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Reporter: Waukesha Freeman

Greater Milwaukee Today •

The Breakfast Club: Five lifelong friends, all in their 90s, meet monthly

WAUKESHA — At Sunset Family Restaurant in Waukesha on a recent Tuesday morning, the clinking of coffee cups and the buzz of conversation mixed with laughter as five longtime friends, all graduates of Mukwonago High School’s Class of 1952, gathered once again around a familiar breakfast table.For more than a decade, Joan Bauman, Grace Hurd, Rob Moore, Leonard Jaworski, and Jerald McKenzie have kept the tradition alive: breakfast with classmates, stories and a few jokes about who’s the oldest this...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Dragons, magic and role playing: Tabletop gaming brings community and creativity to Waukesha County

WAUKESHA — From decades-long players to high school dungeon masters and improv performers, tabletop gaming is alive and thriving in Waukesha County, offering a space for imagination, connection and storytelling that spans generations.For William Cleveland, a lifelong Waukesha County resident, it all began in 1994 with a pack of Magic: The Gathering cards. "Really, Magic was my stepping into real gaming, being a tabletop gamer," he said. His passion quickly evolved to include Dungeons & Dragons,...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Growing together: Community gardens cultivate more than produce across Waukesha County

What began as a small group of passionate volunteers in 2009 has blossomed into a thriving hub for sustainability advocacy in Waukesha County. Now celebrating its 16th year, the Waukesha County Green Team continues to promote environmental awareness.Debra Schneider, one of the organization’s founding members and now its president, said the nonprofit first came together around shared interests in energy efficiency, permaculture, and sustainable gardening."We wanted to create a space where like-mi...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

One bowl at a time: An educator’s path carved through woodworking

WAUKESHA — For more than two decades, Scott Boris has been shaping young minds as a preschool teacher at Zion Elementary School in Menomonee Falls. But outside the classroom, he’s been shaping something else: wood."I’m an early childhood educator. I’ve been teaching preschool since ’96," Boris said. "I got into woodworking partly because I would look at the furniture we could get for the classroom and think, ‘I could build that.’" What began with shelves and small classroom projects eventually e...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Fishing for Good: Casting lines, healing hearts and giving back

LAKE COUNTRY — For Captain Erik Lennartz, fishing has always been more than a pastime. Growing up on Pewaukee Lake, he spent long afternoons on the dock with a pole in hand, unaware it would become both his livelihood and a way to serve others.For Sam Veith, founder of the nonprofit Fishing for Good, the water has also been a place of healing. A lifelong fisherman, now a father of two, and having spent much of his time on Lake Geneva, Veith decided to combine his love of the sport with a mission...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

From antique shelves to the backyard: Local artist repurposed items to create a bird bath sanctuary

WAUKESHA — On a quiet residential street in Waukesha, Susan Coleman’s backyard bursts with color and creativity. At first glance, you might think you’ve wandered into a whimsical sculpture garden, and bowls, vases, and plates are stacked like blooming flowers. But these aren’t just decorations. They’re bird baths, hand-assembled, carefully balanced, and full of personal story.Coleman has lived in the area for more than two decades. She moved to Wisconsin from the San Francisco Bay area nearly 30...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Protecting Lake Country: A Community Effort

LAKE COUNTRY — What began as a small community effort to educate residents about water quality has grown into a regional nonprofit making a broad impact on Lake Country’s waterways and natural resources.Joyce Shepet, treasurer and founder of Lake Country Clean Waters, recalled how flooding years ago affected Pewaukee Lake, home to the Pewaukee Lake Water Ski Show that began in 2011. High bacteria levels from the flooding often made the water unsafe for swimming, forcing cancellations of the show...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Hands-on learning, life skills, and leadership: 4-H helps youths find their spark in Waukesha County

WAUKESHA — Whether it’s training rabbits to hop over obstacles, designing a drone, welding, or decorating cupcakes, youth in Waukesha County are doing it all through 4-H, the nation’s largest youth development organization.With more than 650 active youth members and 150 adult volunteers in Waukesha County alone, 4-H offers year-round opportunities for children and teens, ages 5 to 19, to explore over 60 educational projects across science, arts, agriculture, leadership, and more."4-H stands for...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Muskego community relief fund finds hope after historic flooding

MUSKEGO — Support for residents after the historic Aug. 10 flooding has become a source of healing for many in Muskego. Families and individuals remain displaced, facing damaged property, unsafe living conditions, and financial strain, and are now turning to the community for help.In response, the Muskego Community Flood Relief Fund was formed as a grassroots project designed to channel donations directly back to residents. Unlike a formal nonprofit or outside agency, the fund is a short-term co...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Fizzed Up: Nonalcoholic Soda Truck Takes Pewaukee by Storm

PEWAUKEE — Abby Owen, the founder of "Fizzed Up," a specialty nonalcoholic soda business on wheels, is "popping" into the local scene during her first few weeks of service. The 27-year-old’s dream to start her own business took shape about a month and a half ago following a trip to Alaska.All of Owen’s creations are non-alcoholic and made with flavored syrups, creamers, a variety of sodas, and energy drinks. When choosing a name, she narrowed it down to "Twisted Tonic" or "Fizzed Up," ultimately...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

An unsung hero's buckthorn battle: Ryan Vodnik’s volunteer mission

WAUKESHA COUNTY — Before he ever knew the name, Ryan Vodnik was already in the field, boots muddy, hands scratched by brush, helping a family friend clear invasive buckthorn from a Waukesha County property, unaware that this early experience would plant the seeds for his future role in environmental stewardship.Now, decades later, Vodnik’s involvement has come full circle; he has taken on an increasingly active role in volunteer events, property monitoring and habitat restoration. "Any type of e...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

From Italy to Wisconsin: Waukesha seamstress Lena Bruni retires after 35 years

For more than three decades, Lena Bruni’s shop at 149 W. Broadway St. was a hidden gem in downtown Waukesha. Now, at the age of 76, the Italian-born seamstress is retiring from her beloved business, Lena’s Tailoring & Alterations, closing a chapter that has made an impact on generations of families and beyond the community of Waukesha.Lena’s story began across the ocean. She grew up in Italy, where she studied fashion design and tailoring at a London-based designer school. On July 20, 1968, she...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Pewaukee police gear up for Operation Dry Water

ON PEWAUKEE LAKE — Operation Dry Water, a nationwide campaign aimed at preventing boating under the influence of intoxicants, returns Friday through Sunday.Coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, the initiative focuses on reducing alcohol-related incidents and fatalities during one of the busiest boating weekends of the year.According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s 2023 Recreational Boating Statistics, alcohol is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating ac...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Delafield woman draws her path across Wisconsin lakes

DELAFIELD — For the past four years, Melodee Liegl has turned her love of swimming into an art form. The Delafield resident and mother of three spends her days sketching words and shapes across Wisconsin’s lakes, not with ink or paint, but by swimming them.A lifelong swimmer, Liegl grew up in Greendale and joined a private swim club as a child. She swam competitively through high school and has been a member of Wisconsin Masters Swimming since 1996, regularly participating in marathon swims.Her...

Internship: Waukesha Freeman

Greater Milwaukee Today •

Racing against the flames: One man’s mission to save his dogs inspires push for change

PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA — As flames tore through the Pacific Palisades, Casey Colvin was nowhere near his home. He was in West Hollywood handling work, unaware that a nightmare was unfolding in real time.The call came from his boss: his neighborhood was on fire. His dogs, Teeka and Oreo, were still inside the house.Colvin previously worked for a business with offices in the Waukesha area."I just panicked," Colvin recalled. "I got in my car and drove like my life depended on it. Because the...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

New rugby club brings tackle sport to middle schoolers

WASHINGTON COUNTY — A growing youth rugby program in Washington County is offering a unique opportunity to local middle school students.Kale Wenzel, a former player who picked up rugby while stationed with the Air Force in southern Illinois, launched a middle school tackle rugby team after his oldest daughter expressed interest in playing the contact version of the game."Last summer, both of my daughters played in a flag rugby program," Wenzel said. "My older daughter really wanted to play tackl...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Late Hadfield teacher remembered for strong dedication to students and family

WAUKESHA — To say Michelle Tranchita was a special person doesn’t begin to do the mother and teacher justice. Tranchita died on March 8 after a fierce battle against cancer. Her final wish was to have people donate funds for snacks for kids at Hadfield Elementary School."The snack fund was important to her because she wanted all the basic needs of children met so they could be ready to learn and not have to worry about being hungry or needing anything. She had high expectations for children and...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Art & Framing 123 blends creativity and customization

WAUKESHA — Dan Engh, owner of Art & Framing 123, has been in the picture framing business for 31 years, 21 of which have been spent at his current location in downtown Waukesha. Engh began as a framer before transitioning into painting in 2006.Engh draws inspiration from nature and everyday visuals. "Everything inspires me," he said. "Something as simple as the way light reflects off glass or the angle of shadows can spark an idea."Known for his unconventional techniques, Engh often creates a te...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Waukesha salon owners adapted and thrive post-pandemic

WAUKESHA — Independent salon owners and hairdressers in the area are proving their resilience and passion as they navigate an evolving beauty industry.Since the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses have surged across the U.S., with the beauty industry experiencing significant growth, according to the U.S Department of Treasury.For many salon owners, the pandemic reshaped their business models, forcing them to adapt in unexpected ways.Whether they launched their businesses before or after COVID-19...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Discovering the future of health care

WAUKESHA — The Waukesha County Business Alliance hosted Discover the Future of Health Care, an interactive expo designed to introduce middle and high school students to careers in the health care industry on Tuesday at the Waukesha County Expo Center. Over 1,000 students in grades 6-12 participated in hands-on experiences and learned about a wide range of career opportunities, including patient care, nursing, behavioral health, surgery, ultrasound, dental, bio health, manufacturers of health car...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Middle-schoolers put engineering skills to the test at fluid power challenge

PEWAUKEE — More than 144 middle school students from across the area gathered at Waukesha County Technical College on Friday for the eighth annual National Fluid Power Association Fluid Power Challenge, an event designed to introduce young minds to engineering principles through hands-on competition.Hosted by Price Engineering, the event featured 36 teams from seven middle schools, including Swallow School, Riverside STEM Academy, Waukesha STEM/Saratoga Campus, Les Paul Middle School, Richmond M...
Greater Milwaukee Today •

Pups on a plane: HAWS continues rescue efforts; Tuesday plane delivery included dogs and cats

WAUKESHA — The Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) of Waukesha County continues its efforts to alleviate overcrowding in animal shelters by receiving regular transports of dogs and cats in need of homes.Jennifer Smieja, a longtime HAWS staff member in communications and marketing, explained that the transports arrive twice a month, either by plane or van. The most recent transport on Tuesday, a flight from Louisiana, brought in multiple litters of puppies, adult dogs and even cats."We’ve actual...

Special Project: Hurricane Helene- Asheville, NC

Media Milwaukee •

Harper’s Canvas: Painted by Storms, Framed by Resilience - Media Milwaukee

Harper Leich spent two decades in Asheville, North Carolina, building her life around her passion for painting. Asheville, known for its thriving arts scene, draws creatives from across the country to its River Arts District, a vibrant neighborhood along the French Broad River known for converted warehouses and industrial buildings now housing artists’ studios, galleries, and creative spaces.


But in November 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville and the River Arts District, dramatically...
Media Milwaukee •

Above the Flood: Rebuilding Chimney Rock - Media Milwaukee

The road into Chimney Rock, a charming village nestled in the mountains of North Carolina known for breathtaking natural scenery and proximity to the iconic Chimney Rock State Park, was blocked by devastation. When a team of student journalists approached the entrance, a man guarding the road said nobody could enter without Mayor Peter O’Leary’s permission. We called O’Leary’s cellphone, and without hesitation, he invited us to his home perched high on the ridge. From his driveway, we glimpsed a...

Special Project: Wildfires- Pacific Palisades, CA

Media Milwaukee •

The Barber Who Stayed: Defending Homes and Healing a Burned Community - Media Milwaukee

On a day that started like any other, Peter Lamden, owner of “Peter Lamden Salon” in the Pacific Palisades, noticed smoke billowing on the horizon just minutes after receiving emergency alerts. Having grown up in the area, he instantly recognized the danger. He reached out to his childhood best friend, whose home became the first of over 6,500 to burn. “He was there for three hours with a fire hose and wasn’t able to get ahead of it.”


The fire destroyed over 200 homes and burned thousands of...
Media Milwaukee •

Faith, Fire and Pizza: Joe D'Amore’s Battle to Keep His Legacy Alive - Media Milwaukee

Joe D’Amore’s story begins in Boston’s North End, where his Italian grandmother passed down her beloved recipes just before she died. Her legacy and his grandfather’s experience as a butcher laid the foundation for D’Amore’s culinary journey. After moving to California to pursue acting, he opened his first pizzeria in 1987 in the San Fernando Valley, later expanding to Malibu in 1995.


His Malibu pizzeria quickly became a staple, known for its use of organic vegetables, antibiotic-free meats,...

Featured Articles- Media Milwaukee

Media Milwaukee •

Campus Leaders Tackle Accessibility and Classroom Efficiency at UWM Meeting - Media Milwaukee

At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Physical Environment Committee meeting on Nov. 20, leaders addressed pressing issues related to accessibility and classroom utilization. Held at 8:30 a.m. via Microsoft Teams, the conference revealed that UWM classrooms are falling short of the 67% seat occupancy benchmark set by the UW System, with utilization rates dropping to just 56% this fall. 


The discussion highlighted the challenges of managing post-pandemic enrollment trends, upgrading aging...
Media Milwaukee •

A Day of Purpose: How Make a Difference Day Volunteers Transform Milwaukee Neighborhoods Every Term - Media Milwaukee

On a chilly Saturday morning, a group of university students stands outside an elderly resident’s home, rakes in hand and ready to help. Make a Difference Day, held every semester, brings together students, nonprofits, and volunteers with one goal: to assist Milwaukee’s elderly residents with tasks that can be difficult to manage on their own.


Volunteers take on essential tasks like raking leaves and preparing yards for winter—chores that can be difficult for seniors to handle on their own—pr...
Media Milwaukee •

Healing Horizons: A Path to Peace for Students Grappling with Stress and Trauma - Media Milwaukee

In the fast-paced environment of university life, where the pressures of deadlines, exams, and personal responsibilities are always looming, stress can often feel overwhelming. For many students, the weight of these pressures is compounded by past traumas or ongoing anxiety. Recognizing the need for a space where students can manage their mental health effectively, the Student Health and Wellness Center has introduced Healing Horizons, a weekly event designed to help students take control of the...
Media Milwaukee •

Behind the Pink Door, Journey Through Time in the Vintage Sanctuary - Media Milwaukee

Below the busy city streets, there’s a secret spot behind a bright pink door that is filled with old treasures from the past. It’s not just a shop; it’s like a special time machine where everything tells a story. From old t-shirts to fancy high heels, each item has a story to tell amidst the underground ambiance, accompanied by funky melodies.


This hidden place feels like stepping back in time, where people care about old things. The owners aren’t just selling stuff; they’re like memory keepe...