Exclusively Yours - May 2023

Photo courtesy Vince Condella

MEQUON Highly desired Concord Creek gem situated on a beautiful pond setting. Spacious rooms, high ceilings and walls of windows are just some of the pluses to this great property. Open concept kitchen/family room, a private office, and a four season sun room with stone fireplace, are just a few of the great spaces in this home. The walk-out lower level has an area of 12+ foot high coffered ceilings and full sized windows. This 5 bedroom, 4 1/2 bath home needs to be seen! $1,695,000

Prime Range Line Road Estate on almost 2.5 acres. Stately brick Colonial with traditional charm on one of Mequon’s most in demand corridors. Living room with a natural fireplace. Impressive dining room off of a gourmet kitchen. New primary suite with oversized walk-in closet, spa bath and fireplace. 3-car detached garage. $2,595,000

FOX POINT 2019 complete tear down to foundation and rebuild with additions. High quality craftsmanship, designer finishes, and elegant lighting. Main level features beautiful 3/4" oak hardwood floors, plus a a gas fireplace. Centrally located kitchen featuring custom cabinets, stainless appliances, quartz countertops. $895,000

MEQUON Meticulously maintained Cedar Ridge condo located in the heart of SE Mequon. This spacious home offers large rooms, an abundance of natural light and fantastic private pond setting! Inviting living room a natural fireplace. Updates include roof, windows, sliding doors, mechanicals, deck and landscaping. $589,000

MEQUON Welcome to Pine Tree Circle! Tucked away at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in desirable southeast Mequon is a rare opportunity to build your dream home. One of the few lots left in SE Mequon! This 2.5 acre lot boasts an extremely private setting with no association dues or restrictions. Schedule a private appointment today. $300,000

Keenan Quinlevan | Tory Armitage | Mike Quinlevan | Brian Ruelle | Kris Rick | Elise Ferguson | Mandy Woods | Bob Henderson

MEQUON

Ed Liermann n Publisher

Ed Liermann n Sales Director

Timothy Scott Starr n Creative Director

Jeanne Rieland n Account Executive

Sammy Ketchum n Account Executive

Gayle Marvel n Office/Production

Anne Kaiser n Contributing

Timothy Jay Writers

Craig Mattson

Mary Murphy

Brittany Santos

Vince Condella n Contributing

Lynn Darnieder Photographers

John Kimpel

Lee Wickersheimer

Lisa Witt

Kristie Zach

Advertising Sales 262-250-1503

Editorial Correspondence 262-250-1503

Digital edition @: www.eymag.com

Exclusively

The Ottoman Society

Give your house guests the royal welcome with these cane back majestic blue chairs. The Ottoman Society is Milwaukee’s fine furniture consignment shop. 13408 Watertown Plank Road, Elm Grove, WI 53122  Just behind Great Harvest Bread.  262-786-1786 or visit theottomansociety.com

Gallery THE

Riverview Antiques

Late 19th century Premier Triumphe bronze statue by Joquin Angles. This unique item is on display at Riverview Antiques, located at 2045 West St. Paul Ave., Milwaukee, WI. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am-5 pm and Sunday, 11 am-4 pm. For more information call 414-278-9999, or go to www.RiverviewAntiqueMarket.com.

Cabinet Supreme By Adair

Specializing in cabinets, mantels and custom built-ins for your home. A diversified background allows us to accommodate cabinets for new construction as well. The level of care and expertise we provide makes Cabinet Supreme a great place to land with your project. Working with home owners and building professionals to provide Cabinets for the home owners needs. Excelling in cabinet design for all aspects of the home. 262-533-3100. W359 N5002 Brown Street, suite 111, Oconomowoc, WI 53006. www.cabinetsupreme@gmail.com. By appointment only. HOUZZ best of design and best of service 2022, 2023

Fashionable Destinations

The Garment Shop Unique Specialty Shop for Women 125 W. Main St., Cambridge, WI 53523 facebook.com/thegarmentshopcambridge 608-423-3740.

The American Alchemy 305 Watson St., Ripon WI 54971 www theamericanalchemy@gmail.com 920.896.0019

Hamilton’s Ladies Apparel 125 Watson St., Ripon, WI. 54971 www.hamiltonsfashions.com 920.745.2829

Picardy Shoe Parlour Towne Shops Of Mequon 11005 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon 262.241.6578

Galleria West Bluemound 18000 W. Bluemound Rd, Brookfield 262.784.3434

The Garment Shop

Hamilton’s Ladies Apparel

The American Alchemy

Picardy Shoe Parlor

Exclusively Yours

EXCLUSIVELY YOURS MAGAZINE

MAY 2023 VOLUME 76 ISSUE 7

Digital edition @ www.eymag.com

5, 25, 29 The Gallery

Browse offerings from a few of our area’s finest shops and businesses.

6 Fashionable Destinations

Fashion awaits at The Garment Shop, Cambridge, The American Alchemy and Hamilton’s Ladies Apparel both of Ripon and Picardys Shoe Parlour of Mequon and Brookfield.

8 Hope, Imagination & Open Hospitality

This is the fourth in the year-long series featuring WBCS Showhouse for a Cure homes.Our ninth annual showhouse held in 2007 was located in Mequon and had a spectacular view of Lake Michigan. It was our first and only newly built home

19 A Versatile & Multi-talented Career

Many Wisconsin residents are familiar with multi-talented, now-retired meteorologist Vince Condella, a former weather reporter for television’s Channel 6 news. His friendly demeanor and clear, upbeat reporting style brought energy and momentum to the daily weather reports throughout his career. By Anne Kaiser

21 MayHouse Closet

MayHouse Collection of Oconomowoc has you covered this spring with latest attire! Stop by MayHouse and view our collection of fashions for all ages.

23 A One Of A Kind Concord Creek Gem

Highly desired Concord Creek gem situated on beautiful pond setting! Pride of ownership shows with custom details and family friendly flow.

27 Fire Pits - A Gathering Place For Family & Friends

When it comes to fire pits there are some things that should be kept in mind. You want to make sure there is enough room to accommodate chairs for seating and room to move back when the fire gets too hot.

30 God’s Corner by Gertrude M. Puelicher

Cover photo courtesy Vince Condella

WBCS 25TH ANNIVERSARY

Hope, Imagination & Open Hospitality

THIS IS THE FOURTH in the year-long series featuring WBCS Showhouse for a Cure homes. Our ninth annual showhouse held in 2007 was located in Mequon and had a spectacular view of Lake Michigan. It was our first and only newly built home. Most of our showhouses, before and after, were built the early 1900’s.

THE DELIGHTFUL HOMEOWNERS, the RoslerNossig Family: Henry, Yvette and their children, Sabrina, Julia and Adam, named their new home, “The House of Dreams”. Their dream was for it to be a symbol of hope, imagination and open hospitality. They felt honored to donate their home as a catalyst to raise money for breast cancer and prostate cancer research at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Despite being challenged by delays during the construction phase of the house, Yvette was inspired by the spirit of goodwill among designers, tradespeople, gardeners and WBCS volunteers, all of whom worked long hours to meet the opening deadline.

Yvette was pleasantly surprised by the number of first-time tour goers. Henry mentioned he was taken by seeing a constant stream of cars pass by their home after the run of the showhouse. One person actually stopped to express his desire to secure the same architect and build an exact replica of “The House of Dreams” for his family.

Among Yvette’s favorite rooms were It’s A Wrap,

a gift wrapping room designed by Claudia Gavery on behalf of the WBCS Board of Directors and the V.I.P. Guest Suite and Bath, designed by Margaret Weis of Calico Corners and Betsy Peckenpaugh of Uncommon Walls. Another favorite was the Master Bedroom Suite and Master Bath by Thomasville Home Furnishings, designed by Janet Rowe and Cathy Anthony along with KRK Interiors. Yvette was proud to share the fact that the Master Bath was used in a commercial for a Manhattan, New York firm.

Yvette and Henry kept most of the rooms much the same as when the home was a showhouse. Among themselves and when they have visitors, the family still refers to the rooms using the names that were given them by WBCS designers.

Yvette and Henry could not recall any specific challenges during the showhouse. They did share that their most rewarding moment was when they saw the amount of the check presented to the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Yvette continues to support WBCS events. Yvette and Henry agreed they would absolutely

do it all over again and encourage other homeowners to consider offering their home. It is a win-win situation, as well as an honor and a privilege to partner with WBCS volunteers and Medical College of Wisconsin researchers to advance the science needed to defeat breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Volunteer

What is a volunteer? At WBCS, we define a volunteer as someone who steps in to help with the many tasks needed to put on the WBCS events each year, who does them well, without pay and does them cheerfully.

WBCS is an all-volunteer philanthropic organization and the only way things get done is through the efforts of many volunteers working together to achieve that common goal of investing in breast cancer and prostate cancer research. Whether it is pulling together to create the Showhouse, arranging a wonderful day of fun and relaxation at our Tee-Up for a Cure© golf event or celebrating breast cancer and prostate cancer survivors at the Pinktacular Luncheon and Fashion Show©, they are there to help. Kay Brogelman is such a volunteer.

When asked how she became involved with WBCS, she shared that her neighbor, Lynn Dewing who is another long time WBCS volunteer, asked her to be a docent in the 2004 Showhouse. It was WBCS’s good fortune that Kay said yes. Kay shares that she loves docenting, answering questions from the always friendly visitors, working with the other docents, assisting the showhouse designers during the run of the Showhouse and meeting the homeowners. As so often happens, one thing led to another. That first year, there was an unusual bath tub that visitors kept asking questions about. Was it original to the house? Why would it have been made that way? What was that tub all about? Kay started to wonder, too, and that led her to write the first Showhouse history for the 2006 Showhouse program.

A history has been featured in each Showhouse program since then. Kay’s research is gleaned from Milwaukee Historical Society

files, interviews with current home owners, past newspaper articles and the architectural archives for the city of Milwaukee. This is a solitary endeavor that she starts in the winter and delivers to the program team in spring. Kay says she loves working alone just as much as she loves working with other docents and wouldn’t give up either.

Apparently, Kay won’t give up other WBCS volunteer opportunities either. She always works at the Tee-Up for a Cure©, the Pinktacular Luncheon and Fashion© show, and the Holiday Wine Pull. For many years, Kay helped wrap holiday gifts at Barnes and Noble with Susie and Bob Fono, who created that event.

whispered about, as was cancer in general, and as Kay says, “being a self-absorbed teenager”, she didn’t really understand how serious it was. Although she knew her mother had had a mastectomy, no one said the words breast cancer. Her mother seemed in the clear for about four years but then it was discovered the cancer had metastasized. Kay says she remembers her mother never asked for help and Kay does not remember helping her mother–that her mother was “all alone in this battle”. At the time, a breast cancer diagnosis stigmatized a woman; there was very little research being conducted.

Volunteering for WBCS is Kay’s way “to give to her mother”–something she wasn’t able to do when her mother was suffering alone.

Every year following her annual mammogram, Kay would think “Well, that is another year down, another year without breast cancer”. Then, two years ago, she was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer and memories of her mother’s fight came flooding back. Kay had an ultrasound, a biopsy then treatment. Fortunately for Kay, it wasn’t her mother’s journey all over again. The development of technology to help with early diagnosis and the research that has led to a greater understanding of cancer and to major improvements in breast cancer treatment have yielded a totally different result from that of her mother’s. Kay is now cancer free. She urges everyone to go for an annual mammography, just as she continues to do. It can be lifesaving.

In summing up her feelings about her role as a volunteer, Kay shares that “it is an enormous privilege to be a part of WBCS and to work with so many others for this common cause of supporting research to improve treatment and ultimately find cures.” n

Kay’s motivation to volunteer with WBCS stems from the early death of her mother, when Kay was just 19. When her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, Kay was in high school. At that time, breast cancer was

If you like to volunteer, please send an email through our website www.breastcancershowhouse.org. Showhouses are the result of the commitment and dedication of the designers, homeowners and volunteers. We hope you enjoyed this look back and are inspired.

WWW.BREASTCANCERSHOWHOUSE.ORG

If you are interested in offering your home as a future WBCS Showhouse, please send an email to WBCS@breastcancershowhouse.org.

tony wendorf& ASSOCIATES

Trusted Knowledge Superior Service.

Top 0.001% Sales in Wisconsin & #1 Agent in Lake Country Office 2019, 2021 & 2022

262.719.0676

twendorf@firstweber.com

tonywendorfassociates.firstweber.com

We donated $31,250 back to the community in 2022

Walk into the lap of luxury. The great room features 20-ft. coffered ceilings. Private pond and conservancy. Composite deck off of completely remodeled kitchen. Lower level totally finished off with 2nd kitchen, bedroom and full bathroom.

19625

Highly desired Barrington Woods neighborhood. Impeccablykept 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom home features a large open concept main level. Entirely remodeled kitchen, living room, and dining area, plusa three seasons or hearth room.

Meticulously maintained & beautifully updated 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath colonial. Fully updated main level. Spacious family room with refinished fireplace brick & newflooring. Large finished lower level.

Well appointed 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,730-sq.- ft. home. Stunning hardwood flooring, natural fireplace, sunroom and breathtaking trim and woodwork. Many recent updates. Private fenced in backyard.

Stunning bungalow features a large great room, natural fireplace, picture window, formal dining room with well appointed built-ins. Main floor offers two bedrooms. Secord floor has three additional bedrooms.

OVER HALF GONE!

New Luxury Living Just Around The Corner Welcome to Merrill Hills Estates

Merrill Hills Estates is an exclusive new community in Waukesha that will feature a handful of estate-sized homesites. There are multiple homesites that are ready for you to build your dream home. This new community backs up onto the Legend at Merrill Hills

private golf course. Those who purchase a lot at Merrill Hills will be eligible to receive a complimentary, non-refundable, full golf membership buy-in valued at $25,000.

ONLY 9 HOMESITES REMAIN

www.merrillhillsestates.com

1300 South 97th Street West Allis ~ $265,000

W318S3170 Squire Road, Genesee ~ $474,900

N965 Winds Way, Ashippun ~ $739,900

Gebhardt Road Brookfield ~ $729,000

617 North 65th Street Wauwatosa ~ $399,900

FIRST WEBER LAKE COUNTRY’S APRIL SALES & LISTING LEADERS

April Sales Leaders

Listing Leader ~ Units

Individual ~ Liz Tobolt

Team ~ Tony Wendorf & Associates

Total Units ~ Listings Sold & Sales

Individual ~ Liz Tobolt

Team ~ Tony Wendorf & Associates

Sales Units ~ Sales Only

Individual ~ Sally Prell

Team ~ Tony Wendorf & Associates

Total Volume Listings Sold & Sales

Individual ~ Sally Prell

Team ~ Tony Wendorf & Associates

Individual Agents Who Achieved A Million In Sales For April ~ Pending Sales

Sally Prell ~ $3,539,000

Liz Tobolt ~ $2,731,400

Gary Jasiek ~ $1,294,000

Teams Who Achieved A Million In Sales For April ~ Pending Sales

Tony Wendorf & Associates ~ $5,780,900

The Martha Ford Team ~ $1,700,000

Doug & Lori Larson ~ $1,239,000

Tweeden Baranowski & Associates ~ $1,224,800

April was an outstanding month for our office thanks to the dedication and hard work of every single agent! These are the people you want in your corner! Abby Hauke and Sarah Venes, Managing Brokers.

LAKE COUNTRY MEMORIAL DAY

Celebrations

Oconomowoc Memorial Day Services

May 29, 2023. Begins at 10am. City Beach Park 324 W. Wisconsin Ave. - Oconomowoc 920-474-4017 for more information

Join the City of Oconomowoc’s annual Memorial Day services which begin at the Rhodee Memorial Band Shell at 10am. The service includes a new special guest speaker every year from the military. The ceremony at the band shell also includes music by the Oconomowoc American Legion Band among others. Following the service, a combined representation of military service groups march through downtown presenting the colors to Veterans Bridge to stop and honor the lost at sea by placing a wreath into the water. The procession then concludes at the Grave of the Unknown Soldier.

88th Annual Hartland Memorial Day Parade

Monday, May 29, 2023. Noon

Hartland’s Annual Memorial Day Commemoration is back for the 88th year! Planning is actively taking place--including a Sunday ceremony at Hartland Cemetery at 6:30 pm, the Memorial Day Run/Walk, and the Pancake Breakfast.

Doug & Lori Larson

Tony Wendorf & Associates

Liz Tobolt Sally Prell Gary Jasiek

entertaining

outdoor

natural

4138 W BEACH ROAD – OCONOMOWOC LAKE – OCONOMOWOC Oconomowoc Lake!-Over 214 feet of beautiful sandy frontage on a beautifully landscaped lot! A private tree lined drive is the approach to this stunning stone and brick French Country Manor home! The open-concept floor plan is flooded with natural light thanks to the high ceilings and large windows. $6,999,000.00

4408 DEER PARK ROAD – OCONOMOWOC OCONOMOWOC LAKE DEEDED ACCESS! Indoor pool with an English Pub and heated parking for 20 cars! Historic carriage house with an outstanding kitchen opening to a huge family room. Separate guest quarters with an elevator. Private wooded setting. $2,400,000.00

3100 NAGAWICKA ROA – DELAFIELD Stunning luxury estate situated on 5 acres of tranquility with a private pond. This 7,400+ sq.-ft., 5 BR ranch home offers tons of natural light & breathtaking views with 14' ceilings, crown molding throughout & large windows. Step inside & discover the great room with a

fireplace & wet bar, perfect for relaxing or

guests. Large kitchen features granite countertops & huge pantry. Blue stone terrace & gazebo are perfect for

leisure & entertainment. 4 car heated attached garage & 3 stall barn/outbuilding. $1,650,000.00

Lac

The Spheeris Team

Coldwell Banker Elite - SpheerisTeam.com

Jon Spheeris | (262) 490-5558 | Jon@cb-elite.com

Matt Spheeris | (262) 490-8874 | Matt@cb-elite.com

Alex Spheeris | (262) 490-8875 | Alex@cb-elite.com

great

within walking

Incredible luxury estate situated on 20 acres of tranquility. Step inside this 8,000+ sq ft home & find endless possibilities for relaxation & entertainment. The massive kitchen features custom Poggenpohl cabinets, Viking & Subzero appliances & a Tuikivi wood stove/pizza oven that overlooks the indoor pool, perfect for year round swimming. 4 car attached garage & 30' x 40' detached studio. Twenty minutes to MKE airport & 25 minutes to downtown Milwaukee. $1,850,000.00

334 MAPLE TERRACE – LAC LA BELLE – OCONOMOWOC

la Belle- LOCATED ON THE POINT! Outstanding location with

views

distance to downtown Oconomowoc. 364 feet of great frontage. High ceilings on the 1st floor. Kitchen with adjacent Hearth Room with a fireplace. Walkout lower level! $3,650,000.00

9210 COUNTY ROAD K – FRANKSVILLE

Outstanding new development. Only 7 of 29 lots are available in one of Lake Country’s finest upscale developments Nagawicka Heights. Great location close to shopping and only minutes North of I94 off Hwy 83. Ready for your new home as the roads, WATER, SEWER and utilities have been installed. These 1/2+ acre lots have beautiful settings and views with many that back up to woodlands or open spaces. Three ponds with fountains and custom cut stone entry pillars are part of the landscaping with an Allee of birch trees leading to a seating area. Also, part of the open space is an orchard and black Kentucky four board crisscross fence will be bordering Nagawicka Road. Call for additional information on this outstanding new development. $244,900.00 to $255,900.00

Team

A Versatile & Multi-talented Career

by Anne Kaiser

MILWAUKEE’S FORMER METEOROLOGIST VINCE CONDELLA

MANY WISCONSIN RESIDENTS are familiar with multi-talented, now-retired meteorologist Vince Condella, a former weather reporter for television’s Channel 6 news. His friendly demeanor and clear, upbeat reporting style brought energy and momentum to the daily weather reports throughout his career.

Condella began his meteorology career in Madison, working at WMTV Channel 15 in 1980 and WKOW Channel 27 in 1981. He then moved to Milwaukee, and on February 22, 1982, he began working at Channel 6. He retired 34 years and 3 months later, on May 25, 2016.

Condella’s interest in weather began at an early age, during his childhood in Lombard, Illinois, a western suburb of Chicago. He was fortunate to have the support of his parents, who worked to encourage his budding passion. “By five or six years old, I was interested in all things weather, and my parents fostered that interest by buying me books about the weather and going with me to the library to check out weather books,” Condella explained.

Condella still owns two of his childhood meteorology books, Weathercasting, by Charles and Ruth Laird, and Your Guide to the

Janet & Vince Condella

Retirement day at Channel 6, May 25, 2016.

Jack Boston, Vince & Bart Adrian. Archie & Vince

Weather: An Introduction to Meteorology, by George L. Cantzlaar. The first was a gift from his parents in June 1966, two months before his eleventh birthday. The second book, also a gift from his parents, was received in October 1966.

Condella’s parents supported his weather interest with other special, memorable gifts. When he was ten years old, his parents gave him an anemometer to measure wind speed. “We hooked it up on the roof of our house (well…my dad did!)—and I would spend hours in my bedroom during storms and watch the

winds gust on the analog dial hanging on the wall,” Condella recalled.

During his formative childhood years, Condella recalls being impressed by several weather events. Though he remembers experiencing “our share of winter storms and spring/summer severe weather,” Condella cites two weather events as having a particular impact in his youth. “The Palm Sunday tornadoes of 1965 (I was nine years old at the time) were huge,” Condella explained. “And the Chicago blizzard of January 26-27, 1967 brought two feet of snow to northeast Illinois and shut down everything for days.”

WEAR AMasterpiece

As a child and teenager, Condella watched meteorologist Harry Volkman broadcasting on television from Chicago. Volkman provided a positive impact on Condella’s growing interest in meteorology, becoming an influential person for him. “Harry had a way of explaining the weather that was educational and fascinating,” Condella recalled. “I became one of his volunteer weather watchers and would write letters to him. He always wrote back.”

Condella remembered another influential person in his early life, a meteorologist for American Airlines stationed at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. “He was a member of our parish in Lombard. He would bring home weather maps and explain to me what they meant and how the weather affected the airline flights across the country,” Condella said.

Years later, as an adult, Condella’s early connection to meteorologist Harry Volkman resurfaced at a pivotal highlight in his own career as a meteorologist. Condella’s childhood book from his parents, Your Guide to the Weather: An Introduction to Meteorology, bore a special inscription from his mother: “Son, may we see you on TV some day replacing Harry Volkman.” Condella recalled, “Much later in my life, in 2002, when I received Broadcast Meteorologist of the Year from the American Meteorological Society, Harry Volkman was in attendance, and he autographed the book for me. It was an amazing full circle moment.”

Throughout his career as a well-known television meteorologist, Vince Condella adapted to changes in technology that impacted his work forecasting the weather. His early career involved more hands-on visual art techniques to present weather maps, while later in his career, new technological tools were widely used. He described the changes in this way: “I began my broadcast meteorology career in Madison in 1980 just at the beginning of computer-generated graphics. So I was doing a combination of hand-drawn maps using colored pencils and pens as well as drawing them on the computer. Computer graphics, 3-D satellite images, etc. grew exponentially throughout my career. Also, the numerical predication models that are used to predict future atmospheric conditions have also improved tremendously, and that has led to a huge increase in forecasting accuracy.”

During Condella’s time broadcasting at Channel 6, he typically worked from 1:30 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. Toward the end of his career, he provided weather report segments for the 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. newscasts. “I did my own forecasting,” Condella recalled,

THE FINE ART OF JEWELRY INGENUITY ALIVE IN DOWNTOWN WAUKESHA

West Main Street, Waukesha, WI

n Historic Waukesha Art District

Mother of Pearl Mosaic necklace and earrings set in sterling silver.

MayHouse Closet

Timeless summer… Celebrate dad this Father’s Day with new arrivals from Vineyard Vines and Toes on the Nose!

MayHouse Collection

Oconomowoc Lakes Plaza

W359 N5002 Brown St., Suite 106 Oconomowoc, WI. 262-354-8100. www.mayhousecollection.com

Live Well. Dress Well. Give Well. Bring in this ad and receive 20% off your men’s fashion purchase. Exclusions may apply.

G Quality, Comfort & Style

“and the hours always got a little longer when extreme weather was hitting the area.”

Several instances of extreme weather stand out in Condella’s mind to this day. One, the December 15, 1987 blizzard in Milwaukee, “shut down the city with snow and wind,” according to Condella. In addition to its substantial weather-based impact, the storm proved pivotal in the weather reporting studio as well. “Me and my fellow meteorologists at Channel 6 stayed up all night,” Condella recalled. “Our news room positioned reporters all over the area, and when daybreak came, we went live on the air from the studio and remotely to report on the storm. This was in the days before local morning news, and it was groundbreaking at the time. What a massive storm!”

Condella reflected on the import of reporting on severe weather. Several tornado systems stood out in his memory as well; he noted that, particularly in those weather situations, “what I said on the air and the information I provided could save lives.” Condella stated, “The Wales tornado of April 27, 1984, the huge F-5 tornado that tore through Oakfield, Wisconsin on July 18, 1996, and the nighttime twister that damaged Eagle, Wisconsin on June 21, 2010 were all careerdefining storms. Live tornado storm coverage runs strictly on adrenaline. I’ll never forget them.”

As Condella looked back on his successful career as a meteorologist, he reflected on his preferred weather system. “I was always a fan of clear skies and quiet weather. Much less stressful to forecast!” Most important to him, in addition to the camaraderie of his fellow reporters at Channel 6, was the support he received from his parents that allowed him to fully explore and pursue his passion in meteorology from a young age onward. “I was incredibly fortunate that my parents recognized my interest in the atmosphere at such an early age and fostered that interest with weather-related books and gifts,” Condella said. “Everyone needs those parents and/or mentors to guide them along the way and explore interests. Not everybody has that chance, but I am thankful I did.”

Finally, Condella described the positive impact his wife has had on his career and his life in general. “My wife of 44 years, Janet, has always been a stabilizing influence for me, not just in my meteorology career but life in general. She was always there with great advice and lots of love and encouragement,” Condella said. “I would not be where I am today without her in my life.” n

A One Of A Kind CONCORD CREEK GEM

HIGHLY DESIRED Concord Creek gem situated on beautiful pond setting! Pride of ownership shows with custom details and family friendly flow. Spacious living room with high ceilings, wall of windows and gas fireplace. The spacious dining room is perfect for large gatherings. Chef’s Kitchen with center island and breakfast bar. The kitchen opens to family room with 2nd fireplace and a large eat in area. Private office with vaulted ceiling. The 4 season room is a real treat with stone natural fireplace. Primary suite with walk in closet and spa bath with heated floors.

The lower level a real show stopper with an area of 12+ foot coffered ceilings, full size windows, kitchenette, theatre room, 5th bedroom and bath and a walk-out to patio. The 2nd floor boasts 3 bedrooms, as well as a study/den.

The 1st floor laundry includes a dog bath and spacious mudroom. Outdoor living at its finest includes custom hardscape, water feature, firepit and gardens overlooking pond. One of a kind! n

Gallery

River’s End Gallery

River’s End Gallery has outstanding large paintings for your home or office. This original oil painting named “Evening Traffic” is 30" high x 40" wide was painted by Judy Munro. Her work is consider transitional realism and is extremely popular with the gallery’s clients.  River’s End Gallery is located at 380 W. Main St., Waukesha and you can contact us at 262-780-1191 or www. RiversEndGallery.com and is open Wednesday–Saturday. Parking is easy in the lot behind the gallery.

Galleria Greendale

Make a Fashion Statement with Art To Wear at Galleria Greendale! Spring is here and the new season calls for bright colors and fun fashion pieces! Kimonos, vests and tunics are popular this year, and can add a unique flair to your wardrobe. Galleria Greendale has everything you need to spice up your day-to-day attire – specialty apparel that can easily move seamlessly from daytime to nighttime wear. Accessorize with our handsome jewelry or a bold silk scarf and you will be the talk of the town! Galleria Greendale, in the Historic Shops of Downtown Greendale, is ready for spring and your next visit – stop in soon. 5640 Parking Street, 414-344-8244. www.galleriagreendale.com. Open M-F 11:30-5:30 and Sat. 10-3. Closed Sunday.

MayHouse Collection

Nora Fleming.

Summer is about to get more fun with our new melamine chip and dip! From pool parties to background gatherings, this versatile piece will be perfect for all your upcoming outdoor entertaining! Our mission is to offer a fun, compelling shopping experience. We offer a well-curated and unique mix of home, fashion, beauty and floral. Bring in this ad and receive 20% off your purchase. Exclusions may apply. Oconomowoc Lakes Plaza W359 N5002 Brown St. Suite 106, Oconomowoc, WI. 262-354-8100. www.mayhousecollection.com. Live Well. Dress Well. Give Well.

Fire Pits t

A Gathering Place For FAMILY & FRIENDS

WHEN IT COMES TO FIRE PITS there are some things that should be kept in mind. You want to make sure there is enough room to accommodate chairs for seating and room to move back when the fire gets too hot. We recommend going 18' x 18' which includes the fire pit and ample seating area. To ensure this is a feature that will last you need to have a good base.

To prevent weeds from popping up there should be at least a 4 inch layer of traffic bond (TB) to start. The TB should be compacted prior to laying bricks, loose gravel, or carved stone (from a quarry). If you are using brick or carved stone a 1 inch layer of sand is needed for leveling purposes. The rock that comes from quarries has varied thicknesses and the sand will aid with leveling. In addition, make sure the gaps between the bricks/ stone are no more than 2 inches to prevent chairs from getting caught in the gaps. Once the bricks or carved stone are laid a layer of silicon sand should be applied in between the bricks or stone. Silicon sand will become hard and help keep a barrier to prevent weeds and to prevent movement with the brick or stone.

If loose rock is used, after the TB has been compacted, lay approximately 2 inches of the loose gravel. After the rock is placed, compact the rocks to help with settling.

Last step is to put a border around the firepit area to retain stone and add accent to the area. If you choose you can extend one side by approximately 2 feet to have a spot for a table or coolers. For more information call Woodchuckers Landscaping, Mulch & More, 262-751-9138. n

Call today for a free, no obligation estimate.

Gallery THE

Key Pieces

Sid Dickens has just unveiled his Spring Collection of Memory Blocks for all to enjoy. These tiles have inspired people around the world to express their appreciation and kindness through the world of art. T570 Primula, means enchanted blooms reveal the realm of fairies; Discover the magic. T585 Fresh Beginnings, means persevering through the winter’s cold, the time to start a new has arrived. T589 Hummingbirds, mean messengers of love and joy, floating free of time with delicate grace. Stop by Key Pieces and see over 100 tiles in stock for your taking. Key Pieces, W282N7148 Main Street, Downtown Merton, Tues. - Sat. 10-5:00, 262-337-1728.

Picardy Shoe Parlour

Ready for the season? Picardy Shoe Parlour is a purveyor of fine women’s clothing, accessories, and shoes. Carrying the most extensive collections found anywhere. Towne Shops Of Mequon 11005 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon. 262-241-6578. Galleria West BLuemound 18000 W. Bluemound Rd., Brookfield. 262-784-3434.

Persian Rug Gallery

Now that the weather is changing. Let us help you find the right rug to decorate your room with. Decorating a room starts from the ground and works it way up. You need a rug to start your project. Stop in today to view the latest shipment. 309 West Silver Spring Dr. (Across from Bay Shore Mall entrance) Milwaukee, WI 53217. 414-964-7847

The Ottoman Society

MAY IS THAT month of the year when God appears on earth to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. At this point the some might mutter, “Another one of those Pollyannaish theories: it isn’t raining rain to me, it’s raining violets.” Not true. These are just non-believers minus eyes to see and ears to hear, and for so limited an outlook one must have compassion.

Before condemning them, however, why not suggest their stepping into a garden with you? See those inquisitive green shoots pushing their way through the soil into the sunlit warmth of a spring day? They are the result of the life-force within them that nudges on their growth until they have fulfilled God’s purpose for them. The identical life-force that nudges our growth. The life that is God, the very life that constitutes your being and mine is at work in this fascinating month of May.

Notice those lacy tendrils on the birches? Before one is actually aware of the miracle, those birch branches will be a glorious mass of green leaves in vivid contrast to the clean white bark of the trunk. Birches remind me of buoyant youth on the march just as the tightly curled reddish pink buds on the maple tree put me in mind of a birthday gift carefully concealed in beautiful wrappings. What do the wonders of nature portend? That the life-force that is God is at work not only within us but all around us. God appearing as life, as growth, as beauty,

by Gertrude M. Puelicher

as joy. If, however, one is spiritually blind, that, alas, is a real loss.

And if you are immune to bird calls and trills and songs, if the chirp of crickets and the gentle cadence of katydids arouses no response in your soul, then indeed the spirit within you is in need of revival. No one need be a lump living from dawn to dusk, from birth to death with no understanding of the pulsating life-force that can make of each day a glorious adventure. Why lose the “trailing clouds of glory” with which we came into being?

A mind so limited and uninspired that it is unmoved by the loveliness of nature and its orderly precision in reproduction must be entirely barren of any spiritual sense. Such a one would fail to comprehend the full import of David the Psalmist’s statement, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” Would it not stand to reason that since the earth is the Lord’s it would necessarily have to be God manifesting, revealing and unfolding not only as individual being but also as nature at its finest? Likewise, would it not stand to reason that only the spiritually minded would be blessed with eyes to see and ears to hear the advent of God on earth? Elizabeth Barrett Browning puts it exactly when she says, “Earth’s crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God.” All we need do is open our spiritual eyes and ears and feel the blessings that come. n

Find Your Perfect Painting…

PAINT CEDARBURG ~ A PLEIN AIR PAINTING EVENT

ATTRACTING 150 ARTISTS nationally, Paint Cedarburg is the largest gathering of outdoor painters in Wisconsin. It offers over 400 paintings for sale Friday, June 9, and Saturday, June 10, at the Cedarburg Cultural Center, W62 N546 Washington Avenue, Cedarburg.

The artworks will capture the rolling, farm-speckled countryside, scenic villages, gorgeous gardens, deep woods and the shimmering shores of Lake Michigan as the artists paint throughout Ozaukee County.

Fresh From Cedarburg, Sunday, June 4th

3:00pm - 5:00pm.  Paintings exhibited for sale on the Cedarburg City Hall Lawn, W63 N645 Washington Avenue, Cedarburg.

Main Exhibit and Sale, Friday, June 9

5:00pm - 8:00pm.  Public Opening Party, gallery exhibition, and sale of over 400 framed paintings at the Cedarburg Cultural Center

Main Exhibit and Sale, Saturday, June 10

10:00am - 5:00pm.  Exhibition and sale of framed paintings at the Cedarburg Cultural Center. All activities are open and free to the public. n

For more information see Cedarburgartistsguild.com or email Pleinair@cedarburgartistsguild.com.