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La Pointe, WI Real Estate News

By Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
(Madeline Island Realty)
An Alternative Energy Committee has been formed by former Town Chairman Burke Henry, along with Larry Bean and Alan Fischlowitz, to study the feasibility of using wind, solar or other alternate energy sources on Madeline Island.   The committee will research the possible future use of these technologies by individual Island homeowners, as well as investigating community-wide solutions that may employ these technologies. The committee has received study grant money from the Apostle Islands Foundation and from Wisconsin Focus on Energy.  The first phase of the committee's research was centered around evaluating various locations on the Island as potential wind turbine generation sites. The Wisconsin Department of Aeronautics is assisting in providing evaluations and data for the program. ...
Comments 4
By Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
(Madeline Island Realty)
It's just a couple of days away! The upcoming Fourth of July weekend on Madeline Island is one of the most popular Independence Day celebrations in the upper Midwest.  Here's a list of events associated with the upcoming holiday and tips on how to enjoy it to the fullest! July 2 2 PM and 8 PM: Madeline Island Music Camp "Artist Faculty Concert" at the Madeline Island Clubhouse, with Pianist Jeffrey Cohen, Lucie Robert, Christopher French and Evelina Chao (Evelina is a fellow member of the Twin Cities Musicians' Union, a published author and a violist in the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra).  Evelina is currently Music Director of the Madeline Island Music Camp. July 4  9:45 AM: Parade floats and participants line up at the Madeline Island Marina 10:30 AM: Fourth of July parade begins, foll...
Comments 6
By Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
(Madeline Island Realty)
As of mid-June, the Madeline Island Community Fireworks Fund had raised only $2750.  That is just over one-third of the total amount needed to produce the Island's annual Fourth of July fireworks display in downtown La Pointe. Each Fourth of July, an estimated five thousand people attend the Madeline Island community parade and the fireworks display.  Contributions generally come from area businesses, Island residents and visitors.  This year's funding shortfall potentially threatens an Island tradition.  Funds go to pay for the fireworks, safety crew, transportation and liability insurance. For information on how and where to contribute, please contact the Madeline Island Chamber of Commerce, or send a check to: MICC Fireworks Fund, P.O. Box 274, La Pointe, Wisconsin 54850     A second...
Comments 2
By Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
(Madeline Island Realty)
From now through the end of June, expect to see road closures in portions of downtown La Pointe, on Madeline Island. Various roads in downtown will be "intermittently closed" during the next several weeks.  Last week, a section of Big Bay Road from the intersection of Colonel Woods Avenue and Main Street extending to the La Pointe Town Hall was under construction.  The project is part of a storm sewer renovation and expansion plan for the La Pointe commercial district.  The current phase of this project should be completed in advance of this year's Island Fourth of July celebration and parade. 
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By Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
(Madeline Island Realty)
The Madeline Island Chamber of Commerce will present its Membership Dinner, to be held on Thursday June 26 at the "Lightkeeper's Lodge" in La Pointe, Wisconsin. Situated next to The Pub Restaurant & Wine Bar, the "Lightkeeper's Lodge" is a new lodging and special events facility.  The Lodge is scheduled to open officially on July 1 and preview tours of the building will be held on June 26th.  The finished "Lightkeeper's Lodge" will feature six deluxe hotel suites and two standard hotel rooms, plus a large area for private parties and community events. The Membership Dinner will begin with a social hour at 5:30 p.m., with cash bar.  Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.  Here's the "scoop" on the Menu: Salad Mixed field greens salad with house vinaigrette   Entree Bistro Steak Bordelaise an...
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By Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
(Madeline Island Realty)
The nineteenth annual Chequamegon Chefs Exhibition will take place at the Bell Street Tavern on June 19, 2008 from 6:30-8:30pm. The Chefs Exhibition features several of the Apostle Islands area's best-known restaurants. This year's native Madeline Island participating restaurants will include the Bell Street Tavern, The Beach Club, Lotta's Lakeside Café, and The Pub Restaurant & Wine Bar. Other area restaurants participating in this event will include Bayfield restaurants Burt & Francie's Café, The Egg Toss Cafe, the Gourmet Garage, Maggie's and the Portside.  The Blue Bayou Inn (Manitowish Waters) will also be participating. Tickets to the Chefs Exhibition will be $25 in advance and $30 at the door.  Tickets include free round-trip (passenger) ferry fare.  Tickets may be purchased at t...
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By Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
(Madeline Island Realty)
I found myself on the 11 p.m. trip, the last of the day, from Bayfield to La Pointe this evening. If you were trying to determine whether or not tourism is down this year, you'd get the impression things are slow this year by riding the last ferry of the day to La Pointe on a Friday summer evening. We left the mainland aboard the Bayfield at around 11:10 p.m., with a total of just seven vehicles on deck.  Two of the vehicles had Wisconsin license plates, the remaining five (including mine) had Minnesota plates. The Bayfield has a capacity of 26 vehicles and up to 149 passengers.  Tonight, you could have ridden a bicycle around on deck. Ordinarily, the last ferry boat of the day on a Friday or Saturday night is packed.  Tourists coming up to the Apostle Islands area from the Twin Cities ...
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By Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
(Madeline Island Realty)
The Madeline Island Golf Club is gearing up for its opening day, June 14. The course, designed by world-renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr., is in the process of being groomed and made ready for opening week.  Resident PGA pro Jeff Obst will be available for lessons and golf clinics this season.  The course is located on Old Fort Road, across from the Madeline Island Marina and Yacht Club.  You'll enjoy spectacular views of Lake Superior and the mainland from much of the course.  Carts are available and there are occasional special prices and offerings which appear on the Golf Club website. For tee times and other information, call 715-747-3212, or email migc@cheqnet.net.       A second home is an affordable luxury. Discover why a vacation retreat on Lake Superior is t...
Comments 4
By Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
(Madeline Island Realty)
Tomorrow, June 8th, marks the opening day of the Madeline Island Music Camp's string and piano chamber music session. The four-week chamber music program in La Pointe, Wisconsin will host the Pacifica, Arianna, Parker and Fry Street string quartets this season.  String coaches and instructors come from all over the United States, including professional musicians from the University of Wisconsin, the Cleveland Institute, Oberlin conservatory, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Houston Symphony.  Music Director Evelina Chao is a violist in the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Each year, gifted string students ages 14 to 24 attend the well-known chamber music camp.  Students are divided into groups according to age and musical achievement, and are placed in chamber ensembles.  The ensem...
Comments 0
By Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
(Madeline Island Realty)
Madeline Island received a fantastic "plug" from the folks at Minneapolis - Saint Paul Magazine in its May 2008 issue. Minneapolis Saint Paul Magazine proclaimed Madeline Island a "great escape" and added, "regulars prefer to keep Madeline Island a secret." Well, the secret's out.   Reporter Beth Doole is obviously impressed by the Island.  But perhaps the greatest truth in her review of Madeline Island as a summer destination, is her comment, "The real reason folks come here, however, is to do nothing: wake to the lap, lap of waves on the dock, halyards clanging on boats offshore; soak in the sunsets and count shooting stars". You'll find the complete Minneapolis Saint Paul Magazine article on Madeline Island here.     A second home is an affordable luxury. Discover why a vacation retr...
Comments 2
By Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
(Madeline Island Realty)
Summer is a time for art gallery openings on Madeline Island! Over Memorial Day weekend, Burt & Francie's, at 117 Rittenhouse Avenue in Bayfield) hosted an art opening featuring art works by local artists, including Kelly Nelson (the owner of "Island Thyme" gift shop in La Pointe). Across the water, in La Pointe, the La Pointe Center Art Guild and Gallery hosted a "Winter Works" opening.  The exhibit is described as "an eclectic collection of mixed media" created by Island residents and summer dwellers.  The exhibit will run through June 8 on Madeline Island.
Comments 2
By Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
(Madeline Island Realty)
The Madeline Island Ferry Line, in La Pointe, Wisconsin, is making an extra effort to improve fuel efficiency this summer. The Madeline Island Ferry Line has announced "minor adjustments" in its 2008 summer schedule, aimed at conserving diesel fuel.  As of Monday, June 9, the 12:00 Noon and 3 p.m. ferry trips from Bayfield and  from La Pointe (on Madeline Island) are canceled. At this time, no additional trip reductions are contemplated. Visit the Madeline Island Ferry Line website for schedule revision details, or phone 715-747-2801.
Comments 2
By Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
(Madeline Island Realty)
The Madeline Island Chamber of Commerce will be hosting two special events for members in La Pointe, Wisconsin during June. On June 10th, the Madeline Island Golf Club will host a "Chamber After Hours" party for members of the Madeline Island Chamber of Commerce and the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce.  The event will run from 5 to 7pm and refreshments will be served. On June 26th, there will be a Madeline Island Chamber of Commerce Membership Dinner at the newly-opened Lightkeeper's Lodge, located next to The Pub Restaurant in La Pointe.  The Lightkeeper's Lodge is Madeline Island's newest lodging and special events facility.  There will be a social hour and tours of the new building from 5:30 to 6:30pm, with dinner to be served at 6:30pm.  The cost per person is twenty-five dollars.   Me...
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By Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
(Madeline Island Realty)
Gasoline prices have reached the $4.25 mark on Madeline Island. The price of 87-octane unleaded regular gasoline at the pump next to the Madeline Island Marina & Yacht Club, in La Pointe, Wisconsin, reached $4.25 over Memorial Day weekend. Boat fuel at the Marina is expected to approach five dollars per gallon when summer arrives.  It's too early to determine whether or not high prices will have a significant impact on recreational boating in the Apostle Islands region. At the small craft marina in LaPointe, across from the Yacht Club, there are still few boats in the water.  The late arrival of spring and prolonged cool weather seems to be slowing the beginning of boating season.  
Comments 39
By Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
(Madeline Island Realty)
Memorial Day on Madeline Island is usually a bit warmer than it was this year. This year's celebration, at the Madeline Island Ferry Landing, was a chilly one.  The outdoor temperature was in the mid-40s, with brisk winds and overcast skies. The Madeline Island Community Choir gathered in front of Island Thyme gift shop at dockside.  A veterans' group, including WWII veterans from Red Cliff and La Pointe performed a rifle salute during the ceremony.  A veterans' wreath was tossed onto the water.  
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By Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
(Madeline Island Realty)
"Island Thyme" gift shop in La Pointe, Wisconsin is having a Madeline Island "Spring Cleaning Sale"! Today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. both days, Island Thyme will be presenting a plant sale with Free Hand Farms of Ashland, Wisconsin.  The plant sale will include potted perennials, annuals, herbs and vegetables. Quiet Creek Farm has its own market stand, located at the corner of Le Sueur and Main Streets, from  9 a.m. until 1 p.m., with produce, flowers and fresh pork available for purchase. The Madeline Island branch of Bremer Bank is now open Monday through Friday each week, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Comments 2
By Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
(Madeline Island Realty)
Madeline Island resident Michael Murphy takes his rowing very seriously. Murphy recently rowed his diminutive seventeen-foot boat, the "Mikerowave" from the Bad River area (near Odanah, Wisconsin) to the Duluth, Minnesota lift bridge and back again, to promote public awareness of the need for cardiac health.  The nearly 140-mile round trip took Murphy about nine days. Murphy works for the National Healthy Heart Project, which is administered through the Indian Health Service and provides health assistance to over thirty Native American tribes across the United States.  Murphy also works at the Ashland County Memorial Medical Center in the hospital's emergency room walk-in clinic. Murphy is a staunch advocate of rowing as an excellent form of cardiac exercise.  He counsels members of the...
Comments 0
By Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
(Madeline Island Realty)
Visitors to Madeline Island this summer may notice a few more downed trees than usual on the Island. Spring storms which included high winds and near-record waves played a role in taking down a greater than normal number of hardwoods and pines on parts of the Island. It's not uncommon to see some downed trees on the Island.  The soil in most parts of Madeline Island is red clay, with occasional rock outcroppings or boulders, particularly on the north end of the Island. Photo above: Fallen tree on Madeline Island shows typical shallow root system found in clay soil.   The clay is impermeable to rainwater and surface nutrients, which causes tree roots to fan out close to the surface, rather than rooting deeply.  Naturally-seeded hardwoods with shallow root systems are frequent casualties ...
Comments 0
By Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
(Madeline Island Realty)
All the market metrics in the world regarding tourism wouldn't impress me half as much as the opinion of a shopkeeper in the heart of this tourist community. Ed and Marilyn Hartig own and operate the Island Store on Main Street in La Pointe, Wisconsin, just across the street from the Madeline Island Realty office.  Ed has been selling produce, fast food, meats and cheese, at the same location for several decades.  So it's safe to say Ed has his finger on the pulse of Madeline Island's business community. Ed tells me business is booming so far, and he anticipates a season similar to last year.  He pointed out that bookings for lodging on the Island are solid through September.  And there are apparently fourteen Island weddings booked for the summer so far.
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By Eric Kodner, CRS, Madeline Island Realty, LaPointe, WI 54850 -
(Madeline Island Realty)
The Madeline Island Museum, founded in 1958, will celebrate its 50th anniversary on June 22.   The celebration will include the opening of a special anniversary exhibit and a rededication ceremony The Museum, in downtown La Pointe, Wisconsin, is operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society.  Pioneer history buffs Leo & Bella Capser and Hamilton Ross Jr. played a major role in the creation of the Museum, with help from Island archeology hobbyist named Al Galazen. The Museum is located on Colonel Woods Avenue, just a short distance from the Madeline Island Ferry landing.  Tickets are $7.00 ($3.50 for ages 5 to 17), with senior citizens and students paying $6.00.  A ticket package for families of four is available for just $19.00.
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