16 minute read
A Quiet Serene Country Place
If you would like more information on this property, contact The Austin-Rauch Team of First Weber Realtors ® . Dani Austin-Rauch, 414-788-3264. Karen Reed, 414-531-6813.
A Quiet, Serene
COUNTRY PLACE
n n n ENJOY SERENE VIEWS at this 116-acre country place in Ixonia. The property includes 3 ponds and approximately 3/4 of a mile of Rock River frontage.
One can hunt, fish, raise and ride horses, ride 4-wheelers, whatever your hobby or passion is, this property will work. Amazing views on a peaceful dead end road with privacy and wildlife. Oconomowoc school District. This is a great opportunity to be in a rural area but still close enough to enjoy all Oconomowoc has to offer.
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The Peaceful North by Anne Kaiser MINOCQUA
n n n PAUSING TO TAKE a break from everyday routines can nourish the body, mind and spirit. Thoughts expand as new vistas are explored; the mind opens to possibilities, and personal goals and dreams are revisited anew. Upon returning from time spent away from home, the lingering positive energy from a much-anticipated vacation can fuel new projects and invigorate an individual’s resolve within the context of the patterns of daily life.
This year, vacationing may take on a different nuance. For those able to take time away, some longer travels have been postponed in favor of shorter, local excursions. Whether Wisconsinites choose to venture further afield or capture the essence of relaxation close to home, our state has numerous destinations to appeal to individuals, couples, and families.
In the hot and humid summer months, a vacation to Wisconsin’s peaceful northern region of plentiful lakes and comfortably cool forests is often perfectly appealing. Minocqua and the surrounding vicinity offer a beautiful and popular vacation destination for those seeking tranquility and recreation. Consider venturing north for your next getaway, either this season, or in a future adventure.
Located in the north central region of Wisconsin, Minocqua, “The Island City,” is distinguished by its plenitude of picturesque lakes, streams and rivers. The Minocqua area includes forty-five lakes, while there are over 2,300 water bodies in the surrounding area, distinguishing the region as being one of the highest concentrations of fresh water in the world. The area’s water and surrounding forests are enjoyed for their beauty as well as for the numerous opportunities they provide for spending active time outside. According to Kailey Barutha, Content Manager for Let’s Minocqua Visitors Bureau and Chamber of Commerce, “The highlight of our area is all of the outdoor recreation.”
During warm months, visitors enjoy the area’s bountiful water through a variety of recreational activities such as boating, fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking and water-skiing. Wintertime brings ice fishing on frozen waters, and snowmobiling, sledding, and crosscountry skiing on the adjacent land. Local lakes are also delightful spots to enjoy from the shore, for relaxing evenings watching water birds or gazing at constellations in a star-dappled sky.
First inhabited by native peoples such as the Ojibwe, the Minocqua area eventually drew European settlers in part for its wealth of mature forests, sought after by early loggers. As time passed, the area grew in its popularity as a vacation site. While the population of year-round residents is slightly shy of 5,000 people, the influx of vacationers each summer swells that number to sometimes four times as many.
Minocqua inspires visitors and residents alike to enjoy a variety of recreational and cultural venues, shops, restaurants and more. In addition to water sports and aquatic-based recreation and relaxation, outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy Minocqua’s trails for biking and hiking. The popular 18-mile Bearskin State Trail winds through forested areas and crosses a series of trestle bridges before merging with the six-milelong Hiawatha Trail that stretches south. With upwards of 600 miles of hiking trails, fans of on-foot sightseeing and nature exploration will find a path to suit every mood and fitness level.
Visitors to Minocqua and the surrounding area will enjoy selecting accommodations that similarly fit each individual’s, couple’s, or family’s lodging preferences. Campgrounds allow for a wilderness experience, while bed and breakfasts, cabins and cottages, hotels and motels, and even vacation homes allow for luxurious experiences of Wisconsin’s northern lakes and forests.
At The Waters of Minocqua resort, located at 8116 US Hwy 51 S in Minocqua, vacationers will find relaxation and amenities to delight the whole family. Some suites include whirlpools and fireplaces, while a pub and coffee shop provide additional food options. An indoor waterpark and arcade with snack bar offer indoor recreation for inclement weather days or times when onsite amusements provide the optimum relaxation.
Another lodging choice, The Beacons of Minocqua, located at 8250 Northern Road in Minocqua, offers a wonderful blend of amenities as well as the rejuvenating benefits of nature. Situated on the shore of Lake Minocqua, this resort offers a yearround opportunity for visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Visitors may gain restoration staying in a log cabin, cottage, condo, or hotel room suite located amongst The Beacons’ 13 forested acres. A fitness center, pool room, and Great Room with a fireplace all serve as venues to meet other guests or to spend time with family and friends.
The Pointe Resort & Club, located at 8251 Hwy 51 in Minocqua, is another popular choice. Its central location, close to town and next to Lake Minocqua, allows patrons to utilize and enjoy both the community and natural aspects of Minocqua with ease, all while soaking up the beautiful views. The Pointe’s 12 condominium suites offer luxury and a full array of amenities in a quiet, peaceful setting. Each allows a rejuvenating view of the lake and sunset. Visitors have free access to the resort’s bikes, tennis court, and rowboats during their stay. In pleasant weather, guests can also plan to cook a special treat on one of three outdoor grills.
Minocqua offers a variety of activities in town, providing a pleasant balance to outdoor recreational fun. According to Barutha, visitors will want to check out the area zoo, Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo &
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Safari. Located at 10094 State Hwy 70 West in Minocqua, it is the second largest zoo in the state and, in her words, “a very cool zoo for families.” She noted that the zoo is unique because of its interactive nature; among its offerings, visitors can help to feed a bear or pet some deer.
When visitors to Minocqua want to sit back and relax at the end of a day of outdoor enjoyment or visits to restaurants and shops in town, a show performed by the Min-Aqua Bats Water Ski Club might inspire and delight. Minocqua is home to the club, first formed in 1950, now the oldest amateur water ski show in the United States to have been continuously running. Their free shows may be enjoyed on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7:00 pm between mid-June and the Friday before Labor Day at 422 W. Park Avenue in Minocqua. Performers in the Min-Aqua Bats Water Ski Club enjoy the honor of having competed in a variety of tournaments; they also have the distinction of winning medals and trophies in varied events at regional, state, and national levels of competition.
Late-summer visitors to Minocqua may want to venture onto the downtown portion of this island city to sample the offerings of the annual Beef-A-Rama™. According to Barutha, during this “very big” beef-themed event, generally held annually on the last Saturday in September, about 12,000 people flock to the downtown area. There, they can enjoy live music performances, beef roasts, a craft show with over 70 vendors, and a 10K and 5K run and walk along the shore of Lake Minocqua. The event has run for over 50 years, and, as described by Barutha, is “our big, end-ofsummer bash.”
For those seeking a memorable cultural experience, a visit to the Campanile Center for the Arts for a special performance might be suitable. Located at 131 Milwaukee Street in Minocqua, this regional nonprofit center is dedicated to using performances, education, and exhibits to “develop, promote and support the arts” in the area communities, according to their mission statement. The Campanile Center for the Arts strives to make the arts accessible to all, and offers a wide array of opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy and appreciate the arts. Classes and lessons in instrumental and vocal music, the visual arts, theater and dance are all available at the center. Visitors to Minocqua may wish
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Wood Station Co-op
Wood Station Co-Op offers custom built furniture uniquely designed for you and your home. Live/non live edge tables, benches and home décor accent pieces. Farmhouse table, benches and home décor accent pieces. Custom counters and bar tops. Live edge slabs for your DYI project and more. The CoOp also hosts several Wisconsin artisans and makers showcasing their works for you to enjoy and purchase. Stop by one of our two locations: 217 W. Main Street, Cambridge and 132 E. Wisconsin Ave., Oconomowoc (Opening September) 262-349-5703. mindy@aringtontreefarm.com. www.woodstation-coop.com
River’s End Gallery
Judy Munro’s paintings are a combination of observation, imagination and bits and pieces of sights, sounds, smells and feelings experienced and remembered, a myriad of lasting impressions now translated, alla prima, into paint on a surface. She is drawn to the way realism and abstraction merge in the landscape. Lines and edges are lost and found, horizontal and vertical grids dissolve into flowing color and then restructure, foreground and background shift and deep space becomes flat plane. There are 14 of Judy’s paintings at the River’s End Gallery, 380 W. Main St., Waukesha, www.RiversEndGallery.com, 262-780-1191. The painting displayed “Woods” 40"W x 30"H.
Antiques at Gordons
One of a number of pieces of Bohemian Glass, hand painted portrait vases recently brought into Antiques at Gordons. This piece is Circa 1880-1900, possibly a Moser Piece. Stop in 7 days a week from 10 am to late afternoons this summer. View and choose from many options available among 5,000-square-feet of shop space, with 2 floors of quality antiques to see. Antiques at Gordons is located 1 1/2 miles South of Port Washington on Hwy 32 with access to I-43 (take Exit 93). 2275 North Port Washington Road, Grafton, WI. Call 262-377-4313 for more information or to sell one piece, a collection or an entire estate. 262-377-7225, evenings.
FUNCTION AMBIANCE & Practical Tips to Improve your Home’s Interior
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n HOMEOWNERS TACKLING INTERIOR upgrades often focus their attention on two of the mostused rooms the in the house: the kitchen and bathroom. Tailoring these rooms to your personal preferences may enhance your enjoyment of the space, but most experts recommend thinking long term for the biggest return on your investment.
If a kitchen or bathroom renovation is in your future, take a holistic approach that considers how the space will be used now and in the future.
Kitchen Considerations
As the hub of activity for many households, the kitchen is a space that commands efficient, functional design. Aside from the practical issue of losing access to the space while it’s under construction, there’s another important challenge for homeowners to consider when tackling a kitchen remodel: for maximum return on your investment, avoid making choices that are too trendy or personal.
Design trends come and go, so while a contemporary update is almost always a good idea, many design experts recommend sticking with classic looks and styles that have broad appeal, especially for big ticket (and big price tag) elements like cabinetry. Save your flair for aspects like the backsplash tile or wall color, which can be relatively easily changed by a new owner or even yourself when you want a refresh down the road.
Another area to give special attention is the overall ambiance of the room, which is largely
influenced by the light from natural and electric sources. For a room that needs brightening, skylights are a smart option because they free up wall space for more storage and cabinets while adding abundant natural light.
However, natural light from above isn’t the only advantage of adding skylights. Some models, such as a Velux solar-powered, fresh-air skylight, can be opened with a remote control to bring fresh air inside, which helps keep the kitchen fresh and rids indoor air of pollutants from daily activities like cooking and cleaning.
Skylights can be ordered with lightfiltering or room-darkening blinds, which give homeowners maximum control over the exact amount of light they want. Plus, solar-powered blinds come in over 75 colors and patterns for customizable design options that allow you to truly make the space your own.
Be sure to ask whether the line you’re considering qualifies for a federal tax credit. Solar-powered skylights and blinds are eligible for a 26% federal tax credit on product and installation if purchased and installed by the end of 2020. The credit decreases to 22% in 2021.
A Better Bathroom
In the bathroom, modern upgrades are also a smart investment. However, many experts actually recommend thinking not just about what’s in vogue right now but considering needs far into the future.
Universal design is especially relevant in the bathroom, where simple adjustments can provide added accessibility as you age, and these updates can flow seamlessly into the design. This means considering a vanity with a raised counter height and a taller toilet base, which can add stylish enjoyment no matter your age. Other features like a zero-entry shower deliver high-demand design and safety simultaneously.
Outside of accessibility-oriented updates, upgrading your fixtures, fresh paint and contemporary tile can go a long way toward transforming a bathroom. If you find your space is still in need of a boost, a skylight may be the answer. Natural light can be that last touch to bring your space from just OK to perfect, and skylights in the bathroom allow homeowners to maximize their natural light without losing any privacy.
In a space like the bathroom, where ventilation is a top concern, a choice like Velux No Leak Solar-Powered “Fresh Air” Skylights provide natural light as well as fresh air ventilation to make the environment healthier. They help rid indoor air of bacteria, volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide.
Explore more design ideas to enhance your kitchen and bathroom spaces at www.whyskylights.com.
Smart Climate Control
Fresh air ventilation is one way homeowners can promote better indoor air quality, especially in rooms like kitchens and bathrooms which are especially vulnerable to poor air circulation.
A smartphone-controlled skylight automation system such as Velux Active with Netatmo can help improve indoor climate from the convenience of your mobile device. It allows homeowners to automate when they open and close their skylights and blinds. The system monitors an online weather station and uses indoor sensors to measure temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide levels in the home. Based on a homeowner’s settings, the system will automatically open the skylights or extend the blinds as needed to improve air quality and temperature inside the home.
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Continued from page 20 to plan to attend a music performance at the center; the live concert series there includes diverse music styles from classical to Celtic, jazz to bluegrass and more. Comedians and dance performances round out the selection of events at the Campanile Center for the Arts.
Shopping in Minocqua and the surrounding area offers an enjoyable array of thoughtfully crafted and artfully-tended merchandise. Minocqua’s Bassett Jewelers & Engraving, located at 527 Oneida Street, offers finely crafted jewelry, custom engraving and repair services in a welcoming environment. They uphold “quality, integrity and service” as the foundation of their business. Nearby, Ross Sportswear, at 503 Oneida Street, offers quality clothes and accessories for men and women, and has been a family-owned business in operation since 1960. Finally, visitors looking for unique, handcrafted furniture and décor with an appealing rustic sensibility will want to browse the offerings at Roughing It In Style. Their Wisconsin store is located about ten miles south of Minocqua, at 5079 Hwy 51 in North Harshaw.
Following a day of exploration, activity and leisure time, visitors may enjoy a delicious dinner at one of Minocqua’s restaurants. For an evening dining out that blends a scenic and relaxing yet upscale and refined ambience, travelers may want to book reservations at the Norwood Pines Supper Club. Located at 10171 Hwy 70 in Minocqua, Norwood Pines offers delectable menu choices ranging from classic fish fries, steaks and ribs to seafood, chicken and duck entrees. Summer visitors may choose to dine on the restaurant’s screened porch, while wintertime visitors may enjoy the coziness of dining by the crackling fireplace. Views of Patricia Lake and deer amongst the red pines on the property round out this pleasurable culinary experience.
Minocqua’s appeal extends beyond the pleasure brought by its numerous activities and opportunities for relaxation and rejuvenation. According to Barutha, many of the area’s return visitors have a long history of vacationing in the area. She mentioned that she frequently hears from visitors that they originally came to Minocqua as children for camp experiences, then returned with their own children years later, and now are returning with the families of their grown children. “It’s kind of another home to them,” she explained. “It kind of becomes their place.”
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