Mil, WI. On the evening of May 3rd, the Chamber held its very special 50th anniversary celebration and awards dinner at the Tripoli Shrine Center in Milwaukee. For those that attended, it was a warm, fun filled occasion with a delicious dinner, great music, dancing and Vegas-style gambling.

The Chamber was very proud to present awards to Joanie Luedke, Laura’s Hallmark, Tom and Judy Fell, and Culver’s, the Citizens and Businesses of the Year for West Allis and West Milwaukee respectively.  Special proclamations were given by  Mayor Dan Devine, Village President Ron Hayward, County Supervisor Joe Sanfelippo, and the State of Wisconsin. One other very special award was given as a lifetime achievement award in recognition of services to the Chamber and the Community. Reg Hislop, III  of the Village at Manor  Park was given this award and named the Director Emeritus of the Education Foundation.

We would like to again thank our sponsors, without whom this event could not have been possible. Thank you, Quad Graphics, Alex Toole with State Farm Insurance, Layton State Bank, the Knights of Columbus for volunteering their time to run the Gambling Den, and Pteris floral for the beautiful centerpieces. Please find pictures and captions of the Gala on page 6. To see even more pictures, visit the Chamber’s shutterfly page at wawmchamber.

Dear Members,

I enjoyed helping to plan and orchestrate the 50th Anniversary Gala and Awards Celebration.  I was honored to get to know the Citizen's and Businesses of the Year from West Allis and West Milwaukee, they are very special people who really care about helping others and their communities. My special thanks to the committee for there hard work in the planning, preparing and setting up the event:  Kim Jankowski, Layton State Bank; Marty McLeond Boville, Heritage Funeral Homes, Dianne Kempen and Michael Wogoman. I would also like to thank the volunteers:  Jerry Falk and the West Allis Knights of Columbus, Barbara Hart, Leah Gregorcich, Dave Kolesari, (Milwaukee Homesite, a new Chamber Member) Deanna Mejchar, Pat Morris, Natasha Rossa, Jennifer Schwasinger, Kitty Wozniak, Tenille Zuba, Karen Jasniewski, and Sue Zwitter. 

The After Fives at Summit Credit Union and Lifetime Credit Union were well attended and fun!  Our next After Five is on Tuesday, June 17th at the Painted Parrot.  On July 24th we are holding a "Progressive" After Five on Downtown Greenfield Avenue.  This event will be from 5 until 8pm and we will tour and network at 3-4 different businesses. Please mark your calendar for both of these events.  The charge is $10. for Members and $15 for non-members.  You do not have to RSVP but it is appreciated.  25% of the money collected goes to a Charity.  For the first half of 2008 the money raised is going to be contributed to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.  Our Chamber has a team for this event on Friday July 18th at Nathan Hale High School.  Please call me if you would like some information on it.

Our Committee's are active and looking for people to offer their time and talents:

The Education Foundation has some new initiatives!  Please read the article in this newsletter for details.  Our Legislative Committee is meeting with the New Mayor, Dan Devine and is looking into various Health Insurance issues.  The Ambassador's are meeting with and welcoming new Members.  We have a committee for each event; Golf & Cruise, Forks & Corks, the Holiday Charity Party,  & Citizen and Business of the Year.

We are excited for our new event at the Milwaukee Mile.  It is fun working with the people at the Mile, Rupena's Foods, Dunn's Sporting Goods, Budweiser and the area businesses; Jimmy B's, (a new Chamber Member), Burnham Bowl, Paulie's Pub & Eatery, Scooter's Tap, B & K Bar Supply, Boz's Sports Bar & Grill, Korbelly's and Lynch's.

I would like to see the Member and Community News, Updates and Events section of this newsletter grow, this is free advertising for your information.  Please call or e-mail if you have anything you would like to submit.

Diane Brandt, Executive Director
WAWM Chamber of Commerce