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Peninsula Pulse – April 27-May 4, 2018

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In this issue

  • Letter to the Editor: Old Schoolhouse Would Make Nice Hotel

    In regard to the bickering going on in Sturgeon Bay about who owns the dirt piles on the vacant waterfront property. If in fact those on the city council of Sturgeon Bay are in favor of the hotel and had asked Mr. Papke and his company, Sawyer Hotel Development LLC, to build one on that […]

  • Science, Economics and Politics of Water Management

    After working 32 years for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bob Martini is far from retiring from advocating for Wisconsin’s waters. Employed as a Water Resource Scientist with the DNR, Martini was instrumental in employing the Clean Water Act in his home state by cleaning up the polluted Wisconsin River. Martini will be the […]

  • Husby’s Hosts Lyft Information Meeting May 10

    Husby’s in Sister Bay will host an informational meeting on becoming a driver for the Lyft rideshare program at 5 pm on Thursday, May 10. Meet the general manager for Lyft Wisconsin and learn more about the program. Chili will be provided. For more information, call the Sister Bay Advancement Association at 920.854.3230.

  • Letter to the Editor: Big Win for Great Lakes

    If you care about the environment and keeping the Great Lakes’ waters clean and free from more pollutants, something good happened in the Senate on April 18, 2018. There was a measure coming up to present to Congress. This measure would have weakened the Environmental Protection Agency’s monitoring of the ballast water discharges from freighters […]

  • Letter to the Editor: In the Interest of All Constituents

    I read with some dismay a letter to the editor supporting State Representative Andre Jacque for our state Senator. My reason for the dismay was due to the rationale for the support:  essentially Christian “family values.” I would remind voters that we are electing a state senator to represent the interests of all constituents, not […]

  • Reps in the News: Kitchens Holds Local Office Hours

    Representative Joel Kitchens Rep. Kitchens announced he will hold office hours within the 1st Assembly District:  “I am happy to announce that I will be holding in-district office hours throughout the 1st Assembly District in order to connect with constituents who would typically not have the time or ability to make the long drive to […]

  • Farmers Encouraged to Seek Disaster Assistance

    Agricultural producers who have lost livestock to disease, resulting from a weather disaster, have an additional way to become eligible for a key U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster assistance program. USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey announced an administrative clarification nationwide to the Livestock Indemnity Program. In the event of […]

  • Sturgeon Bay Utilities Receives National Award

    Sturgeon Bay Utilities (SBU), Sturgeon Bay’s locally owned, not-for-profit electric, water and wastewater services provider, was awarded the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Safety Award of Excellence April 30 at the APPA Engineering & Operations Technical Conference in Raleigh, N.C. The award recognizes utilities with the lowest number of work-related injuries and illnesses in 2017, […]

  • High School Sports Schedule: May 4 – 11

    GIBRALTAR Baseball May 4 vs. Sevastopol, 4 pm May 7 @ Algoma, 5 pm May 10 vs. Southern Door, 5 pm Golf May 8 @ Horseshoe Bay Golf Club, 1 pm May 10 @ Wander Springs Golf Course, 12:30 pm Softball May 4 vs. Sevastopol, 4 pm May 7 @ Algoma, 5 pm May 10 […]

  • Potawatomi Tower Poised for Same Fate as Eagle Tower

    It was déjà vu at Stone Harbor Resort on May 1, as officials from the Wisconsin State Park system explained the findings that led to the closure of Potawatomi State Park’s tower on April 3. “We went through the same questions with Eagle Tower, and they’re good questions,” Ben Bergey, director of the State Parks […]

  • League Play to Soon Start at Maxwelton Braes

    The Nor-Dor Wednesday Men’s Golf League at Maxwelton Braes in Baileys Harbor is in the process of forming teams for the 2018 season. The league format is team-based match play that is individually competitive. League play starts May 23 with a full team, best ball scramble. Individual match play starts May 30 until Sept. 5. […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Clean Water, Anyone?

    I hope you value good clean water to drink, I do! The Town of Casco has nitrates in their water cited by the DNR. Why are the DNR allowing the mega farms to get larger? How long before Brussels and the surrounding areas will be affected? The mega farms rent land in Door County so […]

  • Celebrate Water Initiative Kicks off May 5

    Stewardship of nature is one the foundational values of Door County. The beauty of the area’s natural environment has drawn visitors for generations, and none of these features is more vital to our health and economy than water. This year, a new initiative has been launched by citizens to celebrate, advocate for, and protect the […]

  • State News: Foxconn, Wildfires, Ticks

    Wildfire Danger Continues Warm, dry, windy weather is creating prime conditions for wildfires across Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued red flag warnings for seven counties in western and central Wisconsin this week. There were 43 reported wildfires in Wisconsin on April 29, including two large ones in Clark County. Some 90 acres […]

  • Door County Adventure Center Purchases Zip Line

    The Door County Adventure Center announced a new partnership with Egg Harbor Fun Park after purchasing the zip line operation at the park. The Fun Park location will be the third zip line operation for the Adventure Center. “We’re thrilled to add this zip line to our list of adventures,” said business manager Anna Calhoun. […]

  • J-1 Visa Program Growing in Door County

    The J-1 Summer Work and Travel (SWT) visa program is growing in Door County, according to data provided by the U.S. Department of State to employers. About 15 employers showed up at the forum in Baileys Harbor, hosted by the Door County Visitor Bureau (DCVB), including four employers who have never used the program before. […]

  • Municipal Meetings: May 4 – 11

    DOOR COUNTY City of Sturgeon Bay:  Finance/Purchasing & Building Committee meets at 4 pm May 8. The Community Protection & Services Committee meets at 4:30 pm May 10. County of Door:  The Public Safety Committee meets at 10:30 am May 7. The Board of Health meets at 4 pm May 7. The Human Services Board […]

  • Fred and Fuzzy’s, Little Sister Resort Listed for Sale

    Longtime owners Greg “Fuzzy” Sunstrom and the family of the late Fred Luber have listed the Sister Bay staple Fred and Fuzzy’s Waterfront Bar and Grill and surrounding Little Sister Resort for sale at a price of $5.95 million. The sale includes both businesses on 12.21 acres with three permanent piers on 400 feet of […]

  • Chicago Tour Boats ‘Stretched’ at Bay Shipbuilding

    by Cindy Germain It was all-hands on deck to “stretch” three iconic Chicago tour boats at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding. The two-year long process from concept to sail, including efforts from other local firms, has renewed the Star fleet of Chicago’s Shoreline Sightseeing.   The Bright Star, the Evening Star and the Star of Chicago are […]

  • Southern Door Alumni Hall of Fame Ceremony May 11

    Southern Door County School District will hold its Sixth Annual Alumni Hall of Fame Ceremony on Friday, May 11, at 9:30 am in the Southern Door Community Auditorium. The district will honor Joe and Sandy Hurley (Class of 1972 and Class of 1973) and Chris Renard (Class of 1986). These honorees were selected as outstanding […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Farm Matriarchs Did More than Make Meatloaf

    You recently used a photo of me in connection with your article titled “Females May Reign in Future of Farming.” This article talked about the shift/increase in women in the agricultural industry, but I wanted to comment on your opening line.  You wrote, “The days of the man working hard on the farm while his […]

  • Start of Alpine’s Golf Season

    Alpine Golf Course is open this weekend, May 4-6. The red and white nines are open for walking only; the blue and black are still closed. League play for the Alpine Ladies Golf League begins June 5 at 8:15 am. This is an informal, friendly nine-hole league at the Alpine Golf Course in Egg Harbor. […]

  • Saving Your Asparagus

    Asparagus shoots emerging from the soil is an indication that spring has (finally) arrived. This perennial plant is common in both gardens and growing wild along roadsides. Asparagus spears (shoots) are harvested by snapping them off at the base when they are 5-8 inches long. The plants will continue to send up shoots, which can […]

  • Fatal Car Crash in Sevastopol April 23

    The Door County Sheriff’s Office reported a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Townline Road and Highway 42 that killed Ruthann Dachelet, 56, of Sturgeon Bay. The accident took place shortly after 8 pm on April 23 on the road bordering the townships of Sevastopol and Egg Harbor. The initial investigation indicates that a 2010 […]

  • Pet Talk: All About Dogs

    Dogs are called  “man’s best friend”  because of their loyalty to us. Below are some interesting facts about our canine companions. More than one in three U.S. families own a dog.   Obesity is the top health problem among dogs. The fastest breed is the Greyhound, which can run up to 44 miles per hour. […]

  • Sister Bay Tavern League Bowling Final Srtandings

    High Series:  Aaron Shepit 743, Mike Snell 693, Brett Anschutz 676 High Game:  Mike Snell 277, Aaron Shepit 257, Jason Daubner 244 High Team Game:  Alexander’s 803 High Team Series:  Alexander’s 2,362 2017-2018 League Champs:  AC Tap (Brian Tourmo, Wally Naleway, Taylor Mueller, Aaron Shepit, Chris Janisse)

  • News From This Week’s Past: Glidden Lodge, Mad Woman, Runaway

    All items are from the Door County Library’s newspaper archives, and they appear in the same form as they were first published, including misspellings and grammatical errors.   The Expositor May 1, 1874 The following is the form of the petition to be circulated among the ladies. TO THE HONORABLE, THE TOWN BOARD OF THE […]

  • Door County Visitor Bureau Revamps Job Site

    The Door County Visitor Bureau (DCVB) revamped their job search site to better connect job seekers and employers. Relaunched late last year, JobsInDoorCounty.com offers a user-friendly interface for both job seekers and employers. Job posting is free for any Door County business. Job seekers have the option to search by full-time, part-time and seasonal work. […]

  • Marggie Hatala Hosts Reflective Writing Workshops

    Marggie Hatala introduces her new business, Embrace Your Inner Self, that offers reflective writing workshops and inner life coaching. Hatala uses many intuitive prompts to lead groups into deep inner reflection in her workshops. “I’ve been told by some participants that they never dreamt that this sacred voice was within them and opening to it […]

  • Dissolving WRA Presents Ethics Question for City Attorney

    Randy Nesbitt, the attorney for the City of Sturgeon Bay, said he will not advise the council on the process or consequences of dissolving the Waterfront Redevelopment Authority (WRA), citing potential ethics violations. “This is one of those instances where one attorney cannot serve two masters,” Nesbitt said. Because the WRA is an authority under […]

  • Lily Bay: A Village that Lives Only in Memory

    In the later years of the 19th century, an estimated 85 to 100 people lived and worked in the little community of Lily Bay. There were, at one time, as many as 15 buildings in the village, including a post office, store, sawmill, cooper shop, blacksmith shop, boarding house and several family homes. During the […]

  • Jacksonport RV Campground Gets Green Light on 3-2 Vote

    After three separate meetings that included nearly 10 hours of testimony, the Door County Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) voted 3-2 on May 1 to deny an appeal by a group of Jacksonport residents to stop the development of an RV campground on vacant farmland south of the town and grant a conditional use permit […]

  • Pulse Price Report: May 1

    Crop prices (May 1) Rio Creek Feed Mill – Algoma Commodity Price (per bushel) Basis Last Year Corn $3.52 -0.50 $3.26 Soybeans $9.65 -0.81 $9.52 Wheat $4.34 -0.76 $3.63 Oats $2.37 0.71 N/A   United Cooperative – Denmark Corn $3.50/bushel -0.52 New-Crop Corn $3.69/bushel -0.48 Wheat $4.30/bushel -0.80   Basis:  The difference between the local […]

  • Rescheduled Ikebana Show at Plum Bottom

    Plum Bottom Gallery’s Art Show 3 was rescheduled to April 28, 10 am to 4 pm. This show features hand-thrown porcelain ikebana by resident potter Chad Luberger and colorful embroidered flowers by Jean Corby. Plum Bottom Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10-4pm. Once May starts, though, they’re open 10-5pm every day! To visit go 15 […]

  • Southern Door Blood Drive May 3

    The Southern Door Student Council and the American Red Cross are sponsoring a blood drive on Thursday, May 3, from 9 am to 2 pm in the high school gym. Anyone who is at least 17 years of age or is 16 with parent permission, weighs at least 110 pounds, and is in good health […]

  • Crossroads Celebrates Arbor Day with a Hike

    Celebrate National Arbor Day with an Arbor Day hike at Crossroads at Big Creek on April 27, 4 pm. Join the naturalist for a gentle hike to the various forest types on the Big Creek Preserve. Hikers will celebrate water and trees. Wear footwear that can get wet. The hike is free and open to […]

  • Reps in the News: Baldwin Seeks Rural Development Funding

    Governor Scott Walker Gov. Walker announced he is seeking applicants for a student representative on the Wisconsin Technical College System Board. The student representative is appointed for a term that will expire May 1, 2019. The student must be above the age of 18, a state resident, enrolled at least half-time, and be in good […]

  • The Bestseller List: April 27, 2018

    TRADE PAPERBACK FICTION Anything Is Possible, by Elizabeth Strout Pachinko, by Min Jin Lee Small Great Things, by Jodi Picoult Magpie Murders, by Anthony Horowitz Lincoln in the Bardo, by George Saunders TRADE PAPERBACK NONFICTION Killers of the Flower Moon, by David Grann The Death and Life of the Great Lakes, by Dan Egan Evicted, […]

  • In Bloom: Sully’s Produce Boasts Bountiful Greenhouse

    Spring is in bloom in Sturgeon Bay – you just have to head indoors to see it. This spring, Char, Michael and Steve Sullivan, of Sully’s Produce, unveiled their largest and most colorful greenhouse yet:  a 10,000-square-foot facility dedicated to Char’s passion for flowers. The greenhouse marks an important milestone in Sullivan’s burgeoning floral career […]

  • Anglers Reel in Big Brown Trout

    The 30th Annual Baileys Harbor Brown Trout Tournament, held April 19-22, handed out more than $7,000 in prizes to the top 40 fish caught in Door or Kewaunee County waters. The top three anglers were Andy Stuth with a 22.38-lb., 35-inch catch, Michael Lardinois – 20.91 lbs., and Greg Ebel – 18.47 lbs.

  • Trivia: When and where was the first ever hamburger served in America?

    Question:  When and where was the first ever hamburger served in America? Answer:  Seymour, Wisconsin in 1885

  • National Day of Prayer Event in Baileys Harbor May 3

    Stella Maris Parish’s Men’s Faith Sharing Circle will sponsor a National Day of Prayer event May 3, 8:30 – 11:30 am at the Baileys Harbor Town Hall. There will ba a continental breakfast, flag ceremony, keynote speaker Mother Mary Catherine of the Divine Word, prayer and group discussion. The theme for this year is based […]

  • February Room Tax Down 2.9 Percent, But 36 Properties Late on Payment

    Preliminary data for room tax collections in February show a decline by 2.9 percent from the same month last year, but 36 properties were late in filing their room tax. The Door County Tourism Zone Commission (DCTZC) expects the decline will turn positive when all properties have reported. DCTZC Administrator Kim Roberts said 36 properties […]

  • Golden Heart Award Honorees

    The 2018 Golden Heart Awards honorees were recognized for their contributions to area organizations by the Volunteer Center of Door County April 19. Photo by Myles Dannhausen Jr.

  • Sturgeon Bay High School Presents “Mary Poppins: The Broadway Musical”

    The Sturgeon Bay High School (SBHS) theater arts class presents Mary Poppins: The Broadway Musical April 27-28. This show promises to entertain and amuse audiences of all ages. The Broadway production of Mary Poppins has all the wonderful songs from the Disney movie as well as several new tunes and lively dances. As part of […]

  • Summer Volleyball Teams Wanted

    Volleyball in the sand returns to the courts on County A in Ephraim this month. The Northern Door Volleyball League is seeking teams. Registration deadline is May 16. The league plays games every Wednesday night beneath the sunset and lights. The team fee is just $100 and must be received by May 16 to secure […]

  • Valmy Thresheree Receives Donation from Marlin Kay Family

    The Northeastern Wisconsin Antique Power Association, home of the Valmy Thresheree, received a $7,650 donation from the Marlin Kay family. Kay ran a dairy farm in the Forestville area and was honored as “Thresherman of the Year” by the Thresheree in 2003. He enjoyed restoring old tractors and watching tractor pulls. In Kay’s memory, the […]

  • DCHS Featured Pet: Catalina

    Meet this week’s Featured feline from the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) Door County Campus, Catalina. She’s a new arrival and just seven months old. Catalina has an amazing tortoiseshell coat with piercing golden eyes. She’s a petite girl, weighing five pounds, but has a lot of love to give. Like all the cats at the […]

  • Golf Scramble to Benefit DOOR CANcer, Southern Door Athletics

    Royal Scot Golf Course will host the Carrie Ann Renard Memorial 16th Annual Cheesehead Open. The four-person scramble will be held July 28, with a 12:30 pm shotgun start. Dinner and awards will follow at 6 pm. Fees are $80 per player and includes lunch, 18 holes of golf, cart, prizes and dinner, or just […]

  • State News: Foxconn, Health Insurance, Gas Imports

    Walker, Environmentalists Spar Over Foxconn Water Plan Gov. Scott Walker is throwing cold water on a request to have all the Great Lakes states and two Canadian provinces review a Lake Michigan diversion plan that would help the planned Foxconn plant in Racine County. Environmental groups comprising the Wisconsin Compact Implementation Coalition want the wider […]

  • NexGen Door County ypAward Winners

    NexGen Door County, the county’s young professionals network, hosted its second annual ypAwards April 12 at Horseshoe Bay Golf Club to honor the county’s best and brightest young persons. Nominations were sought in two categories:  “Rising Star” for those ages 30 and younger and “Shining Star” for those 31- to 40-years old. Qualifications for both […]

  • Obituary: Beverly Ann Mickelson

    Beverly Ann Mickelson, 63, of Portland, Ore., passed away Thursday, April 19, 2018. She was born in Sturgeon Bay, Wisc. on December 13, 1954, the daughter of Omer “Mick” and Janet M. (Haines) Mickelson. Bev had a passion for sports throughout her life. She attended Sturgeon Bay High School and was active in sports and […]

  • Obituary: Dorothy I. Bongle

    Dorothy I. Bongle, 84, of Green Bay, formerly of Sturgeon Bay, passed away Thursday night, April 19, 2018 at Green Bay Health Services. She was born April 30, 1933 in Indiana, the daughter of the late Russel and Henrietta (Schroeder) Mellott. Dorothy graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School in 1951. She received her nursing education at […]

  • Server of the Week: Staci Reinhard

    This is Staci, helpful and sweet We met her at Walgreens, which was pretty neat   She will help you get pictures developed and more She’ll help you find coupons to use at the store   We applaud you, Staci, so take a bow You are a good worker and really know how   – […]

  • Manners Matter: Chain of Command

    Dear Mary Pat, I have a new employee that I was very excited about at first. She is prompt, reliable, friendly and learns quickly. Over the last couple of months though she has started taking charge which is normally a good thing, but not to the point where she acts as though she’s the boss. […]

  • Paintings, Past and Present

    Carol Schalla, a Door County pastel artist, is having a gallery showing of a variety of her works at the Door County YMCA in Fish Creek. Throughout May, a collection of Schalla’s pastel paintings, including landscapes, water vistas, still lifes and portraits, can be viewed and purchased. For the past four years of her retirement, […]

  • Pitchers of the Door County Potters Guild

    The Door County Potters Guild invites the community to their annual studio tour, May 5 & 6, 10 am to 5 pm. This year’s theme is “Pitchers of All Sizes” and nine studios are participating. The potters welcome guests to their studios and galleries to see new work created during the winter. Each gallery features […]

  • LEAP Performance Rescheduled for April 29

    This year’s “LEAP: The Human Kindness Project” frames the high-stakes, cut-throat world of Broadway auditions as a microcosmic metaphor for life’s struggle to keep hold of one’s dreams while navigating the constant barrage of negativity that comes from others and from within. Sponsored by Door County Medical Center, “LEAP: The Human Kindness Project” is a […]

  • Jenny Bienemann Performs at the Makers Space with Special Guests

    Door County musicians Katie Dahl, Jess Holland and Jeanne Kuhns will join Chicago’s Jenny Bienemann for a concert at Door County Makers Space in Sturgeon Bay on April 28 at 7 pm. Bienemann, Dahl, Holland and Kuhns are Midwestern songwriters with loyal fan bases and multiple accolades to their collective credit. Though they normally perform […]

  • Doulagivers Family Caregiving Workshop April 29

    Doulagivers Family Caregiving Workshop is scheduled for April 29, 1-4 pm at Door County Healing Center, 44 S. Second Ave., Sturgeon Bay. The workshop brings families, friends and community members together to learn what the end-of-life processes are and how to become supports to the patient and caregiver. This workshop walks each participant through the […]

  • High School Sports Schedule: April 27 – May 3

    GIBRALTAR Baseball April 28 @ Oconto, 11 am May 1 @ NEW Lutheran, 5 pm May 3 vs. Algoma, 5 pm Golf April 30 @ Peninsula Golf Course, 4 pm May 3 @ The Orchards, 4 pm Softball April 28 @ Oconto, 11 am May 1 @ NEW Lutheran, 5 pm May 3 vs. Algoma, […]

  • Drone Photo and Video Classes Offer High-Flying Lessons

    For those interested in learning how to use a drone as an aerial platform for photography and videography, Peninsula School of Art is offering two summer workshops taught by Madison-based photographer Michael “Mickey” Kienitz. One of the first widespread applications of drone technology has been capturing the world in pictures and video from above. And […]

  • Debut Novel Explores Invisible Wounds, Power of Storytelling

    A new novel by author, scholar and Hal Prize fiction winner Scott A. Winkler, Ph.D. debuts his first novel, The Meadow: A Novel, April 27. Set in rural, Mid-America in 1968, the book’s main character, Walter Neumann, is torn between two visions for his future: his own, which finds him attending college and pursuing a […]

  • Overheard and Pet Peeves

    OVERHEARD Are there tid-bits of conversations you’ve heard while standing in line at the grocery store, serving a table, or walking down the sidewalk that make you smile, cringe or laugh out loud? “I love it when I pour coffee down my shirt.” “He knows more about the range lights than I know about myself.” […]

  • Peninsula State Park Offers Spring Walk

    Peninsula State Park offers a spring walk to a black ash swamp on April 28, 10-11 am. Tucked behind Peninsula’s Nature Center, fed by spring water oozing from the bluff edges, is a temporal wetland. Sturdy black ash trees rise up from a forest floor carpeted with ferns. Despite recent snow, the swamp is greening […]

  • Fran Shefchik Awarded First Door County Lifetime Achievement Award

    Fran Shefchik was honored with the first Door County Lifetime Achievement award at the Door County Economic Development Corporation’s annual investors meeting April 24. The award was created to recognize an individual who has made a substantial impact on the business community during their career in Door County. Door County Medical Center was named the […]

  • “Entangled” Poetry

    For the last six years, Meadows Art Gallery has featured the written art of Door County poets in April, National Poetry Month. The theme and title of the show is Entangled, and 20 Door County poets are exhibiting. Nancy Akerly brings a far eastern approach to her art. She does origami as relief sculpture. She […]

  • IKOR Program Offers Families Help with Medical Challenges

    Suppose you’re a 50- or 60-year-old person with a mother who’s no longer able to care for herself. You live in Fish Creek and she’s in Green Bay and determined to stay there near her church and friends. You don’t even know where to start making arrangements for her. Or suppose your 85-year-old father in […]

  • Celebration of Life: Henry George “Hank” Eckert

    A celebration of Hank’s life will be held May 5, beginning at St. Rosalia’s Cemetery at 11 am with a full military honors graveside ceremony. The celebration will then move to Scandia Village, where there will be a service in the Gathering Room of the Meadows at 12:30 pm. All who knew Hank are invited […]

  • Walk to Mary Pilgrimage May 5

    Hundreds are expected to make the 21-mile Walk to Mary Pilgrimage to Champion Shrine on May 5 for the opening weekend of Marian Month. They’ll journey together to The National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in Champion, where the Blessed Virgin Mary first appeared in 1859 to Adele Brise, a young Belgian immigrant […]

  • Fine Art Fair Volunteers Needed

    Are you in town during Memorial Day weekend and have some time to spare? Consider volunteering at the 20th annual Sturgeon Bay Fine Art Fair. Held at Sunset Park along the Sturgeon Bay waterfront, the Fine Art Fair is scheduled for May 26,  10 am to 5 pm, and May 27, 10 am to 4 […]

  • Volunteer Tutors Needed

    Literacy Door County invites the community to attend two training sessions in May for individuals interested in tutoring adults in English language skills. The goal is to provide one-on-one instruction to those who struggle with the English language. Most students are immigrants, but the organization also provides tutoring for basic literacy students. These training sessions […]

  • Len Villano’s Pic of the Week: Friendly Porkie

    My pic of the week this week is of a friendly porcupine I spotted while hiking. She sat along the trail for a moment before heading up a nearby cedar tree. Significant not only for the photo itself but also because the snow had finally melted enough to allow hiking without the aid of snowshoes. […]

  • Fundraiser Supporting Tina Torcivia Fight Against Breast Cancer

    From May 1-20, a Pampered Chef fundraiser will be online in support of Tina Torcivia and her fight against breast cancer. Up to 25 percent of the total sales will go directly to Torcivia. Jolynn Reinhardt is the local Pampered Chef consultant who is running the fundraiser. To make a purchase, connect with Reinhardt on […]

  • Gardener Gab: Recycling Event June 7

    by Michele Ploor Hello, Town of Gardner residents. Know of someone I should talk to or have anything to share? Email me at [email protected]. The Gardner Plan Commission will hold a recycling event on Thursday, June 7, 2018 at the Gardner Town Hall located at 2344 County C in Brussels. This event is open to […]

  • Babysitter Training Course May 12

    Northern Door Children’s Center is offering a Babysitter Training Course for young people ages 12 and older (no exceptions). The course takes place May 12, 9:30 am to 2 pm. The cost is $25 and includes all materials, lunch and a Certificate of Completion. Students learn the basics of how to start a babysitting business, […]

  • Sister Bay, Baileys Harbor Highway 57 Repaving Resumes May 2

    Paving work on Highway 57 will resume May 2 between Baileys Harbor and Sister Bay. An eight-mile stretch of the highway will be resurfaced. The work is expected to be completed by the end of June. The work includes paving, shouldering and pavement marking from the south County Q intersection to Canterbury Lane. The highway […]

  • Book Launch Party for “Death Rides the Ferry”

    Meet mystery writer Patricia Skalka as The Peninsula Bookman celebrates the release of the fourth book in the Dave Cubiak Door County mystery series, Death Rides the Ferry. This award-winning author will be available to sign books 4-6 pm at The Peninsula Bookman in Fish Creek on May 5. Skalka’s first installment in the series, […]

  • Discounted Registration for Maifest 10K, Fun Run

    Registration is open for the 36th annual Maifest 10K (6.2 miles) and 2-mile Fun Run/Walk on May 27. The race starts at 9 am in Lakeside Park on the shore of Lake Michigan in Jacksonport. It takes runners and walkers through the woods to Clark Lake then back on scenic Lake Shore Road, making this […]

  • Municipal Meetings: April 27 – May 3

    DOOR COUNTY City of Sturgeon Bay:  The common council meets at 7 pm May 1. County of Door:  The Highway Safety Commission meets at 9 am May 3. The Resource Planning Committee meets at 2 pm May 3. Town of Forestville:  An open book session will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 pm on April […]

  • Cheers!: Old and Into Nostalgia

    Back in the pre-disco mid-1970s there was a nostalgia craze that drove me nuts and eventually helped in my decision to move to England. People were dressing like 1940s Zoot Suiters while going to see Bette Midler or the Pointer Sisters. Marilyn Monroe was shamelessly exploited as an icon – she seemed to be everywhere […]

  • Sister Bay Ice Out Winners Announced

    Congratulations to the winners of the 80th annual Ice Out Contest in Sister Bay. This year the Ice Out raft started floating at 12:15 am on April 15, in the middle of a record 30-inch snowfall in Sister Bay. Participating businesses and winners are:  Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant – Patrick Seubert; Bargains Unlimited – Jay […]

  • Access to Nicolet Boat Launch Limited May 5

    Access to the Nicolet Bay Boat Launch in Peninsula State Park will be limited May 5 due to the Door County Half Marathon. Boaters and fishermen will have limited access to the boat launch until 8 am, and no access to the launch from 8 am – 2:30 pm.

  • Algoma Celebrates Water with Art

    James May Gallery invites the public to join more than 100 regional and national artists celebrating water at a gallery exhibition spread throughout nine downtown Algoma businesses including James May Gallery, JMG North, Steele Street Trading Co. & Gallery, Jabberwock Gallery and Studio, Clay on Steele, Yardstick, The Algoma Book Corner, Steele Street Hops and […]

  • Kewaunee County Launches Wellness Initiative

    The Kewaunee County Public Health Department would like to introduce Get Healthy Kewaunee County, a wellness initiative that was formed following the county’s most recent Community Health Assessment. The Nutrition and Physical Activity Work Group has been meeting monthly to look at ways to promote health and wellness within the community. Beginning in May, two […]

  • County to Determine Locations for Sex Offender Placements

    A committee made up of county staff from various departments will begin determining possible locations to place violent sex offenders should the need arise. A state law effective March 30, 2018, requires violent sex offenders to be placed in their home county, but restrictions as to where they can be placed and neighborhood opposition can […]

  • DCA Announces its 2018 Performance Schedule

    Door Community Auditorium (DCA) announces its 2018 performance schedule, featuring an eclectic and exciting array of performers, including well-known musical veterans, cutting-edge rising stars and beloved Door County favorites. DCA Executive Director Cari Lewis said, “Last season, we were thrilled to set a new record for sold-out events. The members of our program committee and […]

  • Cadence Inc. Acquired by New York Private Equity Firm

    Cadence, Inc., a leading provider of complex high-precision components and finished devices for advanced surgical and specialty industrial applications, announce the signing of a definitive agreement to be acquired by Kohlberg & Company, a leading private equity firm based in Mount Kisco, New York. Alan Connor, Cadence’s president and CEO, will continue to lead the […]

  • DPAS Meeting Program Focuses on “The Expanding Universe”

    The monthly program of the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society is May 1, 7 pm at the Stonecipher Astronomy Center, 2200 Utah Street in Sturgeon Bay. The program is titled “The Smooth, Expanding Universe,” and the Learn the Night Sky session will be on Ursa Minor, Draco and Cepheus. Guests are welcome to attend this free […]

  • Younkers Closing Ends 140 Years of Department Store Business

    When the liquidation sale at Younkers in downtown Sturgeon Bay ends some weeks down the road, it will mark the end of almost 140 years of a department store operating from that location. Last week it was announced that the Bon-Ton Stores announced a winning bid in an auction for the company’s assets – which […]

  • Obituary: Marjorie C. Binder

    Marjorie C. Binder, 96, of Sister Bay, Wisc. and formerly a resident of Renovo, Penn. passed away at Sister Bay on Sunday, April 22, 2018. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 3:00 p.m., Monday, April 30, 2018 at Stella Maris Parish in Sister Bay, Wisc. Friends and relatives will be received at […]

  • Obituary: Betty Jane Anna Resler

    Betty Jane Anna Resler, 79, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away in the comfort of her home, Monday morning, April 9, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. She was born at home on the family farm located on the top of Egg Harbor Hill on September 10, 1938, the daughter of Oscar Herman Tanck and Bernice […]

  • Land Trust Leads Hike Through Ship Canal Preserve

    Join Dale and Mary Goodner, Tim Stone and Door County Land Trust Executive Director Tom Clay May 12, 9-11 am, on a leisurely hike through varied habitats in the Land Trust’s Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Preserve. Discover some of the migratory as well as resident birds that can be found here. All level of birders […]

  • “The Story of Act 31” Traces Native History Policy & Curriculum

    In 1989, a state law known as Act 31 was passed that requires all students in Wisconsin to learn the history, culture and tribal sovereignty of Wisconsin’s federally recognized tribes. The Story of Act 31: How Native History Came to Wisconsin Classrooms details the story behind that landmark legislation and its implementation. Author J P […]

  • Door County Rated ‘F’ for Air Quality

    The American Lung Association gave Door and seven other Wisconsin counties an “F” rating for air quality in its State of the Air report. The determination is nothing new, as the air quality monitor at Newport State Park has registered high levels of ozone for years, picking up pollution that has traveled from Milwaukee and […]

  • Pulse Price Report: April 23

    Crop prices (April 23) Rio Creek Feed Mill – Algoma Commodity Price (per bushel) Basis Last Year Corn $3.31 -0.46 $3.08 Soybeans $9.43 -0.82 $8.80 Wheat $3.89 -0.71 $3.43 Oats $3.01 0.67 N/A   United Cooperative – Denmark Corn $3.33/bushel -0.44 New-Crop Corn $3.55/bushel -0.48 Wheat $3.90/bushel -0.70   Basis:  The difference between the local […]

  • Door County Beer Festival Returns June 16

    The Door County Beer Festival, the peninsula’s largest celebration of craft beer, returns to Baileys Harbor on June 16, 2018. Taste more than 150 different beers from 53 different breweries from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois. Festival-goers get unlimited tastings in the Peninsula Pulse tasting tent from 12-4 pm, while VIP attendees will get early […]

  • Sunshine Hosts Awards Dinner May 7

    Sunshine House will host its 47th annual awards dinner May 7 at Stone Harbor Resort. Recognition will be given to individuals and organizations in Door County that contribute to the Sunshine House’s ongoing success in serving seniors and individuals of all abilities. The social hour starts at 5 pm, followed by dinner at 6:15 pm […]

  • Wall of Honor Dedicated for Southern Door Graduates Who Served in Military

    A Wall of Honor for Southern Door High School graduates who have served in the military was unveiled at a ceremony at the school on April 20. “As of today, we have 273 names in there,” said Al Buechner, a member of the Forestville American Legion Post 372 who led the drive for the Wall […]

  • Door County Parents Playgroup Announces Field Trips

    The Door County Parents Playgroup has announced a lineup of field trips in place of their weekly meetings at Hope Church in Sturgeon Bay. Field trips are scheduled for:  May 3, Kidz Town in Green Bay; May 17, The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor; May 31, NEW Zoo; June 14, The Farm in Sturgeon Bay; […]

  • Door County Master Gardener Program Talks about Fairy Gardens

    Door County Master Gardener volunteer Chriss Daubner will demonstrate how to make a fairy garden on May 2, 6:30 pm in the Peninsula Room on the first floor of the Government Center in Sturgeon Bay. Daubner will provide handouts and give a PowerPoint presentation. This program is hosted by Door County Home and Community Education […]

  • YMCA Hosts Community Safety Session May 2

    The Door County YMCA and local law enforcement will offer a community safety session to all YMCA staff and community members. A 30-minute active shooter training video will be followed by a Q&A session with local law enforcement. The session will be held May 2, 11 am at the Northern Door Program Center and May […]

  • Register for DCEDC Golf Challenge

    Registration is open for the 10th annual Golf Challenge to be held July 11 at The Orchards in Egg Harbor. This golf scramble is a fundraiser for the Door County Business & Education Partnership, a nonprofit organization that was recently recognized with a Business Friend of Education Award from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction […]

  • Algoma Sculptor to Judge International Competition

    Algoma sculptor Bren Sibilsky is once again serving as a guest juror for Manhattan Arts International’s HerStory online exhibition. HerStory 2018 is an online exhibition of women artists that runs June 15 – Aug. 15 on ManhattanArts.com. It features the artwork of more than 50 women artists from around the world. Selected artworks from the […]

  • Sturgeon Bay City Wide Garage Sale Begins June 1

    Sturgeon Bay’s City Wide Garage Sale will be held June 1-2. Participants will have their choice of hosting their sale on just one or both days. If you are a city resident and would like to participate, stop by the City Municipal Services office (835 N. 14th Ave.) Monday through Friday between 7 am and […]

  • Obituary: Steven Edson Brunstrom

    Steven Edson Brunstrom, born September 15, 1943 in Quincy, MA to Roy Victor Brunstrom and Natalie Frances (Sadler) Brunstrom passed away on April 22, 2018 due to complications of his 10 year battle with cancer. Steve attended Weymouth High School and graduated in 1961. From there he went onto Massachusetts Maritime Academy and graduated in […]

  • Documentary on Addiction, Mental Health Screening at Crossroads

    Join the discussion about addiction, mental health and stigma at the May 1 screening of Written Off at Crossroads at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay. Written-Off is a Wisconsin-based, award-winning documentary about one man’s struggle with addiction. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Joe Krebsbach and Sue Exworthy, Door County Human […]

  • Open Door Pride Seeks Vendors for Pride Festival

    Open Door Pride is looking for vendors of food, art and other creative ventures as well as volunteers to help support their second annual Pride Festival June 23, 11 am to 5 pm in Martin Park. The group is also coordinating events the week leading up to the Pride Festival. Contact [email protected] or visit opendoorpride.org/get-involved. […]

  • USDA Offers Safety Net for Farmers

    Secretary Sheila Harsdorf is reminding Wisconsin farmers who sustained property damage or livestock losses from recent snow storms to document and report losses to their county USDA Farm Service Agency offices. Many parts of Wisconsin received two feet or more of heavy, wet snow April 13-14. It caused roof collapses in barns that killed livestock […]

  • Door County Connected: Nsight Completes Fiber Optic Cable

    An eight-year effort to better connect Door County through fiber optic cable wrapped up last week as Nsight celebrated the completion of the 198-mile project. Representatives from Nsight, the Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) and local hospitals, businesses and schools met in Sturgeon Bay’s Glas Coffeehouse, a subsidiary of Nsight, to celebrate. “One of […]

  • WPS Improving Door County Electrical Reliability

    Door County has traditionally experienced some of the longest and most frequent power outages when severe weather strikes, but a multi-year infrastructure improvement plan should soon change that. Scores of power poles were replaced throughout the middle of Door County last year as part of Wisconsin Public Service’s System Modernization and Reliability Project (SMRP). The […]

  • Barney Fun Run in Sister Bay April 28

    The Sister Bay Bowl hosts the second annual Barney Fun Run Saturday, April 28. Check-in is at 10 am with the run/walk beginning at 11:15 am. The run honors Barney Willems, Sister Bay’s own Forrest Gump who runs every day in almost any kind of weather. Barney’s positive attitude in the face of physical challenges […]

  • Mobile Pantry Visiting Kewaunee May 12

    The Kewaunee County Department of Public Health, Bank of Luxemburg and other local agencies and businesses are helping coordinate a Feeding America Event called Feeding Kewaunee County. A mobile pantry in partnership with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is scheduled to visit the Kewaunee School, 911 Third St., from 9 to 11 am Saturday, May 12. […]

  • Door County Medical Center Births: April 26 – May 2

    Chris and Elizabeth Fronda, Sturgeon Bay, are the parents of a daughter born April 13, 2018. Maternal grandparents are Dennis and Vicki Roig, Sturgeon Bay. Paternal grandparents are Joan Franda and the late Randy Franda, Sturgeon Bay. Craig and Crystal Ross, Sturgeon Bay, are the parents of a son born April 11, 2018. Maternal grandparents […]

  • Obituary: Janice Sperber

    Janice Marie Sperber, 78, of Forestville, passed away at home on April 19, 2018.  She was born Jan. 4, 1940 in Sturgeon Bay to George and Bernice (Kolstad) Mickelson.  On Sept. 12, 1959, she married George Sperber at Bay View Lutheran Church.   He preceded her in death on Nov. 4, 2008. Janice was employed by […]

  • Blacksmith Forge Open House at The Clearing

    The Blacksmith Forge at The Clearing will be open to the public April 30 through May 4, 1- 5 pm. Blacksmith Dan Nauman will be on hand each day to demonstrate forging techniques and answer questions about the craft. Nauman was The Clearing’s consulting blacksmith during the planning and construction of the Forge and is […]

  • Obituary: Vincent J. Rooney

    Vincent J. Rooney, 88, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on April 17, 2018 following a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. Vince was born on July 13, 1929 in St. Louis, MO. Vince is survived by his loving wife and caregiver Jacqueline Fandrei, 4 children; Vincent (Cris), Lynne, Lisa, and Kevin Rooney, 5 […]

  • Experiencing the Luge

    The 2018 Winter Olympic Games concluded Feb. 25 in Pyeongchang, South Korea, after 17 days of competition among some of the world’s best athletes. Luge was one of the popular competitions that featured men’s and women’s singles, doubles, and team relay events. Mitch Wise watched from his living room as lugers raced feet first on […]

  • Obituary: Carole Karas

    Carole A. Karas, 80, of Sturgeon Bay passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, April 21, 2018.  She was born September 1, 1937, to Louis and Jennie Tassoul in Algoma.  Carole married Wayne Karas on November 15, 1958, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Algoma.  He was the love of her life.  He passed […]

  • Maxwelton Braes Hosts ’80s Inspired Prom

    ​In celebration of neon, Michael Jackson, hairbands and spiked punch, Maxwelton Braes Lodge and Thyme Cuisine bring you Prom Night Back to the ‘80s on Saturday, May 12. For one night, Maxwelton Braes will take you on a back-to-the-future ride and transport you to a time when Madonna was queen and Mötley Crüe was king. […]

  • Obituary: Betty A. Clark Hanish

    Betty A. Clark Hanish, 91, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisc, was called home to Heaven on Friday, April 20, 2018 while at Anna’s Health Care CBRF surrounded by her family. She was born December 16, 1926 in Menominee, Mich, the daughter of the late Oscar and Anna (Haines) LeBoeuf. Her mother, Anna, died when Betty was […]

  • ADRC Webcast on Medicaid Changes May 8

    As of January 2018, SSI Medicaid Managed Care (HMOs) are required for individuals receiving SSI Medicaid because of a disability and who are 19 years old or older. There will not be an opt-out provision anymore. This process is changing in order to improve the quality of health care benefits. Once individuals receive an enrollment […]

  • Obituary: Josephine “Jody” Frances Brett

    Josephine “Jody” Frances Brett, 73, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away at her home on April 16, 2018. She was born July 31, 1944 in Harbor Beach, MI to William and Grace (Laskey) White. On July 29, 1963 she married William Brett in Howell, MI. He preceded her in death on July 1, 2015. During her […]

  • Letter to the Editor: More Support for Statewide Referendum

    On Tuesday, April 17, by a vote of 19-2, the Door County Board of Supervisors passed Resolution 2018-33:  “Supporting a Constitutional Amendment to Allow Limits on Campaign Contributions & Conducting a Non-Binding Statewide Referendum.” The bill for a statewide referendum is currently stuck in both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature. Later on Tuesday evening, the […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Jacque Is Patriot, Not Puppet

    We must live in Wisconsin! Not only did we just get a deep dump of heavy snow on our spring flowers, there is another election just around the corner. If you live in the State Senate District 1, there is a special election on May 15 to replace Senator Frank Lasee  after his December retirement. […]

  • Climate Corner: Americans Strongly Support Educating Children About Climate Change

    by Abigail Cheskis, Jennifer Marlon, Xinran Wang and Anthony Leiserowitz The article below provides reasons to be optimistic about the future. It is presented by the Climate Change Coalition of Door County with permission from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, led by Anthony Leiserowitz. The work of the Yale Program shows support for teaching kids about the science […]

  • Door to Nature: January Weather in April

    The story I intended to write for the last Friday in April would have reveled in the glories of bloodroot flowers. As I sit at the computer during our second snowstorm of the weekend on April 15 it makes me think differently. Perhaps the ground will still be covered with snow in late April. Here […]

  • Remembering Vel Phillips: A Woman of Many Firsts

    On April 17, Vel Phillips, a woman of many firsts, a tiny woman with big ideas, died in Milwaukee at the age of 94. Born Feb. 18, 1924, Velvalea Hortense Rodgers grew up with two sisters on Milwaukee’s south side. Her father, Russell, managed a restaurant and a car garage. She credited her mother, Thelma, […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Use the Power of the Ballot Box

    On April 15 in a televised interview James Comey, former head of the FBI, described President Trump as morally unfit for the Presidency.  Comey said other things in the interview and I believe of most importance was his response when asked about impeaching the president. Comey indicated  that it would not be in the best […]

  • Miller Art Museum Welcomes New Curator

    Last weekend’s opening of the 44th Annual Salon of Door County High School Art at the Miller Art Museum celebrated not just the museum’s support of local young artists, but also its first exhibit under new curator Elizabeth Shoshany Anderson. Shoshany Anderson is a Madison native who has spent the past several years working the […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Thanks to Nurse Erica

    Up to 12 more inches of snow? Lordy, Lordy. During one of several bitter cold nights this past winter, Erica, a nurse, was driving home from her night shift, stopped to pick up a dog running along the road, saving him/her from freezing to death. Today her family will spend the day without her so […]

  • The Clearing Hosts Dandelion Dinner May 12

    Dave LaLuzerne is holding a Dandelion Dinner May 12, 4-6 pm at The Clearing in Ellison Bay. The menu includes:  dandelion pesto on cracker with smoked fish, dandelion wine, ramp and potato soup, dandelion loaf with bacon, dandelion and ramp greens with fresh thyme, and dandelion blossom cake served with roasted dandelion root tea. Hors […]

  • Gibraltar Students Perform ‘Big Fish’ This Weekend

    Last spring, when Lizbeth Thomas chose The Addams Family as the 29th musical she’d direct at Gibraltar High School, she said, “After the tragic losses the high school and the community have faced in recent years, I thought a comedy was appropriate.” This year, she chose Big Fish The Musical, and the inspiration, she said, […]

  • Lukes’ to be Inducted into Conservation Hall of Fame

    The Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame induction ceremony and dinner, originally scheduled for April 14, has been rescheduled for May 5 at The Atrium at SentryWorld in Stevens Point. Door County naturalists and “partners in nature” Charlotte and Roy Lukes will be inducted into the Hall of Fame along with former Wisconsin Department of Natural […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Thank You to Our Local Government

    Thank you to the following municipal boards for their leadership in representing Door County citizens and passing resolutions calling on “the Wisconsin State Legislature, and our locally elected representative, to provide the voters of the state with an opportunity to speak through a non-binding statewide Referendum asking if they, the voters, support an amendment to […]

  • Questions & Authors: Hal Prize Poetry Judge Leslie Adrienne Miller

    When Leslie Adrienne Miller was an undergraduate at Missouri’s Stephens College in the ‘70s, she met various poets and writers who visited the women’s-only college for readings and residencies. Among them were Margaret Atwood and Adrienne Rich. It was a special time in Miller’s life. A budding poet, hearing those women share relatable poems and […]

  • News From This Week’s Past: Chambers Island for Sale

    All items are from the Door County Library’s newspaper archives, and they appear in the same form as they were first published, including misspellings and grammatical errors.   The Expositor April 24, 1874 The great need of this section about now is a man with brains enough to construct an Almanac with Spring placed where […]

  • Arts, Lit & Entertainment Editor Says Goodbye

    There’s something strangely satisfying about entering the home of a perfect stranger and asking them to tell you their life story. For the past decade, I’ve done it pretty consistently. It’s an awesome experience. You walk into the most unassuming house and find the most unexpected things:  rooms filled with handmade guitars, gardens filled with […]