May 23, 2022 When we are not limited, we all thrive
Livonia AM Rotary reports back to Livonia from the Grand Hotel.

Club members Tammy Bonifield, Sharon Pommerville, Susan Landmesser, Mike Ladwig, Eric Ladwig, Bob Carris, and Harish Jaisanker (Churchill HS Interact Club) enjoyed an inspirational weekend at the magnificent Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

The theme for the conference was "ILLUMINATING LIGHT”. Their takeaway on this is that we can get so caught up on what we are doing, and the projects we are a part of that we “can’t see the forest for the trees”. This conference was a time for the Club to look back on what has been accomplished over the past year collectively. They didn’t just “do” projects. They were illuminators of light that took the form of hope for many who have been left in the dark.

In the bible, there is a story of Jesus multiplying five loaves and two fish into a meal that fed 5,000 hungry believers. Not to be outdone, Rotarian Bob Carris turned 6 of their four-way test soccer balls into $600 by convincing the incoming President of Rotary International, Jennifer Jones, to autograph the 6 balls so they could be raffled off for $100 each, they all sold for the asking price, and $600 was raised.

A fellow Rotarian matched the revenue from the ball sale so now we are up to $1.200. It was decided that the funds from the ball sale would be used for Polio Eradication. Because the proceeds were used in this fashion, they qualified for a match by the Gates Foundation of $2 match for every $1 donated, for a total donation of $3,600, or $600 per ball. While I would call Jesus’ loaves and fish story a miracle, I don’t think Bob’s story would qualify as one. Just a lot of quick thinking, and a little help from our fellow Rotarians.

President Mike Ladwig says that "During the conference, our club was awarded the prestigious Hedke Award for Club Excellence - Club Administration Division. This was a total group effort, every club member who has helped on Projects, sat on the Board of Directors or the Giving Committee, attended Meetings in person or on Zoom, offered Feedback, Support, and Help to the club, and contributed to our winning this award. I am just humbled to be a part of it all. You should all take a bow, you deserve it. We have won the Friday Musing award for Service Club of the Year, and now the Rotary Hedke Award. All I can say is we must be butter because we are indeed on a roll."
Memorial Day Ceremony set for Saturday
Remembrance Service set for Sunday
Livonia excels in athletic offerings.
Hockey is gearing up. Registration is set.
Livonia has one heck of an embrace of sports, for boys, girls, young and old. We really do offer up some outstanding sports opportunities. The weather may be signaling Summer but there are times to look ahead. Like hockey and know that Fall registration is officially open!

Click here to access the registration: https://livoniahockey.sportngin.com/register/form/614246957
It's time to register for a great event
On June 4th, Livonia Save Our Youth Coalition, along with the Livonia Police Department, will present our annual Run 2 Save Our Youth Event! The event returns as a 5K run/walk, with all the funds raised to be used to help support substance abuse awareness and prevention in our community. Whether you are a competitive runner or looking for a fun family activity, this is an event for everyone!

For more information: www.livoniasaveouryouth.org/run
Take a 13 minute break and listen to Robert Johnson at the Trinity House
Live at Trinity House in Livonia Michigan, here's a medley of songs for your enjoyment from Robert Johnson.
Memorial Day thoughts from the typewriter
My road trip will come to an end in time to attend Livonia's Memorial Day Ceremony.

As I take some time to reflect, on my grandchildren and what the world will hold in store for them, I think of my dad, Richard Audrey Joyner, who met mom shortly after he enlisted, right after Pearl Habor, and after being turned down that summer due to his asthma.

Dad went on to serve in the Pacific Theatre. Came home safe. He rarely talked about his experiences. It was not until he passed that I found pictures, diaries, and letters from the 1940's that I began to get a sense of his service during the war.

But he is no longer with us so I fill in the blanks as best I can.

As I take some time to reflect I also think back to brother Bob who joined the Air Force as a member of the ROTC at Michigan State.

I do remember some of his stories stationed in Biloxi and then San Antonio.

As I take some time to reflect I think of marching to stop the war in Viet Nam, I think of all the discussions Paula and I had about the draft, the war, and the role we wanted to play in helping to stop the war.

No, I never served but in some way, I feel I did as I counted my voice as one who wanted to bring my brothers and sisters home from a war half the world away from that we had no business being a part of.

As I take some time to reflect I wonder if I would have gone to the recruitment office the week after Pearl Habor as did dad. It is a question I have thought about every year since 1967.

I will listen intently to Ret. LCDR Patti Mitrowski of the United States Coast Guard.

And will smile when the 338th Army Band Quintet joins with the Livonia Civic Chorus.

I remember the time when there was a pancake breakfast at the Senior Center and think this would be a welcome addition to the Ceremony. Meet and mingle with friends and share stories about members in the service or served in the service.

What I hope is I do not see candidates, like one last year, passing out campaign information. Save it for the 4th of July. This day is for those we remember who served not for the aggrandizement of a current elected official or candidate.

Keep your literature at home.

Oh, and then I hope the next day to attend the Memorial Day Service at Rosedale Presbyterian Church.

As much as I look forward to returning home I am enjoying my visit and the birthday party for Maya. And seeing Raquel and Paul and Leonardo.

See you all this weekend.
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