New Year’s

NORTHVILLIANS,

Happy Pre-New Year! This is the last Mayoral Newsletter of 2023. New Year’s Eve colors traditionally include Gold, Silver and Red. The color red represents bravery and fearlessness along with having an exuberance of joyous optimism. I believe we are all optimistic about the future of our community.

The year of 2023 was quite momentous, we will take a look at it next week. As we roll into 2024, I wish you all THE BEST that this New Year will bring and encourage you to 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 yesteryear.

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.  And we will continue that exciting journey in 2024 in Northville, the town we call our “Hamlet in the Hills” and “Switzerland of Wayne County.” Many in our community are engaged on countless initiatives, including the River Walk, Ford Field renovations, Farmers Market activities, downtown events, restoration and the moving of the log cabin on River Street and many other exciting transformational projects.

We are preparing the town for the next generation and inviting all to help guide our future.  In Northville we have over 6 percent of our entire population involved with Commissions, Boards and Task forces for the betterment of our beloved area.  We will add two new groups in January (the Bicentennial and Cemetery restoration Teams). These are truly exciting times and with your assistance, the future is BRIGHT.

Let’s look at yesteryear’s New Year’s Eve celebrations that have been highlighted in The Northville Record …

According to The Record, traditionally all the bells in town (churches, fire department, businesses, private residences) would ring in the New Year at midnight on 12/31. Most bells in the Midwest were produced in Northville’s foundry.

• 1869 – Northville historically had New Year’s Eve dances with orchestras (with many coming to town via stagecoach, trains and later on trolleys). A Record article in 1869 stated that the gathering readying for 1870 was at the Ambler House (Center/Main – where Great White Buffalo Brewing is today). Over time, locations for New Year’s Eve gatherings included: the Opera House, various estates, the Princess Rink (across from CVS), and the Ambler House/Hotel, just to name a few. Sponsors included the local merchants, Henry Ford himself, Rotary, VFW, Eastern Star & other local 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). 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, along with all the town’s police units. Officers instructed stranded partiers to stay put and wait for the City to salt the streets. Notably, it was reported that city workers poured 80 tons of salt on local streets in a 12-hour stretch that New Year’s Eve night in 1959.
   
• 1967 – A wild and exciting Rock & Roll New Year’s Eve dance took place at THE CAVERN (Lower Level of Old Village School on Main). A young local rocker from Ann Arbor, Bob Seger, played that night & was a staple at THE CAVERN before he went on to fame.
   
• 2023 – It’s been quite a year! Next week “The Northville Year in Review” will be featured.

I would be remiss if I didn’t thank each and every one of you for assisting the City of Northville and all in the Community during this past year. I thank those of you who have reached out and assisted our youth, helped our seniors, and donated time and talents to Civic Concern activities. Additionally, I thank you for supporting our local businesses. I just can’t express my appreciation enough!

Make 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 2024 and start the New Year STRONG…Together!!

Keep that Northville New Year’s Faith!

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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