NORTHVILLIANS,
As you have read each week, we’ve been marching through the history of Northville, touching on all kinds of memories and topics. Last week, it was the early-day car culture in The Ville. Today, we’ll look back in time to see how Northvillians have paid tribute to the achievements of American workers on this upcoming Labor Day weekend…AND, how Northvillians have spent this holiday weekend in the past.
First, some key dates for your calendar:
9/9 – Mayoral Town Hall (7:00 PM) @ Genitti’s live & online. We’ll present a quick State of the Community and introduce the three candidates for City Council:
TOWN HALL LINK: https://smart.newrow.com/#/room/fga-386
9/11, SAT at 8:30 AM. Our 2nd Saturday of the month Cars & Coffee gathering is sponsored by Alexander’s Custom Clothiers & Roush at Main St & Wing. Refreshments will be supplied by Northville Lumber (9/11), & in October (10/9) General RV will host - bring a car/bring yourself.
9/11, NOON – Solemn Tribute – A remembrance gathering for the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 Tragedy will take place in Town Square at noon with the Scouts, Patriotic songs and others in the community involved.
9/14 – History (Old Timers) Luncheon at 11:00 AM – This event is open for all in the community. Come join us for a quick history update and luncheon, learn some of those generational family memories from around the Ville. It’s a chance to connect with those interested in and knowledgeable about our past. Contact Genitti’s for details (248) 349-0522 or click this link.
9/14 – History Seminar @ the Library (7:00 PM) – In celebration of History Week, we will talk about some of our classic families and historic sections in town. Consider attending this Heritage/Victorian Festival activity, sponsored by the library. For details, contact the library @ (248) 349-3020 or attend via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81487298156?pwd=WnA3REdlQU1uREk0ZjY2VFlvcS9IZz09
Also, some quick COVID updates:
- On Monday, August 23rd, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced they had approved the first COVID-19 vaccine for individuals ages 16 and up. The vaccine, known throughout the pandemic as Pfizer BioNTech, will now go by the name Comirnaty.
The vaccine will continue to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.
“While millions of people have already safely received COVID-19 vaccines, formal FDA approval of a vaccine may now instill additional confidence to get vaccinated,” stated Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock. (FDA.gov)
- Several Michigan counties have issued mask mandates for schools, including Kent, Ottawa, Allegan, Kalamazoo, Genesee, and Oakland. Roughly 46% of all public-school students in Michigan are now required to wear masks while in school. A press release on August 13th advised that all schools adopt policies to “require universal masking for students, staff and visitors, regardless of community transmission rate or vaccination status.” (Michigan.gov)
- Wayne County’s Public Health Department also instituted a mask mandate last Friday (8/27) for all county school districts, schools and day care providers. (freep.com)
- There are more than 100,000 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19 in the United States. Hospitalization rates are nearly double what they were at the same time last year, with most hospitalized patients being unvaccinated. Researchers say the surge has been driven in large part by the Delta variant. (CNN Health)
- COVID-19 CONFIRMED CASES: Northville has had 272 cases*/8 fatalities, Township 2395/51, Michigan 1.1M/22K, Nation 39M/648K, Global 217M/4.5M. (CDC.com) *Wayne County data
|
|
Now let's transition to Northville's Labor Day activities of Yesteryear:
- As you know, Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions & achievements of American workers and is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September.
- It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894.
- Labor Day weekend also symbolized the end of summer for many Americans and is celebrated with gatherings, parades, and athletic events.
Some local Labor Day happenings in the Ville over this historic weekend include:
- 1895 – Labor Day train excursions from Northville to Plymouth to Detroit, with many going to Belle Isle for the day…Just 50 cents round trip! (Of course, that’s $16.25 in today’s money.)
- 1910 – Horse races, ball games & music by our City Band occurred all day long. “One of the biggest crowds ever seen in Northville was at the Athletic Park (Northville Downs) on Labor Day,” wrote the Northville Record. At the end of the night, all danced at the Princess Rink, behind the Marquis Theatre.
- 1949 – The VFW sponsored the Labor Day games & events for youth and families, including a donkey-riding softball game at Ford Field.
- 1957 – Motorcycle racing took place for the 1st time at Northville Downs on Labor Day...the “Northville 100” car race was also hosted by the Downs on the 4th of July.
- 1985 – A Labor Day baseball tournament took place at Ford Field. Historically, games have been part of the Labor Day festivities. And yes, I even played in a few.
- 1995 – Over Labor Day weekend, a big-top European-style circus dazzled & delighted the community. The Circus was set up in the parking lot of the Highland Lakes Shopping Center (complete with elephants).
Relax and enjoy your Labor Day weekend as we ready for the fall season in our community. Have a barbecue, connect with family & friends, and remember its meaning…celebrating the hard work, determination and sacrifices of our American Workers.
Keep that Northville Labor Day Faith!
Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849
(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)
https://mailchi.mp/5a31f2ec1a6e/turnbullformayor
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
