September 16,2020 Your Source for Livonia Happenings
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Change begins with each and every one of us. Together let's use our collective voices to change the narrative to one that clearly depicts all the amazing work that happens in our hometown community. Paraphrased from Eric Sheninger in Reflections on Leadership
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HISTORY OF THE ITALIAN AMERICAN CLUB
Have you ever driven west on Five Mile Road and wondered what the Italian American Club was? Let's take a deep dive, thanks to information found on the IACL web site, into it's history and find out about this hometown gem.
In October of 1977, twelve hundred people came to a Columbus Day Dinner Dance in Livonia, Michigan organized by a group called the Italian American Friends of Ed McNamara, Mayor of that City. They raised $5,000 and the party was THE social event of the season.
Nineteen of those Italian-Americans gathered at Nicky’s, a popular dining place in Livonia owned by Nick Canzano, on October 13, 1977 to discuss the fundraiser. Deciding they worked well together they organized The Italian American Club of Livonia.
The group elected their first officers: President Mike Magliocco, Vice President Mike Cicchella, Secretary John Bommarito and Treasurer Joseph Panackia. Nick Canzano, Ben Celani, Pete DeMarco, John DelSignore, Alex Fedrigo, Tony Greco, Joanne Hurley, Ron Mardiros, Enzo Paparelli, Diane Piccirilli, Eddie Puishes, Francis Stella, Ann Tavolacci, Patrick Tavolacci and Becky Tavarozzi.
Membership dues were set at $10.00 per year per family and Bylaws were formulated.
In April of 1978, the Officers and Board met to set up their first Columbus Day Dinner Dance as a Club and decided to meet every month. They elected a permanent set of officers and Ben Celani of Action Distributing offered the Club use of his company’s Board Room for their meetings. Articles of Incorporation were filed on June 29, 1978. The Columbus Dinner Day Dance, held on October 8, was a success.
One year later there were 101 family members & $4,900 in the bank.
Events in 1979 included the first President’s Ball at Roma’s of Livonia, the first charitable donation to the Boxing Club of Livonia, the first booth at Livonia Spree, the first Annual Membership Meeting and the first Christmas Party. Membership had risen to 195 families.
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In 1980 membership stood at 280 families, the Italian-American Club Golf League began with 24 golfers.
This year a major fundraising golf outing was held at Whispering Willows attended by dignitaries like former Plymouth Township Supervisor Shannon Price, Wayne County Commissioner Terry Marecki and Mike Garavaglia, who along with his wife Julie donated 5,000 masks to the City of Livonia earlier this year.
The Club expanded its social events to include a spaghetti dinner, wine and cheese party at Fonte d’Amore, a picnic in August and a Night at the Races that year. The Wednesday Night Social Evenings began at Corsi’s Restaurant. The Club donated $1,000.00 to the victims of an earthquake in Italy.
The Club held its first Millionaire’s Party in February of 1981 which raised over $3,000.00. Then in August of 1981, the Clubhouse at 9611 Hubbard in Livonia was purchased at a cost of $33,000 with $15,000 as a down payment. Members pitched in to make the building, in disrepair, an enjoyable “home” until for 13 years, 1994.
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In 1990 a momentous decision was made to build a new club-house/banquet facility and 5.21 acres of land on 5 Mile Road and the I-275 expressway in Livonia was purchased on July 31st of that year. The old clubhouse was sold to the Livonia Jaycees.
With President Tony Greco spearheading the effort, financing was obtained, ground broken in 1993 and building was completed in August of 1994. A Gala Grand Opening was held to celebrate a dream come true; a 26,000 sq. ft. facility on two levels.
Three of the original nineteen Italian-Americans who founded the I.A.C.L. are still active in the Club: Alex Fedrigo, Tony Greco, Ann Tavolacci. They have seen their dream realized.
Currently, the Italian-American Club of Livonia has 917 family memberships, with 7 Officers and 10 Board Members. Five (5) Standing Committees actively administer the many facets of their diversified Club including Finance, Building & Maintenance, Cultural, Good & Welfare and Membership.
The Italian-American Club of Livonia grew from its nucleus of nineteen, nurtured and strengthened by a heritage and spirit characterized by hard work, love, family and a celebration of life. Club members and their families prayed together, worked together, played together. They became a force in the community contributing much to the social fabric of the City and to many of its institutions including Madonna University, St. Mary’s Hospital the Livonia Heart Fund, Angela Hospice and the St. Louis Center, a home for children & adults with developmental disabilities located in Chelsea, Michigan.
The efforts of their members: architects, builders, construction workers, homemakers, musicians, religious, business people, restaurateurs, politicians and professionals have imprinted themselves on Livonia and its environs and the community are richer for it.
They have built not just a club, not just a building, but a “FAMILY” with roots in Italy and a “HOME” in America.
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Readers of Musings ask for more sharing of our hometown history. With that in mind Livonia historian Kathy Bilger has provided us with information about what was once called Livonia Center:
Every Victorian town has that quaint little town center with the park and the white steepled church, a little tavern off to the side, and a couple of shops with big front windows. What happened to Livonia?
Truth is, we waited way too long. It took 60 years from the township’s founding to get the pretty white church built. There were too many Quakers who frowned on the DRINK for a nice cozy tavern to be built. Those ancestors put their energies into more important stuff like the Underground Railroad.
Livonia Township developed along the edges. The little towns like Clarenceville, Newburgh, Pike’s Peak, Gilt Edge and Power’s Station were near the township’s border. People went shopping in Northville, Plymouth, Bell Branch and Waterford. (Waterford was at 6 Mile and Northville Road, the park is called Waterford in memory of the town. ) Trips to town were rare so it only made sense to pick up the mail at the town where you shopped and there wasn’t much to buy in Livonia Center.
Livonia Center lacked almost everything necessary to qualify as a town. Under the early federal government rules, a town needed three things to qualify, and a mayor and a city council are not two of them. A town must have a post office, a name, and a public meeting place such as a church, school, or tavern. Livonia Center had a post office that was not used much and a name. It lacked the church or tavern and the school was not built right away.
The three most important jobs in a town are again not the mayor or city council, but the postmaster, minister, and blacksmith. Livonia Center had the postmaster. They had a blacksmith, but he was often drunk. No church, no minister.
The 1863 Gazetteer listed 5 businesses: WH Clock, postmaster; William Melden, blacksmith; Jackson Stafford, grocer; Abram Stringer, grocer; and Valentine Walters, wagonmaker.
Ten years later, WH Clock was still the postmaster, but he also sold boots and shoes. The mail was delivered to the station three times a week. Clock had plenty of free time. The blacksmith not only shoed your horse but he also had a small saloon. The saloon didn’t seem to last very long, whether it was the blacksmith drinking the profits or a lack of customers, we don’t know. Stringer still ran a general store. In 1873 there was also a train station agent, and a resident named Charles Smith took up making wagons.
The 1880 Census for the township has one sawmill owned by Charles Wright, one brickyard owned by the orchestra leader Alexander Tinham, and four cheese factories all making cheddar! The 1880s saw a church and Grange Hall built in Livonia. Both buildings are still standing near the school board offices but are now used for other purposes.
Livonia Center and the township was proud of its agricultural roots. In the 1876 Wayne County Atlas, every man called himself a farmer even if he had another occupation. Livonia was known for its cheese long before Governor Warner bought all the cheese factories and it was also a proud producer of corn, oats, apples, and potatoes.
Those quaint little towns are all but gone now, a house here or a store there but Livonia, we still did pretty good.
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Livonia North invites you to an
Ice Cream Celebration Sunday
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Census deadline approaching |
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It's time for a
Wednesday Smile
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Six years ago this was the kind of leap Ellie Brosnan was taking.
Today she’s taking a whole new leap into a gap year program she worked hard to create for herself.
She’ll be in Cleveland for the next year working at L’Arche with mentally challenged senior citizens as a live-in assistant.
Yep. mom Maureen Brosnan is proud of her, and "so excited to see the amazing difference she will make in our world."
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Bringing the Bennett Library to your home |
Miss Michelle is bringing storytime to you! Sign up to have Miss Michelle come to your house and do an outdoor, 15-minute storytime and science demonstration just for your family—from 6 feet away!
Time slots will be available every Thursday from September 24 until November 19.
Reserve your time slot beginning Thursday, September 17 at 10 a.m. by calling the Carl Sandburg Library at (248) 893-4010. Availability is limited, so reserve your spot early!
Open to Livonia residents only.
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Seedlings Spotlight!
Keeping up with Seedlings "Kids"
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Lizzy (pictured) is one of “Seedlings’ kids!” Read these nice quotes from Lizzy and her mother.
“Hi I’m Lizzy! I like reading books because I learn lots of new information. I also like fiction books because I can imagine fun things happening. I can help solve a mystery or go on an island adventure right in my own room! Seedlings has way too many good books to choose from!
I’m Lizzy’s Mama and I also love Seedlings' braille books. We have lots of Braille and picture books that Lizzy now reads to her little brother. She is a fantastic teacher and is using her old books and puzzles to teach him shapes and letters. He loves having his big sis read to him and knows to pick out and bring her the books with “little bumps” so they can snuggle up to a fun story together!”
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Hometown news supports our hometown community |
The typewriter was asked and the typewriter is responding.
You asked for more Love Livonia bumper stickers. Thanks to our readers they are in. And they are yours.
This week you can stop by the Musings Estate, 19514 Bainbridge, N of Seven and E of Merriman. On the front porch. In a Wolferman's box. Simply take one or two. Leave a dollar if you want and I will order more. Otherwise they are yours. Free. Gotta Love Livonia. I do.
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Dawn: Thanks for all of your work and efforts in publishing FridayMusings.
Sherry & Tom: Thank you for all you do for the citizens of Livonia.
Bob: I always enjoy Musings. Valuable.
Conrad: Thanks for all you do. Iced tea some day.
Alan & Lonna: Thanks for publishing Musings and for all else you do for the city.
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YOU KNOW WHAT WE MISSED THIS SEASON?
ART FAIRS AND BOOK SIGNINGS!
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Original art, prints, drawings, crafts, and both of the book series written by Julie Cassar will be on display and available for purchase.
Please stop by for a cocktail and fun snacks, enter to win some give-aways, and check out all the art and books for sale!
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE as this event will happen rain or shine. Hand santizer and masks will be available for guests if they so desire.
29627 Robert Drive, Livonia 48150
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Wayne County Commission candidate Nancy Darga shares her thoughts on art and artists: |
"At the Livonia Democratic Club Sign-A-Palooza event, I met the Livonia author, Lonna Baum. I have purchased all of her books for my grandsons. I especially like the book about a school age character in a wheel chair trying to play with others. I am so happy I got to meet her in person.
"There is so much talent in our communities. I make a special effort to support local artists. I like to attend the "Made in Michigan'" event held in Northville each year. I am always amazed at the creative products made here in the Great Lakes State from wine, honey, cosmetics, clothing etc.. Fortunately we have programs like "Hatch Detroit" that help fund startups. What can government do to integrate the arts into public projects that inspires private investments? Just think of the possibilities."
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Meeting candidates for State Representative:
This week, Laurie Pohutsky:
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Next week we will re-introduce Republican challenger Martha Ptashnik.
Laurie grew up in Redford, Michigan, and learned about hard work and public service from her parents. Her mother is a nurse and was the president of her own healthcare company, and her father was a Teamster and later worked for the city of Dearborn Heights in several positions. It was from him that she gained respect for the responsibility held by elected officials.
She attended college at Michigan State University in East Lansing. While there, she volunteered at the Listening Ear Crisis Center, began attending civic engagement events, and came to learn that the problems of one person can often be indicative of the problems of many. She saw firsthand how the actions of lawmakers and other elected officials affected individuals. Upon graduation with a Bachelor’s of Science in microbiology, Laurie began working in a local laboratory.
In 2013, she returned home to the Metro-Detroit area. Like many college graduates, she struggled to find a job in her field, and shared in the frustrations of others who had serious concerns about the economy, student debt and obtaining a living wage. These experiences taught her that these issues are not just stories on the news, but are rather the stories of those in our own community. She decided to run for State House in 2018 to fight for those issues in Lansing. It was an incredibly close race, and her victory was by 221 votes (a razor-thin half a percentage point). This makes Laurie one of the very top GOP targets this year in the Michigan House.
Laurie resides in Livonia, and she remains dedicated to political activism and creating positive change for all residents in her community. She remains a volunteer at Angela Hospice.
Healthcare
Laurie believes that healthcare is a human right, and that the current political climate has made it abundantly clear that the federal government is going to neglect to address healthcare. As a state legislator, she understands that this responsibility is now falling on state governments and supports state-funded Medicare for All, so that Michiganders have the right to affordable, comprehensive healthcare that also prioritizes mental health.
Civil Rights
Laurie believes that the government needs to work to dismantle the laws currently in place that are based in systemic racism, such as mandatory minimum sentencing. Additionally, she will continue to fight for Michigan to expand the Elliott Larsen Act to extend protections to the LGBTQ+ community.
Roads and Infrastructure
Laurie believes that the key to repairing Michigan’s roads is not only in the repair itself, but in preventing future damage from occurring as well. She supports increasing overweight truck fees, the source of much major road damage, rather than punishing hardworking Michigan families through fuel taxes and increased registration fees. The road patching that takes place every year in Michigan is a further waste of resources, as it inevitably deteriorates and leaves roads primed to cause more damage to vehicles. Michigan roadways need comprehensive and permanent work done on them. Increased overweight truck fees will provide funding for this work and tighter weight restrictions will prevent further damage from occurring.
Environment
Clean water is at the forefront of the battle for the environment. Laurie believes that every Michigan family has the right to live without the fear of water contamination or air pollution of any kind. She will continue to fight to hold local companies and government responsible while also demanding transparency. Laurie supports legislation that ensures businesses will operate in a way that does not pose a danger to the environment or local families. Profits cannot take priority over the safety of Michiganders.
Education
Michigan’s children deserve the very best when it comes to education. Laurie strongly supports policies that empower children and teachers, such as providing access to early education and limiting class sizes. She knows that the key to providing quality education is hiring quality teachers. In office, Laurie has and will continue to fight to provide teachers with competitive salaries and benefits in order to ensure that children in Michigan are receiving the best possible education. When crafting education policy, Laurie will continue to make sure to consult educators rather than leave them out of the conversation.
Women’s Rights
Laurie believes that a woman’s medical decisions are personal and are only the concern of her and her doctor. Furthermore, research has shown that the availability of contraception and education about reproductive health have decreased the number of abortions and the spread of sexually transmitted infections in the United States. In office, Laurie will continue to fight for organizations and legislation that aid in this endeavor and empower women to make their own choices regarding their reproductive health.
Elder Care
America’s elder population is often neglected, and Laurie believes that people should never have to worry about affording care in their advanced years. As a state rep, she has fought and will continue to fight for programs that provide healthcare and services to senior citizens, as well as the reallocation of funds to ensure that they are not living without necessities such as medicine or medical care in order to survive.
COVID-19 Response
Laurie has sprung into action to protect her community in the face of COVID-19. Among others, she has introduced important legislation to prohibit price gouging of important products like gasoline, propane, home heating oil, and other energy-based products and services during an emergency.
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Ptashnik continues with her Lansing endorsements |
Martha Ptashnik, Republican candidate for State Representative challenging incumbent Laurie Pohutsky, has been endorsed by the ABC of Michigan, dedicated to supporting and defending Michigan's freedom to work.
Michigan’s Freedom to Work (also known as "Right to Work") law is one of ABC of Michigan's primary purposes supporting the right of individuals to chose whether or not they want to belong to a union.
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