November 2023 | Vol.6 | Issue 11
Northville’s News and Lifestyle Magazine
e c i o V The of the
s n o i L
ls right e e f r le il M n a D thville r o N in e m o h t a
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LOCAL JOURNALISM MATTERS Please consider a donation to support The 'Ville. Since we began publishing more than five years ago, our goal has been to provide our readers with valuable information about the Northville community each and every month. Your support helps that mission survive and grow. And while The 'Ville is sent to every address in Northville at no cost to readers, it is not free to produce. LOCAL Matters! is the foundation of this magazine. If you find it of value, please consider supporting it. Every little bit helps! Please send donations to: Journeyman Publishing 16435 Franklin Northville, MI 48168 You can also make donations via PayPal to kurtkuban@gmail.com. Thank you in advance.
VOLUME 6 ISSUE 11 NOVEMBER 2023 16435 Franklin, Northville, MI 48168 • 734.716.0783 • TheVilleMagazine@gmail.com
KURT KUBAN – Editor/Publisher
Kurt Kuban is an award-winning journalist, having served as a reporter and editor for several local newspapers and magazines, including The Northville Record, over the course of a career spanning more than two decades. Kurt lives in Northville with his wife, Cheryl, and their three children, all products of Northville Public Schools.
CRAIG WHEELER – Creative Director
Craig has been in the creative industry for over 30 years. He has developed a diverse background in that time, but publication design has been his passion during the past 20 years. Craig enjoys chasing his young daughter and providing moral support to his lovely wife.
MICHELE FECHT – Writer
Michele Fecht is a longtime journalist whose first post-college reporter position was at The Northville Record before moving on to The Detroit News. A 30-plus year resident of the City of Northville and historic (old) house owner, she is an author, researcher, local history enthusiast, and community activist/advocate.
WENSDY VON BUSKIRK – Writer
Publisher Here is a list of people who contributed to local journalism last month. We appreciate your support! Sherry & Michael Bugar
Ray & Betty Parzych
Ming & Barbara Louie
James & Dorothy Youmans
Dianne & Don McCulloch
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.
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.
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.
BRYAN MITCHELL - Photographer
Bryan started working as a photographer more than 30 years ago, and was the Northville Record photographer in the 90's. He has freelanced for The Detroit News, The Guardian, Reuters, and other publications. His photography has appeared in newspapers and magazines around the globe. The Northville resident also coaches mountain biking at Northville High School.
A View From The ‘Ville
It’s A Great Time To Be A Northville Mustang!
I
f you are a fan of high school sports and you’ve been paying attention to the Northville High School athletic teams this fall, you know what a remarkable season it has been for all our teams. Leading the way, the NHS cross country team earned its second straight state title. The boys tennis team finished second in the state and its leader, Sachiv Kumar, won his third straight singles state championship. The girls golf team, a perennial powerhouse, finished 6th in the state, while the boys soccer team lost a heartbreaker in the state semi-finals to eventual state champion Troy Athens. The football team had one of the best seasons in the program’s history. They kept the Baseline Jug by beating rival Novi and won their first KLAA West Division championship. They also won their first Regional Championship since 2000 by beating nemesis Catholic Central in a thrilling game those in attendance won’t soon forget. Beating CC for the
The Voice Of The Lions
12
first time ever was particularly sweet because they have ended our season a few times in the past, including last year. And, as I write this, we still have a couple teams competing. The girls swimming team, which won their 4th straight KLAA conference championship this fall, is getting ready for the state finals. The volleyball team, fresh off their regional championship, is getting ready for the quarter finals. They are hoping to win it all after losing the state championship match in 2022. Both programs have been state leaders for a number of years. Hopefully by the time you are reading this, both teams will have brought home some new hardware to put in the crowded NHS trophy case. On page 24, we’ve got a story about Sachiv Kumar and his incredible season leading the tennis team. Not only did he win his third straight state championship, he did not lose a match all season. In fact, he never even lost a set. That is what you call domination. What a great performance by a great
kid! Next month, we have a round-up of all the fall teams, as we transition into the winter season. Those teams are definitely following in some big footsteps. Needless to say, it’s a great time to be a Northville Mustang. To all the NHS fall athletes, congrats on a season to remember. You make the community proud.
CORRECTION: When we makes mistakes, I usually try to address them here. Last month we had a doozy. On our cover, we featured this year’s Homecoming king and queen. Somehow, we listed them as Lily Connors and Brendan Herger. Well, we got the queen right, but Brendan was not the king. We should have identified him as senior Zach Bailey. I’d like to tell you how that mistake happened, especially because I was there the night Zach was crowned king. Regardless there is no excuse that matters. I’d like to apologize to Zach and his family. Sorry buddy. You deserved better.
Genitti Sweeps to Mr. Tennis Has Victory Perfect Season
16
24
The real NHS Homecoming King, Zach Bailey.
I’d also like to apologize to Brendan, who, by the way, is one of those NHS athletes leading the way this fall. At the state cross country meet earlier this month, he had the fastest time to the 3-mile timing pad in NHS history, shattering the previous record by more than 20 seconds. My condolences to Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull – the man who set the previous record in 1978. Congrats on a great season, Brendan! Kurt Kuban is the Publisher and Editor of The ‘Ville. He welcomes your comments at kurtkuban@thevillemagazine. com.
Your Voice: Letters to the Editor 4 Ford Field’s ‘transformative’ plan 8 Stop porch pirates during holidays 18 Township’s lawsuit targets landfill odors 28 NOMI to bring night life to Northville 32 Out & About: Community Calendar 36 Karl’s Cabin ready to rise from the ashes 38 Dishin’ with Denise 42
ON THE COVER: Northville resident Dan Miller at Ford Field where he not only covers the Lions for Fox 2, he also calls the games on the Lions radio broadcast each week. Photo courtesy of the Detroit Lions
Your Voice
Egregious stop sign
I wanted to write about all the stop signs that have gone up recently in the City of Northville. The city has become trigger happy with adding new traffic signs over the last 12 months and the latest addition on Cady at Church is simply egregious. Street signs are meant to mitigate safety concerns and improve traffic flow. This stop sign does the complete opposite and needs to be taken down. Joe Leger
Not what we voted for
When Northville Township voters approved the proposal for the purchase of the state hospital property I believe it was with the intention that it be used as a park. Not for homes and businesses and Northville Township buildings. The results of the first survey that was taken and posted online indicated that many residents did not want soccer fields, baseball fields, tennis courts, dog parks, etc. They wanted a natural, beautiful, quiet park and trail system. This property is probably the largest parcel of property left in the township. Please don’t ruin this beautiful piece of property. Make it a natural, relaxing place. And, don’t cut down any more trees. Maggie Evans Northville Township
Fastest growing sport
I know that you are seeking community input for Legacy Park. My family are huge pickleball fans and I think that Northville Township is in great need of public space to play pickleball to bring us in line with our neighboring cities. Pickleball gets our vote! Please shout out for the fastest growing sport in the USA today. Ann McCutcheon
A wonderful addition
I read the September issue of The ‘Ville, and saw suggestions for pickleball courts from fellow readers. I fully agree that pickleball courts would be a wonderful addition to Legacy Park. Particularly free, outdoor courts with lights so that people can play even as the early evening darkness sets. This is the fastest growing sport in America and I believe it would be very much enjoyed by the citizens of Northville, young and old. Luke Tappen
SOUND OFF 4 The ‘Ville
How about a garden?
My suggestion for land use at Legacy Park is for a large plot of land to be used as a garden to supply fresh foods for the Meals on Wheels program. It should be planned and maintained by Scout troops. The thinking behind this is Meals on Wheels food is a very poor diet -- processed, packaged and/or of poor quality with minimal if any nutritional value. People that need dietary help need to be served the highest quality nutritional valued foods. Also our youth need to learn where food comes from, how to grow nutritional foods, how to sustain the land for crop health and how to take those lessons forward to sustain future nutrition and how to be a contributing person for the betterment of life on this planet. Those skills will help to prepare them for a sustainable life in the future as well as benefiting those in need these days. I would be fun for our community to watch the growth of such a garden. Take pride and ownership of such an endeavor. Patricia Vanbonn
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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This overgrown trail in the area called Ford Field Park East across Griswold from the main park will become part of the River Walk.
‘Transformative’ Changes Coming To Ford Field City captures state, federal grants to make park more accessible By Tim Smith
T
he biggest and brightest version of Northville’s beloved Ford Field is coming into sharper focus as 2024 draws near. During the next 12 months, Ford Field projects – which need to get going to cash in on an estimated $910,000 of state grant money – will begin to be finalized at the council level (as soon as this December), followed by construction crews going to work next spring or summer to transform Master Plan concepts into reality. A second grant – for a project to address erosion and water flow at the Randolph Drain – would up the amount of available funding to about $1.6 million. “It’s exciting,” said Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull. “This would be the biggest thing we’ve ever done in the city of Northville.”
8 The ‘Ville
The city council met in midOctober to discuss with citizens the soon-to-be-approved Master Plan for Ford Field projects, something which is expected at the second meeting in November. Either then, or in December, the council will approve the so-called “gateway” project, where the entry way into Ford Field will be moved some 100to-150 feet from its current spot (off of Griswold Street on the park’s south side), and also incorporate the construction of an ADA-compliant ramp to make it more accessible to walk down into the park itself. Turnbull stressed that ground must be broken on the gateway/ramp project in 2024, with completion by that December, for the city to receive the state grant money. There are three gateway project options, and so-called Option
1 is the one trending to be approved because it would be “less invasive” to the hill. “Ford Field is one of the most beautiful areas,” said Turnbull, about the six-acre park along the Middle Rouge River. “You can see our topography, you can see the height, the greenspace, the water. But it’s all overgrown on top. So we are going to move the new entry way closer to town, closer to where the Exchange (Bar and Grill) is. “From that corner of Hutton and Main streets you’ll be able to see the lookout area that could go down to Ford Field.” Moreover, council members will green-light work to improve the flow of water from Randolph Drain at “Serenity Point,” located in the northwest corner of the park and at the same time address river-bank land which is eroding and in need of being bolstered.
For the latter, about $560,000 in federal grant money has been allocated in an omnibus package assembled by U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow. Augmenting those funds is a required match of $140,000. “The grant funding itself does not have a time it has to be completed by,” said Wendy Wilmers Longpre, director of strategic planning and special initiatives for the city. “We are working with the Oakland County Water Resource Commission on that. They’ll do the design and probably oversee the project. “We’ll just work with them to make sure our expectations are met. That one may not be done until summer 2025.” RICH HISTORY Turnbull said the Randolph Drain project is “not as sexy a deal” as the gateway and ramp project might be. Yet it is just as important to be completed soon. “It’s to shore it up near the waterfall, that’s a spill area for the Mill Pond, all that deterioration,” Turnbull explained. “It’s dropped eight or nine feet on deterioration from where the Randolph Drain comes in (under Hutton Street). We have to bolster that up to make sure it’s stable for the future.” Wilmers Longpre said both planned projects are essential to ensure the future longterm health of Ford Field, the Randolph Drain and maximize the positive impact on the city itself in decades to come. “It’s sort of like Northville’s Central Park,” Wilmers Longpre said. “There is a very rich history of the park and the role it has played in the community
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is pivotal. “Everybody has memories, experiences of one sort or another in Ford Field. So it’s an exciting project, there’s a lot going on at once. And it’s unusual to see this much activity and this much capital improvement going on in a community at once,” a reference to the River Walk/ Northville Downs project and Ford Field initiatives. “It’s wonderful and I think once all these things are done they’re going to be transformative,” Wilmers Longpre said. She stressed that the city might require additional funding down the road to complete the projects. “That doesn’t mean those would necessarily be general funds, it could be we pursue additional grants,” Wilmers Longpre emphasized. “We could do community fundraising, we could spearhead some other sort of partnership.” Two factors why more money might be needed include the current construction market and unforeseen engineering costs.
STREET
AY OC ET E L AE RD OF C TU FU TION R ST
This map shows how Ford Field East wraps around the back of the Water Wheel Centre. Image courtesy of Wade-Trim
“I think there are decisions that will need to be made about the gateway, I don’t see them being controversial,” Wilmers Longpre said. “We have some financial issues in terms of, our eyes are bigger than our stomach. We want more than we have the budget for. There’ll have to be some discussions about that and
Future Ford Field plans call for new restroom facilities, playscapes and other recreational improvements.
some compromising, but I don’t foresee an issue with the project moving forward.” As for the need for city council approval in December, she stressed what will be signed off on will be the preliminary design to enable shovels to get into the ground in a timely manner next year. “As we move to construction plans, and things get more and more detailed and specific, it could be necessary to make some adjustments,” Wilmers Longpre continued. “For instance, a design plan might show a light pole in one location, but when you actually do the engineering drawings there may be something underground where you need to move the light pole five feet in one direction or another.” PLAN DETAILS According to John Arrowsmith, a member of the master plan committee and Ford Field task force
team, both pending projects are key components of the master plan and have received overwhelming public support. “There’s community input that was received where people were able to provide their thoughts on the park itself, the amenities they would like to see and the access into it,” he said. “So getting better accessibility certainly was one of those items. That’s why that ($910,000) grant has been so big for us. But we’re not sure we’re going to be able to do everything we want with the $910,000.” Arrowsmith said the state grant is “a good chunk of money” but it is not a surprise, given the high cost of building an ADA-compliant ramp and “having it come down that hillside.” Among features supported for future Ford Field efforts are new restroom facilities, playscapes and other recreational improvements, the incorporation of bushes, natural vegetation gardens and areas for nature walks. About the planned Randolph Drain project, Arrowsmith explained that those enhancements are “to improve the way water comes out of those drains, because when we have major storms and a lot of water coming through there, it’s created a lot of erosion along the water banks. We need to do some real civil engineering to shore up the way that water comes out of there today.” Turnbull said the concept of a “small waterpark” is being looked at, as well as extending and re-plotting the parking lot “because that will not only be the entrance for Ford Field,
Continued on Page 10
The ‘Ville 9
Continued from Page 9
the park, provide those that have younger families places to play that are enhanced beyond but for some parking when we what we have today. … And open the River Walk across the also to enhance the beauty of street.” it through landscaping and “The feedback we got from gardens. All of those things were the community was fantastic,” taken into account.” Arrowsmith said. “The surveys The we did earlier master plan this year, identified people were The City of Northville’s plan for Ford projects for able to use QR Field includes better gateway access, the current codes from extending the river walk, stabilizing river banks and possibly a small water Ford Field, their phone as park. What would you like to see the designated well as paper city leaders add to the Ford Field as Ford Field surveys (and) plans? Please email your opinions West, as well we had well to Editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@ thevillemagazine.com. as the future over 1,000 portion which responses, will be part of the River Walk with well over 90-95 percent (Ford Field East). of those being Northville/ When all is said and done, Northville Township citizens. Ford Field undoubtedly will “Probably the biggest areas be even more cherished than it people really wanted to see was already is, simply because more provide good accessibility into
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
people will know it exists and that it will be much easier and safer to get there on foot. “Today, when you’re coming from the city you really can’t see we have that park down there, the way it’s designed and developed,” Arrowsmith added. “There is one staircase entrance, but it’s off to the side.
Either people know it’s there or they don’t. “By being able to create a ‘gateway,’ being able to provide a better path for assisted entrance, and also working to provide newer and better stairs then we can really highlight this beautiful park that we have.”
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e c i o V The of the
s n o i L
mons By Brad E
t at home in h ig r ls e e f ting booth s a c Dan Miller d a o r b and the Northville
E
ver since sportscaster Dan Miller first arrived in Detroit, it’s accurate to say everything in his life has become a bit of a Shangri-La experience. The lead radio play-by-play voice of the Detroit Lions since 2005 and sports director and on-air personality for WJBK Fox 2-Detroit, Miller has found a utopia and a home that he himself never envisioned when he first arrived here in 1997. Born in Washington, D.C. and raised in northern Virginia, Miller thought he was destined for a lifelong media career in familiar surroundings. “You always kind of have a plan in your head of what you think your career is going to be,” Miller said, “and growing up in D.C. and starting my career in D.C., and really having looked up to a lot of the guys that worked there – and some I got to work with – I always thought in my mind I’d end up there.”
12 The ‘Ville
Dan Miller (left) and Dannie Rogers discuss the Lions for Fox 2. Photos courtesy of the Detroit Lions
But the 65-year-old Miller, who resides in Northville, admits the detour he took 26 years ago after starting out in D.C. has been nothing short of the 1933 novel -- Lost Horizon by James Hilton. It’s here – yes, Detroit – where he’s found the peaceful valley of the Blue Moon. “When I came to Detroit, I always thought we’d be here probably two years and end up back in DC,” he said. “We got here and very quickly this place became home. I work with
great people at the television station– Fox 2. Our kids really like it here. My career grew here from doing (NFL) games for Fox for five years to getting the opportunity to go to the Lions to working with good people at Fox 2. “When you have something good in my business you’ve got to be really careful with it because jumping at something else might not be something you think it is.” Miller, who wears a variety of hats, is arguably one of the most
followed and recognized media personalities in the Metro Detroit area. Needless to say, he is extremely busy during the fall with the Lions broadcasts and his responsibilities at Fox 2. On Sunday nights he’s been a staple on Fox 2 with the show Sports Works. He also can be heard doing TV highlight clips doing The Ford Lions Report, which is broadcast statewide. He also regularly appears via satellite to discuss the Lions on the NFL Network’s pre-game show NFL Game Day Morning during its Word on the Street segment. And if that’s not enough, Miller transitions over to radio doing a Sunday morning show at 10 a.m. on 97.1 WXYT-FM, along with the weekly The Lions Review Show, generally heard from 7-8 p.m. the day following Lions games on the same station. “It’s a lot having to be places, but a lot of what you do is five minutes here, 10 minutes there to do an interview and knock out some sort of taped segment,” Miller said. “It’s a lot of long hours that are spread out over different times and down times. But the really good thing about working in the NFL and for an NFL team is there is a rhythm to it. You pretty much do the same thing every week – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday – traveling on Saturday and Sunday you play. “It’s a lot in particular with the two jobs, but they really do dovetail together perfectly and there’s a nice flow to it that once you get into the season, you know exactly where you’re going to be and what you have to do. You can really get your time down and get everything done that you have to do.”
IN THE BOOTH
From 1994-97 while he was still in D.C., Miller was a play-by-play announcer for the NFL’s Fox regional broadcasts. He was also the play-by-play man for Lions preseason games from 2001-2003. In 2005, Miller took over play-by-play duties for the Lions replacing Mark Champion (now with the Pistons) where he first teamed up with longtime color commentator Jim Brandstatter and sideline reporter Tony Ortiz. He and Brandstatter also did Lions Roundtable, which is part of the team’s radio network. Miller’s new radio partner is former Lions offensive line standout Lomas Brown, who spent 11 seasons and started all but one of his 164 games in Detroit. All told, Brown played 18 seasons in the NFL including stints in Cleveland, Arizona, New York and Tampa Bay (where he won a Super Bowl ring in 2002). And as far as color analysts, Miller feels blessed to have worked with the retired Brandstatter and now Brown in the broadcast booth.
“You couldn’t ask for two nicer people to spend a Sunday afternoon with,” Miller said. “They’re both not just people I work with. They’re both friends. And I love them both like brothers. I worked for Brandy walking in the door and we had an immediate chemistry that you don’t always have with your partner. “I’ve known Lomas for years and he’s just the nicest, best sense of humor type of guy . . . nobody ever, unless you played against him would have anything bad to say about Lomas. And even the people that played against him would probably say, ‘He was a nice guy. He was just nasty as hell on the field.’” Miller also appreciates all the support he gets from several others as well. Miller would be the first to say that, “It takes a village.” “And throwing T.J. (Lang) in there as far as our broadcast as well – I’m really lucky to be able to go work with guys that I want to spend time with anyway,” Miller said. “We have great times Saturday night being able to go out to dinner with those
Dan Miller in his broadcasting booth at Ford Field where he calls the Lions games on the radio.
guys on the road, talk about life and the upcoming game, or whatever makes us laugh that night . . . we just have a great crew. “Throw in the guys that do the pregame show with Wojo (Bob Wojnowski) and Burchie (Will Burchfield), and Hammer (Jennifer Hammond), it’s just a really cool group of people. And Dannie Rogers with the Lions . . . part of what makes this job so cool. Number one is doing something that you love and number two is when you get to do it with people that you want to hang out with anyway.”
SETTLING IN
Dan Miller (right) greets Lions fans during training camp this summer.
Miller got his love of sports at an early age. His father would take him to Baltimore Orioles, Baltimore Colts and Washington Redskins games (where he was a season ticket holder). He played baseball and basketball in high school. His father was an ardent supporter and never missed a game. “Everything in my life revolved around that forever
– from the time I was 7- or 8-years-old -- just loved playing, and talking and reading, watching sports and just knew I wanted something in that world to be my life,” Miller said. “And clearly, I wasn’t going to be a professional athlete, so you’ve got to try and figure something out and it’s always, always been my absolute passion and love.” Miller graduated from George Mason University (Va.) and got his first job at the Mutual Radio Network affiliates WJLA and WTEM during his days as a college student where he served as an engineer for its weekend sportscasts spanning 11 years. In 1992, he went to WTNT Sports Radio-570 in D.C. as an overnight talk show host and became the Redskins beat reporter. But after just three months, he transitioned over to TV as host of the Redskins pregame before moving to WJLATV as a weekend sports anchor. When he got his opportunity
Continued on Page 14
The ‘Ville 13
Continued from Page 13 in Detroit, Miller thought it might be a momentary pit stop, but sometimes things work out in a different way and he’s thankful now to call Northville and Detroit home. Dan and his wife Cindy have four children including daughters Sammi and Rikki, along with sons Tony and Robbie – all of whom attended Northville Public Schools. Three graduated from Michigan State and one attends nursing school. They also have three cats and two dogs. “We just love it,” Miller said. “The kids obviously grew up here. The high school (Northville) was a great experience for them. It set them up well and we appreciated everything they did for us. The friends that we have here and the lifestyle . . . it’s just a great place for just being able to enjoy life and just a little of everything you want.” During his down time, Miller enjoys golf where he is a member of Meadowbrook County Club. “Early August it gets tough to get out much because once training camp gets going, you are kind of locked in,” Miller said. “I play when I can. I love the game. I love the game more than it loves me, but it’s a lot of fun. I love the course. The amenities are wonderful.” As far as his professional credits, Miller is an active member of Detroit Sports Media, formerly called the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association, which was founded in 1948. In 2013 he was awarded the Ty Tyson Award by that organization for excellence in sports broadcasting. In 2004, the Detroit Free Press
14 The ‘Ville
Dan Miller and his wife Cindy have four children -- daughters Sammi and Rikki, along with sons Tony and Robbie. All four kids attended Northville Public Schools. Courtesy of Dan Miller
named Miller “Best Local TV Sportscaster.” In 2004, the Detroit Free Press named him “Best Local TV Sportscaster.”
A DAN CAMPBELL FAN
Meanwhile, Miller has also built a strong relationship and bond with Dan Campbell, who is in his third season as Lions head coach. “You start with this – Dan’s a great person,” Miller said. “And he’s the same guy, up on the podium speaking to media as he is sitting down talking to him, having a cup of coffee . . . or if you just run into him at the airport or whatever it is. Whatever position you put
him, he doesn’t change. I think players appreciate that. Not all head coaches are like that. “There’s a high character with him that serves well dealing with others and that’s not always an easy thing to do when you’re trying navigate an NFL locker room. But he’s been able to do that. The great thing is when you are that type of person you don’t have to change. You just stay steady, stay the course and be yourself and things tend to work out. Having dealt with coaches in different sports for 42 years in this business is just his consistency, which is incredible.” For Miller, the 2023
Dan Miller in his perch high above the action at Ford Field where he calls the games for the Lions.
season started with a victory over defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City and there seems to be a renaissance in an NFL organization that’s been downtrodden since their last championship in 1957. But with things building to a crescendo, Miller feels he’s becoming a part of something special that he can see just on the horizon when it comes to the Lions. “It’s been fantastic,” he said. “The best part about it is just being able to see the fans buy into something and believe what they’re seeing, and really believe in Brad Holmes (GM) and Dan Campbell, and these players, and see the team’s upward trajectory they started last year when they finished 8-2 to be able to come out this year and keep playing well, and start the year with a thrilling win over those Super Bowl champs (Kansas City), to be able to get to the bye (week) at 6-2 and have a chance to get a little bit healthier and get ready set out for the final nine games of the season. “It’s really been an amazing run, but I think the players and coaches will be the first to tell you they haven’t done anything yet. They haven’t won a division, they haven’t won a playoff game. There’s a lot of work ahead of them, but I like what this team is doing and how they’re built. It feels like a solid foundation that’s not just going to give them a good team for a year, but a good organization for many years to come that they can build on.” And when it’s all said and done, Miller hopes he can call a Super Bowl game from the radio booth sooner than later. And wouldn’t that be a real Shangri-La experience?
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The ‘Ville 15
ELECTION 2023
Laura Genitti Sweeps to Victory Moroski-Browne edges out Price for second spot on City Council By Kurt Kuban
N
orthville Mayor Brian Turnbull has known Laura Genitti her entire life. He watched her grow up playing sports at Northville High School and working at her familyowned Genitti’s Hole-in-theWall, ultimately taking over the landmark business after her father John passed away. Now, Turnbull will get to serve on the Northville City Council with her. Genitti came out on top during the Nov. 7 election, earning one of two open spots on the Council. Genitti sailed to victory, garnering more than 1,200 votes. Incumbent Barbara MoroskiBrowne won the other seat with 916 votes, narrowly defeating fellow incumbent Marilyn Price (907 votes). Robert Sochacki, who is a member of the library board, finished in 4th place with 821 votes. Both Genitti and Moroski-Browne won four-year terms. “She was born when I was in college,” Turnbull said of Genitti. “So I’ve known her forever.” Both Turnbull and Genitti gathered at a joyous election night party at the home of Dr. William Demray. Turnbull
16 The ‘Ville
noted they were both present in the same home the day in 2014 when the Northville Citizen of the Year Award was renamed the John Genitti Citizen of Year Award -- named after Laura’s father for his many
CITY OF NORTHVILLE ELECTION RESULTS CITY COUNCIL • Laura Genitti – 1,226 • Barbara Moroski-Browne 916 • Marilyn Price - 907 • Robert Sochacki - 821 Total votes cast – 2,053 (39% turnout) *Unofficial results still need to be certified by county canvassers.
contributions to the Northville community. “It only seems appropriate,” said Turnbull, who ran unopposed and won his third two-year term as mayor. In Northville, the mayor also acts as president of the City Council. Turnbull said Genitti will bring something new to the council. “I’m looking forward to having a business perspective on the council going forward,” he said. “We have so many major initiatives going on right now, so that will be valuable to
us.” Genitti was thankful to voters for having trust in her. As a business owner, she feels it is important to have a voice, especially when it comes to the Downs redevelopment project. “We are entering into a fiveyear construction period that is going to have a major impact on our city. I’m worried about that being done safely. I’m worried about kids getting to school safely, and that traffic coming in and out of town is safe,” Genitti said. “I want to be right in it as we decide these things.” The real race on election night turned out to be between incumbents Moroski-Browne and Price, who finished just nine votes behind MoroskiBrowne. According to the Northville Clerk’s Office, a total of 2,053 voters cast ballots, amounting to a 39% turnout, which is the highest turnout for an off-year election in recent memory, according to MoroskiBrowne. “I think it’s great that our residents are so engaged,” said Moroski-Browne, who noted the interest is largely due to the major issues the city is dealing with. “I’m really looking forward continuing the visionary plans we’ve been working on. Things like the Riverwalk, Ford Field and the Downs,” she said, noting other major initiatives that must be tackled in the not-so-distant future include upgrading water and sewer infrastructure and guiding developments like for the Foundry Flask site. Moroski-Browne gave a nod to both Genitti for her victory and to Price for her years of service to the community. “I’m going to miss working with Marilyn. She has been a
steady voice on Council. I just happened to get a few more votes than her,” she said. Price, who has served eight years on council and previously served more than eight years on the Northville School Board, admitted it will be a little weird not serving the community in an elected capacity. With the loss still pretty fresh a couple days after the election, she said she wasn’t sure how she’ll be involved in the future, but she’ll be paying close attention as the city moves forward with some major initiatives she has been a big part of. “I will miss the people the most, especially the staff. I’ve really enjoyed working with our city staff, from police and fire to DPW. We’re lucky to have some great people working for us,” she said. As for Sochacki, he will continue serving on the library board. He said he learned a lot about the community when he was out campaigning, and he will continue to stand up when it comes to issues that are important to residents. “I’m gonna keep my finger in it. I’m not going away quietly into the good night,” he said. “My campaign was strictly about the issues, and about city leaders being transparent. People need to know how these decisions are being made.” That’s something Genitti said is one of her goals as well. “We, as a city, need to do a better job letting our residents know what’s happening behind closed doors. I will do my best to communicate what we’re doing. Hopefully that will get more people involved,” she said. New council members were scheduled to be sworn into office at the Nov. 20 meeting at City Hall.
Northville Township Police Officers Andy Domzalski (from left), Megan Roy and Mike Brown with Max at a recent event.
Operation
Max’s Vault
Police targeting porch pirates during holidays By Tim Smith
B
eware “porch pirates” intent on pilfering packages from the front steps of Northville Township residents’ homes this holiday season. Max is keeping his eye on you. Thanks to a new program rolled out by the township police department in late October – Operation Max’s Vault, inspired by the department’s popular Goldendoodle support dog Max – efforts are in place to take a bite out of the backsides of those thoughtless thieves Northville Township residents (the city is not included in the program) can arrange to have packages (weighing less than 50 pounds, with other restrictions) delivered from United Parcel Service, Fed-Ex, Amazon or the United States Postal Service
18 The ‘Ville
directly to the front counter of the police department located at 41600 Six Mile Road. Those items will be kept in a secure area until Jan. 1, 2024, after which packages will be marked “return to sender.” According to a survey published by SafeWise and Vivint Smart Home in November 2022, approximately three in four Americans have had deliveries stolen from their homes and 260 million packages – valued at $19.5 billion – were stolen from U.S. porches in 2021. “Over the last few years I think every community in metro Detroit has been impacted by package theft,” said Northville Township Lieutenant Patrick Reinke, who proposed that the department begin a
there to comfort them (victims, program that many others in patients) and give them Michigan and the rest of the something to pay attention United States are now offering to while they’re working to thwart heartless Grinches. through the phases of whatever “We’re certainly not immune traumatic event it is.” from that, although I don’t Earlier in 2023, Max and think it’s been as prevalent as Domzalski visited Michigan last year and years prior. State University following the “To date, all of our efforts tragic campus shooting. to try and combat that have “When our officers go into been educating the public and schools or community meetings trying to encourage people to be one of the first things people ask vigilant of their surroundings is ‘Where’s Max?’ because he’s and not leaving things on the become that popular within the porch for too long.” community,” Reinke added. “I And what better way to think it (Operation Max’s Vault) promote the service to residents is something that’s a little bit than include Max? Since more memorable and easier for joining the department in people to remember.” 2022, he has been making the In addition to the 50-pound rounds to schools, hospitals weight restriction for packages, (with his handler, Officer Andy there are several other Domzalski) and other locations important restrictions in place -- not only in Northville for people to participate in the Township but all over the metro Detroit area. Northville Township Police Chief Scott Hilden said neighboring communities have implemented the same kind of program in recent years. Max is becoming a Northville Township Public Safety Officer John McPherson receives a bit of a rock package through the Operation Max’s Vault program. star in the free program. township, giving the Max’s Deliveries also cannot Vault program instant brand contain hazardous materials, recognition and credibility. flammable liquids, illegal “They (Max and Domzalski) do spend an awful lot of time contraband, live animals, in the schools interacting with weapons or ammunition. the kids there,” Reinke said. Packages also must be “They do spend times at local addressed to the recipient’s hospitals. But really, he (Max) name, c/o Max’s Vault, 41600 is there as a resource, in case Six Mile Road, Northville, we have someone who has a 48168. traumatic event and having him According to Hilden, having
the program in place should put a crimp in the style of package thieves, as they stake out potential targets. “I would say that it is a significant problem, not just in Northville Township but in communities all over the country,” Hilden stressed. “It’s a crime of opportunity and people are taking advantage of driving down a roadway and just looking for packages that are sitting on a front porch. “They will run up and grab the package and dart away real quick. We’ve even had some instances where a delivery driver is being followed by a package thief. … This program is a way for us to help mitigate that risk that anybody’s packages are going to get stolen.” For now, the lieutenant said
Northville Township’s support dog, Max, is the inspiration behind the Operation Max’s Vault program.
Operation Max’s Vault will only be for November and December in order to deal with the anticipated increase in package activity. “Every (package) carrier reports there’s a significant increase in e-commerce and parcel shipping between November and the end of the year with various holidays that come into play,” Reinke explained. “As of right now there are no plans to make it permanent, but that’s something we can always look
at later.” If more packages come in than anticipated, or if people do not immediately collect them, the police department does have other camera-ready areas inside the building where packages could be kept. In addition to the various restrictions pertaining to weight and contents, there is a specific protocol for packages to be claimed. The person named on a delivery must provide government-issued identification (such as a driver’s
license) that matches the name on the shipment. A spouse, friend or other family member cannot come in that person’s place. Also, an order confirmation or receipt must be provided and a release form (Form A-4 04/2021 lc) must be signed. Any unclaimed packages after New Year’s Day 2024 will be held for one week before attempts are made to contact the owner. If that owner does not respond, packages will be returned to the sender. “We’re happy to offer this to make the holiday season more enjoyable without (people) having to worry about being victims of theft,” Reinke said. For more information, contact the Northville Township Police Department at (248) 349-9400.
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Perfect Season Sachiv Kumar caps off undefeated year with third straight state title By Brad Emons
I
t dates all the way back to 1945. Northville’s Sachiv Kumar put himself in select company becoming only one of 10 players to capture three or more No. 1 individual singles titles in the history of Michigan High School Athletic Association boys tennis finals. He joins International Tennis Hall of Famer and American teaching pro legend Vic Braden, who also won three MHSAA titles in a row (1945-47) for Monroe. And to put icing on the proverbial cake, Kumar was named Mr. Tennis by the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Association for 2023. After defeating longtime foe Clayton Anderson of Rochester, 6-2, 6-4, for the third consecutive year, Kumar completed a perfect 28-0 senior season. “I was playing pretty good,” Kumar said. “I kind of figured out his game at this point. It’s kind of a mental battle for us because he knows my game and I kind of know his.”
24 The ‘Ville
THE KUMAR FILE The two are practice partners and usually hit together at least once a week. “He lives in Rochester and I live Northville, so we usually meet somewhere in the middle,” Kumar said. “We’re like best friends, but also rivals a little bit.” A year ago, Anderson was the only player to hand the Northville senior a loss en route to his second straight state title, but the University of Wisconsin-bound Kumar pretty much owned their rivalry during the past three years. “It’s kind of a belief for him that he can win, even though he’s been losing, so I think he couldn’t get over that hump this year as well,” said Kumar, who captured his first No. 1 title as a sophomore as the fifth seed. “I think I played him a little better than most years and I don’t think he played his best either.” In recent Northville history, Kumar surpassed the No. 1 singles achievements of two former University of Michigan players including Connor Johnston, the 2015 No. 1 flight
champion and two-time runner-up in 2013 and 2014, along with Tyler Gardiner, the 2011 champ and runner-up in 2012. Kumar, who did not lose a set all season while also capturing regional and Kensington Lakes Activities Association individual crowns, is ranked No. 81 nationally in the USTA Boys 18s and is considered a 4-star by TennisRecruiting.net. After considering East Coast schools such as NCAA Division I Georgetown and Division III MIT, Kumar is headed to play in the newly expanded Big Ten in 2024 where he’ll become a Wisconsin Badger. Kumar, who carries a weighted 3.97 grade-point average, wants to study either economics or computer science. “On the visit the coaches were really nice and they’re really easy-going guys, but the facilities and campus there are just beautiful,” he said. “If you’ve ever seen Madison, it’s really nice, one of the best Big Ten campuses there is. It’s a really big athletic school, it’s the
Sachiv Kumar did not lose a set all season while capturing the KLAA, regional and state individual crowns. He is ranked No. 81 nationally in the USTA Boys 18s and is considered a 4-star by TennisRecruiting.net. Big Ten and I know it’s going to be a really big conference next year with Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington joining . . . it’s going to be a lot of fun.” TEAM FINISHES SECOND Meanwhile, Kumar’s individual success also carried over to the rest of team. Under third-year coach Robert Young, the Mustangs finished tied for second with Troy in the Division 1 team standings with 27 points. (Bloomfield Hills repeated as champion with 36.) The Mustangs advanced to quarterfinal round in all eight flights, including six to the semifinals and three to the
D1 finals held Oct. 20-21 in Midland. At No. 4 singles, sophomore Amogh Mavatoor captured the title with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 win over top seed Zev Spiegel of Bloomfield Hills, while junior Josh Kim made it all the way to the No. 3 singles final before falling to Connor Shaya of Bloomfield Hills, 6-4, 6-0. Mavatoor finished 32-1 on the year, while Kim was 28-3. Both captured Regional 4 and KLAA titles. Northville’s No. 2 singles player, senior Kyle Brown, finished the year 28-4 reaching the state quarterfinals after winning both the regional and KLAA crowns. At No. 1 doubles, the duo of senior Jack Liu and junior
Nick Song went 23-6, reaching the quarters after winning the regional and finishing second in the KLAA tourney. The No. 2 doubles team of senior Nathan Waller and junior Brian Zhang reached the state semifinals before falling to Troy’s Josh Samuelson and Eric Kim, 7-6, 6-2. They were also regional and conference champs posting a 27-5 overall record. Meanwhile, junior Nikkil Karnani and sophomore Dhruv Laungani went 27-4 after reaching the No. 3 doubles semifinals, while also winning both the regional and KLAA titles. Not to be outdone was the No. 4 tandem of junior Anderson Herdoiza and sophomore Anikait Pundhir, who combined for a 24-6 record while reaching
the state semifinals before falling in a three-set encounter to Bloomfield Hills. They were runnersup in both the regional and KLAA tourneys. The Mustangs posted a 17-3 Sophomore Amogh Mavatoor (32-1) won the No. 4 flight singles state title. overall dual match record said Kumar, who served as a for the 2023 season while team captain along with Brown, winning six tournaments and Liu and Waller. “Actually, we placing runner-up in three lost quite a few seniors. I think others. They captured 25 of 27 we thought we would be third matches at the KLAA tourney behind Troy, but I think we scored 23 out of a possible 24 played good enough and tied, points at the Novi regional. and played our best tennis.” “We did pretty phenomenal,”
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The Arbor Hills Landfill, owned by Green For Life, towers above Northville Township’s western boundary.
Northville Township files lawsuit after landfill odor complaints flare up By Tim Smith
N
oxious odors apparently wafting over from Arbor Hills Landfill to the western edge of Northville Township are raising quite a stink, and were scheduled to be subject of a Nov. 20 court hearing in the 3rd Circuit Court of Wayne County. Northville Township has filed a lawsuit to make the landfill immediately cease dumping waste materials into Cell 6, a new portion of the landfill which opened July 6. Arbor Hills is located in Salem Township, right across from Northville Township’s western border. The pungent, rotten egg smell has been worsening since Cell 6 opened. Residents who live within breathing distance of the landfill – and who must deal with the odors on a daily basis – include Northville Township resident David Drinan, vice president of the
28 The ‘Ville
environmental watchdog group The Conservancy Initiative. More than 200 odor complaints were made in October alone, indicating the problem is not dissipating. “What the township’s lawsuit requests is a restraining order preventing them from using Cell 6 anymore,” Drinan said. “Before July they were somehow keeping that place running without Cell 6 running. I think there were only something like 15 odor complaints in June. “What EGLE (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy) and the landfill have said in their public documents is they need to get the gas recovery system for Cell 6 activated,” Drinan continued. “EGLE has approved an extension (until midJanuary, 2024), they’ve given the landfill extra time to get it
running.” But Drinan added that Northville Township “has done a real good job letting the landfill know they mean business,” with the 62-page lawsuit, in which the township is seeking an injunction. Although results of that hearing, to take place in 3rd Circuit Court, were not available when this issue of The ‘Ville went to press, township officials and the Conservancy Initiative are hopeful Green For Life (owner of Arbor Hills) will be required to immediately stop dumping garbage into Cell 6 – a recently opened section of the landfill where most of recent citizen complaints are stemming from. “We just think it’s unconscionable that they would open up Cell 6 without having the equipment to deal with the odors that would come from it,” said Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo, adding that the lawsuit’s intention is for the court to shut down Cell 6 “until they have the equipment in place. “EGLE’s given them until mid-January, but we think that’s not good enough. They should just close it down until they have the equipment,” Abbo said. Cynthia Jankowski, Northville Township clerk, added that Arbor Hills Landfill “has repeatedly stated that they are working to improve the conditions at the landfill; however, things have only deteriorated. On behalf of our residents, we need a resolution.” From July 6, when Cell 6 opened at the northeast section of the landfill, until late October, there have been 462 odor complaints made to the Conservancy Initiative blog, which are immediately
forwarded to Abbo and other Northville Township officials. Salem Township Supervisor Gary Whittaker also receives those complaints. “Every time a resident files a complaint I see it, I’m aware of it,” Abbo said. “I was alarmed at the increase in (odor complaints) recently.” EGLE, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, issued two violation notices in October to Arbor Hills Landfill for violating regulations which stipulate that gases generated by the facility not result in an environmental nuisance. Following Green For Life’s response to the first notice (issued on Oct. 10) – which asserted “The combined efforts of all the remedial construction conducted by the Arbor Hills staff appears to have eliminated the odor source” – there were 30 new odor complaints made between Oct. 17-20. Those more recent complaints, and EGLE’s questioning of Green For Life’s response to the first violation notice, prompted the second violation notice Oct. 25 and triggered the current lawsuit. Moreover, the drop-off in complaints mid-October had more to do with a brief shift in autumnal wind patterns than any action taken by the landfill owners. Yet Drinan shrugged off the suggestion that perhaps moving from summer to fall might have something to do with the uptick in complaints. “If it is the weather changing, it doesn’t matter,” Drinan said. “They (Green For Life/Arbor Hills) still need to do something about it. There are nuisance regulations, and they have a consent decree that tells them
We just think it’s unconscionable that they would open up Cell 6 without having the equipment to deal with the odors that would come from it.” Mark Abbo, Northville Township Supervisor, on the recent expansion of the Arbor Hills landfill
how much methane can be at the property line. And they’re in violation of those things.” The township has been battling the landfill for two years over various matters, including runoff of contaminants (primarily P-FAS) into nearby Johnson Creek, the region’s lone coldwater trout stream and part of the Rouge River watershed. Drinan said his watchdog group “works hand in glove with the township leadership. … Our ultimate goal is that they never
expand that thing. It’s running at capacity.” Green for Life, according to an October blog post on The Conservancy Initiative, was granted a 120-day extension “to complete the design and installation of a Gas Capture and Control System” for Cell 6. Such a system would go a long way toward ensuring area residents do not sustain major health problems due to the methane. Although the excessive amounts of gases might pose an
obvious problem for residents living in the vicinity of the landfill, medical studies show it does not necessarily cause major, chronic health issues. The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, conducted a study about the impact of hydrogen sulfide on citizens. “ATSDR concluded that the measured levels of hydrogen sulfide and other parameters were not high enough to cause
adverse health effects,” the report concluded. “However, when study participants reported that they smelled rotten eggs or garbage, they also reported that they were more likely to wheeze or experience difficulties in breathing. “A moderate decline in lung function was also documented on days when participants reported these odors.” Landfill general manager Dave Seegert could not be reached for comment.
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aUnique Vibe NOMI brings a late night, speakeasy concept to Northville
G
us Shukeireh and Sam Shihadeh want to put Northville on the map when it comes to night life. The longtime owners of the Northville Sports Den have come up with a new concept bar they hope will spice up downtown Northville, and make it a destination for the after hours crowd looking for a high end location to unwind and
have some fun. Located on the bottom floor of Northville Square next to the Sports Den, NOMI (which stands for Northville, Michigan) is a Prohibition-themed speakeasy that will feature craft cocktails, artisan desserts,
32 The ‘Ville
live entertainment, and most importantly a chill vibe that will be unique in Northville, they say. “It’s no secret that after 9 o’clock Northville turns into a ghost town,” said Shihadeh. “We’re hoping to change that. We want to be a place where not only Northville residents can come but also be a destination for people coming
from elsewhere, like Livonia, Plymouth and Novi.” Shukeireh and Shihadeh, who are also cousins, worked with operations manager Narmin Jarrous to come up with the concept during the dark days of Covid, which proved to
be difficult time for so many restaurants. “This is three years in the making,” said Shihadeh. “We got the space during Covid, and
NOMI OWNERS: Gus Shukeireh and Sam Shihadeh ADDRESS: 133 W. Main Street, Ste 201 PHONE: (248) 449-3200 WEBSITE: www.nomilounge.com the three of us asked ourselves, ‘What can we do? How do we bring people into Northville?’” Some of the ideas the three Northville residents contemplated were to expand the Sports Den or create a cigar bar. Ultimately they chose the late night concept with a “Gatsby-type of atmosphere” reminiscent of the Roaring Twenties. They have spent the last two years completely renovating the space, right down to the smallest details. It is glamorous, yet comfortable. “With the Sports Den we get so many families, and that is a great atmosphere,” said Jarrous. “Now we want to do something different, something strictly for adults. This is going to be a place where parents can go. They can
get a babysitter and go out for the night to unwind. “We definitely have a vibe we are going for – a place where people can kind of be transported back to a different era – almost nostalgic,” she continued. Shihadeh said it has taken a while, but NOMI now has all its permits in place and they are ready to open the doors. They are planning a soft opening the week of Thanksgiving, including an opening night for friends and family members. They have a new staff, completely different from the Sports Den. The initial plan is to be open Thursday through Saturday nights, and fine tuning operations until around the first of the year, when they plan to have a major grand opening celebration. Eventually they are planning a Sunday brunch as well, but that is down the road. Shihadeh said they will be constantly bringing in fresh concepts, including live musicians, dancers and different themes, like a Miami club night. “We want to keep changing it up to keep it fresh,” he said. “For the first month or so, we’ll be dialing it in to see what’s working and what’s not. The one thing you can count on is great customer service.” To keep up with the different themes and daily drink specials, Jarrous said people can visit the NOMI website at www. nomilounge.com and sign up for alerts. After three years of planning, she’s ready to open the doors to a whole new concept for Northville. “I’m so excited. This is the kind of place I want to go to and hang out,” she said. “To have that in the community where I live is going to be so cool.”
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HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL
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Fun Fall Traditions Autumn is season to strengthen bonds with peers at NHS
T
he new school year marks the start of a new season, one of the crowd favorites - autumn. As the leaves turn different shades of red, gold, and orange, and the air begins to feel crisp, Northville High School (NHS) students and staff participate in their own playful traditions. Whether they be devouring delicacies with family, visiting the cider mill with friends, or cheering at football games, fall activities fill the community with enjoyment and celebration. For many, autumn pastimes are linked to childhood memories and family ties. NHS freshman Amy Ni speaks fondly of one of her family’s important traditions: “I enjoy eating mooncakes with my family to celebrate the Mid-Autumn festival, a popular Chinese holiday. It allows me to connect with my culture and reminds me of my family back in China.” As the holiday season inches closer, many individuals feel an extra strong sense of family and friendship. Whether this is due to an increased amount of time spent together as the weather cools down or simply the warm memories evoked from holidays including Halloween and Thanksgiving, this sense is undoubtedly common among almost everyone. “One of my favorite things is to sit on my
34 The ‘Ville
back porch and have my sister, who’s also my best friend, come over, and we’ll drink warm cider curled up under blankets. We’ve done it periodically since I was little,” said NHS English teacher Amy Baditoi. Food plays a big role in many fall traditions. The NHS community loves to partake in seasonal culinary traditions, whether by reviewing local restaurants for the Northville News Network, selling delectable fall goodies during student-run bake sales, or adding a fall twist to lunch menus. “Foods that remind me of the fall season are pumpkin pie, pumpkin seeds, and apple pie,” freshman Natalie Cacavaro said. “We
make all of these homemade every year since I have moved [from another state] and it’s so worth it.” For counselor Elizabeth Peterson, pumpkins and apples come to mind when thinking about fall. “I usually make (pumpkin pie) for Thanksgiving,” she said. “I always enjoy anything pumpkin flavored, usually pumpkin bread, and anything with apple in it.” With these common themes in mind, many students agree that the perfect places to acquire such treats were Parmenter’s Cider Mill and Three Cedars Farm. Many people shared their delicious experiences in apple picking, drinking cider, and eating donuts with friends and family. Perhaps the most thrilling fall highlights at NHS are football games as well as the Homecoming dance. For NHS students, autumn is a time to strengthen bonds with peers and get excited before winter hits. In the weeks leading up to the Homecoming game and dance, students showed their tremendous school spirit by attending football games - cheering and supporting the players, band, and cheerleaders. Homecoming week especially showcases the Mustang pride through the fun-filling spirit days, lunchroom games, pep rally, and the games themselves. The NHS band, with their outstanding performances, never fails to capture the spotlight during major events. “I participated in the Heritage Festival Parade as a band member. I marched around town playing songs and I loved it,” said freshman marching band member Niels Grobben. No matter the activities they enjoy, the food they savor, or the traditions they celebrate, the NHS students and staff cherish the fall season as a unique way of bringing families, friends, and the community closer together.
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out & about YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S HAPPENING IN NORTHVILLE THIS MONTH SEND IT IN To get your items listed in Out & About, email editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@gmail.com.
Festival of Trees
Growing Smiles
Dec. 1 Mill Race Village hosts this annual tradition where local individuals and businesses sponsor festive lighted trees in the Village. If you are interested in sponsoring and/ or decorating a tree, contact the Northville Historical Society at (248) 348-1845 or visit www. millracenorthville.org. The trees will be up through the end of the month.
Dec. 2 Northville High School sophomore Swara Rege is hosting a fundraiser for children suffering from cleft from 5-7 p.m. at the Northville Community Center (303 W. Main Street). The event, called Growing Smiles – One Smile At A Time, will feature a video presentation about children suffering from cleft lip/palate, as well as trivia, raffles, Bingo and prizes. Those who attend will also design ‘get well soon’ cards for children undergoing procedures. For more information about the event, including how you can help, visit www.mysmiletrain.org/ campaign/SwaraRege.
Merry Little Christmas Party Dec. 1 New Hope Center for Grief Support will host this annual fundraising event from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Northville Square. The festivities will take place throughout the mall. Children’s activities will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and will include pictures with Santa, cookie decorating, and more. Tickets are $45 per adult, and $10 per child. New Hope Center for Grief Support is a nonprofit that provides support at no cost to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. For more information, visit newhopecenter.net.
Owl Prowl Dec. 2 Join the Friends of Maybury from 6-8 p.m. at Maybury State Park as
A Holiday to Remember
The Northville DDA is bringing back it’s A Holiday to Remember activities on several days this December. There will be family-friendly holiday activities on Saturday afternoons from 4-7 p.m. in December (9th, 16th, and 23rd). Activities in the downtown social district will include horse and wagon rides, bagpipers and choirs, and vendors. In addition, Santa will be visiting children in Town Square on Sundays, Dec. 3 and Dec. 17 (from 1-4 p.m.).
36 The ‘Ville
they take a night hike and try to entice resident owls to respond to an artificial call. Everyone welcome. The program is free and suitable for all ages. Hot chocolate and treats will be provided. Dress for the weather – hike will last approximately 40 minutes. Use the Eight Mile Road entrance to the park and meet at the Trailhead Building. Registration is required by visiting www.friendsofmaybury.org.
Holiday Pops at the Marquis Dec. 8 The Michigan Philharmonic returns to the Marquis Theatre in downtown Northville. The show, Holiday Pops with the Phil, starts at 7:30 p.m. The show will feature members of the Northville Chorale, as they sing along to some holiday favorites. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.michiganphil.org. For more information about the Northville Chorale, including how to join, visit www.northvillechorale.com.
Santa 5K Run/Walk Dec. 9 The Living & Learning Enrichment Center will host this fundraiser beginning at 10 a.m. The 5K Walk/ Run will start at Northville Athletix (560 S. Main Street) and then along Edward Hines Drive. At 11 a.m., a one mile fun run/walk will begin. For more information, send an email to MCooper@livingandlearningcenter.org.
Northville Chorale Concert Dec. 10 The Northville Chorale vocal group, lead by its music director Jantz Black, will perform “Holidays Through The Eyes of a Child” at 4 p.m. at the Marquis Theatre in downtown Northville. For more information about the Northville Chorale, including how to join, visit www.northvillechorale.com.
A Very Northville Christmas Tipping Point Theatre (TPT) continues its 16th theatrical season on Nov. 29, with A Very Northville Christmas by Robert Hawlmark and directed by Williamston Theatre’s John Lepard (pictured). The show follows a professional woman running in the fast lane of the big city corporate world who journeys back to her hometown of Northville. When she runs into a handsome acquaintance from high school, she’s forced to evaluate her life and priorities. It blends “the heartwarming spirit of Hallmark movies with the ridiculous humor of plays like The 39 Steps and Irma Vep” according to Lepard. There will be a special preglow reception for the Dec. 2 performance that will feature holiday hors d’oeuvres, Christmas cookies, chai tea and wine for patrons with tickets. For ticket information, visit www. tippingpointtheatre.com or call (248) 347-0003.
Free Annual Parent Camp & Wellness Fair
SAVE THE DATE FREE SNACKS
PARENT WORKSHOPS
WELLNESS FAIR
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Saturday, February 3, 2024 Doors Open at 8:30am Northville High School A partnership between For more information visit www.supportNEF.org/parent-camp
Be part of the Christmas story with us!
Blue Christmas Healing Service Thur., Dec. 14 (7pm)
A time to gather, remember, and heal in love
Christmas Eve Worship Sat., Dec. 24
- 10am Community Outreach
focused service on food insecurity Food Drive: Bring a non-perishable food item
- 4pm Family Service featuring all-ages Christmas pageant God With All Of Us - 7pm Candlelight Service with traditional carols and choir 21355 Meadowbrook Road, Novi, MI 48375 248-348-7757 www.mbccc.org
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The Karl’s Cabin team, including owners Lou, Sophia and Pete Poulos, are just about ready to re-open after a fire gutted the restaurant last year.
Rising from the Ashes Popular Karl’s Cabin ready to reopen after fire forces major rebuild By Tim Smith
P
opular Karl’s Cabin, which has been closed since a devastating fire on Feb. 15, is getting ready to reopen as soon as late November. The Poulos family, which owns the beloved restaurant located at Gotfredson and North Territorial roads, has been hard at work restoring Karl’s and wants the community to know how much they appreciate all the support they’ve received since the fire. On a berm near that corner is a large, blue banner with the heartfelt message: “THANK YOU 4 YOUR LOVE & SUPPORT!” Family matriarch Sophia Poulos and sons Peter and Louis (all three are Karl’s Cabin co-
38 The ‘Ville
owners) couldn’t stop beaming when talking about the support they’ve received since the fire and their estimated $1.5 million rehab of the historic restaurant. “We were really humbled by the reaction and the support, the positivity and the love that we’ve received from the community,” said Louis Poulos, general manager and chef. “We definitely appreciate our guests. They are like an extension of our family.” Those people will get an early holiday present when Karl’s Cabin re-opens the week after Thanksgiving. “Everybody is just so good to us, before the fire and after the fire,” said Sophia Poulos, who opened the business in 1982
with husband Karl, who passed in 2013 at age 84. “He’d be so happy to see what’s going on, seeing how good the boys are doing.” They weren’t doing so well last winter, wondering whether all was lost following the blaze which destroyed about 75 percent of the facility. Once it was determined that Karl’s Cabin was not doomed to the wrecking ball, they got to work putting things back together. They kept some pieces and lost others. Don’t expect there to be an outdoor smoking area anywhere near the building; fire department officials blamed the February fire on a careless smoker, who did not completely extinguish a cigarette butt and ultimately triggered nearby propane tanks. All could have been lost if not for an alert employee, Louis’ daughter Sofia. While going to the parking lot to deliver a to-go order, she spotted smoke coming from the back of the building and rushed back inside to let management know about the dangerous situation. Miraculously, the oldest part of Karl’s – the log cabin – was spared from destruction, although the charred bones have been spruced up and bolstered. As for the rest of the building, about 1,500 square feet was added mostly in order to expand the kitchen, re-do the popular banquet wing (adjacent to the log cabin) and incorporate more room for offices and storage. The larger kitchen will give Louis Poulos (and his crew) more room to prepare salmon sliders, hand-cut French fries or chicken piccata. “We had lots of ideas of what we thought we wanted to do in preparation for re-opening,”
Louis said. “But we came to the conservative conclusion that the best thing to do was to open with a majority of the same menu items that we had. We’ll do some seasonal changes.” Office manager Leslie McLean said recent updates on social media have generated as many as 6,000 likes on Facebook (compared to 150 likes for a pre-fire post). Also telling is the fact 95 of 100 employees on staff in February are returning for Karl’s 2.0. “A lot of different restaurants reached out to us and said ‘If you send some of your employees here we’d be happy to hire them,’” said McLean, listing Cantoro Italian Market, Stella’s Black Dog Tavern and Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center, among others. “It was really great how many restaurants called us and e-mailed us.” Many of those employees have returned as Karl’s gets ready to reopen with the hope of enjoying success for many years to come. “We’ve always been a family here,” explained 31-year employee and dining room manager Phyllis Rogazione. “So I think that’s (how) our staff feels, they are still part of this family. Even though they did go somewhere else and work during these nine months, … they came back to us.” For more information about the re-opening go to www. KarlsCabin.com. The owners said there will be a soft opening for family and friends, followed by a media day on Tuesday, Nov. 28. Karl’s Cabin, located at 6005 Gotfredson Road, officially reopens in the days immediately following that event. Call (734) 455-8450 for more information.
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On the Road With Play Ball!
Northville’s Eileen MacInnis Smith took her copy of The ‘Ville to Los Angeles where she met up with fellow 1990 Northville High grad Cristen Gazlay Loeb. The two attended the game at Dodgers Stadium between the Dodgers and Detroit Tigers on Sept. 18. Cristen (wearing the Dodgers jersey) lives in the L.A. area.
Maine Wooden Boat School
Over the summer, Northville’s Don Unsworth and Jeff Mahakian traveled to Brookline, Maine, where they attended the Wooden Boat School. While there, they both took classes in boat building and oar/paddle making. “We had a fantastic week,” Don said. Mahakian (Northville High Class of 1988) is pictured with The ‘Ville at the school.
A Real Greek Salad
Northville Linda Schwelnus and Deb McIntyre cruised to Turkey and Greece on the Oceania Nautica in September. Some of the highlights of the trip included sailing around Bodrum (Turkey) by traditional gulet with two swims in the beautiful, transparent sea, the picture post card perfect views of Oia, Santorini (Greece), and a tour of the ancient Acropolis in Athens. Here they are pictured with their copy of The ‘Ville, while eating a real Greek salad for lunch in Santorini.
Utah’s ‘Mighty Five’
Jas and Therese Fodera of Northville took along their copy of The ‘Ville on their recent road trip visiting Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks which included Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and their favorite Canyonlands (pictured here bottom left photo). The parks are famous for their spectacular red-rock formations, desert solitude, and more than 1,000 miles of hiking trails. Their driving trip started in Las Vegas with additional visits to Flagstaff, Arizona for some incredible stargazing, the old west town of Oatman, Arizona to see the “wild” burros and Lake Havasu City. The trip ended in Las Vegas where a “modest contribution” was made to support their gaming industry. “The scenery took our breath away,” Jas said.
True North
In October, Mark and Cheryl Urban traveled to Ireland with fellow Northville residents, Bill and Deb Lokey, who they’ve known since junior high. The Urbans then went on to Iceland, where they took The ‘Ville to where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet (where they are pictured). According to Cheryl, “Ireland was sunny and beautiful with emerald, rolling hills, natural wonders like the Cliffs of Moher and Giant’s Causeway and warm, welcoming and gregarious people.” In Iceland, the highlights were glaciers, abundant waterfalls, natural geysers and the renowned geothermal baths. “We were blessed to enjoy them all in abundant, albeit unexpected, sunshine and blue skies. We even glimpsed the Northern Lights,” she said. The next time you head out of town, take along a copy of The ‘Ville, snap a photo, and let us know where your travels take you. Our readers would love to know! Please email the photos to kurtkuban@gmail.com. We’ll feature the photos in an upcoming issue.
40 The ‘Ville
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.
November Is A Month To Give Thanks W
e moved the clock back, but time flies and really, there’s no turning back. November truly is a great month for giving thanks. My friend’s daughter has a birthday this month. She calls her mom that day to say “Thanks, Mom for life.” No religious or political statement, just sweet. (Happy birthday, Patricia!) Kudos to Northville’s DPW. On November 1st the leaves were picked up, the Veteran’s banners were put up, the skeletons were put away, many of the new bollards were installed and the streets were cleared for traffic. Just to name a few of their assigned tasks for week one. It was done so smoothly you may not have even noticed. Well, team DPW – I noticed and the city looks great!
Army veteran Walter Borda at the OLV veteran mass with Emmie and Anne Borda.
The Veterans banners are a beautiful way to say thanks. It is a Chamber of Commerce project and this year a major sponsor dropped out. If anyone is interested in supporting this program call Douglas Wallace at the Chamber to learn more.
42 The ‘Ville
I am so proud to see my dad’s youthful smile every morning. It was heartwarming to attend the Children’s Mass at Our Lady of Victory (OLV) in mid-November as they honored veterans. The middle school band played the military songs for each branch of the armed services as attendees stood to be recognized. Walter Borda stood for Army, saluted and I cried.
The outdoor dining structures have been removed from Main and Center streets. One found a new home. Alicia Racine from Adorn recycled her structure, donating it to the winery at the cider mill. The Nelson family graciously accepted. Reminds me of a Hallmark movie, neighbor helping neighbor. It was a community gathering of merchants, friends and boys from the Northville High football team that took the structure intact from point A to point B, less than one hour, start to finish. Impressive engineering.
this year. Georgia was born in September. I understand she arrived on her actual due date. I hope her parents don’t think she will always be that cooperative.
Melissa and Matt Cooper
OLV teachers (from left) Emily, Carole Ann, Hillary.
As a Catholic school kid and parent and grandparent, the Prep Bowl at Ford Field is an annual “thing.” This year it was not for any sport that I went. My daughter Jill teaches at St. Catherine of Siena Academy. She was recognized for her commitment to Catholic education for ten years. I am very proud of her. Daily I witness what “a calling” truly means. There were three locals from OLV recognized: Assistant Principal Emily Wesley, Middle School Math Teacher Carole Ann Whited and 5th Grade Teacher Hillary Maly. Thanks to each of you for your continued commitment to education, and faith.
Little Salumi “Georgia”.
I walked in Genitti’s one day to find the whole place working up 2,000 box lunches. They were going to be delivered to five Detroit public schools for the volunteers working at the polls on election day. Now, that’s a great way to say thanks. And speaking of sandwiches, congratulations to Jessica and Corey from The Little Salumi – there’s a new little someone at their Thanksgiving table
My apologies to the Mill Race Garden Party folks and, Melissa and Matt Cooper. I gave credit for the barbecue parfaits to the wrong person. Drat! I hope if you are ever in need, you will reach out to Mattbestbarbecue.com. It’s time for some holiday shopping. Please visit our local merchants. There are so many unique and affordable options. I recently found Studio 170 Boutique on the south side of Main just east of Town Square. They have clever sweatshirts, artisan style jewelry, home goods and the perfect outfit for a holiday party. The staff is (as my granddaughter says) amazing. Relax and enjoy the holidays. Read a book, knit a scarf, get your nails done…give yourself a gift of time. Happy turkey-day and “thanks” for reading.
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