Brookfield/Elm Grove Monthly
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/133261
JUNE 2013 Freeman Brookfield & Elm Grove • Page 5A Coming full circle: New humane society director first adopted dog from shelter By Katherine Michalets Special to The Freeman BROOKFIELD – If Heather Gehrke hadn't heard a promotion about special needs dogs at the Elmbrook Humane Society 13 years ago and adopted Teki, she never would have begun volunteering and then working full time in the animal welfare field. Now life has come full circle for Gehrke, who has returned to the EBHS as its new executive director. The experience of adopting Teki, a 75-pound, husky and Belgian malanois mix with special needs, inspired Gehrke to give back to the EBHS. She first volunteered by walking dogs on the weekends and then became more involved with the opera- tions of the shelter, with some grant writing and planning of fundraising events. She also served on its board for several years, Gehrke said. When the opportunity presented itself to move from the Milwaukee area to La Crosse to be the executive director of the Coulee Region Humane Society, she decided to go for it. She remained in La Crosse for eight years. 'This is an organization that changed my life' Recently, Gehrke returned to the Brookfield shelter with which she fell in love and with 14-year-old Teki in tow. "This is an organization that changed my life and now there was an opportunity to be part of it and give back," she said. Gehrke said she plans to spend the first few months learning about the community and the EBHS supporters. She wants to continue community outreach, build the team that is in place and expand on the shelter's programs. Additionally, Gehrke said, she would like to build collaborations with other groups in the area. Kim Preston, president of the EBHS Board of Directors, said they were looking for a person to lead the team at Elmbrook and to take the shelter to the next level. Gehrke meets those criteria, she said. "She has a sense of compassion and empathy. Anyone when they meet her will understand that," Preston said. "She exudes that warmth, passion and drive for animals." It's been several years since Gehrke was involved at EBHS, but she said the shelter has gotten better. "I'm very impressed," she said. "They have done a very nice job and increased the (shelter's) presence." The work at EBHS must continue to center around the animals who are cared for there, she said. "Our goal is to get them back into a home," Gehrke said. "At the end of the day that's what it all comes Charles Auer/Freeman Staff back to." Before getting into aniElmbrook Humane Society Executive Director Heather Gehrke mal welfare work, Gehrke gets a kiss from Cash, a 4-year-old pit bull. was involved in other area nonprofits and had worked grant writing and account- took a position with the at YWCA Southeast WisMilwaukee Area Domestic consin for five years before ing. Gehrke replaces Karen Animal Control Commisgoing to La Crosse. Her sion. nonprofit work centered on Sparapani, who recently Toy worth dancing about and Spanish porcelain figure has strong value Q. We acquired this ''Charleston Trio'' from Uncle Charlie many years ago and would like to know more about it. – J.J.C., Brookfield A. Toys have always reflected society The . Charleston dance style was popularized in 1923 after appearing in the Broadway musical "Runnin Wild." Coming from South Carolina, this dance move was the first to introduce independent roles for dancing couples. The lithographed, tinplate toy was made by the famous manufacturer Louis Marx & Company, New York. Marx became the largest toy maker in the world earning the nickname "Toycoon." Marx's colorful mechanical toys were stamped out on large sheets, cut and formed into desired shapes and remain a favored collectible. Your 9-inch wind-up toy, with turn-key and side lever starts the action of three articulated figures performing on a red roof platform. The boy plays the fiddle, the dog rises up and the main performer does a rhythmic stomp-tap-dance. perfect condition, large figural groupings with front and back views retain good value. Your porcelain #4998, was issued in 1978 and retired in 1983. Original packaging with box enhances value. $1,100. FYI: Authentic pieces have the full Lladro backstamp INCLUDING the tulip logo. BARBARA EASH Antiques Appraised No longer are these wonderful toys kept in obscurity . When traveling, you might want to visit the Marx Toy Museum, Moundsville, W.Va. Your Black Americana Charleston Trio has paint fading and pitting. Add a higher value if the mechanism is in perfect working order. Value is $275. Have an item for appraisal? lar elongated look. Lladro's extensive body of work captivates simple scenes with expressed movement. The manager-sculptor of this piece was Salvador Furio, well-known for speI would like to know cializing in subjects of hisabout my beautiful 15-inch torical figures and literaLladro figurine that we pur- ture personalities. This figuchased in Spain. We spent ral group depicts characters from a great work of fiction, our 25th wedding anniver"The Ingenious Gentleman sary there in 1981. – R.A., Pewaukee Don Quixote of La Mancha." So the novel goes, Don Quixote becomes entranced Spanish porcelain while reading tales of became world-famous when chivalry and decides to three brothers in Almacera "turn knight." Your piece started operations in 1951. depicts appointed squire, As the firm become success- Sancho Panze, listening ful, Jose, Juan and Vicente with an attitude of repose to Lladro added an outlet in chivalry task instruction. Valencia in 1955. Their There is excellent modeling ceramic figures have a vari- of facial expression, period ety of finishes, are handcostumes, tile flooring and an attentive canine. If in painted and have a particu- Q. A. If you have an item you'd like to be appraised, mail entries to Waukesha Antique Shop, 1427 E. Racine Ave., Unit E-2, Waukesha, WI 53186. Send sharp, well-lit photos of front, back and underside of your item, and measurements are important. List any known history or even hearsay, length of ownership and all markings, even partial ones. Include your name, address and phone number. No photos can be returned and no purchase of antiques will occur. (Barbara Eash is a member of the Certified Appraisers Guild of America, specializing in appraisals of antiques and collectibles and has extensive experience writing and speaking about antiques.) 324 Years Together and Living Happily Ever After at Heritage Place! Heritage Place Brookfield embraces the quality of senior life at its finest. 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