Christmas

NORTHVILLIANS,

Merry Christmas!  As we ready for the holidays, I wish you a safe, restful & joyously festive season. I encourage you to share your time and talents with all those in need in our community.  It’s been quite a journey this past year and finally, we can now see the light at the end of the “pandemic tunnel.” The vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are now being distributed by FedEx & UPS to 600 distribution centers in the U.S.  I urge you to maintain social distance, mask up and wash up as much as possible. These coming weeks and months will be history-making in the way we battle Covid-19.

In this week’s letter, I’ll highlight some holiday activities from yesteryear. 

GATEWAYS TO THE COMMUNITY

One of the true Gateways to our community is our historic downtown environment. Today, I will talk briefly about some of the past holiday traditions.  I was told by my grandparents that Henry Ford (who spent his honeymoon here in Northville) hosted holiday square dances in the Ville, and the whole town was traditionally lit up with colorful Christmas lights. There were even stories of all the bells in the churches and the fire department “ringing in” Christmas and the New Year.

Historically, many local support organizations (VFW, American Legion, Womans Club, Rotary, Masons and others) have put together Christmas baskets for those in need in our community.  Their efforts represent the true spirit of Northville during this season of giving.

Another Northville tradition has been the annual Christmas Walk, which has been integrated into the Santa Parade we’ve come to love.  Over the years, we’ve seen horse & buggy rides, a Christmas trolley, Holiday Home Tours, the Holiday Greens Market, and Candlelight Walks with luminaries lining downtown streets to guide Santa’s sleigh.  Also, the Mill Race Village team always gets into the spirit by decorating their Victorian grounds in period-based decorations.

This year’s Christmas in “The Ville” is taking on a new look with the “Heat in the Streets” environment.  So, over the next few weeks, slow down, enjoy a stroll through town and through the Mill Race Village. I guarantee you will feel the holiday spirit!

In closing, I encourage you to engage in your own Holiday traditions in the Ville and again, share your time & talents with those in need during these extraordinary times.

Keep that Northville Faith and Mask up, Practice social distancing, and be Safe!

Merry Christmas!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
BTurnbull@ci.northville.mi.us / 248.505.6849

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

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