port huron

Commission on Aging Teams Up with Hunter Hospitality House

Port Huron, MI — St. Clair County Commission on Aging has announced a partnership with Hunter Hospitality House. The Council voted to provide funds for the non-profit to provide free lodging, transportation, and amenities to seniors who may need to stay away from home while receiving medical care for themselves or loved ones.

The Commission on Aging is tasked with recommending appropriate spending of the Senior Citizen’s Millage. The vote was unanimous to provide up to $3,150 dollars to Hunter Hospitality House. The Port Huron non-profit has bed and breakfast style homes near both McLaren Port Huron Hospital and Lake Huron Medical Center. The allocation equates to 75 days of lodging, according to Executive Director Tracy Willard.

The Commission collaborates with eleven different agencies with 25 different programs. Hunter Hospitality House is now one of the providers. The Commission provides St. Clair County seniors 60 years of age and older with programs and services that promote their well-being and quality of life.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

United Way Supports Local Family With Hospice Care

The Visiting Nurse Association & Blue Water Hospice partners with the United Way of St. Clair County to provide funding for families who need financial assistance for special health care needs and hospice care.

Recently, they were able to help a local family receive financial aid for room and board at the Blue Water Hospice Home.

Brian Jackson started experiencing heart attacks at the age of 34. Due to complications from diabetes, his health declined and he continued to suffer several strokes, mini-strokes, and heart attacks until he lost his battle at the age of 43.

Because of the support he and his family received from The United Way of St. Clair County and the VNA & Blue Water Hospice, Brian was able to spend his last days surrounded by family and friends while getting the special care he needed.

Brian’s wife, Vickie, is extremely grateful for the care provided by the hospice home and the support from the United Way. “We didn’t even know this home and type of care existed locally,” Vickie said.

The United Way focuses on several areas of physical and mental health through their “Improving Quality of Life Through Health & Advocacy” impact area. Funded programs include mental health counseling, accessibility ramp construction, medication assistance, and hospice care. For more information visit their website <HERE> .

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Huron Lightship Damaged by High Water

Port Huron, MI — A Port Huron landmark, the Huron Lightship, is closed to visitors until repairs can be made to the vessel. The boat, which operates as a museum, is permanently placed in Pine Grove Park on the shore of the St. Clair River. Water breached the break wall last summer, but the weekend’s storm brought more water to surround the boat and cause erosion that actually pushed up the 300-ton ship. A gas line was broken along with damage to the electrical line.

Andrew Kercher, Manager of Community Engagement at Port Huron Museums explained in a Facebook Live video that the boat is not designed to float or move as it is permanently placed in the ground, not water, so any movement can cause substantial damage to structures like utility lines and decking.

The Museum is working with the City of Port Huron and its insurance company to make plans to remediate the damage to the site, which has been in place since 1972 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Hit with closures and lost revenue from COVID-19 shutdowns, damage to a revenue-earning site is certainly unwelcome for the non-profit. The fix for the water breach will likely require more advanced engineering than sandbags.

A video explaining the damage can be found on Port Huron Museums’ Facebook page, along with a link for making donations.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Nutcracker and Festival of Trees Cancelled

Port Huron, MI — It’s only July, but community Christmas events are already feeling the effects of COVID-19. Both the Festival of Trees and the Nutcracker Ballet have been cancelled for this year. The events are staples in the Port Huron area during the Christmas season and the planning for both begins much earlier in the year.

The Festival of Trees is a major fundraiser for the McLaren Port Huron Hospital Foundation and has featured a black-tie preview party and a weekend of community activities.

Sara J. Tait, Director of the McLaren Port Huron Foundation said, “We have had to make some very difficult decisions about proceeding with large-scale events for the remainder of the year.” Tait also said, “We are discussing various ways we might be able to extend family-oriented activities that are still designed to kick-off the holiday season.  More information will be shared when details are finalized.”

The Nutcracker Ballet, often held the same weekend as the Festival of Trees, has also been shelved for the year for the same reasons: to protect the cast, crew, and audience from the COVID-19 virus.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Local Non-Profit to Begin Selling Ice Cream at Pine Grove Park

Port Huron, MI — Ice Cream is coming to Pine Grove Park. Touchstone Services has been awarded the contract to operate the snack bar and ice cream concession stand in the park. Touchstone Services is a non-profit that operates A Little Something ice cream and gift shop in downtown Port Huron.

The City of Port Huron has made a deal with Touchstone Services to use the space to sell ice cream and snacks in return for their cleaning the bathrooms and emptying the trash. Touchstone has experience operating facilities such as the Pine Grove concession stand, according to a memo from City Manager James Freed.

Touchstone Services operates an affiliate with Clubhouse International which provides opportunities for people living with mental illness to gain friendships, employment, housing, education, and access to services.

The non-profit will be selling Ashby’s Ice Cream, hot dogs, nachos, candy, and beverages at the stand. They are hoping to open next week. Pine Grove Park is located on Pine Grove Avenue on the St. Clair River across from McLaren Hospital.  A new concessions and bathroom building was recently constructed in the park.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“Boat the Blue” Antique & Classic Boat Show looking for Teen Digital Artists

Port Huron, MI — Local teens are asked to participate in a digital art contest with cash prizes. The Port Huron “Boat the Blue” Antique & Classic Boat Show is looking for digital artwork to be used in their promotions for the 2020 Annual Boat Show.

The submissions should be in digital format and must be original. Ipad painting, mixed media, photography and other digital forms from applications like Adobe and others are recommended. The work should feature the words “Boat the Blue” and promote the Blue Water area and the boating heritage in the region.

The contest is open to artists between the ages of 13 and 19. There are cash prizes for the winning submissions. First place is $300; second place is $200; and third place gets $100.

Artwork needs to be submitted by August 1st to atorello@mimutual.com. Winning designs will be selected by a Board of Judges and will be displayed in Downtown Port Huron businesses before and during the Boat Show.

This year’s antique boat show will be held September 12. In 2018, the biennial show offered over 700 free boat rides. The 2020 show will have judging based on restoration of the antique boats.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland