Don Butler

Ottawa

Freelance Contributor at Freelance

Author of the new murder mystery Norman's Conquest, now available, a follow-up to 2021's A Life of Bliss. Former Ottawa Citizen senior writer.

Articles

Live to the Fullest

1 month ago | mkelifestyle.com | Don Butler

We asked local doctors for physical and mental tips and considerations as we age. Here’s the advice they offer to their patients. • Preventing falls is paramount. Tai chi has been proven to be effective in balance training and lowering fall risks. There are several programs offered at fitness facilities and senior centers. Balance training is recommended three times a week, and consider adding general muscle-strengthening two times a week.
I’ll Bite

1 month ago | mkelifestyle.com | Don Butler

Contemplative, addictive, introspective — all these appellations can be applied to fishing, one of the MKE area’s most popular pastimes. We partnered with Travel Wisconsin to uncover the area’s best spots for fishing, county by county. Lake Michigan (Milwaukee): The lakefront harbors and break walls offer opportunities for trout and salmon fishing, with the best action in spring and fall. Smallmouth bass fishing is also on the rise, and fish can be caught throughout the open-water season.
Breathe Easy

1 month ago | mkelifestyle.com | Don Butler

While the number of acute cases of respiratory illness has been holding steady nationally, the warmer temperatures can bring a spike in cases. The most common ailments respiratory and pulmonary practitioners in the MKE area see include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a combination of emphysema and chronic bronchitis often associated with smoking.
Wealth Management Trends & Tax Tips

2 months ago | mkelifestyle.com | Don Butler

Jennifer D’Amato, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C.: The current generous estate tax exemptions are set to expire at the end of the year. On Jan. 1, 2026, the exemptions are scheduled to decrease by half (to approximately $7 million). We expect that the Republican congress will extend the exemptions, but this isn’t certain, and the extension likely won’t be for more than 3-5 years.
Generational Wealth

2 months ago | mkelifestyle.com | Don Butler

How to handle generational wealth is a complex topic. We asked several area wealth managers and estate specialists their thoughts on tax implications, deadlines, and what to consider.
What’s In Store(age)

Mar 10, 2025 | mkelifestyle.com | Don Butler

It’s hard to imagine the overall size and scope of most museums. Think of them as icebergs — for the amount visitors see publicly, there’s often much more in the back storage and collections areas. And those spaces are constantly being reorganized, as items are added, reclassified, or released from the collections. We spoke with four area museums to dig a little deeper into the amount of items housed within their walls.
To Sell or Not to Sell

Mar 3, 2025 | mkelifestyle.com | Don Butler

There are certain aspects of wealth management that homeowners should keep in mind about selling or remodeling a home as they age. We spoke with several area financial experts for options. “When selling a home, people should consider total expense and tax implications and the impact on their overall financial plan,” says IAG Wealth Financial Advisor/Partner Tom Peterson.
15 Minutes With Photographer Stephanie Bartz

Feb 11, 2025 | mkelifestyle.com | Don Butler

Photographer Stephanie Bartz — who’s been a portrait photographer for more than 25 years and a location scout/manager for more than 20 years — is embarking on an ambitious project. Her “Women’s Work” series aspires to capture compelling images of strong, dedicated women in what might be considered traditionally male careers. Leading up to this project has been a lifetime in photography.
Partnerships and Breakthroughs

Jan 27, 2025 | mkelifestyle.com | Don Butler

Wisconsin is expanding into healthcare research in a big way. In November 2023 — a month after Wisconsin was named a regional tech hub for biohealth — GE HealthCare and UW-Madison announced jointly an expansion of their 40-year research collaboration to drive future innovation to enable precision care. Both organizations are members of Wisconsin’s public-private consortium, led by BioForward, that helped secure the designation.
Liliana’s Story

Jan 20, 2025 | mkelifestyle.com | Don Butler

Horrific might be the only word close to describing the journey of trafficking survivor Liliana Daniels, 32, who’s been living in low-income housing in Waukesha the past two years. “It’s been a struggle,” she says. She’s taking care of her 5-year-old daughter, and is pregnant with her sixth child. “It’s been very rough.”Liliana grew up in Manhattan, N.Y., without a mother or father figure in her life.