Michigan Week events begin in West Bloomfield celebration

West Bloomfield Township will be home to a series of events this week in conjunction with the celebration of Michigan Week.

The main event will be the Community Awards Breakfast being held at the Pine Lake Country Club on Friday, May 20 at 7:15 a.m. in which volunteers who have made a difference in the community will be honored.

Award categories include Community Achievement, Lifetime Volunteer Leadership, Volunteer Service and Youth Volunteer Leadership.

The Dr. Seymour Gretchko Youth Advocate Award will also be awarded to an individual and a group.

Today, Wednesday, May 18, Stephen J. Tapper of Tapper’s Jewelry will share photos from his book, “Reflections on Design,” and how his jewelry is reflected in nature at the West Bloomfield Library Meeting room at 7 p.m.

Other events scheduled for this week include the Friends of the West Bloomfield Library Annual Meeting and Luncheon in the main library meeting room on Thursday, May 19 at 11:30 a.m.

On Saturday, May 21, the West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation department will host its 9th annual Bike Safety Day at the township’s Recreation Activities Center parking lot.

Participants must bring their own bikes.

The event will include a bike safety course, bike inspection, a free bike helmet for children aged 3-12, helmet sizing, giveaways and ice cream.

And on Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22, docent-led tours of the historic 35-acre Apple Island in the middle of Orchard Lake will be conducted by the Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society.

Apple Island has been uninhabited since the summer of 1939 and is a tapestry of ruins and remnants dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Special emphasis is given to the French and Indian War, including a local legend that Chief Pontiac’s remains are buried somewhere on the island — although that has been refuted by experts.

The island is owned by the West Bloomfield School District, which uses the island as a historical reference.

Tours begin at the Orchard Lake Museum at the intersection of Orchard Lake Road and Long Lake Road. People are conveyed to and from the island by boat.

During the tours, reenactors will tell stories from the tail end of the French and Indian War. Genot Picor will perform as an 18th century French-Huron Metis’ with storytelling and games. In addition, Mike Jewell will perform as a Mikwandahn demonstrating traditional Native American life skills, and Jeff Vallender will be on hand as an 18th century explorer at his campsite.

Those interested in taking the tour must sign up in person at the Orchard Lake Museum, and spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 11:30 a.m.

The last tour groups leave the museum at 3:30 p.m.

Costs are $12 for adults; $6 for children 12-years-old and under. Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society members can take the tour free of charge, including those who join this weekend. Time Traveler members receive $2 off admission.

Allow about 2.5 hours for the round trip. Wear athletic shoes and dress for the weather. Temperatures are cooler during the boat ride and tour.

For more information on Michigan Week activities, visit michiganweek.org.