Museum seeks
railroad spikes
LAPEER — Members of the Lapeer County Historical Society are looking for free railroad spikes.
Board trustee Cal Provins and wife Ardy mount spikes on small painted boards, attach miniature trains and donate them to the historical museum. The spikes are popular gift items and sales help defray costs, they said.
Spikes can be dropped off at the museum on W. Nepessing Street, across from the post office. It is open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Or call the Provins at 810-664-4418. — J.E.B.

Frogs, dogs and more at Otter Lake Days
OTTER LAKE — Start pumping iron now for the frog-jumping contest, ugly dog show, and pie-eating competition planned for Otter Lake Days July 4-6.
Plans so far call for the parade at 3 p.m. July 4, an open-air market with vendors and crafters on the Fourth, and maybe July 5, the above contests, plus pavement chalk art, a Chinese auction, music, food and more.
Organizers are looking for items for the auction, vendors and crafters. Call Linda at 810-793-0039. — R.A.

C’ville Days car,
bike poker run
MARATHON TWP. — The Columbiaville Car and Bike Poker Run is Saturday, May 31, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sign-up begins at 10 a.m. at the Back Door Lounge, on the corner of North Lake and Columbiaville roads. Cost is $20 for bike and driver, $15 per passenger. Door prizes and food after returning to the Back Door. Proceeds will benefit the 2008 Columbiaville Days. Details: Steve Gerwolds, 810-793-7300 or Debbie Burrows, 810-656-3244. — J.E.B.

No smoking Bingo
offered on May 25
NORTH BRANCH — American Legion Post 457 offers a smoke-free Bingo from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, May 25, at the hall in downtown North Branch.
Post members are experimenting with the non-smoking Bingo to see if people are interested. Smoking will be allowed at Bingo on Wednesdays. — VIEW Staff

Wildflower sale
DRYDEN TWP. — The annual native wildflower sale at Seven Ponds Nature Center, 3854 Crawford Rd., is this Saturday, May 24, 9 a.m.-noon. The variety will be greater than in past years. Any plants left over will be available at the nature center until sold out. — J.E.B.

The good and bad at
7-Ponds Nature Center
DRYDEN TWP. — A variety of woodland plants and prairie natives are on sale during the annual Seven Ponds Wildflower Sale on Saturday, May 24, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Plants not sold on Saturday wile be offered on subsequent days.
Volunteers are sought on Sunday to help remove Dames Rocket. This invasive biennial has escaped from gardens and now threatens to take over the wildflower garden. Plants are easily pulled with work gloves. — R.A.

Give blood
DRYDEN — Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church, 4538 Dryden Rd., is hosting a blood drive on Friday, May 23, from 1-6 p.m.
Blood donors must be 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health. For details on a blood drive in any of the 65 counties served by the Great Lakes Region, call 800-GIVE LIFE or visit www.redcrossmichigan.org. — J.E.B.

Country fair
OXFORD — The 52nd annual old-fashioned Country Fair is Sunday, June 5, from noon -5 p.m. at Kingsbury Country Day School.
Bring the family to enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, artisans, great food from area restaurants, bounce fun, fast-moving challenge games, a rock wall, pony-apple bingo, midway games, raffles, a bake walk and more. Try Kingsbury’s legendary strawberry shortcake. Mule Drives offers “bluesy rock” live music from 2-4 p.m., on the corner of Oakwood and Hosner roads. Details: 248-628-2571 or visit www.GoKingsbury.org. — R.A.

More Tips