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Thursday
September 2010
2
For the last six weeks, we have asked readers to share with us their stories of hope, promise and resolve from an otherwise difficult year.
The response was greater than we expected, as dozens of people contacted us and provided uplifting stories of how they overcame adversity to find happiness in 2009. In some cases, our reporters are profiling those individuals, but in other instances our readers are telling their own stories.
As we look ahead to 2010 and hope the next 12 months will be better than the previous 12, it’s important to remember that there were many bright spots in 2009 … it’s just that they weren’t easily found. Thanks to our readers, we’ve found them for you. And we’re proud to share those stories.
- Mark Maley, Editor in Chief
Next
Watch NOW reporter Isral Debruin's appearance on The Morning Blend to discuss some of the Stories of Resolve.
A double dose of holiday cheer
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Evan and Colin Pagel entered the world six weeks early, which has made their parents all the more thankful that the identical twins are back home and progressing normally. The boys were able to leave the hospital early, thanks in part to their larger-than-expected size.
The sun rises at Dusk
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When the economy took a turn for the worst, West Allis natives Dean and Kathy Winklemann returned to their first love: music. They hit the road again as the duo Dusk, and are focusing on the chance to quit their "real" jobs for good and perform full time.
Giving her talents
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Phyllis Resop has harnessed her considerable knitting skill this year to help people. The Wauwatosa native has created hats, scarves and mittens for the Cathedral Center Women's Center and for Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. The scarves made for the hospital are part of a care package that goes to parents of babies born with spina bifida and helps the infants stay warm without interfering with medical tubes.
- VIDEO: Resop explains her craft
Out of the blue
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Brown Deer business owner Dan Eggers, whose mother was a special education teacher, helps special-needs students learn valuable skills at his silk screening shop. One of his latest hires is Drake Spence, who has proven to be a strong addition to the team and has flourished in a number of duties.
- VIDEO: Watch Drake's story
- related link: See more stories of Resolve
Finding financial freedom
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Julie Mercer took a stand in 2009 and has since eliminated a large chunk of her nearly $25,000 in debt. The mom from Wauwatosa plans to carry her plan over into the new year and begin saving for retirement.
- related link: See more stories of Resolve
Army service yields confidence, maturity
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Jim Rhode took stock of himself after graduating from St. Norbert College with a degree in political science. The next logical step was to serve his country, so the 22-year-old from Wauwatosa was off to boot camp a month later.
Woman moves from unemployed to business owner in a few months
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Budget-related job cuts cost Dorothy Nowack her job at a local college, but they also opened the door to one of her dreams. The result is The Dooryard Gallery in downtown Elm Grove.
Church's members fight back against financial squeeze
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Even in the face of the recession, Brookfield Lutheran Church and its parishioners have raised tens of thousands of dollars for worthy causes throughout the world and here at home.
Single mom determined to turn family's life around
Lina Pezanoski and her family are newcomers to West Allis. Their move this year was one of the biggest steps they have taken in search of a better life. New schools and a new job have eased the transition.
New heart, new life
Seven-year-old Miranda Effert of Brookfield has grown three inches and gained a shoe size since receiving a heart transplant only four months ago.
- related link: See more stories of Resolve
Relying on kindness of strangers
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The Nenaydykh family of New Berlin relishes the kindness shown by neighbors, family, friends and strangers in the past year since their family home burned down four days before Christmas.
Sky's the limit for catering firm
Ernest Wunsch's Skyline Catering has shaken off the effects of the recession, expanding into larger digs and opening its first retail store.
With adversity comes strength
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Jim Wollmer, who lost his job in August after 35 years as a product design professional, cherishes the support he has received from his wife, Kim.
- related link: See more stories of Resolve
An athlete's Olympic dream comes true
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Menomonee Falls' Rebecca Stelpflug, one of three sisters in her family adopted from Peru, will represent Wisconsin next year in the Special Olympics National Games.
Sidetracked, but not for long
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Nicolet High School graduate Stefani Kurutz is fighting back against syringomyelia, a rare spinal disease, and raising awareness with her Music with a Backbone Benefit Concert.
Doing the right thing in the face of adversity
Phil Foster had been unemployed for more than two years when he found an envelope with $4,750 in cash outside his family's Oak Creek apartment. He turned to his faith to decide what to do next.
- related link: See more stories of Resolve
Gaining as he gives
New Berlin architect Jerry Wick and his family were faced with an uncertain future when his job was eliminated. He found strength volunteering for Hometown Heroes and has continued his volunteer work after finding another job.
- Related Link: See more stories of Resolve
Making it work in a down economy
A rare bright spot in the sea of red ink the foundering economy churned up this year is the InPro Corp., headquartered in Muskego.
- Related Link: See More Resolve Stories
Cancer opens eyes to importance of family, friends
Franklin's Mike Krupsky, who was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2008, shares the good and bad from his year of fighting the disease.
- related link: See more stories of Resolve
Mentoring a child to help fill void
Faced with loss her life, Elm Grove's Holly Henning is looking forward to mentoring a child as part of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program.
Life didn't stop for cancer
Glendale's Pam Stein is back, happy and healthy, after successfully fighting cancer.
- related link: See more stories of Resolve
Local chef counts blessings
Whitefish Bay chef Alamelu Vairavan, who will soon debut her cooking show on PBS, gives thanks for a year filled with culinary adventures.
- related link: See more stories of Resolve
A mixed blessing
Katie Stephens of West Allis, whose daughter Margaret Joanne was born this year, gives thanks and looks forward to her husband David returning from Iraq.
- related link: See more stories of Resolve
Gift starts veteran's holidays off right
A Brookfield resident and her husband, a veteran, got a pleasant surprise when they stopped for dinner recently.
Dog's love, energy brings family joy, exercise
Cheri Mastel tells the story of Rocky, one of the newer four-legged residents of Brookfield who has brought joy to his adopted family.
Newborn's name honors West Allis caregivers
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Aurora Health Care's Myrle Croasdale explains how Virginia residents Jennifer and Scott Calhoun left Wisconsin with more than just a happy memory.
Competition benefits food pantry, students
Menomonee Falls High School teacher Michelle Oliver describes how her students learned valuable lessons while helping a local food pantry.
Newborn on the mend; Man lends a hand a continent away
Oak Creek's Susan Henkel and Adam Weise of Hales Corners share their stories.
Community supports diaper bank effort
An article about a similar program inspired Menomonee Falls' Jenny Schroeder to begin collecting diapers to donate to families in need.
Game inventor finds happiness, success
Bay View's Peggy Brown shares her simple, effective recipe for success.
Idea brought strangers to perform 'Messiah'
Germantown's Jackie Volk explains how a free community performance of Handel's Messiah came to be.
- related link: See more stories of Resolve
NOW visual journalist C.T. Kruger takes a closer look at some stories of Resolve.
