Nice, kind people can make an important difference in your life.
I've come to discover that Monroe is full of nice, kind people.
When my wife and I stopped in Monroe in October of 2016 to look over the community, we drove right to the Square.
The weather was beautiful. We got out of the car and a sign told us Monroe was a Wisconsin Main Street City. To me that was a feather in the city's cap. I had previous experience with Wisconsin's Main Street program. I knew that member-cities of this organization were truly interested in being progressive, serving their residents and improving the business climate of family businesses.
I called the telephone number on the sign and was connected with a man who was working at a business on the Square, filling in for the Main Street director, who was on vacation.
I explained that I needed information on a local real estate dealer. Lucky for me, he said, I happened to be standing one-half block away from FirstWeber. I'm sure there are plenty of wonderful real estate businesses throughout the area. It just so happened I was basically at FirstWeber's front door.
My wife and I walked down the block and shortly thereafter Jeff Maliszewski came in. We talked real estate and it was clear I wouldn't be buying a house for a while. The real estate market in Monroe carries homes sometimes for only a day. The housing market from where we were leaving had a three-month average.
Still, I would need some place to live in Monroe. Jeff eventually helped with his local residential rental business.
We left FirstWeber with information in hand and continued to tour the city's Square. Monroe was beautiful in the October afternoon sun. The music piped downtown was soothing.
Was I born to live in Monroe? I can't answer that question yet, but my favorite food is, and has always been, cheese.
Naturally, I had heard of Baumgartner's. My wife and I had to stop there. I had a Limburger and onion sandwich and she had a piece of cheesecake.
We walked around the Square. I appreciated the people: Most had a smile and said "hello."
Wisconsin is full of friendly places. Monroe, seemingly, was on an unwavering mission to make me, a stranger, feel welcome. Ultimately, Monroe made me a resident.
First impressions are important.
Monroe, as a city, has paid attention to first impressions.
Natives don't often worry about first impressions. After all, they're just living their lives here.
I had a fun experience just before Christmas.
I did my shopping on the Square.
I was at Luecke's Diamond Center on a Friday night watching a husband and wife shop.
She looked at many things.
He stood with his hands in his pockets.
She pointed out items and talked to clerks.
He looked annoyed.
After 15 minutes, she asked him if he wanted to look at a diamond pendant.
He said, "Honey, you can get what you want as long as it doesn't cut into my beer-drinking time."
She smiled.
I tip my cap to you, Monroe.
- Matt Johnson is publisher of the Monroe Times. His column is published Wednesdays.
I've come to discover that Monroe is full of nice, kind people.
When my wife and I stopped in Monroe in October of 2016 to look over the community, we drove right to the Square.
The weather was beautiful. We got out of the car and a sign told us Monroe was a Wisconsin Main Street City. To me that was a feather in the city's cap. I had previous experience with Wisconsin's Main Street program. I knew that member-cities of this organization were truly interested in being progressive, serving their residents and improving the business climate of family businesses.
I called the telephone number on the sign and was connected with a man who was working at a business on the Square, filling in for the Main Street director, who was on vacation.
I explained that I needed information on a local real estate dealer. Lucky for me, he said, I happened to be standing one-half block away from FirstWeber. I'm sure there are plenty of wonderful real estate businesses throughout the area. It just so happened I was basically at FirstWeber's front door.
My wife and I walked down the block and shortly thereafter Jeff Maliszewski came in. We talked real estate and it was clear I wouldn't be buying a house for a while. The real estate market in Monroe carries homes sometimes for only a day. The housing market from where we were leaving had a three-month average.
Still, I would need some place to live in Monroe. Jeff eventually helped with his local residential rental business.
We left FirstWeber with information in hand and continued to tour the city's Square. Monroe was beautiful in the October afternoon sun. The music piped downtown was soothing.
Was I born to live in Monroe? I can't answer that question yet, but my favorite food is, and has always been, cheese.
Naturally, I had heard of Baumgartner's. My wife and I had to stop there. I had a Limburger and onion sandwich and she had a piece of cheesecake.
We walked around the Square. I appreciated the people: Most had a smile and said "hello."
Wisconsin is full of friendly places. Monroe, seemingly, was on an unwavering mission to make me, a stranger, feel welcome. Ultimately, Monroe made me a resident.
First impressions are important.
Monroe, as a city, has paid attention to first impressions.
Natives don't often worry about first impressions. After all, they're just living their lives here.
I had a fun experience just before Christmas.
I did my shopping on the Square.
I was at Luecke's Diamond Center on a Friday night watching a husband and wife shop.
She looked at many things.
He stood with his hands in his pockets.
She pointed out items and talked to clerks.
He looked annoyed.
After 15 minutes, she asked him if he wanted to look at a diamond pendant.
He said, "Honey, you can get what you want as long as it doesn't cut into my beer-drinking time."
She smiled.
I tip my cap to you, Monroe.
- Matt Johnson is publisher of the Monroe Times. His column is published Wednesdays.
