The Rock - July 2026

JULY 2026 VOL 7 | ISSUE 7

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Local Journalism Matters

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Your support is vital if you would like to see us survive and grow. The Rock is sent free to every address in Plymouth, yet is not free to produce.

LOCAL Matters!

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We need your support.

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JULY 2026 | VOL 7 | ISSUE 7 16435 Franklin, Northville, MI 48168 • 734-716-0783 • kurtkuban@therockmagazine.com

K U R T K U B A N – Publisher

Kurt is an award-winning journalist, having served as a reporter and editor for several local newspapers and magazines, including the Plymouth Observer.

He has been a journalist for over two decades. He founded Journeyman Publishing, which also publishes The ‘Ville, in 2017.

S CO T T S P I E L M A N – Editor

Scott graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Journalism. He covered western Wayne County for more than 12 years at several publications before transitioning into corporate communications and media relations. A Canton resident, he has also finished his first novel and is hard at work on his next.

S CO T T B U I E – Advertising Director/Vice President of Sales

Scott has 20+ years creating advertising campaigns for clients in Metro Detroit.

After managing sales for radio stations 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/Northville area for over 23 years.

J E N N Y P E A R S A L L – Creative Director

Jenny has been in the design and print industry for over twenty years, holding various positions in graphic design, print buying, production and print management. She also owns Bovia Design Group, a company specializing in publications and corporate branding.

B R A D E M O N S – Writer

Over the course of his four decades with the Observer & Eccentric, 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.

T I M S M I T H – Writer

Publisher

Advertise in The Rock • Reach 21,000 addresses every month.

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To secure space in an upcoming issue of The Rock, contact Advertising Director Scott Buie at (313) 399-5231, or via email at scottbuie@therockmagazine.com or advertising@therockmagazine.com.

Tim brings a penchant for telling personal stories that run the gamut from news to sports. During more than 35 years in journalism, mostly with the Observer & Eccentric, he has earned numerous state and national awards.

The Wayne State grad is a published author and rec ice hockey player.

W E N S DY V O N B U S K I R K – Writer

Wensdy graduated with a degree in journalism from Wayne State University.

Her first job was working as a reporter for The Northville Record. Now, as a freelance writer and editor, she works for a variety of magazines, including The Rock. -Photo by Kathleen Voss

S U E V OY L E S – Writer

Growing up, Sue always knew she wanted to be a writer. She has written for many publications over her long career in public relations and journalism, and taught English and journalism at Schoolcraft College. In 2022, she received the national Headliner Award from the Association for Women in Communications.

K E N V OY L E S – Writer/Photographer

Ken is an award-winning writer, photographer and designer whose career has spanned nearly five decades in and around metro Detroit. He started his journalism career in Plymouth, working for the Community Crier. He is the author of two books on Detroit history, loves to travel and has finished his first novel.

B R YA N M I T C H E L L – Photographer

Bryan started working as a photographer more than 30 years ago, and was a staff photographer for the Plymouth Observer in the 90s. He has freelanced for The Detroit News, The Guardian, Reuters, and other publications. His photography has appeared in newspapers and magazines around the globe.

S E A N P O W E R – Photographer

Sean is a freelance photographer who is originally from Chicago, where he spent many years in the world of broadcast television. He and his family moved from Chicago to Northville in 2021. He lives with his wife, Angelique (a 2025 Detroit News "Michiganian of the Year"), daughter Sadie, a cat, and an English black lab.

The Rock is a product of Journeyman Publishing, which assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information.

Any form of reproduction of any content in this publication without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Comments are welcome at kurtkuban@therockmagazine.com.

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

What’s next for the Plymouth Twp board?

Last month, Plymouth Township Treasurer Bob Doroshewitz and Trustee Jen Buckley announced their intentions to step down from their positions.

Doroshewitz, who has faced ongoing health challenges, said it was time to focus more on family. He said he intends to finish out the year. For Buckley, it’s an impending move to a different community. I’ll be sorry to see them go (and not because I was only recently able to spell Doroshewitz’s last name without looking it up) and thank them both for their contributions to the community.

I’ve known Doroshewitz for a long time, including a period when we both worked at Beaumont Health (now Corewell); he was in the IT department and I was in communications, serving as the chief ghost writer for then-CEO John Fox and Susan Grant, the Chief Nursing Officer. He’s served on the board since 2004 and also spent time during his public service career on the township planning commission and zoning board of appeals—which speaks to his commitment to the community.

He has always been a straight-shooter, speaking plainly—if, occasionally profanely— about the issues facing the township and is always willing to listen to all sides of a debate before weighing in on his decisions. That willingness became a focal point during the recent search for a new township clerk, when he addressed his concerns about the appointment of Trustee Sandy Groth to the spot. Doroshewitz met with her privately to address them and, when he saw Groth continuing those behaviors, he told the public why he would not support her. In short, he put the good of the community above politics and his own personal relationship. It’s a difficult thing to do.

Given the general actions of the board in recent months, it’s easy to question their decisions or chalk them up to the level of toxicity that former Clerk Jerry Vorva cited when he resigned earlier this year—or the dysfunction that one of the candidates who sought to replace Vorva called out when he withdrew from consideration. I don’t think that’s the case here. I think it’s just the timing of two unrelated situations.

It does bring up the question of what comes next—and that will be interesting to see.

There is plenty of time to get this right—Doroshewitz said he wants to implement a new financial software system and the distribution of winter tax bills before he rides off into the sunset to enjoy more time with his friends and family.

There’s been some chatter already about making the treasurer a part-time position (and the supervisor, too, and hiring an experienced municipal professional to run the day-today operations) and that’s an interesting thought, but it would require a lot of study and time to make that happen. I’m not sure if changing the form of government because of the personalities currently in place is a good idea.

I do hope, though, the board learns from the difficult process to replace Vorva and opens the process up, from the beginning, to anyone interested rather than try to hand-pick someone to fill either seat. In short, I hope they look at qualifications and interest, rather than who will vote alongside them or who intends to run in the subsequent election. I also hope Supervisor Chuck Curmi doesn’t stick with the statement he made during the clerk search process—ludicrous, in my view—that he wouldn’t consider a Democrat for the spot.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: at this level, the entire left/right argument is silly.

You’re not weighing in on national policy. Township officials—or city officials—are simply neighbors working with neighbors to improve their little section of the world. Besides that, discussion and debate between people with differing viewpoints tend to lead to outcomes that are more beneficial to all.

I think there are plenty of interested, qualified people in the community who may not necessarily see eye-to-eye with Curmi on national politics and they shouldn’t be disqualified for that fact alone. At the end of the day, I think people want leaders who will overlook their own political beliefs—if warranted—and do what’s right for the community, the way Doroshewitz did.

That’s what I’m hoping for anyway, regardless of what side of the aisle they may fall on or which circle they choose to fill in.

Scott Spielman is the editor of The Rock. He welcomes your feedback or letters to the editor at scottyspielman@gmail.com.

In this issue

6

HARD WORK DROVE MUSIC PROMOTER MIKE WATTS

14

PLYMOUTH POLLINATORS SPREADING SOME ZEN IN OLD VILLAGE

28

PATRIOTIC PARADE CELEBRATES AMERICA’S 250TH Your Voice: Letters to the Editor Canton, Salem grads gearing up for combined 50th class reunion City, Lions Club team up to upgrade popular neighborhood park Local astro-photographer always looking to the stars MITC corridor planners hoping to attract tech jobs Northville Lumber well positioned in MITC for future success ‘SMART’ millage highlights August primary election PCEP Spring Sports Round-Up: Recordbreaking pole vaulters raise the bar

4 8 10 12 16 18 20 24

O N T H E C O V E R : Thousands flocked to downtown Plymouth on July 4th to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation. More than 100 civic groups and organizations displayed their patriotic pride in one of the largest Plymouth parades ever. Photo by Bryan Mitchell

Upgrade eastern gateway

I was unable to attend the June 24 Plymouth Township master plan open house, but would like to provide the following feedback: The areas along Schoolcraft Road, Haggerty Road (between Plymouth and Schoolcraft) and Plymouth Road (between Haggerty and Mill) were not mentioned in the plan. All of these areas have seen a large increase in traffic and growth over the past 10 years. A traffic study needs to be done along Haggerty and Plymouth roads, including the aging bridge over Hines Drive.

The sidewalks are in desperate need of upgrades. It would be ideal to have some sort of pedestrian and cyclist entrance to Hines Park from Plymouth Road for all the residents who live south of Plymouth Road, east of Mill Street.

The area along Plymouth Road is highly visible, and acts as the gateway into the city for thousands of people every day. Right now, you have the parks, a beautiful courthouse, a beautiful condo and apartment complex (The Ravines) and soon to be another beautiful apartment complex on the old Courthouse Grill site.

It is critical that the open lot on the northwest corner of Plymouth and Haggerty keep with this beautification theme, and either be designated as a walking park area for local residents and workers or something visually appealing to provide a service to the surrounding commuters, residents and workers. We vehemently oppose any type of industrial business on this lot. It will only deface the area and potentially add to the existing traffic issues.

Whatever is put there will create the tone for this heavily traveled entrance into downtown Plymouth for decades. Please don’t allow it to be ruined by yet more industry.

Cheryl Pond The Ravines HOA

Unnecessary financial burden

On Aug. 4, we face a critical choice at the ballot box. The Wayne County Public Transportation Millage is being pushed as a regional fix, but for the Plymouth community, it represents an unnecessary and expensive financial burden.

For decades, Plymouth City and Plymouth Township carefully used our legal right to opt out of the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transit (SMART) system because fixed-route buses do not effectively serve our neighborhoods. However, after a recent change in state law stripped away our community's right to opt out, we are now being forced into a countywide vote.

We need to look past the confusing ballot language and recognize the facts before we vote.

The average SMART bus carries only 3.88 riders, costing a staggering $3.70 to move just one passenger a single mile. Taxpayers already subsidize 97% of SMART's operating costs while fares cover a meager 3% of their revenue.

In 2022, similar expansion promises were made to northern communities, yet those routes still do not exist. We should not be forced to fund an inefficient system with no local control and no guarantees of functional service for our families.

The tax structure unfairly impacts our region, creating a doubletax burden on the City of Detroit—which already funds its own

DDOT system—while funneling massive amounts of money into an administrative transit authority instead of direct community support.

Pumping over half a billion dollars into a deeply flawed program is simply not SMART.

Scott Lorenz

Smart planning brings high value

I read with interest the article “Welcoming Homes” in the May issue of The Rock. Both Plymouth communities -- the City and the Township -- have done an incredible job of planning and regulating the development that has occurred over the last many decades. The master plans for both communities were accomplished with the direct input at public hearings and from public comments.

Plymouth is a highly desirable place to live and conduct business.

That desirability is reflected in the high demand for housing and property. The high values were not instigated by people here as a means of excluding one group or another. The values are driven by the free-market society we live in. We are witnessing the success of good planning. There is no need for changes to make it something else.

Mike Bailey

Responding to labor demands

Michigan’s workforce challenges are a reality affecting employers, workers and communities across our region as addressed repeatedly during the Detroit Chamber’s recent Mackinac Policy Conference.

Employers in advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, healthcare, mobility, construction, and emerging technologies are struggling to find qualified workers.

Meanwhile, more students and adult learners are opting for the affordable and practical choice of a community college education to secure stable jobs that pay a living wage. Connecting community college experiences with industry jobs requires collaboration.

That is why Schoolcraft College is taking the lead on these workforce challenges. We are working diligently to bring together leaders from labor, education, industry, and state government to create programs, including our Masonry Trades Program. The most successful workforce pipelines come from hands-on learning partnerships. The Schoolcraft College Foundation has turned this into a priority to strengthen collaborations and secure funding.

Institutions like Schoolcraft College can quickly respond to shifts in labor demands, changing technology, and evolving economic conditions. We collaborate directly with employers to create training programs, certifications, apprenticeships, and educational pathways that equip students for immediate jobs while also supporting their longterm career growth. Automation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing are advancing at an unprecedented pace, greatly affecting how businesses work.

At the same time, skilled trades are essential to Michigan’s infrastructure and economic stability. The Schoolcraft College Foundation has always believed that education changes lives and communities. Michigan’s future economic success depends on our willingness to work together to prepare the next generation of talent. Community colleges are taking the lead. Join us.

Dawn Dyer Magretta Executive Director of Advancement Schoolcraft College Foundation

SOUND OFF: Submit your letters by emailing Editor Scott Spielman at scottyspielman@gmail.com. Letters should be no more than 150 words. We reserve the right to edit all letters.

4 | The Rock

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autographs and talk to their fans until everyone had met them.

Most bands didn’t have that much consideration.”

So what makes the big stars shine?

"They all had one thing in common," Watts said. "They loved playing music and believed that if they worked their asses off, toured regularly, and got really, really lucky they would be successful."

Which means he and music stars he presented have loads in common.

Watts was no stranger to hard work. A self-made man and son of

H

e hung with Mick Jagger, Bono, Eddie Van Halen and Bob Seger in his job as Metro Detroit’s most prominent show promoter.

Mike Watts recalls July 6, 1978, when he drove to the Renaissance Center to pick up Jagger in a rented non-descript sedan. Watts was putting on the Rolling Stones show at nearby Masonic Auditorium. The car was the perfect choice to avoid attention on the short drive over.

“I tried to have a conversation with him on the way, and I said that my sons really liked his music. His response was that his 6 | The Rock

kids didn’t like their (Stones) music very much. He was nice, polite, and it was something I’ll never forget,” said Watts, a township resident.

Then there was the time U2 played its first Detroit show, at Harpos in Detroit, promoted by Watts and his company Watts Up. “Bono came out after the show and was looking around.

I went up to him and asked if he needed something, and all he said was ‘Did they like us?’ I assured him they loved them.

“The Clash at the Grand Circus theater impressed me as they stayed after the show to sign

working-class parents, he worked his way up from dance event organizer at his Eastern Michigan University fraternity to a regional go-to guy to produce major music shows and events. These included the Downtown Hoedown music festival, starting in the early 1980s in Hart Plaza in Detroit. It continued into the 2010s.

But as a new summer concert season looms for area concert goers, Watts and wife Sandra can enjoy a deserved rest. It’s been 12 years since Watts retired from the events promotion business.

“Sandra and I have been married for 55 years, and she is the person who always gave me the strength and courage to succeed,” he said.

She handled bookkeeping, health care and accounting, freeing her husband to take on marketing, fund raising, and advertising functions.

And what a business it was.

Besides organizing Detroitfocused events including the Hoedown and Detroit Grand Prix which included international music acts, Watts even served as Plymouth International Ice Festival director in the 1990s. Watts injected fresh ideas, including a fireworks display to build international attention.

Watts attended the Detroit Public Schools until the family moved to Trenton in 1960. There he attended high school and prepared to enter EMU. "Being the first in my family to go to college was a life lesson. My parents did not finish high school as they had to work to survive.

Both were intelligent and wellread, but besides encouraging me to go to college they had no (college) experience to pass on."

When Watts graduated high school, his dad borrowed $500 from the credit union and drove him to Ypsilanti and EMU. "He dropped me off and said ‘Good luck’. From that day on I was on my own and had to work my way through college with student loans, part time and summer jobs, all the while needing to keep a passing GPA to stay out of the draft and the Vietnam War." Watts found a job with EMU food service making 90 cents per hour and got education loans from the local bank. "My high school friend's dad was the loan manager, and I worked in the summer in factories getting jobs

and more and bigger events.

He also met Sandra. It was the late 60s, and music events like Woodstock, Monterey Pop and the Goose Lake festival in Michigan flourished. Colleges began having live concerts on campus to please baby boomer students.

“Eastern had formed a student His connection to music started committee to oversee and plan some concerts, but there was as a youth listening to Detroit little oversight or direction as stations in the 50s. “I was always this was a totally new scene, and listening to the radio, and this no one had any past experience fresh style of music was hitting in it,” Watts recalled. the airwaves. Jerry Lee Lewis, The committee booked the Little Richard, Fats Domino popular band Traffic, and the and the like were fascinatingly exciting to listen to. With WXYZ, concert sold out. However,

with the help of some neighbors."

Other part-time jobs included night janitor work at the University of Michigan. Watts earned a bachelor’s degree in education from EMU in 1969 and a masters in guidance and counseling in 1971.

CKLW, and other radio stations jamming the airwaves with the hits of the day it became something I gravitated to.”

He recalled an evening when he was eight in 1955 visiting Miami, Florida, walking on the sidewalk.

“I can remember hearing the car radios blaring ‘Tutti Frutti ‘by Little Richard. Just about every car had its AM radio turned to the station playing it, and it was hypnotic,” Watts said.

It was after joining Sigma Pi fraternity at EMU that he discovered a knack for planning the frat’s dance events. That experience led to a broader role in the Office of Student Activities,

the students did not have the necessary business mechanisms in place to meet the contract,

Watts said. He jumped in and helped settle the situation. His new boss asked him to oversee the student Major Events Committee.

“I seemed to have some innate talent for the organization end, and was able to learn on my feet how the business end operated. I just tried to grow with it.”

Shows that broke even his first year included Gordon Lightfoot, Mary Travers and Donovan.

The second year, John Denver and Poco shows did better. The third year, “We sold out all our shows except for a new and up and coming artist named Neil Diamond. Cheech & Chong with Flo and Eddie, J. Geils, Chicago, the 5th Dimension, Chuck Berry, and BIB. King and Howlin Wolf all sold out.”

Turns out he was almost too successful.

“I made the university $30,000 and got called on the carpet as we weren’t supposed to make a profit because the state might cut our allocation,” Watts recalled.

Once his new firm Watts Up became profitable, Sandra joined Watts as business partner.

The couple has three grown sons who worked for the operation as runners, and beer stand managers.

“I am even more proud to report today that they have one of the most successful digital marketing companies in Michigan with over 100 employers. They each run a division of the company, and their mother does the books as CFO,” Watts said.

Watts also takes pride in serving the Detroit and Plymouth communities, including charities.

Watts also was a founding member and executive director of the Motor City Music Awards Foundation, organized college hockey tournaments at Joe Louis Arena as the Director of Special Events, and brought in the NCAA finals, now named the Frozen Four. He also promoted a range of pro wrestling events including a bout at the Michigan State Fairgrounds at Woodward and Eight Mile Road with Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant. “It was one of the biggest by attendance days in fair history,” Watts said.

The Rock | 7

Canton, Salem grads gearing up for combined 50th class reunion

D

uring America’s bicentennial year of 1976, there were just two high schools at Plymouth-Canton Educational Park.

But on Saturday, Oct. 10, those schools will come together as one entity for what promises to be an unforgettable 50th class reunion celebration.

That Plymouth-Canton and Plymouth-Salem high schools – as they were then known – would join for one big evening instead of trying to host separate 50th reunions is fitting for a group of some 900 combined students who shared many classes and memories despite either being a Chief or Rock.

“At P-CEP, modular scheduling was designed after college scheduling, so you didn’t have the same courses every day,” said Mark Childs, a 1976 Canton grad who is spearheading efforts to inform classmates now living near and far about the reunion.

“The actual day-to-day, you did not have the same classes Monday through Friday, it (the schedule) alternated. That was 8 | The Rock

By Tim Smith designed more like a college curriculum so the people that were on pre-college courses, like myself and a number of people on the student council, excelled at it.

“So, my senior year I had the (majority) of classes at Salem, but I still graduated from Canton because that’s where I started. I had friends at both schools.”

Childs said it will cost $60 to attend the class reunion from 6-10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Fellows Creek Golf Club & Banquet Center, located at 2936 S. Lotz Road in Canton. There will be a full, sit-down dinner featuring entrée of choice.

Due to limited tickets, it is suggested that classmates RSVP as soon as possible at cantonsalem76reunions @gmail.com. (That e-mail address also can be used to inquire about contributing to a reunion booklet.)

As of late May, however, classmates were not exactly rushing to be part of the fun with only about 150 registering.

“We’ve got to get the word out to the rest of the class,” Childs emphasized. “The two combined classes are about 900 students and (having) inactive or old e-mails of people moving away. And

people are just assuming they can just show up at the door and buy a ticket. We’re somewhat concerned about that because that’s not what it’s designed to be.”

The gala will be the main event, but for those who are interested (and for an additional fee) classmates will have the chance to play 18 holes of golf the morning of Friday, Oct. 9 at Fellows Creek.

And that Friday night, at 7 p.m., there will be a SalemWestland John Glenn high school football game to stir up all those old feelings again.

According to Childs, he has begun to go down memory lane already with other members of the reunion planning committee.

“We talked about just everything we did during our senior year, and also trips we took together that summer we graduated in,” Childs said. “Just reminiscing, it’s like ‘Whoa, how has it been 50 years?’

“I was mentioning that to some family members the other day. I can distinctly remember when my parents had gotten the invitation in the mail for their 50th high school reunion. It doesn’t seem like it was that long ago and now I’m part of planning our own 50th anniversary. It’s crazy.”

The two high schools also will unite in another unique way, with an exhibit at the Plymouth Historical Museum.

“It’s the second half of this year’s exhibit,

because they were closed for a while,” Childs said. “Now they are remodeling the exhibit for the (USA’s) 250th anniversary.”

Those who check out the exhibit will see memorabilia from 1975-76 and undoubtedly, for many, unlock nostalgic reminders of the past.

Childs said he thought the slow buildup of reunion ticket sales so far has a lot to do with procrastination -- or, perhaps feeling uncertain about reconnecting with friends from long ago.

But sometimes it just takes a little nudge to go back in time.

“There’s a core group of us, that going back with the nostalgia, growing up in the Seventies, just a handful of us that have been on the planning committee (and) have just enjoyed getting together,” he said. “I’ve talked to other classmates, either in person or on the phone. And in e-mails and text messages. They’re all kind of thinking back to how life was in the Seventies. … It was our bicentennial year, there were parades in downtown Plymouth and hanging out at Daly’s. Going to football games, of course.”

WHEN: 6-10 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 10 WHERE: Fellows Creek Golf Club & Banquet Center, 2936 S. Lotz Road, Canton TICKETS: $60 MORE INFO: cantonsalem76reunions@ gmail.com

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Playing it Forward City, Lions Club team up to upgrade popular neighborhood park

By Scott Spielman

P

lanned improvements at Lions Club Park may set the tone for upgrades at other parks throughout the city.

The city and the Plymouth Lions entered into an agreement this month to bring about $350,000 worth of upgrades to the park at Harding and Burroughs streets, the first of several public-private partnerships planned to address aging infrastructure and playground equipment in the city.

“Renovating our parks is on all of our lists, every city commissioner, as well as the city administration,” said Mayor Linda Filipcsak.

The city has been looking into alternative funding for park improvements after two parks and recreation millage proposals failed in 2023 and 2024, including a Friends of Plymouth Recreation group, sponsorships and partnerships with service clubs, but this project has been in the 10 | The Rock

planning stages before that, according to Adam Gerlach, assistant director of municipal services for the City of Plymouth.

“We really kicked it off at the end of 2022. It was right before all of the millage proposals were being put together,” he said. “We’ve been partnered with the Lions Club throughout the whole process, trying to get the park renovated.”

The renovations, approved by the commission in May, include replacing the current play equipment with a new 5-12 age group structure, as well as a 2-5 age group structure, new swing sets, a teeter-totter, merry-go-round and drinking fountain. The west side of the park will be leveled out to provide a multi-purpose playing field. New concrete pathways will be put in to connect the features. Bike racks and benches will be added, too.

The Lions Club will contribute $150,000 toward the project, with the city covering the

remainder. A community build will be scheduled this summer to install everything.

City officials met with the Lions Club and nearby residents during several different sessions to gauge what they wanted to see in the park as well as any other concerns they might have and then refined the list according to what they could reasonably afford.

City Manager Chris Porman said the cost of the project showed why the partnerships were necessary.

“We can’t always do everything everyone wants, but the cost of a play structure is not an inexpensive undertaking,” he said. “Then you start factoring in not just the landscaping, but the hardscaping— whether it’s connected to the sidewalks—and the amenities. The price tag goes up pretty quickly. Luckily, with the partnership with the Lions Club and the commitment from the city commission, we have a pretty hefty budget to tackle this.”

He said the city would take a similar approach to other needed park improvements, too. Next up will be Rotary Club Park. Meetings with stakeholders recently got under way. The Rotary has pledged a similar amount for improvements at their park—the play structure there is now the oldest one in the city.

“The Rotary Club wants to do a whole new one.

That’ll be the next project, getting that one going,” Gerlach said.

The community build at Lions Club Park will be scheduled after equipment is ordered and preliminary site work is completed.

City Commissioner Brock Minton said the process could be a trend in tackling future park improvements.

“It’s the perfect model: this idea of community engagement to start out, the private/public cooperation to fund it,” he said. “It’s budget-friendly, overall. This is exactly what we want to do.”

Commission Jennifer Kehoe agreed. She and former commissioner Nick Mroz were at the forefront of developing alternatives for park renovation funding. She said the community build will be a perfect way to cap it off the whole process.

“There was a lot of enthusiasm which was great to see. I know the neighborhood is going to bring that enthusiasm to the build,” she said. “This is a seriously significant contribution to the city. It will play forward for years to come.”

Porman agreed. He said community builds help bring neighborhoods together and instill additional pride in their public gathering spaces.

“They’ve been very successful for us.

Certainly the community, the neighborhood shows ownership of the park in those areas. I’m a big fan,” he said.

The city is also looking at how to tackle projects at other parks, too.

Fairground Park, at Harding and Joy streets, is gaining some traction.

“We know Fairground Park needs to be done.

Hopefully in the next six months we’ll have some good news,” said Kehoe.

“It’s definitely on the top of our minds and we’re working on it.”

“We can’t always do everything everyone wants, but the cost of a play structure is not an inexpensive undertaking…The price tag goes up pretty quickly.

Luckily, with the partnership with the Lions Club and the commitment from the city commission, we have a pretty hefty budget to tackle this.”

Plymouth City Manager Chris Porman Meanwhile, the city is working on a more formal process that would spell out details like types of recognition for donors, naming rights and possibly creating a volunteer parks and recreation commission, which was suggested

by City Commissioner Karen Sisolak during her campaign for office.

Porman said he hoped to have more details about that in within the next couple of months.

“The conversation is ongoing,” he said. “That’s the important part.”

Eyes on the Sky

Local astro-photographer scans vastness of space from his driveway

P

icture this: A warm summer night in downtown Plymouth. The sky is clear and the moon is high in the sky. All is quiet as 3:30 a.m. approaches—all except for the slow movements of one local man.

Jim Frisbie gets out of bed quietly so as not to disturb his wife. He doesn’t drink coffee, so he goes straight to his garage and gets busy rolling out a marvel of technology. Standing alone on his short Plymouth driveway, he fires up an optical telescope. Over the next few hours before the dawn he takes thousands of precise images of the endless craters that dot the moon shining overhead.

The truth is that just a few years ago Frisbie would spend hundreds of nights just like this in a project that spanned nearly three years. His wife Maureen has since passed but the images of the moon live on and the Plymouth man remains deeply committed to his photography craft.

Frisbie, who is what you might call an astro photographer, has literally taken millions of images of space - both near, like the moon, and far, like the Andromeda galaxy.

And yes he often does it right at 12 | The Rock

his Plymouth home. In the dark of night, in his driveway, a unique next door neighbor for sure.

Thanks to today’s tech he can feed all those images into a computer and select the most beautiful ones of the night sky. In the end, he kept only 300 photos of the moon for himself.

Frisbie has been doing his space thing for nearly 30 years, ever since his wife surprised him with his first telescope in 1998.

Now he owns 12, ranging from classic optical beauties to weirdlooking black boxes he calls “smart” telescopes.

“I can’t explain it,” the 81-year-old says. “It’s that reward, you know, of seeing it all and knowing what’s up there in the night sky. I just do it for my own pleasure mainly.”

Even though Frisbie is passionate when talking about his love of astro-photography, he knows it’s not for everyone.

“It can be lonely and cold and there’s lot of challenges,” he says.

“I tell people you don’t have to be an Einstein to enjoy this. There’s plenty of people who love the science. Me? I'm just an amateur.

I trained myself and it’s an avid interest of mine.”

Frisbie loves his nightly challenges. A “dyed in the wool” Ford Motor Company engineer for more than three decades, the retired city resident is not an astronomer in the classic sense, just an average neighbor who loves sharing his passion for space and its infinite possibilities.

While Frisbie doesn’t go in much for talking about UFOs (he says the probability of other life in the vastness of space seems very likely) or mankind’s space adventures like the Artemis trip to the moon, he does like the “art” of what he does and sharing the beauty of the night sky.

By Ken Voyles

In fact, he is hosting an astronomy outreach event at the Plymouth Township Golfview Park on Sept. 18 in connection with his friends at the Plymouth Library. It will be late in the evening, around 9 p.m. and everyone is welcome to come and discover what it takes to look at the sky, maybe even record it a bit like Frisbie does.

“Keep in mind when you’re looking up, you only see maybe this much with the naked eye or through a telescope,” he says, holding up a finger as he talks about sharing the work that he cares so much about. “I may not be focused on the science but I do collect tons of data (the images), process it all, fix it the

way I want and look at the beauty of it all in the end.”

A graduate of Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, Frisbie reminds people that there is plenty to look at overhead, whether it's the moon and the rest of the solar system or what’s called “deep sky” stuff.

A longtime resident of Northville, Frisbie came to Plymouth after a chance encounter while riding bikes with his daughter. Though his wife is now gone – they married in 1995 - he helped raise six children all while working 34 years at Ford.

It was while at Ford when his life changed. On breaks he often found himself walking to Fairlane Mall and stopping in a shop

selection to installation. moon,” he says. “It’s not everyone’s bag. You need a good chair and a blanket and plenty of patience. I use a tablet that connects with the telescope and keep tabs on what is happening.

The image collection can be like 60 frames a second and I’m capturing it all on a computer.”

Frisbie has been a member of the Ford Astronomy Club for many years, becoming an honored life member a few years ago. He also hosts astronomy events on a regular basis at the Plymouth Library and loves leafing through his library of books on astronomy (now reaching more than 300 tomes).

With his knowledge gained over many years he also has helped people looking to buy or sell equipment.

Besides the moon project one of Frisbie’s greatest photography ventures included traveling to

called “Natural Wonders,” which sold small telescopes. He never bought one himself, but while celebrating his 30th anniversary at Ford his wife surprised him with the gift of a telescope.

“I’ve had a number of hobbies over the years but this was a complete surprise,” he explains.

“It was a small but powerful telescope and later I got another even bigger one.”

Frisbie’s 12 telescopes represent the changes in technology, from simple optical scopes, to motordriven camera-like scopes to the more advanced “smart” ones that can take hundreds of thousands of images in one night.

That’s right – when Frisbie mounted his lonely mission to photograph the moon he ended up with literally millions of images.

He estimates that some nights he may have gathered more than 20 gigs of data from his efforts.

“You have to still be on top of what you’re doing if you’re tracking something like the

Arkansas in 2024 to photograph one of the best solar eclipses of the new century. Each year he goes to deep sky events in Michigan (in Gladwin or Adrian) to photograph objects he can’t see from his driveway, and much further away than the moon.

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New pollinator gardens popping up and spreading Zen in Old Village

By Tim Smith

spread wood chips and planted milkweed, a favorite of monarch butterflies.

“I like the aspect of everyone from the community working on this and feeling like they’re part of it. And seeing it succeed, watching it grow, walking by and seeing how the plants are doing,” Cavanaugh said.

Watching native plants thrive while providing a haven for honeybees and butterflies is exactly why the Cirillis started Plymouth Pollinators as a volunteer organization in 2019. It became a legal non-profit in 2022.

PRACTICING POSITIVITY

P

eace, bliss and native wildflowers are taking Plymouth’s eclectic Old Village by quiet storm – the happiest kind.

Local non-profit Plymouth Pollinators recently led efforts to install new gardens in front of White Buffalo Yoga on Starkweather and Plymouth Rock Recording Studio on North Holbrook Street. These little pockets of natural beauty provide important sanctuaries for pollinating insects like bees and butterflies, while also bringing people together and offering a little serenity to those who stroll by.

Carly Cirilli, president of 14 | The Rock

Plymouth Pollinators, said the gardens are a perfect fit for Old Village, which is increasingly becoming known for its art scene and eclectic vibe.

“It’s all about creativity,” she said. “Whether you’re an artist painting a picture, or you’re writing a song or you’re creating a garden -- it’s a creative outlet.

“This is a big artist community,” she continued. “You have this connection with arts and beauty, and gardens. And yoga. That’s a connection for us.”

Carly and her husband, Plymouth Pollinators executive director Dave Cirilli, were among those who came out to

help plant the gardens at White Buffalo Yoga on May 30 and Chris Breest’s Plymouth Rock Recording Studio on June 6.

“Carly always says our garden in the back (of their home) is her little sanctuary, her getaway,” David Cirilli mused as he worked at White Buffalo. “When she’s stressed out she’ll go back there and relax. But with the yoga studio and the native garden, it’s just showing how being in harmony with nature is so important. They kind of coexist.”

Yoga student Jaimie Cavanaugh was among nearly two dozen volunteers at the White Buffalo event. She

The overwhelming reaction to their work has multiplied, especially with about 20 of the gardens now rooted all over Plymouth, Old Village and even Canton and Northville.

According to the organization’s website, since the early 1990s there has been a significant drop in the pollinator population and habitat.

Reasons listed included urban development, the degradation of remaining habitat, climate change, pesticide use and the lack of native plants.

Before putting their hands into the soil at White Buffalo Yoga, studio owner Jen Douglass and several students and instructors sat quietly in a circle on the front lawn, practicing some deep breathing exercises and getting focused on why they were there.

Soon, the sound of work began on sculpting the pollinator garden, which would ultimately include about 100 plants, shrubs and a Pollination Station sign complete with a QR code to learn more about Plymouth Pollinators (plymouthpollinators.org) and information about why pollinator gardens are essential.

Carly Cirilli said no two pollinator gardens are alike. The one installed at Plymouth Rock Recording Studio is larger, for

“This garden is not for White Buffalo. It’s for Old Village.

It’s for Plymouth. It’s for everyone. It’s just another beautiful space that really showcases the importance of taking care of our environment, where we, every day, advocate to take care of ourselves, to take care of each other.” Jen Douglass, owner, White Buffalo Yoga Studio example. There also are tiny, micro-gardens dotting small business fronts across Old Village.

For the project at White Buffalo Yoga, it was important to take into consideration the lack of

any tree cover, meaning hot sun would directly bake the flowers.

Because of that, butterfly weed (part of the milkweed family) was incorporated to support the monarch life cycle.

“They like a lot of sun and drier soil,” Cirilli explained.

“We’ve included some notting onion plants, some wild petunia, that’s more like a ground cover.

And then we also are adding wild indigo as a smaller shrub.

And then a couple of red-twig dogwoods to flank either side.”

The project also reinforced the natural connection and shared mission of White Buffalo Yoga and Plymouth Pollinators. The latter chose the yoga studio due to its history of being an inclusive, community-centered business since opening in 2019.

‘KARMA PROJECT’ The pollinator garden was chosen as the “karma project” of the current teacher trainee program at White Buffalo Yoga.

That project is defined as a “voluntary, community-focused initiative where trainees apply yogic philosophies” and selfless service to make a positive change in the world.

Among the yoga teacher trainees at the installation was Old Village resident Marie McCormick, a Plymouth Pollinator board member and environmental watchdog.

“I think for me a garden is an external or outward expression of your commitment to your community, to your children and the future,” McCormick said.

“And (it’s) an acknowledgment that you are not alone in this universe. And that you have a role to play in creating a community that’s beautiful and inclusive of all people and all things – living and non-living.

Human and non-human.”

To illustrate that role, she wore a pollinator-themed t-shirt with the slogan “Get

Your Buzz On” while tending to the garden installation. She also brought daughter Winnie, 10, and son Wheeler, 8, further demonstrating Old Village’s family values and community involvement aspect.

As a bonus, they had the chance to experience the direct link between yoga, nature and community involvement.

“You can build a tiny garden, three-by-three-feet large, and it’s a symbol,” McCormick added. “It’s a symbol of your commitment to your community and to the environment. Because we are nature, right?”

According to Douglass, it is fitting that a pollinator garden ended up being the karma project.

“This garden is not for White Buffalo. It’s for Old Village. It’s for Plymouth. It’s for everyone. It’s just another beautiful space that really showcases the importance of taking care of our environment, where we, every day, advocate to take care of ourselves, to take care of each other.”

Before the installation could begin, Douglass signed a pledge with Plymouth Pollinators

that underlined its future commitment to maintaining the garden for generations to enjoy and learn from. Carly Cirilli explained that certification requires maintaining the garden via incorporating 50 percent or more of native plants, shying away from the use of pesticides and chemicals and inserting plants that will support the pollinator life cycle.

As volunteers wrapped up, a Pollination Station sign was stuck into the ground near the sidewalk in front of the yoga studio, letting everyone know just what the planting is about.

“I hope they (community members) enjoy it as much as we do,” Douglass said. “I hope they gain more education about the importance of having native plants and the benefits they bring to our environment, our town.”

The Rock | 15

A Work in Progress MITC corridor planners hoping research and tech jobs still possible

T

he two-mile stretch of Five Mile Road west of Beck Road is chockfull of barren parcels, construction vehicles in transit to and from job sites, “Build to Suit” placards, gravel and piles of dirt.

It also is a potential oasis for technological and manufacturing revelations, for future wealth and development that could strengthen Northville and Plymouth townships for generations to come.

Yet the 800-acre Michigan International Technology Center—still very much a work in progress—is at a crossroads, between being transformative or merely functional. According to Plymouth Township Supervisor Chuck Curmi, the MITC has yet to deliver on its stated goal of bringing research and tech jobs to the community.

“There’s some construction jobs, no long-term career jobs, 16 | The Rock

By Tim Smith which is a disappointment,” Curmi said. “There’s not one technological company in the whole corridor. It’s Meijer, it’s all retail, residential on both sides.

It’s failed to attract technology and research businesses.”

According to Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo, the center has brought in enough companies to diversify the tax base and successfully point the endeavor in the right direction.

“It’s going in the right direction and I’m really not concerned about timing,” Abbo said. “The longer we go the more valuable the property gets. Every time a new development enters there, all remaining land becomes that much more valuable.”

To that end, there have been positives to emerge which point to the eventual mission of MITC at least partially being accomplished. The “collaborative

initiative of local, county and state entities – all with the collective goal of fostering businesses and growing opportunities” is how the MITC is described in its informational packet.

“This is sort of unprecedented cooperation, particularly between the two townships,” said architect Gary Roberts, who represented the MITC for Northville and Plymouth townships. “The MITC board is two Plymouth Township guys, two Northville Township guys and Glenn Cerny (Schoolcraft College president).

We have great cooperation. We get most of our initiatives through the board and I think people are very happy with the cooperation.”

One example of that multipronged governmental teamwork is the concrete stretch of Five Mile from Beck to Ridge, which exists with a huge financial assist from the state of Michigan. But the second phase, which would

extend to the MITC’s western edge at Napier, might not even begin engineering work until 2027, Roberts said.

“The first phase (of infrastructure) is in,” Roberts said. “We have a $10 million appropriation from the state to re-do the roads from Beck to Ridge. Now, those appropriations are not going as cleanly as they used to.”

In the event the money for Phase 2 is slow in arriving, he added that “we would need some mechanism” like a bond issue to enter the picture.

Abbo noted that Wayne County could provide some financial relief to complete the Five Mile extension, “that there’ll be enough money in the brownfield to help subsidize that.”

POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH The good news is there are three speculative buildings soon to be constructed in the Ridge 5 Corporate Park and a fourth (from Kansas City-based Jones Development) expected to commence construction near Five Mile and Napier.

The latter could be as humongous as 700,000 to 750,000 square feet, providing ample evidence that technology and engineering might win the day, after all. But what if that doesn’t happen right away?

“Take the Jones project,” Roberts said. “That’s 700,000 square feet that could all be manufacturing. And so you’re going to find that, while everybody would love to have a zillion factory jobs, that’s just not what’s being built these days.”

To that end, although the MITC’s 15 parcels are nestled between Ann Arbor and downtown Detroit and in close proximity to existing world-class firms, progress on attracting additional companies and talent remains slow.

Meanwhile lower-paying retail

or service jobs (big-box retailer Meijer, plus a convenience store and gas station is soon to open near Beck and Five Mile roads north of the VTech Business Park) are about to be available.

“If you look at the product that’s available from Sheldon to Beck (the mile east of the MITC) those were a lot of entrepreneurial, smaller firms doing their thing,” Roberts continued. “When, later on, the big box things came to be, the market shifted a little bit towards distribution and light manufacturing, more than the tech stuff.”

Meanwhile, to the north of Five Mile and west of Ridge in Northville Township, is a briskly selling Toll Brothers townhouse development.

Although not part of the original MITC blueprint, it still is something both tangible and attractive – particularly should future businesses arrive with master’s degree-clutching professionals and their six-figure salaries entering the picture.

first major company to develop a business on property formerly containing farms and a prison.

“It was Northville Lumber that started it,” Abbo continued. “That was the first piece of property.

And every piece of property afterwards we’ve been able to sell at a higher selling price.”

Another major boon is a proposed water tank to serve future development in the parcel south of Five Mile and east of Napier, where Jones Development will soon start constructing what Curmi called “the largest building that I know of that will have been built in Plymouth Township since about 1967, when Ford opened the plant on Sheldon Road.”

According to Roberts, the water tank project is “all about fire protection” for the Jones site. For a building that size—no matter what the use is—you have to have decent fire protection,” he said.

One type of facility the water tank probably would not be servicing is a controversial Artificial Intelligence data center.

“Being planned? I’d say that’s a stretch,” said Roberts about an AI data center. “Have we had an inquiry? Yes, we have.”

TIME’S OF THE ESSENCE Meanwhile, an east side Detroit company (D’Agostini) is expected to start work on three buildings in the Ridge 5 location, which is bordered by Johnson Creek to the west and railroad tracks to the north.

“There’s three speculative buildings that’s going to be started, possibly this calendar year and their target is exactly what we’re looking for: Technology, Not all is lost, of course. Roberts research, laboratories, testing said a building for “high-tech” facilities, engineering offices, light telecommunications company manufacturing,” Curmi said.

Verita is being constructed on “That’s perfect. That’s the site of the Northville Township side of the proposed, ill-fated Northville Five Mile near Napier, adjacent to Downs.”

Northville Lumber.

Essentially, those buildings Abbo said Northville Lumber would be owned by the developer was a MITC pioneer of sorts, the and leased to companies.

“It’s a great location,” Curmi added. “The owners of that property know exactly how to develop businesses and attract the right type of client. The way this business works, you build it and they will come.”

One area of concern in that parcel (No. 10 on the multi-colored MITC map) is the fact much of it is not buildable because of wetlands, an issue that Curmi said also hampers Parcel 11 just to its east, where the Ridge 5 speculative buildings are to be erected.

Perhaps chunks of the MITC cannot be salvaged for their intended use. But others can, and Curmi said the clock is ticking because some major companies already chose southern states such as Tennessee, Florida and Texas instead of Michigan.

“We need to move quick,” Curmi said. “This development is a great place where that (technology jobs) can go on. We’re hoping that everything’s there. Now we just have to encourage and cajole and have a little bit of luck.

“We’re competing with a lot of places and this location is fantastic,” he added. “You’re 25 minutes from Ann Arbor, the airport and downtown Detroit.

The quality of life is here.

Housing prices are high, which is one detriment. But if you have high-paying jobs then they can afford those high housing prices.”

When it all comes down to it, revenue and opportunity to generate as much as possible for as long as possible is essential to the MITC’s ultimate success – especially when factoring in that the center’s developers will not need to pay local taxes for 30 years via tax increment financing (TIF).

“That’s why you want career jobs that are high paid, versus retail and restaurant type jobs, or just housing – which creates a one-time construction job,” Curmi said. “If you’re not getting tax revenue you want to have people that have high-paying, career jobs.”

So, will the original vision of the Michigan International Technology Center become realized any time soon? Fits and starts aside, it might all begin to come into focus, with 2026 projects and, eventually, the influx of uber-talented companies filling in the blanks of what remains a massive regional undertaking.

Editor’s Note: We were saddened to hear of the passing of Gary Roberts about a week after the interview for this story.

That he would take the time to talk with us in a period of declining health underscores his commitment to the Northville and Plymouth communities. We are grateful for his input and extend our sincere condolences to Mr. Roberts’ family and friends.

The Rock | 17

Well Positioned for the Future Historic Northville Lumber’s bold move proves MITC can be a success

By Ken Voyles

I

nexorably linked to the past, Michigan’s self-proclaimed oldest business has its gaze set squarely on the future.

Just shy of 200 years old, Northville Lumber, and the families that have kept the lumber company going since the Yerkes brothers took over, know their story is rich in history. But fifth generation owner, Stewart Oldford Jr., clearly believes in the future.

That’s why the company spread its wings over a year ago and moved from its cramped quarters to a sprawling complex in the Michigan International Technology Corridor (MITC), and, by doing so, may have helped ignite a dormant real estate idea in a quiet corner of the community.

The bustling lumber business, spread over 25 acres and with a half dozen buildings housing more than 70,000 square feet, is also deeply invested when it comes to the latest innovations in building products and materials.

In a world of complex computer chips driving everything, here it’s all about wood, lumber, timber and synthetic products that still propel new construction, renovation

to build for the future,” says the 61-year-old Oldford. “This was the last large parcel of land out here and it’s primed for more development just like Salem Township across the way.

We’re positioned well by being here.”

It was a seeming easy decision to relocate, but easier said than done. Besides land, and lack of land in their previous location along Baseline, they faced complex utility issues and the potential stigma of a large landfill staring down along weathered railroad tracks. All around are tons of trucks crawling on lousy roads. But Oldford saw the future.

“We’re really excited about this, about what’s happening,” says the Hartland resident who grew up in Plymouth and worked his whole life in Northville (he took over the company when he was 23). “There’s a lot going on out here. It’s busy. It’s beginning. Just look around.”

A look at the map doesn’t quite explain it, but right at the edge of Northville Township, just across from Plymouth Township at the very corner of Wayne and Washtenaw counties sits Northville Lumber. It seems to dramatically straddle two communities as it straddles the past and the present, enjoying

and expansion of residential and commercial spaces all around the area and the country.

Leading the way in the MITC, the company’s multi-million dollar investment in property, utilities, buildings, people and space has opened up a lot of possibilities for the Oldford family, even if the infrastructure at Five Mile Road and Napier hasn’t quite caught up yet.

“We were running out of space and looking

a new and fairly significant piece of land squarely pointed at Salem Township across Napier to the west.

“We love the people of Northville, Plymouth, Salem, Livonia, South Lyon and Novi. We’re deeply indebted to them,” says Oldford. “This place is a part of the community just like our other locations.”

As the Oldford family straddles both

18 | The Rock

communities as easily as the MITC, connected by the past, ready to take on what’s next, they look to 2027, when Northville Lumber, and the Northville community turn 200. The Oldfords are planning their own massive celebration, possibly led by the sixth generation Oldford, Stewart III, who works in the company’s operations department, but they are still working on the details.

For now, the focus is on reshaping the business for the future, and the MITC is a part of that.

“I’m looking forward,” says Oldford. “I see the MITC’s success as being a conduit from our more established communities toward the west. We have fallen way behind in creating new living units in this country. That has to change and I believe it will over the coming decades. We’ll be a part of that for sure.”

One still asks, though, but with lumber?

“All these engineers, scientists and designers building the future, where do they live?” says Oldford. “They live in wood-based structures for the most part, mostly built the same way for the past 100 years.

“In my career I am always meeting the next generation of young engineers and tech people,” he continues. “They all want to build a deck or something on to their new home.

The products and the way to do that may have changed and gotten more complex. Now they often have to get help from contractors but they all still need wood or Trex or products like that.”

As one of the largest Trex dealers in the world, Northville Lumber sells over 15 million pounds of the composite material, making up nearly two-thirds of the company’s business.

With hundreds of partners they mostly work with contractors, builders and developers but

“We’re really excited about this, about what’s happening. There’s a lot going on out here. It’s busy.

It’s beginning. Just look around.”

Northville Lumber owner and Plymouth native Stewart Oldford Jr., on the Michigan International Technology Corridor (MITC) there’s still room for the DIY people Oldford talks about.

“We know the industry, we know our customers,” he says. “Our job for them and the future is to search out, vet out and support all the new waves of sustainable, traditional building products that offer the kind of aesthetic appeal people want.”

And business has been going so well along the MITC that Oldford’s team has grown to over 90 even as complex systems in the yard continue to make it easier for the staff to fill orders quickly and correctly.

Besides a bright store area and giant office and team spaces, the more impressive buildings include the latest in automated loading systems, efficient elongated parking space for the many trucks and trailers loading (including Northville Lumber’s own fleet).

There’s maintenance and event areas -- and lots of room for growth. They have another site in Novi that houses a design center.

“We are one of the few independent lumber

yards,” says Oldford. “Twenty-five years ago there were over 800. Now, it’s like 200. But we’re more than a lumber yard. This place is literally 10 times bigger than our previous one and it plays a thousand times bigger.”

Oldford is amazed at how much he continues to learn at the new place, taking lessons in how to operate in the present, celebrate the past and look to the future.

“We’re built for growth and we want to leverage our history with Northville,” he says.

“Next year will be an exciting time.”

And very busy, since the 200-year celebrations around Northville and at the company are likely to take place between May and August – the prime season for businesses like Northville Lumber.

“We’re just starting to plan,” says Oldford.

“It’s probably going to be more than just a day. This is our history, we have to celebrate.

And we’re in the best place in Michigan.”

That history is long, and in many ways “sacred,” to the family. It’s worth noting

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that the company began as “the” Northville saw mill in 1827, and there’s plenty of good information as to its long path to today.

The Oldfords came from the Yerkes family bloodline, the same family who bought the original mill (of Mill Race Village fame) from William Dunlap. Dunlap took over from the original mill owner John Miller.

There’s a lot more that could be said about the past but for the Oldfords the future is on the horizon and the family is ready to jump ahead.

“Michigan produces more lumber yearly than most states,” says Oldford, while walking through his impressive lumber yard.

“Wood is still the only proven renewable resource. We are deeply linked to it and our history. The path ahead is in things like the MITC and over along Salem Township. That’s part of our future now.”

Northville Lumber is located at 51300 Five Mile Road. For more information, call (248) 349-0220 or visit northvillelumber.com.

‘SMART’ millage highlights August primary election

V

oters head to the polls in a few weeks to determine who will represent each party in the major statewide elections—and the fate of regional mass transportation in western Wayne County.

Headlined by the race for Governor, where Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesse County Sheriff Christopher Swanson are vying for the Democratic nomination and former Attorney General Mike Cox, U.S. Rep. John James and businessman Perry Johnson are seeking the republican nomination, the primary ballot also includes The U.S. Senate District being vacated by Gary Peters, opening the door for Abdul El-Sayed and U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens to face Mike 20 | The Rock

Rogers in November.

Closer to home is a request for a 10-year, one-mill tax levy to fund the expansion of regional transit into western Wayne County, as well as support overall operations for the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART).

If approved, it would pump $570 million into the authority over the next 10 years.

Billed as a renewal, this would be a new tax for western Wayne County communities, most of which opted out of the system in the past. Public Act 236 was amended by the state legislature last year to remove the provision that allowed municipalities to opt out of the millage. Since it is a county millage, it will require a majority of county-wide votes for

approval, meaning that voters in Plymouth, Canton and Northville could reject the measure but it could still pass, anyway.

The proposal has sparked organized resistance, including a group called Not SMART Wayne, which has pointed out issues like low ridership rates, no local control over proposed routes, excessive expense and the fact that the existing system already has millions in unfunded pension obligations.

Moving Together, a consortium of seven municipalities led by Canton Township that included the Plymouths and the Northvilles, formed to plan mass transportation strategies, in the event that the millage is approved.

“This is not an endorsement,” Erin

Schlutow, a senior planner at Canton Township, told the Plymouth City commission and interested residents at a presentation earlier this year. “We wanted to make sure we planned ahead, thinking that it could pass. We’re not advocating for it.

However you vote is how you vote.”

Adriana Jordan with OHM Advisors, which has been working with Move Together, said they have been working with local leaders to provide feedback for the proposal—but even that feedback has not always been effective. A request to provide a connection from western Wayne County to Metro Airport, for example, has been so far rejected by SMART officials because it’s too long. Another proposed route would stop about a mile short of the border of Washtenaw County.

“We have to think about transit on more of a regional scale and not something that just stops on county lines,” she said.

Proposed new routes would include Haggerty Road and Plymouth Road and include downtown Northville and Plymouth, but SMART’s own website indicates that there is no definitive timetable for when they would be set up and no defined locations for potential stops.

Ron Picard, a Plymouth resident, voiced concerns over the lack of local control. He pointed out that routes SMART promised in Oakland County when the millage was up several years ago

still aren’t active.

“We have no control over what SMART does.

If we don’t have some kind of enforceable guarantee, we’re going to get something in the city of Plymouth—we’re talking about $8 million a year [from Plymouth residents]—and get nothing out of it. They fooled Oakland County.”

Meanwhile, candidates who are not facing a primary are still busy out campaigning. State Rep. Matt Koleszar, who will take on unopposed Republican and Plymouth resident Estelle Oliansky for the 5th District in the Michigan Senate—which was realigned in 2024— has been getting to know residents and officials in new communities and also campaigning with Lisa McIntyre, who is seeking his seat in the State House.

Koleszar, who counts legislation to ensure children of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty can go to college, tuition-free, the hands-free driving legislation and successful legislation that returned $600 million to classrooms as significant achievements during his terms in the House, as well as helping 1,300 people navigate the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) when the system collapsed during the Covid pandemic.

“That’s 1,300 people that got stay in their homes, with their families,” said Koleszar, a Democrat. “I wish they were not in that situation in the first place, but I’m glad we were able to help.”

Michigan Doctor Diagnosed with Late-Stage Cancer After Experiencing Just One Symptom It’s the call no one wants to get. But for one local doctor, it became a mission to save others from the “Blind Spot” in modern medicine.

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Plymouth Pulse

August 2026: City Highlights Edition Read the full digital Plymouth Pulse for more news and updates at plymouthmi.gov.

Created & paid for by the City of Plymouth | 201 S. Main Street, Plymouth, MI 48170

Ready, Set, Vote!

GET READY TO VOTE ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 4

Early Early Voting Voting Saturday

July 25

Sunday

August

2

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Daily

Election Election Day Day Voting Voting Tuesday

August

4

7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

City of Plymouth voters get an opportunity to participate in Michigan’s 2026 Primary Election on Tuesday, August 4.

Voting for all four City precincts takes place at the Plymouth Cultural Center, 525 Farmer Street (pictured above).

Primary Election Reminder: Primary Election Reminder:

Voters may cast votes in only one political party's section of the ballot. Votes cast across Voters may cast votes in only political party's section races of theand ballot.

Votes cast across multiple party sections will notone be counted.

Non-partisan ballot proposals can be multiple party sections willselection. not be counted. Non-partisan races and ballot proposals can be voted regardless of party voted regardless of party selection.

Absentee Ballots: Absentee Ballots:

City of Plymouth voters on Michigan's Permanent Ballot List will automatically receive an City of Plymouth voters on Michigan's Permanent Ballot will receive an the list absentee ballot for the August 4 Primary Election in late List June orautomatically early July. Voters not on absentee ballot for the August 4 Primary Election in late June or early July.

Voters not on the list may apply for an available absentee ballot through the Michigan Voter Information Center may apply for an available absentee ballot through the Michigan Voter Information Center (MVIC) website below, or in person at the City of Plymouth Clerk’s Office in City Hall, 201 S. Main (MVIC) website below, or in person at the City of Plymouth Clerk’s Office in City Hall, 201 S. Main Street.

Street.

Please note: The City no longer mails absentee voter applications automatically. Applications Please note: The City no longer mailsthe absentee voter applications Applications are available upon request through City Clerk's Office or onlineautomatically. through the MVIC. are available upon request through the City Clerk's Office or online through the MVIC.

Questions?

Questions?

For more information, contact the City Clerk's Office at (734) 453-1234, ext. 225 or 234, or visit For more information, contact the City Clerk's Office at (734) 453-1234, ext. 225 or 234, or visit MVIC at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us.

MVIC at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us.

Sample ballots can also be found at MVIC. Sample ballots can also be found at MVIC.

Find your precinct number on the map below of all four precincts within the City limits.

Find your precinct number on the map below of all four precincts within the City limits.

Public Logic & Accuracy Testing Public Logic & Accuracy Testing

Public Logic & Accuracy Testing for electronic voting equipment will be held at noon Monday, Public Logic Accuracy TestingCenter, for electronic voting willall beequipment held at noon July 6 at the & Plymouth Cultural 525 Farmer St.equipment The test is for to Monday, be used in July 6 at the Plymouth Cultural Center, 525 Farmer St. The test is for all equipment to be used is in all precincts in the City’s Tuesday, August 4 Primary Election. This is a public test and anyone all precincts in the City’s Tuesday, August 4 Primary Election.

This is a public test and anyone is welcome to attend. welcome to attend.

Precinct 1 Precinct 1 Precinct 2 Precinct 2 Precinct 3 Precinct 3 Precinct 4 Precinct 4

City of City of Plymouth Plymouth plymouthmi.gov plymouthmi.gov

Municipal Services Municipal Services 1231 Goldsmith 1231 Goldsmith 734-453-7737 734-453-7737

City Hall City Hall 201 S. Main

201 S. Main 734-453-1234 734-453-1234

Plymouth Cultural Center Plymouth Cultural Center 525 Farmer 525 Farmer 734-455-6620 734-455-6620

Voting for all four City Voting for take all four Cityat precincts place precincts take place at Plymouth Cultural Center Plymouth Cultural Center 525 Farmer 525 Farmer

Plymouth Downtown Plymouth Downtown Development Authority Development Authority 831 Penniman 831 Penniman 734-455-1453 734-455-1453

PCEP SPRING SPORTS ROUND-UP

Record-Breaking Pole Vaulters Raise the Bar Salem’s All-State pitcher McAuliffe sets school record for strikeouts

W

ith the 202526 Michigan High School Athletic Association calendar season now complete, it’s time to reflect and provide one last look at the spring sports campaign for Canton, Plymouth and Salem high schools.

The trio certainly made their presence known at the Division 1 level of play. Here is a capsule look back at some of those athletic achievements.

BOYS TRACK & FIELD This was the year of the pole vaulter as Plymouth senior Sean Cinzori and Salem senior Ben Lievense both set Centennial Educational Park marks 24 | The Rock

By Brad Emons during the course of the season.

Cinzori placed third in the MHSAA D1 finals held May 30 at Rockford with a personal best 15 feet, 9 inches. He also reached the finals of the 110-meter hurdles, placing eighth in 15.34 to score all seven of the Wildcats’ points.

Lievense, meanwhile, also earned All-State (top eight) honors by taking sixth in the pole vault, clearing 15 feet. Canton had two All-Staters as senior Aiden Pengelly placed sixth in the 3,200 run (9:11.5) and junior Jayden Thompson placed seventh in the 200 dash (22.04).

East Kentwood edged Novi Detroit Catholic

Central for the team title, 63-62, while Kalamazoo Central wound up third with 31.

In the Region 6 meet May 15 at Novi, Lievense set the CEP record by clearing 15-7, a personal best.

Other individual regional champions included Plymouth senior Jordan Green, shot put (53-0); Salem senior Liam Reynolds, high jump (6-4); and Cinzori, 110 hurdles (14.89).

Northville captured the team title with 130 points, followed by Novi (126.5), Plymouth (108) and Salem (59). Canton finished 10th (19).

In the KLAA meet held May 9 at Hartland,

Detroit Cass Tech (48) and East Kentwood (28.5).

In the Region 6 meet at Novi, Salem senior Julia Montgomery turned in a strong effort sweeping the 100- and 300-meter hurdles with times of 15.09 and 45.33, respectively. Montgomery also teamed up with junior Kaidyn Crittenden, sophomore Gabrielle Jackson and sophomore Alena Lewis for a first in the 4 x 100 relay (49.61).

Plymouth junior Alexandra Turculet captured the pole vault GIRLS TRACK & FIELD (10-9), while teammate Park athletes were shut Mackenzie Dicken, a out of All-State recognition senior, took the 800 in the D1 finals as Oak (2:17.03).

Park (61) captured the Northville captured the team title, followed by KLAA championship in a Northville repeated as champion with 133.5 points with Novi (102.5) and Plymouth (80.5) rounding out the top three.

Salem took fifth (48), while Canton was 10th (22).

Individual conference champions included Salem senior Adam Cary, long jump (22-1½); Thompson, 200 (21.72), and Lievense, pole vault (15-0).

Plymouth also captured the KLAA West Division dual meet title with a 5-0 record, along with The Park title.

runaway with 189 points, followed by Novi (108), Salem (81.5), Plymouth (43.5) and Canton (39).

In the KLAA meet, Northville repeated as champion with 149 points, followed by host Hartland (80), Novi (78.5) and Salem (58). Canton was eighth with 34, while Plymouth finished 10th with 26.5. Montgomery paced Salem with a first in the 110 hurdles (15.0) and teamed up with Crittenden, Jackson and Lewis for a victory in the 4 x 100 relay (49.48).

Lewis also took the long jump (16-6¾), while Turculet won the pole vault (10-4).

SOCCER Salem (15-4-1, 5-2 KLAA West Division), coached by Kyle Karns, made a run to the Division 1-Regional 3 finals before falling to Ann Arbor Skyline, 1-0.

The Rocks captured the District 10 title for the third straight season with identical 3-1 victories over

Canton and Plymouth, before ousting Dearborn, 1-0, in the regional opener.

Salem senior forward Lauren Fowler earned first-team All-State honors from the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association, while senior forward Aubrey Krischano was selected third-team.

Senior midfielder Marissa Williams, senior forward Alex L’Heureux, junior defender Peighton Wagner and junior midfielder Alik Yeremian all made honorable mention for the Rocks.

All-KLAA honors went to Williams, L’Heureux, Fowler, Krischano, Yeremian, Wagner, while Addy Messer, Ainsley Mayer and Annabeth Hazelwood were honorable mention.

Senior midfielder Emma Johnson made third-team All-State for Plymouth (8-9-2, 4-3), while freshman midfielder Vivian Christianson and sophomore midfielder Megan Prisbylla earned honorable mention.

All-KLAA picks for the Wildcats included junior defenders Samantha Portman and Lexi Messina, along with Johnson, Prisbylla and Christianson. Honorable mention went to Ashleigh Meldrum, Lenna Seed and Evan Krstich.

Junior midfielder Olivia Vince made honorable mention All-State for Canton (5-10-2, 2-5) along with All-KLAA honors. The Cobras’ senior defender Isabella Orlandi and junior defender Maddie Kinney also earned All-Conference.

Honorable mention went to Olivia Dreis, Camryn Vlcko and Shriya Desai.

BASEBALL Plymouth (18-15, 7-7 KLAA West) was eliminated in the District 15 opener by host Northville, 10-0, but did reel in the Park championship.

All-KLAA picks for the Wildcats included seniors Brady Scheffer and Drew Jansen, along with juniors

Cooper Lehnis and Ethan Sain.

Salem (8-21, 3-11) suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 loss in 10 innings in the District 15 semifinals.

The Rocks’ AllConference selections included seniors Sawyer Schacht and Jaxson Wisniewski, along with junior Giuseppi Calvetti.

Canton (10-24, 2-12) reached the D1-District 15 championship game before being edged by host Northville, 3-2. The Cobras advanced to the finals with a 7-2 win over Livonia Churchill.

Earning All-KLAA honors for Canton were seniors Cole Balog and Alex Wassel, along with sophomore Easton Fox.

SOFTBALL

before falling to the host Mustangs (35-5-1), the eventual D1 semifinalists, in the District 14 semifinals, 5-0.

Junior third baseman Mikayla Roberts was named honorable mention All-State, while joining McAuliffe, Taylor Bond and Erin Torok on the All-Conference team as the Rocks earned a top 20 ranking during the season in D1.

Meanwhile, Plymouth (18-15, 7-7) fell to Canton in the district semifinals, 3-1.

All-KLAA honors for the Wildcats included senior Gabby Jankowski, junior Skylar Weil, sophomore Julia Chancellor and sophomore Addison Mancini.

Canton (18-16-1, 5-9) reached the District 14 championship before falling to Northville, 14-0.

Representing the Cobras on the All-KLAA

Salem (24-6-1, 13-1 KLAA West), behind the arm of senior firstteam All-State pitcher Shannon McAuliffe, the school’s all-time strikeouts leader, tied Northville for Continued on page 26 the division title The Rock

| 25

Continued from page 25 squad included seniors Devyn Glozai, Rachel Aeck and Reese Dunny.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL In its inaugural season as an MHSAA-sanctioned sport, Canton (12-7, 10-6 KLAA) was ousted by eventual state semifinalist Northville in the D-1 Regional 4 (3-0) after eliminating Salem (3-0).

Representing Canton on the All-Conference team was senior setter Connor Dickison, senior middle hitter Phinneas Gouin and junior outside hitter Mason Kozak. Honorable mention went to junior setter Tirth Vaidhya and sophomore libero Cain Koche.

Junior outside hitter Erik Nordstrom and senior middle hitter Jake Christensen made All-KLAA for Salem (11-11-1, 8-8). Senior setter Jack Freeman and senior middle hitter Conner Townsend earned honorable mention.

Plymouth (7-22, 3-13) was bounced by Saline in the regional opener, 3-0, as senior outside hitter Charley Day and junior middle hitter Cameron Adamski made All-KLAA. Senior outside hitter Gavin Cooper and sophomore setter Cameron Zelenka earned honorable mention.

BOYS LACROSSE Coached by Ken Caswell, Plymouth (11-6, 4-0 KLAA East) brought home a divisional title before losing to West champion Hartland in the conference championship match, 17-3. The Wildcats also captured the Park title for the fourth year in a row.

In D1-Regional 8, the Wildcats defeated Canton, 19-6, before falling to Ann Arbor Pioneer, 12-3.

Plymouth senior face-off specialist Jayden Johnson, senior defender Ethan Sober and junior Justin Darty earned honorable mention All-State honors. The trio also made ALL-KLAA, along with senior Jake Zale and junior Liam Villalobos. Senior Gavin VanSickle was honorable mention.

26 | The Rock

title with a 286 total with South Lyon (301) and Saline (306) rounding out the top three and state finals qualifiers.

Salem and Plymouth tied for ninth with 328 each.

Salem’s top scorer was senior Luke Creighton, who tied for 23rd with an 80.

Other scorers for the Rocks included sophomore Nino Prantera, 36th (83); seniors Dominic Faris and Jacob Erickson, tied for 41st (84 each).

Senior Anthony Falsetta added an 86 (48th).

Plymouth was led by freshman Rachit Gadiyaram’s 79. Other GIRLS LACROSSE scorers for the Wildcats included Plymouth (7-10-1, 3-0 KLAA sophomore Avi Kalsi, 29th (81), East), coached by Megan senior Shawn Lane and junior Schlanser, earned a division Ethan Baisch, tied for 41st (84 crown before losing to West each). Senior Brendon Burkett Division champion Brighton in added a 90 (64th). the conference final, 18-4.

Canton, 11th with a 338 The Wildcats then opened total, was led by senior Jackson D1-Regional 2 play with victories Ciuffetelli, who finished 29th over Salem (9-8) and West with an 81. Other scorers for the Bloomfield (13-3) before falling to Cobras included junior Carson Brighton in the finals, 23-1.

Kouba, 33rd (82); junior Gavin All-KLAA selections for Simmons, 50th (87); and senior Plymouth included seniors Jaclyn Max Gazvoda, 55th (88). Junior Schlanser, Elizabeth Burnham and Mason Temple added an 89 Sofie Skora, along with juniors (62nd).

Fiona Fitchett and Rhiana Savoie.

In the combined KLAA Junior Maya Izzi made honorable preseason and postseason mention. tournaments held at Kensington Schlanser and Burnham also Metropark, Brighton (575), made honorable mention All-State.

Livonia Stevenson (602) and Salem (7-13, 2-1) had four Hartland (604) garnered the first players earn All-Conference three spots followed by Plymouth, including seniors Zoriah Bannister, seventh (642), Salem, eighth (652); Cate Martin, Elle Garrett and Ella and Canton, ninth (653).

Clemmons. Senior Julia Deluba Kouba earned a top ten finish was honorable mention. individually with a two-round Bannister also made honorable total of 147 to earn All-KLAA mention All-State. accolades.

Meanwhile, Canton (2-14, 0-3) fell to Novi in the first round of Regional 2 play, 16-4.

The Cobras were represented on the All-KLAA squad by senior Lily Birrell and junior T’ea Grenillo, while senior Addyson Podolak earned honorable mention.

Canton (5-9, 1-2-1) was represented on the All-KLAA squad by senior Brad Weller and Kevin Jariett, while junior Jameson Schmidt was honorable mention.

Salem (1-15, 1-4), ousted in the opening 23-0 by eventual D1 champion Novi Detroit Catholic Central, put senior goalie Cole Payton on honorable mention All-State.

Meanwhile, senior defender Daniel Mularski earned AllKLAA honors, while senior attack Ryder Stephenson was honorable mention All-KLAA for the Rocks.

GOLF In the D1-Regional 5 tournament May 26 at the Polo Fields G&CC in Ann Arbor, Brighton came away with the

TENNIS On May 9, host Canton captured the KLAA ‘B’ team championship with 22 points followed by Salem (16), Plymouth (13), Belleville (6), Howell (5) and Westland John Glenn (1).

In singles, senior Alyssa Mocanu (No. 1 flight) captured the title, while Jiya Patel (No. 2) and Emily Shanlikian (No. 4) were both runners-up.

Canton swept the first four doubles flights, led by junior Aryahi Patel and senior Charlotte Andrews (No. 1); senior Angelina Gampala and junior Eliza Mullademi (No. 2); sophomore Ella Mahood and freshman Ema Mullaademi (No. 3); senior Maddi Brown and junior Phonnapat Phothisan (No. 4). Meanwhile, Silvana Decina and Kaylee Bradshaw (No. 5) placed second.

In the KLAA West, D1 champion Northville captured the dual match crown with a 7-0 record, followed by Salem (3-4), Canton (2-5) and Plymouth (1-6).

Northville, scoring a teamhigh 31 points, captured the Regional 2 title on May 15, followed by host Novi with 25. Canton wound up fifth with eight points followed by Plymouth, seventh (3); Salem, ninth (2).

Mocanu reached the semifinals in singles, while other regional semifinalists for the Cobras in doubles included Patel and Andrews (No. 1); Gampala and Eliza Mullademi (No. 2); Mahood and Ema Mullaademi (No. 3).

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Monday - Sunday 11 am - 8 pm ORDER ONLINE or CALL

734.455.4141 www.BurgerSpotPlymouth.com 550 FOREST AVE, PLYMOUTH (in the WESTCHESTER SQUARE MALL)

T

he streets of downtown Plymouth were packed on July 4th as the community came together like never before to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The annual Good Morning USA parade was among the largest ever to grace the streets of Plymouth, with more than 100 individual entries showing off their patriotic colors and independent spirit. In addition to favorites like the Plymouth Fife Drum Corps, classic cars, Uncle Sam and Rosie the Riveter, even Santa got into the act.

Photos by Bryan Mitchell

28 | The Rock

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

We provide specialized expertise for all foot and ankle conditions.

Dr. Brandon King Orthopedic surgeon

It’s estimated that almost 4 out of 5 adults experience foot pain.

Our orthopedic foot and ankle specialists offer advanced care for bunions, ankle instability, recurrent injuries, degenerative foot conditions, plantar fasciitis and more. This includes the latest ultrasound-guided injections and regenerative therapies, as well as minimally invasive procedures – to get you back on your feet quickly.

Henry Ford Medical Center – Plymouth | Corner of Ann Arbor Road and N. Haggerty Learn more about our orthopedic services at henryford.com/plymouth