George James

It’s Fair Week! So Much to Do at the St. Clair County 4-H and Youth Fair

Fair Week is here! The St. Clair County 4-H and Youth Fair is the week many have been waiting for all year long, from exhibitors to vendors to spectators. The fair, held at Goodells County Park, is considered the “Best Family Fair in Michigan”.

The full line-up of events is extensive, but the highlights include different grandstand events each night. Monday night is the Flying Star Rodeo. Tuesday is the Monster Truck Show, and Wednesday is the Night of Mayhem. All three shows start at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday is the Tractor and Truck Pull at 6:00 p.m. and spectators can watch drivers smash up their cars at the Bump and Run at 7:00 p.m. Finally, Saturday, at 4:00 p.m., the Figure 8 and Stock Derby takes place.

If carnival rides are your thing, there are a variety of pricing options throughout the week, with some days only $25 for unlimited rides all day.

Don’t forget about the barns full of livestock and projects that 4-H kids have worked on all year, and the many vendors and exhibits on display all week.

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Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Franke Estate Donates $250,000 to Port Huron Museums

The Port Huron Museums have received a large donation from the estate of Dr. Armin and Mrs. Rosalie Franke. The $250,000 donation is the largest in the history of the museum.

Dr. Franke passed away in late 2021 at the age of 98, after practicing medicine in Port Huron from 1956 to 1995. He was active in many community organizations and instrumental in administering the polio vaccine in St. Clair County.

Port Huron Museums Executive Director Veronica Campbell said that the museum will be able to accomplish some major goals including finishing or supporting current projects like new updated exhibits and others, as well as building an endowment for future financial stability for the Museums.

Port Huon Museums Community Engagement Manager Andrew Kercher said, “Dr. Franke is an example for all of us in how to improve a community, both in terms of his decades in literal lifesaving work as a

physician and now his gift that will ensure his legacy in the Blue Water Area for decades to come.”

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Mental Health Providers Could Get Student Loans Paid with New Program

The state of Michigan is willing to pay off portions of student loans for those who provide medical behavioral health services such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, therapists and certified behavioral analysts in underserved areas of the state

The MI Kids Now Loan Repayment Program incentivizes behavioral health care providers to work in areas that are lacking mental health services. Priority is given to those who serve children, but the repayment is open to providers who care for both adults and children.

The goal is to help fill the gaps in mental healthcare for schools and employers by paying up to $200,000 in loan debt if committed to eight years.

Lindsay McLaughlin, acting director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service’s Bureau of Children’s Coordinated Health Policy and Supports said, “Increasing access to behavioral health services for Michigan families and children is a top priority for MDHHS.”

The MI Kids Now Loan Repayment Program application cycle opens July 18, 2022, and closes on July 29, 2022. Further program information, resources, applications, and application instructions can be found  on the MI Kids Now Loan Repayment Program website.

Behavioral health providers are encouraged to review the materials in advance and submit applications when the cycle begins.

Providers who have questions or need more information can contact Reanna Kathawa at kathawar@michigan.gov.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

East Shore Leadership Academy and The Athletic Factory Partner for Afterschool Programs

East Shore Leadership Academy in Port Huron has entered into a partnership with The Athletic Factory, a Port Huron non-profit that provides athletic opportunities for youth.

The partnership will provide after-school activities for the students at the kindergarten through 8th grade charter school. Students will be able to not only have after-school supervision, but will be able to learn or find a new interest.

Cliff Thomason, Executive Director of The Athletic Factory, said that the two organizations had that same vision for an activities program. The Athletic Factory was looking for an opportunity to do an after-school program to expand their reach into the community while East Shore was looking for an afterschool experience for its kids.

The partnership will offer students afterschool activities ranging from sports to arts and crafts to performing arts such as dance. They are also planning to offer a LEGO Robotics option as well as old-fashioned games.

https://theathleticfactory.org/
https://www.eastshoreleaders.com/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Chalk Art Contest Underway at Blue Water Festival

There’s truly something for everyone at the Blue Water Festival in Downtown Port Huron. If chalk art is your passion or just something you’d like to try, the festival has just the thing for you to show off your talent.

The annual Chalk Art Contest is underway on July 14th and 15th in front of A Little Something, a store in Downtown Port Huron.

Artists will need to register and spectators will vote on their favorite chalk art. The art spaces are free to artists and they can be solo pieces or can be the work of up to four artists.

The top prize is $100 for the Best in Show. The People’s Choice Award winner will get a cash prize as well, with the Best Original Piece and the Best 3-D piece each winning $50. The Best Use of Color artwork will get $50 also.

There are prizes of ice cream coupons for the Best Youth Piece for ages 12 to 16 and the Best Child Piece for ages under 12.

Judging is at 5:30 p.m. with the winners announced at 7:00 p.m. in front of A Little Something on Friday, July15th.

For more information, please contact the chalk art coordinator Lucie De Line 810.531.5410.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Backpack Giveaways Planned for “Back to School 2022”

While kids definitely think it is way too soon to be thinking about going back to school, parents might be starting to think about how to get all those school supplies.

Parents who need a hand gathering supplies should mark their calendars. Back to School 2022 is held throughout the county to help kids from low-income families get what they need to start the school year off right.

The Port Huron event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon on August 10th at Blue Water Community Action on Lapeer Road in Port Huron. The Capac event is also on August 10th at Capac Elementary School from 10:00-11:30 a.m.

The Yale event will be coordinated with back-to-school open houses and the East China event is planned for August 18th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the East China District Stadium.

Elementary and Middle School students will get a backpack filled with school supplies. Preschoolers will get a backpack with a reading book, coloring book, and crayons.

The drive-through event will be first-come, first-serve. Proof of St. Clair County residency is required and children must be present.

https://www.bwcaa.org/news-and-events/calendar/55-community-events/70790-2022-capac-back-to-school-backpack-giveaway

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland