View as Webpage April 27, 2022 When we are not limited, we all thrive

Livonia’s Birthday Celebration History A Compilation by Fernon Feenstra – SPREE Historian Contributors: Herman Kluver, Mike Reiser, John Nagy, Joan Duggan, Lee Morrow, and Sue Wisler, and Jason Claypoole THE FOUNDATION April 1970 Edward H. McNamara had just been elected as the Mayor of Livonia. It was also the twentieth year of the incorporation of Livonia as a city from its township days. In one of Mayor McNamara’s staff meetings, he is reported to have stated that he wanted to have Livonians share his vision of Livonia as a city. Heretofore Livonia’s 36 square miles had been influenced by and identified by the various subdivisions and of course by the various subdivision officials. Mayor McNamara stated that to bring the city to maturity, we needed to think like a city and socialize like the unified city. Asking for staffers’ suggestions, a city-wide party was organized to be held at the city ice arena with entertainment and chicken dinners. Much of the planning was influenced by the Livonia Jaycee carnivals with their fireworks and the Livonia Show Train at the race track with its fireworks.  However, these were fundraisers or commercial exhibits. The mayor wanted a volunteer group to organize a family affair. He appointed some of his staff as volunteers. No one was paid and volunteer energy would be what made it successful. Year 1970 Bob Osborne was the mayor’s appointed mover of the group. Paul Kugler, chair of the Water and Sewer Board and Stan Telman of the Chamber of Commerce were co-chairs. Mike Reiser of the Water and Sewer Board; John Nagy, Planning Director; Dan Andrews and Dan Gilmartin of the Industrial Development Office; Herman Kluver of Burton Hollow; Tom Mitchell, beer distributor; Hugh Gedrich, restaurateur; Joan Duggan, Moms’ for McNamara; Sue Wisler, Moms’ for McNamara; H. Dow Tunis, Ford Motor Company; Ken Kunkle, Plante and Moran were the first committee.  The committee had many, many volunteers. So on that Sunday, August 2, 1970 the city invited the subdivision to come to a free party. Hugh Gedrich planned for 5,000 chicken dinners, 15,000 came. Food ran out to a disappointed crowd. Livonians came together, volunteers planned and put on a party, city services were provided, but the food ran out! Year 1971 of Livonia city.  All the planning done in 1970 was in place, the site, the entertainment, the free party was in place. Hugh Gedrich and the Mayor were adamant that the food could not, would not, run out. Chicken dinners were planned for 12,000 only 5,000 came. The planners believe the disappointed stayed home. The financial losses were many. State papers for Incorporation were filed March 23, 1971 for the Livonia Anniversary Committee, Inc. by Stanley Telman with Trustees Kenneth Kunkle, Carl Demek and Daniel Gilmartin. The purpose for which the corporation is formed is as follows: “To conduct business pursuant to and in connection with celebrating anniversaries of the incorporation of the City of Livonia, Michigan; further, by way of example, but not limitation: to conduct picnics, dinner-dances, sports events, parades, carnivals and to sell tickets for all of the foregoing; to promote pageants; to hire bands and orchestras; to rent any premises necessary for the staging or holding any civic function connected or related to any of the foregoing; to purchase necessary supplies, merchandise, food and beverages; to sell and dispense souvenirs, food, soft drinks and beer.” Year 1972. The Livonia city-wide party was not held to enable the committee to assess the wrongs and keep the efforts for a citywide, free party, staffed by volunteers, with assistance from city resources that would be a success. THE PARTY STARTS Livonia’s party in 1973 was coined Spree 23 by Industrial Development coordinator Daniel Gilmartin as a befitting name for Livonia’s 23rd birthday. Kiddie rides were added, civic groups were involved as food vendors, entertainment was added to the existing groups and massive feeding was gone. Spree 23 was an entertainment success, a monetary success, and having the core of energetic workers, a tribute to the city coming together.   THE PARTY HITS PAUSE  Year 2020 & 2021 Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic it was not possible to host a event our size safely. THE PARTY RETURNS Year 2022 Thank you for everyone's patience, Spree 70 (Technically 72) is scheduled and planning is in the works. THE PARTY CONTINUES  49 years later the Livonia Anniversary Committee Continues to bring our community together every year to celebrate our great city. It's Carnival Time--Get your tickets And as we gear up for a fun-filled Summer we need to make sure we get our Pre-Sale Ride Wristbands for Spree rides. They will be available starting April 25th at Livonia Parks and Recreation and Livonia Public Schools. You can purchase in advance and save!! The pre-Sale Voucher price is $18.00. Your vouchers are only valid Tuesday - Saturday. Remember that if you purchased tickets for the 2020 Spree but could not be used due to Covid they will be honored for the 2022 Spree.

YOUTH COMMISSION / SPREE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Each year, the Livonia Youth Commission, together with the Livonia Anniversary Committee, Inc., presents up to six $2,000 "SPREE" Memorial Scholarships.  The annual SPREE Memorial scholarship commemorates the volunteer efforts of: Pat Bowman Sally Miller Jim Mogan Wynn Garlow Bonnie Garrison Conrad Gniewek Fernon Feenstra Lee Morrow Jeff Nork As well as the memory of many other volunteers It is the desire of the SPREE that all of the scholarship recipients bring the same generous volunteer efforts back into the Livonia community. For a complete application click here. Requirements: A. Must be a Livonia resident attending school in the Livonia or Clarenceville Public School District or a Livonia resident attending a private school B. Must be applying to a community college, university or accredited technical school in Michigan. C. Must be a member of the graduating class of 2022. D. Financial needs will be considered. Please include a copy of the parent/guardian’s Federal 1040, W2s, and 1099s. These documents must accompany the application to be considered. E. A transcript of grades must accompany the application. F. Application must be postmarked no later than Friday, May 20, 2022. Any applications postmarked after that date will not be considered. G. Please attach additional reference letters from three adults, other than relatives or school personnel. Please note that all references must be hand-signed. No exceptions. Completed application should be sent to Livonia Youth Commission Livonia City Hall 33000 Civic Center Drive Livonia, MI 48154  ABOUT SPREE Since 1979, "SPREE" has provided a fun, relaxing, exciting, and innovative festival for the City of Livonia residents. As a non-profit organization, SPREE has been able to contribute over $1,282,640 towards such community projects as:  Angela Hospice Kiwanis Lions Club Livonia Arts Livonia Parks and Recreation equipment Livonia Police and Fire departments Livonia Symphony Orchestra Rotary Club Seedling Senior High Schools Graduation class parties YMCA Spree also provides a resource for numerous volunteer organizations and civic groups throughout the community to raise thousands of dollars for their respective community projects. ABOUT OUR LIVONIA ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE, INC. The Livonia Anniversary Committee, Inc. is an entire performing volunteer organization that presents SPREE, commemorating Livonia’s birthday celebration as a city. The SPREE motto is to promote Livonia as "Michigan’s finest city to live, learn, work, and play in." The Anniversary Committee is comprised of 20 board members, 15 Committee members, and numerous City employees. City department heads work throughout the year in the planning stages of Spree, and 500-plus volunteers work during the week of SPREE.

Mail Address 19514 Livonia 48152

E-mail address rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com

Cell address 734-674-5871

A partnership benefiting school children in need The Livonia Democratic Party is partnering with the Livonia Chapter of Blessings in a Backpack and Livonia Kids & Families to help these great organizations provide food for Livonia school kids in need. How can you help? Donate some Mac & Cheese-it really is that easy! Our goal is to collect 1,500 boxes (or one month’s worth of Mac & Cheese) of either Kraft Macaroni & Cheese or Meijer brand Macaroni & Cheese (for standardization purposes, please stick to either one of these two brands of Mac & Cheese). Pick up some extra Mac & Cheese the next time you buy groceries and then deliver your donation to the Livonia Senior Center - you’ll find the LDC collection box inside the lobby. They will be collecting Mac & Cheese now thru the end of May. Cases can be purchased at our Livonia Costco, Aisle 303 end cap, the price for 18 boxes of M&C is $14.69. This is a great deal! A great big THANK YOU and a tip of the hat to the Rashida Tlaib campaign! They have already donated five cases of Kraft Mac & Cheese!

Paul Shepich, Superintendent Clarenceville Schools, invites you to come out and enjoy Mama Mia. "We are so happy we are able to have our students performing once again. The students have been hard at work for some time now preparing to deliver an entertaining show of Mama Mia! Each year I look forward to seeing our students shine on stage and behind the scenes as this production is student-driven."   An update and note from Matt Jones Am assuming that most of my FB friends/ connections are aware, but with the algorithms being what they are; not everyone may be. I was officially diagnosed with B-cell non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in mid-March, and after a number of tests, biopsies, etc; will start chemo April 25. I am extremely grateful & humbled of the support that is coming toward our family, and want you to know that I will always be indebted to you for this kindness. A few times this season, I have spoken with both our varsity & JV softball teams and how to persevere in difficult situations; etc, but nothing will stand the test of time for me better than Jim Valvano’s speech: https://youtu.be/HuoVM9nm42E …..it cannot touch my mind, it cannot touch my heart, and it cannot touch my soul…… More reviews from the first 2 shows! 4 more chances to see the show. "...run to this community theatre production...do not pass go! Best $15 I've spent in a long time!" "Had SO much fun at this production! Outstanding singing, a funny and heartwarming show with plenty of favorite toe-tapping tunes."  "A GREAT way to spend 90 minutes!" "We loved it! A really fun and unique 50's musical extravaganza with amazing talent. Must see!!"

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