monroe wisconsin: First tim home buyer's tax credit extended and expanded - 11/19/09 04:42 AM

(All the details on the expanded and extended homeowner's tax credit as explained by the CEO of Coldwell Banker, Jim Gillespie)
President Obama has signed the extension of the First Time Home Buyer's Tax Credit. This is exciting news because this bill also expanded the parameters of the Tax Credit, allowing for larger income maximums of the people receiving the credit.
Move Up Buyers are also considered in this tax credit. People who have lived in and owned their primary residence for at least 5 years are now eligible for a Move Up Credit of $6500.
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monroe wisconsin: Annual Festival of Trees in Green County, WI - 11/18/09 07:48 AM
Help out four local non-profit groups while having a good meal and entertaining evening. Sounds like a win-win situation, doesn't it?
The annual Festival of Trees is coming up quickly. This event is scheduled for December 5 this year. The silent and live auctions are always great fun, and all proceeds will benefit either Monroe Theatre Guild Stage Right Youth Theatre, Green County Humane Society, Green Haven Family Advocates or Green County Habitat for Humanity.
Entertainment this year will be provided by the Monroe Theatre Guild Stage Right Youth Choir. Forty members of the youth choir will perform a variety of … (0 comments)

monroe wisconsin: Things to Do Around Monroe WI - 10/01/09 09:01 AM
Here is our weekly look at events going on in the area in the next few days.
~ Frehner Gallery in the Monroe Arts Center has a new exhibit opening on Thursday evening. "Out of the Woods - Remembering Nate Roth" is a tribute to long-time area resident and woodworker, Nate Roth.
~ The Green County Humane Society has their fall garage sale/bake sale fundraiser going on. Located at Monroe Auto Sales, the sale takes place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
~ Bring your tastebuds to the Downtown Square in Monroe on Saturday for the annual Chilifest! This tasty tradition kicks … (0 comments)

monroe wisconsin: Things to Do Around Monroe WI - 09/24/09 07:51 AM
Are you looking ahead to the weekend plans? Here is a snapshot of area events in the upcoming days:
~ Behring Senior Center in Monroe has a Brat Fest every fall, and it is here again. On Thursday from 10 am until 6 pm, you can stop in for single brats at $3 each or a meal for $6 (brat, chips, soda/water, and a cookie).
~ The Young Professionals of Green County are playing wiffleball and kickball with the YP of Freeport on Saturday at Little Cubs Field at 2 pm. Bring the whole family for a day of fun. … (3 comments)

monroe wisconsin: Things to Do Around Monroe WI - 07/15/09 08:14 AM
I should have posted some of these events a few days ago because there are some great things happening tonight! ~ The second Stirring the Pot picnic and discussion event takes place this evening on the lawn of the Monroe Arts Center. Chef demonstrations begin at 5:30. Bring your blanket, your dinner and enjoy watching Representative Brett Davis with his friends from Peppercorn Banquets as well as Chef Kate Thomas from BTC as they show us how to prepare some favorite dishes. Discussion will follow the cooking demonstrations, and stay for the live music. ~ Also this evening is the annual … (2 comments)

monroe wisconsin: Property of the Week - Custom Home near Monroe, WI - 07/14/09 02:25 AM
This week's featured property is a custom home near Monroe

This one a kind home is filled with upgrades galore. There are elegant arches over doorways and windows and flowing curved walls. Enter the home into the large living room with gas fireplace. There is a formal dining room with hardwood floors, beautiful lighting and long views from the large window. There is an oversized curved sunroom with hot tub and panoramic views of the countryside. The custom maple kitchen has tons of storage and a breakfast bar. You have to see the size of the pantry to believe it. Stay … (0 comments)

monroe wisconsin: Things to Do around Monroe WI - Independence Day Weekend - 07/02/09 02:54 AM
~ Have you made reservations for this month's Famous Fossil Wine Down and Cookout? Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 the day of. The July menu includes rib eyes on the grill, seasonal salad, Mrs Mike's chips, wine specials and Famous Fossil Sangria, all served on the patio at the winery overlooking the vineyards. ~ Enjoy live music at Tofflers in New Glaurus on Friday night. Enjoy the sounds of Mark Harrod on the patio. On Sunday, the Alex Wilson Band will perform at Caribbean Coffee and Cream in Brooklyn from 2 until 5 pm. ~ There is still time to … (1 comments)

monroe wisconsin: Property of the Week - Building lot just south of Monroe WI - 06/30/09 03:41 AM
This week's featured property is a building site just outside of Monroe.

Build your dream home on this spacious 2.91 acre lot on Alphorn Road, just south of Monroe.
You will have the best of both worlds in this rural subdivision - room for your family to spread out and enjoy views of the rolling countryside, but a drive of less than a mile to Monroe.
This gently sloping lot allows for construction a home with exposed basement. Enjoy sunrises from your back windows as you look out over acres of farmland.
This lot would be perfect … (2 comments)

monroe wisconsin: Green County Photography Contest - 06/26/09 08:01 AM

Fiire up the flash bulbs!  The Monroe Arts Center is sponsoring the 20th Annual Photography Contest and Exhibit. This popular contest draws on the best of our local talent and culminates in an exhibit in Frehner Gallery at MAC throughout September. Who will take home the grand prize this year?
There are three classifications:
Junior, for youth under age 18 Beginner, for people who have no formal training and/or minimal experience Advanced, for people who have experience, training or who have been published. Everyone may enter up to two photographs. All entries must be framed suitably for exhibit at MAC. … (3 comments)

monroe wisconsin: Pardon Our Dust - 06/23/09 09:35 AM
beep, beep, beep*  That is going to be the summer soundtrack for Monroe's Downtown Square this year as the construction crews get to work.
You don't quite need to bring your own hard hat, but do prepare for a few extra minutes when heading downtown. Look out for the signs indicating which side of the square is closed for construction, and beware the sidewalks that are being redone.
If you want to plan before heading Downtown, visit Monroe Main street's website for a map of the current traffic flow routes. Pop by the Under Construction Gallery for photographs of the current … (1 comments)

monroe wisconsin: Things to do around Monroe, WI - Father's Day weekend - 06/17/09 08:49 AM
What's shaking, bacon?  There is a lot 
~ Sign the kids up for free junior golf lessons at the Monroe County Club. All kids 13 and under are eligible for a free lesson to introduce them to golf. Call the Pro Shop at 325-3159 to register. I just spoke with them to sign up our children a little bit ago, and there are plenty of open slots still.
~ Don't forget the traditional balloon glow at the Fairgrounds this Friday and Saturday evening. All the festivities for the balloon rally take place over there this weekend, and walk-in admission is free.
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monroe wisconsin: Help MASE improve Honey Creek Skate Park - 06/15/09 02:06 AM
DON’T KNOCK HANDOUTS www.monroeballoonrally.com June 19 & 20 M.A.S.E. (MONROE AREA SKATEPARK ENTHUSIASTS) has qualified Honeycreek Skatepark to be one of 50 skateparks in the U.S. that are eligible to participate in a contest that is giving away (2) $5,000 grants.
During the Balloon Rally, M.A.S.E. will have a booth set up handing out Mattel’s X-Games fingerboards to ages 8 -13. (Mattel’s X-Games Fingerboards are not recommended for children under 6 years of age.) Also available will be fingerboard skatepark equipment for you to use to try out your fingerboard skills.
The 2 skateparks that can advertise for ESPN, Mattel, and … (3 comments)

monroe wisconsin: Speechless Sunday: Up, Up, and Away! - 06/14/09 12:07 PM

 
All Rights Reserved, photographed in Monroe, WI in June of 2008
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monroe wisconsin: Community Picnic Series begins Wednesday - 06/14/09 10:23 AM

Good food.  Good conversation.  Good music.  Any regular reader know that I love all three, so I am excited about the community picnic series beginning this week.
This week starts the first of a three-part series of free community picnics. “Stirring the Pot: Dialogue, Discussion and Dinner in the Dairyland,” is sure to be an engaging and fun forum for area residents to gather and learn more about creating a healthy, green and sustainable local food system.
Come sit on the Monroe Arts Center lawn on a blanket and enjoying your picnic. Watch area chefs share secrets for cooking … (0 comments)

monroe wisconsin: Property of the Week - renovated home in Monroe, WI - 06/12/09 07:31 AM
This week's featured property is a starter home in Monroe.
This charming home has been professionally remodeled and updated. It is move in ready for you! There is a new high efficiency furnace, new kitchen appliances, new plumbing and new carpeting throughout this beautiful home. The generous backyard is fenced and has a deck overlooking it. There is a storage shed and plenty of room to play. Why look at those fixer uppers? This home finished and ready for your family. … (0 comments)

monroe wisconsin: Wordless Wednesday: Farmers Market Finds - 06/10/09 01:12 PM

All Rights Reserved.  Photographed in Monroe, Wisconsin at the Wednesday Farmer's Market on the Historic Downtown Square during the month of June, 2009.  Featured is our own honey of a beekeaper, Mr Didier.  Stop in and check out his honey bee hat!  The honey hard candy is a winner too if you want more than just pure honey.
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monroe wisconsin: Things to do around Monroe, WI - June 10-17 - 06/10/09 05:51 AM
Time for another great weekend here in Cheese Country!
~ Come Downtown on Thursday evening for the first Concert on the Square of the summer. Horsefeathers takes the stage at about 6:30. There is still time to book a boxed supper from Cafe Claudeen, Turner Hall or Garden Deli.
~ Young Professionals, come join me as I take the YPs of Green County on a tour of a local home. I will be talking as an EcoBroker about green home ownership, specifically environmental features that make sense for every home owner.
~ Stop in at The Green Door between noon and … (0 comments)

monroe wisconsin: Featured property - 2 year old home on Skinner Creek - 06/09/09 05:50 AM
This week's featured property is ranch home on Skinner Creek.
Unparalleled style at any price!
This 2 year old, 3 bedroom ranch home has an enormous, bright and open great room with a large stone fireplace. The dramatic formal entry is a lovely way to enter your home every day or greet your guests. Your family will appreciate the oversized closets in all bedrooms, and the 2x6 construction with R19 insulation rating will help keep the utility bills low all winter.
This home is located on 2.57 acres with both woods and pasture. Nature lovers will love looking out … (1 comments)

monroe wisconsin: Business Showcase - Europa in Monroe, WI - 06/09/09 05:37 AM

Things change, but some local businesses have been around for years.  One of these is Europa.
Europa has been a mainstay business in Monroe for years. The store is well known for heritage lace, stocking items of a quality that is difficult to locate in this pre-fab world. The inventory also has always included a variety of collectibles and interesting items. Europa has had some changes in recent months, though.
After moving to the Downtown Square, Europa then changed owners. New ownership always alters a store slightly, and the new owner, Heather, has been busy updating the stock at Europa, … (0 comments)

monroe wisconsin: Thankful Thursday - Patience bears fruit - 06/04/09 03:57 AM

We planted two dwarf pear trees a few years ago.  I know the old saying about full sized pear trees "Grow pears for your heirs."  This is why we went with dwarf trees.  The cherry tree we planted the same year has born fruit three years now, but the pears have never had anything.  This year, though, one tree is covered with tiny fruit and the other has a smattering of developing pears too.  Exciting!  I'm looking forward to making pear butter and pear crisp this fall.

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