FridayMusings Wednesday, October 3, 2022 Helping define Livonia Quality of Life

Join your Hometown neighbors as we salute the

1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame Class of 2022

Masters of Ceremonies Alan Helmkamp and Terry Marecki

Thursday, October 6. 7:00. Historic Rosedale Presbyterian Church

Livonia mourns the passing 0f Marge Roach, a leader who helped

position our Livonia schools as one of the best in Michigan

Marge was a neighbor, living across the street, Indiana, as Bob and I grew up. So many children, over 30, on one street enrolled in the public schools. It was only natural that these two neighbors would make an impact on our Livonia schools. Mom and Marge had a friendship. First as neighbors and then as both served 12 years on the School Board.

Marjorie Roach, born June 1, 1937, died peacefully on September 28, surrounded by members of her family.

A resident of Livonia since 1963, she and her husband Edward (“Ned”) Roach resided in the "State Streets" subdivision with their five children. Marjorie served for 12 years (July 1980-June 1992) on the Livonia Board of Education, including as President, Vice-President, and Secretary.

When Marjorie was inducted into the “Livonia Hall of Fame” in 2012, the Wayne County Commissioners recognized her by special resolution, and Governor Snyder, State Senator Glenn Anderson, and State Rep. John Walsh issued a special tribute, noting that Marjorie “was truly a leader at a time when the [Livonia] school district needed transformational leadership – understanding that the closing of schools had to include parental involvement and extensive community discussion. . . . Her commitment and dedication to the city of Livonia is to be recognized and commended.”

In her personal life, Marjorie was a lover of animals and gardening and mentoring school advocates for many years, continuing her strong advocacy for a public school system.

Marjorie is survived by her five children Edward (Rose), Virginia (Christopher Yukins), Michael (Lori), Kathleen McHugh (Charles), and Kevin (Julie), and nine cherished grandchildren (Angela Lindbloom, Christopher McHugh (Vidya Raghaven), Margaret Dylus-Yukins (Erich Dylus), Chelsea McGill (Dinnes), Patrick McHugh (Lis), Meaghan Roach (Bryce Smith), Brendan Yukins (Kenneth Camacho), Edward John (“EJ”) Roach, Timothy Roach (Amy Forster), and two great-grandchildren (Maya & Neel McHugh).

Her family will receive visitors on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at the L.J. Griffin Funeral Home, 7707 Middlebelt Road (S. of Ann Arbor Trail) from 9:30 a.m. until the time of her funeral service at 11:00.

Livonia: a progressive community preparing for the future

Proud drivers mingled with curious residents as Livonia participated in “Drive Electric” week on Saturday. The Greenleaf Commission on Sustainibility offered EV rides on the campus of Schoolcraft College with owners answering a myriad of questions from those wanting to learn more about electric vehicles.

Kathy Ventitelli says she "Really enjoyed this event! After talking with several electric car owners, I have a very good idea of what life is like without a gas-powered vehicle. To a person, the owners were totally sold on their vehicles. Thanks to Dave Calhoun for the ride in his Chevy Bolt!"

Darrell Smith commented that "It was fabulous. Helen and I got many questions answered. One of the best things we have done lately.

With Absentee Ballots now available let's get a sense of how Livonia voters feel on the major issues and two significant candidate races that will be on the ballot.

How will you be voting on Proposal One to modify Michigan's term limits for legislators?

Yes 55.7%

No 12.9%

Undecided 31.4%

How will you be voting on Proposal Three protecting a woman's reproductive rights?

Yes 79.4%

No 15.7%

Undecided 4.9%

Who are you supporting for Congress?

Rashida Tlaib 77.1%

Stephen Elliott 16.9%

Undecided 6%

Who are you supporting for Governor?

Gretchen Whitmer 78.6%

Tudor Dixon 14.3%

Undecided 7.9%

Living and Learning Enrichment Center scores with Red Wings

Councilman Brandon McCullough was loaned out to Westland earlier this year to help Mayor Bill Wild raise money for charity. Then it was off to the Czech Republic representing the United States at the International Street Ball Championship.

In between, McCullough set up a Livonia match against the Red Wing Alumni and raised $10,000 for Livonia Kids and Families.

This week the Livonia Councilman who has a full time job as Northville facilities manager was on the ice, with his family in the stands, against the Red Wing Alumni to help raise money for the Living and Learning Enrichment Center.

He describes this as "What a night! Of course The Detroit Red Wing Alumni Association beat us up!

"But in the process we raised a lot of money for Living and Learning E! "A great night was had by all!"

Other Livonia skaters were Dale Schopper of Livonia GE Healthcare and Dana Timm of the Livonia Fire Department.

Plans are in the works potentially for another Livonia All-Star game against the Red Wing Alumni in late Winter or early Spring. Stay tuned.

Livonia's Burton Manor hosted the Annual American Business Women's Association scholarship fundraiser

The typewriter did not know what to expect and was somewhat nervous as I pulled up to Burton Manor for the Annual Novi Oaks Chapter of the American Business Women's Association auction supporting scholarships for women.

Veronica Cruz had invited me to be the auctioneer for this annual event.

When I walked into the banquet hall I was blown away with several hundred in attendance and the room filled with what looked like 100 items being set up around the room for guests to bid on.

It left a refreshingly good feeling with this typewriter as I met women, and the occasional man, from throughout southeast Michigan, Troy, Harrison Township, Flint, Livonia Bloomfield, Canton. And even met Miss Michigan.

Burton Manor excelled with the service and quality of the plate served breakfast.

When my time came to auction off 18 big ticket items ranging from a $5,000 appraised china set, to a night in Frankenmuth, to casino gift cards, to some beautiful jewelry, I shared the podium with President Holly Hengsteck, pictured here with Fern Jensen, and thoroughly enjoyed the audience who seemed to be having a good time.

I have no idea about the total raised but the expectation is that they will raise over $13,000 for scholarships for women.

With so much going on in the world, it sure is a refreshing feeling to know that several hundred people can join together to support the community, raise funding for scholarships, and have a fun-filled time doing it.

Thank you Veronica Cruz for giving me the opportunity to share a fun morning for a great cause, education. And thank you Holly Hengsteck for your leadership with the American Business Women's Association.

Seedlings Braille Books for Children's 7th Annual

Online Auction Opening

November 7-13

Starting on November 7th, Seedlings Braille Books for Children will be auctioning off a number of gift cards and certificates to raise money to produce more braille books for children with vision loss!

You will also have the opportunity to bid on lunch with Mayor Maureen Brosnan, Councilman Brandon McCullough, or FridayMusings typewriter.

Please help them raise $50,000 for 5,000 braille books for children in need!

Meet some of the children your

donations support:

Meet some of the featured sponsors

helping put the smiles on the faces of so many children

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Erin and Rick Swaine

Silver Sponsors

In Memory of Melvyn D. Shewach

In Memory of Elmer Kapp

Take a quick 3-minute tour of Seedlings in the video below!

Mail Address

19514 Livonia 48152

E-mail address

[email protected]

Cell address

734-674-5871

Livonia Rotary Clubs make a difference with their

World Polio Day Community Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

Come out on October 26th as our two Livonia Rotary Clubs will be holding their annual World Polio Day Community Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser.

The event will be held at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church on Farmington Road.

On the morning of October 26, the Rotary AM Club will feature Nancy Darga, a survivor of polio, and the typewriter whose mother Geraldine Joyner contracted polio shortly after her birth in 1920.

This event not only raises levels of consciousness regarding polio but is a fun evening, as you can tell with the table of cole newton and duran cpas employees, with friends and neighbors breaking bread and eating spaghetti all for a good cause.g"!

LDC and "You Are Loved" partner as

Livonia reaches out to those in need

The Livonia Democratic Club (LDC) is rolling out their Winter Community Outreach Project and they are asking for your help!!

The LDC is partnering with the group You Are Loved and will be collecting the following items on their behalf now through November 5, 2022:

Large and X-Large Sweatpants and Sweatshirts
Warm Winter Gloves
White Crew Socks

Please bring your donations to, and drop them off at, the Livonia Senior Center, 15218 Farmington Road, and make sure you put your donations in the box marked LDC (there is more than one donation box). The LDC box will be found in the lobby area.