Grafton, WI

You don't have to spend an arm and a leg to make your house value go up.

1. A fresh coat of paint on the walls and ceiling will brighten any room costs less than $70. Make sure to use neutral colors and paint the trim in white for a more polished look.

2. By spending $250 on a home inspection, you will be able to determine what fixes need to be made to your home before you put it on the market. Since sellers typically ask for $2 off the asking price for every $1 in actual cost to repair or replace something, this $250 is a good investment.

3. Replace your old refrigerator, stove, dishwasher or washing machine with a new Energy-Star model. Not only will it save you on operating and energy costs, many utilities offer rebates for proof of purchasing an Energy-Star model appliance.

4. Replace those old, brass fixtures in your kitchen or bathroom with brushed nickel or oil rubbed bronze. You can install a brand new faucet, 10 drawer pulls and 10 knobs for less than $100. This will take your kitchen out of the 1980's and bring it into the 21st century. You may want to replace the light fixtures as well.

5. And, last, but not least, check out your landscaping. A nice, trim yard is a good start. But, it doesn't cost alot of money to add a few potted plants or trim your home in flowers. A first impression makes a lasting impression for buyers.

Making these quick and easy changes will impress buyers and increase the value of your home.

Blues lovers need to travel to Grafton September 19th and 20th for the annual Paramount Blues Festival. This festival honors all the fabulous artists that recorded music for Paramount Records in Grafton. The Grafton Blues Association has made it their goal to encourage involvement in the community and promote blues music and its history in school programs. The Blues Festival will help raise funds for its "Blues in Schools" programs, renovating the location where the Wisconsin Chair Factory once stood and the cost of producing its annual Paramount Blues Festival. This open air concert will host music by such artists as the 2008 Grafton Blues Challenge Winners Sue DaBaco & Wise Fools, Grammy winner David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Bryan Lee, Sharrie Williams, Elvin Bishop and 2007 festival favorite Zac Harmon. There will also be a guitar workshop for kids and adults as well as a Jug Band. Make sure to bring a chair or blanket to sit on, as rental chairs are limited. Food and drinks will be available for sale. Coolers, pets and all outside food and drinks are prohibited. Merchandise, such as T-shirts, CDs and posters, will be available for sale. Come out to Grafton and enjoy the blues!

Save your gas, encourage local agricultural production and shop for fresh, wholesome fruits and vegetables at the Grafton Farmers Market. Held at the Twin City Plaza lot every Thursday from 9am-6pm until October (as weather permits), the Farmers Market in Grafton offers locally grown fruits, vegetables, baked goods, plants and flowers. It's a great way to visit your neighbors and show support for our local farmers while helping reduce the use of fossil fuels by not having to ship produce in from outside sources. You can find corn, onions, peppers, squash, beets and zucchini at the market right now. But, as more crops mature throughout the summer months and into the fall, more produce will be available. For more information, please contact Nancy Hundt at 262-377-1650. Going to market has never been so fun!

All residents and visitors to the Grafton area are invited to shoot photographs they feel represent the look and feel of our great community during the week of August 1-7. Participants can choose to take photographs on just one day out of the week or a compilation of photographs taken on different days throughout the week. These photographs will be put together in an exhibit during Auckland Heritage Week at the Parnell Community Centre (September 15-30). After Heritage Week, these photos will be included in a permanent exhibit at the Auckland War Museum. The goal of "Shoot History Week" is to capture a unique individual perspective of the Grafton area. To download an entry form, please visit the Grafton Residents Association website.