The 'Ville - December 2023 by JourneymanPub

December 2023 | Vol.6 | Issue 12

Northville’s News and Lifestyle Magazine

Peace onEarth

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LOCAL JOURNALISM MATTERS Please consider a donation to support The 'Ville. Since we began publishing more than five years ago, our goal has been to provide our readers with valuable information about the Northville community each and every month. Your support helps that mission survive and grow. And while The 'Ville is sent to every address in Northville at no cost to readers, it is not free to produce. LOCAL Matters! is the foundation of this magazine. If you find it of value, please consider supporting it. Every little bit helps! Please send donations to: Journeyman Publishing 16435 Franklin Northville, MI 48168 You can also make donations via PayPal to kurtkuban@gmail.com. Thank you in advance.

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 12 DECEMBER 2023 16435 Franklin, Northville, MI 48168 • 734.716.0783 • TheVilleMagazine@gmail.com

KURT KUBAN – Editor/Publisher

Kurt Kuban is an award-winning journalist, having served as a reporter and editor for several local newspapers and magazines, including The Northville Record, over the course of a career spanning more than two decades. Kurt lives in Northville with his wife, Cheryl, and their three children, all products of Northville Public Schools.

CRAIG WHEELER – Creative Director

Craig has been in the creative industry for over 30 years. He has developed a diverse background in that time, but publication design has been his passion during the past 20 years. Craig enjoys chasing his young daughter and providing moral support to his lovely wife.

MICHELE FECHT – Writer

Michele Fecht is a longtime journalist whose first post-college reporter position was at The Northville Record before moving on to The Detroit News. A 30-plus year resident of the City of Northville and historic (old) house owner, she is an author, researcher, local history enthusiast, and community activist/advocate.

WENSDY VON BUSKIRK – Writer

Publisher Here is a list of people who contributed to local journalism last month. We appreciate your support! Chuck & Andrea Murdock

Joe & Ann Sefcik

Christopher & Patricia LaRue

Alan & Judy Somershoe

James & Virginia Long

ADVERTISE IN THE VILLE Our locally-owned publication is an affordable way to reach the Northville Market. We direct mail to all 21,000 addresses in the 48167 & 48168 zip codes.

To secure space in The Ville, contact Scott at (313) 399-5231 or scott@streetmktg.com. SCOTT BUIE - Advertising Director/VP of Sales

For more than 20 years Scott has worked with clients in Metro Detroit to create advertising campaigns to grow their business. After managing sales for radio stations in the Detroit Market for 17 years he purchased Street Marketing where he works closely with a variety of businesses and events. Scott and his family have lived in the Plymouth and Northville area for 25 years.

Wensdy graduated with a degree in journalism from Wayne State University. Her first job was working as a reporter for The Northville Record. Now, as a freelance writer and editor, she works for a variety of magazines, and is excited to get back to her roots in The ‘Ville. -Photo by Kathleen Voss

MARIA TAYLOR – Writer

Maria is managing editor at The ACHR NEWS, a B2B publication based in Troy. She has worked as a reporter for the Northville Record, Novi News and Plymouth Observer, and once had her photo on the cover of TIME. She lives in Farmington and, as a self-avowed history nerd, routinely risks her life by standing in the road to photograph old buildings.

TIM SMITH - Writer

Tim brings a penchant for telling powerful and personal stories that run the gamut from news to sports. During more than 35 years in journalism, he has earned numerous state and national awards. The Wayne State grad is a published author and rec ice hockey player.

JOHN C. HEIDER – Photographer

John is a 25-year veteran of the Northville Record and other Detroitarea newspapers. In addition to his photography, he's an amateur gardener, poet and fly-fisherman. He also claims to have invented the metric system.

BRYAN MITCHELL - Photographer

Bryan started working as a photographer more than 30 years ago, and was the Northville Record photographer in the 90's. He has freelanced for The Detroit News, The Guardian, Reuters, and other publications. His photography has appeared in newspapers and magazines around the globe. The Northville resident also coaches mountain biking at Northville High School.

A View From The ‘Ville

Northville is a great place to be home for the holidays W

hen I was a kid, the weeks leading up to Christmas were filled with great anticipation. The possibilities of what lay ahead -- at family gatherings and what would be under the tree after Santa’s big arrival -were endless. And Santa rarely disappointed. Looking back, those were some of the best memories. Of course, as I’ve grown older, and now look a bit like Santa myself, I realize the best part of Christmas is being with family, celebrating life, and spreading good will. That is what the story about Christ’s birth is all about. Sometimes that gets lost in all the hustle and bustle of the holidays. With the Christmas season upon us, I think we should all take some time to realize how fortunate we are to live in this wonderful community of Northville and in this country. If you look around the globe these days, there is so much war and strife. Places where chaos reigns. People being uprooted from their homes or even killed because of the ambitious intentions of evil men. Yet, here in America we are

Spinning A Good Yarn

largely insulated. Certainly we have our challenges, but an invasion by a foreign army isn’t one of them. Yes, there are places in America where poverty and crime are issues, but here in Northville that is not the case. At least not to a large degree. Fortunately, we have a number of organizations in Northville that do help those individuals and families who do fall through the cracks and are struggling to get by. I’m a member of one such group -- Northville Rotary. For many years, we have held an annual Goodfellows Newspaper Drive, where our members spend a day out in the community soliciting donations. This year we raised more than $9,000. Rotary donates that money to Northville Civic Concern, another one of those amazing organizations doing incredible work right here in Northville. They are particularly important around the holidays when the need seems to be at its greatest. The organization’s “No Child Without A Christmas” program plays an important role in making sure every family in our community has something

Bells Will Be Ringin'

to look forward to during the holidays. In this issue we included a story about another group that plays a big role during the holidays – the Plymouth Salvation Army, which serves the less fortunate in the Plymouth, Canton, Northville and Belleville communities. With the help of an army of volunteers, they are the ones you see in front of local stores ringing bells and asking people to drop donations into their red kettles. Their goal is to raise about $200,000 this year. They do some amazing things with that money, and it all stays in the community. Check out the story on Page 18. On Page 34, you’ll find a story about the new food pantry at Cooke School. A collaboration with The Kids’ Table, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making sure all the kids in our community are adequately fed, this new food pantry allows the students at Cooke, who are impacted by disabilities of their own, get to experience the joy of helping others. It’s a really cool program. And if you want to read a story that epitomizes the

Parade Back Where It Belongs

ON THE COVER: The gazebo at the historic Mill Race Village is decked out in its holiday best. Photo by Bryan Mitchell

Christmas spirit, check out our story on Page 16 about Marlene Shoebridge, an 87-year-old widow on a fixed income, who spends a big portion of her time turning bundles of yarn into clothing that is then donated to homeless people in the greater Detroit area to help keep them warm in the winter. It’s a story about how even one modest person can make a difference and spread that good will I mentioned earlier. The other part of Marlene’s story I love is the fact that when she didn’t have enough money to buy the yarn for her projects, her friends, including Toni Genitti, put out a call to the community to donate yarn to Malene. Before she knew it, her living room was filled with a mountain of yarn. These stories are a reminder of what Christmas is all about, and a testament to our community’s generosity. I feel so fortunate to be part of it. Kurt Kuban is the Publisher and Editor of The ‘Ville. He welcomes your comments at kurtkuban@thevillemagazine. com.

Your Voice: Letters to the Editor 4 Historic log cabin facing demolition 8 Find unique gifts in Downtown Northville 12 Oh what a season for NHS fall sports 24 Out & About: Community Calendar 28 Cooke’s food pantry lets students shine 34 Community Bulletin Board 36 Dishin’ with Denise 42

Your Voice Let’s come together

The voters truly want new leadership, fresh ideas, and a vision for our long-term future and a viable restaurant and merchant district. Congratulations to Laura Genitti as the overwhelming first choice on City Council. We hope other elected officials and the DDA enjoy Center and Main streets opened. Northville is the only city in America that is considering closing the main artery permanently next summer. With the new bollards installed we hope they will consider closing only for as many special events as possible. Let’s look forward to the future pedestrian walks, green space and River Walk in the Downs development, not our main artery. There are only six restaurants out of 31 that ask for more space than sidewalks and platforms in parking places. City Council, please focus on all the other projects we have started and use the bollards for as many special events as possible winter and summer. Let’s come together, vote now to open except for special events, drop the litigation and put the pink signs away.

Martha & Jim Nield

Fastest growing sport

I read the recent issue of The ‘Ville, and saw suggestions for pickleball courts from fellow readers. I fully agree that pickleball courts would be a wonderful addition to Legacy Park. Particularly free, outdoor courts with lights so that people can play even as the early evening darkness sets. This is the fastest growing sport in America and I believe it would be very much enjoyed by the citizens of Northville, young and old.

Luke Tappen

Nothing but gratitude

I would like to express my gratitude to all of the brides and their families and friends who have supported my bridal business for almost 34 years, turning my dreams into reality. I am humbly honored and feel privileged to have played such a significant role on one of the most important days of your life. You have provided me with a lifetime of precious memories. I can’t begin to tell you how gratifying it was to have my brides from earlier days return with their daughters for second generation weddings. I also wish to acknowledge my incredible staff, some of whom were with me for 20 years, with whom this journey could not have been possible, without their devotion and dedication in providing the best experience possible. I am exceptionally pleased that my bridal legacy at 402 South Main Street, will continue in this charming historical home and it will be called “Magnolia Laine” -owned and operated by a partnership who have 10 successful bridal salons in the South. I promise that you will not be disappointed, and hope that you will welcome and support them, just as you have supported me and my business. Thank you, each and every one of you, for the gift of owning and operating Elizabeth’s Bridal Manor.

Elizabeth Clancy

A beneficial program

I’m writing in response to an idea that land use at Legacy Park be used for Meals on Wheels and maintained by Scout troops. What about offering plots for residents to grow their own vegetables? I live in a condo and would love to have a small plot to garden. And what about utilizing some land for students in our district? I think that would be a very beneficial program.

Lynn Curran

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Mary Gilbert built the cabin on River Street back in 1936 when it stood next to the Rouge River.

Savin Savi Saving ng a Piece of

Northville History Northville Unique 1930s log cabin faces demolition without relocation funding By Tim Smith

ince former schoolteacher, nurse and gardener Mary Gilbert had a thengroundbreaking log cabin built in 1936 along the Rouge River in Northville, the smallbut-proud structure seemed indestructible. But without money – and a lot of it – the log cabin which is now hidden from view by pine trees and horse barns and race track buildings is destined to be demolished next spring. Without enough funding to move the cabin, it will be victimized by a sprawling redevelopment of the Northville Downs property that ultimately will feature an eight-acre River Park and River Walk. Hope is far from lost thanks to a new GoFundMe campaign,

8 The ‘Ville

Mary Gilbert

which seeks to raise $250,000 or more, jumpstarted by the Northville Historical Society and Rouge River Restoration Task Force. (To donate, go to www.gofundme.com/f/ NorthvilleCabin.) The clock is ticking, however. There needs to be enough

funding generated in the next few months to show developer Hunter Pasteur that it can feasibly move Gilbert’s historic cabin a short distance to a location still on the Downs property but closer to Hines Park. “We have to have it moved by April (when demolition is scheduled) and we have to demonstrate (to the developer) that we have the money raised by March 1,” said Nancy Darga, task force chair. Darga said that, during the planning commission review process of the Downs project, “the public kept coming forward saying they wanted to protect the historic nature of Northville. Now it’s their time to do that.”

THE MATCH GAME

Hunter Pasteur seemingly is rooting for the log cabin’s longterm survival, having pledged to match whatever community members and sponsors can generate up to a cap of $125,000. “I think Hunter Pasteur wants to see it saved and moved,” Darga said. “I think they’ll be very supportive of whatever we do. That’s the sense I got from talking to them. And my sense right now is most of the people of Northville are not aware of the historic significance of the cabin because it’s been so hidden over the decades.” Bill Stockhausen, president of the Northville Historical Society, is another champion for saving the cabin. “We’re planning on making phone calls, sending emails, doing face-to-face,” said Stockhausen, adding that many Northville residents are economically comfortable enough to contribute. “So if we can’t save the log cabin through these kinds of efforts then we have our priorities in the wrong place.”

The historical society also has requested “emergency intervention funding” from the National Trust for Historic Preservation; other civic organizations and community groups are promoting the GoFundMe campaign on their Facebook pages. The log cabin – on River Street between Beal Street and Seven Mile Road – either must be torn down or moved because of the planned 2024 daylighting of a portion of the Rouge River which was covered in the 1960s. The riverbed will need to be substantially widened. “It’s actually the routing of the river and the fact the riverbanks have to be 120-feet wide (to withstand a 100-year storm) whereas the river for the last 200-whatever years were only about 40-50-feet wide,” Stockhausen noted. Meanwhile, Stockhausen said fundraising efforts probably would need to continue beyond March 1, adding that additional money likely would be needed to completely tear down – stone by stone -- and later rebuild it once the log cabin is moved. “The rubble-stone chimney is the biggest expense.”

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE

Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull said there is urgency to getting the GoFundMe campaign up to speed and productive. “It will be moved, something will happen by March 1 because we start the daylighting of the (Rouge River) this spring,” Turnbull said. “This is a shortterm need.” The fundraising campaign won’t just be about money. It also will include an educational component to provide valuable information about what would

be lost should the log cabin not be saved. “It’s part of the heritage and history of Northville,” Turnbull said. “Is it an original log cabin? Not as you think about it in the frontier days. But it is a structure that was built in the 1930s from logs that were hewn up in Grayling and had a new process.”

SPOTLIGHT ON HISTORY

Should the mission of moving and restoring the log cabin come to fruition, it will be repurposed into a historic minimuseum and park welcome center. There would be a permanent exhibit about Gilbert, who parlayed her retirement savings into having the state-of-the-art

An artistic rendering of where the log cabin could be moved and be part of the River Walk on River Street closer to Seven Mile Road.

Darga said a brochure was designed and is available and contractors have given cost estimates for projects such as installing concrete footings at wherever the structure is moved to. “And we have the developer (Hunter Pasteur) designing a place for us to put it,” Darga continued. “So we’re moving along. It’s just that we actually need the cash to move it.” That new location is expected to be at the intersection of the Johnson Drain and middle branch of the Rouge River, south of the spot where Mary Gilbert once lived. She noted that only the original structure would be moved. The garage and breezeway, added later, will be demolished.

log cabin built during the Great Depression. “It (Gilbert’s home) is the only thing from the whole Downs property that will be saved for posterity” should the fundraising effort succeed, Stockhausen stressed. “And the woman that had it built was a very brave, independent, strong woman. She was deaf when she was in her 20s but she still went on to be a school teacher, a nurse, a caregiver, and a gardener.” Stockhausen said there will be other interpretive, historical displays including one where visitors “can see what it was like when the log cabin was built. It just faced out on the County Fairgrounds. It was a much more rustic, pastoral view.” That view was forever

lost when the Rouge River at Northville Downs was entombed underground in the 1960s. “The Downs took away the ambience that was there for many years,” Stockhausen added. Another exhibit would feature the revolutionary construction method itself. “They hollowed out the center of the logs so that there was air inside,” Darga said. “That allowed the logs not to crack or expand (due to weather), it kept the logs stable. It was new technology for its day. Mary Gilbert was one of the first to commission that technology to build the log cabin, so she was very progressive for her time.” During the four years Gilbert lived in the log cabin before her death in 1940, she helped form the Northville branch of the Women’s National Farm and Garden Club. If all goes according to plan, new vintage-style gardens emulating what existed during Gilbert’s stewardship in the late 1930s will be planted around the relocated structure. “The log cabin is great,” Mayor Turnbull said. “I’m the historian in town and I fully support it. But we just have to make sure it coincides with the River Walk, included in a place that’s convenient for all to remember its history.” Mary Gilbert undoubtedly would have no problem with that outcome. In addition to the GoFundMe link at www.gofundme.com/f/ NorthvilleCabin, Darga said checks can be sent directly to the Northville Historical Society at Mill Race Village. For more information, contact the historical society at (248) 348-1845.

The ‘Ville 9

for mom and baby

City Bird Michigan socks ($20) and MI Baby onesie ($28), and Ink Detroit toddler t-shirt ($28), Dancing Eye Gallery

Need Last Minute Gift Ideas? Downtown Northville has you covered hristmas is fast approaching, but there is still time to find that special gift for someone on your list. The good part is Downtown Northville has everything you need. We know you’re short on time, so we decided to go looking for you. The ‘Ville’s Wensdy Von Buskirk came up with this great list that should have you covered. And remember, for every dollar you spend locally, sixtyseven cents stays in the community. Here are just a few gift ideas to get you in the spirit of the shop local season.

for the wine lover

for the fashionista

“The Night Before …” Kims Kandles, $29.99; Alyssa handbag ($59.90), Dear Prudence

Louis Pommery Brut Reserve California, $22, Simply Wine

for a taste of home

Handmade mugs by Grandville Hollow Pottery, $14.99$28.99, filled with Cherry Republic and Michigan Mint mixed chocolates, Rebecca’s Michigan Store

12 The ‘Ville

for teens

Northville ($34.99) and Detroitish ($42.99) t-shirts; custom wrapping paper, $4.99 per sheet, blackbird

for kids

for the proud local

for the foodie

for him

for the art lover

for her

Retro candy, various prices, Sugar Lu’s

Curve teapots, $49.99; holiday gift boxes, $39.99-$49.99, Spice & Tea Merchants

Miniature painting magnets by Fatima Melendez; fired and fused holiday glass by Helen and Frank Andreae; Bird photography by Julian Kozakov, The Northville Gallery

Northville card set ($18) and holiday card ($6.50) by artist Logan G, MOD Market

Gift cards for cozy sweaters, any amount, Alexander’s Custom Clothiers

Holiday-inspired fine jewelry, inquire for pricing, Orin Jewelers

The ‘Ville 13

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Spinning a GoodYarn

Northville lady uses her crocheting talent to make clothing for homeless

By Tim Smith

arlene Shoebridge literally is spinning a good ‘yarn’ to help the homeless. Since the summer, Shoebridge has taken bundles of donated yarn and transformed those materials into hats, gloves, scarfs and even redwhite-and-blue coasters. “I can’t even sit and read anymore,” said Shoebridge, an 87-year-old widow who is on a fixed income and lives in an older, modest home near Griswold and Eight Mile. “I’m doing something that somebody else will enjoy.” She estimates she has crocheted over 800 items and counting. Almost daily, more yarn arrives from which Shoebridge can work her magic. “My mother taught me so I’ve been crocheting probably 50 or 60 years,” Shoebridge noted.

16 The ‘Ville

“I love it, I enjoy it. As you can tell, I’ve got yarn here and this box over here (next to a couch) has material because I tear up material and crochet coasters. I also crochet dish cloths and potholders and give them to Margo.” That would be Northville’s Margo Schmidt, who as the point person with Detroit Street Outreach takes boxes and bags of Shoebridge’s crocheted items and transports them to downtown Detroit and other parts of the city to distribute to the needy. “She (Schmidt) goes down there and stands on the car and hands them out,” marveled Toni Genitti, a longtime friend of Shoebridge’s. Schmidt also is secretary at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Northville, where she has a room to store items. From that holding area, Shoebridge’s many

Marlene Shoebridge (above) sits in her living room surrounded by yarn donated by members of the community. The yarn drive wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Shoebridge’s friend Toni Genitti (top left photo, pictured with Shoebridge). Photos by Tim Smith

creations are sent to Detroit’s homeless community. “I started by collecting things I thought they needed, put them in my garage, packed up bags,” said Schmidt during a recent interview at Shoebridge’s residence. “And eventually it grew, grew, grew until now I have a room at the church where I have shelving and all kinds of people donating.”

DONATIONS KEEP COMING IN

Another friend, Teresa Folino of Northville, subsequently helped ramp up the philanthropic efforts to a whole new level by contacting many people via Facebook and other social media platforms. Since the summer, more than 200 skeins (cylindrically shaped bundles of yarn ready for knitting and crocheting) have found their way to Shoebridge’s. One bedroom in her house

is filled to the brim with all different colors of yarn. “This was a social media surprise,” Genitti said. “Because I didn’t expect the outpouring that it became … Northville is the kind of community where people want to help.” Those donations from Northville and Northville Township residents really made it possible for Shoebridge – a senior citizen on fixed income (primarily from Social Security) – to keep her end of the bargain going strong. Yet she downplays her skills and contributions. “I get up and have breakfast, then I sit here and crochet for an hour or two,” Shoebridge said. “Then I do what else I have to do and come back and crochet. It’s probably a majority of the day.” Meanwhile, Shoebridge has it all down to a science.

“If I have yarn as big as my thumb, I make (something) that the homeless can put on their lap to keep their legs warm,” she explained. “And I’ll make a shawl that goes over their shoulder.” The overwhelming public response to Folino’s call to action is duly acknowledged by Shoebridge, who would rather not bring any attention to herself. “It’s wonderful that you can go out in weather like this, when it’s snowing, and use something like this,” she said. While shying away from the spotlight herself, Shoebridge did say the generosity of so many strangers in the community to help her cause is “wonderful.” But Genitti didn’t mind praising her friend.

“It’s a way of giving back,” Genitti said. “If you got it sitting in a drawer, Marlene makes it into something that’s beautiful.”

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

According to Genitti, what has become almost an assembly line of goodwill began almost inauspiciously. She met Schmidt through Shoebridge and discovered the former was asking for dog food donations to send to Detroit families. “I am a pet lover and I decided that I would ask people to drop it off at my house,” said Genitti, about the donated dog food and other items. “So I put (those items) in my garage and I put it on Facebook, but I’m not really good at that stuff. That’s where Teresa (Folino) came in.” Genitti later found out that Shoebridge was making scarves

for the Detroit Street Outreach and wanted to pitch in. “Here she is, making these scarves, and I know I have yarn in my house that I don’t use,” Genitti continued. “So I thought ‘Maybe I tell a couple of my girlfriends.’ So on Facebook I went, fumbling through, and I collected maybe 25 skeins of yarn. “Well, I was at a meeting and Teresa Folino came to my house and I was telling her about it. She (Folino) got to meet Marlene and Teresa said ‘Toni, do you want me to help you?’ You know Italians. They had to help,” said Genitti with a hearty laugh. Before Shoebridge could shake a knitting needle, there was a heartwarming donation of about 100 skeins. In addition to crocheting items for Schmidt’s outreach program, Shoebridge also helps other entities in town, including creating Bingo prizes for Northville’s Allen Terrace senior citizen apartment complex and white-as-snow baptismal blankets for St. Paul Lutheran Church. That Shoebridge can be so good-hearted and prolific with her crocheting is no surprise to Schmidt. “I’ve known Marlene since I was a little girl,” Schmidt noted. “She used to come to

All of the garments made by Marlene Shoebridge are donated to the homeless in the greater Detroit area. Photo courtesy of Margo Schmidt

my house and quilt with my grandmother.” And so long as there is demand for more, expect Shoebridge to keep on turning balls of yarn into scarfs, hats and more for as long as she possibly can. “It’s something to do,” Shoebridge said. “The TV may be going, but half the time I’m not paying attention to it. It’s just sound in the background.” But what she does resonates with many, many men, women and children she will never meet. Anybody interested in donating yarn or other materials for Shoebridge’s creative efforts can call Toni Genitti at (248) 310-8895.

248-277-3505 | TidySmart.com HOME ORGANIZING | REAL ESTATE LISTING PREPARATION | HOME STAGING MOVING CONCIERGE SERVICES | PACKING/UNPACKING SERVICES

Top left photo, Aricka Truchan and Joanne Purtan, with Casper, from WOMC ringing the bell at the Kroger at 5 Mile and Haggerty. Photo courtesy of Plymouth Salvation Army

All of the money we raise in kettles stays in our area. We are able to keep it and use it in serving people in our community… We want to use that money for the reasons people are giving it to us – to help people in need.”

s l l e B Rin gin’ Will Be

Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign vital for local families By Brad Kadrich

n army of 750 volunteers or more went to work the day after Thanksgiving in the Plymouth Salvation Army Corps’ long-standing annual effort to help the less fortunate in the Plymouth, Canton, Northville and Belleville communities. The PSA’s Red Kettle Campaign actually kicked off Nov. 10, but got started in earnest following the Thanksgiving holiday. Plymouth Salvation Army officials said they hope to raise $200,000 in their area, part of a $7.9 million goal the Salvation Army has around Metro Detroit. Volunteers will be ringing bells at 19 locations around the area, including the Kroger on Five

18 The ‘Ville

Mile and Haggerty. Major Kris Wood said the 2023 campaign will be the PSA’s 89th Christmas spent helping needy families in the area. “All of the money we raise in kettles stays in our area,” Wood said. “We are able to keep it and use it in serving people in our community. It’s important that people know when they volunteer to ring the bells, there’s no administrative expenses coming for that, so they know (donations are) going to meet the needs in people’s lives. When it goes to the kettles themselves, we want to use that money for the reasons people are giving it to us -- to help people in need. “For 89 years now, we’ve been

Major Kris Wood, of the Plymouth Salvation Army Corps’, which helps families in the Plymouth, Canton, Northville and Belleville communities doing that,” he added. “Whether the need is high or low, we’re always able to do whatever we can to help people going through a difficult time.” The corps usually averages about 750 volunteers a year, but Wood said this year’s crop looks slightly larger as more people signed up to ring bells. “People know there are a lot of people struggling in the world, and there’s not a lot we can do on our own to help,” Wood said. “By doing this, people are allowing us to give people food, give them clothing, pay their utility bills. We’re able to help people in those crisis moments. Alone we can’t do anything, but if a bunch of us join together, we’re actually helping people.” The Plymouth corps is part of the larger Wayne County and metro Detroit effort, where Wood says the need for food, shelter and help with utility bills is growing. In the last year in metro Detroit, the Army served 2.4 million meals, provided 530,000 nights of shelter for people, and met a need for utility payments that continues to grow. “The demand for food is higher than ever, and requests for utility assistance are higher

than ever,” Wood said. In addition to the Red Kettle campaign, the Plymouth Salvation Army Corps, which is located at 9451 S. Main Street in downtown Plymouth, continues to stock its food pantry and Christmas toy store, which allows those in need to come in and get food and provide toys for their children. People are consistently bringing in food donations – “We’re amazed by that … it fills our pantry so we can give that food right back to people,” Wood said – and churches, civic organizations and businesses conduct toy drives and make donations to the PSA. And it’s all being managed by the Plymouth Salvation Army’s small staff of six plus a legion of volunteers, without whom little of it could be accomplished, Wood said. “We have a small staff, so we depend on volunteers,” Wood said. “If we didn’t have volunteers we wouldn’t be an ‘army.’ We’ve always been an organization that depended on volunteers to make our work happen.” To volunteer, go to the website registertoring.com, pick a date, a community, and a location.

S PECIA L A DV ERTISIN G M ES SAG E

Everything you need to know about prostate cancer and screening

When caught early, prostate cancer is very treatable. Among men, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer aside from skin cancer. Despite its frequent occurrence, the disease is often overlooked and misunderstood. “1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer,” says Craig Rogers, M.D., urologist at Henry Ford Medical Center – Plymouth, and Chair of Henry Ford Urology. “More than 175,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year and there are more than 30,000 deaths from it each year. Of these deaths, many are diagnosed in an advanced, untreatable stage.” If it’s caught in time, however, prostate cancer is very treatable. Here, Dr. Rogers answers some common questions.

the flow of urine, blood in their urine or semen, or bone pain. But most men won’t know they have it unless they get tested.

What happens during a prostate screening? Men who want to be screened should get the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. The digital rectal exam (DRE) may also be done as a part of screening.

biopsy, which involves obtaining a small sample of prostate tissue. During the biopsy, any abnormalities that were found during a prostate MRI can be targeted.

How is prostate cancer treated? • Active surveillance: This is for people who have very slow-growing cancers. In these cases, we refrain from treatment so the patient

What’s happening to your body when you have prostate cancer? It means an abnormal growth of cells has originated in the prostate gland, which is a male accessory sex organ. If the cancer is in a late stage, this growth of abnormal cells can spread to the bone or lymph nodes.

For people with an abnormal PSA, your doctor may perform additional noninvasive tests. For example, a prostate MRI, which has What are the been shown to improve symptoms? the detection of cancers Prostate cancer is that are likely to be usually slow growing and aggressive and cause has no symptoms unless harm. it’s relatively advanced. In If initial tests are advanced stages, men may abnormal, your doctor notice urinary symptoms can perform a prostate such as obstruction of

can avoid potential side effects of treatment. Instead, we actively monitor the cancer and gauge its growth with repeated PSA testing, imaging and occasional biopsies. • Surgery or radiation therapy: These treatments are for prostate cancer that hasn’t spread beyond the prostate. Henry Ford

pioneered the minimally invasive robotic surgery approach that is used to remove the prostate. • Focal ablation: This targeted approach destroys prostate cancer by freezing it (cryoablation) or by burning it (highintensity focused ultrasound, or HIFU). If someone has prostate cancer on one side of the prostate, we can perform this area-specific ablation treatment instead of treating the entire prostate. “Focal therapy may reduce the risk of side effects commonly associated with treatment for prostate cancer, including impotence and urinary incontinence,” Dr. Rogers says. “HIFU is an emerging treatment for localized prostate cancer that uses high frequency ultrasound waves to burn the tumor while keeping normal prostate tissue intact.” Henry Ford Medical

Center – Plymouth offers the only HIFU system in the area for the treatment of prostate cancer. More advanced cancers may involve a combination of treatments. At Henry Ford Health, prostate cancer cases are reviewed by our multidisciplinary prostate cancer tumor board. Our specialists in urologic surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, nursing, genetics, research and other disciplines meet weekly to review cases and develop a personalized treatment plan.

Henry Ford Medical Center – Plymouth is located at the corner of Ann Arbor Road and N. Haggerty. To make an appointment, call (734) 928-1600, or visit henryford.com/ plymouth.

Who should get tested and when? At Henry Ford Health, we follow prostate screening recommendations from the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). These guidelines suggest that discussions about prostate cancer screening should begin at age 45-50 for average risk men and between the ages of 40-45 for higher risk men (including those with a family history of prostate cancer, people who have BRCA gene mutations and Black men).

We believe all your healthcare solutions should live where you do.

At Henry Ford Medical Center – Plymouth, you can get all of your care in one place. Whether you live in Plymouth or nearby, we’re proud to bring primary and specialty care closer to you—including pharmacy, on-site imaging (3D mammography, MRI, CT and X-ray) and lab services. Our facility was built just for you. And it’s just minutes down the road.

See a full list of services at henryford.com/plymouth

Corner of Ann Arbor Road and N. Haggerty

BOYS VARSITY ICE HOCKEY

4 2 3 202 ports

ty S i s r a V Winter

E L L I S G N RTH V A T MUS

BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL

GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL

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11/19/23 OPEN (Shandy Side Academy) 11:00 AM

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11/22/23 Novi HS

7:30 PM

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12/1/23

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12/9/23

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1/10/24

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1/20/24

Houghton HS

1:00 PM

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1/26/24

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7:00 PM

Tues 11/28/23 Dearborn HS

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Lakeland HS

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12/1/23

Ann Arbor Pioneer HS

7:00 PM

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12/6/23

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Tues 12/12/23 Detroit Country Day HS

7:00 PM

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7:00 PM

Sat

1/27/24

OPEN (Birmingham Unified)

6:45 PM

Tues 12/19/23 Chelsea HS

7:00 PM

Sun

1/28/24

Plymouth HS (@ Clark Park)

2:00 PM

Thurs 12/21/23 Canton HS

7:00 PM

Wed

1/31/24

OPEN (vs. M! United)

7:30 PM

Thurs 12/28/23 Mercy HS

5:00 PM

Tues 2/6/24

7:30 PM

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Salem HS

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Livonia Churchill HS “Senior Night”

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2/9/24

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Brighton HS

7:00 PM

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2/14/24

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2/17/24

Lumen Christi Catholic HS

6:30 PM

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OPEN (Northville Boys 12/16/23 Basketball Showcase)

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12/18/23 Lakeland HS

7:00 PM

Thurs 12/21/23 Canton HS

7:00 PM

Thurs 12/28/23 Woodhaven HS/MS

7:00 PM

12/8/23

12/15/23 Rochester Adams HS

1/5/24

Sat

12/30/23

OPEN (North Farmington Shootout)

TBA

Fri

1/5/24

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7:00 PM

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Brighton HS

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Plymouth HS

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Novi HS

8:00 PM

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Howell HS

7:00 PM

Wed

11/15/23

St. Mary’s Prep School

4:30 PM

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West Bloomfield HS

2:00 PM

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11/19/23

OPEN (vs. Washtenaw)

5:00 PM

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Plymouth HS

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Canton HS

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11/30/23

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12/6/23

Troy HS

4:30 PM

1/12/24 1/19/24

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Howell HS

7:00 PM

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Tues 1/30/24

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7:00 PM

Tues 2/6/24

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12/9/23

Grosse Pointe South HS

6:00 PM

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Salem HS

7:00 PM

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Novi HS

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12/10/23

Plymouth HS

5:00 PM

Tues 2/6/24

Brighton HS

7:00 PM

Tues 2/13/24

Hartland HS

7:00 PM

Sat

12/16/23

Walled Lake Central HS

6:00 PM

Fri

Novi HS

7:30 PM

Fri

Plymouth HS

7:00 PM

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12/17/23

OPEN (vs. Livingston)

5:00 PM

Tues 2/13/24

Hartland HS

7:00 PM

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Howell HS

7:00 PM

Wed

12/20/23

Grosse Pointe North HS

4:30 PM

Fri

2/16/24

Plymouth HS

7:00 PM

Tues 2/27/24

OPEN (KLAA Crossover)

7:00 PM

Fri

1/12/24

Walled Lake Central HS

7:00 PM

Mon

2/19/24

Howell HS

7:00 PM

Thurs 2/29/24

OPEN (KLAA Championship)

7:00 PM

Mon

OPEN (MHSAA District Week)

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2/2/24 2/9/24

Thurs 2/22/24

OPEN (KLAA Crossover)

7:00 PM

Fri

2/23/24

OPEN (KLAA Championship)

7:00 PM

Mon

2/26/24

OPEN (MHSAA District Week) TBA

2/2/24

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2/9/24 2/16/24

3/4/24

Sat

1/13/24

OPEN (vs. SCS)

11:00 AM

Sun

1/14/24

Troy HS

9:00 AM

Tues

1/16/24

OPEN (vs. Livingston)

5:30 PM

Sat

1/20/24

OPEN (vs. Washtenaw)

TBA

Sun

1/21/24

Walled Lake Central HS

5:00 PM

Sat

1/27/24

Bloomfield HS

6:30 PM

Sat

2/3/24

Plymouth HS

1:00 PM

Wed

2/7/24

Regina HS

4:30 PM

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2/9/24

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Genitti’s is a family-owned Italian dinner theater & the perfect venue for your next event!

Let’s Go Mustangs!

LE - IN HO

- WA

Northville senior Brendan Herger finished third individually and made D1 All-State for the third straight year. Photo courtesy of Tim Dalton

Junior setter Ella Craggs earned first-team All-State honors. Photo courtesy of Erin Morrisey

Senior QB Isaac Pace set the season TD passing record for the Mustangs. Photo courtesy of Northville Football

What a Season! By Brad Emons

Mustangs make quite a statement at state level

t was arguably the most successful fall sports season in the history of Northville High Athletics. And while it started in midOctober with the boys tennis team tying for runner-up honors in the MHSAA Division 1 finals -- led by three-time No. 1 individual singles flight champion Sachiv Kumar (see our November issue) -- that was only the start. The results just kept getting better from there for Mustang athletics highlighted by their two-time Division 1 state champion boys cross country squad. Here is a capsule look at what transpired this past fall for the remaining sports teams.

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

Led by three All-State performers, the Mustangs capped off a dream season by repeating as Division 1 champion as they edged seasonlong nemesis and fellow KLAA East Division member Brighton,

24 The ‘Ville

The Northville boys cross country team repeated as Division 1 team champion Nov. 4 at Michigan International Speedway. Photo courtesy of Tim Dalton

128-141, in the finals held Nov. 4 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. “Honestly, I felt coming into the season that we were a top five team,” Northville coach Tim Dalton said. “There were a handful of teams I thought that could win it. I didn’t think we were going to run away from everybody like we did last year. We just wanted to have a chance at the state finals.” Senior Brendan Herger led the way by taking third individually with a 5-kilometer time of 15:05.6, while nailing down All-State honors for the

third straight year. Herger was also the KLAA and Regional 6 individual champion as well. “He, in my opinion, is the best male distance runner ever at Northville High School,” Dalton said. “He has the 800 (meters), 1,600, 3,200 and 5K school records, as well as the 3-mile school record . . . not only will he be remembered for accomplishments in running, he’s a phenomenal young man, a great teammate, a team-first kid and off to the University of Michigan.” Also earning All-State honors

for the Mustangs for the second straight year was junior Ethan Powell (13th, 15:28.0), while sophomore Benjamin Hartigan (24th, 15:37.7) also made the top 30. Northville’s other two scorers at the state finals included junior Nick Baretto (54th, 16:05.1) and senior Nicholas Yaquinto (68th, 16:14.8). The team’s other two finishers were freshman Brandon Cloud (110th, 16:29.9) and junior Ishaan Kundapur (152nd, 16:42.9). Jack Lewis and Luke Schwartz served as the team’s two alternate state meet runners. During the regular season Northville captured invitational team titles at the (Livonia) Lamplighter and (Bath) Bret Clements meets, while also taking second at the MSU Spartan Invite and a third at the Roy Griak (Falcon Heights, Minn.). At the KLAA meet held Oct. 20 at Howell, Northville edged

Brighton for the title, 39-46, led by Herger, first (16:02.0); Powell, second (16:12.4); Hartigan, sixth (16:23.6); Barretto, 12th (16:44.4) and Yaquinto, 18th (16:57.8). On Oct. 28, the Mustangs seized the Regional 6 meet at New Boston’s Willow Metropark with 30 points joining Canton (53), Plymouth (76) and Livonia Churchill (84) as state team qualifiers. And then the Mustangs were able to put it all together at MIS. “What made this team special I would say is their resilience,” said Dalton, who was ably assisted by Tom Brown, Jack Dalton and Lauren Peck. “It kind of played out all year where it became us and Brighton. We kept going back and forth. We beat them in a dual meet. They beat us at Michigan State (Invitational) and won on a tiebreaker. We beat them at the conference meet, but they crushed us at Portage (Invitational). And then we get into the state finals we were able to get them by 13 points.”

VOLLEYBALL

After a runner-up finish in Division 1 in 2022, the Mustangs (49-3) earned their third trip to the Final 4 in four years before falling to Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 3-1, at Battle Creek’s Kellogg Arena. Twins Molly and Mallory Reck, both juniors, combined for 28 kills and 21 digs in the loss, while junior setter Ella Craggs contributed 34 assist-tokills and 16 digs. Seniors Greta McKee and Ashlee Gnau added 17 and 10 digs, respectively. After winning both the KLAA West Division (9-0, 7-0) and the conference tourney title,

The volleyball team fell to Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern in the semi finals.

the Mustangs began their state tourney quest by capturing the District 15 crown at home with a pair of 3-0 wins over Plymouth and South Lyon East. They followed up with a 3-1 regional final win victory vs. Saline after edging Temperance Bedford, 3-2. In the quarterfinals, Northville ousted Portage Northern, 3-0. Craggs was named first-team All-State, while senior middle hitter Avry Nelson, the team’s blocks leader, made secondteam. McKee, a libero, was a third-team selection, while junior outside hitter Molly Reck earned honorable mention. All-KLAA selections included Craggs, Nelson, McKee and Gnau, while Molly and Mallory Reck made honorable mention.

BOYS SOCCER

Making it to the Division 1 semifinals for the second time in three years, the Mustangs (19-3-1) lost a heartbreaker to Troy Athens, 3-2, in overtime. After finishing 11-2-1 in

Haitham Al-Zoubi (honorable mention). Tascioglu, Settle, McCallum, Al-Zoubi, and Sargent also earned All-KLAA honors along with senior defender Riko Sato and junior goalkeeper Zach Pheiffer. And in another milestone, Klimes finished his 33rd season as head coach with the Mustangs.

the KLAA and winning the conference title with a 3-0 victory over Livonia Stevenson, coach Henry Klimes’ squad defeated Salem in the district final, 3-2, before posting a 3-1 regional final win over University of DetroitJesuit. Earning Junior defender Nick Settle was named first-team All-State. Photo courtesy Michigan of Li Bobel High School Soccer Coaches Association FOOTBALL All-State Dream Team and D1 Under first-year coach Brent first-team honors was senior Luplow, the Mustangs (10midfielder Emir Tascioglu. He 2) brought home the KLAA was joined on the first team by West Division (7-0) title along senior defender Nick Settle. with the Division 1 district Other All-State honorees championship following a included junior midfielder come-from-behind 24-17 win Alex McCallum (second team), at home over Novi Detroit junior forward Collin Sargent Catholic Central. It was the (honorable mention) and first time the Mustangs beat the Shamrocks in program history, and the team’s first district title since 2000. Northville also defeated rival Novi, 28-14, to retain the Baseline Jug and now lead the series, 31-25. Both losses came against two-time defending D1 champion Belleville in the KLAA championship crossover

The 2023 Northville boys soccer team reached the D1 semifinals after winning the regional, district and KLAA West and conference titles. Photo courtesy of Li Bobel

Continued on Page 26

The ‘Ville 25

Continued from Page 25 and regional final in the playoffs. Belleville ultimately finished as state runner-up. Senior Graham Gilmartin, a two-way lineman, was named All State by the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association. Gilmartin and senior linebacker/running back Evan Deak earned Detroit Free Press All-West honors as well as All-KLAA. Other All-KLAA selections included seniors Cullen Murphy (DB), Isaac Pace (QB), Owen Ross (LB), Nick Helner (WR), Caden Besco (LB) and Ferris Jordan (DL). Juniors Drew Rankin (DB) and Colin Charles (WR) were also named all-conference. Honorable mention picks included Cooper Hoffman, Sonny Rentz, Luke Parrinello and Hassan Elzayat.

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

Coach Colin Riley’s squad turned in another solid season with another top 10 finish placing sixth with 237 points at the Division 1 finals at MIS. The Mustangs were paced by a pair of All-Staters Ella Christensen, who placed eighth overall (18:12.6), and junior Cassie Garcia, who finished 19th (18:28.5). Other scorers for the Lady Mustangs included freshman Colette Lozo (61st, 19:13.8), junior Rosie Gregory (113th, 19:43.9) and sophomore Annabelle Beloiu (131st, 19:57.8). The non-scorers included freshman Mia Carson (157th, 20:13.4) and sophomore Molly Kate Coates (161st, 20:15.0). At the Regional 6 meet, Northville claimed the team title with 54 points joining runner-up Salem (104) and

26 The ‘Ville

Senior Evan Deak races towards the winning TD against Catholic Central in the District final. Photo by Ellen Clausen

third-place Farmington (117) as state team qualifiers. Leading the way for Northville was Christensen (second, 18:24.2), Garcia (third, 18:40.4); Lozo (10th, 19:21.9), Coates (18th, 19:53.1) and Gregory (21st, 19:58.7). At the KLAA meet, Brighton won the team title with 34 points with Northville placing runner-up (56) as Garcia was second individually in 18:52.1. Other scorers for Northville included Christensen (11th, 20:02.0), Lozo (12th, 20:06.4), Coates (15th, 20:16.7) and Carson (16th, 20:18.4).

GIRLS SWIMMING

After taking runner-up team honors in 2022, coach Brian McNeff’s squad placed seventh with 119 points at the Division 1 finals held Nov. 17-18 at Eastern Michigan University’s Jones Natatorium. Ann Arbor Pioneer came away with the team title with 301 points followed by runnerup Grand Haven (237.5) and third-place Jenison (228.5). Earning individual AllState (top eight) honors for the Mustangs included senior Katherine White, who placed third in the 100-yard freestyle (51.36) and fifth in the 100 backstroke (56.62); senior Ava Jurkiewicz, eighth, 200 individual medley (2:11.29); and senior Cassie Guerrera, eighth, 1-meter diving (362.60 points).

White, Jurkiewicz, sophomore Finley Cadwell and freshman Rachel King also placed fifth in the 200 medley relay (1:47.51) to earn All-State as well. In the 100 breaststroke, Northville had three swimmers contribute points including freshman Rachel Mowers, 11th (1:08.47); senior Maddie Pohlman, 14th (1:09.02); and junior Nora Brian, 16th (1:10.26). Northville’s 400 freestyle relay team of White, King, senior Adele Hu and Jurkiewicz placed 11th (3:37.33), while the 200 freestyle relay team of King, Cadwell, Hu and freshman Skylar Change added a 15th (1:41.36). During the regular season, Northville captured the KLAA West Division dual meet title with a 7-0 record and ran away with the KLAA ‘A’ meet crown Nov. 2-4 at Brighton with 929 points as White had a big meet winning the 100 freestyle (50.94) and 100 backstroke (56.51). She also teamed up with Jurkiewicz, Cadwell and King for a first in the 200 medley relay (1:47.72), while Jurkiewicz added an individual first in the 100 breaststroke (1:04.99).

GIRLS GOLF

Coach Kate Schultz guided the Lady Mustangs to a sixthplace finish in the Division

1 finals held Oct. 20-21 at Michigan State University’s Forest Akers (West Course). Rochester Adams captured the team title with a twoday total of 669 followed by Brighton (670) and Plymouth (683). Northville scored 719 carding a 371 in the opening round followed by a 348 on the second day. Senior Meera Sankar took 26th individually to lead the Mustangs with a 90-82-172 followed by freshman Naaz Gill, 31st (92-83-175); junior Sanya Singhal, 39th (93-85-178); senior Audrey Pilon, 58th (9898-196); and senior Ava Lenox, 69th (96-105-201). In the Regional 2 tourney Oct. 9 at Salem Hills, Brighton (322), Plymouth (329) and Northville (339) garnered the three state finals team qualifying spots. Top scorers for Northville included Gill, 10th (83); Singhal, 13th (84); Lenox, 15th (85); sophomore Serena Ku, 22nd (87); and Sankar, 29th (91). In the KLAA pre-season and postseason tournaments held during the regular season at Kensington Metropark, Brighton won the combined title with a two-round total of 300-299-599 with Plymouth (327-324-651) taking second and Northville (342-329-671) placing third. Individually, Northville was led by Singhal, ninth (80-82-162); Gill, tied for 12th (89-79-168); Sankar, 14th (8289-171); Ku, 17th (90-84-174); Pelon, 20th (92-86-178); and sophomore Grace Bae, 22nd (89-92-181). During the KLAA East division dual match season, Northville and Brighton were co-champions posting records of 6-1 each.

out & about YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NORTHVILLE THIS MONTH SEND IT IN To get your items listed in Out & About, email editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@gmail.com.

Holiday to Remember

History Lecture Series

Dec 23 Hosted by the Northville DDA, this family-friendly event runs from 4-7 p.m. in Downtown Northville. It will include music, Santa visits, free horse and wagon rides, and more. Come shop, dine and enjoy the holidays in Downtown Northville.

Jan. 24 Join the Northville Historical Society from 7-8:30 p.m. at the New School Church in Mill Race Village as Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull continues his history of Northville lecture series. The event is free, but donations are appreciated. For more information, visit www. millracenorthville.org or call the NHS at (248) 348-1845.

First Day Hike Jan. 1 Friends of Maybury volunteers will lead a family-friendly hike at 10 a.m. at Maybury State Park. Light refreshments will be available afterwards. Bring your own snacks/ water. Dress appropriately for outdoor activity. All pets must be on a six-foot leash at all times. The program is free, and there is no registration required. Meet at the Trailhead Building (use Eight Mile entrance). For more information, visit www. friendsofmaybury.org.

Northville Community Awards Dinner

The Northville Chamber of Commerce will host the second annual Northville Community Awards Dinner beginning at 5 p.m., Feb. 8 at Genitti’s and the Marquis Theatre. Awards will be presented recognizing a variety of accomplishments, including business excellence, volunteers of the year, and the prestigious John Genitti’s Citizen of the Year Award. The evening begins at 5 p.m. with cocktails at Genitti’s followed by a dinner at 6 p.m. Attendees will then make their way over to the Marquis Theatre for the awards presentation. Come in your finest attire and walk the red carpet like a celebrity. There will be photo opportunities and a gift basket raffle. Tickets cost $75 for chamber members, $85 for non-members, or $700 to sponsor a table of eight. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.northville.org/northville-community-awards-dinner.

New Year, New Pantry Jan. 11 The Northville District Library will host (via Zoom) Lisa Howard, the Cultured Cook, who will present “New Year, New Pantry: How to Eat Your Way to Better Health.” Howard will discuss what food labels are really saying, and how our food choices impact our health. Registration is open by visiting northvillelibrary.org.

exhibition opportunities for women painters. Today more than 50 active members paint in diverse media, many of whom will showcase their work in this exhibition. Learn more at www. bswpainters.org. The exhibit runs Jan. 9-Feb. 3. The reception will feature light fare and a cash bar. For more information, visit northvillearthouse. org.

Fresh Start Reception

Toy Swap

Jan. 12 The Northville Art House will host this reception from 5-8 p.m. for its Fresh Start – Birmingham Society of Women Painters exhibition, which will feature 46 drawings and paintings. Founded in 1944, the Birmingham Society of Women Painters brings together artists of merit to provide formal instruction, workspace, and

Jan. 13 Ready to purge your house of your old, forgotten toys? Drop them off to the Northville District Library Info Desk from January 2nd - 5th. Toys must be in good, working condition. Limit of five toys per household. You will receive a ticket for every item you drop off, so that you can return on Saturday, Jan.13th from 10:30 a.m.

28 The ‘Ville

-12:30 p.m. to “shop” for new toys. Any toys remaining after the event will be donated. For more information, visit northvillelibrary.org or (248) 349-3020.

American Girl Party Jan. 16 Northville Parks & Recreation will host this annual party that celebrates American Girl doll owners (ages 5-10). The event runs from 5-7 p.m. at the Northville Community Center (in Banquet Room). Come dressed in your favorite PJs, and make sure to bring along your favorite American Girl doll. Pizza and a drink will be served. Cost is $13. Registration deadline is Jan. 9. To register visit www. northvilleparksandrec.org or call (248) 349-0203.

Identity Theft Protection Jan. 29 The Northville District Library will host John Hogan from Comerica Bank in Northville from 7-8:30 p.m. Hogan will discuss identity theft and how to take precautions to prevent it. Registration opens Dec. 29 by visiting the NDL website at northvillelibrary.org.

Mardi Gras Mixing Feb. 7 The Northville District Library will host this event at 7 p.m. The program will explore the history of New Orleans cocktails, and participants will sample cocktails from the 1800s. Recipes will also be emailed to those in attendance so they can make the drinks at home. Registration opens Jan. 7 by visiting the NDL website at northvillelibrary. org.

Valentine’s Day Tunes Feb. 11 Harpist Chanah Ambuter will perform romantic music from 3-4 p.m. at the New School Church in Mill Race Village. The program is being sponsored by the Northville District Library. Registration opens on Jan. 11. To register, visit the NDL website at northvillelibrary.org.

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orthville’s beloved Holiday Lighted Parade was back on Main Street this year, thanks to the recent reopening of downtown’s main boulevard. Thousands turned out to take in the sights and sounds, as the community kicked off the holiday season on Nov. 17. The parade included music, bands, dancers, and floats. And, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus brought up the rear. After the parade, the town was jumping as Mayor Brian Turnbull lit up the city’s Christmas tree in Town Square. There was musical performance by Social Bones at the Marquis Theatre, and many local businesses had special events going on, including the Northville Gallery that gave out free hot chocolate and other refreshments. It was just a great night to be in Northville!

32 The ‘Ville

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Students and staff at Cooke School take in a delivery for their new food pantry. Photo courtesy of The Kids Table

A Place at the Table Cooke School’s food pantry gives students opportunity to shine By Tim Smith

he ear-to-ear smile on Donny’s face says it all. The post-secondary student at Cooke School in Northville can’t wait to serve others with boxes filled with specially curated meals for the holidays – instead of always being served himself because of his disabilities. Donny is a 23-year-old who can’t express himself to the fullest. He is a student in teacher Danielle Richards’ postsecondary classroom for young men and women between ages 22 and 26 with cognitive and emotional impairments. And with a little prompting from his teacher, Donny was able to say participating in a new partnership between Cooke School and non-profit organization The Kids’ Table just makes him “happy.” There will be plenty of opportunities to continue doing that right on into 2024 – a formerly empty classroom at Cooke School has been transformed into a fully

34 The ‘Ville

functional food pantry where students such as Donny are like spokes in the wheel. “I think the opportunity for our students to not just always receive and be passive in their world but really to be active and realize that they have a place,” stressed Cooke School Principal Jennifer Bugar, “not just to be loved by others but also to participate and contribute is vital for our students’ selfworth. “Their ability to work here in our school and take those skills and that confidence into other situations is incredible.” Also extraordinary is the intricate system that parlays deliveries of various food and household items into carefully assembled boxes filled with food – and hope – for struggling families largely identified by The Kids’ Table. Donny and other Cooke School students match visual images of non-perishable food items located on shelves

in the food pantry with those shown on so-called templates – each template representing a complete meal. From there, five such meals are placed into cardboard boxes for eventual delivery to families in the area who need the help. “It (the visuals) helps our students remember what item it is they’re getting,” said Sydnee Klocko, teacher in the post-secondary program for students that are severely cognitively impaired and point person for the food pantry. “Our students really benefit from visual aids just to keep their brains organized while they are working. “Then, they’ll find it (an item) and match it to the same picture on the shelf. That’s how they’re able to find the product that they’re adding.”

DELIVERING THE GOODS

So far, so good. In October, 15 boxes of food were delivered to Northville-area families in need of assistance; another 20 boxes were doled out in November, when there was a “comfort food” theme featuring items such as chili, tortellini and – of course – items for Thanksgiving dinner. The students who keep the food pantry mission going strong are in three postsecondary programs: severely cognitively impaired; dual diagnosed (both cognitive and emotional impairments); and multiply impaired (kids are confined to wheelchairs but still ready and willing to help). “They get to be part of the community and do something to give back to the community,” said Danielle Richards, teacher in the dual diagnosed program (in which Donny is a student). “It also works on (their) pre-

vocational skills, that can be used in a real job, like stocking shelves and packaging boxes. “It gives them the opportunity to work on those pre-vocational skills without having to be out in the community, for those who may not be able to go out into the community yet. We’d love to see it (the program) grow, (to help) more families in need and be able to give back more.” For Donny, just being able to work in the food pantry is fulfilling, judging by the wide smile on his face while discussing his role. Incidentally, he also stocks shelves at Ace Hardware in Novi – proof that many Cooke School students indeed have potential. “I think it’s a really cool new opportunity that Cooke has this year,” said Kaitlyn Schneider, who teaches students in the post-secondary multiply impaired program. “That our kids can give back to the community when (they) are given so much all the time. They are able to contribute to society and give back in a positive way.” She added that the food pantry experience also brings some students out of their shell, presenting emerging personalities in tandem with growing job skills. “This is their opportunity to shine,” Schneider said.

SEED MONEY IMPORTANT

The concept was brought to Northville Public Schools by Elizabeth Santer, the district’s executive director of special services, who knew of a similar food pantry program in Livonia schools, Bugar explained. “Beth had experience with Livonia where she was working on a food pantry,” Bugar said. “So really, it was spearheaded

by Martha (Michalak, president of The Kids’ Table in Northville) and Beth, where they problem-solved together. And then it was The Kids Table providing funding and support afterwards.” The program originally needed about $10,000 in donations to get up and running, in addition to approval from the district board of education. “But Martha was able to get over $20,000 so that we have enough to continue the whole year,” Bugar continued. The Kids’ Table was established in April “with the goal of supporting children dealing with food insecurity in southeast Michigan,” stated the non-profit’s website. “While there are other nonprofits working on the issue, we recognize that there are still

gaps in the system,” the website description continued. “That’s why we will work closely with local partners like Northville Civic Concern and Northville Public Schools to create programs and initiatives that fill those gaps.” Michalak, in a press release, said The Kids’ Table began working in August with Cooke School administrators and instructors to get the food pantry rolling. “The Kids’ Table purchases and delivers the food in bulk to Cooke School each month and the students there do the hands-on work of packing each family’s box,” Michalak stressed. “This helps fulfill our mission of feeding children and it creates a learning experience for the Cooke students that they don’t have to leave the building to get.”

WORKING TOGETHER

Klocko said the success of the food pantry is greatly due to the level of collaboration involved. Students and their instructors are at the center of the effort. But there also are occupational therapists, social workers and members of the speech and language department fully on board. “Our OTs are making templates for students to fill boxes; our speech (therapists) are making visuals to help stock shelves; and then social work is reaching out to families.” Klocko said. “And I work to collaborate. It’s a huge team effort to make this environment accessible for all of our students who have a range of different abilities.” And the food pantry enables Donny and other Cooke School students to personally

experience what they can accomplish. “We work very hard at our post-secondary level to prepare our students for life after Cooke School,” Klocko added. “We’re working on job skills, daily living skills. And when they are in the food pantry, it’s giving them an opportunity to work in a very functional setting.” For them, getting such a chance is like winning the lottery. Cooke School is a special education center servicing students ages 3-to-26 from 12 local school districts in Western Wayne County. It is funded by Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency and operated by the Northville district. To contribute to the food pantry located at Cooke School, go to www.thekidstablemi.org and click on the “donate” button.

BULLETIN BOARD The Christmas Spirit

Boy Scout Troop 755 members Wesley Mendola and Bobby Link at the Christmas tree sale in front of the American Legion. Photo by Julie Mendola.

Members of the Northville-based Boy Scout Troop 755 have been volunteering at the local American Legion. The scouts not only volunteer during Slider Nights, mow the lawn and do other landscaping and renovation projects, they are also running the Legion’s annual Christmas tree sale, which benefits both the Legion and Troop 755. According to Assistant Scoutmaster Karen Wang, the scouts buy the trees at wholesale from a northern Michigan tree farm, harvest them, and then bring them back to Northville where they operate all the sales and interact with customers. At the end of the sale, they will make a donation to American Legion Post 147, located at 100 W Dunlap Street. Great job, boys!

Lion Dance Team Celebrates 40 Years

The Michigan Lion Dance Culture Educational Team celebrated its 40th anniversary Oct. 14 at Ward Church in Northville with a special traditional performance that mixed dance, martial arts, and drumming. More than 200 people attended the event, including many people from the Taiwanese community. Among those in attendance was State Sen. Stephanie Chang, an alumnus of the team, who was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award. Chang praised the group for blending tradition with fresh elements and lauded the team’s evolution towards gender inclusivity in roles that were traditionally gender-defined. Michigan Lion Dance, which draws members from all over Metro Detroit, is a student culture and educational group, and promotes connections between different communities and cultures with the art of lion dancing. For more information, find them on Facebook and other social media platforms.

Still Going Strong

Members of the Northville Woman's Club at their October meeting at New School Church in Mill Race Village. Jill Brodzik was the presenter and discussed the history of Rural Hill Cemetery, where the club's first president, Lucy Stout Dowd, is buried.

36 The ‘Ville

Northville Woman’s Club began its 131st year in October, and welcomes all women interested in joining the group as they continue to uphold their long history rooted in learning new things about a variety of intellectual topics. The group meets on the first and third Friday afternoons each month at First United Methodist Church, 777 W. Eight Mile. Program topics will include the Detroit Institute of Arts, music, history of Corktown, outdoors in Detroit, and living a healthy lifestyle. The closing luncheon for the season will be held March 15 at the Northville Community Center, with the program “The Importance of the Senior Center in the Community.” Members who can’t attend the meetings in person can do so via Zoom. In addition to its programs, the Club continues to support community outreach projects and award scholarships to graduating NHS students. Guests and prospective members are welcome at all meetings. For more information about the Northville Woman’s Club, send an email to NorthvilleWomansClub@gmail.com.

Robotics Teams Headed To States

The Northville Broncobots and Blue Goggles robotics teams, made up of students from Meads Mill and Hillside middle schools, formed an alliance with the Atomic Toads from Novi, and won the Flint FTC Qualifier Tournament on Dec. 2. Both the Broncobots and Blue Goggles have now qualified to compete in the state championship tournament. At the Flint competition, the Broncobots also won the Inspire Award (top judged award), and during a finals match set a world record for highest playoff score. The Blue Goggles also won the Design Award, following up their Inspire Award at the Bedford tournament and a few weeks earlier. Members of the Broncobots include Tanmay Pavuluri, Rishi Sevugan, Alexander Prescott, Eric Wu, Brian Wu, and Yichen Li (all from Meads Mill), and Hillside students Aaryan Mummineni, Krisha Nehete, and Nikki Rohmetra. The Blue Goggles team includes Lila Sarna (from Meads Mill), and Hillside students Aashna Sharma, Ayush Patel, Nayan Chowdhry, Durva Ghorpade, Mehul Gandhi, and Vihaan Kumaravel.

Welcome Aboard!

Northville Parks & Recreation welcomed Debbie Giulianelli-Smith as its new Senior Services Supervisor on Oct. 30. She most recently worked for the City of Farmington Hills Senior Division (since 2018), serving as Senior Adult Programmer. Debbie Giulianelli-Smith Northville’s Senior Services Division provides programming in health and wellness, social, educational, enrichment and events. In addition, they operate a daily curb-to-curb transportation program for adults ages 60+ and people with disabilities. “Here, my immediate goal is to build our program up with extended activities through the afternoon,” Giulianelli-Smith said. “It’s primarily a morning to more afternoon activities in 2024.” She will work directly under Parks & Recreation Director Derek O. Smith (no relation), who said Giulianelli-Smith’s ability to engage with the community is going to lead to “an active and robust senior center.” Giulianelli-Smith lives in Farmington Hills (with a Northville address) with husband Jeff, and children Alex and Elliott. She is a first-generation U.S. citizen. Her parents are from San Marino, a small country within Italy, so she has dual citizenship. For more information about Northville Parks & Recreation, visit www. northvilleparksandrec.org.

HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL

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The Northville High School marching band performs during the Homecoming Parade. Photo courtesy of Ella Zhang

A Musical Spectacle The NHS Band unifies the school and community

ll social events require one key element to feel complete: music. Whether it is at the July 4th celebration, Homecoming, or pep rallies for football games, the Northville High School band can be found performing tunes that excite the masses and create everlasting memories. On the sidelines where drummers parade and perform dizzying tricks and in formation on the football field where trumpets spout familiar songs with their own twists, the NHS band adds fervor to ordinary occasions. But how exactly does this success come about? Band Director Mike Rumbell shares his ties with the NHS band and his philosophy of managing this important student organization. Rumbell attended Franklin High School in Livonia, where he quickly learned his affinity for music. Two weeks following a performance at the 1972 Rose Bowl, he received a career-altering call from his advisor: “Mike, you’re going to report to Northville on Monday.” So he did and has not left since. Under Rumbell’s astute guidance, the NHS band accomplishes near flawless performances. When asked about how he orchestrates the NHS band, he says, “It’s like a sports team… names and

38 The ‘Ville

faces change, and with that, you have to maintain a standard, but you have to maybe approach it differently because of different personalities and different things that are put upon you from outside forces.” The band’s presence itself sets the mood for various events. Assistant Principal Krystal Muhammad said the band really “sets the tone” during Homecoming week when the school holds the pep rally in the hallways. And NHS Principal Tony Koski said “there’s nothing better than the band on Friday nights.” Of course, he refers to Friday night football games, perhaps the band’s most well-known performances. At halftime and between big plays by the football team, the NHS band cheers on the school and thrills the crowd with their stunts. “Performing at the football games is very memorable and fun. The crowd cheers when we finish our halftime performance,” says junior band member Brandon Stalsberg. Additionally, sophomore Devon Lundberg believes that the NHS band is unique because it “prioritizes the experiences and the relationships built within rather than

just performance, which is important.” Once the fall season ends, the NHS marching band transforms into a symphony group, where they perform lengthier, more complex sequences from their seats. Junior Aditya Admoskar reminisces on his freshman year winter concert: “That year our theme was Star Wars. We played songs like the Mandalorian theme, and of course, the main Star Wars theme. That show had the crowd roaring and it was a lot of fun.” Stalsberg also enjoys Band-O-Rama, saying that “[it] sticks out the most because it is a concert that is a combination of both marching and symphonic band. Band-ORama is performed around the holidays, and hundreds of people come to watch.” The NHS band also performs in holiday parades through downtown Northville, which is a big hit with spectators and band members. “The holiday-themed band events create a festive atmosphere,” junior Joshua Lee says. Sousaphone captain and senior Andrew James also looks forward to concerts and competitions for festivals due to the variety of songs and the teamwork required to accomplish such feats. Rumbell explains the challenges of such competitions: “You give them two minutes to study it […] and then we have to play it front to back as a final performance.” By practicing sight reading, participants learn to master complex pieces quickly with a high reward. Ultimately, the NHS band greatly influences the closeness of the school and the community. Their presence is a common factor in so many events that residents hold near and dear. Their hard work and dedication not only is entertaining, but results in an enriching experience for all involved. The NHS band utilizes music in the best way possible: as a tool of unification and emotional empowerment.

EDITOR’S NOTE: High School Confidential is a collaborative effort by the Stringers Journalism Club made up of NHS students Brian Zhang, Adeline Snook, Diya Kannappan, Pranavi Oruganty, Sneha Hegde, Stella Maue, Marjolaine Encabo, Isabella Mach, Sneha Aradhya, Jiaxuan (Jackson) Gong, and Keira Gallagher.

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Free Admission to Parent Camp & Wellness Fair Saturday, February 3, 2024 8:30 am - 2:00 pm

Northville High School 45700 Six Mile Rd, Northville, MI 48168

Event Highlights

Variety of Parent Workshops: Engaging and informative workshops led by experts, covering topics such as parenting techniques, communication, mental health, and more. Wellness Fair: Explore a range of wellness resources, products, and services from local vendors dedicated to enhancing family well-being. Empowering Parents: Gain valuable insights, strategies, and resources to navigate the challenges of parenthood confidently. Knowledge for Parents: Access the latest research and tools to support your child's development and well-being. Free Event for All Community Members: This event is open to everyone in the Northville and surrounding communities - come and be part of the movement to promote positive parenting and mental health. Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow parents, caregivers, and professionals to build a supportive community. Registration: No registration required! Simply show up and enjoy the event.

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On the Road With An Israeli Trip To Remember

Northville’s Elizabeth Carley and Holly Krizmanich traveled to Israel in early October with a group from Oak Pointe Church, and had quite the adventure. After landing in Tel Aviv, they visited many of the famous Israeli sites including the Jordan River, Mount of Olives and the village of Nazareth, took a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, and swam in the Dead Sea. On Oct. 7, the trip took a turn when terrorist attacks took place across the country and their was a declaration of war from Israel against Hamas. “The declaration of war created an itinerary change that included the challenge of getting our team safely out of Israel,” Carley said. Fortunately they made it out and are safely back in Northville. Carley and Krizmanich are pictured at the top of Mount Masada with their copy of The ‘Ville (top left photo).

The City of Light

William Gorsuch of Northville reunited with his daughter, Kathryn Gorsuch, who now lives in Madrid, Spain, and the two traveled for a wonderful one week trip to Paris, France, where they took in all the famous sites. Here they are pictured in front of the Notre Dame cathedral (top left photo), which is undergoing reconstruction after being destroyed by a fire.

European Tour

The Barnhart family of Northville journeyed to Europe this summer, visiting Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels and London in the process. Here Becky and Dave Barnhart are pictured with a copy of The ‘Ville in front of the white cliffs of Brighton, England, along the English Channel coast (left middle photo). Traveling with them were their adult children Max, Natalie and Sam (“though they were too cool to pose for a photo,” according to Becky).

All 50 States

Kate and Bill Courtney of Northville traveled to Hawaii recently, completing a decade-long quest to visit all 50 states in their 50s. Hawaii was their 50th state, so it’s mission accomplished. On the way out to Hawaii, they attended the California wedding of Matthew and Katie Brow, the son of Roseanne and David Brow, also of Northville. Here Kate and Bill are pictured with The ‘Ville at Tantalus Lookout, overlooking Hawaii’s Diamond Head Crater (bottom photo).

Cigar Country

Northville’s Tom Benson recently traveled to Honduras, where he toured Plasencia, the maker of Rocky Patel cigars. He went with a cigar club based in Naples, Florida. They were all guests of owner Rocky Patel. “We toured the growing, drying, fermenting, blending, rolling and final packaging of these premium cigars,” said Benson, pictured with his copy of The ‘Ville at the tobacco farm located just outside of Dani, Honduras (middle right photo). The next time you head out of town, take along a copy of The ‘Ville, snap a photo, and let us know where your travels take you. Our readers would love to know! Please email the photos to kurtkuban@thevillemagazine.com. We’ll feature the photos in an upcoming issue.

40 The ‘Ville

Dishin’ With Denise

Denise Jenkins is a member of the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Tipping Point Theatre. An avid writer and proponent of the arts, she is also plugged into what’s happening in Northville. Contact her at denisemjenkins@aol.com.

Once Upon A Child I

was recently in an airport and heard a dad say to his toddler daughter, “Do you know everyone here was once a child?” I’m not sure she understood what he was saying – but it rang true to me. This past year had many moments that I have referred to as “lifechanging”. And yet again, that simple phrase was a wake-up call. My grandchildren are not so little anymore (and I don’t mean in size – they all tower over me). Daily they remind me of how fortunate I am. It shouldn’t take a calendar page turning that opens hearts and wallets to giving. But somehow December does just that. I ran into Marlene Kunz, operations director at Northville Civic Concern, while bellringing for the Salvation Army with my grandchildren. She told me how very busy they are. Of course, she couldn’t do what she does best without all of us taking part and dropping off food, gift cards, and more. I send out a big hug to Marlene and all the folks who help her – not just at the holidays, but throughout the entire year. The historic Mill Race Village was transformed into a Winter Carnival for one Saturday at the end of November. So many people came together to bring a little magic. There were donuts from the Parmenter’s cider mill (even after it had closed for the season), hot chocolate from Sweet Brew Café, and cotton candy compliments of Dr. Rachel Stockhausen (who

42 The ‘Ville

There was no entry fee to the village, but a simple ask to bring a toy for a tot. The Corriveau law office brought the beautifully decorated train to collect – and collect they did. More than 10 jeep loads of toys…it was joyful to watch kids of all ages coming in with a new, unwrapped toy looking to make a deposit. Of course, Santa was also on hand…escorted by Dr. Rachel Stockhausen with Denise.

said, “A carnival is not complete without cotton candy.”) Olaf and Elsa (AKA Dr. and Mrs. Arvind Gulati) posed for pictures all day long. The Northville Community Foundation missed their annual Holiday Home Tour (not enough volunteer homes to showcase) – which is the biggest fundraiser for them. They had cookies with Mrs. Claus and a raffle to help subsidize the loss of funds. Orin Jewelers also held a raffle – plus gifted holiday glow bracelets to all. TDR Orthodontics gave away backpacks to hold all the goodies.

Chelsea Kivell from WNIC

Ireland Perttunen

Northville’s Performers Edge dancers. They shook their tail feathers from the Turkey Trot float at America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade ( just two days prior) to escort Mr. Claus to and from the gazebo to receive guests. Oh...I can’t forget the elves – getting the wood from Northville Lumber painted and ready for toy building. Rudolph and his eight tiny VW reindeer were on hand with music and lights…along with Northville High School jazz band performers, carolers from St. Catherine Academy and the lovely Ireland Perttunen on violin. Special thanks to Chelsea Kivell from WNIC – the official Christmas greeter.

(L to R) Mayor Brian Turnbull, Officer Frank Cerulla, Northville Police Chief Al Maciag

Completely switching gears – congratulations to Councilpersons Laura Genitti and Barbara Moroski-Browne. They were sworn in along with Mayor Brian Turnbull at the City Council Meeting on Nov. 20. Also congratulations to Frank Cerulla. City of Northville Police Chief Al Maciag presented Cerulla with an Officer of the Year plaque for 2022, a recognition voted on by his fellow police officers. There were many accolades offered by city, county and state officials. Indeed, we are lucky to have his talents here in our hometown. Fr. Denis (at OLV) gave a sermon a couple weeks ago about God-given talents. His sermon and the phrase – kids of all ages – caused me to pause for a moment or two. The wonder, true generosity, real laughter – never gets old. We think about gifts and giving during the holidays. We should think about it more often, sure, but thank goodness this time comes around every 12 months to remind us. The inner child lives on deep within. Look around. Everyone (yourself included) was once upon a child.

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