The 'Ville - May 2018

Northville’s News and Lifestyle Magazine

Rouge Paddling River enthusiasts opening kayak trail in Northville

S PECI A L A DV ER T ISIN G MES S AGE

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SUPPORT THE ‘VILLE I started The ‘Ville because I felt our community needed a publication focused on … our community.

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 5

MAY 2018

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

Unlike traditional magazines, however, 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.

So, in the meantime, 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 an upcoming issue 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

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 1996 until 2017. He lives in Ann Arbor and enjoys fishing, hunting, gardening, cooking, feature writing, woodworking projects and the symphony.

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.

Thank you!

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Publisher

OUR SUPPORTERS

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

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MARIA TAYLOR – Writer

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

P.A. RECH – Photojournalist

Photojournalist P.A. Rech (www.palanimages.com) has shot images around the world for news organizations and magazines, documenting life from urban strife to Capitol Hill. His editorial and corporate work is diverse, including: National Geographic; HOUR Detroit; Associated Press; CNN and others. When not on the streets, he’s out giving his all to the American Red Cross.

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A View From The ‘Ville

Bringing the Rouge into the Daylight

W

ell, it’s official. After months of speculation, Farmington Hills luxury home and subdivision developer Hunter Pasteur Homes finally came forward last month and announced to the world they have an agreement in place to purchase the historic Northville Downs property.

Even though the company hasn’t submitted official plans and it is likely racing will continue to take place at the Downs through 2020, Hunter Pasteur did unveil its preliminary vision for the 48-acre property, calling it a “robust mixed-use development.”

Reporter Maria Taylor has a good summary of the project on Page 6. In fact, Maria’s story outlines more than a dozen developments that are currently in the works and much further along than Hunter Pasteur’s plans for the Downs. You’ve probably noticed all the construction going on around town. It’s definitely an exciting time in Northville.

In my column a couple months ago when we broke the news about the agreement between the Downs and Hunter Pasteur, I discussed the City of Northville’s future land use master plan, which spells out the kind of development city leaders are anticipating for the Downs property. Everyone I’ve spoken to with the city seems optimistic Hunter Pasteur’s plan meets those targets, with a mixture of residential and commercial construction.

The Rouge River is a wonderful natural resource.

One of the most exciting aspects of the master plan, in my opinion, is its recommendation to “daylight” the Rouge River. A portion of the river actually flows through an underground pipe below the stable areas at the Downs. The city would like to see that travesty rectified. In fact, the master plan calls for a riverfront pathway and linear park as part of whatever plan comes forward for the Downs property.

The parkway could link up to Hines Park across Seven Mile Road, which brings me to another story this month – our cover story about a local attorney’s efforts to turn the Middle Rouge River into a kayaking trail. John Kelly (pictured on the cover with his wife, Michelle) sees the recreational potential the Rouge possesses and he is determined to do what it takes to open up the long-neglected stream not only for paddling, but to make it accessible for fishermen and those who just want to commune with nature. If you want to

learn more, see Page 16.

If you think the notion of kayaking the Rouge River is crazy, you should do a Google search on Petoskey’s efforts with Bear Creek, a similar size river. Petoskey spent about $2.4 million on a 1.5 mile section of the river, creating the beautiful Bear River Valley Recreation Area, a popular destination for paddlers. Why not do something similar here? It could be a regional attraction, offering another excellent outdoor experience for our residents and neighbors.

Personally, I’ve been involved in cleaning up the Rouge River for many years. So to see people like John Kelly trying to reconnect our community to the river is pretty exciting.

Northville wouldn’t be here without the Rouge River. The original settlement grew up around it, utilized it, and then unfortunately neglected it.

We now have the chance to reverse that trend.

New development is exciting, especially what might happen at the Downs. But I think it is important for our leaders, in both the city and township, not to turn a blind eye to the impact that development will have on the Rouge and Johnson Creek, the last cold water stream in Wayne County.

You can bet The ‘Ville will be watching.

Kurt Kuban is editor and publisher of The ‘Ville. He welcomes your comments at kurtkuban@gmail.com or (734) 716-0783.

Your Voice: Letters

4

Memorial Day is solemn Northville tradition

Northville’s Construction Boom

6

Paddling on the Rouge

10

Women get their kicks for fundraiser 12

16

20 OLV Run will be ‘Sean Strong’

Armed Forces Day to feature National Memorial 14 No easy fix to township’s road troubles 18 Efforts underway to restore historic schoolhouse 22 Past Tense: WWI hero Lloyd Green 24 Out & About 26 It’s Your Business: Fausone Bohn LLP

30

Dishin’ With Denise 32 Cover image by P.A. Rech (www.palanimages.com)

The ‘Ville 3

Your Voice

Water Wheel is a Northville icon I wanted to comment on the editor’s column about the Water Wheel building and related story by Maria Taylor in the April issue. Rick Cox deserves our thanks for restoring the water wheel. As a resident since 1959, I was distraught this winter when I saw the condition of the wheel. To me, the water wheel, along with the nearby well, will always be the symbols of Northville.

I was very happy to see the valve plant repurposed, partially because I eventually worked for Eaton Corp. which helped Ford ‘outsource’ the engine valves to our Kearney, Nebraska valve plant. I always felt guilty about what would happen to my hometown.

I am very happy that Cox is preserving some of our history and your nice column (and Maria’s story) relieved my fears.

CURT SAURER Northville

Rehab Historic Building

Suggestions for the Downs

Thank you for filling the gap and publishing locally relevant articles like Maria Taylor’s “What’s Worth Saving?” and Michele Fecht’s “Taking the Cure” in the March issue. These articles relate to the restoration or demise of the inn/boarding house at 341 E. Main that was used by patients of the “Gold Cure.”

As the above referenced articles mention, this is a building that played an important part in the development and history of this town with a unique architecture that deserves to be rehabbed. The building was important enough to be featured in the 1969 Centennial Edition of the Northville Record.

In order to satisfy the criteria to obtain a demolition permit, the property is now being offered for sale for a 50% increase in price in just over a year. Do we really want to ruin the flavor of the town and demolish an important historic building for a short-term monetary gain? Do we want to gentrify the downtown businesses, like the gentrification that we’re allowing to take place in the old residential neighborhoods? Do we really want the rents to keep going through the roof and have a downtown Birmingham where there are no mid-low end places?

This town has a worthwhile legacy that we will be passing on to future generations to enjoy and appreciate. We need to transmit the message that method of urban renewal won’t work in our town of Northville.

BILL STOCKHAUSEN Northville

Given the immense scope and impact any Northville Downs development will have on our town, in order to preserve and enhance its charm that attracts both new businesses and residents, here are some suggestions that may want to be considered for any possible planned use of the property: *Expand historic district boundaries and pattern street layout after Savannah, Georgia. *Daylight the river that runs through the site, Photo by Fred Shadko allowing for attractive walking/bike paths and an enhanced value location feature for mixed use development. *Create a sizeable oval walkway and in the center provide a life-size statue of a harness race jockey and sulky in motion as a tribute to the history of Northville Downs, while creating a buffer to 7 Mile Road (think what Central Park has done for New York City). *Reconfigure Center Street from 7 Mile to the north end of the Downs property to allow for a boulevard at the southern gateway into the city just as presently exists on the north and east sides.

Avoiding short-term strategies and providing thoughtful planning that has an appreciation for Northville’s past, they will surely come in the future and pay handsomely to do so.

CARL GIROUX Northville

SOUND OFF 4 The ‘Ville

A Place to Swim I was very pleased to see J. Bisciotti’s letter last month about the need for a local place that provides swimming.

PARC has good programs for swimming aerobics, but that is in Plymouth. I have several friends that have been doing water aerobics for over 15 years. We would go to places like The Summit in Canton, high schools such as Bentley or West Middle School in Livonia, and also Hillside in Northville. However, Northville Parks and Recreation closed the pool in 2005, because it had many problems.

It would be great if we could have local swimming again, both indoor and outdoor.

LAURA LEE Northville Township

Please submit your letters by emailing Editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@gmail.com.

Letters must be 150 words or less. We reserve the right to edit all letters.

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Northville’s Construction Boom The Downs is big but isn’t the only project in the works

By Maria Taylor

F

or many years now, the rumors have bubbled up, sank, and resurfaced: “They’re going to redevelop Northville Downs!” Now, it appears it is finally true.

The Downs, spanning 48 acres, opened in 1944 as the first harness racing track in Michigan. And its redevelopment, by Farmington Hills-based Hunter Pasteur Homes, has the potential to transform the city, bringing a cluster of 500-600 high-end rental apartments, for-sale townhomes, single-family homes, and commercial development: a “dynamic mixed-use project,” as Hunt Pasteur calls it, at Northville’s southern border.

“It’s going to be dramatic,”

6 The ‘Ville

said Northville Mayor Ken Roth. “It’s going to be the single largest development the city has had, at one time, since its founding.”

Redevelopment at the Downs is part of the city’s 2014 Master Plan. It includes a park or river walk (the Rouge flows under the racetrack), mixed-use and residential in keeping with the area west of Center Street, and multi-story mixed-use and commercial at “Cady Town,” the strip of Cady Street just north of the Downs.

“If we want to make sure we have a thriving, vital downtown, we can do two things: strive to bring people in for events, which we do, or we can bring residential density,” said Roth.

“This will accomplish both. It

will bring change, but I think it’s going to be a very strong positive for the city overall.”

Randy Wertheimer, president and CEO of Hunter Pasteur, said in a statement that site

approvals from the city are expected to be in place in 2019.

Meanwhile, horse-racing at the Downs will continue until site development begins: potentially through 2020, operations

The North 320 development team of ( from left) Ron Rice, Dewayne White, and Jason Jones. Rice and White are former Detroit Lions players.

manager Mike Carlo told MLive.

According to a press release, the owners are looking at potential sites nearby to continue operations.

While the Downs is generating most of the buzz, it’s just one of numerous projects in the greater Northville area.

On the other side of downtown, two former Detroit Lions – Ron Rice and Dewayne White – are partnering with Tekton Development for North 320, a 16-unit custom townhome project at 320 N. Center Street (the former Begonia Brothers location).

It’s an unapologetically modern project in an admittedly historic downtown.

White, an 11-year Northville Township resident, said the market exists.

“It’s one of the modern styles that a lot of people want, but can’t get with a majority Victorian housing,” he said.

“It adds to the options... and it allows some of the emptynesters to relocate downtown and live maintenance-free lifestyles.” The three-story townhouses will feature rooftop terraces and high-end systems like tankless water heaters and “smart home” technology.

Above-ground construction will begin this summer.

At 5 Mile/Beck, The Village at Northville is poised to become what Bob Nix, township supervisor, calls “the equivalent of a downtown.” The 50-acre development, at the former Scott prison site, will include townhomes, rental lofts, more than 100 single-family homes, retail including a grocery store, an extended-stay hotel, and a one-acre park where the township can host six events per year.

“The idea here was to create

a self-contained development, unique to the township,” Nix said. “Most of the township has strip centers and I think people are tired of that. This is a whole different approach... there isn’t

The Enclave, yards are smaller, but there’s a park where kids can play, he said.

Meanwhile, two developments are emerging under a new zoning called

An artist's rendering of the North 320 townhouses on Center Street.

anything in Northville like it.”

The goal is to build the townhouses, homes, hotel, restaurants, and some stores this year, the first of an estimated three-year project.

Other residential projects now in the works include: • Montcaret at 7 Mile/ Napier, a 75-home subdivision • Forest Edge North at 6 Mile/Beck, an infill development of 22 detached single-family condos • The Enclave at 7 Mile/ Silver Springs, another infill project of 55 detached single-family condos, 32 of which are under construction Developments like The Enclave are targeted for younger families who don’t want “McMansions” or are priced out of the area, Nix said.

“What we’re doing is letting developers know that they need to reduce the size of the homes, and in order to do that, they need to have smaller lots.” At

“Active Adult Community,” built with empty-nesters in mind. Ridge Hill Estates at 7 Mile/Ridge Road will consist of 39 detached single-family

of folks tell us there are not a lot of houses like that, and they’ve had to leave Northville. It’s something new we’re trying.”

With three senior living centers opening or expanding, Nix said Northville Township is probably close to meeting demand for these types of facilities. Cedarbrook Senior Living just opened at 5 Mile/ Haggerty, and Stonecrest Senior Living at 5 Mile/ Sheldon will be completed later this year. Beacon Square and Beacon Villas, located at 8 Mile behind Meijer, is adding six detached condo units and three duplexes; future plans may include a medical office, although it’s not yet under construction.

COMMERCIAL On the commercial side, Township officials are encouraging development to

Sal Rizzo (Advanced Building Group), Carl Oliphant (Advanced Building Group), Alan Somershoe (Chair, Library Board of Trustees), Anne Mannisto (Library Director), Robert Sochacki (Bd of Trustees), Jean Hansen (Bd. of Trustees), Scott Richardson (Advanced Building Group), Ron Cieslak (Merritt Cieslak Design, architect) took part in the recent groundbreaking of the Northville District Library expansion.

condos, and Mill Ridge at 6 Mile/Ridge will be 42 duplexes.

“It’s the idea that people from their 50s on, that have large houses, would like to have a smaller house, around 2,000 square feet, and not so much yard,” Nix said. “We’ve had a lot

grow the tax base.

“This is a bedroom community, which means that all the tax burden is on the residents,” Nix explained. “If we can bring in more commercial Development continued on page 8

The ‘Ville 7

Development continued from page 7

buildings, especially world headquarters... that lessens the tax burden.”

In Northville Technology Park (5 Mile/Beck), German automotive supplier Hella broke ground for a 115,000-square-foot North American headquarters last November. Chinese auto supplier CW Bearing opened a $26 million US headquarters there in August, and Tenneco Automotive is building a $23 million customer care center.

Nearby, Chinese automotive parts manufacturer Zhongding has purchased the first parcel in the Michigan International Technology Center (MITC), a stretch of Five Mile between Beck and Napier that’s zoned for technology research and light industrial. Developing

the corridor will be a 10year process, Nix said, and Zhongding’s $7 million investment is “the spark plug” for the project.

COMMUNITY CENTERS In downtown Northville, two long-standing community buildings are getting a facelift.

The Northville District Library broke ground in midApril for an 800-square-foot addition onto the east side of the building, creating two additional study rooms plus a conference room that will seat up to 20 people. “It’s fairly simple: filling in the overhang on the first floor,” said Anne Mannisto, library director.

Study rooms are in “constant use,” she said, and the addition will free up space for meetings and community programming.

The project costs a little

over $300,000, paid from the community while at the same library’s building preservation time preserving the historic fund, and will significance of be done by the building.”

August 1.

Classes Nearby in will start in Do you have an opinion about the historic the updated the Downs plan or any other district, the building this construction taking place? What kind of development would you like 1917 Old fall, moving to see take place here in Northville?

Village there – along Send your opinions to Editor Kurt School is with the Kuban at kurtkuban@gmail.com. getting an district offices interior – from the renovation to create eight early Main Street school next door. education classrooms with The Main Street property space for 130 children. was put out for bids from “We look at our longer-term developers, seeking either demographics, and we’ve got restoration or full or partial some capacity for continued purchase of the site for other enrollment... with new uses. Eight proposals were development [in the area],” said received, said Steve Banchero, Mary Kay Gallagher, Northville NPS director of operations.

Public Schools superintendent.

They will be reviewed by the “It’s a great way to attract school board, with the earliest families to Northville, and potential decision being fall keep our kids connected to the 2018.

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Main Street looking east was the site of the May 30, 1919 Decoration Day Parade.

WWI Soldiers can be seen behind the band (in front of the interurban car that is taking up the rear). The parade was the first since the surrender of Germany on November 11, 1918. Most of the Main Street buildings shown in this picture remain today. From the Archives of the Northville Historical Society

REVERENCE REMEMBRANCE AND

Memorial Day is solemn time-honored tradition in Northville

By Michele Fecht

M

aybe it’s the American flags waving from the lampposts on Main and Center streets, or the sounds of the drum line as Northville High School’s Marching Band readies to step off on Griswold. Perhaps it’s the Color Guard lining up to march or the crowds dressed in red, white and blue gathered on downtown sidewalks.

The sights, the sounds, the sense of community — and the gratitude to those who gave the last full measure — can take your breath away.

Memorial Day in Northville.

This year’s Memorial Day observance on May 28 will carry special significance as it falls in the centennial year of the

10 The ‘Ville

November 11, 1918 Armistice that ended fighting between the Allies and Germany in World War I. BANNER PROGRAM This also will be the first year of a new initiative unveiled earlier this month honoring veterans and current military personnel. The Military and Veteran Banner Program, offered by the Northville Chamber of Commerce with sponsorship by Dick Scott Automotive Group, MASCO and Patti Mullen & Associates, will add a new dimension to Northville’s Memorial Day celebration.

The program honors veterans and current military personnel

with a banner displaying their photo (in uniform), name, date of service and branch in the United States Armed Forces.

Since the project launched in late February, family and/ or friends wishing to honor a veteran or current service member have purchased all 30 available banners.

“Without getting overly dramatic, this has been a special and emotional project for all of us working on it,” explained Jody Humphries, Northville Chamber of Commerce executive director. “I love seeing the pictures when family and friends come to us and the backstory for each one. A common theme I hear from everyone is ‘they never talked

about their service,’ and that is true for my father as well.

“In our minds, once someone makes the sacrifice, whether it’s military service in war or peace time, they should be honored.

And I believe this program gives us a chance to honor all that have served.”

The banners, placed on downtown lampposts the first of this month, will be displayed throughout May and November in honor of Memorial Day and Veterans Day, respectively.

Brochures are available in locations throughout the downtown highlighting each honoree with a short biography by their sponsor. In addition to sponsorships, the chamber also accepted donations to honor

a veteran selected by the VFW and/or the American Legion. All donations were used to create banners for heroes or families unable to do so on their own. A portion of the net proceeds from the program will be donated to the local VFW and American Legion posts.

Humphries said there may be an opportunity to expand the program based on the ability to have additional banner hardware added to more lampposts. The response so far has been overwhelming, she noted.

DECORATION DAY The banners also enhance this year’s as well as future Memorial Day commemorations. Organized jointly by the American Legion Lloyd H. Green Post 147 and VFW Post 4012, Memorial Day is a time-honored tradition in Northville that dates back to the decades following the Civil War. In the years before the turn of the 20th century Memorial Day — or Decoration Day — observances were organized by the Allen M. Harmon Post of the Grand Army of the Republic to honor the sacrifices made

by Union soldiers in the Civil War and later those who died in the Spanish-American War. Commemorations usually included solemn services at

churches, the opera house or the local theater with veterans marching to Oakwood and Rural Hill cemeteries to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers.

The Allen M. Harmon G.A.R. post would retreat from Memorial Day organizing as its veteran numbers diminished.

The Lloyd H. Green Post organized in 1920 after the conclusion of World War I picked up the observance torch and has carried it ever since.

VFW Post 4012 would come on line after its formation in 1945.

The Military and Veteran Banner Program honors veterans and current military personnel.

Gary DeMars, commander of the American Legion Post, emphasized that unlike Northville’s other

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www.casterlinefuneralhome.com casterlinefuneralhome@gmail.com

Courtney Casterline-Ross, Manager Lindsey Casterline-Dogonski, Manager Roxanne M. Atchison-Casterline, Owner Ray J. Casterline II – 1947-2004

Decoration Day Ceremony, 1919. This photograph gives a bird’s eye view of the Presentation of Rings ceremony for World War I soldiers at the Crow’s Nest on May 30, 1919. From the Archives of the Northville Historical Society

parades — such as the Fourth of July — Memorial Day’s commemoration offers a solemn remembrance of sacrifice. There is no candy tossing from floats, political campaigning or entertainment during the parade.

The parade route — not all that dissimilar from the course taken in Northville’s earlier Memorial Day commemorations — begins at 10 a.m. on Griswold and Main streets. It proceeds down Main Street to South Wing, heads west on Cady Street, south on First Street to Fairbrook and then to Rural Hill Cemetery.

The parade stops on Cady at Oakwood Cemetery where a wreath is placed on the veterans’ marker. Oakwood, Northville’s oldest cemetery, contains the graves of 35 veterans, the earliest being William Gregory, who fought in the American Revolution, and Caleb Harrington, a War of 1812 veteran.

DeMars said parade watchers are encouraged to follow the parade into Rural Hill Cemetery to observe the ceremony in the veteran’s section. As the parade enters the cemetery, a second wreath is tossed over the entry bridge to honor naval veterans.

Participants and observers then gather at the veteran’s section for a solemn ceremony. Retired

major and West Point graduate Rusty Davis will deliver this year’s keynote address.

DeMars credits the VFW Auxiliary for maintaining the headstones in Rural Hill’s veteran’s section. The auxiliary also places poppies on each of the veteran’s graves at the Memorial Day ceremony.

The American Legion Auxiliary is responsible for maintaining the gravesite of Lloyd H. Green, namesake of the Northville’s Legion post. It also is responsible for placing a wreath at Green’s headstone.

According to DeMars, Green was the only Northville soldier killed in battle in World War I. He also was the first interred in the veteran’s section of Rural Hill Cemetery. To learn more about Private Lloyd H. Green, see this month’s Past Tense on Page 24.

As is tradition, there will be ice cream following the Memorial Day commemoration.

The Casterline and McGuire families invite all to enjoy Guernsey ice cream in the parking lot of Casterline Funeral Home at 122 West Dunlap.

The funeral home is situated next to the American Legion Lloyd H. Green Post 147, which has been serving and remembering Northville’s veterans for nearly a century.

The ‘Ville 11

By Wensdy Von Buskirk

Getting Their Kicks

Bragging rights on the line during womens kickball fundraiser

R

emember kickball during elementary school recess?

One local charity has elevated the popular playground game to an annual community event, and one of its biggest fundraisers of the year.

Main Street League is gearing up to host its 6th annual kickball tournament at Ford Field on June 3.

The event brings together teams of women from throughout the community to vie for the win, an MSL Tervis tumbler — and bragging rights until next year’s rematch.

According to Organizer Lauren Romeo, each team has a sponsor who pays the $250 entry fee and provides uniforms, while each player is

responsible for raising at least $150.

All proceeds benefit MSL’s mission of helping local families in need.

Romeo says last year’s tournament raised $15,000, and the event continues to grow.

“We have low expenses but we bring in a considerable amount of money,” Romeo says. “People can raise funds on their own or through our crowd funding website. Others just write a check, or get their place of business to sponsor.”

THE KICKOFF

Romeo got the idea for hosting a kickball tournament soon after Main Street League was formed.

“I was randomly watching some TV show and these friends who were probably in my age group were playing kickball and I thought, oh my gosh, so much fun. It’s a game pretty much anyone can play. Why not turn it into a fundraiser?” she recalls.

The first event was held at Amerman Elementary School and drew four teams.

“A lot of the people who played were moms and I think their kids got a kick out of seeing their moms compete,” Romeo said. “It was a great family day. We had games, popcorn, face painting, ice cream and lemonade for the kids.”

12 The ‘Ville

MSL WOMENS KICKBALL TOURNAMENT WHEN: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, June 3 WHERE: Ford Field, Downtown Northville WHAT: Teams of 10-12 compete in double elimination play.

WHY: To raise funds for community members in need. Each team will have a sponsor and each player is responsible for raising at least $150. Teams may register through May 27.

What Romeo didn’t expect was how competitive the teams became.

“It was a surprise that the friendly game of kickball became a little tense,” she quips.

The rivalry only added to the spirit of the tournament, and today’s players vie mostly for the smack they can talk the rest of the year.

Teams reunite annually and practice their kicking, fielding and tagging skills. New players continue to reach out. This year, seven teams are expected to hit the diamonds.

“We’re going to have to add a field, and have two fields instead of one,” Romeo said.

Perhaps more celebrated than the tournament itself is the tailgating, as each team sets up a tent with food and drinks, while teen DJ John Brady from South Lyon spins the tunes.

THE COMPETITION

Prominent Northville Realtor Patti Mullen has been a kickball team sponsor since the tournament’s inception.

She covers the costs for her team and provides the sporty knee socks and brightly colored T-shirts that many players cut up, alter and style with their own funky spin. This year, her team chose caution yellow shirts with a blue logo and bright yellow socks with blue cheetah print.

“I think they try to look for the brightest and boldest T-shirts they can find,” says Mullen, associate broker for the Patti Mullen Group with Remerica Hometown One. “The girls are very competitive. They’re young, they’re athletic . The first time I tried to play kickball I broke my finger so I figured kickball is probably not in my future.”

Yet Mullen stays involved because of the cause.

“Main Street League is one of my favorite charities in Northville, as 100 percent of all the funds go to the needy causes. Plus, it’s local,” she said.

While there is some dispute as to current reigning kickball champs, eyes are on a brand new team expected to up the ante at Ford Field. Northville Parks and Recreation Tennis Coach Todd Beyer is rallying his students to enter for the first time this year. Even though

his team doesn’t have a name, doesn’t plan to practice, and has no idea the rules of the game, they are labeled ones to watch.

“We’re interested in scouting out the competition,” Beyer says.

action. Today, the organization includes about 120 women, and has raised more than $280,000.

The group works closely with Northville Civic Concern and other organizations to identify families who need help

have included putting together comfort packages for homeless kids through Project Night Night; stuffing goodie bags for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House; collecting gently used athletic equipment; and creating beauty bags for girls at Vista Maria.

So, as you can see, the Kickball Tournament is just one of many social fund raisers the group hosts each year. Make no mistake, though, it is definitely the most competitive.

“I think there’s a little bit of nostalgia,” Romeo says of the game, adding that there’s also an element of skill. “People think it’s going to be easy when they play, but it’s not as easy as you remember.”

?

What's the Story Probed further, Coach Beyer admits he has recruited more members onto the strategic planning team than actual kickball positions, the better to tailgate with.

“We’re gonna have many, many chiefs and just a couple participants. We will probably have the nicest, most luxurious tent on the grounds,” he said.

THE LEAGUE

Romeo and Jennifer Mullan co-founded MSL five years ago, when they realized there were hidden needs within the community and decided to take

with anything from bills and groceries to child or health care.

This year, MSL has hosted its annual Diaper Drive; a “Blingo” tournament to benefit veterans in need; and a scholarship presentation at Northville High School. Upcoming events include a Back to School Drive to stuff 100 backpacks with supplies and a gift card for new shoes in August; a Farm to Table Dinner at Thayer’s Corner Garden in September; and its annual Amazing Grapes gala in November.

The group also hosts projects to get kids involved in giving back. Those efforts

Kickball (originally “kick baseball”) is traced back to 1917, when Nicholas Seuss, supervisor of Cincinnati Park Playgrounds, submitted an overview of the game to The Playground Book.

It was billed as an easy way to teach children the rules of baseball.

Strategy involves a mix of bunting and kicking into the outfield to win by maximum runs.

Kickball gained popularity among children in the ’70s, and adult “hipster kickball” teams continue to form across the country, including right here in The ’Ville.

The ‘Ville 13

The Mustangs’ 2017 Armed Forces Day. Photo courtesy Martha Michalak

Traveling memorial to be part of Mustangs’ Armed Forces Day

By John Heider

N

orthville High varsity baseball’s Armed Forces Day, which is in fact a four daylong event, is a full-throated thank-you to — and fundraiser for — U.S. veterans, military personnel and their families.

The activities, which begin on Wednesday, May 16 at NHS, will include a first-to-Michigan outdoor display of the Remembering our Fallen National Memorial, which features photos of every service member killed in action since the attacks of Sept. 11.

Mustang assistant head coach Bill Flohr, who’s been involved in each of the team’s nine annual Armed Forces Day efforts said this year’s will be the most comprehensive yet.

“I’ve been involved every year,” said Flohr. “It started as a very, very small event and has blown up since. Two years ago we brought in the traveling Vietnam Wall (a multi-panel replica of the memorial in Washington D.C.). This year we’re bringing in the Remembering Our Fallen Memorial.

It’s going to be a pretty amazing week.”

The memorial, which will be escorted in by the Patriot Riders, is free and open to the public and will be installed on the front lawn of the high school beginning on May 16. Visitors can enjoy opening ceremonies the next day at 4 p.m. and then watch a softball game between military veterans and active duty personnel.

After the military softball game, Flohr is hoping visitors will remain for another game: “We’re hoping everyone sticks around after the veteran’s game for one featuring the Northville Police Department against the fire department,” he said.

14 The ‘Ville

All of the events during Armed Forces Day are free to the public, but donations will be accepted for U.S. veterans and their families. Flohr said “one hundred percent” of the money will be donated to Homes for Our Troops (www.hfotusa.org), and one project in particular.

“We’re helping to build a home for a veteran we know - Sgt. Michael Gower of Middleville, Michigan. He should be there, too,” Flohr said. “We’ve already raised about $35,000 - even before the event has begun, and I’ve already sent a $25,000 check. We’ve got a lot of sponsorships already who have kicked in.”

Also included in the schedule is a firstever concert to raise funds for Homes for Our Troops on Friday, May 18 at 7 p.m. at Northville’s Ford Field featuring the Killer Flamingos. The following day will feature a 5k run/walk through town and then at 11 a.m. Mustangs double-header at the high school.

What seems most important and rewarding to Flohr, head coach John Kostrzewa, and their team is not just raising funds for deserving military personnel and veterans, but also facilitating connections between the team, the community and those that serve the nation.

“We’ve met some incredible people,” said Flohr. “We wear names of soldiers who have served and sometimes died in service and we meet families of those who have served.

It teaches our boys what it means to serve our country.”

Flohr is impressed by how veterans and military personnel react to the Mustangs’ efforts. “People say ‘your boys are so kind’

WWII veteran Donald B. Straith throws out the ceremonial first pitch at the 2017 Armed Forces Day. Straith is helped by coaches Bill Flohr Sr. (center) and John Kostrzewa (at left). Bill Flohr Jr. is catching. Photo courtesy Martha Michalak

and we tell them it’s for us to say thank you for your serving and what your family has done for the country.”

Flohr really hopes the community comes out and takes advantage of an inspiring week.

“It’s a free event and we want anyone who’s served to come meet our players and our hosts, and embrace the memorial and honor the fallen soldiers that are in the memorial. We just want them to embrace our military,” he said.

For more information about the NHS Mustangs Armed Forces Day event, visit nhsarmedfocesday.com.

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Reconnecting to

the Rouge

By Kurt Kuban

Paddling advocates rolling up their sleeves for local kayaking

John and Michelle Kelly paddle a kayak down the Rouge River. Photo by P.A. Rech

J

ohn Kelly remembers the day a couple years ago, when he was standing in his back yard, looking down at the Rouge River that flows past his home not far from downtown Northville. An avid kayaker and fisherman, Kelly was thinking about how he drives all over the state to get to rivers like the AuSable and Pere Marquette. And that’s when he had an epiphany of sorts.

Why not be able to do those

things right here in Northville on the Rouge River?

Of course, Kelly was familiar with the Rouge’s reputation as being a polluted river, but the more he researched it, the more he realized the Rouge River, at least in Northville, is pretty healthy. Northville is in the upper reaches of the watershed, and water quality on the Middle Rouge, which flows through town, is fairly good compared to areas downstream

Volunteers built a kayak launch on the Rouge last year.

16 The ‘Ville

Rouge Rescue volunteers move some woody debris.

that have been more impacted by municipal and industrial pollution. In fact, Johnson Creek, a Middle Rouge tributary that runs through Northville, is the only cold water stream in Wayne County and even supports a decent population of brown trout.

“When I began living on the Rouge, I started to realize how strong its flow is and thought we could paddle on this river,” said Kelly, an attorney in town with Kelly & Kelly, P.C. “I also knew that Johnson Creek is the last cold water stream in the county, but it’s not very accessible to the public. I started asking why can’t the Middle Rouge be that way. Why can’t we fish and kayak down the Rouge?”

So Kelly began investigating how he could lead the charge.

He realized one of the biggest impediments to his kayaking

dreams is the fact the Rouge has been neglected for so long it is choked by logjams at many points, impeding the route for kayakers. So, last year, he and other volunteers began the process of clearing this potential water trail.

Kelly organized a Rouge Rescue site just south of Seven Mile in the Northville Recreation Area of Hines Park.

His main objective was to open up the logjams so kayaks can pass, while also picking up trash and removing invasive plants along the river corridor.

Last year 85 volunteers turned out, got dirty and started to bring Kelly’s plan to fruition. Northville Rotary, of which Kelly is the current president, provided many of the volunteers. They also built a kayak launch.

This year, on Saturday, May

Rouge Rescue volunteers pose for a photo.

19, Kelly is coordinating another Rouge Rescue at the same location (near the volleyball courts), and volunteers will pick up where they left off last year. His ambitious plan is to continue moving downstream all the way to the Northville Road bridge near the King’s Mill co-op community.

For Kelly, the effort is more than just about recreation on the Rouge, though. He is also attracted to the idea of being a good steward to the river.

Kelly was so serious about the effort, in 2017 he ran and was elected to a position on the board of directors for Friends of the Rouge, the organization that began Rouge Rescue back in the 1980s and has been leading efforts to clean up the river ever since.

Kelly hasn’t had any problem attracting an army of likeminded volunteers, but there is always room for more. In fact, he would love to see 200 volunteers come out this year.

City Councilman Patrick Giesa, who is also an avid fly fisherman, is one of Kelly’s chief volunteers and is helping him coordinate the event. Giesa is also worried about the health of the Rouge, which is why he said volunteers only remove the amount of woody debris

necessary to open the river to kayak paddlers. He noted woody debris is necessary for a healthy river.

“We’re not going in and taking everything, only what needs to be taken out. We’re leaving most of the wood, because it’s important for fish and wildlife,” Giesa said.

Kelly’s plan is in line with what Wayne County Parks would love to see – a local community reconnecting with the Rouge and utilizing it as a recreation source again.

Kelly has been coordinating his efforts with the parks department, which owns and maintains Hines Park and most of the Rouge River corridor.

The county will aid the efforts by providing some logistical support, and hauling off some of the woody debris pulled from the river.

John Gundry, who is a landscape designer for the parks system, said it would be great to some day in the near future see people kayaking from Northville down to Newburgh Lake, where the county has made many improvements and there are canoe/kayak rentals available.

“That would be a great paddle,” said Gundry, noting there are comfort stations

located along the route that could be used by paddlers.

Kelly has also utilized the resources and support available through Friends of the Rouge, which has been organizing Rouge Rescue since 1986. The non-profit group is pretty excited about Kelly’s efforts here in Northville.

“Anytime you can connect people to the river, it’s great.

This is a beautiful asset they have here in Northville,” said FOTR’s Cyndi Ross. “We think that’s the real positive of all the years of Rouge Rescue – connecting people to the river.

Cleaning it and educating people. Back in 1986, people wouldn’t even think about coming down to the river, much less kayaking on it.”

Other businesses and organizations involved in Rouge Rescue this year include: Northville Rotary, Kelly & Kelly PC, Imagine Landscape & Design, Advanced Disposal, 35th District Court, Ward Church, Mason Pro, and Varroc Lighting.

For more information on how to get involved, contact Kelly at john@kellykellylaw.com.

You can also sign up at www. signupgenius.com.

Rouge Rescue in Northville Northville Recreation Area WHEN: 8 a.m.-noon, May 19 LOCATION: 7 Mile at Hines Drive VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 200 CONTACT: John Kelly at (248) 3480496 or john@kellykellylaw.com

Northville Community Park WHEN: 10-11 a.m., May 19 LOCATION: 15801 Beck Road PROJECTS: Matthew Bertrand of Friends of the Rouge will discuss the rain garden at Northville Community Park, and explain how to build one at your home.

CONTACT: Matthew Bertrand at (313) 792-9621 or mbertrand@ therouge.org

Volunteers remove some woody debris from the Rouge that impeded kayak travel.

The ‘Ville 17

No EASY Fix Township has limited power, funding to deal with poor roads

M

aybe you’ve seen the internet meme: Two puzzled cops are watching a driver zigzag along the road, and the photo caption reads, Police be like “Is he drunk or dodging potholes?” #PureMichigan.

It’s funny – until your car ends up in the repair shop with a flat tire from a nosedive into one of the potholes that dot the mile roads or Haggerty or Beck.

That’s the case with Margaret Hungerford, who lives off Northville Road between Six and Seven Mile. “I had two brand-new tires on my car, $200/$300 tires, and wrecked them,” she said. “I bought six tires in two months. Belle Tire didn’t even have any tires, from all the people wrecking them on potholes. You’ve got everyone trying to jump around the potholes, cars going over the double yellow. It’s scary.”

And in this instance, the classic solution – calling city hall – doesn’t work. Northville Township doesn’t fix the roads – but, citizens don’t pay for them with their tax dollars, either. They’re in the township, yet roads are Wayne County control.

COUNTY FUNDING

“When you pay your property taxes, none of that money goes to fund road operations,”

18 The ‘Ville

said Tom Casari, director of public services for Northville Township. In the county’s case, dollars from roads come from Act 51 funds: state gas, diesel, and weight taxes and license tabs. Dollars for roads also come from federal gas taxes.

“That goes back to the federal government,” Casari explained.

“They take that same pot of money -- some goes to the states and the state keeps some; some goes to the counties for federal aid projects for county roads.”

Here’s where it gets tricky: Northville Township itself doesn’t get any money from Act 51. That’s because Wayne County owns almost all the roads in the township. So while the county keeps the money, it also covers road upkeep.

That’s something Northville Township Manager Chip Snider said most people don’t realize, because a lot of folks move to Northville Township from cities where local government does own and maintains most roads. Cities get Act 51 funds given directly to them, while townships do not.

Each year, Wayne County gets funding from the state for roads like Haggerty and Six Mile for snow removal, plowing, salting, pothole repair, crack sealing, and other minor maintenance items.

“We got $6.5 million from

By Maria Taylor

Drivers must do their best to avoid the potholes along many county roads, including Five Mile.

the state for Wayne,” said Terry Marecki, Wayne County commissioner for Northville, referring to a new bill signed

by Gov. Rick Snyder to boost spending on roads and bridges. “But obviously it’s not enough. It’s really discouraging.”

According to the most recent data from SEMCOG (2016), Northville Township’s federalaid-eligible roads are rated 14 percent good, 64 percent fair, and 23 percent poor. Statewide, Michigan’s roads received an overall grade of D-minus from the American Society of Civil Engineers in their annual report card this March.

Snider doesn’t fault the county. He said Michigan’s road problems have a long history, starting with state legislation in the mid-1960s – still in effect today – that allows truckers in Michigan to carry more weight

per axle than any other state in the union. “So that truck traffic, in conjunction with varied weather conditions... the heaving pavement, the plow blades, all those weather conditions come into play,” he said.

Snider doesn’t see an easy fix. “I believe Wayne County is doing the best they can with what they’ve got, but it’s spread too thin,” he said. “We need more money diverted through the township that can be used specifically for roads.”

Several options could include raising the gas tax, establishing a local road millage or becoming a city and taking over the roads.

Snider doesn’t see it happening.

“I don’t believe that the township board has the appetite to levy several millages for road improvements – and it would be several – to get us caught up,” Snider said.

“And cityhood would be costprohibitive,” he added, noting it would cost “tens of millions” to create a roads department, and much more to fix the roads.

repairs are done on a case-bycase basis. “We submit work orders for places that need immediate attention, and they draw on those Act 51 monies,” said Snider.

This year’s projects include: - Haggerty between 5 Mile and 6 Mile, to “repair current damage from the winter – to try and make the roads safe to traverse: fix the potholes, fix the damage, fix the curbs,” Snider said.

- The bridge at Ridge Road, currently closed; it’s anticipated to reopen at the end of September or beginning of

Mile and Beck stems from the Village at Northville development, where a traffic study concluded that two side-by-side left-turn lanes are now needed in order to keep the traffic flowing. In cases like this, the county requires the developer to widen lanes where their property fronts the road, Casari said.

As it happens, the same pot of federal money that the county distributes also includes Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds, doled out for development-related road projects. “That money is

meaning it might be a project for 2019. There’s potential for a second round of CMAQ funding – and more turn lanes – at Six Mile/Beck and at Five Mile/ Sheldon, too.

Right now, dual left-turn lanes are the exception rather than the norm in Wayne County. Township officials are hoping to change that. “There’s a lot in Washtenaw County, a lot in Oakland County, but currently in Wayne County, the only place that has dual left-turn lanes is Livonia, at Plymouth and Wayne Road,” Casari said. “We’re advocating

FUNDING FORMULA

How much money the township gets allotted, through the county, depends on a formula that factors in dollarsper-mile plus population. That number is higher for county primary roads (like 7 Mile, 8 Mile, and Sheldon) than it is for county local roads in subdivisions. Roads for condominiums are considered private, and they’re the responsibility of the association that owns them.

That’s not to say the township has no input at all. Federal aid projects have to get voted on by the Federal Aid Committee, and every township and city has a representative. Smaller

Traffic backups are a regular occurrence at intersections like Six Mile and Beck.

October 2018.

- The Northville Hills Golf Club subdivision, slated for curb replacement and asphalt patching.

INCREASED TRAFFIC

On top of potholes and rough roads, Northville Township is also facing heavier traffic from a slew of new developments – meaning not only more wear and tear on the roads, but more headaches for drivers lined up at intersections.

Much of the traffic at Five

generally intended to improve for the need to accommodate intersections, so cars aren’t new development.” just sitting While there idling,” measures Casari said. like these will “Part of that help, Snider You can report dangerous potholes is to upgrade said there’s or other road hazards to Wayne County at their toll-free hotline at signals.” still no long(888) 762-3273.

The project term solution at Five Mile/ to the road Beck has been approved for issues facing municipalities CMAQ funds, so any matching across the county. “I think we’re dollars will be paid by the all in the same boat,” he said. developer, and the rest will be “It’s a monumental problem, paid by the county. Bids for the and it doesn’t know borders.” work will go out this August,

REPORT A ROAD HAZARD

The ‘Ville 19

SEAN STRONG

OLV Victory Run helping amputee get back on track Photos and Story by John Heider

T

he Sean English OLV Victory Run may seem like a simple name for a fundraising event, but it carries with it a family’s tragedy, triumph, determination and, most importantly, a strengthening of their bond with their community and faith in God. The June 2nd event’s namesake is a former Our Lady of Victory School student and current senior at University of Detroit Jesuit, who was charging through life at full speed until everything was upended by a tragic accident about a year ago.

The former competitive track and cross country runner had his life derailed on April 2, 2017 when he was involved in a horrific accident while parked on the shoulder of I-96 in Detroit. He and his parents had stopped at a crash scene, and

20 The ‘Ville

another car struck their vehicle, seriously injuring Sean. Due to the severity of the injuries, he had his right leg amputated below the knee.

While he suffered a devastating injury, Sean keeps it in perspective, considering Dr. Cynthia Ray, who stopped to help at that same crash scene, lost her life.

“There were two people that were struck by the vehicle that day - and one died, Dr. Ray. Any time there’s a position of potential failure - I just tell myself that I don’t want to discredit her. So I always want

to do her justice - to do as well as I can,” English said.

SUPPORT AND DEVOTION The English family was awed by the response of the Northville community and, in particular, their OLV parish to Sean’s injury.

Sean Jr. (his father is also named Sean) had a particularly strong advocate and prayerful supporter in Father Denis Theroux, the longtime priest at OLV. Sean had been an alter server with Father Denis for years and even enjoyed a teasing closeness with the height-challenged priest,

who the youngster towered over.

The priest’s devotion to Sean and his family was evident on the day of the accident, when he organized a vigil at the church.

“He had it ready by five that night and the church was full with more than 300 people,” said Sean Sr. That support has helped Sean and his approach to the injury.

His mother, Peggy, said his faith has been strong throughout his recovery.

“It wasn’t just my body that was affected - but it didn’t change my faith for the worse - it changed it for the better. I thanked God for still being on the earth. We became a stronger family,” English said.

Faith and belief in a higher purpose are a huge part of the English family’s worldview. It means something to Sean Jr. that he and his parents were on

Sean’s mom Peggy holds up a bracelet his UofD Jesuit teammates made for her son and everyone who was pulling for him - after the accident.

their way to Detroit’s St. Peter and Paul Church the morning of the accident so that he could sing in a church service, and that Dr. Ray gave her life that day in the hopes of saving another’s.

As they wheeled Sean Jr. into emergency surgery, with one foot gone, and his life probably saved by a tourniquet applied

by Michigan Trooper Patrick Arena, Peggy English knew her son was going to be okay because of what she saw on his right wrist. It was a University of Detroit Jesuit bracelet.

The now-faded bracelet, which hasn’t left his wrist since the accident features the letters AMDG – short for the Latin ‘ad maiorem Dei gloriam’, which is the Jesuit’s motto and means “to the greater glory of God.” When she saw the small rubber bracelet still encircling his wrist “I knew he was going to be okay,” said Peggy English.

A RUN TO REMEMBER Not only will the Victory Run raise money for a scholarship, but will provide an opportunity for the English family and their supporters the chance to boost each other as they all work together to get the young sprinter back on track.

Sean Jr. hopes to generate some money for the Rehabilitation Institute of

Michigan - where he spent a lot of time rehabbing and learning to walk again with the help of a prosthetic.

The English family has lived in Northville and have been members of the OLV parish and school since 1996. Sean Jr. and his mom Peggy are Eucharist ministers at OLV Church, and Sean’s dad and his sister Meghan were coaches at the

school for the track and cross country teams, so Our Lady of Victory has been the center of the family’s faith, education and athleticism. Sean Jr. even began running for his dad when he was in kindergarten - and at that time beat two fifth graders in a 200 meter run.

The Victory Run, in its eighth year, will include a 0.7 mile fun run and a 5K walk/run, which begins and ends at the school located at 133 Orchard Street. This year will include a special surprise, as Sean will be participating in the event.

“It’ll be nice to see Sean running because at the last race he was just handing out ribbons to the kids from his wheelchair,” said Meghan English.

While he’s unsure at this point whether or not he will be able to run the full 5K race, Sean

8TH ANNUAL OLV VICTORY RUN DATE: June 2 TIME: Registration begins at 7 a.m.

WHERE: OLV School, 133 Orchard Street, Northville MORE INFO: www.olv-victoryrun.com definitely plans on completing as much as he can. His mom told a story of just how big a heart her son has. A year before the accident Sean Jr. ran the 5K race with his mom, and being the athlete that he is, ran far ahead, approached the finish line and then sat by the curb before completing the race, but only after letting her cross first.

That’s just the kind of young man he is: patient, generous and with faith that he’ll compete, and win, again.

Sean English walks in Northville on April 8 with his mother Peggy, father Sean Sr., and sister Meghan.

The ‘Ville 21

The school’s original name - Fractional School District No. 1, Plymouth and Salem - is etched into its façade.

Some of the Northville Township Historic District Commission outside the Thayer School at Six Mile and Napier. From left are Shana Maitland, Marjorie Banner, Diane Rosone, Bill Sivy, Robin Schleh and Fred Shadko. Photo by John Heider.

Reviving Thayer’s Corner Efforts underway to save 1877 school, one of township’s last historical structures

During renovation work, the original blackboard was discovered behind some interior walls.

Story by Bill Sivy Courtesy of Historic District Commission

T

he city of Northville has a wealth of historic structures, which are almost non-existent in the surrounding township that was predominately farmland, and since replaced by subdivisions.

However, on the western edge of Northville Township, a survivor of the Victorian era stands at Six Mile and Napier roads. Thayer School, built in 1877 at a cost of $2,030, served Fractional School District No. 1, Plymouth and Salem.

Northville Township was actually part of Plymouth Township at that time.

The school was named for Rufus Thayer, an early settler who owned the surrounding property. The area was referred to as Thayer’s Corners for many years (The Northville Record ran a column called “Thayer’s Corners” in the late

22 The ‘Ville

Thayer students on Memorial Day 1890.

1800s to report on community activities).

The one-room schoolhouse educated area students in grades K-8 from 1877 until 1952, always operating as its own school district. The building also served as a community meeting place. In 1952 the school was annexed to the Northville district and closed.

The original sales agreement held that the property must revert to the Thayer family if no longer used for a school and Rufus Thayer’s great granddaughter assumed ownership in 1953. The one room interior was partitioned and the building converted to residential use. It changed hands among several families

until it was sold to Browning Ferris Industries (BFI), owner of the nearby landfill, in 1992. Landfill ownership subsequently changed several times from BFI to Onyx, Veolia and then Advanced Disposal.

None of these companies ever used the building and vandalism of the structure was particularly prevalent during Onyx ownership.

By 2009 the Northville Township Historic District Commission had become concerned that current owner, Veolia, considered it a nuisance and would tear it down. Not only was the school one of the few historic buildings left in the township, but its high styled Italianate design was quite unusual for a country schoolhouse. Investigation revealed that Veolia is an old French company quite proud

of its role suppling water to Paris in the 1800s. So, a successful appeal was made based upon the importance of history, resulting in Veolia’s agreement to donate the school to Northville Township.

Thayer School and the adjacent cemetery became the township’s only historic district in 2011 and restoration was begun. The first order of business was assessment by a structural engineer specializing in historic buildings. It was deemed remarkably sound for being 140 years old. As funds became available, a newer concrete porch on the side of the building was demolished and the interior walls removed.

The latter project unveiled the original blackboard, which spans the full length of the north wall.

A major project last year replaced the ceiling joists as the originals had been cut in half to allow a second story loft for the residence. Currently, the roof is being shingled with cedar.

There was uncertainty about the original roofing material but the discovery of an 1877 ledger among Northville Schools records provided a clue. Our contractor will also replicate and install a bell tower, the original having been removed.

Several years ago, we were fortunate to find a school bell cast in 1896 by American Bell and Foundry of Northville.

We hope to eventually return the building to its early 20th century condition. We’ll then open it as a historical site, make it available to the community and offer its use as a demonstration school (similar

to Wash Oak School at Mill Race).

We have a long way to go, but in the meantime we host occasional open houses Bill Sivy of the Northville Township Historic District to showcase Commission pays a visit to the historic one-room the progress. schoolhouse, dating back to 1877. The historic building As our is being restored by the commission. Photo by John township Heider. commission’s budget is limited, the bulk of many community members in the work has been financed the past. by donors. The roof project If you would like to was possible through recent help or learn about our generous gifts from Friends next event, please visit of Northville Parks and northvilletownshiphistory.org.

Recreation, Advanced Disposal and Northville Township Bill Sivy is the chairman of the Firefighters Charity, but we’ve Northville Township Historic received contributions from District Commission.

PAST TENSE

A Soldier in the Great War American Legion namesake defined valor and bravery

By Michele Fecht

L

loyd Harvey Green was a small town Midwest teenager when he joined the Michigan National Guard on July 23, 1917. Only 17 and a year away from his high school graduation, Green was eager to land “over there” and engage in the Great War. He did not return home alive. Today the local American Legion hall is named in his honor, and his legacy reminds us why we celebrate Memorial Day. The son of Frank and Sarah Green, Lloyd was one of seven siblings — he had two sisters and four brothers – and spent his early years living in a house on Cady Street.

Before leaving for training camp in Grayling, Green’s life was typical of most Northville children in the early 20th century. Multiple mentions in The Northville Record’s “School Notes” column

included his near perfect third grade attendance — just one absence due to sickness — his appointment as secretary of his seventh grade class, a bout with the mumps in eighth grade, and his recitation, “My First Recital,” at the 1912 School Music Fest.

The October 23, 1914, Northville Record noted “Lloyd Green has entered high school.”

Green answered “the call” to war before completing his final year at Northville High School.

Troops from Michigan and Wisconsin were transferred into the 32nd “Red Arrow” Division, and Private Green became a member of Company C of the 120th Machine Gun Battalion. On November 16, 1917, The Northville Record reported, “The name of Lloyd Green, one of the first Northville boys to offer his services to his country, has been

called to the attention of the Record and duly added to the honor roll.”

LETTERS HOME The newspaper ran its first Honor Roll of Northville boys serving overseas in the June 8, 1917 issue. It would become a regular front-page feature until the close of the war. In addition, soldiers’ letters home were printed in nearly every edition of The Record during wartime.

The 32nd arrived in France in February 1918 and was the sixth division to join the Allied Expeditionary Force. Its units were the first American troops to set foot on German soil in Alsace in May 1918.

Having arrived in France, Green wrote in a letter home published on May 17, 1918: My Dear Mother and All, I am in the best of health and

Members of the Northville American Legion Post 147 in 1923. The Legion was chartered in 1920 and met in various locations throughout Northville before finding a permanent home on Center and Dunlap.

24 The ‘Ville

Lloyd Green

spirits. I wrote you the second day we were in France but don’t know if you received it or not.

Well, this seems to me to be the country God forgot. The people seem very poor although they look very healthy and are very kind to our boys. Our amusements would be few if it wasn’t for the YMCA. They have books and some sort of sports nearly every night.

I tell you we have had lots of experiences since we left Detroit.

I sure would like to tell you all about them but we have to be careful what we write or our letters won’t go thru.

It has been very warm here for so early in the spring. I am going to write oftener in the future.

Your loving son, Lloyd, Co. C 120th U.S.M.G. Btn. AEF According to the Michigan Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, in three major offensives, the 32nd fought on five fronts, participating in the Aisne-Marne, Oise-Aisne and Meuse-Argonne offensives.

The division was still in action east of the Meuse when the

Armistice was finally signed.

The 32nd paid heavily for its victories. It suffered 14,000 casualties from all causes and was third in the number of battle deaths of any division in the Army.

At the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the Great War ended when Germany surrendered to the Allies.

Northville now waited for her boys to come home.

GOLD STAR On December 13, 1918, Fred and Sarah Green received official notice that their son Lloyd had been killed on October 2 on the battlefront in France. A courier, Green died in the Argonne forest only days before his 19th birthday and just six weeks before the Armistice.

Veterans Memorial Hall of Lloyd H. Green American Legion Post 147 at Center and Dunlap after its 1944 renovation.

On August 20, 1920, the Northville American Legion Post 147 was chartered, and its members named the post after the young communications messenger.

It would take until September 15, 1921 for Green’s remains to be returned to Northville. The Northville American Legion

would play a significant role in Green’s funeral, held on Sunday, September 18, 1921. He was buried with full military honors in Rural Hill Cemetery.

Green’s funeral drew most of the Village of Northville. The Northville Record’s account noted, “The Northville Band, Knights Templar, Women’s Relief Corps, American Legion, members of the village council, and citizens made an imposing funeral cortege to the cemetery . . . the casket bearing the remains was draped with the American flag for which Lloyd paid his full measure of devotion.”

BATTLEFIELD BRAVERY On February 23, 1937, Sergeant Walter Sehnke of Detroit, paid a visit to the Lloyd Green American Legion Post 147. Sehnke, who had been Green’s sergeant, presented the Northville post commander an identification book belonging to Green.

According to Sehnke, Private Green had been sent back to a dugout during a bombardment and was killed with five others when a shell scored a direct hit.

“Lloyd was the best runner (message bearer) in the AEF,” Sehnke said, according to the Record. “He performed two

important acts of heroism before he was killed. With Joe Trombley, now a police lieutenant at Grosse Pointe, he ran through shell fire and back again to fill our canteens.

Later, he and Fred Mosher of Dearborn, carried a wounded officer from No Man’s Land with shells falling all around them.

“We moved up to the Argonne on the night of September 26. We had no food except corned beef and hard tack. On the night of October 1, Lloyd was exhausted from carrying messages. I sent him back to headquarters with a request for his relief, and he crawled into the dugout where he was killed.”

Sehnke’s account of Green’s heroism made his death all the more poignant. Frank and Sarah Green died before details of their son’s death were disclosed.

They never knew of his valor and bravery in his final hours.

Buried at Rural Hill

On Memorial Day 1953, the Village of Northville dedicated the Veterans Memorial Plot in Rural Hill Cemetery, a joint effort commissioned by the VFW, American Legion and the Northville Village Commission. The body of Lloyd Green was reinterred and placed in the center of the new plot — where it remains today.

The ‘Ville 25

out & about YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NORTHVILLE THIS MONTH Northville Spring Carnival May 10-13 The annual Northville Spring Carnival put on by Elliott’s Amusements will be back in the Northville Downs parking lot. Hours are 4-10 p.m.

Thursday; 4-11 p.m. Friday; noon-11 p.m. Saturday; and 1-11 p.m.

Sunday. Wristbands cost $15 on Thursday, $18 on Friday, and $20 on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit www.northville.org.

Lecture: Organized Crime in Detroit May 15 at 7 p.m.

Author James Buccellato, a faculty member at Northern Arizona University and former instructor at Wayne State University’s Irvin D. Reid Honors College, will discuss his book, Early Organized Crime in Detroit: Vice, Corruption and the Rise of the Mafia (2015).The book explores Detroit’s struggle with gang violence, public corruption and the politics of vice during the tumultuous first half of the 20th century and includes rarely published images from the era. The presentation, part of the Northville Historical Society’s lecture series, takes place at the New School Church at Mill Race Historical Village, 215 Griswold Street. The lecture is free of charge (donations are accepted at the door).

For more information, visit www. millracenorthville.org.

‘Northern Aggression’ at Tipping Point May 17-June 24 Tipping Point Theatre’s latest comedy, Northern Aggression by Michigan playwright Joseph

26 The ‘Ville

of Northville’s historic downtown theater. For more information, call (248) 349-8110 or visit northvillemarquistheatre.com.

National PTA Reflections

Friday Night Concerts

May 25 from 7-9 p.m.. The Northville High School Jazz Ensemble will kick off the Northville Chamber of Commerce’s Friday Night Concert Series held downtown in Town Square. The concerts pick back up June 22 with the Detroit soul sounds of Theo Gridiron and then run Friday nights through Aug. 25. For more information, including the complete concert schedule, visit www.downtownnorthville.com.

Zettelmaier, runs May 17 through June 24. Tickets are on sale now.

The show runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. with matinees on Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30-$46. Preview performances are $25 and include a talk back with Director Matt Foss and Producing Artistic Director James R. Kuhl. For tickets or more information, call the box office at (248) 347-0003 or visit www.TippingPointTheatre. com.

program’s 9th Annual Armed Forces Day. The concert will be hosted by the Homes For Our Troops and the Northville American Legion.

All proceeds raised at the event will be used for veterans housing.

For more information, visit www. nhsarmedforcesday.com or find Northville Baseball Armed Forces Day on Facebook.

Flower Sale

Marquis Celebrates 40 Years Armed Forces Day Benefit Concert May 18 from 5:30-10 p.m.

The Killer Flamingos will perform this benefit concert at Northville’s Ford Field. The event is part of the Northville High School baseball

May 22-25 Visit the Northville Art House during this special exhibit featuring the work of students from Northville Public Schools, who participated in this year’s National PTA Reflections program. Each year, the national PTA offers local, regional, state and national opportunities for young artists to be recognized for their creativity based on a specific theme in the areas of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and the visual arts. Runs during normal Art House hours (noon-5 p.m. TuesdayFriday). The free public reception will be held on Thursday, May 24 from 6-8 p.m.

May 19 from 7-10 p.m.

Come out and help the Marquis Theatre celebrate its 40th anniversary. Dance on-stage to music provided by a DJ, and sing karaoke.

There will also be a dessert buffet, 50/50 raffle, door prizes and more.

Tickets are $15 each and will directly benefit the upkeep and restoration

May 25-26 The Northville Chamber of Commerce’s annual Flower Sale will take place in downtown Northville from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, May 25 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 26. The sale will feature many vendors, including local growers and greenhouses, selling ornamental accent plants, perennials, herbs, annuals, shrubs, exotic plants, and garden accessories. For more information, contact the chamber at (248) 349-7640 or visit www. northville.org.

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At Your Doorstep Law firm with deep Northville roots brings the muscle

Carla Testani ( from left), Katherine Krysak, and Mark Mandell at Northville's 35th District Court.

By Kurt Kuban

I

f you are seeking a powerhouse law firm, you don’t have to travel to downtown Detroit or up to Oakland County. In fact, you don’t even have to leave Northville.

Fausone Bohn, LLP has been located right here in Northville Township for more than two decades. The prestigious midsize firm has a big-time resume, starting with its two principal partners: James Fausone and Paul Bohn.

commitment to the region, having served on the boards for Schoolcraft College, the Livonia Chamber of Commerce, and others. He was also chairman of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) board during its multi-billion restructuring into what is now the Great Lakes Water Authority.

Bohn, who started the firm in 1995, is a leading practitioner in urban redevelopment, brownfield development,

James Fausone

Paul Bohn

Fausone’s legal advice is sought out by many business and municipal leaders in the region. He is an expert in environmental law, business law, municipal law and veterans law. In addition to his legal expertise, he has a deep

environmental regulatory matters, land use and construction litigation. He provides advice to municipal and private sector clients on various land use and redevelopment projects, including here in Northville

30 The ‘Ville

Township with the former psychiatric hospital and Scott Correctional Facility properties.

Not only is the firm located in Northville, but five of the partners – Mark Mandell, Carla Testani, Christopher Frescoln, Kristina Derro and Michael McNamara –all reside here and are very much involved in the fabric of the community. Take Mandell, for example, who is the head coach of Northville High School’s JV football team, which went undefeated last season.

Mandell has practiced criminal and family law, as well as being a municipal prosecutor for more than 20 years. He has handled many high-profile cases in the region, including representing Sam Riddle and former Congressman Thaddeus McCotter. He has been a go-to legal source for many media outlets, and is a well-known (and well-connected) political consultant. In fact, two of his former associates are now serving on the Wayne County circuit court bench.

Mandell said the firm offers hands-on treatment, and can handle complex civil litigation,

small business, municipal, environmental, family and criminal law, as well as estate planning and veterans disability claims.

“A lot of people think you have to go downtown or up to Birmingham or Bloomfield Hills, but you can get the muscle right here in Northville without the overpricing associated with the big firms. We offer a large range of quality services at an affordable cost,” Mandell said.

“And we’re right here at your doorstep.”

In early 2017, the firm began an exhaustive search to replace Melissa Cox, who was elected to the Wayne County Circuit Court, and brought in Carla Testani, a top family law practitioner in the area. As it turns out, they really didn’t have to look too far. She is a longtime Northville resident, serves on the Northville Township ZBA, and has three children attending Northville public schools.

She brings to the table an extensive knowledge of family law and local courts, and specializes in handling large marital estates, high conflict

custody situations and complex Bohn LLP continues to add property division issues. talent to the team. Most “When people are looking for recently the firm brought on a family law attorney, they need associate Katherine Krysak, to have a zealous advocate on another family law attorney their side. We try to solve family with ties to Northville. She matters came to privately Fausone outside the Bohn after ADDRESS: 41700 West Six Mile court system, gaining a lot Road, Suite 101, Northville but we can of experience PHONE: be aggressive at a premiere (248) 468-4536 – Main Number when Oakland (248) 380-3228 – Carla Testani necessary,” County (248) 380-9976 – Mark Mandell Testani said. family law (888) 693-4800 -- Veteran’s Hotline “My mission firm.

WEBSITE: www.fb-firm.com is to help Krysak said my clients one of the get through one of the worst clear advantages clients have times of their lives with as with Fausone Bohn LLP is the little economic and emotional fact it’s a full-service firm. damage as possible to the “We can have a family matter family. But when it comes time we’re dealing with, but the to fight, we fight.” client might have a business Due to its success, Fausone issue or estate planning they

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Fausone Bohn LLP partner Mark Mandell is head coach of Northville High School's JV football team.

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Mandell said what really sets the firm apart from others is its hands-on approach and their attention to the needs of clients.

“When it’s all said and done, whether it’s family law or a high-profile criminal case, we are emphatic about helping people. Nothing makes us feel better than when we get results for our clients,” he said.

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Dishin’ With Denise

Denise Jenkins serves on the board of directors for the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Tipping Point Theatre. An avid writer and proponent of the arts, she is also plugged into what’s happening in Northville.

Celebrate Mom during the month of May When I stop and think about the month of May – I can’t help but think of Mother’s Day and moms, especially my mom, Edith, who was my biggest fan, and May Crowning of the Blessed Mother (I was a Catholic School girl).

There’s a beautiful quote from Erich Fromm: “A mother’s love is peace. It need not be acquired, it need not be deserved.”

Local artist Caroline Dunphy, who celebrates her 90th birthday this spring, will be moving her artwork to a new location. Caroline and her daughter have been packing up a lifetime of memories.

Some of her fondest memories are painting with her Grandfather Klotzbach, who was an artist and encouraged her talent.

Mrs. Dunphy broke onto the scene first teaching pen-and-ink drawing in a room she rented from Miss Inge Zayti at the Marquis Theatre – Caroline’s first studio in downtown Northville. She moved around a bit until she found a home on Center Street, which she proudly named Painter’s Place, Studio & Gallery of C. Dunphy.

The gallery offered special exhibitions after each of her many trips abroad, including to the gardens of Monet, Cezanne and Renoir. But her distinct pleasure has been painting memories from photographs – flowers, gardens, family homes, family portraits and even family pets. For nearly four decades, many have treasured her scenic, hand-painted Northville Christmas cards.

While her gallery will close at the end of May, Dunphy’s work Caroline Dunphy will not vanish. It will have a new home at The Northville Gallery Art & Framing on Main Street.

“The tradition and heritage of Northville is part of the reason we love owning this shop in our town,” said owner Dan Ferrara.

“Caroline’s work hangs on the walls of so many current and former residents and we’re thrilled to help that continue.”

Caroline will continue to do commissions, including portraits of houses, people and pets. “I’m looking forward to this next stage of my artistic career and I expect to be around town visiting my very good friends,” she said.

Flowers for mom are classic, but a little chocolate to go along with a bright bouquet is brilliant. Adorn on Main Street has expanded, taking on the space previously occupied by Chocolates

by Renee. The business is undergoing renovations, with a grand

32 The ‘Ville

opening planned for the end of May. The whimsical yet vintage shop will include more flowers Adorn Shop and chocolates. Owner Alicia Racine will bring in some of her favorites, like Sucré from New Orleans, which was developed in part by “The Northville Gourmet” himself, now an internationally recognized pastry chef, Tariq Hanna.

“Once we are settled, we will be making our own chocolates with an artisan touch. Right now, we are researching and developing flavors,” said Racine. For the record, May is National Chocolate Custard Month.

I think everyone can agree, mom’s kitchen is always welcoming place with an aroma of flowers, fresh fruits and vegetables. Well, a great place to score those items is the Northville Farmer’s Market, which is now open for a new season. Many of the vendors are familiar and some are new this year. The market, located at Seven Mile and Sheldon, is open every Thursday through Oct. 25. Hours are 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

The Moon & Me was going, going – sold to Jayme and William Hundley from the Tuscan Café. The couple jumped when they heard the rumors that their favorite store was closing. As they were literally welcoming baby number two, they signed the deal to buy the place. If you need a little something for a little someone they’ve got you covered.

“We relied on the Moon & Me for our baby needs. We couldn’t Jayme Hundley let it go,” William said.

With a one year old, a one month old and a new children’s shop, Mother’s Day is especially meaningful this year for the Hundley family.

Whatever you do this month, take time to hug your mom.

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