Welcome to March. Days are getting longer and spring is around the corner.  I have seen Public Golf Courses are starting to open! It will be great to see everyone out walking and enjoying all that the Village of Elm Grove has to offer soon.

The April election is fast approaching and your participation and vote is a bedrock right that everyone should exercise. Shortly after the election, volunteer committee opportunities will be open to residents to participate in guiding the direction of community. Please express your interest to serve using the on-line form available on the Village’s website here.

In January, our long serving and talented Finance Director, Monica Hughes, informed the Village of her intent to retire in June, 2024. It has been a pleasure to work closely with Monica. I appreciate her personal commitment to the Village and its residents as well as her guidance to the Finance Committee and the Board to improve the finances of the Village and we will miss her. 

The Village is kicked off its update to the Downtown Master Plan by being accepted into the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s (WEDC) Connect Communities program which will assist the Village in framing the project. A kick-off meeting was held on February 23rd which included a walking tour of the village’s downtown area and a presentation from the WEDC to Village and business leaders.  

As you read on in this issue of the Village Newsletter you will see information on this month's Board of Trustee meeting, information about summer employment with the Recreation Department, details about this years’ Earth & Arbor Day Celebration and Recycling event, reminders about posting yard signs, and more!

As we move through March, let’s celebrate the longer days of sunlight and the arrival of Spring!

President Koleski

Highland Drive North Pedestrian Pathway

An advertisement for Bids has been posted for the Highland Drive North Pedestrian Pathway. Sealed bids will be publicly opened and read aloud on Thursday, March 14, at 10:00 a.m.

This project involves approximately 2,650 linear feet of 6-foot wide multi-use asphalt pathway construction, concrete ADA ramp construction, storm sewer and culvert construction, ditch re-grading, railroad crossing improvements and coordination, curb and gutter replacement, asphalt paving, tree removal, clearing and grubbing, pavement markings, sign installation, and landscape restoration.

Visit the Village website here to see up-to-date documents.

Reminders When Posting Political Signs This Election Season

Please take the time to review the Village's ordinance on residential signage as we move into election season. Please remember the following when posting political signs six (6) square feet or less in area:

• Political signs should remain erected only during the pertinent election campaign as defined by Wisconsin State Statutes
• Political signs should be removed within 10 days following the election
• No sign should be placed less than seven (7) feet from the edge of street pavement, nor so close to a pedestrian way as to hinder or impede passage
• No sign may be placed in any area between any Village pedestrian pathway and the edge of any street pavement
• No sign shall be placed on any public right-of-way

Reminder to Inspect Your Trees This Spring!



With the arrival of warmer weather, it’s time to check the trees in your yard.

Winter’s snow, ice and strong winds can take their toll on your trees. Spring is an excellent time to survey your landscape. Look for hanging and/or dead branches, overgrown limbs and anything growing into overhead electric lines. A few small steps can ensure the health of your trees and reduce the risk of anything falling on the lines.

Be proactive. The ultimate goal is to prevent problems before it’s too late. Be proactive and prevent problems:

• Have existing ash trees checked for the emerald ash borer —the insect is a killer and can bring down trees. Eliminating those infested trees could prevent massive problems in a storm.
• Plant new trees where they won’t eventually grow into overhead power lines.
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If your trees need work, keep a few guidelines in mind:

• Use a professional arborist for tree trimming and removal.
• Check with We Energies if you are unsure the work is clear of the lines.
• Make safety your top priority.
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What is handled by We Energies?:

• We Energies proactively schedules tree trimming. Homeowners receive a letter and/or a door hanger when work is anticipated.
• If you have a concern about a tree near a We Energies line or equipment, call 800-242-9137, and a We Energies forester will visit your property to evaluate the situation.
• Crews perform work needed to maintain reliable electric service. The preference is to prune branches, but the utility may need to cut down a tree. You are not charged for this service, but because you own the trees on your property, the removal of most debris is your responsibility.
• We Energies does not trim branches close to phone or cable lines. Call those providers if you have concerns.

For more information, go to we-energies.com/safety/tree-safety.

A Message from the Beautification Committee

The Beautification Committee will be hosting their last Winter Lecture Series of the year on Monday, March 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the O'Neill Room located in the basement of the library. Nancy Benninghouse, a landscape architect who helped develop the UW Madison Allen Centennial Garden, will speak on "How Your Landscape Affects the Ecosystem".

February 26 to March 3rd is National Invasive Species Week! What can you do?

• Get yourself added to the Elm Grove ISTF (Invasive Species Task Force) email list that will notify you when we are working as a group within the village.  
• Work to eliminate the invasive species in your yard. It's unfortunate, but we all have some of them. The more each of us works to eliminate them, the fewer will be spread by wind, birds, deer, and shoes!
• Help us spread the word about invasives--encourage your neighbor to join our email list.
• Help Elm Grove bring home the SEWISC Annual Pull-a-thon Trophy this year! Please submit any garlic mustard or Dame's Rocket you pull here--it's super easy to submit in less than 15 seconds. Every little bit counts!

Tree, Shrub, and Plant Sales

The Elm Grove Beautification Committee has three plant sales all perfectly suited and timed to your yard's landscaping needs within our community. We hope you'll partake in all of them!

• Early Spring Woodland Plant Sale - Running Now until April 13, 2024 with pick-up and payment on April 20, 2024
• Order rare and hard to find woodland plants by the flat in this one of a kind sale. View the order form here. Please fill out your order form and return to egbeautification@gmail.com. Feel free to mail egbeautification@gmail.com with any questions! 
• Native Tree, Shrub, and Plant Sale - Running Now until May 11, 2024 with pick-up on May 18, 2024
• This sale is in conjunction with the local and well-respected Johnson Nursery. Order here. 
• Annual Perennial Plant Sale at the Elm Grove Park-n-Shop
• Join us for the Beautification Committee's Outdoor Plant Sale held the first Saturday in June each year in the heart of our downtown. View the amazing selection of perennials at the lowest prices around here!

A Message from the Sustainability Committee

Ready to do some spring cleaning? We have a great option for items you no longer need or want! The expanded Earth & Arbor Day/Earth Care Fair on April 27th will have a drive-thru recycling component at Tonawanda Elementary from

9:00-12:00. A list of acceptable items is included on the flyer and ranges from electronics to home goods to bicycles - save the date and start getting ready! 

2024 Elm Grove Junior Guild Scholarship Essay Contest 

The 2024 Elm Grove Junior Guild Scholarship Essay Contest is open to all high school seniors who meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. Graduate high school in June 2024
2. Reside in the Elmbrook School District -or- attend Brookfield Central or Brookfield East High School

Essay topic: Discuss how you have been a leader in your community. What have you learned and how will you use that knowledge in your future communities?

Two awards will be presented – $2,000 and $500.

Applications are currently being accepted through April 8, 2024. Check out the essay application here for further instructions.

Memorial Day Parade 

Please join us on Monday, May 27, 2024 for the annual Elm Grove Memorial Day Parade!

The application for community members is now open -- please visit our website.

We look forward to celebrating our veterans on this 2024 Memorial Day - Grateful Hearts on Display!

Elm Grove Woman's Club Invites Local High School Artists and the Community to the 54th Annual Art Scholarship Competition

Public Open House: Saturday, May 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Elm Grove Woman’s Club invites all high school students who reside in Elm Grove OR attend high school in Brookfield to submit two pieces of original artwork to be judged for a chance to win. This year the Woman's Club will award TWO $2,000 scholarships to high school senior artists and one $500 art grant to a winning student artist in grades 9 through 11. Each applicant will submit two pieces of original artwork. Artwork can include paintings, drawings, sculpture, and textile art.

Each student entrant will receive feedback from a credible professional artist. Student art drop off will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 2. The private judging will take place on Friday, May 3.

On Saturday, May 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the public is invited to the clubhouse at 13885 Watertown Plank Road to view the works of art and vote for one piece of art to be awarded the People’s Choice Award, a $300 monetary prize to be award directly to the winning artist. All participants are eligible for the People’s Choice Award.

To register for this exciting scholarship opportunity, please visit the Elm Grove Woman’s Club website:  https://www.egwc.org/events/2024-student-art-scholarship-competition. 

Pilgrim Park Middle School Receives 2024 Region IV Spirit of Excellence Award

The Wisconsin Association of School Councils (WASC) has selected Pilgrim Park Middle School as the 2023-24 JAM Region IV Spirit of Excellence Award Winner! Each year the prestigious Spirit of Excellence Award is given to six Wisconsin schools, one in each region, that demonstrate excellence in the three key areas of leadership development, sportsmanship, and service to their school and greater community. To be considered for the award, Pilgrim Park’s student council submitted a detailed portfolio highlighting their achievements in the mentioned areas and were selected as leaders in the region.

“This award highlights the incredible student leadership and engagement that we have throughout our school,” reflected Kelly Szesterniak, Pilgrim Park Principal. “We are grateful to the WASC for their recognition of our students’ great efforts to make PPMS a great place to learn and grow.”

Pilgrim Park is grateful to the student leaders from this school year and last year that were integral to making this award possible. 

2023-2024

President: Maeve Green

Vice President: Rory Correa 

Secretary: Adi Sangowdar

Member at Large: Shivani Sharma 

2022-2023

President: Jack Antonetti 

Vice President: Lily Beaudry 

Secretary: Anna Ewig 

Member at Large: Charlie Koch 

PPMS and other winning schools will be recognized with an on-court awards ceremony by the Milwaukee Bucks at their home game on March 4, 2024 and at an awards presentation at the WASC State Conference on April 7,2024. Congratulations, Pilgrim Park!

Elmbrook Music Teachers Receive Prestigious Recognition

Civic Music MKE has announced its 2024 Music Educator Awards. Scott Malcom (General Music & Choir Teacher at Brookfield Elementary) has been named Music Teacher of the Year, and Annie Schmidt (Orchestra Teacher at Brookfield & Burleigh Elementary Schools) has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence in Instrumental Music Instruction. Civic Music MKE annually recognizes educators from the greater Milwaukee area for their outstanding work in the field of music education. 

“This tremendous recognition is greatly deserved for these two dedicated educators,” said Terry Little, Elmbrook’s Music Coordinator. “Scott and Annie’s impact on our students and their love of music is evident every day in their classrooms, and highlights their leadership in the field of music education in our region.”

Annie and Scott will be recognized in a reception and presentation on March 9, 2024, as part of Music in Our Schools Month. They will receive their awards on stage at the Bradley Symphony Center before a performance by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

Congratulations to Scott and Annie!

Free Lecture Presented by the Elmbrook Historical Society: Submarine Life in the Pacific During WWII

Monday, March 18, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

Brookfield Public Library, 1900 N Calhoun Rd, Brookfield, WI 53005

Speaker Billy Stenavich will talk about his father, Wally Stenavich. Wally served on two submarines, the USS Cuttlefish and the USS Loggerhead, out of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Bill will talk about his fathers service on the subs in the south Pacific during World War II.

Join us for this fascinating lecture. Find more information here.