St. Clair County

Antique Boat Shows Planned for Summer

The Michigan Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society has finalized their 2021 Boat Show Schedule, and they are planning events in Port Sanilac, Algonac, and Port Huron. 

The Algonac Boat Show is planned for the end of June at the Algonac Harbour Club, formerly the Chris Craft plant. It includes a public show, kids events, and water events.

The Port Sanilac Show will happen on August 20 & 21st at the Port Sanilac Municipal Marina, and Port Huron’s is scheduled for September 10th & 11th in Downtown Port Huron.

All shows are taking registrations forms beginning in the spring of 2021 which will be available on the Michigan Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society’s website at www.michacbs.com. 

For more information check out the Events page at WGRT.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

SC4 to Open Challenger Learning Center

SC4 is working with the Challenger Center to bring a Challenger Learning Center to its campus in early 2022. The Challenger Learning Center will introduce students of all ages to subjects and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

The Challenger Center is a nonprofit STEM education organization with a learning center network that has reached 5.5 million students worldwide. They offer hands-on STEM programs that include simulated space-themed missions in fully immersive classrooms.

Dr. Deborah Snyder, president of St. Clair County Community College, said, “The addition of a Challenger Learning Center supports the college and our community by fostering a robust culture of STEM, strengthening STEM education opportunities, integrating business, industry and educational entities, and creating high-quality educational experiences for learners of all ages.”

The Challenger Center was created by the Challenger families to honor the crew of shuttle flight STS-51-L. For more information about Challenger Center visit their website <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

All St. Clair County Families Eligible for Free Preschool

St. Clair County, MI — The Michigan Department of Education has expanded eligibility requirements for the Great Start Readiness Program, and now all St. Clair County families have access to free preschool.

The Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) is a free state-funded preschool program for children who turn 4 years old on or before September 1st of the current school year. The program has been opened up to all families, regardless of income, if GSRP classrooms have openings.

GSRP locations in Algonac, East China, Memphis, Port Huron, and Yale currently have openings and families are encouraged to apply now to fill the remaining slots for the 2020-21 school year.

Becky Gorinac, RESA’s Director of Early Childhood Services said, ““Our goal is to enroll as many children into preschool as possible, even though we are half-way through the school year. Research shows that early learning is essential to a child’s future success in kindergarten and beyond.”

Details on registration are available at www.sccresa.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

St. Clair County Library Branches Reopening Feb. 1st

Beginning Monday, February 1st, all branches of the St. Clair County Library System will reopen with limited hours and services. Branches will be open every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9-5 and Tuesday and Thursday from 11-7.

Public areas like children’s play areas, meeting rooms, and study spaces will be closed, but patrons will be able to access computers for 30 minute sessions. All visitors are required to wear a mask, and staff will be sanitizing the locations regularly to keep patrons safe.

The library will continue to have curbside pickup by appointment for patrons who prefer that option, and the Local History and Special Collections departments will be available by appointment only.

More details are available at stclaircountylibrary.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Championship Disc Golf Course In the Works at Columbus County Park

Columbus County Park in St. Clair County is about to become home to a state-of-the-art Disc Golf Course. The cutting-edge course design work has been completed and the construction of the course is underway.

Jeff Bauman, a professional disc golf course designer, has been charged with the creation of the course. Bauman said the course will have something for everyone, with “Gold Level” long tees and “Fun Level” short tees. He said the course will challenge the best players, yet be fun for beginners.

Bauman said fifteen volunteers were ready to work at 8:00 last Saturday morning, in 17-degree temperatures. The projected June completion date could be moved up because of the hard-working volunteers and the enthusiasm for the project. Information about volunteer opportunities can be found at the Columbus County Park Disc Golf Course Facebook page.

Bauman said that interest in disc golfing “has really exploded” as people are looking for outdoor recreation during the pandemic. Bauman recommended PDGA.com for more information about getting started with disc golfing.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

SCC RESA Great Start Program Earns Blue Ribbon Status

The St. Clair County Regional Education Service Agency (RESA) has announced that their Great Start Home Visiting Program has earned Blue Ribbon Affiliate Status with the Parents as Teachers National Center. The Status is the highest designation given by the Quality Endorsement and Improvement Process of the Parents as Teachers organization.

Parents as Teachers is a national organization based in St. Louis, Missouri, that “builds strong communities, thriving families and children who are healthy, safe and ready to learn by matching parents and caregivers with trained professionals who make regular personal home visits during a child’s earliest years in life, from prenatal through kindergarten.”

The St. Clair County RESA program offers free home visits with their Great Start program following the Parents as Teachers model. Participating families receive personal visits from a parent educator, participation in early learning group activities, a network of community resources, and child health and development screenings.

A link to more information and Great Start sign-up details:

http://sccresa.org/cms/one.aspx?pageId=13039614&fbclid=IwAR1LVlMCgbT0PglSa5mbqoN7PhKBgmYqVj0yndBX7EqsVEkUiq1vnZ3YhOI

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland