The Brookfield Scene

*  Fire Trucks, Flight for Life and more!

On Sunday, October 5th, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, the Town of Brookfield Fire Department is again excited to open its doors for a fun and free family event! 

This is an annual event going back decades to promote the National Fire Prevention Association's (NFPA) annual Fire Prevention Week.   This year's theme is preventing home fires. 

Flight for Life will be making a special landing at 12:00 noon; this will give guests a chance to get up close and meet the flight crew as well as see this incredible piece of machinery.

There will be live demonstrations on the use of many tools that the fire department relies on daily such as the jaws of life at 1:15pm.

If children are in need of new bike helmets, this is the place to shop!  We have many styles to choose from all for only $10.00 each.

The town has many special surprises this year for the kids! Balloons, treats, a giant fire truck slide and more!

Lunch will be available all day, hot dogs, soda, cotton candy and popcorn.

Pet moms and dads should stop by and ask for free ASPCA window clings which notify emergency personnel that there is a pet in the home that needs help too!

Town residents who are a senior citizens or parents of young children qualify for a free smoke detector and battery at this special event. They can even schedule to have fire personnel stop at their home to do a free fire inspection.

*  Enjoy a Special Exhibit

The last dates to visit the British Doll House Exhibit at the Dousman Stagecoach Inn, 1075 Pilgrim Parkway (Brookfield) are Sundays, October 5 and 19.  If you haven't seen this private collection yet, make sure you do.  The 1843 Stagecoach Inn is open from 1 to 4 pm.  Consider joining the Elmbrook Historical Society to help preserve the history of our communities.  Learn more about this non-profit group on Sunday, October 19 by calling 262 782 4057

* Take pleasure in the Local Market

The city's Farmers Market is open Saturday mornings through October.  Make sure you enjoy the seasonal crops, products and flowers.   

The concept:  Drive cross country to visit an uncle in California.

We had done it once before - when we were 4, 6 and 10 years old. It had been, as we recall, a grueling trip. Those long, long days of driving nineteen hours a day.  Three kids in the back seat. Our parents were unable to wake us for Grand Canyon.

We talked about the trip for weeks, thinking of the sites we wanted to see. It included Route 66, a road we drove in 1950, the Grand Canyon and other National Parks.

As we began our 7400 mile trip, we compared road trips in 2008 versus those in 1950. This time around, we rode in an air conditioned SUV, with GPS, CD player, three cell phones, wheeled luggage and credit cards. There were plentiful choices of hotels/motels and restaurants.

In 1950 were took a sedan with a radio and no air conditioner. We took picnic lunches, maps and money. We stayed in cottages overnight - and asked to see the rooms before staying. My parents chose to "pass" on some accommodations after seeing them. Before crossing the desert, we bought water bags for the radiator at a "last chance for gas" station.

Our 2008 adventure included listening to audio books about the 1950s and reminisces and tributes written by Tim Russert and Tom Brokaw. We were armed with books about Route 66, 1000 Places to See Before You Die and AAA tour books.

The 1000 Places became our "bucket list;" we visited many national parks and monuments and some state sites. A narrow stretch of Route 66 through the mountains brought back memories of everyone sliding toward the driver's side of the car. This historic stretch of road still lacks railings at the edge of the cliff.

All in all, it was a good trip. Our country holds many great wonders.