Grafton, WI

Looking for a place to donate clothes you no longer wear or items such as furniture, electronics, and housewares? Or are you looking for some gently used furniture, electronics, household items or clothes for yourself or your family?

Goodwill is hoping to open a retail and drop-off location in Grafton! If all goes as planned, the store should be opening in June, and will be located in the former Sears building on Wisconsin Street, just a short distance south of Highway 60/Washington Avenue. This is a great addition to the community as this will be the only location in Ozaukee County.

If you're not familiar with Goodwill, they are a non-profit organization with headquarters in Milwaukee that assists youth, seniors, veterans and military families, immigrants, and people with disabilities, criminal backgrounds and other special needs in securing employment and becoming and staying a contributing member of society. You can learn all about their mission, services, and opportunities by visiting their website, goodwill.org.

Fall has definitely made its presence known here in Grafton with the chillier temps and changing colors. It also means it's time for Grafton's Annual Pumpkin Fest. So take some time the weekend of October 6-8 to enjoy the many activities! Admission is free.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6
5:30-7:30 pm Scarecrow building in the Paramount Plaza.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7
6:00 pm Food, beverages and a performance by Loo$e Change.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8
8:00-11:00 am Grafton Lions Club Pancake Breakfast at the Zaun Pavilion in Lime Kiln Park

10:00 am-1:00 pm Family scavenger walk in Paramount Plaza

10:00 am-4:00 pm Art show in Paramount Plaza

10:30 am-Noon & 1:30-3:00 pm North Shore Academy of the Arts in Paramount Plaza

10:30 am-2:30 pm Pumpkin Cross Cycle Race in Lime Kiln Park

11:00 am-1:00 pm Pumpkin carving demonstration in Paramount Plaza

11:00 am-4:00 pm Chalk walk, children's activity area, bake sale, farmers market

Noon-2:00 pm Pumpkin seed spitting contest at Grafton Village Center

1:00-3:00 pm Bingo at Paramount Grille and Bakehouse

3:00-9:00 pm Pig roast, hay rides, live music, food/beverages in Lime Kiln Park

7:00-9:00 pm Community bonfire and sing-along in Lime Kiln Park

This event is sponsored by Aurora Healthcare and presented by Celebrate Grafton. If you'd like more information, check out celebrategrafton.com.

Looking for something different to do this weekend?

Check out The Rain Barrel Auction at the Arts Mill in Grafton on Saturday, July 30, 6:00pm - 9:00 pm. (The mill is located just south of the Bridge Street dam, east of Wisconsin St.)

There will be a silent auction, and beverages provided by Grapes and Tastes will also be available. Appetizers are compliments of Cornerstone Community Bank.

All proceeds go toward the new Grafton Public Arts Board to continue bringing art into Grafton

Everyone is welcome!

(A small donation will be taken at the door.)

Todd Pruett, a resident of West Bend, Wisconsin, learned in August 2009 that he has a blood disorder called MDS, which is a precursor to leukemia. His bone marriow cannot produce healthy blood cells, and as a result, he needs a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor.

A Marrow Donor Registration drive will be held Friday, February 5, 3:00pm-6:00pm and Saturday, February 6, 11:00am-3:00pm, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1044 S. Silverbrook Drive in West Bend.

You can get more information by contacting:

Chaplain Vince Marolla 262-323-6189

Todd Coleman 866-702-HOPE (4673)

todd.coleman@bcw.edu

You can also visit Todd's website at doit4pruett.com

Thank you for your consideration.

Seems like there's been an awful lot of heavy sighs the past few days with the cooler temps and strong winds that have found their way to southeastern Wisconsin.

Yes, it is officially Autumn, and while that means the lazy hazy days of Summer 2009 are behind us, it also means the colorful paintings of fall are all around us.

So in the busyness of everyday life, be sure to take some time to slooooow down and look around you. From your back yard, to neighborhood parks, to Holy Hill, soak in and marvel at the reds, oranges, and yellows that cover our trees. This beauty only hangs around (literally) for a few short weeks. Don't let another autumn pass you by without taking notice.

Want to know where the colors are at their peak? Check out this web site: Wisconsin Fall Color Report

Enjoy..........