event

Chuck Gaidica To Judge MI Favorite Snack Competition

The MI Favorite Snack Competition will feature legendary Detroit broadcaster Chuck Gaidica as the emcee and judge for the competition.

The contest will feature snack food creators from across Michigan. Port Huron’s All Star Services, a sponsor of the contest, will narrow down the entrants to a group of finalists. The finalists will present their snacks on September 17th in the hopes of being named “MI New Favorite Snack” and winning a cash prize.

Having Gaidica as the judge adds a new level of excitement. Blue Water Area Chamber CEO/President Thelma Castillo said, “Having someone of Chuck Gaidica’s stature involved in this event is really special. He is such a familiar and beloved person in our state. As a state wide competition, it was important to have a celebrity participating who truly represents Michiganders.”

Gaidica was the weatherman on Channel 4, WDIV, in Detroit for 27 years. He is considered “one of the most trusted figures in Michigan” after decades of issuing “cuddle alerts” and tornado warnings and keeping an eye on the sky.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Grand Opening of McMorran Plaza May 26, 2022

McMorran Place Plaza is almost ready to host multiple gatherings this summer, and the City of Port Huron is kicking off the season with a grand opening of the space to celebrate with the community.

On Thursday, May 26th at 1 PM, there is a grand opening celebration at McMorran Place Plaza , and the first 250 people to arrive will receive a commemorative coin to remember the event.

Nancy Winzer, Director of Port Huron Parks and Recreation, said, “McMorran Place is the Blue Water Area’s community civic center and one of the most iconic landmarks in our downtown. We’re excited to activate the front plaza area as the center of our vibrant downtown and allow it to serve as the town square area it was originally designed for.”

McMorran Place was built in the 1960’s, and the opening of the plaza marks a new era of excitement with the addition of an outdoor stage, a beer garden, and a splash pad for cooling off on hot summer days.

There will be live concerts at the plaza every weekend throughout the summer along with outdoor fitness classes provided by the Blue Water Area YMCA.

Learn more at Mcmorran.com/plaza

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

ISO Features “Our Immortal Stars” Photography Exhibit

The International Symphony Orchestra’s ISObar Gallery in Sarnia will be opening the “Our Immortal Stars” exhibition on June 3rd. The highly anticipated local gallery showing features the work of Bright’s Grove’s Richard Beland.

Beland said, “Because I primarily work in the music industry, I find myself drawing parallels between my vocation and that of a career-minded musician. A collection of photographs equates to a band’s latest album and an exhibition is the live performance.”

The International Symphony Orchestra said that this is the first solo gallery show at the ISObar, located at 143 Christina Street in Sarnia, and is meant to feature a hometown success story as they kick off their first solo gallery show.

The ISO Nexus Players will provide musical accompaniment featuring selections from David Bowie, The Tragically Hip, and other artists featured in Beland’s photography, as well as an onstage interview with the artist, and special musical guests at the June 3rd opening.

The art installation is open through September 5th.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

The Thumb Michigan Facebook Group wsg. Todd Carmody & Terri Hoag

 

Join a conversation with Todd Carmody and Terri Hoag about the Thumb (Michigan) Facebook group. Learn why Todd decided to start the group and how Terri celebrates our area as the Blue Water Ambassador.

In this episode, Jessie, Todd, and Terri talk about:

  • Sharing positive news about the community
  • What it takes to administrate the group
  • Using photography to showcase local businesses
  • How The Thumb group connects people to unique aspects of our community

Learn more about the Thumb Michigan Facebook group here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/195464297712532

Listen to the WGRT Local NEWS podcast on your favorite podcast app every Friday for in-depth interviews with people from around Michigan’s Thumbcoast!

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The WGRT Local News Podcast is part of the WGRT 102.3 FM Podcast Network. For the latest episodes of all of our featured podcasts, visit our website here:

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The WGRT Local News Podcast is produced by the following team members:

Executive Producer: Jessie Wiegand

Audio Engineer: George James

Administrator: Jessie Wiegand

Marketing: Jessie Wiegand

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“Empty the Shelters” Event Reduces Adoption Fee to $25 at SCC Animal Control

A national campaign to move animals out of shelters and into loving homes coincides with a local shelter being at capacity. The BISSELL Pet Foundation is sponsoring the “Empty the Shelters” initiative that reduces adoption fees to $25.

St. Clair County Animal Control Director Melissa Miller said, “This event is coming at a great time. St. Clair County Animal Control is at critical capacity for dogs and cats.”

Miller said that adoptable animals can be viewed online at their website, on PetFinder, or on their Facebook page.

The “Empty the Shelters” event goes from now until May 7th and again from May 9th to 13th. St. Clair County Animal Control will be open for reduced-fee adoptions May 5th through 6th from 10:30 to 3:30 p.m., May 7th from noon to 3:30, and May 9th through May 13th from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Animal Control prefers appointments, but they are not required. Appointments can be scheduled at animalcontrol@stcalircounty.org.

https://www.petfinder.com/search/dogs-for-adoption/us/mi/48060/?distance=10

https://stclairmi.animalservices.website/shelterpronet/spn_page_as_main.spn

https://www.facebook.com/adoptsccac

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Detroit Auto Show Is Back Full Force Sept. 14-25

The North American International Auto Show has been reinvented for 2022 with a combination of indoor and outdoor displays. The Detroit Auto Show, as it is commonly called, is scheduled for September 14th through 25th at the Huntington Place, formerly Cobo Hall.

The Charity Preview is returning this year, and there are free community activities planned for Downtown Detroit.  The show is described as “next generation”.

The main floor at Huntington is already sold out. It will feature a mix of hands-on activations, traditional vehicle exhibits, and a showcase of automotive innovation and technology. Want to take a test drive? The 2023 Chevrolet Grand Prix downtown circuit will be available for test drives.

There is also a focus on the future of mobility with the AutoMobili-D exhibit, featuring the latest innovators, suppliers, and educators in the industry.

Detroit Auto Show Executive Director Rod Alberts said he expects the show to be a pivotal player in consumers’ vehicle shopping and purchase decisions.

https://naias.com/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland