View as Webpage

FridayMusings since 2003

Monday, October 14, 2024 


Helping define Livonia's

Quality of Life

Catherine LaPointe, Claudine Sordyl, Shelly Robinet, Jill Pavlat, Rob Drzewicki, Blake Jarvis, Liz Jarvis and Don Bilger brought to "life" historic figures from Livonia's past at the Briggs-Union Cemetery Walk on Oct. 6. Further information can be found on the LHS web page-livoniahistoricalsocietymi.org.


Thanks to Kathy Bilger and the Livonia Education Foundation for an entertaining and historically informative afternoon.


Once again Kathy Bilger has proven just how valuable she is in translating the story of Livonia, recognizing that we played a significant role in the Underground Railroad, and sharing that story through the revitalization of the Cemetary Walk, now in its second-year thanks to the partnership with the Livonia Education Foundation.

Cemetary Walk

Huge Success

Part Two: Bringing Livonia History Alive by Kathy Bilger Wednesday, October 16th.

Rotary Clubs join for Annual Community Spaghetti Dinner

October 23

Each October, all Rotary clubs around the world are challenged to donate their time, funds, and voices to help End Polio Now. To that end, our two Livonia Rotary Clubs will be holding their 6th annual World Polio Day Spaghetti Dinner Community Fundraiser. Our two Livonia Rotary clubs will host a very tasty spaghetti dinner. The proceeds of which will help eradicate Polio in the small parts of the world where it is still being found. 


Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for over 30 years, and our goal of ridding the earth of this disease is in sight. We started in 1979 with vaccinations for 6 million children in the Philippines. Today, Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan are the only countries where polio remains endemic. The best way to keep the United States polio-free is to maintain high immunity (protection) in the U.S. population against polio through vaccination. 

Livonia Community Foundation

Annual Fun, Fundraiser

October 24

Once again this Annual LCF Fun (d) raiser will be held at the One Under, Five Mile.


Tickets are $50 ($30 of which is tax deductible) and are available on their website or online.


Website: https://livoniafoundation.org/events



Purchase Tickets direct link: https://app.dvforms.net/api/dv/q16k04

Livonia Symphony Orchestra invites you to Bewitching Spirits Arise

October 26

Cultural enthusiasts in Livonia will convene at Clarenceville High School's Louis Schmidt Auditorium to inaugurate the autumn season with "Bewitching Spirits Arise." The event will showcase "Orpheus in the Underworld," "Danse Macabre," "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," and much more.


Entering its 51st season, the Livonia Symphony Orchestra is a treasured local institution. This event is a splendid way to commence their new season and to celebrate the arrival of autumn.


Costumes are encouraged but not required. Wearing one could enhance the artistic flair of the Livonia Symphony Orchestra experience.

Dennis Wright Memorial

October 27

A memorial will be held for our fellow Rotarian and ex-mayor of Livonia Dennis Wright on Oct. 27 from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Laurel Manor at 39000 Schoolcraft Rd. Livonia MI. We will hear from Reverand Kellie Whitlock from Rosdale Presbyterian Church, Karen Wright, Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan, Eric Ladwig, and others. Light refreshments will be served. 

Madonna University presents James Jelasic in Internatwional Steinway Recital

October 27

Madonna University is proud to host a piano recital by International Steinway Artist James Jelasic on Sunday, October 27 at 3:00 p.m. in Kresge Hall. Mr. Jelasic, a Fulbright Scholar and recording artist originally from Dearborn, MI, will play works by Chopin and Scriabin on Madonna’s newly refurbished Steinway B Grand Piano.


Tickets are $20/person for guests 18 and older and $5/person for guests younger than 18. Please register and purchase your tickets here.


The Steinway B Grand Piano was refurbished last year through a generous grant from the Hardies Family Trust Fund of Livonia. The Livonia Community Foundation has agreed to provide matching funds of $3,000 to help host Mr. Jelasic. At this time, we are seeking additional donations to assist in reaching our goal of $3,000 to cover our artist's expenses. You can give online here or donate via check,sent to Madonna University, Suite 2001, 36600 Schoolcraft Road, Livonia, MI 48150 and write "Music - Steinway Recital Fund" in the memo line.

Livonia City Council participates in Clarenceville Homecoming Parade


The Clarenceville High School Annual Homecoming Parade featured a first-time, unique participant: Council President Brandon McCullough commissioned a 'Go Trojans' banner for the Livonia City Council, and three council members, Jim Jolly, Martha Ptashnik, and McCullough marched in the parade.


McCullough shares that with "This being the first time our City Council recognized and marched in the Clarenceville Homecoming Parade, and with Clarenceville being the oldest school district in Michigan, we are working to break down silos and let all of Livonia know we care about every institution and every corner of our hometown."

Livonia was the center of campaigning last week. Three events. One Day.

Initially, Dr. Ben Carson, on Sunday of last week, was campaigning at River Church in Middlebelt, Livonia for Donald Trump.


This was followed by former General Wesley Clark along with U.S. Senator Chris Coons from Delaware, campaigning for Kamala Harris, who met with nearly 100 Livonia voters alongside local Senator Dayna Polehanki.


The presence of such prominent national figures suggests a campaign is underway.


On Thursday evening, more than a hundred eager Livonia residents gathered for the second part of the engagement day at the Livonia Democratic Headquarters, where they met with local candidates, enjoyed pizza from Newburgh Station, and watched the Detroit Tigers.


The typewriter did not attend the Trump/Carson rally, but thanks to Ken Crider, those pictures were posted on his Facebook page. I was invited to the other two events, so I took those pictures.

Trinity Health Livonia

Awards Three Grants

Totaling $50,000

to Community-Based Organizations

Trinity Health Livonia announced it has awarded three grants totaling $50,000 to community-based organizations in Wayne County. The organizations chosen are being provided financial support to further improve the health and well-being of residents living and working in communities served by the hospital.


This year’s grant recipients are:


Redford Interfaith Relief: A client choice food pantry that will leverage its grant to expand distribution hours to evenings or weekends to better support those who work during traditional pantry hours. The organization will also increase the variety of nutritious food offered to include eggs, dairy, meat and culturally appropriate food.


The Information Center: A resource and referral call center that assesses the social needs of Western Wayne County residents and connects individuals with food, housing and other resources to improve financial stability.


Hope Medical Clinic: A clinic that provides free and integrated medical, dental, and behavioral health care. Through its grant, the clinic will now provide a community-based diabetes self-management education program with integrated preventive care for uninsured individuals.

"As a faith-based, non-profit organization, we are committed to improving the health of the communities we serve, both inside and outside the hospital,” said Matthew Griffin, MD, chief medical officer and president of Trinity Health Livonia. “We believe that by working together with other community organizations, we can maximize our impact and better support the well-being of local residents."


To be considered for a grant, each non-profit organization submitted an application demonstrating how their program addressed one or more priority needs identified in the hospital’s most recent Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The one-year grant, which can total up to $25,000 for any individual organization, will help fund sustainable projects that promote optimal health among vulnerable populations.


According to its recently released CHNA report, Trinity Health Livonia identified the top priority health needs in its service area to be mental health, including substance use; diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure (hypertension); and access to resources, with a focus on housing and nutrition security.


As a statewide health system serving communities throughout southeast and west Michigan, Trinity Health Michigan invested $200.9 million in community benefit programs, charity care and financial assistance last year. 


The recently published 2024 CHNA report for Trinity Health Livonia can be found at [Community Health Needs Assessments | Trinity Health Michigan].

Planning is underway for Livonia 75

Many of you are aware that Livonia's 75th anniversary is approaching in 2025. Livonia, along with its residents, is always eager to find a reason to celebrate.


While the City will host several events for the 75th anniversary, we hope our community partners will join in the festivities. To facilitate this, the Livonia75 Committee has been established to stay informed and involved. Over the next few months, we will create a calendar to highlight all the wonderful events celebrating our city's 75th anniversary.


Jim McConnell from the Livonia Historical Society has graciously proposed this gathering as an opportunity for our groups to begin brainstorming and planning our celebrations for this milestone year.


We invite you to join the Livonia Historical Society, Friday Musings, and the Livonia75 Committee on Tuesday, October 22nd, at 7 PM at the Cole, Newton, and Duran offices located at 33762 Schoolcraft Rd, Livonia, MI, 48150.


To confirm your attendance, please reach out to livoniahistoricalsocietymi@gmail.com.

Lots of smiles and local candidates at the Livonia Democrats Headquarters

FridayMusings, alongside SEIU, UAW, AFSCME, the League of Conservation Voters, and the Detroit Free Press, endorses Livonia's four legislative leaders in Lansing and Washington. Your vote matters. Engage and advocate for democracy.

Mail Address

19514 Bainbridge 48152

E-mail address

rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com


Cell address

734-674-5871

Archive--Bill Joyner's FridayMusings

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.