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

"We want to see a world where no family is left without shelter after disaster."

- Shelter Box Disaster Relief

Club Assembly

September 02, 2026

Our club assembly opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and a meditative thought by Victoria Haltom. We had two visitors today: Kathleen Pierz from Shelter Box and volunteer corps member Mike DeMott, who is currently helping the club with weed‑pulling at Greenmead. We did not meet on Zoom today.

Happy Bucks were collected by Sharon Pommerville. They included gratitude that school has started and that the grandkids are back in school by Nancy Darga; a happy note that Tom Martin is feeling much better after four days in the hospital and a medication change; Bill Friske and Rose are headed up north to their family cottage; Mike said several cars had stopped and commended him on the good work at Greenmead when he was pulling weeds, and he said that he was with the Rotary Club; Erin Dobbins was happy that they had their first block party after many years of not having one.

Victoria reported that she has met with several prospective members after our open house. She is planning another open house in January.

Report on the meeting for Rotary Park that was held last week wth the two clubs: the purpose of this meeting was to decide what to do with the money we had left over after building the pavilion was finished. This money has to be used on Rotary Park.

Suggestions included: a peace pole installation, landscaping, installation of grills and cement pads, lighting of the pavilion, splash guards in the bathrooms, and epoxy bathroom floors to make cleaning easier. These will be brought up to the city.

Spaghetti dinner discussion: Scheduled for October 28. Tammy Bonifield discussed placement ads and urged us to solicit businesses to put ads on our placemats. Tammy has all of the information on placemat sponsors. Make sure to take copies of this information with you to give to prospective sponsors. Everyone pays for dinner. Don’t forget to bring desserts.

“Deck the Rec” will be held only inside the Rec Center this year. Victoria has the idea of using starfish for our theme. Three volunteers can help.

The business card deadline is next week. See Victoria.

Our monthly social with the Noon Club at the Craft Grill is next week at Schoolcraft College's Vistatech Center, September 10, 5:00 to 6:30 PM. Plan on joining us.

The meeting adjourned after jokes from Greg Greene and the Four‑Way Test.

Susan Paluchniak

Strengthening Community, One Block Party at a Time

August 29, 2026

Steve Spreitzer of the Interfaith Leadership Council presented to our club in the spring. I signed up for their program, Bridging to Belonging, and completed the eight‑week program this summer. One of our outcomes is to help create a stronger sense of community in our neighborhoods throughout Livonia. One tried‑and‑true method of strengthening neighborhoods is hosting events like a block party.

Energized by the possibility of being the first of several neighborhood events, our SMB Estates board created a block party committee, went before council to obtain the necessary permit, and began planning. The result was a fabulous event, including a bike parade. I couldn’t believe how many families and children came out to visit one another and enjoy our yard games and live music.

A highlight for me was that Peter Dale, dressed as a Quaker, led our parade on Saturday. It is a coincidence that I met Peter a few short weeks prior to him joining Rotary. Peter also completed the Livonia Bridging to Belonging pod this summer.

Erin H. Dobbins

Touch-A-Truck and Rotary AM continue to expand their footprint with a potential partnership with Livonia Veterans Connection

Reprinted from Friday Musings

Club member Steve Alexander dropped a dime to the typewriter that begs to be shared. A story that continues to showcase the impact Touch-A-Truck has both during the event and throughout the year.

"While we had Touch-a-Truck at Greenmead, the Livonia Veterans Connection was able to connect with the Rotary AM club to provide a demonstration of track chairs.

"A teenager was showing the track chair at the event. The goal for all involved, led by Rotary, is to provide at least one of these to Greenmead by next summer."

Partnerships continue to make an impact as Rotary expands its footprint by involving the high school Interact Club and now partnering with the Livonia Veterans Connection.

Thanks, Steve Alexander, for sharing this, and thanks, Rotary, for making a difference.

Friday Musings

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.

Upcoming Meetings

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

09/16/2026 - Member Spotlight Featuring Peter Dale, 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.

10/07/2026 - Club Assembly

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 Vistatech Center, 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.

09/19/2026 - 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.

10/08/2026 - Livonia Rotary Clubs Monthly Social at The Craft Grille at Schoolcraft College Vistatech Center, 5:00 - 6:30 PM, All are Welcome!

10/22/2026 - A Taste of Detroit CULEX 2026, Vistatech Center at Schoolcraft College, 6:30-9:30 PM, Registration Details 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, Details HERE.

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

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