Thank you Jonathon Wennstrom for showing how education works beyond the classroom walls. It was a great spring.

Livonia Public Schools Superintendent Andrea Oquist speaks up on the strife and sadness of many in our school community following the death of George Floyd.

Livonia resident and teacher at the Log Seminary School just west of Newburgh on Six Mile, actually Waterford Street as it was named at the time, Harriet deGarmo Fuller was a tireless worker for the abolition of slavery and the rights of women, standing with her husband, Edwin, and other members of her family at countless meetings and fairs. 

In 1853 Harriet and her husband were founders in the formation of the Michigan Anti-Slavery Society with Harriet serving as a vice president of the Society at its founding. The Fullers traveled throughout southern Michigan and northern Indiana and Ohio, organizing antislavery meetings, fund raising events, and giving lectures.

Edwin and Cyrus Fuller were part of the group of men that petitioned the Michigan Legislature for the incorporation of the Union Society of Livonia in 1850. The society sold shares and built the Union Society building in 1851 for the sum of $571.  This building is a Greek Revival building currently in use by the Trinity Theater. 

The Union Society building was believed by many to be a part of the Underground Railroad.

An antislavery newspaper mentions that the meeting of the Antislavery society took place 3 miles outside of Plymouth.  This could be on the farms of Edwin and Cyrus or at the Union Society building.  The article mentions that Sojourner Truth was there and sang a song. 

The Anti-Slavery Society newspaper, The Bugle, lists Harriet Fuller as the agent for the newspaper in Livonia on March 14, 1857

Harriet De Garmo Fuller was inducted into the Livonia City 1835 Hall of Fame Class of 2018 for her work locally, statewide and nationally for the antislavery movement.  

As a leader in the movement, she worked tirelessly to free slaves, to bring attention to the cause and to aid people in securing their freedom. She risked herself, her family and their property in order to help those whose lives were at great risk.  

As the Antislavery Society recording secretary, she could have destroyed the records of the organization but kept them safe so that generations after her can gain an understanding of the work and times.  While many of her neighbors were in sympathy for her cause, working on a national level, she was bound to attract those who would silence all abolitionists.  

Harriet made a difference in Livonia as she brought the cause of  the Anti-Slavery movement to the township.  Livonia became known as a center for the movement through Harriet's speeches around the state and country.

2000 people took to the streets of Livonia Sunday to make a statement that Black Lives Matter but this wasn't the first time they did it.  Surprised?   Almost exactly 179 years to the day, Livonia stood strong for the same reason. June 6, 1841 was the date. 

Rev. Marcus Swift, the circuit preacher and well-known abolitionist, whose church is at Greenmead, sent a letter signed by his members to the Methodist church. The Methodist Church refused to denounce sl avery, so the people quit. 

Many other Methodist churches did the same. The letter calls out the bishops for " A direct contribution to the oppression of the poor of Christ's flock on account of their colour and the wickedness of their laws..." It cites "our views of religion, the principles of justice and humanity" and the people will continue as a church but will join the Wesleyan movement.

Livonia started out protesting black lives matter in 1841 and continued with a protest in 2020.

Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan: When it's the first day restaurants are open in a post-COVID world you gotta head to your favorite Livonia eatery, order your favorite wine with cheese tortellini and palomino sauce topped off with a lemon tiaramisu. Thanks Tommy. You always make it special.

The Mayor was not the only one at Luigi's. T imothy J. Klisz was "eating dinner with my love with Deanna Klisz   at  Luigi's Trattoria Pizzeria . O mg. We're eating in an actual restaurant! Date night!"

The typewriter:   FridayMusings drove wide and far to find a cafe open for customers to come inside and order. Found The Tuscan. One entrance door. One exit only door. Masks everywhere. 50% occupancy. And my favorite green tea. Felt real comfortable. Only 1 person inside. I set outside. Had to try it on Day

 number one. Thanks Will. You made my day.

Brandon and Kacie McCullough picked their favorable and this picture shows it, "Glad to be back  Wintergarden Tavern Livonia ! It's been too long!"