RIVER HILLS FOUNDATION

December, 2008
Dear Friends and Neighbors:

As the end of the year approaches, 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 enhance 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 enduring projects that significantly benefit the Village and our community. Such projects would not be possible from property tax receipts or as separate budgetary items.

In 2003 the River Hills Foundation published River Hills, As It Is And As It Once Was, the first complete history written about the Village which includes beautiful photographs and early maps. This book continues to be a good fundraiser and it remains for sale at the Village Hall. It is an excellent gift idea as the holidays approach and we encourage you to share it with family and friends.

The investment in the “greening” of our Village by planting more than 70 trees and lower story shrubs in the Memorial Garden and in various cul-de-sacs was a successful project. All the plant material, as you might remember, was a free offering from Metropolitan Sewerage District with costs directed to installation and maintenance under the able direction of Kurt Fredrickson, Superintendent of Public Works. All the material has survived its first year of growth and continues to enhance our Village landscape. Plans to extend the paths and add stone benches to the Memorial Garden will welcome more visitors. For residents who would like to create a lasting tribute to a family member or friend, a donation of $800 covers the cost 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 of the beautifully expanded garden space and permit more plantings in the future.

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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.

Other past uses of the Foundation’s funds were directed toward our River Hills Police Department for protective armor and two up-to-date defibrillators for use and protection of residents. In one of our on-going programs, a gift of a fire extinguisher is sent to every new family as a safe welcome to our village.

The Foundation makes only one appeal to residents each year. Your gifts permit financing projects that make River Hills a better community in which to live. For your convenience, a donor card is included and the Foundation thanks you, as always, for considering a gift again this year. We extend our very best wishes for a happy holiday season.

Anne Vogel, President

River Hills Foundation
Click on the image to the right for a printable Contribution Card.