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Wake Up! Waukesha
Jay, who has lived in the Waukesha area for nearly 20 years, is an active volunteer who serves on numerous local boards and committees. He’s married to Colleen with three kids having gone through the Waukesha schools. He is the VP of a local distribution company and currently serves on several area Boards.
October 2007 - Posts
By Jay Walt
Monday, Oct 22 2007, 07:03 PM
The Waukesha Education Foundation (WEF) is staging its' 3rd "Celebration of Excellence" (COE) on November 4'th, 2007. Over 300 students volunteers, over 500 attendees, more than 30 student displays in the "Hall of Excellence", and over 200 businesses contributing/donating goods, money, and services will come together in an incredible demonstration of support for education within the Waukesha School Community.
The WEF's primary focus is to raise money to increase educational opportunities within our schools. Monies raised go to grants, endowments, and scholarships. The "Celebration" is the WEF Signature Event, and it has raised almost $80,000 in it's first 2 years.
As Board Chair of the WEF as well as Co-Chairing this event with my wife, Colleen, and Betsy Crossewaite, I am once again reminded of the potential for business community support for Waukesha education. Assuredly, there are a host of much appreciated personal contributors including parents, teachers, administrators, seniors, and the public at large. But this years' business response has been particularly gratifying!
Our Signature Sponsors include Waukesha State Bank; ProHealth Care; Lee John's Catering; and the Waukesha Freeman. Platinum Sponsors include Wauwatosa Savings Bank, Marine Bank, Automatic Entrances of Wisconsin, Stanley Proto Tools, and more.
Not to be overlooked are the dozens - no, hundreds of businesses who bring the finest in products and services to this event for auction and raffle.Third year returning contributors include: Wine Maniacs with a magnum of Dogajolo hand-selected in Tuscany by Debbie Bertrand; Penzeys Spices provide spices with a flair; Harry Nick & Friends gives unique hair styling; Eddie Martini's for the finest in dining; the Bucks, Brewers, Wave, and Admirals; Mr. Bob Lang with golf at Erin Hills; Country Springs Hotel with an overnight stay and waterpark fun; Mark Rossetti and Bravo! Cucina Italiana for the highest quality Italian dining; Todd at Flanners Home Entertainment; Sunset Bowl, Salto and their birthday bashes; and many more unnamed, respected supporters. They are joined by a legion of others - AND...THIS JUST IN!!...
Little Caesers Pizza on Summitt just donated 75 (!) pizzas to the Event for our student volunteers!! "Healthy food for a healthy education..."
And speaking of education..."THANK YOU TO THE WAUKESHA DISTRICT TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND OTHER DISTRICT PERSONNEL! YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT HAVE HELPED BRING THE ESSENCE OF THE WAUKESHA EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE TO THE FOREFRONT."
The "Celebration of Excellence" is a model of cooperation between stakeholders in our Community - Parents, Students, the District, Volunteers, residents, and businesses.
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By Jay Walt
Sunday, Oct 14 2007, 03:42 PM
When you think steak - Do you immediately think Mo's, Coerper's 5 O'Clock, Butch's, Eddie Martini's, Flemings, or Mr. B's ?
Recently, Mr Rob Brunero, a business friend from England, visited our company. When questioned as to his thoughts for dining out, he immediately said "I'd like a good steak ye' know?" We had already provided the local color tour including the Lakefront, Marquette University, Downtown Milwaukee, and the Brookfield - Waukesha area. My wife Colleen piped in with going to Palmer's Steak House for dinner. We agreed.
Located in downtown Hartland, Palmer's inhabits, since 2006, what many remember as the old Cobblestone Inn. The drive out was nice as Rob was able to sample the open lake country spaces. Upon arrival, we were pleasantly greeted and seated on-time with our reservations. Mr. Brunero asked the waitress for her "steak" advice and her no-hesitation response was "The bone-in ribeye!"
Leaving a full review to the "Experts", I will summarize our dinner - "Absolutely Fantastic!". Our guest was, as he said, "Suitably pleased ye' know", and my wife and I knew we had won twice. We too had a great dining experience, and we had satisfied our international guest's "need for beef".
The Owners, Jerry Arenas and his lovely wife Marie, have a long history of serving-up great meals, particularly steaks, at prior locations including Steakhouse 100 and The Porterhouse. All of their efforts are now centered on Palmer's and the results show. Both Jerry (he came out of the kitchen and off of the grill...) and Marie stopped and chatted during our stay. Rob really enjoyed their sincerity and personal interaction. We all felt very "special" at that moment.
Many, many, many years ago, when Jerry was a cook at the Rafters, he and I worked together briefly. I remembered him as one of the nicest people and he remains that to this day. Marie is warm, engaging, and takes a personal interest and care in your dining experience. Their pride of ownership shines through! With the ongoing evolution from family-run to corporately-owned restaurants occurring (not that a chain restaurant can't serve a great dinner...) it is refreshing to support and enjoy the entire dining experience at a family-owned and run location.
Running a great restaurant continues to be a daunting task. Follow the news and we have all witnessed the demise of many landmark dining establishments. The Milwaukee area is fortunate to have a selection of great "steak" restaurants that continue to cater to the "beefeating carnivores" walking in our midst. With Jerry and Marie Arenas's Palmer's Steak House offering of their Signature Steak - the Bone-in Ribeye, Waukesha's choices just got better!
Our guest from England, Mr. Brunero, summed it up perfectly: "Phenomenal!!"
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By Jay Walt
Thursday, Oct 4 2007, 01:25 PM
On Sunday, November 4’th, 2007, The Waukesha Education Foundation is presenting its’ annual “Celebration of Excellence”! Invitations have been sent; awards have been announced; the dining arrangements made; and all that is needed is…YOU!
YOU will absolutely enjoy a fast-paced, entertaining, educational, gourmet evening. YOU will be exposed to an incredible array of auction and raffle “opportunities” generously donated from both area and State-wide businesses. YOU can be front & center to the Excellence of one of the State’s finest marching bands – Waukesha North, as they regale our 500 guests with their 2007 award-winning Cirque du Soleil presentation.
YOU will be treated to Excellence in dining, an epicurean delight; a culinary masterpiece; a majestic presentation of food the likes of which the Waukesha area seldom witnesses – A feast from the legendary Lee John’s Catering!!! YOU will enjoy Salad Nouvelle, sage roasted pork loin with wild mushroom sauce, five-spice cream sautéed chicken breasts (from a closely guarded Danegelis family recipe), oven roasted potatoes, fresh (and I mean Fresh!) green beans, and a heavenly cheesecake reminiscent of family bakeries from the old country.
YOU will experience a sampling of the Excellence in the educational process occurring each and every day in the Waukesha School District as you pass through the student displays in the “Halls of Excellence”. The students, aged 7-18, are already preparing exhibits and presentations highlighting the programs and accomplishments they feel are significant in their lives.
YOU can bear witness to the (almost…) legendary auctioneering prowess of Waukesha County Exec Dan Vrakas as he pleads, cajoles, and exhorts the audience into a bidding frenzy! YOU can win one of hundreds of silent auction items or be surprised when your raffle ticket(s) lands you an unexpected windfall!
(Before WE go any further – the Packers are on at noon and this Event doesn’t even begin until 3:30 with dinner @ 5:30…)
YOU can visit our Event website for further details including easy-to-use online registration. YOU will be charged a $50 registration fee (much of it tax-deductible!) which, incredibly, covers all of the above. YOU will come away amazed that the WEF “Celebration of Excellence” is staged by adult volunteers and the efforts of over 300 students from throughout the District. YOU will leave warmed with the knowledge that the monies raised (Over $48,000 last year!) will go back to our students in the form of grants and endowments!
“Excellence” comes in many forms, shapes, and experiences. On this Sunday in November – YOU can truly experience a “Celebration of Excellence” of education within our Waukesha Community. Get your tickets early (buy a bunch and auction them on eBay?) as last years’ event sold out.
And, do YOU have any questions, or donations or auction items YOU care to donate? Call (262)513-1861 and we’ll arrange both a pick-up and a “Thank YOU”.
Check your diets at the Door! The planning is “set”, the students are getting “ready”, and the only thing needed to “go” is YOU!
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