Two 'Weed Out' Days at Mary Knoll Park! Saturday, May 4 & 11, 2013

This year there are 2 Weed Out days at Mary Knoll Park in Brookfield on Saturday, May 4th and then Saturday, May 11th.  Both dates start at 9 am  and finish at noon. We may be having a slow spring, but the Garlic Mustard marches on!

The first weekend's focus on May 4th, will be on pulling the invasive Garlic Mustard. It is already up and easy to identify.  Don't worry if you are inexperienced. As always, Patty Gerner will give instruction on what to look for and how to pull the weeds. (Usually Gary Majeskie from Park & Rec. Forestry Department attends too.)  It is a great opportunity to learn about these invaders so you can check your own yard for the pests.

On the second weekend, May 11th, the more hearty will help Boy Scout Troop 23 volunteers dig out the bigger invaders: Buckthon trees and (possibly) Honeysuckle bushes. Both produce numerous berries and are prolific spreaders. The Buckthorn trees shade and crowd out native plants and trees; Honeysuckle berries irritate bird's digestive systems and provide no nutritional value.

To help, give the Parks, Recreation & Forestry department an idea of how many volunteers to expect, call 262.796.6675 to register. (Not necessary. If you forget to call, come anyway.)

So consider joining the group this Saturday and/or next at Mary Knoll Park, 615 S. Sunnyslope Road, just south of the I-94 overpass bridge, in Brookfield, Wisconsin. I've been to most of the Weed Outs and it's always been an enjoyable workday, not to mention a great opportunity to enjoy a morning in the park and see the wonderful native plants that are thriving now that they aren't being crowded out by the aliens.

Wear gardening clothing and bring gloves.

Past Garlic Mustard Posts with photos:

2012 Weed Out Time (with photos)

Bushwhacking and Weed Out (with photos)
5th Annual Weed Out (with photos)
4th Annual Weed Out

3rd Annual Weed Out (with photos)
It is worth saving (pictures from Weed Out and wildflowers)
Oh, the shame! (photos and tips for evicting Garlic Mustard)

Weed control links: Garlic Mustard and garlic mustard's pretty cousin, Dame's Rocket. (It can take over native areas too.) Garlic mustard should be thrown in the trash and labeled Garlic Mustard: Do not compost.

Links: Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, WisPolitics Quorum Call, Wisconsin Reporter, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation, VoteWatchWI, The Way <><

Hear some Good News! Missions Week: Oct. 24 - 28, 2012

In a world that is constantly bombarded with bad news, it's good to take a break from that and hear something positive for a change. This week at Brookside, you have the opportunity to be encouraged and learn about what is going on around the globe during our A Heart for the Harvest missions conference.

The conference features 5 missionaries, working on 4 continents: North America (Mexico), Europe, Africa and Australia. (I would love to tell you more, but in a world that persecutes Christians for sharing the gospel, I can only urge you to come hear it for yourself.)

This year's mission theme song is titled For the Sake of His Name, by Anderson and Habegger.  It opens with the command: Go to the world...to every nation. The 2nd and 3rd stanza sum up the Good News of the gospel that is for all of us:

Love the unloved for the sake of His name;

Like Christ, befriend those whose heads hang in shame.

Jesus did not condemn, But was condemned for them.

Trust gospel pow'r, for we once were the same.

Rescue the lost for the sake of His name;

As Christ commands, snatch them out of the flame.

Tell that when Jesus died, God's wrath was satisfied.

Urge them to flee to the Lamb Who was slain.

The conference begins on Wednesday night at 7pm with a missionary from Africa sharing his work there with orphans of Aids victims and also their training of nationals as missionaries. Thursday and Friday 7pm services showcase missionaries from Germany, Mexico, and another area of Africa.

Sunday will be missions focused too: Mexico - 8:30am and 10:45am services, 9:45am. Sunday School time will be shared by the 2 missionaries from Africa. The 6pm evening service will focus on Australia and South Africa.

Children (K - 4th grade) will have their own special program with a different missionary, during each worship time during the conference.

So come and see what is going on in other parts of the world and plan on being encouraged. Brookside Baptist Church is located at 4470 N. Pilgrim Road in Brookfield, WI. (North of Capitol Drive, south of Lisbon Road)

Links: Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, WisPolitics Quorum Call, Wisconsin Reporter, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation, The Way <><

Early spring means early garlic mustard

What a beautiful spring we are having. Though temperatures have retreated a bit from our unseasonable highs, I am enjoying the spring flowers and emerging plants--you can't beat fresh garden asparagus!

But unfortunately, our warm temperatures are also prompting the vile garlic mustard to make its presence known. I just pulled 2 huge garbage bags full from my own yard--and I didn't think I had much at all. So unlike last year, when the stuff was barely visible this early in the season, this year I am finding 18" plants that are beginning to blossom.

Now this isn't all bad. Because other plants are relatively slow growing yet, the garlic mustard sticks out like a sore thumb. I plan on following up in the places I yanked it from to check for regrowth. I will pull the large plants and Roundup the babies.

By the way, the official Mary Knoll Park Weed Out date is Saturday, May 12th, 9am - noon. Judging from my own yard, we won't have to look too closely for the culprits. In the meantime, keep an eye on your home-front for garlic mustard is no respecter of persons.

Past Garlic Mustard Posts with photos:
3rd Annual Weed Out (with photos)
It is worth saving (pictures from Weed Out and wildflowers)
Oh, the shame! (photos and tips for evicting Garlic Mustard)

Weed control links: Garlic Mustard and garlic mustard's pretty cousin, Dame's Rocket. (It can take over native areas too.) Garlic mustard should be thrown in the trash and labeled Garlic Mustard: Do not compost.

Links: Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, RandyMelchert, Betterbrookfield, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, WisPolitics Quorum Call, Wisconsin Reporter, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation

Remember, Saturday, May 7th is WEED-OUT day at Mary Knoll Park

Though the temperatures might seem more like it is March or April, the calendar says it is the first weekend in May, and that means it is time for the annual Garlic Mustard Pull WEED-OUT at Mary Knoll Park in Brookfield.

If you have noticed, the spring plants are a bit behind this year (due to the colder weather) but don't worry there will be nothing for you to do--Garlic Mustard doesn't wait for the sun to shine to make its presence known!

If enough strapping men show up on Saturday, there might be an opportunity to do some BUSHWHACKING again.

Last year some Boy Scouts and their dads attacked the invasive Buckthorn trees and Honeysuckle bushes, clearing an area near the tennis courts at the park. These plants are a problem because they crowd out good, native plants. In addition, Honeysuckle bushes produce little red, orange, or yellow berries that look good, but actually irritate the digestive systems of birds. (The birds eat them and then suffer the G.I. consequences later!)

As usual, the WEED-OUT will be held rain or shine, from 9am to noon, on Saturday, May 7, 2011.

For those of you not familiar with Garlic Mustard...

Garlic Mustard is a terrible invasive weed that if left alone will completely take over any area it is allowed to grow in. Area residents, Patty Gerner and family, have been been battling this thug at Mary Knoll Park since 1997. Because of their efforts, along with the help of the annual Weed Out teams, the Garlic Mustard is in retreat and the native wild flowers are making a comeback.

I have participated in several of the Weed Outs and always enjoyed them. Unlike Bushwhacking, the work isn't difficult and Brookfield's Park & Rec. Department provides large bags and will dispose of the weeds too. All you have to do is come prepared to work. They will even provide instruction! (Photo from past Weed Out.)

Do wear your gardening clothes and bring gloves. You might want a kneeling pad or mat and a water bottle. Showers are forecast, so a rain poncho and hat might be a good idea. (Wet weather makes it easier to pull the weeds.)

Excerpts from the Parks, Recreation & Forestry flier:

Who can participate?

Any interested individual or group This is an excellent community service project for any organization, school or church group, family, or private individual concerned about the environment and the City parks.

Why participate?

To help our native plants and animals survive so that we can continue to enjoy them. Garlic mustard is an invasive weed introduced on the east coast by early settlers for its alleged medicinal qualities and cooking. In our community it spreads rapidly, overtaking wildflowers, native tree and shrub seedlings. It then drives out animals, birds and insects that depend on a diversity of plant species for food and shelter. To Register, Call the Parks, Recreation & Forestry Office at (262) 796-6675. (Registration is not mandatory, but gives us an idea on how many volunteers to expect) “Project Partners”: The Gerner Family, Boy Scout Troop 23, Brookfield Central High School Key Club and UW-Extension

Rain or Shine!

You don't have to live near the park to participate. One year a woman from the north side of Brookfield came to learn how to go about eradicating the weed from her neighborhood park. I think she was hoping to form a group in her area to work on their park. Great idea.

Mary Knoll Park is located at 615 S. Sunnyslope Road, just south of the I-94 overpass bridge, in Brookfield.

See you there?

Past Garlic Mustard WEED-OUT Postings:
5th Annual Weed Out

4th Annual Weed Out

3rd Annual Weed Out (with photos)

It is worth saving (pictures from Weed Out and wildflowers)

Oh, the shame! (photos and tips for evicting Garlic Mustard)

Weed control links: Garlic Mustard and garlic mustard's pretty cousin, Dame's Rocket. (It can take over native areas too.) Garlic mustard should be thrown in the trash and labeled, Garlic Mustard: Do not compost.

Links: Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, RandyMelchert, Betterbrookfield, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation

Now is the time...come to the aid of your political party

Do they still use that old typing exercise? Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their party? It never made much sense to me when I was in high school. It sure does now!

Well, that time, the time for all good men to come to the aid of their party, is now. With just 31 days to go until the midterm elections, we are in the homestretch.

It's time to roll up your sleeves, dig in your wallet, and prepare to hit the streets to help your favored candidates win this November. They need help distributing literature, making phone calls, manning the office desk, and doing whatever else needs doing.

For example, Representative Leah Vukmir, running against Democrat Jim Sullivan for State Senate, sent out a help request last weekend and this for literature distribution. Click her volunteer link or come to campaign headquarters on Saturday and Sunday from 9am - 6pm.

Gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker is holding a fundraiser luncheon featuring New Jersey's Conservative Governor Chris Christie at the Country Springs Hotel on Monday. Maybe you would consider attending.

Senate candidate Ron Johnson, who is leading Russ Feingold by 12 points in the latest Rasmussen poll, could use your help too. He will be at the Trinity Bar on Saturday, Oct. 2 from 2:30 - 6pm for a fundraiser. (125 East Juneau in Milwaukee) You can watch the Badger game and help Ron at the same time!

At the very least, make a donation and put up a yard sign for your candidate.

Speaking of donations, you might consider helping Conservative candidates in other states too. Here are just a few: Sharron Angle in Nevada is running against the well funded Democrat Harry Reid. Michele Bachmann could also use your help in Minnesota. Joe Miller in Alaska won the primary but RINO Murkowski won't call it quits.

If you were interested in these out of state campaigns, talk show host Mark Levin frequently interviews many of these Conservative candidates, and Senator Jim DeMint has a PAC called the Senate Conservatives Fund. DeMint has been instrumental in helping true Conservative candidates get their message out.

So get involved. This is especially true for those of you who participated in Tea Parties over the last year and a half. Protect your investment of time and energy in protesting the current government by working on the behalf of candidates who more closely represent your views.

I have worked on various campaigns over the years and it is a worthwhile investment in time. This year, it is essential, if we are to reverse the Liberal/Progressive agenda and rampant, irresponsible spending. I don't mean to be dramatic here, but our future and our children's futures depend on the outcome in November.

Links: Practically Speaking, Betterbrookfield, RandyMelchert, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, The Right View Wisconsin, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation

Last 2 chances to "stuff" Tom Wacker's Salvation Army Kettle

I almost forgot to blog about this, but there is still time to help out. Brookfield resident Tom Wacker is ringing the bell again for the Salvation Army at the Pick 'n Save at 17630 W. Bluemound Road, Saturday from noon to 3pm and Tuesday, Dec. 22, from 6 - 9pm.

Tom does a topnotch job manning the red kettle; he is a real pro. Here is what Tom had to say about the Salvation Army:

"...I will be bell ringing again this year to support the wonderful work that the Salvation Army does for the most unfortunate in our world. Not only do they minister to the needs of the most troubled among us, but they do it in a most efficient way with some of the lowest overhead of any national charity.

We all have much to be thankful for and given the condition of the economy, the needs of the most unfortunate have never been greater.

So once again, if you are in the Milwaukee area, I would urge you to stop by when I'm ringing and share a hug and a bit of Christmas cheer. And if you can, toss a little something into the kettle and help your fellow man this Christmas season."

I support the Salvation Army. They not only help the less fortunate, but they also give disaster aid.

Mary Stutzman, the Salvation Army volunteer coordinator had this to say about Tom's past bell ringing efforts:

"The support that you [Tom] and your family and friends have shown The Salvation Army each year is overwhelming! Last year alone, you raised $X! This is the equivalent of providing a weeks worth of groceries from our food pantry to 100 people, 160 nights of shelter for a homeless person, or 20 community meals to 125 people in need in our Community Meal program."

So stop by Saturday or next Tuesday to help Tom "stuff the kettle" or if those times aren't convenient, stuff the kettle without Tom. It all goes to a good cause. You may also contribute online.

Donations are down this year and needs are up. Share what you can.

Past Post: Tom Wacker rings Red Kettle Salvation Army bell again at Pick 'n Save

Links: Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, RandyMelchert, Jay Weber, Vicki McKenna, The Right View Wisconsin, CNS News, Mark Levin, Breitbart BigGovernment, The Heritage Foundation

Eagle Scout Project Blood Drive: June 30th, 2:30 - 7pm

This Tuesday, on June 30th, a young man in my neighborhood is organizing a Blood Drive as part of his Eagle Scout project for the Boy Scouts. It is being held from 2:30 to 7pm, at Elmbrook Church. (777 South Barker Road, Brookfield, 262-786-7051)

Giving blood is certainly a worthy cause and according to the flier he distributed in my area, "donating 1 pint can save 3 lives!"

You might feel that you have already donated if you have been in some mosquito infested areas of the city, but unlike that type of donating, this opportunity offers a sweet return: Blood donors will receive a coupon from the Culvers on Hwy 100 for a free custard cone!

During the summer, blood donations are often down. So rather than just giving to the mosquitoes, why not give at the blood drive and help save 3 lives?

To fulfill the Eagle Scout requirements, a good turnout is needed. In addition, a certain percentage of donors need to be first time donors. So if you have never given blood before, maybe knowing you will be helping your fellow man and a Boy Scout make Eagle Scout would serve as added incentives?

Child care is available for blood donors and I am told "there will be plenty free food" available too.

Links:
Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, RandyMelchert, CNS News, Jay Weber, Mark Levin, Vicki McKenna Jay Weber, The Right View Wisconsin, The Heritage Foundation

Mary Knoll "Weed Out" Saturday, May 2, 2009, 9am-12noon

Yes, it is that time of year again--plants are growing and greening up! Daffodils are blooming; Forsythia bushes are bursting forth with their welcome sprays of golden blooms. Unfortunately, the Garlic Mustard is coming up too. It's time to head over to Mary Knoll Park for the 5th annual Garlic Mustard Weed Out, on Saturday, May 2nd, from 9 am to 12 noon.

Garlic Mustard is a terrible invasive weed that if left alone will completely take over any area it is allowed to grow in. Area residents, Patty Gerner and family, have been been battling this thug at Mary Knoll Park since 1997. Because of their efforts, along with the help of the annual Weed Out teams, the Garlic Mustard is in retreat and the native wild flowers are making a comeback.

I have participated in several of the Weed Outs and always enjoyed them. The work isn't difficult and Brookfield's Park & Rec. Department provides large bags and will dispose of the weeds too. All you have to do is come prepared to work. They will even provide instruction! (Photo from past Weed Out.)

Do wear your gardening clothes and bring gloves. You might want a kneeling pad or mat and a water bottle. If it is a sunny day (we can hope) you might want a hat too.

Excerpts from the Parks, Recreation & Forestry flier:

Who can participate?

Any interested individual or group
This is an excellent community service project for any
organization, school or church group, family, or private
individual concerned about the environment and the
City parks.

Why participate?

To help our native plants and animals survive so that we can
continue to enjoy them. Garlic mustard is an invasive weed
introduced on the east coast by early settlers for its alleged
medicinal qualities and cooking. In our community it spreads
rapidly, overtaking wildflowers, native tree and shrub seedlings.
It then drives out animals, birds and insects that depend on a
diversity of plant species for food and shelter.

To Register,
Call the Parks, Recreation & Forestry Office
at (262) 796-6675.
(Registration is not mandatory, but gives us
an idea on how many volunteers to expect)
“Project Partners”: The Gerner Family, Boy Scout Troop 23,
Brookfield Central High School Key Club and UW-Extension

Rain or Shine!

You don't have to live near the park to participate. Last year a woman from the north side of Brookfield came to learn how to go about eradicating the weed from her neighborhood park. I think she was hoping to form a group in her area to work on their park. Great idea.

Mary Knoll Park is located at 615 S. Sunnyslpe Road, just south of the I-94 overpass bridge, in Brookfield.

See you there?

Garlic Mustard disposal info: Download

Past Garlic Mustard Postings:
4th Annual Weed Out

3rd Annual Weed Out (with photos)

It is worth saving (pictures from Weed Out and wildflowers)

Oh, the shame! (photos and tips for evicting Garlic Mustard)

Weed control links: Garlic Mustard and garlic mustard's pretty cousin, Dame's Rocket. (It can take over native areas too.) Garlic mustard should be thrown in the trash and labeled Garlic Mustard: Do not compost.

Links:
Practically Speaking, Fairly Conservative, Betterbrookfield, RandyMelchert, CNS News, Jay Weber, Mark Levin, Vicki McKenna Jay Weber, The Right View Wisconsin, The Heritage Foundation