Around the Corner with John McGivern

Join Emmy Award--winning actor John McGivern as he explores living, working and playing in SE Wisconsin's unique communities. In the first of this 13-episode weekly series, experience Bay View along with John as he checks out the Lake Express Ferry, goes inside Klement's, and chats with residents. He finds food and fun at Pastiche Bistro, Riviera Maya, Lulu's, and Sugar Maple, learns how food is grown at Sweet Water Organics, "chills on the hill," relaxes at Tonic, visits the Boulevard Theater and asks Alderman Zielinski to sum up the neighborhood. And, as will happen in every episode, historian John Gurda shares the history and emographics of the area.

John McGivern introduces some of the people and places that make Wauwatosa unique-- and a little cranky! In the village, John chats at LaRev and outside the old fire station; he strolls with Joe Bartolotta; and, he finds John Gurda at the Little Red Store. There's music, flowers, food, treats, creativity--and one place John can't wait to go: The Irish Fest headquarters. This is the only episode in which John goes from Hoyt Pool in the summer to the curling club where it feels like winter! Where else can you go to church, the movies and to Hawaii all in half an hour?

John visits a neighborhood you either know well or not at all--Riverwest. New, hot businesses like Flux Design and Café Corazon, are just down the block from places that have defined the neighborhood for decades like Ma Bensch and Woodland Pattern. Gems like the Polish Falcons and St Casimir's Church have been creating community in the neighborhood for literally more than a hundred years! This episode is jam packed with co-ops and community activists, bikes, books, artists, parks, bars, clubs and yoga! Add John Gurda, and now you'll really get to know Riverwest!

John McGivern doesn't have much time to catch his breath in this episode, because Cedarburg is a busy place! Could there be any more to eat and drink? Between the restaurants and winery at Cedar Creek Settlement, Amy's Candy Kitchen, The Java House, PJ Pipers Pancake House, Out & Out and Wayne's Drive In, John gets plenty full! But, he found lots to do that's not food related, too. John discovers that the shops on Washington Avenue offer everything from jewelry to home goods to lawn art to toys. He visits the Cultural Center, the General Store Museum, and stops to chat with the Pastors at Advent Lutheran Church. Then there's the vegetable farm, salon, quilt museum, performing arts center, a walk through the famous covered bridge... so much that you just have to watch!

John McGivern heads north on I-43 to explore Sheboygan. Did you know that you can surf, go the theater, shop the oldest hardware store in Wisconsin, learn about Hmong culture, the history of Sheboygan and eat the most delicious hard rolls in the state all with about three miles? John Gurda starts off on the lakefront, and it's a short trip to great destinations like the Kohler Art Center, the Blue Harbor and Bookworm Gardens. Mix in a little Frisbee golf (oops, sorry -- we mean Disc Golf!) and terrific employers like Acuity and Torke Coffee, add an outstanding Riverfront, and top it all off with fantastic cuisine or a mouthwatering Sheboygan classic - a double Brat. John describes Sheboygan as "comfortable," and you'll soon agree!

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Step out of the city and join John McGivern in Burlington, a place where baseball, burgers and sailing are the pastimes of choice. John wishes you could smell this episode, because Burlington smells sweet--like chocolate! He meets Fred and his world famous burgers, experienced true community theatre; and, John soon realizes he is not a construction worker, but could be a car salesman! With Brown's Lake right there, John couldn't resist the opportunity to experience what it's like to live on a lake in the summer. It doesn't get any sweeter than this!

You're going to love this episode, because everyone loves Brady Street! John Gurda explains how this historic neighborhood developed into a "live local" haven with extremely loyal residents. Nowhere else will you find longstanding icons Glorioso's, Sciortino's, Roman Coin, and Wolski's next door to newcomers like Thai-namite, Hybrid and Dry Hootch. At Zaffiro's and Cempazuchi's, John could have spent the whole episode eating, but he shops and visits, too, because the unique people and places on Brady Street can't be found anywhere else. He explores vintage goods at Dragon Fly, Art Smart Dart Mart, Fabrizio Capelli Salon, Saints and Sinners Tattoo Co.; and, talks with Father Tim at Three Holy Women. What a place! It all fits on Brady Street because it is "Wide Open".

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Milwaukee's Third Ward is literally saturated with creative people, and John McGivern meets many contributing to the creative vibe of the area, including an artist and art critic, an opera singer, and media producers. John finds a company that hasn't changed locations or products in 50 years; stops and shops at Lela and Retique, heads over to Broadway Paper and swings by the Public Market. Ready for fun, he heads to SPiN, the Wicked Hop, and tours the rest of the Third Ward. If you haven't visited in a while, you won't recognize it because this community has been "reinvented"!

John McGivern explores one of only three "Greenbelt" communities in the United States—Greendale! John Gurda certainly knows tons about this planned community built by the FDR Administration in 1936, but it's John McGivern who explores Greendale today and discovers its fantastic character. John learns why sections of Greendale are so defined, and it doesn't take him long to hear the defining sound of downtown Greendale, where barbershop quartets are alive and well. John meets a barber who's been in the community for 40 years, and visits the Taste of Home Test Kitchen at the Greendale Visitor Center. He tours the local bakery, malt shop and the Shoppe Around the Corner. John also visits a lime farm, where they don't grow limes, and becomes a weed-out-warrior while discovering this true Wisconsin Original!

Where is Lincoln Village? John McGivern finds out this south side Milwaukee neighborhood is anchored by St Josaphat's Basilica on the east and Forest Home Cemetery on the west. Talk about a melting pot! John finds authentic Mexican boots, candy, food and bakery right across the street from the Polish deli, down the block from the Serbian restaurant. There are bikers and boxers, an architect and an audio engineer. And Kosy Park (that's what the locals call Kosciuszko Park) is the heart of it all with a community center that truly serves the community. History is important here and so John talks to the folks at Urban Anthropology and a resident who has called the same house his home for 84 years. And speaking of history, John Gurda not only tells the history of the neighborhood, but shares a bit of his own, too!

We wrap up the first season of Around the Corner with John McGivern where John starts and ends everyday -- East Town. As Milwaukee's center of commerce, people have always worked in East Town. The businesses are local and global, really big and really tiny. Places like the Pfister and London Cleaners have been here forever, but newcomers continue to add to this ever-changing community. In the last few decades, there's been a real resurgence of people who come to live and play here, too. Home to the theater district, the art museum, and some of the best restaurants and street food in the state, there's always something to do (and eat!). But as a resident, John invites you to hang out at Buckley's, on "the W's" or in Cathedral Square, and come grocery shopping with him and meet his friend, Madeline. John Gurda says it was called Juneau Town, it's been known as Yankee Hill, we all call it Downtown, but John McGivern calls East Town "home".