The Brookfield Scene

Each family builds its own traditions for the holiday.  Some are carried over from past generations and are cherished. Some are newly adopted.

This year, make time for "Christmas at the Inn" on December 1 and 2. The Dousman Stagecoach Inn, built in 1843, will be decorated for the 1840s holidays.  Inside, you'll find feather trees, an old-fashioned Christmas tree with handmade ornaments, a collection of precious baby dolls in vignettes, antique cooky cutters and more amid a fully furnished Stagecoach Inn.

Taste test some of Mrs. Brown's soup, cornbread and homemade baked items. Enjoy music of the recorder, dulcimer and guitar that fills the air. Especially for children are Father Christmas' stories and hands-on crafts. Adults may enjoy the bake sale (with jams and jellies) and a silent auction of gift baskets.

On Saturday, December 1 only:

• Holiday photos will be professionally taken in an antique sleigh. The sitting fee ($39.95) is a donation to the Elmbrook Historical Society and includes admission to "Christmas at the Inn."  Call Nancy Rubly, Portraits on Pilgrim, (262-860 0777) for an appointment.
• Stephen Parr's "Charles Dickens Reads" at 2 pm.
• The Rosewood Quartet (led by music teacher Dr. Denice Haney) will perform at 2:30 pm. The 8th grade Quartet members are also members Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra. 

The Dousman Stagecoach Inn, at 1075 Pilgrim Parkway (between Bluemound and Gebhardt Rds.) is Brookfield's only building on the National Register of Historic Places.  It is cared for by the Elmbrook Historical Society a 501(c)(3) organization.

December 1 - 10 am to 4 pm.; December 2 - Noon to 4 pm.  $4 Adults, $1 Children (5 or older).  Onsite parking.

Call 262 786 2321 for more information or check www.ElmbrookHistoricalSociety.org.

 

Brookfield became a city in 1954.  In 1959, the city funded a master plan for development. At that time, the plan projected a population of 80,000 people, and it included a mix of residential, commercial and industrial development.

Because of this, Dan Ertl, Director of Community Development, becomes defensive when people talk about the over-commercialization of Brookfield. Dan was hired in 1987 and began reviewing the 1959 plan with Kate Bloomberg.  Ertl described development until that time as "frenzied."  Ertl and Bloomberg reduced the 1959 plans for density along North Avenue, 124 Street and Capitol Drive.  Ertl is committed to ensuring existing businesses' success and that the city remains inviting and competitive . 

In its 2020 Master Plan, the city has identified ten "targeted intervention areas." The targeted neighborhoods / nodes  are the Northwest Gateway, Brookfield-Capitol,  Calhoun-Capitol, Lilly-Capitol, 124 St.-Capitol, 124 St-Bluemound, South Gateway, Bluemound Road Corridor, Civic Center and Village Area.

The Department of Community Development has developed promotional pieces for the city overall, and for each of the "targeted intervention areas" (alternatively called nodes).  These are quite well done. Each two-page description of the area describes existing businesses, development opportunities, recent investments, traffic & transportation, rental rates and demographics.  The population, households, % owner-occupied homes, average and median household incomes, and total retail sales are given for a 1-mile, 3-mile and 5-mile radius. 

If you are concerned about future of Brookfield, please request the two page fact sheet(s).  These descriptions are also available on the city's website. 11/14/07  Pat Drinan, Economic Development Director provided the correct link for City of Brookfield marketing brochures: http://www.ci.brookfield.wi.us/index.asp?nid=123

We can't change what the City of Brookfield has become, but we may influence its future. We have a right - and an obligation - to be informed about the environment we'll find ourselves in by 2020.

Take time to visit "Christmas at the Inn" at the Dousman Stagecoach Inn (Brookfield).  Open your eyes and enjoy a step back in time on December 1 and 2. But, before walking through the doors of the historic inn:

Just picture this.  Your family photograph in an antique sleigh.  Saturday, December 1^st only from 10 am to 4 pm. Schedule your appointment with   photographer Nancy Rubley (Portraits on Pilgrim) at  262 860-0777.  The $39.95 sitting fee is a donation to the Elmbrook Historical Society.  Print your own photo or order 25 holiday cards (and get 25 free) $19.95. Mention your photo sitting and get free admission to “Christmas at the Inn.”

The sights of Christmas include cherished dolls displayed in vignettes, feather trees, antique toys (1850s to 1950), an old-fashioned Christmas tree, a display of cookie cutters and more throughout the Inn.

Father Christmas’ story-telling and hands on crafts will prove to be a child’s delight.

“Shop” for that special someone.  A silent auction of gift baskets is waiting for you.

The Dousman Stagecoach Inn is at 1075 Pilgrim Parkway (between Bluemound and Gebhardt Rds), Brookfield.  Its caretakers are members of the Elmbrook Historical Society, a (501)(c)(3). 

(1)  My writing (and believing) that 124^th Street south of Greenfield was in Brookfield.  (Dec 12, 2006)

(2) A statement that the Town of Brookfield won't use TIF (Tax Incremental Financing) to redevelop property along Bluemound Road  (Aug 13, 2007)

(3) My belief that Greenfield Road has better traffic flow than Bluemound Road (Sep 28, 2007)

He was right on the first one. I will never forget that 124th Street south of Greenfield is in New Berlin. In fact, I acknowledged that Dec 31, 2006.  But I do maintain that a [non-environmental] TIF won't be used in the town, and that the traffic flow on Greenfield is better than that on Bluemound.

Here's why:

Legally, the town form of government cannot use a TIF.  But evidently there is an exception for lands needing environmental cleanup.  A state TIF was used (by the Town) in clean up of the Majestic theatre site.

In my opinion, Greenfield Road does has better traffic flow than Bluemound Brookfield Road (corrected 11/2/07).  While I normally head east on Greenfield Road to 124^th, I have taken Greenfield Road west to Waukesha.  Admittedly, the road does narrow west of Bluemound Road. (That’s because the Town of Brookfield chose not to fund the road widening at the level the state demanded.)  From my perspective, the alternate design the state created does not impede traffic flow.

I do live in the Town of Brookfield.  I enjoy the lower tax rates, town water, and sanitary sewer rates that are lower that the city’s.  Emergency response times have been good, and I am confident in the first responders’ skills.  As the word ‘town’ implies, it has smaller government which I feel tends to be more responsive than larger entities.

Nonetheless, I’m sorry I inconvenienced those who pointed out my errors. So please let me know about future misstatements by using the "commenting tool' on this blog.