A note from from Mayor Brian Turnbull...


** NORTHVILLIANS,
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As Father’s Day (6/18) and the Juneteenth holiday (6/19) approach this week, I would like to slow down and reflect on both…

FATHER’S DAY – The history of Father’s Day dates back to 1906 when a church in West Virginia held a sermon to honor 362 Men who had been killed the previous year in a coal mining explosion. Eventually Father’s Day “in general” was celebrated at a ceremony on June 19th, 1910, in Spokane, Washington. There was a movement in America after that to celebrate Father’s Day each June.

In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson officially recognized the observance of Father’s Day nationally. It was always a special day in our household growing up where we showed our father and grandfathers how much we appreciated them.

JUNETEENTH – (Freedom Day, Emancipation Day, Jubilee Day, or Black Independence Day): As you may know, Juneteenth represents the 158th anniversary commemorating the last African American slave being freed, which happened to be in Texas. While it has long been celebrated in many communities, President Biden signed Juneteenth into law June 17^th, 2021. This is the first federal holiday approved since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983. On this day, we recommit ourselves to the work of equality and justice across these United States.

Before looking at Father's Day activities in the Ville and Juneteenth history, let's take a look at what's happening today:

6/12 - 6/16 – Northville's Gigantic Garage Sale, Monday-Friday, 9AM-9PM, 218 Dunlap Street. This annual sale benefits the Northville Historical Society and the Dr. Karl Stockhausen Memorial Scholarship. Link ([link removed])

6/15 – Senior Fest, Thursday 6/15 @ 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM. Community Center - Link ([link removed])

6/16 to 6/18 – Arts and Acts Festival sponsored by Northville Art House. Link ([link removed])

7/12 – Northville Garden Walk sponsored by the Country Garden Club of Northville. Link ([link removed])

Town Hall State of the Community Presentation – Mayor presentation. In case you missed it, here is the link to The City’s June 8th State of the Community speech: Link ([link removed])
Summer Concerts Friday & Saturday at 7:00 PM – Downtown Northville. Link ([link removed])

And finally, a BIG SHOUT OUT to Northville High School State Champions for Spring 2023 – Boys Golf, and Northville Rowing along with the Boys Track & Field Team posting the top time in the country for the Men’s 4x800 Relay.

Now let's take a look at Father's Day events in Northville through the years and Juneteenth...
Father’s Day 2023 (Sunday, June 18)

Through the years, many Father’s Day activities and traditions have been celebrated in Northville. In our household, it historically was a day when my son and I spent time together going to the pilgrimage of “Speed” NASCAR races at Michigan International Speedway. My father took me to the very first races there in the late 1960’s. Let’s look at more Father’s Days …

1944 – A salute for Father’s Day included an ad in the Northville Record suggesting buying War bonds for Dad’s special day.

1946 – The paper spoke about OLV’s annual breakfast for Father’s Day, where they gave out awards for the oldest and the youngest father in attendance, and also the one who had the most children. This tradition continued for most of the last century.

1964 – Northville Drug Company advertised gifts for fathers, including pipes, tobacco, cigars, and other items in their smoking section. AND … they offered free delivery.

1968 – The electric razor was all the craze at Northville Gunsell Drug store, with their ad stating, “Make dad glad on Father’s Day with a Sunbeam or Norelco electric shaver.”

Also, in 1968 – a fashion show for Father’s Day gifts was offered by local retailers and was staged around the brand-new pool at King's Mill … the public was invited.

1974 – There was an article published in The Record with the headline, ”Like father like son.” It stated, “Every good tree maketh good fruit.” And went on to say, “This 14^th century poetic observation is still a truism today.”

1977 – Good Time Party Store ran their traditional ad for Northvillians to stop by and pick out a live lobster from their tank for Father’s Day, and they would show you how to prepare it. A bottle of wine was part of the Father’s Day package.

1983 – There was a Father’s Day celebration at Guernsey Farms Dairy where rides were offered on an old-fashioned horse-drawn Guernsey Milk Wagon pulled by Belgian show horses.

1996 – Bueter’s outdoor store spoke about fly fishing gifts for dad: ”Tie one on with your dad this Father’s Day.” (It’s all about Fly Fishing in Life!) Lessons and fishing trips were available!

Switching gears from Father’s Day to Northville Support for Juneteenth & Equality …

Northville’s Underground Railroad Connections

According to a 1927 Record article, the Ambler Hotel in downtown Northville in the 1800’s was a station on the Underground Railroad, assisting African Americans in their fight for freedom. In addition to the Ambler Hotel, other stations in the Northville area were: The Cady Inn (still in the area), the Starkweather Farm (7 Mile & Beck) and a location near where Meads Mill school is.

John Lewis – Michigan’s last Civil War Vet

John Lewis was a storied Civil War veteran. According to The Record: “The Lewis family fled the South before the Civil War and stayed at the Ambler Station on the underground railroad. Eventually, they took up residence in the Northville School District in Salem. John Lewis felt compelled to enlist in Pontiac’s first African American division during the Civil War.” He was involved in fighting at Gettysburg, and the Lewis Family always displayed a Civil War drum that John used on the battlefield. John Lewis was Michigan’s last living Civil War veteran.

Joe Louis (World’s Heavyweight Boxing Champion)

Joe Louis (Joseph Louis Barrow) put our town on the map in the 1930’s when he trained on occasion in Northville. At the time, the town was a nucleus of boxing in the Detroit area, with a private full-time indoor ring in the Village. Over time, Joe Louis became a beloved neighbor of our town and was adopted as a true Northvillian.

Martin Luther King – One of my favorite equality MLK quotes is from the I HAVE A DREAM speech:

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men [and women] are created equally.”

So, let’s slow down and celebrate Father’s Day weekend, and keep top of mind that equality and justice for all Americans is celebrated the very next day, on the Juneteenth holiday.

Keep that Northville Faith!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

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