Service Above Self
Mequon, WI 53092
United States of America
MEQUON — The Mequon Park and Open Space Board tonight will consider a new all-user playground adjacent to the south pavilion at Rotary Park, 4100 Highland Road.
The Rotary Club of Thiensville-Mequon is presenting the plan.
If approved, the Rotary Club would plan, construct and donate the playground to the city of Mequon. The Rotary committee that is planning the playground is chaired by Club President Jenne Hohn and former Mequon Mayor John Wirth.
"An all-user playground, sometimes called an inclusive playground, is a play area with equipment and resources that meet the needs of all people — not just children — with a wide range of abilities and ages," Hohn explained. "It is an all accessible play area where users of all ages and all abilities will be able to play and thrive."
Such a park was initially identified as a need in the 2019 master planning efforts.
Designed by Zimmerman Architectural Studios, the current concept plan consists of a large center structure with ramps, slides and climbing opportunities, surrounded by swings, including a wheelchair swing, sliders, archways, mounds, exercise equipment and a variety of other playground equipment. The playground would also feature internal paths, landscaping, benches and shaded rest areas, with its colors and design resembling the park’s existing landscape, the club wrote.
In addition, there would be a safe entranceway, perimeter barriers and improved paths leading to the playground.
“The lake and parking areas at Rotary Park can be tempting to kids and those with autism,” Hohn said. “We want this to be a safe experience for all guests of the park and enjoyable for guests’ parents, grandparents and caregivers.”
The club, which hopes to improve other facilities at the park, either with the playground or in future phases, said the project would not impact the nearby soccer fields. It plans to seek additional input from the community and various organizations that represent intellectual and developmentally disabled people.
Due to the scope of the project, the club anticipates the playground to open in early 2026.
“This will be another great project in our club’s 87 years of giving back to Mequon and Thiensville,” Hohn added.
According to the Mequon Park and Open Space Board’s agenda packet for today, the current playground at Rotary south was constructed in 1996, as several of the playground components were either donated or moved from other locations and are older than 1996.
It wasn’t until last summer when the club approved an initiative to move forward with planning documents for a proposed playground.
The origin of this fund takes us back to the late fifties (1958-60) during the presidencies of Rudy Peters and Ralph Huiras. Ralph had been initiated into the mysteries of corn roasting by Doc Elbe, and very quickly Ralph conceived a plan for a family picnic to be known as the Annual Corn Roast and Bratwurst Fry. Others joined in on the development of the fundraiser which would also serve as a community service project. The net profits from the picnic were to be used to finance Boy Scout programs and school scholarships, and in some cases the fund could be used for other community projects. These profits were kept in segregated funds and invested separately from the club’s operating fund. Over the years, successive Corn Roasts continued to generate profits and the segregated fund grew to the point that earnings were enough to finance the Scouts and the scholarships. The goal had been set to build the fund to $25,000.
By 1967 when Jack Wiese because president of T-M Rotary, the fund had grown to $13,000. The time seemed right to set up the fund in a more formal and legal format. Wiese appointed a committee to study the entire Scout-Scholarship Fund situation and come up with a recommendation to the club. The committee consisted of Merton Campbell, Chairman, Dr. T. D. Elbe, Clem Freitag, Ray Hintz, Ralph Huiras, Francis Meer, Russ Risley, and Harry Schmit. After several meetings the committee finished its job, with Ralph Huiras providing the legal expertise. In September 1967, the report was submitted to President Wiese, who then presented it to the Board of Directors for its perusal. The Board accepted the recommendations with a few minor changes, and shortly thereafter the THIENSVILLE-MEQUON ROTARY CLUB FOUNDATION became a legal entity. The purpose was to provide scholarships to aid graduates of Homestead High School, to provide support to the Boy Scouts of America in the Thiensville-Mequon area, and to provide for emergency services connected exclusively with services to the communities of Thiensville and Mequon or to non-profit or charitable organizations within these communities. A Board of Trustees of five members of the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club was to administer the fund, and the method of selecting the Board was specified. The first Board of Trustees consisted of Ralph Huiras, Harry Schmit, James Schmitz, Harold Viste and Jack Wiese (past president). In 1986 the FOUNDATION was reviewed again and some amendments were made, namely; (1) A modification was made in the selection of Trustees, with the treasurer to serve a five-year term; (2) An annual donation of $1000 was to be made to the Frank J. Weyenberg Library Foundation; and an annual donation of $1000 was to be made to the International Rotary Foundation as a Paul Harris Fellowship; this became known as an Honorary Paul Harris Fellowship to be determined by the Club Board of Directors.
Shortly after T-M Rotary launched the Rotary Park project it was necessary to review the foundation again and amend it to cover the initial expenditure of $80,000 plus additional future expenditures toward this $2,500,000 project. Currently the fund is entitled the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Park Foundation, Inc. The foundation continues to be a vibrant force, as was it’s predecessors for the past 33 years, in meeting the service obligations and commitments of Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club as it serves our local communities.
PATRICK NETTESHEIM, CO-FOUNDER GUITARS FOR VETS
Patrick is a music teacher, composer and performer. In college, Patrick excelled in psychology and philosophy. He considered a career in medicine but chose the path of the artist instead. Music credits include many films and numerous bands in which he played guitar, bass and piano with styles covering rock, jazz, country, ambient and techno. In 2007, Patrick co-founded Guitars for Vets (G4V) with his student and friend, Vietnam Era Marine, Dan Van Buskirk. Since then, G4V has grown to more than 150 chapters throughout the USA. He is credited with developing the G4V “four-way path” known as PAGE—Patience, Acceptance, Gratitude, Empathy. The G4V community applies these principles in all aspects of operation as they strive to open “windows of serenity” with our military brothers and sisters that live with the challenges of PTSD. Patrick continues to compose and perform music in his band, Kharma Shotgun. His vision for the future is to offer the G4V program to all wounded Veterans throughout the USA and beyond.
The Mequon-Thiensville Community Foundation (MTCF) will hold its annual Pillars of the Community Award Luncheon on Tuesday, June 4th at 11:30 a.m. at North Shore Country Club. This year, the Foundation will honor Mequon resident and former mayor, Connie Pukaite. “Connie’s passion for people and the environment shines through everything she does – in her past professions, her service to the city of Mequon, and her countless projects that have positively impacted our community and beyond. Connie truly exemplifies what it means to be a Pillar of the Community,” says MTCF President Lori Lorenz.
Connie moved to Mequon in 1966, having been raised on a farm in Massachusetts that was settled by her ancestors in 1725. Those early roots proved to be foundational to her love of woodlands, trees and all-things nature, driving a passion to preserve and maintain natural spaces for future generations to come.
Connie’s life of service is remarkable, with a mission to make the lives of those around her better than how she found them and to strive for service over self. However, her service to ourcommunity didn’t begin for several years after settling in Mequon. Instead, she immersed herself in work to advocate for those who couldn’t advocate for themselves: elevating the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities; helping draft legislation to establish special education in public schools; and fighting for affordable housing and neighborhood renewal in the Milwaukee Lindsey Heights inner city neighborhood.
Indeed, according to close friend and prior Pillars award recipient, Sandy Custer, “To say that Connie is a pillar of Mequon-Thiensville doesn’t begin to take into account the profound influence she has had beyond our community. To me, Connie is a Pillar of Ozaukee County, the city of Milwaukee, and the state of Wisconsin, all in one.”
Connie’s impact in our own community is indeed immense. She served as Alderman for eight years over three different terms; as Mayor and Chair of the Planning Commission for six years; as President of the Mequon Police and Fire Commission for three years; and held numerous leadership positions for the Sunrise Rotary Club over the past 15 years. In fact, Connie was the first woman elected to a top governmental position in Ozaukee County, and was the first female member of the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club when they asked her to join in the mid-1980’s!
During her many years of service, she made an indelible mark throughout the community. Connie was instrumental in creating the first comprehensive land-use plan for Mequon; developing the Mequon Industrial Park and saving Garvey Woods; constructing the Mequon Police and Fire Station; developing the gateway feature that graces the entryway to the Town Center; and securing the site for the Spur 16 development, just to name a few!
While mayor, she set the vision for Rotary Park, noting the need for a park large enough to bring the community together to celebrate and recreate – the first park of its kind in Mequon. And on her last day as mayor, the city honored Connie with an 18-acre parcel of land abutting the northern edge of Rotary Park and bearing her name: Pukaite Woods. For the past 16 years, she has been the chief steward of that land, clearing buckthorn, establishing a prairie meadow and oak savannah areas, and maintaining it for all to enjoy.
Joining the Sunrise Rotary Club in 2009 brought together two of Connie’s passions: love for the environment and a desire to serve. As chair of the Environmental Committee she organized the planting of hundreds of native redbud trees throughout the Town Center, tamarack trees along the Riverwalk, and oak trees in Pukaite Woods, providing a bounty of natural beauty throughout the community.
Ask anyone who knows Connie and the praise is effusive. According to Cindy Shaffer, long-time friend and owner of Shaffer Development, “Nearly two decades ago our paths crossed at Mequon Thiensville Sunrise Rotary, and since then, her unwavering dedication to service has left an indelible mark on all who know her. Connie’s commitment to bettering our environment and promoting the common good has been a guiding light for me, both personally and professionally. She embodies the essence of the Rotary motto—service above self—pouring her heart and soul into initiatives that uplift and enrich the lives of those around her. What sets Connie apart is not just her visible contributions, but the countless acts of kindness and generosity that often go unseen. In a world that often seems chaotic and divided, Connie stands as a beacon of hope, reminding us all of the transformative power of compassion and selflessness.”
It shouldn’t come as a surprise then, that for the past dozen years Connie has been tirelessly advocating for the homeless in Ozaukee County and helped to co-found the first homeless shelter, Family Promise of Ozaukee County. Initially her efforts centered around partnering with local churches to provide shelter but soon realized the need was so much more. Fast forward 11 years later, and Family Promise opened its doors in early 2023 – the first free-standing shelter in Ozaukee County – with an emphasis on human dignity and seeking to determine the root cause of homelessness and preventing it in the first place.
Connie lives in Mequon and continues to work on several boards and committees, serving the people and the city that she loves. For Sponsorship Information or to register for this event, please visit our Pillars of the Community event page!
From the very beginning the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club was alert to community needs and began immediately to support and initiate worthwhile community projects and programs. One of the earliest projects was sponsorship of the Boy Scout Program; and this support still continues in 1993, fifty-six years later. Other early projects were the County Apple Show and Smokey the Fire clown (a school program). During the World War II years, the club was involved with the sale of war bonds, clothing drives, and similar wartime activities. Many more projects have been initiated since those early years; and these are listed elsewhere in this program book. The most recent major project is the City of Mequon Rotary Park, a project officially launched on September 19, 1987, at the fiftieth anniversary ceremonies of the club. Thiensville-Mequon Rotary is working closely with the city of Mequon and initially presented a check for $50,0000.00 toward start up construction, with $30,000.00 in reserve for fundraising activities. Progress has continued in construction and fundraising. Ultimately, over $2,000,000.00 will need to be raised. The Thiensville-Mequon community has always been very supportive of Rotary's fundraising activities which finance numerous worthwhile community projects and programs; and we appreciate that and thank all of our local supporters. It is you who have helped finance the many activities of the Thiensville-Mequon Rotary Club.
She has worked with clients to make positive and long-lasting changes around issues such as: PTS D, Complex trauma histories, Anxiety, Depression, Mental health and substance abuse, Child sexual abuse, Self-injurious behavior, Family violence/conflict, Grief and loss, as well as emotional, behavioral and relational problems affecting children.
She is intensively trained by the Linhan Institute in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and is a candidate for certification. She also has advanced training in Behavior Activation, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Exposure and Response Prevention (E/RP). Jenny serves on the board of REDgen and Ozaukee Family Services and cares deeply about their missions and their impact on the community.
The recognition is named after Rotary’s founder, the late Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer, who started Rotary with three business associates in 1905. A world of goodwill and better understanding comes closer to reality today because Sam Azinger has made a substantial donation to The Rotary Foundation and can be named as a Paul Harris Fellow – PLUS THREE.
Sam has repeatedly gone above and beyond in “doing good in the world.” Thank you, Sam, for using your time, talent, and treasure to enhance the lives of others. Your generosity means so much to so many. On behalf of the club, we thank you and welcome you to receive your new multiple Paul Harris pin. Please wear this with pride in honor of all the lives that you will reach through your generosity. Sam Azinger continues to put “Service above Self.”