Lake huron Medical Center’s December Employee of the Month

Port Huron, MI – Lake Huron Medical Center (LHMC) is pleased to announce its December 2021 Employee of the Month, Mary Beth Elles, RN. LHMC is honored to have a strong team of  staff and volunteers working hard to deliver high-quality care to the Blue Water Area. 

Mary Beth works as a Registered Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit and has been an employee at  LHMC since June 2013. She was nominated by a patient who commented, “Mary Beth and her  team were amazing and “rock stars” – they made a very scary situation positive and memorable 

for me. She kept me calm and smiling through a severe situation which lead to a life-saving  procedure early in the morning. Because she knew I was nervous, she let me call my husband  and talk to him before the procedure. I will always remember all the amazing nurses and doctors.  Lake Huron employees are angels.”  

Lake Huron Medical Center is proud of each of its employees and volunteers; and extends a  special thank you and congratulations to all our team members, especially Mary Beth, as we  celebrate their accomplishments. 

To learn more about the programs and services offered at Lake Huron Medical Center, visit  www.mylakehuron.com.  

Free Mental Health Line to Help with “Winter Blues”

The winter blues are common, but the past two years have been particularly stressful, and more people are in need of mental health care than ever before.

Mental health care for those experiencing seasonal depression or who just need someone to talk to is available through the StayWell program administered through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The number is 888-535-6136.

Dr. Debra Pinals of MDHHS said, “People are struggling with the exhaustion of how long we have been dealing with this pandemic, and they’re worried about what will happen in the future. We generally see an uptick in depression and grief during the winter months, and COVID-19 certainly isn’t helping.”

MDHHS offers the following tips for those suffering from winter blues:

Stay active, even if it is doing small things each day.

Eat a balanced diet and get enough sleep.

Keep a schedule and try to get fresh air every day.

Try to find a small pleasure for yourself within each day.

Avoid using too much alcohol and avoid drugs.

Create a buddy system to have someone you can call when you feel down.

Set boundaries on how you want to spend your time in a way that works for you. Be respectful of others who may want things from you, but remember to take care of yourself.

Seek professional help if you need it.

 For a free, confidential conversation with a trained Stay Well crisis counselor, dial 888-535-6136 and press “8” at the prompt. The phone line is open 24/7 for any Michigan resident.

Visit Michigan.gov/StayWell to locate the nearest community mental health services program office, register for a virtual support group or access helpful brochures and recorded webinars.

 Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Copy-Cat School Threats Taken Seriously

Anyone who makes a threat against a school, even if “just joking”, is going to get into big trouble. That’s the message from every school district, including Port Huron Schools, in the wake of the tragic school shooting at Oxford High School and the rash of copycat threats throughout the region.

Port Huron Schools Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas sent a letter to families last week explaining what will happen to those who make threats. Kerhoulas said that students who make threats “have and will be arrested” and urged parents to talk with their kids about how serious a threat is. School expulsion and charges from law enforcement are the consequences of threatening the safety of a school.

Port Huron Schools is working with local agencies to keep schools safe and to provide mental health help for kids who are experiencing anxiety.

Social media use has been proven to drive up anxiety for students. In MSU Today, Zakia Alavi, a child development expert said that parents should limit exposure to tv and social media coverage of tragic events so as not to “re-traumatize”.

Any suspicious behavior or perceived threats should be immediately reported to authorities, instead of reposting on social media. Tips can always be given at michigan.gov/ok2say.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Visit Santa on the Farm

The Smiths Creek Equestrian Center is hosting free pictures with Santa on Saturday, December 19, 2021 along with other fun, family farm centered activities.

The event will have the feel of an old fashioned country Christmas, and families can visit from noon until 4 PM.

For $3 kids can create a craft, and for $5 each they can take a pony ride or a hay ride out to visit the farm’s petting zoo.

The Smiths Creek Equestrian Center is located at 709 Sturdevant Road in Smiths Creek. They are known for providing horseback riding lessons and hosting a 4-H club along with boarding and training horses.

You can learn more about the Smiths Creek Equestrian Center, find them on Facebook <HERE>.  To learn more about Santa on the Farm, visit our events page <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Annual Christmas Bird Count Needs Volunteers

The Christmas Bird Count is getting underway nationwide and it is not too late for interested volunteers to get involved. The annual event has been going on since Christmas Day of the year 1900 when conservationists thought counting living birds might be more sustainable than counting killed birds, as was the tradition of the time.

The 122nd Annual Christmas Bird Count is held from December 14th to January 5th.

To get involved in the bird count, go to the Audubon Society’s website to find a “counting circle” near you. The count is coordinated with all members of the circle. If no circle exists in your neighborhood, you can start one. There are specific rules to follow.

All of the results of the Christmas Bird Counts since 1900 are available online. Last year’s Port Huron count found 71 different species.

The Christmas Bird Count is more than just a fun activity for people who care about the environment. The findings are used in real scientific research.

https://www.audubon.org/conservation/science/christmas-bird-count

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland