Lee Matz, Author at Milwaukee Independent

Photo Essay: Working together for a better America

Posted by Lee Matz | Jul 5, 2017 |

Lake Park kicked off its annual 4th of July festival with the theme “Working for a better United States of America.” The 106th annual event, one of the oldest Independence Day celebrations in Milwaukee, started the morning with parades of Eastside families from Maryland Avenue School and Hartford Avenue School. The sea of people merged before heading into historic Lake Park. The traditional festivities included ice cream, bike and buggy decorating contests, and various games. Master of ceremonies for the talent contest was the PBS “Around the Corner” host John McGivern, who grew up on the Eastside. McGivern shared...

Photo Essay: Milwaukee celebrates America’s birthday

Posted by Lee Matz | Jul 5, 2017 |

Tens of thousands of people attended the annual July 3 fireworks show along Milwaukee’s lakefront.

Photo Essay: Up close with the ceilings of St. Stanislaus

Posted by Lee Matz | Jul 2, 2017 |

Like other historic churches in the 1960s, Saint Stanislaus had many of its beautiful features obliterated during a major remodeling project, which after decades have nearly been restored by teams of craftsmen and artisans.

Photo Essay: Construction site classroom offers hands-on education

Posted by Lee Matz | Jun 28, 2017 |

A unique training opportunity, during the installation of a massive construction project in the Westlawn Gardens neighborhood, was invaluable to members of the YouthBuild program as they begin considering construction fields for a career option.

Sailboats race in Queen’s Cup to win one of oldest trophies in yachting world

Posted by Lee Matz | Jun 27, 2017 |

Giant sails were scattered along the horizon of Milwaukee’s Lakefront as the annual Queen’s Cup, one of the most prestigious yachting events in the nation, launched across Lake Michigan on June 23. The sailing race stretched 76 nautical miles from the South Shore Yacht Club (SSYC) to the finish line about ten hours away in South Haven, Michigan with close to 150 vessels competing in 13 division classifications. “This is our 79th sailing of the Queen’s Cup Race,” said Jerry Kedziora, Vice Commodore and Special Events Committee chair. “The racers sail for an overall trophy called the Queen’s Cup,...

Photo Essay: 79th Queen’s Cup sails across Lake Michigan

Posted by Lee Matz | Jun 27, 2017 |

One of the oldest racing trophies in the sailing world was up for grabs at the Queen’s Cup, held annually on the Great Lake starting from the South Shore Yacht Club (SSYC) since 1938.