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

Volunteer Opportunity at Greenmead Historical Village

Every Tuesday Through September

If you love to garden and are looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity, please join your Livonia A.M. Rotary friends at Greenmead Historical Village. We will continue meeting every Tuesday morning, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, through the month of September.

Bring your gardening gloves and basic tools, and help us pull weeds and spread mulch. The gardens throughout Greenmead are beautiful, but they need our care to truly flourish.

We’d love to have you with us as we keep this historic community treasure looking its best.

Please coordinate with our team by calling or texting Erin H. Dobbins at (734)558-3228.

Livonia AM Rotary OPEN HOUSE Success!

August 26, 2016

This meeting was our first Open House, and we had 12 visitors attend.

President Erin H. Dobbins welcomed everyone and then turned the meeting over to Victoria Haltom, who explained the game we were going to play: Human Bingo. Participants had 30 minutes to complete their cards. The room was abuzz with conversation as people moved around, talking with one another and trying to find answers for their bingo sheets.

After the bingo sheets were collected, guests were invited to enjoy more coffee and donuts before taking their seats. Three club members then gave brief talks on why they joined Rotary.

The first speaker was Bill Friske, who shared how he developed meaningful friendships through the club.

The second speaker was Peter Dale, whose wife calls him a “professional volunteer.” Peter is now working on the Greenmead Gardens with fellow Rotarians and volunteers from local garden clubs.

Our final speaker was former president Nancy Darga, who shared that she contracted polio in 1954 and joined Rotary because of its global work to eradicate polio.

The Human Bingo winner, Cathy Whiting, was announced and awarded a small flower vase.

Victoria thanked everyone for attending and spoke about legacy, making an impact, and Service Above Self. She reminded guests to pick up the chip clips and the starfish included in their bags, along with a copy of the Starfish Story. Rotary magazines were also available in the back.

The meeting ended with the Four‑Way Test.

Susan Paluchniak

Club Social Outing at the Friskes' House

August 27, 2016

Summer is moving fast, so several club members slowed down long enough to enjoy an evening out on Rose and Bill Friske’s deck. It was a fun, relaxed get‑together that we should repeat more often.

Please consider pitching a future date to host your Rotary friends and enjoy an evening at your home. These simple moments of fellowship strengthen our club and deepen the friendships that make Rotary special.

Club Meeting Featuring Dennis Howie, The Living & Learning Enrichment Center

August 19, 2026

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Invocation by Peter Dale; Happy Bucks followed.

President Erin Dobbins reviewed the club’s current projects and upcoming events. Work on the Greenmead gardens is progressing, and several other community groups are getting involved. Garden work is every Tuesday from 9:00–11:00 AM. Livonia Connections magazine is considering doing an article on the work being done to create pollinator gardens—one of this year’s major goals for our Livonia AM Rotary Club.

Bob Carris obtained a gift card and passed around a thank‑you card to be sent to Joanna Hardesty, in recognition of her arranging the carnival for the past 11 years, the club’s biggest fundraiser.

Bob also reported on last‑minute plans for the Touch‑a‑Truck event on Saturday at Greenmead from 8:30–2:00 PM. Hard to believe it is already that time of year.

Tammy Bonifield is still interested in being involved in the Kids Coalition Against Hunger on October 24 and is hoping to bring the Stephenson HS Interact Club on board. Club members Susan Paluchniak and Victoria Haltom will help Tammy with correspondence to obtain sponsors.

Congratulations to member Marlene Katafias on her recent purchase of the former Book Connection business. She will be moving the store and its contents to a new location: Illumination Books Connection, 17126 Farmington Rd, Livonia 48150.

You can tell fall is coming as our Rotary Club revs up for some very important fundraisers, events, and social activities. In the works is our picnic at Rotary Park with the Livonia PM Club on Tuesday, August 25 from 4–8 PM (with a joint meeting at 6 to discuss future Rotary Park projects), our very first Open House on August 26 at 7:30 AM.

Enjoy an evening of food and fun at Bill Friske’s house on August 27 at 5:00 PM (BYO and a dish), our ongoing Rotary Schoolcraft social night on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 5:00 PM in the Craft Grill, the District Governor’s Golf Outing at Lakes of Taylor on Sept. 11, and ending the week with Livonia’s Corn Roast at Bicentennial Park on Sept. 13 from 11:30–3:00. Whew… and that’s only the calendar through September 13. Check our website for more events posted on our club’s calendar.

Today’s speaker was Dennis Howie, Director of Development for the Living & Learning Enrichment Center located in Northville, MI at 801 Griswold St. (in the old Don Massey building). The Center was established 11 years ago by former school teacher Rachelle Vartanian. It’s a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of participants (18 and older) with cognitive disabilities, such as autism. The purpose is to help participants achieve their highest level of independence—teaching vocational skills, employment training and placement, behavior and mental health support, and caregiver support for their families.

The Center has successfully placed 250 members in meaningful employment and helped over 600 individuals. They have developed 135 job partners throughout the State of Michigan in 30 different cities. The Center relies on grants and fundraising to support its programs but also maintains a farm stand on the grounds, selling eggs, honey, and vegetables. They also have a few alpacas. Right now the Center has 20 prospective members on the waitlist in Livonia and is in need of job coaches and people to transport members to job sites.

Reminder: No Zoom meeting on August 26 or Sept. 2.

Victoria Haltom

Upcoming Meetings

09/02/2026 - Club Assembly, Invocation by Victoria Haltom.

09/09/2026 - Kathleen Pierz, Shelter Box, Invocation by Bob Carris.

09/16/2026 - Speaker to be Announced, Invocation by Pat Zucal.

09/23/2026- Speaker to be Announced, Invocation by Greg Greene.

09/30/2026 - Speaker to be Announced, Invocation by Peter Dale, Board Meeting to Follow.

If you are interested in offering an Invocation at a future meeting, please contact Victoria Haltom, vickviolin@aol.com, or Susan Paluchniak, paluchniaksusan@gmail.com.

Join Us

VISIT OUR CLUB IN PERSON

We meet at the

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 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

09/10/2026 - Livonia Rotary Clubs Monthly Social at The Craft Grille at Schoolcraft College, 5:00 - 6:30 PM, All are Welcome!

09/11/2026 - 45th Annual District Governor's Golf Outing, Lakes of Taylor Golf Club, 8:00 AM Registration | 9:00 AM Shotgun Start, Bring your foursome, Join us for dinner, Sponsor our event, Registration details HERE.

09/13/2026 - 9th Annual Good Old‑Fashioned Neighborhood Corn Roast, Bicentennial Park, 11:30-3:00 PM.

09/26/2026 - Adopt A Road Clean-up, Meet at Steve's Restaurant, Farmington and Five Mile, Cleanup 8:30 AM, Breakfast at Steve's approx.10:00 AM, Signup Genius to Follow.Register HERE.

10/24/2026 - Kids Coalition Against Hunger, St. Edith's Catholic Church, Details to follow.

10/28/2026 - World Polio Day Spaghetti Dinner Community Fundraiser, Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, 5:00 - 7:00 PM.

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

05/06/2027 - The Grand Experience, Rotary District Conference 2027, May 6-9, 2026, Regisyet HERE.

Upcoming Committee Meetings

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.