South Milwaukee Blog

Christmas should be about giving, not receiving, shouldn’t it? In that spirit, the Brooks family is continuing a holiday tradition started three years ago …

We’re taking the kids shopping for toys, games, etc. this week and then delivering those Christmas gifts to three local homeless/domestic violence shelters on Christmas Eve: Hope House, Milwaukee Women’s Center and the Salvation Army Emergency Lodge.

So here is the ask: If anyone wants to donate gifts for us to take, or donate money for us to spend on gifts when we go shopping, drop them off with Sarah or me any time before Christmas Eve. New, unwrapped items, please. 

And if you’d like to come with us on Dec. 24 — and show your kids the true meaning of the season — please join us. We’d love to have you.

Post a comment here, or feel free to call me at 414-651-1105 or email me at erikbrooks32@gmail.com for more information.

From the South Milwaukee School District …

BRYAN TEFF (Class of 1985)

Here is a recent link about Col. Bryan Teff, a class of 1985 standout student-athlete and son of longtime former South Milwaukee Athletic Director Jim Teff:  Colonel Teff was installed as the new commander of the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base in Michigan! 

http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/news/local/2015/12/05/new-air-guard-commander-installed/76797262/

This YouTube link below is from last year, but I thought for those of you that might have known or taught Bryan, it would be nice to see and hear him on your screen and hear him getting some praise from a local newscaster as well!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yMjyQ5JUUs

KATIE OLSON (Class if 2004)

Katie, Olson, Class of 2004, was named one of Chicago’s 50 on Fire last week. The 50 on Fire Chicago awards are held annually “to honor the year’s most groundbreaking individuals and organizations across industries in the Chicago area.” She was selected from over 1,500 nominations of the city’s top innovators. She won in the Civics category.

http://chicagoinno.streetwise.co/2015/12/02/announcing-this-years-50-on-fire-winners/ 

Her photos are at 6:40-6:54 of the reveal video: http://chicagoinno.streetwise.co/2015/12/05/watch-chicago-innos-50-on-fire-reveal-video/

LAUREN KLEPPIN (Class of 2007)

Lauren Kleppin (2006 WIAA Cross Country State Champion D1) will contend for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Marathon team on February 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. Here are 2 articles featuring Lauren!

http://www.runnersworld.com/olympic-trials/olympic-marathon-trials-contender-lauren-kleppin

http://onmilwaukee.com/sports/articles/mkerunningfestival15.html

KATE PHILLEO (class of 2014) has a gingerbread house that is on display at the Milwaukee Public Market between December 4-15, 2015.

A quick note from South Milwaukee football coach Derek Hoff …

TOMORROW at the Varsity Basketball game vs Cudahy at SM @ 7:00 Time Warner Cable will be conducting a brief ceremony at Half-time to present us with a check for $1000 for winning PLAY OF THE YEAR in HS Football.

If you missed it… Check it out here.  Thanks to all that voted!

Watch the play here.

Come out and cheer on the basketball team and then watch the presentation at half-time! 

I saw this one in person, and it’s very deserving.

Congratulations, Rockets!

What a night.

I can’t thank the South Milwaukee Music Parents for asking my wife and I to serve as Ladye and Lorde of this year’s Ye Olde Christmas Feaste.

This is the 36th year, and I can’t think of a more cherished local holiday tradition. It was an honor to be a small part of it.

Congratulations to everyone helps make the two shows this weekend happen — from the student musicians and performers to the student chefs and servers, and the adults who lead them.

I toast you all!

It’s exciting to see a couple new businesses open downtown …

First, Johnny Mo’s has been reinvented (and completely remodeled) as The Tap Room, now open at 1301 Milwaukee Ave. and featuring 20 beers on tap and some unique gastropub food items.

Learn more on their website and Facebook page.

Also, let’s welcome Sunset Mobile, a new mobile phone shop at 917 Milwaukee Ave. (Pictured below.)

Unfortunately, This and That, 1232 Milwaukee Ave., has closed.