local news

Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home “Winter Friendraising Campaign” Underway

The Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home is in the midst of its annual fundraiser and they are hoping you will join in. This year’s event is the “Winter Friendraising Campaign”. Last year’s event raised over $15,000. Donors simply click to donate online. The campaign runs until February 28th.

Kathleen Swantek, Executive Director of Blue Water Developmental Housing, Inc. and Corporate Manager of Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home said that the home has been serving the community for close to 80 years. The home provides assisted living services for low-income seniors.

Swantek said, “Our mission is to provide services to seniors in a safe and affordable environment where individual needs and desires are always considered. We remain affordable because the community is generous with their support.”

Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home has expansion in its plans. Swantek said with the assistance of the Commission on Aging, they plan on adding two additional beds for homeless seniors.

For more information on the Winter Friendraising Campaign: https://www.sanborngratiot.org/donate/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MI Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program Expands to St. Clair County

The MI Tri-Share Child Care Pilot Program has expanded to seven new counties, including St. Clair County. Fifty-two counties in Michigan are now covered by the program. St. Clair County is serviced by the St. Clair County RESA.

Dr. Kevin Miller, Superintendent of St. Clair County RESA explained, “The Tri-Share program is designed to address the current childcare crisis, making childcare more affordable for working families in St. Clair County. “

Miller said, “We’ve been collaborating with our Economic Development Alliance (EDA), Michigan Works, and our business partners. Our RESA will be the Tri-Share ‘hub’ as we have the connection with county childcare providers through our Great Start Collaborative. The power of the Tri-share grant is the cost-sharing between the State of Michigan, the business community, and our hard-working families.”

St. Clair County will have $300,000 available for the program for this year. Participation with area businesses will be coordinated by the EDA. Aludyne is one of the supporting businesses that helped secure the grant.

Details about the Tri-Share program, including current pilot regions and participating employers, can be found at michigan.gov/Tri-Share.   

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Middle and High School Students Asked to Complete Youth Advisory Survey

The Youth Advisory Council of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County is asking area middle school and high school students to complete a survey asking for their take on issues affecting teens.

Avery Allen, President of the Youth Advisory Council, said, “Our youth survey is designed to gather and use information straight from the youth in our community to create our priorities. We use our priorities as a measurement tool to effectively assess grant applications.”

Allen said, “The survey itself is a series of questions regarding the most important issues in our community right now, both positive and negative, according to the youth. The students on our committee came up with the questions using past surveys and current events. We wanted to cover as many serious issues as we could in our survey.”

Jackie Hanton, Vice President of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, said that the Youth Advisory Council has given out more than $1 million in grants since its inception in 1994. The Council reviews its priorities every three years.

A link to the survey can be found below.

https://www.stclairfoundation.org/yac-youth-survey/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Winter Bird Blast Feb. 19th at County Building

The Winter Bird Blast is planned for Saturday, February 19th from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the St. Clair County Administration Building. The annual event is in its 7th year.

The event is totally free and is a highlight of the season for those who need a nature fix in the heart of winter.

The day starts with a trail overview and bird talk from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. with Bird Walks from 10:30 to noon. Participants can drive to viewing spots in Port Huron and Marysville.

The Winter Bird Blast is made possible by the Blue Water Audubon Society, St. Clair County Metropolitan Planning staff, St. Clair-Macomb Birding Trail, and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Attending the Winter Bird Blast is free and registration is not required. Just show up and be prepared for the outdoor portion of the event with appropriate warm clothing. Binoculars for bird viewing are recommended.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

City Proposes Addressing Housing Needs, Sidewalk Accessibility, and Cruise Ship Docking

Port Huron City Manager James Freed has presented the proposed goals and priorities for the city of Port Huron. The list covers nine initiatives.

The city administration plans to address housing concerns by developing a community housing strategy to look at current and future housing needs along with addressing workforce housing needs in the community.

As the city prepares to spend the windfall of one-time funding from the American Rescue Plan, investment into city assets like Palmer Park, McMorran, and Department of Public Works facilities are on the docket.

Those who try to navigate the city on foot or in a wheelchair or motorized device will be interested to hear the plan to enhance crosswalks to make them more accessible.

Citizen engagement town halls, sidewalk improvements, improved signage for visitors trying to find their way in the city, and business corridor improvements are also on the list, but the most unique item may be the plan to work with regional stakeholders on docking for the Viking Cruise Line Great Lakes Cruise scheduled for 2023.

Stay tuned to WGRT as these proposals develop.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Dennis Gardner Wins Prestigious Master Farmer Award

What does it take to be a Master Farmer? Ask Fremont Township farmer Dennis Gardner. Gardner is a recipient of the 2022 Michigan Master Farmer Award, given out at the Great Lakes Crop Summit.

The award is for farmers who have demonstrated a lifetime of achievement on their farms, and also in their communities and the agriculture industry. It is the most prestigious award for achievement in the industry that feeds the world.

Gardner said he was totally honored and shocked to receive the award. He was quick to thank his wife, Reta, for her partnership in running their 2000-acre cash crop farm that stretches across both St. Clair and Sanilac counties.

Dennis and Reta Gardner have made farming a family affair with help from both Gardner’s parents, his sister, brother-in-law, and his four daughters, two of whom are already getting their careers started in the agriculture industry. The Gardner team uses the latest in technology to produce corn, soybeans, wheat, and sugar beets.

When asked about the future of family farming, Gardner said it will be hard for some farms to absorb the rising costs of growing food, but that there are still fair amounts of successful family farms.

A link to a video highlighting Gardner’s accomplishment can be found below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL6r0xRnFN4

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland