Music by the Lake will feature violinist Frank Almond, concertmaster of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, in a duo recital with award winning pianist William Wolfram on Sunday, August 1. Come to George Williams College of Aurora University at 4:00 p.m., for this Sundays at 4 Series performance, which is part of the 10th anniversary season in The Ferro Pavilion in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Tickets will be available at the performance.

Almond plays a 1715 Stradivarius violin in a spectacular program showcasing the artist in solo and duet repertoire. Both Juilliard-trained artists have distinguished themselves in concert appearances with the country's leading orchestras, and they remain active as recitalists and chamber musicians. Mr. Almond directs the highly successful Frankly Music Chamber Series based in Milwaukee. His talent as a chamber musician has generated collaborations with many of today's well-known institutions and festivals. Mr. Wolfram, winner of some of the world's most prestigious piano competitions, enjoys close associations with the Dallas, Milwaukee, and Minnesota orchestras.

For more information about this performance, including audio clips, visit www.musicbythelake.com. To order tickets, call 262-245-8501 or 866-843-5200 (toll free) or visit www.musicbythelake.com for a ticket order form.

Keefe Real Estate has been recognized as the leading real estate company in Southeastern Wisconsin for many years. Sales results for the first half of 2010 from the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) show that Keefe Real Estate is still the sales leader in Walworth County as well as the tri-county area. Whether buying or selling, partner with Keefe to Get Results!



These charts combine "sold" listings of all office locations and independent offices of each multi-office or franchise organization identified. It includes listings which were sold by such organization itself or with the aid of a cooperating broker for the time period indicated, according to data by the Multiple Listing Service, Inc. This representation is based on data supplied by the MLS. MLS, Inc. does not guarantee or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the MLS, Inc. may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.

Violinist Frank Almond, concertmaster of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, playing his 1715 Stradivarius violin, in a duo recital with internationally recognized, award winning pianist William Wolfram.
Sunday 8/1 at 4:00 pm
George Williams College, Williams Bay
www.musicbythelake.com

Homes in the Lake Geneva, Geneva National, Elkhorn, Fontana & Williams Bay area will be featured in this year's 21st Annual Lakeland Builder's Parade of Homes. 14 New Construction Homes are included in this year's parade; July 31st, Aug 1, Aug 7 & 8 from 11am to 5pm. They are offering a 2 for 1 ticket special this year, click here for a map of the homes & to print your voucher.

New pier rules take effect in 2011. Do you know what to do? For those of you that have a pier on a lake or stream in Wisconsin, you should be aware that you will be operating under new rules beginning the first part of 2011. Some piers will be grandfathered and others may not. Some may have to make changes to their piers and others may need to register their piers. To find out what's going on and if you are affected by the new rules, go to the DNR website at http://www.dnr.wi.gov/waterways/recreation/piers.html. All the information you need including the registration form is provided there.

We get lots of inquiries about when homes will be hosting "Open Houses", so if you're inclined to be in Southeastern, WI on Saturday, July 31st, there will be over 80 homes on our Open House Event. To check out a full list, click here: Prices ranging from $159,000 to $2,325,000, covering areas from Lake Geneva, Elkhorn, Delavan, Twin Lakes, Silver Lake, Fontana and many more.

If you would like your home to featured in our next Open House Event, contact your Keefe agent, or to connect with an agent, contact 262-249-7620.

Guest post by Kasey Plucinski of Breezy Hill Nursery

Watch out roses here they come. The long metallic green Japanese Beetles have copper- brown wing covers with a row of white spots on the under wings. These beetles begin feeding on your plants in June and continue for a 4-6 week period until they die off after 30-45 days. These nasty little green beetles feed on 300 species of plants, devouring plant foliage and overripe fruit. Females burrow 2-3 inches in the soil and lay eggs, 40-60 in a lifetime! Eggs hatch and grubs emerge feeding on roots of turf grass and vegetable seedlings. Grubs do best in irrigated home lawns, golf courses and parks. During winter the grub stage of the beetle over winters underground. If you want to control the adult and juvenile stages there are several options to consider. First and foremost, consult your landscape specialist when selecting plants for your garden, there are several varieties of plants that are commonly snacked on by the beetles. Some plants that are prone to beetle damage are Roses, Lindens, Norway and Japanese maple, and Purple-leaf plum. Secondly, there are organic treatments that we carry at Breezy Hill Nursery. St. Gabriel’s Milky Spore is a one time application that you inject into your lawn. This injection can last up to 20 years and kills the grub stage of the beetle with natural bacteria that eats the grub from the inside without harming beneficial insects. Lastly there are many chemical applications that fight the adult stage of the beetle, some examples are Bayer Advanced Lawn, Ortho Bug-B-Gon and Sevin. We don’t suggest using beetle traps; many attract more beetles than are actually caught in the traps results in significantly more damage to your plants. Please feel free to visit our website, should you want more information on this subject or many others. Watch for our future blog posts.

Photo courtesy of Jen Bronenkant

Keefe Real Estate is proud to support Lake Geneva’s first criterium race, featuring competitive riders from all over the country. Not only will this be an exciting event to watch, it will also introduce our beautiful town and lake to new people and highlight some of the spectacular properties along the race course. Be sure to come out and join us Wednesday.

The housing recovery continues in Southeastern Wisconsin. The combination of the tax credit, low interest rates, and great housing deals has driven a strong and sustained recovery in sales. Walworth County is matching the broader market with a 24% increase in May 2010 when compared to May 2009. The first 5 months of 2010 saw 36% more sales than did the first 5 months of 2009. There’s no doubt that we are growing from a very low base, but the rises in sales we see every month speak to the strength of this recovery.

Guest post by Eric Berry of The Care of Trees

It's easy to forget that trees need watering during dry spells, just like other plants. It is better to water deeply or soak the soil than to water more frequently with less water.

Watch the weather forecast. If rainfall is plentiful, extra water may not be needed. Use a rain gauge or simply place a cup or can in your garden to monitor rainfall and/or your sprinklers. Don't overwater. Too much water, especially in poorly drained areas, may do more harm than good. The best way to water is to place an oscillating sprinkler next to the trunk and water in an arc directed away from the trunk. Mulching and watering should be part of a comprehensive tree care program.



What can I do now to make sure my trees are healthy throughout the summer?

Check your trees for damage that may have occurred due to recent storms.
Check mulch rings to see if additional material needs to be added. If the mulch is less than 2 inches thick, grass growing through it may become troublesome. Enlarge mulch rings whenever possible.
Monitor for insects and diseases. Check your trees and shrubs regularly for any sign of pest activity.
Avoid using herbicides beneath trees that warn against such use on the label. The same herbicides that kill dandelions can hurt trees if they are not applied properly.

For more summer tips, please visit our Summer FAQ page.

Photo courtesy of Jen Bronenkant

ChocolateFest
5/28 - 5/31 in Burlington
Family entertainment, food, carnival, vendors & more.
www.chocolatefest.com

Woodstone Prairie is made up of 43 home sites offering stunning views of woods, prairie or pond, with a premier location just moments from Geneva Lake and the Illinois State line. Fifty acres of this 91 acre property has been dedicated to the Geneva Lake Conservancy which combines the best of all worlds: a beautiful home on spacious land, the feeling of space, privacy and the serenity of nature. Enjoy the walking trail, the pond, and the community garden without the hassle and maintenance requirements of a large property. This is an ideal location for either a primary or secondary residence.

Now open to all builders with careful architectural review, bring your builder or choose from the many customizable plans available from our preferred builder, Engerman Contracting.

Please contact Keefe Real Estate at 800.690.2292 or visit www.WoodstonePrairie.com for more information.

Chaucer Woods of Bristol is designed with open green space. This unique community offers every home-site a fabulous view of either wetlands, wildlife, prairies and/or woods. The amenities at Chaucer include a bike & nature trails plus a community park making this the perfect place to raise your family. Located close to Hwy C & Rte 45 and only minutes from the Illinois border.

Please contact Keefe Real Estate at 800.690.2292 for more information.

Antique Flea Market
5/16, opens at 7am
Walworth County Fair Ground in Elkhorn
Over 500 vendors, $5 at the gate, free parking.
www.nlpromotionsllc.com

Photo courtesy of Lester Crisman

Guest post by Eric Berry of The Care of Trees

Question:

I keep reading about The Care of Trees SoilCare program but I have yet to try it for my own trees. Why should I choose to do this sort of program?

Answer:

Managing trees in urban landscapes should involve working with the tree/soil system. The physical, chemical, and biological components of soils all impact this system. As with human health, we shouldn't just focus on one aspect of care. Exercise, nutrition, diet, mental and physical stress, and disease management are all important. A well-rounded health plan will include managing as many aspects as possible.

The same is true for plant health programs. We use compost teas, but do not rely solely upon them. Teas are never used by themselves alone. They are always combined with other plant health care tactics. While not every program includes every tactic, we can use teas in conjunction with humic acids, kelp extracts, composts, synthetic and natural organic fertilizers, polyamino acids, chelated micronutrients, mulches and physical techniques such as vertical mulching, radial trenching and soil replacement. The use of these tactics can help improve soils by supplying nutrients for plant growth, improving nutrient cycling in the soil and absorption by roots, more biological activity in the soil which can improve soil structure, leading to better water and air movement and root growth within the soil.

Remember too, teas and other natural organic compounds are a method to add organic carbon into the soil. Adding organic matter to the compacted and/or structurally and texturally challenged soils common to urban areas is a recommended practice. Teas are a mix of living microorganisms and organic matter in a liquid form. Compost and mulches add organisms and organic matter in a solid form. Every tactic has advantages and disadvantages. By combining tactics, we can see benefits beyond the benefits or disadvantages of any single tactic.

Nature can improve soil by the addition of organic matter. Teas are one method, but not the only method, for adding organic matter with the goal of improving soil conditions. We utilize teas, but do not expect them to solve all problems. They serve as one tactic among many that we employ at The Care of Trees.

Do you have a question for the tree doctor?

If so, e-mail treedoctor@thecareoftrees.com. Selected questions will be answered by resident entomologist at The Care of Trees, Dr. Rex Bastian. We may also feature your questions and Dr. Rex's answers in future editions of our printed newsletter and e-newsletters, Arbor Topics and e-Arbor Topics.

Welcome to spring at Sugar Creek Preserve and welcome to the new owners of lot 18 and to the other families who are seriously considering becoming part of the Sugar Creek Preserve family!

Sugar Creek still has many fabulous home sites to choose from and is now offering flexible pricing. Make plans to break ground this spring and you too can be part of the finest conservation community in Wisconsin. Keep an eye out for new wildlife as the spring babies are born and enjoy the budding of all the beautiful plant life! Visit www.sugarcreekpreserve.com for a photo gallery tour.

Please contact Keefe Real Estate at 800.690.2292 for more information.

This picturesque conservation subdivision is centrally located on the south shore of Geneva Lake halfway between Fontana and Lake Geneva. With 120 acres of rolling hills, 75 acres of native wildflowers, four spring fed ponds, streams, and 9,000 feet of nature’s finest trails, Meadowview Estates is the perfect place to build your dream home. As an added bonus, a 160-acre township park is located next door. With quick, easy access to highways to both Chicago and Milwaukee, Meadowview Estates is an ideal location. From downtown Lake Geneva, follow Hwy 120 south to Highway BB, then west on South Lakeshore Drive. For more information, please contact Keefe Real Estate at 800.690.2292.