President Julie Miller called the Mount Clemens Rotary Club to order at 12:15 p.m. on January 29, 2026 at the Italian American Cultural Society and Banquet Center.

Amanda Oparka led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and national anthem. Bob Cannon led us in “The Four-Way Test.” President Julie delivered Sarah Lee’s benediction.

The day’s menu featured chicken spiedini with amogio sauce, pasta with marinara sauce, green beans, tossed salad, dinner rolls and brownies.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• President Julie announced we will vote for board directors electronically soon. 
• Casino O’Royale will be held on March 12. Use the QR codes on the new promotional flyer to buy tickets or sponsorships. Please don’t wait to let us know how you plan to participate. 
• We are holding a food drive during February. A list of items requested was circulated.
• President Julie offered to shop for you if you want to provide cash. 
• She announced that Tim and Melissa Mirabale resigned their memberships, as did McLaren Macomb Foundation.

GUESTS, MUSIC, FLOWERS

Robin Zanotti introduced the guests and visitors, including Jennifer Ott, our speaker; Patty McKay, former president of our club and returning as a member; and Don Brown, Deputy Commissioner, Macomb County Public Works.

Jessie Johnson led us in singing If You’re Happy and You Know It and Sing a Song to Rotary. 

Sam Sengupta sold flowers and recognized birthdays and anniversaries. Bob Lee had a birthday on January 27 and we sang Happy Birthday to him; Tom Welsh celebrated four years with on club on January 27. Gary bought a flower for our server, Tina, as well as one for Ken Steele; Sam Wireman bought a flower for Larry Neal in recognition of his engagement; Larry Neal bought one for President Julie.

 

RECOGNITION

Tom Welsh did recognition. 

• Under Sunshine, President Julie announced that Valerie Miller lost her mom earlier that morning. Prayers were requested. More to come on arrangements. 
• Bob Cannon announced that St. Thecla is hosting the Wave Project and needs volunteers.

Everyone in attendance except three people were fined for not wearing a Rotary pin. Tom left his pin and badge in the wrong coat but claimed he did not forget them. Jessie was fined for confusion during the first song. Sam Sengupta was fined for traveling to Washington, D.C. Bob Lee was fined for being late, as was Mark Losinski. 

SPEAKER/PROGRAM

Amanda introduced our speaker for today’s program, Jennifer Ott of My Thyme’s Gardens. She discussed the Warren Micro Forest and shared similar projects in other local communities. The Warren Micro Forest is located in a residential community near Julius Avenue and Park Circle Drive in south Warren. It is thriving on a traffic island made up of 13,000 square feet. It took 8,000 gallons of water to keep it watered during the first year but that amount will go down in subsequent years. The island is planted with all native plants in concentric circles with the hardiest plants, mostly grasses and flowers, on the outermost circle. The next inner circle is tall perennials and shrubs. The center is large trees. There was a focus on planting some pretty flowers as a gift to the local residents who will likely enjoy them most.

Jen credited Nethanya Fonseka for driving youth-led climate action in local communities through this project and numerous others.

Robin won the 50/50 pot of $32.