The Port Huron Museums have received a large donation from the estate of Dr. Armin and Mrs. Rosalie Franke. The $250,000 donation is the largest in the history of the museum.
Dr. Franke passed away in late 2021 at the age of 98, after practicing medicine in Port Huron from 1956 to 1995. He was active in many community organizations and instrumental in administering the polio vaccine in St. Clair County.
Port Huron Museums Executive Director Veronica Campbell said that the museum will be able to accomplish some major goals including finishing or supporting current projects like new updated exhibits and others, as well as building an endowment for future financial stability for the Museums.
Port Huon Museums Community Engagement Manager Andrew Kercher said, “Dr. Franke is an example for all of us in how to improve a community, both in terms of his decades in literal lifesaving work as a
physician and now his gift that will ensure his legacy in the Blue Water Area for decades to come.”
Have you ever wondered how freighters from foreign countries navigate the narrow waterways in our area? It turns out, they don’t.
Located near Desmond Marine, the Lakes Pilots Association has been keeping track of ship traffic and meeting freighters in the water for years.
Bill Wager, a dispatcher for the Lakes Pilots Association, feels his unique job is like a giant puzzle of boats, captains, crew members, and schedules that he’s excited to piece together every day.
Freighters that travel from the Atlantic Ocean into the Great Lakes are often piloted by people who have never navigated these waterways. The passage on the St. Clair River from the Lake to Detroit and even further to the waters of Lake Erie can present unique challenges due to twists and turns, water depth, and currents.
To ensure the safety of the freighter crew and other boaters, along with stewardship of the land and waterways, highly trained U.S. and Canadian Registered Pilots are brought to the freighters by the Lakes Pilots Association crew so they can take over for the freighter’s captains.
What does this look like? Watch our adventure out with the pilot boat here:
When a freighter prepares to approach the mouth of the St. Clair River, communication among several entities makes its way to the Lakes Pilots Association. Their crew organizes the exchange of pilots and prepares the pilot boats and crews to meet the freighters.
The pilot boat meets the freighters in Lake Huron near the permanent buoy. The pilot boat and the freighter make a moving connection, and the U.S. or Canadian Registered Pilot climbs a ladder to board the freighter. Depending on the destination, the pilot may be aboard for half a day to 14 hours navigating the ship through the Great Lakes region and working with the freighter’s crew.
Just after the new pilot boards the freighter, the pilot coming off duty disembarks the freighter by climbing down into the pilot boat and heading back to the Lakes Pilots Association headquarters. Pilots have a mandated rest period between trips and may stay overnight in the area at a local hotel or hang out in the headquarters building until taking their next trip.
Would you like the chance to see the Lakes Pilots Association in action and touch a freighter yourself? Woman’s Life Chapter 800 is currently selling raffle tickets for $10 each to support the nonprofit A Beautiful Me. Winners will get a “Touch a Freighter” package for 4 people to enjoy this exhilarating experience.
Thanks to the pilot boat crew: Danny Gallagher & Erick Gallagher, and pilots: Captain Ben Kinsley, Captain George Haynes, Captain Fred Hoffe, and Captain Brad Szczotka for this amazing experience!
Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand
Erick and Danny Gallagher approach the freighter in the pilot boat.
Erick Gallagher navigates toward Lake Huron on the St. Clair River
Ron Steward, President of Main Street Memories Car Show, Joined us in the studio to share details about this year’s car show at the Acheson Ventures Waterfront in Port Huron.
This year’s car show is Saturday, July 30th from 10 – 4 PM. Pre-registration has closed, but there are still openings for those who want to register on the day of the show. Cost is $20 at the show, and all years, makes, and models are welcome.
Main Street Memories is doing a special tribute to 1972, and they will have a special “50th Anniversary” display for cars of that model year.
The event will be spread out along the waterfront property and features a food court with local restaurants and food trucks, and displays from Showtime Monster Trucks and Nightmare Racing Mega Trucks.
This is a non-judged car show that focuses on celebrating the car community, and raising money for the Council on Aging serving St. Clair County.
To learn more about Main Street Memories Car Show, visit their website here:
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Boat Night is here, and there are plenty of Blue Water Fest activities happening throughout downtown Port Huron.
Several roads are blocked to accommodate the festival’s new footprint, and visitors can expect most activities this year to be around McMorran Plaza, in the Blue Water Transit parking lots, and along Huron Avenue between Superior Street and Quay Street.
A Little Something’s Chalk the Street competition continues today on Huron Avenue between Grand River and Quay with judging scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The winners will be announced at 7:00 p.m. in front of A Little Something.
The Family Fun Tyme carnival starts at 3 PM in the east Blue Water Transit lot, and there are also food trucks and vendors around McMorran Place. Wristbands for one day of unlimited rides cost $30.
Around 80 vendors will be set up on Huron Avenue for a Street Fair featuring local artists and it will be open from 4-9 PM.
There will also be live music in several locations throughout the downtown in the evening including McMorran Plaza, the west Blue Water Transit lot, and The Lot at 4th & Water Street, the home of an outdoor seating area featuring food and treats by Flying Taco food truck, McCallums Orchard, and Here’s the Scoop.
Enjoy your Friday at Blue Water Fest, and have a safe Boat Night!
The state of Michigan is willing to pay off portions of student loans for those who provide medical behavioral health services such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, therapists and certified behavioral analysts in underserved areas of the state
The MI Kids Now Loan Repayment Program incentivizes behavioral health care providers to work in areas that are lacking mental health services. Priority is given to those who serve children, but the repayment is open to providers who care for both adults and children.
The goal is to help fill the gaps in mental healthcare for schools and employers by paying up to $200,000 in loan debt if committed to eight years.
Lindsay McLaughlin, acting director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service’s Bureau of Children’s Coordinated Health Policy and Supports said, “Increasing access to behavioral health services for Michigan families and children is a top priority for MDHHS.”
The MI Kids Now Loan Repayment Program application cycle opens July 18, 2022, and closes on July 29, 2022. Further program information, resources, applications, and application instructions can be found on the MI Kids Now Loan Repayment Program website.
Behavioral health providers are encouraged to review the materials in advance and submit applications when the cycle begins.
Providers who have questions or need more information can contact Reanna Kathawa at kathawar@michigan.gov.
East Shore Leadership Academy in Port Huron has entered into a partnership with The Athletic Factory, a Port Huron non-profit that provides athletic opportunities for youth.
The partnership will provide after-school activities for the students at the kindergarten through 8th grade charter school. Students will be able to not only have after-school supervision, but will be able to learn or find a new interest.
Cliff Thomason, Executive Director of The Athletic Factory, said that the two organizations had that same vision for an activities program. The Athletic Factory was looking for an opportunity to do an after-school program to expand their reach into the community while East Shore was looking for an afterschool experience for its kids.
The partnership will offer students afterschool activities ranging from sports to arts and crafts to performing arts such as dance. They are also planning to offer a LEGO Robotics option as well as old-fashioned games.
