Hello neighbors. I trust everyone got through the holidays unscathed; attending holiday gatherings, concerts, shopping and spending time with families. Now it is time to reflect on 2006 and decide what, if anything, you might like to do differently in 2007. I am sure many of you have made New Year's resolutions and I wish you nothing but the best on fulfilling them.

Looking back on 2006 recalls for me many good times in our neighborhood, starting with the Winter Party, occurring this year on February 10, many TGIFs, Wine Club, the Annual Meeting and Pig Roast, and of course the annual cookie exchange and Tree-dition. The neighbors that participated in these events, I am quite sure, had a wonderful time. If you are not a member or have not participated in the various activities the neighborhood the neighborhood has to offer, I suggest you make 2007 the year you get involved. Become a member and attend some of the various events. Get to know more of your neighbors. I guarantee you will not regret it.

Bring your talents to the association. Start a new club or activity, perhaps a chess club, or maybe a dinner theater group, or a sports group that attends different sporting events. Use your imagination.

Speaking of talents, we are going to be losing a very valuable person who many of you know. He is not leaving the neighborhood, but he is stepping down as the Web manager of the Damon Woods Web site. Jim Zinda has done an incredible job and I want to thank him for all of the work he has done to give our neighborhood the presence it has on the Internet. We have people from as far away as Asia visiting our Website. Jim, you will be sorely missed. I hope someone will decide to step up to fill his shoes. The job requirements are included in this newsletter. He will continue as Website manager until April so we are hoping someone will step forward before then and learn from him. There is so much talent in this neighborhood. Perhaps someone who is in high school wants to make a career in technology and web design? It sure would look good on a job resume or an application to college. Please contact me if you are interested.

I urge everyone to become a member of this fine neighborhood association. A membership form is included in this month's newsletter; fill it out and drop it off to Karen McNeely.

Until next time,  
 
William Duyser
President
 

COOKIE EXCHANGE AND CHRISTMAS TREE PICKUP
Damon Woods neighbors gathered at the Damon Museum on December 2nd to share their  Christmas cookies in the annual cookie exchange and to listen to Christmas music by members  of the UW Madison Alumni Band, led by Dean Teofilo of Stickney Ave. This year 70  neighbors also picked up and decorated lawn Christmas trees to “Light up Damon Woods.” .

PLAY GROUP NEWS

If it has been a long winter for you and your toddler, we have a great way to counter cabin fever. Join us for playgroup!
 
It's a fun social time for kids and their parents. Playgroup is regularly held on alternating Thursday mornings from 9:30 am to 11:30 am, with snacks provided by the host or hostess. We hope to see you at the next playgroup!
 
-Laurie Norman

UPCOMING TGIF PARTIES
March 23rd - Beth and Bracken Heiges of Stickney.
April 20th - Bill and Leslie Duyser of Church St.
May 18th - Mike and Kay Collins of Woodland Ave.

TGIFs begin at 7:00 pm. We ask that you bring an appetizer and beverage to pass. These events are open to all Damon Woods neighbors and are a very casual way to meet new neighbors or do some catching up with old friends. If you have any questions about the TGIFs or if you are interested in being a future host (we are still in need of someone to host in June and September) please contact Kris Gehrke at info@damonwoods.org.

Please look for our official "TGIF" sign posted on the front lawn of our hosts' home the week leading up to the event.
-Kris Gehrke.

NEIGHBORHOOD RECIPE
Here is a "neighborhood" recipe from a recent get-together at Kris Gehrke's house:

Seasoned Pretzels

2 -20 oz bags of small pretzels
1 bottle of Orville Redenbacher Popcorn Oil
2 tsp of dill weed
1 tsp garlic powder
1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix

Place ingredients in a large Ziploc bag and gently rotate side to side and end to end every 15 minutes for 1 to 2 hours.

(Depending on the size bag you are using, it might be easier to do 1/2 of the recipe at a time so there is room to move the pretzels around and get the best seasoning).
 

BOOK CLUB
Date: March 26th, 2007, 7:30 pm.
Place: Jeanine Schoen's home
Book: Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire
 
A fantastical tale of good and evil, of choice and responsibility in the land of Oz. The tale is about Elphaba, who grows up to be the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, a smart, prickly and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil.

NEXT BOARD MEETING
The neighborhood association’s next Board meeting is at 7:00 pm, on Thursday March 8th, at Kris Gehrke’s home at 2145 N 83rd . 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.
 

2007 LDWNA EVENTS
  March 31 - Easter Egg hunt, 10-11:30 am
  April 21 - Spring Cleanup, 3:00 pm

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT
Jonathan, Laurie and big sister Lele are pleased to introduce the newest member of their family. Jonathan Lawrence "Jack" Norman was born January 12th, 2007 at 5:56 pm. He was 8 lbs, 7 oz and 21 1/4" long. The Normans wish to thank all of their neighbors for their love and support!

OUR CONDOLENCES
Arthur Schoen, father of Tom Schoen of Jackson Park Blvd, passed away at the age 81 on January 19, 2007.
 
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 to notify
her that you are a new neighbor. We would like to make sure we welcome all new neighbors to Damon Woods.
 
NEW BOARD MEMBER - JOYCE HAIGHT
Although my husband, Bob, and I only moved into Damon Woods in August, 2006, I am looking forward to becoming active in the neighborhood association.
 
As our combined family of five adult children began to include the cutest grandchildren in Wisconsin, we realized that our bungalow in Tosa’s Quarry Heights neighborhood was just too small. On an early morning walk in May we spotted the “For Sale” sign on W. Woodland and on a whim, made an offer. Before Bob knew it, we were packing boxes, moving, and painting and painting . . .
 
After 33 years, Bob (on most days) still enjoys his position as an inventory control manager at Badger Meter in Brown Deer. I’m very lucky to be able to work as an educational consultant from the comfort of my at-home office. We have been delighted to have been so warmly welcomed by our surrounding neighbors. After hosting the January TGIF party, we were able to meet more Damon Woods neighbors and are looking forward to expanding our circle of friends.
 
As we raised our children, Bob and I were both active in school, church, library, and youth sports activities. I believe that any vital organization depends on and grows from the few contributions of many people, rather than on the many contributions of few people. We’re ready to do our part!
 
Editor’s note: the Damon Woods Association Board voted to appoint Joyce to fill one of the two position that opened up by the resignation by Jeff DeCora (moved) and Anne Fee (running for public office).

DAMON WOODS IN PINOCCHIO PLAY AT LINCOLN SCHOOL
In early February, quite a number of Damon Woods kids were part of the cast and crew for the Lincoln Players production of Pinocchio.
 
Back Row (left to right):
Quinn Patton, Michelle Brown, Maggie Sweonson, Adam Chriotopherson, Kate MacKenzie, Claire Keyes, Elizabeth Teofilo

Middle Row (left to right):
Grace Teofilo, Maddie Janisch, Julia Prange, Jack MacKenzie, Danny Scallon, Max Rutkiewicz, Ben Prange, Nathan Schoen, Collin Anderson, Alan Kroner

Front Row (left to right): Peter Minix, Ginger Johnson

WAUWATOSA SENIOR COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON
My name is Judi Parmeter and I live on Richmond Court.
I was appointed my the mayor about one year ago to the Wauwatosa Senior Commission as its chairperson. We are in the planning stages of two new projects for the seniors of Wauwatosa.
If the seniors of Damon Woods have any issues of concern, they can contact me and I will bring them up at our meetings.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. My phone number is 771-3747.
- Judi Parmeter

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

FIREFLY FLING 2007 
Excitement builds as the fourth annual Firefly Fling, a gala and auction to benefit Wauwatosa public schools, gets into full swing. This year it will be held March 10, 2007 from 7:00 pm to midnight.
 
The gala will be held at the Zoo Peck Welcome Center. You won’t want to miss Wauwatosa’s only all-city social event! Following last year’s rave reviews, the food will again be catered by Venturi’s Market and Catering. Talented student musicians from Wauwatosa East’s Jazz band will be performing, as well as a DJ for late night dancing, appealing to all musical tastes. Reservations are $50 per person or $500 for twelve people. Tickets will be available on line at www.fireflyfling.org starting in February.
 
To date, the Firefly Fling has donated almost $60,000 to the Wauwatosa School District. The proceeds from this year’s event will be used for technology upgrades throughout the district. Volunteers and auction items are still needed. If you are interested in helping out or want to request an email invitation, please contact Karen McNeely.
 
WEB SITE MANAGER NEEDED
We are looking for a new Website manager for the Lowell Damon Woods Web site. This is a great opportunity to use your Web-site skills to keep the neighborhood up-to-date on news and events.
 
Your responsibilities include publishing the online version of the Neighborhood Association newsletter; updating information about the neighborhood, upcoming events, and the Board of Directors; maintaining the links and online forms; and managing the Web site e-mail accounts. You'll also manage the Lowell Damon Woods e-mail group on Google Groups.
 
You'll need Microsoft FrontPage (the Website is designed in FrontPage and uses FrontPage server-side extensions) and be able to create Adobe Acrobat documents. If you are interested, contact any of the Board members or e-mail info@damonwoods.org.

APRIL 21ST SPRING CLEANUP AT THE DAMON HOUSE
All our snow certainly will melt before April 21st when Damon Woods celebrates Earth Day 2007 with its annual cleanup of the grounds surrounding the Lowell Damon House Museum. Mark your calendars now and join your neighbors for an hour or two of raking leaves and debris that afternoon, starting at 3:00 pm. Bring your own rakes and work gloves.

GET READY FOR THE 2007 LDWNA EASTER EGG HUNT!
 by Amy Giampetroni and Laurie Lehman

Can you believe that another year has come and gone and we’re already preparing for another Easter? Hard to imagine with all the snow on the ground today, yet it’s true. And with the imminent approach of Easter comes another fun Lowell Damon Woods Neighborhood Association Easter Egg Hunt!
Please mark your calendars to join us at the Lowell Damon House on Saturday, March 31st from 10:00-11:30 am for games, sweet treats and plenty of fun for the whole family. We’ll again offer cookie decorating, a coloring contest (prizes awarded by age group), a parent-child three-legged race, and the infamous Easter egg hunt. Don’t forget to bring Easter baskets or bags to the event for each of your children in which they can collect their “eggs!”
We look forward to seeing you all on March 31st for a hopping good time!

ALTERNATE RECYCLING LOCATIONS
(from http://www.wauwatosa.net )

On the weekend of November 25, 2006, a major fire destroyed Wauwatosa’s recycling facility on the north side of the old incinerator. where the blue bags of recyclables were sorted out of the garbage. Parts of the transfer station were also damaged where garbage and blue bags were deposited on the floor prior to sorting. The rest of the facilities were not involved in the fire and are still operating as usual, including the Drop-off Center, Public Works building offices and garage, storage and other areas.
City residents should bring blue bag materials to the drop-off centers to get them recycled. The blue bags put on the curb or put into garbage carts are taken to the landfill, so please recycle at the drop-off locations. Recyclables taken to the drop off locations don't have to be in the blue bags, so any container that you use can be emptied and reused to save you money.

Temporary drop off locations:

• The Public Works Drop-off Center is normally open Tuesday through Saturday, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm at 11100 W. Walnut Road

• Home Depot parking lot, 4100 N. 124th Street (just north of Capital Drive)

• Pick 'n Save parking lot, 6950 W. State Street (just east of 70th Street)

See www.wauwatosa.net/display/router.asp?docid=226 for more extensive information about recycling.

2007 TOSA EVENTS
  March 10 - Blarney Run/Walk
  April 3 - Spring Election
  August 4 - Firefly Art Fair
  October 28 - Citywide Trick-or-Treat, in village

NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION
THANK YOU - to those who helped deliver the December newsletters! Ellie Bjorkman, Tiffany Bruett, Kris and Jim Gehrke, Bob Heitzer, Diane Kaiser-Rockenbach, Kathy Kebbekus, Kathy Mannebach, Kelly Presser and Jason Dudley, Jeanine Schoen, Frank and Joanne Shansky, Dave and Chris Vogel. If you would like to help deliver, contact Karen McNeely.