Local News

St. Clair County Community College President Deborah Snyder, Ph.D., SC4 Foundation Chair Harold Burns and Community Foundation President and CEO Randy Maiers have announced the expanded philanthropic partnership as the Community Foundation assumes administration of SC4 Foundation scholarships and funds. “The college and the Community Foundation bring to the area a combined 169 years of service to this community in education and philanthropy, and the SC4 Foundation has helped countless students attend college,” Snyder said. “This collaborative partnership will allow us to have an even greater impact on the students and community we serve for many years to come.” The organizations have a long history of cooperation. Most recently, the Community Foundation provided $750,000 in financing to support the student housing development in downtown Port Huron. SC4 was also integral to the launch of the Community Foundation’s Complete Your Degree program in 2017, a program that has celebrated its first graduate. “Since its founding in 1963, the SC4 Foundation has contributed thousands of dollars to students who otherwise would not be able to attend college, enhancing the learning experience for all students. A strong college is a community asset,” Burns said. “We’re proud to partner with the Community Foundation as we help our next generation of students prepare for a bright future.” “This natural partnership aligns well with our focus on college, career and life success,” said Mike Cansfield, board chair of the Community Foundation. “We are proud to support the success of SC4 students by connecting philanthropic dollars with opportunities on campus.”

United Way of St. Clair County kicked off their Annual Campaign on September 6, 2018. Many groups have been getting together to host fundraising community events in support of this year’s goal. These contributions will help United Way fund essential and local health and human service programs while giving the residents of St. Clair County some fun activities to do. Information on upcoming events may be found on the United Way website, www.uwstclair.org, and Facebook page, by clicking on the Events tab; event fliers can be downloaded from the individual event pages. Residents may also call UWSCC’s office at (810) 985-8169 for inquiries or stop in to pick up a flier. Upcoming events include and Dinner and Bake Sale at the Texas Roadhouse in Fort Gratiot. On Wednesday, October 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. – 10% of the total food purchase will be donated to United Way when you show the printed flier.

Veterans Day is an official United States public holiday, observed annually on November 11, that honors military veterans; that is, persons who served in the United States Armed Forces. On that same day, other holidays, which include Armistice Day and Remembrance Day are celebrated in other countries to mark the anniversary of the end of World War 1. Major hostilities of World War 1 were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 1th month of 1918. The U.S. holiday was renamed Veterans Day in 1954. Fort Gratiot Middle School is extending an invitation to all veterans to attend the Veterans Day Assembly at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 12. The Assembly will allow the students and staff of Fort Gratiot Middle School to honor all attending Veterans. Veterans are asked to call (810) 984-6544 by Nov. 2 to register for the event by providing their name, rank, branch of service and years served.

Lake Huron Foundation proudly hosts the 23rd Annual Pink Ribbon golf outing on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at Solitude Links Golf Club. Through the Pink Ribbon fund, Lake Huron Foundation remains committed to saving the lives of women in our community by encouraging women to take advantage of early detection and screening procedures when it comes to breast cancer. Funds raised from this event are used to provide advanced breast cancer screening and treatment for women in the community who lack health insurance and the financial resources to pay for their care.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide with 1.3 million new cases annually – 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed in her lifetime. Though it remains the second leading cause of cancer related women deaths, there is hope and a 98 percent survival rate for women who are diagnosed early – early detection saves lives.  Proceeds from this event will be utilized to provide early detection services or necessary treatment and supportive care to the most vulnerable women in our community. When someone is diagnosed with cancer, their entire family is diagnosed with cancer. To that end, we invite both women and men to participate in this year’s event to help raise awareness and provide support to women in our community who have faced or are currently facing a breast cancer diagnosis.

Golfers are invited to celebrate on the links with us for nine holes in a shotgun start, followed by lunch and vendor shopping, all funds raised through this outing will support the Pink Ribbon Fund through the Lake Huron Foundation. Golfers are also invited to participate in our Team Spirit cart decorating competition. There are no specific guidelines, so think pink and let your imagination run wild.  Your participation in our Pink Ribbon Golf Outing extends far beyond a June morning on the golf course; you’re helping save the lives of the most vulnerable women in our community.  Registration deadline is June 8, 2018. If you would like more information on the available event sponsorships or to register for this event, please contact Lisa Beedon at (810) 216-1675 or via email at LMontross@primehealthcare.com.  To learn more about Lake Huron Foundation, please visit www.mylakehuron.com.

Art on the River is joining forces with Firebird Entertainment of Port Huron, for even more reasons to come to this year’s event.  Not only can folks shop for unique art and fine crafts, listen to some stellar bands slated to perform the entire weekend, but they can meet, greet and get autographs from retired sports celebrities!  Announced earlier this month, Darren McCarty (Red Wings alumi who helped the Red Wings win the Stanley Cup) will attend the June 8^th Dance Party.  Darren will be on hand from 7:30 to 9 pm that night.  Darren is a forward who was best known for his “enforcer” role.  Darren has played on Stanly Cup winning teams 4 times!  He was part of the famous “Grind Line” of 1997 when the Red Wings won their first Stanley Cup in 42 years.  On June 9^th from 1 to 5 p.m., “Tony Atlas” will be on hand showcasing his works of art, signing autographs and shaking hands. Tony White is not only an artist, but better known by his ring name Tony Atlas, an American bodybuilder, powerlifter, and professional wrestler who has held multiple titles and championships in each sport, as well as Mr. U.S.A. three times!  June 9^th from 3 to 5 p.m., meet Ron Simmons.   Ron is an American retired professional wrestler and football player. He competed under his real name as well as the ring names of Faarooq Asaad and Faarooq. He is currently signed to the WWE under a Legends program. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Bradshaw in 2012.  On June 9^th and 10^th, retired Tiger pitcher, Denny McLain will be on hand.  He was a righthanded pitcher in Major League Baseball for ten seasons, most notably for the Detroit Tigers. In 1968, McLain became the most recent Major League Baseball pitcher to win 30 or more games during a season (with a record of 31–6) — a feat accomplished by only 11 players in the 20th century. Many people in the 1960s watched Denny McLain strike out batter after batter when he played for the Tigers.  In 1968 he helped them win the coveted World Series!  People were glued to their televisions that year cheering them on.  “We are very proud to bring in four individuals that have found success in each of their professions.  Darren McCarty, a 4-time Stanley Cup winner; Ron Simmons, a WWE Hall of Famer and recognized as the first African American world heavy weight champion in professional wrestling; Tony Atlas, a WWE Hall of Famer and tag team champion as well as a 3-time Mr. U.S.A. in body building; and Denny McLain, a World Series MVP, 2-time AL Cy Young Winner and AL MVP! The accomplishments of these men are extremely noteworthy and we are proud to bring them to Port Huron.” – Josh Avedisian, Firebird Entertainment  Art on the River enters its 8th year as a premiere Port Huron summer event.  Located at 301 Quay Street, Port Huron, MI 48060, this event features a stage with bands playing all weekend, artists and fine crafters (all handmade products) and much, much more!  To see complete information, please visit the Art on the River website at www.artontheriverph.com