Summer’s Almost Here – Everybody In The Lake!

Lindsay Mondick
Lindsay Mondick, Senior Manager of Aquatics at YMCA of the USA

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1 to 4 years old and is the second leading cause of death for children from 5 to 14 years old. While people can’t wait to head to the beach, lake, or their favorite community pool as summer quickly approaches, the Y believes teaching children how to swim and be safe around water is one of the most important life skills parents can help their children learn.  The Y is “America’s Swim Instructor” and the most accessible community resource to prevent drowning and encourage a lifelong enjoyment of swimming.

Lindsay Mondick, Senior Manager of Aquatics at YMCA of the USA, talks about what kids and families need to know about the Y’s Safety Around Water program and Swim Lessons. Learning what to do if you find yourself in the water unexpectedly is a fundamental safety skill and knowing how to swim builds confidence.  Mondick says Water safety is important to every family! This year, the Y is awarding more than 33,000 scholarships for free water safety lessons to children from underserved communities as part of their Safety Around Water program to teach children of all ages from all backgrounds that water should be fun, not feared!

Through learning how to perform a sequenced set of skills over four lessons of 60 minutes each, the risk of drowning is reduced and gives your child confidence in and around water. Participants will learn to “Jump, Push, Turn, Grab” and “Swim, Float, Swim”, two skill sets they can use if they unexpectedly find themselves in the water. They will also discuss specific safety topics like what to do if you see someone in the water who needs help and participate in fun activities that reinforce skills. All swim levels are welcome.Lindsay Mondick is the Senior Manager of Aquatics at Y-USA and has been involved in the aquatics field for over 20 years. She provides resources and support to local YMCAs all areas of aquatic programming. Before joining Y-USA, she was with the YMCA of Greater Twin Cities for 14 years in a variety of aquatic leadership roles, including setting strategic priorities for the association and its 27 branches.

Art On The River Coming June 8-9-10

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 8th 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 9th 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 9th 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 9th and 10th, 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

Man Arrested After Assaulting Girlfriend, Shooting Up Car

A 41 year old Bruce Township man is in custody following a domestic disturbance that turned into a shots fired call.  Deputies from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office were first called to a home in the 16000 block of Tubspring Road at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday night.  The call came in as a domestic disturbance.  When deputies arrived, they were advised by the 48 year old female homeowner that the suspect had come over earlier in the evening with his 62 year old mother.  Shortly before the woman called 911, the suspect assaulted her, left the residence with a handgun and fired shots at a car in the yard.  The suspect then ran off into the woods.  Deputies searched for the man, but were unable to locate him at that time.  A second call came in from the residence shortly after 2:00 a.m.  The caller said the suspect had returned and was trying to force his way into the house.  The Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team was called to assist as deputies responded back to the residence. When the deputies arrived, they located the mother hiding in a trailer on the property.  She was escorted to safety.  The 48 year old homeowner, who is the suspect’s girlfriend, was found in the house and was also taken to safety.  The SRT arrived and sent a robot into the residence to search for the suspect, who was believed to still be armed with a handgun.  The robot located the suspect in the basement of the residence.  Members of the SRT went into the home and arrested the suspect without incident.  The suspect is lodged in the St. Clair County Intervention and Detention Center, where he awaits charges including aggravated domestic assault, three counts of malicious destruction of property (mdop)- auto, one count of mdop, unlawful entry and interfering with 911 communications.  The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau, Lapeer County Sheriff’s Office, Dryden Police Department and Imlay City Police Department all assisted during the incident.