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Community Quick Notes

• How do you know when your child is ready to stay home alone? Can your child handle emergency situations if left alone? “Home Alone” a free, two-session workshop for both parents and their children, will be offered Mondays May 4 and May 11 from 6:30 – 8 pm at Door County Government Center, 421 Nebraska Street, Sturgeon Bay. The program is for parents and children (currently in 2nd grade or older) who are considering self care or already have children in self care. Grandparents and other caregivers are also welcome.

Each of the two evenings will include a program for children and for parents, plus a family segment during the last half hour. Lynn Kroll, from Wisconsin Public Service will talk with the children about home safety pointers. Door County Sheriff Department will discuss personal safety issues and EMTs will provide a lesson about first aid.

Free refreshments and childcare for younger siblings will be provided. Please contact Pam Peterson at the Door County UW-Extension Office, 920.746.2260, for more information or to register.

• As part of a $20,000 grant from The Home Instead Senior Care Foundation, Family Centers of Door County will support the Memory Care Connections Program in Door County for local seniors.

The program, advocated by Door County’s Senior Services Advisory Committee, will provide services to Door County residents such as free memory screening, dementia specific education, caregiver support, and connection to supportive services. This “mobile office” addresses the generational and geographical uniqueness of a community surrounded by water on three sides. One-third of Door County’s population is over the age of 65. Over 70 percent of Door County’s population lives outside of the county seat, and most are limited in their transportation options. In an effort to bridge the geographical gaps, all services are provided in a location convenient to the participant, usually within the home. Mobile technologies are utilized in ongoing support to Door County’s caregivers and caregivers beyond Door County’s borders.

To learn more about the Memory Care program, Home Instead Senior Care, or The Foundation, visit http://www.doorcountyfamilycenters.org, http://www.homeinstead.com, or http://www.homeinsteadseniorcarefoundation.org.

• Visit the Door County YMCA, April 20 – 24, for “Classes for a Cause” to get some exercise and support the Strong Kids Campaign at the same time. A select number of regularly scheduled classes will be available during break week with an optional $3 donation to the Door County YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. This is a great opportunity to try a different class at the YMCA and support the community.

A schedule of classes for the “Classes for a Cause” is available at both program centers and at http://www.doorcountyymca.org.

The Strong Kids Campaign is the annual campaign to provide funds for scholarships and affordable programs “for all” in Door County regardless of age or financial need. In 2008, the Door County YMCA raised $355,000 to support this program and the goal for the 2009 campaign is $375,000.

• The Ellison Bay Service Club resumed its monthly meetings in April, and the group will continue their meetings at the Viking Annex through October on the third Thursday of each month, beginning at 7 pm.

Everyone is invited to attend the meetings and join one or more of the Ellison Bay Service Club’s committees. These include: Environmental, Public Relations, Membership or Olde Ellison Bay Days Parade, Children’s Games and Entertainment.

• A local group is providing two healing programs for breast cancer survivors in Door County this year. Recent data shows women in Door County have one of the highest rates of breast cancer in the state.

Breast Cancer Recovery, a Wisconsin based non-profit organization, will sponsor two retreats for breast cancer survivors at Bjorklunden in Baileys Harbor. Infinite Boundaries, the four-day wellness retreats, are scheduled June 11 – 14 and September 17 – 20, 2009.

At the retreat, volunteer breast cancer survivors lead intimate discussions on life after cancer. Infinite Boundaries introduces attendees to healthy eating, stress reduction and exercise options. Survivors get to try kayaking, biking, spirited walking and yoga. Instead of focusing on what has been taken away, breast cancer survivors take part in new adventures and learn to trust their bodies again.

The cost to attend is $300. Breast cancer survivors who reside in Brown and Kewaunee counties can contact Ribbon of Hope for scholarships at 920.676.HOPE(4673).

For more information or to register for an Infinite Boundaries retreat, please visit http://www.bcrecovery.org or call Breast Cancer Recovery toll free at 888.821.1140.


• Sevastopol High School’s yearbook, Pioneer 2008, Unscripted, has been recognized for excellence and featured in the 2009 Gotcha Covered Look Book. Published annually by Jostens, the Look Book is a popular reference guide for yearbook advisers and staffs seeking creative layout and design ideas, trends, and inspiration.

Pioneer 2008 was created by editors Dan Gorchynsky, Erin Drexler, and Chris Geitner and staff members Liz Hilbert, Chelsea Sievert, Carissa Neinas, Allison Junion, Cathy Kaye, Chelsea Orthober, Megan McDowell, Madeline Popelka, and Hannah Erickson, under the direction of adviser Linda Thompson.

Unscripted was one of 435 yearbooks selected from over 2,500 entries submitted to a panel of judges that included nationally recognized journalism professionals and award-winning yearbook advisers.

“We were very excited to hear the news,” Thompson said. “It is a huge honor, especially as we are such a small school. The editors and staff worked very hard to create the book, and there is nothing sweeter than national recognition.”

• A cookbook compiled by Neighbor-to-Neighbor Volunteer Caregivers of Door County is available for purchase at the non-profit’s office at 62 S. 3rd Avenue. The cookbook contains recipes contributed by the organizations many volunteers and are available for $8 each.

Neighbor-to-Neighbor is a non-profit organization that oversees four programs: peer companions, respite care for primary caregivers, medical equipment lending (wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, etc. for people of all ages who might experience a temporary or long-term disability) and The Lemonade Club, a cancer-survivor support group. All services are provided at no charge to Door County residents.

To purchase a cookbook, please call the office, 920.743.7800 to be sure someone is available to assist you. For more information visit http://www.neighbor-to-neighbor.org.

• The Door County YMCA is seeking nominations for the Peterson Volunteer of the Year Award. Each year, the Door County YMCA recognizes a Door County resident who has made an outstanding contribution of volunteer service to the Door County community. Particularly, a volunteer who has been of service to multiple organizations or has gone “above and beyond” in their service to one particular organization. Their service is also based on their lifetime of service and not just on this past year’s efforts.

The recipient must also exemplify the YMCA’s four core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility, as well as our goal to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. Their service in the community should also be in concert with the YMCA mission “to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.”

Nominees do not need to be a YMCA member, and the service is not required to be performed for the YMCA. Any Door County resident who has made an impact on the community is a qualified candidate and all in the community are welcomed to offer nominations. Nomination forms can be found on the volunteer section of our Web site at http://www.doorcountyymca.org or picked up in person at either the Sturgeon Bay or Northern Door location.

If you have further questions please Cindy Weber at 920.743.4949. Nominations are due by May 10th and may be mailed to Door County YMCA, Attn: Cindy Weber, 1900 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235, faxed to 920.743.8812 or emailed to [email protected].


• The School District of Sevastopol will be conducting its annual three and four year old developmental screening on Monday, April 27 and Tuesday, April 28 in the preschool area at Sevastopol School. All children who will be four prior to September 1, 2009 are eligible to participate in this screening. Children turning three on or before April 28, 2009 will also be screened at this time.

The purpose of this screening is to provide parents information about their child’s individual development. This screening involves a health and developmental interview with parent, a hearing and vision check, and an opportunity for your child to present thinking, language, and motor skills.

After your child completes the screening process, you will have the opportunity to review the results with an early childhood staff member. The entire process takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Four year old kindergarten registration will take place in conjunction with screening. You will have the opportunity to enroll your child in 4K while you are at screening. Please bring your child’s birth certificate when you register your child for 4K. If you have not received a packet in the mail regarding preschool screening, please call the Sevastopol Pupil Services office at 920.743.6282 ext. 132.