In this free training course, discover the strategies and tools that can help individuals, Rotarians like yourselves, cities and nations to build and sustain peace.
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
Mequon, WI 53092
United States of America
Fall Into Comedy Countdown September 27th Update
We are very excited for Fall Into Comedy 2022, our 10th anniversary!
October 13th is approaching fast. An Event volunteer sign- up sheet is now on our website. Please keep asking for auction items and attendees. $90.00 is a very good value for our event at the River Club, including an excellent buffet dinner, a great silent auction, and first class national entertainment featuring popular comedian Juston McKinney. All event information is on our club website:tmrotary.org
The last day of ticket sales is October 5th.
Questions, please reach out to co-chairs Todd Davis tdavi2@amfam.com or Heather Mader heather.mader@pwsb.com.
THANK YOU to those who have contributed. To those who haven’t, there is still time! Click HERE to purchase tickets to the event.
We look forward to seeing you there.
We can’t spell success without you!
Heather and Tyler met at the M-T Chamber Sporting Clays event while several Rotarians were spotted at the Sunrise Rotary Around the World fund raiser.
In 2002 I was at the Bristol Renaissance faire and wandered across the parking lot to say hi to a friend and there was a redhead with her and that is how I ended up in Wisconsin. Its been 19+ years and life is good. I have been a Rotary Andy all that time, sponging free lunches off of my wife and getting to know most of you and mourning the passing of more than a few. I started my own business, Rent A Preacher, in 1999 and that is why my Rotary designation of ‘Officiant’.
At Nancy’s urging I joined the Freemason Lodge in Port Washington in 2011, There are many parallels between the Masons and Rotary: we are both charity oriented and community minded, the Masons give about $3m a day to charities world-wide. The biggest difference is that the Masons are still strictly a fraternity, allowing only men to join. So why would I join Rotary when I have a ‘club’ already, when I could continue to get a free lunch? Because I want to do more in the community of Mequon/Thiensville than the Masons do. I was going to quote Groucho Marx but I do want to belong to an organization that would have me. Thank you for accepting me as a Rotarian.
Sandy and Tim recently traveled to Europe where they found a Rotary Club in Italy.
Fall into Comedy Update:
We only need 6 more tables to be at our 200 person capacity, let’s keep asking.
Now that we are back at the River Club a sign the calendar is turning and we are fast approaching our event, October 13, 2022.
An Event volunteer sign- up sheet is now on our website.
Please keep asking for auction items and attendees. Again all event information is on our club website:tmrotary.org
Updates will be provided, please reach out to co-chairs Todd Davis tdavi2@amfam.com or Heather Mader heather.mader@pwsb.com with any questions.
THANK YOU to those who have contributed. To those who haven’t, there is still time! Click HERE to purchase tickets to the event.
I joined Thiensville-Mequon Rotary for two reasons, and it has exceeded my expectations.
First, I have been involved in Mequon, but I knew the opportunities I had would ultimately come to an end. I believe I have an obligation to give back. Rotary provides an established, nonpolitical structure for doing so. Throughout the year, there are many opportunities to get involved and, while participation is encouraged, members can do a little or a lot depending on time availability. Rotary, like so many of other our service clubs, does so much for our community. I wanted to be part of that and, although my schedule does not allow me to participate in everything, I am able to do some good. I hope to do more as my other obligations change.
Second, Rotary has filled a personal need. As my kids got older and school activities stopped dominating our schedule, there were fewer opportunities to get to know people well. Through other activities, I have gotten to know superficially many Mequon-Thiensville neighbors. Social media, although fun, does not replace personal interaction. Rotary has created real connections. By attending most weeks, I have gotten to know a bunch of truly good people of a variety of ages and backgrounds.
I am not much of a joiner. Too often, organizations become too political. Not only do members get stuck in the drama, but they get painted with the positions of the organization. Rotary is different. It does so much for our community without the stress of some other groups.
So long as I reside in this community and my schedule permits, I plan to be a member of Thiensville-Mequon Rotary. I encourage others to give it a try.
What Rotary means to me.
So many things. Fraternity, friendship, charity, connections.
When I was invited to join TM Rotary, I was among the first women.
Not the top 5 but shortly after. I remember how welcome I felt. Especially by the older members. Having lived through being the first women to take small engines in high school or join clubs where I clearly was not embraced.
My 2nd nick name came from Pete Hiltgen. I shared my love of skiing with Jack Wiese, Dr Jacobs and Herb Hillman. I learned to grill from Frank Bolz and make a great silver bullet martini. Herb Hillman taught me about floating prime.
By meeting every Tuesday, I was able to build strong friendships. Learn about faraway places and the comradery between Madison Graduate Sandy Custer verse Iowa’s Graduate Bruce Rowe.
Rotarians are the best people I know, raising money for worthy charities, making a difference in our community, providing money for clean water, humanitarian efforts, Polio plus.
Rotary is my extended family; I know that if I would ever need anything they are just a phone call away.
Nancy Witte-Dycus
P.S. I couldn’t list all my favorite people because you are all my favorite people one way or another.
The fund raising committee needs your help!
Volunteers needed- please email Heather Mader: heather.mader@pwsb.com or Todd with your selection tdavi2@amfam.com
Thank you in advance!
For tickets to Fall Into Comedy, click here.
How am I doing towards my next Paul Harris?
We missed a photo opportunity with Todd Davis who was actively promoting Fall Into Comedy (thank you Todd!) but we spotted several other T-M Rotarians out and about at Taste of Mequon 2022 including Mequon Festivals Committee members Jenne Hohn and Christine McLean. We also got a chance to catch up with fellow Rotarians at the Mequon Milwaukee Diversity Passport Club! Thank you to members who volunteered to help make this such a wonderful community event. For tickets for Fall Into Comedy 2022, please click here!
Fall Into Comedy promotes during
Taste of Mequon.
Thank you to member Barkha of Daily Taco for allowing us to place our poster
on their trailer.
For tickets to Fall Into Comedy 2022, please click here.
Chris Kowalkiewicz, MBA, BSN, RN, Executive Director of Nursing & Clinical Operations, Froedtert Community Hospital
On September 13, we are proud to host speaker Chris Kowalkiewicz from Froedtert Community Hospital.
Chris Kowalkiewicz began his healthcare career in 2000 as a nursing assistant at a nursing home in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. He then moved to Milwaukee to continue his education in 2001. Chris received an associate degree in nursing from Milwaukee Area Technical College, a bachelor degree of science in nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing, and a master of business administration degree from Cardinal Stritch University.
Chris has worked in clinical and leadership positions in medical-surgical hospital units, radiation oncology, Gamma Knife, inpatient oncology, vascular access, urgent care, palliative care, pulmonary medicine, and primary care.
Chris has a passion for compassionate, patient-centered care, with a particular interest in process improvement and leadership in healthcare.
Chris is currently the Executive Director of Nursing & Clinical Operations for Froedtert Community Hospital. Froedtert Community Hospital has locations in Mequon, New Berlin, Oak Creek, and Pewaukee, providing emergency department and inpatient services in efficient, patient- centered, local hospital settings.
When not working, Chris enjoys spending time with his two boys, Ian and Eli, and their two dogs and two cats. Chris enjoys the outdoors and can often be found kayaking, hiking, fishing, boating, biking, snowboarding, or ice fishing near his home in Whitewater, Wisconsin.
Join us at an event to benefit the Mitchell Park Domes on Thursday, September 29 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Performing in the Show Dome as the headlining act at Rhythm & Brews is Milwaukee singer-songwriter Trapper Schoepp. Tickets available by clicking here. Please note that tickets will not be sold at the door.
Membership in a Rotary club affords one the opportunity to serve others. I joined the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary in 2003 to help improve the lives of others not just in my community but internationally. I helped organize and implement GMRP (Guatemala Medical Resources Partnership) in 2005 that is still going strong to this day. https://www.gmrp.org/
The team provides medical, dental, and vision services to people in the rural area of Oliveros, Guatemala. I am also proud of the work our club does to improve the local community by building Rotary Park and the Riverwalk. We help those in need locally with food and diaper collections throughout the year. Rotary affords one the chance to build meaningful connections with like-minded civil servants and leaders. We also partner with other service organizations and fellowship abounds. Rotary International works to make the world a better place by providing clean drinking water, polio vaccinations, micro loans, shelter, scholarships, grants, and Youth Exchanges.
Update from the Fundraising Committee:
Summer is already coming to a close and that means full speed ahead on our only fundraiser which is quickly approaching October 13th! It's our 10th year anniversary and we are looking forward to a very fun event. Shelley emailed everyone all event information last week. Forwarding that email with a personal note to family and friends is an easy way to invite them to attend, donate and or sponsor. In addition, all event information is on our website tmrotary.org. We offer an excellent value, for $90.00 for the meal, first class national entertainment, and fellowship while supporting your community & beyond. We're picking up momentum in reaching our 200 attendees & 20 table goal. As of today we have 112 tickets sold including 8 reserved table sponsors plus our 3 event, marketing, and entertainment sponsors. See attached. Shelley continues to provide us with updated numbers. We need auction items, sponsors, and attendees! Please drop off auction items at Heather’s office at Port Washington State Bank in Thiensville. Sharing success stories - John Rosing recently went to a business, bought a gift certificate, and alsoasked the business to add another gift certificate to support our fundraiser. The business was happy to do so.Thanks John! If you haven’t already done so, please go to our Club Facebook page and like & share our event.
First of, I hope, many helpful hints on how to use Club Runner.
Bonus, if you use the link to the directory, you can update YOUR contact info.
Jenne took Maureen and her girls sailing last Friday at the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center. She would be happy to take anyone interested to learn more about sailing. All three of the crew took the tiller and did a wonderful job. We will learn more about the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center on October 18 when our featured speaker will be Teresa Coronado from the Sailing Center. Contact Jenne if you'd like to try sailing.
When I moved to Mequon I wanted to know more about the Mequon / Thiensville community. I thought Rotary would provide this opportunity with all the business individuals who were members. Rotary is a great organization to help the local community and learn more about community we are living in. Of course being Sargent of Arms also provides me a great opportunity to FINE the members.
Family Night was extra special this year. We had a wonderful event featuring amazing food, friends, music, a bounce house, bubbles, and corn hole. Gratitude goes to many including Nancy Witte-Dycus for providing tablecloths and photography, Ellen MacFarlane for her amazing desserts, Christine McClean for her delicious appetizers, Sandy Custer for his outstanding prime rib and beans, bubbles, and corn hole, Tyler Briggs for the bounce house, and let's not forget the crew who stepped in to help Chef Sandy. Team Sandy included Jenne Hohn, Megan Borland, Nick Hunzinger, Jeff McClean, Ellen MacFarlane, and Dianne Robertson. Let it be noted that Dianne did all of the dishwashing. Thanks to all for this terrific event!
Taste of Mequon 2022 is right around the corner (literally). See you there on Saturday, September 10 from 12 - 9.
Band Schedule:
Fallback 12:30 - 2:30
Whiskeybelles 3:00 - 5:00
Orange Whips 6:00 - 9:00
Kid's activities from 12-6 including bounce houses and giant slides.
Our speaker on Tuesday, August 16 is Steve Shapson from Steve's Bees. Steve Shapson has been keeping bees for seven years. As a member of the Mequon Nature Preserve Beekeeping Club he participates in club activities and attends monthly informational lectures and presentations. His Steve's Bee's Honey brand is sold at local stores and eateries in Mequon, Cedarburg, Brown Deer and Milwaukee. Steve's honey is served by several local restaurants and caterers. His clients include: Chef John Raymond of Two Chefs Tosa, Chef Andrew Wilson of Brandywine, Chef Adam Siegel of Lupi and Iris, Bacchus, Lake Park Bistro, and Discourse Coffee.
On Tuesday, August 9, we welcome David Christensen. David is the Chinooks’ Director of Partnerships after serving as Ticket Operations & Sales Manager in 2021. The 2022 season is his third season and year with the organization. David will oversee the team’s corporate partnerships and tickets sales plus ticket operations and ticket sales departments including managing the stadium box office. Most recently, Christensen worked for the Milwaukee Brewers. David interned with Chinooks ticket sales staff in 2019 and was named an intern of the year. He graduated from University of Wisconsin with a degree in Economics. Born and raised in Germantown, David currently resides in Germantown.
Rotary Comment – Stan Smith
It is hard to think back to a time that Rotary was not a part of my life. I was a member of two other Rotary Clubs before being accepted as a member of our T/M Rotary Club in 1978 when we moved to Mequon. I appreciate the many friendships with T/M Rotary Club members and the opportunity to serve with them.
It is now a privilege to share my experience with younger members and to urge them to appreciate all that we are able to do for our community and beyond. I especially enjoy taking out of town visitors and family on a tour of Mequon Rotary Park, Village Park in Thiensville, the Town Center Gateway, and the Rotary Riverwalk. It is easy to see the positive impact our Rotary Club has had on our community.
It was a recent pleasure to help celebrate the 85th Anniversary of our Club and I am confident there are many great years ahead with new ideas and new leadership each year.
Our speaker on Tuesday, August 2 was Clintel Hasan from Milwaukee Succeeds. Clintel Hasan is co-founder of LiberatED Consulting, an anti-racist education consulting service dedicated to building the critical consciousness of educators and school leaders on topics of race, class, power and privilege. She is also the Strategic Initiatives Manager at Milwaukee Succeeds, working for educational equity in Milwaukee and leading their High School Success initiative, Youth Forward MKE and co-leading Milwaukee’s K12 Covid-19 Civic Response Team.
In her early career, Clintel worked as the Director of Leadership Development at Teach For America-Milwaukee. She provided teacher support aligned with culturally relevant pedagogy across the Milwaukee region, harnessed the power of TFA alumni in Wisconsin to advance educational equity, and led regional initiatives on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
A Milwaukee native and proud homeowner and resident of the St. Joseph’s neighborhood, her passion for social justice developed early on while studying Sociology and Gender & Women Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and later earning her Master’s degree in Educational Policy and Leadership from Marquette University.
For further information you can contact Clintel at chasan@milwaukeesucceeds.org. For more information about Milwaukee Succeeds, https://www.milwaukeesucceeds.org.
We had a wonderful time celebrating the club's 85th birthday. Special thanks to our speakers: Stan Lind, Stan Smith, Sandy Custer, Ellen MacFarlane, Nancy Wiese, and Maureen O'Leary-Guth. Happy Birthday T-M Rotary!
Rotary gives me purpose. It allows me to be a part of something bigger than what I know. Rotary is a group of kind humans who will be there for me in my ups and downs; a group of people who offer advice and support. Rotary makes me feel connected to my community and makes my "circle" bigger than I could have ever imagined. Rotary has given me an extended family that I will be forever grateful for. From the Fundraising Committee:
Save the date October 13th. A great time awaits you and your guests at our 10th Anniversary Club Fundraiser - Fall Into Comedy.
Our event is now on the Facebook page to share. Please go to the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club page and share with your friends, and like our page if you haven’t already done so.
If you are wondering how you can get involved, please reach out to Todd Davis tdavi2@amfam.com 262-236-8848, Heather Mader heather.mader@pwsb.bank, or any of our Fundraising Committee members. The names are listed on our website.
We can’t spell success without you.
Congratulations to Megan who received her pin to commemorate her Paul Harris Plus One. Sam received his official pin as the recipient of the Honorary Paul Harris Award.
Our club strongly encourages all of its members to join one of our committees. If you are not currently on a committee, please let a board member know which of the following is of the most interest to you. You will find a list of committees with members attached below.
- International Service Committee - The international service committee promotes awareness of and engagement with our club’s international service activities.
- Vocational Service Committee - Vocational Service is how Rotary fosters and supports the ideals of service in the pursuit of all vocations. Our club is particularly focused on collaborations supporting Homestead High School and its students.
- Rotary Foundation Committee - The role of the club Rotary Foundation committee is to support the Foundation through program participation and financial contributions. The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.
- Fundraising Committee - The Fundraising Committee puts together our Fall into Comedy event and oversees other club fundraising efforts. The funds raised by the Fundraising Committee support our club activities and allow us to support other great causes in our community and around the world.
- Community Service Committee – The Community Service Committee implements our local community service like roadside cleanup, food drives, and any other needs in our local community.
- Membership/Club Service Committee – The role of the Membership/Club Service Committee is membership development. Our club’s ability to serve the community, support The Rotary Foundation, and develop leaders is directly related to the size and strength of our club’s membership.
- Historian Committee – This is a new committee focused on preserving the great legacy and history of our Rotary club.
- Potential Speaker Committee – The Vice President currently schedules all speakers for every meeting for a full year. Help is always welcome. Would you be interested in assisting the President-elect with finding speakers?
We have a special guest joining us for our 85th Birthday Party on July 26. Nancy Wiese is going to join the esteemed list of speakers. She will share memories of Jack and his father - the very first President of T-M Rotary! Please don't miss this special event featuring Nancy, Stan Lind, Ellen MacFarlane, Stan Smith, and Sandy Custer. It's going to be a wonderful day of celebration for our Club.Special thanks to Tim Vertz for uploading an easy registration link for Fall Into Comedy. Go to the Special Events tab on our Home Page. It will take you to the Annual Fall Into Comedy page. Just click on the picture and it will take you right to the ticket order link.
After a terrific business meeting on Tuesday, the Club presented Rob Holtz with the Distinguished Service Award. Congratulations Rob!
Posted on behalf of the Fall Into Comedy Committee:
Fall into comedy update:
We are well on our way to planning a successful Fall Into Comedy Night for 2022 our 10thAnniversary. Our major sponsors are in place already for this year.
Please see under events the 2022 Sponsorship and post card marketing materials for your use. These can be used to invite sponsorship and potential attendees via email. We will also have printed versions of these materials available at our noon meetings until they are gone. Since we printed a limited number please only take printed material if you know it will be used.
We will keep you updated on our progress
PLEASE SAVE THE DATE OCTOBER 13th, 2022.- Please plan to attend
It's official! The 2022 Changing of the Guard is in the books. Special thanks to Heather Mader for a wonderful year of Presidency. We welcome Attorney Maureen O'Leary-Guth as our new President. In addition to the highly coveted Sam Azinger Awards, the following awards were given out: the Distinguished Service Award to both Rob Holtz and Herb Hillman. Todd Davis was the recipient of the Rotarian of the Year Award. And Sam Azinger won the prestigious Honorary Paul Harris Award. Many congratulations to all of the award winners! Thanks to Brittany, Ellen, and Russ for the great photos. To see more photos from the event, click on the "Read more..." button below.
My Rotary experience extends back to 1981 as I began my career in hospital administration in La Crosse Wisconsin. Fresh out of grad school and newly married at age 23, I was eager to grow into “adulthood.” The hospital CEO who served as my mentor at the time was a member of the primordial downtown noon Rotary club and he encouraged me to join the newly-chartered morning Valley View Rotary club in town. There I found kinship with other young professionals as we shared similar life experiences of that age (buying our first car, home, lawn mower, having children, etc.) and began to appreciate what “service above self” really means in the context of doing big and small good deeds in a small-town community. Next, in 1989 Mimi and I with four kids in tow relocated to assume a hospital administration job located in the Fox Valley area of suburban Chicago where I immediately joined the Geneva noon Rotary Club. This Club was founded in 1919 with membership representing all branches of the community; business owners, farmers, not-for-profit leaders, school administrators, politicians, clergy, women(!), doctors, lawyers, etc. The networking opportunities through that Club leading to deeper connection to this community, and great lunches(!), are the two things I remember most about this Rotary Club experience. 1993 found us moving once again, this time to work on the administrative team of the now-defunct St. Michael Hospital at 24th and Villard in Milwaukee. My CEO at St. Mike’s was a member of the North Shore Rotary Club and was entirely supportive of having me join the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club. Karl and Carol Hertz were our neighbors at that time and Karl sponsored my application to join the Club. I have so many warm memories of being welcomed into the Club by Club legends such as Loyal Wells, Mert Campbell, Wally Sommer Sr., Doc Witte, Frank Bolz, Dick McNabb, Ralph Huiras, Jack Wiese, Ned Kellner, Dick Berg, John Riley, and many others still living or now deceased. The Mequon Rotary Park had just been completed at this time and I recall (and am still embarrassed) that my name was added to the bronze plaque on the pavilion post even though I think my cash contribution at the time was a measly $25! My career took another shift in 1996 when I transitioned to an entirely new role as a hospital consultant working for a small firm out of Boston. It allowed me to continue to live in Thiensville – the best place on earth to live and raise a family – but required me to travel around the country about 42 of 52 weeks per year, usually to include Tuesdays which caused my attendance at Club meetings to suffer dramatically. Fortunately, the Club has accommodated this circumstance over the years and has always welcomed me warmly when I can attend noon meetings or be involved (as I strive to be) in our many civic service activities and fund raisers. 26 years later I am traveling less these days which has permitted my weekly attendance to rebound a bit, something I am very grateful for, I can assure you! See you next week good friends!
Here is the link to Heather's awesome Year in Review video: https://vimeo.com/723534983/771342a4f9
For 25 years I worked for 2 communities in Milwaukee County. Unfortunately I did not have exposure to Rotary during those earlier years.
When I was hired by the Village of Thiensville, Rotarian Karl Hertz approached me to be a guest of his at the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club luncheon, held at Boder’s Restaurant. That was the beginning of a wonderful experience of dedication, community projects and long lasting friendships. The Rotary Riverwalk was of special importance to me. The walkability of our communities brings people together and builds a sense of belonging. This is the same feeling I get when visiting the new Gateway Feature.
I cherish all of the comradery at each and every meeting. Rotary – what a great place to serve your community and build lifelong friendships.
When I was hired by the Village of Thiensville, Rotarian Karl Hertz approached me to be a guest of his at the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club luncheon, held at Boder’s Restaurant. That was the beginning of a wonderful experience of dedication, community projects and long lasting friendships. The Rotary Riverwalk was of special importance to me. The walkability of our communities brings people together and builds a sense of belonging. This is the same feeling I get when visiting the new Gateway Feature.
I cherish all of the comradery at each and every meeting. Rotary – what a great place to serve your community and build lifelong friendships.
A very special THANK YOU to Herb Hillman for organizing another wonderful corn roast at Saturday's Family Fun Before the 4th. Herb also coordinated the free ice cream giveaway - in it's 36th year! Thanks to all the Rotarians who helped serve ice cream and corn. 400 ears of corn sold out by 3:30 pm! It was a fabulous community event.
Posted on behalf of the Fundraising Committee
SAVE THE DATE FOR FALL INTO COMEDY
This is our Rotary Club's only fundraiser. We encourage every member to commit to purchasing a minimum of 4 tickets. Invite friends, family and business associates. Our goal is to sell out with 200 attendees. Our 10th Anniversary!
How you can get involved: be a sponsor, attend the event, acquire an auction item(s), volunteer to help set up and or take down. Plan to attend and enjoy a fun evening of socializing, dinner, and comedy while supporting all of the good Rotary does in our community and internationally.
Tickets are available now online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fall-into-comedy-thiensville-mequon-rotary-club-tickets-335333851577?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=escb
Posted on behalf of Todd Davis
Sharing some Pictures from our recent WA Visit.
Many of you have met our daughters Abby and Kayla over the years at Family night, Abby now 26 years old and residing in WA married to Demetris Anderson and have a 3-year-old daughter Madison.
It is touching to see Rotary at work in other places of the country. Future Rotarian Granddaughter Madison was always willing and excited to be in the pictures.
Many of you have met our daughters Abby and Kayla over the years at Family night, Abby now 26 years old and residing in WA married to Demetris Anderson and have a 3-year-old daughter Madison.
It is touching to see Rotary at work in other places of the country. Future Rotarian Granddaughter Madison was always willing and excited to be in the pictures.
The Summer Cooking Crew schedule is now complete.
If you are unable to make your assignment, please find someone else to substitute or change dates with.
Thanks to all the Head Chefs and Crew!
As the late, great Rotary Grill Master, Frank Bolz used to say:
“Happy Culinary Delight!”
Tuesday, July 12
Head Chef: Custer
Crew: Gannon, Kos, Naggs, Jeremy Guth
Tuesday, July 19
Head Chef: Mobley
Crew: Wirth, Joynt, Hohn, Vertz
Tuesday, July 26 – 85th Anniversary Party
Head Chef: Rosing
Crew: Smith, Hunzinger, Milshteyn, Seemuth
Tuesday, August 2
Head Chef: Mader
Crew: Azinger, Hunzinger, Borland, Davis, Briggs
Tuesday, August 9
Head Chef: Witte-Dycus
Crew: Witte-Dycus, Muchin Young, Ott, Kirgues
Tuesday, August 16
Head Chef(s): Hillman/Hohn – BENJI’S DELI
Crew: Lind, Lysaught, Holtz
Tuesday, August 23 – FAMILY NIGHT – 5 PM
Head Chef: Custer
Crew: Carr, Hohn, Gohsman, McLean
Tuesday, August 30
Head Chef: Rowe
Crew: Mader, MacFarlane, Huffman, Schneider
Posted by Samuel Azinger
It has been brought to our attention that many Rotarians are doing their end of year donation planning and that they would like more information about donating to the M-T Community Promenade project. As you know Rotary and Rotarians have been actively working on the Town Center and River Walk projects since 2002. As a capstone landmark for this area we have been active in the planning and now the fundraising for the Mequon-Thiensville Community Promenade on the north east corner of Mequon and Cedarburg Roads.
First, prospective donors should know that both municipal governments – Village Board for Thiensville and City Council for Mequon – have collaborated to get this new landmark designed through a Joint Gateway Committee appointed in August 2017. And, the Village and City have pledged as many tax dollars as elected officials feel they can toward its construction. Collectively, the Village and City have committed $200,000 toward the total cost of design and construction.
We know private fund raising is not an appropriate function of municipal governments; therefore, we are personally and collectively committed to raising $500,000 in private contributions to meet the total projected cost of $700,000. As a club, we have donated $15,000 already with more to come after the Community Action Council meets in December. $30,000 remaining from the efforts for the River Walk have been transferred to this project. It is our expectation that more will come in the next two years.
The City has indicated willingness to authorize a construction contract to build the Promenade as soon as 75% or $375,000 of the private funds needed are pledged or in the bank.
Our Promenade Landmark Campaign Committee, composed totally of volunteers, has kicked off a quiet campaign to secure commitments for as many lead gifts as possible by January. We hope the Council will be able to issue that contract in February in preparation for construction in Spring 2019.
We are working independently, without the services of a professional fund-raiser so that funds raised will be used for construction, not fund raising.
Before asking others, Campaign Committee members pledged their own donations. Since then, we have secured four (4) lead gifts of $25,000 or more thus far, plus ten (10) commitments at other levels totaling private dollars raised of $211,400 to date Nov 10, 2018. More has come in since then, but we don’t have the latest figures.
Donations of $500 and up will be recognized on the donor wall. Pledges can be made to spread out a donation over three years. If you have an employer that will match your donation, please help us make that contact. Tax deductible donations are to the T-M Rotary Foundation, note to Promenade.
In the past, Rotarians have amazed us with their generosity, many pledging over three years. Our goal is to have donations from everyone in the club, no pressure on amounts, but eager participation.
Please feel free to share this information with others who may be interested.
Sandy Custer, Stan Smith, Dan Gannon, Tim Carr
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