Fall 2024 News & Updates from MTCF!

What's Inside:

-Grantee Spotlight - MT Trails Autumn Harvest Chef's Table

-Grantee Spotlight - Thiensville Village Park Reimagined Pickleball and Splash Pad Update

-Grantee Spotlight - Mequon Nature Preserve

-Board/Advisory Board Updates

-Pillars of the Community Nomination Request

-Summer Sponsorships Recap

-Follow us on Social Media

Grantee Spotlight – MT Trails

Autumn Harvest Chef’s Table Fundraiser Raised $25,000+ For Bike/Pedestrian Paths in Mequon-Thiensville.

On September 15th, 50 residents gathered at Foxtown Station to share a carefully curated blend of seasonal dishes to support the expansion of bike and pedestrian paths throughout Mequon-Thiensville.

This year’s event, put on by the MT Trails Foundation included chefs Jeffrey Henschel, Chef de Cuisine of the Annex and Foxtown Station; Amber Schmitz, Executive Chef of Mr. B’s Steakhouse; and John Levine, Executive Chef of Coco’s Seafood and Steakhouse.

“We could not have made this evening possible without our community sponsors, including North Shore Bank and Foxtown Station, our amazing volunteers, and our live auction donors: Trailside Recreation, Extreme Ski and Bike, Bartolotta’s, Brandywine, Amilinda, Cheel, the Pasta Tree and Herald Beach, LLC” said Lori Lorenz, one of the event coordinators.

The event raised over $25,000 towards the Highland Road Bike/Pedestrian path – a spur running east/west along Highland Road in Mequon, connecting the Ozaukee Interurban Trail to Rotary Park, which brings the amount needed to fully fund the project to $116,000.

For more information about the MT Trails Foundation, the Highland Road Bike/Pedestrian path, or to donate, visit www.mtcfgives.org/mttrails/

LEARN MORE

Tom and Kathy Nieman and their guests enjoy a festive atmosphere while enjoying one of the Top Chef style courses.

Chefs and their sous chefs relax prior to the event. Third from the left is Chef Jeffrey Henschel, Chef de Cuisine from the Annex and the Station at Foxtown.

To his right is Chef Amber Schmitz, Executive Chef from Mr. B’s Steakhouse. Second from the right is John LeVine, Executive Chef from Coco's Seafood and Steakhouse.

Event coordinators, pictured left to right: Lori Lorenz, Holly Leider, and Dee Girard.

Grantee Spotlight - Thiensville Village Park Reimagined Pickleball and Splash Pad Update

Funding Secured for Thiensville Village Park Splash Pad and Pickleball Courts!

Funding for the splash pad and pickleball courts at Thiensville Village Park has been successfully raised, allowing construction to begin soon. Thanks to the incredible support from our community—including generous private donations, grants, and contributions from the Village—the $350,000 needed to construct the water feature and the $416,000 needed for the pickleball courts have been secured.

The splash pad will bring a new level of fun and enjoyment to the park, with various interactive water features designed for all to enjoy. Its location adjacent to the existing playground will allow young visitors to seamlessly frolic between the two areas while adults can easily oversee their play.

Four pickleball courts will be added near the existing tennis courts. Two courts will be dedicated pickleball courts and the other two will be layered over a full-size tennis court. The renovation also includes an adjacent shaded structure and 8 additional parking spots.

Both projects are scheduled for completion by the summer of 2025.

Thank you to all of the donors who have made these exciting new additions possible!

Grantee Spotlight - Mequon Nature Preserve

Observation Telescope Installed at Mequon Nature Preserve!

Be sure to check out the new telescope on the observation platform at the Mequon Nature Preserve (MNP)! With a grant received from MTCF, MNP was able to add this exciting feature to enhance the visitor’s experience. The platform, located outside of Harvey’s Woods near Swan Road, allows visitors to observe the surrounding landscape, both far and wide. Now with a telescope on deck, patrons can get a close-up of wildlife and better observe the natural wonders throughout the preserve.

The Mequon Nature Preserve, located on County Line Road in Mequon, is a beautifully managed 438-acre sanctuary dedicated to preserving and showcasing the region's diverse natural habitats. It offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, bird watching, and educational programs, making it a vital resource for environmental education and community engagement.

With its extensive trails, restored prairies, woodlands, and wetlands, the preserve provides a tranquil escape for nature enthusiasts and an opportunity to experience the rich biodiversity of the area. The MNP is committed to conservation efforts, ensuring that future generations can enjoy and learn from this remarkable natural space.

Board/Advisory Board Updates

As an all-volunteer organization, we welcome new faces and talent that bring dynamic energy, new perspectives, and diversity of thought to our team. As such, we’d like to share with you the latest updates to our boards:

New Board Member

Carrie Hansen, Treasurer

First, join us in welcoming Carrie Hansen who started with the MTCF Board of Directors on July 1st as treasurer. Carrie has a storied business career focused on non-profit finance, business development, market analytic, and philanthropy operations, with experience in public accounting and industry. For five-plus years, she has led the philanthropy operations for the Medical College of Wisconsin and the Froedtert Hospital Foundation.

Carrie raised her family in Mequon and has lived here for over thirty years. She chose Mequon/Thiensville for its excellent schools and welcoming community. In addition to volunteering, Carrie enjoys entertaining, traveling, gardening, and spending time at her happy place in Door County. In her spare time, she plays tennis and pickleball.

We are also excited to welcome Jim Ott and Lisa Froemming to the MTCF Advisory Board, a group of talented and dedicated community residents who help to advise our board with key decisions.

New Advisory Board Member

Lisa Froemming

Following a career in nonprofit management, philanthropy, and marketing/communications at the Milwaukee Symphony, Milwaukee Public Museum, and Ascension Healthcare, Lisa Froemming is now happily retired and delighted to replace employment with volunteering. She is thrilled to use her past experiences to benefit the community that she loves.

Lisa currently serves on the boards of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, MKE Urban Stables, Ozaukee Family Services, and the Helen Bader Institute for Nonprofit Management at UWM. Prior board and leadership roles include the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy, Cedarburg Cultural Center, Association of Midwest Museums, Girl Scouts of SEWI, and Wisconsin Aids Fund.

She is an active member and mentor in TEMPO (a women’s leadership organization), has two adult children, and lives in Mequon with her three standard poodles, Rowan, Jayme, and Frank.

New Advisory Board Member

Jim Ott

Jim initially served 3 years as an MTCF Director and then transitioned to the Advisory Board this past spring. After a long career in broadcast meteorology and 14 years in the Wisconsin State Assembly where he was named Legislator of the Year multiple times by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, MTCF is lucky to have Jim’s talent on our board.

Jim served three years in the Army and is a Vietnam veteran. He has a law degree from Marquette University and is a member of the American Legion, the American Meteorological Society, and the State Bar, and serves on the Advisory Council for Interfaith Caregivers of Ozaukee County. He is also a volunteer for Stars and Stripes Honor Flight. Jim and his wife, Carol, have been Mequon residents since 1986 and have been involved in both the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club and Lumen Christi Catholic Church.

Finally, we heartily thank Brian Ertmer for his involvement with MTCF. In 2021, Brian joined the Finance Committee and in 2023 transitioned into a Director role where he served as treasurer. Brian’s dedication and commitment to our mission has been extraordinary and brought new insight to the Foundation. Please join us in thanking Brian for his service and wishing him and his family well in the future.

Nominations Are Being Accepted

For Pillars of the Community

Nominations Due November 1st

MCTF is accepting nominations for the 2025 Pillars of the Community award. This annual award recognizes a member of the Mequon-Thiensville community who has had a significant and lasting impact on making Mequon and Thiensville great places to live, work, and play. MTCF rotates between honoring someone from the business community, a municipal leader, and a community leader/volunteer.

The focus for 2025 is on a Community Leader and/or Volunteer whose service has had a demonstrable impact on our community. For consideration, candidates shall meet the following criteria:

Work, live, or own a business in Mequon and/or Thiensville
Has had a significant and lasting impact on making Mequon and/or Thiensville a great place to live, work, and play.

Nominations should be emailed to info@mtcfgives.org by November 1, 2024, and include a detailed description of the ways in which the person has made a lasting impact on our community.

For more information on the Pillars of the Community (POTC) award and to see a list of past award winners, visit our website.

POTC AWARD INFORMATION