Known as the Troll Capital of the World, Mount Horeb is more than a Scandinavian tourist destination. As this village grows on the west side of Dane County, just a half hour from Madison, it has managed to retain its authentic and walkable downtown, small-town charm, and beautiful views of the Driftless Area.

More than 7,000 people and 250 businesses and organizations call this place home, and the energy has contributed to a strong downtown corridor. Historic buildings are being repurposed, and more businesses and housing developments are branching off of the “Trollway” and the five roundabouts on the east side of the village.

Among them are Miller and Sons Supermarket, Sjölinds Chocolate Factory (which also has a Main Street location

National Night Out, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, is being celebrated in thousands of neighborhoods throughout the country this month. The 35th annual crime prevention event, typically held the second Tuesday of August, promotes police and community partnerships aimed at making "our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live," according to its website.

In Dane County, several communities are planning their own National Night Out events, many featuring free food, games, safety demonstrations, visits from emergency personnel and tours of their vehicles, and information booths by local businesses. People of all ages are invited to get to know their local police, fire, and EMS departments and learn about crime and drug

There are pleasant surprises around every corner at 5818 County Road KP in the Town of Berry, located between Middleton and Mazomanie. This gorgeous countryside property is tucked away from view, providing a secluded setting within the Driftless Area while just a short drive from local amenities.

Towering trees line the winding driveway, offering ample shade and room to meander through the expansive yard -- perfect for hosting family events, corporate gatherings, and even weddings.

Situated atop the hill is the nearly 4,000-square-foot home, its stone accents blending beautifully into the natural landscape.

Adding to the serenity of this property are the plantings and cascading waterfall on both sides of the paver walkway leading up to

There’s something about being outside that makes listening to music that much sweeter. And Dane County has an abundance of free outdoor venues -- from local parks and breweries to Capitol Square -- for bands to play tunes almost every day of the week during the warm summer months. You might want to keep your lawn chair and picnic basket handy, as some concerts allow carry-ins to make your visit more comfortable. 

Please note that this is not a comprehensive list. Be sure to check the websites for musician details and any event cancellations.

Mondays

• June 11 - July 30: NESCO’s Summer Concerts at Warner Park in Madison. Music from 6-7:30 p.m. Concessions available.
• June 18, July 16, August 20 (Third Monday of the month): Concerts at McKee

Landscaping runs deep in the Ganshert family, who’ve owned Ganshert Nursery & Landscapes, LLC for over 65 years. Peter Ganshert started the Madison area business back in 1951, and the company eventually moved from its downtown Erin Street location to Seminole Highway. At that time farmers doubted he could make a living by growing plant material, and yet he did.

Back then you’d hire multiple companies to do your landscaping, and we were the company that did your planting, design, and installation. And then there were speciality companies that did walls, brick, grading, and so on,” said Peter’s son, Paul Ganshert.

Paul and his brother had always been involved in the business, but once Paul graduated college with a degree in landscape architecture,

Whether you just bought a home or are getting ready to sell, there are many ways you can improve the look and functionality of your front yard. Landscape architect Paul Ganshert shares the following tips for adding plantings, lighting, and other outdoor elements to enhance your home.

Keep it clean and simple

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so don't just install an expensive pond or retaining wall because you think you should -- it may end up being a maintenance headache for you and future homeowners. For starters, focus on the basics that appeal to a broader audience, like making sure your plants are manicured and the beds and lawn are free of weeds.

Adjust plant material

Begin by pruning existing plant material correctly and

After being cooped up inside with all of the rain, this weekend is shaping up to be a great time to go outdoors and celebrate the start of summer. In Dane County, two free events will offer lots of family fun, music, and even fireworks: Festival Foods' Shake the Lake and Oregon's Summer Fest.

Summer Fest

When: June 21-24
Fireworks: Around 9:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Kiser Firemen's Park, 245 Brook St., Oregon
Info: www.oregonwisummerfest.com
Activities: Carnival rides and games, food vendors, and softball, volleyball, and cornhole tournaments; nightly live music featuring Cherry Pie on Friday and Angels & Outlaws on Saturday; Saturday arts and crafts market, run/walk, pork dinner, and fireworks; Sunday car show, parade, bbq rib or chicken dinner with

Nearly every day in summer you can visit a farmers market in the area. But did you know that there is another option for getting fresh, local produce? By becoming a member of a CSA, or community supported agriculture, you can receive a weekly or biweekly box of seasonal produce that is often available for pickup at the nearby farm or distribution sites throughout the county. Purchasing a "share" in advance helps to cover some of the farm operating costs, so members are directly supporting the farmers who grow their food.

CSAs have gained popularity over the last decade, and one of the earliest adopters for this model in Dane County was Vermont Valley Community Farm, LLC. Barb and David Perkins started their family-owned farm on 5 tillable acres in Blue

One of the biggest concerns people have when downsizing is figuring out what to do with all of their stuff. That’s why decluttering, organizing, and making other preparations for selling your house can go much more smoothly with the right help.

To empower people to begin this process, Capitol Lakes retirement community in downtown Madison recently hosted an educational event with representatives from local businesses, followed by a question and answer session and building tour. Presenters included Kathy Rounds of Trusted reLocation Consultants (TLC), a full-service moving and organization company; Marianne Gariti of Moving Forward, which specializes in senior move management; and Chris Venden, an experienced Realtor with Mad City Dream Homes.

Summer vacation is still a week away for many kids, but they can start having fun with family-friendly festivals this weekend. There will be local bike rides, jazz music, carnivals, and even classic cars and cows to see near Capitol Square in early June. Our team will be at the Parks & Trails Unite Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, so be sure to stop by next to the “Science is Fun” booth.

Festa Italia
When: June 1-3 (4:30-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday)
Where: McKee Farms Park, 2930 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg
Admission: $3 per day (kids under 12 are free)
Activities: Pasta dinner and spaghetti-eating contests, bocce tournament, Italian dancers and musicians, raffle, face painting, balloon sculptures, magic