NORTHVILLIANS,

This past weekend Northville was alive with Music as the concert series began for the year. Additionally, there was a litany of ribbon-cutting events and happenings around town:

• Ford Field’s playscape soft opening was June 12^th where hundreds of youths were the first to experience the magic of the playground (Link).
• Warren Evans’ Wayne County Team were in town for the Roundabout opening along with Rep. Debbie Dingell, our County Commissioners Terry Marecki & Gwen Markham along with other officials and various Stakeholders (Link).
• Weather was great for the monthly Northville Cars & Coffee gathering (150 Cars) –2^nd Saturdays @ 550 W. 7 Mile (Market Area).
• And coming up, a very exciting event: The River Park with its historic log cabin will be dedicated June 17^th 11AM.

We will talk about Father’s Day and Juneteenth in this week’s letter…
FATHER’S DAY– The history of Father’s Day dates back to 1906 when a church in West Virginia held a ceremony to honor 362menwho had been killed the previous year in a coal mining explosion. Eventually, Father’s Day “in general” was celebrated at an event on June 19th, 1910, in Spokane, Washington. There was a movement in America after that to celebrate Father’s Day each June.

In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson officially recognized the observance of Father’s Day nationally. It was always a special day in our household growing up where we showed our father and grandfathers how much we appreciated them.

JUNETEENTH–Also called Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day, or Black Independence Day.Juneteenth represents the 161st anniversary commemorating the last African American slave being freed. While it has long been celebrated in many communities, former President Biden signedJuneteenthinto law June 17^th, 2021. This was the first federal holiday approved since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983. Onthis day, we recommit ourselves to the work of equality and justice across these United States.

Before looking at Father's Day activities and the Juneteenth holiday, let's see what's going on today:

• Summer Solstice Luncheon – 6/30, 11:30AM, Community Center Link
• Upcoming Music/Concerts/Events – Marquis Link, NOMI Link, Genitti’s Link, Northville Winery Link, Chamber/DDA Concert Series in Downtown Northville Link
• Country Garden Club’s 32^nd Annual Garden Walk – 7/8, 9AM – 4PM. Link

INFO FOR CITIZENS...
TASK FORCE MEETINGS

• Cemetery Renewal Task Force Mtg – 7/13/26, 7PM City Hall (Dave Marold–Chair)
• (See Link for information or Link to donate/support.)
• Bicentennial Task Force Mtg–7/15/26, 7PM City Hall (Rick Sharpe – Chair)
• Additional ways to be involved will be posted soon.

PROJECTS AROUND TOWN

• FORD FIELD
• The Playscape had a soft opening last week & the grounds have been active since.
• Serenity Point waterfall area is now a spectacular placemaking spot connected to the pathways & the ADA entryway. The overview Vista (Gateway) work continues.
• A new staircase is being designed & considered. (Grant opportunity).
• RIVERWALK – The pathway system at the Downs along the rivers is complete … construction fences on River Street & next to Johnson Creek are down for access.
• DOWNS INITIATIVE – River Park ribbon-cutting is 6/17 @ 11AM. Check out the Beal St. bridge stonework wings. Stroll the park today.
• NORTHVILLE COMMUNITY MARKET AREA – Farmers’ Market every Thursday.Last Saturday’s Car Show was outstanding (150 vehicles) – 2^nd Saturdays (next one July 11^th)
• GRANTS that Support Northville’s Initiatives (Over $17.6M) – Link

Now Let's Take a Look at Father's Day and Juneteenth Activities...
Father’s Day 2026 (Sunday, June 21st)
Through the years, many Father’s Day activities and traditions have been celebrated in Northville. In our household, it was always a day when my son and I spent time together going to the pilgrimage of “Speed” NASCAR races, traditionally at Michigan International Speedway on this weekend. My father took me to the very first races there in the late 1960’s.
More Father’s Day Activities
1944 –A salute for Father’s Day included an ad in theNorthville Recordsuggesting buying War bonds for Dad’s special day.
1946 –The paper spoke about OLV’s annual breakfast for Father’s Day, where they gave out awards for the oldest and the youngest father, and also the one who had the most children. This tradition continued for most of last century.
1964 –Northville Drug Company advertised gifts for fathers, including pipes, tobacco, cigars, and other items in their smoking section. AND … they offered free delivery.
1968 –The electric razor was all the craze at Northville Gunsell Drug store, with their ad stating, “Make dad glad on Father’s Day with a Sunbeam or Norelco electric shaver.”
Also, in 1968 –a fashion show for Father’s Day gifts was offered by local retailers and was staged around the brand-new pool at King’s Mill … the public was invited.
1974 –There was an article published inThe Recordwith the headline,” Like father like son.” It stated, “Every good tree maketh good fruit.” And went on to say, “This 14^thcentury poetic observation is still a truism today.”
1977 –Good Time Party Store ran their traditional ad for Northvillians to stop by and pick out a live lobster from their tank for Father’s Day, and they would show you how to prepare it. A bottle of wine was part of the Father’s Day package.
1983 –There was a Father’s Day celebration at Guernsey Farms Dairy where rides were offered on an old-fashioned horse-drawn Guernsey Milk Wagon pulled by Belgian show horses.
1996 –Bueter’s outdoor store spoke about fly fishing gifts for dad: ”Tie one on with your dad this Father’s Day” (it’s all about Fly Fishing in Life!). Lessons and fishing trips were available!

Switching gears from Father’s Day to Juneteenth …
Northville’s Underground Railroad Connections
According to a 1927Recordarticle, the Ambler Hotel in downtown Northville in the 1800’s was a station on the Underground Railroad, assisting those in their flight for freedom. In addition to the Ambler Hotel, other stations in the Northville area were supposedly the Starkweather Farm (7 Mile & Beck) and a location near where Meads Mill school is today, among others.

John Lewis – Michigan’s last Civil War Vet
John was a storied Civil War veteran. According toThe Record:“The Lewis family fled the South before the Civil War and stayed at the Ambler Station on the underground railroad. Eventually, they took up residence in the Northville School District in Salem. John Lewis felt compelled to enlist in Pontiac’s first African American division during the Civil War.” He was involved in fighting at Gettysburg, and the Lewis Family always displayed a Civil War drum that John used on the battlefield.John Lewis was supposedly Michigan’s last living Civil War veteran.

Joe Louis(World’s Heavyweight Boxing Champion)
Joe(Joseph Louis Barrow) put our town on the map in the 1930s when he trained on occasion in Northville. At the time, the town was a nucleus of boxing in the Detroit area, with a private full-time indoor ring in the Village. Over time, Joe Louis became a beloved member of our town and was adopted as a true Northvillian.

Martin Luther King– One of my favoriteMLKquotes is:
“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men [and women] are created equally.”

So, let’s slow down and celebrate Father’s Day weekend, and keep top of mind that equality and justice for all Americans is what the Juneteenth holiday is all about, too.

Keep that Northville Faith!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville