Mukwonago Our Town 2020/21

Mukwonago, Wisconsin

PUBLISHED BY THE MUKWONAGO TIMES

our town

2020-21

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OUR TOWN 2020-21

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WELCOME TO

If you looking for a little life in the country that’s not too far from the city, this is the place to be. Nestled off of a major interstate in southwestern Waukesha County, Mukwonago offers visitors and its 20,000 residents a small-town feel with big-city amenities a short drive away.

The Village of Mukwonago was first settled by the Potowatomi Indians in the 1700s. The term “Mukwonago” translates to “Place of the Bear,” according to the village’s website.

In spring of 1836, Sewall Andrews and Henry H. Camp built their homes just northwest of the Indian Village. In 1836, Mukwonago’s first plat was made. Soon afterward, more residents would begin developing homesteads and businesses in the area. The Andrew’s house still stands today and is now home to the Mukwonago Red Brick Museum.

Large commercial developments such as Pick ‘n Save, Home Depot and Walmart anchor the north and south ends of the village, offering easy shopping and multiple employment opportunities as the village and

township grows.

Mukwonago is also home to a YMCA, which provides activities for kids, youth and adults all year long.

With the abundance of community festivals and activities, there’s always something to do.

The Mukwonago Area Chamber of Commerce and local non-profit organizations like the Lions Club and American Legion Post sponsor events all year long, including an annual ice fishing jamboree, egg hunt, Father’s Day and Memorial Day parades, Summerfeste, Fall Fest, Jack ‘o Lantern Jaunt and the winter festival Midnight Magic.

Mukwonago is also home to The Elegant Farmer, which has garnered national attention and even prompted world-renowned Chef Bobby Flay to take on its “Brown Bag Apple Pie” in an episode of Throwdown. The pie has been named “best pie in America” by the Wall Street Journal, Gourmet and Food Network.

Dan Scheel and John Bauer, of The Elegant Farmer, won the showdown with Flay.

So, welcome to Mukwonago! Enjoy your stay!

Mukwonago YMCA Youth Director Morgan Vukovich demonstrates the skill of guarding the ball while dribbling as she tries the get the ball from second-grader Grayson Pallo. Youth basketball leagues run in the fall and winter. For more information, email mvukovich@gwymca.org or call 262-363-7926.

Mukwonago, Wisconsin 2020-21

OUR TOWN An annual publication of the Mukwonago Times and Southern Lakes Newspapers P.O. Box 274, East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-7451

Editor:................................. Tracy Ouellette Editor in Chief:................ Edward Nadolski Creative Director:................... Heidi Schulz Page Design:............................Jen DeGroot

For advertising opportunities call

(262) 642-7451

On the cover

Gavin Gscheidmeier is thrilled to get a wave from Santa at the end of the 2019 Midnight Magic parade in Mukwonago. The Mukwonago Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual holiday event is celebrated village wide with family friendly activities, marketplace/craft fair, horse-drawn carriage rides, parade and more.

Photo by Lisa Smith

OUR TOWN 2020-21

Mukwonago!

LISA SMITH Our Town

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OUR SCHOOLS MUKWONAGO AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF EDUCATION Erika Conner* President (262) 363-6300, ext. 24905 Jeff Voelkel* Vice-President (262) 378-0170 Mary D’Amour (262) 363-6300, ext. 24900 Cheri Winchowky* Clerk (262) 363-6300, ext. 24902 Andy Mahnke (262) 363-6300, ext. 24907 Art Schneider (262) 392-9110 Craig Vertz (262) 363-6300, ext. 24904 Jill Werner Treasurer (414) 313-0784 Joel Frerichs (303) 863-5320 Student Representatives Makena Wisniewski* Emily Glusick* * Term ends April 2021.

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES 385 Highway NN East Mukwonago, WI 53149 Phone: (262) 363-6300 Fax: (262) 363-6272 www.masd.k12.wi.us Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Shawn McNulty District Administrator Ext. 24100

OUR TOWN 2020-21

Tom Karthausser Business Services Manager Ext. 24102

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Christine Bowden Director of Pupil Services Ext. 24200 Stephanie Blue Director of Student Learning Ext. 24400 Ben Kossow Coordinator of Assessment and Data Ext. 24410

Kelly Kovnesky Supervisors of Network Operations Ext. 25700 Andy Wegner Building and Grounds Operations Manager Ext. 24300 Mukwonago High School 605 W. School Rd. Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-6200 Park View Middle School 930 N. Rochester St. Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-6292 Big Bend Elementary School W230 S8695 Big Bend Dr. Big Bend, WI 53103 (262) 363-4401 Clarendon Avenue Elementary School 915 Clarendon Ave. Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-6286 Eagleville Elementary Charter School S101 W34511 Highway LO Eagle, WI 53119 (262) 363-6258 Prairie View Elementary School W330 S6473 Highway E North Prairie, WI 53153 (262) 363-6310 Rolling Hills Elementary School W322 S9230 Beulah Rd. Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-6318 Section Elementary School W318 S8430 Highway EE Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-6260 OTHER AREA SCHOOLS St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran School 410 Highway NN Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-4999 Mukwonago Baptist Academy 1610 Honeywell Rd. Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-1731

Nature’s Classroom Montessori School W336 S8455 Highway E P.O. Box 660, Mukwonago (262) 363-2815 info@nciw.org Bloom360 Learning Community (neurodiverse leaning) N8921 Stone School Road East Troy, WI 53120 (414) 935-6360 www.bloom360.org Gateway Technical College 400 Highway H Elkhorn, WI 53121 (262) 741-8200 www.gtc.edu Michael Fields Agricultural Institute W2493 Highway ES East Troy, WI 53120 (262) 642-3303 www.michaelfieldsaginst.org Gerri Lory & Alicia’s Studio of Dance Art 812 Swan Dr. Mukwonago, WI 53149 (262) 363-7268 Kay’s Academy of Dance 204 S. Rochester St., Mukwonago (262) 363-9006 kaysacademyofdance.com Lakeland School of Walworth County W3905 Highway NN Elkhorn, WI 53121 (262) 741-4118 www.co.walworth.wi.us

Making a

Splash

By Lisa Smith CORRESPONDENT

About 75 second graders from Rolling Hills Elementary School and instructors from the YMCA took the plunge March 6, 2020. Lots of laughter and smiles filled the afternoon as they all practiced water safety while having fun swimming with friends.

For more than eight years the Mukwonago YMCA has teamed up with the Mukwonago school district to teach kids about water safety. Eleven swim/ safety instructors set up a number of different stations to focus on serious rescue and safety situations-in the pool, at the beach and lake, and while boating.

The goal in the collaborative effort is that every second grade student in the district has access to this special program.

The program is called SAW and stands for Safety Around Water. With the generous funding of a private donor. the entire cost

of the field trip (including transportation) is covered for every second-grade student in the Mukwonago Area School District.

“The reason that second graders were chosen is because they are at the perfect age to understand what kind of safety is needed to go into the pool,” YMCA Assistant Aquatics Director Abby Glodowski said.

The YMCA association did a study years ago and it confirmed that second graders are most likely to be interested and to retain the information taught.

“They (second graders) still have the curiosity of finding out about the world around them,” Glodowski said.

The program begins with three visits to the second grade classrooms. Aquatics safety instructors Kelsey Klaus and Tiffany Hendricks worked with the second graders at Rolling Hills in 30-minute segments. The children learn about pool safety (how to float and climb out of a

pool), beach safety (how to swim safely in a current ) and boat safety (the correct way to get in and out).

The instructors also demonstrate and discuss certain rescue techniques –going over a number of different dangerous scenarios with safe solutions.

The “land lessons” were followed by an all-grade field trip to Mukwonago YMCA last week. The pool was open in all areas, including the slide and rides in the life raft. Kids were assigned to groups and took turns going to different stations.

With six elementary schools in the district, more than 350 kids benefit from SAW each year.

Organizers say being exposed to SAW at the YMCA the kids are being equipped with the knowledge and safety measures to turn a potentially dangerous situation into a safer one.

Visit www.gwcymca.org for current YMCA classes, programs and offerings.

YMCA Lifeguard Bob Clevenstine, Waterford, teaches a group of kids the “reach and throw” lifesaving technique. The Safety Around Water, also known as SAW, program is a passion of his. A childhood friend who went into a pool unsupervised and ended up drowning made an impact on his life and he looks forward to being involved with the Safety Around Water program every year at the Y.

OUR TOWN 2020-21

School District teams up with YMCA on water safety

LISA SMITH Our Town

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R And Troll ide Trai ns eys May Every W - Oc tobe eekend r

WE ARE OPEN!

OUR TOWN 2020-21

Take scenic 14-mile train rides on historic trolleys or interurban cars on the last remaining segment of the Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Company track. Round trips start at our East Troy depot and museum. We stop at the popular Elegant Farmer store and deli.

Regular trains Friday-Saturday-Sunday, June through Sept. 11th. Harvest-Fest trains are by reservation only starting Sept. 12th. In 2020, you must purchase all tickets online before arriving and everyone over 2 must wear masks to ride our trains! You will be seated an appropriate distance from other guests in a railroad car with open windows.

Visit www.easttroyrr.org or call 262.642.3263 for more information.

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East Troy Railroad Museum Inc.

2002 CHURCH STREET, EAST TROY, WI 53120 (262) 642-3263 www.easttroyrr.org 382518

HANG ON!

Brothers Mason, 5, and Austin, 8, Koele speed down the hill at Lauren Park on Jan. 17, 2020. The recent winter storm had left a fresh layer of powder for lots of fun in the snow.

LISA SMITH Our Town

Honoring a fallen Jedi

By Lisa Smith CORRESPONDENT

tormtroopers patrolled the lobby, Jedis watched over the crowd and lightsabers lit up arena. This did not happen in a galaxy far, far away, but at Mukwonago High school Feb. 14, 2020.

The Indians basketball team hosted Catholic Memorial for a very special night honoring a very special young man. The Mukwonago boys basketball program and the Mukwonago community came together to honor the life and compassion of Kaden Stark.

Stark was a freshman at Mukwonago High, who died in September 2019. On Valentine’s Day, two schools joined forces

to pay tribute to Kaden and the Stark family for all they’ve done for the MakeA-Wish – Wisconsin program.

“Jedi Night” was a special way to honor Stark’s life and his work with Make-A-Wish. His love of Star Wars carried over into the theme of the night and brought a special magic to the air.

At the age of two, Stark was diagnosed with a progressive, terminal mitochondrial disease called Leigh Syndrome. The disease causes a lack of energy to the brain and difficulty with motor functions.

In 2011, the Make-A-Wish foundation granted Stark his wish to go to Disney World, and with that, inspired him to do more for others.

Stark was committed to battling this disease while defending the happiness of others. He and his family started the annual “Kaden’s Wish” fundraiser to help with the goal of granting 100 wishes to

children in need.

Since its inception, “Kaden’s Wish” has raised more than $350,000 and granted more than 77 wishes to children with lifethreatening illnesses.

After the passing of Stark in September last year, Kaden’s parents, Miki and Steve, and his siblings, Kylie Jacob and Madison, have pledged to continue to work to fulfill Kaden’s legacy by achieving the goal of 100 granted wishes.

Over the past seven years, the Mukwonago High School boys basketball program, along with the junior Indians have pledged their time and money to help Stark reach his goal. Through their free-throw-a-thon, family contributions, community fundraisers and the generous assistance of the Jendusa family, the boys basketball programs have raised more See FORCE, Page 8

The Wisconsin Garrison 501st Legion of Star Wars characters attended the Feb. 14, 2020, Mukwonago High School boys basketball game to honor of Kaden Stark. Posing with the crew are friends Annika Nellis and Madison Stark (Kaden’s younger sister)

OUR TOWN 2020-21

‘May the Force be with You’

LISA SMITH Our Town

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• Force

(Continued from page 7)

than $80,000, with the largest annual donation reaching $17,000.

Thanks to these contributions, Mukwonago boys basketball has been named the biggest program contributor in the state of Wisconsin for the Wish-Kids campaign.

At halftime during the Feb. 14 game, a check for $39,911 was presented to Wendy Cozzens, Director of Wisconsin Make-A-Wish Foundation. After the 50-50 raffle, the amount soared to $40,300 “What an unbelievable night! Two schools came together along with two communities and we doubled our goal of $20,000,” said Wendy Lewanovich, afriend of the Stark family and Make-A-Wish supporter.

With mixed emotions, the Stark family and head coach Steve Pollnow spoke of the significance of the night. Steve Stark, Kayden’s father, felt both joy and sadness as

Close friend of Kaden and the Stark family, Paul Koscinski, swells with emotion and pride as they honor Kaden at halftime.

LISA SMITH Our Town

he took in the whole evening.

“What an amazing program, school and community that I live in,” he said. “I am so proud to be a part of a community that is like a family. There is no better testament to the person Kaden was then how loved he is

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“I am so proud to be Kaden’s dad. We will always continue to do more.”

For more information about how to support Kaden’s mission, find “Kayden’s Wish” on Facebook.

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Finding a way home Area vet clinic raises money to provide police with microchip scanners

EDITOR

When the staff at Mukwonago’s Bay View Veterinary Clinic discovered local police departments didn’t have microchip scanners to help pets find their way home, they decided to do something about it.

“It came to light in about September (2019). One day was Microchip Your Pet Day and we put up a Facebook post about the importance of microchipping and it came to our attention that the local police departments in Mukwonago didn’t have a scanner,” said Stephanie Andritsch, the clinic’s lead receptionist.

The discovery led them to contact the police departments in the villages and townships of the East Troy and Mukwonago areas.

“We wanted to know if any of them had a scanner because we were always under the impression they did. What we found out is that none of them did,” Andritsch said. “If a lost pet is found after regular vet hours, we always thought the police had access to scanners to return the pets they come across, but that wasn’t happening.”

The clinic staff decided the situation needed to change and they leapt into action,

brainstorming a fundraiser to purchase scanners for the police departments. The scanners cost about $400 each and the staff thought they could raise the money in a short period of time.

“We just decided, as a clinic, we just wanted to do something to give back to the community and help as many pets find their way back home without going to the Humane Society,” Andritsch said.

The clinic staff decided a raffle and donation jars around the community would be the way to go.

“We contacted local Mukwonago and East Troy businesses and ended up receiving over 33 raffle baskets or donations between the two communities. We also had clients and community members who stopped in to donate. We raised over $2,300,” Andritsch said.

For Pet’s Sake in Mukwonago and Patera in New Berlin also presented the clinic with large donations. The generosity of the community and businesses stunned the staff at Bay View.

“We were just really impressed with how the local businesses and community came together like this,” Andritsch said. “It just took off significantly. We didn’t expect so

much. It totally blew us out of the water.”

The local police chiefs – Don Jensen Sr. of the Town of East Troy, Jeremy Swendrowski of the Village of East Troy, Kevin Schmidt of the Village of Mukwonago and Thomas Czarnecki of the Town of Mukwonago – were able to pick up the microchip scanners Dec. 13, 2019, at a presentation ceremony at the clinic. Village of Mukwonago Police Officer Rob Kreiser also was in attendance.

“Their generous gift will be very beneficial in identifying cats and dogs separated from their owners and helping us reunite them in a timelier manner.

Microchips not only help people find their lost pets, but they have also help shelters return animals to their rightful owners quickly. In addition to providing relief for the pet owner, locating owners more efficiently helps the shelter prevent overcrowding and reduce stress levels for all the animals.

“Again, thank you Stephanie (the driving force behind this project) of the Bay View Veterinary Clinic for her hard work in this endeavor,” Jensen wrote in a press release.

See VET CLINIC, Page 10

Bay View Veterinary Clinic staff members and area police chiefs gather for the microchip scanner presentation at the clinic. Pictured (front row, from left) are: lead certified veterinary technician Kendel Domres, lead receptionist Stephanie Andritsch, veterinary assistant Chelsie Kalczynski; (back row) Town of East Troy Police Chief Don Jensen, certified veterinary technician Brittany Quillman, Village of Mukwonago Police Chief Kevin Schmidt, hospital manager Angela Urban, Town of Mukwonago Police Chief Thomas Czarnecki, Dr. Marnie Gamm, Officer Rob Kreiser of the Village of Mukwonago Police Department and Village of East Troy Police Chief Jeremy Swendrowski.

OUR TOWN 2020-21

By Tracy Ouellette

SUBMITTED PHOTO Our Town

9

• Vet clinic

(Continued from page 9)

“The police officers were really excited to use them and the fact that we could step in to make it a little easier for them to return a lost pet was really special,” Bay View hospital manger Angie Urban said.

The scanners were put to use almost immediately, Andritsch said, “I think they scanned two dogs over the first weekend they had them.

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Extra funds With the clinic’s fundraiser bringing in almost double what they needed to buy the scanners, a use for the additional money was needed.

“We’re using that to buy pet oxygen masks for the East Troy and Mukwonago fire departments,” Urban said.

“The East Troy Fire Department chief and said they are happy with the pet-related items they already have (oxygen masks, etc.), so most of our ‘left over’ donations will most likely be given to the Mukwonago Fire Department and any pet-related needs between the East Troy and Mukwonago police departments,” Andritsch said.

After the fundraiser wrapped up and pets already being helped, the staff at Bay View wanted to express its thanks to the community and remind people how important microchipping is.

“And it’s really important to keep your information up to date with the microchip company so they know who to reunite the pet with,” Urban said.

Bay View Veterinary Clinic is at 890 Main St., Mukwonago.

The small animal veterinary clinic has been in Mukwonago for more than 20 years.

For more information, call 262-363-9993 or visit www.

Bayviewvet.com.

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OUR TOWN 2020-21

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Bay View Veterinary Clinic’s fundraiser to provide pet microchip scanners to local police departments included donation jars at the clinic and area retailers.

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SUBMITTED PHOTO Our Town

Orange you happy to see me?

Local girl spreads hope with wish tree

By Tracy Ouellette

T

he world can be a scary place for kids (and adults) in the best of times, but this year with the coronavirus pandemic canceling in-person classes across the country and civil unrest after the death of George Floyd, kids have been directly affected by what they’re seeing on the nightly news.

Switching to online schooling at home was tough on the kids. Not to mention the parents.

For one Mukwonago girl, an all-school literacy project led to a special gift to help spread hope and bolster the spirits of her friends, family and community.

Ella Werner, 10, is a student at Prairie View Elementary School in Mukwonago, and finished up the fourth grade in June. When she read the book “Wishtree” by Katherine Applegate as part of the school’s One School One Book project in spring, Ella decided Mukwonago needed a wish tree to remind people that dreams do come true.

“I thought, ‘Oh, maybe I should make a wish tree.’ That would be fun and other people would enjoy it and we have plenty of trees around,” she said.

In the book, the wish tree is named Red and he’s a sentient being who is “many rings old” and ponders the people and wishes hung on his branches.

“I thought it was really cool to see the tree’s point of view,” she said. “The wish tree in the book is telling the story. It was cool to see what things he understands and what things he’s confused about.”

Ella named her wish tree “Orange” and he lives in Mukwonago’s Lauren Park.

“He’s across from the baseball diamonds,” she said. “When you think of a wish, write it down on a piece of fabric or a ribbon and then tie it to the wish tree. Whisper your wish to Orange and then wait for your wish to come true.”

Ella’s teacher, Christine Perkins, said she was impressed with Ella’s dedication and willingness to “go the extra mile” with the project.

“Ella just took it an ran with it, taking the book to another level,” Perkins said. “It was all her idea.

Usually the majority of the work with this project is done in the classroom, it’s a teacher-directed See WISH TREE, Page 14

Ten-year-old Ella Werner, of Mukwonago, created this wishtree in Lauren Park as part of her One Book One School project at Prairie View Elementary School in Mukwonago. Werner went the extra mile with the project because she wanted to give people in the community hope.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Our Town

OUR TOWN 2020-21

EDITOR

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OUR GOVERNMENT VILLAGE OF MUKWONAGO

Finance Director Diana Doherty, ext. 2101

MUKWONAGO COMMUNITY LIBRARY

Administrative Clerks Molly Schneider, ext. 2105 Robin Gallo, ext. 2102

511 Division St. Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday (9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday for the summer) Library Director Angela Zimmermann Circulation Desk (262) 363-6411 Reference Desk (262) 363-6456 www.mukcom.lib.wi.us

VILLAGE HALL 440 River Crest Court, Mukwonago, WI 53149 Phone: (262) (262) 363-6420 Fax: (262) (262) 363-6425 www.villageofmukwonago.com

VILLAGE OFFICIALS Village President Fred Winchowky (262) 363-7884 Fwinchowky@villageofmukwonago.com Village Trustees Daniel Adler DAdler@villageofmukwonago.com Eric Brill* EBrill@villageofmukwonago.com (414) 559-3742 James Decker (262) 363-2245 JDecker@villageofmukwonago.com Darlene Johnson* (414) 916-3876 DJohnson@villageofmukwonago.com

OUR TOWN 2020-21

John Meiners JMeiners@villageofmukwonaog.com (414) 344-8865

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Roger Walsh RWalsh@villageofmukwonago.com (262) 363-4303 * Term expires April 2021.

VILLAGE CONTACTS (262) 363-6420 Administrator John S. Weidl, ext. 2100

Accountant Lissa Berndt, ext. 2112 Municipal Court Municipal Judge Joe Abruzzo Court Clerk, (262) 363-6433 Police Chief Kevin B. Schmidt (262) 363-6435 Fire Chief Jeffrey Stien (262) 363-6426 Public Works Supervisor Ron Bittner (262) 363-6447 Utilities (262) 363-6420, est. 2118 Planner/ Zoning Administrator planner@villageofmukwonago.com (262) 363-6420, ext. 2111

Town Supervisors Lyle Boucher* (262) 349-8039 lboucher@townofmukwonago.us Peter Bratz (715) 533-0217 gyerke@townofmukwonago.us Kay Clabault* kclabault@townofmukwonago.us (262) 363-8632 Richard Wrasman* (414) 491-9250 rwrasman@townofmukwonago.us Gail Yerke (262) 363-7556 gyerke@townofmukwonago.us * Term expires April 2021.

TOWN CONTACTS Administrator, Clerk/Treasurer Kathy Karalewitz (262) 363-4555 kkaralewitz@townofmukwonago.us

Village Attorney Ronald E. English (262) 549-8181

Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Gail Obradovich (262) 363-4555 gobradovich@townofmukwonago.us

Assessor Nick Laird Associated Appraisal (920) 749-1995

Parks and Recreations Anna Robertson, director (262) 363-7077 arobertson@townofmukwonago.us

Building Inspector Tim Rutenbeck 262-363-6419, option 2

Planning/Zoning Tim Schwecke (920) 728-2814 tim.schwecke@civitekconsulting.com

Garbage/Recycle John’s Disposal Service, (262) 473-4700 Humane Officer Humane Animal Welfare Society (262) 542-8851

Building Inspector Scott Johnson W320 S8315 Beulah Road (262) 352-4433 BuildingInspector@townofmukwonago.us

TOWN HALL

Public Works Director/ Weed Commissioner Rick Peterson (262) 470-5582 rpeterson@townofmukwonago.us

W320 S8315 Beulah Road Mukwonago, WI 53149 Phone: (262) 363-4555 Fax: (262) 363-8377 www.townofmukwonago.us

Police Emergency – 911 Non-emergency – (262) 363-5188 Chief Thomas Czarnecki tczarnecki@mukwonagopolice.org

TOWN OF MUKWONAGO

TOWN OFFICIALS Town Chairperson Peter Topczewski* (262) 392-9859 ptopczewski@townofmukwonago.us

Fire Chief Jeffrey Stien (262) 363-6426

OUR PARKS Village of Mukwonago

MINIWAUKAN PARK

PHANTOM GLEN PARK

The Village of Mukwonago park and open space system consists of 526.20 total acres of public park land and special use areas, including public school facilities, under the control of the Village.

The system includes a full range of developed facilities including neighborhood parks, community parks and special use areas located throughout the Village of Mukwonago, as well as a wealth of preserved environmental corridor and natural area sites.

Miniwaukan Park is at the end of McKenzie Road, behind the Mukwonago Industrial Park and Meadow Park Estates Subdivision, is mainly used by youth sports organizations such as Mukwonago Area Soccer Club and Mukwonago Braves Football.

Miniwaukan Park features one football field, six soccer fields, six baseball fields, a Frisbee-golf course, and a newly launched Born Learning Trail.

For information the Frisbee-golf course and leagues, call Paul or Mike at (262) 968-4114.

Phantom Glen Park sits at the end of Andrews Street, along Phantom Lake.

The small, quaint park consists of an open shelter with electricity and is ideal for a small, intimate gathering of friends and family.

Field Park is on the southwest corner of the intersection of highways 83 and NN and is the most widely used park in the Village of Mukwonago.

The park has a 3,000-square-foot pavilion, which includes a full kitchen, a baseball diamond and an encompassing walking path surrounded by many large oak trees. It is home to such events as Maxwell Street Days, Mukwonago Summerfeste and Croatian Day Picnic.

An 800-square-foot open pavilion located near the children’s play area provides shelter from the sun and rain as well as provides relaxation for those enjoying the park. The pavilion is host to many family, friends and business picnics throughout the summer.

The park and pavilion may be rented out on a first-come-first-serve basis starting January 1 of each year. For the latest rates and application for renting Field Park, click here.

MINOR PARK Minor Park can be found on Highway LO just east of Highway I. It is home to the Mukwonago Women’s Softball League. Two softball diamonds and a wooded picnic area with a small open shelter make up Minor Park.

Beautiful oak trees and landscape draw many photographers to the park for wedding and class photos.

INDIANHEAD PARK Indianhead Park is on Highway ES, adjacent to Phantom Lake and to the north of the Village Hall.

The park lies along the Mukwonago River, and it features a small, open pavilion, a beach and plenty of open space for other sports. A walking path cuts across the park for easy access to the Village Hall from Front Street. Large oak trees provide shade for those who just want to sit and relax and fish the river.

Washington Avenue Park is in the block bordered by Park Avenue on the north, Washington Avenue on the South, Franklin Street on the West and Division Street on the East, directly next to the Mukwonago Community Library.

The park offers a basketball court and a baseball diamond, as well as plenty of open space for other recreational activities.

All Village parks are rented on a firstcome-first-serve basis and can only be rented during the current year.

For availability of a specific park and/or to place a reservation, call the village clerk’s office at (262) 363-6420.

For more information, visit www. villageofmukwonago.com/parks.htm.

Town of Mukwonago TOWN PARK Town Park is at W320 S8357 Beulah Road.

The park has electricity, picnic tables, soccer and baseball fields, playground, pavilions (one with an indoor kitchenette) and horseshoe pits.

See OUR PARKS, Page 14

The swimming hole behind Mukwonago Village Hall is a favorite spot for residents and visitors alike when the weather heats up.

LISA SMITH Our Town

OUR TOWN 2020-21

FIELD PARK

WASHINGTON AVENUE PARK

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• Wish tree

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project. But this year, with going to online classes suddenly in March, we couldn’t do the work we normally do and we couldn’t have the class and all-school events that go with this all-school project.”

Perkins said Ella was the only one of her students who took it upon herself to expand on the reading and create her own project.

“I’m so proud of her,” Perkins said.

“I even tweeted the author, Katherine Applegate, and she responded back saying how special it was!”

Ella said while she missed her school and especially her teacher, home schooling was something she was enjoying.

“I really just missed seeing Mrs. Perkins in the morning,” Ella said. “Every morning she would stand outside our door and high five us and give us a hug. I miss that.”

Ella’s mom, Lisa Werner, added that Mrs. Perkins was a “rock star” at the online learning and an asset to the community.

“She’s just amazing and she encouraged Ella with this,” Lisa said.

Getting the wish tree set up, took a little planning and permission, Lisa said.

“She had the idea in February and then the coronavirus hit and she was at home, looking for things to do, and we decided to get this thing rolling,” Lisa said. Ella went about it the right way, she went to the town and Parks and Rec Department. They said we can keep it up until winter and do it again in spring.”

“We’re proud of Ella,” Lisa continued.

“She went through the whole process.

She went to the town supervisors and did everything right to let them know what she was planning.”

“I thought it would be something fun everyone could enjoy,” Ella added. “Because of COVID we can’t do as much and this gives people a place to go and something to do.”

The family, including dad, Josh, and 6-year-old sister, Marlina, all helped out and they experimented with different ways to affix the wishes to the tree.

“We visited one in Waukesha and they had the stuff there to do it, but we didn’t

• Our parks OUR TOWN 2020-21

One School One Book The One School One Book program is used by the elementary schools in the Mukwonago Area School District. All the students, staff, and even the parents, read the book at the same time.

The program included classroom reading and instruction, all-school activities and event, and a community project.

Perkins said this year the Make-A-Wish Foundation was chosen as the charity for the project for two reasons, because of the connection with making wishes and because of a Mukwonago High School student who died last Sept. 19, 2019.

Kaden Stark, who suffered from Leigh syndrome, a progressive, terminal mitorcondrial disease, was a recipient of a trip to Disney World from Make-A-Wish and after the family vacation there, he set about fundraising for the foundation.

“Kaden always paid it forward. He helped to grant 62 wishes through the MakeA-Wish Foundation for other children with life-threatening illnesses,” his obituary reads.

Perkins said it was a natural choice for

About the book “Wishtree” by Katherine Applegate is the inspiring story of a community coming together to welcome people who are different from them, according to wishtreebook.com.

Since its publication, Wishtree has served as a timely and nuanced call for kindness in our ever-changing world. It is a book that has been embraced by readers of all ages.

The book is narrated by Red, an oak tree who is many rings old. Red is the neighborhood “wishtree” – people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red’s branches.

Along with her crow friend, Bongo, and other animals who seek refuge in Red’s hollows, this “wishtree” watches over the neighborhood.

You might say Red has seen it all. Until a new family moves in. Not everyone is welcoming, and Red’s experiences as a wishtree are more important than ever.

Schools, bookstores, and libraries across the country have taken the pledge to establish their own wishtrees and become “All Are Welcome Here” havens by encouraging children and adults to bring the message of Wishtree to life year-round.

“All Are Welcome Here” resources are available online at wishtreebook. com, including downloadable/shareable brochures, certificates, activity and discussion guides, and a program overview.

the project as many of the kids in the district knew Stark.

“We were so excited to connect with Make-A-Wish because of Kaden and the kids were excited; it’s a shame One School One Book got cut short when we went to digital learning, we had a lot planned.”

For Ella, the switch in her education was inspiring.

“I just wanted to give people hope,” she said.

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LAUREN PARK

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want to get into that because it could blow away and cause liter,” Lisa said.

“We tried to laminate the wishes that were on paper and putting them in a bag, but that still didn’t work,” Ella said.

In the end, they decided ribbons or fabric with wishes written on them were the best choice.

Ella encouraged people to bring their wishes to Orange, because it works. Her wish came true.

“Yeah, my wish came true, but I didn’t even notice it at the time,” Ella said with a laugh. “I was riding in the car one day and said, ‘Oh, my wish came true!’”

Ella said her wish was to see her friend, who was in the same grade and whom she hadn’t been able to be with since the lockdown.

“And then I realized we saw each other on a Google Hangout call and when we drove by for a birthday parade for her and her twin sister,” she said.

Lauren Park is at W315 S8555 Highway EE. The park has electricity, picnic tables, sand volleyball courts, baseball fields, playground and a pavilion.

OAK RIDGE PARK Oak Rideg Park is at W304 S8000 Oakridge Drive.

The park has soccer and baseball fields, picnic tables and a pavilion.

For more information on the township’s parks visit www.townofmukwonago.us.

Waukesha County MUKWONAGO COUNTY PARK Mukwonago Park, W325, S9945 Beulah Road, is part of the Waukesha County Park system.

The 355-acre park site includes a high

ridge formed during the last glacial period, which stretches nearly the length of the park. The oak opening ridge is covered with pre-settlement vegetation including burr oak, shagbark hickory, and ground cover of prairie plants.

Mukwonago Park Dog Exercise Area, W325 S9925 Beulah Road, is open daily.

Daily park entrance fees apply.

Park hours are sunrise to 10 p.m., year round. In summer the beach is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

(262) 548-7801

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