EudemonThe mythos of Eudemon …exploring the liminal spaces of Riverwest …meeting the ordinary folk and having a good time. Radegast

Eudemon was born in Moravia, in what is now the eastern portion of the Czech Republic. On the outskirts of Roznov pod Radhostem, sat Eudemon’s home. Grandpa and Grandma lived next door and dad had a huge garden with fruit trees espaliered between the yards. Eudemon spent his childhood days climbing the slopes of the Radhost and skiing down them in the winter. He walked to the store to buy the daily bread. In the summer his sister sold ice cream to the kids as they walked to and from the pool. He bicycled to school. Legend held that the Moravians were related to the woodland folk that first settled the land. This country was steeped in the legend of Radegast, the forest spirit who built log homes with ax and bird in hand and a mischievous grin on his face. Eudemon never forgot the joy the wild spaces of the Radhost gave him. Nor did he forget the happiness he felt by being a part of his family and community. But he did leave his home to find out what the world had to offer. He came to America. He lived a nomadic life, hopping freight trains, and seeing the country. Like many young folk, he was in search of bliss. He jumped off a freight in Milwaukee and hiked up the River valley until the city faded behind the trees, and the valley felt wild and free. He walked out of the valley into an old neighborhood. It reminded him of a village. There was the church towering over the homes that were set close to the street. There were the shops and the bars scattered about. There were the people to meet. He was a stranger but still he felt welcome. There were things to do and also places to go and let your mind wander. He decided to see what could be seen, to hear what could be heard, to taste what could be tasted. And now it’s now. And Eudemon walks in looking like “on the road” and sits next to you. He asks, “Could this be the place for me?” And you say, “Come friend, and join us in our quest in Riverwest.”


Milwaukee’s challenge is to strive constantly for the Good Life. By the Good Life we mean to include and emphasize things of the spirit — culture, beauty, friendship…. Milwaukee can’t be the biggest city in America or the richest. But Milwaukee can be the ideal city in which to live, to truly live. -William Brumder, qtd. in The Making of Milwaukee, p. 347


Riverwest Currents – Volume 1 – Issue 1 – February 2002