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Faces and smiles brought to you by our neighbors helping define Livonia quality of life at our annual birthday celebration

This typewriter enjoys going to Spree during the week. Most years I can't wait for opening day. I take a shuttle from the old courthouse, stroll the midway, watch the pig races, chat up old friends like the Kiwanis Early Risers and Brian Weiss, Matt Kulacki taking about the fight against pediatric cancer.

But the real enjoyment is spending time watching the smiles on faces of the volunteers,, of families holding hands with young children. It is the dozens of volunteers that help make this birthday celebration a success every year and bring some joy to the families, young and old, as they gather, giving Livonia a small town flare, setting aside worries, enjoying all that is around them.

Volunteerism enables individuals and communities to contribute to their own development. By volunteering, people bolster their resilience, expand their knowledge, and cultivate a sense of accountability for the community. 

I head over to Eddie Edgar for Pizza Night. Chat up Franklin graduate and long time Spree volunteer Bob Biga, greet the Valentines, members of the Art Commission, meet Drew Buatti who introduced me to his grandmother, mother, two sisters and brother.

Robb Drzewicki, our hometown consumate volunteer, John Grzebik, another long serving volunteer with Spree, Carrie Budzinski who enjoys being out with residents. Jim Baringhaus who says the Pizza Party and Spree is "always a fun event. Enjoy this evening."

Individual and collective acts of volunteerism reinforce social cohesion and trust, resulting in sustainable progress made by the community.

Moreover, volunteerism enhances civic participation, protects social inclusion, intensifies solidarity, and reinforces the community's stake in its achievements.

Significantly, the act of volunteering creates a ripple effect, motivating others and fostering the necessary changes for a community's ongoing improvement and progression.

As the night moved on and as the bodygard and I were ready also to move on we had time to talk up Sam Caramagno, President of Spree, and thank him for continuing to provide an event helping to define Livonia quality of life.

The only one I missed was Kayleigh Reid, Executive Director of Spree, who appears open to keeping elements that have made Spree an outstanding hometown gathering, and adding things that are new, innovate, and capable of bringing in new people to celebrate all that is good in our town.

Sam and Kayleigh, this is one person who wants to say thank you for all you are doing. You are appreciated. Please convey that appreciation to all working to put smiles on the faces of so many of our neighbors.

Leonardo Joyner puts a smile on the face of the typewriter.

But with this picture the smile just got bigger.

In 1959, dad took me to the store to buy my first "big boy" baseball glove. Soon after, we moved to Livonia, and I brought my glove to my inaugural baseball game at Kleinert Park, situated behind Rosedale Church—named after Rudy Kleinert, a Livonia City Councilman who lived across from the park.

Keinert at one time ride-shared with dad going downtown to work at Burroughs.

As a starting pitcher, I didn't last the first inning, walking the first five batters.

I cherished that glove over the years until I sent it to Colorado for my grandson Leonardo when he turned four. He proudly displayed it in his bedroom, only taking it down when I visited.

Now, dad Paul has taken Leonardo to the store so that he has his own "big boy" glove as he learns baseball with his Dodgers T-ball team.

However, for his first team photo, including his individual shot, he insisted on including my glove. Paul sent the photo with a note: "The picture is great, but the fact he wanted papa's glove in it is the deal-maker."

That 1956 glove continues to bring smiles 68 years later. Leo always brightens my day, but in this instance, the smile on my face is unparalleled.

Voting is important and the City of Livonia Team makes it work

Teamwork is what it is. Pure and simple.

 Livonia boasts the finest team around. This weel they delivered 20,345 absentee ballots to the Post Office, filling 84 mail trays and three full pallets—the largest initial dispatch to date!

Clerk Lori Miller offers up "A huge thank you to my staff, the DPW crew, and the myriad of volunteers who pitched in, including friends, their children, college and high school students, retired relatives, former City workers, and all who contributed to achieving our target today!

"An incredible achievement!! Time to prepare for the following round."

Mail Address

19514 Bainbridge 48152

E-mail address

rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com

Cell address

734-674-5871

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.

Musings is introducing a new format for election news. On Friday, excluding breaking news, Musings will highlight candidate stories, endorsements, and updates below the fold.