On Sunday Nov. 28 from 3 to 7 p.m., Oak Barrel Public House, 1033 N. Old World Third St. will host a charity benefit for the victims of the Waukesha Holiday Parade tragedy.
Bobby Wiltgen, owner of Cream City Concepts, says that he is compelled to do whatever he can to help because this tragedy has affected him on a personal level.
“It's important at times like this for a community to come together”, noted Wiltgen in a release about the event. “I spent my childhood growing up in Waukesha and my brother and my mom still live in Waukesha. My heart goes out to the victims and families.”
The free event will feature raffle prizes, music, a variety of donated foods and desserts, and other activities to bring the community together. Proceeds from the event will be donated directly to families of the victims.
Those who cannot attend but wish to make donations can do so online via A GoFundMe campaign.
“This world is awesome, yet sometimes filled with horror and sadness.,” adds Wiltgen. “The whole Cream City Concepts team and I just want to do something to help.”
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
