AA Learn more about in-home care options for your loved ones

Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Best place I’ve ever worked. Not only do they take care of their clients, their employees too!! Blessed everyday to work for this company”

Jeanine L.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I’d like to thank always best care for all their support. As this was my first experience with any senior care agency, I was a bit apprehensive but they were great right from the start. All the caregivers were very attentive and assisted my parents with proper care at home. Undoubtedly a great caregiving agency..”

Christoper W.
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TESTIMONIALS

“We used Always Best Care of Macomb County for my friend and they were wonderful. We chose them because they had a little edge on the caregiving model that they use and they negotiated the price with us. The caregivers were professional and prompt. They provided my friend with companionship, helped with feeding, and they were available at night for nighttime issues that arose. They were also there to pass meds to her, to facilitate her taking her anti-anxiety pills, and to reassure her. They were always prompt in returning my phone calls and they kept a notebook so we could communicate. They solicited feedback too.”

Cindy
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TESTIMONIALS

“Good review Good review Good review Good review Good review Good review”

Mr. -.
 In-Home Care Utica, MI

How does In-home Senior Care in Utica, MI work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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 Senior Care Utica, MI

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

Comfort
Comfort

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them? A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Utica, MI, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors. Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

Independence
Independence

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like an assisted living community. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care in Utica, MI gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Aid and Attendance benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.


Respite Care Utica, MI

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Utica,MI understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

 Caregivers Utica, MI

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

An assessment of your senior loved one

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An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

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Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

Latest News in Utica, MI

National AVID program expanded to all Utica secondary schools

AVID, which has been expanded into Malow Junior High School and Eisenhower High School this year, is a national research-based program that Utica Community Schools, Community Contributor|Updated Mon, Sep 18, 2023 at 2:49 pm ETLucas Swies is a Malow Junior High School seventh grader with a plan.He already knows that he wants to be an entrepreneur and own a small business like his parents. To get there, S...

AVID, which has been expanded into Malow Junior High School and Eisenhower High School this year, is a national research-based program that

Utica Community Schools, Community Contributor

|Updated Mon, Sep 18, 2023 at 2:49 pm ET

Lucas Swies is a Malow Junior High School seventh grader with a plan.

He already knows that he wants to be an entrepreneur and own a small business like his parents. To get there, Swies will need experiences that will allow him create a plan, challenge himself and be organized.

Enter Advancement Via Individualized Determination (AVID).

AVID, which has been expanded into Malow Junior High School and Eisenhower High School this year, is a national research-based program that stresses development in key areas of organization, study skills, and critical thinking.

“AVID is important because students are building confidence and lifelong skills to help them become successful in courses, they will take later in their high school years,” said Veronica Tow, the AVID building coordinator at Malow. “In the AVID class we are not only working on curriculum but also skills like teambuilding, critical thinking, collaboration, time management and problem solving.”

Find out what's happening in Shelby-Uticawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Utica Community Schools was the first Macomb County district – and one of only six in Michigan – to offer AVID when it was introduced in 2011.

Based on its success, AVID was expanded over the past few years to other schools and is now part of all 11 secondary buildings. UCS has also expanded professional development opportunities for teachers, including hosting an AVID conference with 150 educators from the region and across the nation. A similar workshop is planned for March.

“The AVID program truly embodies our mission to inspire remarkable achievement,” Superintendent Robert Monroe said. “It has been proven to make a difference in the lives of our students by creating a smaller, family-type atmosphere with a strong network of support.”

There are currently 748 UCS students this year in the 36 sections spread across district secondary schools.

A key part of the AVID success is that students remain together throughout their secondary years to build a supportive community.

As members of the inaugural class at Malow Junior High School, the 20 students in Tow’s class will remain together until they graduate from Eisenhower High School in 2030.

“The goals for our first-year AVID students are to build strong connections with their peers both inside and outside of the classroom,” Tow said. “We are working with students on how to become a leader and incorporate WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading) strategies in all of their classes.”

For a recent project, the Malow students worked together to create a tower out of balloons and masking tape. The balloons could not be held up by taping them to the table or a wall.

The project gave students experience in skills that are central to AVID and those sought by employers: organization, teamwork, problem-solving and innovation.

A student who took part in the project, seventh grader Leonora Dedvuka, said she liked the unique nature of the program and its focus on helping her achieve her career goal of becoming a therapist.

“I think of AVID as a new adventure,” she said. “I think it will be a place where I can help if I struggle throughout the next few years until graduation.”

Cutline - Malow seventh graders Leonora Dedvukaj, Lucas Sweis and Jonathon Skorupa take part in a teambuilding program as part of their first year in the Advancement Via Individualized Determination (AVID) program.

Source: Utica Community Schools

Http://www.uticak12.org

Superintendent of Schools Robert Monroe

Owner of The Reptarium in Utica asking for donations for aquarium after cancer diagnosis

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UTICA, Mich. (WXYZ) — On Van Dyke Road, you’ll find one of Macomb County’s most popular hidden gem attractions. On a Friday evening, there was a line of anxious kids waiting outside excited to see some reptiles, and also the man who's in charge of it all.

Brian Barczyk is more than just owner of The Reptarium in Utica — he’s a YouTube personality who has amassed 4 million subscribers and over 1 million Instagram followers, showing off what he loves.

“I've literally been working with reptiles and animals since I was 2 years old," Barczyk said. "It's all I ever wanted in life.”

The Reptarium houses snakes, iguanas, turtles and even a sloth. All are available for an up-close look. It's a business model he plans to continue by building an aquarium across the street.

"We want your hands to be wet from the time you walk in the door until the time you leave," Barczyk said. “Literally, we're going to have an exhibit where you can swim with stingrays."

But his business expansion hit a snag last month with a diagnosis of inoperable pancreatic cancer.

“It's terrifying, it’s absolutely terrifying," Barczyk said. "Every day, you wake up and go, 'Am I going to have the emotional strength to get through this?'”

Barczyk starts chemotherapy next week but isn’t giving up on his dream. He says with the diagnosis, funding has been difficult.

"Ten months ago, we started the process of acquiring the building across the street... We got the building, we started the design, the architecture, we had the budget figured out to some extent," Barczyk said. "Unfortunately, the bad news came back that I had pancreatic cancer... People (investors) backed away and said 'Listen, I don't want to be a part of this' because they want me to be the guy running it, and if they think I may not be that guy, there’s a chance it may not happen. That couldn't be further from the truth, but I understand the concern.”

Barczyk is now hoping to raise another $2 million to fund the $4 million project. He's hoping to open the aquarium in seven months to make sure he’s there to see it.

"It's a big ask, you know, its a big ask to raise that kind of money. But I believe miracles happen,” Barczyk said.

In a week, die-hard supporters and sponsors have already contributed $400,000, hoping Brian will see his big dream.

"This has become a very special place for us,” mother Amy Long said. "At this hard time is when you see who your true friends are, and we feel blessed to be on that list.”

Barczyk hopes the aptly named "Legacy Aquarium" will be his lasting legacy. But if you ask the kids he inspired, his legacy is already cemented in stone.

“Right now, all I have is hope, and I'm continuing to hold on to it,” Barczyk said.

Barczyk has launched a GoFundMe page to help raise funds.

Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Utica, Michigan Was Once Called Hog’s Hallow

The town of Utica is small but has a lot of history to it. Growing up next to it in Rochester Hills, it was always a fun area that, even though set up in the suburbs, always kind of had, and still has, a small-town feel to it.But while attempting to learn more about it, I discovered something about it I had never known before:It used to have a goofy-ass name...Hog's Hallo...

The town of Utica is small but has a lot of history to it. Growing up next to it in Rochester Hills, it was always a fun area that, even though set up in the suburbs, always kind of had, and still has, a small-town feel to it.

But while attempting to learn more about it, I discovered something about it I had never known before:

It used to have a goofy-ass name...Hog's Hallow.

Why on earth would anyone ever call this area that name? The history of the area may peer into the reasoning:

In May 1817, Nathanial Squire, a revolutionary war veteran and reputedly the first resident of Utica, Michigan moved west along the Clinton River from near Mt. Clemens, until he came to a high point of ground where the river and two [native] trails crossed. The rapidly growing settlement was variously called McDougalville, Hog Hollow, and Harlow.

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Shelby Township To The Rescue

The Township of Shelby actually had the info on this which blew me away. I knew it most likely had something to do with there being a lot of hogs in the area at some point, and my intuition was correct:

Wild boar roamed southern Michigan in the early 1800s, and one such creature had the misfortune to encounter a hungry band of hunters. After killing their bounty, the men found a sheltered spot, built a fire, and cooked a fine dinner. They commemorated the occasion by naming their location "Hogs Hollow".

They honestly should have stayed with it because they ended up renaming the town MacDougalville after a guy who showed up rocking the fiddle, made a bunch of promises to get more people to move to Hog's Hallow, and then never came back. Maybe he was eaten by a hog...

Looking Back At Kalamazoo Ribfest 2022

Ribfest 2022 on Saturday, August 6th, was a rather hot and somewhat steamy day, however, the crowds endured and enjoyed the annual fest. Here's a look at some of the goings-on and the people who took part in the fun.

Gallery Credit: Brad Carpenter/Townsquare Media

Lined up for ribs

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Another Award Winning Vendor

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Faithful Townsquare Volunteers

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Howling Coyote Made The Scene

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Gotta Have Some Kettle Corn

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A Smiling Piglet

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Servin' Up Another Rack

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Cowboys Barbeque & Rib Company From Fort Worth, Texas

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Pulled Pork Sandwiches Everywhere

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Funnel Cakes And Elephant Ears Can't Be Beat

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Waitin' For The Ribs

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Kalamazoo Academy of Rock

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Fresh Cool Drinks

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A Trusty Ticket Vendor

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Friends Meet Up At Ribfest

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Howling Coyote Makes The Scene

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Plenty Of Choices

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Kalamazoo Academy of Rock

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Kalamazoo Academy of Rock

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Ribfest Buddies

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Friendly Smiling Vendors Everywhere!

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Feeling The Vibes Of Ribfest

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This Happy Group Scored Some Shade

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The Kettle Corn Crew

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Family Shade Break

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Kalamazoo Academy of Rock

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View From The Soundboard

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Fans At The Music Shell

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WRKR Has Plenty Of Free Stuff

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Cornhole Tourney Winners Scored Collective Soul Tickets

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The Infamous WRKR Cornhole Tourney With Meatball & Mark

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Even Ribfest Volunteers Need A Shady Food Break

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Skillful Cornhole Winners Score Collective Soul Tickets

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Ribfest Naptime

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Another Happy Group Of Townsquare Listeners

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The Trusty First Responders

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Lunchtime With Dad

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Keeping Things Clean & Spiffy

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Thumbs Up For Ribfest

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Happy Trails Following Ribfest

Michigan's UNICEF champion is UCS sophomore

Alaowad, a Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies sophomore, has been selected the UNICEF Ambassador to represent MichiganUtica Community Schools, Community ContributorFor Luna Alaowad, being Michigan’s champion for UNICEF is personal.“I know that a lot of children are struggling with early childhood development, and I find the work of UNICEF to be very important,” she said....

Alaowad, a Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies sophomore, has been selected the UNICEF Ambassador to represent Michigan

Utica Community Schools, Community Contributor

For Luna Alaowad, being Michigan’s champion for UNICEF is personal.

“I know that a lot of children are struggling with early childhood development, and I find the work of UNICEF to be very important,” she said.

Alaowad, a Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies sophomore, has been selected as the UNICEF Ambassador to represent the State of Michigan through Key Club International.

UNICEF is an international organization that is dedicated to helping children who are experiencing a crisis, such as conflicts, natural disasters, or poverty.

Elected this summer to the position, Alaowad said her role will be coordinating fundraising efforts and to inform others about the nonprofit’s positive impact on children worldwide. Student ambassadors from each state meet regularly in zoom meetings and will gather at Key Club’s conference in May.

Find out what's happening in Shelby-Uticawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“To be selected as a committee chairperson for the Michigan District of Key Club International is an honor for any high school student but a rare distinction for a high school freshman, when Luna was appointed last year,” said the GLK-UAIS Key Club Advisory Justin Spear. “Her positive, can-do attitude and her commitment to issues of global importance that reflect her personal history together demonstrate an impressive set of leadership skills. I look forward to her continued commitment in Key Club.”

Alaowad said the organization’s current efforts include helping children in Ukraine and Zambia.

“Basically, they will find children who need assistance, and they will do anything to help them,” she said.

In the UCS community, Alaowad said she is working through elementary school to support raising both funds and awareness about UNICEF.

Alaowad, who plans to pursue a degree in the medical field, said her involvement in the GLK-UAIS Key Club grew through the organization’s informational sessions for new students and a project where they packed food for families in poverty. The group’s mission to help others fit perfectly with her own values, she said.

“They made me fall in love with providing service,” she said.

Source: Utica Community Schools

Robert Monroe, Superintendent of Schools

Http://www.uticak12.org

Utica to host Christmas tree lighting celebration

UTICA — Utica will be hosting its 2022 Downtown Utica Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at Memorial Park.According to city officials, this year’s event is going to the biggest and best yet.This year’s Master of Ceremonies is Fox 2 Detroit personality Lori Pinson.Pinson is an award-winning meteorologist on FOX 2 and holds both the American Meteorological Society’s Certified Broadcast Seal of Approval and the National Weather Association’s Seal of Approval.Pinson rec...

UTICA — Utica will be hosting its 2022 Downtown Utica Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at Memorial Park.

According to city officials, this year’s event is going to the biggest and best yet.

This year’s Master of Ceremonies is Fox 2 Detroit personality Lori Pinson.

Pinson is an award-winning meteorologist on FOX 2 and holds both the American Meteorological Society’s Certified Broadcast Seal of Approval and the National Weather Association’s Seal of Approval.

Pinson received an Emmy award for creating an on-air weathercast for the deaf and is a recipient of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters’ best weather award and best use of new media award for her Emmy-nominated online series “Lori’s Science Corner,” which was created in collaboration with the National Science Teaching Association.

Pinson said she is honored to be a part of Utica’s tree lighting Ceremony.

“A special thank you to Mayor Gus Calandrino for including me in the festivities. Growing up in Michigan, like many of you, I experienced the feeling of wonder and excitement looking at all the Christmas lights and decorations, usually under a blanket of snow. Regardless of our weather Dec. 10, I look forward to celebrating this special season of joy and blessings with you! So come on out and take in all the Christmas fun with me, Rachael and Grunwald from WCYD, Mayor Calandrino and of course, Santa! There will be fireworks too! See you there,” she said via email.

Rachael Hunter and Steve Grunwald have been a part of the morning team at WYCD Detroit since 2005. Hunter is a 2013 Gracie Award recipient. They both received the NAB Marconi Award in 2012 and 2016, as well as best morning show from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters in 2017 and 2019. They currently co-host mornings on the station with Josh Holleman, who joined the show in October 2020.

The Country Radio Broadcasters Class of 2022 Country Radio Hall of Fame honorees included Rachael & Grunwald, who joined the Hall of Fame when induction ceremonies were held June 30 in Nashville.

Grunwald said he is excited to be a special guest at the Christmas tree lighting.

“Rachael Hunter and I are super excited for the tree lighting in Utica. Christmas is our favorite time of the year. Rachael and I are looking forward to being special guests and helping bring awareness to the Toys for Tots Stuff an Ambulance. I am looking forward to seeing Santa and convincing him I really was a good boy this year. We can’t wait to see everyone. If you are coming to the event this year, please come over and say hello to us,” he said via email.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by sleigh and receive the key to the city. Santa will be available for visits with children and for pictures.

A spectacular, large-scale fireworks display will follow the presentation.

Talia Davis, a Utica child who was the lucky winner of a contest at the Utica Public Library, will get to start the fireworks by pushing the plunger on the Christmas fireworks detonator.

The Utica Fire Department is sponsoring the Stuff an Ambulance effort to benefit Toys for Tots. All toys collected will go to Toys for Tots, which distributes toys to less-fortunate children at Christmastime. Attendees are asked to bring a new and unwrapped toy to help fill up the ambulance. Donation boxes are also located at Utica City Hall.

The Utica High School Marching Band will perform Christmas favorites for all in attendance.

Memorial Park is located next to the Utica Public Library, which is located at 7530 Auburn Road.

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