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FridayMusings sharing Livonia happenings since 2003.

Friday, January 24, 2025

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

4th Annual Hockey Game for Charity supporting

Breaking Barriers for Kids and Families creating partnerships.

We are nearing a sell out, less than 100 left--get those last tickets today!

Brandon McCullough's vision and the collaborative efforts of so many have really made a significant impact. Raising over $50,000 in just four years for the benefit of Breaking Barriers for Kids and Families is an amazing achievement.

It is wonderful to see the community come together support this cause.



Proud to live in Livonia as we reach out strengthening the volunteer sector while raising funding for the work of Breaking Barriers for Kids and Families.


One more important element to the success of the day--the 700 plus residents coming out to enjoy a fun two hours. So good to see old friends and make new ones.

Volunteers and sponsors help make this game a total success

Volunteers help define the success of so many projects carried out throughout the year in Livonia not the least of which is the Annual January Hockey Game for Charity.


Rotary AM Club, Rotary Noon Club, and Breaking Barriers for Kids and Families arrange for over 40 volunteers to collect cans of soup for the food pantries in our Livonia and Clarenceville Public Schools and to make the check-in run smoothly.


It all starts in October when Brandon McCullough contacts the Detroit Red Wing Alumni Association to lock in a date. The next phone calls are to start lining up sponsors to help cover the costs of the event so that 100% of ticket sales, raffle tickets, and additional sponsors goes to Breaking Barriers for Kids and Families.


Once word gets out that the game is on the calls start coming in to play for the Livonia All-Stars, and arrangements are made for the 10U Livonia Hockey League skaters to skate between the two periods.


Then some organizations are confirmed to set up informational tables, this year including SPN Survivors, Red Wing Alumni Merchandise, Dough Joe's Artisan Chocolates, and Pucks for Autism.

This typewriter is excited as we approach the day of the game. Excitement to have the Red Wing Alumni, including notable Hall of Famers, but even more excitement in seeing our service clubs step up to be a part of showcasing our volunteer sector, and more yet to have our community step up with sponsorships to cover administrative costs so that 100% of the ticket sales go directly to Breaking Barriers for Kids and Families.


All these partnerships will help this hockey game for charity surpass $50,000 in the four years since Brandon McCullough said he wanted to showcase the variety of athletic opportunities in his hometown.

Steve Alexander, President, Livonia Moose: Having fun preparing the Lodge for the Polar Plunge, raising money for the Special Olympics

Steve Alexander, President of the Livonia Moose, says he is "Very proud of our friends at the Livonia Moose 1317 in fundraising for Michigan Special Olympics. As you may know, the number of kids who get to participate is directly tied to the funds raised for the season. For the third year in a row, the Livonia Moose is fundraising by participating in the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Michigan in Lake Fenton on Feb 1.


"Yes, you can come jump with us!"


They are hosting a huge fundraising day this Saturday (1/25) at the Livonia Moose Lodge, 29087 Plymouth Rd - open to the public all day!


Stop by to say hello, enjoy some food, fun, and raffles, and maybe sign up to jump with them!

Schoolcraft College’s comfort dogs mark their first birthday

It is time to have a big, pup-tacular celebration for Schoolcraft College’s comfort dogs.


The dogs, known as the Campus Comfort Companions, have spent the last several months getting acclimated on campus since their arrival last spring. From visiting classrooms to attending events, the dogs have become an integral part of the Schoolcraft College community. 


The five dogs will mark not only a birthday but another major milestone: completion of their training. All of them, pictured here, recently finished Comfort Companion training, which is the last piece of major training they need to complete. All the dogs are now Certified Comfort Companions.


To help mark this “pawsome” occasion, the College will hold a birthday party for the Campus Comfort Companions later this month. Guests can visit the dogs during their party beginning at noon Jan. 29 in the Wilson Room inside the Vistatech Center on the College's main campus in Livonia. Guests are invited to come and enjoy a cupcake and take photos with the dogs. All five dogs, along with their handlers from the Schoolcraft College Police Department, will be in attendance.


The five dogs – Scout, Copper, Mocha, Starla, and Teddy – were all born between late January and early February last year in Canada. They received initial training after birth and arrived on campus last spring. Since then, the dogs have worked to become more integrated on campus, attending events and meeting students and employees.

“The Campus Comfort Companions have become such an important part of the Schoolcraft College community since they arrived. Seeing faces light up when they see one of the dogs in our buildings has been so rewarding and we’re so glad the campus community has embraced these wonderful dogs,” said Mark Engstrom, pictured left, Schoolcraft College Police Chief and handler for Scout. “Their mission of helping reduce stress and improve mental health is critical and they serve an important role here on campus.”


The Campus Comfort Companions program is made possible through the generosity of the Schoolcraft College Foundation. Fulfilling part of the College’s Strategic Plan, these dogs will continue to connect not just with the campus but with the greater community as well.

Senator Dayna Polehanki has her Livonia Bumper Sticker, as does Mayor Maureen Brosnan, and now so do the Livonia Lions


Livonia's State Senator Dayna Polehanki when discovering her bumper sticker in the mail dropped a dine to say"Thank you FridayMusngs for the Livonia Bumper Sticker. We love our hometown."


Mayor Maureen Brosnan had her sticker delivered to City Hall saying "Look what arrived today?! I'll proudly be sporting this commemorative decal from Bill Joyner and Kathy Ventitelli in honor of Livonia's 75th Birthday."


Wednesday night the typewriter, talking about Livonia 75, joined with Bob Carris, discussing Livonia Public Schools Education Foundation, met with the Livonia Lions for their dinner meeting at Los Amigos Don Juan and they enthusiastically held up their Livonia Michigan bumper stickers.


Lion Kathleen Collins had already received one through the mail, actually two. One for herself and one for her son in Honolulu. Spreading the word across the nation. "We love Livonia Michigan."


You too can get your free bumper sticker mailed right to your home. Simply drop your address here and it will go in the mail the same day.

Livonia May Be 75 Years old but we are also Celebrating 60 Years of Song with

the Livonia Civic Chorus!

The Livonia Civic Chorus is marking an incredible 60 years of harmony, community, and music! To celebrate, they’re sharing some of their favorite songs from over the years and can't wait to take you on this musical journey leading up to the special spring concert, "Welcome to the 60's", on Sunday, May 18, 2025.


Stay tuned as we revisit some of the most beloved songs performed, and get ready for an unforgettable concert experience.

The place to be

for Livonia 75

history in the making


Each of these historic presentations take place at the Alexander Blue House in our Historic Greenmead Village at 2:00 PM.

Become a member of the Friends of the Livonia Library at the Used Book Sale


Friends of the Livonia Library continue to make a difference with their used book sales. Money raised is spent on improving the Library with programs and projects that help underscore the fact that our hometown has a Library of which we can all be proud.

Look to Musings for a story next week on the Mike Duggan venture into Western Wayne County. Yes, I am going.

Okay, let's be honest. On Wednesday the typewriter received a call asking if I would like to join a table for the Mike Duggan presentation sponsored by the Livonia Westland Chamber of Commerce. Such a nice invitation I was hard-pressed to turn down the offer.


When I write up a story on the presentation I will be sure at that time to thank the folks who invited me to be their guest. I am sure now that Jocelyn Benson has announced for the Democratic nomination this campaign for Governor will move quickly toward the saturation point, vote for me, don't vote for the other one.


Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on the Democratic ticket, first to announce but not the last.


Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan on the Independent ticket, first to announce but perhaps not the last.


State Senator Aric Nesbitt on the Republican ticket, first to announce but not the last.


Former Attorney General Mike Cox on the Republican ticket, considering a run.


Still too early so I still think I will follow our Livonia Council candidates and maybe take a peak occasionally down the road at the Governor and Senator races.

Mail Address

19514 Bainbridge 48152

E-mail address

rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com


Cell address

734-674-5871

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