The Ville - March 2021

March 2021 | Vol.4 | Issue 3

Northville’s News and Lifestyle Magazine

Bright Lights, Big City, Booming Career Shannon Hogan thriving in NYC

Meet the Local Sales Reps in Your Community.

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LOCAL MATTERS!

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

ISSUE 3

MARCH 2021

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 28 years. He has developed a diverse background in that time, but publication design has been his passion during the past 18 years. Craig enjoys chasing his young daughter and providing moral support to his lovely wife.

MICHELE FECHT – Writer

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

BRAD EMONS - Writer

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

Pete & Shari Clason Carolyn & Jeff Koup Bill & Bonnie Kumm Mike & Chris Lysaght Jay & Karen Moore Rosa Paulus James Porterfield

VOLUME 4

Carol Romanik Clayton & Susan Scholz Bob & Sue Siegert Mike & Evonne Simoff Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Swayne Amy Zubor

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.

LONNIE HUHMAN - Writer

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.

TIM SMITH - Writer

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

ALAN LUNDBERG - Writer

Alex got his start in the journalism business in 1992 as a reporter for the Plymouth Community Crier newspaper. Since then he has worked a variety of beats, covering communities all around the Detroit area, from Grosse Ile to Lake Orion.

MARIA TAYLOR – Writer

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

BRYAN MITCHELL - Photographer

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

A View From The ‘Ville

Making difficult decisions during a pandemic

I

got the call that I’m sure every parent has dreaded for the last year. I certainly have. Northville High School called to inform me my son, who is a NHS junior, would have to quarantine for 14 days because one of his workout partners on the football team had tested positive for COVID-19.

And he wasn’t alone. There were approximately two dozen positive cases at the high school during the first week of March alone. Many of the positive cases involved athletes at the school. On March 5, athletic director Brian Samulski announced a pause of all team training activities because of the uptick of cases and team quarantines both at Northville High and across the KLAA conference.

Knowing your child was likely exposed to a virus that has killed a half million Americans and sickened millions more brings this much closer to home – literally.

I’ve got two kids at the high school, and another in middle school. This has been an incredibly difficult school year for them, just like it has for most students, especially

at the secondary level. The hybrid model, a mixture of remote learning and alternating school days, hasn’t been ideal to say the least. Their grades have suffered, and it has been difficult to keep them motivated.

Ironically, on the same day we were called about my son, the Northville Schools Board of Education held a special meeting to vote whether or not to return to full-time in-person learning for high school and middle school students.

Before the vote, a group of protesters led by former school board president Matt Wilk showed up to picket outside the district headquarters on Main Street. Most of the protesters have been organized through the Get Northville Kids Back to School page on Facebook, which has been critical of both the district administration and board of education because they’ve been unwilling to bring non-elementary kids back full-time.

The group has argued that this is all about politics, and that the district is bowing down to the teachers union. Some even suggest that the district and board members,

in particular, don’t even care about our kids. That is just preposterous.

Our school board members are essentially volunteers. They receive no pay, and they have been putting far more time into this than any of them could have ever guessed when they decided to run. They do this precisely because they care about our kids.

Despite the pressure, the school board (with the lone exception of Jim Mazurek) voted to continue the hybrid plan through at least March, and likely through the rest of the year. They will, however, continue to meet on a monthly basis to reevaluate the district’s pandemic plan, with the possibility that kids may return in April, May or even June. But they insist that decision will be guided by CDC guidelines, COVID data about Northville and its surrounding communities and a survey the district completed in November.

The good news is all district teachers and staff will be vaccinated within the next month – at least those who choose to take the vaccine.

Perhaps the landscape will change, as

millions are getting vaccinated daily, in the coming weeks.

But to pretend this pandemic is over is not only shortsighted, but it’s dangerous. The rash of positive cases at Northville High School alone should be enough to give everyone pause.

I will be taking my son to get tested tomorrow. He has yet to show any signs of sickness, but as most of us know by now, this virus works in mysterious ways. And it is a killer.

Personally, I want to thank every school board member for taking this seriously and doing their best to ensure the safety of our kids, our teachers, coaches and every other person involved with educating of our kids. I know it’s not easy, especially in the face of vocal criticism.

For those who feel differently, I understand the frustration. I just wonder if you’d change your mind if you got the call I did.

Kurt Kuban is Editor and Publisher of The ‘Ville. He welcomes your feedback at (734) 716-0783 or kurtkuban@thevillemagazine.com.

Your Voice: Letters to the Editor 4 Schools looking at hybrid for rest of the year 12 The Art House is flying solo 22 Northville’s street party to keep going 30

Bright Lights, Big Career

6

Making Her-story

18

The Vaccination Quest

26

ON THE COVER: Shannon Hogan, a 2003 NHS graduate, reporting from the press box at Nassau Coliseum, home of the New York Islanders, the team she covers for the MSG Network. Photo by Mike Stobe, Getty Images

Community Bulletin Board 34 Volleyball transfer finding her happy place at U-M 36 Thornton Creek honoring everyday ‘HEROes’ 42

Your VoiceElection is unresolved The spirit of Northville

Thanks a lot for your cover story about the “Jolly Postman” in the February issue. We met James Holland five minutes into our first visit to Northville in June 2007. My family and I (our daughter Natali, now a freshman at Northville High School, was 1 year old) were on our expat orientation trip to Michigan before moving from Germany in October 2007. James spotted us when we walked down Main Street. Recognizing we were from outof-town, he welcomed us and pointed us to the playground at Ford Field.

With his exceptional friendliness and helpfulness, James truly represents the spirit of our city. We still live in Northville and whenever we see the “Jolly Postman” in town, we tell our children the story of our first encounter with him.

Daniel Lindenmeyer

I enjoy reading The ‘Ville and appreciate that it is dedicated to Northville news. In the interest of fair and accurate reporting, there is a correction needed to your article regarding the school board election in your January issue under the heading “New Members Sworn In”. You stated that, “Because the result [of the recount] was still a tie, the Wayne County Board of Canvassers determined the Nov. 25 draw stands and took no further action, making Mazurek the winner.”

This statement is completely inaccurate.

The Board of Canvassers made no such determination. I have been following this race and virtually attended the referenced Board of Canvassers meeting to resolve the second tie. In fact, a motion to hold a second draw failed and a motion to accept the first draw was not even seconded. The Wayne County Board of Canvassers failed to resolve the tie for the fourth open slot on the Northville Board of Education.

I respect both Ms. Kim Campbell-Voytal and Mr. James Mazurek as they are not responsible for the ambiguity left by the Wayne County Board of Canvassers non-resolution of the recent school board election. As a voter, I seek to ensure that there is a fair, free, and transparent result in this and all elections so that we have the confidence a proper and lawful procedure was followed. The Wayne County Board of Canvassers needs to do their job and determine the outcome of this election and any other similar situation going forward.

Therese Grossi

A huge plus

Just got to read another great edition of The ‘Ville. Thanks for excellent source of information about what’s going on in Northville!

As a city resident I am very much in favor of the expansion of Poole’s.

What they’re doing is helping make downtown even better. We live within walking distance of Poole’s and all other places downtown and love to be able to walk there. We’re in favor of the city selling them the land. Poole’s is run by a great group of people and their expansion is a huge plus for all.

Tom Bell

Love Fecht’s Lost credibility articles We love The ‘Ville, especially the Past Tense articles by Michele Fecht.

Keep up the great work and thank you!

Mike and Chris Lysaght

The ‘Ville has a journalistic role in our Northville community. However, part of being a good journalist is reseraching, interviewing and getting the facts correct.

You stated former Northville School Board member Matt Wilke as having said COVID was a hoax. In fact this man never said that - please get your ‘news’ facts correct next time. You’ve lost credibility with this family.

Jake Smith

SOUND OFF 4 The ‘Ville

Only if it’s safe

I am writing regarding the proposed pedestrian-only entrance to Maybury State Park. I have lived on 7 Mile Road for more than 20 years. I walk Maybury at least once a week and would like to see an entrance at the Ridge location, but would never feel safe walking along 7 Mile Road. I am in favor of an entrance, but I think the speed limit should be reduced from 50 MPH to a safer speed for pedestrians and bikers. What would be safest is to have a small parking lot for 10-20 cars. I cannot see children and adults walking 1-4 miles from town or “nearby” housing developments just to arrive at the park.

Before COVID, 7 Mile was a busy street. Lots of traffic, and people on cell phones not paying attention. Cars and trucks drive in excess of the 50 MPH speed limit. I have cleaned up along 7 Mile for over 20 years, picking up garbage. A few years ago, I picked up 23 Hefty bags of garbage. I do not want to see more garbage, hear more horns blowing and pick up broken car parts from the fender benders that happen along 7 Mile Road.

There is already an entrance into Maybury State Park at the corner of Beck Road and 7 Mile. I suggest they open this entrance and see how many pedestrians use the entry. This is no cost to anyone.

I am in favor of an entrance only if it is safe.

Patricia Witte

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.

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Shannon Hogan’s journey from NHS to MSG

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r to cou ). Pho photo t f le G S om o). M oto fr nd ph right phot (seco ( k G r S a rM aP meric landers fo s at Co work today?’ They said, ‘You’re bath ew York I e d a N or s the e Gat not going to work.’ They sent tgam gan cover s o p ha Ho d wit ght). me home, I watched the game douse to from ri t e g n o Hoga nd ph management, got married in from home that night. They nnon roit (seco a h S t d ts De la an x Avi f FoxSpor 2018.

They first met, ironically, won and then I went into labor le A r o e ating catch igers r John Ke at an Islanders game. the next day.”

T r e o Form and ment n for her anchor work in 2014.

On April 19, 2019, Hogan Hoga

I

t’s safe to say Shannon Hogan found her calling at an early age.

“I wanted to get into broadcast journalism since I was 8 years old,” said Hogan, now host and reporter for the Madison Square Garden Network.

The three-time All-Stater and two-time All-American swimmer from Northville High School is now in her seventh season covering the NHL’s New York Islanders for MSG+.

You may remember (from 2010-2013) Hogan covering three of Detroit’s four major pro teams along with college hockey for FoxSports Detroit where she won a Michigan Emmy Award

6 The ‘Ville

“I found my love for hockey in Detroit,” Hogan said. “When we moved to Northville my dad’s company had season tickets to the Red Wings and it was in the height of their reign, and I just remember going to my first live hockey game and saying to my parents, ‘This is the best live sporting event there is. This is the best experience of live sports.’ I was hooked, I loved it.”

Hogan’s journey to the bright lights of New York has been a whirlwind to say the least, and along the way her life experiences changed. She is now a wife, young mother and TV personality rooted on Long Island.

Hogan and her husband Brendan Gorey, a native Long Islander who works in asset

gave birth to her first child, a daughter Niamh.

“I was due to have her on Cinco de Mayo,” Hogan said.

“The Islanders made the playoffs. I was covering the playoffs and I remember people saying, ‘You’re not going make it.’ If they go to the Stanley Cup final I won’t be there. I walked a mile to my doctor’s appointment in my 37th week and we had a game that night at the Garden. I was broadcasting from the Garden and couldn’t fly. I went in there and he said, ‘Your blood pressure is really high, we’re going to keep you. I said, ‘OK,’ and then they send me down to the maternity ward and I said, ‘Like, am I having a baby today? Should I call them and tell them I’m not going to

‘OKLAHOMA, OKLAHOMA’ Hogan admits there’s a lot of balls to juggle, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. She believes when she’s working, working out, being a mom and a wife, she’s the complete person.

“I want my daughter to see the best of me, and right now that involves being a broadcaster,” Hogan said.

Prior to becoming a broadcaster, Hogan was a prolific swimmer. She lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma and attended Jenks High School where as a freshman she won an individual state title in the 50 freestyle.

Her dad Joe, who worked in sales and logistics for a large cement company, got a promotion and was transferred to the Detroit area. The

Hogan family moved into The Woodlands neighborhood just behind the new Northville High School during Shannon’s 10thgrade year.

At the time, Shannon considered swimming for Farmington Hills Mercy, a state powerhouse program, but eventually made the decision to go to the same high school that her younger brother Joey would attend.

New to the scene, Shannon remembers a meet in particular during her sophomore season.

“It was wild,” she said. “I remember the boys team being in the stands there and I don’t even know what race it was, but they were chanting, ‘Oklahoma, Oklahoma . . . ’ I told my mom, ‘I still hear that in my head.’ It’s so funny to me.”

By the time her career was over, Hogan would be part of 11 school records and a threetime team MVP. She was the 2002 Class A state champion in the 50-yard freestyle (23.48) and fourth in the 100 freestyle (51.62) as a senior.

Hogan, who often trained mornings with the Northville boys team, swam during the off season for the Livonia Community Swim Club and at the Novi Sports Club. She was a Senior National qualifier as well and standout on the Northville girls track team.

Academically, she graduated Summa Cum Laude and was named a Detroit Free Press Scholar Athlete in 2003.

“Looking back, I loved Northville High School,” Hogan said. “I think I got an amazing

Shannon Hogan returned home for Halloween to downtown Northville with her husband Brendan Gorey and daughter Niamh. Hogan family photo

doing a year there that I was not going to be able to have the experience degree-wise to go into broadcasting after. So, I was like, ‘I got to make a change here.’”

After moving in from Oklahoma her sophomore year, Shannon Hogan became an All-State swimmer and state champion for Northville High School.

Photo courtesy of Shannon Hogan

education and now when I look from afar, that’s the kind of experience and the town of Northville is the kind of feel that I was looking for when we were starting a family. We live in New York, but every town, every home that we went through when we were moving out of New York City, I was measuring it up to Northville because I just feel like my parents did an amazing job picking that community. And even when I go back to visit for the holidays and walk through downtown, I think to myself, ‘How lucky did I have it to grow up here?’ It really is an amazing community.”

Hogan weighed a number of college scholarship offers before settling on the University of Virginia where as a freshman (2003-04) she placed fifth in the 50 freestyle at the ACC Championships and added a second as a member of the 200 freestyle relay.

“After a year . . . it was wonderful,” Hogan said. “We won the ACCs when I was there. Overall, it was a good experience, but I knew after

TRANSFER TO MIZZOU Hogan was on the move again, this time to the University of Missouri where she majored in Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Business and Sociology.

“It was an unbelievable place to go to school,” Hogan said. “It was the world’s first journalism school. It was the number one broadcast journalism school.

I cannot say enough about the program there and the people I met there. It was the launch pad for where I am now because everything I learned was from there. The whole Mizzou mafia – alumni helping alumni – and I keep in touch with so many people still at the University of Missouri and try and get back as much as I can because it was so important.”

In the pool, Hogan continued her success earning Rookie of the Year honors as a sophomore for the Tigers followed by being named captain. At the time, Hogan was the school record holder in the 50-meter freestyle, was second all-time in the 100 freestyle (50.07); fourth in the 100 backstroke (56.47) was part of the school record 200 and 400 freestyle relays.

“It was a great experience there,” she said. “The team was really good. I feel like I was able to get the most out of my swimming career and coupled that with broadcasting. And I don’t know if I would have been able to do that anywhere else.”

Hogan continued on page 8

The ‘Ville 7

Hogan continued from page 7

With a degree in hand and Missouri connections, Hogan landed her first TV job as a reporter and anchor at CBS affiliate KION TV in Salinas, Calif. Just out of school, she lived only blocks away from the beach. It was an idyllic setting.

“My mom (Donna) and dad said, ‘You need to look around,” Shannon recalled. “People look their whole lives wanting to live somewhere like this, but when you’re 22, you’re just like . . . You don’t even know how blessed you are.”

Hogan wore a number of different hats on the west coast.

She anchored the weekend news and sports, along with being a weekday news reporter.

COMING HOME California dreaming, however, became Pure Michigan for Hogan when FoxSports Detroit called.

She started out doing college hockey and the Tigers, before adding the Pistons, Red Wings and postseason playoff games to her repertoire.

“Not many people have the opportunity in this industry of working in their home city,” Hogan said. “It’s like a oncein-a-lifetime chance to be able to broadcast the teams

Shannon Hogan formed a special bond during her days at FoxSports Detroit with Tigers manager Jim Leyland. Photo courtesy of Shannon Hogan

8 The ‘Ville

Shannon Hogan covered the Detroit Tigers for FoxSports Detroit.

you grew up cheering for. So, when it happened and I had my interview, I said, ‘Mom, don’t get excited. But I have an interview in Detroit,’ and she cried. She said, ‘Please, I just hope she gets this.’ I actually moved back to Northville and lived at home for two years when I came back.”

During her stint with FS Detroit, Hogan built a special bond with former Tigers manager Jim Leyland with whom she still keeps in contact.

“I’d call and say, ‘Jim, it’s Shannon, Happy Thanksgiving.’

He’d say, ‘Kid, how’s it going?’”

Hogan recalled. “Even when I was in New York I’d go down to spring training for a game in Tampa and I would try to swing by Lakeland. The players in Detroit are great, great people, and the coaches and the managers I had the pleasure working with were amazing.

I felt like I was the luckiest person in the world to get to cover them and really did some big events in Detroit.”

Her most memorable moment covering Detroit sports

was a walk-off interview with Tigers outfield Torii Hunter.

“The Tigers had really been on this long stretch,” Shannon said. “They had been playing game, after game after game, and they had a day off. And I made a comment like, ‘Torii, what are you doing tomorrow?’

He said, ‘Why?, I’m going to lay by the pool naked.’

“You couldn’t help but smile, and he had that charisma.

He was smiling . . . It wasn’t an earth-shattering game or anything, but those are the kind of things I’ll remember for years and those are the kind of players that I’ll remember for years, people who were really fun to talk to.”

NEW YORK CALLS Despite being content with her situation in Detroit, Hogan got an offer from MSG+ Network that she couldn’t refuse.

“I thought I’d be in Michigan forever,” she said. “I had a condo in Royal Oak, and I didn’t sell my townhouse. I said, ‘I don’t know, I’ll try it in New York.’

I’ll sign a two-year deal. We’ll see how it goes. And after the first year I came home and I told my mom, ‘I have to put the condo up. I’m not coming back here right now.’ And who knows what the future holds? Part of me will always be in Michigan.

My family is still there and that’s where I grew as a person and as a broadcaster. But for right now, working with MSG Networks and the Islanders has been amazing. I love it. I love the crew I work with and the team is great. I feel like I’ve been able to stretch myself as

a broadcaster and challenge myself. It’s wild to think this is my seventh year and I can’t believe I’ve been gone from Michigan that long.”

Hogan traveled exclusively with the Islanders, but when the pandemic hit last March, the NHL season was put on hold until September. She was able to spend quality time with her family on the north shore of Long Island in the town of Northport.

“I was lucky to have that time at home with her,” Hogan said of her daughter Niamh.” A lot of Shannon Hogan of MSG Networks interviews a New York Islanders player during a postgame interview. Leon Halip/Getty Images

people don’t – quote, unquote – have that kind of maternity leave.”

During the pandemic, Hogan and her co-workers do their reporting remote. For the Islanders away games, she works in the MSG+ studios across from Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Meanwhile, home games are broadcast from the Islander’s home venue at the Nassau County Coliseum in Long Island.

Hogan, the studio host, admits there are significant challenges to the technology side of things. The Islanders’ play-by-play announcer and color analyst call the game from the team’s local studio, while the studio analysts and rinkside reporters can be doing it from another location.

“We just have to pull it together and give the fans the best experience,” she said.

“With interviews you have a different feel of doing it, a different heartbeat on the team when you’re there in the building. But at the end of the day people were just so happy to

watch sports on television and our job was to bring them the best product that we could, and that’s how I kind of approach it.

“It’s not going to be perfect, there’s going to be hiccups along the way. But I’m going to do and our crew is going to do the best . . . because people are going through a lot right now. And sports is something that brings people together. So, if they can escape from their lives whatever it is, pandemic or whatever, they can watch the games and feel a little more normal.”

Away from the rink, Shannon loves to travel. Her favorite places to explore have included Croatia, Greece, Italy, Ireland and South East Asia.

But with Niamh now in tow, she wanted her daughter to experience her most recent Halloween in Northville.

“It was like life coming full circle,” said Hogan, who turned 36 in March. “It’s such a charming place. I told my mom, ‘If we ever move back here, this is exactly the place. This is exactly where I want to raise my kid and you did an amazing and a really great job.’”

The ‘Ville 9

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Old Village School was the site of a modest protest by a group advocating a full return of students in Northville Schools. They left behind a number of signs.

Holding The Line

Northville Schools puts off full return

By Alex Lundberg and Laura Fawaz

D

espite a group of vocal parents demanding a full return to school, the Northville Board of Education voted on March 1 to continue 50-50 hybrid classes with a four-day rotation/alternating week schedule for the high school and middle schools. The board will continue to meet about the possibility of having a full return this year, but most board members are hoping for a full return in the fall.

Supt. Mary Kay Gallagher said the factors the district is using are CDC guidance, data about Northville and its surrounding communities and a survey the district completed in November. She also noted the rising number of positive cases among students, particularly

12 The ‘Ville

at the high school where there were a couple dozen confirmed cases in the first week of March alone.

“We made the decision that there would only be a full return if we were in phase five,” she said, noting we’re in phase four.

“We are still in the pandemic.”

Director of Personnel Development Rebecca Pek explained the results of the community survey taken by students, parents and high school staff. That survey revealed 61.6 percent of respondents overall want to continue with the current hybrid model. Surveyed parents were more interested in a return to regular instruction at 53.9 percent and students by themselves were

overwhelmingly opposed to it, with a majority of parents and students together preferred hybrid teaching. Staff members were overwhelmingly (85 percent) in favor of continued hybrid learning.

Trustee James Mazurek, who was the lone vote against the plan, said he wasn’t surprised that students supported hybrid classes.

“They’re easier classes, it gives them more time to complete their homework,” he said. “I’m going to focus on those who pay taxes in the district, the responsible ones.

I’m disappointed in the staff.

They’ve had their first vaccine and will have their second by April.”

Trustee Lindsey Wilson said it’s important to take the word of people who are in the building day in and day out.

“We need to look at what the people in the buildings are

One sign left behind expressed displeasure with the hybrid model.

feeling,” he said. “We’ve heard a lot of student input and the staff knows what it’s like to work in those buildings.”

Trustee Suzanne Lynn said hopefully the district will be in a better place come the fall.

She said by then the district

will know better about overall community health, what needs to be done to keep the district healthy and how to support students in any case.

Board President Sarah Prescott said the policy on classes in the age of COVID-19 was about now, and now alone.

“There’s not one person on this board saying that there might not be a full return,” she said. “I don’t want people to think that March and September are equal.”

The board’s vote came about an hour after a group of critics gathered outside the Board of Education Office on Main Street. They picketed and voiced their frustration. The group included former school board president Matt Wilk, who raised the ire of many last year when he made comments on social media questioning the dangers of the pandemic.

Wilk said he was happy that a few dozen people showed up to make sure the board and administration heard their concerns.

“Although the wind, cold and work kept people away, it was still great to see so many people come out to get their kids back into school. Hybrid schooling does not work, and other districts, private schools and academies have proven that it is not necessary. Our children have taken the brunt of this ridiculous decision, and the school board needs to take action before more damage is done,” he said.

May Clark Darnell, a protest organizer and parent of a junior at Northville High School, said it’s time to get back to normal.

“Northville has been looking at a hybrid plan since August. In all this time they never created an exit strategy,” she said.

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When complete this 124,000 square foot health care facility will offer outstanding convenience with IHA physicians and practitioners specializing in Primary Care, Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Midwifery, Orthopaedics, Podiatry, Urology, Vascular, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and a 365 day a year Urgent Care. Saint Joseph Mercy Health System will offer numerous ancillary services including Imaging (mammography, X-ray, CT, MRI and ultrasound), lab (blood-draw station), an ambulatory surgery center, Probility physical therapy, a retail pharmacy and Joe’s Java coffee shop all in a beautiful patient-centered environment.

Innovative technologies, seamless information flow and highly-specialized diagnostic imaging services are at the fingertips of doctors and technicians. It’s all about creating a better, more complete health care experience.

The center is located on the Schoolcraft College campus adjacent to I-275 for easy access.

Learn more at www.livoniamedicalcenter2021.com A Member of Trinity Health

School Election is Tuesday, May 4, 2021 On May 4th, voters will be asked to consider a ballot proposal that would renew Northville Public Schools’ current operating millage rate of 19.2383 mills for five years, 2022 to 2026, and would permit the school district to continue to levy the maximum 18 operating mills on only non-homestead property each year.

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This is a renewal millage on non-homestead property only. No added taxes for businesses. No tax impact to homeowners of primary residences.

Key Considerations: If voters renew this operating millage, Northville Public Schools will receive the full operational dollars currently authorized by the State under Proposal A. The State assumes that all school districts levy the maximum allowable operating millage, and will not compensate a school district for lost revenues if the millage does not pass.

If voters do not renew this operating millage, Northville Public Schools will lose about $10 million in operating revenue based on estimated 2021 taxable values.

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3TE ABSENTEE VO Upcoming Election

MAY 4, 2021 Northville Public Schools Non-Homestead Operating Millage Renewal 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!

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Making Her-story Teen first in nation to get Boy Scout and Girl Scout awards

By Maria Taylor

Jen Chalom with her brother (top photo), and showing off her Bronze Award project (above).

B

Jen Chalom at Mackinac Island doing honor guard duty.

18 The ‘Ville

ecoming an Eagle Scout has been a lifelong dream for Jen Chalom, a 2020 graduate of Northville High.

When middle- and high-schoolaged girls were first allowed to join the Boy Scouts two years ago, she signed up right away.

Now, 18-year-old Chalom is making history. Not only is she the first female Eagle Scout at Northville’s Troop 755, but she is, as far as we can tell, the first woman in the U.S. to achieve the highest achievement rank in both the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts: Eagle Scout and Girl Scout Gold.

The ‘Ville met Chalom on a snowy February evening, a month after she made Eagle Scout, at Mill Race Village, where she completed her project.

The ‘Ville: You were involved in Girls Scouts since kindergarten, but were always drawn to the outdoor aspect of the Boy Scouts. What did it mean for you when girls your age were first allowed to join?

Chalom: I knew since I was Cub Scout age that I always wanted to join Boy Scouts. I kind of followed my brother through it, and I really enjoyed it — all the camping and stuff — and didn’t have the same experience in Girl Scouts. I had always dreamt it would be possible. As I was getting older, I realized that wasn’t going to be possible for me. I was so shocked that it happened. The second that they released that statement, I was like, “Okay, I have to join. I have to be Eagle.”

It wasn’t even a question.

The ‘Ville: It usually takes guys six or seven years to achieve Eagle Scout, but you finished in just two. How did you pull that off ?

Chalom: Once you turn 18, you’re no longer a Scout.

I would have aged out, but for girls who joined in 2019, they gave them 24 months to complete it — so you get an extension past your birthday.

It was definitely a struggle.

You have a certain amount of camping nights in a tent, which is fine if you’re an 11-year-old boy and you have five years to get 30 nights in a tent — that’s manageable. I ended up having to camp four weekends in a row in the middle of February.

I would go to an event and everyone would be in cabins.

And I’m sitting outside the

I may be one of the first, but I hope I’m not the last. I hope many girls follow in my footsteps. Girls can do anything guys can do — and we can do it better! Definitely if someone says that you can’t do something because you’re a girl, go out Jen Chalom and do it. cabin in my tent in snow, below freezing, completely wrapped up. No one could figure out what on earth I was doing.

The ‘Ville: Tell us about how you chose Mill Race Village as the site for your Eagle Scout project.

Chalom: I have always enjoyed going there as a kid, and I asked them what they thought would be most helpful.

I noticed that they had these kind of rundown pin board signs and bulletins — I think the papers that were on them were from 2013. Especially when the buildings are closed, that’s not much to look at. We took the existing boards down, sanded them, and painted them. I like graphic design, so I designed

a board identifying a lot of the buildings are. You can do the invasive plant species in the tour from home (available at area, which is important to be www.millracenorthville.org/ aware of. historical-walking-tour) or The ‘Ville: download This isn’t your the app first endeavor PocketSights, at Mill Race, and it’ll track either — you your GPS so did your Girl you can do Scout final it there at project there Mill Race, too, right? and there’s Chalom: pictures of My Gold inside the Award was buildings. I Chalom during her Daisy days. a virtual also extended walking tour that tour, of Mill Race. The buildings later in my free time, to all of aren’t able to be open all Northville. A lot of the homes in the time, so people walking the historic district are on there, by don’t know what these and it has information about them, like when they were built.

The ‘Ville: What kind of things has joining the Scouts taught you?

Chalom: Because I’ve grown up around Scouts my whole life, there’s so many basic life skills that I’ve just had ingrained in me. I was at a bonfire with Jen Chalom’s Eagle Scout project included signage about invasive plants at Mill Race Village. By my friends a Maria Taylor while ago, and

none of them knew how to start a fire. And I was like, “What?

I’ve known this since I was six!”

But even more importantly, I think it’s taught me a lot about being a good leader and getting along with others. At the National Jamboree and the World Jamboree, you meet Scouts from all around the world, learn a lot about other cultures, and that’s definitely a once-in-a lifetime experience.

The ‘Ville: What’s next for you after high school?

Chalom: I plan to go to Wayne State this fall. I’m studying political science, and I’d like to go into campaign management.

The ‘Ville: March is Women’s History Month, and you’re making history right here in Northville. What would you say to other young women who might be hearing your story about becoming an Eagle Scout?

Chalom: I may be one of the first, but I hope I’m not the last. I hope many girls follow in my footsteps. Girls can do anything guys can do — and we can do it better! Definitely if someone says that you can’t do something because you’re a girl, go out and do it.

I think that a lot of girls would benefit from joining the Scouts, and they should totally try it. I also really enjoyed Girl Scouts — I spent 12 years in Girl Scouts, and I definitely see the merits of both groups.

They’re both amazing groups in different ways.

The ‘Ville 19

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Flying Solo

Art House needs a lift from the community to get off the ground Story by Wensdy Von Buskirk | Photos by Bill Bresler

A

s countless businesses and nonprofits struggle through the COVID landscape, Northville Art House is no exception. The creative institution recently broke away from the City of Northville and is seeking the community’s help to survive and thrive.

“We just need to get through this year,” spokesperson Sue Taylor says.

After 15 years operating under the city’s wing, the Art House was named a 501c3 nonprofit in August. The amicable split sets the stage for growth and autonomy, but has posed problems of its own, especially in terms of funding.

Executive Director Erin Maten shows off the brand new sign in front of the Northville Art House.

22 The ‘Ville

PARTING WAYS Contrary to public perception, Taylor says, the Art House has never gotten money from the City of Northville, just free use of its building on Cady Street, along with accounting support.

Taylor says many residents believe the Art House receives taxpayer dollars, but that’s never been the case.

“From the beginning we were always totally funded on our own,” she says.

During the start of the pandemic, being classified as a city entity hurt the Art House’s ability to obtain emergency funding. The Art House was not eligible for federal COVID-19

aid because it was not a 501c3.

At the same time, the Art House couldn’t obtain grants because on paper it appeared to have a big, city-sized budget.

“When it comes to aid, we can’t line up in the right category. It’s been a real struggle,” Taylor said.

When COVID hit, Northville Art House classes were cancelled. After-school art programs were halted. Painting with Parkinson’s, a unique program making a profound impact on people’s lives was suspended.

Then, in the largest blow to the Art House budget, 2020 Arts & Acts festival (including the Art in the Sun and Maker’s Market) was cancelled. Proceeds from the celebrated festival cover 75 percent of staffing costs for the year, Taylor says.

“It’s been tough,” she says.

LOOKING FORWARD Despite the challenges, the Art House leaders are looking toward the future. The Art House has re-launched many of its programs virtually, and they’ve been well received.

In August, doors reopened for inperson classes.

Monthly exhibit receptions have returned with precautions. Camps will start enrolling soon, and leaders are hopeful Arts

and Acts will be staged this summer in some form.

A bright spot in 2020 was Gnomes Around Northville, in which businesses sponsored stops on a scavenger hunt through town. The Art House is considering other creative ways to raise money.

Executive Director Erin Maten says breaking from the city will be a positive change in the long run. Operations will be streamlined and potential funding sources will expand.

The city will still allow the Art House free use of the Cady Street building, as long as the organization continues to cover all maintenance costs.

The Art House will be eligible for federal COVID aid once it has been a 501c3 for a year, Taylor said.

As the vaccine gets distributed, hope is on the horizon. In the meantime,

How can you help?

JOIN: Memberships start at $20 DONATE: Give with a click Northville Art House leaders are asking locals who love art and what the Art House has done in the community, to step up and help by joining, donating, sponsoring or volunteering.

“Our mission is to bring creative experiences, educational programs and art to the community,” Taylor says.

“We’ve got lots of ideas. We’ve got enthusiasm. We’ve got the passion.”

The Northville Art House is located at 215 W. Cady Street in downtown Northville. Visit NorthvilleArtHouse.org for more information and to register for in-person and virtual classes, workshops and exhibits.

SPONSOR: Sponsorships start at $1,500 TEACH: Artists wanted for classes, workshops and lectures SERVE: Board members with financial and public art experience sought SHOP: Art House Store & Gallery open VOLUNTEER: High school students and adults needed for summer camps, events, gardening and lawn maintenance REACH OUT: (248) 344-0497, office@northvillearthouse.org, www.northvillearthouse.org

Board President Sue Taylor, Executive Director Erin Maten, and Creative Director Ryan Kaltenbach in the gallery at the Northville Art House.

The ‘Ville 23

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the

Vaccination

Quest

B

efore dawn on Valentine’s Day, Northville Township senior citizen Renee Zalusky’s daughter, Denise, clicked on Rite Aid’s COVID-19 website and scored an appointment for Zalusky, an 81-year-old with an autoimmune disease.

Zalusky, who was able to get a March 6 appointment at the

Northville Township's Renee Zalusky finally got her first shot after a frustrating process. Photo by Bryan Mitchell

26 The ‘Ville

Pontiac Trail and Beck Road Rite Aid, felt very fortunate her daughter was able to help her set up the appointment, but she worries about others who don’t have the same kind of support.

“Mostly older people aren’t as savvy with their smartphones or their computer and I’ve gone on (to try). She just happened to get me that appointment because she was up at five in the morning on Valentine’s Day and decided she was going to try that,” Zalusky said.

On the flip side, 68-yearold Don Beard of Northville had no problem landing an appointment at the Meijer superstore on Haggerty Road at Eight Mile Road, where there are 20 professionally staffed stations where folks are receiving doses of Pfizer and Moderna.

“My husband has had both of his shots through Meijer at Haggerty and Eight Mile, very successful,” said Debra Beard, 63. “Meijer is strictly going on the age and the phase that they’re calling, anybody 65 and above. It really is extremely simple. I do feel for those people who aren’t able to get their vaccine.”

The search for a shot can be frustrating for Northvillians

By Tim Smith

The Meijer on Haggerty at Eight Mile Road has 20 professionally staffed stations where folks are receiving doses of Pfizer and Moderna. Courtesy of Meijer

The Beards connected via the Meijer website, https://clinic. meijer.com. But too many older citizens aren’t willing or able to learn and utilize modern tools of disseminating information.

“They don’t have the patience and they don’t understand it,” said Debra Beard, a real estate agent and Northville Lions Club president. “They get a little bit confused by it or they don’t have computers where they do stuff on the computer all the time.

They might fear it even, who knows.”

For Northvillians, where approximately 20 percent of the population is 65 or older, adding

to the growing angst is hearing about Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announcing an uptick in vaccinations for Detroiters, or finding out about other Wayne County municipalities where more shots reportedly are getting into arms.

A key reason for that disparity is how the Wayne County map was divided into geographic regions, ranking communities by a Social Vulnerability Index accounting for 15 socio-economic factors impacting health and wellness.

Northville and Northville Township were not at the top of the SVI. Nearby Livonia

and Canton, however, were higher on the list and both held vaccination events the last weekend of February.

“It’s based on a vulnerability index, so the county is using certain matrixes as to who gets the vaccine when,” Northville Township Manager Todd Mutchler said. “Northville Township did not meet the first round. But the nice thing, at least for the Northville’s in the interim, is it gives us a chance to plan and prepare.”

COMING SOON? Both the city and township are actively involved in establishing a vaccination center at the now-closed Northville Township Hall, to be ready when the county gives those municipalities the green light. That could happen by the end of March.

“We’d like it tomorrow, but we have to figure it out and get all our people trained, both volunteers and the medical folks that are vaccinating,” Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull said.

To many older Americans, getting an appointment for a dose of Pfizer, Moderna or the just-approved single dose Johnson & Johnson (described as a game changer) certainly must feel as though they just purchased a winning lottery ticket.

And area officials understand why seniors’ frustration abounds. Both Turnbull and Mutchler stress better times are around the corner, with both municipalities teaming up to help senior citizens get the vaccine.

“It’s taken this much time to get the policies and the procedures together,” Turnbull explained. “We’re just waiting

for a little more of the product, the vials of the vaccine.”

There might eventually be a tidal wave of COVID-19 vaccines for everybody to get the shots they need to ward off the deadly virus which has killed more than 500,000 Americans since March 2020.

Of course, all the product in the world won’t matter until a better communications network is in place to make sure the vulnerable and the elderly know how to tap into it.

More is being done to help in that regard.

“Everyone that’s contacted me, I try to put them in a buddy system,” Turnbull said.

“I have a group of four or five people, I attach somebody to them until they get in (with an appointment).”

Mutchler added that District 9 Wayne County Commissioner Terry Marecki and Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo also have been going above and beyond to assist in the effort.

“We’ve taken many, many calls and complaints,” Mutchler said. “I think people just didn’t understand, they thought that, for some of the complaints that we took, that Northville Township was asleep at the wheel. And it’s not that at all.

“In fact, I know Supervisor Abbo has been advocating since back in December to make Northville Township Hall a center to get our residents vaccinated.”

Other civic-minded individuals like Debra Beard also are willing to assist elderly residents who don’t perhaps have the wherewithal to navigate the 21st century’s highspeed, digital information age.

“We need to call around for them and say ‘Hey, I have a

senior lady here who needs her vaccine,’” said Beard, adding that members of the Northville Lions Club are on board for helping connect the COVID vaccination dots.

“Somebody Renee Zalusky shows off the card that lists her scheduled needs to work visit for a second vaccine dose. Photo by Bryan Mitchell with them to get it done for them, because center. that’s the problem.

“That’s the biggest thing that “And they get frustrated. You we don’t have in Wayne County. might have long hold times, We don’t have a central call or things like that. What we’re center for a vaccination site. dealing with are seniors who are We need a 1-800 line to actually not computer savvy, never have schedule your vaccinations.” been, never will be. It’s nothing Beard said the Northville of their own fault. There just Lions Club is at the ready. She needs to be some other way for said there are 10 members a senior, even if it’s something volunteering with efforts to help through the mail.” try to pair up senior citizens with appointments.

PURSUE EVERY AVENUE “For individuals who do not In the meantime, Turnbull have internet access, we can and others emphasized that assist with vaccine registration people need to be as resourceful at a site of their choice, and as they can to land their with transportation to and from vaccination appointment. vaccination sites,” Beard noted.

Renee Zalusky is a perfect All they have to do is call example. While she was waiting Beard at (248) 982-0235 or to get her first dose at Rite Aid, Northville Lions Club President Meijer called and she was able Clay Galarneau at (248) 561to get it a couple days earlier on 3491.

March 4.

“It’s just a matter of time,” “Absolutely go on every said Beard, who is biding her waiting list out there,” Turnbull time until her age bracket is stressed. “Because, when the permitted to get vaccinated. vials are out they have to use “They had already forecasted them for the day. Don’t just late spring (May-June) for the go on one site, don’t just go to next wave. But I actually think Meijer, don’t just go to Rite Aid. it’s going to happen sooner.”

Look at all the options that are She added that she is pinning out there. If these other ones for her hopes on that happening by the city open up, register there, April. “I’m hoping. Because this all in, we’ll probably have a call is killing my business.”

The ‘Ville 27

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SOCIAL DISTRICT Extended Until Spring 2022 Northville’s street party will continue until at least 2022

By Maria Taylor | Photos by Bryan Mitchell

N

orthville residents are ready to “twist” again like they did last summer. At their Feb. 1 meeting, the Northville City Council voted unanimously to continue the closure of Main and North

Center streets through April 30, 2022 for outdoor dining and the social district.

“The Twist,” as the Northville district has been dubbed, burst onto the social scene in

30 The ‘Ville

September, adding carryout cocktails to the downtown pedestrian walking area created by closing Main and Center in June. Since then, the downtown has gotten a complete overhaul and now boasts firepits, igloos, tables and chairs in the street, and heated huts to block the wind for diehard diners.

And in an odd twist of fate, road closures — usually cause for complaints — may be one “new normal” that Northville would like to keep. Per a DDA survey conducted in January, a whopping 96% of respondents felt that the street closures should continue in some form after March 1, 2021, the date the closure had originally been scheduled to end. In terms of an extension, 20% felt that street closures should be allowed on an annual basis during the summer for the foreseeable future. Another 43% said they should be extended continuously, yearround, unless action is taken by city council.

A mere 3% objected to an extension.

The survey had 2,600 responses, a total which Northville DDA Director Lori Ward said was “phenomenal.”

Kathy Ruble, a downtown resident, is one of those enthusiastic Northvillians and joined the Zoom council meeting to voice her support for The Twist.

“From the moment Northville made the decision to create a social district, I knew it was the beginning of something much greater,” she said. “The local businesses didn’t just provide outdoor dining in a street under some flappy tent. They created, in my opinion, an outdoor dining and shopping

experience like no other community in the metropolitan area.”

Northville Councilmember Barbara Moroski-Browne said it’s evident the social district works in the summer during a pandemic. She suggested extending the closure through fall 2022, both so businesses have longer to see their investments in outdoor equipment and also to get a sense of how the social district would play out in “hopefully a nonpandemic period” when vaccinations have brought COVID-19 under control.

aesthetics, operation, and maintenance.

Sustained operation and staff, of course, comes with a price tag. The DDA suggested several ways to fund the district, including contributions from city and DDA budgets, having the DDA collect the outdoor dining permit revenue instead of the city, additional COVID-19 grants (which have been discussed by President Joe Biden’s administration), and perhaps rental income from the social district vending stands.

Right now the vending stands are free for Northville restaurants to use during the

From the moment Northville made the decision to create a social district, I knew it was the beginning of something much greater. The local businesses didn’t just provide outdoor dining in a street under some flappy tent. They created, in my opinion, an outdoor dining and Ruble shopping experience like no other community in the metropolitan area. Kathy downtown Northville resident “This is our great experiment, under duress, to help our community and our businesses survive. That’s what spurred us to do this — and from what we’re hearing, we have very broad support for that,” she said. Now she is looking ahead to postpandemic issues like traffic flow in and around the downtown.

“It’s a different experience in a pandemic,” she said. “I really think that we’re still going to be in some level of pandemic caution mode through fall, so I don’t think it gives us a summer of seeing how this plays out with these street closures. I think with grace, we’ll get a period of several months next winter where we’re not in this pandemic. We’ve got a winter to see how winter works, hopefully.”

Mayor Brian Turnbull said the DDA board had a long discussion of whether to extend the closure for 12 or 18 months. Per the motion, council has the ability to modify the closure if necessary, but Turnbull and the council members made it clear that they don’t plan to end it early.

“We know we have to be flexible — things might change at the end of this 12 months,” Turnbull said. “Could we go longer? Yes, but we have to look at it and be flexible, every six months. We can’t project what’s going to happen three, four years down the road.”

The year gives retailers and restaurants the chance to go after their investment and see some return on that, he said.

Ward said the district can be extended in whatever increments the city feels comfortable with. The DDA made the recommendation to city council for the oneyear extension.

“Right now, most of the restaurants have the equipment and the structures they’re going to need to do that, and we can certainly take a look at this next year and have it remain closed through the fall or the end of summer,” she said. “I anticipate at this time next year, we’ll be having the same conversation about whether we’ll be having it in the fall.”

Making the social district run smoothly takes a lot of work. Ward said businesses and visitors alike have commented that the district has grown to the point where it needs staff, so the DDA will be hiring two part-time employees to organize the event and provide onsite support.

“We’re going out and resetting fuses and trying to troubleshoot from a distance,” Ward said. “If we’re going to commit to doing this going forward, we really need to have staffing available year round.”

The DDA is also forming a social district committee to advise and assist on

pandemic, “but in the future, we may charge a nominal amount” to cover the use of the stands’ heat and electricity, Ward said.

With the streets remaining closed, Ward noted that the city will need to update its strategy for downtown events — at least for the time being.

“We need to take into consideration that it will be really almost impossible to hold special events in the downtown, given the lack of available space,” Ward said. The parade will likely need to be rerouted, and downtown events may need to be relocated.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing; the fact that the downtown itself has proved such an attraction, despite all the event cancellations of 2020, is a testament to its strength. Take a look at photos from The Twist this summer, and it’s pretty clear that the downtown’s new look has no trouble drawing both Northvillians and people from across the region — all on its own. At their Jan. 27 meeting, the DDA board said it’s time to stop calling the social district a special event because it has become part of the downtown’s fabric.

“We know that summer in a pandemic was an incredible success, so it’s hard to imagine it being not a success in the summer,” said Council member Marilyn Price. “We know people come downtown.”

The ‘Ville 31

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One Fine Pizza Congratulations to Northville’s Pizza Cutter, which was named

City Sells Land to Poole’s Northville has agreed to sell a

Detroit’s Big Game Bracket winner in a poll by radio station WRIF listeners leading up to the Super Bowl. Located at 340 N. Center Street, Pizza Cutter offers an array of pizza options, from the healthy Whole Wheat Combo to Hawaiian Pizza to lasagna to salads and subs.

Pictured are members of the Pizza Cutter crew.

sliver of land to Poole’s, so the tavern on Main Street can complete an expansion that will allow it to offer the first rooftop dining destination in the downtown.

The City Council agreed to initiate a purchase agreement for about 218 square feet city-owned property for $45 per square foot.

According to Mayor Brian Turnbull, the land is about four feet wide running the length of the Poole’s property, which will allow them to build a staircase up to the new second floor and rooftop dining area that will accommodate about 50 people.

Poole’s has submitted a preliminary site plan, but still needs to get approval from both the Planning Commission and Historic District Commission before the sale can go through.

The other conditions of the sale are that Poole’s must build an ADAcompliant passageway, commence work within six months of signing, and commit to a timeline for development. The decision gives the city time to consider whether to sell more land to Poole’s in the future or retain the property at Main and Hutton. As of now, the city will continue to lease the land to Poole’s, which it uses for its outdoor dining space.

“This is really going to be a great project for our downtown and our city,” Turnbull said. “Having a rooftop dining spot is pretty exciting. It will be the first of its kind in our downtown.”

34 The ‘Ville

Meet the New Assistant Director Maria Williams is the new assistant director at the Northville District Library. She comes to Northville after serving eight years at the Baldwin Public Library, where she was head of adult services.

In her new role, Williams will help continue the library’s mission of providing a welcoming, user-friendly space, exceptional customer service, and innovative programming for patrons of all ages.

Williams has an English degree from the University of Michigan and a Master’s of Library and Information Science from Wayne State University.

For more about the library, visit https://northvillelibrary.org. The library is currently open on a limited basis. Patrons can only visit for 30 minutes or less due to limited building capacity.

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Finding Finding Her Happy Her Happy Place Place

Hannah Grant’s transfer from MSU to U-M proves to be perfect fit

By Brad Emons

I

t was a frigid mid-February night at Jenison Fieldhouse when Hannah Grant had to cast her feelings aside when she lined up on the other side the net against her former Michigan State volleyball teammates.

The 5-foot-8 freshman libero from Northville High was not wearing Green and White, but ironically donning the Maize and Blue colors for the University of Michigan.

“It was very, very weird if I’m being completely honest,” said the U-M transfer, who was a freshman red shirt for the Spartans in 2019.

“Just walking in there and remembering the everyday lifestyle Hannah Grant started her collegiate volleyball career that I lived in at Michigan State. Photo

by Michigan State Athletic that fieldhouse, Communications it was very uncomfortable at first. But just knowing that I had a great group of family around me – my team, my coaches, just overall staff, behind me – it was like a great feeling.”

When it got down to it, Grant was all business as she finished with 17 digs and six assist-to-kills in a 3-1 victory over the host Spartans.

36 The ‘Ville

Through the first five matches, Grant had moved comfortably into a starting defensive role for U-M averaging 4.14 digs per set with a team-high 91 digs to go along with 31 assists.

PULLING THE TRIGGER There were a couple of factors that led to Grant’s sudden move from East Lansing to Ann Arbor.

“I just wasn’t very happy there overall,” Grant said. “I just knew it really wasn’t the right place or the right fit. I decided I needed to go somewhere else and find my happy place, and so I pulled the trigger after I had evaluated the situation I was in and really made sure I was making the right decision.

“It was more of just the dynamic, the culture, just the group of girls . . . I still do talk to a lot of them and are still very close with some of them. I didn’t love the school.

It wasn’t very family oriented and I really didn’t like the culture of the team.”

Grant decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal after sitting out and just practicing her first season at MSU. She looked into Northwestern, but decided to make the short commute to Ann Arbor.

“They were one of the many schools that reached out to me once I entered the portal and I am very close to my family here that we live in Michigan here and Northville,” Grant said, “so they were definitely one of

Michigan’s Hannah Grant serves one up in an early season Big Ten match against Purdue. Photo

by University of Michigan Athletic Communications

my top choices that I narrowed it down to.”

Ironically, the two-time All-Stater from Northville who helped the Mustangs to the 2018 MHSAA Division 1 semifinals, originally received a scholarship offer from MSU, but not Michigan.

“I actually switched positions very late in volleyball,” Grant said. “I was a setter and a hitter my sophomore year. When I was a setter and hitter, they weren’t recruiting me, but when I switched, they were already recruiting another player for that position that I was in, so they were not looking at me then. But they were at every single one of my matches because a lot of the girls on my club volleyball team were already committed to Michigan.

“It was kind of a funny thing because when they saw me in the transfer portal, they’d seen me play thousands of times.”

Grant was also familiar and close with several U-M players dating back to her Legacy Volleyball Club days including Jess Mruzik (Livonia/Farmington Hills Mercy), a former Miss Volleyball who was a teammate in the early days with Team Detroit.

“It’s very nice to come here and have six other players that I already played with,” Grant said. “I just wanted honest opinions on the school. And then, also just growing up a huge Michigan fan. My dad (Steve) is a Michigan fan. He played basketball at UofM-Dearborn back in the day, so I’ve just grown up being a huge Michigan fan and I always loved the campus. And then walking into Crisler (Arena) and remember going to tons of games. It just really felt like the best fit for me.”

A LONG WAIT

Michigan head coach Mark Rosen praised Grant’s leadership qualities and her competitiveness, and said she’s provided stability on the Wolverines’ defensive side.

“Hannah has been a perfect fit for our program,” he said. “We’ve had a need to get better in what we call ‘first contact, ball control,’ and she’s great. Her serving, her serve receive contact, her defensive contact is really, really good. So, she did exactly what we needed, but more than that her personality is such a good fit. I’ve been extremely impressed on how easily

Northville’s Hannah Grant is the starting libero as a red shirt freshman at U-M. Photo by University of Michigan Athletic Communications

she fit into our team and how much better she’s made us because not only her tangible qualities, but also her intangible qualities.”

For Grant, just getting into a real match was an accomplishment in itself. She hadn’t played in one since the spring of 2019. And it was tough having to wait for the 2018 AAU All-America and USAV All-American.

When the pandemic hit last March, Grant tried to invent ways to keep in shape because volleyball gyms and workout facilities were unavailable.

“My mom (Andrea) actually invested in one of those Peleton bikes and I’ve been addicted to that ever since,” Grant said. “I made a little workout gym in my garage that my mom has. I didn’t know what to do, especially being an A.D.D. person who can’t sit still and I hate to be handcuffed to things.

“I was begging my sister (Mackenzie) to go out and play volleyball with me. She said, ‘Seriously, it’s 20 degrees outside.’ I cannot sit still. It was just one of those things to try and find things to do, and got outside and not sitting on the couch watching TV. But definitely, the little workout thing in my mom’s garage helped, while trying to find hobbies and staying busy at the same time.”

Once the weather turned warmer and some restrictions were lifted, Grant was able to reconnect with her coaches and teammates for individualized testing and small group workouts over the summer.

“They actually built an outdoor volleyball court,” Grant said. “We actually practiced as a team and we could practice outside right outside our facility. That was very tricky.”

Grant played a lot of beach volleyball with a group of college players and old club

friends. They usually could be found at the Wayne County Parks Systems sand courts off of Seven Mile and Northville roads.

But many obstacles remained.

“They closed that down and we found a place in Ann Arbor actually,” Grant said, “and then it came to a point where we couldn’t find any other courts. They were all shut down. We tried every possible scenario and situation that we could think of. I remember me and my friends went in the backyard a couple of times. We played tennis, just to do anything.”

DELAYED SEASON

After the pandemic pushed the NCAA women’s volleyball season from the fall of 2020 until the winter of 2021, there were still some more hiccups along the way.

Michigan’s first six matches (Jan. 22-Feb. 6) were canceled because of the COVID-19 variant issues on campus and in Washtenaw County.

“We were only allowed to run outside,” Grant said. “They said you could only work out by yourself outside, so it was painful working out running in 20-degree weather.

But you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do at some point. I’ve been really careful about going home. . . my dad has a little bit of a heart condition. And it’s safe to stay away, if anything, even though I get tested twice a day.”

After a 2-3 start, the Wolverines had their weekend series (Feb. 26-27) at No. 5 Minnesota also called off.

Because of the pandemic, the NCAA is allowing volleyball athletes an extra year of eligibility. Technically, Grant might be considered a first-year red shirt again after sitting out her first season at MSU. “Our coaches make jokes and they’re talking, ‘You’re going to be here six years,’ and I’m like, ‘I’ll be here until I’m 27,’” said Grant, who plans to major in Organizational Management Psychology. “It’s very crazy. I hope my body will be able to function at that point.”

But for now, Grant is in a happy place and things won’t feel so weird as time passes on.

“It’s been a really good year,” she said.

“The coaches have been absolutely amazing.

They’re always welcoming. The culture is very good. It’s just a great, overall program."

The ‘Ville 37

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HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL United States, let alone my own city. I also never imagined that all the schools would shut down for even two weeks because of it, but here we are.”

And it wasn’t just the students. The shutdown had a major impact on the way teachers conducted their classes.

“I was somebody who was very optimistic. I thought it would be a temporary blip, and we would be back by the end of spring break. I didn’t really The AP Chemistry class at NHS. Photo by Andrew Xiong jump on board the fully virtual teaching at first because I thought that we would be back to teaching normally soon,” said Timothy Ortopan, history teacher at Northville High School.

Choir teacher Beth Richert NHS students and teachers show resiliency reflected on the changes in learning, saying, “I’m fairly as pandemic hits one year mark flexible and easy-going when change n March 13, 2020, kids wore happens.

Northville students were masks to I really do sent home after cases of the school, but strive to find new virus, called COVID-19, they did so the positive in began to spread throughout the more for all situations county. Nobody was prepared attention because it for such a closure, and students than for brings my life and teachers alike scrambled to their safety. so much more make plans, hoping normalcy Overall, joy when I would return in the near the whole do. Teaching future. Now, nearly a year later, situation choir fully vaccines are beginning to be seemed virtually was distributed, and the Northville more like certainly a School Board is discussing an amusing challenge, but Sophomore Avery Maurer. Photo by reopening schools completely. overreaction I hope to have Wesley Paradowski This year has been a challenge than a serious found some for everyone, but has also issue we should be worrying creative ways to still encourage offered countless opportunities about.” students’ love of singing.” for growth.

This sentiment was shared While the pandemic forced Freshman Nila Muthusamy among students of all grades, as teachers to quickly adapt, reflects on the past year, saying, junior Rachael Wira stated, “I students also had to find ways to “Back then, I felt that COVID honestly did not even think it adjust to the new normal. was just a passing issue. A few would make it all the way to the “After one year of living in

Our New Normal O

History teacher Timothy Ortopan talks to his students. Photo by Lauren Sprow

this pandemic, I can say that I have gotten used to our ‘new normal’,” freshman Luana Firmino said. “I can never leave the house without a mask and I’ve gotten used to having it on for long periods of time at school or work. I have also been able to be flexible with my learning whether its online over Zoom or going to school every other day.”

This past year has been a series of trials and tribulations for students and teachers alike.

Many were forced to adapt to new learning situations at the drop of a hat. However, there is still hope for the future.

Though the world will never look the same as it did before the pandemic, we are gradually beginning to return to some semblance of normalcy. We have gained new skills in technology that we can use moving forward, and the end of this nightmare of a year is finally in sight.

“I have always known students to be incredibly resilient. Even through disappointment, loss, change and uncertainty, I see students finding new and creative ways to connect and continue their learning,” Richert said.

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

40 The ‘Ville

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Thornton Creek's Student Lighthouse Team during their canned food drive in December.

Everyday ‘HEROes’ Students get lesson in community service

By Lonnie Huhman

C

onnecting community service with learning is a longstanding tradition at Thornton Creek Elementary School, and this year is no different.

Over the past year, students have been learning about this tradition through a project called HEROes. They’ve been thinking about how, in their own ways, they can give back to the community. To help with this, the school has been recognizing the good works of others.

Thornton Creek Principal Deagon Jewett said over the time of the project, in which the COVID pandemic has impacted nearly aspect of life, many have gone through a tremendous change and have sought strength and support from others, most often family and friends.

“Still other times, this support has come from

42 The ‘Ville

individuals with whom we may have never met under different circumstances,” said Jewett. “At Thornton Creek, we like to call these people H.E.R.O.es because they ‘Help Everyone and Respect Others.’

These ‘HEROes’ demonstrate courage and have inspired our very own students and staff to find ways in which we can be heroes ourselves while also acknowledging those all around us.”

It’s clear, when you talk to students, the project has had a positive impact.

Kennedy Gibson, a fourthgrader, said the project “shows everyone they can be a hero no matter what and there is always room for improvement.”

Jewett said the project was created during the 2019-2020 school year. With the school year being cut short last year, it continued into this school year and was extended to honor and

show appreciation throughout the Northville community and beyond.

“As a school community, we spent time discussing what makes someone a hero and how to find heroes all around us in everyday situations,” Jewett said.

The idea took root when the Student Lighthouse Team, led by teachers Nicole Wesley and Daniel Spitzley, joined forces with the Culture Action Team and came up with a plan to recognize everyday HEROes. To kick off the project, students and staff were encouraged to connect with important real-life heroes in the community by filling out herothemed thank-you cards and certificates.

The first HERO recognized was Marlene Kunz at Northville Civic Concern, because of her work supporting those who have fallen on hard times within the community. The school recognized her in December as part of its canned food drive. The school donated nearly 650 food items that day, which have been distributed to Civic Concern’s clients.

The second HERO was the school’s very own Ellen Kelly, who has worked in the district’s food service program for many years, most recently at Thornton Creek.

“Miss Ellen has provided not only meals to our students, but also engaged them in conversation and could often be seen sharing a good laugh as well,” Jewett said.

Kelly was recognized in January as one of the community’s Service Industry HEROes. This was a great way to send her off into retirement.

For future awards, students will be looking to identify essential workers, including public safety personnel, healthcare workers, scientists and other workers supporting COVID efforts.

Jewett said the main lesson is not all heroes wear capes.

“Some wear scrubs, some wear pajamas, some blend into a group and are harder to find,” he said.

Thornton’s students are also learning good deeds can rub off.

“Projects like this help people, and I really like to help people,” fourth-grader Stella Merko said. “If you do good for others it makes you feel good, too, which makes the world a better place.”

Fellow student Zach Freij had his own positive take away from the project.

“So many people are going through tough times right now.

Businesses are having trouble and we can help,” he said.

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

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Dishin’ With Denise

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

Focusing On Mind, Body and Soul M

arch is reading month. As always, thanks for reading this publication. Take time this month to celebrate all the joy that reading offers. It tells a story – fact or fiction. It answers questions. It chronicles history. There are fables with morals and tales that tell all. I hope reading and writing never become lost arts.

March is also Spiritual Wellness Month. Buddha said: “Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.”

The best advice I ever received was from a man I’ve known for a long time, but only met once. His name was James Hastings and he lived in New York. One morning at breakfast he simply said, “I have a good life. Every day I do something for my mind, my body, and my soul. And it’s all free.” I stopped to think about those words then, and still do now. They sound simple, but they are not. I keep trying.

Angela Avigne, owner of New Body Therapeutics (Photo by Meghan Brown)

Angela Avigne and New Body Therapeutics on Center Street ( just south of Kroger) celebrate 15 years in business this month. Angela started the massage business

44 The ‘Ville

The staff at New Body Therapeutics (Photo by Meghan Brown)

“on the road” working at senior centers and with local groups and organizations. Angela got tired of running around from place to place with all her product and equipment. One day she saw a “for rent” sign on S. Main and opened New Body.

The business grew and three years later she had to move to a larger space.

The current location is a historic home once owned by Henry Ford’s granddaughter. At first there were three treatment rooms, then five, then seven, now there are 10 and the whole building has been renovated. It is charming, an oasis of calm – and right now, who doesn’t need a little TLC? Almost every time I’m there I run into a friend or acquaintance. (Gotta love small town living!)

I was curious how things were going since COVID and I was impressed with their protocols. Patrons wait in the car until they are called to come in. Appointments are staggered and spread out to allow staff to clean and air out rooms. It all works.

Angela’s grateful to have had the opportunity to serve this community for 15 years. “It’s more than massage therapy,”

she recently told me, “Our clients are interested in integrated services for the mindbody-spirit connection.

Today mindfulness is very important.”

I’ve been missing Edward’s Café lately. The “Our Favorite” sandwich was MY favorite.

The dish in town is others are missing it, too. (I promise to check out a new dish by the new owners soon!) I heard a rumor, from a reliable source, that the Edward’s family is hoping to have an online forum, something like Café Nostalgia.

This is a brilliant idea – chatting up all the treats, no calories.

Leave it to Christine Shelters to figure out the best diet plan ever. Alli Shelters Vyn might be my trusted source: “The cafe brought us a true sense of community and we miss it terribly. We look forward to keeping the community aspect alive connecting with Edward’s devotees online. We hope to provide an outlet to share some fond memories, and who knows what else.”

This month Daylight Saving Time began. So, what time is it? It’s Custard Time!

On March 25th the windows are open on Seven Mile for the very best frozen custard around. Owner Jim Roth told me our Custard Time is a take off from a Milwaukee landmark, Leon’s, whose claim is “Home

Of The World’s Finest Frozen Custard.” Leon’s opened in 1942. Custard Time opened in 1976. Apparently, the secret recipes are very similar. The question then becomes, who has the longer lines? I bet we do.

Jim Roth, owner of Custard Time

And that’s not all that happens on March 25. My first and favorite grandson turns 16 and he already has his appointment at the Secretary of State. I’m asking myself, how did this happen so fast? I guess I blinked. Happy birthday Parker.

Be safe.

Parker Kara

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