NORTHVILLIANS,
Last week, I welcomed in the 2024 New Year and mentioned it’s going to be a great year for the Ville. This week, after hearing many New Year’s resolutions, I will highlight some notable facts about this start-of-year tradition. I will then transition to what is happening this week for MLK DAY, both here and nationwide.
First, however, I wanted to clarify some details about Bob Seger’s New Year’s Eve concert in Northville in the ‘60’s that was mentioned in last week’s letter. Bob Seger played multiples times in Northville. In fact, my friend Jim Long & his wife Virginia actually attended this particular New Year’s Eve concert. Jim stated that Seger performed at the Community Center that night. I have heard stories from my family and many of you about the concerts that took place at the Old Village School and at The Cavern (in the Community Center). I thank Mr. Long for providing the location of the concert that storied night.
With New Year’s Eve in mind, let’s take a look at some of the historic origins and the traditions that have developed over time …
The ancient Babylonians are said to have been the first people to make New Year’s resolutions some 4000 years ago. Julius Caesar tinkered with the calendar and established January 1 as the beginning of the new year (Circa 46 B.C.) because January (named for the god Janus) had a special significance for Romans – Janus looked backwards into the previous year and ahead into the future… thus January.
For early Christians, the first day of the new year became the traditional occasion for thinking about one’s past and resolving to do better in the future. In 1740, the English clergyman John Wesley, founder of Methodism, had a covenant renewal service held on New Year’s Eve to make resolutions for the coming year.
Despite its religious roots, New Year’s resolutions today are mostly a secular practice. Instead of making promises to the gods, most people make resolutions to focus on self-improvement. According to recent studies, as many as 45 percent of Americans say they usually make New Year’s resolutions, with many of these pertaining to: Health initiatives, organization, learning new skills, living life to its fullest, saving money and having balance in one’s life. As mentioned, resolutions have been recorded for over 4,000 years, and many Northvillians will continue that practice in 2024.
Before readying for 2024, let's see what's happening TODAY ...
- MLK Northville Gathering – 1/14, (Sunday) 2pm at Northville Community Center. JOIN IN with others, including our spiritual institutions in the community, to experience some food (from Genitti’s, Great Harvest, and Sweet Brew N Spice), fellowship, NHS Choir entertainment, Excerpts from Rev. Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, along with other activities. See you on 1/14 at 2 PM at the Community Center. Link
- Northville: The Ideal Suburban Village History talk (1/24, 7PM, Mill Race Village) – Excerpts taken from the 1890 Book Northville: The Ideal Suburban Village. I’ll present our town’s unique history through stories and photos. Link
- Save Mary Gilbert’s Historic Northville Log Cabin! The Northville River Task Force needs your help to move an innovative cabin built on the river by a very remarkable woman in the 1930s. See link for information and to donate. Link
- Local Businesses – Many businesses have been highlighted in The Northville Record, The Ville magazine and even some in this letter over the years. See this story featuring a local family-owned business celebrating 40 years (Heritage Bakery): Link
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Let's look this week at what MLK Day is all about...
MLK Day 2024 is quickly approaching. Accordingly, this week I will honor this very prominent American – the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – who truly has had an impact on all our lives.
I feel encouraged by all the engagement from our community’s citizens for the MLK event taking place this coming Sunday at the Community Center. Special thanks go out to our local Clergy and volunteers assisting in the MLK Day celebration where we will view his famous “ I have a Dream” speech.
Martin Luther King tributes and the history behind them…
As I have always said, we are all standing on the shoulders of those that have come before us – both those who have been part of the impressive history of Northville and its accomplishments AND those who have formed our nation’s history like Dr. Martin Luther King. Let’s take a look at a bit of MLK history.
One of my favorite MLK quotes is from his famous I HAVE A DREAM speech which we will see 1/14 at the Community Center:
“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.”
- MLK Day (as you know) is a national holiday honoring the outstanding achievements of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a Baptist minister who advocated the use of nonviolent means to end racial segregation and relentlessly championed unity & equality.
- Ronald Reagan was President when legislation was passed for this national holiday, which honors Dr. King’s birthday.
- Notably, Detroiter John Conyers (longest-serving African American legislator in congressional history) first introduced the legislation in 1968, four days after the assassination of Martin Luther King.
- After 15 years of persistent support, MLK Day was approved by Ronald Reagan in 1983.
- Today, it is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer and improve their communities, as many of you do in the Ville.
Next month we will continue to talk about Equality and Equal Rights as it relates to Northville’s role in the Underground Railroad and its multiple stations within our locality. I thank each and every one of you for assisting the Northville Community, helping make our own Dreams become a reality. Keep that spirit and trajectory of progress in your own lives … it all starts with one really good New Year’s Resolution…Similar to the U of M football team’s resolution to win the National Championship one year ago. Dreams became reality on Monday night! Link
Be Bold, Take some Risks and we will all Win as a Team … the Northville TEAM!
Keep that Northville Faith!
Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849
(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)
Click the following link to subscribe to this weekly newsletter:
https://mailchi.mp/5a31f2ec1a6e/turnbullformayor
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