December 13, 2021 People/Dining/Shopping/Events/Culture All defining Livonia
|
|
In the spirit of giving back during this season, the Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church Youth Group joined forces with the Livonia Goodfellows to pack boxes of food to be given out to those in need. Kate Mackie called it "another awesome year helping to pack food boxes for the Livonia Goodfellows!"
|
|
|
Our Livonia Symphony Returns to a Better Normal in a big way |
What a wonderful way to start the weekend. It was a return to a better normal, Livonia Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert Joy to the World at our Bennett Civic Library Auditorium.
Exceptional concert in a number of ways. First, we had Sister Mary Ann Smith, Coordinator of Liturgical Services, Madonna University, and Vice President of the Livonia Symphony, welcome the nearly full and festival audience to the concert.
A part of her introduction was to welcome Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan who shared her belief that concerts like this add to the excellence of Livonia and just how grateful she was that the Symphony was back to hosting a concert at this time of year. She then presented a $10,000 donation from the Ford Fund as a continuing partner of the Symphony.
Other concert sponsors included the Hardies Family Trust, Livonia Community Foundation, and the Robert and Janet Bennett Civic Center Library.
Under the leadership of Volodymyr Shesuik, Music Director and Conductor the audience was taken through a series of holiday music from The Bells of Christmas, White Christmas, March from Babes in Toyland, Silent Night, and We wish you a Merry Christmas. 13 selections in all.
Livonia is so fortunate to have a high-quality, professional Symphony Orchestra. Sunday afternoon underscored that fact.
Livonia is returning to a better normal.
|
Our Livonia Civic Chorus Returns to a
Better Normal in a Big Way
|
Welcome to the Holidays saw our Livonia Civic Chorus excel in sharing songs ranging from Believe with soloists Allison Buttermore and Carole Moon to Do You Hear What I Hear?
The audience with over 300 smiling, nodding their heads, genuinely enjoying the concert, giving the Chorus a standing ovation when it was over, over too soon.
Jeff Swan, Music Director, along with accompanist Kimberly Swan and Keyboardist Lori Porter had the 35 members of the Chorus ready and well prepared. After two years of waiting for a return to a better normal, the Chorus was ready. And it showed.
The women of the Chorus provided That's Christmas to Me with soloist Sharon Krol, Cynthia Windecker, and Kathleen Chichester. This was followed by the Men of the Chorus singing Masters in this Hall.
The Chorus President, Kathleen Chichester offered up special thanks to the leadership of Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church and their Music Director Tom Schroeder, for providing the venue for this concert.
From the Symphony on Saturday to the Chorus on Sunday. We are so fortunate in Livonia. If only this typewriter had more days in the weekend to catch up with the Livonia Community Theatre and the Ballet and. . .well you get the picture.
|
|
Let's just do it.
A coordinated art schedule
So let's see. One weekend. One City. Five Return to a Better Normal cultural events.
Multiple events. Overlapping times. Maybe it is time to have a coordinated cultural schedule.
Check out Sunday alone. Livonia Civic Ballet at 2:00. Livonia Civic Chorus at 3:00. Livonia Youth Choir at 3:00. Livonia Community Theatre at 4:00.
I know. I know. I am often overheard saying that we have nearly 95,000 residents so surely we can handle multiple events with overlapping times.
Not necessarily.
So, here is my idea. Let's have the community resource office, if we still have one, come up with a master schedule that community cultural organizations could call just to verify when they schedule an event that it is not in conflict with another program event.
That doesn't mean that we will not have overlaps but it does mean that there is a chance that some program events might change resulting in fewer conflicts.
And with four high school drama performances and four high school choirs and bands/orchestras, it would be great to have one master schedule to ensure that we have fewer overlaps.
And we could have the master schedule posted on the Livonia Arts Commission's webpage for all to see.
Just an idea. But one that privately several art organizations have pondered and wondered why, why is there not a coordinated schedule.
Just an idea.
|
Susan Landmesser dropped off this plaque expressing appreciation for supporting the 2021 Sleeping Bag program of You Are Loved.
The real appreciation goes to Susan and the hundreds of items collected and distributed. Thank you Susan.
|
|
The Robert and Janet Bennett Civic Center Library and the Livonia Arts Commission invite you to their Noontime Concert Series THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2021 AT 12:15 PM.
December's performers: The Silver Strings Dulcimer Society Strings are playing in the Atrium with holiday music.
Join your family and friends in the Atrium of the Bennett Civic Center Library.
|
The Hardies Family Trust
. . .in continuing the legacy of Bob Hardies stepped up in support of the Clarenceville High School wrestling program.
On Thursday the team held their first match of the school year giving them the opportunity to showcase the new wrestling mats replacing the worn-out 20-year old mats.
The two mats provide for simultaneous meets and practice of both the High School and Middle School teams as well as allowing for the hosting of regional and state tournaments.
The total contribution of the Hardies Family Trust to Clarenceville was $18,000. Representing the HFT was Carol Broadbeck and Dan MacIver.
The wrestling team and coaches posed for a picture and in a team cheer said "Thank you."
|
|
Congratulations AlphaUSA
Celebrating 65 Years of Excellence
|
Every community looks for corporate leadership, those who can navigate the business world and accept the responsibility of giving back to the community.
In the 65 years since AlphaUSA was founded the company understands that future generations will be better off with what we do today, not just on paper, but with ideas implemented.
On their 65th birthday, AlphaUSA had a celebration with all the employees to acknowledge just a part of what the company has accomplished in the community, in the profession and with the help of their employees.
Founded in 1957, AlphaUSA is a veteran-owned engineering and product design-based manufacturer. Over 50 years of engineered product knowledge, a significant investment in tooling, and cutting-edge technology have earned AlphaUSA a strong reputation in the manufacturing community.
AlphaUSA has made many contributions in the community including opening the food pantry in Livonia Schools, buying needed instruments for students wanting to learn music, launching the Livonia Kids & Families, opening the doors of AlphaUSA on Manufacturing Days so students can get a glimpse into real manufacturing while learning from experts in the industry, hosting a book club at the senior center and the Young Inventors program where Middle School students are encouraged to reinvent something and present their inventions.
Founding family member Cate Strumbos, pictured above with Chuck Dardas, shared the presentations from the community as the company was presented a proclamation from the Wayne County Board of Commissioners and the City of Livonia.
In 65 years AlphaUSA has developed a proactive corporate narrative across the range of community organizations – from education to art and culture, from our youth to our seniors while moving forward with cutting-edge technology earning them a national reputation.
Happy 65 Alpha. Livonia is proud and is appreciative.
|
Getting to know Glenn Anderson |
With the new County Commissioner Districts already approved we now know that approximately the southern half of Livonia will be represented, should he win re-election in November 2022, by Glenn Anderson, with approximately the northern half by our current County Commissioner Terry Marecki.
For eight years Anderson represented Livonia as our State Senator.
|
FridayMusings will start to include updates on Anderson as we will be seeing more of him in the coming year. This picture is of the Christmas party at the Westland Friendship Center. Anderson commented that he is "ready to serve Christmas Lunch at the Westland Friendship Center yesterday. Great turnout, great food, and great band!"
Note: Anderson is the 4th from the right wearing his mask.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
