December 6, 2019 Your source for All Livonia news. All the time. All ways positive.
Meet Livonia's Three Amigos at the Livonia Christmas Parade. Brandon Kritzman, Jim Jolly, Brandon McCullough.
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Small town diners. They make a community. That's why the Blue Plate will be missed.
But with new restaurants opening every week it seems like every day is another opportunity to discover Livonia. |
This typewriter is a creature of habit. For most of the 27 years living in Plymouth I had a go-to place for lunch. The Box Bar. 12 noon. A corner booth. Could be 2 of us eating or as many as 6-8. At times I would arrive for lunch and there would be envelopes that people had dropped off knowing I would be there. Like clock work.
Three days a week I would have breakfast at Zingerman's. Opened at 7:00. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Like clock work.
Moving to Livonia I had an extra 6 miles to Ann Arbor so started looking around. Driving through Northville I saw a sign advertising Zingerman bread. On the Tuscan Cafe. Tried it and for five years that was my morning go-to. Opened at 5:30. Perfect. Like clock work.
Moving across town to the Bainbridge Estate the drive added an additional 5 miles so started looking around. Found this diner tucked into a small strip mall. The Blue Plate. Tried it and for the past five years that was my morning go-to. Opened at 7:00. That was okay. Not perfect. Just okay. Like clock work.
 Owner Bob Modes started joining me. As did Kathy Bilger and Liz Jarvis who many Tuesday's would be joined by her twodaughters, son and husband Blake. Then along came Jim Davis running for council and he announced a regular Tuesday meet and greet for voters to stop by. I started arriving at 6:45 to have 15 minutes to read the paper.
Bill Craig would often join me as did Gary Selesko or Chris Last. Friday had Alan Helmkamp, Gary, Geno Grabinski. Throw into the mix on Friday was the table next to when I set. Jim McCann, Greg Coppola, the Pastor Brothers, John Walsh, Sam Caramago. Friday's were like clock work.
In walked Brandon McCullough for morning coffee. Once a month Andrea Oquist would arrive with cabinet members from the school district. One morning there set Mayor Mike Duggan and former Livonia Superintendent Randy Liepa.
The Lutherans brought 15 every Thursday. In the opposite corner set the Catholics. It was awsome. Saturday brought Dan and Harve sitting at the counter.
So seven days a week there set the typewriter. Like clock work. Samantha and Diana would hear me tapping on the glass at 6:45 and let me in. The table would have my paper ready to read along with my fresh brewed iced tea. Open the paper and they would bring my breakfast. 6:50 like clock work.
The body guard had her birthday party there. The typewriter had his. A Christian charity World Vision held a trivia night. Socks for the homeless were collected. Advertising in the Chorus program book. Heard about the running club Joan Modes belonged to. Learned about the progress son Robert was making at the Michigan State medical school and his applications for residency. Listened to the stories of son Daniel and his work at St. Mary Mercy Livonia.
Had dinner several nights a week with Bob's parents. Where? At the Blue Plate, 6:00 like clock work. Deb Bonde and Barb Lewis had a regular dinner meet-up.
Community reaction came in like clock work:
Bob's sister Ann Modes said she would shed "Some tears.... a whole lot of them... good place, good people, will miss it lots."
 Emily Ambrose Bauman "was shocked to read this and sad to see it go. I've enjoyed many meals there and appreciate Bob's commitment to the community. Best wishes on the next venture!"
Dan MacIver was shocked, "I am hoping tomorrow's story is a silver lining with Bob Modes still being a big part of the Livonia community!"
Kathleen Bilger was "Not sure what to say. I am happy for Bob because I know he has other projects in the works but I am sad for all of us. A lot of friendships were made over coffee, fundraisers planned, so many debates of every sort and a lot of celebrating. Best wishes Bob."
Kathy Ventittelli asks "What can I say? We are losing our "home away from home." Best to focus on all the wonderful times had at our little hometown diner. Thanks for all the good food and great company, Bob."
Paul Shepich was "sorry to hear this news. My wife & I eat there almost every weekend for breakfast. Bob, thank you for all of your community  service-best of luck with whatever is next!"
Maureen Miller Brosnan called it "sad news. Thank you Bob for all you have done for Livonia!"
Charlie Mahoney offered "Thanks for your presence in our community- personally, I will miss that delicious goulash - it was so like my mom's - the diner was home for so many - thanks Bob for being there for us - missing goulash but wishing you the best."
Bob Modes has a plan. Stay tuned as it is big. Livonia will benefit. Stay tuned and it will be announced. Like clock work.
The Blue Plate has left the building. As 2:00 arrived it was time to clear off the walls and drive away. Not into the sunset but onto the next adventure.
Customers and staff were on hand to lend a hand. Tom the photographer, Terry the electrician, Bryon the auto executive, Sam the handyman. Kathy the bodyguard, sons Robert and Daniel, wife Joan, Liam Neary stopped by as the pictures were coming down. It was a family moving on. Just like clock work.
Livonia is a small town and every town has a small town diner. Meals were eaten. Contracts were signed. Laughter was shared. Every day. Like clockwork.
It is 7:00 Monday morning and the typewriter has no place for breakfast. Jut sitting here. Thinking. Box Bar. Tuscan Cafe. Blue Plate. I will find another go-to. And again it will be just like clock work.
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Click on this image for all movie times at the Phoenix
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Have you got your tickets yet?
Your tickets for the Livonia Symphony Society raffle for
a one-of-a-kind Bass Guitar.
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Another month of homegrown art on display at the Robert and Janet Bennett Civic Center Library
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 The Fine Arts Gallery, located on the second floor of the Robert and Janet Bennett Civic Center Library, is featuring the works of
"Artists on Five" for the month of December.
"Artists on Five" is a group of artists that either teach at the Visual Arts Assocition of Livonia or are on the Board of Directors for VAAL. Works are presented in acrylic, oil, calligraphy, collage, pastel, watercolor, alcohol ink, linocut relief prints, monotype and mixed media. Over 40 beautiful paintings.
Virginia Bosak, past President of VAAL and a member of the Livonia Arts Commission hopes "you can take time from your busy Holiday schedule to visit the Gallery to relax and enjoy some quiet time with the art of Susan Aitkin, Dorothy Amberger, Durwood Coffey, Mary P. Cline, Jean Figurski, Sandy Steed, Laura Host, Edee Joppich, Karen Judnich, Rose Marie Starke, Fran Seikaly, Julie Tibus, Laraine Walowich and Kitty Weaver. You might even find that special present you are looking for."
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December in Livonia
December 10 @ 7:00 - 9:00
9435 Henry Ruff
December 12 @ 7:00
City's Inaugural Ceremony @ City Hall
December 13 @ 2:00 - 4:30
Elder Abuse Town Hall With
Attorney General Dana Nessel and Laurie Pohutsky
Livonia Senior Center 
December 14 & 15
Livonia Civic Ballet Company
The Nutcracker
December 15
Last day to order your Dough Joes Chocolates
December 15 @ 2:30 - 4:30
Bennett Civic Center Library
December 15 @ 4:00
Livonia Youth Choir Winter Concert
Holy Trinity Church
December 15 @ 3:00
December 15
Live Nativity
3 PM Animals and Refreshments of
Donuts, Hot Chocolate and Coffee
3:30 PM Live Nativity
4 PM Concert in Kresge Hall
5 PM Animals and Refreshments of
Donuts, Hot Chocolate and Coffee
5:30 PM Live Nativity
6 PM Concert in Kresge Hall
December 21 @ 2:00
Livonia Youth Symphony Winter Concert
Kresge Hall @ Madonna University
January in Livonia
January 13
Official launch of the Tour de Livonia
January 23
Senior Center Book Club: Failures of Presidents
A Project of AlphaUSA
Moderated by Chuck Dardas and the typewriter
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| Thoughts to be shared on what's happening in Livonia |
Rose Kachnowski, Past President, Livonia Symphony Orchestra: As the end of the year comes upon us I just can't help remembering about when we had our own LIVONIA Observer and Livonia News that promoted all that was good in LIVONIA. It promoted our arts organizations with full page spreads and photos. We all felt a connection to the paper because it was ours. Schools and clubs in addition to sports all had an opportunity to promote what they felt was good and positive, but not anymore. Schools, organizations, arts groups like the LIVONIA Symphony Orchestra, Livonia Civic Chorus and Livonia Youth Symphony add so much to be proud of in Livonia, yet the Observer doesn't feel the news important enough to promote our activities. We see news of neighboring communities instead. We all need this publicity to draw the community to our events.
I miss those days when we all got our time to announce our events to the community. Our boards are all volunteer positions. No one gets paid. We all do it for the love of music and art. We rely on our patrons to support our organizations. We need to have people in the seats to make this all work. We should all take pride in what we've got.
Thanks Bill for what you do for all of us....thanks for Musings that gets out the messages that we so desperately need to share.
 Bob and Joan Modes: The Blue Plate Diner thanks you for helping us to make it a neighborhood favorite for many years.
Blue Plate Catering will still be available to serve all of your catering needs. This FB page will transition to the Blue Plate Catering page. You can also check us out at
www.livoniacatering.com
If you would li
ke to be kept up to date on our next venture, please send us a message through the Message feature on our Facebook page and be sure to give us your contact phone number and email address.
Our success could not be possible without you, our valued customers and we appreciate the many moments that we have shared with you.
You are part of our success story and we look forward to serving your catering needs in the future.
May God's grace and blessings be always on your path.
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| Receive a phone call from Santa. December 16/17 |
Santa and his elves will make special calls to children (any elementary-aged child who still believes) on Monday, Dec. 16 & Tuesday, Dec. 17.
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Representative Laurie Pohutsky set to address elder abuse
Town Hall meeting includes Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel |
| An update on Mayor-elect Brosnan as she kicks off Inaugural Week |
  Mayor-Elect Brosnan is keeping up a fast pace as she heads into the Livonia Inaugural this coming Thursday. Here in her own words is what went on just this past weekend. Taken from her facebook posting:
 A busy weekend of events celebrating our community and the holiday season!
Visited Anastasia and Katie's Coffee Shop on Saturday - what a big deal for our community. I was happy to support this new Livonia venture and I hope you'll stop in if you haven't already.
Today's Mass at the Felician Motherhouse launched the kickoff of St. Mary Mercy Hospital's celebration of 60 years of caring for the community. I joined Dave and Julie Spivey and the DelSignores, Shipleys and co-founder Sr. Mary Modesta for breakfast after giving thanks for the amazing gift the hospital has been to my city, my family and me.
And this evening we paraded through the streets in Merry & Bright: Livonia's Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting - great to see so many old and new friends alike! |
| St. Mary Mercy Hospital partners with the Livonia Civic Chorus in announcing the December 15th Holiday Concert |
| Let's have lunch at Schoolcraft College |
HELP STRIKE OUT ILLITERACY!
Seedlings' bowling event is March 14 |
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Save the date!
Seedlings' 33rd Annual Bowling for Braille Books event is at 12 noon Saturday, March 14, 2020, at Novi Bowl Family Fun C
enter in Novi.
"This is our biggest fund-raiser of the year," said Karen Smith, Seedlings' Community Outreach Manager. "We hope to raise $60,000 for 6,000 more braille books for children with vision loss. You can help by bowling in the event, making a cash donation and/or being a sponsor."
Watch for emails from Seedlings with information about registering to bowl and/or being a sponsor, or check Seedlings' website for updates.
Sponsorships are expected to range from $200 to $1,500. Contact Karen Smith at
[email protected]
or 734-427-8552, ext. 301.
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