Lending a helping hand

Like most rural communities, Monroe has a very strong community of people who are willing to lend a helping hand when needed. There are many service groups in our area - Kiwanis, Jaycees, Knights of Columbus, Optimists. You can find a listing of the many groups in our area via our website.

We have thrown our membership hat into the Optimists ring. The Optimists have the motto of "Bringing Out the Best in Kids." Through various fundraisers, the local Optimists clubs raise thousands of dollars every year to support many local groups, give scholarships to local students and help the families of children with cancer.

The Optimists rally around local families who have a child diagnosed with cancer. Usually our groups help pass support on to families in other communities, but this fall they are coming together to help a local family who is dealing with a cancer diagnosis.

This week, they are doing a food drive to help make sure the family has this basic need met. With so many of the family's resources going elsewhere right now, food is needed. Please consider dropping off what you can to help. A collection box will be at the Swiss Alps restaurant through Thursday, November 20. If you can, please stop in to donate.

If you are not a member of the Optimists, consider attending their meeting this week and bring your donation then. The morning club meets from 6:30 to 7:30 am every Thursday morning at Swiss Alps. Come for breakfast, listen to the weekly speaker, talk with the members and start your day in a different way. Breakfast is only $5, and guests attending their first meeting get it for free.

New on the Square - Kookaburra's

Monroe's Downtown Square welcomed a new business last month. Kookaburra's joined the line up on the north side.

Located between Town and Country Styles and Merle Norman, Kookaburra's features culinary goods from stoneware to spices, from Le Creuset to Bob's Red Mill.

Pull the wooden spoon door handle and walk in. You will be greeted by Laura, a cheery woman in a retro apron. She may be packing up spices on the large center island or cooking up something tasty on the stove in the middle of the store. She will encourage you to try some of the samples distributed around the store. Take her suggestion! She encouraged me to try the Hot Pepper Jelly, and it is fantastic. Laura suggested using it as a dip for egg rolls, which would be perfect, but is not something I ever would have thought of.

Walk around and browse her selection of culinary tools and treats. She carries Le Creuset pots, stoneware and silicone goods. The demi-teapots are adorable, and like all Le Creuset, our grandchildren will probably be using them long after we are gone. There is also a large selection of Stonewall Kitchen mixes, jams, stoneware and utensils. The toaster tongs have been a huge hit in our family.

As you walk toward the back of the store, you will find a collection of dried spices and other culinary basics. There are bags of spices and a handy collection of tinned spices. All are high quality, aromatic spices. It was great to be able to pick up a packet of cayenne pepper, paprika and bay leaves without having to run all the way to the grocery store. Laura mentioned plans to add other high end tidbits like vanilla beans and espresso powder, neither of which can be found anywhere in Monroe, forcing serious cooks to shop out of town before Kookaburra's.

There is a large collection of Bob's Red Mill stone milled flours and gluten-free mixes as well as children's cooking items such as aprons and cookie kits. Fido will appreciate the handcrafted gourmet dog treats. Just be sure to warn the kids that the cute little hamburgers and faux royal icing topped cookies are for the dog or they will surely want to nibble.

Kookaburra's is open daily, and on Wednesdays, they are open until 7 pm. Stop in today or tomorrow (November 15 and 16) for their Open House celebration. Laura will surely be cooking up something on the store's stove, and it is guaranteed to be tasty. Pick up an entry form for Kookaburra's Cookie Contest while you are there. The contest will be on December 6, but entry forms are due by November 29. There is a $2 entry fee, and the winner will receive a Kookabura's gift card.

On second thought, don't pick up that entry form. I am entering and I want that gift card!

On Being an EcoBroker®

That little planet in a nest graphic that I have on our website and blog actually has a meaning. I have earned the right to use it by becoming a Certified EcoBroker®.

EcoBroker® is an education and designation program for real estate professionals who care about the environment and want to promote energy-efficient and "green" features in homes and buildings. Since environmental issues are near and dear to me, becoming an EcoBroker® was a natural step on my real estate eduction.

That little logo, the EcoBroker® logo, is the symbol of environmentally responsible and sustainable practices in the real estate industry. Certified EcoBrokers® help our clients and the planet get the most when buying or selling a home.

BENEFITS FOR BUYERS
As an EcoBroker®, I can help you find homes that are healthy, comfortable, and cost-effective.

• Save Money: EcoBrokers® know energy-efficiency and the monthly cost-savings you can realize with insulation, windows, appliances, and heating and cooling systems.
  
• Find Homes with "Green" Features Easily: With interest in energy-efficient, healthy, and safe home features, EcoBrokers® make it easy to either find homes with these attributes or to help you make improvements.
  
• Live Comfortably: EcoBrokers® help you improve your home environment by addressing indoor air quality, ventilation, use of low VOC paints, radon testing, and reliable water testing.

BENEFITS FOR SELLERS
Anyone can price your home. It takes marketing to really sell It. Promoting green features sets you apart from the competition.

• Sell for More: EcoBrokers® understand the benefits of green features in your home and are able to effectively promote them, selling your home's value and increasing your sales price.
  
• Distinguish Your Home from the Competition: Many home owners do not promote the energy efficiency and environmental attributes of their homes, missing a large market.
  
• Attract More Buyers: Over 90% of buyers identify energy savings and home environment as key factors when deciding to buy a home.

Being an EcoBroker® is about more than just talking PV panels and geothermal heating. It also means I have received additional education about issues many people do not consider environmental, things like asbestos, radon, indoor air quality and more.

Whether you are a full out greenie driving an EV and looking for a vegetarian lunch in this rural community or a mainstream buyer who still forgets to recycle sometimes, an EcoBroker® has specialized knowledge that can help you in the home buying or selling process.

And if you want that vegetarian lunch, try visiting Cafe Claudeen in Monroe. They have great coffee and teas, superb desserts and usually have a veggie option or two on the rotating lunch menu.

Children's Miracle Network

Re/Max and Children's Miracle Network have long teamed up for a good cause. Many Re/Max agents give a portion of each commission to Children's Miracle Network. In our office, every single agent follows this practice, making a a Miracle Office. Luis and I give generously. We give the donation in the name of our home buyer or home seller instead of giving the standard floral arrangement or bottle of wine closing gift.

This holiday season, we are also helping out Children's Miracle Network by supporting their Miracle Festival of Trees. Please consider sponsoring a tree or help to decorate one.

In our area, Children's Miracle Network helps fund programs at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Milwaukee. Please consider making in a donation yourself or in someone else's name as a holiday gift this year.

Property of the Week

This week's featured property is a ranch in Monroe.

This one has everything you need! Spacious ranch, corner lot, close to schools, finished basement, two car attached garage - what more could you ask for? This three bedroom ranch home has some newer windows, newer carpet, and a fantastic basement rec room complete with a huge bar for entertaining.

Asking price is only $119,900, and the seller's are motivated. Come take a look at this one today!

Call or text Brenda at 608-214-5796 or drop us a line via email for more information or to set up a private showing.