WELCOME to the newsletter of the Rotary Club of Livonia AM. Our club meets weekly to socialize, discuss the needs of our community and the world around us, and take action to address those needs. Please consider visiting our club or joining us on a service project.

All Are Welcome!

Meeting Notice and Club News

Riverview Rotary's Charter Night Celebration

March 25, 2026

Club members Tammy Bonifield, Sharon Pommerville, Nancy Darga, and Bill Friske attended the Riverview Rotary Club's Charter Night Celebration. The event marked the official establishment of this new club in our district, featuring a dinner, ceremony, and celebration of service.

See photos on the Riverview club's Facebook page.

Member News

Candy Packing with the Livonia Noon Club

March 28, 2026

Candy packing for 800+ kids.

Club member Dave Stechholz joined the Livonia Rotary (noon) Club packing candy at the home of Layal Boussi in Livonia on Saturday morning, for the Rotary (noon) Club's sponsored Community Easter Egg Hunt (April 4) at Rotary Park. The crew did not have enough donated candy for all of the children expected to participate, so Dick McDowell and Dave went to Costco for 16 more bags!

Club Meeting Featuring Bill Craig, President of Holliday Nature Preserve Association

March 25, 2026

The meeting was opened by President Nancy Darga. The Invocation was directed by Pastor Dave and involved singing God Bless America and Take Me Out to the Ballgame (first day of spring and opening day for the Tigers). Sharon Pommerville led Happy Bucks and good wishes were sent member Marlene Katafias’ way, as she undergoes back surgery and recovery. Happy Birthday was sung to Pat Zucal and Susan Paluchniak. Welcome to Livonia Noon Rotary member Drew Buatti for his attendance at our meeting.

Tammy Bonifield, Bill Friske, Dave Stechholz, and Bob Carris attended the PELS training session and had a booth with our new premium 4-Way Test soccer balls. Two of the new balls were signed by the Rotary International President-Elect, Olayinka Hakeem Babalola (nickname “Yinka”).

President Nancy brought it to our attention that our AM club has provided $245,000 in grants since the Giving program was started.

Today’s speaker, Bill Craig, President, Holliday Nature Preserve Association, has been a longtime friend of President Nancy, as they have worked together on several environmental projects over the years. Bill shared that he has always had a love of the outdoors and, as a kid, spent hours studying the heirloom species plants and trees that are the oldest part of Hines Park: The Bennett Arboretum.

Bill became involved in the preservation of the William P. Holliday Forest and Wildlife Preserve when the association was organized in 1988. He has served as President of the association since that time.

The organization is part of Wayne County Parks and consists of volunteers dedicated to preserving and maintaining 500-plus acres of forests and wetlands that run along tributaries of the Rouge River in Westland. The original money to establish the preserve was given by Holliday’s nephew, Arthur Richardson, in 1958.

The Holliday organization plans a variety of free educational walks, a newsletter, a Facebook page, and a website (hnpa.org). You can also become a member of the Holliday Preserve for $5.00 (application is on the webpage).

Currently, the preserve has been granted $6 million to make changes to sustain its future and provide people the opportunity to get out in nature and experience the benefits to their physical and mental health. New bridges, walking paths, and port-a-johns are part of the restoration.

A Club Leadership meeting immediately followed today’s regular meeting.

—Victoria Haltom

Upcoming Club Meetings

04/01/2026 - Club Assembly, Invocation by Bob Carris.

04/08/2026 - Jim McConnell, Livonia Historical Society, Invocation by Greg Greene.

04/15/2026 - Robb Drzewicki, Vice President, LPS Education Foundation, Invocation by Mike Ladwig.

04/22/2026 - Dave Zarek, President, Livonia Lions Club, Invocation by Victoria Haltom.

Join Us

VISIT OUR CLUB IN PERSON

We meet at the

Livonia Recreation Center

32001 Five Mile Road

Livonia, MI 48154

Every Wednesday, 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

ALL are Welcome!

Visitors and friends are welcome to sign on and participate with our meeting on ZOOM.

Please introduce yourself to the
group when recognized at the
start of the meeting.

Upcoming Events

04/16/2026 - Livonia Rotary (Noon) Club, Grub Crawl, 5:30 to 8:00 PM, Event Details HERE.

04/18/2026 - District Assembly, Plymouth Cultural Center, 8:00 - 12:00 PM, $35, Registration Details to Follow.

04/21/2026 - Adopt-A-Road Cleanup, 8:30 - 11:00 AM, Breakfast at Sam's Place Restaurant to Follow, Signup to follow.

05/01/2026 - District Conference at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth, Registration Details HERE.

05/15/2026, The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), Three-Day Camp Experience, at Camp Copneconic in Fenton, MI, Registration Details HERE.

06/26/2026 - Wine Tasting Event at the Livonia Spree, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Details to Follow.

06/30/2026 - Meet The Governor, Harrow, Ontario, 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Details to Follow.

11/12/2026 - District 6400 Foundation Dinner, Crystal Gardens, Southgate, 5:30 to 9:00 PM.

Upcoming Committee Meetings

06/15/2026 - Giving Committee Meeting via Zoom, 6:00 PM.

09/21/2026 - Giving Committee Meeting via Zoom, 6:00 PM.

12/21/2026 - Giving Committee Meeting via Zoom, 6:00 PM.

03/15/2027 - Giving Committee Meeting via Zoom, 6:00 PM.