Open house, clean-up day, dinner dance are all part of City of Taylor’s 40th Anniversary Celebration

TAYLOR – A series of events starting in May will commemorate Taylor’s 40th anniversary as a city.

The City of Taylor turns 40 on May 13, 2008. A committee has been meeting for months planning a gala celebration and other activities. Details of many of the events are listed here and up-to-date information can be found on the city’s Web site, www.cityoftaylor.com/40th. Residents, non-residents and business people are invited to participate – and to spread the word.

Organizers hope to make Taylor’s 40th anniversary a year to remember!

May 1: National Day of Prayer

 

Details: For the 10th straight year, Taylor clergy and others come together to pray on a nationally recognized day of prayer. The hour-long observance starts at noon Thursday, May 1, in Cameron G. Priebe Plaza, just east of City Hall.

The Day of Prayer will be the first event among the city’s 40th anniversary celebration. The Rev. Philip Nissley, pastor of New Hope Assembly of God and the area coordinator of National Day of Prayer, said Taylor pastors of 25 churches of various faiths requested to be part of the celebration and will pray for the city, its residents and their intentions.

How to get involved: Join in the prayers. There’s plenty of room (and chairs) in the plaza. for more information, call (734) 287-4673.

 

May 3 & 4: Golf All Day for $40

 

Details: Golf as much as you want from sun up to sun down May 3 and 4 at beautiful Lakes of Taylor and Taylor Meadows golf clubs. The cost is only $40. Use of a cart is included!

How to get involved: Hit the links. Taylor residents get top priority. But make your reservations early. Call (734) 287-2100 or visit the Taylor Golf Web site, www.TaylorGolf.com.

May 3: Taylor Community Chorus Spring Concert

 

Details: The Taylor Community Chorus will present its 25th Anniversary Concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 3. The concert will be held at the Alfred Sheridan Community Center at 12111 Pardee Road.

            The chorus will celebrate its silver anniversary by performing musical numbers that have been sung over the past 25 years – plus a few oldies in celebration of Taylor’s 40th anniversary as a city. Featured numbers include the “Beatles in Revue,” selections from “Les Miserables,” a Gershwin medley, and selections from “Oklahoma.”

            The chorus, which has more than 30 members, will welcome back past directors as they join the chorus singing one of the musical numbers. 

            How to get involved: Attend the concert and enjoy the show. Admission to the concert is only $5. Children 12 and under will be admitted free. 

Please contact Director Mark Ennis at (313) 291-7893 to obtain more information about the concert or to buy tickets in advance. Tickets also will be sold at the door.

            The chorus is always looking for new singers, so please call Mark if you are interested in joining the group. The chorus performs a Spring and Christmas concert and at other special events.

May 10: City Pride Day

 

Details: This is a day for residents and business people to pitch in, work together and clean up the city to make Taylor shine.

Wayne County has offered assistance by providing dumpsters that will be located throughout Taylor, including Mayfair Park, Northwest Park, the William D. Ford Senior Activity Center, the Sheridan Community Center, the Taylor Sportsplex, Rotary Park, Clarence Randall Elementary School, Truman High School, Myers Elementary School, Fischer Elementary School and Eureka Heights Elementary School.

Only normal household items (such as household trash, compost and some building materials) will be accepted at the dumpster locations. Items that cannot be placed in the dumpsters include hazardous waste, auto parts, tires, boats, trailers, campers, concrete, shingles, stumps, computers, refrigerant-bearing appliances and other items that are too large for the dumpsters. (Don’t forget: Household Hazardous Waste Day is May 3 at the Department of Public Works.)

How go get involved: Individuals, families and groups can participate. Clean your own property and join in group efforts to clean up neighborhoods, churches, schools, parks and businesses. Publicize your organized effort by sending an e-mail to TaylorNews@aol.com. All details will be posted on www.cityoftaylor.com. Call the Department of Public Works for more information, (734) 374-1373.

May 13: Happy Anniversary Taylor Skate

Details: In honor of Taylor’s 40th anniversary as a city, residents are invited to ice skate free during an open skating session from noon to 2:50 p.m. Tuesday, May 13 – the actual day of the 40th anniversary – at the Taylor Sportsplex, 13333 Telegraph Road.

How to get involved: Visit the Sportsplex, lace up your ice skates and hit the ice. For more information on the TSX, visit www.taylorsportsplex.com or call (734) 374-8900.

May 16: 40th Anniversary Dinner Dance

Details: The public is invited to a celebration 40 years in the making. It’s scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 16, at the spacious William D. Ford Senior Activity Center, 6750 Troy. Doors open at 5:30 and the event starts with a cocktail hour. Dinner will be catered by the staff at Lakes of Taylor Golf Club. The evening will include lots of memories, special presentations, entertainment and plenty of surprises. Beverages are included. The results of the Taylor schools’ poster contest, with the theme “My Taylor, My Home,” will be on display. Proceeds benefit the Taylor Public School Foundation for Educational Excellence.

How to get involved: Buy a ticket to the dinner dance. Limited tickets are available for $40 at the Taylor Recreation Center, 22805 Goddard. For more details, call (734) 374-3906.

May 17: City of Taylor Memorial Day Tribute

Details: The City of Taylor’s annual tribute to past and current members of the military will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 17, in Cameron G. Priebe Plaza, outside City Hall, 23555 Goddard Road.

The city’s event is traditionally held on National Armed Forces Day, which takes place two Saturdays before Memorial Day. The “day to remember” features speeches by dignitaries, patriotic music and the presentation of colors.

How to get involved: Please join in to salute Taylor’s military heroes. Local veterans will announce the names of all Taylor servicemen and servicewomen killed during wartime – as well as the names of Taylor veterans who died in the past year.

Dignitaries will address the crowd. Members of the Harry S Truman High School Band and the Taylor Community Chorus have been invited to perform. The members of the Truman JROTC are annually part of the tribute, which includes a solemn wreath-laying ceremony involving veterans groups.

More details will be announced. Participants are invited to stay on the grounds after the event to take part in the Citywide Open House.

For more information on the “Day to Remember,” please call David Gorgon, the city’s director of public information, at (734) 374-1447 or send an e-mail to TaylorNews@aol.com.

May 17: City of Taylor Real Estate and Business Open House

Details: The entire city will be on display from Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 17. A citywide open house will put the focus on Taylor, its special features, homes and businesses.The city is partnering with the Downriver Association of Realtors - including Taylor Realtors Tom Long of Keck Real Estate and Rosanne Couvreur of Century 21 Americal Realty - to give a boost to the Taylor real-estate market.

The day starts at Taylor City Hall, 23555 Goddard Road. Residents and visitors alike can pick up a packet of information including a guide to the city, program of the day’s events and other giveaways, including 40th anniversary T-shirts provided by Arrow Uniform of Taylor and cake donated by Seaway Marketplace. A list of all homes currently for sale in Taylor will be provided. Those having open houses over the weekend will be noted on a map.

Along with real estate booths at City Hall, there will be exhibits and collectibles from the Taylor Post Office, an exhibit from the Army Reserve Recruiting Command, exhibits by various Taylor civic organizations and businesses and representatives of the Taylor School District and alumni association. Other businesses, locations and groups that have signed up for booth space so far include Centex Homes, Fairfax Electric, National City Bank, Total Community Credit Union, AAA Pet Services, the Rotary Club of Taylor, the Taylor Garden Club, the Taylor Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Lakes of Taylor and Taylor Meadows golf clubs, the Taylor Sportsplex, and Taylor Auxiliary Police.

There will be bus tours around the city, highlighting neighborhoods, city facilities, parks, schools, businesses and other special attractions. Home shoppers and investors are welcome.

How to get involved:

●If you’re a resident, it’s a great day to get to know your city better and to make visitors feel welcome.

●If you’re trying to sell your home, let your real-estate agent know about the day and schedule an open house.

●If you’re visiting the city, you’ll discover that Taylor is a great place to live, learn, work, shop, play and raise a family.

●If you’re a potential home buyer, today is THE day to be in Taylor.

●If you’re a business owner, there are several ways to make sure you’re part of the day.

1) Please provide coupons or special offers for distribution to people that take part in the citywide open house. Drop them off at the Heritage Park Petting Farm, located on the corner of Northline and Pardee roads.

2) If you want to set up a booth outside City Hall, please call (734) 374-1447 by May 1 to reserve your spot. (Note that the city’s Memorial Day ceremony starts at 11 o’clock that morning, so booths should be set up by 11 a.m.)

3) Post a "Happy 40th Anniversary, Taylor" poster in your window. Posters are available in the Public Information Department on the second floor of City Hall. Call (734) 374-1447 or send an e-mail to TaylorNews@aol.com.

4) If you have a sign outside your business, please post a "Happy 40th Anniversary, Taylor" message during the month of May, but especially on the day of the citywide open house.

5) Let organizers know what you are doing to celebrate the 40th and we will share that with our current and future residents as well as on the city Web site, www.cityoftaylor.com/40th. Send details to TaylorNews@aol.com.

●Shop and eat in Taylor. From the Southland Center to the Eureka Corridor to Telegraph Road to Midtown Taylor to the north, south, east and west borders of the city and beyond, we’re "Taylor Made" for shopping and dining.

●By the end of the day, we hope everyone is singing the praises of Taylor. By the end of the year, we hope everyone is celebrating our city’s rich heritage - 40 years in the making.May 21: Taylor Schools’ ArtsFest

Details: The Taylor School District ArtsFest is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, at the Taylor Sportsplex, 13333 Telegraph Road. The annual ArtsFest displays the talents of Taylor school children. A virtual art show, which starts at 6:30, showcases the district's secondary art program. The theme is "Healthy Me." Elementary chorus students, including the Sixth Grade Academy, will begin singing at 7 p.m.

May 21: Taylor Schools’ ArtsFest

 

Details: The Taylor School District ArtsFest is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, at the Taylor Sportsplex, 13333 Telegraph Road. The annual ArtsFest displays the talents of Taylor school children. A virtual art show, which starts at 6:30, showcases the district's secondary art program. The theme is "Healthy Me." Elementary chorus students, including the Sixth Grade Academy, will begin singing at 7 p.m.

How to get involved: Attend the show. Admission is free.

 

The City of Taylor wants your old photos and fond memories

 

Details: The City of Taylor is seeking photos from Taylor’s past to share with the public during the 40th anniversary festivities.

How to get involved: If you have old photos that you are particularly proud of, please drop them off to Special Projects Manager Kathy Trent in the City of Taylor Department of Public Information on the second floor of City Hall, 23555 Goddard Road. For more information, please call Kathy at (734) 374-8747.

            The city also is seeking great stories and memories about Taylor. If you have a story to tell about “My Taylor, My Home,” e-mail it to TaylorNews@aol.com. Some of the best stories will be posted on the city Web site, www.cityoftaylor.com. “My Taylor, My Home” also is the theme of the poster contest in the Taylor School District.

Need more information? Want to add your event to the celebration?

            Details: Your source for all of the latest information on the celebration of Taylor’s 40th anniversary as a city is the Web site www.cityoftaylor.com/40th

            How to get involved: To add an event to the 40th anniversary celebration, send details by e-mail to TaylorNews@aol.com.