County breaks ground on first ‘neuro-inclusive’ housing development in Rochester Hills
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER HILLS — Oakland County’s first “neuroinclusive” neighborhood, Walton Oaks, is coming to Rochester Hills.
On Sept. 25, officials broke ground on the $10 million project, which is a partnership between Oakland County; Rochester Housing Solutions, a nonprofit founded by families to create homeownership opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and Three Oaks Communities, a developer that specializes in homes for neurotypical homebuyers as well as adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
“Walton Oaks is a groundbreaking project that embodies
ABOVE: Matt Cooney sits inside an excavator to break ground on the site of Walton Oaks, a “neuro-inclusive” neighborhood Sept. 25. Once the homes are completed, Cooney is planning on moving into a home with four friends, including Carly Guy. Joining him on the ground are Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, center, and David Woodward, chair of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.
The land is cleared and ready for construction crews to begin building a “neuro-inclusive” neighborhood called
LEFT:
Walton Oaks.
Photos by Liz Carnegie
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Dearborn suspect charged with murder in death of Rochester Hills man
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER HILLS — A Dearborn man has been charged with the murder of a 72-year-old Rochester Hills man and is in the process of being extradited from Louisiana.
Carlos Jose Hernandez, 37, was arrested Oct. 12 in Shreveport, Louisiana, and has been charged with felony murder and two counts of unlawful imprisonment, according to Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald.
Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies on Interstate 49 spotted a vehicle that matched the description of Hernandez’s vehicle and arrested Hernandez for multiple armed robbery warrants from Ohio and the Oakland County murder warrant.
At press time, Hernandez was being held in the Caddo Correction Center and was scheduled to appear in court in the next few days. It was not immediately known if Hernandez would waive extradition to Michigan.
“I am so proud of our whole team and how they worked around the clock to bring this case forward. I am also very proud of our partnership with the U.S. Marshal’s Service
Farm fun
ABOVE: Beekeeper Dawn Gialanella talks with a family about honey during Oakland Township’s Down on the Farm event to celebrate the township’s farming heritage at the Cranberry Lake Farm Oct. 5.
LEFT: Malia Choi, 8, of Oakland Township brushes “LB.” The event included hayrides, antique tractors, apple picking, pumpkins, animals, corn shelling, quilting, outdoor games and more.
Photos by Erin Sanchez
CRIME WATCH
Man caught defecating outside of restaurant
ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies responded to the National Coney Island on Rochester Road for a report of indecent exposure at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 12.
The complainant stated that he saw a man defecate in front of the business, then walk off in an unknown direction.
The caller provided a description of the suspect to deputies, who located a man matching the description inside a Taco Bell.
The suspect, a 49-year-old man from Rochester, was detained and walked back to Coney Island, where deputies observed human feces and two napkins.
Deputies obtained video footage from Coney Island and confirmed the suspect.
Deputies issued the suspect an appearance ticket for disorderly conduct and drove him home.
Potential school threat investigated
ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies were advised by dispatch that a parent of a middle school student reported that her son was shown a phone message containing a school threat Sept. 12.
Deputies spoke to the child of the complainant and discovered who had shown him the message that he stated was on Tik Tok.
Deputies then went to the home of the student who had the original Tik Tok on her phone.
The student could not remember exactly what the message said, but she recalled it was on Tik Tok and stated something to the effect of it not being safe to go to “AMS” Sept. 13.
She said that she had also shown it to another student because she was scared. Deputies then went and spoke with the third student, who remembered the message also contained another school, “NOMS.” She was positive that the message included two schools, AMS and NOMS. Rochester Community Schools and school resource officers were advised of the threat, which they said was unfounded.
Police investigate threat to commit act of violence
at local high school
ROCHESTER HILLS — School administrators at a local high school were made
aware of a student who referenced shooting up the school at 3:36 p.m. Sept. 13.
The assistant principal stated he had been approached by two students who heard another student say, “Wouldn’t it be funny if I shot up the school?” referencing a recent school shooting in Georgia.
Deputies followed up at the home of the responsible student, who said the statement was meant to be a joke.
The parents stated their daughter has mental health issues and is currently in counseling.
The parents stated that firearms in the home are secured in a safe. They did not allow deputies to confirm the firearms were safe.
School administrators stated that the responsible student was not to return to school until the incident was investigated and a threat assessment was conducted. The incident remains under investigation.
Driver caught using cellphone cited for fake ID
ROCHESTER — An officer performing selective enforcement in the area of Main and Woodward observed a Ford sedan traveling southbound at approximately 4:45 p.m. Oct. 3. As the vehicle passed the officer, the officer observed the driver using their cellphone. The officer made a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, who had a fake ID with him. The driver was issued a citation and sent on his way.
Driver arrested for operating vehicle while intoxicated
ROCHESTER — An officer in the area of Dequindre and Parkdale observed a vehicle traveling westbound nearly strike the curb and then drive on the white fog line at approximately 11 p.m. Oct. 5.
The officer conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, observing signs of impairment. The driver failed standard field sobriety tests and refused to take a preliminary breath test.
The driver, who had six prior operating while intoxicated convictions, was placed under arrest and transported to the Rochester Police Department. A blood search warrant was sought and signed. The driver was taken to the hospital for a blood draw and was lodged until sober.
— Mary Beth Almond
Jailed Rochester Hills doctor hit with 17 more felony charges, including allegedly molesting 5-year-old girl
BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com
ROCHESTER HILLS — A jailed Rochester Hills doctor is facing an additional 17 felony charges connected to six alleged sexual assaults in 2023 and 2024 involving a 5-year-old girl in Novi.
On Oct. 10, Dr. Oumair Aejaz was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, three counts each of aggravated child sexually abusive activity and capturing the image of an unclothed person, and six counts of using a computer to commit a crime. The victim was 5 years old at the time, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
Aejaz was taken into custody and remains at the Oakland County Jail on previously issued charges, according to authorities
Aejaz was originally arrested two months ago after authorities discovered
thousands of nude photos and videos of children and adults in his home that were taken while the victims were changing at Goldfish Swim School, in hospitals, in changing areas, and in various other locations over at least the past six years.
“This individual is potentially one of the worst I’ve ever seen, because there is no particular category — it’s not just children. It’s not just women. It’s not just men. It goes from a 2-year-old boy to a grown woman,”
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said previously. “The victimization is so broad and the perversion so great that we’re just beginning to wrap our arms around it.”
Bouchard said it’s going to take “a huge amount of work and a significant amount of time” to get through all the footage.
“Having said that, we will leave no stone unturned to seek justice for every victim. Through this long and painstaking process we have been able to uncover this very large list of additional crimes that have not been charged and we continue to seek the public’s help to identify other potential victims,” he said in a statement.
Authorities were first alerted Aug. 7 of potential criminal activity of Aejaz — a citizen of India, a physician, a married man and a father of two young children — alleging that he was engaged in activity, including but not limited to placing hidden cameras in changing rooms, and video recording children as young as 2 years of age, all the way up to grown adults in different settings.
“The defendant’s wife produced materials that were concerning,” Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald added. “The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office immediately executed a search warrant and confiscated more devices and has sifted through
really jarring, alarming images, and they’re still doing that.”
Authorities say Aejaz recorded sexual encounters he had with numerous women, with hospital patients who were either asleep or unconscious, and recorded relatives and strangers in the bathroom or while changing clothes. He was arrested Aug. 8 at his Rochester Hills home, arraigned Aug. 13 in 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills and charged with one count of child sexually abusive activity, four counts of capturing an image of an unclothed person and five counts of using a computer to commit a crime.
The charges, McDonald said, stem from incidents at Goldfish Swim School in Rochester, where Aejaz is alleged to have filmed two women and two children, ages 2 and 4, in a changing area. Investigators believe the victims were filmed from a nearby changing stall. The child sexually abusive
See AEJAZ on page 8A
Aejaz
DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER SEEKS ARTISTS TO DESIGN FIBERGLASS SNOWMEN
ROCHESTER — This holiday season, downtown Rochester will once again host the Snowman Stroll, a public art event featuring 5-foot-tall fiberglass snowmen along Main Street, designed by local artists and sponsored by local businesses. The Snowman Stroll will debut Dec. 1.
Downtown Rochester is currently seeking artists to submit designs for the Snowman Stroll. If an artist’s design is selected by the committee, the artist will receive a $1,000 honorarium to execute their snowman design.
Artists can find design submission information at www.downtownrochestermi.com/ snowman-stroll.
The Snowman Stroll is presented by Chief Financial Credit Union and Love Local Rochester. For more information, visit www.Downtown RochesterMI.com or call the Rochester DDA at (248) 656-0060.
MONSTER MASH AT THE VILLAGE OF ROCHESTER HILLS
ROCHESTER HILLS — Celebrate Halloween with a family fun Monster Mash party at The Village of Rochester Hills 3-5 p.m. Oct. 20.
The free event will feature a DJ who will be playing spooky tunes, themed stilt walkers, balloon twisters, roaming jugglers, character meet n’ greets with Jack and Sally, and a Bubble Witch Show and Play.
In addition to the on-site activities, Paint Creek Center for the Arts will be supplying pumpkins for children to decorate for a $5 donation. Interested guests are encouraged to pre-register online as space and pumpkins are limited. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in their Halloween costumes.
For more information, visit TheVORH.com.
ROCHESTER COMMUNITY CHORUS ANNOUNCES FALL SEASON, NEW SINGERS ENCOURAGED TO JOIN
ROCHESTER — The Rochester Community Chorus announced its fall/winter 2024 season with a full performance schedule, starting with a major presentation of “Lux: The Dawn From on High,” by Dan Forrest, with a small chamber orchestra, at 4 p.m. Nov. 17 at St. Mary of the Hills Catholic Church in Rochester Hills.
The chorus will join the Rochester Community Concert Band and the Choral Union of Rochester Christian University for a Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at Avondale High School in Auburn Hills.
Continuing an annual tradition, the chorus will present two musical compositions at the annual Rochester community Christmas concert at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Rochester Dec. 8.
Rehearsals for the Rochester Community Chorus are held 7:45 p.m. Mondays in the sanctuary of St. Mary of the Hills church. New singers are always welcome. Approximately 40 singers currently make up the chorus. The chorus is open to all who enjoy singing at any skill level.
For more information, visit rochestercommunitychorus.org and www.facebook.com/friendsofrochestercom munitychorus.
MICHIGAN HAS ABOVE-AVERAGE APPLE CROP
STATEWIDE — October is Michigan Apple Month, and a recent press release from the Michigan Apple Committee shared some facts and figures about Michigan’s apple crop.
Apples are the largest and most valuable fruit crop in the Great Lakes State, according to the committee. Growers operate 850 family-run farms with more than 17.6 million apple trees, which cover 38,000 acres in Michigan, the press release states.
This year the crop has been harvested early, with most of harvest already complete. It’s the third year in a row of more than 30 million bushels produced, with 2024’s crop estimated at 30.5 million bushels, according to the release. That is equivalent to 1.28 billion pounds of apples. The average annual crop size for Michigan is approximately 25 million bushels.
Aejaz
from page 6A
activity charge, according to authorities, involves an unidentified minor and is not related to the swim school incidents.
“He was not caught there. The victims were unaware. This was discovered on the hard drives that we were investigating,” Bouchard previously said. “The camera looks like it’s looking underneath into their changing room.”
Detectives confiscated six computers, four cellphones and 15 external storage devices from Aejaz’s home. One device contained more than 13,000 videos Aejaz recorded during the past six years. Detectives estimate it will take six months to complete a forensic examination of all the confiscated materials.
Aejaz, a citizen of India, has been working in the United States on a visa. He came to the United States around 2011, completed his residency at Detroit Sinai Grace
Hospital and then moved to Dawson, Alabama. Aejaz returned to Oakland County to continue his practice in internal medicine in 2018 and had privileges at Ascension Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc Township and Henry Ford Macomb in Clinton Township but was not on staff.
Bouchard said he expects the geographic scope of the investigation to increase beyond Genesee and Macomb counties, where the hospitals are located, and may include other states or countries, depending on where Aejaz worked.
“We know that there are additional victims, and we ask anyone with information to contact the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office at OCSOSIU@oakgov.com,” McDonald said in a statement.
Aejaz’s attorney, Mariell Lehman, could not be reached for comment at press time.
Anyone who believes they were a victim of Aejaz can contact detectives at OCSO SIU@oakgov.com.
Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.
the spirit of inclusion and community that we strive for in Oakland County,” Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said. “By creating spaces where people of all abilities can live together, we are building more than homes — we are fostering opportunities for independence, belonging and growth.”
Walton Oaks is the first housing development of its kind in the county and the second in Michigan. The first was launched by Three Oaks Communities in Saline, Michigan, in 2022.
Walton Oaks, located on Walton Boulevard, across from Oakland University, will include 11 ranch homes on one-third acre lots — including three that have been reserved for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“Walton Oaks has been designed with a very, very specific purpose: to be a place where adults that face the challenge of disability can thrive, in the same community that many of them went to school, work, volunteer, attend RARA, Dutton Farm, Paint a Miracle and much, much more that this community has to offer,” said David Mingle, the chairman of Rochester Housing Solutions. “They want to be surrounded by friends and neighbors that accept them, services that enable their independence, access to the community at large and the ongoing support of RHS, so that every parent can have the peace of mind that when they can no longer take care of their loved one, their child will be safe and able to live a rich and full life.”
Oakland Township resident Maureen Guy’s 36-year-old daughter Carly will be among the first residents of Walton Oaks, living in one of three designated homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“Since she was very young, anyone who knows her knows that she has always told us, ‘I want to live in my own house with my friends and no parents,’” said Maureen Guy. “Walton Oaks represents the most natural
step in Carly’s journey. She will live with friends of her own choosing in her forever home, one that is being designed with care and consideration of all the stages of her life that are to come so that she can just continue to live a full and wonderful life long after Rob and I are no longer able to facilitate that,” Maureen Guy said.
Debra Branham’s 36-year-old daughter Abigail will be among three friends living with Carly.
“Abigail is non-verbal, so she writes out things she has to say, but when she’s with her friends, she doesn’t always whip out her phone to text something to them. They just know what she is trying to convey. That is something you can never replicate by moving into some place with a bunch of people that she didn’t know. The community is valuable for the comfort level of the parents and the residents themselves,” Debra Branham said.
Abigail said she feels “excited” to live with her friends and no parents, and can’t wait to do her own cooking.
If all goes well, officials said, Walton Oaks residents could be moving in toward the end of next year.
The project has both public and private support from the Oakland Together Housing Trust Fund, First State Bank, and private equity partners. The Oakland Together Housing Trust Fund has invested $500,000 into the project.
This collaboration on building neuroinclusive neighborhoods will continue with Auburn Oaks, located on Auburn Road, near Crooks Road, in Rochester Hills. The community will include 60 townhomes, condominiums and single-family homes, with up to 24 units designated for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A groundbreaking is anticipated in the spring of 2025. The Oakland Together Housing Trust Fund has also invested $1.5 million into the Auburn Oaks development.
“I’m just thrilled to be a small part of giving our residents more freedom, more independence in the community where they can contribute and live their best lives,” Coulter said.
Op. Ed. Time for a Troy Land Bank
For years, members of our community have continuously advocated for our city to create a land bank, a program designed to acquire green space for the beneft of all. Te last few weeks these voices have grown justifably louder and have sought commitment by members of our council with the goal of preserving green space for all the good that it brings. Such a request is not merely the result of vanity rather it is steeped in the recognition of the basic reality of the fooding and other problems in the city.
Council, as we have come to expect, responded to this worthy request and suggestion by basically saying “we have no money”. Tat assertion rings hollow in a city with a budget of approximately two hundred million dollars per year. Rather, it is easier to believe that the priorities of our mayor and others do not include green space acquisition and preservation.
It appears and it is worth repeating that in this city it is more important to pay for the use of four attorneys of the legal department over 1.5 million dollars a year than protecting and preserving our common inheritance. I believe we can and should do better.
NUSHAJ – Attorney / Prosecutor
TROY TRANSIT CENTER REACHES 10TH ANNIVERSARY
AMTRAK HOPES TO DOUBLE RIDERSHIP BY 2040
BY SARAH WRIGHT swright@candgnews.com
TROY — Since opening in 2014, the Troy Transit Center has served thousands of riders not only through Amtrak trips but also through its bus and taxi access.
The 2,000-square-foot transit building, located at 1201 Doyle Drive, officially opened Oct. 14, 2014, and provides commuters, who could be interested in traveling by train as far as Chicago, with an indoor waiting area and free parking.
“It’s really a night and day difference and really speaks to Troy stepping up,” Amtrak Senior Public Relations Manager Marc Magliari said. “A lot has happened in the last 10 years, and more is coming.”
The project initially saw some difficulties with its land use issues during the development stage. Previously, the city had partnered with Birmingham, though they backed out later.
Real estate developer Grand Sakwa Properties LLC donated 2.7 acres of the total 77-acre mixed-use commercial and resi-
dential property at Maple and Coolidge for the project under the condition that funding for the transit center be secured by 2010.
While Troy did secure a $8.4 million federal grant, the money wasn’t acquired before the See TRANSIT on page 20A
LEFT: The transit center is located at the border of Birmingham and Troy, at Maple and Coolidge. RIGHT: The Troy Transit Center is turning 10 years old this month.
Photos by Liz Carnegie
EASY HALLOWEEN DECORATING TIPS CAN HELP YOU STICK TO YOUR BUDGET
BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — Whether your idea of decorating for Halloween is putting a pumpkin on the porch or having an elaborate electronic light show with props taller than the houses in the neighborhood, here are some decorating tips for any budget.
Plants and flowers brighten the space of any location. Putting them in a decorative planter makes them transitory in a couple of ways. The plants can be moved easily from one place to another, and the plants can transition from one season to another.
you make your choices, consider having
“What you really want to do is have (the plants and flowers) last past Halloween,” said Matthew Colonius, the owner of Piechnik’s Greenhouse & Garden Gate in Oakland Township. “The goal is to have it look good for Halloween, but when you make your choices, consider having it look nice all the way through Thanksgiving.”
RIGHT: Known as the Skeleton House in Madison Heights, Holly Hayter displays skeletons all year by changing the props and the outfits they wear.
Photo provided by Holly Hayter
BELOW: People come from all over to see the Bostick Family Light Show in Garden City.
Photo provided by Kyle Bostick
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SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTH
CLEARING THE AIR ON VAPING RISKS
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
METRO DETROIT — While vaping was originally marketed to replace cigarettes and some teens say it helps them with stress, health officials say the opposite is true.
Alliance for Coalitions for Community Health Prevention Outreach Specialist Justen Daniels said a lot of health complications come with vaping, including damage to the lungs, heart problems, gastrointestinal issues and more.
He said vape cartridges are filled with hundreds of cancer-causing chemicals.
“The majority of vape pens or vape products are going to contain nicotine, and they’re going to contain a lot of it — a lot of potency,” Daniels said.
He said Stanford’s Reach Lab shared a study that one type of vape pen, which has around 5,000 puffs, has the nicotine equivalent of around 590 cigarettes.
“I don’t think folks are realizing how much nicotine is in there and how addictive that nicotine is,” Daniels said.
Youth are more susceptible to nicotine or THC — a cannabinoid found in marijuana — dependence because their bodies and brains are still developing, Daniels said. The youngest he’s seen or heard of a person having a vape pen is around 8-years-old.
He said that though he doesn’t have a definitive answer of whether cigarettes or vape pens are more harmful, they are both very addictive.
Megan Phillips, Oakland Community Health Network’s director of substance use and disorder services, gathered information about the dangers of vaping.
A document from the organization states that nicotine addiction can cause harm to a person’s mental health, but more research is needed to understand the connection between vaping and mental health. It also states that studies show those who quit smoking experience lower anxiety, stress and depression, and experience a better mood and quality of life.
Vaping
“Oakland Community Health Network, alongside our prevention partners, The Alliance, and Oakland County Health Division, work tirelessly to educate community members on the dangers of vaping,” Phillips said in email.
Vaping products can affect brain development, memory, attention, learning, mood and mental health, the Health Division states.
“Additionally, vaping devices may produce vapor containing lead, which can cause brain damage,” the Health Division states.
The age to purchase vape products is 21 years old in both Michigan and nationally, though kids still manage to get these products by employees not age checking IDs, connections with older friends and sharing or by fake IDs Daniels said.
“Because technology has gotten so sophisticated, so a lot of times it’s easy to pick up on a fake ID, so a lot of times they will take an older sibling’s ID,” Daniels said.
“The most common reason middle and high school students give for currently using ecigarettes is, ‘I am feeling anxious, stressed, or
depressed,’” the document from OCHN said.
The document went on to say, though, that vaping can actually increase these feelings.
Daniels said that if an underage person looks enough like their older sibling, a quick glance will not give away that they are underage. These IDs will not trip the scanners because they are legal IDs.
Underage people who are caught with vaping can face consequences.
Daniels said in the worst case scenario underage people could face a misdemeanor. They can also face detention, suspension and expulsion at school.
“We are seeing so many of our schools take an interest in restorative programming and alternatives to suspension programming,” Daniels said.
He went on to say that if a child is kicked out of school for vaping, they are going to go home and vape.
“It defeats the purpose,” Daniels said. “And so we have a lot of folks who are doing friends of the court programs.”
Vaping products like Juul became popular around the late 2010s, and Daniels said he still considers it very new.
“Especially within the grand scheme of, you know, how long it took the cigarette and
everything to come out,” Daniels said. “It took around 100 years for a lot of that information about cigarettes and some of its potential impacts, some of its potential harmful health implications to come out.”
Vape products were originally marketed as a product to help adults stop smoking tobacco, and they were marketed for adults. Daniels said now it’s really hard to identify vape products due to their evolution and how they are made to blend in as electronic cigarettes. Daniels said there are vapes that look like smart watches, key fobs, straws and more.
Parents should educate themselves through education programs and presentations so they can recognize vape products.
“Sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know,” Daniels said. “And that’s one of the good things about our organizations with the alliance.”
He went on to say they have programs to educate parents and community members about what vapes look like, the health implications and much more.
Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.
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Local chefs, Wildlife Council, DNR
BY KATHRYN PENTIUK kpentiuk@candgnews.com
SOUTHFIELD — The Michigan Wildlife Council hosted its first-ever Harvest to Table Gala Oct. 1 at the Great Lakes Culinary Center, 24101 West Nine Mile Road, showcasing the hunting, fishing and foraging heritage in Michigan and the role these natural resources play in addressing hunger statewide.
“The mission of the Wildlife Council is to promote all the benefits of hunting and fishing, that it’s a management tool to ensure that we have sustainable wildlife populations now and in the future, that hunters and anglers provide conservation funding, not only for game species like turkey and deer, but also nongame species like butterflies and salamanders, and it’s something that generates a lot of money and jobs around the state,” said Nick Buggia, the chairman for the Michigan Wildlife Council. “This is the first time we’ve done an event like this, where we’ve invited people to come in. We tried to get a group of hunters and anglers and nonhunters and anglers to bring those two groups together over food and highlight all the natural resources that Michigan has to offer from things like wild game, like venison and fish. A lot of the sides and things today were foraged within an hour and a half of here. So they’re all things that are local. We wanted to highlight that and then educate everybody on the Wildlife Coun-
See GALA on page
Photo by Kathryn Pentiuk
Paul Grosz, the owner and executive chef of Cuisine Restaurant and a Schoolcraft College Culinary Arts instructor, prepares a roasted venison loin for the third course of the Harvest to Table Gala Oct. 1 at the Great Lakes Culinary Center.
24A
Decorating
Colonius suggests using purple and white colors in plants such as ornamental kale or hardy mums as opposed to the burnt colors such as yellow, orange and red. The hardy mums will still be around after Halloween and the colors mix well with the late fall colors even when it starts to snow.
“The ornamental grasses like purple fountain grass are a really great one; even when it starts to turn brown, it is still pretty in the pot with your other flowers,” Colonius said.
Decorating with pumpkins and gourds sets the stage for an autumnal or Halloween scene. Heirloom gourds come in a variety of shapes and blend with a variety of hues.
The biggest mistake people make with their fall plants is not watering them enough.
“With the dry weather we’ve had this fall, plants should be watered at least two or three times a week. It also keeps them from blowing away in a strong wind,” Colonius said.
To elevate one’s plant display and give it that designer custom touch, Colonius suggests adding items that everybody does not
have.
“The kale and the ornamental grasses and purple fountain grass can give it that custom look that sets it apart from other
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people’s planters,” he said.
Straw bales and regular cornstalks can be added to broom cornstalks, which are very ornamental because of their fancy tassels with red, burgundy and brown.
After Halloween and Thanksgiving, adding birch logs or birch sticks with evergreens will give the planters a winter or Christmas look.
Lights
Whether you hang a single strand of lights around the doorframe or blanket the house with lights on every side, lights add illumination and cheer to any environment.
The Bostick Family Light Show Inc uses thousands of lights in their light show incorporating Christmas lights, strobe lights and spotlights that flash on their home in Garden City to the delight of their neighbors and all who come to see it.
“If people are doing normal decorations, then outlining your house (with lights) is a nice way to decorate without spending a lot of money,” said Kyle Bostick, of the Bostick Family Light Show Inc. “But if you are trying to do a synchronized show like ours, you can start off with some basic props like the tombstones, bats, spiders and grow the show from there.”
Skeletons
Starting small and growing from there is what Holly Hayter did at her house, which is now known as “the skeleton house” in Madison Heights.
“Currently I have seven skeletons and four (skeleton) dogs,” Hayter said.
Skeletons are not just for Halloween. The Hayters’ house displays skeletons yearround. Hayter has dressed her skeletons up as the Easter Bunny and carrots, a giant leprechaun, and other characters. Her current display is ready for Halloween, which she changes every few days.
For those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on Halloween decorations, timing is important.
“My suggestion is to buy it when it goes on clearance for the next year. You always have to look for the deals, so you’ve got to shop around,” Hayter said. “I know some of the major retailers like Spirit will do it after Halloween. One of the big retailers that’s in the game now is Home Depot, and they have already marked their stuff down.”
If your tastes gravitate to the big and bold or the sweet and small, there is a Halloween decoration for you.
Hardy mums can look good at Halloween and last through Thanksgiving. Photo provided by Matthew Colonius
Cowabunga! Fall Motor City Comic Con to be a frightfully fun event
BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com
NOVI — The Motor City Comic Con, which is set to take over the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi Nov. 8-10, has a reputation for bringing in phenomenal celebrity guests, and the lineup for the third annual fall convention does not cease to amaze.
This year’s lineup includes: Freddy Krueger himself, Robert Englund; Wayne Knight, better known as Newman from the TV sitcom “Seinfeld”; Priscilla Presley; the voice actors behind the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Cam Clarke, Townsend Coleman, Barry Gordon and Rob Paulsen; Star
Trek’s George Takei; and Alan Ruck, who is known for his role as Cameron Frye in the cult classic “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”
“A lot of the times we will try and look at anniversaries that are happening,” Sam Yankee, show manager of MC3, said of the guest selection process. “We have Ray Park, and it’s the 25th anniversary, I believe, of (‘Star Wars: Episode I — The) Phantom Menace’ coming up, and then, I believe, we also have the anniversary of the Ninja Turtles. But that is a really good indicator. … Yeah, people like to celebrate those big events.”
Yankee said that original actors for the various fandoms are always going to be popular because they started it all.
“I also think that with some of the original actors and the original voice actors from movies, you are hitting different generations,” said Beth Burland, MC3 show manager. “So, maybe you watched it with your parents and now you’re showing that to your children. So it just carries on.”
Yankee said they also like to ‘gear a little bit more towards horror” for the fall show and bring in guests who are known for their roles in horror films, such as Englund.
“Horror icons are what we try to get as well,” she said.
This year the show will be presenting two off-site movie events at the Emagine Theatre in Novi with celebrity guest Q&A
sessions. Knight will host a screening of “Jurassic Park” on Nov. 8, and Englund will host a presentation of “Nightmare on Elm Street” on Nov. 9. Tickets for Englund’s presentation have already sold out, but there are still some seats available for Knight’s. Tickets run $40, which is in addition to the cost of MC3 admission. Both tickets must be purchased to attend the screening.
There is also a lot of crossover between the various fandoms and other fields, such as with the multiplatinum rapper Logic, who will also be a celebrity guest this fall. The rapper’s music has been featured in several comic movies and he has recently worked on a mov-
See COMIC CON on page 19A
Comic Con
from page 18A
ie with cult favorite director Kevin Smith.
“I don’t think we want to limit ourselves in any way,” said Burland. “If we can get a different or interesting celebrity in, then we’re going to do it.”
“A lot of people think comic cons are just comics, and while that is definitely where we started and where the heart of our show is, our slogan is, ‘Pop culture, it’s what we do!’ and we really cover anything that falls into pop culture,” said Yankee.
Aside from the celebrities there are numerous other activities for guests to partake in.
“One of the things we are doing different this year is that we are having a tabletop gaming room,” Burland said. “Throughout the whole entire show, every hour you can go and learn how to play a different game, or you and your friends can just go in and pick a different game. There are over 75 different games to choose from.”
A schedule for the games, and slots to sign up is posted on the show’s website. The games include Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, Catan and more.
There will also be a Magic: The Gathering tournament from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The cost to participate in the
tournament is $5, and prizes will be given to the winners. Guests will also have the opportunity to paint figurines from games and make friendship bracelets for no additional cost.
There will also be traditions such as adult and kids cosplay contests, numerous celebrity panels, an escape room, and iCon tournaments featuring Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Cosplay groups Ghostbusters Detroit and the 501st Legion from “Star Wars” will once again be in attendance, along with many other activities.
“When people come, they don’t just stay for an hour or two. They come and they stay the whole day,” said Burland. “A lot of people buy a whole weekend pass because it’s just a fun place to be.”
MC3 will be held from noon to 7 pm. Nov. 8, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 9, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 10.
Tickets for the event, movie screenings and celebrity autographs can be purchased online at motorcitycomiccon.com. Admission prices range depending on where and when tickets are purchased, as well as the day of the event, and the age of the person. Adult tickets cost $30-$45 or $90 for a weekend pass. Tickets for kids ages 6-12 cost $10 per day or $20 for the weekend pass. Children 5 and under are free. All kids 12 and under are free on Sunday.
Call Staff Writer Charity Meier at (586) 498-1092.
ORDINANCE 2024-05
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ARTICLE 8, RM-1 MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, SECTION 800 INTENT, OF THE ROCHESTER ZONING CODE TO REMOVE LANGUAGE REFERENCING RM-2 DISTRICT STANDARDS.
THE CITY OF ROCHESTER ORDAINS:
Section 1. Article 8, RM-1 Multiple-Family Residential District shall be amended as follows: Sec. 800. Intent.
(a) By allowing multiple-family dwellings, this district is intended to contribute to the diversi cation of the community’s housing. RM-1 districts are intended to be located at sites suitable for a residential environment.
Section 2. SEVERABILITY
If any section, subsection, clause, phrase or portion of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct, and independent portion of this Ordinance, and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.
Section 3. REPEAL
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in con ict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed.
THIS ORDINANCE shall become effective seven (7) days after publication.
A true copy of this ordinance may be purchased or inspected at the of ce of the City Clerk at the Rochester Municipal Building, 400 Sixth Street, Rochester, Michigan, 48307, during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, except weekends and holidays.
Made and passed by the City Council of the City of Rochester, State of Michigan, this 23rd day of September, 2024. CITY OF ROCHESTER
A Michigan Municipal Corporation By: _________________________________
Stuart Bikson, Mayor By: _________________________________ Lee Ann O’Connor, City Clerk
NOTICE OF ELECTION
ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024
ROCHESTER, MICHIGAN
To the Quali ed Electors of the City of Rochester, County of Oakland:
Notice is hereby given that the General Election will be held in the City of Rochester, County of Oakland on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.:
The polling place locations for said election are as follows:
PRECINCT #1
PRECINCT #2
PRECINCT #3
PRECINCT #4
PRECINCT #5
PRECINCT #6
COMMUNITY HOUSE 816 LUDLOW
ST. PAUL’S UNITED METHODIST 620 ROMEO
COMMUNITY HOUSE 816 LUDLOW
ST. PAUL’S UNITED METHODIST 620 ROMEO
OLDER PERSONS’ COMMISSION 650 LETICA
OLDER PERSONS’ COMMISSION 650 LETICA for the purpose of electing candidates for the following of ces:
• President and Vice President of the United States
• United States Senator
• Representative in Congress 10th District
• Representative in State Legislature 55th District
• Member of the State Board of Education
• Regent of the University of Michigan
• Trustee of Michigan State University
• Governor of Wayne State University
• County Executive
• County Prosecuting Attorney
• County Sheriff
• County Clerk and Reister of Deeds
• County Treasurer
• County Water Resources Commission
• County Commissioner 5th District
• Justice of Supreme Court 8 year term
• Justice of Supreme Court Incumbent Position term ending 01/01/2029
• Judge of Court of Appeals 2nd District Incumbent Position
• Judge of Court of Appeals 2nd District non-incumbent position
• Judge of Circuit Court 6th Circuit Incumbent Position
• Judge of Circuit Court 6th Circuit Non-Incumbent Position
• Judge of Probate Court Non-Incumbent Position
• Judge of District Court 52nd District, 3rd Division Incumbent Position
• Judge of District Court 52nd District, 3rd Division Incumbent Position term ending 01/01/2027
• Board of Trustees Member Oakland Community College
• Board Member Rochester Community School District
• Board Member Rochester Community School District Term Ending 12/31/2026
PROPOSAL – Oakland County Parks and Recreation Millage:
The Oakland County Parks System includes 17 park locations with nearly 7,200 acres of public park and recreational lands, 80 miles of trails, campgrounds, dog parks, golf courses, aquatic recreation facilities, and nature education center. To continue to provide revenue to the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission, shall the current millage, which has been reduced by required rollback, be replaced, and increased to .65 mills for 20 years from 2024 to 2043. The .65 mills is equal to 65 cents per $1,000.00 of taxable value. The millage, if approved and levied, shall generate approximately $52,191,139 in 2024. The purpose of the millage is to expand, improve, operate, maintain, and acquire parks, recreational facilities, open spaces, lakes, rivers, water areas, and trailways; to support nature education, recreational, and outdoor educational and health programming; to support partnerships for access to and awareness of recreational lands and facilities; to promote the conservation and restoration of high-quality natural and wildlife habitats; and to allow free general park admission to all county parks for residents. Revenue from this millage shall be disbursed only to the County of Oakland to be used solely for the purpose of funding the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission and shall be subject to oversight by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners and to an independent audit.
Should this proposal be adopted? YES NO
Absentee ballots are available for all elections; registered voters may contact the local clerk to obtain an application for absent voter ballot.
To comply with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), voting instructions will be available in audio format and in Braille. Arrangements for obtaining the instructions in these alternative formats can be made by contacting the City Clerk in advance of the election. All polling locations are accessible for voters with disabilities.
LEE ANN O’CONNOR
CITY CLERK, CITY OF ROCHESTER, 400 SIXTH STREET, ROCHESTER, MI 48307
248-651-9061 www.rochestermi.org
Published: 10/17/2024 Rochester Post
Published: 10/17/2024 Rochester Post
deadline, meaning the property ownership reverted to the company.
This led to legal issues between the city and the developer where eventually the city was ordered to pay $1.05 million to Grand Sakwa to gain title of the land, as well as $3.1 million to cover all of the other costs, including attorney fees.
“Ten years later, the Troy Transit Center has left behind the controversy it caused during construction and has become part of our City’s core infrastructure,” Mayor Ethan Baker said in an email.
The Troy Transit Center now has boarding numbers reaching 30,000-40,000.
“While I still believe the Transit Center is underutilized, I do know many Troy residents consistently use it to travel on Amtrak to and from Chicago,” Baker said in an email. “I’d like to see the next 10 years include an increase in use and have it evolve to what it was supposed to be — more of a transportation hub. I encourage SMART to look at ways to incorporate the Transit Center into its mass transit plans; wouldn’t it be great to park at the Troy Transit Center and take a direct FAST bus to Detroit Metro? Our residents and businesses could greatly benefit from such a service. In the meantime, we continue to maintain the Troy Transit Center, as we do all City facilities, and continue to look for partners in the region to expand services.”
Police said they have not seen any concerning rise in crime for the area in the 10 years the center has been there, which was a fear expressed by some who were opposed to the development.
“The Troy Police Department has re-
sponded to calls for service over the 10 years with the majority being Citizen Assists, Requests for Ambulances (Medical calls), and alleged Suspicious Vehicles or Persons in the area,” Troy Police Department Community Services Sgt. Ben Hancock said in an email. “All were carefully investigated and handled by our professionals here at Troy PD. The area is very safe for travelers along with an ideal location for Troy and surrounding residents to catch a train to places such as Chicago. Troy PD continues to provide extra patrols from on duty Officers in their unassigned time to ensure the safety of those utilizing the Troy Transit Center.”
There are plans to upgrade the travel time systems so it’s more accurate to encourage a growth in ridership.
“We’d love to have more service by doubling the ridership by 2040,” Magliari said.
The terms of a 20-year lease agreement with Amtrak stipulate that the city perform all necessary maintenance on the center and cover operating expenses, for which Amtrak will reimburse the city 100%.
The building has a waiting area and public restrooms, an elevator, a 90-foot pedestrian bridge from the building to the tracks, a crash wall, platform enhancements, designated parking on the Troy side, and slips for taxis and buses.
The transit center is not staffed and does not have a ticket counter or kiosk, and riders must purchase tickets directly from Amtrak. The center is open for about an hour before each train departure, and police dispatch monitors video at the center 24/7. There is also a call button to directly alert police. For more information, visit www. amtrak.com/stations/trm or troymi.gov/ community/troy_transit_center.php.
Call Staff Writer Sarah Wright at (586) 498-1068.
ADVERTISEMENT FOR PROPOSALS
Rochester Community Schools
Rochester Community Schools will be accepting proposals for the following:
25.01 FACILITIES UTILIZATION STUDY (GENERAL FUND)
25.02 RHS WOODSHOP EQUIPMENT (GENERAL FUND)
Bid documents may be obtained from the RCS purchasing website at https://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/about-us/departments/purchasing and BidNet Direct at https://www.bidnetdirect.com.
Bid Due Date: All required Bids, forms and pricing shall be submitted electronically on BidNet Direct (https://www.bidnetdirect.com) no later than 12:00 p.m., local time, Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
Bid Bond: 5% Bid Bond naming Rochester Community Schools as the obligated, or Certifed Check made payable to Rochester Community Schools, required. Bid Bonds shall be issued by a company licensed to do business in the State of Michigan.
Disclosure Statements: Each bid proposal must be accompanied by a sworn and notarized statement disclosing any familial relationship that exists between owner or any employee of bidder and any member of Board of Education or Superintendent of Rochester Community Schools. Each bid proposal must also include a signed Iran Economic Sanctions Affdavit. The Board of Education will not accept a bid proposal that does not include this sworn and notarized familial disclosure statement and the Iran Economic Sanctions.
The Board of Education reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, either in whole or in part; to award contract to other than the low bidder; to waive any irregularities and/or informalities; and in general to make awards in any manner deemed to be in the best interests of the owner.
Signed: Jennifer Fickel, RCS Purchasing Supervisor
Published: Rochester Post 10/17/2024
RESCHEDULED
NOTICE OF PUBLIC ACCURACY TEST FOR THE ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024
ROCHESTER, MICHIGAN
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Public Accuracy Test for the November 5, 2024 General Election is scheduled for MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 400 Sixth Street, Rochester Michigan.
The Public Accuracy Test is conducted to demonstrate that the program and tabulators that will be used to tabulate the results of the election counts the votes in the manner prescribed by law.
Persons with disabilities needing accommodations should contact the City Clerk’s Of ce.
Lee Ann O’Connor, City Clerk City of Rochester Michigan www.rochestermi.org
400 Sixth Street, Rochester, MI 48307
248.651.9061
Published: 10/17/2024 Rochester Post
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
Rochester Community Schools – 2020 Sinking Fund
Project: Rochester Community Schools
Description: Stoney Creek High School Cafeteria Upgrades
Architect: Project and Design Management 3060 Hilton., Ferndale, MI 48220
Construction Manager: Frank Rewold and Sons Inc.
303 E. Third St., Suite 300, Rochester, MI 48307
Estimators: Mike Gagnon (248) 618-0220 mgagnon@frankrewold.com
Questions addressed ONLY to Mike Gagnon
Bid Documents: Bid documents including bid forms may be obtained from Frank Rewold and Sons Portal at:
0371-2442
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/azywq832bg34f4krrclwr/ALTIH_EQkJqunK2fxHCe9d4?rlkey=69s1ipl6g2h80if0g5n2b94p&st=ry5f15j4&dl=0 Bid documents will be available on or after October 22, 2024
Non-Mandatory Prebid Walk-Through: 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 29, 2024 - Meet at Stoney Creek High School, 6755 Sheldon Road, Rochester Hills, Michigan 48306. Meet at the main front entrance.
Bid Due Date: 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Bids will only be accepted on forms provided. Proposal forms must be in a sealed envelope, mailed or delivered in person prior by 2:00 p.m. EST on the due date to:
Attn: Jennifer Fickel, Rochester Community Schools
C/O Frank Rewold and Sons Inc.
303 E. Third St., Suite 300, Rochester, MI 48307
2:00 p.m. Public Bid Opening: Frank Rewold and Sons Inc. Tuesday, November 5, 2024 303 E. Third St., Suite 300, Rochester, MI 48307 4th Floor Mezzanine
Labor and Material and Performance Bond: In accordance with Michigan Compiled Laws Section 129.201, successful contractor(s) must obtain Performance and Payment Bonds for any Bid Category exceeding $50,000. The Performance and Payment Bonds shall be in an amount equal to the contract amount. The Performance and Payment Bonds shall be for the protection of Rochester Community Schools and Frank Rewold and Son Inc. and shall be executed by a surety company authorized to do business in the state of Michigan and be listed in Federal Register or have an AM Best Rating of B+ or better. All bonds to be dual obligee bonds to Rochester Community Schools and Frank Rewold and Son Inc.
Prevailing Wage Rates: Not required
Bid Bond: 5% bid security required. Bid bonds are required, however, certifed or cashier checks are acceptable for bids under $50,000.
Nonexempt: This project is not tax exempt for state sales tax and/or use tax. All materials and supplies incorporated and used in construction and becoming a permanent part of this project will not be exempt from state sales tax and/or tax
Disclosure Statements: Each bid proposal must be accompanied by a sworn and notarized statement disclosing any familial relationship that exists between owner or any employee of bidder and any member of board of education or superintendent of Rochester Community Schools. Each bid proposal must also include a signed Iran Economic Sanctions Affdavit. The board of education will not accept a bid proposal that does not include this sworn and notarized disclosure statement or the Iran Economic Sanctions.
Published: Rochester Post 10/17/2024
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Highlanders’ golf one step closer to championship three-peat
BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@cangnews.com
ROCHESTER HILLS — Almost two years ago to the date, Rochester Adams was holding onto a 15-stroke lead over Brighton as it headed into the final round of the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 state finals.
This wasn’t familiar territory for a Highlanders team that had only earned runner-up twice, in 1999 and 2020, in the school’s history and had yet to hoist the championship trophy.
Adams’ veteran leaders of Laura Liu, Katie Fodale, Grace Wang and Olivia Dance would put on a clinic on day two, increasing the margin to 47 strokes as Adams would capture its first state title in school history with sophomore Alexa Camargo and freshman Hannah Wang, Grace’s younger sister, also shooting a round each in the finals.
Now two-time defending state champi-
ons and primed for a shot at another state title after qualifying for states, the once underclassmen duo of Camargo and Wang, now both team captains, are the veterans hoping to lead the Highlanders back to the top of the podium.
“I remember my freshman year and looking at our captain (Alyssa Fodale) thinking she was so good and she was so cool and so old compared to me, and just so mature,” Camargo said. “Now, I’m in that spot. It doesn’t seem like it was that long ago when I was looking up to them as a freshman. Now I’m the one talking to these freshmen and helping them figure out their place, not only on the golf team but at Adams as well.”
If adding a third state championship win wasn’t enough for the Kalamazoo College commit, Camargo is a season removed from missing out on regionals and Adams’ state win in 2023 due to injury.
Camargo said she suffered from an in-
Rochester Adams celebrates after becoming Judson Scramble champions.
Photo provided by the Rochester Adams girls golf team
Hernandez
from page 3A
as well as the local sheriff’s office that was watching for our suspect vehicle,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said in a statement.
Hernandez is one of two men suspected of killing 72-year-old Rochester Hills businessman Hussein Murray Oct. 11 after claiming to be DTE workers.
The second man accused in the slaying of Murray was arrested in Plymouth Township at 1:40 p.m. Oct. 14 by members of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Apprehension Team, with the assistance from the Detroit Fugitive Task Force, the Michigan State Police, and the U.S. Marshals Service. At press time his name had not been released by police.
“I continue to be super proud of our team and their tireless efforts to pursue the suspects and take them off the street as quickly as possible,” Bouchard said in a statement. “I thank our local, state, and federal partners for all their work. We continue to work every detail and expect the defendants to be held fully accountable for their heinous actions.”
“We continue to ask the public’s help for information on locating the second suspect,” Bouchard said.
The incident happened around 11:20 a.m. in the 3700 block of Newcastle Drive, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.
“We responded to a call that they had intruders come into the house posing as DTE workers and said there was a gas leak they needed to check, and they let them in,” Sheriff Mike Bouchard said. “The husband went to the basement with the two individuals, and a period of time later, the two individuals came back up without the husband, restrained the wife with duct tape and searched the house for a period of time and then left.”
The woman, who was upstairs, was able to free herself enough to call 911.
“When we responded, we found a very tragic situation. The husband was deceased in the basement,” Bouchard said.
Authorities later learned the two suspects, who had a white pickup truck with a DTE placard on the side, had tried to gain entry to the same house the night prior.
“They had apparently come last night at around 10 p.m. saying they wanted to investigate a gas leak then and were denied entry to the home, so they came back this morning with the same story and, unfortunately, were let in,” Bouchard said.
Murray’s 72-year-old wife was briefly hospitalized after the incident.
“I know she was rushed to the hospital. I don’t know if it was because she was in shock, or because she was hurt, or just because of the scenario itself that they wanted to check on her,” he said.
It was unclear what was taken, and authorities are currently investigating a possible motive.
“We know that they are small business owners. They have a jewelry and pawn shop small business in Wayne County. We do see, time-to-time, business owners that are targeted at their residences, especially when it involves jewelry and cash. That is a possible scenario here, but it’s kind of a work in progress.”
Authorities believe the incident to be a targeted and isolated attack.
“If I’m using my intuition and years of experience, this wasn’t a random thing. It was targeted, so if you happen to be in this neighborhood — which is a very safe, nice neighborhood — I wouldn’t be concerned that your house might be next. We don’t think it’s one of those scenarios based on what we see and know so far. If that changes, we’ll, obviously, let the community know.”
RCS Superintendent Nicholas Russo said school officials were notified by police of their response to a “community situation that was not school-related.”
Exercising “extreme caution,” he said,
Adams High School, Van Hoosen Middle School and Musson Elementary were placed into “secure status for a short time, where all individuals remained inside the building with outside doors locked.” After receiving an all-clear from police, all schools proceeded with classes and activities as scheduled.
“Safety remains our top priority,” Russo said in a statement.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, Bouchard said, plans to be on-site at the scene for “a long time.”
“Our DNA team will be in the house, our latent prints and forensic team will be in the house, then our detectives will be in the house. It’s gonna be awhile,” he said the afternoon of the incident.
Residents in the area are asked to check their Ring cameras for a white, single-cab truck, most likely with markings that say DTE, between 9 and 10 p.m. Oct. 10 and 10 a.m. and noon Oct. 11, and to contact the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office’s Rochester Hills substation with any findings.
Anyone with information who may have seen Hernandez or his alleged accomplice or who has any information about the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case. Deputies said tipsters remain anonymous.
from page 16A
cil and everything that hunters and anglers do as far as funding conservation.”
The gala’s menu featured a four-course meal inspired by Michigan’s natural resources and created by local chefs.
Chef de partie Danny Pesja, of Sylvan Table, located in Keego Harbor, prepared a wild mushroom salad for the first course, which displayed his love of foraging for wild mushrooms. He said he got into mushroom foraging around six years ago while he was working in the restaurant industry.
“Learning more about wild food and how it was what we originally had to eat back in the day was really exciting for me, on top of the flavors,” he said. “The flavors are unmatched compared to anything you can cultivate or farm. Not to mention that the nutrient value being so high makes that flavor come through so much more and so better for you, too — on top of getting outside a little more, which we don’t often do in today’s society.”
The second course was a kombu steamed walleye prepared by Mike Ransom,
the owner and chef of Ima Noodles in Detroit and Madison Heights.
“This event resonated with me because I grew up fishing, and it’s one of my hobbies,” Ransom said of the enjoyment he found combining his love of fishing and outdoor recreation with cuisine. “I think it’s kind of getting back to us understanding where our food comes from and how the nutrient base can be much richer for us, and definitely getting away from too much processed foods. And I think if we get kids into hunting and fishing and foraging, then kids will probably understand how they can base their diets on things that are going to be more nourishing for themselves and also find themselves more connected to the world around us.”
Paul Grosz, the owner and executive chef of Cuisine Restaurant, a Schoolcraft College Culinary Arts instructor and the honorary “meat cutter” of the night, prepared a roasted venison loin.
The fourth and final course was an apple crostada prepared by Abigail Tull, a pastry chef at Walnut Creek Country Club in South Lyon.
“Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger is supported by the DNR. It is a collabora-
tive effort of Michigan hunters, processors and charities aimed at reducing hunger across our state,” Joe Presgrove, a Michigan DNR Sportsmen Against Hunger representative, said. “Our mission is simple but impactful: to connect hunters and anglers with local processors and food banks to ensure that our wild game harvests can benefit those most in need.”
He said that this effort is a sustainable way to address food insecurity throughout the state, noting that of the 1.3 mil-
lion Michigan residents experiencing hunger, 300,000 are children. He added that through Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger, Michigan hunters can donate all of their legally hunted game or just part of it, which will then be processed before being delivered to local food banks and shelters.
For more information on the Michigan Wildlife Council, visit hereformioutdoors. org. To learn more about Sportsmen Against Hunger, visit www.sportsmenagainsthunger. org.
jury similar to sciatica where she’d have pain in her lower back and hips that would shoot down her legs, making it nearly impossible to complete her swing pain-free. Once she felt 100 percent by the summer — courtesy of physical therapy and her workout routine, primarily legs and core, at the gym — Camargo said her sights were set on making up for lost time.
“It was a hard time because I wanted to be there and do everything I could for my team, but it’s definitely hard to do that while you’re injured,” Camargo said. “It really made me realize that I have to do everything I can to get over this injury and get back to where I needed to be so we could be successful this year.”
For Wang, it’s just continuing her already stellar Highlanders golf career, racking up dual-meet wins, tournament wins, and taking the individual regional championship Oct. 7 at Prestwick Village Golf Club with an 81.
The third-year varsity star also took third overall at the Oakland County Championship and helped lead Adams to a win at the Oakland Activities Association Red/White Tournament Oct. 2 at Fieldstone Golf Club.
Wang, like every varsity golfer at Adams, has had the luxury of watching elite-level golf from her upperclassmen teammates, especially her older sister Grace.
Adams head coach Jeff Kutschman said it’s difficult to spot a weakness in her game, as she’s only a junior and standing as one of the top golfers in Oakland County, and possibly Division 1 golf.
“It’s so hard to say with Hannah (Wang) because she does everything so well now,” Kutschman said. “With Hannah, it’s that she put in time. She put in time working on everything. She’s either playing in a tournament or working at the range or on the green every day over the summer time. Just like her older sister Grace, who’s playing at the University of Michigan now, Hannah knows how to put in the time and knows how to work and be disciplined. She can still be a goofy high schooler, but when it’s time to work on the golf course she just knows how to be laserfocused on what she’s doing.”
Camargo isn’t the only senior recovering from injury as Peyton Sage is still not 100 percent but is giving the Highlanders everything she has in her final season.
Sage played a vital role for Adams in 2022, helping Adams win the league and regionals while also competing in the 2023 state finals, finishing 58th out of 108 golfers.
The three-year varsity golfer suffered a knee injury the summer before junior year
and is still fighting through it, but said her past, senior leaders served as one of the many motivations for her to power through it and fill the veteran role.
“They were all willing to step in and help everyone out no matter what the circumstance was,” Sage said. “I’ve learned just how important it is to be connected with the team and how important it is to be welcoming to everyone, because I know it can be hard being on a new team, so I knew I just had to be there for everyone and be a helping hand.”
Adams has four freshmen on the squad this year, most in developmental, but freshman Saisha Dhawan has made an impact early as the fifth scorer for Adams at regionals, finishing 23rd out of 60 golfers with a 99.
Regardless of where they stand on the starting lineup, Sage said the newcomers bring a different energy to the team.
“All the new girls are such a big aspect of the team and definitely make being a part of the team so much fun,” Sage said. “They are all so much fun to be around, and everyone is out there for everyone.”
The unsung hero at regionals was none other than junior Brianna Park, who shot a 90 and finished 8th. Park, a three-year varsity golfer, typically sat in the 95-105 area in 2023 but has significantly improved to being a golfer Adams can rely on to consistently provide scores in the high 80s to low 90s.
With Park’s consistency and the slew of talent in Kutschman’s starting lineup, Adams will be a tough team to dethrone when the MHSAA Division 1 state finals tees off Oct. 18 at Ferris State University’s Katke Golf Course.
The Highlanders will be without three of their five state finals golfers from last season, but retooling is nothing new to a program that’s quickly established itself as one of the top programs in the state.
The “Ragg Rats,” as they call themselves as a shortened version of Rochester Adams Girls Golf and the popular television show Rugrats, are motivated to continue the state finals streak.
“For a while we had our profile picture with all the characters from Rugrats, but with all the girls on our team’s faces on them,” Sage said.
Adams will likely be challenged by fellow OAA teams Rochester and Clarkston, who battled it out in the OAA Red all year with Clarkston notching the latest victory over Adams at regionals as Clarkston took first by 19 strokes over second place Adams.
Other teams such as Brighton, Rockford and Northville will likely be in the mix as well, but Sage said Adams is the kind of team that thrives when the pressure is on.
“We are built for October, and we’re just doing that right now,” Sage said.
Spotlight on business...
G&S Property Services celebrates 25 years of making properties shine
Celebrating 25 years in business, G&S Property Services has solidifed its reputation as a trusted provider of “Exceptional Service from an Exceptional Team” in Metro Detroit.
With its headquarters in Troy and a second location in Brighton, G&S Property Services ofers a wide range of essential cleaning services, including window washing, gutter cleaning, soft pressure washing, roof washing, solar panel washing and underground drain cleaning. G&S proudly serves homes and businesses across Oakland, Washtenaw and Livingston counties, plus surrounding areas.
“Te journey began 25 years ago with a simple mission: to ofer top-quality window cleaning services with a focus on customer satisfaction,” says Geof Shaule, founder and president of G&S Property Services. “As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we refect on our commitment to excellence and our passion for our customers.”
G&S Property Services stands out for its meticulous attention to detail and professional, courteous staf. Te company uses eco-friendly cleaning products and stateof-the-art technology to achieve streak-free, crystal-clear results. Te team is not only highly skilled but also deeply committed to treating each property with the utmost respect and care, with exceptional consideration.
What truly sets G&S Property Services apart is its dedication to customer service. Te company prioritizes clear communication and prompt responses, with a commitment to answering every call with friendly, in-ofce
staf. Tis ensures that questions are addressed quickly and efciently, and scheduling needs are met without delay.
G&S Property Services also ofers scheduled maintenance plans, ensuring windows remain spotless, gutters stay clear and properties look their best all year-round. With free estimates, customers can make informed decisions about their property maintenance needs without any pressure.
“Te purpose, ‘Exceptional Service from an Exceptional Team,’ truly refects our ethos,” Shaule said. “We are committed to delivering exceptional service and ensuring our customers are completely satisfed.”
Join G&S Property Services in celebrating 25 years of service excellence. Whether you’re a long-time customer or new to their services, they’re here to make your property shine. Contact them at (248 )593-8277 or visit gswindowwashing.com for quotes, scheduling, questions and more.
0153-2442
Rochester Adams will be a tough team to dethrone when the MHSAA Division 1 state finals tees off Oct. 18 at Ferris State University’s Katke Golf Course.
Photo provided by the Rochester Adams girls golf team
BEHIND THE WHEEL
26A/ ROCHESTER POST
OCTOBER 17, 2024
HEARSE COLLECTION ADDS MEANING FOR FAMILIES AS IT SERVES THE DEPARTED
BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com
WARREN/STERLING HEIGHTS — As a licensed funeral director, Jeff Mandziuk’s intent is to always treat the departed with the utmost respect and dignity.
It is one of the many aspects he learned from his father, Eugene Mandziuk, who in 1956 built his first funeral home, which became Mandziuk & Son Funeral Directors Inc. Currently, there are two locations: one in Sterling Heights and a second funeral home in Warren.
Eugene Mandziuk, who died in 2017 at age 91, not only passed down the business to the younger Mandziuk, but also his love for antique automobiles, particularly the Packard. Over the years, the father and son purchased seven antique Packards, most of them hearses.
The fleet includes a 1921 Henney hearse; hearses from 1939, ’40, ’42 and ’48; an 1851 horse-drawn carriage hearse and a 1949 Packard limousine. The first hearse Eugene Mandziuk owned was the horse-drawn model, which he purchased at an auction in Texas.
“A funeral home donated a hearse to a Catholic church to auction off to remodel the church,” Mandziuk said.
Eugene Mandziuk, a military veteran who lost part of his hearing during World War II, misheard the highest bid of $1,000. When he mistook it for $2,000, he bid $2,100 to outbid the highest bidder. He got the horse-drawn hearse, and grew his classic car collection from there. Some of the best times Mandziuk and his dad had were taking vacations to the East Coast. They’d attend car shows or hunt through junkyards “looking for other hearses to restore.”
By the mid-1980s, the Mandziuks began offering to drive the vintage hearses during funeral processions. However, families weren’t interested and usually declined the offer.
“When we had the hearse, nobody wanted to use it,” Mandziuk said. “Everyone wanted a modern-day car.”
That all changed in the mid-1990s when the Woodward Dream Cruise in Oakland County started. Soon, people became nostalgic for classic cars. Grieving families saying goodbye to their loved ones began asking if the antique Packards could be utilized during funeral processions. The vintage models provided some comfort, reminding them of their moms and dads.
“It just took off from there. I credit everything to the Woodward Cruise for starting it. All of a sudden people wanted to use the old cars,” Mandziuk said. “They are not just a hobby, but a labor of love to provide extra meaning for families. Sometimes the Packard hearse will go on two, three runs in one day. People have come in making arrangements. They’ll see the old hearse out there and say, ‘Is that just for show or do you actually use it?’”
From Mandziuk’s viewpoint, the Packards were built to last.
“I use them year-round. If it’s raining outside, it don’t bother me. They were built back in those days for that type of service. They never get stuck in the snow,” Mandziuk said.
Whether it’s rebuilding the engine or conducting maintenance, Mandziuk doesn’t shy away from working on the cars when needed. He learned
by watching his dad.
“He would always talk about the class the hearse used to have,” Mandziuk said. “As the years went by, they just got boxy looking.”
During an interment, the Packards can be en route to a number of cemeteries, including Guardian Angel in Rochester, Resurrection in Clinton Township and White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery in Troy. Veterans buried at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly are often transported by a Mandziuk hearse. Since funeral assistant Larry Pokrywka is the only member on staff who knows how to maneuver a stickshift, he drives the hearses during processions.
Keeping it in the family, Mandziuk’s niece, Ashley J. Cicotte, wrote a history on the hearses. One recollection that stands out was when a local family laid their son to rest. He loved the color purple, so the family went to several funeral homes “searching
for the perfect element for the service,” according to Cicotte’s essay. When they came upon a black hearse with purple interior in the Mandziuks’ fleet, they made the proper arrangements with the funeral home to honor their son.
Another highlight was the time a 102-year-old World War II veteran went to his final resting place in a Packard. When his daughter found out, she “was driven to the point of grateful tears” during her time of grief, Cicotte wrote, because her dad had once owned a Packard.
There also was the time in which Mandziuk got himself in a bit of trouble with the Packards. He “bought” his first 1941 Packard Sedan in exchange for one family’s funeral expenses. Dad wasn’t too happy with the method of payment, but eventually got over it. Mandziuk still has that Packard and drives it around at times.
LEFT: Jeff Mandziuk, owner of Mandziuk & Son Funeral Directors Inc., left, and his son, Mitchell, have continued taking care of the Packard hearse collection that Eugene Mandziuk started in the 1980s.
Photo by Julian Orlikowski
LEFT AND BELOW: Mandziuk & Son Funeral Directors Inc. uses vintage Packard hearses during funeral processions as one way to provide comfort to grieving families.
Photos by John Cicotte
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Legal
Crown Castle is proposing to install a 45-foot light pole telecommunications structure at the following site: 2909 Eastern Avenue, Rochester Hills, MI 48307 (42-38-16.118 N, 89-5-48.8718 W). Crown Castle invites comments from any interested party on the impact of the proposed action on any districts, sites, buildings, structures or objects significant in American history, archaeology, engineering or culture that are listed or determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and/or specific reason the proposed action may have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. Specific information regarding the project is available by contacting Charles Hotchkiss, c.hotchkiss@trileaf.com, (314) 997-6111 during normal business hours. Comments must be received at 1515 Des Peres Road, Suite 200, St. Louis, MO 63131 within 30 days of this notice posting. 0170-2442
Crown Castle is proposing to 45-foot pole communications structure at the following site: 1621 West Tieken Road, Rochester Hills, Oakland County, MI 48309, Lat: 42-41-41.6394, Long: -83-9-56.088. Crown Castle invites comments from any interested party on the impact of the proposed action on any districts, sites, buildings, structures or objects significant in American history, archaeology, engineering or culture that are listed or determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and/or specific reason the proposed action may have a significant impact on the quality of the human environment. Specific information regarding the project is available by contacting Hannah Powell, h.powell@trileaf. com, 314-997-6111 during normal business hours. Comments must be received at 1515 Des Peres Road, Suite 200, St. Louis, MO 63131, within 30 days of the date of this publication. 0218-2442
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8. Pico
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to random assault
TROY — Officers were dispatched to Crooks Road for a report of an assault that just occurred at 11:01 a.m. Sept. 27.
Upon arrival, officers spoke to a man who said he was walking his dog when an unknown male suspect came up to him, yelled in his face, punched the top of his head, and ripped his shirt.
Officers located the suspect in the area of Crooks and Wattles, and he was taken into custody. The suspect stated he had just quit his job and had gotten into an argument with his family, so he walked up to the first person he saw and assaulted them.
The suspect, a 27-year-old man from Troy, was arrested and was issued a citation for assault and battery and a petition for a mental health evaluation.
Break-in occurs at cleaners
TROY — Officers were dispatched to Golden Gate Cleaners, at 2997 E. Big Beaver Road, for a possible break-in Sept. 23.
Upon arrival, officers saw heavy damage to the front of the business caused by a vehicle driving through the front entry to gain access. Officers contacted the business owner, who said the only thing stolen was the cash register.
Child left in vehicle
HAZEL PARK — According to a police report, Hazel Park police officers were dispatched to the 22000 block of South Chrysler Drive on Sept. 19 to investigate a report about a child left unattended in a vehicle.
Officers found a 3-year-old child in the back of a gold Buick. The windows were rolled down and the vehicle was left running. The temperature exceeded 81 degrees.
Officers located the child’s father inside the business. He allegedly admitted he had been in the business for 10 minutes in order to purchase marijuana.
The father reportedly stated that the car’s air conditioner did not work, and he believed it was a safe area to leave the child in the car alone.
The child’s grandmother was contacted, and she was given custody of the child. The father was issued a violation: abandonment of children — failure to supervise, a 90-day misdemeanor.
Child Protective Services was also notified.
Police arrest cellphone theft suspect
FARMINGTON — On Sept. 24 at approximately 5 a.m., Farmington Public Safety officers were dispatched to the area of Grand River and Drake for a man in his mid 20s who stole a cellphone from a convenience
they saw the man walking on Drake Road. The subject ran from the officers but was ultimately apprehended and taken into custody. The case was presented to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office for warrant consideration.
Woman loses more than $9K to scammer
FARMINGTON — A 74-year-old woman told police Sept. 20 that she had been contacted by a suspect who claimed to work for her bank. The suspect was able to convince the woman to withdraw $9,500 from her bank account and place it onto a credit card provided by the suspect. The woman was working with her bank, and the case was forwarded to the detective bureau for investigation.
Cash register taken from cleaners
ROYAL OAK — A complainant reported that between 5:30 and 6 p.m. Sept. 19, an unknown person stole a cash register from the Best Cleaners at 32974 Woodward Ave.
Bar fight suspect arrested after fleeing
BIRMINGHAM — On Sept. 28 at approximately 11 p.m., officers were dispatched to a bar near the 200 block of South Old Woodward Avenue for a report of assault. The bar’s security staff stated that multiple individuals involved in the incident had fled the scene on foot.
Officers were able to identify one of the suspects, a 25-year-old Washington Township man. While fleeing, the suspect repeatedly ignored the officer’s request to stop, and upon being caught he was placed under arrest for obstruction of police.
A 32-year-old Clarkston man and a 33-year-old Birmingham man stated that while at the bar, they got into a physical altercation with the suspect and that they were both punched multiple times in the face by the suspect. An investigation was ongoing.
Former family friend attempts to light empty gasoline cans on porch
BIRMINGHAM — At approximately 7 p.m. Sept. 25, officers were dispatched to Oak Street after a 56-year-old woman and a 57-year-old man reported that a man was attempting to light two gasoline cans on fire on their porch. Shortly after, it was discovered that the gasoline cans were empty and that the suspect, a 27-year-old Troy man, is a former family friend. Charges against the suspect were being sought. An investigation was ongoing.
Speeding motorcyclist arrested BERKLEY — A 20-year-old Waterford man was
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
OCT. 17
Thursday Walking Group: Take 2-mile route from Avondale GATE Magnet School (formerly Avondale Meadows Upper Elementary School) to Hackett Pocket Park (also known as Ruby Green Space), 6 p.m., meet at 1435 W. Auburn Road in Rochester Hills, info@thvmail.org, troyhistoricvillage.org/ programs/walking-group, (248) 524-3570
Next Steps 4 Seniors Foundation gala: Dueling pianos, cocktail reception, dinner, full bar and live auction, 5:30-9:30 p.m., Royal Park Hotel, 600 E. University Drive in Rochester, (248) 651-5010
OCT. 17-20
Used book and media sale: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 18-19, and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Oct. 20, Rochester Hills Public Library, 500 Olde Towne Road in Rochester, rhpl.org
OCT. 18
Mental Health First Aid training program: Led by certified MHFA instructor and healthcare chaplaincy leader at Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital, free materials and lunch provided, for ages 18 and older, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., First Congregational Church, 1315 N. Pine St. in Rochester, register to alovett2@hfhs.org
OCT. 18-19
Hoot N’ Howl Hayride: Search for nocturnal animal activity, then campfire, cider and doughnuts to follow, 7:30-9 p.m. Oct. 18-19, Bloomer Park, 345 John R Road in Rochester, register at eventbrite.com
OCT. 19
Trick-or-treating: Visit nearly 50 businesses, 3:30-5 p.m., start at corner of East Second and Main streets or corner of West University and Main streets in Rochester, also Halloween Fest featuring goodies, photo opportunities, doughnuts for sale and free pumpkins for first 100 kids, 5-6:30 p.m., Farmers’ Market lot at East Third and Water streets, downtownrochestermi.com
Masquerade at the Museum: Strolling fundraiser featuring seasonal snack stations, costume contest, scavenger hunt and drink ticket, make mask on
11:29 p.m. Sept. 21 near Woodward and West Lincoln avenues. According to the report, police observed two motorcycles, one red and one black, moving at speeds of around 100 miles per hour on Woodward. Police attempted a traffic stop, but both bikes sped off, leaving the officer to terminate the pursuit. Police did keep following the motorcyclists at a safe distance.
An officer was able to follow the black motorcycle, overtake the driver and position the patrol car to force the motorcyclist to slow down.
Police were able to get the driver to stop and handcuffed him.
Wanted man arrested by police
ROCHESTER HILLS — Deputies responded to the area of Adams Road and Auburn Road for a Flock camera hit that identified a gray Ford Edge wanted by the Fraser Police Department for fleeing and eluding at 6:23 a.m. Sept. 3.
The vehicle was in the Walmart parking lot and was unoccupied. Deputies established a perimeter, and the man was observed loading items into the vehicle. Deputies conducted a felony stop, and the vehicle and the suspect, a 43-year-old man from Lexington, was taken into custody without incident. The man had several felony warrants from Macomb County.
During the inventory search of the vehicle, a Glock 19 BB gun and drug paraphernalia were located inside the vehicle.
The man was transported and lodged at the Oakland County Jail, to be picked up by Macomb County on the outstanding warrants. While at the jail, possible drugs were located on him during a search.
Police investigate incident at school
ROCHESTER HILLS — A female student at Avondale Middle School reportedly had a previous incident involving a male student texting her late at night. The school resource officer spoke to the male student during a follow-up interview and advised him not to have contact with her. Both students were in the same class Sept. 10, and she said he kept looking at her. She told her mother about the incident, and her mother later filed a complaint with the school. The female student wrote out a statement and mentioned a text message that was concerning, which was a previous text that he’d sent late at night. He reportedly stated he thinks about killing people. The male student’s parents were requested to come to the school for an interview along with their child. The father advised there is a firearm in the home due to his occupation, adding that it’s locked in a safe when he returns home. Both parents were aware of their son’s
site or bring own, 7-11 p.m., Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, rochesterhills.org/news_detail_T9_R366.php
Boo Bash: Best dressed contest for individuals and families, cider and doughnuts, bounce houses, Halloween movie, spooky playscape, make-andtake craft, and magician, 6-8 p.m., Rochester Avon Recreation Authority, 500 E. Second St., (947) 886-0007, rararecreation.org
OCT. 20
Meadow Brook Hall-oween: Trick-or-treating, seasonal crafts and games, and cider and doughnuts, slots available 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., Meadow Brook Hall on campus of Oakland University, 350 Estate Drive in Rochester, registration required, meadowbrookhall.org, (248) 364-6200
Monster Mash: DJ, stilt walkers, balloon twisters, jugglers, and Jack and Sally from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” 3-5 p.m., also Bubble Witch Show and Play, 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., Festival Park, north of Walton Boulevard and east of Adams Road in Rochester Hills, plus pumpkins to paint for small donation during event, Paint Creek Center for the Arts, 407 Pine St., thevorh.com/events
Harmony in the Hills concert series: Featuring soprano Alta Dantzler and tenor Drake Dantzler, 3 p.m., St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 620 Romeo St. in Rochester, stpaulsrochester.org/index.php/harmony-in-the-hills
OCT. 24
High Hopes Diamonds & Denim Gala: Presented by Dutton Farm, includes food stations, live auction with auctioneer, silent auction, music, interactive games, square dancing and photo booth, attire is flannel or sparkles, 6-9 p.m., Rochester Hills Banquet Center, 1919 Star Batt Drive, duttonfarm.org
Rochester AAUW meeting: Learn to scale social, business and community impact while prioritizing well-being, presentation by speaker and wellness and risk expert Princess Castleberry, hosted by local American Association of University Women branch, 7 p.m., Rochester Community House, 816 Ludlow Ave., aauwlinda@gmail.com
ONGOING
Farmers market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays until Oct. 26, corner of East Third and Water streets in Rochester, downtownrochestermi.com/farmers-market
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Input the details, upload a photo and select “Review Changes,” then “Submit and Finish.” Events should appear online within 2 hours, and will appear in print as space permits. There’s no limit as to how many you can submit.
school threat assessment was completed. Business footage catches package thief
SOUTHFIELD — At 3:30 p.m. Sept. 16, a resident dropped off three boxes in the 21000 block of Melrose Avenue to
garden tools recovered after attempted car theft
The Village Pumpkin Patch: $5 per pumpkin through Oct. 30, scan QR code on site and pick up at Festival Park, 104 N. Adams Road in Rochester Hills, 100% of funds go to The Rainbow Connection
‘Ghostly Affair’: Halloween-themed exhibition featuring 52 Michigan artists, on display until Oct. 24, Paint Creek Center for the Arts, 407 Pine St. in Rochester, (248) 651-4110, pccart.org/pccas-2024-halloween-exhibition Flashlight Tour: Go behind the scenes and see hidden details of Meadow Brook Hall on campus of Oakland University, evening slots with docent available Tuesdays in October, 350 Estate Drive in Rochester, (248) 3646200, meadowbrookhall.org
See horror films in Gothic-inspired ballroom: Watch “Dracula” (1931) Oct. 31 and “The Birds” (1963) Nov. 7, also three-course dinner and cash bar, 6:30-9 p.m., Meadow Brook Hall on campus of Oakland University, 350 Estate Drive in Rochester, registration required, (248) 364-6200, meadowbrookhall.org
Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve activities: Story & STEAM (ages 3-5, 10-11 a.m. every second and fourth Friday of month) and Nature Tales Classic (story, snack and craft, ages 3-5, 10-11 a.m. every third Thursday of month), 333 N. Hill Circle in Rochester, dinosaurhill.org
Widowed Friends Movie Club: Meets second Tuesday of every month, Emagine Rochester Hills, 200 Barkley Circle, show and time TBD, contact Valerie at widowedfriends9@gmail.com or (248) 701-9567
Rochester Community Chorus rehearsals: 7:45-9 p.m. Mondays until Dec. 2, St. Mary of the Hills Catholic Church, 2675 John R Road in Rochester Hills, performances scheduled for Nov. 17, Dec. 3 and Dec. 8, www.rochester communitychorus.org
Free medicare help: Hosted by Michigan Medicare Assistance Program and AgeWays, meet with trained counselor by appointment during open enrollment period (Until Dec. 7), OPC Social & Activity Center, 650 Letica Drive in Rochester, (248) 608-0249
Rochester Cancer Support Group: Free nondenominational meetings for patients, survivors, family, friends
