VOLUME 5 | ISSUE 14
PUBLISHER JIM PLAISTED
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF JORDAN DECHAMBRE
DESIGN DIRECTOR CARRIE CHAPKO
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
KRISTINE HANSEN, MOLLY SNYDER, BOBBY TANZILO STAFF WRITERS
JORDAN DECHAMBRE, CELESTE BRUNNER
PHOTOGRAPHER ERIC HALVERSON MARKETING COMMITTEE
DANIELLE FUENTES, JOSH AMROZE, CARRIE ARROUET, SHAWNA BALLINGER, KATE DOWNEY, LEANN MESTER, STACEY STEINBERG, SUSAN VARELA, TRACEY WADSWORTH, MELISSA WEBER
PUBLISHED BY HISTORIC THIRD WARD ASSOCIATION
PRESIDENT JOSEPH GOODE
525 E. CHICAGO ST., SUITE 102 | MILWAUKEE, WI 53202
OFFICE@HISTORICTHIRDWARD.ORG
PRINTED AND MAILED FOX CO. PRINTING
ADVERTISING CONTACT JPLAISTED@HISTORICTHIRDWARD.ORG
AS LATE FALL AND EARLY WINTER SETTLE OVER MILWAUKEE , the Historic Third Ward comes alive with its own kind of magic — twinkling lights reflected on the river and down Broadway, shop windows dressed for the season, and the scent of something delicious drifting from every corner.
The holidays here are more than a moment; they’re a feeling — one rooted in community, creativity and connection.
In this issue, we celebrate that spirit. Within these pages, you’ll find stories that honor the Ward’s rich history, showcase the visionaries shaping its present, and look ahead to its bright future.
Whether you’re taking a Hoan-lit stroll, discovering a new favorite cocktail or simply enjoying the vibe of the neighborhood at its most festive — I invite you to experience the warmth and wonder that make the Third Ward truly timeless.
Creativity - Cuisine - Culture. It’s all here.
JORDAN DECHAMBRE, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS HISTORIC THIRD WARD ASSOCIATION
Visit the 15th Annual
Holiday Sale
Preview Night
Thursday, Dec. 4, 6 – 8 p.m. $10 Admission
Free Admission Days
Friday, Dec. 5, 5 – 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The annual MIAD Holiday Sale offers one-of-akind works by students, alumni, faculty and staff of the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design – from sculpture to greeting cards, paintings, ornaments and more.
FEATURED CONTENT
ON THE COVER: CELEBRATE 20 YEARS OF THE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MARKET BY SAMPLING SOME OF OUR FAVORITE DISHES AND DRINKS FROM DAVID ALAN ALAN’S SMOKEHOUSE & SALOON, ST. PAUL FISH CO., ALADDIN - TASTE OF THE EAST/PITAWORKS, THAI-NAMITE, C. ADAMS BAKERY, THIEF WINE AND MARGARITA PARADISE. PHOTO BY ERIC HALVERSON.
Mark your calendar for holiday celebrations, music, performing arts & more.
There’s always something happening in the Historic Third Ward. The best way to stay in the know? Become a Historic Third Ward Association member!
14 ways to feel festive this winter in the Ward. HOLIDAY
The latest neighborhood news of note.
The historic Baumbach Building is a shining example of architecture that stands the test of time.
A new sculpture in Catalano Square pays tribute to a Third Ward visionary.
The tide is coming in for the Lakeshore State Park Visitor and Education Center.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2025
5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
CATALANO SQUARE BROADWAY AT MENOMONEE
Santa & live reindeer • Tree lighting • S’mores station & food trucks • Firework • Cocoa cocktails, beer & wine • Live music • Christmas cookies benefitting Ronald McDonald House Charities
Milwaukee’s most beloved Christmas celebration brings a holly jolly evening of friends, family and holiday splendor. Fill your cup with holiday cheer, then revel in a night of fireworks, food, Santa, reindeer, music and special surprises.
Admission is free — scan the QR code below to learn more about this magical holiday event for the whole family! Visit
for all the details or scan here.
JOIN US NOV. 29-DEC. 23, 2025
With hundreds of boutiques, galleries, restaurants and more, the Historic Third Ward is your holiday shopping destination.
Follow @historicthirdward on Instagram — we’ll be giving away gift cards to local retailers EVERY DAY Nov. 29-Dec. 23!
UPCOMING EVENTS WINTER 2025-26
CHRISTMAS IN THE WARD
FRIDAY, DEC. 5 | 5:30-8:30 PM
Come for Santa and the reindeer … stay for the tree lighting, fireworks show, live music, Christmas cookies and so much more at Christmas in the Ward! Bring your family and experience an old-fashioned tree lighting ceremony in Catalano Square, presented by Nicolet Law. Milwaukee’s most beloved Christmas celebration brings a holly jolly evening of friends, family and holiday cheer. Highlights include:
• Visiting with Santa at Jolly’s House and meeting his reindeer in the Reindeer District
• A “merry and bright” old-fashioned tree lighting ceremony in Catalano Square
• Snacking on Christmas cookies, with sales benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities
• Enjoying live music on Broadway and in Catalano Square
• A stunning fireworks display over the Milwaukee river
Fill your cup with holiday cheer: We’re serving up cocoa cocktails, mulled wine, tasty s’mores and so much more. And we’ve got food trucks, too! Admission is free to this family friendly event.
Visit HISTORICTHIRDWARD.ORG for all the details or scan here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
WINTER 2025-26
MILWAUKEE HOLIDAY LIGHTS FESTIVAL
NOV. 20-JAN. 1
Get your holiday glow on: Take a stroll or drive through more than 500,000 lights throughout Downtown Milwaukee. Don’t miss the perfect opportunity to get a last-minute Christmas card moment! milwaukeedowntown.com
THE ORNAMENT TRAIL
NOV. 21-JAN. 18
A collection of larger-than-life holiday ornaments are taking over downtown Milwaukee and the Third Ward as part of the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival. Fifteen ornaments — including two in the Historic Third Ward, located in front of the Broadway Theatre Center and the parklet on the 300 block of Broadway — have been uniquely hand-painted by a local or national artist with Milwaukee ties. milwaukeedowntown.com
GET FESTIVE AT THE JOURNEYMAN HOTEL
Kick off the holiday season with a delicious Thanksgiving Day Buffet at Tre Rivali, followed by a locals’ shopping experience for Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29. In December, enjoy a Tre Rivali Holiday Market on Dec. 7 and a delicious Christmas Day Buffet at Tre Rivali. To ring in the New Year, celebrate nine floors up at The Outsider! journeymanhotel.com
EXPLORIUM BREWPUB MILWAUKEE COUNTY
STOUT BLACK FRIDAY RELEASE
NOV. 28
Join Explorium for the annual Black Friday MCS release featuring live music, holiday gift deals, a specialty barrel-aged tasting, food and beer discounts, and more! Visit the website for all of Explorium’s upcoming holiday events. exploriumbrew.com/exploriumholiday
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY NOV. 29
Kick off your pledge to #ShopSmall all season long on Small Business Saturday. Several businesses in the Historic Third Ward are offering special deals to shop local and find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Visit historicthirdward.org and click on “Annual Events” to see a full list of participating businesses — then get ready to show your MKE love and #ShopSmall! historicthirdward.org
SHOP THE WARD NOV. 29-DEC. 23
Don’t forget to Shop the Ward this holiday season! Follow us on Instagram at @historicthirdward — we’ll be giving away gift cards to local retailers everyday Nov. 29-Dec. 23. Visit historicthirdward.org and click on “Annual Events” to see a full list of participating businesses. historicthirdward.org
THE ORNAMENT TRAIL
MIAD HOLIDAY SALE
DEC. 4-6
A holiday tradition held every year during the first weekend of December, the MIAD Holiday Sale is your opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind art and design works created by MIAD students and alumni at affordable prices. Meet the emerging and established artists and designers behind the amazing creations. Gifts range from sculptures, paintings and photographs to jewelry, stickers, greeting cards and more. Free admission, except on Preview Night (Dec. 4, 6-8 p.m.; $10 admission). miad.edu/holidaysale
HOAN FOR THE HOLIDAYS VARIOUS DATES
Celebrate the season as one of the city’s most iconic landmarks shines with holiday-centric colored lights. lightthehoan.com
CELEBRATE THE SEASON AT THE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MARKET
This holiday season, the Milwaukee Public Market will feature fan-favorite cooking classes and events, including celebrity bell ringing on Dec. 11; Breakfast with Santa Dec. 20, and the MATC Gingerbread Houses display (arriving Dec. 4). It will also debut its first-ever holiday window display in partnership with the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. milwaukeepublicmarket.org
SANTA’S CAVALCADE
DEC. 6 & DEC. 12
See Santa and Mrs. Claus on this festive route riding atop a vintage fire truck featuring local singer/songwriter Sarah Fierek with original holiday tunes. The route departs from the Milwaukee Public Market’s Water Street entrance at 5:15 p.m. and travels throughout downtown. The cavalcade travels east on Wisconsin Avenue to the lakefront, with visits to Pere Marquette Park, Cathedral Square Park, Zeidler Union Square, Catalano Square and Light the Hoan between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. milwaukeedowntown.com/bid-events/ santas-christmas-cavalcade
HOLIDAYS ON THE HOP
DEC. 7, 14 & 21
Enjoy live music, free cookies and holiday cheer on Downtown’s free streetcar service. thehopmke.com
HOVER CRAFT SUNDAY, DEC. 7
A holiday season favorite, shop the creations of more than 120 local artists, crafters, makers, designers and creatives at The Pritzlaff from noon to 6 p.m. Hover Craft is produced to support established and emerging artists, crafters, designers, and makers by providing an impermanent brick-and-mortar space to showcase the talent and creativity that exists within our own communities. $5 general admission; $15 Super Green Commemorative Shopping Bag. Visit the website for tickets and additional details. hovercraftmke.com
GALLERY NIGHT MKE
JAN. 16-17
Gallery Night MKE unites downtown Milwaukee through art. Experience the city’s vast creative culture while you discover local galleries, art, and artists. This free, twoday art event offers you the opportunity to buy original art, dine in outstanding restaurants and shop in unique boutiques. gallerynightmke.com
MIAD HOLIDAY SALE
GALLERY NIGHT MKE
Experience world-class theatrical performances right here in the Historic Third Ward. Skylight Music Theatre and Milwaukee Chamber Theater are bringing exhilarating shows to the stages of the Broadway Theatre Center this season, and Next Act Theatre and Renaissance Theaterworks are creating top-notch theater just over the river at 255 S. Water St.
All four theaters are also members of the Milwaukee Theater District — a collective of theaters and organizations that was designed to empower and unite Milwaukee’s already impactful live entertainment scene. Here’s a look at what’s hitting the stage this fall and winter:
SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE
skylightmusictheatre.org
JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
NOV. 14-DEC. 28
AMADEUS
JAN. 23-FEB. 8
THE SPITFIRE GRILL FEB. 27-MARCH 15
CUE THE SPOTLIGHT!
MILWAUKEE CHAMBER THEATER milwaukeechambertheatre.org
MURDER GIRL NOV. 14-DEC. 7
I AM MY OWN WIFE JAN. 23-FEB. 8
NEXT ACT THEATRE nextact.org
BOSWELL NOV. 19-DEC. 14
SWING STATE FEB. 11-MARCH 8
RENAISSANCE THEATERWORKS r-t-w.com
CARDBOARD PIANO
JAN. 11-FEB. 1
SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE
THE SCENE
There’s always something happening in the Historic Third Ward. The best way to stay in the know? Become a Historic Third Ward Association (HTWA) member!
From exclusive member perks to members-only events and key communication that keeps you up to date on new business openings, neighborhood news and so much more, membership for residents and businesses is your inside access.
Scan the QR code or visit htwa.wildapricot.org/ join-us to enjoy the benefits of membership today!
1. Summer was at its hottest during July Gallery Night MKE, a free two-day art hop that celebrates our lively arts scene in galleries and non-traditional artistic spaces and places.
2. Hundreds of HTWA members joined us for another picture-perfect night in Catalano Square at the annual HTWA Membership Appreciation BBQ. Guests dined on delicious eats from Smoke Shack and Tre Rivali, and said “cheers!” to summer with refreshments from the Third Ward Beer Garden.
3. After a year of construction and over a decade in the making, the new Downtown Milwaukee Dog Park held its ribbon cutting ceremony in August. Hundreds of dog lovers and their pups enjoyed the new (faux) greenspace, equipped with areas for both small and large dogs, a water station, and tons of room to play under the freeway.
4. The 14th annual Third Ward Art Festival marked another beautiful weekend of sunny skies, good vibes and heaps of creativity at this family-friendly event. The neighborhood welcomed over 200 artists, live music, food trucks and children’s activities. Plus, HTWA members served up beer, wine, seltzer and mimosas at our beverage tents on Broadway.
5. For the second year in a row, the HTWA popped up for an energizing evening on the penultimate night of the 2025 Riverwalk Commons Concert Series season. With live music from Steve Beguhn, great eats from local food trucks and exciting giveaways, we waved “see you later” to another beautiful summer under the I-794 freeway.
6. Ready, set, buzz! As part of Milwaukee Downtown BID #21’s Downtown Employee Appreciation Week, we partnered with coffee shops and bakeries to give away free coffee, tea and treats to downtown employees and
community members at World’s Largest Coffee Break, presented by Healthpeak. Third Ward participants included Colectivo, Grace Coffee, HoneyBee Sage Wellness & Apothecary and Valentine Coffee.
7. New in 2025, we partnered with Light the Hoan and Edelweiss Cruises to give HTWA members an exclusive look at the Hoan Bridge in late September. Erika Smith, executive director of Light the Hoan, told the tale of the bridge, its history and what’s next for our iconic landmark.
8. Our fourth annual Gather long table dinner was held in early September, and welcomed over 100 ticketed guests to enjoy a seven-course meal from the culinary experts at Café Benelux, The Edison, Dandan, Tre Rivali, Saffron, Bavette la Boucherie and Brisa Do Mar, with wine pairings from Thief Wine and a pre-event cocktail mixer with Blue Bat Kitchen & Tequilaria. This year, Gather returned to Broadway with a stunning tablescape by Relics Rentals, complimented by live music from Marcya Daneille’s jazz trio. The premier event sponsor is Joseph Property Development, with additional sponsorship from AESTHETICS 360°, Urban Law, Corley Real Estate, Harmonic Harvest and Harleys. Inkind sponsorship is provided by Relics Rentals, Two Birds Event Group, KEI and Benson’s Restaurant Group.
9. Over 100 HTWA members joined us on the ninth floor of 333 Water in early October for another Sip & Socialize networking event. Partnering with our friends at 333, guests enjoyed stunning sunset views of the neighborhood onehundred feet above Water Street, live painting from Lily Pad Gallery | West, complimentary snack boards and pesto samples from Hundred Acre.
QUICK BITES
THE LATEST NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS OF NOTE
By Molly Snyder and Jordan Dechambre
NOW OPEN
Angela Mallett, founder and CEO of Honeybee Sage & Wellness, is thrilled with her brand-new ground-floor space in the Marshall Building, 207 E. Buffalo St. “We get the honor of greeting new visitors as they enter for the first time, as well as all of our beautiful building neighbors as they arrive or prepare to leave for the day,” says Mallett. This apothecary and tea cafe, called Honeybee Sage Wellness Nook, is Mallett’s second location – the flagship shop is in the Halyard Park neighborhood. It offers proprietary blends of medicinal herbal teas and other outsourced high-quality blends, along with soup, bakery items and grab-and-go items.
“Not only do our teas taste good, but they offer amazing health benefits,” says Mallett. “This is a place where people can find connection, acceptance, love and warmth.”
Maggie’s Closet, 159 N. Broadway, is a hidden gem for shoppers in search of secondhand clothing, vintage clothing, retro furniture and home decor. Mother/daughter team Dawn and Alli Schwartz opened the consignment shop this summer. Every item is hand-selected through one-on-one appointments with potential consignors. “We love hearing the stories behind some of the pieces that come in – whether it’s a custom-made leather jacket from Paris, or a vintage dress they remember their grandma wore when they were small,” says Alli.
The Schwartzes decided to open a store in the Third Ward (they also have a location in Plymouth, Wis.) after a family member attending MIAD thought it would be a great fit. “With the beloved Retique as the main go-to for secondhand clothing in the community, we thought it could be really refreshing to see another secondhand store that could also benefit the community members through consignment,” says Alli.
OWNERS DAWN (LEFT) AND ALLI SCHWARTZ OF MAGGIE’S CLOSET
NEW(ISH) GALLERIES
The Marshall Building, 207 E. Buffalo St., recently welcomed two more galleries to the building’s eclectic mix: Kashes Collections and Kat Harrison Studio.
Anthony Brewer, artistically known as “Kashes,” is a contemporary abstract artist and the owner of Kashes Collection. He finds deep inspiration from the Third Ward neighborhood and believes it’s the ideal neighborhood for the evolution of his work. “There is a real sense of history here. Every brick has a story, and that fuels my work. It’s inspiring to know I’m adding my own chapter to a place that’s been home to artists for generations,” he says.
Kashes started making art as a creative outlet during the pandemic and a way to balance work and family life after becoming a father three years ago. At the time, he and his wife were operating an online POS system to assist small businesses — and had no idea art would become his passion and his livelihood. Kashes refers to his style as “controlled chaos,” and is working on a collection titled “Iterations of Conscious Breathing.” His three-year-old son, who he refers to as his “artist in residence,” is often next to him in the studio, experimenting with paint and creating his own masterpieces.
Kat Harrison, a painter and ceramicist who opened her space to the public on Spring Gallery Night MKE 2024, says the gallery reflects her two passions: teaching and making. The studio showcases prints of her paintings, one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces and her embroidered “Kat Hats,” featuring a fun logo created by Kat and her brother. “My work is an ever-evolving collection as I continue refining my process,” she says.
Kat currently hosts monthly ceramic hand-building workshops and offers her space for private, teambuilding creative events and unique bachelorette parties. Harrison, who moved to Milwaukee from the East Coast, says the Third Ward neighborhood has been key to her smooth transformation to
becoming a Milwaukeean. When she first opened the studio, her goal was to create a welcoming space for others and grow her own practice at the same time.
“It felt like everyone was rooting for me and spreading the word about my studio,” she says. “It was a little overwhelming at first, but I quickly realized that being surrounded by people is what makes it all worthwhile. Kat Harrison Studio has been a lifelong dream of mine, and it wasn’t until now, with all the support I’ve felt in the Third Ward, that I was able to make this dream happen!”
Visit 217 N. Broadway to discover One Hundred Percent MKE, a vibrant nonprofit art space nestled above Bavette. Their mission? To offer inclusive artist residencies, in-studio mentorship, and a dynamic working gallery where creatives and community connect. Resident artists develop their practice while sharing the journey in a historic, cream-brick building. Through public events, collaborative experimentation and an inviting venue for gatherings, One Hundred Percent MKE transforms the traditional art experience into something immersive and communal. Visit 100percentmke.com to learn more and support the artists sustaining this lively hub of creativity.
COMING SOON
Originally slated to open this fall, Cassis, a new French bistro from James Beard-nominated chef Kyle Knall and his wife, Meghan, is now expected to open in December. The restaurant, located on
ANTHONY
the ground floor of the 333 Water luxury apartment tower, will feature classic French dishes made from Midwestern ingredients like moules frites, escargots, charcuterie platters, seafood and modern interpretations of traditional French fare. The riverfront lounge and eatery will seat 200 guests and feature a large patio. Prepare for exquisiteness, as The Knalls’ first restaurant, Birch, was named among the Best Restaurants in America by “The New York Times.” And, Cassis already made it onto “Bon Appetit” magazine’s list of “The 9 Must-Visit Restaurants to Try in 2025.”
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
public feedback in mind — blends accessibility with modern, urban design. Developed in partnership with the Historic Third Ward BID No. 2 and Historic Third Ward Association, the final design is expected to be completed in summer 2026, with construction through 2027.
A new public service art initiative — #LeashUp, created by Hanson Dodge with the Historic Third Ward Association — transforms public spaces into reminders of responsible pet ownership. Four striking 8-foot walk signs of leashed dogs now stand in Riverwalk Park (across from the Milwaukee Public Market), Lakeshore State Park, Catalano Square and Gas Light Park — areas known for off-leash activity. The message is simple: Keep your dog safe, leashed and legal. Want your pup to roam free? Head to the new Downtown Milwaukee Dog Park for off-leash fun!
A fresh vision is taking shape for the busy stretch of Water Street in the Third Ward. Led by the City of Milwaukee and funded by Erie/Jefferson Riverwalk TID 56, the redesign transforms the corridor from E. Erie Street to E. Clybourn Street into a safer, more vibrant streetscape. Plans feature wider sidewalks, lush greenery, and curb extensions that shorten crossings, calm traffic and create inviting spaces for pedestrians and sidewalk activations. The new design — created and refined with stakeholder and
A Trio Jewelry, 215 N. Water St., is celebrating 15 years of creating one-of-a-kind pieces for special occasions in 2025. The fifth-generation familyowned business also offers collections made by in-house designers, vintage pieces and jewelry repair. MIAD graduate Amy Bern is at the helm of the shop, with husband Noah directing the company’s manufacturing, 3D printing, repairs and production. Amy’s dad, Michael Shallow, is a jeweler and goldsmith, who is also a part of the team. “Our key to success is simple: Create quality jewelry, treat people fairly and always be honest,” says Amy. “Fifteen years is no small milestone, and we truly couldn’t have done it without the incredible support of our community.”
After 25 years, MOD GEN: A Modern General Store — the neighborhood favorite modern general store at 211 N. Broadway — is saying goodbye. More than just a shop, Mod Gen has been a must-visit for locals and visitors alike for unique gifts, local finds and stunning plants. Its closing marks the end of an era, but its influence on Milwaukee’s creative and connected spirit will linger. Thank you, Doug McDonald and the entire MOD GEN team, for 25 years of inspiration, joy and neighborly charm — you’ll be missed.
OWNERS NOAH (LEFT) AND AMY BERN OF A TRIO JEWELRY
#LEASHUP
REFLECTIONS ON CANCER
Physician Associate Melissa Gorman, a Third Ward resident, spends her days caring for cancer patients. And, after years of witnessing the roller coaster ride that is the cancer journey, she decided to create a resource for patients to record their own experiences.
In “Courage: A Reflective Journaling Companion When Living with Cancer,” published in July 2024, she shares more than 100 thought-provoking prompts for people living with any type of cancer, at any stage of their journey.
Here, she gives us insight into why she wrote this empowering book — and her hopes for supporting and comforting those who read it.
Tell us about “Courage: A Reflective Journaling Companion When Living with Cancer.”
This book aims to help those living with cancer work through the ups and downs of a cancer diagnosis, while also providing a space to tell their story. It helps empower people by identifying their goals and priorities for both their healthcare and for their life.
This book allows space for vulnerability that may not easily be shared with others. It can help people foster deeper, more meaningful conversations with their loved ones, and patients better discuss their needs with their healthcare team. While this book was not originally written with legacy building in mind, this journal can also serve as a book to be passed on to loved ones for generations to come.
You are an oncology Physician Associate; what made you decide to write this book?
On Monday, Oct. 6, the beloved Hubert A. Krawczyk II – known to his family, friends, colleagues and students as “Hubie” – passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Hubie was the longtime owner of Spire Fitness, 102 N. Water St., which provides cycling, rowing, yoga classes and TRX training to the community. He will forever be known for his welcoming personality, encouraging attitude and robust high fives. Hubie’s longtime manager, Sam Richardson, and her husband Zack, gained ownership of SPIRE prior to Hubie’s death. “This is such a special milestone for us, and we are so grateful to Hubie for everything he has built,” says Sam. “His passion, grit and love for this community will always be at the heart of SPIRE, and we feel honored to carry his legacy forward into this next chapter.”
I work exclusively inpatient, in the hospital setting and take care of people when they are quite sick. In times of critical illness, I am often having “goals of care” meetings with my patients and their loved ones. During some of these conversations, my patients were expressing sentiments like “I wish I would’ve known to think about/ask about this,” or “I wish I would’ve done this differently, but now it’s too late.” It’s heartbreaking to hear patients voice sentiments like these, especially if there was an opportunity to fulfill what they’d hoped for.
In these moments, I found myself thinking about how to help people better identify and articulate what is most important to them, so their team could better discuss next steps. There are so many incredible clinicians, social workers, nurses, pharmacists, therapists and resources out there — but nothing I knew of quite like this.
How do you hope this book impacts a cancer patient’s journey?
I hope this book gives people a physical space to just be them amid a life-altering diagnosis. I want to give people back a sense of self if they’ve lost it; to process the hard stuff and celebrate the wins, big or small. I want them to remember moments that impact their story separate from the cancer. I hope this book serves as an additional resource and tool to empower people and offer support in a different way than they may already be receiving it.
HUBIE
AT FIRST SIGHT
A NEW SCULPTURE IN CATALANO SQUARE PAYS TRIBUTE TO A THIRD WARD VISIONARY
By Kristine Hansen
by Eric Halverson
While sipping beers and listening to live music in the Third Ward Beer Garden or passing through Catalano Square, it’s impossible to not notice the larger-than-life, bright-blue eyeglass frames perched on top of a small hill.
The same could be true for the late Andrew Wadsworth, who easily lit up a room with his smile, warmth and positive energy. As a longtime Historic Third Ward resident, he was a familiar face to many — often recognized by his statement eyeglasses from neighborhood retailer Metro Eye.
A much larger, although nearly identical, version of his favorite pair is now that sculpture — “Near and Far” by Brandon Minga, founder of House of RAD.
Andrew died in 2023 at the age of 57, after a battle with cancer. His wife, Tracey Wadsworth, sought a way to memorialize him that was true to the life he lived and in the neighborhood he loved. Andrew had expressed a core desire that any donations made in his memory go to the Historic Third Ward Association to honor the place he’d called home for two decades. He’d also served on the association’s board.
This sculpture fits right into the Historic Third Ward’s mantra of showcasing public art — not just on the quarterly Gallery Night MKE but year-round.
Photography
“‘NEAR AND FAR’ REFLECTS THE HISTORIC THIRD WARD’S COMMITMENT TO CREATIVITY, CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY,” SAYS JIM PLAISTED, HISTORIC THIRD WARD ASSOCIATION’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND A FRIEND OF ANDREW AND TRACEY.
“This sculpture honors Andrew’s legacy while reinforcing the neighborhood’s belief that public art is essential to the urban experience.”
“As we continue to invest in our public spaces, ‘Near and Far’ stands as a symbol of the stories we carry, the people like Andrew who shape us, and the shared culture that makes the Third Ward a very special place.”
Tracey spearheaded the idea for this sculpture, using donations to pay for it, along with fundraising proceeds from a Fun & Games in the Ward event hosted in the Third Ward Beer Garden last summer. Spanning 22 feet wide, and seven feet in height, guests can easily interact with the sculpture by stepping behind the frames, and maybe even having their photo taken there.
“ANDREW WAS INTENTIONAL AND PURPOSEFUL IN CONNECTING WITH EVERYONE HE MET. HIS TWINKLING EYES, MEMORABLE EYEGLASSES AND MISCHIEVOUS SMILE DREW YOU IN,” SAYS TRACEY.
“In a way, this piece is the steel embodiment of his engaging personality and curiosity, bringing people together and drawing them in to enjoy the beauty of his favorite neighborhood in the world.”
Tracey worked closely with Minga and House of RAD — a collective of 60 Milwaukee artists and makers that works out of a 67,000-square-foot facility in the Menomonee Valley — on creating the sculpture. “She chose Andrew’s favorite pair of glasses, and we decided to add a cutout in the bridge to create a shape suggestive of an ‘A’ for Andrew,” says Minga.
ANDREW WADSWORTH
FRIENDS AND FAMILY GATHERED TO UNVEIL THE SCULPTURE IN CATALANO SQUARE
“Tracey and I selected the final color — as close to Andrew’s original glasses as we could get — and it turned out beautifully.”
To pull off this large-scale installation, Minga hired a team of artists within House of RAD that included jeweler Lily Luft, who used a portable 3D scanner to create a scale model of the design. She then 3D printed a life-size pair as proof of concept and used that same model to create the largerthan-life version.
Jackson LaHaie, director of operations at House of RAD, and photographer/videographer Stephen Vincent Anderson, helped Minga assemble the bent pieces and tack-weld them in place. Laser cutting and steel were ordered from Jet Cuts in New Berlin.
“Once we picked up the pieces, we broke in our brand-new slip roller,” says Minga, “bending them to the proper shape. This was the most sustained welding we’d ever done for a single piece. After finishing all our welds, we spent several days grinding them down to create smooth, seamless surfaces. We then test-fit the glasses in our shop — and let’s just say, no one else could use the space during that time because there wasn’t any room left!”
Next, the pieces were disassembled and loaded onto a 23-foot-long trailer, and delivered to Promax, a powder-coating company in Big Bend.
Then came the installation process, a step as important as creating the work itself and requiring as much skill and agility. “With the right crew, equipment and experience, this might have been our smoothest install yet,” says Minga.
At the unveiling in July, Andrew’s favorite beer (Miller High Life, the “champagne of beers”)
was poured for hundreds of guests. To further mark the occasion, the Hoan Bridge was lit up in colorful hues.
“The goal with this sculpture was to memorialize Andrew with impact,” says Tracey. “Many people can conjure up a pair of his memorable eyeglasses to accompany a story about how intentional and purposeful he was in listening, connecting with and seeing them. What I have enjoyed most about observing ‘Near and Far’ since its installation is that, just like Andrew, it serves to capture people’s attention, draw them in, inspire engagement and leave a memorable impression. “
Another way to interact with the sculpture is via a QR code on one of its dedication plaques. By scanning this with a smartphone, viewers are directed to a website for additional information about the sculpture and Andrew.
“I’M TRULY GRATEFUL TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CREATE THIS PIECE AND PAY MY RESPECTS TO A ONE-OF-A-KIND PERSON,” SAYS MINGA, WHO IS ALSO AN ALUM OF THE MILWAUKEE INSTITUTE OF ART & DESIGN.
With its campus just a block away from this sculpture along Erie Street, this represents a full-circle moment not just for Andrew, but for Minga, too.
TRACEY WADSWORTH (SECOND FROM LEFT) POSES WITH FRIENDS IN REPLICA GLASSES AFTER THE SCULPTURE UNVEILING
HOLIDAY HOP
14 WAYS TO FEEL FESTIVE THIS WINTER IN THE WARD
By Kristine Hansen
From Thanksgiving’s first sparkle through Valentine’s Day’s final toast, the Historic Third Ward captures everything we love about Milwaukee in winter. Amid the glow of shop windows, cozy restaurants and inspiring galleries, you’ll find even the coldest months can be filled with warmth. Here, we’ve compiled 14 ways to make the most of winter in the Ward:
1 KICK OFF THE SEASON AT CHRISTMAS IN THE WARD
Every first Friday of December, Catalano Square and Broadway come alive for one of Milwaukee’s most beloved traditions: Christmas in the Ward. This festive celebration — this year on Dec. 5 — features an old-fashioned tree lighting, live reindeer, photos with Santa, fireworks over the river, and cozy fire pits for roasting s’mores. It’s a can’t-miss kickoff to the holiday season; equal parts nostalgia and neighborly cheer.
CHRISTMAS IN THE WARD
2 STROLL THE RIVERWALK IN WINTER’S GLOW
Bundle up and enjoy a riverside walk on the Milwaukee RiverWalk. The crisp air, reflections of holiday lights on the water and occasional snow flurries make for a serene winter escape. Stop for a coffee or hot cider along the way at nearby Grace Coffee or Likewise. It’s one of the most peaceful ways to take in the city during the colder months.
3 SHOP, SNACK & SIP AT THE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MARKET
The Milwaukee Public Market is a must-visit during the holidays. Inside, local vendors tempt visitors with artisanal chocolates, fresh baked goods, specialty foods, and unique gifts perfect for stockings or Valentine’s surprises. Browse the nearly 20 vendors and soak in the warm hum of the holiday hustle — it’s Milwaukee’s version of indoor cheer.
4 COZY UP TO A SAVORY FAVORITE
When the temperature dips, our Third Ward restaurants deliver comfort and style in equal measure for brunch, lunch and dinner. Sip a latte at Colectivo, enjoy European-inspired brunch at Café Benelux, or linger over dinner at The Edison. With twinkling lights in the windows and the smell of something delicious wafting through the air, dining out in the Ward feels like a holiday in itself.
5 EXPLORE ART GALLERIES AND LOCAL CREATIVITY
Even as the weather cools, the Third Ward’s creative spirit stays hot. Pop into neighborhood galleries like newcomer 100 Percent Milwaukee (above Bavette) to see new exhibits, or mark your calendar for Gallery Night MKE on Jan. 16-17, which turns the district into an open-house celebration. Or, sign up for a “Create with Clay” class at Kat Harrison Studio in the Marshall Building. Whether you’re browsing, learning or buying, it’s a beautiful reminder of Milwaukee’s artistic soul.
6 SHARE A ROOFTOP MOMENT FOR VALENTINE’S DAY
For a winter date night with a view, head to The Outsider at the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel. With fire pits, city skyline views and seasonal cocktails, it’s one of the most romantic spots in Milwaukee — especially under a gentle snowfall.
MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MARKET
GRACE COFFEE
THE EDISON
7 SKATE AND STROLL
Hop on The Hop to glide into winter fun at Red Arrow Park’s Slice of Ice, a downtown skating tradition just a short Hop ride from the Ward. After your spins on the ice, explore the Holiday Lights Festival and follow the Ornament Trail from downtown to the Ward. Visit the two neighborhood ornaments on Broadway across from Lela and outside Skylight Music Theatre for a magical winter experience. (PS: Watch the Milwaukee Public Market’s social media to find out when the Dinky Rink makes a frosty return this winter!)
8 BROWSE LOCAL BOUTIQUES FOR THOUGHTFUL FINDS
From chic home décor to fashion finds and handmade jewelry, the Ward’s boutiques make holiday and Valentine’s shopping an experience rather than a chore. Whether you’re gift-hunting for local artisan finds at Harmonic Harvest’s giving Marketplace, exploring the curated consignment at Lela or Maggie’s Closet, or gifting a custom piece of jewelry from A Trio Jewelry, local shopping has never felt more personal.
9 WARM UP WITH A ROBUST RED
After a crisp winter walk, warm up with a glass of wine at 2A Wine Merchants or Thief Wine. Whether it’s a rich red, a cozy white, or a carefully curated seasonal selection, these local spots offer inviting atmospheres perfect for lingering. Sip, savor, and let the flavors melt away the chill — the perfect way to end a winter evening in the Ward.
10 CATCH A SHOW
Warm up your winter with a night of entertainment with Skylight Music Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Next Act Theatre or Renaissance Theaterworks — all part of the Milwaukee Theater District. From musicals and revivals to bold new plays, Broadway Theatre Center (and nearby Next Act Theatre) offers the perfect cozy escape for date nights, friends, or family outings all season long.
11 TAKE IN THE BEAUTY OF LAKESHORE STATE PARK
Lakeshore State Park offers sweeping views of Lake Michigan — stunning even in winter. On bright, brisk days, you can walk the trails, spot wintering birds, and take in peaceful views of the frozen lake. Follow your walk with a warm drink back in the Ward for the perfect balance of nature and neighborhood.
SKYLIGHT MUSIC THEATRE
THE HOP
12 SPEND A QUIET JANUARY AFTERNOON SHOPPING AND STROLLING
Once the rush of the holidays subsides, the Ward slows to a cozier pace. January is the perfect time to browse shops, linger over lunch, or simply window-shop your way through Broadway and Water Street. It’s a gentle reminder that winter has its own charm — quieter, slower and just as beautiful.
13 CREATE YOUR OWN WINTER TRADITION
One of the best parts about the Third Ward is how it invites you to make it your own. Whether that means a friends’ holiday brunch, a family shopping day or an annual Valentine’s date night, the neighborhood’s walkability and warmth make it ideal for traditions big and small. Bundle up, grab your favorite people and explore.
14 SIP WINTER IN STYLE AT TIED HOUSE
Make the most of chilly nights with a cozy outdoor craft cocktail at Tied House. Gather around the stunning outdoor patio, take in the crisp winter air under a blanket and savor inventive drinks that keep the season bright. It’s the perfect way to toast love, friendship — or simply surviving another Wisconsin winter.
LAKESHORE STATE PARK
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
When it comes to architecture, the Third Ward possesses an embarrassment of riches. There are so many beautiful vintage buildings, it should be challenging to pick a favorite. But for me, it’s easy: I love the 1900 building that architect Eugene Liebert designed for real estate investor Ernest Von Baumbach at 302 N. Broadway.
This former factory building stands on the corner of Buffalo Street and Broadway in the heart of the Ward — with its detailed masonry and fearsome lions keeping watch over Commission Row and today’s parade of shoppers, showgoers, residents and diners.
In fact, you could stare at the building — which currently houses Sweetgreen — for hours and keep finding interesting details on the five-story brick gem.
Story by Bobby Tanzillo of OnMilwaukee.com Historic images provided by Wisconsin Historical Society
PHOTO BY ERIC HALVERSON
“THE DETAILS OF THE BAUMBACH BUILDING ARE EXQUISITE,” SAYS ARCHITECT
STEPHEN SMITH, WHOSE STEVEN PERRY SMITH ARCHITECTS IS HEADQUARTERED AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE BUILDING ON WATER STREET.
“More specifically, the use of heavy masonry … layered both horizontally and vertically and articulated with the use of carved stone elements, creates a wonderful shadow play of light on its street facades. I particularly like the large Roman arched windows on the fifth floor, which speak to its Richardsonian Romanesque style.”
It’s the kind of solid construction that developer Baumbach knew would lure renters at the dawn of the 20th century.
Born in Germany, Baumbach was the scion of a noble family. His father, Ludwig Von Baumbach, fought in the Napoleonic wars and was a wellknown politician, later serving in the Chamber of Deputies.
The six Baumbach boys were well-known in Milwaukee, and Ernest pursued real estate — tapping fellow immigrant Liebert for this highprofile project in a neighborhood that was rebuilding after a devastating 1892 fire.
After arriving in Milwaukee, Liebert worked in the office of Henry C. Koch, where he met Herman Schnetzky. When the latter left to start his own practice, he took Liebert with him. Together they would design important structures downtown like the Blatz office building in Juneau Town and the Germania Building on the eastern border of Westown.
Liebert typically favored a very Germanic style of architecture — but for this project he looked south to Chicago. There, architects like William LeBaron Jenney, Adler & Sullivan and Burnham & Root were pioneering a new style of buildings whose form followed their function. They all used a new technology –steel framing – to make taller buildings.
“The building’s architectural style is an early example of the Chicago School style, which in a similar fashion resulted from rebuilding Chicago after its earlier great fire,” Smith says. Upon its completion, Baumbach’s building was occupied by the Cohen Brothers clothing factory — where 150 employees sewed clothing for workers like miners and lumberjacks. Later, it served as a warehouse.
In 1946, Midwest Lamp & Novelty Co. moved in and used the building for making lamp shades, metal plating, lamp assembly and storage.
The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. In the years since, it’s housed many tenants, including a photographer’s studio, a magazine publisher’s office and a clothing boutique. Most recently, its first floor was home to Hudson Business Lounge until 2020 and now the fast-casual restaurant Sweetgreen.
“THE BAUMBACH BUILDING IS A LANDMARK BUILDING,” SAYS SMITH. “IT ANCHORS THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF ‘COMMISSION ROW’ AND IS A TESTAMENT TO THE STRENGTH AND CHARACTER OF THE HISTORIC THIRD WARD DISTRICT IN ITS RECOVERY FROM THE GREAT FIRE.”
Although the building was initially a clothing factory, Smith says the overall quality of its architecture and construction make it a desirable building to both work and live.
And, like me, Smith loves it.
“The overall quality of the building and attention to detail remains extremely attractive, well over a 100 years later,” he says. “That serves as a reflection of a past era of architecture of which I hold a great deal of respect.”
A NEW HORIZON
THE TIDE IS COMING IN FOR THE LAKESHORE STATE PARK VISITOR AND EDUCATION CENTER
By Molly Snyder
A visitors’ center for Lakeshore State Park, Wisconsin’s only urban state park, was always a part of the original plan. Over the years, numerous factors delayed the project — but now Friends of Lakeshore State Park (FLSP) is determined to finally make the building a reality.
Currently, FLSP is amid a $5 million fundraising campaign to build Lakeshore State Park Visitor and Education Center, which includes an endowment to support the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) ongoing maintenance of the building. The group is reaching out to corporations, endowments, family foundations and anyone else who has an interest in helping to bring the project to completion. They’ve raised $1.5 million to date, and the goal is to complete fundraising by the end of 2026.
“THE PARK IS SUCH A TREASURE, AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO USE IT SO MUCH MORE WITH THE VISITOR AND EDUCATION CENTER,” SAYS MARAGARET KREI, FLSP BOARD MEMBER AND THIRD WARD RESIDENT. “THIS IS A GIFT THAT WILL BENEFIT MANY GENERATIONS TO COME.”
The purpose of the Visitor and Education Center is three-fold: To provide environmental education and community events on the island year-round – including the winter months; to make the park a destination instead of a “pass-through;” and to teach the importance of protecting the lakefront to next generations.
“When the Visitor and Education Center is built, it will ensure a vibrant future for Lakeshore State Park by expanding opportunities for education, accessibility and year-round engagement,” says Jim Plaisted, executive director of the Historic Third Ward Association and Friends of Lakeshore State Park board member. “It will strengthen the park’s role as a place where nature, recreation and community come together on Milwaukee’s lakefront.”
The proposed center, designed by The Kubala Washatko Architects, is a 2,500-square-foot, singlestory building on the north end of the park, overlooking the marina. It will feature a green roof, electricity-generating solar panels, bird-friendly windows, permeable patio pavers, native landscaping, a 25,000-square-foot outdoor plaza and bioswales to reduce flooding, prevent erosion and improve water quality.
Ecology Center, Discovery World, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences, the water industry, and the DNR.
The interior layout will offer a classroom for community events and visiting school groups, and an interactive educational exhibit where visitors will learn Milwaukee’s impressive story of public-private water stewardship.
“The man-made park’s creation alone is a testament to Milwaukee ingenuity and what can be accomplished through collaboration,” says Bill Schmitt, FLSP board member and chair of the Building Committee.
The Center will also provide permanent office space for the DNR. This will allow them to better program the park, welcome visitors as they arrive via the bridge on foot or at the marina by boat, and lead environment and water safety activities.
The building will also provide much needed amenities like accessible restrooms, drinking water station and safe space for visitors to duck into during sudden inclement weather.
“Shelter will make it a destination, not just a stopping point,” says Schmitt.
But perhaps the most important aspect of the new center will be its opportunity to educate schoolaged students, many of whom do not currently have access to the lakefront or the important environmental information that can be gleaned from it.
The park has 3,600 education participants from more than 125 learning programs. It partners with schools, nonprofits, and cultural organizations, including the Schlitz Audubon Center, Urban
Every year, thousands of Milwaukee-area children take field trips to the state park — and almost 90 percent of these kids are from socio-economically disadvantaged ZIP codes and have never been to the lakefront. Thus, they’ve never learned about the importance of protecting the lakefront – and the three rivers that feed into Lake Michigan – that serve as the source of Milwaukee’s drinking water.
Schmitt calls this a “pay-it-forward investment.”
“WE ARE EDUCATING FUTURE STEWARDS OF A GREAT LAKE WITH A BEAUTIFUL SHORELINE THAT PREVIOUS GENERATIONS ENSURED WOULD BELONG TO EVERYONE,” HE SAYS.
In general, supporters of the new center believe it will better serve families, seniors and the disabled community. The park’s accessible-to-all fishing pier and paved walking trails have already proven to be heavily accessed.
“Everyone should have access to our incredible, beautiful lakefront – not just those of us lucky enough to live nearby and consider it our backyard,” says Krei. “It will allow many more educational opportunities for kids and adults alike.”
Lakeshore State Park, adjacent to Henry W. Maier Festival Park and Discovery World, welcomes 450,000 visitors annually. They seek out the picturesque park to bike, jog, walk, fish, picnic, relax and enjoy nature in an urban environment.
“The new Visitor and Education Center will significantly enhance the accessibility of the Park
PHOTO BY ERIC HALVERSON
for all visitors, and expand both the seasonality and scope of programming that can occur there throughout the calendar year,” says Schmitt.
Community events will also increase dramatically with a visitors’ center, as restrooms and shelter will be available. “Picture dragon boat races, art festivals, intimate concerts on the island, monthly bonfire, winter activities and panoramic views of the lake, sky and city – most stunning at sunrise, sunset and moon rise,” says Schmitt.
Lakeshore State Park was originally built as Harbor Island in 1991. It was constructed from limestone rubble excavated by Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District during Deep Tunnel construction. The park was conceived during Gov. Tommy Thompson’s administration and completed during Gov. Jim Doyle’s administration.
Now, it seems the time is finally right for the center.
“The Visitor and Education Center will serve as a welcoming oasis for Lakeshore State Park, connecting visitors to Milwaukee’s lakefront and its unique urban natural environment,” says Plaisted. “It will provide vital space for education, community gatherings, and year-round programming that deepens the connections its many visitors feel for the urban park.”
For additional information — including how you can support this project — visit friendslsp.org/ get-involved/visitor-and-education-center.
