Hello Damon Woods Neighbors!
 
As I sit down to write this month’s note it’s hard to concentrate and come up with an idea because it is so hot!!! I hope all of you are finding ways to keep cool and enjoy the summer despite the heat. Summer does lend itself to great neighborhood moments, one of which we had just the other day. As my children played outside, five boys from three families in the neighborhood came running up the street, all in swimsuits and all dripping from playing some water game or another. They stopped and started playing at our house, and suddenly we had playmates galore and different games going on around the yard. It’s one of the things that’s great about living in a place like Damon Woods - kids are free to play outdoors, going from one friend’s house to another, finding fun ways to spend their summer days. In these times of highly structured, overly scheduled play time it’s wonderful to live in a neighborhood where kids can still be sent out to play, and be safe doing so.
 
Another great thing about summer in Damon Woods is the annual picnic. Thanks to the efforts of Maria Watson, Karen Roy, Bill Duyser and Jim Gehrke, along with the assistance of many others, it was another fun party! Thanks to all of you who helped out, and to everyone who attended.
 
Lastly, I’d like to welcome Jennifer LaPorte McCanles, our newest Board member. Jennifer was elected to the Board at the picnic, and I very much look forward to working with her. Thanks, Jennifer, for stepping up! If any of you would like to join the Board, please let a Board member know. We’d love to have your new ideas.
Keep cool!
 
Anne Fee
President
 

PLAY GROUP NEWS
The Lowell Damon playgroup is open to all neighborhood families. We meet on Thursdays from 9:30 to 11:30 am. The host/ hostess provides light refreshments for all. In addition to these bi-weekly gatherings, we are planning an apple-picking adventure on Sept 21st, a great way to celebrate the first day of Fall! This is always lots of fun for adults and kids alike, don't forget your camera! Questions? For more info contact Julie Janisch at info@damonwoods.org.

UPCOMING LOWELL DAMON WOODS ASSOCIATION EVENTS

	Aug 12th - Second Annual LDWNA Golf Outing
	Oct 1st - Harvest Fest (will be the by 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 is September 22nd at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Bob and Meg Gintoft of 8016 Stickney.
 
Mark and Amy Buckbee will host at their home at 2031 Church Street on October 13th.
 
Remember that these parties are open to all neighbors. This is 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: October 16th, 2006
Place: Jeanine and Tom Schoen’s home on Jackson Park Blvd
Book: Threads: The Reincarnation of Anne Boleyn, by Nell Gavin
 
Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII, is brought to vibrant life in this unusual historical novel. Anne's path from that of an unloved young girl to the Queen of England is presented by Anne herself as she looks back upon the circumstances that eventually led to her execution.
 
The author presents several different incarnations of Anne and Henry (along with family, friends, and lost loves), placed into different life situations and different historical times, each one exploring another facet of personality and circumstances. The technique is unique, intriguing, and in the end, beautifully coaxes the dark ghosts of a long dead past into the present for an introduction that won't soon be forgotten.
 
Gavin has created believable personalities with strengths and weaknesses, imperfections and understandable desires. Using a combination of fact and legend, she tells a story of passion, obsession, and heartbreak that will capture readers with its depth and humanity.
The next two Book Clubs will be spaced three months apart, rather than the usual two. The next Book Club (title to be announced in October) is Monday, January 15.

NEXT BOARD MEETING
The neighborhood association’s next Board meeting is at 7:00 pm, on September 21st 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.
 

CONGRATULATIONS
Patrick "Sean" Watson of Stickney Ave. recently received his Masters degree in Engineering Management from MSOE. Sean works as a quality engineer at Briggs & Stratton. Congratulations!
 
IN REMEMBRANCE
Merna Strohmaier, a former longtime resident of Woodland Ave., died August 1st at the age of 81. She was the wife of the late Carl W. Strohmaier; mother of Susan Holmes and Carl Strohmaier. The funeral was held at St. Matthews Ev. Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa on August 7th.
 
WELCOME
Joachim and Mary-Anne Kowol are new neighbors on N. 81st. They moved to the United States from Germany. Joachim is originally from Poland and then lived in Germany for about 15 years. The couple resided in Tulsa, Oklahoma for about eight years prior to moving to Wauwatosa. They relocated to Wauwatosa so that Mary- Anne can do her psychiatry internship and then residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Wauwatosa is a great central location for the various locations where Mary-Anne will have her rotations. Joachim works for a manufacturer of equipment in the adhesives industry. Their son Mathhias, who plays piano, will be attending Lincoln in the 4th grade this fall. The family members, owners of a cat named Nicky, are big soccer fans.

 

SIZZLING SUMMER FUN AT THE LDW ANNUAL PICNIC AND PIG ROAST
by Maria Watson

Neither rain, nor hail, nor sleet, nor especially the 90- degree weather kept the nearly 100 Damon Woods residents from gathering at the Lowell Damon House on Saturday, July 15th for the annual summer picnic and pig roast.
 
Bill Duyser and Jim Gehrke slaved all day in the heat to cook up a mouth-watering selection of delicious pork and seasoned chicken, all cooked on a rotisserie and spit. Picnic-goers also chose from a delicious assortment of homemade potato and pasta salads, fruit, and summer vegetables, as everyone who attended provided a scrumptious side dish for all to share (I have many a great recipe I need to request from those who attended!). And as always, the corn roast was a huge hit with everyone. I still think it tastes a thousand times better than the roasted corn at our local festivals! In addition, everyone was able to enjoy from an assortment of sodas, bottled water (in demand on this hot, hot day!), cool Miller Lite, and the “piece de resistance,” Jeff Enders’ award-winning homemade brews (also highly in demand, especially the golden ale!) and his home-brewed root beer.
 
Neighborhood children were entertained by a variety of activities taking place, including ring toss, coloring contests, paddle ball, a limbo contest, and the most popular of the afternoon, a visit from our local fire engine company! Adults and kids alike gathered round for an in-depth look at the workings of a fire engine truck. Unfortunately, they had just raised their tallest ladder, when they had to leave for a real call! In addition to the picnic, the Lowell Damon Woods Neighborhood Association held its annual meeting and elected its newest board member, Jennifer McCanles, to the board of directors. Welcome Jennifer, we look forward to working with you to make our neighborhood such a desirable place to live!
 
The band, Three Blocks to Murdoch, provided us with the honor of playing at our picnic again this year. Fans were able to enjoy listening to the band perform after dinner was served. Many danced the night away and enjoyed the camaraderie of catching up with friends and neighbors, and meeting the many new ones who’ve moved to our neighborhood in the past year. Overall, it was an enjoyable way to spend a hot July evening! For those of you who were unable to join us this year or have never attended in the past, we urge you to join us next year for what is sure to be another enjoyable picnic. It’s events like these that allow us to gather together and socialize with our neighbors that make our neighborhood such a close-knit community and wonderful place to live.

Thanks and see you all next year!

NEW NEIGHBORS ON 81ST STREET
We are Chris (dad 47), Debbie (mom 37), Joseph (4), David (3), and Lillian (20 months) Janisch. We recently purchased the home on N 81st Street previously owned by the late Dr. Armin and Theo Baier.
 
We moved from a somewhat smaller home in the Mount Mary Neighborhood near 90th and Center Streets. So far we love the new neighborhood, and are getting to know many of the residents slowly but surely. We love the quiet feel, and are thrilled to be joining such a tight-knit, friendly group of people. The house is going to require lots of TLC, and we will have plenty of opportunity to make it our own!!
 
Debbie is a graduate of UW Eau Claire, and is an RN in the Surgical Trauma Unit at Froedert Hospital. She works part time evenings, and stays home with the children during the day. Chris is a graduate of Concordia University, Wisconsin, and is currently working on his Masters Degree in Educational Psychology at UW Milwaukee. He works for U.S. Bank as the Regional Training Manager supporting the Southeast Wisconsin/Chicago Markets. Chris also plays guitar and sings in the popular "Andrea and the Mods" band, who can be seen every day at State Fair, August 3-13 on the Saz Rib Stage, as well as many other local engagements. Joseph will be attending 4K at Christ King in Fall, and David is starting school in St. Pius 3K program. Lilly gets a free ride for another couple of years!!
 
Our interests are as varied as we are--Debbie loves to garden, and can often be seen tending to her gardens on any given day. She also enjoys running, bicycling, cooking and baking (especially baking), travel, and backpacking. Chris enjoys music, running (has completed a number of marathons) reading, backpacking, and travel. The children are involved in numerous activities including soccer, t-ball, music, and camping.
 
Debbie grew up in Stevens Point, Wisconsin where her parents Bob and Marge still live, eventually finding herself in Madison Wisconsin where she met Chris in 1997. Chris grew up in Wauwatosa on Jackson Park Blvd., where his parents Joan and Dick still live today. As many readers know, there are other Janisch families in Wauwatosa, most notably Pat, Julie, Cecilia, Sam, and Madeline, on Wauwatosa Ave, and William, Danielle, Peter, and Thomas living off Menomonee River Parkway and Hwy 100.
 
We are thrilled to be a part of this great community, and encourage anyone to stop by the "big lot" on Woodland and 81st. and say hello!!

TGIF ON AUGUST 4TH
Peggy and Rhommer Varilla of Stickney Ave, hosted the most recent TGIF . About 35-40 people, including several first-time “TGIFers,” enjoyed the balmy evening weather, some great hors d’ oeuvres and a wide selection of beverages. The sought-after recipe for Asparagus Roll Ups is featured in the next article.

DAMON WOODS RECIPES
We are starting this new feature article in this issue of the newsletter. While we haven’t received enough recipes to make a full-blown cookbook, we think that enough recipes have been submitted to fill this column for some time to come. Beth Heiges of Stickney Ave brought her recipe to the latest TGIF held at Peggy and Rhommer Varilla’s on Friday night August 4th. This inaugural recipe is for yummy Asparagus Roll Ups.

     Asparagus Roll Ups
     20 slices of white bread
     3 oz blue cheese
     8 oz cream cheese
     1 egg
     1/2 cup melted butter
     20 spears blanched asparagus

     Trim crusts on bread and roll flat with rolling pin.
     Blend cream cheese, blue cheese and egg.
     Spread cheese mixture on flattened bread. Place an asparagus spear on the cheese mix,
     roll and secure with a toothpick. Brush liberally with melted butter. Refrigerate several
     hours until firm. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes..

NEW DAMON WOODS BOARD MEMBER
Jennifer LaPorte-McCanles is delighted to be joining the Lowell Damon Woods Neighborhood Association Board. She and her husband, Chris, have lived on Forest Street for almost three years. Jennifer has enjoyed getting to know the neighbors through Play Group, TGIF, and other events. They have three boys: Malcolm, who will be in senior kindergarten at Lincoln School this fall; Mitchell, three; and Miles, 17 months. Jennifer works part-time with Chris at Terra Nova, Inc., the company he founded in 1997; is a member of First Congregational Church; doesn’t mind being called either Jenny or Jennifer; loves spending time up north during the summer; and is looking forward to a brief return to acting in September when she’ll perform in a show at the Boulevard Theater. She looks forward to jumping into LDW Board business!

PERSONAL PROPERTY FROM PIG AND CHICKEN ROAST
A few tables remain at the Damon Woods Museum following this year’s Pig Roast. They are located in the garage and are taking up space that Art Stedman, the caretaker, needs back for his own use. One has been there for a year and two are from this year. Please make arrangements with Art to pick up the tables.
 
CALLING ALL BAKERS...
Start pulling out your cookbooks and family recipes for the annual holiday cookie exchange Saturday, December 2nd at the Lowell Damon House
(time to be determined). It's fun and easy and the benefit is you only have to bake once for the season and you come home with a wide assortment of scrumptious holiday cookies, bars, and candy for your family or to share at holiday gatherings. Watch for more info in upcoming newsletters as we get closer to the date. In the meantime, if any questions do arise, please contact Kris Gehrke at info@damonwoods.org.
  
LO-O-ONG TIME RESIDENT?
Have you lived in the Lowell Damon neighborhood longer than anyone else? Or do you think your next-door neighbor, or the woman down the block can lay claim to that distinction? We would like to find the person –actually the five people –who have lived in our neighborhood the longest. What a rich history they have to share; and we hope that is just what they will do for our next newsletter. To narrow the search, we are looking for people who have lived here for at least 40 years. If you fit that description, or know someone who does, please contact the editor (Larry) at info@damonwoods.org. Just leave a name and number where you can be reached. We plan to share the stories in the next newsletter.
 
WINE FLIGHTS AT VINO 100
You might be wondering, “What is a wine flight?” Well, a flight is a sample of a certain wine that you would like to try. It typically is in a grouping such as all white wine or all red wine. We were just at an Irish Pub and they had flights of Irish Cream, Irish whiskey and Scotch. They were available from all different age groups and price points.
 
The flights at Vino 100, or just Vino for short, are selected from what they offer by the glass for that evening. They offer four red and four white wines of approximately 2oz each for $10, but you can also mix and match . It’s a great way to try certain varietals without purchasing a full glass or bottle. I must admit that we have partaken in many “flight nights” and have found many new favorites this way.
 
Where is Vino 100?
Vino is Wauwatosa’s newest wine bar and gathering place with both indoor and outdoor seating. It is located at 1442 Underwood Ave. and is owned by two young guys named John Shaal and Mark Schraith.
 
Bartollatta’s Now at Vino
John and Mark just recently worked out an arrangement where you can order select Bartollatta’s appetizers, salads and desserts right from Vino. Just let one of their super friendly staff know what you would like and they will order it for you. It takes about 20-30 minutes for your food to arrive.
 
Join Us for Flight Night
So, now maybe you’re interested in trying “flight night?” Well, we can help you and your taste buds. Join us on Tuesday, August 22nd from 7-9 PM. No RSVP needed. Beer is available for non-wine drinkers.
- Kris and Jim Gehrke

TOSA TONIGHT CONCERT SERIES
Wednesday, August 16th
Gaelic Storm
Leahy’s Luck
Hoyt Park
5:30—9:00 pm
     

 
DAMON WOODS ARBOR UPDATE
Once again, Damon Woods neighbors have stepped up to meet a good cause. Thank you to Sis and Jean Ann Von Rohr, of Jackson Park Blvd, who donated the $250 for materials for the arbor which will be located at the Damon House.
 
The project is already underway and is being built Tom Krause of Pleasant Street who is donating his time. The picture at the right is of the same arbor design Tom Krause built for his own garden about 15 years ago. Look for it soon at the Damon House Museum.

LINCOLN SCHOOL MORNING KINDERGARTEN ART SHOW
Miss G’s Junior Kindergarten Art Show was held on May 25th for her students’ families and friends. During the school year, he students learned about different artists and the styles they painted. Students then painted in many of those styles. It was very impressive to see how talented the kindergartens already are.

Malcolm McCanles’ painting was part of a larger collage of class paintings. His work is the middle painting, second row.

DAMON WOODS KICKBALL TEAM
The July 27th edition of the Wauwatosa News-Times ran an article showcasing several adult kickball teams from Wauwatosa, including a team made up of a number of Damon Woods neighbors.

Damon Woods members mentioned or pictured were Meg and DJ Lee. DJ, team captain of the Acting Our Age team, largely consisting of neighbors in Tosa, told the News-Times reporter, “A couple of us played on a team last year and we had so much fun that we made a new team with all our neighbors this year.” Teammate Marcy Minix broke her finger in the third game, benching her for the season.
 
Wauwatosa has five teams in this summer’s league: Acting Our Age, Manbunt, Liquor, I Barely Know Her, Kickin’ It in Tosa, and Kickin’ Balls.

ON-LINE SURVEY FORM
The LDWNA survey form is now available on our website. It can be filled out on line and submitted electronically. We are always trying to make the neighborhood association better and want and need your input. You can go directly to the survey at http://www.damonwoods.org/surveyform.htm.

DAMON WOOD MUSEUM NEWS
by Art Steadman
I had quite a visitor in the Museum today...the first Dallas Cowboy quarterback drafted by coach Tom Landry in 1960, Eddie Lebaron! Eddie visited with his wife, Darlene, who is the great-great granddaughter of Benjamin Hart (brother of Charles Hart), one of the original founders of Wauwatosa!
 
Eddie rose through the football ranks; his military career; and a law practice. Eddie and Darlene were, without question, two of the more memorable visitors to tour the Damon House since I have been the caretaker! Only wish I'd taken a picture (and gotten his autograph!).

WAUWATOSA HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S ANNUAL TOUR OF HOMES
Six beautiful homes along Pasadena Boulevard will be open to the public during the Wauwatosa Historical Society’s Annual Tour of Homes on Saturday, Oct. 7. The “Pasadena On Parade” tour will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine.
 
Being featured on the tour are David and Kristy Fox’s Colonial Revival-style home at 2339 Pasadena; Mark and Karen Spindler’s Tudor Revival-style home at 2369 Pasadena; Bob and Lorraine Miller’s French Eclectic-style home at 2376 Pasadena; Kathleen Wojcik’s Eclectic Period Revival-style home at 2402 Pasadena; Rodney and Terres Van Bibber’s Colonial Revival-style home at 2460 Pasadena; and Ken and Kelly Hemauer’s Mediterranean Revival- style home at 2469 Pasadena.
 
Tickets, $12 in advance, are available at the Little Read Book Store, 7603 W. State St., and at Wisconsin Garden & Pet, 8520 W. North Ave., or by calling 414-774- 8672. On the day of the tour, tickets at $15 will be available at North Shore Bank, 8706 W. North Ave. Children younger than 10 are not permitted on the tour.

RAIN GARDENS, RAIN BARRELS, AND DOWN SPOUT DISCONNECTS
Allowing more rainwater to be absorbed back into the ground, rather than flowing through pipes and into the storm sewer system, is a smart move environmentally and fiscally, according to Tom Chapman from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.
Chapman spoke at a Neighborhood Association Council meeting July 19 about rain gardens, rain barrels and downspout disconnects.
 
A rain garden features depressed, rather than raised, grading so that rainwater puddles on the ground and is reabsorbed. Such a garden uses native plants with long and deep root systems. Although rain gardens can be easy to build, they involve maintenance, especially in the first few years as the plants are getting established.
 
MMSD has 50-gallon drums available for $24 to use as rain barrels, which are connected to a downspout to collect rainwater that falls on roofs. Rain barrels must be disconnected and emptied for winter. They also should be emptied every 10 days – for watering plants, washing cars, etc. -- to prevent mosquitoes from hatching. And it’s important that rain barrels don’t discharge next to a foundation or too close to neighbors’ properties.
 
At some homes, downspouts continue underground and connect directly to storm sewers. MMSD encourages people to disconnect downspouts and have them empty onto the ground or into rain barrels.
 
More information about rain gardens, rain barrels and downspout disconnects is at www.mmsd.com. Also, Chris Vogel will share copies of posters and brochures that Chapman provided at the NAC meeting.

PUDGY PUFFY CHEEKS WIN 3V3 TOURNAMENT
Damon Woods members Nathan Schoen, Alan Kroner, and John Ensch won the Recreational U-9 Southeastern Wisconsin Championship of the Kick-It 3v3 Soccer Tournament held at Uihlein Field July 15-16. Rounding out the Puffy Pudgy Cheeks team are Dan Hawley, Austin Cox, and Tyler Hansen.
 
This is the Cheeks’ second year participating in the competition. Last year they placed 5th and gained entry into the Regional competition at Crystal Lake, Illinois, by the skin of their teeth. This year, battle-hardened and a year wiser, they went undefeated (one tie) throughout the six games required to win the Championship. The Cheeks will enter the Crystal Lake Tournament, held August 12-13, as a top seed because of their Champion status. This was the first time in the boys’ young soccer careers that they have received individual hardware for winning a soccer tournament. All of the Recreational tournaments entered previous to this handed out Participation Awards.
 
Another Damon Woods alum, Randall Schoen, was a member of the Trezeguet team which won the Men’s Adult Division of the same tournament for the second year in a row. Randall, age 17, joined three U-17 Tosa Warriors teammates, Tom Sweeney, Pat Gilbertson, and Michael Handzlik, as well as Tom Sweeney’s older brothers Mike and Danny. The ages of the older brothers forced the team into the Adult Division, where some of the teams they faced contain current or former college players. Trezeguet won all of their games in the first day’s pool play except for a tough loss to arch-rival Kalts FC. They met Kalts FC again in the Championship game, and defeated them handily. Trezeguet does not plan to continue on to the Crystal Lake Regionals, where they finished 5th last year, because of scheduling conflicts.

NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION
THANK YOU—to those who helped deliver the June newsletters! Ellie Bjorkman, Tiffany Bruett, Kris and Jim Gehrke, Bob Heitzer, Cathy Kebbekus, Kathy Mannebach, Susan Patton, Kelly Presser and Jason Dudley, Kathleen Romfoe, Diane Kaiser- Rockenbach, Jeanine Schoen, Frank and Joanne Shansky, and Tom Wanta. If you would like to help deliver, contact Karen McNeely.

DAMON WOOD INFORMATION
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