Wake Up! Waukesha

WOW!!

That sums up the Town of Brookfield July 4’th Celebration.

Unquestionably the largest, most enthusiastic assemblage- ever descended on Marx Park to commemorate/celebrate our Country’s cornerstone date! And what a celebration it was…

A parade where bright smiles and festively-decorated bikes, strollers, wagons, and kids of all ages marched (almost) in unison to Marx Park…
Town Chairman Keith Henderson leading the Pledge of Allegiance…
Thousands respectfully joined singing the “Star Spangled Banner”…
Games for all from new-born crawling contests to egg tosses for adults…
Incredible, reasonably-priced food cooked hot on the spot!...
Pies, cakes, and “sweets to eat” – Many donated from Town area businesses…
Dixieland Jazz from The Bourbon Street Stompers…
The Town Fire, Police, and Highway Departments contributing and interacting with all…
Huge trees being shredded and pulverized in the blink of an eye by the Town tree-chipper (now forever to be known as “Jaws”)…
Pie-eating contestants, male and female alike, contending for the most-coveted Town Golden Pig trophies while square dancers danced…
Finally, a “Fire Department Hose-Down” put the perfect finishing touch to a day of fun and memories…

My thanks to the dozens of volunteers; to the Town Parks, Rec, and Celebration Department and Committee; to the Police, Fire, and Highway Departments; to the Town Board; and to the local donors/businesses who contribute year after year…

Lastly, the entire Town of Brookfield should congratulate itself for their show of Community support and enthusiasm. Families of all ages gathered together capturing the spirit of the day is a wonderful thing to witness.

It was a great day, and remember – Less than 12 months ‘til next year!

The Waukesha Symphony Orchestra (WSO), The Waukesha Civic Theatre, and The Waukesha County Historical Museum joined forces for unquestionably one of the most memorable Friday nights in this Community’s past. The Country Springs Hotel outdoor pavilion was the pastoral setting for ”The Fabulous '50s: Hits from the Shows”.

By my estimates, 1200 – 1400 people packed picnic baskets and their folding chairs for a concert “under the stars”. On this weather-perfect, cool Waukesha evening, the WSO offered a presentation which would be near-impossible to forget. My wife leaned over several times repeating over and over ”This is great!”.…And she was right!

Alexander Platt energized the Symphony through suites of music from “West Side Story”, “My Fair Lady”, “The King and I”, and “The Sound of Music”. John and Kelly Cramer performed a tribute to Les Paul and Mary Ford which perfectly captured the spirit and essence of these wonderful performers. Bartolotta Fireworks ultimately accompanied a rousing “Victory at Sea” suite which sent all in attendance feeling “that much better” for being a part of something very special.

Ask any 10 people from that evening and they would have their own favorite memory. I particularly enjoyed the 3-4 minute intros of each suite from the WSO Music Director and Conductor Alexander Platt. His background depth of the music and the songwriters rivals (and at times resembled) the best of Hollywood gossip columnists. His disclosure at the end of the Les Paul/Mary Ford tribute candidly exposed his deeply-concealed yearning to be more like…Xavier Cugat! “A one..A two, a One, two, three, four – Let’s GO!...”

There are many great opportunities for entertainment right here in Waukesha. Last week – a very successful “Fiesta Waukesha! A few weeks ago - ”A Taste of Summer Music Festival. Not to mention the recurring weekly events in Downtown Waukesha…And all of this is available without traversing the downtown Milwaukee interchange and traffic.

Thanks to all for one professionally done and fabulously entertaining evening. (and here’s something you don’t often see in a review of the Waukesha Symphony…)

”WAUKESHA - YOU ROCK!!”