local news

CMH Offers Blue Pumpkin Buckets for Kids on Autism Spectrum

Halloween is right around the corner and all the planning for the perfect night of fun has begun. St. Clair County Community Mental Health is offering support for parents of children on the autism spectrum who might have a hard time meeting the social expectations that go along with the celebration.

Adults often set expectations for children to say something like “Trick or Treat” in exchange for candy. But for kids on the spectrum, it might not be possible. Blue pumpkin buckets are an easy way for those handing out candy or otherwise interacting with children to know to take it easy on the child with the bucket. The child may be non-verbal or might be overwhelmed by the sensory overload of costumes, lights, and crowds.

Community Mental Health offers an Autism Support Group that provides a judgment-free place for caregivers to network and access resources. The group is open to any caregiver of individuals diagnosed to be on the autism spectrum. The October 28th meeting will include a Halloween social story, autism pumpkin giveaways, and free blue pumpkin buckets.

Registration is required.

Register by contacting Delores Johnson at 810-488-8866 or dejohnson@scccmh.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

McLaren Festival of Trees to Raise Funds for New Breast Cancer Detection Equipment

McLaren Hospital in Port Huron is getting ready for the upcoming holiday season and observing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month by announcing their plans for this year’s Festival of Trees.

This year’s Festival will be raising money for breast imaging services in the Demashkieh Women’s Wellness Place. The hospital is hoping to purchase the Hologic Upright Breast Biopsy Guidance system, which features 3D stereotactic biopsy capabilities.

The updated technology gives patients a better experience with enhanced imaging capabilities. The machine provides less x-ray exposure and less time under compression, which is welcome news for women who have undergone compression biopsies.

The Festival of Trees offers many levels of sponsorship and community members will be able to check out the ornately decorated trees in the South, North, and Karmanos lobbies of McLaren Port Huron Hospital. The annual fundraiser will be held on the main floor of the hospital in all of the public areas from Thanksgiving through the New Year.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Pre-Christmas Bazaar to Benefit Women at Risk

The international organization, Women at Risk, is hosting a Pre-Christmas Bazaar, where handmade items will be sold, at Cornerstone Church in Clyde Township. The bazaar will be on November 5th from 2:00-7:00 p.m.

Women at Risk is a Michigan-based non-profit that works to lift women out of dangerous situations where they could be vulnerable to abuse, trafficking, and exploitation. The organization provides protection, intervention and healing for those who are in danger.

The bazaar will feature items made by the women being served by the organizaiton. The local organizers, Gail Pagurko and Jean Sabo, said that the items for sale will include candles, scarves, clothing, jewelry, and more.

Sabo said that she and Pagurko want to support women and they believe this organization is a great way to help. The event is open to the commujnity and they are hoping many will come out to get a little early Christmas shopping done and support at-risk women.

https://warinternational.org/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Armory Could Get Upgrades to Support Women in Service

Port Huron’s Army National Guard Armory needs to “get with the changing times”, according to National Guard representatives that gave a tour to legislators and media on Friday.

The U.S. military now allows women into combat roles, but Michigan does not currently have adequate facilities for guardswomen at their armories. That could change with cooperation from the Governor, the legislature, and the federal government to start construction projects at Michigan’s National Guard armories to provide adequate bathroom and shower facilities for the increasing number of guardswomen.

Paul D. Rogers, Major General in the Michigan National Guard and Adjutant General with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said that Michigan is at the forefront of the effort to welcome women into the military roles that help to build skills and provide career opportunities.

There are currently four women in service at the Port Huron Armory with another in training. The $3 million upgrade would be funded with half of the money coming from state appropriations and the rest matched with federal funds. Both State Senator Dan Lauwers and State Representative Gary Eisen expressed support for the renovations to the armory that will update the community facility and support local contractors. Eisen called the renovations “way overdue”.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Children’s Author Jacquie Anter Looks to Nature in Book: You

A children’s book author with local ties is looking to guide kids to feeling their inner worth by looking to nature.

Author Jacquie Anter recently released the book, You, published by Archway Publishing. When asked about the book, Anter said, “The book’s message is a simple yet profound one that is sorely needed today. That message is that we are born in perfect love and with perfect value, and all we need to do is look to nature to be reminded of this truth.”

When asked about coming up with the book idea, Anter said, “Kids are so in tune with nature, so using nature struck me as a great way to help remind them that just as they look at the mountains, a forest of trees or a flower — or in Port Huron’s case, all the water surrounding it — and just see the natural beauty, kids can apply that same concept to looking at themselves.”

Anter has spent a lot of time in the Blue Water Area, with her husband having grown up in Port Huron, and it had an impact on her book. She said, “Port Huron is all about nature with a great lake, a major international river, and a river running through its downtown.”

You is Anter’s first book and she is hoping to publish a second book in the next 18 months.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Rotary Raises Awareness of Global Polio Threat

The Fort Gratiot Rotary Club is raising awareness of the fight against polio.

October 24th is World Polio Day. Those involved with the Rotary, an international service organization, have been working to eradicate polio for over 35 years. The efforts have helped to reduce polio rates by 99.9%. Vaccinating children in the Philippines was one of their first projects in the mission to eradicate polio.

Most people think polio has been eradicated, but there are actually cases in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The rise of the Taliban has caused serious concern over the future of Rotary’s efforts in the region.

Rotarian Jessica S. Simon said, “Local Rotarians have supported this effort through personal monetary donations and fundraising efforts that included a spaghetti dinner. For over a decade, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been giving $2 for every $1 raised by Rotarians, helping our dollars to go further. While we don’t see Polio as a threat locally, it is not impossible for an outbreak in another part of the world to have an impact on us.”

https://polioeradication.org/who-we-are/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland