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FridayMusings since 2003
Monday, September 9, 2024
Helping define Livonia's
Quality of Life
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Council members Jim Jolly, Brandon McCullough, Mayor Maureen Brosnan, Representative Matt Koleszar, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib joined Honorary Chair of the Good Old Fashioned Neighborhood Corn Roast Carrie Budzinski, along with members of the Clarenceville Basketball team and 3-year corn shucker Dan MacIver, to officially kick off the 7th Annual community gathering. | |
For seven years, the Livonia Lions, sponsored by the Community Financial Credit Union, have been preparing the most delectable corn, sourced from Westborn, thanks to the sponsorship of an anonymous community benefactor. | |
Livonia has so many engaged hometown elected officials who make it a point to show up at our hometown community events. State Senator Mary Cavanagh, Representatives Laurie Pohutsky and Stephanie Young, Commissioner Terry Marecki along with school board members Karen Bradford, Madeline Acosta, and Colleen Burton, served as honorary corn roasters and worked side by side with the real workers, Livonia Lions. Additionally, Robert Johnson in the entertainment pavilion sponsored by Community Choice Credit Union, had a fan favorite stop by to say hello, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. | | |
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At 6:15, I arrived at Bicentennial Park where Veronica Cruz, the energizer bunny, was already busy setting up the Tour de Livonia. In just 20 minutes, her team grew to 10, and by 7:00, she had 20 volunteers arranging everything from the bike repair station to Anastasia & Katie's coffee stand, the Porsche E-bike raffle, and the check-in table.
Wayne Kinney was handling the speaker setup and Pat Zucal was placing sponsor signs, so there was no need for me to stay there.
I decided to check on the Good Old Fashioned Neighborhood Corn Roast area. Fortunately, Kernel-in-Training Drew Buatti was there, ready to fulfill his duties.
Soon after, the Clarenceville Basketball team's 11 members, followed closely behind by Clarenceville Superintendent Melissa Carruth, showed up, the Livonia Lions arrived with their concession wagon for serving corn, and Dan MacIver and Kathy Ventittelli brought in the corn from Westborn.
It seemed straightforward to shuck the corn, heat it, and get it ready. However, that became challenging as the first of 30 community organizations began to arrive.
As each group came in, two or three basketball players and Kernel-in-Training Buatti jumped into action, unloading supplies, setting up tables and canopies, and arranging the seating area for guests to enjoy the corn.
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Back to the Tour-de-Livonia for the start of the Family 7-mile ride, I missed the start of the 20-mile ride. But it was fun to watch families with their children smiling looking a little nervous head out following the police car and listening to the beat of the cardio drummers.
With Schoolcraft College a major sponsor of the Tour-de-Livonia, it was of course fun to watch the mascot, Ocelot, posing for pictures with Sheriff Raphael Washington, Veronica Cruz, and Dawn Magretta, Executive Director of the Schoolcraft College Foundation.
| Nancy Florowsky and the Motor City Youth Theatre provided entertainment with children from the Theatre and it was hard not to turn and listen while watching these amazing young actors. | |
After trekking 11,000 steps at the Corn Roast and Tour-de-Livonia, and with four hours elapsed since the event's conclusion, I must admit that any further words I pen now would be riddled with non-sequiturs and misspellings.
I plan to share a comprehensive report and photos of some of the 30 groups that contributed to this fantastic community event this Friday, as Wednesday Musings will be dedicated to the Bentley High School Historic Marker Dedication.
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Robb Drzewicki, who has been instrumental in all seven years, initially doubted the event's appeal to young families. Yet, as he observed the throngs entering the first year, he conceded, and seven years later, "it's clear we've defied his expectations."
I concur, Robb. It's an extraordinary community event that I thoroughly enjoy, catching up with old friends, making new acquaintances, and seeing our elected officials and community organizations actively participate.
And now, Drew Buatti ascends from Kernel in Training to Lt. Kernel, as a Full Ear, Kernel.
Please bear with me, folks. I'm about to shut down the computer, indulge in some ice cream, and watch the Lions. But not before acknowledging the unsung hero of this event, Kathy Ventitelli, the Bodyguard, whose significant role is the cornerstone of the Good Old Fashioned Corn Roast. She's the one who truly makes it shine. My heartfelt thanks to Kathy.
More updates will follow, just not tonight. Thank you to all who were a part of this community gathering.
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On Sunday, September 29th, 3:00, Dr. Kate Mackie along with friends, family and members of the community, both throughout Livonia and in the congregation of Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church, will be installed and ordained. We wish her all the best and thank her for the service she has given to Livonia since being hired at Rosedale in 2013.
Musings shares her story, as it is remarkable, what she does within the church and throughout our hometown.
Kate Mackie grew up in Farmington Hills as the youngest of 5 children to Jim and Lois Mackie and raised at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Livonia. Kate attended Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English while also playing varsity softball all four years. She then pursued a Master of Science in Sports Management from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia. After spending a few years as a college softball and basketball coach, Kate soon responded to the call into the seminary beginning her pre-doctoral work in 2008 in the Master of Divinity program at Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit. She eventually earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree from ETS in 2014 and has served as adjunct faculty in the Doctoral Program since 2015.
Kate is an ordained Elder and Deacon in the PC(USA) and completed her Commissioned Pastor certification through the Presbytery of Detroit and was commissioned to the ministry of Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church (RGPC) in March of 2018. Kate had been serving the congregation of RGPC since 2013 when she was hired as their Director of Youth Ministries, and still maintains that title to this day.
Feeling somewhat incomplete in her call, Kate once again went under care of the Detroit Presbytery in 2019 where she completed the final requirements to become eligible to receive a call to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament.
Aside from her ministerial duties, Kate also serves the City of Livonia as a Member of their Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), as well as Chaplain to the Livonia Fire Department. She is also trained and certified in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) and is a member of the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF). Kate also serves as a member of the Patient and Family Advisory Council at Trinity Health- Livonia (St. Mary’s Hospital).
When not serving her congregation or the city, Kate can be found working in her yard, cooking for family and friends, reading, or backpacking on her beloved Isle Royale in Lake Superior. She also loves being an aunt to 8 (soon to be 10 by the end of the year!) nieces and nephews, 4 step-nieces and nephews, and 5 step-great nieces and nephews.
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DTEenergy sets up Open House at Riley Elementary School, 9/12, to answer your questions
This year appears to have brought more storms, more fallen trees, and more power outages.
In response, DTE is hosting a Livonia Open House at Riley Elementary School, open from 4:30 to 7:30, on September 12, to discuss their reliability improvements and investments in Livonia.
If you have questions, this event is an ideal chance to seek answers.
| Livonia Youth Choir Auditions | Auditions are scheduled for the Livonia Youth Symphony of Michigan, a cultural cornerstone of Livonia since 1958. | Livonia Civic Chorus is ready for Year 60. | If you love to sing, join Livonia Civic Chorus at 7 pm at Emanuel Lutheran Church on 7 Mile Rd. This is their 60th year of singing in Livonia and they would love you to join us! For more info - www.livoniacivicchorus.org | |
Dave Laycock invites you to the 9-11 Ceremony honoring Police and Firefighter of the Year | Livonia Kids & Families Breaking Barriers with Drive Thru Pantry | On Tuesday, Sept. 10th we have partnered with Community Choice Credit Union and will be having a drive-thru food pantry day for the first 250 vehicles from 11am-1pm. (Or until supplies run out) at Clarenceville Middle School. These boxes will include food, hygiene items, and a can opener to families in need. A special thanks to Ed from Sylvan Learning and Community Choice Credit Union. | |
$1 million raised. On the way to $2 million.
Livonia Fighting Pediatric Cancer
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How amazing is Black Label Tavern !? To show support to St Baldricks during pediatric cancer awareness month, they are doing a Dine and Donate on Tuesday, Sept 17th!
Stop in to Black Label's LIVONIA LOCATION anytime on Tuesday. Eat, drink, be merry, and 15% of total sales will be donated to The St Baldricks Foundation which directly funds pediatric cancer research!!
Thank you Greg, Keti, Derek, and the entire Blacklabel staff!
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Senator Stabenow and Congresswoman Deddib Dingell supporting Rouge River Restoration
Terry Marecki, John Larkin and Mark Abbo join in to support the effort
| The Alliance of Rouge Communities recently conducted a Rouge River GLRI Restoration event at Johnson Creek Fish Hatchery Park in Northville. The ARC, a non-profit organization composed of local stakeholders, is dedicated to enhancing the Rouge River ecosystem. Appreciation is extended to all those who persist in this vital endeavor. | |
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Mail Address
19514 Bainbridge 48152
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Cell address
734-674-5871
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Archive--Bill Joyner's FridayMusings | |
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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.
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