First, I would like to begin this week by congratulating the Mustangs Football TEAM that remains undefeated after battling Plymouth Salem, resulting in a 37-23 win at home Friday night. Also, a parent called and mentioned that the Boys Cross Country TEAM is Ranked 1st in the State and the Girls 4th, and congrats go out to many other sports TEAMS that are highly ranked at Northville High School who are battling across the board.
Last week, many of these sports TEAMS helped at our Victorian Fall Festival Days, where the weather was outstanding for all the third graders to visit before the Friday Parade. I also saw many of you in town listening to music at the American Legion Tent, Town Square or the Marquis Theatre. Additionally, the traditional Duck race took place on Sunday at the epicenter of our walkable history museum we call Mill Race Village. Bottom Line, Northville was truly alive with activities, music and festivities throughout the weekend.
This week, we are transitioning to the topic of our esteemed seniors who will be gathering for our annual Old Timers history luncheon, where the Senior of the Year is honored.
Before looking at our Senior (Old Timers) history lunch activities, let’s see today’s happenings:
- State of Community “Update” – Thursday 9/25, 7 PM at Township Hall (6/Sheldon) see Link to attend online. Link
- Parks and Rec Northville Nite – 9/26, 6-9pm at Marv Gans Park (15801 Beck). Come early with your classic car for free admission! Link
- History/Old Timers Lunch Gathering for all in the Community – Tuesday, 9/30 at Genitti’s, 11am arrival/11:30 lunch – $15 per person at door or call 248.349.0522.
- Tipping Point Theatre – “The Shark is Broken” is showing now. Link
- AAUW 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner at Genitti’s – 9/24 at 5:30pm
- Maybury Corn Maze – 9/26-11/2 on weekends (Link) and Fall Festival Fundraiser, 10/11, 10-5pm (Link)
- Skeletons Are Alive – Launch Party 10/4, 5-9pm Link
- Oakwood Cemetery Tour – 10/10, 5 – 8pm Link
- Halloween Hysteria at Mill Race Village – 10/19 at 1-3, 3-5pm Link
- Parmenter’s Cider Mill (Our local Cider Mill) open daily 10AM – 8PM! Link
- Chamber’s Streets of Treats – 10/26, 12-4pm Link
- Upcoming Music/Concerts/Events – Chamber/DDA Link, Marquis Link, Northville Winery Link, NOMI Link, Genitti’s Link
- New automated bathroom downtown, now available behind the Band Shell Link
TASK FORCE MEETINGS
- Bicentennial Task Force Mtg – 10/16, 7:00 PM City Hall (Rick Sharpe – Chair)
- Cemetery Restoration Mtg – 10/23, 7:00 PM City Hall (David Marold – Chair)
INFO FOR CITIZENS …
Projects Around Town
- FORD FIELD – The Vista overlook at Ford Field was cleared last week and our Historic District Committee approved the final materials. New playscape construction is beginning soon and bathrooms along with work at Ford Field East will be completed in 2026.
- RIVERWALK – The River is flowing above ground at the Downs and hundreds of trees are being planted alongside it. Bridge abutments have been completed, and the historic Log Cabin will be moved to its final location as a Welcome Center.
- DOWNS INITIATIVE – Infrastructure continues .... Wayne County’s 1st Roundabout on Sheldon/7 Mile construction is under way and streets are all poured within the sub.
- FARMER’S MARKET – This City & Township gathering place (7 Mile/Northville Rd) continues to host many activities. (Car Shows, Farmers’ Market, movies, other)
- GRANTS that Support Northville’s Community Initiatives – Link
Let’s look back at our Old Timers History Senior luncheon over the years…
This coming week the Old Timers will gather to break bread, tell stories, and to catch up on local events… I will share some of the organization’s history here.
- The Old Timers (History) luncheon has occurred for decades and has kept the community connected to our colorful past, its characters, and its storytellers.
- The luncheon is an opportunity for friends, acquaintances & newcomers to listen to or swap stories about families & activities and our 200-year history.
- Folks attending over the decades included members from families like Ambler, Yerkes, Atchison, Allen, Casterline, Wright, Stevens, Miller, Allen, McGuire, Folino, Lapham, Long, Genitti, Ely, Turnbull, and many others whom our streets are named after.
- This gathering rekindles old memories when trains, trolleys and stagecoaches stopped on the hour in our Village… First timers and old timers sit together.
- Some of the Seniors speak about the different phases of our community:
- Milling days on the Rivers – our early beginnings and first uses of “river power.”
- The industrial phase, with production facilities along our waterways when Northville ranked just behind Detroit in economics.
- To today, using our rivers as a platform for a connecting pathway system for southeastern Michigan along our waterway’s scenic banks… connecting City, Township, County & State Parks.
- During this year’s history update at the Old Timers gathering, we will remind everyone that Northville had the largest School & Church furniture factory in the world. Further, our foundries were second to none, with their metal works providing scales & bells shipped worldwide. In those early years, our four historic residential areas were the Historic District, Bealtown, Cabbagetown, and Orchard Heights.
- Some folks recall our ski jump platform that launched world record holders into the air, or attending the largest annual summer fair in the State at Northville Downs, where harness racing was first run under the lights.
- We have been reminded by our old timers that Northville hosted Henry Ford on his honeymoon and was the site of a Ford Village Industry factory, and the first federal Fish Hatchery on 7 Mile was the source of millions of Trout. Others have spoken about how Joe Louis trained and fought matches here and was considered a true Northvillian.
- This year’s Senior of the Year recipient will be announced in next week’s newsletter.
I personally believe we must know our history to plan our future. The Old Timers (History) luncheon has been a central historical link for Northville, keeping the community connected to our colorful past, its characters, and its storytellers.
Again, we are very fortunate to have an annual Old Timers History gathering where generational citizens help keep Northville’s history alive in our hearts and our minds. As I’ve said often, the future of our town rests on the shoulders of those that have come before us.
Keep that Northville History Faith!
Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville