port huron

Sprout City at Palmer Park in Port Huron Is Back Open

Port Huron, MI — Great news for little kids and their parents: Sprout City is back open.

The popular playground located in Palmer Park in Port Huron is back in business after an extended closure. The park has opportunities for children to use their imaginations within a safe tot-sized city. New to the park this year are a school, a fire station, and a police station, which are still under construction. A tiny store, bank, repair shop, vet clinic, and more are already on the property.

In years past, kids could borrow tricycles and toys, but this year, they will have to bring their own to minimize sharing of germs. There is a track on which kids can safely ride their bikes brought from home and work on their gross motor skills, along with spaces for moms and dads to sit and watch.

Sprout City is fully enclosed by a fence for added safety for the youngest patrons. The park is open from dawn to dusk. Children and their caregivers are asked to maintain social distancing while enjoying the park. 

Sprout City was built and opened in 2018 with grants from various national and local agencies and volunteer efforts.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Register Now for Virtual LIVESTRONG at the YMCA

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a research-based physical activity and well-being initiative that helps people affected by cancer reach their holistic health goals. The program is going virtual this fall, and those interested in participating can set up an intake interview with YMCA staff to register for the session.

The program will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 12:30 PM using Zoom, and the fall session runs from September 15th – December 3rd. Despite going virtual, the format will be as close to normal as possible and include assessments, goal-setting, and follow-up.

LIVESTRONG engages cancer survivors and helps them build muscle mass and strength, increase flexibility and endurance, and improve functional ability. It also focuses on emotional well-being and provides a supportive community.

Past participant, Ardie Hayes, said LIVESTRONG is the “Perfect program to restore strength, develop new bonds and maintain hope for those experiencing the challenges of cancer. The coaches gave us a welcoming and caring environment and tailored the program for our needs.”

LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is part of a multi-year collaboration between the YMCA of the USA, the national resource office for the the Y, and the LIVESTRONG Foundation, the organization created to serve people living with cancer and empower communities to take action.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Face Shields Donated to Port Huron Schools

Port Huron, MI — Back to school fashion will be very different this year with face masks, and now face shields, becoming part of daily school wear. Port Huron Schools has received a donation of 5,040 plastic face shields.

For those attending in-person classes this year, face masks are required while the state is in Phase Four. The masks protect other people from the wearer’s coughs and sneezes. Face shields are not required to wear, but they are allowed for both staff and students as a layer of protection to keep COVID-19 viruses away from the wearer’s eyes, nose, and mouth.

The donation was made possible by PTI Engineered Plastics in Macomb, Michigan, through a connection with Port Huron Schools staff member, Erika Senecal, Director of Choirs at Port Huron Northern.

A press release from Port Huron Schools said, “This donation is truly valued as we work diligently to have our students and staff return to schools as safely as possible.” Back to school plans are still in development for Port Huron Schools, and the specifics of the distribution of the new face shields have not been released.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Warning to Float Down Participants: Stay Out of Canada

The  Royal Canadian Mounted Police have a serious warning for those who plan to participate in the unsanctioned Float Down this Sunday: stay out of Canada.

A warning from the Mounties said, “U.S. citizens that land in Canada unintentionally will be arrested pursuant to IRPA Section 55(2) and transported back to the United States.”

U.S. citizens that land in Canada are subject to immigration laws as well as restrictions regarding controlled substances and alcohol. They will also be subject to COVID-19 screening. Wayward floaters will likely lose their coolers, flotation devices, and other property.

Fines of up to $750,000 and six months of jail time are mentioned in the warning. The border is currently closed to non-essential travel, and that includes any type of recreational boating and floating.

Over 1500 floaters landed in Canada in 2016 and were transported across the bridge back to Port Huron. The winds can be unpredictable and difficult to manage in a floating raft or inflatable. Without a paddle, floaters are at the mercy of the winds. The Ontario Royal Mounted Police have made it clear that they will be less accommodating this year than they were in 2016.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Diane Lofquist Elected as Woman’s Life Board Chair

Port Huron, MI — Janice Whipple has retired as the chair of the board of Woman’s Life Insurance Society, and Diane Lofquist was elected to assume the role at their July meeting.

Whipple served Woman’s Life as national president for 22 years, and for 30 years as chair of the board.

“It has been a great honor to have served as Chair of the Woman’s Life Insurance Society Board of Directors, and I’m proud of our many accomplishments,” said Whipple. “Diane brings tremendous knowledge of our organization and of the industry, and I am confident that with her leadership, Woman’s Life will grow and, most importantly, continue to serve the needs of our members.”

Lofquist has been a benefit member of Woman’s Life since childhood. She was employed by Woman’s Life for 38 years, serving in a variety of functions and retiring as National Secretary-Treasurer in 2008. She has been a member of the board of directors for the past six years and is an active member of Woman’s Life Club 11 in Port Huron.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

McLaren Port Huron Awards Scholarships

Port Huron, MI – McLaren Port Huron and its health care partners have awarded $28,000 in scholarships to 23 students pursuing degrees in professions represented in the hospital and the community. Since 1988, 501 recipients have received $587,750 through the scholarship program.

Scholarships are funded by the Carter family, Demashkieh family, McLaren Port Huron Auxiliary, McLaren Port Huron employees, McLaren Port Huron Employees That Care Club, and McLaren Port Huron Foundation.

The 2020 scholarship recipients are:

Demashkieh Family Scholarships: Morgan Alexis of Port Huron, Noel Cosby of Port Huron, and Daniele Soper of Lexington.

McLaren Port Huron Auxiliary Scholarship:  Danyel Bullock of Brown City and Andrew Wetter of Emmett.

McLaren Port Huron Auxiliary Seminar/Conference Scholarship:  Sharon Kortas of East China and Patricia St. Louis of Port Huron.

McLaren Port Huron Employees That Care Scholarships:  Courtney Lundy and Nicole Young of Port Huron.

McLaren Port Huron Employee Scholarships:  Andrew Chandler of Port Huron, Jennifer Guertin of Port Huron, and Lawren Ruiz of Fort Gratiot.

McLaren Port Huron Foundation Nursing Scholarship:  Melissa Davey of Marysville, Cassidy Ferranti of Jeddo, and Tiffany Steele of Burtchville.

Shirley Jardine Carter Memorial Scholarship for Rehab Services:  Katlynn Ahearn of Fort Gratiot, Nicole Booms of Harbor Beach, Miranda Coombs of Lexington, Emily DiNardo of St. Clair, Tyler Drabant of Lexington, Mary Kaitlyn Healey of Ferndale, Courtney Ingles of Columbus, and Madison O’Neill of Clyde.

To learn more about scholarship opportunities at McLaren Port Huron, visit www.mclaren.org/phscholarship.