4/17/24 Eagle

planning flower beds for the season 13A

Bloomfield Township library eliminates fines for overdue materials

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — When life gets busy, local library patrons now have one less thing to worry about when their library materials turn up overdue.

The Bloomfield Township library is the latest in Oakland County to join the statewide and nationwide trend of going “fine free,” ceasing or limiting overdue library material fines.

Groves High School concludes season with production of ‘The Book Women’

“Right now, only about 36% of public libraries in the country are still charging overdue fines, and nearly half of the public libraries in Michigan have eliminated fines, so we are definitely riding a trend here,” said Bloomfield Township Library Director Tera Moon.

Michigan has 397 public library systems, 391 of which reported to the state in the most recent annual report due by Feb. 1, according to Joe Hamlin, library data and state aid/penal fines coordinator for the Library of Michigan. Of the 391 systems that reported,

See FINES on page 19A

Bloomfield Township

Public Library MeLCat Clerk

Peter Banks checks out a reserved book from the Michigan eLibrary catalog for Bloomfield Township resident Harriet Sherman.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

“The Book Women” is a historical fiction play set during the Great Depression. The set and costumes reflect the regional and historical context of the play.

Photo by Emily Erlich

SECOND FRONT PAGE

State of the County address focuses on affordable housing, transit, business

‘PROVING ONCE AGAIN THAT IN OAKLAND COUNTY, WORKING ACROSS

THE AISLE IS HOW WE DO BUSINESS’

BY MARK VEST mvest@candgnews.com

OAKLAND COUNTY — At his State of the County address at The Hawk Community Center in Farmington Hills April 4, Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter painted an optimistic picture of where things stand in the county.

Coulter took the stage following remarks by Farmington Hills Mayor Theresa Rich.

During his speech, Coulter highlighted what he considers some of the county’s successes, including affordable housing, transit, small business coaching and mental health care.

He said that one of the county’s greatest strengths is fiscal responsibility, as, from his perspective, taxpayer dollars have been handled responsibly.

“Every year I’ve presented three-year balanced budgets with healthy reserves that help provide essential services that reflect our shared priorities and values,” Coulter said to those in attendance, including residents, and city, county and state officials. “That careful and far-sighted fiscal planning has once again allowed us to earn our AAA bond rating. … It’s the foundation that allows us to execute our strategic plan — an intentional and thoughtful roadmap to deliver initia-

BHHS senior named state Student of the Year

BY MARY GENSON mgenson@candgnews.com

tives and services to improve the lives of our people.”

Coulter shared what he thinks has gone well for the county over the past 12 months or so.

“We’ve had remarkable success on a number of fronts this past year, from transit to mental health care, affordable housing to sustainability, small business coaching to education (and) training,” he said.

“We were able to provide these innovative programs with the support of our Board of Commissioners. They passed a budget in a bi-partisan manner, proving once again that in Oakland County, working across the aisle is how we do business. These programs have touched hundreds of thousands of people.”

See ADDRESS on page 9A

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Bloomfield Hills High School student Joseph Dillon recently received the highest honor at the Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies Student Leadership State Conference in Grand Rapids. Dillon was named the 2024 MASC/MAHS Student of the Year. He was nominated by his student leadership classmates.

“I was super surprised and very happy and humbled to have won that award,” Dillon said.

See DILLON on page 10A

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter highlighted what he considers some of the county’s successes at a State of the County address April 4 at The Hawk Community Center in Farmington Hills.

The 2024 MASC/MAHS Student of the Year was announced at the Michigan Associations of Student Councils and Honor Societies Student Leadership State Conference in Grand Rapids.

Photo provided by Bloomfield Hills Schools

Rotary Club of Birmingham celebrates 100 years

BY MARY GENSON mgenson@candgnews.com

BIRMINGHAM — For the last 100 years, the Rotary Club of Birmingham has been making an impact on communities local and international.

It all began in Chicago in 1905. Rotary International now boasts over 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs internationally. Members include volunteers who work to make an impact in communities across the world under the motto “Service Above Self.”

The Rotary Club of Birmingham was chartered in 1924 and has since dedicated efforts to protecting peace, fighting disease, supporting education and more. The club currently consists of approximately 45 active participants.

“We are the largest and most active Rotary Club in all of Oakland County,” club President Bryan Frank said.

Over the last 100 years of the club, they have completed over 100 service projects. The Rotary Club of Birmingham’s all-time giving to Rotary International is $499,348. This includes $165,000 to the annual fund and $189,000 to its polio eradication campaign.

International projects

Rotary International has made the eradication of polio throughout the world a priority. They began their efforts in 1979, when they provided vaccinations for 6 million children in the Philippines. There are now only a few counties where polio is prevalent.

Rotary Club of Birmingham Public Relations Chair John Westerheide

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Movie night supports local support organizations

BIRMINGHAM/ BLOOMFIELD HILLS — People can support The Lisa Project and Planet Lori Art Camp at a fundraising event 6:30-9:30 p.m. May 1.

During the event, a surprise movie classic, popcorn, drinks and dessert from Diamond Bakery will be available at Emagine Palladium, 209 Hamilton Row. Tickets cost $75 per person, of which $60 is tax deductible.

The Lisa Project was started by Alec Dorf, a junior at Bloomfield Hills High School. Dorf lost his mother when he was a freshman in high school. The Lisa Project aims to help high school students who are losing or have just lost a parent to an illness through peer-to-peer support and group sessions.

The Planet Lori Art Camp is run by the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily Aug. 12-16. The Lori Haber Buckfire Foundation is providing financial support. The foundation was created in memory of Lori Haber Buckfire, a Bloomfield Hills resident who passed away from ovarian cancer in July 2010.

TEENS ASSIST ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — A volunteer group of high school students known as the Tony Richman Teen Action Project has embarked upon a program to learn more about people with developmental disabilities.

The project is a program of JARC, a nonprofit organization in Bloomfield Hills that serves adults with developmental disabilities.

According to a press release, students spend time in the fall and winter semesters participating in acts of kindness for individuals that JARC serves, as well as attending educational and team-building

MDE campaign features BPS librarian

BIRMINGHAM — West Maple Elementary School librarian Carrie Betts was recently featured in The Michigan Department of Education’s #proudMIeducator campaign to highlight Michigan educators.

She has been with West Maple Elementary School since 2016. She has earned several achievements, and the library was named the American Association of School Librarian’s National School Library of the Year in 2023.

LOCAL EVENT FEATURES

INDIE AUTHORS

BIRMINGHAM — On April 25, St. James Preschool and Church, 355 W. Maple Road, is holding “A POP of INDIE” event, a literary night and book fair, 6-7:30 p.m. Guests at the free family event can meet independent authors.

There will be light refreshments, storytelling and crafts. Guests can enter at the Chester Street or Martin Street doors, and can park free for two hours in the Chester Street parking deck.

activities to expand their knowledge and understanding of developmental disabilities, and planning fun events where they spend time with individuals served by JARC.

Recently, members of the Tony Richman Teen Action Project and 17 adults served by JARC bowled at a facility in Farmington Hills. Students from Frankel Jewish Academy, Bloomfield Hills High, Groves High, Seaholm High and Cranbrook Upper School were part of the event.

To get involved with the Tony Richman Teen Action Project for the fall 2024 term, email jessicatier ney@jarc.org or call (248) 940-2607.

WE CARE ABOUT YOU AND YOUR CAR

Photo provided by Birmingham Public Schools

Photo provided by St. James Preschool and Church

Address

Coulter cited Oakland SAVES, which he said was opened on a Monday morning in January and is designed to provide grants to people with an interest in energy-efficient improvements in their homes.

“The interest and need were so high that by Friday of that same week, the entire $5 million in funding was spoken for,” Coulter said. “We’re helping to keep people safer and more comfortable in their homes, providing more energy efficiency and keeping more money in their pockets as they save on their monthly utility bills.”

Coulter said that affordable housing is important for attracting and retaining individuals to help grow the population.

“So, working with the Board of Commissioners and using federal American Rescue Plan (Act) dollars, we established a $20 million housing trust fund — this fund is working with developers to provide more affordable housing options in the county through incentives and gap finding,” he said. “Projects have already been approved for these funds in Southfield, Royal Oak Township, Pontiac and Rochester Hills, filled with both market-rate and affordable homes that will create inclusive communities for the hard-working Michiganians who are looking for attractive and safe places to raise their families. And we just closed last month on a project in Rochester Hills to provide desperately needed housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It’s only the second such development in all of Michigan.”

With the help of multiple Oakland County Michigan Works offices, Coulter said that more than 8,500 people have entered the workplace over the last two years.

He said that due to services that have been offered, interns and apprentices have been matched with thousands of businesses.

Coulter touted the county’s Oakland 80 initiative, which aims to have 80% of the adult population attain a college degree or certified training by 2030.

He said the county is currently at 69%.

Coulter also highlighted Oakland Thrive, a nonprofit that was launched to provide coaching and consulting resources for small businesses in the county.

Oakland Thrive can assist entrepreneurs with things such as a business plan, social media, financial workshops, and assistance with applications for business grants and loans.

Coulter also cited efforts to help small and midsize manufacturers.

“Our economic development department has helped 20 companies either locate or expand in Oakland County during 2023,”

he said. “Their presence represents $387 million in new investment, and more than 3,300 new and retained jobs.”

In 2022, voters approved the Oakland County Public Transportation Millage. With that approval, the county is now authorized to levy a millage for the purpose of funding transportation services throughout Oakland County. Prior to that, individual communities could opt out.

Residents in communities that opted in prior to the countywide millage paid 1 mill in taxes for public transportation services. Residents in all Oakland County communities will now pay 0.95 mill for 10 years, which is 95 cents for every $1,000 of taxable value of a home.

“We’re building on the strength of voters, who, like us, were committed to creating a countywide public transportation system,” Coulter said. “We’re expanding into the jobrich centers of Novi, Wixom, Bloomfield Hills and Rochester Hills, which is happening with the help of the SMART bus system. Transit is on the move for the folks who live in the outer reaches of Oakland County, who may not have been sure they would ever benefit from a public transportation system.”

Opponents of the millage, however, said that residents in communities where there is not a high demand for public transportation should not have to pay taxes for it.

Mental health care has been a popular topic in the country, and it is one that Coulter touched on during his speech.

“Another significant initiative we’ve adopted … is our investment in expanding access to mental health care in Oakland County,” he said. “Through our partnership with the United Way of Southeastern Michigan we’ve provided millions in grants to dozens of nonprofits that have the expertise to positively impact, and in some cases save, the lives of tens of thousands of people across our country.”

Coulter’s speech also included a “sad note,” as he discussed the deaths of three individuals who helped serve Oakland County.

“Oakland County Sheriff Deputy Nicholas Dotson from Holly died in December after a battle with cancer,” Coulter said. “Sheriff Mike Bouchard said Nick had a special spark that led him to his job with the county because he wanted to make a real difference, and he did during his 10 years of service with the Sheriff’s Office. At the young age of 32 he leaves behind his wife, Delaney, and son, Sullivan.

“County Commissioner Gary McGillivray lost his battle with cancer late last year,” Coulter said. “He was a devoted public servant during his time as a councilman and mayor of Madison Heights, and during his 15 years on the Board of Commissioners. He was also a champion for the Oakland parks

system and as chairman of the Parks and Rec Commission.”

Coulter also recalled someone who he said had a legacy of helping people.

“We tragically lost Dr. Calandra Green, our county health officer, almost a year ago,” he said. “Calandra was a passionate advocate for public health services … especially in communities of color.”

Green’s death last year was ruled a homicide. She was found near her husband in their home in Pontiac. His death was ruled as a suicide.

At the address, Coulter announced that working with Oakland University, a scholarship fund to help nursing students at the university was created.

Coulter also said that a $20 million investment will help create new public spaces and make improvements to dozens of parks across the county.

He referred to the county’s 14 parks as the “crown jewel of Oakland County.”

Coulter said the county is helping communities with $14 million in grants to upgrade water infrastructure, with a $5 million investment going toward 29 senior centers across the county.

He also touted a multimillion-dollar upgrade to the county’s public radio safety program.

“That allows our police, firefighters and EMTs to seamlessly and in real time connect with hundreds of agencies across the region and the state so we can improve response times (and) better respond to a crisis,” Coulter said.

Oakland County Commissioner Bob Hoffman attended the event.

Although he said that he thinks the county is in good shape and he commended the employees who work for the county, he did share a concern.

“It just seems like we keep building staff and creating programs, and that’s always a concern to me. (It’s) somebody else’s money we’re spending,” Hoffman said.

He also questioned a decision to purchase two office buildings in Pontiac for $19.2 million.

“We have the true market value of those two office buildings,” Hoffman said. “It’s either $10 (million) or $12 million. So we’re going to pay $19.2? Then we’re going to get another $100 (million) or $150 million (invested) in it, and they talk about we’re getting money from the state, whatever. I don’t care where you get the money: It’s taxpayer money, and how are you creating economic development in Pontiac when you spend $19.2 million for a building and then take them off the tax rolls?”

Dillon

from page 3A

Dillon is a senior, and throughout his middle and high school experience, he has gained leadership experience through his involvement with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

He has been involved with JDRF since he was in seventh grade and became a youth ambassador after applying in eighth grade. As a part of JDRF, Dillon has participated in events and shared his story with the community.

“In terms of diabetes, it was something I looked at as a setback for so long. I was diagnosed in fifth grade,” Dillon said.

However, he shared that the JDRF helped him change his mindset.

“JDRF helped me realize that diabetes wasn’t necessarily a setback. It was more of a privilege, and I had something people don’t, and I can use it to expand greater good into the community and help other people out, because there’s other people that are in the same shoes,” Dillon said.

Dillon has been involved with student leadership at BHHS since he was a sophomore. When he was just getting started with student leadership at the school, he hit the ground running with the proposal for a threeon-three basketball tournament called Lucky Buckets. All proceeds of the event went to JDRF.

During COVID-19 pandemic quarantine, Dillon said, he developed a passion for photography, videography and editing. This led him to fulfill the technology advisor role at BHHS, which entailed running social media pages and creating short video content. At the end of his sophomore year, he decided to expand his skills even more and ran for an executive board tech advisor position.

Through this position he acts as a role model for younger students, and he teaches younger kids learning the role.

Krista Laliberte, BHHS’s interim associate principal, instructional coach, English teacher, student leadership advisor and National Honors Society advisor, has worked with Dillon while he has been in student leadership.

Laliberte said that when Dillon joined student leadership, his excitement for fundraising and leadership was “a breath of fresh air.”

“He’s always excited. He’s always ready to do the next thing, but most importantly, he’s always positive. Even when the worst things are happening, he finds the bright side of them,” Laliberte said. “Younger kids look up to him. Teachers all adore him. They all love having him in class.”

Laliberte added that she had him as a student in her English class.

“He’s hard working, he’s determined, but he’s humble and also just willing to work,” Laliberte said. “He’s the kid that wants to know, because he wants to improve and grow. He’s not just there for the grade. He’s there because he genuinely just wants to be a better person.”

Dillon said that in his day-to-day life, he likes to interact with everyone and break the stereotype that everyone has a niche that they fit into.

“It’s your leadership on a day-to-day basis that I feel like has a greater impact on the community. It’s talking to people you don’t usually talk to, sitting at a different lunch table, being a kind person and always having a smile on your face and just putting yourself out there,” he said.

Dillon said he looks up to many role models in leadership, including his dad, his teachers and his peers. He said he looks up to Heather Chen, a former BHHS student who was involved with student leadership.

“My dad’s probably my biggest role model in life, but everyone around me makes me feel like I have a great community and support system,” Dillon said.

After graduation, Dillon plans to study at the University of Michigan.

Peek Inside Your Health: Full Body MRI Screenings

Unveil

Silent Issues Before Symptoms Arise

SOUTHFIELD- Full body MRI clinics have gained national attention lately, as TV personalities publicly share their personal full body scan experiences. One actress credits the scan for saving her life after doctors dismissed her unexplained pain for months. After various tests, including a CT scan, had “unremarkable” results, the pregnant actress became her own advocate, searched out a full body MRI clinic and discovered she had pancreatic cancer. Tanks to early detection the tumor was removed successfully.

As a general rule, when symptoms occur related to cancer, it usually has progressed to stage three or four. Even with annual physicals, there are limitations. Most screenings only

cover about 29% of cancers with 71% occurring outside of where doctors are able to screen. However, full body MRI scans can detect cancer in every organ from the top of the head through the genitals and can detect it very early.

For a long time, full body MRI scans were available only in select areas outside of Michigan, requiring expensive fights like in Vancouver or California. However, this changed when a clinic opened in Southfeld, making these scans available to Metro Detroit residents.

“Our advanced MRI screening can detect cancers very early when they are as small as a pencil eraser and are more easily treatable. If cancer goes undetected, however, it can grow into stage three or stage four with difcult

treatments. We can also identify conditions such as brain, abdominal, chest, and groin aneurysms,” stated the founder of the Southfeld clinic called Bionicc Body Screening.

Te primary focus of Bionicc Body Screening is to deliver peace of mind, ofering a comprehensive and detailed imaging of the body’s internal structures. Te ultimate hope is for excellent health. However, in the event that something is detected, the advanced screening aims to catch any potential issues at their earliest stages. Tis approach ofers the best opportunity for successful treatment outcomes, should the need arise.

Robert B., age 50, opted for a full body scan from Bionicc Body Screening and a very small tumor

was detected. He said, “It saved my life. Teir MRI found a kidney tumor that had been missed by a recent CT scan. I cannot recommend this service more.”

Take the first step to learn more about full body scans by visiting www.BioniccBodyScreening.com and request a free, no obligation Information Kit. Request it today and you’re also guaranteed a copy of their FREE eBook, Catching Cancer Before It’s Too Late! (Tis is a limited time ofer.) Schedule today at 1-833-BIONICC

MRI machines use magnets and emit no radiation.

FLOWER SEASON APPROACHES AS WEATHER IMPROVES

BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT— The weather has been slowly getting warmer in Michigan, which means homeowners can start planning their flower beds for their properties.

The first thing people should think about when getting their flower beds ready, said Brad Wethy, manager for the Oakland County Farmers Market, is how to prepare the beds, what needs to be removed, what needs to be deadheaded and cut down, and what can last through the wintertime.

“It’s gonna be cleaning up that flower bed, making sure that when things do want to actually sprout through the ground, that they’re not having any extra obstacles such as branches, piles of leaves from the previous fall, things of that nature,” he said.

Wethy also recommended adding things to the soil that will help with plant growth, such as compost.

Matt Colonius, co-owner of Piechnik’s Greenhouse & Garden Gate in Oakland Township, said that people moving into newly built homes have to mend the soil.

“You buy a new house and it’s just an empty lot. The foundation that

Photo by Erin Sanchez

Flowers

from page 13A

they dig, they bring up the old soil from the job,” he said. “They usually don’t replenish the topsoil. So you’re stuck with this topsoil. It’s just not got any nutrients or anything in it. So it takes time the first year to establish your plants when you’re buying a new house. You have to add topsoil and nutrients.”

The best way to clean the flower beds, Wethy said, is to use simple gardening tools.

“You don’t need to go too in depth with it,” he said. “You don’t need power tools, nothing of that nature. A simple trowel, a simple … rake and just knowing what to remove and what not to remove can do leaps and bounds for your garden.”

Colonius said that if homeowners are cleaning up the yard, they should do a walkthrough to see if anything was damaged over the winter.

Items for homeowners to search for include broken branches caused by the weather and rodent damage.

“Be careful, if you have any perennials, not to disturb the perennials. Leave the mulch around them until the danger of frost

is over, which is usually the beginning of May, but it can be as late as Memorial Day,” he said.

As for what to plant right now, Colonius said flowers including pansies, daffodils and tulips would grow well.

“You might want to consider whether you have deer in your yard or not,” he said. “When you make the choices, you want some deer-tolerant, cold-tolerant plants. So you know pansies are wonderful. They can take the cold but … there’s a lot of problems with the way the deer have cohabitated with us and it’s causing a lot of issues with landscapes in the area.”

Besides sun and water, Wethy said the best way to keep the flowers healthy is to keep an eye out for pest and fungi issues, and issues with overcrowding.

“I even had issues with overcrowding. … As I removed certain things from the garden or gave them more space, they were actually able to flourish better,” he said.

He said it’s important to know the space and light requirements for plants — what needs more space, what grows in shade and what grows in direct sunlight.

Call Staff Writer Mike Koury at (586) 498-1077.

Need Reliable Plumbing? Trust Ferndale’s Homegrown Experts

Paradigm Plumbing has built a solid reputation over the last 16 years on handling everything from minor leaks to major installations with unmatched expertise. Yet, it’s their dedication to the well-being of both clients and sta that truly sets the company apart, proving that there are still businesses that prioritize the people they serve.

Joe Sullivan, owner and cofounder, embodies those values. With familial ties that bind him to Ferndale for generations, his roots run deep within the community. “Being from here, we are literally homegrown, and we think it’s cool,” he said. “ is community is our family, and that’s how we treat every call.” is deep sense of community shapes the company’s workplace culture as well.

recommending the right solutions and o ering sound advice. Our approach is to educate our customers, o er choices and provide an honest assessment. Our attention to detail is second to none.” Looking to the future, Joe and his team are also committed to nurturing the next generation of plumbers.

Joe and his team pride themselves on the stability and longevity of their sta . He noted, “Our company culture stands out from other service companies because there is no revolving door; the people who join us tend to stay for the long haul.” Paradigm’s  fair compensation model also plays a crucial role in attracting and retaining good people. “We aren’t a commission-based company,” Joe explained. “Everyone earns a fair hourly wage, there’s no pressure to sell anything, and the focus stays on

“Attracting and retaining young talent in the plumbing profession can be challenging, but we aren’t just employing them—we are actively investing in their future,” he said, adding that of his 24 employees, nearly a third are under age 25. “I’m proud of these young minds that we have working with us.”

He pointed out that several of his youngest workers are on track to earn their journeyman certi cation, which is a remarkable achievement at such a young age. “Seeing how happy our guys are reassures me that we are on the right path,” Joe concluded. “Honestly, I couldn’t ask for more than that.”

Paradigm Plumbing & Mechanical is located at 910 E. Drayton St. in Ferndale. Need plumbing help NOW? Call (248) 565-8939. For more information, visit paradigm-plumbing.com.

The Exterior Painters Celebrate 20 Years of Transforming Properties, Neighborhoods

Nothing transforms a property and makes it shine brighter than a fresh coat of paint. It’s simply the best and most cost-effective investment you can make for your home draped in the colors of yesterday.

The Exterior Painters have been revitalizing properties for 20 years.

“We specialize in just exterior painting, and the reason why we do that is we believe that repetition is the mother of all skill,” said owner Brian Scott. “For 20 years, that’s all we’ve been doing is outside work. When it comes to that, we do wood replacement and siding replacement. It makes us the perfect fit for homeowners who don’t want to re-side their whole house.”

The Exterior Painters replace damaged siding and boards as needed, but they’re not looking to push for a full siding replacement.

“It gets people by another 10 years and transforms the look of the house, bringing it to the next color trends of today,” Scott said.

“Another thing we do that makes us unique, we have a full-time color consultant,” Scott added. “For most people, that’s the hardest, most stressful part, choosing what color they want. Our consultant comes out and

meets with the homeowners and gives them an idea of what the new color trends are so they can make a good color choice that complements their landscaping, brickwork and architectural features.”

The Exterior Painters also specialize in brick staining.

“A lot of younger people are buying houses. We’re taking it from grandma’s house of the ’50s, ’60s or ’70s and bringing it to that HGTV look,” Scott said.

Power washing the siding — and for an additional charge, soft washing the roof if needed — can also make a big difference in terms of curb appeal.

Scott said his crews often see their work spread from house to house in a neighborhood as the properties are transformed through fresh paint, siding repairs and much-needed washing.

you’re getting a bigger bang for your buck.”

It’s a win for everyone, from the crews The Exterior Painters employ and pay well to the homeowners who see their neighborhoods transformed. The company paints 30 houses a week on average in Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Livingston counties, and boasts a five-star Google review average.

charge, soft washing the roof if needed — can also transformed through fresh paint, “It’s the cheapest home to get.”

“It’s the cheapest home improvement you can do without breaking the bank,” Scott said.

“Compared to other home improvements,

“With us you’re buying certainty. We don’t ask for a large deposit, and you don’t have to worry about anyone running off with your deposit,” Scott said. “We stand by our work. We provide a warranty and proven results by taking care of everybody in the community. We’re Nextdoor’s No. 1 preferred contractor in Rochester two years in a row. It’s that certainty factor. You know what you’re going

The Exterior Painters are located at 2365 Avon Industrial Drive in Rochester Hills. To request a quote or for more information, call (248) 844-8888.

Nowthere’shopefor hormonalhealthrecovery formenandwomen

Nowthere’shopefor hormonalhealthrecovery formenandwomen

Dr. Rona Wadle, D.O., doesn’t hold back when talking about the life-changing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy that she received - and now offers to others at RenewMyWellness in downtown Birmingham.

“After suffering through severe menopausal symptoms myself, this therapy has given me my life back,” Dr. Wadle said.

Dr. Rona Wadle, D.O., doesn’t hold back when talking about the life-changing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy that she received - and now offers to others at RenewMyWellness in downtown Birmingham.

Dr. Rona Wadle, D.O., doesn’t hold back when talking about the life-changing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy that she received - and now ofers to others at Renew My Wellness located in Birmingham.

Since the 1930’s patients throughout Europe, Japan and the United States have successfully used bio-identical hormones. Many studies show that when prescribed and administered correctly, bio-identical hormone pellets can help a variety of conditions and symptoms. They don’t present the potential hazards that many synthetic medications do.

As a registered nurse who later went to medical school and became board certified in emergency medicine, Dr. Wadle owned and operated an urgent care center in Birmingham. Based on her own medical journey and personal experience with hormone depletion, she founded RenewMyWellness.

“Afer sufering through severe menopausal symptoms myself, this therapy has given me my life back,” Dr. Wadle said.

“After suffering through severe menopausal symptoms myself, this therapy has given me my life back,” Dr. Wadle said.

As a registered nurse who later went to medical school and became board certified in emergency medicine, Dr. Wadle owned and operated an urgent care center in Birmingham. Based on her own medical journey and personal experience with hormone depletion, she founded RenewMyWellness.

As a registered nurse who later went to medical school and became board certifed in emergency medicine, Dr. Wadle owned and operated an urgent care center in Birmingham. Based on her own medical journey and personal experience with hormone depletion, she founded Renew My Wellness.

For men and women dealing with fatigue, depression, apathy, anxiety, weight gain, decreased libido, decreased exercise endurance and muscle mass there is a bioidentical way to improve these symptoms. “What we’re offering is hormone replacement therapy in the form of testosterone and estradiol pellets for both women and men,” Dr. Wadle explains.“Pellets provide a delivery system that mimics the human body so that even improved physiologic levels can be achieved.”

For men and women dealing with fatigue, depression, apathy, anxiety, weight gain, decreased libido, decreased exercise endurance and muscle mass there is a bioidentical way to improve these symptoms. “What we’re offering is hormone replacement therapy in the form of testosterone and estradiol pellets for both women and men,” Dr. Wadle explains.“Pellets provide a delivery system that mimics the human body so that even improved physiologic levels can be achieved.”

the United States have successfully used bio-identical hormones. Many studies show that when prescribed and administered correctly, bio-identical hormone pellets can help a variety of conditions and symptoms. They don’t present the potential hazards that many synthetic medications do.

RenewMyWellness also offers testosterone injections for men and a prescription weight loss program for both men and women that is monitored to ensure it is safe and effective.

Since the 1930’s patients throughout Europe, Japan and the United States have successfully used bio-identical hormones. Many studies show that when prescribed and administered correctly, bio-identical hormone pellets can help a variety of conditions and symptoms. They don’t present the potential hazards that many synthetic medications do.

RenewMyWellness also offers testosterone injections for men and a prescription weight loss program for both men and women that is monitored to ensure it is safe and effective.

Dr. Wadle said she founded RenewMyWellness to promote wellness through a holistically-integrative approach to patient care that combines conventional and functional medicine. The results leave patients with improved confidence and a whole-body sense of well-being.

Renew My Wellness also ofers testosterone injections for men and a prescription weight loss program for both men and women that is monitored to ensure it is safe and efective.

Dr. Wadle said she founded RenewMyWellness to promote wellness through a holistically-integrative approach to patient care that combines conventional and functional medicine. The results leave patients with improved confidence and a whole-body sense of well-being.

RenewMyWellness is located at 33466 Woodward Ave., in downtown Birmingham. To schedule a consultation or for more information, call 248-602-3177.

Scan to receive more information & monthly newsletters.

Dr. Wadle said she founded Renew My Wellness to promote wellness through a holistically-integrative approach to patient care that combines conventional and functional medicine. The results leave patients with improved confdence and a whole-body sense of well-being.

RenewMyWellness is located at 33466 Woodward Ave., in downtown Birmingham. To schedule a consultation or for more information, call 248-602-3177.

For men and women dealing with fatigue, depression, apathy, anxiety, weight gain, decreased libido, decreased exercise endurance and muscle mass there is a bioidentical way to improve these symptoms. “What we’re ofering is hormone replacement therapy in the form of testosterone and estradiol pellets for both women and men,” Dr. Wadle explains. “Pellets provide a delivery system that mimics the human body so that even improved physiologic levels can be achieved.”

Since the 1930’s patients throughout Europe, Japan and

Scan to receive more information & monthly newsletters.

Renew My Wellness is located at 33466 Woodward Ave., in Birmingham.

To schedule a consultation or for more information, call 248602-3177. Or visit www.renewmywellness.com.

Dr. Rona Wadle, D.O.

Dr. Rona Wadle, D.O.

CRIME WATCH

Woman steals over $500 in clothing from Dick’s Sporting Goods

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Bloomfield Township police responded to a retail fraud at Dick’s Sporting Goods, 2105 S. Telegraph Road, at approximately 2:30 p.m. March 13. Store management said the suspect — a white woman wearing a black Adidas T-shirt and matching black pants — stole approximately $520 worth of women’s apparel. The suspect walked out the front entrance with the cart full of merchandise. She was seen fleeing the parking lot in a black Chevrolet Malibu. This case is currently being investigated. Anyone with information should contact the Bloomfield Township Police Department at (248) 433-7755.

Baby clothing stolen from store

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Bloomfield Township police responded to TJ Maxx, 2139 S. Telegraph Road, for a retail fraud that just occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. March 21. Employees at the store witnessed two women in their 20s conceal multiple pieces of baby clothing in their jackets and leave the store. The suspects were last seen leaving the area in a small black car. It is estimated that they stole approximately $70 in merchandise. The case is currently being investigated. Anyone with information should contact the Bloomfield Township Police Department at (248) 433-7755.

Designer sunglasses, Amazon packages stolen from unlocked car

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — On

April 2, Bloomfield Township police investigated a larceny from an automobile that happened the night prior in the 5800 block of Cohasset Lane. The resident had two pairs of sunglasses and a couple of Amazon packages stolen from the vehicle. A pair of Dior sunglasses were valued at $600. A pair of Gucci sunglasses were valued at $400. The Amazon packages were valued at $100. There were no signs of forced entry to the vehicle, and it appeared the vehicle was left unlocked. The case is currently being investigated. Anyone with information should contact the Bloomfield Township Police Department at (248) 433-7755. Police said community members should never leave their valuables inside their vehicle and should always lock and secure their vehicle.

Macomb man arrested for driving intoxicated

BIRMINGHAM — On March 30 at approximately 1 a.m., an officer on patrol saw a vehicle turn left at a red light from eastbound Willits onto northbound Old Woodward. The officer initiated a traffic stop and noted signs of intoxication in the driver. The driver, a 45-year-old Macomb resident, was arrested and charged with operating while intoxicated.

New York man charged for identity theft

BIRMINGHAM — Officers were dispatched to a business in the 600 block of North Old Woodward to investigate a possible fraud around 8 p.m. March 30. An employee reported that three men had entered the store and attempted to make a purchase using fraudulent credit card numbers. The cards were declined, and the three then sat in a parked vehicle in front of the store.

Police questioned the men and found that the suspect, an 18-year-old New York man, possessed several credit cards and

IDs that were not his. He was arrested and charged with identity theft. An investigation is ongoing.

Driver hits sign

BIRMINGHAM — On April 3 at approximately 11:30 p.m., an officer was dispatched to the intersection of East Brown and Peabody streets, where a car reportedly hit a traffic sign in the center median and left the scene. An investigation is ongoing.

Detroit driver flees police

BIRMINGHAM — An officer conducting radar along westbound Big Beaver, at Brookdale, at midnight April 3 recorded a vehicle traveling 84 mph in a 40 mph zone. The driver then made an illegal left turn onto southbound Woodward and did not comply with officers’ multiple attempts to initiate a traffic stop, continuing to drive erratically through several neighboring communities.

A short time later, Berkley police successfully deployed stop sticks and apprehended the driver, a 49-year-old Detroit man. He was issued a citation for fleeing and eluding/reckless driving by Birmingham police, in addition to charges from other jurisdictions.

Broken brake light stop finds driver with multiple international warrants

BIRMINGHAM — On April 5 at approximately 4:30 a.m., an officer on patrol observed a vehicle with a broken brake light drive through a red light on northbound Woodward, at Bowers. The officer stopped the vehicle, and a check of the driver’s identification revealed three warrants in two other counties.

The Ogemaw County Sheriff’s Office requested that the Birmingham Police Department take the driver, a 67-year-old Detroit man, into custody. He was issued a cita-

tion for impeding traffic and was held until Ogemaw County officers picked him up.

Fleeing driver hits other motorist’s vehicle

BIRMINGHAM — A patrolling officer recorded a vehicle on radar traveling 77 mph in a 45 mph zone on southbound Woodward, near Wimbleton, around 10:30 p.m. April 6. When the officer attempted a traffic stop on Woodward, near Quarton, the vehicle slowed down, then accelerated and fled at a high speed. Shortly after, the vehicle crashed into another vehicle at southbound Woodward and South Old Woodward. No one was injured.

The first vehicle’s driver, a 20-yearold Port Huron woman, was arrested and charged with fleeing and eluding police. An investigation is ongoing.

Woman accused of stealing over $500 in products from Ulta

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — Police are searching for a woman who reportedly stole $534 worth of products from Ulta Beauty in Bloomfield Township.

Bloomfield Township police were dispatched to Ulta Beauty, located at 2161 Telegraph Road, for a retail fraud at 6:50 p.m. March 13. The suspect — described as a Black woman approximately 25-30 years old, wearing a black sweatshirt and black leggings — stole multiple items, including women’s fragrances and a digital straightening iron, totaling $534. The suspect placed the items into a basket and walked out the front entrance without paying. Police said the suspect fled the scene in a gray hatchback-style vehicle. The case is currently being investigated. Anyone with information should contact the Bloomfield Township Police Department at (248) 433-7755.

— Mary Beth Almond and Mary Genson

Fines

226 said they don’t collect fines on print materials from patrons, while 186 systems said they don’t collect fines for non-print materials.

Hamlin said the Library of Michigan started tracking fine behavior years ago.

“In 2020, 15% of libraries had gone fine free, and then we had the pandemic in 2022 and we were at 44% who went fine free. Now, we’re at 57%, so we’ve slowed down, but we are still moving in that direction of fine free,” he said.

Library fines, Hamlin said, aren’t changing behavior.

“It doesn’t work. Libraries that are charging fines aren’t seeing any difference in how often their materials come back while charging an overdue fine versus not charging an overdue fine. Another thing that has come back is the cost of collecting the fine in some cases will outweigh the fine itself. So if you have a 50 cent fine, how much staff time is going to collect 50 cents? And in most cases, it’s way more than 50 cents-worth of pay. I also think a lot of libraries are looking to remove barriers to service, and fines can be a barrier,” he added.

On April 1, the Bloomfield Township Public Library eliminated its overdue fines for books, DVDs, and other materials that are returned after their due date, also waiving existing overdue fine balances from patron accounts.

“We think that this makes the library more inclusive because it removes that barrier of overdue fines,” said Moon. “It might be that somebody simply can’t afford to pay the fine, and therefore, if they have a fine, that might shut them out from the library, or it might just be an inconvenience that makes people not want to use the library. We’re hoping that this makes the library a

more attractive, inclusive, convenient place for the whole community.”

The change, according to Moon, will have a minimal impact on the library’s budget, as overdue fines have accounted for 0.02% of revenues in recent years.

Many libraries nationwide that have eliminated overdue fines have reported either a negligible or even positive impact on the rate of items being returned on time, with more patrons returning items promptly, compared to when overdue fees were in place.

“Libraries that have made this move have found that return rates remain the same or even better. That has been a major concern that people are worried about, that popular items won’t get returned on time and that it will increase hold times, but the research shows that people are more likely to return an item if they know they aren’t going to have to pay that overdue fine,” Moon said.

But going fine free doesn’t mean there’s no responsibility for library patrons.

“Fine free doesn’t mean consequencefree. People will still be charged if they never return an item. … We really want the item back. There are a lot of chances and a lot of notices that we are going to send to patrons to try to get those items back,” said Moon.

Those who decide not to return an item or who keep something well beyond their due date will continue to be charged a replacement fee for lost or damaged books and materials. Patrons with $15 or more in fees on their account will not be able to borrow any more items until overdue items are returned or the fees are paid.

The Baldwin Public Library in Birmingham made the move to go fine free in 2021.

For more information about the Bloomfield Township Public Library, call (248) 642-5800 or visit www.btpl.org.

Call Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at (586) 498-1060.

SYNOPSIS SOUTHFIELD TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING ON APRIL 9, 2024

Board meeting was held from 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Supervisor O’Reilly Chaired the Meeting.

Following members were Present: O’Reilly, Harryvan, Nelson, Chalifoux, Cook, Newitt, Oen.

Board approved Agenda, as presented.

Board approved, as amended, the March 12, 2024 regular Board meeting minutes.

Board approved Proclamation for Mental Health Awareness Month.

Board approved resolution regarding policy for collecting tax over or under $5.00.

Board approved resolution minimum standards regarding offce apparel.

Board approved the hiring of Dan Nelson to perform Landscape Maintenance.

Board approved March General Fund expenditures in the amount of $300,747.80.

0395-2416

Charter Township of Bloomfield

SUMMARY OF MARCH 2024 BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETINGS

Charter Township of Bloomfield

The Bloom eld Township Board of Trustees held two regular meetings on Monday, March 11th and Monday, March 25th at 7:00 p.m.

SUMMARY OF MARCH 2024 BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETINGS

The Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees held two regular meetings on Monday, March 11th and Monday, March 25th at 7:00 p.m.

A full synopsis of each meeting is posted and available on the Legal Notices webpage on the Township website and in the Clerk’s Of ce for public viewing. Meetings are also televised live by Bloom eld Community Television (“BCTV”) on Comcast’s channel fteen for Bloom eld Township and Bloom eld Hills residents. Recordings can be viewed on BCTV’s YouTube account.

A full synopsis of each meeting is posted and available on the Legal Notices webpage on the Township website and in the Clerk’s Office for public viewing. Meetings are also televised live by Bloomfield Community Television (“BCTV”) on Comcast’s channel fifteen for Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills residents. Recordings can be viewed on BCTV’s YouTube account.

The Quick Response (“QR”) codes can be utilized to view the Board meetings and supporting documents, or visit the Township website at www.bloomfieldtwp.org. Please call the Clerk’s Office at 248-433-7702 if you have any questions.

The Quick Response (“QR”) codes can be utilized to view the Board meetings and supporting documents, or visit the Township website at www.bloom eldtwp.org. Please call the Clerk’s Of ce at 248-433-7702 if you have any questions. MARTIN

Publish: April 17, 2024

MARTIN C. BROOK BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP CLERK

Play

from page 1A

chian Mountains during the Great Depression. The story revolves around four female librarians who ride by horseback to deliver books, magazines, newspapers and other print materials to people who have never had access to these forms of media.

While the characters have been fictionalized, the story is based on real people and real experiences.

“One of the themes is the idea of building community and building communities through education,” Rutherford said.

In addition to bringing books to the communities across the mountain range, these women would bring hope along with them.

“They also, at the same time, saved or captured the culture of the people of the Appalachian Mountains. It became an exchange of ideas and concepts. So these women would bring books, but … they would take back with them recipes, quilt samples,

drawings and poetry,” Rutherford said.

Groves High School senior Jai Downing designed and constructed the set of “Book Women.” Downing is planning on pursuing a career in theater design while attending Northern Michigan University.

The set consists of a series of platforms with ramps and stairs, covered in faux rocks and moss. In the background is a structure designed to look like mountains in maroons, pinks and browns.

“We’re trying to really capture Appalachian culture, but incorporating it into the actual scenic elements,” Rutherford said.

The costumes are all designed to be set in 1939 Depression-era Appalachia. The color palette of the costumes are faded and muted earth tones.

Of the large cast and crew, there are many graduating seniors. The cast of “Book Women” consists of 30 students, which is a significantly larger cast than high school plays typically have.

“Even though there are people who are only in one scene, each character, regardless of how big or small, has a very crucial role in

VILLAGE OF BEVERLY HILLS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED 2024/2025 BUDGET

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Beverly Hills Village Council will hold a public hearing at its regular meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 7:30 P.M. to review and to receive comments on the proposed 2024/2025 budget. There is also an option to attend this meeting remotely via Zoom (Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81931405072; Meeting ID: 819 3140 5072; Dial in: 646-876-9923). The budget, which is summarized below, proposes a property tax levy of 1.7965 mills for General Fund operating purposes, 9.4608 mills for Public Safety, 0.7819 mills for Library, 1.2900 mills for Rubbish, 0.3057 for Park Improvement for a total of 13.6349 mills. A copy of the budget is available at the Village Offce for public inspection. THE PROPERTY

showing what the Appalachian culture was in this time. I think the casting decisions were great, and I think everyone really puts their all into making these roles so special,” Groves High School Senior and President of the theater group Laini Seltzer said.

Seltzer is starring as Della “Star” Harlow. Her character is one of the book women who takes a New York Times reporter with her through her trails as he works on a piece about the book women.

“She’s also very passionate and very caring for her work and the people she encounters. I think she’s also very witty, and she has her stories and she has her little quips, but she also gets serious when she needs to,” Seltzer said.

Seltzer emphasizes how this story is about a group of strong women who didn’t get a lot of credit for their hard work.

“It’s all about female empowerment,” Seltzer said.

The role of Della is more serious than roles Seltzer is used to playing.

“I use my passion for theater and reflect that as her passion for this job to really em-

phasize that this means the world to her, on top of it being a job,” Seltzer said.

Seltzer shared that some of the leads of “Book Women” were given the opportunity by Rutherford to actually go horseback riding and learn how it feels to be riding a horse, which they pretend to do on stage.

“That was such a fun experience not only because we bonded as a cast, but shows that he really cares that much to give us that experience and really put us in a position of these women and make our actual experience as authentic as possible,” Seltzer said.

Tickets for “Book Women” at Groves High School can be purchased at grovesper formingartscompany.ludus.com.

Call Staff Writer Mary Genson at (586) 498-1095.

Rotary Club

from page 4A

said the Birmingham club has focused on providing clean water to people in the world who don’t have access to it. In the past, they have worked in conjunction with Rotary International, building wells in the Philippines and Guatemala.

Local projects

“As a Birmingham Rotary Club, we focus on local projects and we do service projects that provide good in our area,” Westerheide said.

Recent local efforts include providing therapy dogs in Birmingham Public Schools, a literacy program for elementary school children in Pontiac and feeding the homeless at HOPE Shelters. They also provided HOPE Shelters with a grant to fix problems with their plumbing and update their kitchen facility so that they can better serve their constituents.

Locally, the club has received positive feedback on their service projects. For example, Frank said, he has a daughter who attends a Birmingham middle school that received a therapy dog and has been able to see the impact of these therapy dogs in the schools.

The Rotary Club of Birmingham received a statement from BPS Superintendent Embekka Roberson regarding the therapy dog project.

“On behalf of Birmingham Public Schools, I extend our deepest gratitude to the Birmingham Rotary Club as they celebrate a century of impactful service,” the statement reads. “Your visionary support and generous funding have been the driving force behind the success of our therapy dog program. This initiative has not only enriched the educational experience but has also offered invaluable emotional support to countless students. As we mark this milestone together, we celebrate the enduring legacy of compas-

sion and community that the Birmingham Rotary Club has bestowed upon our schools. Here’s to a century of making a positive difference in the lives of our students, and to many more years of shared success and collaboration.”

Social events

In addition to impactful service projects, the Birmingham Rotary Club regularly holds fun social activities. For example, they have monthly “Third Thursday” happy hours at bar and restaurant locations in Birmingham. They also go to sporting events as a group. Most recently, they attended a Red Wings game. Annually, the Birmingham Rotary Club holds a golf outing.

At the end of each fiscal year, June 30, they have a party to celebrate a year’s worth of community and international impact.

Anniversary celebration

To celebrate their centennial, the Birmingham Rotary Club is hosting an event at 6 p.m. May 9. One hundred years of the club’s impact will be celebrated at the Kingsley Inn, 39475 Woodward Ave. in Bloomfield Hills.

In addition to a lively night of food and

dancing, there will be a silent auction and a 50/50 drawing.

They have identified three beneficiaries of the fundraising efforts of this event. The first one is an international clean water project for Guatemala, and the other two are local projects: construction of a disc golf course for the Boy Scouts and a future park project in Birmingham that will benefit children. The city of Birmingham is looking at constructing an all-access, universal playground.

Tickets cost $125 and include a three-

course meal, one drink, dancing and live music by Collision Six. There is also an option to purchase a table for eight guests for $900.

Find information on sponsorships and ticket purchases on the event page at bir minghamrotary.com.

The Rotary Club of Birmingham attends a hockey game.

Photo provided by The Rotary Club of Birmingham

Caretaker charged with embezzling from 85-year-old woman

BY MARY BETH ALMOND malmond@candgnews.com

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP — An 85-year-old woman from Bloomfield Township allegedly was swindled out of $160,000 by her caretaker, according to Bloomfield Township police.

Marivelis Serrano, 48, was arraigned April 9 in 48th District Court on an 18-count felony warrant — including one count of embezzlement of $100,000 or more, 12 counts of uttering and publishing, and five counts of identity theft.

Serrano, of Pontiac — who was employed by the senior as her caretaker at the time — handled house cleaning, transportation and assistance with other day-to-day tasks for the township resident.

Bloomfield Township police were alerted to what they said was financial exploitation of the resident Jan. 16 and launched an investigation.

The investigation revealed that Serrano allegedly stole $160,000 from the woman and transferred it to Serrano’s own accounts. She also reportedly spent thousands of dollars on online gambling platforms and illegally used the woman’s debit card to buy thousands of dollars worth of goods, including $6,200 in Amazon purchases and $3,600 in Instacart purchases, according to reports.

Officials said Serrano surrendered herself to the 48th District Court and was given a $50,000 cash surety or 10% bond at her April 9 arraignment.

Serrano’s attorney, Brandon Jonathan Kizy, could not be reached for comment at press time.

A preliminary examination is scheduled for April 23.

Serrano

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The frequency in severe weather has led to an increase in power outages. More than ever, you need to be prepared. Without power, your everyday modern essentials are rendered useless. Think about it, you’ll have no lights, heating or cooling, or refrigeration. You can’t even charge your cell phone. But when you have a Generac home standby generator, you will have power when you need it the most. It’s time to get serious about preparing your home.

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Volunteer and build fairy homes at Johnson Nature Center

BY MARY GENSON mgenson@candgnews.com

BLOOMFIELD HILLS/TOWNSHIP

— A new event will bring unique vendors, food trucks, face painting and more to the Johnson Nature Center April 21.

The Whimsical Woodland Festival will take place at the center, 3325 Franklin Road in Bloomfield Township, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

In the morning, there will be opportunities for volunteers to help the Johnson Nature Center clean up trash, remove nonnative invasive species and plant the gardens.

Volunteers also have the opportunity to build a fairy or gnome home out of natural materials. Builders are encouraged to use their creativity to make whimsical homes that will line the trails.

Johnson Nature Center has a craft series every month, and March’s theme was making fairy and gnome homes.

“Seeing the creativity from all the kids that came in and created, it was just so fun and so magical to see how they use all the different natural materials. They use them in ways that I never even would have thought

of,” instructional guide and naturalist Cathy Wesley said.

Anyone interested in building a fairy house or gnome home for the festival can visit the builder’s page at johnsonnaturecen ter.org/whimsicalwoodlandsbuild.

Fundraising efforts

There is a suggested donation of $5 per person for the event. Proceeds of the Whim-

During the Johnson Nature Center’s craft series in March, kids made fairy and gnome homes out of natural materials.

sical Woodland Festival will support the center’s outdoor classroom.

The outdoor classroom at the Johnson Nature Center was created when they began the Tree School program in February 2023. They currently have a temporary outdoor classroom, made with a snow fence and other materials they have on-site. Their plan is to create a permanent outdoor classroom with permanent fencing and a shelter.

“We’re going to do some design work to make it so it’s ultimately the best learning space for those kids outside,” Early Childhood Leader Leigh Rowe said.

This outdoor classroom will also be used for summer camp and other community programs.

Their goal is to raise $50,000 to cover the cost of the build. An anonymous donor offered a $10,000 match from January of this year, through the end of May. They also received a $10,000 donation from the Jerry Cohen Foundation to go towards the classroom.

Rowe said that this project is something that they are getting started on right away, not something for far into the future. They have already started clearing out the space and are getting ready for the next step.

“We’re starting this process now, which is really great, because people can kind of see and get excited about the process already happening,” Rowe said.

More information on the event can be found at johnsonnaturecenter.org/whimsi calwoodlands.

Call Staff Writer Mary Genson at (586) 498-1095.

Photo provided by the Johnson Nature Center

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APRIL 19 & 26 Orchestra Sono: Hear Dessoff, Fuchs and more by piano, 7 p.m. April 19, Bloomfield Township Public Library, 1099 Lone Pine Road, and 7 p.m. April 26, Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 5631 N. Adams Road in Bloomfield Hills, orchestrasono.org

APRIL 20 Earth Day celebration: Learn about gardening with native plants, rain gardens, invasive plants, beekeeping, bat houses and more, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Nativity Episcopal Church, 21220 W. 14 Mile Road in Bloomfield Township, facebook.com/NativityBloomfield Junction Trio in concert: Hear Detroit debut of pianist Conrad Tao, violinist Stefan Jackiw and cellist Jay Campbell, 8-9:30 p.m., Seligman Performing Arts Center, 22305 W. 13 Mile Road in Beverly Hills, chambermusicdetroit.org/2023-24/junction-trio

APRIL 21

Detroit Symphony Orchestra: 3 p.m., Seligman Performing Arts Center, 22305 W. 13 Mile Road in Beverly Hills, dso.org

APRIL 22

DIA in the Garden: Learn meaning behind flowers and plants in select works with representative from Detroit Institute of Arts, 10-11 a.m., Bloomfield Township Senior Services, 4315 Andover Road, registration required, (248) 723-3500, bloomfieldseniors.org

APRIL 25

A Pop of Indie: Free book fair featuring authors, storytelling and crafts, 6-7:30 p.m., St. James Episcopal Church, 355 W. Maple Road in Birmingham, preschool@stjamesbirmingham.org

Hunting Feathered Dinosaurs and Colossal Crocs: Program from 6-9 p.m., lecture and Q&A with explorer who discovered dinosaurs on

five continents from 7-8 p.m., Cranbrook Institute of Science, 39221 Woodward Ave. in Bloomfield Hills, science.cranbrook.edu

Community Housing Network fundraising gala: Entertainment, auctions, networking, dinner and more, 6-9 p.m., The Community House, 380 S. Bates St. in Birmingham, communityhousingnetwork. org/bring-it-home

APRIL 26-28

Ice show fundraiser: Performance by Detroit Skating Club, money supports DSC Zamboni Fund, Special Olympics and Grace Centers of Hope, 7 p.m. April 26, 1 and 7 p.m. April 27, and 2 p.m. April 28, 888 Denison Court in Bloomfield Hills, dscclub.com, (248) 332-3000

APRIL 27

Detroit Symphony Orchestra: 8 p.m., Kirk in the Hills, 1340 W. Long Lake Road in Bloomfield Hills, dso.org

APRIL 28

Gala to support abuse survivors: Inludes gourmet dinner, DJ and live entertainment, silent auction, guest speakers and dancing, 5-10 p.m., San Marino Club, 1685 E. Big Beaver Road in Troy, OnTheWings.org