It’s hard to believe it now, but when Art Mikolowski and Stanley Sawvel moved to Rochester Hills 12 years ago, “Most of it was just scrub stuff back here,” Sawvel says. Today, their suburban property is anything but that. A fish pond, a gazebo, potting shed, tool shed and composting area are all tucked neatly into the fenced and gated backyard while leaving plenty of room for perennials, shrubs, walkways and art. Not a square inch is wasted. “We have scale,” says Sawvel, an interior designer, … [Read more...]
Former mayor Pat Somerville dies
March 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Former Rochester Hills Mayor Pat Somerville died Saturday, March 2, 2013. In an email, her close friend Suzanne White notified friends. "With a heavy heart I write you to tell you our beloved friend passed away this morning. Pat was 80 years old. Pat was not in pain and died peacefully in her sleep." Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. "Pat told me 'I have had a great life, I should write a book! I do not regret a minute of it,'” White said. “Then she would laugh. I will … [Read more...]
Art conservator to speak
February 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Art conservator and Rochester-Avon Historical Society member LaVere Webster will be the featured guest speaker at the Rochester-Avon Historical Society’s Brown Bag lunch on Tuesday, March 5, beginning at noon at the Rochester Community House, 816 Ludlow Street in Rochester. Webster will share his experiences as an art conservator, including his work for museums and caring for a $14 million art collection for 25 years. He will also discuss the history of the profession. Bring your lunch if … [Read more...]
Rochester Hills recognized for growing green
February 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
For the second year in a row, the city of Rochester Hills is being recognized as a leader in Oakland County for impressive residential and business growth. In 2012, the city saw an 11-percent increase in residential investment over 2011. “Last year we welcomed over 100 new families, all of whom have made a significant investment in Rochester Hills,” Mayor Bryan Barnett said at the recent Community Outlook Luncheon hosted by the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce. More businesses are … [Read more...]
Museum presents travel series
February 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm will present the History Traveler Series on Fridays, March 1, 8, 15, 22 at 7 p.m. On March 1, explore earth’s last frontier, the remote underwater corners of the world with Captain Bud Uren and Dr. Heather Sellick of US Scuba. They will share their fascinating underwater images of the south Pacific, Galapagos, Africa, the Caribbean and the Ring of Fire. On March 8, the topic is Forgotten Stony Creek—the construction years, 1959-1969. In 1959, … [Read more...]
Rochester schedules State of the City
February 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Rochester Mayor Stuart Bikson will present the annual State of the City Address on Thursday, March 14, at 7 p.m. at the Rochester Community House, 816 Ludlow. A reception will follow featuring complimentary light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments provided by Rochester restaurants. RSVPs are requested at mayor.office@rochestermi.org. … [Read more...]
Explore hidden Detroit history
February 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Rochester-Avon Historical Society’s March 7 meeting will feature Amy Elliott Bragg, a local writer, blogger and champion of the arcane history of pre-automotive Detroit. Bragg is the author of Hidden History of Detroit and the web site Night Train to Detroit. She is also the co-founder of the Detroit Drunken Historical Society and frequently hosts irreverent tours of early Detroit with the Detroit Bus Company. Attendees can expect a spirited and humorous discussion of how studying … [Read more...]
Learn to trace the history of your house
February 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Rochester Historical Commission will present Tracing the History of Your House, featuring local historian, author and librarian Deborah Larsen. The two-hour workshop on Sunday, March 17 at 2 p.m. at the Rochester Hills Public Library will guide local residents on how to discover more about the history of their home. The lecture is free but does require a reservation. Annually the Rochester Historical Commission presents a lecture of historical significance to celebrate the founding of … [Read more...]
New OPC chairman says problems are over
February 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The new chairman of the Rochester Older Persons Commission governing board says the difficulties of the past few years are over. Pierre Atallah, a Rochester cardiologist and Oakland Township resident, was recently appointed by the Oakland Township Board of Trustees to serve on the OPC board. He also serves on the Rochester Downtown Development Authority Board and said he was elected OPC chairman as a compromise candidate. Over the last few years, tension has developed between the OPC board … [Read more...]
Youth Council launches ‘don’t text and drive’ project
February 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Rochester Hills Government Youth Council has received a $2,000 grant to create a teen-led traffic safety campaign aimed at educating their classmates. The program, Strive For A Safer Drive, is a teen driving initiative aimed at reducing serious traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities among Michigan's most inexperienced drivers - teens. It is a partnership between AAA Michigan, Ford Driving Skills for Life and the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning. The Youth Council has … [Read more...]
