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Port Huron Rec Department Announces Fall Schedule

Port Huron, MI — The Port Huron Parks and Recreation Department has published their Fall 2020 Guide. After a successful summer full of adjusted and modified programs, they are ready to ring in autumn with a full roster of socially distant recreation.

One of the biggest events is the first ever Fall Edition of Walk Michigan. The routes are provided and walkers have one week to complete each walk. Walkers need to register online to get the routes.

The Halloween Stroll is on the schedule this year, but with a new twist. After many years of being held at Sanborn Park, the Halloween Stroll will be held in Downtown Port Huron for 2020. Trick or treating stations will be set up alongside a “Touch a Truck” event. The event will be held on Halloween, October 31st, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and registration is required. Social distancing regulations will be enforced.

Looking ahead to Christmas, the Rec. Department is planning to illuminate Pine Grove Park with Christmas Decorations this year and is looking for businesses to sponsor spots in the park.

There are also family classes and events both online and outdoors. Full details can be found at porthuronrec.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Virtual “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” This Weekend

This year’s “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” is going on as planned this Saturday, September 19, but with a socially distant twist. Participants are asked to walk in their own neighborhoods or favorite park and take a picture of themselves while walking.

MaryBeth Fleury, President of the Dementia & Alzheimer’s Resource Committee, said that walkers can post their walk pictures on the Committee’s Facebook page and share who they are walking for or why they are walking.

Fleury said that the committee is not seeking donations from the walk this year due to the community’s financial strain under COVID-19 restrictions, but general donations are always accepted. The annual goal of raising awareness of Alzheimer’s continues this year even without the large fundraising gathering. 

The Dementia & Alzheimer’s Resource Committee was organized in 2014 by a local caregiver and advocate, Marcia Haynes, who realized that St. Clair County had some wonderful dementia care resources, but that collaboration was needed to get them together in one place to better serve the dementia caregiver.

 More information about the Dementia & Alzheimer’s Resource Committee can be found at www.darcscc.org. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

OT Operation Transformation

Operation Transformation Planning a Fundraising Open House

Port Huron, MI — Operation Transformation will be having an Open House as their annual fundraiser this year. Instead of a banquet, the Open House will give patrons a chance to show their support while practicing social distancing.

The Open House will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from September 28th to October 1st at the Operation Transformation building at 1904 Poplar Street.

Operation Transformation brings together churches and volunteers to meet the needs of the community through various networking and direct service ventures. They have been around since the year 2000.

Guests are invited to drop in to the Open House to watch a video about the work that OT does as well as bid on silent auction items and get a snack. Donations will be gladly accepted and the first $500 each day will be doubled. The Open House needs to raise 50% of the yearly budget.

This year’s video highlighting the work of OT will be available to watch on optrans.org. There will also be live and silent auctions. Details can be found on Operation Transformation’s website and facebook page.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Softball Game Brings Police and Recovery Community Together

Port Huron, MI — Local non-profit Blue Water Recovery and Outreach and the Port Huron and St. Clair Police Departments will be gathering for a family-friendly charity softball game at Pine Grove Park in Port Huron on Sunday, September 13th at 1:00 p.m. 

Members of the recovery community and local law enforcement will be enjoying recreation while providing much-needed entertainment for spectators in the midst of continual event cancellations.

Describing the family event, Blue Water Recovery and Outreach Executive Director Patrick Patterson said, “We are honored and excited to be in a position to play the police as we share a common denominator in trying to make our community a better place.’”

The actual game is limited to hosting under 100 people. Spectators are asked to maintain social distancing. The game will be livestreamed on bwroc.org and the BWROC Facebook page.

Port Huron Police Chief Joe Platzer said, “We’re community partners and when the police can work together it’s a benefit to all involved.”

Proceeds from the game will go to both the Port Huron and St. Clair Police Departments and Blue Water Recovery and Outreach. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

After a Season of Cancellations, McMorran Looks Forward to the Prowlers Hitting the Ice

Port Huron, MI — McMorran Place Sports and Entertainment Center has announced that while several events have been cancelled and postponed, there is still hope for hockey season.

The tribute shows, “Old Friends, A tribute to Simon & Garfunkel” and “Rumours, The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute” have been pushed to March and May. Ticket holders can use their existing tickets for the new shows.

The Port Huron Prowlers, a minor professional ice hockey team in the Federal Prospects Hockey League, plan to hit the ice at some point in the near future. The arena has been completely renovated, but the question remains as to how many fans can be in attendance. 

McMorran is operated by the Recreation Department under the direction of the McMorran Civic Center Authority. They are hopeful that they can start scheduling events in early 2021.

For now, entertainment is available outside of McMorran with the construction of “McMorran Beach”, where sand has been spread out and there are beach chairs and corn hole games for those who want to get out of the house and be social while following safety protocols.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McLaren Port Huron Thanks Community for Generosity

Port Huron, MI — McLaren Port Huron’s Foundation continued to work through the closures and restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospital has recently issued a “thank you” to the entire community for supporting them through the crisis.

Some of the hospital’s own employees have benefitted from the COVID-19 Relief Fund, which helps employees who are struggling. The fund has raised over $50,000 so far. The hospital has also continued awarding scholarships to those who are pursuing careers in the medical field and those who are already in the field and are continuing their education. Scholarships were awarded to 21 individuals totaling $28,000.

While indoor events have had to be cancelled, outdoor events continued. Levi’s Link Virtual 5K raised over $38,000 to support the program for patients with special needs. The Tee It Up to Beat Cancer golf outing raised over $35,000 for cancer services and equipment at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Port Huron. Another outdoor event was the annual golf outing which raised $46,000 to purchase new bassinets for the Miriam F. Acheson Family Birth Place.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland