Bill Joyner's FridayMusings 11/18/2022

FridayMusings Friday, November 18, 2022 Helping define Livonia Quality of Life

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.

Seedlings Braille Books Annual Online Auction reaches goal

Supporters come through to help those visibly impaired

The Seedling's online bidding was by any stretch of the imagination a success. A huge success with 183 bidders from across the country. With 225 prizes donated for the auction 74 went for over their value. This just underscores how generous the supporters of Seedlings can be.

Debra Bonde, founder of Seedlings explains her feelings about the auction this way, "Everyone at Seedlings Braille Books for Children is very grateful to all of our sponsors, donors, volunteers, and bidders for helping to raise approximately $50,000 in our best online auction ever!

"Every single bid made a difference, just as every one of the 5,000 books we can now produce makes a difference! Certainly, the children with vision loss who will receive these braille books will be especially blessed! Thank you for helping to make their holidays and their futures brighter!"

One only has to check out Katelynn Lucas preparing books ready for shipping across the country which is bound to put smiles on the faces of dozens of families in every state. The auction helps the printing and shipping continue.

They are starting to distribute the prizes now hoping everyone enjoys giving or using them, especially knowing that each purchase is helping put books into the eager hands of children who tend to have very few books of their own.

You gotta love it when our hometown favorite becomes a hero nationwide every time a family opens their mail and find another braille book or books for their son or daughter. Well done donors.

The 1919 White Sox baseball scandal and the

Livonia connection

Creativity taken to new heights as ANIME Convention

comes to Livonia's Schoolcraft

When the typewriter first heard of the upcoming ANIME Convention at Schoolcraft College I scratched my head in wonderment. thinking "what in the dickens is Anime?"

Research told me that "anime is an art form that comprises many genres found in other mediums; it is sometimes mistakenly classified as a genre itself. In Japanese, the term anime is used to refer to all animated works, regardless of style or origin."

One online article with no author identified says that "Anime is a Japanese animation style that is produced or influenced by it. It is the Japanese term for cartoon or animation where the Japanese use the word to describe all cartoons irrespective of the nation. However, outside Japan, anime denotes animation movies that come exclusively from Japan, distinguished by blazing graphics, energetic characters, and attractive themes such as sci-fi, romance, and supernatural forces. Consider this syllogism: all anime shows are cartoons, but not all cartoons are anime."

Got it? Well, you can join the typewriter on December 3rd from 10 am to 10 pm at Schoolcraft College as this creative gathering sounds like it might be fun.

The vendor area sounds like one stop I will make as Dough Joe's Artistic Chocolates will be available.

It's almost time for the Annual Livonia Holiday Parade

Volunteer of the Month

Skip Nairne

Making a Difference

Councilman Brandon McCullough in recognizing that Livonia was built on a tradition of volunteers helping others which in turn helps define quality of life for the entire community, has established an award for Livonia Volunteer of the Month to be presented the middle of each month.

McCullough says that Audrey Hepburn sums up volunteerism the best when she says “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands — one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”

Each month the Councilman will announce a Volunteer who represents the best of Livonia. In addition to a certificate, the Volunteer will receive a $25 gift certificate to a Livonia business.

McCullough describes the November Volunteer of the Month, Skip Nairne, as one who spends time reaching out as a volunteer at the Wayne County Airport Freedom Center. His dedication is nothing short of amazing. He posts on Facebook inviting travelers to stop by and say hello and if you are a veteran to come in and relax, and have a cup of coffee, providing a place for veterans flying to take a break in a relaxing environment.

This stop on his volunteer schedule reflects his time in the Navy, Army and Seabees, and now the Freedom Center and Meals on Wheels.

Meals on Wheels? Count on Skip Nairne to be there three mornings a week, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, pitching in, and volunteering to make sure our seniors have a place to go for a hot meal at a reasonable donation.

It is this dedication that sets Skip Nairne aside. It is the smile on his face that is contagious. He is wonderfully emblematic of people who care.

McCullough says, "It is my honor to recognize Skip Nairne as our Livonia Volunteer of the Month. Livonia is better as a result."

Basilica of St. Mary celebrates 50th anniversary

Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan shares her participation in the 50th Anniversary of the Basilica of St. Mary

"In celebration of the 50-year anniversary of the Basilica of St Mary, Fr. George was joined by Bishop Anthony and hundreds of members of the congregation to break ground on the next big dream — The Mariam Center, a senior independent living community.

"Additionally, Deacon Dennis and Fr. Jim were both elevated in a Mass that concluded with a request for a special blessing for 'those who see the beauty in God’s House.' There is plenty of beauty to be seen in the architecture, art, leadership, music, and voices that fill St. Mary, but mostly the beauty of the church resides in those who come each week to pray and worship."

VOCES 8 with Livonia's

Blake Morgan nominated

for Grammy

Here they are in the dressing room at Bradford Cathedral, just after they found out they received their first GRAMMY® nomination for ‘The Lost Birds’ alongside composer Christopher Tin!

"Hugely grateful and excited" so how they posted on Facebook.

Congratulations to Livonia's Blake Morgan, second from the right. Proud of all your musical accomplishments. Now a Grammy!!

Mail Address

19514 Livonia 48152

E-mail address

rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com

Cell address

734-674-5871

December Holiday Schedule in Livonia is filling up. Great.

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