News & Notes - 4/19/23 Eagle

51st annual spring plant sale includes wide selection
BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Cranbrook House and Gardens Auxiliary is holding their 51st annual spring plant sale at Cranbrook House and Gardens 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday, May 19.

This is the largest fundraiser supporting the preservation of the historic estate of George Gough Booth and Ellen Scripps Booth, the Detroit philanthropists who founded Cranbrook Educational Community.

“We are excited to return to an all in-person format for the first time since before the pandemic,” Cranbrook House and Gardens Auxiliary Chair Helen Maiman said in a press release. “Being together gives us more opportunity to interact with the public and create camaraderie amongst our volunteers. It’s a great way for everyone to kick off the gardening season.”

This event is primarily run by volunteers. Last year, volunteers sold 2,974 plants, including 1,577 native plants. Volunteers also raised rare heirloom tomatoes raised from seeds in the Cranbrook House and Gardens conservatory greenhouse.

Visitors are encouraged to bring wagons to transport their plants to their vehicles. Visit housegardens.cranbrook.edu or call (248) 645-3149 for more information.

 

The Birmingham Metropolitan Women's Club to hold annual spring tea
BIRMINGHAM — Put on your fancy hats and attire and join the Birmingham Metropolitan Women's Club for their annual spring tea May 9.

The event will include a silent auction to benefit Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac. The nonprofit organization focuses on improving the lives of the unwanted, addicted and homeless.

More information can be found on the Birmingham Metropolitan Women's Club website at thebirminghammetropolitanwomensclub.weebly.com. Anyone interested in attending can contact Christine Wludyka at (248) 303-7339.

In addition to this special event, they have two more meetings planned. On June 13, Stephanie Hurst from Mothers Against Drunk Driving will join the meeting, and on July 11, the guest will be singer-songwriter Paul Ritchie. Reservations are due two weeks before the luncheon.

 

Arts and Crafts show to return to Oakland County Farmers Market
OAKLAND COUNTY — The Oakland County Parks and Recreation Department is welcoming the public to attend its ArtSail Spring Fine Arts and Crafts Show at the Oakland County Farmers Market.

The ArtSail group started as a Facebook group in 2016 in Keego Harbor for artists and crafters and to bring awareness to the importance of supporting local makers and fans.

The event is hosted twice a year, and this is the fourth time the Oakland County Farmers Market venue will host the 2023 spring show. Acoustic music duo "Hot Ugly" will perform, and a BBQ food cart, Blue Kuna, will be onsite.

“With a wide range of pieces available in a variety of mediums, the ArtSail art show always attracts a crowd,” said Oakland County Farmers Market Manager Brad Wethy. “The Oakland County Farmers Market provides the perfect backdrop for these amazing artists to display their work. We encourage everyone to stop by and support local artists.”

This ArtSail show will take place 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, at the Oakland County Farmers Market, located at 2350 Pontiac Lake Road in Waterford. Those interested can visit www.oaklandcountyparks.com or call (248) 858-5495 for more information.

 

Baseball-cricket hybrid tournament to return
TROY — The RaP7 Ball tournament is returning for its second year at Shelby Township’s Senior Center June 17.

A combination of baseball and cricket, RaP7 Ball was created by Rajan Paul.

“Baseball is America’s pastime and cricket is the second most popular sport in the world,” Paul explained. “RaP7 is played on a customized baseball diamond with a cricket pitch included in the infield. To avoid baseball’s controversial balls and strikes calls, in a RaP7 Ball game, a pylon is used at the home base for the pitcher to use as a target to throw at. Pylons at first, second and home base are used to make the runner out while the player is running to that base to score runs.”

An informational meeting and exhibition game will take place at the Shelby Township Activities Center, 14975 21 Mile Road, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, for those who are interested. Those who want to sign up or seek more information can call (586) 731-0300.

“Baseball and cricket are very popular and are filled with star players and are very hard to participate in as an average league like you and I,” added Paul. “RaP7 is the newest sport in town, and it is very easy to study and become a star player.”