A note from from Mayor Brian Turnbull...


** NORTHVILLIANS,
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Easter week is upon us … To some, this is an extremely spiritual time of the year (Holy Week),
and to others with young children, it’s about the Easter Bunny and Easter egg hunts. We will
take a look at both, and also see how others around the world celebrate this season.

Easter is known as the most important and oldest festival of the Christian Church, celebrating
the resurrection and takes place in the Western Church on the first Sunday after the first full
moon following the northern spring equinox. Ramadan is also celebrated this month and
Muslims worldwide engage in fasting, prayer, reflecting and community.

LET'S LOOK AT WHAT'S GOING ON TODAY...
* Bicentennial Task Force and Cemeterian TEAM Meetings – Bicentennial Task Force 3/27 & Cemeterian Task Force 3/28 (City Hall, 7:00 PM, see you there!)

* Maple Syrup Tours at Maybury – Weekends only till 3/30, NOON - 5PM. Link ([link removed])

* Magnificent Trees of Northville & Tree Care – 4/27, 7pm at Mill Race Village’s New School Church – Northville Tree Champions Arborist Jim Porterfield presenting for the Library at the Mill Race. Link ([link removed])

* Northville Downs article in latest Northville Today magazine … see Link ([link removed])

Questions from Citizens
- Upcoming task forces (Bicentennial & Cemeterian): How do I become a member?
Attend the Mtgs on 3/27 (Bicentennial) or 3/28 (Cemetery Renovations) at City Hall at 7PM. Additional info will be forthcoming after these meetings to also provide an opportunity to join.

INFO
- Pothole Hotline (Wayne County) – call 1-888-762-3273

Projects Around Town
- Ford Field – Phase I beginning (entryway, overview vista, fencing, infrastructure)
- Riverwalk – Daylighting of river and the building of River Park planned for Spring @ Downs
- Northville Downs – (49-acre Mixed Use/34% greenspace) Pest mitigation & asbestos removal underway readying for demolition. The 14-acre River Park will be completed in 2024
- Farmers’ Market – 2024 temporary location approved at Highland Lakes Mall
- Social District – Bollards installed, May-Oct. for street closures, reviewing long-term plans
- Infrastructure – Spring Crosswalk painting, and review of roads to be reconstructed
- Mill Race Village – Lane will be bricked, and drainage infrastructure completed (fall ’24)

Now let's take a look at Easter activities through time in the Ville:

1898 – Local tailor (Freydl’s) advertised special Easter gifts for the holiday, and another local shop (Holmes, Dancer & Co.) offered Easter gloves (for 69 cents) and jeweled belts (25 cents).

1902 – The ladies of the Presbyterian Church held an Easter charity bazaar at the Princess Rink (across from CVS) on Dunlap St. with music & entertainment. They displayed domestic works, candy assortments, secondhand goods, vegetables, and poultry. The Presby’s were also known for their evening gatherings and meals at the church or the library around Easter.

1909 – The Record spoke about the Methodist Church’s Easter cantata, noting, “the bright catchy music in this production will be for all music lovers.”

1916 – The Northville Record told us about outstanding Easter choir activities at all the churches in the Village. “The bells and the music were abounding for all Northvillians to experience.”

1933 – Pageantry took place with a group of actors who played out the Easter story for three different churches in town. Additionally, a Hallelujah choral event took place at OLV in the Orchard Heights area.

1949 – A famous radio music host (Sergeant Legree), who had been a police officer in Flint, sang at the Northville Baptist Church. Additionally, sunrise services were common this year.

1989 – The legend of the Easter Tree was reported in the paper, describing how it symbolized the joyous season of rebirth and triumph over winter. The tradition originated in Europe with Easter ornaments on it. Genitti’s had these trees for sale for $20 each ($45 in today’s dollars). And they sold out!

1997 – An article on “Easters Around the World” published in The Record included the following insights (among others) about various countries:
* Ukraine – Intricate designs and symbols of spring are created by applying beeswax to eggs and dipping them in dye.
* Former Yugoslavia – Easter eggs dipped in various dyes were a local custom. The colors originally were made from huckleberry juice and other natural dyes.
* Scotland, Ireland & Great Britain – Roll their decorated eggs down hills and the last egg not broken is the winner (similar to the annual White House Easter Egg Roll event which dates back to the 1870’s).

1999 – A “Record” article spoke about students from Amerman & Thornapple Creek elementary schools putting baskets together for St. Vincent & the Sarah Fisher children center.

Through the years – Local organizations and churches have supported many families in the community by delivering Easter dinner baskets. I have been privileged and proud to be part of a group of Masons that deliver scores of Easter meal baskets in the area.

The Masons, Rotary, Woman’s Club, VFW, American Legion along with all of our spiritual institutions and others in the community have reached out in the past & continue to do so today to share with others during this season. On a lighter note, historically these same groups have also sponsored Easter egg hunts and Easter Bunny visits, along with many youth and musical events dating back to our historic Opera House days.

Keep that Northville Community Easter Faith and enjoy your Good Friday, along with a weekend with family, friends or those close to you in life. Perhaps catch some musical performances at our spiritual institutions. Remember to share your time & talents with those in need around you on a daily basis, especially during this Easter season.

Keep that Northville Community 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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