More details on the event, set for 4 to 7 p.m. on December 6 at the Bucyrus Club, here.
I first met Ben when I was mayor, and I’m excited to see his vision and years of work paying off with the release of this book — one that will memorialize an important (and often untold) part of South Milwaukee’s history story. Congratulations, Ben!
After nearly 30 years of research, three authors ― including a local tile-maker ― are releasing a new book that tells the story of one Belgian immigrant and his connection to a South Milwaukee-based tile company working to stay in business through the middle of the 20th century.
The book, titled “Carl Bergmans and the Continental Faience & Tile Co.,” will make its debut during a special event from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, at the Bucyrus Club, 1919 12th Ave., South Milwaukee. It will sell for $60.
Continental Faience and Tile Company operated in South Milwaukee from 1925 to 1943, according to Tyjeski. Tiles made there can be found throughout Wisconsin and in buildings in Minnesota, Ohio and Florida, he said.
The 272-page hardcover book covers the company’s history along with the life of Belgian immigrant Carl Bergmans, who Tyjeski said kept the business going through the difficult years when many tile companies were closing.
It contains 1,200 color photos and 75 black-and-white pictures documenting many tile designs, the factory itself and more. The narrative portion contains comments from Bergmans’ own letters ― including some to famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
After the company revamped the factory to produce pottery during its last few years in operation, the business closed in 1943 due to a worker shortage caused by World War II, Tyjeski said. The building at 909 Menomonee Ave. was torn down in 2008.
For those who can’t attend the launch event, the book will be available for purchase at the Bucyrus Museum, at Historic Milwaukee, Inc. in downtown Milwaukee, and at the Urban Milwaukee store.
Also, the South Milwaukee Historical Society also put together a display in one of the cases at the Bucyrus Club to go with the book launch. Check it out!
During the period from December 1st to March 31st, no person shall park a vehicle on any street in the city of South Milwaukee between the hours of 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM.
However, vehicles may be parked during such hours if a permit is obtained from the Police Department after the filing of an application and the payment of $30.00 per month permit fee, $20.00 if obtained after the 15th of the month, or $100.00 for a 4-month permit. Hours: Monday – Friday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Excluding Holidays and Holidays observed (November 24 – 25; December 23 – 26; December 30- January 2)
Any vehicle parked according to (1) or (2) above shall only be permitted to park on the EVEN numbered side of the street on those nights when the calendar date before midnight is even (N and W sides of the street are even) and on the ODD side of the street on those nights when the calendar date before midnight is odd (S and E sides of the street are odd), *Where parking is normally permitted only on one side of the street this section (3) shall not apply.
SNOW EMERGENCY DECLARED The Mayor, if after consulting with the Street Department, finds that due to snow, sleet, or freezing rain, the street must be plowed or salted, may declare a SNOW EMERGENCY, which will prohibit parking on any of the Arterial Streets as named in Section 28.12 of the Municipal Code. Whenever such an emergency is declared, which will be announced on at least (3) radio stations (WTMJ, WISN,WOKY), it shall be unlawful to park any vehicle between the hours of 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM inclusive, or any of the Arterial Streets as mentioned above.
Spear-headed by Natalie Gajewski, owner of Omen Subculture Clothing & Accessories, the event will feature over 15 independently owned businesses offering globally themed holiday shopping, discounts and immersive holiday experiences.
“We want people to see how much South Milwaukee has to offer,” says Gajewski. “We have so many great independently owned businesses here and we’re excited to promote them through food, wine tastings, discounts and a whole lot of holiday cheer.”
Participating Shops
Acetime Disc Golf 916 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 419-2237 acetime-disc-golf.business.site Type of business: Disc Golf supplies Theme: U.S.A. Guests can expect: Classic Christmas carols, sports games on television, a festive Christmas tree, apple pie candy and sales on select merchandise.
Avenue Coffeehouse 911 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 304-8060 avenuecoffeehouse.square.site Type of business: Cafe, coffee shop Theme: Mexico Guests can expect: Traditional live contemporary music with a Latin twist, housemade tortillas for purchase and discounts on Mexican Mochas.
Bakehouse23 1309 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 304-5151 bakehouse23mke.com Type of business: Bakery Theme: Vietnam Guests can expect: Free samples with Passport stamp, plus a free cookie voucher with every purchase of a $25 gift card for the bakery. The bakery will also be offering banh mi sandwiches and bubble tea for purchase.
Barre Collective 1633 Rawson Ave., (262) 853-3319 barrecollectivemke.com Type of business: Workout studio, barre classes Theme: France Guests can expect: Barre demonstrations throughout the day, French tarts, plus a pop-up featuring a vendor selling Fair Trade accessories, jewelry and bags.
C3 Designs 2110 10th Ave., (414) 764-3892 c3designs.rocks Type of business: Custom-designed jewelry shop Theme: Around the World Guests can expect: Access to the shop’s annual gem event featuring hand-chosen gemstones gathered from around the world and sold for half retails value.
The Chi Shed 916 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 234-6022 thechished.net Type of business: Makers boutique Theme: The North Pole Guests can expect: Sugar cookies, gingerbread men, hot cocoa and hot cider along with 20%-30% off select items
ChowChow Treats and Accessories 907 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 677-2735 chowchowtreats.com Type of business: Pet items Theme: Africa Guests can expect: Traditional African dress and African food, plus $5 back for every $25 spent. The shop will also offer buy one get one half-off on select items.
Dupree’s Vintage 915 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 304-8242 dupreesvintage.com Type of business: Vintage clothing and housewares Theme: U.K. Guests can expect: Mulled cider (both spiked and NA), regional snacks, photo ops with Santa and Billy Idol (mannequin), along with British punk, ska and Christmas music. Featured items will include Winter Solstice yule logs, smudge sticks, 50% off Christmas inventory and other select discounts.
Hollyville Boutique 916 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 220-0055 hollyville.com Type of Business: Retro-inspired clothing shop Theme: Poland Guests can expect: Traditional Polish dress, music and dancing, paczkis and a “Pick a Poppy, Get a Discount” promotion.
Immortal Toys & Collectibles 907b Milwaukee Ave., (414) 301-4340 facebook.com/Immortaltoysandcollectables Type of business: Collectible shop Theme: Puerto Rico Guests can expect: Tastings of traditional foods, Puerto Rican music and the chance to spina prize wheel for discounts, gift certificate and t-shirts.
Mari’s Flowers, Wine and Gifts 905 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 431-2030 marisflowers.com Type of business: Flowers, live plants, gifts Theme: Southern Italy (Sicily) Guests can expect: Biscotti, Prosecco, buy one get one half-off wines, plus discounts on candles, soaps, lotions and jewelry.
Omen Subculture Clothing & Accessories Omen Alternative Music and Media 1310 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 666-2804 omensouthmke.com Type of business: Alternative/goth clothing, music Theme: Italy Guests can expect: Italian cookies, Italian roasted coffee and Italian Christmas music, plus a visit from La Befana, the Italian Christmas witch (photo ops available). Guests will also earn “Befana Bucks” ($10 for every $50 spent); get 60%-80% off all clearance items; and purchase $25 and $50 mystery bags for keeping or gifting.
Parkway Floral 1001 Milwaukee Ave., (414) 762-0246 parkwayfloralinc.com Type of business: Flowers, plants and pottery Theme: Holland Guests can expect: Techno music, wine tasting and samples of food items including frikadellen, bitterballen, fries and mayo and windmill cookies. There will also be specials on classic blooms, paintings of windmills and Dutch scenes, in-house forced bulbs in handmade pottery and a Red Light District mannequin floral lingerie show-down.
Pink Bunny Games 1204 Minnesota Ave., (414) 304-5305 pinkbunnygames.com Type of business: Table games Theme: Germany Guests can expect: Sales on select items
Rosenquist Fine Art 1805 10th Ave. rosenquistfineart.com Type of business: Art gallery, gifts Theme: Sweden Guests can expect: Cookies (ginger, almond, chocolate and raspberry), candy, sparkling pear drink, mulled fruit juice, wine and huvudroll (Swedish meatballs). The gallery will offer discounted pricing on mugs, canvas art bags and more. There will even be free temporary tattoos and stickers for the kids.
Make your plans now as a South Milwaukee holiday tradition is born, with two holiday events planned for Saturday, December 2 — Old Fashioned Christmas at City Hall and Christmas at the Commons at Bucyrus Commons downtown. More details in the flyer below …
We’ll be announcing our afternoon music lineup next week.
And we are still looking for participants for the Lighted Standstill Parade! It’s a different take on the traditional favorite, where instead of you watching units move past you from the side of the street, the units park (in this case, along 11th Avenue, between Milwaukee and Madison) and you walk around them.
Want to take part in the Standstill Parade? There is still time to sign up here. Businesses, organizations, teams, and others are welcome; just make sure you light it up!
Buy tickets here. From the South Milwaukee PAC website …
Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie which was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, Clue is a hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery. The tale begins at a remote mansion, where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects. Led by Wadsworth – the butler, Miss Scarlet, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock and Colonel Mustard race to find the killer as the body count stacks up. Clue is the comedy whodunit that will leave both cult-fans and newcomers in stitches as they try to figure out…WHO did it, WHERE, and with WHAT!
For more information about SMHS Theatre Co., visit here.
Recommended audience: all ages
General Admission Tickets: Advanced $11 ($9 students), four or more $9 each; Day of sales $12 ($10 students)
I am so glad to see this initiative move forward. We earmarked more than $200,000 in funds in our 2016 capital borrowing for this, but the project languished.
I’m excited to see Mayor Shelenske lead the charge in making this a reality. He has been a leader in pushing for this important change for many years.
South Milwaukee is committing to a more cost effective and energyefficient future by partnering with We Energies to replace 1,075 streetlights with LED bulbs. At their meeting on November 7, 2023, the South Milwaukee Common Council unanimously approved the project.
The conversion project, set to begin in 2024, is an important investment in the City’s infrastructure and sustainability objectives. LED technology is renowned for its efficiency, longevity, and eco-friendliness. By switching to LED streetlights, South Milwaukee will significantly reduce its carbon footprint. The new bulbs are expected to consume between 50% and 70% less energy compared to traditional streetlights, translating into substantial energy savings for the City
Within a seven-year period, the City is forecasted to save $260,000 in streetlighting costs. This number jumps to $1,800,000 within 20 years.
Mayor Shelenske, a long supporter of the project, expressed enthusiasm, saying, “The streetlight conversion project is a practical, cost-effective, and forward-thinking investment for South Milwaukee. In addition to other benefits, it boosts our attractiveness to environmentally conscious businesses looking for a new home.”
South Milwaukee has lost several iconic figures in recent weeks, and I offer my thoughts and prayers to their families, friends and and communities in which they serve. Each leaves his own legacy.
Al Bassett
I regularly tell my kids that if you remember any lesson in life, remember this one: Help people. In other words, be like Al Bassett.
“We serve.” Al lived the Lions slogan like no one else, always looking for ways to make a difference in his community and world.
His death is South Milwaukee’s loss. From his obituary:
Al will be greatly missed by many. Best known for his smile, he was a playful rascal who was very lucky. He believed you should ‘Eat your desert first.’ Al’s greatest achievement was his incredible friends and family.
Al lived life large. Al was a happy, incredibly energetic, intelligent guy who LOVED people. He loved car racing, sailing, golfing, gambling and having fun. He was a prolific volunteer. Al was dedicated to the Lions Club and its charities. He mentored high school students, volunteered for the Kidney Foundation, Juvenile Diabetes, and more charitable groups than we could list.
Ed Mueller
My favorite memories of Ed were at Trinity Lutheran Church, when he would regularly stop me after services to chat about the issue of the day — often related to the Oak Creek Watershed.
And I listened. His remarks were always thoughtful, well-meaning and positive in spirit — much like this special man whose impact on the city went well beyond his time in the classroom.
In 1965, Ed began teaching Biology at South Milwaukee Senior High School, where he also taught German. He coached the Girl’s Swim Team from 1978-1980. He enjoyed teaching all levels of Biology at the High School, including Special Education classes, until his retirement in 1990. Ed was impressed by so many of his students who worked very hard in his classroom. …
After retirement from teaching, Ed started a business focused around nature photography, called appropriately “Mueller Nature Pictures”. He maintained a storefront in South Milwaukee from 1990-2001. … Edward was an active church member his entire life. He held nearly every office at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Cudahy, Wisconsin from 1967 until it closed in 1991. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in South Milwaukee from 1992 until his death. …
Ed was always very invested making suggestions to improve our society, and was a prolific writer of letters to all levels of local government officials, including Governors, State Senators and Representatives, and leaders of the Wisconsin DNR and DOT.
Richard Stefanik
I never got to know Dick, and from what I read in obituary, I regret that.
From that obituary:
Dick had a long and successful teaching career, notably at South Milwaukee Junior High School (later South Milwaukee Middle School), where he taught History, Social Studies and other subjects as needed. …
Dick’s passion for history was evident in his involvement in local historical groups. He was an active member of Historic Milwaukee, Inc for many years, giving talks and tours, and writing articles for HMI’s publication, Echo. He was also involved in the Milwaukee County Historical Preservation Commission meetings and the Zoning, Neighborhoods, and Development Committee hearings. His research informed efforts to preserve historic buildings, and he nominated a number of buildings for local historic designation over the years.
The fall edition of Bridges Magazine, the official magazine of the City of South Milwaukee and the School District of South Milwaukee, has been published. And it looks beautiful.
Here is some of what’s happening around town this month … a full event schedule that actually started with last night’s Bruce Cockburn concert at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center.
Did I miss something? Let me know, and I can add it to the Events page on the blog. Enjoy November!
Thursday, November 2: Bruce Cockburn, “O Sun O Moon in Concert.” 7:30 p.m., South Milwaukee PAC. Details
Friday, November 3: Launching a Legacy “Diamonds are Forever” Gala, 6 p.m., Bucyrus Club. Details
Friday, November 3: ACG presents “Gregorian Pure Chants Tour.” 8 p.m., South Milwaukee PAC. Details
Saturday, November 4: South Milwaukee Public Library Bake & Book Sale, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Details
Saturday, November 11: Holiday Craft/Vendor and Bake Fair, 9 a.m. 2 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall.
Saturday, November 11: Veterans Day Commemoration, 10:30 a.m., South Milwaukee American Legion Post #27. Details
Saturday, November 11: Polish Dinner, 4-6 p.m., Sts. Peter & Paul Polish National Catholic Church. Details
Sunday, November 12: South Milwaukee Police Department K-9 Program Fundraiser, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., South Milwaukee McDonald’s.
Thursday, November 16: Community Dinner, 5-6:30 p.m., First Congregational United Church Christ. Details
Friday, November 17-Sunday, November 19: South Milwaukee High School Theatre Company presents “Clue.” 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. on Sunday, South Milwaukee PAC. Details
Wednesday, November 22: Thanksgiving Thunder wrestling, Bucyrus Club. Doors open at 6:30, bell time at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 25: Shop Small World Tour. Kicking off the holiday season (Small Business Saturday) with the businesses of South Milwaukee for a cornucopia of cultural diversity, shopping, entertainment and more. Details
Thursday, November 30: “I Got Yule, Babe,” featuring Joel Kopischke. 5:30 p.m., Bucyrus Club & Events Center. Details
The event starts at 5 p.m. Details from Growing South Milwaukee here.
Join us **THIS MONDAY** as we unveil the new mural on the Sorce Martial Arts building!
Help us celebrate muralist Tone Gomeź, the Art Works team, and the downtown South Milwaukee business district as this mural comes to completion. Watch Pete Sorce, Sorce Martial Arts, cut the ribbon and drop a cloth to unveil the newest addition of public art in our community. Expect a few short words from officials and team members. Bring cash and follow us to Azteca Mexican Restaurant (9th & Milwaukee) for snacks and drinks to follow!
The South Milwaukee-Saint Thomas More-Reagan United boys’ volleyball team is headed to the WIAA State Tournament after a straight-set sectional final win over Franklin on Saturday.
Sixth-seeded United takes on third-seeded Marquette High in a quarterfinal at 10 a.m. on Thursday at the Resch Center. See the full schedule and information here.
This is an inspiring story that began more than a decade ago, as the Rockets, struggling to field a full team of players, joined with Saint Thomas More on a co-op team. Reagan was added after the pandemic, the result of a player — Ethan Jetzker, now one of the top players in the state — writing area athletic directors for a chance to play. South Milwaukee and Saint Thomas More responded.
And the rest is (hopefully) state history.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel covers the story here, including that of its head coach, South Milwaukee graduate Tyler Cicigoi. From it …
Before it would even become official – South Milwaukee United – for the 2022 season, Jetzer showed up to South Milwaukee’s open gym for volleyball work.
“I saw this tall kid. I was like, ‘This is gonna be awesome. He’s gonna play middle for us,’” Jetzer said. “And he stuck his hand out and said, ‘Hey, I’m Coach Cicigoi.’It was great. Right away I knew that he was going to be not only a coach but a friend.”
“He really put in the work right away, he was ready to go,” Cicigoi said of that first impression of Jetzer. “He’s a leader. We came from a one-win team. There’s hope for this program to not just only be good but be great and just seeing that impact he made on the court in an open gym just was incredible.”
It’s Da Crusher, of course! Shot the night of Crusherfest, as we unveiled this statue to the world. Do you have a photo you’d like to share on the blog? Send it along.
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