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FOCUS newsletter
NOVEMber 2023
- Be aware of porch pirates
- GFL holiday collection schedule
- Yard waste collection update
- Fireworks notice
- Canton holiday artisan market
The Police Department reminds residents, with the upcoming holiday season comes a noted increase of “porch pirates” stealing packages that have been delivered to porches. Because these crimes happen quickly and easily, the best way to guard against theft lies with the consumer. Suggestions for safe online deliveries include:
1) Track deliveries and ask a neighbor/friend to pick it up if you will not be home.
2) Set delivery to your place of business or a friend or relative’s home that will be there to accept it.
3) Request delivery drivers to place packages in a designated out-of-sight location on your property.
4) Use an alternate access pick-up point option if available by the delivery service.
5) Request “signature-required” through the package delivery service.
If you see someone who appears to be taking packages from porches in your neighborhood, please call the police department immediately at 734/394-5400.
Residents are advised to make note of the GFL collection schedule during the holiday months.
Thanksgiving: There will be no collection on Thursday, November 23. All Thursday and Friday collection routes will be delayed by one day that week.
Curbside collection of yard waste ends December 15 and will not resume until April, 2024. To report a missed pickup, please visit www.canton-mi.org/216.
Christmas: There will be no collection on Monday, December 25. All collections will be delayed one day that week with collections taking place Tuesday-Saturday.
New Year’s Day: There will be no collection on Monday, January 1. All collections will be delayed one day that week with collections taking place Tuesday-Saturday.
Last month, curbside collection of residential yard waste reverted back to resident’s regular collection day. GFL will no longer be collecting yard waste on Saturdays. This new schedule will continue until yard waste season ends on December 15.
For questions or more information on solid waste collection, visit www.canton-mi.org or call GFL at 844/464-3587.
At approximately 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 12, there will be a fireworks display at 3339 S. Canton Center Road. Please plan accordingly for anyone in your household who may be sensitive to fireworks, including pets, veterans, children, etc.
‘Tis the season to begin the search for unique holiday gifts! This year, the Canton Farmers Market will host its 6th Annual Holiday Artisan Market on Saturday, November 4, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Summit on the Park, located at 46000 Summit Parkway.
Kick off your holiday shopping and buy locally from handcrafters and artisan bakers! There is no admission to attend. For additional details, including vendor lineup, visit www.cantonfun.org/496 or the Facebook page @cantonfarmersmarket.
See you at the Market!
- A message from Supervisor Graham-Hudak
- Dog Licesnse and dog park membership renewal
- Passport application extended hours
- New to Canton? Recently retired? Empty Nester?
Hello neighbors!
We have many activities for the whole family to enjoy this month.
The first is Canton’s Salute to Service event, which honors area servicemen and servicewomen. This year’s program is on Friday, November 10 from 12 - 3 p.m. at the Village Theater. Then, on November 17 - 19, the Cherry Hill Potters Guild is hosting a show at the Village Arts Factory, where they will present their beautiful hand-crafted works.
On Thanksgiving Day, November 23, I’ll be out walking at the annual Turkey Trot with you! This event raises money for a great cause, the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan, and really help participants work up an appetite for a big turkey dinner.
One of our newer events, Winter Wonderland Walks, are on November 29 and 30, from 5-8 p.m., in Heritage Park.
Details for all of these events are featured in this issue of the FOCUS.
Lastly, as we give thanks for our many blessings this month, I want to specifically point out how thankful we are for our wonderfully diverse and vibrant community. We want to continue to make sure that everyone feels safe and welcome in Canton.
Happy Thanksgiving and remember--You Belong Here!
The Clerk’s Office will begin renewing Dog Licenses and Dog Park memberships for 2024 on Monday, November 13, as all annual licenses and memberships expire on December 31. Current rabies vaccinations are required for dog licenses. Dogs with three-year rabies vaccinations can now apply (in the first year of the three-year cycle) for a three-year license (costing $25). If the dog’s rabies shot is in the second or third year of the cycle, we can continue the one-year license until you renew the three-year rabies vaccine. Application can be made in person or at www.canton-mi.org. Mail-in applications are also accepted with documentation and fees sent to Canton Clerk’s Office, 1150 S. Canton Center Rd., Canton MI. 48188. Attention: Dog License.
New and returning Canton Dog Park members will be required to provide current proof of rabies, distemper (DHLLP), and bordetella vaccinations from a licensed veterinarian to complete their annual membership. For more information, please visit www.cantonfun.org.
The Canton Clerk’s office is now an official acceptance office for new passports. Currently, appointments can be made Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Processing times are between 8 -11 weeks or 5 -7 weeks with an expedite fee. To ensure timeliness with spring break approaching, the Clerk’s office will be adding extended hours in November. Please call 734/394-5120 to schedule your appointment today.
Canton Newcomers and Neighbors is here for you! A community resource for over 50 years, this all-volunteer organization offers area women opportunities to build friendships, share fun experiences, and support local charities. In addition to the club’s monthly meetings, regular activities include dinner and lunch outings, Bunco, movie night, book and garden clubs. Special events range from wine tasting, garden tours, and cooking demos to theater trips and more.
The next Canton Newcomers and Neighbors meeting is at 7 p.m., Wednesday, November 1, at the Sunflower Clubhouse, 45800 Hanford Road, and will feature a holiday craft project. Visit www.cantonwomen.org for more information.
Voters approved Proposal 2 in 2022 that amended the state constitution by adding additional methods for voting. The key provisions are a single sign-up list for a voter to have a mail ballot sent to them for all future elections; prepaid return postage on ballots and applications; the option to Early Vote in-person and feed your ballot into a tabulator and watch it count; and an increase in election Drop Boxes.
Vote by Mail
Registered voters have the right to apply to automatically receive a mail ballot for each future election with a single sign-up application. In previous elections, joining the automatic application list resulted in a voter being mailed an application. This new list will remove that extra step. All applications and mail ballot envelopes will have pre-paid return postage on them so a voter can merely place them in the mail and they will be delivered to the Clerk’s Office.
Vote Early
For all 2024 elections, voters will be able to cast a ballot in-person (just like election day) at two different locations for nine days from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The locations are the Summit on the Park and Village Arts Factory. For the first time in Michigan history, voters will be able to bring their mail ballot to an early voting site and place it into the tabulator if they would like to watch it count.
Voters heading south for the winter:
The Presidential Primary has moved forward to February 27, so absentee ballot applications will be mailed out in the middle of December. Please note that election mail will not be forwarded. Your application and/or your ballot will be mailed to the address you are registered to vote at unless you notify the Clerk’s Office of a different mailing address.
Join the Local Impact Alliance on Wednesday, November 8, at 11:30 a.m. in the Waldorf Room of the Plymouth District Library (223 S. Main), for a conversation around firearm injury and death prevention. Dr. Laura Seewald of the University of Michigan will speak on the magnitude of this problem while offering a framework for developing solutions and reducing injury. Call 734/495-1200 or email bmeade@cantonfoundation.org to register for the FREE event.
Happy November! Recently, residents have asked about their winter taxes and when they can pay. We will mail winter property tax bills on December 1, and they are due February 14, 2024. Winter property taxes cover you from December 1, 2023- November 30, 2024.
With the colder weather here, I am sure many residents have had the opportunity to winterize their outdoor faucets, pipes, plumbing and sprinkler systems. Also, we have many residents who spend the colder months in a warmer climate. If you are gone for any length of time, it is important to know that water bills are not forwarded. If you wish to have your water/sewer bill mailed to a different address, please contact our office with the address you would like it mailed to, remembering to change it back when you return. Water bills are mailed out every other month. Residents that are south of Ford Road have payments on the odd months (Jan., March….) and they are due on the last Wednesday of that month. Residents north of Ford Road are due on even months (Feb., April…) and due on the last Wednesday of that month.
As we move into November, we recognize National Alzheimer’s Awareness month and Veterans Day on November 11. I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful autumn and a very happy Thanksgiving!
- In the Village Theater spotlight
- 21st annual Turkey Trot for a cause
- Call for committee members
- Canton salutes areas Service Men and Women
On November 3, Broadway’s Next Hit Musical will take audiences on a delightful adventure starting at 7:30 p.m. Broadway’s Next Hit Musical presents “The Phony Awards,” the original improvised awards show! Master improvisers gather made-up, hit song suggestions from the audience and create a spontaneous evening of music, comedy and a ton of laughs! The audience then votes for their favorite song and watches as the cast turns this Phony Award-winning song into a full-blown, improvised musical — complete with memorable characters, witty dialogue, plot twists galore and songs that you will be humming for days! It’s Whose Line Is It Anyway meets The Tony Awards! This production has toured extensively throughout the United States and internationally. The New York Post called it “remarkable.” Don’t miss the next great American musical - it could be written by YOU!
On November 9, legendary singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot is remembered and honored with Whispers of the North, the Gordon Lightfoot Tribute, followed by KAVAN, the world’s number one rock-and-roll Elvis, paying tribute to the king of rock and roll with Four Shades of Elvis on November 10.
For tickets or additional information, visit www.cantonvillagetheater.org or call 734/394-5300.
Area residents are encouraged to put on their running shoes and hit the pavement during Canton’s Annual Turkey Trot for a Cause on Thursday, November 23. The 5K chip-timed and one-mile races that have become a Thanksgiving morning family tradition will be held to support the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan.
Once again, the scenic course will lead participants through Heritage Park and the Pheasant Run golf course. Participants will enjoy running/walking, raffles, and more! In-Person entry fees are $35 for the 5K and $30 for the one-mile event. Virtual event fees are $30. Register online at www.cantonfun.org/919 or by calling 734/483-5600. Those registered by November 10, are guaranteed a race shirt. For more information, call the Canton Sports Center at 734/483-5600.
Canton Leisure Services is currently accepting applications for the Leisure Services Advisory Committee (LSAC), where members serve as advocates for the Leisure Services Department, providing input and guidance to enhance our community through innovative programs, diverse services, and premier facilities. Meetings occur on the third Wednesday of every other month (January, March, May, July, September, and November.)
For more information on LSAC, please visit www.canton-mi.org/198.
Canton will once again continue its tradition of honoring area servicemen and women who have served or are currently serving in military service during our “Salute To Service” event. Join Canton Club 55+ on Friday, November 10 from 12 - 3 p.m., as we salute all veterans, living and deceased and those currently serving in harm’s way at this special celebration at The Village Theater, located at 50400 Cherry Hill Road.
Featured presenters include Canton Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak and informational veteran speakers, as well as a special performance by the 338th Army Band. In addition, VA Ann Arbor Health System will also be onsite accepting donations throughout the event. Suggested items include NEW items in their original packaging, such as: T-Shirts (sizes S-5XL); sweatshirts in all sizes (no hoodies, please); winter coats (all sizes); winter gloves, hats, and scarves; combs (4-inch size needed for inpatient use); deodorant, and disposable razors. Visit www.cantonvillagetheater.org for additional event details and donation suggestions. For more information, call 734/394-5300.
- Call for commission members
- Learn about the life of an absentee ballot
- send your letters to Santa
- cherry hill potters guild show
- winter wonderland walks
- Santa Claus is coming to your town
Canton Leisure Services is currently accepting applications for the Commission for Culture, Arts & Heritage. This commission of volunteers promotes and supports the incredible cultural, arts, and heritage programs in the Canton community.
Members serve three-year terms and must be willing to attend quarterly meetings (February, May, August, and November) and volunteer at a minimum of six Canton events throughout the year assisting with many of the community arts and cultural programs. For more information, please visit www.canton-mi.org/181.
On Monday, November 6, Canton residents are invited to join Canton Clerk Michael Siegrist to learn how your vote is counted from your mailbox to the ballot drop box to signature verification and tabulation.
This free session will be held from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Summit on the Park, located at 46000 Summit Parkway. Pre-registration is required. Sign up today at www.cantonfun.org/register. For additional information, please call 734/394-5460.
The tradition continues as Canton Leisure Services has again made special arrangements with our friends at the North Pole and the U.S. Post Office to deliver your wish lists to Santa.
To mail your letters to Santa, please drop them in our North Pole Express Mailbox, which can be found in the Canton Administration Building’s parking lot, 1150 S. Canton Center Road from November 13-30. Santa asks that you print your name and address clearly so he may reply to your letter. Each household will receive a return letter and Santa will take care of the postage. Canton residents only, please.
For more information, please visit www.cantonfun.org
Get in the creative spirit and support your local artisans this holiday season, as the Cherry Hill Potters Guild presents its Annual Holiday Show at the Village Arts Factory, 50755 Cherry Hill Road. Stop in Friday, November 17 from 4 - 7 p.m., Saturday, November 18, from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., and Sunday, November 19, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m..
Guild members will present beautiful and unique handcrafted, functional, and decorative pottery for the home, garden, and holidays. Members’ works include wheel thrown, hand-built, oxidation and raku-fired pieces.
Learn more at cherryhillpotters.org
Kick off the holiday season with a special Winter Wonderland Walk in Heritage Park. On November 29 and 30, from 5-8 p.m., participants can experience seasonal light displays and festive decorations around the scenic large pond, as well as visits with Santa, and winter refreshments that are available for purchase.
Pre-registration is required at www.cantonfun.org/register and each person must register for a timeslot to attend this event. Per person fees are $6 per resident and $7 per non-resident. All ages will enjoy a stroll through the park with the sights and sounds of the season in Heritage Park, located behind the Canton Administration Building at 1150 S. Canton Center Road. For more information, visit www.cantonfun.org.
Area residents are invited to share their favorite family, holiday, or winter season traditions for a chance for Santa Claus to make a special visit to your neighborhood on December 12 or 14.
From November 15-30, send an email to Beth.Myers@cantonmi.gov with your tradition for a chance to win. If your submission is selected as one of our winners, Santa will be escorted by Canton Public Safety down your street to visit you and your neighbors at a special timeslot between 6 - 8 p.m. at no cost.
For more information, call 734/394-5460.