Who We Are
The History
The Menomonee Falls Camera Club came into existence during the Summer of 1975. The inaugural gathering occurred on the first Tuesday of September at 7 p.m. The venue that embraced this assembly of visual storytellers was the prestigious MF North High School (MF North Middle School) in the community room. It's worth noting that the club, sponsored by the Menomonee Falls Recreational Department, is a partnership that would prove instrumental in the club's journey. It ended in the late 1990s, and the club has been independent since then.
The architects behind this endeavor were Kenneth Momsen, a local camera retailer, and Bob Tank, the leader of the Recreational Department. Their collaboration bore the fruit of the Menomonee Falls Camera Club. Emil Ramthun, an artistic photographer capturing the moments in Menomonee Falls, took the reins as its inaugural president. The club's board members were Ken Momsen, the creative backbone of the local camera store; Richard Knisbeck, an unwavering presence who stands as a member to this day; Emil Ramthun, whose lens had long photographed the village; Ray Voit, Joe Valkoun, and Beverly Boettger, each contributing their unique notes to the harmonious ensemble.
The Menomonee Falls Camera Club is an inclusive community fostering a passion for photography. It provides a platform for individuals of any skill level, from novices to experts, to come together and exchange their knowledge and love for the craft. Embracing a wide range of ages, starting from 18 years old, this club promotes skill development and artistic growth in a nurturing, supportive atmosphere.
Present Day
Over the years, the club's membership swelled to over 50 individuals, and beyond the bounds of Menomonee Falls, the club's embrace extended across the vast expanse of southeastern and central Wisconsin, even reaching the sun-soaked landscapes of Florida and Arizona.
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, the club adapted its meetings to convene virtually through Zoom. This digital portal allowed the club to bring speakers from all corners of the country, enriching the minds of its members. Regular workshops punctuated the calendar, giving hands-on learning opportunities to flourish amid the landscapes they captured. It's a testament to the club's ethos that, while rooted in learning, it remained steadfast in ensuring the art of photography continued to be a wellspring of joy and camaraderie.
Meeting Info and Website
First Tuesday of the Month, September through July at 7 PM. Digitally by Zoom.
Dues are $30/person or $40/family. You can pay your dues by clicking this button.
Current President - Elizabeth Whitcomb
Vice President - Bernard Hall
Treasurer - Patrick Lynch
Secretary and Website - Jeffrey Klug
Newsletter Editor - Ellen Hanrahan
Join us in our friendly, positive environment where you can share your interests and expand your horizons.
Presidents, Vice Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers
The past Presidents, Vice Presidents, Secretaries, and Treasurers listed below are from past minutes that Bill Rietz had saved from him being a member for over 40 years. If anyone has information to fill the gaps, please let the camera club know. (kpw1255@me.com)
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YEAR PRESIDENT VP
2020-2021 Jane Hirst Joe Higdon
2021-2022 Joe Higdon Roger Crill
2022-2023 Roger Crill Clint Wesel
2023-2024 Clint Wesel Linnea Koenig
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YEAR PRESIDENT VP
2010-2011 John Doorly Jesse Buchholz
2011-2012 Jesse Buchholz Brian Lauttamus
2012-2013 Brian Lauttamus Ian Dickmann
2013-2014 Ian Dickmann John Wiley
2014-2015 John Wiley Pat Lynch
2015-2016 Pat Lynch Jim Bauer
2016-2017 Jim Bauer Jesse Buchholz
2018-2019 Jesse Buchholz Mark VanCleave
2019-2020 Mark Vancleave Jane Hirst
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YEAR PRESIDENT VP
2000-2001 Nancy Greifenhagen Don Gorzek
2001-2002 Don Gorzek Virgina Wick
2002-2003 Virginia Wick Tom Gentz
2003-2004 Tom Gentz Joyti Sengupta
2004-2005 Joyti Sengupta Nancy Graf
2005-2006 Nancy Graf Steve Reyer
2006-2007 Steve Reyer Ken Warning
2007-2008 Ken Warning Jeanette Lubitz
2008-2009 Jeanette Lubitz Michael Matusinec
2009-2010 Michael Matusinec John Doorly
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YEAR PRESIDENT VP
1990-1991 Ron Skaug Jon Moscicki
1991-1992 Jon Moscicki Jeffrey Klug
1992-1993 Jeffrey Klug Roger Crill
1993-1994 Roger Crill Bonnie Erickson
1994-1995 Roger Crill Unknown
1995-1996 Mark Mathu John Molenaar
1996-1997 John Molenaar Steve Haynes
1997-1998 Steve Haynes Gary Staekirwicz
1998-1999 Steve Haynes Steve Kilkenny
1999-2000 Dave Phillips Nancy Greifenhagen
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YEAR PRESIDENT VP
1975-1976 Emil Ramthun Ray Voit
1976-1977 Joe Valkoun Ray Jesmok
1977-1978 Ray Jesmok Bill Rietz
1978-1979 Bill Rietz Bob Ruffing
1979-1980 Bob Ruffing Richard Knisbeck
1980-1981 Richard Knisbeck Ken Cina
1981-1982 Ken Cina Phil Davis
1982-1983 Phil Davis Scott Galaska
1983-1984 Scott Galaska Jaye Theurich
1984-1985 Jaye Theurich Steve Haynes
1985-1986 Steve Haynes Jon Mosciki
1986-1987 Jon Mosciki Dave Phillips
1987-1988 Dave Phillips Jeffrey Klug
1988-1989 Jeffrey Klug Bob Schwan
1989-1990 Bob Schwan Ron Skaug
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NEWSLETTER/SECRETARY
Larry Talbot 1975-1976
Richard Knisbeck 1976-1977
Fred Jobst 1977-1978
Vicki Pulvermacher 1978-1979
Ray Thorn 1979-1981
Denis Kavemeier 1981-1983
Phil Davis 1983-1987
Sue Richardson 1987-1989
Linda Putzbach 1989-1991
Jaye Theurich 1991-1993
Jon Moscicki 1993-1994
Mark Mathu 1994-1998
Fritz Jusak 1998-2002
Carole Baily 2002-2017
Ellen Hanrahan 2017-Present
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TREASURERS
Larry Talbot 1975-1976
Richard Knisbeck 1976-1977
Fred Jobst 1977-1978
Joyce Jesmok 1978-1980
Carrie Cina 1980-1982
Sue Richardson 1982-1987
O’Linda Anderson 1987-1989
Sandy Berg 1989-1993
Bob Schwan 1993-1998
Sandy Berg 1998-2006
Bill Rietz 2006-2019
Pat Lynch 2019-present