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What motivates FridayMusings:

We can't only define Livonia as taking small steps toward maintaining the way things were. That will give us mediocre outcomes. Our goal needs to be innovative and transformative.

FridayMusings Wednesday, November 16, 2022    Helping define Livonia Quality of Life

Speaker-elect of the Michigan House of Representatives Joe Tate (D-Detroit) announced members of the House of Representatives leadership team for the 102nd legislature including the #2 position in the House, Laurie Pohutsky (Livonia) as Speaker Pro Tempore.


“Going into the 102nd Legislature, it is vital we have a leadership team that reflects the diversity of our state and is led by public servants that voice the issues that matter most to the people of Michigan," Pohutsky said. “Speaker-elect Tate will make history as the first Black Speaker of the House and that commitment to record-breaking diversity and unprecedented community representation continues in nominating this leadership team. Our agenda, one that advocates for all Michiganders, is in strong and passionate hands.”

Allen Animal Hospital reaching out and touching the lives of those in need during this upcoming holiday season

A partnership formed with Livonia Kids and Families

Starting a month ago the staff at Allen Animal Hospital, Farmington at Seven Mile, encouraged their clients to bring in food items for their Thanksgiving baskets. That was step one and boy was it successful as their back room usually full of treats for the animals in their care was turned over to donated food items. You bet, clients responded in a big way.


Step two was to partner with Livonia Kids and Families through Veronica Cruz, who responded in several ways. First, she went out and purchased over $250 in additional food items.


My eyes started watering seeing all the choices for breakfast cereal. Then I realized that it was not because they were some of my favorite brands, but rather the watering eyes were for the smiles that would be on the faces of families as they received boxes of food supplies for Thanksgiving.


The partnership between Allen Animal Hospital & Livonia Kids and Families brought in nearly 2,000 items.


The second step in the partnership with Livonia Kids and Families was the connection with Clarenceville and Franklin High Schools who identified families who would be helped with Thanksgiving food donations.

All was in place and Sunday morning the Allen Hospital staff, Joe Adams, Bridgette Desira, Sheri Merrill, Dr. Denise Boland, Jess Tundo, and Dr. Katherine Coleman, met up with Cruz and started sorting and packing the food.


Yes, the typewriter was on hand, but not to help, feeling somewhat helpless not being able to lift anything, not for another 4 weeks at least. But the camera worked. So I had a job helping document the partnership.


And then Monday over 50 boxes of food weighing 800 pounds, were loaded onto a truck by Frank Nikodem from AlphaUSA. The fifth partner in this caring food drive. Allen Animal Hospital, Livonia Kids and Families, Franklin, Churchill, and AlphaUSA. Partnerships work.


Allen Animal Hospital and its client base while reaching out and touching the lives of those less fortunate, and creating a partnership with LKF help us all understand that service to humanity is the best work of life.

Livonia Cheese Factories once produced One Million

pounds of cheese a year

December in Livonia is filling up

Dr. Jerry Smith leaving a legacy of love and music

I am sorry to report that a man who touched the lives of so many, creating a love for music with students and an appreciation for music with so many communities from education to church.


Dr. Jerry J. Smith, born on October 22, 1934, died Friday, November 11, 2022. Retired music teacher at Bentley High School, former director of music at Ward Presbyterian Church, currently worship director at First Presbyterian Church in Plymouth.


Survived by his wife of 58 years, Sharon (Hubbs) Smith, his three children; Darrell (Piper) Smith, Kimberly (Jeffrey) Swan, and Carole (Ron) Moon; his grandchildren Becca (David) Silvashy, Tyler Smith, Madison Moon, Devon Swan, and Nathan Swan and his two great-grandchildren Reese and Ruthie Silvashy.

Visitation and funeral service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth, Friday, November 18. Visitation will be from 4:00 - 6:00 with the funeral service immediately following.


Smith was inducted into the Livonia City Hall of Fame Class of 2018.


In lieu of flowers, you can also donate to the Jerry Smith Excellence in Music Endowment Fund at First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth.

A few of the responses upon hearing of the passing of Dr. Jerry Smith:


Maureen Miller Brosnan: So sad. I just saw him about a month ago at church. I’m glad for the time we took to reminisce about his legendary work with the Livonia Community Prayer Breakfast. He was a good man who loved his work, his family, his music and God. He’ll be missed.


Jill Prestel: I remember him well. Sorry to hear of his passing. Prayers for his family. He whole being was filled with music!


Alice Berry: I remember Jerry and his wife with great fondness. I sang in Ward Pres. Church choir when he was it's fabulous director. Nobody can play the piano like Sharon. Then went overseas with them on mission trip to Belarus and Ukraine with Complete Harmony group. Wonderful memories.


Sharon Oliver Sower: A life full of love for music is a life giver and savior.


Karen Brueggen: What an incredible influence he had for so many. RIP, Dr. Smith.


KH Green: His life is an example. I knew him waayy back when he was beginning his music ministry at Redford Baptist Church. He is received into God's care. God bless Jerry and family. Rest in peace.


Susan Gough: He was a wonderful man. I sang in the choir as a teenager at Ward Presbyterian Church and went on choir tours. He taught me so much about music. He also instilled a love for music that I still have today. Prayers for his family.


Allen Brooks: I remember him well at Ward Church. The sleeves on his robe would be flying when he was directing.

Livonia Historical Society

receives $2,200 toward

2nd-Grader Day at Greenmead Historic Park

Emily Tchorz-Fielder, the Program Supervisor at Greenmead Historical Park, accepts $2,200 in donations from Jim McConnell, Livonia Historical Society President, and Livonia typewriter Bill Joyner. The funds will be used to support 2nd-grade students, from Livonia, on field trips to Greenmead Historical Park.


Civic organizations and individuals wishing to donate in support of the 2nd-grade field trip project, please email Bill Joyner, rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com  or call him at 734-674-5871 for more information.

Livonia Jaycees come together to provide assistance where needed

The Livonia Jaycees had another amazing Friendsgiving night last weekend! The Jaycees offer up a "special thanks to everyone who donated money/gift cards to give to our special guests from the Clarenceville School district.


The Jaycees partnered with Livonia Kids and Families to adopt a family for the holiday.


Clarenceville. Livonia Kids and Families. Livonia Jaycees. You gotta love organizations that understand the benefit of partnering to enhance outreach, to grow community groups, and to have fun doing it.

REGISTRATION FOR LEARN 2022 HOLIDAY GIFTING PROGRAM IS NOW OPEN!


Livonia Equity & Anti-Racism Network started a holiday gifting program in 2020 to not only support families who need help with holiday gifts for their children, but also to provide quality gifts that celebrate diversity!


Studies show that the more diverse experiences we have as children, the more likely we are to grow up to be adults who are kind and empathetic, with healthy self-esteem and an appreciation for differences in ourselves and others. These experiences can include books and toys!


Thanks to the generosity of amazing people and businesses, they have provided over 1000 gifts to families in our community!


Click here to apply by Friday, Dec. 2nd. https://bit.ly/LEARNToydriveregistration2022

Congresswoman Tliab starts to organize for the next two years

Saturday the typewriter and bodyguard headed out to Dearborn for lunch with newly re-elected Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and 150 others from throughout the new 12th district. It was a part congratulations to

clubs in the district who worked to re-elect Tlaib in her new district and a part of getting organized for the next two years.


A few Livonia friends were on hand as well including Carrie Budzinski, Kate Shishkovsky, Luke Dzwonkowski, James Amin and Allison, Pat O'Neil, Chris Hench, Peter Dale, Chris and Max Lee, Ray Majkowski, Marilyn Ward, Barb and Roger Pattie and Jim McCosky.

Brosnan easily defeats McCullough and Joyner in Seedlings bidding

I suppose it was to be expected. A popular Mayor and hockey-loving Councilman along with a worn-out old-fashioned Royal typewriter offering up either lunch or dinner to the highest bidder in Seedlings Online Auction.


The typewriter finished a distant third. Distant is being polite. Lunch for up to five with Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan went for $220.

Dinner at Coach's Corner with Councilman Brandon McCullough went for $160. Lunch with the typewriter came in at $125,


But the good news is that the combined total of just these three items totaled $505. All for Seedlings, the real winner of the auction. Full totals Friday.

Audition set this Thursday

Livonia Community Theatre

Mail Address
19514 Livonia 48152
E-mail address
rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com
Cell address
734-674-5871