By Mark Sherry


When Jeff and Paula Wilkinson started looking for a new home in the Sheboygan area early last year, they checked out a spec home in Glenbeulah's Kettle Moraine Highlands.

They liked the home very much but, being smart home shoppers, they proceeded to check out 14 homes in Sheboygan alone, as well as other possibilities in Sheboygan Falls, Plymouth and Howards Grove.

Something kept bringing them back to Glenbeulah - a lot of some things, as a matter of fact.

One was the Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah School District where children Ashelie, 13, Brenna, 9, and Derric, 7, attend, and where Kyle, 4, someday will attend. They sat down with the elementary school principal and were impressed with what they heard. "It was a very can-do school," Jeff said. Paula added, "It has a very warm, friendly attitude."

Then there was the community of Glenbeulah itself. "It's the country feel but you have the security of neighbors," Paula said. Shortly after moving there they found themselves on the community's Harvest Fest Board. "That's what really broke us in." leff said.

Much to do in area
There is plenty to do in the area, too. Jeff is race fan and Road America is a short distance away. They have gone to Greenbush to go sledding, Elkhart Lake's beach to go swimming, Glenbeulah's mill-pond for fishing, and have started to explore the Kettle Moraine State Forest which is adjacent to Kettle Moraine Highlands.

Of course, their new home was pivotal in their decision to relocate to Glenbeulah so that Jeff could be close to his job at the Alliant Energy power plant in Sheboygan where he is an equipment operator.

There was little doubt that they would be happy with the home. Developers Tod Hellmann and Oyvind Solvang of Hillcrest Realtors/Developers/Builders have been putting up top-quality homes and working toward fulfilling their vison of an ideal country community for several years now. "We know we made the right decision," Jeff said about their move here from Waupaca. He and Paula said they especially like some of the unusual aspects of the home such as ledges near the ceilings for plants and knickknacks, a lighted built-in hutch near the front entrance, oak doors through- out the home, heating vents inside closets, and a large stonework area around the living room fireplace.

Very efficient home
Their residence is an Energy Star home, which makes it very efflcient to heat. Jeff said he was able to keep the thermostat about eight degrees lower in his new home compared to their place in Waupaca and still feel more comfortable. There is a ceiling fan and recessed lighting above the fireplace. "The home does have lots of storage," Jeff said about another feature. also pointing out the convenience of the first-floor laundry services and a separate first-floor bathroom for their children. "We've always wanted a bathroom just off our bedroom," Jeff said, and the couple generally has that one to themselves.

The kitchen is an open concept. again with recessed lighting. hickory cabinets and quality Kohler fixtures. The home came with a dishwasher and microwave. A split-level counter is perfect for entertaining, and Jeff said. "We've had many events here already."

A nicely decorated mudroom sits off a 2-1/2 car garage, which also has storage available above it.

Jeff and Paula Wilkinson and son Kyle, 4, sit next to the huge fireplace in their Kettle Moraine Highlands home in Glenbeulah. At right is a built-in, lighted hutch, one of several unusual features in the home.

Double-hung Pella windows are also used throughout the home, which has a spacious raised deck out back and a comfortable sitting porch in the front of the house. The Wilkinsons said they often sat on the front porch in summer, welcoming neighbors over as they strolled past. Paula said, "It's an awesome neighborhood. We have great neighbors." The couple pointed out that their new neighbors are former residents of places such as Cecil, Wisconsin Rapids, Green Bay and Sheboygan.

There are plenty of woods visible from the back deck, and Jeff said, "We were really looking forward to fall and the colors. We weren't disappointed." Deer and turkey have been seen in the fields which are adjacent to their home.

The Wilkinsons' basement is already comfortable, but in the near future they plan to take advantage of another new business spin-off from Solvang and Hellmann - a remodeling division. "We're really looking forward to getting this basement done, " Jeffsaid, pointing out that their growing children each will have their own bedroom.

Remodeling division started
Hellmann said it was his partner's idea to hire on an in-house team of four craftsmen to spearhead the remodeling division. Anyone interested in getting a quote on a remodeling project is invited to call (920) 526-3600.

The remodeling division is far from the only recent development at Hillcrest Realtors/Developers/Builders. As Phase I of Kettle Moraine Highlands nears completion, work is well underway on Phase II with six new homes slated to be started between now and April. "Phase II is really off to a good start," Hellmann said.

Hillcrest has also purchased several lots in the Rockville Subdivision of Kiel and will be constructing ranch-style spec homes on those lots. Hellmann said he hopes the homes spur more inquiries from people wanting Hillcrest to either build new homes there or elsewhere, either to the customer's specifications or turn-key. "Kiel is going to continue to be a strong area," Hellmann said.

Hillcrest also continues to take on new home building projects throughout the area. Its new in-house design service offers a very quick turn-around for home plans and modifications. The number of available plans also will be increasing soon, giving potential new homeowners 30 from which to choose. "That's been a selling tool for us, too," Hellmann said of the design service.

Last but certainly not least, Hillcrest has received further approvals toward beginning a new residential development in Plymouth with construction possibly starting by late spring. A contest will be conducted in conjunction with the Plymouth Piggly Wiggly store in which people will be asked to name the new development. The winner will receive $1,200 worth of groceries. Forms will be available at the Plymouth Piggly Wigglly, from the Kettle Moraine Highlands office in Glenbeulah, or at the website http://www.hillcrest-realty.com.