NORTHVILLIANS,
Happy New Year! This is the last Mayoral Newsletter of 2025. Going on 4 terms, I have had the great opportunity and honor to write over 300 of these letters. As we ready for New Year’s Eve, I understand that the traditional colors for ringing in the New Year include GOLD, SILVER & RED. The color red historically represents bravery and fearlessness along with exuberance of joyous optimism … this all ties into the New Year celebration. I truly believe we are all optimistic about the future of our community.
THE YEAR IN REVIEW (coming up): The year 2025 was quite momentous, and in next week’s letter I will summarize the “Year in Review.” As we roll into 2026, I wish you all THE BEST. I truly hope that this New Year you will continue to share your time & talents with those in need in our community. In this week’s letter, I’ll highlight some of the New Year’s events from today and from yesteryears.
A TRANSFORMATIONAL YEAR: As we reflect on the year, it brings to mind a well-known but very appropriate saying – It’s not the destination that’s important in life, but the journey itself. Many in our community are engaged in countless initiatives, including the Riverwalk, adding green spaces and placemaking areas, Ford Field renovations, Farmers’ Market activities, downtown events, the relocation of our historic Log Cabin on River Street and many other transformational projects.
I INVITE YOU TO ENGAGE: Northvillians are preparing the town for the next generation, and I invite all to engage and get involved in our future. In the Community we have close to 6 percent (6%!) of our entire population serving on Commissions, Boards and Task Forces for the betterment of our beloved area. We added two new groups last year (the Bicentennial and Cemetery Renewal Task Forces) who are accomplishing and planning extraordinary initiatives. These are truly exciting times and with your assistance, the future is BRIGHT.
Before looking at historic holiday activities in Northville, let’s see what's happening in town today:
- Northville’s Centennial History with Mayor Turnbull – 1/28/26, 7pm in New School Church at Mill Race Village. Highlights from Northville’s first hundred years and its 1927 Centennial Parade and Celebration. Link
- Upcoming Music/Concerts/Events – Marquis Link, NOMI Link, Genitti’s Link
INFO FOR CITIZENS...
TASK FORCE MEETINGS
- Bicentennial Task Force – 2/12/26, 7PM City Hall (Rick Sharpe – Chair)
- Cemetery Renewal Task Force – 3/23/26, 7PM City Hall (Dave Marold – Chair) (See Link for information or Link to make your end-of-year donation)
PROJECTS AROUND TOWN
- FORD FIELD – Work continues at Ford Field, including the new fencing, an ADA entry way, an overhang Vista with new DTE infrastructure work, a new playscape and planning for a bathroom structure and finishing off with the waterfall system.
- RIVERWALK. The riverwalk pathway system is coming into fruition within the “Downs” section and will connect North to Ford Field leading eventually to Mackinaw City and to the South to the Market Area and to Ohio. We are connecting City & Township green spaces to County & State parks. Catch a view from our Market area on 7 Mile.
- DOWNS INITIATIVE – Roundabout (Sheldon/7 Mile) is now open – SEMCOG's “Road Wizard” video Link
- NORTHVILLE COMMUNITY MARKET AREA - Township/City Events continue here.
- GRANTS that Support Northville’s Community Initiatives (Over $16M) – Link
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New Year's Eve traditions in Northville:
- 1800’s – According to The Record, traditionally all the bells in town (churches, fire department, businesses, private residences) would ring in unison bringing in the New Year. Early on, many bells around the country and world were produced in Northville’s foundry.
- 1869 – Northville historically had New Year’s Eve dances with orchestras (many coming to town via stagecoach, trains and later, trolleys). A Record article in 1869 stated that the gathering for the 1870 New Year’s party was at the Ambler House (Center/Main – Great White Buffalo Brewing today).
- Over time, locations for New Year’s Eve events included: The Opera House, the Princess Rink (across from CVS), churches, the Marquis Theatre, Meadowbrook and the Community center just to name a few. Sponsors included merchants, Henry Ford, Rotary, VFW, Eastern Star & various other groups.
- 1894 – Seth Thomas Clock’s national expert came to town during the holiday season to install the largest Clock ever to adorn Northville. It was in the tower of the old Methodist Church on Center St. (Stampeddler Plus today-Church Square). The clock chimed for the first time on New Year’s Day, 1895.
- 1909 – There was a festive community “North Pole Dance Party” on New Year’s Eve at the Princess Rink. It featured colored flashing lights thanks to that new invention called electricity, along with sleigh rides and confetti.
- 1959 – During the start of the New Year’s Eve celebrations, a freezing rainstorm covered the town with a thick layer of ice, which transitioned to a massive snowstorm. Vehicles from folks celebrating were literally frozen to the ground. Notably, it was reported that city workers poured 80 tons of salt on local streets in a 12-hour stretch.
- 1968 – One of the first wild and exciting Rock & Roll dances of the New Year at THE CAVERN (Community Center on Main) featured a young local rocker from Ann Arbor, Bob Seger, who was a staple at THE CAVERN in ‘67 & ‘68 before he went on to fame.
- 2025 – It’s been quite a year! Next week “The Year in Review” will be featured.
I would be remiss if I didn’t thank each and every one of you who have assisted the City of Northville and all in the Community during this past year. I thank you for sharing your time and talents by reaching out to our youth, helping our seniors, and donating to Civic Concern activities.
Finally, I thank you for supporting our local businesses, old and new. I just can’t express my appreciation enough to each of you! While making your New Year’s resolutions, keep our community close in your thoughts and stay connected to those you love.
Let’s get ready for an amazing 2026 as we ready for our Bicentennial in 2027. Let’s start the New Year STRONG … TOGETHER!
Keep that Northville New Year's Faith!
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