George James

Fall Carnival Planned at Carnegie Center

Port Huron, MI — As the temperature drops, outdoor options for families are starting to dry up and indoor options are few and far between. Yet, the Port Huron Museums have found a way to have a safe and fun indoor experience. 

They 2020 Fall Carnival is this Sunday, October 25th, at the Carnegie Center in Downtown Port Huron. Andrew Kercher, Director of Community Engagement for the Museum, said that there is plenty of space to spread out at the three-story building. The museum is planning indoor carnival style games geared toward elementary age children while offering cider and a campfire outside. They are maintaining social distancing and preventing large crowds by requiring advance reservations. 

The event is a fundraiser for the Museum, which has been hit hard by COVID related closures and loss of revenue. Kercher said that the silver lining to the COVID shutdown has been that it has forced them to be creative in maintaining access to local history and looking at their collections in new ways. 

The Museum is limiting capacity to twenty people per time slot during the Fall Carnival. The cost is $5 per person.

Reservations are available between noon and 3:00 p.m. They can be made through Eventbrite at phmuseum.org. 

Port Huron Museums are planning a telethon for Giving Tuesday on November 1st. Stay tuned for details as the event gets closer. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Industrial Hemp Growing Takes Root in Michigan

Michigan’s Industrial Hemp plan has been approved by the federal government. Michigan’s plan aligns with the requirements of the 2018 Farm Bill and the USDA’s interim final rule.

The Industrial Hemp Ag Pilot Program started last year and carried into this year’s growing season, involving 631 growers and 517 processors. The trial year helped shape the regulatory framework needed to diversify the operations. Hemp is used to make paper, textiles, biodegradable plastics, construction materials, health food, and fuel.

State Senator Dan Lauwers of St. Clair County’s Brockway Township said, “Michigan’s pilot program for industrial hemp has been a great success. There is increasing interest in this crop in a wide variety of sectors. Michigan farmers will benefit greatly from being able to grow hemp, under the 2018 Farm Bill and Michigan’s USDA approved Hemp Growers Program.”

The THC level of the plants is monitored, and there are other requirements that distinguish industrial hemp from marijuana. Interested growers can go to Michigan.gov/IndustrialHemp for details.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sarnia and Brights Grove Tim Horton’s Restaurants Help Pathways Health Centre for Children

Sarnia, ON — Pathways Health Centre for Children has received a sizable donation from the Sarnia and Bright’s Grove Tim Horton’s franchises. The local restaurants donated $44,461.00 to the charity.

One hundred percent of the proceeds from this year’s campaign are being donated by the owners of the local restaurants to the charity, helping Pathways move toward its $260,000 fundraising goal.

Alison Morrison, Executive Director at Pathways Health Centre for Children, said, “Everyone needs a smile these days! This gift to Pathways made possible by strong community support of the local Tim Horton’s in their Smile Cookie Campaign couldn’t have come at a better time for our organization and the clients we serve. It is truly incredible, that during a global pandemic with such hardships experienced by citizens and businesses, that Sarnia responded so generously to the campaign, surpassing last year’s record!” 

The Smile Cookie campaign began in 1996 to help raise funds for the Hamilton Children’s Hospital in Ontario. The Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie Campaign raised a record breaking $10.56 million this year.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

The Dry Dock Provides Safe Community for those in Recovery

Port Huron, MI — 2020 has been a difficult year for a lot of people, and an even tougher year for those recovering from addiction. But, the Dry Dock Recovery Reading Room in Downtown Port Huron has persisted in providing a ray of hope for those in recovery to find acceptance and a safe, positive environment.

The Dry Dock opened in February of this year. Three brothers, Linn, Jeff, and Brad Bartlett, rented a unique space right on the Black River by the Military Street drawbridge. The brothers, who are all in recovery themselves, used their experience in the hospitality industry to make a welcoming and friendly gathering space for people in the process of conquering addiction.

The space provides not only friendly conversation and plenty of reading material, but a chance to make healthy choices in the face of isolation and loneliness, which can be amplified by the pandemic.

There is no charge to visit the Dry Dock. While the facility is not affiliated with any particular recovery program, they have information on overcoming all kinds of addictions. They also host events such as a clean and sober Boat Night, euchre games, and art and music shows.

For more information, call Linn Bartlett at (810) 941-8510 or check out their facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Dry-Dock-Recovery-Reading-Room-100292064904693/.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New Direct Care Workers to Get $1600 Retention Pay

Newly hired direct care workers, who go into homes to provide care, usually to senior citizens, are in short supply. They will be given retention payments by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to try to keep them on the job.

The $3.9 million allocation is funded by the federal CARES Act. Partner Agencies include the Area Agency on Aging 1-B, which serves seniors in St. Clair County.

The program’s goal is to hire and retain at least 2,000 direct care workers by the end of 2020. New workers, who have not worked in home and community-based services over the last 60 days, are eligible for an extra $1600 if they complete training and 300 hours of work by December 30. Workers can be asked to repay the money if they do not stay at their jobs for six months.

According to a press release from MDHHS, the increase in direct care workers strengthens the workforce and could allow eligible adults to stay in their own homes instead of moving to nursing homes.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Detroit Zoo Open with Safety Precautions in Place

The Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak is back open after a long shut down. With capacity restrictions and social distancing enforced, families can feel like they have the zoo all to themselves. 

The indoor facilities are closed, but anything that is open air is fair game. In cooler weather, the animals are sometimes more active and there is still plenty of nature to enjoy. 

Fort Gratiot mom, Emily Herbert, took a trip to the zoo with her young children and friends last Friday. She reflected on the trip, saying, “We really enjoyed our visit. There were some Halloween decorations up, which was a fun touch. We felt very safe as everyone wore masks and could easily socially distance with signs and markings on the ground. It was not over crowded. Despite a few exhibits being closed, the animals we saw were more active than I can ever remember. It was a great experience.”

A trip to the zoo costs between $10 and $19 per person, depending on age. Reservations must be made in advance for a specific entrance time. Traveling to the zoo is about an hour’s drive from Port Huron. Details are at Detroitzoo.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland