Platy Press June 2011 by Zoological Society of Milwaukee

May-June 2011 Zoological Society of Milwaukee County Development Office 10005 W. Blue Mound Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53226 (414) 258-2333

Building the Future

Please remember the Zoological Society in your will or estate plan.

New-Member Profile

Calendar

Rick Heinlein photo

Name: IndependenceFirst Lee Schulz, Executive Director Contact information: 540 S. First St., Milwaukee, WI 53204 414-291-7520 lschulz@ IndependenceFirst.org www.IndependenceFirst.org Describe Your Organization and its mission: IndependenceFirst has a vision for full inclusion of people with disabilities in every aspect of our community and commits itself toward this end. IndependenceFirst was established in 1979 as an independent living center. As such, over 51% of our Board of Directors and staff are people with disabilities. From a small staff of three, Independence First now employs more than 100 in-house staff and more than 1,500 personal-care workers in the community. What is your impact on Milwaukee and surrounding communities? IndependenceFirst currently serves more than 8,000 consumers, offering services that help provide independent living in Milwaukee, Washington, Ozaukee and Waukesha counties. Reason you joined the Platypus Society: The Platypus Society membership provides a valuable and terrific employee benefit with free admission and parking for staff and their families. The Milwaukee County Zoo does a great job of providing accessible accommodations throughout the park, providing the opportunity to learn about our animal kingdom and enjoy the outdoors.

May 28-Sept. 25

Special summer exhibit: Butterflies! In Living Color, sponsored by Sendik’s Food Markets.*

May 28-Sept. 5

Snooze at the Zoo, sponsored by Old Orchard Brands & Sentry Foods*

Aug. 18, 19, 20 & 21

Kohl’s Wild Theater, in partnership with Kohl’s Cares. Five free shows daily at the Zoo.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel a la Carte at the Zoo, with major support from MillerCoors*

June 19

Aug. 27

Father’s Day at the Zoo, sponsored by Chinet® & Pick ’n Save.*

Animal Safari, sponsored by Welch’s & Pick ’n Save

June 25

Platypus Society cocktail reception; 5:30 p.m.; invitation only

Zoo Ball, sponsored by American Airlines.*

June 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27 & Aug. 3

Sept. 8

Oct. 6

Sunset Zoofaris, sponsored by Tri City National Bank*

Platypus Society annual banquet, 6 p.m., at the Zoo. Look for your invitation in the mail.

July 12

Dec. 8

Platypus Society annual family picnic, 5:15-9:00 p.m., at the Zoo. The event includes a catered picnic and all the entertainment and activities of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s Kids’ Night, sponsored by WaterStone Bank. Look for your invitation in the mail.

July 25

Birdies & Eagles Golf Tournament, sponsored by MillerCoors.*

printed on recycled paper 4858E11

Aug. 10, 11, 12 or 13

Platypus Society Family Holiday Gathering; 5:30 p.m.; invitation only * For more information, call (414) 258-2333 or go online at www.zoosociety.org.

From Platypus Society premieres to fund-raisers, Rich Tennessen and his family are a familiar presence at the Zoo. As chair of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s (ZSM’s) Board of Directors, Tennessen is spending even more time at the Milwaukee County Zoo this year. Tennessen, who took the position last October after his predecessor, R. Thomas Dempsey, moved out of state, joined the Platypus Society and the Board in 2003. Today, he and his family–wife Jean and children Julia, 15, Nicholas, 12, and Natalie, 9—are Platy members at the President’s Level. The Platypus Society, the ZSM’s premier giving group, helped Tennessen to learn about ZSM governance and to involve his family in the Zoo, he says. “I grew up in Greenfield, and have fond memories of many school trips to the Zoo. It’s great to now watch my kids get the same excitement from seeing the animals. They’ve taken the ZSM’s conservation education classes, and we’ve even used behind-the-scenes Platy tours for our children’s birthday parties.” As president of Eppstein Uhen Architects, Tennessen helps other children to enjoy the Zoo. For example, his firm designed the Zoo’s Northwestern Mutual Family Farm (2005) and the U.S. Bank Gathering Place entrance atrium (2008) for the New Zoo II Capital Campaign, which enhanced nearly 25% of the park. “They were fun projects to be involved with because of their impact on the community,” says Tennessen. The farm, for instance, is the only working dairy farm in the city of Milwaukee, and is often children’s first introduction to Wisconsin’s farming heritage. The Zoo’s entrance atrium, complete with a café, a Guest Services desk and electronic information screens, is the perfect place to start a Zoo visit. “Eppstein Uhen has many employees who go to the Zoo on a regular basis and see it as an important asset to our region,” Tennessen adds. Tennessen’s goal as Board chair is to make the Zoo even more visible in the community—and to keep it economically viable. “No organization is immune to what is happening economically,” he says. “Our avenues for support—such as corporate sponsorships and philanthropic donations–are continuing to evolve.” Tennessen also helps with ZSM governance through his work on Board committees, including the executive, government liaison, nominating, finance and audit, and master planning committees.

Two other goals for Tennessen include 1) increasing awareness of the ZSM’s pioneering bonobo-conversation program, the Bonobo & Congo Biodiversity Initiative, and 2) helping more disadvantaged children to visit the Zoo. The ZSM offers Programs for Disadvantaged Youth and Animal Ambassador, programs that open education camps, classes and other programs to children attending schools in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. In fact, making the Zoo a great place for children to visit is a major task of the Platypus Society, adds Tennessen. “There are many tangible benefits to a Platy membership, but perhaps the most important is knowing that your increased gift helps protect and promote this community resource for current and future generations.” By Julia Kolker

DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Thom Brown Dr. Robert Davis Gerald Dias David Eager Mary Ellen Enea Karen Peck Katz Maria Gonzalez Knavel Joe Kresl (chairman) Jack McKeithan Allen Martin Deborah Musante Jill Pelisek Tricia Shinners Judy Holz Stathas Dave Strelitz Jane Bush Wierzba Ray Wilson

A Fruitful Tradition Supporting the Platypus Society is a family tradition for Fruit Ranch market. The business, which sells gift baskets, candy and other goodies, has been a member of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s (ZSM’s) premier annual giving group since about 1985. The Gearhart family, which has owned Fruit Ranch stores in Milwaukee for 76 years, is a big fan of the Zoo, says Teri Gay. She and her sister, Tanya Gearhart, are fourth-generation owners who’re continuing the legacy of Milwaukee County Zoo support. As associate corporate partners in the Platypus Society, the sisters make an annual in-kind donation of about a dozen large, elegant, themed fruit-basket centerpieces for the ZSM’s Simba Society dinner. The event, held in October, honors people who have designated a planned gift to the ZSM in a will, trust or other vehicle. The sisters say they enjoy making creative baskets, which are valued at about $1,100 annually. In 2010, the baskets featured moose-shaped chocolates and cheese, and nut dishes with moose decorations to fit the event’s moose theme. The baskets always contain Wisconsin-made products such as sausage and crackers, and one Simba member at each table wins a basket.

DEVELOPMENT STAFF Karen Von Rueden Vice President of Development Melissa Meyer Development Coordinator Cassie Jeffery Grants Administrator Lisa Weisman Major Gifts Officer

NEWSLETTER STAFF Paula Brookmire Editor Julia Kolker

Contributing Writer Isaiah Chentnik Designer Richard Brodzeller Photographer (unless otherwise noted)

The Platy Press is a newsletter for members of the Platypus Society. The Platypus Society is the highest level, donor-member-recognition group in the Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s network of support. Members include about 375 area foundations, businesses and individuals contributing more than $700,000 annually with in-kind services and support. The Platy Press is published four times a year by the Zoological Society of Milwaukee, 10005 W. Blue Mound Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53226. The Zoological Society celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2010. www.zoosociety.org

On the Web For back issues of Platy Press dating to September 2006, go to www.zoosociety.org/pubs/platypress.

Welcoming New Members A special December holiday event welcomed new members to the Platypus Society and introduced potential members to this premier giving group. Held Dec. 9, 2010, at the Milwaukee County Zoo, the party featured food, a barbershop quartet and children’s crafts in the U.S. Bank Gathering Place, which was filled with evergreen trees decorated for the season by Milwaukee-area youth groups. Families were surprised with a visit from two of the Zoo’s Humboldt penguins. Dressed for the occasion in their black and white “tuxes,” the two penguins waddled across the floor and seemed as curious about the children as the kids were about them.

Teri Gay (left) and Tanya Gearhart

As part of its “Platy” membership, Fruit Ranch receives annual perks such as free Zoo admission vouchers and certificates for VIP behind-the-scenes tours of the Zoo. The vouchers are a wonderful benefit for the store’s employees, says Gearhart. As a small business with three permanent employees and 8 to 35 seasonal staffers, Fruit Ranch uses the vouchers to attract and reward the team. It’s a particularly nice perk for employees who have kids, adds Gay.

A barbershop quartet harmonizes for Christine and James Doubleday, of Hartford, and their goddaughter, Petra Musante, 1, of Brookfield.

Gay and Gearhart also use the vouchers and tour certificates for marketing their business. For Father’s Day, for example, they offer a drawing to win a Zoo voucher, no purchase necessary. They’ve also raffled off behind-the-scenes tour passes as part of a special promotion for the store. Milwaukeeans have an emotional connection to both the Zoo and to Fruit Ranch, says Gearhart. Customers see more value in a Zoo admission pass than in a coupon for $5 off store merchandise. “The Zoo creates new memories,” she adds. The sisters understand the value of memories because many people fondly remember Fruit Ranch stores. The first, called Fruit Boat, was opened in 1935 by the sisters’ great-grandfather. The store actually was a boat docked on the Milwaukee River. A second store, called Fruit Ranch, later opened on Fond du Lac Avenue and 47th Street in Milwaukee, and closed in 1986. A third location, on 76th Street and Blue Mound Road, was opened in the late 1950s, and was in business until 1996. The current Fruit Ranch is at 6301 W. Blue Mound Rd., a short drive from the Zoo. The sisters have been coming to the Zoo since childhood. Teri Gay and Tanya Gearhart remember riding the Zoo’s train and seeing elephants and wolves. They recall that their grandmother, Bernice Gearhart, one of Fruit Ranch’s original owners, loved the Zoo and collected animal figurines. Tanya Gearhart often took her own daughter, now 21, to the Zoo, and both sisters still enjoy events such as the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel a la Carte, an annual food-and-music fest in August. The Zoo is like a different world, set off from city life, says Gay. “You can see the animals in their natural conditions.” The Zoo is a good place for a small business to support because it’s family-friendly and well-regarded in the community. Adds Gearhart: “We’re giving a donation, but we’re getting so much out of it.” By Julia Kolker

The Zawlocki family, of Hales Corners, is impressed by tree ornaments made from recycled cans and other “green” materials. From left are Steve Zawlocki; Zach (foreground), 6; Josh, 4; and Lindi.

Surrounded by a forest of holiday evergreens, the Arthur family admires animal ornaments made by Milwaukee-area youth groups. From left are Victoria Arthur, of Wales, Wis., with her granddaughter, Casey Arthur, 4; son, Adam; and daughter-in-law, Tiffany, of Waukesha.