ONGOING: Port Huron and St. Joseph Mercy Hospitals' Partners at Heart, along with the St. Clair County Health Department, are sponsoring free Blood Pressure and Body Mass Index Screenings from 8:30 to 10 a.m. iin the Great Lakes Maritime Center at Vantage Point on the following dates: April 13 and May 11.
SUNDAYS through 03/28/10: The Great Lakes Maritime Center will show free movies Sundays through March 28. All are from the naval series Sea Patrol, from Australia. Each episode runs about an hour and takes place aboard the HMAS Hammersley with Capt. Mike Flynn and his crew of 24. Upcoming movies are: On March 21, Deep Water at 2 p.m. On March 28, Cometh the Hour. "Freighter Frank" Frisk will discuss the Edmund Fitzgerald from noon to 2 p.m. on March 21.
03/20 & 27/10 The Great Lakes Nautical Society will host model ship building classes for children 12 and under in the Maritime Center. A fee of $5 will be charged for each ship model (there are four different ones). Class limit is 40, so children should pre-register to reserve the model and the class date of their choice. Each child must be accompaniead by an adult during the classes, all which begin at 1 p.m. and last until about 2:30 p.m. For additional information, call the Maritime Center at 810-985-4817.
04/10/10 Once again, a memorial service will be held in the Maritime Center to remember sailors who have died at sea, particularly those lost on the Great Lakes. The Blessing of the Fleet ceremony at 1 p.m. will include music, prayers, and speakers representing various maritime organizations.
04/24/10 Roger LeLievre, author of Know Yor Ships, will sign copies of his 2010 book from 8:30 to 10 a.m. in the Martime Center. Copies also will be on sale during his book signing.
05/8-15-22-29/10 The annual Acheson Ventures Flower Market, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. each date, begins Saturday, May 8. It continues outside the Maritime Center through May and the first three Saturdays in June (5, 12, and 19) with the same hours. Michigan flower growers will offer trees, planting flats, potted flowers, fruit trees, perennials, annuals, herbs, ornamental grasses, hanging baskets - and much more.
06/05/10 The annual "Be a Tourist in Your Home Town" will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. around Port Huron. Among the event sites are the Maritime Center and the Bean Dock (Seaway Terminal). Events at the Bean Dock will include a Marine Mart, tours of the Gray Fox and the Bramble, model boat sailing on a dockside pond, food, and entertainment. At the Maritime Center, the National Meet for the Antique Outboard Club Inc. will have a display. Plus, there will be food at Vantage Point.
06/5-12-19/10 Don't forget, the annual Acheson Ventures Flower Market continues into June. The hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the Maritime Center. Come buy flowers for the front yard, backyard, or wherever!
06/23/10 The YMCA will hold its Senior Olympics on the lawn in front of the Y at Desmond Landing. More than 300 senior citizens are expected to participate in this event, which can be viewed by the public. Seniors will compete in such events as track, tennis, hurdles, etc. Winners will receive their awards at the event. For more information, contact Carol Lippincott at the Y, 810-987-6400 Ext. 290.
06/26/10 The annual Acheson Ventures Fireworks display will begin at dusk (usually between 9:30 and 10 p.m.) at the shoreline of the St. Clair River on Desmond Landing (southeast of the YMCA). The show lasts about an hour.
07/13-17/10 The annual Acheson Ventures Farmer's Market begins at Vantage Point (outside the Great Lakes Maritime Center) on Tuesday, July 13, and Saturday, July 17. The hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market continues EVERY Tuesday and Saturday through the month of October. Visitors to the market will be able to buy fruits, vegetables, bison meat, fresh eggs, organic nuts, honey, pasta, smoked fish, maple syrup, jams and jellies, baked goods, herbal teas, spider balls, herbs (plant and cut), cut flowers, bushes, and plants.
READ ON FOR NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
Police Sgt. Timothy Raker, Marysville Polilce Department and former Acheson Ventures Security Staff Member, went to Haiti to work with a disaster response team that identifies Americans killed in the January 12 earthquake. Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams are charged with locating and identifying people who have been killed in disasters. Team members also ensure the bodies are returned to their families for burial. Sgt. Raker left for Haiti on March 7, 2010, for two weeks. He also worked with response teams after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The Mariners Coalition, a group dedicated to communicating U.S. and Canadian boating rules and regulations between the countries, held a press conference Tuesday, March 9, 2010, in the Great Lakes Maritime Center. The press conference officially introduced the Mariners Coalition membership, its DVD, and a business-size contact card with navigational rules and regulations affecting U.S. and Canadian boaters. The Mariners Coalition and Acheson Ventures have co-sponsored a Mariners Coalition website (www.marinerscoalition.com) with an e-mail address. These two informational tools enable boaters to review - in detail - the rules and regulations of area waterways. The e-mail within the website allows boaters to inquire about the clarification of rules/regulations or outline concerns directly to the Coalition.
Acheson Ventures started its spring cleaning in 2010 a little early this year. New energy-efficient windows are being put into the first floor of the Parfet Building, 1430 Military Street. The 89-year-old building houses the Visiting Nurses Association on the second floor. The first floor, about 5,000 square feet, is empty. Interior clean-up of that space also is being done.
The Algosea, owned by the Algoma Tankers Limited (the commerical department of Algoma Central Corporation) pulled in to the Bean Dock (Seaway Terminal) on December 27, 2009. She is in port with a crew for winter maintenance. Her duration at the Bean Dock is unknown, said Wayne Smith, senior vice president of Algoma Central. "Algosea is the second largest ship in our fleet with a capacity of 16,700 tons for petroleum products and a crew of 12," he added. She has no cargo and is awaiting orders. "She is an ice-class ship and will suited for winter operations," Smith said. Algosea was built in 1998 in Alabama.
The Great Lakes Maritime Center honored its 300,000th visitor on November 30, 2009, with tall ship Highlander Sea hats, shirts, water bottles, and totes plus a $50 gift certificate to Coffee Harbor, located inside the Maritime Center. The 300,000th visitor - or should we say visitors - turned out to be Bud and Marge O'Brien, Port Huron, and regulars at the Maritime Center.
The Great Lakes Maritime Center at Vantage Point continues to be a favorite spot for area residents and visitors to spend time watching freighters, chatting with friends while enjoying a cup of coffee, or just plain relaxing without a care in the world. This year (2009), from June 1st through October 1st, some 161,040 guests passed through the doors at the Great Lakes Maritime Center. That number is up 21,350 people from the summer attendance of 2008. Come on down! You'll see what this special place is all about.
Blue Water Area fishermen, take note! The Blue Water Sportsfishing Association has built a fish cleaning station near the Desmond Marine facility on the Black River. The cleaning station is a masonry block building with a metal roof, grill door and windows, and a entry canopy. Inside is a stainless steel cleaning table, hand sink, stainless steel shelves, and fans for ventilation.
Hundreds of local residents and visitors alike enjoyed Fire & Ice on the Water, an art education festival as well as an arts and crafts fair, hosted by Studio 1219. The September 12 and 13 event - both inside and outside the Great Lakes Maritime Center - included sculpturing and painting at the bottom of the St. Clair River by Brian Martin and Greg Lashbrook. Specialty tents included Children's Art Activities, Adult Art Activities, Emerging Artists, Children's Collector, Theatre Arts, Team Sculpture (Pinch Pot Relays), and Raku Firing.
Patriot Guard motorcycle members from across Michigan rode into Port Huron for a dinner at the Bean Dock (Seaway Terminal) on July 28, 2009. The Patriot Guard's 2nd Annual Heroes Ride benefitted families of wounded and fallen soldiers. On Sunday morning, the Patriot Guard held a ceremony at Port Huron's Flag Plaza to honor wounded and fallen soldiers.
Residents and visitors alike watched the 2009 Super Mac Sailboat Race (from Chicago to Port Huron) finish in front of the Great Lakes Maritime Center in mid-week of July, 2009. The Super Mac is the longest freshwater race in the world and was a feeder 
race for the 85th Annual Bayview Yacht Club's Port Huron-to-Mackinac Race on July 25. Even more people braved wind and rain to view more than 200 sailboats leave the Black River on their way to Lake Huron for the start of the annual race. Vantage Point and the front deck of the Great Lakes Maritime Center were perfect watching locations - even with the bad weather.
Sierra Nevada Corporation, a company specializing in surveillance and reconnaissance, has opened an office (in mid-July of 2009) at 405 Water Street in Port Huron, a building owned by Acheson Ventures. Sierra Nevada, working with True North Logistics (a St. Clair company) launches a unique aircraft daily - a hybrid of a balloon and a winged aircraft. The Star Tower unit tests a new technology for monitoring international borders. Star Tower hovers 500 to 1,000 feet over Desmond Landing and uses a one milion dollar monitoring camera. The new company has hired 11 people and could expand to a much larger workforce.
The Fairload, a cargo ship from the Netherlands, unloaded two massive electrical tranformers at the Acheson Ventures Bean Dock (Seaway Terminal) July 6, 2009, for delivery to the ITC Transmission Company's Bunce Creek Station in Marysville. Two other transformers were delivered last fall. Company officials report that the transformers will improve the reliability of the electrical transmission grid in Michigan.
Thousands of people lined Desmond Landing June 27 to watch the magnificent 2009 Acheson Ventures' fireworks. The crowd was estimated to be the largest-ever since the event kicked off almost 10 years ago. People started staking out their favorite viewing spot early in the afternoon. Motor homes rimmed the area - some before noon. Coolers, lawn chairs, picnic baskets, and blankets left little grass visible on the mile of shoreline along the St. Clair River. Vendors sold everything from elephant ears to sparkle bracelets. Nearby, children played on half a dozen inflatables. As the fireworks spiked higher and louder, the oooohhhs and aaaahhhs of those watching punctuated the success of another Acheson Ventures crowd-pleaser.
A BIG 'THANK YOU' FOR THE FIREWORKS!
We have permission from the Galbraith Family in North Street (Ron, Christine, and Cole) to share their thoughts about the 2009 fireworks with our website visitors:
"We wanted to say 'THANK YOU' for the wonderful fireworks display that you were responsible for. What a lovely thing for you to do for our community!
"There are not many things these days that will bring a family together. However, the night of the fireworks I saw dads pushing strollers, kids hanging onto their grandparents' hands, etc. What a wonderful sight! People were smiling, sharing snacks/treats with each other, and actually sitting down together face-to-face to chat. These people were of all ages, too - right from infancy to the elderly. All these people were sharing an exciting, fun, cost-free evening all because of you!
"Please know that myself, my husband, and my son are greatly appreciative of your generosity. We also sat with extended family to watch the display together and the fireworks were nothing short of breath-taking.
"Please forward our genuine thanks to everyone else that was involved in that evening (set up, clean up, advertising, etc.). We know that it takes a lot more than just funds to plan and execute such an event.
"We pray that yourself and everyone else involved in the fireworks display will be abundantly blessed for your generosity."
The Community Foundation of St. Clair County honored Dr. James C. Acheson with a dinner June 11, 2009, at Four Lakes. Representatives from more than 15 non-profit and profit organizations thanked Dr. Acheson for his dedication and financial contributions. He received various gifts from those attending. It also was the Foundation's 65th anniversary.
In partnership with the City of Port Huron, Acheson Ventures announced in late May of 2009 that the River Street Marina had a profit of $18,000. In previous years, the marina - under City management - had annual operating deficits of as much as $200,000.
Kites for a Kause raised $1,100 for the Children's Rainbow charity on May 23, 2009, at the Great Lakes Maritime Center. Area children and their parents flew kites all day outside the Center.
Acheson Ventures joined other local organizations to co-sponsor the first-ever Chilly Fest in January of 2009 at Vantage Point on AV’s Desmond Landing property. Other events the same weekend included a Silver Stick Hockey Tournament and Downtown Port Huron’s IceFest. Chilly Fest included dog sled demonstrations, snowmobile races, and Detroit Red Wing’s Chris Cheli’s Chili Bar in a warming tent. Those attending the event raved about their experiences and hoped Chilly Fest would become an annual festivity.
“Inspirations”, an exhibit covering the maritime history of the Blue Water Area, opened December 31, 2008, at the former Boatnerd building at Vantage Point. The exhibit is designed around six themes: the Black River sawmills of the 1830s, the St. Clair River ice jam during the 1983-84 winter, the history of the south side waterfront, the lumber and paper industry on the Black River, the passenger ferry service between Port Huron and Sarnia, the Great Storm of 1913, and November ship disasters on the Great Lakes. The exhibit is available for special events and festivities.
The USS Freedom, one of the Navy’s newest ships, spent a couple of unscheduled days at the Acheson Ventures’ Bean Dock (Seaway Terminal) in mid-Novembe of 2008 on her way from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Little Creek, Virginia. The ship needed some repairs to a diesel engine and some generators. The ship also refueled. Hundreds of area residents spent time at the Bean Dock observing the mighty USS Freedom.
MV Enchanter, from Belgium, arrived at the Bean Dock (Seaway Terminal) in October of 2008 to deliver two phase-shifting transformers destined for ITC Transmission’s Bunce Creek Station in Marysville. Each transformer weighs 620,000 pounds. Enchanter is a heavy-lift ship with its own crane.
The James C. Acheson Charitable Foundation contributed to a project in June of 2008 to purchase an electric six-seat shopper shuttle for use by visitors and residents alike in downtown Port Huron. The shuttle’s owner, the Community Renaissance Fund Company (part of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County), already provides golf carts to transport boaters, tourists, and others between city sites. Shuttle rides are free.
Five tall ships – plus Port Huron’s own Highlander Sea – spent the last weekend in June in the City to mark the 2008 Sail Port Huron Tall Ship Festival. All six ships opened their gangplanks to the public for tours Friday through Sunday at the Bean Dock (Seaway Terminal) and Desmond Marine. Highlight of the festival was Saturday night fireworks at Desmond Landing on the bank of the St. Clair River. Art and music festivals at Vantage Point were also part of the festivities.
Dr. James C. Acheson was guest of honor at the grand opening of Port Huron’s new YMCA in June of 2008. The facility is dedicated to Dr. Acheson’s father, Howard A. Acheson, who was on the board of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County when that organization spearheaded Port Huron’s first YMCA 50 years ago.
Acheson Ventures announced in March of 2008 that the Great Bakes Station has opened. The bakery will be operated by Pam and Doug Tsaldaris. For more than a decade, the couple has been crafting everything from breads to cakes, pie and donuts. At one time, the former Standard Oil gas station was an Acheson Ventures Information Station.
The City of Port Huron handed over management of the River Street Marina to Desmond Marine, a subsidiary of Acheson Ventures. The City Council voted 7-0 in February of 2008 to approve a three-year operating agreement with the company. Rich Engle, chief operating officer of AV said, “We decided to do it because we feel the revitalization of the Black River is important to the area.” When Desmond Marine takes control at River Street, the marina will join a consortium of what could be one of the largest marina systems in the Great Lakes. When Desmond takes over River Street, the Sarnia, Ontario-Port Huron marina area will have 1,200 boat slips.
The Cleveland Elementary School in Port Huron held a playground dedication ceremony October 3, 2007, to celebrate a new playground. The James C. Acheson Foundation’s contribution covered most of its costs plus the new basketball court. Construction began in late June and was completed by mid-August.
The first annual Acheson Ventures’ Farmer’s Market took place from August through October in 2007 at Vantage Point. Vendors brought Michigan produce, trees, shrubs, flowers, and perennials to the market. Artwork and crafts by local artists were also available at the event. Michigan State University Extension co-sponsored the event.
May 19, 2007, marked the first annual Acheson Ventures’ Flower Market at Vantage Point. Local growers featured flats of flowers, potted plants, fruit trees, and much, much more. Visitors could watch Great Lakes freighters pass by the Maritime Center while shopping for flowers.
In August of 2006, Acheson Ventures hosted the Sail Port Huron Maritime Festival. The Royaliste and Unicorn were docked at Desmond Marine, while the Niagara, Picton Castle, Pride of Baltimore II and Highlander Sea were tied up at the Bean Dock (Seaway Terminal). All were available for tours. The only admission charge was a non-perishable food item per person or a cash donation to benefit Mid-City Nutrition Soup Kitchen and other local food banks.
In May of 2006, Harborside Office Center, near the center of Desmond Landing, received the Engineering Society of Detroit’s (ESD) Construction and Design Award. These awards are among the leading recognitions given to members of the construction industry and their projects. The awards recognize outstanding team achievement and innovative use of technology by owners, designers and contractors. Harborside also received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Core and Shell Silver Level Certification award. This award is designed to accelerate the development and implementation of environmental responsibility, often referred to as "green" buildings. LEED recognizes achievements, promotes expertise in green building, and emphasizes state of the art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
WOW - DISCOVERING DESMOND LANDING!
We have permission from Mr. and Mrs. Sampson to share their thoughts with our website visitors:
“As a former resident of Port Huron, please know how excited my husband and I were to discover Desmond Landing and other Acheson Ventures projects when visiting home earlier this week. My husband hasn’t caught the boat bug addiction yet, but I am definitely working on him! We did get some fine pictures of boats and a saltie or two.
“Please know how much we appreciate your investment in preserving the most wonderful waterway in the world for the people of Port Huron, former residents who return home to visit, and tourists. How absolutely wonderful to spend a number of hours (two days this week) just sitting at Desmond Landing and watching ’my’ boats go by. In this era of greed and building of condos along waterfront property, I was so proud of Acheson for the gift of waterfront preservation for everyone to experience. The historical information, the volunteers, and Boat Nerd are all helpful and friendly parts of the preservation and lore of the region. Who’d have thought that one day I would sit on a wooden bench bolted to the railroad tracks that were used for the trains on the old railroad bridge across Black River?
“Monday we spent hours walking along the river from the old Dunn paper mill to the Huron lightship. Tuesday and Wednesday hours were spent enjoying the river scene at Desmond Landing. WOW, and that doesn’t even begin to cover my extreme joy in the discovery of these two areas that have been developed for the USE by the PEOPLE.
“Again, thank you for all you are doing. - Jane and Reed Sampson”
Dr. James C. Acheson received the Russell G. Mawby Award for Philanthropy from Governor Granholm in May of 2004. This is Michigan’s highest honor for an individual whose philanthropic endeavors have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to encourage private action for public good. Also on this date, Dr. Acheson received recognition from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for the Acheson Southside Redevelopment Project.
ONGOING: Port Huron and St. Joseph Mercy Hospitals' Partners at Heart, along with the St. Clair County Health Department, are sponsoring free Blood Pressure and Body Mass Index Screenings from 8:30 to 10 a.m. iin the Great Lakes Maritime Center at Vantage Point on the following dates: April 13 and May 11.
SUNDAYS through 03/28/10: The Great Lakes Maritime Center will show free movies Sundays through March 28. All are from the naval series Sea Patrol, from Australia. Each episode runs about an hour and takes place aboard the HMAS Hammersley with Capt. Mike Flynn and his crew of 24. Upcoming movies are: On March 21, Deep Water at 2 p.m. On March 28, Cometh the Hour. "Freighter Frank" Frisk will discuss the Edmund Fitzgerald from noon to 2 p.m. on March 21.
03/20 & 27/10 The Great Lakes Nautical Society will host model ship building classes for children 12 and under in the Maritime Center. A fee of $5 will be charged for each ship model (there are four different ones). Class limit is 40, so children should pre-register to reserve the model and the class date of their choice. Each child must be accompaniead by an adult during the classes, all which begin at 1 p.m. and last until about 2:30 p.m. For additional information, call the Maritime Center at 810-985-4817.
04/10/10 Once again, a memorial service will be held in the Maritime Center to remember sailors who have died at sea, particularly those lost on the Great Lakes. The Blessing of the Fleet ceremony at 1 p.m. will include music, prayers, and speakers representing various maritime organizations.
04/24/10 Roger LeLievre, author of Know Yor Ships, will sign copies of his 2010 book from 8:30 to 10 a.m. in the Martime Center. Copies also will be on sale during his book signing.
05/8-15-22-29/10 The annual Acheson Ventures Flower Market, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. each date, begins Saturday, May 8. It continues outside the Maritime Center through May and the first three Saturdays in June (5, 12, and 19) with the same hours. Michigan flower growers will offer trees, planting flats, potted flowers, fruit trees, perennials, annuals, herbs, ornamental grasses, hanging baskets - and much more.
06/05/10 The annual "Be a Tourist in Your Home Town" will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. around Port Huron. Among the event sites are the Maritime Center and the Bean Dock (Seaway Terminal). Events at the Bean Dock will include a Marine Mart, tours of the Gray Fox and the Bramble, model boat sailing on a dockside pond, food, and entertainment. At the Maritime Center, the National Meet for the Antique Outboard Club Inc. will have a display. Plus, there will be food at Vantage Point.
06/5-12-19/10 Don't forget, the annual Acheson Ventures Flower Market continues into June. The hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the Maritime Center. Come buy flowers for the front yard, backyard, or wherever!
06/23/10 The YMCA will hold its Senior Olympics on the lawn in front of the Y at Desmond Landing. More than 300 senior citizens are expected to participate in this event, which can be viewed by the public. Seniors will compete in such events as track, tennis, hurdles, etc. Winners will receive their awards at the event. For more information, contact Carol Lippincott at the Y, 810-987-6400 Ext. 290.
06/26/10 The annual Acheson Ventures Fireworks display will begin at dusk (usually between 9:30 and 10 p.m.) at the shoreline of the St. Clair River on Desmond Landing (southeast of the YMCA). The show lasts about an hour.
07/13-17/10 The annual Acheson Ventures Farmer's Market begins at Vantage Point (outside the Great Lakes Maritime Center) on Tuesday, July 13, and Saturday, July 17. The hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market continues EVERY Tuesday and Saturday through the month of October. Visitors to the market will be able to buy fruits, vegetables, bison meat, fresh eggs, organic nuts, honey, pasta, smoked fish, maple syrup, jams and jellies, baked goods, herbal teas, spider balls, herbs (plant and cut), cut flowers, bushes, and plants.
READ ON FOR NEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
Police Sgt. Timothy Raker, Marysville Polilce Department and former Acheson Ventures Security Staff Member, went to Haiti to work with a disaster response team that identifies Americans killed in the January 12 earthquake. Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams are charged with locating and identifying people who have been killed in disasters. Team members also ensure the bodies are returned to their families for burial. Sgt. Raker left for Haiti on March 7, 2010, for two weeks. He also worked with response teams after hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The Mariners Coalition, a group dedicated to communicating U.S. and Canadian boating rules and regulations between the countries, held a press conference Tuesday, March 9, 2010, in the Great Lakes Maritime Center. The press conference officially introduced the Mariners Coalition membership, its DVD, and a business-size contact card with navigational rules and regulations affecting U.S. and Canadian boaters. The Mariners Coalition and Acheson Ventures have co-sponsored a Mariners Coalition website (www.marinerscoalition.com) with an e-mail address. These two informational tools enable boaters to review - in detail - the rules and regulations of area waterways. The e-mail within the website allows boaters to inquire about the clarification of rules/regulations or outline concerns directly to the Coalition.
Acheson Ventures started its spring cleaning in 2010 a little early this year. New energy-efficient windows are being put into the first floor of the Parfet Building, 1430 Military Street. The 89-year-old building houses the Visiting Nurses Association on the second floor. The first floor, about 5,000 square feet, is empty. Interior clean-up of that space also is being done.
The Algosea, owned by the Algoma Tankers Limited (the commerical department of Algoma Central Corporation) pulled in to the Bean Dock (Seaway Terminal) on December 27, 2009. She is in port with a crew for winter maintenance. Her duration at the Bean Dock is unknown, said Wayne Smith, senior vice president of Algoma Central. "Algosea is the second largest ship in our fleet with a capacity of 16,700 tons for petroleum products and a crew of 12," he added. She has no cargo and is awaiting orders. "She is an ice-class ship and will suited for winter operations," Smith said. Algosea was built in 1998 in Alabama.
The Great Lakes Maritime Center honored its 300,000th visitor on November 30, 2009, with tall ship Highlander Sea hats, shirts, water bottles, and totes plus a $50 gift certificate to Coffee Harbor, located inside the Maritime Center. The 300,000th visitor - or should we say visitors - turned out to be Bud and Marge O'Brien, Port Huron, and regulars at the Maritime Center.
The Great Lakes Maritime Center at Vantage Point continues to be a favorite spot for area residents and visitors to spend time watching freighters, chatting with friends while enjoying a cup of coffee, or just plain relaxing without a care in the world. This year (2009), from June 1st through October 1st, some 161,040 guests passed through the doors at the Great Lakes Maritime Center. That number is up 21,350 people from the summer attendance of 2008. Come on down! You'll see what this special place is all about.
Blue Water Area fishermen, take note! The Blue Water Sportsfishing Association has built a fish cleaning station near the Desmond Marine facility on the Black River. The cleaning station is a masonry block building with a metal roof, grill door and windows, and a entry canopy. Inside is a stainless steel cleaning table, hand sink, stainless steel shelves, and fans for ventilation.
Hundreds of local residents and visitors alike enjoyed Fire & Ice on the Water, an art education festival as well as an arts and crafts fair, hosted by Studio 1219. The September 12 and 13 event - both inside and outside the Great Lakes Maritime Center - included sculpturing and painting at the bottom of the St. Clair River by Brian Martin and Greg Lashbrook. Specialty tents included Children's Art Activities, Adult Art Activities, Emerging Artists, Children's Collector, Theatre Arts, Team Sculpture (Pinch Pot Relays), and Raku Firing.
Patriot Guard motorcycle members from across Michigan rode into Port Huron for a dinner at the Bean Dock (Seaway Terminal) on July 28, 2009. The Patriot Guard's 2nd Annual Heroes Ride benefitted families of wounded and fallen soldiers. On Sunday morning, the Patriot Guard held a ceremony at Port Huron's Flag Plaza to honor wounded and fallen soldiers.
Residents and visitors alike watched the 2009 Super Mac Sailboat Race (from Chicago to Port Huron) finish in front of the Great Lakes Maritime Center in mid-week of July, 2009. The Super Mac is the longest freshwater race in the world and was a feeder race for the 85th Annual Bayview Yacht Club's Port Huron-to-Mackinac Race on July 25. Even more people braved wind and rain to view more than 200 sailboats leave the Black River on their way to Lake Huron for the start of the annual race. Vantage Point and the front deck of the Great Lakes Maritime Center were perfect watching locations - even with the bad weather.
Sierra Nevada Corporation, a company specializing in surveillance and reconnaissance, has opened an office (in mid-July of 2009) at 405 Water Street in Port Huron, a building owned by Acheson Ventures. Sierra Nevada, working with True North Logistics (a St. Clair company) launches a unique aircraft daily - a hybrid of a balloon and a winged aircraft. The Star Tower unit tests a new technology for monitoring international borders. Star Tower hovers 500 to 1,000 feet over Desmond Landing and uses a one milion dollar monitoring camera. The new company has hired 11 people and could expand to a much larger workforce.
The Fairload, a cargo ship from the Netherlands, unloaded two massive electrical tranformers at the Acheson Ventures Bean Dock (Seaway Terminal) July 6, 2009, for delivery to the ITC Transmission Company's Bunce Creek Station in Marysville. Two other transformers were delivered last fall. Company officials report that the transformers will improve the reliability of the electrical transmission grid in Michigan.
Thousands of people lined Desmond Landing June 27 to watch the magnificent 2009 Acheson Ventures' fireworks. The crowd was estimated to be the largest-ever since the event kicked off almost 10 years ago. People started staking out their favorite viewing spot early in the afternoon. Motor homes rimmed the area - some before noon. Coolers, lawn chairs, picnic baskets, and blankets left little grass visible on the mile of shoreline along the St. Clair River. Vendors sold everything from elephant ears to sparkle bracelets. Nearby, children played on half a dozen inflatables. As the fireworks spiked higher and louder, the oooohhhs and aaaahhhs of those watching punctuated the success of another Acheson Ventures crowd-pleaser.
A BIG 'THANK YOU' FOR THE FIREWORKS!
We have permission from the Galbraith Family in North Street (Ron, Christine, and Cole) to share their thoughts about the 2009 fireworks with our website visitors:
"We wanted to say 'THANK YOU' for the wonderful fireworks display that you were responsible for. What a lovely thing for you to do for our community!
"There are not many things these days that will bring a family together. However, the night of the fireworks I saw dads pushing strollers, kids hanging onto their grandparents' hands, etc. What a wonderful sight! People were smiling, sharing snacks/treats with each other, and actually sitting down together face-to-face to chat. These people were of all ages, too - right from infancy to the elderly. All these people were sharing an exciting, fun, cost-free evening all because of you!
"Please know that myself, my husband, and my son are greatly appreciative of your generosity. We also sat with extended family to watch the display together and the fireworks were nothing short of breath-taking.
"Please forward our genuine thanks to everyone else that was involved in that evening (set up, clean up, advertising, etc.). We know that it takes a lot more than just funds to plan and execute such an event.
"We pray that yourself and everyone else involved in the fireworks display will be abundantly blessed for your generosity."
The Community Foundation of St. Clair County honored Dr. James C. Acheson with a dinner June 11, 2009, at Four Lakes. Representatives from more than 15 non-profit and profit organizations thanked Dr. Acheson for his dedication and financial contributions. He received various gifts from those attending. It also was the Foundation's 65th anniversary.
In partnership with the City of Port Huron, Acheson Ventures announced in late May of 2009 that the River Street Marina had a profit of $18,000. In previous years, the marina - under City management - had annual operating deficits of as much as $200,000.
Kites for a Kause raised $1,100 for the Children's Rainbow charity on May 23, 2009, at the Great Lakes Maritime Center. Area children and their parents flew kites all day outside the Center.
Acheson Ventures joined other local organizations to co-sponsor the first-ever Chilly Fest in January of 2009 at Vantage Point on AV’s Desmond Landing property. Other events the same weekend included a Silver Stick Hockey Tournament and Downtown Port Huron’s IceFest. Chilly Fest included dog sled demonstrations, snowmobile races, and Detroit Red Wing’s Chris Cheli’s Chili Bar in a warming tent. Those attending the event raved about their experiences and hoped Chilly Fest would become an annual festivity.
“Inspirations”, an exhibit covering the maritime history of the Blue Water Area, opened December 31, 2008, at the former Boatnerd building at Vantage Point. The exhibit is designed around six themes: the Black River sawmills of the 1830s, the St. Clair River ice jam during the 1983-84 winter, the history of the south side waterfront, the lumber and paper industry on the Black River, the passenger ferry service between Port Huron and Sarnia, the Great Storm of 1913, and November ship disasters on the Great Lakes. The exhibit is available for special events and festivities.
The USS Freedom, one of the Navy’s newest ships, spent a couple of unscheduled days at the Acheson Ventures’ Bean Dock (Seaway Terminal) in mid-Novembe of 2008 on her way from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Little Creek, Virginia. The ship needed some repairs to a diesel engine and some generators. The ship also refueled. Hundreds of area residents spent time at the Bean Dock observing the mighty USS Freedom.
MV Enchanter, from Belgium, arrived at the Bean Dock (Seaway Terminal) in October of 2008 to deliver two phase-shifting transformers destined for ITC Transmission’s Bunce Creek Station in Marysville. Each transformer weighs 620,000 pounds. Enchanter is a heavy-lift ship with its own crane.
The James C. Acheson Charitable Foundation contributed to a project in June of 2008 to purchase an electric six-seat shopper shuttle for use by visitors and residents alike in downtown Port Huron. The shuttle’s owner, the Community Renaissance Fund Company (part of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County), already provides golf carts to transport boaters, tourists, and others between city sites. Shuttle rides are free.
Five tall ships – plus Port Huron’s own Highlander Sea – spent the last weekend in June in the City to mark the 2008 Sail Port Huron Tall Ship Festival. All six ships opened their gangplanks to the public for tours Friday through Sunday at the Bean Dock (Seaway Terminal) and Desmond Marine. Highlight of the festival was Saturday night fireworks at Desmond Landing on the bank of the St. Clair River. Art and music festivals at Vantage Point were also part of the festivities.
Dr. James C. Acheson was guest of honor at the grand opening of Port Huron’s new YMCA in June of 2008. The facility is dedicated to Dr. Acheson’s father, Howard A. Acheson, who was on the board of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County when that organization spearheaded Port Huron’s first YMCA 50 years ago.
Acheson Ventures announced in March of 2008 that the Great Bakes Station has opened. The bakery will be operated by Pam and Doug Tsaldaris. For more than a decade, the couple has been crafting everything from breads to cakes, pie and donuts. At one time, the former Standard Oil gas station was an Acheson Ventures Information Station.
The City of Port Huron handed over management of the River Street Marina to Desmond Marine, a subsidiary of Acheson Ventures. The City Council voted 7-0 in February of 2008 to approve a three-year operating agreement with the company. Rich Engle, chief operating officer of AV said, “We decided to do it because we feel the revitalization of the Black River is important to the area.” When Desmond Marine takes control at River Street, the marina will join a consortium of what could be one of the largest marina systems in the Great Lakes. When Desmond takes over River Street, the Sarnia, Ontario-Port Huron marina area will have 1,200 boat slips.
The Cleveland Elementary School in Port Huron held a playground dedication ceremony October 3, 2007, to celebrate a new playground. The James C. Acheson Foundation’s contribution covered most of its costs plus the new basketball court. Construction began in late June and was completed by mid-August.
The first annual Acheson Ventures’ Farmer’s Market took place from August through October in 2007 at Vantage Point. Vendors brought Michigan produce, trees, shrubs, flowers, and perennials to the market. Artwork and crafts by local artists were also available at the event. Michigan State University Extension co-sponsored the event.
May 19, 2007, marked the first annual Acheson Ventures’ Flower Market at Vantage Point. Local growers featured flats of flowers, potted plants, fruit trees, and much, much more. Visitors could watch Great Lakes freighters pass by the Maritime Center while shopping for flowers.
In August of 2006, Acheson Ventures hosted the Sail Port Huron Maritime Festival. The Royaliste and Unicorn were docked at Desmond Marine, while the Niagara, Picton Castle, Pride of Baltimore II and Highlander Sea were tied up at the Bean Dock (Seaway Terminal). All were available for tours. The only admission charge was a non-perishable food item per person or a cash donation to benefit Mid-City Nutrition Soup Kitchen and other local food banks.
In May of 2006, Harborside Office Center, near the center of Desmond Landing, received the Engineering Society of Detroit’s (ESD) Construction and Design Award. These awards are among the leading recognitions given to members of the construction industry and their projects. The awards recognize outstanding team achievement and innovative use of technology by owners, designers and contractors. Harborside also received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Core and Shell Silver Level Certification award. This award is designed to accelerate the development and implementation of environmental responsibility, often referred to as "green" buildings. LEED recognizes achievements, promotes expertise in green building, and emphasizes state of the art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
WOW - DISCOVERING DESMOND LANDING!
We have permission from Mr. and Mrs. Sampson to share their thoughts with our website visitors:
“As a former resident of Port Huron, please know how excited my husband and I were to discover Desmond Landing and other Acheson Ventures projects when visiting home earlier this week. My husband hasn’t caught the boat bug addiction yet, but I am definitely working on him! We did get some fine pictures of boats and a saltie or two.
“Please know how much we appreciate your investment in preserving the most wonderful waterway in the world for the people of Port Huron, former residents who return home to visit, and tourists. How absolutely wonderful to spend a number of hours (two days this week) just sitting at Desmond Landing and watching ’my’ boats go by. In this era of greed and building of condos along waterfront property, I was so proud of Acheson for the gift of waterfront preservation for everyone to experience. The historical information, the volunteers, and Boat Nerd are all helpful and friendly parts of the preservation and lore of the region. Who’d have thought that one day I would sit on a wooden bench bolted to the railroad tracks that were used for the trains on the old railroad bridge across Black River?
“Monday we spent hours walking along the river from the old Dunn paper mill to the Huron lightship. Tuesday and Wednesday hours were spent enjoying the river scene at Desmond Landing. WOW, and that doesn’t even begin to cover my extreme joy in the discovery of these two areas that have been developed for the USE by the PEOPLE.
“Again, thank you for all you are doing. - Jane and Reed Sampson”
Dr. James C. Acheson received the Russell G. Mawby Award for Philanthropy from Governor Granholm in May of 2004. This is Michigan’s highest honor for an individual whose philanthropic endeavors have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to encourage private action for public good. Also on this date, Dr. Acheson received recognition from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for the Acheson Southside Redevelopment Project.