Caroline Krider likes to be in the know. That’s why she joined the Platypus Society, the Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s (ZSM’s) premier annual giving group. “With Platy, you get a lot of opportunities to go be-hind the scenes and learn things,” says Krider, a senior vice president at U.S. Bank. “It’s like being a member of a special club.”

U.S. Bank has been a corporate member of this “club” since 1984. The bank has also supported the ZSM and the Milwaukee County Zoo through sponsorships of three touring exhibits, donations to events such as Zoo Ball, and capital campaign contributions. In 2004 the bank announced that it was making one of the largest con-tributions in its history: $2.5 million to the Zoological Society. Much of that helped make possible the Zoo’s entrance atrium that opened in May 2008 and is called the U.S. Bank Gathering Place. The Platypus Society allows U.S. Bank to emphasize its commitment to Milwaukee, says Krider. “Platy helps companies get involved in the community and increases visibility.”

On a personal level, Krider, who has had her own patron Platypus Society membership since 2007, enjoys networking with like-minded people and attending VIP premieres of special exhibits. “It’s about building relationships,” she explains. “It’s fun meeting people who’re active in the community.” She attends ZSM special events and annually invites bank clients to the MillerCoors Birdies & Eagles Golf Tournament and to Zoo Ball, major fund-raisers for the Zoological Society. Krider also helps shape the ZSM’s mission through her work on the Board of Directors and four of its committees: the executive, conserva-tion and research, education, and marketing committees. “The committee work is an opportunity to get to know people such

as Zoological Society CEO Dr.Bert Davis and Dr. Bruce Beehler, deputy Zoo director,” Krider says. “You can learn what’s going on at the Zoo and brainstorm.”

She especially enjoys learning about conservation. The ZSM runs the Bonobo & Congo Biodiversity Initiative, an extensive program that helps the highly endangered bonobos and the people who share their habitat in Africa’s Democra-tic Republic of Congo. The ZSM’s conservation coordinator, Dr. Gay E. Reinartz, spends nearly six months each year in the Congo. Next spring, a new display near the indoor bonobo exhibit at the Zoo will feature Dr. Reinartz’s fi eld work. “It’s great to get the word out about conservation work here and abroad,” says Krider. “The Society increases awareness and education about these animals and their natural habitat.”

Krider has always liked animals and nature. She and her husband, Paul Smith, outdoors editor for

the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, enjoy taking wildlife-themed vacations to places like the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon, Antarctica and Africa. As a child growing up in Chicago and Philadelphia, Krider often visited local zoos, she says. Besides the bonobos, her favorite animals at our Zoo include Mahal, the orphaned orangutan toddler, and his surrogate mom, MJ. Orangutans are losing their homes to palm-oil plantations on their native South Pacifi c islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Zoos and wildlife preserves may help the species survive. “I think there are a lot of opportunities to educate people on why we have the Zoo and its value to conservation,” says Krider. For example, not only is Mahal’s story touching, but “it also has certainly helped shine a light on the broader mission of the Zoo.”

By Julia Kolker

Zoological Society of Milwaukee CountyDevelopment Offi ce10005 W. Blue Mound Rd.Milwaukee, WI 53226(414) 258-2333

Please remember the Zoological Society in your will or estate plan.

September 2010

Name: Nick and Sandra OliverCity: Colgate, Wis. How to contact them: (262) 628-8486 or noliver@execpc.com

Reason you joined the Platypus Society: Says Sandra: “We’ve been members of the Zoological Society for almost 10 years. When our kids, Gillian, 10, and Rebekah, 9, were born, we got a Zoo Pass so we could go to the Zoo for long or short visits. The kids loved it. Our life circumstances later changed so we could move our charitable giving to a higher level, and so we joined the Platypus Society. Platy gives us the opportunity to participate in really great events such as the special exhibit premieres (the family is shown here viewing a robotic dinosaur at the Zoo in May), the annual family picnic and special programs like a Jack Hanna show last year.”

Personal history with Zoological Society and Milwaukee County Zoo: “I grew up in this area,” says Sandra, “and for my family it was a very special event to go to the Milwaukee County Zoo. For our kids, we wanted to make it something you could do anytime. When the kids were little, we would go with another family to the Zoo on Christmas or Christmas Eve. It’s cold but all the animal buildings are open, and we were the only ones here! The Zoo is beautiful at this time of the year—it’s decorated, and it’s not very crowded. I love the penguins and my husband, Nicholas, and the girls love the bush baby in the Small Mammals Building.”

Why the Platypus Society is important: “It continues the tradition of the Zoo, and it’s a gift we can give to our kids. Also, the Platypus Society allows us to bring additional visitors on our pass. It’s really appealing to be able to bring friends and out-of-town guests and show off our Zoo!” [Each patron Platypus Society card allows up to eight people and one vehicle per visit into the Zoo. Members also receive 14 extra guest admission passes.]

New-Member Profi leNew-Member Profi le

A ‘Club’ That Helps AnimalsA ‘Club’ That Helps Animals

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the Milwaukee Journal Sentine

th kid littl ld ith th f il t th Z

printed on recycled paper 4572H10

Oct. 7Oct. 7Platypus Society Recognition Dinner, 6 p.m., Peck Welcome Center; look for your invitation in the mail.

Oct. 22 & 23Oct. 22 & 23Boo at the Zoo, sponsored by westbury bank, 6-9 p.m.*

Oct. 23Oct. 23Wolf Awareness Day at the Zoo*

Oct. 28Oct. 28Simba Society Recognition Dinner, 6 p.m., Peck Welcome Center; look for your invitation in the mail.

Oct. 29 & 30Oct. 29 & 30Halloween Trick-or-Treat Spooktacular, sponsored by westbury bank; Oct. 29, 6-9 p.m., Oct. 30, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.*

Nov. 6 & Dec. 4Nov. 6 & Dec. 4Family Free Day at the Zoo, sponsored by North Shore Bank &FOX 6, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.*

Nov. 13Nov. 13Zoological Society members’ holiday trip to Chicago’s Magnifi cent Mile*

Dec. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19Dec. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19Breakfast and Lunch with Santa, sponsored by Racine Danish Kringles; to get on Zoo mailing list, call (414) 256-5466 after Oct. 1*

*For more information, call (414) 258-2333 or go online at www.zoosociety.org.

CalendarCalendar

Photo by Rick Heinlein

PLATYPUS SOCIETY STEERING COMMITTEE

Robert Anger Paul Cadorin

Dr. Robert DavisGerald Dias

Mary Ellen EneaKaren Peck Katz

Maria Gonzalez KnavelJoe Kresl (chairman)

James KuehnJack McKeithan

Deborah MusanteJoan Prince, Ph.D.Judy Holz Stathas

DEVELOPMENT STAFF

Karen Von RuedenVice President of Development

Katie HessAnnual Giving & Events Coordinator

Lisa Ruidl Development Assistant

Cassie JefferyGrant Administrator

NEWSLETTER STAFF

Paula Brookmire Editor

Julia Kolker Writer

Cary PiggotDesigner

Richard Brodzeller Photographer

(unless otherwise noted)

The Platy Press is a newsletter for members of the Platypus Society.

The Platypus Society is the highest level, donor-member-recognition group in the Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s network of support. Members include about 375 area

foundations, businesses and individuals contributing more than $700,000 annually with in-kind services and support. The Platy Press is published four times a year by the Zoological Society of Milwaukee, 10005 W. Blue Mound Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53226. The Zoological Society celebrates its

100th anniversary in 2010.

www.zoosociety.org

Platypus Society Members Platypus Society Members Celebrate Zoo BallCelebrate Zoo Ball

Joe and Jennifer Kresl of Elm Grove chaired the event. Joe is on the Zoological Society’s Board of Directors.

Platypus Society members enjoyed an evening in “Zootopia” at the Zoological Society’s Zoo Ball 2010. Sponsored by American Airlines, the June 26 event featured a gar-den theme, complete with plenty of fl owers and animal-shaped topiaries. Zoo Ball, the largest annual fund-raiser for the non-profi t Zoological Society, brought out about 670 guests and raised $440,000. Hawks Nursery, a con-tributing sponsor and a corporate Platypus Society member, donated plant decorations, centerpieces and staff time. Joe Kresl, owner of Hawks Nursery, and his wife, Jennifer (right), chaired the event. Other corporate Platy members that supported the evening included the U.S. Bank Foundation, which supported cocktails, several auctions and a gourmet meal; Northwestern Mutual Foundation, which sponsored the entertainment; and MillerCoors, the late-night venue sponsor.

d if K l f l G h i d hd

Zoo Director Chuck Wikenhauser, of West Allis, and his wife, Trish (both on right), met up with Ben and Lee Kordus of Mequon. Ben and Lee are former Zoo Ball chairs, and Lee is an honorary director on the ZSM’s Associate Board.

Thom and Sharon Brown of Cedarburg posed for a photo in front of one of the Zoo’s trumpeter swans. Thom serves on the Zoological Society’s Board of Directors.

George and Holly Boggs of Hartford take a breather near the swans. The Boggs own the Sawmill Inn Restaurant & Pub in Richfi eld.

Gary Moss and Yvonne Lewandowski-Moss of Bay View enjoyed the Zoo’s fl amingo exhibit during the evening. Gary is with Pricewaterhouse-Coopers, a corporate Platypus Society member.

Representatives of Tamarack Petroleum Company, a corporate Platypus Society member, are about to enjoy dinner. Standing, from left, are Terry and Wendy Braatz of Menomonee Falls, Jimi and Joel Mirsberger of Lake Geneva, and Jill and Kevin Fitzgerald of Hartland. Seated, from left, are Jeanne and Tom Mirsberger and Lori and Michael Pjevach, all of Pewaukee.

Peter and Deborah Musante of Brookfi eld were pho-tographed in the colorful dining room. Deborah serves on the Platypus Society’s steering committee.

e

e

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PLATYPUS SOCIETY STEERING COMMITTEE

Robert Anger Paul Cadorin

Dr. Robert DavisGerald Dias

Mary Ellen EneaKaren Peck Katz

Maria Gonzalez KnavelJoe Kresl (chairman)

James KuehnJack McKeithan

Deborah MusanteJoan Prince, Ph.D.Judy Holz Stathas

DEVELOPMENT STAFF

Karen Von RuedenVice President of Development

Katie HessAnnual Giving & Events Coordinator

Lisa Ruidl Development Assistant

Cassie JefferyGrant Administrator

NEWSLETTER STAFF

Paula Brookmire Editor

Julia Kolker Writer

Cary PiggotDesigner

Richard Brodzeller Photographer

(unless otherwise noted)

The Platy Press is a newsletter for members of the Platypus Society.

The Platypus Society is the highest level, donor-member-recognition group in the Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s network of support. Members include about 375 area

foundations, businesses and individuals contributing more than $700,000 annually with in-kind services and support. The Platy Press is published four times a year by the Zoological Society of Milwaukee, 10005 W. Blue Mound Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53226. The Zoological Society celebrates its

100th anniversary in 2010.

www.zoosociety.org

Platypus Society Members Platypus Society Members Celebrate Zoo BallCelebrate Zoo Ball

Joe and Jennifer Kresl of Elm Grove chaired the event. Joe is on the Zoological Society’s Board of Directors.

Platypus Society members enjoyed an evening in “Zootopia” at the Zoological Society’s Zoo Ball 2010. Sponsored by American Airlines, the June 26 event featured a gar-den theme, complete with plenty of fl owers and animal-shaped topiaries. Zoo Ball, the largest annual fund-raiser for the non-profi t Zoological Society, brought out about 670 guests and raised $440,000. Hawks Nursery, a con-tributing sponsor and a corporate Platypus Society member, donated plant decorations, centerpieces and staff time. Joe Kresl, owner of Hawks Nursery, and his wife, Jennifer (right), chaired the event. Other corporate Platy members that supported the evening included the U.S. Bank Foundation, which supported cocktails, several auctions and a gourmet meal; Northwestern Mutual Foundation, which sponsored the entertainment; and MillerCoors, the late-night venue sponsor.

d if K l f l G h i d hd

Zoo Director Chuck Wikenhauser, of West Allis, and his wife, Trish (both on right), met up with Ben and Lee Kordus of Mequon. Ben and Lee are former Zoo Ball chairs, and Lee is an honorary director on the ZSM’s Associate Board.

Thom and Sharon Brown of Cedarburg posed for a photo in front of one of the Zoo’s trumpeter swans. Thom serves on the Zoological Society’s Board of Directors.

George and Holly Boggs of Hartford take a breather near the swans. The Boggs own the Sawmill Inn Restaurant & Pub in Richfi eld.

Gary Moss and Yvonne Lewandowski-Moss of Bay View enjoyed the Zoo’s fl amingo exhibit during the evening. Gary is with Pricewaterhouse-Coopers, a corporate Platypus Society member.

Representatives of Tamarack Petroleum Company, a corporate Platypus Society member, are about to enjoy dinner. Standing, from left, are Terry and Wendy Braatz of Menomonee Falls, Jimi and Joel Mirsberger of Lake Geneva, and Jill and Kevin Fitzgerald of Hartland. Seated, from left, are Jeanne and Tom Mirsberger and Lori and Michael Pjevach, all of Pewaukee.

Peter and Deborah Musante of Brookfi eld were pho-tographed in the colorful dining room. Deborah serves on the Platypus Society’s steering committee.

e

e

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Caroline Krider likes to be in the know. That’s why she joined the Platypus Society, the Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s (ZSM’s) premier annual giving group. “With Platy, you get a lot of opportunities to go be-hind the scenes and learn things,” says Krider, a senior vice president at U.S. Bank. “It’s like being a member of a special club.”

U.S. Bank has been a corporate member of this “club” since 1984. The bank has also supported the ZSM and the Milwaukee County Zoo through sponsorships of three touring exhibits, donations to events such as Zoo Ball, and capital campaign contributions. In 2004 the bank announced that it was making one of the largest con-tributions in its history: $2.5 million to the Zoological Society. Much of that helped make possible the Zoo’s entrance atrium that opened in May 2008 and is called the U.S. Bank Gathering Place. The Platypus Society allows U.S. Bank to emphasize its commitment to Milwaukee, says Krider. “Platy helps companies get involved in the community and increases visibility.”

On a personal level, Krider, who has had her own patron Platypus Society membership since 2007, enjoys networking with like-minded people and attending VIP premieres of special exhibits. “It’s about building relationships,” she explains. “It’s fun meeting people who’re active in the community.” She attends ZSM special events and annually invites bank clients to the MillerCoors Birdies & Eagles Golf Tournament and to Zoo Ball, major fund-raisers for the Zoological Society. Krider also helps shape the ZSM’s mission through her work on the Board of Directors and four of its committees: the executive, conserva-tion and research, education, and marketing committees. “The committee work is an opportunity to get to know people such

as Zoological Society CEO Dr.Bert Davis and Dr. Bruce Beehler, deputy Zoo director,” Krider says. “You can learn what’s going on at the Zoo and brainstorm.”

She especially enjoys learning about conservation. The ZSM runs the Bonobo & Congo Biodiversity Initiative, an extensive program that helps the highly endangered bonobos and the people who share their habitat in Africa’s Democra-tic Republic of Congo. The ZSM’s conservation coordinator, Dr. Gay E. Reinartz, spends nearly six months each year in the Congo. Next spring, a new display near the indoor bonobo exhibit at the Zoo will feature Dr. Reinartz’s fi eld work. “It’s great to get the word out about conservation work here and abroad,” says Krider. “The Society increases awareness and education about these animals and their natural habitat.”

Krider has always liked animals and nature. She and her husband, Paul Smith, outdoors editor for

the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, enjoy taking wildlife-themed vacations to places like the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon, Antarctica and Africa. As a child growing up in Chicago and Philadelphia, Krider often visited local zoos, she says. Besides the bonobos, her favorite animals at our Zoo include Mahal, the orphaned orangutan toddler, and his surrogate mom, MJ. Orangutans are losing their homes to palm-oil plantations on their native South Pacifi c islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Zoos and wildlife preserves may help the species survive. “I think there are a lot of opportunities to educate people on why we have the Zoo and its value to conservation,” says Krider. For example, not only is Mahal’s story touching, but “it also has certainly helped shine a light on the broader mission of the Zoo.”

By Julia Kolker

Zoological Society of Milwaukee CountyDevelopment Offi ce10005 W. Blue Mound Rd.Milwaukee, WI 53226(414) 258-2333

Please remember the Zoological Society in your will or estate plan.

September 2010

Name: Nick and Sandra OliverCity: Colgate, Wis. How to contact them: (262) 628-8486 or noliver@execpc.com

Reason you joined the Platypus Society: Says Sandra: “We’ve been members of the Zoological Society for almost 10 years. When our kids, Gillian, 10, and Rebekah, 9, were born, we got a Zoo Pass so we could go to the Zoo for long or short visits. The kids loved it. Our life circumstances later changed so we could move our charitable giving to a higher level, and so we joined the Platypus Society. Platy gives us the opportunity to participate in really great events such as the special exhibit premieres (the family is shown here viewing a robotic dinosaur at the Zoo in May), the annual family picnic and special programs like a Jack Hanna show last year.”

Personal history with Zoological Society and Milwaukee County Zoo: “I grew up in this area,” says Sandra, “and for my family it was a very special event to go to the Milwaukee County Zoo. For our kids, we wanted to make it something you could do anytime. When the kids were little, we would go with another family to the Zoo on Christmas or Christmas Eve. It’s cold but all the animal buildings are open, and we were the only ones here! The Zoo is beautiful at this time of the year—it’s decorated, and it’s not very crowded. I love the penguins and my husband, Nicholas, and the girls love the bush baby in the Small Mammals Building.”

Why the Platypus Society is important: “It continues the tradition of the Zoo, and it’s a gift we can give to our kids. Also, the Platypus Society allows us to bring additional visitors on our pass. It’s really appealing to be able to bring friends and out-of-town guests and show off our Zoo!” [Each patron Platypus Society card allows up to eight people and one vehicle per visit into the Zoo. Members also receive 14 extra guest admission passes.]

New-Member Profi leNew-Member Profi le

A ‘Club’ That Helps AnimalsA ‘Club’ That Helps Animals

gh s,

aDZla

atItbttcReabf“aaSea

aP

the Milwaukee Journal Sentine

th kid littl ld ith th f il t th Z

printed on recycled paper 4572H10

Oct. 7Oct. 7Platypus Society Recognition Dinner, 6 p.m., Peck Welcome Center; look for your invitation in the mail.

Oct. 22 & 23Oct. 22 & 23Boo at the Zoo, sponsored by westbury bank, 6-9 p.m.*

Oct. 23Oct. 23Wolf Awareness Day at the Zoo*

Oct. 28Oct. 28Simba Society Recognition Dinner, 6 p.m., Peck Welcome Center; look for your invitation in the mail.

Oct. 29 & 30Oct. 29 & 30Halloween Trick-or-Treat Spooktacular, sponsored by westbury bank; Oct. 29, 6-9 p.m., Oct. 30, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.*

Nov. 6 & Dec. 4Nov. 6 & Dec. 4Family Free Day at the Zoo, sponsored by North Shore Bank &FOX 6, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.*

Nov. 13Nov. 13Zoological Society members’ holiday trip to Chicago’s Magnifi cent Mile*

Dec. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19Dec. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19Breakfast and Lunch with Santa, sponsored by Racine Danish Kringles; to get on Zoo mailing list, call (414) 256-5466 after Oct. 1*

*For more information, call (414) 258-2333 or go online at www.zoosociety.org.

CalendarCalendar

Photo by Rick Heinlein