NORTHVILLIANS,

Warm summer breezes are starting to caress the Hamlet in the Hills we know as Northville and the school year is winding down. The Garden Clubs and the Beautification TEAMS are sharing their time and talents on the floral gardens and plantings around town.

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 and last week it was all about Mother’s Day.  Later this month (5/27-28), the Chamber will be hosting our Annual Flower Sale downtown, and this week we will highlight the Garden Clubs and the Beautification Commission efforts through time.

I just ventured up North with the family for the Mother’s Day weekend and saw hundreds of thousands of our State flower (the trillium) on the banks of Lake Michigan in full bloom. It was spectacular! I suggest you take a stroll around town and take in all the flowers coming into full bloom.  Witness the transformation of the Ville with the planters in the social district coming to life with an array of colors. Spring has definitely sprung, and summer is close behind.

Before looking at our Garden Club & Beautification Commission efforts, let's see what's happening today...

5/19 - Northville Art House - “Live at Five” (Art, Music Nature). Link

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

5/25, 2-5pm – Northville Prom Event at Mill Race Village

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

5/29 - Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony at Rural Hill Cemetery (10:00 AM Parade/ 11:00 AM Ceremony @ Rural Hill). Parade route is Griswold to Cady, stopping briefly at Oakwood Cemetery on Cady St., to First St to Rural Hill (7 Mile / Rogers). Link

Now let's transition to historic Garden Clubs and Beautification efforts in Northville...

An original Northville Home and Gardens spot
I grew up in one of Northville’s first Better Home and Gardens houses, which was the old Eaton House in Orchard Heights. I am still on that street today with the largest tree in the City in front of our home. My parents were the second owners of the Eaton homestead. When I grew up, I would plant close to 500 dahlias yearly, along with keeping up the fruit trees and the vegetable gardens around my folks’ home. So, you can see that garden club activities were part of my DNA growing up.

Northville Garden Club
1936 – The Northville Garden Club Branch of the Michigan Division of the National Farm and Garden Association first met in town on May 25, 1936… at the New School Church which is presently in the Mill Race Village (87 years ago).

• The branch was sponsored by Mrs. Henry (Clara Bryant) Ford (National President 1927-1934). The Women’s Farm and Garden Club originated in 1914.
• Historically, the Northville Garden Club Branch provided local academic scholarships funded by flower shows.
• In the 1880’s the Fords spent their honeymoon here and later on brought their friends including the Vagabonds group (Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, John Burroughs) to town to show off its beauty.
• In 1998, the branch name was changed to Northville Garden Club. They are approaching their 90^th anniversary in 2026 as we ready for our bicentennial in 2027. 

• The Northville Country Garden branch of the Woman’s National Farm & Garden Association was established in 1977.
• The group has historically been dedicated to community improvement through service, conservation, and education.
• Every summer they host their annual Garden Walk. Proceeds from the event provide college scholarships to local high school students and support other environmental causes.
• Members of the Club maintain beautiful gardens in many public spaces in Northville. 

• The Northville Beautification Commission was established in 1967 and has served the City faithfully since that time.
• The Commission encourages the planting and preservation of trees, flowers, and shrubbery to improve the appearance of Northville. They also participate in educational programs, encourage active support of the community, and have reviewed construction projects and proposals on occasion. 

• Established the Northville Tree Champions to focus on the care and enhancement of our TREE Canopy.  The Northville Tree Champions (NTC) are a nonprofit citizen led advocacy organization that promotes tree appreciation, protection, preservation and new tree plantings with 40+ members that augments the Garden & Beautification TEAM.
• Thanks in part to their efforts, the City of Northville is a Tree City USA.
• Jim Porterfield, founder of NTC, gave a 1-hour lecture at the library in April on Tree Care. Over 60 attended and all received the official USDA Tree Owner’s Manual. (Another Session is being planned… stay tuned!)
• In celebration of Arbor Day, Jim Porterfield and many of the NTC team members participated in the Seedling giveaway that took place at Township Hall.  
• Last month, Northville Tree Champions launched the Blossoming Tree Contest, where you Email a photo of your favorite blossoming tree (see earlier details).
• The Northville Tree Champions meet Monthly to discuss their projects and create new ways to support Trees in our community.  Drop me a note if you are interested in joining the team. They even have their own logo (see above).

You can see with our topography of hills, water, and greenspaces, we have a deep appreciation for our natural surroundings. The flowers, vegetation, and sustainability of this community over the years has been a high priority. Our Garden Club groups, and the Beautification Commission have long played a big part in supporting Northville’s natural splendor. 

Thank you for all you do to keep Northville GREEN (Go Spartys) and our waters BLUE (Go Wolverines). As our Bicentennial approaches, let’s keep our community engaged in gardening activities for both today and for the tomorrows to come.
 
Keep that Northville Growing Faith!