If you were near the Black River in Port Huron on Sunday, you may have wondered if your eyes were playing tricks on you. You may have in fact seen Santa arriving by boat to the Port Huron Yacht Club in not just any boat, but a pontoon boat outfitted as a jungle cruiser.
Jeni Hayward-Gehlman, long time Yacht Club Member and organizer of the event, told us that Santa’s visit is part of a party for Port Huron Yacht Club members and members’ kids and grandkids. Port Huron Yacht Club is a non-profit organization that promotes sailboat racing in the Blue Water Area. Ms. Hayward-Gehlman said, “The Yacht Club’s Womens’ Auxiliary pays for the party, as a special thank you to our members for all they do.” The Club is run completely by volunteers and doesn’t have a paid staff. This makes them unique and unlike any other yacht club on the Great Lakes.
Sunday’s party was a great way for the club to thank its members and reconnect during the off-season. The Port Huron Yacht Club’s motto is that they are “where members make it happen” and this year they made a great memory happen for their kids with the arrival of Santa by boat.
Reporting for WGRT, Kelsie Kaczperski.
