September 2026 | Vol.9 | Issue 9
Northville’s News and Lifestyle Magazine
Eyes theonPast
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Service … a Family Tradition for 75 years
(248) 348-1233 19091 Northville Road · Northville, MI 48168 Matthew Giles - Manager
Downtown Northville 101 East Main Street at Center 248.349.6940
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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. And while The 'Ville is sent to every address in Northville at no cost to readers, it is not free to produce. 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.
VOLUME 9
ISSUE 9
SEPTEMBERR 2026
16435 Franklin, Northville, MI 48168 • 734.716.0783 • TheVilleMagazine@gmail.com
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
Publisher Here is a list of people who contributed to local journalism last month. We appreciate your support! • Lawrence Dockham
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.
ADVERTISE IN THE VILLE
TIM SMITH - Writer
Our locally-owned publication is an affordable way to reach the Northville Market. We direct mail to all 21,000 addresses in the 48167 & 48168 zip codes.
SUE VOYLES - Writer
To secure space in The Ville, contact Scott at (313) 399-5231 or scott@streetmktg.com. SCOTT BUIE - Advertising Director/VP of Sales
For more than 20 years Scott has worked with clients in Metro Detroit to create advertising campaigns to grow their business. After managing sales for radio stations in the Detroit Market for 17 years he purchased Street Marketing where he works closely with a variety of businesses and events. Scott and his family have lived in the Plymouth and Northville area for 25 years.
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.
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
When tragedies cut too close to home I
t seems we hear about tragedies almost every day. Usually, they take place in far-off places and to people we don’t know. We feel for the victims and their families, but it seems almost abstract because it doesn’t really touch us. Then there are those times when the tragedies cut too close to home. I was up north last month when I saw the news story that a 23-year-old Northville man died after drowning in Lake St. Clair. I immediately thought about my two oldest children who are about that same age and wondered if they knew him or went to school with him. I said the name Jak Kramer, and both said that they didn’t know him. The name didn’t click with me either. About a week later, I got a text letting me know that Jak is the son of local realtor Jamey Kramer. If you have ever picked up The ‘Ville, you have seen Jamey. He has been an advertiser with me since I published my first issue almost nine years ago. You can’t miss him, either, because he has been on the back cover for every issue that we’ve published. When I called Jamey to offer my condolences, I was almost embarrassed that I had not made the connection. One of the most difficult parts of being a journalist, at least in my experience, is having to make those calls to people who have suffered through the death of a loved one, whether it be from a murder or a tragic accident, which you have to do as a news reporter. I have found, while making the call is a really tough thing to do, in most cases people are really kind and glad to talk about the person they’ve lost. I think it is cathartic for them. After speaking with Jamey, I feel like I know Jak now – at least a little bit, though I certainly wish I had met him personally. Mostly though, I know how much he meant – and means - to his parents, Jamey and Margaret, who are longtime Northville residents. Losing a child is an unimaginable blow, especially for those of us who have children. The fact that Jak is their only child makes it is so much more devastating. Now that I’m a publisher, and not just a reporter or editor, I’ve developed relationships with many of our advertisers
in a different way. We have developed business partnerships, and I root for their success just as I root for my own. I realize I could never do what I do without their support. The ‘Ville would not exist without them, as we don’t get any money from subscriptions. I hope everyone who enjoys this magazine realizes that, and supports them because they support Northville. That is certainly the case with Jamey, who took a chance on The ‘Ville – and on me – nine years ago. I am just crushed for him and Margaret. Please see our tribute story about Jak on Page 12. And, if you can, please donate to the Jak Kramer ’21 Memorial Scholarship Fund, which they have established at Detroit Catholic Central High School to assist future students with tuition concerns. Memorial gifts can be made to that fund, via their website at catholiccentral.net/giving or by mail to 27225 Wixom Road, Novi, 48374. CORRECTIONS: This month I’ve got a couple doozies to report from our August issue. In our story about the local ice cream shops, we featured a photo of Kilwins employee Ben Hartigan. The photo caption indicated he ran the store with his mother. I confused him with Joshua Styles, who runs the store with his mother, Keleigh. Ben is an employee. Totally my fault. The other one was in the story about local energy drink Pureformance. We had a couple pretty big errors in the story. First, the owner’s name is Jack Coats – not Jake as was written in the article. We also indicated his first drink flavor was Yuzu and Lemon. It’s actually Yuzu and Lime. Jack, who was obviously not happy with us, reached out to me to let me know about the mistakes. A Northville High and MSU product, he seems like a great kid who is driven and going to do great things in the future. Check out his product at Good Time Party Store and other stores where Pureformance is carried, or visit his website at drinkpureformance.com. My apologies to both Kilwins and Jack. Kurt Kuban is the Publisher and Editor of The ‘Ville. He welcomes your comments at kurtkuban@thevillemagazine.com.
4 12 28 32 36 40 46 48
Your Voice: Letters to the Editor Northville family grieving after Jak Kramer’s tragic drowning Jen Lawson gets national praise for leading NPS’s AI initiatives Tipping Point kicks off new season with playful look at Jane Goodall Northville Genealogical Society marks 40 years of ancestry sleuthing Special Orin show will highlight longtime relationship with gem designer Community Bulletin Board Out & About: Community Calendar
8
Historic Comerica Bank Properties Sold
18
2026 Victorian Fest: A New Twist on Tradition
22
City Making ‘Massive’ Water Improvements
ON THE COVER: Last year Silver Springs Elementary students in Ms. Emily Georgoff's class posed for a photo near the gazebo at Mill Race Village. It is a longtime Northville tradition for local 3rd graders to dress up in Victorian-themed clothing and learn about Northville history. Photo by Sean Power
Your Voice Wayne County blues
Is Northville getting its money’s worth from Wayne County? On my recent tax bill, Wayne County is the second largest fraction, only slightly less than State Education. And now Wayne County will be taking more in the form of the SMART public transportation millage. Despite the high taxes I get no service or consideration from Wayne County for my specific issue despite years of trying. I have experienced significant property damage from the way Wayne County Department of Public Services grades my street in Northville Township, causing rainwater to flood my front yard cracking my driveway. No one in Wayne County, or for that matter Northville, sees or appreciates my plight. It’s impossible to contact a responsible person within the Wayne County hierarchy. Phone calls go unanswered and, on the rare occasion when you do get an answering machine, messages left provide no response. Even contacting our Wayne County Commissioner gets no significant action. I think Northville should take a lesson from the Schostak Brothers (remember their attempt to join the Northville Psychiatric Hospital property to Livonia) and investigate secession from Wayne County to join Oakland County. Who knows, maybe Livonia, Plymouth, Canton, Belleville, and other unserved or underserved communities may consider similar action. Sarunas Mingela
US has a commie problem ‘You ain’t seen nothing yet’
I chuckled after reading the letter in the July issue of The ‘Ville written by Erin Brockenshire about the safety concerns at the Sheldon and Seven Mile roundabout. It reminded me of an old saying, “You ain’t seen nothing yet!” Wait until the Downs project is done and all the condos, apartments and homes are completed and the retail stores and restaurants are open. It has been estimated that 800 to 1,000 additional cars will be using our streets. You won’t be able to move in this city. As for the roundabout: you would take your life in your own hands to navigate that intersection. James Koster
Extra vigilance needed
I just found out from a very reliable source that the completion of 8 Mile bridge construction has been moved from mid-August to this fall. School is now open so there needs to be extra vigilance as kids walk though our Cabbagetown neighborhood during peak traffic times. And this does not even take into account the traffic chaos and backups when Parmenter’s cider mill opens. Norm Fankell
SOUND OFF 4 The ‘Ville
We’ve got a commie problem, according to our president. He has been going on and on about how the communists are such a danger, kind of like Joe McCarthy in the ‘50s. While projecting communism on all but his loyal followers, it is Trump, from his unrestrained position in the White House who is pulling out all the stops to usher in communist doctrine. Since June 2025, Trump has bludgeoned 30-plus corporations into handing over shares of ownership, stock and portions of future profits. That, of course, spells government control of private corporations. The Trump takeover spans key industries including computer chips (semiconductors), rare earth minerals and steel. So now the U.S. government acts as both a business partner (shareholder) and law enforcer (regulator) in this ever-growing list of victim industries. Ever wonder why Trump admires figures like murdering psychopath Vladimir Putin? Or why Trump exchanged love letters with North Korean butcher Kim Jong Un? Or why Trump thinks China’s communist chairman Xi Jinping is a great leader? Or how about why the Republican MAGA party held their last Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Hungary with their keynote speaker being none other than pro-Putin dictator Viktor Orban. Houston, we’ve got a commie problem alright - and the leader of the band is none other than comrade Donald J. Trump. Owen Gay
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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Northville’s Comerica Bank branch on E. Main Street has closed and has sold. Photo by Bryan Mitchell
Historic Comerica Properties Sold on Main & Dunlap
City officials mum on new owners and future plans By Michele M. Fecht
S
ince the announcement in early February that Northville’s Comerica Bank branch on East Main Street would close following the Fifth Third Bancorp merger, speculation has grown over the fate of the 1926 structure, the adjoining Comerica Community Connection walk-through and Comerica’s 1962 drive-thru building at 143 East Dunlap. The three properties are prime downtown real estate and all three are contributing structures to the Northville Historic District. The three structures have recently sold. Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Kate Knight was hesitant to reveal too much information until they get through the due diligence process. “These are such complex projects that we’ve pushed back the closings until late October,” she said. Knight did note that the bank purchaser (the largest real estate piece) is someone “who loves and ‘gets’ downtown Northville.” “We’ve had some very exciting, positive conversations,” she said, adding that the buyer is “interested in a range of uses that we describe as active.” Those “active” uses in downtown planning parlance include street-level businesses that encourage public engagement and high pedestrian
8 The ‘Ville
foot traffic such as retail stores, restaurants, cafés, bars, art galleries, etc. Knight said the city will retain the air rights to the former Comerica Community Connection, the pedestrian walk- through linking Main Street to the Marquis Theatre parking lot. The two-story walk-through — similar in design to Ann Arbor’s Nickles Arcade — was completed in 2013 and has been a vital pedestrian connector. The adjoining building between the walkthrough and the bank building is essentially unused space. Its street-level frontage housed Comerica’s ATM; the second level is unoccupied. Knight noted that there are “a lot of interesting possibilities for that space.” The structure is accessible through the bank building.
structure is emblematic of that era. Banks were designed to convey security and strength to would-be depositors. They often were the centerpieces of communities in both large cities and small towns. When Northville State Savings Bank opened to the public in 1926, more than 2,000 people came through its doors to tour the new structure. The Northville Record was effusive in its praise of the pale pink granite façade, Tuscan columns and copper front doors. “This is probably the only bank in Michigan with a full granite front,” the newspaper proclaimed. “The combination of materials and the architecture make it one of the most imposing and artistic bank buildings in the country.” The interior with its 22-foot-high ceilings, large skylight with light diffusing art glass, American walnut fixtures, rich marble work and full-length drapes were meant to impress. The door on the bank’s time-lock safe weighed seven tons. The Record noted the day of the reveal that “ladies visiting during the day were given red roses and the gentlemen were treated to cigars. A number of bushels of choice apples were also handed out to the admiring throngs.” The bank’s officers and directors were some of Northville’s leading citizens including D.P. Yerkes, T.G Richardson, Carrie Taft, L.A. Babbitt and Bruno Freydl.
A PILLAR OF CAPITALISM
That 129 East Main housed a bank for a century is an impressive run by any standard. Opened in 1926 as the Northville State Savings Bank, it would change hands several times over the century. In 1933, it changed to Depositor’s State Bank and in 1958 became Manufacturers National Bank. Comerica would take over the building in 1979. The Neoclassical Revival design of the
Northville officials say the city will retain the air rights to the Comerica Community Connection, the pedestrian walk-through linking Main Street to the Marquis Theatre parking lot. Photo by Bryan Mitchell
The former Comerica bank opened in 1926 as the Northville State Savings Bank. In 1933, it changed to Depositor’s State Bank (seen here in 1941).
Unfortunately, the bank’s tenure would be short lived. By 1933, both the Northville State Savings Bank and the city’s Lapham State Savings Bank were in receivership. On January 20, 1933, The Record reported that “Depositors’ State Bank, Northville’s new institution which has arisen from the ashes of the two closed banks” opened its doors in the former Northville State Savings Bank building on January 11, 1933. The Record article noted that “the opening of the new bank will be marked by the lack of pomp and display.” Depositors’ State Bank continued on the site another 25 years.
GENERATION GAP
The Mid-Century Modern design of the Comerica Drive-thru at 143 East Dunlap is the antithesis of its sister bank on Main Street. Northville’s Historic District Survey noted that during the postwar period there was a push for banks to establish automobile-oriented branch banks, known as drive-thrus. The trend was also to build smaller banks that were less pompous in
style and more family oriented to attract baby boomer families. The drive-thru building on Dunlap became a branch of Comerica Bank in 2018. The Historic District Survey describes the structure as a “a good example of a MidCentury Modern-style bank building. The building retains integrity of design, as the overall fenestration pattern has not been altered and it retains the same footprint as originally constructed. The building retains original materials, and the integrity of workmanship is expressed through the overall construction and use of a large bank of windows.”
REPURPOSED
While both bank properties are now closed, there is a good chance they will be repurposed. Two examples of successful bank conversions happen to be restaurants. The Ledger restaurant in downtown
Plymouth is in the former 1920 Plymouth United Savings Bank building on South Main Street. The Fed in the Village of Clarkston is housed in the former Jossman State Bank built at the turn of the century. The sale of the Dunlap bank building opens opportunity on a critical corner next to the property that once housed the popular Little Italy restaurant. While Northville has lost its two Comerica branches, a new bank has entered the scene with Huron Valley State Bank opening at 250 N. Center in the former New Bangkok Cuisine building. We’ll update readers in future editions as details become more available about plans for the properties.
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Jak Kramer with parents Margaret and Jamey Kramer of Northville.
‘We Couldn’t Have Asked for a Better Son’ Family, community grieving after Jak
Kramer’s tragic Lake St. Clair drowning By Tim Smith
T
he doorway into Jak Kramer’s world never narrowed. He welcomed all with open arms and made a huge impact on others, which was evident during visitation and funeral services for the 23-year-old Northville resident, whose life was cut short after he tragically drowned in Lake St. Clair on Aug. 8. Hundreds of mourners gathered to remember a young man whose loss will be felt deeply by anyone who was fortunate enough to experience the warmth of his gentle soul. He connected with people anywhere he went, according to those who knew him. Jak felt at home being the life of a college party or sharing tea in the kitchen with a friend’s grandparents. The only child of Jamey and Margaret Kramer of Northville, James
12 The ‘Ville
(“Jak”) Andrew Kramer was “an old soul” who had room for everybody in his orbit. “At the visitation at least four people told me ‘Jak was my best friend’,” his father said. “If they didn’t say best friend, they said ‘He was my brother.’” The Detroit Catholic Central graduate and member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Northville was honored and celebrated by the friends and family that experienced the kindness and love he gave so freely through tributes on the funeral home’s memory wall (www.griffinfuneralhome.com/ obituary/james-jak-kramer). His father said Jak was one of a kind and even his uniquely spelled name reflected that. When asked how his son became known as Jak, his grieving father explained
“For whatever reason, when I was young my mom called me Jamey instead of the more common nickname at the time, Jim. We didn’t want to have a ‘Big Jamey, Little Jamey’ so we took his initials and called him Jak.” While it is true that most parents consider their children the central focus of their lives, for Jamey and Margaret Kramer losing their only child has shattered their whole world. Everyone who knew the Kramer family knew how extraordinarily the three of them not only loved each other but truly liked one another. Kramer said Jak’s passing is “just the worst thing in the world for us. Our only child. Our best friend. The love of our life. The three of us were best friends. It’s just awful.” The pain and grief are so overwhelming that Margaret has trouble putting words to an agony that no mother ever wants to imagine. “There just aren’t words,” she said. “He is my baby and the greatest joy and honor of my life is being his mom. We couldn’t have asked for a better son.” That sentiment was echoed by the crowds that came to offer condolences to the whole family at the visitation and service. Many people stood to share stories and fond memories of their time spent with Jak. Tributes online poured in like the one from friend and co-worker Owen VerSluis, who wrote: “I can’t believe you’re really gone. You were always willing to listen, and you understood me like nobody else. You were there when I felt crushed, and you were there to help turn a giggle into uncontrollable laughter. You were my best
pal. You were my brother. And you always will be.” His former girlfriend, Avalee Goodman, was so distraught about Jak’s passing that she came to the funeral and eloquently posted – as though she were directly talking to him – about her many memorable moments with him during their time together. Those included simple things like ordering coffee, sampling a plate of mackerel or sharing spectacular experiences at Pictured Rocks or Mackinac Island. “I remember all the crazy concerts we have rocked out at together,” Avalee wrote. “Our tradition was gifting each other with concert tickets for our birthdays, some of the best gifts I could receive.” Jamey Kramer said he and his wife repeatedly heard such testimonials during the visitation. “I can tell you the line for the visitation was out the door. It was nonstop. The outpouring of love and support from people. It was just unbelievable,” he said.
Earlier this year, Jak Kramer (center) traveled to Japan with some of his closest friends from Catholic Central. “We’re so thankful he got to go on that trip,” father Jamey Kramer said.
A WELCOMING SPIRIT There was no wavering whatsoever when it came to Jak’s faith, often quoting his favorite Bible verses to friends. That follows the “Golden Rule” script of his life, where his strong faith and selflessness guided him to always give of himself to others. “Jak accepted them,” Kramer noted. “He was just a loving spirit. He accepted people and I don’t think he had a mean bone in his body. He just made people feel welcome.” Another common thread from mourners was making sure the Kramer’s knew just how important Jak was in their lives. No matter where one turned, seemingly Jak Kramer was around – with multiple different personality threads and farranging interests from which to be pulled and experienced with his friends and family. He loved watching Rockford Files reruns or going on cherished fishing trips to the Manistee River with his dad. Whether catching some salmon, steelhead or nothing at all, the biggest catch was being immersed in the beauty and peacefulness of the outdoors, his dad said. “We loved to fish, that was the father-son thing to do together,” Jamey continued. “We had a lot of great memories doing that.” Jak’s love for the outdoors also included many camping trips with his friends. He loved hanging out with his mom, working on jigsaw puzzles, and enjoying Marvel movies together while on a break from Grand Valley State University. “He would come home from school,” Margaret recalled. “It was just a time for him to relax
and chill out and get away from work, from school. And just be able to be at home.” He had a passion for leading a healthy lifestyle with a strong dedication to his gym routine and enjoyed competing in different sports. Earlier this year, Jak traveled to Japan with Catholic Central friends. “We’re so thankful he got to go on that trip,” Jamey said. Like most college students he was trying out different subjects to find what interested him. He changed majors at Grand Valley State and landed on a major in political science with a minor in cyber security. After completing an IT-based internship at Trinity Health in Grand Rapids, Jamey said “they liked Jak so much they made him a contract employee and said they’d be willing to work around his school schedule. “I told him ‘Just get your degree. It doesn’t matter what it is.’” His interest in business, connecting with and helping people even had him considering joining his dad’s real estate practice. SCHOLARSHIP FUND LAUNCHED Fittingly for the way Jak Kramer lived his too-short life, his memory will strive to help others. The Jak Kramer ’21 Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established at Detroit Catholic Central to assist future students with tuition concerns. “For me, it’s a purpose now,” Jamey stressed. “I’ve got a reason to continue to work and live. And that is to honor my son and keep his good name going through this scholarship fund.” “And it’s to give to the
One of Jak Kramer’s favorite things to do was to fish for salmon and steelhead on the Manistee River with his dad Jamey.
young men that may not be able to go to CC,” chimed in Margaret. “One of his teachers (during a parent-teacher conference at Catholic Central) said ‘Oh, Jak Kramer, I love that kid. That kid could do anything.’” According to Jamey and Margaret, he still can. “He is not a was, he’s an is,” said Jamey, expressing a sentiment he and Margaret collaborated on. “My son did not die. My son simply moved
to heaven with God and he has a new beginning. Our relationship is different, but it’s never over.” The Jak Kramer ’21 Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established at Detroit Catholic Central to assist future students with tuition concerns. Memorial gifts can be made to that fund, via their website at catholiccentral.net/giving or by mail to 27225 Wixom Road, Novi, 48374.
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The band Northville Folk will again be playing the beer tent at the American Legion.
aNew Twist on Tradition Victorian Festival to celebrate Northville’s heritage with an eye on the future By Tim Smith | Photos by Sean Power
T
he world is evolving rapidly every minute, and Northville is working to keep pace in a myriad of ways. But one weekend every September, it is just as nice to step back in time. This year is no different, with the annual Northville Victorian Festival slated for the weekend of Friday, Sept. 18 through Sunday,
18 The ‘Ville
Sept. 20. It is the third year the fest is being organized, managed and operated by JAG Entertainment, which took over the reins from the Northville Community Chamber of Commerce. “Every festival represents something unique to a community and I think the Victorian Festival in Northville is really that community moment where people have come out and celebrated,” said James Gietzen, a Northville resident and JAG Entertainment owner. “The Victorian theme and the heritage of the town is built
right there, it is part of what makes this community.” Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull, a local history aficionado, emphasized the importance of honoring and celebrating the past while also gearing up for an exciting future – one which promises to be a banger in 2027, with the city’s summer-long bicentennial extravaganza. “We grew up in the Victorian Era, Queen Victoria was on the throne from about 1832 to 1902, that’s when Northville was big,” Turnbull said. “That’s why we celebrate the Victorian Era, with the festival. Not too many people can do that. At one time, in 1892, there was a national book that said Northville was the ideal suburban village. We grew up in that time and we had four rivers and they turned the water wheels that turned the factories.” Of course, soon thereafter, electricity literally put a charge in American life and villages could build factories anywhere – no longer needing nearby rivers to power them. “The Victorian Festival is pretty important to our DNA and you can see why,” Turnbull continued. “We were that Victorian city back in the day.” Victorian homes still are integral to Northville – those on Dunlap Street are almost an architectural relic in and of itself. “We have more Victorian homes on the national registry than any other town in the state of Michigan,” Turnbull noted. Yet the three-day celebration also does not ignore that Northville is in the midst of
an impressive forward-looking phase. The massive Downs redevelopment is at the top of the list, not to mention an influx of well-received bicycle and walking paths connecting all points of the region. Even Wayne County’s first roundabout made its debut during the city’s 199th year of existence.
‘VIC FEST’ ANYONE? Turnbull said those changes bode well for the bicentennial year and beyond. But they don’t mean closing the book on Northville’s origin story. “Does it have the (mass) appeal?” Turnbull asked. “Maybe it will be the ‘Vic Fest’ sometime, to modernize it. I don’t know. But it is a touchpoint to have a homecoming gathering in the city of Northville.” According to JAG Entertainment’s Gietzen, it has helped enormously to have the chamber (now led by executive director Jim Cracraft) still having a seat at the planning table during the festival’s leadership transition. “There hasn’t been any issues with the changeover or anything,” Gietzen stressed. “Now that Jim is over there at the chamber we’re trying to expand how they can be more involved. They (chamber) are out trying to sell sponsorships at the event too, so they can use it as a fundraiser as well.” The cost to put on this year’s festival
is around $50,000, although Gietzen said it is hoped to eventually have a budget approaching $100,000. Gietzen says the event remains familyfriendly, with bounce houses, face-painting, 1890s-style baseball (from Eclipse Vintage Baseball), local music performers and kids entertainers. “We’re adding a Family Fun zone (Main at Wing streets) full of bounce houses and other activities,” Gietzen said. “It’s a whole zone of different, fun things for kids to do. We’re real excited about it. It’s something we’ve wanted to do the last couple years.” There will be an emphasis on having Northville musical talent on stage all weekend, including Northville High School graduate Jorden Duff playing the main stage on Saturday afternoon. “Before we get to him we’ll have the Shawn Riley Band, who is becoming a tradition band to have on Friday night after the parade,” Gietzen added. “That will be taking place in Town Square. “On Saturday, things will kick off earlier in the day. The Northville District Library is going to have a kids’ entertainer out there at 11:30 (a.m.) and then we’ll have a couple musical acts throughout the day. In the evening, we’ll have The Randy Brock Group and he’s a Northville guy.” Tried and true festival staples will be back, of course, such as guided tours of the J.M. Mead General Store, Blacksmith Shop, Weaver’s Cottage and Hirsch Museum from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday. At 3 p.m. Sunday will be the Annual Duck Race on the Rouge River with ticket sales beginning 11 a.m. that very day.
Continued on Page 20
2026 victorian festival schedule For a complete list:
Friday, Sept. 18
5 p.m. – nonprofit, craft and vendor booths open; 6:30 p.m – Victorian Parade kicks off; 7 p.m. – Shawn Riley Band (Town Square Stage); 7 p.m. – Northville Folk performs at the American Legion; 7:15 p.m. – Center Stage Dance Company (Main and Center).
Saturday, Sept. 19
9 a.m.-noon – Rotary Pancake Breakfast at American Legion; 10 a.m. – nonprofit, craft and vendor booths open; 11 a.m. – horse and carriage rides (hop on at City Hall); 11 a.m. -4 p.m. – petting farm; 11:30 a.m. – Big Bubble Magic Show at Town Square stage; 1 p.m. – Eclipse Vintage Baseball (Fish Hatchery Park); 3-5 p.m. – musician Jorden Duff at Town Square stage; 6-8:30 p.m. – The Randy Brock Group at Town Square stage. (Note: The American Legion is hosting other activities in downtown Northville at noon, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.)
Sunday, Sept. 20: 10 a.m.
10 a.m. – nonprofit, craft and vendor booths open; 11 a.m. – Vintage Games at Mill Race; 11 a.m. – horse and carriage rides (hop on at City Hall); 11 a.m.-4 p.m. – Mill Race grounds and buildings open; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. – petting farm; noon – musician Al Carmichael at Town Square stage; 1 p.m. – Eclipse Vintage Baseball at Fish Hatchery Park; 3 p.m. – Duck Race at Mill Race Village; 3 p.m. – musician Steve Pichan, Town Square stage; 5 p.m. – festival closes.festival closes. The ‘Ville 19
Continued from Page 19 GEARING UP FOR 2027 The Northville Rotary Pancake Breakfast is moving from inside the American Legion to the front yard. The breakfast runs 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, and is a fundraiser for both Rotary and the Legion. “I’m really excited about that because I think it’s a great
way for the locals to come and engage with the local service clubs,” Gietzen stressed. “And for them to raise some money to put into projects.” Gietzen added that the wheels are already in motion for the 2027 Victorian festival, when Northville’s 200th anniversary will be the backdrop. “We’re definitely trying
The Rotary Pancake Breakfast will take place from 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Sept. 19 at the American Legion.
to gear up for that,” Gietzen said. “We’ve recently been in talks with the Northville Bicentennial Task Force. They are going to be at the event this year starting to kick off some of their activities and video recordings and stuff (for future promotional material). “So it (the 2027 fest) will definitely be the culmination of all the things that will happen over the next year.” Beyond next year’s festivities, the Victorian Fest will continue to pay homage to tradition
and heritage while keeping abreast of the current societal landscape. “As the town continues to develop, obviously things will need to be tweaked and education will need to be given about where things were and what has been done in the past,” Gietzen continued. “But in general, it’s important to keep this kind of an event and a heritage kind of moment for the community.” To find out more, visit www. northvillevictorianfestival.com.
Tony Thompson guides the oversized flatbed around the corner of Elm and East streets. It was carrying the new water booster pump station from EFI-Solutions in Illinois.
N O I t o n SS I M e l b i imposs s will t r o f f e n io t a iz modern City’s massiveain breaks, pressure issues limit water m er by Sean Pow s o t o h P | h By Tim Smit
I
t looked like a battle plan, carried out with military precision, to usher in the next half-century of Northville’s own “water world.” Over a three-day span in late August, members of Northville Department of Public Works, along with contractors Connelly Crane and Long Mechanical, coordinated a massive undertaking – namely to steer a double-wide trailer carrying a 50,000-pound booster station around tight corners and an incline near Hillside Middle School. From there, Connelly Crane workers lifted the station high into the air and finally hit the bullseye, namely landing it on three ductile iron risers springing out of the underground water main
22 The ‘Ville
located a short distance from the 70-year-old Northville water tower on Base Line Road. “I’ve got a lot of very talented guys,” said James Long, owner of Long Mechanical in Northville and a subcontractor for the city’s water system modernization campaign. “I put two of them on it (the delivery) and they hit those three pipes right on the money.” With the new booster station in place, which will take up to six months to be fully operational, Northville can effectively retire its 130-yearold reservoir adjacent to the water tower. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for spring or early summer in 2027. In time, there will be a modernized system that will more efficiently pump several
Jim Long of Long Mechanical watches as the booster station is lifted into place by a crane operator.
hundred thousand gallons of water from the Great Lakes Water Authority and regulate its usage around the city, reducing water-main breaks in the process. The average number of such breaks in Northville annually has been about 18-to-25, said DPW Supervisor Mike Domine, adding that the number should at least be cut in half due to the modernization efforts. “It was an old system,” Domine said. “It worked for its time. Our water system we’re working on today and how it’s connected is going back to when we connected with Detroit Water. “We were one of the first municipal water systems in the state of Michigan. Water came from streams and springs, from the northern part of the city and from Novi -- and came into our reservoir. And then our reservoir had sand treatment bedding in there.” Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull said it was time for the city’s water system to be upgraded. “This will modernize our systems for the long term,” Turnbull said. “We are spending
about $25 million over the next five years to modernize all of our infrastructure for the city. And this is one piece, modernizing the pump station, where we are on a 130-year-old retaining area underneath the water tower. “It’s kind of like medieval times with that big old drainage area where we store the water.” The reservoir held about 450,000 gallons, with water stored until it needed to be moved to the tower – which has a capacity of an estimated 400,000 gallons. But that process could be wasteful and expensive. The new one streamlines that Point A to Point B process considerably.
TIME FOR AN UPGRADE
Domine, who is spearheading the project for the city, said it simply is time to update the water system.. The booster system will enable water to be channeled up into the tower and then more efficiently back
Long Mechanical employees position the booster station into place near the water tower.
out into the city. “How the city operates the water system now is we buy water from Great Lakes Water Authority and that fills into an underground reservoir, and then (water) is pumped up into our current water tower,” Domine
And once it will be up and running, coupled with installation of 8-inch and 10-inch pressure reducing valves in vaults at Potomac and Rogers and behind city hall on Wing Street, overall water pressure throughout the city will be monitored and ready to be quickly corrected whenever issues arise. “When Great Lakes has a pressure surge (such as up to 120 pounds per square inch,
to be sending to homes and businesses actually is in that 60to-70 (psi) range. We’ll be able to reduce that 120 psi down to a lower pressure amount. That’s part of the project.” As the new system gets implemented, not only will pressure be better regulated, there will be two separate divisions “so if one area is impacted” by a water main break the other will not.
“This isn’t a frivolity, this was a necessity,” Turnbull added. “Both for the state (EGLE, the department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy) and for our water system.” Concurring was Domine, noting that although water and sewer rates will increase to help pay for maintenance costs and capital improvements those upticks will not be major. “It’s a slight increase when you look at it,” he said. “Your bill
How the city operates the water system now is we buy water from Great Lakes Water Authority and that fills into an underground reservoir, and then (water) is pumped up into our current water tower. What we’re doing is eliminating that underground reservoir, but we still have to get water to our tower. Mike Domine, Northville DPW Supervisor said. “What we’re doing is eliminating that underground reservoir, but we still have to get water to our tower.” Domine said because water pressure from GLWA isn’t always sufficient to get the water up into the tower, the booster station needed to be installed.
or psi), a lot of times that’s what causes these water main breaks,” Domine explained. “We will be having these pressurereducing valves that will help prevent that. Like, for instance, on the southern end of the city we experience water pressure up to 120 psi. “Average pressure you want
SPREADING THE COST
Turnbull said the comprehensive project will not have a measurable effect on individuals’ water bills, because as more residents move into Northville – into the Downs redevelopment, for example – the burden will be spread out to a greater degree.
is still way smaller than any of the other utility bills you pay on a monthly basis. And this is for water. Everyone needs water.” Meanwhile, the city council recently approved issuing a $14 million water bond to pay for a
Continued on Page 24
The ‘Ville 23
Continued from Page 23 portion of those comprehensive improvements to the water infrastructure, Domine explained. “It’s (for) obviously replacing aged and undersized infrastructure,” Domine said. “But we’re also replacing lead in our water. We’re also creating
DPW Director Mike Domine (left) briefs Northville City Manager George Lahanas on the newly-placed booster station.
loops so that we’re connecting dead-end water mains, which overall helps with water quality and fire protection.” Domine added that around $5 million in grant money has been earmarked for the work, including one for $1 million from EGLE. One aspect of the installation needing to succeed was seamlessly getting everything in place before the 2026-27 school year opened – so vehicle and pedestrian traffic would not be an impediment of any kind. “Getting this (booster station) in place is a huge step,” Domine stressed. “Timing is the biggest thing on that, because of the location and the space behind the middle school. “We had to close the road today for an entire day to get
Project manager Chad Neuer oversees the rigging operation.
this installed. So it was a crucial moment to get this installed while kids were not at school, or school was out. Now, it’s another step moving forward to getting this complete.” Moreover, Long said it was gratifying to see extensive planning pay off as perfectly as possible in terms of the delivery of the booster station. “These trucks just came rolling right in,” Long noted. “It was pretty cool, to see them
coming in and police blocking traffic at a timely fashion, and we got them to turn the corners and (proceed) up the hill. Those hills are significant and these large trucks powered right up and parked (the station). “It looks tricky, and it was, but it’s something we do. It went off without a hitch because of all the planning and experience. … We’ve been in this town a long time and we’re kind of proud to be part of the project.”
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EdTech Digest named Jen Lawson, the Instructional Technology Integration Coordinator for Northville Public Schools, as one of the Top 100 leaders in dealing with AI. Photos courtesy of Northville Schools
NAVIGATING UNCHARTERED WATERS Jen Lawson gains national recognition for leading school district’s AI initiatives By Tim Smith
O
ne of America’s top educational innovators and creative thinkers happens to be deeply rooted in Northville Public Schools, and thankfully for the district’s students she isn’t planning on going anywhere. Earlier this year, the publication EdTech Digest named The district’s Jen Lawson as one of the Top 100 leaders in steering students through the uncertain ripples and waves being cast by modern technology – primarily the revolution of AI (artificial intelligence). When a district position opened up in 2022 to become Instructional Technology Integration Coordinator, Lawson initially balked because she did not want to leave her algebra students at Hillside Middle School, the place she had built her career for more than 20 years. “When the position popped up a few years ago, the district asked if I was going to apply,” Lawson said. “And I was like ‘Nope.’ It took me three years to make this decision. I love teaching math and that’s part of the reason why I want to keep working and
28 The ‘Ville
wanted this position to be in the classroom as well.” But then she studied the data, as any good math teacher would. She ultimately took the job and has not regretted the decision. FRONT AND CENTER Yes, it was unavoidable that artificial intelligence is changing the world and also potentially throwing the teacher-student connection into the dustbin of history. However, Lawson also realized something important. As long as teaching and learning can still happen in the new world order, there was no way she was going to step aside from that important role. “I didn’t want to be behind the scenes,” Lawson reiterated. “Because anytime I can get in the classroom in front of kiddos I’m a happy camper. It’s kind of the best of both worlds.” Still, getting recognition from a national magazine was “shocking” to her. “I’m sitting next to CEOs of major corporations and other leaders in this field and to be amongst them was pretty
incredible,” Lawson said. Lawson was nominated for the award by Hillside Principal William Jones, who wrote: “Whether she is navigating changes in instruction or building the district’s AI Task Force, Jen’s work is rooted in her deep understanding of the teacher experience.” But that honor merely is icing on the cake compared to what Lawson views as the importance of guiding young people into the next phase of their educational journeys. And someone who agrees with her is Northville Schools Superintendent RJ Webber. “What she’s helped this district become and how to ethically and appropriately use artificial intelligence, in my mind, puts her in the absolute top echelon of educators in the country,” Webber emphasized. Webber said Lawson is an excellent educator and communicator who serves as a crucial guardrail of sorts – someone who is fiercely dedicated to making sure the human connection essential to classroom learning does not fall by the wayside. “With AI, there’s some very powerful, wonderful things that we can use it for,” Webber continued. “But my concern is how do we keep the human in the interaction with AI? How do we keep our kids safe in utilizing AI? “How do we teach our kids to make sure that cognitively they develop as fully they can their ability to write and to think?” Webber added that it is imperative that the district’s graduates embark on the next chapter of life knowing the pros and cons of artificial intelligence. “There are times where convenience trumps quality,” Webber said. “But how do we make sure we help our kids? If they graduate from Northville Public Schools without an understanding of how to use AI, and how it can benefit them in their careers, we’re doing them a disservice. “If we graduate kids who rely on AI to do their work, we’re doing them a disservice.” STILL IN THE GAME Lawson visits all of the district’s schools, from pre-school to Cooke School (a special education center for students ages 3-26), ensuring a consistent message and game plan – not just for kids, but for teachers and
parents. And most importantly to her, she will be right in the middle of things and not dictating learning strategy from somewhere else. “Before, it was a lot of back-end things happening and not a lot of innovation,” said Lawson, about the way AI advancements have changed the game. “But now with AI there is so much innovation and so much change. We can really flip education on its head and reimagine assessments and reimagine what learning looks like. “And to be a part of that is amazing. I just think there is so much we can do to really meet kids where they’re at like we couldn’t before.” As an example, Lawson talked about modeling how technology can be transformative to help a struggling student pick up the learning pace and not fall behind in a classroom. “To have that bilingual student working in the class, to have a struggling learner participate,” she stressed. “It is absolutely
State Rep. Jason Morgan visited Northville Schools earlier this year to recognize Jen Lawson’s efforts.
incredible. And the conversations I’m hearing is it’s just really neat to be at the beginning of this.” KEEPING THE HUMAN ELEMENT But a key element Lawson intends to highlight in her role moving forward will be to underscore the concept that AI should not be used as a replacement for a student actually doing the work they need to learn. “I always say with AI, ‘It should be human in and human out,’” Lawson noted. “Your ideas, your thoughts, your work. And then AI can take that and format it or help you with editing. And once it’s done, look at it again. It (AI) should not replace your thinking – ever.” Lawson compared that example with a
student asking a neighbor to write their paper. “That’s cheating,” she said. “If I ask AI to write my paper for me that’s cheating. But if I ask my neighbor ‘Hey, can you help me edit? I’m really struggling with this part, it doesn’t sound right. What are your thoughts?’ That’s not cheating. Using AI in the same way is also not cheating. “It should never replace what makes us uniquely human.” Vetting sources and information also should not be abandoned merely by asking AI to do that job. “One of the things I’ll tell students is, if you’re looking for facts or ideas, always ask for the source,” Lawson said. “And make sure that’s a good source. I could co-opt lots of great data about how the earth is still flat, but let’s look at those sources.” Good sources are important to enable learning to flourish in the AI-drenched world of 2026. But even more so is having great educators like Jen Lawson rising to that level.
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A Playful look at Jane Goodall Tipping Point launches ambitious 19th season this month with ‘Aping Jane’ By Wensdy Von Buskirk
T
here is something fitting about a theater in the heart of downtown Northville opening its 19th season with a play that asks audiences to look at the world from different perspectives. In Aping Jane, opening Sept. 23 at Tipping Point Theatre, those perspectives belong to primate expert and conservationist Jane Goodall and the wildlife that surrounded her. The cheeky new one-woman play by Aurora Real de Asua explores Goodall’s life and legacy through the animals, people and experiences that shaped her. One actor, Katherine Banks, takes on more than 20 characters, including chimpanzees, spiders, scientists, family members and
32 The ‘Ville
Katherine Banks
Goodall herself. For Artistic Director Julia Glander, bringing Aping Jane to Northville was a bit of serendipity. “Last October, I was knee deep in reading plays for the next season,” Glander says. “Although I wasn’t intentionally
looking for a play about Jane Goodall, I’ve always been drawn to her work and the news of her recent death was on my mind. However, I was intentionally seeking new plays from the playwright Aurora Real de Asua, whose work I had recently discovered and was also drawn to. There it was — kismet — Aping Jane.” The timing makes the production especially meaningful. Goodall died Oct. 1, 2025, and the play opens just days before the first anniversary of her death. Real de Asua says her fascination with Goodall began in childhood. “I’ve been obsessed with Jane Goodall since I was a kid. A woman who spent the majority of her adult life in the company of animals? Clearly she knew what was up,” Real de Asua says. That affection for Goodall and the natural world is at the center of the play. “Jane Goodall spent her life advocating for the humanity of the natural kingdom,” she says. “What better way to honor her than to give the natural kingdom center stage?”
Tipping Point Season
WORK IN PROGRESS For Tipping Point, Aping Jane also represents an opportunity to participate in the creation of a new work. The production is developmental, meaning the script is still being shaped through rehearsal and performance. Tipping Point is the first theater to bring the play before a live audience. “Most of all I would like to know if the play works,” Real de Asua says. “Is the story clear? Are the human-to-ape transitions supporting the narrative? Is it too long? Too short?”
April 7–May 2, 2027 Jordan Harrison’s futuristic drama explores memory, identity and the possibilities and limits of artificial intelligence through an elderly woman and her AI companion.
19
Aping Jane Sept. 23–Oct. 18 Aurora Real de Asua’s playful onewoman exploration of Jane Goodall’s life, told through the perspectives of animals and the people who influenced her.
The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley Nov. 18–Dec. 13 A festive companion to Miss Bennet and Pride and Prejudice, this holiday comedy moves downstairs at Pemberley, where the servants prepare for Christmas and an unwelcome guest arrives.
American Fast Feb. 10–March 7, 2027 The Michigan premiere of Kareem Fahmy’s fast-paced drama about a 21-year-old Middle Eastern American college basketball player whose championship dreams collide with an unexpected controversy.
Marjorie Prime
The Break June 2–27, 2027 A new rockin’ comedy musical about a young couple who take a 30-day break from their relationship in an attempt to save it. Tickets and season passes available at tippingpointtheatre.com.
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ASK THE DOCTOR
Q Tipping Point Artistic Director Julia Glander says bringing Aping Jane to Northville was a bit of serendipity. Photos courtesy of Tipping Point Theatre
Those questions will be explored during three preview performances Sept. 23-25, each followed by a talkback with Real de Asua and Glander. Audience feedback can help the creative team make final adjustments before the standard run begins Sept. 26. A HIDDEN GEM Works like Aping Jane make Tipping Point a truly unique place. For a community the size of Northville to have a theater that sustains professional staff, actors and crew shouldn’t be taken for granted. “To have a downtown area with a small professional regional theater is rare. There’s just a handful of places that have that,” Glander says. Since opening its doors in 2007, Tipping Point has built its identity around intimate, professional live theater while also investing in local artists,
education and community outreach. Its 143-seat theater creates a close connection between performers and audience that can be difficult to find in larger venues. That intimacy is part of the charm. So is the location. A night at Tipping Point can easily become a downtown Northville evening with dinner, dessert and a stroll to the theater. Season 19 promises holiday comedies, dramas and thoughtprovoking pieces that provide a special night out. “There’s a lot going on,” Glander says. “It’s rich.” Tipping Point Theatre is located at 361 E. Cady Street in downtown Northville. Tickets for Aping Jane are $25-$48. Group rates and senior, student and military discounts are available. For more information, visit tippingpointtheatre.com.
As a family we are struggling with my mother’s vision loss due to macular degeneration. She is doing less and less and blames her vision. She also seems to be becoming more and more 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?
A
First, 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.
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My mother has macular degeneration and her vision has continued to worsen. At this point, she can’t drive and struggles to watch television and read. Is there anything to help her function better? The Tipping Point team getting ready for the opening of Aping Jane.
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Depending on her sight, driving may still be a possibility. 26850the Providence Suite Novi,faces, MI 48374 Usually bigger goalsPkwy include tasks150 like •seeing photos and reading so she doesn’t become isolated and can maintain some independence. Holding magnifiers
Dr. Bipin Ravindran, Electrophysiologist at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital SPONSORED CONTENT
Do you have an irregular heartbeat? It could be atrial fibrillation. Dr. Christian Machado, Medical Director of Electrophysiology at Henry Ford Providence Novi Hospital
If you have a racing or irregular heartbeat, also known as an arrhythmia, one likely suspect is atrial fibrillation (AFib), the most common type. In AFib, the upper chambers of the heart beat chaotically and often too fast. In some cases, this can continue indefinitely (or until it’s treated). But in many people, episodes of AFib come and go, which can make it harder to diagnose. However, the earlier it’s diagnosed, the better, to help reduce the risk of stroke.
Atrial fibrillation risk AFib can develop in anyone, at any time, but it’s much more likely to become a problem as you get older. Other factors besides age that can increase anyone’s chance of developing AFib include high blood pressure, obesity, heart problems (such as heart failure or heart valve disease), thyroid disorders, heavy alcohol use, smoking, diabetes, kidney disease and sleep apnea. In younger adults, conditions such as thyroid disease or sleep apnea can increase the risk. In women, high blood pressure and heart valve disease are more likely to lead to AFib. While in men, coronary artery disease and previous heart attack are more common risk factors.
Spotting AFib symptoms AFib symptoms may vary, and some people don’t experience them. When symptoms are present, for both sexes these can include racing heart rate, heart palpitations (flutters or a pounding heart), shortness of breath, chest pain and fatigue. •
Atypical symptoms: Women are more likely than men to experience symptoms such as fatigue and weakness.
•
Frequency and duration of episodes: Women tend to have more frequent and longer-lasting AFib episodes than men.
•
Stroke risk and severity: Women with AFib may be at higher stroke risk than men. And when women have a stroke, it tends to be more severe.
Diagnosing atrial fibrillation … with your smart watch? If you notice possible AFib symptoms, take note so you can discuss them with your doctor. During a check-up, your doctor should be able to pick up on an irregular heartbeat – if you’re experiencing an AFib episode. For the other times, a smart watch or wearable fitness tracker may help. Many of the newest devices use a technology called photoplethysmography, or PPG. This feature uses pulses of light against the skin to measure blood flow through the wrist to track the rhythm of your heartbeat. This can be helpful for spotting heart rhythm disorders such as AFib. If you suspect you’re having periodic AFib episodes, your doctor also might send you home with a heart monitor to help figure out what’s happening with your heart rhythm. AFib can be serious, but we can treat heart arrhythmias with medications and procedures. So don’t ignore that fluttering heartbeat. If you think you have a possible heart rhythm problem, it’s best to talk to your doctor.
To request a consultation with one of our local experts, call 248.609.3494. To learn more about atrial fibrillation and our advanced treatment options, visit henryford.com/AFib
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. endured brutal treatments and cruel your insides. Unlike CT scans or X-rays, (Southfield, MI) A Father’s Legacy, A Son’s Mission: Body this machine emits NO radiation and is effects. Tragically, the cancer later Full You feel fine. You side returned as a brain tumor. completely non-invasive. haveMRI no aches.Scans Without a Doctor’s Referral before he passed, Ringold You pass your It scans the brain, neck, chest, abdomen, (Southfield, MI) The late Dr.But Warren Ringold knew firsthand the Dr. devastating impact ofleft late-stage Scans are safe, non-invasive, emit no cancer diagnoses. As a respected family physician, he witnessed countless patients battling illnesses behind a legacy—and a warning—for annual physical pelvis, and spine, looking for tumors that could have been detected earlier. His own grueling battle with late-stage cancer ignited a passion, radiation and are available without him colors. to create Michigan’s MRI of full body with leading flying thefirstrest us. screening center called Bionicc Body Screening. as small as a pencil eraser. It can also a doctor’s referral. Scans can detect health and detect potentialThe problems before Little Full Body MRI Scansof Without “Dirty Secret” modern You think you’re detect silent killers like aneurysms and tumors, aneurysms, stroke risk and they escalated. 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Northville Genealogical Society members (from left) Jen Brodzik, Marcy Hardin, Andrea Murdock, Grace Wilfong, Brenda Karl, Ann Wizinsky and Linda Simon pose with the two newest books they are donating to the collection at the Northville District Library's Local History & Genealogy Room.
Rooting Around Northville Genealogical Society marks 40 years of ancestry sleuthing By Michele M. Fecht
F
or nearly four decades, the Northville Genealogical Society has been offering guidance, support and resources to those looking to delve into their family histories. What can seem like a daunting endeavor, particularly for beginners, is made less stressful under the tutelage of those who have been in the research trenches. The organization does not conduct research for people but rather shows them how to research so they can make their own discoveries. The group, now numbering about 50 members from areas including Northville, Novi, Plymouth, Brighton and Wisconsin (attending on-line), meets the second Sunday of the month September through June at the Northville District Library. Agendas include member stories, a general meeting and a guest speaker. Speaker topics this year range from “Mayflower Ancestors” to “Identifying Old Family Pictures and the People in Them.” Meetings are hybrid, both in-person and Zoom.
36 The ‘Ville
The organization’s motto is “Researching the World.” Grace Wilfong, president of the society, joined the organization in 2002. “I thought, if I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it right,” she said. Since taking the plunge into her family histories, Wilfong has traced nearly every
A particular challenge for Wilfong was that both her father and mother were MacLeods. “It’s a continual challenge,” Wilfong admitted. “I’ll be researching something and go ‘Oops, that’s the wrong side of the family.’” She noted that her research as far back as the 1700s has not revealed
Northville Genealogical Society president Grace Wilfong has tracked down many details about her family tree, including wedding photos of her maternal grandparents Donald MacLeod and Flora McNally (above left) and paternal grandparents Alexander MacLeod and Helen Stevenson.
line in her family tree to the 1700s with one line to the 1500s. Her husband Roger’s line goes back to the 1500s.
any links between the two MacLeods. The organization produces five newsletters each year
providing research tips, new websites, local programs and seminars. The organization has contributed considerable materials to the Northville District Library’s Local History and Genealogfy Room (located on the library’s lower level). These include genealogy books and data bases such as Ancestry, MyHeritage, Michiganology and more. Individual genealogy help is offered by the group in the Local History Room of the Novi Public Library from noon to 2 p.m. on the last Monday of the month September through June (except December). THE GENEALOGY CRAZE While it is difficult to pinpoint precisely when the interest in family genealogy gained in popularity, it likely was spurred by America’s 1976 Bicentennial combined with the publication of Alex Haley’s novel “Roots: The Saga of an American Family” published in the same year. An international best seller, Haley’s book was made into a television mini-series in 1977 and watched by an estimated 100 million viewers over eight episodes. The series stimulated an interest in genealogy to say nothing of the importance it played in understanding African American history. The currently popular PBS series Finding Your Roots by Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. also has contributed to interest in genealogy by exploring the ancestry of influential people (predominately celebrities) in its 10-part per season series that first launched in 2012. While media has played a significant role in spurring interest in family history,
The Northville Genealogical Society has donated many materials to the Northville District Library’s Local History and Genealogy Room (located on the library’s lower level), including genealogy books and databases.
Wilfong notes that the internet coupled with digitization has been a game changer for genealogy research. The plethora of online genealogy platforms containing key information pieces such as census records, birth and marriage certificates, immigration records, military records and more has exploded in recent years. Key research sites such as the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Archives and Records Administration and the Library of Congress continue to digitize their holdings making them more accessible to the public. RABBIT HOLES As in any research, distraction is a common problem. While researching one thing, something else can crop
up unexpectedly that diverts a researcher’s attention and then sends them down a proverbial rabbit hole forgetting what was originally being researched. “This happens all the time,” Wilfong said. “What we tell researchers is to jot down what took them down the rabbit hole and then go back to what they were originally researching – don’t continue down that hole.” Wilfong also cautioned that records can also be inaccurate. For instance, census records — once handwritten by doorto-door census takers — may have a wrong birthdate, name and / or age recorded. She said death records tend to be more accurate. Researchers also can hit a snag or a dead end. “Dead ends are inevitable,” Wilfong noted. “You sometimes have to just put it aside and move on to
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something else.” GETTING STARTED Northville Genealogical Society members have years and more often decades of research experience to share with beginners. The society also has published a 235page research guide titled Genealogy Research Using 21st Century Techniques that covers a broad array of topics from beginning genealogy to searching techniques, church and courthouse records and much more. The book at $25 is
available through the society’s website at www.nvgensoc.org. Whether you are a newbie ready to jump into genealogy or a veteran genealogist looking to share and learn with others, Northville Genealogical Society’s meetings are free and open to anyone. For those wishing to join the organization, there is a $20 per person membership fee or a $25 per family fee. The organization’s 2026-27 meeting schedule is available on the organization’s website (www.nvgensoc.org).
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Brecken Farnsworth is an award-winning jewelry designer and the creative force behind Parlé Gems. Photos courtesy of Orin Jewelers
after Farnsworth’s entry into the gemstone business, the Mazzoni family purchased the Northville building at 101 East Main Street in Northville, where Orin Jewelers has been serving the greater Detroit area for more than four decades. The relationship the two men started continues today, as Kramar works with Parlé’s second generation of ownership, the husband-wife team of Jonathan (Frank’s son) and Brecken Farnsworth.
Gem of a Partnership Orin’s special event to highlight longtime relationship with Parlé By Sue Voyles
F
rom the mines of Idaho (and beyond), to an iconic Northville business, two companies have forged a bond that values family, craftsmanship and superior service. It’s a story that started more than 40 years ago, when Orin Mazzoni Jr. met Frank Farnsworth at a jewelry show. The meeting between Mazzoni Jr., the secondgeneration owner of Orin Jewelers, and Farnsworth, founder of Parlé Gems, proved to be the spark that launched a business relationship -- and so much more.
40 The ‘Ville
“My dad and Frank clicked right away,” says Antoinette Mazzoni Kramar, president of Orin Jewelers and the third generation to operate the 93-year-old business. “Parlé is very family-oriented, like our business. We have many of the same ideals and values.” Forty years after Orin’s founding in 1933, Frank Farnsworth started a summer job mining Idaho opal and creating simple jewelry. That was the beginning of Idaho Opal & Gem, rebranded in 1991 as Parlé. Based in Pocatello, Idaho, the family-run company known for color gemstones like Montana sapphire and Australian opal provides gemstones and unique jewelry designs to more than 2,000 retail partners throughout the U.S. In 1981, less than a decade
realm of fine jewelry. While her older brother and sister also worked at the family store before eventually exploring other opportunities, Kramar began accompanying her parents to jewelry shows as early as elementary school. “There were three shows each year,” says Kramar, mother of three and a Northville resident. “I thought it was super magical walking into a big showroom and seeing all this beautiful jewelry. I loved meeting the people that made the jewelry.” It’s no surprise, then, that Kramar and Brecken have grown close, taking a cue from the relationship that formed between Orin Jr. and Frank Farnsworth.
STONES THAT SPEAK Brecken, who started designing jewelry nearly 15 years ago, is now making her mark as an award-winning jewelry designer and the driving force behind statement pieces – from whimsical floral motifs COMING FULL CIRLCE to striking snakes, beetles and Three years ago, that scorpions – that capture each relationship made its next gem’s beauty and tells a story. evolution, when Communicating a story is a cornerstone for Parlé, based on the French verb parler which means to speak. “Our tagline is ‘Stones that Speak,’” says Parlé Marketing Director Stephanie Major. “You look at a piece of jewelry, and it speaks Brecken Farnsworth of Parlé will be bringing new signature to you. A lot of pieces to Orin Jewelers next month. times, it is the Orin Jewelers brought Brecken stones that inspire the ideas for to Northville for a special event. designs.” “Brecken and Jonathan have Kramar, who owns some twins so it’s difficult for her Parlé pieces personally, has her to leave home, but because of own story of her journey in the
the longstanding relationship we have with Orin Jewelers, we come,” says Major. “Antoinette really has an incredible team. They truly feel like family.” Kramar, who proudly says that the jewelry business is in her blood, is looking forward to this year’s event on October 9 and 10. “It’s extra special that Brecken is here because she doesn’t do shows very often,” says Kramar. “We are so excited to invite people to come and see the amazing gemstones Brecken has hand selected and the beautiful pieces she has created.” With Brecken’s creative and unique designs, it’s no surprise that in the previous two years,
Orin Jewelers president Antoinette Mazzoni Kramar (from left), Brecken Farnsworth, and Parlé marketing director Stephanie Major.
she has already developed a fan base in the area. It probably also has something to do with the special attention that each customer receives during the event. “She is there all day, meeting with customers, even looking at their jewelry,” says Kramar. “A lot of women attend and they are wearing Brecken’s designs when they shop.”
During those two years, Brecken has already developed a love for Northville, says Kramar. “Northville is about art and artists. So, we are proud to be bringing in a true, awardwinning jewelry artist,” she adds. “And the best part is Brecken has also developed a passion for the city of Northville. She really loves
it here, and looks forward to coming.” It all comes back to letting the stones speak. “The beauty of these store events is that we get to see where the story ends for a piece,” says Major. Fitting words for the intertwining stories of two families, their businesses and their love for rare and beautiful gemstones. Parlé, the Idaho-based jewelry company that specializes in rare gemstones, will be in downtown Northville Oct. 9-10 for a special show at Orin Jewelers. For more information about Parlé, visit www.parlegems. com. For more information about Orin Jewelers, including hours of operation, visit www. orinjewelers.com.
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On the Road With Hiking Slovakia’s Carpathians
Northville Township resident Zuzana Callanan and her son, Max, traveled to Slovakia this summer. While there, they visited her family and also had time for several adventures, including a hiking trip in the beautiful Little Carpathian mountains. In this photo, Max (left), holding up his copy of The ‘Ville, posed for a photo with his cousin, Simon, high up on a 20-meter tall wood observation tower on top of the 709-meter-high hilltop of Veľká Homoľa, near Modra, a picturesque town in the Bratislava region of Slovakia.
Golfing in Scotland
Gary and Elaine Morrow, of Northville, visited Scotland over the summer. They were traveling with Gary’s daughter, her husband and their two sons. The trip was a celebration of the oldest son graduating from South Lyon High School. Gary says he was able to do some golfing at some of Scotland’s famous courses, including the Royal Dornoch Golf Club, which he played on July 4th. Here are Gary and Elaine holding up their copy of The ‘Ville at Royal Dornoch, which can be traced back to 1616.
Tracking Down Irish Roots
The Power family of Northville – Sean and Angelique, along with daughter Sadie -- recently traveled to Ireland, and took along their copy of The ‘Ville. Sean’s father John turns 75 this fall, so he wanted to get the extended family together and take a week-long bus tour of his Irish homeland – he was born and raised in the village of Kilmacthomas in the County of Waterford, before he immigrated to the United States at the age of 18. There were 22 in the group (spanning four generations). “Our wonderful guided bus tour started in Dublin, where we hit the Guinness Store House,” said Sean, a photographer for The ‘Ville. “Other stops included Kilkenny Castle, the House of Waterford Crystal, my father’s home village of Kilmacthomas, the Blarney Stone atop Blarney Castle, the city of Cork, Killarney, the Dingle Peninsula, the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, and then back to Dublin. Pictured holding a copy of The ‘Ville are (back row from left) Fran Power, Destiny Bradley, Angelique Power, Sadie Power, (front row from left) Koda Bradley and Braxton Power. They are standing on a side street in Dublin, across from the Grand Canal.
Touring Japan
Roger and Beti Kempa of Northville traveled to Japan in August. Some of the highlights included tours of Tokyo and Kyoto and a day at Disney Sea with their children and grandchildren. Here they are after a tour of Tokyo Tower holding their copy of The ‘Ville.
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.
44 The ‘Ville
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BULLETIN BOARD Cancer Survivors Turn the Town Teal Northville resident and ovarian cancer survivor Terrie Karebian has led efforts once again to get the word out about Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, which takes place each year in September. For years, Karebian has spearheaded efforts to place teal ribbons around town meant to educate the public on symptoms, risk factors and the critical need for early detection when it comes to ovarian cancer. Karebian usually has friends and family members help her out with the project, and this year the VanGorder family helped with the efforts in honor of wife/mother Vicky Terrie Karebian (left) with fellow cancer survivor and fellow Northvillian Molly VanGorder, a Northville resident, who lost her battle to Goodman. ovarian cancer 10 years ago. Ovarian cancer symptoms include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, or urinary symptoms. For more information about ovarian cancer, visit the The VanGorder family helped put up the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance website at www.mioca.org. teal ribbons this year. They are holding a picture of wife/mother Vicky, who died of ovarian cancer 10 years ago.
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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.
Painting with Paws Sept. 19 Unleash your pet’s inner “Paw-casso” as artists from the Northville Art House will transform your pet’s paw print into a one-of-a-kind keepsake artwork. This is a Northville Art House fundraiser, and runs from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Art House. The cost is $25-30. For more information, visit northvillearthouse. org/paintingwithpaws.
Birding with Greg Bodker Sept. 23 The Northville Historical Society will host this event from 7-8:30 p.m. at Mill Race Village. Greg Bodker combines photography, video, and personal stories to bring birdwatching to life. Learn how to attract more birds to your yard; then how to enjoy their behavior. Bodker has led birding trips for Michigan Audubon and was on its Board of Directors for three years. His photos have won numerous awards. He has birded in all of Michigan’s 83 counties and in most of North America. He is excited to report he saw his 366th bird species in Michigan in January 2026 (attend to hear which one it was, and to learn Greg’s family’s special connection to Northville). For more information or to RSVP, visit www. millracenorthville.org.
‘Bring Down the House’ Sept. 25-26 The Northville High School Drama Club will have three performances of “Bringing Down the House” -- 7 p.m. on Sept. 25 and Sept. 26, as well as a 2 p.m. matinee on the 26th. Written by award-winning playwright Todd Wallinger, this “show within a show” takes the audience behind the curtain to experience the frivolity of life in the theater. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults. For more information, visit nvilledramaclub.weebly.com.
48 The ‘Ville
Northville Township Fire Department Open House October is fire prevention month, and the Northville Township Fire Department is planning its annual Open House to help get the message out. It is planned for 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3 at the fire station located at 45745 Six Mile Road (across from Northville High School). The event will offer an inside look at what our local firefighters do on the job. Attendees will get the chance to explore fire trucks and other emergency equipment; tour the fire station; experience live fire hose demonstrations; learn about lifesaving CPR skills; try on firefighter gear; and get an airbrush tattoo. There will also be giveaways, and plenty of safety information and tips about fire prevention. There will be opportunities to take photos with firefighters and fire trucks.
Multi-Chamber Gathering Sept. 30 The Northville Chamber of Commerce will join other local chambers for a Multi-Chamber After-Business-Hours event from 5-7 p.m. at the Phoenix Mill Events center (15000 N. Hines Drive). Learn about regional developments and news, and mingle with other chamber members. Cost to attend is $15 for non-chamber members and free for members of participating chambers. For more information or to RSVP, contact Maddy at maddy@northville. org or (248) 349-7640, or visit www. northville.org/networking-events.
Skeletons Are Alive Oct. 2 The Northville DDA will host its 15th Annual Skeletons Are Alive Launch Party on the streets of downtown Northville from 5-9 p.m. The event features plenty of entertainment and activities, unveils new skeletons and kicks off a month of Halloween-themed events. For more information, visit
www.downtownnorthville.com.
If Stones Could Talk Oct. 9 As twilight settles over Northville’s oldest cemetery, the stories of the city’s earliest residents come alive during the If Stones Could Talk Oakwood Cemetery Tours. Join the Northville Art House and Northville Historical Society for an evening of history, mystery, and storytelling at historic Oakwood Cemetery. Tickets are limited and cost $12 for members of the Art House, Historical Society, and/or the Cemetery Renewal Task Force -- or $15 for nonmembers. The event will also feature the opening of the juried exhibition Off-Center: Art That Pushes Boundaries at the Art House. Cemetery Tours run from 5-8 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit www.northvillearthouse.org/oakwood.
Trunk or Treat Oct. 10 Join the Northville Township Police Department for its annual Trunk or
Treat on Saturday, October 10, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the front parking lot of the Northville Township Essential Services Complex, 40911 Seven Mile Road. Local businesses and community partners are invited to participate by decorating a vehicle and handing out candy. Participating organizations should bring enough candy to share and plan to arrive approximately 30 minutes before the event begins for setup. For more information, contact Ofc. Andrew Domzalski at adomzalski@northvilletownshipmi.gov.
Fall Lantern Festival Oct. 17 Mill Race Village will host this event from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Daytime festivities (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) will include pumpkin carving, Victorian-era crafts and demonstrations, games, a scavenger hunt, live acoustic music, storytelling, a magician, artisan makers, and seasonal treats available for purchase. The Evening Glow (6:30–9 p.m.) comes alive with hundreds of glowing pumpkins and lanterns, live music, and ghost stories throughout the historic buildings. Activity passes are $15 and include pumpkin carving and daytime activities; general admission is a $5 suggested donation for guests not participating in pumpkin carving. Food and treats are not included in the ticket price and will be available for purchase. For more information, visit www.millracenorthville.org.
Streets of Treats Oct. 24 Downtown Northville’s annual Streets of Treats event will take place from 10 a.m.-noon. It will feature trick-or-treating, donuts and cider, entertainment, games and more. For more information, visit www.northville. org/streets-of-treats.
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Dishin’ With Denise
I
Welcoming Old Friends and A Big ‘Boo Hoo’ as Comerica Leaves Town
learned a new catch phrase this month. “Boo-hoo, yahoo.” If it goes to Webster the origin will be: A school parking lot colloquialism as parents drop off their children: first timer parents; summer vacation relieved parents; pre-teen parents; parents of new drivers... You get the picture. I suppose these times could also be called “bittersweet”.
Longtime Northville resident Bev Pixley (seated in the middle, with daughter Sarah to the left, daughter Liz to the right and Ettie Ann HIrth seated far left) during a recent reunion at Genitti's.
Bev Pixley, a long-time friend who moved to the other side of the state to be near her daughter, makes the trip back to Northville a couple times each year. Bev moved to Northville in 1954 - rented an apartment on the former Northville Downs property. She and her late husband, Keith, started a family and moved to one of the new Northville subdivisions. They went to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and made life-long friends in this community. Bev worked at the Hallmark
50 The ‘Ville
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.
store in town. Yes, there was one - and even I remember it. Keith worked at Long’s Plumbing and knew just about everyone in town. Last year when she arrived with daughter Liz, she wanted to have lunch at Genitti’s - they remember a 4-year-old Laura Genitti (now the owner) playing while her parents John and Toni worked the store. Liz learned the only way to have lunch at Genitti’s nowadays is to host a party - and Bev said, “well then, we will.” She invited all those life-long friends. They had such a nice reunion Bev decided to do it again this year. Last month even daughter Sarah came from Arizona for the event. Ettie Ann Hirth was there. She worked at Genitti’s for 14 years including as a server. What a beautiful group of people telling stories, enjoying one another while remembering. Tearfully things change, joyfully we have each other and our memories. God-willing and the creek don’t rise (as the old saying goes), Bev plans to do it again next year! There was a ribbon cutting for a new rain garden at Mill Race Village recently. Suemarie Klimek has been working on this project with environmental planner, Ronald Fadoir. Thirty people were on hand to hear how the gardens capture storm water runoff to reduce pollution and produce attractive landscaping filled with perennial native plants. There’s a lot more to it. I was amazed. My dad had a green thumb. I was very glad when he had a garden at my house. I’m
The ribbon cutting for the new rain garden at Mill Race Village. Water Resources Commissioner Ronald Fadoir (center) with Suemarie Klimak cutting the ribbon.
sad to say, I did not get those genes. Did you ever want to do something naughty - not to cause trouble - just because. Like driving the wrong way on a one-way street when nobody was around...or going in the out lane at the drive thru bank? I know someone who did just that - on the day Comerica said good-bye to Northville. At 2 p.m. “closing time”, we (oops - I mean someone...) drove through the drive thru the wrong way beeping and waving - and the team came to the window one last time and waved back. A big boo hoo! I am particularly sad about the closing of the two branches in town. I walked to the bank (like many other business folks in town) every day. Manufacturers Bank was “my bank” since I was old enough to have an account (probably my First Communion party money). It was seamless when the name changed to Comerica. A few tellers have been here for more than 18 years. They helped when family members died, and when COVID hit.
They ordered $2 bills and dollar coins for my annual Easter egg hunt, and they wired money for unusual purchases (LOL) without judgement. They were there to notarize important documents. They saw our children get married, the birth of grandchildren and so much more. I may see them when I
One last visit to the ATM machine for the Comerica team -- past and present.
get in my car and drive to the nearest branch. It won’t be the same. If I bring ice cream from Brown Dog, as I have liked to do, it will be melted. Yahoo! Emmy award winning celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich will be in town Thursday, October 29. Lidia is the Global Goodwill Ambassador for Smile Train - the international children’s charity with a sustainable approach to a single, solvable issue: cleft lip and palate. She will “meet and greet” guests at The Smile Masquerade, An Evening of Mystery, Smiles & Impact. Details and tickets are available at SmileTrain. org/Masquerade. Please join me in welcoming her to our hometown.
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5
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Northville Hills Golf Club
20
$1,210,661
9
Brooklane Ridge
4
$831,250
7
Northville Hills Sub
3
$1,376,667
29
Brookstone Village
3
$788,333
7
Oakwood
12
$603,750
14
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21
Pheasant Hills
4
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6
SUBDIVISION
# OF AVERAGE SALES SALE PRICE
A
CT IV E
Abbey Knoll Estates
Island Lake Orchards Connemara Hills 24374 Terra Del Mar
AVG DAYS TO SELL
CT IV E
AVERAGE SALE PRICE
A
SUBDIVISION
CT IV E
# OF SALES
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2025 Northville Residential Sales By Neighborhood
Island Lake Vineyards $507,333 25051 15 Samoset ParcCourt Vista
AVG DAYS TO SELL
Island Lake Orchards 3 $1,900,333 55 24859 Terra Del Mar
5
$850,200
7
Ravines Of Northville Sub
3
$850,333
37
Knapps Sub
3
$582,333
43
Steeplechase
11
$1,123,932
57
Lakes of Northville
14
$676,000
17
Stonewater
12
$1,318,801
10
Maple Hill Sub
4
$681,250
14
The Estates of Arcadia Ridge
5
$853,100
19
Maybury Park Estates
4
$1,892,500
36
The Meadows At Northville Ridge
6
$706,000
12
Meadowbrook Hills
11
$488,091
24
The Reserve At Northville Ridge
4
$614,250
90
Meadowbrook Park
6
$606,167
11
Tuscany Reserve
3
$2,990,000
49
Ridge Meadowhills Quail Estates
3
$465,000
North Beacon Woods
5
$742,400
9
Whisper Wood Sub
North Hills Estates
6
$520,500
5
Northville Colony Estates
10
$560,905
17
Links 11 Of Northville Westridge Downs Sold In 4 Days @ 100% Of List Price
Putting You First ... Me First 10 Northville Commons 7 Put $588,118 Northville Estates
6
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21
Northville • TopHeights 50 Agents RE/MAX USA3
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5
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14
Windridge Sub
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11
Windridge Estates
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$1,091,485
85
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