The 'Ville - June 2020

June 2020 | Vol.3 | Issue 6

Northville’s News and Lifestyle Magazine

What ARide!

Class of 2020 crosses the finish line

Residential/Commercial Buying/Selling Call Cynthia at 248 278 0026 for all your real estate needs.

Ranked Top 5% in Metro Detroit Area 2020 Real Estate All Star As named by Hour Detroit

11 6 W e s t M a i n S t r e e t , N o r t h v i l l e

•

11 0 W i l l i t s S t r e e t , B i r m i n g h a m

www.orinjewelers.com

Featuring The Forevermark Tribute™ Collection

© Forevermark 2020. Forevermark®,

®

,

™

N ow, more t h a n eve r, i t ’s im p or t a nt to honor t he ye a r s of h a rd wor k a nd look a he ad to a b r ig ht fu ture .

Forevermark Tribute™ and

™

are Trade Marks used under license from De Beers Group.

GARDEN CITY 29317 Ford Road at Middlebelt | 734.422.7030 NORTHVILLE 101 East Main Street at Center | 248.349.6940

SUPPORT THE ‘VILLE • If you enjoy getting The ‘Ville each and every month, please consider making a donation.

• Your financial contribution will help us survive and grow.

• Help insure local journalism is here to stay. Send us $10, $20 or any amount you can, and we will list your name in upcoming issues as being a supporter of The ‘Ville -and local journalism.

LOCAL MATTERS! Please send checks, cash or lucky charms to: Journeyman Publishing 16435 Franklin Northville, MI 48168 Thank you!

VOLUME 3

ISSUE 6

JUNE 2020

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, who all attend Northville Public Schools.

CRAIG WHEELER – Creative Director

Craig has been in the creative industry for over 25 years. He has developed a diverse background in that time, but publication design has been his passion during the past 16 years. Craig enjoys cycling, running, wine tasting, his beloved Boston Terrier and an unhealthy addiction to movies.

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.

BRAD EMONS - Writer

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

Over the course of his four decades with the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers, Brad established himself as one of the preeminent prep sports reporters in the state, winning many journalism awards along the way. His greatest joy is interviewing local athletes and coaches, and reporting on their efforts.

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

Evelyn Allen

Hank & Nancy Lenox

Robert Anthony

Debbie Luterek

Margaret Barlow

Karen Marold

Marilyn & David Bartel

Anita Mitzel

Gail & Rich Bazzy

Charles & Andrea Murdock

Geri Bellaire

Rich & Martha Nork

Robin & Dave Bolitho

John & Vicki O’Reilly

Lonnie graduated from EMU with a degree in creative writing. He is a longtime newspaper reporter, including two stints with The Northville Record. He is now a freelance reporter for a number of publications, including The Sun Times News in Dexter, where he lives with his wife and two young children. He is glad to be back covering the Northville community.

Raymond & Jacqueline Bzymek

Ray & Betty Parzych

BRYAN MITCHELL - Photographer

Nancy Clarkson

Robert & Francoise Powell

P.J. Davis

Bill & Kris Ritter

Pat Doheny

Ron & Suzi Rozanski

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.

Pat & Dick Duwel

Manfred & Lisa Schon

JENNY PEARSALL – Graphic Designer

Dee Fracassi

Deborah Stanifer and Arvy Kavaliauskas

Sally Hayes Norm & Cindy Harbin Kay Irwin Sandra & Roger Jenkins Jill Kurtz

Sue Taylor

LONNIE HUHMAN - Writer

Jenny has been in the design and print industry for more than 20 years, holding various positions in graphic design, large format and trade show graphics, print buying, production and print management. One of her favorite memories is working for Colorquik Graphix in the historic Water Wheel building in downtown Northville.

Marty & Lory Testasecca Tom & Jan Valade Margaret Wisniewski

The ‘Ville is a product of Journeyman Publishing, which assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information. Any form of reproduction of any content in this publication without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Comments are welcome at thevillemagazine@gmail.com.

A View From The ‘Ville

Class of 2020 inheriting a world of challenges T he year 2020 is sure turning out to be a doozy.

If you are keeping up with all the bad news -- and it’s hard not to -- where do you even start? The global pandemic that has killed more than 100,000 of our countrymen and crippled our economy? Racial tensions and widespread protests that have erupted after the senseless killing of yet another black man by a police officer, which were preceded by others at our state capitals led by people – some armed -- upset about the shutdowns that have created havoc for our businesses?

Let’s not forget about the rioting and looting that has caused so much violence and destruction in far too many of our cities. Mix that all in with a broken political system that has grown so toxic, it seems on the verge of collapse.

And it’s only June.

This is the world our high school graduates are inheriting.

New Realities

10

The Class of 2020 has just gone though one of the most difficult and confusing final semesters any class in recent memory can claim. Now they step out into a world that faces so many challenges, it can seem overwhelming.

By Bryan Mitchell Yet, I am so hopeful. Because of the nature of this business, not to mention I have three teenagers of my own, I get to spend a fair amount of time interviewing and getting to know the kids at our high schools. I have to say, nearly every time I interact with these kids I am amazed at how intelligent, determined, and self-aware they are. They also have a sense of community

Their Own Parade

service I have seen time and again, which always wows me, especially when I think about what I was doing at their age.

In this issue, we’ve really tried to showcase these remarkable young adults.

Thanks to our sponsors, we were able to include the complete lists of graduates for Northville High School and Catholic Central, as well as some graduate shoutouts from proud parents. Please check them out.

When I look at those smiling faces, I see the future. And, despite all the challenges ahead of us, I think that future is bright.

Because, if there is one thing America has shown time and

The Lost Season

24 28

ON THE COVER: Graduate Miquel Chacon Garcia waves to the his fellow grads and family members at a special parade held May 31 for the NHS Class of 2020. Photo by Bryan Mitchell.

again, it is a sense of renewal.

The Class of 2020 will be at the forefront of this, I have no doubt.

They are an inspiring group, who won’t soon be forgotten.

If any of you graduates are reading this, first let me apologize for the divisive behavior too many of us socalled adults have displayed in recent months. This certainly hasn’t been our best chapter.

I know you will do better. Just remember, we’re all in this together and we all want the same basic things -- equality, security and opportunity.

Now, get out there, believe in yourself and shape the world with your vision and hard work.

Believe me when I say, your community is proud of you.

Kurt Kuban is editor and publisher of The ‘Ville. He welcomes your feedback at kurtkuban@thevillemagazine. com.

Your Voice: Letters to the Editor 4 Northville fighting landfill on multiple fronts 8 Township residents asked to support services 14 Track standout Naughton running to Butler 18 Class of 2020 ready for the future 22 Northville High School Class of 2020 26 Catholic Central High School Class of 2020 32 Past Tense: Tumultuous times for NHS graduates 34 COVID-19 pumps the brakes on road construction 44 It's Your Business: Guernsey's gets makeover 48

Your Voice The invisible enemy Nix built a climate of trust Your article “An Invisible Enemy” in the May issue was very interesting. The stats were unbelievable compared the Covid-19 stats. Very well written.

Kathleen Donahoe

Eerie similarities

I really enjoyed reading the article in the May issue “An Invisible Enemy.” It was so eerily similar to our current conditions with this Covid pandemic. I found the mask and quarantine facts so fascinating. It’s like a repeat 100 years later. Thank you for including it.

My husband and I always enjoy The ‘Ville when it arrives -- more than any other magazine. Thank you for your hard work!

Jennifer Wayton

Bob Nix is running for re-election as the Northville Township Supervisor, and has my full support. As the former Township Manager, I served at the pleasure of Supervisor Nix and the Township Board from 2012 until my recent retirement.

As the chief elected official, I observed the genius of Mr. Nix’s leadership which lies in his capacity to look beyond the immediate circumstances and imagine the possibilities. In the supervisor’s eight years of service he never walked away from failure. On the contrary, he studied it carefully for its hidden value.

During his current term Supervisor Nix provided great insight, reorganized the township administration, and promoted economic development and deficit reduction initiatives. He created working relationships with other communities in Western Wayne County, and is a highly respected, experienced leader and cooperative problem solver. Supervisor Nix, along with the Board of Trustees, has created and sustained a climate of trust and sense of community for the Northville Township.

Chip Snider Former Manager, Northville Township

Nix offers stable leadership

This letter is to share my endorsement and support for the re-election of Robert Nix for Northville Township Supervisor.

I feel that our township is headed for some very challenging times to recover from the Corona pandemic, which has impacted so many of our citizens. Bob has spent the past eight years dedicating himself to the stability and consistency in the management of the township resources by promoting financial responsibility including debt reduction of $16 million, eliminating unfunded liabilities, and increasing the commercial tax base, all resulting in an increased township bond rating.

He continues to work on reduced water and sewer rates and, as a result, there’s been no increases in 2018, 2019 and 2020. He continues to pursue partnerships with surrounding communities to purchase water in bulk, to further reduce costs.

The Supervisor’s position is an important role in our community and I know that Bob would appreciate your vote and the opportunity to continue serving Northville Township constituents.

Sue Hillebrand Former Clerk, Northville Township

Vote for Nix Help Art House

It is a strange world we have entered with this pandemic.

Thank you for bringing us The ‘Ville each month.

If you can, please ask for support of the Northville Art House. Our budget is taking a huge hit with no classes taking place and the cancellation of the Arts & Acts Festival.

We could use any support.

Thanks!

Sue Taylor Member, Northville Arts Commission Board

SOUND OFF

Township residents, please vote August 4 to re-elect Supervisor Bob Nix. Bob has served 8 years as Supervisor and the prior 12 years on the Planning Commission. Bob and his very able Board of Trustees and staff have restored the financial reserves of the township. The prison at 5 Mile and Beck was demolished and residential and commercial development is underway on the site. Many buildings of the Seven Mile psychiatric hospital are gone and new parkland and recreational paths are slated to open soon.

We need Bob Nix and his municipal law background as well as his strong partnership with the City of Northville in these uncertain economic times.

Absentee ballots may be obtained from Township Clerk Margie Banner at mbanner@twp.northville. mi.us. Ballots will be mailed by June 29. Register to vote at Township Hall every day including election day August 4. Please join me in voting to reelect Bob Nix Supervisor!

Martha Nield

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.

PROTECT & SUPPORT NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP FIRST RESPONDERS Millage Renewal and Small Increase (0.5 mill) will:

• Continue and improve excellent protective services – Fire & EMS • Insure that nearly 90% of new funding will go to Public Safety • Not increase Northville Township total millage • Support Parks & Recreation, Senior Services and Township Operations For more information, visit

www.twp.northville.mi.us

Vote YES on Tuesday, August 4th

Paid for by Citizens for Northville Township 2020 Millage (Jim Tesen, Treasurer)

3TE ABSENTEE VO Upcoming Elections

AUGUST 4, 2020 NOVEMBER 3, 2020 ABSENTEE VOTING is a safe, secure and easy way

to vote at your convenience while being able to practice social distancing.

Did you know that any registered voter can vote by an absentee ballot without a reason?

To obtain an absentee ballot: • Go to www.twp.northville.mi.us and print an application • Call 248-348-5825 to have an application sent to you • Once application is complete, return it to Township Hall by mail, email, fax, in person (if open), or through the drive-thru if the facility is closed (8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday)

Did you know that any registered voter can be put on the permanent absentee list?

To be placed on our permanent absentee list: • Fill out the form on our website at www.twp.northville.mi.us • Call our office and request to be placed on the list

BEING PLACED ON THE PERMANENT ABSENTEE LIST allows the Clerk’s Office to send you an application automatically for each election. You just need to fill out the application and send it back to the Clerk’s Office and a ballot will be sent to you. It’s that easy!

New Beginnings!

It’s happening! Businesses are opening and people are getting back to real life. Your health is now more important than ever. NOW is your chance to begin habits to protect and support your health.

Chiropractic care is the #1 holistic healthcare choice in America. Chase pain away naturally and permanently.

Begin a new habit. Call (248) 513-6188 to begin your new life!

Where Pain Ends & Life Begins!

Northville’s Law Firm Since 1988 Let our family of lawyers help your family!

WILLS & TRUSTS • ELDER LAW DIVORCE • CUSTODY DISPUTES CRIMINAL DEFENSE • SCHOOL LAW BUSINESS • REAL ESTATE • PROBATE PARENTING TIME CHILD SUPPORT • FAMILY LAW DRUNK DRIVING • JUVENILE OFFENSES

248.513.6188 · www.TLChiropractic.net 424 S. Main St., Northville, MI · Drthealewisconway@yahoo.com

248 348 0496 | www.kellykellylaw.com 248 348 0496 | www.kellykellylaw.com 422 East Main Street, Northville, MI 48167 422 East Main Street, Northville, MI 48167

‘Zero Tolerance’ Township fighting landfill plan to discharge into Johnson Creek

By Lonnie Huhman and Kurt Kuban | Photos by Bryan Mitchell Dave Horan of The Conservancy Initiative

A

group of Northville residents have long been concerned the Arbor Hills Landfill has had a detrimental impact on local air quality. Now they are raising the alarm that the landfill could also soon be impacting local waterways, including one of Wayne County’s last remaining trout streams.

The Conservancy Initiative (TCI), founded five years ago by a group of concerned Northville residents, has discovered through a freedom of information request that the landfill’s owner, Advanced Disposal Services (ADS), has applied for state permits to treat leachate on site and then discharge it into nearby Johnson Creek. Leachate is the contaminated water that has percolated through the landfill or compost material.

According to TCI, the landfill currently sends the leachate off-site to be treated and disposed at either commercial facilities or through the Great Lakes Water Authority.

TCI is opposing the change, and has contacted state and local governmental officials.

“This is all about ADS saving money with no regard for local natural resources,” said Dave Horan, a TCI board member, who lives in Steeple Chase, a subdivision of nearly 275 homes near Six Mile and Ridge.

Northville Township officials are also opposing the permit request, according to Northville Township Supervisor Bob Nix, who said they are taking a “zero tolerance” stance on the issue.

8 The ‘Ville

“Under no set of circumstances are we going to let this happen,” Nix said.

“Johnson Creek is one of the only cold water streams in our area. We have no confidence they (ADS) would operate under the permit correctly. This is an irreplaceable natural resource.”

Nix said he has been in regular contact with the township’s state representatives regarding issues with the landfill. Last fall, the township hired the lobbying firm Midwest Strategy at a cost of $3,000 per month to influence legislation that will impact landfills in the state. It is the township’s intention to prevent ADS from building a second landfill on the north side of Six Mile.

Because the landfill is located in Salem Township (and Washtenaw County), Northville doesn’t really have a place at the table when it comes to decision making about Arbor Hills.

A series of bills were introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives at the end of May (HB 5812 through HB5817) that will rewrite the way the state regulates solid waste, landfills, recycling and waste management. As of press time, the bills were being debated in the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Committee. Nix was scheduled to address the committee in Lansing on June 9.

“Our hope is to have a bordering community consent provision included in the legislation that would give us some say when it comes to preventing the expansion

of the landfill,” Nix said. “We wanted to get in front of this and make sure our voice is being heard.”

‘ECOLOGICALLY UNIQUE’ According to the documents obtained by TCI, Arbor Hills wants to discharge up to 15,000 gallons a day of leachate to Johnson Creek from a lined pond at the compost facility located north of Six Mile Road. The second permit would allow ADS to treat up to 80,000 gallons a day of leachate from the East Arbor Hills Landfill on-site and discharge the treated leachate to Johnson Creek.

According to TCI, leachate from the closed East Arbor Hills Landfill has historically contained PCBs and therefore is collected separately from the adjacent and active West Arbor Hills Landfill leachate.

TCI isn’t the only organization that thinks treated landfill leachate shouldn’t be discharged into Johnson Creek, which is located in the Rouge River watershed.

According to the Friends of the Rouge, Johnson Creek is a delicate stream with healthy trout and aquatic insect populations – both indicators of high quality stream conditions. The group wants to make sure the permitting process is scrutinized and all pertinent factors are taken into account.

“Considering the delicate and ecologically unique nature of Johnson Creek as a cold water tributary, the

discharge temperature and also the flow volume should be considered in the permitting process and not just the leachate pollutants,” said FOTR Executive Director Marie McCormick, who noted the organization will be monitoring the process.

NOXIOUS ODORS This is just the latest development in TCI’s five-year fight against Arbor Hills.

The group’s two primary goals are to make sure the landfill is abiding by existing environmental laws and to prevent any expansion.

Michigan Pollution Emergency Alerting System.

With up to 2,000 complaints in 2018 and 3,000 in 2019, TCI members said they want action.

Scott Miller, supervisor of EGLE’s Air Quality Division/Jackson District Office), said his department is taking aggressive actions to assure ADS is implementing necessary measures to resolve ongoing violations and odor issues and is pursuing escalated enforcement.

“EGLE understands the community’s concerns and frustrations and resolution of these issues at the landfill remains a top

Arbor Hills has been cited more than 20 times for violating state environmental laws stemming from odor issues since 2019.

In May, TCI sent a letter to the Michigan Attorney General’s office requesting they take legal actions to force the operators of the landfill to accept the corrective actions developed by EGLE and impose penalties commensurate with the many years of noncompliance.

Making matters more complicated is the fact that ADS is in the process of merging with Waste Management.

Miller said agreements and associated responsibilities EGLE has reached with

Under no set of circumstances are we going to let this happen,” Nix said. “Johnson Creek is one of the only cold water streams in our area. We have no confidence they would operate under the permit correctly. This is an irreplaceable natural resource.”

Bob Nix Northville Township Supervisor

Horan said residents who live downwind of the landfill have been dealing with “noxious odors” from the site for as long as he’s lived in Steeple Chase since 2012.

“If the wind is blowing, I can always smell it. And when it’s bad, it’s bad,” Horan said.

In 2018, TCI developed an on-line system to report odors called The Odor Report, which has streamlined the odor reporting and response process by immediately alerting personnel at the landfill, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and various community leaders with every odor complaint.

TCI members said prior to The Odor Report, residents needed to contact the landfill directly and/or use the State of

priority for the department,” Miller said.

“We continue to respond to hundreds of odor complaints filed by residents near the landfill.”

He said EGLE staff continues to conduct on-site inspections and area odor evaluations of the landfill and the adjacent landfill gas-to-energy plant owned by Arbor Hills Energy LLC (AHE), a subsidiary of the Fortistar Methane Group.

“EGLE and EPA conducted air monitoring at the landfill and in the surrounding area on several occasions in 2019,” Miller said. “Monitoring included Hydrogen Sulfide, Methane, and Volatile Organic Compounds. Although some areas of elevated H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide) were noted on the landfill.”

ADS would be transferred to the new owners.

“EGLE is finalizing a settlement agreement that outlines a long-term compliance plan to control fugitive landfill gas emissions, but the company has not yet agreed to these necessary measures,” Miller said.

In addition to odor concerns, EGLE will also continue to review the Arbor Hills PFAS investigation activities to define the potential source and extent of the PFAS, which have been detected on site. PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that can lead to adverse human health effects, according to the EPA. We tried contacting Advanced Disposal Services officials through multiple emails but never received a response for this story.

The ‘Ville 9

New Realities Northville businesses adapt to survive, help others Story by Alex Lundberg | Photos by Bryan Mitchell

C

ity of Northville officials have decided to shut down traffic on downtown streets until the end of October in an effort to help local businesses survive the pandemic. The Northville City Council, with a unanimous vote via a June 5 special Zoom meeting, approved closing E. Main and N. Center streets to vehicle traffic, which will allow for on-street dining and shopping.

Lori Ward, executive director of the Northville DDA, said the plan to close the streets came from a careful survey of downtown businesses.

The DDA had been in contact with restaurant, retail and business owners in preparation for a June reopening. The organization was looking for input on whether or not to close downtown streets to vehicle traffic. The idea behind closing the streets would allow for wide walkways for pedestrians, curbside pickup and spaced, on-street seating for the restaurants.

After the long lockdown, businesses are going to need

10 The ‘Ville

help getting going again.

“This is going to give them an opportunity to make up for some of the lost chairs,” she said, speaking of the mandatory restrictions for seating density

finding the best way around. He also said the DDA would have to make some kind of provision for cleanup and trash collection for the weekends, when regular city workers are off.

(Top) Vehicle traffic will not be allowed on Main and Center streets this summer.

(Above) Lisa Schon at the Northville Farmers Market. She has developed a website for market vendors.

inside restaurants. “This will allow them to spread diners out and maintain social distance.”

City Manager Pat Sullivan expressed concerns about how the closure of the streets would affect traffic through the city.

As more and more of the city’s residents go back to work, those commuters will inevitably start cutting through neighborhoods

Several council members mentioned that this is a work in progress and adjustments will certainly need to be made as time goes on. DDA Chairman Shawn Riley said an alternate plan, to close those streets on the weekends only, wouldn’t do enough.

“Without closing the streets completely, the restaurants

would not survive,” he said.

“We have to do everything in our power to see these businesses survive.”

OPENING UP This should be welcome news to downtown merchants, who have been struggling and are just starting to reopen as Michigan’s Stay Home, Stay Safe order starts to loosen.

The Dancing Eye Gallery, which has been selling local and Michigan artist-made handcrafts for 25 years, closed their doors on March 23 to comply with state orders.

“We were cognizant of social distancing, but we wanted to comply with the order,” said owner Theresa Schierloh.

“We did not want to lose our business license.”

She also didn’t want to lose her business, so she shifted her operation to online sales with shipping or curbside pickup.

It’s caused her to sell in a new way.

“Doing business over the phone and online has been tough, it requires more work,” Schierloh said. “It’s exciting.

We’re happy to do it, happy to be in business. I feel like we’ve made lemonade out of lemons.”

Her normal workforce of eight has been cut down to five, counting her, and she makes a point of doing the bulk of her work in the mornings before opening so that she can have just one staffer on duty and make social distancing easier to accomplish. Another regular store employee is using the disrupted schedule in a different way, building a new website for the store.

She’s also worked to take advantage of her “good location” at 101 N. Center Street.

“We’ve put a lot of work into our window displays,” Shierloh said. “We did one celebrating the 2020 grads and another for Bigfoot, the champion of social distancing. We’re trying to lighten the mood.”

To some extent, it has. She said people wave at her when she’s changing the window displays and are happy to see a business surviving and operating under these extreme circumstances. “People are happy to see us open. I think they were worried about businesses downtown.”

“I saw that some of the vendors were doing sales,” Schon said. “Some of them delivered, some did pickups.

There was no coordination.”

She came up with the idea of creating a central directory to help. She and her husband, Manfred, put together a free website, http://up2go.com/ local-food. The site connects residents with the farmers’ market vendors they have come to know.

The website is simple.

Participating local farms and businesses, including Donahee Farms, Gracias’ Greenhouse, and Lonesome Pines Beef are listed alphabetically with links to their websites, email addresses and phone numbers.

The listings also indicate whether each business offers

A HELPING HAND Some Northville institutions have also had to change. The Northville Farmers’ Market is operating on limited hours, banned dogs and asking people to not socialize or linger as they shop for items they are asked not to touch.

Lisa Schon is a big fan of the market and was concerned about what was going to happen when the opening was delayed in early May. She said the market filled a very important need in the community.

Northville resident and COO of R. M. Wright Company Mike Hamzey (left) and sales manager Mark Lambert.

Photo courtesy of Mike Hamzey.

shipping, delivery or pickup.

The only functionality on the site is a filter where visitors can search by product or category.

The site offers no option to shop or buy.

Since it was launched in May, food product companies have joined the listing. It could change further as time goes on.

“The site will become what it needs to become as people

Dancing Eye Gallery owner Theresa Schierloh.

use it,” Schon said. “Having this in place will be helpful later if there is a second surge of the coronavirus.”

Large corporations have also come to the rescue. Home improvement manufacturer Masco Corporation, for example, repurposed its community outreach budget for 2020 to benefit nonprofits impacted by the virus. The company, headquartered on Haggerty Road, will put $1 million towards programs that provide food and housing relief near its operations in the U.S. and Canada.

Masco has been a benefactor of many local non-profits, including the Living and Learning Enrichment Center.

“We are proud to be able to support our communities with critical funding, and we are immensely grateful to the nonprofits that are working tirelessly to meet the increasing needs of those affected by this crisis,” said Masco President and CEO Keith Allman.

While businesses are figuring out how to ramp back up, some never quit. Northville’s Michael Hamzey, COO of RM Wright Co., said he had a sit-down meeting with his employees the Friday before the first statewide stay-at-home order was imposed by the governor.

Because the company was a distributor for manufacturers making parts for ventilators being made by GM and Ford, their 27 employees were considered essential for the supply of critical infrastructure.

“We told them if they got ill, we would cover them,” Hamzey said. “We also told them that we were going to follow the guidelines laid out by the Centers for Disease Control.”

Everyone has to wear masks, surfaces are regularly cleaned, door handles are wiped down and the employee restroom is professionally cleaned.

Workers’ temperatures are taken regularly, and employees stopped eating together. Social distancing is relatively easy to achieve in the 15,000-squarefoot warehouse, and it is seriously enforced.

“Fortunately, nobody has become ill. Also, we’ve had two outside visitors in two months,” Hamzey said. “We have our mail dropped off. We’ve done a good job of minimizing contact, and I think part of our success is that our employees are keeping the practices when they go home.”

He said the guidelines the company has followed have worked out so far and the company can continue that way indefinitely.

The ‘Ville 11

CUSTARD TIME COME SEE US FOR YOUR GR ADUATION PARTY FOR THENEEDS! SEASON

NOW OPEN

CUSTARD TIME

NOW OPEN FOR THE SEASON

567 Seven Mile Rd., at Northville Road

|

248.349.1477

Where supporting our local businesses is

&Center

Main

downtownnorthville.com Pictured: Lorlas

UNCOMPROMISED QUALITY ICE CREAM

Award-winning small batch Michigan farm fresh ice cream!

Our ice cream is so fresh you can taste it. Or as we say, “Taste The Guernsey Difference!�

248.349.1466

SINCE 1940 MILK AND DAIRY

Every drop of milk we use comes from Walnutdale Farms in Wayland, Michigan, a fourthgeneration family owned and operated farm.

Walnutdale shares our commitment to quality which earned their place in the 99th percentile of their animal welfare program. Knowing where our milk comes from helps us manage the consistency of our products, which sets us apart from the rest.

21300 NOVI RD Northville, MICHIGAN

RESTAURANT AND SCOOP SHOP

Right next door to our processing plant is the Guernsey Family Restaurant and Scoop Shop. As a focal point for our brand, and long-standing community pillar, the restaurant is an investment in our values and our future.

As a celebration of our 80th anniversary come see our newly renovated space!

GUERNSEYFARMSDAIRY.COM

How Much Are Municipal Services Worth?

Township voters are asked to renew expiring millage with slight increase

By Lonnie Huhman

A

renewal and an increase.

That’s what Northville Township residents will be pondering as the August 4 Primary Election approaches with a millage question on the ballot asking for a renewal of the current millage rate (that expires at the end of the year) and an increase of the rolled Marina Neumaier back millage resulting from the Headlee Amendment.

In an effort to get some information for voters, we reached out to Marina Neumaier, Northville Township’s Assistant Township Manager and Finance Director, with some questions about the

14 The ‘Ville

millage proposal that will be on the primary ballot.

Neumaier said the existing millage rate approved by residents in 2014, expires at the end of 2020.

“The millage proposal which Northville Township voters will be asked to consider on the ballot aims to restore the current rolled back Public Safety; Parks and Recreation, Senior and Youth Services; and general operating millage to amounts approved by voters back in 2014,” Neumaier said. “To accomplish this and allow for future millage reductions due to the Headlee

Amendment, a 0.5 mill increase is required.”

According to the township website, in 2014, “the electors of Northville Charter Township authorized a Public Safety

millage in the amount of 6.250 mills, and, a Parks, Senior & Youth Services millage in the amount of 0.7574 mills, and a voted General Operating millage in the amount of 0.1176

The ballot question includes an additional 0.5 mill, of which 80% will be used for Public Safety, including emergency dispatch services.

The millage renewal will also fund parks and recreation programs in the community.

mills at the 2014 Michigan primary election.”

The 1978 “Headlee Amendment” to the Michigan Constitution requires a local unit of government to “roll back” or reduce its tax rates when annual growth on existing property value is greater than the rate of inflation.

This year, the state calculated inflation rate is 1.9 percent. Because of Headlee, the millage rate has gone down slightly from 2014, and now stands at 6.822 mills. With the additional half mill, the rate will be 7.322 if voters approve it.

This vote is a big deal. The property taxes that this brings in comprise more than 70% of the township’s approximate $27 million budget.

Northville Township Supervisor Bob Nix said the millage proposal was developed after several months of analysis and a determination by the township board that the existing level of services can be maintained by renewing the existing millage with an increase of 0.5 mill. Some 88 percent of that additional half mill will be dedicated solely to funding the Public Safety Department.

The township is allowed to impose and levy taxes to finance Public Safety

services including Police, Fire/Ambulance (emergency medical services); Parks, Senior & Youth Services; and General Operating Services in accordance with the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and other laws.

At their April 16 meeting, the township board approved putting the proposal on the ballot. If approved by voters, the millage will run for a period of six years (2021-2026).

“We think this is a level of service our residents would like to continue. That’s why we put it on the ballot. It is up to the residents now,” he said.

Township officials say the half mill increase will be offset by a decrease of approximately 0.5 mill in the separately voted millage for the 2009 Seven Mile Road property purchase.

“As a result, the township’s total millage will not increase,” the FAQ states.

So how much would this cost a township taxpayer?

A resident’s tax bill would increase up to .50 cents per $1,000 of taxable value (TV) of their property. The TV is half of a property’s market value.

Neumaier said a resident with a home having a market value of $400,000 would pay $100 per year for the .5 mill increase.

“Approximately $93 of this

amount funds Public Safety, $6 funds parks, recreation, senior and youth services and $1 goes towards general operating,” she said. “Beginning in 2021, there will be a reduction of .5 mill for the 7 Mile Road property purchase bond, so there will be no increase in the total millage rate for the township.”

Neumaier said the millage renewal plus increase is necessary to maintain current service levels, which include personnel, operating and capital costs to fund police, fire and EMS operations, as well as maintain the township’s parks and programs.

“Residents by their vote on August 4, 2020, will determine the millage rate and whether to continue the current levels of service,” Neumaier said. “Without this voter-

approved millage, the township will be left without funding for public safety (police, fire/ambulance), parks and recreation, and senior and youth services.”

To learn more about the proposal and other election news, email questions to clerk@twp.northville.mi.us, or visit www.twp.northville. mi.us and check out the FAQ page.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

If you are a Northville Township resident, do you support the millage request on the Aug. 4th ballot to pay for current levels of service? Or do you think the township should make budget cuts, and where?

Please email your opinions to Editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@ thevillemagazine.com.

counseling for everyone

insurance accepted

night & weekend appointments

Children • Teens • Adults Individuals • Couples • Families 41700 Gardenbrook Rd., Novi Garden Office B • Suite 110

www.glpg.net | (586) 991-3905

E X P E R I E N C E D. Q U A L I F I E D. D E D I C A T E D.

COMMITTED TO PROVIDING TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS WITH ACCURATE ELECTIONS, OPEN COMMUNICATION, FISCAL RESTRAINT, AND TRANSPARENCY. ENDORSEMENTS: Terry Marecki, Wayne County Commissioner; Bob Nix, Northville Township Supervisor; Fred Shadko, Northville Township Treasurer; Historic District Commissioners (Sivy, Schleh, Rosone, Maitland, Palmer, Shadko); Chip Snider, Northville Township Manager (retired); Roland Hwang; Sue Hillebrand, Northville Township Clerk (retired); Jim Petrie, RESA Board Member, Lonna Petrie; Chuck Murdock, 2018 Citizen of the Year; Richard Henningson, Northville Treasurer (retired); Richard Allen, Northville Township Trustee & Planning Commissioner (retired); Joe Oldenburg, Northville District Library Trustee (retired); Martha Nield, Northville Public School Board (retired); Jim Nield, Business Owner; Cynthia Jankowski For more information go to

www.bannerforclerk.com or my Facebook page, Marjorie Banner for Northville Township Clerk Paid for by the Committee to Elect Marjorie F. Banner Clerk. 41726 Pon Meadow Ct., Northville, MI 48168.

METRO DETROIT’S NUMBER ONE PLACE FOR WELLNESS, PREVENTATIVE HEALTH, WEIGHT LOSS AND MORE!

Rejuvenation. Relief. Recovery. Repair.

Infrared Saunas

Theralight Therapy

Wellness PODs

Local Cryotherapy

Bemer Therapy

Red-Light Therapy

iSauna is Metro-Detroit’s newest destination for wellness. We offer a variety of services to enhance beauty, health, and an overall sense of well-being. From age-reversal to in depth cellular repair, we have something for everyone.

KEEP AN EYE ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA FOR PROMOTIONS! 17915 Haggerty Road, Northville, Michigan

PLEASE

VOTE TO

RETAIN TREASURER

FRED SHADKO EXPERIENCE COUNTS!

Fred has twice been elected to the Northville Township Board of Trustees. He was appointed Treasurer in the middle of his second term. The Township’s fiscal responsibility has paid off in big ways – our pension liability is 100% funded.

OPEB is 99% funded. We are living within our means.

The Treasurer’s office has received multiple peer-reviewed awards for budgeting and presentation. With a long career in Information Technology, Fred has supported technology deployment, increasing efficiency, and reducing costs to residents. Watch for important announcements in Summer, 2020.

Since 2012, Fred has had perfect attendance at all Board meetings, and all commissions to which he has been appointed, including Planning, Election, Historic District, Economic Development and Brownfield.

He has served on the Water Rate, Landfill, and many other committees. Retired from the auto industry, he has the time and drive to serve Northville Township.

ENDORSEMENTS: Margie & Mark Banner, George Fomin, Dick Henningsen, Sue Hillebrand, Eric Lark, Linda & Larry Last, Terry Marecki, Martha & Jim Nield, Sue & Bob Nix, Joe Oldenburg, Chip Snider, Jim Tesen (partial list) Paid for by CTE Fred Shadko for Northville Township Treasurer, 47040 Timberlane, Northville, MI 48167.

Thoughtful Investing. Intentional Living.

At Sigma, our Midwest heritage has taught us to be well reasoned in our thought process. We want to understand where each client is today and where they want to be tomorrow. Every advisor at Sigma is either a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and/or Certified Financial Planner (CFP)®. This rigorous course work and long experience enables our advisors to find creative solutions that meet each clients’ unique financial goals.

186 E. Main St., Suite 200, Northville, MI 48167 | (248) 223-0122 | fax: (248) 223-0144 | www.sigmainvestments.com

Running to Butler Naughton’s plans change after CMU drops track program amid pandemic

By Brad Emons

D

Northville’s Conor Naughton will be transferring from CMU to Butler University, where he will have one season of eligibility in track and cross country. Photo by Benjamin Suddendorf/ CMU Athletics

18 The ‘Ville

istance runner Conor Naughton felt he was just hitting his stride for the Central Michigan University men’s track and field team when his 2020 outdoor season was abruptly shelved in midMarch by the coronavirus.

Things got worse on the morning of May 18 when another bombshell hit.

After a run, he learned of the stunning news in the parking lot at Northville High School where he had just completed a workout. A message from his former high school coach had just come across via Twitter – CMU had dropped its track program.

“I got back to my car, and I had a text from Tim Dalton on my phone,” Naughton recalled.

“So I clicked on it, opened it up and he just linked to the (CMU) press release that they were dropping the men’s program.

So that’s how I found out.”

The unexpected news, due in part to some of the financial fallout from COVID-19,

reportedly will save the CMU athletic budget approximately $700,000 annually.

Naughton, who despite graduating in early May as a red shirt senior, planned to continue his running career in Mount Pleasant while attending grad school.

An email went out hastily that day at 9:07 a.m. when CMU Athletic Director Michael Alford invited the affected 36 CMU men’s track and field athletes for a 10 a.m. Zoom meeting.

“Completely blindsided,” Naughton said of the news.

BUTLER COMES CALLING Just prior to the COVID-19 stoppage, Naughton was on a roll, which made him an attractive graduate transfer.

At the Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships Feb. 28-29 in Akron, Ohio, Naughton earned a podium finish with fifth in the 5,000-meter run in a personal-best 14:33.08.

He also added a 10th in the 3,000 while improving his MAC standing by six and three places, respectively, from the

previous year.

At an indoor meet just two weeks prior to MAC Indoors at Grand Valley State, Naughton posted a personal best of 8:27.98 in the 3K. Following the shocking turn of events, Naughton wasted little time and put his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal before 5 p.m. that same day.

The emails and phone messages began pouring in from all over the country from coaches.

And just eight days later, Naughton committed to Butler University (Ind.) of the Big East where he’ll have two outdoor, one indoor and one cross country season of eligibility remaining. He has also been accepted into the school’s business school where he’ll be working on a Master’s degree in management.

Naughton, who also considered fellow MidAmerican Conference member Eastern Michigan, was familiar with Butler and head coach Matt Roe. He made an unofficial visit there during his junior year of high school and did an internship with USA

Track and Field in Indianapolis last summer.

Naughton’s parents, Keith and Janet, were also familiar with the surroundings as well.

Both had lived and worked at the Indianapolis Star and News when they were first married.

“It’s a place I’m comfortable with,” Naughton said. “They have a really good program. The team is really strong and it’s just a really good opportunity for me to grow as an athlete and fulfil my career after grad school. I’ll be in a good spot to try and land a job.”

Naughton, meanwhile, will miss the relationships he had built with his teammates and friends over the past four years at CMU.

Northville. As a senior, he helped the Mustangs to a runner-up finish in the MHSAA Division 1 cross country finals with a 15th-place individual finish (15:42.5) en route to AllState honors.

On the track, Naughton placed fourth in the 2016 Midwest Meet of Champions in the 3,200 after winning the KLAA title. As a junior he was the 3,200 Division 1 regional champ and runner-up at the conference meet. In the same event as a sophomore he was KLAA champ.

Naughton redshirted his first season (2016-17) at CMU and had to deal with tendonitis and plantar fasciitis in both of his feet his sophomore season. He

2020 indoor season.

“This is the healthiest I’ve been. I had been injured on-and-off a lot the past year,” Naughton said. “This was my best training, really healthy, really fit. It was the best year of my life, run the fastest I ever had.”

Naughton took a break in early May from running, but returned to his training schedule where he is building up his distance mileage again, but this time it will be as a Butler Bulldog.

“I personally ended up in a pretty good position because I was already going on to grad school,” he said, “so there were no worries about transfer credits or any

covers GM affairs for the Wall Street Journal.)

Other than CMU director of track and field Jenny Swieton, who reached out initially when the program was dropped, Naughton has not had contact with any others in the athletic department. The move from CMU to Butler proved to be bittersweet.

With a stop in Northville in between, he’s looking in the rearview mirror on the way from Mount Pleasant to Indy with a new NCAA Letter of Intent in hand.

“I love CMU,” said Naughton, an Academic All-MAC selection who carried a 3.64 grade-point average. “I improved both athletically and academically

I personally ended up in a pretty good position because I was already going on to grad school. If this had happened a year earlier, I’d be in a very different position, so I definitely feel for all my other teammates. It could end some college running careers prematurely.”

“Some people are staying and obviously some people won’t, but I’ll never be in school with those guys again,” he said.

“That’s the biggest bummer.

With the whole coronavirus and everything, it’s like we never even got a proper goodbye at the end of the school year or anything like that. A lot of those guys I haven’t seen since the very beginning of March, and I don’t know when I’ll see them again now.”

HITTING HIS STRIDE Prior to landing at CMU, Naughton was a three-time MHSAA Division 1 state qualifier in cross country at

also had a stress reaction in his foot that same season as well.

During his junior year, however, he began to show glimpses of promise.

At the 2019 MAC Outdoors, he placed 10th in the 10,000 (33:25.24) and 12th in the 5,000 (15:23.92). He also set a personal best in the 10,000 (30:41.77) at the Virginia Challenge the previous month.

At the 2019 MAC Cross Country Championships in DeKalb, Ill., he was 26th in the 8K (26:22.4) and followed up with a 69th in the NCAA Great Lakes Regional in Madison, Wis. in the 10K (32.06.7). He then parlayed that into a strong

of that kind of stuff. If this had happened a year earlier, I’d be in a very different position, so I definitely feel for all my other teammates. It could end some college running careers prematurely.”

During the statewide quarantine, Naughton spent time with his family. His father Keith, an avid runner himself, is a reporter who covers automotive news for Bloomberg News. His mother Janet, meanwhile, is retired from the Northville Public Schools. (Conor also has two older sisters including Clare, who ran at Aquinas College, and Nora, a reporter who also

Photo by Peter Draugalis

while I was there. The whole town is the university, so I really liked that aspect. It’s just a really welcoming town and a really good college with a lot of different people with different backgrounds, and skill levels.”

The ‘Ville 19

THE JUNE FAMILY DEAL – from our family to yours – hoping you are healthy & safe! #northvillestrong #supportlocal #togetherapart • $10 off Ultimate Unlimited Wash Package • $20 off for 2020 Graduates & All Students • FREE Vacuums • Courtesy Drying Towels • State-of-the-Art Equipment

Family owned and operated by Northville residents

470 E. Main Street · In the Heart of Downtown Northville!

(248) 319-0047 · OPEN 7:00 am – 8:00 pm · SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

WE ARE NOW OPEN EVERY DAY 10 am–6 pm Sunday 11 am–5 pm

for your custom framing needs or to shop for artwork and giftware

CHECK OUT OUR BRAND NEW ONLINE STORE! curbside pickup & local delivery available 123 E. Main St., Northville •

www.northvillegallery.com

• 248.465.9630

Re-Elect Bob Nix

for Supervisor & Keep Northville Township Strong.

Since elected, Bob Nix has: • Reduced township debt by $16 million.

Stable Leadership for Unstable Times BOBNIXFORSUPERVISOR.COM

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BOBNIXFORSUPERVISOR/

• Increased reserves to weather economic downturns.

• Opened township books by posting financials online.

• Controlled spending & balanced budgets.

• Battled water authorities for reductions in water rates.

• Developed an additional 40 acres of usable parkland.

Tuesday, August 4

Thinking Forward Deprived of tradition, the Class of 2020 ready for the future

By Kendall Ash | Photos by Bryan Mitchell

F

our years ago, I played Pomp and Circumstance with the NHS band for the first time as I watched the class of 2016 take their seats at graduation. The ceremony was somewhat long-winded for a freshman who hardly knew anyone from the graduating class, but watching the seniors turn their tassels and throw their caps in the air was a heartwarming moment.

As I cheered my friends across the stage in the following years, I dreamt of being in their place; of receiving my diploma and feeling a sense of fulfillment while shaking my principal’s hand. If this were a normal year, the moment I have waited for would be at my fingertips. Instead, no one knows for sure what graduation will look like, and if I get to shake my principal’s hand at all, we’ll probably both be wearing gloves.

It has

22 The ‘Ville

now been nearly three months since the stay at home order was issued, and life has changed dramatically in this short time.

Students and teachers faced a unique struggle as we adjusted to a completely different online school environment.

For seniors, Northville High School Principal Tony Koski handed out caps and gowns to the loss of facegraduating seniors in a different way this year. to-face learning and extracurriculars is especially small groups; but the available options just disheartening. This time of the year seem impersonal. Instead of being clapped is normally spent creating enjoyable out by our parents on the last day of school, memories of seniors’ last days with events we smiled and waved at our teachers and like prom, graduation, and the senior all pressed a button that said “leave meeting.” night party. We look forward to these Northville’s Class of 2020, in particular, events as parts of a final farewell to high has been through some rough times school and as a way to focus on all the good together, especially this year. The from the last four years. Because of the community we have built as a result of our pandemic, we must instead forego many of struggles is considerate and dependable, the “lasts” we hoped to celebrate. and many of us rely on its support. To leave For me, that means no last concert this community so abruptly without proper for my band or wind ensemble, no last closure just feels wrong. We have lost an astronomy club meeting, and no last day entire transitory period when we would of school. The events we are missing out normally be able to say goodbye to our on are what many people remember when classmates and accept our passage into a they think back on their senior year, or new environment. even high school in general. When I These last couple months it has felt like look back on this year in the future, we were in limbo. We hadn’t really left high though, my memories will be school, but it was still gone. Now, we also much different. worry that the pandemic will extend into Grad parties will be held next semester, meaning many of us will virtually or not at all, and be taking college courses online. If this is events like prom and the the case, then we will also lose the valuable all night party are out of experience of having in person lectures the question for the time and being able to live on campus. As a being. Graduation may be precaution, some of my peers have opted to held in cars, online, or in postpone their acceptances to universities

in favor of gaining work experience. I decided to attend the University of Michigan in the fall, so I have my fingers crossed that the campus and dorms will open back up.

In the meantime, the structure of online classes has given us plenty of free time. My sister and I often take walks when the weather is nice, and I spend plenty of time exercising. I’ve also enjoyed painting, playing the French horn, and reading. My schedule before school closed was rigorous and busy because of how many advanced classes I was taking, so I didn’t have much time to do things I enjoyed. Learning from home has its pros and cons, but I certainly appreciate not having to take exams or deal with so much stress. Many of my peers feel the same way.

“I’m sad that school is over but I’m excited to see what the future holds,” said my friend Sarah Campbell, who has been spending her free time working on her online calligraphy and card making store

and practicing guitar. Although we miss what we had before quarantine, we are glad to be able to focus on things we enjoy.

Even without the usual festivities and gatherings, the class of 2020 is still being celebrated. On social media, there are profiles devoted to sharing seniors’ plans for the future, and families are able to send congratulatory shoutouts. Graphic designers and photographers are also providing yard signs and banners that show support for the seniors. Other individual senior events have been converted into online slideshows and meetings.

While it may be in a different format, the seniors are grateful to receive so much love and support.

Despite the various challenges posed by the pandemic, our community and the Class of 2020 have continued to prove their toughness and adaptability. While we may be deprived of tradition, our generation is known for its ability to think forward. Without a doubt, we will make it

through this crisis having gained new skills, strengths, and ideas.

To my fellow seniors: stay safe, stay strong, and stay in touch. I hope we can see each other in person again soon.

Kendall Ash is a member of the Northville High School Class of 2020. She will be attending the University of Michigan in the fall.

GETTING READY FOR

KINDERGARTEN

Northville Public Schools Northville Public Schools consists of six elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school and an early childhood education and extended day program.

The district also operates Cooke School, a special education center financed by the Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency and staffed by Northville educators.

Northville Schools takes pride in providing a world class education for students and maintains expectations for high achievement with multiple accreditations.

Each of our 6 elementary schools are recognized as Leader in Me™ Lighthouse Schools, a significant benchmark that recognizes outstanding results in school and student outcomes.

Complete Online Enrollment Forms Visit northvilleschools.org/enroll and begin the enrollment process by filling out the pre-enrollment forms for your student.

M AN AM ER entary Elem

Schedule Enrollment Appointment Visit northvilleschools.org/enroll and schedule a virtual appointment with the Northville Public Schools Student Data department. Visit northvilleschools.org/enroll to register for the 2020-2021 school year for all grades.

Attend Your Schools’ Virtual Parent Orientation Each elementary school will host a virtual Parent Orientation for incoming kindergarten families.

Advancing our Tradition of Excellence by Opening a World Possibilities

405 West Main, Northville, MI 48167 | wwww.northvilleschools.org

The ‘Ville In Focus with Bryan Mitchell

What A Send Off! Class of 2020 gets its own parade in lieu of graduation ceremony

N

orthville High School seniors may not have had their traditional graduation ceremony on the last day of May because of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Yet there was still a celebration with a vehicle parade down Six Mile Road through the community on May 31. And judging by the cheers, honking horns and social media posts maybe a new tradition was born. Who wants to sit and listen to stuffy speeches and watch people walk across a stage for three hours anyway?

Starting at about 6 p.m. hundreds of decorated vehicles, full of Northville grads, chauffeured by their parents, and escorted by Northville Township police officers left the parking lot at Ward Church and made their way along Six Mile to the high school. There they were greeted by teachers and staff cheering, waving banners, loud music, confetti cannons and more. Possibly the most vocal of the cheers came from NHS Principal Tony Koski, who danced and waved to every senior who passed, mentioning many by name.

Cars and trucks decorated with banners, balloons and more packed into the back parking lot of Ward Church like sardines in a can.

When the parade started some seniors stood out of sunroofs, some were in the back of trucks and all seemed to be waving and smiling the whole time. Along the Six Mile Road route teachers and staff from all the elementary schools, the middle schools and the board of education cheered and waved as the parade passed. Friends and family of the seniors also lined the route to cheer them on.

And while social distancing and mask wearing were not perfect, it seemed people were doing their best to comply with the safety rules.

Being outside helped.

The Northville Township police blocked crossroads and directed traffic to keep things moving along. The parade, organized by the Senior All Night Party Committee and parent volunteers, lasted for more than an hour in what could have been the best possible send off for this year’s graduating class in the crazy times we all live in.

24 The ‘Ville

The ‘Ville 25

Maya Abbasi Ahmad Abu-Mahfouz Trevor Adams Samuel Adler Lindsay Afsari Saarah Alam Michael Alameddine Michelle Alameddine Shane Alexander Haider Alfalouji Ameer Al-Huraibi Josephina Allam Omran Almasri Echad Altman Hayley Altwal Meghna Ancha Abigail Anderson Kristian Andresen Elicia Androne Joseph Antone Noah Appleyard Abigail Armstrong Kendall Ash Harrison Asher Sarah Aslam Emily Assemany Gabriela Atanaskovski Anirudh Attaluri Najeeb Baig John Bailey Mark Baker Ankush Bakuli Isha Balaguru Ryan Barber Maxwell Barnes Alexis Barritt Ethan Bartol Tara Beason Alexander Bejin Jennifer Belknap Alexandru Beloiu Neil Beri Marinos Bernitsas Georgia Bernwanger Rafic Beydoun Mihir Bhandarkar June Bhattarai Seth Bjorge Isabella Blomberg Stephen Blough Sophia Bojrab Anthony Bolinger Craig Bolton Giovanni Bonamego Brooke Bonnier

Zachary Bonofiglio Jack Boschma Brianna Botoroaga Nicholas Boules Alyssa Bowen Olivia Bowler Kyle Boynton Gabriella Brakke Kabir Brara Haley Brass Timothy Braun Ella Bromnick Laine Brotherton Connor Brown Erin Brown Jalen Brown Nicholas Brown Sarah Brown Anna Buscarino Joseph Buscarino Ryan Bush Ren Butler-Shriner Rose Butler-Shriner Sarah Campbell Kyle Campion Jade Candela Kamryn Carney Leah Cencer Brooke Cessante Miguel Chacon Garcia Sreya Challa Jennifer Chalom Justin Chang YongWei Che Alyssa Chechak Rishab Chendamarai Nayna Chhabria Joseph Chiaravalle Isabella Cirulis Christian Clark Conner Click Anthony Cocca Andrew Collins Ciara Colosimo Daniel Colovas Cameron Compeau Ava Conway Liam Cooney Ian Corless Luc Cornille Thomas Cotter Sean Covell Kyle Cowden Clara Crabb Jacob Cromer

Elizabeth Czarnota Justine Czyrka Abha Dabak-Wakankar Robert Damron Jannic Daniel Brendan Darr Alesandra Daskal Sebastian Dattilo Lexi Davenport Luke Davila Katherine Davis Meghan Davis Sakina Dawson Jack Deak Mitchell DeGroff Kelly Deng Kabir Deol Abhiram Deshpande Jaclyn Dettloff Sanjana Dhulipalla Nenad Dimitrievikj Arjun Dinesh Brian Ding Adrianna DiPonio Camden Do Stefan Do Daniel Dong Grace Doody Tanvi Doshi Ellena Dragon Linsey Dranginis Olivia Draper Ian Duda Enzo Duhn Alyssa Duke Zachary Dunbar Abigail Dunn Allison Dunn Noelle Dunn Aidan Dyer Mia Dyson Daniyal Dzhaniyev Madelyn Ebach Ciara Edgar Zaria Ellis Myla Enriquez Walker Evans George Fane Amelia Farrand Michael Farrell Alison Fegert Timothy Ference Avery Ferguson Roberto FernandezButron

*Excludes those who have opted out of releasing directory information, if any.

Nicholas Ferris Sarah Field Aliyah Fillman Addison Fites Lauren Fleming Maria Fernanda Flores Abigail Flynn Caitlin Fokken Enzo Foresi Anastasia Franklin Jackson Frederick Jacob Frost Skylar Fryover Alyssa Fuller Jonathan Fulton Hunter Galindo Guinevere Gall Pranav Gandham Timothy Garby Nancy Garcia Daniel Gardner Riley Garliauskas Grant Gattoni Nicholas Gattoni Caroline Geer Robin Geevarughese Adorian Gengle Andrew Genitti Theresa Gerald Marissa Getschman Mohammad-Reza Ghoddoussi Owen Gibaratz Navnoor Gill Sufna Gill Jackson Gillingham Angela Gioia Leonie Glueck Taylor Gnau Adam Goindi Lilly Gold Luke Gonzales Jorge Gonzalez Daniel Goodman Emily Goodman Joseph Gordon Adam Grabowski Nicholas Grana Jason Greco Bryce Green Jordan Grizer Ashley Groff Thea Sofie Grundt Salma Gulam Anushka Gulati Tejas Gumudavelly Senuka Gunaratne Isha Gupta Waldo Guzman Barrientos Curran Gyorke

Asrar Haider Jolie Hall Maya Hamati John Hamilton Michael Hamilton Helen Han Maria Hande Frances Hanna Brooke Hanson Sara Hanson Hanaan Haque Joshua Hardy Joshua Harless Samin Hassan Joseph Havristiuc Alexander Hawthorne Aidan Hayek Blake Hayford Ahzae’ Heard Grace Heathcote Lauren Heaven Kathleen Heiberger Robert Heinonen Annie Heitmeier Andrew Heller William Henke Bryan Henry Annabella Hernandez Jenna Hijawi Samantha Hines Grace Hoglund Alexandra Holland Jake Holstad Kevin Hong Emily Honjas Anish Hora Daniel Hruska Kennedi Hughes Naia Hunt Annika Hurula Robert Husband Etin’osa Imalele Ryudai Inoue Mark Isaacs Sofia Ishaq Katherine Ivanauskas Sebastian Ivezaj Julia Jaafar Taniya Jaffar Jacob Jahshan Ayush Jain Rachit Jain Alexa James Charika Jangili David Ja’nini Anaum Jaweed Ylli Jetishi Carter Johnson Elizabeth Johnson Mitchell Johnson Ella Jones

Alex Jordan Riley Jordan Adrien Jund Abbas Kagal Pahul Kahlon Evangelia Kahremanis Aya Kain Tejas Kakunje Chloe Kallen Kanak Kanphade Khushi Kapoor Matthew Karbownik Jacob Karpenko Pranav Katari Katherine Katba Hannah Katz Guntaaz Kaur Natalie Kean Allison Kelly Hailey Kenward Sanjana Kerkar Rohith Kesamneni Cole Kief Alexa Kiefer Emily Kim Jasmine Kim Yeonsong Kim Christopher King James King Trevor King Corinne Kissel Joshua Klutchko Madeleine Kmieciak Kyle Knake Eleanor Knight Alyssa Knoth Rohan Kodati Anna Koppin Nadia Korovesis Elizabeth Kosak Matthew Kostoff Manas Kota Cameron Krenz Isabella Kressaty Avis Krikor Reemy Krikor Erica Kruszewski Harrison Kubicki Juliana Kubicki Isabella Kucharczyk Ariana Laba Sophia Lack Madisyn Ladach Mandy Laiacono Cole Lambert Andrew Lane Rishab Lanka Danielle Latta Alexandra Lavacek Benjamin Leavitt Shane Lebold

Brianna Lee Curtis Lee Matthew Lee Delaney Lenard Maria Lentine Laura Lepek Luke Lesh Cooper Leverton Joseph Ligenza Samantha Lim Tony Lin Drake Lindsay Brandon Liu Joseph Loebach Desiree Lu Maeve Lucas Eric Lucido Bianca Lutteke Lacey Lyke Julia Maahs Jonathon Maciak Victoria Mady Maxwell Magyar Craig Maibach Cameron Mailley Lauren Maiz Emily Makowski Sara Mallory Jack Mandell Gowrav Mangipudi Dale Mangru Alexa Manna Dylan Mannebach Hemanth Mannem Emma Manross Olivia Mans Nicholas Mansfield Brianna Manske

Omar Mansour Lasya Mantha Kelsi Marcarian Arianna Markey Lauren Marshall Kevin Masel Alexis Mashni Olivia Masse Justin Masters Jacob Maten Sarah Mathew Emma Mathie Grant Mathiesen Maha Mattar Colin Mazzola Tessa McCarthy Kylie McCaskill Olivia McConville Anna McGowan Kaitlyn McGowan Elizabeth McGrath Nicholas McInchak Caitlin McKee Shannon McLean Clare McNamara Leah McWilliams Emma Meadows Paige Meisel Dominic Meloche Robert Miller Lily Milligan Macey Mitchell Benjamin Mitrzyk Kaitlyn Moilanen Bradley Moir Paige Molloy Gabriel Monteiro de Castro

Juliana Monteiro de Castro Jessica Moody Kyle Morris Peter Morris Joshua Morrisey Helaina Motts Nina Moyski Kelly Mozak Hailey Mullen Rachel Mullen Erika Murdie Jack Murphy Karthik Muruganand Nitya Nakirekanti Amelia Nam Sarah Naughtin Kayla Nelson Madalyn Noble Sarah Noonan Kairos Norman Elizabeth O’Connor Daniel Odunlami Tessa O’Farrell Lily Oles David Olko Zoe Orlich Christian Ozog Hari Palaniappan Anish Palli Simran Panjwani Paige Paquette Neal Parikh Esther Park Geon Park Madison Parsons Mahima Parulekar Jack Parzynski Leah Paslawski Akash Patel Keya Patel Krishen Patel Nimai Patel William Patel Ian Pattwell

Emma Phillips Sir Justice Phillips Jacob Pichler Ian Pickering Bridget Pijls Kate Plymale Martin Podvoll Shannah Portis Nikash Prakash Justin Pressler Mark Priebe Rachel Ptashnik Angela Pumford Jason Purchis Jasmine Qonja Tarek Rabbah Jahnavi Rajagopal Pranav Rakkappan Anirudh Rao Jack Rathwell Eva Reck Marisa Reddy Sharita Reddy Mackenzie Reed Nicholas Reith Cody Reitzloff Brennen Rigley Miles Rios Emma Ritchie Silvia Robazza Domenic Rodriguez Nicholas Roehrig John Roland Matthew Rosario

Daria Pearson Morganne Pechenik Pavani Pennathur Uma Pentakota Skyler Peppo Kayla Perkins David Perozek Santino Perri John Perry Rida Pervez Annika Peters Jordan Peterson Tyler Peterson Weston Peterson Evan Petropoulos Kim Phan Claudia Phillips

Thomas Rosati Elyse Roush Anishka Roy Linus Rubio Kacey Ruckle Alexis Ruthig Robert Sabourin Adam Saghir Rohit Sankar Santhosh Sankar Indira Sankaran Nicolas Sarafian Chloe Sargent Troy Savramis Maria Scavnicky Ryan Scott Meghana Seetha

Benjamin SeGraves Nyia Setla Aagam Shah Aarvi Shah Prachi Shah Sanya Shah Ellen Shaw Kaela Sherk Olivia Sherman Arjun Sherwal Noeru Shingo Sedona Shipka Zachary Shoemaker Ryan Sibert Moin Siddiqui Saima Siddiqui Armaan Sidhu Allyson Siegert Taylor Siitari Vivake Singh Anna Skedel Landon Slaggert Amelia Smith Luke Smith Samantha Spangler Sara Spencer Avinash Sreekanth Arul Srivastava Owen Steele Benjamin Steinig Elizabeth Stewart Emma Stiles Kristofer Stojanovski Colin Stoner Jack Story Ava Subotich Anuja Sudarshan Kurara Sumida Larson Summers Adrian Susanto Anna Szalay Riley Szara John Tabaczynski Samuel Tabaczynski Demir Tagani Lauren Takahashi Ella Tarasi Mia Testani Spencer Thakady Manav Thakral Ellie Thallman Maggie Thompson Morgan Thompson Christian Tibaudo Erica Toupin Julia Townsend Jacob Truscott Noah Tucker Sophia Tuinman Samuel Tutor Cole Twydell Isabel Umanzor Mounik Vadlamudi Hailey Vahratian Racheal VanLoo Dale Vaughn Erin Venegas

Morgan Vereb Mia Vereb-Hatley Vanessa Veri Thomas Versosky Ryan Vig Connor Villeneuve Preston Villeneuve Maurizio Visconti Lauren Vitale Jeffrey Vos Ilias Vrahnos Shreya Vuriti Grace Wagner Owen Waldo William Wang Jackson Weedmark Lindsay White Jevonn Whitely Aaron Wiegner Alyssa Williams Braden Withey Jacob Wixon Brendan Woellecke Andrew Wojciechowski Callie Wollschlager Marcel Wong Belle Wood Ava Woolfolk Tenley Worrell William Wright Jeffrey Xiao Matthew Xiao Jhih-Ling Yang Karin Yassine Arsenii Yavtushenko Chase Yoder Christine Yu Emily Yu Kyle Zaya Quinn Zbiegien Antonio Zetouna Jason Zhang Lucy Zhang Caleb Zheng Sijia Zhou Harrison Zoltowski Vanessa Zorzan Deanna Zurawski Nathan Zylka Roman Zywicki

SPONSORED BY:

www.genittis.com

Joey Chiaravalle

Abby Dunn

Jacob Pichler

‘A Hard Pill To Swallow’ Northville’s talented senior athletes look back on lost spring season

By Brad Emons

W

ith his senior season scrapped by the COVID-19 pandemic, Joey Chiaravalle decided to take a solo ride one lonely May afternoon where he suddenly became a bit nostalgic. He was spotted gazing out upon Northville High School’s all grass baseball field and little did he know he’d run into familiar face there.

“I said, ‘What are you doing here?’”

Northville varsity coach John Kostrzewa recalled.

Both were taken aback after unexpectedly bumping into each other during the throes of a statewide lockdown.

This was more than a social distance meeting between the player and coach for sure.

“I was very surprised to see him (Kostrzewa) there, it was very warm,” said Chiaravalle, who was entering his second varsity season as a shortstop. “That day I was just really missing being at the field with my team and my bros. I just headed out there by myself, just to check it out, sit there and visualize about the memories

28 The ‘Ville

I would have made this season and the memories that I was able to pass. It was just a very touching moment.”

Northville had only two official spring indoor practices before the Michigan High School Athletic Association shut down the

2020 spring sports season for good due to the pandemic.

“I’ve just been training at home basically, hopefully we can get something together after all this is over, a road game or something,” Chiaravalle said. “I still

With a 79-14 career record, Tori Mady was Northville’s No. 1 singles player heading into her senior year.

love baseball a lot – so I’m just training with that, working out and focusing on for whatever is next for me.”

The 5-foot-6, 145-pound Chiaravalle plans to attend Schoolcraft College in the fall and eventually study sports management, but his baseball days were ended prematurely.

“I did send out a couple of letters, Schoolcraft included, I was really hoping that this senior year that I was going to get a break in some part and some coaches would get to notice me,” Chiaravalle said.

“But now I’m not going to be playing there this year.”

During the quarantine period, Chiaravalle developed another hobby even though baseball remains his passion.

“My dad (Gary), he’s a big guitar player, so he’s been teaching me how to play,” Chiaravalle said. “It’s something I’ve always kind of wanted to do. I’m getting there.”

During the COVID-19 shutdown, here is a small sampling on how Northville senior athletes are dealing with the crisis after their spring senior seasons were shelved.

2018 when the Mustangs won the state crown.

Mady, a nationally ranked player and three-star recruit according to the TennisRecruting.Net, went 2210 in the No. 1 singles position as a junior while capturing a regional title for the third straight year.

“It was definitely a hard pill to swallow, especially during those first couple of weeks of quarantine, but I’ve gotten better,” Mady said. “Over time, I’ve just become more excited about college and life after high school, so obviously I’m still upset, especially now when it would be our regionals. I’m definitely O.K.”

TORI MADY, TENNIS With a 79-14 career record heading into her senior year, Northville’s No. 1 singles player Tori Mady spent her 2020 spring season instead sneaking off to hit balls with her friends on the South Lyon East High School courts.

“Northville and Novi’s courts have been locked for the entire quarantine, I can hit, but I have to find where the gates aren’t locked,” said Mady, who was the MHSAA Division 1 No. 4 singles champion as a freshman and state runner-up at No. 2 in

Tori Mady was a big part of the Northville’s 2018 state championship.

During her tennis season hiatus, Mady was able to put her focus into other areas.

“I’ve gotten a lot of organizing done. I’ve done a lot of cooking, which I don’t usually get to do during normal circumstances,” she said. “I’ve

just been spending a lot of time with family.”

After getting offers from NCAA Division III schools Southwestern (Tex.) College (where she visited) and Carnegie Mellon (Pa.), Mady decided to All-Stater Abby Dunn has signed to run track at Wayne State. stay closer to home and take her 3.9 gradeDunn was left to follow an point average this fall to the offseason training plan devised University of Michigan where by the coaches from Wayne she’ll study mathematics.

State University where she Mady is considering plans attend in the fall. walking on to Michigan’s The senior placed eighth in varsity program, or play club the 300-meter hurdles going tennis with former Northville 45.11 in the 2019 Division 1 teammates Shanoli Kumar, finals at Rockford. She was also Neha Chava, Andrea Nam and a member of the Mustangs’ 4 x Connie Gao. 200 and 4 x 400 state qualifying “It would be kind of fun to relay teams. have all the NHS people back Initially during the together,” said Mady, who was lockdown, Dunn was limited a part of two Northville state to sessions on the treadmill championship teams. “And and lifting weights at her home Michigan is a better fit for me.” before getting outside on the Meanwhile, Northville and track.

Mady could only wonder what “The Northville track was could have been this season closed, but it’s not really all after a fourth-place team finish locked up,” Dunn said. “I kind in 2019. of go through the fence and “She’s one of the most keep my distance.” outstanding team players that As a senior, Dunn was taking we’ve had in a long time,” said aim at one of Northville’s oldest former Northville coach Linda records on the board, Cindy Jones, who retired in 2019.

Panowicz’s clocking of 43.60 in “She ended up captain and all the 300 hurdles (set in 1984). the girls respected the heck out “When at first we found of her. She’s a great student and out we were not going to will go on and do great things have a season I was obviously in life.” devastated,” Dunn said. “I’ve been working hard to decrease ABBY DUNN, TRACK my 300 hurdles time by two During her COVID-19 quarantine, All-Stater Abby Athletics continued on page 30

The ‘Ville 29

Athletics continued from page 29

JACOB PICHLER, TRACK

Pichler was poised to break seconds and hopefully try into All-State territory as a and get the record this year. senior after placing ninth in the I was looking at past pictures long jump (21 feet, 7 inches) and memories, but I’ve come during his junior year at the to terms that I can’t run. I’ve Division 1 state finals. gotten over it, but it’s hard.”

The regional runner-up was During the quarantine, Dunn also penciled in to become a enjoyed baking cookies while key contributor this spring on finishing up her graduation Northville’s sprint relay teams requirements online before as well as the long jump and heading off to Wayne State hurdles, according to Dalton. where she is leaning toward a Pichler, who also played major in business. varsity soccer last fall for “Super talented kid, right Northville, worked out during away from her freshman year,” the offseason for the second Northville coach Tim Dalton straight year with the Dearborn said of the 3.9 student. “Her Track Club. role back then was the 4 x 400 “I just prepared all winter (relay), she was a big piece of to hopefully go All-State this that, but kept developing as a spring since I was one place hurdler. I was really looking away from it last year,” Pichler forward to her competing this said. “I put in a lot of work with year coming off that All-State that team, just try to get better (top eight) performance.” and better so I could prepare for the spring season. I was hoping to get close to the school record, if not break it. I got to the (Northville) track record at ‘states,’ but of course it’s a track record. It wouldn’t have counted.”

The longest standing school record on the Northville board is 23 feet in the long jump set in 1970

by John Stuyvenberg.

“It’s been Jacob Pichler was hoping to break the school record for long jump. hard,” Pichler

30 The ‘Ville

said. “I just imagined where I’d be like a certain Friday or Saturday and what time I’d be jumping. It’s been hard because I had high expectations for this year, especially when I put in so much work in the winter. But everybody else has been affected, so I’m not the only one. It’s something that’s comforted me. It’s just disappointing.”

Pichler, who carries a 3.7 grade-point average, has decided to enroll at the University of Cincinnati during the fall where he’ll study architecture.

Pichler’s mother Julie, a nurse at U-M Hospital, was looking forward to seeing her son compete during his senior spring season.

“She’s definitely one of my biggest fans,” Jacob said. “She just looks back at the memories that will come up on her phone and she’ll just get upset about it. There’s nothing really we can do right now. The concern is everybody staying well and everybody staying safe.”

EMMA MATHIE, LACROSSE As a junior, Mathie helped the Mustangs to an 11-7 overall record and a berth in the Division 1 regional semifinals.

Bigger and better things were expected for the Mustangs this season thanks in part to the return of 6-foot Mathie, a second-team All-Stater who was mulling over a scholarship offer from Maryville University (Mo.), an NCAA Division II school.

Mathie had come a long way since getting thrown into the fire as a ninth-grader when she started her first-ever varsity match against Rockford during the Division 1 semifinals in East Lansing.

Emma Mathie was a second team All-Stater last year.

“She’s always willing to learn,” Northville coach Dan Madigan said. “She took coaching very well. She’s come a long way from her freshman year. She’s a great kid, willing to jump in and just work hard.”

Northville had a relatively young, but experienced team coming back, including its top three scorers from 2019 and a solid defensive corps led by Mathie, who would have been a third-year full-time starter.

The hardest part for Mathie was “letting go of the expectations.”

“We had a really good lineup this year and I was expecting us to go far, and maybe make it to ‘states’ again,” she said. “I think the hardest part was just letting go of that and realizing that I’m not going to be around next time, which is really hard.”

During the COVID-19 lockdown and home quarantine, Mathie sharpened her guitar skills.

“I’ve been working on that a lot, spending more time with my sister before I leave, things like that,” Mathie said. “I’m just going to take advantage of the time I have here.”

Providing clients the tools to sell their home quickly and for top dollar!

What I do for YOU

• Pre Home Inspection— I partner with licensed and insured inspectors and together we will provide a complete report and note any areas of concern before I list your home.

• Professional Photo Shoot— beautiful photos to show your home in the best light possible.

• Staging Consultation— with one of the best stagers in the Metro Detroit area.

I provide these services at NO CHARGE, giving your property the best opportunity to sell.

Call me at (248) 767-5917 for a free in-home consultation!

Bonnie Showerman 3rd Generation Realtor

(248) 767-5917

Bshowerman@cbwm.com

WEIR MANUEL 201 E. Cadycentre, Northville, MI

To Our Class of 2020

WE A RE S O PR O UD O F YO U .

EVERY DAY IS A GREAT DAY TO BE A Nicolas Abdelnour Benjamin Abraham Cameron Allen Michael Alzaroui Matthew Ampunan Joseph Apap David Asika Nicholas Augustine Kavan Babu Marc Ball Joshua Balogh Connor Baratta Mauricio BarreraGallegos Jack Belans Michael Bentham Jack Birks Jacob Bisdorf Adam Blust Daniel Breault Gage Brock Eli Brown Conor Brownell Brett Broyles Luke Brusstar Blake Brykalski Cooper Buckley Adam Burgol Jack Callaghan Wesley Campbell Dario Canzano Zachary Carey Daniel Cernak Mark Chartier Gavin Check Raymond Choate Mark Christenson Carter Cojei Dawson Compo Jacob Conlon Alex Connell Christopher Cook Tristan Croteau Sean Cunningham Kyle Cushion Alexander Danti Cody Daraban William Davidson Robert Dedvukaj Ronit Dey Anthony Dib Salim Dickow Anthony Dimitrievski Cooper Donlin Dylan Dooley Kevin Downs Alexander Dugas Steven Dulzo Joshua Edmond Zachary Ernst Jack Estfan

Adam Falinski Bryan Farida Adam Farkas Gage Farrow Diego Fernandez Viktor Filipovich Louis Finnegan Gavin Flynn Matthew Flynn Jack Franklin Ethan Freeman Kyle Gaffney Trent Gariepy Luke Geelhood Derek Gilcher Griffin Goodchild Logan Gray Sebastian Guerra Wesley Guyot Gregory Haeger George Hajjar Tyler Harris Jakob Hemme Andrew Heston Vincent Hill Mark Holowicki Mitchel Horn Steven Hou Jake Hubbard Roy Hunsinger Brian Hussey Gordon Husted Kevin Irwin Kaden Ismail Tyler Jackson Ethan Jaggi Peter Jaghab Michael Jaracz Bashar Jawich Matthew Jenkins Andrew Jenks Devin Jennings

Christian Jiddou Nicholas Johnson Zach Jones Ryan Kaddis Tyler Kahaian Brady Kane Jack Karabajakian Jenson Kay Dominic Kazimierczuk Alex Kazmierczak Conner Kelley Cole Kerrigan Harrison Kestin Benjamin Kirouac John Kish Shane Knechtges Colin Knittel Ty Knopf Steven Kolcheff Andrew Krause Brennen Krygier Connor Krzywiecki Jonah LaBoda Jacob Lampi Alec Laurie Noah Lemieux Brendan Lizak Andrew Lobbia Ryan Logan Gunnar Lombard Andrew Long Matthew Long Andrew Luomala Marcello Maccani Connor Mack Sullivan Magnan Nicholas Malcolm Blaine Marks Collin Marsh Connor Martin Tyler Martinez Anthony Mascari

Michael Maser Samuel Master Jack McDonald Mario McDonald Aaron McElmeel Zachary McKibbon Brendan McLaren William McLaren Cameron McMahon Michael Merucci Samuel Metz Brendan Miles Kyle Miller Joshua Mohlman Steven Monaghan Ryan Moss Marco Mularoni Bryce Murray Quinn Murray Hunter Muzo Gavin O’Brien Luc Offer Zachary O’Kronley William Orr Aiden Pace Jack Pado Christian Pascaris

Sebastiano Paterra Reagan Paulina Luke Perelli Matthew Persha Jackson Peurach Jack Phipps Cole Price Sena Quashie Alexander Rhodes Jack Rioux Kyle Rodrigues Devin Romaniw Conor Ronayne Zachary Rood River Rue Daniel Rumberger Patrick Ryan Thomas Ryding Blake Salamon Dominic Salt Logan Sanom Tyler Schriedel Jacob Seabolt Marc Shaeffer Ryan Sheesley Lucian Simich Josiah Smith

Logan Smith Nicholas Smulsky Jacob Sposita Easton St. Clair Shawn St. Germain Evan St. Juliana Jacson Stanton Daniel Suchora Ryan Sullivan Nicholas Sweeney Brock Swindall Ethan Szuba Michael Szymanski Maximilian Taffe Kody Takada Enzo Tarducci Michael Tartoni August Thielking Luke Thomas Isaac Tourner Owen Valine Armen Vartanian Andrew Vassallo Christopher Wagner Zachary Warner Caleb White Luke Wild Eduardo Wolfe Noah Woods Abraham Worth Gabriel Xuereb Nicholas Yamine Brendin Yatooma Jacob Young Christopher Yousif Kevin Zahra Nathaniel Zaki Jared Zammit Jake Zeeb Logan Ziegler Ross Ziegler Gabriel Zieman Ethan Zupko

PAST TENSE

Tumultuous Times

Class of 2020 follows past NHS graduates in making history

By Michele Fecht

P

erseverance and resilience may well be the most defining characteristics of Northville High School’s Class of 2020. While the COVID-19 pandemic has upended much of our nation’s norms, it has had a particularly profound and poignant impact on high school seniors who have missed experiences such as prom, traditional commencement and final farewells.

For the 151st graduating class of Northville High School there may be some consolation in knowing that you are not alone in weathering the effects of a global crisis. History provides examples of how the Northville school district and its students persevered through unprecedented challenges.

Wars, a global depression, and yes, an earlier — and deadlier — pandemic posed both challenges and opportunities for the school district and its students. As history shows us, Northville faced these cataclysmic events with determination, tenacity and extraordinary community spirit and sacrifice.

UNION SCHOOL RISES (CLASS OF 1869) In 1859, the Northville school board tasked itself with construction of a new school building to accommodate a growing student population. It would take years of preparation and fundraising (final cost $11,000) — years when the

34 The ‘Ville

The Northville Union School opened Sept. 4, 1865. This photo of the school is the only one in existence.

nation was engaged in the Civil War. Fundraising and subsequent construction of a state-of-the-art school building at a time of national strife was no easy feat to say nothing of the loss of the community’s boys and men who enlisted in the fight.

Among those fighting with the Union Army was Charles Eugene Clarkson, the son of David Clarkson, Northville’s school director who helped spearhead construction of the new school and would later serve as a school board trustee and treasurer. Charles Clarkson was only 16 when he enlisted in Co. G of the 14th Michigan Infantry Volunteers on November 29, 1861. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in Detroit in January 1865 — nine months before the district’s new school opened on

September 4, 1865.

Northville Union School’s first graduating class in 1869 consisted of only one student, Alice Beal. Her diploma, the first ever awarded in Northville, was hand written on parchment

by Northville pioneer Asa Randolph. She graduated with high honors and went on to become Union School’s assistant preceptress and later preceptress.

WWI & PANDEMIC (CLASS OF 1918) When America entered World War I in April 1917, Northville watched as its young men and women enlisted in the cause. A section of the high school was turned into a Red Cross hub for assembling care packages to be sent to Northville soldiers overseas, and females of all ages gathered in knitting circles to

make sweaters and socks for the troops. Community war bond loan drives were ongoing.

Many of Northville’s young men called to serve were still high school students. Among them was Lloyd Green. Just 17 years old and a year away from graduation, Green joined the Michigan National Guard on July 23, 1917 and headed for training camp in Grayling. He would become part of the 32nd “Red Arrow” Division and was assigned to Company C of the 120th Machine Gun Battalion.

Green served as a courier (message bearer). He was killed in October 1918.

Lloyd Green was killed in October 1918.

The ‘Ville chronicled Green’s story in May 2018 and will revisit his service and sacrifice in the upcoming August issue when the Northville American Legion’s Lloyd H. Green Post 147 celebrates its 100th anniversary.

On the home front, the 1918 Influenza pandemic decimated communities throughout the

nation. As was noted in the May issue of The ‘Ville, Northville fared better than many communities due to strict “stay at home” orders by Michigan’s governor and Northville’s health officer.

The schools, along with other public spaces (the library, churches, theatre) were shuttered on October 21 through November 8.

Nevertheless, a third wave of the pandemic in mid-December threatened to once again close down public facilities. Schools remained open but attendance would not return to its preOctober level until February 1919. Northville reported no deaths from influenza.

Northville High School’s graduating class of 1918 numbered 15 students with nine girls. Many were former classmates of Lloyd Green.

GREAT DEPRESSION (CLASSES OF 1932-1935) The lean years of the Depression era meant considerably more fundraising to support activities for Northville High School students. The Class of ’32 was among the most ambitious with sales of magazines, vanilla (!), Christmas cards and wreaths, and even coat hangers.

Despite their best efforts, the Class of ’32 opted out of the annual senior trip to Washington, D.C. in favor of a “less expensive” and “more appropriate” boat trip to Niagara Falls.

For the first time since its inception in 1921, Northville High School’s yearbook, The Palladium, was not published in 1934 and 1935 due to financial difficulties. The Class of ’34, however, published a 16-page booklet titled, Palla-Chron,

The longrange, highperformance, high-altitude Mustang was one of the most invaluable Allied aircraft. Its price tag was $75,000 and the Northville community made up the difference in cost. Because students raised more than $50,000 Northville students in 1944 raised $52,000 toward the purchase of a P-51 Mustang for the US Army Air Forces. toward purchase of which offered the usual 1945 contain pages of photos of a Mustang, a panel was placed highlights of each class, faculty classmates serving overseas. A inside the plane’s cockpit and some advertising. It sold for new section titled, NHS at War, stating: ‘This Pursuit Plane 40-cents a copy. was added. represents War Bond purchases Despite hardship, the Class Fundraising turned to aiding by the students of Northville of ’33 offered the following the war effort, and classes Public Schools, Northville, in summarizing its tenure at competed in war bond and Mich.” A duplicate panel was Northville High School: “We stamp sales. In 1944, in what given to the Northville Public sincerely believe that in the face had to be one of the most Schools. of all obstacles, we have had exciting local loan drives of the Like past graduates, the an unusually successful four war years, Northville students sky’s the limit for the Class of years.”

— both grade school and high 2020. It will not be a pandemic school combined — raised that defines this class, but its WWII $52,000 toward the purchase of grit, tenacity and resiliency.

(CLASSES OF 1942-1945) a P-51 Mustang Pursuit plane Congratulations to our seniors.

The World War II years were for the US Army Air Forces.

You make us all proud. Go make among the most transforming Yes, the Mustangs bought a history! for Northville High School Mustang! students, especially those in the senior class. Editions of The Palladium for the years 1942 “Family Owned for Four Generations” through 1945 show the sense of purpose in aiding the war effort and the dedication to fellow classmates fighting overseas.

Beginning in 1942, the The Casterline Family providing quality care in the yearbook listed all former heart of downtown Northville since 1937 students and graduates of NHS 122 West Dunlap Street serving in the Armed Forces.

Northville, Michigan 48167 (248) 349-0611 The list of 67 that year included www.casterlinefuneralhome.com one female serving as a nurse. casterlinefuneralhome@gmail.com Courtney Casterline-Ross, Manager Yearbooks from 1943 through Lindsey Casterline-Dogonski, Manager Roxanne M. Atchison-Casterline, Owner Ray J. Casterline II – 1947-2004

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

Nick Sarafian

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

Jason Purchis

Congratulations!! The past 4 years flew by so quickly!! The road behind you is filled with many accomplishments and the path ahead holds all the rest that life can offer. Chase your dreams and believe in yourself and do so knowing that we will be with you every step of the way.

All our love, Mom, Dad, Dani and Mel

Jason, we are so incredibly proud of you and we know you will continue to make us proud in what ever you decide to do in the future! Always believe in yourself and know that we will always believe in you! The world is yours, discover your passion and everything else will fall into place. We love you to the moon!

Love, Mom, Dad, Allen & Jacob

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

Bianca Lutteke

Luke Gonzales

Congratulations on this special achievement, grad! Never forget that you are a treasure, a gift and that you have been called to be a light in this world.

You have given us so many reasons to be proud of the woman you have become; the proudest moment for us is telling others that you are our daughter.

Love you more, Mom, Dad, Kailey and Ella

Congratulations on your incredible accomplishment. Go out and follow your dreams. The world is yours for the taking. Believe in yourself and always remember “;”.

Love, Mom, Dad, Michael, David, Audrey and Julianne

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

Dale Stevens

Emma Stiles

Dale, congratulations on this major milestone. You can achieve whatever you want in life. All you have to do is believe in yourself and what you can do. We believe in you and love you.

Good luck at MSU. Mom, Pappa, Devin, Darin, DeAnna, Oliver and Sully

We are so proud of the student athlete you have been. Helping your volleyball team get to the final four of States, while being a member of the National Honor Society.

You can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Can’t wait to see what you achieve at MSU! We love you, Mom, Dad, Sophia & Sparty

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

Haley Brass

Samuel Tabaczynski

Congratulations Haley and the Class of 2020! It seems not that long ago you had your little glasses and a head full of beautiful curls. We are proud of all your hard work and dedication to school and soccer, but most of all, we are so proud of the person you have become. There is a bright future ahead of you, and we know you will shine!

Love you so much, Your Family

Sponsored by:

We hope, despite all that has happened, your final year of high school will be remembered fondly.

For almost 18 years, we’ve watched you grow from a happy and curious baby to a thoughtful and compassionate young man. We’ve done the best we could prepare you for the challenges of college and beyond. We wish you a fresh new start at CMU as you experience the world beyond Northville and realize your true potential. Take care of you. Follow your dreams. We are with you, always.

Love, Mom & Dad

CONGRATS CLASS OF 2020!

FROM YOUR HOMETOWN BUILDER PH 24 8.797.70 96

|

FA X 24 8.735.1157

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

JACK FULTON

We have loved watching every minute of you and your friends on the stage at NHS. From Eugene in Brighton Beach Memoirs, Templeton in Charlotte’s Web, and many, many more, to BackBeat and Chamber choir, we know you would have been spectacular in your role as Willy Wonka in this final Spring Musical. We are heartbroken we didn’t get to see it, but we know it won’t be the last time you shine on stage. We pray for God to strengthen you and guide you in His plans for you at Eastern Michigan University. Congratulations!

Love, Mama, Dad & Kate

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

Jolie Hall

Congratulations! You have always made us so proud. Continue to believe in yourself as we believe in you. Looking forward to watching you make your dreams a reality. Go, make this world a better place.

Love, Mom, Dad & Spencer

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

Mandy Laiacono

We are so proud of all your accomplishments. You deserve the best!!

We cannot wait to see what the future holds for you!! Congratulations and best of luck to you in College!!

We love you so much!!

Love, Mom, Dad, Shelby and Mia

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

Ava Conway You have achieved so much already!

Can’t wait to see you fulfill your dreams! Wishing you love, happiness and success!

Love, Mom

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

Our wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to. There is a lot that awaits you, enjoy the journey. We are so very proud of you and your accomplishments.

Love, Mom, Natalie, Lolo, Lola, Tito & Todo

Watch out world for here she comes.

Neither charging mustang nor fierce black bear can stop her, Tessa will change the planet.

Congrats from the whole McCarthy clan. May fair winds carry you to your future endeavors.

Linus Rubio

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

Emma Phillips “Difficulties are just things to overcome after all.” ~ Ernest Schackleton 1874-1922, British explorer

Sponsored by:

Tessa McCarthy

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

Claudia Phillips “Where observation is concerned, chance favours only the prepared mind.” ~ Louis Pasteur 1822-1895, French chemist

Congratulations Graduates! www.TLChiropractic.net

248.513.6188

Where Pain Ends & Life Begins!

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

Julia Jaafar

Kamryn Carney

Julia, we admire your grace and compassion…it is your trademark.

Your kindness and patience shines through even the toughest of times. We are so proud of your hard work, perseverance, but most of all, your character and generosity. Keep that sparkle in your eyes, it lights up our world!

Love, Mom & Dad, Jenna, Jad, Ryan and Zayn

Congratulations! We are so proud of you Kamryn and all that you have accomplished. Keep being you! Dream big, have fun and Go Green!

Love, Mom, Dad, Katie & Chad

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

Macey Mitchell

Silvia Robazza

Macey, we could not be prouder of you!

Your strength, bravery, and individuality are amazing. Live life to the fullest, be kind to others and yourself, and always know that you are loved no matter what.

Congratulations and all the best at NMU! Love, Mom, Dad, Max, Stinky and the Chicken Boys

Silvia, we are so proud of what you have achieved and the person you have become. Remember…“use your smiles to change the world, but don’t let the world change your smile!”

Love, Mamma, Papa, and Matteo (Stella, Blu & Ziggy)

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

Lily Oles

Brianna Rose Manske

WE are so proud of all your accomplishments and for the smart, sophisticated, good person you are!

We wish you all the best in your next adventure at the University of Michigan. Your future is bright!

All our love, Mom, Dad, Ethan, and Cosmo

We are so proud of you. These are unprecedented times and you have faced the challenges with courage and perseverance. Change brings opportunity and new possibilities. We know you are capable of amazing things and will make a wonderful impact on this world. We look forward to continuing to cheer you on.

Go Geen, Go White!

Love, Dad, Mom, Freddie, Jenna, Alena and Shadow

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

Morganne Pechenik

Nyia Setla

Congratulations! Your hard work, motivation, passion and creativity are inspiring! The sky is the limit for you!

Love you bunches, Mom and Dad

Sponsored by:

Dear Nyia, You are a comforting soul. Your empathy and compassion is your superpower in this world and the world needs more of it right now. Can’t wait to see how you make your mark!

We love you with all our heart!

Love, Dad, Mom, Livvy and TQ

Congratulations Class of 2020!

From your family car wash, located in the Heart of Downtown Northville!

OPEN 7:00 am – 8:00 pm · SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

DETROIT CATHOLIC CENTRAL CLASS OF 2020

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

Congratulations Peter, So proud of you graduating from Detroit Catholic Central! Keep your face toward the sunshine and the shadow will always fall behind you! Enjoy what life has to offer and follow your dreams.

Love you to the moon and back, Dad, Mom, Hannah, Alexander, Samantha, Tata Hanan & Yiayia Maria

Racheal, we are so proud of you & all you have accomplished! You will always be the lead in our life! We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you. You will achieve so many amazing things on the stage & behind the scenes. You are our favorite star! Break an ARMPIT. Love Mom, Tim, Kylie, Ellarie & Jace

Peter Jaghab

Racheal VanLoo

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY CLASS OF 2020

Congratulations on your graduation!

We are so proud of you and know that you are ready for your next journey.

We know that you will accomplish many great things you set your heart to.

Love, Mom, Dad, Jessica, and John

Congratulations, Eve! To our very special daughter and a truly amazing person. We are so proud of you and will always be by your side as you pursue your dreams.

Your future is bright! Go Blue!

Love, Team Eve–Dad, Mom and Luc

Jennifer Belknap

The NHS Senior All Night Party Committee thanks Northville Township for their collaboration in honoring our 2020 Northville Graduating Seniors. Thanks also to Ward Church for their cooperation and allowing the graduates and their families to assemble on their grounds to start the parade. Go Mustangs!

Eve Elizabeth Corriveau

HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL

Getting Serious About Distracted Driving Student drivers learn what can happen when their attention is elsewhere

H

igh school is the time students receive their first driving lessons, their own set of keys, and some freedom from parental chauffeurs.

While drivers ed comes with excitement and a sense of maturity, it also increases the need for responsibility and the safety of oneself and others.

Despite pleas from their driving instructors and parents to stow away their cell phones and other distractions when students get behind the wheel, news of car crashes resulting whenever one loses focus on the from texting or talking with road. friends while driving has hit the Our world has been flipped headlines all too often. In 2017, upside-down ever since the for example, 2,526 teens were unprecedented COVID-19 killed in crashes nationwide, pandemic struck. Almost every an 11-percent aspect of our increase from lives has been 2016. Among affected. Yet all teenage car one thing still crashes, six out holds true: of 10 involved driving safety. distracted That’s why driving.

Northville The three High School’s most common commitment forms of to teach distracted students driving are the valuable interactions lesson of Mitchel Kiefer was killed by a with safe driving distracted driver in 2016. passengers remains (15% of crashes), electronic unwavering even during this usage (12%) and looking at global crisis. NHS has partnered something in the vehicle up with the Kiefer Foundation (10%). A car crash may seem to enhance the awareness improbable to many students, of distracted driving so that but accidents can unfold students can take notice of this

issue that has a major impact on their young lives.

In 2016, Michigan State University freshman Mitchel Kiefer (a Catholic Central grad) was involved in a fatal car crash caused by a distracted driver. Two months later, his sister, Lexie Kiefer, now a NHS senior, established the Kiefer Foundation with the help of her father, Steve Kiefer. The organization’s goal is to raise awareness about distracted driving and its consequences, as well as lobby for improved legislation in Michigan to support this cause.

“We’ve been working at middle schools and high schools around the state to spread awareness and show the impact of texting and driving through distracted driving simulators,” Lexie Kiefer explained.

Through the foundation’s efforts, people are taking the pledge to end distracted driving,

share the Kiefers’ tragic story and remember the impact a careless action can make on so many others.

In addition to partnering with General Motors, the Kiefer Foundation has teamed up with the Peers Foundation to provide simulators to NHS health classes for the third year in 2020. Through the use of virtual reality, participants learn the negative effects of hazardous driving behaviors in real-life scenarios.

During this experience, users climb into the driver’s seat of a parked car and don an augmented headset, which allows them to see both the real world and the virtual world simultaneously. While a student “drives”, those on the outside will call, text, Snapchat or FaceTime the driver in an effort to distract him/her.

These simulators are real eye openers for students, who are committed to putting down their phones and staying cognizant of their surroundings when driving.

“I’m scared whenever I see somebody else on the road on their phones, and I make sure that I try not to do that,” said NHS senior Caroline Greer.

Sophomore Chelsea Yang feels distracted drivers are selfish. “Distracted drivers [can] not only harm [themselves] but also those around [them], and it is unjust to take another person’s life because of [their]

EDITOR'S NOTE: High School Confidential is a collaborative effort by the Stringers Journalism Club made up of Northville High School students Maria Cowden, Maggie Kuban, Chethan Magnan, Navya Meka, Lauren Sprow, and Audrey Zhang.

40 The ‘Ville

to be alive, let alone walking away from the accident,” Palumbo said. “No one is too old to learn about distracted driving. We can prevent so many accidents just through educating students and adults about this.”

With the threat of COVID-19 and Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home executive order, many of us have refrained ourselves from Steve Kiefer speaks to the attendees of a fundraiser for the Kiefer Foundation.

own ignorance,” she said. “In almost every car I ride in with one of my peers, even just checking their phones to change the music provides a distraction from the road.”

The simulators even make an impact on adults, including

NHS health teacher Sabrina Palumbo.

“It’s always a good refresher for me to recognize how important it is to focus on driving. When I was 16, I was in a car accident because I was playing on my iPod. I was lucky

driving since mid-March. Such absence of driving may have slacked our vigilance on the road. Now as the governor lifts this stay-at-home order, it is even more important to remind ourselves about the safety of driving as we excitedly take our places behind the wheel once again.

Seniors in line with the graduation frenzy must remain especially aware of the dangers of distracted driving.

Remember, one glance downwards to change the radio station could mean all the difference The Kiefer Foundation provides bracelets to students between life reminding them of the dangers of distracted driving. and death.

On The Road With Sunny Florida

Northville’s Scott Frush, who serves on the Northville Township Board of Trustees, and his family went to Florida earlier this year – and took along their copy of The ‘Ville.

They were visiting Singer Island, which is in South Florida on the Atlantic coast in Palm Beach County.

Pictured (top) is Scott Frush holding The ‘Ville with wife Christina and children Gabriella (13) and Ryan (11) --both students at Hillside Middle School. Along with them are Christina’s parents, Mario and Pascualina Fallone, who own Cantoro Italian Market.

The photo was taken on the balcony of the Fallone condo.

A Day Trip to Andorra

A group of Northville Township residents were touring Spain in early March when they decided to visit the country of Andorra. Here they are (bottom) holding up their copy of The ‘Ville while visiting the capital city of Andorra la Vella. Pictured (from left) are Dave Satwicz, Marti Satwicz, Nancy Lorence and Jerry Lorence.

“We had never heard of Andorra before,” said Marti. “My husband, a skier, was looking at the map and how close we were to the Pyrenees and it came up. Turns out it is a great place to visit. Everything is duty free. People literally drive from France and Spain daily to buy food, supplies, gas, etc. They have limits on what they can buy so that means daily trips.”

The group returned home on March 11, just before the emergency declaration.

42 The ‘Ville

“All of us cannot believe how we managed to have the best vacation ever and avoid the Coronavirus. We spent the first two weeks at home in self-quarantine and fortunately none of us became sick,” said Marti, who noted the photo was taken on a very windy and cold day (otherwise their hair would look much better).

Amsterdam in ‘surreal time’

Northville’s Lynn Rodriguez, who is a flight attendant for Delta Airlines, recently flew to Amsterdam, and she took along her copy of The ‘Ville. Lynn said it was a “surreal time” in the capital of the Netherlands, which she said is normally bustling but was quiet due to the COVID-19 situation.

“Usually, the streets are packed with people. As you can see, there is hardly anyone around,” she said.

Rodriguez, pictured (right) downtown near the hotel she stayed in, was prepared with mask and gloves.

Christmas in the Old World

Tracie Richett, a 34-year resident of Northville, traveled to Europe over the holidays with a group of her girlfriends.

The group visited Christmas markets in Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Here she is pictured (far right) in Germany at the Nymphenburg Palace.

The next time you head out of town, take along a copy of The ‘Ville, snap a photo, and let us know where your travels take you. Our readers would love to know! Please email the photos to kurtkuban@gmail.com. We’ll feature the photos every month.

Wills/Estate Planning • Family Law • Injuries and Accidents Social Security • Workers’ Compensation

The residents of Northville have always been there for us.

248.380.0023 www.richardjcorriveau.com

Now, as we navigate through these unprecedented times, we want everyone to know our family is here to support you.

Like you, we care deeply about the Northville community.

That’s because we’re not just your attorneys, we’re also your neighbors. We live here, raise our kids here, and work here.

We could not be more proud of the way our community has responded to a devastating, worldwide pandemic. A big thank you to all the frontline healthcare workers who have worked so hard to keep us safe!

We know far too many of you are hurting right now. We’re all hurting in one way or another. If you have legal needs during

248.380.6800 www.corriveaulaw.com

this difficult time, we’re here for you. Give us a call. We will get through this together.

L O C A T E D I N H I S T O R I C D O W N T O W N N O R T H V I L L E N E X T T O S TA R B U C K S

324 East Main Street, Northville, Michigan 48167

The City of Northville is repairing a number of streets this year, including this section of Coldspring.

The repaving of Sheldon Road between Six Mile and Seven Mile caused some backups.

Speed Bump COVID-19 pumps the brakes on road construction season

By Lonnie Huhman

O

range barrels and detour signs are popping up around the Northville community once again as the road construction season shifts into full swing. Well, actually half swing. The COVID-19 situation is definitely having an impact.

According to Northville officials, the pandemic and resulting stay at home orders definitely delayed road construction projects this spring.

According to Loyd Cureton, the City of Northville's director of Public Works, the work season was delayed 4-6 weeks, depending on the contractor. But that all changed on May 11 when work began.

He said it will continue throughout the construction season, which could go to midNovember, depending on the weather.

When we spoke to him in late May, Cureton said work was underway on N. Rogers, Old Baseline, Summerside, Stanstead, and Allen Drive.

According to Cureton, the city plans two miles of road reconstruction during the current fiscal year at a cost of nearly $1.5 million ($1,491,595).

Roads that are being reconstructed include Stanstead Road, Allen Drive, Potomac Street and N. Rogers. Cureton said

44 The ‘Ville

the short-term pain will be worth it in the long run.

“The City of Northville understands construction may interfere with our residents’ daily activities, and, in all road and utility construction projects, we do our best to ensure as little down time and inconvenience as possible,” Cureton said.

“We appreciate your cooperation and your patience during construction. We are all working together to keep the city of Northville beautiful, and servicing your needs.”

The road funding in the city comes primarily from a road improvement millage that residents approved in 2018.

In Northville Township, where all public roads are under the jurisdiction of Wayne County, there will be some project delays because of the pandemic.

One project that had been on hold is the repaving of Sheldon Road, between Six Mile Road and Seven Mile Road, according to Tom Casari, Northville Township’s director of Public Services. Casari said the project was supposed to happen earlier this spring, but had been delayed.

“This section of Sheldon Road will have an asphalt overlay to improve the surface condition of the roadway,” said Casari.

As April and May passed by, township officials were unsure when or if the project was going to happen this year, but got the good news that the county was going to start work on June 4. County officials said the project was expected to be complete by June 10.

Northville Township has seen some important improvements done in partnership with Wayne County in recent months, according to Casari.

These include improvements at the Beck Road and Five Mile Road intersection and Beck Road and Six Mile Road intersection; an asphalt overlay on Clement Road from Seven Mile Road to Main Street; concrete slab replacement on Haggerty Road between Five Mile Road and Six Mile Road to improve the surface condition of Haggerty Road; and Silver Springs Road from Seven Mile Road to Eight Mile Road with an asphalt overlay to improve the surface condition of the roadway.

“The list of projects represents approximately $6.3 million of funding provided through Wayne County,” Casari said. “Scheduling of other road projects within the community is uncertain at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

YOUR HOMETOWN BUILDER OUR MISSION NEW HOMES — Building your new home is exciting, especially when you understand how the process works. Mike Miller Building Company will walk you through each step of the construction of your dream home.

RENOVATIONS & ADDITIONS — We manage the process of renovating your home in a completely

“From concept to completion, Mike Miller

transparent and organized way. We preserve what

Building Company’s goal is to build an

is good in the existing structure and blend in the

incredible home that its customers will cherish

new work as needed. This way, when complete,

for a lifetime. Whether you’re new to the home buying process or not, we understand

the house is exactly what you envisioned.

that it’s perhaps the single largest financial decision you will make.”

MIKE MILLER FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

P H 24 8.7 97.70 9 6 | FA X 24 8.7 35.1157 M I K E @ M I K E M I L L E R B U I L D I N G .CO M

The strength of a large lender, the dedication of a local partner.

We offer personalized mortgage options to fit your unique financial strategies with integrity and service to exceed your expectations.

• 6th largest U.S. mortgage lender, available in all 50 states • Purchase, refinance, construction and lot loans

Josh Hudson

• Conventional, jumbo, interest only, FHA and VA mortgage loans

248.991.1988 direct 734.341.9034 cell 34405 W. 12 Mile Road Farmington Hills, MI 48331 joshua.hudson@usbank.com NMLS #: 293569

• Financing available for a wide price range of homes • Primary residences, second homes and investment properties

Mortgage Loan Officer

Loan approval is subject to credit approval and program guidelines. Not all loan programs are available in all states for all loan amounts. Interest rates and program terms are subject to change without notice. Visit usbank.com to learn more about U.S. Bank products and services. Mortgage and Home Equity Products are offered through U.S. Bank National Association. Deposit Products are offered through U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC. ©2019 U.S. Bank 61601c 12/19

CHRIS ROOSEN, A COMMUNITY LEADER WE CAN TRUST TO CONTINUE TO BE OUR TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE Chris is a husband, an engineer, a leader and a problem solver.

He is for Small or Limited Government and has been active in our area for more than two decades. He asks for your support for re-election.

A Note from Chris - “Northville Township is a great place to live, raise a family, and enjoy your retirement years. I am proud to represent you in an award winning local government that is focused on YOU as our customer. In these uncertain times, we need a stable and experienced local government team that is focused on the health and safety of our most vulnerable – the youth and senior citizens of our community. I ask for your vote to re-elect me on August 4th or by absentee ballot.”

RE-ELECT

Chris

Paid for by the Friends of Chris Roosen 44584 Spring Hill Road, Northville, MI 48168

VOTE CHRIS ROOSEN ON AUGUST 4th OR BY ABSENTEE BALLOT

SING THE U R E D R O R U PL ACE YO GET 25% OFF & P P A I F R E BURG 30,2020 ROUGH APRIL TH

UR PL ACE YUO O T P P A I F H R G E THRO USE THE BURG JUNE 30TH F F O % 20 O RDER & GET

Receive a FREE B12 Shot when you complete a Virtual Consultation with Urban You before June 30, 2020!

Book online at www.theurbanyou.com/virtual-consults Urban You is located at 191 E. CadyCentre, Northville, MI 48167.

Book online at ww.theurbanyou.com/wellness

LO C AT E D I N N O RT H V I L L E PA R K P L AC E 18801 Traditions Dr, Northville, MI • (248) 308-3532

It’s Your Business Guernsey Farms Dairy

Churning Out Quite A Legacy Guernsey celebrates 80 years with major renovation project Photos by Bryan Mitchell

O

ne of Northville’s most well-known businesses has a reputation far and wide for its premium dairy products, and churning out some of the best chocolate milk on the planet. In recent years it was also known locally for its somewhat dated restaurant on Novi Road, just north of 8 Mile.

That’s changed now that Guernsey Farms Dairy has invested roughly $1 million into a complete remodel of the restaurant and adjoining store, located at 21300 Novi Road.

According to third generation owner Joe Kinville, the renovation was long overdue.

He conceded the restaurant,

An employee stocks the ice cream cooler in anticipation of Guernsey’s opening.

48 The ‘Ville

in particular, had the feel of an orders from the state amid the older Coney Island and needed COVID-19 pandemic. an upgrade in both its physical “I want to hit the ground appearance walking, and its menu. rather than “We wanted running,” he our restaurant said. and store to It’s an ADDRESS: 21300 Novi Road, Northville, MI 48167 match our exciting wholesale time for PHONE: (248) 349-1466 brand,” Guernsey’s.

WEBSITE: guernseyfarmsdairy.com Kinville said.

Awareness “We wanted of the brand to marry the brands. We’re at is exploding and has expanded the top of people’s quality list beyond the region. Guernsey ice when it comes to our dairy cream today is enjoyed in nearly products. We felt it was time for every corner of the state -- in our restaurant to have the same Traverse City, in the Thumb reputation.” and UP, and even on Mackinac The project began in late Island. It is also the official ice January, and both the store cream of the Detroit Tigers. Its and restaurant were closed chocolate milk was named the during the renovation process, best in the world at the World which was finally completed Dairy Expo, and its high-quality this month. The restaurant and buttermilk is available in 21 store opened on June 3 for carry states. out only. Kinville expected the “Our business has doubled in dining room to open sometime just the last six years,” according in mid-June, depending on to Kinville.

GUERNSEY FARMS DAIRY

Basically, the rest of the world is starting to learn what local residents have known since 1940, when Kinville’s grandfather, John McGuire, took over the former Red Rose Dairy that was located in downtown Northville. He changed the name to Guernsey’s -- named after the breed of cow that at the time was known for its exceptional milk – and it has been a staple of the Northville

the business. His mother, Karen Kinville, is the youngest of McGuire’s 14 children and still runs the office.

Now, they are banking on the restaurant having a similar reputation for excellence.

Longtime customers will be blown away with the changes.

For one, there is much more of a flow between the store and the restaurant. Attention was paid to every detail, right down to

The Guernsey store has plenty of seating, including soda fountain-style stools.

community ever since.

McGuire received an agricultural education at Michigan State University, and he employed that knowledge to create formulas that are still used at Guernsey’s today.

For example, Guernsey dairy products are never ultra heat pasteurized. They get all of their milk from one family farm – Walnutdale Farms located near Grand Rapids -- and it only takes 24 hours from the time the milk is taken from the cow, processed here in Northville and placed on store shelves all over the state and country. It doesn’t get much fresher than that.

“It’s a commitment to quality -- old-school quality -- dairy products. It’s always been that way. That’s why we’ve been successful,” said Kinville, one of 12 McGuire heirs who work at

really want to wow people when they walk through the doors.”

There have been some big changes to the menu, as well.

For one, it’s much smaller.

There aren’t as many offerings as before, but Kinville said the reason is so they can perfect a smaller number of plates.

Longtime customers should not fret, though, because their famous broasted chicken – long synonymous with the restaurant -- will still be their specialty. In fact, the all new kitchen team will be incorporating Guernsey’s own buttermilk into the recipes, something they’ve never done.

And for the first time, the restaurant will also be serving alcohol, which Kinville believes is a game changer.

“When we started this project, we wanted to be a fullservice restaurant to appeal to families that want to go out to dinner and get a drink. Not having that option in the past definitely limited our appeal,” Kinville said.

Two things that haven’t changed at Guernsey’s are the giant oak tree, which is more

than 200 years old according to Kinville, and a huge boulder that both sit just outside the restaurant. They are impressive landmarks, but are also symbolic of something greater.

“Like that oak tree, we’ve got deep roots here in Northville.

The joke is, ‘How Northville are you?’ If you’ve worked at Guernsey’s, you’re pretty Northville,” said Kinville, who has worked on and off since he was a youngster. “So many people have taken photos on the boulder. In some cases, there have been three generations of the same family who have taken photos over the years. That’s a pretty amazing legacy.”

It’s a legacy that spans 80 years. McGuire, who lived to be 103, would have been proud of the way his descendants have taken the torch and run with it, according to Kinville.

“I think he would really be into it. He was a visionary. I’m sure he’s looking down drinking a glass of Johnny Walker and happy with the changes we’ve made to his company,” he said.

the light fixtures that are made from old Guernsey milk bottles.

The restaurant seats nearly 100 patrons, while the store side also has plenty of seating, including soda fountain-style stools that are a throwback to the old days of Guernsey’s.

In fact, the place has a hip feel to it, but there is definitely a retro appeal.

“We wanted the feel of modern while also paying tribute to our history with a homey, classic feel,” Kinville A dozen of founder John McGuire’s children and grandchildren still work for Guernsey Farms Dairy. said. “We

The ‘Ville 49

Michele D. Kelly | Attorney Resident of Northville 40 years • Married to law partner, John Kelly Mother of 4 grown children + 8 grandchildren living in the community Rotarian • Rotary Foundation Board of Directors Founder of Northville Stands With Detroit Life Remodeled Task Force • Spirit of Detroit Award Winner Attorney for 32 years • Consultations and problem solving sessions in all areas of family and criminal issues including: Not Getting Divorced, Marital Problems, Difficult Teenagers, Parenting Issues.

248 348 0496

| www.kellykellylaw.com |

422 East Main Street, Northville, MI 48167

Briarstone Building, Inc. has been building new homes with superior craftsmanship in Southeastern Michigan for over 20 years.

From design to completion—Briarstone Building offers turnkey construction.

Partner with Briarstone for ALL your remodeling and new construction needs: • • • •

New Homes Remodeling Additions Kitchens

• • • •

Bathrooms Finished Basements Insurance Work Licensed & Insured

The only thing we like more than building homes, is building relationships through professional work, respect for our clients and integrity from a job well done.

BUILDING A LEG AC Y. ONE HOM E AT A TIM E .

Drew Duhn

• Briarstone Building, Inc. • 248.535.3838 • Northville, Michigan 48167 •

BriarstoneBuilding.com

“Life Is Short, M a k e A Mov e ”

A S S O C IAT E B ROKER

248 -255 -3259

116 W. MAIN ST. NORTHVILLE

110 WILLITS BIRMINGHAM

Dishin’ With Denise

Denise Jenkins serves on the board of directors for 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.

Dads, Grads and Getting Back to Business

T

his year Father’s Day falls on the first full day of summer, which you can count on to be one of the longest days of the year.

Perfect, since the one person many count on is dear old dad.

My grown children still call my husband for advice, home improvement tips, and more.

My dad taught me to drive, how to change a tire, the difference in a flat-head and Phillips-head screwdriver, and the proper use of a variety of power tools. You’ve probably heard me say almost religiously, he also gave me the gift of faith (pun intended). This got me thinking about all the folks in our neighborhood who we can count on regularly…it is a brilliant list!

Almost every weekday I buy a newspaper – yes, a real newspaper. The list of places to buy a newspaper is limited.

One by one my resources have dwindled. But luckily the

Chris Van Dam

52 The ‘Ville

Marathon station on Northville Road just outside of downtown has a plentiful supply. Most days I wait my turn to enjoy a little conversation with Mario. He always has a smile on his face and knows how to treat each and every customer. Thanks!

Mario Jadallah

Then there’s Chris Van Dam, owner of Van Dam’s downtown. When my son got married a few years ago I told her exactly what I wanted for the dreadful Mother-of-theGroom dress. I trusted that if she ran across my idea of perfect she would call me, and she did. Then she stayed late one night so I could come in after work to try it on. All total, in less than one hour I had the exact two-piece brown velvet ensemble with threequarter sleeves that I imagined in my head.

Brilliant!

I went to

see her at Van Dam’s the week the retail shops were allowed to re-open. She’s doing it right.

Limiting the number of customers – by appointment and walk-ins welcome if there’s room, hand sanitizer everywhere, wearing her mask and offering customers a great sale – after being closed down for two months.

Chris hopes to survive but knows it’s up to her customers.

Many kept in touch and called for appointments as soon as they could.

“It’s great to be back. I’ve missed everyone,” said Chris, who is relying on her regulars more than ever.

outside and lower the mask to identify myself. The store manager, Greg Gilbertson, was quick to point out jewelry stores (and banks) are not usually happy to see a guest with a mask.

It’s not just Dad’s we celebrate this month.

Congratulations to all the graduates (especially my friend, David). I hope you all have a chance to recognize this milestone – it is earned and worthy of taking the time to honor your accomplishment, sing your praises and get a pat on the back. We don’t do this often enough in life. My dad taught me that, too – he celebrated every birthday, anniversary, holiday and special event full on until the day he died.

Dr. Adam Jankovich Greg Gilbertson and Jennifer Strong at Orin Jewelers.

I’m pretty sure everyone cleaned out a closet or two recently. Did you find a piece of jewelry that needed repair?

I did. You can count on Orin Jewelers to fix it. They are offering curbside drop off and pick up for repairs, and the store is open – with a requirement to wear a mask. My pop-in visit brought a smile to my masked face, when I had to stand

Speaking of graduates… one 2006 Northville High School graduate has returned to Northville. Welcome home, Dr. Adam Jankovich. I’m happy to sing his praises as he joins Dr. William Demray at Preservation Dental.

I’m counting on these times to keep changing little by little… there are early dawns, longer days, brilliant sunsets. Let’s wear a smile under those masks.

You can see it in the eyes.

THE PREMIER LAW FIRM OF WESTERN WAYNE COUNTY

FAUSONE BOHN, LLP ATTORNEYS AT LAW During this unprecedented time, Fausone Bohn’s top priority remains the health, safety, and needs of our clients and colleagues. As we navigate through this unknown time, we want our community to know that we are here and implementing innovative ways to continue to meet the needs of our clients. We have offered our services to first responders throughout the community and are dedicated to assisting our clients tackle their legal needs.

Please visit the Fausone Bohn, LLP Facebook page to see all the ways that we continue to serve our community during this time in the many areas of practice that we offer. We understand the importance of having a trusted legal advisor and we will continue to fill that role for our community. Please check out our law firm at www.fb-firm.com and our Legal Help for Veterans at www.legalhelpforveterans.com.

BUSINESS · LITIGATION · FAMILY · TRUST & ESTATE · CRIMINAL DEFENSE VETERAN’S DISABILITY · MUNICIPAL · ENVIRONMENTAL · REAL ESTATE

(248) 380-0000 • 41700 W. Six Mile, Suite 101, Northville, MI 48168 • www.fb-firm.com

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID RAVENNA, MI PERMIT NO. 320

*****************ECRWSS**** POSTAL CUSTOMER