Lake Country This Month

July, 2016

Lake Country This Month

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By Chris Bennett Special to The Freeman OCONOMOWOC — Few realtors understand the Lake Country area as inti- mately as Mike Herro. Herro is the owner and a broker at Oconomowoc Realty, and counts more than 25 years of experi- ence in residential and commercial real estate in the Lake Country area. Oconomowoc Realty is located at 156 E. Wisconsin Ave. in Oconomowoc. Herro plies his trade selling property in Lake Country, and his livelihood is dependent on being able to articulate why the area is one of the best in south- east Wisconsin. "People can count on quality of life, with not only the lakes and quality education, but the natural beauty of the area," Herro said. "We seem to attract and retain people who are truly interested in the bet- terment of the communi- ty." Colloquially, the north- west corner of Waukesha County is known as Lake Country. The communities of Oconomowoc, Pewau- kee, Hartland and Delafield are the larger communities. The smaller communities of Chenequa, Merton, North Lake and Nashotah are also included, among oth- ers. The region's lakes offer opportunities for recre- ation, in the form of boat- ing and fishing and more. Other opportunities for outdoor recreation abound at places like Lapham Peak and Glacial Drumlin State Trail, and countless other places. Outdoor recreation out one's back door is a highlight of life in the region. Even the simplest drive through the region — headed west on Interstate 94, for example — teases the eye with examples of Lake Country's God-given, natural splendor. Outdoor beauty pervades and, at times, pleasantly over- whelms the region. Herro also references the notion that nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd in explaining why people want to live in Lake Country. "We really get quality people," Herro said. "Qual- ity attracts quality. The people who move here kind of work off of each other and make the area better." Herro said those who move to Lake Country are immediately drawn to its civic spirit. It is common for individuals to settle in Lake Country and seek ways to be involved in the community. "They latch onto it, and truly try to make a differ- ence in the community," Herro said. "There's a great community spirit." Volunteer opportunities are abundant in Lake Country through civic organizations and other outlets. The level of civic involvement bucks well- established, long-ter m trends toward such activi- ties declining. Higher profile, increased reputation The Lake Country area serves well those looking for room to spread out. Herro said his company developed a subdivision in the area in the 1980s popu- lated largely by locals. Herro and company devel- oped another subdivision in the 1990s, and this time buyers from the east flocked, eager for the opportunity to find some space. The shift, over 10 years, is symbolic of the area's profile and reputation increasing in southeast Wisconsin. "People from Brookfield would have considered moving to Oconomowoc the edge of the earth," Herro said, adding that perception once dictated good culture and educa- tion could only be found further east. The area still remains a bedroom com- munity for those who com- mute to either Milwaukee or even Madison, but also possesses a charm and fla- vor of its own. Herro said events such as Moonlit Movies in downtown Oconomowoc, or the art walks and farm- ers markets that are con- stants on the area's event calendar, contribute to a sense of community. Outdoor opportunities, excellent schools, room to grow and community spir- it abound in Lake Country, and do wonders for home resale value — an interest- ing litmus test for an area's success. "If you go to Oconomowoc and buy a house for $139,000, you'll sell it for more 10 years from now," Herro said, adding there is property to be had in Oconomowoc at that price level. Page 2A • FREEMAN & ENTERPRISE LAKE COUNTRY July 2016 Circulation Dept. To reach the Circulation Department call 542-2501 or go to www.gmtoday.com/wfhelp. MANAGEMENT Bill Yorth - Publisher & Editor-in-Chief..513-2671 byorth@conleynet.com Katherine Michalets - Managing Editor..513-2644 kmichalets@conleynet.com Jim Baumgart - Freeman Group Ad Director 513-2621 jbaumgart@conleynet.com Tim Haffemann - Circulation Director....513-2640 thaffemann@conleynet.com Patricia Scheel - Prepress Manager.....513-2690 pscheel@conleynet.com NEWS DEPARTMENT Local News - Katherine Michalets.........513-2657 kmichalets@conleynet.com Sports - Pat Neumuth............................513-2667 pneumuth@conleynet.com Death Notices - Shana Duffy................513-2618 obits@conleynet.com Newsroom Fax.............................(262) 542-8259 CLASSIFIEDS: 542-2211 Hours: M -F 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. PHOTO REPRINTS Color reprints are $25 each. Call 542-2501 PAGE REPRINTS Go to www.gmtoday.com/freemanreprints 262-542-2500 Hours: M-F 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. 801 N. Barstow St., P.O. Box 7, Waukesha, WI 53187 The FREEMAN How to reach us Lake Country T H I S M O N T H If you have a news tip from the Lake Country area, contact Katherine Michalets at 513-2644 or kmichalets@conleynet.com To advertise in "Lake Country This Month," call the advertising department at (262) 513-2624. To subscribe to the daily Freeman or weekly Enterprise, call 542-2500 Freeman subscription rates • By in-county mail 13 weeks...........$36 26 weeks...........$66 52 weeks.........$120 • Out-of-county mail 13 weeks...........$51 26 weeks............$99 52 weeks..........$192 Easy buy .....$10 a month with credit card Electronic edition ......$10 a month with credit card & ENTERPRISE Enterprise subscription rates • Oconomowoc ZIP code 6 months.....$21.00 1 year..........$35.00 2 years........$68.00 • Ashippun, Ixonia, Neosho, Rubicon, Okauchee, Watertown and Sullivan ZIP codes and other Waukesha County addresses 6 months.....$25.00 1 year..........$43.00 2 years........$84.00 • All other addresses 6 months.....$29.00 1 year..........$51.00 2 years........$99.00 Check out the August edition of LAKE COUNTY THIS MONTH for the guide to the 2016 MBA Parade of Homes. The guide includes the Parade schedule, specials and helpful home building and remodeling tips. AUGUST 13 – SEPTEMBER 5, 2016 2 Subdivisions Weyerhaven – Menomonee Falls Windrush – Village of Hartland 247929009 Why live in Lake Country? Longtime realtor Herro cites quality of life, civic spirit, sense of community Charles Auer/Freeman Staff Lake Country continues to see more housing development like these new homes in the Woodridge Estates subdivision in the Town of Delafield. Velo City Cycling opens in Pewaukee PEWAUKEE — The decade-old cycling and sports outfitter on West Wis- consin Avenue in downtown Pewaukee will soon have a new name, a new look and a new vision for community residents and visitors. According to a press release, owner Scott Hoggatt and his team of expert mechanics, trainers and pas- sionate staff will soon open Velo City Cycling to replace the current Attitude Sports location. Slated for a soft launch in just a few weeks, Velo City Cycling will build upon the location's prominence as a cycling and sports hub by offering year-round athletic and wellness services to weekend warriors, serious enthusiasts or people seek- ing healthier lifestyle choic- es. The release said Velo City Cycling will also offer expert mechanic services for all types of bicycles as well as year-round compu-training classes where riders are monitored by sophisticated programs designed to mea- sure their progress and help them meet their goals. Class- es are led by certified train- ers who use the same pro- grams during their own training regimens. With plenty of nearby parking, expert staff and a multistage renovation plan, Velo City Cycling will offer indoor and outdoor seating with an open-air storefront as soon as next spring. — Karen Pilarski, Freeman Staff

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