Club Meeting Featuring Jim McConnell, Livonia Historical Society

Our April 8th meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by an Invocation led by Greg Greene.

The new 2026-27 Membership Directory produced by Pat Zucal were passed out with much excitement by the members.  Thank you, Pat for your work on this project.

Tammy Bonifield collected Happy Bucks. It was mentioned that volunteers who sign up for events in Livonia need to fill out background forms. The forms are good for one year. President Nancy will send out these forms by email. Completed forms are to be sent back to Nancy.

We were happy to have a visitor from 250 years ago, Mike Ladwig, dressed in period costume.

Rotary Park update - The metal roof installation has held up construction, but it seems that June 2nd will be the dedication of the pavilion. John Pastor Construction did the work on this project.

Erin Dobbins talked about the new Rotary Action Group for Endangered Species. The Sibley Prairie will be part of this. The Sibley Prairie goes back to the ice ages. Migration of birds cross this area and they use the area for food and resting on their journey. `

The Ohio Audubon Society was also interested in purchasing this area because of its help to the birds.

Holiday Nature Preserve was able to purchase another 10 acres of land.

Our speaker today was Jim McConnell, from Livonia Historical Society.

Every 16 years, the citizens of Michigan can vote if we need a new State Constitution. Jim said he hasn’t had time to study this yet. He is pleased to announce that for the second time, every second-grade student in Livonia and Clarenceville, 47 classrooms, will be able to attend “A Day at Newburg School” at Greenmead, hosted by The Livonia Historical Society and Greenmead staff and volunteers, to experience the past.

On July 8th, there will be a city-wide program to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of signing the Declaration of Independence. For more information, visit www.America250mi.org.

Everyone attending will get a copy of the Constitution. Bakers are needed to make 50 apple pies. This will take place at Greenmead in the evening.

Susan Paluchniak