Community events
• 2nd Annual Spring Arts & Crafts Show is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 29, White Lake Oaks, 991 N. Williams Lake Road, White Lake, admission is free, concession items available for purchase. For information, call 248-698-2700 or email [email protected], OaklandCountyParks.com.
• Holistic Mystic Market & Meet Up is 10 a.m.-6 p.m. March 29, CenterPeace Healing and Events, 2609 Crooks Road, Troy. Immersive healing experiences including gallery readings, sound baths, meditation and mindfulness groups, www.centerpeacehealing.com, $7.
• Mother & Son Dinner Dance is 5-7 p.m. March 30, Lafayette Grande Ballroom, 1 Lafayette St., Pontiac, https://tinyurl.com/MotherSonRegister, includes dinner, DJ, raffle, photobooth, gifts, and a vote for Queen and Prince. Families can purchase tickets at https://tinyurl.com/MotherSonRegister. Hosted by Pontiac Youth Recreation and Enrichment Division, for questions, call 248-758-3039, $40/couple for Pontiac residents, $50/couple for non-residents.
• Davison High School Spring Craft Show is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 5, Davison High School, 1250 N. Oak Road, Davison. The annual event is hosted by the Davison wrestling boosters. Admission is $3 for ages 14+, https://smetankacraftshows.com.
• CAMEO Quilters Guild Quilt Show, celebrating CAMEO Quilters Guild’s 30th Anniversary will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 4 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 5, at First United Methodist Church of Troy, 6363 Livernois Road, Troy, admission is $8.
• Mother Son Dance is at 6 p.m. April 5, Waterford Recreation Center, 5640 Williams Lake Road, Waterford Twp., pre-registration is required at www.waterfordmi.gov/876/17597/Daddy-Daughter-Dance, 248-674-5441, $15 resident each, $19 non-resident.
Education/Scholarships
• Oakland County residents and county employees are invited to learn about how they can relieve their student debt through a program called Savi, 6-7 p.m., April 2. Register at www.eventbrite.com/e/in-person-student-loan-event-powered-by-oakland-county-savi-tickets-1253357689589?aff=oddtdtcreator, free. Savi will also offer individual consultations before and after the event on a walk-in basis, starting at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• The Lake Trust Foundation is accepting applications for its 2025 scholarships. The New Beginnings Scholarship offers financial support to individuals pursuing careers in high-demand skilled trades and technical fields such as welding, plumbing, nursing and construction who are enrolled in or planning to enroll in a technical education program, trade school or a technical field at a Michigan college or university in 2025. The Michigan Impact Scholarship, in partnership with Cleary University, will provide one full-tuition award to a Michigan resident beginning their undergraduate or postgraduate degree at Cleary University, either online or at any of their campus locations, in Fall 2025. Apply at www.laketrust.org/foundation/scholarships by April 21.
Expos
• “Elevate Your Well-Being” Seminar is 5-7:30 p.m. March 26, Emagine Palladium, 209 Hamilton Row, Birmingham, www.LiveWellLeadWell.us, $50+.
• MITechCon 2025 is March 27-28, at UWM Sports Complex, 867 South Boulevard East, Pontiac, networking opportunities, explore cutting-edge topics from AI to cybersecurity, coding to digital transformation, expo hall and interactive booths, 60+ speakers. Register at mitechcon.org, $399+.
Fundraisers/Volunteer opportunities
• The Salvation Army Farmington Hills Corps Community Center invites residents of Farmington, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Novi, Wixom, New Hudson and South Lyon to its free community lunch from noon-1 p.m. on Thursdays at 27500 Shiawassee Road in Farmington Hills, to combat food insecurity. Those interested in helping The Salvation Army Farmington Hills Corps Community Center feed local families can: pick up extra at the grocery store, donate money or organize a food drive, centralusa.salvationarmy.org/farmingtonhills.
• Rochester Police officers hockey game fundraiser, 2:30 p.m. April 5, at Suburban Ice Rochester (formerly ONYX), 52999 Dequindre Road, Rochester Hills. Proceeds to benefit New Day Foundation for Families, a Rochester Hills nonprofit that helps families facing cancer, $10 per person; Family 4-Pack for $35 at the door or in advance at https://give.foundationforfamilies.org/event/face-off-against-cancer-hockey-game/e661257, free for children under 5.
• Forgotten Harvest second annual signature event, Feeding Detroit Together, a benefit for Forgotten Harvest on 6-11 p.m. April 11, at MGM Grand Detroit in Detroit, food, entertainment, and dancing, music by Parallel Fifth. Tickets begin at $150, www.forgottenharvest.org/feedingdetroittogether25.
• Bocce with the Brothers annual fundraising event to benefit the Capuchin Ministries, including the Capuchin Soup Kitchen is 5 p.m. April 11 at Villa Penna in Sterling Heights. Event includes buffet dinner, beer and wine, desserts, unlimited bocce play, live entertainment, live and silent auctions, cigar tent, cappuccino bar and more. The Capuchin Friars will be in attendance, presenting sponsor, Madison Heights-based Shelving.com. Tickets are $75 at boccewiththebrothers.org, ages 21+.
• Hospice of Michigan is seeking volunteers to help patients and families dealing with life-limiting illnesses throughout southeast Michigan. Volunteers must also be ages 18+ and are required to complete orientation, background checks and fingerprinting. Those interested can contact Ruth Moore-Lilly at 248-794-0523 or [email protected], or submit an online volunteer application, at hom.org/get-involved.
• The American Red Cross urges donors to give blood or platelets. To book a time to give blood or platelets, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit www.RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
• Gardner White and Serta will donate $5 to the American Cancer Society for every Serta mattress sold at Gardner White stores or online at Gardnerwhite.com through Dec. 31. Gardner White, Serta and American Cancer Society will also partner on special initiatives and events throughout the year to spread awareness and support those impacted by cancer.
Library/Book signing events
• Author Amy Piper to host book signing events for “Secret Michigan-A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure:” 6:30-8 p.m. April 2, at Milford Public Library, 330 Family Drive, Milford, 248-684-0845; 2-4 p.m. April 6, at Brighton District Library, 100 Library Drive, Brighton, 810-229-6571; Noon-5 p.m. April 13, at Super 8, 6951 Newark Road, Imlay City, 810-683-9079; and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 26, Northfield Area Library Spring Fest, Northfield, (Whitmore Lake). The events are free and open to the public.
Museum activities
• Founder’s Day is 2-4 p.m. March 23, The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, presented by the Rochester Historical Commission, includes a presentation on Indigenous people in Oakland County presented by Carol Egbo, Oakland County’s Historian. starting with an Irish Bagpiper and ending with entertainment from Irish Dancers. Light refreshments provided. Register at www.rochesterhills.org/musprograms, free event.
• The Rochester-Avon Historical Society presents, “Dynamite Dames-The Famous and Not-So-Famous Women Who Changed Detroit,” with Detroit Historical Society education coordinator Cate Waldecker, 7 p.m. April 3 at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farms, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills, free for members, $5 suggested donation for non-members at the door. Registration is required at www.rochesteravonhistoricalsociety.org/events, or email to [email protected], or call 248-266-5440.
• Wheels of Time-Exploring Pontiac’s History Lecture, “Pontiac Leading the Coach Industry,” is 7-8:30 p.m. April 3, at Pontiac Transportation Museum at 250 W. Pike St. Pontiac, 249-977-4410, pontiactransportationmuseum.org, free admission.
• The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm is open for drop-in hours, Fridays and Saturdays, from noon-3 p.m. with guided tours of the Van Hoosen Farmhouse and Red House starting at 1 p.m. Also, the museum presents Cabin Fever Lecture Series, 7-8 p.m. Fridays in March, at the Calf Barn. Admission is $8/adults, $5/seniors and students; free for museum members. Register at www.rochesterhills.org/musprograms, includes light refreshments.
Parks/Outdoor activities
• Sally Stroll night hike around vernal pools is 7-9 p.m. March 28, Lewis E Wint Nature Center, Independence Oaks County Park, 9501 Sashabaw Road, Independence Twp., bring a headlamp, earn to identify different salamanders and their egg masses, ages 8+, $5/person. Preregistration with payment required by calling 248-858-0916 weekdays, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks.
• Red Oaks Nature Center has partnered with Nature’s Playhouse of Ferndale to offer Little Life Skills, designed for children ages 2-4, is an interactive class that uses puppets, story time and open play to teach toddlers a variety of essential life skills. It will be held from 10:15-11 a.m. March 26 at Red Oaks Nature Center, 30300 Hales St. in Madison Heights, $25/per family (one parent/caregiver and one child) + $5/additional child, register at 248-858-0916 weekdays.
• Red Oaks Nature Center will host Carol Lomasney, author of “I Grew Very Brave,” from 10:30 a.m.-noon, March 29, at the nature center, 30300 Hales St, Madison Heights 248-858-1000, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/parks-trails/red-oaks/red-oaks-nature-center.
• Oakland County Parks golf courses are scheduled to open for play on April 1, weather permitting. Glen Oaks Golf Course in Farmington Hills, 248-851-8356; Lyon Oaks Golf Course in Lyon Township, 248-437-1488; Red Oaks Golf Course in Madison Heights, 248-541-5030; Springfield Oaks Golf Course in Davisburg, 248-634-2261; and White Lake Oaks Golf Course in White Lake Twp., 248-698-2700. Online tee times accepted seven days before play at OaklandCountyParks.com. Golfers can also call the pro shops. Fees vary.
• Oakland County Parks and Recreation offers free admission. General park entry fees and vehicle permits have been eliminated for all parks operated by Oakland County Parks, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks.
• Huron-Clinton Metroparks in Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne, metroparks.com. Park entrance fees apply. Annual vehicle passes are $40 for residents ($29 for seniors 62+) or $45 for non-residents ($34 for seniors 62+).
• Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas, michigan.gov/dnr. Park entrance fees apply.
Senior citizens
• Bloomfield Township Senior Services offers residents age 50+ a wide variety of fitness classes, the use of fitness equipment, track use, and day trips. Track use is $10 monthly for residents; non-residents pay $15, https://bloomfieldtwp.org/seniors/activities/fitness.
Support resources
• A Day Off for Caregivers-Relaxation Day for Those Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia is 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. April 6, at Soul Cafe, 5586 Drake Road, West Bloomfield Twp. Metro Detroit caregivers will be treated to a day of massage, yoga, food, music. The free event is offered by The Dorothy and Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Program. Loved ones living with dementia are to be dropped off at the Brown Center in West Bloomfield Twp., at 10 a.m. for respite care with trained professionals. Register by March 24 at 248-592-5032 or [email protected].
• For access to local community services, dial 211 (844-875-9211) or text zip code to 898211, for information and referrals to physical and mental health resources; housing, utility, food, and employment assistance; and suicide and crisis interventions, United Way, https://unitedwaysem.org/get-help.
• Common Ground’s Resource & Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 – call or text 800-231-1127.
• The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 confidential support for people who are suicidal or in emotional distress, or who know someone who is. Calls and text messages to 988 route to a 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline call center, www.fcc.gov/988Lifeline.
• Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 and then press 1 to connect to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-7233, available 24/7.
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