RIVER HILLS FOUNDATION

December, 2007
Dear Friends and Neighbors:

The month of December has arrived all too quickly but with some unexpected ice crystals and snowflakes.  Again this year, we would like to call your attention to the work of the River Hills Foundation and ask that you consider a contribution.  Founded in 1991, its purpose is to enrich the quality of life in our special community.  Each year an increasing number of residents have been making tax deductible gifts, enabling the Foundation to undertake larger and more meaningful projects – projects that would not be possible from property tax receipts or as budgetary items.

This year the River Hills Foundation has made an investment in planting trees and “greening” our Village in a most positive and environmentally sensitive way.  Over 70 trees and lower story shrubs, of mostly native material, have been planted in the Memorial Garden at the Village Hall and in cul de sac spaces that for years had no plantings whatsoever.  Other cul du sacs were revived with replacement trees and fresh, healthier plant material.  Some of this vital greenery was even added to the median strip along Good Hope Road.

All of this plant material was a free offering, meaning no cost for tree material, from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD).   The whole project was carried out under the able direction of Kurt Fredrickson, Superintendent of Public Works.  The cost that the Foundation incurred was for equipment, installation and some selection (with voluntary assistance from Wendy Walcott) and landscape design consultation from Judith Stark.  We are trying our best to meet the new standards established for our “environmentally aware community” while keeping Village expenses at a minimum.  In this case, the Village will truly benefit financially, aesthetically, and environmentally.

The other important use of the Foundation’s funds was a contribution to our River Hills Police Department for protective armor for a newly hired police officer and also for two new up-to-date defibrillators for use and protection of our residents.

Our most visible achievement in recent years remains, of course, the publication of River Hills, As It Is And As It Once Was, the first complete history written about the Village including beautiful photographs and early maps.  Copies remain for sale at the Harry W. Schwartz Bookshops as well as the River Hills Village Hall and are an excellent gift idea.  Please notice the cover of the River Hills Review December issue which features this superb publication.  Proceeds from this successful book project and your additional generous contributions allow the River Hills Foundation to make grants for enduring projects that significantly benefit the Village and its community.

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(inside flap) RIVER HILLS This is the first book to recount the remarkable history of River Hills, Wisconsin.  Remarkable, partly, because of the bold experiment which created country living on the flank of a major city and for the tenacity of its residents who have managed to preserve their idyllic setting for over seven decades. In 1930 the Village founders made the daring decision to impose a 5-acre minimum restriction on all properties and to outlaw commercial development forever.  The nature-loving residents went a step further to safeguard their dream of country living… they backed a policy wherein their streets would have no sidewalks, or curbs, or street lights or even lane lines painted on the pavement. River Hills is ranked the number one most desirable community in which to live of 40 suburbs surrounding Milwaukee.  Until now, the fine architecture of the village has gone largely unappreciated because of the heavily wooded landscape and the substantial setbacks at the end of long, winding driveways.  This lavishly-illustrated book provides a first glimpse at many of the landmark properties. The story begins before the village incorporation and traces the occupation of the landscape from the Indian villages to the immigrant farmers who tilled the soil for nearly a century.  It chronicles the coming of the Milwaukee Country Club, and the prominent businessmen who founded River Hills.  On its way to the present day the narrative recounts the coming of an unwanted Nike missile base and the recovery after its closing.  Above all the thread which ties everything together is the residents’ love of the country environment and their commitment to keep it that way.

There are other on-going programs overseen by the River Hills Foundation.  A special gift, a fire extinguisher, is personally presented to every new family as a safe welcome to our Village.  Foremost, the Memorial Garden has been magnificently expanded.  For residents who would like to create a lasting tribute to a family member or friend, a donation of $800 covers the costs of a tree and a personal plaque.  Now you may choose one of the newly planted trees as your selection.  This will help cover costs and permit more plantings in the future.

The Foundation makes only one appeal to Village residents each year.  Your gifts permit financing projects that make River Hills a better place in which to live while helping to preserve the natural beauty of our community’s unique pastoral setting.  For your convenience, a donor card is included and the Foundation thanks you, as always, for considering a gift this year.  Please accept our very best wishes for a happy holiday season.

Anne Vogel, President

River Hills Foundation