Michigan Reconnect is Connecting Adults with College, Credential Access

The Michigan Reconnect program has now accepted over 100,000 applicants into the tuition-free degree or skills certificate earning process.

Michigan Reconnect is integral to the state’s Sixty by 30 goal of getting to 60% of Michigan adults with a postsecondary degree or credential by 2030. It is now at 45-49%.

Sarah Szurpicki, the Office of Sixty by 30 Director for the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity said, “Making the decision to go back to school, especially when you are already balancing adult responsibilities like a job or a family, is empowering and inspiring—and it can be daunting.”

Szurpicki said that the Michigan Reconnect Navigators can help applicants “find solutions to anything that would stop or slow them down.”

Navigators can be reached at Michigan.gov/Reconnect. To be eligible for the program, applicants must be at least 25 years old, have lived in Michigan for a year or more, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and have not yet completed a college degree.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Op-Ed from Health Dept. Director on Monkeypox Awareness

As the community enjoys a summer of festivals, beaches, concerts and fun during this “post surge” phase of the COVID  pandemic, a new concern; Monkeypox has emerged. Important to note is that Monkeypox is different than the COVID  pandemic. Monkeypox is not “novel” or new, it has established testing, transmission data, vaccinations and treatment.  

Monkeypox has been identified worldwide, throughout the United States, across Michigan and recently in St. Clair County.  One role of a local health department is to investigate communicable diseases and conduct surveillance for outbreaks  helping to interrupt transmission. Our staff investigates any/all cases and works with individuals on follow up steps.  Education involves testing, offering help notifying those who may have been exposed, as well as discussing available  prevention, treatment and vaccine options. 

Monkeypox disease is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus (MPV). Anyone can get MPV. The risk to the public  still remains low as it is spread through close contact with an infected person who has symptoms. As the new St. Clair  County Health Department, Director/Health Officer, I urge residents to keep informed on this new emerging disease and  stay aware of any changing conditions. It’s not time to panic, but time to educate yourself and others. 

The virus can be spread by person-to-person by direct contact with bodily fluids or monkeypox lesions. Less common  ways include respiratory droplets from prolonged face-to-face contact or contact with contaminated materials such as  clothing or bedding. Brief interactions that do not involve physical contact are not high risk. 

Symptoms can include headache, fever, muscle aches, exhaustion, and swelling of the lymph nodes, followed by a rash  and lesions one to three days after the onset of illness. It is contagious when a rash is present and up until scabs have  fallen off. Symptoms generally appear up to three weeks after exposure, and the rash often lasts two to four weeks.  

People who feel sick or have any rashes or sores, or whose partners are sick or have rashes or sores, should contact  their health care provider or local health department for evaluation. A vaccine may prevent infection or reduce symptoms  of infection and is currently only recommended for close contacts who have not developed infection. Most people don’t  need a vaccine right now. 

As monkeypox evolves, information may change. Stay informed, stay calm and continue to enjoy the last days of summer  safely. More resources are available at CDC.gov/Monkeypox; Michigan.gov/MVP; and scchealth.co. 

Sincerely, 

Liz King RN BSN 

YMCA Wellness Center 24/7 for Members

The Duffy Wellness Center at the Blue Water Area YMCA is extending its hours, and those who like to get their exercise done whenever they’re in the mood will be happy.

Starting Monday, August 8th, the wellness center will be open 24/7. That area of the YMCA includes exercise equipment such as weights, treadmills, and stationary bikes.

Current Y members need to sign updated terms and conditions before taking advantage of the new 24/7 access, and they will be able to enter the gym with their membership cards.

An adult membership at the YMCA is 40.60 per month, and the household rate is $57 per month. There are also reduced rates for senior citizens, single parent households, young adults, and youth.

“Navigating our organization during the pandemic wasn’t easy but it’s deepened our understanding about what is important to our members,” said Josh Chapman, President & CEO of the YMCA of the Blue Water Area. “Bringing 24 hour Duffy Wellness Center access demonstrates our commitment to the requests of our members. No matter what your day or night looks like, you can fit in a workout when you choose to. And, as we introduce new innovative health and wellness options, members can build their own fitness plan with the support, program variety and camaraderie that the Y community inspires in each of us.”

To lear more, visit https://www.bluewaterymca.com/.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Get Your Tickets for Heart of a Hero by August 8th

Woman’s Life Chapter 820 call themselves the Archangels, and they are preparing now for one of their favorite yearly events.

The Heart of a Hero is a celebration of St. Clair County’s community heroes, and the purpose is to recognize individuals who quietly go about serving others, working in our area’s community service organizations or simply being good neighbors.

This year’s honorees are:

  • Georgette Assi – Port Huron Lanes
  • Marty Doorn – WGRT
  • Faith Lutheran Church
  • Nigar Hussain
  • Suzanne & Butch Kuhn – Suzanne’s & St. Clair Chrysler Jeep
  • William Livesay – U.S. Air Force
  • Karen Palka – A Beautiful Me
  • Patrick Patterson – Blue Water Recovery & Outreach Center
  • Joe Szczepkowski – American Youth Soccer Organization
  • Paul Wessel – Mid-City Nutrition

For tickets to the event on Thursday. August 11th at 6 PM, visit the events page at WGRT.com or the Arc’s website here:

https://www.thearcscc.org/gala

Tickets are $35 each, and the deadline to order is Monday, August 8th.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Cheap Trick to Play McMorran Arena November 4th

Cheap Trick is coming to Port Huron’s McMorran Arena on August 4th. The rock band is best known for its 1970s and 80s hits “I Want You to Want Me” and “The Flame”.

Cheap Trick was formed in 1973 in Rockford, Illinois, and has sold more than 20 million albums. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.

Last November brought the rock band Styx to McMorran. The packed house showed organizers that Port Huron is ready for arena concerts.

Cheap Trick concert tickets are already selling fast. Prices range from $55-75.

While Cheap Trick is the big arena show, other musical productions are also planned at McMorran this season. A Tom Petty cover band, The Wildflowers, is playing at McMorran Place on October 8th. A 1950s and 1960s-styled cover band, American Graffiti and Jersey Seasons, will be playing on November 5th, and AC/DC and Queen cover bands are playing later in the season.

Tickets for all the shows are on sale now at mcmorran.com and at the McMorran Box Office.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Magical Moments Formalwear Giveaway at Birchwood Mall September 3-4

The Magical Moments Formalwear Giveaway on September 3rd and 4th at Birchwood Mall is both a celebration of the one-year anniversary of the mall store, Mostly Michigan, and a way for owner, Michele Matthews to give back to the community.

Matthews started asking for donations of gently used or new men’s and women’s formalwear and within hours had already run out of space. She reached out to Lois Potts, the General Manager at Birchwood Mall, who gave her a temporary space in the mall for the growing collection of formal wear.

Dress and formalwear donations can be brought to Mostly Michigan until August 21st. They are also accepting donations of other things that can take the financial stress off of teenagers and their families as they plan for the traditional night of making memories at Homecoming and other upcoming formal events.

Restaurant gift cards, donations of hair, nail, and other services, as well as cash, are being accepted.

Magical Moments wish list:

Dresses: New dresses, used and washed or dry-cleaned dresses. If you can’t wash them, let organizers know and they will clean them. Think a dress is too far out of style to donate? Maybe not. Some teenagers know how to sew and would love to reconstruct their dream dresses and use their imaginations.

Women’s Dress Shoes, Purses, Capes, Shawls, Accessories

Menswear: Suits, Tuxedos, Shirts, Ties, Suspenders, Cummerbunds, Vests, Dress Shoes

Money: For teens who might not find anything in their size, Michele Matthews has offered to shop specifically for them.

Gift Cards: Restaurants that would be appropriate for a pre-homecoming dinner

Service donations: Photography, Dry Cleaning, Hair and Nail Services for both boys and girls

The Formalwear Giveaway will be on September 3rd from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and September 4th from noon to 6:00 p.m. at Birchwood Mall in Fort Gratiot. Check the Mostly Michigan Facebook page for the exact location in the mall. Guests will register to be eligible for raffle prizes such as restaurant gift cards. No proof of income is required. It is open to everyone.

If neither of the giveaway days works, accommodations can be made with Michele Matthews.

mostlymichigan@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/MostlyMichiganFortGratiotMI

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland