare the fourth Saturday of September 1972 as ‘National Hunting and Fishing Day’ to provide that deserved national recognition, to recognize the esthetic, health and recreational virtues of hunting and fishing, to dramatize the continued need for gun and boat safety and to rededicate ourselves to the conservation and respectful use of our wildlife and natural resources.”

Michigan provides a unique opportunity for the 650,000 hunters and 1.2 million anglers who annually enjoy an abundance of land and more than 11,000 inland lakes, tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, and 3,300 miles of Great Lakes shoreline. 

Hunting and fishing benefit Michigan’s economy by annually generating $11.2 billion, and this spending supports more than 171,000 jobs in Michigan.  

This Saturday, head out for a day of fun in the field or on the water. Just make sure you have a 2022 hunting or fishing license with you when you go. Licenses can be purchased at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses or via the DNR Hunt Fish app, putting licenses, permits, regulations and more right in the palm of your hand.

Whether you’re a seasoned hunter, avid angler or beginner, review safety tips at Michigan.gov/DNR under the Education and Safety tab in addition to reviewing rules and regulations at Michigan.gov/DNRDigests.

Reporting for WGRT – George James

St. Mary’s St. Clair Fall Festival

It’s officially fall on September 22nd which means there will be plenty of fall festivities to attend and enjoy this season. Why not start with the 48th Annual St. Mary’s St. Clair Fall Festival, a three day event beginning at 10 AM on Friday, September 23rd, and ending on Sunday, September 25th. 

The festival will feature a different main attraction and event for each day. Friday will feature their white elephant sale, raffle, and bake sale. Saturday is Family Fun Day which will feature the Power Wheels Demolition Derby, bounce houses, food trucks, and more. On Sunday, the last and final day of the event, there will be the Achatz Catering famous chicken dinner.

Win prizes, enjoy great food, and create family memories at the 48th Annual St. Mary’s St. Clair Fall Festival beginning this September 23rd.

For more information and details call (810) 329-2255.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell