Lake Country This Month

By Karen Pilarski Freeman Staff DELAFIELD — Several white canopy tents were packed at the Les Paul 100th anniversary music celebration Aug. 6. The event was held at Naga-Waukee Park on Highway 83, just north of Interstate 94 in Delafield. Music lovers swayed as sounds of gui- tars tickled their eardrums. Ear- lier in the evening there was a strum-along that welcomed all guitar players regardless of skillset. Perseverance pays off Waukesha based-based music store The White House of Music offered free guitar lessons. Tim Wright, manager of White House of Music, thought the strum-along had a good turnout. He said, "It is always a blast when you get people together for the sake of music." He is compassionate to those who find guitar playing difficult. He said, "The hardest part is get- ting over the thought that they can't do it. Take it one finger at a time." Wright relishes the fact that he grew up in Waukesha, the land of guitars. He even has a personal connection to Les Paul. He said, "My neighbor when I was grow- ing up used to babysit him!" He finds people truly get immersed in the city's musical culture. Sue Baker, program director of The Les Paul Foundation, says the event is all about Les Paul. She said, "Les was always chas- ing sound. Since preschool, he was always looking for the per- fect sound. Even up until his death. That last invention he was working on but didn't complete was to perfect the hearing aid. His actions speak to the genius that he was. He invented a har- monica holder and a solid body electric guitar, all things that are used by musicians today." She said, "He wore two hearing aids and was not happy about it, so he was trying to improve them." Baker says his persever- ance to not sit back when things were bad speaks volumes about Paul. The All-Star Guitar Band, a supergroup featuring Greg Koch and Tone Controls, plus Cheap Trick member and longtime Les Paul supporter Rick Nielsen, played later on Thursday night. But a lesser-known group got the party started. Rockin' with Eminence The Les Paul Foundation funds the Les Paul Launchpad award for young musicians. The 2015 Les Paul Launchpad win- ners were Eminence, who per- formed first. The all-female Appleton area high school band includes Colleen Cline (lead vocals), Ken- zie Dupey (guitar), Molly McCarthey (guitar), Alex Strick- er (bass guitar), and Caitlin Sweeney (drums). Their influ- ences included Lzzy Hale of Halestorm and Gerard Way, for- merly of My Chemical Romance. They want women to be inspired to play music and get out there. Dupey said, "Work hard, don't let anyone bring you down." Their mantra is to never say you can't do something; every- thing takes time. Stricker said, "It is not about the money, it about being together and have a good time on stage." Cline jumped in: "It is about the music, man!" Sweeney wants other women to be inspired: "There are not many female bands in the music industry, just singular singers in bands." The members of Emi- nence plan to stay in the Fox Val- ley area for college and keep making music together. McCarthey's father Tim said: "It is amazing what this group has accomplished. I could listen to them over and over again." While not a Les Paul expert, he is thankful for the foundation giv- ing them this opportunity. Todd Sweeney, Caitlin's father, beamed with pride. He said, "I'm so proud of these girls and how they handle themselves on stage and with people. They get along well. So much time and practice went into it." Nick Zielonka, father of Alex, hopes she doesn't miss the oppor- tunity. "Something's here and it's up to them what to do with it," he said. "It is there, take it or don't. If they make it big, that is awesome. If this is the biggest they get, they are having fun, that is what is important." A group of young men from Indiana were in town for Blues- Fest and came bearing guitars. Daniel Krause, 19, loved the strum-along and has played bass for 8 years. "There were many people there, it is a great way to express yourself," he said. Dylan Waller, 17, only started learning guitar a year ago. He found it challenging: "I didn't have anyone to learn from or help me learn about chords." He hopes be to be as good as his friends. The young guys were thrilled to hear Eminence. Waller said, "They were amazing, that is the only word for it." The band mem- bers signed all their guitars and they left starstruck and happy. A successful night Dennis Cerreta, director of operations for the Waukesha County Museum, said, "The event is a joint effort with the Rotary Club. It is a fundraiser for both organizations. It is a change for the community to become more aware of the direction the museum is going in." He expressed the museum's goal to save historic buildings. The current ongoing relocation project will allow the museum to condense itself into a smaller space and bring 41 apartment units to the community. He said, "Everyone wins, his- toric buildings remain, and Waukesha gains a 41-unit apart- ment building. We will relocate and reopen with a a fresh new positive approach, which is the goal, and it is working." Although the night was still young, Cerreta was in good spir- its: "I think we are going to be OK, there are 1,000 people in the tent right now." Clearly Les Paul's influence has touched him. "I recently bought a guitar and started tak- ing lessons," he said. Les would be so proud. Email: kpilarski@conleynet.com FREEMAN & ENTERPRISE LAKE COUNTRY • Page 3 AUGUST 2015 It's the most colorful of seasons! is autumn plan your next family-fun outing in Waukesha County. Check out our Fall Fun Guide for local events, concerts, pumpkin farms, haunted houses and much more! p Lake Country T H I S M O N T H Inside the September edition. 242533001 SPEND YOUR VALUABLE TIME ON THE THINGS YOU LOVE. 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Trust Your Cleaning To The Experts Cleaning green is just cleaning properly ALPHAECOCLEANING.COM Charles Auer/Freeman Staff Delafield celebrates National Night Out DELAFIELD — Andrew Uitz watches as his son, Noah, 4 1/2, left, and Firefighter Frank Emanuele look up at the Lake Country Fire & Rescue tower ladder as they ponder how tall the ladder is. Uitz guessed 100 feet, which was very close to the actual height of 75 feet. The Delafield Police Department, Lake Country Fire & Rescue, Pink Heals and other organizations filled the Home Depot parking lot for National Night Out on Tuesday. Home Depot provided snacks and crafts for kids and their families. Submitted photo Board and Brush joins Hartland chamber The Hartland Chamber of Commerce welcomed a new member recently when a contingent of board directors and ambassadors presented Board and Brush Creative Studio with a membership plaque. Pictured, from left to right, ambassadors Matt Gaulke, Great Midwest Bank, and Joe Glomski, First Bank Financial Centre, Maureen Anders and Julie Selby, co-owners of Board and Brush, and ambassadors Mike Gogin, Mike Gogin Insurance, Deb Nollen, Hartland Area Greetings and a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant, and Scott Heyerdahl, Premier Properties, Ltd. Board and Brush is a one-stop creative experience studio that teaches participants how to sand, stain, assemble and finish unique wood elements using a variety of workshop tools. All designs use custom stencils, created for each indi- vidual. Board and Brush specializes in classroom construction nights, birthday parties and private parties, and offers alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase. Board and Brush is located at 110 W. Capitol Drive in Hartland and can be reached at 937-307-7066 or 919-824-8609. Visit www.BoardandBrush.com or their Facebook page for more information. Les Paul's 100th anniversary at Naga-Waukee Park Charles Auer/Freeman Staff Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen performs Aug. 6 during the Les Paul 100th birthday concert. How to get YOUR news in The Freeman The Freeman wants your community news! We will publish the happenings at your schools, businesses and community groups — as well as everyday items. But we need your help to get these announcements and pictures published. Submissions must be typed or emailed. Please email news items and photos to: news@conleynet.com

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