News & Notes - 9/21/23 Rochester Post

Rochester Garden Club announces winner of Beautification Award
ROCHESTER — Each year, the Rochester Garden Club identifies the grounds and gardens that are most outstanding and bestows its annual Beautification Award. This year, according to the club, the winner is University Presbyterian Church for its “gorgeous and extensive gardens that grace its church and community building.”

University Presbyterian Church is a Rochester landmark with ties to the Matilda Dodge Wilson family. Located along Adams Road, near Avon, its well-tended acreage offers a retreat from the daily hustle and bustle of life. Tending the numerous gardens is a labor of love performed by many of the parishioners. The gardens themselves are funded through an endowment given to the church many years ago. Club members say it is “truly a beautiful location that reflects the inclusive and loving mission of the church.”

 

Rochester Lions Club hosts Charity Collection Day Sept. 30
ROCHESTER — The Rochester Lions Club is hosting a Charity Collection Day 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at the lower-level parking lot of First Congregational Church, 1315 N. Pine St. in Rochester.

The Lions Charity Collection Day includes a canned food drive for the Rochester Area Neighborhood House food pantry, a collection of eyeglasses for the Lions RECYCLE For Sight program, and a collection of returnable cans and bottles to support Rochester Leader Dogs for the Blind. The Linda Rea team of Real Estate One is also sponsoring free document shredding 10 a.m.-noon. Enter the First Congregational Church’s lower-level parking lot via Oak Street. The Rochester Area Neighborhood House food pantry is especially looking for donations of pasta sauce, diced tomatoes, brown and white rice, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, brown grocery bags, and canned mushrooms, olives, pineapples, peaches, salmon and chicken.

 

Library presents The Squirrel Hillbillies in concert Oct. 8
ROCHESTER — The Rochester Hills Public Library welcomes The Squirrel Hillbillies Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. for a concert. From deep within the urban forest of Pittsburgh’s East End, the Squirrel Hillbillies often emerge to share their eclectic mix of acoustic roots music spanning folk, country and blues. They have performed hundreds of shows across the U.S. and the UK. Through a collaborative, nonlinear songwriting process, duo partners Jenny Wolsk and Gary Crouth draw from personal experience, third-hand stories, and vivid imaginations to craft songs that are unpredictable and quirky, yet widely accessible. Their CDs have gotten radio play in Michigan and around the world. The event is open to the public. Registration is required. To register, visit calendar.rhpl.org or call (248) 656-2900.

 

County seeks community input at Opioid Listening Sessions
ROCHESTER — Oakland County is hosting a series of community-based opioid listening sessions aimed at gathering input from Oakland County residents about the impacts of the opioid epidemic; resources needed to prevent opioid misuse and supports needed for people in treatment and recovery; and how to best use funding from opioid settlements.

Oakland County is estimated to receive approximately $35 million over the next 20 years as a result of settlements reached in class action lawsuits filed against opioid prescription drug manufacturers and pharmacies.

Locally, an open-house style session will be held at Oakland University, 318 Meadow Brook Road in Rochester, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 26. Opioid Listening Sessions are open to people who live or work in Oakland County and are 18 years and older. Registration is recommended at oakgov.com/health or by calling the Nurse on Call at (800) 848-5533. Walk-ins are welcome.