Valentine’s Day

NORTHVILLIANS,

Valentine’s Day 2026 –  We are on the cusp of that time of year when we slow down and think of those close to us. Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to recognize those special people in our lives (family members, significant others, friends, and even neighbors). Take a moment to reach out and spread some Valentine cheer, letting those you love know how much you appreciate them.

Background on Valentine’s Day:

• Valentine’s Day, also called Saint Valentine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14^th. Its origins can be traced to Rome (496 A.D.), having originated as a festival day honoring the Christian martyr Saint Valentine.
• Through traditions it has become a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.

This week, I reviewed previous Northville Records going back to the 1800’s to show what was written about Valentine’s Day locally.

Let’s look at past Valentine’s Days:

• 1897 – A special section was written in the Northville Record featuring Valentine’s Day gifts, including a special page with illustrations & a variety of romantic stories & poetry.
• 1923 – Again, a section in the paper was dedicated to local Valentine’s Day specials. Northville Drugs offered chocolates, cards, & special RED fountain drinks.
• 1939 – My grandfather’s Northville Electric Shop (Baby Baby) advertised “Practical Valentine gifts”, including radios, lamps & electric clocks to “Make life easier for Mom.”  Additionally, Freydl’s (Adorn Fine Flowers) published this racy poem:

If you’ve a special Valentine
And you’d like to make her thine
Glance about at our gay array
Of perfume, jewels, and lingerie

• 1897 – A special section was written in the Northville Record featuring Valentine’s Day gifts, including a special page with illustrations & a variety of romantic stories & poetry.
• 1923 – Again, a section in the paper was dedicated to local Valentine’s Day specials. Northville Drugs offered chocolates, cards, & special RED fountain drinks.
• 1939 – My grandfather’s Northville Electric Shop (Baby Baby) advertised “Practical Valentine gifts”, including radios, lamps & electric clocks to “Make life easier for Mom.”  Additionally, Freydl’s (Adorn Fine Flowers) published this racy poem:
• 1940 – The D & C Store advertised 29-cent heart-shaped Candy Boxes.
• 1949 – Freydl’s Men’s store (Genitti’s Theater) had a V-Day tie sale… all for 64 cents.
• 1957 – Paul’s Sweet Shop (Mill Race Village General Store) advertised “Paul’s homemade candies make Happy Hearts.”  Folino was a Mayoral candidate & Citizen of the Year.
• 1958 – Cupid’s Guide to Valentine gifts from local stores debuted in The Record.
• 1959 – WJR’s vocalist Jan Wynn was featured with the Jimmie Clark orchestra at its Valentine dance at the Community Center (Sponsored by the Northville Rotary Club).
• 1964 – A Valentine’s dinner-dance was sponsored by the Northville Newcomers Club and was hosted at the VFW Hall. Northville was known for Valentine’s Day dances, with music performed by big bands in the late 1800’s to orchestras in the mid 1900’s to Rockers in the 1960’s & 70’s.
• 1968 – Bob Seger played at “The Cavern” in town around Valentine’s Day in ’67 & ’68. He actually performed four times there in 1967 and again in 1968, just before he headlined at Cobo Hall. The Anti-War song that hit the top of the charts in Europe entitled “2+2” was reportedly debuted at The Northville Cavern before it was released.
• 1981 – Genitti’s had jars of jellybeans along with various candy sticks (Red & White) on their window ledge for Valentine’s Day. They also had extra sweets at the counter.
• 2013 –The Record featured photos of Seniors on the front page enjoying their annual Valentine’s Day gathering at the Community Center.

Let’s move forward helping others along the way while reaching out during Valentine’s Day to keep all connected in the community!

Keep that Northville Faith and let’s race into the future…together!

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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