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Door County Community News for May 14 – 28

• The 2010 Strong Kids Campaign wraps up on May 31 and the Door County YMCA is just $65,000 away from reaching the campaign goal of $410,000.

With strong support during this year’s campaign, the YMCA is optimistic that they will reach their goal, but asks for the community’s support to make this possible.

The Strong Kids Campaign is the annual campaign to provide funds for scholarships and affordable programs for Door County residents regardless of age or financial need.

“Over the last year the YMCA has seen a huge increase in the number of our neighbors who are needing assistance,” said Dan Powell, CEO of the Door County YMCA. “As part of our mission to serve everyone in our community, we as an organization will do everything we can to raise the money needed to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities.”

To donate to the campaign, visit http://www.doorcountyymca.org, mail contributions to Door County YMCA, 1900 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 or drop off contributions at either the Sturgeon Bay or Northern Door Program Center.

• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has proposed new eligible areas for Housing Programs. The USDA recently completed a review of eligible areas in Wisconsin that can receive financing through available housing programs to assist rural communities and residents.

Information on the findings and proposed changes can be found on the USDA Rural Development website at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/wi/programs/rhs/proposedineligible.htm.

Public comments are welcome until July 27. Individuals may send comments to USDA Rural Development, 4949 Kirschling Court Stevens Point, WI 54481, attention Rural Housing Programs or via e-mail at [email protected].

• United Way of Door County recently participated in the bi-annual Great Rivers Conference. Nearly 300 United Way professionals and volunteers from more than a dozen states attended the 2010 conference held in February in Lincolnshire, Illinois. United Way of Door County attendees included volunteers Keith Mutchler, Kaye Carter, and Paul Kok, as well as staff members Amy Kohnle and Christine Salmon.

“Door County was well-represented at the conference, an indication of our commitment to be the best United Way organization we can for our community,” said Paul Kok. “We received many helpful ideas from other communities’ United Ways, and were also reinforced that our own organization is on a path similar to others.”

Each of the attendees registered for numerous sessions that focus on professional, system, and personal development. Keynote speakers included Rich Harwood from the Harwood Institute, and Brian Gallagher, President of United Way Worldwide.

For more information call 920.746.9645 or visit http://www.unitedwaydc.com or [email protected].

• Sturgeon Bay School District is among 16 in the state to serve as Reading Best Practices Model Sites during the 2009-2010 school year.

State Superintendent Tony Evers praised Sturgeon Bay School District at an April event in the Wisconsin Dells. The 16 sites provided 125 elementary schools and 640 teachers the opportunity to visit their classrooms and observe the implementation of Reading Best Practices.

Through the Reading Best Practice Model Site Program, Sturgeon Bay School District served as a model for eight elementary schools. “I am so excited about the work Sturgeon Bay Schools has done in the area of literacy,” said Lola DeVillers, Grant Coordinator of Sturgeon Bay School District. “I am grateful we have had this opportunity to share our expertise with other K-3 educators.”

• Erin Pomeroy and Brent Coisman, seniors of Sturgeon Bay High School, have been awarded the 2010 Bordui Foundation scholarship competition.

Chosen by the Bordui Foundation’s trustees from a group of 15 applicants based upon grade point average, test scores, an essay submission, an interview, and input from the school’s faculty and scholarship committee, each student will be awarded $10,000 toward their university attendance.

Pomeroy plans to attend Wellesley College while Coisman will attend Boston University.

The Bordui Foundation, which has awarded 16 scholarships to graduating SBHS seniors since 2003, is a charitable foundation established by Peter Bordui, a 1978 graduate of Sturgeon Bay High School, who also serves as a trustee. Other trustees include Marie Bordui-Gilson, and David Weber, an attorney at the Pinkert Law Firm in Sturgeon Bay.

• Dr. Gillian Dowley McNamee, a professor of child development and director of teacher education at the Erikson Institute in Chicago, will visit Washington Island on Friday, May 21, to observe preschool and elementary-grade classes.

McNamee will follow up with an all-day workshop on Saturday, May 22. Door County educators and others interested in preschool and elementary school education are invited to attend the free Saturday workshop, which begins at 9 am in the Washington Island School Commons Room.

Saturday’s all-day workshop will be divided into three sessions. The sessions will include a discussion of topics such as choosing preschool, creating a family-community balance in preschool, and respecting diverse cultures and needs.

Dr. McNamee’s visit is sponsored by the board of directors of the Washington Island Preschool, a nonprofit organization since 1999. Her expertise and research are in language and literacy development in the home, school, and community. To learn more about Dr. McNamee, visit http://www.erikson.edu/default/faculty/faclistings/gillian_mcnamee.aspx.

For additional information or to make reservations, contact Martha Wagner by calling 920.847.2517 or emailing [email protected].

• The Wisconsin Medical Assistance Family Planning Waiver has expanded coverage of reproductive health care services to eligible males ages 15 to 44 to provide no charge testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and infections, condoms, and age appropriate sterilization.

Since January 2003 the Family Planning Waiver has provided reproductive health services for eligible females willing to use birth control. This program provides no charge cervical cancer screening, pregnancy testing, birth control, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and infections, and age appropriate sterilization. In the first five years of this program over $90 million dollars was saved due to the decrease in unplanned pregnancies.

The expansion of this program will reduce the barriers for accessing important health services and assist with the preservation of one’s ability to reproduce. Males and females ages 15 to 44 who are at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level may enroll for the Family Planning Waiver on the day of an appointment at the Wellness Center of Door County or on line at http://www.access.wi.gov. Applicants must present a photo ID (or a copy of their birth certificate if not born in Wisconsin) and a copy of paycheck stubs from the previous four weeks.

For more information call 920.746.9444 or visit http://www.wellnesscenterofdoorcounty.com.

Birch Creek Music Performance Center extends an open invitation to members and new volunteers alike to join their volunteer organization, The Associates, at their first general meeting of the season on Wednesday, May 19 at 9:30 am in Birch Creek’s Juniper Hall.

“We’d love to see a crowd at that first meeting,” said Lyn Huber, Birch Creek Operations Manager and Volunteer Coordinator. There are many ways The Associates’ contribute to Birch Creek’s operations. Some activities include greeting concertgoers, ushering, selling concessions on concert nights, working in the gift shop, distributing posters and schedules, helping in the office, and caring for the numerous gardens and trees at Birch Creek.

Additionally, members of The Associates serve on various committees of the Board of Trustees, assist with mailings, plan and carry out successful fundraising events, and opening/closing the campus.

The meeting is free and open to the public. Birch Creek is located at 3821 County Highway E, 3 miles east of Egg Harbor. For more information call 920.868.3763.

Door County Maritime Museum Executive Director Bob Desh presented proclamations from the City of Sturgeon Bay and Door County officially designating Monday, April 26, 2010 as “Rear Admiral Peter V. Neffenger Day” at ceremonies in Cleveland, Ohio. The proclamations, signed by Sturgeon Bay Mayor Thad Birmingham and County Board Chairman Leo Zipperer, honored Neffenger’s service as Commander of the Ninth Coast Guard District.

Neffenger assumed command of the Ninth Coast Guard Distict in May 2008, and departs the Ninth District to assume duties as at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Rear Adm. Michael N. Parks relieved Neffenger as Commander of the Ninth Coast Guard District in an official change-of-command ceremony held at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown Key Center on April 26.

The Door County Maritime Museum is located at 120 N. Madison Ave, Sturgeon Bay. For more information call 920.743.5958 or visit http://www.dcmm.org.

• The Health & Wellness Cabinet Ministry of Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church in Ellison Bay will present the second “End of Life Decisions” series presentation on Sunday, May 16 at 4 pm.

Attorney Collin Dahl will lead the discussion and explain elements of Living Wills, such as how the document is made official and who is responsible for the document. Dahl will offer advice from his own experience and answer audience questions. The discussion is free to the public.

• Each church in northern Door County is invited to participate in a spirit-filled ecumenical event that will take place on May 23 at the Hansen Century Farm in Ellison Bay.

Kites from the Kite Company in Fish Creek, designed by members of various congregations, will fly in the air on Pentecost Sunday, representing the Holy Spirit. Organizers hope to see over 400 kites.

For more information contact Tony Anheuser by calling 920.854.5621 or emailing [email protected].

• Sunshine House Inc. held its 39th Annual Awards Dinner Monday, May 3 at the Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club. The event including a silent auction on 20 glass plates made by Sunshine House clients and employees with help from Hands On Art Studio, a slide show presentation by Lindsey Petersilka, and awards ceremony.

Mary Jo Badora and George Dufek were recognized as Employees of the Year. Bob Pederson accepted the Industry of the Year award on behalf of Goodwill Industries and Pastor Mike Zolosky accepted the Employer of the Year Award on behalf of Hainesville Church. The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Laurie Thiede and Staff Member of the Year was presented to Patti Buechner. James Meyer, CEO thanked retiring members of the Board of Directors, Dick Skare, Ken Rock, Veronica Behme, and Jennifer Moeller. He also acknowledged the service of the late Dr. David Boyd.

Sunshine House Inc. is a diverse community service organization whose purpose is to achieve the full participation in society of individuals with special needs. For more information call 920.743.7943 or visit http://www.sunshinehouseinc.org.

• On May 31, Memorial Day, American Legion Post 527 from Sister Bay and Ellison Bay VFW will march from the Sister Bay Town Hall to Henderson Park at 8 am. At Henderson Park, the veterans will host a military ceremony led by Commander Tom Kowalski in honor of all the soldiers who fought and died for our country.

The Gibraltar Band and Choir will also participate in this public event. Colonel Jim McNeal will speak at the ceremony. At 10:30 am, the procession will gather at Little Sister Cemetery to honor fallen soldiers.

• The Welding class at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Sturgeon Bay has partnered with Door County Silent Sports Alliance to provide bike racks for the City of Sturgeon Bay. Scott Massey, welding instructor, volunteered to build bike racks with materials provided by Door County Silent Sports Alliance and the City of Sturgeon Bay. A total of seven bike racks will be built by the end of the spring semester, with the first bike rack commissioned by Door County Silent Sports Alliance and donated to the City of Sturgeon Bay.

“When I saw what the welders were doing in class, I thought building bike racks would be a perfect fit,” said Margaret Carroll, NWTC librarian and Door County Silent Sports Alliance Board member. “Scott Massey researched bike rack plans and found a prototype that is sturdy and attractive. Door County Silent Sports Alliance Board members were eager to be involved in the project.”

The first bike rack was painted by Jon Sowl of NWTC and placed in front of the Ladder House in downtown Sturgeon Bay for display during the recent Door County Bike Summit. Plans are underway to continue the bike rack project in the fall semester with other communities in Door County invited to participate.

• A USDA Rural Development representative will be available to provide information about loan and grant programs that are available to Wisconsin’s residents, communities, and businesses. Julie Felhofer, Area Specialist from the Rural Development Office in Shawano, will be at the Door County Senior Resource Center, 832 N. 14th Avenue in Sturgeon Bay, on Thursday, May 20 from noon – 2 pm, to hold community outreach hours.

For more information about Rural Development or to schedule an appointment to meet with Felhofer on May 20 call 715.524.8522 (extension 4). Walk-ins are also welcome. For further information on programs available through USDA Rural Development visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/wi.