Mt. Vernon is a Ghost of Our Agricultural Past

At the intersection of 28 Mile and Mt. Vernon roads, about five miles northeast of Rochester, lies a remnant of our area’s agricultural past. The unincorporated town of Mt. Vernon—now little more than a country crossroads—was not only a trading place for area farmers, but also went down in history as the birthplace of the American typewriter. Mt. Vernon lies just inside the western edge of Washington Township, abutting the border of Oakland and Macomb counties. As Washington Township was … [Read more...]

Dear Crabby, Where Can I Go Sledding?

Dear Crabby, I'm New to the Area and I Want to Get my Kids Outside this Winter, Where Can I Go Sledding? Sincerely, Yukio Neve   Dear Yukio, Great idea! Go run around in the cold for a while and work up a sweat ... is the same thing my doctor told me not to do. But for you, it may actually be a good idea. You're in luck, we have lots of hills in Rochester Hills, and besides needing a sled, having hills is the next important factor when "sledding." When I was a kid, we used to … [Read more...]

Leader Dogs for the Blind Marks Eight Decades of Service

On April 4, Leader Dogs for the Blind Celebrated 80 Years, Here's How it All Began If you’ve lived in the Rochester area for a while, they’re a familiar sight - Leader Dogs in harness, walking the streets of downtown, visiting businesses, assisting the blind. Perhaps you remember, as a child, proudly depositing your spare change in the little can labeled “Whither Thou Goest” that nearly every Rochester business displayed near its cash register. Leader Dogs for the Blind has been part of the … [Read more...]

Oakland Township Recommended for 2.2 Million Dollar Park Grant

Oakland Township was one of only two Oakland County communities recommended for grants to purchase park land at the December 2016 meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board. The Parks and Recreation Commission would use the $2.2 million dollar grant to add 209 acres to the Township’s Stony Creek Ravine Nature Park, located in the southeast quadrant of the Township. This proposed park expansion offers natural resource protection and recreation opportunities. Dr. Brian … [Read more...]

Third Annual Stony Creek Metropark Out of the Darkness Community Walk

Hundreds of Walks Being Held Nationwide Through December 2016 Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, yet suicide is preventable. More than 350 people from throughout the North Oakland and Shelby Township areas are expected to participate in the annual Stony Creek Metropark Out of the Darkness Community Walk hosted by the North Oakland AFSP at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 6 at Stony Creek Metropark Eastwood Beach. This fundraising walk supports the American … [Read more...]

Back to the Beach Runners Donates $2,500 to Friends of the Paint Creek Trail

Recently, the Back to the Beach Runners group from Sterling Heights donated $2,500 to the Friends of the Paint Creek Trail to help fund the purchase of a new drinking fountain for the trail. Joe Burns, President of Back to the Beach Runners, said that “Funds for our donation came from annual running of the Stony Creek 'Back To The Beach' Half Marathon 10k and 5k which is held each May and runs in and around Stony Creek Metropark. Helping to support the placement of a new fountain near … [Read more...]

Rochester Hills Museum hosts History Traveler Program

The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm presents the program South Florida and the Everglades as part of their History Traveler series  on Friday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m. Museum members are free, nonmembers are $5 adults and $3 seniors and students. Everglades National Park was created in 1947 with the intent to protect a threatened ecological system. The park itself is but a portion of what historically constituted the entire “river of grass” ecosystem. This park is rich in cultural … [Read more...]