Northvillians,
Our “Tree City USA” designated town is now at its peak in the annual “fall parade of colors.” Local trees are changing into radiant red, orange, yellow and other brilliant hues, especially on the multi-species trees along Hines Drive and in the Bennett Arboretum. Building on Northville’s history of cider mills and apple orchards, the brilliant colors of trees further enrich the season.
Let’s first review some of the events that are happening this month:
• 10/23 – (Saturday) Northville’s Art House’s Halloween Art Crawl. Celebrate Art, Music and local flavors from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. For more info: 248 344-0497 https://northvillearthouse.org/
• 10/30 – (Saturday) Streets of Treats Halloween event for our youth in Downtown Northville, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Be sure to walk around and see our youth in costumes receiving treats from local businesses.
• 10/21 and 10/28 – Northville’s award-winning Farmers’ Market will close out its season over the next two Thursdays from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 7 Mile and Center.
• Through 10/31 – There are 120 skeletons on display around the Ville through Halloween. Come see them all and walk about our social district with an elixir of life in hand and also listen to the live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
Some COVID updates:
• Millions of people in the U.S. are eligible to get a coronavirus vaccine booster shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has begun to recommend a booster dose initially for high-risk adults to supercharge their immune system’s ability to fight off the coronavirus and protect against its most serious effects. (The Washington Post)
• Our nation is mourning the loss of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who died Monday morning due to complications from COVID-19 (CBS NEWS).
COVID-19 confirmed cases: Northville has had 298 cases*/8 fatalities, Township: 2,684 cases /53 fatalities, Michigan: 1.2 million cases/23,000 fatalities, Nation: 45 million cases/727,000 fatalities, Global: 241 million cases/4.9 million fatalities. (CDC.com) *Wayne County data
Colors in the Ville
Fall is here with the trees changing to spectacular colors, sporting events dodging the falling leaves, and the aroma of bonfires along with the sweet smell of cider in the air. We have had “Autumnfest” sponsored by the Northville Merchants’ Association in the past, but now every day can be a festival of life in this autumn season.
For some fun, try out these things:
• Stop by one of Michigan’s oldest cider mills (right on the river) known as Parmenter’s Northville Cider Mill located on Baseline Road. Watch them make that sweet-smelling nectar using local apples while enjoying the colors of the trees there.
• Afterwards, drive, walk or bike down to our historic Mill Race Village next to Ford Field to take in the local colors and admire the brilliant fall reflections off the Mill Pond and the river.
• Walk down Dunlap Street with its historic Victorian homes and trees dating back to the mid-1800s and experience history, color and beauty.
• Stroll around town through our various traditional burgs, including the Historic District, Cabbage Town, Bealtown and Orchard Heights. View some of the state and national champion trees in these areas as they display their fall colors.
• Another enjoyable drive is up West Main Street past Clement, which transitions to a dirt road. It’s almost like being up north on the “Tunnel of Trees.”
• Traverse through Wayne County’s Cass Benton Park on Hines Drive along the Rouge River that runs between Northville and Dearborn. Enjoy the colors on the trip. In years past, the county has had designated non-motorized viewing days on the parkway to help you enjoy the fall colors.
• Another great area to take in is Maybury State Park off Beck or 8 Mile. The park has nearly 1,000 acres of gently rolling terrain, open meadows and mature forests, with spectacular bursts of fall colors around its ponds, hardwood forests and open areas.
• Fish Hatchery Park is yet another area to take a walk around the river, its pond area or winding paths. (7 Mile and Orchard)
• Some of the oldest and most colorful trees in the area are the canopy of Rural Hill Cemetery... it is truly colorful and peaceful this time of year. (7 Mile and Rogers)
• Did you notice that this year there is a bumper crop of acorns, black walnuts and pinecones? It’s caused by a phenomenon called “seed mast.” The weather during spring and this fall was perfect for this situation, so be careful as you walk under walnut or oak trees.
Take advantage of our local attributes and walk around these local areas to experience Fall to the fullest in our “Hamlet in the Hills” also known to many as the “Switzerland of Wayne County.” Remember, it’s not the destination that’s important in life but the journey itself.
Breathtaking fall colors also can be found by going north to several “Pure Michigan” areas – the Tunnel of Trees in Harbor Springs, throughout the Upper Peninsula and up in Leelanau by Traverse City. But quite honestly, to see some of the same fantastic bursts of colors, we don’t have to go much farther than our own backyards.
Keep that Northville Fall Faith!
Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849
