NORTHVILLIANS,

• The Gnomes have invaded town, thanks to the DDA, the Art House and the Chamber.  Find all 30 plus! For more info, see: https://northvillearthouse.org/gnomearoundnorthville/scavengerhunt/
   
• Additionally, look for Snowmen greeting you at our Social District entrances.
   
• First Day of the Year (Saturday, January 1) – Hiking at Maybury State Park.  Kick off your New Year resolutions by participating in the national First Day of the Year “hike program” hosted by Friends of Maybury volunteers, who will lead family-friendly hikes at 10:00 AM from the Trailhead building (Eight Mile Road entrance).  Light refreshments will be provided.
   

• COVID-19 CONFIRMED CASES:  City of Northville has had 489 cases/9 fatalities, Township 3673/57, Michigan 1.7M/29K, Nation 53M/817K, Global 280M/5.4M. (CDC) * Wayne County Data [**Last week the Michigan Deaths stated erroneously 28M vs. 28K, sorry for the error.]

A HISTORY OF NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATIONS

Now let’s transition to some yesteryear New Year’s Eve celebrations that were highlighted in the Northville Record through time:

• Northville historically had New Year’s Eve dances with orchestras, including some documented as early as 1869.  Locations included residences, the Princess Rink (across from CVS), the Ambler House/Hotel (Center/Main), and other halls and gathering places around the Ville. Sponsors included the merchants, Henry Ford himself, Rotary, VFW, Eastern Star, & other local support groups.
• Traditionally, all the bells in town (churches, fire department, private ones at the dances) rang in the New Year at midnight … it was quite the melodious chiming, The Record reported.
• 1894 – The Seth Thomas clock expert came to town during the holiday season to install the largest Clock ever to adorn Northville in the Tower of the old Methodist Church (Stamp Peddler today). The clock chimed for the first time on New Year’s Day 1895.
• 1909 – A festive New Year’s Eve gathering featured colored flashing lights thanks to that new thing called electricity, which my grandfather helped bring to town.  Sleigh rides were part of this event, too, according to The Record.
• 1959 – During the start of Northville’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, a freezing rainstorm covered the town with a thick layer of ice which transitioned to a massive snowstorm. Vehicles were literally frozen to the ground, along with police units.  Officers instructed stranded party goers to stay put and wait for the City to salt the streets...It was noted, City workers poured 80 tons of salt on local streets in a 12-hour stretch that night.
• 1967 –  A wild and exciting Rock & Roll New Year’s Eve dance took place at THE CAVERN (Lower Level of Old Village School on Main). Young Ann Arbor local rocker Bob Seger was a staple at THE CAVERN before he went on to his storied career.
  
  2021 – It’s been quite a year!
  
  Happenings in the Northville Community that come to mind include:
   
• Tremendous work done by all 27 Boards & Committees this past year...I especially wanted to highlight the dedicated efforts of the Planning Commission who updated our Master Plan and worked through some thoughtful development activities at the Downs & Foundry Flask.
• Additionally, the Sustainability Group made great strides on mobility, walkability and placemaking for the betterment of our community, which included supporting our Task Forces of the River Restoration group (our future Riverwalk), Ford Field and the Farmers’ Market. All three teams achieved tremendous progress toward moving these initiatives from early vision to ever-closer reality.
• “Married by the Mayor” continued as a fundraiser for The Mill Race – 41 weddings since Covid began – at its historic, beautiful gathering place.  
• NORTHVILLE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FUND 
  As the year winds down, I’ve been fielding questions from citizens who want to support the “The Northville Community Support Fund” (501c3), which was established to help the community launch innovative and ground-breaking projects. For info, click on https://northvillecommunitysupportfund.com/
• Our Community, together, accomplished a great deal in 2021 – readying our town for the next generation.  This is the Town that we love, and the town proudly known historically as “The Hamlet in the Hills” or “Switzerland of Wayne County.”
  
  I would be remiss if I didn’t thank each and every one of you for assisting Northville through a difficult pandemic journey these past two years.  I know many of you have helped our youth, our seniors, Civic Concern and our local businesses, and I just can’t express my appreciation enough.
  
  Make your New Year’s resolutions, keep the community we love close in your thoughts and stay connected to those you love.
   
  Let’s get ready for an amazing 2022 & Start the New Year Strong… Together!!
   
  Keep that Northville Faith!
  
  Happy New Year!