Bill Joyner's FridayMusings 10/07/22

View as Webpage

FridayMusings Friday, October 7, 2022 Helping define Livonia Quality of Life

Inductee Class of 2014

Hosted at Madonna University

Jerry Smith, Steve King, Hearts of Livonia, Livonia Civic Chorus,

Harry Tatigian, Conway Jeffress, Sister Rose Marie Kujawa

Founding Years

Livonia Township 1835

Livonia City 1950

Hall of Fame 2005

Inductee Class of 2013

Hosted at Madonna University

Joan McCotter, Bill Bresler,

Mary Dumas, Janet Welch,

Robert Nash, AlphaUSA

On October 6th our Hometown neighbors came out to salute

the 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame Class of 2022

The amazing Class of 2022 Steve Spreitzer, Trinity House, Pat Hutchison, Gary Dechanes, Dan Spurling, Doug Kurtis along with Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan, Hall of Fame Founder R William Joyner, Councilman Brandon McCullough, Commissioner Terry Marecki, Alan Helmkamp, Representative Mary Cavanagh, Senator Dayna Polehanki, Human Relations Commissioner Haitham Fakhouri, School Trustee Liz Jarvis, Hall of Fame Presenting Sponsor Dan MacIver.

The bodyguard and typewriter arrived at 5:30 and with help from Kellie Whitlock and Kate Mackie had the room set up in no time. And right at 6:30, the honored inductees started arriving with the first through the door being Dan Spurling. By 7:00 the room was full and we were ready to begin the 17th Annual Induction of the 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame.

Previous inductees were on hand to share the celebration. Dick Gaskill, Peggy Gaskill, Charlie Mahoney, Kellie Whitlock, Alan Helmkamp, Steve King, Bill Bresler, Virginia Bosak, Matt Collins, and Lindsay Bennett Spence representing her mom and dad Bob and Janet Bennett.

Included were a number of elected officials including Jim Jolly, Laura Toy, Glenn Anderson, Brandon McCullough, Liz Jarvis, Terry Marecki, Mary Cavanagh, Dayna Polehanki, Susan Nash, and Maureen Miller Brosnan.

Representing the Livonia Business Community was Dan Maciver, President of Financial & Portfolio Advisors, the presenting sponsor of the Hall of Fame for 10 years.

All the inductees shared stories, philosophies, family introductions, and appreciation. 5 of the 6 still living in the area and one Doug Kurtis traveling here from his new home in Asheville, North Carolina.

Proclamations were presented by Congresswoman Haley Stevens, the City of Livonia, the Wayne County Board of Commissioners, the Michigan State Legislature, and the Governor.

Once again Allen Helmkamp, Class of 2015, and County Commissioner Terry Marecki walked us through this incredible journey joining with the key introducers of the Inductee Class, Liz Jarvis, Haitham Fakhouri, Maureen Brosnan, Brandon McCullough, Laura Toy.

This was their night, a night for family and friends to smile, laugh, and be proud of the impact on the lives of these Inductees, the impact on the community of Livonia, or the sharing of skillsets far beyond the borders of our hometown.

One theme was carried throughout the night embodied in the acceptance of the Class of 2022 by Dan Maciver when he quoted Winston Churchill who once said "You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give.”

Steve Spreitzer a graduate of Bentley High School, who announced that his high school homecoming date was Terry Marecki, working for diversity and inclusion in our institutions and communities. Giving back for equality.

Trinity House, represented by Bill Keith, once the home to the Michigan Abolition movement in the 1800's, now sharing art and cultural bringing in musicians from across the country. Giving back the love of culture.

Doug Kurtis a graduate of Stevenson High School sharing how much value he placed in reading at Nobel Library growing up and now encouraging those he trains to give back to their community, helping others while giving back.

Gary Deschenes 30 years a resident of Livonia who says we need to keep asking others to volunteer, to work together, to make things happen instead of just talking about solutions. Giving back for the good of his hometown.

Pat Hutchison a retired Livonia teacher starting up a community theatre to share her love for art and family with the entire community adding a part of the foundation that creates a Livonia that is the cornerstone of culture in southeast Michigan.

Dan Spurling who showcased just how humble he is in working behind the scenes making sure that programs established in Livonia continue to thrive and provide for a stronger hometown. Giving back through volunteerism.

With appreciation to Bill Bresler, Class of 2013, for serving as our photographer for the evening and helping us record for posterity the happenings at the 2022 Induction Program.

Mail Address

19514 Livonia 48152

E-mail address

[email protected]

Cell address

734-674-5871

Trivia Night is this Saturday!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Oct. 8th. The Livonia Democratic Club is having a Trivia Night. If you have been to a trivia night you know how much fun they are, even if you're not good at Trivia.

Mark Sweetman will be the Master of Ceremony. You can pay at the door by cash or check.

In case you want to buy tickets ahead of time here is the link you can use: secure.actblue.com/donate/ldc-trivia-night-oct-22

After three long years, Livonia will once again be gearing up for the Annual Bowling for Backpacks fundraiser, November 19, at Merribowl Lanes!

Please see links below to register and information for donations and sponsorships available. They are offering a discounted price for early registration!

Please come out and have a fun afternoon of bowling, with a great door prize and exciting raffle items! But most importantly showing your support for Blessings in a Backpack.

Saturday, November 19, 2022, 2:00 - 4:00 (registration begins at 1:00pm)

$22.50 (bowler) $12.50 (Non-bowler)

IF REGISTERED PRIOR TO 11/1/22

$25.00 (bowler) $15.00 (Non-bowler)

IF REGISTERED 11/1/22 TO EVENT

Bowler includes: 2 hours of bowling, shoes rental, 2 slices pizza and pop

access to raffle gifts, doorprize

Non-bowler includes: 2 slices pizza and pop, access to raffle gifts, doorprize

DOORPRIZE, RAFFLE. 50/50 DRAWING

Please register online prior to the event!

Get tickets at https://guestli.st/726780

Visit website at www.biablivonia.org