The Ville - April 2025

LOCAL JOURNALISM MATTERS

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Publisher

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

• Sherry & Michael Bugar

• Marlene Kunz

KURT KUBAN – Editor/Publisher

Kurt Kuban is an award-winning journalist, having served as a reporter and editor for several local newspapers and magazines, including The Northville Record, over the course of a career spanning more than two decades. Kurt lives in Northville with his wife, Cheryl, and their three children, all products of Northville Public Schools.

CRAIG WHEELER – Creative Director

Craig has been in the creative industry for over 30 years. He has developed a diverse background in that time, but publication design has been his passion during the past 20 years. Craig enjoys chasing his young daughter and providing moral support to his lovely wife.

MICHELE FECHT – Writer

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

WENSDY VON BUSKIRK – Writer

Wensdy graduated with a degree in journalism from Wayne State University. Her first job was working as a reporter for The Northville Record. Now, as a freelance writer and editor, she works for a variety of magazines, and is excited to get back to her roots in The ‘Ville. -Photo by Kathleen Voss

KEVIN BROWN – Writer

Kevin was a reporter for The Observer & Eccentric Newspapers for more than a decade. He also has written for The Detroit News, University of Michigan and Ford Motor Co. He is a musician as well, performing with the Ann Arbor-based folk roots band Corndaddy.

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.

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 spent 39 years with Hometown Life, a group that covers 11 communities, including Northville. He's received awards and recognition for his work in local journalism. Bill taught photography at Madonna University for 16 years

JOHN C. HEIDER – Photographer

John Heider was the The Northville Record and Novi News photographer from October 1996 until September 2017. He lives in Ann Arbor and enjoys fishing, hunting, gardening, cooking, feature writing, woodworking projects and the symphony.

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

Changing Course

B

ack in 1969, the oil-soaked and longneglected Rouge River famously caught fire.

For the Rouge, which drains most of the Metro Detroit area, including Northville, the fire marked a low point. Back then the Rouge was basically an open sewer, filled with industrial waste and untreated sewage. Think about how bad the pollution must be for a river to go up in flames.

The public outcry from that incident was one of the major reasons that forced Congress to take action, leading to a number of important environmental laws in the early 1970s, including the Clean Water Act, which have eliminated most sources of pollution to our waterways, not to mention our air and land.

Those laws forced communities to clean up their act.

The Rouge, one of the most urbanized watersheds in the United States, was designated an environmental area of concern (AOC) because the pollution was so bad. Since that time, various levels of government – from the federal right down to the local level – have spent more than $1 billion to eliminate sewage discharges into the Rouge and clean up the damage that had already been done.

As someone who has spent a fair amount of time volunteering to help clean up the river, I can tell you the difference has been amazing to behold. Every year the Rouge gets a little better. Environmental testing proves this out. Oxygen levels and aquatic life, including fish populations, have improved consistently since the mid-1980s.

The reason I bring this up is because of an exciting project taking shape in the City of Northville. As part of the Downs redevelopment project, a section of the Rouge River will once again see the light of day. For generations, the river flowed underground through a tube that ran under the old Northville Downs racetrack. The city and developer Hunter Pasteur are working together to not only daylight the river, but to create a 10-acre park that will showcase the Rouge. See our story on Page 4.

If you walk past the site, you can see where construction crews are shaping the new river course, complete with boulders and other structure that will create a “rippling effect and oxygenate” the river, according to Mayor Brian Turnbull. Calling it a world-class project, Turnbull,

who is an avid trout fisherman, said the river will be set free sometime early this summer. It is going to be a focal point not only of the Downs project but of downtown Northville.

No longer is the Rouge River something we should stay away from. It is now a recreational asset. Nobody would have predicted that back in 1969. Remember that when people in Washington start talking about loosening regulations.

A NEW DIRECTION

Speaking of changing course, the Northville Chamber of Commerce parted ways this month with Douglas Wallace, who served as executive director since 2022.

Wallace walked into a tough situation. He replaced Jody Humphries, who ran the chamber for 17 years. Before her, Laurie Marrs headed the organization for two decades. So there had been a lot of continuity at the Chamber, though there were certainly some issues -- financially and otherwise.

Wallace tried to implement some changes, including eliminating some of the events the Chamber had traditionally organized like the Victorian Festival. He did spearhead the new Chamber Awards gala, recognizing volunteers in the community, which I think has been pretty inspiring and successful.

But Wallace’s vision just never quite clicked with the members, so he and the board decided to go their separate ways.

In my humble opinion, the Chamber has a bit of an identity crisis on its hands. What is the mission? Do they primarily coordinate events like the parades and the Victorian Festival, or do they concentrate on more member-driven networking initiatives? Those are questions they need to answer as their search for a new leader commences.

Interestingly, both the Chamber and Downtown Development Authority (DDA) are currently looking for new directors. Those are two big roles when it comes to our community, and our downtown in particular. Let’s hope the two people eventually chosen can work together and come up with ways to showcase our town.

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

Doug Wallace

ON SCHEDULE

Downs project taking shape with river opening, first homes & apartments going up this year

By Tim Smith

The transformation of the old Northville Downs property into what will become “The Downs” is beginning to come into clear view.

What a view it promises to be, with the $350 million Hunter Pasteur-led redevelopment soon to bear tangible proof that a rebirth – and downtown rebranding – is really happening. It also might prove to be the shiniest object to help Northville celebrate its bicentennial in 2027.

And a river will run through it.

In a matter of a couple months, the long-discussed “daylighting” of the Rouge River through the heart of the 48-acre property will happen. For decades, the river was hidden from view, underneath Northville Downs and the parking lot that surrounded it.

“The river will be flowing by the beginning of summer,”

Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull said. “We did the new (river) channel, down River Street. And they’re roughing in five acres on either side, so that’s a 10-acre public park.

“If people go by there they can see every 30 yards or so boulders for the rippling effect and the oxygenation of the water. They’re putting in the timbers on the side to bolster up the dirt.”

FIRST ACTIVITY

Hunter Pasteur CEO Seth Herkowitz said “all components of the project are being constructed on schedule as projected.”

Herkowitz added that, in addition to the bolstering of the river channel with boulders, toe wood and cobblestones, which will take about one month to complete, efforts this summer will pivot to the building of pedestrian bridges and planting

of over 1,200 trees.

“Finally, we will also divert the water from the current buried culvert into the new channel by the middle of the summer,” Herkowitz said.

Visitors also now see mundane construction activity starting to hum, with foundations for homes, apartments and condominiums being poured and stacks of lumber which eventually will be used to build the “bones” of those future residences.

At the hub of that activity is construction of the Cady Street neighborhood, defined by Herkowitz as north of the new Beale Street extension.

“The apartment building construction is underway,” Herkowitz said. “Our first activity was to install the earth retention system which was recently completed.

“The earth retention system was necessary to build the underground parking deck. Our third-party general contractor, Sacshe Construction, is now working on installing the building footings and foundation.”

Framing recently went up for the first four-unit building along Griswold Street with completion expected by December. Foundations are being done for a seven-unit brownstone on Cady Street and an attached three-unit single family building, Herkowitz continued.

Although Hunteur Pasteur is the primary developer of “The Downs,” a second builder for the project, Toll Brothers, Inc., already has constructed model homes on Center Street across from the site of the former racetrack, Turnbull said.

In addition, the mayor noted 18 townhomes will be built by

Construction work on the new course for the Rouge River is taking shape on The Downs development site. A 10-acre park, River Walk and Mary Gilbert cabin (in background) will also be part of the recreational area. Photo by Bryan Mitchell

This artistic rendering of the River Walk along The Downs development will connect to a regional and statewide trail system. Courtesy of the City of Northville

Toll Brothers at Seven Mile and Sheldon “where the old Farmers’ Market was. … Those will start going up. People will be living there within 11 months.”

Turnbull said Toll Brothers also will build 38 individual homes south of Beale in the middle of the Downs; there will be five or six different Victoriantype models including “carriage homes” near the Rouge River on the southern side. For the latter, cars are parked under the living space.

A ‘PREMIER PROJECT’

Don’t forget about adjacent improvements such as a roundabout south of the redevelopment at Seven Mile and Sheldon. Or the progress on completing a river walk which will tap into a regional trail system potentially connecting communities from one end of the state to the other.

“I believe the development will be unbelievably dynamic and people are looking at this as a premier project in the state,” Turnbull said. “So there’s a lot of interest, there’s a lot of input because of the environmental activities, the park spaces and the different (state and federal) grants.

“On the river walk we are connecting – south – to pathways that will go all the way to Ohio and – north – all the way to Mackinac City.”

Of course, the daylighting of the Rouge is the cherry on top of the redevelopment cake.

“Absolutely, at one time they were going to put in 600 units there,” Turnbull said. “It is so much better than I believe that generations before us thought. We’re daylighting the river, the density is down, we’re having ingress and egress with some

roundabouts.”

Because of the multi-pronged housing menu that buyers can choose from, Turnbull noted that families can send their kids to Northville Public Schools, “which is one of the finer school systems in the state” while living within a block of the city’s wealth of restaurants and activities.

“And no taxes have gone up for any of this,” Turnbull emphasized.

BUZZ IS BUILDING

Last year, more than five years after the massive project was conceived, people started reserving their spots, Turnbull said.

In spring 2025 they are doing more of the same.

Even with an uncertain economy – and costs rising exponentially across the U.S.

that have sent home prices skyrocketing – none of that seems to be stopping properties from being scooped up by customers.

“I believe a good portion of the homes, condos and town houses are already spoken for,” Turnbull said.

dump their manure right into Johnson Creek, (which is) the holy water of southeastern Michigan for fly fishing.

“We are cleaning this up environmentally, we are cleaning up the look and feel of the area. We’re having (green) spaces.”

Keep in mind there’s another feature included in the visionary undertaking.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

The Downs project is moving forward at a quick pace and is starting to take shape. What are your feelings so far? What are you most looking forward to? Email your opinions to Editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@thevillemagazine.com.

All of which demonstrates that Northville is a hot destination and is expected to remain so for years to come.

Not to mention proving what a difference a year can make.

“You know what’s unbelievable?” Turnbull queried. “One year ago, through February (2024), they were running races at Northville Downs. With steaming piles of manure and barns that

The historic Mary Gilbert log cabin on River Street will be turned 90 degrees and moved 20 yards to become “a welcome center, a gateway to the park. That should be up and going by the end of the year,” Turnbull said. Moreover, he continued, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) has greenlighted $2.3 million for another roundabout for the Seven Mile-Hines Drive intersection that Turnbull said will be built within 2-3 years. It will make it easier for motorists to navigate than the current configuration.

Not far from that “goofiest intersection” is a maze of rivers serving a city perched at the highest point of Wayne County. With the opening up of the Rouge and its adjacent bioswales, Turnbull said the water from four converging rivers (Upper and Middle Rouge, Johnson Creek, Randolph Drain) will pour down towards the Detroit River at a more manageable pace. What can’t be controlled is the intensifying buzz, both about “The Downs” and Northville – a city at the top of its game.

This artistic rendering of the River Walk along The Downs development will connect to a regional and statewide trail system. Courtesy of the City of Northville

Homes are starting to rise in the future Cady neighborhood. Photo by Bryan Mitchell

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‘The Shot Heard Round The World’

PATRIOTS’ DAY REENACTMENT WILL BRING REVOLUTIONARLY PERIOD TO LIFE

By Michele M. Fecht

“Here once the embattled farmers stood And fired the shot heard round the world.”

The famous line — specifically the second half of the stanza — from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem, “Concord Hymn,” has come to represent the beginning of the decisive moment when colonists took up arms on April 19, 1775, to defend their rights against British rule.

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the first armed conflict of the American Revolution — the Battles of Lexington and Concord — the Northville Historical Society will host Patriots’ Day on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of Mill Race Historical Village. The

event is free and open to the public.

Presented by the Citizens of the American Colonies

Living Historians, the program titled, “The Very Beginning of the Revolutionary War,” will highlight Paul Revere’s ride, the Battle of Lexington, the Battle of Concord, and the Redcoats retreat. Benjamin Franklin also will be making an appearance though at the time of the battle he was returning from a mission in England. There also will be a performance by the Plymouth Fife & Drum Corps.

The Citizens of the American Colonies Living Historians, a group of dedicated reenactors, have been a popular attraction at the Village since their first program in 2019. Suemarie Klimek, Northville Historical Society’s events coordinator, said that after a Covid gap in 2020-21, the group returned in 2022 and has been presenting programs each year since.

“The crowds get bigger every year,” she said, noting that the performance by the Plymouth Fife and Drum Corps has added to the program’s popularity.

Living the History

This year’s event falling so close to the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, adds a special dimension to the program. Joining the Citizens of the American Colonies Living Historians will be other reenactors, said group organizer Ken Giorlando, noting that the Redcoats will be represented by reenactors from the British 49th Regiment Foote, a living history group portraying a British unit during the American Revolution.

In addition to the program events, several of the Mill Race buildings will be open. The Cady Inn will serve as Buckman’s Tavern, where the Lexington militia waited for the British arrival following a warning from Paul Revere. “I’m really hoping for a horse,” Giorlando said. Other buildings will portray daily activities in Lexington such as spinning wool into yarn and other vestiges of colonial domestic life.

There will be musket firing on the green during the heat of the battle. Muskets used are

The British 49th Regiment Foote, a living history group, will portray a British unit during the American Revolution.

Citizens of the American Colonies Living Historians, a group of dedicated reenactors, will recreate the battles of Lexington and Concord at Mill Race. Photos courtesy of Ken Giorlando

replicas of the period.

“You’ll see the flash in the pan,” Giorlando noted, but they won’t be firing bullets.

“Our main purpose is living history,” said Giorlando, who spent more than a decade as an American Civil War reenactor before turning to the colonial era in 2015. “Reenacting is the umbrella.”

and buttons, reenactors spend countless hours and considerable expense poring over texts, writings, paintings and numerous other resources just to “look the part.” Tricorn hats, breeches and multilayered petticoats are not exactly clothing that can be bought off the rack.

Quest for Authenticity

Historical accuracy is paramount to reenactors. Consider the clothing alone. From fabrics to buckles

The same holds true for learning colonialera trades whether it is candle making, tin smithing or tanning hides. Daily life in the colonial era is an important piece in the reenactor’s role. Last year, Giorlando demonstrated cider (cyder) pressing using a period cider press.

“In addition to the battle reenactment, we try to bring the entire period to life,” he noted. There will be ample opportunities for the public to interact with the reenactors

during battle breaks.

The Citizens of the American Colonies Living Historians have done programs at a variety of area venues including Historic Fort Wayne and Greenfield Village. Though most of the Mill Race Village structures date to the Victorian era (some very close to the earliest days of that period), the village itself has a sense of place indicative of small towns like those in New England in an earlier period. “They have been very good with us,” Giorlando said of the Northville Historical Society which maintains the village. “And we’re very much appreciative of that.”

the April 26 event will be one of many milestones this year and through July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Of course, it didn’t end there.

The official end of the American Revolution would come in 1783 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris recognizing the independence of the United States of America.

PATRIOTS’ DAY

What: Reenactment of Revolutionary War battles at Lexington and Concord; other historical activities.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 26

Who: Citizens of the American Colonies Living Historians with a performance by the Plymouth Fife & Drum Corps

Where: Mill Race Historical Village

More info: Call the Northville Historical Society at (248) 348-1845.

The historical significance of

It’s a good bet that the next several years will be busy ones for the Citizens of the American Colonies Living Historians.

In addition to the battles, historical reenactors will bring the Revolutionary period to life including visits from Benjamin Franklin.

VFW Marks Milestone

Post 4012 has supported local veterans for 80 years

By Michele M. Fecht

Northville VFW Post 4012’s milestone 80th anniversary — celebrated in January at its longtime headquarters on South Main Street — was a tribute not only to its longevity but also its decades of service and support to Northville’s veterans.

At a time when many community VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) posts have closed, members of the 4012 post — along with its 92 Auxiliary members — have worked tirelessly to keep the doors open. Following the Covid shut down, the post began rehabilitating its headquarters in 2023 by repainting the building’s exterior and interior,

installing metal roofing on the mansard roof, purchasing new chairs in the club room and stools in the bar area.

Cemetery and is currently fundraising to restore its pathways.

Though there are 170 members on the post’s rolls, Huyck said that many are life members and no longer active. “Our participation is about 1-2 percent of that number,” he noted. Leadership in the post falls largely to the Vietnam veterans. Huyck’s current tenure as Commander is his third time in that leadership post having served in 198990 and most recently from 2022-24. “We have a hard time recruiting the younger vets from Desert Storm, the Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq,” he noted.

Nevertheless, one Iraq War veteran who found his way to the post is Daniel Kelly. “Disc golf brought me in three years ago,” he said, noting that he’s found a safe space among fellow veterans who can say, “yeah, we’ve been there. There’s camaraderie here that you miss being in the service.”

A TIMELY BEGINNING

“We’re here for the community,” said Post Commander Ed Huyck, who joined the post in 1969 following his 1966-68 service in the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam. One of the post’s most public roles is its participation in Northville’s annual Memorial Day tribute — most notably the service at the Veterans Cemetery at Rural Hill. The post is responsible for maintaining the Veterans

Northville’s VFW Post was installed on January 30, 1945 under the leadership of the Wolverine 171 Post of Redford. It would install its first officers on April 22 in a ceremony that included the presentation of a flag to the post and a moment of silence in remembrance of President Franklin Roosevelt who died only weeks earlier on April 12.

With more than 16.1 million Americans serving in the armed forces during WWII — 13 million serving overseas — the need for the post was paramount for supporting those returning home. The post’s formation could not have come at a more critical time. V-E-

These 1951 images show what the exterior and interior of the VFW building originally looked like. Courtesy of the Northville Historical Society

The VFW Post 4012 color guard helps commemorate Veterans Day each year in front of the post on South Main Street. Archive photo

Day (Victory in Europe) was declared on May 8, 1945, with V-J (Victory over Japan) on September 2, 1945.

The post originally met in a hall on Main Street in downtown Northville. It was offered space by the American Legion to use its site for meetings but restoration of the American Legion building (still occupied by the American Legion at the corner North Center and Dunlap) delayed occupancy. In July 1949, the VFW post secured its own site when it purchased the Jenny Lind Shop at 438 Plymouth Avenue (now Northville Road). Extensive remodeling of the site has occurred over several decades.

AN INVALUABLE ALLY

Shortly after Northville VFW Post 4012 was founded in January 1945, the Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars was organized with its officers installed in October of that year. The VFW Auxiliary, once only open to women — thus its original name of VFW Ladies Auxiliary coined in 1914 — opened its doors to male members on August 21, 2015, and now goes solely by Auxiliary.

Northville VFW Post 4012 Auxiliary was the first

in Michigan to elect a male president in 2015 when current president Jon Burchard took the leadership role.

The Auxiliary, which is a 501(c)(3), provides invaluable support to the post, community, and veterans through its many activities from placing flags on veterans’ gravesites to hosting club activities from golf outings to 50/50 raffles, dinners, poppy sales, etc. The Auxiliary also supports 10 military families in need during the year and provides them with food and presents at Christmas.

It also supports the VFW’s National Home, a nation-wide mission that offers a variety of support to veterans and their families from stable housing, to transition counseling, education and more.

PUBLIC SUPPORT & MEMBERSHIP

Club Manager Victoria Clasman has been at the post for three years and helps to keep the organization in the public eye through activities and

rentals. The post’s clubroom seats 100 and rents for $400 for everything from weddings to graduation parties and the like.

The post is open to the public from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesdays for “Slider Night” where $6 will get you two sliders with a side of fries. The bar also is open. All proceeds go to the VFW post.

For anyone interested in membership in the VFW, the criteria is service in the Armed Services of the United States or having received an honorable or general discharge or currently serving. The other criteria is service in a war, campaign or

expedition on foreign soil or in hostile waters.

Criteria for joining the VFW Auxiliary is that you must be at least 16 years old and be a family member (spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent or grandchild) of a veteran eligible for VFW membership, or step/ adopted family member within two generations.

This differs from the American Legion criteria which is must have served at least one day of active military duty in the U.S. Armed Forces since December 7, 1941, and have been honorably discharged or be currently serving honorably.

Yes, Northville still retains its two long-standing veteran support groups.

For more information about Northville VFW Post 4012, contact the post at (248) 3481490.

Post 4012 member Lyle Avery greets a fellow member at the post. Photo by Bryan Mitchell

Like other VFW posts, Northville has struggled to keep up membership. Currently most of the members are Vietnam vets. Photo by Bryan Mitchell

Empowered By Art Empowered By Art

Celebrating Autism Awareness Month with local artists

By Bryan Mitchell

April is National Autism Awareness Month, a time to celebrate and support individuals on the autism spectrum. This photo essay highlights local artists who also experience autism, sharing their creativity, passion, and unique perspectives through their work.

These artists create for many reasons: self-expression, relaxation, the simple joy of making art, and, for some, earning money

to support their independence. They all share a common experience: art helps them express themselves while also serving as a calming and centering force amid the challenges of autism and life in general.

Many of these artists sell their work at MOD Market in Northville, part of the Living and Learning Enrichment Center, which is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and opportunity. MOD Market features

a diverse collection of art and handmade goods while also providing a supportive work environment where individuals of all abilities gain valuable job skills.

Located at 150 Mary Alexander Ct. and online at modmarketnorthville.org, the market offers an Autism Awareness section, where pieces by their Empowered Artists, including these artists, are available for purchase.

Malcolm Wang, 24, Northville – Photography

Malcolm Wang, 24, from Northville discovered photography at age 12 and enjoys creating images with both his phone and an old film camera. He is drawn to photography in part because he likes pressing buttons and working with numbers, elements that bring him joy. When asked if photography helps him understand his autism, Malcolm shared that taking pictures has a calming effect.

“It keeps my brain regulated and very relaxed,” he said. “I feel happy.”

Beyond photography, Malcolm enjoys drawing, painting, playing music and dancing. He loves sharing his work at MOD Market, where his photographs are available as prints and other artwork are available as note cards. He also enjoys working at MOD Market, placing price stickers on items, assisting customers at the register, and counting money, another activity he finds satisfying because of his love for numbers.

Through photography and his role at MOD Market, Malcolm has found both creative fulfillment and meaningful community connections.

Sara Sturtevant, 30, Northville – Watercolor

Sara Sturtevant, 30, from Northville began watercolor painting during the pandemic to pass the time at home. She started taking online classes over Zoom with Art Works Studio in Walled Lake and quickly found a natural rhythm with watercolor.

Her approach to painting is simple: “going with the flow.” Inspired by nature, she incorporates bright colors into her work, often featuring animals, some of which are even depicted painting themselves.

Sara enjoys encouraging and helping other artists like her to give painting a try. She knows firsthand how rewarding it can be and believes anyone can find joy in creating. At times, she has struggled with crowded spaces, which can feel overwhelming, but painting has given her a tool to navigate those situations. By focusing on her art, she is able to ground herself and stay present, making it easier to manage sensory challenges.

“It helps me stay focused. Puts me into my home place in my mind and makes me feel really happy and relaxed,” she said.

Sara loves sharing her work, selling her paintings at MOD Market and exhibiting at art shows in Michigan and Florida. She hopes that by putting her art out into the world, she can inspire others to explore their own creativity, regardless of any challenges they may face.

Alex Ham-Kucharski, 26, Canton – Ceramics

Though he always enjoyed art, Alex Ham-Kucharski, 26, from Canton took on a new challenge just six months ago: becoming an artist himself.

“I wanted to do something out of my comfort zone,” he said. So, he enrolled in ceramics classes at Baseline Studio, part of the Living and Learning Enrichment Center in Northville. Now, he spends time in the studio each week creating ceramic pieces. Alex finds that sometimes it’s difficult to put his thoughts and feelings into words. However, he finds that creating art helps.

“I find a way of expressing my feelings, things I can’t put into words,” he said. “It helps clear my mind.”

He enjoys sharing his work and seeing people smile when they look at his ceramics. His goal is to complete the art program at Living and Learning and begin selling his work at MOD Market. His advice for aspiring artists?

“Go for it! That’s how I learned.”

Nick Gorski, 32, Northville – Abstract Painting

Nick Gorski, 32, from Northville has been painting for well over a decade. He started in middle school after discovering it was what he was best at and enjoyed most.

He gravitated toward abstract painting because it felt easy to him. Today, he works from a small studio in the condominium he shares with his mother.

Like the other artists, he finds that art helps him relax and stay calm.

“It helps me reach places of the mind, helps express how I feel,” he said. “Something that I’m doing that gives me fullness.”

Nick also takes a practical approach to his art. While he’s had various jobs over the years, he now considers himself a self-employed artist. Selling his work at MOD Market and art shows allows him to be more independent and build selfconfidence.

“I needed some money,” he said. “It makes me money, and I have fun doing it.”

overcrowding of classrooms. Because in a democracy, unless you speak up, things have a backward slide.”

When she and her family moved to Northville a couple of years ago, Mahmood started attending local township meetings.

“It’s a very diverse place, actually, Northville,” she says. “We should be involved and have our diversity represented.”

What connected Hasse, Mahmood, and other World Peace Day organizers originally was their mutual push for Northville city leaders to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Mayor Brian Turnbull suggested a “peace day,” and community members jumped on board.

“It was kind of a daunting experience last year because we were very new to all of this, and we had a very short time period to get all of this organized and

Local residents bringing World Peace Day back to Northville later this summer

By Emily Doran

Asmall but passionate group of activists are once again bringing a call for global peace to Northville.

The second annual World Peace Day, being planned by a dozen or so dedicated locals for this summer, will combine family-friendly activities with opportunities for conversation about the importance of peace at home and abroad.

“The whole event is about connecting local action, local peace, to world peace,” says Tim Hasse, one of the organizers, who grew up in Northville. “So what can we do locally? How does that relate to what’s going on all around the world?”

In the case of Naznin Mahmood, one of the organizers of World Peace Day, such action looks like attending local government meetings and championing causes she cares about. Wherever she has lived — the Detroit area, Ann Arbor, even Chicago — she has engaged with her community in a quest to improve the world around her.

“When we were in Chicago, I was going to school board meetings,” she says, “and then when we were in Ann Arbor, I organized letter-writing campaigns on behalf of parents [about] things that we didn’t like going on in the schools or

in Ford Field Park and speeches in the Community Center. Hasse estimates that 100-plus people came and went, all told.

And now that the coordinators have one World Peace Day under their belts, organizing this year’s event has been a little bit easier as far as logistics. They’re hoping to make the 2025 iteration as interactive as they can.

“Last year was great — we had some great speakers and such — but the feedback was people’s favorite part was the park and the activities,” Mahmood says. “If you can put the learning with the activities, I think people are just going to absorb that so much more.”

At press time, the organizers were still finalizing details for the free event to be held in Northville, but they hoped to include arts and crafts, henna artists, live music, food for

rolled out,” says Northville resident Aisha Chaudhry. But, she notes, that first World Peace Day was “really successful.”

Last year’s May event included family-friendly activities — kite flying, tiedyeing, art making, and more —

sale, and a speaker to discuss world peace. At the same time, they want to spur conversation among attendees.

“Dialogue is really important,” says Maryam Moid, another Northville resident and event organizer. She and

Participants of the inaugural World Peace Day last year marched through downtown.

Northville Police Chief Alan Maciag greeted some of the World Peace Day participants last year. Photos courtesy of Aisha Chaudhry

her husband (who was raised in Northville) moved back to the area recently after living in the Middle East for almost a decade. “A lot of times, I’ve noticed people in Northville are kind of living in their own bubbles, whether that’s their own cultural bubble or religious bubble or sports bubble. … [This event] will be more of a community ‘come together and get to know each other.’”

In keeping with that spirit, Mahmood says the organizers of World Peace Day are hoping to bring a more “intense focus” to domestic issues this year.

“We have to care about issues in our own backyard, and we have to care about what happens to our neighbors and what happens to immigrants and people of color,” she says. “So, it’s really hopefully an event

where we teach our community to care, to care about all these issues, and to stand up. Because we want the community to be the glue again.”

Looking ahead, the organizers would like to keep

GA GA

hosting World Peace Day annually and to “continue to create environments for dialogue and learning [about] each other,” Chaudhry says. Indeed, Hasse views the 2025 event as “even more important”

than last year’s.

“Different people have different interpretations of the state of the world, the state of Northville, the state of the country,” he says. “And it’s worrisome, if you look at it from certain perspectives, so it’s even more important to keep pushing and keep trying to do more.”

“We have a lot of power,” he notes. “We can do a lot just by taking some local action.”

To learn more about World Peace Day and get updates on the event, check out @ Northville4WorldPeace on Instagram and Facebook or email questions to Northville4WorldPeace@ yahoo.com. Organizers are still working with city leaders on a date..

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World Peace Day last year included activities at Ford Field as well as guest speakers at the Community Center.

Sat 9:00AM - 3:00PM

Mon 9:00AM - 8:00PM

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Fri 9:00AM - 6:00PM

SWIM TEAM SETS STANDARD

BY BRAD EMONS

When it comes to winter sports spots at Northville High, it’s a safe bet that the boys swimming and diving team normally sets the standard.

And the 2024-25 season was no different as the Mustangs captured their seventh straight Kensington Lakes Activities Association championship and placed third in the MHSAA Division 1 finals held March 13-14 at the Holland Aquatics Center.

“I was very pleased with the consistent effort and energy the boys came with each and every day,” Northville coach Rich Bennetts said. “Anytime you bring home a trophy from the state meet, it’s a good year. We get pretty much everyone back for next season, so we are looking forward to it.”

Saline upended four-time defending champion Ann Arbor Pioneer for the D1 team title with 291.5 points followed by the Pioneers (263) and Northville (224).

The Mustangs posted 10 AllState (top eight) performances led by junior Brady Stenson, who captured first in the 200yard freestyle with automatic All-American time of 1:38.06 followed by a runner-up finish in the 500 freestyle with an All-American consideration clocking of 4:32.43.

Stenson also teamed up with juniors Benjamin Hu, Ace Spicer and Jayden Setyabudi to claim first in the 400 freestyle relay with an All-American consideration time of 3:06.60.

Northville’s 200 freestyle relay team of Spicer, Setyabudi, senior Evan Bachert and Stenson also added a seventh (2:27.09).

“Brady has a tremendous amount of talent,” Bennetts said. “He is a big kid and he works really hard. He benefits from having great teammates who push him every single day in practice. He has a lot fun at practices and competitions and is able to be hungry and humble.”

Other scorers at the D1 finals for Northville included Piao, 10th, 100 butterfly (52.47); Okopny, 11th, 200 freestyle (1:44.09); Steyabudi, 12th, 100 freestyle (47.54) and 200 freestyle (1:44.18); Dertouzos, 12th, 100 breaststroke (59.91); junior Colin Domeracki, 13th, 100 backstroke (54.49) and 200 IM (1:58.16).

In the past five D1 finals, Northville has placed fourth (2024), seventh (2023), second (2022) and fifth (2021).

Northville also captured the KLAA West Division dual meet crown with a 7-0 record and added four individual titles at the conference meet held at Howell led by Stenson, 200 freestyle (1:39.97) and 500 freestyle (4:33.12); Spicer, 200 IM (1:55.38); and Dertouzos, 100 breaststroke (59.63).

Other All-State individual placers for Northville included Hu, fourth, 500 freestyle (4:39.19); eighth, 200 IM (1:55.26); Spicer, fifth, 200 individual medley (1:54.58); eighth, 100 freestyle (46.88); freshman Justin Okopny, seventh, 500 freestyle (4:43.75).

Meanwhile, the 200 medley relay team of Hu, juniors Matt Dertouzos and Adam Piao, along with Bachert, added a seventh (1:37.04).

Hu, Dertouzos, Piao and Bachert also took first in the 200 medley relay (1:37.3), while Spicer, Hu, Setyabudi and Stenson captured the 400 freestyle relay (3:10.61).

Here is a capsule look back at the other Northville winter sports programs.

GYMNASTICS

Coach Victoria Clay’s squad earned a trip to the MHSAA finals held March 6-7 at Grand

The swim team captured its seventh straight KLAA championship and placed third in the MHSAA Division 1 finals. Photos courtesy of Northville Athletics

The gymnastics team finished fourth in the state, with Michelle Walker (vault) and Noelle Licari (bars, vault, all-around) earning All-State honors.

Rapids Kenowa Hills and came away with a fourth-place team finish with a total of 142.575.

Hartland captured the title with 148.575 followed by Rockford (146.525) and Farmington (144.975)

Among those posting top 10 finishes individual in Division 1 for Northville included Noelle Licari, who was 10th in the allaround (36.4) highlighted by a tie for seventh on vault (9.3325) and a 10th in the uneven parallel bars.

Hertza, second, beam (9.125); and Alex Kent, tied for third, bars (8.3).

Hartland, the KLAA West champions at 8-0, also took the conference meet crown with 146.25 followed by runnerup Northville (141.675) and Plymouth (139.475).

In DII, Tsourapas was champion in the vault (9.05), while teammate Vanessa Anderson captured the uneven bars (8.625). Licari placed third in the DI all-around (35.875).

Teammate Michelle Walker added a tie for ninth on the DI vault (9.275).

In the Regional 3 meet hosted by Salem, Northville captured the team title with 144.875 followed by Plymouth (141.00) and Livonia Stevenson (137.75).

In Division I, Licari was the all-around winner with 36.625 highlighted by a first on vault (9.25) and tie for third on floor exercise (9.375). Dea Lila contributed a first on uneven bars (9.0) and was second on beam (9.5).

In Division II, Melina Tsourapas placed fourth in the all-around (34.175) highlighted by a first on beam (9.15) and third on vault (8.825). Other top performers included Olivia Schneider, first, floor (9.3); Ally

BOYS BASKETBALL

The Mustangs finished 15-8 overall and 11-3 (second place) in the KLAA’s West Division under interim coach Sean Turner, who finished out the final 12 games of the season going 8-4 after replacing Todd Sander who left the team for personal reasons.

Northville was ousted in the Division 1-District 14 semifinals by Novi Detroit Catholic Central, 46-45.

Junior forward Brody Grezak and junior guard Nate-Isiah Imbuzeiro were both named to the KLAA All-Conference Select Team, while senior guard Kaden Kuban earned All-Conference honors. Senior forward Marcus Hudson was named Honorable Mention.

Following the season, it was announced that Turner will take over the varsity duties on a full-time basis starting in 2025-26.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Coach Shaun Dicken’s squad wound up 15-9 overall while earning the KLAA West Division crown with a 12-2 conference mark.

The Lady Mustangs fell to eventual Division 1 state champion Belleville in the KLAA championship game, 7048, and were eliminated in the District 14 finals by South Lyon, 55-47.

Guards Carly Pelon (junior) and Petyon Sivier (sophomore) were named to the All-KLAA West Select Team, while sophomore guard Sophia Fras and junior forward Harper Lee made All-Conference. Senior center Lyza Koski made Honorable Mention.

BOYS HOCKEY

The Mustangs, under coach Ryan Ossenmacher, finished 15-12 overall, including a 6-4 record in the KLAA West.

Northville fell to Brighton in the Division 1-Regional 7 final, 4-3, after defeating rival Novi, 9-4, for the second time this season.

Junior forward Tommy Marinoff and senior defenseman Alex McCallum both earned Division 1 first-

team All-State honors by the Michigan High School Hockey Coaches Association. Both earned All-KLAA honors along with junior forward Nate Ewasek.

Senior defenseman Isaac Nelson made All-State honorable mention.

GIRLS HOCKEY

The Mustangs suffered through a trying season going 3-22-1 overall and 2-17-1 in Group C (sixth place) of the Michigan Girls High School Hockey League.

The team’s top two scorers included Silvi Liddell (six goals, eight assists) and Kylie Marx (nine goals, one assist). Goalie Elise Mavrinac had a 70% save average.

Continued on Page 26

The girls basketball team won the KLAA West Division crown with a 12-2 conference mark.

Defenseman Isaac Nelson made All-State honorable mention. Photo courtesy of Isaac Nelson

Junior forward Brody Grezak (center) led the boys basketball team to a 15-8 overall record. Photo by Becky Young

NHS WINTER SPORTS ROUND-UP

BOYS BOWLING

BOYS WRESTLING

Coach Derek Aluia’s squad earned the Division 1-District 120 team title with a 57-24 triumph over Salem and reached the Regional 105 finals with a 41-33 victory over Livonia Franklin before bowing out with a 76-4 setback to eventual state champion Catholic Central.

Individually, senior James Dunne (165 pounds) placed third in the D1 finals at Detroit’s Ford Field and finished the year 41-6 overall. Dunne was also runner-up in District 5 at Livonia Stevenson and Regional 3 at Saline.

Other regional qualifiers for the Mustangs included sophomore Basho Muhlbauer (165), who finished 32-19, along with senior Enzo Mastrioianni (190), who was 39-11.

The Mustangs’ Brian Roth and Drew Bandilla earned individual berths in the Division 1 boys singles finals held March 1 at Thunderbird Lanes in Allen Park.

Bandilla, a junior, was the Regional 7 champion on Feb. 22 at Canton’s Super Bowl Lanes with a six-game total of 1,356, including a 280 high game. At the D1 finals, Bandilla finished 48th in the qualifying block with a 1,061 total including a high game of 233.

Roth, a sophomore, placed sixth at the regional with a 1,283 including a high of 223. He wound up 42nd in the D1 singles qualifying block with a 1,091 including a high of 223.

At the team regional, Plymouth (3,686) and Livonia Churchill (3,591) finished onetwo, while Northville was eighth (3,222).

GIRLS BOWLING

Coach Elizabeth Bacigal’s squad finished fourth in the D1Regional 7 tourney on Feb. 21 at Super Bowl with a 2,746 total, including a 213 Baker game high and an 829 Game 2 high.

Livonia Churchill (2,942) and Westland John Glenn (2,900) finished one two to earn the team state qualifying berths.

at Nubs Nob where Marquette captured the team title with 50.5 followed by Traverse City West and Traverse City Central with 64 and 103, respectively.

Northville, coached by Kyle Moir, placed ninth with 262 and 131 each in the slalom and giant slalom at the state finals.

Jackson Weiland was Northville’s top individual state finals finisher with a 23rd in both in the slalom (83.47) and GS (56.150).

Other slalom finishers included Dylan Gagala (50th), Adrian Brown (51st) and Wesley Shoemaker (55th). The other Mustang GS finishers included Jacob Gusick (47th), Shoemaker (54th), Ben Sussex (59th), Luca Viola (63rd) and Luke Gibbons (70th).

At the regional, Weiland led the way with a second in the slalom (37.52) and third in the GS (30.77).

Other top Northville slalom scorers included Gusick (11th), Sussex (18th) and Gagala (30th), while also scoring points was Gusick (20th), Shoemaker (24th) and Sussex (25th).

GIRLS SKIING

Other top slalom finishers included Anna Frauenheim (17th), Charlotte Bysouth (19th), Elizabeth Biyashev (24th) and Julia Patterson (29th).

FIGURE SKATING

At the KLAA tourney at Howell, Brighton (284), Hartland (259) and Howell (176.5) earned the top three team places, while Northville finished eighth with 75.

Among those placing individually for the Mustangs included Muhlbauer, second (165); Mastroianni, third (190); and senior Samir Assi (144), fourth.

Top individual regional finishers for the Mustangs included seniors Ewa Sypula, 14th, 1,013 (235 high) and Abbey Barrick, 16th, 991 (204 high).

Meanwhile, the Northville girls placed fourth in the team standings 164 points at the D1Regional 3 meet at Mt. Brighton led by Madeleine Richard, who took seventh in the GS (34.00).

BOYS SKIING

In Regional 3, Northville finished third with 133 points scoring 61 in the slalom and 72 in the giant slalom on Feb. 12 at the Mt. Brighton Ski Area to earn a trip to the state finals.

Catholic Central (92), Milford (119.5) and Northville all made the regional cut to earn a spot in the MHSAA finals held Feb. 24

Richard was an individual state qualifier placing 43rd in the GS (60.38) and 48th in the slalom (95.30).

Bianca Szymanski was the Mustangs top individual performer with a third place in the Excel PrePreliminary Group B final.

Northville, coached by Bailey Barnes, placed seventh (700.96). Continued from Page 25

The Mustangs had four skaters compete in the Laura Maki Michigan High School Skating State Championship held March 22-23 in Midland.

Other skaters for the Mustangs, who took ninth in Level A and 12th in Level B, included Celia Gniewek, Chloe Lemon and Dora Zheng.

COMPETITIVE CHEER

In the Division 1-District 5 event on Feb. 15 at Brighton, the host Bulldogs captured the team title with a score of 787.66 followed by fellow regional qualifiers Hartland (782.74), Milford (777.3) and South Lyon East (775.90).

The top three regional team finishers included Birmingham (74), Brighton (85) and Canton (134.5).

Senior James Dunne (165 pounds) placed third in the D1 finals at Detroit’s Ford Field.

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‘END OF AN ERA’

Iconic Jack Doheny Companies sold to investment firm, but will remain headquartered at Northville site

By Tim Smith

During the final years of Jack Doheny’s long and accomplished life, he reminded daughter Kay to put the family’s business jewel – Jack Doheny Companies –on the market when the time was right.

“He always told my mom ‘Don’t forget to sell,’” said Jack Snyder, son of Kay DohenySnyder and grandson of Jack Doheny. “So he intended for her, or one of our generation, to eventually sell the business.”

That request was granted when, at the end of 2024, Jack Doheny Companies and its massive fleet of specialized equipment used in the environmental, industrial and utility sectors was sold to New York City-based Kinderhook Industries, LLC for an undisclosed amount.

One of the terms of the sale was to re-brand the businesses simply “JDC.” But the Doheny name and spirit will be linked to the enterprise for years to come with headquarters not exiting Northville and remaining at 777 Doheny Court – in proximity to Jack Doheny Drive itself.

Enduring into the future will be Doheny’s decades-long legacy of hard work, family values and sharp business acumen with a hearty handshake – where many contracts were written on napkins and carefully placed into filing cabinets for safekeeping.

“We have more napkins in our files than anything else because it (business) was all just based on trust and integrity,” said Kay Doheny-Snyder, who was owner and CEO of the company at the time of the sale. “Very few times was he (Jack Doheny) let down by anybody.”

STAYING PUT

The sale to Kinderhook (a private equity firm) was completed with many attorneys, contracts and documents rather than on napkins. But it wouldn’t have been a letdown to Jack Doheny had he still been around to witness it.

“We’re very happy with the sale and the price we got,” Kay Doheny-Snyder said. “It’s a good company that we sold to. Kinderhook has a great reputation for running a business and taking care of its employees. We were happy about that. All that was good.

“The headquarters (of JDC) will remain in Northville, because that’s where all the internal office procedures, accounting

and HR (human resources) is located. All the other branches depend on Northville, everything comes out of Northville.”

There are 16 locations of the sprawling business in the U.S. and Canada, she noted, with about 300 employees. The Doheny family remains on board as a minority partner.

“We’re still tied to them,” Jack Snyder said. “We did roll over some of the equity into the new company.”

Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull said the sale might end the five-decades-long tenure of Jack Doheny Companies, but the legacy is unquestionably intact.

“Jack Doheny has meant a great deal to the city,” Turnbull said. “The street was named in his honor. He’s done a great deal for different aspects – socially, environmentally, and economically for the city.”

Doheny-Snyder chimed in that her dad’s legacy is not “going to go away tomorrow. He is a legacy in the industry. We have the largest rental fleet by far of anybody in the industry. He was iconic in developing a rental fleet of sewer cleaning equipment and hydro-excavation equipment for the contractor market.”

In a press release issued by Kinderhook following the sale, the company utilizes its footprint to “effectively provide ongoing support to its rental fleet of over 1,300 pieces of equipment.”

“JDC exemplifies the type of business Kinderhook seeks to partner with – an industry leader with a proven track record of performance, a management team committed to operational excellence, and a clear path forward for growth,” noted

In the late 1970s, Jack Doheny (center) was joined by local officials including Councilman Dewey Gardner and Mayor Paul Vernon when they named Doheny Drive.

Jack Doheny Companies was a leader in the vactor truck market. Photos courtesy of Jack Doheny Companies

Jack Doheny

Kinderhook managing director Robert Michalik.

FROM THE GROUND UP

No matter how that process unfolds, it won’t match the organic quality of how Jack Doheny rolled up his sleeves and took a small business and built it into a megaenterprise after officially opening in 1973.

The beginnings certainly were humble, to say the least.

“He rented space in the city of Plymouth back in the ‘60s,” Doheny-Snyder recalled. “I don’t think he rented it. Actually, they just gave it to him.

“‘Hey Jack, we got some extra room over here. You can take shelves in the back corner and keep your parts. If we need anything we’ll leave you a note that we took a nozzle.’”

Subsequently, Doheny found a business home on Gerald Street near Seven Mile Road, around the corner from what now is Jack Doheny Drive.

The business kept on evolving over the years, even as Jack Doheny continued relying on his old-fashioned ways of getting things done. He never cottoned to the newfangled ways, however.

“Let’s say he was at lunch and the other guy wants to buy a truck,” she continued. “So they write the deal down on a napkin. … My dad never understood (modern business practices). He didn’t think we needed attorneys. He never did conform to not doing business that way.”

Which is why numerous napkins, complete with punched-out holes, remained in the Doheny files right up until the sale to Kinderhook was completed.

Another essential aspect of Jack Doheny Companies was providing opportunities for many others, including dozens of legacy staffers still working out of Northville.

“It was very much a family business,” Doheny-Snyder noted. “Everybody that worked there for many, many years were like family. There are people that are still there that have been there for 40 years or more.”

Jack Snyder also got his start in the business world working for his grandfather at Jack Doheny Companies.

“It was an honor working for him, he

Jack Doheny has meant a great deal to the city. The street was named in his honor. He’s done a great deal for different aspects – socially, environmentally, and economically for the city.

Brian Turnbull, Northville Mayor

taught me so much about just showing up to work at 8 o’clock,” Snyder recalled, adding with a chuckle that “if you weren’t there on time, go on home and better luck tomorrow.

“You’re never as good as the guy next to you, everyone from the janitor that sweeps the floor to the CFO that moves millions of dollars a day, they’re all people that deserve the time of day. He shook everyone’s hand and was such a phenomenal role model.”

THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM

Doheny-Snyder said the sale to Kinderhook was the third time the business was up for sale, with the first two attempts during the latter stages of Jack Doheny’s life. He passed in 2018 at age 87.

“We had been through the process twice when he was alive,” she stressed. “We just never got as far into it, because we saw that we needed to shore up things in our business, diversify a little bit, clean up some low-lying fruit.”

The relatively recent addition of an electric utility component checked the diversification box.

Another element of Jack Doheny’s legacy is the amount of positive phone calls and

feedback about what the business icon built over his lifetime.

“We’ve heard from a lot of people,” Doheny-Snyder said. “I just had lunch with Jennifer Sherman from Federal Signal who was our largest vendor. And she just said it’s the end of an era.”

Doheny-Snyder recounted part of the lunchtime discussion, when Sherman brought up the sale’s impact on an industry staple – the Pumper WWETT annual trade show for wastewater and environmental service professionals. (WWETT stands for Water and Wastewater Equipment Treatment and Transport.)

“She said ‘It wasn’t even the Pumper WWETT show this year, it was the Doheny Show because all anybody talked about was your sale.’ I’ve heard that from a lot of people.”

Meanwhile, as Kinderhook begins to drive JDC forward into a new era, it is apparent the old one featuring Jack Doheny Companies ’ lofty standard for customer service and smart business sensibilities won’t soon be forgotten.

“I had the privilege of working with Jack and Kay Doheny for many years, and I hold them in the highest regard,” noted Sherman in a recent e-mail. “As valued dealer partners representing both our Vactor and Elgin brands, they played a pivotal role in helping grow our business and deliver exceptional service to customers across the country.

“Under Jack and Kay’s leadership, their deep industry knowledge and commitment to excellence made them one of our most outstanding and trusted dealers for decades.”

Trust always has been the Doheny secret for success.

Despite the sale of the company, Jack Doheny Companies (now called JDC) will remain headquartered in their Northville building overlooking Lake Success.

Peek Inside Your Health: Full Body MRI Screenings Unveil Silent Issues Before Symptoms Arise

(SOUTHFIELD, MI) Full body MRI clinics have gained national attention lately, as TV personalities publicly share their personal full body scan experiences. One actress credits the scan for saving her life after doctors dismissed her unexplained pain for months. After various tests, including a CT scan, had “unremarkable” results, the pregnant actress became her own advocate, searched out a full body MRI clinic and discovered she had pancreatic cancer. Thanks to early detection the tumor was removed successfully.

As a general rule, when symptoms occur related to cancer, it usually has progressed to stage three or four. Even with annual physicals, there are limitations. Most screenings only cover about 29% of cancers with 71%

occurring outside of where doctors are able to screen. However, full body MRI scans can detect cancer in every organ from the top of the head through the genitals and can detect it very early.

For a long time, full body MRI scans were available only in select areas outside of Michigan, requiring expensive flights like in Vancouver or California. However, this changed when a clinic opened in Southfield, making these scans available to Metro Detroit residents.

“Our advanced MRI screening can detect cancers very early when they are as small as a pencil eraser and are more easily treatable. If cancer goes undetected, however, it can grow into stage three or stage four with difficult treatments. We can also identify conditions such as brain, abdominal, chest,

and groin aneurysms,” stated the founder of the Southfield clinic called Bionicc Body Screening. The primary focus of Bionicc Body Screening is to deliver peace of mind, offering a comprehensive and detailed imaging of the body’s internal structures. The ultimate hope is for excellent health. However, in the event that something is detected, the advanced screening aims to catch any potential issues at their earliest stages. This approach offers the best opportunity for successful treatment outcomes, should the need arise.

Robert B., age 50, opted for a full body scan from Bionicc Body Screening and a very small tumor was detected. He said, “It saved my life. Their MRI found a

kidney tumor that had been missed by a recent CT scan. I cannot recommend this service more.”

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Earth Day Every Day

Northville High School gets behind green initiatives

Earth Day, celebrated on April 22, reminds us of the importance of protecting our planet. At Northville High School, students go beyond awareness, taking meaningful action through a variety of eco-friendly initiatives. From hands-on recycling programs to STEM-driven environmental solutions, their efforts show how small steps can create a lasting impact. Through innovation and dedication, these student-led projects contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future for life on Earth.

One such initiative is led by the EDGE Club, which applies STEM principles to address real-world environmental challenges. By blending science and engineering, the club aims to improve the ecosystem. This year, the club is concentrating on the declining bat populations by constructing bat houses.

shrubs at the Island Lake Recreation Area, working on the rain garden at Moraine Elementary with nonprofit organization Friends of the Rouge, helping to reduce trout population at Saylor Lake with homemade fishing rods on a wilderness survival campout, and installing Bluebird Bird Boxes at Nankin Mills for an Eagle Scout Project.

Through these projects, not only does the troop aid in improving local ecosystems, but they also increase awareness about environmental responsibilities among residents.

clubs and initiatives thrive with support from other school organizations, even those without a primary focus on environmentalism.

For example, the Chinese Honor Society promotes waste reduction and recycling through collection drives and educational efforts, encouraging students to take responsibility for their consumption and waste habits.

“Bats are nature’s pest control, keeping insect populations in balance, benefiting local gardens, farms, and even our backyards. By building bat houses, EDGE will be providing safe, sustainable habitats for these incredible creatures, helping to support Northville’s biodiversity,” said sophomore Ella McClure.

With plans to install the bat houses in late April, EDGE members are eager to see their research and efforts make a lasting impact on the local environment.

Similarly, NHS students in Northville’s Scout Troop 903 also contribute to conservation efforts in the community.

According to junior Caroline Cummings, the scouts participate in various activities, including clearing out invasive

Of course, no Earth Day agenda is complete without the three R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle. NHS proudly embraces the latter by running an extensive recycling program, and the Green Club is committed to minimizing waste while sparking broader community improvements.

“We go around the school collecting cans from classrooms… early in the morning. After school, we then sort all the cans; we usually have about six trash bags full of them. [Next] we go to the grocery store to recycle them,” explains senior Cielo Lysaght. “[With] the profit we earn, we donate the money to Forgotten Harvest, which is a charity that helps to fight hunger in the Metro Detroit area.” Thus, the Green Club proves how sustainability can even drive positive social impact. With the right mindset, small actions can create lasting change.

At NHS, that mindset is one shared by the entire community. Environmental

“With so many students at NHS, we generate a lot of waste and a significant number of bottles and cans. We can help by keeping them out of the trash,” says Vice President Sabrina Schreck, who is a senior. “This is a step in the right direction towards a cleaner world with less pollution and more repurposing.”

Likewise, NHS’s Spanish Honor Society (SHH) brings environmental issues to the forefront and fosters a sense of responsibility among students. “Ever since joining SHH, I’ve noticed the large amounts of papers, bottles, etc., preserved and recycled by our organization,” reflects junior Emma Luo.

From the depths of the oceans to the highest mountain peaks, Earth Day at NHS highlights the interconnectedness of our planet and the urgent need to protect it. More than just raising awareness, NHS students take action, ensuring their efforts extend far beyond a single day. With enthusiasm and creativity, clubs and organizations inspire the community to join in building a cleaner, greener future for generations to come.

EDITOR’S NOTE: High School Confidential is a collaborative effort by the Stringers Journalism Club made up of NHS students Aoi Ono, Brian Zhang, Ian Lee, Isabella Mach, Keira Gallagher, Pranavi Oruganty, Saamaja Krishnan, Sarah Khalid, Sneha Hegde, and Stella Maue.

Sophomores Ella McClure and Winnie Ho, members of the EDGE Club, worked on a bat house project. Photo by Saamaja Krishnan

Providing you with the kitchen tools and confidence you need to cook like any pro in your home kitchen. WHAT YOU’LL FIND:

Hestan, Viking, Heritage Steel, de Buyer, and Staub Cookware

Zwilling, Messermeister, Cangshan, and Victorinox Cutlery

Ankarsrum Mixer, Fellow Coffee, Vitamix Electrics

Culinary Workshops

Members-Only Cookbook Club

out & about out & about out & about

YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NORTHVILLE THIS MONTH

Thayer’s Corner Clean Up

April 26

The semi-annual clean-up at Thayer’s Corner Nature Area will be held on Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m.-noon. The nature area is located at 8250 Napier Road. If you can help out, please RSVP to (248) 207-0765.

Maybury Clean Up

April 26

In honor of Earth Day, the Friends of Maybury State Park will be hosting a clean up of the park from 9 a.m.-noon. Meet at the trailhead (8 Mile entrance) at 8:45 a.m. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. If you are interested in volunteering, contact that park office at (248) 349-8390.

Farmers’ Market Opening Day

May 1

The Northville Farmers’ Market will make its debut at its new location on Seven Mile (across from Custard Time). The market runs from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays through October. It will feature seasonal offerings by Michigan growers, vendors and crafters. You can find flowers, produce, honey, plants, hand crafted items, baked goods and more. For more information contact the Northville Chamber of Commerce at northville.org or (248) 349-7640.

Ladies Night Out

May 1

The Northville Central Business Association (NCBA) will host Ladies Night from 6-10:30 p.m. at participating businesses in downtown Northville. There will be shopping, food, drinks and dancing. The theme this year is Derby Days in honor of the Kentucky Derby. There will be a hat contest at the Marquis Theater at 8:30 p.m. There will also be a raffle for city gift baskets. Shopping and strolling

Beers, Bites, Bands & Boards is Back

If a celebration featuring craft beer, food trucks, live music and skateboard demonstrations sounds like your thing, come out and support Beers, Bites, Bands & Boards 2025 from 1-7 p.m. on May 3 at Millenium Park in Northville (home of the Unity Skate Park). The inaugural event last year coincided with the opening of the skate park, and a portion of this year’s ticket sales will support the Northville Educational Foundation and The Dominic Duhn Memorial Foundation.

The local and regional breweries on hand will include Bearded Lamb, Great White Buffalo, The Northville Winery and Brewery, and Griffin Claw Brewing, as well as specialty cocktails from Crazcello and non-alcoholic options. Food trucks will include Little Caeser’s Pizza, Catch N Twist Hot Pretzels, Simple Spanish, The Burger Spot, and Impasto Italian. Social Bones and The Shawn Riley Band will perform live sets, and there will be plenty of skateboarding demonstrations at the skate park. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.Beersbitesbands. com.

downtown businesses takes place from 6-8 p.m. and then the activities move to the Marquis at 8 p.m.

Prayer Breakfast

May 1

The 51st annual Livonia Community Prayer Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cultural Center, 18100 Merriman Road in Livonia. The special guest is Abdu Murray, a speaker, author, and attorney who specializes in issues where religious faith and emerging cultural trends interlock. The theme of his presentation is “More than a White Man’s Religion”-- the title of one of his four books. Tickets are $25. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Sally Butler at (248) 476-9427.

Pre-K Open House

May 2

The Silver Springs KinderCare (20675 Silver Spring Drive) will be hosting a Great Start Readiness Pre-K open house from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. for the 2025-2026 school year. For more information call (248) 348-4767, or email the center at silverspring@ kindercare.com.

Wildflowers Hike

May 2

The Friends of Maybury State Park will be hosting a guided hike from 10-11:30 a.m. and discussing the park’s spring wildflowers. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to ask questions, share knowledge, and enjoy a peaceful outdoor adventure.

This event is rain or shine so make sure to dress appropriately for the weather. Space is limited for this hike and registration is required. More details will be available closer to the date of this hike. To sign up or for more information, visit www. friendsofmaybury.org.

Thayer’s School Open House

May 4

The Northville Township Historic District Commission will be hosting an open house at the historic Thayer’s Schoolhouse, located at the corner of Napier and 6 Mile Roads, from noon until 3 p.m., as well as a walk around the original cemetery in Northville Township, which wraps around the school. No reservations necessary. Historians from the Historic District Commission will be there to tell the schoolhouse history.

New Hope Gala

May

16

New Hope Center for Grief Support’s 25th anniversary fundraising gala “Lighting the Path with Hope” will take place from 6-11 p.m. at the Italian American Banquet & Conference Center of Livonia. New Hope is dedicated to serving the mission of bringing hope, healing, and new beginnings to adults and children grieving the death of a loved one. Erica Francis from Fox 2 Detroit and Kurt David will be hosting, and former Detroit Lion Eric Hipple will be the guest speaker. The event includes dinner, beer/wine, 50/50, cake auction, and a silent auction. There will also be music and dancing. For ticket information, visit newhopecenter.net. For sponsorship opportunities contact susan@newhopecenter.net.

At Northville salon, Easter baskets not just for kids

By Tim Smith

Easter baskets of childhood were filled with jellybeans, chocolates and colorfully painted hard-boiled eggs.

That tradition remains in 2025, of course. But at The Hair Foundation Salon in Northville, grown-up “kids” got another chance to re-live the Easter basket experience.

Hair Foundation co-owners Jennifer Bicknell and Stephanie Holmes on April 6 hosted “Bowties, Bows & A Bunny” -- a free-to-participate-in downtown raffle of sorts.

Many Northville businesses donated $1,400 worth of various gift items to be placed into five baskets, and families who came in to have their photo taken with one of the “bunnies” (both Bicknell and Holmes wore inflatable Easter bunny costumes) tagged “The Hair

Foundation Salon” for those photos on their social media platforms.

In turn, their names were thrown into the raffle, and five names were pulled from the hat to win the gift baskets. Those recipients were Michelle Lazdinis, Sandy Lyon, Brittany Matties, Cheyenne Pearson and Samantha Yax.

The plan for the event was hatched when Bicknell and Holmes talked about a way to get people to enjoy visiting downtown while also enabling stores and restaurants to get in on the Easter Bunny fun.

“It’s just something that people wouldn’t have to pay for,” Bicknell explained. “Like at the mall, you go and it costs you money, … and then we were like, we could also chat with all these stores and do something

collectively.”

Response from downtown merchants for the event has been off the charts, with Bicknell noting, “It completely blew up.”

From the original plan to raffle off three baskets worth $1,000, there were enough donations of gift cards and merchandise from Northville merchants to up the amount to $1,400 and give out five baskets.

to see our small town come together.”

“It was a great outcome and so much fun for everyone that came,” Bicknell said. “It’s nice

The Hair Foundation Salon is located at 142 North Center Street. Contact Bicknell or Holmes at (248) 938-0152 or visit hairfoundationsalon.com.

Cheyenne Pearson (left) was one of the winners of a gift basket at The Hair Foundation Salon’s Easter basket giveway on April 6. Photos courtesy of Jennifer Bicknell

Sandy Lyon, one of the winners, poses with the Easter Bunny.

IDishin’ With Denise

Denise Jenkins, who is a board member with the Northville Historical Society, is an avid writer and proponent of the arts. She is also plugged into what’s happening in Northville. Contact her at denisemjenkins@aol.com.

Springtime Inspirations

recently attended “A Celebration of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum” hosted by Michelle Ilitch and Brook Lites at Meadowbrook Country Club. Guests were encouraged to bring a mentee. It was an inspiring evening.

The Smithsonian is building the museum from the ground up on their DC campus. They are traveling the country looking for donors and stories, recognizing historic moments in women’s history. Michigan and Henry Ford Health are in the forefront of the project. The keynote speaker was Robin Damschroder, CFO of Henry Ford Health. She shared a shocking piece of history from my lifetime. The Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) was enacted in 1974 (only 50 years ago!). It was a landmark piece of legislation that “prohibits discrimination in credit transactions based on sex, marital status, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or receipt of public assistance,

significantly advancing women’s financial rights and equality”.

It made me stop to think – I did need a male co-signer for my first new car purchase months before this bill was signed. A woman could not rent an apartment on her own or have her own credit card. I brought my mentee, Rebecca – who I hope to someday pass my baton. She made some new connections and learned a lesson or two. The evening ended on a note about a daughter calling her mom on the ride home from work to say her new job was really hard work. The mom: “Work harder.” Rebecca and I exchanged a glance…I’m hopeful.

To learn more or get involved visit womenshistory.si.edu.

We have Schoolcraft College at our fingertips. It’s a gem hiding in plain sight. As of this year, two “free” years of college for high school students who choose to start their college career in their community. Yoga, pilates and swimming

classes for everyone interested in staying active – and as you age, for half price. They have a fabulous culinary arts school. I know all about it because my late cousin Randy German graduated from there. He went on to become a great pastry chef with experience at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, at The Breakers in West Palm Beach and his own bakery in downtown Howell.

The Schoolcraft College Foundation is presenting An American Harvest, the 2025 Culinary Extravaganza. This annual fundraiser sells out fast. It’s planned for October 23, which seems like a long way off but sponsorships are available now and tickets are on sale. You don’t want to miss your chance

for a ticket or an opportunity to reach a great guest list. This year is a “Nashville Chic” farm-to-table event. Polish your cowboy boots for some classic line-dancing.

Saying thank you never gets old, never goes out of style. A couple of weeks ago a tree blew down across the road in front of my house. It made it impassable. I called the Northville Township offices. As I was leaving the message I noticed someone out front with a chain saw. I went out and introduced myself – to my neighbor Karl. He did a great job of cleaning up the road and moving all the debris. I told him I called the township, and he told me he had some time and a chain saw. Enough said. It was nice to make a new acquaintance, and I just want to say “Thanks, Karl.”

One more thank you… to Zoryana Kozakov at The Northville Gallery. Twice this year I’ve had cause to have something unusual framed in a timely fashion. Both times she made great suggestions and delivered a beautifully framed piece on time to bring smiles.

Robin Damschroder of Henry Ford Health

Maddie Kara with her framed dove pendant by Northville Gallery.

Mothers and daughters: Michelle Ilitch Parker (from left), Joanne Ilitch, Denise Ilitch and Brooke Lites.

“Jamey and his associate Diana provided an excellent real estate experience. It was 21 years since we sold a home and the changes in the process were many. Jamey provided a clear perspective on the market and our position in it. Diana kept us well informed and up to date on all aspects of the marketing process, sale and closing. We highly recommend Jamey Kramer and his staff at RE/Max Classic.”