The 'Ville - July 2019

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July 2019 | Vol.2 | Issue 7

Northville’s News and Lifestyle Magazine

B s r e m ounty m u ' S Popular Farmers Market looks to future


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LOCAL MATTERS! Please send checks, cash or lucky charms to: Journeyman Publishing 16435 Franklin Northville, MI 48168 Thank you!

Publisher Here is a list of people who contributed to local journalism last month. We appreciate your support! • Joan and Bill Berry • Carol Doyle • Lawrence and Marian Hierholzer • Norm and Elaine Kokko • Cathy McLeod

ADVERTISE The ‘Ville is mailed directly to every address in Northville – nearly 21,000 in all. To advertise contact us at:

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VOLUME 2 ISSUE 7

JULY 2019

16435 Franklin, Northville, MI 48168 • 734.716.0783 • TheVilleMagazine@gmail.com

KURT KUBAN – Editor/Publisher

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

CRAIG WHEELER – Creative Director

Craig has been in the creative industry for over 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.

MICHELE FECHT – Writer

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

BRAD EMONS - Writer

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

MARIA TAYLOR – Writer

Maria has edited Michigan History and The Active Learner magazines and reported for The Northville Record, Novi News, and Farmington Observer and (currently) BNP Media. She lives in Farmington and, as a self-avowed history nerd, routinely risks her life by standing in the middle of Grand River to take photos of old buildings.

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.

BILL BRESLER - Photographer

Bill lied his way onto his high school's yearbook staff in 1971 and has worked as a photographer ever since. He recently retired after 39 years with Hometown Life, a newspaper group that includes the Northville Record. He's won many journalism awards for his work, and taught photography at Madonna University. According to Bill's wife, he's too young to retire, so he's happy to be part of The 'Ville.

JENNY PEARSALL – Graphic Designer

Jenny has been in the design and print industry for more than 20 years, holding various positions in graphic design, large format and trade show graphics, print buying, production and print management. One of her favorite memories is working for Colorquik Graphix in the historic Water Wheel building in downtown Northville.

The ‘Ville is a product of Journeyman Publishing, which assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information. Any form of reproduction of any content in this publication without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Comments are welcome at thevillemagazine@gmail.com.


A View From The ‘Ville

Serving in a Time of Transition T his is an election year in the City of Northville. There are two city council seats up for grabs when voters head to the polls in November, and for the first time in a long time what looks to be a fairly competitive mayoral race. Mayor Ken Roth, the twoterm incumbent, is being challenged by Brian Turnbull, who hails from Northville’s deepest roots but who has little political experience. Both have plenty of supporters, so it will be interesting to see how the campaign plays out. They will definitely have plenty to talk about out on the campaign trail, with the city facing some major issues. That also goes for the candidates who run for the city council seats currently held by Marilyn Price and Nancy Darga. Darga has announced she will not be running for re-election, so there will be new blood on the council, whether Turnbull unseats Roth or not.

Someone asked me the other day whether or not The ‘Ville will endorse candidates. When I started this magazine, one of the first things I decided was not to endorse in elections. It is something I played a role in for many years when I worked at various local newspapers, including here in Northville. It was a difficult job considering how many times our endorsement went against some quality candidates. I’d rather stay neutral and let voters make up their own minds with no filter but their own. But we will provide as much election coverage as we can leading up to November. We’ve also agreed to partner with Tipping Point Theatre to organize a candidate’s forum in the fall. Look for details in next month’s issue. Whoever wins, they will be dealing with some major issues, especially the development either in the process or coming our way. Northville, which has so strongly protected its heritage,

is now going through a major transition. The development, especially what happens at the Downs, is going to bring massive change. Talk to anyone in town, and it comes up. It’s on everyone’s mind, especially the old timers who have been here for a minute. If you don’t believe me, take a look at our letters to the editor this month. Most are commenting on the proposed roundabout for the Sheldon/ Center and Seven Mile intersection, which is one aspect of the proposed development for the Downs site. I’ve received so many emails and letters on the subject, I could fill 10 pages with all the opinions. The point is people in town are apprehensive. It’s why all the planning commission meetings dealing with the Downs to date have been packed. That’s not going to change. Those who are elected will have a major say how the development will occur. They

can’t stop it, but they can make sure zoning laws are followed and how best to prepare the city for what’s coming. So this is an important election. And it’s not too late to throw your hat in the ring if you live in the city, and you think you have what it takes to help the city navigate through this transition. The deadline to file your candidacy is 4 p.m. on Friday, July 26. Contact the City Clerk’s office for details. Just remember, the job pays a pittance. The mayor’s annual salary is $600 (yes, that’s only three zeroes), and $500 for council members. It has to be something you’re committed to, because the responsibility is huge and the reward is in the public service you provide – not your pocketbook. Kurt Kuban is editor and publisher of The ‘Ville. He welcomes your feedback at kurtkuban@gmail.com.

Your Voice: Letters to the Editor 4 Past Tense: Library finds rare Steinbeck letter 10

Market Fresh Stepping Down

6

Firefighters work to improve first response 12

14 18

Making a Splash

Coach Linda Jones retires with 3 state tennis titles 20 Out & About : Your Guide to What’s Happening 24 Community Bulletin Board 26 Dishin’ With Denise

32 The ‘Ville 3


Your Voice

Roundabout 2 Will the Balloon Pop?

I am a 55-year-old Northville City resident living on First Street near Seven Mile and Fairbrook. Over the years I’ve seen many changes to Northville, but none bigger than what’s planned for the Northville Downs property. I have attended planning commission meetings and listened to our residents speak from the heart about the numerous issues this project presents. For instance: What will it mean to have hundreds of housing units and the hundreds of cars that will follow them to the downtown setting? Will the already crowded neighborhood streets become more crowded because of the size of this project? Will a roundabout at Seven Mile and Sheldon do anything at all? The traffic that heads west there is already backing up at Seven Mile and Rogers at 5 p.m. The traffic that heads northbound there is at a standstill at Center and Main. It seems that the light there would have to stay green a long time for northbound traffic to get through. Even though more parking is proposed for the project, will it mesh with reality? Has anyone tried to get a parking spot in Northville on any day of the week at noon? At the June 4th planning commission meeting, one resident put it best: “Northville is blowing up like a balloon. If you keep blowing it up, sooner or later it’s going to pop.” The impression I got from the residents who spoke is that this project may simply be too big for our city. I want to thank each and every member of the planning commission for their thoughtful and passionate remarks at

the end of the meeting. After listening to the developer’s plan and the residents’ comments, your questions and concerns about the project were spot on. David Zima

Projects Should Add Value Not In my backyard. No, I am not writing to simply gripe about the new race track development. It was inevitable it would eventually be modified from its horse trotting days. Change is inevitable — progress should not be optional. I am not standing against “progress.” We our counting on our elected and appointed officials to minimize the negative impact this change will bring to existing Northville families. The development of the race track at 7 Mile and Center/Sheldon has many of my neighbors concerned with what will happen to our small piece of happiness - living in Northville in general and specifically at St. Lawrence Estates. The traffic on Sheldon/Center is at gridlock stages now during the morning and evening rush hours. Adding hundreds of additional vehicles a day to the volume is simply going to exacerbate this problem. Creating traffic circles as a way to address this issue has not been explained in a way that provides any assurance to our community that the cure will won’t be worse than what ails us. We need to continually ask our elected officials: 1) How is this development adding value to Northville and its residents? 2) What are you trying to achieve? 3) What are you trying to prevent?

SOUND OFF 4 The ‘Ville

Harming an existing community to add value to another should not be tolerated. Please assure the change you are bringing adds value and progress to all. Tom Watkins St Lawrence Estates

Roundabout Will Clog Up So a roundabout will help the traffic flow more smoothly through 7 Mile and Sheldon - in theory. Ok, but it will still back up once it hits the light in downtown Northville, which means the roundabout will be completely clogged-up. Roundabouts have been put in place where there is usually a lot of road before and after the roundabout, which is definitely not the case at 7 Mile and Sheldon. Secondly, I am seriously offended by a comment in your recent story: “Katers said there’s normally a slight increase in crashes right after a roundabout is constructed. ‘They’re sideswipes or just a clip of the bumper type,’ she said.” Oh, great! So those of us who take care of our vehicles can expect to be filing auto claims. Talk about a terrible thing to say. Why install a system that has a history of causing accidents? Will they pay for the damages? Barbara Heemer

Not Enough Room First let me say that roundabouts may have their place but I don’t think Seven Mile/Sheldon is the place. Putting a roundabout at this location would be like trying to put 10 pounds into a five pound bag. A roundabout

would require much more room than is available. I can just see trucks and cars trying to make the turn from northbound Sheldon to westbound Seven mile. What will happen is that the northbound traffic in the afternoon will just keep coming and coming and coming and no other traffic will be able to enter the roundabout. As far as safety of roundabouts goes just check the accident record of Orchard Lake/14 Mile Road intersection and the M-5/Pontiac Trail intersection – not good. Bud Steves

Find Better Solution First, I enjoy your magazine. I agree with my fellow residents at St. Lawrence and I am opposed to the roundabout at 7 Mile and Sheldon. I hope the planning commission can come up with a better solution. George Rau

Roundabouts Are Confusing I believe that a roundabout at the intersection of 7 Mile Road and Center/Sheldon is not a good plan. I live in a sub in Northville with a roundabout that has been in place since the inception of the complex known as Northville Ridge for more than 14 years. It still seems to confuse drivers who are not certain as to who has the right of way to go around. Instead, I would recommend that left turn signals be installed, with the left turn being the first to proceed at the light. Sandy Salloum

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.


Phenomenal Experience In early June, we took five 12 and 13 year old boys from Hillside and Meads Mill middle schools to a 3 vs. 3 basketball tournament at Littlefield Park in Detroit. The event was hosted by former Pistons and NBA players, Meijer and others. It was a phenomenal experience for our boys, as well as the boys from the inner city. Neither group gets much exposure to kids their age from “the other side of the tracks” but this event provided that opportunity for all involved. We were treated with incredible kindness, but the boys had to earn the respect of the players from the inner city and they achieved it across the board. Former Piston Willie Norwood said it best: “It is fantastic that you brought these boys down here. Both groups of kids need to see how they play on the other side of the tracks. They’re all out here playing a game they love.” The Northville boys were certainly apprehensive at first, but realized quickly everyone was there to compete and play basketball. We surprised everyone and came in 2nd place. It is a story typically seen in movies. Eric Wildman

Northville players (from left) Sonny Rentz, Quinn Rigley, Braeden Tomasak, JJ Rickard and Jacob Main.

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A Big Impact Retiring A.D. Masi leaving with ‘job well done’ after 16 years Story and Photos By Brad Emons

D

uring his 16-year tenure as Northville High’s athletic director, Bryan Masi was always about completing the task at hand. But before he retires in early November, Masi leaves the school in good hands with the scheduled completion of a brand new 6,800-square foot fitness center and training room, along with the

installment of an artificial turf field for the school’s adjacent soccer facility made possible through the passing of a bond issue. “One of the reasons why I’m staying on is that I wanted to see it through,” said Masi said, who was also a part of the district’s last $2.5-million major athletic renovation in 2011-12. With a chunk of money provided through the school’s sinking fund, Masi helped put together a turf club, which included parents and local business members who helped sell the naming rights to Tom Holzer Masi spearheaded the fundraising efforts that led to the Ford, which selling of naming rights to Tom Holzer Ford stadium. committed a

6 The ‘Ville

total of $250,000 over 10 years for the school’s off-site football stadium. At the time, Northville was only the second pubic school district in the state to incorporate a plan to implement a naming rights donor program. “One of the things I’m most proud of is when the community came together to raise the money for that,” Masi said. “That was an outstanding effort and nice to be a part of.” INCREDIBLE SUCCESS Masi, an outstanding football player and wrestler at Dearborn Edsel Ford High, spent 30 years in education. After playing two seasons of football at Saginaw Valley State before graduating from Western Michigan University in 1989, he landed an elementary physical education job with the Livonia Public Schools before moving over to Northville after being laid off.

He coached football as an assistant at Livonia Churchill and Dearborn Fordson, and also spent time as a middle school track and basketball coach in Northville. With 14 years under his belt in Northville as a teacher, Masi decided to go a different route when the athletic director position opened at the high school in 2003. “It’s funny, I taught for 14 years and coached, and got a degree in athletic administration, but I really didn’t think that I would use it,” said Masi, who eventually replaced Larry Taylor. “But I came to a time where I wanted to go beyond and make a bigger impact and go beyond just teaching. When this athletic director job opened, I applied.” And during his tenure as the school’s A.D., the Mustangs enjoyed unprecedented athletic success capturing seven of the school’s 11 Michigan High School Athletic Association


titles. And much of it had Masi’s imprint. “I think probably the biggest pride I take, and over time if you talk about championships, the winning and the losing and so on . . . if you look at all of our programs, almost every program reached a high level where we’ve been through a quarterfinal or a semifinal, or a regional championship,‘’ Masi said. “I think that says a lot about our program and the

tournament runs for Masi that made him tick. He had a broader agenda. “He leads with kids in mind first, it’s always about kids first,” NHS fifth-year principal Tony Koski said. “I’m just going to miss all the things he does behind the scenes. He’s truly one of the best A.D.’s because he’s always doing things behind the scenes for other people without you knowing and it makes it easier

methodical, very forthright, very analytical,” said Churchill A.D. Marc Hage, who has known Masi since their days as P.E. teachers in Livonia. “He was always the voice of reason. He would always listen to our discussion and bring up some points either from history and always give us pause for reflection more times than not, and most of time he was right to insert his analysis and reflection. He always had some

as anybody. “He’s very easy going, great to work for, probably the best boss I’ve ever had because I worked 20 years in a steel company also,” Salliotte said. “He gets stressed once in awhile, but he takes everything in stride and works it out and he’s very good with the people.” Masi, who turns 53 in August, is retiring at a relatively young age. His wife Laurie, also recently retired as a seventh-

He leads with kids in mind first, it’s always about kids first. I’m just going to miss all the things he does behind the scenes. He’s truly one of the best A.D.’s because he’s always doing things behind the scenes for other people without you knowing and it makes it easier for student-athletes, coaches, administrators ... he just Tony Koski makes everything easier for everybody else.” NHS Principal

balance. It says a lot about our coaches. Our coaches work so darn hard and they’re really making an impact.” Three of Northville’s state championships during Masi’s tenure came from the girls tennis program. “He was a straight shooter, meaning he would tell you exactly how he felt,” said outgoing tennis coach Linda Jones, who recently retired after seven seasons. “I was very fortunate that he gave me a chance to be the coach. There was a lot of pressure from mostly the parents to hire a pro, a teaching tennis pro. Bryan decided to give me a chance and look what happened. He really went out on limb for me. For that I couldn’t thank him enough. If Bryan hadn’t given me a chance it probably would have never happened.” But it’s not just the championships and long state

for student-athletes, coaches, administrators . . . he just makes everything easier for everybody else.” Koski said Masi came to school every day with a workmanlike attitude and the right temperament despite all the demands. “Bryan has the perfect demeanor for that position,” Koski said. “He keeps an even keel and I can’t emphasize it enough that it’s always about the kids. I will truly miss him and he’ll be a hard man to replace.” VOICE OF REASON During the conference realignment era, Masi was a calming influence and a valuable resource in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association where he served as the conference’s football commissioner. “In our meetings he was very

Northville High won seven of the school’s 11 state titles during Masi’s term as athletic director.

great history to bring to the table, but also had some great intellect. I will miss him dearly as a colleague, dearly as a friend and wish him well.” Liz Salliotte, the NHS’s only full-time athletic secretary during the past 23 years, is also retiring. She knows Masi as well

grade science teacher at Meads Mill Middle School. The two will be embarking on a new chapter. “My wife and I, we weren’t able to have kids and we always

Bryan Masi continued on page 8

The ‘Ville 7


Bryan Masi Continued from page 7

school athletics because of all pressure that they’re getting from clubs and AAU. That’s kind of said we’re going to been disappointing a little bit retire early, that’s probably the and I worry about that for the big part of the decision,” said future.” Masi, who resides in Walled Masi said the biggest obstacle Lake. “I don’t know if I’m really he’ll face during his retirement ready, but I am excited about will be a void from all the the future and what we’re relationships that he forged going to do. We’re going to during his time throughout the keep busy somehow. And who school and community. knows? I don’t know what I’m “I think in anything, in a going to do, but I’ll be involved leadership position, I’m going somewhere.” to miss the people, the coaches, game workers, people like you LONG HOURS that I’ve gotten to know all The long hours of an athletic these years,” he said. “I think that’s the biggest thing. I think the hard part, when you oversee a big program like this, and feel like you’ve made an impact, then it’s all the sudden done. That’s going to be the hard Bryan Masi stands in front of the new 6,800-square foot part.” fitness center and training room facility at Northville High Masi will School. be succeeded director can become a grind, but by Brian Samulski, who was Masi was able to embrace it. He appointed by the school also had to come to grips with board on June 25. He comes the ever-changing landscape of from Plymouth Canton interscholastic athletics. Community Schools where he “I don’t mind the nights, the was the Assistant Principal for weekends, but just after awhile, Activities and Athletics at Salem when you have so many of them, High School for five years. it wears on you a little bit,” he Prior to his role as Assistant said. “I’m not going to miss Principal, Samulski was an frustrations that I have a little educator for multiple grade bit with the way that club sports levels and subjects at Wayneare happening and the pull they Westland Schools for 13 years. have from kids going away from Samulski will begin his new the high school atmosphere. I position in late October for a think it’s easier for kids to make brief transition period prior to decisions not to be a part of high Masi’s retirement in November.

8 The ‘Ville

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PAST TENSE

‘And that’s all. John’ Library unearths forgotten 1937 John Steinbeck letter By Michele Fecht

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nearthed from a file cabinet in the Northville District Library, the frame and glass provided the first clue that the hand-written letter in scrawled cursive was a document of some import. Why else would you preserve a letter under glass? The contents of the letter — addressed to “George” — revealed a congratulatory letter to famed theater director George Kaufman. Though undated, Los Gatos was written in the upper right hand corner. It was signed, “And that’s all. John.” Always up for a research challenge, Librarian Wendy

Mutch, Head of Adult Services, began connecting the dots. The letter writer turned out to be John Steinbeck. Yes, THE John Steinbeck, Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winning giant of American letters and author of 29 books including of The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, Travels with Charley and Of Mice and Men. Research revealed that the letter, written in November 1937, was a note of thanks to Kaufman for the staging of Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. The play — written by Steinbeck at Kaufman’s request — opened on Broadway on November 23, 1937 to critical acclaim. It was

John Steinbeck

Librarian Wendy Mutch with the 1937 John Steinbeck letter at The Northville Gallery, which framed the letter.

10 The ‘Ville

the first of Steinbeck’s works to reach the Broadway stage. Steinbeck’s letter is effusive in its praise for Kaufman, considered one of America’s most successful playwrightsdirectors in the years between World Wars I and II. The 1937 letter was written from Steinbeck’s home in Los Gatos, California, where he was working on his novel, The Grapes of Wrath. So how did a letter to and from such distinguished men of letters find its way to Northville?

GALLANT EFFORT To help finance military operations during World War II, the U.S. government issued war bonds to American citizens. Bond or Loan Drives — along with rationing, victory gardens, scrap metal collections and other home front efforts — touched every community across the country. Northville was no different. Bond drives were constant. Once one drive had reached its goal, the next one was under way. On Nov. 20, 1944, Northville began its Sixth War Loan Drive with a quota goal of


$277,000 for the period ending on January 1. The loan drive enlisted 66 Northville women to serve as “gallants” to canvass, sell and deliver war bonds. Captains were assigned to various neighborhoods, schools, banks, the library, Ford valve plant and other businesses. The slogan for the drive was “Stick With Them to the Finish.” As it had for all earlier bond drives, Northville topped its quota goal. The Northville library, which at the time was under the administration of the Wayne County Library System, topped the state sales goal for its unit, receiving as its prize the framed Steinbeck letter to Kaufman. In its Sept. 21, 1945 issue, The Northville Record noted “townspeople are invited by the Library staff to drop into

The 1937 letter was signed by Steinbeck, after he wrote "And that's all."

the local Wayne County Branch to inspect the prize presented to the Northville unit.” In addition, there was a display of Steinbeck’s books. LETTER WRITER “Steinbeck: A Life in Letters” was published in 1975 by Elaine Steinbeck (John Steinbeck’s

third wife) and Robert Wallsten. The book, a compilation of more than four decades of Steinbeck’s letters, emphasizes his prolific letter writing habit. The book notes that Steinbeck used letter writing as a warm up exercise before he started writing, and wrote several letters a day. Though his

preferred writing utensil was a pencil, he occasionally switched to pens. The Northville library letter is written in ink ... and on lined legal-sized paper, the author’s preferred writing pad. The Steinbeck letter will remain in its original frame though the glass was replaced by The Northville Gallery with conservation grade, non-reflective glass. The letter continues on the back of the first page, a unique but not impossible challenge for display purposes. An exciting find for the library, the letter ultimately is a reminder of the Northville community’s generous spirit in the nation’s effort to “Stick With Them to the Finish.” Look for a display of the Steinbeck letter soon at the Northville District Library.

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Improving the First Response Training helps township firefighters save heart attack victims By Lonnie Huhman

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hen Mike McDonald thinks back to that day in late January when he went into cardiac arrest while working at the old hospital site on Seven Mile Road in Northville Township, he is deeply appreciative of the people he credits for saving his life. From his co-worker, who he said learned CPR as an Eagle Scout, to the Northville Township police officers who were first on the scene utilizing the defibrillator training they received, and to the firefighters/EMS personnel, who quickly got to the scene and helped keep him alive as they transported him to the hospital. McDonald said he will always be grateful. “I’m super thankful for them,” said McDonald, who remembers very little about that day or the days that followed, which included open heart surgery for him. “Good thing we have first responders and people who know what to do. The world needs them.” His story is just one example of the work Northville Township Fire and Rescue does every day alongside their law enforcement counterparts. It’s also this type of story that attracted the interest of the University of Michigan, which invited the department to participate in a research study called Enhancing Pre-Hospital Outcomes for Cardiac Arrest (EPOC) project. “The project was conducted by University of Michigan researchers in partnership with RAND Corporation and the SaveMiHeart organization, and is a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) funded initiative,” said Northville Township Fire

12 The ‘Ville

Chief Brent Siegel. “The purpose of the project is to learn more about strategies to improve care processes for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), and the pre-hospital interactions between EMS agencies with other important stakeholders before and after EMS arrives.” Siegel said the goal of the research is to lay the foundation for future quality improvements in OHCA. He said the findings from the study will be used to construct a toolkit of best practices – the EPOC Toolkit – that may be implemented by EMS systems in Michigan and beyond. The study goes back to the mission of SaveMIHeart, a Michigan non-profit uniting the community, first responders, EMS systems, and health systems to improve cardiac arrest survival. The goal is to double the survival rate by 2020. Northville Township began providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) service in 2009. According to Siegel, all of the township firefighters are ALS licensed paramedics, offering the highest level of per-hospital care. “Even our fire trucks are Advanced Life Support so that if they arrive to an emergency first our firefighter/paramedics can initiate immediate Advanced Life Support interventions,” he said. Siegel said the department, which emphasizes ongoing training, has been successful in improving the rate of survival for cardiac arrest victims that is double the state and national average. “This data is based off of the last 100 cardiac arrests we have responded to,” Siegel said.

However, help comes from each step in the response process. Siegel said the township dispatchers are certified in Emergency Medical Dispatching and provide callers instruction on how to perform CPR as they wait for emergency personnel to arrive. In addition, township police officers are certified in CPR and carry automated defibrillators while on patrol. “Our police officers are dispatched on all cardiac arrest calls and can often arrive on scene and provide early interventions through CPR and defibrillation,” Siegel said. McDonald is one of those survivors as a result. The heavy equipment mechanic was at the former psychiatric hospital, while the demolition was taking place. At some point while sitting in a truck, McDonald appeared to go to asleep. Fortunately his co-worker recognized there was a problem and began performing CPR on him after calling 911. Siegel said recognizing the situation and knowing what to do because of training was huge in a moment such as this. “One of the most important factors in saving a victim is getting bystanders to recognize a cardiac arrest and perform immediate CPR until first responders arrive on scene,” he said. Siegel said a great place to start with bystander training is in the community, especially with the younger generation. In 2017, the department began providing CPR education to every Northville High School student prior to graduation. It is now a mandatory requirement for graduation. “Our fire department has provided CPR education to 1,168 high school students since 2017,” he said.


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Market Fresh Farmers Market still the place to find summer’s bounty By Maria Taylor | Photos by Bill Bresler

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alsa and honey. Jams, jewelry, and geraniums. Cucumbers, tomatoes, and flats of impatiens. This is the Northville Farmers’ Market in summer. Here at the northwest corner of Seven Mile and Center Street, just across from the Downs, people gather every Thursday from spring to fall, soaking in a hometown tradition that’s been part of Northville community life for decades. Penny Jones is one of the market vendors. She drives from Milan to sell her signature sweet treat: sour creamcinnamon-pecan coffee cake. “Just one kind of cake,” she said. “I usually sell out every day, even when it rains.” It’s her fourth year at the market. When she first retired, she did five or six markets a week. Now, she only does Northville. “Because this is the best market in the area,” she proclaimed.

14 The ‘Ville

MARKET MATTERS The market is run by the Northville Chamber of Commerce and has been for at least 30 years, said Jody Humphries, the Chamber’s executive director. The market fills up 90 parking spots, drawing an average of 2,000 people every Thursday afternoon. Most, she said, are from Northville and Northville Township. Humphries chalks up the success of the market to two things: the vendors, and the community of market-goers. “The vendors are fantastic,” she said. “And the reason why we get such great vendors is because it’s so well supported. You really can’t have one without the other.” This year, the market has about 80 vendors total. About 35 of them – mostly the farmers and growers – purchase spots for the entire season and show up every week. The rest are on a pay-as-you-

show-up basis. “That’s more of craft kind of items: clothing, jewelry, food products. Some of them are very, very unique,” she said. “And then we have a couple where it’s seasonal. We have Gina Roberts works the booth for Donahee Farms.

some growers who come just in the beginning of the season because they only do flowers, or they’re only doing herbs, and we get people that come later because of the season as well.”


FRESH FROM THE FARM shoppers, delicious Michigan People who come to the eats don’t stop when the market market love that the produce is season ends and the snow starts locally grown. to fly. Take Dave Grothause, “We’re getting it fresh off the cheese vendor. Every week, the farm,” Humphries said. he makes the trek down from “It’s almost exactly farm to Grand Rapids. table right there. The quality is “The cheese is super phenomenal.” fantastic,” Humphries said. “He Sarah Kerns works the booth has such a great following in for Fusilier Family Farms. Northville that he has an email Located in Manchester, they’ve list, and even when the market been coming to Northville for is over, they can do orders.” about 10 years as one of the nine During the winter, he comes markets they do a week. back to town once a month, and “You get he’ll meet his all ages, all customers at types of people the parking here,” she said. lot for drop“They come offs. WHEN: 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Thursdays through end of October for the variety “He brings of things, their orders,” WHERE: Northville Downs parking lot the variety she said. on Center, north of Seven Mile of vendors. “That’s how MORE INFO: www.northville.org/ They love good it is.” farmers-market-vendors the freshness In more and the fact that it’s all local recent years, Humphries has vendors, not big-box stores.” seen the variety of market Robyn Sabourin, who lives offerings shift a bit, as people in Northville, is one of those start bringing micro greens, people. She’s been showing gluten-free food, and the like. up for 20 years for flowers, “When we first started, there produce, and apple pies. was nothing like that. So you “I’ve seen it grow a lot; not do see people adapting to the too much, not too big,” she market, which is kind of cool,” said. “I think it’s the perfect she said. size. It has a hometown feel. I This year, like the variety, and I like the the market is consistency, too. If we need also adding plants for the garden, I can food trucks come here and get flowers. If once a month, we’re having a barbecue, I can on the third come here and get some quality Thursdays. tomatoes.” It’s worth The market runs on noting, for Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., first-timers, from the beginning of May that one through the end of October. At thing remains six months, it’s a long season. solidly Plus, there’s a greens market consistent: right before the holidays, so one You might could say it has all four seasons want to bring covered. cash, because For some vendors and some not every

NORTHVILLE FARMERS MARKET

Six-year-old Olivia Barringer of Northville visited the Farmers Market on a recent rainy day.

vendor has a Square or takes credit cards. A LOOK AHEAD Most farmers markets, like Northville’s, are in parking lots. And depending on how redevelopment plans for Northville Downs play out, the market’s time at its current location may be limited. Future plans for the Downs are still up in the air as Hunter Pasteur Homes continues through the planning process with the City of Northville. Past plans have mentioned building a potential new location for the market. Humphries said she’s had several discussions with the developer. “Of the three conversations, it’s changed to two different locations: one on the west side of Cady, and one on the east side

of Cady,” she said. “There’s all kinds of conversations that are still happening.” If a new, permanent market location does become a reality, power and running water are at the top of the Chamber’s wish list. “Electricity, bathrooms ... you know, necessities,” Humphries said. “We rent porta johns. Limited water comes in, so we just fill up a barrel. Electricity is sketchy. So our wish list would be a 365 facility.” That’s in addition to the basic needs, like space for the vendors, space for the customers to park, and space for the vendors to drop off their product and park as well. Electricity and running water would open up the opportunity

Market continued on page 16

The ‘Ville 15


Market Continued from page 15

“We definitely have next year, and then we don’t know after that,” Humphries said. “What I for more market programming, will say is Northville will have a like cooking demonstrations. farmers market. If it works out That being said, vendors remain that they can accommodate us, the priority that’s great. and focus of We would WHAT DO YOU THINK? the market, love that. If As development plans continue Humphries said. for Northville Downs, the Farmers they can’t, it’s “The key up to us to Market faces an uncertain future. to [successful make sure we If it has to move, where would you like to see it located? Do you think a markets] are have a Plan B move to Northville Township would the vendors, and Plan C.” be good or bad for the market? Do and we’re not If Hunter you shop at the farmers market? missing a lot Pasteur Why or why not? Send your opinions when it comes doesn’t to Editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@ to vendors,” work out a gmail.com. she said. “To be solution, the honest, even if Chamber’s we had a smaller space, our goal stance would be to keep would always be quality over the market’s new location quantity.” in proximity to the city, How much longer will the Humphries said. “However, market be at Seven and Center? what we would say is, Northville

as a community, which does encompass the township as well ... will have a farmers market, wherever that may be.” Sabourin Rene Taylor, of Fusillier Farms in Manchester, arranges wasn’t too the strawberries. concerned about a move. said. She pointed across the sea “It’s one of those things: of pink and red geraniums to wherever they put it, people will the other side of the lot, where go,” she said. And she, herself, a tent of silver wind chimes is testament to Northville’s glinted in the afternoon sun. enduring dedication to their “Now my daughter’s getting hometown market. married. I think I’ll get her one “When my kids were little, of those spoon wind chimes, they would come along, and because every bride needs a for the first stop, they always wind chime, doesn’t she?” begged for kettle corn,” she

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Rey Del Rio/MSU Athletic Communications

Making a Splash at MSU A late bloomer to the pool, Szara now headed to Olympic Trials By Brad Emons

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ix years ago, Erin Szara was an accomplished horseback jumper and piano player. But the 2017 Northville High grad soon discovered that’s there is different strokes for different folks in life. Before entering her freshman year at NHS, Szara’s parents, Laura and Steve, encouraged her to take up a team sport, so she joined the swim team. Her accomplishments and improvement in the pool can only be described as “meteoric.” Fast forward six years, Szara is now a star swimmer at Michigan State University. Following her sophomore season at MSU, where she already owns six school records, Szara has become one of the new “Faces of the Big Ten.” And she is headed to the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb. in the 100-meter breaststroke after posting a time of 1:10.80 – also an MSU varsity record – during the long course ‘B’ heat final at a TYR

18 The ‘Ville

Erin Szara

Series event this past March in Des Moines, Ia. “I had a really good Big Ten meet, and it was two weeks after that, so I was just trying to keep up what I was doing,” said Szara, who also broke a school record in the 50 breaststroke (31.96) during that same Iowa meet. “I really thought I was going to get it, but you never know. You can have an off-swim.” At the highly competitive Big Ten Championships where she competed against 2016 Olympic medalist Lilly King of Indiana, Szara was MSU’s highest finisher in the 100-yard breaststroke with a 12th (1:00.30). In a relay leg, she also broke MSU’s 50-yard breaststroke short course mark (28.25). “It’s been one of the most exciting experiences going from nothing to swimming at a Big Ten school,” Szara said. “I think it’s a huge honor to swim for MSU. I love being on the team. And being able to swim for them

and score points . . . I’m just so thrilled about it.” GETTING HER FEET WET Categorizing Szara as a “late bloomer” would be a gross understatement when it comes to swimming. She got her feet wet as a ninth-grader and it wasn’t easy at first with the twice-weekly 5:30 a.m. practices coupled with five days of training after school and on Saturdays. It was also a bit overwhelming for Szara while trying to juggle her academics, but she stuck with it. And despite being diagnosed with acid reflux condition, Szara earned her first varsity letter as a sophomore taking ninth in the KLAA meet and was voted the team’s Most Improved Swimmer. She then got serious about the sport of swimming during the off season when she joined South Lyon Aquatics, a club program under the direction of

coach Joe Ryan. And Szara’s swim career took off during her 2016 junior season at Northville where she placed 11th in the MHSAA Division 1 finals in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:06.44) and was part of the Mustangs’ ninthplace 200-yard medley relay team (1:48.75). As a senior, Szara made a quantum leap under Northville High coach Brian McNeff finishing runner-up in the D1 100 breaststroke (1:02.40) and swimming a leg on the Mustangs’ first-place 200 medley relay (1:43.10). She exited Northville with seven different individual 100 breaststroke and seven different meet records, as well as earning both Academic All-State and All-American honors. Wanting to continue her swimming career, Szara had visits set up to Emory University (Ga.), an NCAA Division III swim power, along with NCAA Division II


“I’m planning to go to orthodontic school, I’m working for my dad and I’m shadowing an orthodontist,” Erin said of her summer schedule.

Szara says she is the first MSU female swimmer ever to get the Spartan head tattoo on her shoulder.

champion Queen’s University (N.C.), but canceled and accepted a scholarship to MSU. MSU coach Matt Gianiodis invited Szara for a visit in East Lansing and the Northville senior was sold instantly. “I loved it so much and the team was so nice,” she said. “It was in the fall and MSU is so beautiful and I said like, ‘Wow, this is where I want to go.’ My meeting I had with ‘Coach G,’ he said, ‘What are your goals? and I said, ‘Be an All-American,’ and that’s really hard to do in D1. I haven’t gotten that yet, but I’m 0.3 off of it this year with my time. And by getting that I’d be going to the NCAA meet, so I’m hoping to get that this coming year.” MSU is also the school her mother Laura attended. And her younger sister Riley, who just finished her junior season on the Northville swim team, would also like to become a Spartan some day. “She really didn’t get good until her senior year of high school,” MSU coach Matt Gianiodis said of Erin. “She wasn’t on anybody’s radar at all and then started improving. The ball keeps rolling down the hill and it really hasn’t stopped. It’s

quite accelerated, too.” Szara, who graduated Summa Cum Laude and was a Phi Beta Kappa honor student at Northville, is a pre-dental student in MSU’s and Lyman Briggs College of Science. Her father Steve is an orthodontic lab technician and the family owns an orthodontic business that they run out of the basement of their Northville home.

EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS MSU’s Swimmer of the Year, Szara has made the Dean’s List three times and was named an honorable mention Academic All-Big Ten and Academic AllAmerican. Gianiodis calls Szara “a little quirky, but driven.” “She’s really done well and she has succeeded our expectations,” Gianiodis said. “Every single year the expectations go up and she exceeds them each time. She’s a really good worker. Her swimming speaks for itself, but when you throw in what she’s doing academically and the major that’s she’s taking, she’s really fantastic.” Szara will compete in the USA Swimming’s Phillips 66 Nationals at the end of the

month at Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif. It’s a meet where you have to have an Olympic Trials cut, which Szara has already achieved. During the most recent NCAA season, the Big Ten was rated the top conference in breaststroke event and the Phillips 66 will be even tougher as it will feature Olympians trying to make the grade leading into the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo. “The goal would be to make the finals, but that will be really tough and there will be tons of Olympians there like Lilly King,” Szara said. “It will be hard, but I want the chance.” Szara, nominated by her MSU swimming coaches and selected to represent her sport, took part recently in the filming of a public service announcement that will be aired this fall by the Big Ten Network. She was one of three MSU athletes who will be featured in the PSA segments, “Big Life, Big Stage, Big Ten.”

Rey Del Rio/MSU Athletic Communications

The ‘Ville 19


Seven-Year Itch: Linda Jones retires with three state girls tennis titles By Brad Emons

D

uring a seven-year run as Northville High’s varsity girls tennis coach, it was tough keeping up with Linda Jones. She retires as one of the school’s most decorated coaches after guiding the Mustangs to seven straight top five finishes in the MHSAA Division 1 tournament, including outright state titles in 2015 and 2018, along with a co-championship in 2017 with Midland Dow. During that stretch, Northville also captured seven consecutive Kensington Lakes Activities Association and D1 regional team crowns.

In just seven seasons, Linda Jones guided the Mustangs to three MHSAA Division 1 girls tennis titles. Photo by Izzy Ashby

She got her chance with the varsity after serving for just over a decade as JV coach under Sandy Woolfall before elevating the program to unprecedented heights starting with the school’s first-ever girls state tennis championship 2015.

Northville earned seven straight top-five finishes in the MHSAA Division 1 tourney, including three state titles.

20 The ‘Ville

Northville athletic director Bryan Masi gave Jones the chance to coach the varsity despite outside pressure to hire a club professional-style coach and it paid off handsomely. But the seven-year itch has been scratched for Jones, who plans to spend her winter and spring months at The Villages, a retirement community in central Florida, with her husband Dan. “I’m going to miss all of my coaching friends that I’ve made over the years,” Jones said. “Some of them have become really close with me. And I’m going to miss the challenge of coordinating the doubles teams and helping them to be the best that they can be to be champs. Over the years I could see what different styles the coaches would be teaching their teams, so we knew how to practice to get ready for the different styles.” UPPER ECHELON Jones matched wits with some of the state’s best coaches and programs, and more than held her own against the upper echelon of Division 1. The Mustangs weren’t a one-year wonder. They were also state runner-up in 2016 and third in 2014. “The first year that we won it (2015) all


those kids graduated,” Jones said. “And the next year it was a new batch. It was always trying to get that freshman into those big spots and we were able to do that.” Forming a competitive doubles lineup was the key. “The big thing was making the changes on the doubles courts,” Jones said. “Singles is what it is. Singles you can’t really do much because those kids are playing tournaments. They have their pros and all that, but the doubles teams you can do something with and that was our key.” Jones helped produce not only four individual flight singles champions, but also 11 doubles state champions during her seven seasons. “Tom Pullen (coach of Ann Arbor Pioneer) likes his teams to lob, so we worked endlessly on being prepared for that kind of play,” Jones said. “We played Troy and they play traditional serve-and-volley kind of tennis, so we were ready for that. There were girls like Grosse Pointe South where their singles players stand back at the baseline and just hit the ball hard. So we practiced for that.

“So it was always a challenge every week to get prepared for different teams’ styles,” she continued. “It was always a chess game and we just loved making those adjustments and helping the students be ready for those challenges. That’s The Mustangs captured their seventh straight Kensington Lakes Activities what I’m going to Association title this season. miss, the friends I’ve made and the challenges being prepared for years and it’s there where she developed a the next match.” “technical eye” for sports whether it was golf, baseball, softball and tennis. COACH OF THE YEAR It eventually led into coaching. Jones, named Michigan High School “I was always out there helping people Tennis Coaches Association Coach of the with their game,” Jones said. “I had training, Year this spring, along with Regional Coach I had taken lessons, but hadn’t pursued of the Year three times (2013, 2018 and being a pro or anything. That just never 2019), had deep roots at Northville High. interested me and I just never had time She is a 1970 NHS graduate and her late working Ford. I was lucky if I could play two father Wilford Wilson was a 1940 grad and times a week.” class president. Jones graduated FOURTH PLACE FINISH from Eastern This year the Mustangs placed fourth Michigan in Division 1, but a couple of injuries University and prevented them from moving up a couple of originally intended spots in the state finals in Midland. to become an Number one singles player Tori Mady elementary or was hampered with a strained back muscle, secondary physical while No. 2 singles player Renee Torres later education teacher. discovered she had broken her ankle during But with teaching a three-set quarterfinal setback against positions being Midland Dow. Meanwhile, Connie Gao and scarce, she moved Michelle Tong won the No. 3 doubles title. into accounting and “Our motto over the years was a Babe worked for 34 years Ruth quote: ‘It’s hard to beat somebody who before retiring in won’t give up,’ and they all marched to that customer service tune,” Jones said. with Ford Motor Co. Although she is now free to spend her Her husband retirement months in warm and sunny Dan, a mechanical Florida, Jones will cherish her seven varsity engineer, graduated seasons with the Mustangs. from the University “At the end of my career I was doing what of Iowa and worked I wanted to do,” she said. “I wanted to be an for TRW before elementary or secondary education gym retiring. teacher, so I ended up doing what I really The two played wanted to do at the end of the game, which Tory Mady, the Mustangs’ No. 1 singles player, helped Northville to a fourth-place recreational and was really a lot of fun.” finish in this year’s Division 1 girls tennis tourney. Photo by Ellen Mady club tennis for 20

The ‘Ville 21


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out & about YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NORTHVILLE THIS MONTH Northville Grub Crawl

Buy Michigan Now Festival

July 23 The Chamber of Commerce’s annual Grub Crawl will take place from 6-10 p.m. and showcase participating Northville restaurants. It is a great opportunity for friends, families, and co-workers to get together and enjoy a fun-filled evening with great food. Participating restaurants include Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille, Edwards Cafe and Caterer, North Center Brewing Company, Twin Peaks Restaurants, 160 Main, Le George, Mission BBQ, Northville Sports Den, and Northville Winery and Brewing Company with Genitti’s Hole In The Wall catering. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased at Good Time Party Store and the Northville Chamber of Commerce office at 195 S. Main Street. For more information, visit www.northville.org/grub-crawl.

Aug. 2-4 The 10th Annual Buy Michigan Now Festival will take place in downtown Northville from 4-8 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. It is a celebration of the state’s annual Buy Michigan Week. The family-friendly event includes food, street vendors, live music, and children’s activities, all highlighting Michigan-based businesses and Michigan-made products. For more information, visit www. buymichigannowfest.com.

Lunar Landing Presentation July 23 Astronomy/physics tech Jesse Lee Mason will make a presentation about the 50th anniversary of the lunar landing at 7 p.m. at the Northville Community Center. Jesse has presented programs on our universe on previous occasions which have been well attended.

Movie in the Park On July 26, join Northville Parks and Recreation, Maybury State Park, the Northville Township Firefighters Charity Fund and The Friends of Maybury to watch a movie under the stars beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Maybury State Park. Take a seat on the grass and enjoy Zootopia on a big inflatable screen.

Cadillac and the Founding of Detroit July 24 Local historian Joseph Oldenburg will be making a presentation on Frenchman Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac and the founding of Detroit on its 318th anniversary. The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. in the New School Church at Mill Race Village. The lecture is free, although donations are accepted at the door to help defray costs. For more information, visit www. millracenorthville.org.

New Hope Grief Children’s Camp July 25-26 Angela Hospice is sponsoring this children’s grief camp at Maybury Farm. The camp will take place over two days from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Organizers have planned a variety of interactive activities from music to equestrian therapy, art projects to foot races, and more. Campers will learn coping skills when it comes to dealing with grief.

The camp is open to all children ages 5-14. Registration is free, and children are welcome to attend with a friend as well. To register, call New Hope at (248) 348-0115.

First Friday Experience Aug. 2 This popular event provides guests a unique evening filled with art, shopping and dining as they stroll along the streets of downtown Northville. Hosted by the locallyowned 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.

Family Camp Out Aug. 17-18 Northville Parks and Recreation will host this 24 hour camping trip at Maybury State Park. Enjoy fun activities such as a nature hike, fishing contest, crafts, campfire, s‘mores and more. A family consists of four people with up to two small tents or one medium size tent. Set-up begins at noon on Saturday and clean-up should be finished by noon on Sunday. Cost for Northville residents: $30/family of 4, $5 for each additional camper. For more information, visit www. northvilleparksandrec.org.

Ice Cream Social Aug. 21 Northville Senior Services will host an ice cream social from 12:30-2 p.m. at the Northville Senior Center. The music duo Balancing Earth will perform some upbeat summer tunes, stories, and jokes in their lively costumes. Guernsey’s ice cream will be served. Come enjoy some relief from the hot summer sun and bring your friends. To register, contact Northville Senior Services at (248) 305-2851.

SEND IT IN To get your items listed in Out & About, email editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@gmail.com.

24 The ‘Ville



BULLETIN BOARD C

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Library ‘Friends’ award first scholarships Lumberman of the Year This year the Friends of the Northville District Library have awarded two $500 scholarships to high school seniors Gabriela Iriarte and Shruti Pandey. This is a new initiative for the Friends, the organization that provides financial support, advocacy and volunteers for Northville’s public library. The scholarships are awarded to two Northville seniors who have volunteered with the Friends, will graduate from public, private or home school, and will continue their education as a full-time student in a college, university or trade school the following fall. This first year the winners, Gabriela Iriarte (right), who was home schooled, will attend Butler University’s ballet program and Shruti Pandey, a Northville High School student, will be studying prelaw at Michigan State University. Both demonstrated academic achievement and leadership qualities, and submitted a 350-word essay on how they have been positively influenced by libraries. The Friends scholarship program will take place annually thanks to the financial support of Friends members. For more information, visit https://northvillelibrary.org/?page_id=1564.

Air Force Scholarship winner Nolan Marentette, a 2019 graduate of Northville High School, was awarded a full college scholarship by the United States Air Force at a ceremony June 29 in Traverse City at the annual Cherry Festival. Nolan will be attending Michigan State University in the fall and will also participate in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Once Nolan earns his degree and his officer rating, he will begin his commitment to serve in the Air Force. Major Paul Lopez II (pictured with Nolan) and his air wing officers presented the award while in Traverse City for an F-22 demonstration. Nolan was given a private tour of the $150 million top secret aircraft by Major Lopez as part of the program and is on the top of his list of aircraft he wants to pilot. The Air Force scholarship is awarded on a competitive and highly selective basis as a result of meritorious achievement in academic studies and extracurricular activities, and for demonstrating a desire to serve in the United States Air Force. 26 The ‘Ville

Stewart Oldford, Jr., who is the fifth generation owner of Northville Lumber, was named Lumberman of the Year by the International Concatenated Order of Hoo Hoo, a fraternal and service organization whose members are in the forest products service industry. The organization has members in U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, and South Africa. Oldford was recognized at the Detroit chapter’s annual meeting. During the ceremony, it was noted that Northville Lumber donated $100 to Detroit Blight Busters every time a Detroit Tiger hit a home run last season. According to the group, Northville Lumber has been owned by Oldford’s family since 1865. Oldford (second from left) is pictured receiving his award with other members of the Detroit Hoo Hoo Club.

Garden Club scholarship recipients The Northville Garden Club presented scholarships to three outstanding 2019 Northville High School graduates at its annual meeting held June 10 at Northville Township Hall. This year’s recipients are Ila Iyengar (left) and Natalie Corrigan. Ila will continue her studies at the University of Michigan focusing on engineering and business. Natalie will be studying voice performance and biology/pre-med at the University of Cincinnati. Griffin Choe was this year’s recipient of the Kathleen Mitchell Memorial Scholarship. He will be attending Northwestern University this fall and plans on studying computer science and economics. They are pictured with the club’s Scholarship Chair Claire Kreher. In addition, the Northville Garden Club awards two scholarships to students at Schoolcraft College each year. The 20182019 recipients are Amanda Longczymski and Natalie Bartek. The 2019-2020 scholarship recipients will be selected later this summer.


John P. Kelly | Attorney The experience you need when it counts most! WILLS • TRUSTS • PROBATE • ELDER LAW • BUSINESS BUY/SELLS • REAL ESTATE

Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association Past President of Northville Rotary Club Board Member of Tipping Point Theater Board Member of Friends of the Rouge Northville Business owner for over 30 years Northville resident and proud parent of 4 children and 8 grandchildren all who are residents of Northville

248 348 0496

| www.kellykellylaw.com |

Marketing & Advertising Experience - 30 years Social Media Expert Average Days on Market - 12.5

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© 2018 Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are service marks registered or pending registration owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.


On The Road With

C

arol and Jeff Stoner of Northville (right) visited The Netherlands earlier this year, and took The ‘Ville along. While there, they visited Amsterdam for several days and then explored the rest of the country. Here they are at Kinderdijk, which is a UNESCO historical site featuring 19 windmills. “We brought our Ville magazine along and got our picture taken at Kinderdijk, which is a UNESCO historical site featuring 19 windmills. “We had a lot of fun figuring out the best location to get the picture snapped,” Carol said. “Your magazine really gets around!” Northville’s Patricia Custer (bottom left) took along her copy of The ‘Ville during a Royal Caribbean cruise with 120 single travelers that began in Venice, Italy and made stops in Montenegro, Athens and three Greek islands. “My friend and I then traveled by train and visited Tuscany, Pisa, and Cinque Terre,” Custer said. “We flew out of Milan. This was my third trip to Italy, discovering new places and savoring the different regions.” Here she is pictured with the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa in the background. Maybury State Park Supervisor Traci Sincock (bottom right) traveled to Germany in May with her husband, Paul Sincock, who is the city manager in Plymouth. Here she is pictured at Burg Castle in Germany. “It is an incredible place, built in the 1100s,” Traci said. 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 every month. This month the page is sponsored by David Jerome & David McLean Law Offices.

Presented By

DAVID JEROME & DANI EL MCLEAN Law Offices Downtown Northville across from Kroger (248) 348-4433

28 The ‘Ville


Owned and operated by Liz and Eric Ladwig • 14-year Northville residents • Community Supporters • Children attend Northville Public Schools • Small Business of the Year winner

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KURT PENNEY Associate Broker ABR, GRI, CRS

Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel • 201 CadyCentre

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©2018 Coldwell Banker Weir Manuel. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logo are service marks registered or pending registration owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.


BRIAN

TURNBULL

FOR

MAYOR

IT’S TIME TO MOVE FORWARD...TOGETHER

If you’re ready to halt the existing overdevelopment plan for the Northville Downs property, I’m ready to lead. When elected Mayor, I’ll work to: • Reduce residential density and the overall size of the planned Northville Downs development • Protect, preserve and develop new green spaces • Defend Northville’s small-town charm and deliver a future with compassion and collaboration. We must ensure Northville grows and evolves in a genuine and authentic way, using infrastructure and reducing traffic congestion in a way that works for everyone. — Brian Turnbull

turnbullformayor.com

SUMMER FUN IS WAITING!

SUMMER EVENTS

First Friday Experience (July 5, & August 2) Sundays at Mill Race Village (Sundays thru October 6) Tunes on Tuesday (Tuesdays thru August 27) Maybury Farm Tours (Tuesday-Sunday thru October 27) Northville Unplugged Acoustic Music Series (Wednesdays thru August 28) Farmers Market (Thursdays thru October 31) Friday Night Concert Series (Fridays thru August 30) Grub Crawl (July 23) Movie in the Park, “Zootopia” (July 26) Buy Michigan Now Festival (August 2, 3, 4)

Discover EXCITING entertainment the whole family can enjoy in Downtown Northville. downtownnorthville.com Pictured clockwise: Bricks of Northville, Tunes on Tuesday, Maybury Farm

Paid for by the Committee to Elect Brian Turnbull for Mayor


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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.

There are a lot of winners this month W

e know her, we love her, and now Northville’s Tina Genitti is being recognized by Meetings + Events Media Group in their 2019 Michigan Hall of Fame as an Up-and-Coming Meeting

Northville residents see her smile on point every year as she entertains the town patiently waiting for Santa and Mrs. Claus to arrive at Town Square on the night of the Holiday Lighted Parade. A very special “thank you” to Genitti’s Hole-in-theWall for hosting the annual author reception for the Short on Words competition (part of the Arts and Act Festival). This year was the 7th Edition and the authors ranged in age from 10 to 80-something. Entries were submitted from more than 20 communities

Tina Genitti

Professional. Tina is currently working as the General Sales & Corporate Relations Manager at the Michigan Lottery Amphitheater at Freedom Hill. She manages entertainment expectations from charitable benefits to concerts to VIP events. Tina knows how important it is for folks to enjoy a night out. As a child Tina remembers patrons coming to Genitti’s Hole-in-the-Wall for a night of good food and great entertainment, and they always left with a smile on their face. She has carried that life lesson with her throughout her career. When asked one of her most memorable moments, Tina talks about her time with Disney: “Opening my first solo show on board the Disney Fantasy cruise ship. The script was memorized, the dance moves were rehearsed, and my smile was on point.”

32 The ‘Ville

Michelle Taverner

Michelle Taverner was also a Short on Words winner, but she has a much bigger story to tell. She is running a Creative Writing and Poetry group at Living and Learning Enrichment Center in Northville. The participants are writers on the autism spectrum. Michelle describes the work as rich and insightful. She says: “It’s an honor and an inspiration to be a part of.” The group meets Friday’s at 1 p.m. For more information, contact the center at (248) 308-3592.

Dr. William Demray were the emcees; and Northville High student Ellie Shaw did an outstanding job kicking off the event singing our national anthem. The Best Themed floats were Maybury Farms (Community Category) and Suburban Cadillac (Business Category). The Judge’s Choice was First Baptist Church (Community Category) and General RV (Business Category) – which I agree was pretty darn cool.

Orin Jewelers winner MacKenzie Kreitz and Megan Conner Nidhi Narendra Kumar

throughout southeast Michigan from as far away as Gibraltar, Dexter, Brighton, Dearborn Heights and Webberville. Of course, Northville was well represented. Young Authors Violet Culp and Nidhi Narendra Kumar were invited to read their poetry at the event. Meghan Brown read her tribute to her father, and won 1st Prize in the Adult Poetry category. Other Northville winners include: Tyler Doyle, Maggie Kuban, J. B. Thomas and D. K. Whelan. Congratulations to all!

The Maybury Farms float

The theme for this year’s annual 4th of July parade was American Innovation, presented for the first time by the Northville Chamber of Commerce with presenting sponsor St. Mary Mercy Hospital. WEMU Radio Personality Lisa Berry and

Orin Jewelers was pleased to award their 85th Anniversary prize necklace during the Orin Rocks street party in May to MacKenzie Kreitz. Orin is celebrating yet another milestone anniversary this year. Tina and Orin Mazzoni celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June and gave shoppers the gift of a 50% discount for one day. The Mazzoni’s were overwhelmed by all the well-wishers who came by the Northille location to offer their congratulations. So many, they were late to the family dinner celebration.


WE BUILD DREAMS

Since 1981

Eric Guidobono has been transforming customers visions into beautifully appointed dream homes. His residential developments and luxury homes are recognized as market leaders for their timeless architectural details, superior quality and enduring value. Please contact us for consultation.

Contact

248-596-1500 www.guidobono.com


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