port huron

“With Unity Comes Infinite Hope” Theme of PHS-NAACP Partnership

Port Huron, MI — Port Huron Schools are partnering with the Port Huron NAACP to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with service and positivity. For the past six years, both the district and the NAACP have engaged students in learning about the life and legacy of Dr. King and the civil rights movement, according to a statement from the school district.

This year’s theme is “With Unity, Comes Infinite Hope”. The theme comes from Dr. King’s quote, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” Students across the district will listen to age-appropriate readings and recordings with the message of unity and hope.

This year’s district wide project will be the making of cards for shut in seniors. The Council on Aging is partnering with the school district on the project.

Port Huron Schools Superintendent Jamie Cain remarked, “This year, more than ever, encouraging and helping others find or rediscover hope is a valuable necessity. It’s inspiring to see our students challenge themselves in the memory of Dr. King to provide hope to some of the most vulnerable citizens in our community, shut in seniors.”

A link to full archive of Port Huron Schools’ MLK Day projects:

http://phschoolsmlkday.weebly.com/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

PHASD Auctioning Off Items from Lakeport Elementary

If you were one of the elementary students who attended Lakeport Elementary, the school’s closing likely caused some emotion. Memories of Principal Brian Winters, climbing the rope in gym class, and passing notes to your friends may have come to mind in an instant.

The school was closed after the 2012-13 school year because of declining enrollment in the district. The property was listed for sale in 2018, and the sale of the building is currently pending.

As the district prepares to vacate the school for its new owners, they opened an auction to sell the surplus items that are stored there. The auction includes electronics, furniture, HVAC materials, and storage items, and is open until January 21st at 1 PM.

Visit the auction site <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Blue Water Hospice Home Patients Getting New Rooms

The VNA & Blue Water Hospice is set to begin a Room Renovation Project at the Blue Water Hospice Home. Work begins this week on the project and it is expected to take 1-2 months to complete.

The project includes new flooring, paint, beds, tvs, restrooms, and electrical in each patient room. Work will be done on one to two rooms at a time so the Hospice Home can remain open during renovations. Staff will keep patients in rooms as far away as possible from the rooms being renovated.

Many local partners helped fund and contribute to the renovation including the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, and the VNA and Blue water Hospice plans to use local resources such as RESA and Watson Brothers among others to complete the work.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Blue Water YMCA Helps RESET for 2021

If you’re ready to actively put 2020 behind you, the Blue Water YMCA wants to help you RESET for 2021. Their RESET Challenge is designed to help transform the spirit, mind, and body beginning on February 1st.

The Y’s Healthy Living Sr. Program Director, Jenny McElwain, said, “Everyone’s ready for a new focus, a reset, after 2020. We want the RESET Challenge to engage the entire community in moving and feeling better.”

The challenge includes 150 minutes of physical activity a week for 6 weeks and comes along with three encouraging texts each week filled with motivation, challenges, and workouts. RESET Challenge participants can also enjoys some free classes to further inspire them in their fitness goals.

The Blue Water YMCA’s new Executive Director, Josh Chapman, begins his position this week, and he’s encouraging the community to participate. “It’s the perfect time to take back our lives, reenergize, achieve goals, feel better and stronger,” said Chapman.

You can learn more about the RESET Challenge at www.bluewaterymca.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Knowlton Ice Museum Now Officially Owned by Community Foundation

Port Huron, MI — The Knowlton Ice Museum in Downtown Port Huron has officially entered a new phase. It’s operations and ownership have been handed over to the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, along with an ample endowment. The Community Foundation currently owns a growing portfolio of properties in the region.

Jackie Hanton, Vice President of the Community Foundation, said, “We’re really excited about the Knowlton Museum being neighbors with the future ‘Wrigley Center’ development in downtown Port Huron and the opportunities that may present. We look forward to exploring options to allow families and tourists to interact with the collection in new and exciting ways. But for the time being the regular seasonal schedule will continue.”

The collection was curated by Mickey and Agnes Knowlton, the founders of Party Time Ice. It is thought to be the largest known collection of ice harvesting and processing historical items, with many items dating back to the days when ice was harvested off of the St. Clair River.

Winter hours at the Museum are 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron City Council Looking for Candidates to Fill Vacancy

At the Port Huron City Council Meeting Monday, Lisa Beedon’s Letter of Resignation was received and filed, and now the Council is asking for letters of interest from qualified city residents to fill her vacated seat.

Beedon was elected to the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners in the November election, which led to her resign from the council effective December 31, 2020.

None of the candidates who ran for the City Council position in the November election received 25% of the popular vote; therefore, the City Charter states that the Council must take applications from interested persons and appoint someone to fill the vacancy.

Letters of interest and resumes from prospective candidates will be accepted through January 26, 2021. Any qualified and registered Port Huron City elector can apply, and they can submit their letters and resumes to the City Clerk.

On Monday, February 1, 2021, the City Council will hold a meeting to review the candidates and vote to appoint the new City Council member.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand