Wonders
WALWORTH COUNTY of
Summer 2021
Published by Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC
What’s all the buzz about? Page 2
WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
SUMMER 2021
Area youth takes up beekeeping
eekeeping has been increasing in popularity in recent years as more awareness spreads about the importance of pollinators in the food chain. For one East Troy teen, an interest in bees led to a new hobby and involvement in the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association’s Youth Scholarship Beekeeping Program. “It all started when I got interested in bees and beekeeping and I started looking around for ways to do it,” Fischer Stoychoff said. “We don’t have enough room where we live and in the Village of East Troy, beekeeping is actually considered livestock, so I couldn’t do it at my house.” Stoychoff, 13, said he attended a beekeeping event at Cub Scout camp a couple of years ago with members of the Walworth County Beekeepers Club. “I was helping out at Cub Scout camp and one of the guest events was the Beekeepers Club in Walworth County and it was a really cool experience and I got to lead a demonstration on a smoker, you know, to calm the bees down and I led that throughout the day and in the last round, I got to lead the presentation and they were really surprised at how much I had learned.” Stephanie Slater and Jess Beyer are the members of the Walworth County Beekeepers Club Stoychoff met at the Cub Scout event. Slater is the president of the club and Beyer is the community outreach chairperson. “Fisher is a very motivated young man with a lot of interests and a lot of hobbies. He loves to try new things,” Slater said. “We were so impressed with him. We even let him lead the final presentation at the camp. He was great.” Slater and Beyer encouraged Stoychoff to take up beekeeling with Beyer offering room in her bee yard for him. They also encouraged him to apply for the Youth Scholarship Beekeeping Program. “A couple of months after the Cub Scout event, I was contacted by Jess Beyer and she said there was a very cool opportunity through the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association. It was basically a youth mentorship program where they take three kids in the state and match them up with two mentors each,” Stoychoff said. The program got Stoychoff set up with what he needed to become a beekeeper. “They give us everything we need, all the material, hives, bees, suits, smoker to really give us a good start on beekeeping, so I submitted my application and I was selected,” Stoychoff said. Slater and Beyer worked with Stoychoff to get him set up and mentored him throughout the first year, which was 2020. “That first year, he pulled along with us and we would tell him what we were doing and why and he picked things up so fast,” Beyer said. A little good luck also helped Stoychoff along his way. “In my first year, I was at a Christmas party that had a raffle – an order of a box of bees and a
BY
tracy ouellette EDITOR
queen – and I won the raffle, so I got to set up another hive and I went into my first year with two hives,” Stoychoff recalled. He now has three hives, which he attends to every seven to 10 days. Stoychoff’s only been stung once, which he said wasn’t a big deal. “Luckily it was through my glove, not a full force thing. I was able to get it out quickly and it wasn’t very painful,” he said. “I wear my bee suit and you really have to get used to being comfortable around them. Bees have pheromones and human have pheromones. They can sense if you’re scared. You have to be really calm and then they won’t bother you if you don’t bother them too much.” Stoychoff is now in his second year of the program and his mentors are working with him to expand his knowledge of beekeeping. “We’re really stretching him now,” Beyer said. “It’s been great to see him grow and not only care for the bees, but educate others about them.” “This year we want to teach him more about his beekeeping skills and make sure we send him off with tools to think like a beekeeper thinks,” Slater said. “That’s our focus for this year.” Stoychoff wrote an in-depth article for the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association’s newsletter about his experience in the mentorship program to help with educating others and he will be attending several events in the state along with Slater and Beyer this summer, including the bee display at the Walworth County Fair over Labor Day weekend. Stoychoff’s mom, Megan, said the beekeeping has been good for her son and she likes that he’s encouraging the younger generation to get involved. “Bees are not something to be afraid of,” Megan Stoychoff said. “They’re a crucial part of our eco system and the world and without them, we wouldn’t have 70% of the food we have. We all need to help with this.” Slater said there are things – big and small – everyone can do to support the pollinators. “Simple things like providing water sources for bees, like putting pebbles or marbles in your bird bath so they have a place to land, or planting more flowers and flowering trees and shrubs really help. The more types of flowers they have to from top: Beekeeping has become a popular hobby in recent years with people recognizing the importance of access they healthier they will be. pollinators in the food chain. Local bee keeping clubs are a good “And reduce or eliminate the use of source of information for anyone looking to take up the hobby or pesticides, please, don’t use them if you for ways to help pollinators thrive; East Troy’s Fisher Stoychoff took don’t have to.” up beekeeping a couple of years ago and now has three hives in Slater also recommended people Lyons. Stoychoff is taking part in the Wisconsin Honey Producers buy locally sourced honey as a great Association’s Youth Scholarship Beekeeping Project and is in his way to support the bees. second year of the program. opposite From top: Fisher Anyone interested in the taking Stoychoff, of East Troy, works in his bee yard, which he keeps at the up beekeeping, or wanting to home of one of his mentors, Jess Beyer, who lives in Lyons; When Fisher Stoychoff isn’t bee keeping, he is an AOD Mukwonago company learn more, can visit www. dancer and is a East Troy Boy Scout Troop 92 Life scout working this wihoney.org or www. summer on his Eagle Scout Rank project. walworthcountybeekeepers. SUBMITTED PHOTOS Wonders of Walworth County org.
SUMMER 2021
Learn about beekeeping Beekeeping is immensely rewarding. At times, considerably frustrating. But in the end it is an amazing learning experience, according to the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association website. Some people make the decision to become beekeepers for their life’s work, but even those people started with a few hives and a lot of questions. Internet research The internet is a good research tool. Videos can provide examples of people hiving bees, examining frames or finding the queen. They are all available with just a few clicks. Some of the things people can learn by watching these videos and seeing this first hand video experience, will be invaluable to them as a beekeeper, the association’s website state. However, there is one thing potential bee keepers need to be very aware of, the website cautions. If questions involve answers that could be regionally effected, prospective bee keepers need to find an answer from their region. Installing a three pound package of bees works pretty much the same in Georgia as it does here in Wisconsin, but if, on the other hand, someone wants to know about how much stores the bees need left in the hive to survive the winter, or when to put on honey supers, or any number of the other questions they need an answer that is closer to home, the website states. Bee clubs have answers That is where local bee clubs come in. The association has a list of where all the local bee club chapters are at www.wihoney.org. At the meetings people will find out the techniques needed to ensure success. No matter what questions or problems are encountered, no matter how bad it looks, it is highly likely someone has already lived through it and can offer advice. “There is this thing about beekeepers,” the website states. “They say that if you put ten of them in a room and ask them a question, you will walk away with eleven answers. This is what bee club is all about – people share the stories of their success. They provide answers and as time goes on, you listen to all those answers. Combine it all together in what seems like a good idea to you for your own hives.” Even more important than hearing about what worked, bee keepers will hear about what didn’t. That is what makes local bee clubs better than the internet. “Its an amazing phenomena that on the net, people are very willing to crow about their new great technique. They are a little less likely to take the time to type out the stories of their failures. At bee clubs it seems like those barriers are down and people are willing to share the stories of what not to do. To share chuckles over the total disasters, the time you accidentally dumped a pound of bees down the sleeve of your glove. It is those times that let you know what you are in for and there is a way through,” the website states. Visiting a local bee club builds a camaraderie bee keepers may call on. Most clubs will have a few
WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
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member phone numbers listed as emergency help. They welcome the chance help someone as there will be times when bee keepers realize they are looking at a problem that won’t wait until the next bee club meeting. Being part of a bee club provides access to experts at the touch of a finger. For those who are serious about beekeeping, or serious doing what you can to help the bees, they should consider attending one of the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association’s annual conventions, which have technical sessions taught by experts in the beekeeping field from all around the country. The breakout sessions can cover a topic at great depth. Convention attendees also have plenty of time over the weekend event to meet more with regional beekeepers and compare experiences. Anyone who wants to take beekeeping beyond a hobby into a career, will have the opportunity to meet a network of the people who you will need to know to help you on this path. How to begin When people think about starting out, they might think they will start with one hive and grow from there. And, they can. The association’s website, Check online for beekeeping supply companies and request their catalogs. Bee keepers can learn a lot about what fits together and what things are called by reading those catalogs. If people can find someone who sells locally, they will save a lot of money and time, because if they order in the early spring it can take up to a month to get the equipment shipped. The association says there are lots of ways to get bees, even by mail order. But the association says the best place to buy them can be discovered by attending a bee club meeting. Sometimes the clubs go in together and buy them as a club in bulk. Often the clubs will also post local price comparisons from bee suppliers. More information can also be found on the types of equipment and different ways to use some of the same equipment. Learning about bees, their social structure and how they work can be fascinating. Learning how to provide the best home for them and keep them healthy can be a life long interest. Source: www.wihoney.org.
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ON THE COVER: Once considered a rare visitor, American White Pelicans have become a more common sight in the state in recent years, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The birds, with an adult weighing roughly 16 pounds and boasting a 9-foot wingspan, have been spotted near Delavan Lake recently. Photo courtesy of Rick Jessen
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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
SUMMER 2021
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on the farm Homemade Cottage industries join statewide marketing effort By Tracy Ouellette EDITOR
Much of the East Troy area is still a farming community and two local, familyowned farms are going gangbusters, churning out homemade products that are selling almost as fast as they can be made. Prairie Junction Farms LLC and LuAnn’s Homemade Butters are part of the Something Special from Wisconsin program, which features “products from nearly 450
Wisconsin businesses, small to large, some in families for generations, others launching their dream” according to the program’s website somethingspecialwi.com. LuAnn Himebauch, who owns LuAnn’s Homemade Butters with her husband, Greg, has been making her honey butters since 2008. She’s built the business over the years, selling at farmers markets and craft shows at • CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
HOMEMADE
SUMMER 2021
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first and now focusing on selling her product out of her commercial kitchen on her East Troy farm and in select retailers across the state. “It’s kind of a tragic story on how I got into this,” LuAnn Himebauch said. “My mother passed away in 2005 in a car accident. I’m very close with her brothers and sisters, my aunts and uncles, and I needed to be with them after I lost my mother. So, the next summer, after her passing, I went on a road trip to visit all of them.” LuAnn said her travels included a trip to North Dakota to visit one of her aunts and that’s where she was introduced to her aunt’s honey butter. “She gave me some and it was so good!” LuAnn said. “I asked if she would share the recipe with me and she did. When I got home, I made some right away and took it to my bible study. They just loved it and asked for the recipe. I said, ‘Um, no, I think I’m on to something here,” she said with a laugh. With the thought of making the honey butter to sell, LuAnn said she asked her aunt if she “wanted to go in on it with me.” Her aunt declined, but gave LuAnn her full blessing to start a business with her recipe. Starting slowly LuAnn sold her honey butter at local craft fairs at first, just to get the product out there. “I was selling it kind of illegally at first, I didn’t know I needed a license, but it was selling very well,” she recalled. When she was approached by a storeowner who wanted to carry the honey butter, LuAnn was told she needed a license to make the product for resale. “So, I went through the process and had in inspector come out to the farm and he told me I needed a commercial kitchen,” LuAnn said. “When he told me that, I thought it would put a glitch into my whole plan, but he had someone he knew who would rent out their commercial kitchen on the south-side of Burlington. And that’s how I got started.” LuAnn said she saved every penny of profit she made on her honey butter for the next five years. “I didn’t spend any money on anything and in 2014 I was able to build a commercial kitchen on my farm,” she said. Over the years, she’s expanded her offerings to include several flavors, some of them even winning awards at the 2018 Wisconsin State Fair. “I won first, second and third out of four entries at the Fair that year,” she said. “I took first place for my Cinnamon Honey Butters, second place for my Original Honey Butter and third place for my Strawberry Honey Butter.” The other flavors of butters and spreads LuAnn offers include: Chocolate Honey Butter, Cranberry Butter, Rhubarb Spread, Raspberry-Cran Spread, Apple Butter and Pumpkin Pie Butter. These days, LuAnn’s products can be purchased directly from her at her farm on 34422 High Drive in East Troy or at select retailers in the state. “The farmers markets, which I do love, have become a bit harder for me to manage at 65, so I’m not doing many of them anymore, but I’m always available at the farm, people can just give me a call to set up a time to visit and purchase anything they need,” LuAnn said. Because she spends a considerable amount of time delivering her products to the retailers she’s working with, LuAnn recommends people call first before heading out to the farm. “I’m on the road a lot, I love driving, but people can always reach me on my cell
Sowp is one of the locally made products from Prairie Junction Farms in East Troy. SUBMITTED PHOTO Wonders of Walworth County
so my husband began researching what we could do with the lard, and he came across making soap.” Bill discovered the benefits of lard soap and once again, the family was off on another product adventure. “We found a pig mold and came up with some really great names, Lardvender, Glory’s and Porkermint, it became the silliest thing, but within a month we sold like 600 of them,” Sarah said. “People love it,” Bill added. “Pig skin is a lot like human skin and lard soap has a much higher vitamin value, it’s very good for you. I had no idea how good this stuff was for you until I made my first bar.” The Coulnan family of East Troy shows off their Sowp, which is made from the lard from their pig stock. Pictured clockwise from center front is Mina, 5; Axel, 8; Stella, 13; Logan, 18; dad, Bill, 45; mom, Sarah, 43; and Wyatt, 15. The family-owned and -operated farm, raises pigs and chickens and produces Almond Toffee, Elder Aronia Berry Syrup and the Sowp. SUBMITTED PHOTO Wonders of Walworth County
LuAnn Himebauch (far left) won first, second and third place for her Cinnamon Honey Butter, Original Honey Butter and Strawberry Honey Butter at the Wisconsin State Fair in 2018. Himebauch has been making her honey butters since 2008. SUBMITTED PHOTO Wonders of Walworth County
phone and we can work the timing out,” she said. For more information on LuAnn’s Homemade Butters, including a list of retailers that carry her projects, go to luannshomemadebutters.com. To arrange a time to come out to the farm to do some shopping, call 262-534-2527. Family farming Prairie Junction Farms in East Troy has also been building up their business over the last couple of years, expanding at a fast pace, even during a global pandemic. “We officially started farming as an LLC in 2018,” Sarah Coulnan said. “Our hobby farm is just under 5 acres in East Troy and we were looking to help with the family food budget. With five kids, our biggest expense is food.” Coulnan said after initially starting out with a large garden on the property in 2011, they soon began thinking about what else they could raise on their land. “My husband, Bill, came up with the idea
of raising pigs, but I knew about pigs and I didn’t want them rooting around everywhere and tearing up the land,” Sarah said. “We ended up getting Idaho Pasture Pigs, which have a short snout so they can’t root like a normal pig. They’re actually one of only two grazing pigs out there. They also have a better quality meat.” Sarah said once people got to know the type of meat they were producing, they started selling out their pigs every season. Then my son, Wyatt, wanted to raise chickens and that took off too,” Sarah recalled. “He sold like 250 last year after selling only 60 the first year. Last year we also started selling produce and turkeys.” One of the unique products they produce is their “Sowp,” which they make from the lard of the pigs they butcher. “We don’t like to waste anything from our animals, we love them. We take really good care of them … well up until that really bad day,” Sarah said. “I can’t even handle that day, we have someone come out to ‘do the deed.’ But we don’t like to waste anything
A growing business Expansion is the name of the game for the Coulnans, with the kids helping out where they can and fostering their own interests in many cases, Sarah said. The Coulnans can often be found at area farmers markets and shows selling their Sowp along with their Almond Toffee and Elder Aronia Berry Syrup. The Coulnans rent space in a commercial kitchen in Watertown to make their products. “It’s quite the drive,” Sarah said. “And this past winter, every single time we went, it was snowing. It was so bad the landlord said we kept bringing the snow with us into May he was going to kick us out!” Recently, the Coulnans inked a contract with Sendik’s to carry their toffee, which they just started making in December 2020. “We close the farm down in the winter and we were trying to figure out what to do over the colder months and that’s when we decided to start selling the almond toffee I’ve been making for 20 years,” Sarah said. “When we started in December, we did like 50 pounds, just this last week we bought 500 1-pound bags. It’s funny to see how this took off so big in seven months.” The farm’s Elder Aronia Berry Syrup is another fan favorite, which the family stumbled upon when thinking about producing their homemade elderberry syrup. “But everyone makes one, so we knew we didn’t want to do that,” Sarah said. They ended up adding Aronia berries to their recipe on the advice of a supplier and were impressed with the product. “We were told it was the next ‘big thing’ for its health benefits,” Sarah said. “Not many people know what Aronia berries are. It’s a chokeberry, so people recognize that. People love this too, so we’re busy making that at the commercial kitchen as well.” For the Coulnans, family farming has become a joy and the success of their business is an added blessing. “I think the key is having something like this that you enjoy,” Sarah said. Prairie Junction Farms, LLC is at N9028 Adams Road in East Troy. For more information, call 262-374-0423 and visit www.prairiejunctionfarms.com.
Hoofprints on hearts SUMMER 2021
WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
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Claystone Stock Farms changing lives of horses and people by Heather Ruenz STAFF WRITER
ne only has to turn down the driveway at Claystone Stock Farms in rural Elkhorn to recognize it’s a horse place. But after spending any amount of time with the owners – and those they refer to as extended family – it becomes apparent that they also have a passion for people. Michael Nelson had a couple of Clydesdales when he met his wife, Shanon, several years ago. She had several of her own horses – through her Infrangible Rescues business. The initial focus was showing and breeding Clydesdales. But, according to Shanon, over the years it has grown into a place that now features many of the things she and Michael love, including lessons, rides and farm tours. “My program is focused on people with struggles and disabilities,” she said. “And every single horse has their own story, too. And their amazing contribution to the program we offer.” Shanon said the horses are changing the lives of many people – including children with autism and other challenges. But they also have several adult clients who may be struggling while others simply want to follow a dream. “We work with kids 3 years old and older but also adults. My oldest client is a woman in her 90s who wanted to learn how to drive a Clydesdale cart and wagon,” she said. Shanon said both the horses and people who make their way to Claystone are meant to be there. “A lot of times we’re known as the ‘Land of Misfit Toys,’ not only the animals we take in but also the people. Everybody – horses and people – comes into our journey for purpose,” she said. Michael’s passion revolves around Clydesdales, which they also rescue at Claystone. Shanon said Clydesdales are a different breed if they’ve been teamed up with another horse. One example is a horse they took in named King. “We got King because he was blind in one eye. He struggled – and four months after we got him was still hella skinny – but we paired him with Turbo and eventually he was much better,” she explained. When they took in King, his brother and teammate, Caesar, had gone elsewhere, including to an equine therapy organization. “But Caesar didn’t pass the program because he was constantly looking for his
Shanon and Michael Nelson (from left), owners of Claystone Stock Farms, stand on their property with extended family who help run the farm including Cody Bomar, Hailey Bergin, Kaylie Webb and Michelle Webb as well as one of their Clydesdale horses, Camelot, and their dogs, Nikkie and Diesel. HEATHER RUENZ Wonders of Walworth County
guide, which was King,” Shanon said. A few years after rescuing King, the Nelsons were able to rescue Caesar. And the reunion between the two was quite a sight, according to Shanon. “When we brought Caesar here, it was the most incredible thing we’ve ever seen. They were so excited to see each other! We put them in the outdoor pen together and they were running around and jumping up and down. It was one of the most amazing moments I’ve ever been a part of,” she said.
History leads the way
Claystone Farms was founded in 1972 by Carl and Betty Nelson. It was a dairy farm until the late ’70s when it was changed to a beef cattle farm. One of Carl’s passions was Clydesdale horses and though he never owned any, he traveled all over the country to see them, according to the website. Michael took over the farm after Carl, and then later, Betty, died. After revamping the farm in 2005 by demolishing old buildings and building a new horse barn, Claystone became home to Maplewood Arabians. Shanon and Michael met in 2014 and four years later, after the cattle operation was shut down, the name was officially changed to Claystone Stock Farms. The buildings were then remodeled to house the Clydesdale hitch and breeding operations. Two years ago, Claystone began offering lessons and farm tours.
Looking ahead
Plans for this spring and summer include an equine parade of colors and an educational Clydesdale exhibit, “featuring in part our very own baby Clydesdales and our very handsome black Clydesdale stallion,” Shanon said. In addition to breeding and showing horses and offering lessons, Claystone also has cart, carriage and sleigh rides, boarding services and hosts parties and events. Shanon said one of the newest purchases at Claystone is a five-person carriage. She said the carriage and sleigh rides have been a big hit with guests. “The sleigh rides in the winter, wow, did people enjoy that. We planned to do it one weekend in December and kept getting requests so ended up offering them all four weekends. It was crazy,” she said. “We also have a cart with the convertible black top that people really like, along with a big wagon,” she added. In addition to all of the on-site offerings at the farm, the crew also does off-site trail rides in the Kettle Moraine Forest. “We hope to be able to have groups of up to 18 people soon. We do some group rides here but the Kettle Moraine trails are a really big hit,” Shanon said. All proceeds from the services offered at Claystone go directly toward the care, maintenance, feed and housing in providing a home for Infrangible Rescues.
Dreaming of a team
When Michael and Shanon first met, she said he told her his father always
wanted Clydesdales so that led to Michael later buying Diamond, Ruby and Peanut as foals. “But he then became smitten with the true bred black Clydesdale horse and now has a dream of one day raising his very own, all black Clydesdale six- or eighthorse hitch,” she said. Their first Clydesdale baby was born a bay, which is a deep mahogany brown, so this year they decided to buy Homestead Jada – also known as Josie – from a small town, black Clydesdale breeder in Nebraska. “Josie and our very own Camelot will produce our very own, pure black Clydesdale hitch. One foal at a time; we may not live long enough to see it happen but chasin’ dreams is what Claystone is all about,” Shanon said. She said the Claystone crew does what they do because the horses – and people they help by way of lessons, rides and more – deserve it. “We’re in this for entirely different reasons than some people. We build these horses from the ground up or from wherever they are when we get them,” she said. “I promise every horse we take in that they’ll be safe and will always have enough food, and will never have to be scared or be hurt. “These horses have changed so many lives. It’s been an amazing labor of love in so many ways.” For more, call 262-348-7068, follow Claystone Stock Farms on Facebook or visit claystonestockfarmsinc.com.
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WONDERS OF WALWORTH COUNTY
SUMMER 2021
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MLS 1729521 Located in Elkhorn is this well-maintained Duplex featuring units that consist of 2 Bedrooms and 1 Bath. Separate entrances and off street parking for each unit.
MLS 1657973 4 bedroom, 2-1/2 bath ranch in East Troy. Kitchen with quartz counters and custom built cabinets, LR/DR combo, 2 bedrooms, laundry room, family room with a NFP insert. LL features 2 bedrooms, bar, rec room and full bath.
MLS 1726434 Located in Lake Geneva is this 3+ bedroom Bungalow featuring kitchen/dining room/living room for entertaining. A half bath and laundry room complete the main level. Upper level features full bath and bedrooms with walk-in closets. Plus a two-car garage with an upper bonus room.
MLS 1730567 Conveniently located in the Town of Waukesha is this 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Ranch located on a ½ plus acre lot.
MLS 1730572 Located in Elkhorn is this Duplex featuring a lower unit that consists of 2 Bedrooms and 1 Bath. Upper Unit is 1 Bedroom and 1 Bath. Units have separate laundry facilities, separate entrances, and off street parking and a garage stall for each unit.
MLS 1649692 3 bedroom, 2 bath custom built ranch in Mukwonago. Open concept main level with NFP. MBR/BA. LL with full size windows, sliding doors leading to patio area. A 3-car garage and landscaped yard.
MLS 1631345 3 bedroom, 1-1/2 bath home in the heart of Mukwonago. Dining/living room with NFP. LL with 21 x 22 rec room and bar, 2nd NFP. Fenced yard, 1 car attached garage and storage shed.
MLS 1621579 4 bedroom, 3 bath, 3 car garage custom home on 5+ acres west of Elkhorn. Open concept main level with NFP. MBR/BA. Split BR concept. Finished lower level with walkout patio door and a 30 x 60 heated building.
MLS 1735013 4 bedroom, 1 bath Cape Cod located in the town of Mukwonago, offers a partially wooded and fenced-in yard, main floor laundry, kitchen with pantry and 2 car garage.
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