port huron

Climb the Lighthouse During the Full Moon

The Friends of the St. Clair River are offering an opportunity to view August’s full moon from the top of the Ft. Gratiot Light House.  The inaugural Sturgeon Full Moon Lighthouse Climb is scheduled for Sunday, August 22nd from 6 – 10 PM.

The August full moon is referred to as the Sturgeon moon because Indigenous communities knew how plentiful the sturgeon were during its arrival.

The Sturgeon Full Moon Lighthouse Climb includes the lighthouse climb, food vendors, music, special performances, and fireside chats with stargazing and storytelling.

Tickets are $20 for those 12 years old and up and kids ages 4 – 12 are $10. Children 3 and under are free.

The Yak-Abouts kayak group is planning a full moon paddle from Lighthouse Beach and participants are welcome to join them.

To learn more about this event visit www.SturgeonFestival.com

SPARK 2.0 Keeps Students Learning and Growing Through the Summer

Port Huron, MI — Summer school has been a tremendous success, according to Port Huron Schools. The SPARK 2.0 program was financed with federal Covid relief money and is involving the whole community with the innovative learning experience.

The program helps students recover academically after a challenging year of online and hybrid learning where some kids fell behind. The elementary through high school program is even getting some kids back on track to graduate on time. 

Superintendent Theo Kerhoulas said, “To say we are incredibly proud of our high school summer students, teachers and staff is an understatement. Their hard work and efforts are leading us all in recovery from the pandemic.”

Referring to the many off-site learning experiences, such as field trips and collaboration with community organizations, Catherine Woolman, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services for Port Huron Schools said, “They aren’t just working on their math and reading skills to ensure they are prepared for returning to school this fall, but they are having fun and learning life lessons in the process.”

Students have been taking trips to places like the YMCA, SC4, and Port Huron Museums. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Water Warriors Hit the Lake This Week for Special Olympics

Port Huron, MI — The Water Warriors are gearing up for their 30th annual personal watercraft endurance ride along Michigan’s Thumb Coast to benefit Special Olympics of Michigan.

This year’s ride is scaled down from their usual Port Huron to Mackinaw ride, which is typically a 5-day, 450-mile endurance ride on personal watercraft. They have adapted the ride this year due to challenges presented by the pandemic, and they are taking a 2-day ride from Port Huron to Port Austin and back.

The Water Warriors ride will take place on July 28 – 29th, and 75 people plan to participate with over 30 personal watercraft riders, support boats, and a fleet of land support vehicles.

Donna, a past participant, said, “Riding the waves is a physical challenge, certainly, but nothing in comparison to the every day survival of a Special Olympic athlete. To come into port and see that appreciation for our efforts, to give a ride to an athlete on my machine, and to watch the smiling faces and listening to the cheers of the athletes on the support boats makes every muscle ache I experience, every drop of water that I swallow, and all the time I spend raising funds worth it.”

The 2021 Summer Games for Special Olympics concluded on July 17, 2021, but Special Olympics Michigan provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Unlock Michigan’s Petition Approved

The Michigan House of Representatives voted on July 21, 2021 to approve the petition led by Unlock Michigan to repeal the Emergency Powers of Governor Act of 1945 (EPGA).

The Michigan Senate approved the petition last week, so under the state constitution, the citizen initiative will become law and be immune to the governor’s veto.

The Unlock Michigan petition received over 460,000 signatures, and it has been making its way through the certification process for over 6 months. The petition requires approval by the Michigan legislature for any emergency orders issued by the Governor after 28 days.

State Representative Andrew Beeler of Port Huron, said, “Acting through the citizens’ initiative process, the people and Legislature are working together to overcome an overreaching executive branch which refuses to allow the constitutional processes of our government to proceed during a time of emergency.”

According to their website, Unlock Michigan describes themselves as “a coalition of concerned Michiganders who believe that Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s crushing lockdown of life and business across Michigan is a dangerous threat to [their] livelihoods and constitutional liberties.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

People’s Clinic Golf Outing Coming up In August

The People’s Clinic in Port Huron provides quality medical care for Medicaid patients and those who are uninsured.  This year’s golf outing hopes to raise awareness of the clinic while also raising funds for operational expenses, medical supplies, and pharmacy needs.

The 41st People’s Clinic Golf Outing will be held Thursday, August 12th at Solitude Links Golf Course. Fun events are planned along with a buffet-style lunch and raffles.

Registration is available at EventBrite <HERE> for individual golfers, teams, and corporate sponsorships.

Proceeds from the golf outing along with other fundraisers and help from the United Way of St. Clair County and Blue Cross Blue Shield ensure that the People’s Clinic will continue to support the healthcare needs of some of the most vulnerable residents of our community.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Donate Those Returnables Cluttering Up Your Garage

Life Skills Centers – Bright Futures is a community-based program for adults with disabilities, and they are happy to take those returnable cans and bottles off your hands.

The Bright Futures bottle drive one of the ongoing fundraisers that helps the program raise money for classes and outings for their clients and also for fun activities clients can do at the center located on 17th Street in Port Huron. They also sell handmade fire starters that start bonfires and fireplaces with ease.

Bottles and cans can be dropped off at their location at 716 17th Street in Port Huron between 8 AM – 4 PM, or they will gladly pick them up if you live within reasonable distance and make arrangements with their staff. You can also purchase fire starters at their location for $2.00 per bag.

Life Skills Centers – Bright Futures can be reached at 810-385-3710.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand