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Local News

United Way of Sarnia-Lambton Accepting Funding Requests

Sarnia, Ontario — The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton is opening the funding process for the period April 1, 2022, to March 31,  2023. Due to COVID-19 and the rapidly changing needs in our community, we are allocating funds on a one year basis until further notice. Our current funding priorities are as follows:  

FROM POVERTY TO POSSIBILITY  

  • Housing Stability – housing programs, emergency shelters, affordable housing 
  • Food Security – access to enough nutritious, affordable, and appropriate food
  • Other Necessities of Life – access to clothing, Medical and Dental necessities 

HEALTHY PEOPLE, STRONG COMMUNITIES 

  • Healthy Seniors – seniors in poverty have access to nutritious affordable food, transportation, and  health supports 
  • Personal Wellbeing and Safety – supports for people dealing with addiction 
  • Inclusion – supports to reduce isolation and create positive mental health 

ALL THAT KIDS CAN BE 

  • Learning – helping kids with financial challenges succeed in school and develop key life skills • Quality of Life – supporting youth with disabilities and their families 
  • Connectedness – helping kids develop positive relationships with their peers and families The funding process and deadlines are as follows: 

June 30th – Letter of Intent due (see link below to access the form) Note that you need to fill out a Letter of  Intent for EACH program that you are requesting funds for. 

July 12th – Decisions will be made on which Letters of Intent will be invited to submit a Full Program  Application for funding and applicants will be notified. 

September 15th – Full Program Applications are due. 

October 12th to November 30th – Program reviews (these may be virtual) 

January or February 2022 – United Way Board of Directors make final decisions on funding for the period April  1, 2022, to March 31, 2023. 

Letter of Intent link: 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HXXK29X

Submitted by The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton

Bill Makes Changes That Benefit Craft Brewers

Craft beverage lovers along with microbrewers, wine makers, and distillers will have more options for tasting and offering samples of new brews. Governor Whitmer just signed bipartisan legislation that allows for changes in the Michigan Liquor Control Code.

Senate Bill 49 allows craft beverage producers to sample and sell their brews in the same place which Whitmer says will help small businesses grow and support the economy.

“Michigan is home to some of the best microbreweries and craft distillers in the country, and this bill makes it easier for these businesses to create and operate tasting rooms,” said Governor Whitmer. “I’m proud that this bipartisan bill will make it more convenient for Michiganders to sample fine spirits and delicious micro-brews, while also creating jobs and helping grow our small businesses and economy faster.”

Vinomondo Winery in Ft. Gratiot said the changes don’t really affect them. Their winery is still open, though operating at 50% capacity, and guests can sample their wines, bottle their own blends, visit the pub, or shop at the gift shop. Check their website for hours and menus.

David Ringler, Director of Happiness Cedar Springs Brewing Company, said, “We are grateful for this legislation that will allow us to expand services to our customers after a very difficult year. As a destination location in a small town, it is key for us to be able to serve all of our product lines to our guests.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Port Huron Rec Fills Summer Schedule with Free Fun

What’s better than fun activities for kids during the summer? FREE fun activities for kids during the summer. The Port Huron Recreation Department has announced a full roster of free summer fun for families.

The list includes free drive-in movies to be held in partnership with Sperry’s Moviehouse. The fun gets started on Tuesday, June 8th with The Lion King, 2019 version, starting at dusk. Families can watch from their cars in the McMorran Southwest parking lot and tune in on their car radios. There are eight movies scheduled throughout the summer and fall.

The SuperSlide is also opening back up this summer after a year off. The innovative and unique hillside slide is located at Palmer Park in Port Huron. The slide is for kids and kids-at-heart who are at least five years old and 40 inches tall. The slide is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, with evening hours of 4-7 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Rec on the Go Bags will be handed out on Wednesdays starting June 16th.

More information about all of the free programs this summer can be found at porthuronrec.com.

Reporting for WGRT -Jennie McClelland

The Henry Ford Museum Presents The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited

Remember the simpler days of watching The Muppet Show on Friday nights or Sesame Street on PBS every morning? Both shows are the work of Jim Henson. The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, just about an hour drive from the Blue Water area, has announced a popular new exhibit for all ages: The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited. It gets started on June 5th.

The exhibit takes viewers into the work that Jim Henson did for film and television and his impact on American culture. Guests will get to see over 100 original artifacts, including 25 of Henson’s puppets.

There are also character sketches, storyboards, scripts, costumes, and photographs, along with film and television clips and behind-the-scenes footage. Those who attend the exhibit can participate in interactive puppeteering experiences.

The Jim Henson Experience runs from June 5th to September 6th and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. General admission is $25 per person with some discounts available. Admission includes entry into the entire museum, which has a huge collection of artifacts chronicling the history of innovation.

https://www.thehenryford.org/current-events/calendar/the-jim-henson-exhibition-imagination-unlimited

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lisa Motte Takes Position at United Way

Port Huron, MI — Lisa Motte will be the new Resource Development Director the the United Way of St. Clair County. Her new role involves marketing, supporting annual campaigns, and working with volunteers.

Motte said, “I was honored to accept this position because nonprofits are my passion. I have worked in the for-profit industry for more than 25 years and felt I needed to follow my heart to United Way. There is no better way to help so many nonprofits than through United Way of St. Clair County.”

Executive Director of the United Way of St. Clair County, Brent Gillette, said, “We’re very happy to get her from the for-profit world although she has extensive experience in nonprofits. It’s her energy, the infectious atmosphere she brings with her into a room, and her extensive knowledge of the community that will be a big asset to us.”

United Way of St. Clair County staff have been in the office throughout the pandemic safely serving their clients through the 211 phone service and their medical loan and supply closet.

Gillette said they are looking forward to sharing the mission of the United Way with businesses as they did pre-COVID. “We didn’t get a chance to do that for a whole year, and that has really been a hardship for us.”

In 2020, the United Way of St. Clair County supported over 14,441 residents of St. Clair County by teaching life skills, reducing the need for emergency services, adult education and training programs, and improving quality of life through health and advocacy.

To learn more visit uwstclair.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

People and Pets Urged to Avoid Contact with Lake and River Foam

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is asking Michigan residents to keep a lookout for foam on lakes and rivers. If found, boaters, swimmers, anglers, and anyone spending time near lakes and rivers, including pets, should avoid contact with the foam.

While all foam can have bacteria, of particular concern is the foam that could contain polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. PFAS contaminated foam is generally bright white in color, lightweight, and may pile up like shaving cream. It can also blow onto beaches.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS warns, “Although current science shows that the risk of PFAS getting into your system from contact with skin is low, you can minimize exposure to PFAS by rinsing or showering after you are done with your recreational activities. In general, washing hands and rinsing off after recreating will help to protect people from chemicals and bacteria that may be in water bodies.”

Naturally-occurring foam is usually off-white or brown and has an earthy or fishy smell. It is normal for naturally occurring foam to be found in bays, eddies, or at river barriers such as dams.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland