This is my first President's letter and I hope I can continue in the footsteps of all the great past Presidents this wonderful neighborhood has been privileged to have. I want to give special thanks, from our entire neighborhood, and myself to Anne Fee. Anne has been a positive force in our neighborhood for a long time. As President, she has worked very hard to represent our neighborhood with the contribution of her time as well as her home for board meetings, TGIFs, theatre group gatherings, and hosting the wine club. It is volunteers and neighbors like Anne that make this a great community to live and play in. Thank you, Anne, for all you have done and will continue to do for the Damon Woods Neighborhood Association.
 
My family and I have been long-time residents of Wauwatosa. I attended Lincoln and Longfellow and graduated from Wauwatosa West High School. My wife, Leslie, attended Jefferson and St Jude. We have three children. My oldest daughter Katie and son Dan graduated from Wauwatosa East. Katie is an education major at UW Whitewater. Dan is attending UW Eau Claire and many of you may know his band, Three Blocks to Murdock. My youngest daughter, Mary is a sixth-grader at Longfellow.
 
We have lived in the neighborhood on the corner of Church and Hillcrest since 1989 and cannot think of any other place we would rather live in all of Wauwatosa. The people, the homes, and the community are wonderful. We feel very fortunate.
 
The holiday festivities are in full swing and many of us are busy preparing for parties, making cookies, shopping, wrapping gifts, or just trying to give more of ourselves to those less fortunate. Hard to believe we are closing the book on 2006. Remember Y2K?
 
Neighborhoods are about community and involvement. We are very fortunate to have a very active neighborhood association, but we would like to see even more.
 
My goals as president of the Lowell Damon Woods Association are to increase membership, get more of our current members involved and bring in new activities that cater to every member within the association. This obviously is a tall order and I cannot do it without your help. So, I challenge all Lowell Damon Woods Association residents to help. Talk to your neighbors who are not members and tell them the things you have personally done and what fun it has been to meet some wonderful people. Bring your great ideas to the Association for others to enjoy. Let's build one of the best and largest neighborhood associations within the Wauwatosa community.
 
Thank you in advance for your help and Happy Holidays!
 
William Duyser
President
 

READY FOR CHRISTMAS!
Jim Prindl of Stickney Ave capitalized on the unusually warm November weather to decorate the outside of his home for the upcoming Christmas holiday season. Jim was happy that he didn't have to brave 20º degree temperatures like he has in the past. He has made landscaping changes over time by removing and adding new shrubs, giving him the opportunity to try different decorations. One thing that has stayed the same for several years is the addition of a few festively decorated penguins. This year he has one that is ready for skiing, should we get the right snow.

PLAY GROUP NEWS

With the holidays fast approaching, we are very excited to get into the spirit of the season with our December playgroups at Michelle's house, as well as my home. Michelle's playgroup will have a great holiday theme! Be sure to come.
 
We are also very happy to welcome two new members to our neighborhood playgroup (Hi Liz and Jack!). New members are always welcome!
 
Playgroup is regularly held on alternating Thursday mornings from 9:30 am to 11:30 am , with snacks provided by the host or hostess. Playgroup is a great time for the children to have an opportunity to interact with one another, but also gives parents the chance to share stories and advice over cups of coffee. We hope to see you at the next meeting!
 
We also have a special event for the playgroup in February. On Wednesday February 21st, we will be meeting at Swiss Turner's Gym from 10:15-11:45 am. The cost is $4.00 per child; accompanying adults are free.

Swiss Turners is a great experience for young children with trampolines, foam pits, balance beams that are a few inches from the ground, foam blocks for climbing on, and lots of running around for kids! See you there!

UPCOMING TGIF PARTIES
As the year comes to an end and we all get busy with holiday activities, it is not too early to start thinking about hosting a TGIF in the upcoming new year. TGIFs are held eight times a year at the homes of neighbors in the Lowell Damon Woods Neighborhood Association.

Guests attending bring a beverage and appetizer or dessert to share with the group. This makes it a relatively easy event for the person or couple to host. If you have not attended a TGIF in the past, the evenings are very casual and provide an informal setting to meet new neighbors or catch up and reacquaint yourself with longtime neighbors and friends. Please contact Kris Gehrke at info@damonwoods.org if you are interested in hosting. If you are new to the TGIFs, we extend an invitation to stop by at the next scheduled night and see what they are all about. All upcoming TGIFs will be listed in upcoming Damon Woods newsletters.
 
Happy Holidays and special THANKS to our TGIF hosts for '2006!
-Kris Gehrke

HALLOWEEN DECORATING CONTEST RECAP
The 2nd Annual Lowell Damon Woods Halloween Decorating contest was a big hit and success as we had seven homes that entered their yards filled with scary ghosts, goblins and witches. The creativity exhibited was just amazing! Hats off to all of our entrants and thank you for your participation:

Ballogh Family of Rogers
Dudley Family of 83rd St
Teofilo Family of Stickney
Dobson Family of Stickney
Mulvaney Family of Aberdeen
Heitzer Family of Jackson Park
Sievert Family of Aberdeen

Our judging committee consisting of Damon Woods board members, Larry Kopperud, Karen McNeely, Anne Fee, Jennifer LaPorte-McCanes and Kris Gehkre were out scoping the neighborhood a couple nights prior to Halloween with their discriminating eyes as they determined their top three picks for this year's contest.
 
Congratulations go out to the following:
 
1st Place - the Dudley family of N. 83rd St
2nd Place - the Ballogh family of Rogers
3rd Place - the Mulvaney family of Aberdeen
(I must mention that the Dobson family of Stickney was only one point away from tying for 3rd place. )
 
The winning homes were not only proudly designated with their winner signs on the front lawns for all the trick-or-treaters to see as they walked through the neighborhood, but the families also received a Lowell Damon Woods Shirt and Halloween decorations as prizes.
Thanks again to everyone that helped make this event a success. Next year we hope to double the number of homes participating. Just another way to show pride in being a part of the Lowell Damon Woods neighborhood , while having a little fun competition with your fellow neighbors.

BOOK CLUB
Date: January 22nd, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Place: Rachael VerDuin's home on Woodland Avenue
Book: The Dive from Claussen's Pier, by Ann Packer
 
The Dive from Claussen's Pier centers on one woman's conflict between her commitment to the people in her life and her duty to be true to herself, with no easy answers. Some time after her long-time boyfriend is injured and in a coma, Carrie finally runs off from Madison, Wisconsin, to New York City in an attempt at self-discovery. Life in New York is thrilling and stimulating, but Carrie finds she cannot easily leave behind her old life in Madison, nor can she escape from herself.

NEXT BOARD MEETING
The neighborhood association's next Board meeting is at 7:00 pm, on Thursday January 18th, at Anne Fee's home on Church St. 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.

OUR CONDOLENCES
Dean D Miller, M.D., passed away Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2006, at the age of 83 years. Dr. Miller passed away at his house in Pelican Lake, WI. He and his wife Gladys, a longtime member of the Wauwatosa School Board, lived for many years on Woodland and Wauwatosa Ave. He was a devoted husband and loving father of Jay, Bryan (Cheryl), Kathryn, Beth (Kendrick) Nelton, Edwin, Margaret (Andrew) Ehlert, and Scott..
 
NEWCOMERS
Lynn Rutkeiwicz is the contact for new families moving into Damon Woods. You can contact her at info@damonwoods.org to let her know of a new neighbor or if you are a new neighbor. We would like to welcome new neighbors to Damon Woods.
 
HALLOWEEN FOOD DRIVE
Kate's and Maggie's Full-Belly Food Drive held on Halloween was a great success. Damon Woods residents (and Lincoln 5th graders) who organized and collected food include: Kate MacKenzie, Maggie Swenson, Max Rutkiewicz, Ginger Johnson, Michelle Brown, and Sam Rose.
 
Flyers promoting the Halloween collection were distributed by the participating students, letting residents know that the kids would be back Halloween night to collect the food. More than 750 items were collected for the Tosa Community Food Pantry with a large portion coming from the Damon Woods Neighborhood! Thanks to everyone who participated!

TOSA FIRE WINS U9 TOZER 3 V 3 TOURNAMENT
The U9 Tosa Fire, in just their second 3 v 3 tournament as a team, rolled to a 4 win and 1 tie record over two days (August 12th & 13th) at Uihlein Soccer Park to win the 12th Annual Keith Tozer Charity 3 v 3 soccer tournament U9 age bracket. This year's tournament raised money for the Wave of Kindness and MACC Fund charities.
 
With players coming from three different Tosa Rec. Dept. Kicker teams (Force, Hurricanes, Fire Ants), the team needed to build team chemistry fast in order to compete against the more experienced club and select level teams. To do this, they held regular practices during the summer in advance of the tournament to prepare and to get to know their new teammates.
 
On the first day of pool play competition, the Fire earned two victories in their morning matches, and an afternoon 3-3 tie against local power house Croatian Eagles SC to advance to Sunday's final round competition.

Sunday began with a 5-2 semi-final win and an opportunity to play in the championship match. The team jumped out to an early 2-1 lead, but fell behind 2-3 late in the match. Needing to rally, the team scored a goal with two minutes remaining in regulation play to tie the game and force an overtime period. In the overtime, the team took advantage of a penalty by the opposing team near the Fire's goal. The team skillfully executed an indirect kick opportunity to score the winning goal. Four different players scored goals each in final match, a true team effort.

LINCOLN PLAYERS ANNOUNCE PINOCCHIO CAST
Fourteen Damon Woods' residents have been selected as performers in the Lincoln Elementary Players production of the classic tale, Pinocchio. They are:
 
Elizabeth Teofilo as Gepetto; Maggie Swenson and Michelle Brown sharing the role of Hickory Cricket; Grace Teofilo as Pinocchio; Max Rutkiewicz as Lampwick; Collin Anderson as Jack; Kate MacKenzie as Alberta; Ginger Johnson as Brunella; Claire Keyes as Fettucini; Maddie Janisch as Lincuini; Julia Prange as Macaroni; Adam Christopherson, Nathan Schoen and Alan Kroner as Music Box performers.

Performances are free and will be held in the gymnasium at Lincoln Elementary School, 1741 Wauwatosa Avenue, on the following dates and times:
 
Friday, February 2nd at 7:00 pm
Saturday, February 3rd at 2:00 pm
 
This marks the third season of the Lincoln Players with the production underwritten by the Lincoln PTO.

BELIEVING IN YOURSELF & YOUR ABILITIES IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS 
The power to believe. It's so strong that it can transform entire lives and careers. And it's the very thing that has shaped and transformed Damon Woods resident, Kris Gehrke's, professional career and allowed her to achieve her dream of becoming a small business owner. Kris made the leap from corporate marketing executive to retail store owner with the belief that she could succeed - and she has.
 
Kris worked for years in the corporate marketing world, but desired something more. Her creative energy, friendly demeanor and desire to "not sit behind a desk all day" motivated her to start exploring different career options. A love of home décor and antiques led her to the retail sector. With complete support from her dedicated husband, Jim, Kris initially started out the "safe" way by working part-time in at the Lang Store in Delafield over the holiday season, while still working at her marketing job.
 
But when the Lang Company had an opening in their marketing department, she took it to gain some basic knowledge in the retail marketing world. She worked there for about six months before her first big break into the retail sector presented itself. The Lang Company needed a manager at their new Mayfair Mall location which they were opening, and Kris quickly took the job, without having even asked the salary! Knowing it would be great experience and exposure to the all the different facets of retail, from buying and merchandising to setting up store displays, she knew she was making the right decision. She worked there for two years, and met her future business partner while working there.
 
They both wanted to own their own retail stores, but were afraid to truly make the launch into the entrepreneurial world. But when they saw a "For Rent" sign on a great store location in Waukesha, they decided to "believe" and make the big leap together. They opened their store featuring home décor items and antiques in 2001, and outgrew the spot in two years. They opened another store in Galleria West and operated there for another two years, before Kris's business partner decided to leave the business. Two weeks later, in March 2005, Kris opened her current store, Essentials, in her Elm Grove location.
 
Kris initially offered only home décor items in her store, but after she realized she couldn't keep a display of jewelry she had for sale in stock, she ventured into selling clothing, purses, and other accessories as well. Business took off even more! She now carries women's contemporary tops, fun beaded and silver jewelry, tops, purses, candles, lotions, home décor items, and a popular line of fun cocktail napkins. She also has a holiday area with ornaments and a wide variety of gift items. All of the items in her store would make great hostess or pick-me-up gifts. Prices of items in the store range from $5 to $80. Holiday shoppers will delight that items purchased at the store are immediately gift packaged for easy holiday gift giving.
 
Essentials will be hosting their "12 Days of Christmas" Sale beginning on December 12th, with whatever the day's date is being the percentage customers will receive discounted off of their purchase price. She will also be donating 10% from the sales of her "Believe" holiday shirts to the American Cancer Society. Essentials store hours are Monday and Friday from 11 am - 5 pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 am - 6 pm and Saturdays from 10 am - 4 pm Essentials is closed on Sundays. Essentials is located at 13425 Watertown Plank Road. Besides operating her Essentials store, Kris also enjoys cooking and entertaining, decorating her home, walking, and traveling. She and her husband, Jim, have been married for 15 years and are both very active with the Damon Woods Neighborhood Association. With so much faith and early success, it's easy to see why Kris's belief in herself and her abilities has allowed her to achieve her goal of becoming a successful small business owner.
 
CORRECTION
For the last two newsletters, Tom Krause was listed as living on Pleasant Street. Tom and his wife Patti have lived on Church Street for many years.

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
2007 Damon Woods Neighborhood Association membership renewal has begun. Please complete the renewal form and return it to Karen McNeely as soon as possible.

MURDER MYSTERY AT KNEELAND-WALKER HOUSE
Warm up a cold February weekend and become part of "Murder in Translation," the Wauwatosa Historical Society's sixth murder mystery. The Hysterical Society players will need plenty of audience help to solve this mystery written and directed by Wauwatosan Peggy Devitt Katz.
 
A master agent from Interpol has been invited to speak at the annual all-member meeting of the Milwaukee Chapter of Citizens of the World. While the group is based on mutual respect between countries, all is not as it should be. The agent arrives to find the chapter president murdered and a cast of colorful, international rogues waiting to be questioned.
 
Performances will be Fridays and Saturdays, Feb. 16 and 17 and Feb. 23 and 24, beginning promptly at 7:30 pm. The doors to the Kneeland-Walker House, 7406 Hillcrest Dr., will open at 7:15 pm. Appetizers, desserts and beverages, including wine and beer, will be served.
 
Tickets are $30, which benefits the Historical Society. Please call 414.774.8672 to order tickets. Each evening's performance is limited to 80 people, and in the past, performances have sold out quickly.

DINNER DATES WANTED
The families staying at the Ronald McDonald House, 8948 Watertown Plank Road, LOVE to have a hot, home-cooked meal waiting for them when they come back from a day at the hospital. Groups of adults - church groups, co-workers, restaurants, bridge clubs, neighborhood associations, families, all types of organizations - are always welcome to provide dinners any evening (or Saturday lunch or Sunday brunch). If you are interested, please call House Director Diane Smith, 414-475-5333 for a few simple guidelines and to get on the family dinner schedule.

SENIOR LIAISON NEEDED
If you are interested in becoming the Senior Liaison for our neighborhood association,
please contact Bill Duyser at info@damonwoods.com.

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.

NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION
THANK YOU-to those who helped deliver the October newsletters! Ellie Bjorkman, Tiffany Bruett, Jason Dudley, Kris Gehrke, Bob Heitzer, Kathy Mannebach, Kelly Presser, Jeanine Schoen, Claudia Shea, Susan Patton, Sophie Prange, Kathy Romfoe, and Frank and Joanne Shansky. And thanks for delivering the Christmas tree flyers: Jason Dudley, Claudia Shea, Anne Fee, Bob Heitzer, Kathy Mannebach, Susan Patton, Kelly Presser, Diane Kaiser-Rockenbach, and Jeanine Schoen. If you would like to help deliver, contact Karen McNeely.

DAMON WOODS BOARD OFFICER CHANGE
Karen McNeely was elected by the board to replace Jeff DeCora as Treasurer. Jeff moved out of the Lowell Damon Woods neighborhood and resigned his officer position. Thank you Karen for taking on this postion! 

CHANGE FOR THE DAMON WOODS E-MAIL GROUP
Since August, 2001, the Neighborhood Association has maintained an email group on topica.com. Recently, Topica has changed its signup process so that neighbors who want to join the Damon Woods group are confronted with numerous optin offers and intrusive popup ads that are really unacceptable.
 
We've decided to move the email group from Topica to Google Groups. The Board members have tested Google Groups and found that new members will see no popups or ads when they join.
 
When we switch from Topica to Google Groups on December 16th, current members won't have to do anything. You'll receive an e-mail from damon-woods@googlegroups.com with the message that the group manager has added you to the Damon Woods group on Google. After that, the group emails will come from damon­woods@googlegroups.com instead of damonwoods@topica.com.
 
We'll be sending a reminder e-mail to the Topica group before we make the switch. If you have any questions about the Damon Woods e-mail group change, contact info@damonwoods.com. If you were unsure of joining the e-mail group or chose not to join because of the intrusive registration process, we hope that you reconsider and join. The e-mail group is a wonderful way to keep informed of upcoming events in the neighborhood association.