This fall, supporters of the Imagination Library voted for their favorite charity in such numbers as to earn it a $25,000 grant. The library provides free books to county children ages 0 to 5. It is supported by St. Clair County RESA, the United Way, and grants and donations. Pictured are, back row from left: Jim Vinckier, State Farm agent in Marysville; Emily Vinckier, State Farm agent in Kimball; Riley Alley, Great Start Collaborative coordinator; Thom Connolly, representing State Farm Corporate; Jeff Genaw, State Farm agent in Port Huron Township; and Becky Gorinac, RESA director of Early Childhood Services. Bottom row, with Jennifer Gunderson, Great Start parent liaison are, from left: Maysa Northrop, Rowan Walling, Crosby Herbert, Will Dimick and Ethan Paynter.

St. Clair County Community College President Deborah Snyder, Ph.D., recently was appointed to the Michigan Virtual Board of Directors for a three-year term.  Michigan Virtual, formally known as Michigan Virtual University, partners with more than 500 districts in the state of Michigan to provide online courses and supplemental programs for Michigan students and professional development for educators. It is the parent organization of the Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute.  Dr. Snyder has extensive experience and expertise in higher education and online learning. Among other positions, she served as president and chief academic officer of Cogswell College in California, senior vice provost of academic programs at Strayer University in Washington, D.C., professor and chairwoman for the management and marketing department at Capella University, director of extended learning at University of Michigan-Flint, and dean of online learning and professor of marketing at Walsh College, where she was instrumental in creating the school’s online courses.  Additionally, Dr. Snyder has authored three books and two entries in encyclopedias of educational technology. Her latest book, “Old School, New School, No-School,” examines the recalibration of higher education and guides college administrators, faculty, counselors and parents who seek to prepare students for the accelerating changes taking place in the world around them.  “Dr. Snyder is known as a pioneer in online education,” said Michigan Virtual President and CEO Jamey Fitzpatrick. “We are grateful to have her support, knowledge and expertise, and are thrilled to welcome her to our Board.”  Dr. Snyder was awarded the 2018 Blue Water Woman’s Educator of the Year Award. She has a Ph.D. in organizational communication, a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wayne State University. She also attended SC4.

Many Michiganders will be traveling in the coming weeks to celebrate the holidays with family and friends. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is reminding parents and caregivers to make sure infants have a safe place to sleep during their journey.  “Whether you are going to the in-laws or staying in a hotel, make sure your baby has a safe place to sleep,” said Nick Lyon, MDHHS director. “Do not put babies on couches or inflatable mattresses or in a bed with siblings or other family members.”  Infants should sleep alone in a crib, portable crib, bassinet or play yard with only a firm mattress and tightly fitted sheet. No pillows, blankets, comforters, stuffed animals or other soft things should be in the sleep area. Car seats and other sitting devices are not recommended for routine sleep.    Other sleep recommendations include:

• Always place baby on the back to sleep. Once baby can roll from back to stomach and from stomach to back, he or she can be allowed to remain in the sleep position that he or she chooses.
• Avoid covering baby’s head or overheating. Dress the baby in as much or as little clothing as you are wearing. Instead of a blanket for sleeping, consider using a sleep sack, wearable blanket or footed sleeper to keep baby warm.

For more information on infant safe sleep, visit Michigan.gov/safesleep. For information on crib safety, contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission at 800-638-2772 or visit Cpsc.gov

The students of Woodland’s room 208 expect to return to classes after the holiday break to find new friends waiting for them: little plants growing from seed they planted.  Liane Allen, an educator with MSU Extension and 4-H, has spent a few hours each week teaching the students in Woodland room 208 about growing, harvesting — and eating — fresh food. Liane helped the classroom plant two raised gardens outside Woodland this past spring. Their latest project is planting a “tower garden,” on loan by Port Huron Township’s Debbie Shinavier. The vertical garden structure keeps the plants moist as they grow without traditional soil.  Room 208 teacher Michelle Ebmeyer says the venture has been good for everyone. “The kids love it when she comes in. They’re very, very attentive. They also get to try the different things we grow.”

WGRT makes winners out of listeners throughout the year.  All winner’s names are put into a drawing at the end of the year for a prize that only those in the WGRT Winner’s Circle are eligible to win.  This year, Angeline was the winner of a 65 inch, LG High Definition TV, along with a speaker system from Kimball Appliance.   WGRT thanks all our listeners, and we look forward to another great year of music and prizes.