Award nominations/Scholarship applications
• 50th Annual Greater West Bloomfield Michigan Week Celebration award nominations for volunteers in the Greater West Bloomfield area, are open through March 11. The 2022 Greater West Bloomfield Michigan Week Community Awards Breakfast will be held May 13 at Wabeek Country Club, michiganweek.org.
• Lake Trust Foundation is offering two scholarship opportunities for Michigan residents. With the 2022 New Beginnings Scholarship, up to six applicants will be selected to receive a scholarship worth a maximum of $5,000. With the 2022 Michigan Impact Scholarship, five full-tuition scholarships will be awarded to current or incoming Cleary University students studying at their Livingston or Detroit campuses or online. Applications for the two scholarships are open through March 12 at Laketrust.org/Scholarships.
• Bowman Auto Group is offering a $2,500 scholarship to eligible 2022 graduating Clarkston High School seniors who have been accepted at a 2-year or 4-year college or vocational institution, and plan to pursue a degree in a STEAM-related (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) field. To be considered for the scholarship, students should apply at bowmanchevy.com/scholarship by March 24.
• Oakland Community College annual Chancellor’s Scholarship applications will be accepted until March 31. Eligibility criteria and applications are at oaklandcc.edu/finaid/chancellors.aspx.
Charitable activities/Fundraisers
• Gleaners Community Food Bank food distribution event is at the Oakland County Farmers Market, 9-11 a.m. March 9, while supplies last, for anyone in need. Drive-up and stay in the vehicle, or walk-up distribution, no need for proof of eligibility. For information, call 248-858-5495 or email OCmarket@oakgov.com.
• “The Lucky Have a Few” fundraiser is 7 p.m. March 11, Royal Oak Farmers Market, 316 E 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak, St. Patrick’s Day themed bar crawl type event under one roof, music, dinner and silent auction, fundraiser for local GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center, gigisplayhouse.org/detroit/the-lucky-few, 248-587-9899, $100+.
• Participating Menards Home Improvement Stores are serving as a drop site for food donations through the month of March. Menards offers a wide variety of non-perishable food items that can be donated to the food pantries, from boxes of cereal to cans of soup, menards.com.
• Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars Celebration Luncheon is 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. March 16 at University of Detroit Mercy Fitness Center, 4001 West McNichols Road, Detroit, eventbrite.com/e/9th-annual-celebration-luncheon-tickets-191699858437.
• The Rochester Junior Women’s Club is currently accepting applications from area 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations who would like to be considered as a recipient of the club’s fundraising proceeds. To apply for funds, visit rjwc.org to complete and submit the application by March 18. For information, email Carolyn at rjwcpreselect@gmail.com.
• Penn Station East Coast Subs annual fundraising campaign for Down syndrome awareness is through March 21. All cashiers will ask customers if they want to round up for Down syndrome during the fundraising campaign. Penn Station will reward any customer who donates $2 or more with a card for a buy one, get one free sub on a future visit, penn-station.com.
Expos/Shows
• Clarkston Senior Expo is 10 a.m.-1 p.m. March 8, Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, 4000 Baldwin Road, Auburn Hills, register at seniorexpousa.com, information on Medicare coverage, assisted living and more.
• Discover cooking secrets from Chef Matt Schellig, director of Culinary and Baking & Pastry Arts at Dorsey Schools, 10-11 a.m. March 12 at Oakland County Farmers Market, 2350 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford Twp., 248-858-5495, first-come, first-served basis, face masks required, OaklandCountyParks.com.
• Novi Boat Show is March 10-13, at Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave., Novi, boatmichigan.org, admission is $12 for ages 13+.
Health/Safety activities
• The Farmington Hills Fire Department and the National Fire Protection Association urge all residents to change their smoke alarm batteries when changing their clocks from standard time to daylight savings time, March 13.
• St. Joseph Mercy Oakland to Host blood drive, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. March 13, at the hospital, 44405 Woodward Ave., Pontiac, ages 18+. The American Red Cross is especially in need of donors who have O positive or O negative blood types, masks are required regardless of vaccination status. Registration required at redcrossblood.org.
• The Farmington Hills/Farmington Emergency Preparedness Commission with the Farmington Hills Fire Department, will offer an American Heart Association Heartsaver Class, with instruction in CPR, AED (Automated External Defibrillator), and tourniquet training, 5:30 to 10 p.m. March 17, at Fire Station #4, 28711 Drake Road. The fee for the class and materials is $10 for residents of Farmington Hills/Farmington and $20 for non-residents. Additional $20 fee for certificates to be obtained online, must be physically able to perform CPR/AED, ages 12+, register with Sara West by email at swest@fhgov.com.
• State of Michigan COVID-19 hotline for testing or vaccines is 1-888-535-6136, (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Mon.-Fri.), for information, visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus or CDC.gov/Coronavirus or email COVID19@michigan.gov.
• Oakland County COVID-19 Vaccination, OaklandCountyVaccine.com.
Libraries
• Commerce Township Community Library presents “1920: Life 100 Years Ago; Detroit, Michigan, & America”, 7-8 p.m. March 21, viz Zoom, tinyurl.com/1920comm.
• Orion Township Library presents “When Mark Twain Came to Michigan”, 7 p.m. March 23 at the library, 825 Joslyn Road, Orion Township, 248-693-3000, free.
• Troy Public Library presents author Scott Ellsworth to discuss his New York Times bestselling book “The Ground Breaking: An American City and Its Search for Justice”, about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, 7-8:30 p.m. March 16 at the Troy Community Center, 3179 Livernois Road, Troy. Register at troypl.org/calendar or call 248-524-3534, sponsored by the Friends of the Troy Public Library.
• White Lake Township Library, 11005 Elizabeth Lake Road, White Lake Twp. whitelakelibrary.org, 248-698-4942. Friends of White Lake Township Library seeks new or gently used books, audio books, CDs, DVDs, electronic games and consoles to resell, for information, email friends@whitelakelibrary.org. White Lake Township Library Book Sale is March 17-19.
Meetings/Workshops
• “Your Brand in 2022” workshop is 11 a.m. March 7 via Zoom, to help Michiganders understand and create a professional brand to help secure their dream jobs. Email employmenthelp@jvshumanservices.org to register.
• National Organization for Women Oakland/Macomb Branch meeting is 7-8 p.m. March 8, virtual, oakmacminow.org, 586-899-6845, free.
• Indivisible Huron Valley monthly meeting to discuss ballot proposal petition drives organizing for the 2022 election, includes a presentation on MI Right to Vote, mirighttovote.com, 7-8:30 p.m. March 9, in person at the Milford Senior Center, 1050 Atlantic St., Milford, and via Zoom, tinyurl.com/6nm8p5hr.
• The Oakland Astronomy Club March meeting is 7 p.m. March 13, Tom Croskey will explore solar eclipses via Zoom, oaklandastronomy.net.
Museum activities
• Great Michigan Read: Book Discussion about Mary Doria Russell’s “The Women of the Copper Country”, the 2021-22 Great Michigan Read, at 6 p.m. March 16 at Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, Troy. Program is free. Register at troyhistoricvillage.org.
• The Tumult & Tragedy: Michigan’s 1913-14 Copper Strike touring exhibit is on display, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. through April 1, at Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, Troy. Exhibit is included with general admission, Troy Historical Society Members: free; non-members: $7/adult, $5/senior or child age 6-12, free for younger than 6. Register for timed admission at troyhistoricvillage.org/visit.
Parks/Outdoor activities
• Evening hike and telescope views of the night sky is 6-7:30 p.m. March 10 at Rochester Hills Bloomer Park, 345 John R Road, Rochester. with park naturalists and the Oakland Astronomy Club. Register with Rochester Hills Parks/Rec at rochesterhills.org/calendar, $6 each, children younger than 14 must be accompanied by a paid adult.
• The Magical Maples program will teach participants how to make batches of maple syrup at home. Magical Maples is 1-3 p.m. March 12 at Red Oaks Nature Center. Sap to Syrup is 1-2:15 p.m. March 19 at Wint Nature Center. The program will also include a hike to tap a tree and taste the sap plus take home maple-based treats and recipes. The cost is $7/person/program. Call 248-858-0916 weekdays to register. In addition, nature center staff members will further explore the maple sugaring process with students ages 6-13 during Homeschool Series: Maple Sugaring from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. March 10 at Red Oaks Nature Center and 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. March 16 at Wint Nature Center. The cost is $10/child/session. Register with payment by calling 248-858-0916 weekdays. These sessions are designed as a drop-off program for youth. All students are welcome, OaklandCountyParks.com.
• Troy Nature Society to host maple tree syrup tapping guided tours, March 12 and March 19, outdoors at the Stage Nature Center, 6885 Coolidge Hwy., Troy. Guided tours for small groups to learn how trees are tapped, children will receive a “take-home” craft and attendees will be treated to a mini pancake topped with real maple syrup. Tours start every 15 minutes, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Registration required at stagenaturecenter.org, 248-688-9703. Troy Nature Society and Stage Nature Center members pay $7, troynaturesociety.org/maple-syrup-time, pay $10 for adults; and $7 for ages 4-10; free for ages younger than 4.
• ReLeaf Michigan advises residents to trim oak trees during the winter months when Oak Wilt spread risk is lowest. (It is best to avoid moving firewood to new locations.) For more information, visit the Michigan Oak Wilt Coalition website at michiganoakwilt.org/resources or Releaf Michigan.org or call 1-800-642-7353.
• Maple Sugaring Month at Huron-Clinton Metroparks with activities including “A Pancakes to Go breakfast”, which will be offered each weekend during the month at Hudson Mills and Kensington Metropark, register at www.metroparks.com/maple. Public programming and self-guided sugar bush hikes are available at: Stony Creek Metropark Nature Center; Indian Springs Metropark Environmental Discovery Center and Kensington Metropark Farm Center, prices vary.
• Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas, michigan.gov/dnr. Park entrance fees apply.
St. Patrick’s celebrations
• Leprechaun Days is 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. March 12 and March 13 at Canterbury Village, 2359 Joslyn Ct., Orion Twp. Children’s activities for prizes at participating shops and family activities. Also nonperishable food donations collected for The Village Food Pantry, $5 admission, military and veterans admitted free, $5 parking, tickets at CanterburyVillageEvents.com.
• Highland Celtic Ceilidh 2022 is 6:30-11:45 p.m. March 12 at Church of the Holy Spirit Social Hall, 3700 Harvey Lake Rd, Highland Township, live music by Flint Scottish Pipes and Drums and Wakefire and Celtic Dance, $45+, includes a Celtic buffet, served 7-9 p.m. beer, wine, other beverages to purchase, no outside food or drink allowed, eventbrite.com/e/242071691947/?discount=Ceilidh2022.
Support resources
• Hospice of Michigan (HOM) is continuing its virtual support group sessions throughout the winter for Michiganders experiencing the loss of a loved one. For virtual group session times and dates, visit hom.org, call (888) 247-5701 or email kmonts@HOM.ORG.
• Common Ground’s Resource & Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 – call or text 800-231-1127.
• Mental health resources: easterseals.com/michigan/explore-resources/mental-health-tips-during-a.html.
• Hospice of Michigan continues to offer virtual grief support groups, hom.org.
• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255), suicidepreventionlifeline.org or text 741741.
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