Dear MSO Retirees,
Another year is coming to a close and I hope you will all find time to relax and enjoy the upcoming holidays. Belated birthday wishes go to Richard Kimball and Lewis Rosove who celebrated on October 27. I had a chance to see them at Linda Unkefer’s retirement fete and both looked great! Wasn’t able to talk with Richard but had an opportunity to do so with Lewis. He is keeping busy as Associate Professor of Viola/Violin at Maranatha Baptist University and recently performed there with the 414 Quartet (zip code of Milwaukee). Quartet members include “newer” musicians with the MSO: Alex Ayers (a winner of the MSO Stars of Tomorrow in 2006!) and Paul Hauer, violins, and Peter Thomas, cello. You can find this fine performance at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRKc_McJUtA.
November celebrates Sara Harmelink‘s birthday on the 22nd and Janice Hintz‘s on the 29th. Glenda Greenhoe begins December celebrations on the 3rd, followed by Margaret Wunsch on December 12th, Bruce Salzman on the 17th, and Bill Barnewitz on December 21st. Best wishes to all of you for a wonderful day and new year.
I’m sure some of you remember Bonnie Peterson‘s boys, Josh and Chris. Bonnie recently posted a photo of them and they are a little taller than I last saw them!
Bonnie is back home in Tucson now after her Chicago summer stay. This is a section of her backyard and front of the house.
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Steve and Peetie Basson‘s son, Jacob, was married to Miyako Tomisato Yerici. Here are some of the ever growing Basson clan. That’s Alex and his wife, Carolyn Silver and daughter Phoebe, Jacob, Miyako, Peetie, Steve, and Duncan.
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Gary and Glenda Greenhoe took what Gary called a “lightning” trip to a new part of the USA and enjoyed traveling on the old Route 66.
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Paul Tervelt did some traveling these past months and sent the following photos.
Paul and Homer enjoyed a meal with John Lounsbery in San Francisco at Scala’s.
With David Barker in Seattle. David was the MSO English Horn in the 60’s and very early 70’s before Marty Woltman joined the orchestra.
The team back together again. Paul and David Babcock.
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John Lounsbery‘s daughter, Kathryn, just returned from six days in Shanghai, China representing Roland, a manufacturer and distributor of electronic instruments, at Music China 2018.
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Had a message from Pat Mumm-Lovely-
Anne Devroome, Karen Smith & I shown here at lunch at Pandl’s in Whitefish Bay. Robin Petzold has joined our lunch group but was unable to be there that day. We meet every couple months to catch up with what’s happening with each other — and of course with the MSO.
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It seems Steve Colburn‘s holiday programs have already begun. Steve recently played with the Chicago Mastersingers in their performance of Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Here is Steve with Lynn Williams, harp.
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The many talents of our MSO musicians never cease to amaze me and I’d like to share a few who are not retirees. Kathy Lester, still with the MSO, completed an MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College some years back. She recently had a story published at http://thricefiction.com. Kathy also spends her summers teaching at the Summerkeys program in Lubec, Maine and has also taken up viola da gamba.
Joana Miranda, once a member of our viola section and married to Andrews Sill, our Associate Conductor, now spends her time living in New York City, freelancing for various ensembles and Broadway shows, and has ventured into the world of cartooning/illustration. You may remember Joana’s beautiful jewelry designs and creations while she was a member of the viola section. Once she and Andy moved to the Big Apple for his work with the New York City Ballet, their apartment no longer offered the space needed for jewelry creation, so she headed in another creative direction. Several of her cartoons have been accepted for publication by magazines and her cards and prints are available through Etsy. If you have a moment, check out her work at Joana Miranda Studio on Facebook and her blog at atalentfordesign.com
Then there is our own Superwoman, Judy Ormand. Judy ran a half marathon in Patagonia in September. Here she is with her friend Shelley from West Bend. She also found time to visit Easter Island. Returning to Wisconsin, Judy began volunteering her time and energy getting out the vote for the mid-term elections.
Dennis Najoom may have retired from the MSO but not from the trumpet. He recently did the intros at Doc Severinsen‘s Trumpet Master Class at Rufus King High School on November 2nd and Dennis’s Little Lake Stompers also played. Here is a great photo from Facebook taken backstage at the event.
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The work on the Grand Theater continues. There have been several media articles on the construction, especially the moving of the back wall. The Milwaukee Business Journal (second starred) has 36 photos from October 2nd.
https://radiomilwaukee.org/story/community-stories/progress-mso-warner-grand-theater-construction/
**https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2018/10/02/see-inside-the-msos-warner-grand-theatre.html
https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2018/09/07/friday-photos-full-speed-ahead-on-symphony-project/
https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/arts/2018/09/27/what-your-experience-msos-new-concert-hall like/1346780002/
https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/warner-grand-theater-coming-back-to-life-1
The back wall that will be moved to enlarge the backstage area. Would love to see this taking place! Photo from 88Nine Radio Milwaukee
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Linda Unkefer‘s retirement party was great fun and many, many musicians and family joined in the celebration. I wish I had more of an opportunity to chat with all the retirees who were there, but there was just not enough time. Woody and Jeani Foster shared their photos. Learned that Jeani is now living back in Milwaukee.
The handsome lad sitting with Linda and Lynn is their son, Elliot. (Sorry if I have misspelled his name- never sure of the number of ls or ts.). After graduating from UW-Whitewater, he started working at Hal Leonard Publishing as an engraver and continues with the company today.
For some of the early retirees, the above is Mark Hanson, Executive Director of the MSO and past Principal Trumpet.
Rip Pretat also had a few words to add as Linda’s assistant for 28 years.
Robert Levine spoke of the solid relationship between the Union and the Personnel Manager’s Office under Linda.
Richard Kimball and Marty Woltman. Love that sweatshirt. Only 32 years ago!! For the younger retirees that did not go on this tour- we were asked not wear the shirts in Europe since they might put us in jeopardy. The tour was right after the terrorist bombing of the Frankfurt Airport and the Rhien-Mann Airport Base where US military were stationed.
Lewis Rosove.
Liz Tuma speaking with cellist Peter Szczepanek and Principal Cello Susan Babini.
Ann and Gary Kamerling chatting with Margaret Wunsch.
Steve Basson and Richard Kimball
Rip and Mary Pretat dancing to the music of the evening, Alpine Blast. Linda knew the duo and asked for them. The fellow on the right is a great yodeler!
Scott Tisdel with Marty Woltman.
Concertmaster Frank Almond along with one of our newest retirees, David Taggart.
Oboe and English Horn Margaret Butler created this wonderful oil of Sunny, Linda’s much beloved Cocker Spaniel. Sunny is 18 years old and suffering with dementia. Linda was much moved by this wonderful painting. Bill Barnewitz is with Linda.
Another great team.
In tribute to Linda’s years with the MSO, this plaque will be at the door of the new Personnel Manager’s new office at the Grand Theater.
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I hope all of you at Linda’s party who promised to send your news will do so in the coming weeks.
This closes 2018’s Updates. I wish you all a wonderful holiday season with your families, good health, and safe travels. May the New Year bring much joy, happiness, and peace.
Best wishes,
Andrea
OLOMA65 