The 'Ville March 2018 by JourneymanPub

Northvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s News and Lifestyle Magazine

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SUPPORT THE ‘VILLE Starting a new business venture is never easy, as anyone who has been down that road will attest. I started The ‘Ville because I felt our community needed a publication focused on … our community. I knew it would be difficult, especially at a time when many say print is dead. The response after our first two issues has been pretty incredible. I received dozens of emails, phone calls, and even cards and letters in the mail from people who were happy to receive The ‘Ville and wished us success. That reaction just reinforced both my belief that Northville needs just such a publication and my resolve to make it work. Unlike traditional magazines, we do not charge a subscription fee. We mail directly to every household and business in Northville, because that model offers our advertisers the best bang for their buck. And advertising is ultimately what pays the bills. Building an advertising base takes time and persistence, however. In the meantime, we could use your support to help us get to that point. Your financial support will help us get over the hump, and insure local journalism is here to stay. Send us $5, $10, $20 or any amount you can, and we will list your name in upcoming issues as being a supporter of The ‘Ville and local journalism. Because LOCAL matters. Please send checks, cash or lucky charms to: Journeyman Publishing 16435 Franklin Northville, MI 48168 Thank you!

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 3

MARCH 2018

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.

JOHN HEIDER – Photographer/Writer

John Heider, 53, was the The Northville Record and Novi News photographer from October 1996 until September 2017. He lives in Ann Arbor and enjoys fishing, hunting, gardening, cooking, feature writing, woodworking projects and the symphony. Sort of like a modern day Renaissance Man.

LISA MEINZINGER-ABRAHAM – Advertising

Lisa is a creative professional and the founder/director of two successful film festivals, Reel Michigan and the Rock Hard Film Festival. She is also a member of the Main Street League and a proud Northville parent.

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

Publisher

OUR SUPPORTERS

Here is a list of people who made donations to the magazine. Thank you so much! Joan Borto Elizabeth Calcagno Walt and Janet Covert John and Sandy Dickson Jane and Raymond Domzalski

Brian and Michelle Ludke Kirt Manecke Marian Novak Russ Schiller Carolyn Toyer

Russ Schiller: “I really enjoyed reading this magazine. It was so informative. We look forward to reading your magazine each month.”

MARIA TAYLOR – Writer

Maria has edited Michigan History and The Active Learner magazines and reported for The Northville Record, Novi News, and Farmington Observer. 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.

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

Big Changes Could Be On the Horizon I’ve been told by multiple sources the owners of Northville Downs have an agreement in place to sell the historic horse track to a developer, in a deal that would lead to dramatic changes to the landscape of downtown Northville. The developer, I’m told, is Farmington Hills-based Hunter Pasteur Homes LLC, which constructs homes throughout southeast Michigan, including in Lyon Township, Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills and Detroit’s historic Brush Park. I personally made calls to both Northville Downs general manager Mike Carlo and Hunter Pasteur, to see if either party would confirm or deny the deal. Neither called me back as of this writing. While I don’t know the details of the deal, I did get confirmation from city officials that in recent months they met with the potential buyer of the property, though they would not divulge who it was. The city officials were, however, happy with the meeting because the unnamed developer’s plans for the property were consistent with the future land use plan the city adopted in December of 2014. That plan is essentially a blueprint for what the city identifies as “orderly and appropriate development” throughout the city. One of the “sub areas” the plan focuses upon is the Northville Downs property. While offering support for the property’s current use as a horse

racing track, the plan — if future development occurs — calls for a mix of single-family and multi-family residential development of varying densities “using the traditional neighborhood characteristics currently present in Photo by Fred Shadko Northville.” There would also be some commercial and mixed-use development This isn’t the first time there has been a along Center Street between Seven Mile and Cady. rumored agreement between the owners of the When you look at the aerial photo Downs and a developer. So don’t expect changes accompanying this column (thank you, Fred at the property any time soon. In fact, the Downs Shadko), you realize just how large a footprint the was scheduled to kick off a new season of live Downs has in the City of Northville, especially in racing on March 2. However, with each rumored comparison to the downtown area (top of photo). deal, it seems the long-term future of the track is It is a huge area, encompassing about 50 acres, in doubt. which is why the prospect of future development It’s hard to imagine Northville without the is so exciting to some in town, as well as a source Downs, which opened in 1944 as the first harness of apprehension. racing track in Michigan. If it indeed has sold, it What happens on that property when and if would be the biggest story to hit this town in a the Downs closes will reshape Northville’s image, very long time. We’ll stay on top of it. especially considering it is one of the gateways into the community. Kurt Kuban is editor of The ‘Ville. He welcomes The plan also spells out preferred development your feedback at kurtkuban@gmail.com. for what is known as Cady Town – the mostly vacant strip of land just north of the Downs along CORRECTION: In the photo that accompanied Cady Street. It calls for a mixture of multi-story my column about Jack Doheny last month, the commercial and mixed-use buildings. With the people in the photo should have been identified as Downs, what happens on those properties will G. Dewey Gardner, Ruth Connam, Doheny, John have a huge impact on the future of this town. MacDonald and Ted Mapes.

Your Voice – Letters 4

Is 1800s building The man behind worth saving? the microphone

Ms. Dorie and the power of reading

16 12

Cover Photo: NDL Children’s Librarian Dorie Freebury by John Heider

Campus Life -- Photos by John Heider 6 St. Patrick’s Day Soiree will fund educational opportunities 14 Planting Seeds: Community Foundation focuses on the farm 18 High School Confidential: A league of their own 22 Past Tense: Yarnall Institute treated ‘liquor-cursed men’ 24 Out & About 27 It’s Your Business: Omelette & Waffle Cafe 30 Dishin’ With Denise: Great expectations 32 The ‘Ville 3

Your Voice Close Arbor Hills

In reading the letter from Mr. Joe Kohn (“Working on Odor,” February 2018), community relations manager for Advance Disposal, I felt compelled to reply. The letter stated that Arbor Hills has served as one of Southeast Michigan’s leading landfills since the 1960s. This is not how the residents of Northville Township view Advance Disposal, owner of the landfill. Mr. Kohn stated: “Arbor Hills had an odor problem, and some of our neighbors continue to report occasional odors from the landfill.” This is what I would classify as white washing. The odor has been going on for years. Methane gasses were

being released without adequate control. This was just plain outright disregard for the surrounding communities. This garbage dump or “landfill” by all reasonable means should have been closed down a decade ago. It is long past its welcome. We deplore what is happening to our community. We wish Arbor Hills to be closed down as we have had enough garbage truck traffic and odor. Mr. Kohn states that anyone who lives near a landfill, farm, or manufacturing facility knows that odor will sometimes occur. What a slap in the face and an inconsideration to the citizens who have had to put up with these obnoxious odors for years. RONALD J. PAWLAK Northville Township (39 years)

Great Promise Having just made the not-so-painful decision to end my subscription to the remains of the local newspaper, I was overjoyed to find the maiden issue of your new publication in our mailbox. Your first edition is wonderful and holds great promise for things to come. It has been far too long since Northville had any kind of print media of substance. Please keep up the good work! JOHN D. WEBSTER Northville

Good Journalism State of the Roads I recently moved back to the area (home) after leaving 33 years ago to begin my career. I’m completely dismayed by the state of local roads with dangerous potholes. Please help me understand what my taxes pay for other than schools. BTW - I’m 56 years old and do not have children. These roads are an embarrassment to our otherwise lovely town of Northville. What is being done to remedy this situation? The patchwork is not working any longer. All of 6 Mile, 7 Mile, 8 Mile and Northville Road need complete resurfacing. Please look into this and advise. MARGARET HUNGERMAN Northville

SOUND OFF 4 The ‘Ville

I want you to know that my husband, John, and I really enjoyed reading this magazine. It was so informative. I read things about Northville I never knew before and we have lived here for 17 years. All the articles were very interesting. Thanks you so much for seeing the need to publish this magazine for all of us. It is nice to see good journalism. Our local paper, the Freep, is getting so bad to read. I think 6th graders are doing the columns. We look forward to your magazine each month. SANDY DICKSON Northville

Long Overdue The ‘Ville is a long overdue publication devoted to Northville. We just let our subscription to the local paper expire after 43 years due to the lack of local news. The articles in The ‘Ville were well written with

viewpoints on all sides of an issue. We both share an interest in local history and unfortunately researchers in 20-30 years will find very little of historical interest about Northville from the local paper. Your magazine really fills that void. We hope you could supply the Northville District Library with copies of each issue in a format suitable for future researchers. PAT & RICHARD ALLEN Northville

Outdoor Adventures I have been a member of the Northville community off and on for the past 15 years. I’ve raised three kids in the community, the last one is a junior at the high school and in the ski club. Over the years my kids participated in many parks and recreation events, classes, sports etc. and we are quite familiar with the offerings by Northville Parks and Rec. I enrolled in several yoga classes as well. In your recent issue of The ‘Ville, you asked for community suggestions on possible new parks and rec offerings. I have an idea. Over the years I’ve considered approaching Northville Parks and Rec about an area or type of activities that I believe could be quite popular -- outdoor recreation or big adventure trips for families, children and women. I’ve been organizing and guiding outdoor adventures for most of my adult life and they are successful. These types of activities are in demand in communities like Northville. JENNIFER BRUEN Northville

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

Thank You Sponsors! Dear Friends,

Our organization was founded on three simple values: Tradition. Service. Community. With those guiding principles, we continue to make an impact in a variety of ways. Over the last 14 years, our organization has developed a TRADITION of working with local organizations to better serve the Northville community. During this period we have raised over $300,000 for various causes, including: injured and fallen firefighters, police officers and their families, MDA, Northville Civic Concern, Leah’s Happy Hearts, the Salvation Army, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Northville Goodfellow’s, Bridgepointe, Main Street League, New Hope Grief Center, Operation Warm and countless others. This year we are excited to partner with the Northville Kiwanis Club to build an inclusive, accessible playground at Maybury State Park that will allow kids of all abilities to play together. EVENT SPONSOR A very generous, anonymous donor

SILVER SPONSORS

Lou LaRiche Chevrolet Main Street League Michigan Medicine– Northville Health Center Mitsubishi Electric– PEACE Committee St. John Providence– Ascension Health

BRONZE SPONSORS LoveWell Home Care Orin Jewelers Varsity Lincoln

TABLE SPONSORS

Abbasi Dermatology Belfor Blackwell Ford Community Financial Credit Union Haas and Goldstein, P.C. Hal’s Auto Clinic Mel’s Electric Michigan Fire Training Consultants Michigan Publinx Senior Golf Association Northville Kiwanis Oasis Golf Center Sean O’Callahans Sheehan’s on the Green Simply Social Media, LLC State Representative Jeff Noble

SPECIAL THANKS

Greko Printing & Imaging Killer Flamingos KLA Laboratories Laurel Manor

Lulu’s Event Planning Stephanie Brown Music Mrs. Joanne Moening Mike and Meg McCormick RDS Films Sisse Photos

DONORS

2 Studio Gym 313 Presents Adler Planetarium Aesthetic Dentistry by Robert DiPilla, DDS, PS African Safari Wildlife Park Amanda Thomas– Independent Color Street Director Anders Ruff Workshop Ann Arbor Hands on Museum Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra Arthur Murray Dance Studios Automotive Hall of Fame Bahama Breeze Barrio Bavarian Inn Lodge Belle Tire Better Made Snack Foods Inc. Binder Park Zoo bink & babs Birch Wood Border Cantina Bounce Away Moon Walk Boxing Cat Entertainment Brass Mug Liquor Brick’s of Northville Bronze Me Up Tan Buffalo Wild Wings Burger Fi Carhartt Carl’s Golf Land Chicago Bears Chicago Fire Soccer Club Chicago Laugh Factory Chipotle

CJ Barrymore’s Entertainment Cold Stone Creamery Core Sport Pilates Fitness Studio Costco of Livonia Cranbrook Institute of Science Custom Sprinklers, Inc. CycleBar of Northville Dance New York Dancing Eye Gallery Dearborn Inn Detroit Hot Yoga–Northville Detroit Princess Riverboat Detroit Red Wings Detroit Symphony Orchestra Detroit Tigers Detroit Zoological Society Dick Scott Chrysler-DodgeJeep-Ram Double Jacket Flags Douglas J Aveda Institute Drury Hotels Eats and Sweets Boutique Edible Arrangements Edsel and Eleanor Ford House Emagine Theatres Embassy Suites–Livonia Estate Storage Firekeepers Casino & Hotel Flash Flood Water Park Focal Point Forest Place Optical Fox Hills Golf Club Fun Blast Family Entertainment Genitti’s Hole-in-the-Wall Gigi’s Mode Goldfish Swim School Granite City Food & Brewery H Photography Hampton Inn Haven–Plymouth

Our members continue to commit their time, both on and off duty, to the SERVICE of the Northville community. We realize the importance of giving back and the Charity Fund has allowed us to make a direct impact on those in need. We are committed to continuously making a positive impact in the COMMUNITY and enhancing the lives of others. Your generous support and encouragement drives our organization to work even harder to make a difference. The businesses and donors listed below are committed to community and continue to be great supporters of our organization. Please help support these businesses by using this as a guide to shopping, dining and doing business in the area. For more information please visit us at www.NTFFCharityFund.com or follow us on Facebook @facebook.com/NTFFCharityFund. With sincere appreciation,

The N orthville Township F irefighters Charity F und

Hawk Hollow Golf Properties Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village Home Depot–Plymouth Home Depot–Utica Honey Tree Hush Lingerie Impression5 Jimmy Johns La Casa–Plymouth Lab Entertainment Laugh Factory LaVida Massage Lloyd O’Dell Real Estate Group Lorla’s Women’s Shoes and Accessories Mackinac Island Carriage Tours Massage Envy–Northville Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum McAllister & Myers Real Estate Meadowbrook Hall meg & maggie Menchie’s MGM Grand Detroit Michael P. Berman, P.C. Michigan Ice Sculpture Michigan International Speedway Michigan Opera Theatre Michigan Renaissance Festival Mint Dentistry MOD Pizza Motown Museum Mr. and Mrs. Barb & Bill Murray Mr. and Mrs. Jay & Jolene Duprey Mr. and Mrs. Jeff & Bridget McParland

Mr. Charles Murdock Mr. Justin Berman Mr. Michael Berman Ms. Courtney VanLoo Ms. Erika Davis Ms. Pat Stringer Muriel’s Doll House N2 Barre, LLC Noodles and Company Noreen Owens Photography Northville Car Wash Northville Hills Golf Club Novus Global Clients Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission Outdoor Adventure Center Pallets by Design by Allison Hughes Panera Bread Park West Gallery Penn Grill and Bar Poole’s Tavern Potter Park Zoo Qdoba Re/Max Leading Edge by Angela Jaafar Redford Jewelry and Coin Rocky’s of Northville Rusty Bucket–Northville Park Place Rusty Bucket–Sheldon Salon Fusion Shedd Aquarium Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry Shinola Slows BBQ Somerset Inn Spice Merchants Splash Universe Resort Stafford’s Hospitality Stampin’ Up Super Car Wash Systems Sweet Bikes–Canton Target–Canton The Adventure Park

Photos courtesy of Sisse Photos

On behalf of the Northville Township Firefighters Charity Fund we thank you for making our 2018 Fireman’s Ball our most successful event to date. The overwhelming generosity and support of our donors, sponsors and community partners has allowed for the continued success and tremendous growth of our Fireman’s Ball. We are proud to say that our 15th annual event was attended by over 700 friends, family and guests; selling out for the sixth straight year.

The Beach Tiki Bar & Boil The Bees Knees The Cheesecake Factory The Garage Grill & Fuel Bar The Hamel Family The Henderson Family The Hughes Family The Kramer Family The Marcotte Family The Parade Company The Pool Guy Swimming Pool Service The Purple Rose Theatre The Tuer Family The Village Workshop The Wiggins Family Three Dog Bakery TLC Chiropractic Tiny Town Play Lounge Toledo Mudhens Toledo Zoo Trader Joes Tricho Salon & Spa Twin Peaks UMS Union Town Woodshop University Musical Society Untouchables Chicago Tour Walt Disney World Wayne State University Theaters Wheel of Fortune Wines for Humanity Zap Zone–Canton We owe a very special thanks to Kimberly Hughes of Lulu’s Event Planning for her expertise, creativity and guidance that helps to make this a night to remember. If you have an upcoming event, whether large or small, please contact Lulu’s for all of your event needs.

Northville junior Daniel McLaughlin (left) goes for a rebound during the Mustang’s Jan. 30 home game against Hartland High.

Northville Mustangs Zach Shoemaker (left) and Steven Morrissey try to pry a rebound away from Hartland’s Trevor Kulsavage during the teams’ Jan. 30 game.

Alyssa Chechak (center-right) portrays Peter Pan in the NHS Drama Club’s production of Peter Pan. The play was presented over three days beginning Feb. 1. Michelle Avesada (center) played Wendy in the popular story about Neverland.

Campus Life Photos by John Heider

Benjamin Blondy (center) portrays Captain Hook in Northville High’s recent production of Peter Pan. Blondy and other actors were doing a dress rehearsal at the time of this photo.

6 The ‘Ville

It doesn’t matter what day of the week you visit Northhville High School, there’s always something going on. No one knows that better than John Heider, The ‘Ville’s intrepid photographer. He has been photographing the goings on at NHS for more than two decades, covering sporting events, concerts, classroom activities and plenty of drama productions. John stopped in last month to catch NHS Drama Club members rehearsing for their production of Peter Pan, which had a successful three-day run in early February. The group’s next production will be Bullets over Broadway the Musical, which will run

April 19-21. For more information, visit www.nhstheatre.com. John also stopped in to shoot the basketball team’s mid-season tussle with Hartland, which the Mustangs won by a score of 58-34. The team finished the regular season with a 11-7 record, falling to Wayne Memorial in a hard-fought first round game of the KLAA playoffs, 65-55. Northville High hosted this year’s MHSAA District Tournament Feb. 26-March 2, which featured the Mustangs, as well as conference rivals Canton, Plymouth, Salem and Novi. For results, visit the team’s website at www.northvillebasketball.com.

Rick Neal, RN

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, 2015 At Schoolcraft College, you’ll learn more than just the material. You’ll discover your talents, identify your true passions, and finetune your skills. You’ll see just how much you’re capable of. And we’ll support you with the resources you need to go out and prove it to the world—like successful Schoolcraft graduates do every day. Web site: www.schoolcraft.edu Answer Center: 734-462-4426

What’s Worth Saving? Battle over 1800s building highlights true value of city’s historic structures Story and Photos by Maria Taylor

o demo or not to demo? That is the question when it comes to the historic house at 341 E. Main Street, a burgundypainted two-story building with a big front porch, located on the eastern edge of the historic district, just outside downtown Northville. Or at least, that would be the question, had owner Eric Guidobono’s application for a demolition permit not dragged on for more than half a year. And it’s still not over. After two public hearings and five straight months of appearances before the Historic District Commission, Northville City Attorney Robert Marzano issued an opinion that Guidobono must put the building up for sale before the HDC can consider his demo application complete, and the building is now on the market.

8 The ‘Ville

CASE FOR DEMOLITION Guidobono, a Northvillebased developer, purchased the 2,400-square-foot building in December 2016 for $460,000. He says it was his intention to rehabilitate the building and make it his company offices. However, once the project began, he said, structural issues were uncovered: sagging floors, rotting rim joists, a leaky roof, and a foundation that appeared to be a stone wall on the ground. As a result, Guidobono decided to tear down the building and, in its place, he proposed a threestory, 12,000-square-foot building with offices on the first floor and residential condominiums above, built in a similar style as the offices to the west. He submitted to the city a structural engineer’s report that recommended it be razed.

Demolishing a historic building requires approval from the city’s Historic District Commission (HDC). Guidobono and Ed Funke, who represents the company, presented their case to the HDC in August 2017. Fixing the building could run as high as $750,000, Funke estimated, while demolition and new construction would run in the $400,000s. The renovation, he said at that meeting, “doesn’t make sense.” On the commission, opinions varied over whether the building was worth saving from both a historical and financial standpoint, with “some strong opinions on both,” said Jim Allen, HDC chair and president at Allen Design. Commissioner John Argenta, a retired architect, didn’t think the building fell into either category.

It’s a simple design, and it’s been altered over the years, he pointed out. The idea that the city might require someone to renovate an old building, regardless of cost, concerned him. Plus, he said, “you would literally have to take the building apart and reconstruct it to bring it up to code.” It’s true, said Allen: The building has been neglected for decades. A couple years ago, the commission threatened to take the former owner, Bill McGuire, to court for demolition by neglect. The court ordered repairs, and the owners fixed the porch, handrails, and steps and then painted the whole building, Argenta said, “hiding a multitude of sins.” City Manager Pat Sullivan said the city does not inspect the interior of buildings unless there’s a project going on that requires a building

permit, “so we are not always aware if there is water damage or other conditions inside the building.” DOES IT RATE? HDC Commissioner Joseph Hoffman said that while he agreed about the building’s structural issues, that doesn’t necessarily outweigh historical value. “Many of the city’s historic homes might have a thick report on how they don’t meet current structural standards,” he said at the August meeting. Later this year, the city of Northville will conduct an

intensive-level survey of the several hundred houses and commercial/ industrial buildings in the historic district, in order to further define what is historic (and why) and to assist in planning for the future. Northville’s last historic resources survey was in 1972 and covered only 61 of the district’s 343 existing properties. Exactly what year the building at 341 E. Main Street was constructed is unclear, although Allen said that the size of the oak timbers would put it pre-1900. At the turn of the 20th century, it was a boarding

house, likely for patients or family of patients at the Yarnall Gold Cure Institute across the street, and then for workers from Northville’s Ford Valve Plant. In 1932, Ford Motor Company donated the building as a headquarters for the Northville American Legion, Legion Auxiliary, and Red Cross. Most recently, it housed McGuire’s Fine Art Gallery. Allen said the building is significant “just because it’s been around since the 1870s.” “Typically, you can get a demo permit if the HDC agrees it’s not a contributing resource, but this is

Many of the city’s historic homes might have a thick report on how they don’t meet current structural standards.

”

Joseph Hoffman HDCC Commissioner

a contributing resource,” he said. “The applicant needs to show us it’s not significant [in order for demolition].” Guidobono didn’t see historic significance. At a public hearing on Sept. 20, multiple residents said otherwise. Gail Levan, who lives in a historic house on Randolph, said caring for historic buildings is a “tremendous” challenge but worth it, noting people come to Northville because it’s old and beautiful. Greg Presley, a local preservation architect, agreed. It’s not always about the bottom line, he said: “Preservation hurts.” Several residents questioned why Guidobono, as a professional builder, was not aware of the building’s structural deficiencies when he purchased it. In a phone call, Funke declined to comment, as the issue is ongoing. ON THE MARKET After the hearing, the commission voted to have one of city’s engineers perform a second structural report for comparison, which the HDC reviewed at their Nov. 15 meeting. “They painted a different picture,” said Allen. This engineer opined that the building could be repaired. Also addressed that evening was a rarely-used section of the historic district guidelines, quoted by resident Janice Johns. In order for a demo permit to be complete, it calls for “written evidence that alternatives to demolition or moving have been evaluated (including but not limited to rehabilitation, sale, adaptive reuse).” Applicants are required to show “that the property was offered for sale, the price asked, the period of time during which the property was offered for sale, and how the property was advertised for sale.” Demolition continued on page 10

The ‘Ville 9

Demolition continued from page 9 Allen said it’s a statute “wrought with gray areas.” “It’s always been there, but nothing’s been done with it,” he said. “No one has ever forced the sale of a building.” Requiring that a historic building be offered for sale is “not unusual,” according to Amy Arnold from Michigan’s State Historic Preservation Office. It’s included in Public Act 169 of 1970, Michigan’s Local Historic District Act, from which Northville draws its ordinance language. In case of “undue financial hardship” caused by forces outside the property owner’s control, it mandates that “offering the resource for sale at its fair market value or moving the resource to a vacant site within the historic district” must be “attempted and exhausted” before

another course of action, like must be put up for sale before any demolition, can be pursued. further action was taken with the Sally Elmiger, a planning demo request. consultant for the city, said she “The city attorney’s opinion didn’t feel was that, as that guideline the guidelines applied in are written, Guidobono’s proof that the Do you think the city is right to preserve the building at 341 E. case. The HDC property was Main that dates back to at least agreed, voting offered for sale the 1870s? Or do you side with the 6-1 that the applies to all developer, who says rehabbing the application four criteria,” building is cost-prohibitive and was complete, Sullivan unnecessary? Email your opinions and scheduled explained via to Editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@ a public email. Up to gmail.com. hearing for four specific Dec. 20. Allen also asked that criteria can be used for demolition; city attorney Marzano give his Guidobono was citing two – that opinion, something he later said the building is a safety hazard and was an “unusual” measure for the keeping it is not in the interest of commission. the majority of the community. Some 70 people showed up “Based on this opinion, the to December’s meeting. Then, commission has ruled that the reversing their prior decision, the application is incomplete,” commission ruled that the building according to Sullivan.

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The hearing was cancelled; nobody got to speak, and Guidobono didn’t get a vote on his application. If he wants to pursue demolition, he’ll have to convince the HDC that reasonable, good-faith efforts have been made to sell the property. Allen said the developer need not return until that’s been done. “Their application, even now, is not complete enough to do a formal talk,” he said. In mid-February, a “for sale” sign went up at 341 E. Main Street. It’s listed by Signature Associates, a commercial realtor, for $699,000. Funke said the developer will “continue to follow the correct procedure.” The HDC did not specify how long the property must be offered for sale. Another public hearing will be held if the project returns to the HDC for approval.

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The Man behind the Microphone There’s a lot more to Kurt Kinde than calling NHS games Story and Photos by John Heider

urt Kinde was a mainstay at Northville High School for 46 years as an English teacher and director of its drama productions. And even though the 68 year old officially retired three years ago from his teaching duties at the school, it’s fortunate for the students and staff that he continues to stay involved as the announcer for Mustang basketball games. But Kinde, a Northville High grad himself (class of ’67), means much more to Northville and its high school than the teacher who inspired decades of students to pursue higher education in English literature or who went on to professional careers in drama or media production. He and his wife Deb, who now reside in Redford, have dedicated themselves for decades to improving the lives of less fortunate kids. The Kindes adopted triplets, with multiple handicaps, who joined them at 10 days old more than 23 years ago. Perhaps more amazingly they have been temporary foster parents to more than 56 kids over the years, welcoming them

12 The ‘Ville

into their home with all the accompanying challenges and rewards. When asked why they continued to be foster parents year after year Kinde responded: “They just kept dropping kids off at our house and we didn’t know what else to do with them.” “We were told that in some cases we were the last call before the child would be sent to an institution,” Kinde said. “Sometimes we get a call waking us up that a patrol car was on its way with two kids picked up by Child Protective Services. Looking back, we always learned something from those kids. Many taught the power of resilience, some courage, some tried our patience. Many hungered to feel safe – to feel loved.” As a kid, Kurt moved in 1964 with his parents to Northville at Dunlap and Wing at what was then a Methodist Church parsonage where his father was a minister. At Northville High he played varsity football as a freshman and sophomore, competed in tennis and track, and did the debate team,

forensics, and acted and directed for school plays. After graduating from the “old” Northville High on Main Street, and attending Western Michigan University, Kinde began his master’s degree Northville High School teachers Douglas Dent (left) and Kurt at Wayne State Kinde both retired from teaching after the 2015 school year in 1971 at the - with a combined 87 years at the school. Dent taught history and Kinde instructed English and was a theater director. same time he began his four decades of teaching at Northville they performed many productions, High. including Grease and The Wizard of Oz each twice during his tenure. TAKING CENTER STAGE Being able to choose and direct Kinde, a man who always seems without too much oversight to have a curious, kind smile lurking provided Kinde and his students around his mouth and a twinkle a chance to flex their acting muscles. in his eyes that is also apparent in “I always had chance to choose to his mirthful baritone delivery, has grow myself and the community,” many fond memories of his 17 years he said. leading the drama department at Kinde laughed as he recalled one Northville High. Under his tutelage, of the Northville performances of

The Wizard of Oz. The dog they’d cast for Dorothy’s pet started to howl whenever she sang so at the last minute Kinde had to find a deaf dog to fill in. Kinde grew close to his theater kids and their mutual efforts on the stage: “I don’t think there was ever a closing night when I didn’t cry, but I did it quietly off to the side by myself. We’d become family,” so the last night meant “that there was then a death in the family.” Kurt announced Mustang football for two years at what is now Tom Holzer Ford Field. “I wish I’d known it was just temporary, but after two seasons Chris Ford took his slot back after a brief hiatus to spend more time with his kids.” Kinde found more local fame from doing the football games than “from all the years of directing plays and theater. They didn’t come close to equaling the fame that I got from announcing football. I was known all over town.” While calling football games Kinde liked to add some color commentary, like calling a penalty behind the lines as “some shenanigans in the backfield.” Now he is behind the microphone

Kurt Kinde and Barbara Ibach teamed up in 2016 to inform Northville students about the town’s history during the Victorian Festival. Assisting with the annual festival has been just one of Kurt’s many post-teaching efforts.

for all home Mustang boys and girls basketball games. And he has a few tricks of the trade. “I like to introduce all the players and the referees, too, by name… as they put up with a lot of flack,” Kinde said. “Sometimes if there’s a visiting fan group, and they’re giving a ref a hard time, I want to become a teacher again and I have some temptation to suggest to them that there’s a better way to some good sportsmanship.” In a recent game, one referee approached Kinde and wanted to Kinde family photo

Kurt and Deb Kinde with sons Anthony, Benjamin and Reid during a Disney trip.

know who was running “security” at the school - after putting up with some abuse. Kinde said, somewhat seriously: “If it comes to it, I’ll throw my microphone at the disorderly fans.” A RICH LEGACY But with all he’s done for Northville High as a teacher, director and game announcer it’s in raising their many, many children over the years that Kurt and his wife will leave their largest, most admirable legacy. The couple has fostered a total of 56 kids over the years, many with severe physical and medical problems or who have been abused. “What those kids taught me is about courage, perseverance, and resilience,” he said. The Kindes had their first biological children Jessica and Reid - after nine miscarriages. Then 24 years ago they adopted three triplets with multiple handicaps -Anthony, Benjamin and Cari. “The judge asked ‘do you have any idea what you’ve gotten yourself into,’” remembered Kinde about the adoption process. “It was the most delightful choice I ever made - after picking my wife. I’d never go back on it.”

Cari, who was completely blind in one eye and nearly blind in the other, was still artistically creative. Sadly she died at age 13 due to a severe asthma attack. The two remaining triplets are still doing well. Ben was initially nearly totally paralyzed on his left side, but just the other day he ran all around the Wayne State campus with his dad in tow. Jim Porterfield, a 1974 Northville High grad and lifelong actor who’s performed at the Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea, worked in New York City and in a few movies, credits Kinde for giving him a good start to his career by always expecting dedicated efforts on the stage. “A bomb is a terrible thing he’d say,” Porterfield recalls. “He’d motivate us to make sure we’d work hard and it got our attention and we’d perform a good show.” But more importantly Porterfield recognized the importance of the Kinde’s devotion to their adopted and foster kids. “He and his wife are living angels - not just for their teaching careers, but their work as foster parents. It’s pretty remarkable what they’ve done,” Porterfield said. “It’d be a better world if more people were like Kurt and Deb Kinde.” In recent months Kurt and his wife have realized that they may be coming to the end of their abilities to be foster parents, though their hearts will still attend to their own adult children. Biological son Reid recently asked Kinde about his adopted brothers, Anthony and Benjamin, inquiring how long he felt his parents would be able to care for them. “As long as I can still hug them,” Kinde told his son. John Heider is a longtime journalist covering the Northville community. He can be reached at jch24water@yahoo.com.

The ‘Ville 13

Christa Howley and Kelly Masters

The NEF teacher grants are cause for celebration.

Forget the Green Beer Swanky St. Patrick’s Day Soiree will fund educational opportunities

f you are looking for an alternative to some of the rowdiness often associated with St. Patrick’s Day, but would still like to get out and celebrate your inner Irish spirit, there will be a fun charity event taking place at Meadowbrook Country Club. And green beer won’t be on the menu. The Northville Educational Foundation (NEF), an organization that donates more than $30,000 annually to Northville classrooms, will host its first St. Patrick’s Day Soiree March 17 at the historic country club located in Northville Township. The event will feature plenty of entertainment, including some traditional Irish dancing performed by members of the talented Ardán Academy of Irish Dance. There will also be a DJ and plenty of dance music for attendees to have a good time. Add in a photo booth and you have the makings for a great night out. Dinner will feature some of the “Epicurean delights of Meadowbrook Country Club,” according to Kelly Masters, who handles marketing for the NEF. “They are known for their excellent food, and, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we will have a few Irish items on the menu, as well,” she said.

14 The ‘Ville

Masters recently joined the Southeastern Michigan, before NEF leadership team, which also becoming a NEF volunteer and includes Christa Howley, who working her way up the ladder to took over as executive director lead the organization. in October. Their goal is to make “We work very closely with the community more aware of the Superintendent Mary Kay NEF and its mission of providing Gallagher and the administration to financial assistance to Northville keep our schools on the leading edge Public Schools. of education,” For example, Howley the NEF led continued. WHAT: Northville Educational the fundraising “School funding Foundation fundraiser efforts to is tricky these WHEN: 7-11 p.m. on Saturday, add turf at days. There are March 17 the football so many things WHERE: Meadowbrook Country Club stadium, and, that don’t get TICKETS: $100 more recently, funded. We financed are able to fill MORE INFO: Call (248) 344-8458 or visit www.SupportNEF.org the district’s in some of the transition to gaps to keep the International Baccalaureate our schools world class. That’s why program. Over the years, NEF has people move to Northville.” provided funding for the S.T.E.A.M. The St. Patrick’s Day Soiree is just Fair, Project Lead The Way, The one of the fundraisers the group will Leader In Me, cooperative learning host this year in an effort to have opportunities, and more than a higher profile in the community. $30,000 annually in Innovative They will also host the Play Fore Teaching grants. Education Golf Classic this summer Since the group was founded in and a new-and-improved Night For 2000, it has raised more than $2.4 Northville in the fall. million for the district. One of the highlights of the “We are very passionate about Soiree will be a silent auction, making an investment for our featuring lots of items donated by kids’ future,” said Howley, who businesses including an American previously worked for Focus: Doll set, Adventure Park package, HOPE and the United Way for hotel stays, and Tom Holzer Ford

ST. PATRICK’S DAY SOIREE

will be providing a convertible Mustang for the weekend. Some of the other items include a Star Wars poster autographed by the cast and a boxing glove signed by Muhammad Ali. Masters said the event will be a great opportunity for parents to get out of the house and enjoy a night out on the town for St. Patrick’s Day. “It’s a cool alternative to the whole ‘let’s drink green beer and party crowd.’ It’s a safe, selfcontained environment. It will be a dressy, casual atmosphere,” Masters said. Wearing green is optional, but a good idea. Tickets are $100, and include dinner and an open bar. All proceeds will fund educational programs in the district. For those who can’t attend, the NEF accepts donations and is still looking for corporate sponsors. Volunteers are also needed for various NEF programs. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www. SupportNEF.org, email NEF@ NorthvilleEdFoundation.org, or call (248) 344-8458. Community Financial Credit Union is the presenting sponsor.

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MARCH IS READING MONTH

The Power of Reading

Storytime is way of life for children’s librarian ‘Miss Dorie’ Photos by John Heider

hen looking through the eyes of a young child, the world can be a pretty big place. One of the best ways to unlock the secrets of life for a child is by reading to them. Early and often. Take it from someone who knows. Dorie Freebury has been reading to Northville’s children for more than two decades. Affectionately known as ‘Miss Dorie’, Freebury is head of youth services at the Northville District Library, where she has been leading popular storytimes for 23 years. She sees on a daily basis how reading makes positive impacts on children. To celebrate March is Reading Month, which is one of our favorite times of the year here at The ‘Ville, we decided to check in with Miss Dorie to see how

16 The ‘Ville

reading has impacted her and also get her suggestions how to keep youngsters reading, interacting and learning more about the world that surrounds us. The ‘Ville: What was your favorite book as a child and what are some of your memories surrounding that book? Do you still own a copy, and have you introduced it to today’s young readers? Miss Dorie: To this day, I still cherish Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad early reader stories. A copy of The Frog and Toad Storybook Treasury has a special place in my home library. I remember snuggling up with my mother listening to her read the books over and over to the point where I would recite the stories by heart as we turned the pages. It is a pleasure introducing

Dorie Freebury, Head of Youth Services for the Northville District Library, reads to a group of kids during the library’s Feb. 14 Tot Storytime. The Wednesday morning session is for kids 2-4 years and their caregivers and features song, dance and, of course, reading.

new generations of young readers to the gentle wisdom of these delightful stories featuring a pair of amphibian pals whose distinct personality differences actually create a wonderful harmony in their friendship. The ‘Ville: How about when you were a young adult? Was there a book that influenced you, and whose message you carry into adult life? Miss Dorie: As a teenager in the eighties, I devoured everything written by Judy Blume. Although Blume is most well known for her books Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret? and Forever, it was actually her other novels like Deenie, Blubber, Iggie’s House, Just as Long as We’re Together and Here’s to You, Rachel Robinson, that were enlightening to the realities of

bullying, racism and divorce, and, in turn, generated in myself as a reader an important understanding and empathy for people experiencing these issues.

The ‘Ville: If you could be a character in any book, which would it be? Miss Dorie: I would be Miss Rumphius from Barbara Cooney’s classic picture book of the same name, a delightful character who followed her dreams, shared her gifts, and did something extraordinary to make the world a more beautiful place. The ‘Ville: Why is reading to our children, especially young children, so fundamentally important? Miss Dorie: A multitude of studies reveal the benefits of reading to children. It’s well known that childhood emergent literacy has an enormous impact on numerous aspects of a young child’s life. Early language experience contributes to healthy brain development during the first three years of life and academic success later in school. Exploring imagination and cultivating creativity, improved verbal communication and social skills, and becoming a life-long learner all result from early reading. In the immortal words of Dr. Seuss, “The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” The ‘Ville: You have been reading to young children for two decades. Has anything a kid said to you, about reading or stories, during a Storytime at the library that has stayed with you over the years? Miss Dorie: As a A youngster picks up a book after a TOT Storytime at the Northville District Library on Feb. 14. children’s librarian, your heart bursts with pure joy every time a child tells you that they love Miss Dorie: Reading to children should begin to read, or when the parent of a teenager comments at day one. Reading to babies? Yes! Hearing the that their child’s early storytime experience sound of your voice singing, talking and reading contributed to a continued joy for reading or love is actually the most important initial aspect of of writing. What is particularly touching is when a child’s early literacy experience. The Public we learn that children have taken the storytime Library Association’s Every Child Ready to Read experience home, (ECRR) initiative singing songs they’ve and its five key early learned or pretending literacy practices to be a librarian of singing, talking, The Northville District Library sharing storytime with reading, writing encourages children to read in many their stuffed animals. and playing work ways. Here are just a few: The ‘Ville: What together to support • Storytimes are some of the tricks and build upon the storytellers use to essential components • Promoting March is Reading Month and Library Card Sign-Up keep the attention of of phonological Month young children? awareness, vocabulary, Miss Dorie: The letter knowledge and • Summer Reading Program greatest trick is to conceptual thinking. • Hosting library visits for area simply take joy in Durable Board preschools and visiting schools sharing stories with Books are perfect • NDL librarians offer regular book children. Engage for babies and are selections children by bringing available in titles that • Offers online reading resources the stories to life with focus on important like TumbleBooks, BookFlix, and vibrant animated early concepts like NoveList K-8 expression. Make the sounds, colors, letters For a complete list of services, visit experience fun and and so much more. http://northvillelibrary.org. interactive by asking The Friends of the children questions Northville District about the narrative and illustrations, Library also promote reading to babies through and encourage children to take part their READ TO ME! Books for Babies program. in the physical actions of the story You can also come to the library’s monthly Drop-In along with the characters. Little Me Storytime designed especially for babies The ‘Ville: What age would you and toddlers to receive a wonderful complimentary recommend parents begin reading gift bag containing a board book and great Sarah Azar reads to her son Jack, 3, after a February 14 Tot Storytime at to their children? resources to help facilitate reading with little ones.

READ READ READ!

the Northville District Library.

The ‘Ville 17

Planting Seeds Aerial photo of Maybury Farm

ng front and center i m r Community Foundation’s new m a ission puts f

When Jessica Striegle took over as executive director of Northville Community Foundation, one of her top priorities was relationshipbuilding. The other was Maybury Farm, the historic farm at Maybury State Park, which the NCF acquired in 2003 after a disastrous fire destroyed the barns and all the animals. “When we took it over 15 years ago, it was a closed, burned-down barn,” said NCF board president Colleen McDonald. “Now it’s a destination.” As NCF rounds out its 20th anniversary year, Maybury Farm has taken an increasingly central role for the organization. So when Striegle announced she’d be leaving

18 The ‘Ville

her position in mid-March, it opened the door to a new focus at the foundation – and a shift at Maybury from a historic farming exhibit to a science-based model with an eye toward the real-life connections between humans, the environment, and how we grow our food.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS NCF, a 501(c)3 charitable nonprofit, formed in 1997 to plan the Northville Township centennial. From there, the organization started the Northville holiday home tour and began coordinating the Northville Independence Day Parade on July 4th. After the disastrous fire at Maybury Farm, NCF took on the project of restoring it and reopening it to the public. While the farm is owned by the state, it doesn’t receive tax dollars; NCF leases the farm from the state and runs programming and maintenance. Striegle, whose background is in events and sales, joined NCF five years ago as assistant to founding president Shari Peters, then moved up as coordinator of events and fundraising. When Peters stepped down three years ago, Striegle took

over as executive director. “When I first started, I joked that we were the best-kept secret in Northville,” Striegle said. “Lots of people knew the things we did, but not that NCF was behind them.” That, coupled with what she called “some misconceptions” about the foundation under previous leadership, propelled her to focus on building relationships with Northville businesses and nonprofits. “Jessica’s done a great job with networking,” said McDonald. “She’s made some fabulous connections; people love her.” Maybury State Park supervisor Traci Sincock, who previously worked at the Northville Chamber of Commerce and previously headed Northville Parks and Recreation, said the community foundation has become a bigger player in the

community in recent years. “As a long-serving member of the community, I would say the profile of the Northville Community Foundation has increased in the last few years,” she said. “I think Jessica has brought a collaborative spirit to the table, and that’s evident by the partnerships and other aspects of the community that maybe weren’t there before.” Striegle’s legwork is paying off, and is evident in the recent move of their offices to the Northville Chamber of Commerce’s building on Main Street. Last March, the Chamber invited NCF to share their offices at 195 S. Main Street, a much more public-facing space than their former location on Northville Road. For her part, Striegle pointed to Eggstravaganza, Northville’s annual

egg hunt, a partnership involving NCF, Northville Parks and Rec, Friends of Maybury, and Maybury State Park. It’s coming up April 14 -- its second year at Maybury Farm. She’s worked smaller partnerships, too, like seed-planting at Maybury’s annual Farm Fest. For the last couple years, the Country Garden Club of Northville has helped kids plant little container gardens, while the Northville Art House helped them design decorative stakes. “It’s all about finding these unique opportunities where it’s a win-win,” Striegle said. FOCUS ON THE FARM Planting seeds is just one example of NCF’s new focus. Going forward, McDonald said their emphasis will be “a lot more

It’s a wonderful thing to see the children out there learning about where their food comes from, interacting with animals for the first time.

”

Jessica Striegle HDCC Commissioner agricultural based.” Cindy Kern is the manager at Maybury Farm and soon-to-be farm director. In the two years Kerns has been there, McDonald said she’s transitioned the farm from petting zoo to educational experience. “Cindy wanted to really focus on how the animals intertwine with our lives, how everything interacts... and took it on herself to develop some strong programs, like the U-Pick garden,” she said. One part of the garden is a “classroom” section, devoted specifically to tours. Since 2016, NCF has worked with Northville Public Schools to host annual farm tours for all the first-grade classes. The tours, Kern said, meet Next Generation Science Standards (similar to STEM) and give kids a

firsthand experience of what they’re learning at school. “There’s a real focus on teachers having to meet the requirements for each grade level, and to be able to incorporate those standards helps them accomplish their goal,” she said. “The kids are having this novel experience of being on a farm, being in a garden, and there’s also the opportunity for real education as well.” Maybury Farm has seven tours, which kick off in March with a behind-the-scenes look at making maple syrup. “It’s really fun; everyone eats maple syrup and wonders why it’s so expensive,” Kern said. This tour shows why. For Kern, making real-life connections is what the farm is all about. Take the “Season to Bee” tour, where kids visit a glass-cased beehive in the barn and study a dead bee under a microscope. “We see the bees at work, and then we talk about the decline of the bee population and ways you can be involved, like planting wildflowers Farm continued on page 20

The ‘Ville 19

Farm continued from page 19 at home to help the bee population,” she explained. “With the kids, we start to make those connections to their food and fiber that they don’t have right now... what’s involved in the sustainable and humane raising of their food and fiber, and hopefully stimulate their thinking of how they’re going to become conscious consumers, in their own ways.” Operating the farm is hard work, Striegle said, but rewarding. “It’s a wonderful thing to see the children out there learning about where their food comes from, interacting with animals for the first time,” she said. NEW PRIORITIES As the farm focus increases, NCF plans to drop some of their other events, like the Fourth of July parade, which will be taken over by the Chamber in 2019. “We were talking about making that transition even before Jessica left: it’s so laborintensive,” McDonald said.

It’s all part of NCF’s new strategic outlook, McDonald said: fewer programs, with more attention paid to each “to have a greater impact.” While the organization’s focus may be shifting, she added, its grants/ scholarships program will continue. Last year, NCF contributed more than $16,000 to nonprofits, schools, and community programs,

The NCF will no longer be organizing the annual Independence Day Parade.

20 The ‘Ville

including Tipping Point Theatre, Northville Youth Assistance, and the local Girl Scouts. Striegle’s last day is March 13; after that, she’s moving to Chicago for her husband’s job. “She’s been a shining star and a pleasure to work with,” said Sincock. “She added a lot to the table.” After Kern transitions to farm director, the executive director position will be eliminated. For projects like the holiday home tour, McDonald anticipates “more of an involved, working board.” They’ll continue to rely on their core volunteers, plus several hundred who help out via the high schools and corporate groups. As the farm staff increases, Kern will pick up some of NCF’s visioning and outreach aspects as well. “It’s been a very full couple of years, just because there’s a lot of potential at the farm,” Kern said. “Anytime you can allocate more resources to something, it gives you the opportunity to move forward. This is an opportunity to really kick it into high gear.” Maybury Farm opens April 17. For details, visit northvillecommunityfoundation. org.

MAPLE SYRUP TOURS WHAT: During weekends in March, Maybury Farm will offer educational maple syrup tours, which include a trip to the Sugar Bush, where youngsters will learn how to tap a maple tree. Then it’s back to the Sugar Shack, where everyone gets a lesson about how the sap is converted into delicious maple syrup. WHEN: Tours depart at 1 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through March 31. COST: $7 per person, kids 2 and under free (must ride on laps in wagon). GROUP TOURS: Available for 15 or more paid admissions (over age 2). Additional tour times available during the week for group tours. MORE INFO: Call (248) 374-0200 to book tours or visit www. northvillecommunityfoundation.org

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HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL

Freshman Jeffrey Li shakes hands with a Novi player.

Junior Wolfgang Mueller runs to the basket in preparation for a layup.

A League of their Own Students join together on NHS’s first Unified basketball team Story and Photos by yearbook staff members senior Riley Huggins and sophomore Abha Dabak-Wakankar

EDITOR’S NOTE High School Confidential is produced by journalism students at Northville High School under the direction of English teacher Amy Baditoi.

s spectators file into the main gym, a sea of orange and black fills the student section. Players pass and dribble the ball up and down the court while their teammates make practice shots, sharpening their skills. But the two teams warming up aren’t about to compete in any ordinary game-they’re in a whole new league of their own.

22 The ‘Ville

On Friday, Feb. 2, Northville students competed in a Unified basketball game, where both special and general education students played together on the same team. The players formed the first Unified team in Northville’s history, making it a watershed moment for athletes, coaches and spectators alike. The team played against the Unified team from rival Novi High School. “My favorite part is that students are working together. It’s cool for the teachers, too, who are coaching. They’re having a ball with it,” Northville Athletic Director Bryan Masi said. “I just think that when we get our general ed students involved with our special ed students, it’s just a great experience. I think it’s sometimes more of a learning experience for our general ed students than it is for our special ed

students. So I think that any time we can do that, we should.” Masi’s support of the Unified league began when the Special Olympics approached schools in

the KLAA conference last spring. The Northville community loved the league’s mission of promoting self-advocacy, youth leadership, inclusion and whole-school

Junior Nolan Knight cheers from the student section.

engagement. As a result, they formed their first Unified team, starting with basketball. Right away, staff began to see the positive impact Unified sports could have on students. Special education teacher Kelsey Mikiciuk was thrilled with the opportunities Unified provided. She explained that being a part of the team changed the way her students experienced the high school. “Playing on the team benefits the special education students socially, physically and mentally. Overall, I have seen more confidence in each of my students individually, more ambition throughout their entire school day and excitement to be a part of a team outside of my classroom,” Mikiciuk said. When speaking with Unified players, the impact Mikiciuk spoke of was evident. For instance, team

member freshman Caden Williams explained that for him, being part of the team is about much more than just winning a basketball game. “I like Unified because I get to get active, and I like to dance,” Williams said. “I feel awesome after I score because I do my dabbing and awesome dances. I like the cheering and the music and the pom poms and the drumline,” he explained with great enthusiasm. Williams’ appreciation for everything and everyone involved in the event is also echoed by others. In his own commendation, Masi explained how impressed he was by the team and community members who came out to support them. “It’s pretty awesome,” Masi said. “All the students who were there and all the community people who were there. I think it just made it a great event.”

Freshman Caden Williams runs excitedly onto the court.

Senior Max Cooper, another Unified team member, agreed that being part of the league has been an incredible experience. As he reflected on the season, he explained that nothing beats the feeling of breaking down barriers and just having fun with his team.

“My favorite part is that, when we’re on the court, we’re all teammates and nobody is different,” Cooper said. “The Unified basketball team is a family that laughs and makes memories together.”

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PAST TENSE

Taking the Cure Yarnall Institute treated ‘liquor-cursed men’ By Michele Fecht

n 1892, the Eagle Steam Printing & Engraving Company — a local printing operation housed on East Main Street — published a marketing pamphlet titled, “Northville: The Ideal Suburban Village.” It was a handsome piece of publicity for the little village known as the Switzerland of Wayne County due to its abundant hills. The pamphlet’s detailed engravings offered eye-candy for

station stop on the Flint and Pere Marquette railway. It also gave full-page coverage to the community’s newest establishment — the Yarnall Gold Cure Institute — an “institution for the rational treatment and radical cure of the alcohol, opium, cocaine, tobacco and cigarette habits.” The Northville institute would be the first and most successful of Yarnall’s treatment facilities, sustaining a nearly 25-year following of men seeking “the cure.”

CONTENTIOUS BEGINNINGS

any prospective buyer seeking “beautiful rolling country and magnificent subterranean springs . . . where forest trees afford ample shade from the noon day sun.” If Northville’s bucolic setting wasn’t enough of a lure, the booklet highlighted, the community’s manufacturing prowess (church and school furniture, refrigerators, dowels, condensed milk) and its charming downtown with a large and varied mercantile, a first-rate hotel, an opera house (!) and a

24 The ‘Ville

In 1879, Dr. Leslie Keeley, in partnership with chemist John Oughton, discovered a treatment for alcoholism using injections of bicholoride of gold. These treatments — though deemed controversial by some in the medical community — resulted in the establishment of the Keeley Institute in Dwight, Illinois, and eventually the expansion of treatment centers throughout the country. In late 1891, Keeley set his sights on Northville. He purchased the Italianate-style home at 404 West Main Street — one of the community’s most distinguished residences — from J. Morrell Simmons. Dr. William H. Yarnall, a physician from Saginaw, was named as medical director. The community rallied in anticipation of the Keeley Institute opening. A committee comprised of Northville Record editor Frank S. Neal and prominent merchants

B.A. Wheeler and T.G. Richardson encouraged residents to open their homes to house “gold cure” patients during treatment. Neighboring communities joined in the enthusiasm. South Lyon’s Excelsior newspaper quipped: “South Lyon has ripe subjects for the Keeley Institute. If Northville will send over her ambulance, we’ll load ‘em in.” In the midst of the anticipation, there was contention in the management ranks of the institute. On March 10, 1892, The Northville Record reported that “Dr. W. H. Yarnall, surgeon-in-chief at the Keeley Institute here since its start, was asked to resign last week and Dr. Poole of Detroit has the appointment in his stead.” Three days later, on March 13th, the Detroit Free Press reported, “Dr. W. H. Yarnall of Saginaw, is about to begin suit against the Keeley Institute Company for $20,000 damages for breach of contract. He claims the company contracted with him to act as superintendent of the institute for five years.” Within weeks, a settlement was reached. On April 1, 1892, the Yarnall Gold Cure Company was organized, and by month’s end the facility — housed in the same former Simmons’ residence — hosted a public open house and began accepting patients. Dr. William Yarnall was medical director and general manager, and Dr. Thaddeus Ball was resident physician. Dr. Leslie Keeley had moved on to Ypsilanti.

GOOD AS GOLD Yarnall’s treatment methods were similar to his predecessor, though he emphasized that the injection fluid was his own discovery and not the same as that of Dr. Keeley. Formulas for the gold cure were a well-kept secret. Like Keeley, Yarnall emphasized that addiction was a disease, not a moral failing. He also guarded his patients’ confidentiality going so far as to mail literature and brochures in plain envelopes with no return address noted. The comfortable surroundings of the Northville institute were a reflection of Yarnall’s philosophy. The large two and half-story Main Street structure contained a secretary’s office and reception area near the entrance. The treatment rooms were in the back of the facility. The second story contained smoking, card and writing rooms, though smoking would later be prohibited during treatment. The rooms were described as “handsomely papered and finished in hardwood, the walls adorned with pictures.” “These patients had more the appearance of guests of a summer hotel rather than of persons under treatment for disease,” noted a Detroit Free Press writer upon touring the facility. Patients were given considerable liberties with the only guidelines being to report four times a day for injections, to bathe every second or third day and to change underwear twice a week. Cost for the gold cure was $50 for three weeks of alcohol treatment

paid in advance with an additional $15 for every week after. Tobacco and cigarette treatment was $15 per week; morphine and opium cases were three weeks for $20.

TEMPERANCE AND TESTIMONIALS Among the most enthusiastic supporters of the Yarnall Institute were the local members of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). A formidable movement in Northville, the WCTU had raised enough funds in 1893 to purchase for its headquarters the building of the Eagle Steam Printing & Engraving Co. on Main Street. Some of Northville’s most notable women formed a Ladies Auxiliary in support of the treatment institute. “The interest shown by the ladies of our village in the healing of three liquor-cursed men, is certainly worthy of commendation,” stated The Northville Record in an August 1893 article, noting that the Auxiliary raised more than $225 to

Postcard of the Yarnall Gold Cure Institute at 342 East Main Street. From the Archives of the Northville Historical Society.

send three men through the cure. The same issue of The Northville Record also noted that in the 15 months since the institute’s opening, 281 patients had been cured. Record editor Neal was effusive in his praise of Yarnall, noting “Northville has perhaps less men addicted to drink than any

other village of its size in America.” The following year, Yarnall opened a second facility in Willoughby, Ohio. Apart from his popular approach to treating addiction, Yarnall was a masterful marketer. He spent considerable money on advertising in The Northville Record, running

ads each week— usually on the front page. Advertisements in the Detroit newspapers often were in the form of testimonials from graduates of the institute who had taken the cure.

Past continued on page 26

The Yarnall buildings today

The Yarnall Gold Cure Institute was housed in two of Northville’s most historic buildings, both of which are still standing. 404 West Main Street

342 East Main Street

Northville pioneer William Pitt Hungerford built the home at 404 W. Main sometime in the 1860s. Northville’s first village treasurer, Hungerford was owner of a dry goods store at the corner of Main and Center streets. The house was sold after his death in 1874. In 1897, Yarnall moved his gold cure institute to 342 E Main Street. The former Hungerford home would become a doctor’s office, apartments, and eventually a funeral home when the Schraders purchased the site in 1943. Phillips-Bahnmiller Funeral Home took over the business in 1953, and Demsey Ebert bought the business in 1956. Ebert Funeral Home continued its operation until Demsey Ebert’s death in 1972. The house was then sold and turned back into a private residence. The glass transom over the front door — original to the house — is etched with William Pitt Hungerford’s initials.

Another Northville settler, Lewis H. Hutton, built the frame house at 342 E. Main Street in 1873. Hutton, who came to Northville in 1854, was known locally for the manufacture of buggies, wagons, cutters and sleighs. His wagon and blacksmith shop stood at the corner of Atwater (now Hutton) and Main streets. For nearly a decade, Hutton also owned and managed the Northville Mills, located on the site now occupied by Mill Race Historical Village. Hutton sold his home for $3,000 to William Yarnall in 1897. The Yarnall Gold Cure Institute closed in 1918. The house was a private residence for many years and was eventually purchased in the early 1980s by Ron Bodnar, who built an addition to the structure for his printing business, Copy-Boy Printers. The first floor of the house also housed several retail businesses including Handcrafters Unlimited, which opened in 1983, and Sherwood Picture Framing in 1989.

The ‘Ville 25

Past continued from page 25 Northville’s tranquil setting and its location on the Flint and Pere Marquette mainline made it a destination for treatment-seeking dignitaries from across the state and region. “We have seen them here from among the leading doctors, lawyers, merchants, bankers and businessmen and various cities and villages in our western states,” observed Neal. The reputation of the institute brought Yarnall both fame and wealth. At a cost of $5,000, Yarnall built himself a stately home at 543 Dunlap containing impressive woodwork, stained glass windows and a bronze statue on the staircase newel post. In 1905, Yarnall moved to Detroit, where he had substantial real estate holdings.

A CHANGE IN VENUE AND VICES In 1897, Yarnall moved the institute from its West Main location to 342 East Main Street having purchased the home of longtime Northville resident Lewis W. Hutton for Yarnall Gold $3,000. Hutton Cure Company brochure (Yar nall Estate Co built the home in llection. All rig hts reserved.) 1873. The East Main Street location percent relapses since the offered Yarnall a larger facility to institute opened its doors in 1892. the supervision of Dr. treat his growing patient roster. It also emphasized that not one T.S. Ball until February 1918 when A 1910 Yarnall brochure stated patient had died of alcoholism. the facility shut its doors for good. that approximately 6,000 patients By 1910, the institute had Edward H. Lapham, cashier of had been cured with less than 15 discontinued treating morphine, the Lapham State Savings Bank opium, cocaine and other drug and trustee of the Yarnall estate, addictions. Instead, it focused most closed the institute due to a lack of its attention on alcoholism and of patients in wartime and the liquor patients at a cost of $75 for gradual extension of the prohibition four weeks of treatment. Tobacco movement. and cigarette treatment was also “You see it is necessary to have available. plenty of saloons in order to have gold cure patients,” noted The • THE END OF THE CURE Northville Record in announcing the Yarnall died on May 6, 1911 at closing. his home on Medbury Avenue in Michele Fecht’s Detroit leaving behind his wife, column Past mother and four-year-old son. He Tense is a was 68. regular feature The Yarnall Gold Cure Institute of The ‘Ville. would continue to operate under

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out & about YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NORTHVILLE THIS MONTH Landfill Public Hearing

Parent Camp 2018

Tuesday, March 13 at 5:30 p.m. The MDEQ will take public comments about a proposed permanent gas flare at the Arbor Hills landfill, located in Salem Township. The flare is part of the landfill gas collection system, which owner Advanced Disposal said will help control landfill gas. The hearing will take place in the Northville High School Auditorium. You may also submit written or emailed comments. For more information, contact Melissa Byrnes at (517) 284-6790.

Saturday, March 24 from 9 a.m.-Noon The Northville Public Schools Parent Camp takes place at Northville High School. The event, open to all parents, will feature the U of M Department of Psychiatry TRAILS Program, plus more than 20 breakout sessions. Topics will include How to Talk About Books with Your Student to Improve Reading Comprehension; Technology in the Classroom; Understanding Students Socially and Emotionally, and more. For more information, call (248) 344-3520.

Catwalk for a Cause

The Northville High School Rotary Interact Club will host their annual Spring Formal Fashion Show at 7 p.m., Friday, March 16 at Northville High School. Interact is an auxiliary organization of Rotary International for high school students. Proceeds from the event, which is open to the public, are donated to Northville Civic Concern. Admission is $5 at the door.

Battle of the Books Wednesday, March 14, at 6:30 p.m. Come cheer for your favorite middle school students as teams compete in the Northville District Library’s 12th Annual Battle of the Books competition at Northville High School. The public is encouraged to attend. For more information, visit http:// northvillelibrary.org.

Jazz @ The Point Wednesday, March 14 from 7-10 p.m. From the kicked-up spice of Cuban and Puerto Rican salsa to chilling with the flavor of Miles Davis, LL7 will put energy and excitement into jazz when the group performs at Tipping Point Theatre at 361 E. Cady Street. The show, part of the Jazz @ The Point series, is sponsored in part by

2 Stones Events. A $30 ticket gets you appetizers, wine tasting and the concert. For more information, visit www.tippingpointtheatre.com/ or call (248) 347-0003.

can register in person at the Nankin Mills Interpretive Center or by phone with a credit card by calling (734) 261-1990.

Maple Sugaring

March 17-18 from 9 a.m.-Noon The Northville High School state runner-up varsity baseball team, will host the 11th Annual Mustang Spring Training Youth Camp Saturday and Sunday, at NHS. The goal is to teach young players the fundamentals of the game in a fun, safe, and positive environment. This is a great opportunity for young players to get ready for the upcoming season. Campers will learn through progressive and organized drills. It is a great opportunity to interact with the Mustang coaches and the 2018 Mustang varsity players. For more information or to register, visit www. northvilleschoolsregistration.org/ Default.asp.

Saturday, March 17 Wayne County Parks will host its annual Maple Sugaring at Cass Benton Park in Northville. The programs take place at 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. and lasts approximately 1.5 hours. Learn the history of maple sugaring and take a short hike into the woods for a tree-tapping demonstration. Bring the whole family for a celebration of this early spring ritual. This program is held outdoors and the trail can be muddy. Advanced registration and payment is required for this program as it will fill up. The cost is $6 for children and $2 for adults for Wayne County residents. Add $1 per person for non-Wayne County residents. You

Spring Training Youth Camp

Spring Craft Show March 24 at 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. The Northville Mustang Boosters Club will host a spring craft show at Northville High School. There will be more than 100 craft booths, as well as concessions and bake sales. Products will include jewelry, candles, soaps, embroidery, quilting, knitting, paintings, and more. The event is open to the public. Admission is $3. Proceeds support the sports teams at Northville High School. For more information, email northvillemustangboosters@gmail. com.

Hospital Discussion Tuesday, March 27 at 7 p.m. Local historian Joe Oldenburg will visit the Northville District Library to present the program “Northville Psychiatric Hospital: Past, Present, Future.” Sponsored by Friends of Northville Township History, the program will focus on how the hospital functioned, its relationship to the community, and future plans for the site now that it is owned by Northville Township. Registration is required. For more information, visit northvillelibrary.org

The ‘Ville 27

SHARE IT The Community Bulletin Board Page is just what it says. If you have events, photos or accomplishments you’d like to share with the community, please email Editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@gmail.com.

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD Historic Thayer School gets new roof

If you’ve driven in the vicinity of Six Mile and Napier roads in recent weeks, you may have noticed work crews installing a new roof on the historic Thayer School, which dates back to 1877 when it served the surrounding farming community. The roof project is the most recent effort on behalf of the Northville Township Historic District and Friends of Northville Township History to restore the building, which is the last one-room schoolhouse left in the township. For more information about their efforts, visit www.northvilletownshiphistory.com.

God’s Work

Anne Vetter (far left), Dave Jerome (far right), and others begin to prep a meal for visitors to Northville’s First United Methodist Church on Jan. 25. The group, mostly from Northville First Presbyterian Church prepped a meal for homeless people spending the week at the Methodist church from Cass Community Social Services’ Rotating Shelter. The group, numbering about 45, is bused to suburban shelters every night from October through April and have been hosted by the First United Methodist Church many times over the years.

Poster winners focus on peace

The Northville Lion’s Club recently honored the winners of its annual poster contest for 6th graders. The theme of this year’s contest was “The Future of Peace.” About 260 students participated this year. The Hillside Middle School winner is Seth Fodera and Maddie Pohlman is the runner-up. Nicole Zhong is the winner from Meads Mill Middle School, while Chloe Mattison is runner up. Seth also won first place at both the district and state levels, while Nicole took 3rd place for the district. For more information, visit Northvillelionsclub.org.

Pictured (from left) are Hillside teacher Meaghan Monk, Seth Fodera, Maddie Pohlman, Nicole Zhong, Choe Mattison, and Meads Mille teacher Amy Soukup.

28 The ‘Ville

– Photo by Bill Sivy

Evaluating Security Measures

“As a district, we continue to review and evaluate our security measures on an ongoing basis. We are in the process of strengthening our visitor management protocols to more consistently require showing identification, stating name, and purpose of visit prior to entry, along with ensuring that community groups utilizing our elementary schools after-school follow our security protocols for student pick-up. We have also targeted longer term entry-way security redesign and facility improvements as part of our Bond 2017 proposal generously approved by our community in November, 2017. We appreciate your ongoing feedback and cooperation in following safety protocols.” Mary Kay Gallagher, Northville Schools superintendent, in a Feb. 16 letter sent to community members in the aftermath of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida that left 17 dead

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For over 17 years, the Northville Educational Foundation has been supporting opportunities that enhance Northville Public Schools’ excellence in academics, arts, and athletics.

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NEF initiatives touch all of Northville Public School students and educators in all ten schools.

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While taxes for school funding are divided up and distributed by the Michigan Legislature, every taxdeductible dollar donated to NEF stays in Northville.

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Your donation supports Innovative Teaching Grants that directly impact classroom instruction: $30,000 annually.

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Dozens of programs, supported by donations to NEF, include: Project Lead The Way, STEAM Fair and initiatives, Leader In Me, student financial assistance, Parent Camp, Village Workshop collaborative, and more.

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Marketplace to showcase local businesses

very March for the last two decades, the Northville Chamber of Commerce has hosted an event that allows local businesses and organizations to show off their wares. The event’s name has changed a couple times over the years, but the goal remains the same – give people a chance to learn more about what local businesses have to offer, including the products and services they provide to our community. This year’s event, Northville Marketplace, will have a couple new wrinkles. The event, which will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Northville High School, will feature a number of vendors that appeared at the Northville Farmers Market, and there will also be a Lego building contest for youngsters. “We wanted to shake things up a little bit this year,” said Jody Humphries, executive director of the Chamber. “Like in the past, vendors will be talking about the services and products they provide, but there will also be a number of vendors actually selling things. So it really will seem more like a marketplace.” Humphries is anticipating more than 60 exhibitors including retail and service businesses, artisans, financial institutions community and educational groups and restaurants. Many of the exhibitors will have giveaways, and some of the participating restaurants will offer food samples. There will also be door prizes. The Lego contest is open to kids between the ages of 6 and 17, who will be judged in three different age categories. There will be prizes for each age group. To enter, contestants must submit an entry by March 12 by emailing three photos with a registration form to lindseybutzin@northville.org. Admission to the Northville Marketplace is $2 at the door. “This will be the largest showcase of Northville businesses and organizations all in one place,” Humphries said. “We hope people in the community come out and take advantage of the opportunity to meet our local businesses.” For more information, visit www.northville.org.

The ‘Ville 29

It’s Your Business Omelette & Waffle Cafe

Owner Matt Amin, executive chef Jeremy Walker and staffer Ryan Allen.

Recipe for Success ‘Light and Fluffy’ omelettes, great service are on the menu

att Amin wasn’t exactly looking to open a breakfast joint. But sometimes, life offers up unexpected opportunities. Back in 2010, after spending about a decade in the restaurant business, Amin was about to open a deli in downtown Ann Arbor. On the day he was going to close on the venture, the deal fell apart. Dejected after having spent so much time and money planning the deli, he was driving through downtown Plymouth and decided to stop for some breakfast at the Omelette & Waffle Café on Forest Avenue. As he was eating, he noticed a sign that the business was for sale and he pounced. “I was in one of those moods where I said I’m just going to take this on. It was meant to be,” Amin said. Amin implemented some changes, improved the business, and sales are up more than 700 percent since he took over. In fact, business was so good, he often had to turn people away because the small location didn’t have enough space for all the traffic. So he decided he wanted to open another

30 The ‘Ville

location. He had his eyes on Northville, but just couldn’t find anything that was affordable. That’s when he learned the old Northville Crossing Restaurant on Northville Road was for sale. In 2016, he purchased the building from longtime owners Alex and Effie Alexandris, who were looking to retire. The

OMELETTE & WAFFLE CAFÉ OWNER: Matt Amin ADDRESS: 18900 Northville Road PHONE/E-MAIL: (248) 513-6130 WEBSITE: omelettewafflecafe.com HOURS: 7a.m.-2p.m. every day 2,600 square foot diner that features a modest banquet room was much bigger than the Plymouth location. However, the building dates back to the late 1940s, according to Amin, and came with plenty of

headaches. Since purchasing the building, Amin has continuously made upgrades including all new kitchen equipment. The most important upgrade, however, was to the menu. Amin implemented the popular items from his Plymouth location, especially their famous “light and fluffy” soufflé omelettes. He also brought in Jeremy Walker, who is general manager and executive chef at the Northville location, and together they have created a great menu and turned around the business. They are open from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. seven days a week, and only serve breakfast and lunch, which gives the 38-year-old Amin plenty of time to spend with his three young children. The ‘Ville: You have brought in a lot of regulars since opening. How? Amin: It’s the fresh food, fair pricing and good service. Those are our three key drivers. And it is consistency. You have to do it every day. The ‘Ville: Your motto is “Never Flat, Always Fluffy.” What’s the secret to your omelettes?

Amin: Most places do their omelettes on a grill, and they do them flat and then roll it. So if they don’t clean the grill, you will taste whatever the guy had before you. We cook everything in individual skillets, so what you order is what you get. And the skillets get washed out every time. We don’t add anything in our eggs. We don’t use milk or baking powder. One guy even asked if we used 7-Up. All we do is add oxygen – just air. We use two eggs and we crack them to order. The ‘Ville: What are you known for when it comes to lunch? Amin: Our turkey clubs, which are huge. And our soups and chili — everyone loves our homemade chili. We are also known for our Maurice salad, which is the old Hudson’s recipe. We do both breakfast and lunch pizzas, made with flatbread. We have a lot more space here, which gives us the ability to do a lot more with our menu. Honestly, though, a lot of people who come in here for lunch will order breakfast items. Who doesn’t love breakfast?

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.

Great Expectations and a Little Luck It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” Charles Dickens hit the nail on the head in Great Expectations. It is that time of year when we all have great expectations – of warmer weather as the winds of change begin to blow, and a little luck of the Irish! Feeling lucky? Orin Jewelers, a downtown staple, is celebrating their 85th anniversary in 2018 by giving away one stunning piece of jewelry every month this year. Enter for a chance by stopping at the store on the corner of Main and Center streets during regular business hours. Fill out an entry form, and the best part is no purchase is necessary. Orin Mazzoni, Sr. started out as a watchmaker dedicated to quality work and superior service. He retired in 1969. Orin Jr. has continued the family tradition. I’ve been known to call Northville “the hidden hamlet.” Well, it’s no longer hidden, thanks to the DDA (Downtown Development Authority). You may have noticed some new signage at strategic locations around town directing visitors to our downtown. The signs are located on Seven Mile and Eight Mile roads. Way to go!

New DDA signage

Mary Starring has announced her retirement. Starring, The Gallery is one the premier shops in town – and it seems there are quite a few interested buyers. It may be time for Mary to enjoy her grandchildren, but it’s not time for us to give up the treasures in her gallery. Best wishes to Mary, and looking Mary Starring forward to meeting the new shopkeeper. They have big shoes to fill!

32 The ‘Ville

Jessica Striegle, the executive director of the Northville Striegle and Finley Community Foundation (NCF) and a new “mommy” will be leaving her post at the NCF and heading to the “Windy City” of Chicago with her new little guy – Finley. “It has been an honor to have worked, serving the Northville community, and I can hardly believe this amazing chapter of my life will be coming to close.” The big news for Northville -- the NCF Board has agreed with Jessica’s recommendation to pass along the coordination of Northville’s annual Independence Day Parade to the capable team at the Northville Chamber of Commerce. Northville Winery & Brewing Company is one of those hidden jewels in Northville. It is family owned and operated, and, yes, it is the same family that owns and operates Parmenter’s Northville Cider Mill – the Nelson family. Located on the grounds of the cider mill, the place will be jumpin’ on St. Patrick’s Day. The place is a great venue for live music on most Fridays and Saturdays. It’s a great atmosphere, and you may even find a live artist painting during the show. And every Thursday is Dead at the Winery – featuring a Grateful Dead tribute band. Sadly, we say good-bye to Elaine Major, who passed away on Jan. 18. Many knew her as the smiling hostess at Poole’s Tavern, where she worked for many years. She will be missed. Elaine passed away at the age of 92. Condolences to her family, including daughter Mary Poole (former owner of Elaine Major Poole’s) and granddaughter Lauren Romeo, founder of Main Street League.

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