A Changing Demographic

Spring and summer in Wisconsin's Northwoods real estate market were busy, with many listings and sales too. It was a fun time to try out expanded social media marketing, to get active on Zillow again, and to take new pictures and videos -- all the while keeping the person-to-person contact and friendships with sellers and buyers we believe set Headwaters Real Estate [and Presque Isle] apart. With this quick pace, I find the broader changes we are traversing through become less visible. Now however, comes the time to relax a little and reflect... and what we are seeing is exciting.

We see people new to the area (most with primary residences within a day's drive) buying vacation homes and cabins, many with families. And there is a return of people once connected to the area in their youth, and now finding their way back. New, active retirees are choosing to move to the Northwoods year-round. We are seeing less of passing the family home/cabin along the generations, and instead younger families appear to be staying closer to home and waiting for a future opportunity for a second home. It's been so much fun meeting so many new people this summer, and also connecting with faces I remember as young children! How time does fly...

Reflecting on time, people, and place has led me to a renewed appreciation and interest in Presque Isle's history... it sure is a rich one! Recently our genealogy group put together a cemetery walk, visiting the grave sites of six people with amazing stories about their way of life from the early 1900s. From
logging barons, to a blind couple raising children without electricity (and keeping a pristine home), to a double-murder in the woods -- these stories were uniquely brought back to life by area actors and actresses. I hope they repeat this offering again, as it was a really interesting evening!

And so I find that after 40 years in Presque Isle, there is still (and always will be), much more that this little Town and its people -- new and old alike -- have to teach me.

Service and Sacrifice in Small-Town USA

In mid-May during Emergency Medical Service Appreciation Week, I attended a social hour at the Last Wilderness Cafe, hosted by the Presque Isle EMS. We mingled a bit, and then heard from volunteers about why they serve. The reasons varied, with each no less moving
than the other. It was because of mentors, love of community, personal experiences, sense of duty, and faith. We live 35 minutes from the nearest hospital, but our EMS's dedication leaves us with a sense of security. They are a well-trained, committed, calm, and amazing group of people that we are lucky to have. 

Survivor Denny Brietholtz thanks our EMS.

We heard from survivors expressing an immense sense of gratitude, and leaving not a dry eye in the room. The evening ended with a blessing from Friar Michael Hayden of our local church, who also espouses a life of service. 

This weekend is Memorial Day, a reminder to honor our veterans, those who sacrificed their lives, and those now protecting our nation and freedom. Our American Legion Post #480 is fundraising to set up a Wilderness Veterans Memorial; and the community has embraced their vision. According to the website, the Memorial has three purposes:

• Recognition of all six branches of military service
• Summarization of all historical conflicts in which our country has participated
• Enshrinement of individual service men and women

The site is located in a peaceful and pristine northwoods setting. The peninsula on which the memorial will be located extends into our historic rearing ponds, which are surrounded by a forested park and walking paths.

All communities have individuals like these above, that give, serve and sacrifice. But somehow, in Presque Isle, in small-town America, it feels bigger. I'm thankful, always to call this place my forever home. Thank you and God Bless.

A Family Moves to the Northwoods

Establishing family values may find you considering things such as safety, education, culture, nature, religion, sense of community, recreation, or more internal values such as integrity, hard work, tolerance, love and respect. Whatever your process and outcome, what may follow are decisions and actions to nurture these values. One being, your family's decision about where to live.

When our family first started off, we lived in Chicago. After kids, we made the decision to move to the Northwoods.... from a lawyer in Chicago to resort owners in little 'ole Presque Isle! In addition to the resort, we did what many in the Northwoods do, and sought out additional ways to make a living and be an integral part of our new community -- including running a restaurant and starting up a real estate/law office.

I now find myself ever thankful that all three of my children (after college and stints living elsewhere) made it back to the Northwoods and are choosing to raise their families in Presque Isle. They are doing it their way, with their own sets of values, and each having established a unique community fit. During the summer, I am fortunate to do a weekly "Grandma Day" with my seven grandkids and explore everything from waterfalls to carwashes. The kids are getting older and busier now, ranging in age from 7 to 17. I can only hope the memories we make will last, and that our experiences together may be a small piece of what they value as they grow up and move on. And maybe, just maybe, some of these crazy-amazing kids will eventually find their way back to Presque Isle, too.

Are you interested in a possible move to Presque Isle? We have a number of affordable listings and great starter homes for families. Feel more than welcome to contact me anytime.

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Peggy Johnson Wiessner is a Broker/Associate (former owner) at 

Headwaters Real Estate in Presque Isle, Wisconsin.

A [Syrup-y] Sweet Goodbye to Winter

Cal and kiddos tapping "The Bomber."

March did not come in like a lion this year, so maybe it will go out like one! Time will tell... Our snowmobile trails are closed as of 3/11/16; and we are seeing sunshine and spring-like temps. A few people are still skiing and snowshoeing, and downhill should go on for at least a couple more weeks. And luckily, we have the sugaring season that so many look forward to in the Northwoods. Despite the exceptionally warm days (multiple days in the 50's) and nights (30's), there are still quite a few nights in the 15-day forecast where we will be below freezing -- as these cold nights and warmer days are when the sap really runs.

Adam's set-up from 2015.

We're blessed with a plethora of maple trees in Presque Isle; whether sandy or clay-like soil... the maples aren't picky. My son Adam has tapped and made syrup for the last couple of years on the shores of Katinka Lake; he says it takes about 50 gallons of sap to end up with 1 gallon of syrup. This year my son Cal and his family are trying it out too, in the more sandy soils outside of Presque Isle Lake. They both have small start-ups, with a dozen taps for Cal and 20+ for Adam. It's fun to hear and see how they each do it, both keeping their kids involved from the naming of trees with contests for the greatest producer to the entire process -- from setup to collection, boiling over an open fire, and storage.


How very lucky we are to live here... To love and be by family and friends... And to embrace the seasons and the shift from Old Man Winter to Sugary-Sweet Spring. I trust I'll be left with a few samples to share with you at the office this summer. Drop by often!

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Peggy Johnson Wiessner is a Broker/Associate (former owner) at 

Headwaters Real Estate in Presque Isle, Wisconsin.

Defining Koselig (kush-lee) - From Norway to the Northwoods

With winters that stretch from November and into April, many (including those of us here) wonder how the spirit remains strong and motivated despite the cold. Well... we certainly stay busy. From work to community events to hockey and other family gatherings; from snowmobiling to skiing; and book clubs to town meetings. The short days are not quite long enough!

But our winters are about more than keeping busy. Because we don't just survive our winters, we enjoy them! In a recent article in Vogue of all places, there is the introduction and explanation of a Norweigan word the author suggests we don't really have a proper translation for: koselig (pronounced kush-lee), although she loosely translates it as "cozy."  She further goes on to explain the term as far richer than cozy: it is "an inner warmth; intimacy; a home-cooked meal; candlelight" and can be seen in hand-knit socks and sweaters awaiting guests' arrival, in bars that provide blankets and heated floors, and in gatherings featuring warming foods, radiant lighting, flowing wine, and strong coffee. She also quickly realized that what encompassed the term koselig did not define ways to cope with winter... but instead ways to embrace winter.

Recently, at Presque Isle's Winter Party, I ran into a handful of soon-to-retire couples with second homes in Presque Isle, excited about a move to year-round residency. When asked about the long winter, their eyes lit up. They, like the rest of us year-rounders, were ready to embrace winter and to be a part of defining a Northwoods way of koselig.

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Peggy Johnson Wiessner is a Broker/Associate (former owner) at 

Headwaters Real Estate in Presque Isle, Wisconsin.

Bringing Community Together: Through Gardening!

This past summer, the Town of Presque Isle approved a new project and location for a set of community gardens. The location is perfect, right next to the library in a natural gathering spot with lots of sun, water, and parking. This spot is part of a larger community hub -- with library, fire station, walk-through flower gardens, heritage center, playground, nature trail, and baseball field (with new outdoor lights in memory of a great Presque Isle friend and community member, Gary Wallace). Lots goes on here, including youth and adult sports, club and town meetings, Mahjong, book clubs, ping pong, yoga and fitness classes, author readings, art classes and shows, and more.

There were 25 garden plots up for adoption for 2016 (all were quickly adopted). The group spearheading this has a mission to "promote healthy eating, gardening, and social connection in our community." There are individuals, couples, and families from grandparents to young children who will be manning their plots. Further yet, plans are in the works to build or develop something within the gardens that engages youth in an interactive way.

To keep up to date on this, you can find the group on Facebook. To keep up to date on all things Presque Isle, I encourage you to check out our Chamber on FB or the Web. Soon, I hope to share with you updates on another venture gaining momentum -- a paved & connected bike trail! 

Just goes to show... there's never a dull moment, even in little 'ole P.I.!

#NationalGratitudeMonth

This month is the first official National Gratitude Month, being recognized in the U.S. and Canada. Gratitude, they say, is more than being thankful. It is intentionally bringing to mind, and drawing in a sense of appreciation, for something specific. This is a good time to practice since it's one of the tougher weather months in the Northwoods... the in-between month. But it's also the month we celebrate heroes and freedom, and a little later on... food, families, tradition, and community. This is also a time of few visitors. The locals that have been so busy as hosts to a flurry of guests for the past many months, now take a breather and enjoy a little time to themselves, or maybe take the time to get out a bit more.

Presque Isle feels different at this time, perhaps more than any other throughout the year. We feel it's name "almost an island" - a little isolated yet with an open road to always meet with others. We take the time to see our neighbors and family in a different way, in a way filled with a little more appreciation for what each person brings to our caring community.

As for me, the last bit of November 2015 will be much different than past years. Bill and I have been hit with the travel bug, and are gearing up for a visit to the Amazon River & Rainforest - a place where more than one-third of all of the known species can be found, including the anaconda! My grandkids tell me the legend is there is one nearly the length of a football field... it's "true," they saw it on YouTube. And while I may not be so enlightened as to be grateful for snakes, I am grateful for innocent beliefs, travel, community, home, and family... and the even the in-between month of November. Happy #NationalGratitudeMonth!