Unwind February 2020

1 7. 2 4 S Q . M I L E S / / M A D I S O N ’ S F O U R L A K E S

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a n o te f ro m th e Sp ri nkman s

Photo by Martin Menocal

My family has lived on Lake Mendota for over 20 years and we treasure lake life in every season. However, watching the winter glaze melt away and all the vibrant wildlife and greenery awaken is truly a sight to see! Don’t just take my word for it. Our long-time friends and clients - the Hussin Family - have enjoyed living on the lake since 2009. Check out their favorite lake activities through the seasons on p. 4.

SP RIN G IS N E AR Can you hear it? As I drive along the Isthmus, winding through bustling downtown Madison, I catch the pops and cracks of ice thawing over Lake Monona—the first calls of spring!

Our lakes are an essential part of Madison and we understand the importance of taking care of them. Since 2012, we’ve been partnering with the Clean Lakes Alliance (CLA), in suppport of this cause. Page 7 illustrates CLA’s latest efforts to help preserve our beautiful waterways.

I had a blast chatting with local lake historian and fellow sailor, Don Sanford, for this issue. His passion for our Madison lakes and his innate gift of storytelling make it easy to listen to him for hours!

Take a look at p. 8 to discover his favorite lake spots.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Unwind!

Trey Sprinkman, Lake Owner + SRE Principal

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l ake exp e r ts

SRE LAKE EXPERTS since 1999

WE KNOW THE LAKES

L A K E M E N D OTA

119 units sold over $130,000,000 on Lake Mendota

LAKE MONONA

30 units sold over $19,000,000 on Lake Monona 32 units sold over $20,000,000 on Lake Waubesa

LAKE WAUBESA

EXPERIENCE YOU CAN TRUST

LAKE KEGONSA

Photos by Kenton Fowler

2019 SRE Lake Team Solds SRE Lake Team Active Listings

SprinkmanRealEstate.com/Lakes

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neighb or sp o t l ig h t

Lake Home Sold By Sprinkman Real Estate

Th e Hussins Unwind sat down with Jen Hussin to discover why she and her family are in love with lake living. “Ten years after we purchased our home with Shelly, a client of hers brought out a beautiful coffee table book—and Shelly instantly recognized our home in its pages. Shelly explained the significance of the book to her client, who graciously gifted it to us. I was as touched as I was impressed by Shelly’s dedication to her clients. The expertise and service of Sprinkman Real Estate is second to none.”

Historical leather-bound book of Hussin home, circa 1953.

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credible wildlife watching.

Eagles are active; swans are trumpeting, and foxes are dancing on the ice. You can’t believe what you see just minutes from the Capitol Square.

Photos by Martin Menocal

Which room in the house has the best lake view?

What do you love most about lake living?

The summer, the sunsets, and the lake breezes make the top of our list. Our “happy place” is sitting on the patio, inches from the water, sipping a cocktail and watching the sunset.

What is your favorite lake activity (Summer + Winter)?

We enjoy spending time by and on the water. Our favorite summer activity has to be boating.

In winter, the lake turns into an amazing public park, with in-

Nearly every room in our house has a magnificent view of the lake! However, three of our four bedrooms have lake views and there is no better way to start your day than viewing the serenity of our beautiful lake.

What do you love most about the history of your home?

Our home was built by the Frautschi family as their retirement home. They invested in architectural details that you don’t see in new construction, such as detailed plaster crown molding and curved walls. There are also a lot of cool art deco fixtures that have withstood the test of time-light fixtures; cabinet hardware; and even marble countertops that are nearly identical to the kitchen countertops we just installed. Unlike many older lake homes, the house was built for entertaining and taking full advantage of the lake. In addition, the main floor master bedroom means that we can live in our house for the duration. I always joke with Chris that they are going to take me out of this house “feet first.”

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LOVE THE LIFE COBALT

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COBALT 220S

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a l e tter f ro m o ur lake p ar tn e r

PROTECTING MADISON’S LAKES STARTS BY PROTECTING THE LAND. For Lake Mendota, one of the most important pieces of land is Pheasant Branch Conservancy. The Conservancy is a natural area in Dane County managed by the county and local municipalities.

Last year, Dane County purchased a 160-acre farm directly north of the Conservancy for $10 million, nearly doubling its size!

After this purchase, Alliant Energy announced it was committing a $100,000 challenge grant to Clean Lakes Alliance’s Protect, Restore, Preserve Fund.

This fund focuses on strategic land purchases to protect areas that impact water quality. Clean Lakes Alliance will restore those lands to improve our lakes for future generations. This will be accomplished through programs like Renew the Blue Volunteer Days.

Clean Lakes Alliance continues to look for ways to reduce algae-causing phosphorus from entering Madison’s lakes. Alliant Energy’s $100,000 gift will be combined with funds raised through the Challenge Grant.

Funds will go directly toward restoration efforts of Dane County’s newly acquired land. By restoring agricultural lands, such as the land adjacent to Pheasant Branch Conservancy, we can increase infiltration and therefore improve the water quality in our lakes.

This year, the Protect, Restore, Preserve Fund has a fundraising goal of $200,000. Clean Lakes Alliance is calling on the community to join Alliant Energy in this Challenge Grant.

Working together to protect, restore, and preserve this land will have tremendous benefits for our watershed.

In addition to Clean Lakes Alliance and Alliant Energy, The Nature Conservancy, will help fund wetland restoration in the new part of Pheasant Branch Conservancy. A Meringoff Family Foundation grant will fund the wetland restoration.

Learn more at CleanLakesAlliance.org 7

h istor y sp o t lig h t

Interview By Jake Leskovar

L a ke H i s tor i a n Don Sanford, born and raised just outside of Syracuse, New York, made his move to Madison in 1976 for a position at Wisconsin Public Television and never left. Don grew up on a lake and fell in love with how water provides organic adventure. Upon his arrival in Madison so many years ago, Don quickly grew to love the lakes that define Madison. Don has been involved in many projects over the years, most notably the grand opening of the Monona Terrace in 1997. Don acted as production manager for the various opening events.

How do you think the lakes in Madison play a role in the desire to live here?

It’s hard to ignore our lakes. I don’t think it’s possible to travel from one side of Madison to the other without seeing one of them. So visually, they offer an incredible treat for the eyes. There’s a recreation opportunity in every season, whether it’s sailing, paddling, fishing, iceboating, skating, skiing or swimming.

You can have all kinds of fun afloat here in all kinds of conditions.

Do you have a favorite lake or lake destination?

I like to visit the “Mendota Triangle” late at night. It’s a solitary place between Picnic Point and Maple Bluff. In one direction you can take in the view of the Capitol and the lights of Madison. In the other, looking towards Waunakee, it’s almost pitch black. If you’re lucky, you’ll be there just as the moon rises over the Isthmus.

UW Madison summer session students gather at Merrill Springs on Lake Mendota, 1910.

Wisconsin Histo

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rical Society

Photo of Lake Mendota By Jake Rostermundt

MERRIL SPRINGS HISTORICAL LOCATION

Photo of Don Sanford by Martin Menocal

How do you see the lakes developing in the future as the Madison population continues to grow?

Fortunately, our forefathers had the wisdom to create public lands on large sections of lakeshore on each of our four lakes.

This set the stage for those who came later like, James Marshall, George Burrows, F. J. Sensenbrenner, Michael Olbrich, Fred Risser, Jerry Frautschi and Hank Lufler. They knew we’d need some “breathing room” and took steps to create it. I think that we’re quite unique in that respect, that these bodies of water so close to a large metropolitan area, have so much public land. It gives us all some space.

What was your best discovery when writing your book?

Mendota Triangle

ON FOURTH LAKE Don’s 2003 book On Fourth Lake: A Social History of Lake Mendota takes its readers on a journey around Lake Mendota and dives into the rich history and culture that it has provided the Madison community for centuries.

I learned that anyone who has grown up on a lake has been imprinted by it and it only takes the slightest nudge to send us time traveling back to the day when we won a sailboat race, caught a big fish, survived a storm, swam from one side to the other or just watched an amazing sunset. A lake is a magical place that teaches us something every day.

Buy the book at LakeMendotaHistory.com 9

availa bl e la ke dwel l i n gs

615 Farwell Dr Lake Mendota —$2,995,000

5779 Kupfer Rd Lake Mendota —$1,200,000

5227 Harbor Ct Lake Mendota —$675,000

1984 Barber Dr Lake Kegonsa —$599,000

Waubesa Shores Condos Lake Waubesa Unit 102—$465,000

Hanson’s Landing Lake Mendota —Coming Soon!

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le t’s c on n e c t

Have a que s tion? Ju s t ask!

We’re here for you as your local lake resource.

Do I Need Flood Insurance?

Did you know most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage? According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), if a property is located in an area with even low or moderate flood risk, it is five times more likely to experience a flood over a fire in the next 30 years. For many, a National Flood Insurance Program’s flood insurance policy could cost less than $400 per year.

Wondering if your home or a property you’re interested in requires flood insurance?

Visit msc.fema.gov/portal/search to learn more.

SOLD Madison’s #1 Lake Sales Team R E A L E S TAT E

Shelly Sprinkman Broker + Principal (608) 220.1453 shelly@sprinkmanrealestate.com

Thinking of selling your lake home?

Call SRE to see how you can be featured in our next issue!

Trey Sprinkman Realtor + Principal (608) 354.4000 trey@sprinkmanrealestate.com Julie Bernauer Broker + Principal (608) 219.6492 julie@sprinkmanrealestate.com

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