Hi,
 
As I write this I feel as though nature, as usual at this time of year in Wisconsin, is laughing at our expense. It is one of the first days of spring, my bulbs are up, and it is snowing. It seems to happen every year, but never ceases to bemuse and aggravate me as I eagerly await warm weather.
 
Hopefully nature will cooperate for the Damon Woods Easter Egg Hunt, which will be held at the Damon house on Saturday April 8th. Bring the kids for an egg hunt and visit with the Easter Bunny - it's always lots of fun! And remember to mark your calendar for the rummage sale and summer picnic: summer seems ages away now, but it's really just around the corner.
 
Enclosed in this month's newsletter is an important insert: a survey. Our association is 10 years old now, and that milestone is a good point at which to take a moment to review what we are doing and make sure we are still serving the neighborhood well. Please take a few moments to fill out the questionnaire and return it. We need input from everyone, members and non-members alike, to make sure we remain on the right path and are providing events and activities you want. If you have suggestions, please make them - we can always use new ideas. And while you are returning things, if you've forgotten to send in your membership form for this year, you can drop off both at once!
 
Take care, and Think spring!
 
Anne Fee
President

PS: Don’t forget to send in your 2006 membership renewal!
 

PLAY GROUP NEWS
The spring play group season will kickoff on April 12th with an Easter egg hunt. Laura Lynn MacDonald has graciously offered her beautiful Victorian home again this year for an indoor hunt. Please bring a basket to collect the eggs and RSVP to Laura. Our play group is open to all neighborhood families and meets every other week from 9:30-11:30am. The host house provides light refreshments for all. If you haven't been before or haven't been in awhile, please consider joining us for a morning of fun! Questions? Contact Julie at info@damonwoods.org.

UPCOMING LOWELL DAMON WOODS ASSOCIATION EVENTS

	Apr 8th - Easter Egg Hunt
	June 9th/10th - Neighborhood Rummage Sale
	Aug 12th - Second Annual LDWNA Golf Outing
	Oct TBD - (will be the bye week for the Green Bay Packers)
	Oct 31st - Neighborhood Association Trick or Treat
	Dec 2nd - Cookie Exchange and Tree-dition Tree Pickup

UPCOMING TGIF PARTIES
The next TGIF will be Friday, April 7th at the home of Robin and Brian Bloczynski of Church Street. The fun begins at 7 p.m. These evenings are open to all Damon Woods residents and provide a great opportunity to meet your fellow neighbors in a casual setting. Please bring a beverage and appetizer to share. To RSVP, call Brian or Robin. May 12th, Dan and Amy Giampetroni will host at their home on Wauwatosa Ave. Future TGIF: Bill and Leslie Duyser will host on June 16th at their home on Church St.
 
Remember that these parties are open to all neighbors. What a great way to meet other members of the neighborhood . Look for the TGIF sign on the host lawn the week ahead of the event. If you are interested in hosting a future TGIF, please contact Kris Gerhke at  info@damonwoods.org.

BOOK CLUB
Date: May 8th, 2006 
Place: Rachael VerDuin's home on Woodland Avenue
Book: Time and Again by Jack Finney
 
New York illustrator Simon Morley participates in a secret US government project to travel from 1970 back to 1882. In the late 1800s, there is still farming on Manhattan; the Museum of Natural History stands by itself. There are no skyscrapers and no automobiles. Although in old New York just to observe, Simon falls in love (a blackmailer/ mystery story of its own) and must decide whether or not to meddle with events - and affect the future. This novel is simultaneously a period piece, a science fiction tale, a romance, and a story of suspense. Milwaukee-born author Jack Finney has written twelve novels, one of which, The Body Snatchers, was made into the movie "Invasion of the Body Snatchers". In addition, he has written short stories, and popular articles.

NEXT BOARD MEETING
The neighborhood association's next Board meeting is at 7:00 pm on May 18th in the Firefly Room at the Wauwatosa Library. Please join us and share your ideas.
 

 
NEWS TO SHARE?
Has someone in the neighborhood had a birth? How about newsworthy items or accomplishments in your family. Pass it on to Larry Kopperud at info@damonwoods.org for inclusion in the next newsletter. 

 
NEW TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD?
Have you recently moved into the neighborhood? You can go to our neighborhood association web page and select the New Neighbors button from the list along the left hand side to go the New Neighbors Form page. Fill in the information to introduce you and your family…. Or, you can contact Amy Giampetroni who is in charge of newcomers. After receipt, the New Newcomers Group will stop by with a nice welcoming packet for you and your family.

CONGRATULATIONS
TJ Kusy, a Senior at Tosa East High School, was awarded a Silver Key in painting in the Wisconsin Regional Scholastic Art Awards. The event took place at the Milwaukee Art Museum on January 28th where his piece and the other winning artworks were on display through February 25, 2006.
 
Anne Kusy, a freshman at UWWhitewater, received first semester honors from the Associate Dean of the School of Business and Economics. She is a 2005 graduate of Wauwatosa East High School. Parents are Tony and Marie Kusy of Richmond Court.

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
Maria and Sean Watson of Stickney Avenue are pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Ava Vasiliki Watson. Ava was born on February 26, 2006 at 10:36 a.m. at Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital. While being premature and only weighing 5 lbs 2 oz and measuring 18 inches long at birth, Ava is doing great and was able to come home right away with Mom and Dad. Ava is a sweet and happy baby who is enjoying getting to know her new best friend, Joey, the Watsons' rat terrier.

A TASTE OF DAMON WOODS
Keep those recipes coming to Marcy Minix for inclusion in the Damon Woods Cookbook she is compiling. If you attend any of the neighborhood events, bring your recipes along and give it to a board member to give to Marcy, or drop it off at Marcy's home on Stickney Ave. Or, e-mail her at info@damonwoods.org.

 
DAMON WOODS GIRLS SCOUTS AND DADS JOIN THE PROMENADE
The first annual Lincoln School Girl Scouts Father / Daughter square dance was held on March 24th. The square dance was the brainchild of the third grade troop who wanted to have a big party with their dads. Each troop leader took a very active role in getting the event going. There were around 100 attendees at the event. For the first time ever, it brought together all of the school's Daisy, Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts. It was also a great chance to get fathers involved with their daughters.
 
Even the most skeptical dads ended up having a great time. Neighborhood residents that participated include Erin and David Merklein, Jessie Maude and Mark McNeely, Andrea and Dean Mabie, Lucy Hovel, Julia and Paul Prange, Michelle and Bill Brown, Janet and Anne Fee, Claire and Kevin Keyes, Leila and Nasser Mortazavi, Hailey and Nick Sgarlata, Glendy and Richard Stollberg, and Elizabeth, Chad and Katlyn Lehman, and Grace, and Dean Teofilo.

A LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT HIGH INTEREST DAY AT LINCOLN SCHOOL
- by Jeff DeCora
 
We hear from LDWNA member, Karen Rowe (on Aberdeen Ct.) that she and a dedicated group of Lincoln School parents brought the High Interest Day concept to our area more than thirty years ago. The format they used then is still the same these days. Our local grade schoolers get to see and participate in several activities during a special school day. The volunteer organizers are Lincoln School parents who arrange to have several dozen people present various 'interesting' things to the students. The activities vary widely from making music with drums for the Junior Kindergarteners to elaborate presentations on how airplanes fly or what is involved in being an emergency medical technician.
 
"We had heard about the idea for High Interest Day from another school district and thought it would be a great fun activity for our kids too," said Mrs. Rowe. It was a hit with the students and everyone else right from the start. High Interest Day remains one of the major events of the year at Lincoln School.
 
"One thing we did was to ask other parents or friends who had various careers to come to the school and explain what they did during their working day. We would have them talk about how their job got done. One year, I asked my husband, Tom, who was a commercial banker then, to talk about his occupation," she said. "Well, he talked about how bank loans work and the concept of loan interest. He had good props to show what happens to the money and how the bank keeps track of the loans. Our son, Bradley, attended that session as a third or fourth grader so we really had something to talk about over the dinner table that night." Tom asked him during dinner, "Bradley, now do you know what a loan is?" "Sure Dad, alone is when there's nobody else around with you."

THEO BAIER
Theo Baier, a longtime resident of the Damon Woods neighborhood, passed away on February 19, 2006, at age 87. Theo was preceded in death by her husband Armin in 2002. Theo was an inspiration to her family, many friends, and those that she became acquainted with. Theo was grandmother of five and a great-grandmother. Theo passed peacefully after a brief illness.
 
A co-recipient of the 1995 Wauwatosa Distinguished Citizen Award, Theo was known to generations of children for her work as playwright and director with the Wauwatosa Children's Theater and other children's theater activities of the Wauwatosa Recreation Department. Her adaptations of classic fairytales are still performed. She worked in schools, playgrounds, and churches, using live actors and puppets to involve children in creating and enjoying the magic of live theater.
 
Theo was a past president of the Women's Auxiliary to the Milwaukee County Medical Association and a former member of the Board of Directors of La Causa, an organization committed to the protection of children and families in need. A former docent at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, she also modeled costumes well into her eighties in their fundraising fashion shows. Her photo is still seen on the Rep's information kiosks in the lobby of the theater.
 
Fr. Bob Marsicek, Pastor at St. Pius X, was so impressed with Theo's attitude towards those she met, that he used Theo as the center of his homily the Sunday following her death. "She always found good in everyone, she never judged people and truly believed that, in spite of everything, people really are good at heart." An active parishioner at St. Pius X Catholic Church since its founding, she continued volunteering there until shortly before her death. Theo could be seen leaving for daily mass every morning in her red station wagon
Still involved with La Causa, in December Theo gathered Christmas gifts from Gift Sunday at St. Pius and trekked to 5th and National to make sure that the needy young mothers and children had Christmas gifts.
 
She is survived by her children Terrie, Mary, Armin Jr., Ruth, and Gerry.

CLARENCE J. KOCOVSKY
At the age of 93, Dr. Kocovsky, a Damon Woods neighbor, passed away peacefully on Feb. 4th at St. Anne's Nursing Home. Beloved husband for 63 years of the late Mary J. (nee Mullen), brother of the late Elmer C. Kocovsky, M.D., Lorraine Wagner and Lucille Koehmstedt. Father of sons; Paul (Judy) and Steven who preceded him in death. He is survived by his son, James (Mary Lynn), sister-in-law Janet Mullen, daughter-in-law Judy and by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
 
He was born, December 19, 1912. During WWII he served as a medical captain in the U.S. Army, having received the bronze star and numerous other decorations and awards for his service. He was a graduate of Marquette Medical College. He served his internship and residency at the former Milwaukee County General Hospital. Additionally, he was a charter member of the American Society of Geriatrics and taught as an adjunct professor at Marquette Medical School (now the Medical College of Wisconsin). He practiced for over 50 years in the Milwaukee/Wauwatosa area and was medical director at several nursing homes, including St. Anne's on 92nd St. Dr. Kocovsky was a resident for over 75 years.
 

ELSA LAMELAS
Elsa Lamelas, a Damon Woods neighbor, died February 20, 2006 after a long illness at age 78. She was born Elsa Salazar Rupi, on July 22, 1927, in Havana, Cuba to parents Emilio Salazar Rogés and Enriqueta Rupiá. She married Francisco "Frank" Jose Lamelas Blanco, an attorney who was active in the movement to overthrow the country's dictator, Fulgencio Batista.
 
After the revolution, Lamelas and her husband quickly became disenchanted with the direction of the new government. Operation Peter Pan, an effort by the Catholic Church to help children escape from the island, flew Lamelas' two daughters to a camp in Miami, and the two wound up in a Catholic orphanage in Michigan. Elsa Lamelas and her son later flew to Florida, where a former client of Francisco gave her $100, which she planned to use to get to Michigan, pick up her daughters and return to Miami to meet her husband.
 
Frank eventually made it to Lafayette, Ind., where Elsa and the girls were stuck, not having enough money to return to Miami. In 1964, Francisco Lamelas got a job teaching Spanish in Racine at Dominican College, and his wife started working for a local dry cleaner.
 
Elsa also attended Dominican College, earning a degree in Spanish and art and later a master's degree at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She taught Spanish and art at St. Catherine's High School in Racine and, after her family moved to the Milwaukee area, taught at Kosciuszko Middle School, Morris Middle School and Rufus King High School.
 
She retired as a substitute teacher for the Wauwatosa School District about 10 years ago.
Elsa Lamelas was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by her daughters Elsa, Blanca, and a son, Frank.

CONDOLENCES
Condolences are extended to the Chuck Karpfinger family of Rogers Avenue. Chuck's father Barney, of Greenfield, died March 8th.

DON MIESBAUER
The Lincoln Elementary Players will present two free performances of the classic tale, Peter Pan. Performances will be held in the gymnasium at Lincoln Elementary School, 1741 Wauwatosa Avenue, on Friday, April 7 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, April 8 at 2:00 pm.
 
The cast and crew, made up of Lincoln third through fifth graders, have been practicing since February. Cast includes Lowell Damon Woods residents: Kaitlyn Riley (Star Winkie), Clare LeFaivre (Star Sparkle), Mary Duyser (Star Flashy), Emily Meyer (Star Stellar), Logan Jelinske (Michael), Maggie Swenson (Nana), Julia Prange (Tinker Bell), Shea Conway (Smee), Franki Ludwig (Skylights), Tom Cincotta (Mumbles), Nate Schoen (Grumbles), Evan Patton (Crocodile), Max Rutkiewicz (Lost Boy Harry), Kate MacKenzie (Lost Boy Joe) and Ginger Johnson (Tiger Lily) Crew includes Lowell Damon Woods residents: Christine Ensch, Bracken Heiges, Katie Jo Mueller, Allison Anderson and Owen Zopfi.
    

2ND ANNUAL LOWELL DAMON WOODS GOLF OUTING
Bogey, shank, hosel, fore! Have you ever noticed how these words never get used in winter in Wisconsin? Well it's time to get reacquainted with them because summer is just around the corner. By the time the 2nd Annual Lowell Damon Woods Golf Outing occurs you'll probably have had the chance to add a few new golf terms to your vocabulary. If you're interested in sharing them (keep it clean), join us for a round at a local golf course on August 12th. Please respond by email to Mike Collins (info@damonwoods.org) no later than July 28th. Mike is open to suggestions too, so if you have any ideas how we can grow this into another super LDW event, let him know.

CONGRATULATIONS
Kate Beaudoin was named to the Dean's List at The Restaurant School of Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia. Kate is a 2005 graduate of Tosa East.

ATTENTION SCRAPBOOKERS!!!!
Do you have the papers, the stickers, the rubber stamps, the albums, the photos and everything else that goes along with scrapbooking? Do you have the desire and the motivation? Most importantly, do you have the time? I am interested in forming a Damon Woods Scrapbooking group. I have supplies to share or trade, and have plenty of books for layout ideas. This would be a fun way to spend time with your neighbors, maybe snack a little, enjoy a beverage or two, not to mention being a great way to show off your photographs. I might even get an entire album done this year! Once I get an idea of how many neighbors are interested, we can meet to discuss details like when and where and maybe even come up with a catchy name for the group, too. So, if you'd like to join, please e-mail Karen Roy at info@damonwoods.org.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL REMINDER
Just a reminder, if you have not yet renewed your membership or you would like to join for the first time, you can get the membership form off of our website and drop the form and fee off at Laurie Lehman's home. Membership runs from January through December.
 
If someone has moved into the neighborhood, encourage them to join the association and get to know the neighbors throughout our neighborhood and Wauwatosa.

GREAT TURNOUT FOR TGIF ON MARCH 17TH
Pat and Anne Fee hosted the March Damon Woods TGIF event. Over thirty neighbors joined together for great conversation as they indulged in a huge assortment of appetizers and beverages. And yes, it might have had something to do with St. Patrick's day that there were several Irish brews to enjoy.
 
Consider hosting a TGIF yourself, or attending if you have never done so. One of the greatest strengths of our neighborhood is that so many neighbors know each other. This fact alone distinguishes us from many other neighboring communities. It doesn't matter how old or young you are, attending a TGIF is a great opportunity to put a name to that face you see in the neighborhood.

RMH SPRING GARDEN SALE
The Ronald McDonald House will have a Spring Garden Sale from 10 am to 5 pm Friday, May 5th, and 10 am to 2 pm Saturday, May 6th, in the House's garage (8948 Watertown Plank Rd.) The Holiday Luncheon Boutique Committee will be selling lovely garden items, such as garden urns, wind chimes, ornaments, stakes, welcome signs, flags, potted plants and much more! Shop early for these one-of-a- kind items that are perfect for Mother's Day. Proceeds from the sale go to the Ronald McDonald House.

2006 ALL-NEIGHBORHOOD RUMMAGE SALE
Once again, it's time to clean out those attics and garages and get ready to sell it all at the annual All-Neighborhood Rummage Sale. Mark your calendars now for Friday, June 9 from 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday, June 10 from 8 am to 3 pm.
 
Each year the rummage sale seems to get better and better, involving more homes each year.. Hopefully this trend will continue, with even more families joining in on the selling! As always, our goal is a sale on every street!! And get the kids involved…Kool-Aid stands, popcorn and snack sales or, how about a sale to get rid of all the old Happy Meal toys!!
 
The sale will be advertised in the Journal/Sentinel, on flyers at local businesses and with signs around the neighborhood on the days of the sale. Balloons will mark the homes participating, and sellers will receive a few copies of a map and a list of sellers that they can reproduce and give to shoppers.
 
To sign up and be included on the map of sellers (see insert to sign-up), please complete the included form and return it (along with $2.00 for non-member) to Karen McNeely, on Jackson Park Blvd. by Wednesday, May 31st. You can then pick up your balloons, maps and seller's list from Karen on Thursday, June 8th.
 
If you have any questions please e-mail Karen at info@damonwoods.org.

CALLING ALL PARTY PLANNERS
Love to entertain? Good at organizing for large groups? Did you have complaints about how the LDW annual picnic was run in past years? If you said yes to any of these questions, we need you. We are looking for someone to help organize the LDW summer picnic this year. It's scheduled for July 15th. You don't have to worry about cooking, you don't have to plan kids games, and you don't have to shuck the corn. You just have to make sure everyone has plates, utensils and something cool to drink. If you are interested, e-mail Anne Fee at info@damonwoods.org for details.

NEIGHBORHOOD EASTER EGG HUNT APRIL 8TH
Mark your calendar and grab your basket for this years' Easter Egg Hunt at the Lowell Damon house on Saturday, April 8th at 10:00 am. This annual event is free for all LDW children and will include crafts, games, egg hunt and a visit by the Easter bunny himself. If you're able to help with preparations or to get more information, please contact Laurie Lehman or Amy Giampetroni at info@damonwoods.org.
 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR DAMON HOUSE YARD CLEANUP
Mark Earth Day 2006 on Saturday, April 22, and meet your neighbors while helping with the Damon Woods Neighborhood Association's 10th annual spring cleanup of the grounds surrounding the Damon House Museum.
 
With enough volunteers, we'll whip the gardens into shape in less than a couple of hours. Well, we'll at least do what we can. In past years, it took about that much time for a handful of volunteers to fill a couple dozen plastic bags with leaves and debris and haul the bags to the city dump.
 
We're asking neighbors to don garden gloves and bring lawn rakes to help for as little as 30 minutes and no more than two hours. Rain or shine, some of us will be at the garden from 10 a.m. to noon that Saturday.
 
As in past years, our little Earth Day effort is part of the Great American Cleanup, sponsored by Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful. Volunteers will be given passes for free admission to the Milwaukee County Zoo or pools at county parks. Participants also will be eligible to win a 2006 Honda Accord hybrid.
 
We've enjoyed use of the Damon House grounds for our Easter egg hunts, summer picnics and Christmas gatherings. Helping with this quick cleanup is one way of showing our appreciation to the Milwaukee County Historical Society for use of this jewel of the neighborhood. Besides being the namesake of our neighborhood association, the museum at 2107 Wauwatosa Ave. is the oldest house in Wauwatosa. Take a break from the cleanup or stop by on Wednesday or Sunday afternoons for a tour. Even if you've visited before, there are new and interesting additions to the museum collection. Our beautification efforts continue with flower planting at the Damon House at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 3. Bring your garden gloves and favorite garden tools to pitch in as we prepare the garden beds and plant annuals.
 
Give us a call or send us your e-mail address and we'll let you know about other dates when you'll have additional opportunities to join in little garden maintenance projects throughout the growing season. If Saturday mornings don't work for you, but you'd still like to help, please contact Dave Vogel or Jeanine Schoen at at info@damonwoods.org.

DAMON WOODS BOARD OPENING
Laurie Lehman, a board member since 2003 has decided to step down as a board member this summer. Laurie has served as the treasurer for the last few years and has been a valuable member.
 
If you would like find our more about becoming a board member, please contact any of the board members (list is on the back page) for more information.

WAUWATOSA WIFI
Did you know "The City of Wauwatosa has invited prospective vendors interested in entering into a nonexclusive agreement for construction of a public/private wireless broadband (WiFi) network to submit written letters of intent for the building, financing, and management of non-city owned wireless broadband networks throughout the City?" Check out the city website page http://www.wauwatosa.net/display/displayFile.asp?docid=2560&filename=/Internet/News/WiFiPublicNotice.pdf for more information.

NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION
THANK YOU—to those who helped deliver the February newsletters! Ellie Bjorkman, Tiffany Bruett, Pam Christopherson, Patti Hartwick, Patty Hovel, Cathy Kebbekus, Laurie Lehman, Kathy Mannebach, Susan Patton, Jeanine Schoen, Frank and Joanne Shansky, Kristin Skrade, Kathy Romfoe, Art Steadman, and Tom Wanta.
If you would like to help deliver, contact Karen McNeely.

SPRING GARDEN PEST REMINDER
Don't forget to keep an eye out for garlic mustard, the ever invasive non-native plant taking over our native plants, in your own backyard. An article appeared in this newsletter last year after the plant was found in several yards on Woodland Ave.
 
See the website article at http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/alpe1.htm for information and links to other websites.
 
In addition to keeping a lookout in your back yard and removing the plant, consider participating in the annual Garlic Mustard Pull sponsored by the Friends of the Menomonee River Parkway.

The flower is white with yellow pistol and stamen grouping in the center.		Second year growth with elongated stem and terminal flowers.

WAUWATOSA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Have you ever considered joining the Wauwatosa Historical Society? Anyone with an interest in the history of Wauwatosa and in Wisconsin is invited to become a member. Upcoming events include: April 1: "The Art of Wcinanki:Polish Paper Cut-Outs" April 8: Oral History Workshop May 6: Plant Sale Kneeland-Walker Gardens Events are open to members and non-members For more information, call 774-8672 or check out the WHS website membership info at http://www.wauwatosahistoricalsociety.org/.

A PLEASANT VIEW FROM THE HILLCREST
Chris Vogel happened to catch these four deer with her camera taking a cautious but leisurely stroll through our neighborhood on March 12th on Hillcrest Ave and Pleasant Street. They had been spotted a few days earlier munching on flowers in the backyard of a home on Woodland Ave.

DAMON WOOD INFORMATION
Keep in touch with upcoming events and news as it happens. Sign up to be a member of our neighborhood news list at Topica.com. Send an e-mail to damonwoods@topica.com with “subscribe” as the subject. Follow the online Topica instructions. The information you fill out is confidential and you will not get e-mail spam. If you find out that you don’t like it, you can unsubscribe from the service.