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Peninsula Pulse April 14-21, 2023

In this issue

  • Server of the Week: Cindy Knigge

    Though you can consider her relatively new, Cindy is celebrating one year with Get Real in June! Serving great food is something she loves, And her satisfied customers don’t even leave crumbs. She spends time gardening veggies inside and out, And having fun with her hubby and dogs, no doubt! If you stop by, Cindy […]

  • Meeting to Watch: County Considering the Elimination of Virtual Comment Period

    The full County Board is set to discuss at its April 18 meeting whether to continue to allow remote participants to speak during the public comment period. Remote viewing would still be available.  The upcoming discussion will take place during the board’s organizational meeting, April 18. That’s when the county reviews Rules of Order and […]

  • Arts, Schools, Potawatomi Tower Come Up at Listening Session

    State Sen. André Jacque held the first of the six listening sessions that he has planned for this month in the 1st Senate District on Monday at Sturgeon Bay City Hall.  With the Wisconsin Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee now beginning its deliberations on the 2023-25 biennial state budget, the De Pere Republican fielded questions during […]

  • Get Ready for The Big Plant

    Surprise order comes from a familiar place Leaders and active participants in The Big Plant have seen more interest this year from people who want to help replace the trees that Door County keeps losing to diseases and development. Last year, 15,000 trees were planted countywide during The Big Plant. Jeff Lutsey, executive director of […]

  • Anonymous Objections Stalling Land-Conservation Projects

    Door County Land Trust alters its land-conservation strategy to avoid project delays Plus: Read Dee J. Hall’s column on this topic here>> “Water quality is declining; forest cover is disappearing; fisheries are less viable; and wildlife is struggling to find habitat – and the funding set aside to address these issues is unspent.” — Emily […]

  • DCHS Featured Pet: Evi

    Introducing Evi, a 2-month-old puppy who’s available for adoption at the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) Door County Campus! This sweet, adorable, 11-pound girl has light-brown coloring and the cutest brown eyes. She’s full of energy and sure to add excitement and snuggles to any new home! Like all dogs at WHS, Evi (wihumane.org/adopt/animal?id=52281350) has been […]

  • Support Group Resuming

    Door County SMART Recovery meetings are resuming April 16 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1756 Michigan St. in Sturgeon Bay. Meetings are held Sunday mornings, 8:30-9:30 am, and are open to the community and visitors. Coffee and other refreshments will be available. SMART Recovery is a peer-support group that empowers individuals in their recovery […]

  • Jesus Cares Celebrates 5 Years

    Jesus Cares Ministry, a group formed for people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, is celebrating five years of Bible studies, fellowship, music, food and crafts. The ministry meets at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 108 W. Maple St. in Sturgeon Bay, monthly on the third Saturday, 10:30-11:30 am. Everyone is welcome to attend.

  • Spring Fundraiser at Prince of Peace

    Prince of Peace Lutheran Church is hosting its Swing into Spring fundraiser April 21, with dinner by Smokin’ Tom’s Team BBQ and live music by the Swingin’ Door Big Band. The doors will open at 5:45 pm; starters will be served at 6 pm; and the main course will be served at 6:30 pm.  Attendees […]

  • Empathy, Trust and Assistance for Latinos

    Immigration attorney Luca Fagundes will discuss the use of empathy and trust when working with clients during a presentation at Hope United Church of Christ on April 16, 9-10 am. On April 23, 9-10 am, Hope’s Board of Mission and Action will discuss the Latinos Emergency Assistance Fund, which it implemented in 2021 as a […]

  • Free Oral-Cancer Screenings

    The Door County Medical Center’s Dental Clinic will host free oral-cancer screenings April 19, 4:30-6:30 pm. Doctors at the clinic will examine participants’ mouth, tongue and visible throat for signs of cancer or precancerous conditions, and participants may be referred to a specialist for further evaluation if there are any signs of concern. The screening […]

  • CCR: Paint the Town Teal for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

    by SOPHIE SIELEN, County Coordinator/Victim Advocate, Family Services Sexual Assault Center April – as Sexual Assault Awareness Month – provides an opportunity for additional collaboration to show support for survivors of sexual violence. The Sexual Assault Center (SAC) has worked with community partners throughout Door County to provide support to survivors of sexual violence, no matter […]

  • Help Lobby for Important County Issues

    Water quality, affordable housing, child care, youth apprenticeship programs, commercial fishing and the repair of the historical Potawatomi State Park observation tower are local issues that will be addressed with legislators and state-agency leaders during the Door/Kewaunee County Legislative Days April 19-20 in Madison.  Sponsored by the Door and Kewaunee County Economic Development Corporations, Legislative […]

  • Students Weigh In on Future Plans

    Local businesses scout employees at the job fair A job fair held last month at Stone Harbor Resort in Sturgeon Bay drew more than 500 local high school students and highlighted 43 local businesses.  Those included manufacturers, medical providers, restaurants, hotels, banks, government agencies and chain businesses. The Door County Economic Development Corporation, Northeast Wisconsin […]

  • New Submission Categories for Hal Prize in Photography

    The contest is also using a new submission platform There’s less than one month until submissions open for the 2023 Hal Prize, and as we move toward the opening, my excitement continues to grow.  We have some changes this year that will make the contest even better, including new photography categories selected by our partners […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Prepare for Health Care Decisions before They’re Needed

    After your taxes are filed, please consider other important documents. April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day. It exists to inspire, educate and empower the public and providers about the importance of advance care planning. National Healthcare Decisions Day is an initiative to encourage people to express their wishes regarding health care, and for providers, […]

  • Deadline Extended for Write On Residency

    Because of some complications in its system, Write On, Door County has extended the deadline for residency applications to April 30. This application is for its traditional residency program, which offers writers and literary arts administrators the opportunity to focus on projects for one week to one month. Other than the application fee, there is […]

  • Rediscovering Tennessee Williams

    Third Avenue PlayWorks’ (TAP) play-reading club will meet again April 19, 3:30 pm, to discuss A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams. TAP’s artistic director, Jacob Janssen, will lead the discussion, which will be held in person at the Sturgeon Bay Library, 107 S. 4th Ave., or via Zoom at doorcountylibrary.org.

  • Book of Guided Meditation for Men

    Local poet Joseph Lopez recently released Paper Tiger Hunters, a book of guided meditation and reflection written for men to help them gather the tools they need to jump-start change, and for their partners and friends who want insight. Topics include trauma, anger, honesty, equality in partnership, therapy, grief, ego, validation, purpose, safety and communication. […]

  • What Kind Of Ancestor Do You Want To Be?

    Author Katherine Kassouf Cummings, co-editor of the anthology What Kind of Ancestor Do You Want to Be?, will give a presentation in observance of Earth Day on April 22, 10:30 am, at the Miller Art Museum, 107 S. 4th Ave. in Sturgeon Bay. As we face an ever-more-fragmented world, this book demands a return to […]

  • Max Garland Reads from New Collection

    Write On, Door County welcomes back former Wisconsin poet laureate Max Garland for a special event Thursday, April 20, 6:30 pm, when he will read from his new collection, Into the Good World Again.  The poems in the collection are ones of remembering – not only of the anguish and isolation of the global pandemic, during […]

  • Door County Bookmobile on the Comeback Trail

    Fundraising for History on the Move project will help return this icon to the road Seventy-three years after it first took to the road – and 34 since it last broke down – the original Door County Bookmobile is making a comeback.  That’s thanks, in part, to Carey Bertschinger and John Sawyer, Egg Harbor Historical […]

  • Wild Things: Scientist Says Wolves Have Recovered

    Former DNR, USFWS ecologist promotes delisting by KEVIN NAZE, [email protected], Peninsula Pulse contributor A former state and federal wildlife research ecologist and scientist, Nathan M. Roberts, appeared recently before Congress regarding H.R. 764, a bill to delist wolves from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and return management to the states. The bill – known as […]

  • Your Right to Know: End Wisconsin’s Secretive ‘Pocket Veto’

    by DEE J. HALL Editor’s Note: This column describes a problem that the Village of Sister Bay experienced after purchasing Pebble Beach, and the Village of Egg Harbor when purchasing shoreline from the Alpine Resort. The problem stems from the 16-member Joint Finance Committee, made up of state representatives and senators, any one of whom can […]

  • New 274 Area Code Includes Door County

    The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has announced the creation of a new, additional area code to overlay the area in which the 920 area code is now in service. This area includes Door County and communities in much of the Fox River Valley. The 920 area code is expected to run out of assignable […]

  • Annual Town Meetings Set for Apr. 18

    Annual meetings – which, by Wisconsin statute, are held on the third Tuesday of April – are coming up for Door County’s 14 towns.  That means the towns of Baileys Harbor, Brussels, Clay Banks, Egg Harbor, Forestville, Gardner, Gibraltar, Jacksonport, Liberty Grove, Nasewaupee, Sevastopol, Sturgeon Bay, Union and Washington will all be gathering Tuesday, April 18. (Annual […]

  • Muse Building Clears Another Approval

    Sturgeon Bay’s Aesthetic Design and Site Plan Review Board approved the building design and site plan Monday for the Muse building: a music venue and school being planned for the vacant lot at the northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and Jefferson Street. Shirley Weese Young, who purchased the parcel, is planning to build the two-story […]

  • Proposed Fishing Tourney Rule Changes Referred Back to Committee

    Proposed fishing tournament rule changes related to the use of City of Sturgeon Bay facilities – which could go into effect in 2024 – were referred back to the Joint Parks and Recreation Committee/Board on April 4 by the Sturgeon Bay Common Council. The committee/board in February backed an amendment from municipal services director Mike Barker […]

  • Development Agreement Approved for Apartment Project

    The Sturgeon Bay Common Council approved a development agreement April 4 for a three-story, 22-unit apartment building planned at 1361 N. 14th Ave., the site of a former cherry-processing facility near Tadych’s Marketplace and Walmart. Estes Investments, which is developing the apartment building fronting 14th Avenue, along with 12 storage buildings in the rear, previously […]

  • Midsummer’s Music Seeks Volunteers

    Midsummer’s Music is hosting virtual informational sessions May 8 and May 16, 1-2 pm, for people who are interested in joining its volunteer group, the Gracenotes. These online sessions will be conversations with Mary Hauser, Gracenotes chair; and Allyson Fleck, Midsummer’s Music’s executive director. Participants will also be entered in a drawing for two Midsummer’s […]

  • Night of Choral Music at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

    Seven church choirs and the Sturgeon Bay High School choir will gather April 16 for Choir-Nucopia, a night of music and camaraderie. Doors will open at 5:15 pm, and the concert will begin at 6 pm. The participating church choirs are from Tanum Forest Lutheran, Friends Community, Hope United Church of Christ, Prince of Peace […]

  • Lakeshore Singers Debut “Ave Vérum”

    The Lakeshore Singers will perform the world premiere of Terrence Niska’s Ave Vérum during its May 7, 7 pm, concert at the Corpus Christi Catholic Parish, 811 W. Juniper St. in Sturgeon Bay. Although Lakeshore Singers perform works in many genres, this concert’s song selections will focus on praise and adoration.  Niska – a frequent collaborator […]

  • Two Big Shows for the Knobs

    Door County’s improv troupe will be back at it April 15 when they return to their home at Peach Barn Farmhouse & Brewery, 2450 S. Bay Shore Dr. in Sister Bay, for a rollicking night of fun and laughs. Arrive early to get a good seat.  Then on April 26, 6 pm, they’ll take their […]

  • Dance Recital, Workshops by Studio234

    Emerald Lion at Studio234 (formerly Andria’s Dancin’ on the Door) is hosting its first student recital since the pandemic on April 16, 2 pm, at Third Avenue PlayWorks, 239 N. 3rd Ave. in Sturgeon Bay. Almost 30 dancers, ages 4-16, will perform pieces they’ve been preparing since the fall of 2022. Admission is $10. Guest […]

  • Northern Sky Theater Nurtures New Voices

    The COVID-19 pandemic sent a dark cloud over Fish Creek’s Northern Sky Theater, but that cloud wasn’t without its silver lining.  For Jeff Herbst, Northern Sky’s artistic director, an unexpected benefit of the pandemic was the feeling of coming back to the stage rejuvenated. He and other Northern Sky staff members did so around 2021, […]

  • Mike at the Movies: Seen One John Wick, Seen ’Em All

    by MIKE ORLOCK The John Wick movie franchise began “reel life” in the imagination of Wisconsin native Derek Kolstad, a fledgling script writer in Tinseltown who had authored a couple of B movies for erstwhile Rocky villain Dolph Lundgren. He thought his idea about a legendary assassin who had retired from a world of assassins […]

  • Bits & Bites: Brews Bring Awareness, Drömhus Expands Service

    Brews Bring Awareness to Invasive Species The Door County Invasive Species Team (DCIST) is launching a pilot project using local breweries as disseminators of invasive-species information.  Starboard Brewing Company is the first brewery to help in this effort, and the information campaign’s first species of focus is the spotted lanternfly. To raise awareness of this […]

  • Comeback Cranes

    Ridges symposium celebrates the recovery of the sandhill crane The comeback of the sandhill crane is one of the great conservation success stories in American history. The bird was hunted so exhaustively during the late 1800s that it disappeared as a breeding bird from Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota, Ohio and Indiana by 1930, and it […]

  • Door County Triathlon Named Best in Country

    USA Today readers named the Door County Triathlon the best in the country after six weeks of voting. A panel of experts had nominated 20 races for the vote, and the Door County event won over triathlons such as the Hawaii 70.3, the Chicago Triathlon, the Escape from Alcatraz and the St. Anthony’s Triathlon in […]

  • Dark Skies, Bees at Crossroads

    Celebrate the first day of International Dark Sky Week on April 15, 2-4 pm, during Crossroads at Big Creek’s Saturday Science program. The event, designed for school-aged youth and their families, will include a make-and-take craft, videos and nature games. Meet in the upper level of the Collins Learning Center. The Door County Beekeepers Club […]

  • Nicolet Bay 5K Filling Up

    Want a big-race feel without the big-race miles? Sign up for the Nicolet Bay 5K. There are fewer than 200 spots left in the shorter race that’s part of the Door County Half Marathon, set for Saturday, May 6, in Peninsula State Park. Get all the perks of the half marathon, but without the hills: […]

  • Carving New Trails at Peninsula State Park

    A trail that’s at least 12 years in the making could soon be coming to Peninsula State Park.  The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has signed off on the addition of 15-25 miles of purpose-built, low-impact, off-road bike trails in the park, and it didn’t take long for people to line up to get […]

  • Dance Away the April Showers

    The Door County Folk Alliance will host a barn dance April 15, 7-9 pm, at the Kress Pavilion, 7845 Church St. in Egg Harbor. No partner or experience is required because caller Mike Grimm will lead participants through circle and long-line dances.  All levels of dancers are welcome, but the Door County Folk Alliance recommends […]

  • Janet Planet at the Kress

    The Kress Pavilion’s Art of Music winter concert series concludes April 14, 7 pm, with a performance by Janet Planet. The sultry vocalist brings the curtain down on the inaugural season of the winter concert series with a mix of jazz, blues and standards. Tickets are $15 at the door of the Kress Pavilion, 7845 […]

  • Plum Island Photography Workshops

    Door County photographer Dave Heilman will share his talent during photography workshops set for June 3 and Sept. 23 on Plum Island and hosted by Friends of Pilot and Plum Islands. Heilman has explored photography as a part-time hobby, a full-time profession and now an outlet for his passion for landscapes and nature. All types […]

  • Youth Programming at Peninsula School of Art

    Join Peninsula School of Art for its Family Art Day on April 15, 9 am – 12 pm, to celebrate the work of pop-art icon Andy Warhol. This free program is designed for families with children ages 3-17. The final Family Art Day of the season will be held May 20. A leader in the […]

  • Student Spotlight: Mack Teska

    Is there a talented K-12 artist in your life? Submit a photo of her or his work to [email protected] to be considered for inclusion in a future Student Spotlight.

  • Miller Exhibition Supports Next Generation of Artists

    The Miller Art Museum is honoring student artists on the peninsula through its 49th Salon of Door County High School Art. The exhibition, on display April 15 – May 27, showcases 164 artworks in a range of media by 116 students – freshmen to seniors – who attend the five partnering public schools.  A reception set for […]

  • Trillium Quilt Guild Turns 25

    A hobby evolves into an art form Trillium Quilt Guild has been stitching away for 25 years, and according to Gwen Mitsche, the guild’s 25th-anniversary committee chair, members can make only so many quilts as gifts for friends and family members before they’re politely asked to slow down. “Little by little, people say, ‘We’ve had […]

  • Trapanis Win $1.3 Million on ‘The Wall’

    $1 million fundraising goal for Ukraine met Christiana and Nic Trapani are not uncommon names on the Door peninsula, but on April 11, the couple got national recognition as contestants on NBC’s game show The Wall. During their episode, they won $1.3 million. This journey began when the couple received a call in March 2022 […]

  • Local Businesses Scout for Employees at High School Job Fair

    A job fair held last month at Stone Harbor Resort in Sturgeon Bay drew more than 500 local high school students and highlighted 43 local businesses, including manufacturers, medical providers, restaurants, hotels, banks, government agencies and chain businesses, among others. The Door County Economic Development Corporation, Northeast Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship Program and CESA 7 organized […]

  • Obituary: Delmar “Pickle” Robert Olson, Jr.

    May 16, 1945 ~ April 5, 2023  Door County legend Delmar “Pickle” Robert Olson, Jr., 77, of the Town of Liberty Grove, died unexpectedly at home on April 5, 2023. He was born May 16, 1945 in Elmhurst, IL, the son of Delmar and Norma Olson. Pickle’s family moved to Door County, WI in 1946. He graduated […]

  • Obituary: John Buege

     June 14, 1946 ~ April 9, 2023 John L. Buege, age 76, of Algoma, died peacefully with family and friends by his side on April 9, 2023. John was born in Algoma on June 14, 1946 to Leo and Louise (Braemer) Buege. Drafted to the Army in 1965, he proudly served his country as MP […]

  • Death, Afterlife Discussion Group

    Those interested in talking about death and the afterlife are invited to participate in an open discussion group where all beliefs are welcomed and respected. The next meeting will be held April 20, 1-3 pm, at the ADRC of Door County, 916 N. 14th Ave. in Sturgeon Bay.  Steve Freier – who has spent more […]

  • Obituary: Carol M. Lutzen

    May 15, 1938 ~ April 7, 2023 Carol Marie Lutzen, 84, Sturgeon Bay died at Bishops Court of Eden Vista in Green Bay on April 7, 2023.  She was born May 15, 1938, in Menomonie to John and Geneva (Werner) Weber. She married James Michael Lutzen on June 15, 1957, in Menomonie. Carol enjoyed gardening, […]

  • Obituary: Mallory Anne (Slaby) Rafson

    March 17, 1967 ~ April 5, 2023 Mallory A. Slaby Rafson, 56 years of Algoma, formerly of Door County, died Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at her home. Mallory was the daughter of Joan Slaby and Fred Slaby. Survivors include her parents, Fred Slaby of Luxemburg, and Joan Slaby of Egg Harbor; sister, Cindy (Harry) Jacque […]

  • Obituary: Barbara H. Brandtjen

    October 18, 1931 ~ April 3, 2023 Barbara H. Brandtjen, 91, of Egg Harbor, died peacefully on April 3, 2023.  She was born on October 18, 1931, in Milwaukee, WI to the late Peter Paul and Erma Catherine (Miller) Huhn, the youngest of six girls in a tight-knit loving family.  She grew up in Milwaukee, […]

  • Tie-Breaking Roll of the Dice Decides Sister Bay Village President

    Nate Bell wins, Rob Zoschke won’t ask for a recount Nate Bell is the new Sister Bay Village Board president following a dice roll Thursday morning at the village administration building. The luck-of-the-draw roll was necessary to break the tie between Bell and incumbent village board president Rob Zoschke. Each of the candidates had received […]

  • Adoption Appointments No Longer Needed at Humane Society

    The Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) Door County Campus is now holding open adoption hours, which means that adoption appointments are no longer required in order to see animals. Simply stop in during adoption hours to meet with a counselor, check out available animals or browse the retail store. The WHS Door County Campus is open […]

  • Obituary: Bradley Scott Bley

    September 18, 1967 ~ April 1, 2023 Bradley S. Bley, 55 years, of Appleton, formerly of West Jacksonport, died suddenly Saturday April 1, 2023 after an apparent vehicle accident. He was born September 18, 1967 in Sturgeon Bay, the son of the late Gordon and Eunice (Herbst) Bley. Brad graduated from Sevastopol High School class […]