Ozaukee & Washington County Real Estate

I don't ever remember walking along the beach or strolling around the quarry at Harrington Beach State Park in the middle of the winter. But this winter is different.

So far this year, we've had minimal snow and unusually warm temps. Today we made it into the 50s. Add bluer than blue skies, a breeze out of the west, and the golden sun, and you have the makings of the perfect day to play hooky from work.

So that's what I did -- at least for part of the day. I couldn't resist.

If you haven't been to Harrington you should take some time to visit. Located in Belgium, just 25 minutes or so north of Milwaukee, this state park offers year-round activities including camping, fishing, cross country skiing, and hiking.

This is the place we'd go to as kids for some summer fun, whether we biked there from home or drove down with the entire family piled into our old green Dodge on a  Sunday afternoon.

No matter the season, there is awe everywhere you look. It's the perfect place to go when you want to play hooky for the day.

Fall has definitely made its presence known here in Grafton with the chillier temps and changing colors. It also means it's time for Grafton's Annual Pumpkin Fest. So take some time the weekend of October 6-8 to enjoy the many activities! Admission is free.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6
5:30-7:30 pm Scarecrow building in the Paramount Plaza.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7
6:00 pm Food, beverages and a performance by Loo$e Change.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8
8:00-11:00 am Grafton Lions Club Pancake Breakfast at the Zaun Pavilion in Lime Kiln Park

10:00 am-1:00 pm Family scavenger walk in Paramount Plaza

10:00 am-4:00 pm Art show in Paramount Plaza

10:30 am-Noon & 1:30-3:00 pm North Shore Academy of the Arts in Paramount Plaza

10:30 am-2:30 pm Pumpkin Cross Cycle Race in Lime Kiln Park

11:00 am-1:00 pm Pumpkin carving demonstration in Paramount Plaza

11:00 am-4:00 pm Chalk walk, children's activity area, bake sale, farmers market

Noon-2:00 pm Pumpkin seed spitting contest at Grafton Village Center

1:00-3:00 pm Bingo at Paramount Grille and Bakehouse

3:00-9:00 pm Pig roast, hay rides, live music, food/beverages in Lime Kiln Park

7:00-9:00 pm Community bonfire and sing-along in Lime Kiln Park

This event is sponsored by Aurora Healthcare and presented by Celebrate Grafton. If you'd like more information, check out celebrategrafton.com.

It's that time of year again!! You know what I'm talking about -- Thanksgiving is just around the corner and just a month later, we'll be celebrating the holiest of all days, Christmas. It is the season of giving and being with family and friends.

Each year Cedarburg offers the opportunity to stroll through Cedar Creek Settlement past normal business hours five Fridays between Thanksgiving and Christmas. So come to Cedarburg one, two or all five festive Fridays and enjoy the fellowship from 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm.

Friday, November 19, "Blue Christmas...Back to the 50's" -- Featuring the Mary Del Rae Duo, The 4 of Hearts, and Lakeshore Dance students. There will also be a hula hoop contest with prizes, and scenery from the 50's. Complimentary cookies and cider, and an outdoor cookout by The Hub.

Friday, November 26, "Home for the Holidays" -- What a great way to extend the holiday weekend -- join us for "make it and take it" projects. (No charge!) Irish singer/musician Derek Byrne. Patty Ehlers Peterson (from Larry's Market) will present Easy Entertaining for the Holidays. Complimentary cookies and cider, and an outdoor cookout by The Hub.

Friday, December 3, "Christmas in the Country" -- This is a nationally recognized Christmas boutique featuring Midwestern folk artists and Christmas artists. The Cedarburg Choral Singers will also be performing this evneing. (The show/sale runs December 3-5, and admission if $3.00.) Complimentary cookies and cider, and an outdoor cookout by The Hub.

Friday, December 10, "Santa's Workshop" -- Tonight is for the kids! Visit with Santa in his winter wonderland. David HB Drake will be performing "Songs of the Season," and there will be children's holiday pottery craft and cookie decorating (no charge!). Also free face painting! Wine tasting, too, for the adults.

Friday, December 17, "A Taste of Christmas" -- And now it's the adults' turn. Shop in a relaxing atmosphere. Complimentary munchies and wine tasting available, and live music with the Vic DiCristo/Tony Corenc Duo, the Grafton High School Choral Singers and Premiere (Sweet Adeline's). This is also the evening for the Food Drive for Family Sharing of Ozaukee County. Outdoor cookout by The Hub.

The changing colors outside and the chillier temps remind us that summer is behind and autumn is upon us. And that means Halloween must be just around the corner.

Below is a list of trick or treat times for Ozaukee or Washington county communities. And remember -- be safe! (All dates are Sunday, October 31 unless otherwise noted.)

OZAUKEE COUNTY

Belgium 4:00 pm--7:00 pm
Cedarburg  5:00 pm--8:00 pm
Fredonia  Saturday, October 30 4:00 pm--7:00 pm
Grafton  4:00 pm-- 7:00 pm
Mequon  4:00 pm--7:00 pm
Port Washington  4:00 pm--7:00 pm
Saukville  4:00 pm--7:00 pm

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Germantown  1:00 pm--4:00 pm
Jackson  5:30 pm--7:30 pm
Hartford  6:00 pm--8:00 pm
Kewaskum  Saturday, October 30  5:00 pm--7:00 pm
Slinger  Saturday, October 30  5:00 pm--7:00 pm
Richfield  Saturday, October 30 3:00 pm--6:00 pm
West Bend  4:00 pm--6:00 pm

Looking for a relaxing way to spend a few hours enjoying the Wisconsin autumn? Take a trip to Cedarburg the weekend of September 18 and 19 for their annual Wine and Harvest Festival.

The festival runs from 10:00 am-6:00 pm on Saturday and
10:00 am-5:00 pm on Sunday, and there is no admission fee! Here is just a sample of the fun that awaits you:

• Food! Enjoy corn on the cob, caramel apple, pie, apple cider, hamburgers, brats, turkey legs and more!
• Farmer's Market offers home-grown fruits and vegetables, and plants.
• Cedar Creek Wine abounds at the Cedar Creek Winery.
• Enjoy a variety of music including bluegrass, folk, and rock 'n' roll.
• Take a hayride!
• Check out the hand-made scarecrows throughout downtown.
• Arts and crafts, arts and crafts and more arts and crafts!
• Henry's Kids Korner offers lots of activities for the youngest attendees.
• Grape spitting and apple bobbing contests.

Cedarburg is located about 15 minutes north of Milwaukee. Be sure to mark this on your calendar and take some time for small town fun.