The Women of The Copper Country Author to Speak at Library Event

The St. Clair County Library System is hosting a virtual presentation and Q&A session with award-winning author, Mary Doria Russell. Russell is the author of The Women of the Copper Country, a story about the mining community in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in 1913.

Russell said she wanted to write a fictionalized account of the historical events that happened when a copper strike affected the mining industry and communities in Michigan’s Keewenaw Peninsula. The story’s protagonist is 25-year-old Annie Clements, based on the real-life story of Big Annie.

“Here was a 25-year-old woman who is central to a strike against the most powerful company in the most dangerous industry of her time. A child of despised immigrants. A housewife with a simple education in a time when women couldn’t vote and weren’t supposed to take part in public life. Somehow, she mobilized 10,000 miners and kept everyone going, day after day, month after month. So my task was to tell readers: What makes a woman like Annie Clements?” said Russell.

To register for the event, visit the library’s website <HERE>.

*CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story had an error in the book title.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Port Huron Museum Sites Free for a Year Starting April 1, 2022

Beginning April 1, 2022, all Port Huron Museum sites will have free admission for all visitors for one year. This includes the Fort Gratiot Light Station, Thomas Edison Depot Museum, HURON Lightship, and the Carnegie Museum.

Free admission to the museum sites is being funded by a $50,000 grant from the City of Port Huron and several corporate sponsors. The goal is to encourage museum attendance and improve tourism experiences in the region.

Andrew Kercher, Community Engagement Manager at Port Huron Museums, said, “This is the largest single shake-up to the Museum’s admission prices in decades! We are very proud to be able to offer this unprecedented access to the area’s shared cultural heritage. Not only will this be a boon for locals, the free admission will attract visitors and dollars from outside the Blue Water Area.
When someone visits the Lighthouse or Edison Depot from a place like Flint or Detroit or even further, they eat at our area restaurants, shop our downtown stores and stay at local hotels. This is a historic win for Port Huron!”

While admission to museum sites will be free of charge, there are small charges for guided tours of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse and the special children’s exhibit, Discovery City, at the Carnegie Museum. However, Discovery City has a grant funded opportunity for Bridge Card holders who can receive free admission for their children.

Learn more at PortHuronMuseums.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Michigan Open Account Coalition to Promote Opening a Bank Account for Financial Security

Having a bank account opens the door to more opportunities, but some Michigan communities are underserved when it comes to access to banks and credit unions. The Michigan Open Account Coalition could change that.

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, Michigan Bankers Association, and Michigan Credit Union League are trying to help more residents establish a relationship with a bank or credit union.

DIFS Director Anita Fox said, “There are many benefits to having a relationship with a financial institution, including added security and access to home loans and other important financial services. This coalition will work to clear barriers for Michiganders who currently do not have an account with a bank or credit union and help more Michiganders build greater financial security.”

The Coalition will be promoting access to low- and no-cost accounts by certifying accounts through the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund’s Bank On Program. The Program sets standards for fees and costs. They will also work on educating the public about the advantages of having a bank account.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Elder Abuse Task Force Advocates for Awareness

Michigan’s Elder Abuse Task Force is focusing on the rights of nursing home residents. A new video makes the public aware of the rights of residents of nursing homes and what to do if rights have been violated.

The video explains how to recognize, report, and prevent adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The Task Force advocates for building relationships with the elderly in order to recognize their needs and potential neglect or abuse.

Financial abuse is a common form of elder exploitation. Signs of financial abuse include unpaid bills, unusual changes in spending patterns such as checks made out to cash, missing household items, and large purchases such as a car for someone who doesn’t drive. Changes to wills and deeds are also a red flag as to an elder being taken advantage of.

Suspected cases of elder abuse can be reported to the Michigan Office of Attorney General or by calling the hotline at 855-444-3911.

A link to the Elder Abuse Task Force video can be found at WGRT.com.

https://www.michigan.gov/ag/0,4534,7-359-82917_107074—,00.html

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Want to Help the People of Ukraine? OT Has Two Suggestions

It’s easy to feel like there is nothing you can do when terrible international tragedies happen, such as the war in Ukraine. But there are actually two things you can do, according to Operation Transformation, which connects people to resources in the Blue Water Area.

The first is to pray for peace and the second is to donate to help those who are suffering. The Port Huron non-profit is acting as a clearinghouse for donations to two organizations that have been vetted for trustworthiness in helping the people of Ukraine: Samaritan’s Purse and Making Impact Right Away. Donations can be sent to Operation Transformation or donated directly to the charities.

Samaritan’s Purse has a field hospital and two medical clinics in Ukraine and is working with a network of thousands of churches. They already have an established network where they had been distributing Operation Christmas shoeboxes.

Making Impact Right Away, a division of Christ for the Nations, is currently in Ukraine and is distributing food, medicine, generators, and building supplies to those in the country and fuel, clothing, and humanitarian needs to those who are fleeing the violence.

More information can be found here:

https://www.optrans.org/

www.samaritanspurse.org

www.cfni.org 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland