Oakland County Casual Day Funds Given to Fifteen Charities & Veteran

Last week, Oakland County Executive, L. Brooks Patterson, awarded fifteen charities and a veteran with $29,000 dollars in funds that were raised by Oakland County employees through their Casual Day Funds Program. The program allows employees in participating departments and divisions to wear jeans or dress casually on Thursdays or Fridays for a minimum donation of one dollar. Representatives from each charity gathered at the Oakland County Executive Office building in Waterford on Wednesday to receive their donation.

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Patterson invited each representative up to the podium to share how their charities work to serve the community. After personally giving a check to each one, he emphasized that the funds were raised by the employees of the county. He spoke about distributing the funds to local charities and said, “We’re delighted to do so, all you do adds to the quality of life in Oakland County.”

This year’s recipients include:

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2014 Tree Lightings, Parades and Holiday Events

It’s time to enjoy the holiday lights and celebrate the season.

A gorgeous Holiday Lights capture from The Village of Rochester Hills’ Facebook page

Here is our 2014 list of tree lightings and holiday events in Oakland County:

Nov. 20, 2014  
The Big Reveal – downtown Milford at 6:30 p.m.

Nov. 21, 2014
Holiday Lighted Parade – downtown Northville at 6:30 p.m.
Light the Village – Village of Rochester Hills at 7:00 p.m.

Nov. 22, 2014
Holiday Hoof Awards and Tree Lighting – downtown Ferndale at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 23, 2014
Holiday Magic Parade – downtown Royal Oak at 2:00 p.m.

Nov. 24, 2014
Holiday Tree Lighting – City Hall in Madison Heights at 6:30 p.m.
The Big, Bright Light Show & Lagniappe – downtown Rochester at 7:00 p.m.

Nov. 26, 2014
Holiday Tree Lighting – Shain Park in Birmingham at 6:00 p.m.

Dec. 1, 2014
Pleasant Ridge Tree Lighting – Pleasant Ridge City Hall at 6:00 p.m.
Clawson Annual Holiday Tree Lighting – Memorial Park at 6:30 p.m.
Burgh Historical Park Tree Lighting – Burgh Historical Park in Southfield at 7:00 p.m.

Dec. 2, 2014
Waterford Township’s 28th Annual Tree Lighting – Waterford Township Hall at 6:00 p.m.
22nd Annual Holiday Lights Ceremony – Farmington Hills City Hall campus at 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 4, 2014
Royal Oak’s 33rd Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony – City Hall Plaza at 6:15 p.m.
Annual City of Troy Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony – City Hall at 7:00  p.m.

Dec. 5, 2014
Light Up the Night – Civic Center Campus in Novi at 6:00 p.m.
Holiday Celebration Christmas in Oxford  – Centennial Park at 6:00 p.m.
Wixom’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony – Community Center at 6:15 p.m.

Dec.  6, 2014
Cool Yule Festival – parade begins in downtown South Lyon at 5:30 p.m.
Holly Days – downtown Farmington from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Light Up the Grand – A Holiday Lighted Parade – Grand River & Warner in Farmington at 5:00 p.m.
Farmington Tree Lighting – Governor Warner Mansion at 5:30 p.m.
Hometown Holidays Lights Parade – downtown Berkley at 5:30 p.m.
Orion Lighted Parade – downtown Lake Orion at 6:00 p.m.
Auburn Hills Tree Lighting Ceremony – Squirrel and Auburn Roads at 6:00 p.m.

Dec. 7, 2014
Rochester Hometown Parade – downtown Rochester at 2:00 p.m.

Dec. 13, 2014
Holiday Lights Night – Renaissance High School in Clarkston at 6:00 p.m.

Please remember to check websites to verify dates and times.

Enjoy the lights and the beauty of this holiday season!

The 22nd Annual Q2 Awards

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The 22nd Annual Q2 Awards Breakfast, hosted by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, was held this morning at the Centerpoint Marriot in Pontiac, MI. Quality People/Quality Awards recognizes individuals who contribute to the quality of life in Oakland County. Three honorees are chosen annually and are those that have utilized their own successes to improve the quality of life for others. On this year’s award winners, Patterson said, “This year’s Q2 recipients are among the quiet heroes who are driven to improve the world around them.”

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‘Not So Spooky’ Halloween Happenings & Fall Fun!

It’s the perfect time to get your little ones outdoors to enjoy the ‘not so spooky’ side of Halloween and fall fun! There are a TON of family activities for you and your little ones to enjoy through the month of October, in and around Oakland County. You’ll find all kinds of things to do from pony rides, corn mazes, hayrides, face painting, inflatables, petting zoos, straw mountains and the list goes on…and on!

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Here is our 2014 (not so spooky) list for Halloween & Fall fun.

Armada

Blake’s Barnyard Funland

Bloomfield Hills

Franklin Cider Mill

Bowers Farm Corn Maze

Commerce

Long Family Orchard

Dearborn

Halloween in Greenfield Village

Farmington Hills

Heritage Park – Hayrides

Fenton

Spicer Orchards and Cider Mill

Holly

Diehl’s Cider Mill

Oakhaven Farm

Leonard

Addison Oaks – Boo Bash Camping

Livonia

Wilson Barn

Milford

Kensington Metropark – Pick Your Pumpkin Hayrides

Northville

Maybury Farm

Three Cedars Farm

Rochester

Yates Cider Mill

Romeo

Stony Creek Orchard & Cider Mill

Royal Oak

Detroit Zoo Boo

South Lyon

Erwin Orchards

Washington Twp.

Miller’s Big Red

Westview Orchards

Ypsilanti

Wiards

We hope you enjoy this fantastic fall season and all of the fabulous fun that comes with it!

Please be sure to check websites for times, pricing and specific activities.