The Ville - June 2024

The Stuff The Stuff

John DesOrmeau

John DesOrmeau

Vita

Vita

John

John

since

Some of his local favorites are Rocky’s, Custard Time, Guernsey’s and the Pizza Cutter.

Jacob & Alyssa

Aaron & Megan

Joe & Kristie

Dan & Rem

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!

• Joseph Nance

• Jim & Dorothy Youmans

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.

JOHN C. HEIDER – Photographer

John is a 25-year veteran of the Northville Record and other Detroitarea newspapers. In addition to his photography, he's an amateur gardener, poet and fly-fisherman. He also claims to have invented the metric system.

BRYAN MITCHELL - Photographer

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

A View From The ‘Ville

Forget Mudville, there was plenty of joy in Northville

On the afternoon of Saturday, June 15 I was at Concordia University watching my son and the rest of the Northville Mustangs basketball team playing some summer league games.

During their second game, I noticed the players on the bench were not really paying attention to the game at hand. Instead, they were closely watching head coach Todd Sander’s phone and the live broadcast of the baseball team’s state championship game against Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice being played at Michigan State University.

state runner-up and two state championship teams (baseball and boys cross country).

In addition, the school produced several individual state championship performances, including by Sachiv Kumar, who put himself in rare company becoming only one of 10 players to capture three or more No. 1 individual tennis singles titles in Michigan history.

Between the team’s second and third game of the day, Coach Sander asked if the opposing coach minded if they delayed the game a few minutes, so the team could watch the critical 7th inning.

The Mustangs gathered around the phone, and watched as senior pitcher Caden Besco recorded the final three outs. The boys and coaches all erupted in cheers when Besco got the game-clinching strikeout, and the whole gym took notice.

I imagine there were the same kind of cheers all over Mustang Nation, as the baseball team finally got over the hump to win its first ever state championship after a number of close calls.

The baseball team’s thrilling 2-1 win over heavily-favored Brother Rice is the capstone to an incredible year of athletics at Northville High School.

The 2023-2024 school year will go down as one of the most successful, when a lot of hardware was added to the school’s trophy case. The year produced a total of 13 division championships, 11 conference titles, six district championships, nine regional championships, two state semi-finalists, one

Add it all up, and it’s not too shabby, especially for a public school.

I’ve been fortunate to have three children participate in sports at Northville High. I can tell you that there is a competitive nature in the building that you don’t find at many schools. It trickles down from Athletic Director Brian Samulski to every single coach and team. One team’s success is embraced by all the other athletes in Mustang Nation.

Watching the basketball team cheer on their fellow Mustangs, even though they were 60 miles away, was a great moment of solidarity. It made me think of the classic poem, “Casey at the Bat” by Ernest Lawrence Thayer.

“Oh, somewhere in this favoured land the sun is shining bright,

The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light;

And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout,

But there is no joy in Mudville—mighty Casey has struck out.”

Only in this case, Casey was on the other team, and there was plenty of joy in Northville.

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

Schuckel breaks Porterfield’s 50-yearold shot put record

street closure saga might be decided by a jury

30th Annual Northville Garden Walk set for July 10

Mike Rumbell marks 50 years as Northville’s leader of the band

Marquis bringing back beloved summer theater camp

Officials optimistic but skeptical about trash hauling change

Community Bulletin Board

The Mustangs celebrate their state championship at MSU.

Photo courtesy of Tammy Besco

Your Voice

Poppy Drive a success

Northville’s VFW Post 4012 recently held its May Poppy Drive at Kroger on North Center Street. Members who collected were Ed Huyck, Lyle Avery, Matt Goodman, and Art Bakewell. We raised $2,200 for our fund dedicated to helping veterans in our community. On behalf of Northville VFW Post 4012, I wish to thank the generous citizens of our community for contributing to our Poppy Drive.

If you wish to donate for a Poppy there is a collection jug in the Post Canteen and also one at the Community Center on Main Street west of City Hall. And if you know a veteran in need of assistance, please call Post 4012 at (248) 348-4090.

Art Bakewell Junior Vice Commander

Very disappointed

I was disappointed at the number of individuals that didn’t stand or remove their hats at the Memorial Day parade. Northville you can do better! Also, should there really be a greeting ‘Happy Memorial Day’?

Barb Ulbrich

Short-sighted decision

Placing administration buildings on Legacy Park land is an incredibly short-sighted decision that sacrifices our disappearing valuable natural lands, clean water, wildlife and park land for future generations.

Kirt Manecke

Knee-jerk reaction

Two strategic mistakes were made by Northville City Council by shutting down the streets, abruptly, suddenly on Friday, May 31 at 3 p.m.

First and foremost safety. Traffic was a nightmare. I walked through town at 5 p.m. Vehicles were blocking crosswalks at Wing and Main Street. Pedestrians literally had to walk outside the crosswalk, in between vehicle bumpers, to cross the street. Horns were going off up and down the street. The same thing was taking place at Center Street and Dunlap. This is not safe, not safe at all. For city leaders to intentionally order this was reckless. They took an oath to protect us, and they failed. They placed our lives, and our children’s lives in jeopardy. This should never have happened. But it did.

Second, the single-minded ideology of closed streets triumphed all else, no matter the outcome, the harm to follow or the danger placed upon us. Our city leaders are moving forward with the attitude/mentality of ‘at any price that is necessary’. This knee-jerk reaction to the judge’s order proves their deepest thoughts.

Unfortunately, this will come at the price of an innocent victim being harmed. It’s not a question of if, just when.

Actions prove intent and have consequences. When an innocent child or adult is harmed, they will have no one to turn to other than each other.

Kevin Hebert

A great job

On May 4th, a tree trimming company was working down my street on a neighbor’s home with a corner lot, when one of the tree trimmers working high in the tree slipped or had an accident and got stuck. Northville police, fire and rescue were called and suddenly the quiet Saturday on my street got extremely exciting.

The tree trimmer who was stuck had a harness and safety rope on so there was no worry about him falling but he could not get down from the tree. Some firemen climbed the tree using just ladders but could not get the worker extracted. After a brief period of time the fire truck with the bucket extension came and they were able to get the worker down safely. He was taken by ambulance to get checked out at a local hospital. He appeared to be more relieved that he was out of the tree than injured.

During this tree trimming excitement someone driving by stopped and asked what was going on. I explained that a tree worker was stuck in the tree and the Northville Fire Department was trying to get him down. They commented: “I know someone who died like that.” I was taken aback and stunned. Why would someone make such a negative comment? I was expecting something like: I hope they get him down safely or I hope everything is going to be alright or I hope this is a positive outcome for everyone. Why bring up a tragic outcome?

We should always wish the best for others, especially during a challenging situation when they really need our support.

So, here’s a shout out to Northville Police and Fire Departments. Great job!

Jim Kastely

A RECORD-BREAKING CLASS

Largest class in Northville history boasts a slew of accomplishments

By Maddie Luebkert | Photos by Bryan Mitchell

When Northville High School’s Class of ’24 –the school’s largest ever -- walked out of their school during the senior clap-out on May 21, it was the definition of bitter-sweet. As much as the students longed for school to be over, it’s sad to say goodbye to the teachers and friends they must leave behind.

But these students did not have to worry about saying their goodbyes just yet. In fact, seniors returned to the school later that night for their senior sunset. Senior sunset is a tradition where the entire senior class gets together

to celebrate on the football field with yard games and of course, plenty of photo ops.

The students begin their senior year with a senior sunrise symbolizing the start of their final year, with the sunset closing it off.

Though the sunset signifies the end of school, the students were still far from done with their senior events. On May 23, students had arguably one of the most anticipated events of the year: prom.

As a special treat for seniors, the Northville Historical Society again opened Mill Race for a pre-prom gathering and photo

session. The Historical Society began reserving Mill Race for Northville’s prom during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since become a beloved tradition and a fantastic opportunity for photos.

The fun didn’t stop at prom.

On May 31st, seniors took a trip down memory lane during the middle and elementary school clap outs. As senior Adele Hu put it, visiting Meads Mill Middle School “feels great and sentimental.” Hu thinks part of what makes this experience so special is reuniting with everyone who has been a part of the students’ journey leading to

high school.

“It’s cool to see all the people that we’ve grown up with and where we’re going now,” she said.

For this class, visiting the middle schools was especially meaningful. The class of 2024 had 8th grade cut short. They never got to celebrate the end of middle school, making it even more special to visit old teachers and finally say goodbye.

“Eighth grade was kind of hard because we never got to see each other,” Lily Sherman noted.

Speaking of the pandemic, the next senior event was a practice

adopted in 2020 for the class who missed everything else: the car parade. On June 1, Six Mile was shut down from Ward Church to Northville High School for seniors to drive by in cars decked out in orange, black, and the colors of future universities.

Some cars had candy to throw at the crowd, or in Rebecca Calderon and Elizabeth Felosak’s car, bubbles to make.

“Well, last year I got silly stringed,” noted Felosak. “My mom gave us bubbles so we could do something more fun.”

Some cars even came bearing water guns. Unfortunately

for Principal Tony Koski, one car with a swimming pool in tow soaked the principal upon returning to the school.

After a successful car parade, students prepared to graduate on June 2 at USA Hockey Arena. With this class being the largest in Northville High School history with 644 graduates, the arena was chock full of family and friends.

But the size is not the only thing impressive about the Class of 2024. As Principal Koski noted during his opening speech, the Class of 2024 was one full of broken records. The class had 66 merit scholars,

more than a quarter of the class earned presidential awards for academic excellence, and about half of the class were National Honor Society members.

It’s not just all about academics though, as Koski noted the 13 division championships, 11 conference championships, six district championships, eight regional championships, and two state championship Northville won this year. This record is even more impressive according to Koski, as “for most schools, earning these championships would take a decade or two or three. This is one year at NHS

for the Class of 2024.”

Koski believes the graduating students should feel good about everything they have done to support and uplift each other. He wants students to continue this practice, as he told graduates to ensure to “carry how you made people feel with you.”

Congratulations and good luck to all the graduates!

* Maddie Luebkert, a 2023 NHS graduate, is studying journalism at Denison University in Granville, Ohio.

Continued on Page 12

Starting A New Chapter

Class of 2024 reflects on the unforgettable moments at NHS

With the warmth of summer settling in, the time has arrived for the Northville graduating class of 2024 to take a new path beyond high school. After years of hard work and dedication, seniors now have the opportunity to reflect on their past experiences as well as dream up plans for the future. Senior Anushka Malay shares the lasting impact NHS has had on her character: “Through the classes our school offers, I’ve been able to figure out my learning style, my different passions and interests.”

The seniors we spoke to find joy in recollecting the unforgettable moments that highlight their high school experience. Their past four years hold great significance, from starting high school online to learning NHS school spirit.

Senior Aryan Vaidya, headed to the Georgia Institute of Technology to study Industrial Engineering, discussed the difficulties of having a virtual freshman year, saying “it was through COVID [and] it was very different than anything I’d expected my freshman year to

look like.”

In the face of unexpected circumstances, the class of 2024 proved their resilience and maintained existing connections and developed new friendships. As the COVID pandemic faded away, the seniors embraced the NHS school spirit.

“I would say getting involved in certain things, like definitely being on the cross country and track teams, I met some of my best friends through,” senior Ella Christensen said of her favorite memories. “And then getting involved with other sports, going to football games, basketball games.”

As they turn the page to a new chapter in life, the Class of 2024 have unveiled their future aspirations. Some seniors seek a continuation of their passions outside of Michigan, like Malay, who will attend Nova Southeastern University’s direct-med program with hopes of becoming a pediatric

oncologist, and Kaci Sziraki, who plans to study English and Journalism at the University of Chicago to either make a mark on Wall Street or become a published author.

Other students prefer to pursue their interests closer to home for the strong programs and in-state tuition. Evvie Leicht, Amanda Gates and Makenna McInally all plan to enroll at Michigan State University (MSU) for careers

in graphic design, medicine and psychology, respectively. Still others aim to explore more nontraditional fields. Allison Phillips will join the police academy so she can eventually work as a first responder, and Jacob Obiora will return to his NHS Drama Club roots with a dual major in Political Science and Film Studies at DePaul University because he “always wanted to make stories that can help others in their lives, as well.”

Clearly, the Class of 2024 has set the bar high, and their visions for the future extend far beyond what they have learned at NHS.

With four years of experience under their belts, the NHS seniors extend helpful advice to their fellow underclassmen.

“I just was able to learn that it’s okay to mess up sometimes and being able to be proud of myself even if I wasn’t always perfect,” says Nila Muthusamy.

Nila’s advice shows how high school is a time to experiment, and it is important to take pride in such bravery. McInally speaks on a similar wavelength: “Try out for that group. Ask for that extra credit. Send that text message.”

The Class of 2024’s message is clear: don’t be afraid to utilize the high school experience to its fullest potential, because it will be over in an instant.

Although the seniors will move past NHS, the school will remember the significant impact that they have made, and it is evident that they will continue to change the world for the better. Class of 2024, we wish you the best!

EDITOR’S NOTE: High School Confidential is a collaborative effort by the Stringers Journalism Club made up of NHS students Brian Zhang, Adeline Snook, Diya Kannappan, Pranavi Oruganty, Sneha Hegde, Stella Maue, Marjolaine Encabo, Isabella Mach, Sneha Aradhya, Jiaxuan (Jackson) Gong, and Keira Gallagher, Ian Lee and Diane Zhao.

Makenna Mclnally wears her Northville varsity jacket with pride in her senior portrait. Photo courtesy of Makenna Mclnally

Seniors Brendan Herger, Ella Christensen, Ally Baranick and Lucas Wagner before senior prom at Mill Race Village. Photo by Ella Christensen

Arnav Pydimukkala and Aryan Vaidya at the Senior Sunset gathering. Photo courtesy of Aryan Vaidya

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OneFor TheRecordBooks

RobbieSchuckelbreaksshotput recordthatstoodforhalfcentury

ByBradEmons

Eat Northville High, Jim Porterfield knew it was only a matter of time before Robbie Schuckel would erase his mark and etch his name on the Mustangs’ track and field board.

Porterfield, who was inducted into the Mustangs’ Hall of Fame in 2023 as a standout three-sport athlete in football, wrestling and track and field, had served as a volunteer coach and supporter of the track program.

“I was around to help out a little bit last year, so I’ve been involved with the shot putting and discus -- the throws -- since 2013,” Porterfield said. “He’s quite a kid. I know he’s a bright kid academically, he’s really strong and has had a great

the winter.”

Porterfield, despite coming off knee replacement surgery in April which limited his mobility, wasn’t about to miss Schuckel’s attempt at the shot put record when he traveled May 28 to Dexter to cheer on Schuckel as he competed in the Larry Steeb Meet of Champions.

It was there that the 6-foot4, 205-pound senior put it all together winning the event and setting a new school record in the process with a toss of 54 feet, 4 inches, eclipsing the mark of 52-9 held by Porterfield since 1974.

“I have a really good relationship with Coach Porterfield . . . he was at every dual meet at our high school,”

Schuckel said. “He was always there to come support and he would always give me good insight throwing and it was just great to have him there after being there so long and involved with the team. Even though he had the record 50 years ago, it was awesome to just having him there helping out, watching us and giving us tips.”

In the shot put, Schuckel was regional champion and runnerup in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association meet. He went on to finish 16th overall in the Division 1 state finals at East Kentwood (52-½).

But Schuckel was even more impressive this past season in the discus where he placed fourth overall at the state finals meet a toss of 169-3, breaking the school record of 164-11 set in 2008 set by Andrew Gorley. Schuckel was also the regional and KLAA discus champ while going undefeated in all meets until the D1 finals.

“Coach Porterfield has been so supportive and helped Robbie any way he can,” Northville head track and field coach Tim Dalton said. “I know

Robbie appreciates that. It’s pretty cool to see them both together when Robbie broke that record. Jim Porterfield said when Robbie was a sophomore, ‘This kid is special. If he works hard at it the next couple of years he can get both school records,’ and Robbie did that this year.”

At a bulked up 235 pounds last fall, Schuckel was an AllConference two-way lineman for the Mustangs’ football team which finished 10-2 overall and captured both the Division 1 district and KLAA West Division titles.

Following football season, Schuckel spent the winter months in preparation for the track and field season training with coach Tobias Pallett of the Magsig-Pallett Throwing Club.

“What got me really over the top this year was my rotation,” Schuckel said. “And really speeding it up and getting more power in my rotations, especially with the shot put because last year I didn’t do rotations for the shot put, but this year we transitioned into rotating, and I was able to get a

Robbie Schuckel (center) is flanked by Northville assistant throws coaches Natalie Kearney (left) and Patrick Long (right).

Robbie Schuckel unleashes a throw in the shot put. This season he set a school record in both shot put and discus.

lot more speed and power, and it was able to get me over the hump.”

Schuckel also credited his senior season success to Northville’s assistants, throws coaches Patrick Long and Natalie Kearney.

“They really helped me a lot this season because they were always there to help us get extra work,” he said. “They were sending videos of me with little mark-ups to be improved. And we had a really good relationship and worked together to try to tweak it. And we didn’t try to do something different than the others. We all gave our opinion and worked together with what we could fix and do. We kind of collaborated on what we could do better.”

as sophomore to be special to almost throw 140.’ And I would say that was the moment when Robbie really said, ‘I’m going to go after this and put everything into it.’ He came back as a junior and really had a good year, didn’t quite get to the school record, but returned as a senior.”

Schuckel did not qualify for the D1 state meet in 2023, but he was clearly on an upward trajectory.

“He struggled at the regional meet, but I think that experience and the work he put in those three years . . . you’re not going to walk in and be a superstar,” Dalton said. “He had to work hard those three years and it comes together your senior year for you.”

Schuckel did not come out for track his freshman year before joining the Mustangs’ team as a 10th-grader. His marks starting out were modest to say the least.

“His sophomore year he started off throwing the discus in the 80s,” Dalton recalled. “And right at the end of the year, at the end of May, he went to a field event meet and threw 136. It was a moment like, ‘Wow, this kid truly has the potential

As a team, Northville finished fifth in the D1 finals with 31 points, while successfully defending its KLAA and regional titles. Schuckel was a major point producer throughout the entire season for the Mustangs.

“He always kept bringing up the team and how many points can I score for the team, which I thought was pretty cool,” Dalton said.

The Northville coach said Schuckel also brought a lot of great intangibles to the program.

Coach Porterfield has been so supportive and helped Robbie any way he can. I know Robbie appreciates that. It’s pretty cool to see them both together when Robbie broke that record. Jim Porterfield said when Robbie was a sophomore, ‘This kid is special. If he works hard at it the next couple of years he can get both school records,’ and Robbie did that this year.”

“Great G.P.A.,” Dalton said of Schuckel’s academic prowess. “He’s a goof, likes to joke around, always a smile on his face and truly a good kid. Super competitive.”

Schuckel is headed in the fall to attend the University of Florida as a possible track and field walk-on.

Meanwhile, Porterfield was a walk-on in football at Michigan State. He went on to have a career as a tree arborist and actor. He’s done 22 productions as a resident artist at Jeff Daniels’ Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea and has been a member of the Screen Actors Guild since 1985 doing work at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles, as well as

commercial and industrial work in Detroit. Ironically, he got his start in acting as a senior in the Northville High spring play.

As for Schuckel, he leaves Northville High with two records under his belt and a lot of self-satisfaction.

“I would sum it up as a lot of hard work paying off, and really successful,” Schuckel said of his senior season. “It was an accumulation of hard work I put into it the last three years. And it was kind of a big pay-off for me.”

Tim Dalton, NHS head track and field coach

Northville senior Robbie Schuckel had an outstanding season placing fourth in the Division 1 discus throw and winning the regional and KLAA meets.

Former shot put school record holder Jim Porterfield (right) was there to witness Robbie Schuckel’s school record throw at the Larry Steeb Meet of Champions May 28 at Dexter.

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

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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

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‘It’sNot

By Tim Smith Downtown street closure saga might be decided by a jury

Fthe people that live outside of Northville want the benefit, because they don’t have to deal with the repercussions.”

Those repercussions include unwanted traffic detouring past nearby homes and clogging streets as well as there being chunks of the work week where the closed-down streets boast little activity and thus take a bite out of some retailers, doctor’s offices and other small businesses.

Over’Yet

or now, things have quieted down on the downtown Northville front. But the saga over shutting down portions of Main and Center streets for the summer is far from its final scene.

Those who revel in dining in the streets or strolling the social district without a care in the world can do all that until Nov. 1 – thanks to a temporary injunction reversal May 31 by Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Charlene Elder.

“I like the notion of a longterm vision that this is bringing to Northville as a vibrant community,” said Derek Blair, a city resident and owner of Northville Gallery. “If we look down the road five years, what kind of town do we want to be?

Something like a pedestrian zone, and the development going on at the Downs, points to me as a very vibrant downtown that’s a destination for the

whole region.”

Yet that victory might be short-lived because Judge Elder also allowed the lawsuit filed by the neighborhood group Let’s Open Northville to move forward with a jury expected to make the ultimate determination about the social district’s long-term fate.

City officials tout the district because it brings in customers and foot traffic from all over southeastern Michigan, creating what they say is becoming a trendy destination spot that will yield growth and prosperity – albeit which might take years to accurately track.

SLOW THE FLOW

That’s not how many Northvillians see the picture, however.

“I think residents are pretty much aligned,” said Angela Jaafar, a Northville resident and businessperson. “And

“I think that’s where we have a disconnect,” Jaafar said, “because there are daytime businesses that need visibility, they need parking, they need exposure and we have the streets closed for outdoor dining yet the majority of restaurants aren’t open for lunch.”

Let’s Open Northville cocounsel Richard Corriveau, whose Main Street office is a stone’s throw away from the district, emphasized that Judge Elder’s ruling to lift the preliminary injunction does not mark the end of the battle.

“It’s not over, it just goes forward, it’s going to be a jury trial,” said Corriveau, stressing that he thinks the issue is that important for residents that he is not charging them for his representation.

“The court hasn’t given a trial date yet,” Corriveau said. “I’d be surprised if it’s before the first of the year but one never knows. Discovery hasn’t even started.”

Let’s Open Northville is in opposition of the streets being closed for six months a year because it insists many businesses are negatively impacted, customers are severely inconvenienced (particularly those with disabilities) and nearby neighborhoods are swamped by

unwanted traffic.

“To me, it doesn’t make any sense,” said Corriveau, asked during a weekday afternoon interview about the social district. “I haven’t been down there today, but I bet if you walked down there there’s nobody there.

“People can’t park down there and disabled people can’t be dropped off. That’s why it’s impacting a lot of other businesses. It really benefits maybe three restaurants or so.”

DIFFERING VIEWPOINTS

Begging to differ is Blair, who said downtown Northville can eventually tackle the extra traffic concerns and withstand any other growing pains that would come with closures.

“It’s not ideal for every business, depending on their business model,” Blair said. “But again, it does work very successfully around the world. We all, at some point, need to lean in and embrace it and see how it goes over a few years. Make the best of it and celebrate it as a destination place for all of southeastern Michigan.”

Blair noted that “whether you want to draw borders or not, all that matters is 15-20-25 minutes from here my business attracts people from all over the region – not just the 6,000 people that live in Northville.”

Others would like the decision to be made with residents and businesses top of mind – rather than catering to the recreational and leisurely whims of non-residents.

“Who are we really listening to in this situation?” Jaafar continued. “Whose voices are drowning out the reality of, maybe it’s a minority because there’s only 12-to-15 businesses downtown. But you have a

The Orin Rocks Block Party on May 25 attracted a good crowd to downtown Northville. Photos by Bryan Mitchell

majority of voices that don’t live in the city, are not business owners, (who) visit to have dinner and leave.”

BALLOT CHOICE?

Northville City Manager

George Lahanas said Judge Elder’s ruling to finally greenlight this year’s street closure “was a very important” decision. He said, based on the Michigan Constitution and Home Rule Cities Act, cities have the right to control their right of ways.

“I think it got back to where it should have been,” Lahanas said. “Frankly, I think the case should be dismissed because cities have a broad right in Michigan to control their streets. And this is a very important thing for cities to be able to do.

“So regardless of the seasonal closure or not, this is a very

important principle for cities to be able to manage the public right of way.”

Judge Elder had entered a preliminary injunction at the behest of Let’s Open Northville on April 17; the group filed to stop the city from shutting down the streets due to claims closures threatened the longevity of several businesses and violated the ADA.

On May 21, the injunction was reconsidered and Judge Elder ruled in favor of the city 10 days later.

About

Despite prospects of an eventual jury trial, there is growing chatter about requiring a November ballot proposal to settle the matter once and for all.

Some council members have had individual discussions about a ballot proposal, Lahanas added, but nothing formal has taken place. He said it “is a policy decision by council” to have the portions of Main and Center streets follow a schedule of six months open, six months closed.

Breaking News

“We’ve obviously heard a lot of feedback and input from citizens,” Lahanas continued. “And last spring (council) made a decision, after having it closed year-round (in response to COVID-19 restrictions implemented in 2020) to go to six-month closure for both streets. At this point, that’s what we’re implementing.”

The City of Northville’s decision to close down portions of Main and Center streets downtown has drawn plenty of ire and a pending lawsuit. Many people are in favor and many are opposed. Do you think it is something that should be on the ballot for city residents to decide? Send us your opinions at kurtkuban@thevillemagazine.com.

The Week in News

A fresh face in the local real estate market is bringing a unique blend of skills to the community. Ariana Griffin, a licensed real estate agent and accomplished interior designer and CAD engineer, has recently joined Max Broock Realtors, promising to offer clients a seamless fusion of home buying and decorating services. Ariana’s story is a testament to perseverance and the bold pursuit of one’s true passions. Starting her journey on the nation's best girls' soccer team at just 14, Ariana's talent on the field earned her multiple Division 1 scholarships. As college approached and her teammates committed to different schools across the country, she realized her new passion lay in interior design and real estate, leading her to de-commit and pursue a new path. Demonstrating incredible persistence, she obtained her real estate license at 23 while being a full-time student in the College of Engineering, specializing in interior design. Her unique blend of skills and unwavering dedication and passion positions her as a rising star in her new career, illustrating her hard work and commitment. "My goal is to help clients not only find their dream home but also envision how they can make it truly their own. It’s about envisioning the possibilities" said Ariana. Ariana's journey from a nationally recognized soccer player to a budding professional in real estate and design inspires others to pursue their passions with the same determination. If you're looking to buy, sell, or invest in commercial or residential properties, it's safe to say Ariana will give 110% to her clients.

Green Spaces & Garden Paths Pretty Petals

30th Annual Northville Garden Walk set for July 10

By Sue Voyles | Photos by Ken Voyles

“We’re not going over there. I still have work to do to get ready,” says Juliana Cerra, Northville Township resident and gardener extraordinaire, as she walks around her property on a pleasant May afternoon.

Cerra is getting her expansive garden ready for the 30th annual Garden Walk presented by the Country Garden Club of Northville.

Hers will be one of six gardens included in this year’s event on July 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We are celebrating by featuring a few favorite past gardens,” says Kathryn Novak, the Club’s publicity chair.

One of those favorite gardens is undoubtedly Cerra’s garden, tucked away near 7 Mile Road and Ridge at her modest home situated on one acre. This is her third time participating in the Garden Walk.

A gardener her “whole life,” Cerra moved to Northville in 1998 and got to work right

away on beautifying the sparse outdoor space surrounding the home she and her husband Rob occupy.

Twenty-five years later, she estimates there are over 200 species of trees and shrubs, along with 400-plus perennials on the property.

Those are complemented by a pond, fountain and outdoor

living spaces, featuring wood furniture crafted by Rob.

“As soon as the weather gets good, I’m out from dawn to dusk,” says Cerra, who was a member of the Country Garden Club for more than a decade.

“It’s a full-time job moving, tweaking, and cutting.”

She has changed many areas of her garden over the

years, sometimes because growth has made sunny areas shady and other times from what she observes during her travels seeking out various gardens. She’s been to Norway, Sweden, France, Ireland, Egypt, Netherlands, Scotland, Japan and across the United States.

“I come back with ideas,” she says, noting her favorite places include a kokodera (moss) garden in Kyoto, Japan and “a most amazing” private garden in the Scottish highlands overlooking a loch.

Her eco-friendly, pesticidefree garden supports native plants and is influenced by the Japanese aesthetic and DanishAmerican landscape architect Jens Jensen, who Cerra says is the “father of the horticulture movement of using native plants.”

The serene garden that Cerra has created also has no irrigation system, as she aims to conserve energy and water.

“The first year I may baby a plant with some water, but after

Juliana Cerra in her Northville Township garden.

Juliana Cerra’s garden, near 7 Mile and Ridge, is one of the featured gardens.

P lanning Your Garden Walk Visit

• Tickets are $12 when purchased before July 10 at Gardenviews At Home, 17 East Main Street or online at https://cgcnv.org/tickets

• Tickets are $15 on July 10 and only available at the green space, 199 S. Wing Street (behind the Northville District Library)

• Walk continues rain or shine - no refunds.

• Gardens are not wheelchair accessible; strollers are not allowed.

• Every visitor must have a ticket; under 12 years are free.

• If you have questions, call (734) 788-9935.

that they are on their own. I plant what will survive.”

People don’t have to visit Cerra’s garden to enjoy her work. Like many garden club members, she has also done her share of volunteer work to beautify community spaces. A 2014 graduate from Michigan State University with a master’s degree in environmental design,

she created the master plan for landscaping at Mill Race Village and was honored in 2022 with its Gold Key award.

START DOWNTOWN

While this year’s Garden Walk will feature the private gardens of Cerra and other gardeners from the local community, the self-directed tour also includes a green space behind the Northville District Library. There, people can view gardens on the upper

and lower levels of the library property, which are maintained by volunteers from the Country Garden Club and Northville Garden Club.

The green space is also where visitors can purchase tickets for the walk and patronize vendors offering gardenrelated treasures, unique gifts, plant material as well as refreshments. Rain or shine, the walk will go on. The event drew about 700 people last year.

“Last year it rained, but it doesn’t stop people,” says Kate Daniel, past president of the 27-member nonprofit club, which is a division of the Women’s National Farm and Garden Association.

Those 27 members (along with some of their family and friends) put a lot of effort into the annual event, she adds. From identifying potential gardens for the walk, to planning that starts in January, staffing tables at each garden, putting up flags to guide people on the tour, working at the green space, giving directions and creating the map for people to drive from one garden to the next, it’s a big job.

Besides the sheer love of gardening, the group also has a bigger purpose for the annual event.

“We also make donations to local, state and national organizations such as Friends of Mayberry State Park, Michigan 4-H and The Greening of Detroit, for example,” says Kathy Clark, one of the walk coordinators.

While it’s a large project, the fact that the walk has been going on for 30 years shows

that it brings value to the club members and the community.

“We encourage people to visit restaurants and shop downtown,” says Clark. “I like the planning of it, and how our group comes together on the day. Every one of us does our part. It makes it a success. Also, the friendships that we have made over the years.”

Proceeds from the walk fund scholarships for Northville High School students, as well as donations to organizations that support horticultural and environmental causes. Typically, the Club awards two scholarships of $1,500 each. presents the 30th Annual

July 10, 2024 9 am - 4 pm

Tickets ($12) go on sale June 9th at: Gardenviews • 117 E. Main St., Northville and online at Eventbrite.com

Tickets on the day of the Walk ($15) only available at: The Green Space • 199 S. Wing St., Northville (behind Northville Library)

For more information visit www.cgcnv.org or call (734) 788-9935

The 30th annual Garden Walk will feature six gardens.

MikeRumbell marks a half-century as school district’s music maestro

By Michele M. Fecht | Photos By Bryan Mitchell

Just off a plane after playing with the University of Michigan Marching Band (the last year U-M would have an all-male marching band) at the 1972 Rose Bowl, Mike Rumbell was greeted by the news that he would be student teaching in the Northville Public Schools.

Though it wasn’t obvious at the time, that student teaching position led to a lifelong career. In other words, it turned out to be a pretty good gig.

In his half-century with the Northville school district, Rumbell has been the guiding force for generations of instrumental music students at both the middle school and most notably high school level. He has wielded the baton for decades as Band Director at Northville High School, building one of the largest and most enviable high school band programs in the state.

Is he ready to put down the baton? Not yet. “I see

retirement as a black hole.

I’m still excited about what’s ahead,” he said while leafing through music for next year’s half-time show. Hint: The Netflix series “Stranger Things.”

This past school year more than 160 students participated in NHS instrumental music programs including the two symphonic bands, Marching Band and Jazz Ensemble. “We’re still one of the biggest band programs in the state,” he noted. “We’re twice as big as most schools.”

program topped 300 students. “Covid really hurt us,” he said. “I never thought I would be leading high school band

he said. “We just keep building enthusiasm and recruit openly. We bring the eighth graders up to the high school for concerts to experience the program.”

He credits colleagues Johanne Ray-Hepp, Adam Kollipara and his wife, Mary Rumbell, who serves as Assistant to the Band Director, for their contributions and support of the program. “I told my wife early on that if she ever wanted to see me, she’d have to be a part of the band.”

Mike and Mary have two sons, John and Dan. Two grandsons and a granddaughter round out the Rumbell ensemble.

The music program — band, orchestra and choir — also gets invaluable volunteer and financial support from the NHS Music Boosters, a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization.

COMMUNITY EMBRACE

With just one high school, the Northville community has embraced all NHS bands, the most visible being the NHS Marching Band. It’s a point of pride when the band marches in parades (yes, many parades), plays at myriad sports events, school performances, downtown concerts and at other venues. Rumbell is easily identifiable at parades walking at a brisk clip and wearing his signature hat.

“I tell the students not to underestimate the importance of a parade,” Rumbell said. “It’s their biggest audience.”

Though the numbers are impressive, he explained that pre-Covid participation in the

remotely from my kitchen and living room. It really affected the kids. There was no emotional kick.”

He noted there was a slight uptick in participants this past year and he’s hoping that will continue. “There’s no quick fix,”

The plaques and framed commendations lining the walls of the NHS band room are the culmination of decades of competitions for the bands, ensembles and soloists. A highlight each year is participation in the Detroit

Mike Rumbell has been with Northville Schools for 50 years and is still going strong.

Mike Rumbell conducts the band during the NHS graduation ceremony at USA Hockey Arena.

Jazz Festival, the largest free jazz festival in the world. NHS musicians have participated since the festival’s founding more than 40 years ago.

“We wear our tuxedoes for that event,” said Rumbell, noting the tuxedo attire was inspired by a vintage photograph of jazz great Duke Ellington.

A U-M graduate with a bachelor’s degree in music education as well as a master’s in wind instruments, conducting and performance, Rumbell is also a gifted musician having played with some of the best in the business.

While trombone is his primary instrument, he also plays trumpet, bass trombone, tuba and euphonium.

“I play a lot less tuba and trumpet these days,” he quipped.

Rumbell has played in numerous orchestras including the Plymouth Symphony Orchestra (now the Michigan Philharmonic), the Birmingham Bloomfield Symphony Orchestra and the Fisher Theatre Orchestra. He has shared the stage with Doc Severinsen, Johnny Trudell, Michael Feinstein, Roger Williams and others.

Mike Rumbell instructs one of his classes at Northville High School earlier this month.

He was a part of a large brass ensemble that recorded with Aretha Franklin on her album. “A Woman Falling Out of Love.” He also played at Franklin’s birthday party at Detroit’s Rattlesnake Club. His music compositions include those commissioned for the Brookside Jazz Ensemble, the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra as well as others.

A LASTING LEGACY

Rumbell has had a profound influence on the thousands of music students he has taught over his 50-plus year tenure in the district.

John Campbell, NHS Class of 2003, trumpet player and a drum major for two years, had Rumbell as his music teacher at what was then Cooke Middle

School and for four years at Northville High School.

Campbell described Rumbell as firm but kind. “His demeanor on the podium was that he held high expectations for us. He was firm for our sake. I teach elementary music for grades 1 through 5, both general music and beginning band. I hold the kids to high expectations,“ said Campbell who is in his

sixth year of teaching at Allen Elementary in Ann Arbor.

“Something else that impressed me was how special it was that Mr. Rumbell had his family as part of the music program,” Campbell added. “I have a six-year-old son with me at my school. That is so rewarding.”

Campbell, who has a degree in music education from Michigan State University, said it was Rumbell who offered him his “first leadership role in life” during his two years as drum major.

“Mr. Rumbell rarely missed rehearsals, but if he did, he trusted the drum majors to run rehearsals. To truly trust your students inspired me to do what I do today. To teach music.”

That is perhaps the greatest testament to Rumbell’s 50-year legacy.

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Carving a Northville Masterpiece

Community’s history to be showcased on felled elm tree next to library

By Tim Smith

Tree carver Thomas Fink is transforming a oncemajestic elm into a certain bark with quite a historic bite.

That’s because Fink – in collaboration with Northville artist Stacy Pearson – is creating a unique tree sculpture in the small park at Wing and Cady streets where many of the city’s roots will be proudly displayed for generations to come.

What remains of the tree, killed by Dutch Elm disease and scheduled to be brought down in 2023, was saved after nonprofit organization Northville Tree Champions and community leaders

came together to make sure a significant chunk – about 15 feet of its base – would remain for years to come.

“It’s a majestic tree and it’s really great to do something with it, you know?” said Fink, a

West Bloomfield resident and longtime tree carver. “And it’s in a great location. There’s so much excitement about this, it’s unbelievable. So many people are proud to say they were a Northville Mustang.”

The top portion of the sculpture will feature a mustang, of course, a nod to Northville High School’s longtime mascot.

Among those include a school desk from Globe Furniture, a Stinson airplane, the water wheel, Yerkes Victorian home and much more.

“There is going to be a river at the bottom, symbolizing the river that runs around Northville,” Pearson explained. “There is a horse and surrey to represent the Downs.

“I think it (the sculpture)

Below the mustang will be numerous relief carvings that will entail revolving barberpole-like stripes featuring many of Northville’s iconic places and “vignettes” as envisioned by Pearson of Stacy Kathryn Art.

At some point, a marker or plaque featuring a description of the sculpture’s features and corresponding significance (along with a QR code) will be placed by Northville Tree Champions.

“It’s just on the face of the tree,” said Fink, about the relief carvings. “There won’t be much depth on those. I’m working with an artist (Pearson) and they needed sketches to get the approvals on all this. Stacy did a really nice job.”

honors the life and the beauty of the tree. It’s important to keep that as long as possible and it honors the history of Northville.”

So far, the project is generating plenty of positive feedback.

“The first few days out there, it was kind of nonchalant and people didn’t understand what

Thomas Fink uses his chainsaw to carve a once giant elm tree next to the library.

Photo by Bryan Mitchell

Thomas Fink carves the tree, using artist Stacy Pearson’s sketch featuring iconic Northville images as his guide.

Northville artist Stacy Pearson

was going on,” noted Fink, a veteran tree carver whose rustic works of art are featured throughout metro Detroit. “But now that they can see things developing, I’m getting people coming back time and time again to take pictures.”

With the sculpture site next to the Northville Police Station and public library, and just a short stroll from Old Village School, it is easy to spot.

Spearheading the project are Northville Tree Champions, a non-profit organization with the purpose of protecting existing trees, planting new ones and educating members of the public “to try and improve and protect the canopy in Northville and Northville Township,” said Jim Porterfield, founder and president of the group.

When Porterfield discovered in 2022 that Dutch Elm disease was killing the Augustine Ascending Elm – a rare hybrid believed to be the largest of its kind in Michigan, once standing 110 feet tall and measuring more than 12 feet in circumference – he started reaching out to city officials as well as others in Northville Tree Champions about doing something special to preserve at least some of the tree.

“The plan was to remove the entire tree and the stump,” Porterfield explained. “But it was a magnificent tree, very large. … We thought it would make a real striking carving/ sculpture there that would be a destination for people.”

He said the tree removal was on the schedule to take place, but Northville Tree Champions (www.northvilletreechampions. org) came to its rescue.

“One thing led to another, there were hoops to jump

through, organizing, seeking out funds and approvals,” Porterfield explained. “We finally got it going. The key was the Northville Community Support Fund, which came through with a good chunk of funding to help us get it going.”

Other groups that have chipped in include the Art House, Historical Society, District Library, Garden Club and city officials.

“We had to decide what we wanted to do with it. I think we came up with something that will be really interesting to people,” Porterfield said.

Probably most important was having an expert carver in Fink and an available artist in Pearson to come up with a workable plan.

“She (Pearson) works for the Downtown Development Authority at city hall, where she has a lot of responsibility,” Porterfield said. “But she’s also an excellent artist. She helped with the design concept and she’s done some renderings that are really spectacular. She’s extremely talented.”

Another towering elm tree at Wing and Cady (an American

affect the hardness of the wood or anything structural.”

For that, Fink is grateful.

“It is an elm and I’ve carved other elms before that had been dead for a while and they were really tough to carve,” said Fink, who uses an arsenal of fuel-injected chainsaws (a 500i with a 28-inch bar is his go to).

“It hasn’t been dead for all that long, so it’s not a dehydrated tree. It’s actually pretty moist, you can see it in the wood when you cut it. It’s carving a lot nicer than I anticipated.”

Elm) needed to be removed a few years ago due to Dutch Elm disease.

“Dutch Elm disease is a disease of the vascular system of the tree, just the outer ring,” Porterfield said. “It doesn’t

Fink, like Pearson, is thrilled that the finished product will be viewed and appreciated well into the future – with those who stop by the stump also honoring Northville’s past.

“I think it’s going to be there a long time,” said Fink, who expects to finish in the coming weeks.

The sculpture, using an elm tree that once stood 110 feet tall, is next to the library.

The Tradition Continues

Renovated Marquis bringing back beloved summer theater camp

By Tim Smith

The long, five-year wait is over. Summer youth camp at downtown Northville’s 98-year-old Marquis Theater is back “home” – after three clicks of Dorothy’s ruby red slippers – and ready to roll into their take on The Wizard of Oz.

That hiatus was due to the combination of a global pandemic hitting right about the time Brandon and Kim Bueter took over the Marquis in 2020, followed by the new owners making sure the building would be safe and sound for its latest iteration.

“We always wanted to do it,” said Brandon Bueter, about re-launching Summer Theater Camp. “We just had to figure out the how, where and why. We finally have the infrastructure of the building back up where we can trust it again.”

A four-week youth theater camp is slated to begin Monday, July 8 and will culminate with a special all-youth performance of The Wizard of Oz on the final weekend (Aug. 2-4).

Cast members will rock colorful costumes and perform on a bigger (increased by 280 square feet) and better stage – complete with three trap doors, to bring unexpected thrills.

Participants must be between ages 7-18. For registration info, go to marquisyouththeater.com or send emails to

camps@northvillemarquis.com. There are full- and half-day options available.

“We’re leaning on the alumni, everybody who’s been through here has had nothing but positive experiences and they anticipate nothing less,” Bueter said. “It kind of falls into that category that it’s a pretty good life skill. It’s getting in front of people, doing what you’re doing. I think it’s a fantastic thing for these kids.”

COMMUNITY MINDED

The Bueters are picking up the theater baton from camp founder Ingeborg Zayti

(who passed in 2013) and her daughter Christina, who were instrumental in producing the annual youth camps for four decades beginning in the 1970s.

“The vision with the camp moving forward, it’s very community minded,” Bueter said. “I think it was a big part of town, it was a big part of the theater. And I think there are those kids that need to find their home, need to find their place, and a lot of times they found it in the camps in the theater. We’re trying to bring that back and keep that tradition going.”

Among the alumni is Laura Genitti, owner of a popular dinner theater just across Main Street and a Northville City Council member.

She took part in 10 of the camps, crediting the Zayti family for having the foresight to get the program off the ground and sustain it for decades.

“Inge Zayti and her daughter Christina were incredible leaders,” Genitti said. “They made sure we were all taken care of. Everyone they hired cared so much for the theater and the kids. Everything I was taught there I use today.”

Genitti also is beyond thrilled to see the camp back, where it promises to inspire, educate and transform young people in ways that might not be known just yet. She speaks from experience.

“Each year was filled with creativity, growth and (was) unforgettable,” Genitti continued. “The environment allowed me to build lifelong friendships. From the moment I arrived, I was surrounded by an atmosphere of enthusiasm and support.”

That holistic support will be as strong as it ever was in 2024, thanks to the talents and indefatigable efforts of artistic director Pam Martin and her brother, production manager David Martin.

“This (the Marquis) is such a historic place, it is the cornerstone to this whole community,” Pam Martin said. “I can remember when I was a child and I came here with my father, who was a producer and director.

“We’d come to Northville and see these wonderful children’s theater shows. I was always engaged so much with the acting, the writing, the sets, the costumes. To bring that back to this community is just a wonderful,

The Marquis Theater’s Summer Camp has always culminated with a production put on by the campers. Photo courtesy of Marquis Theater

Marquis owners Brandon and Kim Bueter (from left), with Pam Martin (camp artistic director) and David Martin (camp production manager) on the Marquis stage. Photo by Tim Smith

magical thing.”

Concurring was David Martin, who will teach theatrical terminology and cues along with insights into lighting and sound.

“I give them (Bueters) both a lot of credit here for really taking the time and the effort to put forth and turn this obviously historic space into a space that still has that flavor,”

David Martin said, “but also is brought into today’s technology and abilities of the theater world.”

That world, of course, still revolves around what will be performed on stage. That’s where Pam Martin makes her accomplished entrance.

Campers will gather around her on the first couple days to get the skinny about the Wizard of Oz, go over scripts, find out who wants to perform which character, and gear up for an immersive, at times improvisational experience.

“I do a lot of theater games with them, icebreakers,” she explained.

Martin said she will introduce younger campers to the nuts and bolts of performance and delve deeper with moreexperienced campers.

“But they will come together at some point,” Martin added. “Depending on how many (cast members) we have, I will be mixing and matching the different ones so maybe my younger set might be the ‘munchkins’ and my older set will be taking on the leading roles.”

Before too long, those campers will be on stage performing Dorothy and all the famous roles in front of family, friends and members of the public.

LIGHTING A FUSE

The Martins, who are theater lifers, want to spark something in today’s youth through the summer camp – perhaps enough for them to think about pursuing the craft further.

And just like the Zayti family did, the Martins are intent on making sure Wizard of Oz campers learn, grow and discover talents they might not have thought they had when camp began.

“The theater does so much for children,” said Pam Martin, the drama specialist at Cranbrook who has been teaching 33 years. “They get to innovate, they can use their imaginations to the fullest. They get to take creative risks in a very comfortable and safe environment such as the Marquis.”

applicable in other aspects of life.

“It’s also learning how to work as a team,” David Martin said. “But all the skills you learn in theater, it’s amazing to me how you could use those in sales. You could use those in friendships. Public speaking is arguably one of the largest fears of people. This (the camp experience) certainly breaks that and gives you an opportunity to feel comfortable in a space, comfortable in your own skin, learning how to take on another character if you’re doing so.”

And the Marquis renovations are sure to enhance how an audience sees, hears and feels the Wizard of Oz performance.

For starters, the stage formerly ended at the proscenium arch. It now extends from that point, forming an impressive half-circle in proximity to the first row of seats. And a trap-door system has been installed in that new section, taking over where the orchestra pit once was located.

From the first day of that journey, too, the plan is for summer campers to build confidence and take it from there. Almost like jumping on the yellow brick road and finding out where it leads them.

But they’ll also be learning about all the other, behind-the-scenes details and duties required to put on a successful show. They’ll soak up such information from David Martin.

“We’ll teach basic theatrical terminology, they’ll learn what stage right is, stage left, upstage, downstage,” he emphasized. “They’ll understand different cues and how to do things like that. And obviously setting up props.”

Some of the learned skills will be

“It gives us a lot of space for scenery or if we’re going to do different special effects. We’re very excited about that,” David Martin said.

Which means one never knows what surprises might spring up from beneath those trap doors. A sudden appearance from the Wicked Witch of the West anyone?

Hold on to that popcorn.

“We cannot wait to see every seat in the theater filled for The Wizard of Oz,” Brandon Bueter said.

The Marquis Theater’s four-week theater camp begins July 8. Participants must be between ages 7-18. For registration info, visit marquisyouththeater.com or send emails to camps@northvillemarquis.com. There are full- and half-day options available.

Former Marquis owner Inge Zayti, who passed away in 2013, founded the summer theater camp in the 1970s.

Former camper (and current supporter) Laura Genitti with camp counselor David Leidholdt. Photo courtesy of Laura Genitti

Generations of kids have participated in the Marquis Summer Theater Camp. Photo courtesy of Laura Genitti, who participated in the camp for many years as a kid (that’s her in the middle)

From GFL To Priority Waste

Officials optimistic but skeptical about waste hauling change

By Scott Spielman

Officials in Plymouth and Northville are looking forward to the potential July 1 transfer of waste hauling services from GFL Environmental to Priority Waste with a mixture of skepticism and optimism.

Priority Waste, a six-year-old company based in Clinton Township, announced recently that it had purchased GFL and planned to assume all of its contracts beginning in July. The purchase effectively makes Priority the largest waste hauler in the state; the impending change affects about 700,000 residents in southeastern Michigan.

“We hope to make this transition as seamless as possible,” said Matt Allen, Priority Waste’s director of public relations and government affairs. “What people need to understand is that in the assumption of all these contracts as the acquisition, we are maintaining our compliance with all the contracts with the various communities. They will stay in force.”

Township officials said they will ensure that they do. Each one needs to approve the assignment of the contract from one waste hauler to the other. Plymouth Township Supervisor Kurt Heise said he expects the board to take it up at their June 25th meeting, but he was still waiting for details from Priority. Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo anticipated the board would also look at it this month.

Heise said getting all 74 communities affected by the transition to agree in a relatively short time frame is a daunting task.

“I’m very skeptical that this can be done in less than 30 days. I think they’re biting off a big chunk here. All of the communities have to approve the assignment of the contract from GFL to Priority,” he said. “Legally, I think it’s going to be very difficult to get all the communities to accomplish this handover.”

Plymouth Township has three years remaining with the contract they signed with GFL; Northville Township signed a five-year agreement with GFL in 2022.

Both communities are looking for an improvement in service. Plymouth Township recently fined GFL $20,000 for poor service.

“It’s been pretty bad over the past few weeks. I’d say over the past 30 days GFL has been extremely slow, most notably in the yard waste,” Heise said. “It’s taken them between 2-3 days, on average, to pick up yard waste. Trash has also been delayed in many areas. This is a regional problem, it’s not unique to Plymouth Township.”

Abbo said Northville Township has fielded complaints recently, too, which have been attributed to equipment failures. He said that would be one topic the board would discuss with Priority prior to the change.

“We would be looking at how they performed in other contracts they have in place, their level of sophistication, whether their customers are happy with the service they provide,” Abbo said. “Those are the things that would factor into our decision to allow them to take over the GFL contract. I’m optimistic that this will work out well for Northville Township. I’ve heard some good things about them.”

Allen said the company uses technology to help improve service and respond to complaints. Most Priority trucks have six cameras—some have eight—that allow operators at their headquarters to provide real-time information to drivers via tablets they take on their routes. For example, if and when a complaint comes in, a representative from the community— whether that’s a mayor, township manager, supervisor or DPW director—can enter the address and get a street view of the issue and determine if the trash wasn’t put out in time, or something was blocking it. If a truck is still nearby, it can be rerouted back to that address.

“We can tell in real time whether we missed a stop or if there’s extra bulk items there or if something was blocked or the waste wasn’t there at all. It adds much more accountability on both parts,” Allen said. “It’s been a very helpful system for the municipalities, for the residents and for us as a service provider.”

He said that while the service is scheduled to transition on July 1, most residents won’t see an immediate change. The trucks will be inventoried, maintained repainted to match the current yellow Priority color and redeployed, but it will take as long as six months for that to be completed throughout southeast Michigan. New trucks will be purchased, too, and GFL employees will be interviewed and onboarded, as well. Collection days will stay the same and nobody will need to get new trash receptacles, either.

“The normal cycle will stay the same,” he said, adding that residents will need to have their trash by the curb at 7 a.m. on their regular day. “If you’re used to a certain time of the day, that may change a little bit — it’s a garbage day, not a garbage appointment.”

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On the Road With

Biking Across Italy

A group of Northville residents and good friends traveled to Italy in May. They did a 10-day bicycling “adventure” across the country’s Puglia region, which is located in the “ heel of the boot” area of Italy. The group, pictured here with their copy of The ‘Ville near Alberobello (known for its trulli -- whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs), included Michele and John Kelly, Tom and Michelle Kerns, Patti Mullen and Gary Banish.

All The Way to Antarctica

Ann Creviston and Roz Fink recently took “a cruise never to be forgotten” that took them along South America to Antarctica. After an exciting three days visiting the 275 Iguazú Waterfalls, a paradise between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay and four days checking the sites in Buenos Aires, they sailed the coast of Argentina to Uruguay and the Falkland Islands. Finally, they made it to Antarctica. Summer temperatures were 30°F, with brutal winds. “It was stunningly peaceful… icebergs, snow-capped volcanic mountains, glaciers, whales, seals, dolphins and thousands of penguins,” Roz said. “We returned through the Drake Passage and the Straits of Magellan, visiting small towns on our way north. Our last port was San Antonio close to Santiago, Chile. It was a trip of a lifetime!”

Ancient Egypt

Northville’s Brenda and Bob Karl took along their copy of The ‘Ville on their trip to Egypt back in January. While there, they were able to visit many of the historic temples and pyramids. Here they are pictured at the Karnak Temple Complex, commonly known as Karnak which comprises a vast mix of temples, pylons, and chapels near Luxor, Egypt where the God ‘Amun’ was worshipped, according to Brenda.

Spring in Paris

The Liamini sisters, Lila and Sonia, took along their copy of The ‘Ville on their Spring Break trip to France. They visited Paris, Amboise, and Annecy with family friends. Highlights of the trip included seeing four castles, including Versailles, which Lila had recently studied in her 7th grade class at Hillside Middle School. Here Sonia is pictured at one of their stops in Annecy.

Unforgettable European Trip

Two families from the Woodlands North sub – the Conovers and Charters -traveled to Europe during Spring Break and took along their copies of The ‘Ville Among their incredible stops in England included Stonehenge, Big Ben, and Wembley Stadium before going to France, where they explored Paris. Here they are near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Pictured are Evan, Katelyn, Elle, Ryan, Courtney, Nick, Patrick and Joey.

Cherry Blossoms in D.C.

Northville’s Patrick Giesa met up with his older sister Kathy Montgomery of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho in Washington D.C. to take in the beautiful, world-famous cherry blossoms over Spring Break. It was Kathy’s first ever visit to the national capital. Here they are pictured in front of the White House with his 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. Please email the photos to kurtkuban@gmail.com. We’ll feature the photos in an upcoming issue.

There’s No Place Like Home

OakBrook Senior Living strives to provide the closest thing to being home

When it comes to providing care for a beloved senior family member, it can be easy to be overwhelmed with the options. In-home care by family or a home health care aide, assisted living, adult day care, skilled nursing, hospice – it can be exhausting to evaluate.

nestled off of 7 Mile Road, earlier this year.

And they’re on a mission to change the dynamic of senior care.

Providing round-the clock support and comfort is a top priority for the team as they focus on personalized care for every resident. And the only way

The team at OakBrook Senior Living wants the Northville community to know they have a quality option for assisted living right in their backyard.

A warm and caring environment in a small community in a homelike setting are the hallmarks of OakBrook at 7 Mile and OakBrook at Meadowbrook, says owners Geoffrey Gane, CEO, and Seth Michael, COO.

They took over ownership and management of the two properties (formerly Retreat Assisted Living),

to do that is to get deeply involved with their lives.

“Families are often going through a lot as their loved ones transition away from home. You almost go through a grief process,” says Director of Care Doug Kinney, a registered nurse who is an active nurse practitioner in neurointensive care.

“We have conversations with the families and their loved one. We become deeply involved. We view this as an amazing opportunity to help families in new ways,” he adds.

Whether it’s assistance with daily activities,

medication management, memory care, or simply providing companionship, the OakBrook team supports residents throughout their stay. But it’s more than that for the senior leaders, they are looking to elevate the standard of care in all that they do.

“My role is to get a better assessment and act like a family member to advocate for things that may arise between the family and their physician,” adds Kinney. “For me it’s an amazing opportunity to do something that nurses are really good at. We are meant to be part of families and communities.”

The staff-to-resident ratio is also an area that separates OakBrook Senior Living from larger facilities, according to Gane, who

says their ratio is 1-to-5 or 1-to-6.

“We prioritize the wellbeing and happiness of our residents by creating a place that feels like home and family,” adds Gane, who leverages his background in entrepreneurship and real estate development to build the company.

A big factor in creating that atmosphere in the two state-licensed operations is their team members.

“We pride ourselves on our caregivers. We want people who care about seniors and have a calling to take care of people. We pay well and provide a great benefit package to them,” explains Michael.

Each location has two to three Nurse Assistants working alongside a House Manager who is certified through the Michigan Assisted Living Association. They also have the advantage of working with leaders who have relevant health care experience.

“A lot of homes like

ours are not owned by health care professionals,” adds Michael, an Air Force veteran who has owned and operated a few in-home senior care companies with his wife for the past eight years.

For Gane, Michael and Kinney, OakBrook Senior Living is not just another business venture.

“We are really dedicated to what we are doing, and we want to do it in a big way. We are here for the long haul and providing high quality care,” concludes Gane.

OakBrook at 7 MIle is located at 47260 Seven Mile and OakBrook at Meadowbrook is located at 19772 Meadowbrook Road. They are accepting new residents 60 years and older. Currently, they are accepting private pay only. OakBrook Senior Living also has locations in South Lyon and Southgate.

To learn more about any of the facilities, call (734) 234-8900 or visit oakbrookseniorliving.com.

The Stuff The Stuff Legend Legendof of

Seniors lead Mustangs to first ever baseball state title

By Kurt Kuban

Northville’s senior-laden baseball team was a confident squad as they rode into East Lansing for the Michigan Division I final four. They returned to Northville crowned state champions, after knocking off Bay City Western in the semi-final game and then Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice, 2-1, in a thrilling state title game held June 15 at Michigan State University.

It’s the first state baseball championship in school history, as the Mustangs knocked off the top-ranked Warriors, handing them just their second loss of the season. The Mustangs finished the season with a 32-7 overall record. Brother Rice finished 43-2.

Seniors Evan Deak and Caden Besco combined to pitch seven innings, allowing just six hits and one earned run. Reliever Besco was particularly impressive, as he pitched the final 3.1 innings, giving up just one hit and contributing a big defensive play. He got the final three outs in the seventh inning, striking out Brother Rice’s Ryan Tyranski to end the game.

The team mobbed Besco in jubilation near the mound, as they celebrated the program’s first ever state title.

“To finally get over the hump means everything,” Besco said. “It just feels so great to be the first in school history to do it. And to be the pitcher on the mound for the final out is just indescribable.”

The origins of this championship probably date back to last year’s district loss to Novi, which ended up winning the state title in 2023. As disappointing as that game was, the team was determined to shake off that loss and make a serious run this year. In addition to having a new coach in Dan Cimini, the team brought back 16 seasoned seniors.

When the season started, the Mustangs were the number one ranked team in the state. However, the team had some struggles early before losing both games of a May 18th double header against Brother Rice. And the games weren’t even close (8-1, 10-0). It was an eye opener for the Mustangs, according to Besco. The team would only lose one more game the rest of the season.

“When we faced them earlier this year, we knew they were a good team. I think we were a bit nervous and our mindsets weren’t ready for them,” Besco said.

The Mustangs celebrate their state title June 15, pointing where their championship rings will go. Photo courtesy of Tammy Besco

By the time the rematch came around, it was a different story.

The team had won its division, the KLAA conference, the district (with wins over rivals Catholic Central and Novi), and the regional. In the state semi-final game, the Mustangs defeated Bay City Western in convincing fashion, 9-2. That win gave the team a lot of confidence and swagger as they headed into the state championship game.

“We were locked in before the game and during warmups,” Besco said. “Everybody was pretty calm and confident. I think we just had that feeling that we were about to do something special.”

The game itself was very tight. All of the runs scored in the third inning. In the top half, the Mustangs ended up scoring their runs on two throwing errors. Carson Eaton and pitch runner Nolan Coppens both scored. Rice then scored one run in the bottom half of the inning.

Rice loaded the bases in the fourth inning, but Besco pitched his way out of it. In the sixth inning, Rice got their leadoff man on, but the next batter drilled a line drive right at Besco, who caught the ball and doubled up the runner at first.

Rice got one man on with two outs in the seventh inning, but Besco threw a fastball past Tyranski to end the game.

Besco, who will continue his baseball career at Lansing Community College, said he is part of a special group of seniors who have been playing sports together since they were little kids. Guys like him, Evan Deak and Isaac Pace, all three of whom also led the football team to its district championship in a generation by beating Catholic Central for the first time.

Besco said he hopes their victories and legacy sends a message to Northville kids thinking about transferring to other schools.

“I think this win does send a message,” Besco said. “It will help keep kids at Northville instead of them going to private schools. The message is this: if you all stay together and play together at Northville, not only can you be competitive but you can win state championships. And that’s a special feeling.”

Mission accomplished boys!

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Coming Together For Peace

A local group called Northville 4 World Peace celebrated its first ever Northville Worldwide Peace Day on May 19. The event started at Ford Field, with about 50 people attending. There were various activities, including poster making and art stations, a henna art and tattoo station, tie-dye shirt making, a kite flying station, and a voter registration table.

The group then walked together through downtown Northville to the Community Center. Along the way, the group played “We Are The World,” waved peace flags, and held up peace symbols. At the Community Center, food was provided by the event’s sponsors followed by a program that included presentations by four peace activists who discussed a number of topics, including social justice, nuclear disarmament, and the importance of peace in Israel and Palestine. The event concluded with a vigil promoting peace and nonviolence.

Organizers included Tim Hasse, Aisha Chaudry, Afreena Akhtar and Naznin Mahmood.

“Our mission is to promote unity, understanding and harmony among our diverse community to strengthen ideals of peace and non-violence. A primary focus for World Peace Day is to stop injustice and oppression around the world and uphold the human right to peace, dignity and self-determination for all,” Chaudry said.

You can find Northville 4 World Peace on Facebook.

Dancing in the Streets

Downtown Northville will be jumping again on Wednesday evenings this summer, as Dancin’ in the Ville returns for another year. Instructors from Arthur Murray Dance Centers will be on hand to provide basic lessons for a variety of dance genres each week from July 3 through Aug. 28. Here’s the schedule:

July 3: Salsa

July 10: Popular Line Dancing

July 17: Bachata

July 24: Swing

July 31: Merengue

Aug. 7: Hawaiian Island Hula

Aug. 14: Rumba

Aug. 21: Salsa

Aug. 28: Popular Line Dancing

Group instruction runs from 7-8 p.m., with open social dancing from 8-9 p.m. There will also be raffle prizes drawn each week. All skill levels are welcome to join in the fun. Arthur Murray Dance Centers and MJ Diamonds are the sponsors.

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Father Knows Best

o you remember that television show? I do…it was one of my favorites. Growing up in an Italian household I yearned for an American lifestyle. I found it on the TV set. Today I miss my Italian roots and avoid the television. Oh my, how life changes.

Congratulations to Northville’s Comerica bank manager, John Hogan –celebrating his first Father’s Day as “Grandpa” to little Owen. He truly is a “father who knows best” when it comes to finances. I met John a few years back when he assisted my efforts to secure the infamous “PPP” loan during Covid – and again with the forgiveness. (My way of saying thanks – a homemade dish of lasagna, my grandma’s recipe.)

I recently learned he offers more than advice when it comes to managing your credit score, helping students learn about dollars and sense (pun intended) and the truth behind identity theft – just to name a few of life’s money lessons. If there isn’t a class already scheduled at the library here in town, check with John – he is likely to set one up especially for your group. Stop by the branch on Main Street to find out more.

Happy 3rd anniversary to the dynamic motherson duo at the reinvented Sweet Brew Café – Rose and Sandro Lytwyn. They call it “rebranding”. I call it “fine tuning”. They’ve taken all the good stuff and made it better than ever. This little

gem is in the Northville Square Mall on Main Street – west of Center Street. They have the homegrown flavor (with a pinch of Italy) in the coffee creations, lemonades, smoothies, pastries, AND the ambiance. If you haven’t tried them before now –what are you waiting for?

Deb Meredith, of Northville, couldn’t be prouder of her dad, Joe Tavi (also a Northville resident with Italian roots). She recently reached out to me with a little “dish about dad”. He’s the headliner of “Kookies and Karaoke” at the Northville Community Center for senior lunches on select Tuesdays. I had the pleasure of chatting with this incredible 94-year-old. Joe told me: “I love to sing and I love to get others to sing along. It makes everyone smile.”

He lost his wife a year ago – after nearly 70 years. She was the love of his life, even though she wasn’t Italian. They had six boys and one girl (and he is happy to have her). He retired from Ford Motor Company in 1976 and moved to Florida. Just

like many others he found his way back home after a couple of hurricanes. While in Okeechobee, Joe launched his stage career as Karaoke Joe and is thrilled for the chance to keep it going.

Joe’s granddaughter was getting married in New York a few years back and asked grandpa to sing at her wedding. The bride’s request – “New York, New York”. Of course, he

delivered. When his grandson got married locally, he had to keep it even – this time with a Dean Martin classic, “Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime”. It’s hard to decide… when did I fall in love - when he hit my soft spot for Dean Martin – or – when, like me, the only sauce he likes is his family recipe?

Northville Newcomers and Neighbors (NNN) held their Spring Banquet in May. There were nearly 100 members on hand to enjoy a unique shopping experience, a lovely lunch, and a fashion show by Chico’s. Honestly, it’s the laughter and friendship that makes this group thrive. The NNN’s Volunteers-in-Action raised more than $4,000 for the RIP Medical Program, which helps reduce medical debt for those in need. In my humble opinion – a great cause. The club is open to residents of Northville and surrounding areas. For membership information check them out at northvillenewcomers.com.

Sweet Brew owners Rose Lytwyn and Sandro Lytwin, cutting the ribbon with Mayor Brian Turnbull.

Deb Meredith and her dad, Karaoke Joe (Tavi)

Karaoke Joe Tavi

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