George James

Theresa Winters Faraway Places Travel Travel with Kids

Local Travel Agent Theresa Winters Offers Tips for Single Parents Traveling with Kids

Local travel agent Theresa Winters was recently featured in The Compass Magazine where she shared some valuable tips for single parents who are traveling with children.

With a lot of pent-up demand for travel after a year and a half of closures and restrictions, vacationing and exploring new places are on a lot of families’ to-do lists.

In the interview, Winters, owner of Port Huron’s Faraway Places Travel, said that every trip is a learning experience when adjusting to traveling solo with kids.

Winters said, “We, as single parents, need an additional sense of ease. Most times, we’re outnumbered by children, which can easily make us feel stressed and overwhelmed. A travel advisor should focus on the ages of the children so their particular needs are met.”

As both a travel advisor and a single parent herself, Winters suggests letting kids help plan trips so they have a bit of a say in the activities. She also suggests road trips instead of flying as ways for single parents to save money.

Winters says all-inclusive resorts are a great option for single parents traveling with children as they have amenities onsite.

https://viewer.joomag.com/compass-summer-2021-master/0846492001627334402/p74?short&fbclid=IwAR0lsrGpzO5qisbm5u9CecM1FcA51ryFJ8gE1Jdqr1tSbQ7cMbWDhfSvDxA

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McMorran Ready to Rock with Styx November 4th 

The band Styx is coming to Port Huron. The rock band that got started in the 1970s will be rocking McMorran Arena on Thursday, November 4th at 8:00 p.m.

This is the actual band Styx, not a cover band. They are known for 1970s hits like “Come Sail Away” and “Babe” and 1983’s “Mr. Roboto”. Styx’s most popular song was 1978’s “Renegade”.

The members of Styx are mostly in their 60s and 70s, and they are still actively making music and touring the country.. The tour that is coming to Port Huron coincides with the release of their latest album, Crash of the Crown.

It’s been a while since McMorran has had a big show. They hosted some big shows like Third Eye Blind and Newsboys over the past fifteen years or so, but this is the first post-shutdown big show that is sure to draw a sell-out crowd.

Tickets go on sale October 1st through the McMorran Box Office. Prices start at $55. They can be bought online or at the box office with no additional fees.

McMorran has a full schedule of entertainment on the calendar for the rest of the year. Go to mcmorran.com for the details.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Home Heating Credits Mailed to Michigan Households

Checks are in the mail for families and individuals who qualify for the Home Heating Credit. The checks are for $100 or $200 depending on circumstances.

Over 178,600 households are getting the one-time payment. The recipients are the ones who got the Home Heating Credits for the 2020 tax year. The money is coming from the Fiscal Year 2021 federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

There’s still time to apply for the credit, but not much. Applications need to be turned in by September 30th. State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks said, “There is still time to apply for the Home Heating Credit. You don’t have to file an individual income tax return to receive the credit. Please don’t wait and submit your application today.”  

According to a press release, households with seniors, disabled individuals, or children under 5 years old are receiving $200. Other eligible households are receiving $100.

The Home Heating Credit application form can be obtained at www.michigan.gov/taxes.  Additional information can be found on the Home Heating Credit website. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Be Aware of Deceptive Packaging on THC Edibles

The Michigan Cannabis Manufacturers Association, MCMA, is calling on lawmakers to regulate the market for marijuana products. Unlicensed cannabis products are causing concern as they are packaged and labeled to look like candy.

Imagine stopping at a gas station for snacks for a road trip and mistakenly giving the kids THC-laced edibles that you thought were fruit snacks. That happened to a Southeastern Michigan family this year.

Another family in southeastern Michigan got tricked into buying what they thought were Sour Patch Kids candies, but they were actually “Stoner Patch Dummies”, and contained THC. The name might be funny, but it was no laughing matter when the kids were taken to the hospital after consuming the edibles.

Stephen Linder, MCMA executive director said, “We’re seeing far too many young children accidentally poisoned by cannabis products with deceptive labeling. All cannabis products in Michigan should be tested, tracked, labeled and licensed to help ensure it is safe for patients and adult-use consumers.”

Until the industry is regulated, it is up to consumers to be very careful about what they buy and to be aware that THC products are sometimes packaged just like candy.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian Takes Over as MDHHS Medical Executive

Khaldun is out; Bagdasarian is in as top doctor for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, according to an announcement from Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, or “Dr. J” as the Governor called her, became a household name in Michigan as she was often the bearer of unwelcome news throughout the pandemic. Khaldun would speak at news conferences about rising COVID rates and give the medical rationale for restrictions and shutdowns. Khaldun has accepted a new job elsewhere.

Whitmer praised Khaldun’s tenure with MDHHS, saying, “Thanks to Dr. J’s around-the-clock leadership, our state acted quickly with the best available data and science to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save countless lives during the pandemic.” She went on to say, “The state of Michigan and I are incredibly grateful for your service.”

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian is the new medical executive for MDHHS. A Wayne State and U of M grad, she has a background in internal medicine and infectious diseases and was the Senior Public Health Physician with MDHHS. Bagdasarian starts the new job on October 1st.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland