Visiting and prospective Rotarians are always welcome. We hope to see you there! 

Club Information

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Tuesdays at 12:00 PM
River Club of Mequon
12400 North Ville Du Parc Drive
Mequon, WI 53092
United States of America
Home Page Stories
We had a large group of Rotarians and friends in attendance at the Pillars of the Community Luncheon honoring our own Andrew Petzold. Congratulations Andrew!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SE WI Veteran Suicide Prevention Task Force is excited to present Music in the Garden Music Series again this summer (formally known as Live on the Plaza) from 1800-2000.  The dates are as follows:
 
June 14th  Band: Driving Buddies
July 12 Band: Inner Ally
August 9 Band: Tonight Only
 
Please attend this fun event for the whole family! The concert is held at Milwaukee’s Premier Lakefront Beer Garden-Kegel’s Beer garden located at the War Memorial Center. We had a great turn out last year and expect another great summer event!
 
 
 
Join our friends at the Mequon-Milwaukee Diversity Passport Rotary Club for a Global Fusion Event. Click HERE for tickets.
 
Thanks to all of the Rotarians and friends who set up the Field of Flags on Thursday, May 25. Photo credits to Ellen MacFarlane, Roger Kirgues, and Jenne Hohn.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
It takes a village to get the newsletter out! Thanks to Tim, Sam, and Jenne for stepping up while we continue to send healing thoughts and prayers to Russ. Look for the regular newsletter schedule to resume soon.
 
Heart GIF by RotaractMG 
On Tuesday, June 6, Rotarian Andrew Petzold will be celebrated as a Pillar of the Community.
 
 
From the Mequon-Thiensville Community Foundation website: 

The Mequon Thiensville Community Foundation (MTCF) is thrilled to announce that Andrew Petzold, President and CEO of Concord Development Company, is this year’s recipient of the Pillar of the Community Award. “Andrew’s dedication and commitment to the growth and development of the Mequon-Thiensville community is nothing short of extraordinary,” says MTCF president Lori Lorenz. “The impact he has had exemplifies what it means to be a Pillar of our Community.”

Andrew first became actively involved in the community in the 1990’s, pushing for a vision and strategic direction for Mequon. He was particularly instrumental in encouraging financial and medical organizations to establish locations in Mequon to help differentiate it from neighboring suburbs. Since that time, he has transformed the local landscape, soliciting businesses from all sectors to take root while helping existing businesses expand and thrive.  

Jim Marshall, Chairman and Founder of Spectrum Investment Advisors, notes that Andrew was instrumental in finding the right parcel for his business and drove negotiations to purchase the one-acre site.  He credits Andrew with the success of Spectrum. “Without this location, we wouldn’t be the business we are today.” Asked to describe Andrew, Jim didn’t hesitate. “Vision. Quality. Making a difference.  Every one of his developments is an asset to the community. Mequon is lucky to have him.”

Similarly, Pastor Bob at Christ Church says Andrew was vital to their expansion, providing leadership and expertise throughout the process. “He expresses not only integrity and honesty, but more importantly, he embraces and lives out his faith by positively impacting the community. Andrew is a Christ follower who makes a difference.”  

Andrew’s love of community is also evidenced by his commitment to local service organizations. He was a member of both the Chamber of Commerce and Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club, serving as past president and chairing numerous committees for both organizations over the span of 18+ years. He also served on Mequon’s Economic Development Board, the Mequon Community Foundation and Ozaukee Economic Development. Indeed, the hats he has worn are too numerous to mention. However, what can’t be overlooked is Andrew’s selfless generosity. He is renowned for providing free consulting services, legal work, funding and technical assistance, all in an effort to enhance the community.

One highlight for Andrew was his role in bringing Kapco Park and the Chinooks to the Mequon lakefront. Part of the original ownership group, Andrew still takes great pride in knowing this unique community asset will provide joy and entertainment to families for generations to come. 

We can also thank Andrew for helping to bring a landmark project to downtown Milwaukee. In 2011, then-Governor Scott Walker appointed him to the Bradley Center Sports and Entertainment Corporation (BCSEC) Board. As Vice-Chair, Andrew played a key role in successfully winding down operations at the Bradley Center while paving the way for the new Fiserv Forum. Although not a direct connection to Mequon-Thiensville, this new sports and entertainment arena has undoubtably elevated the city of Milwaukee, inspired tangential development, and is a benefit to us all.

Outside the real-estate and development world, Andrew can be found behind the wheel of a ski boat. When his daughter, Grace, decided to try water skiing a few years back, he had no idea her skill level would quickly rise to the national and world stage. Her passion prompted his involvement, and together they compete internationally — with dad in the driver’s seat, literally! They also host clinics and coach other water ski teams to help grow and give back to the sport they both love.

Andrew lives in Mequon with his wife, Wendy, of 30 years, and their goldendoodle, Annie. Together, they have two adult children.

To register for this event, please go to mcfgives.org/potc.

On Tuesday, May 23, we welcomed Vince Vitrano. Vince is the host of Wisconsin's Morning News on Newsradio WTMJ.
 
 
Vince Vitrano is an Emmy award winning journalist and Host of Wisconsin’s Morning News, on Newsradio WTMJ in Milwaukee. Vince worked in television news as a producer, reporter and anchor for 26 years before moving to radio.
 
Vince’s work as a reporter and anchor have earned him numerous honors from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, Associated Press and the Milwaukee Press Club, as well as a 2015 Chicago Midwest Regional Emmy. He twice won Digital and Online Personality of the year honors from WBA in 2018 and 2020. Vince lead the way in social media for the Milwaukee market, pioneering the use of Twitter and Facebook as journalistic tools.

In 2022, Vince was inducted into the Dennis H. Alldridge Hall of Fame, honoring those who’ve made a significant impact on the mission of Special Olympics Wisconsin. During his nine years on the Board of Directors, Vince served as Chairman, Chair-Elect, and Secretary of the Board. He also served on the Board of Directors for The First Tee of Southeast Wisconsin. Vince continues his non-profit work in support of numerous causes, including the United Performing Arts Fund, for which he was awarded the Jack M. Burchill award recognizing, “significant contributions in the promotion of UPAF and the performing arts. Vince also proudly supports the MACC Fund, Down Syndrome Association of Wisconsin, First Stage, USO, The Milwaukee Public Museum, and Greendale High School where his children attend. 

Vince was born in Milwaukee and grew up in Wauwatosa, graduating from Tosa East High School. He has a degree in Communication from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin. Vince's wife, Nicole, is originally from Cedarburg. The two are proud parents Ella, Max, and Olivia. 
Dan Buttery provided the following information as a way to learn more about the Milwaukee War Memorial Center:
 
If you have not done so, please sign up to receive our eNews via our website.  We cannot sign you up for privacy reasons, but we encourage you to sign up via this link: https://warmemorialcenter.org/newsletter/
 
At the bottom of the webpage, you will see our social media links.  You can connect via those various sources.
 
Information about architect Eero Saarinen can be found here: https://www.cia.gov/stories/story/eero-saarinen-a-place-in-architectural-history/
 
 
 
Congratulations to member Nancy Witte-Dycus. Nancy was honored by Thiensville Village President Van Mobley with a Proclamation of Appreciation on Tuesday, May 2. The proclamation acknowledges Nancy's retirement as owner of Fantasy Flowers and recognizes her service to the community. Thank you Nancy!
 
On Tuesday, May 9 we welcome Dona Drew, LCSW, CSAC, ICS. Dona is the Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator at the Zablocki VA Medical Center.
 
 
Dona Drew is a Wisconsin Native. After high school, she enlisted in the US Marine Corps for 4 years. She worked as a Field Communication Operator while stationed with the 3rd FSSG at Camp Kinser in Okinawa, Japan. She was then attached to Marine Corps Headquarters at Henderson Hall in Washington DC where she worked at the Pentagon and Navy Annex. She was among the first Women Marines to be allowed to work in this MOS (Military Occupational Specialty).
 
After Dona was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, she received her Bachelor Degree in Social Work from George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. After graduation, she returned to WI and started working for ProHealth Care while she obtained her Master degree in Social Work at UW Milwaukee in 2010. 
 
In 2013, she began her VA career as the lead social worker in the Women’s Program at the Domiciliary (6 week residential program). In February 2018, she was hired to create a new position of social worker/case manager in the outpatient Substance Use Clinic. In October 2020 Dona joined the Suicide Prevention Team. Currently, Dona is Community Engagement and Partnership Coordinator at the Milwaukee Zablocki Medical Center. She is the co-chair of the Southeastern Wisconsin Veteran Suicide Prevention Task Force and works closely with other partnerships in the Veteran community to end Veteran Suicide.  She is passionate about Suicide Prevention and believes that we all have play an important role in ending suicides in our community.
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Upcoming Events
Links
 
Speakers
Honoring Andrew Petzold
Jun 06, 2023 11:00 AM
PILLARS OF THE COMMUNITY EVENT - Foxtown
Marty Brooks
Jun 13, 2023 12:00 PM
President/CEO of the Wisconsin Center District
Maureen O'Leary-Guth
Jun 20, 2023 12:00 PM
Business Meeting
Changing of the Guard
Jun 27, 2023 5:00 PM
North Shore Country Club
No Meeting
Jul 04, 2023 12:00 PM
Matthew Wolak
Jul 11, 2023 12:00 PM
Crisis Prevention Institute
Jenne Hohn
Jul 25, 2023 12:00 PM
Business Meeting
Family Night
Aug 22, 2023 5:00 PM
Rotary Park
Jenne Hohn
Aug 29, 2023 12:00 PM
Business Meeting
No Meeting
Sep 05, 2023 12:00 PM
Jenne Hohn
Sep 26, 2023 12:00 PM
Business Meeting
No Meeting
Oct 10, 2023 12:00 PM
Jenne Hohn
Oct 31, 2023 12:00 PM
Business Meeting
No Meeting
Nov 21, 2023 12:00 PM
Meeting Responsibilities
Prayer/Inspiration
June 13th
Cavitt, Lori
 
June 20th
Kirgues, Roger
 
June 27th
Gohsman, Peter
 
Greeter
June 13th
Mobley, Van
 
June 20th
Melbinger-Wagner, Julie
 
June 27th
Azinger, Samuel
 
Pledge
June 13th
MacFarlane, Ellen
 
June 20th
Niemann, Angelica
 
June 27th
Rosing, John
 
If you cannot fulfill your responsibility, please make arrangements for someone else to take your place.
Club Executives & Directors
President Elect
President Elect Nominee
Immediate Past President
Secretary
Executive Secretary / Director
Treasurer
Public Relations / Marketing
International Service
Club Service
Vocational Service
Community Service
Membership
The Rotary Foundation

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