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!

Club Meeting, Featuring - District Governor Linda Morrow

September 10, 2025

Club President Nancy Darga chaired the LAMR meeting, beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance and an Invocation by Dave Stechholz. 22 members and guests were in attendance, including 2 Zoomers. There were “Happy Bucks” galore, including $10 from DG Linda Morrow.

It was reported that 1500 attendees were at the September 7th Livonia Community Corn Roast. DG Linda commended our Livonia A.M. Rotary Club on a great job and also for serving the other 30 local service organizations, which were present. In there was a bad joke about “all ears.”

The District Governor's Golf Outing at the Lakes of Taylor on Monday, September 8th was a great event, handled by our LAMR, “served up with love” (pun intended), with kudos especially to Bill Friske, Erin Dobbins, and Tammy Bonifield, and Wayne Kinney, and all of our Club’s volunteers.

Other items noted were the “Rebuild Rotary Park,” with a $25,000 pledge from our sister Livonia Rotary (Noon) Club. President Nancy will speak on behalf of “Rebuild Rotary Park” at the next City Council Meeting.

The annual Kids Coalition Against Hunger (KCAH) meal packing event is coming up at St. Edith’s Roman Catholic Church parish hall on Saturday, October 11th. More information to come.

The World Polio Day Community Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser, sponsored by our two Livonia Rotary clubs, is Wednesday, October 22nd, with a planning committee meeting at Panera Bread on Thursday, September 18th at 7:00 PM

And, the Schoolcraft College Culinary Extravaganza (CULEX) fundraiser dinner – a great event – is on October 23rd.

Please keep in your prayers Pat Zucal’s wife, Lori, who had cancer surgery, and other Club members or family members with health concerns.

Also, a reminder that the trees we planted at Rotary Park last Spring need weekly watering during this dry spell. Since there is no water at the park, you need to bring a few buckets full from your home or business.

Bill Friske introduced our special guest, District Governor, Dr. Linda Morrow, a member of the Windsor-Roseland Rotary Club, sharing her international trips that “made her a Rotarian.” He noted that she was 25 years in education and health care.

DISTRICT GOVERNOR’S “Share the Story” PRESENTATION

DG Linda started out with humor about border crossings into the United States from Windsor, and a border guard who asked if Rotary was "that knitting club!”

She noted the five banners/posters, three being our own club’s, and highlighting the RI year’s theme, “Unite for Good,” Linda's theme for District 6400. The substance of her talk was “Share the Story.”

Rotarians have so many great stories of

service to tell to one another, our community, and the world. Linda said that our troubled world needs to know what Rotary does, not in a self-serving way, but rather in ways that show impact, peace-building, service, and human care.

She shared her own personal story – which she demonstrated at last June’s “Meet the Governor Night” in Harrow, ON - about wanting to learn guitar and taking guitar lessons and then playing guitar for the first time in front of a big crowd. Her question for us: “When was the last time you tried something new?"

Linda challenged each of us to extend beyond ourselves (yourself), taking a risk.

DG Linda acknowledged that for most clubs the biggest challenge is gaining new members (Club Membership). She encouraged us to see and utilize the District’s Website for Leadership Development and to see “Rotary Direct” if you wish to make a contribution that helps with grants to clubs. She also promoted the District Conference, May 1st - 3rd, 2026, at Frankenmuth.

Linda wrapped up her comments, urging us each to “Unite for Good.” She then met with the Board (Leadership Team, as Nancy calls it), following the meeting.

President Nancy closed the special meeting with our District Governor with the Rotary Four Way Test, but no Greg Greene jokes.

Past President Dave Stechholz

Club Assembly

September 03, 2025

Our meeting opened with an Invocation by Rev. David Stechholz, the Pledge of Allegiance, and Happy Bucks collected by Sharon Pommerville.

President Nancy Darga said she would like to open up our meeting to other Clubs on Zoom. She said that she would also like to mail out directories to former members and inform them of our many volunteer opportunities.

President Nancy went through several upcoming events as a reminder for the membership. Schoolcraft College Comerica Park Event happening this evening, SEptember 3rd, at 5:00. Many of our members are riding the bus from Schoolcraft College to the Tiger game.

Sunday, September 7th is the Corn Roast at Bicentennial Park, after the Tour de Livonia. Our club supplies pop and water for the day. Mike Ladwig is bringing beverages. In the tent, we will have banners, as well as Rebuild Rotary Park flyers and information on the Spaghetti dinner fundraiser.

The next day, September 8th, is the District Governor Golf Outing at the Lakes of Taylor golf course. Help is still needed, so check the Sign up Genius for open spots.

Tammy Bonifield mentioned that on October 11th, we have the Kids Coalition Against Hunger meal packing event at St Edith's. Help is needed in fundraising for supplies needed.

Our Spaghetti Dinner planning meeting is Sept 18 at 7:00 at Panera. 

Nancy said our club was invited to the Candy Go Around event in the city of Livonia, but we declined since our Fall is very busy with events.

Dave Burton spoke about the soccer camp and picnic that our club has done in the past at the Methodist Children's Home. The camp lasts 4 weeks in October and ends with a picnic hosted by our club. Last year, Dave brought his own soccer team to challenge the students.

The last topic covered was the budget that Pat Zucal had worked on. Some things are unanswered right now, such as whether we will have a place to meet next year and how much it would cost. The budget needed more work, plus more time to go over it.

Susan Paluchniak

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!