The Ville - May 2026

LOCAL JOURNALISM MATTERS

Please consider a donation to support The 'Ville. Since we began publishing more than seven years ago, our goal has been to provide our readers with valuable information about the Northville community each and every month. Your support helps that mission survive and grow.

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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

You can also make donations via PayPal to kurtkuban@gmail.com. Thank you in advance.

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.

Publisher

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

• Munther & Beth Ajlouni

• Nancy & Thomas Clarkson

• John & Janice Jameson

• Mary & Howard Kirchick

• David Marold

• Donald & Joanne O’Rourke

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

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.

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.

SUE VOYLES - Writer

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

BRAD EMONS - Writer

Over the course of his four decades with the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers, Brad established himself as one of the preeminent prep sports reporters in the state, winning many journalism awards along the way. His greatest joy is interviewing local athletes and coaches, and reporting on their efforts.

SEAN POWER – Photographer

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

A View From The ‘Ville

Memorial

Day may be a national holiday but its roots are local

Back when I was an editor with the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers (and later with the Northville Record), I would always volunteer to write our annual editorial about Memorial Day. Our editorial team thought it was important to remind our readers each year why our nation observes this annual holiday, and I was more than honored to write it.

This year, Memorial Day comes a little early – on May 25. I wanted to write a few words about its meaning, at least to me.

I could give you the Wikipedia version. Initially known as Decoration Day, its origins go back to 1868 in the post-Civil War years when the nation was grieving more than 600,000 military deaths during that bloody conflict. After World War I, the annual observance began to honor soldiers from all American wars.

It is not a small number. Since the Revolutionary War, more than 1.3 million US military personnel have died in wars. That’s just a staggering figure when you think about it.

In 1971, with America locked into another war in Vietnam, Congress made Memorial Day a national holiday, which we now observe on the last Monday in May.

For many people, the Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. A time for barbecues and family gatherings.

For people like Ed Huyck, however, Memorial Day has a far deeper meaning. As the commander of Northville’s VFW post, Huyck, who is featured on the cover this month, has led efforts to restore the grave markers of the veterans buried at Northville’s historic Rural Hill and Oakwood cemeteries.

Huyck feels it is important to remember the sacrifices paid by so many when their nation came calling, and making sure their gravestones are clean and straight is the least we can do.

Huyck is also a member of the Cemetery Renewal Task Force, which is comprised of volunteers who have been cleaning and restoring the gravestones and monuments at the two cemeteries. We have a story about their admirable efforts in this month’s issue, on Page 8.

Memorial Day may be a national holiday, but its roots begin at the local level. Proof of this is evident at Rural Hill and Oakwood. In total, there are 953 veterans buried at Rural Hill and 35 in Oakwood, including William Gregory who served in the Revolutionary War, the only soldier from that conflict buried in Northville.

I’m proud to live in a community that observes the holiday every year with a parade through town and stops at both Oakwood and Rural Hill, where a ceremony is held and a wreath laid to honor the veterans who rest in those hallowed grounds. If you haven’t been, it is moving, especially when you consider more than a million soldiers and military personnel have perished fighting to maintain the freedoms we all take for granted.

The holiday is particularly pertinent this year, as we are now engaged in armed conflict with Iran. While the front lines of the war seem very far off for most of us, having little impact on our daily lives other than rising costs, we do have many military personnel in harm’s way. Our government has confirmed at least 13 service members have been killed as of this writing. We cannot forget the sacrifice they (and their families) have paid to this nation.

Our country is very divided these days, including over this war in Iran. There’s no doubt about that. But the one thing we should all agree on is the fact that our military people pay the largest price for the freedoms we enjoy. We owe it to them to hold our government accountable, and make sure the sacrifices they make are necessary and righteous.

They should never, ever be taken for granted. Maybe if most of us had to suffer the same sacrifices our service members do, we would have less people to mourn on Memorial Day.

Until then, take a few moments this Memorial Day to remember why we observe it. It is the least we can do.

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

ON THE COVER: Ed Huyck, Commander of Northville’s VFW post and member of the Cemetery Renewal Task Force, crouches near the headstone for local legend and Vietnam veteran John Genitti at Rural Hill Cemetery. After receiving $45,000 in donations, the group has cleaned up many of the headstones and grave markers in Rural Hill’s veterans section. Photo by Sean Power

Your Voice

Standing for America

In response to Carol Maynard’s “A teachable moment” opinion piece in the April issue of The ‘Ville. Ms. Maynard, the teachable moment was not meant for just students in a closed auditorium — the student protest was meant for all the public to see. And the students made their side of the debate crystal clear. For those who are not familiar, on February 2026, hundreds of Northville High School students walked out of class and conducted a peaceful demonstration against the actions and tactics of ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement). I don’t believe for a moment that the students were protesting those that work for ICE who conduct themselves with honor.

To be clear, I believe the students were protesting the abhorrent actions of ICE. The wearing of standard issue ISIS/HAMAS masks, no identification, no warrants, no due process, no court hearings, no access to attorneys, no accountability — and employing malicious abusive brownshirt tactics and carting who knows who off to suffer under unconscionable concentration camp conditions. Have a look at the due process clauses in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments in the Constitution of the United States of America. Think back to when a Republican appointed Supreme Court justice offered an opinion of merit. Justice Antonin Scalia’s opinion was summarized in Reno vs. Flores (1993): Immigrants regardless of their legal status are entitled to due process of law. My opinion to the students — thank you for standing for America.

Owen Gay

Respect differing viewpoints

The letter “Lurking in the shadows” in last month’s issue relies on personal characterizations of “Let’s Open Northville (LON)” rather than engaging with the substance of the issues and public process under discussion. In reality, LON represents a group of residents and local stakeholders participating in public dialogue about community matters, including seasonal street closures and their impacts on access, traffic, and downtown use.

These topics have been part of a multi-year public process, beginning with temporary pandemic-era measures and continuing through subsequent seasonal closures. They have involved public meetings, legal review, and established municipal procedures.

Residents, whether acting individually or collectively, have both the right and responsibility to engage, ask questions, and advocate for their perspectives. A healthy civic environment depends on open dialogue grounded in facts, transparency, and respect for differing viewpoints. Northville is best served when conversations remain focused on issues rather than personal characterizations of participants.

John Barbosa

SOUND OFF

Put streets to a vote

I am a Northville City homeowner who worked really hard to move here and below is my opinion on Let’s Open Northville vs. Community Over Cars.

Our goal should be to move forward as ONE community in a collaborative and peaceful way while respecting a majority vote and outcome.

Could we please have an emergency vote to do one of the following:

1. Yes for permanent/season street closures downtown Main street only.

2. Yes for season street closures downtown Main and Center streets.

3. No for season street closures, but allowing closures for city-approved events for a limited number of days.

This vote should be for Northville City residents only because its our tax money paying for our downtown area.

I find it really sad and embarrassing that this discussion is so polarizing. I have only seen divisiveness come out of our community around this topic. Much could be resolved with a private vote that doesn’t make people feel they have to choose a side openly. Last month’s letter “Lurking in the shadows” read to me as a threat to those with a different view. Everyone who pays the premium to live here should have a voice and not be intimated to share it whether in private or public.

Carly

Wadsworth

Leaving a legacy behind

I am not qualified to judge the level of intelligence of our City Council, but I do believe they are seriously lacking in wisdom. Cities are only partially about the physical -- the location and the architecture. City’s reputations are largely formed by the community of people who inhabit them, shaping the culture and imbuing their city with values that represent them. It’s what brought my wife and me to Northville 40-plus years ago.

Today that same city has been corrupted by a City Council that is so intent upon having their own way with the streets that they are in the process of destroying the ethos around which Northville had survived pleasantly for well over 100 years. They are so intent on ramming through changes representing their personal interests that they are willing to circumvent the judiciary and some significant portion of the populace to achieve their own vision. They are so focused on that vision they are not seeing the impact they are having on the community.

They would be well advised to ask themselves if the community they are re-shaping, with the controversies, discontent and disagreements they have created and continue to foment, represented by dueling street organizations and upset citizenry, is the legacy they wish to leave behind.

Jeff Jacobs

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.

Proud of students

In regards to the “A teachable moment” letter, I’d like to give a little advice to everyone in Northville. If you are not an educator or academic administrator, I’d be very wary of offering “advice” to those professionals. I believe and trust in the Northville School system and support their mission and direction. Thank you teachers, staff and administrators for all you do to help deliver the best school district in the state.

Secondly (and most importantly) there is no rationally defensible ‘Pro-ICE’ stance. It’s anti-American in theory and woefully incompetent in practice. Time and again they’ve managed to arrest and detain noncriminal immigrants, those on their way to their immigration hearings, asylum seekers, legal immigrants and even natural born United States citizens. If that were not abhorrent enough, they’ve also managed to kill American citizens. Veterans, active service members and their spouses have all been arrested for no crimes at all.

Even in the most generous assessment of ICE’s targets and operations would assess them as troubling. Some of us less diplomatic would call it fascist. Fascism has no place in America, period.

I, for one, am thankful the next generation is not willing to tolerate an obvious threat to American ideals. I’m proud of our students and proud of Northville Public Schools for allowing our students to demonstrate.

Karl Klein

Enbridge’s Line 5 not worth risk

Enbridge is a Canadian company. Line 5 starts in Canada and ends in Canada. While the Mackinac Bridge was being built in 1953 and everyone was admiring its glory, Line 5 was put in with secrecy just below. It was engineered to last 50 years. As we all know, things age and nothing lasts forever. Now in its 73rd year, Line 5 shows anchor damage and gaps in its coatings. There has been no assessment. Building the pipeline broke Native American treaties regarding land and water rights.

This year is the 16th anniversary of Enbridge’s Line 6B’s oil leak in Marshall, Michigan, where more than a million gallons of oil poured into the Kalamazoo River. And Enbridge has a history of oil leaks; there have been over 1,000 since 1999. Maps are drawn assuming water stays in the same place. Rivers move. Land shifts. The fact is there is capacity in other pipelines (that don’t lay under the Great Lakes, which is 20% of the world’s fresh water).

Think of how all of our lives would change if there was an oil leak in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Ask the Alaskans about the Exxon Valdez. It was devastating. Much of the damage was irreparable.

Line 5 is not worth the risk. Let’s take our best care of mother Earth, who sustains us all. Shut down Line 5. Water is life.

Jennifer Gustafson Associate Professor, Wayne State University

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THE LAST FULL MEASURE

Volunteers ready Northville’s historic cemeteries for Memorial Day ceremony

By Michele M. Fecht | Photos by Bryan Mitchell

In the late afternoon as the sun begins its descent, the headstones aligned in soldier-like formation in the veterans’ section of Rural Hill Cemetery cast a brilliant light. That light will shine even brighter when the community gathers in the cemetery on May 25 for Northville’s Memorial Day ceremony.

As part of its mission as well as in preparation for Memorial Day, members of the Northville

American Legion.

Cemetery Renewal Task Force joined with Northville’s VFW Post 4012 last month to clean all 176 headstones in the veterans’ section at Rural Hill.

That effort is part of a larger initiative by Northville’s VFW Post and its Auxiliary to bring some much-needed maintenance to the cemetery. The care and keeping of Rural Hill’s veterans’ section has long been the responsibility of the local VFW and Northville

Ed Huyck, Commander of Northville’s VFW post who also serves on the Cemetery Renewal Task Force, took the lead in the restoration of the veterans’ section. With declining membership and resources in both veterans’ organizations, Huyck made a public appeal in a letter in the July 2025 issue of The Ville. It generated $45,000 in donations. Those donations helped pay for the sandblasting and powder coating of the veterans’ memorial archway, repaving the asphalt walkway and trimming the tree canopy around the flagpole. The latest project is “straightening” the headstones in the veterans’ section so all will be a uniform height, similar to what is done

at Arlington National Cemetery. “The freeze-thaw cycle really takes a toll on the headstone alignment,” Huyck said, noting it is “more respectful if the headstones are lined up uniformly.”

Plans also are under way to sandblast and refinish the GAR cannon placed in Rural Hill in 1887. The Allen M. Harmon Post 318 of the Grand Army of the Republic purchased the cemetery lot near the cannon in 1888 for the purpose of laying some of its members to rest on the site. The lot contains markers of 13 Civil War soldiers, five of whom were reinterred from other locations.

Allen Harmon, the post’s namesake, was killed on April 20, 1863, before Rural Hill was established. Harmon’s final

Ed Huyck, Commander of Northville’s VFW and member of the Cemetery Renewal Task Force, does restoration work on Lloyd Green’s grave marker at Rural Hill Cemetery.

Diane O’Brien (right) and her daughter Katie Scheib clean up some of the veteran grave sites at Rural Hill Cemetery.

Francesca Nesi-Eloff and Glenn Nenninger are just some of the volunteers working to restore grave markers in Rural Hill Cemetery’s veterans section.

resting place is at Oakwood Cemetery among 23 other Civil War soldiers buried at that site, which is also owned by the City of Northville. Oakwood dates to 1835. Both Rural Hill and Oakwood cemeteries are among the oldest in Michigan.

NORTHVILLE’S HALLOWED GROUNDS

There is a story behind each of the headstones in both Rural Hill and Oakwood cemeteries. There are 759 veterans buried in Rural Hill (not including those in the veterans’ section) and 35 buried in Oakwood Cemetery. Oakwood is the final resting place of William Gregory who served in the Revolutionary War, the only soldier from that conflict buried in Northville. The cemetery was designated as a historic site in 2017 by the Michigan State Society of Daughters of the American Colonists. A historical marker near the cemetery’s entrance marks the designation.

Among those buried in the veterans’ section at Rural Hill are three Bongiovanni brothers, all of whom served in WWII . . . and all three came home. Among the women veterans is Ruth Knapp, a nurse in the U.S.

Army during WWI who served two years in France tending the wounded. She would later write her memoirs of that time and served as the Northville school district’s nurse. Others laid to rest in Rural Hill include John Genitti, a Purple Heart recipient who served as a sergeant during the Vietnam War.

There is only one headstone that stands alone in Rural Hill. It is the remains of Northville teenager Lloyd Green, a communications courier in Company C of the 120th Machine Gun Battalion, part of the 32nd “Red Arrow” Division of the Allied Expeditionary Force. Green was killed on October 2, 1918, in battle in the Argonne Forest only days

before his 19th birthday and just six weeks before the Armistice.

On August 20, 1920, the Northville American Legion Post 147 was chartered, and its members named the post after the young communications courier. It would take until September 15, 1921, for Green’s remains to be returned to Northville. The Northville American Legion would play a significant role in Green’s funeral, held on Sunday, September 18, 1921. He was buried with full military honors in Rural Hill Cemetery.

According to the Northville Record, on Memorial Day 1953, the Village of Northville dedicated the Veterans Memorial Plot in Rural Hill Cemetery, a joint effort commissioned by the VFW, American Legion and the Northville Village Commission. The body of Lloyd Green was reinterred from its burial spot in Rural Hill and placed in the center of the new veterans’ memorial — where it remains today. The proposal for a veterans’ memorial received full support of then cemetery superintendent A. Malcolm Allen — who would later become mayor of the City of Northville. Allen’s first wife, Inga (Stamann), was the niece

Continued on Page 10

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Donations to the Cemetery Restoration Task Force may be made through the Northville Historical Society (a501(c)(3)). Go to: millracenorthville.org/donate Push the “Donate” button under MAKE A DONATION and select the “Cemetery Renewal Taskforce”. Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by law.

You may also mail checks payable to Northville Historical Society (memo: Cemetery Renewal) to Northville Historical Society, 215 Griswold St., Northville, MI 48167

The Northville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4012, an IRS 501c19 is also accepting donations for its restoration efforts in Rural Hill Cemetery. Donations can be made to the Northville VFW Post 4012 Veterans Cemetery Fund, 438 S. Main Street, Northville MI 48167

The Cemetery Restoration Task Force could also use volunteers to help clean up the city’s two historic cemeteries.

The Tombstone Gang, which cleans the headstones, footstones and monuments, has its workdays at 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month and at 1 p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. The Grounds Gang maintains Oakwood Cemetery grounds, removes invasive plants and assists with tree care. Cemetery grounds clean-up is from 1-3 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month and welcomes anyone willing to rake leaves, pick up twigs and debris. For more information about how you can help, contact David Marold at dmarold@gmail.com.

Northville has always celebrated its military veterans, including during the 1919 Decoration Day parade. Photo courtesy of the Northville Historical Society

Northville’s American Legion post is named in honor of Lloyd Green, who was killed in World War I. He is buried at Rural Hill Cemetery. Photo courtesy of the American Legion

Among the women veterans buried at Rural Hill is Ruth Knapp, a nurse in the U.S. Army during WWI who served two years in France tending the wounded.

Continued from Page 9

of Lloyd Green.

VFW Commander Ed Huyck took the honor of cleaning Green’s headstone last month.

CHALLENGED BUT UNDAUNTED

Northville’s Cemetery Renewal Task Force formed in August 2024, is one of several task forces established in preparation for the City of

Northville’s 2027 Bicentennial. Information can be found on the group’s Facebook site Northville Michigan Cemetery Renewal.

The task force has two crews, the Tombstone Gang, a dedicated group of volunteers that has cleaned to date more than 400 of the stones in Oakwood Cemetery (headstones, footstones and monuments) and all 176 headstones in the Veterans’ Cemetery at Rural Hill.

It is now moving on to other headstones in Rural Hill Cemetery. All volunteers are trained in the same cleaning process used by the professionals including the National Park Service, which is responsible for 14 national cemeteries among them Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Little Big Horn and Antietam. The Tombstone Gang is chaired by Chuck Murdock and has its workdays at 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month and at 1 p.m. on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.

In addition to the Tombstone Gang, the Grounds Gang maintains the Oakwood Cemetery grounds, removes invasive plants and assists with tree care. The Northville High School lacrosse teams recently volunteered at both Northville cemeteries raking leaves and picking up sticks and branches. They filled more than 35 bags at Oakwood and 45 bags at Rural Hill. Cemetery grounds cleanup is from 1-3 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month and welcomes anyone willing to rake leaves, pick up twigs and debris. It is chaired by Anna Hay.

While the City of Northville provides mowing, tree trimming, road maintenance, and fencing for Oakwood Cemetery, all restoration efforts and headstone maintenance is dependent on volunteer support and donations. The task force received generous support from Stewart Oldford of Northville Lumber at the onset of its efforts and most recently received a $20,000 donation from a donor who asked to remain anonymous.

David Marold, chair of the

Cemetery Renewal Task Force, said while much has been done by a dedicated crew of volunteers, many of the tasks require professionals whose skill set in restoration work is needed to repair and preserve Northville’s historic cemeteries. Northville’s Memorial Day may be the community’s first glimpse at the restoration efforts of both cemeteries. The parade stops at Oakwood Cemetery on Cady Street to lay a wreath at the veterans’ marker before moving on to the veterans’ area of Rural Hill for the ceremony.

On a day set aside to remember those who gave the last full measure of devotion to our nation, it seems only fitting that their final resting place — as well as those of the survivors — be preserved to honor their sacrifice and commitment.

The Northville Memorial Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 25 in downtown Northville. For more information, visit www. northville.org/memorial-dayparade.

Volunteers clean headstones in the veterans section of Rural Hill Cemetery. All volunteers are trained in the same cleaning process used by the professionals including the National Park Service.

Cemetery Task Force volunteer David Marold cleans the headstone of Anthony Bongiovanni, who served in the Navy during WWII. All three Bongiovanni brothers are buried at Rural Hill.

There are 176 headstones in the veterans section at Rural Hill. Volunteers will clean and straighten all of them before Memorial Day.

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Throwing Some Nukes’’Throwing Some Nukes’

After breaking brother’s shot put record, Ryan Schuckel inches closer to his discus mark

By Brad Emons

When he arrived as a ninth-grader at Northville High, Ryan Schuckel wasn’t sure he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his older brother Robbie, who at the time as a senior was the school’s shot put and discus record holder.

“I kind of pushed him to get interested, so I kind of like forced him to do it,” said Robbie, who is now a junior studying business management at the University of Florida. “I forced him to try it and then he really liked it a lot.”

The two were teammates for only one season on the Mustangs’ track and field squad, but Robbie left a lasting impression on his younger brother.

“I just saw how he trained and what he did to break his records,” said Ryan, now a senior. “It just really showed me how hard

I really had to work to get where I want to be at in throwing. I’d say (technique-wise) we are pretty similar, but we have some differences because he taught me a lot of my initial techniques, so it’s close. It was similar where he was pacing me and correcting me, but I also think we are a little bit different in the way we approach it because I’m a little bit shorter than him, so I have to make up for that in other ways.”

When Robbie was a senior, he broke the school record in the shot put with a toss of 54 feet, 4 inches at the Larry Steeb Invitational at Dexter. It was a record that was held for 50 years by Jim Porterfield, who helped coach Robbie while he worked as an assistant coach for the Mustangs from 2013-23.

Meanwhile, Robbie also set the school

record in the discus (169-3), eclipsing the mark of 164-11 set in 2008 by Andrew Gorley, while finishing fourth in the MHSAA Division 1 finals. That season

Robbie was the Kensington Lakes Activities Association and regional champion while going undefeated in dual meets.

This season, Ryan wasted little time in breaking Robbie’s shot put record throwing 56-5¼ in a dual meet April 14 at Hartland. Heading into the KLAA meet, regional and state finals, Ryan ranked fifth overall in the state and third in D1.

Despite being a long distance apart, the brothers still talk on a regular basis. Ryan still leans on Robbie for advice.

“Honestly, just get out there and throw some nukes, kind of what I tell him,” Robbie said. “I really don’t give him too much

Northville senior shot putter Ryan Schuckel in action against Novi on April 27. Photos by Bryan Mitchell

technical advice. He’s a lot more technically sound than me.”

Ryan threw a personal best 151-6 in the discus on April 11 at the Hartland Invitational, but has a way to match or surpass his older brother’s mark.

“I think he can do it,” Robbie said. “I think he’s got it in him. I’m so proud, I don’t really know if I can describe it. It’s just awesome. I can’t really put it into words. It’s really cool.”

Meanwhile, Ryan remains laser-focused on improving his throws in both events.

As a junior in the D1-Regional 6 meet, his shot put best was 48-6¼ (third place) and 130-7 in the discus (130-7). In the KLAA meet, he placed third the shot put (137-7) and sixth in the shot put (44-2¾).

“For shot put I’m just kind trying to improve to get to 60 feet, that’s a big goal of mine,” said Schuckel, who carries a 3.9 grade-point average and will attend the University of Michigan in the fall. “And then for discus I’m just trying to break my brother’s other record.”

Natalie Kearney, one of Mustangs’ two throws coaches (along with Patrick Long), is not surprised by Ryan’s steady improvement over his four seasons.

“He’s one of the hardest workers,” said

He’s one of the hardest workers. He’s very smart and he’s always throwing. He’s worked really, really hard. His brother had the record before, so he’s kind of like in his shadow. I think that really kind of helps him live up to it and really work to get it. They are both very similar and both very driven.

Both bring many intangibles to the track program.

“Very similar in that those guys bring a lot of energy, funny, bring the humor to the team, but super dedicated,” Northville head track and field coach Tim Dalton said. “I tell everybody Ryan deserves all the credit. That kid, from his freshman year, put in so much work and we really use him as a model for the younger kids. It doesn’t happen overnight. It took four years to show the results he’s having this year.”

When the Division 1 state finals commence May 30 in Rockford, Ryan Schuckel will see a big support crew cheering from the stands. It will include his parents Chris and Jenni, both employees of Ford Motor Co., Robbie and Porterfield.

Kearney, a 2022 Northville grad. “He’s very smart and he’s always throwing. He’s worked really, really hard. His brother had the record before, so he’s kind of like in his shadow. I think that really kind of helps him live up to it and really work to get it. They are both very similar and both very driven.”

Also keeping a close eye on Ryan is the former shot put record holder Porterfield, who was inducted into Northville’s Hall of Fame in 2023.

Porterfield was an interested spectator during one of Northville KLAA West Division dual meets at Novi where in that meet Ryan won the shot put (51-0) and the discus (148-10).

“I’m really excited about Ryan,” said Porterfield, who played one season as a football walk-on at Michigan State. “He’s going to have a chance to do really well at ‘states.’ It looks like Northville has become a shot put powerhouse. I like to hope I contributed a little bit to that.

“I saw a video of him the other day and looked at it closely. He’s got fabulous technique. He gets everything going. He’s got a nice, sound technique and pulled it all together. It’s just beautiful to watch, a real technician. He’s a lot like his brother.”

Robbie, who stands 6-3, and Ryan, who is 6-1, both played football for Northville and were two-year starters on the offensive line.

And with a little push from his older brother, Ryan is glad he decided to give throwing a try when he arrived at Northville as a freshman (after attending Meads Mills Middle School and Ridge Wood Elementary).

“I just really enjoy the process of it,” he said. “It’s almost like I can just go up there and throw and not worry about anything else. And I just enjoy seeing the improvement of it and getting better every day at it.”

Natalie Kearney, throws coach, NHS track team

Robbie Schuckel (Ryan’s older brother) with mentor Jim Porterfield after breaking Porterfield’s longtime NHS shot put record back in 2024. Porterfield’s record had stood for 50 years. Photo courtesy of Robbie Schuckel

Ryan Schuckel points to his brother’s shot put record, which he bested on April 14 at Hartland. Photo courtesy of NHS Athletics

Party Like It’s 1976

By Tim Smith Winchester

WElementary ready for golden anniversary celebration

inchester Elementary School soon will shut it down and party like it’s 1976.

From 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, June 5, a 1970s-style block party will transform the school building and every inch of the grounds – complete with fun, games, food and even a Winchester Community Cookbook featuring recipes and artwork from students.

One thing that won’t be part of the festivities, said Winchester Principal Kelly Lindsay, is unveiling the time capsule which a previous generation of the school community buried several decades ago.

Instead, a brand new one curated from each grade level (contents remain a surprise until the event) will be unveiled and then hidden away until it can be re-opened in 2051.

“We’ll be sharing our new time capsule,” Lindsay said. “We have hunted for the former time capsule and could not find it. We followed every lead we possibly could. Our dad’s club brought in a ground-penetrating radar system, they had an expert come in and we did unearth a lot of metal. But not anything that was a time capsule.

“We do have a good idea of that (mid-1970s) time period, though. They did leave us with a list of popular songs and shows and things of that time when they built the school.”

The response to the 50th celebration – which follows those held earlier this school year at Silver Springs Elementary School and Meads Mill Middle School – has been overwhelming with more than 1,400 of 2,000 free wristbands already RSVPd for.

Those wristbands, offered to staff, students and Winchester families, are good for free food the night of the event, which is the culmination of the school’s year-long “Peace, Love, Dragons” theme.

Attendees are asked to walk, carpool or ride bicycles to Winchester due to limited parking around the building, she said.

Non-wristband wearers can enjoy all the other fun games and activities, but if they want to eat something they will need to buy from many food vendors.

“Games are open for everybody,” Lindsay noted. “We’ll have a good, oldfashioned cake walk, a dunk tank, some carnival games like ring tosses. There’ll be facepainting, balloon animals, a DJ, some slot-car racing. It will be inside and outside, the whole building, all the grounds. We’ll be utilizing all the space we have here.”

Winchester’s history will be evident within the community cookbook (available for $20) and in a children’s book written by parent Tim Winters to honor the golden anniversary titled How to Move a Giant Dragon.

The cookbook features submissions from the entire community as well as students’ artwork and poems. Lindsay said a similar cookbook was assembled for Winchester’s 25th anniversary celebration.

Dignitaries from Winchester’s rich history hopefully will attend, including original principal Milton Jacoby and a teacher from the first year, Kate Devendorf.

According to Northville Public Schools Superintendent RJ Webber, that three schools celebrated 50 years in the same school year is continued

proof of the strong history and tradition all over the district.

“Meads Mill, Silver Springs and Winchester celebrating their 50th is really a beautiful touchstone for this community,” Webber said. “You look at those three schools hitting their 50th, to me what that signifies is – and I take myself back to 1975, 1976 – is the growth that this community must have seen, that we needed to build a middle school and two elementary schools and launch them in the same year.”

Lindsay said construction blueprints for Winchester and Silver Springs will be among

Winchester’s 50th Celebration

When: 5:30-8 p.m. on Friday, June 5

What: 1970s-style block party will feature games, food and more More info: Visit Winchester. northvilleschools.org or call (248) 465-2400

artifacts on display at the block party.

“Really, in the 70s this district was growing,” Lindsay emphasized. “It was a district that people thought to be a part of. And this community is amazing. Winchester happens to be situated right in the middle of a subdivision, which makes it pretty unique to all the other schools in the district. But I feel like Silver Springs, Meads Mill and Winchester were essential to the district and the growth at that time.

“It’s super exciting for our district to be celebrating these huge milestones.”

Winchester Elementary School is located at 16141 Winchester Drive. For more information about the event, visit Winchester.northvilleschools.org or call (248) 465-2400.

A group of Winchester Elementary students stand near the large 50th birthday cake at the school. Photo courtesy of Kelly Lindsay

“Angela

Patricia, Seller

Past Tense

A Birds-Eye View of Mainstreet ‘78

As battle over downtown Northville continues,

it’s

worth remembering transformative project

By Michele M. Fecht

Construction work on Mainstreet ’78 — the catalyst for the groundbreaking transformation of Northville’s downtown — began a year after final voter approval in July 1979. The second time was a charm after a disappointing loss of the first proposal.

For those of us who lived and / or worked in the city in 1980 when construction began, it was the start of a two-year odyssey of earth-moving equipment, dust, makeshift sidewalks, no sidewalks, dust, dirt, mud, occasional power outages and more. It wasn’t a patch of a partial block or two. It was the entire downtown core.

To be an eyewitness to the transformation was to watch a city with incredible bones (the historic architecture!) but a tired façade come to life. It certainly didn’t happen overnight. Construction began in July 1980 with work completed in May 1982 — in time for then Governor William Millikan to unveil the plaque in Town Square.

For the editorial staff of The Northville Record, at that time housed on the second floor at 104 West Main, the birds-eye view gave us a unique perspective.

We watched as excavators and bulldozers dug through asphalt to uncover insulators fallen from utility poles, scraps from the interurban railroad,

wooden pipes that carried the city’s first public water supply and leather tossed in the streets by Northville’s 19th century cobblers. Street excavation was a veritable architectural dig.

The purpose of the street dig was to bury utilities which at that time were strung on poles.

The catalyst for Mainstreet

‘78 originally came from business owners. In August 1976, two primary downtown businesses closed their doors. First was the Kroger grocery store that opened in 1961; the second was the Drawbridge Restaurant, a destination dining spot located in the former Methodist Church at

Center and Dunlap (now Old Church Square).

Nevertheless, the largest threat for downtown Northville merchants was the opening of Twelve Oaks Mall in 1977. Merchants predicted a 30 percent loss in revenue to the mall.

Navigating through construction is never easy for pedestrians but can be even more of a challenge for businesses. Many businesses kickstarted their own building improvements and found new initiatives to bring customers through the doors.

John and Toni Genitti led the way in 1979 by refurbishing their storefront. Then John had another idea. He watched construction workers come through the door of his meat market looking to grab a sandwich. So, he bought bread and soda. When opportunity knocks, you knock a Hole in the Wall. Voila! New business.

The visionary for much of Mainstreet ’78 was architect Don DiComo. He watched cars use Northville’s two main streets as pass thrus, not destinations. Creating a more appealing streetscape with wider sidewalks sectioned with bricks, benches, trees, flower beds, lighting and a traffic calming element in the center of Main Street made it far more pedestrian friendly. Northville’s predominant Victorian-era

This shot of Main Street circa 1973 gives a pretty accurate picture of what the town looked like before the Mainstreet '78 project. Photo courtesy of Chris Johnson

Construction of the Mainstreet '78 project began in July 1980 and totally transformed the downtown area.

architecture drove much of the streetscape design.

The streetscape also needed a gathering space . . . a town square.

Community response as the project morphed was palpable. Generous gifts from community

members, organizations, businesses, and others helped pay for many of the downtown amenities including benches, trees, tree skirts and the town clock. More than 12,000 tulip bulbs were planted throughout the downtown.

Citizens, community groups and businesses also donated funds to pay for the clock placed in the middle of the island on Main Street. Crowds gathered on May 7, 1982, to watch the placement of the town clock. It’s not every day that you watch a town clock installation.

The clock was powered by Detroit Edison. Once it was powered, Mel Anderson, owner of the Northville Clock Shop, adjusted the hands and set the clock works in motion. That now seems all the more poignant since Mel’s passing

last year and the clock shop’s closing.

There is no question that Mainstreet ’78 was transformative. That it has been nearly 50 years since Northville’s leaders and citizens committed to that project and it still retains its appeal is testament to its success.

Our downtown is Northville’s calling card. The question for us is whether we can find common ground to maintain it.

Michele M. Fecht is a former reporter for the Northville Record, a two-term member of the Northville City Council and the 2013 Citizen of the Year.

Construction crews place the iconic clock on Main Street on May 7, 1982.

The Mainstreet ’78 project was finally completed in May 1982 — in time for then Governor William Millikan to unveil the plaque in Town Square.

Vision For Ford Field Coming Into Focus

Four major projects are transforming Ford Field Park

By Tim Smith | Photos by Bryan Mitchell

Instead of a hoped-for last-day-of-school field trip, Amerman Elementary students will have to plan some summer play dates to frolic on the new Ford Field Park Playground.

But make no mistake, the playground is virtually ready for action, albeit a week or two behind the anticipated schedule.

Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull recently had teased plans for “a big activity” featuring Amerman students visiting the playground to close out the 2025-26 school year in grand style.

But, because the protective surface –padded artificial turf to cushion the blow of kids falling to the ground – wouldn’t have been fully installed and ready for use until early-to-mid June, those plans to christen the playground were dashed.

“Right now, the playground is installed but it is surrounded by gravel,” Wendy Longpre, who is strategic planning director for Northville, said with a slight chuckle to mask her disappointment about the delay. “So, it’d be like the playground being in the middle of a gravel parking lot and there’s holes all over. It’s not (the) condition of being able to be played on.”

Still the summer months bode well for fun-filled excursions on the spectacular, interactive play structure. It is sure to be eagerly welcomed by kids visiting from all over Northville and Northville Township, soon and well into the future.

“There’s a lot of really fun things,” Longpre said. “One thing is there’s going to be more swings than was in the playground before. We have two adaptive swings, which are for kids with special needs – and young children can use those really well, also.

“We have one parent-child swing, which means it’s a double swing so the parent and

child can swing together. … There’s a play hill which I think people will enjoy. And the new structure, there’s just a lot of fun play components.”

She mentioned little features such as a climbing wall and a merry-go-round at ground level to enable wheelchairs easy access.

“So, if you are a wheelchair user you can drive right up onto the merry-go-round,” Longpre explained. “And if you’re not, it’s no different, you can still use the merry-goround and get it spinning. Young people are really going to enjoy seeing it and playing on it.”

PLAYGROUND POSITIVITY

Longpre said early feedback from the community has been very positive.

“People who see it are really excited,” she continued. “The colors are wonderful, the design is exciting to see. There’s some height to it, which is really fun to get that visual element.

“And it’s just, I don’t think it’s like anything you’ve seen around here. It’s not the traditional playground.”

Turnbull said the playground project was bolstered by about $1.2 million in private and public donations and grants. He cited the Declan Carter Foundation and Northville Rotary Club among key partners.

In late March, the Northville Planning Commission’s Microsoft PowerPoint presentation shed light on the playground and other Ford Field Park endeavors that – in some instances – are getting close to completion.

Elements of the playground project have included, according to the presentation: removal of the then-existing playground, excavation work, installation of a drainage system, concrete curbing, plus the placement of boulder seating and a flagstone walkway. Landscaping and walkways were slated to be completed this spring.

“We were supposed to have this done by the end of last year but it kept getting bigger and better,” Turnbull continued. “As we got another grant here or there, I think the wait of a few months will be worth it for everybody in Northville.”

Some of the features of the new playground project include more swings, a climbing wall and a merry-go-round at ground level to enable wheelchairs easy access. It should be open for play in early to mid-June.

The old entrance sign and stairway are being replaced with a new gateway with ADA barrier-free entry.

CREATING SOMETHING SPECIAL

The playground is one of what Turnbull said are four major projects in and around Ford Field Park as pathways, waterways and a vantage point called Serenity Point take shape the rest of 2026 and into early 2027 to help Northville celebrate its bicentennial.

“All these attributes, all these initiatives, are done without increasing any taxes in the city of Northville,” Turnbull stressed. “No bonds are coming from the city for these activities. It’s really quite something. We’ve added about $17.5 million worth of grants, because we’re the conduit for all of southeastern Michigan.”

Turnbull said Ford Field along with the River Park, River Walk and Farmers Market-adjacent “commons area” will eventually merge and mesh to make the region a recreational magnet.

Turnbull and Longpre talked about some of the ongoing projects, such as the Serenity Point vista (which will be completed this summer), bolstering of the Randolph Drain infrastructure, and extension of the Ford Field East park pathways.

“At Ford Field in itself you have four major projects,” Turnbull said. “One, you have the vista, which is the gateway with the ADA barrier-free entry. That was (funded by) $910,000 from the governor’s office.

“That will be a beautiful pathway, and the pathway’s poured and the wrought iron fence is there. Now they’re finishing up going into the park, down to the northern section, … a beautiful area called Serenity Point.”

A key to making that project happen was the raising of DTE poles from 20-to-40 feet to make sure power lines “won’t be in your line of vision. That project was about $1.4 million.”

According to the PowerPoint, the barrier free gateway project required completing numerous tasks. The finishing touches will be done this spring.

Among those were: removing vegetation

along the overlook embankment; getting rid of the existing pedestrian entrance on Hutton Street and constructing a barrierfree entry ramp; installing a natural faced retaining wall; removing and replacing the sidewalk along Hutton; putting in a new pedestrian crossing at Hutton and Dunlap streets. The ramp was expected to be completed in early May.

ROCKS, POOLS AND SHADE

Serenity Point is another important project which carries a $1.5 million price tag. That work is to shore up the culvert in the northern section of Ford Field, to stem “ferocious” rainwater flowing off the Randolph Drain.

Improvements should be completed this spring.

“There are two large drain structures that go under Hutton Street, and the abutment on the east side was really crumbling and in poor shape,” Longpre noted. “So that whole area has been reconstructed and stabilized with rocks, and some different levels of

pools were created so now it’s kind of like a waterfall that flows from one pool into the next pool into the next pool. That work is almost done.”

Longpre added that the Serenity Point aspect of the Ford Field makeover is “a beautiful project that’s turned out very well. And it’s functioned very well with all the rain we’ve had recently. That’s definitely a successful project.”

Eventually, there will be the construction of four “family-inclusive” restrooms and a shade structure at Ford Field West, with a Michigan Department of Natural Resources grant providing funding for the project, which will also include landscaping and a large plaza for a gathering place.

Those restrooms and the shade structure will be located not far from the new playground, Longpre said.

“We are hoping to go out to bid here in the next couple months,” Longpre said. “We’d love to begin construction of that in the fall.”

New trails have already been poured.

Construction crews work on the wires around Ford Field along Hutton Street. Note the new wrought iron fencing.

The Hutton Street crosswalk features flashing lights when pedestrians are crossing.

Ford Field’s new $1.5 million Serenity Point project has reduced stormwater erosion where Randolph Drain empties into the Rouge River at the north end of Ford Field.

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big Experience Big Flavor,

Chef Ernie Brown is elevating dining at St. John’s Resort – and beyond

From the Las Vegas Strip to the red rock canyons of Colorado and the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, Ernie Brown’s culinary journey has taken him through some of the country’s most dynamic dining destinations. Now, that experience is shaping his next chapter.

Excitement is what you’ll hear when speaking to him about his new position as Area Director of Culinary Operations at St. John’s Resort in Plymouth, as well as its sister

his Las Vegas roots and his passion for the role. That energy may stem from his early days on the strip, where his culinary career began unexpectedly— and accelerated quickly.

Beginning downtown at Binion’s Horseshoe, Brown started as a dishwater.

“Three hours later, I was a line cook after two people walked out,” he says with a laugh.

That on-the-job experience led him to Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts where he earned a culinary degree. From there he worked as a chef for major Las Vegas properties including Caesars Entertainment, Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa & Casino and the Luxor Hotel & Casino.

Around 2015, he left Vegas to travel east to Colorado, where he and his wife have family. In the mountain state, he served as corporate executive chef for Vail Resorts and later at Hotel Maverick, earning a nomination for a James Beard Award for Best Chef in the region.

“I didn’t make it all the way through, but I am proud of being nominated,” he says.

That was the chef’s last position before St. John’s came calling.

two Humanitarian Hotels owned by the Pulte Charitable Foundation. One hundred percent of net profits from the properties support charitable initiatives worldwide.

A NEW DINING VISION

Starting his job in March 2026, Brown and his team of 19 chefs and more than 100 cooks revamped the menu at the Five Steakhouse at St. John’s – launching it in two weeks, an unusually fast turnaround for fine dining.

“I started by putting my biggest focus on the steakhouse, enhancing food quality, types of beef, leveraging fresh seafood flown in daily from Honolulu, and finding local farms to bring into the mix,” says Brown, adding with a chuckle that he stopped wearing the toque hat when he lost all his hair.

property, The Inn at Stonecliffe on Mackinac Island.

“I am here to enhance food quality and make sure we are operating at peak performance. My job is to make sure all the chefs are educated, trained and know how to run their operations,” says Brown, who lives in Plymouth with his wife Remy and their children.

FROM DISHWASHER TO DIRECTOR

He speaks quickly, with an enthusiasm that reflects both

He was recruited by Dustin Dent, St. John’s area operating director, who Brown had previously worked with at Nemacolin Resort, a five-star property in Pennsylvania.

Brown’s career also includes working alongside celebrity chefs such as Gordon Ramsay and Bobby Flay.

No doubt, all of his experiences have played a part in his upbeat attitude and get-it-done approach in overseeing culinary operations for St. John’s and Stonecliffe,

The Cardinal is a 42-ounce porterhouse, dry-aged for 45 days, topped with tallowinfused butter and carved tableside for two.

His top recommendation for Five Steakhouse is the Cardinal, a 42-ounce porterhouse, dry-aged for 45 days, topped with tallow-infused butter and carved tableside for two. He suggests lobster mac and cheese and sauteed wild mushrooms for side dishes.

Next, he will turn his attention to Doyles Irish Pub and The Wine Grotto, followed by banquet operations, which

Ernie Brown is the new director of culinary operations at St. John’s Resort.

Photos courtesy of St. John's Resort

include eight ballrooms and plated events for up to 800 guests.

Brown already has a vision for Doyles.

“I want to make it an authentic Irish pub and create the experiences for our guests, so they feel like they walked into a pub in Ireland,” explains Brown.

Once things are humming at St. John's, Brown will turn his attention to The Inn at Stonecliffe, which has three restaurants and one executive chef, one sous chef and cooks totaling about a dozen people.

While he’s aware of the local dining scene, he takes a broader view of competition.

“I spent a lot of time with celebrity chefs and other chefs around the world. I think we

compete a lot with the Food Network. Everyone eats with their eyes; everything is an Instagram moment. You must make sure that food is visually appealing and looks great on the plate,” he says. “We take ‘old school’ great food and make it look new and modern.

That’s what we did at The Five. I just want to create the most memorable experience in my dining room.”

At this pace, Chef Brown is well on his way to creating exactly that.

We take ‘old school’ great food and make it look new and modern. That’s what we did at The Five. I just want to create the most memorable experience in my dining room.”

Ernie Brownm, Director of Culinary Operations at St. John’s Resort

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WSpotlight on Service

MOHAMED “MOE” ALI SANEH

Owner & Pharmacist, Center Street Pharmacy

By Wensdy Von Buskirk

hen Mohamed “Moe” Ali

Saneh opened Center Street Pharmacy on November 22, 2025, he had one goal in mind: to bring the personal touch back to pharmacy care.

Center Street Pharmacy was built around the idea that patients should feel like people, not numbers. After years of working in large chain pharmacies, Saneh saw firsthand how corporate systems often left patients frustrated, pharmacists overwhelmed and meaningful care pushed aside.

“At chain pharmacies, a lot of times they just process the claim and move on,” Saneh said. “If insurance doesn’t cover it, they shoot out a price the customer can’t afford.”

At Center Street Pharmacy, the experience is different the moment someone walks through the door. Every customer is greeted personally by Saneh or his business partner, Reem Beydoun, also a pharmacist and longtime Northville resident.

“If we don’t know you, we introduce ourselves,” he said.

“If you’re an existing patient, we greet you by name. We know your story. We know what you want, and we know what you’re trying to get out of the encounter.”

That personal connection is exactly what prompted Northville resident Ken Kilpatrick to nominate Saneh for The Ville’s Spotlight on Service feature.

“He’s just a straightforward, genuine, old-fashioned nice guy,” Kilpatrick wrote in his nomination letter. Kilpatrick said faster service, free delivery and better pricing first caught his attention, but it was Saneh himself who made the biggest impression.

“His easygoing manner, empathy and obvious high regard for his customers made me glad his operation succeeded,” Kilpatrick wrote. “He is an asset to this community.”

Saneh completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan and earned his pharmacy degree from Ferris State University in 2019. After working briefly

for Rite Aid and operating pharmacies in Dearborn Heights and Sterling Heights, he decided to return home.

“I wanted to come back to Northville,” he said. “I felt like Northville needed something. It needed personalized care.”

Saneh and his wife live walking distance from the pharmacy and are raising three children under the age of three in the community.

“They usually pay me a visit, which is probably my favorite part of the day,” Saneh said about his family. “I consider myself a family man. My real job starts after six o’clock.”

As a Type 1 diabetic himself, Saneh says patient care is more than a profession. It’s personal.

“I didn’t pursue this degree just to process prescriptions,” he said. “I wanted to help people live their best life, not just get through the day, but have a high quality of life.”

That philosophy extends beyond prescriptions.

Along with traditional pharmacy services, Center Street Pharmacy offers free delivery, curbside pickup, blister packaging for easier medication management, herbal supplements, vitamins and clean skincare products that patients often cannot find locally.

Saneh says he is a strong believer in preventative medicine and helping people make informed choices before health issues become larger problems.

“Even though I’m a pharmacist, I don’t believe medication is always the best answer,” he said. “Some things can be avoided. We’re big believers in preventative medicine.”

Because many overthe-counter vitamins and supplements are not FDA regulated, he and Beydoun carefully choose products from brands they trust.

“We want transparent

WHO DESERVES THE SPOTLIGHT?

Is there someone you think deserves to be in the spotlight for their exemplary work? Email Editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@thevillemagazine.com. If your business is interested in sponsoring this regular feature, call (734) 716-0783 or (313) 399-5231.

Mohamed “Moe” Ali Saneh opened Center Street Pharmacy last November. Photos by Sean Power

Saneh helps a customer at Center Street Pharmacy.

labeling and products we stand by,” he said. “We want patients to know what they’re buying instead of just throwing money away.”

What is your customer service philosophy?

Saneh: The patient comes first. Before we’re healthcare workers, we’re patients, too. We get medications for ourselves and our family members, so we always try to put ourselves in the patient’s shoes.

What makes an independent pharmacy different?

Saneh: Flexibility. If a patient is going on vacation, we work with their schedule so they’re not out of medication. especially if it’s lifesaving. At chain pharmacies,

they just process the claim. We actually problem-solve for people.

How do you help patients with high medication costs?

Saneh: We always check the market and things like GoodRx. If insurance copays are

outrageous, we can go around insurance and offer a better cash price. Sometimes we can match it or even beat it.

Why are supplements and skincare part of your pharmacy?

Saneh: We want to offer

something different — cleaner supplements, herbal products, Korean and French skincare products you usually can’t find in stores. We believe in preventative medicine, not just treating problems after they happen.

Why was opening in Northville so important to you?

Saneh: We live walking distance from the pharmacy. My kids come visit me here. This is my community. I truly mean it when I say I wanted to come back home and give back.

Center Street Pharmacy is located at 156 N. Center Street, Suite 103, in Northville. Call (248) 938-4460 or visit online at CenterStPharmacy.com.

Center Street Pharmacy is located at 156 N. Center Street in downtown Northville.

When

head injury cause for concern?

Q&A with Dr. Jason Vieder, Vice Chairman of Emergency Medicine at Henry Ford Health

Dr. Conner Olzem, Primary Care Physician at Henry Ford Medical Center – Plymouth

Providing your doctors with a clear picture of your health can help them better understand you and determine the best course of action. Unfortunately, some people try to fudge the truth.

Why you should be honest

Discussing your weirdest symptoms and most embarrassing challenges with your doctor can be tough. Yet, it’s critical to tackle problems before they spin out of control. We have heard and seen it all. Your visit is a judgment-free zone. While talking about sensitive topics can be uncomfortable, suffering in silence is far worse. Living with debilitating symptoms can last for days, weeks or even decades.

Frequently avoided or fibbed about topics

Patients are less likely to lie about how many servings of fruits and vegetables they eat daily than they are to omit concerns about their sexuality. But no matter what you’re discussing with your doctor, it’s important to be 100% honest and thorough.

Here are the most commonly unaddressed (or under-addressed) issues, and why your doctor needs to hear about them:

• Substance use: Patients don’t always inform their doctors about which substances they’re using. They might not tell their doctor they smoke, use e-cigarettes or feel like they’re addicted to pain medication.

Why your doc needs to know: Many substances are highly addictive, and they can wreak havoc on your health and relationships. They may also interfere with new prescriptions.

• Alcohol consumption: When you talk to your doctor about alcohol consumption, be specific. For example, social drinking can mean different things to different people. One person might view social drinking as two to three drinks every evening, while another describes social drinking as having a glass of wine a few times each year at weddings and other celebrations.

Why your doc needs to know: Alcohol consumption affects liver function and could raise or drop your risk profile for certain conditions, but it can also interact with medications you’re taking.

• Sexual challenges: Sexual issues are remarkably common – and they’re nothing to be embarrassed about. Unfortunately, talking about sex still feels taboo in our society.

Why your doc needs to know: Most sexual challenges are treatable. Plus, sexual dysfunction isn’t only a physical issue. It’s a quality-of-life issue that affects your mental health and relationships, too.

• Mood disorders: Many people have trouble discussing their mental health and well-being. The good news: People are getting more comfortable talking about depression and anxiety. Doctors are also much more proactive about screening.

Why your doc needs to know: Some primary care doctors treat mood disorders like anxiety and depression. But if they don’t, they can refer you to the best experts.

• Supplements: Your doctor needs to know what you’re putting into your body – both the substances that are designed to improve your health and those that could be harmful.

Why your doc needs to know: Like alcohol, supplements (vitamins, minerals or herbal concoctions) can impact liver enzymes and interact with medications. Plus, supplementing with one nutrient could create a deficiency in another. Work with your doctor to determine the right nutrient mix for your needs.

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month: Early Detection Matters

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, but when detected early, is highly treatable. Regular skin exams, both at home and with a dermatologist, play a key role in early detection. It’s important to keep an eye on your skin and watch for any spots that are new, changing, or unusual. Warning signs can include changes in size, shape, or color, irregular borders, multiple colors within one spot, or any lesion that bleeds, itches, or doesn’t heal.

If you’re an existing patient, or would like to become a patient with us, this is a great time to schedule your annual skin exam. Yearly checks are one of the most effective ways to catch changes early.

Celebrate Mom with the Gift of Healthy Skin

Now through the end of May, purchase a $200 gift certificate and receive an extra $25 for mom (or treat yourself). It’s a thoughtful way to treat someone special, while enjoying a little something extra.

Honoring Memorial Day

As we approach Memorial Day, we extend our sincere gratitude to those who have served our country. Veterans often experience increased sun exposure during their time in service. Studies show they are 1.7 times more likely to develop any type of skin cancer and 2.3 times more likely to develop melanoma. Regular skin checks are an important part of protecting your health.

Seasonal Skin Guidance

As we transition into summer, a few simple adjustments can help keep your skin healthy:

• Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+

• Switch from heavier winter moisturizers to lighter, non-comedogenic options

• You don’t have to pause your skincare treatments for summer. Hydrafacials, select chemical peels & laser treatments, and red light therapy can be safely continued with the right approach.

On the Road With

Exploring Ancient Lands

Greg and Pam Grigsby of Northville recently traveled on a Viking Ocean cruise called Ancient Mediterranean Treasures. The 17-day trip began in Istanbul, Turkey, then continued on to Greece, Montenegro, Croatia, and ended in Venice, Italy. “This trip allowed us to experience different cultures, which we enjoy doing,” Pam said.

Here they are pictured holding their copy of The ‘Ville in front of the Trojan Horse used in the making of the 2004 movie, Troy, in the city of Canakkale, Turkey.

Opening Day Fun

Northville’s Eileen Smith took along her copy of The ‘Ville when she visited Phoenix, Arizona so she could attend the Opening Day matchup between the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks. She and her husband, Kevin, have visited 23 out of 30 MLB stadiums. So far, she said her favorite has been PETCO Park in San Diego, which they visited on the same trip.

Here Eileen is pictured at Chase Field holding a copy of the March issue, which features on the cover Hugh Jordan III, who is her fellow 1990 Northville High School classmate.

Catching the Tigers in Cincy

Bart and Terry (Lapham) Taylor, both 1973 Northville High School alums, grabbed their copy of The ‘Ville and headed to the “Queen City” of Cincinnati, where they met up with another 1973 NHS alum, Steffi (Bach) Harty and her husband Jackson Harty. While there, they attended a baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark.

“It was great seeing the sites in Cincinnati and catching up with old friends,” Terry Taylor said.

Alpine Adventure

Northville’s Chuck and Kathy Fox took a wonderful trip to Austria, Switzerland, and Germany during Northville’s spring break. They took along their four granddaughters (and their parents). They regularly vacation together. According to Kathy, the highlight of their trip was the incredible skiing/snowboarding in St. Anton, Austria. “Wonderful people, food, and scenery throughout the beautiful Swiss Alps,” she said.

Pictured are their four granddaughters near the famous Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. Clockwise from bottom left are Taylor Chrzanowski, Jenna Chrzanowski (both freshmen at NHS), Dylan Mills (6th grader at Hillside Middle School) and Reagan Mills (8th grader at Hillside).

Second City Sightseeing

The Buie and Simpson families of Northville took a road trip to the Windy City during spring break, where they visited a lot of the city’s famous landmarks, including The Bean, Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, and 360 Chicago / Tilt. They got a slice at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria and did some shopping on Michigan Avenue. “Lots of fun times with great friends,” said Carey Simpson.

Pictured with their copy of The ‘Ville near the famous Cloud Gate (“Bean”) sculpture are Cameryn and Harrison Buie and Alex and Aubrey Simpson.

Aloha from Hawaii

Nancy and Paul Hinz (members of the Northville Historical Society’s Board of Directors since 2019) spent three weeks on warm - and quite wet - Maui and Hawaii islands back in February. “While the rain and winds interrupted a drive on the famous ‘Road to Hana’, it did create a near endless display of dramatic waves crashing and spraying against the lava strewn ocean shorelines,” according to Paul.

Here they are pictured holding a copy of The ‘Ville with Bob, a 32-year-old macaw who entertains guests at the Westin Maui Resort and Spa with his calls of aloha, hi, and bye.

Reflection in Central Europe

Northville’s Roz Fink recently traveled to Central Europe, where one of the highlights was visiting the Dohány Synagogue in Budapest, which is Hungary’s capital city. The synagogue dates back to 1859 and is the largest in Europe, according to Roz. Here she is pictured behind the synagogue next to the Emanuel Tree, a steel weeping willow representing Hungary’s 600,000 Holocaust victims. Individual names are etched on its leaves. “It is a quiet place for remembrance and reflection,” Roz said.

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.

June 13, 2026

U9 to U15

Michigan Doctor Diagnosed with Late-Stage Cancer After Experiencing Just One Symptom

It’s the call no one wants to get. But for one local doctor, it became a mission to save others from the “Blind Spot” in modern medicine.

(Southfield, MI)

You feel fine. You have no aches.

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

You pass your annual physical with flying colors.

endured brutal treatments and cruel side effects. Tragically, the cancer later returned as a brain tumor.

your insides. Unlike CT scans or X-rays, this machine emits NO radiation and is completely non-invasive.

(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.

You think you’re safe.

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

But what if something sinister is silently growing inside you right now, waiting to strike? That is the terrifying reality Dr. Warren Ringold faced. As a respected family physician for 40 years, he knew the rules of medicine better than anyone. He felt perfectly fine until a sudden onset of shortness of breath sent him to the ER. The diagnosis was a shockwave: Stage 4 cancer.

But before he passed, Dr. Ringold left behind a legacy—and a warning—for the rest of us.

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.

Full Body MRI Scans Without a Doctor’s Order

The “Dirty Little Secret” of modern medicine: Here is the hard truth your insurance company won’t tell you: The current healthcare system is reactive, not proactive.

Raising Awareness 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.”

Standard medical screenings (like mammograms and colonoscopies) only catch 29% of cancers. That means 71% of tumors grow undetected in areas doctors aren’t even looking at. By the time you feel a lump or pain, it is often Stage 3 or 4. As Dr. Ringold warned, “Once you have symptoms, cancer is usually advanced.”

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

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.

It scans the brain, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and spine, looking for tumors as small as a pencil eraser. It can also detect silent killers like aneurysms and stroke risks before they become lifethreatening emergencies.

Take Control: No Doctor’s Order

Scans are safe, non-invasive, emit no radiation and are available without a doctor’s referral.

Required The traditional medical system makes you jump through hoops. At Bionicc Body Screening, there is no red tape.

Scans are safe, non-invasive, emit no radiation and are available without a doctor’s referral. Scans can detect tumors, aneurysms, stroke risk and other conditions.

While he felt healthy on the outside, tumors the size of softballs had been silently growing on the inside. He

The Technology That Sees What Doctors Miss: Determined to stop this tragedy from happening to other families, Dr. Ringold founded Bionicc Body Screening in Southfield, Michigan’s first MRI full-body screening center. Using advanced MRI technology, Bionicc provides a “high-definition movie” of

• No Doctor’s Referral Needed: You are in charge of your own health.

$200 savings offer. Book an appointment by calling 1-833-BIONICC. (833-246-6422)

• No Insurance Hassles: This is an out of pocket, elective service for those who prioritize peace of mind and proactive care.

• Immediate Answers: Don’t wait for a crisis to find out what’s going on inside your body.

Do not wait until you feel a symptom. A small tumor today could be a major problem tomorrow. The only difference between a tragedy and a survival story is early detection.

Michigan’s first MRI Full Body Screening Center –Located in Southfield

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.

COMMUNITY SWAG Meets Where

Fully Promoted helps businesses elevate their brand

No matter what you call it, swag, merch, trinkets, branded products or logo’d apparel, the promotional products industry is alive and well thanks to a Northville couple.

According to industry leaders Promotional Products Association International and Advertising Specialties Institute, the market is worth more than $25 billion, covering apparel, drinkware, bags, tech products and more given to clients, employees, business partners, and others.

No matter whether your order is for hundreds of polo shirts or just a handful of coffee mugs, Fully Promoted Plymouth owners Tom and Gina Castle are ready to help businesses elevate their brand presence.

Since opening six months ago in Westchester Square at 550 Forest Avenue in downtown Plymouth, the Castles have jumped right into the local business community.

That isn’t surprising, given the Northville couple’s background.

“I retired from the U.S. Army in 2012 and later worked as a corporate executive,” says Tom, who earned a business degree and MBA from DeVry University. “I was ready for a change and wanted to open a business

with my wife.”

Gina stayed home for 20 years raising a family, while volunteering with veteran groups, parent clubs and youth sports, among others.

“I love swag and use themes for everything. I enjoy the marketing side and building relationships with customers and other businesses. When we were looking for a franchise to buy, Fully Promoted was at the top of our list,” says Gina, who earned a degree in communications/public relations and psychology at University of Michigan.

Fully Promoted, part of United Franchise Group, was founded in Florida in 2000 and now has 250 locations worldwide.

“We take pride in helping businesses get their brand out there. I know from my experience in the corporate world, it was very challenging to find good apparel and have promotional products with value,” explains Tom, adding that their products are guaranteed.

While many promotional products businesses operate only online, the Castles wanted to have a showroom.

“It’s important for customers to come in, see products and try them on if needed. I can order an item so they can see it. That way, you don’t have to pay for embroidery without seeing how it looks,” says Gina. “I

won’t sell anything if I know it doesn’t wash well.”

The couple agreed that Plymouth was the right place to start their new chapter in business.

“We love Plymouth,” says Tom with a smile.

“We consider ourselves community ambassadors and want to offer great products in a great community,” says Gina, looking around their showroom filled with high-quality merchandise, including Plymouth and Detroit items.

“For both of us, this gives us a bigger stage to do more in the community,” adds Tom. “For our grand opening, we created three baskets to raffle off to benefit three different charities.”

Toys for Tots, Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Disease, and veterans’ organizations are among the charities the Castles champion.

FULLY PROMOTED

Owners: Northville residents Tom and Gina Castle

Address: 550 Forest Ave. (Suite 4) Plymouth

Phone: (734) 359-9955

Website: fullypromoted.com/locations/plymouth-mi

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday; by appointment Saturday; closed Sunday

They also host a Veteran Coffee Connection at the store every Tuesday at 8 a.m. that welcomes local veterans.

While apparel, pens, and hats are always popular, Tom and Gina each have their own favorite product.

“Mine is an umbrella branded with your logo and whoever you give it to can download an app, which will notify them when it’s forecasted to rain and reminds them to take their umbrella,’” says Gina.

With his military background, Tom has a special product that is close to his heart.

“We have a challenge coin that we make, and we can brand anything on them. Coining people is a very high honor in the military. Now law enforcement, first responders and companies are doing it.”

Whether you call it swag, merch or trinkets, one thing is clear: Fully Promoted is thriving.

Northville residents Tom and Gina Castle own Fully Promoted in downtown Plymouth.

It's Your Business Ashwin Building Company

Built on Trust, Crafted with Care

Decades

of expertise, hands-on leadership sets Ashwin Building Company apart

When it comes to a major investment like your home, most people would agree they prefer to do business with a trustworthy company. Going a step further, many would say doing business with the owner of a company gives them even more confidence.

In Plymouth, Northville and surrounding communities, Ashwin Building Company offers both—combining trusted, hands-on leadership with a reputation built over more than two decades of quality craftsmanship and clientfocused service.

The Plymouth firm was

founded by Paul Maliszewski. Specializing in new home construction, residential remodeling and additions, Maliszewski and his expert team have earned the trust of local residents for 20-plus years.

A TRADES-BUILT FOUNDATION

It all started with his roots in the trades.

“My first career was in rough carpentry, which is what my dad and grandfather did,” says Maliszewski, who graduated from Michigan State with a degree in construction

management. “Between my experience in carpentry and college background, it was a comfortable transition into owning a construction business.”

Today, he’s passing on the passion for home construction and remodeling to his son Jacob, who works at Ashwin Building Company.

“He works with me on each site, completing estimates, taking care of permits and getting a good experience of an all-around approach to working with clients,” says Maliszewski, who grew up in Northville.

That approach includes Maliszewski’s first meeting with a customer, which he calls an interview.

“A unique aspect of our business is that everyone deals with me as the owner. So that first meeting is to see how the customer feels about me and how I feel about them,” he explains.

Treating people with courtesy and respect is a foundational value of Ashwin Building.

“As we work with potential clients, we consider them a customer from the time we first meet them, because we want them to see how we are going to treat them regardless of whether we are awarded the job or not,” says Maliszewski. “That makes their decision comfortable for them.”

Another important value to the Ashwin team is really listening to the customer.

“We are the building company that focuses on listening to the customer. We take their thoughts and transition them into the home or remodeling project that they want,” explains Maliszewski.

CHANGING THE FOOTPRINT

During the first meeting, Maliszewski will hear the homeowner’s ideas and look at any blueprints they may have. If they need an architect, his firm works with a handful who will create something from scratch.

“A lot of our work combines a new addition or elevation to an existing older home. It can be tearing out the entire inside of a home and refacing and rebuilding it,” he explains, adding that he has experience working with the historic district in Northville.

A memorable project was a Plymouth home built in 1879.

“We added two stories to it, doing some excavation and created more elevation. We changed the footprint and redefined the living space. These kinds of projects are fun because the history of the home plays into it,” says Maliszewski, adding that clients have access to a designer who works specifically with Ashwin.

Another project involved using the attic space in an existing home and converting it to a 700-square-foot office and living space featuring a circular hardwood staircase.

“We have done a good deal of construction to give homes a facelift to change their style. That may include investing in the community space by adding dual porches, with one on the front and a second story porch to make sure to get as much sunlight into the home,” says Maliszewski.

The team at Ashwin Building has done everything from raising floors, redoing an entire home and tearing off roofs to create higher ceilings, something Maliszewski says

Ashwin Building Company owner Paul Maliszewski (right), who grew up in Northville, with his son Jacob, who hopes to take over the company some day.

creates great value for the customer. Throughout all this, he brings the owner’s touch into the project by handling all introductions and conversations, as well as

work on design. He also relies on the expertise of a team of employees and 30-plus trusted contractors.

Ashwin Building is a member of the Construction Association of Michigan and Home Builders Association of Michigan. The company works with new families, as well as those who see their home as an investment they will sell in a few years and homeowners who want the home they will live in for the rest of their lives, taking into account the different perspectives of each client.

Building new homes and transforming existing spaces is both an art and

a collaboration—one that combines premium craftsmanship with a deep understanding of each client’s vision. The result is a home that is not only beautiful and functional, but truly personal.

That philosophy is even reflected in the company’s name.

“We explored a number of options and ultimately chose ‘ashwin,’ a Sanskrit word meaning ‘of great wealth,’” says Maliszewski. And for homeowners, a space that brings comfort, pride and lasting enjoyment is perhaps the greatest wealth of all.

For more information about the Ashwin Building Company, visit AshwinBuilding.com or call (248) 249-2485.

The Ashwin Building Company not only builds new, custom homes, but also does additions and renovations to existing homes.

State legislators debate housing bills while most locals are opposed

By Scott Spielman

Most would agree there is a shortage of affordable housing in Michigan, but few would agree on the best way to address the issue.

The housing in the new Downs development in downtown Northville starts at $989,000, with some of the units priced at $2.5 million and above, according to promotional signage.

than one space per dwelling.

• Define setback requirements in metropolitan areas at 15 feet from the front of the property line and five feet from the sides and rear.

Local leaders throughout western Wayne County are leery of a package of bills introduced earlier this year designed to promote the construction of more affordable housing over worries that they would lose local control of pending developments in their communities or force clusters of homes that would overburden current infrastructure.

The package of bills, referred to as the Housing Readiness Package, includes House Bills 5529-5532 and HBs 5581-5585. They would dictate minimum setbacks, lot sizes and parking requirements for developments, among other things.

“I have heard from leaders in every municipality in my

district and the response has been unanimous: Everybody is opposed,” said State Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth).

Koleszar is opposed to them, as well.

“We do have an affordable housing crisis in Michigan. That’s undeniable,” he said. “Whether or not these bills will accomplish the goal of lowering housing prices is still being debated. I think, as a legislature, it’s important for us to continue to explore opportunities to lower housing costs, but I’m not sure this package is the way to accomplish that goal.”

The bills were developed through a bipartisan coalition to address the cost and availability of housing, according to State Rep. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor), whose district includes the western portion of Plymouth and Northville townships. Morgan is a co-

sponsor and said he has heard positive feedback about them from officials in Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor, where he is based.

“Everybody knows we have a housing shortage and, I would argue, a housing crisis. That’s where this package comes from,” Morgan said. “It’s focused on the biggest barriers to making more housing that is affordable. The idea is if we don’t build more homes, prices are going to keep going up. This package is about making it easier to build housing, so people can actually afford to live in the communities they love.”

As written, some of the key reforms include:

• Allowing duplexes in singlefamily residential zones that are in, or adjacent to, metro areas.

• Prohibit minimum parking space requirements of more

• Cap minimum dwelling size requirements at 500 square feet, making it easier to build starter homes and apartments in areas where larger parcels may not be abundant.

• Prohibit minimum lot size requirements of more than 1,500 square feet for singlefamily homes.

The reforms would allow for more efficient use of space and reduce barriers to development that adds time and cost to potential projects, Morgan said.

“We know what these barriers are, particularly local zoning restrictions around lot sizes, what type of housing are allowed to be built and roadblocks to slow down the construction of more housing,” Morgan said. “We know these are significant challenges and we know it’s been difficult for local leaders to address these challenges because a lot of the policies have been put in place over decades. It’s an uncomfortable conversation, sometimes, with locals to have to be able to understand that well-meaning local leaders have to take a hard look at their policies and how they’re impacting the construction of housing that is affordable to people.”

Concerns have ranged from the possible erosion of local control to being forced to approve developments that existing infrastructure will not support to overall density issues that could impact the quality of neighborhoods.

Koleszar said he, and the local

I have heard from leaders in every municipality in my district and the response has been unanimous: Everybody is opposed.”

State Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth)

officials he’s talked with, share those concerns.

“I’ve been very adamant that until the concerns that my local leaders are expressing are addressed, I am currently opposed,” he said. “If a compromise is achieved, that may change but as of now, I’m opposed.”

Morgan, who served on the Washtenaw Board of Commissioners prior to his election to the state house, said the bills aren’t designed to eliminate or erode the control local planners have over what’s happening in their communities.

“The idea behind this package is not to eliminate local control,” he said. “Essentially it boils down to this: setting a minimum floor around local rules for housing construction, but then assuring that communities have the power to shape that would look like for their communities.”

Northville Township

Supervisor Mark Abbo disagrees with Morgan’s assessment. He believes the legislation would absolutely neuter local control over zoning, something he opposes adamantly.

“I am against the state taking over zoning decisions. Better decisions are made at the local level, in my opinion,” Abbo said.

While Abbo disagreed with the notion that there isn’t any

affordable housing available in Northville, he said it is an issue for some communities – but all communities are not the same.

“The state could fix this without the proposed legislation. They could change regulations pertaining to zoning that often handcuff locals,” he said.

The bills are currently in committee, and Morgan said they would receive additional hearings as the initial round of feedback from locals is addressed before the bills come up for a vote.

That vote, if it comes, may be a tough sell for legislators.

The Michigan Municipal League, the Michigan Townships Association, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), the Michigan Association of Counties and Michigan Chapter of the American Planning Association have all voiced concerns or outright opposed the bills as written.

Wayne County Commissioners Terry Marecki and Melissa Daub, who represent Plymouth and Northville, drafted a resolution of opposition in March that the county commission approved unanimously, as well.

“There’s a very long way to go on it,” said Koleszar. “It’s not like we’re voting on this next week. It’s a bit ‘if’ at this point.”

DUPLEXES

(House Bill 5584)

Permits duplexes in single-family residential zones within or adjacent to metropolitan statistical areas, while providing a clear statewide definition of a duplex.

SMARTER PARKING RULES

(House Bill 5582)

Caps mandatory parking requirements at no more than one space per dwelling unit. This lowers costs for builders and families, encourages more walkable neighborhoods and prevents outdated rules from limiting new housing.

MODERNIZING PROTEST PETITION PROCESS

(House Bill 5532)

Clarifies and modernizes the local protest petition process to better reflect community sentiment and provide consistency for local decision-makers. Expands the petition area to 300 feet while setting a clear 60% signature threshold, helping ensure that petitions represent broad neighborhood input before a supermajority vote is required by the local council.

SETBACK REQUIREMENTS

(House Bill 5583)

Defines setback requirements in metropolitan statistical areas at 15 feet from the front property line and five feet from the sides and rear. This helps use land more efficiently, while still allowing exceptions for sensitive areas like marshes or waterways.

REASONABLE DWELLING SIZE

(House Bill 5581)

Caps minimum dwelling size requirements at 500 square feet in metropolitan statistical areas statewide. This makes it easier to build smaller, more affordable starter homes and apartments where large land parcels may not be abundant.

MAXIMUM LOT SIZE

(House Bills 5529 & 5530)

Caps lot size requirements for single-family homes in metro areas at 1,500 square feet. This prevents excessive land mandates that drive up housing costs.

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (ADUS)

(House Bill 5585)

Defines ADUs and allows them on parcels with single-family homes. Caps setbacks at five feet, prohibits additional parking mandates and allows ADUs to be built on- or off-site. This expands options for seniors, students and families.

CLARIFYING DEVELOPMENT STUDY REQUIREMENTS

(House Bill 5531)

Creates fair standards for local governments to request studies during development reviews. Limits repeat or unnecessary study demands, sets dear timelines for decisions (60 days) and ensures site plans must be approved if they meet zoning, planning and state/ federal requirements.

BULLETIN BOARD BULLETIN BOARD

Muller Leaves Township for City

Battalion Chief Brent Muller, one of the Northville Township Fire Department’s first full-time firefighters, has left the department after 28 years. With an official retirement date of June 1, Muller’s last shift with the township was May 14.

Muller won’t be unemployed long, as he has agreed to become the City of Northville’s first-ever Deputy Fire Chief.

As a Battalion Chief, he was responsible for incident command during major emergencies, mentoring the next generation of firefighters and ensuring the safety and readiness of crews.

In his new role, Muller will help lead a department that serves both the City of Northville and the City of Plymouth, focusing on mentorship, operations and strategic development.

“This is a rare opportunity, not just professionally, but regionally,” said Northville Township Manager Glenn Caldwell. “Having someone with deep roots in Northville Township stepping into a leadership role next door creates a stronger connection between our departments and ultimately benefits the residents we both serve. I’m excited for our community and for Brent.”

Muller echoed that sentiment, noting that his move is not a departure, but an evolution.

“I’m lucky. It’s right down the road. I already know the community, and I’ll still get to work with the people here from time to time,” he said.

Officer Lindberg Honored

CC Students Earn IACL Scholarships

Detroit Catholic Central Hight School seniors Brian Anderson, Dominic Allam, and Caron Nay, who are all Northville residents, have all been awarded scholarships by the Italian American Club of Livonia.

To be eligible for an IACL Charitable Foundation Scholarship, all candidates must meet the following requirements of Italian ancestry and residency of southeast Michigan, academic excellence, good character and financial need. According to the foundation, there were 33 applicants and a total of 11 recipients this year.

Pictured at the foundation’s April 15 general meeting are (from left) Anderson, Allam, Nino Ruggirello (Charitable Foundation President) and Nay.

Living and Learning Opens New Employment Center

The Living & Learning Enrichment Center held a grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony last month for its new Employment Services building located at 150 Mary Alexander Court, which formerly served as the home of MOD Market.

Congratulations to Northville Police Department’s Officer Patrick Lindberg on being named a 2026 Behavioral Health Champion by Hegira Health, Inc., which recognizes his outstanding commitment to behavioral health support and advocacy throughout the community. Officer Lindberg, a school resource officer with Northville Public Schools, is known for his compassion, kindness, and dedication to supporting students and families. Hegira Health’s Breakfast for Champions program honors leaders and partners who exemplify excellence in mental health, substance use and crisis response.

The Living & Learning Employment Services Department, which began in May of 2022, supports adults with different abilities in preparing for, obtaining, and maintaining competitive employment within the community. Since that time, the organization has successfully helped place 243 individuals into jobs across 30plus cities, six counties, and two states.

“Our members have proven that anything is possible. Some of our members have been promoted, received raises, have been recognized as employee of the month, or became trainers for new staff,” said Ethan Erlandson, assistant director of the program. “I have learned that success is not defined by limitations, but by opportunity. When people with disabilities are given the chance to work, contribute, and be seen for their abilities, they consistently prove themselves to be among the most dedicated, reliable, and hardworking individuals in the workforce.”

For more information, visit www.livingandlearningcenter.org/job-skills.

We make dream homes a reality.

Ashwin Building Company is a family-owned home building & remodeling business based in Northville, Michigan with 35 years of experience in construction, home remodeling, and contracting. Blending time-tested construction practices and design, we personally strive to provide the best services to our customers before, during, and after project completion.

Let us bring your vision to life and create a space that truly reflects your style and personality. Contact us today to begin your journey to a beautiful home!

out & about out & about out & about

YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NORTHVILLE THIS MONTH

Northville Flower Sale

May 22-23

The Northville Chamber of Commerce hosts the 39th Annual Northville Flower Sale in downtown Northville. Hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on May 22 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 23. There will be a wide array of vendors selling locallygrown flowers and plants, including perennials, herbs, annuals, roses, shrubs, exotic plants, and trees from local growers. For more information visit the Northville Chamber of Commerce website at northville.org or call (248) 349-7640.

Orin Block Party

May 23

Orin Jewelers will host their annual Block Party along Main Street in the Downtown Social District from 6-10 p.m. This family-friendly event will feature food trucks, activities, prizes and live music by The Love Junkies. Admission is free.

Veterans Plaza Dedication

May 23

The Northville Historical Society is inviting the to Mill Race Village for the dedication of the “Veterans Honor Plaza” at the flagpole. The even runs from 10 a.m.-noon. Mayor Brian Turnbull will speak and honor our veterans, then lay a memorial brick in the plaza. Cake and lemonade are available for free. All veterans are encouraged to attend. The NHS will also be promoting its Veterans Engraved Brick Campaign, where people can honor those who served with a permanent brick at Mill Race, which is located at 315 Griswold. For more information, visit www. millracenorthville.org.

Memorial Day Parade

May 25

Northville’s annual Memorial Day

SEND IT IN To get your items listed in Out & About, email editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@gmail.com.

Thayer Schoolhouse to show off updates

The Northville Township Historic Fund, the fundraising arm of the Northville Township Historic District Commission, is hosting an open house at the Thayer Schoolhouse from noon-3 p.m. on June 14. The historic schoolhouse located at the corner of 6 Mile and Napier roads, has undergone an extensive restoration process in recent years, including the installation of new windows, thanks to several donors, including the Thayer Cemetery Association, which owns and operates the adjacent cemetery. For more information, including how to make donations, send an email to thayers.school@gmail.com.

Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. in downtown Northville, and will make its way first to the Oakwood Cemetery and then to Rural Hill Cemetery where there will be a special ceremony to honor and mourn the US military personnel who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The parade will feature veterans organizations, local Scout troops, police and fire personnel, elected officials, business leaders who support veteran organizations and parade sponsors. For more information, including the parade route, visit www. northville.org/memorial-day-parade.

Northville’s Ancient History

May 27

The Northville Historical Society will host its monthly history presentations at Mill Race Village when Oakland County Parks’ Historian Carol BacakEgbo presents Waterways, Trails, Artifacts and Wild Rice from 7-8:30 p.m. in the New School Church. She will

discuss the human history of our area, which began thousands of years before the building of log cabins and mills. Carol will present that early history and the challenges of researching it. Her lecture, sponsored by a grant from the Northville Community Foundation, is open to the public and free of charge. Donations are encouraged and welcome. For more information, visit www.millracenorthville.org.

Counties Named for Patriots

May 27

The Salem Area Historical Society is hosting a presentation by Debbie Harrington, who is the State Co-Chair America 250! for the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) of Michigan, beginning at 7 p.m. at the South Salem Stone School, 7991 N. Territorial Road. Her presentation will be about four counties in Michigan named after notable Revolutionary War figures: Crawford, Jackson, Wayne and

Monroe. Admission is free for SAHS members and $2 for visitors. For more information, visit www.SAHSHistory. org.

Gardening Tips

June

13

The Northville District Library will host Emily Lardner, who will present Secret Weapons of a Professional Gardener from 3-4 p.m. in the Carlo Meeting Room. Lardner, who is a professional gardener, will share essential tools, smart shortcuts, techniques, and dependable plants in this fast-paced, image-rich presentation with practical tips and a Q&A. For more information, including how to register, visit northvillelibrary.org.

Summer BBQ

June 13

Northville Senior Services is hosting a Kick Off to Summer BBQ from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Northville Community Center. The event, sponsored by Oasis Senior Advisors Greater Ann Arbor, features a luncheon, backyard games, and entertainment for $15 (resident) or $18 (non-resident). Registration is available at the Northville Parks and Recreation website at www.northvilleparksandrec. org.

Wayne County Fishing Derby

June 13

Wayne County Parks will host this annual event from 8-11 a.m. at Waterford Bend Park in Northville (Six Mile and Northville roads). The Middle Rouge River will be stocked with rainbow trout. Prizes will be given away in a variety of categories for kids ages 12 and younger. For more information or visit www.waynecountymi.gov/Parks or call (734) 261-1990.

QAs a family we are struggling with my mother’s vision loss due to macular degeneration. She is doing less and blames her vision. She also seems to be depressed. We have tried a lot of things with minimal to no success. At this point my siblings and I are lost as to how to help her. What can we do?

AFirst, she needs a thorough low vision evaluation to determine how much vision she actually has. Most people tend to focus on what they can’t see, rather than what they can. The next step is to determine the proper low vision devices which will give her a foundation to reintroduce activity with other supports that will lift her spirits up. Hope through action is always the best healing.

3-steps you can take in the meantime include: • Make sure she is using lighting that is specifically designed for people with reduced vision.

• It is typically easier for people with reduced vision to read large print

• Postural support (People with reduced vision need to hold things more closely to see them, using lap desks can make this easier)

Often when I see patients who have hit the point where they don’t listen to their children, they are still open to hearing what I, as the doctor, have to say because I present real solutions which will help.

Stop struggling with poor vision – call today to schedule an appointment.

For more than 35 years, John P. Jacobi, OD, FCOVD, FIALVS has been helping partially sighted people get their lives back. Dr. Jacobi is a Fellow of the College of Vision Development and the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists, a member of the Michigan and American Optometric Associations.

Dishin’ 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.

Mamma Mia! – Make Sure to Show Mom Some Love

The movie series Mama Mia! with the Abba soundtrack is brilliant. But when you grow up Italian it has a whole different meaning depending on the tone of one’s voice. In my lifetime it almost always went with: “Oh my goodness…”-followed by who, what, where…. or “how much?” My favorite: “Mamma Mia…I’m a no do that!” was my grandmother’s go-to line. No matter what. I was raised in a very Italian household with broken English and a Nonna, who I called Grammy – who couldn’t read or write English. I treasure those memories – good and bad. They made me who I am.

Pop quiz – what do most moms want for Mother’s Day? In my unofficial poll I found most every mom wants a family photo. Angela Bowers has a photography studio in Northville. I recently learned about her affordable minisessions for five people up to 15 minutes. How simple is that? She was easy to contact and easy to talk with. There’s no excuse not to, so get over there and get the picture. Check out her website: angelabowersphoto.

com. Special thanks to my friends who made their mom very happy with the featured photo (bottom left).

Blessings to all!

Speaking of signs…100 Women Who Care Northville celebrates the 9-year mark this month. When I do the math 100 women times $100 four times a year for nine years equals over $350,000. But the group has actually raised more than $500,000! Suha Costy, Amy Walsh and Lisa Wiseley are the three founders of our chapter. Suha shared with me: “As one of the founding members I am incredibly proud

This month the charity was GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit – they aid and support those affected by Downs Syndrome. My grandkids called my mom, GiGi. Hard to believe this is not another sign.

The Easter Vigil at Our Lady of Victory was more inspirational than usual this year. Father Denis preaches never ask for a sign. Earlier in the day he looked at the Holy Cards for both his parents and broke his own rule…asking for a “sign” of sorts – good weather for the Easter fire. He got more than that – he got a rainbow. He owes his mom at least one, maybe two votive candles. It was especially nice to see more than 20 people being welcomed into the church with one sacrament or another.

of what we’ve built togetherraising meaningful funds that have touched countless lives, strengthened our community, and inspired generosity in ways we never imagined.”

My first meeting I wrote a check to Lace Up Detroit – a group that stocks a shoe closet with shoes and boots for local women and children in need. My mom was a shoe saleslady all her life…shoes matter and I thought to myself – this is a sign.

The 28th Annual Mother of All Garage Sales is happening Monday, June 8-Friday, June 12. This week-long labor of love benefits Northville Historical Society and Dr. Karl Stockhausen medical scholarships. If you have a donation, drop off begins Saturday, June 6 at 218 Dunlap. Carole Jean and Bill Stockhausen ask one favor: “Please only donate during the first half of the sale. Thanks.”  Michael Zervos is from Northville…went around the world setting a Guiness Book World Record….and returned – for a while, anyway. He is producing a documentary about the history of Northville. Michael has an ask: “We are seeking ANY old film or video of the city of Northville and its people for a documentary, which we are producing in collaboration with the Northville Historical Society. The older the better. If you have any undeveloped motion picture film, we will develop it for free and return it to you with digital copies.”

This is an even better gift for Mom. Check the attic and contact Michael at northvilledocumentary@gmail. com.

100 Women Who Care - Northville founders Amy Walsh, Lisa Wiseley and Suha Costy

Siblings Larkin (from left), Adam, Elliot, Mary, and Sydney. Photo by Angela Bowers

Father Denis at the Easter fire in the OLV parking lot with a rainbow overhead.