This year's Churchill HS Interact Club officers - Tara Nguyen, Mahi Garg, Ivanna Brigido, and Kayla Miller, and the entire Interact Team!

Good Old-Fashioned Neighborhood Corn Roast

September 18, 2022

We welcomed the last weekend of summer in Livonia with an event we affectionately refer to as The Good Old Fashion Corn Roast. Led by Bill Joyner and his crew (himself and the Bodyguard), with over 30 Livonia service clubs in attendance, we had us a party.

The Clarenceville HS young men’s basketball team was out early shucking the corn, The Livonia Lions Club cooked it, and it was served in one-hour shifts by local elected officials. Your Livonia AM Rotary Club held the gateway spot with our newly minted Rotary canopy, passing out the water. 

Club members Mike Ladwig and 

Pat Zucal arrived early to set up, Bob Carris brought the water and ice, and Kate Mackie, and Susan Landmesser joined us as did Rev. Dave Stechholz.

As the residents mingled, ate corn met with our different Livonia service clubs, heard live music from local musician Robert Johnson, and the Livonia Civic Chorus you could feel the community spirit become enhanced as the bonds between fellow Livoniaites were strengthened. 

More Photos        Mike Ladwig

Club Assembly

August 03, 2022

This past week President Tammy conducted her first Club Assembly. It went as smoothly as the ice at the Little Caesar’s Arena.

Treasurers Report - We heard from Bob Carris who told us we will have a healthy balance in our accounts while exceeding our prudent reserve fund going into the new fiscal year. With a healthy revenue stream for the current year from the proceeds of our Rotary Carnival, we anticipate having adequate funding for the various causes we support.

Giving Committee - Larry Stephens reported that three grant requests were submitted to the committee for consideration. 

•  Taking Action for Peace, a two-day conference with the goal of educating, empowering, and inspiring all ages to take action. Featuring speakers, projects, workshops, and various events to help teach and share ways to bring about peace in our world. 

• Blessings in a Backpack, a Livonia based nonprofit that delivers food for food-sensitive children in the Livonia public school system.

• The Livonia Jaycees requested we sponsor a murder mystery play and dinner. This request was paused pending more information.

Taking Action and Blessings were approved by the Giving Committee, and Board of Directors, and unanimously by all members present. Livonia Jaycees was Paused Pending further information.

Touch A Truck - Bob Carris reported that the issue of what food items the Interact Club will be allowed to sell, while not infringing on the food truck vendor, was amicably resolved. We will have 2 helicopters, and 2 horses this year.

MCHS Soccer Program - Dave Burton reported that the Methodist Children's Home Society soccer match preparations and Victory BBQ plans are going smoothly.

Mike Ladwig

Club Meeting

July 27, 2022

This past week we were blessed to host guest speakers Donna Alexander and Star Pettaway from Bethany Cristian Services They provide Christian-inspired social services that help protect and empower children in Metro Detroit. Their primary focus is on helping to match foster parents with children who need families and aiding young adults who have aged out of foster care and are embarking on independent living.

One could tell by Donna and Star’s presentation, that they are deeply committed to the well-being of the young adults and children they work with. An exceptional level of care and compassion was expressed when the ladies informed us that the number of children requesting referrals to foster homes exceeds the number of homes available for placement. 

Mike Ladwig

Bethany supports vulnerable kids and families in the U.S. and around the world, because everyone deserves to be safe, loved, and connected.

Club Meeting

July 20, 2022

Our speaker last week was Robb Drzewicki. The thing about Robb is he doesn’t need caffeine in his coffee. He is one of those guys that is hard-wired to go hard and fast. While most of us need to “get started” in the morning, I venture to guess Robb wakes up on the starting line,  and before he hears the gun to indicate the race is ready to begin, he is already at the first turn. Robb has a plethora of service projects he is involved with. He volunteers at the Good Old Fashion Corn Roast. He is active in the head-shaving event to end cancer at St. Baldricks Church. He is a guest bartender along with Dan West of the Chamber of Commerce where tips and proceeds go to various local charities, just to name a few of the many charitable projects he is involved with. 

Club Meeting

July 13, 2022

Our club meeting began this week as Tammy Bonifield confidently and with much zeal began her term as President of our Livonia AM Rotary Club. During our “happy bucks” part of the meeting, many members spoke of the fun and fulfilling time we had on our installation day at Tammy and Brad’s cottage located in the Irish Hills area. The mood at the picnic was congratulatory for the previous year and positive vibrations for the coming year. One highlight was naming Claude Kendrick as Rotarian of the Year. He is the most worthy recipient of the award. 

Our guest speaker was Kerri Hill Johnson of the Methodist Children’s Home Society. Kerri is becoming more of a family member to our Rotary group than a guest speaker, due to the number of close interactions and projects we have both been involved with. Kerri spoke of the history of the Methodist Children’s Home Society and the many ways they help those living at their facility. They provide a foster care agency, traditional foster care and adoption services, K-8 schooling, emphasis on trauma care, and age-out foster care, to name a few of their programs.

Mike Ladwig

Kerri Hill Johnson

Installation Picnic Success!

July 09, 2022

We held our Rotary Installation Picnic at Tammy and Brad’s cottage located in the Irish Hills area. The weather was as cooperative as the spirit that permeated during our event. District Governor Traci Sincock was on hand and joined club members Bill Friske (and Rose), Bob Carris (and Teri), Dave Stechholz (and Janet), Bill Fried, Sharon Pommerville, Greg Greene, John Clay, as well as outgoing president, Mike Ladwig, incoming president Tammy Bonifield, and future Claude Kendrick.

Rotarian of the Year

Club member Claude Kendrick has been recognized as our club's "Rotarian of Year."  Claude took charge of the club's volunteer and event registration process by digitizing our antiquated paper system using Sign-up Genius, for everything! Claude participated in pretty much every one of the volunteer opportunities and club activities that he organized. He selflessly gives his time and is the definition of what it truly means to be a Rotarian. If that is not enough, Claude agreed to be our club President for the Rotary year 2023-24. Claude has set an example that we all should strive to follow!

Thank you, Mike!

July 01, 2022

Our club was truly blessed this year to have Mike Ladwig step up to be club president after a relatively short time as a Rotarian. He brought a tremendous spirit with him, to do more projects, help more organizations, and reach out to many new areas. He was relentless in asking every speaker every week to join our club and hand them an application as well as a soccer ball and letter opener! He became well known in the district for his willingness to help out with district projects. He was also key to the club's winning a district Hedke Award for Administrative Excellence. He also worked with the local Lions Club president to do Covid meals for St Mary Hospital, flowers, and candy for the Moms at St. Mary, and meal packing for Kids Against Hunger. Mike is always upbeat and positive at every club meeting and at every event. He was also instrumental in bringing in two new members and transferring in two existing Rotarians. He also encouraged a total of 8 Rotarians and spouses to attend the District Convention at Mackinaw Island and a first-ever Churchill HS Interact President to attend! Through a tough Covid year, Mike has guided our club successfully and has guaranteed a smooth handoff to incoming President,  Tammy Bonifield! Thank you, Mike!

-Bob Carris

ROTARY AT WORK

Shirt Sale

Club member Bob Carris ordered a batch of "Rotary At Work" t-shirts, in various sizes. The shirts look great and are available now for purchase. If you are interested in buying one, please get in touch with Bob at rcarris333@yahoo.com, or call/ text Bob at (734)788-6363.

Orders Your Now

Only $10

Meet the Governor Night

June 28, 2022

Club members Tammy Bonifield, Claude Kendrick, and Sharon Pommerville made the trip over to Canada to take part in the Meet the Governor party in Harrow, ON. The gathering celebrated the district's gratitude for the service of our retiring governor and welcomed our incoming governor, hosted by the Rotary Club of Harrow for this the 69th time.

LSO Golf Outing

June 10, 2022

Club Members Pat Zucal, Greg Greene, Claude Kendrick, Bill Friske, Eric Ladwig, and Mike Ladwig participated in the Livonia Symphony Orchestra's "Chip in for the ARTS" Bob Bennett Memorial Golf Classic held at Whispering Willows Golf Course in Livonia.

Club Meeting

June 08, 2022

Our guest speaker this past week was Livonia Chamber of Commerce President/ CEO, Dan West.

Dan informed us of the plethora of new business openings in our city including the Beaumont Outpatient Campus on 7 Mile Road and Haggerty.  The large number of business openings speaks to the robust business climate in our city. He also spoke of the increasing short-tempered attitude many customers have developed recently due to staff shortages. He asked that a little empathy would go a long way in reaching the goal of “being kind” to our fellow Livoniaites.

Mike Ladwig

KCAH Food Packing Event

May 28, 2022

Livonia AM Rotarians Susan Landmesser, Sharon Pommerville, Greg Greene, John Clay, Claude Kendrick (with daughter Kayla), and Mike Ladwig joined Matt Collins and the Livonia Lions Club for a Kids Coalition Against Hunger meal packing event. The volunteers met their modest goal of packing 25,000 meals. However, the results will not be modest to the folks who will be the recipients of those meals, and who might otherwise go without food on the day that they'll receive the nutritional benefit of the volunteer's endeavors.

Mike Ladwig 

Club Meeting

May 25, 2022

Our speaker this past week was Lori Barbera, Regional Philanthropy Officer at the American Red Cross. Lori spoke of the Red Cross’s mission to collect blood, blood platelets, and blood plasma and to distribute them throughout our country. She touched on blood drives set up at temporary locations and the huge costs associated with them. We are fortunate to have a Red Cross blood donation center in Livonia on Five Mile across the street from St. Mary’s Hospital. Lori also mentioned the Red Cross’s mission to help victims of house fires and the work that they do in war-torn regions around the world. She informed us that 90% of all funds raised go to aiding those in need since most of the people working at the Red Cross are volunteers like our own member, John Clay.

-MIke Ladwig 

Club Meeting

May 18, 2022

Our speaker this past week was Rick Hart. Rick is assuming the responsibility for overseeing the Livonia meal packing event “Feed the Children", which will be held in the Fall. He also discussed the company that he works with, Thrivent Financial. Rick mentioned some tax considerations for legacy gifting that may be of benefit to heirs of wills and trusts. Rick just may be the most polished presenter we have had this year, which may be due to his time as a professional actor.  

-MIke Ladwig 

Bob Carris Addresses District Conference

May 14, 2022

Club member Bob Carris made an appeal to those gathered at the recently held District Conference on Mackinac Island for help funding our UltraSound for Bawac project. Bob outlined our club's efforts to raise funds to purchase and send a brand new Portable Ultra Sound Machine to the Village of Bawac, Cameroon. Bob explained the circumstances leading to this vital need, and the urgency to fulfill this need as soon as possible. 

Rotary District Conference

May 12-15, 2022

Mackinaw Island, MI

The theme for the conference was "ILLUMINATING LIGHT”. My takeaway on this is that we can get so caught up on what we are doing, and the projects we are a part of that we “can’t see the forest for the trees”. This conference was a time for me to look back on what we have accomplished over the past year collectively. We didn’t just “do” projects. We were illuminators of light that took the form of hope for many who have been left in the dark.

The $5 Soccer Ball

In the bible, there is a story of Jesus multiplying five loaves and two fish into a meal that fed 5,000 hungry believers. Not to be outdone, our very own Bob Carris turned 6 of our four-way test soccer balls into $600 by convincing our incoming President of Rotary International, Jennifer Jones, to autograph the 6 balls so they could be raffled off for $100 each, they all sold for the asking price, and $600 was raised. A fellow Rotarian matched the revenue from the ball sale so now we are up to $1.200. It was decided that the funds from the ball sale would be used for Polio Eradication. Because the proceeds were used in this fashion, they qualified for a match by the Gates Foundation of $2 match for every $1 donated, for a total donation of $3,600, or $600 per ball. While I would call Jesus’ loaves and fish story a miracle, I don’t think Bob’s story would qualify as one. Just a lot of quick thinking, and a little help from our fellow Rotarians.

Award

During the conference, our club was awarded the prestigious Hedke Award for Club Excellence - Club Administration Division. This was a total group effort, every club member who has helped on Projects, sat on the Board of Directors or the Giving Committee, attended Meetings in person or on Zoom, offered Feedback, Support, and Help to the club, contributed to our winning this award. I am just humbled to be a part of it all. You should all take a bow, you deserve it. We have won the Friday Musing award for Service Club of the Year, and now the Rotary Hedke Award. All I can say is we must be butter because we are indeed on a roll.

-Mike Ladwig

Club Meeting

May 11, 2022

Our speaker last week was our own club member and City of Livonia Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan. She spoke of a few highlights of the past few years, namely the hiring of new police officers to bring us to full staff and the outstanding Covid response given by city workers, namely our firefighters. Looking ahead she distributed a magazine-style document that showed in an easy-to-read format, the Livonia Annual Report. Maureen also spoke about the project to access the condition of all of our city-owned buildings to determine the maintenance requirements for each one with an eye on the possible sale of some buildings that can no longer serve our needs in a cost-effective manner.   

-MIke Ladwig  

Mother's Day Flowers for

St. Mary's Hospital Staff

May 07, 2022

On Mother’s Day, club members Dave Stechholz, Bob Carris, and Mike Ladwig spent a shift at St. Mary’s Hospital distributing candy and flowers to hospital employees working on Mother's Day. It was a fun project as the gifts were much appreciated by the recipients.        

Club Assembly

May 04, 2022

We held our monthly club assembly during this meeting. We heard a financial report from Tammy Bonifield where we learned we are maintaining a strong financial position. Larry Stephens reported for the Giving Committee and informed us that they approved grants for; 1) The Livonia Public School Foundation, 2) The Westland Rotary Club for their fundraiser to buy raffle tickets to a Detroit Tigers game, 3) Open Door Ministries, a food bank, and help center in Canton, and 4) a contribution toward the Livonia Lions Club meal packing event on May 28th. Our Board of Directors approved the funding, and the monies were approved by those in attendance at the Club Assembly. Pat Zucal informed us we may need to find an alternative location for our annual Rotary Carnival as our current location, Livonia Mall Sears parking lot, may have a tenant for the lot which would make us need to change our venue location. Bob Carris spoke of Touch a Truck and informed us that Grant Sobczak will be playing a much smaller role in the planning and implementation of the project due to his school schedule and summer internship. We have a SignUpGenius for volunteers. Bob and a few other club members will be meeting with the Interact Club's new president, Ivanna Brigido Torres to discuss the project. Greg Greene will coordinate with the group that is in charge of volunteers for the Special Olympics coming to Detroit. We are asking for volunteers to support the Livonia Lions Club's meal packing event to be held on May 28th. Please use this SignUpGenius link to volunteer for this event.

                   -Mike Ladwig

April 30, 2022

Club members Dawn Magretta Tammy Bonifield, Sharon Pommerville, Nancy Darga, Claude Kendrick, John Clay, Mike Ladwig, and Bill Friske attended the Rotary District Leadership Assembly in Plymouth. We heard from District Governor-elect Traci Sincock who welcomed us to the first "live" District Leadership Assembly in three years. We heard a rousing keynote address from Mary Jean Gallagher, who spoke to the positive areas of Rotary and that we should not be afraid of embracing new ideas and novel ways in the future. Ms. Gallagher's words could be summed up in her closing quote,

"We are angels of hope for our club members, communities, and the world." 

There were three 50-minute breakout sessions dealing with subjects such as Grant Writing, DACdb, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Membership, Fundraising, Rotary's Action Plan for Club Success, and Hybrid Meeting Technology (co-presented by our own Bill Friske). Bill did us proud with his concise, thoughtful presentation. There was an aura of positive vibrations from all the like-minded attendees.   

                   -Mike Ladwig

Club Meeting

April 27, 2022

This week we heard a terrific presentation from our incoming president, Tammy Bonifield. 

Tammy outlined her experience at the President-Elect Training Seminar (PETS). The 3-day conference prepares the president-elect’s for their upcoming year as club president. From Thursday evening till noon on Saturday, the sessions are packed full of motivating speakers, seasoned instructors, and plenty of networking. PE's leave the seminar feeling that they are ready to take on their year as club president. Tammy also touched on what to expect at the District Conference on Mackinaw Island.

-Mike Ladwig

Leadership Summit

April 27, 2022

At the conclusion of the meeting, club members Dawn Magretta, Tammy Bonifield, Sharon Pommerville, Mike Ladwig, Claude Kendrick, Bill Friske, and Greg Greene, hustled out to attend Mayor Brosnan’s Non Profit Leadership Summit. The Mayor thanked us all for our service and told us how important we are to the community. There was a break-out session where each table discussed ways to improve communications between service organizations, non profits and residents. Several great ideas and resources were shared, such as; a website were you can post your service project to attract volunteers that are looking for a volunteer opportunity. Likewise, a website where groups in need of assistance can post their project hoping to attract help from a service club.  

Civility Project Luncheon

April 21, 2022

Club members recently attended a luncheon to hear celebrated Detroit journalists Nolan Finley and Stephen Henderson focus on the importance of civility in politics. Local Democrats and Republicans came together in conversation to explore how they came to their political perspectives based on beliefs, backgrounds, and personal experiences. The attendees learned ways to build civility in tense relationships and why it’s so needed in our nation today!

The Civility Project website states, "Americans are at their best when they can talk, disagree, even argue, but keep the dialogue going".

Club Meeting

April 20, 2022

This week we heard from Matt Collins of the Livonia Lions Club. I look up to Matt as a role model when it comes to doing service projects. He spoke passionately about the flower and candy distribution on Mother's Day at St. Mary Hospital. He also mentioned a “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” bed building project that our Rotary club may participate with in early summer. Matt also mentioned an upcoming food packing event that the Livonia Lions are sponsoring. Our Rotary club has committed to participate, both financially and with volunteers. Sign-up HERE if you would like to help.

-Mike Ladwig

Club Meeting

April 13, 2022

Our speaker this week was Rev. Kate Mackie, Rosedale Gardens Presbyterian Church.

Rev. Kate spoke of the history of her church’s special campaign, “The Blessing Bag Project”. These gift bags are given to health care workers, teachers, and caregivers in area nursing homes. The bags

include many goodies and gift cards from local businesses. In the past, the money was raised through efforts such projects as last year’s “Be the I in Kind” sign sales. The organization has also held a pizza day for teachers in the Livonia and Clarenceville school districts. These projects add to the rich tapestry that makes Livonia a caring community.

-Mike Ladwig

Club Assembly

April 06, 2022

This week we held our monthly club assembly and discussed the following:

Bob Carris, who will be Treasurer in a little under 3 months gave the Treasurers Report. We still

maintain a robust cash position.

Larry Stevens, our Giving Committee chairperson, gave his report which included two funding

approvals;

• Salvation Army, $500 worth of our 4-Way-Test soccer balls for their newly formed a Salvation Army soccer league.

• Stuckey Center, Adult Day Treatment Program, $1,280 toward their life skills project that teaches life skills, such as grocery shopping and food preparation.

The Board of Directors approved the Grant Applications, and the

expenditures were unanimously approved by all attendees of the Club Assembly.

President Mike spoke briefly about an upcoming volunteer opportunity with the Special Olympics, to

be held the last week of July and the first week of August, on Belle Isle.

We had a discussion and saw Photos of the painting project at the Methodist Children's Home Society. With all the Rotary volunteers, and their family and friends, and the additional assistance of the Korean United Methodist Church of Troy, all of the areas that we were hoping to complete, were finished. Some of the boys came through during the project to sneak a peek at their bedrooms. They were very appreciative.

President Mike brought to the table the idea of creating a “Presidents Emergency Fund” be used to finance requests that need to be acted upon quickly. These expenditures would have to be approved by the Chair of the Giving Committee, and the club Treasurer.

The club set a $2,000 per year spending limit on the President's Emergency Fund.

-Mike Ladwig

MCHS Painting Project

April 02, 2022

Club members Mike Ladwig, John Clay, Sharon Pommerville, Tammy Bonifield (and Brad), Dave Stechholz, Nancy Darga, Dave Burton (along with his wife Colleen and his sister Chris), and Bill Friske joined forces with Maddy Bezzina and other Interact Club members, and a dozen volunteers from the Korean United Methodist Church of Troy.

The 20+ volunteers stuck it out for more than 8 hours to complete the painting of the (10) bedrooms and all of the hallway walls and ceilings. We patched, we painted, and when each room was complete, we gave them a good scrubbing.

Club Meeting

March 30, 2022

This week our club members heard from David Yeager representing Open Door Ministry, a food bank and help center located in Canton. From its humble beginnings making food baskets for 16 families out of a private home, to purchasing a 48,000 sq. ft. building in Canton. The organization now helps to feed over 500 families and provides life skills for those looking to begin employment. Their ministry provides hope for a better tomorrow, as well as a full belly. Hope and a full belly, what a great combination.

-Mike Ladwig

MCHS Painting Project

March 26, 2022

Club members Mike Ladwig, Bill Friske, Dave Stechholz, Larry Stephens, Bob Carris, Nancy Darga and her husband Mike, and John Clay joined forces to kick off the painting project at the Methodist Children's Home Society in Redford. We focused on patching and painting residents’ bedrooms. We will return next Saturday with a crowd of 17 volunteer painters to attempt to complete the job. A special thanks to Masco for supplying the paint and supplies to do the job.

Field Trip to Health Sciences Center

March 23, 2022

This week our Rotary club visited the new Health Sciences Center at Schoolcraft College. We were joined on our tour of the facility by Chris Kelly, President of the Plymouth AM Rotary club, City of Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull, and Barry Burnham, President of the Canton Rotary Club. The tour was arranged by club member Dawn Magretta and was conducted by Associate Dean of Schoolcraft College David Kessler, and the school’s Facilities Manager Jerry Piasentin.

This amazing facility will train future healthcare Heroes, including; Nurses, Ultrasound Technicians, Respiratory Therapists, Pharmacy Techs, EMT Techs, and more.

As we toured the newly constructed building that will train these future healthcare providers through hands-on training, including a mock pharmacy and operating room, I felt like I was walking out of the 21st-century college campus and walking on to the medical facilities of Star Trek circa 24th century. It was an impressive, and a truly illuminating tour.

- Mike Ladwig

Club Meeting

March 16, 2022

Last week we heard from Ted Davis, Superintendent of the Livonia Parks and Recreation department. Also, under his purview, is the Senior Center and Greenmead Historical Park. Ted spoke of the challenges of running these programs under COVID, and how attendance and membership were down at indoor venues like the Rec Center. Fortunately, attendance increased at outdoor activities, such as; public golf courses, and our many parks. He also touch briefly on the Senior Center's future move into the Livonia Rec Center.

- Mike Ladwig

Soccer Ball Booth

March 10, 2022

Our club was an official vendor at the Great Lakes Rotary PETS event this past weekend. Bob Carris and Bill Friske tag-teamed the booth from Thursday afternoon until mid-day on Saturday. PETS is a training event for approx. 350 President-elects, representing 350 Rotary clubs. The event offers our 4-Way-Test Soccer Balls a lot of valuable exposure. This exposure will lead to awareness of our soccer ball program and plenty of future sales.

Club Meeting

March 09, 2022

Our speaker this week was Wendell Gramlich, Chapter President, Sleep in Heavenly Peace. SHP is a bed-building nonprofit that builds beds for children in need. Their format is like the “Feed the Children” food packing event. Volunteers assemble beds, with mattresses and bedding and deliver them to those in need in our community. If we participate in one of these events, we will work on bed assembly. Most assembly teams also contribute to the cost of raw materials and bedding and mattress costs. We were joined in the meeting by Matt Collins of the Livonia Lions whose club is interested in participating in a local bed-building event. This subject is definitely worth reviewing at our next club assembly.

-Mike Ladwig

Club Assembly

March 02, 2022

This week we held our monthly Club Assembly.

1. Tammy Bonifield gave a brief treasurer’s report. We are in a solid financial position. It appears we will have sufficient funds to carry on our grants and giving while maintaining a solid prudent reserve.
2.  Larry Stephens spoke for the Giving Committee. Two projects were approved for funding; SPN Survivors, and The Rotary Foundation. It was also mentioned that a list of "Legacy" grant recipients will be drafted and addressed by the committee in the near future.
3. Claude Kendrick informed the club of the two Signup Genius campaigns we have, The Civility Project, which has 11 of 16 seats reserved. If the entire 16 available seats are not taken by March 30, we will open it up to any guests of members. And the painting of the Methodist Children's Home Society dormitory which is very far under required number of volunteers needed. It was suggested we ask our Interact students to solicit help from the honor students at the high school, to help with the project.
4. Pat Zucal gave an update on the Carnival at the Sears parking lot. Tentative dates, July 14-24. Bob Carris asks if we should pursue last year’s carnival company to have a second Rotary-sponsored carnival in the fall.

-Mike Ladwig

Club members Tammy Bonifield, Bob Carris, and Mike Ladwig were on hand to celebrate Churchill Interact Co-President Harish Jaisankar and his sister Oviya, as they were honored by the Livonia Chamber of Commerce. The brother-sister team are the 2022 recipients of the Livonia Outstanding Youth of the Year Award for years of fundraising for those in need, increasing public awareness of various causes, volunteering for food banks and community clean-ups and more. Read More

Club Meeting

February 23, 2022

This week during our club meeting, we had the honor of hearing from Lorna Durant and Laura Ulaszek of the Livonia Public Schools Education Foundation. They shared the foundation’s mission and a few of the initiatives they have been involved with. The foundation worked to provide hot spots for all LPS students, and chrome books and laptops during the pandemic so students who did not have access to those items could participate in online learning.

Another initiative of the LPS Foundation is setting up bank accounts for Kindergarten students to ease the way towards a savings program for college.

I know the Livonia Public Schools does an outstanding job providing the “meat and potatoes” of the children’s educational needs. The LPS Foundation oftentimes provides the “Sauces and Seasonings” that make the learning experience quite a bit tastier.

-Mike Ladwig

Club Meeting

February 16, 2022

Our guest speaker was newly appointed Chief of Police, Thomas Goralski. He shared his wide range of experience. Beginning with four years with the Detroit Police Department. Then moving through the ranks of the Livonia Police Department, first as a patrolman, also as a police detective, a Lieutenant, a Commanding officer, and Police Captain.

Chief Goralski spoke of many changes and innovations his department has embarked upon, including using social media such as YouTube to attract new recruits to the department. He also mentioned the department has gone to twelve-hour shifts for patrol officers and hired a social worker to go on some calls when mental health concerns may need to be addressed.

We all feel the police are there to protect and serve, but with Chief Goralski at the helm in Livonia, I can also feel a sense of peace and calm.

Business discussed during the meeting:

• Harish Jaisankar from our Interact Club will be honored along with his sister at the Chamber of Commerce Leadership & Awards Celebration Dinner, February 23rd.

• Still time to sign up for The Civility Project Luncheon April 12th (no charge) .

-Mike Ladwig

Club Meeting

February 09, 2022

Our guest speaker was club member Eric Ladwig. He provided an inspiring talk on how he blends civic engagement with his successful business practices. Some of the projects he worked on were backpack giveaways to the financially vulnerable that he worked on with then-Mayor Dennis Wright. He also discussed the book giveaway with a local author (Erica Robertson) and book signing of her book The Adventures of a Little Black Detroit Girl at Clarenceville High School. There was a wide-open Q&A session where the topic of expanding childcare so more people could resume working post-pandemic drew much of the attention.

Mike Ladwig informed the attendees that the painting of the Methodist Childrens Home Society is back on schedule, and the club is awaiting confirmation of a date to begin the project.

John Clay provided us with a detailed report on the Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed building project. It was determined that there is a date conflict with the bed building event this year and our Methodist Home painting project. We will attempt to have Wendall Gramlich, chapter president of the bed building group, address our group to see if we have an interest in participating in future events.

We voted to give the Happy Bucks to a club member to use for helping others in the community, each time the balance reaches $50. They will then report back to the club to share where the money was used.

-Mike Ladwig

Club Assembly

February 02, 2022

We held our monthly Club Assembly this week, items discussed were:

1. Financial Position - Club Treasurer Tammy Bonifield informed us that our current financial position is strong. We have funds available to meet our current level of spending, and grant-giving while maintaining a prudent reserve to carry over into our next fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2022.

2. Giving Committee - Chair Larry Stephens reported on (3) grant requests that were approved by the committee, and the Board of Directors; a). Giving Songs, b). Volunteers of America, c). St. Mary Outreach. Club members present unanimously voted to approve the grants. It was also discussed that the Giving Committee will review past worthy recipients of grants to make a giving request to those still in need of monies but will have not been scheduled to present to the club.

3. Tammy also mentioned that reservation for our Rotary District Conference are being accepted now. It will be held on Mackinaw Island on May 12-15. Participants will be guests at the Grand Hotel.

4. Bob Carris reported that we have approved monies for the RYLA online convention. 

5. President Mike Ladwig mentioned a new Livonia Service Corp that is comprised of volunteers to help Livonia residents in need of snow removal, light household repairs, or yard work.

6. Mike also commented on the Rotary District 6400 mid-year Presidents Council. He informed the group that the general attitude was positive, and the presidents had a “let us solve the problems instead of complaining about how hard the problems are” attitude. 

7. Mike spoke on one of Rotary’s goals for 2021-2022 year is to work on Diversity and Inclusion. With that in mind, he announced that our club has purchased a sponsorship table at the Chamber of Commerce Civility Project luncheon to be held on April 12th. Members can sign up to attend on Signup Genius. If our 8 tickets go quickly, we will purchase another table at a reduced fee. We made this event open to Interact students. However, due to scheduling difficulties, they cannot commit so far in advance. Therefore, they will need to purchase their tickets, and we will reimburse them after they attend the event. 

8. District Governor-Elect Traci Sincock, signed in via zoom to join in on our discussion of Sleep in Heavenly Peace project. This is a project similar to “Kids Coalition Against Hunger” where service clubs and others join in constructing beds for the the most vulnerable in our community. Traci added that a few Canadian Rotary Clubs are taking part in this project. I asked for volunteers to project manage this effort and report back on their findings. Past President Greg Greene and new member John Clay agreed to help in this. 

-Mike Ladwig

Club Meeting

January 26, 2022

Our speakers this week were Alex Broadrick CEO, and Denise Figurski , Major Gifts Officer of Volunteers of America, Metro Detroit. They presented a heartwarming discussion of the ways they make our community a better place for everyone. Through their car repurposing, veteran outreach, and housing for those in need, all with the attitude that they are not giving a handout, they are helping by providing a hand up. From their presentation, I have adopted their way of providing for others. “Helping the most vulnerable reach their true potential”.

-Mike Ladwig

Did You See Our Ad?

January 21, 2022

Our club entered into an agreement to have a Livonia AM Rotary ad appear in the Friday Musings online newsletter. Friday Musings is published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The newsletter focuses on Livonia and goes out to thousands of subscribers from all over southeastern Michigan.

We are hoping to use this virtual billboard space to promote club events and projects and hopefully, encourage service minded members of the community to come and check us out!

Club Meeting

January 19, 2022

Our speaker this week was Tracy Bins, Executive Director of Giving Songs. They are a 501c non-profit whose mission is to address the motor vehicle needs of wheelchair-bound children. A portion of their fundraising efforts includes music produced by band members who have an attachment to the group. It was suggested that the “Giving Songs” group might benefit from sponsoring a table at the Good Old Fashion Corn Roast hosted by Friday Musings to increase awareness within our community. To amplify that awareness, their musical supporters might give a performance.

-Mike Ladwig

Club Meeting

January 12, 2022

Our speaker this week was Karl Peters, Director of the Livonia Senior Center. 

Karl did a great job bringing to light, all of the many activities and services available to area seniors through the center. Such as; chair yoga, bingo, senior trips ,“meals on wheels”, affordable senior bus transportation, and so much more. Karl informed us that there are over 150 volunteers that make the senior center one of the crown jewels of the city. He also spoke about the Livonia Senior Center Project and the proposed move of the Senior Center to the Livonia Rec Center property.

Following Karl's presentation, the club discussed a two-prong approach for marketing to new members. One is the message we are designing to include on the letter opener Pat Zucal is having printed to distribute in the “new resident” packets the Chamber passes out to our new Livonia residents. We will be able to view this at our Wed. meeting.

We also discussed John Clay’s flyer to be used as an ad piece in the Friday Musing online newsletter that comes out thrice weekly. 

-Mike Ladwig

Club Assembly

January 05, 2022

Last week we held our monthly Club Assembly. The first order of business was a report by the Giving Committee chairman, Larry Stevens. Larry addressed the three grant requests that passed committee and were approved by the Board. 

1) $1,500 for Livonia Cares. The funds will support the efforts of the Livonia Cares organization, “to assist with the basic needs of individuals and families in Livonia."

2) $300 for misc. costs associated with our painting project at the Methodist Children’s Home Society. 

3) $200 for VT Seva Detroit. This local group is raising money to support schools for the visually challenged in India. For just $1 a day, the schools can educate, feed, and house a blind student, giving them the opportunity to explore their passions despite their disability.

We heard from club Treasurer, Tammy Bonifield who proposed that we approve a donation of $2,700 to The Rotary Foundation (TRF). $1,000 has been previously approved by the club at the November Club Assembly. The additional $1,700 is to qualify for the Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) designation. The EREY program recognizes clubs whose members donate a minimum of $100 each, to TRF during the Rotary year. 

All expenditures were unanimously approved by all assembled members. It was also noted that the Giving Committee requests that organizations who benefit from a Livonia AM Rotary grant, be the party that submits the grant application. 

Mike Ladwig informed the assembly that the painting of the residential cottage on the grounds of the Methodist Children’s Home Society has been paused due to the increase of Covid activity. We were informed by the management of the Senior Center that protective masks need to be worn in the senior center by all visitors until further notice. 

We informed club members that the Board approved purchasing magnetic letter openers to be placed in the Chamber of Commerce “New Resident” welcome packets. We also approved the expenditure of $500 annual fee to sponsor a three times weekly ad in the “Friday Musing” online newsletter.

Mike Ladwig requested ideas for an offsite club meeting suggestion, since the Ford Piquette Plant, and the Roush Racing venues are unavailable. Dawn mentioned the new Schoolcraft College wing may be an option in early spring. 

Club Meeting

December 22, 2021

At our last club meeting in 2021, we hosted Judy Wells from St. Mary Outreach Center. The outreach center is a food pantry superstore serving the Wayne Westland area. Club member Claude Kendrick brought the outreach center to our attention. During the presentation, it became apparent why he became involved. The outreach center does great work helping those in need in their communities.

We were also visited by Charley Mahoney who told us about the raffle tickets she is selling as a major fundraiser for the Livonia Symphony Orchestra. Although none of our club members had the winning ticket, it was for a good cause and well worth the money.

-Mike Ladwig

Salvation Army Bell Ringing

December 18, 2021

The AM Rotary along with our Interact Club was well represented at Joe’s Produce for the Salvation Army bell ringing event on Saturday.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered!

Club Meeting

December 15, 2021

At our weekly meeting we heard a terrific presentation from Linda Holman from Livonia Cares and Colleen Dohl from the Salvation Army. Livonia Cares is a network of Christian churches partnering with social service agencies to meet basic needs of individuals and families in Livonia. Linda explained how Livonia Cares partners with the Salvation Army. Livonia Cares helps to vet those seeking assistance, along with member churches, to rule out those who seek help from multiple churches in Livonia in an effort to “game the system”, by getting financial assistance from multiple locations and pocketing some of the funds for money they were not intended for. Vetted candidates for assistance are then referred to the Salvation Army. Colleen explained The Salvation Army not only offers money for bills, but they provide counseling on a plethora of topics to help the clients move from dependence to self-sufficiency.

A special THANK YOU to club member Tammy Bonifield for surprising us all with the gift of her beautifully packaged homemade cookies.

-Mike Ladwig

Livonia Civic Chorus

December 12, 2021

Club member David Stechholz participated in the Livonia Civic Chorus's "Welcome The Holidays" concert recently.

The concert was held live at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church and live streamed on YouTube.

Club Meeting

December 08, 2021

At our weekly meeting we heard from Marlene Kunz, the Director of Northville Civic Concern.

Northville Civic Concern is a food pantry and so much more. Her shared stories spoke eloquently of her years of service to those less fortunate in our community. She lives, sleeps, and eats 24/7 all of the elements of our 4-Way-Test, and she is an inspiration to us all.

-Mike Ladwig

Livonia AM Rotary Named - Service Club of the Year

December 06, 2021

Published in FridayMusings

12/06/2021

There was not a week gone by that this breakfast club meeting at the Senior Citizen Center wasn't planning an event, working on an event, accepting grant applications to reach out and support a Livonia program or project.

Organizing the successful Touch a Truck, bringing in hundreds of residents from neighboring communities and thousands from Livonia, providing beverages for the Good Old Fashioned Corn Roast, putting together Livonia's only carnival this year helping them raise funding to enhance their grant program, increasing their communication network to let others in the community know of their outreach, working with the Rotary Interact Club at Churchill.

Livonia has a number of successful service clubs and it was difficult choosing just one of many; the Early Risers Kiwanis Club chief among them, but FridayMusings is proud to call the Livonia Rotary AM Club its 2021 Best Service Club of the Year.

Rev. Dave is Published

December 03, 2021

Club member Rev. David Stechholz just published a book. The English District Saga: A Niche in the History of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America.

Amazon states, "Former Bishop and President of the English District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Reverend Dr. David P. Stechholz provides a rich vantage of the English District's history within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America".

Congratulations Rev. Dave!

Club Assembly

December 01, 2021

During our Club Assembly meeting we heard a report from the Chairman of the Giving Committee, Larry Stevens. The giving committee approved 4 grants and placed 4 grant requests on pause awaiting further consideration. The 4 pproved grants were:

1. Rotary Foundation- Polio Eradication
2. Livonia Civic Chorus
3. Livonia Cares
4. Shelter Box  

The Board of Directors further approved the 4 grants the giving committee approved, and they were also approved unanimously by all present at our Club Assembly.  

The club asked Pat Zucal to get prices for promotional items to be used in the Chamber of Commerce "new resident" packets. The items are 1) Imprinted post-it notes, 2) Pens 3) Wallet size calendars, or 4) letter openers. The club will review and vote on the one we want to use. 

We also discussed a new project for our club, the painting of a living quarter building at the Methodist Children's Home Society. Most who attended the club assembly agreed it was a worthy endeavor. Further discussions will transpire before we can announce dates and times for this project. 

The idea of an outside meeting to be held at a venue of interest was discussed. We learned that due to renovations, the Ford Piquette will not be available in the immediate future. We will make inquiries into the availability of meeting at the Roush Automotive Collection Museum here in Livonia. 

Club member Susan Landmesser, founder of You Are Loved, honored our club with a plaque expressing her appreciation for our efforts to help make the sleeping bag project a Huge Success!

Our prodigal member, Tim Belanger, closed the meeting by reciting the 4 way test with an Ohio accent.

-Mike Ladwig