NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e p S
January 21, 2026 candgnews.com
Oakland County papers
Oakland County Parks and Rec keeps a full schedule in winter months BY SCOTT BENTLEY sbentley@candgnews.com
OAKLAND COUNTY — The holiday season is over, but Oakland County Parks and Recreation is still offering a full schedule of events and activities for metro Detroiters this winter. Not only are there a handful of planned events for residents to attend over the next two months, there are also parks, lakes and trails that are open for anyone to enjoy. “I’m a parks and rec nerd. I love being out here,” Parks Supervisor Jeremy Brown said. “I love the fact that we’re able to provide these recreational opportunities for people.” The budget for West Lincoln Well Park playground was approximately $225,000 and the budget for the Pumphouse Park
A fat-tire bicyclist enjoys the trails at Independence Oaks County Park. Photo provided by Oakland County Parks
See PARKS on page 6A
Royal Oak Library’s Friends book shop gives back in big ways BY TAYLOR CHRISTENSEN tchristensen@candgnews.com
ROYAL OAK — Located in the Royal Oak Public Library is a small but mighty bookstore dedicated to raising money for library programs. The Friends Shop includes a large variety of books including children’s books, DVDs, and games that are priced at 50 cents or a dollar. All of the proceeds from sales go directly to the library. Books are available for purchase on the first floor inside the Friends Shop or on the shelves located outside the shop. There is also a children’s section of buyable books located in the children’s area of the library. Yvonne Busby-Dean, member of the Friends volunteer board and book shop manager, said that their goal is to spread awareness about the bookshop, and hopefully bring in more customers. Busby-Dean said that the bookstore is open all the time, which is new this year. Even if there is not a volunteer at the desk in the Friends Shop, See BOOK SHOP on page 10A
Connie Ewalt, Debra Ballard, Yvonne Busby-Dean and Larry Baker stand in front of the Friends Shop Jan. 8. Photo by Taylor Christensen