Fellowship Open Weekend a rousing success, despite pandemic

Despite the inability to gather by the hundreds and tee-off together at Silver Spring Country Club in Menomonee Falls, the traditional Fellowship Open weekend was a rousing success – virtually and live. While maintaining social- distancing and all established health and safety protocols, two events highlighted the traditional weekend in August filled with recognition and celebration of achievement.

Thursday, August 20, 2020, at Academy Award winner John Ridley’s No Studios, the Fellowship Open hosted a memorable ceremony recognizing Milwaukee Community Journal founder and publisher Patricia O’Flynn Pattillo via ZOOM. The virtual/live event also recognized the Open’s annual youth program recipients – in 2020, the Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy, the Five Pillars/ Metcalfe School Virtual Tutoring Project, and Sidney Moncrief ’s Game Changer organization. MPS Superintendent Dr. Keith Posley provided virtual remarks and noted Milwaukee artist Brad Bernard was on hand for the unveiling of his commemorative portrait in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Fellowship Open. Other attendees included Milwaukee Community Journal Editor Thomas Mitchell, noted community volunteer and MSOE alum Jackie Herd-Barber, and two young MKE Fellows being recognized for outstanding academic achievements in 2020.

Then on Friday, August 21, 2020, combining a lively ZOOM audience and two live locations, the Fellowship Open weekend wrapped up with a rousing tribute to Milwaukee Bucks Hall of Famer Sidney Moncrief and Bader Philanthropies President/CEO Dan Bader. From Tripoli Country Club in Brown Deer, the University Club Downtown, and virtually from across the country, attendees had a great time saluting two Milwaukee legends. Among those attending – Cory Nettles, Frank Cumberbatch, Valerie Daniels-Carter, Chuck Harvey, Michael Barber, and Takisha Moncrief. Two additional MKE Fellows received Thelma A. Sias Medals of Distinction for superior academic performance, Mike Strehlow from CBS 58 came aboard as emcee, and Bucks announcer Jim Paschke stopped by virtually from Florida to say hello and congratulate his good friend Sidney Moncrief.