A Lasting Impression: How Port Huron Town Hall Resonates with Those Who Take the Stage

For more than six decades, Port Huron Town Hall has brought nationally recognized voices to our community – authors, journalists, performers, and thought leaders who spark curiosity and conversation. While much attention is understandably focused on what audiences gain from the series, there is another perspective that speaks volumes about its impact: the impressions left on those who have stood at the podium.

As this six-story series concludes, three past presenters – Tom Daldin, Chuck Gaidica, and Devin Scillian – reflected on their experiences with Port Huron Town Hall and the community that surrounds it. Their insights reveal a consistent theme: excellence, connection, and a genuine sense of place that extends far beyond a single event.

For longtime Michigan storyteller and television host Tom Daldin, participating in Town Hall felt like joining a legacy.

“I was interested in being a part of Town Hall because people I really admire – Mitch Albom, for example – had been a part of it,” Daldin shared. “They have such a range of notable, great, and diverse speakers.”

That sense of respect for the series was matched by a deep appreciation for Port Huron itself. Daldin, who has featured communities across the state through his work, described an immediate connection.

“What I enjoy about Port Huron and any place I visit is the feeling I get when I arrive,” he said. “It has a thriving downtown. Young people are reconnecting to it, and it’s exploded into becoming a real sense of place. I love the water, the river walk, the bridge and the fact that you’re looking at another country across the river.”

Professionally, Daldin noted that Town Hall stands apart from countless speaking engagements he has done over the years.

“I have to say, of all the speaking engagements I’ve done, whether it’s been to 20,000 people or to 20, there has never been a more professional and well-run event,” he said. “Never have I been treated better or had a better experience. And I do a ton of speaking. I’m not just saying that.”

One element that surprised him most was the luncheon experience, which allowed for deeper interaction.

“Usually, I just sign books and leave,” Daldin explained. “But this gave me a chance to be more of a part of the community. The venue is beautiful, the audience was attentive and engaged, and they fed off the fun of the presentation. It was interactive, and they were right there with me.”

That same attention to detail and hospitality stood out to veteran broadcaster Chuck Gaidica, who has served as moderator for multiple Town Hall speakers.

“What stands out to me is the excellence brought by everyone associated with Port Huron Town Hall,” Gaidica said. “From the initial contact to the care offered when I arrive in Port Huron, to the actual day of the event – every detail is handled with excellence. This is an exceptional trait.”

For Gaidica, that consistency defines the series. “I would point to that again – the excellence in every facet of the series,” he added.

As a moderator, Gaidica has shared the stage with high-profile guests including Brooke Shields and Tara Lipinski, experiences he describes as both professionally rewarding and personally enjoyable.

“Both have a great sense of humor and quick wit,” he said. It was a joy to not only interview them, but to have fun along the way. That kind of atmosphere doesn’t happen by accident, it’s created.”

Devin Scillian, journalist, author, and musician, brought a different perspective as he and his band closed the 2025 Town Hall season with a live performance. “As I joked with the audience, when a country band is asked to play at 10:30, we usually think that means PM,” Scillian said with a laugh. “But the band was excited, I was excited, and clearly the crowd was excited too. We had a full house and a great time.”

Looking at the long list of luminaries who have been part of Town Hall, Scillian said the invitation itself carried weight.

“When you look back at how long this has been going on and who has been part of it, you think, ‘Us? You want us to come play for you?’” he said. “It’s a great honor.”

That honor is also rooted in personal connection. Scillian spends significant time in the region and considers Port Huron a familiar and welcoming place.

“We’ve got a cottage up in the Thumb, and we come through Port Huron a ton,” he said. “I feel very comfortable here. I love it here. I feel very much a part of the community, so it was a real honor to be part of Town Hall.”

Beyond individual performances, Scillian reflected on the deeper value of the series in today’s digital world.

“It’s so easy to get sucked into this digital cyclone you can hold in your hand,” he said. “You can learn a lot, but you’re not doing it communally. You’re not sitting next to someone and letting something inspire conversation.”

Town Hall, he noted, creates space for shared experience.

“These events bring people together – to learn, to share, to talk,” Scillian said. “They show the power of community, which is so vital in our world. That’s why this series has lasted as long as it has and why it’s as powerful as it is.”

As this grant-supported storytelling series comes to a close, the reflections of these presenters underscore what audiences in Port Huron have long known: Town Hall is more than a speaker series. It is a carefully crafted experience rooted in excellence, hospitality, and a strong sense of community – one that leaves a lasting impression on everyone who takes part, whether seated in the audience or standing on stage.