The 'Ville - March 2023

Vita Vizachero

Vita Vizachero

Vita has lived in the Northville / Novi community since 1989. Some of her local favorites are Table 5, Pooles, Rocky’s, and Cantoro’s on Haggerty.

Vita has lived in the Northville / Novi community since 1989. Some of her local favorites are Table 5, Pooles, Rocky’s, and Cantoro’s on Haggerty.

vvizachero@billbrownford.com

John DesOrmeau

John DesOrmeau

John has lived in the Northville / Novi community since 1987. Some of his local favorites are Rocky’s, Custard Time, Guernsey’s and the Pizza Cutter.

John has lived in the Northville / Novi community since 1987. Some of his local favorites are Rocky’s, Custard Time, Guernsey’s and the Pizza Cutter.

jdesormeau@billbrownford.com

vvizachero@billbrownford.com

Office:(734) 524-2711

Office:(734) 524-2711

Office:(734) 524-2720

jdesormeau@billbrownford.com

Office:(734) 524-2720

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

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Thank you in advance.

Publisher

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

Elizabeth’s Bridal Manor

Margie Sievert

William Sivy

ADVERTISE IN THE ‘VILLE

Our locally-owned publication is an affordable way to reach the Northville Market. We direct mail to all 21,000 addresses in the 48167 & 48168 zip codes.

To secure space in The ‘Ville, contact Scott at (313) 399-5231 or scott@streetmktg.com.

SCOTT BUIE - Advertising Director/VP of Sales

For more than 20 years Scott has worked with clients in Metro Detroit to create advertising campaigns to grow their business. After managing sales for radio stations in the Detroit Market for 17 years he purchased Street Marketing where he works closely with a variety of businesses and events. Scott and his family have lived in the Plymouth and Northville area for 25 years.

KURT KUBAN – Editor/Publisher

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

CRAIG WHEELER – Creative Director

Craig has been in the creative industry for over 30 years. He has developed a diverse background in that time, but publication design has been his passion during the past 19 years. Craig enjoys chasing his young daughter and providing moral support to his lovely wife.

MICHELE FECHT – Writer

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

WENSDY VON BUSKIRK – Writer

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

MARIA TAYLOR – Writer

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

TIM SMITH - Writer

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

LARRY O'CONNOR – Writer

Larry is a metro Detroit area journalist whose work has appeared in The Detroit News, Jackson Citizen Patriot and the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers. When he’s not meticulously chronicling people or events, he’s avidly rooting for his favorite soccer teams –Manchester United and Glasgow Celtic.

JOHN C. HEIDER – Photographer

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

BRYAN MITCHELL - Photographer

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

Deborah Stanifer Mary Stapleton

‘Ville

Don't Shoot the Message

My plan was to write about volunteering, after being inspired by the inaugural Northville Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner, where five invaluable volunteers, including Sue Hillebrand, the 2023 John Genitti Citizen of the Year, were recognized.

It was a great night of food and camaraderie that focused on volunteerism and how vital it is to a community’s success. In Northville, we’re blessed to have an abundance of people who go above and beyond to help so many vital causes.

Hillebrand, the longest-serving clerk in Northville Township’s history, was a great choice for the award. See Page 10 for more on this inaugural event, which I hope will continue for many years to come.

Instead, I’m going to address the “Let’s Open Northville” paid content we ran on a full page last month. A group of local, mostly downtown business owners paid to run the content, which is highly critical of the Main and Center streets closures.

I’ve received some criticism

because we ran it, which I did for two reasons. Number one, The ‘Ville is a business. Without paid advertising there is no publication. Number two, and more importantly, The ‘Ville is a place where ideas and opinions can be shared.

The group behind the ad say the street closures have negatively impacted their businesses, and they have started a movement to persuade the City Council to rethink their decision last year to close downtown’s streets on a “permanent” basis.

In hindsight, the page should have included a disclaimer that it was paid content. I didn’t think there was much question, as it included QR codes and an email address that clearly was not associated with The ‘Ville, but it would have cleared up any misconceptions readers might have had.

The group received a huge response, and they are running more information this month (yes, it is labeled). You may have also seen their “Let’s Open Northville” yard signs popping up around town.

There is a large segment of the community that has grown weary of the street closures, which began during the early days of the pandemic to help downtown restaurants and other businesses survive. With those days behind us, many are asking what is the point anymore, especially when you see empty streets most of the time.

The group says the closures are killing business, because they no longer get drive by traffic or it is very difficult to get customers in the door because they have to park too far away. Several businesses have recently closed their doors, and I’m hearing rumors that others are close to that point.

There are also many people who support the closures, feeling it makes downtown unique and safer for pedestrians. Several business owners, particularly downtown restaurant owners, have also benefited from the outdoor seating area.

This is why I think it’s important to have a place where ideas can be exchanged and opinions shared. And that’s what The ‘Ville will continue to be.

While some members of the City Council believe this issue has been decided, momentum is building to have the issue revisited. The DDA board, made up mostly of downtown business folks, recently voted to recommend opening up Center Street, and only close Main seasonally. After that vote, a large number of people showed up at the March 6 council meeting to echo those sentiments, though there was no action on the nonagenda item.

At the meeting a council member criticized us for running the “Let’s Open Northville” content – saying it was misleading. There’s an old saying about shooting the messenger. In this case, it wasn’t my message, but if I had a recommendation it would be for city leaders not to ignore it or the people behind it.

They are serious. And their opinions matter.

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

ON THE COVER: Northville teens Bennett DiMeo, David Kibbey, Chase Ziegler and Drew Lehnert are the driving force behind the Northville Concours d’Elegance event. They are pictured next to a 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster at Mill Race Village, the site of the event. Photo by Bryan Mitchell

Your Voice

Fix the problem

I have lived in Northville for over 70 years. In my opinion the street closures are a big mistake. For years, people came to Northville to see our beautiful Main Street. Parking has always been limited, so driving down the street was often the way many people saw Main Street, including our stores, restaurants, and historic buildings. Often, just seeing Main Street by car, inspired a visitor to park and walk back to shop or have dinner. For example, my cousin came to Northville during a festival when the stores were closed. She saw something she wanted in the window at Long’s Plumbing, and came back the following week to purchase it. Now, with the street closures this opportunity no longer exists.

For many people, whether they are 70 years old or 100, parking and walking to reach Main Street is too difficult and frankly dangerous. Even with normal mobility, being dropped-off at the door of a business isn’t just a common courtesy but a necessity. Friends of mine loved eating at Table Five, but haven’t been able to since the street closures. They cannot park close enough for her husband to walk to the front door and he refuses to be embarrassed by being forced to use a wheelchair. And during winter weather, with cold, wind, snow and ice, who is going to walk several blocks to shop or eat on our Main Street or Center Street, especially when none of the nearby towns have closed their roads?

After 70 years, I am shocked that street closures are taking our beautiful little town out of the running compared to other towns. Rather than spending money on consultants to fix the problems created by closing our streets, funding should be used to improve the back doors of shops and businesses that can be reached more easily from our city parking lots.

Mary Ware

Poorly thought out

The move of the Downs to the MITC corridor is poorly thought out, and will most likely negatively impact the community at large. Horse racing is in demise, which means that this property would probably be another gambling casino long term. In another article it was noted that the owners are seeking a state grant, which I also oppose. Thank you for allowing input from the community.

Carolyne Brown

Keep track in Northville

I live in the Plymouth Pointe Condos at Ridge and North Territorial roads. I am not in favor of this new proposed location. I would rather see the Downs stay where it is. Spend the money at the existing location and revitalize it. The Downs has been there for decades, so leave it there where everyone knows where it is. Money has already been spent for streets, utilities, drainage, landscape, etc.

There are semi trucks up and down Five Mile all day long every day of the week going toward the dump. There doesn’t need to be more congestion.

Larry Stefan

Overseeing projects

I’ve heard the mayor happily praising the various committees and all the projects on the drawing board in Northville. Among other concerns, I question the city’s ability to oversee this work. Two of the more visible projects recently built in the city - the two homes on the former Northville School Main Street School site and the condos on Center Street north of Dunlap – aren’t what was planned. The Center Street condos has issues in terms of height and setbacks, and were ultimately forced to tear up and rebuild their sidewalk. The Main Street School site was supposed to leave room for a pocket park for the community. Maybe I’m missing something, but I don’t see a pocket park anywhere on the property. If, even now, we don’t properly oversee the existing projects, how will we ever keep tabs on the multitude of massive new proposed projects?

Karren Yurgalite

What about the roads?

I think the proposed racetrack for the Ridge and Five Mile property is ok, and frankly a unique use with potential for additional public uses, such as the soccer and concert ideas. But what never seems to be addressed is if the roads will be improved and widened for this extra use?

Just look at how Beck Road is swamped with traffic after all the upscale subs went in from Six Mile to Grand River. I am sure Plymouth Township Supervisor Kurt Heise will quickly point out that the roads are not the township’s responsibility, and Mr. Carlo of Northville Downs probably hopes this issue will not be raised. Can anyone name an area development project where the roads were improved/widened prior to the build? What a concept.

Which civil engineering firms have studied this issue and approved the road usage with no improvements? What is the projected traffic once this development is completed, including satellite commercial and residential units? Let’s not forget the heavy truck traffic going to and from the landfill on this same road. It seems the developers and township planners want to rush this through in hopes that it can be completed before the road issue becomes critical. It reminds me of the NFL game where the team with the ball quickly hurries to the line of scrimmage hoping to run the next play before the other side throws out the red challenge flag to review in detail what went on. Let’s not rush to slam this in without addressing the “damn roads.”

We all know Wayne County has a terrible track record of road building and maintenance, and would take many, many years (if at all) to widen Five Mile. So I propose if this is truly such a boon, that the developer and township partner with the county to find the money to widen the road prior to the build, and not after which would certainly greatly disrupt the newly established race track and residential traffic.

Let’s do it right for a change.

Honor DDA vote

J. Kopenski

On February 28, the Downtown Development Authority voted unanimously for the City Council to open both Main Street and Center Street. I believe most merchants and residents now support this. There is a growing concern that all 32 restaurants in the city and businesses will be challenged with the two main arteries barricaded off. This combined with six or more separate construction projects related to the Downs demolition and build out will discourage many from eating or shopping

in Northville. Now that we have the full visibility of these projects, we trust the City Council will open the streets and only close them for the many special events we can create to attract families and shoppers just as we did before Covid, and honoring the DDA vision and flexibility.

Jim Nield

Protect Johnson Creek

Friends of the Rouge (FOTR) has recently become aware that the owners of Northville Downs are proposing to relocate their horse racing track to Plymouth Township to a 40-acre parcel on the easterly portion of a 128-acre swath of the broader site near Five Mile and Ridge. This proposed development would run directly along Johnson Creek, the last remaining cold water tributary in the entire Rouge watershed.

FOTR envisions a future where a clean and vibrant Rouge River is the center of our community. Individual and community actions protect and improve the health of the Rouge River, assuring that its natural, economic, and recreational value enhances the quality of life in the Rouge River ecosystem. It is with our mission in mind that we express our concerns regarding the potential developments along Johnson Creek. The concerns Friends of the Rouge has regarding the development are as follows:

1. Development of this parcel will result in vegetation removal and creation of more impervious surface, which increases stormwater runoff that can lead to increased water temperatures, sedimentation, and habitat loss in Johnson Creek.

2. This parcel is directly adjacent to Johnson Creek, the only cold-water tributary of the Rouge River and Blue Ribbon Trout stream that is home to the endangered

red side dace, and cold water fish such as mottled sculpins and johnny darters.

3. Friends of the Rouge has monitored Johnson Creek benthic macroinvertebrates and fish for decades. Johnson Creek is a tributary of the Rouge River that has a rich diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates, including sensitive stoneflies, caddisflies and mayflies. There is data that demonstrates that increased impervious surface in the watershed decreases diversity in aquatic biota.

4. There is a concern about the pollutant load that racetrack operations/ housekeeping could have on Johnson Creek. Runoff of pollutants such as nutrients from horse manure, horse washing, and gravel fines from the track surface would be a detriment to Johnson Creek water quality.

5. Plymouth Township does not have dedicated green space referenced in its Master Plan. Green space is necessary for the well-being of township residents as well as to provide climate islands to offset climate change.

Friends of the Rouge asks that the Plymouth Township leadership acts cautiously when beginning this new era of development. Please consider the consequences of removal of vegetation within the floodplain and replacing it within more impervious surfaces. FOTR recommends that the developer employ a stormwater strategy that is greater than the minimum requirements of the local, county, and state standards. Additionally, it is important to note that FOTR’s position follows the recommendations found in the State of Michigan’s MI Healthy Climate Plan to protect Michigan’s land and water by restoring existing wetlands and waterways.

Marie McCormick Executive Director, Friends of the Rouge

Call it a win-win-win situation for Northville Township’s board of trustees and its constituents.

When Roger Lundberg, 74, decided to resign as the township clerk in March, so he could spend more time with his three young grandchildren, Cyndy Jankowski, a trustee elected in 2020, immediately expressed interest in taking the baton from him. In essence, the two elected officials serving in their first terms switched spots on the board.

“I’m really looking forward to this opportunity,” said Jankowski, who also brings nine years of previous experience as a Northville school board member. “Our board members are just so collaborative and so welcoming and have really been congratulatory in making the switch.

“Roger wanted to spend more time with family and I had the opportunity to take on a fulltime position, where he takes on a more part-time position. The timing is right, and I’m really looking to continue to move forward with the rest of our board members.”

The move took place on Feb. 16, as Lundberg and Jankowski, who were both elected to fouryear terms in November 2020, were appointed to serve out the other’s term. The clerk’s position is a full-time job, while trustees serve on a part-time basis.

Because Lundberg’s resignation letter was received within 30 days, the township board could name his successor and thus avoid the need for a special election. With that, there will not be any disruption into the clerk’s office’s handling of a May 2 bond renewal election for Northville Public

Township Board Shakeup

Lundberg, Jankowski switch positions on board of trustees

By Tim Smith

taking that on, and I’ll be here and around to help her do that.”

The first election Jankowski will preside over, along with deputy clerk Katie Anderson and two full-time staffers, is the May 2 bond renewal for Northville Public Schools. Should that election be successful, the district will receive $134 million for major capital improvements, including upgrades to programs and technology.

Schools.

“I’ve got three grandchildren (ages six, nine, 13) and they all live in the area,” Lundberg said. “What I have found is, being in a full-time job, and with some night duties too, with meetings and study sessions, I’ve not been able to spend the time with my grandkids that I really want to.”

There will be little to no issues moving forward due to the job swap, according to Supervisor Mark Abbo.

“We have great dynamics with our board,” Abbo said. “We work together extremely well. We accomplish the objectives and we generally find the right answers. So I was very pleased that he (Lundberg) was willing to stay on as a trustee. Because he is a very valuable resource to the board of trustees and to Northville Township. I think we got the best result with what we did, giving Cyndy the opportunity for the clerk’s position and retaining Roger as a member of our board of trustees.”

Both Lundberg and Jankowski already have worked together on various electionsrelated tasks, including as teammates on the board’s election committee.

Lundberg, who plans on continuing to serve on the township’s Legacy Park and Pathways committees, among others, said Jankowski will continue several measures he moved forward during his stint as clerk.

“Some of the initiatives I got started in the clerk’s office, she’s excited about continuing on,” Lundberg added. “I focused a lot of my time on records retention, records management. The clerk is the official records person, but in the township we (divide those duties) among all the departments. At the end of the day, it’s the responsibility of the clerk to make sure that’s all running smoothly.

“We’ve also been implementing an electronic records management system. And Cyndy’s excited about

“Because it’s not a presidential election, it will be a great way to learn about all the aspects of doing an election from start to finish,” Jankowski said. “Typically, when you have an election in an off-year, that’s not a presidential election, it’s a smaller turnout. It doesn’t mean that it’s not extremely important, because obviously the district would love to have that funding approved. But it’s a great way for me to jump in, get a feel for it, work with the deputy clerk (Anderson) and our staff to better understand.”

Jankowski said her time as a school board member will prove invaluable as she begins her clerk’s duties.

“I really believe it does,” Jankowski continued. “I was appointed to the school board, similar to being appointed to the clerk’s position. But I know a lot of people in the township. I had a great opportunity to be imbedded in the district.

“Our son was in the district when I was on school board. I think it’s helped to give me a better opportunity to field questions, answer questions, look at concerns. … I think it’s given me the opportunity to be confident in whatever role I take on. And yes, I think it was a great experience for me.”

Cyndy Jankowski

Roger Lundberg

Park improvements just for you!

Marv Gans Community Park

New playground equipment with installation slated for late fall. These projects were approved by the Northville Township Board of Trustees in January.

Millennium Park

New dugout roofs and fencing to the baseball fields. The fencing will be completed by late April, the dugout roofs in August.

Spring Pop Ups

Exciting new restaurants opening in Northville

By Ebony Caldwell |

Photos by John Heider

Spring’s reawakening gets many prepared for long drives with the windows rolled down, refreshing wardrobes, starting a garden and maybe even enjoying an outdoor concert. Along those moments, tummy rumbling may start to seek satisfaction.

If you’re driving through the Northville community, there will be several new restaurants to choose from, including a new brewing company in downtown Northville, and two well-known favorites that are bringing new locations into the community.

Let’s start in downtown Northville, where Great White Buffalo Brewing Company opened earlier this month after an extensive rebuild of the

former Yogurt Palooza site at Main and Center.

A love for brewing and a dream of pursuing his own business led Eric Sokoloski to sell his home and put aside a career in accounting. His partners in the GWB venture are his brother Ryan Sokoloski, who has previous bar experience with Chelli’s in

Eric Sokoloski, who opened GWB on March 3, says his dream began to take flight 10 years ago when he took a risk by dropping his past profession and started taking brewing classes at Schoolcraft College. As he refined his home brewing skills, he began planning to make his passion project a reality. Last year he began the renovation and rebuild at the location in the heart of downtown Northville.

dining and a vast range of beers, wines, ciders and seltzer.

There are eight beers on tap, house-blended root beer, red and white wine, and gluten-free cider.

There is a full menu featuring pizza, plant-based chicken, vegetarian, gluten-free options as well as vegan. Bean burgers, plant-based chicken for sliders, and breading that can also be requested gluten-free. There is

Detroit, and John Skrabal, a classmate who he befriended while attending brewing school. They both help Eric promote and manage the restaurant, located at 101 W. Main Street.

Great White Buffalo has indoor seating for 50 people. There will also be an outdoor patio with a bar for additional seating. Sokoloski says guests can look forward to casual

also a children’s menu.

“The whole theory is to be very inclusive, and have a little something for everybody. I know there’s a lot of allergies and we got a little of everything for everybody,” Sokoloski said.

Great White Buffalo is planning a number of upcoming events and festivities. Initial

Brothers Ryan (left) and Eric Sokoloski are partners in the new Great White Buffalo Brewing Company. HopCat is opening in the former Claddagh Irish Pub location, and Hudson Café has opened a new location at Six Mile and Haggerty.

Bartender Nancy Colosimo pulls an Ambar amber at the new Great White Buffalo Brewing Company.

Some customers sample a flight of beer at Great White Buffalo.

hours of operation are subject to change, but expected to be 4-10 p.m. Wednesday, 4-10 p.m. Thursday, 4-11p.m., 4 p.m.-midnight Friday. Saturday and Sunday operational hours are still to be determined based on staff availability. For more information, visit www. greatwhitebuffalobrewingco. com. Guests may call (248) 924-2607 for questions and inquiries.

The new restaurant brings the total eateries in the city of Northville to 35, which include sit-down restaurants, cafés, coffee and smoothie shops.

Jessica Howlin, marketing assistant with the Northville DDA, said there is always room for more. She said the DDA can help find a space for anyone looking to open a new restaurant in town. Visit www. downtownnorthville.com for available properties.

HUDSON CAFE

Over on Haggerty, just north of Six Mile Road in Northville Township, you’ll find the brand new location for Hudson Café, which originally emerged in the heart of Downtown Detroit on Woodward Avenue in 2011. The Detroit location is currently under renovation, but the entire staff is being homed in Northville momentarily, until the improvements are finalized. Construction began on the restaurant, which uses the namesake of the beloved Hudson’s department store, last November.

The Northville location, which opened March 3, will offer a similar menu and atmosphere as the original location.

Owner Tom Teknos said coming to Northville (in the former Applebee’s location)

made sense because a lot of the customers in Detroit came from the area.

“After being in downtown Detroit for a little over 11 years, downtown has been great to us with the community and surrounding cities,” he said. “I spent time in the dining room and asked guests where they were coming from and what other towns and cities would support us. The Northville, Livonia, Plymouth, and Salem areas were a big target area, where guests would come visit us from.

“After the previous restaurant’s lease ended in the middle of Covid, we decided to take over to begin the new build,” Teknos continued.

A lot of the fan-favorites from the original location are on the menu, such as pancakes, omelets, Voodoo Eggs Benedict, which is a housemade corn cake with chorizo (spicy Spanish pork sausage), cheddar and ranchero sauce. Seven different kinds of chili’s smoked in-house are also house favorites, along with sandwiches and salads. The feature of the day when you’re greeted by the host will be offered. Options for gluten-friendly, vegan selections such as tofu scramble, and the Beyond Burger are made available upon request.

Teknos said guests can

expect to experience a vibrant, modern, brunch feel upon entering the establishment. There are 112 seats in their dining area, 14-seat availability at the bar, and a 50-seat event space that can cater to bridal showers, baby showers, business meetings, award banquets and medical symposiums. The outdoor

HOPCAT

The Northville area will also welcome a new HopCat location, expected to open this summer. It will open in the former Claddagh Irish Pub at 17800 Haggerty Road, near Schoolcraft College. The Claddagh closed its doors in 2019 after more than 15 years in business on the Livonia/ Northville border.

Grand Rapids is the home of the original HopCat, which opened in 2008, and has since expanded to many other locations, including Ann Arbor, East Lansing, Detroit and Royal Oak. The restaurant is known for its beer-battered Cosmik fries, with a signature black pepper seasoning.

seating area will also provide a bar, with liquor allowed.

Hudson Café is located at 17101 Haggerty Road. They are open from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. seven days a week. To order online, visit www.hudson-cafe.com or DoorDash, which is one of their delivery partners.

The Detroit Hudson Café is due to reopen in April, once the remodeling project is completed.

Patrons can also look to have a choice from upscale bar food and craft beer. Its menu includes several options of smash burgers, with an alternative for a turkey burger, chicken wings (bone-in or boneless), brisket tacos, soups and salads. Their signature Cosmik fries can be loaded with bacon, red onions and pickled jalapenos. With the loaded fries, guests can also have a topping of their signature warm beer cheese sauce.

Ned Lidvall, CEO of Project Barfly, the hospitality association and a parent company of HopCat, offered no further details about the new location. Visit www.hopcat.com for additional information.

Nicole Jimos (left) and Eleni Mourtos enjoy their breakfast at Hudson Café.

The bacon jam omelete is a favorite at Hudson Café.

Citizen of the Year

Hillebrand gets red carpet treatment for decades of service

Photos by John Heider

Sue Hillebrand, the longtime clerk for Northville Township, got the red carpet treatment and one big surprise on March 9, when she was recognized as the 2023 John Genitti Citizen of the Year.

The Northville Chamber of Commerce presented the award to Hillebrand, who served as the township’s clerk from 1992 to 2019, at a new volunteer recognition event. The night included a dinner at Genitti’s (the business started by the award’s namesake) and a stroll over to the Marquis Theatre, where a red carpet welcomed more than 100 guests.

Chamber Director Douglas Wallace created the award ceremony to highlight the work of volunteers – and encourage others to also volunteer.

In addition to Hillebrand’s award, four other individuals were recognized:

Nancy Darga - City of Northville Volunteer of the Year

Jeff Olles - Northville Township Volunteer of the Year

Linda Bastien - Northville Library Volunteer of the Year

Sher Watkins - Northville Chamber Volunteer of the Year

Hillebrand, no stranger to volunteering, helped steer the township government for nearly three decades and was a big proponent of preserving open space.

“This is overwhelming,” said a surprised Hillebrand as she received the award. “It was my privilege to be the clerk for seven terms, and work for the wonderful citizens of Northville Township. The whole Northville community has been a big part of my life.”

Sue Hillebrand (center) was surrounded by family members and Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo (right) at the ceremony.

Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull announces the city’s volunteer of the year, Nancy Darga.

Cyndy Jankowski (left) and Mindy Herrmann congratulate Sue Hillebrand (center) as she checks out her award.

Tim and Shaundra Gilbert take a selfie on the red carpet in front of the Marquis Theatre.

Northville Chamber event planner Matt Zook draws the name of a raffle winner.

Marilyn Price buys some raffle tickets from Vince Houlz at the 2023 Northville Community Awards dinner at Genitti’s.

MILESTONE VICTORIES

Sander, Gudith both reach 200 wins for NHS basketball programs

By Brad Emons

The month of February celebrated a couple of milestones when it comes to the girls and boys varsity basketball programs at Northville High School.

On Feb. 10, the Northville girls defeated Salem, 43-30, to give Mustangs coach Todd Gudith his 200th career victory. And just a week later, Todd Sander also chalked up his 200th in the Mustangs’ 48-42 win over Plymouth.

Ironically, both Gudith and Sander have carved similar paths in their coaching careers and have become the school’s longest tenured basketball coaches. Both are in their 15th seasons. Gudith finished the 2022-23 campaign 17-6 overall and now stands 203-123 overall. Sander is 204-126 overall after the Mustang boys wound up 14-12 on the year, capped off by winning their second straight district championship at home, by beating rivals Novi, Catholic Central and Canton -- all in overtime. They lost the regional semi-final to a tough Ann Arbor Huron team, 56-45, though the game was competitive until the final minutes.

Sander’s roots run deep at Northville where the 1999 grad played for the Mustangs. His brother Mark set the single game scoring mark with 44 points in 1995. And after Sander finished his high school career, he became the school’s JV coach

for six seasons before succeeding Darrel Schumacher in the 2008-09 season.

“It’s special,” Sander said. “Northville is where I grew up. It is where I live. It’s where our business is, so there’s no other place where I’d rather coach than where we are right now.”

Sander guided Northville to a school-record 21-2 season in 2015-16 where the Mustangs won the KLAA Central Division title. His 2021-22 squad captured its first district championship since 1998.

He’s only had three losing seasons in 15 after former athletic director Bryan Masi elevated him to the varsity job.

“And I think like everybody – when you start – you think you have all the answers and then you soon find out that you don’t have many of them, so you go through a lot of growing pains,” Sander said. “And I look back and the things that were a big deal then, I think you just kind of learn

kind of pick your battles. And really, it’s more great relationships with your players that determine your success more than necessarily your basketball knowledge. Once you win them over as people then it’s easier to win them over as their coach.”

Gudith, meanwhile, played basketball at Wyandotte High School and had coaching stints at his alma mater and Southgate High before becoming an assistant for three seasons under Pete Wright at Northville. Ironically, Schumacher and Wright remain on both Sanders’ and Gudith’s staff.

“When I graduated from high school, I decided I wanted to do teaching and coaching, I always wanted to stay and be a part of the game when playing wasn’t an option,” Gudith said.

“I refereed for about 15-16 years as well. Back before the (girls and boys) seasons were split you could do that . . . coach a little bit, coach middle school and go do a JV basketball game later that night.”

Under Gudith’s direction, the Mustangs have captured a regional championship (2016), along with four district and a pair of KLAA divisional titles.

Todd Sander (center) talks to the team during a timeout in a recent game at Belleville.

Todd Gudith just completed his 15th season as the girls basketball coach.

Todd Gudith (seated) talks to the girls squad during a recent home game.

Gudith and his wife Chelsea have two daughters, Gigi, 9, and Ayla, 1. He is a graduate of Wayne State and teaches eighthgrade science at Meads Mill Middle School.

His assistant coaches this past season included Grace Smith (varsity) and Wright, twins Kari Schmitt and Sara (Schmitt) Zinke (JV) and Alan Kruck (freshman).

Wright said Gudith’s dedication and commitment to the sport are what separates him.

“He works tirelessly on the strategies that go on, so every day he’s looking at new ways to do something different to try to get an advantage,” Wright said. “And he’s been that way all along. He’s constantly trying to get better . . . more knowledge, the latest and greatest things, and that kind of stuff is one of his best attributes.”

And Gudith is also a players’ coach in Wright’s eyes.

“He’s got a really good personality, he’s a middle school teacher, which is extremely helpful,” Wright said. “So, he’s had many of those girls in class, so he has a knowledge and a relationship with them from that. But he relates really well with the girls. They like his style of coaching, the way he treats them and that kind of stuff.”

Sander, a 2003 graduate of the University of MichiganDearborn, has spent 20 years in the financial services industry where he currently serves as president of Baldwin Capital Management, Inc. He also serves as the treasurer of the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan and is a member of Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church in Livonia.

He relies heavily on a stable of assistant coaches that includes Ed Kritch, Sean Turner, Ali Metaj, Chris Jacobs and Schumacher at the varsity level, along with Bret Turner (head JV) and Chris Ackett (head freshman).

“We’ve been fortunate to have great

continuity, which is kind of rare at the high school level these days,” Sander said. “The neat part about our staff is that we are friends off the court. It makes the wins that much more special but also a lot easier to get through the tough moments of any season.”

One of Sander’s best traits is his willingness to delegate various responsibilities to his staff, according to Kritch, who was Northville’s varsity girls head coach from 1984-91.

“His greatest attribute as a coach is that he has great confidence in his assistants and allows his assistants to have equal input to the final decision process as to what we’re going to do,” said Kritch. “I see some of my demanding personality in what he does, whether that’s with the players and demanding we’re going to do it our way.”

And what Sander brings to the table is just more than basketball. It’s also important to him to what happens off the court.

“I think he has a deep interest in players, not only as the players but also as the young adults that they are,” Kritch said. “And he takes a great interest on their development as students, young adults and college kids, and he stays with them. He helped them start their careers. He helped them with their employment. He brought them in as interns in his business.”

Away from the basketball court, Sander’s outlet

is playing golf. He’s a 12-handicap and has played in 17 different states.

But basketball is his main passion. And it’s no secret that coaches have to be able to adapt with the times.

“I can’t say that a lot has changed in coaching,” Sander said. “It seems we have to wear different hats every single day. The actual coaching part hasn’t changed a lot. It’s lot more of the off-court stuff, the expectations and organization, the nonbasketball stuff is just taking more and more time.”

Sander said he considers himself a “basketball coaching lifer.”

“As long as I got that fire burning and that passion . . . I hope to be here as long as they’ll have me,” he said.

And Gudith has the same outlook when it comes to coaching basketball.

“I don’t know if it will be coaching or, who knows, if it’s something else down the road, but I’m going to be involved (in basketball) no matter what in some way, shape or form,” he said. “It’s a good experience all around. I just like being around kids honestly, just their attitude and effort, watch them grow and develop.”

Todd Sander is the longest tenured boys basketball coach at Northville High.

The boys team shows off their district championship trophy after defeating Canton in overtime on March 10.

A

Solution in Search of a Problem: Permanent Street Closures Create New Problems, Hurt Businesses

Banks are known as the “Titans of Industry”. In Northville two local bank branches have closed. Both during street closures,“due to lack of patronage”. First Merchants’ Bank announced its closing on 2/8/23. Bank of America, directly across the street, closed 6/15/21. Both were at Main & Hutton, where some 60% of the previous daily retail traffic has been eliminated. Please pay attention: Banks are often canaries in the coal mine.

Closing streets to vehicles in a downtown shopping district is called a “Pedestrian Mall”. These walkers-only malls popular in the ‘70s and ‘80s, largely failed. Partly this was due to inappropriate comparisons to Europe. Also, many cities failed to possess important characteristics.

Why European Plazas Succeed & Why Ours Don’t

• Cities were built AROUND car-less city plazas centuries ago (dating from Medieval era)

• Good public transportation links

• A population with a cultural inclination to walk

• Streets that are too narrow to accommodate cars

There is a second model, Pedestrian-Transit Mall, that is more successful. It has pedestrians + mass transit vehicles (buses & cabs) in the right of way lane. (Pojani/Territorio)

(Journal of Urbanism, 2020) This assumes a town HAS mass transit: Northville DOES NOT. In 2021, researchers determined these factors for a successful pedestrian mall:

Photos courtesy of Steve Pichan

When It’s Over, It’s Over…

During 2020, there was a resurgence of Pedestrian Malls due to restrictions. During the closures, outdoor/ street dining + activities was a viable alternative to keep businesses afloat. However, just as there was an art to a city’s timing opening a pedestrian mall, there is just as much savvy required in knowing when to stop.

Over 200 cities, large and small, have tried. The vast majority are reopened fully or partially to traffic. Researchers estimate that in a 50-year span, only 5-9% have survived. As of 4/22, only 15 existed: they all were the PedestrianTransit model. However, like The Pearl in Boulder, Colorado, these malls meet most of the Pedestrian Mall Success List criteria. Even our hired consultants, Grissim, Metz, Andriese & Assoc., on 10/27/22 warned us NOT to remove our curbs, street light structures, and any infrastructure that would preclude us from returning to normal streets quickly. This is because the probability of risk

NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL PEDESTRIAN MALLS IN MICHIGAN 0

taxpayer money is very high. Some towns, such as Madison Wisconsin, also decided if infrastructure changes (sidewalks & streets) were made the success would increase. Although efforts were taken to preserve access for existing businesses, construction was disruptive to merchants and some did not survive the process. Yet, this is what is being proposed in Northville! More recently, Plymouth, MI and Fenton, MI tried the concepts during Covid and decided to lift the closures after 16 months, due to a negative impact on Retail and traffic. Ann Arbor’s is only open Thursday-Sundays.

There are only 2 existing successful Pedestrian Malls

• One has a beach, a warm climate & tourists: Lincoln Street Mall, South Beach, Miami, FLA

• One has an ocean, historic landmarks & tourists: Washington Street Mall, Cape May, NJ

RESULTS OF OTHER MICHIGAN CITIES THAT HAVE TRIED PEDESTRIAN MALLS

(Fresno Future/Cole E. Judge, 2013, excerpt)

These Michigan Pedestrian Malls were all unsuccessful:

MALL NAME CITY

Macomb Place Mount Clemens

Market Street Mall Kalamazoo

Michigan Mall Battle Creek

Monroe Mall Grand Rapids

Pearl Street Grand Rapids

Progress Place Jackson

Washington Square Lansing

Is closing Northville’s Downtown a good idea?

Thank you for your avalanche of letters and support.

To request a form letter template or to get a lawn sign, please email: LetsOpenNorthville@gmail.com

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Complaint Form: Scan here if you or a friend can’t get a close drop-off or parking space due to closures

Northville City Council Meeting Calendar: Bring your letters!

NPD Transparency Dashboard: Shows # of service and direct calls has increased

CONCOURS KIDS

Northville teens trying to make classic cars cool with their peers

Despite being the generation of scooters and electric vehicles, Northville high schoolers

Bennett DiMeo and David Kibbey are infatuated with the regal rides of their forefathers.

“So, I’m going to be honest, I’m more from the exotic and newer car side of things,” said Kibbey, 17, whose affinity for autos came from hanging around his grandfather Greg Marrs, who ran a car dealership. “I will say I am not interested in EVs. I understand and I support them, and I see their necessity, but I’m not there. They are not for me.”

DiMeo, 16, also “got my gearhead on” due to family, attending Mecum Auctions in Indianapolis on his 11th birthday. The first-hand view of vintage vehicles being bought and sold whetted his appetite as did his clan’s extensive car

collection, which included a 1940s Hudson.

The pair is part of a four-teen contingent steering the wheel for this summer’s premier automotive showcase, the Northville Concours d’Elegance on Saturday and Sunday, July 22-23, at Mill Race Historic Village.

Kibbey and DiMeo are joined by fellow Northville residents

Chase Ziegler and Drew Lenhert, who like Kibbey attend Detroit Catholic Central. DiMeo goes to Northville High.

The engine for the prestigious car gathering is being primed by a founders’ dinner and live auction on Saturday, April 15, at Genitti’s Hole-in-Wall in Northville. All proceeds benefit the 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Tickets are available at www. northvilleconcours.com.

What puts Northville’s

By Larry O’Connor

upscale car competition on an elevated track are the judges, which in this case will be under 18 in age. Organizers are putting a premium on youth, and for good reason.

Without a new generation, industry experts fear passion for the autos of yesteryear will sputter out.

“The Northville Concours is a true testament to fueling the next generation of car enthusiasts and drivers,” said Samantha Pina, senior event coordinator at Hagerty, Northville Concours’ main sponsor, in a written response. “We’re proud to be a part of an event whose sole purpose is youth judging and engagement.

“From inception to execution, the Northville Concours has kept youth at the forefront and we can’t wait to see future drivers explore their take on the

love of automotive.”

Kibbey and DiMeo’s shoes fit the gas pedal.

Thanks to Hagerty, whose insurance agency is behind the youth push into the classic automotive realm, the duo has become full-fledged concours judges. Judges follow criteria set by concours organizers. Though organizations provide training, no certification is required, Kibbey said.

This month, Kibbey helped score the Amelia Island (Fla.) Concours d’Elegance and the pair has been invited to the Keels & Wheels event in Seabrook, Texas, outside Houston, in May.

Kibbey is also scheduled to judge at concours shows in Pebble Beach, Calif., Aug. 16-20, and Newport, R.I. Oct. 1. He is also booked for the Detroit Concours event Sept. 22-23 at

Photos by Bryan Mitchell

Northville teens David Kibbey (from left), Drew Lehnert, Chase Ziegler and Bennett DiMeo stand next to a 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 in front of Mill Race Village. The car in back is a 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster.

the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Their cohorts include automotive executives, journalists, event hosts and celebrities. They’ve even crossed paths with former latenight TV star and car enthusiast Jay Leno.

“He’s really a casual, nice guy in person,” Kibbey said. “He acts exactly like he does on TV, and that was the most refreshing thing about meeting him.”

With their accrued knowledge, the pair’s enthusiasm is boiling over like a radiator with a busted thermostat. A huge number of young people are into cars but don’t know where to start, Kibbey said.

The restrained setting of a Concours d’Elegance hasn’t been an ideal jumping-off point, either.

Among owners of rare vehicles, the sight of a teenager perhaps produces an instant flashback to the 1986 comedy “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” where Cameron’s dad’s beloved 1961 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder is depicted going through a glass garage window before crashing down a ravine.

“Maybe we can take pictures or get close to the car, but we’re never going to sit in it,” Kibbey said. “We wanted to change the whole stigma that’s around that.”

For this edition of the Northville Concours, those under 18 will be admitted free. Vehicles will not be surrounded by barriers, allowing easier access to view their historic splendor.

Word is also going out to worrywart owners.

“If you’re not willing to show your car, if you carry a cloth around and wipe every little dust bunny off, we’re not the

show for you,” Kibbey said.

Organizers still expect classic vehicles — some worth more than a million dollars —from California and Arizona as well as Ohio and Michigan to turn out for the second annual event, which debuted last year under the banner Race to the Mill.

The hope is they come in the same spirit of a man who possessed a rare factory-painted highland green Shelby Cobra last year. His laid-back persona enabled him to share the sports car’s grandeur.

The Shelby Cobra owner availed himself to questions about the 1960s roadster,

opening the hood, doors and trunk for good measure, Kibbey said.

Among other marque vehicles on display last year were limited-production Porsche 911s and Edsel Ford’s pickup truck from 1941, the Black Ghost.

Still, planners decided a name change was needed. Race to the Mill conjured up unintended images.

“People were concerned it was a marathon or it was street racing,” DiMeo said. “We really wanted it to resonate with it being a Northville community event for people to come out

NORTHVILLE CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE FOUNDERS’ DINNER

WHAT: Dinner and live auction to benefit this summer’s Northville Concours d’Elegance

WHEN: Saturday, April 15 WHERE: Genitti’s Hole-in-Wall MORE INFO: Visit www.northvilleconcours.com

and experience the Northville historical village.”

Organizers want to keep the Northville program to 10 classes with eight vehicles in each for a total of 80, which is a smaller number compared to other concours, DiMeo said.

“We’re trying to restrict it to the best vehicles in the country, and have the best cars there for the kids to be able to experience them and to get to know more about them,” he added.

The teens have developed a point-based system like one employed by esteemed concours judges around the country.

Between 30-40 youth judges will work with an adult group leader, including automotive industry leaders and concours judges.

“Bennett has just done an amazing job to pivot and create this system that is reminiscent of what we will see at future shows,” Kibbey said.

Northville’s David Kibbey behind the wheel of a 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster in front of Mill Race Village.

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A Crown Jewel Lost

A missing piece of Northville’s architectural history

By Michele Fecht

It seems rather silly to lament the loss of an architectural embellishment I have only laid eyes on in historical photographs. But there it is.

For more than 70 years, the pediment atop 123 East Main Street — now home to The Northville Gallery — provided not only an aesthetic focal point among the rows of north Main Street businesses, but also a directional beacon. Its inscription stated “Union Block” along with its construction date of 1893.

And what was the Union Block? Cities often would name a grouping of street addresses by block. The addresses from 117 to 127 East Main were identified as the Union Block. Northville block names were peppered throughout its commercial district. Blocks might be named for individuals such as the Hirsch Block named for John Hirsch whose blacksmith shop was at the corner of what is now Hutton and Main Street. A replica of the blacksmith shop is in Mill Race Historical Village.

Other block names included the Opera House block located at Dunlap and North

Center. That would later be referred to as The Record block when publisher Frank Neal purchased the opera house and moved The Northville Record office to the site. Owner’s rights.

How the Union Block got its name is elusive. The businesses along that stretch of Main Street at the time of construction ranged from a harness shop, hardware and tin shop to M.N. Johnson & Co. clothiers. The word “Union” could be found elsewhere in the community. Northville’s first high school built

in 1865 at the close of the Civil War was aptly named Northville Union School. J. A. Dubuar Manufacturing Company would later change its name to Union Manufacturing and Lumber.

So what of the pediment’s demise?

At the onset of the 1960s — a decade that would herald mid-century modern architecture and a dramatic societal shift — downtown Northville’s commercial district looked to “modernizing” its 19th century structures. And so commenced the covering of bricked facades and dismantling of wooden cornices, partially infilling second-story windows and adding metalframed casements, putting up awnings and installing an array of exterior signage in a veritable hodgepodge of styles.

Among the most notable façade changes were the exteriors of the Union Block buildings including Gambles Hardware Store and the Sally Bell Bakery (later

The Union Block on the north side of East Main Street. Photo from the collection of Michele Fecht.

The updated façade of the Gambles and Foltyns, circa 1970s. Photo courtesy of Christopher J. Johnson.

Foltyn’s Pastry Shoppe). Both structures added metal-framed casement windows to the second floor, modern display windows at street level and eye-popping green metal panels to the second story façade.

A photograph in the August 21,1960 edition of The Northville Record shows workers on the rooftop of 123 East Main Street dismantling its 1893 pediment and cornice in what was described as the building’s “facelift.” Ugh.

By the 1970s, the preservation movement that had taken hold throughout the nation was well under way in Northville. Concern over the loss of historic buildings — most notably the proposed demolition of the former community library on Wing Street to make way for a multi-story indoor mall — was a catalyst for much of the community’s growing preservation efforts. It did not come soon enough to save Northville’s Opera House demolished in 1949 to make

way for a city parking lot, but that’s another story.

The 1970s would see Mill Race Historical Village take shape with the first of its historic structures moved to the 12-acre site in 1972. The historical society also surveyed structures in the city’s core finding

more than half were more than 50 years old (many much older) and eligible for historic district designation.

The biggest transformation would come with the Mainstreet 78 project, a voter-approved four-year undertaking to revitalize the city’s downtown and reenergize efforts to preserve its historic commercial structures and character. The city also incorporated the Downtown Development Authority to maintain the downtown’s viability.

Suddenly everything old was new again. And so went the green metal panels, the metal-framed casement windows and neon signage at 123 East Main. The building now all but resembles the 1893 structure including the addition of a cornice modeled after the original.

The only thing missing is the pediment — the structure’s crown jewel — and now a lost piece of Northville’s history.

The Union Block pediment on the Sally Bell Bakery at 123 East Main, circa 1958. Photo from the collection of Fran Gazlay.

GIRL’S VARSITY SOCCER

BOY’S VARSITY BASEBALL

GIRL’S VARSITY LACROSSE

BOY’S VARSITY LACROSSE

GIRL’S VARSITY TENNIS

A Real Cancer Fighter

Community aids Northville boy’s struggle against life-threatening diagnosis

By Larry O’Connor

The family of a 5-year-old Northville boy amid a nine-month cancer fight is breathing a little easier thanks to an outpouring of community support spearheaded by the nonprofit outfit Main Street League.

“I’m just so thankful,” said father Max Zammitt.

His son Hudson is home, but is undergoing treatment for medulloblastoma, rare cancer that affects 500 children a year in the U.S. The boy has a threein-four chance of beating the deadly disease.

To achieve those odds, though, the Zammitts have been through the wringer.

In June, Hudson underwent surgery at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital to remove a malignant brain tumor, diagnosed after the family first noticed the

preschooler’s right eye wasn’t moving. Doctors needed 12 hours to delicately remove the golf ball-sized growth near the cerebellum.

Afterward, the preschooler endured a grueling, six-month stretch of intensive radiation and chemotherapy at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. to eradicate remaining cancer cells.

The Zammitts’ story is not only one of conquering medical hurdles, but the overlooked financial and logistical struggles of keeping a family intact during such crises.

The boy’s mother Abbey remained with Hudson during the half-year ordeal, lodging at a nearby Ronald McDonald House. Meanwhile, father Max, and siblings, Maggie, 2, and Emmerson, 8, managed to visit

on weekends and holidays.

That is where the Main Street League stepped in.

The family’s health insurance covered medical costs and St. Jude Hospital doesn’t bill for treatment, travel or housing. Even amid those ideal circumstances, the Zammitts faced hardships.

Max runs a family-owned trucking business, CMA Heavy Haul, with his sister Clare. He missed work and spent thousands to fly and lodge himself and two children at Memphis area Airbnbs during monthly visits.

The Northville-based nonprofit lent a hand, raising close to $6,500 through a “Healing Hud” online effort: www.mainstreetleague.com/ healing-hud.

“So, it's not just cut and dry when it comes to, ‘Oh, you're sick and getting those covered costs,” said Lauren Romeo, who started Main Street League a decade ago. “It's gas money, it's lodging, it's travel … it's beyond what people would expect and then there is time off work.”

The Zammitts’ plight struck a nerve with Romeo who has a son also named Hudson, 11. Romeo also ensured Hudson’s siblings would have a Christmas as she and other Main Street League members provided gifts.

LIFE CHANGES

The Northville family’s life unraveled by a simple observation at the Sunday breakfast table.

While pouring cereal, Max Zammitt noticed his son’s right eye wasn’t moving. The family contacted a pediatrician, who suggested Hudson undergo an MRI “just to rule out a few things,” the father recalled.

The couple of 10½ years

took Hudson in the following day where a scan revealed the tumor. The growth was restricting cranial fluid, suppressing his right eye movement.

Upon reflection, Hudson exhibited signs of being in distress for five or six months before the cancer diagnosis, the father said. The boy would have vomiting spells once a month, which the parents wrote off to flu and viruses going around amid a Covid pandemic.

The boy’s white-knuckle, 12hour surgery was but the first turn in a harrowing medical journey. The Zammitts’ most vexing decisions laid ahead in their son's ensuing treatment.

UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center and St. Jude offered proton-beam radiation, which is precise in destroying cancer cells but whose adverse side effects are long-lasting.

U-M oncologists tried to dissuade the family from going the aggressive proton radiation route, citing Hudson’s age, Max Zammitt said. The boy turned 5 in January.

The Zammitts opted for St. Jude, which treats about 200 children a year diagnosed with medulloblastoma. The facility uses pioneering proton radiation on those as young as 3.

“You only get one shot,” the father said. “So, we felt like St. Jude was doing everything they could. All the pros and cons they listed were just too important.”

Nearly three weeks after surgery, Hudson started radiation therapy at St. Jude. He underwent 30 proton-beam treatments during a monthand-half span.

During the first month, radiologists treated the entire brain and spine area. They focused the last 10 sessions on

Max and Abbey Zammitt, and their children Hudson, 5, Emmerson, 8, and Maggie, 2. Zammitt family photo

the tumor's former location.

After Hudson endured physically debilitating radiation, he rested for two weeks to regain his weight and recoup white blood cells to prepare for a punishing bout of chemotherapy.

Hunter underwent four cycles of chemo, which included 10-12 blood transfusions between sessions to replenish his white blood cells and platelets. Hair loss and persistent vomiting became part of his daily existence.

Hunter’s pituitary gland — which produces hormones to regulate growth, metabolism and reproduction — was “wiped out” in the process. The boy faces the possibility of losing 4 to 6 inches in height and having a learning disability, his father said.

FIGHTING THROUGH IT

The tradeoffs are worth it compared to removing the tumor "and just waiting for the cancer to return," said Max, whose son continues to visit St. Jude every three months.

“You learn when they talk about cancer fighters, it's true,” said the father, who added his son remained upbeat despite constant nausea and feeling exhausted. "They just fight through it."

The couple has been uplifted by the unwavering support received from neighbors and those at their church, Northville Christian Assembly of God.

Romeo became aware of the Zammitts’ situation after the family’s neighbor, Virginia Goble, contacted her. Goble also provided meals for Max and the two children.

"I can't imagine your life

changing overnight with a sick child, and the time and financial commitment involved," said Romeo, who also has a daughter Charley, 14. "Most families aren't prepared for that.

“They see it on TV, but when it happens to you, that's a whole other story. Most people are also afraid to ask for help and they don't know how to utilize the support of such a wonderful community as we have."

Main Street League’s goal is "to lift the community from within.” The nonprofit has helped Northville folks get out of many fixes, including with back rent or emergency vehicle repairs. School social workers and counselors alert the organization to those in need, Romeo said.

Main Street League depends on in-kind contributions but also conducts a handful of

annual fundraisers. This month, the group hosted its Diaper Drive at Adorn, 118 E. Main. The league’s Farm to Table and Witches Ride in the fall are marquee moneymakers.

The Zammitts are emotionally zapped from the nine-month roller-coaster ride but are grateful.

“I still feel pretty young and haven't seen a lot of life and never encountered that before, where a bunch of people who don't know me want to help us out,” said Max, 35. “Lauren and the whole Main Street League, to pour out themselves into this as they did, it's just awesome.”

To help the Zammitt family, visit www.mainstreetleague. com/healing-hud. There is also a GoFundMe set up for Hudson. To contribute, visit www. gofundme.com/f/healinghud.

Bond Areas of Focus

Program Enhancements

„ STEAM/innovation centers at all building levels

„ Major upgrades to the outdoor multi-activity fields and elementary playground

„ New and expanded grandstands at the Eight Mile Stadium

„ Upgrade HS baseball + softball fields to turf

„ Upgrades to HS natatorium

Technology Upgrades

BULLETIN BOARD BULLETIN BOARD

Broncobots Win State Championship

The Northville Broncobots, the district’s middle school robotics team, won the Michigan state championship in December. The team of students from Hillside and Meads Mill middle schools designed, built and programmed their robot, Argos, to perform certain tasks on the playing field.

Koski Named Michigan’s Top Principal

Tony Koski, principal of Northville High School, has been named Michigan’s 2023 Principal of the Year (POY) by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) and the Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies (MASC/MAHS).

Emily Aluia, NHS assistant principal, nominated Koski for the award, and she was not alone. There was an outflow of support for his nomination from members of the community, including from Koski’s previous and current colleagues, to employees/teachers, students and parents.

Every letter of support mentioned his unwavering commitment and passion for the students, according to Wendy Zdeb, MASSP executive director, who surprised Koski with the award during a schoolwide assembly at the conclusion of Inclusion Week in early March.

“It seemed only fitting that this award be presented to Koski at the conclusion of NHS’s Inclusion Week. Tony is a humble leader and always keeps the most important piece of education at the forefront, the students. It is an honor to have him representing Michigan as the 2023 Principal of the Year,” said Zdeb.

To be eligible for the award, nominees must demonstrate a sense of collaborative leadership; involvement in curriculum, instruction and assessment; as well as a personal positive involvement with district staff, students and families.

“Mr. Koski has repeatedly shown that to him being a principal is not just a job – it’s a lifestyle,” NHS senior Zach Ajluni wrote in his student letter of recommendation.

“Friendship encompasses all the important qualities of a leader. Friends are loyal, nonjudgmental, and are there for you when times get tough. Mr. Kosksi has displayed these traits time and time again.”

Koski, who has been principal at NHS for nine years, will represent Michigan as the state’s nominee for the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) Principal of the Year competition, which will be awarded in October 2023 at the Recognition Gala in Washington, D.C.

Argo was the quickest to pick up cones and place them on poles to score the most points in the Powerplay game. After losing their first qualifier match by just 3 points, the Broncobots persevered to win the next five hard-fought matches to reach the playoffs as the 4th-ranked Alliance Captain. The first round of playoffs against the #1 ranked alliance was extremely intense, taking three matches plus a rematch to win the best of three series. From there, the Broncobots prevailed to win the Flowers Division Championship in two matches and the Michigan State Championship in two matches.

The next stop for the Broncobots is the FIRST Robotics World Championship April 19-23 in Houston, Texas. The trip is expensive and the team is hoping the community can support them. To help, find the Northville Broncobots on Facebook, or visit https://gofund.me/ecd7680d.

Lahanas Takes Over As City Manager

Northville has a new city manager. George Lahanas was officially sworn in at the city council’s March 6 meeting. The council unanimously selected Lahanas as the new city manager at the Feb. 6 meeting.

Lahanas, who is the former city manager of East Lansing, replaces Pat Sullivan, who served as Northville’s city manager for 16 years. Lahanas spent 24 years with East Lansing, including 11 as its city manager. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Northern Michigan University, with a concentration in Personnel and Labor Relations, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Michigan University, with a major in Criminal Justice.

NHS students Zach Ajluni (left) and An Ligenza (right) joined Wendy Zdeb in surprising NHS Principal Tony Koski with his award.

Pictured is City Clerk Mike Smith swearing in Lahanas, as members of council look on. Photo courtesy of City of Northville

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MAKING THE RIGHT CALL

Broadcaster Pete Krupsky makes health changes after heart attack scare

In January 2013, longtime sports broadcaster Pete Krupsky didn’t have much time to pay closer attention to the symptoms of potential heart trouble.

He felt tired most of the time, and missed plenty of sleep, too. But he experienced an intoxicating rush of adrenaline whenever he put on the headset to broadcast another Plymouth Whalers hockey game from his perch above the press box at Compuware Sports Arena.

“The fatigue was always there and I ignored it,” said the 70-year-old Krupsky, who more than a decade later still is a local broadcasting dynamo –although the Whalers are gone now and Compuware is home to USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP). “The reason I ignored it was we had a really, really good team.”

Glancing down at a 2012-13 Whalers roster sheet, it featured future NHL players such as Vince Trocheck, Rickard Rakell, Tom Wilson and goalie Alex Nedeljkovic.

Krupsky – in the midst of what would become a streak of 1,443 continuous Plymouth Whalers games called between 1997-2015 – carried on the rest of that season like the hockey gamer he is. He didn’t miss a single contest during the Whalers’ stretch drive, which ended with a playoff loss to London.

But soon after the final buzzer, reality set in that he needed to make a far more important call – one about his own health.

“The next day (after the Whalers were eliminated), my son Gordon graduated from Oakland University,” he noted. “I want to say the day after that I was cutting my lawn and couldn’t finish it, I was out of breath. So my wife (Twyla) said ‘You better get checked out right now.’”

Soon thereafter, Krupsky found himself in the hospital diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, often called a-fib.

“They (doctors) said ‘You’re close to having a stroke,’”

By Tim Smith

Krupsky recalled. “It was the reason I was tired all the time and couldn’t walk from my car to the cubicle without being out of breath.”

Atrial fibrillation’s main symptom is the upper chambers of the heart pumping uncontrollably fast and out of sync with the lower chambers. As a result, proper blood flow throughout the body cannot be maintained.

“They shocked my heart and they hoped that would rectify it,” he continued. “I got back on my feet roughly two weeks later and I was put on blood thinners.”

Krupsky got through that crisis, but had another one waiting in spring 2021 when he suffered a heart attack. A clogged artery known as the “widow maker” was surgically repaired with the insertion of a stint.

Between the two episodes nearly eight years apart, Krupsky decided to make important lifestyle changes such as increasing his number

of daily, four-mile walks at Lake Erie Metropark. Or delegating duties at the office (where for years he was all things to all people in the broadcasting and media relations world).

HELPING HIMSELF

One thing Krupsky always had going for him, according to his family doctor Nancy Sabal, was a positive attitude and desire to make necessary changes. He didn’t merely hope for medical intervention to keep him from future danger.

“He owns the part of the disease that he can control,” Sabal said. “Some patients are very external oriented. They want something to do something to them to make it better. A lot of heart diseases require something from the inside to change.

“Also, Pete loves what he does. He can’t stop talking about it. People who find something in life where they feel truly happy have a whole different set of biochemicals circulating than somebody who feels stressed out, trapped, miserable.”

Krupsky also loves getting out for his long walks in nature, which he likes to equate to his experience broadcasting games (he also has called many Schoolcraft College basketball and soccer contests over the years).

“What I’ve done since the heart attack is just turn it (societal noise) off,” Krupsky emphasized. “It’s four miles and some people say it’s boring. But it’s kind of like a broadcast. It starts at one spot – just like a game starts at 0-0. But the view changes every couple minutes -there’s always animals running around.”

He tracks his walks on a smartphone app called

Pete Krupsky at USA Hockey Arena, where he calls games for the USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.

Photo by Bryan Mitchell

Runkeeper and estimates he’s gone on approximately 600 sessions totaling 2,400 miles. Those numbers go up every single day, since Krupsky makes those long walks – without human company – part of his ongoing daily regimen.

“That’s one of the reasons I think I’ve done so well,” Krupsky said. “The walking definitely helps. … But walking is more than just physical, it’s also mental. You’re out, the phone’s turned off except for tracking your miles.”

Another reason for his solitary walks is peace of mind.

“I like the solitude,” Krupsky said. “Broadcasting’s the same. I work with nobody right now. The good thing about it is, if there’s a mistake I know who to blame.”

Having a trusting two-way relationship with medical professionals such as Sabal and Courtney Gearhart, the latter a physician assistant practicing cardiology, also is part of the best prescription to recover from cardiac episodes and enjoy healthier heart life.

Gearhart agrees about how invaluable it is for patients to continue favorite hobbies, activities, anything they enjoy doing.

“It is incredibly important for patients to continue to do what they love even after a health crisis,” Gearhart said, “because it helps them to understand that their medical issues don’t define their lives and can often be managed without sacrificing the things they love to do.”

Following both his a-fib event and the heart attack, Krupsky also did something crucial –he followed doctors’ orders, including taking all prescribed medications.

“Pete has atrial fibrillation

and coronary artery disease (which) are often very treatable if you do your part,” Sabal said. “He’s been successful because he takes medications he’s been recommended to take. He doesn’t always like those medications, but he doesn’t trick himself into not taking them. And he never stops a medication without talking to his healthcare provider.”

into the job at USA Hockey Arena provided comfort and encouragement. During his time away from the rink, players would upload videos with “Get Better Krup” messages.

BACK IN THE BOOTH

When Krupsky did get back to business, his load was lightened with some duties shifted to other members of

his approach hasn’t changed too much.

“I’ve been told, and this is gratifying, ‘Wow, it’s an education listening to you broadcasting games. You always come up with something I never thought about,’” he said.

And he still has a knack for injecting humor and witty remarks. During a recent NTDP game, a player tapped in a back-door pass. Krupsky’s description of that play was “He went right to the kitchen and helped himself into the refrigerator with the deflection.”

Krupsky’s timeless repertoire includes something he originally ad-libbed during a Plymouth Whalers broadcast: he personally thanks listeners, which in 2023 means wherever they are watching on their laptops or smartphones.

Many of those folks take the time to reciprocate, thanking Krupsky for doing all he does.

Krupsky is on Xarelto, a blood thinner, and will be for the rest of his life. Patients with atrial fibrillation are at higher risk for blood clots and subsequent strokes. Also on his daily totake list: Entresto, Metoprolol Succinate, aspirin and a “super vitamin” called AREDS 2.

According to Krupsky, another essential “script” is getting sound advice and guidance from Sabal and Gearhart. They don’t sugar-coat the truth, and he appreciates that.

Mental health also is key for patients to not have to return to cardiology departments anytime soon.

To that end, Krupsky’s knowing he could ease back

USA Hockey’s media staff.

“The way I put it is I might have lost a little bit off my fastball but I’m still getting guys out,” Krupsky said. “I’m still productive. They have shifted my role. I’m not doing media relations anymore. They let me concentrate on the broadcasts (all on-line, via www. usahockeyntdp.com/watch).”

Krupsky, who during his long Whalers career could be heard over radio stations such as WSDS 1480, WXBX 1310 and 88.1 The Park, still researches opposing players and teams before every broadcast.

Ever since USA Hockey’s partnership with the Schoolcraft Sports Network ended in 2019-20, that part of

They applaud him for being on-point while pronouncing complicated player names, and is knowledge of USA Hockey.

“I’ve developed this audience and it’s a different kind of audience. It’s hard-core,” Krupsky continued. “These are people that know these players. Most (Detroit) Red Wings’ fans don’t follow this. Most high school fans don’t follow this.”

Whereas the pre-2013 Krupsky might have fretted about getting bigger crowds at USA Hockey Arena, these days he shrugs and goes on to his next game. Staying healthy and happy are his top priorities now. Thankfully, Pete Krupsky aces both objectives with every hockey broadcast.

To hear Pete Krupsky call USA Hockey games, visit www. usahockeyntdp.com/watch.

Pete Krupsky (left) in action with his team announcing a hockey game at USA Hockey Arena. Photo courtesy of USA Hockey.

Mustangs and Wildcats join forces during Rivals Week

For over half a century, Northville and Novi high schools have considered each other rivals, but this year that rivalry has intensified to a whole new level. Inspired by the Rivals Week held between Wayne Memorial and John Glenn high schools, Northville decided to put its rivalry with Novi to the test by holding its own Rivals Week.

Over the course of the first week of February, students at both schools engaged in a variety of competitive activities, each contributing points to their school’s total. At the end of the week, the school leading in points was crowned the winner during the basketball games.

Historically, the Mustangs and Wildcats have played against each other for the coveted Baseline Jug during the football season in a classic

cross-town rivalry, but Rivals Week extended and escalated the competition between the schools. And people took notice.

“This year I realized the intensity and that kind of threw me off because when I was in high school, almost 15 years ago, it was pretty tame,” Northville English teacher Stacy Katikos said.

The week staged numerous activities for students to participate in, including lunchroom games, dress-up days, a pep rally and a blanket drive.

“People started getting into a competitive mood as the week went on. Once we saw we were losing, more and more people started trying to help win by wearing spirit,” sophomore Ritvik Ellendula said.

Beyond facing our rivals, Rivals Week provided an

opportunity for goodwill through various events. In the blanket drive, seminar classes were turned into fun venues for making blankets for a charity called Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).

“This year with Rivals Week, they’ve taken that idea of competition and turned it into a situation where you are actually doing good for outside groups,” English teacher Kary Couchman said.

Though competing against Novi, the week also fortified unity in the NHS community. “Our ultimate goal [was] to create unity and a sense of togetherness at our school. There is no better way to do that than with some friendly competition against our rivals,” senior Will Eby said.

NHS’s rivalry with Novi, while usually focused around athletics, instead centered on getting everyone in the school involved and joining the NHS team. Beyond the unification within NHS, the collaboration between the rivals blossomed as well. In fact, it was through the combined efforts of the student governments of both schools that Rivals Week became a reality.

“We had some initial Zoom meetings and communicated mostly through our advisors at the beginning. As everything started to come together, we made a trip over to Novi to discuss in-person and formed a group chat with their executive board,” Eby said.

The centerpiece of the competitions was the faceoff in the unified, boys varsity and girls varsity basketball games.

Everyone was looking forward to the games throughout the week, and the Novi High School gym was packed with spectators from both schools. Many players found the large crowds energizing.

“The Rivals Week game felt different than any other games because of the environment and hype surrounding it,” said Justin Huang, a member of the boys basketball team. “The atmosphere was electric. Every single second was breathtaking and indescribable -- the best basketball environment that I have been a part of.”

While these games garnered much attention, for some players the most effective technique was to forget about the rivalry and focus on just the game. “We just wanted to win the game and treat [Novi] like any other opponent,” said Susy Heller, a forward on the girls team.

In the end, Northville won all of the basketball games -and Rivals Week on the whole by accumulating 1,886 points compared to Novi’s 1,546.

The common misconception of this competition is that it deters unification, as two sides vie to be victorious over one another. However, through Rivals Week, collaboration between Novi and Northville was fostered in order to create an exciting contest that in the end united us all, both in our own Northville community and between our schools.

Rivals Week actually strengthened our communities, and hopefully becomes a tradition that lasts for many years to come.

Members of the Northville High Student Congress meet during Rivals Week. Photo by Alyssa Bachert

EDITOR'S NOTE: High School Confidential is a collaborative effort by the Stringers Journalism Club made up of Northville High School students Brian Zhang, Chive Paradowski, Alyssa Bachert, Diya Kannappan, Adeline Snook, Lucas Yessayan, Sneha Hedge, Tamsin Boyd, and Pranavi Oruganty.

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On the Road With

A Chilly Magic Kingdom

The Harris family of Northville headed to Florida over the Christmas break, but it happened to be one of the coldest Christmas days in many years, according to Jenn Harris, who traveled to the Magic Kingdom with husband Tim and children Penni, Parker and Locke.

“We still had a blast and didn’t notice the cooler temperatures. We figured it was better than the zero degree days we were having here in Michigan,” she said. “We actually extended our trip so we could catch some of the 80 degree weather, and ended up staying for 10 days on the property, hitting all the parks two times.”

Pictured with their copy of The ‘Ville are Penni (Hillside), Parker (Hillside), and Locke (Amerman) at the Magic Kingdom.

The Emerald Isle

Brothers Ronan and Vincent Egan, along with Ciara Lopus -all of Northville -- took along The ‘Ville during their recent visit to Ireland. The boys’ father, Padraig Egan, who took this photo, is a native of the Emerald Isle, and they all traveled there for a family wedding. On the trip, they were able to do some sight-seeing, including to Lough Talt, a lake in the Ox Mountains of south County Sligo, where they are pictured.

Biking the Florida Keys

Northville’s Mike and Karol Ostrowski recently traveled to the Sunshine State, where they biked the entire route of the Florida Keys, from Key Largo to Key West. The biked a total of 175 miles during the week they were there. “We visited beaches, state parks and enjoyed the sights and fantastic weather,” Mike said. Here they are, pictured with their Northville Tour de Ville jerseys, on Pigeon Key with the new and old Seven Mile Bridges in the background.

Caribbean. Chris said they had to do something else, because Hurricane Ian destroyed their timeshare on Ft. Myers Beach, Florida. “The ‘Ville went everywhere with us until we found the best beach of all on Half Moon Cay, an uninhabited private island owned by Holland (where they are pictured),” she said.

An Enchanting Trip

In January, Diane Holmes and Terry Cwik took their ninth cruise together, but their first since 2018. This time, it was a 10-day cruise to the southern Caribbean on the Enchanted Princess. They enjoyed stops in Antigua, Barbados, Martinique, St. Kitts, and St. Thomas. Their favorite island was St. Kitts. However, their favorite attraction was Harrison’s Cave on Barbados, where they took a trolley ride down and through the cave.

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

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Dishin’ With Denise

Denise Jenkins is a member of the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Tipping Point Theatre. An avid writer and proponent of the arts, she is also plugged into what’s happening in Northville. Contact her at denisemjenkins@aol.com.

March-in’ Orders

It’s funny, but when you get to March – the lightbulb goes off. It marks the start of Daylight Saving. Shamrocks and the luck of the Irish blooms for St. Patrick’s Day. It’s always Lent, so Easter is in short order. March is indeed the month “hibernation” ends and it brings along marching orders. Grab your calendars.

First, Lent means the season of fish & chips

I have my top three ‘Best Of’ Northville restaurant recommendations, in no particular order, all the traditional style from when I grew up -battered and fried, but not necessarily “to go” in cardboard plates stapled together wrapped in newspaper – and very long lines. (If you know what I’m talking about, I know how old you are.)

• Rocky’s – always the right amount of crunch – and the fish is flaky, never greasy, or soggy. The fries are sometimes replaced with the yummiest roasted potatoes since my grandmother was alive.

• The Early Bird is the best kept secret for carry out lunch on Friday. If you want cole slaw, you should probably ask. The fish & chips are a perfect lunch portion –very tasty and affordable.

• Rusty Bucket is also a good choice. It’s always available – Lent or not, and it’s always good. I plan on traveling to the old neighborhood in Detroit to Scotty’s before Easter and I’m going to try for a church, a K of C or the

Livonia Italian American Club for one Friday. If you have a suggestion, send me a note. On another Lenten note - I gave up ice cream. Ugh… If you haven’t seen the jeweler in the window at Orin’s on the Center Street side of the building…you must check it out. It is good window watching…or shopping. Worth the walk. I, for one, am fascinated. If there was an engagement ring in your life last month, this month you may be looking for a venue for the big event. There are some great Northville locations.

Mill Race Historical Village offers charming alternatives –including an 1845 church or a Victorian gazebo. The Living & Learning Enrichment Center has a beautiful 12-acre campus with endless possibilities – all it takes is a vision. Genitti’s Hole-in-the-Wall is the perfect all-in-one venue. Wedding on stage, followed by a five-course dinner. They even handle the decorating for you – drop off your “stuff” and Team Laura does the job – with every detail done to perfection. I have firsthand experience. Trust me, they’re good.

Genna Davis set up shop in front of Genitti’s during the recent chili event in downtown. I stopped by to meet her and see her “Northville Gear” booth. All (100%) of her fundraising efforts are donated back to the community. Davis raised $250,000 for the Amerman playground -- one hat, scarf, or other wearable at a time. Genna

told me: “I’d like everyone in town wearing orange and black!” Her online store can be found at northvillegear.com.

Ready with your calendar? April 19 is the State of the Community luncheon at the VisTaTech Center (Schoolcraft College). Details are available at the Northville Chamber of Commerce – your host for the event. The luncheon is your chance to learn what is happening in and around our community. Mayor Brian Turnbull, Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo and new Northville School Superintendent RJ Weber will all make presentations.

Goodbye to the staff at the local First Merchants Bank on the corner of Main and Dunlap.

The banking center will close on May 9. In-person banking will be available at the 20550 Haggerty Road location. I will miss the cookies in the lobby.

It’s Maple Syrup season at Maybury Farm on Eight Mile, west of Beck. Enjoy a wagon ride out to Sugar Bush to see how the trees are tapped,

the sap collected and taken to the Sugar Shack for processing. Eggstravaganza is Saturday, April 15, also at Maybury Farm. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. Cost per car is $5. The annual event offers egg hunts, face painting, new farm animals and a visit with the Tooth Fairy.

And if you are looking for a birthday party venue – party animals celebrate at the farm. Book early, as they host two parties each Saturday and Sunday from mid-April thru the end of October. For more information, visit www. mayburyfarm.org or call (248) 374-0200.

You have met and followed the life and times of my grandchildren. Thank you. Well, it seems unbelievable to me, but Parker turns 18 this month. Happy birthday to my favorite grandson. Where does the time go?

Northville’s Genna Davis with Northville wearables.

It's Maple Syrup season at Maybury Farm.

Northville’s Parker Kara turns 18.

Jamey