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Dec. 13 – 23

• The State of Wisconsin has changed its guidelines for who is eligible to receive the H1N1 vaccine. The vaccine is now available free-of-charge to the general public.

“Any person wishing to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine can now receive it at one of our scheduled clinics,” said Rhonda Kolberg, Door County Health Officer. “There is no charge for this vaccine. We hope that college students coming home for the holidays will take advantage of these clinics since they are in a high-risk group for complications from getting the H1N1 flu.”

Clinics have been scheduled at the Door County Government Center for Dec. 21 from 3 – 6 pm and Dec. 29 from 1 – 4 pm. Persons should enter through the 4th Avenue entrance across from the library. This clinic is a walk-in clinic, with no appointments taken.

For more information on the H1N1 virus, check http://pandemic.wisconsin.gov/ or http://www.co.door.wi.gov or call 2-1-1 for questions about H1N1 influenza.

• This winter the Community Health Information Programs (C.H.I.P.) presented by the Health & Wellness cabinet of the Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church in Ellison Bay will feature a series describing techniques to “Manage your Mood” – perfect for those cold dark days of winter.

The first program will be on Sunday, January 17 at 4 pm and will be about BRAIN FOOD. Judy Reninger, Parish Nutrition Counselor, will lead an interactive discussion about the things (in addition to food, vitamins, etc.) that our brains need to be happy and healthy. The presentation is open free to the public.

• After receiving an overwhelming response to their participation in the Books for Soldiers program the past few years, Novel Ideas Bookstore in Baileys Harbor will continue their efforts.

Through generous donations from the local community, Michelle Palmer, owner of Novel Ideas, has been sending out packages including not only books and magazines, but also toiletries, snacks, videos and similar items to the United States soldiers deployed throughout the world. With each package, Palmer has been sending a letter, and many of the soldiers have responded with thank you notes back.

Recently, the U.S. Army sent its thanks to Novel Ideas. Palmer received an official Certificate of Appreciation for “outstanding contributions to the United States Army and for support of Soldiers fighting the Global War on Terrorism.” The certificate signed by the Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Army continued, “We are proud to recognize your personal sacrifices in preserving the freedom and security of our Nation.”

Although Books for Soldiers is not just a holiday event, Novel Ideas is urging people to participate in this worthy cause, especially this time of year. Whether you are able to donate items for the packages or a few extra pennies for postage, the gift would be greatly appreciated.

For more information stop by Novel Ideas, located at 8085 Hwy. 57 in downtown Baileys Harbor or call 920.839.1300.

• TJ Walker Middle School has received the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation by The American School Counselor Association (ASCA). TJ Walker Middle School, as well as 35 other schools from 16 states that reach across the K-12 spectrum, have been recognized for making an exemplary commitment to comprehensive school counseling programs.

The RAMP designation, awarded to schools that align with the criteria set in the ASCA National Model, recognizes schools that are committed to delivering a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program and an exemplary educational environment. More than 250 schools have received the RAMP designation since the program’s inception.

RAMP applications are reviewed by a panel of school counseling professionals. The next submission deadline is Feb. 1, 2010. For more information on the program, visit http://www.ascanationalmodel.org/RAMP or http://www.schoolcounselor.org.

• The Door County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary was busy in early December, first with the Angel Ball held at Stone Harbor Resort on Dec. 5 and then with their General Meeting on Dec. 7 at the Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club.

The Angel Ball was a huge success, where 220 people enjoyed the festivities, thanks to Denny Haen and Sandy Bodine, DCMH Auxiliary’s Angel Ball Co-chairs, many volunteers, and Baylake Bank, the event’s major sponsor, as well as many Door County merchants who assisted with the event. Proceeds from the event, approximately $19,000, will be applied towards the scholarship fund. Scholarships are awarded to help high school graduates and hospital employees who are pursuing their education in the medical field.

Then a few days later, 100 people from the hospital auxiliary and administration were in attendance at the general meeting where election and installation of 2010 officers occurred. The new slate of officers for 2010 for the Door County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary were elected at this meeting. Those serving in 2010 will be: President, Denise Haen; President Elect, Sharon Burr; Vice-President, Linda Berns; Secretary, Sarah Anschutz; and Treasurer, Mike Herlache.

The hospital auxiliary gave donations to Door County Memorial Hospital totaling $52,000.

• With the January 7, 2010 deadline close at hand, the 2009 United Way campaign stands at 54.2 percent of the 10,000 people that are expected to need assistance in the upcoming year.

“There are still more than 4,500 Door County residents who will suffer hardships in 2010 unless we reach out to help our friends and neighbors in need,” explained Christine Salmon, Community Relations Director of United Way of Door County.

Programs that receive funding from United Way of Door County fall into one of the following areas of human services: Basic Needs (Food, Clothing, Shelter, and Transportation); Childcare and Early Education; Positive Youth Development; Affordable and Accessible Healthcare; Life Enhancement for the elderly, disabled and mentally ill; and Family and Community Wellness.

A donation to United Way of Door County is a solid investment in the community, as 99 percent of all monetary gifts stay in Door County. Everyone’s help is needed to keep our communities thriving.

For more information contact United Way of Door County at 920.746.9645, visit http://www.unitedwaydc.com or email [email protected].

• Wisconsin Veterans maybe eligible for a Property Tax Credit when they file their 2009 state taxes. Eligible Wisconsin veterans of any age who are 100 percent service-connected disabled, and/or rated under individual unemployability (IU), and have been Wisconsin residents for at least five years can apply.

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) have updated new procedures and forms on WDVA’s website at http://www.WisVets.com/Forms. The updated WDVA B0106 Wisconsin Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit Booklet is now available online for immediate use.

Eligible veterans and eligible unremarried surviving spouses who are verified by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs as meeting conditions of certification may apply for the benefit. They may use Form WDVA 2097 (found in the WDVA B0106 booklet).

Veterans or spouses who have questions can contact Deborah J. Hart, Assistant County Veterans Service Officer for Door County , at 920.746.2226 or toll free 1.888.743.1844 ext. 2226 or visit http://www.WisVets.com.

• The Door County Land Trust recently announced that after six years of negotiating and fundraising it has completed the purchase of 332 acres within the city of Sturgeon Bay for the establishment of a public nature preserve, known locally as the Canal Property. This parcel is located along Lake Michigan and the south side of the Sturgeon Bay Shipping Canal. The Land Trust purchased the property from the Sturgeon Bay Utilities who have owned it since 1984.

The Land Trust plans to formally dedicate the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Nature Preserve some time next summer. The preserve will be open to the public for low-impact recreational and educational uses such as swimming, hiking, wildlife viewing, school field trips, and research. The Land Trust intends to develop and maintain walking trails, erect educational kiosks and increase efforts to eradicate the invasive plant species now on the property.

Total costs for the purchase and short-term land stewardship of the property are just over $2 million. The Land Trust received over $1.6 million in grants from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Knowles-Nelson State Stewardship Fund and over $350,000 from private donors and foundations.

All donors to the Ship Canal Nature Preserve will be listed on a preserve kiosk. Tax-deductible contributions toward the stewardship and maintenance of the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Nature Preserve may still be sent to the Door County Land Trust, P.O. Box 65, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235. Donations may also be made online at the Land Trust’s Web site, http://www.doorcountylandtrust.org.