NORTHVILLIANS,

Also, some quick COVID updates:

• COVID-19 vaccine booster shots will be made widely available to Americans starting Sept. 20th, U.S. health officials said on Wednesday (8/18), citing data showing diminishing protection from the initial vaccinations as infections rise from the Delta variant. Those who received a two-dose shot of either Moderna or Pfizer would be eligible for the booster eight months after the date of their second dose. "It’s the best way to protect ourselves from new variants that may arise," said President Biden to White House reporters. (Reuters)
• Hospitalization rates in the ten states with the lowest percentage of vaccinated residents are nearly four times higher, and death rates more than 5.5 times higher, than in the top ten states with the highest percentage of vaccinated residents. (CNN Health)
  
  COVID-19 CONFIRMED CASES:  Northville has had 270 cases/8 fatalities, Township 2342/51, Michigan 1.0M/21K, Nation 39M/641K, Global 213M/4.4M. (CDC.com)

• NORTHVILLE AUTOMOBILE CLUB – In 1918, a Northville Automobile Club was established with 100 members. This was the precursor to the American Automobile Association (AAA) which merged with the Northville Group early on.
   
• SEVEN MILE ROAD THE LONGEST – In 1929, The Detroit News reported that 7 Mile Road from Detroit to Northville was the longest paved road in the County and was upgraded that year to be 40 feet wide, connecting these two towns for vehicle traffic. (At one time, Detroit & Northville were ranked #1 & #2 in commerce activity in the State.)
   
• LARGEST AUTO SHOW WAS IN NORTHVILLE – Also in 1929, to celebrate this new stretch of concrete, Northville’s Wayne County Fair Grounds (now the Downs) hosted the largest auto show up to that point in Michigan (as reported by the Northville Record). This was the forerunner to the Detroit Auto Show and was sponsored by the Metro Dealers who displayed brands such as Ford, Chevrolet, Buick, Plymouth, Dodge, Chrysler, Hupmobile & Pontiac, along with REO & Studebaker. More than 50 new models were shown.
   
• CAR BRANDS IN TOWN – Even early on, there were a lot:  Maxwell, Oaklands, Graham-Paiges, in addition to the normal Ford Model-T’s and then Model-A’s. We also had our share of Mercedes Benz, Packards, & Studebakers. Most dealerships were on Northville Road and on Main Street.
   
• NORTHVILLE DEALERSHIPS – In 1949 after WWII, the following dealerships were listed in town:  Ford, Chevy, Studebaker, Kaiser/ Frazer, Packard, Mercedes, Chrysler Plymouth & Dodge.
   
• NATIONAL CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE OF AMERICA –  This world-renowned event that features some of the finest and rarest cars available has historically taken place at the Inn at St. John’s golf course on the border of Northville/Plymouth. Through the years, we’ve teamed up with its sponsors for displays in downtown Northville during their festival of cars.
   
• LOCAL CAR SHOWS – Throughout the years, car shows have been hosted in many places in and around Northville, including our downtown social district, Northville Downs & the Cider Mill.
   
• TODAY’S DOWNTOWN AUTO SHOW – Now on the Second Saturday of every month in the parking lot downtown on Wing & Main St. (diagonally across from City Hall), sponsored by Alexander’s Custom Clothiers & Roush.  At the last show, attendees mingled with Jack Roush Jr. & Sr., Auto Execs and other enthusiasts displaying an eclectic array of exotics (Ford GT’s, Maseratis, Lamborghinis), Detroit Muscle, and a mix of sports cars & classic pick-up trucks.
   
• The next gathering will be 9/11 at 8:30 AM. Northville Lumber will provide the refreshments, and in October (10/9) General RV will host.