ROYAL OAK — Researcher and author John E.L. Tenney will return to the Royal Oak Public Library to regale middle and high school teens and adults with eerie stories at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Topics to be discussed include the Top 10 most haunted places in the state, living near a known source of supernatural phenomena and why “ghost hunters” from all over the world come to Michigan.

The program is free. To register, go to ropl.org or call (248) 246-3727.

Zoo goes merry not scary

ROYAL OAK — The Detroit Zoo’s annual Zoo Boo celebration returns Friday for three weekends of Halloween fun featuring a festively decorated half-mile trick-or-treat trail.

Elaborate pumpkin displays will line the treat trail, where greeters will pass out goodies to costume-clad children at treat stations along the route. A trail of eerie fog and mysterious sounds will lead through a spooky graveyard to the Haunted Reptile House, where friendly witches, vampires and other monsters have taken up residence for the Halloween season.

The Ghouly Games Tent, sponsored by Blue Care Network of Michigan, will feature Halloween-themed games, prizes, arts and crafts and a hay maze. The popular live mini-musical “Zoo Boo Revue” will be performed in the Main Picnic Grove.

New to Zoo Boo is the Zombie Zone, sponsored by Tim Hortons, featuring ghastly games, spooky activities and pumpkin-carving demonstrations. Costumed kiddies can enter the Tim Hortons costume contest and have their photo taken and posted on the zoo’s website. The community will vote and a zoo-themed prize will be awarded for the best costume.

Also new this year is the limited-release movie “The Curse of Skull Rock” at the Wild Adventure 3-D/4-D Theater in the Ford Education Center. The 3-D pirate adventure enhanced with 4-D special effects will have guests jumping out of their seats. Tickets for the Wild Adventure 3-D/4-D Theater are an additional $3 per person; children under 2 are free.

Zoo Boo will be held rain or shine from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 15-17, 22-24 and 29-31.

Advance tickets for Zoo Boo can be purchased at Booth One at the front of the Detroit Zoo or online at www.detroitzoo.org. Tickets are $7 per person ages 2 and up. Time slots for Zoo Boo are 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. If a date and time slot is not sold out, a limited number of tickets may be available at the gate that day after 5 p.m. for $10.

For more information, call (248) 541-5717 or go to www.detroitzoo.org.

Treats in store for adults

CLAWSON — The first-ever HAVEN Witches Brew Costume Party takes place from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 22 at Leon & Lulu, 96 W. 14 Mile Road.

Stirred by good cheer, a cauldron bubbling with fun will await attendees along with a costume contest, beer tasting, cocktails, food and shopping.

Tickets are $25 each for those with a costume and $30 per person without costume. All proceeds from this event benefit HAVEN and 10 percent of the sales at Leon and Lulu’s that day will go to HAVEN.

For 35 years, HAVEN has been working toward eliminating domestic violence and sexual assault. For more information about HAVEN and its programs and services, call (248) 334-1284 or go to haven-oakland.org.

Leon & Lulu is located in a former roller rink turned gifts, accessories, and home furnishing store. The owners held 61 events in 2009 with 51 benefiting nonprofit groups.

Carve out some fun

HUNTINGTON WOODS — Bring a pumpkin to the Huntington Woods Public Library, 26415 Scotia, at 2 p.m. Oct. 23 and the staff will provide carving tools, templates and supplies to turn it into a jack-o-lantern.

The afternoon of pumpkin carving fun is recommended for ages 4 and up. Halloween-themed snacks and music will be provided.

Registration is required. To sign up, call (248) 543-9720.

Candy line forms here

CLAWSON — Children in costume, accompanied by an adult, are invited to hit the Trick or Treat Trail at Clawson Park from 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 24.

Attendees should start at the parking lot and follow a wood chip trail to treat stations provided by local businesses and groups. Organizers recommend children bring a flashlight and bag for candy.

Donuts and cider will be provided in the pavilion following the treat giveaway.

The event also features a pumpkin-carving contest. Drop off pumpkins from 5-5:30 p.m. Judging begins at 5:30 p.m. for prizes of $25 for first place, $20 for second place and $15 for third place.

The pumpkins will be used to light the trick-or-treat trail and can be picked up at 8 p.m.

Have a devilish day

ROYAL OAK — From noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 30, the Royal Oak Public Library will treat families with children of all ages to Halloween games, crafts and activities.

Children and adults can wear Halloween costumes or come as they are. Organizers suggest leaving enough time to explore the various activities. The event is limited to 125 children. To register, call (248) 246-3725 or go to ropl.org.