Wisconsin
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Mukwonago,
2021-22
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OUR TOWN 2021-22
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Welcome to
OUR TOWN! OUR TOWN Mukwonago, Wisconsin 2021-22
Mukwonago is also home to a YMCA, which provides activities for kids, youth and adults all year long. With the abundance of community festivals and activities, there’s always something to do. The Mukwonago Area Chamber of Commerce and local non-profit organizations like the Lions Club and American Legion Post sponsor events all year long, including an annual ice fishing jamboree, egg hunt, Father’s Day and Memorial Day parades, Summerfeste, Balloons Over Mukwonago, Fall Fest, Jack ‘o Lantern Jaunt and the winter festival Midnight Magic. Mukwonago is also home to The Elegant Farmer, which has garnered national attention and even prompted worldrenowned Chef Bobby Flay to take on its “Brown Bag Apple Pie” in an episode of Throwdown. The pie has been named “best pie in America” by the Wall Street Journal, Gourmet and Food Network. Dan Scheel and John Bauer, of The Elegant Farmer, won the showdown with Flay. So, welcome to Mukwonago! Enjoy your stay!
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(262) 642-7451 on the cover: Ella VanDyk, 14 months old, looks for a pumpkin in the patch at the Elegant Farmer in early October during the farm’s annual Autumn Harvest Fest in 2021. PHOTO BY LISA SMITH
above: Hot air balloons take flight during the 2021 Balloons Over Mukwonago celebration. The annual event returned to Mukwonago after a hiatus in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event, sponsored by the Mukwonago Area Chamber of Commerce and WindDancer Balloon Promotions, also included competitive balloon races, entertainment, food and children’s activities. BRADFORD PAULSON Our Town
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The Village of Mukwonago was first settled by the Potowatomi Indians in the 1700s. The term “Mukwonago” translates to “Place of the Bear,” according to the village’s website. In spring of 1836, Sewall Andrews and Henry H. Camp built their homes just northwest of the Indian Village. In 1836, Mukwonago’s first plat was made. Soon afterward, more residents would begin developing homesteads and businesses in the area. The Andrew’s house still stands today and is now home to the Mukwonago Red Brick Museum. If you’re looking for the quiet county life but want to be within driving distance of the big city, this is the place to be. Nestled off of a major interstate in southwestern Waukesha County, Mukwonago offers visitors and its 20,000 residents a smalltown feel with big-city amenities a short drive away. Large commercial developments such as Pick ‘n Save, Home Depot and Walmart anchor the north and south ends of the village, offering easy shopping and multiple employment opportunities as the village and township grows.
An annual publication of the Mukwonago Times and Southern Lakes Newspapers P.O. Box 274, East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-7451
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OUR SCHOOLS MUKWONAGO AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION Erika Conner President (262) 363-6300, ext. 24905 Mary D’Amour* Vice-President (262) 363-6300, ext. 24900 Jill Werner Treasurer (414) 313-0784 Cheri Winchowky Clerk (262) 363-6300, ext. 24902 Joel Frerichs (303) 863-5320 Andy Mahnke* (262) 363-6300, ext. 24907 Art Schneider (262) 392-9110 Vito Schwartz (262) 363-6300, ext. 24901 Craig Vertz* (262) 363-6300, ext. 24904 Student Representatives Michael Kaczinski* Kayla Willman* * Term ends April 2022. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES 385 Highway NN East Mukwonago, WI 53149 Phone: (262) 363-6300 Fax: (262) 363-6272 www.masd.k12.wi.us Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shawn McNulty District Administrator Ext. 24100 Tom Karthausser Business Services Manager Ext. 24102
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Christine Bowden Director of Pupil Services Ext. 24200
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Stephanie Blue Director of Student Learning Ext. 24400 Ben Kossow Coordinator of Assessment and Data Ext. 24410 Kelly Kovnesky Supervisors of Network
Dan Thomas, reptile expert and handler at the Animal House in Mukwonago, visited Kid’s Connection Aug. 19, 2021. He brought with him a few of his favorite snakes and lizards. Thomas talked about special characteristics of each, where certain species are found and other interesting facts, including what they eat (they even got to see one of the lizards eat a worm). He walked around and introduced each by name and allowed the kids to touch them if they wanted. This Argentine, black-and-white Tegu was by far the favorite of the presentation. LISA SMITH Our Town
Operations Ext. 25700
North Prairie, WI 53153 (262) 363-6310
Andy Wegner Building and Grounds Operations Manager Ext. 24300
Rolling Hills Elementary School W322 S9230 Beulah Rd. Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-6318
Mukwonago High School 605 W. School Rd. Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-6200 Park View Middle School 930 N. Rochester St. Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-6292
Section Elementary School W318 S8430 Highway EE Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-6260 OTHER AREA SCHOOLS
Big Bend Elementary School W230 S8695 Big Bend Dr. Big Bend, WI 53103 (262) 363-4401
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran School 410 Highway NN Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-4999
Clarendon Avenue Elementary School 915 Clarendon Ave. Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-6286
Mukwonago Baptist Academy 1610 Honeywell Rd. Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-1731
Eagleville Elementary Charter School S101 W34511 Highway LO Eagle, WI 53119 (262) 363-6258
Nature’s Classroom Montessori School W336 S8455 Highway E P.O. Box 660, Mukwonago (262) 363-2815 info@nciw.org
Prairie View Elementary School W330 S6473 Highway E
Bloom360 Learning Community
(neurodiverse leaning) N8921 Stone School Road East Troy, WI 53120 (414) 935-6360 www.bloom360.org Gateway Technical College 400 Highway H Elkhorn, WI 53121 (262) 741-8200 www.gtc.edu Michael Fields Agricultural Institute W2493 Highway ES East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3303 www.michaelfieldsaginst.org Gerri Lory and Alicia’s Studio of Dance Art 812 Swan Drive Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-7268 Kay’s Academy of Dance 204 S. Rochester St., Mukwonago (262) 363-9006 kaysacademyofdance.com Lakeland School of Walworth County W3905 Highway NN Elkhorn, WI 53121 (262) 741-4118 www.co.walworth.wi.us
For ‘Aspirations in Computing’ Mention Recipients, while Abby Esmeier was named as an AiC Rising Star. “Being chosen as a winner this year and an honorable mention last year has opened so many doors,” Lang said. “I’ve been offered so countless opportunities, such as online and in-person technology camps, access to exclusive groups filled with girls just like me, and scholarships for programs and colleges.” Additionally, MHS and IT Academy teacher Jim Ferwerda was named a recipient of the NCWIT-WI Educator Honorable Mention Award. “Since the inception of the IT Academy in 2014, our team has worked
to try to close the gender gap that exists in Computer Science and Information Technology,” Ferwerda said. “I am so proud of these four women and all the females that have been a part of the IT Academy. I am thankful that they and MHS have been recognized by the NCWIT with this honor.” “We couldn’t be more proud that our own MHS students received this prestigious award,” MHS Principal Jim Darin said. “It is made extra-special this year that the one staff member so crucial to the program’s success was recognized • CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
Mukwonago High School teacher Jim Ferwerda (from left) and students MaryAnn Romagna, Abby Esmeier, Kendal Schreiber and Alex Lang were recently honored by the National Center for Women & Information Technology. Lang, a sophomore, received the Aspirations in Computing award.
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High school students, teacher win Wisconsin NCWIT award Four Mukwonago High School students and one teacher have received the Wisconsin National Center for Women and Information Technology award for Aspirations in Computing. Sophomore Alex Lang was named a winner of the award, which is powered by the NCWIT, and recognizes ninth- through 12th-grade students who self-identify as women, genderqueer, or non-binary for their computing-related achievements and interests, as part of an effort to encourage a diverse range of students to choose careers in technology. MaryAnn Romagna and Kendal Schreiber were identified as Honorable
SUBMITTED PHOTO Our Town
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as well. Mukwonago High School’s IT program continues to grow, in large part due to the students and staff who dedicated to its continued success” Student Award recipients were selected from more than 4,200 applicants from all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. overseas military bases, and Canada for their outstanding aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing as demonstrated by their computing experience, computing-related activities, leadership experience, tenacity in the face of barriers to access, and plans for post-secondary education. Each recipient will receive recognition and prizes; induction into the AiC Community of nearly 20,000 technical individuals who self-identify as women, genderqueer, or non-binary; access to resources, scholarships, and internship opportunities; and more. “This award is more than just a title, it is a community of females that are here to support and uplift one another while trying to pursue a career in a predominantly male field. NCWIT helps and encourages girls like me to continue growing their skills and passion with technology,” said Lang. “Encouraging young women’s interest in technology careers is critical: our workforce needs their creativity and unique perspectives to produce technology that is as broad and innovative as the population it serves,” said NCWIT CEO and co-founder Lucy Sanders. NCWIT is a non-profit community that convenes, equips, and unites change leader organizations to increase the influential and meaningful participation of girls and women – at the intersections of race/ethnicity, class, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, and other historically marginalized identities – in the field of computing, particularly in terms of innovation and development. Find out more at www.ncwit.org.
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A collection for the ages
Mukwonago Historical Society receives rare cache of photos from early 1900s By Dave Fidlin CORRESPONDENT
M
left: Citizens Bank of Mukwonago under construction around 1902 where a Walgreens parking lot is today. right: Mukwonago Roller Mills where the swim beach is today.
left: The downtown hardware store in Mukwonago, circa early 1900s. right: Lobdell’s store next to what is now the Red Brick Museum in downtown Mukwonago. PHOTOS COURESY OF THE MUKWONAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY • Our Town
About the collection
The images seen here and in the Mukwonago Historical Society’s collection have been developed from glass plate negatives produced by Arthur Grutzmacher during a period from about 1900 to 1910. Two groupings of the glass slides were obtained several decades ago at a sale in
Mukwonago reported to have been held by the Lobdell family. Dorothy Mohr, then president of the Mukwonago Historical Society, and Marty Perkins of the Wisconsin State Historical Society each obtained a box of these negatives – more than 200 in total. In 2021, Sue Perkins and Roger Walsh donated Perkins’ cache, re-uniting the collection. Developed and digitally restored by Gary Bakic at Crivello’s Photography of Brookfield, the majority of these COLLECTION • CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
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ukwonago’s rich history just came into sharper focus, thanks to a newly donated collection of images that show what life within the community was like in the early 1900s. The Mukwonago Historical Society, which operates out of the Red Brick Museum in downtown Mukwonago, has acquired around 150 glass plate negatives from a decade-long period that began near the dawn of the 20th Century. Arthur Grutzmacher, an accomplished, longtime resident of Mukwonago and Vernon, took the assorted snapshots. For the local historical society, the addition of Grutzmacher’s pictorial collection helps fill in some of the gaps from Mukwonago’s earliest years, said Henry Hecker, current president of the MHS. “There are a number of photos that are unique,” Hecker said. “They document some things that aren’t around anymore.” The glass plate negatives reportedly were purchased around a quarter century ago at a local estate sale and have been stored in several areas. Some of the images, for instance, were in the hands of the Wisconsin Historical Society. Early this year, Hecker and others within the Historical Society were approached about acquiring the full collection. “I was asked if we were interested,” Hecker said. “I said, ‘You’re darn tootin’.’” Hecker said the influence of the Grutzmacher family is already well documented. Arthur, who died in 1965, was a noted photographer, musician, naturalist and collector of Native American artifacts. He was one of multiple children from Herman and Augusta Grutzmacher, who immigrated to Vernon from Germany in 1859. Many of the photos in Arthur Grutzmacher’s collection depict life on the family farm, which was • CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
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Take scenic 14-mile train rides on historic trolleys or interurban cars on the last remaining segment of the Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company track. Round trips start at our East Troy depot and museum. We stop at the popular Elegant Farmer store and deli. Regular trains Friday-Saturday-Sunday, June through Sept. 11th. Harvest-Fest trains are by reservation only starting Sept. 12th. In 2020, you must purchase all tickets online before arriving and everyone over 2 must wear masks to ride our trains! You will be seated an appropriate distance from other guests in a railroad car with open windows. Visit www.easttroyrr.org or call 262.642.3263 for more information.
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Visitors to the Grutzmacher Farm. PHOTO COURESY OF THE MUKWONAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY • Our Town
Camera and Imaging Center in Brookfield had the know-how and was able to bring each of the images to life. “Some of them were broken, some of them were peeling and some of them were not in real great shape,” Hecker said. But, he added, the images that were in good condition were invaluable. Grutzmacher’s rich collection of photos helped answer some previous questions, Hecker said. But the viewings also raised some new ones. “There’s a number of photos of schools, which we haven’t been able to identify yet,” Hecker said. “Part of the problem is, every one of these one-room schools has a front door and three windows on one side, three windows on the other, and maybe a
bell tower on the top and a chimney on the back.” He added, “They all look the same. Unless you can see all of the surroundings, you have a hard time figuring it out.” Hecker said he plans to give a future talk on the photos at the Mukwonago Community Library. The photos also will be part of a larger effort aimed at keeping Mukwonago’s heritage front and center as the community continues to grow and go through its latest metamorphosis. “We’re challenged with preserving history, and we want to enlighten people about our rich history,” Hecker said. “I’ve lived here since 2005, and I can’t believe all the cool stuff that happened around here.”
COLLECTION • CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7
right: Spinning on the Grutzmacher Farm. above: This saloon scene may be from the Pabst Hotel, Dillenbeck Hotel or another establishment entirely. The Mukwonago Historical Society is asking for the community’s help in identifying the people in places in its new collection. PHOTOS COURESY OF THE MUKWONAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY Our Town
images have been organized and identified by Henry Hecker, of the Mukwonago Historical Society. Hecker asks that if viewers see errors, or can identify people or places in the photos printed with this story, they may contact mukwonagohistoricalsociety.org with the updated information. Hecker says original prints from these slides must exist in the community as Grutzmacher undoubtedly developed them at the time. Some of the glass negatives are damaged and original prints could augment the collection. Anyone with original prints of the collections photos may also contact the Historical Society to help complete the collection.
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located in Vernon, about three miles east of Mukwonago. The family home, memorialized in images, no longer stands today. Some members of the Grutzmacher family moved within Mukwonago’s limits, including Albert, who was a brother of Arthur. Albert, an architect, built a home at 300 Pearl St., in 1903 and was included in Arthur’s photo collection. The home stands to this day. “A lot of the photos depict the various farm activities,” Hecker said. “They’re tending to the sheep, they’re cutting wood, they’re digging for potatoes.” Other images show the earliest stages of commercial development within Mukwonago, which was a bustling community in the early 1900s. Grutzmacher’s eagle-eyed prowess in 1902, for example, captured the construction of Citizens Bank of Mukwonago’s new building, which was located in the heart of the community at the present-day site of the Walgreens parking lot. Other images depict a bygone era, such as a site shot of the Mukwonago Roller Mills, which was located where the local swim beach is today. Other photos captured a hardware store in Mukwonago’s downtown and photos from an unknown saloon. Being able to see all of the images required a degree of persistence and patience. Because of the old technology, Hecker said reproductions of the glass plate negatives required a search for someone who was skilled in such an endeavor. Thankfully, a staffer at Mike Crivello’s
• CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7
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OUR GOVERNMENT VILLAGE OF MUKWONAGO MUKWONAGO COMMUNITY LIBRARY 511 Division St. Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday (9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday for the summer) Library Director Abby Armour Circulation Desk (262) 363-6411
VILLAGE HALL 440 River Crest Court, Mukwonago, WI 53149 Phone: (262) (262) 363-6420 Fax: (262) (262) 363-6425 www.villageofmukwonago.com Clerk-Treasurer Diana Dykstra, ext. 2103 Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Linda Gourdoux, ext. 2104 VILLAGE OFFICIALS Village President Fred Winchowky* (262) 363-7884 Fwinchowky@ villageofmukwonago.com Village Trustees Daniel Adler DAdler@villageofmukwonago.com
Eric Brill
EBrill@villageofmukwonago.com (414) 559-3742 James Decker* (262) 363-2245 JDecker@villageofmukwonago.com Darlene Johnson (414) 916-3876 DJohnson@ villageofmukwonago.com
John Meiners
JMeiners@ villageofmukwonaog.com (414) 344-8865
Roger Walsh*
RWalsh@villageofmukwonago.com (262) 363-4303 * Term expires April 2022.
The students and staff of Mukwonago High School came together to participate in a history lesson with a display of compassion and patriotism in remembrance to those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. In honor of the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack in 2021, students and staff placed 2,997 flags in front of the school. Each flag bore the name of a person that lost their lives in the attack on the country. LISA SMITH Our Town
VILLAGE CONTACTS Municipal Court Municipal Judge Joe Abruzzo Court Clerk, (262) 363-6433 Police Chief Daniel J. Streit (262) 363-6435 Fire Chief Jeffrey Stien (262) 363-6426 mukwonagofire.org
Humane Officer Humane Animal Welfare Society (262) 542-8851 TOWN OF MUKWONAGO TOWN HALL W320 S8315 Beulah Road Mukwonago, WI 53149 Phone: (262) 363-4555 Fax: (262) 363-8377 www.townofmukwonago.us
Utilities (262) 363-6420, est. 2118
Administrator, Clerk-Treasurer Kathy Karalewitz (262) 363-4555 kkaralewitz@ townofmukwonago.us
Planner/ Zoning Administrator John Fellows jfellows@villageofmukwonago.com (262) 363-6420, ext. 2111
Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Gail Obradovich (262) 363-4555 gobradovich@ townofmukwonago.us
Public Works Supervisor Ron Bittner (262) 363-6447
Village Attorney Ronald E. English (262) 549-8181 Assessor Nick Laird Associated Appraisal (920) 749-1995 Building Inspector Tim Rutenbeck 262-363-6419, option 2 Garbage/Recycle John’s Disposal Service, (262) 473-4700 www.johnsdisposal.com
TOWN OFFICIALS Town Chairperson Peter Topczewski (262) 392-9859 ptopczewski@ townofmukwonago.us Town Supervisors
Richard Wrasman
(414) 491-9250 rwrasman@townofmukwonago.us
Gail Yerke*
(262) 363-7556 gyerke@townofmukwonago.us * Term expires April 2022. TOWN CONTACTS Parks and Recreations Dave Adams, director (262) 363-7077 dadams@townofmukwonago.us Planning/Zoning Tim Schwecke (920) 728-2814 tim.schwecke@ civitekconsulting.com Building Inspector Scott Johnson W320 S8315 Beulah Road (262) 352-4433 BuildingInspector@ townofmukwonago.us Public Works Director/ Weed Commissioner Rick Peterson (262) 470-5582 rpeterson@townofmukwonago.us
Lyle Boucher*
Police Chief Thomas Czarnecki (262) 363-5188
Kay Clabault
Fire Chief Jeffrey Stien (262) 363-64
(262) 349-8039 lboucher@townofmukwonago.us kclabault@townofmukwonago.us (262) 363-8632
OUR TOWN 2021-22
Reference Desk (262) 363-6456 www.mukcom.lib.wi.us
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by Maureen Vander Sanden CONTRIBUTOR
For more than a decade, Mary Chic has been reaching out to struggling moms through Elizabeth Ministry, offering a listening ear, helping hands and a supportive heart. In her early stages of motherhood 26 years ago, Chic had a big job of caring for her infant twin girls and her rambunctious one-year old son, while her husband worked six, 12-hour days to make ends meet. “I just remember telling myself, ‘Mary do a good job, so that when their mama comes for them she will be proud.’ When the twins turned one I realized I was the mama and I made it through. It was hard.” With three in diapers, bulk bottle feedings, financial burdens and limited support, the overwhelmed mother reached out to a family network hotline based in Milwaukee from her Burlington home. “I couldn’t call often, because back then it was long distance, but they connected me with a couple women from Love Inc. (in Burlington) and the women would come once a week,” she said. “They would do
laundry, help with meals, and just visit. It felt so good to have that support.” Three years later she suffered from miscarriage, losing twin boys. A few years following that, she lost another baby boy to miscarriage. “I remember feeling alone and empty. But I had to quickly put it behind me both times, go home, and get busy,” she said. Through the pain, she was humbled by the kindness her family received from the St. Thomas Aquinas community in Waterford where her kids were enrolled at school. One parish family took in her kids while she was hospitalized. “To this day, I still remember the kindness of the family that took our kids into their home.” Following three losses, Mary gave birth to a healthy baby girl who would complete the Chic family. Financial burdens eased and caring for the kids became much more manageable but the pain of losing three babies – Andrew, Matthew and Peter- never subsided, and looking back, she said that she didn’t get to properly grieve or seek out the support she needed. To help her heart heal and as a tribute
to her three unborn babies, Chic began her work with Elizabeth Ministry. Headquartered in Mukwonago, Elizabeth Ministry is an international movement designed to offer hope, help, and healing on the issues of life, loss, and love. Volunteers encourage, educate, and equip people through mentoring, programs, and resources related to relationships, sexuality, and childbearing. “(In the Bible) Mary went to visit Elizabeth when they were both pregnant and Elizabeth was older. Mary was an unwed, pregnant mother. Back in those days, she could have been stoned to death. Elizabeth taught Mary how to be a good wife and shared her fears about being pregnant... “So, Elizabeth Ministry is based off of that theory, that women should help women however they can during their child bearing years,” she explained. Chic initially reached out to the ministry as a way to cope with her losses. She said she felt comforted knowing she was not alone after she stumbled upon an Elizabeth Ministry rosebud “Blessing Bouquet” at St. • CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
left: Mary Chic, coordinator of St. Thomas Aquinas’ Elizabeth Ministry, visits the church cemetery baby memorial. The Waterford parish has recently added pavers for families who would like to memorialize their unborn babies with an engraved brick. right: The baby memorial at St. Thomas Aquinas features a memorial stone, landscaping and a statue of the Virgin Mother holding Jesus. SUBMITTED PHOTOS Our Town
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Local woman builds ministry to offer hope after tragedy
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OUR PARKS Village of Mukwonago The Village of Mukwonago park and open space system consists of 526.20 total acres of public park land and special use areas, including public school facilities, under the control of the Village. The system includes a full range of developed facilities including neighborhood parks, community parks and special use areas located throughout the Village of Mukwonago, as well as a wealth of preserved environmental corridor and natural area sites.
FIELD PARK Field Park is on the southwest corner of the intersection of highways 83 and NN and is the most widely used park in the Village of Mukwonago. The park has a 3,000-square-foot pavilion, which includes a full kitchen, a baseball diamond and an encompassing walking path surrounded by many large oak trees. It is home to such events as Maxwell Street Days, Mukwonago Summerfeste and Croatian Day Picnic. An 800-square-foot open pavilion located near the children’s play area provides shelter from the sun and rain as well as provides relaxation for those enjoying the park. The pavilion is host to many family, friends and business picnics throughout the summer. The park and pavilion may be rented out on a first-come-first-serve basis starting January 1 of each year. For the latest rates and application for renting Field Park, click here.
MINIWAUKAN PARK
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Miniwaukan Park is at the end of McKenzie Road, behind the Mukwonago Industrial Park and Meadow Park Estates Subdivision, is mainly used by youth sports organizations such as Mukwonago Area Soccer Club and Mukwonago Braves Football. Miniwaukan Park features one football field, six soccer fields, six baseball fields, a Frisbee-golf course, and a newly launched Born Learning Trail. For information the Frisbee-golf course and leagues, call Paul or Mike at (262) 9684114.
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Three-year-old Lainey Vida is all smiles as she practices dribbling the soccer ball across the field on May 8, 2021, at Mukwonago Town Park during a pee wee soccer class. LISA SMITH Our Town
Beautiful oak trees and landscape draw many photographers to the park for wedding and class photos.
INDIANHEAD PARK
Indianhead Park is on Highway ES, adjacent to Phantom Lake and to the north of the Village Hall. The park lies along the Mukwonago River, and it features a small, open pavilion, Town of Mukwonago a beach and plenty of open space for other sports. A walking path cuts across the park TOWN PARK for easy access to the Village Hall from Front Street. Large oak trees provide shade Town Park is at W320 S8357 Beulah for those who just want to sit and relax and Road. The park has electricity, picnic tables, fish the river. soccer and baseball fields, playground, pavilions (one with an indoor kitchenette) PHANTOM GLEN PARK and horseshoe pits. Phantom Glen Park sits at the end of Andrews Street, along Phantom Lake. LAUREN PARK The small, quaint park consists of an open shelter with electricity and is ideal for Lauren Park is at W315 S8555 Highway EE. a small, intimate gathering of friends and The park has electricity, picnic tables, family. sand volleyball courts, baseball fields, playground and a pavilion. WASHINGTON AVENUE PARK
Washington Avenue Park is in the block bordered by Park Avenue on the north, Minor Park can be found on Highway Washington Avenue on the South, Franklin LO just east of Highway I. It is home to Street on the West and Division Street on the Mukwonago Women’s Softball League. the East, directly next to the Mukwonago Two softball diamonds and a wooded picnic Community Library. area with a small open shelter make up The park offers a basketball court and a Minor Park. baseball diamond, as well as plenty of open
MINOR PARK
space for other recreational activities. All Village parks are rented on a firstcome-first-serve basis and can only be rented during the current year. For availability of a specific park and/ or to place a reservation, call the village clerk’s office at (262) 363-6420. For more information, visit www. villageofmukwonago.com/parks.htm.
OAK RIDGE PARK Oak Rideg Park is at W304 S8000 Oakridge Drive. The park has soccer and baseball fields, picnic tables and a pavilion. • CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
Faster, Dad!
Taking advantage of some freshly fallen snow in January 2021, 5-yearold Estelle Saunders, and dad, Elton, share some laughs sledding down the hill at Lauren Park in Mukwonago.
LISA SMITH Our Town
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Paul’s in Genesee Depot. The bouquet was filled with a variety of colors symbolizing a number of other area women’s losses and celebrations focused on growing and raising families. “I knew what those roses meant and seeing them made me know I was not alone,” she said. Inspired by the women of Elizabeth Ministries who helped her, Chic began to give back through the organization. She has worked with mothers suffering from severe post-partum depression, mothers in need of extra childcare and household chores, and mothers in need of grief support, among other requests. “We are not counselors, we are friends,” she said. “We just offer some friendly support, a kind ear when you need it and arms to hold that baby when you just need to take a break. No one should feel alone or
OUR PARKS
overwhelmed.” In 2019, Chic worked with Father Ed Tlucek and parish staff to bring Elizabeth Ministry to St. Thomas. Last month, they expanded the ministry to its sister parish, St. Clare Catholic Church in Wind Lake. As part of the local program, the church has enhanced its memorial for unborn babies at the parish cemetery, south of the church, on Beck Drive. Pavers have been laid out for families who would like to memorialize their lost babies by engraving a stone with the baby’s name and date of delivery. “It’s very impactful to see the name of a baby you never got to meet,” she said. “(The memorial site) is a peaceful place where families can go to pray and you don’t have to be Catholic or belong to St. Thomas or St. Clare’s to do it. You just have to want to have a Christian site to
remember your baby at.” Blaise Beaulier, director of Administrative Services at St. Thomas, said the church is pleased to offer this type of outreach to the community at no charge. “This outreach began by a passionate and giving group of women in the parish who believed this was an area underserved to families who have experienced painful and difficult loss,” he said. Families who would like to memorialize a lost baby with an engraved brick may reach out at no charge to the parish office by calling 262-534- 2250. To donate, get involved or for assistance from Elizabeth Ministry at St. Thomas, call Mary Chic at 262-8782723 or email gchic2000@sbcglobal. net or Mary Hoffman at (262) 442-1927, maryhoffman@hotmail.com.
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For more information on the township’s parks visit www.townofmukwonago.us.
Waukesha County MUKWONAGO COUNTY PARK Mukwonago Park, W325, S9945 Beulah
Road, is part of the Waukesha County Park system. The 355-acre park site includes a high ridge formed during the last glacial period, which stretches nearly the length of the park. The oak opening ridge is covered with pre-settlement vegetation including burr oak, shagbark hickory, and ground
cover of prairie plants. Mukwonago Park Dog Exercise Area, W325 S9925 Beulah Road, is open daily. Daily park entrance fees apply. Park hours are sunrise to 10 p.m., year round. In summer the beach is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. (262) 548-7801
OUR TOWN 2021-22
MINISTRY
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