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

Coming Up This Week

Club President Nancy Darga invites you to a Hybrid Zoom meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 04, 2026, at 7:30 AM.

This week, our guest speaker will be Ted Davis, Superintendent of Livonia Parks & Recreation, Invocation by Greg Greene.

The Livonia Parks and Recreation Department manages over 1,389 acres of parkland, featuring 60 park sites, three 18-hole golf courses, and a state-of-the-art community recreation center. The department is headquartered at the Jack E. Kirksey Livonia Community Recreation Center, which serves as the hub for indoor athletics and community programs.

Winter Break - Brick Oven Pizza, Beverages, and Bocce

January 27, 2026

It was one of those evenings that unfolded without effort. Familiar faces enjoyed a new venue for this casual meet-up. The event was elevated by new friends from the Livonia and Garden City Rotary Clubs who arrived wide-eyed and hopeful to mingle and share camaraderie.

Between pizza bites, glasses clinked, and made for a looser competitive game of Bocce. Conversations wandered, rivalries stayed friendly, and the night felt stitched together by simple pleasures—good food, easy drinks, and friends who know how to turn a casual plan into a memory worth keeping.

Wayne Kinney

More Photos

Member News

Club Meeting Featuring Dan West, President/ CEO, Livonia-Westland Chamber of Commerce

January 28, 2026

The meeting was called to order at 7:36 am by President Nancy Darga, with the members reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Reverend Dave, who gave a short Invocation. Sharon Pommerville then collected Happy Bucks, many of us using our bucks to express what a good time the attendees had at the Winter Break social outing on Tuesday evening. We also thanked Wayne Kinney for setting it up and showing us how to play Bocce.

Nancy used her bucks to also express how great it is to follow the Monks on their long Walk for Peace and the unexpected bad weather they have run into, but then to talk about how ICE brings back memories of the Detroit riots and what a fearful time that was.

President Nancy then introduced Dan West, President / CEO of the Livonia Westland Chamber of Commerce.

Dan talked about all the new construction projects that were either started in 2025, such as the Senior Wellness Center, Nini Salvaggio’s, the Meijer Fresh, Scooters and restaurants, townhomes, and even car washes and gas stations.

Dan said he’s even okay with the location of the new Sheetz, as they will level that corner, and they usually have their stations completed in 90 days. Gas stations are popular because everyone buys gas, and the Car washes are also popular with owners because they can sell subscription services usable at multiple locations.

Dan spoke about how hard it is for small mom & pop businesses to open in Livonia because of all the regulations that cost them money they don’t have. He said the City Council needs to make it easier for them to open up places in the city. Another problem is the small group of people who attend all the council meetings that are against all new development. He is hoping the Chamber can encourage citizens to attend that are more positive about bringing in new businesses to help increase the city's tax base. Nancy then presented Dan with the Rotary soccer ball.

Some more good news, we will be able to use the Sears parking lot again this year for the Rotary Carnival.

Greg Greene then told us some dad jokes, and since the first one was boring, Nancy let him tell three.

The club members then recited the Four-Way Test, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:36.

Marlene Katafias

Upcoming Club Meetings

02/04/2026 - Ted Davis, Superintendent of Livonia Parks & Recreation, Invocation by Greg Greene.

02/11/2026 - Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Washington, Invocation by Mike Ladwig.

02/18/2026 - Sharon E. Sexton, Author, Public Speaker, and TV Personality, Invocation by Victoria Haltom.

02/25/2026 - Steve Speitzer, Community Organizer, Invocation by Rev. David Stechholz.

Join Us

VISIT OUR CLUB IN PERSON

We meet at the new
Livonia Senior Wellness Center

32001 Five Mile Road

Livonia, MI 48154

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

All Are Welcome!

Visitors and friends are encouraged to sign on and participate. Please introduce yourself to the group when recognized at the start of the meeting.

Upcoming Events

02/17/2026 - How Empathy is Part of a Path to Peace, In-Person and Zoom, Rotary Action Group For Peace (RAGFP), Henry Ford College, 4:00 - 7:00 PM, Register HERE.

02/24/2026 - Special Online - Peace Begins at Home International Mega Meeting, 9:30 PM, Register HERE.

02/24/2026 - Livonia-Westland Chamber of Commerce, Leadership & Awards Celebration Dinner, 5:00 - 7:30 PM, Registration information HERE.

03/02/2026 - Grant Management Seminar #1, via Zoom, 7:00-8:30 PM. Once you register, you will receive a meeting link. Register HERE.

03/12/2026 - Grant Management Seminar #2, via Zoom, 7:00-8:30 PM. Once you register, you will receive a meeting link. Register HERE.

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

Upcoming Committee Meetings

03/16/2026 - Giving Committee Meeting via Zoom, 6:00 PM.

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

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