Lake Geneva Il

Generals seek playoffs in first year

IF YOU GO - What: Lake Geneva Generals season opener vs. Joliet (Ill.) Buccaneers When: Saturday, 7 p.m. Where: Williams Bay High School, 500 W. Geneva St. Cost: $7 adults, $5 kids - The game ball will be parachuted in from an old military plane. Also, Williams Bay Village President John Marra will do the coin toss. There will be a bouncy house for kids. Williams Bay — When Derek and Jeni Diehl heard of the May 22 devastation caused by a tornado that ripped through Joplin, Mo. and killed 139 people, it weighed heavily on their hearts.

Derek, the owner and head coach of the Lake Geneva Generals, Jeni, and six members of the team made the trip down on Memorial Day weekend to help out. Thanks to some social networking, Jeni was able to muster up donations of everything from food for victims and gas to an RV to take down to Joplin. The Generals were able to unload trucks, give bulk food to a Christian center and build relationships. For Derek, it was an amazing experience.

"We helped a couple brothers found 11 days after the tornado still stranded in the basement," he said. "Half the community was wiped out, and they didn't have a place to eat. Now some people down there want to come up for a game. When there's a crisis, we really stick together as Americans. Lake Geneva and Burlington were a big part of that. It shows the support we have. The Generals are doers. We'll help out in the community."

Derek would like to show the community that same support with wins on the football field. The Generals, the area's first semi-pro football team, begin their eight-game regular season Saturday, July 9, at 7 p.m., at Williams Bay High School.

The Generals, who went 2-2 in the preseason with two lopsided victories, are a mix of semi-pro veterans and some local newcomers. The more than 50-man roster includes guys from as far as Chicago and Milwaukee. And expectations are already high. The 18-team Mid-States Football League, which features teams from Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, released its first power rankings, and the Generals are in the top half at seven. Derek believes it's too early to read into rankings.

"I don't know how we're ranked that high with never playing a Mid-States game," he said. "We're not deserving of it yet. There are some good teams out there with proven success. But I think we'll have success this year. We will have an opportunity to make the playoffs in year one.

Lake Geneva Lakefront Property Prices Dip

Prices this summer on Lake Geneva lakefront properties have taken a noticeable dip, creating a ripple effect (no pun intended) on lakes in surrounding Walworth, Kenosha, and Racine counties.  Although other  Southeastern Wisconsin lakes had already seen declining prices in the past several years, the effect was somewhat delayed on Geneva Lake.  The past 6 months have seen a lakefront foreclosure that sold under $2m at auction; a lovely 5.8 acre estate home  on the lakefront between Lake Geneva and Williams Bay selling for $3.5m; a 4.3 acre lakefront property on 150′ of frontage selling for $2.625; and other lakefront properties selling for prices that clearly reflect a changed market for waterfront homes on Geneva Lake.

On Lake Beulah , East Troy, WI, lakefront property sales are clearly flat this year.  With the exception of a development property, nothing substanital on Beulah has sold this year.  On Lauderdale Lakes , LaGrange, WI, only 2 properties listed above $700,000 have sold this season – one at $675,000 and the other at $800,000. Over in Kenosha County, Twin Lakes Wi is rebounding slightly from the two previous years with 9 closed lakefront sales thus far.  Granted, all but one of those sales, were below the million dollar mark – but at least we are seeing activity.  The ripple effect from Geneva Lake is all about price.  Buyers are reticent to pay as much for a lakefront property on one of the surrrounding lakes as they can pay for a more prestigious address on Lake Geneva. And why would they?  The Lake Geneva area has a mystique that spans two centuries and many of those who might not have previously entertained the hopes of purchasing a lakefront home can now purchase a lovely home with great views for less than $2M – a price that would have been unheard of several years back.

So, where are the deals?  If you’re looking for a quiet lake and “big water” isn’t a draw for you then Booth Lake in East Troy, WI has some enticing offerings – including a meticulously maintained all brick home with two master suites, a full, walkout lower level with entertaining kitchen, boat house, incredible views and 100′ of frontage – all for under $600,000.

Lake Geneva in Vintage Postcards

Through a collection of vivid vintage postcards, authors Carolyn Hope Smeltzer and Martha Kiefer Cucco provide an overview of Lake Geneva's rich history, ...

Summer conference at Lake Geneva, WI.

Frommer's Switzerland

Lausanne & Lake Geneva For decades, visitors have sought out the scenic wonders of Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) in the southwestern corner of Switzerland. ...

Pioneer Cemetery, Lake Geneva, WI, Walworth County

Songs of Lake Geneva, and other poems

fWEET Lake of Geneva, Pure, lovely, and fair, Moore sung of Avoca, And Burns of " Auld Ayr." When valleys and rivers awaken the Muse She may not neglect to ...