Macomb Matters June 2022 Issue 82

• Message from Mark
• Employee Focus
• Employee Accolades
• New Hires/Retirees
• Delegation from The Netherlands visits Department of Roads, COMTEC
• Macomb County receives 12 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties
• MSU Extension 4-H Money Crunches Boot Camp
• ‘Tell Me Something Good’ section to share good news, employee stories
• A message from Andy McKinnon
• Providing support by keeping it casual
• Macomb County Animal Control Adoption of the Month
• MMYH Ambassadors
• Paw Print
• Recipe Corner
• Blog Log
• News Nook
• Events

Click for a pdf of Macomb Matters

 

 

Message from Mark

Hello and welcome to Macomb Matters. We’ve got another great newsletter here for you, filled with interesting stories, accolades and other information. I hope you continue reading and that you’ll join us in celebrating our featured employees. I’m so proud of their work, and the work of our entire County team. We do great things for our community and we make Macomb a great place to call home

Now, with the approaching Fourth of July holiday, there are plenty of local events and celebrations here in Macomb. For instance, The Selfridge Open House and Air Show is taking place July 9-10 at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township. This family-friendly event is special to our community, so if you’d like to attend, click here to learn more. Or, if you’d rather get involved and volunteer, there are plenty of opportunities to do so. Email tim@qualitylumber.com or carl@p-ghomes.com to reserve your spot. 

I’d also like to remind our readers that Make Macomb Your Home can be your number one source for finding seasonal fun throughout our 27 municipalities. From concerts at Freedom Hill, to drive-in movies, to simply going for a walk, run or bike ride on the Macomb Orchard Trail, there’s something for everyone here. 

So grab your sunscreen and sunglasses (and an umbrella just in case), get your friends and family together and get going! Summer only lasts a few months, so we have to enjoy it while we can.

Here’s to a great season and upcoming holiday weekend. Take care and stay safe,

 

Mark

 

 

 

Employee Focus

Katie Carroll

In this edition of Macomb Matters, we highlight Katie Carroll, a Veterans Services Officer and the Macomb County Trust and Relief Fund Agent. Keep reading for insights into Katie's role at the County and how she spends her free time.

How long have you been with the County? 

I have been with the County since August of 2016.  I started out in Community Mental Health and transferred to Veterans Services in May of 2018.

What is your current position and what do you do?  
My position is a Veterans Services Officer; however, I am the Macomb County Trust and Relief Fund Agent. 

What led you to this career and what are some of the challenges you face?

When I applied for this position, I thought I was just going to be typing letters, preparing spreadsheets, answering phone calls, payroll, etc; since it was listed as an Account Clerk III position at the time. I wanted to go back to working with the public instead of only paperwork which is what I was doing in Mental Health.  It also helped that the office is 9 minutes from my house compared to my previous 30-40 minute commute.  During my interview the chief of the veterans commission informed me that I would be "presenting the cases to them." I accepted the position, but in the back of my mind I was thinking what cases?  What kind of position is this?  There was a lot to learn; especially how to speak in front of a room without shaking in my boots. There are many challenges that come with this position, including crisis management, working through the emotions of veterans who are facing severe financial hardship, homelessness and much more. 

What have you found most rewarding about your career with Macomb County? 

I find the most rewarding part is making a difference in the lives of others; especially those who fought to make a difference in our lives.

Briefly describe your education/alma mater. 

I have certificates in medical billing & coding and behavioral science, an associates degree in psychology, a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration and I am working on my masters in business administration.

Briefly tell us about your family (pets count too!). 

I am married with one 17-year-old son, four adult step children and four step grandchildren.  I have 5 dogs, a cat and a lizard. 

What do you like to do outside of work? 

I have three jobs and own a business, so I don't have a lot of free time.  However, when I do make time for myself, I like to read, do crafts, kayak and fish.

Briefly describe something you are passionate about, or a philosophy you embrace, or a topic that matters greatly to you, etc. (your choice).

I am extremely passionate about animals, especially dogs.  If I could rescue them all I would.  Something extremely important to me is adopting dogs rather than purchasing.  I am not for breeding, since there are so many dogs out there already that need homes.  Check out Macomb County Animal Control!

 

 

Employee Accolades

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Is there someone in your office who deserves a “pat on the back” for an outstanding achievement? If so, please let the Macomb Matters committee know about it! Email Maria.zardis@macombgov.org with the details.

 

 

New Hires/Retirees

The Macomb Matters committee recently caught up with John Cwikla and Chris Holcomb, who both retired a few months ago. We asked them to fill us in on their career and her post-retirement plans.

About John Cwikla
John Cwikla recently retired from Macomb County as a public information officer managing media relations and communications for the Office of the County Executive. He worked for the county for 32 years, previously overseeing communications for the Sheriff's Office.  His communications career spanned over 50 years. Working closely with Executive Mark Hackel, he built a strong communications network for the newly created County Executive. He scheduled regular interviews with the media; also responding to all incoming media requests, monitored social media and produced monthly cable shows.

The highlight of his Sheriff career was the coverage of the Tara Grant murder case.  The case generated national attention from all the major networks: CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and national publications. During his time at the Sheriff’s Office, he also built the Work Release program into a million dollar a year profit center.  He also helped develop an award winning Sheriff website. Prior to these positions, Cwikla was a well-established figure in Detroit news and sports broadcasting. He got his start at WBRB AM & FM in 1970, eventually becoming the station’s news and sports director. He then joined ESPN as a Detroit producer and correspondent, covering professional and college sports. This led to an opportunity with WXYZ Channel 7, where Cwikla served as Executive Sports Producer from 1985 to 1990. His staff at Channel 7 won numerous Emmy Awards. He also co-founded and became CEO of Detroit Sports Phone and Phone Programs of Michigan, a service that provided 24-hour College and Professional sports updates to callers. In 2016, this work was recognized by the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association when they named Cwikla a Lifetime Honorary Member of the organization.

Cwikla is a lifelong resident of Mount Clemens. He is married to his wife Cindy and enjoys spending time with his family and grandchildren.

What will you miss most about working for Macomb County?
I will miss working with some of the most talented people in county government in Michigan.  The staff at the Sheriff’s Office and Office of the Executive are among the best.  During my broadcasting career I had the honor of covering Michigan Football and legendary coach Bo Schembechler who said: “It’s all about The Team, The Team, The Team.”  Macomb County should be proud of its team.

What are you most proud of during your career with Macomb County?
Building a strong communications network for both the Sheriff’s Office and newly created Office of the County Executive. Producing monthly cable shows and scheduling regular interviews with the media and responding to all media requests in a timely manner. The handling of the COVID-19 response was a great team effort. The management of the national media coverage of the Tara Grant Case has been used as a training tool for law enforcement.  Building one of the state’s best Work Release Programs. 

What are your post retirement plans?
Looking forward to spending more time with my family and grandchildren. I also plan to work part-time providing communication advice and continue to mentor young communication specialists.

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Chris Holcomb

Tell us about the different positions you have held during your time with the County.
I began my career with the County on January 13, 1997 in the Office of the Friend of the Court.  I was hired as a Certification/Decertification Clerk.  In June 1997, I applied for and was promoted to the position of Recorder Secretary in the office.  In October 1997, I passed the required State of Michigan Certification examination from the State Court Administrator’s Office and received my State Certification as a Certified Electronic Recorder.  I remained in that position for 17.5 years working for various referees.  In 2014, I applied for and was promoted to Administrative Secretary (now classified as an Administrative Assistant) to the Director of the Friend of the Court, who was Ms. Lynn Davidson at the time.  Lynn retired about a year later and Mr. Thomas Blohm was appointed Friend of the Court.  I worked with Tom until my retirement on February 4, 2022.

What do you miss most about working for Macomb County?
What I miss most about working for Macomb County are the people that I worked with.  Our office truly was my extended family.  When I retired, I felt like I was moving away from home after 25 years.  I had a great boss and established great friendships that still continue, and took with me memories I will always cherish. 

What are you most proud of during your career with Macomb County?
I guess what I’m most proud of during my career with Macomb County is how it made me grow as a person and as a professional.  I feel I always gave my best and tried to help as much as I could in my position, with the public, and with my co-workers.  When I left, my hope was that I left my position better than I found it and hoped that I had made a difference in some way for the better. My time with the County gave me perspective on what truly matters in life and helped clarify my priorities.  It helped me learn a lot about myself and made me very grateful for what I have.

Tom Blohm, Friend of the Court and Chris’s immediate supervisor, confirmed that Chris had accomplished her goal of making a difference for the better, saying: “Chris was an incredible person to work with.  She is extremely organized and competent, but what always set her apart from others was the patience, compassion and kindness she showed those who were lucky enough to work with her, including me. She was trusted by everyone and that says a lot.  Her dedication to our office and its mission was unsurpassed.”  

What are your post retirement plans?
I am so excited to start this new chapter in my life and look forward to spending time with my better half of 38+ years, Rich.  We look forward to traveling to new places, visiting family and friends, enjoying the island life (Harsens Island), and living our best life!  We have an extensive bucket list to get to work on.  I also enjoy spending time with my 4-legged kids, Miggy & Johnny, Maine Coone/Norwegian Forest Cat brothers we rescued 10 years ago.  I couldn’t imagine them being more spoiled than they were while I was working, but now that I’m retired they really know how to melt their momma’s heart and are really good con artists in getting what they want.  I highly recommend retirement!!!

According to Tom, living on Harsens Island did present its challenges for Chris, and showcased her commitment to the Friend of the Court mission. “She demonstrated some herculean efforts in her winter commute from Harsens Island.  She often came to work on a winter morning not knowing if she would be able to return to her home due to ice flows and jams. She was just a wonderful person to be around and we miss her dearly, but we're all very, very happy for her.”

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On behalf of the Macomb Matters team, congratulations to both John Cwikla and Chris Holcomb on a well-deserved retirement.

Click here for a list of New Hires/Retirees

 

 

Delegation from The Netherlands visits Department of Roads, COMTEC

Leaders from Macomb County and the Department of Roads (MCDR) recently hosted a delegation of officials from the Netherlands who visited the Communications and Technology Center (COMTEC) to learn more about the county’s transportation technology and mobility initiatives. Macomb County officials showcased MCDR’s use of state of the art communication networks, vehicle and mobility detection, traffic monitoring, and connected vehicle technology to deliver a safe and reliable county road system.

For the latest news from the Department of Roads, follow MCDR on Facebook and sign up to receive email and text alerts for construction and traffic updates at roads.macombgov.org.

 

 

Macomb County receives 12 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties

The National Association of Counties (NACo) recently announced Macomb County as a recipient of 12 Achievement Awards for 2022. The annual awards program, now in its 52nd year, recognizes innovative and effective county government initiatives that strengthen services for residents. Awards are given in 18 different categories, including children and youth, criminal justice, county administration, information technology, health and civic engagement.

“The exceptional services provided by Macomb County are once again being celebrated on a national level,” said Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel. “These awards allow our departments to showcase their innovative programs, while also demonstrating their problem solving abilities and resiliency. Our incredible teams absolutely deserve this recognition and I’d like to commend them for doing a great job on behalf of our residents.”

The Macomb County IT Department received several awards for the following work:

• Software-Defined Networking
  Macomb County Information Technology implemented software defined networking equipment to provide a robust infrastructure that can accommodate the dynamic, and often unforeseen, challenges that have been presented by the global pandemic.
• Pivot Point Property Value Assessment Tool
  The Macomb County Equalization Department needed an automated, digitized means of conducting property value assessment to replace their legacy manual processes. For this need, Pivot Point software was selected and Macomb County IT oversaw its implementation.
• COVID-19 Vaccination Center and Scheduling System
  When COVID-19 vaccines became available, the Macomb County Health Department, as mandated by the State of Michigan, was in need of a scheduling system for vaccine distribution. Along with a scheduling system, vaccination centers had to be developed to accommodate the volume of patients requesting COVID-19 vaccines. So Macomb County Information Technology, under the direction of the Office of the County Executive, implemented a scheduling system for COVID-19 vaccination appointments.

• Flu Clinic Scheduling System
  Traditionally, scheduling of flu shot appointments with the Macomb County Flu Clinics has been done via phone. From the success of the COVID-19 Vaccination Scheduling System, an improvement for flu shot appointments was identified. Macomb County Information Technology therefore, in cooperation with the Macomb County Health Department, implemented an online Flu Clinic Scheduling System.
• Amazon Connect Cloud Call Center
  In January 2021, Macomb County Information Technology, with the assistance of an implementation partner, established an Amazon Connect Cloud Call Center to properly handle the hundreds of thousands of calls that the County was receiving on the COVID-19 vaccination phone line.

“Our journey of digital transformation has continued throughout the pandemic,” said Jako van Blerk, chief information officer for Macomb County. “As a matter of fact, it accelerated to a large extent. It spans across changing the way we do property assessments in the county while at the same time increasing productivity and reducing errors, to standing up a fully functional call center for people to get vaccinated in a matter of days. The enhancements improved cyber security, business agility and improved business processes for the county. Dedicated, innovative teams are key to these successes.”

The Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office also received seven NACo awards for efforts aimed at enhancing efficiency and effectiveness. This is the 41st year that Macomb County has participated in the NACo Achievement Awards Program. In 2020, the county received four awards.

Started in 1970, NACo’s annual Achievement Awards program is designed to recognize county government innovations. Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received.

 

 

MSU Extension 4-H Money Crunches Boot Camp

It’s no secret that learning basic skills about budgeting, savings, loans and interest rates helps people understand the impact their financial habits have on their present and future. In the age of technology, knowing how to identify scams designed to separate people from their hard earned cash is critical. Navigating the world of investments and taxes is an intimidating necessity. And while gaining the knowledge and skills to chart a successful financial course can seem daunting, it’s not impossible. The sooner people learn these skills, the better off they will be. To that end, and thanks to a grant from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), MSU Extension is excited to announce the 4-H Money Crunches Boot Camp for youths entering 8th to 10th grade!

They may join the fun on July 27-28, 2022, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily and leave with monster money muscles! They can exercise their money smarts skills and get financially fit this summer by attending the 4-H Money Crunches Boot Camp. This FREE camp, for youth entering  8^th to 10^th grade in the fall, will be held at various sites across Michigan, including Macomb County! It will help youngsters build financial endurance with hands-on activities, and they’ll have the opportunity to cross-train with financial fitness coaches simulcast to each camp location. The financial circuits include: banking, saving, investing, spending plans, fraud, taxes, goals, paying for secondary education and more! If you have students in that range, be sure to sign them up, and spread the word to the parents of their friends!

The Macomb County camp will be held at the Thompson Community Center, 11370 Hupp Avenue, Warren, MI 48089.

Register today at https://events.anr.msu.edu/moneycamp22/.

The Macomb Matters Committee would like to thank Macomb County MSU Extension and the 4-H Program Coordinator Katelyn Golembiewski for this contribution to the 82^nd edition of the Macomb Matters Employee Newsletter.

For more information on this and the other wonderful programs offered by 4-H, you can:

Subscribe to the Macomb County 4-H Family Newsletter: https://bit.ly/2S4WbO3
Follow Macomb County 4-H on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MacombMSUE4H/
Follow Macomb County 4-H on Twitter: https://twitter.com/macombcounty4h
Visit Macomb County 4-H on the web: https://www.canr.msu.edu/macomb/4-h/

 

 

‘Tell Me Something Good’ section to share good news, employee stories

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Do you have something to share for an upcoming newsletter? Submit your good news here. Questions or looking for additional information? Email the Macomb Matters editorial team at Maria.zardis@macombgov.org.

 

 

A message from Andy McKinnon

Oftentimes, when writing this article, it feels like I am discussing change, discussing embracing change, talking about the changes in the season, changes in our lives, etc. It’s often been said that the only thing constant is change. Although, that’s frequently followed by there’s also death and taxes. Doesn’t exactly place change in a positive light.

As many of you are aware, we recently experienced change in our Human Resources and Labor Relations department. Mark Hackel appointed, and the Board of Commissioners approved, the promotion of Karlyn Semlow as our new director. In speaking with a colleague,  just a few days ago, she mentioned that the change has been positive and I couldn’t agree more. During my time in HRLR we were able to accomplish a lot. One of two things I am most proud of are the relationships we built with finance to allow us to eliminate the health care contributions for any employee and the ability to offer increases to our PTA salary schedule, even outside of negotiations. The other is the Dignity Campaign.  Karlyn was a strong proponent and an integral part of each of these focuses in HRLR and if you didn’t know, she really is the heart of the Dignity Campaign. Without her we would not be where we are as an HRLR department or a County.

The time was right for a change in HRLR though. Karlyn has skills and abilities that I do not possess. In my opinion, those skills and abilities are better suited for pulling the HRLR department and the county as a whole back together as we move forward from the pandemic and recreate what our work life will be in the future.

While the change with Karlyn is a positive one, there is another change that I have been noticing in society as well. I am not sure that this one is positive in any way. There seems to be an ever accelerating change in the way people see public servants and the distrust that the general public has for their public institutions. This is something I actually think about at night and frankly, it makes me anxious.

The anxiety doesn’t come because of the distrust or questioning of our public entities, but because it doesn’t seem that many people are looking to find solutions. It seems that the focus or maybe even the goal is disruption and tearing things down, not in finding a better way forward. Once we have created complete distrust in our institutions and have torn them down with no replacement, we see chaos and from what we have witnessed through the pandemic, people do not function well in those types of environments.

What is even more strange to me is this sort of non-logical undercurrent that the government needs to fix things (roads, schools, social determinants of health, food scarcity and the list goes on), but it should meet those ever growing needs with fewer and fewer resources. Oh, and by the way, just because we are asking you to fix it, don't think we trust you now. Huh????

Here in Macomb County I believe we have done an exceptional job of being good stewards of taxpayer funds while still providing an exceptional service. In fact, in speaking with Clerk Forlini today, he stated that nobody waits longer than 10 minutes to receive service in the Clerk's Office or the Register of Deeds. How incredible is that to know you almost wait longer to get your McDonald’s than you do to get a marriage license?  He further stated that people are relocating to Macomb because of the efficiency of the Clerk’s Office in processing certain transactions.

Because of stories like Clerk Forlini’s, and so many others that I can’t include here, It seems that in this County we are starting to change the story on distrusting our institutions. But we can always do more. 

As Karlyn and I transition and become comfortable in our new roles, we want to assure you that the edict from the County Executive is that we continue to find ways to honor County staff, to show them how much they are appreciated and how through diligent, competent work and adhering to prudent fiscal management this team will continue to change the conversation around institutions. Here in Macomb, our residents can trust our institutions and know that they get great service for what they provide through taxes.

As I wrote this article, I kept thinking of a song from the great poet Bob Dylan, and I wanted to end with a verse from one of his most enduring pieces:

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is rapidly agin'
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'

Every team member in this County is “lending a hand” and we all cannot thank you enough.

Have a great summer.

 

 

Providing support by keeping it casual

The Board of Commissioners has announced the continuation of the Macomb County Casual Day Charitable Collections Program. Participating employees (with department leader permission) may wear casual clothing to work on Fridays (or other designated day), if they donate at least a dollar. Participating departments will be monitored, and donations are sent in a timely fashion. Collected donations are then sent by the Board Office to the assigned charities.

The BOC recently announced the full list of programs it will support in 2022. Stay tuned for additional announcements on the topic, and in the meantime, if you are able, please participate in the upcoming Casual Days that will help:

July 1, 8, 15, 22

Charity: Homes for Heroic Forgotten Veterans
Services: Transitional housing for veterans, giving them a safe, welcoming place to live until they get back on their feet.

Special – July 29th

Charity: Humane Society of Macomb
Services: A no-kill shelter that cares for dogs and cats until they are placed in their fur-ever homes.

August 5, 12, 19, 26

Charity: Meals on Wheels
Services: Provides hot, nutritious meals to frail, homebound senior citizens.

 

 

Macomb County Animal Control Adoption of the Month - June

Pictured are just a few of the many animals who found a home with the help of Macomb County Animal Control!  Is your companion waiting for you? Pay a visit to the shelter and find out! Visit the website for more information about pets available for adoption, information about the adoption process and hours of operation.

 

 

MMYH Ambassadors

MMYH Ambassador - Take a quiz, win a prize!

Welcome back to the MMYH Ambassadors column! This edition will feature some important safety information courtesy of the Macomb County Sheriff Marine Division and the Michigan DNR: Boater safety.

According to the Macomb County Sheriff Marine Division, we’ve now entered the high season for accidents. So if you plan to get out on the water this summer, follow these tips from the Michigan DNR:

• Wear a life jacket
  • Accidents happen, be prepared. Life jackets float – you don’t.
  • Drowning was reported as the cause of death in 76 percent of all fatalities – meaning that four out of five people died from drowning.
  • 84.5 percent of people who drowned in a recreational boating accident were not wearing a life jacket.

• Boat sober
  • Alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. Where the primary cause was known, it was listed as the leading factor in 19 percent of deaths.
  • Alcohol can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision, and reaction time. It can also increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold-water immersion.

• Check your boat before going out on the water
  • Make sure the boat is properly equipped and equipment is in good working condition.
  • In addition to legally required equipment such as life jackets and fire extinguishers, always carry a first-aid kit, nautical charts and an anchor.
  • Make sure navigation lights work properly.
  • Ensure the cabin of your vessel has appropriate ventilation to prevent carbon dioxide poisoning.       

• Have a float plan
  • Inform someone who is not boating with you about the details of your trip including:
    •  Where you will be boating and the route you plan to travel
    • How long you will be gone
    • When you plan to return
    • Schedule check-in times
    • Phone numbers for the local emergency dispatch center and U.S. Coast Guard in case you don’t return on time

• Stay alert
  • Watch for other boats, swimmers, skiers and objects in the water. This is especially true when operating in crowded waterways, at night and when visibility is restricted.
  • Be aware of commercial fishing nets and buoys. Orange flagging may indicate a net is located in the water. Nets can also break away and float at the surface of the water, causing entanglements with boats.       

• Carry a cell phone or a marine radio
  • Be prepared to call for help if:
    • You are involved in or witness an accident
    • Your boat or the boat of another becomes disabled
    • You need medical assistance

The top five contributing factors in boating accidents are operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, machinery failure and alcohol use. By following the above guidelines, you can reduce those risks. However, if you need to reach the Macomb County Sheriff Marine Division, the non-emergency number to the boathouse is 586-469-5803 or Marine Radio channel 14 and the emergency number is 911 or Marine Radio channel 16.

Now - think you’re ready to complete the ambassador quiz and win some great County swag? Click here to get started and stay tuned for the next issue, where we’ll cover a new topic.

 

 

Paw Print

Greetings from Chief Randazzo!

Welcome to summer 2022!  We’ve been busy over here, with lots more ahead. So far, in 2022, we have adopted out 356 animals, returned 180 animals to their owners and graduated 477 cats from our Community Cat Program (shelter, neuter and release for feral cats).

Twenty of the 356 adoptions happened as a result of our last adoption event. I am happy to announce that we are having another adoption event on July 16from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at our facility located on 21417 Dunham Road in Clinton Township. If you are interested in viewing adoptable animals, please visit the Animal Control – Adopt. We recommend completing an adoption application before arriving at this event. We hope you will spread the word and stop by to meet some of our amazing adoptable guests! 

Since July is fast approaching, let’s talk about heat and fireworks. Extreme heat is dangerous for people and their pets. Bring your pets inside when you can. Make sure they have plenty of water, and protect their paws from hot asphalt (we use generous amounts of Paw Pad Shield when we’re taking our animals out and about!). And never leave your pets in a hot car. We do not recommend taking pets to fireworks displays. Many animals find them frightening and will panic, even if they are in familiar environments. More dogs go missing on the Fourth of July than any other day of the year, because even the bravest animals can panic and run.

Last but not least, I want to express appreciation to our supporters. We are very proud of the care, services and programs we provide, but it would not be possible without the generosity of our community. It is through this generosity that we are able to offer financial assistance to pet owners who may be considering surrendering their pets because they are unable to provide medical care. If you or someone you know needs this kind of assistance, please visit our Pet Retention webpage for an application and more information about the terms and conditions of this program.

There are countless more examples of this generosity. Watch this video to learn about Koa, a puppy who came to us suffering from the deadly Parvo virus. Koa’s journey was touch-and-go, and at one point, it looked like he might have to be euthanized. But expert veterinary care, paid for by generous donations, pulled him through, and he is well on his way to recovery.

Speaking of videos, did you know we have our own show? For an inside view of animal control, watch and subscribe to On Patrol with Animal Control! Advisory: some of these videos show animals in stressful or dangerous situations.

Not everyone can bring an animal into their home, but there are countless other ways to help, and Macomb County comes through for us, time after time. If you’d like to assist us in our mission, you can donate through our website. You can also shop our Amazon Wish List.

Take care (of yourself and your pets!).

 

 

Recipe Corner

Cherry Scones

Ingredients

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup dried cherries, or chopped fresh, canned or frozen and thawed cherries. Drain canned or frozen cherries well.
• 1/4 butter or margarine, melted
• 2/3 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 scone
Servings per container: 10
Calories…………………...170
Fat…………………………..5g
Saturated fat……………... 1g
Cholesterol……………....0mg
Sodium………………..240mg
Carbohydrate…………….28g
Fiber………………………..3g
Protein……………………..4g
Calcium…………………55mg
Iron……………………….1mg
Vitamin C………………...1mg

Directions

Wash hands and all food preparation surfaces.

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Combine the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Mix well.
3. Add the cherries and mix lightly.
4. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter or margarine, buttermilk and vanilla. Add to the dry ingredients and mix gently.
5. Spoon the dough into 10 equal mounds on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until well browned.
6. Serve hot or at room temperature. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 to 3 days.

Notes

• Try with other dried fruit or fresh blueberries.

Recipe provided by: Food Hero, Oregon State University Extension, foodhero.org

Download a PDF version

 

 

Blog Log

 

Upcoming fireworks displays in Macomb County: What you need to know

Green Macomb hosts tree planting at Gold Star Family Memorial in Clinton Township

 

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News Nook

 

Robotics program aims to fuel talent pipeline, reduce stigma in STEM education

Signature summer festivals in Macomb County

 

 

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Events

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Do you have comments or suggestions for Macomb Matters? Please send them to maria.zardis@macombgov.org