November 25,2020 Your Source for Livonia Cultural Happenings
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I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual
—Henry David Thoreau
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Things you didn't know about the Pilgrims
Kathy Bilger, Livonia historian and author of these factoids, is a descendent of James Chilton, her 10th great grandfather and Mayflower ancestor. He was a humble tailor and a man of strong conviction and morals. His daughter, Isabella and her husband, Roger Chandler were not able to sail with the Pilgrims and came a few years later on the same ship as Solomon Leonard who would marry their daughter.
Though the flu ravaged the Mayflower and killing almost half of the people on board, 35 million Americans can claim at least one Mayflower ancestor.
Thanksgiving is not just a celebration of an achievement in survival but a celebration of family roots.
1. The Pilgrims contracted for a large ship. They decided to leave Leiden, Holland early when James Chilton and his daughter were injured by boys throwing stones at them. The Pilgrims were not popular. Without the large ship, they arranged for two small ships, Mayflower and Speedwell.
2. The Speedwell left Leiden for England. The passengers were a mix of Pilgrims aka separatists, servants and fortune seekers recruited by the London Merchant Adventurer co. Yes, several Pilgrims had servants. Myles Standish and Priscilla Mullins were recruits not separatists. The plan was for the Speedwell and Mayflower to sail together. The Speedwell developed leaks, they were repaired but the ship leaked again on the way so the Speedwell returned to England with its passengers while the Mayflower with 102 passengers sailed for Virginia. They missed their landing by several hundred miles.
3. Mary's story. Mary Chilton was the daughter of James Chilton, the oldest passenger on the Mayflower. He was 64. James urged the Pilgrims to leave soon, fearing for their lives. Mary had to say goodbye to her sister, who would follow in a few years. Her friend Rembrandt lived close by and knew many of the Pilgrims. They never saw each other again but it is said that Rembrandt remembered Mary by painting her into different scenes.
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Mary's father died on Dec. 18, 1620 as the Mayflower was in Plymouth harbor. He came so far and never saw the New World. Her mother died 6 weeks later leaving Mary an orphan and without any family in America.
Legend has it that 13 year old Mary was the first female, pictured here, to set foot on Plymouth Rock, some say she was the first person.
Mary received 3 shares of land when Plymouth was divided in 1623. She married John Winslow when she turned 17. They had 10 children.
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Simon and Garfunkel's "Hometown Bound"
A special rendition at Thanksgiving for you
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From the Musings Estate all the best over this unique holiday season. Here is our thanks, from the typewriter and bodyguard, for all we have in Livonia--even as we wish we were Homeward Bound. Smile along with us.
VOCES8, with Livonia Churchill CAPA graduate Blake Morgan seated on the right, perform the Simon and Garfunkel classic, 'Homeward Bound' arranged for the group by Naomi Crellin. The video is filmed at the Skinners' Hall in London. An internationally acclaimed singer and composer from Livonia, Blake Morgan is a multi-talented musician, playing several instruments, recording and composing in many different genres, and performing with a mastery of vocal flexibility.
A gifted classical tenor, Blake has sung professionally all over the world as an oratorio soloist and also with several Grammy®-award-winning ensembles. In the popular music realm, Blake works as a studio session singer, and records as a Decca Classics artist; his versatile voice can be heard on itunes, television commercials, and National Public Radio. He is also sought after as a jazz vocalist and has taken the stage to perform with many internationally recognized singers and instrumentalists. Blake was featured in Downbeat Magazine’s Student Music Awards as the Best Vocal Jazz Soloist of 2013.
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Livonia Symphony auctioning one heck of a guitar
Still time to get your ticket for 12/5 drawing
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Robert E. Stewart, President at Innovative Manufacturing Engineering and Vice President Chief Engineer at AlphaUSA, is in temporary possession of this gorgeous Alembic custom bass guitar that the Livonia Symphony Orchestra is raffling off. For raffle tickets please contact LSO board member Emily Bauman, 248-509-4744, [email protected]
This is a Mark King Deluxe model with a bunch of upgrades.
It is a hand built custom 4 string bass guitar with a beautiful buckeye burl wood top and back with the electronics covers on back being continuous (cut from the same piece of wood).
The core body wood is mahogany and the pick-up's are Alembic custom wound active type. The neck runs completely through guitar body and is maple with purple heart wood stripes, the fingerboard is ebony with abalone oval inserts.
Another custom feature is that the side marker dots are blue and red LED's. They are gorgeous when illuminated on a dark stage.
These instruments typically take months to complete and cost between $10,000 and $15,000.
The LSO will sell no more than 300 tickets and hold a virtual drawing to pull the winning ticket on Saturday December 5 at 4:30PM from 33300 Five Mile Road in. You DO NOT need to be present, nor do you need to watch the drawing in order to win. The winning ticket holder will be notified by phone and/or email immediately following the drawing.
100% of all ticket sales go to support the Livonia Symphony Orchestra.
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Another holiday special right here in Livonia
From Dec. 6-20, our hometown is calling on all homes and businesses to Light Up Livonia as part of the first-ever citywide holiday light contest. Co-sponsored by the Livonia Chamber of Commerce and Livonia Parks and Recreation.
Entries will be gathered and put onto a map so the public can drive to see all of the different displays and vote on their favorite. The winners will be awarded a prize during a visit from the mayor and Santa Claus.
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What's Happening Livonia! |
From Nov. 27 - Dec. 24, you’ll find Santa and his team of elves at the Food Court. Visits will be contactless, with families sitting six feet away to ensure proper social distancing.
Santa will be available for photos during the following times: Monday – Saturday, 11am to 8pm, Sunday, 12pm to 6pm. Schedule your visit by clicking here.
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The Goodfellows are collecting new, unwrapped toys for children from birth to 8 years along with non-perishable food is being collected Saturdays through December 5th, except Thanksgiving Weekend, from 9 am to 12 pm (Sat.) at Dickinson Center, 18000 Newburgh Road.
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Greenmead Historical Park will host a new Night of Lights light display 5-8 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays Dec. 5-6, Dec. 12-13 and Dec. 19-20 at the Alexander Blue House.
Santa will be visiting and, although parking and admission are both free, pre-registration for a 30-minute arrival time slot is required for the free photos with Santa.
Warm beverages and snacks will be available for purchase (cash only).
Lights are being professionally installed by Livonia-based Zoro’s Christmas Lights.
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PET PHOTOS WITH SANTA
for Pet Photos with Santa, taking place from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 13, and 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, both at the Livonia Dog Park inside Bicentennial Park.
Photos will not be printed on site, so please bring your own camera. Photos will be taken in an area enclosed by a fence.
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Virtual Concert by the Livonia Civic Chorus. A Christmas Concert with holiday music for your listening pleasure. Ready for your viewing and listening pleasure in time for the Christmas season. Sunday, December 13th at 3 p.m. via Facebook LIVE.
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2021
Detroit Red Wing Alumni versus Livonia All Stars coming this winter with date to be announced. Proceeds will benefit Livonia Kids and Families and Greenmead. Plans are underway and the date will be announced shortly by organizer Brandon McCullough.
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2021
Tour de Livonia. A 25 mile bicycle tour of Livonia starting at Bicentennial Park. Originally scheduled for July 2020 now is on the tentative drawing board for July 2021. Stay tuned for this exciting new event unique to Livonia and Paris.
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2021
Good Old Fashioned Neighborhood Corn Roast set for renewal in September. Tentative September 19, 12:00 - 4:00. Another one for your tickle file and something to look forward to.
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Gotta love it when folks enjoy Livonia
Enjoy our families
The Jolly family got their "turkey at Roperti's. Ready for Thanksgiving."
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Enjoy our businesses
Livonia resident and our State Senator Dayna Polehanki reminds us that "Small Biz Sat is in days! Now more than ever, small businesses need our support as they navigate, retool and pivot from the impacts of the pandemic. Shop Small and support independent businesses in your community!"
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Enjoy our service clubs
The Livonia Rotary Club celebrated a fun night of fellowship at Rotary Park!
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Enjoy representing our hometown
State Representative Laurie Pohutsky shares her year end report of ways in which she represented Livonia during calendar year 2020.
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