Door County Community News

• Throw on your western gear to help celebrate the “Great Round-Up” Strong Kids Campaign theme and help the Door County YMCA Blaze the Trail for the Future. A multitude of events are scheduled as part of this year’s Strong Kids Campaign, including a Blue Jean Bash and a Buckaroo Buffet.

On Saturday, February 21 from 6 – 8 pm, the Sturgeon Bay YMCA host an evening of family fun at a Blue Jean Bash Family Barn Dance. Dance the night away to country music, participate in games and contests, make homemade crafts, have your family photo taken in our jail, watch lasso demonstrations and enjoy snacks or dinner with your family. Suggested donation for the event is $10 per family or $5 for individuals.

On Sunday, March 1, saddle up and bring your entire family to the Buckaroo Buffet at Alexander’s Restaurant in Fish Creek from 3 – 7 pm. Enjoy a phenomenal buffet of some of Alexander’s signature dishes including spaghetti, lasagna, alfredo, eggplant parmessano, chicken parmessano and more, all accompanied by an array of tasty salads and mouth-watering pastries. Tickets can be purchased at either Door County YMCA Program Center or at the door for $12 for adults and $7 for children.

For more information or to register, contact the Door County YMCA at 920.743.4949 in Sturgeon Bay, 920.868.3660 in Fish Creek or visit http://www.doorcountyymca.org.

• Door County United soccer team has been elevated to the WI State League Premier U17 Boys Division as announced by Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association (WYSA).

As the highest league in the state of Wisconsin, the Premier League is comprised of 10 teams. Seven of the teams are from more populated areas in southern Wisconsin such as Milwaukee, Mequon, Elm Grove, Hartland, and the Kettle Morraine area. Two teams are from the Fox Valley.

While DC United plays from its home field in Baileys Harbor, WI and is comprised primarily of Door County students, it is also represented by students from the counties of Kewaunee and Brown.

Door County United has risen to the Premier League in only their fourth season, having competed during their first two years in the East Central League and last year in the State League 1st Division when their record was 5-1-2.

The team is coached by Blake Siewert (www.goelitesoccer.com). Steve Johnson of Sister Bay is the DC United Team Manager. For more information contact Siewert at 920.559.2787 or [email protected] or Johnson at 920.854.7578 or email [email protected].

• “Women & Heart Disease” will be presented by Debbie Metzler of Prevea Health Care on Friday, February 27 from 10 – 11 am in the Peninsula Room of the Door County Government Center on Nebraska Street. This program is free and open to the public, but registration is required by February 23 by calling the Extension Office at 920.746.2260. Please leave a voice message after office hours.

This program is sponsored by the Door Association for Home and Community Education.

• The Father Factor, a new program for men, will explore the dynamics of fatherhood and parenting children in this day and age. Beginning Thursday, March 5, weekly meetings are held at Bay View Lutheran Church, 340 W. Maple in Sturgeon Bay from 5:30 – 8 pm for the month of March. Dinner is included and childcare is provided if needed. Co-facilitators, trained in the “Nurturing Parenting for Father’s” curriculum include Hervy Hodges and Gina Wautier. For more information about Nurturing Fathers, go to http://www.nurturingfathers.com.

Whether you have been given the role of fatherhood by choice or chance you’ll gain much knowledge from the meeting topics that include: Balancing Work & Fathering, Teamwork with Spouse/Partner, Resolving Conflict, Playing with Your Kids, Nurturing Your Children & Yourself, and Discipline Without Violence. Even those men who don’t have children now but hope to be a dad someday will gain much value in the material presented. There is no cost to attend and is sponsored by the Child Abuse Prevention Fund, the United Way of Door County, and the Ruth Endowment Fund. Special thanks to Bay View Church for allowing space to conduct the program.

Participants must pre-register and are encouraged to attend for four weeks. Please call the Family Centers Main Office to register: 800.856.1651 or 920.825.1430.

• Applications are now available for 2009 United Way of Door County Endowment Fund Grants. In 1997 the United Way Board of Directors established this fund to ensure future financial stability for the organization and our community. The current Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the amount of money available for Endowment Fund Grants for the calendar year 2009 is $2,050.

The Planned Giving Committee for the United Way of Door County is issuing a Request For Proposals for community projects. Proposed projects should be something new and innovative in the county, something that is not typically funded with campaign dollars. Proposals will be awarded based on grant application criteria. The United Way of Door County’s Vision Statement and Mission Statement will be used as guidelines for distribution of funds.

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.

• New Bridge Officers for the Door County Sail & Power Squadron were installed at a Change of Watch Recognition Dinner on Saturday, February 7 at Stone Harbor. The officers are: Bob DeNoto, Commander; David Baumann, Executive Officer; Gloria Fox, Secretary; Cynthia Weis, Treasurer; Carole Biddick, Administrative Officer; and John Welch, Educational Officer. Members at Large are: William Galligan, Alan Wentworth, Craig Weis, and Thomas Fox. John Hermann is Immediate Past Commander.

The Door County Sail & Power Squadron, a unit of the United States Power Squadrons®, District 10, was chartered in 1954. Members contribute to the community by promoting safe boating through education. The squadron’s DNR-approved Boater’s Safety Course, ABC 3, is open to the public; this year’s spring session begins Wednesday, March 18.

Other seminars are offered for the general public throughout the spring and summer; and, the squadron also facilitates a cooperative charting program and offers free Vessel Safety Checks to recreational boaters in the community.

For more information visit http://www.usps.org/door; contact John Welch at [email protected] or 920.746.1179 or Bob DeNoto at [email protected] or 920.493.0287.

• The FamilyWize Prescription Drug Discount Card saved Door County residents $35,503 on the cost of their prescription medicine in just 141 days – from its introduction in Door County on August 9 to the end of 2008. There were a total of 895 claims, averaging 52 percent savings per prescription for an average of $39.66 savings per prescription.

Even if an individual has health insurance, he or she may be eligible for bigger discounts with the FamilyWize prescription drug discount card being distributed by United Way of Door County. The card is free and there are no enrollment fees. FamilyWize Cards are available at all county pharmacies, the Wellness Center of Door County, the Community Clinic of Door County, Door County Department of Social Services, WDOR, and the Door County Department of Public Health.

Participating Door County pharmacies include Pamida, Aurora, Wal-Mart, Bay Pharmacy, and Walgreens. These cards are also honored nationwide at over 58,000 pharmacies.

For information on using the FamilyWize card visit http://www.familywize.org. For further information or to have cards mailed to you, please contact United Way of Door County at 920.746.9645 or [email protected].

• Andy Neuville, of Sturgeon Bay is the proud owner of a new fish shanty constructed by Door County Habitat for Humanity volunteers. With materials donated by Van’s Lumber and the Hands on Art Studio, the fish shanty was built at the request of the Fish Creek Civic Association for part of the festivities at the Fish Creek Winter Festival.

Neuville, who learned of his good fortune while ice fishing with his father, was elated at the news that his was the winning raffle ticket. Delivered by Habitat for Humanity to his home the same day, he hopes to put the fish shanty to good use before the season ends next month.

“The economic downturn has made decent, safe, affordable housing an unattainable dream for many families right here in Door County,” said Rick Nelson, Executive Director of Door County Habitat for Humanity. The help of the Fish Creek Civic Association during the Winter Festival and the community’s support of the fish shanty raffle have contributed to an alleviation of the local affordable housing shortage.

For more information, contact Rick Nelson at 920.743.2869, email us at [email protected] or visit our website at http://www.doorhabitat.com.

• On Friday, February 27, the Family Center’s “Date Night” will provide couples of all ages with the chance to spend an evening together at Bjِrklunden (located at 7590 Boynton Lane just south of Baileys Harbor). The evening will begin with a social time to meet and greet the other couples and enjoy delectable appetizers catered by Espresso Lane of Baileys Harbor.

Then, take a moonlight stroll through the woods while enjoying the peaceful serenity of the Bjِrklunden Chapel. Following the walk, ballroom dancing is optional with dance instructors Diane Redelin and Glenn Mandel who will be on-site for beginners. Experienced dancers and spectators are also welcome. Redelin and Mandel have been ballroom dancing together for the past 10 years including social and competition dancing.

The evening will end with a drive to Espresso Lane on Hwy 57 for coffee, dessert and live music by a local entertainer. The cost to attend is $20 per couple, payable in advance by check or credit card. Call the Family Centers Main Office to register: 800.856.1651 or 920.825.1430.

• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development recently announced that interest rates for the Single Family Housing Direct Loan program have been lowered and financing is available. On February 1, 2009, the interest rate decreased from 5.375 percent to 4.375 percent.

USDA Rural Development’s Rural Housing Direct loans offers 100 percent financing with no down payment required for low and lower income individuals or families. These loans are made directly through USDA Rural Development and are offered for a period of 30 – 38 years. The repayment on the loan is subsidized by the Federal Government, based on the household income.

In addition, USDA Rural Development offers a Guaranteed Rural Housing (GRH) Program. Under the GRH Program the Federal Government is guaranteeing the loan and borrowers are less likely to need a down payment or private mortgage insurance. Through the GRH program, an approved mortgage lender makes a home loan and USDA Rural Development cosigns the note on behalf of the Federal Government.

Most of the loans made under both these programs are to families with income below the median income level of the county where they live and who would not otherwise qualify for a conventional loan.

For more information call 920.907.2976 or visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

• The Parent Handbook: A Quick Reference Guide to Positive Communication During Difficult Moments, a new book authored by Leslie Leline, hit the shelves in early January and is already getting rave reviews from parents across the Midwest.

“This book is like having helpful advice in the palm of your hand,” says Leline. “Every chapter discusses one difficult situation. The readers can jump to a chapter which closely addresses their current frustration, read the short, clear and specific text, and get on with parenting with a fresh approach and new ideas.”

Leline has been living in Baileys Harbor since 1983. She received a BA and a teaching certificate in Art K-12 from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI. Realizing that her passion was helping children believe in themselves, Leline held a variety of jobs involved with youth while continuing her education in the field of Education and Child Development. Teaching parenting skills to young adults, while raising two daughters of her own, ultimately steered Leline’s career to Peninsula Preschool in Ephraim where she has been teaching for 16 years.

The Parent Handbook is available for $13.99 at your local bookstore or online at: [email protected]; http://www.booksurge.com; or http://www.amazon.com.

• Recently, $73,383 was earmarked for Door County to help residents get to and from work as part of a larger, $4.8 million “Transportation to Jobs” Grants to Wisconsin Groups.

Governor Doyle awarded these funds to the Door County Transportation Options Program, located in the Door County Job Center and operated by the Women’s Employment Project, Inc. Funds are designated for vehicle repair or vehicle purchase loans, “van pool,” travel and gas vouchers, guaranteed ride home option when carpooling, and simple adaptations for individuals with disabilities. There are eligibility guidelines to participate.

To learn more about the Door County Transportation Options Program call Wendy Ulrikson at 920.743.7273 or stop by the Door County Job Center, 1300 Egg Harbor Road, Suite 124, in the Cherry Point Mall, Sturgeon Bay.

• The Family Centers of Door County together with the Sheriff’s Department and the Sturgeon Bay Police Department are offering a free two-part series that offers important information and skills on how to protect yourself and your family when using the Internet on Monday, Feb. 23 and Tuesday, Feb. 24. It is being held at the Door County Justice Center, 1201 South Duluth Avenue in Sturgeon Bay from 6:30 – 9:30 pm. Investigators James Valley and Chris Neuville and Sergeant Greg Zager are the presenters of this program, and all three have extensive training and experience in this field.

The Monday session is for adults age 18 or older while Tuesday’s session is for parents and children. There is no cost to attend these workshops but you must be pre-registered. Please call the Family Centers at 920.825.1430 to be guaranteed enrollment.