Community activities
• Bloomfield Community Television annual Open House event is 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 24, BCTV Studio, 4190 Dublin Road, Bloomfield Twp., featuring an up-close look at the 1,000 square-foot studio space and updated podcast studio, Q&A and hot dogs and ice cream, bloomfieldtwp.org.
• State Rep. Donni Steele, R-Orion Township, to host a local office hour in Auburn Hills, 9-10 a.m. June 24, at Layover Coffee Bar, 3358 Auburn Road, Auburn Hills. No appointment necessary, those unable to attend may call to share their thoughts at 517-373-1771 or email DonniSteele@house.mi.gov.
• Free Weeklong Daily Webinar Workshops for Aspiring Michigan Homeowners will be held noon to 1:30 p.m. June 24-28, offered by Gesher Human Services, featuring housing professionals and daily question and answer sessions. Register at geshermi.org/events.
• Ice Cream Social with Royal Oak Concert Band is 7 p.m. June 26, at Clawson Park, 935 N Custer Ave, Clawson, www.cityofclawson.com.
• The Clarkston Area Backyard Birders meeting is at 6:30 p.m. June 26, at Wint Nature Center in Independence Oaks County Park, 9501 Sashabaw Road, Independence Twp. The free event includes refreshments, open to the public.
Farmers markets/Garden walks
• Clarkston Area Farmers Market is 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturdays June 15 to Oct. 12 in the front parking lot at the Clarkston Community Education Center, 6558 Waldon Road, Clarkston, features live music, clarkstonareafarmersmarket@gmail.com, clarkstonareafarmersmarket.com.
• Highland Farmers Market: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, June 22 to Oct. 5, at Highland Township Complex, 205 N. John St., Highland, live music, www.facebook.com/HighlandFarmersMarketMichigan, www.highlandfarmmarket.com. (new location this year)
• The Southfield Parks & Garden Club Annual Southfield Garden Walk is 2-5 p.m. June 23. The walk will feature 10 different yards, located between Evergreen and Lahser Road, south of Ten Mile. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased on the day of the event. The walk starts at the corner of Tamarack Trail and Tamarack Circle. A shuttle bus will make a continuous loop through the neighborhood for those who prefer to ride, www.cityofsouthfield.com.
Festivals
• Annual Lions Club Jubilee is June 20-23, downtown Lake Orion, carnival, food, games, lakeorionlions.org, prices vary.
• St. Nicholas Opa!Fest Greek Festival is June 21-23, (noon-8 p.m. Sunday), St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 760 West Wattles Road, Troy, Greek cooking demonstrations, food to purchase, vendors, live music and entertainment, presentation and tours of the church. Admission is $2 for adults, children 12 and younger are free. Canned goods donations collected for Gleaners Community Food Bank, free parking and shuttle from Walsh College, www.opafest.org.
• Summerfest is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. June 23, at Universalist Unitarian Church of Farmington, 25301 Halsted Road, Farmington Hills, family festival., uufarmington.org.
For more events, go to 4th of July Fireworks and Festivals, www.theoaklandpress.com/2024/06/21/fireworks-and-festivals-celebrating-the-4th-of-july-in-oakland-county.
Fundraisers/Volunteer opportunities
• Families Against Narcotics 16th annual Run Drugs Out of Town 5K Run/Walk fundraiser is June 30, at 10 a.m., at Jimmy John’s Field, 7171 Auburn Road, Utica, register at familiesagainstnarcotics.org/rundrugsoutoftown or call 586-438-8500.
• The Heart of the Lakes Community Fundraiser– Rockin’ for Roosevelt is 7-11 p.m. July 13, at Santia Hall, 1985 Cass Lake Road, Keego Harbor, in support of saving the historic, 104 year old Roosevelt building from demolition. Also a tribute to the late Bugs Beddow, who taught music at Roosevelt. Live music, pizza, pasta and salad, cash bar, silent auction, $40 in advance and $45 at the door, bit.ly/3z2wrYU.
• American Red Cross Blood Drives are hosted throughout the area. Donation appointments can be scheduled by calling 313-300-9617 or visiting www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive and entering a zip code for nearby locations.
Golf outings
• “Connecting Fore a Cause” golf outing is July 11 at Fountains Golf & Banquet, 6060 Maybee Road, Clarkston, to benefit Community Housing Network, $125+ per player, register at https://communityhousingnetwork.networkforgood.com/events/67917-2024-connecting-fore-a-cause
• Swing For Change golf outing is July 19, at Pheasant Run Golf Club, 46500 Summit Pkwy., in Canton, to benefit Foundation for Pops, a nonprofit to aid individuals experiencing homelessness and veterans. The event begins with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The cost is $190+ for an individual golfer or $750+ for a four-player team, https://birdease.com/foundationforpops.
Library activities
• Boston Tea Party reenactment, presented by Sons of the American Revolution is 6:30 p.m. June 24, Brandon Township Public Library, 304 South St., Ortonville, brandonlibrary.org, registration required at 248-627-1460.
• Summer Reading program is through Aug. 10, receive a free book and brag tag for signing up, earn brag tags in weekly drawings, Salem-South Lyon District Library, 9800 Pontiac Trail, South Lyon, https://ssldl, 248-437-6431.
Parks/Sports
• Come Out and Play event is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 25, at Pontiac Oaks, 1400 Telegraph Road, Pontiac, with free access to the zip line, water and non-water inflatables and the climbing tower. Children must be at least 45 pounds and 42 inches tall and wear closed-toe shoes for the zip line. A waiver form is also required. Shoes are required for the climbing tower and socks are required for the non-water inflatables. For the water inflatables, guests may want to bring a swimsuit or change of clothes, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks. No registration required. Email RpsOutreach@oakgov.com for waivers and additional event information.
• TrailBlazer Walking Series-Turtles is 6-7 p.m. June 28, Groveland Oaks County Park, 14555 Dixie Hwy., Holly, dress for the weather and bring a water bottle and bug spray. Text name and number of people attending to reserve a spot at 248-221-8040, park entrance fees.
• Red Oaks Waterpark in Madison Heights and Waterford Oaks Wave Pool in Waterford Twp. is open for the 2024 season. During the beginning and end of the season, waterpark and wave pool hours and dates of operation will be subject to change based on weather, attendance and staff availability. Children ages 0-11 must be accompanied by an adult. It is recommended to purchase tickets online because many days sell out in advance, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks, ticket prices vary.
• River Walk is 7:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays, June 17-Aug. 15 at Red Oaks Waterpark’s River Walk in Madison Heights. Walk with or against the flow of the 1,000-foot River Ride after the park closes. This adults-only program is for all abilities, participants must walk; no floating allowed, punch cards are available for a specific day of the week, $50 each, purchase through June 28, or until sold out, at 248-858-0916, OaklandCountyParks.com, no programs, July 1-4.
• Huron-Clinton Metroparks in Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne, metroparks.com. Park entrance fees apply.
• Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas, michigan.gov/dnr. Park entrance fees apply.
Scholarships
• Empowering the Future of IT-Kinetix inaugural scholarship program for Michigan IT Students, is accepting applications for $1,000 scholarships, through June 30, www.kinetixinc.com/scholarships.
• Shelving Inc. annual Shelving.com Business Scholarship contest, with a $4,000 first place scholarship, $2,500 second place scholarship, and $1,500 for the second runner-up. The scholarship program welcomes applications from Michigan residents who are currently enrolled in an accredited university or college, as well as high school seniors who have already enrolled or intend to enroll in college no later than the Fall 2024 semester. Eligible candidates should be pursuing a major in business or a related field of study, maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8. Application period closes on July 4, visit www.shelving.com/Shelving-com-Business-Scholarship-Application-s/2053.htm.
Support activities/Resources
• Dreams & Wings, a program for individuals ages 6-17 with disabilities and up to two family members and/or friends is July 13 at the Maven by Midfield hanger at the Oakland County International Airport in Waterford Twp. Flight times will be scheduled from 9 a.m.-noon. The free event includes a short ground school with fun activities and refreshments. Registration is due by June 25, but does not guarantee a flight reservation. Applications are entered in a selection lottery with first-time participants receiving priority. For more information, call or text 248-221-8040 or email OCPrecreation@oakgov.com.
• Registration is open for Hospice of Michigan’s annual Camp Good Grief at YMCA Camp Ohiyesa in Holly. This free grief support program is for children aged 8-17, who have experienced the loss of a loved one, regardless of whether their loved one received care via Hospice of Michigan. Camp Good Grief runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 19. The camp is free of charge, provides campers with breakfast, lunch and snacks and is run by qualified grief professionals, music therapists and volunteers from Hospice of Michigan and Arbor Hospice. Registration is open until June 28, at www.hom.org/camp.
• 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. Pressing 1 after dialing 988 will connect to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline, www.fcc.gov/988Lifeline.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-7233, available 24/7.
• Veterans Crisis Line, 800-273-8255, press 1, or text 838255.
Vacation Bible School events
• Camp Firelight Vacation Bible School for ages 3 through 5th grade, is 9 a.m.-noon, June 24-28, at Central United Methodist Church, 3882 Highland Road, Waterford Twp. Register at https://bit.ly/Central-VBS-2024 or call 248-681-0040.
• Vacation Bible School is 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 24-27 at Williams Lake Church, 2840 Airport Road, Waterford Twp., www.facebook.com/williamslakechurch. Register at 248-673-5911 or www.williamslakechurch.com/vbs.
Submit community events online at https://bit.ly/40a2iAm.
