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FridayMusings sharing Livonia happenings since 2003.

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

For 60 of 75 years the Joyner family has called Livonia home

Livonia All-Stars ready for the challenge. Is Year Four the charm?

Mickey Redmond

In his 4th Livonia game

Red Berenson

In his 4th Livonia game

Darren McCarty

In his 2nd Livonia game

Meet your Livonia All-Stars

Three years in a row. Three years of losing to the Red Wing Alumni. Can the Livonia Hockey Town crowd be loud enough to push our All-Stars on to victory?


One thing is for sure, the 4th Annual Brandon McCullough Hockey Challenge for Charity will bring the total money raised since the inception of the Detroit Red Wing v Livonia All-Stars game to over $50,000.


No matter who wins the game, and yes, each year the All-Stars give a valiant effort only to fall short of the number of goals scored but always exceed in money raised for Breaking Barriers For Kids & Families.

Stop by and visit before the game these supporters:


Red Wing Alumni Merchandise Table

Dough Joe's Artisan Chocolates

Pucks for Autism

SPN Survivors


Stop by and say hello to the typewriter in the announcer's booth.


Then pick a seat and get ready for the game with Red Wing greats:


Coach Nick Libett

Coach Dennis Hextall

Goal Ed Mio

Goal Dennis Hextall


Ryan Barnes

Red Berenson

Joe Kocur

Darren McCarty

Drew Miller

Kevin Miller

John Ogrodnick

Mickey Redmond

More to be named later


The hockey game continues to bring in more local folks to add to the day. For the 4th year, the Livonia Civic Chorus will lead off with the National Anthem. They will be joined by Miss Wayne County 2024 Mikaela Bannon. This hockey game for charity is a true partnership bringing attention to all that Livonia has available in the recreation and athletic and yes, cultural offerings.


With Mayor Maureen Brosnan, AlphaUSA's Chuck Dardas. and Brandon McCullough dropping the puck it will be a perfect lead into this hockey game for charity.

Progress and Transformation continue to be made on Livonia's

Senior Wellness Center and Recreation Center Renovations

Fantastic news for Livonia! On Saturday Mayor Maureen Brosnan met up with some Livonia residents and businesses to check out the progress being made on the Livonia Senior Wellness Center and Recreation Center renovations.


When completed in December this Livonia epicenter of family fun will host 880,000 visitors per year and will have plenty of space to grow.


Covered drop-off, more space for programs, a larger cafeteria and kitchen, and more lounge space are all part of the Senior Wellness Center.


The renovations on the recreation side, including the new gym on the west side, easier-to-use entry, and additional programming space, will provide even more opportunities for youth and general community activities. 


It's great to see such a dynamic approach to improving the quality of life for Livonia residents. Progressive transformation: making a difference in our hometown. Thanks Mayor.

Become a Greenmead Volunteer for "Livonia 75" while helping to share

our hometown history.

The Livonia Historical Society’s 2nd-grade field trip for a day at our Greenmead Historical Village has become very popular. This year almost every 2nd grade student in the Livonia and Clarenceville Public Schools will visit Greenmead.


This is the third year that the LHS has revived the Day at Greenmead. Each of these years the Society raises $10,000-$13,000 to make it possible, primarily to cover the cost of school bus transportation. The school district cooperates in signing up students and making teachers aware of the Day at Greenmead, but the cost is strictly a private fundraising venture by the Society.


With this popular program gaining more students each year there is a need for volunteers to serve as docents for the tours.


This is a wonderful opportunity for you to learn more about Livonia’s historic treasure and spend time sharing that knowledge with the students.


Join others at the Alexander Blue House at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, to learn about the many volunteer opportunities, including tour guides, special events, gardening, and more.

Greenmead offers a variety of ways to share your time and talents, none as important as providing this day for 2nd-grade students where they sit in the one-room schoolhouse and spend time getting a sense of what life was like in Livonia in the 1800s.


To ensure materials are prepared for all attendees on the 12th of February, please register in advance by calling the Greenmead Office at (248) 477-7375.


With the Livonia Historical Society raising over $30,000 in three years to revive this Day at Greenmead program you can become a valuable addition by donating a few volunteer hours to share Livonia's history.


Meet Bill Friske: As a member of the Rotary AM Club community

involvement is a way of life

As Musings continues to highlight community active leaders we turn today to Livonia Rotary AM Club member Bill Friske whose background was shared in the recent Club newsletter:


Bill was born in Redford. He went to school at Wayne State University, where he met Rose, his wife. He and Rose were studying Chemical Engineering. Halfway through his education, he decided he wanted to be self-employed and not go into engineering but he was committed to finishing his degree. They got married while still in school, and Rose got pregnant. They brought their baby to class so their friends could see their new child. While still in school, Bill started a janitorial company at age 22, and Rose was a stay-at-home Mom doing the books.


Bill's business grew to 75 employees. He was working all the time, day and night. He decided something had to change. His customers were asking if he could renovate restrooms, paint, or do handyman repairs. So he decided to give up janitorial work and become a maintenance general contractor. 

When Bill was in second grade, his teacher asked him to befriend a new student and they became best friends. His friend said he had to leave school because he was in a foster home and they were moving. His friend asked Bill to ask his Mom if she would adopt him which Bill's Mom did. Bill's Mom was a teacher at the Methodist Children's Home for much of her career and had 5 kids of their own.

When Bill got into his mid-40s, he started running. He joined a running club and within a year he went from not running to running in the Free Press Marathon. Then in 2013, he ran his 8th Free Press Marathon and the NYC Marathon. That same year, Bill turned 50 and ran a solo 50-mile run (50@50). When he came to the end of the 50 miler, there was his family, including in-laws, cheering him on. His family had never done that before, so it was special.


Bill likes to camp, and before the family comes up north for the camping experience, Bill goes alone for three days on a solo camping trip.


Bill said you can't drag him away from Rotary, it's where he grew real friends outside of the family. Bill has been president twice. He developed all the technology for the Rotary AM Club Zoom meetings during COVID, so that members not able to attend could still participate.

Thoughts on weather forecasting. Just open the window blinds and chances are I will be just as accurate as the television talking heads.

8" of snow forecast. Been a downgrade, now 4" of snow expected. News flash, we will have 2" of snow for morning traffic. I open the blinds on the living room window expecting 8", no wait 6", maybe 4" of snow. But not even 2" on the ground, more like 1".


I now only trust opening the blinds, looking out, and what the weather is going to be for the day is determined. I am my own weathercaster.


This picture of me is from the 2012 Detroit Tigers v San Fransisco Giants World Series game when it was so cold I had to dress appropriately after only looking outside before leaving home.

Granddaughter Maya pictured here sees the snow and to heck with what the parents have to say about the weather. She looks out the door and sees what she wants and out she goes.


She may be 3 and I am 19 but at times we think alike. Look outside and see what we want.


That's the spirit I prefer! Sometimes, nature has a mind of its own, and weather forecasts can only do so much. I am embracing the unpredictability and rolling with it. Plus, something is refreshing about trusting my own eyes over the sometimes finicky predictions. When asked about the weather prediction I open the blinds and make my forecast then and only then.


When people say next week will be 12 degrees I respond always with "next July 7th the temperature will be 94 degrees."

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan will be in Westland January 28. But for $50 this typewriter will stay in Livonia for the day.

This cold front is keeping me inside more than I would like and gives me a lot of time to think about Mike Duggan’s campaign strategy and the political landscape in Michigan. It’s a complex situation with Duggan running as an independent, especially given his history and the strong Democratic presence in the state, even with the recognition that Donald Trump carried Michigan.


It is pretty neat that the Livonia/Westland Chamber of Commerce has snatched Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan as a special speaker next week. Congratulations to Dan West for bringing in this outstanding leader.


Unfortunately, the price of $50.00 is a bit too high for the average Livonia resident, myself included. For that reason, I will be staying home.


Duggan’s decision to run as an independent is indeed a strategic move, likely aimed at appealing to voters who are disillusioned with the two-party system. His challenge will be to navigate endorsements, both those he is endorsing for state and local office, and support for him from both sides without alienating key groups. It’s a tightrope walk, for sure.


I know that he is running as an independent, in large part because he knows that it will be difficult to receive the Democratic nomination against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, or any of the other strong candidates sure to line up to replace Gretchen Whitmer. And then let's see who receives the Republican nomination, and how well that person is received in Livonia and Western Wayne County.


As for his endorsements, it will be interesting to see how he handles them. Historically, Duggan has endorsed Democratic candidates, but running as an independent might change his approach. His ability to balance these endorsements while maintaining his independent stance will be crucial. For instance, his long-time support for Gary Peters who is on the ballot, leaves open the question of "how as an Independent can he, or even should he endorse the Democratic candidate for Senate.

Does he come into Livonia and endorse strong Democratic vote-getters like Dayna Polehanki, Matt Koleszar, Laurie Pohutsky, and Stephanie Young, or sit out endorsing the candidates and risk alienating potential voters in this strong northwest Wayne County community?


Paying $50 to hear his talk, even if I like and respect his accomplishments, will get me no closer to deciding to vote for Mike Duggan for Governor. It’s a steep price for many, and waiting for a free event might be a better option for me to hear him out and see how he plans to address these challenges.


On and what will happen to our hometown votes when Livonia brings into the competition former Michigan Attorney General and Republican Mike Cox who is known to be exploring a run for Governor. A former Livonia resident Duggan. A current Livonia resident Cox.


I think I will look at the retail politics of Livonia Council Candidates as that election is this year, and wait until next year for the field to clear out in the Governor's and United States Senate race.

Judge Jim Jolly starts his service by visiting schools


Jim Jolly visited his first school on Friday as Judge, speaking to all the 4th graders at Hoover Elementary School about separation of powers and the judiciary. Well done Jim. This was one of your campaign promises, to stay engaged in the town that elected you.

January 27. 2:00, Blue House, Livonia Historical Society kicks off Livonia 75 free speaker series with Dan West, President Livonia/Westland Chamber of Commerce

FridayMusings providing free bumper stickers


Musings is providing these bumper stickers at no charge to anyone sending an email with your home address to the typewriter. 


Mayor Brosnan says "Look what arrived in my mailbox today?! I'll proudly be sporting this commemorative decal In honor of Livonia's 75th Birthday."

Join folks at the Bennett Civic Center Library for the Friends of the Library Used Book Sale February 7-9. This will be the perfect opportunity to refresh and restock your library from our wide selection of reading and audio/visual materials for all ages.


Members of the Friends of the Livonia Library, like the typewriter, and teachers with I.D. can shop our pre-sale on Thursday, February 6 from 4:30-6:30 pm.


If you’re not a member join at the door. For more

information about our sale, please click here .

Mail Address

19514 Bainbridge 48152

E-mail address

rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com


Cell address

734-674-5871

Archive--Bill Joyner's FridayMusings