blue water living--final

lue water
summer 2015
topping the tower
climb the mcmorran tower!
keeping cool
at the st. clair city pool
providing comfort
blue water hospice home
free

from the editor
I did it. I finally did it.
Since 2008, when I was first appointed to the McMorran Civic Center Authority
board for McMorran Place, Port Huron’s iconic civic center, I have explored
every crack and crevice of the building. I’ve been in the boiler room. I’ve seen the
compressors, hard at work, keeping two sheets of ice cold. I dug through building
blueprints in a closet filled with nothing but blueprints. I rode the Zamboni. I dusted
off my figure skates in the Main Arena prior to traveling to New York City to skate at
Rockefeller Center. I’ve presented awards to very deserving women on the stage in the
theater. I’ve curled my hair in one of the basement dressing rooms under the theater
stage.
In 2012, I even got married out in front of the
fountain.
But my own personal dirty little secret? I had never
climbed the tower. I resigned from my position on
the authority board in May, but I was determined
to climb the tower sooner, rather than later,
especially since ownership of the tower and the
McMorran Pavilion, to which it is attached, seems
to be hanging in the balance.
So climb it I did. On a sunny Saturday morning in
July, I put on my workout clothing and mentally
prepared myself for the worst. The trek is 188
steps to the top and I am not exactly the Queen
of Aerobic Fitness. I do run (if you call “The
Old Lady Shuffle” running), but climbing 188
steps uses quadriceps in ways that mine are not
accustomed to being used.
content
places
McMorran Tower 4
Marysville on the Move 6
Blue Water Hospice Home 8
St. Clair City Pool 10
cover photo
Sailboats race upwind on Lake Huron.
The Port Huron Yacht Club and the Sarnia
Yacht Club host numerous sailboat races
throughout the spring, summer and fall.
Photo by Patti Samar
blue water living editor
patti samar, taking a selfie at the
top of the McMorran Tower.
See the windows reflected in
other windows and the Blue
Water Bridge behind her.
And so: I made it. And what a fun time! Though I
have to admit that when I saw how dark the tower
was inside -- in spite of more than ample lighting
-- I began to feel a little creeped out and was
wondering why I had decided to tackle this feat
by myself instead of bringing a buddy. But once
I started heading up, I forgot about my fears and
became fascinated with the journey.
volume 1, number 2 summer 2015
Blue Water Living is published quarterly by The Write Company,
511 La Salle Blvd., Port Huron, MI 48060. Circulation 7,500.
Editor & Publisher: Patti Samar, owner, The Write Company
Advertising: Patti Samar at 810-987-1256 or pjsamar@aol.com
The best part? Topping the tower. Wow. Wow. Wow. And wow. What a spectacular
view! Looking to the north toward the Blue Water Bridge, I was wondering who cued
the Great Lakes freighter that magically appeared under the Blue Water Bridge for
my photo-taking opportunity. Clear blue skies. Bright sunshine. And views of one of
the most spectacular waterways in North America. It was a Pure Port Huron moment
I will never forget.
So take the time to Top the Tower yourself sometime soon. It is a great workout with
a great reward at the top. It is just one of the many interesting attractions we have the
privilege of doing here almost every day when others have to wait until they are “on
vacation” to get here.
Sincerely,
News releases can be emailed to pjsamar@aol.com
Questions or comments?
Call Blue Water Living at 810-987-1256
Mission: Blue Water Living is the premiere publication
for people living, working and playing
in the Blue Water Area of Michigan.
Its stories and features are written and designed
to be informational and inspirational.
www.BlueWaterLiving.net
© Blue Water Living is the property
of Patti Samar of The Write Company and is a publication
of Blue Water Publishing LLC.
The Write Company is a writing, graphic design and marketing
consultation firm. View our online portfolio at:
www.TheWriteCompany.net
Patti Samar
Editor & Publisher
Blue Water Living

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summer 2015 BlueWaterLiving.net 3

places
mcmorran tower, port huron
I
4 summer 2015 BlueWaterLiving.net

Topping
the tower
Story & Photos by Patti Samar
It is one of the most recognizable
landmarks in the city of Port Huron.
It can be seen from great distances as
it looks down over the city, keeping a
watchful eye on all that takes place on
both land and water.
The McMorran Tower was a gift to
the city of Port Huron, along with the
rest of the McMorran Place complex,
from the Mackenzie, McMorran and
Murphy families who in 1955 donated
$1.2 million for the construction of the
entire McMorran Place
campus.
According to Rob
Churchill, assistant
general manager of
McMorran Place,
more than 350 people
climb the tower each
year. He estimated that
approximately 60 percent
of those who climb are
locals and 40 percent are
visitors to the area.
The tower is open to
the public whenever the
McMorran Box Office is
open from Memorial Day
to Labor Day. Cost to
climb the tower is just $2
per person.
Churchill said the tower
is closed during the cold
months due to moisture
in the tower that creates ice and a
general hazard on the steps.
Those who climb can expect to ascend
a spiral staircase with cement benches
located on landings all the way up. The
interior of the tower is lighted.
Though known as the McMorran
Tower, its official name is The Emma
McMorran Tower, named for the wife
of Andrew J. Murphy and daughter of
Henry G. McMorran. Andrew Murphy,
Emma and her sister, Clara McMorran
Mackenzie, donated the monies needed
to construct the McMorran Place
complex.
facts
about the
mcmorran
tower
• Number of steps
to climb: 188
• Height of the tower:
150 feet
• Tons of brick used
in the tower: 211
• Tons of steel used
in the tower: 52
• Tons of mortar used
in the tower: 52
• Tons of cut stone
used in the tower: 21
• Every New Year’s
Eve, an anchor is
dropped from the top
of the tower during a
community
celebration. At 150
feet, it is a longer
drop than the New
Year’s Eve ball drop
in New York City,
which drops just 141
feet.
summer 2015 BlueWaterLiving.net 5

Dan Damman
Marysville Mayor
Marysville
on the
quality of life & tourismO
move
City undergoes renaissance
that boosts economic development,
Randy Fernandez
Marysville City Manager
Tom Konik
Marysville Public Safety
Ed Quain
Marysville Realtor
6 summer 2015 BlueWaterLiving.net

One of the best indicators of a successful community is the fast pace at
which residential homes are moving on and off the market.
With that indicator in mind, Marysville realtor Ed Quain can tell
you that Marysville is definitely on the move and is finding itself in the
middle of a modern-day renaissance, complete with strong surges in
economic development, an exceptionally low crime rate, a school district
that consistently rates among the top in the county and in the state, an
increase in recreational development and a progressive city council and city
administration that is determined to bring the city into the forefront of the
21st century while many of its counterparts across the county and the state are
struggling to provide citizens with even basic municipal services.
As a result, Marysville is developing a reputation at the local, state and
national levels as a municipality that not only provides essential services, but
has had the vision to look toward the future and not just imagine what kind
of community it would like to be, but to assertively take the steps necessary to
make those “dreams” become a reality for the community.
“Marysville sells itself,” realtor Quain said. “Our marketing is our schools,
our city services and our public safety. The community is growing, but we
still have that small town atmosphere and feel. We’re surrounded by good
people. People want to raise a family here.”
Barry Kreiner is one of those people who moved to Marysville specifically
to raise a family. Kreiner, the director of public works for the city of Marysville
and a member of the Board of Education for the Marysville Public Schools,
was raised in the city, then left as a young adult. When it came time to raise
a family, Kreiner and his wife knew they wanted to return to Marysville
to provide their children with the same safe and friendly community they
experienced growing up.
“As soon as we had kids, we were back here,” he said. “We wanted them in
the schools here. We knew their education would be exceptional.”
The Kreiners are just one example of the many families that are locating in
Marysville due to the high quality of life offered there.
And it isn’t just families that are interested in Marysville. The renaissance in
the community has had numerous big payoffs:
Economic development. “Marysville has always had a strong industrial
base,” said Tom Konik, director of public safety. “That is attractive to
business developers and employees because they can then live and work in the
same community.”
The SMR plant and the ZF plants, both located in Marysville, are
good examples of this kind of industrial economic development. Both are
automotive suppliers and both have expanded their Marysville locations in
recent years. By the end of 2016, SMR will employ close to 1,000 people.
Additionally, Intertape Polymer Group, a longtime Marysville manufacturer,
has also recently expanded its operations in the community.
When DTE announced several years ago that it was decommissioning
its large, waterfront power plant in Marysville, the city council and
administration, in partnership with other municipalities and private
developers, jumped on the opportunity to work with DTE to help formulate
a multi-use plan for the waterfront that will help Marysville become a
destination. Current plans for the property include development of a marina,
a hotel, restaurant and a shopping district, among other potential uses.
“One of the first things I did when I became mayor was to start the
Marysville Business Council and the goal was to strengthen the relationship
with all businesses in the community, from the larger manufacturers to the
smaller retail stores,” said Marysville Mayor Dan Damman. “The business
council, chaired by Council Member Rita Hendricks, has really initiated a
breakthrough in communication between the business sector and the city.
We have broken down the barriers to communication and we are now
working with neighboring cities and the state to assist with our economic
growth.”
In the past two years Marysville has already experienced a surge in
development with the addition of several new retail outlets including the
soon-to-open Tractor Supply Co. A new microbrewery, Harsens Island
Brewery, is slated to open in August.
Story & Photos by Patti Samar
Advertisement
Why are so many new business ventures interested in locating in Marysville?
“We view everything as a true partnership,” said City Manager Randy
Fernandez. “Instead of throwing up road blocks, we cut through the red
tape and are willing to work with these companies and help them with their
business development and expansion.”
Grant dollars. So how can a relatively small community like Marysville
accomplish so much with what would appear to be so little? “We aggressively
pursue all grant opportunities,” said Fernandez. The result? Upward of $10
million dollars in grant monies have paid for a wide variety of municipal
projects that otherwise the city might not have been able to afford.
“We’ve received about $6 million for our waterfront development
over the past few years,” said Fernandez. Projects paid for by grant dollars
include improvements at the Marysville Golf Course, a Cuttle Creek
project, restoration of St. Clair River frontage to replace a failing seawall,
and numerous improvements at Chrysler Beach and the Marysville City
Park. These projects are improving recreational opportunities for fishing,
swimming, boating and picnicking in the city.
“We haven’t had to spend a lot of cash to make use of these grants,” said
Kreiner of the city’s Department of Public Works. “We have an extremely
talented DPW staff and when we are able to use their labor for in-kind
services, that has helped us secure grants. We have been able to convince the
state that our DPW staff is capable of carrying out the labor if we can obtain
the funds to pay for the bulk of the project.”
Most recently, the city has obtained grants to extend its bicycling paths and
make additional improvements to Chrysler Beach. To further supplement
community needs, a Marysville Community Endowment Fund has been
established at the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.
Much of the city’s success can be attributed to its team approach, starting
with the vision of the city council and citizens who elect them, to the can-do
attitude of city employees who believe in public and private partnerships.
“I am extraordinarily pleased with the direction the city has taken,” said
Damman. “This really is a partnership. The city council sets the direction and
then Randy and the employees at the city are really carrying that out. The
progressive thinking of our city council and the can-do attitude of our city
employees and Randy Fernandez is making it happen.”
Fernandez noted it is a team effort, not just within city hall, but
community-wide.
“We’ve got good government, and we’ve got good schools and we’re in a
win-win situation,” said Fernandez. “We are on the move.”
summer 2015 BlueWaterLiving.net 7

places
blue water hospice home, marysville
a music therapist sings for helen pilivosian,
a patient at the blue water hospice home.
providing comfort
by Patti Samar
Most of us enter this world not knowing when we are going to exit the
world. Some, however, due to illness, know when the end is near.
Many who reach the end stages of life, when nothing more can be done to
help them live longer, choose hospice services to help them live comfortably
at this stage. Hospice services can be administered in a person’s home, or at a
licensed hospice home.
The Blue Water area has just one licensed hospice home. The Blue Water
Hospice Home is located in Marysville and is owned and operated by Visiting
Nurse Association and Blue Water Hospice, a non-profit home health care
and hospice organization that provides high quality, cost-effective health care
to patients and families coping with acute, chronic and terminal health care
problems in Sanilac, St. Clair and northern Macomb counties.
The Blue Water Hospice Home allows patients to receive hospice care
in a home-like setting in one of 12 private patient rooms that offer sleeping
accommodations for family members, as well.
“We offer care and support to the end of life,” said Jody Lincoln, director of
the Blue Water Hospice Home. “We want families who come here to realize
this is their home when they are here.”
Blue Water Hospice home offers patients and their families a peaceful,
serene setting. All patient rooms are brightened by large windows that allow
for copious amounts of natural light. All have a view of 2.5 acre pond,
colorful wildflowers and gardens, and a variety of other wildlife such as ducks
and geese.
The Blue Water Hospice Home was opened by VNA/BWH in 2010. It
was built through the generosity of numerous community members who
raised money to see the facility come to fruition.
“The Blue Water Hospice Home is one of the area’s best kept secrets for
families who are going through the difficult journey that involves the various
stages at the end of life,” said David McKay, president and CEO of VNA/
BWH. “While many patients choose to receive hospice services in their
homes, that is not always an option. Blue Water Hospice Home provides
8 summer 2015 BlueWaterLiving.net
another option in a home-like setting.”
Lincoln noted that for many, the care required of a hospice patient
becomes too great for the family and can be particularly difficult for the
primary caregiver, which oftentimes is an elderly spouse.
“There comes a point where they just can’t do it anymore,” she said. “To
keep a patient at home, you have to have a very large support system. You
need to have somebody to help you with every single task. That is why we
are here. We tell the families, ‘Let us do that for you.’ At the end of the day,
a spouse can then go home and get some sleep. One lady told me this week:
‘I went home and took a bath.’ She hadn’t been able to do that for months
prior to bringing her loved one here, where she knew he would receive the
care he needed while she also cared for herself.”
To learn more about services available at the Blue Water Hospice Home,
contact VNA/BWH at (810) 984-4131 or visit the website www.vnabwh.
com.

He captured your heart.
Host your reception
in the heart of downtown.
Showers & Rehearsal Dinners
Weddings & Receptions
McMorran Lounge
Memorial Room
In Front of the Fountain: Tent
Pavilion
Providing complete party services
701 McMorran Blvd. Port Huron
810.985.6166 www.mcmorran.com
Three-Year
CARF Accreditation Earned
Blue Water Developmental Housing, Inc.
has received a three-year accreditation
from CARF,
an international independent accreditor
of health and human services.
FRESH IS HAPPENING NOW
Drinks Appetizers Entrees
Take Out Service
1600 Gratiot Blvd., Suite 1
Marysville, MI 48040
(810) 388-1200
www.bwdh.org
Blue Water Developmental Housing, Inc. is a private, not for prof it organization
that provides a variety of quality housing and support services
through residential and community based programs
for people with special needs and those involved in their lives.
Chili’s Bar & Grill
4305 24th Avenue Fort Gratiot
(810) 385-1103
summer 2015 BlueWaterLiving.net 9

places
sue daniels & margaret pauly, st. clair pool
10 summer 2015 BlueWaterLiving.net
swimming
along
by Patti Samar
If you grew up in the city of St. Clair between the late 1950s and the
present day, chances are you took swimming lessons at the city pool and most
likely, you learned to swim under the watchful eyes of St. Clair City Aquatics
Coordinator Sue Daniels or Pool Manager Margaret Pauly.
Both women have been fixtures at the city pool for 50 years give or take a
few years in either direction: Daniels began working at the pool as a lifeguard
when she was in college in 1959 and Pauly began her tenure at the pool in
1967. Together, the two of them have taught multiple generations of St. Clair
children – and adults – how to swim.
“You get little old ladies with canes who come up and say, ‘You taught me
how to swim,’” Daniels said with a laugh. “Well, not quite that bad, but we’ve
taught a lot of generations.”
Pauly said: “Parents now bring their children to the pool and say, ‘She
taught me how to swim and now she’s going to teach you!’”
Though both Daniels and Pauly began their working lives at the pool
as lifeguards, both also pursued other work avenues during the off season.
Daniels, a physical education teacher, spent many years working for the East
China School District and Pauly worked at St. Mary’s Catholic School in St.
Clair for 45 years. Both are now retired from their professional lives outside of
swimming.
Both have spent many years cultivating swimming and aquatics talents
in the water. The city pool now offers classes that introduce the youth
to competitive swimming, and for many years, the city pool hosted a
synchronized swimming program which culminated every year with a
synchronized swim show.
Despite its long-time popularity – the synchronized swim team celebrated
50 years of participation in 2009 – the past couple of seasons, there has not
been a synchronized swimming team due to a lack of participation.
“There are just too many other activities for the kids to get involved in
now,” said Daniels. “Back then, this was it…this was where everyone met.”
Daniels, who swam on the synchronized swim team at Eastern Michigan
University, was passionate about the sport. In 1961, when she was just 20
years old, she received a challenge from the Independent Press, a small local
newspaper.
“In order to get headlines for the synchronized swim show, they challenged
me to swim the entire length of the St. Clair River,” she said. “So I did.”
For months prior, she trained with the help of a state police trooper and a
member of the county dive team. “They trained me and I would go down to
the river and swim against the current.”
And so, on a Sunday afternoon during the summer of 1961, Daniels got
greased up and climbed into the water just north of the Blue Water Bridge.
It took her nine hours to complete the task, but she did it. And she got her
headlines.
Both Daniels and Pauly – both of whom teach swimming year-round for
the city recreation department – said the most rewarding part of the job has
been watching generations of St. Clair residents grow up.
With the city’s location on the swift waters of the St. Clair River, both
women noted the dire importance of having a city pool and swimming
lessons available to residents.
“The community built this pool to keep kids out of the river,” said Daniels.
“We have not had a drowning in the St. Clair River in the city limits since this
pool was built, where we used to have about one a summer before the pool
was built.”
In the early years, Daniels said the pool staff struggled to maintain the
pool with limited resources, but noted that over time, the city council and
administration have become very supportive of the pool.
“We’d like to thank the city of St. Clair and the city council for their
support over the years,” said Daniels.

Cell: (586) 801-6068
Email: diannare@aol.com

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