It's possible you haven't heard of the small village of Ontario Wisconsin, population 475. If so, it is an outdoor recreational heaven and the destination for canoeing enthusiasts. Thousands flock here each summer to enjoy an outing on the meandering Kickapoo River. Bring their own canoes and kayaks or renting them from the outfitters, it is an everyday site, during the summer season to see old school buses shuttling dozens of happy, singing, canoeist customers back to town after a day of paddling down the stream. The town has an old frontier-like flavor about it; horse lovers will also be in paradise here. The Village borders Wildcat Mountain State Park, which has many miles of horseback riding trails. These trails wind throughout the 5600 acres of hilly and wooded scenery. There is a special campground in the park where you can camp out with your horses at the trails edge. These sites are coveted, very popular and book up fast. 
Besides horses and the canoeing, there are many Amish living nearby this community. The countryside surrounding Ontario has the largest and oldest rural population of Amish in Vernon County. Their settlement spans from the north end of Ontario all the way to Cashton along highway 33. If you travel this road you can explore Amish bakeries, quilt shops, and bent hickory furniture stores, which are open to the public.




Are you searching for homes to buy in Ontario or Vernon County Wisconsin call Mary Strang at therteam.com
RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599
I would guess some would look at the picture and wonder just why would that be my favorite tree? Certainly, the big bend in the trunk is one reason why. As you drive by, it just catches your eye. Also, I guess because I have gone past it for so many years, at least 20 years to be exact. I will sometimes go out of my way to pass by it, making sure it's still standing. Actually, today I noticed for the first time, it's roots are becoming more exposed and it is growing too close to the edge of the road. When I first saw this tree, I imagined that maybe Indian scout's bent the tree's trunk to mark a trail home. More likely it was something simple like being struck by lightning that cause its bent trunk. I don't really know how it got its shape, but what I do know is that it has become a friend along this country road.
Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County Wisconsin contact: Mary Strang at therteam.com
RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599
One of the smaller scenic river towns, which I know quite well, is the Village of La Farge. This quaint little town has a population of approximately 775 people and was incorporated in 1899. Originally named Seeleyburg, the village had its business area located along Plum Run Road. That road name was changed a few years ago to Seeleyburg Road, in memory of the past town's location. Since the location along the banks of the Kickapoo River was prone to numerous floods, it necessitated a move up to higher ground. So with the move the town name was also changed to La Farge. No one that I have ever asked can recall for sure, why or how the new name came to be. In any event, this little town is a very friendly place and was even the location of my very first realty office. Formerly, Mary Norris Realty, which I opened in the fall of 1993.
If you have the opportunity to visit La Farge, you'll
find many places and things to explore. For one, town is located on the southern tip of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. This is a well-known recreational state park. It has approximately 8600 acres of wooded wilderness land. Loved by canoeist, hunters and horse back riders, the park has more than 27 miles of trails to ride and the Kickapoo River meanders it way right through the center of the park land. It is worth reading the LaFarge Dam Project page on the Reserve's site. At the time I was first opening up my
realty office, Organic Valley was also starting up in LaFarge. Back then, this now nationally known company was just a small group of hippie farmers. Known as CROPP, they had a dream, they purchased their first building, the old LaFarge Cheese Factory for only $20,000, and grew and grew bringing into our area a new wave of youthful organic devoted employees and organic farm family members.
Housing in this town, is very affordable and can be found in a price range, as low as, $52000 to the higher end of $152000. The Village has a K to 12 school, a full medical center, 2 bars and 2 cafes, a grocery store and a bank! LaFarge is also well known for their 4th of July celebration, and Main Street Parade.




Are you searching for homes to buy in LaFarge or Vernon County Wisconsin call Mary Strang at therteam.com
RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599

S3147 Prairie Edge Road
Westby, WI 54667-8235
Asking Price is: $249,900
Sweeping Lawns and towering trees surround this sizeable 4 bedroom 2 full bath home on 9 acres. Nicely set back off of the township road, guests are welcomed at the roomy screened-in front sun porch and by the attractive landscaping.
Large spacious rooms of this original foursquare home, mostly likely built sometime around 1920, will impress the most discerning buyers. The dining room has the original hardwood floors and a Mission Style built-in China Hutch with leaded glass doors. The Master Bedroom is privately tucked off to one side of the huge living room, giving seclusion and privacy. The homes 2nd floor has been totally re-dry walled adding new windows, electric and bath fixtures. There is a large country eat-in Kitchen, with a walkout deck accessed by sliding doors. There are several large sheds for storage and a detached 2 car garage.
Open House on Sunday, 4/27/08 from 2 P.M. to 3:30 P.M.
Are you searching for homes to buy in Westby or Vernon County Wisconsin call Mary Strang at therteam.com
RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599
Saturday night while I was out at our golf club, attending a surprise birthday party for a friend, many of the guests kept telling me congratulations too! Since it was not my birthday, I was wondering why? Several of those, I have not seen most of the winter told me they saw that sold sign go up on my listing over on Washington St. I was taken back by this and very surprised because I had not yet place a sold sign there. It is not yet sold. It does have an accepted offer, but it's not closed.
This particular property has been a real challenge, as it is a double wide-mobile home located within the city limits. This is unusual, as there are only a few in town. Like most cities, you have to have most manufactured homes located within a mobile home park. This particular home has been sitting empty for almost 2 years. Then, hooray, finally a newbie agent from another office in town, has brought in a buyer. The property has been very hard to finance because of the condition. It has had tons of showing and everyone in our office is really tired of showing the home then only to hear time and again, that no one can get financed on it. So it is great to get this office. I would never, of course, place a sold sign up when we only have an accepted offer. I need to see the loan documents arrive then get to the closing table, then place the sold sign when it is really sold.
So now the mystery is WHO DONE IT... wondering would the newbie agent be that extra dumb to place this cheesy paper sold sign, mounted with duct tape on to my yard sign? Could it be the buyer? He just could not contain himself at the joys of future home ownership? I don't wish to get all uptight about it, but really, don't you think, duct taping a sold sign on someone else's yard sign is just wrong? I drove over on Sunday morning and tore it off; I do plan to ask this agent, in a nice way. If she did do this; she most likely won't fess up.
Are you searching for homes to buy in Viroqua or Vernon County call Mary Strang at therteam.com
RE/MAX Hill Country Realty 608-637-3599
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