February 2021 | Vol.4 | Issue 2
Northville’s News and Lifestyle Magazine
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Northrop-Sassaman Chapel
Service … a Family Tradition for 75 years
(248) 348-1233 19091 Northville Road · Northville, MI 48168 James R. Steen - Manager
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LOCAL Matters!
Please send checks, cash or lucky charms to: Journeyman Publishing 16435 Franklin Northville, MI 48168 Thank you!
Publisher Here is a list of people who contributed to local journalism last month. We appreciate your support! Bob & Valerie Griffith Lois Henderson Temenuzhka Mihaylova & Krassimir Denchev Jim & Martha Nield Joyce & Cary Pianin James & Carolyn Roth Margie Sievert
Volume 4
Issue 2
FEBRUARY 2021
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, who all attend Northville Public Schools.
Craig Wheeler – Creative Director
Craig has been in the creative industry for over 28 years. He has developed a diverse background in that time, but publication design has been his passion during the past 18 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.
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.
Lonnie Huhman - Writer
Lonnie graduated from EMU with a degree in creative writing. He is a longtime newspaper reporter, including two stints with The Northville Record. He is now a freelance reporter for a number of publications, including The Sun Times News in Dexter, where he lives with his wife and two young children. He is glad to be back covering the Northville community.
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.
ALAN LUNDBERG - Writer
Alex got his start in the journalism business in 1992 as a reporter for the Plymouth Community Crier newspaper. Since then he has worked a variety of beats, covering communities all around the Detroit area, from Grosse Ile to Lake Orion.
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.
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
What’s the agenda? I
’ve covered my share of elections over the years. None of them have ever been anything quite like the race for the Northville Schools Board of Education. A full three months after the election took place, there is still a battle going on to wrestle control of one seat on the board. Despite having already been sworn in, James Mazurek is now being sued by Kim Campbell-Voytal who asserts his election win over her was not legal. This saga began on election night Nov. 3rd. Well, actually it was early the next day as local clerk’s offices were overwhelmed by a historic turnout that included unprecedented numbers of absentee ballots. Preliminary results that morning pointed to Mazurek beating Campbell-Voytal by a single vote for the last of four seats up for grabs on the board. However, after the clerks from the six different municipalities within the Northville Schools boundaries reported their official numbers, it was determined Mazurek and Campbell-Voytal had actually tied. A few weeks later, at a hastily planned
meeting to break the tie, Mazurek, who had to attend via Zoom, watched as his piece of paper was drawn and he was declared the winner. He received his certificate of election from Wayne County. Campbell-Voytal filed for a recount, as is his her right, and ballots were again counted in December – this time at Northville Township Hall, in a process overseen by newly elected Northville Township Clerk Roger Lundberg. They did a hand recount of the roughly 63,000 votes cast, a process that ended up with a couple election workers with COVID, and the clerk’s office having to quarantine for 14 days. What a way for Lundberg to break into the job. At the conclusion of the recount, both candidates gained a total of five votes, meaning it was still a tie. Since there had already been a drawing, Mazurek and his supporters assumed he was the winner, especially because he was already the certified winner. Not so fast. Campbell-Voytal wanted another drawing, and she has sued both Mazurek and the Wayne County Board of Canvassers. You
can read the rest of the details in our story on Page 20. In last month’s issue, we indicated in our story the Board of Canvassers had determined the Nov. 25 draw stood making Mazurek the winner. Campbell-Voytal pointed out that detail was inaccurate. “The truth is that a bipartisan group of County Canvassers rejected a motion to revert back to the original draw (won by Mazurek) to determine the winner in the second tie. They instead decided to leave the winner ‘Undetermined’,” she wrote to me in an email. “The fact is that the Canvassers, split along party lines, failed in their sworn duty to determine an election winner and thus to certify the vote. Instead, they put the onus on the aggrieved parties (the candidates, or others) to pursue a legal remedy,” her email continued. That’s a fair criticism, and we stand corrected. But the reality is Mazurek has a certificate of election and is now currently serving on the Board of Education. At some point you have to wonder, why all of this trouble for a volunteer
position on the school board. There is no salary involved, only the promise of long nights at meetings and the knowledge that you’re serving the students and families of Northville. What really alarms me is that this process has turned very partisan. Campbell-Voytal has been advised throughout by attorney Mark Brewer, the former chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. On Mazurek’s side, there's Rocky Raczkowski, a Republican congressional candidate, and Matt Wilk, president of the Northville Republican Club and former school board member, who makes his conservative views very evident on social media, including his disdain for the teachers union. At this point the only unbiased way to determine the winner is through a drawing. As it turns out, we’ve already had one. And Mazurek was the winner. Let's move on. Kurt Kuban is Editor and Publisher of The ‘Ville. He welcomes your feedback at (734) 716-0783 or kurtkuban@thevillemagazine.com.
Your Voice: Letters to the Editor 4 Chip Snider remembered for impact on township 6 Swim team finishes 3rd, matches ‘78 squad 16 Lawsuit filed in contested school board race 20 Gritty U-M commit Dylan Duke on the NHL radar 28
Peace of Mind
12
The Jolly Postman
24
Tradition of Service
44
New NCSF to bring local projects to life 32 Past Tense: Page Toppers 36 It’s Your Business: Griffin Funeral Home 38 Keeping depression at bay during the pandemic 42
ON THE COVER: For nearly three decades US Postal worker James Holland has been delivering the mail in downtown Northville. Photo by Bryan Mitchell
Your Voice Mixed reaction on Poole’s
As Yogi Berra is alleged to have said “it’s Deja vu all over again.” Poole’s Tavern is trying another land grab and wants to buy a portion of Hutton Park, again. Several years ago, Poole’s made a similar proposal to the Northville City Council to purchase the property, but the plan was rejected. City Manager Patrick Sullivan has said the sale of Hutton Park “certainly could be a good thing” for downtown Northville. How can destroying a city park and replacing it with restaurant/bar seating be better for the majority of Northville’s residents? Hutton Park belongs to Northville’s residents, not the City Council. Let the residents determine if they would prefer to listen to Friday night concerts, rest briefly in the shade of a tree, have lunch outdoors, or just catch their breath and bask in the green space of Hutton Park or would they rather have a burger and a beer overlooking the vestiges of the green space that was once Hutton Park? Everyone appreciates the hardship and burden experienced by all of Northville’s businesses from COVID-19, but it should not be used as an excuse or reason to make a decision in this or any case that benefits a single business. COVID-19 will pass and will be forgotten just as the previous pandemic, but the loss of Hutton Park will be forever. Sarunas Mingela I think expanding Poole’s and giving us another choice to go to have dinner is an excellent idea. Too many of us leave town for dining atmosphere. Susan Carbery Coakley With the “new normal” that is probably here to stay, Poole’s is very crowded and desperately needs more indoor space for customers to feel safe. Outdoor space, while nice in warmer months, is not the whole answer. I would strongly support anything the city can do to help them. Ronald Fraleigh
Beware of email scams
I have lived in Northville on and off since 1962. Currently I am a resident and this time around I’ve been here about eight years and intend to stay. I’ll never move out of Northville again. I’m not in favor of the Poole’s expansion at all. I understand that the restaurant business is very bad right now, but it’s bad for everybody and I feel that they’re using this time to take advantage of Northville. Northville has done more to help our restaurants than any other city in Michigan and I support all the restaurants, because I understand. But I don’t see any benefit of selling them city land. Poole’s has a great business. If they weren’t in downtown Northville they wouldn’t have the business they have today. If they want to expand that’s fine, but they should lease the property like they’re doing now. Selling the property is not in Northville‘s best interest. Pat Rickert
Unfortunately, this is a very difficult to write but I thought it might help seniors or someone in the Northville area. In early January I received an email that “someone” from Panama was trying to access my PayPal account. This was the fourth email that I received concerning my PayPal account, so I opened it and using the number provided in the email I contacted PayPal to see what was going on. The technician told me that several people had attempted to break into my PayPal account and he suggested that I convert to a Google Pay account, which was much more secure. I was skeptical, but I agreed to having the new account constructed. After a few moments he asked me for a test card (debit/credit card) so they could see if the “new” account would accept deposits. This is where the story goes really bad. Within a few minutes, money was transferred from my checking account to the new Google account. I have contacted the Northville Police (an officer told me I was the third victim that day), Michigan Attorney General’s Office, the FBI Fraud Unit, my bank’s Fraud Department and my investment firm’s fraud department all investigating this case with Google. No answer at this time. However, I just want to make sure that no one opens emails concerning problems with their bank, EBay, PayPal, gift cards, outstanding loans or free gifts from Amazon or some other company. If you think there is a problem, find a safe secure number that you could call. Do not use the number listed in any email. I hope this helps. David Bryant
4 The ‘Ville
One omission
I enjoyed reading the “Get Fit In The ‘Ville” article in the January edition. The physical and mental benefits of exercise, especially in these challenging times, cannot be overstated. I would have liked to see Forever Fit included in the “Where to Turn” section - the downtown Northville personal training gym run by local entrepreneur Jeremy Daum. Jeremy is a certified personal trainer through the National Association of Sports Medicine and a long-time member of our community. Amy Field
Maybury entrance needed
Would I like to see a new entrance to Maybury State Park? Definitely! An access on the south side of the park would allow for much greater ease of use for many people. The new entrance should be placed at the corner of 7 Mile and Beck Road for number of reasons: 1) Greater area/population served. If you draw a radius around any proposed entrance, a location on a corner will pull from three of the four quadrants. 2) Your article speaks to an engineering quote to determine the “if the ground can support the construction.” As there was once a vehicle entrance on the southeast corner, I am sure the ground could support a pedestrian only entrance and the construction needed. 3) The current paved walking path ends just feet away from the current gate. There would be very minimal construction need to link the existing path to the new entrance. 4) Should the state/county link Hines Park with a sidewalk along 7 Mile to Maybury (hopefully, this will happen when 7 Many want a new entrance near Seven Mile that will connect to Maybury's trails. Photo by Bryan Mitchell Mile gets repaved), then the biking/pedestrian traffic could get off the road/street system earlier and minimize exposure to vehicle traffic. This undoubtedly would reduce accidents and injuries. A 7 Mile We would love to see an entrance as close to the 7 Mile and Beck intersection repaving project from Sheldon to Beck is much needed. as feasible (connecting with the loop inside the park). We would also love to see 5) With safety in mind, there is already a traffic light at Beck and 7 Mile, which sidewalks along 7 Mile between Beck Road and downtown Northville, connecting provides for safe pedestrian crossing from either south of 7 Mile or east of Beck. all the homes and neighborhoods along 7 Mile, and providing a safe pathway for Chris Carlstein pedestrians and bikers. Thank you for the article. As a result, we have joined the Friends of Maybury We think it would be great to have a non-motorized entrance at 7 Mile to and made a donation to the cause for a new entrance. Maybury State Park. It would encourage children to explore nature and get exercise Mike Forbis in a safe and beautiful place - walking, biking, scootering, snow shoeing or crosscountry skiing. Older children would be able to walk, run or bike on their own safely from neighborhoods near 7 Mile like Stonewater, Arcadia Ridge, Waterstone, etc. and younger children could bike there with their parents. In last month’s issue, Laurie Castillo wrote about her being “shamed” for Michigan does not have many safe connecting bike paths. Bottom line, using the web to criticize a local eatery. Although feedback sites are useful, they we think this addition would be very good for the community for health and can also damage a business if used prematurely. I have been in customer service wellness. Thanks for reporting about this project! for over 45 years and the standard should be to keep the discussion at the lowest Anna Kligman level possible and only escalate when it is not resolved satisfactorily. To create a web review before first talking with the manager or owner is premature and I must admit that I read the article about the potential new Maybury entrance not fair. Ms. Castillo should have given the owner the opportunity to address and the subsequent letters last month with some amusement. While I definitely the matter first, and then only if the answer was unsatisfactory should it be agree that adding entrances to the park is a worthwhile goal, I also agree that “escalated.” the lack of infrastructure to support these entrances is most likely a far bigger Her excuses are weak at best -- her thinking that this action could “save a life” issue than finding $18,000 to pay for a small engineering study. What seems to is hyperbole - was this incident a one-off? Did she determine why this employee be missing is a cohesive master plan that aligns the park’s plan with the county/ was not masked that day? If other employees and patrons were masked, then by township plans for sidewalks etc. Until that is complete, spending any amount of definition those persons are safe, more so if six feet distance is maintained. money seems unwise. Without knowing how systemic this maskless scenario is, an online review was Chris Stone not the correct action and will negatively affect the local business and the people that make their living working there. Bert Nisbet
Unfair response
SOUND OFF
Please submit your letters by emailing Editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@gmail.com. Letters must be 150 words or less. We reserve the right to edit all letters. The ‘Ville 5
‘An
Effortless Leader’ Chip Snider left his mark on Northville Township By Lonnie Huhman Chip Snider on his first day of retirement in October 2019.
M
arvin “Chip” Snider was one of those guys who left an impression. What else would you expect from a Marine and longtime cop? Yet, there was so much more to Snider, whose legacy of public service and leadership spans decades and across the many communities he served during his career. Snider’s death on Jan. 27, after complications from a terrible fall at his Canton home, left everyone who knew him shocked As a Marine, Snider served in and distraught the Vietnam War. over the loss of a leader and friend to so many. Snider, 70, leaves behind his wife, Diana, adult children, Derek and Devon, and seven grandchildren. Much of his legacy can be found in Northville Township, where he served for decades after becoming its police chief in 1990. With his passing, his friends and colleagues took time to reflect on what he
6 The ‘Ville
some bleeding, and he lost a lot of blood. meant to them and how important he was. By the time EMS showed up he was having “He was an effortless leader,” said John a difficult time breathing. He was put on a Santomauro, who first met Snider, his ventilator, but died four days later while still longtime friend, 51 years ago when they in the hospital. were both young officers serving with the Snider retired from Northville Township Farmington Police Department. in October 2019 after serving for 29 years, Describing him as a combination of most recently as township manager. immense intellect with the toughness of a Marine, Santomauro said Snider had the unique ability to understand people, a trait that helped him throughout his career. “He had all of the qualities needed in a leader,” said Santomauro. According to Diana Snider, her husband was taking out the garbage on Jan. 23 when the accident occurred. He had either tripped or slipped, causing a nasty injury to one of his ankles. A Snider became Northville Township’s police chief in 1990. broken bone caused
In a proclamation to honor Snider, Northville Township called him one of the town’s most influential leaders. “He was a terrific public servant, right down to his days serving in Vietnam as a U.S. Marine,” Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo said in the proclamation. “His love for this community, this country makes this proclamation a fitting tribute to this man who meant so much to so many.” “People have spoken of former Northville Township Manager Chip Snider as a friend, ally, colleague, mentor, and leader, they are all true,” Abbo told The ‘Ville. “His bio will say he had a doctorate in clinical psychology and a master’s degree in public administration, and that he’s a graduate of the FBI National Academy. It will also say he served his country in Vietnam as a United States Marine, but Chip Snider meant so much more to Northville Township.”
he encouraged, and he supported you,” Mutchler said. “He genuinely cared for and respected his team. He embraced his role as my mentor and friend which I will always cherish.” Mutchler said he first became aware Over the years Chip Snider had a great relationship with Board of Trustee members of Snider early in including former Treasurer Fred Shadko (right). his career when highlighted some of his successes during he worked for the city of Milan as a police his time here. From leading the township officer. through unprecedented growth -- the “Chip had served as police chief prior to population jumped from 17,000 in 1990 my arrival, but there were many intriguing to 28,500 in 2010 -- to restructuring the stories about his leadership in the township’s police and fire departments, organization that made me want to find out there’s no doubt Snider made a positive more about him,” Mutchler recalled. impact. When his career path took him to Canton “Following Chip’s passing, many stories Township, Mutchler connected with
When you were with Chip, you felt like you were the most important person to Chip and whatever the topic of discussion was, he was fully Todd Mutchler, Northville Township Manager invested in you and the topic.” Robert Nix, who served two terms as township supervisor, echoed this sentiment. “Chip was a respected leader, mentor, teacher and visionary,” he said. “The township’s outstanding police, fire, EMS and other services are the result of his innovation and design.” He said Snider’s highest priority was protecting and serving the township residents. By example, Nix said Snider created a culture of accountability and responsibility for his directors and entire staff to succeed. By being an example for honesty, integrity, respect and the pursuit of excellence, Nix said Snider’s “legacy is continued through Todd Mutchler, staff and others mentored by Chip.” Mutchler, who is currently both the township manager and director of public safety for the township, was handpicked by Snider to be his successor. “Chip modeled servant leadership; when you brought an issue to him, he listened,
Snider’s longtime best friend, Santomauro, who was that township’s Director of Public Safety. “I soon discovered the two of them were the titans and influencers of law enforcement in southeast Michigan,” said Mutchler. This connection would grow and eventually turn into a mentorship and friendship. “He shared many lessons, anecdotes, and challenged me in ways that expanded my own knowledge and understanding beyond leadership and management,” said Mutchler. “I will forever cherish these positive memories and the investment Chip made in me.” Snider’s career included more than 40 years of municipal public safety service, including as a chief of police and public safety director. He served two cities, one village and two townships in southeastern Michigan over those four decades. In honoring him, the township
and anecdotes have been shared about how Chip helped or mentored them in their own growth and development,” Mutchler said. “When you were with Chip, you felt like you were the most important person to Chip and whatever the topic of discussion was, he was fully invested in you and the topic.” Both Abbo and Nix agreed. “It was my privilege to serve the township for eight years with Chip,” Nix said. “He was a trusted colleague and became a close personal friend. I will miss his camaraderie and sage advice while smoking cigars, enjoying steak dinners and attending car shows. He will be greatly missed.” Abbo said: “It is easy to talk about all of Chip’s accomplishments because there were so many. Yes, a valued member of the Northville Township family was lost, but Chip Snider’s legacy and contributions to our community will live on. He will truly be missed.” Kurt Kuban contributed to this story.
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Lt. Adam Burton, of the Northville Township Fire Department, gets his second shot at a Wayne County facility in Wayne.
Pomeroy Assisted Living Northville resident Barry Cohen gets his first shot.
Peace of Mind Local firefighters, seniors first in line to get COVID vaccine By Tim Smith
W
ith virtually every news cycle, information changes about how, when and where to get the coveted COVID-19 vaccine. There also is confusion about whether people might need to endure severe side effects if they do take advantage of available doses, which are touted by state and national public health experts as crucial to stopping the deadly spread of the coronavirus. So, to help send a comforting message that they hope will inspire citizens to sign up for their shots, virtually the entire Northville Township Fire Department immediately had first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine as part of Phase
12 The ‘Ville
1A vaccination rollout. “We follow all the science, that’s how we make all our decisions,” Northville Township Fire Chief Brent Siegel said. “We look towards scholarly sources to identify risks and benefits for getting the vaccine. We have not identified any risks for getting the vaccine so all our staff chose to do that.” By mid January, Siegel said 30 of 31 department firefighters were administered their second dose of the vaccine. Sending a positive message about the safety of the vaccine is but one reason for the nearly unanimous participation. Another is to ward off the virus and in turn stop from spreading it to the community.
Since March 2020, when the pandemic began in earnest in the United States, the Northville Township Fire Department has responded to nearly 400 patients with COVID; a firefighter also contracted a mild case of the disease. “The opportunity to get a vaccine is a huge opportunity to protect our staff and our families,” Siegel emphasized. “I think it sets the appropriate example for the public, that the vaccine is safe and we’re continuing to work to protect the community.” NO PAIN, NO GAIN Two other Northville Township firefighters talked
about why they did not hesitate to receive shots as soon as they knew they could get them. “For us it shows dedication to each other that we care about getting this vaccine,” Lt. Adam Burton explained. “So we can all get through this pandemic together. “Definitely most of us jumped at the opportunity to obtain this vaccine and get this ball rolling so we can make it safe for each other here at the work place, safe for our family at home and also safe for the residents,” Burton continued. Fellow firefighter David Micallef said he had no hesitation about getting vaccinated and he did not yet suffer any side effects “short of
feeling like I got stabbed with a sharp object.” According to Micallef, one key factor to why the public should be confident about getting the COVID vaccine is that “tens of thousands of people have already been through” vaccine trials during
be, follow the different recommendations put out by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control, based in Atlanta, Ga.),” Burton said. “Up until they get to the point where we’re going to get vaccinations out to everybody, I think it’s important we all do our part of
hesitant about going through with it, extends to Northville Public Schools. A recent staff survey showed overwhelming support for getting the vaccine as soon as possible, noted Superintendent Mary Kay Gallagher. As of mid-January, the district was
With most teachers, administrators, coaches and support staffers vaccinated, the hope is for students to fully and safely return to in-person learning no later than March 1. That is the deadline given to all Michigan districts.
The opportunity to get a vaccine is a huge opportunity to protect our staff and our families. I think it sets the appropriate example for the public, that the vaccine is safe and we’re continuing to work to protect the community.” Brent Siegel, Northville Township Fire Chief
recent years to safely set the stage. “Those people are the ones that led in my opinion,” Micallef said. “It’s not a real leap of faith by any stretch. We’ve seen people over time that have had this vaccination and we have a good idea as to what near-term side effects there are to deal with. To me it was not really much thought at all to move forward. Obviously, we want to keep ourselves safe, (and protect) our buddies that we work with and are together with 24 hours a day, our families at home and the people we serve every day here in the township.” Micallef stressed that people go the extra mile to learn about COVID-19 vaccines from solid news and information sources. “There are places a little more vetted than a blog post, you know.” And just because someone did get vaccinated does not mean they should discard all other health and safety protocols. “Our message would
Northville Township firefighter David Micallef gets his vaccine shot last month.
keeping safe social distances at six feet, the standard mask wearing and hand washing. It’s just keeping areas sanitized and remembering we’re all in this together.” Such support for the vaccine, and the collective signal that sends to citizens who may be
awaiting marching orders from Wayne County Health Department. “Our survey of our staff indicates that more than 90 percent are interested in getting the vaccine,” said Gallagher, in an e-mail. “Which is positive from our lens.”
‘A SHOT IS A SHOT’ Another major goal of phase 1A and 1B is to get the COVID vaccine in the arms of the vulnerable elderly – those over age 75 and who reside in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Such living centers all over the United States have been beset by troubling “community spread” of the deadly virus. As of Dec. 4, 39 percent of total coronavirus deaths in the US have taken place in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities, according to The COVID Tracking Project. To stem the troubling tide, as soon as Pomeroy Assisted Living of Northville executive director Erik Celesnik found out his residents were eligible to get their vaccinations (through a CVS pharmacy partnering with the facility), he and other staffers made sure they and family members were informed
Vaccine continued on page 14
The ‘Ville 13
Vaccine continued from page 13
Pleasance Kowalczy stated that she felt fine afterward and that “a shot is a shot. Get it and get it over with.” Marvin and up to speed about the issue. Borycki’s straightforward take Residents among the first was he felt “very lucky to have group of Pomeroy Assisted received the vaccination.” Living recipients there received Donna Stowell talked about the first of two shots on Jan. 22 learning about the vaccine with the second slated for Feb. before getting it. “You will then 19. Celesnik said a second group know it’s good for you and feel also would be able to get shots if safe. We’re doing our part.” they wanted them. Interjecting a bit of humor Several responded to into the situation was William e-mailed questions about Brandt. “I feel great, I feel why they went ahead with the ready to go out and eat dinner vaccination, whether they somewhere,” Brandt replied. suffered any side effects and “Any advice to someone who is what message did their effort nervous – I’d say kiss the guy send to the greater community. who gives it to you. Why? It’s “I trusted my son and my the only hope we have.” doctor who said I should get Celesnik said his staff it,” noted Audrey Sisco, adding monitors the latest information that the shot did not cause her from the CDC and Michigan any noticeable discomfort. “I Department of Health and also educated myself regarding Human Services before the vaccine. I hope that by distilling it into weekly e-mails receiving the vaccination our for family members (who share families can start coming into with their loved ones living at the community and we can start Pomeroy). going on outings again.” “The main question to answer is, when is it (vaccination) happening,” Celesnik emphasized. “They (residents) can’t get it soon enough. The second most popular question is clarification on steps, or side effects.” As for the latter, a protocol is followed “I feel great, I feel ready to go out and eat dinner somewhere,” where Pomeroy resident William Brandt said after getting his first symptoms vaccination shot last month.
14 The ‘Ville
Pomeroy Assisted Living of Northville executive director Erik Celesnik with resident Audrey Sisco after she received her vaccine shot last month.
such as changes in temperature as well as fatigue and muscle soreness are regularly checked. “Hopefully, we can inspire the rest of the greater community to (get vaccinated) and help us avoid risk and wipe out COVID,” Celesnik said. TRUST THE EXPERTS Because the COVID-19 vaccine supply is still very limited, the general public (not 65 and older) will have to wait for updates from the state. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has a website (Michigan.gov/ Coronavirus) that provides updates about where and when people can get the vaccine -once it is available. Among those in the greater community “all in” on getting vaccinated as soon as they can are Northville retirees Joe and Grace McCauley. At the top of their list of reasons is to finally visit their 3-month-old grandson, who lives a few hours away in Cadillac. “We didn’t even see him during Christmas time,” said Joe McCauley, discussing why he and his wife (a former nurse)
committed to quickly receiving their shots. McCauley added that receiving either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine also would help return to relatively normal retirement life. “We go out for going to the post office, bank, grocery shopping and some take out and that’s about it,” he said. Like virtually every other Northvillian, the McCauleys are trying to stay on top of all the latest news concerning COVID-19 and remain proactive to make sure when and where they can get vaccinated. They completely trust the scientists. “A lot of people don’t want to do it (get vaccinated) either, for a variety of reasons,” Joe McCauley continued. “If you’ve got any information about medical science and stuff behind it, you’re probably going to want to go out there and get it. Just because it’s probably the best thing you can do to keep yourself safe and healthy.” And from those who have already gotten the coveted medicine, a side effect worth having is peace of mind.
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The van was loaded up and the good luck signs were out as the Northville girls swim made the trip to Hudsonville for the Division 1 finals. Photo by Jodie Roden
‘They Did A Great Job’
Coach watches from home as girls swim team matches ‘78 squad By Brad Emons | Photos by Katya Zhavoronkova
I
n what turned out to be a topsy-turvy season, perhaps it was well worth the wait for the 2020 Northville girls swim team. The state-mandated pause due to concerns regarding the novel coronavirus put the Michigan High School Athletic Association season on hold on Nov. 18 and into the 2021 calendar year. But when the Mustangs finally got clearance to hit the water again for their final and most important meet of the season – the Division 1 championships held Jan. 15-16 at Hudsonville – they performed. Coach Brian McNeff’s squad earned the school’s best finish in over 42 years when they equaled the third-place showing of the 1978 Class A squad. Ironically, McNeff missed the meet when he had to quarantine after his 6-year-old son came
16 The ‘Ville
Northville sophomore Emily Roden figured in four All-State (top eight) performances including a fourth in the 100-yard butterfly at the Division 1 finals.
down with mild COVID-19 symptoms the previous week. It forced the Northville coach to watch the meet via an MHSAA livestream feed from his home. His assistant coaches included Rich Bennetts, who is the Northville boys varsity coach, and Shelby Mroz, both of whom filled in admirably. “I was just as nervous
watching it online as if I was there,” McNeff said. “They did a great job.” From a distance, McNeff was pleased that Northville scored 164 points with only state champion Ann Arbor Pioneer (368 points) and three-time defending champion Farmington Hills Mercy (184 points) scoring better.
It was the Mustangs’ seventh straight top 10 finish under McNeff. “We were (ranked) third going in,” the Northville coach said. “After scoring it all out there were a couple of points that were separating about three teams between second and fourth, so we were right in the mix with all that. Basically, we passed one team and one team passed us, so we stayed in the middle. Our goal was second and that would have been great to be second, but I’m happy with third. After looking at the results, it would have been tough to get second, but I’m happy with where we are and where we finished.” The Mustangs boasted three individual All-State (top eight) performers. They were led by sophomore Emily Roden, who placed third in the 200-yard freestyle (1:52.67) and fourth in the 100 butterfly (56.67). Junior Laurel Wasiniak contributed a sixth in the 100 freestyle (51.97), while sophomore Julia Tuinman tied for eighth in the 200 freestyle (1:54.59). Northville’s best result was recorded in the 400 freestyle relay as the team of Roden,
was sure will there. And I think pretty much everyone posted their best time. It was pretty cool to see that.” The Mustangs’ 200 medley relay quarter of senior Malayna Mancinelli, junior Emily Lowman, Roden and Wasiniak added a fourth (1:46.65) to also earn All-State honors. Other individual point producers (top 16) included Tuinman, 9th, 500 freestyle (5:10.92); Lowman, 10th, 100 breaststroke (1:06.03); Mancinelli, 15th, 100 backstroke (59.52); 16th, 200 individual medley (2:15.69). The 200 freestyle relay team of Lowman, senior Charlotte Green, Taylor and Tuinman placed 14th Northville varsity girls swim coach Brian McNeff watched the (1:39.39). Division 1 finals via livestream after his son tested positive for Other the coronavirus. individual state finals qualifiers included pumped, they were ready to go sophomore Katie Swallow, and they wanted to win it.” 18th, 100 butterfly (1:00.36); McNeff felt a little helpless junior Lauren Bailey, 19th, 100 watching from a distance, butterfly (1:00.44); sophomore but was pleased with how his Layney Barritt, 19th, 500 team performed in the final, freestyle (5:24.14); Taylor, especially in the meet’s final 20th, 100 freestyle (54.04); event. and Lowman, 50 freestyle, 21st “From what I hear they were (25.10). really pumped up,” he said of “At the state meet we had the 400 freestyle relay. “They some girls drop times, the girls said they wanted to win and were right at their best times,” they got second place. That kind McNeff said. “So, at that point of vaulted us to get into third and at the end of the season place. Just watching them and they may have not been in the seeing them do as well as they best shape, but they were in did, to see them get third place good enough shape where their was pretty fun. You could see it freshman Ocean Taylor, Tuinman and Wasiniak posted a runner-up finish with their top time of the season in 3:31.28. “Going into the breaststroke we were in fourth place by 14 or 15 points,” McNeff said. “And we were going to need a strong finish from our breaststrokers. And then the 4 by 100 (freestyle) relay, too. Our breaststrokers did great and got us a little closer, and going into the 400 relay they were
mind takes over and they were going to go fast no matter what and they did.” Prior to the delayed restart, Northville’s Emily Lowman placed 10th in the 100-yard Northville breaststroke at the Division 1 finals Jan. 16 in Hudsonville. repeated as “Some coaches were able to give Kensington Lakes Activities their club swimmers 45-minute Association champions on Nov. workouts here and there. But all 7 at Novi with 946 points. The of it was very limited. It wasn’t Mustangs also won the KLAA normal. It wasn’t like they could West with an 8-0 dual meet run a whole practice with that record and finished 9-1. and go every day. They were On Dec. 21-22, Northville was definitely in the water, but it allowed back in the pool, but still wasn’t what we would want. full-time practices didn’t start It was better than nothing, but again until Jan. 4, just 11 days not the best.” prior to the state finals. But remarkably, Northville The last official practice was didn’t miss a beat despite the on Nov. 17 during a team time time off. trial. All told, the layoff totaled “I couldn’t be happier and 48 days. more proud of this group of “None of the club teams were girls and everything they went allowed to practice either, so through. To accomplish every a lot of girls went to Lifetime thing they did was amazing,” (Fitness) to swim on their own McNeff said. for a little bit,” McNeff said.
The Northville girls swim team posted their best state meet finish since 1978 placing third in the Division 1 finals Jan. 15-16 in Hudsonville. Photo by Jodie Roden
The ‘Ville 17
Where Character Counts
GREENHILLS SCHOOL OFFERS STUDENTS ONE-OF-A-KIND EDUCATION By attending Greenhills School in Ann Arbor, inquisitive kids can be transformed into young adults who are ready to take on the world. Greenhills School, an independent college preparatory school for students in grades 6-12, offers individualized learning and an environment where those who want to become “the best versions of themselves” is nurtured and encouraged.
are. Such a holistic educational approach is why parents should consider enrolling their child at Greenhills School. “Teachers are helping professionals, and we pay close attention to the environment in which they teach and the resources available to them,” said Peter Fayroian, head of school. “Great public schools have great public school teachers and they are magical. There is no magic, however, to the simple fact that a teacher can serve each student best when that student is one of fifty they’re teaching rather than one of a hundred.” Make no mistake, though. Six years at Greenhills School isn’t merely about excellent grades. Yes, it is a college preparatory school. But the mission statement states that its overall purpose is to help young people “realize their full intellectual, ethical, artistic and athletic potential” and have an array of experiences that can lead to success in college and beyond.
Fayroian adds that Greenhills teachers often describe their students as those who roll up their sleeves and “own” what they learn.
Students, therefore, “are used to being in a peer group where everyone is prepared and engages. You can’t hide, or coast, or be passive in a classroom of 15 students, and One key reason why that we know that the ability to happens is an engaged faculty collaborate is one of the skills that treats every student as that serves young people well the unique, potentially talented in college and professionally.” and empathetic person they Greenhills students also are expected to be “curious, creative and responsible citizens who respect all individuals and their differences, and whose meaningful and balanced lives will better the world,” the mission statement continues. The application process is multi-faceted, and not simply a matter of providing transcripts for review. High character is a 850 Greenhills Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 | greenhillsschool.org must-have trait.
“We look at the entire profile of a young person during the application process,” Fayroian details. “Teacher recommendations and the interview process are at least as important as the grades they received or test scores. A bright but bored student might just dial in mediocre grades but will catch fire at Greenhills. “On the other hand, a student with straight A’s might not be a good fit for us if they are not willing to embrace the entirety of our program, our commitment to academics, of course, but also the arts, athletics, diversity, equity and social justice. Character is as important as cognitive assets.” The track record for achievement is endless. The school’s website sums it up this way: “bringing out brilliance in every single student since 1968.”
For more information about Greenhills School, visit www. greenhillsschool.org or call (734) 769-4010. Greenhills is located at 850 Greenhills Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.
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he runner-up for an unpaid seat on the Northville Schools Board of Education has filed a lawsuit against the Wayne County Board of Canvassers and the current seat holder to get one more shot at the job. Kimberly Campbell-Voytal filed suit Jan. 11 against the election authority and Northville Board of Education Trustee James Mazurek. The suit is asking for a second drawing in the election, and the seat if Campbell-Voytal is the winner of that drawing. “I am totally motivated to make the board of canvassers do their job and apply the law,” she said. “They didn’t do that. They left it open and there’s unfinished business yet to do.” The suit is just the newest twist in one of the strangest election controversies in memory. The drama surrounding the race dates all the way back to election day itself when, after initial counts, just one vote separated Mazurek from Campbell-Voytal for the last of four positions on the board. After the mail-in ballots had been counted, the two candidates were actually tied. At that point, the Wayne County Board of Canvassers met to hold a drawing for the position. Two pieces of paper were put into a box, one said “elected,” the other, “unelected.” Mazurek won the drawing. The Wayne County election authority oversaw the resolution of the issue as most of the votes from the three counties and six communities where votes were cast in the race came from there. Campbell-Voytal immediately petitioned the county for a recount.
20 The ‘Ville
It’s Not Over Yet Campbell-Voytal files suit in quest to win elusive school board seat By Alex Lundberg Recounts can be conducted at a candidate’s wish provided they pay a per-precinct fee, the amount of which is generated by the amount of difference between the winning and losing candidates’ vote totals. Since the difference was officially zero, Campbell-Voytal paid the per-precinct minimum, $25 each. She spent $975. Each candidate gained five votes in the recount, and a tie was declared. The board of canvassers, breaking along party lines, disagreed on whether to hold a new drawing and also on whether or not to certify the old drawing. Mazurek, who has been sworn into the position and has been working on the board, said he’s not sure about what laws he supposedly broke. In any case, he said he would probably have to get an attorney eventually. “Being personally sued is not something I anticipated on running for office,” Mazurek said. “It’s going to cost the district, too. Whenever
someone files a suit, the district’s attorneys have to look at it, and people don’t do things for free.” In the meantime, Mazurek said he is already attending board meetings and subcommittee meetings—the regular grind for a member of a school board. All drama aside, he said the business of the district is still the business of the district. “In the end this is about the kids, about education,” Mazurek said. “We have to work to get these kids back in school, or if we can’t do that we need to get them the education they deserve.” He also said he isn’t certain why Campbell-Voytal is pursuing a part-time, unpaid position with the fervor she’s shown. He said he suspects that someone, somewhere thinks this is an issue worth making. Maybe, he said, for the sake of headlines alone. “This is speculation, but she might be doing this for
publicity,” he said. “Maybe she’s using this as a way to make a name for herself.” Campbell-Voytal said she and Mazurek are just neighbors trying to help their community and there has been no bitterness between the two of them. She said the experience has been educational for her. “As a lot of us learned in this election, the board of canvassers has a profound role in the outcome of elections,” she said. “They need to take the courageous step and decide this race.” Northville Township Clerk Roger Lundberg said the board of education was obligated by law to determine the winner of the race by Jan. 1, 2021 and Mazurek was the candidate with certification from the county. He thinks the real story is about how election workers sorted out the first real tie in more than 10 years. “There were 63,000 votes cast in this school election. There were 39 ballot boxes,” Lundberg said. “We had to recount all of those by hand. I think that says a lot about the integrity of the election.” Northville Schools Supt. Mary Kay Gallagher said even though the district wasn’t named in the suit its general counsel has said the district had no business in it anyway. “It’s not in our purview to dispute the authenticity of an election,” Gallagher said. “We got a certification of election (for Mazurek) from Wayne County, the same as every other winning candidate. We are a neutral party.” The case will be decided in Wayne County Circuit Court. As of press time, no court date had been set for the case.
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es Holland delivers th m a J e ma Michele Fecht | Photos by Bryan s il an Story by Mitche d plenty of kindnes ll
F
or more than a quarter of a century, James Holland has trekked downtown Northville’s Route 12 delivering mail to more than 400 customers — or 433 “potential deliveries” in postal speak. With his signature beard and ponytail — and lack of a jacket on Michigan’s harshest winter days (we’ll address that later) — Holland is hard to miss. Nevertheless, it is more than the distinctive facial hair that has made him a fixture in the community. Talk to the business and home owners on his route — or anyone who has crossed his path — and they will tell you that it is Holland’s congenial, kind, engaging personality that have endeared
24 The ‘Ville
them to this jolly postman. The anchor of Holland’s route is the central business district, where his familiar “mail call” shout-out lets business owners know he’s arrived with their delivery and / or to collect mail. Alicia Racine, owner and creative director of Adorn and co-owner of Sugar Lu’s candy shop and the upcoming Toria bistro, has known Holland since the 1990s when he delivered mail to her Cabbagetown residence. “We were instantly friends as his warmth and happiness was instantly contagious,” Racine notes. “We had a shared love for live music that we bonded over through the years and still do.
“These days we’re lucky to have him on our route at our businesses on Main Street. Every day he still carries that same joyful disposition. He’s a Northville staple through and through,” she says. “A townie character we couldn’t imagine Northville without.” The homes on Holland’s route have wall-mounted mailboxes or front door mail slots making for easy connections with residents – both young and old alike – particularly in the warm weather months when many “townies” take up residence on their front porches. “James makes mail delivery a fun event,” explains Megan Johnson, whose former Bealtown home was once on Holland’s route. “He always has a smile and is happy to chat with kids and adults alike.” In fact, Johnson’s older son Tommy decided two years ago he wanted to dress up as a mail carrier for Halloween. “James in particular was an obvious choice,” Johnson notes, adding
that little brother Luke dressed as a piece of mail. Yes, imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Tommy’s grandmother, Sue Campbell, whose home is also on Holland’s route, was head designer and seamstress for Tommy’s costume. It was a fitting tribute to Holland whom she describes as “one of the most genuine people you will ever run across. “You can tell he really cares about being good at his job and about the people on his route. He always makes time for a chat or a laugh,” Campbell says. “When you talk to James, you know he is listening to you like you’re the only person in the room. If he ever has a bad day at work, you’d never know it. He’s always cheerful.” Holland’s kindness and devotion to his work earned him a certificate of recognition last July from the Wayne County Commission. It noted that Holland “has gone out of his way to deliver mail and packages directly to
Northville brothers Tommy and Luke dressed up as James Holland and a piece of mail for Halloween. Photo courtesy of Megan Johnson
people’s doors, and he always offers kind words and greetings to everyone he comes across. James’ exceptional work has not gone unnoticed by those he serves in our community.” The enthusiasm Holland has for his job is genuine. Since his first day with U.S. Postal Service on December 24, 1993 — a trial-by-fire start date for sure — Holland has embraced his work. He detoured to the postal service after attending Oakland Community College and working other jobs. His first post in Northville was as a clerk, but he says he was itching for a route. When a carrier spot opened Holland jumped at the opportunity. The rest is history.
UNDER SIEGE
The U.S. Postal Service has been sorely tested this past year between the pandemic, a record-breaking volume of absentee and mail-in ballots in November, and more than a billion packages delivered during the 2020 holiday season. According to the U.S. Postal Service, “shippers across the board were challenged with airlifts and trucking capacity for moving historic volumes, causing temporary pockets of delays. This epic volume was also amplified by employee availability challenges and necessary COVID-19 policies designed to keep our employees and our communities safe.” Holland says he “wishes more people knew about the U.S. Postal Service and the amount of human effort it takes to get things to the proper destination.” He explains that proficiency on a route means memorizing the names and addresses in delivery sequence for everyone on the route. Yes, this is how things are delivered to customers even when the address is wrong. Carriers spend the first two hours of the morning taking mail that isn’t sorted by machines and putting it in sequential order. Holland has calculated that over the course of his carrier career in Northville he has walked
60,000 miles . . . that is more than twice around the Earth if you figure that the circumference of our planet is roughly 25,000 miles. Actually, he can tack on additional miles if you calculate his favorite vacationing pastime . . . hiking! He takes a month each year to hike, often heading to the Upper Peninsula.
A UNIQUE LENS
Postal carriers have a unique lens in which to view the life of a community. In his 27 years on the same route (with some modifications) Holland has witnessed three decades — and several generations — of transformation. He’s watched babies grow up, delivered needed medications to the sick, watched high school students await college acceptances (the thick envelope, please), delivered wedding invitations, holiday, birthday and sympathy cards, IRS notices, and care packages. He even delivered a coconut. No box; just an address label and the correct postage. He has connected with his customers who now seem more like family, and has made many close Northville friends. You can catch him at downtown restaurants, and on Thursday nights at the Northville Winery and Brewing Company for Grateful Dead Night. Rob and Carina Nelson, owners of Northville Winery and Brewing Company and Parmenter’s Cider Mill first met James when he delivered mail to their business. Though they are no longer on his route, the friendship is stronger than ever. “Words alone cannot express our gratitude for James,” note the Nelsons. “He is a fixture in
Northville’s community and a man who goes above and beyond at all times. James has the kindest soul and genuinely cares about all people. We miss him delivering our mail, but look forward to seeing him when he shows up after a long days work to listen to music, enjoy a pint and spread his love.” Holland refers to himself on social media as the “Magic Hippie Mailman” and is a longtime fan of the Grateful Dead. “I’ve been a Deadhead most of my adult life,” Holland quips. “I got on that bus in ‘84.” He is also an amateur magician, book collector, father of two sons (Josh and Noah), and lives in a 1916 house in Howell with his girlfriend Catherine Johnson and his seven-year-old border collie-black lab rescue, Merlyn. As for the jacket or lack thereof . . . Constantly in motion, Holland says he is “highly weather resistant.” Though you may catch him in a sweater on bitter, windy days, he explains that he is “in and out of buildings for a big portion of my route so I build up a good amount of steam that I carry with me.” Indeed. A good amount of steam coupled with a mailbag... and a heap of kindness.
The ‘Ville 25
FROM THE TOWNSHIP
A Fresh Start
New Board has an ambitious agenda for 2021 By Mark J. Abbo
Content is sponsored by Northville Township
The year 2021 presents an opportunity to start fresh in Northville Township. Our Board of Trustees (BoT) and Township staff are excited for what is on the horizon. You should be, too. We got off to a quick start. Our BoT was sworn in Nov 20. In less than a month, we removed the 1% property tax administration fee that was added to your property tax bill and used to offset costs related to assessing property values, collecting the tax and the review and appeal process. That provides immediate savings of $750,000 overall to Township taxpayers. Individually, that would save in excess Members of the Northville Township Board of Trustees are (from left) Scott Frush, Cyndy Jankowski, Clerk of $50 per household in Northville Roger Lundberg,Supervisor Mark J. Abbo, Chris Roosen, Mindy Herrmann, and Treasurer Jason Rhines. Township. And it will happen without reducing services to residents. In fact, we are working to find other ways added a grace period after the due date, Arbor Hills Landfill, located in Salem to enhance services. This repeal is which gives residents at least five extra Township in Washtenaw County. We important because you told us it was days that we accept payment without have experienced ongoing odors from it important. And we want you to know adding penalty. since December 2015. We have already we’re listening. This new policy takes effect with the met with the new owners of the landfill The repeal comes at an opportune first water billing cycle of 2021, which and will continue to safeguard the rights time. The COVID-19 pandemic has is due March 3. Instead of incurring of Township residents. impacted so many, some more than penalties beginning at 4:30 p.m., bills Another priority is our master plan to others. We recognize that every dollar paid before March 8 will avoid penalty. see how we can maximize use of Legacy is important. Respecting that, we pride We introduced this grace period after Park on Seven Mile Road to get more ourselves on being fiscally responsible hearing several residents report trouble enjoyment from it. And we will also be and prudent with every dollar. mailing their payment through the U.S. exploring ways to expand the Township’s This repeal provides an opportunity Postal Service. Mail delays were one of pathway systems. to identify additional savings in our the unexpected impacts of the pandemic. Northville Township is a terrific general fund budget as we continue to We all experienced this in one form or community. Residents have access to deliver exceptional public services that another, so it was an easy decision to excellent schools, library, public safety, Township residents expect. We take take this action. shopping and our top-notch parks. We pride in being good stewards of taxpayer It’s important to recognize the impact know that because we’ve raised families money. of the pandemic. COVID-19 forever here. And we know we can do better. New Grace Period Added transformed us. It has taught us more Clearly, we are listening. Another example of this unfolds in patience, more flexibility and more our second action. We amended our late compassion, too. Mark J. Abbo is Supervisor of Northville fee policy on water and sewer bills. We We also continue to monitor the Township.
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422 East Main Street, Northville, MI 48167
A native of Strongsville, Ohio, but a resident of Northville the past six years, Dylan Duke is one of the NTDP’s top point producers this season.
By Brad Emons
Two-Way Player
Gritty U-M commit Dylan Duke on the NHL radar Photos by Rena Laverty/USA Hockey
W
His father Steve played hen Dylan Duke and hockey at Western Michigan his family moved six University with minor league years ago from Ohio stints in both the American and to Northville, hockey was the East Coast hockey leagues. common thread. It might not Meanwhile, his younger have been solely the master brother Tyler, plan, but it a Notre Dame turned out commit, also to be pretty wears the close. Team USA Dylan is colors as a one of the member of Under-18 the NTDP’s U.S. National U17 squad, Team which is Development housed and Program’s plays their leading home games scorers, a just a stone’s deadly 5-footthrow away at 10, 181-pound Northville’s Dylan Duke is in his second USA Hockey left-handed hockey season with the U.S. National Arena in sharpshooter Team Development Program, which skates out of USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth. who has Plymouth. A native of signed a Strongsville, Ohio, Dylan, along National Letter of Intent with with his brother, got connected Michigan and is high on many with the Compuware youth NHL Draft boards.
28 The ‘Ville
program, which also shares USA Hockey Arena with the two USA Hockey National Team Development Programs. Dylan originally started with Belle Tire in 2016-17 before moving to Compuware’s U16 team. Both attend Northville High School and have made a smooth transition along with their father, mother Sharon and older sister Alyssa to the area, which they now call home. “Honestly, the two cities are pretty similar,” Duke said. “Obviously Northville and Strongsville both end in ‘ville.’ Back in Strongsville, my school were the Strongsville Mustangs and then here in Northville it’s the Northville Mustangs, so it’s pretty cool. A little change of scenery, but it’s been awesome to come here to Northville, and Strongsville is a great city. We still have a lot of friends and family that live there. And we really enjoy going back and
visiting friends and family, and old memories.”
A GOOD START
Through the first 25 games of an adjusted NDTP schedule primarily against NCAA Division I and Division III collegiate teams, along with teams from the US Hockey League, Duke has been able to thrive with 17 goals and 14 assists through the first 25 games as the U18 squad posted a 20-5 record. That came on the heels of a 52-game U17 season in 201920 where he finished with 29 goals and 19 assists. (Six of those games were with the U18 squad where he had one assist.) “With everything going on in the world, it’s obviously a different season than it would be,” Duke said of the novel coronavirus pandemic. “But our team and our coaching staff, and the whole staff at NTDP
He’s a guy who is contributing a lot offensively, he’s a guy who plays on key defensive situations and on the power play, he’s on the penalty kill. He’s a forward who can play all three positions. You can put him out in the middle to take face-offs. He’s been a guy who has been a real driver for us off the ice. Extremely hard worker. He pushes other guys in practice and brings energy on the ice. He’s done a little bit of everything for us.” Dan Muse, Head Coach, Under-18 U.S. National Team Development Program
has done everything they can to keep us going and give us a season. They’ve really done a great job with that. “The team has progressed a lot through the past month since we got here this year. And we’re playing really good hockey right now. We’re playing the right way, so we just want to keep building off that and keep getting better every day as a team.” Duke was on the radar of
in 19 games after tallying 24 goals and 23 assists in 20 games the previous season for Compuware’s Major AAA team. His job is to be a two-way player and contribute both offensively and defensively. And he’s also not adverse to sticking his nose in-and-around the net and score the much needed “dirty” goals. “It’s just always been my role to be a two-way player and help my team win every game,” he
Dylan Duke’s younger brother Tyler currently plays for the NTDP U17 team and wore the Team USA colors in last year’s World Junior Olympics in Lausanne, Switzerland. Photo courtesy of Sharon Duke
On some 2021 NHL draft boards, Duke could go as high as the second round. “I just want to keep getting better every day and put myself in a good position to be drafted by an NHL team,” Duke said. “Obviously, I think it’s a dream of every hockey player and definitely a big dream of mine. It’s something that I definitely look forward to, but right now I’m really focused on my team and winning, and hopefully winning at gold medal end of the year at the U18 Junior Worlds.”
OFF TO ANN ARBOR Northville’s Dylan Duke (56) played the 2019-20 season with the NTDP’s U17 squad.
junior team scouts for quite some time. He has been a part of four state championships, two Silver Stick titles, two High Performance Hockey League crowns and one national championship. In 2018-19 he was Compuware’s AAA captain scoring 12 goals and 11 assists
said. “That’s definitely a really big part of my game is going to the hard areas and going in front of the net. That’s kind of where I spend most of my time when we’re in the offensive zone is going in front of the net. It’s pretty fun, to get to bang in some rebounds, get those deflections and score goals.”
Following his two-year stint with the NTDP, Duke will head to Ann Arbor. He signed with the Wolverines where he plans to major in Sports Management through the School of Kinesiology. “I really built a good relationship with the coaching staff there and obviously the academics, and the hockey program has a ton of history and a history of winning national
championships, and developing players to play at the next level,” Duke said. “So, I think with the coaching staff and with everything that Michigan has to offer it was a pretty easy decision for me especially after living in Northville and Northville not too far away for six years or so and just being around here . . . it was pretty easy. I wanted to stay here and I really enjoy it here.” Growing up, Duke played lacrosse and baseball, but hockey was always his number one sport and the Pittsburgh Penguins’ perennial All-Star Sidney Crosby remains his hockey hero. “He’s such a great player to watch,” Duke said. “You hear about his leadership skills and his leadership qualities, and then you see that translate to how much success he’s had on the ice and how much success his team has had. It’s just someone I’ve always looked up
Dylan continued on page 30
The ‘Ville 29
Dylan continued from page 29
to. He’s so fun to watch.” Like Crosby, Duke is like a Swiss Army Knife and serves the U18 NTDP team in a variety of roles, according to head coach Dan Muse. “He’s a guy who is contributing a lot offensively, he’s a guy who plays on key defensive situations and on the power play, he’s on the penalty kill,” Muse said. “He’s a forward who can play all three positions. You can put him out in the middle to take face-offs. He’s been a guy who has been a real driver for us off the ice. Extremely hard worker. He pushes other guys in practice and brings energy on the ice. He’s done a little bit of everything for us. He’s played in all situations and has been extremely effective in all situations for us.” Dylan’s verbal skills and personality have also been a plus for the U18 players and coaches, too.
“He talks all the time on the ice, he sets a good example in terms of trying to maximize everything he does while he’s out there,” Muse said. “He’s also a guy who has fun off the ice who always has a smile on his face. He’s still relatively young, but he has a way of balancing the two when it’s the right time to joke around and have fun. But he also knows when to turn it on and have that businesslike approach. When it’s time to work he gets to work.”
SIBLING RIVALRY
After the 2019-20 season was shut down in mid-March, Dylan and Tyler spent their down time at their family summer home off the water in Marblehead, Ohio (near Cedar Point and 80 minutes from Strongsville). The brothers revved up their boat and took up a brand-new hobby. “We actually ended up becoming pretty good fisherman,” Dylan said. “For quarantine we’d go out early in the morning. We went walleye
Tyler Duke (left) and brother Dylan have played a handful of games together on the National Team Development Program out of Plymouth.
30 The ‘Ville
The National Team Development Program’s U18 player Dylan Duke (25) is known as a two-way performer.
fishing, so we kind of taught ourselves, looked up YouTube videos and stuff like that. We ended up catching a lot of walleye and we would bring them home and have them for a little Sunday cookout at the end of every week during quarantine.” Whether its fishing or any other sport, Dylan and Tyler have developed a sibling rivalry. And sometimes they take things a little too far and get on each other’s nerves. “Very competitive,” Dylan said. “We’ve gotten into multiple fights over mini sticks. We’d have a pond in our backyard. We play one-on-one, play one-on-one basketball. We try so hard to win and normally it ends up with a little fight at the end. But we always calm down and we’re really close in the end. “He’s definitely the better fisherman and I think I’m better at basketball or football . . . I think I got him in that stuff, but especially basketball. My big thing is basketball and his big thing is fishing.” The Duke family is tightknit to say the least. Steve
and Sharon Duke have made the necessary sacrifices to enhance their sons’ hockey careers, which is now under the guardianship of the NDTP coaching staff. “He (Steve) kind of lets us do our own thing now, but he always coached us growing up, so he’s a big factor in our hockey careers,” Dylan said, “always teaching us little things and giving us little tips after games. Now he just lets us do our own thing and lets our coaches handle it. If he has a suggestion, he’ll let us know. That’s definitely pretty cool to have a father who has played at a high level.” Dylan still remembers the sage advice his father would give he and his brother in the car prior to lacing up their skates and taking the ice. “When Tyler and I were on the same team, he’d tell us, and just the only thing he’d say before the game, was ‘be the hardest worker on the ice,’” Dylan recalled. “And then the other thing he’d say to us growing up before or after games was, ‘Assists are better than goals.’”
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The NCSF hopes to provide funding to help Northville build a Riverwalk along the Rouge River.
Downtown Northville’s Heat in the Street is the first project to get funding from the NCSF. Photo by Bryan Mitchell
Lending A Hand New Community Support Fund will bring local projects to life By Maria Taylor
H
eat in the Street burst onto the Northville social scene in November, transforming the downtown into Metro Detroit’s very own version of a European winter market — complete with dozens of heat lamps, food stands, and heated open-air “pods” for visitors to warm up and enjoy tasty eats from local restaurants. That all came at a price tag of a quarter million dollars. Some of the credit for making it possible goes to a newly-launched Northville nonprofit — the Northville Community Support Fund (NCSF). Harnessing the power of community connections and its 501(c)3 status, the newly minted nonprofit set up a GoFundMe for Heat in the Street, supporting the project as a financial conduit to allow for tax-deductible contributions. “These businesses have been
32 The ‘Ville
hand. And it didn’t hurt that the hit so hard by the COVID-19 popular DDA-run project gave global health pandemic that … NCSF some great publicity. something had to be done,” said For the fledgling group, Heat Brandon Grysko, a member in the Street is just the jumpingof the NCSF board. “Quite off place. frankly, it’s the good restaurants “We believe we’re setting it downtown that really draw in a up for the long lot of people — term,” said who, when they Northville come in, are The mission of the new Mayor Brian going to spend Northville Community Support Turnbull. “This money at the Fund is to offer financial support fund should shops. So it to local projects. Do you know of be here for becomes really any projects that you would like generations.” important to see the NCSF support? Please Turnbull, to make email your suggestions to Editor who had a sure these Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@ big hand in restaurants thevillemagazine.com. pulling the are able to group together, continue to got the idea while talking to offer their services as much as Northvillians when he was possible. It benefits the entire running for office. downtown.” “The whole concept came out The NCSF hadn’t exactly of me talking to business folks,” been planning to launch with he explained. “I sent a letter Heat in the Street. But the out a year ago to 397 Chamber timing was perfect to lend a
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
(of Commerce) members, and I met face-to-face with 152 of them before COVID. I talked to a lot of different citizens and had about 40 meetings. A lot of them wanted to know how they could give back.” GRASSROOTS EFFORT Grysko is an attorney at Fausone Bohn. His firm set up the nonprofit. While Northville does have a Northville Community Foundation, the new organization is different in that it plans direct support to community- and businessfocused projects. “It’s really a grassroots nonprofit, that started from this idea that everybody wants to help,” he said. “And there just wasn’t a defined organization to funnel the funds out into whatever initiatives the community is willing to support.” It took about nine months to get NCSF’s financials set up. The new group is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, meaning donations are tax deductible. It’s a pretty simple concept. There’s a nine-member board of directors. Individuals, businesses, and foundations donate to the fund. Then people
or groups can bring projects to the board for funding, make their case, and get a check. The concept, Turnbull said, is to help launch cool community initiatives in Northville and Northville Township that need seed money to get underway. “Different activities — we probably can’t pay for programs — but enough seed money to get things going,” Turnbull explained. What makes the fund unique is that all the money raised will go straight back into the community. “We are trying to raise as much money and give away as much money as we can,” said Turnbull. “It’s not an endowment, where you work off the interest, or about building up a storehouse of financials. It’s about continually building
up and giving away.” While Turnbull himself is not on the board, NCSF bylaws give the mayor of Northville an advisory role. Turnbull has his eye on funding three mayoral task forces, each with a specific mission — transforming Ford Field into a central park, creating a river walk through the Downs, and ensuring a vibrant future for the farmers market — plus the city’s Sustainability Team, which works to ensure Northville’s environmental, social, and economic resilience long-term. Startup money will help make sure these projects don’t get shelved due to lack of funding before the city decides to pull the trigger on the big investment. “These projects we’re talking about, each and every one
One of the projects being eyed by the NCSF is making Ford Field more of a central park. Photo by Fred Shadko
of them is in the millions of dollars and needs seed money to get things going,” Turnbull explained. “Then eventually, it gets on the city docket and our financials long term. Sometimes you just need a little push to get to that level.” Robert Holshouser, a trustee on the NCSF board, said they will be a kind of launching pad to help projects get off the ground. “We’re not intending to take on large projects that can be can and should be funded
through other means, but rather to enable those large projects, whether it’s providing seed money for studies, or whether it’s providing funds for items that might fall through the cracks,” he said. PITCH A PROJECT NCSF also plans to fund smaller projects. Anyone with a Northville-related project can pitch their ideas, be it the city,
Support continued on page 34
IMAGINE
WHAT WE CAN DO! • Create a beautiful City Riverwalk • Transform and energize Ford Field • Support the future of Farmers’ Market • Help our local businesses grow • Expand our green spaces
BE PART OF NORTHVILLE’S FUTURE
Visit us online and DONATE TODAY: northvillecommunitysupportfund.com
HAVE QUESTIONS OR WANT TO GET INVOLVED? Contact Brian Turnbull: 248-505-6849 brianpturnbull@gmail.com
Support continued from page 33
took on and was funded. But getting the brackets and the poles that hold those banners the DDA, or members of the was something that was beyond community. their scope,” Holshouser said. At its monthly meetings, “So it’s looking for items like the board will hear and rank that, that would fall through the proposals, likely based on the cracks — like you can’t a rubric, and determine the hang a banner if you don’t have financial resources available something to to support hang it from.” them. Per the Down NCSF website, We are trying to raise the road, if funds are Turnbull not available as much money and hopes for specific give away as much NCSF can proposals, the group will money as we can. It's work on the celebration of work to raise not an endowment, Northville’s additional where you work bicentennial, funding to coming up accommodate off the interest, or in 2027. Sue qualified about building up Baldwin, programs in a farmers need. a storehouse of market task Turnbull financials. It's about force member hopes there continually building up and NCSF will eventually trustee, be “hundreds and giving away. is looking of thousands forward to the of dollars” in bicentennial the fund and Mayor Bryan Turnbull and anticipates celebrating award amounts everything the Northville that could be several thousand community stands for. dollars, depending on the scope “Mayor Turnbull and the of the project. council really have a vision for “What we would be looking what Northville needs to be, for would be for things that and it’s just exciting to be part support the community, of a team that is really looking support the merchants, support at supporting what that vision the health and welfare of the looks like,” she said. “It was just citizens of the community,” really inspiring, during this past Holshouser said. “Basically, to year, to see how the community improve the quality of life and really said, ‘Okay, we got this, make Northville a magnet, not we’re strong, we are going just for residents but for visitors to do what we can and move as well.” forward.’ And that’s the kind of One example of a smaller community that we all want to project might be something be a part of.” like the banners that are hung More information about on the light posts in honor and NCSF can be found at memory of Northville veterans. thvillecommunitysupportfund. “Getting the banners printed com. was an initiative that someone
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34 The ‘Ville
422 East Main Street, Northville, MI 48167
HEAT IN THE STREET THANK YOU SPONSORS! The Northville DDA wants to thank the following sponsors for partnering with us to bring the Heat in the Street experience to Downtown Northville. Their contributions helped support the Downtown restaurants and shops during the COVID -19 shutdown. The DDA is grateful for the many donors and participants who made this initiative a reality. GOLD SPONSORS The CFO Group, Inc. Incite Analytics John Goodman Real Estate Sigma Investment Counselors Kerr, Russell, and Weber, PLC OX Studio Up2Go Northville DDA The Northville Gallery Poole’s Tavern
Northville Lumber Company NewTech Wood SILVER SPONSORS Ruoff Home Mortgage Edward Jones – DJ & Andy Boyd BRONZE SPONSORS John Casey Wiegert Wealth Management Mike Miller Building Company
Soul Tracks Kelly & Kelly, P.C. Skyking 310 LLC Shawn Riley & BNI – Michigan Business Leaders Community Financial Credit Union Plante Moran Salvatore Prescott & Porter, PLLC Rotary Club of Northville Margaret Winter Interiors
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Past Tense
Page Toppers
Company letterheads distinguished Northville’s businesses By Michele Fecht
A
merica’s second industrial revolution following the Civil War and into the early 20th century proved to be among Northville’s most prosperous era. A plentiful supply of fresh water and the addition of the Flint & Pere Marquette rail line in 1872 helped spur Northville’s manufacturing growth in the production of school desks, bells, organs, scales, cider, wood pulleys, condensed milk, refrigerators and more. By 1890, Northville was among the largest manufacturing areas in Wayne County. As befitting the stature and global reach of many of Northville’s manufacturers and businesses, company letterheads — the toppers on stationary for correspondence — needed to impress. Letterheads were intended to make a statement and establish a company identity. They often included elaborate engravings featuring a manufacturer’s headquarters or factory — or its products. Billheads for invoicing also would contain similar elaborate designs. These designs would carry over to company trade cards, bank checks, pamphlets, advertising and other printed items. Elaborate engraved letterhead waned over time and today is considered collectible ephemera. Nevertheless, those detailed page toppers provide a glimpse into a company’s history. It is not surprising that some of Northville’s most
36 The ‘Ville
dominant businesses had impressive letterhead. Here are a few examples. Globe Furniture Company. A global leader in the manufacturing of school and church furniture, the Globe was Northville’s most prominent business. Its founder and president Francis R. Beal was also one of the community’s most prominent citizens. The Globe’s letterhead from 1898 features its signature products. Note the Globe offices throughout the country. The upper left hand corner of the letterhead states the engraving and design work was by Calvert Lithography Company of Detroit. Calvert was among the pre-eminent lithographers and engravers in the country. Its six-story headquarters at the corner of Shelby and Larned streets had more than 400 employees and handled design work for National Bank of Detroit, D.M. Ferry & Company (the seed enterprise), the Wayne Country Treasurer’s office and others. American Bell and Foundry Co. Incorporated in 1899 by Frank S. Harmon, the company made church, school, firehouse and courthouse bells that were shipped across the globe. It originated the
Globe Furniture Company letterhead circa 1898
American Bell and Foundry Co. letterhead circa 1907.
Bowlden Bell, considered the highest grade bell in the steel class, and prominently featured in this 1907 letterhead. The company was sold in 1920 and became the Bell Furnace and Manufacturing Company. American Bell and Foundry bells can still be found today. Park House. Located on the southwest corner of Main and Center streets (now the location of the MainCentre building), Park House was the leading hotel in town. Its well-
stocked bar, excellent dining room, café and cigar stand attracted business leaders and visitors alike. Built in 1858 by William Ambler and managed by William and his wife, Ursula, the hotel would be remodeled and upgraded by successive owners. By 1905 (the date of this letterhead) William Ely was proprietor and the hotel offered all the modern amenities . . . bathrooms ranking at the top. The hotel was destroyed by fire in 1929. Park House letterhead circa 1905.
Letterhead from the collection of Michele Fecht
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It’s Your Business L.J. Griffin Funeral Home
Ahead Of Her Time Griffin matriarch a trailblazer in her field
I
t’s safe to say that Geraldine Griffin is a bit of a trailblazer. When she and her husband opened L.J. Griffin Funeral Home in Detroit back in the 1950s, there just weren’t that many women business owners around, much less in the funeral home profession. She recalls the days attending Wayne State University’s School of Mortuary Science, when she was just one of three females in the program – and the other two dropped out. “Back in those days, women were just coming into it. There were only three women in our class Geraldine Griffin when I started at Wayne. Fortunately, I was able to complete the program and get my degree in mortuary science, and I became a licensed funeral director,” said Griffin, from the confines of the L.J. Griffin Northville location on
38 The ‘Ville
Northville Road at Seven Mile. She and her husband Lawrence (known to everyone as Larry) used that degree, along with a loan from their parents, to help build their first L.J. Griffin Funeral Home, which opened in 1954. While they were getting their fledgling business off the ground, Larry held another job to bring in extra money, and Geraldine also did some bookkeeping work to help make ends meet. They worked long hours, sharing the load, not only making the business a success, but also raising four young children. The family lived above the funeral home. “We didn’t sleep much in those days,” she jokes. The couple proved to be a great team, and the business grew. Geraldine became a leader in the field. In the mid-1960s she formed the Women’s Funeral Directors Association, which advocated for women who were licensed in the field. As Detroit began to change, the Griffins decided to move their business to a location on Middlebelt Road in Westland, and then began expanding the business to other locations, including in Canton, Livonia and Brighton. About a decade ago, they
purchased and completely remodeled the former Northrop-Sassaman Funeral Home in Northville. There’s no secret formula to their success. Geraldine said they’ve always had a passion for what they do, which is helping families get through some of the most difficult times dealing with the death of a loved one. “We love the work, and we take care of our families,” she said. “If you give people good service, it’s very likely they will come back to you.” That philosophy has led to L.J. Griffin becoming one of the largest family-owned funeral home outfits in the state. Lawrence passed away seven years ago, and Geraldine, who is now 92, has passed
L.J. Griffin founders Geraldine and Lawrence Griffin.
said their success wouldn’t have been the torch to her sons, David and Larry possible without the work their parents put (both Northville residents), though she in. remained active doing clerical work and “They built a great foundation for this some bookkeeping until recently when her company. We’ve been able to expand like we ophthalmologist declared her legally blind. have because of the foundation they laid for David said they couldn’t have had better us,” he said. role models, and that their parents both Although she is now retired, Geraldine had an incredible way of dealing with still likes to check in people. He said his from time to time. mother, in particular, And she still lives has become a above the family’s surrogate mother/ Address: 19091 Northville Road, Northville, Westland funeral grandmother to so home. many people over the MI 48168 She is thrilled years. Phone: (248) 348-1233 that two of her “My mom is quite grandchildren – extraordinary. First Website: griffinfuneralhome.com Alexandra and of all, she truly is a Sean – are now kind person,” David involved and being groomed to be the said. “The word that comes to mind when I third generation owners of the business. think of my parents is integrity.” She looks back at the company’s humble The Griffins are in the process of building beginnings, and just beams with pride. their sixth funeral home on Beck Road “I’m very proud of my boys, the way in Novi. David expects the project to be they’ve built this business into what it is complete in the next 18 months or so. He
L.J. Griffin Funeral Home, Northrop - Sassaman Chapel
Second generation owners David (left) and Larry with their mother, Geraldine. Photo by Bryan Mitchell
today. And I’m so pleased my grandchildren have taken an interest,” she said. “It amazes me that we started from nothing and built a great business, and were able to raise our family. I just couldn’t be more proud.”
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HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL HOW THEY’RE COPING
Here’s what some students had to say about dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic:
Madelyn Wessner, junior “I think that it is very important for students to just take some time. Lay in bed for a couple hours, read a book, watch a movie. It is so important to separate school, personal life, and the outside world. Allowing them to blend becomes extremely stressful.”
Ava Hagar, junior
Signs of Depression NHS students, faculty combat mental health issues brought on by pandemic
T
o say 2020 was an overwhelming year would be an understatement. Separated for our safety, we’ve all endured challenges on multiple fronts. That is no different for Northville students, especially at the high school level. A lack of social interaction has led to educational, motivational and even emotional concerns. Many faculty members and fellow classmates are working to combat mental health challenges students may face as a result. We spoke to teachers, administrators and our fellow classmates about some of the ways they’re trying keep depression at bay. NHS Principal Tony Koski said the school and district have made the mental health of students a top priority. For example, NHS staff will soon go through training so
40 The ‘Ville
they can identify with signs of depression and suicide. Health classes have incorporated suicide prevention and mental health into the curriculum. In addition to adding a mental health counselor and another social worker to the staff, the school has partnerships with New Hope, Northville Youth Network and others to help with the mental health of students. “One of the biggest things I look at, as a principal, is social, emotional learning. Our focus everyday is on the mental health of kids,” Koski said. He said the administration and counseling staff have attended mental health summits two years in a row, and also Kevin’s Song, a very moving suicide prevention conference. He knows missing events like Homecoming, pep rallies and generally gathering as a student body has definitely impacted student mental health, but he
said the signs are not always evident. “When someone breaks an arm, you can see that. But when it comes to mental health you can’t see exactly see it,” Koski said. The teachers we spoke to are trying their best to build relationships over Zoom with students and provide normal experiences, but it is tough. “I definitely think there’s more burnout. Sitting in front of a screen for extended periods of time can be both mentally and physically exhausting, and I think that’s taken a toll on everyone including teachers, staff, and students,” said language arts teacher Stacy Katikos. She’s noticed some troubling trends regarding student mental health, she said. “I think this was probably something we would have predicted, but it’s definitely
“The biggest obstacle with virtual learning is focusing. In a classroom setting I am much more motivated to do my work and engage, while at home I am easily distracted. I am overcoming this obstacle by setting my phone aside and doing my work in a room with minimal distraction.”
Himari Tamura, junior “My mental health has improved from the pandemic. I was given less responsibilities, with a decrease in schoolwork and sports. I was able to spend more time doing what I like, especially during the lockdown period. With more time on my hands, I built stronger relationships with friends and got to do the things that are usually seen as ‘not important’ -- like finishing TV shows or learning a new instrument.”
Sophie Aheimer, sophomore “It is quite hard relying on a computer to give me knowledge instead of receiving that knowledge from a person or teaching myself. With this way I am not completely sure if I am learning things the correct way or not. This can stem some self doubt. There are also unknowns with virtual learning that would not occur in person such as: what if the wifi crashes, can’t get onto link, etc., which brings some stress, but truthfully not a lot.”
EDITOR'S NOTE: High School Confidential is a collaborative effort by the Stringers Journalism Club made up of Northville
High School students Alyssa Bachert, Tamsin Boyd, Maria Cowden, Maggie Kuban, Chethan Magnan, Navya Meka, Wesley Paradowski, Lauren Sprow and Audrey Zhang
apparent that students are feeling a lot more burnt out as we tackle school in new ways. It’s a brand new lifestyle and we are still figuring out the best approaches to handling the changes to our daily routines,” Katikos said. Katikos said one way she’s been able to deal with the issue is through her curriculum. For example, her class reads the book The Catcher in the Rye, which “offers us some really wonderful chances to look at flawed characters who are struggling with their own health, and then we can talk about how they could do better and what we can learn about caring for ourselves.” Of course, getting students to talk about their own mental health can be a challenge. However, Dianna Shamus, the
schools SEL (Social Emotional Learning) counselor, said she has found most students are fine talking about it. “We are finding that most students are not just open, but very eager, to discuss mental health -- whether individually, in groups, or in the classroom. We are fortunate to have the flexibility to adapt these conversations to individual student comfort level and preference,” she said. Interestingly, many of the students we spoke to have very different and opposing views regarding the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Freshman Alex DeTombeur, for example, said it was tough at the beginning of the year, but he has kind of settled down and it’s no longer as confusing as it was in the beginning.
“Now that I have had time to this new life we are living, I am back to being happy every single day and not be as stressed out day to day,” Alex said. Sophomore Alyssa Calloway finds that “the hardest part is staring at my computer screen for hours on Zoom each day to only do hours of homework after school.” Clubs at NHS have also taken steps to assist the community. One such club is Color My World, which was founded to create “a collaborative environment that works to raise awareness for mental health and prevent teen suicide,” according to its mission statement. “The best way that students can take care of themselves is by establishing a routine and really prioritizing their feelings over
schoolwork right now,” said club member Rishika Neole, a junior. “It is definitely easier said than done, but Color My World members and leadership can help with that. When people are at their best, mentally and physically, we create beautiful things within our community. Especially now, when it’s hard to establish a strong community from behind screens, we need to commit more time to each other by doing something, such as checking in with people you don’t really talk to.” Mental health matters, and the needs of the student body vary from person to person. Reach out to others when possible, and look after yourself socially, mentally, and physically. The challenges of life greatly depend on your health in each section of the trifecta.
GETTING READY FOR
KINDERGARTEN
Northville Public Schools Northville Public Schools consists of six elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school and an early childhood education and extended day program. The district also operates Cooke School, a special education center financed by the Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency and staffed by Northville educators. Northville Schools takes pride in providing a world class education for students and maintains expectations for high achievement with multiple accreditations. Each of our 6 elementary schools are recognized as Leader in Me™ Lighthouse Schools, a significant benchmark that recognizes outstanding results in school and student outcomes.
Complete Online Enrollment Forms Visit northvilleschools.org/enroll and begin the enrollment process by filling out the pre-enrollment forms for your student.
M AN AM ER entary Elem
Schedule Enrollment Appointment Visit northvilleschools.org/enroll and schedule a virtual appointment with the Northville Public Schools Student Data department. Visit northvilleschools.org/enroll to register for the 2021-2022 school year for all grades. Attend Your Schools’ Virtual Parent Orientation Each elementary school will host a virtual Parent Orientation for incoming kindergarten families. Advancing our Tradition of Excellence by Opening a World Possibilities
405 West Main, Northville, MI 48167 | wwww.northvilleschools.org
Pandemic The
Blues
Take proactive measures to keep depression at bay By Reema Beri
W
orking from home. Hybrid school schedules. Zoom holiday gatherings. Endless carry-out. And masks everywhere. The Coronavirus pandemic has taken over and changed just about every aspect of our lives. It’s no surprise, then, that consequences of the pandemic include emotional challenges such as an increase in stress, anxiety, and depression. The CDC reported that depression and anxiety during April through June 2020 was considerably higher than during those same months in 2019. Further, nearly half of all American adults reported either a mental health or substance abuse issue in June of 2020. So, if you’ve noticed some changes in your own mood, you are certainly not alone. Whether it’s feeling overwhelmed by all of the uncertainty, the loneliness of not seeing others, or the stress of managing workingfrom-home and hybrid/virtual school schedules – we’ve all been affected. Here are some actionable steps you can take if you find yourself feeling depressed or down during this time: Get on point with your self-care. The “big three” of selfcare are eating, sleeping, and exercising. Most people underestimate how much of an
42 The ‘Ville
impact these things have on our mood. When I have a client who is feeling down or depressed, one of the first things we work on is getting these three things on point. What specifically your “big three” will look like varies, but some basic guidelines are: Eating – Consume nutritious whole foods as much as possible, eat more protein, and limit processed foods. Sleeping – Aim for 6-8 hours per night, try to be consistent with the time you go to bed and the time you wake up, even on weekends. Exercising – Ideally 30 minutes per day, and anything that gets your heart rate up. Even a brisk walk is great to improve mood. Catch Dr. Reema Beri some rays. Yes, even Michigan has sunlight, so get outside during the daytime hours and get some of it. The combination of light and fresh air will boost your mood. Many Michiganders experience a slump during the wintertime due to a lack of sunlight, which makes it all the more important to take advantage of the daytime hours that are available. Go for a
solo walk and catch up on that audiobook you’ve been meaning to get to, or explore the trails at Maybury with the family. Alternatively, if the Michigan cold is just too much for you, invest in a light therapy lamp that will mimic the sun’s rays and give you that much-needed boost of Vitamin D. Make the people in your life a priority. The isolation of the pandemic has been one the hardest parts for most people to manage. In order to offset feelings of loneliness, take proactive steps to be in touch with the people you are close to but can’t be with in person. This means more facetime calls, Zoom parties, and phone calls. Don’t be afraid to open up with others about how you’re feeling, and even that you’re struggling. Likely, they’ve been feeling the same way and will be relieved you brought it up. Shift your mindset. Most people have spent the past year talking about how much the pandemic has taken away from us. Try instead, to think about what the pandemic has given back to us. I’ve had
clients tell me that they have a new-found appreciation for the important people in their lives, or even other community members who they don’t run into around town like they used to. Others have said they’ve finally tackled the house project they’ve been putting off or invested in the hobby they’ve wanted to do for years, but never had the time. What are 1-2 positive things you can identify? Try to focus in on them, especially when you’re feeling down about the pandemic. Seek out professional help. If what you’re going through is more serious or doesn’t seem to improve even after you’ve tried many of the above suggestions, it may be time to get some additional help. There are many qualified specialists in the area and most therapists are offering virtual appointments, which makes it more convenient than ever before to see someone. Greatlakespsychologygroup. com is a great place to start your search – they can connect you to a professional based on your individual needs. Dr. Reema Beri is a licensed clinical psychologist currently practicing at Great Lakes Psychology Group in Novi. She sees individuals who are struggling with issues of depression, anxiety, grief, relationship difficulties and parenting issues, and general life satisfaction. A 15-year Northville resident, she is the mother to two middle-school children and understands the unique challenges that parents in our community face. Contact her at beripsychology@ gmail.com, or visit www. greatlakespsychologygroup.com.
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Brothers Andrew and Ben Lane.
thEIr Time
Andrew Lane is in the Army National Guard.
By Lonnie Huhman
to SERve
Northville brothers carry on family’s tradition of military service
H
Ben Lane also signed up for the Army National Guard.
44 The ‘Ville
eeding the call to serve their country is a tradition that the Lane family of Northville holds true. Going back to the World War II generation, various family members have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Now the tradition is alive and well with recent Northville High School graduate Andrew Lane and his younger brother, Benjamin, a current NHS senior. For Andrew, enlisting wasn’t the original plan, but that changed before graduation. In response to the COVID crisis, he changed his post high school plans from attending Olivet College and swimming there to joining the Army National Guard so he could become a combat medic. In turn, within a few days, his brother, Benjamin, who was also looking ahead to life after high school, also enlisted in the Army National Guard. They didn’t have to look far for inspiration. Their father, James “Doug” Lane, served in the Army when he was 19. He enlisted right after graduating from high school and
served a handful of years before attending and graduating from Western Michigan University. Their maternal grandfather, Larry Leo, served proudly in the U.S. Army during Vietnam. He was recently honored in downtown Northville with a veteran’s banner. In one of his heroic acts during the war, Leo was awarded The Soldier’s Medal for rushing to a downed, smoking helicopter to pull the pilots to safety.
Father James “Doug” Lane served in the Army when he was 19.
Their paternal grandfather, Charles Lane, also served in Germany in the U.S. Army and so did their maternal great-grandfather, Olimpo Antonucci, who served in the Army as a medic during World War II. Also on their father’s side, their greatgrandmother served as a combat medic in the U.S. Air Force during the WWII era.
a family and being away from them, and that with everything that was going on with COVID he wanted to do something to help,” his mother recalled. She said he tested well and chose to become a combat medic. He left for basic training in late September and is doing well. “He has told us often that he is glad he made the decision to serve,” Nicole said. Once he completes Basic Training, he will have four months of AIT (Advanced Individual Training) to become a 68W or Combat Medic. His brother, Ben, had similar feelings and points back to his family as his inspiration. “I have always felt proud of my papa and great-grandfather for serving during wartime and of my dad, grandfather, and great-grandma who served during peace time,” Ben said. Ben, now in his last semester of high school, signed with the Army National Guard because he wanted to serve his country while being able to attend Grandfather Charles Lane served in the U.S. Army. college. He will serve one weekend a month and two weeks every summer for the next Andrew has been in basic training in six years. Missouri at Fort Leonard Wood. Even “I decided to though he made plans for Olivet, he told his join my senior year family he always wanted to serve. so I could start His mother, Nicole, said she just wasn’t training in my field willing to accept that until one day last of study,” said Ben, March. who is interested “However, when he came downstairs two in becoming a days into the NHS COVID quarantine he carpentry and • explained to us, that this was the time for masonry specialist. him to serve, he felt that he was in the best • physical shape he would ever be in (heM was ONES In thinking about HOatRNHS), O years Nfour her sons' decision, a three sport athlete all S IC T IO IB T N Nicole said they that he did not have to worry about having NO A
A N A N G US 100 % A MERIC
Maternal grandfather Larry Leo, Sr. served in Vietnam and has been featured on the banners in downtown Northville.
couldn’t be more proud and humbled. “My husband and I are extremely proud of our sons’ decisions to serve our country. We feel humbled by their commitment,” she said. “We have always been a patriotic family. However, when our young men passionately explained to us their intent to serve this proud nation, I was moved to tears.”
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The ‘Ville 45
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It’s Parent Camp Time
A Bronze-worthy Effort
Northville’s Girl Scout Troop 40385, made up of fifth graders from Winchester Elementary and led by Margaret Hocking and Betsy Broglin, has been busy working on earning a Bronze Award. The highest honor a Girl Scout Junior can achieve, the Bronze Award is earned with 20 hours of community service on a project that demonstrates leadership skills and passion for making a difference. The troop has focused on helping the Michigan Foster Care Closet. The first step was to deliver holiday pajamas to the Ann Arbor location for local foster children to wear on Christmas Eve. Next, they collected toys, clothes, gift cards, and other necessities. The girls delivered the items to the Michigan Foster Care Closet in Plymouth (see photo). “The employees were amazed by the generous donations. But the best part was seeing the look on the girls’ faces after seeing the impact they made and will continue to make,” said Heather Bachert, whose daughter is in the troop. To raise money for the cause, the girls have been picking up extra chores at home, raking leaves, selling hot chocolate, and shoveling snow. The girls will continue on their journey to make a difference throughout the school year.
‘Urban Fire Chief’
Northville Township Fire Chief Brent Siegel was appointed last month by the Western Wayne Fire Chiefs – Mutual Aid Association to serve as the “Urban Fire Chief” representative on the Local Planning Team (LPT) under the Homeland Security Chief Alan Maciag division. The LPT is comprised of representatives from fire, law enforcement, healthcare and other disciplines, and is responsible for the allocation of the Southeast Michigan (SEMI) Urban Area Security Initiative (USAI) funds. Siegel said he will advocate for allocating a portion of USAI funds to help support critical needs in the fire service. “I look forward to representing the Western Wayne Chiefs and the township on this planning team,” he said.
46 The ‘Ville
Northville Public Schools and the Northville Educational Foundation will again host the annual Parent Camp from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 27. Like most everything else during the COVID pandemic, it will be a little different this year, and will be virtual via a special website and Zoom sessions. It will include resources, speakers, and workshops that are intended to empower parents of K-12 students with practical knowledge and tools to help equip them to support and guide their children. Keynote speaker Dr. Jim Harris, who will kick off the morning, will discuss the topic “Understanding Trauma and Stress: A Guide for Parents.” Harris will help parents better understand the developmental landscape as it relates to trauma and stress. After the keynote address, parents can select from multiple topics as they attend three breakout sessions. Topics include, “Mindset Matters: Parenting during a Pandemic,” “Getting Ready for College,” “Resources for Parenting during Distance Learning. . . and Beyond!” and many more. For more information about Parent Camp, visit www.SupportNEF.org.
Firefighter of the Year
Northville Township Fire Department Lt. Jason Hendrian has been named the 2019 Firefighter of the Year. Yes, 2019 is correct. The awards ceremony in early 2020 was put off as a result of COVID-19. Hendrian was elected by his coworkers for Lt. Jason Hendrian the award. They pointed out many positive attributes, including his leadership, his hard work and his unwavering professionalism, particularly his ability to remain calm, which thrust him into the top spot. “Whether it’s checking the truck, working out or eating cauliflower, it’s part of his routine,” said Capt. Philip Sutherland. “He’s consistent, he’s calm, he’s even-keeled, and that’s just every day for him.” Hendrian is a certified peer fitness trainer, follows a strict diet and is chair of the Health and Safety Committee, which creates a safe, healthy work environment for firefighters. “Our firefighters know that if they have questions about physical training or improving their fitness, Lt. Hendrian will be there for them with advice, setting up a personal fitness program, or just providing some motivation to get in better shape,” Chief Brent Siegel said. Hendrian began his career with Northville Township as an on-call firefighter in 2000. He was offered a full-time position in 2002. “He shows up every day prepared for work,” said township firefighter Jeffrey Sims. “He sets the example for how every firefighter should conduct themselves here in the Northville Township Fire Department.” Hendrian is grateful for the kind words. “I am completely humbled by this award and will make it my duty to earn it each and every day of my career,” he said.
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Dishin’ With Denise
Denise Jenkins is a member of the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Tipping Point Theatre. An avid writer and proponent of the arts, she is also plugged into what’s happening in Northville. Contact her at denisemjenkins@aol.com.
February Is All About Love L
ove Is was a comic strip that was very popular when I was in high school. It was a cute, simple drawing of Kewpie-like characters with a sweet little love note published in the daily newspapers. It was created by a New Zealand cartoonist named Kim. The classic film, “Love Story” made it memorable with the tag line “Love is never having to say you’re sorry.” I asked some locals how they would fill-in-the-blank 50 years later. The response was delightful! Karen M. says, “Love is the people you live with, laugh with and grow old with.” James from Tipping Point Theatre shares, “Love is going without mushrooms on your pizza because your spouse can’t stand them.” From Jen K. “Love is a winter hike on a sunny day.” Sounds like fun. Clark Sexton from Ruoff Mortgage says simply, “Love is kind.” And Patty D. shared her thoughts that “Love is peaceful.” I couldn’t agree more. Terry W. offered “Love is always the answer.” I hope these words offer some comfort to many who mourn the loss of Dawson, Michele and David Compo in a tragic accident on January 2. Friends and family gathered with love January 15 to say good-bye following the fatal plane crash that took their lives, far too soon. Dawson earned his Eagle Scout award this past June doing a project at Maybury State Park. Traci Sincock, Maybury’s Supervisor, remembers the family fondly. “Dawson chose to refurbish
48 The ‘Ville
trades. Information can be found at www.homebuilders. org/foundation/donate/. Choose Compo Family Memorial Scholarship Fund Donation. David and I were often lectors at the same mass at OLV. We read the Sunday before they left on the trip to Georgia. It was the Feast of the Holy Family. I will always remember them in that light. The Compo family at the Oak Shelter in Maybury State Park. From left, David, Michele and Dawson.
the park’s Oak Shelter, that included scraping, repairing and painting all the posts and wood trim, power washing and scrubbing the concrete pad. His team removed all nails, staples and fasteners from the past 40 years of use. The shelter looks brand new,” Sincock said. “The entire Compo family participated in the project and we were delighted to get to know them. Dawson was an exceptional young man. We are saddened by this tragic loss.” Sincock is planning a ceremony to be held at the shelter in the near future. David and Michele both worked for Compo Builders, and David was a past president of the Home Builders Association of Southeastern Michigan. A scholarship fund has been established in honor of the family. The funds will be used to support Michigan residents 18–25 years old who are beginning to work in the residential construction industry or studying skilled
Sandy Richmond Till on her last day.
Sandy Richmond Till was more than just the “teller” at Comerica Bank in downtown Northville. I’m certain she heard more than she bargained for throughout her years, and the many changes in banking. Sandy retired on January 15 with as much fanfare as is possible at this particular time. The staff made signs and posters and invited folks to stop by and wish her well. Mayor Turnbull did a pop in for cake and when I stopped by the whole counter was filled with tokens of appreciation. It was a nice send off to a very nice person. I say to Sandy: Love is… Enjoying life after 30 years of service to Comerica and the Northville community.
Sandy Till in the vault at Comerica Bank on Main Street.
February is Heart Healthy Month – the perfect time to embrace wellness, love and laughter. Bev S. told me “Love is...when I mess something up and he hugs me anyway.” Carole Jean and Bill S. confided, “Love is restoring an old dilapidated grist mill together.” My best advice came from two little ladies who have stolen my heart. Serena L. (age 8) says: “Love is kindness, pure good.’ Her sister, Ellia L. (age 9) made me stop and think: “Love is unexplainable.” Virtual hug to all who sent me a “Love Is…” I wish I could have used them all.
Love Is cartoon
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