The Henry Ford Museum Presents The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited

Remember the simpler days of watching The Muppet Show on Friday nights or Sesame Street on PBS every morning? Both shows are the work of Jim Henson. The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, just about an hour drive from the Blue Water area, has announced a popular new exhibit for all ages: The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited. It gets started on June 5th.

The exhibit takes viewers into the work that Jim Henson did for film and television and his impact on American culture. Guests will get to see over 100 original artifacts, including 25 of Henson’s puppets.

There are also character sketches, storyboards, scripts, costumes, and photographs, along with film and television clips and behind-the-scenes footage. Those who attend the exhibit can participate in interactive puppeteering experiences.

The Jim Henson Experience runs from June 5th to September 6th and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. General admission is $25 per person with some discounts available. Admission includes entry into the entire museum, which has a huge collection of artifacts chronicling the history of innovation.

https://www.thehenryford.org/current-events/calendar/the-jim-henson-exhibition-imagination-unlimited

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Lisa Motte Takes Position at United Way

Port Huron, MI — Lisa Motte will be the new Resource Development Director the the United Way of St. Clair County. Her new role involves marketing, supporting annual campaigns, and working with volunteers.

Motte said, “I was honored to accept this position because nonprofits are my passion. I have worked in the for-profit industry for more than 25 years and felt I needed to follow my heart to United Way. There is no better way to help so many nonprofits than through United Way of St. Clair County.”

Executive Director of the United Way of St. Clair County, Brent Gillette, said, “We’re very happy to get her from the for-profit world although she has extensive experience in nonprofits. It’s her energy, the infectious atmosphere she brings with her into a room, and her extensive knowledge of the community that will be a big asset to us.”

United Way of St. Clair County staff have been in the office throughout the pandemic safely serving their clients through the 211 phone service and their medical loan and supply closet.

Gillette said they are looking forward to sharing the mission of the United Way with businesses as they did pre-COVID. “We didn’t get a chance to do that for a whole year, and that has really been a hardship for us.”

In 2020, the United Way of St. Clair County supported over 14,441 residents of St. Clair County by teaching life skills, reducing the need for emergency services, adult education and training programs, and improving quality of life through health and advocacy.

To learn more visit uwstclair.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

People and Pets Urged to Avoid Contact with Lake and River Foam

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is asking Michigan residents to keep a lookout for foam on lakes and rivers. If found, boaters, swimmers, anglers, and anyone spending time near lakes and rivers, including pets, should avoid contact with the foam.

While all foam can have bacteria, of particular concern is the foam that could contain polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. PFAS contaminated foam is generally bright white in color, lightweight, and may pile up like shaving cream. It can also blow onto beaches.

Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS warns, “Although current science shows that the risk of PFAS getting into your system from contact with skin is low, you can minimize exposure to PFAS by rinsing or showering after you are done with your recreational activities. In general, washing hands and rinsing off after recreating will help to protect people from chemicals and bacteria that may be in water bodies.”

Naturally-occurring foam is usually off-white or brown and has an earthy or fishy smell. It is normal for naturally occurring foam to be found in bays, eddies, or at river barriers such as dams.

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Blue Water Volleygrass is Back-  July 23-25

Port Huron, MI — Blue Water Volleygrass is back with a tournament scheduled for Friday, July 23rd through Sunday, July 25th. Registration opened on June 1st.

The tournament is a major fundraiser for Port Huron Northern High School athletic teams. The tournament had to be canceled last year, but it is a go this year with the usual 200 teams expected. Northern’s sports team members and their families generally volunteer to host the annual event, where new and returning teams fight for the top spot in their divisions.

Blue Water Volleygrass is a grass court four-on-four volleyball tournament with a variety of divisions. The tournament is held on the athletic field at Port Huron Northern High School on Krafft Road.

The divisions include beginner, intermediate, open, and 40 and up divisions for men; beginner, intermediate, open, and 30 and up for women, and girls and boys teams for ages U14 to U18. There are also co-ed divisions. The cost to register is between $85 and $145 per team.

The full list of rules and regulations, as well as registration information, can be found at volleygrass.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

AG Asks Public to Report Abuse from BSA

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is launching a joint investigation between the Michigan Department of Attorney General and Michigan State Police targeting the Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

While the AG and MSP work to obtain information surrounding sex abuse allegations that came to light during recent civil litigation, the agencies are asking the public to report instances of abuse that would assist in this statewide investigation.

“My department has proven our commitment to accountability through similar sex abuse investigations and I believe—with the public’s help—we can secure justice for survivors who endured abuse through Boy Scouts of America,” said Nessel. “We stand ready to fight for those wronged by people they should have been able to trust.”

“We’re pleased to partner with the Attorney General’s office on this important investigation,” said Col. Joe Gasper, director of the Michigan State Police. “We understand the critical role our investigators will play in supporting survivors who may come forward in this case, and are prepared to leverage resources statewide to address any allegations we receive.”

In addition to utilizing resources from MSP, the team assigned to the BSA investigation will include prosecutors, special agents and victim advocates from the Department.

If you have information about the Boy Scouts of America that you think would help us, please call the investigation hotline at 844-324-3374 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Tips can be left anonymously.

Submitted by the office of AG Dana Nessel

Crew Will Survey St. Clair River for Lampreys

Sea lamprey’s have been damaging the fish population since they invaded the Great Lakes during the 1920s, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be trying to estimate how many are in the St. Clair River.

From June 8-17th, an assessment crew will be working in the St. Clair River to determine the presence of lamprey larvae. They use a combination of electrofishing and the application of a granular larvicide to estimate the abundance of the lampreys.

Adult sea lampreys attach to fish with their suction cup mouths and are responsible for killing up to 40 pounds of fish in their lifetime.

The sea lamprey control program is run by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in partnership with several U.S. and Canadian governmental agencies. The control program work to practice environmental stewardship in its effort to control this destructive species.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand