Things to Do Around Monroe

So, what is going on in the Monroe and Freeport region this weekend?

~ All aboard! Come to the Lena-Winslow High School this Saturday or Sunday for the model train show and swap meet. Admission is free, donations accepted.

~ Monroe Art Center hosts Marty Rayburn and Full Circle this Saturday. The show is at the Monroe High School PAC starting at 7:30.

~ Get out of the house and see a first sign of spring. Rainbow Fleece Farm hosts Cabin Fever Yarn on the Farm on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am until 4 pm. Fiber fanatics can come out to view the new yarns; bring the family to "ooooohhh" over the newly born sheep. Rainbow Fleece Farm is at W7181 Hustad Valley Rd., New Glarus. Call Patty Reedy at 608.527.5311 for more information.

~ SLICE in Monroe has open ice skating this weekend. Lace up and practice your twirls on Friday from 5:00-8:00, Saturday from 6:00-9:00, and Sunday from 4:15-6:45 pm. Costs are pretty minimal at $5 for skating and $2 rentals.

~ If you'd rather twirl on wheels, Roller Den in Monroe has a Talent Night this Saturday from 7 to 10 pm. Put together an act and go to town. Admission is $7.

~ Lend a helping hand at a community non-profit this Saturday. Monroe Theatre Guild has been working hard at the renovations in their building. MTG members and community people have been helping to reduce the costs of the renovations by pitching in and doing tasks that don't require contractors. This Saturday is a big day as MTG is carpeting the walls of the new black box theater for acoustical purposes. Come on down to the MTG building on 16th Ave on Saturday morning from 9 am to noon to help out. Luis will be there, so say hi and pitch in.

~ Remember to support your locally owned restaurant, coffee shop or pub if you feel like dining out this weekend. You don't have to travel and hour or more to the cities for a quality dining experience. Keep your money doing good work locally by spending it a locally owned eatery. From cafe to gourmet, coffee shop to dinner with all the trimmings, there are wonderful options in the Green County and Stephenson County area.

So, where we will see YOU around Cheese Country this weekend?

Property of the Week

This week's featured property is four bedroom home near Cadiz Springs.
Your own oasis! Find absolutely privacy just minutes from town with this 40 acre retreat with a Swiss Chalet home. Perched on the side the hill overlooking Skinner Creek, this property features 20 acres of pristine woodland and 2o acres of flat pasture bordering the creek.
Rare and familiar wildlife is in abundance: eagles, sandhill cranes, turkey, deer, towering oaks, wild orchids, private orchard, native grasses, rare pines, limestone bluffs.

The open floor plan home features an expansive great room with soaring ceiling, Douglas Fir beams, and expansive views across the woods and valley. There are two fireplaces, one in the living room and one in the lower level master suite. Four full bedrooms include a master suite with patio doors and attached private parlor. Both the kitchen and the bathrooms have been renovated; lower level bath features cedar plank walls, jetted tub and oversized tiled shower. Multi-level decks wrap around the home.

This property is so unique. Land like this does not come on the market often, and the home shows the quality throughout in the details.

Property of the Week

This week's featured property is a commercial lease in Monroe.


This commercial space has a great location in the historic Eugene Hotel building on southwest corner of Monroe's Downtown Square. This is a well traveled, busy location with both foot traffic and automobile traffic. Parking spaces are directly in front of the building, and the public parking ramp is only half a block east.

There are wide open spaces waiting for your vision. Retail space, dining, pub, or service industry - this lower level space could be anything. The main floor tenants include retail collectibles and jewelry as well as a nail spa and insurance agent.

Call Luis at 608-214-5797 to look at this historic building.

Square footage is approximate. LEASE ONLY

Tax Deductions for Homeowners

Home ownership has always been a source of tax benefits and deductions. Whether you purchased your first home in 2010 or have been a long time homeowner, remember the following items when doing your taxes or talking with your tax accountant. Any or all of them may be deductible for your 2010 tax year:

• Mortgage interest.
• Points purchased.
• Private mortgage insurance.
• Real estate and property taxes.
• A portion of your moving expenses if you relocated for work.
• Home improvements made specifically for medical reasons.

Restrictions may apply for who may take deductions for some of these items. Talk with your tax accountant or visit the IRS website for more information.

Property of the Week

This week's featured property is a brick home in Monroe.


They don't make homes like this anymore! This home is classic perfection inside and out.

A full brick Colonial, this home has 4-7 bedrooms. There are three main floor rooms with closets can be bedrooms if you need the space for a large family. Otherwise, use them like the current owner: home office, family television room, toy room. The master bedroom is truly a retreat from it all. There is a private balcony patio, a tiled bathroom with soaking tub, an alcove waiting for a chaise lounge and a truly enormous 11x9' walk-in closet.

There are oak floors throughout the home, and the original woodwork is beautifully maintained. In the living room, enjoy the stone fireplace with cherry mantle.

The retreat feel continues as you step outside. The fabulous 3 season porch lets you enjoy the view of the landscaped yard even when the rain falls or the mercury dips. It opens to patio and deck that are the ideal place for entertaining in pleasant weather.

Come see this one of kind, classic quality executive home today. Call Brenda or Luis at 214-5796 to set up a showing.

Volunteers needed

Brodhead is gearing up for their Smithsonian Museum on Main Street exhibit later this year.

"Key Ingredients" takes a look at America's food traditions, and the exhibit in Brodhead will naturally feature information regarding the food stories of the southern Wisconsin area. In addition to the exhibit itself, "Key Ingredients" will feature special programs like Gadget Night, where locals can try to stump the experts with unusual kitchen gadgets, and community gatherings like Strawberry Sundae Saturday.

None if this is possible without locals pitching in to help with the exhibit, though. If you are able, consider helping out with any or all of the program. To volunteer, give Lea Brockman, the project manager, at lea@offthepath.com or (608) 897-9027.

Property of the Week

This week's featured property is a 10 acre parcel of land in between Argyle and Blanchardville.



No covenants! This 10 acre lot near Yellowstone State Park and Yellowstone Golf Course will be the perfect place to build your dream. Plan your home to enjoy the long views of the countryside. The lay of the land will accommodate a walk-out if you like, and all utilities are at the road.

Benefit Dinner

Last week, the Eberle family lost so much in a fatal fire in Clarno. Not only has their home and all of their belongings crumbled into ashes, but Randy Eberle lost his life.

Our community is coming together to help out the Eberle family in so many ways. There is an ongoing collection drive to help the family begin to reconstruct their lives. There is a Facebook Event Page set up, and it has items the family needs including sizes for clothing. Drop off household goods and clothing for the family at any of the following local businesses:

• Zweifel Construction
• Carter and Gruenewald
• RT Movies and More

There is also a fundraising event for the Eberle family this week Wednesday at Ludlow Bar in Monroe. The spaghetti dinner will start at 5 pm, and The Jimmys take the stage at 8 pm for a show. Half of all food sales that evening at the Ludlow will go directly to the Eberle family. Check out the Facebook page for this event as well.

If you cannot make the fundraising event or you would rather give funds directly to the Eberle family, there is a charitable account in place at Woodford State Bank. You can stop in to make a deposit in person or, if it is easier, mail your donations to the bank:

Woodford State Bank
Attn. Eberle Donations
P.O.box 766
Monroe,Wi 53566

However you can help this family in their time of need, thank you.