Club Meeting Featuring Jack Smiley, President of the Sibley Prairie Association

President Nancy Darga opened the meeting, followed by the Invocation, given by Victoria Haltom. Happy Bucks recognised the return of Marlene Katafias and Victoria Haltom from successful medical procedures and how the club’s main fundraiser (Carnival) is drawing large crowds. Bill Friske provided the number of people who have been accessing our website for carnival information—the numbers were impressive.

Our newest perspective member, Peter Dale, was in attendance and will be voted on today at the Board meeting to approve his membership. He shared that he will be one of the readers of the Declaration of Independence at Livonia’s 250 year celebration.

President Darga reviewed upcoming activities on the club’s calendar. Check the club’s website for dates and times. Could still use volunteers for Livonia’s Passport to Safety, June 6th, 10:00-2:00 pm, contact Susan Paluchniak, 734-674-3499, and the Wine Tasting Event at the Livonia Spree on June 26th, from 5-7 pm.

Please join our Livonia AM and Noon Rotary members for a club Social on June 11th at Schoolcraft’s Vista Center’s Craft Grill from 5-6:30 pm. This is our first planned social gathering and an opportunity to invite friends and family to become more familiar with members of Rotary. Food and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.

Our speaker today, Jack Smiley, was a longtime friend and associate of President Darga and is the President of the Sibley Prairie Association.

Jack spoke about the plans to purchase the prairie for 6 million dollars and the potential total cost of 9.7 million to preserve and restore the area, making it available to the public in the near future.

The Livonia Am Club recently became a supporter of the prairie along with 13 groups from 44 states. Jack shared that the prairie supports several rare species, 150 wetlands, a complex ecosystem and a diverse habitat. Plans for the future include constructing walking paths, parking lots, a public pavilion, and an endowment fund.

Victoria Haltom