The Ville - January 2025

Northville’s News and Lifestyle Magazine

Familiar Face Familiar Face Familiar Face Familiar Face A A

Traci Sincock Takes Over at Mill Race Village

Anna & Brian

Abby & Sean

Caitlin & Justin

Shira & Austin

Claire & Logan

Devin & Connor

LOCAL JOURNALISM MATTERS

Please consider a donation to support The 'Ville. Since we began publishing more than five years ago, our goal has been to provide our readers with valuable information about the Northville community each and every month. Your support helps that mission survive and grow.

And while The 'Ville is sent to every address in Northville at no cost to readers, it is not free to produce.

LOCAL Matters! is the foundation of this magazine. If you find it of value, please consider supporting it. Every little bit helps! Please send donations to: Journeyman Publishing 16435 Franklin Northville, MI 48168

You can also make donations via PayPal to kurtkuban@gmail.com.

Thank you in advance.

Publisher

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

• Karl O. Anderson

• Christine Bell

• Wayne & Mary Kay Pryce

• Kathleen Richard

• Nancy Roebuck

• Nancy Skurka

KURT KUBAN – Editor/Publisher

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

CRAIG WHEELER – Creative Director

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

MICHELE FECHT – Writer

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

WENSDY VON BUSKIRK – Writer

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

BRAD EMONS - Writer

Over the course of his four decades with the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers, Brad established himself as one of the preeminent prep sports reporters in the state, winning many journalism awards along the way. His greatest joy is interviewing local athletes and coaches, and reporting on their efforts.

TIM SMITH - Writer

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

MARIA TAYLOR – Writer

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

SCOTT SPIELMAN – Writer

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

BRYAN MITCHELL - Photographer

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

It’s 2025 -- do you know what your children are watching?

Friends of our family recently experienced an unimaginable tragedy. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, they unexpectedly lost their child, barely a teenager — every parent’s ultimate nightmare.

I’m going to be intentionally vague about the details because I want to respect their grief and I don’t want anyone playing internet sleuth to try to figure out what happened or who it happened to or what led up to it or anything along those lines, at all. I do want to write about it, however, because I think it’s a result of a growing problem— not just in our community, but across the nation and around the globe. Essentially the poor family is the victim of an attempt to duplicate an internet stunt gone horribly wrong.

You have probably heard of some of these: anything from trying to choke down a tablespoon of ground cinnamon, snacking on Tide pods, the ‘bird box’ challenge (walking around blindfolded in and out of traffic) and more. Many may seem fun, all are risky and some of them are absolutely dangerous and sick.

There is already a lot of discussion about the dangers of social media—and you will probably hear a lot more this year, too, as officials ponder whether to ban the popular Tik Tok app and more studies are released about the negative effects it can have on young people (and adults, too, for that matter).

It can also be a difficult conversation to have with your children. I get it. We all want to be friends with our kids, to be the ‘cool dad’ or ‘cool mom.’ That’s not always our role, though. Sometimes, it’s okay to be intrusive—and it’s always a good habit to find out who your kids are interacting with, what they’re doing, where they’re going and so on.

The thing is, this is virtually an impossible problem to solve. Kids will be kids. We all know that. We know that kids are likely to imitate their peers, to seek social acceptance in some form and peer pressure will always be stronger than parental pressure — and more and more often, that acceptance takes

place in the virtual realm.

We all did dumb things as kids — I’m of the generation that rode around without a bike helmet through all kinds of traffic and constructed ramshackle ramps to try to jump over local creeks, Evel Knievel-style. These stunts are inherently more dangerous nowadays because they’re so accessible — you don’t need a bike, a ramp, a creek or anything at all. And parents simply cannot be everywhere at once. This is something that could happen to anyone, at any time, regardless of how you prepare, how well you communicate or the examples you, yourself, set.

So what can be done?

Communication is the first thing. Have those difficult conversations. They may be awkward; they may make you feel like a heel, but the alternative is too grim to bear. Make sure you can have an open dialogue — however uncomfortable — with your kids.

Urge them to think things through. Sure, it may look funny seeing someone cough up a cloud of cinnamon or make a funny face while trying to eat chicken boiled in Nyquil, but both can make you really, really sick. As parents, we sometimes have to outline the potential consequences for our kids.

Limit who you’re interacting with, or who your kids are interacting with. If their friends (or your friends) are continually trying to push them to do risky or unsafe things, re-evaluate that relationship.

Make sure you know your kids are loved and foster an atmosphere with more personal connections — even if it’s just as simple as keeping phones and tablets away from the dinner table.

Finally, it’s a tough world out there — in our neighborhoods, our schools and particularly on the internet. We all need to make an effort to be kinder, less judgmental and more supportive. Make sure everyone you know and love understands that the world is a better place with them in it.

Scott Spielman is a regular writer for The ‘Ville. He welcomes your feedback at scottyspielman@gmail.com.

ON THE COVER: Traci Sincock, who is the new executive director of the Northville Historical Society, looks out the window of the Cady Inn at the historic Mill Race Village. Photo by Bryan Mitchell

Your Voice

‘Enough is enough’

Your common-sense article last month (“Community Trashes New Landfill Proposal”) confirms that any further expansion cannot be considered, let alone granted. I have two comments:

1. The prior land owner who sold the property for use as a landfill did so with zero concern for the citizens in Northville, knowing what would happen and the reaction that would ensue. The same, with near certainty, must be true for the current owner.

2. Abject greed is the motivating factor behind this entire enterprise; continuing to operate should come at a far higher cost. The $0.36 a ton tipping rate is the root cause; raising the rate to an above average regional rate per ton would put an end to “garbage importation.”

As a resident of Northville Township for 21 years, enough is enough. Thank you for continuing to present this issue with a lens focused on Northville citizens’ well-being.

Steve Had

Take action

Thank you for bringing attention to the potential expansion of the Arbor Hills landfill in last month’s issue. In addition to writing to the Washtenaw County Material Management Planning (MMP) members and our state legislators, it is also important for Northville residents to be physically present at MMP meetings, which are expected to be the second Wednesday of every month. I look forward to seeing other Northville residents at these meetings and making sure the MMP understands the impact their decision will have on the Northville and Salem communities for generations to come.

Jen Blaharski

Stop vilifying Salem

As a former City of Northville resident and now a Salem Township resident, I can say nobody in Salem wanted the “dump” 30 years ago. Keep in mind Napier Road is a boundary between Wayne to Washtenaw counties. It is kind of a perfect storm. Those east of Napier Road don’t really have a say or for that matter a vote for what happens west of Napier Road. EGLE and Washtenaw County will be doing the decision making. Salem Township also has no real vote in the matter. Those in Northville Township west of Ridge Road were sold a bill of goods by the developers. These residents need to ask themselves “where does my trash go?” Well, it goes to that dump.

The amount of foreign trash is a minority share. And by the way to restrict that would involve the federal government as an interstate commerce issue/ trade issue. As would restricting trash from other states.

Maybe the Northville Township residents need to work on the Wayne County issues where they have a vote and influence. As I see it the western residents of Northville Township have some sort of buyer’s remorse and sour grapes. One final point, Arbor Hills in not a Salem Township landfill – it is a Washtenaw County landfill permitted by the State of Michigan (EGLE). So please stop vilifying Salem Township residents.

Jay Julow

How about warming/cooling station?

In a recent issue, you asked readers to share their ideas about the one remaining building left at Legacy Park from the old psychiatric hospital. It’s a little difficult to make suggestions without knowing the size of the building, but here we go: There was talk at some point about a sledding hill or trails for cross-country skiing. I don’t know if those are still on the table, but I know that there will be walking and bike trails. It would be nice to see that building used as a warming/cooling station with a concession stand and bathrooms. They could even have rentals of sleds in the winter and bike repair kits in the warmer months. The hours of operation could be established by monitoring the heaviest times of use at the park.

Robin Schleh

‘Inappropriate’ letter

I found it inappropriate to publish a political comment by Mr. Bob Gutowski (“Confused by election”) in the Your Voice section of the December, 2024 issue. He is obviously upset over the results of the presidential election and this should not be the place to express such opinions. I am disappointed that your magazine allowed this to be published.

Bob Mathews

‘Poignant’ letter

Your December issue included the most poignant piece of literature we have seen in the Your Voice letters to the editor section. Mr. Bob Gutowski has our admiration. I feel the city is better because of him.

Melissa Corriveau-Sullivan

Thanks for letter

I know you don’t like to include politics in the magazine, but Bob Gutowski said it right in his letter. Thank you!

Robert E. Eads

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

Northville Parks and Recreation Director Derek Smith stands next to the last remaining building from the Michigan Psychiatric Hospital complex at what is now Legacy Park.

Photo by Bryan Mitchell

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The years between the time Oldford first looked at the Five Mile property to when the first shovel went in the ground would prove to be among the most challenging for the construction industry — a double whammy for Oldford as a supplier of construction materials while at the same time considering construction of a new facility for Northville

A Beautiful new space

A Beautiful new space

Northville Lumber moves centuries-old business to new site

By Michele M. Fecht | Photos by Bryan Mitchell

As owner of a multi-century, family-owned business in downtown Northville, his decision to build an expanded facility in Northville Township was, to say the least, a leap of faith.

Earlier this month, Northville Lumber opened the doors of its new headquarters at Five Mile and Napier roads, part of the Michigan International Technology Center (MITC), a joint real estate development initiative between Northville and Plymouth townships.

The 72,000-square-foot facility occupies 25 acres on the north side of Five Mile.

“We’re about 100 times bigger than where we were,” Oldford said of the former 615 Baseline Road location, adding that the new facility is operating on a

feet of the facility is used for store and office space with the warehouse occupying an additional 40,000 square feet.

The “soft” opening on January 2 — a prelude to a grand opening sometime in April — was the culmination of 17 months of non-stop construction.

‘UNPRECEDENTED’ CHALLENGES

“I realized in 2019 that we were out of space,” Oldford said of Northville Lumber’s longtime location on Baseline Road. “We were operating out of four different facilities. It was just so tight.”

Oldford, who joined the family business in 1988 and has been president of the company since 2006, said the challenge of finding suitable property

“It took a couple of years to get started due to unprecedented issues in the construction field,” he noted. “There were inefficiencies in the supply chain, product shortages and unprecedented spikes in lumber costs.” In May 2021, lumber reached a record all-time high of $1,711.20 per thousand board feet. By comparison, current lumber

in the Northville area seemed daunting until he was made aware of the MITC initiative in 2019. “There were no utilities on the site,” he said of the new location. “No water, no sewer, but the site offered the acreage we needed. My goal was to bring organization and efficiency to our model which we just couldn’t do at our former location.”

prices are in the $540 per thousand board feet range depending on the type of wood.

“Usually, the construction industry leads the country in an economic downturn,” he said. “Except when there is a pandemic.”

Despite the challenges, Oldford said they made the decision to push ahead with their plan to build, hiring

Northville Lumber owner Stewart Oldford (front center) with some of his employees at the company’s new location at Five Mile and Napier.

Northville Lumber’s new facility in Northville Township opened for business earlier this month. They are planning a grand opening in April.

Schafer Construction of Brighton with F.A.studio of Southfield heading the design. Patrons will recognize Northville Lumber’s logo on the building’s façade. Its branding hasn’t changed.

Aside from the staff at Northville Lumber’s Novi Home Design Center on Novi Road, the new facility will house the company’s 80-some employees under one roof. Oldford said the Design Center, which opened in 2016, will remain at its current site continuing to showcase products such as windows, doors, molding and hardware. Oldford said he has not decided what he will do with the Baseline site.

The store area of the new facility offers more space for showcasing products with design stations centrally located. Oldford said artwork on the walls will bring a Northville feel to the space along with shadowboxes housed under the counters that will showcase antique tools and other artifacts.

The most impressive space in the new facility is the 40,000 square foot warehouse with its towers of ©auto-stak bins for storing hardwood, plywood, Trex and other materials. Oldford said the automated loading system provides efficiency and ease that wasn’t possible at the former lumber yard.

“I’ve learned a few things in my 35 years in this business,” he noted, adding that the new site offered the opportunity to “bring organization and efficiency to our model.” Another example of that efficiency can be found with the elongated parking spaces for trucks and trailers in the expansive parking lot.

The site also has a multipurpose event space that can be closed for interior events or opened to an outdoor space. Oldford said the space could be available for use by community groups.

A STORIED HISTORY

Northville Lumber is Northville’s oldest continuously operating family-owned business and one of the oldest in Michigan. Its roots date back to 1826 when pioneer John Miller selected the site for Northville’s first grist mill now occupied by Mill Race Historical Village. Miller enlisted millwright Israel Nash to assist in the mill’s construction which was completed in 1827. The first grist was ground that fall. The mill was among the first in the territory providing area farmers with a more convenient location for grinding their corn and wheat into flour. At the time, the only other mills were in Ann Arbor and Pontiac.

Mills. The mill would eventually be purchased by Yerkes’ brothers William, Robert and Donald Purdy, all grandsons of Northville pioneer William Yerkes. This is the bloodline of Stewart Oldford. At 59, Oldford is the sixth generation and a direct descendent of one of the community’s most notable families.

Oldford’s mother, Carolyn Burkman Oldford, was the daughter of John and Ruth (Yerkes) Burkman. Ruth Burkman was the daughter of Donald Purdy Yerkes and granddaughter of Robert Yerkes, one of the seven sons of Northville pioneer William

Captain William Dunlap purchased the mill and then razed it in 1847 to build a more expansive operation. It was then known as Northville Milling Company or Northville

Yerkes. Quite the family tree. Donald Purdy Yerkes took over the mill operation from his two brothers in 1894. At that time, the mill manufactured its popular “Gold Lace” flour.

The site, which included the present Ford Field area, was purchased by Henry Ford in 1920. A year later, Donald Purdy Yerkes and his son Donald, Jr. built another mill and lumber building on Baseline that became the Northville Milling and Lumber Company. The business got a boost in 1922 when the Flint-Saginaw extension of the Pere-Marquette installed a railroad siding for the milling and lumber company.

The company stopped making flour in 1936 and dropped custom grinding of feed in 1952. Donald Yerkes, Jr. retired from the business after nearly 50 years with the firm and sold the company in 1967 to brothers Howard and Stewart Oldford, Sr. Oldford married Carolyn Burkman, sister of Donald Yerkes, Jr.

In the 18 years since taking over the company, Oldford has grown the business at a time when “big box stores” have saturated the market. He credits the company’s success and longevity to a loyal customer base, his staff, and a community that has supported what he affectionally calls “the muddy little shoebox” on Baseline.

Though the shoebox is now bigger, the principles of Northville Lumber’s 19th century roots still remain.

For more information about Northville Lumber, visit www. northvillelumber.com.

Northville Lumber’s new 72,000-square-foot facility occupies 25 acres on the north side of Five Mile at Ridge.

An early image of the Northville Milling & Lumber Co. on Baseline that would be renamed Northville Lumber. Photo courtesy of Northville Lumber

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A Familiar Face

Historical Society hires Traci Sincock to become its new leader

By Kurt Kuban | Photos by Bryan Mitchell

If you’ve been in any kind of leadership position in the Northville community during the last four decades, there’s a good chance you’ve dealt with Traci Sincock at some point along the way. From her time leading the Parks and Recreation Department to her stints at the Northville Chamber of Commerce and most recently at Maybury State Park, Sincock has seen the

community grow by leaps and bounds.

Sincock will now be one of the main stewards of Northville’s past after accepting the executive director position with the Northville Historical Society.

Sincock first came to Northville 40 years ago when she was hired as a recreation supervisor for the Northville Parks and Recreation

Department. Over the next 26 years, she became the department’s director and helped lead the development of most of Northville’s current park system. Sincock then spent five years at the Northville Chamber of Commerce before leaving to take over as park supervisor at Maybury State Park – a job she held for more than seven years.

Sincock “retired” from Maybury in February 2024, but admits she needed “something to do.”

And then opportunity came calling again after she had a conversation with Northville Historical Society President Bill Stockhausen, who inquired if she was interested in serving on the NHS board of directors. After talking to some board members, she learned executive director Paul Snyder was getting ready to leave the position so he could do some traveling with his wife, who just retired, and Sincock was asked if she was interested in the position.

“I wanted some assurances it would be meaningful,” Sincock said.

After speaking to some of the current board members, she was convinced that the organization was making some good strides structurally, financially, and strategically. She attended the November board meeting, and then in December decided to accept the part-time job. She started on Jan. 6.

Sincock isn’t exactly a stranger to the Historical Society. She served on the NHS board from 2014-2016. She has also collaborated with the group over the years while in her other positions – planning events and through other community initiatives.

In addition to safeguarding and documenting Northville’s history, the Historical Society also maintains Mill Race Village, which is home to 10 historic buildings that were moved to the city-owned property along the Rouge River beginning in 1972. The City of Northville owns the grounds and all the buildings. Although the city does basic work on the grounds like cutting grass and plowing the parking lot, the Historical Society maintains the buildings and manages the village, which is a daunting task for a non-profit organization that depends on volunteers.

Having just started this month, Sincock is still getting her feet wet, but she is hoping to raise the level of

professionalism, not unlike what she did in the early days of the Northville Parks and Recreation Commission decades ago.

For now, her focus will be doing outreach to city and community leaders, the parks and recreation department and the chamber of commerce. She also expects the Historical Society to play a role in the city’s bicentennial planning

Traci Sincock is taking the reins from Paul Snyder, who has served as the Historical Society’s executive director for the last 17 months.

over the next couple years.

“I want to make sure they know me, so we can figure out ways we can collaborate and help each other,” she said.

She will also sit down with the Historical Society employees (there are five part-time) and many of the volunteers, who are so instrumental in Mill Race’s success. There are the docents, who give guided tours of the Village, as well as the Stone Gang, a group of men who do a lot of the physical upkeep with the different buildings. According to Sincock, there were more than 10,000 volunteer hours completed at Mill Race last year.

“I’m still in exploration mode. Trying to figure out who everybody is and how everything works,” Sincock said.

Fortunately for Sincock, Snyder will be staying on until the end of January to help the transition go as smoothly as possible. Snyder, who started as the NHS archivist, has been the group’s executive director for the past 17 months. Stockhausen praised his leadership during that tenure effectively managing staff, volunteers and the operations.

“Paul has performed an exemplary job of managing the Mill Race operations,” Stockhausen said.

There has been a lot of momentum in recent years at Mill Race. The NHS recently completed the Pave the Lane project where the road through the village was paved with bricks. And there has been a lot of environmental work done that will reduce flooding and make the village more nature friendly.

Snyder was also instrumental in moving the NHS archives from the second floor of the

Cady Inn, where the group has its administrative operations, to dedicated space in the J.M. Meade store across the street.

“I think what I brought to the table was creating an environment where the staff could do their jobs to the best of their abilities, and we were able to get a lot done,” said Synder, who called Mill Race “a special place.” He plans to spend some time in Paris with his wife, but said he will be back volunteering in the not too distant future.

Sincock will try to build upon the momentum created under Snyder’s leadership. Securing additional revenue streams will be one of her main priorities.

The Historical Society’s current annual budget is a little more than $200,000. Most of that comes through donations, rentals for weddings and other events, and sponsorships.

Sincock would like to throw a wider net to get grants and other funding that is available to non-profit organizations like the Historical Society.

“We need to figure out stable funding and succession planning. It’s like running a park. Mill Race is a park. That’s something I have a lot of experience with,” she said.

There are plenty of challenges, of course. Sincock said the schedule includes painting and redoing the roof of a different building each year for the next 10 years, which is expensive.

“The buildings are aging, and it’s a priority of the board to

keep those city-owned buildings in good working shape. So we have a fairly robust, large capital-improvement plan that we need to work on,” Sincock said.

Despite the challenges in front of her, Sincock said she is incredibly fortunate to have been in leadership roles in the various positions over the years.

“I feel really blessed. I truly believe you are put where you are supposed to be. I’m very blessed to have all these similar but different experiences – all here in Northville,” Sincock said. “I feel a connection here. That’s what it’s really about.

I need to feel connected to something, to this community.” She admits, however, that there are major changes happening in the community and it’s not the same place it was four decades ago when she first arrived in town. And that’s one of the reasons she feels the Historical Society is so important-- so today’s residents don’t forget who we are.

“The diversity is changing, and it’s growing and it’s going to grow more with the Downs project. Let’s position the Historical Society and Mill Race to be a part of that growth, because this place is the keeper of the community’s history.”

For more information about the Northville Historical Society or Mill Race Village, including how to donate or volunteer, visit www. millracenorthville.org.

Members of the Stone Gang are just some of the many volunteers who are so vital to the upkeep of Mill Race Village, which is managed by the Northville Historical Society.

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Northville Mourns Passing of Multi-Talented Scott Frush

Township trustee remembered for his dedication to community

By Tim Smith

Going the extra mile never stopped Scott Frush -- literally. A story about him getting the perfect trees for his sloped backyard at his Northville Township home says a lot about Frush, who died suddenly on Jan. 11 from cardiac arrest at age 53.

“We live on a reverse grade, which means our backyard is a hill, it slopes upward,” said Christina Frush, reminiscing about her husband. “So he learned a lot about what type of trees to plant on the hill, what types of trees absorb water. He just learned so much about trees. He would actually go to Ohio to purchase trees because there was a certain tree he wanted to plant in our yard and he couldn’t find it in Michigan.”

Those who knew the Northville Township trustee best called him good-natured and welcoming. He was also very thorough and always prepared.

Frush served on the township board as a trustee since 2019. He was also the township’s deputy treasurer since 2021.

The legacy he leaves behind is as rocksolid as they come, according to township officials Mark Abbo and Glenn Caldwell. Both men said they are still shocked and overwhelmed by the death of their “go-to” friend and colleague.

“Scott really had his heart in the

Northville community,” said Abbo, township supervisor. “He was proud to be involved in township government and he was a great resource and asset to the community. He was very involved in decisions that were made and always had the community’s best interest in mind. It (Frush’s death) was very untimely and sudden. When I was first told he was in the hospital I was just heartbroken.”

Caldwell, Northville Township’s new manager, added that Frush “was just a great guy, first and foremost. Just a phenomenal person who had time for anyone and

everyone. He was really a phenomenal asset to the township, as a member of the township team. … It’s a tremendous and shocking loss that we’re still processing and going through.”

Abbo said the township has 45 days to appoint Frush’s successor to the board of trustees.

Frush was so well-versed in the investment world that Caldwell described him as a “financial guru, a phenomenal steward of public funds, of township resources. He was the epitome of responsible government.”

“The first time I ever worked with Scott was when we were both members of the 11th Congressional District Republican Committee,” Abbo recalled. “He was active in the Republican Party. Everybody knew him as a fiscal conservative. And he felt he had the responsibility to the township to keep taxes low and services high.”

Frush was an inspired Certified Financial Planner who found time to write personal finance books. Teaching college students about financial planning was a dream of his and a reason he was finishing up work on his PhD at the University of Florida. Frush also authored a half dozen finance books published by McGraw-Hill.

“He was just a very remarkable human being, very accomplished in his 53 years,” Christina Frush said. “(He) just accomplished a lot and he was always very motivated to continue to learn and certainly instilled some really good discipline in our children. I could go on and on.”

Scott and Christina Frush’s children are 17-year-old Gabriella and 16-year-old Ryan, who both attend Ann Arbor-based Father Gabriel Richard and Northville High School, respectively.

Doing research and going near and far to find the perfect backyard tree wasn’t the only labor of love Scott Frush had when he wasn’t at his day job (recently at Fifth Third Bank) – or putting in extra hours helping Northville Township secure the coveted AAA bond rating which was instrumental in launching the Essential Services Complex project at Legacy Park on Seven Mile Road.

“Under his guidance we got the AAA bond rating, which was a huge deal,” Caldwell underscored. “We worked through the

Scott Frush with his children, Gabriella and Ryan, and wife Christina. Photo courtesy of Christina Frush

A bouquet of flowers was placed at Scott Frush’s usual spot at the Jan. 16 Northville Township Board of Trustees meeting. Photo by Brad Emons

reduction of (township) water rates, too. Really, a big one, is he and our treasurer dove into our investment strategies. We went from earning a hundred thousand dollars to (earning) millions of dollars a year in interest earnings.”

The reason Frush helped in those financial matters was because, continued Caldwell, “the more responsible you are, the more money you can save because people trust you. That’s what the AAA bond rating is, it’s a value of the township’s word, really.”

There also was enough time to tackle yet another hobby or two. In addition to landscaping, Frush became immersed in woodworking, taking on the challenge of re-doing the family basement.

“He started woodworking because we were in the process of finishing our basement and he wanted to do a lot of the work on his own,” Christina Frush said. “I mean, he was never one to pick up a hammer, right?”

With a chuckle, she said her husband of 19 years “also learned a lot from his brothers (Michael, Todd and Jason Frush) and YouTube videos.

“He really did a beautiful job on our basement. (Those were) hobbies, just things he picked up over the last 13 or 15 years that just, really, prior to that he never had any interest. He was always just one to learn

new things. He never stopped.”

Unable or unwilling to say no to public service was in keeping with his strong Catholic faith (he was honored with a public viewing on Jan. 17 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Plymouth).

Yet another interest was an appreciation

Scott really had his heart in the Northville community. He was proud to be involved in township government and he was a great resource and asset to the community. He was very involved in decisions that were made and always had the community’s best interest in mind. It (Frush’s death) was very untimely and sudden. When I was first told he was in the hospital I was just heartbroken.

Mark Abbo Northville Township Supervisor

of fine wine. Scott Frush was a certified Sommelier.

“He just had a lot of interests in a lot of different things,” Christina Frush noted.

“He was never complacent. He just enjoyed learning and doing different things.”

In early December, Scott Frush spoke at a public meeting at Northville Township Hall about Green For Life’s proposed expansion of the Arbor Hills Landfill on the northeast corner of Washtenaw County to “do whatever it takes to ensure that doesn’t happen.” Frush at that time was set to go to work as a non-voting member of Washtenaw County Commissioners Materials Management Planning Committee to help fight that environmental concern.

Unfortunately, fate got in the way and stopped him from continuing his work on behalf of Northville Township – where he

also served on special committees including the Northville Parks and Recreation Commission and Historic District Commission.

“Scott dedicated his life to making Northville a better community,” said Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull, who worked with Frush on the parks and recreation commission. “Scott worked to ensure that opportunities for all Northville residents both young and old were available.”

The Redford St. Agatha High School, Eastern Michigan University and University of Notre Dame alum was involved with numerous clubs, organizations and causes, including helping spearhead the development of the Unity Skate Park at Millennium Park. Frush was very involved in the Northville Education Foundation and Friends of the Northville District Library. From 2002-08, Frush was president of the Eastern Michigan Alumni Association and (he was president of the EMU alumni board from 2002-08).

“It was in Scott’s DNA to help people, whether it was for his alma mater, his family or for Northville Township,” Caldwell said. Funeral services were held Jan. 16 at Harry J. Will Funeral Home in Livonia, and a funeral mass was scheduled to take place Jan. 17 at Our Lady of Good Counsel, with

burial at Glen Eden Cemetery in Livonia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Northville Educational Foundation or New Hope Center of Grief Support. Christina Frush said both organizations “were very fitting for Scott and our family.”

Scott Frush loved to travel with his family. Here he is at the Grand Canyon. Photo courtesy of Christina Frush

Scott Frush (top left) was one of the leading proponents from the very beginning to get the Unity Skate Park built. Photo by Bill Bresler

Highlights of

Northville Township is here to serve you. In 2024, the Northville Township Board of Trustees and staff achieved:

Leadership Changes:

New Board of Trustees elected

Glenn Caldwell stepped into Township Manager role after Todd L. Mutchler’s retirement

Exciting Additions:

Unity Skatepark officially opened

Phase One of Legacy Park trails opened Broke ground on 96,000-square-foot Essential Services Complex

Achievements:

AAA bond rating reaffirmed

Township won another Detroit Free Press Top Workplaces award Fire Department investigation prompted a nationwide recall

Accolades:

Supervisor Mark J. Abbo won mParks’ Top Local Official Award

Joe Leeson received the Outstanding Building Official award Legacy Park was named Project of the Year Award from the American Public Works Association

We look forward to serving you in 2025. Happy New Year.

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Coffeeshop Concert s

Up and coming musicians shine at Tuscan Café – for a good cause

By Maddie Luebkert | Photos by Bryan Mitchell

What goes great with a Latte from Tuscan Café? How about live music and a good cause?

At Tuscan Café on East Main Street, customers can enjoy a helping of caffeine while they help others thanks to local organization Coffeeshop Concerts.

Coffeeshop Concerts, started by Northville High School senior Ava Crozier, 17, are small concerts held at Tuscan every other Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. The performances feature local residents, many of them students at Northville High School. Performers play acoustic, low-key sets fit for the coffee shop atmosphere but cover a wide range of genres and artists. Some lucky audiences even get the chance to hear never-before-heard originals.

“We’re all about really building community, bringing music anywhere we can into the community, and also enabling any aspiring musicians who

want to try and play their stuff and get practice,” said Crozier.

Not only do these concerts give local up and comers a chance to shine, but they also raise money for music therapy at Village Oaks Elementary School. At every show, audience

members can give a free-will donation or the suggested donation of $5. This amount might not seem like a lot, but Ava has already raised thousands from these concerts for music therapy at Village Oaks.

Though Coffeeshop Concerts have been a hit at Tuscan, they didn’t start here. The first Coffeeshop Concert took place on the other side of the country -- in Orange County, California. Crozier, originally from California, began her adventures at a small coffee shop in the city of Aliso Viejo called Milk and Honey.

“I really was interested in finding a way to give back in my own way that I was really excited about, and I came up with the idea for coffee shop concerts,” said Crozier. “I’m also a very avid coffee lover, so it felt perfect for me.”

Coffeeshop Concerts were a hit in California, raising money for elementary school music programs. But how would they fare here? When Crozier moved to Northville in August of 2023, she didn’t let the change of scenery stop her from pursuing her goals, though it wasn’t easy.

“It took a little bit of time to get it off the ground here,” said Crozier. “I really had to rebuild my network and find a venue that was interested in hosting.”

Fortunately for Crozier, Tuscan Café was more than willing. William Hundley, owner of Tuscan Café, is married to Village Oaks Elementary School teacher Jayme Hundley, who informed Crozier about the music therapy program at Village Oaks. The perfect partnership was born.

“It really worked out perfectly that we were both so passionate about the same cause,” said Crozier.

Since the beginning of their partnership in 2023, Crozier has hosted more than 20 concerts and raised a couple thousand dollars for Village Oaks.

The Coffeeshop Concerts is a project started by NHS senior Ava Crozier to raise funds for local youth music programs.

Northville High School seniors Keaton Wolf (left) and Brooke Feller played a chill set in front of friends, family, and other patrons at the Tuscan Café back in December.

We’re all about really building community, bringing music anywhere we can into the community, and also enabling any aspiring musicians who want to try and play their stuff and get practice.

Ava Crozier, NHS senior who started Coffeeshop Concerts

Keaton Wolf, 17, a senior at Northville High School has performed with Coffeeshop Concerts more than a few times and was even featured in the first-ever show at Tuscan Café. A member of choir since middle school, Wolf likes to sing and perform. When Crozier moved to Northville, she and Wolf became fast friends. Crozier encouraged Wolf to perform with Coffeeshop Concerts so she could gain volunteer hours for the National Honor Society at Northville High School.

“I started doing (shows), and I really liked it. It was fun,” said Wolf. “It is for a great cause, so I just kept on doing it.”

Fellow NHS senior Brooke

Feller made her Coffeeshop Concert debut on Dec. 17, performing with Wolf. She has played guitar since she was in first grade at Moraine Elementary School, following in the footsteps of her musical family.

“My older sister plays guitar and my younger sister plays ukulele, so we like doing that together,” said Feller, 17, who also plays guitar for local nursing homes but otherwise has never had the opportunity to perform outside of a family setting.

“I’ve been playing guitar since first grade, but I’ve never gotten to play in a super public area so that was the first time for me.

But it was super enjoyable and everybody’s super friendly,” said Feller.

During the show, Wolf and Feller sang while Feller strummed the guitar. They played classic Christmas songs like Last Christmas but threw in some other tunes for more variety.

“We knew that we wanted to do some Christmas songs, but we also wanted to incorporate some more modern songs,” said Feller. Among the beloved Christmas songs, Wolf and Feller included songs Let The Light In by Lana Del Ray, Blowing Smoke by Gracie Abrams and So Much Wine by Phoebe Bridgers.

Though it’s fun to perform and play music for her friends, these shows are much more than that for Feller. “I know how important music is in my life, and I know that it definitely affects me in a positive way so I’m really glad that we can help other children experience that who might not be able to do that in the first place,” said Feller. Performance schedules and updates can be found at the Coffeeshop Concerts Instagram page @coffeeshopconcerts. Crozier encourages those interested in performing to reach out through Instagram. Donations are accepted through Venmo at @Valerie-PerroneCrozier.

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Keeping the Spirit of the Revolution Alive

Local Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter embraces service and preservation

By Sue Voyles

When it comes to Plymouth and Northville history, the name Titus Vespatian Hoisington probably doesn’t come to mind for most people. Unless, that is, you’re a member of the local Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) chapter.

A Revolutionary War solider, Hoisington served as a private in the Vermont Militia and later became a Plymouth

resident. His remains are buried on the grounds of the First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth.

The Betsy Ross style flag placed at his marker is maintained by the DAR’s Sarah Ann Cochrane Chapter in Plymouth. The 132 local members, along with 190,000 women nationwide, honor veterans as well as research and preserve the history of early Americans like Hoisington.

“The DAR’s core values are education, patriotism and historic preservation, which we carry out in various ways,” says Jen

Wells, Chapter Regent (a term describing the elected leader of the group).

NORTHVILLE CONNECTIONS

To understand the Plymouth DAR chapter and its role in the community today, one must start about a century ago with a Northville woman named Mary Crist Lendrum.

Lendrum hosted a luncheon at her home in 1926 with eight DAR members-at-large and six new members to organize a new chapter in Plymouth. A few months later in February 1927, the members invited eligible Northville women to join the chapter. When the charter was granted to the chapter on March 8, 1928, there were 24 members.

That new chapter was named after Northville resident Sarah Ann Cochrane, a teacher and librarian as well as a direct descendent of five American Revolutionary War soldiers.

National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution emerged during an era of renewed patriotism and deep fascination with the origins of the United States.

Members of the Cochrane chapter, like others across the country, have one thing in common – they all have a “patriot” ancestor who helped secure American independence.

“We define patriot as anyone who served in any capacity to assist the military,” says Wells. “If you can prove you have a family member who gave aid to the military, you can be a member.”

Some people may perceive the DAR as an elite group, but with more than 1 million women who have been part of the organization since its founding, the nonprofit organization has a wide impact.

Cochrane died in 1917, almost a decade before Lendrum decided to organize a local DAR chapter, and is buried in Northville’s Rural Hill Cemetery.

Her presence is still evident in the community. The Sarah Ann Cochrane home stands today in Northville at 204 Randolph. Back in 1845, it was the Northville Academy where Sarah and her brother, Lyman, taught school alongside their father the Reverend Sylvester Cochrane.

Founded in 1890, the

That includes volunteering millions of hours each year and housing significant genealogy records available to those researching connections they may have to the men who served in the Revolutionary War, as well as women who gave aid to military members.

Wells, a Plymouth resident and former Spanish teacher who has been a chapter member for eight years, traces her Revolutionary connection to a 4th great grandfather – Private William Buzzell from Virginia.

“My dad passed away suddenly, and he was a Vietnam vet. He always talked about our family members being part

Revolutionary War veteran Titus Vespatian Hoisington’s grave marker at the First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth. Photo by Sue Voyles

Sarah Ann Cochrane’s grave monument at Northville’s Rural Hill Cemetery.

DAR members (from left) Connie Moore, Edie Wysocki and Sue Petres put the finishing touches on snack baskets for the Ann Arbor VA hospital staff.

of the American Revolution,” says Wells. “When I stopped teaching and had more time, I went online and found information. I was looking for a way to honor my dad. The DAR allows me to help vets in all kinds of ways.”

Many Cochrane members, like Wells, want to help veterans, while others are motivated by a love of history, education or genealogy.

“Women join for a myriad of reasons. We have a large group of members who are really into genealogy. One of our Northville members has something like 22 patriots that she can trace back to,” explains Wells. “There are other members who are history lovers, for sure.”

Whatever the reasons for joining, it’s clear that the organization and its values resonate with members, as evidenced by their longevity.

The Cochrane chapter draws members from Plymouth, Northville, Canton and western Livonia and boasts several 50-plus year members and a number of 25-year members, according to Wells.

The chapter meets monthly from September through June, often at the Plymouth

District Library and guests are welcome. Members undertake a number of community initiatives, from replacing the flag at the Hoisington marker

honored local businessman Dennis Engerer for his renovation of the circa 1873 Gold Cure building, at 342 East Main Street in Northville.

HELPING ACROSS MICHIGAN

Serving veterans and students is a priority for local DAR members.

One cause close to members’ hearts is the Ann Arbor Fisher House, near the Ann Arbor VA Hospital. Created by the Fisher House Foundation, the program provides a home where military and veteran families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital.

Members sign up to make and serve meals for veterans and their families, make lap blankets for patients and deliver snacks to nurses. Wells says they are looking forward to supporting the new Fisher House at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit, which was dedicated last November.

Who is Sarah Ann Cochrane?

Sarah Ann Cochrane, born in 1832 to Rev. Sylvester and Hannah Cochrane, was among Michigan’s early settlers, arriving from Vermont in 1837 with her family, including her brother Lyman, a future Detroit judge. In later life, Sarah recounted her memories of the journey for the Detroit Library’s Burton Historical Collections:

“For days we walked more miles than we rode, my mother carrying me on her hip with one arm while with a long pole in the other hand she tested the depth of the mud before each step.... The poor horses frightened by the unstable footing, plunged and floundered and at times sank one or more legs between loose logs, their extrication proving to be a serious problem if no fence rail or other means of leverage was at hand.... Was it strange that my poor mother, never infatuated with the scheme of emigration, and whose heart was sore under her recent bereavement of her mother and her baby boy, was it strange that in her sheer weariness, she would find relief in tears and sobs, while we children would pity though we could not understand.”

every few years to marching in the July 4th parade, laying a wreath at Plymouth Memorial Park, to awarding scholarships and recognizing historic preservation efforts.

One of the most recent recognitions happened last November when the chapter

You’ll also find Cochrane chapter members providing snacks for the Freedom Center at Detroit Metro Airport, where traveling military members, veterans and their families enjoy complimentary food and

Continued on Page 26

In 1843, the family moved to Northville, where her father became pastor of the town’s new church. Sarah taught at “The Academy,” founded by her father in 1845, and later worked at the Detroit Public Library, playing a key role in implementing the Dewey Decimal System.

Sources: Sarah Ann Cochrane Chapter website and FindAGrave.com

Sarah Ann Cochrane DAR members Jennifer Wells (from left), Sue Petres and Darci McIntosh present Dennis Engerer an award for Historic Preservation following his renovation of Northville’s Gold Cure building at 342 E. Main Street.

Sarah Ann Cochrane DAR Chapter Regent Jennifer Wells pins a Vietnam veteran and officially welcomes him home on Veterans Day 2024.

Continued from Page 25

beverages and a respite during their travels.

Helping families in need is another way the chapter makes a difference. One organization it has partnered with is Cass Community Social Services in Detroit, providing birthday boxes last year with all the ingredients for families to make and present a cake to their children.

With 50-plus DAR chapters in Michigan alone – stretching from Sault Sainte Marie to Battle Creek to Monroe and beyond – the Cochrane chapter makes its impact felt beyond the borders of Wayne County.

“This past Christmas we connected with the DAR chapter in Traverse City, which serves members from seven counties,” says Wells. “They work with schools to provide winter coats for needy families and our chapter donated to that to help them buy coats from Costco which offered a 50% discount. I just couldn’t fathom a child in northern Michigan with an ill-fitting coat or none at all.”

The Plymouth chapter also participates in the Good Citizens Award and Scholarship contest for high school seniors,

created at the national level in 1934, usually awarding a total of $750. At the elementary school level, the chapter’s literacy group provides every kindergarten student at Eriksson Elementary School in Canton with a new book to take home, as well as giving teachers books about the American Revolution.

Members also connect with children and young people up to age 22 who are members of the National Society of the Children of the American Revolution (CAR), hosting a special joint meeting each January.

“Last year, we had members bring strips of fleece and we showed the DAR and CAR members how to make dog toys and then delivered them to a service dog training center in Howell that trains dogs who help veterans,” explains Wells.

With the 250th birthday of the United States coming up in 2026 (the same year the Cochrane chapter turns 100), and April 18, 2025 being the 250th year since Paul Revere’s famous ride in 1775, the Plymouth and Northville communities are sure to hear more from the local daughters of patriots.

It would no doubt make Titus Vespatian Hoisington proud.

Sarah Ann Cochrane member Joan Finlay measures fleece to make blankets for veterans at the Ann Arbor Fisher House.

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Feeding Team USA Olympics

dietician cherishes her relationship with the athletes

By Brad Emons

After performing as a figure skater and playing softball at Northville High, Carrie Banner-Aprik always wanted to stay connected in athletics in some way, shape or form.

The 2004 Northville High grad currently has the best of both worlds, serving fulltime as the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Winter Games Sport Dietitian.

“I think I had in my head early on in my schooling that I wanted to go into sport nutrition,” said Banner-Aprik, who graduated from Michigan State in 2008 with a B.S. in Dietetics followed by a Masters in Human Nutrition from there in 2011. “At the time it wasn’t nearly the huge career field that it is now. The number of opportunities now are much,

and worked with Dr. Carlson as a graduate student in 2009 after completing her dietetic internship.

“Part of what I envisioned was going in that direction and most jobs were in football at the time, but when the Team USA position came along, it was again, this thing I always dreamed of, but really didn’t know it was possible,” BannerAprik said. “Kind of just came at me unexpectedly and all the opportunities kind of aligned from there.”

events wearing a variety of hats in support of the athletes’ health and performance awareness. (She also worked with USA Hockey’s U-18 teams during the IIHF international tournaments.)

Included in her job description is managing performance through nutritional improvement, while also monitoring weight gain, weight loss, body composition, medical nutrition therapy, disordered eating, injury prevention and recovery issues.

She also assesses supplementation safety, legality, dosages, and protocols, while interpreting results from blood labs, DEXA scans, and urine specific gravity testing.

much different than in 2009.

But I just had it in my head that it was what I wanted to do.

I had a few people along the way tell me it was not the best decision, there’s no jobs. But for some reason I was just kind of stubborn.”

While she was attending MSU, Banner-Aprik envisioned herself at one point as a Big Ten football dietitian. (She also has an uncle who was a longtime athletic trainer at Purdue University.)

During her time in East Lansing as an undergraduate, Banner-Aprik worked with MSU athletes as part of SNAPP (Spartan Nutrition and Performance Program) on campus where she volunteered under Dr. Joe Carlson. She returned to MSU

In 2011, Banner-Aprik became owner of Nutrition 4 Motion Sports Nutrition Consulting, which included work for Oakland University athletics for 10 years as well as the Detroit Pistons for five seasons.

Among her tasks included individual consultations, meal planning, nutritional workshops, nutrient analyses, menu analyses, cafeteria tours, grocery store tours, cooking classes, and ISAK Level 2 body composition testing for collegiate and professional athletes.

Banner-Aprik ultimately found herself as a dietitian for Team USA at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea followed by the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, China.

Banner-Aprik managed the food service component and fueling stations not only leading up to tournaments, camps and Games, but also for individual players to make sure their needs are met.

In 2014, she began consulting for the U.S. Women’s National Hockey and US Figure Skating teams during numerous national and international

Meanwhile, as an added bonus this past summer, Banner-Aprik spent three weeks in France at the Paralympic Games, which

Carrie Banner-Aprik at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games as a staff member for Team USA.

Northville native Carrie Banner-Aprik has been involved with dietetics and nutrition with Team USA. Photos courtesy of Carrie Banner-Aprik

followed immediately after the conclusion of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games.

“I didn’t get to a ton of events, but I got to watch a lot of training sessions,” BannerAprik said. “And I spent a lot of my time in the Paralympic Village in what we call the ARC, the Athlete Resource Center. In the ARC, the athletes have access to a big nutrition station, so that was my main job was helping them at the ARC and being available for the athletes in there. And then I did get out to a lot of practice sessions with track and field. I think just watching, observing, meeting athletes, learning about their stories, learning about their classification, all of that was really special.”

She arrived one week before the Paralympic Games started and left the day of the closing ceremonies.

“I’m typically on the Winter Olympic side, so this event was a little bit different for me,” Banner-Aprik said. “Every event, as part of Team USA is rewarding, in its own way. And this one was absolutely one of the most special ones, and definitely the Paralympic population definitely gives us all things to learn and appreciate. It was a very special, very different experience for me. It was really different than from any of the others that I’ve had. Got to work with a lot of new staff, new athletes and experience USA from a different side of things, which was amazing.”

Now the lead dietitian for USOC and USOPC Winter Olympic sports, Banner-Aprik now turns her attention to prepare for the next Winter Games in 2026 Milano, Italy.

“It’s going to be a little

different heading into the next Games,” Banner-Aprik said, “kind of leading the nutrition team this time around, so helping to do a little bit more of the behind the scenes and the planning, and the strategizing leading up to Milan, which starts much further back than in my involvement in the other Winter Games that I’ve been to. This is definitely a different experience for me this time around.

“We will be collaborating with the Paralympic side for sure, especially for me with the Paralympic dietitians.”

You could say Banner-Aprik being around Olympic athletes was meant to be.

Her oldest sister Alex, who lives in Seattle, is a marathon runner, while her second oldest sister Erin is a figure skating director and coach in East Lansing. Meanwhile, her mother Marjorie, a former Northville Township elected official, is a lifelong runner and heavily involved in organizing and running high school figure skating. Her dad, Mark, is a die-hard Boston sports fan, especially the Bruins of the NHL.

Banner-Aprik cherishes her relationship with the athletes, particularly five-time U.S. National champion, two-time World champion and 2022 Olympic team gold medalist ice dancers Madison Chock (Novi) and Evan Bates (Ann Arbor).

“They are just two of the most wonderful athletes and such great ambassadors from Michigan, too,” Banner-Aprik said. “Just really special people that I’ve been privileged to know for a long, long time.”

Banner-Aprik juggles a busy schedule throughout the year where she resides in Royal

Oak with her husband Tome, an athlete himself and a big football fan.

“I travel with teams or to our training centers, probably about 50 percent of my work time during the year,” Aprik-Banner said. “And when I’m not on the road I’m working from home in Royal Oak.”

Banner-Aprik calls her job “an absolute dream.” She sometimes has to pinch herself. She was there when the U.S. Women’s Hockey Team captured a gold medal defeating rival Canada in PyeongChang in 2018.

“I wasn’t exactly expecting it would happen,” she said. “But once I got started with Team USA, the excitement was just brewing for the opportunity to go to the Games. My first Games in 2018 . . . it’s really hard

to describe how it happened, how meaningful it was for me personally and professionally. Dream come true is such a cliché – it absolutely was a dream come true. And when I went there, I thought it would be a once in a lifetime experience, so to be able to go again really has just exceeded any expectations that I’ve had along the way.”

Carrie Banner-Aprik attended the Paris Olympic Games last summer.

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A Musical Crescendo

Budding NHS Orchestra program turning heads around the state

On the morning of May 29th, 2024, Northville High School Orchestra Director Johanne Ray-Hepp began what seemed like an ordinary 1B block rehearsal with her ensemble. Midway through practicing a piece, her phone rang with an urgent call from the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA), delivering some exhilarating news.

“My jaw dropped,” said RayHepp, recalling the moment she answered the phone.

The MSBOA was informing her that NHS Orchestra had been chosen as the only string orchestra in the entire state to perform at the esteemed Michigan Music Conference (MMC) scheduled for Jan. 24, 2025. The annual conference,

renowned as one of the most prestigious held in Michigan, features performances from the top ensembles across the state.

What makes this achievement particularly extraordinary is the infancy of the NHS Orchestra program.

Beginning at the middle school level just five years ago during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has blossomed at an amazing pace, and its inspiring story deserves to be told.

Hwang, who both worked to get the orchestra off the ground.

Baughman reflects, “It was strange not to have one of the major music components here.”

However, the onset of the 2008 recession led to significant budget cuts, putting the program’s development on hold. Interest in an orchestra reignited in 2018, and in 2020, the program was finally approved—only to be delayed once more by the pandemic. Students were forced to learn their instruments through Zoom. Despite these difficulties, the inaugural concert was livestreamed on YouTube, featuring iconic pieces such as Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’.

Symbolically, program supporters never stopped believing in its future success.

In 2023, the orchestra program made its debut at NHS.

“It was a niche that we were missing for our students,” says NHS Principal Tony Koski.

The seeds for the NHS Orchestra were planted in 2006 by key figures including RayHepp, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Aaron Baughman, and former Board of Education member Roland

The program has thrived since then. In just two years, the orchestra has not only been selected for the MMC but also earned MSBOA Division I ratings and had students secure spots in the prestigious AllState orchestra.

“They’re performing at such high levels and winning awards that should not be possible yet for a program that’s this young,” Baughman said.

Now part of the NHS curriculum, the orchestra program gives students the chance to pursue stringed instruments, a long-awaited opportunity in Northville. Northville Public Schools Superintendent R.J. Webber said it is important for

EDITOR’S NOTE: High School Confidential is a collaborative effort by the Stringers Journalism Club made up of NHS students Brian Zhang, Diane Zhao, Ian Lee, Isabella Mach, Jackson Gong, Keira Gallagher, Pranavi Oruganty, Saamaja Krishnan, Sneha Aradhya, Sneha Hegde, and Stella Maue

The NHS Orchestra poses for their official Michigan Music Conference portrait. Photo by Leo Saiki

NHS Orchestra Director Johanne Ray-Hepp speaks at their recent concert. Photo by Yuanxi Chen

the district to have an orchestra program because it offers opportunities to a variety of students.

“To me, the word is opportunity. The goal that we should be providing our kids here in Northville is an equity of opportunity,” he explains.

Beyond musical accomplishments, many NHS Orchestra students find that the program teaches valuable life lessons.

“It’s not just about nailing every note — it’s about the shared journey of improving and striving toward a common goal,” said sophomore violinist Jenny Jin.

Section leader and senior Emma Jang elaborates on a similar idea: “The most rewarding part of an orchestra is the interdisciplinary educational values provided to

students [...]. It teaches students about the world around us and how to navigate it.”

Looking to the future, the sky’s the limit for the NHS Orchestra. When asked about her goals, Ray-Hepp expressed a desire for the program to gain

national and even international exposure. However, she emphasizes that it’s “not about recognition [but about] giving students a larger and larger experience of music in the greater world.”

This vision is already

becoming reality with a trip to Orlando, Florida, planned for March 2025 and ongoing plans for a European tour.

The remarkable success of the NHS Orchestra program stands as a testament to the value of the music experience at NHS. With every note played and every accolade earned, the program will continue to enrich lives and foster a deeper appreciation for music in future generations of students at NHS.

“Music truly is an international language and a lifelong passion [...] it should always be something that connects us to our humanity, no matter where we are,” said Ray-Hepp.

For more information about the NHS Orchestra program, visit www.northvilleorchestra. org.

Members of the NHS Orchestra perform at their 2024 Holiday Concert.

Ice Festival 2025

Event brings winter magic, memories and business to region

By Scott Spielman

The annual Plymouth Ice Festival will once again transform downtown Plymouth into a glittering wonderland featuring carvings, events and entertainment for all ages in what is one of the region’s biggest winter event.

early February.

“It’s really a huge deal for us,” said Sam Plymale, director of the Plymouth Downtown Development Authority (DDA). “It’s our signature winter event. It draws people from all over metro Detroit.”

The event takes place Jan. 31 through Feb. 2.

Founded in 1982, the event has evolved over the years and has taken place at different times during the first two months of the year.

“There’s been pressure to have it at different times because of the weather,” said festival director James Gietzen of JAG Entertainment. There have been plenty of events throughout the past four decades when it’s either been too warm, too cold or too sunny—bright sunlight tends to crack the carvings, no matter what the temperature may be.

“It’s Michigan, we can’t really tell what the weather is going to be and what it’s going to do,” said Gietzen, a Northville resident who also organizes the Northville Victorian Festival.

“The businesses get all this holiday influx of business and then the rest of the winter they starve,” he said. It was moved back to the end of January to avoid a conflict with Super Bowl weekend—prior to the Detroit Lions’ current magical run that may get them there, at last.

features a variety juggling, unicycle tricks, balancing acts, magic, comedy, and more.

2025 ICE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

FESTIVAL HOURS:

Friday, Jan. 31: 5-10 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 1: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 2: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

TUBING RUN:

Friday, Jan. 31: 6-9 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 1: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 2: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PETTING ZOO:

Saturday, Feb. 1: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 2: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CRAZY CRAIG FAMILY COMEDY JUGGLING

VARIETY SHOW:

Friday, Jan. 31: 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 1: 12:20 p.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 2: 12:20 p.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

PARTY TENT PERFORMANCES

(TENT OPENS AT 7 P.M.):

Friday, Jan. 31: Ava James and the Rumors, 8 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 1: Detroit Power Play, 8 p.m.

Ice Festival Bingo, which grew out of changes made during the Covid-19 pandemic, will be back, too. Visitors will receive a bingo card to collect stickers from participating businesses; completed cards can be turned in to win a chance at prizes provided by downtown merchants. Gietzen said that feature was positive with patrons and merchants alike.

Kellogg Park will, of course, remain a focal point. In addition to the nearby stage, there will be a petting zoo, along with the return of Saturday ice carving competitions. Gietzen said several community colleges

The focus, said Gietzen, has always been the same: to springboard off of the Detroit International Auto Show and bring people to downtown Plymouth during a particularly slow time of year. That was also the reason it moved from early January to later in the month or

This year, visitors can expect more than 100 ice carvings spread throughout the park and downtown streets. Each starts out as a 350-pound block of ice that artists meticulously transform into a variety of carvings.

Festival organizers will also bring back the popular tubing run, a 100-foot ice slide made of synthesized ice similar to that used by Olympic trainers. It’s guaranteed to hold up, no matter what the temperature will be.

“It really doesn’t matter what the weather is for it. We can handle it,” Gietzen said.

The stage will also return, with the Crazy Craig Family Comedy Juggling Variety Show performing 45-minute sets throughout the weekend. Each performance

will take part as they rebuild their culinary programs in the wake of the pandemic.

The event will also feature an ice throne for family pictures and two warming stations, one in The Gathering, called ‘The Hot Spot’ and sponsored by Ehlers Heating & Air Conditioning that will include product demonstrations and local vendors and another behind E.G. Nick’s, which will also feature an ice bar and nightly entertainment: Ava James and The Rumors on Friday night and Power Play Detroit on Saturday.

For more information visit PlymouthIceFestival.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

out & about out & about out & about

YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NORTHVILLE THIS MONTH

Valentine’s Tea

Feb. 1

The Northville Society will present a special Valentine’s Tea from 1-3:30 p.m. at the Cady Inn in Mill Race Village. The event will feature an assortment of tea sandwiches, scones and desserts served on fine china. There will also be a speaker and Valentine Day card presentation. Tickets are $45, or $40 for NHS members. To purchase tickets, call (248) 348-1845 (ext. 2 for tickets). For more information, visit www. millracenorthville.org.

Cosmic Groove

Feb. 1

The Marquis Theatre will host a performance by the band Cosmic Groove beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets, which cost $10, can be purchased at the door or online at northvillemarquis. com/events. Doors open at 7 p.m. This is a 21+ show. For more information, call (248) 349-8110.

Community Awards Dinner

Feb. 6

The Northville Chamber of Commerce will host the third annual Northville Community Awards Dinner from 5-9 p.m. at Genitti’s and the Marquis Theatre. Awards will be presented for business excellence and volunteers of the year for the City, Township, Library, and Chamber of Commerce. The chamber will also present the John Genitti’s Citizen of the Year Award. The event includes dinner at Genitti’s followed by the presentations at the Marquis. Cost is $75 for chamber members and $85 for nonmembers. There are also sponsorship opportunities ($700 for a table of eight). For more information, visit www. northville.org or contact Maddy Wise at Maddy@northville.org.

Parent Camp & Wellness Fair 2025

The Northville Educational Foundation and Northville Public Schools will host the annual Northville Parent Camp & Wellness Fair from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1 at Northville High School. This free community event is designed to empower parents and families with tools, strategies, and resources to support their children’s success and well-being. The event will feature TED Talks, interactive workshops on parenting strategies, mental health, and building stronger family connections. There will also be opportunities to connect with district staff, other parents and community members. No registration is required—just come ready to learn, grow, and connect! Doors open at 8:30 a.m. For more information, including the Parent Camp schedule, visit www.supportnef.org/parent-camp.

Full Moon Night Hike

Feb.

8

Friends of Maybury State Park will host a Full Moon Night Hike from 7-9 p.m. through Maybury. There will be two different hikes: a family hike (less than two miles) and a longer hike (closer to three miles). All ages welcome. Children need to be accompanied by an adult and must stay with adult for the duration of the hike. Flashlights are recommended. Dress according to the weather. Dogs are welcomed and are required to be on a 6-foot leash. The hike is free of charge. A Recreation Passport is required for all vehicles entering the park. For more information, visit www. friendsofmaybury.org.

Maybury Farm Valentine Celebration

Feb. 15

Maybury Farm will host a special Valentine event from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15. Visit with the farm’s animals, including “soonto-be goat moms” and there will be

special Valentine-themed games and activities. Cost is $8. It is free for Maybury Farm members and children 2 and under. For more information, visit www.mayburyfarm.org/events or call (248) 374-0200.

The Record Show

Feb.

15

Thousands of vinyl records, CD’s, import only releases, T-shirts, posters, and other collectibles will be on sale at the 16th annual 88.1 Record Show from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15 in the Salem High School cafeteria. The event will feature special giveaways, door prizes and variety of vendors. Admission, during normal show hours, is $5. Collectors looking to get an early start to their shopping can gain early admission between 9-10 a.m. for $10. For more information, visit www.881ThePark.com.

Chamber Networking Event

Feb.

19

The Northville Chamber of Commerce will host a networking event from

5-7 p.m. at Salem Hills Golf Club. The Chamber’s Business After Hours Mixers create an opportunity for members and non-members to mingle and build business relationships in an informal, relaxed setting. Cost is free for members, and $15 for nonmembers. Register online at www. northville.org or contact Maddy Wise at maddy@northville.org or (248) 349-7640.

Chili’in the Ville Feb. 22

The fire departments for the City of Northville and Northville Township, along with several local restaurants will face off in this annual chili competition that will take place from 1-4 p.m. in downtown Northville. This family-friendly event will also feature ice sculptures. Tickets are available to purchase in sets of eight for $10. Each ticket provides a sample-size portion of chili from participating businesses. To purchase tickets, visit Mod Market online (www.modmarketnorthville.org) or in store (150 Mary Alexander Court). Also look for the Chili’in the Ville posters located in town. To sponsor an ice sculpture, contact the Northville DDA at (248) 349-0345.

Interurban in Northville Feb. 26

Historian Brian Golden will discuss the Detroit Urban Railroad ("Interurban"), which provided fast and efficient travel between Northville and Pontiac and Northville and Wayne in the late 1800s. Sponsored by the Northville Historical Society, the program, which starts at 7 p.m., will take place in New School Church in Mill Race Village. For more information, visit www. millracenorthville.org.

editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@gmail.com.

Saturday, February 22nd

1-4 PM, DOWNTOWN NORTHVILLE

The City & Township Fire Departments along with several restaurants return to face off in a HEATED chili competition in downtown Northville. During the event check out our jungle-themed ice sculptures, and more!

On the Road With

Exploring Africa

Howard and Mary Kirchick of Northville visited the west coast of Africa this past fall on a cruise from Barcelona, Spain to Cape Town in South Africa. While in Cape Town, they visited the Cape of Good Hope, which is the most southwestern point of the African continent. They also took a 4-wheel drive excursion to Namib-Naukluft National Park in Namibia, and drove up and down the Big Daddy sand dune which is the 2nd tallest dune in the world. Here they are pictured with their copy of The ‘Ville near the dunes.

Catching the Lions in London

Northville residents Cathy and Bob Anthony and Judy and Jim Kohl were in England for Thanksgiving. But they didn’t let that deter them from watching their hometown Detroit Lions beat the Chicago Bears. They watched the game in a crowded London pub, where “all the fans were cheering for the Lions.” Here they are with their copy of The ‘Ville at the pub.

Cruisin’ Through Europe

Longtime Northville residents and friends (pictured left to right) Bob and Joan Sellen, Carol and Mac Richardson, and Lynda and Terry Heaton took along their copies of The ‘Ville on a Viking riverboat cruise in the Netherlands and Belgium in October.  Highlights of the cruise were excursions to 19th century Dutch windmills and dairy farms that specialized in producing gouda cheese. They also visited the World War II Freedom Museum and cemetery outside Nijmegen. “They were awe-inspiring as was the Ann Frank home in Amsterdam,” Lynda Heaton said. “We came away with a new appreciation for the Dutch people and their culture.”

Sun and Fun in the Greek Isles

Northville’s Tom and MaryGrace York, Jamie and Colleen York, and Carol and Sly Porambo were part of a much larger group of Michiganders who, in October, set sail on the Emerald Azzurra for a seven-day cruise in the Aegean Sea. From Athens, Greece, to Bodrum, Türkiye, and back, the Northville troupe stopped at various Greek islands to learn more about their history and culture. While the list of breathtaking sights is a long one, the York’s noted their favorites were climbing to the top of the Acropolis of Athens and standing beneath the Parthenon, walking the narrow cobblestone streets of Rhodes, touring the back roads of the island of Patmos on ebikes, and observing the ancient Turkish rug making process in Kuşadası, Türkiye. Here they are pictured with their copy of The ‘Ville, from left, Sly and Carol Porambo, MaryGrace and Tom York, and Colleen and Jamie York.

Costa Rican Volcano

The Tuckfield family from Northville spent the first week of December on vacation in Costa Rica. The trip included lots of adventures including horseback riding excursion to a volcano where they had to go through a torrential downpour. Pictured are the Tuckfield children with their copy of The ‘Ville near a rainforest stream. They are William, 4, Sienna, 9, and Libby Tuckfield, 7.

Closer to Home

The ‘Ville goes to far away places. In this case, someone  from a faraway place came to Northville. Nicole Nagib, the 2018-2019 Rotary youth exchange student and a 2019 graduate of Northville High School, recently returned to Northville from her home in Brazil for a visit. Here she was spotted with the skeletons in downtown Northville with her copy of The ‘Ville.

The next time you head out of town, take along a copy of The ‘Ville, snap a photo, and let us know where your travels take you. Our readers would love to know! Please email the photos to kurtkuban@gmail.com. We’ll feature the photos in an upcoming issue.

TDishin’ With Denise

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

What’s New For 2025?

hink about this – it was 25 years ago we celebrated the ‘new’ millennium. Yep, a quarter century! The computers didn’t crash, the world didn’t end but things sure have changed. It’s a ‘new’ year, and maybe I will tackle some ‘new’ things…but will still embrace what’s old gone ‘new’. As you probably know, I pick a word instead of making a resolution… it works out a lot better. My word for 2025: NEW.

There’s a new game in town – pickleball. I had the pleasure of meeting Mike Kowalczyk one of the partners in the new courts that are being built on the outer banks of Ward Presbyterian Church (at Six Mile and Haggerty). He describes it as a “passion project” for the community. Along with Mike Schmitt and others, they are bringing the indoor option to players who want to play every day, rain or shine. And there are many –from ages 18 to 86 and beyond.

The Northville Township folks, especially Mindy Herrmann, have been a great help in connecting the right people at the right place at the

right time. They have broken ground and anticipate the new facility will be ready this year in late summer. When I say new facility I mean, crazy cool – biggest in Michigan at 52,000 square feet with 16 indoor public courts – and the cost, reasonable. In my chat with Mike, I learned it’s not a racket, it’s a paddle; most play for the social interaction; it’s a whiffle ball and the game is a cross between ping pong and racquetball. I am hopeful this could be one new thing to learn in 2025. And Mike assures me, there will be every level available from professional to every day to beginner (my level for sure).

Before I get too far ahead into this whole business of new – please allow a look back at the recent past. I want to give a shout out to a young lady at Our Lady of Victory – Sofia Canoy. I went to the annual Christmas Concert and heard Sofia’s angelic voice sing “O Holy Night”. It was a “Hallmark moment” I held on to throughout the hustle and bustle as a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

Civic Concern is truly a gift to our community Marlene Kunz brings a little bit of joy to so many families. Mrs. Claus (Mary Ware) made a special appearance at the holiday luncheon put on by Civic Concern, as she has in the past. Now this month it is my pleasure to wish that special lady a very happy 103rd birthday. Happy birthday “Aunt Mary.”

Rocky’s on Seven Mile has a new team in charge –Joseph Gardner, Francisco Jimenez-Vega and David Oliver. They took ownership back in May but have been working together nearly 20 years under the watchful eye of former owner Rocky Rachwitz. Very little has or will change. Maybe a little fine tuning – a coat of paint, some flowers on the bar, a new bar stool or two or

20, but the core is the same. The new owners call it “comfort food” – but best describe it as “white tablecloth, fast casual.” I enjoyed talking to them one afternoon – as they all fidgeted about looking at their watches, looking over their shoulders worrying about the upcoming dinner rush. There was something charming about all three of them. The menu is printed daily with unique specials. The Raw Bar is open at 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Happy hour is daily from 3-6 p.m. They subscribe to the philosophy that the Muer family (Northville Charley’s 1974-1991) passed on to Rocky, who after 34 years continues to lend a helping hand, as this new team continues to “pass on value to the guests”. If it ain’t broke, they aren’t gonna mess with it.

Look for more “new” in the months ahead. In the meantime, best to all for a NEW year filled with good health and much joy.

Northville Township resident Mike Kowalczyk (left) and Northville resident Mike Schmitt.

Lisa Daigneau (from left), Juliet Culp, Mrs. Claus AKA “Aunt” Mary Ware and Marlene Kunz at the Civic Concern holiday luncheon.

The new ownership team at Rocky's -- Francisco Jimenez-Vega, Joseph Garner, and David Oliver.

GEORGE MONTRELLE, FEB 27 AND TURN

THURSDAYS

CHRIS CANAS, FEB 6

DAL BOUEY, FEB 13

ROBIN HORLOCK, FEB 20

FRIDAYS

STAY TUNED, FEB 7

ATOMIC RADIO, FEB 14

ROCK N SOUL, FEB 21

BEN SHARKEY, FEB 28

SATURDAYS

POP ROCKS, FEB 1

FIFTY AMP FUSE, FEB 8

KILLER FLAMINGOS, FEB 15

PHOENIX THEORY, FEB 22

“Jamey and his associate Diana provided an excellent real estate experience. It was 21 years since we sold a home and the changes in the process were many. Jamey provided a clear perspective on the market and our position in it. Diana kept us well informed and up to date on all aspects of the marketing process, sale and closing. We highly recommend Jamey Kramer and his staff at RE/Max Classic.”