NORTHVILLIANS,
Happy Pre-New Year! This is the last Mayoral Newsletter of 2024. As we ready for New Year’s Eve, I understand that the traditional colors for ringing in the New Year include Gold, Silver and Red. The color red historically represents bravery and fearlessness along with exuberance of joyous optimism … this all ties into the New Year celebration. I believe we are all optimistic about the future of our community.
The year 2024 was quite momentous, and we will take in a review of that next week. As we roll into 2025, I wish you all THE BEST that this New Year will bring and encourage you to continue to share your time & talents with those in need in our community. In this week’s letter, I’ll highlight some of the New Year’s events from today and from yesteryears in the Ville.
As we reflect on the year, it brings to mind a well-known but very appropriate saying – It’s not the destination that’s important in life, but the journey itself. And we will continue that exciting Northville journey in 2025, the town historically known as the “Hamlet in the Hills” or the “Switzerland of Wayne County.” Many in our community are engaged in countless initiatives, including the Riverwalk, additional greenspaces and placemaking areas, Ford Field renovations, Farmers’ Market activities, downtown events, the relocation of our historic log cabin on River Street and many other transformational projects.
Northvillians are preparing the town for the next generation, and I’m inviting all to help guide our future. In the Community we have over 6 percent of our entire population involved with Commissions, Boards and Task forces for the betterment of our beloved area. We added two new groups this year (the Bicentennial and Cemetery restoration Teams). These are truly exciting times and with your assistance, the future is BRIGHT.
Before highlighting our Holiday Traditions, let's see what's going on in "The Ville" today:
- Mill Race Village – Stroll through the lighted trees at the Village through the New Year
- Town Square – Take some Holiday pics and start New Year traditions around town
- Little Women is now playing at Tipping Point Theatre in town. Link
- Northville Community Awards Dinner (Public Invited) – 2/6, 5pm at Genitti’s for dinner, followed by a presentation at Marquis Theatre sponsored by the Chamber. Link
- New Year’s Eve Local Celebrations
- Midnight at the Marquis Theatre with The Love Junkies. Link
- Gather Northville/Great White Buffalo – Beer and Cheers for Trivia, Karaoke, Food, & Prizes. Link
- Northville: The Winter Water Wonderland history lecture – Wed, 1/22, 7pm at Mill Race Village I will highlight The Ville's exciting recreational activities on the rivers, lakes and hills through the seasons. Link
Info for Citizens
PROJECTS AROUND TOWN
- Ford Field – Grants: DNR - $500K (Restrooms), State - $910K (ADA Entryway), Federal -$750K (Infrastructure). Phase I: Infrastructure, waterfall - Randolph Drain, Phase II (spring) Vista overlook, fencing, staircase & ADA entrance, play structure, bathrooms.
- Riverwalk – Retention pond at Downs dug & Riverbed constructed (rocks & timbers being added). Log Cabin positioned, and other sections being prepped.
- Downs Initiative – Streets/Curbs poured in sections and foundation work has begun.
- Grants that Support Northville’s Community Initiatives - Link
NEW TASK FORCE MEETINGS
- Cemetery Restoration Task Force - Next Meeting 1/13 – Stop by Oakwood Cemetery & see progress. Contact Dave Marold for info/support @ [email protected]
- Bicentennial Task Force - Next meeting 2/13 – Volunteers needed for fun and interesting working teams. Leaders needed for Tours, Transportation, Ford Field and Riverwalk Activities, and Time Capsule Teams. For info, write [email protected]
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New Year's Eve Traditions through time in Northville:
- 1800’s - According to The Record, traditionally all the bells in town (churches, fire department, businesses, private residences) would ring in the New Year at midnight on 12/31. Early on, most bells in the Midwest were produced in Northville’s foundry.
- 1869 – Northville historically had New Year’s Eve dances with orchestras (many coming to town via stagecoach, trains and later, trolleys). A Record article in 1869 stated that the gathering for 1870 New Year’s was at the Ambler House (Center/Main – where Great White Buffalo Brewing is today). Over time, locations for New Year’s Eve events included: The Opera House, various estates, the Princess Rink (across from CVS), along with the Ambler House/Hotel, just to name a few. Sponsors included local merchants, Henry Ford himself, Rotary, VFW, Eastern Star & other local groups.
- 1894 – Seth Thomas Clock’s national expert came to town during the holiday season to install the largest Clock ever to adorn Northville. It was in the tower of the old Methodist Church on Center St. (Stampeddler Plus today-Church Square). The clock chimed for the first time on New Year’s Day, 1895.
- 1909 – There was a festive community “North Pole Dance Party” on New Year’s Eve at the Princess Rink. It featured colored flashing lights thanks to that new invention called electricity, along with sleigh rides and confetti.
- 1959 – During the start of the New Year’s Eve celebrations, a freezing rainstorm covered the town with a thick layer of ice, which transitioned to a massive snowstorm. Vehicles from folks celebrating were literally frozen to the ground. Officers instructed stranded partiers to stay put and wait for the City to salt the streets. Notably, it was reported that city workers poured 80 tons of salt on local streets in a 12-hour stretch.
- 1968 – The first wild and exciting Rock & Roll dance of the New Year at THE CAVERN (at the Community Center on Main) featured a young local rocker from Ann Arbor, Bob Seger, who was a staple at THE CAVERN before he went on to fame.
- 2024 – It’s been quite a year! Next week “The Year in Review” will be featured.
I would be remiss if I didn’t thank each and every one of you who have assisted the City of Northville and all in the Community during this past year. I thank you for sharing your time and talents by reaching out to our youth, helping our seniors, and donating to Civic Concern activities. Additionally, I thank you for supporting our local businesses. I just can’t express my appreciation enough to each of you!
While making your New Year’s resolutions, keep our community close in your thoughts and stay connected to those you love.
Keep that Northville New Year's Faith!
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