Homestead Happenings
Newsletter of the Stahl-Conrad Homestead
www.HistoricHalesCorners.org
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9724 W. Forest Home Ave., Hales Corners, WI 53130
December 2009
Christmas tree sale is in progress
Freshly cut Christmas trees are now available at the Stahl-Conrad
Homestead, 9724 W. Forest Home Ave. The trees are six to nine
feet in height. Species available this year are balsam, Fraser, and
pine. Prices range from $20 to $55, depending on size and type.
Hours are from 3:30 to 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and 12:00 noon to
8:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Plan to come early for the
best selection.
The Hawthorn Garden Club will again have decorative swags
available for purchase at the tree sale. Created by members of the
club, these one-of-a-kind decorations will start at a very affordable
$5.00 each. When purchasing your tree, be sure to stop in the barn
and check out the selection. You can beautify your home while
supporting the activities of the Hawthorn Garden Club.
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And the winners are…
Congratulations to Ella Leeland for correctly identifying the
puzzling items on our table of unusual objects at the Women’s
Work exhibit. Her reward is a one-year membership in the
Homestead. Winners of the Packers tickets raffle were Betty
Braun and Bill Meier, each of whom received a pair of tickets.
Mike Kramer was the lucky winner of the Brewers tickets.
We thank Clay Moore of Hales Corners Sentry for donating all the
tickets. Proceeds from both raffles amounted to $764.
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Christmas House will be open next weekend
This year’s Christmas House will be the home of Lisa Ryan,
widow of Jim Ryan, who served 20 years as village president. The
home at 11350 Bridget Lane will be open Friday, December 4,
5:00 to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, December 5, 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.;
and Sunday, December 6, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
There will be a raffle, cookies, and holiday music. Prices are $5
for adults, $3 for teens, and $1 for children 12 and under. The
event is sponsored by Friends of the Hales Corners Pool, a
volunteer organization working to support our community pool.
Decorators will be Ann’s Italian Restaurant, Barb’s Green House,
Callen Construction, Design Craft Signs, Glo 10 Salon-SpaTanning, Hale Park Lumber, Hearthside Quilters Nook, Janet
Mohrhusen, The Lawson House B&B, Lisa Ryan, Milwaukee
Lionel Railroad Club, Plum Tree Apartments, Splash Hair Design,
and Westbury Bank.
Hawthorn Garden Club beautifies
Homestead grounds
The Hawthorn Garden Club planted
more than 100 bulbs at the Homestead
this fall as part of the National Garden
Club president’s project entitled
“Golden Days.”
Daffodils, jonquils, and small bulbs
were planted to honor the senior club
members who no longer can actively
participate but have maintained their
membership or have long served their
communities through the club.
The Homestead is grateful for the
donation of bulbs and we look forward
to a beautiful show next spring.
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Cub Scouts to visit Homestead
Boys ages 7 to 9 in Cub Scout Den
501 and their parents will visit the
Homestead’s Women’s Work exhibit
December 2. Mike Kochis explained
that the boys need to visit a historic
site in order to earn a badge. We
welcome them and encourage other
Scout leaders to contact us for a tour
of the property.
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Annual meeting elects
board members
The following Homestead members
were elected to three-year terms as
directors: Dan Besson, Mike Kochis,
Clay Moore, and Dave Zepecki.
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Mark your calendar
for a special event in May
May is Historic Preservation Month,
and the Homestead is planning to
celebrate. Watch for a speaker and a
new display of artifacts.
Gifts of goods and services
George Berger, Mike Jedrzejewski, Ron Noeske, Sybil Grandeck,
Dave Zepecki—assistance at Brat Sale
Betty Braun—continuing work on our gardens
Dara Chappie—creation of posters for Christmas tree sale
Lloyd Conrad—corn planter and milk house heater
Hales Corners Historical Society—large grind wheel
Dave O’Brien—milkweed plants for our gardens
Judy Sakerson—daisy plants for our gardens
Nancy Stangler—jonquil bulbs
Tom Ueberroth, Mike Jedrzejewski, Ron Noeske, Dave Zepecki,
Dan Besson, Jim Bruening, Delene Hanson, and Kyle, Kurt,
and Stuart Noeske—tree sale assistance
Robert Stockinger, Tom Ueberroth, Mike Jedrzejewski, Dan
Besson—lawn and yard care
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It’s membership renewal time
Along with this newsletter, you are receiving an envelope for your
convenience in renewing your membership. Our bylaws state that
membership will terminate automatically for nonpayment of dues
if not paid by March 31. So pay attention and don’t dawdle. If
you renew after March 31, your membership will be reinstated.
This mailing also includes an invitation to consider a gift of
appreciated securities. If you sell those securities, you will incur a
short- or long-term capital gains obligation. If you donate them,
you will have no tax liability on the gain, and you will also obtain
a charitable donation to offset other taxes that you will be liable for
next year.
You will be able to specify the purpose for which the gift is to be
used. We offer many options, such as reroofing the house, constructing an ADA-compliant bathroom, rebuilding the barn door,
mortgage reduction, or creating an endowment.
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Events at Old World Wisconsin
December programs offered at Old World Wisconsin may interest
Homestead members. For details, call (262) 594-2922.
The Spirit of Christmas Past, December 5, 6 and 12, 13, with a
chance to meet Father Christmas and make Swedish and German
ornaments and Swedish Holiday Dinner, December 5, 6 and 12,
13. Reservations are required.
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The mission of the Stahl-Conrad Homestead is to create a museum focused on
transitions in the land in Hales Corners and its environs from presettlement into
the future and to preserve the Stahl-Conrad Homestead as a remnant of a bygone
lifestyle.
The Homestead’s vision: The land is restored and the buildings are renovated to
accommodate changing exhibits and public events.
The Homestead is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization. Your donations and inkind gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law.
Officers and directors are: president, Bette Arey; vice president, Dan Besson;
secretary, Delene Hanson; treasurer, Michael Jedrzejewski; directors: Gloria
Jones, Michael Kochis, Clay Moore, Ron Noeske, and Dave Zepecki.
Homestead available for use
Renovation of the village hall has
created a need for some organizations
to find an alternative meeting place.
We would be glad to receive inquiries
from displaced groups.
The board decided on the following
rates, which would cover our expenses
for utilities: $25 for two hours, $50
for four hours, or $100 for an 8-hour
day.
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In Memoriam
The Homestead expresses condolences
to the families of Arthur Cieslik,
Apolonia Limoni, and Arthur Petri.
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Hales Corners Historical Society
plans programs
The Thursday, February 4, meeting
will present Jim Draeger, co-author of
Fill ’er Up, who will lead us on a
guided tour of Wisconsin’s gas
stations. You’ll see everything from
shacks and curbside pumps to architecture from the Great Depression,
World War II, and the postwar boom.
Jim works in the preservation office of
the state historical society. Plan to
gather in the Hunt room in the library
at 7:00 p.m.
The society’s annual meeting is
scheduled for Thursday, April 8 at
7:00 p.m. The program, Milwaukee at
the Millennium, will feature Bob
Teske, executive director of the
Milwaukee County Historical Society,
in a presentation celebrating the
society’s 75th anniversary. This will
be an overview of major events that
occurred in the city during the 20th
century. The program will be
preceded by a potluck supper at 6:00
p.m.
Note that these meetings are on Thursday, not the usual Wednesday.
For more information, leave a
message in the society’s office at
(414) 529-6150, Ext. 24.
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Call the Homestead at (414) 858-9195