I would like to begin my first note to you by expressing my great gratitude, on behalf of our neighborhood and myself, to Karen McNeely, who served this Association as president for three years. Karen has spent countless hours working for our neighborhood and association, and brought great energy and ideas to both. Thank you, Karen, for all you've done and continue to do!

For those of you whom I may not have met, my husband Pat and I moved to our home on Church Street in June 1998. At that point we had one toddler, our son Daniel. Though it seems we've only been here a short time, Dan is now an 8 year old hockey playing third grader, and he has a six year old sister, Janet, and little brother, Frank, who is four. All of them attend Lincoln, and enjoy walking through the neighborhood to their school. Pat is an attorney at a firm in Milwaukee, and I, a former prosecutor, stay home to wrangle kids and perform chauffeur duties.

We are very happy to have landed in this neighborhood, with its beautiful homes in varying architectural styles, lovingly tended yards and gardens and, most of all, friendly neighbors. It is wonderful to live in a spot where you can still run across to your neighbor to borrow an egg or have kids ring your doorbell looking for scavenger hunt items. Part of what makes this a great place to live, I think, is the neighborhood association. It brings us together from time to time in order to keep in touch and get to know each other a little better. It provides opportunities to socialize and communicate with each other. It helps connect us to this place.

This issue of the newsletter marks the tenth anniversary of our Association. Over the past decade the Association has grown to include over 200 households, and has hosted innumerable events for our neighborhood. I hope that the next ten years are as successful as the first ten, and in an attempt to ensure that, we will be asking you how you think we are doing and what you would like to see in the future of the association. Look for a survey in an upcoming newsletter, and please respond. Let a Board member know what you think of what we're doing, or if you'd like to see changes. We need your input to make sure the Association remains a vital part of our neighborhood.

As I write we are entering into one of the busiest times of the year - the holidays. In the rush of parties and shopping, cards and decorating, remember to take time to walk around Damon Woods and see the beautiful place in which we live. Say hello to neighbors and enjoy the decorations which will soon adorn our streets. After the major rush is through, come to the Winter Party, on January 7th. If you've never been to an Association event, make this your first. It's a fun way to get involved!

Happy Holidays!

Anne Fee
President
 

PLAY GROUP NEWS
Like everything else in the neighborhood, much has changed and much has stayed the same in our playgroup. What has not changed is the laughter, friendship and support given, and received, over a cup of coffee. The joyful noises (and whining!) of the children as they play ,and learn to share both toys and treats! What has changed the most over the years is our size. We currently have 6-8 active families. When I began coming several years ago, we had two groups because no single home could accommodate the whole. As I look back at the directory from that time, nearly every family still lives here. The children have just outgrown their playgroup years. Our numbers are on the rise again, however. With Erin's new son, Joseph, two more babies on the way (congratulations Stacey and Michelle!) and our new members Laurie and Elizabeth we may need to meet in two homes again someday! Contact Julie Janisch with questions at info@damonwoods.org.

UPCOMING LOWELL DAMON WOODS ASSOCIATION EVENTS

	Dec 3rd - Christmas Tree pickup and Christmas Cookie Exchange
	Jan 7th - Neighborhood Association Winter Party at the Kneeland-Walker House
	Apr 8th - Easter Egg Hunt

UPCOMING TGIF PARTIES
The next TGIF will be Friday, February 18th at the home of Jim and Kris Gehrke on N. 83rd. The fun will begin at 7 pm. Please bring a beverage and appetizer to pass. These events are open to all Damon Woods residents. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet new neighbors in a casual setting. If you are interested in hosting an upcoming TGIF, please contact Kris Gehrke at info@damonwoods.org. We are in need of hosts for the months of March, April and May.

There will not be a TGIF party in December and January due to other neighborhood events.

BOOK CLUB
Date: January 9th, 2006 at 7:30 pm 
Place: Tom and Jeanine Schoen's home on Jackson Park Blvd
Book: The Bookseller of Kabul, by Asne Seierstad
 
Asne Seierstad, a female journalist from Norway, moved in with the Khan family in Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban. Disguised as she was behind the bulky, shapeless burka and escorted always by a man and even in Western dress, she was somehow anonymous and accepted readily into the bookseller's large extended family. Her account is of the tragedy, contradictions, rivalries, and daily frustrations of a middle-class Afghan family. The title character, "Sultan Khan", is the patriarch of the family, a successful bookseller who owns three shops in Kabul. (Who knew that there were chain stores in Afghanistan?) Because of his love of books, he's done some courageous things in his life and served some time in prison for it.

However, the book is not really about Khan, but about several members of his family, especially the women. Though, as the patriarch Khan shapes everything that goes on in the family, he seems unaware of what shapes him. Seierstad accompanied the women as they shopped and dressed for a wedding and was privy to the negotiations for the marriage. She tells of the death by suffocation of a young woman who met her lover in secret, the bored meanderings of a 12-year-old boy forced to work 12-hour days selling candy in a hotel lobby, and of going on a religious pilgrimage with a restless, frustrated teen. All this is recounted with journalistic objectivity in spite of her close ties to the Khans. Events that the author doesn't actually witness or participate in, she recounts from conversations with members of the family, primarily Sultan Khan's sister.

NEXT BOARD MEETING
The neighborhood association's next Board meeting is at 7:00 pm, on January 19th in the Firefly Room at the Wauwatosa Library. Please join us and share your ideas.
 

The book club has been meeting bi-monthly since 1997 and has read and discussed almost fifty books over that span. It's membership has included: Irene Alberti, Delores Gunderson, John and Patti Hartwick, Cathy Kebbekus, Stacey Muller, Tom and Jeanine Schoen, Diana Stroshine, Rachael VerDuin, and Sheryl Van Haren. Their reading list is:

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

 
WHAT A HAPPY HALLOWEEN IT WAS!
by Amy Giampetroni

Kris Gehrke and I are happy to report that the 1st Annual LDWNA Halloween Decorating Contest was a fun and festive success. We were blessed with mild weather for Halloween night trick-or- treating, with only a few sprinkles attempting to dampen the fun, and the streets were alive with the shrieks and giggles of our children - oops, I meant to say our little ghosts, goblins, dragons, princesses, flowers, firemen, frogs, tigers and so on - as they skittered from house to house to collect their bootie.
 
Our very creative contest participants did a fabulous job of decorating their homes, with everything from headstones and pumpkins to skeletons and eerie lighting. And the results were spectacular! As I wandered the streets collecting ballot buckets after the last treats had been handed out to the little ghosts and goblins, I was actually a little scared to be wandering among the headstones and other scary paraphernalia alone, without my own little dragon to protect me!
 
Without further ado, the winners of the 1st Annual LDWNA Halloween Decorating Contest were:
 
1st Place - The Sieverts of Aberdeen Court received six ballots, and won a Halloween-themed gift basket from StyLynn Gifts and Baskets.

2nd Place - The Zaffiros of Forest Street received five ballots, and won gift certificates from Essentials Decor and Gifts, Lotions and Potions and a ticket to the American Cancer Society's Christmas Fantasy House.
 
3rd Place - The Balloghs of Rogers Avenue received four ballots, and won four free appetizer cards from the Chancery of Tosa.
 
We'd like to thank everyone who participated for joining in the fun and putting in the time and effort to prepare their homes and yards for the big day, including:

The Heitzers of Jackson Park Boulevard;
The Teofilos of Stickney Avenue;
The DeCoras of Aberdeen Court;
The Andersons of Church Street;
The Swensons of Church Street; and
The O'Briens of Rogers Avenue.
 
We'd also like to extend our sincere thanks to the vendors who contributed prizes for the contest: Stylynn Baskets and Gifts of Wauwatosa, Tosa Chancery, Essentials Decor and Gifts of Elm Grove, Lotions and Potions of Greendale, and the American Cancer Society. We hope that more of our neighbors will get involved in next year's contest so that we can make this another fun and lasting tradition for the LDWNA.
.
NEW THEATER NIGHT OUT GROUP
A small group of neighbors got together for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres before going to the Wauwatosa East Players performance of Pippin, on Saturday, November 19th, 2005. Anne and Pat Fee were kind enough to host this first outing. John and Lynn Rutkiewicz, Betsy and Chris Daniels, Brian and Marcy Minix, Chris McCanles and Jennifer LaPorte-McCanles, Michele Teofilo and Bill and Leslie Duyser all enjoyed a wonderful evening. Everyone brought an hors d'oeuvre to pass and shared in a little libation before making the six block trek to the high school. It was a spectacular evening with great neighbors from Damon Woods. If you are interested in supporting Tosa East's Theater and joining a group of neighbors for some pre-theater fun and a night at our high school theater, contact Anne Fee.

JOHN MCGIVERN TO APPEAR AT TOSA EAST
The Dale K. Hidde Theatre at Tosa East High School will be alive with humor and laughter on Saturday, January 21, 2006 when Milwaukee native John McGivern presents a live benefit show appropriate for teens and adults. McGivern has starred locally in "The Santaland Diaries" and "The Odd Couple" and his regular appearances on the morning show with Carole and Dave on WKLH radio and on WTMJ Channel 4 television as "Milwaukee's Own with John McGivern." McGivern currently is an artist in residence at Tosa East High School, providing his experience and teaching skills to the theater students in the ACTS class. The acclaimed actor, comedian, and writer of many talents will be making the January 21 appearance on behalf of Friends of Theatre Arts of Wauwatosa East High School, with proceeds from the show to be used for scholarship, education opportunities and material needs of the theater department.
 
The evening begins at 6:00 PM with a VIP Meet and Greet Reception with McGivern held in the beautiful and historic Georgian Wauwatosa Women's Club building, adjacent to the high school at 1626 Wauwatosa Avenue. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served, along with the opportunity to mix and mingle with McGivern. Guests will also have the opportunity to obtain beautiful and valuable silent auction and raffle items. VIP priority seating is included in the $50 per person ticket price for this adults-only reception. The fun continues with McGivern's 75-minute performance in the Dale K. Hidde Theatre at Tosa East beginning at 7:30 PM. Reserved seats for this portion of the evening are available for $25 for adults and $15 for senior citizens and students. Advanced sale tickets are available by contacting the ticket office at 414-773-2018, or by mail to Wauwatosa East High School, Attn. McGivern Event, 7500 Milwaukee Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI 53213. Tickets will also be available at the door the evening of the show. You won't want to miss this entertaining evening with the critically acclaimed, nationally revered, one and only, John McGivern.

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. 

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
Tom, Erin and big sister Sofia are pleased to introduce the newest member of their family. Joseph Charles Castagnozzi was born October 18th, 2005 at 6:20 pm. He was 6 lbs, 7 oz and 19 & 1/2" long. He is a happy, healthy joy of a baby!

 
A TASTE OF DAMON WOODS
While Marcy Minix continues to compile recipes for the neighborhood association cookbook, we may have been a bit too aggressive planning to have it in print in time for the Christmas Tree Pick-up and Cookie Exchange. Marcy would still like you to send her recipes as soon as possible, but the target date for printing has been delayed to coincide with the Annual Meeting and Pig Roast this summer. This will give Marcy the needed time to put it all together.

There are so many great cooks living in Damon Woods who have made many outstanding dishes for neighborhood events, parties, and get-togethers. Please send Marcy your recipes for hors d'oevres , salads, casseroles, recipes for grilling , cookies, cakes, and other desserts. Don't forget recipes for summer fruits and vegetables our many gardens produce.

You may drop off recipes at Marcy Minix' home or e-mail recipes to her at nfo@damonwoods.org.

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.
   

EXCERPTS FROM THE NAC HOYT POOL PRESENTATION
Even prior to the closing of Hoyt Pool two years ago, Wauwatosa residents said during the citizen-based Strategic Planning Committee process (final report, 2/9/99) that they want a new-style pool to meet the recreational needs of all its residents.
 
New designs have revolutionized outdoor community pool complexes throughout the U.S. in the past fifteen years and have become popular local recreational options for their residents. A design that is family-friendly, as well as welcoming to adult users, is a critical component. A new-style pool complex would significantly enhance the summertime quality-of-life for residents if built at the current Hoyt Pool location.
 
A new-style pool complex meeting recreational needs of the entire community would be:

	Family-friendly, as well as welcoming to adult users, such as seniors
	Zero-depth entry along one side of the pool and having heated water (both toddler-friendly and adult preference features)
	Pool includes lap-swimming lanes, a waterslide, interactive water-play equipment, a diving well, and lifeguards
	Pool area confines include giant "fun-brellas" for shade, lounge chairs, elaborate sand-play equipment, a large sand play area, and sand volleyball courts
	Confines include concession dining and picnic tables (could be leased to and run by nongovernmental food-service providers)
	Unobstructed lines of vision for all areas within the confines: pool, sand area, and concessions (a critically important family-friendly feature)
	Affordable to residents through an offering of a "family season pass"

Main points gleaned from the emails of what Wauwatosa residents currently say they want:

	A modern pool complex that is family-friendly, such as the Cedarburg Pool Complex
	Clear rules and regulations strictly enforced
	Safe and well-run e.g., providing a secured bike corral within discreet area of pool confines for patrons
	Self-sustaining with appropriate entrance fees and revenue from concessions
	Concessions could be turned over to a "Friends of the Pool" group of volunteers for fund-raising purposes
	Summertime memberships for families and discounts for seniors

2005 VILLAGE EVENTS

	December 2nd, 5:00-8:00 pm - Trolley Rides, many stores open till 9:00 pm
	December 3rd, 2:00-5:00 pm - Trolley Rides
	December 3rd, 5pm - Holiday Tree Lighting with bell ringers, carolers, etc.
	February 4th - Firefly Fling at the Zoo Peck Welcome Center

CHRISTMAS TREE-DITION REACHES A MILESTONE
It's hard to believe we've reached our tenth year of celebrating the holidays together through our Christmas Tree-dition. Back in 1995, when our Association was in its infancy, newly-arrived neighborhood residents Peter and Stacey Muller suggested the idea of placing decorated Christmas trees on our front lawns. They brought this idea with them from Elmhurst, Illinois, where many of the neighborhoods have practiced this tradition for decades. The effect there is amazing as nearly 80% of homes those neighborhoods have trees lined up in their front yards.

1996 marked the first year we tried our own version of this tradition. Trees were brought to the City Hall parking lot for people to pick up. 77 of us gave this new idea a try that year. The next year, the tree pick-up moved to the Muller's house, and we combined it with the cookie exchange. Refreshments and a warm fire comforted those who came to get their tree and exchange cookies.

As the Association sought to expand the event, the pick-up was moved to the Damon House in 2001. We arranged for Santa to make an appearance for the kids and Dean Teofilo rounded up some UW alumni band members to entertain those gathered.

Over the years, the number of trees displayed in our neighborhood has remained steady - about 75. On one hand, this is a great feat to get so many of us involved in this event. On the other hand, of the 400 or so homes in our neighborhood, we really should have 250-300 homes involved to make this event what it should be. If you have some ideas to help get more homes involved or if you would like to help next year, please contact Peter Muller at nfo@damonwoods.org.
 
JOIN THE BRAND-NEW DAMON WOODS POLAR BEAR CLUB
Ever wonder what it's like to be a "Polar Bear" - one of those crazy folks that jumps into the frigid waters of Lake Michigan every first of January? Well, here's your chance!
 
John Rutkiewicz of Church Street - a 10-year Polar Bear veteran himself - has formed the Damon Woods Polar Bear Club. The club's inaugural jump will take place at noon on January 1, 2006, at Bradford Beach.
 
Rutkiewicz got the idea for the Damon Woods club at last January's Polar Bear event. "Some Damon Woods neighbors joined me for the 2005 swim," says Rutkiewicz. "I thought, 'We really have some fun and adventurous people in this neighborhood, and I bet more of them would love the chance to try this."
 
Last January, Rutkiewicz was joined by three first timers: Bill Duyser and Katie Duyser, both of Church Street, and Josh Riley of Pleasant Street. "I think they had a great time," says Rutkiewicz. "It's an absolutely exhilarating feeling to brave that cold water, and it's amazing how warm you feel once you get out. There's no experience like it."
 
If you're interested in joining the Damon Woods Polar Bear Club - or if you're curious and want to watch - email Rutkiewicz at chopwood@ameritech.net by December 20. He'll send you details about the coming jump, along with a list of helpful tips and techniques for successful polar-bearing.

WAUWATOSA'S (AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD'S) HISTORIC SITE
The Damon Woods homestead is Wauwatosa's oldest residence. Begun in 1844 by Oliver Damon, it was completed in 1847 by his son, Lowell. It was donated to the Milwaukee Historical Society in 1941 by the sons of Alexander Rogers, a former owner. It has operated as a museum since then, with various live-in caretakers. Art Steadman, a history buff, has been the resident caretaker since 2000.
The museum is open for tours Wednesdays 3-5 pm, Sundays 1-5 pm, and by appointment for private tours or groups.

AN EXCERPT FROM LOWELL DAMON'S WILL
submitted by Karen Roy

The following is an excerpt from the Abstract of Title for my home on Jackson Park Blvd, which I found in a closet ten years ago after my grandfather, Arnold Schilling, passed away.

Abstract of Will

        It is my will that all my just debts and charges of my funeral be paid and discharged by my executor hereinafter named and appointed, out of my estate, as soon as conveniently may be after by decease, and I leave the charge of my funeral to the direction of my executor.
 
        I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Amy H. Damon, for her use and benefit, during her natural life, all my real estate situate and lying in Town of Wauwatosa, County of Milwaukee, State of Wisconsin. And all farming tools, light top buggie and harness and light bobs and my pew in First Cong'l Church in said Town of Wauwatosa, one cow and one horse of her own choice and all the hogs I may have at my decease, and all household furniture.
 
        The above bequest is on the condition that my said wife Amy H. Damon shall support and maintain in a proper manner my daughter Arabella Amanda Damon, during said wife's natural life.
 
        The above is given to my beloved wife Amy H. Damon, the same to be in full of her right of dowry in my said estate personal and real, and I give to her as above upon conditions, that she my said wife shall give to my executor when demanded, a release of all demands and claims of dowry and otherwise of and against my estate.
 
        At my said wife Amy H. Damon's decease, my real estate is to be divided as follows, to-wit:
 
        1st. I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Josephine Mcculloch, $100.00.
 
        2nd. I give and bequeath to my son Herbert Cummings Damon $100.00. This shall be in lieu of all right and title to my estate both personal and real.
 
        3rd. The balance of my said real estate I give and bequeath to my children Cyrus Wesley Damon, Arabella Amanda Damon, Sarah Josephine McCulloch each to share and share alike.
 
        4th. All my personal property not heretofore mentioned, I wish to be sold to pay expense and cost of settlement , and if any be left it shall be given to my beloved wife Amy H. Damon for her use and benefit.
 
        5th. I hereby nominate and appoint Joseph A. Warren executor of this my last will and testament.
 
Dated February 28, 1878 (Signed) Lowell Damon (L.S.)

Map of the Lowell Damon Woods neighborhood circa 1867.
Notice the Baptist Church on the corner of Wauwatosa Ave and
North Ave where the Civic Center and Library now stand.

Map of the present day Lowell Damon Woods neighborhood.

TREE-DITION FLYER DISTRIBUTION
THANK YOU to those who helped deliver the reminder flyers in November! Tom and Jeanine Schoen, Kathy Mannebach, Frank and JoAnne Shansky, Tiffany Burett, Linda Merklein, Kathleen Romfoe, Kris and Jim Gehrke, Steve and Sam Nolinske, and Pam Christopherson.

NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION
THANK YOU-to those who helped deliver the October newsletters! Ellie Bjorkman, Tom and Jeanine Schoen, Diane Kaiser-Rockenbach, Betsy Daniels, Kathy Mannebach, Kelly Presser, Jason Dudley, Frank and JoAnne Shansky, Tiffany Burett, Linda Merklein, Cathy Kebbekus, Kathleen Romfoe, and Kris and Jim Gehrke. If you would like to help deliver, contact Karen McNeely.