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Volunteers go bald to support childhood cancer research
ROCHESTER — The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, the largest charity funder of children’s cancer research grants, will host one of its signature head-shaving events on Fourth Street in Rochester on Saturday, May 20. More than 100 people will shave their heads to raise money for lifesaving childhood cancer research.
This is the first event in Rochester, put together by some of the team that raised $3 million over 13 events in the village of Romeo. That event started with 18 people getting shaved at the first event, grew to 132 in a year and then averaged 300-plus each year. Volunteers feel they can do an even larger event in the city of Rochester and hope to get 100 volunteers to go bald for the cause for the first year. There will also be a student raffle for any students registered in Rochester Community Schools to win a PlayStation 5.
There will be a main shaving stage, along with live entertainment and a kids activity area. All of the activities are free and designed to be fun for the whole family. St. Baldrick’s is on a mission to help give kids a lifetime by funding childhood cancer research, wherever it takes place. Donations raised at events like this have made it possible for St. Baldrick’s to fund more than $326 million to date. To get involved or learn more, visit Stbaldricks.org/get-involved.
May 13 Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive to benefit Neighborhood House
ROCHESTER HILLS — Neighborhood House is participating in the National Letter Carriers’ annual “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive on Saturday, May 13. The event is the nation’s largest one-day food drive collection. All food collected in the Rochester area that day will be donated directly to the Neighborhood House Food Pantry. Residents living in Rochester, Rochester Hills or Oakland Township who receive their mail through the Rochester Post Office should look out for grocery bags and instructions in their mailbox, then leave nonperishable canned food items near their mailboxes the morning of May 13. People who do not receive a mailer can still donate by putting items in a bag of their choice, and the letter carrier will pick up the items. People can also get involved by volunteering to pick up donations alongside the letter carriers, drive trucks filled with food donations, sort items during and after the event, or load or unload food to and from trucks. Last year, the Neighborhood House Food Pantry provided over 320,000 meals to 561 families. For more information, visit ranh.org or call (248) 651-5836.
OAK in the Hills to be held May 20
ROCHESTER HILLS — Get ready for summer by joining the city of Rochester Hills and Oakland County Parks for the first-ever OAK — Outdoor Adventure Kickoff — in the Hills event 11 a.m.-3 p.m. May 20 at Spencer Park. People can discover, learn about and try outdoor activities that may just become a new hobby. Activities include: rock climbing, zip lining, kayaking, fishing, hiking, biking, archery, pickleball, Nerf battles, beekeeping, puppy yoga, live animals, art and more.
Organizers say the event should be fun for all ages. This is a free event, but preregistration is preferred at www.rochesterhills.org. Thelma Spencer Park is located at 3701 John R. Road in Rochester Hills.
Food sovereignty leaders to host educational workshops at OU
ROCHESTER — Luke and Linda Black Elk, food sovereignty activists and teachers of traditional plant uses, gardening, food preservation and foraging, will share their knowledge at Oakland University during the weekend of May 13-14.
Food sovereignty in its most basic definition is the idea that people have the right to culturally appropriate and traditional foods and food practices. The Black Elks will host a series of events centered on food sovereignty, including a tea-making workshop, a plant walk and medicinal food presentations.
Learn to brew the perfect cup of tea during a tea-making workshop at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, in the Oakland Center Gold Rooms.
Explore Native American culture during a plant walk and medicinal food presentations on Sunday, May 14, at the Native American Heritage Site on Oakland University’s campus.
The plant walk will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a potluck at noon. Bring a dish to pass if you can, and to reduce waste, bring your own utensils and plate.
A presentation on medicinal food preservation and storage will start at 1 p.m., followed by a presentation on medicinal soup spice blends and food sovereignty at 3 p.m. All events are free and open to the public and are sponsored by The Judd Family Endowed Fund, Kresge Libraries, the Division of Student Affairs and Diversity, the Student Activities Funding Board, the School of Engineering and Computer Science, the Department of English and the Women and Gender Studies program. For more information, email gitigan@oakland.edu.
Stoney Creek Village Bicentennial exhibit set to open
ROCHESTER — This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Taylor family’s arrival from New York, founding a community that still thrives today. The Taylor family moved to the Rochester area for its rich natural resources — commodities in high demand for at least 12,000 years. From bone tools to blacksmiths, subsistence farmers to world renowned doctors, this region has a long history of industry and skill. Explore stories of the past in this brand-new exhibit 7-9 p.m. May 25. Live music and light refreshments will be featured. The event is free, but attendees are asked to register online at www.rochesterhills.org/museum. The Rochester Hills Museum is located at 1005 Van Hoosen Road, off of Tienken Road, between Rochester and Dequindre roads.
Free Cultural Togetherness Fair planned
ROCHESTER HILLS — The Rochester Hills Government Youth Council is hosting a Cultural Togetherness Fair noon-3 p.m. May 13 at the Garth Pleasant Arena at Rochester University, 800 W. Avon Road. The 2023 Cultural Togetherness Fair is free and will allow attendees to sample foods from around the world, watch performances, and learn about the many cultures represented in the community. Register online at rochesterhills.org/youthcouncil.
