I'm looking forward to a very busy, exciting and fulfilling 2003 in Damon Woods. A huge thank you to Joanne and Dick Marks for rekindling the neighborhood gathering tradition, with a very successful January Soiree. Jeanine Schoen has volunteered to host a May gathering. If there are others (come on now, people bring everything!) who are interested in hosting a gathering, please contact a board member and we will get you on the schedule.

On a related note, our annual Winter Party will be March 1st at the Muellner building (see insert). Although the venue will be less elegant, it will accommodate more neighbors, have a later end time (I always thought it was too early!!), and allow red wine. Oh yeah, the Kneeland Walker house is also booked for several murder mystery weekends in the usual time frame! Anyway, call a neighbor or two and join us for a great night of fun! 

In 2003 you will also be seeing more activity from our Garden Committee, starting with our Easter Lily sale to benefit the Damon Woods gardens (see order form). Pick up will be in conjunction with the annual egg hunt on April 12th. Whether you are a serious gardener, an admirer, a novice looking to learn more, or even have a great deck, plan to participate in our yard walk. 

I hope you are as excited as me about these events. I'd also encourage you to share with a board member any other great ideas you may have! Just because you share an idea, it doesn't mean you have to do all the work, but it does help us to brainstorm and fill the diverse needs of the neighborhood!

I look forward to seeing you at the many activities planned over the next few months.

--Karen McNeely

NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYGROUP
For or the rest of the winter months, when we are all stuck inside most days, playgroup will be meeting in two groups. Even numbered addresses will meet on the even dated Thursdays, odd addresses will meet on the odd dated Thursdays.

To make things easier on the hostess, if you plan on attending a playgroup that you are not scheduled for (i.e., you have an odd address and plan on going on an even Thursday) please call the hostess so that she can plan for snacks and refreshments. In May, playgroup will remerge into one big group since the weather will permit outside play. Remember playgroup meets from 9:30-11:30 on Thursdays.

If you are interested in joining the playgroup, please email info@damonwoods.org.
 

TGIF PARTY HELD JANUARY 10th About forty LDW Association members gathered at Dick and JoAnne Marks home on Stickney Avenue for an informal evening of conversation, appetizers and drinks. A fun time was had by all.

DAMON WOODS HOME BREWERS
Even if you don't like beer, let alone the thought of brewing your own, you'll be certain to have a great time with neighbors this spring as the Damon Woods Home Brewers gear up for another year.

Saturday, March 15: We'll put a little spring in our step as we polka at Art Altenburg's Concertina Bar, 1920 S. 37th St. It's "the only concertina bar in the United States," Art says. As you may have heard, Art is hoping to sell the Milwaukee landmark he's owned for more than 20 years so he can move "up north" and take care of his aged mother. Before any sale goes through, the home brewers are eager to introduce Damon Woods neighbors to the joy of the concertina. Norm's Polka Band from Manitowoc will be performing at 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 15. We'll claim our tables beginning about 8:30 p.m. If you're interested in joining us, just show up.

Saturday, April 26: Look for the table with the Damon Woods sign at the annual bock beer festival at the Muellner Building in Hart Park. Tickets are available at the door. The evening of food, beer, music and dancing is from 6 to 11:30 p.m. The Spielmannszug Milwaukee Drum and Bugle Corps sponsors the festival. Again, if you interested in attending, just show up.

Saturday, May 3: Those wonderful ales you sampled at last year's picnic didn't just roll off a beer wagon, and neither will the beer at the neighborhood picnic this July. See how it all comes together when Damon Woods' chief brewmeister Jeff Enders begins his annual daylong brew-in at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 3, which just happens to be National Home Brewers Day. The process should be wrapped up by mid- to late-afternoon. You don't have to stay all day. Stop by any time at Jeff's backyard on Stickney Ave., for a sneak preview. And bring along your favorite brew to share, store-bought or home brewed, plus a snack to share. You'll learn something, get a little inspiration, and gain greater appreciation for the beers we'll be quaffing at the picnic.

NEWS TO SHARE? Has someone in the neighborhood had a birth ? Do you know of new neighbors moving into the neighborhood? How about newsworthy items about your neighbors?  Email info@damonwoods.org for inclusion in the next newsletter.

CONGRATULATIONS!
Peter Muller of Woodland Avenue was reappointed to the city's design review board.

NEW NEIGHBORS ON STICKNEY
After a few years in Columbus, Ohio and one year in Mukwonago, the Minix family returned to Wauwatosa. They live on Stickney Ave. and are excited to convert the duplex into one living space and enjoy their screened porch when the weather turns warm. 

Brian works in Lake Geneva at Trostel SEG as a chemist. He grew up in Green Bay and met Marcy at UW Madison. 

Marcy stays at home with their children and is beginning a preschool ministry at their church. She grew up in Wauwatosa. 

Grace (10) is in Mrs. MacCudden's 5th grade class at Lincoln Elementary. Martin (8) is a 3rd grader in Mrs. Witteman / Mrs. Hamilton's class. Peter (5) really enjoys Miss "G" in the mornings at Junior Kindergarten. Samuel (3 1/2) and Caroline (born 12/21/02) occupy themselves at home. The Minixes also have a 9 month old yellow Labrador named Greta.

PRIMARY ELECTION
Don't forget to vote in the primary election Tuesday, Feb. 18. There are no municipal or school board elections this year, but there are a few judicial races. And while you're at City Hall, say hello or introduce yourself to Margaret Leising of Woodland Avenue, Janet McGrath of 81st Street and Jeanette Quindt of Aberdeen Court. The Wauwatosa Common Council recently appointed all three Damon Woods residents as poll workers.

 

	Easter Egg Hunt — Saturday, April 19
	WestSide Art Walk — Saturday, May 3
	HartFest — May 23 & 24
	Rocking Chairs — June 13 thru August 16
	Summer Nights — June 10 thru July 29
	National Night Out — Tuesday, August 6
	Hot Time / Cool Village Art Fair — Saturday, August 16
	TosaFest — September 5, 6, 7

WINTERFEST 
Plan to attend this event on Saturday, February 1st, from noon until4:00 pm at Tosa East. Games, prizes, food, and fun at a very reasonable price. Geared for grade school kids and younger. 
 

NEIGHBORHOOD EASTER EGG HUNT APRIL 12th
This is a free event for all member families and $2.00 for non-members. More information will be in the next newsletter. 
 

NAC NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION COUNCIL NEWS

	Bartolotta's is looking at putting a pizzeria/sandwich shop with entrees ranging from $6-8 into the building that formerly housed the Jitterzz coffee shop after another potential buyer for the coffee shop fell through.
	You should start to notice new "way finding" signs in the village as well as other improvements such as streetlights, curbs, street surfacing, etc.
	The East Towne Business and Merchants Association strategic planning is moving ahead nicely. One of the things they are looking at is zoning as a district, much like what the village does.
	The Interfaith Neighborhood Outreach Program is looking for volunteer drivers to escort and drive these seniors to medical appointments, grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, etc. Please contact Jean Davidson (no phone number available) if you can help out.
	Wauwatosa Mayor Theresa Estness and Steve Smith, the GM of Mayfair, spoke at the NAC meeting January 15 at Harwood place. Their discussion centered around the Mayfair Mall safety issues. They were available for questions and answers.

News In Lowell Damon Woods
 

GARDEN CLEAN-UP APRIL 27
Bring your rakes and join Damon Woods neighbors at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 26 for an hour of spring clean-up and raking of the grounds of the Lowell Damon House Museum,2107 Wauwatosa Ave. Our rain date is Sunday the 27th at 1 p.m. No need to sign up in advance. Just show up with a rake and gloves and we'll put you to work. This is our neighborhood's contribution to "Public Lands Day," a clean-up day in parks, along rivers, and other public properties. Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful Inc. sponsors the event. We also will need volunteers who are willing to haul away a bag or two of the debris. Volunteers will be rewarded with coupons for free admission to the Zoo or a county park swimming pool/waterslide.

OUR OWN GARDEN WALK PLANNED FOR JULY
Damon Woods neighbors are invited to join in a day of backyard open houses Sunday, July 27. It'll be a day to show off or steal ideas from favorite garden features, patios and decks. We're not out to compete with other garden walks by trying to raise money. It's just another occasion to bring neighbors together.

The first thing we need to make this succeed is for neighbors to volunteer to show off their yards. If you're willing, please email info@damonwoods.org.

Don't feel that you have to be able to identify every plant in your garden in order to join in. And don't think your garden needs to be as elaborate as Tom and Patty Krause's on Church Street.

We'll have more details in the next newsletter, but our plan as of now is to begin the walk at the Lowell Damon House Museum at1:30 p.m., hand out lists of homes that are participating and wrap up the day by 3:30 so the hosts can take some time to do their own touring. If it rains on July 27th, we'll take another shot at this on Sunday, Aug. 3.

CHRISTMAS TREE PICKUP AND COOKIE EXCHANGE
The Christmas Yard Tree Pickup and Cookie Exchange took place on December 7th at the Damon Woods Home. Everyone had a great time listening to the Dean Teofilo and the UW Alumni Band and seeing Santa Claus.

The 2000 block of Pleasant Street, below, was among the streets that best demonstrated the impact of yard after yard decorated with a lighted tree placed 20 feet from the curb. More lawn trees were decorated in Damon Woods this year than any year since we started in 1996.

 
WAUWATOSA PLAYERS TO PERFORM LES MISERABLES
Les Miserables, a musical based on Victor Hugo's classic novel, has been running for 14years on Broadway. In March, it'll come to Wauwatosa East High School. More than 100students are involved in the monumental production, an epic saga that sweeps through three decades of 19th century French history.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, March 21, 22, 28 and 29, with a2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday, March 23. Tickets, from $3 to $9, can be ordered using Visa or MasterCard by calling 773-2004 and should be ordered early - big crowds are expected. Gift certificates, which can be purchased in any denomination, also are available.

The cast and crew include several Damon Woods teenagers. Ryan Gintoft, Stickney Avenue, Dan Causier, Aberdeen Court, Andrew Geisthardt, Stickney Avenue, Hannah Heller, Underwood Avenue, Jenny Reck, 83rd Street, and Emily Heitzer, Jackson Park Boulevard, are cast members. Tim Reck, 83rd Street, Dan Duyser, Church Street, and Brian Kebbekus, Forest Street, play in the pit orchestra. Anna Bargren, Church Street, is costume mistress. Kat Lund, Woodland Avenue, is Master Flyman and stage crew. Kate Beaudoin, Pleasant Street, is House Manager. Carrie Bargren, Church Street, and Melinda Ver Duin, Woodland Avenue, are in the stage crew.

INTERESTED IN A LIST OF GOOD CONTRACTORS?
Several neighbors in our association suggested that we start a list of contractors that members have used, are pleased with, and would recommend to others. Would you like to step up to be the "list keeper?" Here are some ideas of what the keeper of the list would have do:

1)  Poll members for recommended contractors using the newsletter and our Topica e-mail
     list.
2)  Create the initial list.
3)  Update the list periodically.

Once the list is up and running, members could simply send a request to the list keeper via e-mail and get the list via e-mail. Another option is to keep the list as a link on our web page and access it on demand. The list will be limited to comments as to why they felt a contractor was good and would be a good recommendation.

If you are interested, email info@damonwoods.org.

LDWNA RUMMAGE SALE NEWS
This year's neighborhood rummage sale will be Friday, June 6th and Saturday, June 7th. Co-organizers are Susan Patton and Laura Buege. Look for an article in the April newsletter. For now, anyone with questions should email info@damonwoods.org.

NEWSLETTER AND FLYER DISTRIBUTION
THANK YOU-The following neighbors delivered the December newsletter: Mary Lorch, Tom & Jeanine Schoen, Diane Kaiser-Rockenbach, Michele Teofilo, Kathy Mannebach, Kent & Jill Morin, Margaret Leising, Pam Christopherson, Elizabeth & Paul Bargren, Susan Mariscal, Colleen Poblocki, Frank & Joanne Shansky, Bev Washcovic, and Dave Vogel. If you wish to help distribute newsletters or flyers please e-mail info@damonwoods.org.

 
My Tosa class of 1954 and other alumni are coming together from all over the world, hoping to right this egregious wrong. The Wauwatosa Historical Society, and the School District office have taken up our cause and support "The Tosa Project" to uncover murals and 

restore our school's artifacts. In December, the Society began a campaign among Tosa alumni to raise $125,000 for "The Tosa Project" that would restore the school's main lobby where some of the murals are located. This area will become a Wauwatosa High School Historical Center to display many of the artifacts that have been found or donated to the Society. Thanks to early alumni donations, a nationally-recognized art curator, Tony Rajer of the University of Wisconsin, has already uncovered "windows" to these art pieces as well as two oak and etched glass trophy cases in the lobby that have been hidden under plasterboard for three decades. 

The tower, of course, will never be replaced, but its memory will be restored in the many photographs, yearbooks, newspapers, sketches, poetry and even blueprints that will be returned to the school for this project.

The response of the alumni community has been overwhelming. In a little over a month, the Tosa Project fund has grown to more than $20,000 with the alumni classes of 1951 and1952 showing the way. In the new year, the Historical Society will begin asking for community-wide support for this project and financial help from its own membership. Hopefully, work can continue later this year.

As alumni, we are stewards of our school heritage and tradition, and there is more than enough work to be done by thousands of graduates all over the world. But our high school also needs the help and support from its neighbors, the residents of Damon Woods, if we are to be successful

To learn what you can do, I urge you to contact the Wauwatosa Historical Society, 7406 Hillcrest Dr., 414-774-8672, or by email at staff@wauwatosahistoricalsociety.org. To learn more about our project, contact our Tosa web site at www.raider-room.com., or purchase my book, "Around the Tower, The Story of Wauwatosa Senior High School," at the Little Read Book in the Village. You can also see this work in progress by requesting a tour at the high school office.