A note from from Mayor Brian Turnbull...


** NORTHVILLIANS,
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You know it’s truly Springtime when Derby Day hits Northville Downs and Mother’s Day follows shortly after. Over the past few weeks, we have celebrated the advent of Spring with Arbor Day and Earth Day activities, along with having our Farmers’ Market OPENING DAY. Later this month (5/27-28), the Chamber will be hosting our Annual Flower Sale downtown and next week’s letter will highlight the garden clubs and beautification efforts in the Northville area as our flowers will be in full bloom by then.

It’s the time of year to attend our award-winning Farmers’ Market and find an array of locally grown flowers to brighten your home and workplace. I see the State flower (the trillium) starting to come into full bloom this week in various spots around the Ville. Take in and enjoy all that Spring has to offer in the Ville – stroll by the river, walk down Dunlap or around the Mill Race and enjoy the budding trees, or just relax on a bench around town square and listen to the music from our City clock.

MOTHER'S DAY HISTORY
Mother’s Day in general is a special holiday to honor our mothers and is celebrated in countries throughout the world. In its modern form, the holiday originated in the Unites States where it is observed on the second Sunday in May. Some fun facts:
* The first celebration for this holiday occurred in Grafton, West Virginia, at the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church on May 10^th, 1908, and was organized by Anna Jarvis for her mother.
* In 1910 the West Virginia governor proclaimed Mother’s Day a State Holiday.
* Within five years, virtually every state was observing Mother’s Day, and in 1914 U.S. President Woodrow Wilson declared it a national holiday.
* In 1962 the magnificent Andrews Church built in 1873 was renamed and declared to be the International Mother’s Day Shrine.

Mother’s Day has always been special in Northville, with restaurants having brunches, community organizations having breakfasts, musical events at churches and other activities including shows and special events hosted by our businesses, charitable organizations, and the City’s administration itself.

Before looking at Mother's Day activities, let's see what's happening today...
5/19 - Northville Art House - “Live at Five” (Art, Music Nature). Link ([link removed])

Northville Tree Champions (NTC) – Blossoming Tree Contest. Email a photo of your favorite blossoming tree (should be visible from a public location): [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . DEADLINE 5/24. Your favorite(s) will be showcased in “The Ville.”

Northville Car Show “Cars & Coffee” - 5/13, 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM (405 W. Main St.). Enter via rear entrance off of Cady St. Northville’s Alexanders Clothiers Cars and Coffee. Link ([link removed])

5/26 – 5/27 - Spring Flower Show (Northville Chamber) in downtown Northville. Link ([link removed])

Now let's transition to Mother's Day activities in Northville over time...
1919 – The Northville Greenhouse ran an ad in The Record for Mother’s Day including this poem.

To Mothers at Home
Flowers Bright,
To Mothers’ Memory
Flowers White

1932 – Rotarians hosted mothers at a Community luncheon. The Record noted, ”Tears filled many eyes as Northville Rotarians paid tribute to their mothers.” Also, in 1932 there was a story about how mothers were honored at the local churches where special musical tributes by many of the men and children were part of their gatherings.

1935 – A special Mother’s Day edition of The Northville Record was published featuring unique Mother’s Day gifts (Including arrays of chocolates, flowers, along with additional gifts and services). Businesses mentioned were Northville Drugs, Spagnuolo’s confectionery, Turnbull’s Electric and others that were open late Mother’s Day Eve for shopping convenience. This tradition continued for decades.

1943 – During WWII Michigan Bell advertised this note in The Northville Record ... “Mothers are understanding and patriotic … Mothers know that under the steadily increasing burden of war, long distance telephone equipment is seriously overloaded, so send your love in a letter and know that your mother might even appreciate a US War bond (a gift of fighting dollars to back our boys overseas)” …

1964 – The Merchants again this year banded together to make an enjoyable shopping experience for Mother’s Day weekend with bands playing and gifts & merchandise giveaways. It was announced that businesses were open late Thursday through Saturday before Mother’s Day… Chocolates, flowers, cosmetics, cards, dresses, and other gifts were featured.

1979 – The Record ran an entire section for folks to Wish Mom a Happy Mother’s Day… all for $3 for 10 words. The pages filled up!

1996 – An article spoke about how Northville’s mothers played a vital role in the development of our Community over time, and highlighted many mothers who were role models to our youth and supported events like hosting musical concerts, including Bob Seger appearances in the 60’s. They also organized youth events at the library, school, and other social activities.

2000 – A Northville Record article entitled Panicked over Mother’s Day? Don’t Worry … spoke about how Northville merchants stocked up yet again with an abundance of gifts, flowers, along with merchandise, and they were going to be open late the night before for convenience of all Northvillians looking for last minute gifts. Many stores still here today were mentioned in the “night before festivities” article, including Orin jewelers, Van Dams and Genitti’s.

2009 – A Mother/Son magic show at Genitti’s celebrated Mother’s Day a little early that year with a full stage Show by Jasen Magic.

Slow down and think about those that are special to you on this Mother’s Day weekend.

Keep that Northville Mother’s Day Faith!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

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