Home Care In Utica, MI

Zoos

Looking for a little adventure? Head to The LegaSea Aquarium in Utica, Michigan and find exotic animals, reptiles, sloths, alligators and more that you can admire, touch and even hold!

The LegaSea Aquarium & The Reptarium is the newly rebranded and expanded offspring of what was formerly known as The Reptarium. This state-of-the-art 30,000-square-foot facility opened in April 2025 and combines immersive aquatic exhibits with hands-on reptile experiences for guests of all ages.

???? New at LegaSea Aquarium, guests can explore immersive aquatic habitats featuring fish, rays, sharks, and other marine life, along with interactive touch experiences that bring the underwater world to life. Paired with the beloved reptile encounters, this one-of-a-kind destination offers something for every animal lover.

Meet some of the world’s rarest reptiles, including a two-headed turtle, and enjoy unforgettable hands-on moments with Burmese pythons, Reticulated pythons, Boa constrictors, Blood pythons, and many smaller species. Mammal lovers will love being able to see and even interact with a two-toed sloth, a binturong, an armadillo, maine coons, and their newest addition – Henry! The adorable two month old baby capybara and his older brother, Javier. It’s easy to see why this experience is a must-visit.

Beyond daily admission, LegaSea Aquarium & The Reptarium also offers:

Legasea Aquarium & The Reptarium is open to the public daily and admission is $24.99 per person, 2 and under are free. The zoo also offers annual admission for $99 per person.

Address: 45559 Van Dyke Ave, Utica, MI 48317

Hours: Open 7 days a week: 11AM-7PM

Don’t keep us secret – help us share with a friend or to social media!

Utica High School teacher Joel Kaczmarczyk has been selected for the Michigan Educational Theater Association's Hall of Fame.

Utica High School teacher Joel Kaczmarczyk has honored statewide for his lifelong commitment and impact on high school theatre.

Kaczmarczyk has been selected for the Michigan Educational Theater Association theatre Hall of Fame for his strong track record of meaningful theatre productions. He received the award in mid-December at the organization’s Michigan Thespian Festival.

“I am truly honored to have been nominated for—and to have received—this award from my colleagues across the state of Michigan, a group for whom I have tremendous respect,” Kaczmarczyk said. “The META Hall of Fame represents an elite community of individuals recognized for years of service to their schools, the state board, and the educational theatre community. Being included among them is deeply meaningful. This honor affirms the hard work I’ve dedicated to my program and reinforces my commitment to enriching the lives of my theatre students and supporting my school.”

Dr. Phillip Moss, Chair Creative and Performing Arts at Wayne State University, said the honor recognizes Kaczmarczyk’s success as Utica’s theatre teacher and support of the Michigan Thespian competition. Specifically, Dr. Moss cited the success of his students in receiving top honors and scholarships at the festival, his work to lead performances and lead workshops during the competition, and his long-time role on the group’s board.

Dr. Moss said: “His daughter Jaelyn said: ‘I’m proud of him. He’s been a huge inspiration for me and countless other students. He’s done more shows than any other producer at Utica so far, so I hope that for all the shows he’s produced and through the students he influenced throughout the years his legacy is one that lasts.’

“As much as I would like to think that the Hall of Fame award is important, I can tell you that there is no more important award than the love and respect of your students and in this case his daughter,” Dr. Moss said.

Jaelyn Kaczmarczyk is a 2025 graduate of the Utica High School theatre program who is currently studying Stage Management and Event Planning at Central Michigan University.

Kaczmarczyk began with the Utica High School theatre program in 2004 and has produced more than 60 shows – an accomplishment that has been unmatched in the school’s more than 70-year history.

“I’m proud of the impact this work has had on hundreds of students,” he said. Theatre has given them an after?school home, a place where they felt welcomed, supported, and part of a true community. Knowing that so many of them have built lasting friendships and meaningful memories—often with people they might never have met otherwise—is the greatest reward of my career.”

In addition to being selected for the hall of fame, Kaczmarczyk has been honored with through several UCS Teacher of Year nominations from his colleagues.

He said he is most proud of the culture that has been built in the Utica High School theatre program.

“Knowing that students felt safe, welcomed, and truly at home in our theatre has been the greatest reward of my career,” he said. “Watching them grow, find their confidence, and form lifelong friendships has been a privilege I will always cherish.”

Source: Utica Community Schools

Superintendent Robert Monroe

Schools

The classroom at the UHS Health and Human Services Academy has turned into a training facility for students, thanks to the fire department

This post was contributed by a community member.

The classroom at the Utica High School Health and Human Services (HHS) Academy has turned into a training facility for students with the help of the Shelby Township Fire Department and Sterling Heights Fire Department.The local fire departments have each presented three lessons so far this school year to the students, with the most recent lesson focused on CPR and choking skills.“It's been great because the students are learning this from people who have experienced this in the field which makes it more relevant for them in their learning,” said Melissa Rice, HHS academy coach.Students have also learned about patient assessment and history taking through this partnership thus far. Carolina DeChambeau, HHS junior, said that as students they get the best learning opportunity by applying what they have learned in class with the fire fighters and practicing real scenarios that are more likely to take place throughout the community. “Getting the chance to work side-by-side with first responders has really helped confirm my career goals of one day becoming an EMT/Fire Fighter,” Carolina DeChambeau said.Warren Happell, training chief with the Shelby Township Fire Department, shared that his favorite thing about this partnership is seeing the students learn something new and to have them get value out of it.“It’s a great opportunity,” Happell said. “Some of these students could end up working in Shelby Township so it’s a great way to foster that cooperation together for them to learn from.”Rice echoed Happell in the opportunity that is available to both of the fire departments and HHS students through this partnership.“Hopefully we can have students take that next step into an actual career and help our local municipalities fulfill some needs in getting qualified applicants,” Rice said.

Source: Utica Community Schools

Robert Monroe, Superintendent of Schools

Jennifer Kane, the Utica Community Schools coordinator of public relations, named "Rising Start" by state communications association.

Jennifer Kane, the Utica Community Schools coordinator of public relations, has been honored statewide as the top emerging leader in the field of school communications.

Kane was selected as the sole recipient of the first ever “Rising Star” award from the Michigan School Public Relations Association.

“In her short time with Utica Community Schools, Mrs. Kane has integrated herself in our school district family and championed innovative communications systems,” superintendent Robert S. Monroe said. “We are proud to recognize Mrs. Kane for being a Rising Star – both in Utica Community Schools and as a school communications professional in Michigan.”

Jessica Stigler, president-elect of MSPRA, said the award is one of MSPRA’s premier honors.“This award is judged based on innovation, collaboration, impact, and commitment to growth,” she said. “It honors someone who uses fresh, creative approaches to the communications work, effectively navigates challenges and crises, actively participates in MSPRA events, seeks out professional learning, actively promotes inclusive messages and representation in district communications, works effectively with school leaders to advance communications goals, takes on leadership roles, completes data-driven work and showcases strong digital communication skills.”Kane, who is in her fourth year with UCS, has led the district’s rebranding initiatives, coordinated the Legacy of Excellence celebration, effectively integrated the use of data to improve marketing, was an integral part of the district successful 2023 bond issue. She also oversees the district’s media relations and creates and implements communications for the UCS kindergarten registration process.

Her background in broadcasting has also brought a new dimension to the district’s nationally recognized multi-media communications.

She represents the district on multiple MSPRA committees and currently serves as president of the Oakland County School Public Relations Association, of which UCS is a member.

Kane holds a Kane holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Michigan State University and a Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University, with a concentration in marketing and management.

Her professional backgrounds include serving as the public address announcer for the Lansing Lugnuts – one of only four females in this position among 190 professional baseball teams. She had previously been the marketing manager, event director and client relations representative for Groove Productions and has also served as a digital media intern at the then Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

She will be honored at the MSPRA spring conference in March.

MSPRA is the premier organization for school communicators in Michigan, with more than 200 members statewide.

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Jordan Matthews landed one of seven spots for flutists in the band after being in an audition pool of more than 1,000 high school students f

Jordan Matthews knew the minute she picked up a flute in seventh grade band that she had found something that will forever be a part of her life.“I feel that music will always be part of my future, even if I choose other career options," she said. “It’s a great community of people who share the same passion and I love being in bands.”Even though she is just getting started, this future already looks bright after Matthews was selected to perform in this year’s All State Honors Band.Matthews landed one of seven spots for flutists in the band after being in an audition pool of more than 1,000 high school students from across the state.“I feel like I worked hard, but in the end, I'm just happy that I could read for it,” she said of the honor. “I'm excited to do it. I can't believe that it happened to me.”Stevenson High School band teacher Michael Yaros called Matthews a natural musician who has worked hard for the honor.“I can't take any credit for Jordan's success,” he said. “She's a driven student with an exceptional work ethic as well as an innate inner beauty that exudes forth through her music making."To qualify, Matthews submitted a 10-minute audition tape that was evaluated by an adjudicator for the all state band.In January, Matthews and other members of the approximately 100 student band will assemble in Grand Rapids for nearly three days of rehearsals with nationally recognized conductors.The band will perform on January 24 at the Michigan Music Conference.Matthews said she chose the flute because “I like the way it sounded” when she joined the Jeannette Junior High School band.“I appreciate that I was able to be introduced to a band when I was ,” she said. “It helped me find out what I'm passionate about, and I am going to keep working hard at it so I can get better."