1. Strawberry Paletas in the Summer

BIANCA CABRAL, EDITORIAL DESIGNER

Being born and raised here I don’t know that I can point out a specific first memory. During the summer, my siblings and I would spend our days playing outside always hoping to hear the street vendors pass by. As we heard the chiming paletero bells, we’d run out to the front yard to buy some delicious treats. If it wasn’t paletas, it was corn, fruit or churros from the elotero. Strawberry paletas were my absolute favorite treat to complete a summer evening!

2. “The Twisty Bridge” 

CHRIS DROSNER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR

I can’t say definitively that it’s the first, but it might be riding in my parents’ old Datsun through the old Marquette interchange in the early 80s, en route to my visit my grandparents in South Milwaukee. I would end up calling it “the twisty bridge” because of the spaghetti-like assortment of ramps and overpasses that put us out on the breathtakingly high (to me at least) bridge over the Menomonee Valley. I guess I was an infrastructure nerd from the start, because the twisty bridge was always a highlight of our Milwaukee visits, right up there with the zoo, Brewers games and Grant Park visits.  

3. Zaffiro’s Pizza

CAROLE NICKSIN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND PUBLISHER

Eating lunch at Zaffirro’s after accepting my job at MilMag.

4. A Typical Milwaukee Winter

MELISA MACKEVICIUS, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

My first memories of Milwaukee were a scouting trip before moving here. It was a typical Milwaukee winter – like summer one day, and a blizzard the next. On the Saturday we were walking around the Third Ward checking out all of the local hot spots and enjoying cocktails on The Journeyman rooftop, and the next we were trudging through foot-deep snow and dining at Lake Park bistro. My husband and I loved the food, while my son (2 at the time), loved running around the park in the snow!

5. Milwaukee Art Museum

SOFIA CORTES, EDITORIAL INTERN

My first memory of Milwaukee was as a little girl when my family and I visited Wisconsin while we lived in Puerto Rico. I remember we did all of the things, but what I remember most is visiting the Milwaukee Art Museum. I was so little, so I can’t clearly remember any of the exact exhibits but I do remember that I loved all of the windows and the architecture, and I was looking through the windows more than looking at the actual art back then because I was only 4 or 5 years old. 

6. The Wicked Hop

LISA BAKER, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

My first memory of Milwaukee was in January 2010 as my husband I were making our decision to relocate here. We had looked at various communities in the area and ended up at the Wicked Hop for an early dinner. As we enjoyed our Bloody Marys (we have since realized that Wisconsin is a standout for this drink!) and observed a packed restaurant in the middle of winter – our decision was solidified!

7. Arctic Monkeys at Summerfest

SOPHIE YUFA, JUNIOR DESIGNER

Ten years ago, I saw Arctic Monkeys headline at the opening night of Summerfest. It was my first concert, EVER! I distinctly remember being in awe of the Hoan Bridge towering over me and (seemingly) amplifying the noise. I’d never been around so many people before. At the time, I knew next to nothing about Milwaukee and had no idea of the significant role it would later come to play in my life. Can’t wait to go back to Summerfest again this year!

8. Betty Brinn Children’s Museum

BRIANNA SCHUBERT, ASSOCIATE DIGITAL EDITOR

Growing up in East Troy, which is about 40 minutes down I-43 from Milwaukee, I came to the city pretty often with my family for different events and day trips. (Shout out to my mom for all the “Camp Schubert” summer fun!) My first memory, which is fuzzy and almost certainly more like an amalgamation of memories, is going to the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. Oh man, when we were going to the Betty Brinn, I knew it was going to be a good day. I loved the anticipatory walk through the parking garage, up an elevator (if I’m remembering correctly…) and into the beautiful atrium where a day’s worth of fun was waiting on the other side of a wall. I adored playing in the mailroom, mechanic shop, meteorology green screen, mini grocery store and the stage, which had costumes and props. My sister and I would put on performances for my incredibly patient mother. I got to play pretend and be creative all day, and it was genuinely the best.

9. Mass at Basilica of Saint Josaphat

ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR

I’m from these parts, so I don’t really have a first first memory of Milwaukee. It’s just kind of a miasma of sight and sound assaulting my little baby head for the first couple years. The first image that really stands out to me is the Basilica of Saint Josaphat, where we went to church every Sunday. I remember the giant, domed ceiling absolutely towering over me, overwhelmingly beautiful in a way my lil self couldn’t quite articulate. And funny enough, I still kind of get that feeling when I’m there.

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