4H Fair Starts July 19th

St. Clair County, MI — The 2021 St. Clair County 4-H Youth Fair starts Monday July 19th and continues through July 24th.

This year’s fair includes favorites like the carnival midway, concerts, monster trucks, and horse shows along with a scavenger hunt and the opportunity to meet the Detroit Lions’ mascot, Roary.

Carnival mega passes are now available at the Goodells County Park office and the Port Huron 4-H Office for $70 each, which will get the passholder 6 days of unlimited rides at the fair. Weekly admission passes are also available for $60 and will provide entry for the occupants of one vehicle for the entirety of the fair.

Prices at the gate are $25 per vehicle or $70 for a weekly pass.

Kids’ Day at the Fair is Tuesday, July 20th, and families can enjoy the petting farm, a diaper derby, and balloon fun. Carnival rides are just $1 per ride from 1-6 PM on Kids’ Day.

Learn more at stclaircounty4hfair.org

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Registration Open for Bluewater International Granfondo

Sarnia, Ontario — Now is the time to register for the 5th Annual Bluewater International Granfondo (BIG). This year’s event will take place virtually from July 26th until August 1, 2021.

There are four routes to choose from in this year’s Bluewater International Granfondo, and each one offers a stunning view of Lambton County and the shores of Lake Huron. Riders choose the day and time of their ride and track themselves using the Strava App on their smart phone or bike computer.

The ride routes are self-guided and participants are responsible for their own food and hydration throughout the course.

To register, visit www.bigf.ca

Proceeds raised from the Bluewater International Granfondo support educational conferences for palliative care workers and St. Joseph’s Hospice in Sarnia-Lambton.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

McLaren Port Huron June Employee of the Month

Port Huron, MI — Becky Stoner has been named the Employee of the Month for June. Stoner has worked at McLaren Port Huron for 20 years and is currently a patient access representative.

Stoner regularly trains new employees and assists with system and process updates. Finding ways to improve work processes and create efficiencies is where Stoner truly excels. She keeps others informed on job tasks and steps in to help when needed. Stoner creates a positive work environment, is an excellent team player and is always willing to help. Other departments consistently say how much they appreciate her. Her coworkers say they are lucky to have her in their department.

This employee recognition is given to individuals who consistently live the values, mission and performance standards of McLaren Port Huron. Honorees are nominated by a co-worker, physician, volunteer, and/or customer.

To learn more about McLaren Port Huron, visit www.mclaren.org/porthuron.

Submitted by McLaren Port Huron

Local Developers Can Partner with City of Port Huron

The  City of Port Huron is looking for help from local developers to rehabilitate homes they have acquired through tax foreclosures. Qualified developers can apply for the new Developer Partnership Program (DPP) from now until July 30, 2021.

Under the DPP, developers would be able to purchase up to six homes from the city, rehabilitate them, and then sell them for a profit.

Developers must agree to, and prove to the city, that they have invested in the neighborhood by investing at least 50% of the home’s final Approved Market Value on the purchase of the home and the remodeling costs.

According to James Freed, Port Huron City Manager, the DPP will help get these homes rehabilitated and on the market more quickly than the city could on its own.

“With the current housing shortage we wanted to get these homes, often times blighted, back to like-new condition and into the hands of residents who need them as quick as possible,” said Freed. “We are proud of this new and innovative public-private partnership and believe it will serve our neighborhoods well.”

Developers interested in the Developer Partnership Program can contact the Community Development Program Administrator for the City of Port Huron, Katie Posey at (810) 984-9736 or download the application at https://www.porthuron.org/business/pending_bids.php

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Free Activities for Youth Promote Healthy Lifestyles

St. Clair County, MI — The St. Clair County SPEAK coalition’s mission is to prevent youth substance abuse and they use creative activities to promote healthy lifestyles.

All school aged St. Clair County youth can participate in their virtual scavenger hunt that takes place through the GooseChase app.  Youth complete missions in the app to earn points, and the highest point-getter will receive a $100 Amazon Gift Card.

The scavenger hunt is available from now until August 15, 2021.

The SPEAK Coalition is also sponsoring a free Youth Trivia Night at the YMCA of the Blue Water Area on August 19th at 6 PM. The trivia night includes pizza and prizes while educating and engaging those in attendance.

For more information, visit the SPEAK Coalition’s Facebook or Instagram page.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Belle Isle Aquarium Reopens July 16

The Belle Isle Aquarium is reopening after an extensive closure. The Aquarium will open at 10:00 a.m. on July 16th.

The Aquarium, located on Belle Isle, a Michigan State Park in Detroit, has been closed for sixteen months. The Aquarium has undergone $1.2 million in renovations, taking advantage of the forced closure due to COVID to make some much-needed upgrades. The renovations set the stage for future generations to learn about aquatic life and enjoy the beautiful setting. 

Opened in 1904, the Belle Isle Aquarium is an architectural wonder, designed by Albert Kahn. It is the oldest aquarium in the country.

Visiting the Aquarium is free, but donations are gladly accepted. Visitors will need a State Parks pass to enter the island.

The Aquarium improvements include “enhancing the quality of the visitor experience, upgrading exhibits, stabilizing critical life support systems, and modernizing behind the scenes infrastructure” according to their announcement.

The Aquarium is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland