Jack Mitchell of Whitefish Bay stands on a ladder and strings lights around a streetlight with the assistance of David Ravia of Milwaukee last Saturday morning. Mitchell, who attends Whitefish Bay High School, said it is was his fifth year helping with the project.

Village President
Van Mobley

Volunteers help get Thiensville
in the holiday spirit

Thiensville is always a magical place and the most magical time of the year may be Christmas! Everyone is enchanted by the beautiful decorations that festoon the streetlights from now until after New Year's.

As is so often the case, there is a backstory to Thiensville's beautiful lights. For many years now, Patty and Joe Miller have been leading a group of volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to string the lights -- which are themselves graciously provided by the Thiensville Business Association.

Thanks also to Remington's River Inn and the TBA for providing and hosting a lunch for the volunteers.

Patty says, "It's a wonderful service project for our youth."

And, I say: "It's a wonderful gift for the whole community!"

Thank you for your service!

Thiensville Fire Chief Brian Reiels, left, receives a pin for his 30 years of service to the village during the annual Employee Recognition Dinner Oct. 30.

Thiensville recognizes employees,
board members for their service

One of the highlights of the year is an annual event where we recognize village employees for their service to Thiensville.

This year, we honored Fire Chief Brian Reiels on his 30th anniversary with the Fire Department. We also recognized Patrick Williams, who has served as a firefighter for 30 years. This also is Patrick's 29th anniversary with the Department of Public Works.

We thanked four others for 10 years of service. Rich Ellner has been with the Department of Public Works for a decade. Three others celebrated their 10-year anniversaries as volunteer members of village boards or committees. Ellen MacFarlane serves on the Police Disciplinary Oversight Committee; Edwin Ogden, the Board of Review; and Mimi Rosing, the Frank L. Weyenberg Library Board.

During the evening, we also took the step of recognizing another building in Thiensville for its historic significance. The building at 151 Green Bay Road soon will bear a plaque telling the story of the William Hoeft Residence. The undertaker and wagonmaker -- one of Thiensville's early settlers -- built the home in 1884.

While that in itself in notable, the building took on a new life in the 1960s when it and several adjoining properties became part of Betty Johnson's Century Park complex, which attracted visitors from across the Midwest for shopping and dining.

This property is just the latest in a growing list of buildings that now have plaques that help preserve Thiensville's rich history. That has happened due to the enthusiastic efforts of Trustee Ron Heinritz, who has chaired the Historic Preservation Commission, along with other longtime members of that group.

From left, Mimi Rosing, Edwin Ogden and Ellen Mac Farlane are congratulated for 10 years of service to the village by Administrator Colleen Landisch-Hansen and President Van Mobley.

Karin Flodstrom, a member of Thiensville's Historic Preservation Commission whose psychology practice is in the William Hoeft Residence, accepts a plaque on behalf of owner William John. Village Administrator Colleen Landisch-Hansen is on the left; Trustee Ron Heinritz, chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission, is on the right.

Upcoming meetings

Monday, Nov. 18 -- Village Board
Monday, Dec. 2 -- Committee of the Whole
Tuesday, Dec. 3 -- Plan Commission
Wednesday, Dec. 11 -- Historic Preservation Commission

Visit the agenda center

Volunteers help get Thiensvillein the holiday spirit

Thiensville recognizes employees,board members for their service

Upcoming meetings

Volunteers help get Thiensville
in the holiday spirit

Thiensville recognizes employees,
board members for their service