Newsletter of the Stahl-Conrad Homestead

Homestead Happenings Newsletter of the Stahl-Conrad Homestead www.HistoricHalesCorners.org

______9724 W. Forest Home Ave., Hales Corners, WI 53130 June 2010

Chimney Doctors will re-create historical Homestead chimney Homestead plans field trip The next time you look closely at the Homestead, you may notice a In cooperation with the Milwaukee new chimney patterned after the one pictured in a snapshot from Area Land Conservancy and the Wild the 1920s. This was not part of our plan, but it’s funny how one Ones, we will offer a field trip on thing led to another. Saturday, July 10, 12:30 p.m. to Lime In late April, we noticed that the roof on the second story of the Kiln Park in Menomonee Falls. We’ll farmhouse had been damaged. We’ll never know for sure, but we learn about the plants, cultural history, think a raccoon trying to make its way into the attic was the culprit. and geology of the area as they relate The next step was to seek bids from roofers to install a new roof. to the Niagara Escarpment. Call Then, by chance, we found a snapshot that showed the chimney as Delene at 425-4608 for more it used to be. information or to arrange to carpool. ______This discovery added another dimension to the search: Find a chimney specialist as well as a roofer able to work with wooden It’s a birthday party and shingles. We have been fortunate to find the necessary craftsmen. you’re invited th More good fortune brought Andy Sciano, foreman for Chimney Lloyd Conrad will celebrate his 86 Doctors, to the Homestead. Andy’s interest in the property led to birthday on July 10, and we’re plan- his arranging for Chimney Doctors to donate the labor of ning a party. The Wolf River apple constructing the chimney while we cover the cost of materials. We tree we ordered for Lloyd arrived too are overjoyed and very grateful. Thank you, William Hussel, late to be planted on May 2, as origi- owner of Chimney Doctors! nally planned. It’s in the ground now, and that gives us another excuse for a Work on the chimney and roof will proceed in June. Roofing will party. Homestead members and those be done by highly recommended. James R. Taylor and Sons, Inc. going on the July 10 field trip are ______invited to arrive by 11:30 a.m. to greet Farmers Markets resume June 19 Lloyd, admire the apple tree, and join us for light refreshments. Our first market of the season is upon us, and we want to see you ______at the Homestead. Your favorite vendors are returning: Hack’s Farms, Sweet Somethings (baked goods), Charlene and Stuart Brat House will benefit Homestead Lesar (handmade wood products), Viola’s Honey, Steeple View Watch for us on Saturday and Sunday, Farm (certified naturally grown produce), Tshengzoo Lor (cut August 7–8 at Hales Corners Sentry. flowers, produce), Ma V. Cha (produce), Friends of Hales Corners Thanks to Clay Moore, we are among Pool (freshly brewed Stone Creek coffee), on June 19 only, Hales the community groups that will have Corners Historical Society (bedding plants and hanging baskets). an opportunity to raise funds for our The society will offer its publications on other market dates. organizations. Thank you, Clay! As the season progresses, other vendors will return—June Kilgren ______(gourd art, July 3 and September 4), Curly Fleece Sheep Farm Congratulations to Pat Warchol (knitted and felted items, August 14), Hawthorn Garden Club (weed sale, September 18), Jerry’s Orchard (apples, September and Our own Pat Warchol was honored at October), and HC Elementary School garden club (October 9). the April 26 annual meeting of the Milwaukee County Historical Society. New this year, the market will offer mini rummage sales to benefit Pat was recognized for her many years the Homestead. We have some nifty leftovers from last summer’s of volunteer service at Trimborn rummage sale and encourage you to check us out in the barn. Farm. Kochis, Clay Moore, Ron Noeske, and Dave Zepecki. Gifts of goods and services Dan Besson—lawn care Betty Braun—flower plantings and garden weeding Jim Bruening—repair of grind wheel New Members Ron Noeske—fabrication of display units for fossil collection (as of May 28) Ritzman Appliance—antique washing machine Robert Stockinger—lawn care David Adams Tom Ueberroth—lawn care Jane Campanelli ______Gilbert Kaczmarek Glenn and Lorraine Lemmenes Homestead will protect ash trees Katherine and Edward Nevins The Homestead board has voted to hire arborist Jim Uhrinak to Mark and Rita Thomas apply Emerald Ash Borer preventative to the property’s three ash Jim Uhrinak trees. Because ash trees could eventually become very rare, it was ______felt it is important to preserve them as part of the history of the Woman’s Club renews its support area and as a potential seed source for the future. of the Homestead Emerald Ash Borer is an insect native to Asia that has already The Hales Corners Woman’s Club has killed millions of ash trees in North America. The adults lay eggs allocated $350 to the fund for con- in the bark, and the larvae burrow into the tree, effectively girdling struction of bathroom facilities that it and causing death within two years. meet the requirements of the Ameri- ______cans with Disabilities Act. We are grateful for this gift from volunteers Old World Wisconsin adds Bluebird Trail who give so much to our community. This new trail recognizes the beauty and tradition of a Wisconsin ______favorite. Ten bluebird boxes based on a variety of historic designs Passport program beginning now have been placed within the farmyards and gardens and along fence lines. For information about summer programs at Old The Homestead and the Hales Corners World, call 262-594-2922. Historical Society are among 17 societies in Milwaukee County that are ______participating in the passport program MALC to hold annual meeting of the county society. The goal of this program is to encourage visitation at The Milwaukee Area Land Conservancy (MALC) will hold its local societies by offering prizes to annual meeting at the Homestead on Sunday, June 13, 3:00 to 5:00 those who tour them. Pick up your p.m. Jim Uhrinak, an arborist and MALC land management team free passport booklet at the Home- member, will present “A Long View Across Milwaukee County stead, 9724 W. Forest Home Ave. from Rice Camp to Fish Camp.” His talk will focus on the ______Menomonee Falls area and its geological and cultural relationship to the Niagara Escarpment. The gathering is free and open to the Watch our orchard grow public. Refreshments will be served. For updates on this and other On May 8, Eagle Scout candidate events, please visit MALC at www.mkeconservancy.org. Jeremy Golon and 22 volunteers ______planted, staked, and mulched eleven The mission of the Stahl-Conrad Homestead is to create a museum focused on apple trees on the Homestead grounds. transitions in the land in Hales Corners and its environs from presettlement into There are five Macintosh, five the future and to preserve the Stahl-Conrad Homestead as a remnant of a bygone Jonathan, and one Wolf River, which lifestyle. Jeremy will water and monitor The Homestead’s vision: The land is restored and the buildings are renovated to throughout the summer with the goal accommodate changing exhibits and public events. of recreating the orchard that was once The Homestead is a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization. Your donations and in- on the property. kind gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law. On May 22, volunteers led by Robert Officers and directors are: president, Bette Arey; vice president, Dan Besson; Stockinger planted small grafts of secretary, Delene Hanson; treasurer, Michael Jedrzejewski; directors: Michael endangered heirloom apples. The trees are in a holding area until they get established and ready to be added to the orchard. ______You can reach the Homestead at (414) 858-9195.