The Ville - Sep 2025

Northville’s News and Lifestyle Magazine

Old-Fashioned Fun

Victorian Festival celebrates Northville’s past and present

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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Publisher

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

• Edward & Kathy Huyck

KURT KUBAN – Editor/Publisher

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

CRAIG WHEELER – Creative Director

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

MICHELE FECHT – Writer

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

WENSDY VON BUSKIRK – Writer

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

KEN VOYLES – Writer/Photographer

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

TIM SMITH - Writer

Tim brings a penchant for telling powerful and personal stories that run the gamut from news to sports. During more than 35 years in journalism, he has earned numerous state and national awards. The Wayne State grad is a published author and rec ice hockey player.

MARIA TAYLOR – Writer

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

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.

BRYAN MITCHELL - Photographer

Bryan started working as a photographer more than 30 years ago, and was the Northville Record photographer in the 90's. He has freelanced for The Detroit News, The Guardian, Reuters, and other publications. His photography has appeared in newspapers and magazines around the globe. The Northville resident also coaches mountain biking at Northville High School.

A View From The ‘Ville

Not quite ready to throw in the towel on summer

T

he chilly weather we experienced at the beginning of the month was a bit of a slap in the face, especially considering what a warm and muggy summer we just went through. It just doesn’t seem possible that summer could have come and gone so fast.

But with the kids going back to school and football games already playing out, there’s just no denying the onset of fall.

Another sure sign of fall around these parts is the annual Victorian Festival, which takes place Sept. 19-21.

The annual festival dates back to 1989 (though it was called the Heritage Festival for a couple years) to celebrate our town’s Victorian past. There are a lot of great traditions associated with the festival, especially having our third graders dressing up in Victorian threads and spending the day in Mill Race Village and other historic locations learning about rich history.

Another thing I love about the festival is the participation of local organizations, students and non-profits who do a lot of important fundraising during the festival. James Gietzen, who is organizing the festival for the second year, said they are really trying to get more groups involved. Let’s be honest, the more people who are involved the better the event is going to be. It’s all about community.

The Victorian Parade, one of my favorite parades, kicks off Friday at 6:30 p.m., beginning at the corner of Main and Griswold streets. It then heads west on Main turning at Dunlap to Linden, back to Main before ending at Cady and Wing.

If you really want to feel like you are going back in time, Mill Race Village has lots of cool activities on the Sunday of festival weekend. From 11 a.m.-4 p.m., they will have a variety of things going on including wood carving and tin smithing demonstrations, an active blacksmith, building tours, plus lots of activities for the kids, including duck toss, cupcake walk and ladder ball – stuff they would have been doing in the 1860s. Also be sure to head down to the Rouge River at 3 p.m. for the annual Duck Race, which is the traditional end of the festival.

For a full list of activities, check out our

festival preview and guide beginning on Page 8

You’ll notice on the Victorian Festival Schedule (Page 9) at 1 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, the Northville Eclipse vintage baseball team will be playing. I always enjoy watching the team play by the rules of yesteryear, when fielders didn’t even wear mitts and it was actually called ‘Base Ball’. As it turns out, Northville has a long ongoing love affair with its baseball teams. Beginning on Page 10, Michele Fecht’s Past Tense column discusses this history. The Northville Eclipse team dates back to at least 1869, when they appeared in an edition of the Wayne County Record (later to be named the Northville Record). In the century and a half since then, our town has supported many clubs including the Northville Juniors and the Circle N’s. And let’s not forget, our Northville High Mustangs won the state championship in 2023.

Baseball players are often called “the boys of summer” so let’s not throw in the towel on summer just yet. We’ve got vintage base ball going on in Ford Field and the Detroit Tigers are fielding one of their best teams in years. Hopefully they can find some of that 1984 magic in the next month and a half. Bless you boys!

And I hope you all find some of that Northville magic during the Victorian Festival this year. It’s a chance to come together and celebrate what a great town we have here.

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

ON THE COVER: Katie Forsythe (from left), Claire Butterfield and Irene Petrutiu, who were all Northville High seniors last year, stand in front of the Hirsch Blacksmith Shop at Mill Race Village during last year’s Victorian Festival. Photo by Sean Power

The Northville Juniors team in 1908. Courtesy of Northville Historical Society

Your Voice

Maintain outside dining areas

I am concerned about the future of downtown Northville. After the recent year-round reopening of Main Street and Center Street to vehicular traffic, there is now a legal motion to remove dining from some curbside parking areas and adjacent sidewalks of our town.

I supported reopening of Main and Center streets because of the increased traffic on the residential side streets in the city when they were closed. The increased traffic on narrow residential streets during the closure was concerning for families, especially during summer months.

I do not, however, support this new attempt to completely stop patio dining. I enjoy the opportunity to greet friends dining at outside tables. Alfresco dining is a reminder of why many of us moved to this charming and friendly city. I truly hope outside dining doesn’t come to an end.

Alan Somershoe

What does ‘community’ mean?

“Community Over Cars” may be a great marketing slogan, but everyone over the age of 12 understands marketing is deceptive at best. It is designed to make people think they want something they really don’t need. The problem with whoever came up with the slogan, while clever, really has no understanding of what community is.

Community isn’t concerts and dinner – that’s entertainment. Community at its roots means working together for the common good. A more truthful slogan for this group would be the self-consumed over the rest of society. The self-consumed doesn’t mind inconveniencing hundreds of people every day, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so they can stroll down a street that was designed for cars a couple times a month.

If they spent the same amount of time, money and effort helping Civic Concern, or helping the residents of Alan Terrace whose rent went up this year, it would have a huge impact. That’s community.

Just be honest and put a sign that says close the streets cause that’s what’s best for me.

Jon Wilkes

Roundabout blues

After reading your August article about the new roundabout, I’m still opposed to it. Going north on Sheldon forces the driver to quickly look left for traffic, but then look right and straight ahead for pedestrians and/or bikers having the right of way. After going through the roundabout, the backup will occur at the four-way stop at Cady and the traffic light at Main Street. In the winter, trying to go south up the hill on Sheldon causes jackknifed vehicles on icy roads. How can first responders get around the intersection with no room to pass? There is no formal driver training for this proposal.

Jim Stoe

Teachers deserve every cent

Northville Schools has let the teacher contract expire, rejecting the teachers' request for reliable 3% increases over the next contract. The district ought to pay it.

Based on almost 3% inflation, this would mean little more than keeping real wages even. Meanwhile our fund balance is over 30%, which means the district is sitting on more than $30,000,000. That is a higher percentage than almost any district in Michigan, and far, far more than NPS itself has banked historically. For context, the Superindent can get his bonus payout when the fund balance is over 11%. Got that? NPS has almost three times the fund balance this district deems sufficient to fund his contractual bumps.

Northville teachers have until now been paid competitively, especially when looking only at salary figures. What isn't as transparent is that in the past they lost paid time to prepare for class.

Our fund balance has almost quadrupled since that loss, as a result. We need to spend the resulting gains back down some. I would love to do that via a return of prep time and hiring to reduce class sizes systemwide. But until the state coughs up way more per pupil funding neither is a realistic option. Paying the 3% steps the teachers want is the best option. It is fair, moderate, and solid policy. They deserve every cent.

Sarah Prescott

Cut out cut-throughs

The City of Northville Master Plan (and the Codes of Ordinances) were crafted with the first goal to “Preserve, protect and enhance existing housing, residential areas and neighborhood character.” These well thought documents are especially protective when it comes to cut-through traffic.

One of the stated strategies to achieve this goal is “Encourage through traffic to bypass residential neighborhoods. Examine the residential/ commercial interface to eliminate existing conditions that encourage higher speeds and cut-through traffic in residential neighborhoods.”

No matter how one feels about downtown street management or real estate development in our city, we hope everyone will respect and advocate for quiet and safe neighborhood streets. Cut-through traffic, unintended or otherwise, should not impact our neighborhoods.

Jeff and Terry Snyder

Make sure to vote

I am writing to encourage Northville voters to cast a ballot in the November City Council election. Although the slate of candidates has become smaller, it is still important to vote in order to support the hard work and thoughtful deliberation our Council demonstrates.

Absentee ballots will become available towards the end of September. Election Day is Nov 4th. Please fulfill your responsibility and vote. John Carter and Andrew Krenz have worked hard to fulfill theirs as our Council members.

Marilyn Price

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

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Old-Fashioned Fun

Victorian Festival to celebrate Northville’s past – and present

By Wensdy Von Buskirk

When I was a young reporter for the Northville Record in the late ’90s, I was invited to march with the parasol brigade in the Victorian Festival Parade. A few co-workers and I wore long skirts with ruffled blouses and joined other ladies from the community twirling our parasols along the route. It was so much fun. The newspaper office on Main Street has long since shuttered, and much has changed, but the Victorian Festival remains a time capsule of simpler days.

This year’s festival takes over the historic streets of downtown Northville from Friday, Sept. 19, through Saturday, Sept. 21. The Victorian theme shines through in costumes, food, music and old-fashioned fun. Highlights include children’s games at Mill Race Village and Eclipse

Vintage Baseball games at Ford Field.

And yes, there will be parasols. The Farmington Warnerettes will twirl theirs in the name of Women’s Suffrage during the Victorian Parade, which kicks off the festivities Friday evening beginning at

fundraising opportunity for local community groups.

This year there’s a renewed emphasis on local organizations, which have traditionally raised important funds during the festival.

6:30 p.m.

Since its inception in 1989, the Victorian Festival (known as the Heritage Festival for a couple years) has been more than just a gathering. It was designed as a cornerstone event, a celebration of Northville’s identity, and an important

“We’re definitely starting to get the nonprofits back involved, and they’re doing some cool things (this year),” says James Gietzen of JAG Entertainment, which is organizing the festival for the second year.

For example, Tipping Point Theatre will feature an informational booth about their upcoming season, while the Lions Club is bringing a unique vision screening trailer where children can get free eye health assessments. Last year, they screened over 200 children at the event.

The Rotary Club is hosting a pancake breakfast on Saturday morning. The Northville Garden Club and Northville Historical Society are also participating.

Visitors are invited to dress up and celebrate the theme, so grab your parasol or don your derby hat and join the fun.

Northville Victorian Festival Schedule

Friday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 21, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

FRIDAY

5 p.m. Nonprofit, Craft, and Vendor Booths Open

6:30 p.m. ........... Victorian Parade

7 p.m. Center Stage Dance Company (Main and Center intersection)

7 p.m. ............... Power Play Detroit (Town Square Stage)

9 p.m. Nonprofit, Craft, and Vendor Booths Close Other Activities in Downtown Northville

8 p.m. Marquis Theater: Rockin’ Country Party with the Neon Crows

SATURDAY

9 a.m. ............... Nonprofit, Craft, and Vendor Booths Open

9 a.m. Rotary Pancake Breakfast, 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon (American Legion)

11 a.m. Horse & Carriage Rides (Hop on at City Hall)

11:30 a.m.

Northville District Library Presents: Step Into a World of Wonder with Magician Christopher (Town Square Stage)

1 p.m. Guy Lewis (Town Square Stage)

1 p.m. Eclipse Vintage Baseball (Ford Field)

3–5 p.m. Al Carmichael (Town Square Stage)

6–8:30 p.m. Shawn Riley Band (Town Square Stage)

SATURDAY (CONTINUED)

9 p.m. Nonprofit, Craft, and Vendor Booths Close Other Activities in Downtown Northville

8 p.m. Marquee Theater: Hair Band Esperance

SUNDAY

9 a.m. ............... Nonprofit, Craft, and Vendor Booths Open

10 a.m. TBA (Town Square Stage)

11 a.m. ............ Vintage Games (Mill Race)

11 a.m. Horse & Carriage Rides (Hop on at City Hall)

11 a.m. –4 p.m. Mill Race Grounds & Buildings Open Games & Activities (Mill Race Village)

Duck Toss, Cupcake Walk, Lollipop Pull, Crafts (Art House), Bingo, Croquet Shoot Out, Archery, Balloon Artist, Face Painting, Ladder Ball, Wood Carving Demo, Tin Smithing Demo, Blacksmith, Magician, Busker Organ, Building Tours

12:30 p.m. Jordan Duff (Town Square Stage)

1 p.m. Eclipse Vintage Baseball (Ford Field)

2 p.m. NHS Backbeat & Trouble Makers (Performance, Mill Race Village)

2:45 p.m. NHS Backbeat & Trouble Makers (Performance, Mill Race Village)

3 p.m. Duck Race (Mill Race Village)

3 p.m. Steve Pichan (Town Square Stage)

5 p.m. Festival Closes

HAPPY

2-5 pm Monday-Friday

Past Tense

Boys of Summer

Northville has a long love affair with America’s pastime

By Michele M. Fecht

In his 1866 The Book of American Pastimes, author Charles A. Peverelly wrote: “The game of Base Ball has now become beyond question the leading feature of the out-door sports of the United States ... From the moment the first striker takes his position, and poises his bat, it has an excitement and vim about it ... in short, the pastime suits the people, and the people suit the pastime.”

Peverelly’s prophetic pronouncement is as true today as it was in the mid-19th century when baseball fever gained traction across the country. From small towns to big cities, baseball’s nostalgia and community appeal made it a sport for the masses.

It didn’t take long for Northville to jump on the national pastime bandwagon.

OUR FIRST HOMETOWN TEAM

According to base ball chronicler and Northville Eclipse historian Al Smitley, the first mention of a Northville club appeared in the September 19, 1867 edition of the Detroit Advertiser & Tribune. The club name, the Eclipse, was noted in the August 30, 1869 edition of the Wayne County Record (the newspaper would later be renamed The Northville Record) when the team took on the Lone Star club of Plymouth. The Eclipse disappeared from newspaper pages until 2003. In a nod to the original base ball

club (baseball would turn into a one-word form sometime in the late 1880s to early 1890s), the 21st century base ball enthusiasts took the moniker when they formed Northville’s vintage base ball club. Now in its 22nd season, the Eclipse — attired in era-appropriate orange and black uniforms — plays by 1860s rules from May through September. Home field this year is at Fish Hatchery Park.

As baseball gained in popularity, local businesses formed their own house teams. Northville’s Michigan School

Furniture Company, which would later morph into in the Globe Furniture Company, pitted their two teams — the Iron Mongers and the Wood Butchers — against each other in an epic game on July 2, 1876 at Charles Yerkes’ farm just south of Baseline.

In classic sports vernacular, the headline read “The Schoolseat boys take a turn at the game — New hands at the bellows — killed and wounded cared for.”

The story noted that one of the Iron Mongers received a “ball full in the eye, compelling his immediate retirement from the

field. Another was hit square on the ear and that organ assumed a size not usual in ordinary beings.

“By good luck no one was killed outright but the narrow escapes of many that day were fearful to contemplate,” the story concluded.

LOCAL CLUBS

By the turn of the century, baseball was in full swing, and school athletic teams were forming throughout the country. As Northville High School had not yet sanctioned a baseball team, a group of 10

The Northville Juniors in 1907. Photo courtesy of the Northville Historical Society.

local players who had played together for several years formed a team in 1907 calling themselves the Northville Juniors. Supervising the team was Dr. T.H. Turner, whose son was one of the players. Gate receipts paid for new uniforms and equipment. R.R. McKahan served as financial comptroller.

In the last game of their debut season, the Northville Record reported the Juniors defeated the Plymouth team bringing their season total to 11 wins and 1 loss. The players proved they were up to the task. The team would continue as the Juniors through the 1909 season. By that time Northville High School added baseball to its sports schedule, and in 1910 the team took the name Circle Ns. The name derived from their signature uniforms with an “N” surrounded by a circle. Several of its players would play for Northville High School during the school year and the Circle Ns during the summer.

The Circle Ns would prove to be one of the Detroit areas most formidable local teams playing almost professionallevel baseball, the equivalent of Triple-A. In its first season, the Circle Ns were on a 15-game winning streak until late August when they faced their first defeat by the Michigan Central Railroaders on the athletic field at Bob-Lo Island.

The Circle Ns attained a near celebrity status. The team consistently was front page news in The Northville Record. Northville stores would close on Saturdays when the team played, and spectators numbering close to 1,000 would gather at the fairgrounds (the former Northville Downs site). The team had its own club house in a suite of rooms above

the Northville State Bank at the corner of Main and Center (now occupied by Orin Jewelers) and later, on the second story of the Opera House.

The September 9, 1910, issue of the Northville Record contained the following front page story:

“One of the biggest crowds ever in Northville was at the Athletic Park on Labor Day. . . .The ball game in the forenoon with Wyandotte was won by the “Circle N” boys by of score of 1 to 0 in a ten-inning game, it being one of the best games ever played in Northville. In the afternoon the “Circle N” boys trimmed the Holly crowd in a score of 3 to 1. It was another banner game. Manager Turner showed his shrewdness in putting ‘pinch hitters’ just at the right time, which proved a valuable feature in the result of the game.” Turner was held in high regard by the players and Northville spectators.

At an August 4, 1910 game, the team honored Turner on the occasion of his 50th birthday with a silver loving cup engraved with the team’s Circle N insignia. The Record noted that “the doctor has been a real Hughie Jennings pep for the Northville boys and much of their good work on the diamond is attributable to his labor.” Hughie Jennings was a

star shortstop before becoming manager for the Detroit Tigers in 1907. He led the Tigers to three consecutive pennants in his first three seasons with the team. Jennings was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1945.

The Circle Ns played through the 1914 season.

ACE HARRY GERMAN

It would not be a Northville baseball story without mentioning Harry German. An 1894 Northville High School

graduate, German was a gifted athlete and exceptional pitcher. He would go on to play three seasons from 1902-1904 for the Toledo Mud Hens. He predated the Circle Ns but played locally with the Northville

Colts, sometimes referred to as Moffit’s Colts. Upon relocating to Carleton, Michigan, German played for the Carleton Sluggers .

A Northville native and son-in-law of a Northville pioneer, German returned to his hometown and would serve as Northville’s mayor in 1930-31 in what can best be described as a most unusual term. For a brief season in 1932, he headed up the Northville Chiefs ball team. German never lost his pitching prowess or his stamina. A 1939 Northville Record article noted that German pitched his last game that year, marking 52 years as a pitcher.

Nevertheless, by 1940 he was back on the pitcher’s mound playing for the Country Oldtimers’ Baseball Team at Cass Benton Park. German died in 1954 at the age 78.

Play Ball!

The Eclipse will play its final two games of the season at home during the Victorian Festival. They’ll take on Easy Ride of Detroit at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, and play their final game against the Village Lahde-Dahs of Greenfield Village at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. Both games are at Ford Field. Information about the club can be found on the team’s website at eclipsebbc.com.

Northville's Circle N baseball squad, around 1910. Photo courtesy of the Northville Historical Society.

Harry German when he played for the Carleton Sluggers. Photo courtesy of the Carleton Historical Society.

‘A Community Builder’

Jim

Cracraft

coming home to lead Northville Chamber

By Tim Smith

With apologies to The Beatles, longtime Northville teacher and principal Jim Cracraft is “getting back” to where he once belonged.

Nine years after leaving his twodecades-long position as Hillside Middle School principal, Cracraft returns to his Northville roots when he takes over as the new executive director of the Northville Chamber of Commerce. The 60-year-old Cracraft will take the new job effective October 1, after officially retiring as superintendent of Gaylord Community Schools in northern Michigan.

“We’re excited to be back here,” said Cracraft. “And I’m excited to give back to the community where we raised our family (three children who all graduated from Northville High School) and where I also served in another capacity for many years. Northville’s home.”

The familiarity with Northville is evident for Cracraft, but the community itself is just as familiar with him and his wife, Holly

– a medical social worker in metropolitan Detroit.

In fact, after spending the afternoon at the Northville Farmer’s Market the Cracrafts were re-introduced to many civic and business leaders during a gathering at The Den in Northville Square.

“It was very positive,” Cracraft said. “I knew a lot of the people in the room, from my time here at Northville as a teacher and building administrator.”

Among those on hand was Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull, who said Cracraft’s homecoming is yet another positive for the community as it gets ready for its

bicentennial in 2027.

“He wants to come back to the mothership,” said Turnbull with a chuckle. “He sees what’s going on and he wants to be part of that. His wife Holly grew up in Northville and graduated from Northville High School. So they are part of the DNA of what Northville is.

“He knows students, he knows parents, he knows businesspeople in town.”

A NEW CHAPTER

The desire to serve in a leadership role after retiring from Gaylord schools is why Cracraft made a bid for the chamber position this summer.

“When I thought about what I would do in my retirement years, I always liked the idea of leading a non-profit,” Cracraft said. “And it might be a good use of my skills and interests.”

Northville Chamber board member James Gietzen said between 30 and 40 applications were received as the process unfolded to find the best candidate to take over the job recently held by Douglas Wallace.

Only three of the applicants were granted interviews, and it didn’t take long for Cracraft to emerge as the top candidate.

“This has been home for him and he’s going to be a great asset for the community,” Gietzen said. “Not only because he lives here, … but also because he’s a community builder. And that’s a big piece of the puzzle of what we need at the chamber.”

The chamber represents Northville Township, the city of Northville and Northville Public Schools, Gietzen explained, adding that its mission is to “increase the economic vitality of the region” while also helping all facets of the community to mesh.

According to Cracraft, who taught at Meads Mill Middle School before taking the principal’s position at Hillside during the mid-1990s, he is very much looking forward to working together with the school district (Superintendent RJ Webber also is on the chamber board) and other community stakeholders.

That so much is happening in preparation for the 200th anniversary festivities – with major projects galore and an influx of new

Jim Cracraft reads to a group of children in Gaylord, Mich., where he is the superintendent of schools until Oct. 1.

Photos courtesy of Jim Cracraft

Jim Cracraft

businesses to the downtown area – makes this the perfect time to return to Northville, Cracraft said.

“We have the Downs area getting developed,” Cracraft continued. “Working closely with all the stakeholders – be they the township or the city or the school district – I’m most looking forward to that at this really exciting time. And the bicentennial just adds more gravy on it.”

The Cracrafts have maintained their home in Northville since 1996, raising three children (Nick, Benjamin and Grace) who all graduated from the high school and have already achieved success as young adults.

But since he left Hillside, initially to become superintendent of Clinton Community Schools in Lenawee County and then in 2022 to lead Gaylord schools, there has been a lot of commuting to and from the family home for the Cracrafts.

PIPELINE OF POSSIBILITY

Gietzen emphasized that Cracraft’s strong career in education is something

that stands to be a win-win for students and businesses alike.

“One of the things I’m excited for with Jim is, the school district has these programs where students can go and intern for a semester, in one of the class periods, with businesses in the community,” Gietzen said. “With Jim’s background and the amount of kids that want to participate in that program, Jim will be able to be a unique

pipeline for those students – knowing his background and what he’s passionate about.”

Through such a program, youngsters might discover something they weren’t aware of as far as future careers go. And businesses could inspire and encourage their future employees.

“So, if you are a student and you’re thinking about going to school to be a plumber, you could intern with a plumber and go ‘Yeah, this is really for me’ or ‘No, this isn’t really for me.’”

Meanwhile, Turnbull said Cracraft is already such a “great known commodity,” he’ll hit the ground running when he joins Northville’s leadership team as it navigates towards the 2027 bicentennial and beyond.

“He’ll work hand in hand with the DDA (Northville Downtown Development Authority) and growing the chamber even more and being part of the overall team and the excitement for Northville,” Turnbull noted. “It’s kind of one brand, one image going forward. I think he’ll do a great job.”

Jim and Holly Cracraft with their three children -- Nick, Ben (Navy pilot) and Grace, who are all Northville High grads.

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New businesses flocking to downtown Northville

By Tim Smith

Looking out onto Main Street through the front window of Gazelle Sports, Aleksandra Dalton smiles and instantly knows it was the perfect move to relocate from nearby Seven Mile and Haggerty roads to downtown Northville.

Dalton, regional general manager for the independent Michigan chain, talked about when the state’s first of seven “run specialty” stores opened nearly 40 years ago in downtown Kalamazoo and about how the Gazelle Sports brand is linked to being where the active community is.

And so far, the move from Northville Park Place to a historic building at 117 E. Main Street (former Garden Views location) has been a massive hit.

“The amount of people that are out, walking or running, just amazes us,” Dalton said. “We see it and it’s awesome to see. Why do people embrace it? Healthy living is the way to go. And I think people are catching on, or they have been, by being active for a long time. We want to encourage and empower people to be active by being in comfortable shoes.”

Longtime employee Patrick Whinnery,

who manages the Northville store along with Dalton, concurred about how much the Main Street location literally is a perfect fit for Gazelle Sports.

“I just think it’s a great throwback to our DNA as a company,” said Whinnery, a longtime employee at other locations such as downtown Birmingham. “We’re a small-

town, Michigan-owned (business) so we’re very happy to be in a space like this, that’s intimate.

“We have a chance to see community members walking by, we see a lot of familiar faces already. Just the welcoming atmosphere and the feelings we’re getting from everybody have been great. It’s just a return to our roots, that downtown, small community feel.”

Northville Downtown Development Authority executive director Kate Knight said Gazelle Sports has made similar moves elsewhere, like in downtown Birmingham.

“We’re a natural trailhead here, between the Hines Parkway and Maybury State Park,” Knight detailed. “Northville’s connectivity investments with new trails and greenspace at Central Park and River Park really underline Gazelle’s business decision to come to the heart of all the action in downtown.”

Gazelle Sports isn’t just a new business in downtown Northville, it strives to be part of the community’s lifeblood – meeting people where they are when it comes to staying fit, healthy and happy.

A key aspect of Gazelle Sports is connecting with the area’s athletes. With Tim Dalton, head coach of Northville High School’s cross country and track and field programs (and Aleksandra’s husband), there is a built-in desire to make sure Mustang athletes are well-equipped for competition.

Forming a bond with the running community goes beyond meeting customers’ needs. Dalton said Gazelle Sports is hosting a running group that meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays in front of the store – essentially relocating a tradition forged during the years at Seven Mile and Haggerty.

Patrick Whinnery, a manager at Gazelle Sports in downtown Northville

Aleksandra Dalton is the regional general manager for Gazelle Sports, which opened last month at 117 E. Main Street. Photo by Tim Smith

Aleksandra Dalton discusses why Gazelle decided to move to its new downtown Northville location from its previous location at Seven Mile and Haggerty. Photo by Tim Smith

Participants will run or walk at their own pace through the downtown district, perhaps up to Ford Field and back.

“Running, walking, any ability, anyone can come join us,” Dalton emphasized. “We love being part of something bigger than us. And when we believe when people come together that can definitely change their life, movement can change their life.”

DDA’s Knight said the move of Gazelle Sports to a heritage building not far from the Marquis Theater “really aligns with their vision to relocate in walkable downtowns. I should say walkable or runable downtowns.”

A LITTLE SWEETNESS

Just around the block from Gazelle Sports at 345 E. Cady Street is another new business – Peace Love & Little Donuts. Owners Kathy and Frank Isgro – 20-year residents who raised three daughters in Northville – recently opened shop near the burgeoning Northville Downs redevelopment and early returns are very encouraging.

“As we’re getting towards retirement age, we decided we wanted to do something fun,” Kathy Isgro said. “And a donut shop is fun, right? A donut shop makes people happy and we thought downtown Northville could really use that.”

The reaction so far has been overwhelmingly positive, Isgro said.

“The community has just embraced us,” Isgro noted. “We’re just glad we’re able to

bring a little sweetness to Northville.”

Peace Love & Little Donuts customers can walk in any time of day and get freshly made donuts, whether those named ‘Groovy’ (sugared donuts), ‘Far Out’ (frosting-covered) or ‘Funkadelic’ (those with two or more toppings).

The shop even sells dog donuts, complete with peanut butter drizzle, bacon and a small dog biscuit affixed to the top.

“It’s kind of like a ‘70’s type vibe in here,” she added. “So we play ‘70’s music, the donuts are often named after people from the ‘70’s. The colors are bright, it’s a fun place to come, grab a donut and be on your way or sit and enjoy a donut and a cup of coffee.”

Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull said the

mini donuts are a definite hit.

“They’re mini donuts,” Turnbull said. “It’s a couple of bites so you don’t have to get all of those calories. They’re doing well.”

Knight said a “near-cult following” already is starting to build, with one resident reporting she had made three trips there in a single day.

“There’s always room for more coffee and donuts,” Knight noted. “And they have a large range of flavors.”

COMING ATTRACTIONS

That also goes for a couple other soon-toopen shops, including Kilwin’s (Center and Cady) and Cannelle (Center and Dunlap).

“We haven’t had one recently since Chocolates by Renee,” said Knight, about Kilwin’s. “But this is in a retail class of its own. Kilwin’s is highly regarded as a destination chocolatier and candy maker. It’s a nice pairing, because we also have Cannelle coming in.”

Cannelle is owned by Matt Knio, a French pastry chef who is bringing his patisserie to the first floor of the site of the former Opera House. A clue that there is anticipation of strong business are planned hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Continued on Page 24

Peace, Love and Little Donuts owners Kathy and Frank Isgro. Photo by Bryan Mitchell

In addition to many selections for their two-legged customers (at left), Peace, Love and Little Donuts also offers doggy donuts complete with peanut butter drizzle, bacon and a small dog biscuit affixed to the top. Photos by Bryan Mitchell

Continued from Page 9

“I can attest for his high-level operations,” Knight said. “It’s a terrific addition to our downtown mix. … We have such a demand for that third (premier coffee) place. It will be a draw, from our local community and beyond.”

She noted other hot coffee spots such as Red Dot Coffee Company (on Center Street next to Kroger) and Tuscan Café.

“And we also have the Great Harvest Bread Company that has a pretty mean cup of coffee,” Knight continued. “I think we’ll see an additional coffee spot coming with the Downs. I have no concerns about coffee saturation.”

Meanwhile, already open next to Cannelle is Kiloh + Co., which has a huge social media following.

“Their motto is ‘game day for the girls,’” said Knight, about Kiloh + Co, which opened in July.

Kiloh + Co. enjoyed a successful run as a seasonal pop-up shop in downtown

Detroit’s Cadillac Square and owner Amanda Adamcheck chose Northville for the business’ first brick and mortar location.

According to Knight, having “three vibrant commercial spaces at street level is a welcome addition at that gateway into downtown.”

A new independent pharmacy, Center Street Pharmacy, will be opening in the same building later this year, Knight said.

Turnbull said the number of businesses opening in Northville bodes well for a healthy downtown. He emphasized that the changing landscape of businesses is natural for cities and should not be concerning to residents.

“There is a little bit of churn in every city,” Turnbull explained. “We’ve had the least churn of any city in Michigan. It’s always good to keep looking at what brings people into the future and I think the new ones that are coming in right now, like Gazelle Sports, will bring people into town and (be available) for people to go into while we’re doing concerts and other activities downtown.”

Concurring was Knight, adding that excitement is building for downtown’s business newbies.

“We have very low vacancy, and the moving or expansion or retirement of longtime businesses is something that’s very natural in a downtown life cycle,” Knight said. “It just means there’s room for the next concept to come in.”

Chiming in was Gazelle Sports’ Dalton, all in on being part of “a very exciting time” in Northville.

“Change can be difficult,” she noted. “But change can also be an opportunity to grow and to be part of something bigger.”

LAUNCH PARTY

Saturday, October 4th | 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Kiloh + Co., located at Center and Dunlap, opened in July. It is the first brick and mortar location for the company, which has a huge social media following.

It's Your Business Cambridge Homes

Builder With A Vision

Cambridge’s success built on knowing what customers want

More than four decades ago, Mark F. Guidobono Sr. had a light bulb moment, one that led to the establishment of his business, Cambridge Homes, Inc., which is relocating its headquarters to downtown Northville this fall.

It was a hot summer day in 1979.

“I graduated from Michigan State with a business degree. I had entrepreneurial drive, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” explains Guidobono. “My dad was a flat work contractor, pouring cement driveways and patios. I worked for him for about a year and one day we were at a worksite and a builder pulled up in a white Cadillac in 90-degree weather, gave some instructions to us, and five minutes later, he pulled away. And I said, ‘that’s it.’” Guidobono then had to figure out how to make it work.

“I thought to myself, I could either work for an existing builder to learn the business, or I could buy a lot, build a home on it and get started,” he explains. “I chose to start my own company and learn the

business from the ground up.”

He hired a realtor, who found a desirable lot in Canterbury Commons in Farmington Hills that Guidobono thought was perfect.

“I asked the realtor what kind of homes were in the area, and she said colonials with four bedrooms, two-and-ahalf baths, living room/family room concept, and two-garage garage. I built the home to that spec, but did a three-car garage instead,” says Guidobono, adding that he always looks for an advantage. “Back then there were very few three-car garages. Within three weeks of the house being completed, I sold it, made a good profit and was in the

Guidobono. The style is also known for emphasizing nature, as well as craftsmanship.

The Cambridge team worked closely with Novi officials to preserve the beauty of the 50- acre parcel, preserving 20 acres of woods and wetlands for residents to enjoy.

Over the course of 46 years, Cambridge has built custom homes for individual homeowners in Northville, Novi, Plymouth and surrounding communities, as well as developing and building luxurious developments including Woods of Edenderry, Bellagio and Tuscany Reserve.

building business.”

The knack for anticipating homebuyers’ preferences and anticipating trends to fill a market need emerged 40-plus years ago and still shows up today in the high-end custom homes and exclusive developments projects that Mark Guidobono undertakes with the Cambridge Homes team.

A recent example can be found in the Terra community of 40 home sites in Novi, where Cambridge is the developer and builder.

“We tend to try to get in front of the market by determining what it needs and then be first to market with that style of architecture and product needed. We saw the empty nester market being underserved and so Terra is targeted for that group,” says Guidobono, 70.

The Terra homes were built in the modern prairie-style design made famous by Frank Lloyd Wright, making it the first community in Michigan that followed the theme throughout the entire development, says

Cambridge’s team of employees work together on every project. His son Mark Jr. also joined the business in 2019, after working for a national homebuilder.

“We’re a niche custom builder/developer. We are able to buy raw land, get it entitled, install the roads and utilities to create a developed community, and proceed to deliver custom built homes that meet the needs of each specific purchaser,” Guidobono said.

While he focuses on creating the next upscale development, Guidobono is excited about returning to downtown Northville sometime in October, having previously been located here in the 1980s. Cambridge will be moving to a 1,500-square-foot space at 201 E. Main Street. Renovations are currently underway.

“It’s great to plant our flag back to an area that has been good to us for many years,” he says.

For more information about Cambridge Homes Inc., visit cambridgehomesmi.com or call (248) 348-3800.

The Terra community includes 40 home sites in Novi. The homes were built in the modern prairie-style design made famous by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Cambridge Homes founder Mark Guidobono

Gold Standard

Silver Springs Elementary planning a big 50th anniversary celebration

By Tim Smith

Soon to gush forth will be a cascade of memories and neighborhood connections, with Silver Springs Elementary School celebrating all that has gone on there since the doors opened in the autumn of 1975.

A 50th anniversary event is slated from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25, complete with special silver, gold and blue custard treats and face painting for kids and a chance to rifle through old yearbooks and photo displays. It will also be a chance to catch up with long-ago friends for older kids –the many Silver Springs alums expected to take part in the celebration.

“You know what,” mused Pam Schulman, a kindergartner in 1976-77 and today part of the Northville school’s faculty, “I just love the whole idea of actually reminiscing and going back, just everybody coming together and celebrating. I

can’t believe it’s been 50 years because I’m not that old.”

Schulman, who is a special education teacher and interventionist for grades

by the Silver Springs PTA and many community sponsors are stepping up to help get it to the finish line.

One of the highlights will

K-5, immediately burst out into laughter as did Silver Springs administrative aide Tanya Murphy during a recent interview detailing the golden anniversary fest.

The event is being organized

tattoos, fun events for the kids,” Murphy said. “And we’re putting together old yearbooks. We are requesting (vintage) pictures, and I tried to blast that (request) out on social media.”

There also will be unveiling of a time capsule which will be located for the next 25 years in the school office instead of being buried somewhere on the property. All grade levels are contributing items.

“It will be sealed, it won’t be open for the next 25 years, but at least everyone will know where it is,” Murphy said.

There will be a raffle and silent auction for items donated by event sponsors. Murphy said proceeds will go towards “classroom and playground enhancements” for students.

With all that and more, plenty of fun and socializing is promised. But so far the biggest challenge is getting the word out to the many neighborhoods which funnel students to the school at 19801 Silver Springs Drive.

“We’re blasting out the invitation to the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Murphy, who previously was Silver Springs PTA president and whose own children (daughter Kiera and son Mikey) attended the school. “I’ve reached out to several of the retirees (educators), that I remember and other teachers remember just to let them know the event is happening.”

be the Silver Springs Dads Club’s ceremonial planting of a Weeping Yoshino Cherry Tree which was donated by Home Depot.

“At the event we’re going to have face painting, little

Among those dignitaries who will attend are past and present superintendents Mary Kay Gallagher and RJ Webber and several former principals from five decades of Silver Springs history. Among the former will be Katie Booth, who left the position in late August. The school’s interim principal is

Silver Springs students Joey Charters, Nick Charters, Mariana Chalhoub and Juliette Chalhoub stand near the school’s sign promoting the upcoming 50th anniversary celebration. Photos courtesy of Silver Springs Elementary

A plaque at Silver Springs is a reminder of the school’s beginnings in 1975.

Denise Bryan.

“The building will be opened up for people to walk through, check out their old classrooms, staff will be here,” Murphy noted. “One of our parents who is also a sponsor, DeBuck’s Farm, they are bringing big bubbles and maybe some other activities (for youngsters).”

The 50th anniversary fete is something Schulman is “super excited” about. She was a kindergartner in teacher Patty Pollock’s classroom in the school’s second year, 1976-77.

“I just told Tanya (Murphy) on the way here (for the interview) that I feel I am the archive!” Schulman mused.

“But it’s funny. I went all the way through Northville Public Schools – obviously started here at Silver Springs – (then) actually moved away and taught in Chicago. And came right back.”

That familial tug at Schulman’s heartstrings, when she saw a job opening at Silver Springs and decided to return home, is likely to be felt by countless others who make their way to the school for its 50th.

“Our legacy is ‘belonging,’” Schulman said. “I feel it’s so important for all of us here. We have kids coming and going all the time, transitioning from different cities, different countries. I just feel like we’re a family here. It’s just warm and inviting and we do a lot of different activities to make sure everybody’s included and feels like they’re part of something.”

On Sept. 25, it is hoped that many more members of the Silver Springs community – former teachers, administrators, students and

parents from over the decades – will take time out from busy schedules to reminisce and reconnect.

“It’s heartwarming having everybody who wants to be part of the celebration,” Murphy said. “I’m hoping that even with some of the retirees that said they were going to come back it would be nice if previous students could come back, see their old teachers, their classrooms when they were here and just how the building has changed.”

Silver Springs is the first of three Northville district schools to cross the 50-year threshold

in 2025-26. Murphy said Meads Mill Middle School will mark its 50th year in December with Winchester Elementary School following suit in early 2026.

For more information about the Silver Springs Elementary 50th Anniversary celebration on Sept. 25, go to the event page on Facebook.

Silver Springs administrative aide Tanya Murphy (left) and special education teacher Pam Schulman stand next to a legacy tree to be planted at the 50th anniversary celebration on Sept. 25. Schulman attended kindergarten there in the Northville school's second year, 1976-77.

Northville Nite Is Back! Northville Nite Is Back!

Parks & Rec will kick off fall with reimagined family-friendly event

By Emily Doran

Northville Parks & Recreation is turning a blast from the past into a breath of fresh air with its reimagined Northville Nite scheduled for Friday, Sept. 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Marv Gans Community Park.

The family-friendly event,

which was a New Year’s Eve celebration in years gone by, will kick off the autumnal season with games, inflatables, food trucks, and live music by the band Social Bones. Parks & Rec will unveil its new branding to the public that evening, as well.

The department is updating both its logo (the outgoing logo has been around since 1992) and its “purpose,” says Director Derek Smith, noting that Parks & Rec put together its “first strategic plan in over 20 years” in 2024.

and health and wellness are the three big things that we like to promote.”

The rebranding coincides with significant developments happening in Northville’s outdoor spaces. Three new parks are in the works: Legacy

We have such a highly motivated team of professionals that are always striving to do better for our community, and the work that we’re doing shows that. So we wanted to host a little celebration and show people our new branding and new image to go along with all the new exciting things that are happening in their community.”

Derek

“We spend a lot of time in Parks & Rec talking about our ‘why’— not what we do, but why we do it,” he says. “And the things that we do in Parks & Rec are related to quality of life for our residents, for our visitors. Economic impact, environmental conservation,

Smith, Director, Northville Parks & Recreation

Park in the township, and River Park and Central Park in the city.

“Currently, we’re just over the 350-acre mark combined between the city and the township,” Smith says. “And when these three new parks open up, we’re going to have

Northville Nite

WHEN: 6-9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26

WHERE: Marv Gans Community Park

WHAT: Games, inflatables, food trucks, and live music by Social Bones

TICKETS: $4 per person/$16 per family in advance, or $5 per person/$20 per family at the gate

REGISTER: Visit https://npar.info/ northville-nite

over 750 acres total [of] parkland just in the public park system, not counting the county or the state parks.”

The department has been busy with new programs and a new magazine, as well, and is planning to update the signage for its parks, pathways, and trails.

Needless to say, these are “crazy times at Northville Parks & Rec,” Smith says, “but we love it. We have such a highly motivated team of professionals that are always striving to do better for our community, and the work that we’re doing shows that. So, we wanted to host a little celebration and show people our new branding and new image to go along with all the new exciting things that are happening in their community.”

Registration for Northville Nite is now open at https:// npar.info/northville-nite.

Tickets cost $4 per person/$16 per family when bought in advance, or $5 per person/$20 per family at the gate.

Smith hopes that Northville Nite will continue as an annual event.

“We don’t have a signature event with our department right now,” he says. “We’re hoping that this is the beginning of many years to come where we say thank you to our residents and to our partners and give people an opportunity … to close the door on the summer and get excited about the fall. So, we’re really happy to reboot this and give the community an opportunity to come together.”

Northville Nite will take place at Marv Gans Community Park in Northville Township.

By Emily Doran

EquineAdventures

Howell-based animal shelter Horses’ Haven has ties to Northville

or Kim Brink, horses were just a part of growing up.

The semiretired marketing professional, who moved with her family to a large piece of property in Northville in 1972, asked her mom for a horse in elementary school, “and that was it.”

“[I] got thrown on a horse and learned how to ride and have had a passion for animals ever since, but horses in particular,” Brink says.

The longtime resident certainly isn’t alone. She recalls the late Northville Downs racetrack and the prevalent horse culture of the area when she was a kid.

“You would open your windows at night, and you would hear the calling of the horses,” she says. “It’s ingrained. It’s a very rich horse community, and a lot of us had horses. Unfortunately, with the development, it’s fewer and fewer because we just don’t have the land like we used to here. But it’s pretty entrenched.”

Brink is still a horse owner, though she now has to board it outside of Northville. Her interest in equines goes beyond

ownership, however. Since 2023, she’s been a board member of Horses’ Haven, a 30-year-old nonprofit based in Howell that rescues, rehabilitates, retrains, and rehomes at-risk equines.

“It’s a beautifully well-taken-care-of farm,” Brink said.

QUITE AN OPERATION

Under the leadership of executive director Kristine Dvonch, the 22-acre farm in rural northern Howell has been transformed from a sanctuary where rescued horses lived out their days to an adoption-focused shelter. Because the farm has limited capacity (it can house up to 70 animals at a time), that identity overhaul has translated to significantly more animals helped.

“From 1995 to 2017, [Horses’ Haven] adopted 48 horses,” Dvonch says “so adoption wasn’t a big part of the organization. From 2017 through today, we’ve adopted over 500 horses.”

Last year alone, Horses’ Haven took in 116 equines and facilitated 86 adoptions.

During an early summer visit there were 57 equines at the farm, which accepts donkeys and mules in addition to horses. It takes a lot of people to care for so many high-maintenance animals. In addition to Dvonch, there’s a rehabilitation trainer, an adoption coordinator/trainer, a farrier/ property manager, a volunteer coordinator, and more than 125 volunteers who work in shifts. There are people at the farm every day — grooming, feeding, cleaning, you name it — from the early morning until after dinnertime.

“About 75% of our volunteers have never touched a horse before,” Dvonch says, but there is training and “something for everyone to do.”

“They are the heartbeat of our farm, and

In 2024, Horses’ Haven took in 116 equines and facilitated 86 adoptions. Photos courtesy of Horses’ Haven

When animals are adopted at Horses' Haven, it can be very emotional for everyone involved.

we cannot accomplish what we do without our volunteers,” she said.

Dvonch says one of the biggest needs is feeding the animals. Discussing “herd health and turd health,” she notes a horse produces an average of 50 pounds of manure a day. Unsurprisingly, given that number, Horses’ Haven goes through 12,000 to 13,000 bales of hay a year. An individual bale costs between $8 and $9, so along with vet bills, “hay is one of our largest expenses,” she says.

All new horses receive physical exams, a feeding plan the team develops with that information, as well as the tracking of medications and care.

The farm includes various barns, 23 pastures, and a rehabilitation and training course. There is a new tack room, funded by a grant from the Nartel Family Foundation.

LOW RETURN RATE

Generally the horses find themselves at the farm via law enforcement cases or owner surrenders. Some arrive in poor physical condition. Dvonch recalls a particularly emotional case of an extremely skinny stallion who had a body condition score of 1 when he arrived at Horses’ Haven — “the lowest you can be before death,” Dvonch says. She personally nursed him back to health and trained him.

“The first several months that he was here, I was here seven days a week taking care of him,” she says, “and I did all of his rehab and training up to getting under saddle and adoption. And I do believe that the best place for every horse is in an adopter’s home, but a horse that you have spent nine months caring for and training, he was tough [to let go]. I pulled into [the adopter’s] driveway and burst out in tears.”

But, she adds, “it’s always a happy day. You want them to have a person and a family to bring out their full potential and just love them.”

Dvonch and her team do check in with adopters periodically to see how things are going, and they always leave their stable doors open in case an adoption doesn’t work out. The return rate is low. “Industry standard is closer to 30% in the rescue world,” Dvonch says, “but ours hovers around 7% to 8%.”

Horses’ Haven also coordinates with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to take in horses.

Earlier this year, for example, the farm housed some wild mares from the Kentucky Humane Society via that partnership. Dvonch and her team took in seven of these animals last year and four this year. “And these ones happened to be pregnant,” she says.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

As it is for many nonprofits, fundraising is an ongoing concern. Brink’s professional experience comes in handy here.

“We’re constantly fundraising,” Brink says. “A lot of our money comes from grants or just individual donors. And one of the things that we’re working on is trying to reach out to corporations that might want to be involved on a more consistent basis and be partners with us as opposed to just relying on individual donations and grants.”

Supporters of the organization live all over, Dvonch says, including in Northville (about a dozen donors and sponsors and three adopters all call Northville home).

Then there are the two fundraising events that the farm hosts every year: a trivia night in the spring and an open house in the fall. Running the farm is already expensive, and Dvonch has a big plan that will require substantial capital to get off the ground. One of her priorities is the education of veterinary students, farriers, and trainers. To that end, she’s partnered

with Michigan State University to give vet students hands-on experience administering vaccines, injecting nerve blocks, and doing X-rays.

The farm also welcomes farrier and training interns. Building on this focus of equipping the next generation of horse care professionals, “we have just started the planning process for an equine health and education center,” Dvonch says. “And that is going to need about $1 million to build.” She’s envisioning a “much more formal hospital-type setting” for veterinary and nursing students as well as farriers to get their hands-on experience.

It would be an understatement to say that Dvonch, who is on call 24/7, has a lot to do. But it’s work she finds fulfilling.

“I always say, ‘There’s a little bit of magic here at the farm.’”

For more information about Horses’ Haven, visit horseshaven.org or call/text (517) 548-4880.

LOOKING FOR A NEW HOBBY?

HAVE A HORSE-CRAZY KID? check out Nobility Stables!

Conveniently located in Milford, MI, Nobility Stables is now accepting new clients. Whether you’re looking for a new hobby, or are an experienced rider, look no further than this family-friendly, family-run farm for your next equine adventure!

Elsa Heinke Owner/Trainer/ Instructor

Kristine Dvonch (far left), the executive director of Horses’ Haven, poses with volunteers at the non-profit’s farm in Howell. Photo by Emily Doran

a Doctor’s Referral

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

SOFTBALL SIZE TUMORS SILENTLY GREW

Softball Size Tumors Silently Grew

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

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

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

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

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

Raising Awareness

FULL BODY MRI SCANS WITHOUT

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

Full Body MRI Scans Without a Doctor’s Order

RAISING AWARENESS

Today, his son Ryan carries on this mission. 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.

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

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

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

A Life Saved

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

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

A DOCTOR’S

ORDER

Bionicc Body Screening offers 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

LIMITED TIME OFFER - Learn more now. Visit BioniccBodyScreening.com to download a free Welcome Information Kit and $200 savings offer. Book an appointment by calling 1-833-BIONICC. (833-246-6422) Scans are safe, non-invasive, emit no radiation and are available without a doctor’s referral.

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

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Dr. John Kulish & Dr. Jennifer Freij Northville Residents

New

hope for those with vision loss:

QUESTION:

My mom has Macular Degeneration and has stopped spending time with her friends. She says it’s because of her vision but won’t do anything about it. How do I get her past the “woe is me” stage and to seek help?

ANSWER:

Vision loss, from Macular Degeneration or other eye diseases, affects everyone differently. But your mom’s social withdrawal is common. Keeping her actively engaged with friends and activities she loves actually helps her vision. This gives her a purpose to continue seeing, even as it becomes more challenging. I can maximize use of her remaining vision through hands-free, eyeglass-mounted telescopes and training. Her vision may be changing but we can keep her doing what she loves.

QUESTION:

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.

My mother has macular degeneration and her vision has continued to worsen. At this point, she can’t drive and

ANSWER:

Depending

her

out & about out & about out & about

YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NORTHVILLE THIS MONTH

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

Shred it event

Sept. 20

From 9-11 a.m., Northville Township residents can safely dispose of old paperwork at the annual shredding event at Township Hall (Sheldon Road entrance only). The cost is $5 per car for up to eight paper grocery bags. Each additional bag is $1. Cash only will be accepted, and large bills will not be accepted. Plastic bags, lawn bags and file boxes will not be accepted. For more information, call (248) 348-5825 or email clerk@twp. northville.mi.us.

Heroes on Hines

Sept. 27

Wayne County will host the Heroes on Hines 5K Run/Walk beginning at 9 a.m. at the First Responders Memorial, located at the corner of Hines Drive and Haggerty Road in Plymouth. All proceeds will go for the long-term maintenance and upkeep of the memorial, which honors all fallen first responders. There will be medals for all finishers. To register or for more information, visit www.heroesonhines. com. Organizers are still looking for volunteers, who will get a T-shirt and free entry into the Wayne County Lightfest Run/Walk/Bike event in November.

Oldtimers Luncheon

Sept. 30

Northville’s annual Oldtimers Senior of the Year history luncheon will take place beginning at 11 a.m. at Genitti’s Hole-in-the-Wall (108 East Main Street, Northville, MI 48167). The recipient of the annual award will be announced at the meeting. Lunch will be served. Cost is $15 per person. To make a reservation, call (248) 349-0522.

Spooktacular Halloween Houses

The Kids’ Table is hosting the 23rd annual Northville Spooktacular Halloween House Decorating Contest. Registration is open through Oct. 18. The cost to enter your home in the contest is $25. Houses must be fully decorated by Oct. 20. The public will vote online the week of Oct. 24. Winners will be announced on Oct. 30. This contest is open to all families in the Northville Public Schools district. Awards include: Grand Prize, Spookiest, Most Creative, Peoples Choice and Best Use of Theme. For more information or to register, visit www.thekidstablemi.org.

Garden club meeting

Oct. 1

The Country Garden Club of Northville will host their monthly meeting at the Plymouth First United Methodist Church, 45201 North Territorial, in Plymouth. Speaker Carol Brodbeck will discuss “Spring Flowering Bulbs & Geophytes." Snacks and socialization begin at 11 a.m., and the speaker will begin at 11:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome. For more information, visit cgcnv.org.

Fifty North Healthy Living Expo

Oct. 2

Northville Senior Services will host this second annual event from 10 a.m.1:30 p.m. at the Northville Community Center. This expo will feature more than 30 vendors, preventative health screenings by the Wayne Mobile Health Unit, flu and COVID vaccines, and an introduction to fitness classes with instructor demos. Tickets are $8 for Northville residents and $10 for non-residents. Registration for lunch ends Sept. 27 by visiting https://npar. info/3SC57HM.

Fire Department open house

Oct. 4

The Northville Township Fire Department will host its annual open house event from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Fire Station 1 (45745 Six Mile Road, across from Northville High School in front of Millennium Park). Help kick off Fire Prevention Month with this free fun-filled day for families. It includes fire safety tips, fire truck exploration, station tours, fire hose demonstrations, CPR demos, equipment dress-up, a side-by-side fire demo, an airbrush tattoo artist, giveaways and plenty of photo ops.

Handcrafters Fall Fair

Oct. 5

Handcrafters Fall Fair will return for its 46th year on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the PARC–Plymouth Arts & Recreation Complex, which is a new location with expanded space. The juried event will feature more than 80 artists and makers, hourly raffles, food and the Acorn Glassworks Pumpkin Patch – a festive outdoor display and sale of handblown glass pumpkins from one of the resident artists at PARC. Admission is $4 (children 12

and under free). For more information, visit www.mercantilefairs.com.

Cemetery walk

Oct. 10

This Northville Art House event will take place at the historic Oakwood Cemetery from 5-8 p.m. Experience the historic side of Northville as actors share the storied pasts of those residing in the city’s first cemetery. Event begins at the Art House. Tickets cost $12 for Art House members ($15 for nonmembers). Purchase tickets by visiting northvillearthouse.org or calling (248) 344-0497.

Truck or Treat Oct. 11

The Northville Township Police Department will host this Trunk or Treat event from 10 a.m.-noon at Ward Church (40000 Six Mile). Part of the national Faith and Blue initiative, the event is free. Organizers are looking for local businesses to join in passing out candy. For more information, call (248) 349-9400.

Witches Night Out

Oct. 16

This downtown Northville event runs from 6-10:30 p.m. Enjoy specials, performances, entertainment, a Witchest Witch costume contest and more. The Witchest Witch contest will take place at the Marquis Theatre at 8:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the prettiest, scariest, and most creative witches. The movie Hocus Pocus will also be shown.

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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!

SDishin’ 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.

Fall Favorites

easons come, seasons go. Some things change; some things stay the same. Who doesn’t love a good quote or quirky saying? I sure do. I really love a good song lyric. One of my favorite songs is “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”; one of my favorite places in town is Northville Nail Boutique and my favorite toenail polish is Somewhere Over the Rainbow Mountains. There is a saying – “There’s no such thing as a coincidence.” Hmmmm...

When summer winds down and fall is upon us, with the leaves changing colors, I think about movies I watch over and over. Near the top of the list is Sound of Music (followed by Mary Poppins, Twister, Sweet Home Alabama, Pay It Forward, When Harry Met Sally, Miracle on 34th Street, Wizard of Oz ok, I might not understand the true meaning of “favorite”!)

The song “My Favorite Things” was written by Rodgers & Hammerstein for the Broadway show, Sound of Music in 1959. Mary Martin sang the original version. Julie Andrews brought it to everyday life in the movie version. I love the lyrics…I love my favorite things.

Tipping Point Theatre welcomes Season 18. The first show of the season celebrates the 50th anniversary of Jaws, The Shark is Broken. It is followed by A Very Northville Christmas The entire season has a taste of nostalgia. For season tickets, single tickets, advertising and sponsorship opportunities check out tippingpointtheatre.

com. I’m looking forward to the show about Gilda Radner – one of my all-time favorites from early SNL – also celebrating 50 years in 2025.

Speaking of celebrating 50 years, Mayor Turnbull (in concurrence with Governor Whitmer) declared August 31, 2025

“Dr. William Demray Day” to commemorate his 50th an0niversary of dentistry The mayor, City Manager George Lahanas and City Councilwoman Laura Genitti delivered the proclamation to Dr. Demray, with staff and a few

favorite patients looking on. Demray’s office is located in a historic Victorian home at the corner of Griswold and Main streets, just south of Mill Race Village. September 1st has been a milestone day for the surrounding property. It was first acquired from the U. S. government by pioneer Alva Smith on that day. The original purchase agreement is signed by John Quincy Adams, President of the United States.

Soon after Smith sold it to John Miller, who constructed Northville’s first gristmill where Mill Race stands today. Mill Race is another of my favorite destinations in town. There is so much goingk on, and that is certainly the case this fall. The Duck Race that ends the Victorian Festival, a Cemetery Walk on Oct. 10, Halloween Hysteria on Oct. 19, Funeral Tea (in the Cady Inn) on Oct. 25, and more coming for Christmas. Membership with the Northville Historical Society affords the benefit of reduced rates for events at this historic gem. Membership info, tickets, and sponsorship options are available at millracenorthville.org. A note to members – the Annual Meeting will be held on Oct. 16.

Northville’s Anne Holder presented the needs of Vista Marie to the 100 Women Who Care. Specifically, Shepherd Hall Transitional Living Program (SHTLP) designed to help the 18 year olds aging out of foster care without a family support system. They help shepherd them into adulthood. It won the donation. You can learn about the charity and my favorite group of women at 100womenwhocarenorthville. weebly.com. Their next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 8 at Genitti’s.

If you can imagine Julie Andrews singing my list of some “Favorite Things” in town: New Michigan Cleaners – always service with a smile. Naturally, Parmenter’s Cider

Mill. Orin Jewelers with its gold, diamonds and ear-piercing with Carol. Tirami Su is my fav Italian – and I’m pretty fussy about sauce (my Grammy D’Angelo spoiled me). I think VillaNorte Cocina Mexicana is going to be a favorite, as I hear the margaritas are top notch. Blackbird, Dear Prudence, Joseph’s, Early Bird, Tuscan, and Little Salumi are some of my others. By the way, did anyone see Little Salumi owner Jesse at the Detroit Sandwich Party? It was a one-day festival for sandwich enthusiasts held at the Eastern Market. Northville never tasted so good!

And happy 11th birthday to a new Northville favorite –Empower Yoga. I can’t believe how many friends from the past (and the present) I run into there week after week…. a reminder of some of my favorite times and places life brought my way.

You know what they say… what goes around comes around. Is that a good saying or not? When it comes to the fall fan favorite pumpkin latte – it’s a good thing.

Jesse from Little Salumi at Detroit’s Eastern Market

Mill Race Village will be hosting lots of family-friendly events in October.