They say that you can find happiness in simplicity. Well, when you take a trip through our small community, you will experience a crash course in why happiness comes so easy to those who dwell here. Welcome to the simplicity of nature.

After your tires roll past the Westphal's home, you will soon find yourself walking on the water--well almost. A few miles down the road from us lies the Horicon Marsh. At just over 33,000 acres, this marsh is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States! Now, for those of you who aren't environmental junkies like ourselves, give us a minute to explain the importance.

This marsh is home to over 290 different kinds of birds, but mainly known for its migrant flocks of Canadian Geese. Because the marsh is home to such a diverse array of wildlife, the marsh has been labeled a "Wetland of International Importance", as well as "Globally Important Bird Area."

When continuing on Hwy 49, your car will split the waters in half, giving you a 360 degree view of the wondrous wildlife. Please note, that while fellow drivers are likely to experience some sort of ADD while passing through, it is imperative to keep those eyes ahead. Efforts of keeping a low roadkill count are critical round' these parts. If you have the time, stop by the wildlife center, take a rest at a viewpoint or grab your hiking stick and trek the trails. But don't worry, there is no need to carry a huge knapsack; binoculars are provided. 

We're Westphal's Group; a world outside the wall. Part of that analogy lies in the location of our facility in Brownsville, Wisconsin. As a part of this small community, we could also change that slogan to a world within the windmills. A drive to our state-of-the-art facility welcomes visitors with quiet, country roads, friendly waves from our Brownsville neighbors and of course the wind turbine community. Although it is true that the red flashing lights look alien-like at days end, these infrastructures serve the masses in our farming community.

For those city folk who are unfamiliar with these gentle giants, wind turbines serve as machines that convert kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy. Built in various sizes, the energy produced from the turbines assist in driving several outlets from commercial electric power to machinery.

Although there are three main builds of windmills, our area is mainly constructed with horizontal-axis turbines. These are most likely the most familiar to commuters; one tower base with main rotor shaft attached to the top of the tower.  Each rotor includes three blades that point into the wind by computer-controlled motors.

The challenge that the turbines cause results in plenty of disagreement. While many environmentalist groups, along with our turbine host, Invenergy, feel that turbines are thought leaders in the renewable energy efforts, many farm and landowners do not. Whether or not you agree with the efforts put forth by the turbines, they certainly create a landmark for our country community.

(download)

Click here to download:

winding-up-local-energy-sbGJJuEpFpxlwzwBaeCw.zip (5.34 MB)