NORTHVILLIANS,

Last week during our Victorian Heritage Festival Days, it was truly outstanding getting back to former traditions the pandemic interrupted. With almost perfect summer-like weather, Northville was alive with people and bands throughout the three-day festival. The Victorian Saloon with its fellowship, food and festive atmosphere was electrifying.

The activities around town were tremendous, with all the third graders coming downtown Friday in Victorian dress, learning about our history and being part of the parade that night. On Sunday, the 50^th Anniversary Celebration of the Mill Race Village was in full swing. Right nearby, we had the Duck Race on the river, along with the various vendors in town and the vast array of music throughout the weekend at multiple locations … it was indeed historic. Adding to that, we also celebrated the 75^th anniversary of Scout Troop 755 at Ford Field and at their encampment across the street (Ford Field East) where they have given back to the community through various projects that benefited all in our area.

Following the Festival weekend, the annual Old Timers of Northville gathering was held on Tuesday at Genitti’s, and included a Northville history recap, the announcement of our annual Senior of the Year Award and as always, the sharing of many stories from our past among those attending.

With all those sharing their time and talents over this past weekend, it has been suggested that we start recognizing on a weekly basis a community citizen who has given to the greater cause for those that enjoy our “Hamlet in the Hills”.  This “Northvillian of the Week” recognition will start in late September.

Before we talk about some of our distinguished seniors & old timers, let’s first look at what’s going on in our city today:

Events/Info

• Mayoral Townhall – 9/22, 7 PM (Live/and Zoom) – School board candidate introductions and an intro to the new Superintendent Dr. RJ Webber.
  
  Town Hall Zoom Link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87590143522 
  (Meeting ID 875 9014 3522)
   
• Northville CROP Hunger Walk, 10/2, 1:00 PM starting at Presby Church (200 E. Mains St.).  See LINK for additional info – LINK
   
• History Lecture at the Community Center by the Mayor – 10/13, 6 PM – LINK
   
• Northville’s Parmenter’s Cider Mill, since 1873 – (630 Baseline), open for the season, also on its campus, check out Northville Winery & Brewing Co. w/ its music.
   
• Concerts every Friday & Saturday at 7:00 PM through October – Downtown
   
• Farmers Market – Northville’s Award-Winning Market, Thursdays (7 Mile/Sheldon)

This week the Old Timers gathered to break bread, tell stories, and to catch up on local events... I will share some of the organization's history here. 

• The Old Timers (History) luncheon has occurred for decades and has kept the community connected to our colorful past, its characters, and its storytellers.
   
• The luncheon is an opportunity for friends, acquaintances and newcomers to listen or swap stories about families & activities that have been part of our town's 200-year history.
   
• Attending over the decades include names like Ambler, Yerkes, Atchison, Allen, Casterline, Wright, Stevens, Miller, Allen, McGuire (Guernsey), Folino, Lapham, Long, Genitti, Ely, Turnbull, Longridge, and many others after whom our streets are named.
   
• First timers and old timers merge during this gathering. The group was originally an all-male assembly. Today, the group has transitioned to be fully inclusive. 
   
• This gathering rekindles old memories when Northville was ranked just behind Detroit in economic activity for Michigan. At one time, trains, trolleys and stagecoaches stopped on the hour in our Village.
   
• Some of the old timers spoke about the different phases of our community:
  • Milling days on the Rivers – our early beginnings and first uses of “river power.”
  • The industrial phase, with production facilities along our waterways when Northville ranked just behind Detroit in economics.
  • To today, using our rivers as a platform for a connecting pathway system for southeastern Michigan along our waterway’s scenic banks.
     
• During this year’s history update at the Old Timers gathering, we reminded everyone that Northville had the largest furniture factory in the country and our foundries were second to none. In those early years, our four historic burgs were the only places to live in town – Historic District, Beal Town, Cabbage Town, and Orchard Heights.
   
• Stories were abounding about our ski jump platform that launched world record holders into the air. Others spoke during the Old Timers lunch about folks who came from all over Michigan in the summer to attend the largest fair in the State at Northville Downs, where harness racing was first run under the lights.
   
• Others noted that Northville is the town where Henry Ford spent his honeymoon and also commissioned the building of a Village Industry factory.
   
• This year’s Senior of the Year recipient was George Miller. The Miller Family sold and serviced vehicles in Northville since the 1930s through several locations around town. George (NHS Class of ’55) and his wife Carol (Class of ’60) ran Miller’s Custom Bumping and Painting (where the Garage Grill is today). George continued his father’s tradition of volunteerism and support for the community he loves. The Northville Community is pleased to recognize and thank him for all he’s done for our town and our citizens.