Blue Water Area Convention & Visitors Bureau has been named the winner in the “CVBS: Small” category in the 2018 Michigan Society of Association Executives Association Choice Awards.   The Blue Water Area CVB was selected from seven first round nominees and three finalists in the category, and shares the honor alongside the winners in the “CVBS: Medium” category, Traverse City Tourism, and “CVBS: Large” category, Experience Grand Rapids.  Marci Fogal, President of the Blue Water Area Convention & Visitors Bureau would like to recognize Terra Damchuk, Director of Sales, for her outstanding efforts with the association market.   Each year the MSAE’s Association Choice Awards celebrates supplier partners that make a difference in the association community.  MSAE Supplier members were nominated, and finalists were voted on between October 6 and November 12 to select the favorite in each category.  The MSAE is the association for associations in Michigan, whose mission is to ensure a knowledgeable, professional and successful association community.

Port Huron City Council’s meeting on Monday, November 26, was not a lengthy one, but did close out the month well.  Mayor Pauline Repp told WGRT that council heard the first reading of an ordinance that would see all the parks and pools under the city’s management opening and closing during the same hours.  All parks and pools hours will be consistent and be closing at 9 p.m.  Also, council accepted a donation from “The River” Church to purchase all new stage lighting and state of the art sound equipment and live streaming projector for the McMorran Theatre.  The River Church rents McMorran for Sunday services and they wanted the upgraded system, and also wanted to make a donation to McMorran.   Council also approved an agreement for Professional Engineering and Design Services for the redesigning and improvement of the plaza out front, which has been in the works for quite some time.   A certificate of appreciation was also awarded to the Port Huron Northern Football Team for their excellent season and district championship

On Tuesday, November 27th, Pathways Health Centre for Children officially announced a $1.6 Million Phase 2 Therapeutic Pool Campaign at its facility located on Murphy Road.  Pathways Health Centre for Children is regarded as the leader for programming for inclusiveness and accessibility in the community of Sarnia Lambton. The Therapeutic Pool is a big part of rehabilitation and recreational therapy for many of these children and youth. And if anything good came out of the pool closure early this year, it was that it demonstrated how important the pool was to Pathways’ clients, and to thousands of others in our community, especially our growing number
of seniors who use the pool for rehabilitation and wellness activities. It is a unique facility, and there is a definite need for it in our community.  With their founding partner, the Rotary Club of Sarnia whose vision made Pathways a reality 42 years ago, the Pathways Therapeutic Pool became a reality in 1987, along with support from the Ministry of Health, Easter Seals and the community at large.  The total cost of the Phase 2 Campaign is approximately $1.6 Million. Pathways has applied for provincial government support through infrastructure funding, and is exploring the possibility of federal infrastructure support. An Ontario Trillium Foundation Capital grant application has also been submitted. These funds are specifically in support of the Phase 2 Therapeutic Pool Campaign. In addition we are seeking support through local foundations, corporate and private donations.  On hand to join in the celebration was City of Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley, Alison Mahon, President of the Rotary Club of Sarnia and members, Pathways Board, staff, pool users and families.  Ms. Greensmith stated, “We are very thrilled that we are seeing the positive results of the hard work we have done over this past year. This is a good news story for Sarnia-Lambton. Sustaining this pool for generations to come means so much to our children, their families and the community as a whole”.  Pathways has provided leadership in serving children with special needs in the community for 42 years. Over the course of that time, new services have been added while others have grown in complexity. In response to demonstrated need and community demand, Pathways has developed
innovative programming that adheres to best practice standards, as much a part of vision as of necessity.

The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donors to give now to ensure blood is available for medical treatments and emergencies during the holiday season.  Blood and platelet donations often decline during the holidays. Regular donors are busy with holiday activities, and travel and severe winter weather may cause blood drive cancellations. Yet donations remain critical for patients like 4-year-old Wyatt Monacelli who is in the midst of intense chemotherapy treatments for leukemia. He has received a number of transfusions since his diagnosis in June and will likely need more.  “We are fortunate to have had so many donors give the gift of life to our child so far throughout the course of his treatment, and even more so, we are lucky to have had a supply of blood available for him when he needed it,” said Julianna Monacelli, Wyatt’s mother.  Donors are urged to give now to ensure that families like Wyatt’s don’t have to worry about the availability of blood this winter. In thanks for helping meet the urgent need around the holidays, all those who come to donate blood and platelets now through Dec. 19, 2018, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)  Make an appointment to donate blood or platelets by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).  Another way to help keep the blood supply strong is to host a Red Cross blood drive this winter. To learn more about hosting a blood drive and to sign up, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive

Snow where to go this winter—the Port Huron Parks and Recreation released its winter brochure with information on its upcoming programming and events. Registration opens December 3. The department is offering a variety of programs that will delight both children and adults.  Kids can stay active this season with programs such as fencing, karate, and the Play with the Pro’s introduction to hockey program featuring players from the Port Huron Prowlers. Adults can also keep active with yoga classes taught by instructors from Happy Dog Yoga.  The department is offering many ways to get creative once the snow falls. Families can join programs like Kid’s Cook off, Snowflake Fun Holiday Decorations class and even learn how to make your own Bath Bombs and Sugar Scrubs in a special winter apothecary’s class.  Families can enjoy events such as the annual Daddy Daughter Dance or Mother-Daughter Princess Tea. Kids will love Cocoa Snow Days when they have a day off school (PHASD students only) and the new Blizzard Bash where kids get the chance to create their own snow. Also offered this season; community members can learn about their family and history at genealogy seminars presented by the St. Clair County Family History Group.  The department will also be offering a babysitting class, playgroup and the annual Cabin Fever event series.  Registration is available at Palmer Park or at www.porthuronrec.com. Additional information can be found on www.porthuronrec.com or by calling the Recreation Department at 810-984-9760.