The Ville - December 2024

LOCAL JOURNALISM MATTERS

Please consider a donation to support The 'Ville. Since we began publishing more than five 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.

Publisher

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

• Bob & Valerie Griffith

• Lynda & Terry Heaton

• Kathleen Irwin

• Margie Sievert

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

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.

TIM SMITH - Writer

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

MARIA TAYLOR – Writer

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

SCOTT

SPIELMAN – Writer

Scott graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Journalism. He covered western Wayne County for more than 12 years at several publications before transitioning into corporate communications and media relations. A Canton resident, he has also finished his first novel and is hard at work on his next.

BRYAN MITCHELL - Photographer

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

A View From The ‘Ville

We have much to be thankful for in Northville

As I began to write the column this month, it occurred to me that it was seven years ago this week when we mailed out the very first issue of The ‘Ville

There have now been 84 issues of this magazine. What a journey it’s been.

Going through the stories this month, I’m struck by how incredibly fortunate I am to live in this community. I hope you feel the same way, because we have so much to be thankful for.

We have safe and desirable neighborhoods, a charming downtown, parks big and small, top-notch schools, a solid commercial base, a love of art, some of the finest natural resources in the region and solid public servants.

Not everything is perfect, of course. There has been plenty of angst and acrimony over the downtown street closures, as well as the Downs redevelopment plan, which in some cases has pitted neighbor against neighbor, business against business. But if you look at the big picture, it just shows we are an engaged community. And that sure beats the alternative.

Just thumb through the pages of this issue if you want some anecdotal evidence of why it’s so great to live here.

Check out Page 10. Bryan Mitchell, our photographer and fellow Northvillian, captured a lot of the action from the Holiday Lighted Parade, which is kind of our kick off to the holiday season, the DDA’s A Christmas to Remember, and a holiday show at the Marquis Theater. I think we give Bedford Falls from ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ a run for its money for the title of Christmas Town USA.

We have a great story on Page 8 about the Northville High School volleyball team winning its first ever state championship. Last month, you may remember, we had stories about the NHS boys cross country and girls golf teams also winning state titles this fall, joining the baseball team from earlier this spring. We may have to steal Green

Bay’s Titletown moniker.

We also have a story about Todd Mutchler (Page 14), the Northville Township manager who is retiring this month. Mutchler, who also had a long and distinguished career in law enforcement, did a great job running the day-to-day operations at township hall. Many of you may not even recognize his name, and that is because he did such a good job. In other words, there hasn’t been a whole lot to complain about. He was always the consummate professional, which I for one always appreciated. Good luck Todd! I know you have some great adventures planned.

We also have feature stories about a local dog rescue that is literally out on the streets saving our canine friends and a NHS graduate who illustrated a children’s book about friendship and inclusion. And there is a story on Page 16 about local efforts to stop a new landfill from being built on our doorstep in Salem Township. Local residents are leading the charge in this fight. Again, engaged citizens.

When we put out that first issue of The ‘Ville seven years ago, I had no idea how it would go. I just knew Northville was loaded with community pride. For me, that has been evident with every issue of The ‘Ville that we’ve published. In fact, it is the community support – via donations and especially our advertising partners -- that has sustained us and allowed us to keep publishing. Believe me, I don’t take it for granted.

I hope when you read The ‘Ville each month you also feel that same community pride that I do.

I wish each and everyone of you a merry Christmas, happy holidays and a prosperous 2025.

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

Works: When the holidays aren’t so

ON THE COVER: Members of the Arbor Consort – (from left) Kevin Chung, Audrey Ulsh, Fred Estabrook and Jessi VanConett -- donned their Victorian-themed threads and sang traditional holiday carols during the ‘A Christmas To Remember’ event Dec. 7 in downtown Northville. Photo by Sean Power

Your Voice

Doing Christmas right

How better to rediscover the wonder and magic of Christmas than via the captivated expression on the face of a two year old? Such was our privilege Saturday afternoon, December 7, when my wife and I accompanied our granddaughter and her family to the Santa booth at Town Square. To a child, I‘m sure, the atmosphere of Santa‘s hut, the outfit, the beard, all came across as undeniably, tactually authentic.

But there was more. Warming fires. Hot drinks. Horse drawn wagon rides through town (after which she was allowed to indulge in her request to touch a horse’s nose). Madrigal singers regaling passersby with carols. A bagpiper. Even Northville cops in Santa hats giving tours of emergency vehicles. And satisfyingly so, restaurants (such as Los Tres Amigos) on the perimeter waiting to serve welcome, hot meals.

As we prepared to leave, I looked out over scintillating, Christmasy Town Square and remarked to my wife, “You know, Northville knows how to do Christmas right.” Our granddaughter would heartily agree.

Ken Kilpatrick

Confused by election

It was gob smacking to learn nearly 50 percent of Northville voters are more afraid of illegal immigrants - who commit crimes at lower rates than US citizens - than a president who is a criminal, draft dodger and sex offender who praises enemy dictators and promises retribution on citizens, opponents and our free press. That’s what fascists do.

Bob Gutowski

Highlighting Maybury

On behalf of the volunteer board of directors of the Friends of Maybury State Park, I’d like to thank you for writing the article on the 7 Mile nonmotorized entrance the park is hoping to bring to fruition. This brought some additional donations from some private citizens to help add to the funding of this project. Additionally, we thought it was great that it was paired with highlighting the new Maybury State Park Supervisor, Kale Leftwich. Many thanks!

Barb Krizman

Reconsider changes

I am not a resident of Northville, but I have family here and have visited often over the past 22 years. What is happening to this town? So much is changing and I have to ask – why?

I have always enjoyed this little family community but all of a sudden — building and construction is everywhere. What is wrong with what’s already here? Do you want another mini-Detroit? Increased traffic and congestion seem to be the biggest challenges I’m witnessing.

I loved the small-town village atmosphere that was so special to me when I visited. It seems to be disappearing. And again–I have to ask why?

Please reconsider some of these changes (such as closing major downtown streets and the influx that will come with all the new residents moving into the racetrack area), etc. I hate to see this great little town be a thing of the past.

Joyce McWilliams, East Amherst, NY

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Brad Emons

Third Time’s A Charm

Mustangs vanquish Battle Creek demons and win first state title

The third time proved to be the charm for the Northville girls volleyball team – the newly crowned MHSAA Division 1 champions.

The Mustangs had made two previous trips to Battle Creek’s Kellogg Arena losing in the 2023 semifinals to Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern, 3-1, and in the 2022 championship match to Birmingham Marian, 3-1.

But in their third appearance everything came together on Nov. 21 as Northville was not to be denied. The Mustangs capped a glorious 41-2 season with a 26-24, 25-16, 2527, 25-22 victory over Rockford to hoist the state championship trophy for the first time in school history.

The Mustangs became the third NHS sports team to earn an MHSAA D1 title this fall, joining the girls golf and boys cross country teams.

Leading the way offensively in that championship final against Rockford were the Reck twins – 5-foot-11 seniors Molly and Mallory – who finished with 26 and 24 kills, respectively, while combining for 26 digs.

Not to be outdone was 5-10 senior setter Ella Craggs, who racked up 49 assist-to-kills, while 5-4 junior libero Gisele Burlingame paced the defense with 18 digs.

In the semifinals, Molly Reck recorded 21 kills and 22 digs, while Mallory added 18 kills and 14 digs in a 25-20, 20-25, 25-19, 2522 victory over Marian.

Craggs contributed 42 assists and 19 digs, while 5-11 junior middle blocker

Kaylyn Tuck had 9 kills. Gabby Lavoie, a 5-6 sophomore defensive specialist, also contributed 13 digs.

After winning the West Division of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association with a 7-0 record, the Mustangs swept East champion Belleville, 3-0, to earn the KLAA title, as well as the KLAA Gold tournament crown.

Northville opened District 21 play with a 3-0 victory over rival Novi before ousting South Lyon East in the finals, 3-0.

The Mustangs then cleared a major hurdle in the Regional 6 semifinals with a tense 3-2 victory against defending D1 champion Farmington Hills Mercy.

“That was one of our biggest challenges,” head coach Sarah Lindstrom said. “It wasn’t like once we beat them, we knew we had it in the bag, but we also knew beating them was going to be very difficult and we had to get them on the right night. That was easily one of the best high school volleyball games I’ve ever witnessed.”

Northville was able to outlast the Marlins in a riveting five sets.

“I think once our girls kind of settled in and realized we were hanging with them as the match was going, we just kept reminding them that I don’t think Mercy hadn’t even

Northville senior outside hitter Mallory Reck (10) unloads for the kill at Kellogg Arena.

Northville players celebrate their first-ever

volleyball title after defeating Rockford, 3-1, in Battle Creek. Photos courtesy of Morrisey Films

gone four (sets) in any five-set matches this whole year,” Lindstrom said.

“We had lost to Clarkston earlier in the year in five on our Senior Night. And we just kept referencing that. If you can stay with them long enough and get them to the fifth set, they don’t know what that feels like. This group hasn’t done that this year and we have. So, we just kept reminding them to just hang on, stick with them point-forpoint. As long as we can hang around to that fifth set, we’re going to have a really good chance.”

Northville followed with a 3-0 triumph over Livonia Stevenson in the regional final followed by a 3-0 quarterfinal victory against Temperance Bedford, and punched their card to Battle Creek.

INDIVIDUAL ACCOLADES

Several players earned postseason individual accolades led by Craggs, the Illinois State signee who earned firstteam All-State D1 honors by the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association.

Craggs, who averaged 24 assists per match, was also a finalist for the MIVCA Miss Volleyball award and was named 2024 State Champs Volleyball Player of the Year.

“She’s a silent leader, but she’s just so

calm out on the court,” Lindstrom said. “Obviously, if you watch the Recks – they’ve got so much energy, so much excitement, they bring a lot and you need that – but if you had a team of 15 kids with that much energy, it’s hard to control and contain, and so she kind of counter-balances that.

“You need the kids to celebrate loud, push teammates and what not, and Ella just provides a very calming feeling out on the court. And I think she reassures our team a lot of the time just by the way that she plays. She’s just very confident in everything that she does. Everything is so intentional.”

Molly Reck (Oakland University) and Mallory Reck (Marist College), the team’s kills leaders, were named second-team AllState, while Burlingame earned third-team honors.

“The two Recks didn’t come into Northville the way that they left,” Lindstrom said. “For other players that get to watch them by leaps and bounds of growth, I think, is what is truly going to motivate our next classes coming through. They’re not 6-2, they’re not going Power 5, they’re a little undersized when you look at the volleyball world as a whole, but they are so gritty and they are so competitive, and they are so driven that I think so many of our other players got to see that.”

Molly and Mallory were following in the footsteps of their older sister Abby, a 6-foot-2 All-Stater who was a senior on the Mustangs’ 2022 state runner-up team. (Abby started her collegiate career at Northeastern University (Mass.) before transferring to Illinois State).

“To be honest, have they gone through struggles? Yes,” Lindstrom said of the Reck sisters. “We got to points their sophomore and junior years -- with them and Ella -- where we lost in Battle Creek probably because we weren’t fully and mentally tough enough to do what we needed to do, but they never let that stop them. It was just always a building block of making them better players, better teammates, better captains, better leaders. They were very opened-minded when they played for us at Northville of trusting the process, getting better and knowing how to do it.”

Rounding out the Mustangs’ state championship team is 6-0 middle Brooke

Feller, the team’s top blocker, and 5-6 DS Lyza Koski, both seniors; 5-5 DS Kate Beyers, 5-8 setter Ashlyn Swart, 5-10 setteroutside hitter Peyton Lowes, 5-10 outside hitter Skylar Marteen and 5-9 middle blocker-outside hitter Elle Chenoweth, all juniors; 5-5 DS Aspen Harris and 5-9 middle blocker Charley Romeo, both sophomores.

“Every single player on this team had a role, no matter how big or how small,” Lindstrom said.

“I think we finally got an entire group of kids who truly believed in the process and the culture that we were putting out there. And then you get 15 people to trust in you and to trust what you are doing -- every single one of those kids would have done anything that we asked them to do.”

Lindstrom, who just completed her fourth season, was assisted on the bench by coaches Laine Sterling, Angela Ducat, Keegan Flack and Mackenzie Grant.

“It’s a very selfless group of kids,” Lindstrom said. “And I think that truly was the key ingredient to going all the way. We had injuries along the way, a very large injury towards the end of season, and it was like the tiniest thing for our team because our kids all knew that they were going to be next-up. Whether they got the opportunity or not, they were all going to be ready.”

Junior libero Gisele Burlingame makes the dig during the Mustangs' run to the D1 championship at Kellogg Arena.

Senior setter Erin Craggs (9) was a key cog in the Mustangs' Division 1 championship run.

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Northville really knows how to shine during the holidays

Photos by Bryan Mitchell

The streets of Downtown Northville come alive every holiday season.

This year the season kicked off with the beloved Holiday Lighted Parade on Nov. 22. After all the floats, bands and groups finished parading through the packed streets, Mayor Brian Turnbull got an assist from Santa Claus to light up the holiday tree in Town Square, always a site to behold.

The Northville DDA sponsored plenty of activities to help people get into the holiday spirit, including the “A Holiday to Remember” weekends in December, which featured free horse and wagon rides, music and visits with Santa for all the youngsters.

This year the refurbished Marquis Theater also got in on the fun, hosting a number of holiday-themed concerts and activities, highlighted by the Northville Chorale’s “Holiday Wishes” show on

Dec. 7 – a family-friendly performance of holiday classics. That was followed on Dec. 13 by “Holiday Pops” performed by the Michigan Philharmonic. The Marquis never sounded so great!

And if you wanted to get a feel for what the holidays were like in Northville’s past, all you had to do is wander over to Mill Race Village, where there were a number of events like “Christmas in the Village” and the annual Festival of Trees, where various groups and individuals sponsored and decorated Christmas trees to celebrate the season. It runs through the New Year.

We’re so fortunate to live in town where the magic of the season is truly celebrated. Our photographer Bryan Mitchell was out and about and captured some of that magic.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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‘It’s Been A Good Ride’

Retiring township manager Mutchler leaves behind impressive legacy

By Tim Smith

Todd Mutchler was hoping to sneak out of Northville Township Hall, without fanfare, embarking earlier this month on a well-deserved retirement from public service.

But the 61-year-old Mutchler, the township’s manager since 2019, had to sidestep some good-natured commentary from board members at the November 21 Board of Trustees meeting where his retirement was officially acknowledged.

At that meeting, a resolution was unanimously approved to recognize and congratulate Mutchler on his tenure. Mutchler officially stepped down Dec. 6.

“The board made some comments,” said Mutchler with a chuckle, during a telephone interview the week of Thanksgiving. “They’re very generous and kind. We’ve had a good working relationship

so they jokingly said that they reluctantly accepted my retirement. It was all good fun.”

Immediately stepping into the manager’s seat was Glenn Caldwell, who was brought on board in January as an assistant to Mutchler, to get the lay of the administrative land.

“Todd has really been a true professional,” said Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo. “He’s brought the township forward in a lot of ways. I’m proud that we have a AAA bond rating and (from the Detroit Free Press both in 2023 and 2024) those awards for top workplace.

“And a lot of that wouldn’t have been done without Todd and the attitude and leadership he brought to the township.”

FAMILY FIRST

Mutchler now is pumped up about devoting many hours to family life, including enjoying pontoon boat rides on the lake near his home in the Fenton area. Fly fishing and bicycling also are part of his to-do list.

“I’m young and healthy and want to take advantage of my health and be able to travel with my wife (Kay) and spend time with my kids that are spread across the country.

“This (the retirement) was my choice. Northville Township is an amazing employer and my relationship with the board, staff and the community, from my perspective, is nothing short of phenomenal.”

The Mutchlers, with their family dog Daisy, also will take their motorhome out for a cross-country spin next year. Perhaps the first stop will be Carbondale, Colorado (outside of Aspen) where daughter Amanda lives with her husband, Clemente Martinez, and two grandsons.

And yes, the couple plans on hitting the snowy slopes.

“My wife, dog and I, we have a motorhome and next spring we hope to see parts of the United States we haven’t seen,” Mutchler said.

Perhaps another junket will be to Massachusetts, where youngest son Aaron is going

to college at Northeastern University, studying physics and engaged to be married.

Closer to home is their “middle child” Alex, who lives in Waterford Township with his wife and 1-year-old daughter and is a police detective in West Bloomfield.

As much as upping the familial ante appeals to Mutchler, he also considers the community and staff he is leaving behind as part of a type of spinoff family.

“I learned a lot, I met amazing people, relationships that I will always hold near and dear,” Mutchler noted. “It’s been a good ride.”

Meanwhile, don’t even try to get Mutchler to pat himself on the back about any of his achievements since joining the township staff in 2016 as public safety director after his initial retirement from Canton Township’s public safety department.

Mutchler moved up to Northville Township manager in 2019 when longtime township manager Chip Snider retired. Overall, including time in Canton, he logged nearly four decades serving the public.

“I cannot claim ownership to any kind of accomplishment,” Mutchler said. “Everything that gets done is because there’s an amazing group of people that allow it to get done. I feel really awkward in saying ‘Hey, I accomplished this,’ because I didn’t. Collectively, we, the township board, the staff (and) community accomplished some amazing things.

“Four years ago, the township board that was elected came in with a very, very clear and compelling vision of what they wanted to accomplish. I was just really fortunate to be

Todd Mutchler, Northville Township manager since 2019, retired as of Dec. 6. Photo courtesy of Northville Township

Glenn Caldwell is the new township manager. Photo courtesy of Northville Township

a small part of working with them towards that,” Mutchler continued.

TEAMWORK CONTINUES

Asked to point to a couple highlights on his recent resume, Mutchler mentioned the Free Press awards in 2023 and 2024 – making Northville Township the first municipality in Michigan to receive the honor of best places to work – as well as leading efforts to have an Essential Services Complex built, a facility that will open in January 2025 next to Legacy Park.

Mutchler mentioned a symbolic accomplishment of sorts – spearheading repair of a metal device at the township hall roof’s apex.

“When I moved into the

down, broken,” he explained. “We got that fixed and I think in an emblematic way that was important.”

Rapport and regional vision between township and city officials is something that Mutchler is proud about, pointing to collaborative efforts such as the joint effort to purchase land for the Farmer’s Market.

“The level of cooperation and interest, you can just see and feel the amount of energy going into working together,” Mutchler stressed. “I believe you need to look no further than Northville Township for how to do local government.”

Abbo praised Mutchler’s involvement as “an indispensable part of the team” in fulfilling projects

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Regional Psychiatric Hospital buildings, development of a comprehensive trail system and construction of the Essential Services Complex on that very site.

“Along with his loyal advocacy for the vision of that

leadership,” Abbo said, “Todd effectively implemented many successful initiatives and projects. … Todd Mutchler will leave a legacy of outstanding service that will benefit the residents of Northville Township long into the future.”

Todd Mutchler said retirement will give him more time to spend with family members (from left) Meredith Taggart, Aaron Mutchler, Alexander Mutchler (holding Callahan Mutchler), Clemente Martinez III with son Clemente Martinez IV on shoulders, Amanda Martinez (holding Cruz Martinez) and Shannon Mutchler (married to Alex). The dogs are Beau and Poppy. Photo courtesy of Todd Mutchler

Community Trashes New Landfill Proposal

Hundreds show up to oppose Arbor Hills expansion

By Tim Smith

Green For Life’s fledgling plan to build a new landfill in Salem Township near the soon-to-be-at-capacity Arbor Hills landfill got trashed Dec. 9 by a large group of community leaders and residents of several adjacent communities at Northville Township Hall.

An estimated 200 citizens attended the two-hour meeting, hosted by citizenled environmental watchdog The Conservancy Initiative. Most seem to be all-in for what promises to be a long battle.

There was not only overwhelming opposition to GFL’s concept to construct a second dumping ground across Six Mile from the existing facility, but also lots of support to close the current site located on the northeast corner of Washtenaw County.

“We’re supportive of closing the dump and not letting it expand any further,” said Salem Township resident Larry Petroskey, who lives about a

mile from Arbor Hills. “We need to find a way to put a permanent solution in place so there’s no more expansion.”

One of the residents who spoke during the meeting, Northville Township’s Deb Brown, succinctly summed up the general tone of the audience.

“That dump needs to be shut down,” said Brown, putting emphasis on the final two words.

Those residents weren’t alone in their stance. They were joined by elected officials from multiple communities.

“We’re against it. If Salem Township wants a landfill so badly let them move it west,” said Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo. “I don’t care how far west, let them move it west and not (build it) at our border. Because they generate the revenue but we’re the ones that suffer the anguish

for it.”

Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull emphasized the need to protect air and water for future generations and that building a second landfill would not advance that quest.

“The air has no boundaries, it goes from Salem to Northville Township and into (the city of) Northville,” Turnbull said. “It’s not only the air and the particulates and the smells. Johnson Creek, the holy waters of southeastern Michigan, go right through it. It is our Au Sable River.”

Johnson Creek, which is the community’s only cold-water stream, supports trout and other sensitive aquatic life. The Conservative Initiative, which has been monitoring the creek and its tributaries near the landfill, say they have detected dangerous PFAS chemicals that originate from water runoff from Arbor Hills.

Turnbull added that when he was young “there was no mountain out there, it was pretty much a flat area. We don’t want the second Mount Trashmore.”

GETTING INVOLVED

The town hall was intended to be an informational catalyst for concerned residents of the region to find out about the issues and learn what they can do to help fight GFL in what promises to be a 2-3 year endeavor. According to some reports, Arbor Hills has less than five years remaining before it cannot hold any more garbage.

“We want accountability. One of the more important parts of this meeting is what all of you can do to be successful in stopping that landfill,” Abbo told the crowd.

Around 200 people attended the Dec. 9 townhall meeting about the landfill at Northville Township Hall. Photo by Tim Smith

GFL has proposed building another landfill just across Six Mile from the Arbor Hills landfill.

The approval process will be a long and winding one, with Washtenaw County’s Material Management Planning committee recently beginning its work. That committee will ultimately make a recommendation to the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners for approval or rejection.

Residents at the town hall might have been buoyed by the comments of Northville Township Board of Trustees member Scott Frush, who also is a non-voting member of the MMP committee.

“I am 100 percent in favor of not supporting the new landfill,” Frush said. “I will do whatever it takes on the landfill committee to ensure that doesn’t happen. Because it doesn’t need to happen. We have a lot of different, really good options (to build a landfill) and why it needs to happen there I’m not really sure.”

As for what people can do to move the process along, making official odor complaints on the website of The Conservancy Initiative (conservancyinitiative.org) was strongly urged by David Drinan of the 501(c)(3) non-profit group – which is fully run by volunteers.

“Never make an odor complaint if there’s not an odor,” Drinan stressed. “But odor complaints are our most effective tool. If you find a stink in your backyard that makes you go back inside, make a complaint.”

Other suggestions included writing letters, making telephone calls and attending coffee klatches with elected officials. Several attended the town hall, including State Reps Jason Morgan (D-Ann

Arbor) and Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth); State Senators Rosemary Bayer (D-Novi) and Sue Shink (D-Northfield Township), and Washtenaw County Commissioner Crystal Lyte.

Morgan, Koleszar, Bayer and Shink left the town hall midway through the proceedings, meanwhile, to attend a state legislative “lame duck” session that could have an impact on the landfill situation.

One of the issues discussed during the meeting was how state legislators might spur a bill this month that would require companies to pay more in landfill tipping fees to dump their trash.

Bayer outlined that Michigan charges one of the lowest tipping rates at 36 cents a ton, far below the average of $5.30 a ton in other Midwestern states. Much of the trash that goes to Arbor Hills originates in Canada and nearby states including Ohio.

“Michigan has more trash than anywhere else in the country,” Bayer said. “We have 73 tons per person (of trash) and it’s mostly because the cost we charge for people to bring trash to us is the lowest.”

Morgan and Koleszar said they’d approve such a measure should it come to the floor.

Former Plymouth Township Supervisor Kurt Heise, speaking

landfill would exacerbate existing environmental problems, including the release of PFAS into Johnson Creek.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Green For Life is proposing to build a new landfill across from Arbor Hills in Salem Township. Do you think a second landfill is warranted at that location? Why? Email your responses to Editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@ thevillemagazine.com.

as a resident, added that the impact of landfills on the region’s roadways and businesses make the Arbor Hills situation as much of a state matter as anything else.

He pointed to the rebuilding of the Michigan International Technology Center corridor (Five Mile between Beck and Napier) which cost Michigan $10 million in grant money.

“And Plymouth Township has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars. We’ve received federal grants and state grants and so much of that is in jeopardy,” Heise said. “I think that gives the state some legal leverage to say hey, we’re investing money into this region, we want to create jobs and economic development along the Five Mile corridor.

“And we all know these trash trucks, that’s their primary route. They’re going to be barreling down Five Mile, they’re going to be clogging up M-14 and Beck like they do right now.”

NOT IN OUR BACK YARD

During the townhall, Drinan presented a series of informational slides about GFL’s existing facility, the impact on surrounding communities and how a second

Drinan noted that up to 800 semi-tractor trucks of trash move to and from the facility every day. Moreover, various issues between the landfill and Northville Township

concerning environmental compliance also were detailed. Various agencies including the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Michigan Attorney General’s office, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Justice have reached settlement of enforcement actions since 2016. Arbor Hills agreed to make more than $27 million in capital improvements to the landfill. So far, no action has been taken to comply with a previous negotiation, namely a consent order to remediate PFAS impacts.

“The poor environmental compliance record at the Arbor Hills landfill should disqualify it from further operation,” Drinan noted.

The Conservation Initiative members say they will continue to fight GFL, but they are volunteers. The group relies on donations to help offset costs such as getting yard signs made and brochures printed, and other activities.

For more information or to donate to The Conservancy Initiative, visit conservancyinitiative.org.

Northville Township Trustee Scott Frush speaks during the Dec. 9 townhall meeting. Photo by Tim Smith

Rising to the Top

By Brad Emons

Three state titles highlight best fall sports season in NHS history

It will go down unequivocally as the greatest fall sports season in Northville High School history.

The Mustangs brought home three Michigan High School Athletic Association championships including girls volleyball (see Page 6), boys cross country and girls golf (see November issue).

All told, that’s four state titles dating back to the spring 2024 season when the Mustangs garnered the Division 1 baseball crown.

Not to be overshadowed were the accomplishments of several other fall sports teams.

Here is a brief look back at those other programs and what they accomplished.

SOCCER

The Mustangs, coached by Henry Klimes, earned a No. 1 ranking in Division 1 while finishing with a 16-1-3 overall record.

Northville captured the KLAA West Division title at 12-0-2 and defeated Dearborn Fordson for the league title, 6-5, in the crossover championship game.

The Mustangs’ season ended in the District 8 championship game against Novi Detroit

Catholic Central where they were edged in a shootout, 1-0 (7-6 on penalty kicks).

Northville players earning All-State honors from the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association included senior forward Alex McCallum (first-team), senior forward Haitem Al-Zoubi (secondteam), junior goalkeeper Zach Pheiffer (third-team), senior defender Nick Willson (honorable mention), junior defender Thomas Slater (honorable mention) and senior midfielder Zane Khraizat (honorable mention).

Among the All-KLAA honorees included senior defender Ryan Afsari, senior midfielder Gabe Rivera, senior midfielder Nate Ewasek, Willson, Slater, Khraizat, McCallum and Al-Zoubi.

SWIM & DIVE

Led by first-year coach Rich Bennetts, the Mustangs wound up third in the Division 1 finals held Nov. 22-23 at the Holland Aquatics Center.

Ann Arbor Pioneer captured the team title with 386 points, while Jenison (222) and Northville (165) placed second and third, respectively.

Freshman Maya Hawkins paced Northville with a pair of All-State (top eight) individual performances placing fifth in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:05.82) and eighth in the

200 individual medley (2:10.86).

Sophomore Rachel Mowers added a seventh in the 100 breaststroke (1:05.91), while freshman Kathryn Lauster contributed an eighth in the 200 freestyle (1:54.53).

The foursome of sophomore Rachel King, freshman Veronica Lindberg, Lauster and junior Finley Cadwell also made AllState with a fourth in the 200 freestyle relay (1:36.10).

Northville also scored points with a pair of ninth-place relay finishes by seniors Mia Bayer, Nora Brian, Lucy Deller and Charlotte McGuire in the 200 medley (1:49.65), along with Cadwell, Lindberg, Lauster and King in the 400 freestyle (3:33.16).

Other point scorers (top 16) for Northville included junior Lauren Phillips, 10th, 100 breaststroke (1:06.92); Lauster, 10th, 500 freestyle (5:10.25); King, 10th, 50 freestyle (24.19); Cadwell, 10th, 100 butterfly (58.45); 11th, 200 IM (2:10.56); junior Paige Lingenfelter, 11th , 1-meter diving (343.90 points); Brian, 13th, 100 breaststroke (1:07.54); senior Ellie Baker, 15th, 100 breaststroke (1:08.04).

At the KLAA ‘A’ meet, Northville rolled and repeated as champion scoring 1,110 points with rival Novi a distant second with 698.

Among the individual winners for the Mustangs included Cadwell, 200 IM (2:10.0); King, 50 freestyle (24.38); Lingenfelter, diving (389.35 points); Lauster, 500 freestyle (5:11.3); and Hawkins, 100 backstroke (1:06.34).

Northville swept all three relays as well led by Bayer, Brian, Deller and McGuire in the 200 medley (1:51.01); Lingenfelter, King, Lauster and Cadwell in the 200 freestyle (1:37.9); Cadwell, Lindberg, Lauster and King in the 400 freestyle (3:35.48).

The Mustangs also won the KLAA West Division dual meet title with a 7-0 record.

TENNIS

Not to be outdone was the Mustangs tennis squad that placed third in the Division 1 finals held Oct. 18-19 at Byron Center and Grand Rapids South Christian high schools.

Bloomfield Hills threepeated as team champion with 35 points followed by Troy and Northville with 27 and 20 points, respectively.

“With a new singles lineup and new doubles partners I was not sure how we would end up,” said Northville coach Robert Young, who was named Regional Coach of the Year. “Initially, I was hoping for a top 10 finish. A top five finish was a dream. The hard work put in by the team was evident at this tournament.”

The soccer team finished with a 16-1-3 overall record.

The swimming team finished third at the state finals.

Northville excelled in doubles led by the No. 2 flight duo of Nikhil Kamani and Brian Zhang, the third seeds, who captured the state title with a 7-6 (8-6), 2-6, 7-5) victory over Troy’s Varun Shetty and Anthony Wu in the finals. The

Both are juniors.

Meanwhile, junior Amogh Mavatoor (No. 1) and senior Alex Boules (No. 4) were firstround casualties.

At the Regional 3 tourney, Northville took first with 29 points followed by runner-up Catholic Central (22) and host Novi (21).

senior duo finished the season 31-2 overall en route to AllState honors.

Two other Northville doubles teams earned runner-up flight finishes led by seniors Nick Song and Josh Kim (No. 1), the top seeds, along with seniors Nathan Shields and Anderson Herdoiza (No. 3), the third seeds.

Song and Kim, who made All-State and finished 31-2 overall, fell to Bloomfield Hills’ Asher Langwell and Dominic Pascarella, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2), while Shields and Herdoiza, who went 28-5, were toppled by topseeded Meyer Saperstein and Sajan Doshi of Bloomfield Hills, 7-5, 6-2.

Juniors Michael Rogala and Rohit Maddali (No. 4), the top seeds for the Mustangs, fell in the semifinals to Troy Athens’ Suraj Makunar and Khreyan Muddappa, 6-3, 6-1. It was their first setback of the year as they finished 31-1.

In singles, Northville Dhruv Laungani (No. 2) lost in the quarterfinals to Dhruv Upta (Troy), 6-7 (6-8), 6-2, 6-4, as did teammate Anikat Pundir (No. 3) in the quarters to eventual state champion Zev Spiegel (Bloomfield Hills), 6-2, 6-0.

Regional champions for the Mustangs included Mavatoor (No. 1) and Punhir (No. 3) in singles. All four doubles teams prevailed led by SongKim (No. 1); Kamani-Zhang (No. 2); Shields-Herdoiza (No. 3); Rogala-Maddali (No. 4).

Playing a highly competitive schedule, Northville finished 153-2 overall while winning three tournaments. The Mustangs also captured the KLAA West dual meet title going 7-0 and finished 13-1 in the KLAA overall, while also winning the Association’s ‘A’ tournament by edging Novi, 21-19.

Conference singles champions included Mavatoor (No. 1), who finished 13-13 and made All-State honorable mention and Academic AllState, along with Laungani (No. 2), who went 15-13.

In doubles, the Mustangs won three of four flights including Nos. 2-3-4 at the KLAA tourney.

FOOTBALL

Under second-year coach Brent Luplow, the Mustangs (6-4, 5-2) earned their third straight trip to the Division 1 playoffs before falling to Saline, 37-7, in the District 10 semifinals.

Northville, which finished tied for second place in the KLAA West, retained the

Baseline Jug with a 27-25 victory over rival Novi and now lead the series 32-25.

Nine Northville players earned All-KLAA honors including seniors Drew Rankin (defensive back), Colin Charles (wide receiver), Cole Attanasio (linebacker), Kaden Kuban (linebacker), Hassan El-Zayat (defensive line), Adam Travers (offensive line), along with juniors Max Defore (running back), Anthony Testani (offensive line) and Cooper Derkach (quarterback).

Honorable mention honors went to Blake Chmiel (LB), Aiden Hamilton (LB), Austin McGarrow (DB) and Ryan O’Neil (kicker/punter).

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

Coached by Colin Riley, the Mustangs earned another trip to the Division 1 finals on Nov. 2 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn where they placed 15th overall with 379 points.

Romeo captured the team title with 61 points, while Saline was runner-up with 143.

Northville sophomore Colette Lozo earned AllState (top 30 honors) with a 25thplace finish individually with a 5-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 14 seconds (5:52 per mile pace).

Other

scorers for the Mustangs included senior Cassie Garcia (87th, 19:51.2), junior Molly Kate Coates (101st, 19:26.4), senior Rosie Gregory (143rd, 19:47.4) and junior Annabelle Beloiu (175th, 20:04.05).

The team’s non-scorers included sophomores Lucia Lachapelle (180th, 20:08.0) and Mia Carson (230th, 20:50.5).

In the Regional 6 meet Oct. 26 at New Boston’s Willow Metropark, Northville won the team title with 54 points to beat state qualifiers Ann Arbor Huron (90) and Farmington (93).

Livonia Stevenson’s Kailin Hughes was first in 18:13.4, while Lozo was runner-up (18:33.7) followed by Coates (12th, 19:44.1), Beloiu (12th, 19:47.7), Gregory (18th, 20:03.1), Carson (20th, 20:13.9) and Lachapelle (21s, 20:18.5).

In the KLAA meet Oct. 17 at Manley Bennett Park, Brighton took the team title with 43 points, while Northville was runner-up with 81.

Lozo and Garcia placed fourth and sixth, respectively, with times of 18:51.3 and 18:55.4. Other Northville scorers included Beloui (20th, 19:52.8), Carson (25th, 20:07.0) and Coates (26th (20:08.2).

The Mustangs tennis squad placed third in the Division 1 finals.

The football team kept the Baseline Jug and made the playoffs.

The girls cross country team won its 12th regional title in school history. Photo courtesy of Colin Riley The ‘Ville

the ChampioningUNDERDOGS

BY MARIA TAYLOR

Fledgling dog rescue organization looking to build sanctuary ranch

Saving dogs is part of Taylor Hill’s DNA.

As a child, she grew up in a big animal rescue family. She and her husband, then at Arizona State University, adopted their first dog from a rescue in Mexico. And when they moved back to Northville to raise a family, it only made sense for her to start volunteering locally, at Detroit Animal Care and Control.

Walking dogs and cleaning kennels, she struck up a friendship with fellow volunteer Heidi Diethelm. Detroit’s municipal shelter is one of the roughest in the Midwest, Hill said, and the kill rate is high.

“They get 20 dogs coming in daily from the streets,” said Diethelm, a photographer from

Chesterfield who helped out on the foster coordination team.

“There are so many good dogs in the shelter that just don’t even get a chance.”

The two dreamed of creating a dog ranch — a safe haven for dogs like those they cared for until they found their forever homes.

“The more we talked about it, we’re like, let’s just do it,” Diethelm recalled. “Let’s recruit two more people and go for it.”

One week later, they hired a lawyer to set up a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Fast-forward 11 months, and Northville’s Underdog Rescue Ranch has saved more than 150 dogs through an extensive network of fosters. And it’s up for a $20,000 charity prize from

the Detroit News. Winning would be a massive step toward its founders’ ultimate goal: building a home base for the underdogs of Metro Detroit.

THE DREAM TEAM

Underdog’s team — Taylor Hill, Heidi Diethelm, Sarah Kucemba, and Chelsea Thayer — all met at the Detroit shelter, brought together by their shared advocacy for homeless, abused dogs.

Many come from municipal shelters, where euthanasia is high.

“We decide on which dogs need us the most, we pull them into our rescue, and then they’re fostered,” Hill explained. “We get the dogs everything they need —

medically, supplies — and then we get them adopted.”

Costs are covered 100% by adoption fees and donations from local charities, fundraiser events, and private donors. As for staffing? It’s completely a labor of love — and that’s on top of their day jobs.

“It’s the four of us, and we run around like crazy people,” Hill said.

Hill is the director, and her home in Northville is the group’s home base. Originally a recreational therapist, she works as a vet tech part-time at the Detroit municipal shelter, as well as part-time at an animal emergency hospital.

“Once we decided on what this rescue was going to look like, we knew we needed

Taylor Hill (from left), Heidi Diethelm, Sarah Kucemba and Chelsea Thayer are the founders of Underdog Rescue Ranch. With them are dogs Benny, Jason and Ezra. Photos courtesy of Underdog Rescue Ranch

someone medical on staff,” she said. “When my family started fostering, I would do bottle babies, and I’d give fluids — lots of little medical things. I was like, ‘You know what, I can do this.’ So I went back to school to get my vet tech license.” Soon, she’ll be taking her board exam.

Diethelm is the head of rescue operations. She decides which dogs to pull from the shelters, evaluates them behaviorally, and does a lot of transportation.

“It’s probably, goodness, eight hours a day,” she said. “I’m running applications and on the phone with people and checking emails, social media, all that. It is a tireless job, but so rewarding. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

On top of that, she’s fostered 33 dogs in the past two years.

Completing the dream team are Kucemba, an academic advisor at UM who runs Underdog’s social media and marketing, and Thayer, the group’s foster coordinator and a professional dog groomer in Royal Oak who has six dogs of her own.

FROM FOSTER TO FOREVER

At Underdog, fosters are the backbone of the rescue effort. Underdog’s foster network spans Metro Detroit, with a few as far as Grand Rapids and Lansing.

Any dog lover can be a foster, Hill said. All they need is patience and dedication — and a quiet, calm space for the dogs to decompress.

One of those fosters is Lisa Forzley, a teacher in southwest Detroit who first found Underdog Rescue Ranch on social media.

“My soul pup passed away in January, and I was missing

will cover,’ which is amazing for a rescue like us.”

Coco ended up needing her eye and an eardrum removed — and then, after those two surgeries and months of injections, yet another surgery to remove her cheekbone because of an infection that just would not go away.

“She’s a million-dollar dog!” Hill said. “She was actually my foster, and I took her everywhere with me, because she was just so little and I had to watch her every move.”

having a dog, but wasn’t ready to fully take on adopting another dog,” she said. “And I thought, well, maybe I should foster. …

I came across a posting about a dog who was in a shelter in Flint, and I was like, ‘I love her,’ so I applied.”

Forzley’s special passion is senior dogs. She’s fostered Bodhi, Stella, and now Zoey.

“Ironically, every single dog that I brought home, I’ve had to take to the vet like within the first weekend, because they’ve had different health issues,” she said. Take Bodhi, who ended up having surgery for the biggest bladder stones the vet had ever seen.

“And that’s one of the things I love about Underdog — they’re just so committed,” she said. “I’ve had these animals that within the first couple days, are like, oh, there’s a $1,000 vet bill. There’s a $1,300 surgery. But they don’t bat an eye. They want to do what’s best for these animals, no questions asked.”

Fostering is super emotional, she said — especially with dogs who come in sick or need surgery.

“It’s so hard to let them go, but when you see the joy on

the faces of the people who are adopting them … I definitely still cry every single time, but it makes it all worth it.”

Underdog has had adoptions all across Michigan, coming from listings on Adopt a Pet, Petfinder, and their very active social media pages (@ underdog_rescue_ranch). The team screens each family to make sure they’ll be a good fit.

“When I first brought Bodhi home, I had no idea they had only started in January — they’re so professional, and so organized, and Sarah’s brilliant with their social media, and Taylor is a wonderful medical resource,” Forzley said. “Each one of them has their niche, and they’re so good at what they do. And they find amazing families.”

Hill’s favorite rescue is a tiny Shih Tzu named Coco who got adopted by a Northville family. She came into the shelter with horrific facial wounds — one of the worst conditions Hill had ever seen.

“They were going to euthanize her, but we took her out,” she said. “We had a medical sponsor step up. They saw a picture, and they said, ‘Oh my god, anything she needs, I

Hill’s daughter plays softball, and Coco ended up getting adopted at a Northville softball game.

“Her foster mom and dad are at her beck and call,” Hill reported, “and she is the cutest, happiest girl we’ve ever seen come out of such a horrible situation.”

DREAMING BIG

With the foster program up and running, next on Underdog’s ambitious to-do list is building the rescue ranch. They’re looking for at least 5 acres, and locally, in the southeast Michigan area. They’ll build some kennels, and the dogs will have space to go outside and run.

“We don’t want just another shelter. It’s going to be a sanctuary and adoption center, so the dogs that need us can live in a comfortable situation, however long they need to be there,” Hill explained.

“And hold events there, and have it be an adoption center, so we can save more dogs and not rely so heavily on fosters, because it’s hard to come by good fosters — it’s a lot of work,”

Continued on Page 26

Lisa Forzley, who fosters dogs for Underdog Rescue Ranch, with Stella after bringing her home from a Detroit shelter.

Continued from Page 25

added Diethelm.

As part of their fundraising effort, Underdog is competing in the annual Detroit News Holiday Cheer for Charity program. It’s a two-part contest, with a grand prize of $20,000. On Nov. 23, Underdog took first place in round one, advancing to the final round alongside four other Metro Detroit nonprofits.

Voting for the contest ended on Dec. 18, so they should know soon if they won.

Winning the grand prize, Diethelm said, would get the team on the path to making the ranch a reality. In the meantime, they’ve even lined up a caretaker to live on the ranch full-time.

“Hopefully in the next year, we’ll get the property, and we’ll be up and running as soon as possible,” Hill said.

Having a community like Northville to rely on when launching the rescue has been an amazing experience, Hill said. So has the response to the dogs themselves. Many of them were brought in off the streets of Detroit, and that can bring a stigma, especially around certain breeds.

Not so in Northville, she said.

“The community has wrapped around us … understanding that these dogs coming off the streets are amazing family dogs,” she said. “We have Pitties as our neighbors. We have Rottweilers living with 2-year-old kids, gentle as can be.”

For Hill, that transformation — seeing the dogs learn that humans can be loving and kind, and then watching their personalities emerge as they’re cared for and their stress melts away — is the most rewarding part of it all.

“These dogs come from the absolute worst situation; they are scared to be touched. They’re scared to be in a house,” she said. “And seeing them with our fosters, seeing them adopted and living the happiest life — it makes you work a little harder.”

For more information about Underdog Rescue Ranch, including how to volunteer or donate, visit www. underdogrescueranch.com or reach the group via email at info@underdogrescueranch. com. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.

A Friend Like Lucy A Friend Like Lucy

cofounder of Stirred Stories bouncing ideas off each other through regular e-mails and conference calls.

Meanwhile, Bugar’s illustrations grew in color, scope and meaning as she brought characters Rose and Lucy to life.

“Really, the big catalyst for her (Filcik) was having her own child and then realizing that she was not being inclusive enough or focusing on showcasing a diverse range of stories to her students,” Bugar said.

A major force behind the creation of A Friend Like Lucy was the desire to change public perception of children with special needs.

about friendship and inclusion

By Tim Smith Local authors collaborate on childrens’ book

For many children, the first day of a new school year brings worries of fitting in and finding friendship to get them through that burgeoning adventure.

Complicating that mission for some is how to deal with negative reactions and perceptions – some of which are unfairly linked to children with disabilities, who find themselves in potential uncomfortable school situations in the classroom and on the playground.

That’s where a new children’s book, A Friend Like Lucy, written by Michigan teachermom Lindsay Filcik and illustrated by 2021 Northville High School graduate Hadley Bugar can help.

The book, published in mid-December by Washington D.C. publishing house Stirred Stories, is about a shy girl (Rose)

who is apprehensive about that first day of school – until she meets Lucy, a happy and outgoing younger girl who happens to have Down syndrome.

Although the concept of inclusivity is one of the concepts Filcik wanted A Friend Like Lucy to present to readers, Bugar said there was much more to its message.

“Disability is not a dirty word,” Bugar emphasized. “It is important to be able to use it plainly, instead of tip-toeing around the idea of disability like it’s something that’s scary or something we can’t touch.”

Books published by Johnson’s company endeavor to “elevate marginalized voices, while including those marginalized people groups in the writing and illustrating process,” according to Bugar.

“Labeling it as a book that is about inclusion is not necessarily the trajectory of the book,” said Bugar, 21, who now is taking art classes at Schoolcraft College and lives in Plymouth. “The book is about friendship. It is an inclusive book, but the story follows Rose on her first day at a new school. She is frightened and intimidated going in. When she

Lucy, whose personality is bright and open, she feels so excited to have somebody who is like an instant best friend.

“It’s really about not caring that your new friend is different, acknowledging that they’re different from you, but first being excited that you have a new friend.”

The project took about a year to complete, with Filcik (who has a young daughter with special needs), Bugar and Kelsea Johnson, publisher and

And it was a natural fit for Filcik to jump into the project, given her unique perspective as an elementary school teacher and mother of a disabled daughter.

“The only books she (Filcik) could find with disabled characters (to share with students) were meant to educate non-disabled children about disability,” Bugar said. “There scarcely were any literature where a disabled child just gets to be themselves in a

Hadley Bugar, a 2021 Northville High School graduate, works on some illustrations in her home studio. Photos courtesy of Hadley Bugar

Disability is not a dirty word. It is important to be able to use it plainly, instead of tip-toeing around the idea of disability like it’s something that’s scary or something we can’t touch.”

Hadley Bugar, illustrator of the book , A Friend Like Lucy

story that’s about friendship, or about their everyday life. So that was a big goal for Lindsay and a big inspiration to help fill that gap.”

Once Filcik was in the fold, not only did she begin the creative process about telling the story of Rose and Lucy, she made sure to do her own homework – namely, wanting to consult and discuss the subject of Down syndrome with families who live with the genetic disability and ensure what she depicted was accurate and empathetic to reality.

“We also have a disabled editor for the text, whose sister has Down syndrome,” Bugar said. “She (the editor) was in contact with her sister a lot to make sure that everything was being portrayed in a way that

felt authentic and did not feel like a caricature of somebody with Down syndrome.

Particularly with Lucy’s character, we went through a large round of revisions on her expressions.”

The book is available at StirredStories.com and at retailers like Barnes and Noble. Bugar is optimistic and enthusiastic it will reach its target audience and get across its main message.

“With children it will resonate because I think the fear of starting something new resonates with a lot of young kids,” Bugar added. “Especially like, I’m somebody who has transferred schools and has had that first day where ‘I don’t know anybody here. It’s unfamiliar. It’s scary – and the

thought of having that friend on your first day that you meet, I think the overall narrative of friendship will be something that resonates with kids.”

Bugar, who cut her artistic teeth in the International Baccalaureate program at Northville High School and had works shown at the

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

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

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

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

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

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

and groin aneurysms,” stated the founder of the Southfield clinic called Bionicc Body Screening.

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

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

Northville Art House as part of an exhibition, would like to continue down the creative path.

“It is really exciting to see this labor of love of so many people come together,” she added.

To purchase the book, visit www.stirredstories.com.

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

Take the first step to learn more about full body scans by visiting www.BioniccBodyScreening. com and request a free, no obligation Information Kit. Request it today and you’re also guaranteed a copy of their FREE eBook, Catching Cancer Before It’s Too Late! (This is a limited time offer.) Schedule today at 1-833-BIONICC

It's Your Business BIONICC BODY SCREENING

Getting Some Peace of Mind

Bionicc Body Screening helps detect health issues before symptoms arise

By Larry O’Connor

Mark Brock and younger brother Greg knew cancer ran in their family. Their father died of lung cancer in 1973. And both brothers have dealt with cancer issues themselves -- Mark (basal cell on tongue and nose) and Greg (bladder).

So last spring, Greg decided to visit Bionicc Body Screening to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging full-body scan just to be sure all was good. And he convinced his brother to join him, despite the fact Mark’s cancer had been in remission for more than a decade and his hesitation to pay the nearly $3,000 cost.

However, Mark’s mindset switched from austerity to panic

Ringold put it in less medical terms: “(They) want to make sure their insides are as healthy as they feel on the outside.”

Clients are prompted to visit the Northwestern Highway facility for two reasons: Either their families — like the Brocks — have a cancer history or they’re witnessing loved ones and peers succumb to illnesses where the outcome would have been different if detected earlier.

“There are some people that have the fear of getting bad news,” Ringold said. “They say, “‘Oh, I would not want to know.’

“I understand that people feel that way, but the truth of the matter is, especially when it comes to cancer, they’re going to find out one way or the other. You can find out before it spreads throughout your body, and get treatments, which often are going to be easier when you catch it early.”

mother to the Southfield facility recently for a scan. The cancer specialist shared with Bionicc staff that he was alarmed by rising cancer diagnoses, especially for people in their 20s and 30s.

Besides cancer, a full-body inventory also uncovers aneurysms, fatty livers, cysts, early signs for multiple sclerosis, kidney stones, and spinal cord abnormalities, according to Bionicc’s website.

once the results came back. The whole-body CT screen revealed a 3.1-centimeter mass on Brock’s left lung, which tested positive for cancer. Meanwhile, his brother’s results came back clean.

Mark, 67, who is undergoing immunotherapy after threefourths of his left lung was removed in August, has since returned to work as a financial advisor.

The Brock brothers’ experience serves as a marqueeworthy testimonial for early cancer detection.

The Southfield-based Bionicc Body Screening caters to those who are asymptomatic and wish to remain so. Or as company chief marketing officer Ryan

Medical experts, including cancer treatment specialists, are not sold on the full-body scan’s effectiveness. Some oncologists believe they can produce false positives, resulting in unnecessary tests and patient anxiety, Ringold said.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration doesn’t recommend whole body scans, citing lack of evidence to their usefulness and patients’ increased exposure to radiation.

Advanced MRI technology is not a replacement for routine preventative screenings such as colonoscopies and mammograms, Bionicc’s owner said.

Others in the medical community are on board, though. According to Ringold, an oncologist brought his

Bionicc Body Screening

Address: 26550 Northwestern Highway, Southfield

Phone: 1-(833)-Bionicc

Website: www. bioniccbodyscreening.com

Cost and lack of insurance coverage detract from the elective procedure’s luster. A full-body screening runs $2,950 while torso ($1,950) and head and neck ($1,299) scans are less expensive. Financing is available. A board-certified radiologist reviews the digital scans.

One selling point is the 70-minute procedure is less confining than a typical MRI scan. That’s due to the Southfield firm’s Siemen’s Magnetom Aera 1.5 Tesla MRI machine, which has a bore width of 27 ½ inches compared to 23.5 inches in a typical MRI unit. People are less likely to feel claustrophobic, Ringold said.

His late father, Dr. Walter Ringold, started Bionicc after retiring from his Dearborn family practice in 2017. (The son speculates the additional “c” in the company’s name was due to filling out a vanity phone number’s last digit).

Ryan Ringold (right), Bionicc Body Screening's chief marketing officer, picked up the reins from his father Dr. Walter Ringold (left), who founded the MRI business in 2017.

Photo courtesy of Ryan Ringold

His passion for pioneering MRI technology accelerated after doctors discovered the Ringold patriarch’s chest and abdomen riddled with tumors, some the size of softballs, the son said.

After being diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, the retired physician outlasted a grueling treatment regimen and debilitating side effects. He went into remission only to see the cancer return as a brain tumor a year later.

After being told he had two months to live, Ringold joined a National Institute Health trial where breakthrough treatment shrunk the brain tumor. He then spent four years in remission until 2023 when he was hospitalized with pneumonia and died a few days later. The 74-year-old was

is roomier than typical MRI units and less confining for patients. Photo courtesy of Siemens

survived by his wife of 53 years Nancy and six children.

During his medical ordeal, Ringold learned about companies in California and Canada that were successful in identifying early cancers and other maladies through advanced MRI. Had his clinic

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possessed a similar machine, Ringold surmised his illness would have been detected sooner “when tumors were the size of peas instead of softballs,” his son said.

After his dad’s death, Ryan Ringold didn’t want Bionicc’s mission to wither. So, despite

having no medical background, he picked up the reins. The Michigan State graduate has a bachelor’s in marketing and has operated internet-based Ringold Nutritional Systems for nearly 20 years.

The Brocks can relate to cancer’s physical and emotional toll. The brothers endured exhaustive radiation and debilitating chemotherapy treatments. Their father’s death from lung cancer haunts them five decades later. Mark was 15 at the time; Greg was of preschool age when Donald Brock died.

“He’s always been very close to me,” Mark said about brother Greg, 63. “So that was his reason (to undergo a full-body screening), he said, ‘because I don’t want to lose you.’”

Bionicc Body Screening's MRI machine is a state-of-the-art Siemens Magnetom Aera 1.5 Tesla, which

A Not So Happy Holidays

This is a difficult time for families struggling with probation or substance abuse issues

By Nick Griswold

For many people, the holidays are an opportunity to celebrate with loved ones. Gift giving, holiday parties and time spent with family fill this time of year. But what happens when the holidays aren’t the happiest time of year?

This holiday season, there will be many families dealing with the challenges of a child in the juvenile justice system or a family member struggling with addiction. At Growth Works, we are working to support these families throughout the year, and we know the holidays come with added struggles. Despite these challenges, these families are just like yours and mine, and we should practice empathy and seek new ways to support those around us who may be struggling this holiday season.

EMOTIONAL TOLL OF PROBATION

For families with a child in the juvenile justice system, the holidays can be a complicated time. Rules and restrictions can limit the ability to gather freely or travel, causing a sense of isolation. The stigma that often accompanies being

for many people, it can become more intense as stressful situations and expectations grow. The tension between the desire to celebrate and their current situation can leave people feeling emotionally drained.

on probation can amplify these feelings, especially during a time when society’s expectations for family unity and happiness are at their peak. Probation can bring financial strain, further complicating holiday celebrations. Families with a child on probation may be required to pay fines, expenses that can take away from family needs, including buying gifts, providing special meals, or even paying for basic utilities.

At Growth Works, our team of dedicated staff is doing their best to meet the individual needs of each one of the youths that is in our care. Instead of making assumptions, we aim to be curious and ask them what will be most helpful and bringing joy to their celebrations.

SHADOW OF SUBSTANCE USE

For families struggling with addiction, the holidays can intensify the feelings of shame, guilt, and fear that often accompany substance use. The cycle of addiction doesn’t take a break for the holidays; in fact,

At Growth Works, we have been working with youth and adults who are struggling with addiction for more than 50 years. Every holiday season presents new challenges, but it is the compassionate dedication of our staff members and their own personal experiences that makes them ready to meet those who are struggling where they are at with hope. We show up in a variety of ways like helping individuals get into treatment, finding healthy ways to celebrate the holidays, and being a shoulder to lean on when times get tough.

support them in whatever ways we can. This season, we will be fostering a sense of community in partnership with local police departments and community groups, providing basic needs, food, gifts and community service opportunities for our clients and community members.

COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING

The message for families facing these struggles should be one of hope. These children and families need empathy and for all of us to remember that at its heart, this is the season of giving. Giving of our time, our talents, our wallets and our hearts, to not just those in our home, but those in our community who need it most. The shame and stigma these families face is often isolating, and during the holidays, this isolation can feel even more acute. At Growth Works, we want our families to know that they are not alone, that it takes a village, and we are here to

While the holiday season will always be a reminder of what some families are enduring, it can also be an opportunity to foster hope and healing. By living out our mission of Restoring Hope, Supporting Change, and Improving the Lives of all we serve, Growth Works will be shining a light this holidays season. The season doesn’t have to be defined by perfection, but rather by connection and compassion. With support from community members, service organizations, and even a broader societal shift toward empathy, these families can move through the season with the understanding that while their struggles are real, they are not defined by them. Ultimately, the holidays are about hope, healing, and finding ways to navigate the difficulties life throws our way—together.

Nick Griswold is the CEO of Growth Works, which is headquartered in downtown Plymouth. Founded in 1971, Growth Works provides youth and family support and addiction counseling in Wayne County. For more information, visit gwcares.org.

The Growth Works Treatment Team at the Michigan Association of Treatment Court Professionals (MATCP) Conference. Photo courtesy of Growth Works

Growth Works CEO Nick Griswold

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HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL

A Holiday Trifecta

Northville High School’s musical collaboration shines this time of year

As the timeless melodies of “Deck the Halls” and “Winter Wonderland” fill the air this holiday season, there is another festive sound echoing through Northville High School: the harmonious collaboration between the Orchestra, Band, and Choir programs.

This winter, NHS’s Band and Choir programs continue their long-standing tradition of presenting a joint Christmas concert, a cherished event for more than five decades. Led by Band Director Michael Rumbell and Choir Director Beth Richert, this year, there were two performances of “Winter Wonderland” (Dec. 17th and 18th), which also included the district’s growing Orchestra program under the direction of

the Orchestra comes together with the Band to create an unprecedented, special musical experience.

The holiday season naturally brings the Band students to the forefront. Besides showcasing their skills in high-profile performances such as Band-ORama, which took place Dec. 6, and the Northville Holiday Lighted Parade at the end of November, this year’s rendition of “Sleigh Ride” stands out for its unique cooperation with the Orchestra.

Freshman percussionist Kaden Mach takes pride in working with other student musicians.

Johanne Ray-Hepp, marking a historic milestone in the school’s musical legacy.

Behind every outstanding performance lies meticulous preparation and dedicated team effort, and this concert is no exception.

“First, I prepare the score very, very well, so that means listening to a lot of different versions of the recordings. I [then] go through my study copy that I write all over,” RayHepp explained.

For a piece like “Sleigh Ride”, technical precision and accurate rhythms are crucial, which demand time and work ethic. Junior Grace Bae, a cellist, emphasizes the importance of commitment. “It is important to stay on top of things and practice your pieces,” she said.

After countless hours of individual and group practice,

Department, and see[ing] all of [the music programs coming] together would be a really nice cultivation of talent,” Bustos said.

Richert, impressed by the musicianship and enthusiasm of the students, says, “I can’t believe what wonderful musicians [the students] are, but also, it’s just a very entertaining concert. We do a great variety of music.”

To student performers, community support is

“I look forward to collaborating with other music programs because I believe everyone has something important to contribute. Bringing so many talents together is an exciting feat,” the Band member said.

Many music students echo the same sentiments, thrilled with the idea of joining diverse forces together to create this larger-than-life production.

Of course, this historic winter concert would be incomplete without the Choir. As “Sleigh Ride” opens the evening, the Choir will grace the stage with several highly anticipated performances (Dec. 17th and 18th). Sophomore Auden Bustos was really excited to see the full teamwork unfold.

“I’m personally really excited because I love the Choir

paramount. Students spend weeks perfecting each detail of their shows; when the community comes out to support them, it makes all their hard work worthwhile.

“These students deserve to have their music listened to and appreciated with all the hard work,” Ray-Hepp said. “Music brings our humanity in a world that seems to always want to pound down our humanity.”

Rumbell hopes the collaborative efforts between the three music programs continue into the future.

“I hope that the programs all grow and surpass what has been done in the past and keep the traditions alive,” said the longtime band director.

Senior saxophonist Madeleine Richard performs at Band-O-Rama. Photo by Ella Zhang

Choir Director Beth Richert helps the Bel Canto girls advanced choir rehearse for the Winter Wonderland holiday concert. Photo by Keira Gallagher EDITOR’S NOTE: High School Confidential is a collaborative effort by the Stringers Journalism Club made up of NHS students Brian Zhang, Diane Zhao, Ian Lee, Isabella Mach, Jackson Gong, Keira Gallagher, Pranavi Oruganty, Saamaja Krishnan, Sneha Aradhya, Sneha Hegde, and Stella Maue

BULLETIN BOARD BULLETIN BOARD

Moraine Earns Blue Ribbon For Excellence

Moraine Elementary School has earned the prestigious 2024 National Blue Ribbon School designation from the U.S. Department of Education, an honor recognizing schools for academic excellence.

This award places Moraine among only 12 Michigan schools and 356 schools nationwide to be celebrated this year.

In early November, Moraine Principal Joseph Reimann, second grade teacher Jennifer Frederick and Northville Public Schools Superintendent RJ Webber (pictured left to right) traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend an awards luncheon where Moraine received a National Blue Ribbon School flag and plaque. The event included opportunities to network with other Blue Ribbon educators, learn best practices, and listen to inspiring speeches from the National Teacher of the Year and the Secretary of Education.

“It was an honor representing the Moraine community at the National Blue Ribbon ceremony,” Reimann shared. “Hearing from incredible educators and meeting leaders from schools across the country gave us new insights to bring back home. I was moved by the photos and videos of our students cheering back in Michigan—it brought tears to my eyes seeing their pride.”

In September, Moraine held a school-wide assembly to announce the award, focusing on the student empowerment and leadership that have been essential to Moraine’s success.

For more information about Moraine Elementary’s award and application, visit their profile at nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov.

Compiling Maybury Memories

The Maybury Sanatorium located in the northwest corner of Northville Township, served tuberculosis patients from 1921 to 1969. The property is now known as Maybury State Park. A team representing the Friends of Maybury State Park, the Northville Historical Society, and the DNR are documenting the history of the Sanitorium with a book to be published in the near future. The team is seeking any memories, documents, letters, postcards, or images that you’re willing to share to accurately capture this important facility of Northville’s community history.

To contribute please contact Wendy Mutch, archivist of the Northville Historical Society, at wmutch@millracenorthville.org or (248) 348-1845 (prompt 2) or Kale Leftwich, Maybury Park supervisor, at leftwichk@michigan.gov or (248) 3498390. Also feel free to stop by Maybury Park Headquarters to share your stories.

Distinguished Flying Cross

Northville High School graduate Kyle G. Abraham, a captain in the U.S. Air Force, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions in April. Abraham distinguished himself while participating in aerial flight as F-15E Pilot, 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, 332d Air Expeditionary Wing, on April 13.

Captain Abraham flew as the wingman of a two-ship formation of F-15E Strike Eagles participating in a large-force Coalition Defensive Counter-Air mission to defeat an Iranian attack comprising over three hundred ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and one-way unmanned aerial systems. On his seventh hour of a 30-minute alert posture, Captain Abraham and his weapon systems officer scrambled with their flight lead to intercept successive swarms of one-way attack drones.

Operating in darkness and at low altitude, he optimized his sensors to detect the low-flying threats, while Iranian ballistic missiles and Israeli interceptors detonated in the sky overhead. Aware that fighter aircraft ahead of him were rapidly expending munitions against drone swarms, and despite being low on fuel, he followed his flight lead as their formation moved forward in the defensive lane.

Abraham skillfully conducted three intercepts within three minutes, each resulting in a successful drone kill. In total, Captain Abraham successfully engaged four one-way attack drones. His actions played a vital role in blunting Iran’s large-scale attack against Israel, protecting Coalition forces, saving countless civilian lives, and ultimately preventing a larger regional conflict.

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Whoville: Place Not A Race

Annual holiday fun run benefits NHS track and field program

By Brad Emons | Photos by Bryan Mitchell

It was a yuletide atmosphere as an estimated 170 participants put on their most festive holiday gear in the annual Gazelle Sports Whoville 5K fun run on Sunday, Dec. 8 at Northville High School.

The event, which also featured a quarter-mile kids run, was presented by Plymouth Physical Therapy Specialists with proceeds benefitting the Northville High School track and field program.

The Whoville 5K featured all kinds of runners dressed up in their favorite holiday costumes.

“The theme of the event, or the saying of a line is: ‘It’s place, not a race,’” Northville track and field coach Tim Dalton said. “And so, it’s more of an experience event than a so-called timed 5K or things like that. You start with a kids run and then you have roughly a 5K event. But there’s a lot of characters there, a lot of costumes – Thing One, Thing Two, Cat in the Hat, The Mayor, The Grinch.”

The race – which began at 3:30 p.m. -- started and finished at the high school and wound through three surrounding subdivisions.

“It started in Grand Rapids and then they brought the event to Northville,” Dalton said. “It was beautiful, probably one of the nicest days we’ve had. A lot of our kids and parents volunteer to put it on, or set up as course marshals out on the course.”

The Mustangs’ All-State runner Ben Hartigan, a junior, was the unofficial winner for the second year in a row. But Dalton said winning wasn’t really the point.

Afterwards all participants received a festive hat and medal, and delicious sweets, including holiday cookies and hot cocoa, were served afterwards at the Who-Village.

IDishin’ With Denise

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

All Wrapped Up

t’s my favorite time of the year! I am a Hallmark Movie Christmas lover and proud of it. There is so much “drama” in everyday life – the sappier the story the more I like it. I also love to wrap packages. It is my therapy session. My family and friends notice my wrapping, but more so notice when it’s not up to par for my standard wrap job.

I recently went to see the new movie Wicked. Wow! If I were a movie reviewer, I’d give it five stars. Of course, I’ve seen the play four times – I love Wizard of Oz creative writing.

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is my favorite song and I think outside the box. While watching the movie, in the comfy recliners they now have at all the theaters, I cried like a baby several times, especially during “Defying Gravity”. It is so powerful – and thought provoking – at this particular time in history.

They sell the brand of Danish-designed toys called Maileg. Mai (pronounced my) is the designers last name and leg (pronounced lye) is “play” in Danish. The company tag line is: “Ours is a world of childhood imagination - and this is a world we value.” The toys are miniatures and whimsical, designed to inspire storytelling.

Carol told me several young girls are regulars at the store – they love the bunnies and cats and mice all living together, sharing adventures

Recently I was strolling through downtown Northville and went into Gardenviews – one of my favorite places. I bought “stuff” for my home, and I also got some great ideas for decorating for any one of the holidays. But during this visit I was talking to owner Carol Peretto, and she shared one of the most heartwarming stories.

or at a princess tea party. One young lady had her eye on an accessory piece. She politely asked to see it and asked about the price. It was a little too much. A nice shopper was watching. She quietly purchased the piece (anonymously) and when the time came to put it back on the shelf, Carol told the young girl it was hers. It was indeed a Secret Santa moment.

But the sweetness doesn’t end there. The mother of the young lady made a trip to the store wondering why/how this came to be. Mom, be proud, just as Carol told you – your

daughter is a polite young lady with a creative heart…dreaming of a world that is magical. There is indeed so much hope in this story.

The Historic Motoring Awards recognizes excellence in the classic motoring industry. It was held on November 22 in London’s Peninsula Hotel. A Bugatti once owned by the King of Belgium was among the winners. Guess who else won an award that night? Our very own “One to Watch” David Kibbey. David received the Young Achiever of the Year Award (Sponsored by the Petersen Automotive Museum). It is given to the person under 30 years old, who has demonstrated outstanding work in the collector car world over the last year. David is under 20 years old. You may know him as one of the young men responsible for bringing Concours d’Elegance to our

humble hometown. Everyone join me, please, in a round of applause. Congratulations, David! (Save the date … next year Concours takes place July 11-13) Need a last minute gift?

Head to Mill Race Village –stroll through the Festival of

Trees – and pick up a “Brick and a Book”. The bricks for the new village boulevard are still available for purchase “In memory of” – “In honor of” or simply just to cement YOUR name on Northville’s historic walk of fame. The brick takes time for personalizing – but you can buy the book “A Ride Through Northville” by Steven Quay – put a picture of the brick inside the cover and wrap it up in time for Christmas. When I was younger, I wanted to grow up to be a “wrapper” in a fancy department store. Times have changed. As the saying goes – “Dorothy, you’re not in Kansas anymore.”

David Kibbey received the Young Achiever Award from Historic Motoring

Cathy Gregory and Avery Rentz joined me decorating a tree for the Festival of Trees at Mill Race.

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