Children’s Author Jacquie Anter Looks to Nature in Book: You

A children’s book author with local ties is looking to guide kids to feeling their inner worth by looking to nature.

Author Jacquie Anter recently released the book, You, published by Archway Publishing. When asked about the book, Anter said, “The book’s message is a simple yet profound one that is sorely needed today. That message is that we are born in perfect love and with perfect value, and all we need to do is look to nature to be reminded of this truth.”

When asked about coming up with the book idea, Anter said, “Kids are so in tune with nature, so using nature struck me as a great way to help remind them that just as they look at the mountains, a forest of trees or a flower — or in Port Huron’s case, all the water surrounding it — and just see the natural beauty, kids can apply that same concept to looking at themselves.”

Anter has spent a lot of time in the Blue Water Area, with her husband having grown up in Port Huron, and it had an impact on her book. She said, “Port Huron is all about nature with a great lake, a major international river, and a river running through its downtown.”

You is Anter’s first book and she is hoping to publish a second book in the next 18 months.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

New State Agency Formed to Serve Aging Population

The state of Michigan is about to get a new government agency. The Health and Aging Services Administration within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has been created to address the needs of the growing aging population.

Nearly 25% of Michigan’s population is over age 60 and those 85 and older remain the fastest-growing age group. The creation of the new agency combines several other previously established agencies and offices to increase coordination. Service capacity is also expected to expand with the creation of the office.

Kate Massey, the senior deputy director of the new administration said, “Long-term care policy will now come from one coordinated area of MDHHS. We expect these changes to allow smoother transitions across the continuum of care – including for older adults who prefer to age in place. Services to our aging population are a critically important part of MDHHS’s work.”  

 Paula D. Cunningham, state director of AARP Michigan, also commended the streamlined offices, saying, “These improvements are especially important as Michigan’s aging population continues to grow and as many older adults want to continue to live in their homes and communities as they age.” 

 Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Event Will Donate $10,000 to Local Nonprofits

Community members will have an opportunity to give $10,000 to selected nonprofit organizations at the Community Foundation of St. Clair County’s first Minority Philanthropy Initiative event.

The Minority Philanthropy Initiative Giving Circle is on Thursday, October 28th from 5 – 7 PM at the Blue Water Convention Center.

The event will celebrate the diverse cultures represented in the Blue Water area with a variety of cultural dancing and musical performances along with food tastings from around the world.

Attendees will pay $100 for their ticket which contributes to a pool of money that will be donated to three nonprofits that evening. The goal is to gather at least 100 people and give away $10,000.

Jessica Brown,  Minority Philanthropy Initiative committee member, said, “This is going to be a very important opportunity for us to gather together, to learn culturally, share our stories, network, eat together, dance together and enjoy each other’s company.”

All guests must register by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, Oct. 19th. Information about registration is available at stclairfoundation.org.

Or access the registration form here: https://commfoundation.wufoo.com/forms/z7cizff1crzbdk/

Rotary Raises Awareness of Global Polio Threat

The Fort Gratiot Rotary Club is raising awareness of the fight against polio.

October 24th is World Polio Day. Those involved with the Rotary, an international service organization, have been working to eradicate polio for over 35 years. The efforts have helped to reduce polio rates by 99.9%. Vaccinating children in the Philippines was one of their first projects in the mission to eradicate polio.

Most people think polio has been eradicated, but there are actually cases in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The rise of the Taliban has caused serious concern over the future of Rotary’s efforts in the region.

Rotarian Jessica S. Simon said, “Local Rotarians have supported this effort through personal monetary donations and fundraising efforts that included a spaghetti dinner. For over a decade, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been giving $2 for every $1 raised by Rotarians, helping our dollars to go further. While we don’t see Polio as a threat locally, it is not impossible for an outbreak in another part of the world to have an impact on us.”

https://polioeradication.org/who-we-are/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Heading to College? It’s FAFSA Time

It seems simple: You have to apply for financial aid to get financial aid. Yet, money stays on the table every year because students don’t apply for it or they don’t provide complete information.

To try to get college students and their families the maximum benefit, the Michigan Department of Treasury is reminding families to start thinking about filling out the FAFSA. FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

The application period opened on October 1st and goes until March 1st for State Priority Consideration. It can still be completed after March 1st, but the money might be gone.

Robin Lott, executive director of Treasury’s Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning, said, “Completing the FAFSA should be on top of everyone’s list when applying for college financial aid.”

Lott said, “I strongly encourage students and parents not to wait to complete this free application. Missing the March 1, 2022, deadline could result in missing out on critical dollars that could help pay for college. Please do not delay and submit your application sooner rather than later.”

At least one parent or guardian needs to obtain a Federal Student Aid ID to complete the FAFSA.

To get started with the FAFSA, go to www.fafsa.gov. To learn more about State of Michigan scholarships and grant programs, visit the MI Student Aid website at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid.

Administered by Treasury, MI Student Aid is Michigan’s go-to resource for finding the financial resources needed to pay for college. For more information, contact MI Student Aid at mistudentaid@michigan.gov 1-888-447-2687 or @mistudentaid on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Bridge Card System Down This Weekend

Michiganders who use Bridge Cards to buy food or use cash assistance benefits will be unable to do so late Saturday and early Sunday while a system upgrade is implemented that will provide easier access to benefits.

The Bridge Card system will be down from approximately 11 PM on Saturday, October 16th to 11 AM on Sunday, October 17, 2021.

Residents who receive food assistance, cash assistance and Women, Infant and Children (WIC) benefits loaded on the Electronic Benefit Transfer cards will not be able to redeem them during those hours. They can use the same cards beginning again at 11 a.m., Sunday without any effect on their benefits. Benefit balance information for all programs will be available at 11 a.m. and the transactional history will be available by 3 p.m.

“These system changes will improve access to food and cash assistance because clients now will be able to use a mobile app that was not previously available,” said Lew Roubal, MDHHS senior deputy director for opportunity. “We apologize for any inconvenience and chose a timeframe with low Bridge Card activity to make this transition.”

Submitted by MDHHS