Life + Culture

Farmers' Market Lineup

Your Guide to Track Down the Freshest Sustenance from Our Local Farmers Article by Middleton City Lifestyle | Photography by Jill Heilman Meals taste better when we support those who grow with a dash of their heart and pinch of their soul. Our region is exceptionally rich in local agriculture, shaped by the largest producer-only farmers' market in the United States. Lean into your Wisconsin roots and reap what our trusted farmers sow.   MONDAY Madison Southside Novation Center –  2500...

Home + Design

Off the Grid

A Conversation with Full Spectrum Solar about Battery Backup and Long-Term Energy Independence Article by Middleton City Lifestyle | Photography by Provided Brief history of Full Spectrum Solar: “Founded in 2002 by brothers Burke and Mark O’Neal, Full Spectrum Solar is a family-run company that has completed more than 1,300 residential and commercial solar projects over the past 24 years.” How would you describe the core mission? “Our mission is centered around education. We want...

Home + Design

Same Basement, New Potential

Reimagining Lower Levels with Matrix Basements Through Purposeful, Lifestyle-Driven Design Article by Middleton City Lifestyle | Photography by Provided For many homeowners, the basement is a catch-all for storage bins, unfinished projects, and unused square footage. For the team at Matrix Basements, this area represents something entirely different: possibility. While most remodeling companies approach basements as just another item on a long list of services, founders Nick Richmond and...

Life + Culture

The Driftless, Explored

Five Scenic Escapes for Hikers, Campers, and Outdoor-Minded Wisconsinites Article by Middleton City Lifestyle | Photography by Sourced Intro Many of Wisconsin’s best outdoor destinations are closer than you think. These familiar hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and camping escapes remind us why the Driftless region never gets old. Devil’s Lake One of our family’s favorites and Wisconsin’s most iconic outdoor destination, Devil’s Lake is known for its towering quartzite bluffs, clear...

Auto + Marine

Sensible Luxury

The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus: Built For the Pace of Madison, and the Moments in Between Article by Middleton City Lifestyle | Photography by Provided by Lincoln DESIGNED WITH INTENTION In a world that rarely slows down, the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus feels like an intentional pause. It’s the kind of SUV that fits into daily life in Madison without asking for attention. Whether you’re heading down the Beltline, pulling into Hilldale, or escaping toward the lakes for the weekend, it guarantees a...

Life + Culture

Fathers Reflect on Their Lives as Role Models

Four Local Men on the Honest, Proud, and Humbling Reality of Fatherhood Article by Middleton City Lifestyle | Photography by Provided Mario Balistreri Business Owner, Consultant   YOUR PARENTING STYLE IN 3 VERBS: lead, encourage, support   HARDEST LESSON? Patience and not to assume there is an understanding.   HAS BECOMING A DAD CHANGED YOU? Completely. It cut through a lot of selfish thinking. Things that felt important don’t anymore. You start thinking about who your kids will...

Finance + Legal Services

The Benevolent Banker

A Fourth-Generation Business Built on a Precedent of Putting Customers, Coworkers, and the Community First Article by Jill Heilman | Photography by Ashley Hicks Media Co The heartbeat of this family legacy lives in the integrity of a handshake met with promise kept. Where a century of history is matched by a commitment to lead with a servant’s heart and common sense. The story of Great Midwest Bank began in 1935 with a vision for a cooperative institution. Back then, it was Milwaukee Federal...

Home Services

Respect the Trade

Don’t Call Me the Cleaning Lady Article by Kelly Mulqueen & MCL | Photography by Taryn Marie Photography As a woman-owned business, I built Happy House on a principle this industry often ignores: cleaning is skilled labor, not casual work. While I officially started my LLC in 2017, my experience began years earlier, cleaning homes in high school and then in college while pursuing an animal science degree at UW-Madison. Many cleaning business owners start the same way, picking up a mop without...

Beauty

From Siberia to Middleton

DG Beauty Salon - The Result of a Passionate Immigrant Mother of Four Article by Middleton City Lifestyle | Photography by Jill Heilman Dora Gyamtso’s journey began near the clear waters of Lake Baikal in Siberia, a region shaped by a rich blend of Russian and Mongolian heritage. From a young age, she carried a quiet determination and a sense that she was meant to build something of her own. Recognizing Dora’s potential, her parents guided her toward a career in accounting where she excelled...

Local Services

Through Her Lens

The Creative Journey of Lexia Frank Article by Lexia Frank | Photography by Studio Soma You studied Fine Art at UW–Madison before building a photography career around the country. What first sparked your interest? My late father was an *incredibly* talented hobbyist photographer, and one of my fondest memories was him teaching me to use his old Nikon 35mm film camera. Seeing the prints develop in the chemicals hooked me, and I never looked back. I LOVE storytelling, and photography became a...