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A Day Trip clears the mind, opens up the creative spirit, celebrates the visions of small town Amereica

The moment had arrived, and I was prepared. The only task left was to persuade the bodyguard that a day trip to Dexter was necessary. Before I could suggest the idea, she proposed, "I think we should take a day trip." Without breaking a sweat, we were on our way, driving to this city that was celebrating its bicentennial, located just seven miles west of Ann Arbor.

The journey took us on a two-lane road from Livonia through Ann Arbor, passing the Ann Arbor dispensary where my gummy journey and peaceful sleep had begun, with trees adorning the streets, and homes spread across multiple acres, leading us into downtown Dexter.

We explored the downtown area for three hours, starting from the Huron Clinton Water Trail. We had been tracking its development for over a decade when it was nothing more than a board outlining plans. Now, it stood before us in its full natural splendor. The boardwalk, winding through the downtown, was alive with families taking strolls, runners in their full energetic stride, and water clean enough for wading, all contributing to the enhanced quality of life in a small town that was embracing its natural resources, seamlessly integrating outdoor art, nature, and community.

Downtown bustled with pedestrians, and restaurants with outdoor seating were serving breakfast, conjuring a sense that we had stepped into another dimension, a throwback to an earlier era. We had breakfast at Dexter Riverfront Cafe, seated street-side enjoying fluffy pancakes, hash browns (with the bodyguard's nod of approval), and sausage links, topped off with complimentary rice pudding at the end.

As Livonia advances with its transformative vision for a revitalized downtown, this typewriter will appreciate the downtown areas of Livonia North-Farmington, Livonia West-Northville, and indeed, the outer-ring suburb of Livonia-Dexter.

It all has to do with the creative restructuring of reality. Day trips have tendencies to do that.

Livonia has an exemplary Arts Commission playing an integral role in encouraging the development of the arts in Livonia. We live in a hometown community that excels in showcasing musical excellence, theatrical creativity, and in the development of youthful appreciation for art. One of the many organizations that help underscore the theme of a community that is the cultural heartbeat of southeast Michigan.

Now is the time to take that one step further and create the presence of outdoor art throughout the community, encouraging murals on the sides of buildings, establishing Livonia as home to a rotating sculpture display with five to ten temporary outdoor artworks to be juried and placed on temporary display for one year: June – May. The selected pieces will be installed on concrete pads in highly trafficked locations.

In addition to the rotating sculpture exhibits, the City of Livonia could benefit from installing five to ten permanent sculptures throughout the community. Driving around the Schoolcraft College campus, one can observe various sculptures, as pictured above, adorning the grounds. Similar installations across Livonia would reinforce the city's image as a community that embraces art.

The first day of school filled with anticipation for Leo Joyner

A child's first day of school is typically a highly anticipated event, filled with pride at reaching the age to attend school. I must admit, I was likely more anxious about Leo starting a full day of kindergarten than even his mom and dad were.

You see, I always eagerly awaited the end of summer and the return to school, often counting down the days. I would read the textbooks for the upcoming fall semester to get ahead of the lessons and even peruse the dictionary, two pages each night, to ensure I wasn't placed in the class for, what was then referred to as, slow learners.

So it was with some excitement that I received this picture of what appeared to be a happy boy eagerly awaiting the opening bell at Eagle Elementary, for kindergarten. It remains to be seen just how long this will last, but I have a feeling that with Joyner blood Leo will be eager for the next 12 years, and then who knows.

Budzinski endorses Koleszar

“Matt Koleszar is one of the nicest people I know and an amazing representative for our community. When he's in the Capitol he's working hard to represent his constituents and solve problems for the municipalities he represents. When he's not in session, he's meeting with residents, businesses, and organizations to learn more about what's needed.

"His eagerness to learn about people and their needs is a testament to his previous career as a teacher. He’s not making unilateral decisions; he's learning, communicating, and forming solutions that work best for the individuals and communities he serves. We're lucky to have Matt as our representative, he has more than earned another term, and I'm proud to support his re-election.”

-Livonia City Councilwoman Carrie Budzinski

The Last Trinity House

Open Stage of August!

This Tuesday, August 20th, starting at 6 pm. Something special happens every time at the Trinity House. You should come and see!

An invitation from the Livonia High Nooners Lions Club to a Good Old Fashioned Corn Roast

Community support continues to come in for the Bentley Marker Dedication

The Bentley High School Marker Dedication continues to influence the community positively as we welcome another supporter to the Marker Dedication Program. Jim McConnell, President of the Livonia Historical Society will continue in each issue of Musings to share the community feelings about Bentley High School.

Today, he extends his gratitude to Alan Helmkamp, for his support of the Livonia Historical Society Marker Dedication Program, scheduled for September 15th at 2:00 PM, with the celebrations starting at 1:00 PM, the program beginning at 2:00 PM, at the former site of Bentley High School, presently the Kirksey Recreation Center.

Other supporters of the marker dedication include Martha Ptashnik, John Larkin, Bill Brown Ford, Ben Tiseo, Jim Jolly, Laura Toy, Terry Marecki, Stephanie Young, AlphaUSA, Drew Buatti, Don Cortez-GPI Printing, Wayne Kenny-RockOut Entertainment, Dan MacIver-F&PA, Mary Cavanagh, Robin Persiconi, Class of 73, 73, 76, 77, Brandon McCullough.

Mail Address

19514 Bainbridge 48152

E-mail address

rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com

Cell address

734-674-5871

Archive--Bill Joyner's FridayMusings

The typewriter is not available for phone calls or emails Saturday and Sunday. Mental health and rehabilitation time. Out and about enjoying life.

What motivates FridayMusings:

We can't only define Livonia as taking small steps toward maintaining the way things were. That will give us mediocre outcomes. Our goal needs to be innovative and transformative.