Kim and I would like to take this opportunity to send our holiday greetings to you and to thank the countless people who have helped us make this year a huge success.
I would like to take you through a timeline of 2008.
In May we held our first annual Motor Madness, vehicle show at Village Park. While we did not get a large number of people to attend, we were very happy with the event. We have big plans for next year, more cars, more activities and more people!
Our first annual Red Hat Ladies day was a huge success, we had 30 red hatters come to town to shop and dine. They all had a blast and the most important part was that they found out what we all have to offer and have been coming back to do more shopping and dining.
We started our Waterfront Wednesday Concert Series with a great night, and then you all know what happened…the flood of ’08. The flood was an incredible learning experience for us all, we trudged through the water, sandbagged, helped organize volunteers, worked with FEMA, fought with the carp and tried to help our businesses as much as possible. We were very grateful that the damage was not as severe as it could have been.
When the waters receded we were back in business with a grand reopening night at Waterfront Wednesday and Run to the Beach. We moved the location of the Run to Village Park and even though we had about 20 cancellations, we still had the largest number runners ever with 404 participants. As we start the new decade of our Run we have changed the name and the location to Run to the Park and it will start and end Village Park permanently.
We were also very happy with the big crowds at Waterfront Wednesday drew that night and for the rest of the summer.
Taste of Lake Country continues to be our signature event bringing in people from all over southeastern Wisconsin and beyond. We again broke an attendance record with over 25,000 people attending; we sold so much beer that we never shut the taps off and the restaurants were all very happy with the event.
Our Economic Restructuring committee has been very busy this year with our new format for our Merchants Meetings. We extended the meeting invitation to the businesses on Capitol Dive and have now branded the name of The Village Shoppes of Pewaukee Lake as the name of our shopping district (www.thevillageshoppesofpewaukeelake.com).
We started a campaign to bring more awareness to our shoppes and restaurants, so be sure to visit the website to see all the businesses listed.
We began an art project this year that we hope will continue for many years partnering with the Pewaukee Area Arts Council (PAAC). We had Artists paint wood benches that were placed throughout our downtown. It was a difficult project logistically, and the flood put a big damper on it, but once the water receded and the benches were put in their proper places, people really seemed to enjoy them. Stay tuned for next year’s project!!
The Wisconsin Main Street Program celebrated their 20th anniversary this year and they honored the best of the best in 20 years. Our Old Main Street building (161 W Wisconsin Ave) won the award for best downtown project. This is something to be proud of considering over 20 years and with over 50 communities involved in the program, to win any of the 10 awards is a real honor. Congratulations to Jim Siepmann and Siepmann Realty for winning this award!
Cinema in the Sand was increased to three times this summer, but unfortunately because of the flood we only were able to show two of the movies, ironically the one we had to cancel was “Surfs Up”.
We held our 3rd Annual Ultimate Trivia Night in October and once again the competition was fierce in our sold out crowd.
We started something new this year with the Pewaukee Park and Rec department this year called Halloween hullabaloo. This weekend event was held at Wagner Park with 17 story book and cartoon characters who came to life to entertain the kids. We had the facades of their homes, castles or vehicles and the kids went to each for a treat. We had over 100 children attend in costume with their parents and grandparents.
The next day we held our Annual Halloween Fun Fest where we start with a parade through downtown and end at Village Hall. The kids then trick or treat at the downtown merchants and visit booths set up on the sidewalks.
In between all of this Kim and I have been attending Main Street Conferences and other Economic Development workshops. It is always exciting to meet with others that do our jobs and see what new ideas we can borrow from them.
Our new Village Hall is open and hopefully we will have an open house soon. It is a beautiful building and I know the village staff and especially the police dept are thrilled with all of their new space.
That is some of the highlights of our year. None of this could happen without the help of so many people…so our heartfelt thanks to the following:
Our Board of Directors
Our wonderful volunteers
Our exceptional sponsors, especially North Shore Bank who house us and is the title sponsor of our largest event (please view the complete list of sponsors on the partners page of our website)
The community for their support and for attending our events
The staff at Village Hall
The Village Police Department
The Village DPW
And especially the Park and Rec Department who has become our great partner in so many events.
Happy Holidays and we look forward to working with all of you again in 2009.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
What Pewaukee has to Offer!!
Last week we hosted a Red Hat Shopping Day for the Red Hat Society ladies from all over Waukesha County. Our merchants gave us items for their gifts bags and offered them specials for the day. We had 23 participating merchants and we asked the ladies to try to stop into as many of the merchants as they could.
We would have been happy if they would have stopped in to a dozen or so, but they all stopped into everyone on our list! We were thrilled that they did that and also very happy at the positive response that we got from the ladies.
The biggest response we got from them was "there are more places to shop here than I thought" and "there are so many nice business owners in Pewaukee". Kim and I were so happy to hear that a new group of people understand what we do, that Pewaukee is a great place to shop, dine and to do business.
For the past few months we have been working with the merchants on news ways to market them. You are going to be hearing more about The Village Shoppes of Pewaukee Lake and hope that you will look at the link on our site for a complete list of all the businesses.
In this time of economic hardships it is more important than ever to be careful with your money, but keeping it local is always an important thing to do. Support the businesses that are here, show them that you want them to stay and grow!
We would have been happy if they would have stopped in to a dozen or so, but they all stopped into everyone on our list! We were thrilled that they did that and also very happy at the positive response that we got from the ladies.
The biggest response we got from them was "there are more places to shop here than I thought" and "there are so many nice business owners in Pewaukee". Kim and I were so happy to hear that a new group of people understand what we do, that Pewaukee is a great place to shop, dine and to do business.
For the past few months we have been working with the merchants on news ways to market them. You are going to be hearing more about The Village Shoppes of Pewaukee Lake and hope that you will look at the link on our site for a complete list of all the businesses.
In this time of economic hardships it is more important than ever to be careful with your money, but keeping it local is always an important thing to do. Support the businesses that are here, show them that you want them to stay and grow!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
How can I get involved in Positively Pewaukee?
That is one question I hear a lot! The answer is our annual Friend Raiser on Monday, May 5th at Beef O'Brady's at 1230 Georgetown Rd starting at 6:00 pm.
What is a Friend Raiser? It is the evening where we invite our friends that have volunteered for us before to bring in their friends that have an interest in our organization and would like to find out more about us. It is also the evening where the full summer schedule of events is unveiled and people can sign up for the volunteer jobs they love!
If you are interested in finding out how you can get involved please join us on the 5th.
Contact Kim or myself to register and we will give you the full detail. You can reach us at 262-695-9735 or email elaine@positivelypewaukee.com.
If you are looking for a way to meet new people while helping out in your community this is it!
Hope to see you there.
What is a Friend Raiser? It is the evening where we invite our friends that have volunteered for us before to bring in their friends that have an interest in our organization and would like to find out more about us. It is also the evening where the full summer schedule of events is unveiled and people can sign up for the volunteer jobs they love!
If you are interested in finding out how you can get involved please join us on the 5th.
Contact Kim or myself to register and we will give you the full detail. You can reach us at 262-695-9735 or email elaine@positivelypewaukee.com.
If you are looking for a way to meet new people while helping out in your community this is it!
Hope to see you there.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Updates to our Website
We have been very busy the past few days making our website a friendlier, more useful site. We have added new pages, condensed some of the old pages and updated the others to make it easier for you to find out what you need to know about Pewaukee.
Some of the new additions are - Property Listings provided by Choose Milwaukee - On this site you will be able to see the business properties that are available in Pewaukee for lease or for purchase. The great thing about this site is not only in most cases is there a photo of the property, but you can pull up demographics on the area and see what other businesses are near by.
Partners - This page will give you information on how you can become one of our important partners. It has links to all the businesses that are already our partners through sponsorships of our events. These businesses are very important to us and we hope you will visit this page and their websites!
One of the pages we updated is our Links page where you will be able to go our community partner’s websites as well as many government links. The About Us page is a combination of other pages previously on our website, put into one easy to view page.
Our Get Involved page has information on how you can support us through volunteerism, and the To Do page has information on all our year round events. Be sure to check out our newest event, Motor Madness on Sunday, May 18th!
Don’t forget to come back often to view our Community Calendar on our homepage where we list all the events and promotions going on in Pewaukee from other community organizations and our local businesses.
We hope you find our website useful and a good community resource. If you have any ideas on additional information you would like to see on the site please email me at Elaine@positivelypewaukee.com
Many thanks to our webmaster Lori Callen for all her hard work and volunteer time!
Some of the new additions are - Property Listings provided by Choose Milwaukee - On this site you will be able to see the business properties that are available in Pewaukee for lease or for purchase. The great thing about this site is not only in most cases is there a photo of the property, but you can pull up demographics on the area and see what other businesses are near by.
Partners - This page will give you information on how you can become one of our important partners. It has links to all the businesses that are already our partners through sponsorships of our events. These businesses are very important to us and we hope you will visit this page and their websites!
One of the pages we updated is our Links page where you will be able to go our community partner’s websites as well as many government links. The About Us page is a combination of other pages previously on our website, put into one easy to view page.
Our Get Involved page has information on how you can support us through volunteerism, and the To Do page has information on all our year round events. Be sure to check out our newest event, Motor Madness on Sunday, May 18th!
Don’t forget to come back often to view our Community Calendar on our homepage where we list all the events and promotions going on in Pewaukee from other community organizations and our local businesses.
We hope you find our website useful and a good community resource. If you have any ideas on additional information you would like to see on the site please email me at Elaine@positivelypewaukee.com
Many thanks to our webmaster Lori Callen for all her hard work and volunteer time!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Will Summer ever get here!
That is what everyone has been saying lately. Here is another event to get you in the summer mood.
We are partnering with the Pewaukee Park and Rec Department on a new event called
Motor Madness.
Sunday, May 18th Rain or Shine
1:00 – 4:00 pm
Pewaukee Village Park
$5.00 for adults
$3.00 for children
Children 2 and under free
This amazing day of classic cars, trucks, engines and construction equipment is sure to delight the kid in everyone. On display will be dozens of vehicles of all kinds from the past, present and future – learn about, peek under the hood and crawl into motor madness! Don’t forget your camera.
We are partnering with the Pewaukee Park and Rec Department on a new event called
Motor Madness.
Sunday, May 18th Rain or Shine
1:00 – 4:00 pm
Pewaukee Village Park
$5.00 for adults
$3.00 for children
Children 2 and under free
This amazing day of classic cars, trucks, engines and construction equipment is sure to delight the kid in everyone. On display will be dozens of vehicles of all kinds from the past, present and future – learn about, peek under the hood and crawl into motor madness! Don’t forget your camera.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
North Shore Bank Taste of Lake Country Entertainment Schedule
Summer is getting closer by the day, and we have completed scheduling the entertainment for the North Shore Bank Taste of Lake Country (July 25th and 26th). We are excited to announce that we will be opening an hour earlier on Saturday in order to showcase our newest entertainment ... Radio Disney!
Below is the complete list of the entertainment for the event:
Friday – July 25th
Stray Voltage – Cover Band -5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Hot Sauce – Dance Band - 7:45pm -10:30 pm
Waterstone Bank -Bartolotta Fireworks - 10:30 pm
Saturday, July 26th
New this year! Radio Disney 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Truly Remarkable Loon - 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Comedy Juggler
Kids Craft Area - 3:00 - 6:00 pm
The Orphans – Cover Band - 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
U2 Zoo – U2 Tribute Band -7:15 pm - 10:30 pm
Waterstone Bank -Bartolotta Fireworks - 10:30 pm
Mark your calendars, you don't want to miss a minute of the fun!
Many thanks to our title sponsor North Shore Bank, please visit them at http://www.northshorebank.com/.
Below is the complete list of the entertainment for the event:
Friday – July 25th
Stray Voltage – Cover Band -5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Hot Sauce – Dance Band - 7:45pm -10:30 pm
Waterstone Bank -Bartolotta Fireworks - 10:30 pm
Saturday, July 26th
New this year! Radio Disney 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Truly Remarkable Loon - 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Comedy Juggler
Kids Craft Area - 3:00 - 6:00 pm
The Orphans – Cover Band - 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
U2 Zoo – U2 Tribute Band -7:15 pm - 10:30 pm
Waterstone Bank -Bartolotta Fireworks - 10:30 pm
Mark your calendars, you don't want to miss a minute of the fun!
Many thanks to our title sponsor North Shore Bank, please visit them at http://www.northshorebank.com/.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Community Connections
A big part of revitalizing a downtown is connecting with other community groups. One group that is doing wonderful things for Pewaukee is the Pewaukee Interchurch Lay Council who are in charge of the Pewaukee Food Pantry.
The Pewaukee Food Pantry helps over 100 families a month to suppliment their food and toiletry supplies. The pantry is critially low on food and money and your help is greatly needed.
The pantry is located at Gethsemane Church - 642 Main Street in Pewaukee. You may drop off donations Wednesday and Saturday's between 10 - 11 am or call 691-3240 to set up a drop off time. If you would like to mail a check, please do so to the address above and make the check out to the Interchurch Lay Council.
Some of the most needed items are:
Canned or boxed meals
Spaghetti sauce
Peanut butter
Jelly
Bath tissue
Laundry detergent
The pantry severs people all year long, not just during the holidays, please keep them in mind throughout the year! Thank you so much for your support.
The Pewaukee Food Pantry helps over 100 families a month to suppliment their food and toiletry supplies. The pantry is critially low on food and money and your help is greatly needed.
The pantry is located at Gethsemane Church - 642 Main Street in Pewaukee. You may drop off donations Wednesday and Saturday's between 10 - 11 am or call 691-3240 to set up a drop off time. If you would like to mail a check, please do so to the address above and make the check out to the Interchurch Lay Council.
Some of the most needed items are:
Canned or boxed meals
Spaghetti sauce
Peanut butter
Jelly
Bath tissue
Laundry detergent
The pantry severs people all year long, not just during the holidays, please keep them in mind throughout the year! Thank you so much for your support.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Something to warm you up!
Today is January 30th and the temperature is way below zero, so here is some news that should help you warm up! We have all the bands booked for this years season of Waterfront Wednesdays. The lineup is as follow:
6/4 - Kojo -Reggae - Sponsored by Seester's Mexican Cantina
6/11 - Civic Broadway Singers -Broadway Favorites - Sponsored by Harken, Inc
6/18- Cream City Jazz -Jazz - Wauwatosa Savings Bank
6/25 - The Dirty Boggie Band- Rock - Sponsored by North Shore Bank
7/2 -Kerry McConaway and the Elements -Country - Wal-Mart
7/9 -Crazy Man's Basement -Rock - Sponsored by American Family Insurance - Chris Lueth Agency
7/16 -The Cowboy Brothers -Classic Rock - Sponsored by Marine Bank
7/23 - The Danny Miller Band -Blues -Sponsored by Pier 347
7/30 - Blarney - Irish - Sponsored by Beef O'Brady's
8/6 -Pike Creek - Bluegrass - Sponsored by -Design X Change
8/13 -Alter Ego- Rock - Sponsored by Good Electric
8/20-Steppin' Out -Americana Rock - Sponsored by Lake Country Salon
8/27 - Pink Flamingoes - 4 Decades of Rock - Sponsored by Chase Bank
We have lots of special things planned for this season, stay tuned and we will update you during the next few months.
Many thanks to our title sponsor for this year Siepmann Realty and the Shoppes of Old Main Street!
Have a great week!
Elaine
6/4 - Kojo -Reggae - Sponsored by Seester's Mexican Cantina
6/11 - Civic Broadway Singers -Broadway Favorites - Sponsored by Harken, Inc
6/18- Cream City Jazz -Jazz - Wauwatosa Savings Bank
6/25 - The Dirty Boggie Band- Rock - Sponsored by North Shore Bank
7/2 -Kerry McConaway and the Elements -Country - Wal-Mart
7/9 -Crazy Man's Basement -Rock - Sponsored by American Family Insurance - Chris Lueth Agency
7/16 -The Cowboy Brothers -Classic Rock - Sponsored by Marine Bank
7/23 - The Danny Miller Band -Blues -Sponsored by Pier 347
7/30 - Blarney - Irish - Sponsored by Beef O'Brady's
8/6 -Pike Creek - Bluegrass - Sponsored by -Design X Change
8/13 -Alter Ego- Rock - Sponsored by Good Electric
8/20-Steppin' Out -Americana Rock - Sponsored by Lake Country Salon
8/27 - Pink Flamingoes - 4 Decades of Rock - Sponsored by Chase Bank
We have lots of special things planned for this season, stay tuned and we will update you during the next few months.
Many thanks to our title sponsor for this year Siepmann Realty and the Shoppes of Old Main Street!
Have a great week!
Elaine
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Main Street Workshops
One of the best things about being a Main Street Community is the networking. Last week I attended one of four required workshops that Main Street sponsors. This workshop was extended a day for a board member training where I facilitated one of the round table discussions on volunteerism.
It never ceases to amaze me how lucky we are in Pewaukee to have so many dedicated people that volunteer for us. Community after community is struggling to get and keep their volunteers, I am always happy to say with pride that we do not have that problem in Pewaukee!
The rest of the workshop centered around advertising, not only for our programs, but how to help our merchants look at all the options available to them for advertising their businesses. I came away with many new ideas, but the best part was knowing that we were already following many of the steps that the speaker advised.
The Main Street workshops occur in January, March, June and September. Volunteers are invited and encouraged to attend with their Directors. The next workshop will be held in Watertown and is being facilitated by Margie Johnson, some of you will remember her from her visit to Pewaukee a few years ago. Margie is a dynamo with tons of ideas on how to improve your business. If you are interested in attending this workshop please let me know. Margie will be speaking on Tuesday, the 18th of March from 8:30 - 5:00.
Until next time - stay warm!
Elaine
It never ceases to amaze me how lucky we are in Pewaukee to have so many dedicated people that volunteer for us. Community after community is struggling to get and keep their volunteers, I am always happy to say with pride that we do not have that problem in Pewaukee!
The rest of the workshop centered around advertising, not only for our programs, but how to help our merchants look at all the options available to them for advertising their businesses. I came away with many new ideas, but the best part was knowing that we were already following many of the steps that the speaker advised.
The Main Street workshops occur in January, March, June and September. Volunteers are invited and encouraged to attend with their Directors. The next workshop will be held in Watertown and is being facilitated by Margie Johnson, some of you will remember her from her visit to Pewaukee a few years ago. Margie is a dynamo with tons of ideas on how to improve your business. If you are interested in attending this workshop please let me know. Margie will be speaking on Tuesday, the 18th of March from 8:30 - 5:00.
Until next time - stay warm!
Elaine
Monday, January 14, 2008
Welcome to our new Blog!!
Why a blog? Information is what we are all looking for, and we wanted an easy way to keep everyone up to date on what is happening at Positively Pewaukee. Look for updates on events, projects and spotlights on volunteers, all the things that make Positively Pewaukee...well positive! Check back frequently for what's new and again welcome to our blog!
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