Most students of American history know that in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue, but do they know anything about indigenous culture or pre-colonial North America? The St. Clair County Community College Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will be offering a chance to get a history lesson from a different perspective with the “We are Still Here” presentation for Native American History month.
The presentation will be on November 5th from 10:00-11:30 a.m. in the SC4 Fine Arts Theater on the Port Huron campus.
“We are Still Here” is being facilitated by Banashee (Joe) Cadreau and Giddigongookskwe (Jade) Green. The pair will be discussing indigenous culture in Michigan as well as in the entire United States and Canada. Michigan is the home of the “three fires” people: the Ojibwa, Odawa, and Potawatami.
Both presenters, who are members of native tribes, will tell their stories of dealing with accepting their cultures and their adolescent struggles. To reserve a seat for this free community event, email dei@sc4.edu.
Mark S. White has been named the 2020 Michigan Professional Emergency Manager of the Year by the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division.
White is the Deputy Director for St. Clair County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. White drafted the emergency management framework in the midst of the pandemic, which allowed for all county agencies to coordinate their efforts.
White is also credited with spearheading the Local Emergency Planning Committee in St. Clair County. The Committee brings together the resources of both public and private entities to expand resources and expertise in emergencies.
Captain Kevin Sweeney, Commander of the Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division, said, “Mr. White’s dedication to emergency management over the last three decades has helped his community prepare for and respond to disasters, ensuring their health and safety. His continued efforts to educate others and improve emergency response statewide are more than deserving of this award.”
Mark S. White started his career in public service 35 years ago as a firefighter with the Port Huron Fire Department.
Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer for the St. Clair County Health Department, provided an update to local media on Wednesday to discuss the state of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rescission of quarantine orders, and containing other respiratory viruses that are circulating in our communities.
After a period where COVID-19 cases were on the rise, Dr. Mercatante said that current data suggests that the county is approaching a plateau of new cases. As of Wednesday, October 20, 2021, the Health Department’s website showed 1,211 active cases of the virus with 12.64% of inpatient hospital beds being used for COVID-19 patients.
The Health Department’s Quarantine order was rescinded at the end of September and replaced with recommendations for quarantine. Dr. Mercatante reports that while there are a small number of people pushing back against the recommendations when public health nurses contact them about exposure to the virus, morale remains high, and nurses are continuing to perform contact tracing duties to inform the public and attempt to reduce transmission.
As cold and flu season approach, Dr. Mercatante wants to remind the public that the same practices that reduce the transmission of COVID-19 will work for other respiratory viruses. She recommends masking, hand washing, and physical distancing to avoid getting others sick.
“Every layer that burdens the health care system creates problems,” said Dr. Mercatante. She also noted that Michigan’s major hospitals have issued statements about RSV as cases have been much higher than normal around the U.S. since summer.
Community members will have an opportunity to give $10,000 to selected nonprofit organizations at the Community Foundation of St. Clair County’s first Minority Philanthropy Initiative event.
The Minority Philanthropy Initiative Giving Circle is on Thursday, October 28th from 5 – 7 PM at the Blue Water Convention Center.
The event will celebrate the diverse cultures represented in the Blue Water area with a variety of cultural dancing and musical performances along with food tastings from around the world.
Attendees will pay $100 for their ticket which contributes to a pool of money that will be donated to three nonprofits that evening. The goal is to gather at least 100 people and give away $10,000.
Jessica Brown, Minority Philanthropy Initiative committee member, said, “This is going to be a very important opportunity for us to gather together, to learn culturally, share our stories, network, eat together, dance together and enjoy each other’s company.”
All guests must register by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, Oct. 19th. Information about registration is available at stclairfoundation.org.
Matt Brooks, Entrepreneur and owner of several local businesses, wanted to create a space for games and social activity on the south end of downtown Port Huron. His newest venture, Jackleg Games & Social Club will fill that desire.
Jackleg Games & Social Club is an outdoor venue located behind Foundry at 1219 Military Street. Its neighbors to the west are The Hatch, a co-working space owned by Brooks, and The Hallway Entertainment, owned by Carol Hall and home to several escape rooms and Kid City.
The space has been outfitted with custom seating, fire pits, string lights, and cozy landscaping to help visitors feel like they are stepping into a friend’s backyard. The definition of the word “jackleg” is unskilled or amateur, so Brooks hopes people keep that in mind while having fun at the new venue.
In the future, there will be a membership program where members can use the space and access the games such as giant Jenga, Connect Four, and corn hole, but, for now, those interested can check out the space while attending a couple of upcoming events.
The next event is a Blue Water Chamber of Commerce Business After Five on Thursday, October 14th from 5-7 PM. The event will take place at Jackleg Games & Social Club and includes music by Dave Liniarski.
On Saturday, October 16, 2021 Foundry is hosting a Halloween Party that includes raku pottery, an outdoor pottery firing experience. Visitors to that event will get to see Jackleg’s space as it connects to the alley behind Foundry.
When asked what he has in mind for the future of Jackleg Games & Social Club, Brooks said, “We look forward to hosting food trucks and playing wild and crazy games.” He also said the winter weather won’t stop them, and they plan to have leagues in the spring.
To learn more, follow Jackleg Games & Social Club on Facebook here:
Justin Dalenberg grew up looking forward to his annual trip to McCallum’s Orchard and the process of turning the apples he picked into homemade pies. His love of food grew as he helped his mother in her work as a caterer and baker, and he refined his culinary skills at St. Clair TEC in the St. Clair Hospitality Academy program.
Justin was a student Port Huron Northern and worked at Tom Manis Restaurant, Crystal Gardens, and the River Crab while growing up in the Blue Water Area. After winning a cooking competition at St. Clair TEC, he earned a full-ride scholarship to Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island, which is very well-known for its culinary arts program.
After college, Justin worked in various fine dining restaurants around the U.S. including the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, and Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor. As a consultant, he has opened 20-30 restaurants in the Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor area, and he is the owner of VERITAS in Jackson, MI; Grand River Brewery in Marshall, MI; and several Doll n’ Burgers restaurants in Jackson, Marshall, and Tecumseh, MI.
Justin Dalenberg’s newest food and dining adventure is the renovation and reimagining of the 17,000-square-foot Manchester Market which celebrates its grand opening on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at 455 W. Main Street in Manchester, Michigan. He is co-owner of the market with business partner, Ken Heers.
Manchester Market is a foodie’s dream featuring a full-service grocery store, a commercial butcher shop & bakery, and a gelato shop, along with a coffee shop and beer cave. The market is also the new home of the Acorn Farmer’s Market and Café, a non-profit farmer’s market.
“We have a bunch of different people with different skills and different passions all under one roof,” said Dalenberg.
Justin Dalenberg, Co-Owner Manchester Market
When asked what draws him to the food and hospitality industry, Dalenberg said, “I’m obsessed with it. I love making people happy. I love throwing parties, I love taking care of people, and I love great food.”
Dalenberg learned a great deal living on the East Coast, in the Carribean, and in the Aspen, Colorado area. He said, “Everything you did was top-notch, and I kind of bring that East Coast, cook-from-scratch, buy-better-ingredients-for-flavor idea. In Michigan, we have the best ingredients, but a lot of people just don’t use them.”
Dalenberg has plans to open several more Grand River Breweries and Doll n’ Burgers in the next few years along with a hotel and another market.
