The 'Ville - June 2025

LOCAL JOURNALISM MATTERS

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LOCAL Matters! is the foundation of this magazine. If you find it of value, please consider supporting it. Every little bit helps! Please send donations to:

Journeyman Publishing 16435 Franklin Northville, MI 48168

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Thank you in advance.

Publisher

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

• Marcia & Mark Papsun

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.

MARIA TAYLOR – Writer

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

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

That’s a wrap for this NHS parent

The June issue is usually one of my favorites, considering we cover the Northville High School graduation. I’m always inspired by the fresh batch of graduates ready to launch out into the world and renew our community and society at large.

This year’s class is particularly special for me personally. My son, Kaden, is among the 584 graduates who make up the NHS Class of 2025. He is our third and last child to navigate the halls and classrooms of Northville High.

For my wife and I, it seems NHS has been a home away from home, as we’ve had a student at NHS since the fall of 2017. We’ve been to countless games, swim meets and ceremonies. Dropping off and picking up the kids at all times of the day and night –for practices or from games. Now that it is over, it seems a blink of an eye and, if I’m being honest, it is somewhat bittersweet. Although, I have to admit, I won’t miss the morning drop offs (it seems there has to be a better way!).

Northville High has been a sanctuary for our kids. While there were certainly challenges (anybody remember Covid?), our three kids all had great high school experiences. And for that I will forever be grateful.

I know there are people out there who like to denigrate our public schools. To the detractors, I say all you have to do is look at Northville High. The kids coming out of NHS are incredible. They’re smart and inquisitive, they’re ambitious and they’re prepared for the future. I’ve had a firsthand look for nearly a decade, and I have been nothing but impressed.

The NHS leadership team and teaching staff have been superb, which is something you can say for all of the schools in the Northville district.

I wanted to give a shoutout to NHS Principal Tony Koski, who is on the cover of this month’s issue. His leadership has been stellar, which I really appreciated during the Covid years. He understands how to run a building and he has built a great team at the high school. But I think his best trait is that he understands kids. He shows them

respect, and he gets it from them in return. That’s what you want in a high school principal.

I know I am probably speaking for lots of the people reading this column, who have had kids go through NHS, when I say thank you, Mr. Koski. You are appreciated more than you know.

Please take the time to look through the graduation pages, which start on Page 22 Our photographer, Bryan Mitchell, was able to spend time at a lot of the senior events, including Prom, the senior car parade, graduation ceremony and Senior All Night Party. A special thank you to Laura at Genitti’s for sponsoring the graduation list, which you’ll find in the center of the magazine.

Check it out. Those are the names and faces that are headed out into the world to make us all proud. Congratulations to the Class of 2025!

CORRECTION: In last month’s issue, we featured Robert Stueckle in our Past Tense section. Stueckle, a 17-year-old Northville resident, was killed serving in the Navy during WWII. We featured a photo that was actually Stueckle’s brother, Paul, who served in the Marine Corps.

OMISSION: In last month’s Community Bulletin Board, we ran an item about the Northville Travel Basketball Association 4th grade girls team winning a state championship. We listed the team roster, but Margo Ballew was not listed. Margo, a 4th grader at Amerman, played an important part on the team this year. Great job, Margo! Sorry we didn’t include your name.

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

ON THE COVER: Northville High School Principal Tony Koski congratulates Jacob Gusick during the graduation commencement ceremony June 1 at USA Hockey Arena. Photo by Bryan Mitchell

Robert Stueckle

Your Voice

Thanks for years of support

Members of the Northville Garden Club wish to thank all the businesses and residents of the Northville community for their years of support. Since 1975, the Northville Garden Club has brought fresh wreaths and roping to area businesses and residents to decorate for the holidays. During our annual Greens Mart our members sold wreaths that we adorned with pinecones and our bright, hand-made “signature” red bows.

All of the profits from our annual Greens Mart have always gone back into our community in the form of civic improvements, scholarships, and donations. Some of the organizations we have donated to include:

• Friends of the Northville District Library

• Gardens at the Yerkes House in Mill Race Village

• Northville Garden Club Park

• Allen Terrace

• Northville Historical Society

• Northville High School Scholarships

• Schoolcraft College Scholarships

• Woman’s National Farm and Garden Association Charities which include: the Detroit Zoo, 4-H Children’s Garden, 4-H Great Lakes Camp, and the Matthaei Internship Fund for Horticultural Therapy

We regret to announce that the Northville Garden Club has decided to no longer hold

Grateful to live in the ‘Ville

The May issue of The ‘Ville’s focus on the hot realty market in Northville brought back long forgotten memories. Who could have predicted 41 years ago when we moved here that Northville would be a metaphor for “Willoughby,” a Twilight Zone episode “where a man can live his life fullmeasure.”

I often pause and am grateful that through an accident of birth and geography we live in Northville. We may not believe things are great, but as my father always, always said, “it’s better than China.” Most of the world’s displaced people would agree.

Thank you for your fine journalism and magazine.

Ming & Barbara Louie

Don’t fan flames

This is concerning the letter “A hard time understanding” in the Your Voice section of the May 2025 issue. Why would “Northville’s News and Lifestyle Magazine” fan the political flames of our already deeply divided country? The overt political comments have no business in a local lifestyle publication.

Mike Grimm

SOUND OFF

our annual Greens Mart and will move forward with our fundraising efforts in a different way.

We are exploring other avenues to support our charitable giving efforts and we appreciate your continued interest in our work.

If you’d like to learn more about the Northville Garden Club, visit northvillegardenclub.com.

It has been a true pleasure and joy to be a part of making our Northville Community truly beautiful for the holidays.

Christie Bronson President, Northville Garden Club

Safe as a ghost town

Mayor Brian Turnbull’s plan is working. Another downtown businessGardenviews - is closing. Keep up the good work, Mr. Mayor. The empty streets will now be even safer for the non-existent crowds as they pass by the empty, shuttered shops. Nothing safer than a ghost town.

Phillip Kovacs

Always remember

I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to Michele Fecht for her May article about Navy S2c Robert Stueckle, lost at sea on the U.S.S. Indianapolis. A real tribute to this young sailor’s sacrifice. We must always remember.

Also wondered why there is no Memorial Day banner displayed for him in town? Maybe someone knows or is in touch with his descendants?

Steven White

Please submit your letters by emailing Editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@thevillemagazine.com. Letters must be 150 words or less. We reserve the right to edit all letters.

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Tennis Team Stuns Field at D1 Finals

Young Mustangs squad earns 3rd state championship in program history

By Brad Emons

Flying under the radar all season long, the Northville girls tennis team roared from the backstretch like a Kentucky Derby longshot and nipped one of the favorites at the wire to stun the MHSAA Division 1 field.

You could call it a photo finish of sorts as No. 5-ranked Northville clipped No. 1 Utica Eisenhower, 24-23, to earn its first Lower Peninsula title since 2018 and third overall in school history on May 31 at Byron Center.

Second-ranked Novi, which finished ahead of the rival Mustangs in both the Regional 2 and Kensington Lakes Activities Association tournaments, placed third overall with 19 points, while No. 3-ranked Rochester Adams and defending champion Clarkston took fourth and fifth, respectively, with 18 and 17.

“From the very start, I told this team they were special,” said Northville’s Brenda Lionas, who took over the head coaching reins in 2022 after being an assistant in the program the previous 10 years.

“I knew we had a lot of talent. Nobody was like a standout superstar, but we had a lot of talent on the team and I just recognized that they were special. A bunch of special individual players and little by little, match by match we became a special team.”

A year ago, Northville was 11th in the D1 finals while Eisenhower, seeking its firstever state title in school history, was runner-up.

And the Mustangs did it surprisingly with a young group of players.

“At the state tournament we had one freshman, six sophomores, three juniors

and two seniors,” Lionas said. “We’ve been reloading. Last year was their first year and just learning how to compete together and in high-pressure situations, and they had a good year under their belt. We just kept building from there.”

Northville captured two of the four doubles flights and added a runner-up finish in another.

Sophomores Sravya Doppalapudi and Francine Ong won at No. 3 doubles despite entering seeded fifth. They capped a 25-6 season with a 6-2, 7-5 win over second-seeded Emily Backus and Sruthi Karthik of Novi in the finals.

At No. 4 doubles, sophomore Emma Murphy and senior Sophie Ong, seeded fourth, captured the title with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 win over second-seed Arya Bryan and Janvi Kulchania of Troy to complete a 27-5

season.

Murphy and Ong defeated the top-seeded Rochester Adams pair of Joanna Ouyang and Monika Camaj in their semifinal, 6-4, 6-1.

Meanwhile, Northville’s Lucia Lachapelle and Aadya Pullalarevu, both sophomores, advanced to the championship match at No. 2 doubles before falling to Eisenhower’s Alexis Gabriel and Alayna Aamodt in the finals, 6-4, 6-2.

Lachapelle and Pullalarevu, who were seeded third, finished the year 28-4 overall.

Northville’s No. 1 doubles team of senior Jordan Murphy and freshman Grace Xu won their opening round match before falling in the second round and wound up 17-9 as a duo.

“As a young team, our doubles were mostly new partners,” Lionas said. “We started out a

Northville's No. 3 doubles team of Francine Ong (left) and Sravya Doppalapudi came home with the No. 3 state doubles title. Photos courtesy of Brenda Lionas

The Mustangs' No. 4 doubles player Sophie Ong celebrates match point at the Division 1 state finals held at Byron Center.

little slow but match by match, they built chemistry and learned to believe in each other and themselves. We talked a lot about trusting the process and growth through the season. Our doubles teams came in clutch at the tournament. I truly believe that was the difference in winning the state championship.”

In singles, the Mustangs got a huge boost from sophomore Emmi Dober, the fifth seed, who advanced to the final at No. 3 singles before losing to Arella He of Ann Arbor Pioneer, 7-5, 6-2.

Dober, who finished 27-4 on the year, came up with a big win in the quarterfinals against Novi’s No. 4 seed Prashasti Pandey, 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, before ousting Rockford’s Grace Ferry, the ninth seed, in the semifinals, 6-4, 6-2.

The Mustangs’ Michelle Lee (No. 4), the fifth seed, reached the semifinals before falling to eventual champion Rebecca Liu of Novi, 6-2, 6-0. The junior went 21-8 on the season.

Junior Sophia DiPilla, Northville’s No. 1 singles player who finished 25-6 on the year, also picked up a point in her first-round match before falling in the second round.

Rounding out the Mustangs’ singles lineup was junior Talia Nishanian (No. 2), the fifth seed, who was upset in three sets in the second round. Nishanian went 19-4 overall.

“We spent a lot of time in the classroom just believing we could do it,” Lionas said. “We spent time talking about facing and overcoming adversity and focusing on the game in front of us, not what was around us or behind us. I think our players showed tremendous toughness and stayed composed in those

high-pressure moments, and executed when it mattered.”

During the regular season, Northville posted a 14-1 dual match record with their only defeat coming against Novi, 7-3.

Mustangs, 24-20, for the title with DiPilla taking the No. 1 singles title, while doubles crowns went to Murphy and Sophie Ong (No. 4) along with seniors Megan Makie and

The Mustangs also captured the Ann Arbor Quad, took second in the Northville Quad and third in the Eisenhower Quad.

In the KLAA ‘A’ tourney on May 10, Novi outscored the

Sonali Sharma (No. 5), the latter tandem went 16-2 for the season.

Meanwhile, host Novi also edged Northville, 28-26, for the Regional 2 championship

on May 16 as Francine Ong and Doppalapudi won at No. 3 doubles, while Sophie Ong and Emma Murphy prevailed at No. 4.

“We were competing really well,” Lionas said. “We lost conference and regionals to Novi -- close matches, sometimes the scores don’t dictate how good the play was.”

But when the Mustangs charged out of the starting gate for the D1 finals, they were more than ready for the challenge.

“We believed we could and I think that was the difference where we truly, truly believed in each other and in ourselves,” Lionas said. “It’s just a surreal feeling and everyone is just on Cloud Nine. Nobody’s feet have even touched the ground yet.”

Northville, which also won the title in 2015 under coach Linda Jones and was runner-up in 2016, will now be deemed as the odds-on favorite to win the D1 title in 2026.

“We have a strong JV team too, so we’ve got a lot of strong players coming up as well,” Lionas said. “Next year we’re going to be defending and we’re not going to be off the radar. But looking forward to that, yeah.”

For the third time in school history, the Northville girls tennis team came home with the MHSAA Division I state championship.

The Mustangs' No. 4 doubles team of Sophie Ong and Emma Murphy earned the No. 4 doubles state title.

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Club of Northville, starts downtown in the green space behind the Northville District Library, where attendees can purchase tickets with location information for $20. (Tickets are also available to purchase in advance for $15 online at cgcnv.org/tickets for details.)

Attendees should set aside two or three hours during the event window to drive to all of the gardens at their leisure and visit the vendors, who will be selling perennials and gardening accoutrement at the downtown starting point. There are also gardens to explore at the library itself.

31st Annual Northville Garden Walk set for July 9

Plant Promenade

By Emily Doran

Janet Bernardino has an eye for the unusual.

Over the past 30 years, the Salem Township gardener has been cultivating a unique organic oasis at her home.

The property has uncommon trees: Horstmann’s Silberlock (a Korean fir she describes as appearing “permanently flocked”); a dawn redwood; and Cornus kousa (“Wolf Eyes”), which is a small dogwood tree. “It will be looking cream and green right now,” she says. “In

the fall, the leaves’ cream color turns pink-rose. It’s quite a nice, showy specimen.”

At the ground level, her garden includes a mix of the aesthetic and the practical with wildflowers and vegetables.

Then there is the 200-pound life-sized statue memorializing her Akita “that went number three in North America in 2017,” Bernardino says. (Gardening isn’t her only pursuit: She also breeds championship and companion Akitas.) The white-

Kathryn Novak, who is on the Country Garden Club’s publicity committee, says the club members “like to have a selection of gardens” on the

and-yellow-pine dog looks like he’s running.

All of this will be viewable from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, when Bernardino and five other local gardeners open their yards to the horticulturally curious as part of the 31st Annual Northville Garden Walk.

The event, put on by the nonprofit Country Garden

annual walk: “Small gardens, a large country garden, city garden,” she says. “We want people to know that they can do this. It’s all ordinary homeowners [on the walk].”

One focus of the club is to promote native gardens, and Novak says the members try to include at least one such garden in the annual event. “If you have a native garden, it sustains

Ailsa Blunk's "secret garden" (above and below left) features plenty of native plants.

Janet Bernardino’s Salem Township garden will be featured on the Garden Walk. She has a diversity of trees and plants, including several variety of redbud trees.

the wildlife,” she says. “And it’s plants that thrive naturally here, so you don’t have to water them as much, and it’s just more economically sustainable, and it’s good for our earth.”

Ailsa Blunk, one of this year’s participating gardeners, concurs. She and her husband started a native plant garden a few years ago, she says, and they’re planning to expand it. “We’re really into environmental care and taking care of creation, and what better way to have plants grow than ones [that] are natural to the state?”

Blunk also has been working on a “secret garden” that she is excited to share with event attendees. The tucked-away spot will have seating where she hopes to relax with a book or a beverage in the summer.

“Hopefully the weather will cooperate so we can get it done,” she says with a laugh. Novak is wishing for clear skies on the day of the walk as well, after torrential rain put a damper on last year’s festivities. In fact, one of the gardens from the 2024 walk is on the list again “because not many people saw it last year,” Novak says. (And “it’s well worth seeing,” she adds.)

Proceeds from the walk — the club’s only fundraiser of the year, which happens rain or shine — enable the club to issue local scholarships and support organizations focused on horticultural and environmental causes.

This time of year, Novak’s fellow club members are keeping their eyes open for new gardens whose cultivators might be interested in joining

a future walk; they will have a sign-up sheet at the event as well.

“Everybody’s modest about their own garden,” Novak says, but even when folks don’t think theirs are “Garden Walk material, many times they are.” Plus, “it really makes you feel good that [attendees] appreciate all the work you do,” she says, “because if you’re a gardener, you’re out there working hard.”

The gardens cannot accommodate strollers or wheelchairs, and the walk is not open to pets. To learn more or to purchase tickets, visit cgcnv.org/ garden-walk, call (734) 7889935, or email cgcnorthville@ gmail.com. You can also purchase tickets the day of the event next to the library.

One of the highlights of Janet Bernardino’s garden is the 200-pound statue memorializing her Akita “that went number three in North America in 2017,” she says.

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Ford Field Playscape Project Hits Home Stretch

Donations from Rotary and others give project big boost

By Tim Smith

Something head-turning is in the works for Northville’s beloved Ford Field – namely the construction of a modern, accessible and dynamic playground to succeed the aging, but still beloved Fort Griswold.

It isn’t ribbon-cutting time just yet, with a contractor still to be determined as of early June for the project that is expected to cost more than a million dollars.

But all signs point to site work beginning this summer, with a major financial assist of between $75,000 to $100,000 coming from the Northville Rotary Club.

“Fort Griswold 2.0” soon will be erected at the location of the facility – proudly built in 1997 by community members but which now is deteriorating and becoming less safe for children to use.

“We’ve had this playground

renovation in our sights for a long, long time,” said Andy Boyd, president of the Northville Rotary Foundation, the fundraising arm for the club.

“We’ve talked about it for years and maybe decades, ‘Someday we’re going to do something great.’”

That day has arrived. Northville Rotarians will have their fingerprints all over whatever comes next, which is hoped to be completed in time for the service club’s 2026 centennial celebration.

“We’re really proud of the Rotary Club’s ability to support many different projects in the community and this is kind of our statement piece,” Boyd said. “It says it’s a great place to have a family.”

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS

According to Wendy Wilmers Longpre, strategic planning director for the City

of Northville, the Northville Rotary Club is donating $50,000 with the foundation adding another $25,000 – with the latter hopefully matched by ongoing donations from the community.

“The Rotary is continuing to raise funds,” said Wilmers Longpre. “They have a matching fundraising program that they’re working on right now. And (city) staff is going to continue to raise some funds. We’re hoping to send out some additional fundraising letters in the next week or two.

“We haven’t met our fundraising goals yet, but we have exceeded where we thought we’d be at this point. We’re happy about how that is progressing.”

(Wilmers Longpre said those still interested in donating to the fundraising campaign can e-mail her at wlongpre@ ci.northville.mi.us.)

Wilmers Longpre said the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) also pitched in a $75,000 grant, which was matched by local donations.

The amount chipped in through the efforts of Northville Rotarians could climb to as much as $100,000 when all is said and done.

Boyd knows it will be money well spent.

“The renovation needs to be done,” Boyd said. “The current state of the playground is pretty rough for anybody who’s been there recently. It’s well past its retirement date.

“It’s going to be a great playground for a lot of people. Currently, it’s difficult to navigate for people who have trouble with narrow stairs or stairs in general. So the new playground is going to be doing

a much better job of serving more people.”

GENERATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

Northville’s playground committee met on June 3 to decide whether to award the job to a contractor and officially get the ball rolling. But it was decided that more study needed to be done.

Awarding of a contract, which would require city council approval, could be forthcoming with shovels in the ground by late summer or fall.

“From a timeline standpoint, we expect beginning some sort of work on the playground late summer,” Wilmers Longpre said. “It may just be site work.”

Wilmers Longpre emphasized that the committee wants to weigh potential tweaks to playground design and make sure whoever gets the job will construct a playground that will reflect the uniqueness and character of Northville.

“We want it to be exciting, and to take into account the history of the park and the history of the playground,” Wilmers Longpre said. “We don’t want a traditional, cookiecutter kind of playground like you see all over the place.

“And that’s just going to take us a little bit of time to work through discussions with various suppliers to get what we want. There isn’t one particular thing that we’re not seeing (from prospective companies). This is a once-every-25-year or 30-year opportunity.”

Mayor Brian Turnbull said it is emblematic of what the Northville Rotary Club stands for that its members are leading the charge for such an important and essential project.

“We’re all looking for the next generation and making

Laila Rundell and Sofia Mazzitelli play on the Fort Griswold playscape at Ford Field. File photo by Bryan Mitchell

Northville the best we possibly can for years to come,” Turnbull said. “And there’s publicprivate donations and all the organizations like the Rotary and others in town cooperating. It says a lot about Northville, about the spirit of Northville, and people working together for the benefit of all.”

TEAMWORK REMAINS

Partnerships remain instrumental to firming up Ford Field’s future, as much as they played a major role in its past, Turnbull emphasized.

“The play structure is outstanding,” Turnbull said. “We had a community build it 25 or 30 years ago. It’s been outstanding, (but) it’s not (Americans with Disabilities Act) conforming. It’s deteriorating. We’ll save all

the boards from everybody that had their names on that play structure.”

In an April press release issued by the city, the playground’s next iteration will feature “adaptive swings, musical play features, an inclusive communication board, sensory climber, inclusive whirl or seesaw, ADA picnic tables and benches and accessible walkways and surfacing.”

Moreover, the press release continued to underscore the various safety and accessibility improvements the next playscape will include.

“The existing structure doesn’t meet current playground safety standards,” the press release stated, “and the new structure will be comprised of modern materials and designed to ensure all users

are able to explore safely.”

Taken together with other elements of a comprehensive, multi-million dollar makeover of Ford Field, such as a waterfall vista and wrought iron fence entryway, the city is ready to embrace what has been described as a New York City Central Park-esque resource for downtown Northville.

“This is the first major renovation project since it was our football field, our gathering place when Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company donated that to us,” Turnbull said. “We played our football games there until 1962, with the cement seating there and everybody in town by 7 o’clock every Friday.

“So now we have the chance to renovate Ford Field to bring it back to its splendor and glory.”

The City of Northville is still seeking partnerships and donations to help pay for the reconstruction of the Fort Griswold playscape at Ford Filed. Those still interested in donating to the fundraising campaign can e-mail Wendy Wilmers Longpre, strategic planning director for the City of Northville, at wlongpre@ci.northville. mi.us. You can also donate through the Northville Rotary club by visiting northvillerotaryfoundation.org. For more information about the project, visit the city’s website at www.ci.northville.mi.us.

KITCHENS FOR COOKS

by Cooks

WGraduating seniors close out a stellar high school experience

hile the Northville High School’s Class of 2025, comprised of 584 students, was not NHS’s largest class historically, it certainly made an indelible mark not only on the school’s Six Mile campus but also in the community at large.

The graduates had a whirlwind of activities to close out their four years at the school. The Seniors Honors Convocation took place May 19, followed by the senior breakfast and clap out on May 21 – marking their last day

of school. On May 22, prom followed the annual gathering for photos at Mill Race Village.

The Senior Car Parade, which traveled along Six Mile to the cheers from friends, family, NHS staff and members of the community, was on May 31.

Everything culminated on June 1, with the graduation ceremony at USA Hockey Arena and followed by the Senior All Night Party at the high school, which went into the wee hours of the morning.

At the graduation ceremony,

which was attended by about 3,500 people, NHS Principal Tony Koski lauded the Class of 2025, which included his daughter and youngest child, Lyza. Koski admitted that he will always have a soft spot for the class. And it’s clear they have a love for him, as well, considering about a hundred of them showed up on his front lawn to cook him breakfast in the middle of the night during the last week of school.

In a world increasingly marked by artificial intelligence,

Koski noted how authentic the group was. He noted their “dedication, passion and spirit” and listed their many achievements.

• 65 National Merit Scholars

• 91% with academic honors

• 192 students inducted into the National Honors Society

• A record of community service

• A multitude of music, science and athletic awards.

“In athletics, you’ve achieved in one year – your senior year – what most schools only

dream of in decades. Eleven division championships, eight conference championships, five district championships, nine regional championships, four final four appearances, three state runner ups, five state championships,” Koski boasted.

But it was the human element of the group that Koski will most remember, he said.

“I look at you, your achievements, your leadership and your kindness,” said Koski.

“Without a doubt, no machine, no algorithm, no piece of code can ever replace what you have done for our school, our community and for each other.”

Northville Schools

Superintendent RJ Webber also spoke at the graduation ceremony. He read from two poems that had inspired him and seemed appropriate for the occasion. One included the line: “The mountains are calling, and I must go.”

He said the students were like climbers looking for the next accent, their next challenge.

And no matter where the future takes them, Webber told the graduates to “never, never forget where you came from.”

“Go toward the unknown with courage, curiosity and kindness,” he said.

Koski has no doubt the kids will do just that. He noted what a tight knit group the class is. He was especially proud that

all but two of the graduates were there to walk across the stage, with the last two students having other commitments but hoping to get there before the ceremony was over.

“That’s who we are. We finish together,” Koski said to the graduates.

“You are truly an awesome group that is going to do incredible things.”

NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2025

Darren R. LaLondeIngrid Runnion

More Than Just Educators

NHS teachers and staff made lasting impact on Class of 2025

As the seniors wrap up their final year of high school, they wave bittersweet goodbyes to friends, classmates, teachers, and staff.

With their next milestone looming ahead, many of the seniors took advantage of Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week (May 5-9), and took a moment to reflect on the individuals who helped them get to this point. From classroom instruction and mentoring beyond academics to offering invaluable life lessons, the teachers and staff at Northville High School have left a lasting impact on this year’s graduates.

Many seniors deeply appreciate that their teachers and mentors have created positive learning experiences throughout their high school

Garland has had a significant impact on their learning. Garland’s open-door policy created a space for students to ask questions, work through projects, or simply drop in for a conversation. “If I ever needed a place to go,” Ellendula says, “his door was always open.”

While NHS teachers and staff are known for their dedication to students’ academic success, many students recall how their teachers influenced them beyond the classroom— offering guidance and fostering a healthy, enjoyable campus culture.

out and being unique when in reality those qualities are what make you more fun” and that having fun is actually a valuable part of busy high school life. Although students may forget historical facts or physics concepts over time, the life lessons taught by teachers and staff will leave a lasting mark. Ashrita Yenduri credits biology teacher April Surinck for teaching her how to ask for help. “[Asking for help] isn’t always easy, but [it’s] something I’ll carry with me in college and beyond.”

years. Sophia Stoops recalls how chemistry teacher Melanie Obrigkeit supported her through academic challenges.

“When I was struggling in honors chem, Mrs. Obrigkeit helped me rebound second semester and just completely turn around my year.”

Priya Sabnis will never forget the patience and dedication of her chemistry teacher, Traci Lowes, and math teacher, Michele Mikonczyk. At seminar, both teachers took the time to use different methods to explain the material to her until she thoroughly understood the content. Similarly, Kritika Saggar and Ritvik Ellendula feel that economics teacher Jackson

Simran Magnan, who was recruited by Kalamazoo College for women’s soccer, is grateful that her teachers helped her navigate college decisions. English teacher Kary Couchman shared her experience of playing sports at Albion College, and English teacher Matt Stetson also discussed realities of college sports with her, giving Magnan “more clarity” about her future.

Molly Baughman speaks highly of choir accompanist Jim Walters, who shows up with a bright smile on his face at every performance, “no matter how silly or boring it may be.” Mr. Walters’ unwavering support has made Baughman feel appreciated, encouraging her to work hard in the face of challenges.

Lilliana Matatov learned the importance of charisma and relaxation from her counselor, Leah Babinski, who dressed up as Coraline and posed for photos with students during Halloween. Matatov shared that “many students fear standing

Lucy Medley recalls that Beth Richert, director of Choir Department, teaches students not only music, but also life skills, such as how to handle job interviews, interact with others, prioritize tasks, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. One important lesson Lauren James learned from English teacher David Bowen is that “you don’t have to be perfect” and “when you take some pressure off and do your best, you can find a deeper connection to the things you learn.”

As members of the Class of 2025 move on to new chapters, they carry with them knowledge, confidence, hardwon wisdom, and ambition. What defined their time at NHS has been made possible by inspiring and supportive teachers and staff, too numerous to name individually. Thanks to the entire team of educators who genuinely care for and believe in their students, the graduates are ready to step confidently into the next phase of their lives.

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

Seniors Sophia Stoops and Priya Sabnis with chemistry teacher Mrs. Melanie Obrigkeit during seminar.

Senior Molly Baughman and Choir accompanist Mr. Jim Walters at “The Play that Goes Wrong”, NHS Theatre’s fall play.

A Cloud of Uncertainty

Local school districts brace for loss of federal funding

By Tim Smith

The threatened dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education by President Donald Trump and his administration is worrisome for educators in local school districts, including Northville.

But so long as money continues to flow in from the state of Michigan as well as from regional and local sources, programs – although financially hampered – would not necessarily be knee-capped to the point of no longer effectively serving families and students, officials say.

One of the major areas where loss of federal funding would be a difficult challenge is special education – bolstered and buoyed by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

“The things I’ve heard parents ask me is ‘Will we even have services at all? Is IDEA money going away?” said Elizabeth Santer, executive director of special services for Northville Public Schools. “A lot of these things that are being threatened, even the

Department of Education, it can’t go away unless there’s an act of Congress.

“So the chances that IDEA funds are going away, I would reassure them (parents) that the chances … are low.”

Santer stressed that all efforts will be made at the local level to maintain the quality of services for special education students, whether those are residents of Northville or of 11 other districts served by the Cooke School center program. About 35 students from the PlymouthCanton district currently attend Cooke.

“I would reassure them that IDEA funding would be very difficult to go away completely,” Santer emphasized. “And that in Northville Public Schools we are committed to serving our students and making sure that our students with special education protections continue to be served in the best way we can.

“But obviously, there’s a lot of moving parts in this. It isn’t just special education and it isn’t just funding.”

Santer reiterated that “they’re not talking about losing it (federal funding), they’re talking about shifting it. It’s just that in that shift, we’re not confident it’s going to all be there.”

LOSS WOULD BE FELT

Northville Superintendent

RJ Webber said it remains to be seen how well the states can fill any funding void left by the loss of a federal education department.

In Northville, about $2 million out of an estimated $100 million annual budget is from the federal government, and that “would be money that would be hard to make up.”

In Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, approximately $10.5 million in federal money was received for 2024-25. The total budget is an estimated $225 million.

“While there is still uncertainty surrounding next year’s federal funding and the future of the U.S. Department of Education,” stated P-CCS Superintendent Monica Merritt in an e-mail, “any reduction in support from the federal government would significantly impact the programs and services we are able to provide to our students.”

Webber noted that districts

receive federal dollars through programs including Title 1 (to help the economically disadvantaged), Title 2 (for professional development) and Title 3 (to help multi-language learners).

According to Merritt, federal funding also helps support “a range of vital programs” including adult education, food service, career and technical education.

And then there’s special education funding, money which is essential to “support students with disabilities and those who rely on additional resources to ensure they have access to a high-quality education,” Merritt added.

P-CCS special education programs and services include those for students (between ages 0-26) with cognitive impairments and Autism Spectrum Disorder, which rely on help from federal dollars.

The potential impact on special education is something Northville’s Webber also is sharply aware of.

“What I’m hearing from parents is, parents who have students with IEPs (Individualized Educational Program) are really concerned about that,” Webber said. “And you look at something like our Cooke School program, where

About 15 percent of special education budgets (for Michigan public districts) are generated from federal dollars. Cooke School would be impacted if that were to be eliminated.

In Northville Public Schools we are committed to serving our students and making sure that our students with special education protections continue to be served in the best way we can. But obviously, there’s a lot of moving parts in this. It isn’t just special education and it isn’t just funding.”

Elizabeth Santer, executive director of special services for Northville Public Schools

the level of need is so high.

There are students there at Cooke, we put in over $100,000 a year to serve.

“Those parents and kids did not ask to be put in that life situation that they are and one of the things that makes me proudest of being a public educator is that we attend to those students and their families.”

The Individualized Educational Program helps special education educators and families gauge a student’s performance level, document annual goals for development and map out how to achieve those goals. Crucial to IEPs is a written statement detailing which specific services are to help students meet those developmental goals and a timeframe for the process.

MANY QUESTIONS

Yet, for as long as the Trump administration threatens a departmental shutdown (an executive order was signed in late March), a cloud of uncertainty will hover above all public educators and families.

According to Santer, “inconsistencies and disparities” between what districts can offer special education students would probably be prompted by the elimination of the Department of Education.

“The elimination of the department,” Santer stressed, “would basically disrupt oversight, guidance and enforcement mechanisms that are really important for maintaining consistent and equitable special education services across the state.”

Santer added that “If you leave it to individual states, you very well could not have consistency across states. But even in Michigan, you might have more inconsistency (between districts).”

Without a federal education department, it would be difficult to shore up compliance with the IDEA.

“It mandates all students with disabilities receive appropriate educational services,” she said. “If you don’t have a department, there would be a void in that federal oversight.”

About 15 percent of special education budgets (for Michigan public districts) are generated from federal dollars. Even though states, regional education programs and local agencies theoretically could make up a chunk of that money, handing off the financial baton might be more ham-fisted than desired.

“While the administration, in Washington, suggest that that funding responsibility could be transferred (to states), …

those transitions may not be seamless,” Santer explained. “So that’s going to lead to those delays and reductions in funding. Because when our bills come, they come.”

Added to the mix is uncertainty with legal challenges.

“People are joining coalitions, suing to prevent the department’s closure,” Santer

said. “That adds challenges faced by us, educators and administrators, because we have to plan and deliver consistent services. And we can’t do that in a day.

“We need to know that that money will be there, and who’s going to be issuing that money and what bucket is that going to be in when we’re planning for next year.”

Cooke School in Northville serves special education students from Northville and 11 other school districts, including 35 from Plymouth-Canton. File photo

For the fourth year in a row, Northville won the 4 x 800-meter relay at the D1 finals led by (from left) Rece Grezak, Ethan Powell, Ryan Stojov and Ben Hartigan.

you could argue, six guys this year that could have deserved the spot on that team. We had six guys run 1:57 or quicker. We lose two of the four that ran at the state meet, but yes, next year could be five.”

Northville’s 4 x 400 relay team of Hartigan, junior Reece Mooradian, senior Haithem Al-Zoubi and Grezak also added a fourth in 3:17.85 (a school record).

away with the team title scoring 163 points, while the host Wildcats took second with 126.

Individual winners for the Mustangs included Stojov (800, 1:54.55) and Cloud (3,200, 9:25.82).

Northville also captured three of the four relays led by 4 x 200 team of seniors Andrew Line, Colin Charles Alex McCallum and Al-Zoubi (1:28.78).

Runners Up

Runners Up Runners Up

Distance crew leads Mustangs to best track finish in school history

By Brad Emons

Bolstered by eight All-State performances, Northville boys track and field broke new ground by earning its highest finish in school history with a runner-up showing at the MHSAA Division 1 finals.

Ironically, Northville finished second behind fellow Kensington Lakes Activities Association member Belleville, which scored a team-best 57 points to the Mustangs’ 35 in the meet held May 31 at East Kentwood.

Just three weeks earlier in the KLAA meet May 10 at Hartland, Northville ran away with the title with 130 to the Tigers’ 80.

“Belleville got us at the state meet, we got them at the conference meet,” Northville coach Tim Dalton said. “With the sport of track and field and going top eight at the state meet – just a couple of high-end kids can make the difference team-wise whereas more at the conference meet I’d say your

depth, or talent across the board in all 17 events shows through.”

Northville’s distance crew was the catalyst at the state finals led by the 4 x 800-meter relay team of senior Rece Grezak, junior Ryan Stojov, senior Ethan Powell and junior Ben Hartigan. They combined for a first-place time of 7:41.24.

“Incredible accomplishment to go first four years in a row,” Dalton said of the 4 x 800 quartet. “No kid on this year’s team was on the first one four years ago. Truly, we had, and

Individual All-State (top eight) placers for the Mustangs included Grezak, fourth, 800 (1:55.14); senior Logan Mullan, fifth, 800 (1:55.29); Stojov, fifth, 1,600 (4:19.31); sophomore Brandon Cloud, sixth, 3,200 (9:13.91, personal best); freshman Lucas Mullan, seventh, 1,600 (4:19.31); and Powell, eighth, 3,200 (9:22.52).

Belleville countered Northville’s distance crew with Will (Jaiden) Smith and Schmar Gamble going one-two in the 110 hurdles. Smith also captured the 300 hurdles and took fifth in the 200, while the Tigers also swept the 400 and 800 relays.

“Belleville won essentially off of three kids, one-two of the best hurdlers in the country and then they added a third kid who was also in their sprint relays,” Dalton said.

At the Region 6 meet held May 16 at Novi, Northville ran

The relay foursome of Hartigan, Mooradian, Al-Zoubi and Grezak added a first in the 4 x 400 (3:24.09), while Grezak, Stojov, Logan Mullan and Hartigan captured the 4 x 800 (7:53.80).

In the KLAA meet, Stojov swept the 800- and 1,600 distance races in 1:54.64 and 4:19.45, respectively.

Northville’s 1,600 relay quartet of Hartigan, Mooradian, Al-Zoubi and Grezak won in 3:24.69, while the 3,200 foursome of Grezak, Logan Mullan, Stojov and Hartigan also took first in 7:44.01.

Two other relay school records were set this season as well.

Line, McCallum, Al-Zoubi and Charles eclipsed the 4 x 100 mark at the regional (42.57) along with the 4 x 200 at the state finals (1:28.09).

Northville captured the regional for the fifth year in a row, while also adding the conference and KLAA West Division dual meet titles for the fourth straight season under Dalton, who began as the Mustangs’ head coach, first with the girls program in 2013, before taking over both programs.

“Super talented team and it was an incredible accomplishment,” Dalton said of the 2025 boys season.

The Northville boys track and field team made history finishing runner-up in the MHSAA Division 1 finals held May 31 at East Kentwood. Photos courtesy of Tim Dalton

On the Road With

Sands of Punta Cana

Kurt Kuban, publisher of The ‘Ville, traveled with his family to the Dominican Republic over spring break.

They stayed in Punta Cana at the Colonial Majestic resort, which was hosting a large number of Northville and Plymouth-Canton families, who were there to celebrate members of the Class of 2025.

Organized by HD Travel, the seniors were treated to beach parties, boat rides and some beautiful weather. “We were able to get away from the resort one day to do some exploring at a park where we went off- roading, learned about a coffee plantation and swam in a cenote -- an incredible pool in a cave,” Kuban said. “Off course, the beaches were absolutely gorgeous. And it was great to see all the graduating students having such a great time. Congrats to them all!”

With the Atlantic Ocean in the background, Kuban (left) is pictured holding up his copy of The ‘Ville, and his son Kameron (NHS Class of 2022) is holding his copy of The Rock, which Kuban also publishes.

Floating through Europe

Ron and Kathy Barnum and Keith and Kathy Langham, all of Northville Township, visited four countries (Austria, Germany, Hungary and Slovakia) on a Danube River cruise in May. After sightseeing in Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and smaller cities in Germany and Austria, they wrapped up the trip with tastings at Hungarian wineries. Here they are, holding up their copies of The ‘Ville, at one of those wineries.

Country Crooners

NHS Choir took on Nashville over the Memorial Day holiday and performed in front of the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame. They also recorded a few tracks at the world-famous Studio B - the very same studio where Elvis Presley used to record. They enjoyed some shows, a lot of southern food, and even took a spin at line dancing.

Here the group is pictured (bottom left photo) at the Grande Ole Opry with NHS Choir Director Beth Richert, who organized the trip, holding a copy of The ‘Ville. “It was a great trip,” said parent Ann Ryan.

Rockin’ in Colorado

Northville neighbors Jim and Linda Barry and Alan and Cheryl Grajek headed to Colorado in late May and early June for the Lord Huron shows at the famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre.  Mark Barry, the son of Jim and Linda, is the drummer for the band.

While en route, their copy of ‘The ‘Ville enjoyed a side trip to see the amazing rock formations in Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.

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

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Past Tense

Restoration Standouts

Daskal and Engerer buildings capture historic downtown roots

By Michele M. Fecht

Undaunted.

That may be the most apt description for Tita and Jeffrey Daskal, owners of the nearly century-old Edison Building at the corner of Dunlap and Center streets, and Dennis Engerer, owner of the 1873 East Main Street structure built by Northville pioneer Lewis H. Hutton that more recently housed the former Copy-Boy Printers.

The years-long restorations of the two iconic downtown buildings are nearly complete with the Engerer Building all but finished save for the buildout of a two-story rear addition — the lower level of which was once the Copy-Boy print shop.

The Daskals have completed nearly all the 1928 Edison building’s exterior work. This has included replication of the original Detroit Edison

signage on both the East Dunlap and South Center sides of the structure as well as window replacement, the costliest part of the restoration. Interior restoration is being completed by @properties Christies International Real Estate,

which is leasing the first and second floors. Flowdesign, Inc., a branding and package design firm, occupies the basement level.

Both buildings are contributing structures in the Northville Historic District.

While the restoration has been an arduous and costly undertaking for the owners, the effort has given new life to the two historic buildings — both outside and inside.

A VISUAL HISTORY

Both the Daskals and Engerer benefitted from having historic photographs of their buildings which provided visuals of the original structures. The Daskals have both exterior and interior images of the Detroit Edison building when it opened in 1928 as one of the company’s regional offices. It housed Edison’s overhead lines department and served as a customer service center.

Uncovered in the interior restoration were the original beams and 14-foot ceilings once covered by drop ceilings. The building’s interior also contains

Tita Daskal stands with her daughters Isabella (left) and Alesandra at the old Detroit Edison building. She began an approximate $500,000 renovation of the building last year.

The Detroit Edison building, located on Center and Dunlap, dates back to 1928. Tita Daskal shows off the upper level of the former Detroit Edison building. It is still undergoing renovation and will eventually be an open office environment.

original woodwork, doors, and moldings. The first- floor interior has been completed with the second floor under construction. The basement still houses the bank vault that was placed in the structure in 1961 when Detroit Federal

of the building during its heyday in the late 19th century as the Yarnall Gold Cure Institute, a treatment center offering help to “liquor cursed men.” The institute offered treatment for alcoholism and other addictions using a formula of Dr. William

Savings and Loan purchased the building from Detroit Edison. While there was little to nothing salvageable in the interior of Engerer’s 342 East Main building, the exterior — stripped down to the original clapboard — allowed for replication of the distinctive porch that once graced the front

Yarnall’s making.

In addition to the porch, other architectural features replicated or restored included the window moldings and roofline corbels. Engerer noted that the building’s footprint has changed only slightly with an additional 500 square feet added bringing the total square

footage to 2,300 square feet.

The building now houses the law office of Engerer’s son, Joseph Engerer, and four other attorneys. In addition to the five offices, the interior includes conference rooms and other amenities. Custom woodwork, pocket doors and other architectural features are found throughout the interior. Exterior landscaping, front signage, and parking for 10 cars

Edison’s building was regarded as the “most and best equipped” of its regional offices.

Yarnall had moved his institute from his former West Main Street location to 342 East Main in 1897 to accommodate his growing patient roster. A 1910 Yarnall brochure stated that approximately 6,000 patients had been cured with less than 15 percent relapses since the institute opened its

at the rear of the building also have been completed.

A REPUTABLE PAST

The restoration of both structures is more than just a nod to their histories. Both buildings were regarded in their day as significant additions to Northville’s downtown. The Northville Record noted that

doors. Northville Record editor Frank S. Neal was effusive in his praise of Yarnall, noting “Northville has perhaps less men addicted to drink than any other village of its size in America.”

Those are reputations worth saving beyond the clapboard, bricks and mortar.

In the late 19th century, the Yarnall Gold Cure Institute served as a treatment center offering help to “liquor cursed men.”

Northville developer Dennis Engerer (left) stands outside the Engerer Law Building with his son, lawyer Joseph Engerer, whose office is located inside the renovated building.

Dennis Engerer slides up a first-floor meeting room’s pocket doors inside his renovated Engerer Law Building at 342 E. Main Street.

Promoting Peace Local residents gather to celebrate diversity and harmony

Photos by Bryan Mitchell

Adiverse group of Northville residents hosted their second annual Northville Peace Day May 31 at Ford Field.

According to Aisha Chaudhry, one of the organizers, the event was “a heartfelt and inspiring gathering that brought together families to celebrate unity and understanding the connections between local and global harmony.”

Attendees enjoyed a variety of fun activities such as henna artists, tie dye and poster making stations.

Social justice was a big topic of conversation for the guest speakers, who included Wayne State University professor Thomas C. Pedroni, who is also director of the Detroit Data and Democracy Project, and Amy Doukoure, an attorney at the Council on American-Islamic Relations Michigan (CAIR-MI), where she advocates for civil rights and addresses issues affecting the Muslim community.

“We learned about various topics of social justice such as immigrant contributions and rights, as well as protecting and furthering peace at home in the U.S. as a first priority,” Chaudhry said.

Northville Mayor Bryan Turnbull also made an appearance. He read aloud his Peace Proclamation to reinforce his support for the event. Roland Hwang, a member of the Northville Township Board of Trustees, also attended, as did other officials from the region, including Ann Marie Graham-Hudak and Michael Siegrist, both from Canton Township.

“Throughout the day, there was a strong sense of community and shared purpose. People engaged in meaningful conversations over delicious fresh baked goods and tea provided by local vendors Al-Wadi and Heritage Bakery,”

Chaudhry said, noting they are hoping to host the event again next year.

She summed up the event with a quote from former First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt: “It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.”

At the second annual Peace Day, Jannat Alfirdous, 13, from Farmington Hills, reads a poem she wrote.

The event featured lots of activities for the kids. Nabila Farooq, a psychiatrist from West Bloomfield, painted Henna tattoos.

Dr. Thomas Pedroni from Wayne State University was one of the Peace Day speakers.

Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull reads off a city proclamation for the Peace Day event.

Organizers of the Peace Day event posed for a photo.

A Father’s Legacy, A Son’s Mission: Full Body MRI Scans Without

a Doctor’s Referral

(Southfield, MI) The late Dr. Warren Ringold knew firsthand the devastating impact of late-stage cancer diagnoses. As a respected family physician, he witnessed countless patients battling illnesses that could have been detected earlier. His own grueling battle with late-stage cancer ignited a passion, leading him to create Michigan’s first MRI full body screening center called Bionicc Body Screening.

SOFTBALL SIZE TUMORS SILENTLY GREW

Softball Size Tumors Silently Grew

Dr. Ringold discovered he had stage four cancer with tumors as large as softballs silently growing inside his body after experiencing shortness of breath. His treatment was brutal. He su ered cruel side e ects. After his cancer went into remission, it returned a year later as a brain tumor. Dr. Ringold believed there had to be a better way. He envisioned a future where individuals could take control of their

A Father’s Legacy, A Son’s Mission: Full Body MRI Scans Without a Doctor’s Referral

Dr. Ringold discovered he had stage four cancer with tumors as large as softballs silently growing inside his body after experiencing shortness of breath. His treatment was brutal. He suffered cruel side effects. After his cancer went into remission, it returned a year later as a brain tumor. Dr. Ringold believed there had to be a better way. He envisioned a future where individuals could take control

of their health and detect potential problems before they escalated. In his final days, Dr. Ringold passionately advocated for MRI full body screenings, a proactive approach he believed could empower individuals to take control of their health.

health and detect potential problems before they escalated. In his nal days, Dr. Ringold passionately advocated for MRI full body screenings, a proactive approach he believed could empower individuals to take control of their health.

Raising Awareness

FULL BODY MRI SCANS WITHOUT A

(South eld, MI) e late Dr. Warren Ringold knew rsthand the devastating impact of late-stage cancer diagnoses. As a respected family physician, he witnessed countless patients battling illnesses that could have been detected earlier. His own grueling battle with late-stage cancer ignited a passion, leading him to create Michigan’s rst MRI full body screening center called Bionicc Body Screening.

Full Body MRI Scans Without a Doctor’s Order

RAISING AWARENESS

Today, his son Ryan carries on this mission. Though not a medical professional himself, Ryan’s dedication to his father’s legacy drives him to raising awareness of this service for families of Michigan.

Today, his son Ryan carries on this mission. ough not a medical professional himself, Ryan’s dedication to his father’s legacy drives him to raising awareness of this service for families of Michigan. “Every week I learn of another person who felt perfectly ne, only to wake up with an unexplained symptom and discover they have stage four cancer. Once symptoms manifest cancer is usually advanced,” says his son Ryan. “My father never wanted another family to su er the emotional and physical hardships that our family and he endured. He wanted to save lives.”

Bionicc Body Screening o ers elective, full-body MRI screenings that provide a comprehensive picture of your internal health, going beyond what traditional checkups often reveal. State-of-the-art technology can detect tumors as small as a pea, aneurysms, risk of stroke and a multitude of other conditions that might otherwise go unnoticed. Screenings include scans of the head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, hips, shoulders and spine.

A Life Saved

“Every week I learn of another person who felt perfectly fine, only to wake up with an unexplained symptom and discover they have stage four cancer. Once symptoms manifest cancer is usually advanced,” says his son Ryan. “My father never wanted another family to suffer the emotional and physical hardships that our family and he endured. He wanted to save lives.”

DOCTOR’S

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Mark B. and his younger brother decided to visit Bionicc Body Screening last spring for a proactive screening because cancer ran in their family. Mark was skeptical until his results returned a 3-centimeter mass on his lung, which tested positive for cancer. He had three-fourths of his lung removed. He credits the scan for saving his life. Meanwhile, his brother’s results were clean.

A LIFE SAVED

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Mark B. and his younger brother decided to visit Bionicc Body Screening last spring for a proactive screening because cancer ran in their family. Mark was skeptical until his results returned a 3-centimeter mass on his lung, which tested positive for cancer. He had threefourths of his lung removed. He credits the scan for saving his life. Meanwhile, his brother’s results were clean.

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The late Dr. Ringold founded Bionicc Body Screening in 2022 after battling cancer twice. He believed MRI full body screenings could empower individuals to take control of their health.

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YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NORTHVILLE THIS MONTH

Movies in the Park

June 26

Northville Parks and Recreation will show “Moana 2” at Ford Field. This free event begins at 6 p.m. with fun activities for the whole family. Showtime starts at dusk (around 8:30 p.m.). For more information, visit northvilleparksandrec.org.

Vision 2025 Open House

June 26

Schoolcraft College will host this open house from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Vistatech Center. Come explore the exciting progress made possible through the Vision 2025 Campaign, which raised more than $18 million, and see firsthand how the community support is shaping the college’s future. This event will highlight key projects and advancements. RSVP by visiting scf.schoolcraft.edu or calling (734) 462-4455.

4th of July Parade

July 4

SEND IT IN To get your items listed in Out & About, email editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@gmail.com. of Mill Race’s Victorian buildings, Benjamin Franklin’s reading of the Declaration of Independence, and practice drills by reenactors. Shop in the General Store, enjoy refreshments, and enjoy the activities on the Mill Race grounds. For more information, visit www.millracenorthville.org.

Dancin’ in the

Ville Again

Music on Mondays

July 7

Concourse d’ Elegance

July

11-13

Northville’s beloved Independence Day Parade will kick off at 10 a.m. on July 4th in downtown Northville. The theme of this year’s parade is “Hometown USA”. Organized by the Northville Chamber of Commerce, the parade will feature hundreds of parade participants, including bands, floats, professional team mascots, antique cars, and more. To participate in the parade or become a sponsor, contact the Chamber at (248) 349-7640 or visit www.northville.org/4th-of-july-parade.

July 4th at the Village

July 4

Step back in history to see how Independence Day was celebrated in the past from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Mill Race Village. There will be blacksmith and weaving demonstrations, tours

Dancin’ in the Ville steps back into Town Square this summer. The free dance lessons, sponsored by MJ Diamonds and Arthur Murray Northville Studio, meet 7-9 p.m. Wednesday evenings beginning July 2. Group instruction takes place from 7-8 p.m. with open social dancing from 8-9 p.m. Arthur Murray instructors will provide lessons for a variety of exciting dance genres. All skill levels are welcome. Each session will feature a different form of dancing. Here’s the schedule:

• July 2: Salsa

• July 9: Bhangra

• July 16: Kizomba

• July 23: MidEast Dabke & Semba

• July 30: Rumba and Bachata

• Aug. 6: Urbankiz

• Aug. 13: Swing

• Aug. 20: Aloha Hawaiian Island

• Aug. 27: Popular line dancing

The Friends of Maybury Park will be hosting live entertainment from 7-8 p.m. on Mondays this summer. Shawn Riley will perform on July 7, followed by Nic & Kay (July 14), Laughing Madmen (July 21), Steve Pichan (July 28), Jerry Wu (Aug. 4), Loose Chords (Aug. 11) and the Northville High School Vibes (Aug. 18). Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic and enjoy the free Monday night music on the lawn at Maybury State Park.  All vehicles entering the park are required to have a Recreation Passport. For more information, visit www. friendsofmaybury.org/calendar.

Northville Garden Walk

July 9

The 31st Annual Northville Garden Walk, organized by the Country Garden Club of Northville, will take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. It will feature self-guided tours of six local gardens, plus a number of vendors will be selling their wares in the green space near the library. Advance tickets are $15 and can be purchased through Eventbrite.com. They will be $20 the day of the event (corner of Wing and Cady streets). Proceeds support community scholarships and local/ national horticultural organizations. For more information, visit www. cgcnv.org, call (734) 788-9935 or email cgcnorthville@gmail.com.

The annual Northville Concours d’Elegance will take place July 11-13 at Mill Race Historical Village. The event starts Friday from 6-9 p.m. with a kickoff party featuring cocktails and bites. Saturday is Cars & Community Day and runs from 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. with activities including Cars and Coffee, Driving Tour Experience and then vehicle staging for Sunday. Hours on Sunday for the actual Concours d’Elegance are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information, including how to purchase tickets, visit www.northvilleconcours. com.

NCC Lunch Crew

July

15

Do you love the experience of eating out, but not the high cost? Perhaps you are tired of eating alone. Northville Senior Service’s Lunch Crew will feature a catered lunch at a budget friendly price. This is a social experience, so gather your friends for a lunch date or join a table and make some new ones. The cost is $7 for Northville residents ($8 for non-residents). You must register by July 11 by calling (248) 305-2851 or visiting northvilleparksandrec.org.

Ice Cream Social & Trivia Party

July 18

Join Northville Senior Services will host its Ice Cream Social & Trivia Party from 1-2:30 p.m. at the community center. In addition to enjoying ice cream, participants can also test their knowledge in a lighthearted game of team trivia. The cost is $10 for Northville residents ($12 for non-residents). Register by July 14 by calling (248) 3052851. For more information, visit northvilleparksandrec.org.

JOIN US ON:

Tuesday Tunes on Tuesday (10:30am)

Wednesday Bags in the Ville (6:30-9pm)

Dancin’ in the Ville (7-9pm)

Thursday Solos on Center (7-9pm)

Toast to the Weekend Jazz in Town Square (6-9pm)

Friday Acoustic Bands on Center (7-9pm)

Saturday Big Bands in Town Square (7-9pm)

Sunday Come down and enjoy brunch at local eateries all summer long!

DOWNTOWN

Check out the full schedule of concerts, events, and summer fun at downtownnorthville.com

presents the 31st Annual

July 9, 2025 9 am - 4 pm (rain or shine)

Tickets in advance ($15) beginning June 9th available at:

Gardenviews at Home, 117 E. Main St., Northville (cash or check only) or online at www.cgcnv.org

Tickets on the day of the Garden Walk ($20) available at: “The Green Space”, 199 S. Wing St., Northville (behind Northville Public Library) For more information visit www.cgcnv.org or call (734) 788-9935

for her city.

That first year, armed with little more than a calligraphy pen and a homemade banner she painted in her living room, Quinn welcomed 30 artists to Kellogg Park.

“We didn’t have phones, we didn’t have computers, we didn’t have walkie-talkies — we did everything by hand,” she recalls. In fact, on opening day, the park’s sprinklers suddenly erupted. Quinn scrambled to cap them with garbage cans until city workers could come to the rescue.

Art In The Park

Turns 45

One of Michigan’s premier art festivals bigger and more creative than ever

By Wensdy Von Buskirk

This July, the streets of downtown Plymouth will once again transform into a vibrant outdoor gallery as Art In The Park celebrates its 45th anniversary. More than 400 artists from across the U.S. and beyond will set up booths offering everything from fine art and handmade jewelry to whimsical garden sculptures, textiles, and one-of-a-kind home décor. With live reggae music, street performers,

delicious food, and plenty of interactive experiences for all ages, this beloved event has become one of Michigan’s premier art festivals — and a highlight of the summer for Plymouth residents.

HOW IT BEGAN

When Dianne Quinn first organized Art In The Park in 1980, she had no idea she was starting a tradition that would become a cultural touchstone

retired in 2014.

“I still talk to her every day,” Rork says. “She’s still very much involved. I wonder if, in her wildest dreams, she ever imagined it would become such a big deal, not only in Michigan but ranked highly in the art world.”

A FESTIVAL EVOLVES

It was a family affair from the start.

“My mom was in the first art show — she was a quilter,”

Over four and a half decades, Art In The Park has grown from a modest local show to a three-day event that draws nearly 300,000 attendees each year. Supported by more than 100 volunteers and close collaboration with Plymouth’s Department of Municipal Services, the festival now spills out from Kellogg Park into the surrounding streets — offering a dynamic, walkable experience.

In addition to traditional artist booths, the festival includes over 90 “kid artists”

Quinn says. “And Raychel, my daughter, was about three years old. She was with my mom all the time while I was running around like a crazy person.”

Raychel Rork, who started out licking postage stamps for the festival’s mailings, now runs the event as Owner and Director — a role she took over when her mother officially

— a tradition that started when a young boy asked if he could sell his handmade clay animals alongside the professional artists. Quinn embraced the idea, and today, young exhibitors (ages 7–17) are a key part of the event, running their own booths and learning valuable entrepreneurial skills.

“It’s one of the coolest

Dianne Quinn (right) founded AITP 45 years ago, and daughter Raychel Rork now runs the annual event. Photos courtesy of Art In The Park

things,” Quinn says. “They’re learning what it means to make a sale, manage inventory, and present themselves.”

THIS YEAR’S HIGHLIGHTS

Rork and her team curate each year’s artist lineup with care — and 2025 is no exception. Among standouts are an artist who transforms discarded CDs into luminous, stained-glasslike pieces, a painter who uses coffee grounds as her medium, and a Zapotec weaver from

Arizona who will bring his traditional loom and share the art of handmade indigenous tapestry in real time.

Beyond the art, Art In The Park offers interactive experiences like a Jurassic Park-themed living chalk mural and live body painting, as well as crowd-favorite street entertainers and the beloved reggae band, Roots Vibrations

“This isn’t your grandma’s craft show,” Rork laughs. “We have some fun and crazy stuff

going on. One of the most magical things about coming to an event like this is meeting the makers, watching them work, and connecting with their passion.”

Of course, attendees will also find an enticing array of food options — from acai bowls and Indian cuisine to BBQ and decadent desserts.

“Come hungry,” Rork advises.

As Art In The Park marks 45 years, both Rork and Quinn feel immense gratitude.

“It’s very special,” Quinn says. “I never imagined that one day we’d have an art show in our perfect park that would completely change my life — and Plymouth’s, too.”

For more information, visit artinthepark.com.

Art In The Park Schedule

July 11, 12 & 13

• Fri.: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

• Sat.: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.

• Sun.: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Highlights:

• 400 artists in every medium

• Live reggae music from Roots Vibrations

• Unique street performers

• Delicious food vendors

• Living mural

• Interactive chalk mural

• Kids activities

• + More!

Roots Vibrations will be performing reggae music at Art In The Park.

“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.

Dad Jokes and Celebrating the Men Who Make a Difference

ordered a chicken and an egg from Amazon. I’ll let you know...” – it’s one of the best one-liner dad jokes for 2025 according to one of a million different polls available on-line. Deserving of a groan in my book! Who doesn’t love the dad who makes you groan – for one reason or another.

In June we celebrate Father’s Day – and all the men who are fathers, grandfathers, godfathers, uncles and mentors. It’s not an easy job, and unfortunately many times thankless. Trust me, the womenfolk feel the same pain. And for the record, dads also have to-do lists.

Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for needy families in our own hometown. They

First stop on the to-do list… the brand new home of Northville Lumber. Wow! My recent visit made me want to try a little DIY project. If I only had some spare time. That is NOT something you can buy off the shelf there. Also, not for sale –the 1915 Ford Model T that is radiant on display. Worth the trip to 5 Mile and Napier, in my humble opinion.

Congratulations to Hudson Boots, graduate of Northville High School Class of 2025! He is the recipient of the Orin J. Mazzoni Sr. Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship has been a mainstay for giving back to the community for more than 20 years. The team at Orin Jewelers carefully considers several applicants each year. According to store manager Greg Gilbertson: “There’s no doubt, these decisions become more and more difficult.”

The Northville Masons are the oldest continuous group in Northville’s history They recently celebrated 150 years. Along with matching funds from the Michigan State Masonic Association, the group has generously supported Northville Civic Concern – providing Easter,

offered two $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors. Both went to Northville students this year. Other fundraising efforts supported the Northville District Library and Historical Society. Kudos to these men for making a difference.

On Sunday, July 13, the Northville Concours d’Elegance will be on the grounds of Mill Race Village This event reminds me of The Great Gatsby – circa 1974 starring Mia Farrow and Robert Redford. Over ninety-five (95) of the finest automobiles will be on display. Eva and Al Schultz are this year’s recipient of the

Northville Concours d’Elegance Collector of the Year Award. The award honors a member of the local community that inspires the next generation of automotive enthusiasts.

Dana White designed the 2025 Edition collectible poster. She will be a freshman in Transportation Design at the College for Creative Studies this fall. The original was auctioned off at the annual Founder’s Dinner in May…Eva Schultz was the winning bidder. For details and tickets visit northvilleconcours.com.

I’d like to invite you to celebrate a milestone in my work-world backyard. Dr. William Demray celebrates 50-years of dentistry and ownership of the Victorian home turned dental practice on the corner of Griswold and Main, “At the Intersection Where Exceptional Dentistry & Community Meet”. Or better known as the home of the Christmas Tree of Teeth! We will host an open house at 371 E. Main St. on July 6 – signature waffles from 10 a.m. until noon and Doc’s favorite hot dogs from 1-5 p.m. The office will be home to a unique exhibit featuring a tribute to 50-years of patients.

The history of the house will be told, some of our talented patients will be performing, the Good Humor truck may make an appearance and there will be a dunk tank.

Thinking back on my opening comments… I don’t think women could ever get away with telling a good corny joke. Ladies, let me know…

On display at Northville Lumber, a 1915 Ford Model T.

2025 NHS Graduate Hudson Boots with Greg Gilbertson from Orin Jewelers.

Northville Mason Mark Rogish presents a check to Northville Historical Society's William Stockhausen.

Eva and Al Schultz (from Northville) with artist Dana White.

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