Beeler Will Hold Office Hour in Ft. Gratiot

State Rep. Andrew Beeler invites the people of Sanilac and St. Clair counties to join him at his upcoming office hour on Saturday, Aug. 28th.

Beeler, of Port Huron, will meet with residents between noon and 1 PM at Big Boy Restaurant, 3961 24th Ave. in Fort Gratiot.

No appointment is necessary to attend. Beeler will be available to provide assistance, answer questions and discuss his legislative work in the state Capitol.

Thumb residents can also contact Beeler’s office by phone at 517-373-0835 or by email at AndrewBeeler@house.mi.gov.

Beeler represents Michigan’s 83rd House District, which includes all of Sanilac County, and Burtchville Township, Fort Gratiot Township and the city of Port Huron in St. Clair County.

Time for Michigan Women to Get Back to Routine Health Screenings

Women are putting off getting their routine cancer screenings, such as mammograms and cervical cancer screenings. Covid-19 is likely to blame as life has been put on hold in many ways since the pandemic began in March of 2020.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report an 87% drop in breast cancer screenings and an 84% drop in cervical cancer screenings nationally when comparing April 2020 to the previous five years. That’s really not a surprise considering the state of the nation in April 2020. But, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is reminding Michigan women that it’s time to make those appointments and get back on schedule.

MDHHS says that screenings are proactive and can catch cancer early when it is more treatable. Screenings also help identify risk factors for chronic disease.

MDHHS has set up a hotline to help women schedule their screenings. A program specialist will help them get a screening scheduled.

There are some free screenings available through MDHHS. Links to those programs, along with the hotline number:

People in need of screenings can call MDHHS at 844-446-8727 to speak with a program specialist.

The Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program provides free breast and cervical cancer screening services, statewide, to low-income women.

The WISEWOMAN Program, available in select areas, helps participants understand chronic disease risk factors and make healthy lifestyle choices.  

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

SugarHigh Bakery Frankenmuth Cupcake

SugarHigh Bakery Takes the Cupcake

SugarHigh Bakery in Frankenmuth caught our attention last week when our Facebook contest for Frankenmuth Fun garnered almost 1,000 comments, most of them referencing the cupcakes at SugarHigh.

Located in the River Place shopping center in Frankenmuth, SugarHigh has been featured on Food Network’s On the Road and Cake Wars, and they took first place on Cupcake Wars in 2012.

Owner Heather Rousseau attributes the bakery’s success to her supportive team of family members and friends who never give up on her or the business.

Rousseau has been baking since she was a teen, and she attended the French Pastry School in Chicago. When she returned home in 2010, she started SugarHigh with her  fiancé, Adam, and started looking for a location for her business.

“I always had a dream of having a small town business. But I don’t want to try really hard getting people in the door, and we loved Frankemuth, and it just kind of fit,” said Rousseau

As the shop got busier, she received help from her mom, and eventually had her grandmother and several other family members join the team.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was concerned that her whole family would be out of work, but the team pulled together and innovated ways to shift to more carry out options, and they have fared well despite the challenges.

SugarHigh has an extensive menu of sweet treats including cupcakes, macarons, gluten-free treats, homemade dog treats, and gourmet cakes. Some of our listener favorites shared on our Facebook post were the Thin Mint, Butterbeer, German Chocolate, and Superman cupcakes, and their signature Chocolate Bacon.

Rousseau also owns SugarRush, a candy store, and the Pasty Haus, which sells bubble tea, snow ice, and a variety of pasties. All three of her businesses are located steps from one another in River Place Shops.

Learn more at www.SugarHighllc.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Delaying Health Screenings Dangerous for Women

The Centers for Disease Control have reported an 87% drop in breast cancer screenings and 84% decrease in cervical cancer screenings in the U.S. in April 2020 compared to the previous five years.

Many screening tests for women are performed or ordered during their annual physicals or gynecological exams, routine appointments that many skipped during the first year of the pandemic.

In response to the CDC’s report, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is urging Michigan women to connect with their doctors and schedule an appointment for their yearly exams if they are behind.

Screening tests for breast and cervical cancer enable healthcare providers to discover abnormalities early which leads to better outcomes for patients.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy for Health at MDHHS, said, “Simple, proactive measures can catch cancer in its early stages and allow doctors to intervene before it progresses.”

Those interested in getting a head start on their health screening can attend the Community Health Fair at Lake Huron Medical Center on August 26, 2021  from 1-6 PM at the main hospital at 2601 Electric Avenue in Port Huron.

The Lake Huron Medical Center Community Health Fair is offering free breast health screenings, blood pressure testing, and diabetes education.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Friends of St. Clair River Offers 10-week Conservation Program

Do you love the natural beauty and diverse ecosystem of the Blue Water Area and want to share that passion with others? Would you enjoy field trips and case studies involving wildlife habitats and conservation? If so, the MSU Extension Michigan Conservation Stewards Program hosted by Friends of the St. Clair River could be a great opportunity.

The ten-week course consists of interactive online classes and is for those who are interested in science-based ecosystem management. The course includes live online content, capstone projects, and in-person field experiences.

Kirsten Lyons, Stewardship Director for Friends of the St. Clair River, said, “We’re proud to host this conservation leadership training program again. Nearly two dozen alumni from our 2018 Conservation Stewards program have been in the community restoring trails and natural areas, leading conservation efforts, and educating youth about the environment.”

Those interested in participating need to sign up soon. Registration closes on September 1st and the cost is $95. A link to signup information:

To register, contact Kirsten Lyons at stewardship@scriver.org or visit www.canr.msu.edu/conservation_stewards_program/.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Native, Zimmer, Gets Top MDOT Award

The Michigan Department of Transportation has given its top employee award to a Port Huron native. Kimberly Zimmer received the MDOT Director’s Award for outstanding service.

The annual award is given to the MDOT employee who exhibits leadership and exemplary service. It has been given out for over thirty years.

Zimmer, who grew up in Port Huron, but now lives in Midland, was honored in the officials and administrators category for her response to the historic flooding in Midland and Gladwin counties.  MDOT reports that Zimmer has maintained continued communication with the Federal Highway Administration to maximize federal funds. The funds would not have been secured without Zimmer’s enormous efforts.

Zimmer’s innovative approach laid the groundwork for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to coordinate with MDOT in dam analysis.

State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba said, “Kim’s outstanding leadership and commitment to quality make her a cornerstone of public service. Director’s Award recipients like Kim help make MDOT the dynamic and responsive organization that it is, and we are all grateful for her service.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland