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Office of County Executive
Mark A. Hackel
(586) 469-7001

Macomb Matters December 2022 Issue 85

Click for a pdf of Macomb Matters

 

 

Message from Mark

 

Hello and welcome to the final edition of Macomb Matters for 2022. It’s hard to believe we’re just weeks away from 2023 - a new year filled with so much possibility for our community. But before we think about what’s next, I want to take a moment to reflect on the last 12 months. If you were able to attend my State of the County address, you likely heard about a variety of accomplishments, projects and plans. And I’d like to note that none of these things would be possible without the incredible hard work and dedication of our County employees. So please know - I’m thankful for all that you do, and for our collective efforts that make Macomb a great place to call home.

Now, even though this can be a very busy part of the year, I hope that you will carve out some time to enjoy the holiday happenings taking place throughout the County. You can find all types of festive fun, and other regular updates, on the Make Macomb Your Home Facebook and Events page. And of course, check out makemacombyourhome.com to find inspiration for the remaining winter months. Whether this means bundling up and getting out of the house to visit a local ice rink or sledding hill, or finding a new brewery to try with friends, our Make Macomb Your Home team has all the resources and information you need to enjoy the rest of the season.

Thank you again and happy holidays. Here’s to a restful end of year and a fresh start in 2023!

 

Mark

 

 

Employee Focus

Meet Gerard Castaneda, an employee of the Health Department.

 

In this edition of Employee Focus, we highlight Gerard Castaneda, an employee of the Health Department. Keep reading for insights into Gerard’s role at the County and how he spends his free time.

1. How long have you been with the County?

I’ve been with Macomb County for 16 years.

2. What is your current position and what do you do?

I currently serve as the Public Health Informatics Specialist at the Health Department. Informatics is the study of how technology and related information can be used most effectively to serve a specific purpose. As the Health Department informatician, I use my experience and training as a registered nurse to develop ways to use technology and enhance the health of people and the community. This may include improving how nurses document in the Health Department’s electronic health record, ensuring the online COVID-19 appointment scheduler is formatted for the public to easily enter their information or assisting in developing reports that can support clinic leadership when making program decisions.

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

When I first started working with the County, I worked as a Public Health Nurse in the Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Clinic. After a few years, I was asked to lead an initiative to computerize the STD charting system. This project opened my eyes to how technology and computers could enhance the delivery of health care and it prompted me to pursue my master’s degree in nursing informatics. I was lucky enough to finish my graduate studies around the same time that a full-time Public Health Informatics position became available at the Health Department.

As an informatics nurse, I frequently deal with helping staff adapt to change associated with new technology. Some people have a hard time learning new systems. My role is to provide tools and assist staff to make the change less scary. Although it can be challenging creating tools and instructions for varying levels of computer proficiency, it is where I learn the most because it provides me with new perspectives on how people learn new technology.

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

I find great pride in knowing that I am a part of a team aimed to enhance the health of the community.

5. Briefly describe your education/alma mater.

I completed my Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. I completed my Master of Science degree with a concentration in nursing informatics from Ferris State University. I am currently in my first year as a PhD student through the University of Missouri in Columbia where my research focus is on improving the usability of public health information data systems.

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

At home, I have a Bichon/Shih Tzu mix named Mai Mai (pronounced “my-my”). She pretty much runs the house and I just happen to live there too. My mother and older brother also live in Macomb County and I consider myself lucky to get to see both of them quite often.

7. What do you like to do outside of work?

Music has always been a big part of my life. Prior to my working as a full-time public health nurse, I worked on cruise ships as a singer. I was also lucky enough to spend a few years performing on the U.S. National Tour of Sesame Street Live and the North American Tour of the musical Miss Saigon. Although I don’t perform as much as I did in the past, I still enjoy seeing a show or catching a concert when I get a chance.

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

I think technology should continually be designed with the end-user in mind. Solutions that are developed in collaboration with those who will use the system provides a great foundation for a successful project. I think there is great value in engaging with end-users early in the design phase of any software development initiative.

 

 

New Hires/Retirees

Denise Mentzer

 

The Macomb Matters team would like to congratulate Denise Mentzer on her retirement.

Tell us about the different positions you held during your time with the County.

I started out as a $10 per hour clerical in the Health Department but quickly graduated to a computer maintenance clerk at the County Reference and Research Center where I spent 12 years until it closed. I taught senior citizens how to navigate the internet and how email works. I still remember a lady who was so happy and thrilled to be able to email and communicate with her grandson in the military. The library was the perfect catalyst for me to complete my bachelor’s degree. Because of that, when the library closed, I was able to move to Planning & Economic Development where I became a small business counselor for the SBTDC. I worked with some dynamic, skilled and driven business attraction specialists like John Paul Rea and Jack Johns, who worked hard to bring economic opportunity to the County.  I couldn’t turn down the chance to work for our CIO Jako VanBlerk in the Information Technology Department. It took me a while to decipher their tech lingo and learn the meanings, but I finally quit making ID-10-T errors. My last stop has been as the senior buyer in Purchasing where I have had the pleasure to work with many wonderful employees who are dedicated to their department. I’ve been lucky to be promoted from one position to another, always bettering myself and learning new things.

What will you miss most about working for Macomb County?

One of the things I will miss is buying such cool and unusual things for the Sheriff’s Office. I’ve bought drones, body armor, K9 necessities, vehicle equipment and software that can hack and crack digital devices. I’ll miss learning about the newest technology from IT. I’ll miss buying fun books for Head Start like “Gruel Snarl Draws a Wild Zug Thing.”  And people. Too many to list, who I laughed with, cried with, celebrated with and learned so much from.

What are you most proud of during your career with Macomb County?

One of the things I am most proud of during my career is that I earned my bachelor’s degree in business administration, summa cum laude, while working as a library employee. I created a database of manufacturers while in Planning that Director Steve Cassin sent to the State MEDC and I was recognized for. I helped several small businesses take flight.

What are your post retirement plans?

I’m leaving the County because I was elected to represent parts of Macomb County as the State Representative for House District 61. I look forward to the many new challenges as I take my seat in the Legislature. I’m going to do my best to bring dollars and good policies back to Macomb County and the voters who believe in me.

Any other words of wisdom to share?

The one thing I always tell new employees is that if you don’t like the department you are in – look around. There are so many departments and types of employment in the County. There is always opportunity to learn something new and to do important work that makes a positive difference for people and in your own life.

Congratulations Denise! Best wishes for your exciting post-retirement career!

 

 

Click here for a list of New Hires/Retirees

 

 

Remembering and Honoring Drita Gjeklaj

 

It is with great sadness Macomb County Community Mental Health shared the news of Drita Gjelaj's passing. Drita passed on November 3, 2022, surrounded by her family. Anyone who met Drita loved her. She was kind, always willing to help and truly dedicated to the people MCCMH serves. Drita most recently held the position of a program supervisor for the outpatient services at West and East. Over Drita's almost nine year tenure, she held the positions of clinical supervisor and therapist.

Many worked directly or indirectly with Drita over the years. One work family member, Kate Sturtevant, stated:

"Drita became my friend and confidant on the first day we worked together almost four years ago. We would talk, laugh and cry with each other on the phone at least two to three times a day during the start of COVID when working remotely was new to all of us. Despite her own health challenges, she still checked in on me routinely and would make me laugh and feel good.  She was my friend. I loved her and I am heartbroken like so many of us.  Best of all, I have so many great memories of her that I smile in the end.

Everyone would agree she had a great sense of humor and her presence illuminated a room. She was many staff's favorite supervisor making the work atmosphere engaging and positive. She always checked in on those who were going through a hard time and would have great words of wisdom. She was one of the most genuine people I have ever worked with. One of her favorite things to do was challenge us by giving the devil's advocate perspective and provoking growth by looking at problems from another perspective. 

Her laughter and sweet memories will remain in everyone's memories."

 

 

Executive Hackel delivers 10th annual State of the County address

 

On Wednesday, December 7, Executive Mark Hackel delivered his 10th State of the County address at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts. The event, which was presented by DTE Energy, covered a wide-range of topics, including quality of life initiatives. For instance, Hackel shared news of a partnership between the Detroit Zoological Society and the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, which will bring meaningful programming and educational resources to residents of Macomb County and southeast Michigan.

Hackel also discussed several key community metrics, including:

  • Educational attainment: Residents are increasingly pursuing certifications, with nearly 50,000 associates, bachelor’s and/or graduate degrees obtained in the last decade.
  • Financial stability: The County maintains a AA+ bond rating, which translates to lower interest rates for repaying bonds.
  • Housing: Home values increased $29,000 in one year, and housing stock continues to rise through new construction.
  • Income: Median household income is well above the state average at $67,000, a figure projected to increase over the next five years.
  • Jobs: Employment numbers are strong, with 440,000 residents in the workforce and an unemployment rate at 3.2 percent.
  • Population: A decade-long trend continues with an average of 11 people making Macomb their home each day.

“Together these core six metrics illustrate the strength of Macomb County,” said Hackel. “Our growing population is more diverse, educational attainment is increasing, employment is steady, household income is growing, the housing market is favorable and the County government is financially sound. These and many other reasons are why people make Macomb their home.”

Looking ahead, Hackel shared a vision for the Macomb County Jail. He also outlined plans for a new approach to safeguarding the individuals that are in the County’s care and custody.

“With an aging facility, and a strained network of physical and mental health providers, it's time for a new approach,” he said. “The design of the current facility focuses mainly on incarceration.

Future facilities must have a greater focus on treatment, and that must begin with a more comprehensive intake and assessment process. Fortunately with the funds available from the American Rescue Plan, we are finally in a position to design and build a facility that is capable of providing this transformative approach.”

Hackel concluded his address with a call for unity.

“If you think about it, we've been dealing with a lot lately,” he said. “The global pandemic, contentious elections, economic uncertainty and an unsettling lack of civility. It seems like the result of all of this is that we are becoming more divided than we are united. We often hear people from both parties saying that they are willing to reach across the aisle, and I don’t believe that’s enough. I think it’s time to stop reaching across the aisle and get in the aisle. There isn’t a problem that we can’t solve if we are truly willing to come together to solve it.”

Afterwards all attendees were invited to the annual Taste of Macomb in the adjacent Lorenzo Cultural Center. Featuring 19 Macomb County restaurants and food emporiums, this event has been called the “must-attend gathering of the season.”

The entire State of the County address can be found on the Make Macomb Your Home YouTube channel. It can also be accessed on Macombgov.org.

 

 

HealthStyles Happenings

 

The New Year is just around the corner and the HealthStyles team has been making some exciting plans to get things started on the best foot possible. And they mean literally! Right now, there are plans for a Virtual Chair Yoga event in January 2023. Participants can join remotely, so this is a convenient opportunity to be part of the fun. Get the year started right by learning how to practice yoga right from your chair. Balance, strength and stress relief are benefits of yoga, and what better way to prepare yourself for whatever adventures 2023 brings your way! Be sure to keep up with your emails for details on the event.

 

 

Office of Senior Services becomes standalone department

 
 

The mission of the Macomb County Office of Senior Services is to promote and support aging well in Macomb County by adhering to the core values of dignity and respect, integrity, accountability, professionalism, empowerment, advocacy and self-determination. And now, as a standalone department under the Macomb County Health and Community Services umbrella, the office continues to work towards this goal.

“By becoming a standalone department, accessibility to our services has increased,” said Sheila Coté, director, Macomb County Office of Senior Services. “We are identified within the community as the “go-to” resource for seniors and their caregivers - and we are a one stop shop. This has increased awareness that our services are for all seniors, regardless of income.”

Programs offered through the office include:

  • Meals on Wheels, the office’s largest and most frequently requested service, which provides a ready-to-eat meal to 1,700 seniors each day
  • Dining Senior Style, which offers dining and socialization for seniors at 21 locations around the County
  • GoldenBerry Adult Day Caring Center, an adult day program for individuals with dementia/Alzheilmers who can no longer structure their day and would benefit from cognitive stimulation and interactive activities
  • Handy Helpers, which provides limited in-home maintenance services such as cleaning carpets, changing light bulbs, replacing faucets and other small tasks
  • Home Injury Prevention, where seniors can request the installation of devices such as grab bars and bath chairs to help prevent a fall from occurring
  • Information and benefit access, where a trained advocate will connect with seniors and their caregivers regarding potential resources they need and assist with application processes
  • Friendly Caller, where seniors sign up to receive a weekly phone call from a trained volunteer, which can prevent social isolation and loneliness while providing companionship

“How senior programming is implemented varies greatly across the state,” said Coté. “Many counties have multiple providers which creates confusion on how to get help or who to call.  Having a county office of senior programming creates a single point of entry for seniors looking for assistance. We help to coordinate and connect services more effectively and work collaboratively with our aging network of providers.”

Currently the Macomb County Office of Senior Services has a team of 15 full-time and 50 part-time employees, and more than 700 active volunteers. This workforce allows them to serve approximately 8,000 seniors each year.

“Knowing that we are assisting seniors to age in place or improve their quality of life is what motivates me and our staff,” said Coté. “I enjoy having the opportunity to give back to our seniors who have contributed so much during their lifetime. We will all reach that time in our lives when we need a little help to manage things. I like that we can make a difference by assisting seniors to stay in their own home.”

Learn more about the office and the services it provides by visiting macombgov.org/seniors or by finding it on Facebook.

 

 

Volunteers needed for Point-in-Time Count

 

Looking to give back to your community in the New Year? Macomb Community Action is currently seeking volunteers for its Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, a requirement of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for all Continuum of Cares (CoCs).

As background 

The annual count takes place during the last ten days of January and it must accurately estimate and reflect the entire sheltered and unsheltered populations of homeless people in the CoC’s geographic area. The Macomb Community Action CoC consists of the entire County of Macomb.

Shelters will count their participants and report the data to HUD as “sheltered homeless” - so Macomb Community Action must focus on the unsheltered people for the PIT Count. This is where volunteers are needed. They assist in canvassing the County to obtain the most accurate count available.

The HUD definition of being homeless is those people “with a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designated for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings, including a car, single family tent, park, abandoned building, bus or train station, airport, or camping ground” on the night designated for the count.

Here’s what volunteers need to know  

The 2023 count will be held on Wednesday, January 25, 2023, from 7 p.m. through midnight. Volunteers must gather data on those encountered, including gender, race and ethnicity for all persons. Additional data will be gathered if the person interviewed voluntarily provides the information. This could consist of veteran status, age, whether the person is “chronically homeless” or if the person is experiencing homelessness due to domestic violence, disability status, HIV/AIDS or those who have a substance use disorder. 

Groups of three to four volunteers per vehicle will canvass the County in search of those who, during the PIT count hours, are homeless. The volunteers will be provided a geographic portion of the County to monitor. “Hot spots” - where homeless people are known to be - will be provided. Volunteers will complete forms on those they encounter to ensure data is collected appropriately. A bag of items will be provided to everyone they meet along with a sheet of resources including shelter information, health care information, etc. 

How to volunteer

Those interested in volunteering with Macomb Community Action for the night of the PIT must complete a registration form and attend volunteer training. The registration form is available here: https://forms.gle/ZBjwG8j6fFdSpY819

If you’re unable to volunteer, but still wish to contribute, donations for the giveaway bags are needed. Organizers currently are seeking blankets, winter accessories like hats, gloves, socks, scarves, coats, grab-and-go packaged foods, and hygiene products. Contact Kristin DeFranco at Kristin.DeFranco@macombgov.org for more information.

 

 

A message from Andy McKinnon

 

As we come to the close of 2022, one phrase keeps coming to my mind: Thank goodness. Thank goodness we are moving forward from the pandemic. Thank goodness election season is over. Thank goodness we can gather in public once again. Thank goodness we are here to be able to spend another holiday season with those nearest and dearest to us. Over the past several months, I have really been focusing on being thankful for the things that have been blessings to me, my colleagues and my family over the past several years.

Although, it must be premised with the fact that many people have experienced great loss over that same time. People that I know and care about have recently, and over the course of the pandemic, lost parents, spouses, children and other loved ones, as I know you have too. It seems to happen too often around the holidays.

While I have written about this before, I don’t think we can lose sight of the fact that the last few years have been a repetitive stress injury on our psyches. It certainly isn’t to the level of PTSD for most, but it has been jarring nonetheless. It has, in my opinion, led us to be less civil, less patient, less understanding and less empathetic.Those are all decisions that we get to make and we can certainly double down on the anger and the divisiveness if that’s what we want to do.

On the other hand, it seems that we may be starting to see green shoots of civility and cooperation starting to take hold. I recently read an article about Deion Sanders leaving Jackson State, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), for the University of Colorado, a Big 12 team. Of course people like to read the negative and are judging “Primetime” (Coach Sanders) for his decision, however, here is a quote from one of his players in that article:

Q: There’s been a heated debate on social media on Deion leaving. What are your thoughts on the backlash Coach Prime has received from this?

A: Jurriente Davis - “Social media gon’ be social media at the end of the day. People gon’ bash you. I look at it like this, if you don’t got nobody talking about you, you ain’t doing something right. It’s a lot of people like Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith, they all talking about it. I just know it’s pros and cons to everything. We knew as the team the world was gonna blow up. I know the culture is shocked right now, especially Jackson State culture. Some people look at it like a hit to the face but some people look at it like a good thing. Even being here from January, he’s changed the culture a lot. A lot of people might look over that as far as the locker room. He used his whole salary to put that money into the locker room. Coach Prime didn’t use Jackson State, he had to elevate. If Coach Prime left 10 years from now, people would probably still bash him.”

It’s nice to see a college athlete, especially one who just lost his coach, state that social media is going to trend towards the negative. That there will always be those who bash as it’s the easiest way to get attention. Maybe the younger generation is learning this lesson, and it is a lesson we could all learn Unfortunately, last week I also watched a 60 minutes segment that highlighted the detrimental impact social media has on our youth. Especially our young women and their body image. In it they discussed that social media preys on young people, often adolescents. In one instance a girl at the age of 11 had a cell phone and searched “fitness routines” on Instagram, she was then inundated with ads for diets which then led to ads promoting eating disorders. How disgusting, but again, the worst seems to somehow rise to the top.

Every once in a while, I comment on a book I am reading in this article. Currently I am reading “Ten Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now.” It’s a fairly light read and I think it says a lot about us and how this technology is changing us as a society. Social media would lead us to believe in the photoshopped pictures and flowery-romanticized posts on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter/Twitch/Tiktok and the others, but it’s important to remember the fact that these are just that, photoshopped and romanticized.

As we move into 2023, I am going to try and consider the impact that social media and media in general have on the whole of our lives. Then, when I look at my dirty dishes in the sink, the pile of laundry I have to do, or my most recent credit card bill, I am going to think that this is the reality of life. More than that, though, I am going to choose to think that I am lucky to be able to do my laundry, clean my kitchen and pay my bills, because that is the truth. Those little mundane things that can be pleasurable if looked at through the right lens. And who doesn’t love looking at, and the smell of, that pile of clean dishes or the clean and folded laundry when you’re done?

Have a safe, happy and peaceful holiday season and new year.

Andy

 

 

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 will soon announce the full list of programs it will support in 2023. Stay tuned for additional announcements on the topic, and in the meantime, if you are able, please participate in the upcoming final Casual Day of the year that will help:

Special – December 29

Charity: Supporting Kids in Pain (SKIP)
Services: A children’s charity for the benefit of sick children in hospitals, and under-privileged children.

 

 

Macomb County Animal Control Adoption of the Month - December

 
 
 

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 an important service: Tax Foreclosure Prevention through the Macomb County Treasurer.

The Treasurer’s Office can help explain the tax foreclosure process, work with residents to develop a payment plan or refer residents to assistance programs that may be available. If a member of the public is facing tax foreclosure because of unpaid 2020 or earlier taxes, note that March 31 is the deadline to pay or set up a plan to avoid losing a home. With this in mind, there are several important things to know:

  1. As part of the foreclosure judgment, a resident can redeem a property by paying the 2020 and prior year taxes by March 31, 2023. The first step is to obtain the balance of 2020 and prior year property taxes. That can be found by using the property address on Access My Gov. Once on the page, a resident can search by entering a name, property address or parcel number in the box near the top of the page.
  2. A resident must determine if they need more time to pay and if so, they can request a hardship extension. The Treasurer’s Office will work with them to develop a payment plan. A request form for this is available here.
  3. A resident can also call the Macomb County Treasurer’s office at 586-469-5446 to schedule an appointment to meet with a tax consultant.

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.

 

 

IT Download

A message from Jako van Blerk: How does technology change our lives?

 

When looking at the functions of society today, technology changed every one of them. Communication, medicine, dating, shopping, meal and grocery delivery, transportation and home security have been revolutionized through the Internet of Things (IoT). For example, we now have smartwatches, smartphones, tablets and the use of sensors, to name a few.

Technology is changing communication to become instant and convenient, even if you are worlds apart. That puts information at your fingertips, and it improves our ability to communicate with loved ones while providing improved caregiving with the use of email, texting, social media, video conferencing and more. Hearing aids, medical alerts, remote monitoring, etc. are being done differently now and the results are instant.

Let me dive a little deeper. The media industry is now streaming 24/7, which negates the need for cable, newspapers and other outlets. Even books are electronically available. And when was the last time you were in a bank? Most people nowadays do all their banking online. There is very little need to go and visit a brick-and-mortar facility. Most of your bill payments can be automated from your couch at home, you can transfer money across the globe and you can send someone money instantly.

For better or worse, technology has changed the way we date by posting profiles online and matching people up. It fits right in with our busy schedules and the need to have everything at our fingertips. Many of us now shop online at the big stores and have groceries delivered to our homes or we can pick our goods in the parking lot at the store. We also order dinner online and have it delivered. It’s even easy to sit at home and use your voice to change the channel on your TV, change the thermostat or change the lighting, all from your smartphone. You can view what’s happening at your front door or around your house from your office and even talk to the delivery person.

Perhaps one of the biggest changes happening today is driverless cars. This can and will change the way we travel in the future. The taxi industry has also been changed by companies like Uber and Lyft. A “taxi” is now available on your phone. Plus it provides job opportunities for any car owner.

Now I’m not saying there is no room for reading a hardcover book or sitting back and reading a newspaper, having a good old fashioned blind date through a mutual friend, going to the store to buy your goods, driving your own car or having a face-to-face meeting with someone in the future. As a matter of fact, many of the old ways of doing things have and will continue to have relevance in our lives, as some of it is necessary. For example, in-person human interaction is essential. But through all of these changes, please always make sure you do everything securely. Unless you have sufficient security measures in place, there is something to be said about keeping your home devices off the network.

 

 

Paw Print

 

Greetings from Chief Randazzo!

It’s the holiday season! For many of us, this means events that are filled with extra time with loved ones, generosity, reminiscing and making new memories. To add to this heartwarming season, I’d like to share a story of a happy holiday miracle.

In August, we received a stray from Eastpointe Animal Control. He was quite a ham, and our entire staff fell in love with him. We called him Dingo, and have been hoping to find him his forever family since we received him. Our adoption events are a central piece of finding homes for the animals in our care, and we advertise these events all over social media. We use a lot of video footage in our posts. Our followers never disappoint, and they consistently share these posts for us.

On December 11, we took Dingo outside, hoping to get some footage to post, so our followers could share his story far and wide. During the recording, Dingo, who is normally a happy guy, became even happier and quite animated. It was different from his past happy behaviors. His nose was activated and his whole body was wriggling with excitement. He smelled something – it was his mom. She happened to be there because she saw one of the adoption events that was shared by one of our followers on social media. She had been heartbroken over the loss of her dog, and was looking for a cat. Instead, she was reunited with her own dog, who she calls Max. Dingo – Max – is home now.

This is the season of joy, and there are no words to express the joyfulness of this reunion. We were overwhelmed with it. We attempted to get some video but he was unable to contain his excitement so it was nearly impossible. You can see the video we were able to capture (have a tissue ready). You can also see all of our other great videos on our Facebook page. What a great way to wrap up 2022.

Like many stories, there are “takeaways.” The first takeaway is that you should chip your pets. It’s affordable – especially if you come to us. The second is that if you lose a pet, check with your local animal shelters immediately and then regularly thereafter. Third, that even the smallest actions can have HUGE effects. Whether someone is fostering, volunteering at the shelter or clicking the like and share buttons, it is a team effort. Macomb County gets it done. And finally, you don’t have to go to 34th Street to see miracles. They happen every day, in ordinary ways, through acts of kindness, big and small. Especially here on Dunham Road.

We appreciate your engagement throughout 2022. We started strong with our Betty White adoption event in January, and time and time again, Macomb County residents and businesses have come through. Whether it’s adoption events, low and no cost vaccination clinics, fill the trailer – Macomb County gets it done. We deliver great services – with your help. If you’d like to see the work that you help us do, you can watch our Youtube show, On Patrol with Animal Control. Please be advised some of these videos show animals in distress, so plan accordingly.

We are looking forward to what 2023 will bring. We hope 2023 will be as good to you as 2022 has been to us. Best wishes for safe holidays and a very bright New Year.

 

 

Recipe Corner

Apple Cranberry Salad Toss

 

Ingredients

• 1 head of lettuce-your favorite kind (about 10 cups)
• 2 medium apples, sliced
• 1/2 cup walnuts (chopped)
• 1 cup dried cherries
• 1/2 cup green onions (sliced)
• 3/4 vinaigrette dressing

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1/8 of recipe
Servings per container: 8
Calories…………………...174
Fat………..……………….10g
Saturated fat……………... 1g
Cholesterol………………0mg
Sodium………………..227mg
Carbohydrate…………….22g
Fiber………………………..3g
Protein……………………...2g
Calcium…………….…..30mg
Iron……………………….1mg
Potassium….…………206mg

Directions

Wash hands and all food preparation surfaces.

  1. Wash lettuce, apple and green onion
  2. Toss lettuce, apples, walnuts, cranberries and onions in a large bowl.
  3. Add dressing; toss to coat. Serve immediately.
  4. Place leftovers in the refrigerator within two hours.

Notes

  • Freeze unused pumpkin and add to soup, chili or pancake recipes

Recipe provided by: Creative Recipes for Less Familiar USDA Commodities Used by Household Programs USDA, Food and Nutrition Service, Food Distribution Service myplate.gov/recipes

Download a PDF version

 

 

News Nook

Ten small businesses win $1,000 grants thanks to this Macomb County initiative

Macomb County Department of Roads ready to take on winter

3 unique shops that gift seekers can only find in Macomb County

 

 

Events

Find community events and more:

MakeMacombYourHome.com

Make Macomb Your Home Events

 

 

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