After more than fifteen years, it’s hard to believe I’m spending my last couple of months in the city in which I was born and raised. I love my city, and have always been an ambassador, saying that Milwaukee is one of the most underrated cities in America. There are both personal and public things I will miss.
Here are, in no particular order, ten things that I will miss about living in the city of Milwaukee:
- Miller Park. My favorite team plays just a few miles down the road from where I have lived. I will miss the seats I have had one level up, right behind home plate, right underneath Bob Uecker. It’ll be tough to have to cheer my team on from afar. But I will. It’s in my blood.
- The People of Mt. Calvary. For the past decade-and-a-half we have laughed and cried together, dreamed and planned together, worshiped and served together. We have built a building, started a new service, and made inroads into the community. We have worked hard to bring hope to the heart of the city. Milwaukee is a better place, and the Lord’s kingdom has a special corner, because of the people of Mt. Calvary.
- My Parents. It will be tough to leave the people who are more than just parents. They are friends. We dined together, saw shows together, hung out together, had interesting discussions, and great times together. Here’s to hoping they will come to visit often.
- Convenience. This city is easy to get around. When people here complain about the traffic, they don’t know what they’re talking about (Trust me. I lived in the Washington, D.C., area). The old saying goes you can get anywhere around here in 20 minutes or less. It’s pretty true.
- Concordia University — Wisconsin. I was privileged to teach at this fine institution for more 13 years. I will miss the energy of college students, the incredible campus, and the relationships I have made.
- Sala da Pranzo and Other Independent Restaurants. At Sala, we got to know the owners. They are a hard working brother and sister who have built a business on great food and a personal touch. The city of Milwaukee is filled with places like this. We will miss them. Yet we look forward to making new discoveries in our new home.
- Theatre. Milwaukee has a theatre scene that would be the envy of many a city. I will miss First Stage, where our kids performed and where magic is made. I will miss the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and its company of some of the finest actors anywhere. I will miss the Skylight Theatre and its eclectic offerings of musical theatre and light opera. Milwaukee is a theatre-goers delight.
- 540 ESPN Milwaukee. I love my local sports coverage, especially of the Brewers and Packers. I love “The D-List” and “Homer and Thunder.” Guess I’m going to have listen to live streaming and podcasts.
- Friends. An important thing for a pastor is to be able to be around people with whom there is no pretense…the opportunity to “be me” and not have to “be on.” Thank you, friends. You are a blessing to me. The distance won’t diminish our friendship.
- Kopp’s Frozen Custard, The Milwaukee Art Museum, The Third Ward, The Milwaukee Public Market, and The Oak Leaf Trail. Enough said.
I’ll miss you, Milwaukee.
If you had to leave your city, what would you miss?
My list is pretty close to yours. There are many wonderful things about Milwaukee. My list would have included Pastor E but I guess we'll have to visit next time we are in Florida. 🙂
Thanks, Kristi! Please do!
Thief Wine and seafood place by your house?
Okay, I had a 21 year headstart leaving MKE. Not necessarily in any order, I miss the following:
!. Kopps
2. The old neighborhood (54th & North)
3. Mom
4. Saz's
5. The Lakefront
6. Summerfest
7. State Fair
8. Mader's
9. Change in seasons
10. The feeling of a mature community.
When I left mke I knew i'd miss;
Kopps fozen custard
Summerfest
Bastille days
Cathedral square and all its happenings
The theater district
My church, mt calvary lt
All my homies
And you Pastor E.
Milwaukee (not necessarily in order):
1. Family
2. The lakes!
3. Mama Mia's
4. The churches I am connected to
5. Snow sledding (but not the amount of snow each year)
6. The lake festivals
7. Brewers games
8. The zoo
9. Regner Park (West Bend)
10. The PAC
St. Louis: (not in order)
1. Thy Muny Opera
2. Forest Park trails, fountains, land…
3. Grant's Farm
4. Cardinals Games
5. Shakespeare in the Park
6. The Science Center
7. The Magic House
8. The City Museum
9. The Art Museum
10.The zoo
11. All the hiking opportunities
12. The Fox Theatre
13. Powell Hall
14. The Sem
15. Blessed Savior
16. Koch Park pool
17. Immanuel Scout connections
18. KFUO connections
19. Friends
20. Ferry rides to Pere Marquette State Park
Great lists!
Like the city of Milwaukee, the city of Buffalo, NY is much maligned both for it's lousy weather and losing football team (3 time losers of the Super Bowl, we're so proud). But here are the reasons I miss it.
1)My extended family. My parents live in Niagara Falls, and I have 3 cousins and their families that live in the area. 2 of them were in our wedding. My grandparents lived in the Buffalo area all of their lives, and I have very fond memories of visiting their house in the summertime.
2)The Anchor Bar, where Buffalo chicken wings were invented. need I say more.
3)Niagara Falls. If you haven't seen it, you should. And take a ride on the Maid of the MIst to get the full effect.
4)Niagara on the Lake. First class theater productions, everything from "The Importance of Being Ernest" to Chekhov's "The Seagull". The shops and restaurants are wonderful too.
5)Kleinhan's Music Hall. My first season tickets to a symphony-the Buffalo Philharmonic.
6)Artpark. "Evita", Preservation Hall Jazz Band, contemporary music festival, you name it.
7) Shakespeare in the Park
8)Factory Outlet Mall. Coach bags for half price. Again, need I say more.
9)Toronto, biking trails, Shea's Buffalo, very active AGO chapter, New York State Wines (and the wine trail), cross country skiing.
Excellent list! Love learning more about the area.
The custard will be the hardest to replace. You won't find anything like Kopps in Central Florida. But, you probably can't get a good Cuban coffee in Milwaukee.