Brookfield, WI August 2026

Kids + Pets LI F E + C U LTU R E

M EET TH E FAM I LY BEH IN D FLO O R COVERI NGS INTERN ATIO N AL—AN D TH E FARM TH E Y CALL HO M E

AU G U S T 2 02 6

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Holding On to Summer Even though summer is still in full swing, we're beginning to see a few signs that it's slowly winding down. Whether it's the reappearance of school supplies in stores or the sudden urge to settle back into a routine, it's there.

As a mom of three kids who are each moving up to new schools and reaching new milestones (including a high schooler this year!), I'm once again reminded of the importance of slowing down and appreciating life's simplest moments.

Even as an adult, I still enjoy many of the same things I loved as a kid—a trip to the zoo, an ice cream cone on a hot day, or simply sitting outside on a warm summer night. I still love a playground swing. As my kids get older, they sometimes think they're "too old" for certain activities, but I always remind them that you're never too old to experience the simple joys of life—especially during summer.

Whether you have your own children, grandchildren, or fur babies, this issue has a little something for you. We met with Floor Coverings International, whose owner Matt and his family also maintain a hobby farm. We gathered some pet safety tips from Brookfield Veterinary Wellness to keep your furry family members healthy and happy. And we’re also showcasing amazing art created by some local students at Brookfield Academy.

Enjoy the issue—and enjoy every last bit of summer.

August 2026 PUBLISHER

Jessica Opat | jessica.opat@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R

Erin Treder | erin.treder@citylifestyle.com STAF F P H OTO G R AP H E R

Abbie Miller | info@storiesframed.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Terry Schuster, Jillian Gibas

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry COO David Stetler CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Mary Albers

ERIN TREDER, EDITOR @BROOKFIELDCITYLIFESTYLE

LAYOUT DESIGNER Liz Nixon QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick

Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Brookfield City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Brookfield area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle

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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Brookfield City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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inside the issue AUGUST 2 0 2 6 | K I D S & PETS

14 Featured

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Print Prestige Meets Digital Power.

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WHY CHOOSE BETWEEN PRESTIGE AND PLACEMENT?

Departments

Cool Treats for Hot Dogs

Local veterinarian suggests the best summer dog treats and ones to avoid

The Future Starts Here

Elmbrook's LAUNCH program connects high school students with real-world career experiences and industry professionals

From Flooring to Farm Life

Matt Werner balances business ownership, family life, and a thriving hobby farm

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Lifestyle Letter

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City Scene

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Business Monthly

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Pet Friendly WELLNESS

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Education Corner EDUCATION

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Must See ARTS + CULTURE

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Local Limelight LIFE + CULTURE

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Travel Journal TRAVEL

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Trend Setter LIFE + CULTURE

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Culinary Creations FOOD + BEVERAGE

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Events

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AUGUST 2026

city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

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ELMBROOK EDUCATION FOUNDATION

ELMBROOK EDUCATION FOUNDATION

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ELMBROOK EDUCATION FOUNDATION

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GOGLOW BROOKFIELD

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GOGLOW BROOKFIELD

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GOGLOW BROOKFIELD

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GOGLOW BROOKFIELD

1. The Elmbrook Education Foundation hosted Brookfield East High School’s Most Influential Educator banquet May 26. 2. The Elmbrook Education Foundation hosted Brookfield Central High School’s Most Influential Educator banquet May 11. 3. The Elmbrook Education Foundation donated $77,577 to support Unified Sports programs in Elmbrook schools. 4-7: goGlow Brookfield Grand Opening Event, June 2 6. From left: Dustin Hicks, Alderman Chuck Bloom, and Ann Marie Hess 7. From left: Nancy Justman, Joe Fadness (owner), Melanie Richards, Andrew Bryant (owner), and Chuck Bloom

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AUGUST 2026

business monthly A R O U N D U P O F N E W S F R O M LO C A L B U S I N E S S E S

Graze Craze Brings Handcrafted Charcuterie Experiences to Brookfield Graze Craze Brookfield opened in July, specializing in handcrafted boards, boxes, and grazing spreads made with premium ingredients. Locally owned by the Hess family, Graze Craze serves Waukesha County, the Milwaukee corporate district and surrounding communities, offering the perfect addition to business meetings, client events, celebrations, and any occasion worth gathering for. Graze Craze is located at 18900 W. Bluemound Rd., Suite 139.

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MaxStrength Fitness Celebrates One Year in Waukesha MaxStrength Fitness Waukesha is celebrating one year of helping local residents become stronger, healthier, and more active. Locally owned by Mike Koplin, the private strength-training studio provides personalized, one-on-one coaching for busy professionals and active adults. Using a safe, science-based approach, clients achieve measurable results in just 20 minutes, twice per week while building strength, improving mobility, and maintaining independence.

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Brookfield Photographer Abbie Miller Expands with Miller Headshot Co. Brookfield photographer Abbie Miller is adding a new brand to her studio.

After 14 years photographing high school seniors and families through Stories Framed Photography (storiesframed.com), she's launching a sister brand, Miller Headshot Co., built entirely for professional headshots and personal branding.

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COOL TREATS FOR HOT DOGS When summer temperatures soar, many families look for ways to keep their kids and dogs cool.

While slurping that popsicle is a fun way for the kids to unwind and cool off, sharing it with your dog can be dangerous for furry friends.

Dr. Kate Self Ludwig, associate veterinarian at Brookfield Veterinary Wellness and Urgent Care (and owner of three dogs), offers healthy treat suggestions and educates families on what treats to avoid.

WHAT FOODS ARE A SAFE TREAT FOR DOGS? Baby carrots are a favorite in my household and can be offered fresh or frozen for an extra cooling effect. Blueberries and broccoli are also healthy options for many dogs. For a simple frozen snack, fill ice cube molds with low-sodium chicken or beef broth and place a carrot in the center before freezing.

Homemade “dog ice cream” can also be a hit. Mixing peanut butter with plain Greek yogurt and freezing it creates a cool snack, although moderation is important, as peanut butter is not a low-calorie food.

Local veterinarian suggests the best summer dog treats and ones to avoid ARTICLE BY TERRY SCHUSTER

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P E T F R IE N D LY | W EL L NESS

WHY DOES MODERATION WITH TREATS MATTER IN THE SUMMER? We see many overweight pets, especially during summer months. Between backyard barbecues, extra treats, and reduced exercise on hot days, weight gain can happen quickly.

Even a few extra pounds can affect a dog’s health. Store-bought treats deserve scrutiny as well. Many can be high in calories or sodium.

WHAT TREATS SHOULD I AVOID GIVING MY DOG? Avoid popsicles, which tend to have too much sugar. One ingredient pet owners should avoid entirely is xylitol, an artificial sweetener sometimes found in certain peanut butters, sugar-free foods, and other products. Xylitol can also be listed as birch sugar, wood sugar, or birch bark extract. It can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar within minutes of ingestion. If treated quickly, the prognosis can be good, but it is a true emergency.

HOW DO I MAKE SURE MY DOG STAYS HYDRATED? Hydration is equally important during hot weather. Fresh, clean water should always be available, and multiple water bowls placed throughout the home or outside can encourage drinking. Some pets even prefer water fountains. Adding a splash of low-sodium broth to water or moistening dry kibble with cool water can also help increase fluid intake.

Brookfield Veterinary Wellness and Urgent Care, located at 350 Discovery Drive in Brookfield, is a full-service veterinary office that offers state-of-the-art testing and diagnostics, an array of advanced and routine care, advanced surgical procedures and many other services, such as walk-in urgent care. Find them at Brookfieldveterinarycare.com.

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ARTICLE BY ERIN TREDER

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Elmbrook's LAUNCH program connects high school students with real-world career experiences and industr y professionals

Dr. Bob Hall

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EDU CAT ION COR N E R | ED U CAT ION

THE FUTURE STARTS HERE What if high school students could gain realworld experience before they even graduate?

That’s exactly the vision behind LAUNCH, an innovative program within the Elmbrook School District that is redefining what education can look like.

LAUNCH is a program for high school juniors and seniors in the Elmbrook and Wauwatosa School Districts that allows students to explore industries of interest while immersing themselves in professional culture.

Participants can earn high school credit—and in some cases, college credit—while working with industry coaches to complete real-world projects in their chosen fields.

Founded in 2016, the program offers partnership opportunities in business, law, skilled building trades, data science, education, engineering, media solutions, and healthcare. Beginning in fall 2027, construction management will also be added as a partnership opportunity.

While most partnerships focus on project-based work, some professional areas,

such as healthcare and education, involve field placement instead, in which students gain real-world experience working directly in the field.

LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

“The LAUNCH program provides students with the ability to look at education differently at the end of high school,” says Dr. Bob Hall, executive director of LAUNCH. Hall has spent more than 30 years in education in roles including assistant principal and principal. But leading the LAUNCH program has allowed him to extend his impact beyond the traditional school setting and help students prepare for future careers in new ways.

LAUNCH manages about 300 projects with students each year. Some of the larger organizations that offer projects include Milwaukee Tool, Ascension Elmbook, and Froedtert, among many others.

According to Hall, these community partnerships are at the heart of what makes the program unique.

“Projects and experiences co-created with industry are rigorous, authentic, and important in building professional networks and social capital with students ,” he says.

FRESH PERSPECTIVE FOR BROOKFIELD CITY LIFESTYLE

For local businesses, the program offers an opportunity to invest in the future workforce while benefiting from the energy, creativity, and innovative thinking students bring to the table. The collaboration often becomes a winwin relationship that strengthens connections between education and the community.

This past semester, three Brookfield students—Rylan Budde, Luke Thomas, and Caleb George—worked alongside Brookfield City Lifestyle to help grow and strengthen the magazine’s social media presence. Their efforts included developing content ideas, assisting with social media strategy, and helping

connect the publication with a broader audience across digital platforms.

The experience provided the students with firsthand exposure to marketing, communications, branding, and audience engagement while allowing them to contribute to a real business with measurable goals. At the same time, Brookfield City Lifestyle gained from the fresh perspectives the students provided.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

As workforce needs continue to evolve, programs like LAUNCH are helping ensure students graduate with more than academic knowledge. They leave with experience, professional connections, and a deeper understanding of their strengths and interests.

There are many opportunities to get involved with the program, whether as a skill mentor, project coach, or guest speaker.

LAUNCH is always looking to partner with new organizations. For more information, contact Hall at hallr@elmbrookschools.org or visit launch.elmbrookschools.org.

From left: Rylan Budde, Caleb George, and Luke Thomas AUGUST 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/BR O O KF I E L D

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Award-Winning Imagination Brookfield Academy Scholastic Art winners take pride in creative expression Many people see cardboard as something destined for the recycling bin. But for one talented student, cardboard became the foundation for a national award-winning work of art.

Omotola (Tola) Oladeji, who in May graduated from Brookfield Academy, won a Scholastic Art national award this past spring for her cardboard sculpture, “Smile” and was invited to Carnegie Hall for the presentation. It was the second year in a row that she has won in the very competitive competition that draws thousands of entries from around the country.

It wasn’t the chase for an award that motivated her. From her humble beginnings in Nigeria, when she saw her face in a mirror in kindergarten, Tola was intrigued by facial features.

“In kindergarten in the bathroom light, I thought my smile line was getting wrinkles,” recalls Tola. “For a while, I didn’t smile. You can see a person’s whole life in those wrinkles.”

Years later, that smile inspired the face of the girl in her sculpture. The young artist transformed an everyday material into a striking self-portrait sculpture that captured the attention of judges. And it was all for the love of art.

“Art is just my life,” she says. “What is the world without art? It’s an inexplicable feeling. I’m obsessed with it.”

Tola’s pure joy about life and all that it has to offer is infectious. When creating her

ARTICLE BY TERRY SCHUSTER PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

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M UST SE E | ARTS + C ULT U RE

sculpture, she dug deep into herself to see herself as a child. “One way to understand the world is to understand yourself,” she says.

She credits all her art teachers over time for encouraging her, and one teacher in particular.

“All of my art teachers told me I was good at art, and I just fed off that,” Tola says. “But Miss Buckley. Her room was all color. I love color.”

“Miss Buckley” is Elaine Buckley, an art teacher at Brookfield Academy for nearly 20 years. She emphasizes individuality over routine. Rather than having set units on art, such as painting, drawing, sculpting, Buckley gives students a “prompt” or theme.

Students take ownership and select the type of material with which to work.

“I don’t put an emphasis on awards,” Buckley says. “I don’t want them to think about it that way.”

She helps students figure out their passion and be confident with failure. “There’s beauty in failure,” she says.

Smile, a cardboard sculpture made by Omotola (Tola) Oladeji

THE WINNING CONTINUES

Tola was one of eighteen Upper School art students at Brookfield Academy who earned 35 Scholastic Art Awards in Wisconsin. A drypoint etching by senior Kelly Li was selected as the featured piece of the year for the Scholastic Art Show held at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Her work was on the cover of the awards program and displayed at large-scale at the museum entrance.

Another student, Kate Allen, won a national silver award in the fashion category for a dress using cyanotype, a process created in 1843 that uses a simple combination of chemicals and sunlight to create brilliant indigo prints.

“Kate Allen is pushing boundaries in a way I’ve never seen— printing cyanotypes on unprimed canvas and then sewing those pieces into a wearable garment perfectly tailored to fit her,” Buckley explains.

Buckley had been interested in the creative possibilities of cyanotype but wasn’t sure how to incorporate the technique into her classroom. After seeing its recent resurgence in Magnolia Magazine, she was moved to action.

To better understand the technique, students in the Art 4 class built a makeshift darkroom in the studio. Soon, measuring chemicals, navigating red lighting, timing UV exposure, rinsing prints, and troubleshooting became part of daily class

Kate Allen wearing the dress she created using cyanotype

life. The space buzzed with excitement and occasionally, coffee, when they learned that instant coffee and black tea can tone cyanotypes into rich, warm hues.

Students have printed on fabric and paper, inverted photographs to create negatives on transparency film, explored the outdoors for natural textures, controlled bleaching and toning, and learned the patience necessary to achieve the perfect shade of indigo.

Bringing things full circle, Buckley was so inspired with her students’ work that she sent home remodeler Joanna Gaines a letter with student cyanotype images. Gaines wrote a handwritten letter back—and even referenced a garment created by another student, Rachel Simmons, in 2025.

Simmons was part of the first class at Brookfield Academy to work with cyanotype. Her piece earned recognition in the Fashion category in the Scholastic Art Awards at both the state and national levels. Since then, Scholastic Art has introduced a new Experimental category specifically for cyanotype photography—nationally—for the first time in its history. When Buckley visited the New York office, she said there was a real vibe regarding fashion-forward cyanotype work.

“It’s fun to think that our students may be influencing national trends in art education,” says Buckley.

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FROM FLOORING TO

Fa r m L i fe Matt Werner balances business ownership, family life, and a thriving hobby farm

Matt and Karina Werner with their daughters (from left), Ashton, Brighton (top), and Leighton.

ARTICLE BY ERIN TREDER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ABBIE MILLER

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LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | L I FE + CU LT U RE

Matt Werner has always been drawn to home construction and improvement, so when the opportunity to own Floor Coverings International came his way in 2010, he was eager to take it.

“I always had a vision for running a home improvement business,” Werner says. While attending the University of Wisconsin– Milwaukee, he operated a CollegePro Painters business, gaining firsthand experience in entrepreneurship. He also owned and managed a duplex in Milwaukee, further fueling his interest in the home improvement industry.

But Werner says his dream of business ownership was also closely tied to his family’s goals.

“We wanted to be able to buy some land and have room for animals and pets,” he says. “But we also wanted to raise our kids in a different way—one where there’s built-in responsibility.”

Today, Werner shares that lifestyle with his wife, Karina, and their three daughters— Brighton, 15, Leighton, 13, and Ashton, 12—at Pine View Acres, the family’s hobby farm in Oconomowoc. Home to a variety of animals, the property has become an important part of the family’s daily life and values.

For the Werners, farm life offers more than open space and animals. It provides opportunities for their daughters to develop responsibility, a strong work ethic, and an appreciation for the commitment required to care for others. Those same values have also shaped the way Werner approaches business ownership.

BALANCING BUSINESS AND A FARM

Managing a family, caring for animals, and maintaining a hobby farm isn’t all that different from what Werner has experienced as a business owner. In addition to the Waukesha location, he also owns the Floor Coverings International in Oak Creek.

“Running a business comes with a great deal of responsibility,” Werner says. “Between our employees, installers, and customers, many people count on us to do things the right way. That same sense of accountability carries over to life on the farm, where something always needs attention and someone regularly depends on us.”

At Pine View Acres, those responsibilities are visible every day. The Werners care for two cats, a goat buck with what Werner describes as “big, huge horns,” about 20 ewes, and a flock of chickens.

“We’re doing chores every day,” Werner says.

The duties are shared by the entire family. Last year, Brighton helped raise three bottle-fed lambs.

CONTINUED >

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“There’s a lot of work that goes into keeping the farm looking nice and keeping the animals healthy,” Werner says. “We shear the sheep once a year. We feed and water them every day. We had to build fencing so we could rotate them from field to field. I cut and bale hay during the summer for our place and some of our neighbors’ properties as well. I’m kind of the neighborhood hay guy.”

While Werner acknowledges that his daughters are experiencing a unique upbringing, he believes the lessons learned on the farm will stay with them for years to come.

“We wanted to raise them in a way where they’re forced to think about something other than themselves,” he says. “I hope in their future years that they look back and appreciate how Mom and Dad raised them.”

In addition to the daily responsibilities of farm life, the Werners also homeschool their daughters, creating an environment where learning extends well beyond the classroom.

The emphasis on service, problem-solving, and understanding individual needs carries over into Werner’s work with flooring customers as well.

FINDING THE RIGHT FLOOR STARTS AT HOME

When it comes to selecting new flooring, Werner recognizes that the process can be daunting. Many homeowners begin by visiting a large showroom, only to find themselves overwhelmed by countless options and displays.

For homes with kids and pets, Werner recommends luxury vinyl plank (LVP) because of its durability and low maintenance. In his own home, he chose ¾-inch solid hardwood flooring throughout most living areas for its timeless look and ability to be refinished in the future. Vinyl tile is used in high-moisture areas such as the entryway, laundry room, and bathrooms.

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LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | L I FE + CU LT U RE

" We w a n t e d t o ra i se ou r k i d s i n a d i ffe r e n t w a y — on e wh e re th e re’s built- in re s p o n s i b i l i t y .”

That’s why Floor Coverings International operates on a shopat-home model. Through its mobile flooring showroom, customers can review samples in their own homes, allowing them to see how products look alongside existing paint colors, furnishings, and lighting conditions.

When Werner’s team evaluates a space, they inspect the existing flooring, subfloor, and transitions to adjoining rooms while also accounting for how the space will be used.

“There’s a lot to consider,” Werner says. “It all depends on the needs of the homeowner. Are they looking for something more budget friendly? More based on performance or design? Sometimes it can be a combination of all three.”

“There’s a lot of hats we wear when we walk into a home,” he adds. “I’m part interior designer, part home improvement contractor, and part salesperson.”

While the company does maintain a small showroom, it is designed primarily as a resource for sales professionals and certain customer appointments rather than a traditional retail experience. Still, Werner notes that visitors are always welcome to stop in and take a look around.

Floor Coverings International is located at N15W22218 Watertown Road in Waukesha. For more information, visit floorcoveringsinternational.com/locations/us/wi/waukesha/ or follow @FCIWaukesha on Facebook.

To learn more about the Werner family’s hobby farm, follow Pine View Acres at @pineviewacresfarm on Facebook.

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How to Travel With Kids A SEASONED TRAVELING PARENT SHARES TIPS FOR SMOOTHER FAMILY ADVENTURES

Jillian with her husband, Alex, and son, Junior, at Domaine Weinbach winery in Alsace, France.

Nonstop flights are your best friend. More flights mean more waiting for takeoff, more waiting to deplane after landing, and more opportunities for delays and cancellations. If possible, start the trip-planning process by narrowing destinations with nonstop flight options.

You don’t need to bring as much as you think. Unless you’re traveling to a remote destination, remember that people raise children all over the world—you can purchase most essentials upon arrival. You also don’t need to pack every toy. Ever give a child seven different toys only to watch them play with a random piece of mail? Lean into that when traveling. It’s amazing what becomes entertainment when you’re on the go.

Your main “going out” meal of the day is often better as lunch than dinner. That way, you can return to your accommodation and put the little one to bed on schedule. Getting takeout, decompressing, and planning the next day is often the best way to spend the evening.

Where you eat matters. Choose restaurants where you can easily get up and walk around if the baby fusses or a child needs to move. Avoid cramped spaces where tables are packed together or restaurants with a very quiet atmosphere. Outdoor dining is often the best option.

Ultimately, mindset is everything. You can prepare all you want, but confidence goes a long way. Be optimistic enough to believe you’ve got this and that things will work out, but flexible enough to adapt when they inevitably don’t go exactly as planned.

ARTICLE BY JILLIAN GIBAS, FOUNDER, JLJ TRAVEL | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

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TREY & KATIE

KENNEDY

ON MARRIAGE, KIDS, AND THE COMEDY OF REAL LIFE

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T R E N D SE T T E R | L I FE + CU LT U RE

Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage.

Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.

Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.

Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.

“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”

Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.

After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”

The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s.

“There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.

F E AT U R I N G T R E Y & K AT I E K E N N E DY Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.

ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES HAIR & MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE

Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.

AUGUST 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/BR O O KF I E L D

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ARTICLE BY PAULI REEP PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

CINNA MON MONKEY BR EA D IS A FUN DESSERT FOR CHILDR EN TO M A KE A ND SHA R E!

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C ULIN A RY C R E AT ION S | F OOD + BE VE RAGE

INGREDIENTS

There is little more satisfying to your sweet tooth than ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls. Here is an easy and fun way to make this tearable, shareable treat!

• 1/2 cup melted butter • 1/3 cup granulated sugar • 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon • 3 (12 oz.) cans of buttermilk biscuits

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

CINNAMON MONKEY BREAD

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Generously coat the inside of a bundt pan with cooking spray or butter.

Melt the butter in a pot or bowl. Mix the sugars and cinnamon in a separate bowl.

Open one can of biscuits, separate, and cut each into four sections. Next, roll each quarter into a ball and then put each one into the sugar mixture to coat. Place the balls in the bundt pan in a single layer and drizzle a little melted butter evenly over the top. Repeat with the other two cans of biscuits.

Sprinkle the remaining sugar mixture over the top and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Be sure to let cool for a minute or two before turning the bread onto a plate and carefully removing the pan. If you leave the monkey bread in the pan much longer, it will stick and be hard to remove.

I sometimes make icing, a few tablespoons of milk, to about 1/2 cup of powdered sugar with a splash of vanilla.

Drizzle over the top while warm and enjoy!

AUGUST 2 0 2 6 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM/BR O O KF I E L D

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AUGUST 2026

events A S E L E C T I O N O F U P C O M I N G LO C A L E V E N T S AU G U ST 1 ST

Nutcracker Unlocked Dance Auditions Viva Dance Collective, N30W22383 Green Rd., Waukesha Step into a world of holiday magic with Nutcracker Unlocked—an imaginative twist on the beloved classic featuring ballet, modern, hip hop, and more! Dancers of all studios are invited to audition and be part of this unforgettable performance experience. Not ready to wait for the holiday season? Fall enrollment is now open at vivadancecollective.com.

AU G U ST 2 N D

The Secret Market Brookfield Square Mall, 95 N. Moorland Rd., Brookfield | 11:00 AM Wrap up summer shopping season with The Secret Market’s August edition at Brookfield Square Mall. Browse a handpicked selection of local makers, vintage goods, and specialty items you won’t find anywhere else.

AU G U ST 7 T H

Starry Night Concert Series: The Best of Skylight Music Theatre Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, 3270 Mitchell Park Dr., Brookfield | 6:30 PM Gather family and friends for Starry Nights at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center. Enjoy a free summer evening of live music under the stars at the Gerlach/Haack Outdoor Theater, complete with food trucks, a full outdoor bar, a Kids Zone, and picnic table rentals. A suggested donation of $10 per person helps support this beloved community tradition.

AU G U ST 1 2 T H

Ice Cream Social Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N Calhoun Rd., Brookfield | 6:30 PM All ages are welcome to enjoy ice cream and live music by the J Ryan Trio in the library courtyard. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held indoors. Sponsored by the Friends of the Brookfield Public Library.

CONTINUED >

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events

CONTINUED

SE PT E M BE R 1 5T H - 1 7TH

Small Business Owners Community Conference Brookfield Sheraton Hotel, 375 S. Moorland Rd., Brookfield The Small Business Owners Community will host its sixth annual conference September 15–17 at the Sheraton Milwaukee Brookfield. Designed for entrepreneurs and small business owners, the event features workshops, idea slams, networking opportunities, and a keynote presentation by Mike Michalowicz. Hosted by Pat Miller, tickets are available at event.smallbusinesscommunity.com/26conference.

SE PT E M BE R 1 8T H

Lead the Charge Gala Benefitting St. Coletta of Wisconsin Blue Mound Golf & Country Club, 10122 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa | 6:00 PM Join St. Coletta of Wisconsin for its 8th Annual Lead the Charge Gala at Blue Mound Golf & Country Club. This fundraising event brings together community leaders, families, and supporters for an evening benefiting St. Coletta's mission of helping individuals with disabilities achieve their highest quality of life. Purchase tickets or browse and bid on auction items at e.givesmart.com/events/Nqt/.

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