NORTHVILLIANS,

This year’s Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday was truly a wild and exciting one, with 60-degree days that transitioned to the worst ice storm we’ve seen in 50 years (over 700,000 without power). Hundreds of trees were encased by ice, with branches breaking off throughout town. DTE stated that the weight on each power line entombed by ice was the equivalent of a grand piano pulling on each wire between the poles. Our Fire Department had over 100 calls the first night, ranging from downed trees and loose wires to smoking transformers. Our DPW workers along with our first responders worked tirelessly to assist our citizens and ensure all Northvillians were safe. I thank them all!

In town, the Library was available for warmth, refuge, and device-charging. Additionally, we added extended hours and staffing at our Community Center where free coffee was served till 10:00 PM each night. Northvillians gathered around the fireplace, charged their phones, connected to the Internet, and shared some unexpected time together.

I thank all in the community for reaching out to others in an effort to help us get through these trying times with sub-freezing weather. The Chili’in the Ville cook-off this past weekend took our minds off the storm with thousands converging on the town. FOX 2 captured those enjoying the chili samplings from the restaurants and from our community fire fighters.

• Snowmen sculptures on display in downtown Northville through the winter… enjoy!
   
• Chili’in the Ville – It was a great Saturday to gather, offering some normality after the ice storm hit town. As mentioned, FOX 2 stopped by to check it out.  LINK
   
• Great White Buffalo Brewing Company Grand Opening – Friday, March 3^rd, (101 W. Main). The renovation is complete! Stop in to see the transformation… and in a nod to the site’s history as the location of the Ambler Hotel, consider sipping an Ambler Ale. LINK
   
• Seniors – It’s party time again! It seems like I just attended the Valentine Tea at the Community Center, but now it’s time to gear up for the St. Patty’s Day Senior extravaganza on Wednesday, March 15^th, 11-1 PM. Register online at Northvilleparksandrec.org or call 248 349 0203. LINK

Let's look at some significant local weather events and past Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras happenings...

STORMS!
1898 – Like last week, a blizzard with crippling ice came through this year that caused havoc with the phone & telegraph wires around town.

1934 – Over a foot of snow hit Northville in mid-February, and many were stranded.

1965 – In mid-February, according to The Record, many in town maneuvered via skis. Some said it was the worst storm in their memory, with more than 9 inches deposited quickly in the first few hours of the storm, and it just kept snowing for days. More than 50 stranded cars were reported in town, and over 200 folks were marooned in the city. 

1974 – During this week in history, Northville dug out of a 19-inch blast. It was reported that it was the heaviest snow in nearly a century. Most City streets were impassable.

1978 – A vicious ice & snowstorm hit Northville (schools and stores were closed for the week).
 
MARDI GRAS in Town
According to historians, festivities resembling Mardi Gras go back thousands of years to ancient Roman festivals. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, reflecting the practice of eating rich fatty foods like Paczkis the day before the religious period of Lent.  Following are some past Northville Mardi Gras events:

1975 – A Northville Community Mardi Gras party was hosted by the Newcomers group.

1980 – Silver Springs School hosted a Mardi Gras gathering for all in the school district.

1990 – Holloway’s Bakery in town sold over 300 dozen Paczkis, with some going to a senior event where the Art House is located today (our seniors have always partied hardy).

1997 – The Doughnut scene (CVS area today) was highlighted in The Record; they worked all night to make traditional paczkis of all kinds: Blueberry, custard, prune, raspberry, strawberry, cherry, and apple.

In 2023, Fat Tuesday preceded the largest ice event in the history of Northville…again, I thank all in the community for helping your neighbors, friends and family make it through these days without power.  Very importantly, I offer a warm and special thanks to our first responders, the DPW TEAM and those that assisted at our warming stations at the Community Center and Library. Take the time to slow down for a moment and thank them for all they did. It’s this sense of community and fellowship that makes Northville the special place that it is.
 
Keep that Northville Faith!