FridayMusings since 2003

Wednesday, January 24, 2024 Helping define Livonia's Quality of Life

20 years publishing FridayMusings without bias but not without opinion

1976 retail politics found me in New Hampshire. Went for dinner and still had time to experience grassroots politics at its best.

January 1976. Three intrepid travelers. I was joined by Bob and Dave, headed out to Boston on a Thursday before the New Hampshire primary. Going to dinner in Boston at Anthony's Pier 4.

Anthony's Pier 4 was a restaurant on the South Boston waterfront which had opened in 1963 by restaurateur Anthony Athanas. In the 1980s it was one of the highest-grossing restaurants in the United States. I had read about it the week before and called Bob and Dave and said let's drive for dinner in Boston.

When I realized that the New Hampshire primary was just days away I called Sargent Shriver's campaign manager, John Eade, who I had gotten to know in Livonia when he was brought on board to run John Reuther's campaign against Marv Esch for US Congress in 1974. Esch won.

He invited us up to help Shriver as long as we were in town for the weekend. He wanted us to go with the campaign to Massachusetts the following week and join the campaign full-time.

Remember, we were out for dinner in Boston, our priority, so this offer was not on our list of future career paths. And besides Shriver would, as we explained, win in Massachusetts and then drop out of the race. Which he did.

Arrived in Manchester on Friday after a long drive from Livonia. Showed up at the campaign headquarters to find phones but no one calling and boxes of literature but no one to pass them out.

Long story short. When we left late Saturday the phones were all staffed and literature was being passed out. At that point, we were offered full-time jobs on the Shriver campaign heading out of New Hampshire and into Massachusetts.

Sorry, but we were all three working, married with wives wondering what we were up to, and dinner reservations in Boston at Pier 4.

Set down to dinner in Boston at 7:00 Saturday and finished at 10. Tried everything on the menu and finished up with a cigar. Got in the car and drove through a blizzard on a highway that we did not know had been closed.

I drove. Bob leaned out the passenger window and Dave out the backseat driver-side window. Could see only the front of the hood. Bob would shout "Left", and Dave would respond "Right."

It was nerve-wracking, to say the least.

We made it home after experiencing 24 hours in Manchester, 4 hours at Anthony's Pier 4, a blizzard. From Thursday at noon to Sunday night at 8.

We met Sargent Shriver, got to experience the first in the nation primary, and came home with memories that to this day still put a smile on my face.

I was 27, looked like this picture, and vowed to return every year to experience retail politics at its best. Never been back. Maybe in 2028. Maybe. Doubt it.

4 days left to get your tickets for Year Three Detroit Red Wings Alumni v Livonia All Stars

Over 500 tickets already have been sold so be sure to get your ticket before they sell out. Limited tickets are available. All proceeds will help to feed local families in need.

Livonia Kids and Families will be collecting canned soup at the Livonia All Stars vs. Detroit Red Wing Alumni game this Sunday to help stockpile their food pantries. You will be entered into a raffle drawing if you bring canned soup.

Red Wing roster starting to come in: Eddie Mio, Mickey Redmond, John Ogrodnick, Larry Murphy, Kevin Miller, Drew Miller, Red Berenson. More to come and Musings will post the entire roster on Friday.

The Moose Polar Bear Plunge supports the Special Olympics!

The Livonia Moose 1317 is FREEZIN FOR A REASON!

Please join them and their efforts to raise funds for the Special Olympics! Last year they hit their team goal and this year, they aim to pass it. All in the name of supporting this great cause!

Steve Alexander says they are 2 weeks away from taking the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Michigan on February 3rd in Fenton.

Alexander asks, "Please consider donating; all proceeds will go to Make Michigan 2024 Special Olympics happen."

Also, if you want to jump in the ice-cold water with Steve, drop him a PM on his Facebook page and he will add you to the team.

You can donate and help Steve Alexander hit his goal of $1,000 by checking out his donation page here. The Livonia Moose Club 1317 has a goal of $8,000.

Do you have your tickets? Time is running out for the

First Responder Foundation Golf Cart Raffle. Drawing February 10.

Have you ever dreamed of owning your very own golf cart? Here is your chance, and the proceeds benefit the Livonia First Responder Foundation!

Tickets are only $20. You can purchase raffle tickets at:

- Livonia Fire & Rescue Station #1, Livonia Police Department, City of Livonia Treasurer's Office, Livonia Chamber of Commerce, Kirksey Recreation Center, Roush Museum

First prize - 2023 EZ-GP Liberty Golf Cart Second prize - Super Bowl Party Gift Basket Third prize - Taste of Livonia (gift cards)

The drawing will be held on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. at Livonia Fire & Rescue Station #3.

Citizen Engagement continues to expand. Livonia Veteran's Connection invites you to become connected.

Steve Alexander, President of his homeowners association is looking for another way to engage residents in taking ownership of the town called home.

His idea? The Livonia Veteran's Connection | Facebook.

Alexander explains that "This has been a long time coming, but we are finally at step 1, and I am excited about the positive impact this could have in our great city!

"This new group aims to unite veterans of all ages across Livonia. Let's plan events, welcome new vets home, help each other adjust to civilian life, and help each other get the resources we need to succeed."

If you are a Veteran in Livonia, this group is for you!

1 day, January 25, left to make your reservation for the free private showing of "I Love This Country" at the Phoenix Theatre

Rob Turfe, a West Point graduate who was raised in Dearborn and has family in Livonia, is flying in from California to attend the free private showing of his short film “I Love This Country” at the Phoenix Theatre.

The event will take place on January 25th at 7:00 pm and will feature a limited private audience in the state-of-the-art Phoenix Theatre complete with Atmos Dolby Sound.

If you missed the LPTSA Chil Cook off last weekend then make it over to Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church

Individual and Teams welcomed to compete so bring on your best chili recipe! Or just come and try all the contenders chili and vote for your favorite!

Adults: $7.00 Children (12 & under) : free

Proceeds will go to the Elizabeth Circle Ministries

Prizes for: the best chili, the best table decorations

Shakespeare in the Park Year Three

A partnership with Livonia Community Theatre,

Parks and Recreation, Hardies Family Trust

Jonathon Wennstrom

volunteering in Guatemala helping students build a school

Jonathon Wennstrom, President of the Livonia Rotary Noon Club says he is excited and grateful to have been selected to participate in the 2024 Lifetouch #MemoryMission with colleagues from the National Association of Elementary School Principals for a weeklong service project helping students in Guatemala!

"We continued to make progress on the school and then had the amazing & humbling experience of a community hike to visit homes and learn about the local culture & lifestyle."

Over the past 24 years, the Lifetouch Memory Mission has included 19 week-long trips in nine global destinations offering more than 6,000 days of service.

You can do more than check out books at our Livonia Library.

Mail Address

19514 Bainbridge 48152

E-mail address

[email protected]

Cell address

734-674-5871

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.