Community activities

• Founder’s Day celebration presented by the Rochester Historical Commission, is 2-4 p.m. March 22, at The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, Calf Barn, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills, free,  registration appreciated at www.rochesterhills.org/musprograms, includes a presentation on Oakland County Veterans by Carol Egbo, Oakland County’s historian. The event will start with an Irish bagpiper, and ends with entertainment from Irish dancers, light refreshments provided.

• The City of Farmington Hills invites the community to help shape future housing and community development priorities by taking a brief survey, available through March 29, at www.surveymonkey.com/r/JK66WRC. The city will also host a meeting to gather community input at 7:30 p.m. March 23, in the Council Chambers at Farmington Hills City Hall, 31555 W. Eleven Mile Road, Farmington Hills. For more information, visit www.fhgov.com or call 248-871-2545.

• Oakland County Parks will host a prom-style Starlight Gala, a red carpet event for individuals ages 18 and up with developmental disabilities, 6-8 p.m. April 9, at Glen Oaks Event Center, 30500 W 13 Mile Road, Farmington Hills  — complete with formal attire, a DJ, dancing, a photo booth, and an elegant catered dinner, $22 per person. Register at https://mioaklandctyweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/iteminfo.html?Module=AR&FMID=861518665, call 248-221-8040 for program questions, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks.

• 60 years of service-A Tour de Force, 5-7 p.m. April 16, at St. Anne’s Mead Main Dining Room, Southfield. The event features awards, mobile feast of passed hors d’oeuvres, dessert bar, music by the Sean Blackman Trio, and a champagne toast, RSVP by April 2, by email to pgoodwin@stannesmead.org.

• 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.

• The Oakland Conservation District 2026 Spring Tree & Shrub Sale is open. All orders are pre-sale orders and will need to be picked up April 18 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Waterford Oaks Event Center, 2800 Watkins Lake Road, Waterford, Deadline to order is April 1, at https://oaklandcd.myshopify.com.

Educational activities

• 68th Annual Michigan in Perspective – Local History Conference is March 27-28, at Oakland University, register at https://hsmichigan.org/form/lhc2026, ticket prices vary.

• Royal Oak Schools is accepting Schools of Choice applicants for the 2026-2027 school year, eligible for students residing in Oakland County and entering grades Developmental Kindergarten (DK) through 8. To apply, visit www.royaloakschools.org/parents__guardians/schools_of_choice and complete the application by 4 p.m. March 31, 2026.

Fundraisers

• 14th Annual “Bocce with the Brothers,” is March 27, at Villa Penna in Sterling Heights, to benefit The Capuchin Ministries, with support from Madison Heights-based Shelving.com. The event includes unlimited bocce alongside the Capuchin Friars, a gourmet Italian buffet dinner, beer/wine, desserts, live music, live and silent auctions, cappuccino bar. Tickets ($75/each) are at boccewiththebrothers.org.

• Troy Historic Village Volunteer Fair is noon-4 p.m. April 4, in Room 304/305 the Troy Community Center, 3179 Livernois Rd., Troy, fill out your volunteer application online or at the fair, www.TroyHistoricVillage.org.

• Forgotten Harvest to host “Feeding Detroit Together” fundraiser, 6-9 p.m. April 10, at The Mint, 27000 Evergreen Road, Lathrup Village, VIP Afterglow is 9-10 p.m. Tickets are $150; VIP tickets are $250, www.forgottenharvest.org. The event will feature a gourmet meal, program, silent auction, and live music by Parallel Fifth. Forgotten Harvest ‘s mission is to fight hunger and food insecurity in Metro Detroit.

• Rochester Christian University’s annual fundraiser to feature actor Sean Astin, 6:30 p.m.  April 11, at the Royal Park Hotel in downtown Rochester, Rochester Christian University’s 55th annual Partnership Dinner, to raise funds for student scholarships. Tickets are $200+, $150 for RCU alumni, rcu.edu/pd.

Health events

• Oakland Community College’s Dental Hygiene Clinic is offering free preventative dental services for children during its annual Kids Weeks, March 30 through April 10 at the  clinic located at OCC’s Highland Lakes Campus, 7350 Cooley Lake Road, Waterford Twp. The free dental services include teeth cleaning, x-rays and dental sealants. Services are provided by students in the College’s Dental Hygiene program under the close supervision of licensed dental professionals. Appointments are available March 30 and April 1, 3, 6, 8 and 10 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parents can call the Dental Clinic at (248) 942-3260 to schedule an appointment or visit the web page at www.oaklandcc.edu/health/dental-hygiene/clinic.

• Know the Early Signs of Alzheimer’s and Dementia, free educational event is 2-3:30 p.m. March 23, at Prentis Apartments Independent Living-Jewish Senior Life, 15100 W. 10 Mile Road, Oak Park, https://jslmi.org/rsvp-with-rick_01.

• “Understanding Dementia Begins with Understanding the Person” event is 6:30 p.m. March 26, at Fleischman Residence West Bloomfield Campus, 6710 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield Twp., presented by Debi Banooni, Director of the Brown Center, an educational talk introducing Teepa Snow’s GEM States, a compassionate approach to understanding dementia-related behaviors, https://jslmi.org/memory.care, free.

Lectures/Meetings

• American Association of University Women (AAUW) Rochester Branch to host Madelyn Chrapla, curator of Meadow Brook Hall, who will share the story of Matilda Dodge Wilson at the AAUW’s general meeting at 3 p.m. March 26, at Rochester Community House 816 Ludlow, Rochester, https://rochestercommhouse.org, 248-651-0436, free, open to the public.

Library activities

• Kintsugi Demonstration with Ms. Aki Motoyama, Japanese art of Kintsugi is 1-3 p.m. March 28 at the Northville District Library, 212 W Cady Street, Northville, free, registration required at https://nvillelib.org/3NwEp3V, https://northvillelibrary.org, (248) 349-3020.

Parks/Outdoor activities

• Holly Oaks ORV Park trails and park features are open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 21-22 and March 28-29. Longer hours begin in April, and extended days/hours are added throughout May through September, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks.

• Vernal Pool Stroll is 7-9 p.m. March 28, at Independence Oaks, Wint Nature Center, 9501 Sashabaw Road, Clarkston, Independence Twp., look for salamanders, frogs, fairy shrimp and many other animals in the “coral reefs” of Northern forests: Vernal pools, suitable for school-aged children and adults, $5/person, preregistration with payment required by calling 248-858-0916, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks.

• Oakland County Parks five golf courses to open for the season. Glen Oaks, Lyon Oaks, Red Oaks and Springfield Oaks golf courses are set to open on April 1, weather permitting. Due to construction, opening day for White Lake Oaks Golf Course is set for April 4. Online tee times are accepted seven days before play at OaklandCountyParks.com. Golfers can also call the pro shops to reserve a tee time seven days in advance. 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; White Lake Oaks Golf Course in White Lake, 248-698-2700.

• ECHO (Early Childhood Hour Out) program is 10:30-11:30 a.m. Thursdays, at Wint Nature Center, 9501 Sashabaw Road, Independence Twp. The program is for parents and caregivers and children and includes a caregiver-led activity provided by nature center staff with coffee, tea and conversation with other caregivers, free and no preregistration is necessary. Caregivers must supervise children at all times. Siblings are welcome, www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks. Optional activities may take place outside.

• 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 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.

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

Shows

• Backyard Pool & Spa Show is March 20-22, Vibe Credit Union Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave, Novi, www.backyardpoolshow.com, ticket prices vary.

• Oakland County Home Show: March 21-22, (11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday) home improvement companies, Oakland County Fairgrounds, Springfield Oaks County Park, ​12451 Andersonville Road, Davisburg, admission-$5, free for 12 and under, military and veterans and medical professionals, free parking, www.michiganhomeshows.com/oakland-county.html.

• Spring Showcase Fashion Event: noon-5 p.m. March 22, Council Re|Sale Store, 3297 12 Mile Road, Berkley, pre-register for $25 for the early shopping hour at 11 a.m., prior to the opening of the store to the public at noon; pre-register with payment at the store, www.ncjwmi.org.

Support resources

• 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.