The 'Ville - October 2021

October 2021 | Vol.4 | Issue 10

Northville’s News and Lifestyle Magazine

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Meet the Local Sales Reps in Your Community.

Vita Vizachero

John DesOrmeau

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

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

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LOCAL MATTERS!

Please send checks, cash or lucky charms to: Journeyman Publishing 16435 Franklin Northville, MI 48168 or via PayPal at kurtkuban@gmail.com Thank you!

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 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 29 years. He has developed a diverse background in that time, but publication design has been his passion during the past 19 years. Craig enjoys chasing his young daughter and providing moral support to his lovely wife.

MICHELE FECHT – Writer

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

BRAD EMONS - Writer

Publisher Here is a list of people who contributed to local journalism last month.

We appreciate your support!

Patrick Brazzil Jeannine M. Meade Ray & Billy Parzych William Sypula William & June Weaver John & Janet Wiktor Russ & Bernice Schiller

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

To secure space in The Ville, contact Scott at (313) 399-5231 or scott@streetmktg.com.

SCOTT BUIE - Advertising Director/VP of Sales

For more than 20 years Scott has worked with clients in Metro Detroit to create advertising campaigns to grow their business. After managing sales for radio station in the Detroit Market for 17 years he purchased Street Marketing where he works closely with a variety of businesses and events. Scott and his family have lived in the Plymouth and Northville Area for 23 over years.

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.

LAURA FAWAZ - Writer

Laura graduated from Oakland University with a degree in broadcast journalism. She also studied studio art photography and Islamic Studies. She's worked in various photojournalism fields and mediums. She lives in Northville, and is currently freelancing for a variety of publications.

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.

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.

BILL BRESLER - Photographer

Bill lied his way onto his high school's yearbook staff in 1971 and has worked as a photographer ever since. He recently retired after 39 years with Hometown Life, a newspaper group that includes the Northville Record. He's won many journalism awards for his work, and taught photography at Madonna University. According to Bill's wife, he's too young to retire, so he's happy to be part of The 'Ville.

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

The Cows Get Their Colors

T

his is a Northville tale if there ever was one.

You may have read some of our letters to the editor over the course of the last six months or so that were in reference to the cows at Guernsey Farms Dairy on Novi Road. Not real cows, but the statues that are positioned above the door of the longtime business that includes a restaurant, store and the production of dairy products.

It all started back in May, when we received a call and follow up letter to the editor from longtime Northvillian John Conder, who wondered why the cows were plain white and not painted to look like Guernsey cows, which he suggested were black and white.

“I can see founder John McGuire up there painting them himself if he was still with us.

God bless him,” Conder wrote in his letter.

Much to my surprise, his letter elicited dozens of responses.

Many disputed his claim that

Skeletons Come Alive

22

Guernsey cows are black and white. The cows were actually brown and white many people wrote. This went back and forth for a couple months. I couldn’t believe there was so much interest.

It really shouldn’t be surprising, though. Guernsey’s has a long history in Northville, going back 80-plus years. So, Guernsey’s is well known by the old-timers in town. And the newcomers love it because the place produces some of the best chocolate milk in the world. And the ice cream is pretty much divine, as well.

In other words, Guernsey’s is a Northville institution.

One person who took notice of all the letters was Joe Kinville, one of McGuire’s grandsons who now helps run the family business. Back in our August issue, Kinville wrote his own letter to the editor, explaining Guernsey’s no longer uses its namesake cows because there aren’t enough of them left to

NHL Factory

produce the amount of milk they need to produce their world-class dairy products.

Northville artist Janisse Larsson and the Guernsey cows.

They now use Holsteins. He also noted that roots).

Guernsey cows are not black Kinville and the Guernsey and white, but brown and white. team are just thrilled with the Holsteins happen to be black and results. “Ah man, she did a great white, however. job. They look like real cows,” Kinville explained their Kinville said. intention was to paint the cows As the cows were being from the beginning, but they had reinstalled on the store’s façade lost their painter before it could for all to see, John Conder, the be done. And they were in the original letter writer, walked up market for a painter. to tell the guys how pleased he After that letter ran, Kinville was the cows finally got their received a bunch of inquiries colors. from interested artists, including I’m just happy The ‘Ville was from the wife of an old football able to play a part in this unique coach of his, who recommended Northville tale. I’m sure founder local painter Jannisse Larsson.

John McGuire would be pleased.

The two connected, and the cows were soon taken down Kurt Kuban is the Publisher so Larsson could paint them and Editor of The ‘Ville. He – one black and white (for the welcomes your comments at Holsteins) and one brown and kurtkuban@thevillemagazine. white (in honor of Guernsey’s com.

Rack Em Up

26 40

ON THE COVER: The Guernsey Farm Dairy cows have been painted after much public interest. Pictured are Joe Kinville of Guernsey’s and Northville artist Janisse Larsson, who painted the cows. Photo by Bill Bresler

Your Voice: Letters to the Editor 4 No surprises in new downtown master plan 6 Heritage Festival delivers nostalgia 10 Candidates weigh in on Downs project 14 Coach Nancy Smith headed to Schoolcraft 18 It’s a new beginning for Hillside M.S. 32 Relief in sight as landfill reaches settlement 36 Community Bulletin Board 42

Your Voice So many possibilities

I was happy to see Legacy Park being brought back into focus for Northville Township in the September issue. This piece of land is so large that I feel the township can create a wonderful park with many uses that will please almost everyone. I have young children and would love to see a state-of-the-art Mindy Herrmann and Mark Abbo at playground and splash pad built. The Legacy Park. Photo by Bryan Mitchell current parks in the city and township leave a lot to be desired. They are not modern and, in many cases, not well maintained. So many other municipalities are creating amazing spaces for their young residents.

We have visited both the Lilypad Springs Splash Pad in West Bloomfield and Innovation Park in Rochester Hills. Both are brand new parks this year and state of the art. Our area needs things like this. Both items target a younger audience, but there is still plenty of space for walking trails (could be measured out so people who want to track miles could easily do so), covered pavilions for events/ eating, possibly a pool for a swim club (like you see in Livonia), ice skating rink and a tubing hill in the winter, permanent restrooms, historical markers about the former hospital, and bike trails in the woods. Amenities like the pool, splashpad, ice skating, pool, could be for a fee to help recoup the cost and certainly pay for upkeep.

Northville is a desired place to live, but it is hard to see that reflected in its parks, especially on the east side of the township. We need to take this very rare opportunity to create a unique and valuable asset for Northville Township.

Lindsay A. Bresnahan

A sidewalk would be nice

I am happy to hear that Legacy Park continues to remain for the community and without motorized vehicles. The thought to add more passive recreation options is a good idea. I have always wanted to see a sidewalk on 7 Mile that connects to Edward Hines Park. I’ve been in Northville since the 80’s. I have seen a lot of kids and adults walking on the side of 7 Mile Road. A sidewalk would be better.

Carrie Henderson

Carter is ‘right choice’

My letter here is in support of John Carter for City Council. John is willing to do what many of us talk about doing. He is getting involved. There are many traits that make John the right choice for Northville. He is smart, but more importantly he has common sense. He works well and listens to others which will help create a robust thriving plan for our community. I have a lot invested in this wonderful town. I am a lifelong Northville resident with my immediate family and their families still residing in Northville. I also have a business in this community, and in the last few years we renovated a beautiful historic home to its original beauty.

I could not be more optimistic knowing John is getting involved in the future of this community while remembering our past.

Jennifer Moss

SOUND OFF 4 The ‘Ville

Infrastructure is insufficient

You asked for a reaction to putting 174 luxury apartments, 56 single family homes, and 170 row townhomes in the area currently occupied by Northville Downs. Mine is an emphatic, “I hope not!”

Perhaps the COVID business shutdowns have caused people’s memories to go “foggy” but coming home from work on Sheldon was always a bear. Beck Road was always worse and Seven Mile tended to back up as well. With this proposal Northville would be adding another 174 luxury apartments, 56 single family homes and 170 row homes to the downtown area. That’s another 400 families driving cars home from work. Even if each family only had one car, which we know will most likely NOT be the case for many of these homes, I do not believe our infrastructure can support this.

Susan Bernard

Make it look historic

Our “historic Northville” is slowly dwindling. I would like to see the new proposal for Northville Downs to lean to the more historic and Victorian designs.

The traffic, however, is going to be a problem and something I’m sure will be addressed. I also would like to see maybe a grassy area set aside for the Farmers Market. It supports many local businesses and is well received in the community.

Neyssa Gill

Density is big mistake

I saw the article about the new plans for development at Northville Downs. It looks like “density” has not been reduced much. Again, as I wrote to you about two years ago, the result of the development will affect Northville forever. The proposed idea looks like a town unto itself. How do you handle the additional traffic? If it’s all about raising tax dollars, it is a big mistake.

Yes, we need development, but how about more of a concept of a large park with a variety of options and some development around the park area?

Ron Wallis

Cut the plastic waste

We have a growing problem with plastic waste. Yet, most of our restaurants will bring out a glass of water with a plastic straw without asking if you even want it. Why not offer paper, bamboo or straw straws? Many of our stores (especially CVS and Kroger) are handing out way too many unnecessary plastic bags. I don’t understand why more people aren’t bringing in their own reusable bags, or not accepting a bag for only one or two items.

According to www.earthday.org: Single-use plastics frequently do not make it to a landfill or are recycled. A full 32% of the 78 million tons of plastic packaging produced annually is left to flow into our oceans; the equivalent of pouring one garbage truck of plastic into the ocean every minute. Our oceans contribute to the water we drink, the air we breathe and the food we eat.

Even when single-use plastics are sent to landfills they aren’t harmless.

Landfill liners can leak harmful pollutants into the watershed and plastics on the tops of landfills can be carried away by the wind. The best way to curb single-use plastic pollution is to reduce our personal plastic consumption.

Susan Carbott

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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The new master plan focuses on the Northville Downs site, which covers 49 acres. Photo by Fred Shadko

‘No Big Surprises’ Latest master plan update synching up with Downs proposal

By Tim Smith

A

Northville with its own “Central Park” and a flowing, daylighted Rouge River running through it is getting closer to reality.

Mayor Brian Turnbull indeed can see such a future, which is mapped out in the latest update to Northville’s master plan. The latest iteration of that governing document was approved by the city council on Oct. 4, triggering a 42day window for surrounding municipalities to check it out and see whether the plan is a compatible one.

The new master plan comprehensively delved into the area of Northville located at and immediately surrounding the historic Northville Downs race track.

“I don’t see any pushback” from officials elsewhere, Turnbull said. “They have monitored where we are going over the last few years, so there’s no surprises in this.”

6 The ‘Ville

“I am very hopeful it (the updated master plan) will be approved in December.”

Officials and citizens from surrounding communities such as Northville Township, Novi, Plymouth Township and Livonia will have the opportunity to weigh in between now and midNovember as well as regional planning agency SEMCOG, and Wayne and Oakland counties.

A major component of the plan is Hunter Pasteur Homes’ proposed redevelopment of the Northville Downs property, which promises to bring a variety of residential and commercial uses to the 49-acre site.

Hunter Pasteur Homes CEO Randy Wertheimer confirmed the company’s bid for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) designation for the property is slated for the planning commission’s Nov. 2 meeting.

He declined to comment

beyond that.

According to Turnbull, the PUD will be introduced at the early November meeting as a “first step” toward all loose ends being tied together. He said the PUD process could take up to seven months to finalize, with approval perhaps during the first two quarters of 2022.

City Manager Patrick Sullivan said the planning commission can consider facts discovered since the 2018 master plan was adopted when evaluating a PUD proposal.

“The commission has acquired lots of new information regarding the floodplain, traffic and many other subjects which can be used” in that process, he emphasized.

Sullivan added that if the Hunter Pasteur Homes project checks all the boxes required for a PUD, it would eventually move to a preliminary site plan review “which requires a public

hearing and consideration by both the planning commission and city council.”

Although the Hunter Pasteur proposal could still be tweaked, following the PUD designation, Turnbull said the company is working closely with city officials so that it will dovetail nicely with the master plan.

“This is the biggest activity in the history of Northville -- 49 acres,” Turnbull said. “They’ve (Hunter Pasteur) come so far, it’s getting very close. Is it perfect? No. Is it where we want to be? It is getting there and (we are) very pleased with the participation (from) Hunter Pasteur and all the work with the planning commission. We are getting down the right road.

“This step that got approved (Oct. 4) is just the next step to keep this master plan activity going to get out to the different communities.”

Hunter Pasteur modified its original site plan (submitted in 2018), responding to numerous public meetings and other communications efforts, reducing its plan from 599 to 478 residential units as well as adding underground parking, storm water detention and a 1.25-acre “Central Park” in the Cady Street area.

“They have fewer residential units, they have substantially fewer apartments, which I think is the biggest change in residential from the previous plan,” said Sally Elmiger, Northville city planner.

“The type of dwelling units that they are providing is broader. The previous plan had apartments, single-family homes, townhomes. This plan has single-family homes, townhomes, row houseswhich are a slightly different architectural style – and

condominiums.

“The amount of commercial has slightly increased in this set of plans. But they do show commercial all along Cady Street, which was very consistent with the master plan.”

Elmiger also pointed to the inclusion of a large park between the apartments and condominiums as a significant feature of the current Hunter Pasteur Homes plan, which was presented during a virtual planning commission meeting in late August.

That greenspace would be approximately the same size as Plymouth’s Kellogg Park.

Meanwhile, Elmiger said the sloping topography of the Northville Downs property – defined as extending from Seven Mile and Center Street

north to Cady Street and east to River Street – also would allow for some of the Hunter Pasteur Homes buildings to be taller than others without infringing on neighborhood architectural concerns.

“It’s a modern take on the historic architecture in downtown Northville,” Elmiger stressed. “And I think the massing and the scale of the buildings are also compatible.

Given the change in topography, which allows buildings of a height that match the downtown, they do allow them to be taller at the back because the topography slopes down so significantly.

“The topography in that part of Cady Street is really, in my view, accounted for, taken into consideration with the design.”

Intertwined with the Hunter

Pasteur development is the “daylighting” of a 1,100-foot stretch of the Rouge River that currently flows through pipes below Northville Downs. That process would remove concrete and other artificial obstructions and restore the river to its previous, natural state. This could be centerpiece of a longplanned “river walk” through the city.

Turnbull said Northville represents the highest topographical point in the region, with water moving south via the Randolph Drain, Johnson Creek and Rouge tributaries. He said a daylighted river and Riverwalk would be a “great benefit for southeastern Michigan” – creating a pathway system that connects city parks to county and even state parks.

“That is a key ingredient

and that is part of the PUD that could be a benefit for Northvillians. That is what Hunter Pasteur could do, and alongside of that would be open green space and parkland,” Turnbull said.

Turnbull, understandably, can barely hold back his enthusiasm about how transformative a river walk might be for the entire region.

“I think we have come so far and all of these things have been percolating for 50 years.

They’re all coming together for the future of Northville.”

On Nov. 16, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the Master Plan Update draft document. For more information about the plan, visit www.ci.northville. mi.us/business/master_plan.

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The ‘Ville In Focus - with Laura Fawaz

Northville Delivers Nostalgia Heritage Festival featured plenty of history and ‘quacky’-ness

N

o one does ‘old school’ quite like Northville. The community definitely knows how to pay tribute to its roots. That’s what the annual Heritage Festival is all about.

Held annually every 3rd weekend in September -- Friday and Saturday are in Downtown Northville, and at Mill Race Village on Sunday. This year’s event took place Sept. 17-19.

Official villagehood came to Northville in 1867, so it’s no surprise the community knows how to do a Victorian style theme right. From gowns, trousers, waistcoat and hat, to vintage baseball games, singing quartets, and tiny pedal cars for the younger kids to enjoy.

Friday evening’s Victorian Parade kicked off the event, starting with the Northville High School marching band. Each third grade class from every Northville elementary school was represented. The parade is basically a right of passage for our 3rd graders. Since last syear’s 3rd graders missed out due to COVID and the festival being cancelled, some siblings even joined in this year.

The Heritage Festival is all about celebrating history, which was evident all weekend beginning with the parade, even having women representing the suffrage movement fighting for voting rights.

Finishing off the parade, was an oversized rubber duck, letting people know about Sunday’s annual duck race at Mill Race Village,

10 The ‘Ville

which hosted a number of historical activities organized by the Northville Historical Society including an old-time baseball game.

The most popular activity is probably the duck race, which included hundreds of rubber ducks being dropped into the Rouge River, with bystanders cheering them along (while trying not to fall in the water). The randomness of this sounds like something written for Gilmore Girls in Stars Hollow. No one really knows where the idea of racing a whole bunch of rubber ducks in the river came from, but it’s been a popular one for the last 32 years. It is also a big fundraiser for the Northville Historical Society and for Mill Race Village.

“I don’t know the genesis behind the idea. Probably some creative people living here in Northville, trying to think of something fun for the community that also would be a fundraiser,” added Maria Simonte, a volunteer from the Northville Historical Society.

This much anticipated event has become a staple in the community. Everyone looks forward to it every year, and I know no other city can compare to the charm, friendliness, and random ‘quacky’-ness Northville has to offer.

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CARTER GIESA CARTER GIESA KRENZ KRENZ Down The Stretch They Come Council candidates weigh in on Downs project

By Kurt Kuban

T

he Nov. 2 election is right around the corner for City of Northville voters. There are three candidates vying for two council openings. The incumbents in the race are Patrick Giesa, who is running for a second term, and Andrew Krentz, a veteran planning commissioner who was appointed to the council earlier this year.

John Carter is the third candidate.

We caught up with all three candidates to ask them about the future of the Northville Downs property, which many folks, including us here at The ‘Ville, think is the biggest issue to face the City of Northville in generations.

Of course there are lots of other issues city leaders will have to deal with in the next four years, but none are bigger than what happens on the 49 acres that comprise the track and its

JOHN CARTER

AGE: 41 FAMILY: Married to Liz Carter for 13 years and have three children (ages 11, 9, and 6) POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Northville Economic Development Committee (Member); Ford Field Task Force (Leadership Team, Implementation Chair); Sustainability Committee (Member) PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Almost 20 years of Finance and Management Consulting experience and currently serve as the Automotive and Mobility Leader for Slalom Consulting.

OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE: First

14 The ‘Ville

surroundings. Hunter Pasteur Homes has proposed a major development, and is negotiating with the city to enter into a Planned Unit Development agreement.

We asked each candidate the following: What happens at the Northville Downs site is perhaps the biggest issue facing Northville in a generation.

Hunter-Pasteur has presented a new plan that involves new partners. Have you familiarized yourself with the new plans? What’s your opinion and/or what would you like to see changed? As a council member, what would you see your role as the plan moves forward?

Here are their answers, plus some bio info to help voters make up their minds:

Presbyterian Church of Northville (Elder, Head of the Finance Committee and President of the Nonprofit); Northville Art House volunteer; youth cross country coach

Answer: The Northville Downs is the most important issue facing Northville and represents a number of opportunities and challenges for our community. I have been involved from the start participating in public surveys, numerous presentations by the developer, as a member of Northville’s Economic Development Committee, and by providing feedback to the updated Master Plan. We have made great progress on the

Downs over the last year, but there is still work to be done.

I believe we need to embrace growth and development, but make sure the plans for the Downs are consistent with our city’s rich history and small-town personality. I support reasonable density with lot sizes that allow homes to develop a unique character over time. I support commercial development on Cady that is connected to and enhances our business district. I support green space that includes extending the Riverwalk from Ford Field through the Downs and into Hines Park.

We need to develop viable Answer: The single biggest plans for traffic, parking, issue facing us is something we infrastructure and we need to have not been talking about: start talking about the impact on Phasing and Completion our schools. If done correctly the Enforcement. One need only Downs will be the next great look at recent large projects An artist’s rendering of Hunter Pasteur’s planned “Central Park” at the Downs neighborhood in Northville and like “District Detroit” around site. Photo by Fred Shadko an extension to our thriving the Little Caesars Arena that downtown. As a member of city council I Answer: Yes, the Downs will be the biggest still has almost no residential development, will proactively work with our citizens, our issue facing Northville in a generation. All only surfaced lots, and the Northville local businesses, and our committees and the more reason to get it right in this goPsychiatric Hospital site, which at 10 years commissions to do everything we can to around. I’ve read Hunter Pasteur Homes in, still has annex structures remaining ensure the final plans reflect the input from (HPH) new site plan and PUD several times. I with no meaningful development for the our community. like most of the updates they’ve incorporated township to enjoy. So much was promised in the new site plan -- the architectural in their planning phases and both have PATRICK GIESA diversity is impressive. I still have concerns scarred their neighborhoods with unfulfilled AGE: 72 about complete streets, walkability, commitments. Phasing is also critical as we FAMILY: Two children -- daughter (42) and floodplains, traffic, density, playscapes and must plan for and verify that the civic benefits son (40) who live and work in Howell. I have affordable housing. I’m not too concerned are met. There’s one chance for Council to five beautiful grandchildren between their that the new Master Plan will not be used lead through this. two families. for HPH’s site plan and PUD. I feel there’s I have been serving on Planning POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Four years enough power in the old Master Plan and Commission for over three years and have on Northville City Council. Liaison to Board enough opportunities for negotiation in the been in every meeting since Hunter Pasteur of Zoning Affairs, Boards and Commissions PUD to support our Planning Commission as initially came to Hillside in 2018.

Selection Committee, Northville Senior they work the Downs approval process.

There are numerous site elements that Advisory Committee, Northville Brownfield I will stay involved with the negotiations require our engagement as we begin PUD Authority, Liquor License Review so I can keep Northvillians engaged and negotiation. The most significant of which Committee and Ford Field Task Force. informed. That way, I’ll have first-hand include the current concept has only 11% Founded the Northville Sustainability Team information to support my decisions when Single Family Homes compared to 67% in 2018. things are presented to council. I will put across the City. To “look like Northville” PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: 42 my trust in and support our Planning that ratio needs to come up significantly, years in computer hardware and software, Commission as they negotiate the best as well as maintain our site ordinance first as a pre-sales support technician, and possible solution for Northville. requirements. Those two criteria will drive later as a program manager and finally, an what our residents are asking for as well Enterprise Architect. I moved to Michigan ANDREW KRENZ as manage density. The site also must in 1982 to build cars with computers.

AGE: 46 prioritize walkability over traffic level of I’ve managed million dollar projects and FAMILY: Kristine and have been married service. Higher Level of Service will only brought them under-budget and on-time. I for 14 years and we have three kids (12,10, mean more north/south traffic split off from retired in 2010 to take care of my late wife. and 7) that attend Hillside and Amerman Beck. Additionally, we will need to zoom out OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE: Served POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Northville from the four corners of the site to evaluate six years in the US Army Reserve. I was City Council member since May 2021 the best traffic design patterns both inside president of Northville Rotary (2016), PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: I am and adjacent. I would also like to see more I sat on the Northville Rotary Board of engineering the next generation of GM’s thoughtful blending of housing types. There Directors (four years), founded the Tour electric vehicle (EV) design, responsible for is no Farmers Market in the design, which de Ville Benefit Bicycle Ride, an annual a global execution that meets imperatives there must be before I consider supporting. fundraiser that has grossed over $138,000 for performance, safety, business case, Council members must have the in the past eight years. Member of Michigan design, and infrastructure. Over my career background to understand the history, League of Bicyclists, Northville Chamber I have also obtained five patents for novel process, and its outcome before this of Commerce (10 years) and Friends of the designs. eventually comes to Council. We must Rouge. Served on the Northville NonOTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE: prioritize and coordinate all ongoing work Motorized Advisory Committee (both City of Northville Planning Commissioner from The Downs to the Task Forces as well as sessions) and three years as a mentor with since July 2018; chair of Northville Farmers establish a comprehensive funding plan. We Northville Youth Assistance program.

Market Task Force; Northville youth must require that the development is not a baseball coach burden to the City.

The ‘Ville 15

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This year’s Mustangs, under coach Nancy Smith, are ranked in the top 10 once again in Division 1.

Nancy Smith savors the time with her runners like Gina Couyoumjian (left) and Janie DeGroot (right).

Passionate, Organized and Ready For Next Step NHS CC Coach Nancy Smith to rebuild Schoolcraft’s program

By Brad Emons

W

hen Nancy Smith graduated in 1989 from Central Michigan University, the immediate goal was to become a teacher and coach.

But even with a degree in Business Teacher Education in hand, jobs at the time were scarce.

“I couldn’t find a teaching job and they (Electronic Data Systems) were on campus, so when they hired me, the pay was really good and I was like, ‘I can do that,’” Smith said.

Smith found herself working in Saginaw writing and developing computer programs for her clients at General Motors, but after 19 months it was time to recalibrate and make a career change.

“I was working like 80 hours a week in just programming and I

18 The ‘Ville

Nancy Smith’s late parents Jerry and Carol were ardent supporters of the Mustangs’ girls cross country programs.

hated it,” Smith said.

Smith went into the classroom and a more suitable work environment in education.

Her first stops along the way included stints at Allen Park

Cabrini (1992-96) and Redford Union (1996-2001) where she cut her teeth as a high school cross country and track coach.

In 2001, Northville High principal Dennis Colligan and

athletic director Larry Taylor were looking for a teacher/ coach as a replacement for Rob Watson, who was going into administration, to run the school’s girls’ cross country program.

Twenty-one years later, the hire proved not only wise, but also prudent as Smith quickly built a perennially strong Northville girls program that ranks among the top 10 in Division 1.

Smith has guided the Mustangs to 10 Kensington Lakes Activities Association crowns and nine Division 1 regional titles, while recording 12 top-10 finishes at the state finals in the past 13 years, including the coveted MHSAA D1 title in 2013.

Along with the program’s success, the coaching accolades have been plentiful for Smith, who was named the Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association (MITCA) Coach of the Year in 2014. She also earned Michigan High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year in girls cross country that same year.

In 2015, she was awarded National Federation High School Central Section Coach

of the Year and was a national finalist as well.

“I just think she’s very passionate about coaching,” retired Northville A.D. Bryan Masi said. “I think it’s her attention to detail where she brings the latest and best practices for cross country where she’s always on top of what’s successful in the sport.

She’s evolved with MITCA and is very passionate about it. She’s extremely organized and I think that’s really helpful for her program.”

Smith’s latest squad – dotted with talented underclassmen -- entered the championship portion of its 2021 fall schedule ranked No. 8 in Division 1.

each other and compete in your meets. And we have 12 girls vying for seven positions . . . It’s competitive and it’s not given freely, if that makes sense.”

Smith, who has a Masters in Educational Informational Technology from Eastern Michigan University and a Masters in Athletic Administration from Wayne State University, currently teaches accounting and computer courses at Northville High. Previously she taught computers for seven years at Hillside Middle School.

She’s involved with Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and is certified in Design and Modeling, Robotics, Medical Detective and Science of Technology. She is also part of the PBIS committee and serves as the technology leader. For three years she also served as a

‘COMPETE EVERY DAY’ Prior to the Mustangs’ three most important meets on their schedule – the KLAA (Oct. 21), Region 6 (Oct. 30) and Division 1 finals NANCY SMITH AT NHS (Nov. 6) – Smith had • Hired as girls cross country coach in 2001 guided Northville • 10 KLAA conference championships to three invitational • 9 Division 1 regional titles titles, including • 12 Top 10 finishes at state finals • 2013 State Championship the Wayne County • 2014 Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches championship, Association Coach of the Year along with a • 2015 National Federation High School Central runner-up finish Section Coach of the Year (was a national this fall. finalist) “With this year’s team it’s pretty surprising because we’re super technology facilitator prior to young,” Smith said. “We only going back into the classroom. bring back two seniors – Gina “For (my first) two years Couyoumjian and Jennie Line.

I basically helped teachers Our roster is filled with young integrate with technology in the kids. Ella Christenson is a classroom,” Smith said. sophomore, she’s been amazing.

When it comes to her “We have an amazing coaching, Smith’s two biggest freshman class . . . super fans included her mother Carol, talented, super hard working. who passed away unexpectedly I think the best thing about in September, and father Jerry, this team is that they’re super who died in 2015. Her mother close. Our word of our team is to worked as a secretary and ‘Compete Every Day,’ compete bookkeeper in both the Waynein practice, compete against Westland and Plymouth-

Coach Nancy Smith reunites with her 2013 MHSAA Division 1 championship team.

Canton school districts.

“My mom and dad never missed a meet I had in high school and they never missed a cross country or a track meet when I coached,” Smith said.

SCHOOLCRAFT CALLS Schoolcraft College, meanwhile, has hired Smith to lead the return of the school’s men’s and women’s cross country teams starting in 2022.

The challenge is taking over a program that hasn’t been offered for five years.

After she was interviewed

by Schoolcraft athletic administrators Cali Crawford and Sid Fox, they wasted little time in deciding who was the lead candidate.

“The next day I got a call and they said, ‘We want you,’” Smith said. “I met with the president (Dr. Glenn Cerny) and they offered me the job.”

The program will start in earnest for 2022 and Smith is already on the recruiting trail. She said she already had interest from foreign runners who have emailed her about competing in the U.S. “I had talked with my mom and I wanted to get to the college level,” Smith said. “I thought this would be my entrance way to get in.”

Smith, however, said she’ll be

juggling two balls next fall and plans to continue coaching the Northville girls.

“I plan to do high school at the same time, kind of like Pat Daugherty does at Madonna University and Livonia Churchill (High),” she said. “I don’t want to give up my high school team yet.”

In her spare time, Smith likes to travel and spend time with her nephews. She was an assistant track coach last spring at Ann Arbor Skyline, but plans to use this spring to get the Schoolcraft program re-launched.

“I really enjoy having the winters off,” she said. “In the spring I can watch athletes that I have here, I go watch college, I can go to meets. When I was coaching, I couldn’t do all that.”

After a fourth-place D1 team finish in 2010, followed by an eighth in 2011 and a fifth in 2012, the Mustangs broke through with their first-ever state title in 2013 under the guidance of Smith.

TOUGH BUT FAIR Rachel Coleman, an AllStater and the team’s lead runner that year before going on to compete at the University

Nancy continued on page 20

The ‘Ville 19

Nancy Continued from page 19

with her and she still wants to meet up with us, like my group that I graduated with in 2014,” of Michigan, said Smith planted Coleman said. “She keeps close the seeds by taking a businesstabs on everybody and cares like approach to coaching. about everybody.”

“I remember my freshman And that’s why coaching year (2010) – we didn’t know if never gets old for Smith, who we were going graduated to be good or from Salem not, so I think High in 1985 it was more where she lackadaisical,” competed as a Coleman said, sprinter. “but after that “Every -- we came day is a new in fourth challenge,” at ‘states’ she said.

-- we kind “Every day of started to is a new get a routine experience. down and got After dealing a lot more with COVID, serious. And it’s a joy to then we be out there Assistant coach Erin Baker (left) eventually every day has been a valuable addition to the won ‘states’ again. My Northville girls cross country program for head coach Nancy Smith. my senior assistant year, so coach Erin definitely the hard work paid off Baker is amazing. I couldn’t ask there.” for a better coach. She knows a Coleman said Smith was lot about athletics because she demanding, but fair. played softball in college. Her “From a coaching own kids were athletes. Her perspective, I think she was daughter was on my team. She’s kind of hard on us, but reflecting been with me the last three back on that she had our best years.” interests,” Coleman said. “She Smith said the bond and does really have some good friendships she has formed with coaching strategies. She pushed her Northville cross country us. And at the time we were athletes over the years is what maybe like, ‘God, this is hard keeps her going. There can’t be and this is difficult,’ but she a price tag put on that. honestly prepared us for our “I get to see my kids develop cross country meets and even from the beginning to the end,” collegiate endeavors.” she said. “And that continues Smith often appears at her on and so many kids go on former runners’ college meets to the next level. I guess the and always gets the Northville relationships I build with them cross country alumni together is the greatest thing I get out for holiday gatherings to catch of it.” up.

It’s pretty safe to say that “We still really have a tight Electronic Data Systems’ loss bond, I’m still good friends became Northville’s gain.

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The band Social Bones (top left) provided the live music on the main stage, though some of the skeletons did get in on the action (above).

The growing army of loveable creations make their 10th appearance Story and Photos by Laura Fawaz

T

he undead have invaded Northville again. For the 10th year in a row, the skeletons have taken over downtown Northville for the month of October.

For the past decade, the city hosts a Skeletons are Alive Launch Party on the first Friday of October in Town Square, which features music, food and other entertainment. Of course, the stars of the show are the 120 life-size skeletons created

by Begonia Brothers of Northville and placed at locations throughout downtown.

Each of the skeletons is unique, and most are more entertaining than scary.

Last year’s kick-off event was cancelled due to COVID, and the skeletons were just set up, almost somberly.

This year, the DDA (Downtown

22 The ‘Ville

Development Authority), which sponsors the skeletons along with local businesses, was sure to leave the tables and chairs out, to keep the social distancing in place.

With Main and Center streets still closed off to traffic, much of the action spilled out onto the streets, with food trucks and food stand vendors, a balloon artist, a photo booth, a stilt walker, and more. The band Social Bones provided the live music on the main stage.

The skeleton army has grown quite a bit since they made their debut a decade ago.

“We’ve been doing this for 10 years, and the first year we had 10 of them, and this year, on our 10th anniversary, we have over 120 skeletons. We have beautiful weather, we have music, we have vendors, we have

food trucks, all the restaurants are outside,” said Northville City Mayor Brain Turnbull.

During the event most of the shops and restaurants were open, many with their own added twist. Dancing Eye Gallery hosted Ghostbusters Detroit, who came equipped with their Ghostbusters car, gear, ghost fighting costumes, and more.

They were a big hit with all of the families who came out to celebrate downtown Northville’s most popular squatters. The skeletons will be up through the end of October.

For more information about the skeletons and their locations, visit www. downtownnorthville.com.

Maya Margrif and Ava Dabaja, of Hillside Middle School, were all smiles at the event.

Fatima Beydoun poses with ‘Marilyn Monroe’.

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The ‘Ville 23

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NHL Factory

USA Hockey a breeding ground for elite talent, future stars

By Brad Emons

R

ight in our own backyard, USA Hockey Arena has proven to be an oasis for the most promising young talent in the country.

Since 1999, when the U.S. National Team Development Program first came to Ann Arbor before ultimately moving to its current location on Beck Road just south of Five Mile, it has produced 343 National Hockey League Draft picks including 197 in the first three rounds (eight first rounders overall).

Last year alone, the NTDP Under-18 team had 15 go in the Draft, including three in the first round.

Adam Nightingale, who coached the U-17 team during a truncated COVID-19 2020-

Meanwhile, last year’s U-18 coach Dan Muse returns to the U-17 squad and will spin out a new two-year cycle of the nation’s elite junior players.

Nightingale is in his second season with the NTDP program after working stints with the Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres in player development.

He grew up in Cheboygan and lives in Canton with his wife Kristin (a Wayne native) and three children.

“I work in a great spot,” Nightingale said. “We’re lucky.”

Nightingale is also lucky to coach a talented U-18 team – 23 strong – that launched its season in mid-September.

“You can tell they all committed to having a great summer,” Nightingale said.

U-18 defenseman Tyler Duke of Northville, a Notre Dame commit, had three goals and 22 assists last year for the U-17 NTDP team.

MICHIGAN TIES

The U-18s feature several players with Michigan ties including current Northville residents Tyler Duke, a defenseman committed to Notre Dame, and Cutter Gauthier, a forward headed to Boston College.

Duke’s older brother Dylan, a fourth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning now playing at Michigan, was a U-18 graduate, while Gauthier had 20 goals and 17 assists for the U-17s.

practice. He sets the tone how we want to practice.

“Cutter had a great summer and has worked on his game.

He’s a skilled power forward who can really shoot the puck. One of the things we talked about with him was trying to play the game on the inside more to use his size, his strength and skating ability, and he’s shown that in the first couple of weeks.”

Meanwhile, the team’s

I don’t think you’ll find another place quite like this in terms of what we’re able to do here on a daily basis to work with these players and help them develop so they can help the United States on national teams in international competition, so we can help develop top players in the United States for higher levels – college hockey and professional hockey.”

Dan Muse, Head Coach, U-17 team

21 season, will take the same 23 players from a year ago and move them into a challenging schedule for ’21-22 which includes a home date (Oct. 2) against Michigan State University and a road matchup Feb. 2 at Michigan’s Yost Arena.

26 The ‘Ville

“They put on some strength and added some quickness, speed and worked on the skill part of their game. We asked these guys to raise their game in the summer and each of them have done it.”

“Tyler is a mobile defenseman who is very good with the puck and is highly competitive, so I think he’s a guy that gets a lot done,” Nightingale said. “He definitely has skill. He has a lot of will to his game. He’s great, even in

leading point producer from a year ago with 28 goals and 27 assists is Mount Clemens native Frank Nazar III, a forward who is headed to Michigan.

“Frank had a really good summer and he’s another one who is really competitive,”

Nightingale said, “and his skating is elite . . . and trying to impact the game without the puck with his speed. He’s done a really good job with that.”

Another player with Michigan ties is defenseman Hunter Brzustewicz (Washington Township), a Michigan commit who appeared in just three games after suffering a season-ending injury.

Forward Isaac Howard, who had 27 goals and 27 assists a year ago with a team-best plus 18 rating, is another player to watch. The Hudson, Wis. native is committed to MinnesotaDuluth.

“He’s one of those guys that has a knack to score,” Nightingale said. “He can score from a lot of different areas and a lot of different ways. He’s got an NHL release and he’s another who is creating more on the inside and each level you go up who have to get better.

And he’s worked hard at that part of his game and we’re looking forward to seeing it.”

The goaltenders will be Dylan Silverstein (Calabasas, Calif.), who had a 10-2 record and 3.61 goals against average in 17 games, along with Tyler Muszelik (Long Valley, N.J.), a New Hampshire commit who went 10-14 with a 4.36 goals against ledger in 25 games.

Other players NHL scouts are extremely high on include forward Logan Cooley (West Mifflin, Pa.), who is going to Notre Dame, along with defenseman Lane Hutson (Barrington, Ill.), who posted a plus 13 and is committed to Boston University.

Both of those players played up in selected games last year with the U-18 roster. Cooley excelled at the World Junior camp this summer, while Hutson was named to the top defenseman.

Twenty of the team’s 23 players are already committed to NCAA Division I schools.

“I think we want to play smart, fast and hard,” Nightingale said. “We want you to be smart with and without the puck. You’ve got really good team speed so you want to play fast both offensively and defensively. We also want to get to the hard areas and be hard to play against.”

FACING OFF WITH COVID

U-18 forward Cutter Gauthier of Northville, a Boston College commit, finished with 20 goals and 17 assists last season with the U-17 NTDP team.

The other challenge facing Nightingale and the U-18 team is staying clear of COVID-19 issues with all the travel. In addition to series of games against college opponents, the U-18s will play 25 games in the USHL, while the U-17s will play 35 in the U.S.’s top junior tier league.

“Our kids were

vaccinated,” Nightingale said. “It was their families’ choices. And then we’ve got to be U.S. National Team Development Program head coaches flexible with (from left) Dan Muse (U-17) and Adam Nightingale (U-18) the protocols spent time this summer at a USA Hockey Level 5 coaches symposium in Duluth, Minn. within the different leagues. If you’re 85% it’s defensively, how they react vaccinated then you’re able to to time and space, situational go without masking, so we’re awareness. There are certain in that situation. Last year we things we look for in terms of didn’t get to travel to Europe, so me personally – that compete we’ve just got to be flexible with level and that ability to sense who are relationships with are. the ability to think the game.

Nightingale believes if they Those are two really important follow self-monitoring and things for me.” basic hygiene procedures, then Also required to making the they should be a good spot for U-17 NTDP team are the basic the upcoming season. elements -- skating ability, “And be honest, if you’re not speed, stick-handling ability, feeling well,” the U-18 coach and a shot. said.

“There are things that you The brand new U-17 squad, separate that check that box featuring 24 players, was put in terms of high skill set and together by Kevin Reiter, all these players that come in Director of Player Personnel, here are going to have a very, along with USA Hockey scouts very high skill set,” Muse said. around the country who were “It’s what separates you from evaluating games. the pack and what makes you “Last year was a little bit special that drive your game and difficult due to COVID, so we reach those high levels.” couldn’t be out watching a lot The U-17 roster includes of games,” said Muse, who was two players from South Lyon an assistant coach for three in defenseman Zach Schulz, a seasons with the Nashville Wisconsin commit, and goalie Predators. “They put in a ton Trey Augustine, a Michigan of hours, not only just one year, commit. but two years in the evaluation Both are products of the process.”

Detroit Honeybaked 15O So, what were the evaluators program. looking for they put together “Trey’s a guy I got to see a lot this current U-17 roster, which over the last couple of years,” already features 15 NCAA Muse said. “It makes it easier Division I commits? when a guy is just a few miles “The two things I put high down the road to be able to value on is compete level and watch. He’s very talented. He’s their ability to process . . . the very driven. He’s shown us way they’re able to take the that, too. He’s got a very strong game and think the game, too,” Muse said. “So, there are a lot of layers to it. It’s offensively, Factory continued on page 28

The ‘Ville 27

Nancy Continued from page 27

drive to succeed to get better and extremely coachable.

Everything we’ve done so far, he’s done a great job.

“Schulz is a big strong, kid, he moves well. He checks those boxes in terms of skill set. We really like his compete level.

We feel like he has a good feel for the game. He’s a big body who plays the game hard. He’s shown he’s paid attention to detail. He’s a guy who showed us during the evaluation process and has continued to show since he’s gotten here that he’s very coachable, has a very strong drive and a strong work ethic.”

At 5 feet, 6 inches and weighing only 138 pounds, Bloomfield’s Kai Janviriya arrived from the Detroit Compuware 15O program.

The defenseman, a Boston University commit, provides a lot of intangibles despite his lack of size.

“He’s got a very high compete level, very good feel for the game, good sense, good stick skills,” Muse said. “He makes a really good first pass. He showed us in the evaluation process he showed us he can play in transition situations. He’s really strong. First impression for me he’s a guy who might not always be the biggest guy on the ice, but he pushes hard and plays a lot bigger than he is.”

LIVING LOCAL

Both the U-17 and U-18 teams, who live with area billet families, have traditionally attended local high schools, including Northville High.

But because of continuing concerns with the COVID-19

Delta variant, the players will take online and virtual classes for the second straight year while working with the team’s education coordinator Lisa Vollmers, Director of StudentAthlete Services.

“Our sports science program, the strength and conditioning, academics, everything . . . it’s all top notch,” Muse said. “I don’t think you’ll find another place quite like this in terms of what we’re able to do here on a daily basis to work with these players and help them develop so they can help the United States on national teams in international competition, so we can help develop top players in the United States for higher levels – college hockey and professional hockey.”

And with the U-17s, it’s a feeling out process of molding a cohesive team featuring players

from all different parts of the country.

“You can’t reach a date,” Muse said. “You have to continually put guys in place and create an environment that is conducive to coming together as a team. That’s the most important thing as far as what it looks like and feels like every day. You put them in situations where they’re able to come together. And I’m sure every year will be a little bit different.

It’s just continuing to help them to get to that point. It doesn’t happen overnight.”

The USNTDP offers single game tickets at $16 (includes parking) and season packages, along with premium suites, business memberships and corporate events.

For more information, call (734) 453-6400, Ext. 396 or visit usahockeyntdp.com.

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• Established Northville’s Sustainability Team to ensure our children and grandchildren enjoy a high-quality and wellbalanced Northville in their lifetimes.

• Helped establish the Northville Brownfield Authority to assist in recovery and redevelopment of environmentally damaged property.

• Committed to protecting our environment. I will make climatesensitive choices for our city wherever possible.

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A New Beginning School district unveils state-of-the-art Hillside Middle School Story and Photos by Laura Fawaz

Suzanne Hasse, a 2008 Hillside graduate, and her mother Jane Hasse toured the building.

32 The ‘Ville

School Board President Sarah Prescott welcomes everyone.

A

fter more than a year of construction, Northville Public Schools unveiled the new Hillside Middle School to the public at a Sept. 30 ribbon cutting ceremony.

After the ceremony, district officials and Hillside student docents gave tours of the new, state-of-the-art facility.

The Hillside construction and renovation project was part of the second and third phases of a $104.85 million, multi-year bond approved by voters in November 2017. The Hillside project took up a large portion of the bond money, coming in at a price tag of about $35 million.

Much of the school, which previously served as the district’s high school until 2000, was demolished to make way for new construction.

The school has been transformed with new learning spaces, a media center, locker rooms, a new kitchen, offices, fine and performing arts spaces, science labs, and satellite classrooms that are a part of the Cooke Center program. The majority of the renovations include a new academic wing and demolition of the remaining portion of the former facility, making way for parking and green spaces. The gyms were repurposed.

Suzanne Hasse, who graduated from Hillside in 2008, was among those who attended the ceremony. She recently

The Hillside gym was refurbished and looks new.

graduated from college and moved back to Northville.

“I had to come see it, kind of like a homecoming to me,” she said.

Hasse said it felt weird walking in, and thought she might recognize at least some things, but it all looked foreign. She felt the school definitely needed to be updated, however.

“It was a lot smaller (in 2008). Things were definitely falling apart even then.

Lockers sometimes wouldn’t open, it definitely looked old, but it was,” Hasse said.

“It just looks like a completely new building.

“It’s really cool. They’re really lucky to have this new cool building.”

The school originally opened in 1959, when it was home to the Mustangs. It is located at 775 N. Center Street, just south of 8 Mile.

HydroCorp inspecting irrigation systems in community I f you have an underground irrigation system to water your lawn, Michigan law impacts you.

Both the City of Northville and Northville Township have Residential Cross Connection Control programs to comply with the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) institutes rules to protect drinking water and to prevent cross connections that may contaminate public drinking water systems.

A cross connection is an arrangement of piping that could allow undesirable ingredients (like sewage and chemicals) to enter your drinking water supply as a result of backflow.

Water normally flows in one direction, from the public water system through the customer’s water plumbing system to a faucet or other plumbing fixtures. Under certain conditions, water can flow in the reverse direction. This is known as backflow and could cause non-potable water to backflow into the resident’s drinking water, creating a hazard for the resident.

Some examples of where cross connection may exist inside homes are toilet fill valves, extendable shower wands used with a bathtub, water operated sump pumps and water softeners. No inspections will be conducted inside the home but homeowners are encouraged to look at these connections for

potential backflow issues.

The state requires all communities to implement a program for removal of all existing cross connections to prevent all future cross connections.

A company called HydroCorp, Inc. has been contracted by both the city and township to inspect backflow devices at properties with underground irrigation systems. Inspections began in the township back in August and are ongoing. The city inspections will begin on Nov. 15.

Northville Township, which has more than 7,000 homes with sprinkler systems, will be using a five-year rotational schedule for inspection. If your property is scheduled for inspection, you will be notified by mail.

HydroCorp, which will be examining connections for inground irrigation systems, swimming pools, hose bibs, and any other outdoor water connections, will notify residents before their scheduled inspection date. The homeowner doesn’t have to be present during the inspection.

There is no charge for the initial inspection performed by HydroCorp. However, if testing or plumbing improvements are found to be necessary, the costs will be the responsibility of the property owner.

For more information, visit the township’s website at www. twp.northville.mi.us (and click on the News section) or the city’s website at www. ci.northville.mi.us (and click on Latest News).

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‘Long Overdue’ Relief In Sight Arbor Hills landfill reaches settlement with EPA, state

By Tim Smith

T

he foul smell drifting into Northville and Plymouth townships from the Arbor Hills Landfill isn’t going to dissipate anytime soon. But residents at least can plan ahead on when they can breathe easier following the $750,000 settlement of a federal lawsuit against the landfill’s operator last month.

Arbor Hills Energy LCC agreed to significantly reduce, if not eliminate completely, odor-causing dioxide emissions in its September agreement with the United States Department of Justice, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state of Michigan.

The operator agreed to pay two $375,000 fines – one to the EPA and the other to Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).

According to the agreement, Arbor Hills Energy will either construct a renewable gas facility or install a sulfur treatment system

36 The ‘Ville

at the Salem Township facility by March 2023. Either of those options will bring the landfill into compliance with the Clean Air Act and mitigate past excess sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions, the EPA said.

The charges against Arbor Hills Energy were filed in 2016 by the federal EPA and from 2016-2020 by EGLE. But noxious odors emanating from the landfill have bothered area businesses and residents for

much longer.

“We are happy these matters are being resolved,” said Mark Abbo, Northville Township supervisor, in a statement. “Our expectation is a clean, healthy environment

for our residents and this is a start.

“This action is a long time in the making.

We are grateful to the Justice Department, the EPA and the state of Michigan for the progress made in helping our great community.”

Plymouth Township Supervisor Kurt Heise concurred, applauding those involved at the state and EPA in reaching the settlement.

“Hopefully this will address the longstanding odor issues that people have been complaining about for more than a decade,” Heise said.

“And I’m hoping that it will improve the quality of life for both Northville and Plymouth residents.”

In a media statement, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel noted that the settlement “makes important progress in improving air quality” near the Arbor Hills facility.

Nessel’s office also is still addressing air pollution from the adjacent landfill in a

case she filed against Arbor Hills Energy in 2020 on behalf of EGLE. “Combined, when completed, this work will dramatically improve the impact both facilities have had on the surrounding communities.”

The Arbor Hills Landfill is located in Washtenaw County on the west side of Napier between Five Mile and Six Mile roads, just across the county line from Northville Township.

A renewable natural gas facility would convert landfill gas into pipeline-quality natural gas; the sulfur treatment system would achieve a 64 percent reduction in SO2 emissions. Sulfur dioxide is a pollutant that once circulated can lead to premature death, heart attacks and respiratory problems among other adverse health and environmental effects.

Heise, who once served as director of Wayne County’s department of environment, said his preference between the options would be to go the renewable natural gas facility route.

“I would rather see this as a renewable resource, to tap in and create some kind of natural gas production,” Heise said. “Or to utilize the gas and the fumes for natural gas, for energy. I think that would be, to me, the cleanest way to go.

“As far as the sulfur cleanup, I’m not exactly sure what that would involve. And I’m not sure either one of them (options) would really address the odor issue. Odor is generated whenever you have the trucks dumping trash into the landfill, and there are ways of fighting that as well. That literally involves a spray that is applied at

We are happy these matters are being resolved. Our expectation is a clean, healthy environment for our residents and this is a start.

Mark Abbo, Northville Township Supervisor

the time the trash is being dumped. It’s basically like putting perfume on the trash.”

In a summary issued to Northville Township residents by The Conservancy Initiative environmental watchdog group, it was underscored that community pressure was instrumental in the settlement, but that continued diligence was still needed.

“The many odor complaints, phone calls to community leaders, letters written, town halls attended kept a spotlight on the unacceptable environmental compliance record of Arbor Hills Landfill,” the group’s summary stated. “The Truck traffic headed to and from the landfill have been a major headache along spotlight helped our Five Mile and Beck roads. community leaders

to pressure regulators and legislators to act.”

They noted that building a renewable natural gas facility “is a very positive development for the downwind community, but it is long overdue. This solution or other solutions to remove sulfur contaminates should have been implemented five-plus years ago.”

THE ROAD AHEAD Settlement aside, Heise stressed that solutions still must be pursued to deal with another major headache caused by the landfill – the heavy, unrelenting truck traffic which is inconveniencing residents while putting a big-time hurt on Five Mile and other roads.

“Believe me, we get the smell sometimes too, but it’s the truck traffic,” Heise said. “It’s never-ending traffic that’s been beating up Five Mile Road for years.”

Heise said he has been in touch with Michigan Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth) about directing some of the settlement money toward improving roads in the vicinity.

“I would like to see some of that money go towards the rehabilitation of Five Mile Road, or provide improved traffic enhancements on Beck and Five Mile, or M-14 and Beck,” Heise said. “Anything that we can do to either improve the condition of the road or improve the traffic flow there.”

Heise said another funding avenue worth pursuing is the American Rescue Plan, which President Joe Biden signed into law in March to help families and communities combat economic ravages afflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Wayne County is going to receive close to $700 million dollars,” Heise emphasized.

“The state of Michigan is going to receive $5 billion dollars. And we’d like to get some of that money to rebuild Five Mile from Napier to Beck. To make it more attractive for the economic development that we’re looking to do in that corridor.

“And also to shore it up and make it far more durable over the next 30 years, because I don’t think the landfill is going to close. That truck traffic is going to keep on coming no matter what (lawsuit settlements) are reached.”

The ‘Ville 37

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

Paws For Prevention Oct. 24th Sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Northville Paws for Prevention will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Northville Community Park (use Five Mile entrance). This will be a fun-filled fundraising event to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. Bring your dog along for this 1-mile walk. There will be mental health resources available and the walk will be followed by an auction of pet supplies from BarkBox, Premier Pet Supplies, and others. Those without a dog are more than welcome to attend. For more information, contact Meghan Stankovic at meghanstankovic@ gmail.com.

Tiny Pumpkins Oct. 26th Northville Parks and Recreation will host this event beginning at 4 p.m. in the Northville Community Center Gym. The kids will love this not-so-spooky Halloween event.

Enjoy pumpkin decorating, dancing, coloring, Halloween stations, and a costume contest for the tiny pumpkins. Parents and grandparents are welcome at no charge. No candy will be given out at this event. There are two time slots available at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. To register, visit Northvilleparksandrec.org or call (248) 349-0203.

Streets of Treats Oct. 30 This free trickor-treating event will take place from 10-11:30 a.m. in downtown Northville. Local businesses will

38 The ‘Ville

Nerf Blaster Battle 2021 Northville Parks and Recreation will host this friendly Nerf gun battle Nov. 5 from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Northville Community Center (303 W. Main Street). The event is open to children ages 7-13. So grab your Nerf guns and some friends, and prepare to have an afternoon of friendly battle. Organizers will supply the ammunition (darts), protective eye wear, bandanas and snacks. You just show up with your weapon and mission to have a good time. Cost is $15 per person. The registration deadline is Nov. 3.

For more information, call (248) 349-0203 or visit northvilleparksandrec.org.

provide goodies for the kids. Covid-19 protocols are encouraged. Wear a mask and please respect social distancing of six feet from others.

Country Garden Club Nov. 3rd The Country Garden Club will host their monthly meeting at 11 a.m. at Plymouth First United Methodist Church, 45201 North Territorial Road in Plymouth. Guest speaker Allen Chartier will discuss hummingbirds. The club meets on the first Wednesday of each month.

The Dec. 1 meeting will be the group’s Holiday Luncheon. Guests are welcome to attend meetings. For more information, contact Kathy Clark at krclark245@gmail.com.

Community Volunteer Fair Nov. 6th Are you looking for opportunities to volunteer with local organizations?

Find the right organization that’s a good fit for your personal volunteer goals at this Volunteer Fair from 11

a.m.-1 p.m. in the Carlo Meeting Room at the Northville District Library. Meet with local organizations to find out about their needs and see how you can make a difference.

Friends of the Library and Community Financial Credit Union are sponsoring the event. There is no need to preregister -- just drop in.

Lighted Parade & Tree Lighting Nov. 19th The annual Holiday Lighted Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in downtown Northville. This Northville tradition kicks off the holiday season and features bands, dancers, floats, and of course, Santa. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by the official tree lighting in Town Square at approximately 8:15 p.m. Awards will be given for Best

Parade Theme (floats), Best Holiday Spirit (marchers), and overall Mayor’s Choice. To participate in the parade, contact the Northville Chamber of Commerce at (248) 349-7640 or at LindseyButzin@northville.org.

For more information, visit www. northville.org.

History of Thayer School Nov. 22 & 23 Local historian Joe Oldenburg will discuss the history of Thayer School at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. in the Carlo Meeting Room at the Northville District Library and at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 23 at Northville Township Hall. Built in 1877 on land purchased from Rufus Thayer, the first settler at 6 Mile and Napier roads, Thayer School is the oldest one-room schoolhouse on its original site in Northville Township. It was a school until 1952. This program is presented in partnership with the Northville Township Historic District Commission.

Huffin for the Stuffin Nov. 25 This fifth annual 5K walk/run begins at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning at Maybury State Park. All proceeds will benefit local Blessing in a Backpack chapters that help feed children on the weekends during the school year.

For those who can’t attend, there is a virtual option. Check in begins at 8 a.m. Prizes will go to the top virtual, male, female and under 12 boy and girl. All finishers will receive a participant medal and other swag.

For more information, including how to register, volunteer or become a sponsor, email info@wildly-fit.com.

TINY PUMPKINS

A holiday event for those ages 0-5 to enjoy pumpkin decorating, dancing, coloring, Halloween stations and a costume contest.

Parents and grandparents are welcome at no charge. No candy will be given out at this event.

Choose between two sessions.

Tuesday, Oct. 26 4-5 pm or 5-6 pm $8 per person, adults free Northville Community Center’s gym 303 W. Main St., Northville Advance registration is required.

Tickets are sold for specific entry times, either 4-5 pm or 5-6 pm. To register, call (248) 349-0203. The deadline is Oct. 22.

revolutionary exploration of sleep, examining how it affects every aspect of our physical and mental well-being. Participants will learn about as well as share their own family sleep strategies that support healthy sleep habits.

Nov. 18, 7-8 pm Northville Community Center 303 W. Main St., Northville No registration necessary for Overbooked. For more information, call NYN at (248) 344-1618.

NORTHVILLE YOUTH NETWORK’S WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS FOR KIDS Wellness Wednesdays are free workshops and programs designed to support the healthy development of the minds, bodies, and spirits of our kids.

KIDS YOGA AND MINDFULNESS

TRICK OR TREAT SCAVENGER HUNT

Enjoy a scavenger hunt, cider & donuts, pick a pumpkin, story time and other entertainment at Thayer’s Corner. Choose between two sessions.

Tuesday, Oct. 19 4-5 pm or 5-6 pm $10 per family Thayer’s Corner 8250 Napier Rd., Northville Advance registration is required.

Tickets are sold for specific entry times. To register, call (248) 3490203. The deadline is Oct. 15.

NORTHVILLE SENIOR FEST

A fun-filled day made magical with music, dancing, vendor tables, catered lunch and prizes. Join us for this annual sell-out event.

Thursday, Oct. 21, 10 am-3 pm $10 per person Northville Community Center 303 W. Main St., Northville Vendors are available from 10-11:30 am, while lunch and entertainment runs noon-3 pm.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.northvilleparksandrec. org or in person at the Northville Community Center, Mon-Fri, 9 am-noon.

For questions or vendor opportunities please contact Melisa Burnham, mburnham@ twp.northville.mi.us or (248) 305-2873.

OVERBOOKED

Parenting is hard. Your book club shouldn’t be!

Join us as we launch Overbooked 2.0, a quarterly book club co-hosted by a Northville personality. Joe Reimann, the new principal at Moraine Elementary, will be our inaugural host for our discussion on the book Why We Sleep, a

Oct. 13 (for ages 9-12) 6-6:45 pm Millennium Park pavilion 45769 Six Mile Rd.

THE POWER OF PRESSURE

Oct. 27 (for ages 13-18) 7-8 pm Location: via Zoom Pre-registration is required for Wellness Wednesdays: bit.ly/ nynwellness or call NYN at (248) 344-1618.

It’s Your Business Paramount Billiards Also, the Wixom outlet is one for 50% of Paramount’s of the few to have a handcrafted business. They install tables A.E. Schmidt table, which are with more than 100 options to painstakingly choose while produced at also providing only three maintenance OWNERS: Cameron and Sandy Hall, a day in (re-clothing, of Northville St. Louis. reADDRESS: 49132 Wixom Tech Drive, Backorders for cushioning, Wixom the exclusive leveling, HOURS: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondaypieces are on storage and Friday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (by hold until June moving). appointment) 2022, Sandy Hall, who PHONE: (248) 880-1253 Hall said. previously WEBSITE: Paramount worked 12 www.paramountbilliardsllc.com also carries years as Brunswick, a general Blatt, Connelly, Olhausen and manager with another billiards Proline among its line of highfirm, has installed more than end used tables.

10,000 tables. The Hartland Despite the pandemic, native previously worked in billiards and pool are popular. masonry.

“Every year I think this “I see it all the time, people industry gets a little busier,” order tables on Amazon and Cameron Hall said. “During then they hire us to come over the pandemic, people want and put it together,” Hall said. something to do in their homes.” “They’re paying $700 for the The shiny new wares and table and it’s a wood-top table gently used items in the and we just have to put the legs company’s showroom is on it and level it, but we can’t buttressed by a solemn pledge of provide a warranty for the quality service, which accounts table.”

PARAMOUNT BILLIARDS

Paramount Billiards owners Cameron and Sandy Hall, who are Northville residents.

Rack ‘Em Up If billiards is your game, Paramount has what you need

By Larry O’Connor

W

hile the pedantic are quick to point out that billiards actually is played with only three balls and on a table without pockets whereas pool is the game with 16 orbs and is competed upon a surface with six compartments, Paramount Billiards co-owner Cameron Hall drills down to the reality of cue-stick wielders themselves.

“There are people that definitely play pool and there are people who are pool players,” said the Northville resident, who would definitely be in the latter category.

Cameron Hall’s love affair for the chalk-and-rack action of the sport, which goes back more than 25 years, led to the opening of Paramount Billiards with

40 The ‘Ville

wife Sandy a year ago.

Paramount Billiards caters to enthusiasts of all abilities.

The showroom at 49132 Wixom Tech Drive, Wixom, features new and high-end used tables as well as shuffleboard and billiards equipment. Diamond, Playcraft and A.E. Schmidt are some of the exclusive name brands carried by the store, which is east of Wixom Road, north of I-96.

Paramount is one of only two Diamond distributors in Michigan and has struck a partnership with eight-time world champion and Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame Pool Player Nick Varner to sell his signature cues and cases.

Owner Sandy Hall's daughters, Kailee (left) and Lexi Kretsch, help out at Paramount Billiards. The two attend Northville High School.

Paramount Billiards, which is fully licensed and insured, does provide a one-year guarantee for levelling work. The intricate table fitting process is not for the average do-it-yourselfer.

The frame is precision leveled while each slate is also balanced where glued pieces of paper are placed in between the seams to keep the wood from shifting and separating, Hall said.

“In Michigan, you have a lot of temperature fluctuation and wood moves,” he said. “We don’t want that happening, we don’t want the slates popping and the ball jumping, ruining the cloth.

Then we do everything with a machinist level.”

Other factors are weighed during the process. If a table is going on a hardwood floor, compressed rubber shims are used to prevent damage. Flat

maple shims are employed for carpeted floors.

Cameron’s pool hall knowledge syncs up well with wife Sandy’s business savvy. She started GreatStaff Solutions, an employment agency, 13 years ago.

Sandy handles Paramount’s accounting and other administrative tasks — including construction of the business’ website — while still involved in GreatStaff Solutions, which is located next door at 49124 Wixom Tech Drive.

“I have a pretty good team over there that have been running things quite a bit, which has freed up my time,” Sandy said.

The couple has been married two years, but first met 15 years ago at the Wagon Wheel Lounge in Northville where Cameron

Paramount Billiards owners Cameron and Sandy Hall, who are Northville residents.

was, of course, shooting pool.

Sandy’s daughters from a previous marriage, Kailee Kretsch, a senior, and Alexis Kretsch, a junior, attend Northville High.

While Cameron admits he has played the game for money, he balks at being called a “pool shark.” He prefers to speak

about his fondness for pool, which started as an early teen, well before being allowed to enter bars, parlors or other such dins of iniquity.

When he got his own place to live, Cameron said, “I immediately got rid of my kitchen table and put in a pool table.”

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Geography Bee Silver Medalist

Red Rose For A Queen Northville High School held its Homecoming activities during the week of Oct. 4th, culminating with Friday’s parade and football game against Hartland, and Saturday’s dance, which was held outdoors under the lights on the soccer field.

During halftime of the game, the Homecoming Court, chosen by students, was introduced with their families. The girls on the court were Caroline Doody, Julianna Kakish, Meredith Knight, Kylie McHugh and Megan Simonte. The boys on the court were Diogenes Ceka, Chris Gruschow, Ryan Reynolds, Dev Shah, and Zhane Yamin.

When it was time to name the King and Queen, a box was handed to each girl, (pictured above from left) Kylie McHugh, Megan Simonte, Julianna Kakish, Caroline Doody, and Meredith Knight. Kakish pulled a red rose from her box, and she was crowned queen. Ryan Reynolds, a member of the football team, was crowned King. pictured at right with Kakish)

42 The ‘Ville

Northville High School senior Ved Muthusamy won 2nd place in the International Geography Bee (IGB) USA National Championships. He qualified for this competition by scoring highly on the National Qualifying Exam, which tests each student’s understanding of geography and other related topics. At nationals, Ved went through five grueling rounds before receiving the silver medal. With this performance at the USA National Championships, Ved qualifies for the 2022 IGB World Championships to be held Aug.2-9 in Quebec City, Canada.

Promoting Fire Safety Northville State Farm agent Debra Herndon teamed up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the City of Northville Fire Department to promote Fire Prevention Week, an annual public awareness campaign that promotes critical home fire safety messages that took place Oct. 3-10.

Herndon and the NFPA donated kits that included educational fire prevention materials about kitchen fires for homeowners and children.

The fire department handed out the kids during Fire Prevention Week activities.

According to the NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Almost half (44%) of reported home fires started in the kitchen. Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.

“A cooking fire can grow quickly. I have seen many homes damaged and people injured by fires that could easily have been prevented,” said Herndon (pictured with firefighters).

For more general information about cooking fire prevention, visit www.fpw.org.

On The Road With T

he ‘Ville joined local residents Bill Keysaer and Michelle Hertz on their recent mission trip to Montrouis, Haiti. The Northville couple partnered with Supply and Multiply, a non-profit evangelical ministry. The couple visited orphanages and played with the children, spending time talking to and singing with the elderly, delivering food to families in need, helping to construct a toilet facility, and providing encouragement and care to neighborhood children.

This photo was taken in front of the Matthew 25 house, a residential care facility for elderly whose families can no longer afford to care for them.

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 in an upcoming issue.

Appointed to Michigan Civil Rights Commission (December 2020) Alum of Catholic Central High School, University of Detroit, MSU & U-M • High Conflict Divorce/Family Law • Criminal Law/Personal Injury Law • Business Law (Non-compete Agreements, Trademarks, Plaintiff & Defendant) • Employment Law (White Collar Crime, Worker’s Compensation, Age Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Hostile Work Environment, Wrongful Termination, Plaintiff & Defendant)

• Police Brutality Cases Multi-Million Dollars in Case Resolution Richard J. Corriveau, ESQ. Attorney at L aw

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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.

October Is Boo-tiful in Northville S

keletons are alive. Halloween is around the corner.

Northville is happening!

I’ve been watching the decorations going up around town. We are truly the experts in the art of haunting. If you haven’t done it – plan on walking the historic district between Center and Rogers north of Main beginning at 6 p.m. on Halloween. It’s over at 8 p.m. The fire department will sound the sirens. The day before (Saturday, October 30th) “Streets of Treats” will take place from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. in Northville’s Town Square. Preservation Dental will bring the Tooth Fairy to kick off trick-or-treating. Kids of all ages are welcome to join the fun in costume, or not. It’s a family-friendly, free day thanks to many generous sponsors.

For information and the list of sponsors visit the Northville Chamber of Commerce website at northville.org.

A big thank you to Jody Humphries. Jody served as the executive director of the Northville Chamber of Commerce since 2004. She is moving on to a new adventure and I, for one, will miss her.

During the pandemic I counted on her to keep me up-to-date on all the options available to small businesses. She delivered beyond my expectations. During her tenure at the Chamber, the Farmers Market grew, the Military Banner program came to town, there were many ribbon cuttings, the Holiday Lighted Parade really took off, and she enthusiastically took

44 The ‘Ville

over the 4th of July Parade. The list of accomplishments goes on and on.

Jody worked tirelessly and thoroughly in the best interest of all businesses – in the city, in the township, on Main Street and along Haggerty, Five Mile, Beck Road and beyond.

I wish her the best of luck and continued success.

(From left) Betty Allen, Mayor Brian Turnbull, and Mary Ware

Northville has a couple of golden girls. Betty Allen is a real Northville legend. Born and raised here, the daughter of a prominent physician, married to the Mayor and in part responsible for the iconic purple Chamber of Commerce building. There is a rumor Betty may be moving up north to be around family. Good for her -- at 90-something and still looking for adventure. Mayor Turnbull declared Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021 as Betty Allen Day in the City of Northville. I’ve had the pleasure of “driving Miss Betty” to and from some appointments in town. We always have more to talk about than the driving distance allows.

Another 90-something Mary Ware was named 2021 Northville Senior of the Year. She has been called the Matriarch of Northville. Many call her Aunt Mary (she actually

is the aunt of the late John Genitti). She’s been here since 1953, when she moved here with her husband, Don. They raised funds for the Historical Society by cooking up spaghetti dinners. Aunt Mary still makes a mean dish of pasta – and a perfect mini cupcake. In her younger days she worked at the Wayne County Training School.

In recent years she has played the part of Betsy Floss in the Northville 4th of July Parade.

Congratulations ladies. You two are my heroes!

The registration for the Northville Historical Society’s 42nd Children’s Christmas Workshop will be Nov. 19 for first to sixth graders. Northville Historical Society members can register at 218 W. Dunlap beginning at 6 p.m. that day, all others at 6:30 p.m. There will be some changes to the usual protocols.

Carole Jean Stockhausen explains how it will all work: “Instead of having all 75 children per session in the New School Church, this year we will have a different craft in each building and the kids will go from building to building to make a gift for someone special…similar to a progressive dinner, but it will be a

progressive craft class.” For the record, I’ve enjoyed being the recipient of many a quality gift.

The COVID crisis has taken a toll on our teenagers.

No traditional dances, limited sporting events, Zoom class at a kitchen table. The idea of a date, the butterflies in your stomach, buying a corsage – or a boutonniere…all missed opportunities. Thank goodness some of the best times in the life of a teenager are back. My grandson and other young men from Northville learned about the important tradition of picture-taking before the Catholic Central Homecoming dance on Sept. 26. It was nice, really nice.

If you’re looking for a great date night in October check out the movie Scream 4. The bookstore featured in the film is currently the home of Tuscan Café. You’ll recognize local scenery in many of the street scenes, and some from our neighboring communities. Our hometown looks boo-tiful.

Peter Denk, with parents Jill and Pete

William Stockhausen at Children's Workshop.

David Kibbey and family (all Northville residents)

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