The Rotary Club of Taylor has provided volunteer service to our Local and International Communities projects for almost 75 years. Taylor Rotarians are very friendly people and community leaders who treasure fellowship and believe in the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.”
We work as a team, exchange service project ideas, and then volunteer to take action in our community!
Come and join us most Thursdays at 12:15 PM at Wayne County Community College on Northline Rd!
For more information please check our Taylor Rotary Facebook Page.
Dave Gorgon Thanks to the wonderful members of the Rotary Club of Taylor, Michigan for the Paul Harris Fellow and to the City of Taylor for the support. I’m truly humbled. The Rotarians are so important for our community. They’re the most giving group of people I know and being in their company encourages volunteerism. Hosting Mayor Rick Sollars impressive State of the City Address continues a tradition that goes back many years. Congratulations to my friend Teri Fritz for also being recognized with the fellowship. And thanks to Jim Jacek for the photos!
Rotarian Larry Wright and President Linda Newsome presented the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow at the 2020 City of Taylor State of the City Event at the Taylor Lakes of Taylor Banquet Center.
The Taylor Rotary Club had a terrific luncheon gathering on February 13th at the Wayne County Community College Downriver Campus! Many guests from the City of Taylor Government joined us to hear a presentation by Christine Bell, LMSW about “Building Vital Neighborhoods“.
The 2020 City of Taylor State of the City Event which was sponsored by the Taylor Rotary Club. Mayor Rick Sollars gave his presentation to many guests and rotarians. All these photos were taken by Professional Photographer Jim Jacek.
Mayor Rick Sollars 
Mayor’s Family 
WE BELIEVE IN STRONG NEIGHBORHOODS.
This non-profit organization firmly believes every child should have a safe walk to school and a safe place to play. Believe that no one should drive by vacant, blighted land on their way home. Believe young people should have opportunities to develop as neighborhood leaders. Believe there is a strong relationship between having safe places to play and getting a good education, between beautification and economic development.
We target critical neighborhood needs, often in collaboration with our partners, to create opportunities for significant community investment in youth development, neighborhood beautification and economic success, safety, and community relationships in the Springwells area in Southwest Detroit to build this healthy, safe neighborhood.
The following folks joined us – Mayor Rick Sollars, Kimber Dorton – Mayors Secretary, Karl Ziomek – Director Communications and Marketing, John Blair – Chief of Police, Anthony Chicko – Police Lieutenant, Jeff Baum Community Development Manager and Paul Fisher – Community Development Coordinator.
Our club also celebrated Valentines Day by inviting spouses to the luncheon. Candy or small scratch offs were given out to all.
Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber of Commerce is at Heinz C. Prechter Educational and Performing Arts Center.
The President Ron Hinrichs had a great time meeting with two brand new #entrepreneurs in our region this morning at the Trenton and Taylor Rotary’s Launch Detroit program! It was an honor to discuss with them some of the different programs and opportunities for new entrepreneurs throughout our region.
Toni will be opening Refuge Coffee shop in Lincoln Park and Dan will be opening a great bookkeeping and accounting business. The Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber is ready to support you and to make it happen!
We are so grateful to our friend Taylor Rotarian Larry Wright of Wright Landscaping for inviting the chamber to speak!
Rotary International President Mark Maloney
I am excited to share some good news: Rotary International and Toastmasters International are working together to provide our members with even more opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Toastmasters International is a global nonprofit organization with more than 16,800 clubs in 143 countries. Its members attend club meetings where they give speeches, evaluate the speeches of others, and perform other club duties, with the goal of ultimately becoming more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders. Our organizations are complementary in many ways, but we are each unique in what we offer our members.
“True Meaning of Christmas” dinner which was held at the William Ford Senior Activity Center. Taylor Rotarian Thom Ouellette assisted in the planning and preparing all the menu items for this dinner. Thom is certified at the Senior Activity Center and in the county to serve food by the Wayne County Health Department.
About 25 Domski family members and many more people volunteered their time and talent at the Senior Center, which is donated by the city of Taylor.
Over twenty precooked turkeys and nine precooked hams plus lots of vegetables, potatoes, stuffing, gravy, coffee, soda and water was on the dinner menu.
There were free clothes available for the guests.
The webmaster along with his wife, daughter and granddaughter volunteered for a couple hours at this sensational holiday event!
The Taylor Christmas Parade happened Friday Evening, November 29th. The Taylor Rotary Club had two floats in the parade. Taylor Rotarians, families and friends help Santa ride in style! The Blair Moody Hoop House float was sponsored by our club. Rotarian Thom Ouelette made it happen. It was a fun time for kids of all ages!
Meijer’s in Taylor and DTE – Help Purchase Children Winter Jackets
Meijer’s in Taylor donated $1500 and DTE donated $1000 to help the Taylor Rotary finance the purchase of new winter jackets for the Taylor Head Start program. The Taylor Rotary Club facilitated the purchase of the jackets and contributed to the funds needed to purchase the 105 jackets for the young students in the Head Start program.
Members of the Taylor Rotary club devoted the time to go shopping for the 105 jackets and also had the opportunity to help distribute the jackets at the Head Start school.
Thank you Meijer’s of Taylor and DTE for your help in giving these students the warmth of a new winter jacket.The Taylor Rotary looks forward to repeating this project
People in above group photo right to left: Taylor Rotarians Soon Kwon and Armando Sardanopoli; Sandy Imes, Shanel Green-Lige, Rache’ Harvey and Dominek Jackson of the Taylor Head Start Staff
On Thursday, November 21st the Taylor Rotary Club enjoyed a visit to Beaumont Taylor Hospital – Orthopedic Services Facilities. After welcoming remarks by Sandy Sommer, Senior Development Officer, Beaumont Health Foundation and a terrific free lunch, Rahul Jadia, Administrator, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation gave a short presentation about the Beaumont Health System, Beaumont Taylor Hospital and the new Orthopedic Services Facility. This was followed by a tour of the facility which was led by Cynthia Aceves, Practice Manager, Beaumont Sports & Orthopedic Injury Clinic Taylor. This Orthopedic Facility has all the necessary sub-specialist services in one building. It was a wonderful experience to see and hear first hand all the new innovations that help service the local community people. Rotarian Tony Nicita mentioned that the land of the Beaumont Taylor Facility was donated by Taylor Rotary Club’s Charter Rotarian Jules Vertes!
Sandy Sommer, Senior Development Officer, Beaumont Health Foundation Linda Newsome, President, Taylor Rotary Club Jane Schwyn, Beaumont, Taylor Development Committee member Rahul Jadia, Administrator, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 
Rahul Jadia, Administrator, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation 
Tony Nicita
Recently Rotarian Thom Ouelette prepared food for a Tailgate Event that was sponsored by Taylor Mayor Rick Sollars. The photo below shows Mayor Rick Sollars, Thom and State Representative Alex Garza.
Our November 7th luncheon had a wonderful presentation by an Allen Park Rotarian and Past District 6400 Governor Donna Schmidt. Donna helped lead a major Rotary International Grant in Ethiopia called “Journey of Hope”! The main objectives of this grant were to build and furbish a major health center plus train people in job skills that will provide income for their families. The grant took over five years to complete, involved many sources of funding and the over all cost was around $600,000. The clinic has been operational for about a year!
Donna and President Linda 
Group of Rotarians, Ethiopia business and governmental leaders. 
Our October 10th luncheon featured a presentation by Plymouth Rotarian Penny Joy! Her topic was “Days for Girls” Are you interested in sewing Days for Girls Kits?
Penny Joy and Club President Linda Newsome 
Contents of the kits
Rotary Clubs of Taylor and Trenton formed a group lending partnership to help six area entrepreneurs with free small business training, micro-loans of up to $2,500 each, business mentoring by local Rotarians, and networking opportunities.
“Our mission is to support and develop local entrepreneurs in our community,” said Margaret Williamson, chair of LaunchDETROIT
Following completion of five small business training classes provided by International Strategic Management at Wayne County Community College in Taylor, six entrepreneurs sponsored by the Taylor and Trenton clubs agreed to meet locally each week to discuss their businesses and receive mentoring and additional training.
Participating entrepreneurs include Francisca Valle, Sophia Frances Events; Abdal El-Rifaai, That One Guys Woodworking; Leilani Norman, Norman Catering and Events; Chantae Fowler, Ice Cream Place; Lakingna Simmons, Above The Spectrum Events; and Jared Bodary, Detroit Hockey Company.
Below are photos of a recent graduation of the latest class of LaunchTAYLOR and TRENTON!
Last Saturday’s crew removed dead tomato plants, cleaned out weeds,transport 8 – 10 bags of refuge to dumpster. Then they erected another raised planter bed. Next step is to later install a carpet floor.
Soon and Thom 
On Saturday, October 5th there was a Taylor Rotary Community Service Project at the Taylor Hoop House Garden! Thom Ouelette, Larry Garner, Armando Sardanopoli and Jim Karolyi helped with the fall cleanup and building new raised vegetable beds. Next week there will be another cleanup session at the Hoop House.
Larry Garner 
Armando Sardanopoli 
Thom Ouelette 
Mystery Flower 
Larry crawling in a tight space! 
Thom building the Vegetable Bed 
Armando cleaning a cucumber vine. 
New Raised Vegetable Bed 
End of Clean Up 
One big parsley plant!
The October 3rd Luncheon featured Jeana Tall from the Disability Network Wayne County and Detroit
MISSION
Our Mission is to empower, educate and advocate for individuals with disabilities while promoting independent living, Inclusion and accessible pathways.
VISION
Our vision is a community within Wayne County that embraces the uniqueness of disabilities with respect and dignity while having equal access to all parts of the community which they live.
The 2019 Taylor Family Day was a sensational community involved event! About 1,000 people attended!
It was held at the Taylor Heritage Park Sheridan Pavilion.
The Taylor Rotary Club and Beaumont Healthy Taylor sponsored this event. The Taylor Rotary Club served free food and drinks to everyone!
The Taylor Middle School Choruses and Band provided wonderful entertainment.
Many exhibitors participated – Beaumont Screeners, Beaumont Mental Health, Beaumont Nutrition, Blair Moody Hoop House, Blue Cross Complete of MI, Boo-Boo Balloons, Detroit Northeast Lions Club, Downriver Actors Guild/Dance Academy, Golden Ark #595 Free and Accepted Masons, Healthy Taylor, Heritage Park Petting Farm, Michigan Complete Health, MSU Extension, Passport Tables, Ray’s Prime Foods, Shwedel Dental, , Taylor Community Credit Union, Taylor Community Library, Taylor Garden Club, Taylor Masons, Taylor Parks & Recreation, Taylor Substance Abuse Task Force, The Information Center, Walgreens, Wayne County Community College and Downriver Western Wayne Family Health Centers.
There will be a Taylor Family Day in September 2020.
Rotarian and Retired District Court Judge Anthony Nicita gave a wonderful presentation about his life and the early history of the City of Taylor at the Taylor Library on September 26th. The Taylor City Historical Society hosted this event. He shared his wisdom and priceless stories during the Taylor Historical Society’s “A Casual Conversation With…” Judge Nicita still has a terrific memory about his life and avocation adventures!
Taylor Rotary Board with DG John 
District 6400 Governor John Chambers 
Assistant District Governor Erin Dobbins 
Rotarian Thom Ouelette Do the Right Thing Recogntion 
President Linda Newsome offering a gift to DG John 
DG John Chambers offering a gift to Linda 
Youth Service Director Michelle Matney 
Rotarians Bob Williams and Phil Matous 
Official Visit Cake 
Special Table Settings 
A friend 
Another friend
On Thursday September 12th, the Taylor Rotary Club had the wonderful honor to host District 6400 Rotary Governor John Chambers and his wife Sandy. A District Governor is a Rotarian Volunteer that supports all the rotary clubs and rotarians for one year. DG John Chambers will officially visit all 52 Rotary Clubs in District 6400. Our district includes all rotary clubs in Essex, Lenawee, Monroe and Wayne Counties. District 6400 is an international district. Assistant District Governor Erin Dobbins introduced DG John to the Taylor Rotary Membership.
DG John and Club President presented the Club Do The Right Thing Recognition to Rotarian Thom Ouelette!
Dentistry From the Heart
At our office – September 7, 2019
Spreading Free Smiles Across The City of Taylor
Shwedel Dental hosted Dentistry From The Heart, Providing first 125+ people with free dental care on September 7, 2019.
Taylor Rotarian Thom Oulette spent many hours preparing food for all
the folks who were getting free dental services from Shwedel Dental in Taylor, MI. This was a free luncheon for all the dental patients.
Rochelle Riley 
Southgate Rotarians 
Club President Linda, Rochelle and DGE Wimon Kachintaksa – District 3540 
Rochelle, Linda and Armando 
Angela Croft and Rochelle
Wow, what a program we had Thursday September 5th. Rochelle Riley was funny, informative and entertaining. We had a great crowd, over 30 attended. We also had 20 Taylor Rotarians and some spouses along with a wonderful turnout from Southgate Rotarians. Everyone had positive comments including being the best program.
Wow, what a program we had Thursday September 5th. Rochelle Riley was funny, informative and entertaining. Rochelle is the new Director of Culture and Arts for the City of Detroit.
We had a great crowd, over 30 attended. We also had 20 Taylor Rotarians and some spouses along with a wonderful turnout from Southgate Rotarians. Everyone had positive comments including being the best program.
We had the pleasure have DGE Wimon Kachintaksa from District 3540 Thailand join us at our luncheon!
Therese Maggioncalda,PDG Michael Angelo Caruso, President Linda Newsome 
Michael and Southgate Rotarians
The August 22nd luncheon meeting was attended by many visiting Rotarians. Grosse Pointe, Lincoln Park, Kingsville Southshores, Southgate, Trenton, Woodhaven-Browstown and Taylor Rotary Clubs were represented. They all came to hear D6380 Past District Governor and World Famous Rotarian Michael Angelo Caruso. He presented “The First 15 Seconds: The Amazing Power of First Impressions” Michael also encouraged all Rotary Clubs to support 2019 RYLA by sending high school student leaders who want to be better leaders.
August 15th luncheon featured a program by Crystal Krupa from the Guidance Center. She presented a program about the 2019 Car Show and Resource Fair event that will happen at the Taylor Sheridan Center. The cars are designed and made by families that use the services of the Guidance Center
MSU Program Coordinator Jackie Grow gave a recent presentation about the Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) and Michigan State University horticulture education center partnership at the Downriver Campus in Taylor. The $15 million center will include three greenhouses, a conservatory, three classrooms and a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) labs. There will also be a fenced outdoor garden and learning lab next to the greenhouses accommodate fruit trees and vegetables for some of the elective courses.
This facility will be an integral part of certificate programs in fruit and vegetable crop management and in landscape management. WCCCD offers the certificate programs in partnership with the Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT) at Michigan State University.
A Community Grant from Rotary District 6400 helped to provide a new plastic roof for the Blair-Moody Hoop House! Now the Hoop House can grow vegetables much easier and provide for more gardening classes for elementary school children!
Taylor Rotarian Michelle Matney was recognized by immediate Club Past President Therese Maggioncalda with the presdigious Ralph E. Lyne Award for providing outstanding leadership and volunteerism during the 2018-19 Rotary Year. Presented by Club President Linda Newsome.
The Taylor Rotary Club recognized two graduating senior high school students with a scholarship of $1,000 each. Pictured below are the recipients one from Taylor High School and one from Trillium High School plus their proud mothers along with Scholarship Committee Chair Michelle Matney and Club President Linda Newsome.
Taylor Rotarian Thom Ouelette presented a special plague to Club President Linda Newsome. The plague came from a former sign of “Taylor Rotary Park”
WOUNDED AMERICA MOTORCYCLE RIDE
This terrific fundraising event was held on Saturday July 13th. Over 200 bikes participated in the ride from Wayne County Community College Downriver. Then ride for over 90 minutes through downriver Wayne county communities and ended at Motown Harley in Taylor for a luncheon. The Motown Harley Owners Group (HOG) and the Taylor Rotary Club sponsored this event.
Many other rotary clubs, businesses and individuals sponsored the event.
The main reason for this event was to raise funds for Harley Bikers Operation 14 and Victory Gym. Both provide very needy programs for combat veterans who still have chronic neurological and mental disorders due to their service in the military.
Over twelve police officers from several cities provided escort service for the entire ride!
The riders had over 40 biker riders that are specially trained to help porvide the safest and enjoyable ride for all participants!
Seven local restaurants providing free food for all at the luncheon at Motown Harley’s Property.
The weather was nice an warm for this sensational event!
I am posting many photos that help tell the story of this event. If anyone wants a larger size photo just contact me in the contact page.
2019 TAYLOR ROTARY GOLF OUTING – PDF FILE
and Brenda Garner!
The Taylor Rotary Club held its annual celebration of the 2018-19 rotary year then installation of the 2019-20 Club President Linda Newsome, club officers and committee chairs.
The Taylor West Middle Chorus under the direction of Teacher Dave Martin entertained us before our buffet dinner. After dinner, President Therese Maggioncalda summarized the accomplishments of service and charity donations. She presented the Presidents Award to Kim Bourassa and the Ralph Lyne Awards to Michelle Matney and Jerry Ziemba.
District 6400 Governor Elect John Chambers officially installed and pinned Linda as our next club president.
John then installed the new board of directors.
All the past presidents in attendance lined up and offered words of congratulations and support to Linda. Linda thanked all for attending this wonderful rotary event.
In 2018-19 we did some wonderful projects
High School Scholarships
*Interact activities/Ryla/Relay for Life
*Operation Warm
*Wounded America Ride
*Launch Taylor
*Rotary Fun Day
*Taylor Schools Career Day/Mock Interviews
We raised some serious money
*Rotary Golf Outing
*Comedy Night
*State of The City
*Mardi Gras
Taylor Career Senior Students Mock Interviews.
Several Rotarians volunteered a school day to participate in mock career/job interviews.
Michelle Matney, Armando Sardanopli, Jim Karolyi, Soon Kwon, Phil Matous
At the May 9th Luncheon – several rotarians celebrated birthdays and wedding anniversaries!
Program presenters were Pastor Don Paron and Deacon George Campeau from the Harvest Worship Center.
This church is a Mission Based Church. They talked about missions in Paraguay and Taylor Michigan.
Pastor Don Paron
Taylor Students enjoying the Hoop Garden.
Rotarians Sandra Thompson and Thom Ouelette volunteer many hours to make it an enjoyable experience!
On April 18th, Rotarian Larry Garner introduced fellow Rotarian Soon Kwon as the 2019-20 Taylor Rotary Club – Rotary Foundation Chair.
Both Larry and Soon recognized Fred Pepper and Bob Williams for their level 5 Paul Harris Fellow Donation
Council member Angie Winton presented today’s Taylor Rotary’s program
The new Taylor City Council member has 18 years of extensive experience in management and human resources including administration, training, budgets and payroll while working as the current chief HR officer at The Senior Alliance (Wayne, MI). Before that, she was the HR generalist and payroll administrator with West Side Beer Distributing (Romulus, MI) and HR-payroll manager at Flooring America (Southfield, MI). She also launched and currently manages Metro Detroit Share, a 501(c)3. She is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management in 2003.
She also served as a recreation commissioner in Taylor; on the committee for the Center for Women’s and Children’s Health, Henry Ford Hospital; as a member of the Karen Colina Wilson Foundation Rose Ella Golf Outing benefiting the Cleveland Clinic; and on Holiday Meals on Wheels for the last six years. Angie is a 1996 graduate of Taylor Center High School, where she was the school’s valedictorian.
Angie mentioned that the Taylor City Council is now concentrating on the next fiscal year budget. This will require many more meetings than usual. She is still learning the responsibilities of being an engaged member of the Taylor City Council.
Rotarian Deus’s daughter Patricia pick out a card for the 50-50 raffle. Unfortunately the card was not the Ace of Spades.
Launch Taylor is Sponsored by Taylor Rotary Club
Taylor Rotarian Larry Wright is the chair.
It is aimed at helping new small businesses, the program will offer micro-loans, businesses classes
and networking opportunities for those selected to participate.
Those interested in the program must fill out an application to participate.
Free small business training at Wayne State University and the Mike Ilitch School of Business with five classes will be available for those selected.
Micro-loans from $1,000 to $2,500 each and networking opportunities also will be offered.
The business should be new, or about to launch in order to qualify.
Applicants must also agree to meet once a week with each other to discuss the program, and to network with each other.
Mentors from the Rotary Clubs, as well as the local business communities will also be on hand at the networking meetings.
The program is looking for applicants who:
Have the ability to supply a product or service that can generate a profit.
Successfully completed the small business classes offered.
Have developed and implemented a business plan and budget.
Have the ability to repay the micro-loan in regular installments within a year of receiving the loan.
Have a demonstrated need for financial and business assistance.
The Taylor Rotarians helped Fish and Loaves Food Pantry by donating 33 jars of Peanut Butter. The USDA has stopped supplying Peanut Butter.
Many other Rotary Clubs help out. Over 300 jars were donated in 7 days time.
Below is Taylor Rotary Club President Therese and Fairlane Sunrise Club President Vickie Perri with two jars.
Vickie and her club volunteers every Monday to help screened needy families get some food at the pantry.
At our club’s April 4th luncheon, Leanna Bronni was inducted as a new member by Past District Governor Roberto Sanchez.
Past District Governor Larry Wright is Leanna’s sponsor.
Happy Rotarians 
Missed the 50-50 Raffle Again!
A wonderful time was had by all at this evening’s Rotary Fellowship at Mallie’s in Southgate. Thanks so much to Steve Ahles (photo bombing us in the back of the picture) from Southgate Rotary for inviting us to attend their meet and greet with DownRiver Rotaractors. Our friend and WSU Rotaract President Devankar joined our table 🙂
Taylor Rotarians Simone Calvas, Jim Karolyi and Therese Maggioncalda volunteer at the Lincoln Park Rotary Family Fun Day for pre-school to third grade children at the Lincoln Park High School Cafeteria. This is a wonderful family community service event!
A recent club meeting had a wonderful presentation was about the Taylor High School’s Freshman Tactical Teams. The primary goal is to align and sync community and education resources, with a clear focus on giving students the tools and skills needed to be successful. Pictured is Club President Therese Maggioncalda, Taylor High School Principal Melissa Skopczynski ,Assistant Superintendent Dr. Mary Ann Cyr, and Taylor Schools Improvement Leader Tracy Carroll spoke of this major shift and change in Secondary Education.
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Here are some photos of the recent Mardi Gras fundraiser event.
A festive night of live music, gourmet food, premium open bar, raffles galore, all while supporting the Taylor Rotary and many worthy local causes. Enjoyed authentic New Orleans music mixed with dance favorites performed by Dave Tatrow’s Dixieland Allsars featuring Pat Cronley on piano, Jeff Halsey on string base, Pete Siers on drums, Ron Kischik on trombone, and Dave Tatrow on trumpet.
At the March 7th Taylor Rotary Club – Meeting Lucy and Alex received their Rotary Youth Leadership Award Certificate (RYLA) from President-elect Linda Newsome and Youth Services Chair Michell Matney. RYLA helps to educate high school aged people to me better leaders.
Both Lucy and Alex thanked Taylor Rotarians for the opportunity to attend RYLA as well talking about their awesome experience as members of their schools Rotary Interact Club.
Guest Speaker Rhonda Hines and President-Elect Linda Newsome
Rhonda Hines, RN, is president of Freedom Song and S.O.A.P. Metro Detroit a Michigan chapter of Save Our Adolescents from Prostitution, an anti human trafficking organization founded by trafficking survivor and author of “The Slave Across the Street, Theresa Flores. As an abolitionist, Rhonda fights to end modern day slavery through educating others about human trafficking, organizing hotel outreach events, and by walking beside those who are survivors of sex trafficking.
Many Taylor Rotarians and guests honored Toni Nicita’s 90th Birthday at Pias Restaurant in Taylor, MI
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