Milwaukee

Milwaukee is the largest city in the State of Wisconsin, the 31st most populous city in the United States, and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the City of Milwaukee has a population of 594,833. Milwaukee is the main cultural and economic center of the Milwaukee–Racine–Waukesha Metropolitan Area with a population of 2,040,498 as of an official 2013 estimate.

Known for its brewing traditions, major new additions to the city include the Milwaukee Riverwalk, the Wisconsin Center, Miller Park, an internationally renowned addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, and Pier Wisconsin, as well as major renovations to the U.S. Cellular Arena. In addition, the city hosts the Wisconsin State Fair, as well as an annual lakefront fair called Summerfest. Listed in the 1999 Guinness Book of World Records as the largest music festival in the world, for the last several years Summerfest has attracted around a million visitors each year to its eleven stages.

Milwaukee is home to a variety of primarily ethnically themed festivals throughout the summer. Held generally on the lakefront Summerfest grounds, these festivals span several days (typically Friday plus the weekend) and celebrate Milwaukee's history and diversity. In 2008 Riversplash, which markets itself as 'the official opening of summer', kicks off festival season on the last weekend of May. Festivals for the LGBT (PrideFest) and Polish (Polish Fest) communities follow in June. Summerfest spans 11 days at the end of June and beginning of July. Milwaukee hosts the Great Circus Parade in July. There are French (Bastille Days), Greek, Italian (FestaItaliana) and German (German Fest) festivals in July. The African, Arab, Irish, Mexican, and American Indian events wrap it up from August through September. Milwaukee is also home to Trainfest, the largest operating model railroad show in America, in November.

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It is December and we want to round up 2024 with our featured member of the month - Kim Lamansky, President & CEO of Kathy's House.

Quoting Kim, "I was 16 years old when my mother was diagnosed with cancer. Her treatment plan included surgery and 63 rounds of radiation at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Living in Illinois at the time, “commuting” was not an option. To bridge the gap, my father bought a camper and parked it at a KOA campground outside of Rochester. He returned home to care for my younger siblings, and I became my mother’s primary caregiver for a total of nine weeks that summer. I did the best I could – preparing her meals (when she would eat), organizing her medications, and even bathing her in the small kitchen sink – our situation was far from ideal. Is it any surprise that when I told her about starting my new role at Kathy’s House, she exclaimed, “I wish they would have had that when I went through cancer!”

My mother deserved better, and, at Kathy’s House, we are delivering a better experience for 1,500 guests each year. I am continually inspired by our mission, providing affordable lodging and caring support in our “home away from home” to families who need to travel to Milwaukee for medical care. I believe it encompasses the passion and heart of our namesake, Kathy Vogel Kuettner. During her fatal battle with cancer, she envisioned an affordable place where families could stay together. I also believe that the need is greater than ever. Increasing outpatient care, rural hospital closures, and the high-quality care available in Milwaukee mean that more and more people are traveling for necessary healthcare. It is our goal at Kathy’s House to continue to meet that need."

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