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FridayMusings providing Livonia happenings since 2003.
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
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This Holiday Concert delivered a vibrant spectrum of music encapsulating the essence of happiness and exhilaration with every note
Eighty years ago, in 1944, with the country at war and the Ford Motor Company making weapons for the war effort as part of the "Arsenal of Democracy," several music-loving employees sent out notices inviting all who would like to sing to form a musical ensemble.
The response was spontaneous, and the Ford Motor Company Chorus was born. Ms. Stephanie Andruseqicz, a graduate of Marygrove College, was the first director.
The chorus's first performance was at Mackenzie High School in Detroit on June 4, 1944, just two days before D-Day at Normandy.
Eighty years later, the Ford Motor Company Chorus partnered with Schoolcraft Collegiate Chorale for a special 80th Anniversary Concert at Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church. The nearly full house was full of smilies from start to finish, with the combined choirs sharing Christmas Time is Here, Good King Wenceslas, Believe from the Polar Express, and Do You Hear What I Hear? among the evening's performance.
They brought us an Israeli Folksong Mi zeh hidlik and Carol of the Bells, based on the Ukrainian New Year Carol, Shchedryk.
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For the first time in years, well since childhood growing up as a member of Rosedale Church, this typewriter enjoyed the audience singing along with favorites, I'll be home for Christmas, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Joy to the World, Silent Night, Holy Night and White Christmas.
Memories of a childhood sitting with Mom, Dad, and Bob for the Christmas service came flooding back.
Thanks to the behind-the-scenes effort of Dr. Kate Mackie the audience had four screens with the lyrics. I may have been off-key but at least I got the words right.
I want to express my appreciation to conductor Jonathan Drake, accompanist Lori Porter, and certainly to the 35 members of the combined chorus.
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Merry and Bright Parade with Smiles All Around
A hometown tradition engaging residents and creating family memories
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Choosing between attending the 80th Anniversary Concert of the Ford Motor Chorus and the Livonia Merry and Bright Annual Christmas Parade was not an easy decision. The weather was ideal for the parade, but my inability to walk the distance as a participant or stand for longer than 10-15 minutes meant that I had to rely on Facebook postings from the Rotary Clubs, the Mayor, and the Livonia Youth Choir for updates on the parade.
Jenny Ronayne of the Youth Choir stated, "it was a great parade today."
From numerous first-hand reports, it appeared that this holiday event was filled with young participants marching, like the Youth Choir and the Cub Scouts, the Rotary AM Club, and the Noon Rotary Club assisting Santa and Mrs. Claus by providing holiday cookies to those venturing to the Bennett Library after the parade.
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Mayor Maureen Brosnan kicked off the Christmas season with the Merry & Bright Parade and Parade Day Celebrity Estelle Richards, age 4, pictured above as they posed with Cub Scouts from St. Michael's.
She travelled in style thanks to friends of Livonia at Bill Brown Ford who set her and Estelle up in a new Limited Edition Lions F150 Lightning.
By all accounts the biggest crowd yet for Livonia's hometown celebration.
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The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and coming together as a community. A Christmas event for your community not only brings people together but also fosters a sense of belonging and strengthens the bonds between neighbors.
Just looking over pictures filled with smiles, children, and parents creating memories, this tradition is one that can only make Livonia a stronger, more united hometown.
Next year. . .let it snow. . .let it snow. . .
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Meet Councilwoman Carrie Budzinski
FridayMusings Elected Official of the year 2024
Thank you for setting out a new template of community communication
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She ran for Livonia City Council, losing her first attempt at getting elected. She turned around two years later, undaunted, she ran and won.
Most candidates run for office, get elected, and take a step back, adjusting their public voice, waiting their turn to speak up and speak out. Understandable.
Budzinski in her first year decided to be different while setting the template for community activism by co-sponsoring along with Councilwoman Laura Toy the Woman's Connection, meeting quarterly, her monthly Conversations with the Community detailing city departments, and answering questions from citizens who want to be engaged as they take ownership of issues and solutions, her weekly Happenings in Livonia, and the continuation of the growing in popularity Vote, Run, Serve.
Carrie has shown in her first year that she dares to reach out and involve neighbors and friends in taking ownership of neighborhoods and the town they call home. She is a non-stop promoter of good and innovative things in her hometown.
With Livonia transitioning from how things have been done in the past to what needs to be done moving forward she is an elected official who realizes that Livonia is at a turning point. She has made it a point to represent all of Livonia regardless of party, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or age.
Musings may disagree with her position, and yes we do, strongly, on how and who to appoint to fill a vacancy on the City Council but that does not distract from her leadership qualities bringing in a fresh, energetic outlook and providing Livonia with a strong, innovative template for future elected leaders to follow that will move us continually forward in attracting young families while providing services required for all residents.
Musings is pleased to announce Carrie Budzinski as the Musings 2024 Outstanding Elected Leader.
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Check your pipes Livonia
On Monday the typewriter and bodyguard had a 4-minute visit from the city of Livonia to check to make sure we do not have a service line needing replacement. In and Out.
That's it. Four minutes from the doorbell ringing to wishing the technician a Merry Christmas as he headed out the door.
You should make your appointment as well. Easy as pie.
Livonia needs your help to get rid of lead service lines in Livonia. They want your help to determine if your household has a lead service line and if it does, they want to replace your service line, all free of charge to you. If you have friends or loved ones in Livonia, share this with them today. Livonia residents have made 2,522 appointments and completed 654 At-home surveys.
Whether you want a free service line assessment from a Livonia DPW worker or if you want to fill out our online survey yourself to report, you can visit CheckYourPipesLivonia.org
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Mail Address
19514 Bainbridge 48152
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Cell address
734-674-5871
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Archive--Bill Joyner's FridayMusings | |
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The typewriter is not available for phone calls or emails Saturday and Sunday. Mental health and rehabilitation time. Out and about enjoying life.
What motivates FridayMusings:
We can't only define Livonia as taking small steps toward maintaining the way things were. That will give us mediocre outcomes. Our goal needs to be innovative and transformative.
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