Discover Livonia.
An adventurous rich environment.
"The world is but a vision to our imagination
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Henry David Thoreau
Art by VAAL member Virginia Bosak
Virginia is past President of VAAL
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I am Livonia. . .Always Above the Fold
Two school districts. One city.
Having gone to a number of Livonia Civic Chorus and Livonia Symphony Orchestra concerts at the Louis Schmidt Auditorium it crossed my mind that not a lot of people know that Livonia has two school districts. Or if they know it have little information about a school district in the northeast corner of our hometown.
We know a lot about Livonia but little about the Clarenceville historic district founded in 1837 located at the
southern edge of Oakland County and includes sections of Livonia, Farmington Hills, Redford and Southfield.
Clarenceville has approximately 1,900 students in one high school, one middle school and two elementary schools with 125 certified teaching, counseling, special services, and administrative staff supported by approximately 50 more secretarial, food service, maintenance, and part-time aides.
The district encompasses 4.5 square miles and has a per pupil expenditure of $10,360 and an operating budget of $19,275,000.
Within this 4.5 square miles Clarenceville has seven elected officials serving on the Board of Education. People who by definition are serving as leaders in the communities of Livonia city and Clarenceville schools.
From left to right:
Matt Boettcher, Board President, an attorney at Plunkett & Clooney;
Sharon Simpson, Board Secretary, works at the University of Michigan;
Brenda Uren, Trustee, lived in district her entire life;
Cindy Immonen, Board Treasurer, Vice President Fidelity National Title Group Company;
Mark Brooks, Trustee, Vice-President, S.E. Michigan Area Sales Manager for Banner Engineering Corp;
Steve Massie, Trustee, regional account manager for Staples Business Advantage;
Shari Krazel, Trustee, Great Lakes District Administrative Manager at Konecranes, Inc.
Did you know
t
hat two candidates for Livonia City Council last year were graduates of Clarenceville 
High School? Brett Gierak and Ken Crider.
Did you know that Clarenceville was chosen by Code.org, a non-profit
 dedicated to expanding access to computer science, and increasing participation by women and underrepresented students of color, as the only school in Michigan to win $10,000 worth of computer equipment? School district librarian and information technology teacher Mrs. Piontek applied for the district to receive the award.
Did you know that the Livonia Chamber Small Business of the Year--Livonia UPS Store, Five and Newburgh is owned by Clarenceville High School graduate Eric Ladwig?
Did you know that the Clarenceville Spring Craft Show is scheduled for March from 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M?This event is open to all crafters and venders. Last year the typewriter included this on my tour of Livonia and had a great time, including lunch. Made my day.
Did you know that the Livonia Civic Chorus
filled the Clarenceville High School Louis Schmidt Auditorium, named after former State Representative Louis Schmidt who also served as Superintendent of the Clarenceville schools, with 700 patrons for their last three concerts?
Did you know that there is a newly established Clarenceville Education Foundation? Board members  include Eric Ladwig, owner of the Livonia UPS Store, Brett Gierak, Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Union, Dennis Wright, Livonia Mayor. And a full list of community leaders including School District Superintendent Paul Shepich, Renee Valentine, Joe Schiffman, Stacey Lown, Troy Nelson, Kim Bibik, Steve Massie, Kevin Murphy, Jazna Ealy, Julie Kimball-Kubiak, Cindy Immonen, Shari Krazel, Brian Mahoney, Joseph Sanchez, Daniel MacIver, Renee Sanchez, Wendy Kellehanm John Shourd.
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Sunday, February 14, 5:00 -- 6:30
Reception for the Best of Livonia 2016 Recipients at the Blue Plate Diner
Sampling of the Blue Plate Diner special catering menu
Presentations of Certificates by Mayor Dennis Wright, Councilman Jim Jolly and Attorney Tim Klisz
Certificates from Wayne County Commissioner Terry Marecki and R. William Joyner
Hosted by Blue Plate Diner owner Bob Modes and Sponsoring Partner Tim Klisz
Honoring The Best of Livonia 2016 Award Recipients
Free and open to the public if you would like to meet the Best of Livonia
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Excel in Livonia
Congratulations to Franklin High School's Nathan Atienza - 150 career wrestling wins!
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"I am Livonia. . . taking advantage of all Livonia offers"
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Click on the above image and find out what is happening at Livonia's Art in the Park. The Phoenix Theatres.
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 Month of January
Livonia Civic Center Library--
Greater Detroit Camera Club
 February 11
5:30-7:30
Leadership & Awards Celebration
February 13
2:00 - 4:00
Queens Tea
@ Greenmead
Reserverations are recommended
February 14
5:00
I Am Livonia
Reception
Best of Livonia
@ Blue Plate Diner
February
19, 20 21
Paul's Players
Remember When
Feb 20
Kids and Family Fund Raiser
@ One Under
February 27 @ 4:00
"No Greater Love"
Livonia Symphony Concert
Clarenceville High School
March 12
Seedlings' 2016 Bowling for Books
March 13
1:00 - 4:00
Livonia Culinary Tour
Franklin High School
March 13
1:30-4:00
Shamrocks and Tea
Livonia Symphony
@ Marriott Livonia
Luncheon, prizes, music
 March 14
2:00
"20th Century Retailing in Detroit" at the Blue House in Greenmead. Refreshments will be served.
March 19
from 9-4
Livonia Home Show
Kirksey Recreation Center
6:30
Anna Bonde Scholarship Murder Mystery Dinner @ Burton Manor
April 9
9:00 - 1:00
2nd Life Prom
Dress Sale
St. Paul's Presbyterian Church
April 17
9:00 to 1:00
The occasional, maybe this year, sometimes, when I feel like it, could be this year Bake Sale for the Arts at the Musings Estate. $1,100 raised in 2014.
May 5
7:00 -- 8:45
Livonia Prayer Breakfast
Laurel Manor
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Making the most
of
community
engagement
FridayMusings is brought to you each Monday and Thursday.
If you send me corrections I will acknowledge with a thank you. But be assured that without staff, no editor,
and limited computer skills errors will happen and they are all my fault. All mine.
r william joyner, typewriter
18720 Blue Skies
Livonia 48152
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"I am Livonia. . .thank you Ken Bourgon
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With the passing of Ken Bourgon Livonia lost a great man. A role model for so many.
Terri Oakley on Ken's facebook page said it best: "There are people who come into your life who completely change your life for the better. They are kind and good and giving and they help you make your family better people. They care when they don't have to but they do. They love your children because they are the best of the best. J. Kenneth Bourgon was one of those people.
"He was our village. We loved him like a grandfather, a friend, a confident. I knew him since high school. God broke the mold when they made Ken. There is a hole in this world that will never be filled. Heaven is in for a treat. While our hearts are broken."
Ken Bourgon was a wonderful man. He taught the typewriter the use of the English language with his constant barrage of puns at Franklin High School.
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1975. One of his many trips to Philmont.
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He helped me like so many others reach the rank of Eagle in the Boy Scouts. In fact my last merit badge was cooking. We met in Hines Park where I finally started the fire, he made me start it without matches. I made some meal that he somehow deemed edible, including the bread.
He was inducted into the 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame in the class that included Jack Kirksey, Don Friedrichs, Patrick Duggan, Joan Duggan, Mike Duggan, Debra Bonde, Alexander Blue, Electra Stamelos, Sue Daniel, Bill Fried, Peter Ventura. Giants all. Building Livonia.
It seems like not a day goes by without someone saying he knew Ken
Bourgon. If you list the people who had an impact on building Livonia-teaching our children-laying the foundation for the next generation, Ken Bourgon would rank at or near the top.
There are few like him. But everywhere I look I will see the results of his love for education, students and his hometown.
County Commissioner Glenn Anderson acknowledged the role Ken played in so many lives. "I am just learning of Ken's passing and am totally shocked and deeply saddened. His friendship to me was one that I treasured and his encouragement was always there. The hundreds of young lives he touched and guided with scouting is nothing short of amazing. May God take him into his arms, give him the reward he so richly deserves and give comfort to his wonderful family. Rest in peace my friend."
Franklin High School graduate Alan Brandemihl was one of dozens who posted on facebook offering his "Thanks to Mr B for all the wisdom laughs and puns you shared with me through the years... thankful to have been blessed to know you and for the impact that you made on so many lives. You will be missed by so many J Kenneth Bourgon. I know you will always be watching over us!
Historical Commission member Mary Cambridge wrote, "I am so sad to hear this news. Ken has been on the Historical Commission with me for over 20 years. My two boys were also in his scout troop and received the honor of Eagle Scout. I am going to miss him dearly."
Colleagues like Janet Haas shared the thought that "Ken was a wonderful person who continually gave to his community. He will be missed."
John Kenneth "Ken" Bourgon was born in South Bend, Indiana on August 22, 1938, the first of three children for Fernand Rene Bourgon and Marian Lenore Maurer. After living in Detroit, his family moved to Livonia, Michigan in 1945.
Ken was an altar boy and sang in the church choir at St. Michael's parish. He was active in Cub Scouts and then in the only Boy Scout troop in Livonia, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in 1954. He sang in the choir at Bentley High School and had parts in three musicals and two plays. Ken was also involved in school politics, as Class President his junior year and in Student Council his senior year. During the summer, he worked on the camp staff at Charles Howell Scout Reservation in Brighton.
Ken attended college at the University of Notre Dame, majoring in  Education with minors in US History and Social Studies. He sang and traveled nationally with the Notre Dame Men's Glee Club, participated in several campus organizations, and worked with a South Bend Boy Scout troop. After completing his undergraduate degree in 1960, Ken remained at Notre Dame for a fifth year to complete his Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling.
Ken married Ellen Dankert in December 1961, and they moved to Livonia, where Ken took a job as an English / Social Studies teacher at Emerson
Junior High. He moved to Bentley High School to teach English and then US History, before transferring to Franklin High School as the Director of Student Activities. He and Ellen had five children in the 1960's (Rick, Mike, Amy, Patty and Rob).
Ken spent the next 29 years as a high school assistant principal in the Livonia Public Schools. As an assistant principal at Franklin, then Churchill and then Stevenson, Ken was responsible for student scheduling, and he helped to develop and launch several school programs. He always said that he wanted to remain an assistant principal so that he could work directly with the kids.
Ken was scoutmaster for Troop 782 in Livonia for over 40 years. He led eleven groups of scouts to Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico and multiple groups to the Florida Sea Base. Over 280 Boy Scouts achieved the rank of Eagle Scout during Ken's tenure as Scoutmaster and then Scoutmaster Emeritus.
Ken joined the Livonia Historical Commission in 1971 and remained an active member for the rest of his life. He was actively involved in the creation and growth of the Livonia Historical Village at Greenmead. He was involved the Boy Scouts in multiple Eagle Scout projects to maintain and enhance the various historical buildings at Greenmead.
Ken was the cherished husband of Ellen for 54 years. Loving father of Richard (Twila), Michael (Laura), Annemarie (Ken) Ponder, Patricia (Thomas) Korff and Robert (Lisa). Proud grandfather of Garrett, Quinn, Kenneth, Tracy, Andre, Nicole, Bailey, Max, Owen, Nate, David, Alexi, Anais and Emery and great-grandfather of Easton. Dear brother of Richard (Rosemary) and Mary Margaret Temple.
The Bourgon family will receive friends for visitation on Thursday February 11, 3-8 pm and on Friday February 12, from 2-8 pm with Vigil Service in the evening at the Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Rd. (east of Newburgh and I-275) in Livonia.
His life will be celebrated with a Funeral Mass on Saturday February 13, 2016 at 10 am, with in state 9:30 am, at St. Colette Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are appreciated to Mercy Home for Boys and Girls or Seedlings.
Livonia lost a giant but his legacy lives on.
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Proud Sponsoring Partner of the Best of Livonia 2016
Past President Livonia Bar Association
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"I am Livonia. . .Prom Dress Sale at St. Paul's
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It's that time again - St. Paul's is hosting their
3rd Annual
2nd Life Prom Dress Sale
Saturday, April 9 at 9 AM - 1 PM
St. Paul's 3rd Annual Life Prom Dress Sale is designed to help girls who may not be able to attend Prom because of financial difficulties. Every girl dreams to go to prom and finances should not be a reason one cannot go and St. Paul's is there to help with that.
- They have collected over 500 New and Gently Used Prom and Formal dresses from bridal/prom shops and the community
- All formal/prom dresses will be sold for $20
- All accessories (shoes, jewelry, purses, etc) are sold for less than $5
- Dressing rooms on site to try on dresses
- Seamstresses and consultants on hand for MINOR alterations
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St. Paul's was founded in 1951
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How you can help.
Can you help a girl in need?
- Do you have any extra FORMAL dresses in your closet and can donate?
Do you have an jewelry, formal purses, dress shoes that you want to donate?
- Did you attend or help with previous sales and want to help this year?
- Do you want to volunteer?
Are you or do you know seamstresses that can help with minor alterations?
Right now they have drop off at the church the following days: Sun Feb 21 & 28 from 11:30-1 and Tues Feb 23 from 7-8.
Click here
for more information or to ask any questions you may have.
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"I am Livonia. . .Livonia Prayer Breakfast
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Brad Hewitt, CEO of Thrivent Financial to be the guest speaker at the 42nd Annual Livonia Community Prayer Breakfast!!
When: Thursday, May 5, 2016 7 a.m.-8:45 a.m. Doors open at 6:15 a.m.
Where: Laurel Manor Banquet and Conference Center
Brad Hewitt is a CEO with a unique perspective. Since 2010, Brad has served as president and CEO of Thrivent Financial, a not-for-profit Fortune 500 organization. In this role, he has made it his work to help Americans rediscover a healthy relationship with money. The idea that being wise with money, and generosity, go hand in hand lies at the heart of this relationship.
Brad is co-author of a new book, "Your New Money Mindset," a new way of thinking about the role money plays in our lives. Many of us live with ongoing, and often unexamined, tension related to money. Few of us have really escaped the credit-card trap or freed ourselves from worries about having enough for the future. The goal is to cultivate a surplus mindset that allows you to enjoy what you already have and be generous toward others.
Legendary Contemporary Christian recording artist, Russ Taff, will be the
special music for the breakfast. Russ first gained recognition as lead vocalist for The Imperials (1977-81). One of his best-known performances is the song "Praise The Lord". He has also been a member of the Gaither Vocal Band, and occasionally tours with Bill Gaither in the Gaither Homecoming concerts. As a solo artist and songwriter, Taff is known for the 1980s anthem "We Will Stand".
Order your tickets today!
Adult: $17.00 and K-12 Students: $10.00.
Livonia Community Prayer Breakfast, Inc.
Attention: Sally Butler
18858 Mayfield, Livonia, MI 48152
Telephone: 248-476-9427
Please make your checks payable to: Livonia Community Prayer Breakfast, Inc. Tickets will be mailed upon receipt of payment.
The Livonia Community Prayer Breakfast, Inc. is recognized by the IRS as a Section 501(c)(3) charitable and religious organization. A charitable tax deduction may be recognized in excess of the $13.00 value of the breakfast. Sponsors will be formally recognized in the printed program.
Meet the Livonia Prayer Breakfast Committee:
Ken McMullen, Chairman
Jay A. Young, Vice Chairman
Sally Butler, Secretary
Laura Gutierrez, William Fried, Jerry Smith, Carol M. Strom, Bill Bullard
Lisa Drouillard, Patrick Waters, Debbie Ferensic, Terry Marecki
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"I am Livonia. . .
loving my pets."
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Following up on a discussion on a Livonia dog park 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame inductee Alan Helmkamp dropped a dime with some comments:
"Folks should consider using the existing Wayne County Parks Dog Park near our southern border, located on Hines Drive west of Merriman.
This 3 acre recreational amenity was added during the Bob Ficano
 administration, and has been well received in just a few short years." Here is some information on the park:
Wayne County Parks Dog Park
Bring your canine companion to Wayne County Parks Dog Park. The three acre park is conveniently located near restrooms and has a small and large dog park area. There is also agility equipment for the dogs to play on and two small shelters.
The Wayne County Parks Dog Park is located at Hawthorne Ridge Park in Westland (Hines Drive, west of Merriman Road).
The dog park is open June - April (closed the month of May for reseeding) from dawn until dusk. All dogs must be registered at the Wayne County Parks office in the Nankin Mills building in Westland.
The address for the Nankin Mills building is 33175 Ann Arbor Trail in Westland and the office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
To register, please bring the following:
* Up-to-date city/township dog license (tags are not accepted - we must have the paper license)
* Up-to-date vaccination records including rabies and distemper
* Payment of $20 for Wayne County Residents and $25 for Non-Residents (good from May 1-April 30).
If you have any questions, please call (734) 261-1990.
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