Club Meeting Featuring Bill Craig, President of Holliday Nature Preserve Association

The meeting was opened by President Nancy Darga. The Invocation was directed by Pastor Dave and involved singing God Bless America and Take Me Out to the Ballgame (first day of spring and opening day for the Tigers). Sharon Pommerville led Happy Bucks and good wishes were sent member Marlene Katafias’ way, as she undergoes back surgery and recovery. Happy Birthday was sung to Pat Zucal and Susan Paluchniak. Welcome to Livonia Noon Rotary member Drew Buatti for his attendance at our meeting.

Tammy Bonifield, Bill Friske, Dave Stechholz, and Bob Carris attended the PELS training session and had a booth with our new premium 4-Way Test soccer balls. Two of the new balls were signed by the Rotary International President-Elect, Olayinka Hakeem Babalola (nickname “Yinka”).

President Nancy brought it to our attention that our AM club has provided $245,000 in grants since the Giving program was started.

Today’s speaker, Bill Craig, President, Holliday Nature Preserve Association, has been a longtime friend of President Nancy, as they have worked together on several environmental projects over the years. Bill shared that he has always had a love of the outdoors and, as a kid, spent hours studying the heirloom species plants and trees that are the oldest part of Hines Park: The Bennett Arboretum.

Bill became involved in the preservation of the William P. Holliday Forest and Wildlife Preserve when the association was organized in 1988. He has served as President of the association since that time.

The organization is part of Wayne County Parks and consists of volunteers dedicated to preserving and maintaining 500-plus acres of forests and wetlands that run along tributaries of the Rouge River in Westland. The original money to establish the preserve was given by Holliday’s nephew, Arthur Richardson, in 1958.

The Holliday organization plans a variety of free educational walks, a newsletter, a Facebook page, and a website (hnpa.org). You can also become a member of the Holliday Preserve for $5.00 (application is on the webpage).

Currently, the preserve has been granted $6 million to make changes to sustain its future and provide people the opportunity to get out in nature and experience the benefits to their physical and mental health. New bridges, walking paths, and port-a-johns are part of the restoration.

A Club Leadership meeting immediately followed today’s regular meeting.



—Victoria Haltom