NORTHVILLIANS,

With last week’s note reminding folks about getting Mother’s Day flowers at Opening Day of the Farmers’ Market, I wanted to talk about what’s happening in town today and touch on past Mother’s Days.

• We had a “pre-Mother’s Day” ribbon cutting event at Maybury State Park to celebrate the new entry on 7 Mile & Beck.
• We are also gearing up for the opening of our Riverpark in June and the dedication of the first roundabout on Wayne County-owned roads.
• With the Kentucky Derby running last weekend, there were a lot of events abounding in and around the Ville and at Meadowbrook Country Club, amongst other locations.
• A Senior gathering at the Community Center for May Day & Cinco de Mayo took place.
• Additionally, Northville was the backdrop to many prom goers who took pictures at the Mill Race Village and had dinner in town.
• The Northville Chorale performed last week at a concert series hosted at FUMC- Northville to a packed crowd.

Over the past few weeks, we have celebrated the advent ofSpringwith Arbor Day and Earth Day activities, the Farmers’ Market OPENING DAY, along with reviewing local initiatives at our State of the Community address. These are truly exciting times!

Mother's Day History:

For our recent Mother’s Day weekend, we honored our mothers and celebrated all that they are, just like most countries do throughout the world. In its modern form, the holiday originated in the United States where it is observed on the second Sunday in May.

Some fun facts:

• The FIRST celebration for this holiday occurred in West Virginia, at St. Andrews Methodist Church on May 10^th, 1908, and was organized by Anna Jarvis for her mother.
• In 1910 the West Virginia governor proclaimed Mother’s Day a State Holiday.
• Within just a few years, virtually every state was observing Mother’s Day, and in 1914, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson declared it a national holiday.
• In 1962, the magnificent St. Andrews Church built in 1873 (and host to the first Mother’s Day celebration) was renamed and declared to be the International Mother’s Day Shrine.

Mother’s Day has always been special in Northville, with restaurant brunches, community breakfasts, musical events at churches and other special activities.

Before looking at past Mother's Day activities, let's see what's going on today:

• Northville Garden Club Plant & Bake Sale – 5/16, 9-12PM, City Hall Park. Link
• Birthday Tea Party for Clara Ford – 5/16, 1PM, Mill Race Village. Link
• Maybury Farm Fest – 5/16, 10AM-5PM. Link
• Veterans Honor Plaza Dedication – 5/23, 10AM, Mill Race Village. Link
• Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony at Rural Hill including WWII Vet appearances among other special guests – 5/25, 10AM.Link
• Investigating Indigenous Connections – 5/29, 7PM, Mill Race Village. Carol Bacak-Egbo, Oakland County Parks’ Historian, will discuss the challenges of researching our area’s history before log cabins and mills. Link
• Upcoming Music/Concerts/Events – Marquis Link, NOMI Link, Genitti’s Link, Northville Winery Link
• State of the Community – A recording of the presentation is available to view. Link

INFO FOR CITIZENS...
TASK FORCE MEETINGS

• Cemetery Renewal Task Force – 7/13/26, 7PM City Hall (Dave Marold – Chair)
• Link for information or Link to donate/support.)
• Bicentennial Task Force Mtg – 7/15/26, 7PM City Hall (Rick Sharpe – Chair) Additional ways to be involved will be posted soon.

PROJECTS AROUND TOWN

• FORD FIELD – Lots to report …
• The Playscape assembly is DONE.
• The cement walks have been poured, and the soft surfaces will be laid soon.
• The waterfall is complete at the northern Serenity Point area.
• The ADA entryway is done, & the Vista (Gateway) overlook will be finished soon.
• A NEW STAIRCASE is being designed … Exciting times!
• RIVERWALK – The 2^nd coat of the pathway system at the Downs along the Rouge River & Johnson Creek was poured this week. Additionally, DTE is working on their section of the river walk north of the Downs – they are investing in the future of Northville, including decorative fencing, landscaping and a connected pathway.
• DOWNS INITIATIVE – The River Park ribbon cutting will take place 6/17, and the Central Park is taking shape, too. Check out the Beal St. bridge area construction with its stonework details and decorative functional cement wings. Also, final work is in full swing on the 7 Mile/Sheldon roundabout, too.
• NORTHVILLE COMMUNITY MARKET AREA – Last week, a Car Show as well as the Farmers’ Market took place there.
• DOWNTOWN–Please pardon the dust!For the latest updates on the work,see Link.
• GRANTS that Support Northville’s Initiatives (Over $17.6M) – Link

Our Community's Mother's Day Activities Through Time:

1919 –The “Northville Greenhouse” ad inThe Recordfor Mother’s Day included this poem:

To Mothers at Home
Flowers Bright,
To Mothers’ Memory
Flowers White

1932 –Rotarians hosted local mothers at a community luncheon.The Recordnoted: “Tears filled many eyes as Rotarians paid tribute to their mothers.” Also, there was a story about how mothers were honored at the local churches by special musical tributes.
1935 –A special Mother’s Day edition ofThe Northville Record waspublished, featuring unique Mother’s Day gifts (including arrays of chocolates, flowers, along with additional gifts and services). Businesses mentioned were Northville Drugs, Spagnuolo’s confectionery, Turnbull’s Electric and others that were open late Mother’s Day Eve for shopping convenience.
1943 –DuringWWIIMichigan Bell advertised inThe Northville Record:“Mothers are understanding and patriotic … Mothers know that under the steadily increasing burden of war, long distance telephone equipment is seriously overloaded,so send your lovein a letter.”
1964 –The Merchants again this year banded together to make an enjoyable shopping experience for Mother’s Day weekend with bands playing and merchandise giveaways.
1979 –The Recorddedicated an entire section for folks to Wish Mom a Happy Mother’s Day… all for $3 for 10 words. The pages filled up!
1996 –An article spoke about how Northville’s mothers played a vital role in the development of our community over time, and highlighted many mothers who were role models to our youth and supported events like musical concerts, including Bob Seger appearances in the 60’s.
2000 –ANorthville Recordarticle entitledPanicked over Mother’s Day? Don’t Worry… spoke about how Northville merchants stocked up yet again with an abundance of merchandise & flowers, and they were open late the night before for the convenience of all Northvillians. Many stores still in business today were mentioned in the “night-before festivities” article, including Orin Jewelers and Genitti’s.
2009– A Mother/Son magic show at Genitti’s celebrated Mother’s Day a little early that year, with a full stage show by Jasen Magic who still is featured there today.

With the trilliums starting to come into full bloom this week, it reminds me that it’s that time of year to slow down and think about those that are special to us, like we did this past weekend on Mother’s Day. Take in and enjoy all that Spring has to offer in the Ville – stroll by the river, walk down Dunlap St., meander around the Mill Race Village or wander Ford Field as it is being wonderfully transformed. Or just relax on a bench around Town Square by the clock, which has been repositioned with the new brickscape around it.

And let’s thank the mothers in our lives for all they are and all that they do. If you didn’t stop by the Farmers’ Market Thursday to pick up a thoughtful gift, that’s ok … there is always time to buy a special present for the one we love.

Keep That Mother's Day Faith throughout the year and show your appreciation!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville