NORTHVILLIANS,

• Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14^th. Its origins can be traced to Rome (496 A.D.), having originated as a festival day honoring the Christian martyr Saint Valentine.
• Through traditions it has become a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.

• Mary Gilbert's Historic Cabin - The Northville River Task Force needs your help to move this innovative cabin built on the river by a very remarkable woman. Link
   
• Senior Services Valentine’s Day Luncheon (2/14, 11:30AM, Community Center) – Celebrate love & friendship with a delicious lunch &entertainment. Link
   
• Underground Railroad in Northville presentation at the Library (2/21, Wednesday, 7PM) – I will highlight local locations associated with the Underground Railroad and related topics. Link
   
• Tipping Point Theater’s “The Chinese Lady” by Lloyd Suh (2/9 - 3/3). Link
   
• Day of the Dude (3/6, 4-10PM, Downtown). Take it easy, watch The Big Lebowski at Garage Grill, hear live music at Genitti’s, and help support the new Ford Field playground. Link
   
• Chili’in the Ville Chili Cookoff (2/24, 1-4PM, Downtown) Sample chili, view ice sculptures and then enjoy a Free “Northville Folk” Concert at Marquis Theatre at 7PM. Link
   
• Snow Moon Hike Walk (2/24, 7:00 PM) Maybury State Park – Link
   
• Bicentennial Task Force and Cemeterian TEAM – Meetings will begin in March. Let me know if you’re interested in joining… stay tuned!
  
  INFO
  Questions from Citizens
• Why are the backs of the Town’s new entry signs blank? MDOT prohibits anything on the reverse side.
• Are we placing 1827 on the new signs? Yes, on all signs during Phase II!
  
  Projects Around Town
• Ford Field - Renovation begins 4/1 (entry way, overview vista, fencing, infrastructure)
• Riverwalk - Daylighting of River in Downs Section for Riverwalk begins in spring
• Northville Downs - Demolition by April, 14-acre River Park begins 4/1, to be completed by 12/24
• Farmers’ Market - Temporary location committed for the 2024 season, reviewing permanent site plans
• Social District – 30-40 bollards installed, planned May-October Pedestrian District
• Infrastructure - 4/1 Crosswalk painting, traffic calming steps, Roads reviewed/ranked
• Mill Race - Lane construction & drainage upgrades beginning Summer ‘24
• Tree Champions - Heritage Elm (Behind City Hall) will be carved with history

Valentine Days of Yesteryear:
1897 – A special section was written for the first time in The Northville Record (which dates back to 1869) featuring Valentine’s Day gifts. This year included a special page with illustrations (see above) and a variety of romantic stories and poetry.
1923 – Again, a hundred+ years ago, a whole section in the paper was dedicated to local Valentine’s Day specials. Northville Drugs (Lucy and the Wolf today) offered chocolates, cards, and special RED fountain drinks.
1939 – My grandfather’s Northville Electric Shop (Baby Baby resale store today) advertised practical Valentine gifts, including radios, lamps & electric clocks to “Make life easier for Mom.” Additionally, Freydl’s Women’s Store (now Adorn Fine Flowers) published this racy poem …

If you’ve a special Valentine
And you’d like to make her thine
Glance about at our gay array
Of perfume, jewels, and lingerie.

1940 – The D & C Store (Great Harvest Bread) advertised 29-cent heart-shaped Candy Boxes.
1949 – Freydl’s Men’s store (Genitti’s Theater today) had a V-Day tie sale…all ties for 64 cents.
1957 – Paul’s Sweet Shop (Mill Race Village General Store) previously stood where Studio 170 is today. They advertised “Paul’s candies make Happy Hearts” and reminded shoppers that their fine candies were homemade. Proprietor Paul Folino was previously a Mayoral candidate & Citizen of the Year Award recipient.
1958 – Cupid’s Guide to Valentine gifts from local stores debuted in The Northville Record.
1959 – WJR’s vocalist Jan Wynn was featured with the Jimmie Clark orchestra (sponsored by the Northville Rotary Club) at its Valentine dance at the Community Center.
1964 – A Valentine’s dinner-dance was sponsored by the Northville Newcomers Club and was hosted at the VFW Hall. Northville was always known for Valentine’s Day dances, from big bands in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s to Rockers in the 1960’s & 70’s.
1968 – Bob Seger played at “The Cavern” in town around Valentine’s Day in ’67 & ’68. He actually performed four times there in 1967 and again in 1968, just before he headlined at Cobo Hall. The Anti-War song that hit the top of the charts in Europe entitled “2+2” was reportedly debuted at The Cavern before it was released in 1968.
1981 – Genitti’s had jars of jellybeans along with various candy sticks (Red & White) on their window ledge for Valentine’s Day. They also had extra sweets at their counter for the holiday.
2013 – The Record featured photos of town Seniors on the front page enjoying their annual Valentine’s Day gathering at the Community Center. Today, the tradition continues with the Senior “Valentine’s Day Lunch” (see events section for details).
Let’s move forward helping others and reaching out during this Valentine’s Day period to keep all connected in the community!

Keep that Northville Valentine's Day Faith!