Brookfield/Elm Grove Monthly
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/124924
COMMUNITY Page 4A/Freeman Brookfield & Elm Grove MAY 2013 Parties seeing new trends in menus and more By Sarah Grannis Special to The Freeman BROOKFIELD – Spring not only delivers warm weather and flowers to the Brookfield and Elm Grove communities, it also brings a full social calendar. As graduation parties and grills make their way outside, every host rejoices that they can begin planning events in their backyard once again. Like all parties, outdoor entertaining does require some preparation. From figuring out a theme to inviting family members and friends, these "casual events" can be quite a project for the host. As they check off the various tasks in planning an event, one of the most important details is determining what to serve in terms of food and drink – a decision that can have quite the impact on their guests' enjoyment. Outdoor gatherings have traditionally included items like hamburgers and hot dogs on their menus, but Cindy Tzortzos, owner of Your Place Not Mine Catering – located at 17230 Robinwood Street in Brookfield – has seen a rise in healthier options for guests. "At luncheons, I get requests to have things with less butter or offer whole wheat breads and noodles, along with pastas that don't have any mayonnaise in them," Tzortzos said. Appetizers and h'ors d'oeurves have also become more health-conscious. Tzortos noted that items such as spinach triangles, brie cheese and cucumbers have been recent trends at parties. One thing that hasn't changed is the guest's sweet tooth. "With desserts, the trends seem to be things like cake pops, different flavored cupcakes and speciality cookies," Tzortzos said. "I get a lot of requests for those items because people like to specify exactly what they want." Sara O'Neil, director of Brookfield's North Star Caterining – located at Charles Auer/Freeman Staff A wicker sectional sofa, tables and chair at Laacke & Joys. Patio furniture making a comeback By Sarah Grannis Special to The Freeman Submitted photos Speciality cookies offered at Your Place Not Mine Catering. 19115 W. Capitol Drive, Suite 100 – is also wellversed in outdoor gatherings. She advises anyone looking to give their next gathering a special touch consider thinking outside the box with beverages. "With drinks, people tend to get much more creative. They still like to have beer, wine and soda bars but they also tend to do something like a signature or themed cocktail," O'Neil said. Wherever the location of your next outdoor event, O'Neil advises to resist the urge to make any radical changes to it. She suggests that hosts instead plan their theme around the setting. "People are really taking advantage of their landscape, they are playing it up more rather than trying to change or mask it in some- way," O'Neil said. "People having a party in a field setting might use canning jars with wildflowers in them – or for an urban setting, focus on having more cleancut things. It's now about staying true to the environment and using it as the theme." In addition to planning the menu, O'Neil suggests scheduling activities around it. "I've noticed that the most successful parties are when the hosts or hostesses have transitions throughout the night. These can be things like having an outdoor game before dinner or after, towards the end of the party, gathering around a fire pit outside," O'Neil said. "Transitions like those keep the evening moving and also keep the guests interested." BROOKFIELD – In recent years, patio furniture has seen a huge rise in popularity Previously limited to plas. tic chairs and tables, people are now buying everything from sectionals to fire pits for their outdoor living space. "The new trend is to be outside more, people want to extend their living space to really be outside," Sedate Holland Kohler, patio department manager at Laacke & Joys – located at 19233 W. Bluemound Road in Brookfield – said. "We're showing them many pieces that have deep seating or that are cushioned around a conversation table. They are looking for those type of things that are able to accommodate a small gathering of family and friends." Holland Kohler reports most popular options seem to be both curved and angular sectional pieces, especially those made with wicker frames, as well as tables that feature an element of fire. "The big thing is that people are willing to furnish their patios with comfy and cozy outdoor furniture," she said. "They want a place that will really just be relaxing and they can gather around." Patrick Devereux agrees. The landscape architect and A fire table and chairs at Laacke & Joys. The fire table has a gas fireplace, fueled with a propane tank like used in a gas grill. It provides light and some warmth. owner of Stone Oak Landscapes, located at 1930 E. Norse Avenue in Cudahy , offers a variety of pieces at the Brookfield Home & Idea Center, 3485 N. 124th Street. "We're seeing much more interest in nicer patio furniture, less of the plastic kind and more that is made out of wood – especially teak, which is a tropical wood that is harvested sustainably – or a nicer metal," Devereux said. "There's an interest in buying patio furniture that will last longer and is quality construction. People are also looking for heavier furniture because the lightweight pieces tend to blow away on windy days and just won't last as long." Also popular is the use of brightly colored or patterned fabric, Devereux said. He noted that his business began using brightly colored fabric, such as lime green, on pieces at home shows and saw a very positive reaction from customers. "The bold colors and bolder patterns create a focal point that compliments the rest of the landscape," Devereux said. "People are really decorating their patios in a way that is similar to decorating their living rooms." If you are in the market for new furniture, Devereux suggests that you ask yourself a couple questions before making the big purchase. "Decide first what you're looking, how much you are willing to spend and how long you want it to last," he said. "The quality of the material is very important, along with the quality of the joints holding it together." Join us for the 2013 Women in Science Luncheon Series! Women researchers and physicians at the Medical College of Wisconsin are making discoveries that are saving lives and improving treatments for patients with complex injuries and diseases. The Women in Science Series gives you access to these distinguished scientists and their exciting and innovative medical research. Viruses: Small Packages with a Big Impact Paula Traktman, PhD Medical College of Wisconsin Walter Schroeder Professor and Chairman of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, and Senior Associate Dean for Research Development Thursday, May 30, 2013 Registration and social time - 11:30 am Luncheon and presentation - Noon -1:30 pm Woman's Club of Wisconsin 813 East Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee Free valet parking *Expires 5-31-13 Cannot be duplicated. Not redeemable for cash. Limit 1 per customer. Paula Traktman, PhD Paula Traktman, PhD Our bodies are hosts to viral infections throughout our lives, often without any ill effects. However, viruses are capable of causing such diseases as measles, influenza, HIV/AIDS and cervical cancer. With their tiny size and limited genetic capacity, viruses are biological wizards. Exploration of the intricate choreography of viruses and their hosts never ceases to amaze. Celebrating 55 Years! WWW.GRASCHFOODS.COM A special thanks to our media sponsors: Proceeds benefit women scientists at the Medical College of Wisconsin. For registration information, call 414-955-4717 or visit www.mcw.edu/womeninscience Visit Women in Science on Facebook! facebook.com/womeninscience NOW G IN SERV & BEER E WIN TIO OOR PA OUTD We Can Do That...Just Ask! Join us for Friday Fish Fry! - OPEN SOON! 231869003 Summer Fun! There are endless possibilities of summer fun in Waukesha County. Find exciting and interesting things to do to keep you and your family busy all summer long. 890 Elm Grove Rd. in Village Court phone: 262-780-1888 fax: 262-780-1889 Join us for MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH Make reservations now. Open T-Th 7am-2:30pm • Fri. 7am-8pm • Sat. 7am-2:30pm • Sun. 8am-2pm Serving breakfast & lunch • Dine in or carry out • Local Art, Jewelry & • Room Available for Maple Syrup for Sale! Meetings/Parties • We deliver for your office party 231937001 See what's new in summer fun! Pick up a copy of the 2013 Summer Fun Guide in the June edition.