The 'Ville - January 2023

Ryan Ossenmacher already making huge impact on NHS hockey program

Northville’s News and Lifestyle Magazine

Vita Vizachero

Vita Vizachero

Vita has lived in the Northville / Novi community since 1989. Some of her local favorites are Table 5, Pooles, Rocky’s, and Cantoro’s on Haggerty.

Vita has lived in the Northville / Novi community since 1989. Some of her local favorites are Table 5, Pooles, Rocky’s, and Cantoro’s on Haggerty.

vvizachero@billbrownford.com Office:(734) 524-2711

vvizachero@billbrownford.com Office:(734) 524-2711

John DesOrmeau

John DesOrmeau

John has lived in the Northville / Novi community since 1987. Some of his local favorites are Rocky’s, Custard Time, Guernsey’s and the Pizza Cutter.

John has lived in the Northville / Novi community since 1987. Some of his local favorites are Rocky’s, Custard Time, Guernsey’s and the Pizza Cutter.

jdesormeau@billbrownford.com Office:(734) 524-2720

jdesormeau@billbrownford.com Office:(734) 524-2720

Livonia, MI

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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.

Publisher

Here is a list of people who contributed to local journalism last month. We appreciate your support!

Robert Anthony

Robin & David Bolitho

Jan Connelly

Sharon & Al Ferrara

Frances Firek

Erika Iafrate

Joseph Nance

Wayne & Mary Kay Pryce

Janet & Walter Schemanske

Robert & Susan Siegert

Nancy & Joe Skurka

Bob & Sue Taylor

Tom & Jan Valade

Steven & Doris Winkler

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 1 JANUARY 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 19 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

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 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.

LARRY O'CONNOR – Writer

Larry is a metro Detroit area journalist whose work has appeared in The Detroit News, Jackson Citizen Patriot and the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers. When he’s not meticulously chronicling people or events, he’s avidly rooting for his favorite soccer teams –Manchester United and Glasgow Celtic.

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.

TIM SMITH - Writer

2023’s Going To Be A Big Year In Northville

Usually with the coming of the New Year, we take a look backwards and contemplate how our lives went over the previous 365 days. Then we set our gaze on the new year before us, to see how we can improve ourselves.

Many of us set unrealistic goals – or at least I’ve been prone to do that over the years. Eating healthier sounds great until someone puts a slice of pizza in front of me.

For the Northville community, however, 2023 promises to be one of the most interesting in recent memory. There is so much going on, it’s almost hard to keep up. Change is coming at us fast whether we’re ready for it or not.

It’s very possible that we may be seeing the first shovels in the ground on the Northville Downs property this year, as well as the Foundry Flask project, both of which will bring major changes to Cady Street and alter our downtown landscape forever.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg, though.

Here are some of the things I’m looking forward to in Northville in

2023:

-- I’m a big fan of the outdoors, which is why I’m excited about what is happening at Legacy Park. Northville Township has big plans for the old Michigan Psychiatric Hospital property. They will be breaking ground this year on adding more than 17 miles of nonmotorized trails that will be enjoyed by hikers, mountain bikers and nature explorers.

One of the biggest obstacles to the property has been the remaining vacant buildings from the hospital days, but funding is in place to take them down this year. To view the plan for the park, visit https://ntwp. org/legacyparktrails.

-- Hopefully City of Northville leaders will come up with concrete plans this year to improve the downtown area, now that the decision has been made to keep Center and Main streets closed permanently. Everyone agrees that it needs to be improved aesthetically. City leaders are also considering a number of ideas to attract more people to town, especially in winter. One idea that

has been batted around which I find interesting is an outdoor ice rink, similar to the one in downtown Detroit. That could be cool.

-- The Northville City Council is also going to have to find a replacement for Patrick Sullivan, who just retired as city manager after 16 years running the city government. The council hired Mark Wollenweber to fill in as interim city manager until they can find a long-term solution. It’s imperative to find the right person who can guide the ship with a steady hand, considering how much is going on in town.

-- I think most people in town will agree with this one. Hopefully 2023 will be the year they finally finish the construction on Eight Mile Road. It seems like it’s been years now since orange barrels went up. I almost hit one the other day as I approached the railroad overpass after someone cut me off when their lane disappeared.

Wayne County will be resurfacing a stretch of the road starting west of Orchard Hill Place to east of I-275 this summer, so get ready for more

headaches. Or better yet, you might want to avoid Eight Mile until the fall. Hopefully that will be the end of it.

-- Lastly, I’m eagerly awaiting the announcement of a new football coach at Northville High School, especially because my son will be a junior in the fall. Longtime coach Matt Ladach stepped down after last season, leaving some huge cleats to fill. Northville AD Brian Samulski is scheduled to conduct interviews this month, so I suspect it won’t be long before they have a new coach. Anyone who saw how the football team brought the community together last fall knows why it’s important to get the right guy.

For me, those are some of the things I’m looking forward to. I’d love to hear what you would like to see in 2023. Shoot me an email, and I’ll include them next month.

Kurt Kuban is the Publisher and Editor of The ‘Ville. He welcomes your comments at kurtkuban@ thevillemagazine.com.

ON THE COVER: New Northville High School hockey coach Ryan Ossenmacher barks out some instruction to his players during a recent practice. Photo by Bryan Mitchell

Public sentiment discarded

I read the “Clearing a Big Hurdle” article in last month’s issue with some concern, as it appeared to ignore or gloss over the myriad issues raised by Northville residents regarding the Downs over these past few years. There has been overwhelming, grassroots community opposition to the Downs, and overflowing crowds at every public meeting concerning the Downs, yet our local elected officials appear to ignore public sentiment.

The Downs proposal is deeply unpopular, and will have a negative effect on the community, and appears to be foisted upon a community that hasn’t asked for such a radical change to its charm and historical character. A deeper dive into the developer, the politics behind the approvals process, the odd design, and the unprecedented density would have been appreciated. There are also serious impacts upon traffic, schools, floodplain, and tax base, none of which were adequately addressed during the review process.

The city is also on the hook for major capital expenses if the plans go off the rails. It’s sad when public sentiment is discarded, and community members, united in purpose, are still powerless to stop or even affect such a harmful threat to their community.

Alexander Schwarz

Losing small-town charm

Northville is at a serious risk of losing its small town charm. The proposed Downs development plan will make this a reality. The Central Park idea is good, but 1.25 acres is not big enough. The 11 three-story townhouses are too much and too high to fit in with the charm of that part of Northville. Please consider the uniqueness of Northville, and the fact that there are not too many towns similar in this part of the state. Increase the park size and decrease the other developments.

Rosa Russenberger

Too much density

I have not been close to the Downs development debate. So much of the history I know is from your December article. I do not know the make-up of people on the City Council, but apparently, to me, they are not up to this task of dealing with Hunter-Pasteur Homes and Mr. Seth Herkowitz. Why there were no dissenting votes to approve this on Nov. 21 is beyond me. There is simply too much density in an already over-trafficked area so near the unlikeable street closures downtown. The council should have hired a developer, as consultant only, to develop a plan to better fill the space in a less dense fashion, to more peoples liking, then shopped for builders to accommodate their plan. Now, council is just hanging on to the bull’s tail.

Eric Peterson

Not in favor

I am not in favor of the proposal for the Downs development. The cute Northville is not going to be what it used to be. They are planning way too many housing units in the area. Parking is a big issue for a small area. The roundabout planned for Seven Mile and Center Street is too confusing. Why not consider a medical building? Do the young people want this? Everyone needs to think what this is going to be in the future.

Russ Schiller

Not very bold

As a concerned skeptic of the Downs project, I was happy to read that the developer is following the advice of our cheerleader/mayor when he says, “We have to be a little bold here.” Boldly referring to one of their “giveaways” as “Central Park” leads one’s mind toward the iconic Frederick Law Olmstead park in New York City. That park is 843 acres, compared to the Downs Central Park’s 1.25 acres. In somewhat less bold terms, 1.25 acres is the size of a football field, or five subdivision lots (or a little more than two lots if they happen to be on a septic system).

Perhaps we are a little too bold here.

Looking for a buyer

John D. Webster

In a recent issue of The ‘Ville, I placed an ad promoting a retirement sale. Big mistake! People thought that I was closing Elizabeth’s Bridal Manor. I am not closing, nor was that ever my intention. I continue to take orders, purchase new stock, and have about 250 stock gowns to sell. I was forced to rethink and retract my announcement and to come up with another game plan, which would not imply a closing. What I am seeking  is a passionate buyer for the business to carry on my legacy, and I have listed my business and my beautiful building with a realtor.

This is something I cannot  and will not walk away from. There is too much at stake. In the event of a sale, I would oversee a smooth transition to ensure that my legacy of servicing and of exceeding brides’ expectations for the past 34 years will continue. Meanwhile, I will carry on my reputation and my role as the proud owner of Elizabeth’s. Thank you to all of my brides and their families for your support and patronage. Here’s to the next  34 years!

Keep dogs leashed

I loved the “Golden Day” photos of Maybury State Park in your November issue. That park is an urban treasure we are blessed to have in our backyard. With the growth of this area, the use of this park has changed and increased substantially, especially since COVID. The photo of the unleashed dog was beautiful, but unfortunately paints an inaccurate picture. Please keep in mind that all dogs in Maybury must be attended to and on a six-foot leash at all times. You never know what you can come across in the park that your dog could scare or chase. You don’t want to lose your dog, or even worse have it get injured or cause an injury to someone else.

If you want your dog to run free, check out one of the three beautiful dog parks in our area.

Please submit your letters by emailing Editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@gmail.com. Letters must be 150 words or less. We reserve the right to edit all letters.

Elizabeth Clancy

Elizabeth’s Bridal Manor

Jennie Patterson

Elizabeth Clancy of Elizabeth’s Bridal Manor

Shops will love roundabout

The roundabout at 7 Mile and Sheldon roads will be great in the winter. Just think going down the hill on ice or snow-covered Sheldon Road and at the very bottom there is a roundabout. I think the auto repair shops will love it.

Eric Booth

A new way ‘Forward’

America’s modern-day political situation is far from pretty. Whether watching the news or reading the paper, ordinary Americans are confounded daily by the lackluster options presented to them. Elected officials regularly make headlines with their foolish or even deplorable behavior. Even in high-stakes elections, like for the presidency, one frequently feels they are simply voting for the better of two bad choices. Political sentiment in this country is growing angrier by the year. We are all sick of the situation and want it to change.

The Forward Party, a new kid on the block, is fighting to solve these problems. This new party is a coalition of right, left, and centrist Americans, all united to work for a more functional political system. Forward, working towards official party status, is no stranger to the concerns of voters in having to choose between the two major parties. What about splitting the vote? Forward supports voting reform so citizens don’t have to split the vote. Instead, they can rank, approve, or star their choices in order of preference. This way, no one is left unheard.

During the 2022 midterm elections, Forward endorsed Democratic, Republican, and Independent candidates - proof the party is in favor of those who want elected officials focused on problem-solving and serving the people they represent. On its

platform, the Forward Party stands for nonpartisan primaries so all voters can have a voice in who will run in the general election. Forward also supports independent redistricting commissions to prevent gerrymandering.

The point of all this is to allow Americans of all stripes to have a say in the governance of their nation. It has been too long the two parties have dictated our discourse. To choose Forward is to choose pluralism and tolerance.

Martin Humphreys

A third world country?

Japan’s state department some time ago declared the USA a “gun culture” and provided strategies for its vacationing citizens on how to stay safe when visiting the U.S. Have we now become a third world country, a country ruled at the point of a gun?

Legality and the 2nd Amendment notwithstanding, the world is scared for us; but we’re also scared for ourselves anticipating the next school or mass shooting. Is the solution really this difficult to find?

Ming Louie

CORRECTION: In last month’s issue, Ming Louie’s name was incorrectly attributed to the letter, “Citizens need to be armed.” His letter (above) was cut, but the name wasn’t. Our apologies.

Introducing the new Henry Ford Medical Center – Plymouth.

Whether you live in Plymouth or nearby, we’re proud to bring world-class specialty care closer to you, including cardiology, orthopaedics and neurology. Our new facility was built just for you. And it’s just minutes down the road.

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

M.D. Cardiologist

Benjamin Swanson,

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

Corner of Ann Arbor Road and N. Haggerty

(Top left) An artistic rendering of the daylighted Rouge River and park that will be part of the Downs development project. Courtesy of the City of Northville. (Top right) The drawing shows what the future Northville Farmers Market building may look like. Courtesy of the City of Northville

Big Plans, Big Price Tag

City looks to tap into grants and partnerships for slew of capital improvements

By Larry O’Connor

The city of Northville has a wheelbarrow full of capital improvement needs but not the George Costanza-sized wallet to match.

So, officials and volunteers find themselves knee-deep in grant applications and contact lists for foundations as they pursue public and private dollars to pay for a myriad of projects that are in the pipeline.

Among the items topping the to-do list are the new Farmers Market location, Ford Field upgrades, and the Riverwalk, which includes daylighting the Middle Rouge River as part of the Downs development plan.

In doing so, elected leaders want to squelch any talk they’ll raise taxes or seek Headlee overrides to cover costs of the work, some of which is being driven by the controversial $300 million Downs mixedused development that has

received preliminary PUD approval from the City Council.

“Absolutely not,” said Councilman Andrew Krenz, who echoed the no-tax sentiments along with colleagues during a special meeting with consultant Municipal Analytics on Dec. 19.

At the gathering, the two sides

looked at ways to pay for nearand long-term capital projects.

A bulk of the work is estimated to run $21.3 million, according to the Northville River Restoration and Riverwalk Framework Implementation Plan.

According to John Kaczor of Municipal Analytics, the

city only has so much money, so it will need “to be creative” to find funding for the various projects. That includes getting grants, creating private/public partnerships, and possibly selling city-owned land on Wing and/or Cady. Other outside-thebox ideas he suggested included making Northville Parks and Recreation an independent taxing authority similar to the Northville District Library, which would free up city tax dollars.

Thus far, the effort to secure government grants and lure nonprofits is paying early dividends. The city has already received more than $4 million in outside money. The largest awards so far include:

• $2.5 million under the American Rescue Plan Act through Wayne County to daylight 11,000 feet of the Middle Rouge River currently

The city has received funding to build a welcome archway at Ford Field. Courtesy of the City of Northville

under Northville Downs and develop a public park;

• $910,000 under Michigan Community to support by way of state Rep. Matt Koleszar to build a barrier-free gateway into Ford Field that crosses a steep slope and stabilizes the hillside;

• $560,000 under Community Project Funding Interior STAG Clean Water Act through U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens to offset the $700,000 cost to repair two deteriorated drains discharging into Ford Field overland to the Rouge River. Once fixed, a stable landscape and serenity point will be created for park users. The grant requires a $140,000 match.

Grants only tell part of the story, though.

The city is linking up with well-known tag partners to accomplish the sizeable task list ahead.

Last month, outgoing City Manager Pat Sullivan signed a purchase agreement for the former McDonald Ford location on Seven Mile Road, west of South Main Street (across from Custard Time), to become the future home of the Northville Farmers Market.

As part of the deal, the city put down a $50,000 nonrefundable deposit while a study was done to see if there were any environmental hazards or other obstacles to building on the property.

Northville Township is offering to split the $1 million cost to buy the property, Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull said. The Farmers Market project is expected to run $1.94 million, and includes stormwater detention.

The city is also looking for possible partnerships with Wayne County, which has land

behind the Seven Mile property, and Schoolcraft College with its culinary arts program, Turnbull said.

“There is so much public outcry that they want (more grant money and public partnerships),” Turnbull said.

The Riverwalk is rife with similar opportunities for conservation, state, county parks, and recreation grants “to connect different things,” Turnbull said.

Erb Family Foundation, Ralph C. Wilson Foundation and Great Lakes Eco System Restoration Program are among the potential funding sources listed in the 2020 Northville River Restoration and Riverwalk Framework Implementation Plan.

The Riverwalk is planned for the Middle Rouge’s headwaters

where three tributaries converge, making it an ideal hub to connect regional parks and neighborhoods through trails and waterways.

Some work has already started along the trail. What is being called Ford Field East features a waterwheel and well. About 500 invasive buckthorn trees have been cleared from the area, which was a former city park that fell into disrepair Turnbull said.

Wayne County’s $2.5 million grant earmarked for the project was crucial since it will go toward daylighting 11,000 feet of the Middle Rouge that flows under Northville Downs, which was buried during the 1960s.

“Without that, then we won’t

Here are two concept renderings for the new Farmers Market on Seven Mile.

Mayor Brian Turnbull stands near the Rouge River along a section of the future Riverwalk, where workers recently removed invasive trees.

have a consistent pathway system,” Turnbull said. “So that is a key point in that activity and, as part of the PUD, the developer (Hunter Pasteur Homes) has to build the River Park in the pathway system on their 49 acres. So that worked out really well.”

The shared-use trail will link with the Hines Park Trail System, which follows the Middle Rouge River all the way into Dearborn. The Wayne County park also connects to the I-275 Metro Trail path, which extends south into Monroe County.

Also, the Riverwalk will serve as a conduit for Northville Township’s planned Seven Mile bikeway to Legacy Park.

Northville will be vying for one of $25 million in grants this spring.

Darga hopes the River Restoration task force has the same luck as city special projects consultant Nathan Geinzer, who helped put together the successful grant application that landed $910,000 for the Ford Field gateway.

That triumph has been tempered as an overall Ford Field master plan has yet to be completed, which is necessary before bids go out. Also, all grants and foundation awards come with conditions.

buying American.

Geinzer was assigned to help with special projects after Sullivan announced his retirement in November. He is president and CEO of Double Haul Solutions.

He served as interim housing director at Allen Terrace and, last year, assisted city council in ranking 50 projects through strategic prioritization sessions.

as it moves forward – “full transparency.”

“I think we need to explain to ‘Joe Public’ what the financial commitments the city is making (in a way that is understandable),” he said.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

When workers removed invasive trees along the Rouge River near the Water Wheel building, they found an old marker for the Junior C of C Park dedicated by the Jaycees in 1962.

Northville River Restoration Task Force is working with Northville Parks and Recreation to put together a grant application for $1 million through the Michigan Spark Program, said Nancy Darga, task force chairwoman. The money would be used for restrooms at Ford Field and stormwater drainage remediation at Mill Race Village.

The Department of Natural Resources-administered program awards money to create or renovate public outdoor spaces in communities adversely affected by Covid.

“We’re going to package the deal,” Darga said.

“Every grant is going to have a different set of specifications and rules you are going to have to follow,” said Geinzer, “especially

if you get into federal grants or ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) pass-downs through the state.

“Once I get through the appropriation I receive for the gateway project, I will have a better idea of what strings come along with that in terms of submittals and reimbursements.”

Geinzer oversaw the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program for the city of Farmington Hills. The federal program had stringent reporting requirements in terms of prevailing wage and

Those sessions, like the one with the consultant Dec. 19, reinforced the city’s roadmap for determining what projects take precedence.

Safety, importance, urgency, and availability of multiplying funds such as grants, and public-private partnerships will be the determining factors about what gets done, city officials said.

And, said Councilman Krenz: “No one is suggesting that this all happens at once.”

Resident and downtown business owner Jim Long had one suggestion for the council

The City of Northville is targeting a number of major capital improvements that are estimated to exceed $20 million when all is said and done. The projects include daylighting the Rouge River, building a Riverwalk and making improvements to Ford Field and Mill Race Village. Council members are adamant about not raising taxes as they try to prioritize the projects. If you had to give them advice, which of the projects are most important to you and why? Please email your opinions to Editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@ thevillemagazine.com.

Workers from HMR Land Services cut down dead trees along the Rouge River in the fall.

ONE OF A KIND.

On average, any two people have 99.9 percent identical DNA. What makes you you is the remaining 0.1 percent. At Greenhills, our entire sixth through twelfth grade experience is designed to unleash that. Students are challenged and nurtured while learning the art of thinking imaginatively, ingeniously, and inventively. This joyful, oneof-a-kind learning gives kids the freedom to be themselves–to live up to their highest potential. And when that happens... watch out, world.

Ossenmacher Brings His Passion to Northville

New NHS hockey coach looks to help players develop on, off ice

By Tim Smith | Photos by Bryan Mitchell

By day, Ryan Ossenmacher teaches, inspires and connects with young people as an eighth-grade history teacher in the Walled Lake school district. He does the exact same thing by night – as the new head coach of Northville High School’s varsity boys hockey team.

Instead of a classroom, Northville resident Ossenmacher moves his collaborative instructional style to the ice for practices and involves student-athletes in the learning process.

“I think that’s what the coach-athlete relationship really is,” said Ossenmacher, following a practice at Novi Ice Arena. “It’s like a teacherstudent relationship. At the end of the day, we want them to be successful, on the ice, in school, in the community.”

Standing on the ice along the boards in front of a white erase board, he doesn’t just explain what the next drill will entail. Never talking down to players,

he directly answers questions about why they are doing the drill, too.

“If they understand the ‘why,’ they can usually execute it and are more likely to follow through on it” both in practices and games, he said later.

Players who soak in Ossenmacher’s hockey knowledge should begin to improve – simply because he knows what he’s doing and has proven over many years how to elevate performance.

He recently left the Salem Rocks after a very successful 15-year run, which included the most wins in program history (more than 200) and a handful of trips to the state quarterfinals. But when the chance came out of nowhere, seemingly, to take the reins of his hometown Mustangs, he jumped at the opportunity.

After finding out through the grapevine that Northville had a coaching vacancy, he contacted Northville High School athletic director Brian Samulski (who

held that same post at Salem when Ossenmacher coached there) and applied for the job.

It didn’t take Samulski much convincing to bring in Ossenmacher.

“Ryan understands the importance of educational athletics,” Samulski noted. “He has already made a huge impact in our community, continues to build positive relationships with all stakeholders and has a great hockey mind.”

TRIED AND TRUE

With the Mustangs, players can expect Ossenmacher to continue what has worked so well for him during his nearly two decades in coaching.

“In terms of on-ice structure and style, we are a team that –anywhere, whether it’s Salem or Northville – we’re going to pride ourselves on the fact that we’re going to be better conditioned than you are and we’re going to do everything in our power to outwork you,” he said. “Because all (hockey) systems work if you

work.”

Still, it wasn’t an easy decision for Ossenmacher to leave the team he had led for much of his post-college life.

“The relationships that I developed there (at Salem) with our players, both past and present, it (the decision) definitely kept me up for a few nights,” Ossenmacher said.

“But I’ve lived in Northville pretty much my entire life. My daughters (ages 13 and 10) go to school in Northville.”

And all those children have known about their dad’s hockey world has revolved around the Salem Rocks.

“Honestly, they’ve known nothing other than Salem hockey,” he continued. “They were born when I was coaching there. But they helped me with the decision, I applied for the position, interviewed with Brian and the rest is history.”

One of his former players, Jake Sealy, subsequently took over the Rocks, which eased Ossenmacher’s burden about

Ryan Ossenmacher gives some instructions to the NHS hockey team during a recent practice.

not wanting to leave that team in a sudden lurch. “I’m happy for Seals, he was the right guy for the job and Salem’s in good hands. That was important to me.”

Further easing any qualms about the change was having several members of his Salem coaching staff move over to Northville with him.

“Between our entire staff we have eight guys, which is just a real collection of resources for our players,” Ossenmacher said.

At a high-tempo practice in early December, running power-play drills was assistant coach Brandon Scero (who coached at Salem with Ossenmacher for 12 years) while assistant coach Jay Thompson (formerly of Livonia Stevenson) worked with the defensive pairings.

Other varsity staff members include Nick Hayes and goaltending coach Andrew Halliburon. Rounding out the staff are junior varsity coaches Brandon Webb and Rob Robinson and athletic trainer Nate Caladiao. Hockey dad Kevin Vissotski chips in as team manager.

COMMUNITY PRIDE

Leaving the Rocks after such a successful run has stirred emotions both in Ossenmacher and others.

“When I stepped down, the amount of texts and emails I got was truly overwhelming,” said Ossenmacher, 43, who lives in Northville with wife Becky and daughters Lola and Finley. “But the single-high-school mentality is something where you get a lot more community buy-in. When you have that, everybody’s wearing their Northville gear around town. Everybody walks up to the

football game.”

It was a different situation coaching the Rocks, because Salem is one of three large high schools – each with a hockey program – sharing one sprawling campus in Canton.

But now, he can be spotted not only at the rink but in corridors at Northville High School and all over town with his philanthropicminded players and staff.

getting to know each other, learning that being part of a high school hockey team is not just about who gets the most goals and assists.

REMAINING BOYS HOCKEY SCHEDULE

Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. – Howell (AWAY)

Jan. 27 (TBD) – Chelsea Showcase Feb. 9 at 7:15 – KLAA crossover (HOME) Feb. 11 at 3 p.m. – Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (AWAY) Feb. 16 at 7:15 p.m. – Novi (AWAY) Feb. 18 at 5:30 p.m. – Milford (AWAY)

* Source northvilleathletics.org

For example, there have been recent readings for kindergarten children at Amerman and Winchester elementary schools. On a cold weekend, the Mustangs stood outside a Northville Starbucks to ring bells and help raise dollars for the Salvation Army.

They also are all-in on an “Adopt a Family” program, recently buying gifts for a needy family, then wrapping and delivering them.

It is another example of

“I think it builds a bigger connection between us so we get to know each other more,” said senior captain Tommy Loebach. “The guys love bonding. We all love doing stuff together. We have a thing called ‘esprit de corps,’ which is a brotherhood feeling.”

By doing meaningful things as a group, the intent is for the players to become unified when facing tough competition in the season’s final weeks and months – hopefully including a nice playoff run.

ALWAYS ROOM TO GROW

Ossenmacher expects the most out of his hockey “students,” largely because he sets the bar high for himself as well.

For example, he spent a weekend attending practices of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in Plymouth Township, to work with coaches, go over game film and discuss nuts and bolts of how to break it down for NTDP players.

“If I’m not learning, I’m complacent,” he said. “And if I’m complacent, I’m average.”

What he learned not only will enlighten current decisions with the Mustangs but be retrieved next spring when resuming coaching duties with Team Michigan of the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association.

With Team Michigan, top prep players around the state compete in an elite tournament based in Minnesota.

“Over the last handful of years I’ve had the opportunity to coach dozens of kids who have moved on to play Division I college hockey,” said Ossenmacher, proudly listing Nick Blankenburg of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets. “It’s a lot of work, a lot of time away from my family. But I’m really passionate about high school hockey.”

That passion for the sport and for helping turn boys into well-rounded young men keeps Ossenmacher motivated and on top of his own game as a coach and teacher.

Of course, winning conference and state hardware would be huge hockey accomplishments. But as far as Ossenmacher is concerned, whatever happens off the ice is just as important: building confident young men who can walk high school hallways with pride.

The team had a respectable 5-5-1 record through December.

Ryan Ossenmacher came to Northville after a successful 15-year stint at Salem High School.

Highlights of 2022

Northville Township is here to serve you. In 2022, the Northville Township Board of Trustees and staff achieved:

AAA Bond Rating

Over the past few years, the Board of Trustees cut taxes and lowered fees, which resulted in the Township’s bond rating being increased to AAA— the highest rating a municipality can achieve.

Township Cuts Water and Sewer Rates 3% Northville Township cut water and sewer rates 3% during a time when other municipalities raised them.

Rubbish Collection Fees Drop 8%, Recycling Now Weekly The Board approved a new contract with GFL Environmental USA Inc., providing an 8% reduction in refuse collection fees. The deal made recycling a weekly pickup, improving service delivery.

Second Water Tower to Be Built We will install a second water tower in late 2023 at Legacy Park, the former state psychiatric hospital site. The tower will be filled during non-peak hours, when water is its cheapest. It’s then distributed during peak demand, keeping costs low.

Legacy Park Moves Forward In June, there were 11 buildings at Legacy Park that needed abatement to remove hazardous materials before being demolished. By December, only four buildings remained to be abated and demolished in early 2023

Scott Frush

Cynthia Jankowski

Roger Lundberg

Mark J. Abbo

Chris Roosen

Mindy Herrmann

Jason Rhines

Author details 60 years of football ineptitude but optimistic better days ahead

By Larry O’Connor

When it came to witnessing more than a half-century of the Detroit Lions’ hapless ways, 26-year Northville resident Dennis Merlo was never at a loss for words.

So, a band of cohorts encouraged Merlo to write a book chronicling his heartache as a 60-year fan of pro football’s doomed franchise, one of the few NFL teams never to make a Super Bowl appearance.

The result is the self-published, “The Loneliest Lions Fan: Sixty Years of a Fan’s Frustration,” ($15.95, Page Publishing), a 124-page unvarnished account of ineptitude and futility as seen through the lens of a Honolulu blue and silver diehard.

“This is not any classical masterpiece,” said Merlo, 70, a semi-retired advertising salesman. “For those who are Lions fans, they will relate to the book so easily, and they will recall so many moments that they may have forgotten.”

Merlo resurrects a slideshow across six decades of Lions’ inglorious misdeeds.

Summed up among them is the pitiful vignette of coach Monte Clark clasping his hands to the heavens as kicker Eddie Murray shanked a 42-yard attempt with 5 seconds left in what turned out to be a soul-crushing 24-23 playoff defeat to the San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 31, 1983.

“We’re still praying, Monte,” Merlo said 39 years later.

The narrative includes the slew of draft busts during the catastrophic seven-year Matt Millen era, notably wide receiver Charles Rogers (2nd overall, 2003) and quarterback Joey Harrington (3rd overall in ‘02).

Also included is decades’ worth of tightfisted front office decisions, which played a role in the premature retirement of star

running

No Lions’ damage assessment would be complete without addressing the endless coaching carousel (“What does a guy have to do to get fired around here?” wondered Darryl Rogers, whose 18-40 record from 1985-88 mercifully led to his dismissal).

The author sees better days ahead under Dan Campbell, who wrapped up his second year as head coach with the Lions in the playoff hunt. Although they were eliminated from the playoffs on the last day of the season when the Seattle Seahawks beat the Los Angeles Rams, the Lions shocked the Green Bay Packers by beating them on their home turf and knocking their longtime nemesis out of the playoffs.

back Barry Sanders in 1999.

Matt Stafford and Calvin Johnson are just two in a long line of players who could not bring sustained success to the Detroit Lions. Photo by Rena Laverty

The ‘Ville: What prompted you to write the book?

Dennis Merlo: I did write one book (in 2019 “To My Boys,” an autobiography dedicated to sons, Mark and Bradley) a few years previous to this. I wanted to take a stab at writing another couple books.

There’s a group of guys I get together with every three weeks or so, and most of them are about 80 years old. We talk a lot about sports and they can recall the 1950s as kids when the Lions last won championships, and my recollection of the Lions starts about 1960. I was saying, ‘Well, at least you had that experience, because, you know, my experience with football has been what it is.’ We all know. They suggested, ‘Why don’t you write a book?’

The ‘Ville: Why do you think Lions fans keep coming back for more?

Dennis Merlo: Midwest fans are the most loyal. This is such a big sports town, and the Lions just do enough over the years to keep enticing you to stay with them, even though it’s been more negative than positive. It’s a tribute to the fans here. First and foremost, we’re a football town. In the worst way, everybody wants to see the Lions get to the Super Bowl.

The ‘Ville: What was your one moment that summed up the franchise’s ineptitude: losing on Tom Dempsey’s 63-yard field goal to the New Orleans Saints in 1970, Chicago Bears’ Dave Williams 95-yard kick return in overtime on Thanksgiving Day 1980, or Marty Mornhinweg taking the wind at the start of OT in 2002?

Dennis Merlo: I don’t think I can point to a moment. I mean it is just a collection. You mentioned the Dempsey thing, and you know what? Early in the book, I mentioned the so-called Bobby Layne curse (the star quarterback supposedly said Lions would not win for 50 years after the team traded him to Pittsburgh Steelers in 1958).

Last year (in 2021), there was the game with Baltimore and it looked like the Lions were going to win it. (Ravens QB) Lamar Jackson hit a pass up near midfield, it was the next to last play of the game, and on comes Justin Tucker for what was going to be a record (66-yard) field goal. And sure enough,

when he came onto the field, I said to my boys ‘He’s gonna make it. There’s no question, it’s the Lions.’ To add insult to injury, the ball hits the crossbar and then goes over.

But the ironic thing, the final score was 19-17, which was the same score the Lions lost to Dempsey in New Orleans, way back in the day on a kick, which was the record-setting field goal at that time. I said, ‘God, you talk about déjà vu.’

The ‘Ville: How good were those Lions teams in the early 1990s with Barry Sanders?

Dennis Merlo: Those years under (Wayne) Fontes were the most talented Lions teams they ever had. Everything was in place, except the quarterback. (Scott) Mitchell was supposedly going to be the final piece of the puzzle. Of course, during the first couple of years, he didn’t get it done. That’s why the year they got blown out by the Eagles (1995 NFC Wild Card, 57-38) was so disappointing.

The talent was there all over the field. They had the best running back in football (Barry Sanders). Herman Moore, the second-best Lions receiver ever, and he was paired with Brett Perriman. They had All-Pros on the offensive line with Lomas Brown, Kevin Glover ... They had Chris Spielman on defense. They had good players in place. Of course, when Mitchell had the good year, it all exploded on them.

Fontes, God love him, he was a character for sure, but maybe the right coaching staff could have gotten it out of them. To me, they were close.

The ‘Ville: Do you see parallels between the disastrous Matt Millen and Marty Mornhinweg era and that of Bob Quinn and Matt Patricia?

Dennis Merlo: The whole Millen era, just collectively, was one big mess. He couldn’t get anything right. I thought he came in with an arrogant attitude and had been successful as a football player and then as a broadcaster. When he took over, the Lions’ roster was not that bad. He kind of depleted right away because ‘Hey, I’m Matt Millen, I know how to do this. I played in Super Bowls.’ I said getting rid of guys is one thing, but bringing in guys who are better is not so easy.

I thought those two guys (Quinn and Patricia) were kind of 2.0 of Millen and Mornhinweg. I was really disgusted by the end of the Matt Patricia era and Quinn. I said, ‘This has got to stop.’ That turned out to be another disaster and that is one reason, too. I am giving (Dan) Campbell a little credit here. When Campbell and the new GM Brad Holmes took over, I thought this was such a big rebuild. I didn’t envision the team having a shot at the playoffs in Year 2.

The ‘Ville: What makes you believe Dan Campbell can turn it around?

Dennis Merlo: The guy is as genuine as genuine can be. You’ve got to have the buy-in from players, and most coaches do have the buy-in, although I don’t think Matt Patricia ever really had the buy-in from the players. I listen to his little speeches in the locker room after these wins. I think the guys respect the heck out of Campbell because he is such a genuine guy and he is so earnest in wanting to turn this franchise around.

He’s an emotional guy and his players play off that. All these fourth-down gambles, it fits with the mindset of the team, I think they play off that.

Northville’s Dennis Merlo channeled his years of frustration watching the Lions into his book, “The Loneliest Lions Fan: Sixty Years of a Fan’s Frustration.”

Parent Camp Will Bring Many Resources Under One Roof

Annual event expanding to include mental health and wellness fair

By Tim Smith

There are all kinds of camps, including those for youth sports, scrapbooking, arts and crafts and music. All help people of all ages further various interests, pursuits and pastimes.

But few are as important as Northville’s Parent Camp scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4 at Northville High School. The point of the event is for those who attend to leave with a figurative toolbox full of ideas about how to help guide their children through challenging, complex and even dangerous times.

“When you have a couple kids, they certainly don’t come with any type of manual,” said Lloyd O’Dell, who along with wife Angie have two kids (now ages 14 and 10) and attended the last in-person Northville Parent Camp in 2020. The camp was held virtually in 2021 and 2022, due to COVID-19.

“There’s definitely different challenges as they grow up and the parent camp really helped in overcoming some of those challenges, giving parents lots of ideas and suggestions on how

to handle those issues. I found it very valuable.”

More than 200 parents are expected to attend the eighth annual Northville Parent Camp, which this year – for the first time – will spotlight a mental health and well-being component.

Hosting the camp is Northville Public Schools in partnership with Northville Educational Foundation (NEF). The presenting sponsor is the Michigan Educational Credit Union.

This year’s event will be structured differently than previous camps, with three 50-minute breakout sessions (parents will have more than 50 topics to choose from) sandwiched around an interactive mental health and wellness fair.

“What I’m excited about is for the first time we’re going to have a mental health and wellness fair imbedded within parent camp,” said Beth Santer, executive director of special services for Northville Public Schools. “Northville’s not into one-and-done. What we do

is always part of our district goals. We (in November) did the Everybody vs. Stigma Week and we want to carry that priority of mental health and well-being throughout the year.”

Another parent planning on attending is Tanya Edwards, who took part in the 2022 virtual camp. She has children ages 14 and 12, now in high school and middle school, respectively.

“Although I got quite a bit out of the virtual camp, which has inspired me to now definitely go (this year), what I’m looking forward to most is connecting with professionals in their fields,” Edwards said. “And learning some techniques that are backed by data, proof and statistics that can be used or employed in our personal lives, in particular with our children.”

According to Kate Mitchell, NEF executive director, parents will enjoy a “one-stop shopping” experience to gain insight and helpful advice. They’ll have the chance to learn more about parenting throughout “all walks of life for students, from early childhood

through elementary, middle school and high school. Possibly post-secondary, (to) help with financial aid aspects.”

Mitchell said societal pressures in a fast-paced world continue ramping up and the parent camp will help provide a safety valve.

“I think it’s more the acknowledgement that Northville is a high-level, highachievement type district,” Mitchell noted. “Seeing the pressure that could have on kids sometimes, learning (about) that awareness a little bit more. It’s just heightened concerns all the way around of anxiety that students have been experiencing, whether it’s in classrooms or with their own studies or just the pressures of life.

O’Dell said the parent camp will help give moms and dads perspectives and tips on how to set boundaries over tricky matters such as smartphones and social media.

“Prior to going to the camp we would always threaten the kids about taking away their phone,” O’Dell emphasized.

(Top left) Aaron Baughman, the Assistant Superintendent of Instruction for Northville Public Schools, talks to families at last year’s Parent Camp. (Top middle) Beth Santer, who is the executive director of special services for Northville Public Schools, and Kate Mitchell of the Northville Educational Foundation are organizers of the 2023 Northville Parent Camp. (Top right) Former Detroit Lions quarterback Eric Hipple will discuss factors that lead to teen suicide.

“But in reality, that phone is like their lifeline or their connection to all of their friends. So that might not be the best form of punishment. So it (the Northville Parent Camp) helped us to see in a better way, because, again, we didn’t have that as kids. We’re not familiar as a child in being connected with your phone to all your other friends. By taking that away, you’re kind of taking some of their friendship away.”

According to Edwards, parents are “never too old to learn” and understand more about how to deal with daily ups and downs.

“I like to encourage my children to have confidence,” Edwards said. “Even if they have the academic aptitude to succeed in school, I think not

having confidence, or a lack of confidence, can impact that in other things now and later in life. For me, it’s encouraging positive behaviors or when you do have a negative behavior understanding how to work with your child in a positive way to increase confidence.”

The mental health and wellness fair component will enable parents a chance to browse tables, talk to representatives of various agencies, who will be in one general area from 10:20-10:50 a.m. and following the third and final breakout, from 12:50-2 p.m.

For the breakouts, Santer said there will be between 50-75 sessions parents can choose from, including one where Northville police officers

discuss the dangers of social media.

Other topics of discussion will include the transition from high school to college, what to expect from International Baccalaureate programs, and tips for parents of students with learning disabilities.

Another breakout session certain to bring in plenty of listeners will be one featuring former Detroit Lions quarterback Eric Hipple and his 29-year-old daughter Tarah, who is a trauma therapist. The Hipples will talk about how they have dealt with the gut punch that was the 2000 suicide of Tarah’s older brother, Jeff, just 15 when he shot himself to death. Tarah was in the Hipple home when the tragedy occurred, Santer said.

A key aspect of their breakout session will be to talk to parents about including other members of the family when trying to deal with serious problems, which if left unchecked could result in the same kind of tragedy.

“When something’s happening in your family it becomes a family issue,” Santer said. “It isn’t just the issue with that individual.”

For more information about the 2023 Northville Parent Camp, visit the Northville Educational Foundation website at www.supportnef.org/ parent-camp.

“I’m really excited about this parent camp,” NEF’s Mitchell said. “Having these tools and resources on hand right there will be huge for our parents.”

AND

Livvy Setla has played a key role as a back row specialist for the University of Nevada-Las Vegas volleyball program. Photo courtesy of UNLV Athletics

By Brad Emons

Losing father doesn’t stop Setla sisters from college volleyball success

Although sisters Nyia and Livvy Setla find themselves 2,167 miles apart on their respective campuses, their bond remains unbreakable.

Once teammates at Northville High School, both dig their new environments while finding success at the collegiate volleyball level as defensive specialists.

Nyia, a 2020 Northville grad, is thriving at West Liberty University (W.V.) where the libero became only the second player in program history to earn NCAA Division II All-American honors this fall.

Livvy, a 2021 Mustang alum, is carving her own niche as well as a defensive specialist at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas where she helped the 26-5 Runnin’ Rebels to a Mountain West Conference regular season title and a berth in the NCAA Division I tournament.

“Honestly, I wish we were closer, but it’s been nice to be able to get out and experience my own,” said Livvy, who just completed her sophomore season. “We played together in high school and it was fun, but I was able to get an opportunity

in Vegas and she’s doing very well at her school. And I’m super happy for her. It was hard . . . but whenever we come home during the summer or Christmas, we just connect.

“But we’re just a text and a phone call away and that’s nice.”

As a junior in high school, Nyia played on a 47-7-1 Mustangs 2018 team which reached the MHSAA Division 1 semifinals and was a two-time All-Kensington Lakes selection.

Also playing for club volleyball for the Legacy program, Nyia came under the recruiting radar of West Liberty’s Riley Schenk, who just finished her third season as the Hilltoppers’ head coach after serving as a graduate assistant.

“I didn’t know that they were an institution, but they fell in love with how I played and my coachability, and I wanted to give it a shot,” Nyia said. “I really loved the atmosphere there. The girls are amazing.”

ALL-AMERICAN HONORS

Nyia’s inaugural 2020 fall season as a true freshman was cut short by COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2021 abbreviated 7-4

The late Thaddeus Setla (center) and his wife Gina (second from left) raised three children including Nyia (left), Livvy and TQ. Both girls graduated from Northville High, while TQ is a current sophomore at the school. Photo courtesy of the Setla family

spring season, she ranked second in the Mountain East Conference and 13th nationally with 6.02 digs per set. She posted double figures in digs in all 11 matches including 34 vs. Fairmount State (W.V).

During the 2021 full season she earned second-team All-MEC honors after leading the team in digs (696), including a careerhigh 37 vs. Notre Dame (Ohio), along with aces (51) as West Liberty finished 21-13 overall and 11-5 in the MEC.

“It’s definitely been a developmental program,” Nyia said. “I came in my freshman year. Our incoming class we had our new coach, who was a G.A. and now taking the position as head coach. And we were all determined to do something different and make program history. And since my freshman year we’ve been working on trying to make a different program.”

This past fall, the 5-foot-5 Nyia appeared in all 34 matches and 122 sets for the 21-13 Hilltoppers where she ranked third in Division II both in total digs (707) and digs per set (5.80), while propelling West Liberty to a 10-6 conference mark and its first-ever NCAA postseason tournament appearance.

West Liberty’s season ended with a 3-0 setback to Clarion State (Pa.) in the first round of the Atlantic Regional.

“We were watching the (NCAA) selection show, it was just an amazing feeling and we were just ready to play the best volleyball we could,” Nyia said. “And so, then when we made it to the tournament, we played at Gannon (Pa.). We played Clarion and we had played them in the preseason and had beaten them, so playing them again was a big game for us and we unfortunately didn’t play our best. But we are hungry to get back at it. Knowing what that feels like – making it that far – we want to get back and that starts now. This spring we’re ready to grind. We’re ready to go.”

After earning first-team All-MEC, Conference Libero of the Year and firstteam All-Region D2 by the Conference Commissioner’s Association, Setla later learned she received the ultimate compliment earning All-American thirdteam by the D2CCA.

“With all these postseason accolades, I was speechless honestly,” said Setla, who was also named MEC Player of the Week

three times. “When the season is over, the season is over and at the MEC Tournament

I had gotten accolades from throughout the year. I was first-team All-Conference and I honestly thought that was it. Honestly, I give a shout out to my family, my teammates and my coaches who really pushed me this year.”

Not only did the volleyball program prove to be a good fit, Nyia also thrives in the classroom where she earned All-Academic MEC honors.

“It kind of focuses on preservation and conservation,” the Environmental Stewardship major said. “I’m also minoring in business, so the goal is to merge with the corporate world and help businesses make cleaner decisions for the environment. It will also be economically efficient.”

A RUNNIN’ REBEL

For Livvy, a psychology major at UNLV, it’s been an interesting journey as well.

During her days at Northville High, the 5-5 Livvy finished her senior season with 322 total digs (11.1 per match) to go along with 27 aces. During her junior year she helped the Mustangs to a 46-19-1 record and a KLAA tournament title. She also excelled

in the classroom earning the KLAA ScholarAthlete Award as well as the academic excellence honor for having a 3.5 gradepoint average or higher.

And playing for Legacy since 2016, she helped her club team earn a third-place finish at the 2018 AAU Open Nationals.

But prior to playing for Legacy, the Setla family resided in the Bay Area of California before moving to Michigan when Livvy was in the seventh grade.

It was during her sophomore year in high school when Livvy accepted an invite to attend a camp at UNLV.

“I really didn’t think much of it, but I just thought, ‘It will be fun, let’s just do it,’” she said. “And then my family and I took a trip from there when we went to visit close family and friends in California. It was just a chance to get out west. I went to the camp and then I found out that they were actually very interested in me. They gave me a call afterwards and offered me a position on the team.”

Livvy immediately bonded with UNLV coach Dawn Sullivan, who recently took

West Liberty’s Nyia Setla, a 2020 Northville High grad, gained NCAA Division II All-American honors this season. Photo courtesy of West Liberty Sports Information

the head coaching job at the University of Missouri. (She has since been replaced by Utah associate head coach Malia Shoji.)

“I always felt like I was welcomed and even as a recruit on that trip, I just felt I was part of the team already . . . I committed early in my junior year and then it hit me I was going so far after my senior year when I actually moved out there, but Vegas had become familiar to us because we lived on the west coast and we used to go to Vegas to volleyball and basketball tournaments,” Livvy said. “Moving there was definitely different, but it was exciting. And because of how welcoming everyone was, and my team was, it was an easier adjustment.”

In the fall of 2021, Livvy played a limited role as a freshman appearing in 13 matches and 25 sets with a season high eight digs both against Niagara and Colorado State.

In her second season as a sophomore with the Runnin’ Rebels, Setla appeared in 70 sets with 11 aces and 14 digs as UNLV captured the Mountain West regular season with a 17-1 record, including a 17-match winning streak which was snapped by Utah State in the conference tourney finals.

UNLV gained an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament where they fell in the first round of the San Diego Regional to No. 7 Washington, 3-0, to finish 26-5 overall.

“I’ve really enjoyed the past two years at UNLV, and Michigan will always be home for me,” said Livvy. “But it’s been such a good opportunity

to play for this team because – one, it’s not a Big Ten school that everyone hears about, the Michigans and Michigan States, but I love how I get to make an impact in a program that is doing super well. I love the school just not for volleyball. I love the diversity and the school environment out there. It was a change in the level of play coming from my high school to Vegas. I just loved how I was able to adjust to the program and I’ve learned so much the past two years, especially being able to play in the NCAA tournament. It’s been a great opportunity that I hope I can continue for the next two years that I play there.”

A GIANT LOSS

Being separated by over 2,000 miles on opposite ends of the country, Nyia and Livvy’s mother Gina, who works in Human Resources at U-M, has strategically planned trips to see her daughters play. Gina watches majority of their matches on live streaming feeds.

In May of 2021, Livvy and Nyia tragically lost their biggest

booster and supporter when their father Thaddeus died unexpectedly from a heart issue at age 47.

Ted, as he was known, not only left behind his wife Gina, along with his two daughters, but also a son Thaddeus, Jr. (also called T.Q.), a sophomore at Northville High and club volleyballer as well.

And through all the heartache and tragedy, their family bond remains tight in all facets of their lives.

“Even my brother too, we’re all competitive,” Nyia said. “As much as we want to beat each other, we want to help each other.”

Ted, a videographer and small business owner, was a fixture at both Northville volleyball matches and basketball games.

“The big thing for our volleyball team was the highlight video that we looked forward to every year,” Livvy said. “He took pictures, he took video. I think the best way to describe how passionate he was about me and my siblings’ sports.

“I remember my senior year he and my mom were at all my

games. I just loved seeing him there with his camera. He’s always been incredibly proud of us that I’d like to think he still is now, especially how my sister is doing at her school, and given all of the opportunities of mine, he would still be incredibly proud of us.”

Nyia thinks frequently about her father and all the fond memories. And his spirit remains as a guiding light.

“I’d like to think he’d be proud,” she said. “He was always enthusiastic and supportive as much as he could when he physically couldn’t be there. All my accomplishments are for my dad. Not only does the jersey I wear represent my school, but I wear an orange ribbon for him. It was his favorite color and I do everything for him.”

And although they’re in distinctly in different areas of the country, the Setla sisters have settled in nicely to their new surroundings. One is part of the bright lights of Vegas, while the other is in rural West Virginia.

“We’ll go to the Strip once in a while, but the campus is a completely different world than the strip,” Livvy said.

Meanwhile, West Libery, W.V. has become Nyia’s extended family. It’s been a good partnership both athletically and academically for her.

“Because it is a smaller institution, you are able to form personal relationships with the professors,” she said. “So, when we do travel, it’s easier to be able to make up the work, just communicate with them. That was really important to me and we live in a very suburban area of town, and West Liberty is a very rural area. But it was a change in atmosphere and I really enjoy it.”

Livvy Setla (#4) helped UNLV to a Mountain West Conference title and an NCAA Division I Tournament berth. Photo courtesy of UNLV Athletics

‘A Long Time Coming’

Federal grants will help restore Wilcox and Phoenix lakes

By Tim Smith

After getting ignored for decades, it finally is “go time” to restore two historic man-made lakes originally created in the early 1900s to help power adjacent Ford Motor Company manufacturing facilities.

And no more will birds literally walk on top of Wilcox Lake near Old Village in Plymouth or Phoenix Lake in Northville, which are both choked with years of sediment build up.

Excessive brush and invasive plants and trees also will be removed to open sightlines and give residents and visitors alike more reason to treat the lakes with more respect.

“We have a legacy of industry, we are in the arsenal of democracy, we sit in the rust belt,” said Old Village resident Marie McCormick, chair of the Rouge River Advisory Council

and executive director of Friends of the Rouge. “So pre1972 Clean Water Act, you just had no point-source regulation whatsoever. It was a free-forall dump fest, you just dumped things as a way to get rid of them.

“So now we are taking action. It’s like turning a freighter. It’s a long, slow process but we are very lucky to have, now, really a lot more focus on the Rouge.”

An estimated $5.6 million in federal EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grants have been approved to bring back to health and relevance both Wilcox and Phoenix lakes, which are both impoundments of the Middle Rouge River.

The GLRI funds have been received by the Alliance of Rouge Communities (ARC), which in turn will field bids from companies by the end of 2022 with hopes of work

starting in the spring or summer of 2023.

“The big news was the EPA funded the implementation

phase, which is allowing us to go out to bid and hire the contractors this winter,” said John O’Meara, project coordinator for ARC. “The way EPA works, they have provided money for a design grant that included Phoenix and Wilcox.”

O’Meara noted that the project team submitted permits to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and permit approval enables bids to go out and construction to begin.

FINALLY SOME ACTION

According to local environmentalist Bill Craig, the GLRI “put money on the table and we got some of it. That helps us work on our habitat projects. It’s been a long time coming.”

Like with Nankin Lake along Edward Hines Drive in Westland, near the Livonia border – where motorists and pedestrians alike can’t help but notice unsightly, bulging bags that resemble gigantic,

Phoenix Lake is set to get habitat improvements for fish and wildlife. Photo by Bryan Mitchell

Winnie McCormick stands on the existing fishing pier at Wilcox Lake. The pier will be upgraded as part of the restoration efforts. Photo courtesy of Friends of the Rouge

overstuffed Hefty bags – there will be considerable dredging of Wilcox Lake in order to deepen it and provide fish and other habitat a chance to survive.

“Wilcox will have dredging,” O’Meara explained. “And right now if they choose to do the bags, which we think 90 percent of anybody who bids on it will, you will see a similar setup at Wilcox as you did at Nankin.”

Those porous bags are filled with lake water and mud, and over time, the water slowly seeps back out.

“You can see those big bags, that’s what they dug out of there,” Craig said of the Nankin Lake project. “Before they even did that work, basically the birds were walking on water. The water was two inches deep. And there was no fish there. So they did some dredging and now they have a deep hole there.”

Craig said Phoenix Lake, which is smaller and not as accessible to the public, will not have any dredging done as part of the endeavor.

“They’ll do some invasive species management (along Northville Road near Five Mile Road), they’ll put some sand here and put some rocks over here and secure some trees over here. Get (remove) some incidental trash, tires, whatever they can,” he said.

“This project will create pockets of really deep water, as well as fish structure and habitat so (fish) have places to hide, then survive over the winter and grow up nice and big and fat so we can fish them,” McCormick said. “They also will address some of the invasive terrestrial species like buckthorn, honeysuckle, Russian olive, black locust, Norway maple.”

And the best indicator that

the projects are on point will be whether fish and other creatures are healthy or not.

“They (fish) need the clean water, and obviously, we need clean water, too,” Craig stressed. “If you have fish and the fish are doing good, that means your water is doing good.”

Applauding the okay of GLRI money and what these environmental projects will soon mean for the region was Nancy Darga, chair of the Northville River Restoration Task Force.

Darga said the Rouge River has had “great need to remove sediments and restore degraded shorelines,” which resulted from the growth of manufacturing.

“Seeing action (taking) place to clean up Wilcox Lake and improve riparian edges of Phoenix Lake -- former mill ponds -- is an example of pooling resources to revitalize the Rouge watershed in a

already has taken place along the Rouge “that is transforming it from a river that caught fire 50 years ago to one that supports aquatic life and recreational opportunities.”

REVERSING COURSE

Environmentalists and dedicated civic groups have toiled for decades in hopes of getting funding needed to reverse habitat degradation of the Rouge River Watershed.

In 1987, the Rouge River was designated as an Area of Concern under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. There were 14 Beneficial Use Impairments connected to the Rouge, including Wilcox and Phoenix.

noticeable way,” Darga noted.

Darga, former chief of design for Wayne County Parks (upon which Wilcox and Phoenix lake properties are located), added that a lot of incremental work

But it took decades for Ford Motor Company’s industrial activity during much of the 20th century to ultimately turn those impoundments into pollution pits.

“The impoundments that are the result of damming the Rouge River served as an important energy source to

power each of these satellite manufacturing facilities that Henry Ford used to manufacture specific parts for automobiles and the arsenal of democracy,” McCormick explained. “You know, parts for airplanes and ships.”

Craig said the planned cleanup work can finally lift what has been a dark cloud over the entire Rouge watershed.

“It’s an Area of Concern. Under that designation the entire watershed gets a bad name,” Craig stressed. “Of course, the whole thing isn’t totally polluted. But you have to take in all that territory in order to come to the satisfactory results at the end, where the Rouge River pours into the

INVASIVE SPECIES TREATMENT

SPAWNING & NEAR SHORE HABITAT

SPAWNING & NEAR SHORE HABITAT

EMERGENT PLANTINGS

SPAWNING & NEAR SHORE HABITAT

Friends of the Rouge staff visited Wilcox Lake back in October to learn about impairments to the historic impoundment in Hines Park. Photo courtesy of Friends of the Rouge

Detroit River.”

There could potentially be recreational upgrades made by Wayne County Parks, partnering with communities in the Alliance of Rouge Communities (including member municipalities such as Plymouth and Northville).

“It’s not only these projects that make the improvement,” Craig said. “It’s the work that’s actually done by ARC, in those communities. It’s the work that cities (and townships) do to meet their permits, to help improve water quality going to that river in the first place.

“What we do on the land ends up in the water, so it doesn’t make any sense just to fix a part of the lake, a part of the river, and keep throwing the same

junk back in.”

ARC’s O’Meara, meanwhile, described the projects as a “winwin” for the environment and public.

“You get the habitat returned but at the same time you’re able to potentially add some upgrades to the amenities that the public use in the area,” O’Meara said. “And increased habitat of the lakes will hopefully increase the fisheries’ habitat and such, which allows for sport fishing.”

Although the millions of dollars finally being directed toward Rouge rehabilitation and revitalization is a major get for the region, also crucial to the lakes’ longtime health are continuing efforts made by community groups.

“We have gone out in partnership with the city of

Plymouth and Wayne County Parks and have done two huge invasive species removal days with local volunteers from Old Village and Plymouth Pollinators,” said McCormick a board member on the latter group. “The clean-up is not trash, really, it’s invasive species removal. Before, it was so dense and so thick, the understory, you could not see the water."

About 20 individuals went out in June 2022 to remove a ton of physical biomass. More treatment and trimming

took place in October and McCormick promises the work will continue in 2023.

“Having an opportunity in your community to connect to a place like that is so unique, and such a powerful way of developing future water stewards – people who care about the river and the lake,” McCormick emphasized. “Because they can feel like they’re making a difference and this is such a tangible way of doing it.”

The Rouge River feeds Phoenix Lake, which is an impoundment created by Henry Ford. Photo by Bryan Mitchell

Six years ago, Sherry Rinaldi didn’t feel well, she couldn’t keep her energy level up and battled a weight problem. She had serious doubts she’d ever get her mojo back.

In January 2017, Rinaldi decided to visit Ajeless Health and Medical Spa in downtown Northville – to see whether board certified Internal Medicine physician Dr. Aylmer Evangelista MD could give her the positive jolt she needed.

Rinaldi, a nurse at the University of Michigan, weighed over 300 pounds at the time and put her life in the hands of a gifted and compassionate man who is certified in medical weight loss.

After originally providing Rinaldi with medical weight-loss therapy, Dr. Evangelista determined her weight problems were also due to a hormonal imbalance. Soon thereafter began a course of Biote hormone optimization treatment, which she continues to this day – once every three months.

If ever there were a perfect “poster patient” it is Rinaldi, completely transformed and over the moon about Ajeless. Now, she is a physical specimen brimming with energy

and confidence. At her most-recent visit, in December 2022, she weighed just 139 lbs.

“Sherry eats healthy, works out every day and she feels her best,” Dr. Evangelista explained. “She’s maintained and gotten even better.”

Rinaldi echoed the scores of 5-star Google reviews both about Ajeless and the Biote treatment.

“I started treatment to improve my quality of life, to have more energy, feel stronger and live longer,” Rinaldi noted. “I currently feel better than I ever have my entire life. I will never stop treatment of Biote hormone therapy.”

She is not alone singing the praises of Biote – a grain-of-rice-sized “pellet” implanted by the physician once every few months to keep hormonal imbalance in check. Primary

symptoms of hormonal imbalance include sleep disorders, fatigue, weight gain, joint pain, mood swings and anxiety to name a few.

“Dr. Evangelista introduced me to Biote in 2019,” praised patient Cindy Tillapaugh in one of countless 5-star Google reviews. “My night sweats, hot flashes and migraines disappeared immediately. I sleep better, have more energy and concentration and my skin looks healthier than ever.”

Here’s how highly Tillapaugh views her continuing treatment with Dr. Evangelista -she moved to Virginia but still travels back to Northville to keep her appointments.

With the end of the holiday season (which can lead to depression and bad habits for many), Dr. Evangelista said others unsure about their health and prospects for the New Year might call his office and schedule a consultation.

“When I get to educate and give them that knowledge, and also share the experience I’ve had with my own group of patients, patients start to get motivated again,” Dr. Evangelista said. “They want to do better, they’re like ‘Oh my gosh, there’s still hope.’

“That kind of feeling is what I give to people. On top of that, the treatment really works. It’s been out for over 75 years … people see results, that’s the most important thing.”

Dr. Evangelista – ably assisted at Ajeless by his wife, Dr. Jennifer Rhee Evangelista, also board certified in hormone optimization (and anesthesiology) – touts the treatment because he has seen the impact it has on people.

The therapy is a “long-term plan” all about keeping the level of hormones at optimal levels in order to slow down the aging process, and to enable people to age more beautifully and healthier, he said.

“Physically, people notice these differences,” he stressed. “They start to lose weight, they get stronger, they look better, their quality of life improves and their sex drive goes up. There’s a lot of benefit to the hormone therapy.”

And once people are on board, they don’t want to get off the train.

“I only hope to improve my overall life and strength for 2023,” Rinaldi said. “Stronger. Healthier. Lighter. Emotionally and physical.”

Ajeless Health and Medical Spa is located at 118 MainCentre in Northville. Call (248) 465-8000 to schedule an appointment.

Ajeless hormone optmization therapy leads to stronger, healthier patients

Listen closely and you can hear the constant “clank, clank, clank” of foil blades striking one another, along with the relentless buzzing of multiple electric scoring devices signaling hits and the lower tones of scuffling sounds as dozens of feet dance back and forward, up and down, over rubber mats known as “strips.”

Young voices murmur, random cries –some triumphant, others voicing despair – echo off the PARC gymnasium bleachers while parents look on and competitors in strange protective gear and helmets await their chance to prove themselves in this rather unusual arena.

It’s a year-end tournament of sorts that’s been raging for hours, and the noise can be dramatic in its sheer repetition.

As much as any sport, fencing is appreciated from its various sounds – the joys and agonies of competition, the rhythmic noise of foil blades (don’t call them swords) and the cries of hard working athletes who participate under the watchful eyes of coaches and judges. Some call fencing “physical chess,” but there is nothing quiet or restrained about this tourney’s atmosphere.

If you were asked, you’d probably have to admit that you didn’t know our area is on the fast track to becoming a major fencing center in Michigan.

It’s all happening thanks to a hard-driving coach from Northville, a retired national and international champion who lives

in Plymouth and the many families from across Wayne, Washtenaw and Oakland counties who pursue a sport with the same kind of passion athletes have for soccer or swimming, golf or tennis, and yes, even chess.

it for fun and exercise, others to compete locally, nationally and even internationally, including four fencers who have national ranking points.

“We are one of the larger clubs in the country,” said Kosla, a Northville resident. “We have doubled in size in a year and now use the PARC gym as well as our own space, especially when we want to have tournaments.”

A TIMELESS SPORT

Perceptions of fencing are usually inaccurate. We’re not talking about “The Princess Bride” or some swash-buckling Errol Flynn movie from the 1930s. This is a serious Olympic sport – it was presented during the first modern Olympics held in 1896. Sure it’s connected to the evolution of the sword, though in our era there is very little that is dangerous about it, even though it can be both exhausting and demanding on anyone willing to test their mettle with a foil.

The Plymouth-Ann Arbor Fencing Academy (PA2FA for short) opened in the Plymouth Arts & Recreation Center (PARC) two years ago after other academies like it closed in Livonia and Ann Arbor due to the pandemic. Born a few years earlier in Ann Arbor as founder Tony Kosla’s dream, today the school has around 100 fencers ranging in age from six to 70 years. Some do

Maybe a more contemporary reference to fencing, though again not exactly akin to its techniques or rules, might be the “Star Wars” movies and the fabled light sabers often used by the heroes.

“Star Wars has been very good for the sport of fencing, actually,” says Kosla. “Fencing is much more of a martial arts sport than the theatrics you’ll see in the movies. But there are plenty of people who just want to have fun or be active. We

Northville man’s academy strikes home as hotbed for unique sport of fencing

Story and Photos by Ken Voyles

Tony Kosla watches two competitors during a recent fencing tournament at PARC.

Northville’s Tony Kosla (right) is the founder of the PlymouthAnn Arbor Fencing Academy and Gil Pezza, a former coach of the U.S. national team, is one of the instructors.

want to make this so that everyone who wants to can take part whether serious or just for fun. I want to help grow this sport.”

For the Northville resident fencing has been a passion since he was 14. He fenced in high school and college, though not as competitively as he would have liked. Over the years he has also taken part in numerous USA Fencing competitions, including as a member of the 2013 national bronze winning team. He served as an assistant coach at Michigan State and with the University of Detroit Mercy squad and is an internationally qualified foil instructor. With 15 years of coaching, Kosla is focused on helping others, wanting only to share fencing with young and old alike. His specialty, as well as the school’s, is the foil, though there are two other weapons used in the sport, the epee and saber.

“I just love the sport,” says the 37-yearold. “I’m blessed that it’s now my full time gig.”

Supporting the many classes, the individual training and tournaments or competitions through the academy or in communities around the region are seven coaches. They train students on the

techniques and rules of fencing as well as the tactics. They are seeking, says Kosla, to build a team dynamic even though it is a highly individual sport.

One of the lead teachers is well-respected fencer Gil Pezza, who retired to Plymouth more than 15 years ago. A four-time NCAA collegiate champion (two individual and two team) at Wayne State University, Pezza was also the longtime coach at Wayne State where he had been recruited from Italy. He has also coached the U.S. nationals team and is a former member of the Italian national team competing at the World Championships.

“Tony’s a great coach,” says Pezza, who is called a “maestro” because he is proficient in all three weapons. “He is a great organizer and has a combination of business skill and knowledge of the sport. With him, Plymouth could really become a center for fencing.”

Pezza thinks PA2FA’s location in Plymouth is perfect since it easily draws from all over metro Detroit and Ann Arbor. Nearly half of the students are from Ann Arbor but Plymouth, Northville, Livonia, Canton and Novi are well represented, too.

“This is a sport you’re never too old to try,” says Kosla. “It’s also very safe, and we take a lot of precautions. We incorporate a lot of practical information with games to teach fencing, especially for the younger students.”

Most of the

(Top left) A pile of foils lay on the floor during a recent event held by the Plymouth-Ann Arbor Fencing Academy. Other weapons used in fencing include the epee and saber. (Top right) Northville’s Charlie Tan listens to advice from his father Wenda Tan

fencers – both boys and girls – range in age from six to 18 and an adult program is also offered.

“In this sport you can calculate your success by the size and quality of your nine and 10-year athletes, and we have a lot and they are becoming competitive,” says Pezza. “In 10 years we will grow into national and international status. I believe that.”

FINDING A BALANCE

For two local families the fencing academy experience has become an important part of their lives.

The Tan family, who live in Northville, includes three young fencers – Dorathy, 12, Natalie, 10, and Charlie, 8. Their father Wenda Tan keeps an intense eye on them during tournaments, very much a typical parent who wants to see his children do well.

“When we moved here a year and a half ago they had already been fencing,” says Tan, a U-M engineering faculty member. “They like making friends and winning the bouts. Dorathy is self-motivated and thinks about it lot and enjoys it. Charlie is a natural and very competitive. He competes against older students since there aren’t too many strong opponents in his age.”

During the PA2FA tournament Dorathy won her group, while Natalie made top eight, actually losing to her sister. Charlie was the youngest competitor to make top

during a recent fencing tournament.

five in an older age group.

“The coaches are very accommodating and we’re really grateful how they develop them,” says Tan. “Tony is ambitious but he’s caring and there’s a lot of competitive spirit.”

The Tans try to balance between competitive aspects of their children’s lives and academic interests, but often compete in regional tournaments.

“These kind of sports help train them to be better persons,” he says.

The recent PARC tourney was an “in-house” competition Kosla organized mostly for fun, something the academy does four or five times a year. Also at the event were members of the Thompson family of Plymouth.

For Alan Thompson, who has lived in

the community for more than 20 years, the tournament was a chance to see his daughter Matilda, 13, finish second in her group. His son Felix, 10, did not compete.

“Matilda is going strong, Felix is kind of off and on about it,” said Thompson, whose children have been involved for a couple of years.

“The coaches do a really great job looking out for the kids and getting the best from them.”

Like many others Thompson described fencing as an “intellectual sport.” Both of his kids got into it because their school, Steppingstone, had to stop their swim program and turned to fencing as a physical fitness outlet.

“What I like is that this is something you can do your whole life,” he says. “You get out of it what you put in.”

For Kosla the future looks bright, and perhaps he can anticipate when his

19-month-old son Ben first picks up a foil.

“You’re never too old to start, or too young,” he says. “The equipment costs aren’t too bad. You can get a weapon and the gear for around $500. I really want everyone to take part. I’m not a fencing snob who says you can only be serious about it.”

Those constant clank of blades, the electronic buzz when someone strikes their foe, the delicate floor dance, flashing foils and the unique protective uniforms may not seem “theatric” to the coaches, but for observers this form of “play” is very dramatic.

So let’s begin. En garde!

DR. KARTONO’S ANSWER: Eczema, also known as “atopic dermatitis” is a skin condition that makes the skin dry and itchy. It is not contagious, you can’t “catch it” from someone else. The exact cause is not 100% clear, but researchers have found that there is an interaction between genes and triggers in the environment. As a result, the immune system in eczema patients become overactive, the skin barrier becomes broken down and the skin as a result appears dry and itchy. In severe cases, skin infections may happen as a result. Many people with genes that allow them to develop eczema, also have hay fever, asthma, seasonal allergies, and food allergies. Proper, consistent skin care is important in preventing flares of eczema.

During the winter time, the humidity in the environment drops, the ambient air is more dry, and we tend to wear insulating clothing (i.e. not 100% cotton clothes) to keep us warm. We also hand wash frequently when we are surrounded by many sick people with the colds and sniffles that are so prevalent in the winter time. All these factors contribute to a worsening of one’s eczema or dry skin tendencies in the winter. There is no cure for eczema, but many treatments are available and more are on the horizon. They range from creams, pills, injections and even phototherapy devices. But the easiest way to control eczema tendencies would be to include over the counter use of good emollients, thick moisturizers twice daily on the body and even 4-5 times daily on the hands, keep hand washing and showers quick with cold to lukewarm water temperature instead of prolonged hot showers, and be quick to treat flares of eczema with prescription medications.

Keeping these good habits can help prevent infections of the skin from bacteria, warts, molluscum, which are all too common as well in uncontrolled eczema skin! But should you think you need help in controlling eczema, help is available with Dr. Kartono at MI Skin Center at (248) 963-5915 or email scheduling@drkartono.com.

Tuesday late hours available until 7:00 pm Saturday hours available

Giving Of Themselves

Northville students spread plenty of holiday cheer

By Tim Smith

The spirit of holiday giving and bringing smiles to those who need some help is in full bloom at Northville High School. Numerous student groups, clubs and teams spent the holidays chipping in both gifts for under the tree and of their time to help spread some good cheer.

“We have over 150 studentled clubs at Northville High,” said NHS assistant principal Emily Aluia. “And during the holiday season, groups were motivated to give back to animal shelters, Red Cross, and those who may have fallen on hardship. Northville staff and students are thoughtful and generous.”

According to Aluia, students are encouraged and even expected to give of themselves for those less fortunate, and groups line up willingly to assist.

“One of the goals at NHS is to ensure that student voice is prominent and students are given opportunities to develop their leadership skills,” Aluia explained. “One of the great opportunities for students to do this is to run fundraisers

through their student-led clubs and the holiday season lent itself beautifully to giving back to our communities.”

The Northville High Alpine Ski Team (comprised of boys and girls) and the boys hockey team are just two of the squads that went above and beyond the call of holiday duty.

The ski team, coached by Kyle Moir, collected more than 200 “gently used” coats, which were delivered to Beyond Basics (the same charity the team donated 190 coats to last year), said parent Heidi Sepanik, who oversees team events.

“We chose this charity because of their mission and purpose to eliminate illiteracy and belief in the strong connection between a child’s health and wellness and their academic performance,” Sepanik said. “We hope that providing these kids with a warm coat to wear this winter will help keep them healthy and able to attend school.”

Sepanik agreed that NHS clubs and teams are encouraged to be giving to others. She added that the track and field team (and their family members)

collected donations and provided Thanksgiving meals to 31 families in the area.

In early December, players, families and staff members of the Northville varsity boys hockey team rang bells for the Salvation Army in front of a Starbucks. They also collected, wrapped and delivered gifts in the Adopt-a-Family program.

“We adopted a family (which has several children) through a local charity,” head coach Ryan Ossenmacher said. “We created a list of what they needed and what they wanted for the holidays. Our families went out, shopped, bought everything on the list and more.”

The gifts were wrapped after a practice at Novi Ice Arena.

“Sometimes we find ourselves in that hockey bubble of ‘I broke my $300 stick and that’s the biggest issue I’m going to have today,’” Ossenmacher said. “All the while there are kids who go home and they don’t know if they’re going to be able to eat. I hope that puts (things) in perspective. We’re pretty blessed with what we have as a group and again, there are people out there dealing with bigger issues than a broken stick.”

It wasn’t just the high school students who were giving of themselves during the holidays. Here is just a sampling: Amerman and Winchester elementary schools are involved in the Northville PTA’s holiday

scavenger hunt. Additional efforts include Cause for Paws and Toys for Tots, by Amerman and Winchester, respectively.

At Ridgewood Elementary, students led a stocking drive for Northville Civic Concern, and Moraine Elementary donated items to the Foster Closet.

Also doing a Toys for Tots drive was Silver Springs Elementary, where students, families and staff also visited area nursing homes as part of Senior Cheer, to bring good tidings to elderly residents.

Giving of themselves for the less fortunate isn’t just a holiday season thing, either.

Earlier this year Amerman held a coin drive for UNICEF earmarked money for Ukrainian families and for Lee County (Fla.) schools, devastated by

autumn’s Hurricane Ian.

Thornton Creek participated in a “Socktober” sock drive and also collected items for Northville Civic Concern.

It’s safe to say that the students in Northville are learning some valuable lessons outside of the classroom and textbooks.

Members of the NHS track and field team went shopping at Meijer to purchase holiday items for more than 30 local families.

Members of the NHS hockey team collected and wrapped gifts for the Adopt-a-Family program.

Pictured: Toria

out & about out & about out & about

YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NORTHVILLE

Mill Race Lecture Series

Jan. 25

Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull will present “Northville’s Historic Neighborhoods” beginning at 7 p.m. at the New School Church in Mill Race Village. Turnbull will discuss the city’s various neighborhoods, which have some very colorful names. Have you ever been curious as to why they are named as they are? Turnbull will explain. For more information, visit www.millracenorthville.org.

SAHS Meeting

Jan. 25

The Salem Area Historical Society will meet at 6 p.m. at Salem Township Hall, 9600 Six Mile. This will be the SAHS’s annual potluck dinner. Dale R. Leslie will be the guest speaker. Dale, a native of Dixboro, has invested more than 20 years producing digital film programs on YouTube featuring people, places and tidbits and trivia of his native hamlet and Washtenaw County. All are welcome to attend, but are asked to bring a food item of your choice to pass and bring your own plate, cutlery, and beverage. For more information, visit sahshistory.org.

Mayoral Town Hall

Jan. 26

Northville Township Hall will host this event beginning at 7 p.m. U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, our new Congressperson, will be joining via Zoom from Washington D.C. State Rep. Matt Koleszar will also be attending and giving an update on issues related to Lansing.

Citizen of the Year Nominations

The Northville Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a new event this year to present the winner of the annual John Genitti Citizen of the Year Award. The event will take place March 9 with a dinner at Genitti’s followed by a red carpet ceremony at the Marquis Theatre. The Chamber will present six awards in all to acknowledge outstanding businesses, organizations, and individuals. They are still looking for nominations for the Citizen of the Year Award. To nominate someone visit www.northville.org/citizen-of-the-year. Pictured is former Northville Schools Superintendent Mary Kay Gallagher, who won the award last year.

The meeting is open to the public. To join in the meeting via Zoom, go to the following link: https://us02web. zoom.us/j/88278045479#success.

Snow Moon Hike Feb. 5

The Friends of Maybury will lead this night time hike under a full “Snow Moon” at Maybury State Park from 7-9 p.m. This guided hike is appropriate for all ages, and there is no registration required. Meet at Trailhead Building at the Eight Mile Road entrance. This free program is provided by the Friends of Maybury State Park. Light snacks will be provided. Vehicles must have a current Recreation Passport to enter a state park. Pets are welcome and must be on a six-foot leash at all times. For more information, visit www.friendsofmaybury.org.

Teen Chocolympics

Feb. 7

Northville District Library will host this teen event from 7-8 p.m. It is open to middle school and high school students only. Will your sweet tooth take home gold? Compete in chocolate-themed activities for the ultimate prize—even more chocolate. To participate you must register by visiting the NDL website at northvillelibrary.org.

Nerf Blaster Battle Feb. 17

Northville Parks & Recreation hosts this event for kids between the ages of 7-13 from 1:30-5 p.m. at the Northville Community Center. So grab your Nerf guns and some friends and prepare to have an afternoon of friendly combat in the Nerf Blaster

THIS MONTH

Battle Field. Organizers supply the ammunition (darts), protective eye wear, bandanas and snacks. You just show up with your weapon and mission to have a good time. Enjoy pizza and drink during the break. The cost is $15 per person. To register or for more information, visit www. northvilleparksandrec.org.

Abe Lincoln Presentation Feb. 22

The Northville District Library will host “Mr. Lincoln on Slavery, Emancipation, and Equality” at 7 p.m. Kevin J. Wood, a professional Lincoln presenter, will share Mr. Lincoln’s ever-evolving perspectives on the subjects of slavery and emancipation. There will be time for Q & A after this presentation. To register or for more information, visit the NDL website at northvillelibrary. org.

Chili’in

Feb. 25

the Ville

2nd Annual Chili’in the Ville will take place from 1-5 p.m. in downtown Northville. Several downtown restaurants will be serving samples of chili, and patrons will vote on the best in town. City and Township firefighters will be in Town Square vying for top firehouse chili.

SEND IT IN To get your items listed in Out & About, email editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@gmail.com.

On the Road With

Caribbean Odyssey

“Pirate Pa Pa” and “BahamaGrandmamma” –Northville’s Mike and Kathy Konkel -- recently traveled with family, including 3-year-old grandson Lorenzo, to the Caribbean. They traveled aboard the Odyssey of the Sea cruise ship in Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 27. They then travelled to several ports including Grand Carmen and Jamaica. Here they are pictured with their copy of The ‘Ville at Royal Caribbean’s private island called Co Co Cay, which included a 135’ water slide and the largest swimming pool in the Caribbean with a swim up bar. “It was a great trip to top off the Thanksgiving holiday and we hope to do it again,” Kathy said.

Dishin’ With Denise

Taking Life One Day At A Time In 2023

Are you curious?

I am. If you know me, you know I do not make New Year’s resolutions. Instead, I choose a word and live it all year long. I have chosen “curious” for 2023. Already it’s making a difference. “Wonder” was in the running – according to Thesaurus it is a synonym of curiosity. Both words encourage learning – and as they say, you are never too old to learn. I’m curious about today’s world and how it works. I wonder what’s next. I’m learning where I fit in. Honestly, taking life one day at a time.

As this new year unfolds, I look back at what goes in the history books for Northville 2022. The year went by in the blink of an eye. The re-purpose of my house was completed in time for Christmas. The Children’s Mass for Christmas Eve at OLV Parish returned to a packed house. It was nice to see families once again celebrating tradition. Earlier in the year, in our charming hometown, some streets were closed

permanently. The Exchange opened what I think is the first rooftop dining area. The former Copy Boy building on Main Street got a new owner and a clean-up began. I for one, couldn’t be happier and can’t wait for the “after”glow!

Now that it’s 2023, there are a couple updates on some of my favorite folks to keep an eye on for “dish”.

Everyone’s “Aunt Mary” turned 101 recently. Many say – “I’d like to be 100 IF I could

get around and feel good.” Well, I’m here to tell you Mary Ware is blazing the trail for all of us. She leads cooking classes at Oakmont, makes mini-cupcakes and delivers them in her own car. When she arrives at my office with treats, she calls from her cell phone to ask someone to come out and get them. That’s as “slacker” as she gets. She enjoys breakfast, lunch, and dinner out with friends and family as often as the invitations come along. The morning of her 101st birthday a group met for breakfast at The Breakfast Club in Novi and when we started to sing to her the whole restaurant joined in.

cautiously and curiously optimistic. The Cady Street project just east of Griswold won a couple of grant awards from Wayne County –conceptually it looks like a great new development for that side of town. The Downs project and Farmer’s Market continue to be a work-in-progress. The stage at Tipping Point is back in action for Season 15. “The Light” by Loy A. Webb opens January 26 and runs thru February 19. It is directed by Carollette Phillips who promises: “The audience gets to be a fly-on-the-wall as a loving couple grapples with an unexpected bump on the road to their wedding engagement.” Get your tickets at Tix@ TippingPointTheatre.com.

Jason Robertson (One-ToWatch in the National Hockey League!) came to Northville when he was 10 years old. He’s 23 now and plays hockey for the Dallas Stars. In a recent interview he said the move to Michigan gave him life skills needed to succeed in his chosen career. Jason will make his first appearance in the NHL All Star Game coming up on February 4. Looking forward, I’m

And I saved the best news for last! It’s about a “Dish” (or two) at a new restaurant opening in Northville. The Hudson Café is a popular “brunch” spot on Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit – directly across the street from the old Hudson’s building. I’ve been to the downtown location a couple of times – and love it. I’m excited to have the Cinnabun pancakes or maybe one of the crepes, once you try them – you’ll understand why I’m Benedicted. Hungry yet? They should be opening soon – tentatively some time in February. The sign is on the building. They are at 6 Mile and Haggerty near Barnes and Noble. You can check them out on Instagram.

Happy 2023 everyone! In this new year, please join me by being curious.

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.

Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars is an NHL All Star.

The old Copy Boy “before” pic (watch for the “after” coming soon…).

From left, Ken Kobb, Kathleen Switalski, and "Aunt Mary" Ware at her 101st birthday breakfast.