Avondale Not Likely to get Help from Lansing

By Annette Kingsbury Parents, teachers and the Avondale Board of Education got an up-close view Monday of the debate raging in Lansing over school funding. Three legislators, one Democrat and two Republicans, addressed a forum called by the school board to discuss Governor Snyder’s proposed school-funding cuts. In a half-full auditorium at Avondale Middle School, the community learned that the district’s finances are likely to suffer under whatever version of the school aid budget is … [Read more...]

School Board Sends Renaming Policy Back for More Work- With Video

Four months after Army Sgt. Ed Nowicki asked the Rochester Board of Education to rename a school after a fallen local soldier, the board and administration are working on establishing policy so they can formally consider the request. Though a bit surprised it’s taking this long, Nowicki said he’s patient and committed to seeing his request through. He’s convinced that the actions of First Lt. Adam Malson, who was killed in Iraq in 2005, merit such an honor. “Everyone who hears the story … [Read more...]

Museum Announces Fundraising Campaign Restored calf barn to house Broomfield Center for Leadership

The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm has announced plans to build the Broomfield Center for Leadership to house the collection of former Congressman William S. Broomfield and a new leadership training program. Broomfield served Oakland County in the U. S. House 1957-1993 after serving in the Michigan House and Senate. A native of Royal Oak, his mother was a member of the Taylor family, which was among the early settlers of Stony Creek Village. The initiative was announced at a … [Read more...]

Rochester Schools Approve Cuts for Next Year

  By Annette Kingsbury Spending down the savings account has never been the goal of Rochester Community Schools. But with so much uncertainty these days about what lies ahead, the board of education and administration have agreed to do just that next year in order to keep programs in place as long as possible. The board agreed unanimously April 25 to the administration’s proposal to make $3 million in cuts, add $176,000 in new expenditures, and use $14 million from the district’s … [Read more...]

Slaves Among Us are Focus of Rochester College Conference

You may have seen the recent headlines about a Ukrainian man who has been ordered to stand trial in federal district court in Detroit for trafficking women for a local nightclub.  Several experts who spoke at a conference at Rochester College April 1-2 said the story is, unfortunately, not unusual. Human trafficking is a global problem that’s happening right here in Michigan. It may be adults or children forced into unpaid labor; it may be women and girls tricked into the sex trade.  If … [Read more...]

Rochester’s Burgeoning New Media Environment

It’s been a year and a half since the Rochester Eccentric closed its doors. But it didn’t take long for new ventures to begin filling the void. There are now three online news sources covering the greater Rochester community, each with a unique style. That’s in addition to two local weekly newspapers, Community Lifestyles and the Rochester Post. First to open, one year ago, was The Rochester Citizen, owned and operated by Rochester Hills resident Bruce Fealk. Six months later Tom Gendich, … [Read more...]

Cranberry Lake Farm Moves to its Next Life- With Video

Oakland Township is Polishing the Crown Jewel of Historic Cranberry Lake Farm, its 1840 Greek Revival Farmhouse. First a farm, then a summer home for a wealthy executive and now part of a township park, the graceful house is poised to become a historic community center. Workers are currently renovating the interior of the house. Outdoors, site work is largely completed. “There’s been a lot of work going on at the main house,” said Barb Barber, administrative assistant to the township’s … [Read more...]

Rochester area is the place to be Sept. 25-26

One community that has a bustling suburban lifestyle going on these days is Rochester/Rochester Hills. Just two weeks after the Art & Apples Festival brings thousands of art lovers to town, and one week before the Brooksie Way half-marathon returns, the weekend of Sept. 25-26 will be a great example of the many thriving activities in this residential, northern Oakland County community: a fall festival, historic home tour, lobster boil, farmers market, cider mill—the list goes on. “One … [Read more...]

Heritage Festival at College Showcase Artist’s Work

Self-taught Shelby Township artist Margaret Glinke likes to work in layers. In addition to ink drawings, she has developed a layered approach to painting that incorporates sand, powdered marble and cheesecloth imbedded in the acrylics, a process known as impasto. Glinke, who has been a fixture on the art show circuit for 44 years, will be demonstrating an ink/watercolor painting during the Rochester Area Heritage Festival Sept. 25-26 at Rochester College. Twenty-six of her paintings and … [Read more...]

The 33rd Annual Rochester Area Heritage Festival

The greater Rochester community gathers to celebrate its rich and unique heritage at the 33rd Heritage Festival. The Rochester Area Heritage Festival is history brought to life! This year the festival will celebrate its 33rd anniversary on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25-26, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at a new location, Rochester College. The dates and location have changed to encourage broader audience participation, especially by children, youth and college students. The Rochester College campus will … [Read more...]