Native American Ceremony Prepares Apple Island for Archaeological Dig

Students will spend the next three weeks gathering evidence to support putting the property owned by West Bloomfield Public Schools on state and national historic registers.

A group of students from Western Michigan University will spend the next three weeks looking for evidence that will earn Apple Island, owned by West Bloomfield Public Schools, a place on the Michigan State Historic Site and National Register of Historic Places. But before they got started, members of the Milford-based Cedar Water Healing Lodge performed Native American rituals to offer them protection and blessing.  Gayle Joseph, whose Native American name is Giizhik Kwe or "Cedar Woman", said the group lit a sacred fire and hung colors "so the ancestors will look fondly on the island, and so the young archaeologists will be protected." The Hartland resident also spoke with students about "how to take care of Mother Earth while they're …

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Learn More About West Bloomfield's History as a Home for Summer Camps

The Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society will discuss early 20th century, West Bloomfield summer camps this weekend.

Wondering what to do with yourself this weekend? Don't dismay: check out today's Weekend Spotlight: Our pick for today: History of Summer Camps in West Bloomfield Also happening this weekend: Come back to West Bloomfield Patch on Thursday for more weekend things to do in our Weekend Spotlight, or visit our events calendar.

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This Weekend, Help Raise Money for Special Needs Kids and More

Also happening this weekend: Celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday at the West Bloomfield Township Public Library or learn how to volunteer with the Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society.

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do this weekend. West Bloomfield Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. What else is happening around town this weekend? Let your neighbors know by leaving a comment below!

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Historical Society Needs Volunteers: Here's How You Can Help

This weekend, the Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society is holding a meeting to discuss volunteer opportunities.

Wondering what to do with yourself this weekend? Don't dismay: check out today's Weekend Spotlight: Our pick for today: Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society Volunteer Meeting Come back to West Bloomfield Patch on Tuesday for more weekend things to do in our Weekend Spotlight, or visit our events calendar.

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Weekend Countdown

Historic Libraries the Focus of Open House

The Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society hosts its' monthly open house on Sunday.

It's Monday. The weekend just ended. However, it's always fun to look ahead at what's going on in and around town for the next weekend. We are going to pick some of the fun events daily to help you plan and count down until it's the weekend again. Our pick: Orchard Lake Museum Open House Where: Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society, 3951 Orchard Lake Rd., Orchard Lake Village When: 1-4 p.m. Sunday Why go: The Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society is hosting an Open House at the Orchard Lake Museum on Sunday. You can go to learn about the history of libraries in West Bloomfield, from the 1938 co-op at Westacres which eventually grew up into a new library in 1966, to the Main Library's beginnings in 1934. There is no cost or …

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Project to Offer 'Sense of Place' for Schools

The Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society project will teach students and community about the one-room schoolhouses of the 1850s through the Baby Boom to now.

A new undertaking by the Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society aims to shed some new light on the history of area schools, and give the children who currently attend those schools "a sense of place." The first phase of the three-phase "Called by the Peal of the Bell" project is currently underway, said Dennis Zembala, a former director of the Detroit Historical Museum who was hired as project manager earlier this year. A digital database of text and images is being accumulated, complete with stories about the stories of the children living in this area and the history of the school buildings they attended, past and present. "Kids will be able to download these elements to use in their studies, the way you can use the (Wayne State …

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Weekend Countdown

How Much Do You Know About the Presidents?

Presidents Day is Feb. 20. Bone up on your history this Sunday at the Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society.

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. West Bloomfield Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit and events to attend in the area. Where: Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society When: Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Why go: The Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society is hosting an Open House at the Orchard Lake Museum on Sunday. In case you haven't read up on the Presidents lately, and you feel Presidents Day on Feb. 20 closing in fast, there's no reason to fear. The Open House is free and open to all, with the special theme of Presidents. 

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Weekend Planner: Historical Society Open House

Patch tells you what's happening this weekend around West Bloomfield.

It's Friday! I can hear your giant sigh of relief. You made it through the first week of the New Year. The weekend is here. All week long we have been counting down the days to help you plan your weekend with options of events to attend. Here's a recap: Where: Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society When: Sunday from  1-4 p.m. Why go: The Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society is hosting an Open House at the Orchard Lake Museum on Sunday. You can go to learn about the lakes area history from Native Americans, farmers, vacationers and suburbanites. The Historical Society has a theme of Mystery Items this Sunday. Check out everyday products and items from the past that are typically no longer used today. Take the Mystery Items …

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School Board Defends Sheiko Elementary Name Change

West Bloomfield School District Board of Education votes down a motion to rescind the June vote after public comments against the change from Green Elementary School.

Despite rancorous public comments Monday night, the renaming of Green Elementary to Sheiko Elementary School stands after the West Bloomfield School District Board of Education voted down a motion to rescind its June 13 vote to change the building name. Members of the Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society and others packed Laker Commons in West Bloomfield High School prior to the 5-2 vote, before which Trustee Matt Chase criticized Vice President Bruce Tobin’s motion at the June meeting to change the name of the school. “There was no way we could comment or say negative things with Mrs. Sheiko standing in front of us, crying. I’m not sure if we could possibly have an open, public discussion on whether that was a legitimate decision,” …

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Timothy Rath

11:57 am on Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Susan, Judy, McIsaac, and others — you are obviously very passionate about the issue and I appreciate bringing these comments to Patch. If you are interested in writing a letter to the editor, I will publish it. E-mail me: tim.rath@patch.com   more ›