Door County Community News: Richter CD Available

Ephraim’s Don Richter has spent nearly his entire life playing, teaching, and sharing the joy of music. From piano lessons at age seven, to Carnegie Hall and eventually to Door County, his hands have created musical memories.

Sadly, the music quieted when Richter was diagnosed with Pick’s Disease, a rare form of frontal temporal dementia, in 2007. Last year, a compilation of Christmas songs recorded by Ricther was produced, and this holiday season the CDs are available again.

The recording is available at the Sister Bay Mobile, the Cupola House in Egg Harbor, and at Sunday mass at St. Rosalia’s Church in Sister Bay. The albums are also available for purchase by mail (a $3 shipping charge is added to mail orders).

All proceeds generated from the sales go directly to the Door County Helping Hand Fund.

Richter taught and performed music for many years in Green Bay before moving to Door County in 1994, where he was artistic director for the Peninsula Chamber Singers, a member of the Doormen vocal group, and organist and choir director at St. Rosalia’s church in Sister Bay.

Richter’s family is also selling “Memories” bracelets for $5 to raise money for the Association for Frontotemporal Dementia’s research project. For every $1 donated, the Alzhheinmer’s Drug Discovery Foundation is matching with a $2 contribution.

Richter’s daughter Val Austgen said the bracelets serve two purposes.

“The bracelets are our way of getting out awareness of other types of dementia as well as remembering Dad’s lifelong dedication to music, which will all too soon be just a memory as well.”

Both the CD and bracelets can be purchased by contacting:

Door County Helping Hand Fund

Fran Richter – 920.839.5543 or

Val Austgen – 920.839.5620

By mail:

PO Box 512

Ephraim, WI 54211

$15.80 (includes tax)

Shipping and handling is not charged for the bracelets, but a self-addressed stamped envelope would be greatly appreciated.