The Minority Philanthropy Initiative Invites You to the 2nd Annual Multicultural Celebration

On October 13th, the Minority Philanthropy Initiative invites you to the 2nd annual MPI Multicultural Celebration at the Blue Water Convention Center.

Be part of an exciting evening featuring a Native American fancy dancer, Tim Seneca, the Nanou Djiapo Drum & Dance group, and Mariachi Jalisco de Detroit. A tasting of foods from around the world will also be part of the evening experience.

Your registration will help award three local nonprofit organizations a grant on event night! You will be able to nominate your favorite local nonprofit when you register, and then during the event 3 nominations will be randomly selected to make a pitch about supporting their nonprofit. Guests will then vote and the nonprofit with the most votes will be awarded the top grant with second and third receiving grants as well. 

Excess funds raised for the event will be put into the Equity & Inclusion Fund at the Community Foundation to help grow the impact of the fund. If you can’t attend the event but would still like to support the event, you can register and select “not attending” to make your gift.

Please register by Monday, Oct. 3rd. 

Tickets are $50 per adult and $10 for youth 18 years and younger.

Register here: https://commfoundation.wufoo.com/forms/zfbjqq51heg9e5/

Evening Program Schedule:

  • 6pm Cocktail hour
  • 6:45p Program kick off
  • Native American Fancy Dancer- Tim Seneca
  • Drawing of 3 organizations to make a pitch
  • Mariachi Jalisco de Detroit
  • 7:15p Nonprofit pitches & voting
  • 7:30p Announce grant winners
  • 7:45p Nanou Djiapo Drum & Dance

Reporting for WGRT – George James

Oktoberfest On The McMorran Plaza

Hey, Blue Water Area! Get ready for the upcoming Oktoberfest at the McMorran Plaza. You may be asking yourself, “What is Oktoberfest exactly?” Well, it’s a celebration/festival with its origin in Munich, Germany.

On October 12th, 1810, Oktoberfest started as a celebration of the marriage of King Louis I. Today it is a huge two-week celebration with parades, games, music, and more. What it is most famously known for is the beer drinking. It is said that approximately 2 million gallons are consumed each year!

The Oktoberfest on the McMorran Plaza will be the first at the newly upgraded Plaza located in Downtown Port Huron. Beginning Saturday, October 15, at 1 PM, the event will feature a full day of games, competitions, food, and of course, beer! 

For more information, visit https://www.mcmorran.com/oktoberfest

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Dedication Postponed

National Museum Of The Great Lakes Lecture Series Highlights Tuskegee Airmen

The waters of Lake Huron hold many secrets. Sunken ships and more lurk at the bottom of one of Michigan’s most well known lakes. Over the years, there have been plenty of found objects of significance, but the plane of a former Tuskegee Airman has been monumental enough to be part of the National Museum of the Great Lakes 2022 Fall Lecture Series.

The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of African American pilots who fought in World War II. They are well known for escorting bombers and having one of the lowest loss records of any escort fighter groups ever.

The wreckage of 2nd Lt. Frank Moody was found in Lake Huron, and a monument was put in place to honor them last year not far from the site of the crash.

Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Port Huron, Michigan
Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Port Huron, Michigan

 

The lecture will be presented by State Maritime Archaeologist Wayne Lusardi on September 28th, from 7 PM – 8:30 PM. It will be a hybrid event using Zoom with individuals also being able to view the presentation live at the museum for a watch party.

For more details and information, call (419) 214-5000

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Sarnia’s Mitton Village Sees Community Improvements with New Public Spaces

Work is underway on a project that will see a new, permanent space for the public established in Mitton Village in Sarnia. 

Residents in the area may have noticed features of the pop-up parkette at the 135 Mitton St. South municipal parking lot being removed over the past week as the City prepares to reconstruct the lot and create a permanent parkette at the site.

Mitton Village is one of two Community Improvement Plan (CIP) areas identified for investments under the City of Sarnia’s 2020 plan. It is hoped that City-driven public-realm enhancements will encourage more businesses to invest in Mitton Village.

The parkette will feature tree-shaded areas alongside permanent seating and support infrastructure for active transportation.

The desire for public realm improvements was highlighted by the success of a pop-up parkette installed by the City in June 2022 with support from the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative. The pop-up parkette featured eight picnic tables painted by local artists, minor landscaping, and features such as a community bulletin board and Little Free Library.

Beyond complete reconstruction of the parking lot, the project will include the installation of new lighting, alongside decorative concrete, planters and tree wells for the parkette. Construction is expected to start this week and wrap up in November, with the parkette’s trees, plants, and street furniture to be installed in 2023.

Reporting for WGRT – George James

Seed & Soul Society Yard of the Year Photo by Choze Powell

Seed & Soul Society Receives Grant For Further Development

When it comes to educating the community about growing and maintaining their own gardens and food sources, Seed & Soul Society is leading the way in Port Huron.

Founded by Heather Fagan, Tyler Moldovan, and Shannon Raynard in 2021, Seed & Soul Society is a community nonprofit with the goal of ending food insecurity in St. Clair County. They were recently awarded a grant for $22,500 from Lush Cosmetics to help them further their mission.

Lush Cosmetics produces soaps, shampoos, fragrances and more that are vegan or vegetarian based. Operating facilities in 49 countries globally, they are a large manufacturer in the cosmetics world. Lush Cosmetics will be selling Seed & Soul Society charity pots globally, with a portion of the proceeds going to furthering the mission of Seed & Soul.

Seed & Soul Society received their grant at the Lush store located in The Mall at Partridge Creek in Clinton Township on Saturday. The grant will help them with developing ADA compliant gardens, social media presence and merchandising.

To learn more about Seed & Soul Society click here:
https://www.facebook.com/seedandsoulsociety

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell