The Brookfield Scene

Brookfield is many things. At one time, Brookfield was considered a bedroom community. Over the years it became a city in the countryside. City government now wants Brookfield to become a destination. What's next?

Well, consider the ad in USA Today. The national newspaper ad describes Brookfield as "Minutes from Milwaukee. Miles from Expected." The taglines are "Register to win $1000 in gas" and "Play in Milwaukee. Stay in Brookfield."

The Image? A woman standing clothed in a bathrobe with a towel turban on her head. Cucumber slices cover her eyes and a "facial" mask covers her face. Shopping bags are at her feet and in one hand.

And who placed the ad? Logos show eleven Brookfield hotels. The website address, www.visitbrookfield.com/usa, leads the curious to the Brookfield Convention and Visitors Bureau.

It seems like Brookfield is becoming a community of hotel rooms.

I asked the convention and visitors bureau about the ad. This particular ad (and a split image) ran for a limited time this year. Overall, the ad's theme is "relaxation meets recreation." The ad featuring a woman was designed to suggest that Brookfield (with its spas and shopping) is a good place for a woman's getaway.

The ad's split image depicts a gentleman in a business suit and his cell phone, along with golf shorts and shoes.

The campaign was paid for by hotel room taxes. Please send me your comments about this ad campaign.

Thanksgiving is a chance to appreciate the things we have and the people in our lives. This celebration often includes gathering with friends and family to share a meal. Holidays give us a chance to build family traditions that we recall for years to come.

Growing up, my family's holidays were shared with aunts, uncles and cousins. Homes were smaller then but we still gathered together. There was ever so much food to eat.

In the 50s, preparation for the meal began with a drive to the "turkey farm" to select a fresh turkey. That tradition ended frozen turkey became available at local food stores. While the turkey farm did not survive, the "Wellinger Stuffing" recipe has transcended generations.

While I was growing up, two holidays stood out. Neither featured turkey. One holiday my mother prepared a goose a grandfather shot. It came complete with feathers which soon filled the basement. The second speciality was lutefisk served in honor of a Swedish grandparent . The unpleasant scent of the cooking fish still yields a grimace among my siblings.

Time passes and older generations do too. Be sure to share your memories with your families as you build your family's traditions.

If you recall the name and location of the "turkey farm", please let me know.

Knowing that I enjoy traveling, the message left on the answering machine was "I suppose you're in a foreign country again." Well, I was and I wasn't.

I had spent the day in Madison (Wisconsin) on State Street. I was surprised at how foreign the city seemed. What seemed foreign was the number of pedestrians, bicyles and considerate drivers. Traffic stops when pedestrians cross the streets mid-block.

Bike lanes in Madison are within the traffic lanes, not along the shoulder of the road. A cyclist is virtually riding alongside buses on his right and through traffic on his left.

Another foreign concept was the roundabout. Roundabouts are always enjoyable because they make traffic slow down. They also provide a 360 degree view.

My exploration of foreign worlds ended and I was glad to return home.

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A fellow blogger wrote about change and inter-changes, so I couldn't resist commenting.

While driving east from Madison, the sign stood out. "Pewaukee next four exits." As I neared Brookfield, the sign read "Brookfield, next two exits." One would think that Pewaukee is the bigger city.

Our days are getting busier as we approach the holidays.

Two splendid, lavishly decorated area homes are open for tours. One, in Elm Grove, benefits the American Cancer Society; the other, in Oconomowoc, benefits the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. You have probably seen news articles about both.

A third splendid home built in 1843 will open its doors to guests on December 2 and December 3. It's the historic Dousman Stagecoach Inn at 1075 N. Pilgrim Parkway (between Bluemound and Gebhardt Roads).

As you step inside the Inn, you'll find the comforts and delights of the 1850s. The Inn will be decorated for the long-ago holidays. This year a very special collection of over 200 Annalee Dolls will be displayed throughout the 10- room inn.

You'll find samples of Mrs. Brown's homemade soup, punch and treats in the dining room. You will be able to buy special sweets and treats to share with families and friends and bid on silent auction gift items.

Young people can enjoy Father Christmas stories and crafts.

Period music by M'Lady Pipers and Frank and Melva Johnson will fill the air from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Charles Dickens' fans can hear stories read by Dickens himself at 2 p.m. Sunday.

And don't forget to step aboard the Inn's antique sleigh for a wonderful family photo.

Open Saturday, Dec 2 10-4 and Sunday, Dec 3 12-4. $2 Adults and $1 Children.

Christmas at the Inn" benefits the Elmbrook Historical Society

A reader recently challenged me to stay in the town of Brookfield. This challenge reminded me of New Year's resolutions. Two years ago, I resolved to stop safely at yellow lights. Last year, I resolved to turn left only at controlled intersections. I became more conscious of my actions.

So, I did accept the challenge to stay out of the city.

I began failing on day one when I needed to bank in Brookfield and stop at the post office box. I was more optimistic on subsequent days. Because the west side of Brookfield Road is in the town, I drove south to Highway 18 (a state highway) to travel east or west.

I spent the next few days (and my money) in Elm Grove and the town of Brookfield. Certainly a trip to a hospital in Menomonee Falls must be excused.

After not succeeding at this challenge, I concluded it is impossible to stay in the town of Brookfield. The city surrounds (or engulfs) the town, the village of Elm Grove and Butler. Visually, it's almost like the other towns and villages are in the palm of the city's hand.

I learned recently that the city was formed fifty plus years ago to secure its borders. In earlier settlement days the "Brookfield Township" was 36 square miles. It is now 27 square miles.

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I like Elm Grove. The speed limit is 25 mph except for its perimeter roads (Bluemound, North Ave., 124th Street and Pilgrim Parkway). Elm Grove's downtown is quaint. Its buildings don't resemble stage sets. The community is cohesive. I prefer the village library over the city of Brookfield's.