WELCOME to the newsletter of the Rotary Club of Livonia AM. Our club meets weekly to socialize, discuss the ne=ds 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

Staff vs Students Soccer Match and BBQ Dinner

October 29, 2025

The Staff vs Students soccer match and BBQ Dinner is scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, October 29th. While the game is underway, our club will be preparing a BBQ dinner for everyone. The Game starts at 5:00 PM, Dinner at about 6:00 PM, and Cleanup at 7:00 PM. Volunteers, please arrive by 4:30 PM.

Member News

World Polio Day Spaghetti Dinner Community Fundraiser

October 22, 2025

That’s Amore

The Rotary Spaghetti Dinner to End Polio Worldwide on October 22nd was full of festive music as the guests were serenaded by Mr. Mike Z, the Grammy

nominated accordion player. New on the menu this year was giant meatballs made by hand by our wonderful chefs, Matt Menard and his wife, Erin Dobbins.

Once again, Deanna and Ron Gaffney, and Tammy Bonifield created a perfect spaghetti sauce, complemented by salad, bread, and delicious desserts donated by members of the Livonia AM Rotary Club and the Livonia (Noon) Rotary Club. Gluten-free options were available as well as carry-outs. Also new to this year was a roaming photo booth provided by Wayne Kinney from Rock Out Entertainment. Special thanks goes to Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church and Barbara Muldehour for hosting this gathering and letting us use their great kitchen. The crowd gave a loud cheer when the Churchill High School and the Stevenson High School Rotary Interact Clubs were called to the front of the hall and thanked for volunteering to help with the dinner. They looked a bit surprised when it was pointed out that they are our future leaders in the community.

Rotarians across the globe sponsor events in the month of October to raise funds to “End Polio Worldwide". Rotary International is a founding member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and has contributed more than $2 billion to protect children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease since it started the effort in 1979. Active cases of polio have been reduced by 99% in countries across the world. Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only remaining countries that have cases. Every donated dollar at the dinner is matched by the Gates Foundation, two to one.

Nancy Darga

More Photos

CULEX 2025: An American Harvest at Schoolcraft College

October 23, 2025

Club members Nancy Darga, Dawn Magretta, Claude Kendrick (and Jeanne), and Emcee, Wayne Kinney, enjoyed Schoolcraft College Foundation’s signature fundraiser event, CULEX 2025: An American Harvest in the Vistatech Center this past Thursday.

Club President Nancy Darga wrote, "Thank you for the opportunity to attend the CULEX event at Schoolcraft College, the students were impressive, the food delicious and the country singers created a festive experience. Many of our club members were spotted there".

More Potos

Member Spotlight, Featuring Marlene Katafias and Wayne Kinney

October 22, 2025

Our meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an Invocation from Bob Carris. Happy Buck were collected by Sharon Pommerville. Lots of praise was expressed for our Rick Popa on his passing, and Bob's remarkable recovery from heart surgery. The club is super excited about the spaghetti dinner fundraiser this evening.

Moving Out: We are to moving to the new Senior Wellness Center on November 12. The Senior Center Director, Carl Peters, offered a tour of the new center following our meeting today. President Nancy requested that all members that were available after our meeting this morning try to attend this walk through. Carl said we might be able to get on the "grid“ for a discounted room rental rate. Nancy wants to talk to Ted Davis to secure a deal so our club can afford to use the new space.

Pat Zucal arranged for the club to have professional photos taken at Eric Ladwig's UPS Store on Tuesday, October 28th, at 5:00 PM.

Our Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser is tonight!

Reminder: Wednesday, October 29th, is the soccer game at the Methodist Children’s Home on 5 Mile Rd in Redford, followed by a picnic.

Today is Member Spotlight. Our two presenters are Marline Katafias and Wayne Kinney

Wayne Kinny went first, and true to his media training, he brought props (his family) and pictures of the family and Grandparents.

Wayne introduced his family: his wife, Kelly, his son, Emerson, and his Mother, Kathy. He started by saying that if there was a metaphor, it would be a "catapult". To launch something, and that something is his family, over the last 10 years. His inspiration came from his Grandparents. His Dad’s side came from Germany to Canada, then to Grand Rapids, then to Livonia. He praised his Grandparents for giving him a wonderful foundation for life. His Mothers side came from Italy to Livonia.

Wayne met Kelly later in life and they got married. Wayne went to Specs Howard School of Business, worked for an Ad Agency and then started a business which was like a mini Amazon company with his brother. He gave that up to start Rock Out Entertainment, which is where he happily works now.

Marlene Katafias moved to Livonia in 1951, went to St. Mikes and then to Bentley High School.

Marlene got married and had three daughters. She said she had never volunteered for anything; just spent her time working at Title One Mortgage Company. She did do PTA, though. Marlene said her life was boring. She has 4 grandkids. The past few years, Marlene started volunteering and joined the Democratic club, where she met Mike Ladwig, who asked her to join our club. She recently adopted a pit bull puppy that keeps her busy.

Susan Paluchniak

Upcoming Club Meetings

10/29/2025 - Ashley Flintoff, Executive Director, Friends of the Rouge, Invocation by Bob Carris, Board Meeting to Follow.

11/05/2025 - Club Assembly, Invocation by Rev. Dave Stechholz.

11/12/2025 - Stuart Baker, Schoolcraft College Foundation Board of Governors, Invocation by Mike Ladwig.

11/19/2025 - Linda Hollman, Livonia Cares, Invocation by Greg Greene.

11/26/2025 - Club Breakfast at George's Senate Coney Island, Haggerty Road between 5 & 6 Mile in Northville, Invocation by Victoria Haltom.

REMINDER: We are switching our "Invite Friends, Family, and Potential New Members" effort to the third Wednesday of each month.

Join Us

VISIT OUR CLUB IN PERSON

We meet at the

Livonia Senior Center Complex

15218 Farmington Road

Livonia, MI 48154

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

All Are Welcome!

Upcoming Events

10/29/2025 - Methodist Children's Home Society Staff vs Students Soccer Match and Dinner, 5:00 - 7:00 PM, Details to Follow.

11/06/2025 - District 6400 Annual Foundation Celebration, Crystal Gardens, Hosted by Jennifer Jones, Trustee Chair-Elect, The Rotary Foundation, 6:00 PM, Register HERE.