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, December 10, 2025, at 7:30 AM.

Our guest speaker this week will be Chris Dougherty, President, Madonna University, Invocation by Rev. David Stechholz.

Michigan’s most affordable, independent Catholic liberal arts university, Madonna offers more than 100 undergraduate and 35 graduate programs in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Education and Human Development, and Nursing and Health, as well as the School of Business. Learn more at madonna.edu.

Livonia Symphony Orchestra - Trivia Night Fundraiser

December 04, 2025

Club members Susan Paluchniak, Tammy Bonifield, Steve Alexander, Bill Friske (joined by Rose), David Stechholz (with Andrew), and Tom Martin (accompanied by Laura) enjoyed a fun night out at the Livonia Symphony’s Trivia Night last week.

There was a nice crowd on hand, great food, and challenging trivia. Susan won one of the five gift basket prizes and graciously donated it to Rose and Bill for their grandchildren to enjoy.

Member News

Livonia's Merry & Bright Christmas Parade

December 07, 2025

Livonia AM Rotarians Tammy Bonifield, Dave Stechholz, and Bill Friske joined in on the bitterly cold fun of the Livonia Merry & Bright Parade and Tree Lighting this past Sunday. They were joined by Livonia Lion Matt Collins and three of our friends from the Churchill HS Interact Club. Pictured next to Mayor Maureen Brosnan is a little girl who won the special honor of riding with the Mayor and waving to the thousands of spectators lining the parade route.

More Photos

Club Assembly

December 03, 2025

The Meeting was opened by President Nancy Darga at 7:37 AM at the new Senior Wellness Center. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by the members. Bob Carris gave the Invocation. Sharon Pommerville collected Happy Bucks.

Sharon was happy that her granddaughter had shot her first Buck this hunting season and showed us the photo of the proud young lady.

There were no featured guests today, but the members were happy to welcome back to the meeting one of our Charter Members, Tim Belanger, who now will have time to attend the morning meetings more regularly.

There was also some entertainment for the club members today. Tim explained about a long ago bet among some members on what they would have to do depending on who won the football game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio Buckeyes. If Michigan won the game, they would have to sing the Michigan Fight Song at the meeting and if Ohio won, they would have to sing the Buckeye Fight Song. Well, we all know who won this year’s game. Greg Greene, Mike Ladwig, Bob Carris and Tim Belanger gave an amazing rendition of the Ohio Fight song.

Tammy Bonifield then asked for the names of everyone attending the LSO Trivia night.

Nancy Darga brought in a plant with a story. It was originally an Easter Lilly, but she had forgotten it and left it outside on the patio, and it died. So when she finally remembered to bring the pot in, thinking it would just be dead leaves, lo and behold it was a new healthy plant, the same one that had been growing in a crack in the sidewalk in downtown Northville.

We discussed the Merry and Bright Parade to be held on Sunday, December 7, starting at 4 PM. Anyone wanting to join should meet at Stark School around 3 PM, where Tammy’s truck will be pulling the inflatable Rotary logo, and members will be passing out candy to the kids along the parade route. Nancy will send invites to any club volunteers and our Interact Members.

The club received correspondence from Jane Fischer of the Methodist Children's Home for volunteers to address letters and to wrap gifts.

Victoria Haltom and Greg Greene are updating our club Bylaws.

It was brought up that we should have a system in place to have security/background checks on anyone who joins our Volunteer Corp.

Bill Friske proposed renting a storage unit for the club since we will be unable to keep all of our supplies at the Senior Center.

Nancy gave us an update on the Rebuild Rotary Park. Current cash deposits $52,888 cash + $5,000 LAMR + $25,000 Livonia Rotary = $82,888. Nancy will send out a list for making a follow-up call for donations.

There will be a Social Gathering with the Noon Rotary Club at the Italian American Club on 5 Mile on January 27. More information to follow.

Nancy and Tammy confirmed that the Touch a Truck fundraiser can now be closed out. Pastor Dave is hosting a Holiday Party at his home on December 30 at 6 PM.

Reminder: there will be no meetings on December 24 and December 31.

Greg Greene had 3 jokes for us this week that were actually pretty funny. The members recited the 4-Way-Test, and President Nancy Darga closed the meeting at 8:29.

Marlene Katafias

Upcoming Club Meetings

NOTE: We will be meeting at the new Livonia Senior Wellness Center, located at 32001 Five Mile Road, Livonia, beginning Wednesday, November 19th.

12/10/2025 - Chris Dougherty, President, Madonna University, Invocation by Rev. David Stechholz.

12/17/2025 - Paul Sincock, District 6400 Membership Chair, Invocation by Mike Ladwig.

12/24/2025 - No Meeting, Merry Christmas!

12/31/2025 - No Meeting, Happy New Year!

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

12/30/2025 - Livonia AM Rotary Christmas Party at the Stechholz home, 6:00 PM, Details to Follow.

01/27/2026 - Social Outing with the Livonia Noon Club, at the Italian American Club on Five Mile, Details to Follow.

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

12/15/2025 - Giving Committee Meeting via Zoom.

03/16/2026 - Giving Committee Meeting via Zoom.

06/15/2026 - Giving Committee Meeting via Zoom.

09/21/2026 - Giving Committee Meeting via Zoom.