National Celebrities & Local Experts on Food, Home & Gardening to Present at Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Show

Presenters from CNN and the DIY Network, the Food Network, and local chefs and home improvement experts headline the 51st annual Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Show, Wisconsin’s largest home improvement and remodeling show. The Show runs Thurs., Feb. 7, through Sun., Feb. 10, 2013, at the Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park in West Allis.

This year’s presenters include:

Mad Dog & Merrill each day of the Show

Bonnie Schneider, CNN/HLN Meteorologist and DIY Network weather expert, on Fri., Feb. 8 at 11:00 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. and Sat., Feb. 9 at 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 6:00 p.m.

Patricia Katopes, Food Network “Cupcake Wars” Winner, on Fri., Feb. 8 at noon & 6:00 p.m. and Sat., Feb. 9 at 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., and 6:15 p.m.

Tom Feiza – Mr. Fix-It each day of the Show

Melinda Myers, “The Plant Doctor” on Thurs. Feb. 7 at 3:30 p.m. and Sun., Feb. 10 at 11:00 a.m.

Gus Gnorski on Thurs., Feb. 7 at 11:00 a.m. and Sun., Feb. 10, at 12:30 p.m.

Lis Friemoth, “The Garden Hoe” on Fri., Feb. 8 at 1:00 p.m. and Sat., Feb. 9 at 4:30 p.m.

Leroy Butler, Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer on Sun., Feb. 10 at 1:00 p.m.

What once started as a couple of pitch guys for a national grill company has turned into a cult following that has swept the Midwest. For over 30 years, self-proclaimed “Grillologists,” Mad Dog & Merrill, have entertained and educated thousands of grilling enthusiasts.
Mad Dog & Merrill not only travel the country performing in front of live audiences, writing cookbooks and making videos, they also host the TV series, Mad Dog & Merrill’s Midwest Grill’n airing throughout all of Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Bonnie Schneider, a national television meteorologist, the DIY Network weather expert, and the author of “Extreme Weather,” appears on the various platforms of CNN and Headline News (HLN). Sponsored by Allrite Home & Remodeling, she is the co-executive producer and extreme weather expert for “Last House Standing,” a television special that has aired on the DIY Television Network. The show, which was shot on location in California, Alabama, and Florida, provides homeowners tips on how to storm-proof against earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes.

In 2011, Patricia Katopes began a new chapter in her life. Inspired by her love of all things creative and her passion for baking, she decided to pick up the whisk and start her own business, Patty Cakes Cupcakes. She auditioned for The Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” in January of 2012 and was accepted for Season 6. After battling against more experienced bakers, Katopes was declared the winner. As the winner of the competition, Katopes received $10,000 along with showcasing her winning creations at the Wildaid black-tie gala held in San Francisco in May 2012.

Tom Feiza will discuss “Just Fix-It – The Absolute Best Home Repair Tips” on Thurs., Feb. 7, at 1:00 p.m., Fri., Feb. 8, at 3:30 p.m., Sat. Feb. 9 at 12:30 p.m., and Sun., Feb. 10 at 2:00 p.m. A NARI Certified Professional, Feiza’s public appearances combine down-to-earth information with a dash of humor, while his radio call-in show on AM620 WTMJ, which draws over 45,000 listeners each hour, allows him to provide practical solutions to callers’ questions on home repair and related projects.

Melinda Myers, “The Plant Doctor,” is a gardening expert, TV/radio host, author, and columnist, with more than 30 years of horticulture experience. During her two presentations at the Home Improvement Show, Myers will discuss “Well Loved Wisconsin Garden Plants,” easy to grow, favorite plants guaranteed to give a Wisconsin garden a boost. She will explain everything from bulbs to perennials, flowers, edibles, and trees combined to make a Wisconsin garden flourish.

Gus Gnorski, considered Milwaukee’s best-known handyman, began his broadcast career in 1966 on WTMJ-AM 620. The Milwaukee area first saw FOX 6’s “Ask Gus,” his weekly television show, in 1992. He will answer any questions during his presentations related to home improvement and repairs, offering attendees his experience of almost three decades and teaching them when to do it themselves and when to turn to the professionals for help.

Lis Friemoth, best known as “The Garden Hoe,” has been passionate about and gaining knowledge of plants since childhood. During her two Show presentations, Friemoth will discuss Landscape Fragrance. “This presentation will explain how homeowners can add another dimension to the landscape – scent,” Friemoth said. “Whether edible or ornamental, there are many tough, easy care plants that will delight all of the senses, including the nose. We'll talk about how to blend scented herbs, annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees into an existing or new landscape plan.”

In addition to the home improvement, remodeling, and cooking presentations, the Show will feature musical entertainment. Milwaukee area musician and vocalist Scott E. Berendt will perform an acoustic set of music from the Show Music Stage on Fri, Feb. 8 from 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Sat., Feb. 9.

Singer/songwriter/drummer Berendt is a Wisconsin Area Music Industry award winner in the “Best Drummer of the Year” category. He has performed throughout the country, opening for Collective Soul, Eddie Money, Everclear, Ted Nugent, Pat Benatar, Cheap Trick, Vertical Horizon, Asia, The Bodeans, and David Grey.

Members of Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra (MMO) will perform in the Show’s Mediterranean Outdoor Living Area on Sat., Feb. 9 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. and Sun., Feb. 10, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. The MMO is oldest fretted-instrument music organization in the United States. The MMO’s repertoire centers on the best in traditional American mandolin orchestra music, mixed with light classical modern, Italian, and Latin compositions.

The complete seminar schedule for both stages, which is subject to change, and complete Show details, are available at www.MilwaukeeNARI.org.