Some LIVE Rock-n-Roll Fun at the Roche Bar in July

Gorevette: Featuring the legendary Nikki Corvette and Amy of the Gore Gore Girls
http://www.myspace.com/gorevette

From sunny California The Pleasure Kills play New Wave/Power Pop. Good times and dancing will happen!
http://www.myspace.com/thepleasurekills

Also on the bill-the Blue Water Area's best at "1!2!3!4! Fun Punk" The McFlys.
http://www.myspace.com/themcflys

'Lighthouse Bob' Memorial

Service for Hanford This Saturday
Donald Lierman
Contributing Writer

Robert “Lighthouse Bob” Hanford devoted more than 20 years to the Port Huron community as keeper of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. Saturday, June 26, the community will honor the life and service of Hanford with a memorial service at 11 a.m. on the grounds of the lighthouse. The memorial is open to the public.

Many remember Hanford from the many tours of the lighthouse he oversaw as lighthouse keeper, a position he held since 1988. Prior to those years, Hanford, who passed away on June 4, served in both theatres of World War II and spent 25 distinguished years with the Detroit Police Department.

“Bob was truly a member of the ‘Greatest Generation,’” said Bill Thornton, a fellow U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary member. “That generation, which came of age during World War II, produced outstanding individuals whose characters were honed by that bloody conflict.”

Hanford was born in Plainfield, New Jersey and his family relocated to Detroit in 1934. Nine years later he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and during WWII as a landing-craft operator, he deployed troops at the invasions of Normandy and southern France in the Atlantic Theatre, and at Iwo Jima and Okinawa in the Pacific Theatre.

“In 1942, Bob enlisted in the United States Coast Guard at the age of 17,” Dave Bennis, a friend and co-worker at the Fort Gratiot Light Station, said. “As both of his parents had died, his brother had to sign the enlistment papers. At D-Day, Bob’s memory was etched, that the ocean was red for three days with the blood of the troops that didn’t make it through that fateful day.”

After the war, Hanford returned to Michigan and spent 25 years with the Detroit Police Department. He was cited for numerous awards, including a meritorious service award bestowed upon retirement. As well as general police work, Hanford was a member of the Motorcycle Division and was involved in undercover assignments. After retirement, he became the bodyguard for General Motors’ C.E.O. Roger Smith for seven years.

Locally, Hanford is best known for his involvement as the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse Keeper. Thousands of light house fans, school children and tourists have been enlightened by Hanford’s tours of the grounds, as well as numerous presentations he presented during the winter months.

“Bob was quite the character,” Bennis said. “One time a school boy asked him if the lighthouse was haunted. Bob didn’t bat an eye and replied, ‘Maybe not yet, but it will be one day.’ When kids would camp the grounds, he would sometimes climb into the tower and flash a lantern to spook them.”

The United States Coast Guard – Port Huron Station and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary are opening the grounds of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse Saturday’s memorial, with Ray Carrier, chaplain of the Michigan Allied Veterans Council, officiating. The council will also provide the honor guard at the memorial.

Representatives from the USCG Auxiliary, USCG 9th District (Cleveland), Detroit and Port Huron Stations will attend the service, as well as from the vessels Hollyhock and Bramble.
Parking is limited to the Lighthouse Beach lot and entry confined to the double gates into the station on Omar Street.

Bob is survived by his daughter Lynne (John) Capadagli, sons Scott Hanford and Kim Hanford.

Club Hosts Kayak Clean-Ups on Black River

Blue Water Social Club Organizing Several Unique Events
Twana Pinskey
Contributing Writer

Protecting the natural resources of the Blue Water Area is something on which everyone in the region can, and should, agree. Many talk big about the conservation of our waterways, parks, fields and air, but few ever take action.

Due to a lack of such movements, the Blue Water Social Club is taking the initiative to protect our natural resources, by hosting several Black River clean-ups. The river has a reputation of being, generally, all-around gross, but the BWSC has found a way to clean the river all while having some fun and even getting a little exercise.

So far this summer, the group has organized two Project Deliverance kayak river clean-up trips: June 6 and 20.

Eight members of the club paddled the river for five hours between Norman and Beard roads during the groups first kayak clean-up event a few weeks ago.

Mike Higgins, administrator for the social club, said the eight paddlers picked-up nine bags of trash, several soft balls and three car tires.

“We even found a plastic child’s tricycle,” he said.

Those who participated in the clean up tour, got to see the wildlife of the Black River in its natural habitat. According to Higgins, clean-up participants viewed cliff swallows, king fishers, frogs, turtle nests, jumping fish and the highlight of the trip, a pair of bald eagles.

“We saw the first one in flight, and when it moved into the right angle, you knew it was an eagle,” he said. The second eagle was perched on a nearby tree branch.

The success of the first clean-up effort, led Higgins and the group to organize a second tour on Father’s Day.

Higgins said he and his fellow administrators would hear people say there is nothing to do in the Blue Water Area. They disagree with that train of thought, and decided to start the social club. Along with Higgins, group administrators include, Ryan McInnis, Sadat Hossian and Scott Martynyuk.

“There’s a lot to do in our area,” Higgins said. “We just don’t always know what’s out there. That’s why this social club was formed; to bring people together.”

The group is organizing other events across the area including, a series of adult kickball games, weekly Bowlioke (combination bowling and karaoke) at Port Huron Lanes and a spontaneous Flash Mob dance session during the Port Huron fireworks June 26.

More information about the Blue Water Social Club and its activities is available at the groups Facebook page or by e-mailing organizers at moustachebash@live.com.

Making a Film on a Budget

Local Film Crew Debuts Web Series
Donald Lierman
Contributing Writer

Many think making a film is easy: just turn on some lights, point the camera and yell, “Action!”

But making a good quality product is a lot more difficult than one might think. It takes a lot of pre-production planning, countless takes and hours in post. Yes, making a film is definitely a lot of work. Not to mention expensive.

A group of local filmmakers are taking on the task to create a coming of age comedy Web series, called “Part Timers,” about locals saddled with temporary employment. The series is proof that a small budget does not preclude a professional product.

What does it take to bring that cinematic dream to the screen?

“The script is where it all begins,” series producer Ryan Falcheck said. “Without a good script to begin with, the production is doomed from the start.”

Next, comes the assembly of the production team.

“The producer guides the projects from beginning to end: from pre-production to post-production,” Falcheck said. “They (also) secure the funding for the film.”

Equipment has always been a big deterrent to novice filmmakers, but the cost of good quality cameras has dropped in the past few years. With the right network of resources, a filmmaker may be able to borrow other invaluable filming items.

“We used a Cannon 7D to film “Part Timers,” he said. “In a previous film I worked on, the cost of the camera was about $10,000. The Cannon 7D allowed us to shoot a quality film for much less. The Cannon provides a simple lens set that allows us to shoot the full spectrum: close up, medium shot and long shot.

“The only problem with the Cannon is that you can only shoot on 4GB flash cards, that only allow 12 minutes of taping at a time.”

Other fundamental pieces of equipment include microphones and an audio recording device to capture sound.

Lastly, a proper light kit is a preferred, yet not essential for filming Falcheck says.

“The light kit will help you shoot in low light,” he said. “The Cannon 7D shoots well without bright light, but going in without a light kit reduces the daily shooting schedule.”

It’s important to have a good crew too. Crew members are the ones behind the scenes, typically not seen in the movie, unless, as in “Part Timers,” cast members double as crew.

“I’ve never been lucky enough to work with a full crew,” said Falcheck, who has worked on several films. “But if I had my wish list, I would have at least two grips (crew handymen), two production assistants, an assistant cameraman, at least one sound operator (who runs the sound mic through a sound board) and a script supervisor (who watches for continuity).”

Continuity is the flow of the movie from scene to scene, to ensure movements flow and props stay in the same place.

“What I would like to have, which I’ve always had to do without, is a first assistant director,” Falcheck said. “He is the person who holds every together on the set.

There’s also the director of photography. “He comes up with the visual vision for the film and the shot list. Finally, the Director keeps the vision of the film on track.”

When completed the film goes into post production.

“An editing program is essential,” Falcheck said. “I prefer Final Cut, although if the budget is especially constrained Movie Magix 16 is an option.”

When it’s all is completed, the final step is to get the movie noticed – via press releases, newspapers, internet and film festivals.

To see the Falcheck and his crew’s final product, log onto the series' Facebook page.

'Part Timers' Find Work Online

Web Series Focuses on Trials of Temporary Jobs
Donald Lierman
Contributing Writer

From martinet bosses to empty-headed co-workers to a pay check that barely pays for a value meal, the daily struggles of the under-employed challenge many to not give away their souls for their daily bread.

Local filmmakers have created a comedic Web series, “Part Timers,” to address the trials and tribulations of making it in this not so brave new world. Each episode will feature four twenty-somethings living and working, and trying to work, in the economically struggling region of southeast Michigan known as the Blue Water Area.

The inspiration for the series is the ennui that transforms one’s self when an individual is forced to subsist in these modern times.

“When one applies for part-time work, one feels it will only be short term. Nobody applies for a temporary job unless it is absolutely necessary. But what happens when the job becomes no longer a short-term gig?” said Ryan Falcheck, who stars as Chris in the series. “These characters have come to the grim realization that this part-time job has become their lives. They deal with the despair of wondering, ‘How much longer is this going to go on?’”

Series co-creator Jesse Dunsmore, Randy in the series, based “Part Timers” on a short-story he wrote in high school about when he worked at a department store.

“The story grew from one person’s experiences. It became a tale of a group of men in their early twenties who are trying to grow up and be successful in an area that invites people to settle for mediocrity,” he said. “The series almost feels like a documentary. The issues Randy deal with are ones that I have either gone through or am going through.”

The plot revolves around four characters that are on the lower end of the economic food chain: Chris (Falcheck), Randy (Dunsmore), James (Rob McCollister) and Abe (Joe Liniarski).

Falcheck character, who also narrates, is a “friendly, well-intentioned dreamer, who works as a server. Chris is the glue that holds the group together. While other characters show their uncertainty, Chris does his best to hide it and maintain,” Falcheck said.

Dunsmore’s character, Randy, is a recent college graduate with a journalism degree seeking work in his chosen career path. “He was once very idealistic and wanted to save the world. The stress of attempting to find a job has made him very numb. He bottles up his emotions,” Dunsmore said. “In another life, Randy might have ended up as a sniper if he snapped.”

The characters of James and Abe round-out the cast. McCollister’s character, James, “works at a movie theater and is the sort of person who aspires to be a Jedi. James has the best intentions of being everything a nerd would want to be,” Falcheck said. “James is also a dreamer: he wants a girlfriend but doesn’t have the nerve to get one, he wants to make the next ‘Star Wars’ but does not have the nerve for that either.”

Abe, played by Joe Liniarski, can’t hold a job for more than a month.

“Abe has a new job every episode,” Dunsmore said. “The other characters live together in Abe’s house, but Abe doesn’t live there. He is a type of cartoon character. He gets along with Chris and Randy, but has a strained relation with James.

“Abe and James are so much alike, yet they can’t get along. Abe is the sort that lives on the seat of his pants without any goals for the future.”

The series is set to be released Saturday, June 19, at 11 a.m. and will be submitted to area film festivals. The first “Part-Timers” episode may be viewed at the Facebook page for the series: "Part Timers" episode one.

“We are not of the traditional Hollywood mode,” Dunsmore said. “We are just regular guys from the area who love to tell stories. This series is about doing those things and discussing their world the way local guys would.”

What Would You Do With $100?

Group to Give $100 to 100 People in 100 Days

Twana Pinskey
Contributing Writer

Times are tough and sometimes finding a job can prove to be even more difficult. Especially in St. Clair County.

According to the United States Department of Labor, the unemployment rate in Michigan during April was 14 percent. Many believe that rate to be as high as 25 percent St. Clair County.

Unfortunately, the Blue Water Area is not immune to the sluggish economy, but there are a few bright spots out there.

Project 100 Blue Water Area is one such bright spot, giving hope and inspiring goodwill around the area. The idea behind the project is to help people by encouraging them to give back to their community, by giving to each other.

The project encourages people to “pay-forward” random acts of kindness to other Blue Water Area residents.

Jenny Bulgrien of Port Huron is a member of the Blue Water Project 100 team and said team members are encouraging residents to focus on random acts of giving.

“A lot of people are shocked,” when someone else offers to pay for their items Bulgrien said. “I was in Tim Horton’s and paid for the people in front of me.”

Bulgrien said the project is now in its second phase, where team members are randomly giving away $100 to 100 people in 100 days, with the intention for those people to also pay it forward.

“We want to focus on how people in the community can give back,” Bulgrien said.

The project hit the streets June 7, passing out $100 bills across the Blue Water Area.

Recipients of the $100 are asked to think of ways they could give back to their communities, including donating time and helping neighbors in need. Recipients of the money are also encouraged to share their personal stories on the Project 100 Web site – project100bluewater.com.

Mark Berry of Lexington, who shared his story on the Web site, said he was in line at the Dairy Queen in Fort Gratiot, when a man handed him a business card and offered to buy his ice cream.

“I thought he was kidding,” Berry said.

If you are one of the 100 Blue Water residents handed a $100 bill, lets us know and we'll share your story.

Wanted: Resident Tourist

See Port Huron Through the Eyes of a Tourist
Twana Pinskey
Contributing Writer

People don’t always see everything their respective communities have to offer, often taking for granted the little things that make each community great. Every year, thousands of tourists ascend upon Port Huron and the Blue Water Area, which is commonly known as the Maritime Capital of the Great Lakes, to see its splendor and enjoy its blue waters.

Locals don’t always remember to appreciate all the area has to offer. Though, every day they are encouraged to celebrate all the things that make the area great, and one day each spring, they are invited to see Port Huron and the Blue Water Area through the eyes of a tourist

Blue Water Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is hosting its eighth-annual Be a Tourist in Your Own Town event Friday, June 5, at various locations across Port Huron.

Events designed to get residents out of their comfort-zone and into the community include, narrated trolley tours, cruises on the Huron Lady II, tours of the Thomas Edison Depot Museum, kids crafts and demonstrations at Studio 1219 and tours of the McMorran tower.

Additions to this year’s tourist-day include, Red Cross clowns, musical acts, face painting, actors performing in period dress, as well as the introduction of a Shipwreck Series.

Judi Stewart, Sales Manager for the Blue Water Area CVB, said the program was started for area residents who had never been to attractions in their own town.

She believes that the event is not only good advertising and promoting the area, but also gives residents a chance to experience first-hand what the Blue Water Area has to offer.

“We wanted our own residents to say, ‘Wow, that’s cool,’” she said.

Transportation between the event sites will be provided free of charge by the city transportation department on eight of its trolleys and busses. All events throughout the day are free, except for cruises aboard the Huron Lady, which are $5 each and leave the dock at corner of Military and Water streets at 10:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Lee Perry, Executive Director of Studio 1219, expressed excitement about the day’s events.

“What’s really cool is the Seaway Terminal,” he said, which will have several activities for every member of the family, including a marine flea market sponsored by the Port Huron Museum, a Great Lakes Nautical Society ship show, tours of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Bramble, a game-zone and underwater videos.

Perry feels the event is a good opportunity for the people of Port Huron and surrounding communities to get in-line with what the Blue Water Area has to offer.

“They (residents) are truly the ambassadors for the area,” he said.

Stewart said the program promotes community and believes, that the more community is involved, the more the community will support local businesses and each other. She said it is important for residents to bond together as a community.

“Especially in these tough economic times, we really need that,” she said.

(((Be A Tourist In Your Own Town Schedule of Events)))