port huron

Franke Estate Donates $250,000 to Port Huron Museums

The Port Huron Museums have received a large donation from the estate of Dr. Armin and Mrs. Rosalie Franke. The $250,000 donation is the largest in the history of the museum.

Dr. Franke passed away in late 2021 at the age of 98, after practicing medicine in Port Huron from 1956 to 1995. He was active in many community organizations and instrumental in administering the polio vaccine in St. Clair County.

Port Huron Museums Executive Director Veronica Campbell said that the museum will be able to accomplish some major goals including finishing or supporting current projects like new updated exhibits and others, as well as building an endowment for future financial stability for the Museums.

Port Huon Museums Community Engagement Manager Andrew Kercher said, “Dr. Franke is an example for all of us in how to improve a community, both in terms of his decades in literal lifesaving work as a

physician and now his gift that will ensure his legacy in the Blue Water Area for decades to come.”

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Chalk Art Contest Underway at Blue Water Festival

There’s truly something for everyone at the Blue Water Festival in Downtown Port Huron. If chalk art is your passion or just something you’d like to try, the festival has just the thing for you to show off your talent.

The annual Chalk Art Contest is underway on July 14th and 15th in front of A Little Something, a store in Downtown Port Huron.

Artists will need to register and spectators will vote on their favorite chalk art. The art spaces are free to artists and they can be solo pieces or can be the work of up to four artists.

The top prize is $100 for the Best in Show. The People’s Choice Award winner will get a cash prize as well, with the Best Original Piece and the Best 3-D piece each winning $50. The Best Use of Color artwork will get $50 also.

There are prizes of ice cream coupons for the Best Youth Piece for ages 12 to 16 and the Best Child Piece for ages under 12.

Judging is at 5:30 p.m. with the winners announced at 7:00 p.m. in front of A Little Something on Friday, July15th.

For more information, please contact the chalk art coordinator Lucie De Line 810.531.5410.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Big Reds to Battle At the Big House August 26th

The 2022 season will start off in a big way for the Port Huron High School Big Reds football team, cheerleading squad, Thunderbirds dance team, and Big Red Marching Machine. The season opens with the first game at “The Big House” in Ann Arbor. The stadium, used by the University of Michigan, seats over 107,000 fans.

The Big Reds will take on Grand Rapids Catholic Central, who happen to be the 2021 Division 5 State Champions, at the August 26th afternoon game. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m.

Port Huron High principal Mike Palmer said, “This opportunity for our students is once-in-a-lifetime. To visit this type of venue is tremendous, but to be able to play on the field and be in that setting is just fantastic. We are so proud to be representing Port Huron High and the Port Huron Area School district at this prestigious event.”

Supporters and fans can attend the game and tickets are available now for $10. A ticket and t-shirt combination is available for $25.

Order form: https://forms.gle/xSjzKSJMmW5EX5e1A

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Quay Docks, Marine City Get Grants for Community Development

The Blue Water Area is well-represented in a new revitalization investment sponsored by the Michigan Strategic Fund and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The projects are intended to bring housing, economic growth, and vibrancy to the neighborhoods.

The projects are the Quay Docks Project in Port Huron and the Marine City Apartments project in Marine City.

The Quay Docks project is expected to create 30 full-time jobs after the renovation of the vacant building on Quay Street is complete. The mixed-use development will have two commercial spaces and five apartments. The building will have a green roof along with energy and lighting upgrades to modernize the Quay Street property. 

The Marine City Apartments Project will renovate the Geck Building to include six apartments and six garages. The project will bring more people downtown and contribute to Marine City’s continued economic development.

Funding for both projects comes from grants from the Michigan Community Revitalization Program and special tax programs in both municipalities.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Boats, Fireworks, Carnival, Music, and More at This Year’s Blue Water Fest and Boat Week

Who’s ready for the Blue Water Fest and Boat Week? Port Huron is.

The annual festival has it all. The party starts on July 13th with the Rotary International Parade stepping off at 6:30 p.m., with the theme “Children’s Storytime”. The parade starts at Huron and Glenwood and ends at Desmond Landing.

Operation Transformation’s Family Night will be entertaining families on Thursday, July 14th. The Blue Water Street Fair will be set up on Thursday and Friday featuring over 70 arts and crafts vendors.

Fireworks are at dusk on Thursday, July 14th, at Desmond Landing.

The main attraction is always the arrival of the boats as they prepare for the Bayview Mackinac Race, leaving on Saturday, July 16th.

There is a lot of construction going on downtown to improve both roads and the seawall on the Black River, so most of the entertainment, including the concerts, will be centered around the Blue Water Transit Center and McMorran Place parking lots, located west of Huron Avenue between Grand River Avenue and McMorran Boulevard.

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Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Faith and Family on the Plaza” Brings Concerts to McMorran Plaza on Sunday Evenings

The McMorran Plaza in Downtown Port Huron has something for everyone. Operation Transformation is hosting the “Faith and Family on the Plaza” concert series on Sunday nights from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

The concerts will be faith-based with this Sunday’s performance from the Port Huron Assembly of God, and the next week from the musical group, “Prodigal Redemption”.

The concert series started last week and runs through August 28th.

While Casey’s on the Plaza will not be open on Sunday nights, there will be concessions available. Concert-goers will need to bring their own seating.

Operation Transformation is a Port Huron faith-based non-profit organization whose purpose is to bring positive changes to the Blue Water Area. OT collaborates with local churches and non-profits to help the community.

Families are invited to come out to the brand new McMorran Plaza and enjoy a relaxing night of positive music.

Schedule

June 26th ~ Life In Christ Fellowship

July 3rd ~ Port Huron Assembly of God

July 10th ~ Prodigal Redemption

July 17th

July 24th ~ Rejoice 

July 31st ~ Reaching Across

August 7th ~ Kingdom Empowerment 

August 14th ~ Life In Christ Fellowship 

August 21st ~ Blue Water Free Methodist 

August 28th ~ Living Note

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland