Community Notes From April 2 – 16

• The Jim Larsen Boys and Girls Club of Door County is hosting their Spring Fish Fry, Thursday, April 22 from 4:30 – 7:30 pm at The Mill Supper Club in Sturgeon Bay.

Save a dollar by purchasing advance tickets ($11 for adults, $5 for children up to age 5) at any of the following locations: Associated Bank (west side), Citizen’s Bank, and Prince of Peace in Sturgeon Bay; and the Cupola House in Egg Harbor. Raffle tickets will be sold for prizes, including an autographed picture of Green Bay Packer Nick Collins. This event is made possible by the following sponsors: Kiwanis, The Mill Supper Club, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, J & M Fisheries, and Young Automotive. For more information call 920.746.5125.

• The team at Staudenmaier Chiropractic Wellness Center in Sturgeon Bay will be conducting complimentary Stress Evaluations for the general public during National Stress Awareness Month in April. The evaluations will be conducted through posture analysis. The evaluations take approximately 15 minutes and a summary of the results will be provided to each participant, along with a Stress Awareness Gift Bag.

Dr. Staudenmaier will also offer a program designed to create awareness about the dangers of stress, strategies for relieving stress and its long-term effects, and harmful misconceptions about stress that are prevalent in our society on Wednesday, April 21 from 6 – 7 pm at his office at 30 N. 18th Ave.

Stress is linked to the six leading causes of death – heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide. “One thing I want to be sure that people understand is that stress is a normal part of life and at times a certain amount of stress can actually be beneficial,” said Dr. Staudenmaier. “It’s when stress becomes constant that our bodies become overwhelmed and strained. This is when health begins to deteriorate.”

Dr. Staudenmaier has been in private family practice in the Sturgeon Bay area for over 14 years. For more information call 920.743.7255 or visit http://www.backtowellness.org.

• The Door County Community Foundation is accepting applications for grants from its Education Fund.

“Education must go beyond traditional schooling and formal education,” says Bret Bicoy, President & CEO of the Community Foundation. “It should include informal modes of learning and extend beyond traditional settings. It must be integrated into the home and throughout the community – and education is not limited to children.”

The Community Foundation believes that learning is a lifelong pursuit. Ideas are welcomed from both recognized educational institutions and others kinds of charities that incorporate education into their programs. Materials may be downloaded from the Community Foundation’s Web site at http://www.doorcountycommunityfoundation.org. Applications and supporting materials must be received at the Community Foundation by Tuesday, May 18.

The Community Foundation offers several granting initiatives, including the Arts Fund, Children & Youth Fund, Health & Human Needs Fund, the Environmental Fund, scholarship funds, and donor advised funds. For more information contact Bret Bicoy at 920.746.1786 or email [email protected].

• The Door County Invasive Species Team (DCIST) steering committee announced that the Door County Soil & Water Conservation Department has contracted with The Ridges Sanctuary to coordinate invasive species activities throughout the county in 2010.

The team is a group of natural resource professionals and interested citizens concerned with preserving Door County’s native environment. Members work to identify, monitor, and control non-native aggressive plants in Door County through public assistance, coordination of county-wide efforts, and provision of information and educational resources.

Marne Kaeske has joined The Ridges Sanctuary staff as their Stewardship Coordinator. Kaeske will play an important role in the coordination of invasive species activities in the county.

For more information on DCIST visit http://map.co.door.wi.us/swcd/Invasive/index.htm. To contact the DCIST coordinator, email [email protected] or leave a message on the DCIST message line at 920.746.5955. For questions regarding invasive species programming contact Amanda Surfus at the Door County Soil & Water Conservation Department at 920.746.2214 or [email protected].

• Going Garbage & Recycling Inc. has expanded its Go Run & Recycle shoe-recycling program to help give old shoes a second life. The initiative encourages Door County runners and residents to bring their worn running shoes, sneakers, and other rubber-soled shoes to several drop-box locations.

This year runners, walkers and others in the Door County community with old, worn shoes are encouraged to visit one of six drop-off locations before, the day of, or after the Door County Half Marathon. Steve Gomoll, General Manager of Going Garbage, says that the increase to six drop-off locations will make it more convenient for all of the county’s runners and residents to participate in the shoe-recycling program.

The shoes will go to a recycling company in Minnesota, where they will be either redistributed for re-use or ground up and turned into a sorbent material for spill cleanup kits. The combination of the leather, rubber, and cotton found in the shoes do an excellent job of absorbing liquids, and the kits are sold worldwide.

People with gently used shoes are encouraged to donate them to local charitable organizations, such as Bargains Unlimited in Sister Bay. For more information contact Going Garbage & Recycling at 920.854.2114.

The drop-off locations and the dates include: Going Garbage & Recycling, 10564 Old Stage Road, Sister Bay (April 19 – May 14); Gibraltar High School, 3924 Highway 42, Fish Creek (April 19 – 30); Sustainability Fair at Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay (Saturday, April 24, 10 am – 4 pm); Door County Half Marathon Packet Pickup, Ephraim Village Hall, 9996 Water Street, Ephraim (Friday, April 30, 3 – 9 pm); Door County Half Marathon Race Day, Nicolet Bay Beach Area in Peninsula State Park (May 1); and the Northern Door YMCA, 3866 Gibraltar Road, Fish Creek (May 2 – 14).=

• Blaise Winter, NFL veteran, author and speaker will share his life experience and empowering message that we can all make a difference at the Golden Heart Volunteer Celebration Tuesday, May 25 at Stone Harbor Resort.

Through his powerful story, Winter encourages youth and adults to believe in themselves, overcome adversity, and become relentless in the pursuit of their dreams. Marti Spittell Ziegelbauer, philanthropist and women’s health advocate, will return as Master of Ceremonies.

The Volunteer Center of Door County is accepting nominations for the awards through Saturday, April 17. Nomination forms are available for download at http://www.VolunteerDoorCounty.com.

The Golden Heart Awards celebrate the tremendous impact volunteers have in Door County and highlights the nonprofit organizations through which they serve.

Nominee categories are: Youth, Adult, Lifetime of Service, Group, and Arts & Culture.

Nominees are treated to a complimentary dinner and will be individually recognized. Award recipients will receive an art piece created by Chad Luberger of Plum Bottom Pottery and $500 to donate to a Door County charity of their choice. The Youth category award recipient will also receive a $500 academic scholarship.

For more information on how you can take part in this celebration contact the Volunteer Center at 920.746.7704 or e-mail [email protected].

• The Door County Sail & Power Squadron is getting a jump on Safe Boating Week, May 22 – 28, by cleaning up the Sunset Park/Little Lake area on Saturday, April 24. Members of the Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club and Door County Parks Department personnel will join squadron members in the effort to get the launch area and shoreline in good condition.

Members of the squadron contribute to the community by promoting safe boating through education. The squadron was awarded “First in Nation” for Outstanding Educational Achievement both in 2006 and 2008. This season, the Squadron Education Department is offering six free seminars to the public on topics such as trailering your boat, boat handling on the water, and basic coastal navigation.

More information about the squadron and its programs can be found at http://www.usps.org/door, and Squadron Commander Bob DeNoto welcomes inquiries at [email protected] or 920.493.0287.

• The School District of Sevastopol will conduct kindergarten registration Tuesday, April 20. The registration is for all children who will be five years old by Sept.1, 2010 and who plan on attending kindergarten for the 2010 – 2011 school year.

The purpose of this registration is to identify the students who will be attending kindergarten and prepare for staff and transportation needs. Extensive information on how to prepare your child for a positive schooling experience will be emphasized so parents are strongly encouraged to attend.

The screening will take approximately one hour during which parents and children will have an opportunity to meet the kindergarten staff, tour the building including the cafeteria and learn about bus safety. The registration includes health developmental interviews with the parent. Registration will take place at Sevastopol in the kindergarten room on second floor.

Call the Sevastopol Elementary office at 920.743.6282 ext. 107 to schedule your appointment.

• The Northeast Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Regional Financial Office of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Door County Chapter earned a Pinnacle Chapter award for its contributions to the local community in 2009. The award honors the chapter for its outstanding work to address local needs.

“Whether the cause is big or small – a food bank, a child in need of life-saving surgery, or a Lutheran church needing a fresh coat of paint – Thrivent Financial members come together to make a difference,” said Janelle Fuhrmann, Managing Partner for the Northeast Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Region of Thrivent Financial. “This award recognizes all individuals of the Door County Chapter who joined together to strengthen our communities by planning and participating in outreach activities during this past year.”

The Door County Chapter matched or supplemented fundraising efforts in 2009 that helped non-profit groups, families in need, and local Lutheran churches and schools. The chapter board is a group of Thrivent Financial members who volunteer their time and talent to encourage and support volunteerism by offering advice and supplemental funds. The chapter also creates and supports social events throughout the year for its members and others interested in membership.

To learn more, contact Chapter Advisor and Financial Associate Grace Rossman at 920.743.9143.

• United Way of Door County announced the granting of funds for three new programs in the county that focus on youth, family and nutrition.

The UW-Extension is receiving $800 towards expenses for a new program called “Teen Leadership Door County.” This program will start in the fall of 2010 and will create experiences that will aid in leadership development. This is collaboration between 4-H Youth Development Programs, Team Leadership Center and Leadership Door County that will encourage skill building, civic engagement and team building.

Feed My People will receive $1,900 towards implementing the Backpack Buddy program at Southern Door Schools. The Backpack Buddy program will provide nutritious snacks to children in low-income homes.

The third recipient is also the UW-Extension, which will receive $350 to implement a new program aimed at educating families about the importance of family meal times, and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption. Studies show that children who eat with their families four or more times per week eat more fruits and vegetables, more dairy and less fat and sugar.

Because of generous donations to the fund in 2009, $3,293 is available for Endowment Fund Grants for the calendar year 2010.

There is a limited amount of funds remaining for this year. Application forms, along with the vision and mission statements, are available at the United Way office, 57 N. 3rd Avenue, Sturgeon Bay, by calling 920.746.9645, or visiting http://www.unitedwaydc.com. Proposals should be submitted to the United Way of Door County, Endowment Fund Grants, P.O. Box 223, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235.

• Join the Door County YMCA for the annual Healthy Kids Day at the Door County YMCA Sturgeon Bay Program Center Saturday, April 24 from 9 am – 1 pm. The day is designed to celebrate healthy living and encourage kids and families to get excited about physical activity and play together.

Family activities are free and open to the entire community all day including bouncers, dozens of informational booths, free snacks, gymnastics try-it classes, Tae Kwon Do demonstrations, jump rope and hula-hoop contests, and door prizes. Use of both Door County YMCA facilities will be free all day and anyone who joins the YMCA will receive 50 percent off the joining fee.

Door County Memorial Hospital is the major sponsor for the 2010 Healthy Kids Day. Contact the Door County YMCA at 920.743.4949 for more information or visit http://www.doorcountyymca.org.

• Unity, leaders in hospice and palliative care, announced that, along with other national, state and community organizations, it is leading an effort to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making. April 16, 2010, has been designated as National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD).

Unity is providing information and tools for the public to talk about their wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers, and execute written advance directives (healthcare power of attorney and living will) in accordance with Wisconsin state laws. These resources are available at Unity’s Web site http://www.unityhospice.org under the “Resources” section.

For more information about National Healthcare Decisions Day, visit http://www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org. Unity is based in the Green Bay area with offices in Marinette, Shawano and Sturgeon Bay. For more information call 920.338.1111 or visit http://www.unityhospice.org.