Spring 2024 Newsletter - Our Virtual Boat and Dock Expo!
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To All of Our People on the water… Welcome to our Spring Newsletter where you can check out new services we offer, 5 new products coming to your lake, and 5 common shoreline issues we saw in 2023.
Hey! From Devante with the Waterfront Refresh Team - Wisconsin’s developing Waterfront Management Services. We are your people for all things regarding “Cabin Duties” and we couldn’t be more proud to say that. We are excited for the 2024 season on the water. To keep things brief, we are writing this email to share new services users can take advantage of, as well as some other cool things coming to Wisconsin Lakes in 2024. If you don’t see something on this list you would like help with, please reach out and we would be glad to accommodate. We are looking forward to working with you this year. So have a great time seeing what's new, ask questions if you have them, and let us know when you’re ready to get on the schedule. Feel free to forward this email to your neighbors, friends on the lake, and lake associations to keep them updated as well.
We’ll see you on the water.
Best Regards, Devante Scholfield - WaterfrontRefresh.Com
4 Announcements
Please Check out - Our new facebook page here where we will post completed projects, tips, and more for lakefront property owners, as well as on our new LakeWarrior blog directly on our website.
New Area Expansion - While we seek to best serve NW WI, we plan on hiring additional team members for better coverage of the Hayward and surrounding areas. Additionally, we plan on opening a small satellite team on the east side of the state to work the docks and shores of Door County. Please see our primary service areas map on our FB page.
Hiring - (Closed as of May 1st 2024) Lawn Care Summer Staff, General Shoreline Maintenance Staff.
Know someone looking for a fun summer job? We are hiring people who like to be in the sun, near the water, work hard, get dirty (Mud, weeds) and show up! (Bonus if you have experience with lawn care equipment and being on the water). Usually 2-5 days a week with pay varying from $20-$25/hour based on experience and attitude. We are flexible with scheduling and start/end times each day.
Stay Tuned for - Waterfront Refresh Sponsored Events. Waterfront Refresh Homeowner’s Guide. Lake App Development. - We are in the midst of developing an app for people on the water. If this is something you would like to invest in to help us get the software into the world faster, we would be glad to discuss details and partnership.
10 New Services we offer on your lake: See our entire services list here.
New Dock, Deck, and Shoreline Services
Shoreline Rock Wall Installation
Premium Dock Fender Installation (For Dock Slips, Piers, and More.)
Dock, Deck, and Waterfront Stairway Refinishing and Powerwashing
Sand and Beach Installation
General Landscape Material Installation - Sod (no watering), Mulch, Gravel, Etc.
Bog Reduction and Removal
Dock and Deck Solar Lighting Additions
Buckthorn and Brush removal (Or you can hire the goats, we won't be offended!)
Lawn Services - dependent on staff availability in your location
New Boat Services: Spring Wash and Detail, Fiberglass Hull Grime Removal, Hull Waxing, Aluminum Pontoon Brightening
New General Shoreline Consultation - Waterfront Refresh can also act as your representative to help determine how to make the most out of your shoreline or how to maintain it. Consult with us to determine what your shoreline needs, how to get it there, and who to contact to get the job done. No problem is too hard to solve and we genuinely want to see you and your guests be able to enjoy your shoreline at its best.
Our Most Popular Service coming back in 2023 - Rock Wall Rebuilding and Maintenance
5 New Partnering Products and Services Listed Below: We went out and found a few great local products and services we believe offer more real value to our shoreline customers, that we ourselves would use. We’ve partnered with these companies to keep our customers in the loop on new lake products and services you just won’t find everywhere else. If you have any interest in trying these out, contact us today and we can get you connected with our rep for more information.
1. Our most recommended Aqua Jet ‘The Jet Stream’ - https://admirallakeandpondrestoration.com/product/jetstream/
We searched high and low for the best Aqua Jet on the market, and eventually settled on Admiral’s ‘Jet Stream’. This was largely due to the fact that it has some awesome key features and is produced by a great local company based in Minnesota. The Jet Stream offers different mounting options making it easier to use, cord protection, a remote control, a great warranty (3 years on motor, lifetime on hardware!) and quite frankly the best customer service we have seen anywhere in the lake industry.
2. Vacation Docks - https://vacationdocks.com/ - Vacation docks is a brand new dock rental service for boaters who may own a boat but do not own waterfront property. Vacation docks help Shoreline homeowners make passive income each month while putting vacant dock space to use for others who enjoy getting out on the water.
3. Pontoon Party Bench - https://www.pontoonpartybench.com/ - The Party Bench is a brand new pontoon accessory for those who like to hang out at the sand bar. The product is hand made by an Eau Claire entrepreneur looking to make lake life more fun. Check out their website, though we do advise that you research your pontoon’s model, age, and inspect its welds to determine accessory compatibility.
4. LakeMat - The LakeMat product lineup offers solutions for lilypad mitigation, muck mitigation, and more. This is a unique product based out of Michigan with fast shipping that may help with a number of issues. We find that these work best in shallow waters with a firm bottom and are best installed by a team of people. - https://www.lakemat.com/products/
5. Make use of our Contractor Lists - We have built an established network of professionals for niche lakeside products and services covering western Wisconsin such rock wall construction, dock installation, deck construction, and more. Reach out and we would be glad to connect you with the right person for the job.
5 Common Issues Lake Shoreline Homeowners face and How We attacked them: Below are 5 issues we saw in 2023 that at times became an incredibly difficult challenge to combat for homeowners. Each of these issues offer a variety of solutions depending on budget and project size, but there is often no perfect solution as mother nature is at work. Please contact us for consultation on your options to mitigate these as best as possible, whether it be a DIY solution, working with our team, or with one of our preferred contractors. As always, make sure to research local regulations before moving forward.
Deep Muck - Deep Muck can be a pain. This year we recommend customers either contact us to purchase and set up a Jet Stream, or consult with us to discuss other options.
Lilypad and Cattail Regrowth - These plants thrive in a warm and shallow water environment, often starting the regrowth process in just days and weeks. We recommend hiring our team to hand harvest the weeds to get an initial start, and then consider consistently maintaining the lakeweeds on your own over time. If you’re having a tough time getting your boat to and from your dock, consider installing a lakemat for results that last the longest for boat channels through weeds. Cattails can be mitigated for a longer duration when stems are kept below water level, with a 1-2 time chemical application that kills the roots, which can be found using our preferred vendor’s products listed Here
Heavy Algae and Lake Weed Washup - Depending on your lake quality, depth, and positioning on the lake, we saw some customers seriously battle against constant washup of lake debris. In many cases we simply recommend consistent hand removal. For some cases, we are beginning to experiment with floating “Aqua Fencing” in combination with Aeration treatment such as the Jet Stream. Contact us today to learn more.
Rocky and Grassy Beaches - Some waterfront areas have rocky soil rather than sand allowing strong weeds to take root making it hard to maintain and less enjoyable. Rather than removing this soil which is protecting your shoreline, we recommend trimming these at the stems below the waterline, or using a lake safe aquatic-herbcide.. You’ll want to research DNR regulations and the exact materials to use.
“Do you need a permit for that?” This is the most common question we get each season. The answer is always - Maybe. We have to first check with your local DNR and zoning reps to see what your local legislation allows or requires. If you have a larger project in mind, please let us know a minimum of 30 days in advance, as each project varies on permitted uses and each lake has its own specific limits and requirements set by these jurisdictions.
Thats all we have folks. We hope you tell a friend and stick around with us for many more years to come. Thanks for checking in on our Waterfront Refresh Spring Newsletter, 2024.
Other Ways to Connect: These are other services outside of Waterfront Refresh that our owner engages in. If you contact us regarding general maintenance services we will never try to sell you on any of these. These are simply available to you should you request more info.
Lake Home Property Management Assistance and Consultation - We know managing lake homes far from your primary residence can be a lot of work. Though we are not a full on property management company, we are always looking for ways we can help. Reach out to see how we can assist or consult in helping you manage lake property.
Marketing and Social Media Marketing Services - We now offer marketing, sales, and design services for businesses. We focus on helping you design great marketing and attract new customers in efficient and direct ways by offering real value to the people you’re serving.
