January 2019 | Vol.2 | Issue 1
Northville’s News and Lifestyle Magazine
There s A
NEW CHIEF In Town
S PECIA L A DV ERTISIN G M ES SAG E
Dr. Aylmer Evangelista and Dr. Jennifer Evangelista, along with the Ajeless staff.
experienced gradual health improvements, less bloating, and more energy and muscle.
even went skydiving in Ireland, completing one more notch on her bucket list.
“Over time, I’ve been able to better manage the demands of business travel and other pressures. It’s nice to trust Dr. Evangelista and rely on his energy and confidence that he can really help,” Katherine notes. “In hindsight, boy, I wasted a few years feeling miserable when I didn’t have to.”
“Katherine is an all-round person who is once again able to do all these great things and try new experiences,” said Dr. Evangelista.
A NEW YEAR, A NEW YOU
Ajeless helps people overcome health issues, regain vitality A year ago, Katherine Nieman was struggling with exhaustion, mental confusion, depression, irritability, weight gain, joint pain, sleeplessness and menopause. Less than a year later, the 57-year-old executive was scaling a 14,000 feet high mountain in Colorado.
also discovered his patient’s thyroid was not functioning properly.
No one is more surprised than Katherine that she was able to move from one extreme to another, taking up mountain climbing for the first time while juggling flying between her home in Michigan and her work in Colorado.
As the chief financial officer of an industrial vac truck manufacturer, Katherine was used to being a problem solver. But to find solutions to the problems that were ailing her, Katherine turned to Dr. Aylmer Evangelista at Ajeless Health and Medical Spa in Northville.
“Bio-identical hormone optimization therapy can reverse the course of diabetes, obesity, fibromyalgia, arthritis and high cholesterol. It helps lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, osteoporosis, breast cancer and prostate cancer. It alleviates PMS and menopause and reduces patients’ use of antidepressants, diabetic pills, statins and pain medications. It increases muscle strength, sexual desire and performance. It ramps up sluggish metabolism, sheds pounds and resets the biological clock,” said Evangelista, a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, who also practices at several area hospitals.
“Bloodwork showed that Katherine had low levels of estrogen and testosterone and a vitamin D deficiency,” Dr. Evangelista says. He
Hormone optimization has been a game changer for Katherine. Receiving hormone treatment every three months, she has
“For several years, I was dragging and didn’t understand why,” she says.
Dr. Evangelista prescribed BioTE bioidentical hormone optimization pellet treatment to balance testosterone and estrogen levels, which naturally diminish up to five percent annually as people age.
Reflecting on her journey to good health, she says, “When you achieve something and look back, it’s amazing how far you came. It’s like climbing a mountain. I can’t look at the top and say, ‘I’m going to get there.’ All I can do is one step in front of the other. Before I know it, I’m at the summit.”
In determining if a new patient is a candidate for bio-identical hormone optimization therapy, the doctor consults by phone or at his office, then does a full in-person health assessment, including bloodwork. He inserts a customized slow-release hormone pellet under the patient’s skin, repeating the process every three months or so. The cost for pellet treatments is $4 to $6 daily. Patients can pay per treatment or purchase a comprehensive yearly package that includes consultations, pellets, insertions and bloodwork. Financing is available. “Many Northville residents – including a mother in her late 70s
Katherine Nieman went from being rarely physically active to climbing mountains over 14,000 feet high in Colorado after her treatments at Ajeless. Nieman even went skydiving in Ireland, something that was on her bucket list.
“The best part of getting to the top: The amazing views – something I never imagined seeing,” Katherine says. A couple months after climbing that peak, Katherine
and her 40-something daughter – come to Ajeless Health and Medical Spa,” Dr. Evangelista says. “I provide a solution that gets results.”
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SUPPORT THE ‘VILLE I started The ‘Ville because I felt our community needed a publication focused on … our community.
VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1
JANUARY 2019
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Unlike traditional magazines, however, we do not charge a subscription fee. We mail directly to every household and business in Northville, because that model offers our advertisers the best bang for their buck. And advertising is ultimately what pays the bills. Building an advertising base takes time and persistence. So, in the meantime, your financial support will help us get over the hump, and insure local journalism is here to stay. Send us $5, $10, $20 or any amount you can, and we will list your name in an upcoming issue as being a supporter of The ‘Ville and local journalism. Because LOCAL matters. Please send checks, cash or lucky charms to:
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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 25 years. He has developed a diverse background in that time, but publication design has been his passion during the past 16 years. Craig enjoys cycling, running, wine tasting, his beloved Boston Terrier and an unhealthy addiction to movies.
JOHN HEIDER – Photographer/Writer
John Heider, 53, was the The Northville Record and Novi News photographer from 1996 until 2017. He lives in Ann Arbor and enjoys fishing, hunting, gardening, cooking, feature writing, woodworking projects and the symphony. jch24water@yahoo.com
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Thank you!
Publisher
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.
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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.
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A View From The ‘Ville
From One Pickle to Another
T
hese have been some trying times for City of Northville officials, who find themselves locked into two separate pickles over the future of our downtown area. First, there is the city’s lawsuit against Northville Public Schools over the fate of the historic Main Street School building. The city was trying to force the school district to go before the Historic District Commission to get its demolition plans approved – just like any other party. The school district, however, didn’t feel it needed the HDC’s approval, saying the commission didn’t have jurisdiction over a district-owned property, despite the fact it’s within the city’s Historic District. Well, on Jan. 9, Judge David J. Allen sided with NPS, denying the city’s motion to delay the demolition. Allen ruled the school district is not subject to the city’s historic district ordinance. He dismissed the suit, though he gave the city 21 days to appeal before the district moves forward with its plans to take down
the building and sell the property to the Mike Miller Building Company for a small number of single family homes. City Manager Pat Sullivan, however, has already advised the City Council not to appeal the decision, feeling it will be unsuccessful and not in the best interest of the city – or school district. As of press time, the city council still had not decided on the matter. The more consequential issue facing city officials is what is going on with the proposed development for the Northville Downs property. As you read first here, developer Hunter Pasteur Homes has an agreement to buy the roughly 50 acres where the track has stood for generations. They have proposed a mixed use development that will feature single family homes, townhouses, a 4-story apartment building, and some commercial space. If you attended the standing room only December Planning Commission meeting, however, you know the project is facing
some serious hurdles. During his presentation, Hunter Pasteur President Randy Wertheimer explained the company had worked hard to address the main public concerns from the previous meeting. They agreed to pay to daylight the Rouge River and donate land for an 8-acre park; they agreed to enter into a planned development agreement that would give the city leverage over what is ultimately built; they agreed to build space for the Chamber of Commerce’s Farmers Market; they agreed to fund traffic improvements including at Seven Mile and Center (Sheldon) that might include Wayne County’s first roundabout; they agreed to reduce density from 577 living units to 546 units; they agreed to use local architects for the project; and they agreed to build more parking spaces, including many that would be available to the public. Despite all these assurances, the planning commission did not grant the planned development status. In fact, after the meeting city officials sent Wertheimer a long email
containing a lengthy wish list from planning commissioners for the development. A frustrated Wertheimer told me that, after the email, he decided to put the project on hold, with the exception of the 4-story apartment building and a commercial building on Cady Street at Hutton. He will be submitting the plans to the city at the end of this month, he said. Hunter Pasteur still has a purchase agreement in place on the rest of the property through 2020, so don’t give up on the project just yet. In the meantime, city officials need to take a serious look at what their expectations are for the property. If they are hoping for something close to the master plan they developed, they may not get anything better than what Hunter Pasteur is offering. Here’s hoping for some compromise. Kurt Kuban is editor and publisher of The ‘Ville. He welcomes your comments and feedback at kurtkuban@gmail.com.
Your Voice: Letters to the Editor 4 Cooper Standard HQ planned for former hospital property 8 Past Tense: Northville’s entry into the auto age 14 Police officer once again keeping Northville High safe 18 Mildred Madigan, 106, looks back on a good life 24
New Chief Hits Town
6
Out & About 26
Living Hope in Africa
16
NHS Swim Team Turns 50
20
ON THE COVER: New City of Northville Police Chief Al Maciag at City Hall. Photo by Bill Bresler.
It’s Your Business: Cracked – An A.M. Addiction 30 Northville Business Scene 31
The ‘Ville 3
Your Voice
yn n
School Board Recognition eL Suzann hia Cynt
es cot t
Jan kowski
Pr Sarah
t Ma
on er
the w Wil k
ie Laur
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an dH wang
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Jaafar
Ma zure k
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I invite the entire Northville schools community to join me in honoring the crucial role our Northville Board of Education members play in the lives of our children, our schools and our community during School Board Recognition Month in January. Public education is the backbone of American society and local school boards are deeply rooted in this tradition. Their job is to establish the district’s vision, mission and goals and develop policies to achieve them; to strongly encourage continuous improvement in student learning; and to advocate at the local, state and national level in support of public education. This work includes an endless string of meetings and school functions to attend; reams of reports, agendas, proposals and other documents to read and study; and a never-ending commitment to thoughtful consideration of the issues, balancing perspectives, and making difficult decisions that are both fiscally responsible and focused on what is best for students. Together with district leaders, the seven members of the Northville Board of Education develop policies and make tough decisions that help shape the future of our school district, and in turn our community. They bear the responsibility and oversight for an annual general fund budget of more than $80 million, 7,151 students, 863 employees, and 11 buildings. The individuals serving Northville Public Schools and their years of service are: • Cynthia L. Jankowski, seven years • Matthew Wilk, six-and-a-half years • Roland Hwang, four years • Sarah Prescott, three years and four months • Laurie Doner, two years • Angela Jaafar, began four-year term January 1, 2019 • Suzanne Lynn, began four-year term January 1, 2019 • We also recognize the following Board of Education members, who completed their terms on Dec. 31: • James Mazurek, eight years • Ann Kalass, five years We welcome incoming trustees Angela Jaafar and Suzanne Lynn, elected to office on Nov. 6, along with Roland Hwang, who was elected to a second four-year term. We look forward to their leadership and service on our Board of Education. I also want to express a special thanks on behalf of the entire Northville community to Ann Kalass and James Mazurek, who saw their Board terms end last month after completing eight and five year terms, respectively. We appreciate their leadership and service in support of the children and families of Northville. Mary K. Gallagher NPS Superintendent
s Jame
SOUND OFF 4 The ‘Ville
The
Main Street
School dilemma The city needs to apologize to the school district for all the time and money they have wasted on this Main Street School issue. Let the school district move forward with their plan. Les DeBora The writer James Baldwin said “the past is all that makes the present coherent.” I grew up in Northville from 1955 (age 6) to 1970. What was distinctively attractive about the town was the history of its social and economic development manifested in its buildings. The Main Street School is a key artifact, of seminal architectural importance, nationally, in this fabric. A strategy to keep the building and adapt it to a new use should be developed. As an architect, I can envision a small-scale condominium development with 10 units in the school plus five new houses of contextual scale and design at Main Street and Cady Street with off-street parking around a private lane from Cady. The city should take the property off the NPS’s hands, issue a revenue bond for the market value of the completed project, and find a project management firm to construct this, with any unspent owner’s contingency going to the school district as payment for the property. Do “win-win” through rational compromise and good will, not “agree to disagree.” Mark S. Chadwick Philadelphia, Pa. Thank you for the good rundown of the city and school district fight over the Main Street School. After reading the article I’m not clear on the following. Mayor Roth says he
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.
Give credit where it’s due
recognizes and accepts the legal precedent established by case law. He then goes on to explain that while the school district doesn’t have to have their site plan approved by the planning commission it does need to apply to the HDC for the demolition. In applying for the demolition they must present a proposal for the site. So if the HDC doesn’t have site plan approval authority what basis do they have for issuing the demolition permit?
Is this the crux of the standoff? If so I see no easy way out and understand the school district’s reluctance to go to the HDC. If they were turned down what recourse or appeal process exists? Rich Bazzy As residents of Northville, we agree with the city on the Main Street School issue. Feras and Starr Yacoub
I am so disappointed that I have read many of your articles about Mr. Richard Cox buying the Studebaker Building and yet there is no mention who he bought it from. My dad, Richard Ruffner, owned the building for over 40 years. It held the Century 21 Suburban, which he brokered for the 30 years it was there, as well as Albright Photography. My dad was a businessman in Northville for 40 years and knew many of the other businessmen. He passed away last January (2018). My mother sold the complex to Mr. Cox and his associate. She is an older woman now and my brothers and I dealt with the sale. I would sure appreciate, if you write any more about this place, that you include my dad’s business that was there so long and the fact that he owned the place until he died at 90. Lynn Ruffner-West
Hyper local news
Local does matter, and The ‘Ville has done an excellent job of bringing local news and events to the Northville community, while our “local newspaper” does so less and less. Thank you Kurt Kuban and staff for a job well done. I love getting our “hyper local news” each month. May your second year bring continued success. Sheryl Duff
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There’s a New Chief in Town The 20-year veteran hopes to end career here in Northville
New Northville Police Chief Al Maciag. Photo by Bill Bresler
By Lonnie Huhman
A
s the new police chief for the City of Northville, Al Maciag wants the community to know a few important things about him. Number one, he is really looking forward to serving them. “First off, I am honored to be chosen as the police chief,” said Maciag, who began his new post on Dec. 26. Before being selected to step in for Chief Michael Carlson, who retired in July 2018, Maciag was a 20-year veteran of the Wayne Police Department and had been its chief since 2014. Maciag (pronounced Masee-ack) said he wants the Northville community to know he loves his line of work and is “100 percent committed to the community I serve.”
6 The ‘Ville
“Know that your police department will continue to provide excellent service,” Maciag said. “I’m very excited to get started and hope to finish my law enforcement career with the Northville Police Department.” Maciag, 44, grew up in Wyandotte and graduated from Wyandotte Roosevelt High School in 1992. He went on to graduate from Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 1996. He attended and graduated from the Wayne County Regional Police Academy and was hired by the Wayne Police Department in April 1998. He also has a master’s degree in criminology from Eastern Michigan University,
and graduated from the 251st Session of the FBI National Academy and the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. He’s also served on several executive boards of police chief organizations and is a member of the curriculum committee of FBI National Academy Michigan Chapter. “As a patrol officer, I was a field training officer, evidence technician, accident investigator and emergency driving instructor,” he said detailing some of his experience. “I worked several years in the department's Community Orientated Policing Crime Reduction Unit (COPCRU), a plain-clothes unit that focused on narcotics and major crimes. There, I gained a
lot of experience early on in my career.” With the Wayne department, he was promoted to sergeant in 2007. In this rank, he was assigned as a supervisor in road patrol, and also supervised the COPCRU as well as the department’s Investigations and Traffic Bureau. He was promoted to deputy chief in 2013 and chief in 2014. Noting the City of Northville and its police department have excellent reputations, Maciag said it was “a job I could not pass up.” He said he often traded notes about policing challenges and best practices when working with Carlson in the past. “Already working in western Wayne County, I had the opportunity to work with Chief
Carlson,” Maciag said. “He was an excellent chief and the department was well respected in the law enforcement community. Northville was a department I wanted to be a part of.” While in Wayne, Maciag led a department that dealt with more crime, but it is a small town (17,500 population), which he feels will serve him well in our small town. He believes it is integral to be part of the community, which means “knowing the business owners and the community, and knowing what issues are taking place.” Initially, he said his goals are to get to know the operations of the department and the officers, and get out into the community and meet the residents and business owners. The City of
Northville Police Department has a total of 13 officers. “I enjoy getting out into the community and meeting people as much as possible. A big focus will be in community policing and working with the community to solve problems and combat crime,” Maciag said. “We need to talk about crime with the community, look at policies within the department, and prevent and respond. The community is our biggest ally. They should know what’s going on in police department operations and about crime trends.” The other thing you need to know about Maciag: he’s a family man. In fact, family guides him and is one of the big reasons behind who he is. He lives in Grass Lake with his wife, June, and their son, Jacob.
Police Chief Alan Maciag on the north lawn outside the White House in Washington DC. He graduated from the FBI National Academy
The couple’s other son, Alex, passed away tragically last year at the age of 21. His death was one of the motivating factors for Maciag to start this new chapter in his life. “He always wanted to be a police officer and follow in my footsteps,” Maciag said
of his son, Alex. “He was an exceptional young man. He is still with me every day. He is my major motivation moving into the second phase of my career.” Maciag’s annual salary with the city will be $95,000. Welcome to town, Chief Maciag!
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An aerial photo of the Cooper Standard site. Photo by Fred Shadko
One Building Falls, Another Rises New Cooper Standard HQ planned for former hospital property By Kurt Kuban
D
emolition crews have been busy at the former Northville Psychiatric Hospital site for the past year, finally bringing down in December the hulking ninestory eyesore that once served as the main hospital building. If you’ve passed by the property on Seven Mile lately, however, you may have noticed workers are still active clearing land east of where the main hospital building once stood. Workers have been cutting down trees and grading a 10-acre parcel in preparation of the construction for Cooper Standard’s new world headquarters. The global supplier of automotive systems and components announced last month the new 100,000 square foot facility, which is expected to be complete in early 2020, will replace Cooper Standard’s current world headquarters in Novi. Cooper Standard’s products include rubber and plastic sealing, fuel and brake lines, fluid transfer hoses and anti-vibration systems. The company, which has seen recent growth, was awarded a
8 The ‘Ville
$1.3 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant for the project, and is working with Schostak Brothers & Company, Lindhout Associates Architects and Cunningham Limp. According to Cooper Standard CEO Jeffrey Edwards, it will be a cutting-edge facility fostering enhanced employee collaboration with the latest in creative workspaces to further expand innovation to all areas of the business. “This is an important new chapter for Cooper Standard that will help ensure our competitiveness and ability to recruit and retain talent. The new Northville facility will enable easy access for our stakeholders and provide an environment that will support and contribute to the future growth of the company,” Edwards said. The project is being built on the portion of the former state hospital property that is owned by REI Investment Group of Bloomfield Hills and Livoniabased Schostak Brothers, which developed the commercial buildings at Haggerty.
Cooper Standard has agreed to pay for most of the demolition costs of four buildings to make way for an extension of Traditions Drive.
While some local residents have complained about the removal of trees and vegetation on the building site, including along Seven Mile, Northville Township Supervisor Bob Nix said the project will benefit the community in several ways. First, another major company is moving its headquarters to the township. “It’s going to be a nice project. It’s going to benefit the township. It will bring tax base, and there will be 400 workers at the site. And they will be good jobs,” Nix said. In addition, Cooper Standard has agreed to pay for most of the demolition costs associated with four of the remaining 15 buildings on the former hospital site, Nix said. The four buildings are located in an area that will include an extension of Traditions Drive, which will be continued from
the location of the current University of Michigan Hospital building, wrapping around the Cooper Standard building, and ending at Seven Mile (across from Pierson Drive). “Once those buildings come down, we will only have 11 buildings remaining on the property,” Nix said. “Those remaining buildings are all located in the same general area.” Nix said once the four buildings are down, the township will begin exploring how the 300-plus acres the township owns can be used for recreation, which is the longterm goal. “In the next 24 months, we will take a look at what we can do out there. We want to start implementing walking trails and perhaps some other recreation,” he said. “But it’s absolutely necessary
that whatever we do will be 100-percent safe. We hope our residents can start using the property, though.” As for the trees that have been cleared from the Cooper Standard site, Nix said he has been working with the company to maintain as much of the natural buffer as possible. He noted the area that has been cleared along Seven Mile will be replanted with trees once the developer puts in a Wayne County-mandated storm sewer and walking trail. In addition, he said plans call for planting many new trees around the building once it is completed. There will also be a large detention pond surrounded with natural vegetation on the east side of the Cooper Standard building. “We are going to enhance the natural buffer around the site,
An artist's rendering of the planned 110,000 square foot Cooper Standard world headquarters.
including along Seven Mile. My goal is to maintain the rural feel we have in the township,” Nix said. Once the Cooper Standard project is complete, there will still be three parcels covering more than 20 acres on the Schostak property that will ultimately be developed, including an 18-acre parcel just west of the U-M hospital that may end up being a second hospital building for the university. There are no other
plans at this time. As for the township-owned property to the west, Nix said the long-term goal is to remove all of the remaining buildings from the old psychiatric hospital days and implement the township’s master plan, but it may take some time. When the township purchased the property, after voters approved a bond, there were 21 buildings on the property, so they are getting there. The township is capturing tax
revenue from the commercial development on the Schostak property, which will be used to pay some of the demolition costs. “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time,” Nix said. “The more development we get at the site, the more revenue we can capture. The money we capture can only be used for environmental cleanup efforts. So we do have a source of funding, but it is a more longterm source.”
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THE
NORTHVILLE
TOWNSHIP
FIR EFIGHTER S
CH ARIT Y
FUND
Fireman’s Ball D I N E .
D R I N K .
D A N C E
&
D O N A T E .
S AT U R D AY, F E B R U A R Y 16 , 2 0 19 6:00 PM –
MIDNIGHT
LAUREL MANOR 390 0 0 SCHOOLCR AF T RD. LIVONIA, MI Tickets are $100 each & includes dinner, drinks, and dancing with live music from the Killer Flamingos RAFFLE, SILENT & LIVE AUCTIONS To purchase tickets, become a sponsor, or to donate, please contact us at (734) 219-3961, or visit us at www.NTFFCharityFund.com
Please join us for a wonderful evening with friends, family and the community while raising money for great causes. With hundreds of great prizes, great food, drinks and entertainment, the 2019 Fireman’s Ball is sure to be our best yet! Thanks to all of our attendees, sponsors and donors for your generous support! Sincerely,
The N orthville Township F irefighters Charity F und
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PAST TENSE
From Wagon Wheels to Car Tires Northville’s entry into the auto age By Michele Fecht
F
or more than a century, the automobile has been the change agent in transportation and subsequently much of American life. This month’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit showcases the continued auto evolution with new car reveals, technological advances and next generation vehicles. In a nod to Detroit’s signature event, we offer a look back at Northville’s entry into the auto age. EARLY TRANSPORTATION The horse-and-buggy were the prevailing mode of transportation in Northville’s early years through the first part of the 20th century. For long-distance transport, the stagecoach carried weary travelers until the Flint and Pere Marquette rail line arrived at Northville’s depot in 1871. On November 10, 1899, the electric streetcar — interurban — made its Main Street debut offering Northville residents an inexpensive, efficient and expedient mode of travel to Ann Arbor, Detroit and points beyond for nearly three decades. For the more adventurous and hardy Northville citizens, the bicycle proved a popular mode of transportation in the 1890s. The Northville Wheelmen officially organized in 1892, and by 1897 had more than 150 members — both men and women.
14 The ‘Ville
The auto, horse-and-buggy and interurban car vie for a spot on Main Street in 1909. (From the Archives of the Northville Historical Society)
THE MAXWELL AND JACKSON While there is no confirmation of Northville’s first automobile owner, it is likely that undertaker, furniture store proprietor and village telephone company owner Marion A. Porter was among the first with his Maxwell touring car produced by Maxwell-Briscoe Motor Company, founded in 1904. Another early auto owner was former township supervisor, real estate/insurance agent William Ambler with his 1908 Jackson, produced by Jackson Automobile Company in Jackson, Michigan. While Porter and Ambler may have been the first to invest in the automobile, they were far from the last.
NORTHVILLE AUTOMOBILE CLUB By 1918, Northville streets became a hub of activity as more automobiles entered the fray, competing with horsesand-buggies, streetcars and cyclists. In March of that year, Frank S. Neal, publisher of The Northville Record, founded the Northville Automobile Club. Its first public meeting included guest Edward N. Hines, chairman of the Wayne County Road Commission. Admission to the club was $2 and was open to all regardless of auto ownership. By June, the club had more than 100 members. GOOD ROADS MOVEMENT The Good Roads Movement advocated by the Wheelmen clubs of the late 19th century carried over with automobile
clubs throughout the country. Northville was no exception. Many of the Northville Wheelmen were members of the Northville Automobile Club and had long advocated for better roads. Within a month of its formation, the Northville Automobile Club succeeded in having the Detroit United Railway (owner of the interurban) re-gravel the entire length of railway on Main Street. Years later it would advocate for making Center Street a trunk line from Plymouth Road to Grand River . . . and have it paved. DOWNTOWN CHANGES The popularity of the automobile transformed Northville’s streetscape. Hitching posts, once abundant along downtown streets,
were removed. Paved streets ultimately replaced gravel roads — including covering or clearing the tracks of the interurban when it ceased operation in 1928; STOP signs and traffic lights were added for safety. The blacksmith, harness and carriage shops — once the ubiquitous trade of Northville’s downtown — turned into fueling stations and auto repair and parts shops. Frank N. Perrin, who once provided carriages, wagons and horseshoeing, turned his livery into a tire store and auto repair shop, and eventually a Ford sales office. MADE IN NORTHVILLE In 1916, the Globe Furniture Company announced its first
use of a Globe-manufactured truck to transport furniture to a Detroit church. The company — reincorporated after a fire destroyed the once global church and school furniture manufacturer — built truck bodies in its factory for several years before it ceased operation in 1931. It also made seats for Ford Motor Company and for streetcars. HENRY FORD’S VILLAGE INDUSTRY PLANT In 1919, Henry Ford purchased J.A. Dubuar’s Union Manufacturing and Lumber Company at Griswold and East Main streets, a former lumber mill and manufacturing plant producing pulleys,
William Ambler and his wife, Sarah, in his 1908 Jackson. (Photo courtesy of Richard Ambler)
Marion A. Porter poses with his Maxwell outside his home on Dunlap Street. (From the Archives of the Northville Historical Society)
wheelbarrows, screen doors, air rifles and more. As part of his village industries plants, which brought manufacturing jobs to rural areas, Ford began production in 1920 of tractor valves and components for his Model T. In 1936, a new 40,000 square-foot valve machinery plant designed by famed architect Albert Kahn was constructed. NORTHVILLE AUTO SHOW The September 1929 Northville Wayne County Fair (at what is now Northville Downs) broke new ground by featuring more than 50 new car models — the largest exhibit ever shown at the fairgrounds. Dealers throughout the Detroit area featured models
from Ford, Plymouth, Dodge, Buick, Chevrolet, Packard, REO, Hupmobile, Chrysler, Pontiac and Studebaker. Taking advantage of an advertising opportunity, The Northville Record published an eight-page automobile supplement the week before the fair opening to entice the thousands of fair goers. The fair was a resounding success —one of the most successful ever; considered the best in the state by many accounts. The Record wrote about its success in three consecutive issues. By the end of October, the fair moved off the front page. There was a different story to report– the stock market crash and its aftermath.
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Dan Cooke was just one of several Northville residents to conduct a Sports Camp in August at the orphanage.
Northville residents Lee and Trina Davis founded Living Hope International, which has built an orphanage and campus in Zambia.
Local residents building orphanage, educational campus in African bush country By Melissa Meadows
I
n 2003, a few members of Oak Pointe Church in Novi traveled to Africa and began operating a small orphanage in Ndola, Zambia. The group, led by Northville residents Lee and Trina Davis, had a passion for all children, especially those without parents. As time went by, however, they realized the orphanage needed more focused and dedicated leadership, and the Davis’s created a non-profit in 2008 called Living Hope International. The first order of business was forming a strong
16 The ‘Ville
partnership with Zambian officials, and earning the trust of the locals. They then developed ambitious plans to create an entire campus that would not only serve the children of Living Hope, but also orphans from the surrounding community. Through the generosity of the Zambian people, 40 acres of land, located 10 miles south of Ndola, was acquired and dedicated in 2009. Fifteen acres have been developed to create a campus that will ultimately provide housing
for 112 children, and will serve the children and surrounding community with a church, school, medical clinic and vocational training facilities. The remaining acreage has been converted into a coffee plantation, which is used to teach students and local residents a vocation, and the proceeds from the sale of the coffee are used to sustain the ministry and campus. Trina Davis, who was the inspiration and founder of Living Hope, serves as vice president of the non-profit. Her
husband, Lee, is the president. They say Living Hope does what its name suggests – it gives hope to children who have experienced hunger, sickness and the death of their parents. Living Hope becomes the legal guardian of the children it serves, providing a home that fosters “life, love and leadership.” The entire venture is very much rooted in the teachings of Christ, and as such the children are being raised to know and experience the hope and honor of being a child of God.
Living Hope and its efforts in Zambia have actually leaned on the expertise of a number of Northville residents, especially recently as the group has been creating a Sports Camp on the campus. In August, Northville resident Bill Phillips traveled with a team of missionaries that also included myself, James Cooke, Dan Cooke, Cameron McGill, Claire Cundiff, Chris Winklepleck, John Cooke, Faith Latham and Davaughn Smith. All of us brought some expertise to the table, as we taught Living Hope’s 36 orphans and another 62 children from the surrounding community the finer points of many sports, including soccer, tumbling, basketball, volleyball, and kickball. The group also raised money to provide the necessary sporting equipment like balls, backboards, goals, etc. Northville Rotary was just one of many local groups and individuals to donate to the cause. Phillips directed the Sports Camp, where the kids learned these games, which were mostly unfamiliar to them. Although most of them had played soccer, the concept of tumbling, basketball, volleyball, and kickball were all new, yet intriguing. The first few days,
the campers had fun learning the fundamentals of each sport. Through the wide eyes of the Bemba (language) speaking child, learning a new sport from English speaking Americans was often fun and hilarious. I taught the kids tumbling and the proper way to stretch. In the beginning I motioned to the kids to sit and asked them to do their butterfly stretches. With a look of confusion, they slowly sat down, and I realized only a few of the kids understood English. So I prompted again to show “show me butterfly.” Just then, about five of the kids pointed up at the sky. Three large butterflies were circling over their heads. The kids laughed and smiled. For me, it was an incredible moment, as if God was telling me, “You are exactly where I want you to be serving. Just love on these kids.” The kids learned cartwheels, handstands, how to kick and pass a ball, spike, set, and shoot free throws. They built friendships and developed knowledge of the games. The kids’ smiles showed they felt empowered as they developed skills and discovered new talents. The camp concluded with Game Day! We realized rules were not
always needed this year. Teams played games of basketball, kickball, volleyball, and soccer against each other and the coaches were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm, competitive nature, the amount of laughter and pure joy. A few things like traveling in basketball or the number of hits in volleyball were ignored. The kids did a great job demonstrating their general knowledge of the games. Just getting the kids to learn the concept of running the bases in kickball was a huge accomplishment. For the Northville residents, the Sports Camp really wasn’t about sports, it was about the kids, love, and Jesus. Teaching sports was a fun avenue to teach skills, love on the kids, and teach them about Jesus. The focus was glorifying God. Living Hope needs your support to continue the Sports Camp ministry in Zambia. To make a donation, please visit https:// livinghopeinternational.org/ donate and scroll to ‘Sports and Recreation’. Donations to the Sports and Recreation Project enable Living Hope to build athletic and recreation facilities
for the children of Living Hope and the community. Sports and Recreation funding will support the building of a sports pavilion that will be used for the teaching and instruction of the children and storage of the sports equipment. It will incorporate exercise, teamwork, perseverance, and character into the development of godly men and women. Melissa Meadows is a Northville resident and volunteer with Living Hope International. For more information, visit http:// livinghopeinternational.org.
The ‘Ville 17
Officer Czelada speaks with some NHS students
Mentor OFFICER and
Carrie Czelada once again keeping Northville High safe By Maria Taylor
Y
ou might say the law is back in town at Northville High School. After a period where NHS lacked an active law enforcement presence, Officer Carrie Czelada is now walking the halls, making sure everyone stays safe at school. “People generally are pretty happy to see me,” Czelada said. “It’s not about being just ‘the police’ - it’s more the mentorship aspect, being a positive influence in their lives. And there’s a time and a place for both.” At NHS, Czelada is the go-to for everything related to public safety. “I handle any and all police
18 The ‘Ville
issues as they arise. If there are issues, like police and fire, I can radio, for example, the fire department. It’s just an easier step to go through me, rather than through 9-1-1,” she explained. Czelada came onboard at NHS at the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year. NHS had a resource officer in place a couple years ago, but more recently was without an officer. Czelada is actually returning to the job; she held the position in 2016, until it was eliminated when the Northville Township Police Department went to 12-hour shifts, and the school resource officer position was removed.
“I was on patrol the whole next school year,” she said. “We simply needed officers to make it work.” Although Czelada works at the school, she’s still an officer with Northville Township, where she’s worked since 2002. “She’s a township employee, but she’s with us during the day, so the school pays for the school resource officer during the school year, when school is in session,” said Tony Koski, principal at NHS. “For a school our size, you definitely need to have a resource officer. It was recognized by our board and our superintendent, and they backed that with funding.” The return of the school
officer position ties into measures NHS has been undertaking to strengthen school security. For example, the entrance to NHS will be undergoing some modifications in late spring/early summer 2019, paid for by bond dollars, to be ready by the time school opens in the fall of 2019. “Unfortunately, it’s a fact we have to live by today,” Koski said. “It’ll give us a little more security, a more secure vestibule in the entrance to the school.” Czelada’s job, though, goes far beyond security. “It’s not so much we need a police officer,” she said. “It’s more of, it’s great we have a
police officer. I’m not here to guard against anything. Could something happen? Sure, but that’s not the primary reason for my being in the building.” A lot of the students already know Czelada through her work with the D.A.R.E. program, which educates kids about the dangers of substance abuse. She taught the program from 2011-2015 at Meads Mill Middle School and all the public elementary schools located in the township. Now the kids she worked with in D.A.R.E. are seniors.
presence provides a sense of safety and security,” he said. “She is very, very visible during all the busy parts of the day at school. That’s so important.” This year, the majority of issues at NHS have been traffic related, Koski said: in the lot, or during arrival or dismissal. Kim Dunn, a Northville Township resident, witnessed Czelada in action in such an instance last September, when Dunn’s 17-year-old triplet daughters got into a car accident at Six Mile and Sheldon. “It was one of those busy
personable.” When it comes to communicating with students, building that kind of relationships pays off, Koski said. “They trust her, and maybe that’s the most important thing: you need to trust someone before you say anything,” he said. Czelada also helps carry out the school’s ALICE training (a proactive approach to school lockdowns, which the district transitioned to in 2016) and speaks at PTA meetings, which
life viewpoint of what could happen in certain situations ... whether it’s what happens if you’re using drugs or alcohol, or what happens if you’re using technology inappropriately, like sexting.” Koski reported positive trends as far as discipline at NHS. “This school year, discipline overall ... is down related to what might get to law enforcement,” he said. For her part, Czelada loves interacting with the students. She’s got three of her own, ages 4, 10, and 11.
Dunn regularly attends. “This past spring, we had a lot of breaking and entering when kids get out of school; they think they’re invincible,” Dunn said. “She talked about what we can do as parents.” At parent-teacher conferences, Czelada talked about issues like vaping. Parents listened, Koski said. “Our parent community also knows Carrie very well, from the D.A.R.E. program. Proactively, with her we’re able to discuss more of the issues with our parents about not only what’s happening in schools but what’s happening outside schools that may affect school. She brings kind of the real-
“I’ve always loved working with kids. Ninety percent of my resume was working with kids,” she said. “Not everyone enjoys kids, especially at this age of the teen years, but I enjoy it. I always wanted to be a police officer, and now I get to do that and hang out with kids. It was a no-brainer.” She also makes parents feel a little more confident when it comes to the safety of their children. “I hold her in high regard for what she does,” Dunn added. “She’s a terrific force to be reckoned with. And it’s so nice to see that car in the parking lot.”
First and foremost, her presence provides a sense of safety and security. She is very, very visible during all the busy parts of the day at school. That’s so important.” Tony Koski, NHS Principal “They know me by name, they talk to me, most days,” she laughed. “It’s cool to see them all grown up.” On a typical day, Czelada starts off by greeting students as they come in. “I’m the first face they typically see,” she said. She oversees lunch periods, “I’m an extra set of eyes and ears, out chatting, conversing”, and then goes out to the parking lot in the afternoon, to make sure everyone follows the rules for dismissal. Just having a uniformed officer in the hallways is a huge benefit for the school, Koski said. “First and foremost, her
Friday mornings on their way to school,” Dunn said. “As soon as Mark and I pulled up, she called me by name: ‘Go park over there, the girls are alright.’ The girls were a little frazzled, but she was just such a calming force.” Dunn’s daughters, who are juniors at NHS, first met Czelada as fifth-graders in the D.A.R.E. program at Winchester Elementary. Dunn said her daughters feel much safer with an officer in the building. “She is a familiar face that they knew from way back when,” she said. “Just saying hi and making eye contact with the girls. She’s a police officer and to be respected, but she’s very
The ‘Ville 19
The swim program began in 1968, but did not begin competing until the 1969-1970 season (above and top right).
Conquering the Pool
NHS boys swim team has proud tradition By Lonnie Huhman
F
or 50 years, the Northville Mustangs Boys Swim and Dive team has been conquering the pool. From division and conference titles to All-State and AllAmerican honors to a state championship, just to name a few highlights, this Northville athletic team is marking five decades of excellence. Both current team members and former ones point to some common ingredients that have mixed well in Northville since it all began during the 1969-70 season. They say a
20 The ‘Ville
sense of team, hard work and commitment have always stood out in the program. “Being on this team means putting in hard work every day, every practice, every set, every lap, and with that hard work the team reaches accomplishments, both big and small,” said current NHS senior Travis Nitkiewicz. “Being on this team means to me that I am part of a 50-year tradition of swimmers and divers who put the team above themselves and strive to be their best every day.” Being part of the program for
Northville's 1973 state swim championship coach Ben Lauber (left) hoists the MVP plaque with current coach Rich Bennetts (right), while Tom Cook, a diver on that team, looks on during a 2017 reunion.
four years has been even more special for Nitkiewicz because he has shared it with his twin brother, Jason. Both are captains of a team that is a top 10 program in Division 1. “We’ve made this journey together,” Nitkiewicz said. Art Greenlee, an alumnus and member of the team from 19711975, said Northville has had an amazing tradition of swimming over these past 50 years, with many All-American swimmers and divers, and with many fantastic coaches. “The sport of swimming means workouts before school and after school over four months, plus swimming on a club team the rest of the year,” Greenlee said. “That is what you have to do to excel. Over a thousand young men have done this in Northville since the team was founded in 1969. Many have
met the highest of academic standards and gone on to be leaders in the community. That is what this team has been all about.” In 1968, NHS hired its first swim coach, two-time Ohio State high school swimming champion, All-American, Bowling Green swimmer and member of the Ohio Hall of Fame member, Ben Lauber. However, due to financial concerns, the team was put on hold and did not actually start until the 1969-1970 season and went onto have an outstanding inaugural season by finishing 9-2 in dual meets and 10th in the state. Greenlee pointed to Lauber’s great coaching as a big reason for the tradition taking hold. “He led a group of boys, including many non-swimmers, to a state championship in only
four years,” Greenlee said. Coach Rich Bennetts has been the head coach of the team since November of 1999. Overall, dual meet record during Coach Rich’s tenure is an impressive 168-32-1. It is clear when speaking with those who have been or are in the program, the coaches -- past and present -- have had a positive impact on the teams. “I liked that Coach Rich The 2018-2019 NHS Swim & Dive Team
The sport of swimming means workouts before school and after school over four months, plus swimming on a club team the rest of the year. That is what you have to do to excel. Over a thousand young men have done this in Northville since the team was founded in 1969.” Art Greenlee NHS swim team alum (1971-1975)
motivated us to work hard for the goals of the team that none of us could have done alone,” said Kirk Maibach, Class of 2018. “It was very rewarding when we accomplished our goals at the end of the season.” The program’s proud tradition is stressed the moment new students come in as freshmen, and many former swimmers stay active with the program. There was even an Alumni Meet held on Saturday, Nov. 24, to commemorate this outstanding 50-year tradition.
This bond is not all about the winning, however. The time and memories spent as teammates also plays a big part in the NHS tradition. “High school swimming is fun because the team forms a strong camaraderie due to all of the time we spend together,” Jason Nitkiewicz said. “Early morning 5:15 a.m. practices, followed by after school practice, team events, bonding activities like hair bleaching and head shaving really make the commitment to the team enjoyable and strong.”
When swimming started at Northville High School, Michigan had a four level system. Schools were either A, B, C, or D based on size. There were two championship meets, Class A and Class B. Schools that were C and D also swam in the Class B meet. In 1974, Northville moved up to Class A. In 2003, the state initiated a three-level system that we still have in place today–Division 1, Division 2, and Division 3. Northville was placed in Division 1 based on the size of the school. Here are some of the highlights from the team’s first 50 years conquering pool: • State Championship: 1973 • State Champion Runner Up: 1972 • Division Titles: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
• Conference Titles: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2016 • Top 4 finishes at states: 1972 - 2nd; 1973 - 1st; 2006 4th; 2007 - 3rd; 2010 - 3rd • All-State: 43 Individuals; 23 relays • All-American: 11 individuals; 10 relays • State Champions: 3 individuals; 4 relays
REMAINING SCHEDULE NHS Varsity Swim & Dive Jan. 31 Feb. 1-2 Feb. 7 Feb. 9 Feb. 14 Feb. 16 Feb. 21 Feb. 22 Feb. 23 Feb. 28 Feb. 28 March 9
Novi HS (H) 6:30 PM Wayne County Invitational (A) TBA Salem HS (H) 6:30 PM MISCA Meet (A) TBA Plymouth HS (H) 6:30 PM JV Invitational (H) noon KLAA Conference Meet (A) noon KLAA Diving (A) TBA KLAA Conference Meet (A) noon MHSAA Regional Diving (A) TBA Last Chance Meet (H) 6:30 PM MHSAA State Finals (A) TBA
The ‘Ville 21
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A hand-tinted photo of a then-13 year old Mildred Madigan when she lived in Garretson, South Dakota.
Mildred Madigan, 106, reflects on her long life while relaxing in her Allen Terrace apartment on Dec. 18.
In ‘A Good Spot’
106 year old credits Northville, swimming and ‘our blessed Lord’ for longevity Story and Photos by John Heider
I
n a role reversal, adult children often spend anxious moments trying to track down their active senior parents as they usher them into their sunset years. Four years ago Pat Von Bonn knew just such a feeling when she was having some difficulty finding her mother, Mildred Madigan. Von Bonn would telephone her mother at her Allen Terrace number in Northville: “I’d call her and couldn’t get ahold of her and learned later that was because she was out driving her friends around.” That’s not too remarkable until you learn that
24 The ‘Ville
at that time Madigan was 102 years old. Now at 106, Madigan, who has lived in Northville since the mid-1940s, may just be the oldest living person in town. We checked with Northville City Hall, and she is the oldest registered voter. During her long and eventful time here, she raised five kids, started the town’s first co-op nursery school, got a teaching degree from EMU, taught at Our Lady of Victory School, volunteered and has always kept busy. Mildred Madigan (né Logeman) was born in
Garretson, South Dakota in 1912. She met her husband William (who passed away in 1982) in the early 1930s on the plains of South Dakota where they were both teachers. (Madigan is so fond of Garretson, a town 30 miles south of Sioux Falls, that she still subscribes to its weekly Gazette newspaper). When the Madigans first met, Mildred was teaching in a oneroom schoolhouse in White, SD, where she covered all grades and subjects. After marrying Mildred, William found a job teaching at Detroit Mercy High
in 1936. The couple moved to Parker Avenue in Farmington at that time and the crafty couple built a Sears kit house by themselves as they began their lives in southeast Michigan. The Madigans soon began to fill their Farmington home with five children. Mildred and William had Michael (deceased in 2009), Patricia Van Bonn, now 80, William (deceased 2013), and brothers Denny, 76, and Kerry, 73, who live in California. In the mid-1940s the Madigans moved to a home, that until being demolished,
was wedged within Northville’s Park Place apartments just east of Griswold. Mildred and her kids used to routinely swim in the nearby gravel pit lake that is now called Lake Success. Von Bonn asserts that her mother could swim across the lake (about a third of a mile wide) and kept up her swimming activities until she turned 102 when her knees took a turn for the worse. “She could swim as lovely as Esther Williams,” said Von Bonn. “When she was going to turn 100 we said ‘no more driving in the snow, mom’,” said Von Bonn. “So we had to discourage the swimming,” as Mildred used to drive herself to and from Schoolcraft Community College’s pool, where she swam for 36 years. During Mildred’s 70 decades in Northville, the town has changed from country and farm to simply a city with homes and businesses. It’s been surprising for her to see all the growth of recent years. She used to like going downtown to Main Street when: “I knew everybody in town - all the stores and their owners.” Besides Northville’s burgeoning growth, Madigan isn’t too fond of all the technology that goes with modern life. Though she took some computer classes years ago at Allen Terrace and even got an email address - she’s just not interested in it. “It’s just too fast,” said Madigan. Once she was established in town, Madigan began the Northville Co-op Nursery School in 1950 where she was its only paid staff member. Mildred liked her time as the leader of the nursery school: “It’s just cute little kids. Sometimes we’d take the kids on a walk through
town,” said Madigan. Mildred began teaching at Our Lady of Victory School in the 1960s and around that time went to EMU to get a degree in teaching. She then worked at a cerebral palsy institute in Farmington in the mid-60s. So well-liked and memorable of an OLV teacher was Madigan that some of the kids from her time there still recognize her when she’s around town and they’ll stop and say hello. “Of course, they’re all adults now,” said Madigan. How has she made it, not just to 100 years, but beyond? Madigan credits a higher power: “Our blessed Lord.” Her daughter Pat credits a lifetime of good nutrition and social engagement. Madigan also simply credits her town of Northville for her longevity: “This is a good spot.” Madigan, who’s lived at Allen
Terrace since 1998, enjoys being active in the building with her friends. She plays euchre Thursday nights at Allen Terrace and she likes to go outside everyday - if it’s not too cold. Madigan even used to play pool at the residence on High Street after discovering a billiards table in the lower level years ago. She’d never played much and taught herself the basics becoming so proficient that she could beat all the other residents including a match against the Allen Terrace’s then-pool shark named Dave Davis, taking him four out of five matches. Von Bonn summed up her mom’s impressively long life and can-do spirit. “Growing up I knew my mom could do anything. She roofed our home on Eight Mile, grew a lot of our own food, she’d do our washing on a wringer-washer
machine, and paint and shingle the house. And though I never saw her change a tire - I’m sure she could have. But that activity, that mentality has kept her active and well,” she said. And even though she mostly gets around in a wheelchair now, Madigan had considered knee replacement surgery at 96, but she and daughter Pat figured that the recovery process was going to be too much. “All I know is old age is no picnic,” said Madigan. As this reporter was about to leave, Von Bonn found a framed article from the Northville Record published on her mother when she’d turned 100, which this reporter had contributed photos to. Promises were elicited from the reporter to return and do another updated story on Madigan in another six years when she turns 112.
Mildred Madigan and her daughter Pat Von Bonn take a look at an article published in the Northville Record five years ago when Madigan surpassed 100 years of age.
The ‘Ville 25
out & about YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NORTHVILLE THIS MONTH Historical Society Lecture Jan. 30 The Northville Historical Society Lecture Series picks back up with “The Legacy of Rita and Bruce Turnbull” from 7-8 p.m. at the Village Church in Mill Race Historical Village. The Turnbulls were longtime Northville residents, volunteers and historians. Their son, Brian, will make the presentation. For more information, visit www. millracenorthville.org.
NHS Production of ‘Clue’ Jan. 31-Feb. 2 A Northville High School Drama Club will perform its production of “Clue” at 7 p.m., Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, and at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Feb. 2. The performances will take place in the NHS Auditorium. For more information, including ticket information, visit www.nhstheatre. com.
First Friday Experience Feb. 1 Celebrate the First Friday of the month with the retailers and restaurants of Downtown Northville. This popular event provides guests a unique evening filled with art, shopping and dining. Hosted by the locally-owned galleries and shops, the First Friday Experience runs from 6-9 p.m. with many of the establishments along the walk offering complimentary hors d’ oeuvres and beverages for their guests as they browse or shop. For more information, visit www. downtownnorthville.com.
The Last Five Years hits stage Jason Robert Brown’s raw musical creation, The Last Five Years, comes to life on Tipping Point Theatre’s stage Jan. 24 - March 3 under the direction of Matt Foss. Starring local actors Nick Yocum and Angie Kane Ferrante (pictured), this intimate telling of the beginning and end of a young couple’s relationship weaves together all of their endearing qualities and flaws in a way that leaves audiences constructing their own opinions on where the relationship went wrong. Brown premiered The Last Five Years at Chicago’s Northlight Theatre in 2001. It was then produced Off-Broadway in March 2002, winning Drama Desk
Edward Jones Coffee Club Feb. 7 Dan Delano of Edward Jones will host this event at Great Harvest Bread Co. (139 E. Main Street, Northville). Delano will make a brief presentation on current events in the market and economy, followed by an informal discussion. Coffee and pastries will be provided. For more information, call (248) 348-9815.
Daddy Daughter Dance Feb. 8 Northville Parks and Recreation hosts this annual event from 6-8 p.m. at the Northville Community Center Gym. This year’s theme is “Call of the Ocean,” so join your favorite Island Princess and dance the night away. Appropriate for ages 5-13. Food will be provided. Cost is $30 per couple ($5 for each additional family member). Registration deadline is
park’s trails. Dress appropriately for moderate activity. Light refreshments will be available after the hike. Participants will meet at the horse staging area, accessible from the Beck Road Entrance to the park. For more information, visit www. friendsofmaybury.org.
NHS Cabaret
Awards for Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music in 2002. He also won Tony Awards for his work on Parade and The Bridges of Madison County. Tickets are on sale now by visiting www.TippingPointTheatre. com or calling (248) 348-0003. Tipping Point is located at 361 E. Cady Street.
Feb. 23 This annual choir event takes place at 7 p.m. at Northville High School. Highlights include solo and small group performances. For more information, including how to purchase tickets, visit https:// northvillehighschoolchoirs.weebly. com.
Feb. 6. For more information, visit www.northvilleparksandrec.org.
Children’s Performance Workshop Feb. 9 The Northville High School Choir Department Children’s Performance Workshop will take place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Northville High School Theatre. This workshop in singing, dance and theatre, which is open to 3rd-5th graders, is taught by NHS performing arts students. For more information, visit https:// northvillehighschoolchoirs.weebly. com.
President’s Day Hike Feb. 18 Get outside and go for a guided hike from 10-11 a.m. at Maybury State Park on the President’s Day holiday. Weather permitting, bring your skis or snowshoes and head out in the
ON THE ROAD with The Ville Northville’s Sue and Paul Anker show off their copy of The ‘Ville during their trip to the beaches of Cabo, Mexico over the holidays. “We love the magazine and brought it along. Keep up the great work,” Sue Anker wrote. The next time you head out of town, take along The ‘Ville, snap a photo, and let us know where your travels take you. Our readers would love to know! Please email the photos to kurtkuban@gmail.com. We’ll feature the photos every month.
SEND IT IN To get your items listed in Out & About, email editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@gmail.com.
26 The ‘Ville
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SHARE IT The Community Bulletin Board Page is just what it says. If you have events, photos or accomplishments you’d like to share with the community, please email Editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@gmail.com.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
City Launches New Website
The City of Northville has launched a new website (www. ci.northville. mi.us) that provides a fresh look for the city and easy-toaccess pages with organized content for each department. City officials set out to create a public-friendly site, enabling users to quickly find what they are looking for throughout the site. It’s mobile responsive, adapting to various screen sizes – from desktops to phones. It’s also ADA compliant. The website features banner photos and candid shots of people who live and work in the city or come to visit. There are also photos of events, neighborhoods, the historic downtown and unique places in the city. Graphic elements, such as accordion files and news articles with previews, make it easy to view information and scan topics. The website was designed by Civic Live (an entity of West), of Kansas City, Mo., which specializes in websites for municipalities and school districts. A website committee was actively involved in the project, led by Communications Manager Liz Cezat. Staff will update the website on a regular basis, using a content management system that allows for the placement of copy, photos and links. The previous website had been in place for 10 years with a home page makeover in 2016.
‘Let the Games Begin’ Northville Newcomers & Neighbors (NNN) lived up to its goal of offering support and friendship to new and existing residents with an ‘Around Town Scavenger Hunt’ in December. The organization, which has around 200 members, is a social organization that promotes Northville. The scavenger hunt began at Sweet Brew ‘N Spice, where the teams were formed. Janice Cantelon and Connie Barber (NNN co-presidents) met with the 28 The ‘Ville
teams, and told them what items to look for. The teams then set out on foot in search of 28 items, which they either had to collect or photograph. The items could be found by stopping into local restaurants, retail stores, businesses, city/ government offices, or just by looking around town and asking people on the street. For example, find something that costs $9.99; take a picture of a person walking a dog; and secure a business card from a lawyer. The
Library Names New Director
Laura Mancini is the new director of the Northville District Library. She was hired by the library board at a special meeting on Dec. 5. Mancini succeeds Anne Mannisto, who retired after 22 years, serving as Assistant Director and as director in 2018. Mancini began the new job on Jan. 14. Mancini served as the director of the Oakland County Library for the past 15 years. In that capacity she administered the county’s library programs, which included the Adams-Pratt Law Library, the Library for the Visually and Physically Impaired, and the Research Library, each of which offered services to county residents and employees. Mancini has also held positions at the GM Media Archives, the Cranbrook Archives and the Benson Ford Research Center. Mancini is a graduate of Wayne State University, with a Master of Library and Information Science degree. She has spent her 22-year career as a librarian in the public and private sectors. Mancini is also a trustee for the Southfield Public Library, and has served as an Adjunct Faculty member for Wayne State University’s School of Library and Information Science. “I wish to continue the work done by my predecessors to make the Northville District Library a place that connects communities and serves as a source of enrichment and inspiration,” Mancini said. “I look forward to meeting the residents of the Northville communities and working with them on this endeavor.”
Northville Police Department was very accommodating, by allowing teams to take a picture with a police officer. Team “Clueless in Northville” consisting of Nancy Dwyer, Shirley Paff, Celia Karnes and Bev Stickler were crowned the winners. “I think I speak for all of us when I say we had a great
time. We learned a lot about each other and our community,” said NNN member Bette Fitz. For more information about NNN, which meets monthly, visit www.northvillenewcomers.com.
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It’s Your Business Cracked: An A.M. Addiction
Cracked: An A.M. Addiction owners Jeff and Patti Neely along with staff.
Cracked: An A.M. Addiction owners Jeff and Patti Neely.
Cracked delivers a unique dining ‘eggsperience’ J
eff and Patti Neely have been in many years with the company. He the food business a long time. was even in the owner’s box with Over the past four decades, they Monaghan when the Detroit Tigers have been involved with a number won the World Series in 1984, when of national and regional restaurant Monaghan still owned the team. franchises, and now own several “He was my mentor. I learned a dozen restaurants across Michigan great deal about this business from and Indiana. him,” Jeff Neely They have said. taken all that Neely experience, ultimately left OWNER: Jeff and Patti Neely and sprinkled Domino’s, and (Inspired Concepts, LLC) in plenty of worked for ADDRESS: 17933 Haggerty, creativity, to a number of Northville invent one of other national PHONE: (248) 308-1460 Northville’s restaurant HOURS: newest chains, before 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, restaurant he and Patti, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday sensations – who have been WEBSITE: www.crackedbreakfast.com Cracked: An married for 41 A.M. Addition, years, decided which opened over the summer at they wanted to own their own 17933 Haggerty. restaurants. They founded Inspired The origins of the new creation Concepts, LLC, which operates a date back 40 years ago, when Jeff, portfolio of franchises including at the age of 20, began his career Bennigan’s, The Italian Oven, Big with Domino’s Pizza, where he Apple Bagels, Noodles & Company, learned the ropes of the business and Old Chicago. and rose to become a vice president With Cracked, however, they with the company founded by Tom created the restaurant from scratch. Monaghan. In fact, Neely worked When they set out on the designing closely with Monaghan during his process, it all began with the menu,
CRACKED
AN A.M. ADDICTION
30 The ‘Ville
which took more than two years to develop. Patti, a registered dietician, created the menu. “I love to eat, and I like trendy things,” she said. “Whenever we travel and eat out, I always take notes of the things that I like. I get inspired by things that are unique. We’ve made our own tweaks to everything to create a truly unique menu.” Cracked is largely a breakfast destination, though they do offer plenty of lunch items as well. Some of the customer favorites have proven to be their various French toast creations, including their top seller The Addiction, which is stuffed with mascarpone and topped with salted caramel and vanilla. There are also plenty of egg options, including omelets and scramblers. In fact, you might say eggs are the foundation of the Cracked menu. A “cracked” egg is even in their logo. The lunch menu includes salads, “Sam-MICH-es” and designer burgers. The look of the restaurant is also unique. Patti calls it “a little trendy,
a little retro.” The Neelys plan to take a year to work out all the kinks and get everything just right before they take Cracked to the next level by opening a few more locations and ultimately selling franchises. Despite the fact they own dozens of restaurants, including 23 in Michigan with more than 1,000 employees, Inspired Concepts, LLC is very much a family business. The couple’s son, Josh, is vice president of operation services, their daughter, Natasha, handles all their marketing, daughter Emma is bar and beverage manager, and their son-in-law Levi Martin is chief development officer. It’s safe to say this new venture is the culmination of the Neelys’ love of food and extensive experience in the restaurant business. They’ve put their heart and soul into it. And it has paid off. While business has been great since their opening, they have been gauging their success one customer at a time. “My passion is seeing guests smile when they take their first bite. It’s that ‘wow’ factor. That’s what we love seeing,” Jeff said.
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BUSINESS SCENE Builder of the Year Medical Care Alert Honored The Northvillebased Mike Miller Building Company was named the Bert L. Smokler Builder of the Year by the Home Builders Association of Southeastern Michigan. The company received the award at the group’s annual awards banquet Dec. 5 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. According to the HBA, Mike Miller (above right) was honored for “promoting the best interests of the home building industry and the objectives of the association during the year 2018.” “His honesty and integrity, combined with outstanding leadership skills, solid business expertise, and a breadth of construction knowledge make him an asset to the HBA organization,” the organization wrote in a press release about company co-owner Mike Miller, who recently joined the HBA Board of Directors. Miller founded Mike Miller Building Company in 2002. “We do about 80 percent new construction and about 20 percent renovation and additions,” Miller said. “We are currently building about 25 homes a year, with prices ranging between $800,000 and $2 million.” The company builds throughout Oakland, Wayne, Washtenaw and Livingston counties and has grown to five employees, including Mike’s partner, Andy Gerecke.
Caring.com, the nation’s leading online destination for caregivers, has named Medical Care Alert to its list of top medical alert systems for 2019. The Northville-based medical alert provider was recognized as the Best for EMT/EMD Certified Monitoring. Medical Care Alert was one of 14 companies that qualified for the list based on its demonstration of excellent customer service, transparency, and affordability. With a variety of medical alert systems on the market, this list was developed to help seniors and their loved ones easily identify those with the highest overall value. As a part of the review process, Caring.com identified key features to look for in a system such as waterproofing, fall detection technology, location monitoring, and mobile help button. “We understand that safety is top of mind when caring for the elderly and that’s why we’re committed to providing the best medical alert monitoring,” says Medical Care Alert President Bryan Stapp. “All our agents are EMT/EMD-Certified, extensively trained to work with seniors and truly care about the people we serve.” For more information about Medical Care Alert, visit www.medicalcarealert.com or call (248) 513-8422.
Burn Boot Camp Opens
Burn Boot Camp, one of the fastest growing fitness franchises in the nation with more than 200 locations, opens its newest facility this month at 16855 Ridge Road in Northville. Owned by Northville residents, Monica and Dan Dressler, Burn Boot Camp offers 45 minute ladies-only and co-ed camps at multiple times throughout the day. Workouts take place on a proprietary floating floor with personalized attention in a group fitness setting. Clients of all fitness levels get far more than just exercise at Burn Boot Camp, as members are empowered through a positive mindset, whole food nutrition, and a supportive community of like-minded people. 1:1 nutritional counseling and complimentary childcare round out the experience for the ultimate package in health and fitness. To register for a trial with Burn Boot Camp Northville, visit www.burnbootcamp.com/northville-mi or call (248) 491-8380.
SHARE YOUR NEWS: Share your business news with us, and we’ll do our best to list it for our readers. Please email Editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@gmail.com.
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Dishin’ With Denise
Denise Jenkins serves on the board of directors for 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.
January reminds us to show some patience “Patience you must have, my young padawan.” -Yoda
T
raditionally in January folks make resolutions. Webster defines resolution as a firm decision to do or not to do something. No matter whom I ask about a resolution, the answer is always – they never work. A few years ago I made a decision to choose a word for the year. I’ve chosen joy, kind, gratitude, and peace. Every one had its own challenge, but I think I’ve done pretty darn good adopting each sentiment. This year my word is “patience”. Since they were born, my grandchildren have heard me repeat, like a broken record, “patience is a virtue.” It is, and it’s not always easy. In this day and age of immediate
Owner Brian Maiorana with staff at 160 Main
communication – where you can instantly search for the name of the Academy Award winning movie in 1967, it’s really hard to wait for anything. If you paused on January 1st to reflect on what a difference a year makes – there
32 The ‘Ville
was lot! The state hospital on Seven Mile is gone; The Downs – the Northville Downs development is in the works. Starring, The Gallery is gone – although Mary Starring continues to “pop up” with some creative artisans every now and then, but Adorn is open for business and delivered the most beautiful tabletop Christmas tree to my office.
6th Edition Short on Words Authors at the Author Reception at Genitti’s.
The Marquis Theatre celebrated 40 years of children’s theatre and 160 Main is finally open for business. Old Village School is new and improved and North 320, the boutique townhomes broke ground on Center Street. There are several new developments in Northville Township including housing for empty nesters and senior living, plus communities within the community for walkable living. Our landscape is changing. Looking ahead in 2019, the Northville Arts and Acts festival will return to the historic downtown district June 21-23, 2019. The Art in the Sun element will be the 31st annual juried fine art show. The call for
entries is underway. Artists can register at northvillearthouse. org. Preservation Dental is once again sponsoring the Short on Words competition, the literature arm of the festival. They will put out the call for entries on Jan. 31. The writing competition will offer aspiring writers an opportunity to tell a story, or write a poem (1,500 words or less) inspired by one of the select photos from Dr. William Demray’s collection, for cash prizes. Details and entry forms will be available at the Art House (215 W. Cady), the dental office (371 E. Main), or online at preservationdental. com.
A new Hines Park sign that is a beacon of things to come to the Wayne County Park.
Coming soon Northville residents will be able to enjoy an improved Hines Park – one of Michigan’s true gems, right in our own backyard. Time has taken a toll on some of the amenities and before the impact of aging destroys this jewel, Wayne County is stepping in
to develop public and private partnerships in order to restore the national heritage, improving recreational offerings and spruce up the park space. The effort is called the Hines Park Mill Run Project. Assistant Wayne County executive Khalil Rahal is very enthusiastic about the future of the park. “It’s a cool and vibrant place,” he said. You may have already noticed the new signage throughout the park, but that’s just the beginning. Rahal offers a simple invitation: “Imagine a day when you can rent a bike and ride from mill to mill enjoying the green space, enjoying a coffee in an outdoor cafe along the way.” If it sounds unbelievable, think again. I’m going to look forward to, and wait to see how the park shapes up. Yes, there are so many adages about waiting and patience. But one of my favorite quotes (from Robert Schuller) is: “Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come.” Sooner than you think. P.S. – The Best Film at the Academy Awards in 1967 was A Man For All Seasons.
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