Travel Wisconsin  

A regular contributor to Travel Wisconsin, the state's official tourism website, these stories have been viewed by millions of online readers. 

Five Must Experience Wisconsin ATV Trails

Three Wisconsin Winter Hot Spots

We Are Family

Four Must-Book Wisconsin Cabins

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

As a freelance writer covering residential real estate for the state's largest newspaper, with a Sunday circulation of over 400,000, my neighborhood profiles and stories on the changing market received front-page treatment in the Sunday real estate section. I freelanced for that department while it was still within the newsroom.

Rethinking the pros and cons of relisting - Some sellers think the second time is the charm.

The story behind Story Hill -  As if lifted from the pages of a children's fairy tale, homes in this Milwaukee neighborhood still charm.

The best of both worlds- On the line, literally, these southernmost Wisconsinites have the best of Wisconsin and Illinois.

The  flavor of Oak Creek - You can learn a lot about a neighborhood riding with the ice cream man. 

This Genoa City isn't restless - Fictional soap opera city  named for this small town.

 A reason to smile - Town water tower smiles and so do most residents here.

Why is this tower so happy? - Residents of Eagle rise and shine with a daily smile. 

 Assignments near and far

I can write about anything for anyone - and do. Below are stories that show the range of my work. 

 Authors

The mother behind the mission - Bestselling author Greg Mortensen's mother explains what fueled "Three Cups of Tea: One man's mission to promote peace . . . one school at a time." This story appeared in The Janesville Messenger.

The Write Stuff - Chris Van Allsburg, writer and illustrator of "The Plolar Express" and other children's literature, and Wisconsin's own Jane Hamilton and Michael Perry are the highlight of the 2010 Sterling North Book and Film Festival in Edgerton. This story appeared in numerous publications. 

Author finds niche in history - Meet Beloit author Ann Bausum. This story appeared in The Janesville Messenger and The Janesville Gazette. 

Author by accident - Ann Wertz Garvin didn't set out to be a novelist, but that's exactly what happened. Her debut novel, "On Maggie's Watch," started on a whim. This story appeared in The Janesville Gazette, The Janesville Messenger and The Walworth County Sunday.  

  Business



Food  

Teen chefs - These teens have a recipe for success.This story appeared in At the Lake Magazine.

Canning - Lost home art still going strong at the county fair. This story appeared in Weekender. 

Fitness

Zumba - Latin-infused workout inspiring thousands. This story appeared in Weekender. 

General Assignment  

When seconds count: Mom's CPR training saves son's life. This story appeared in The Janesville Gazette and The Walworth County Sunday.

Remembering Christmas past - Slain civic leader, Sandra Teichow, honored for founding of Christmas tradition in Sharon, Wis. This story appeared in The Walworth County Sunday.  

 Health

Don't hide your legs - Today's varicose vein treatments offer great results with little pain and short recovery. This story appeared in Modern Bliss Magazine.

Home

Creature comforts- All you need to know on home heating and cooling. This story appeared in Brava Magazine.

Bold is beautiful - How to make an impact in home decor. This story appeared in Brava Magazine.

Carriage Houses - Before there were four-car garages, there were carriage houses. This story appeared in At the Lake Magazine. 

Music

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - Jazz and swing wash ashore in Williams Bay, Wis. This story appeared in Weekender.

Stockwood - Meet a group that bills themselves as the world's youngest Beatles tribute band. This story appeared in Weekender. 

LGSO - World class violinist, Rachel Barton Pine, performs with Lake Geneva Symphony Orchestra.

Outdoors

 Winter fun is just a terrain park away - This story appeared in Weekender. 

Personal Finance

Divorce finance - The dollars of divorce and surviving the financial effects of a split.  This story appeared in Modern Bliss Magazine.

Lake Geneva - A get away that's closer than you think. This story appeared in Experience Wisconsin.  

Black Point - Walworth County lakefront estate offers a peak into the past. This story appeared in Weekender.

Lake Ivanhoe - Wisconsin's first black-owned resort. This story appeared in At the Lake Magazine.

Legacy Places - Land worth visiting - and protecting - in Walworth County. This story appeared in At the Lake Magazine. 

Looking for one of my stories that you don't see here? Email me: lisa.schmelz@lisaschmelz.com.

This loser is a winner- Kristin Steede lost over 165 pounds on NBC's "The Biggest Loser." But her real test came back home in Wisconsin.  This story appeared in Moder Bliss Magazine.

 Local stuntman shines in "The Dark Knight" - When he isn't fighting fires, Wisconsin's Mark Harper is pulling stunts in feature films.  This story appeared in The Walworth County Sunday. 

SWAT - Who do the police call when the going gets tough?This story appeared in The Walworth County Sunday.

Walmart greeter a brand in her own right - Doris Wild's FB fan page greets shopper worldwide. This story first appeared in The Walworth County Sunday and The Janesville Gazette. 

Places

Flea Market Therapy - Take a time travel at a flea market. This essay appeared in At the Lake Magazine. 

Things

Grab your partner, do-si-do - Fading folk dance struggling to stay alive. This story appeared in The Walworth County Sunday.

 Worst in show - A bad dog is still tops in my  family.This column appeared in Weekender.

 April Fool's Day: My favorite high holy day - If only every day was April Fool's day. This essay ran in Weekender.

Confessions of a fairaholic - Why I love the Walworth County Fair. This column ran in The Walworth County Sunday.