local news

Port Huron, MI — It’s been a tough year for event planners and fundraisers, and businesses and organizations have learned to be flexible and adapt to changing rules on social gatherings. Hunter Hospitality House had to cancel their Hope Blooms event twice, and has now decided to go virtual for 2021.

The Hope Blooms from Home event give supporters an opportunity to donate to the nonprofit while entering drawings for a wide range of prizes. They are also accepting sponsorships along with regular donations to support their work.

Tracy Willard,  Executive Director of Hunter Hospitality House , said, “The Hope Blooms from Home idea started out as Plan D to our annual fundraising banquet.  Plans A, B & C had all been cancelled over the past two years, due to the pandemic, and we really needed to come up with an idea that would work well for HHH and our supporters in these uncertain times to bring some much needed funds in for the organization.  We’ve been overwhelmed with the response.  Even former guests, who live in other states, have been able to join in, providing free hospital lodging for people in the very same situations they’d experienced.  Hope Blooms from Home is going so well, we’re considering a “From Home” option to all of our future Hope Blooms live events!”

Hunter Hospitality House transferred all gifts to their cancelled events into their operational budget, but any tickets purchased for those events will be honored for entry to the next live event.

To participate in the Hope Blooms at Home raffle, visit Hunter Hospitality House’s website <HERE> and print the order form. Prize options are displayed on the website and include a kayak, a Smart TV, a Schwinn Cruiser, and overnight stays at several hotels and resorts.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Port Huron, MI — Families with young children will soon have a new option for play dates and birthday parties. The Hallway Entertainment in Downtown Port Huron is putting finishing touches on an indoor Kid City, and it will be ready for bookings in the first week of April.

The Hallway Entertainment’s owner, Carol Hall, is excited about this new addition to her business. The Hallway Entertainment currently offers escape rooms and game show nights in house, and has done escape dinners at restaurants and outdoor escape rooms in the past.

Hall says, the only thing missing was something for little kids. As a mother of two young children, she wanted a safe place indoors for her kids to explore and use their imaginations. She also wanted to create a way for small groups of children to play in a controlled environment with their parents and close friends.

Kid City’s central feature is a tree house surrounded by padded flooring, a mock grassy area, and foam logs. The room is brightly painted and has several small shops including a food market, dress up store, construction site, and a restaurant. The shops are sponsored by local businesses who helped outfit and decorate their tiny stores. Hall is currently looking for a sponsor for the restaurant, and interested businesses can contact her through The Hallway Entertainment’s website.

The room will be available for rent in 90 minute increments for up to 10 kids. Hall said, “Families can come by themselves or pitch in with a few friends and have a playdate.”

For Birthday Parties, there is an additional room available to rent which will accommodate food and beverages.

To learn more and book your visit, go the The Hallway Entertainment’s website <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

St. Clair County high school students interested in a career in education have a new opportunity to get a jumpstart on their careers. New Early Childhood Education and PreK – 12 Education programs are being offered at St. Clair TEC in the 2021-22 school year for forty-eight students.

Students entering the two-year program will start with classroom centered learning for the first year and move to an internship in their chosen setting for the second year.

Pat Yanik, Director of Career and Technical Education at St. Clair County RESA said, “This program will allow students to explore the wide range of careers in education and help them make a knowledgeable decision based on their first-hand experience. Students will complete the program with the skills and credentials they need to enter the workforce or further their education at a 2- or 4-year institution.”

RESA Superintendent Kevin Miller said there is a shortage of skilled childcare professionals and this program will “help meet the need of our local community while providing our students with career opportunities in an industry with long-term growth potential.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand