Oakland County community calendar Feb. 22 and beyond – The Oakland Press

Community activities

• The Oakland County Parks staff seeks community input on its plans for a new “Grand Attraction” at Waterford Oaks County Park. There are 14 grand attraction options to choose from, including a splash feature, lazy river/winter skating river, rock/ice climbing wall, electric go-karts and more, https://engage.oaklandcountyparks.com/en/projects/waterford-oaks-grand-attraction.

• Cabin Fever Lecture Series is 7-8 p.m. Fridays, March 6-20, at The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm Calf Barn, $8/adults, $5/seniors and students; free for museum members,www.rochesterhills.org/musprograms, includes light refreshments.

Education

• Birmingham Youth Assistance is accepting nominations for its Youth in Service award program, a celebration of local high school and middle school students who have demonstrated a passion for helping others in our community. Public or private school students in grades 6 through 12 who live or are educated within the geographic area served by the Birmingham Public School district are eligible. Submit nominations at www.birminghamyouthassistance.org by March 11.

• The Oakland County Treasurer’s Office has opened the annual Financial Empowerment Arts Contest. Oakland County public high school students are invited to submit 2-D artwork (including drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, and illustration) or video that reflects the theme of financial empowerment, with entries due by 11:59 p.m. on March 13, 2026, oakgov.com/arts.

Festivals/Shows

• Berkley Parks & Recreation presents WinterFest, noon-2 p.m. Feb. 28 (previously Feb. 7), at Berkley Community Center, 2400 Robina Ave, Berkley, featuring ice sculptures, petting farm, cake walk, indoor restrooms and a warming area, www.berkleymi.gov/winterfest, donuts and hot beverages to purchase, free admission.

Fundraisers

• Salvation Army’s 39th annual Bed & Bread Club Radiothon is broadcast, Feb. 26–27 on 760 WJR, SAmetrodetroit.org/events.

• MiSide Community Impact Network is hosting its Cupid’s Care Diaper Drive, through Feb. 28, to collect and distribute diapers to families enrolled in the nonprofit’s MiSide EarlyYears program. Throughout the month, MiSide will accept donations of diapers in all sizes, as well as monetary contributions. Drop-off locations include the following: MSU Federal Credit Union branches at 6051 Sashabaw Rd. in Independence Twp.; 3220 University Drive in Auburn Hills; 1833 Coolidge Hwy. in Berkley; 43420 Grand River Ave. in Novi; and 4 South St. in Ortonville; and Amazing Dental, 22972 Lahser St. in Southfield. To make a monetary donation, visit https://miside.org.

• Eton Academy Annual Gala & Auction is 5:30-9 p.m. Feb. 28, at Eton Academy, 1755 Melton, Birmingham, formal dinner, silent and live auctions, and raffle, www.etonacademy.org, prices vary.

• 6th Annual Putt for Polio Tournament is 2-4 p.m. March 1, at West Bloomfield High School Gymnasium, 4925 Orchard Lake Rd., West Bloomfield Twp. All money raised will be donated to West Bloomfield Area Rotary Foundation and directed to Rotary International End Polio Now Fund. Sponsorships start at $75, includes admission for one participant. General tickets are $25 per player or $10 per spectator. Register by Feb. 27. Purchase tickets to play and/or sponsor with check payment to: West Bloomfield Area Rotary Foundation, 346551 Valley Forge Drive, Farmington Hills, MI 48331. For information, visit https://westbloomfieldrotary.org.

• Hospitality House Food Pantry in Commerce Twp. to host “A Taste of Spring” fundraiser, 6-9 p.m. March 11, at Sheraton Detroit Novi, 21111 Haggerty Road, Novi. Tickets are $75/person or $700/table for 10, and can be purchased at www.hhfp.org and include appetizers, dinner, dessert, beer and wine.

Health/Safety activities

• Community on the Move-E-Bike, Bicycle, & Pedestrian Safety is 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Feb. 28, at Oxford Township Parks & Recreation, Community Room, free, (248) 628-1720, https://oxparkrec.org.

• During American Heart Month, Meijer will host an  in-store wellness event, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 28 in select stores, including 1107 S. Lapeer Road, Lake Orion, and 20401 Haggerty Road, Northville. Customers can receive complimentary in-store samples and coupons while supplies last. They can also take advantage of free cholesterol screenings (while supplies last) and free blood pressure screenings, meijer.com/shopping/wellness-event.html.

Library activities

• The Gardening Guru Presents Oudolf Garden Detroit, 6:30 -8 p.m. Feb. 23, in the Southfield Public Library Meeting Room, 26300 Evergreen Road, Southfield. The event will feature an overview and virtual tour of the naturalistic public garden on Belle Isle hosted by Richard Thomas, head horticulturist for Oudolf Garden Detroit. For information, call (248) 796-4367 or visit www.southfieldlibrary.org.

• The Rochester Hills Public Library to host the Human Library event, 1-4 p.m. Feb. 28, as an official publishing partner of The Human Library Organization. Librarians will help people select a topic and guide them to an open Book for a one-on-one or group conversation with a human being. The Human Library is a library of people and their experiences with prejudice, stigmatization or discrimination because of their lifestyle, diagnosis, belief, disability, social status, ethnic origin, etc. The concept is about acknowledging and challenging misconceptions, stereotypes, and prejudices. The Human Books were selected in advance, and received training to participate. Applications for Books are closed. Registration to check out a Book is not required. For information, visit www.rhpl.org/calendar.

• The Rochester Hills Public Library presents “Birding Through the Seasons” 7 p.m. March 3, at the library, 500 Olde Towne Road in Rochester. The Macomb Audubon Society discusses birding through the seasons in Southwest Michigan. Registration is required at www.rhpl.org or 248-656-2900.

Parks/Outdoor activities

• Independence Oaks County Park to host Introduction to Classic Cross-Country Skiing, 9-11 a.m. Feb. 28, at 9501 Sashabaw Road, Independence Twp. The two-hour class includes skis, poles and boot rental. The cost is $35/person/session and each session is limited to 20 participants, weather permitting. Classes meet at the boathouse. Preregistration and payment is required by calling 248-625-2044 or visiting www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/events.

• Snowshoes & Cinema is 2-5 p.m. Feb. 28 at Addison Oaks County Park & Campground Adams Lake Lodge, 1480 W Romeo Road, Leonard. Demo snowshoes, play winter games and create snow art near a bonfire from 2-3 p.m., (various sizes of snowshoes for children and adults available to use for free). Then, from 3-5 p.m. inside, watch “Frozen II” on a big screen, with a hot cocoa bar, popcorn and crafts, bring a blanket for comfort if desired. The event will run regardless of weather conditions. No registration is needed, for information, call 248-858-0916 or email Events@oakgov.com.

• Independence Oaks County Park has groomed trails, cross-country skiing rental equipment and restroom facilities. Call the park at 248-625-0877 for current information about hours and equipment availability. For hikers or those with their own cross-country or snowshoe equipment, ungroomed trails can be enjoyed at Addison Oaks north of Rochester, Highland Oaks in Highland, Lyon Oaks in Lyon Township, Orion Oaks in Orion Township and Rose Oaks near Holly, www.oakgov.com/parks/recreation/Pages/Winter-Fun.aspx, weather permitting.

• The illuminated trail featured at Fireworks and Flannels  at Waterford Oaks County Park was extended on weekends through March 1. Walk the path for free from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays Feb. 20-22 and Feb. 27-March 1, at the park, 1702 Scott Lake Road,  Waterford Twp., paved path, guests should take appropriate precautions for weather conditions. Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash not longer than 6 feet, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/parks-trails/waterford-oaks.

• Oakland County Parks Maple Magic programs are 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 2-4 p.m. Feb. 28. Mobile Sugar Shack will be on site, all ages, $10/person. Preregistration is required, call 248- 858-0100 or visit www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/events.

• The Troy Nature Society to host “Maple Syrup Time” on the first three Saturdays of March (March 7, 14 and 21), at the Stage Nature Center, 6685 Coolidge Highway in Troy. Guided tour time slots between 9 a.m.-3 p.m., guests will venture into the nature center preserve in small groups, to learn how trees are tapped for sap, how maple sugar was processed 100 years ago and visit a historical sugar camp. The tour concludes with mini pancakes topped with real maple syrup. Pre-registration is strongly suggested. The fee is $11/person for teens and adults; $8 for children 4-12 years: $8 for TNS and THS members; children under 4 years are free. Children must be accompanied by an adult, www.troynaturesociety.org.

• Huron-Clinton Metroparks in Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne, metroparks.com. Park entrance fees apply. Annual vehicle passes are $40 for residents or $45 for non-residents. Senior citizen pricing on annual passes are available in-person at toll booths or park offices with ID as proof of age.

• Birmingham Ice Arena offers open skating throughout the week and on weekends, bhamgov.org/icearena, adults-$6/per skater; seniors 55+- $5/per skater; and 17 and under-$5/per skater.

• Suburban Ice Rochester, 52999 Dequindre Road, Rochester, www.suburbanicerochester.com, 248-601-6699. Public skating- $6, admission (18+), $5 skate rental, hockey prices vary.

• Family Sledding Hill at Waterford Oaks County Park, 1702 Scott Lake Road, Waterford Twp., and the adjacent Sled Library with sleds available to borrow, is open daily from sunrise to sunset or as posted at the gate, weather permitting. Portable restroom facilities are on site, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/parks-trails.

• The Rink at Stine Community Park is open daily through the season, 241 Town Center, at the corner of Town Center and Civic Center Drive at the City of Troy Civic Center Campus, free admission, skate rentals are $3 residents, $5 non-residents, https://rec.troymi.gov/parks___facilities/parks/index.php, weather permitting.

• Riley Park Ice Rink in downtown Farmington open through February, 23600 Liberty St., Farmington, www.downtownfarmington.org, open daily, weather permitting, free admission, bring skates, https://farmgov.com/Community/Parks-and-Recreation/Riley-Park-Ice-Rink.

• Winter Park is open Fridays-Sundays, through March 8, at Bowers Farm, 1219 E Square Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills. Free admission to the park, activities include viewing farm animals, hay tower, bonfires, shopping at Farm Kitchen and Farm Store. Limited number of timed tubing tickets available, tickets must be purchased in advance at www.schoolfarm.org/winter-activities, $17+.

• Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas, michigan.gov/dnr. Park entrance fees apply.

Seniors’ activities

• Preserving Your Photo Memories Educational event is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 26, Hechtman Apartments at Jewish Senior Life, 6690 W. Maple Rd West Bloomfield, www.jslmi.org/event-preserving-your-memories

Support resources

• Free safeTALK Training is March 19, at Jewish Family Service, West Bloomfield Twp., learn how to become a safeTALK-trained helper. notice and respond to situations where suicide thoughts might be present and apply the TALK steps: Tell, Ask, Listen, and Keep Safe, open to ages 15+, no experience necessary. Register at jlive.app/events/13861.

• 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.

• 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.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline, 800-799-7233, available 24/7.

• Common Ground’s Resource & Crisis Helpline is available 24/7 – call or text 800-231-1127.

• 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.

Submit community events online at https://bit.ly/40a2iAm.