Article posted Friday, August 23, 2013 1:17pm

A Salute and An Invitation

For the past nine months I have had the privilege of working side by side with a tireless group of people dedicated to making life better for the homeless animals in the Door County area. I volunteer at the Door County Humane Society (DCHS) and proudly work alongside this team, cleaning and caring for the multitude of cats awaiting a new home. I gladly give a good part of one day each weekend to make a difference here.

I want to salute the DCHS staff who, day in and day out, are running full bore, cleaning and caring for the animals at DCHS. Their spirits and tenacity are remarkable. The workload is daunting and everchanging. I want to thank in particular J. Blue, a special cat whisperer, for her tenderness and interaction with each cat that enters the shelter.

This job is the most strenuous job I have ever done in the more than 30 years that I have been working. It is physically and emotionally draining, but also very rewarding. The animals have so much love to give; they long to be part of a new family; and you can tell that you have made a difference in their life. Making that difference is what keeps me coming back and continuing to give.

Please consider becoming a volunteer at the DCHS and help us care for Door County’s homeless pet population. There are many ways to help; the need is great; and the opportunity to make a difference is very fulfilling. We hope to see you soon.

A. Anderson

Sturgeon Bay, WI

Stay Tuned Tree Huggers

Overhead in the hallowed halls of the Gibraltar Government Center:

“Town Board may soon consider whether to plant a nine-foot swath of corn, oats or wheat along roadsides cleared of old trees and native vegetation. These areas could then be harvested, with proceeds going to pay off road-clearing equipment and associated staff.”

“Plans to develop a written roadside clearing policy will be deferred until November, when road clearing projects are complete and many affected property owners are absent.”

Could this be true? Perhaps my impaired hearing distorted the message, but who knows…?

Stay tuned tree huggers.

Tom Blackwood

Juddville, WI

Gibraltar Brushing Revisited

The controversy over brushing of Gibraltar town roads continues. Most of the work scheduled for this year has already been completed on Gibraltar Bluff Road. Only the intersection of Cottage Row at Gibraltar Bluff Road remains to be done, where all trees and shrubs within 21 feet from the centerline on each side of the road at and near the intersection will be clear-cut. The town board believes it is imperative to do so in the interest of public safety while a substantial number of property owners and residents feel the scope of the proposed work is beyond what is reasonably called for by statistics and should be scaled back to preserve a uniquely beautiful town treasure.

It is my belief both safety and preservation issues deserve serious consideration and for that reason submit a workable solution which balances both points of view as best I see possible.

1. Reduce the current 35 mph speed limit on Cottage Row between Highway 42 and Gibraltar Bluff Road to 25 mph. There is no need for traffic to move this fast (which often goes faster) and it will help slow down drivers as they approach the Gibraltar Bluff Road intersection. Furthermore, many bicyclists, hikers, dog walkers, joggers and large oncoming vehicles will benefit.

2. Make the Gibraltar Bluff Road intersection at Cottage Row a four-way stop. There is no safer type of intersection construction other than a roundabout. This would eliminate the current perceived necessity by the town board for 21-foot clear-cutting on either side of the road leading up to the intersection. Instead, a significantly reduced amount of brushing could be performed surrounding the immediate area of the intersection to ensure sufficient visibility.

Adoption of the above changes will produce gains for both sides. The town board achieves a solution for safety that is more effective than their original proposal. The preservationists save a number of beautiful trees from needless removal. And the taxpayer saves a little money (notice how much has been spent so far). But most of all, our community will be spared the continuation of a contentious and counterproductive situation that becomes sadder by the day. Far more important issues require the attention of our town board. Settle this situation now with reason and let’s move on. Small town life functions best when, “I’ll scratch your back, if you’ll scratch mine.”

Bill Guenzel

Fish Creek, WI

A Successful 53rd Annual House & Garden Walk

The Door County Medical Center Auxiliary thanks all those who contributed to the success of the 53rd Annual House & Garden Walk held July 30, 2013. It was a success, hosting approximately 1,000 people from all over our great state of Wisconsin and Illinois, and netting $34,000, all of which goes to the Ministry Door County Medical Center inpatient services and emergency room addition.

A very special “thank you” to each one of our committee chairs and co-chairs for their outstanding jobs throughout the year in preparation of the Walk and on the day of the Walk.

We also wish to thank our wonderful homeowners who were so kind in permitting us to showcase their beautiful homes and/or art school:  Judie & Pete Van Bramer, Sturgeon Bay; Linda & Bart Sheard, Sturgeon Bay; Jeanne & David Kennedy, Egg Harbor; Marilyn & Jim Cushing, Ephraim; and Peninsula School of Art, Fish Creek.

Our thanks also to our sponsors, newspapers, magazines and radio stations for the excellent coverage provided us, and thanks to the staff at the Door County Visitor Bureau. Without all of your assistance, we could never have reached out to so many people.

And then, of course, there are our terrific volunteers – those who contributed their time as hostesses, cashiers, parkers, and anyone else who donated their time to this event. You are all well appreciated and we couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you to each and every one of you!

Mark your calendar; we’ll see you next year on the last Tuesday of July.

Chris Gaeth & Jane Harwood, Co-chairs

53rd House & Garden Walk