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Peninsula Pulse Aug. 23-30, 2019

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In this issue

  • Volleyball: Make it Four Straight Titles for PC Junction

    The PC Junction team completed an unprecedented Favre-peet Aug. 19, sweeping two matches in the final night of the season to earn its fourth-straight Northern Door Volleyball Association Championship. PC Junction entered the final night in third place, needed to sweep its two matches, then had to hope the Boathouse took two of three games […]

  • Sawyer’s Dramatics Give Bays DCL Playoff Title

    Tom Sawyer was this year’s Door County League (DCL) batting champion. He was also the league’s MVP. And in the final game of the DCL baseball season, he was the hero.  Sawyer went to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning with a man on first, his Sister Bay Bays home crowd tense […]

  • PODCAST: Ryann Liebl films a Movie in Door County

    Celeste Benzschawel sits down with Ryann Liebl to talk about filmmaking and her new movie Mags and Julie Go On A Road Trip, which features scenes filmed in Door County.

  • Jackalope Trading Opens First Pop-Up Shop

    Sage Conrad opened the doors of her first pop-up shop on Aug. 20. Jackalope Trading Company—from her own brand name Jackalope Milk—features hand-crafted jewelry, bags, curiosities, and more. She was joined by Claire Erickson and her ice cream stand, Lil Diablas. Currently her studio space and store, Conrad hopes to continue working on the building […]

  • Len’s Pick of the Week: Weighing In at the Thresheree

    Aug. 23, 2019 My pick of the week for this week is a photo of the antique tractors getting weighed in before the tractor-pull competition at the Valmy Thresheree on Aug. 17. The challenge is, how do you portray an event in just one photo? How do you give your viewer a sense of what […]

  • Manners Matter: Respect for Proprietors

    by Mary Pat Dear Mary Pat, I own a small boutique for ladies, and I’m surprised by occasional comments made by customers. I’m a big believer in the philosophy that “the customer is always right”; however, when they casually insult my merchandise or ask me for directions to my competitor’s store, I don’t feel that […]

  • Antiques Crawl

    Don’t you just love the smell of old books? The sparkle of delicate glass lamps? The look of rusted farm equipment? The allure of mismatched jars? If you do, read on! Even if you don’t, I still encourage you to read on. I’m sure everyone’s version of antiquing is different. You have your hardcore antiquers […]

  • Golf League Results: Aug. 23, 2019

    ALPINE  Alpine Women’s Golf League Aug. 13, 2019 Event: Lowest “team” score with the pink ball • Winners: Mary Aiken, Mady Ferdinand, Margie Staats, Elaine Penpek  • Low score: Flight 1: Mary Aiken 39; Flight 2: Jeanine Bresnahan 45; Flight 3: Patti Hedeen 51; Flight 4: Ellen Maxwell 54 • Low putts: Flight 1: Diane Hanley 14; Flight […]

  • Black-Bear Hunt Largely an ‘Up North’ Experience

    Black bears have greatly expanded their range in Wisconsin, but they are still far and away most common in the vast forests of northern Wisconsin. Rarely, though, bears or bear tracks are spotted in Door and Kewaunee counties. Don’t believe it? Several bears were killed by hunters or vehicles in Door County decades ago. Interest […]

  • Summer Sailing Lessons Lead to Sailboat Purchase

    by Tim Sweet This summer my wife, Cindi, enrolled us in adult sailing lessons through the Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club’s (SBYC) Sail Training Foundation. The three-hour lessons have taken place for eight weeks on Tuesday evenings in the protected waters between the Oregon Street and Bay View bridges.   Our chief instructor, 18-year-old Frankie Pudlo, has […]

  • Servers of the Week: Nico and Cassie at Bayview Resort

    Nico (left) and Cassie are kind and hardworking And generous with their time.  They’re also really good at cooking,  And their Chinese food creations are sublime.  They work at Bayview in Ellison Bay  But find time to do so much more.  If you haven’t met them yet, say hey!  At the resort you’ll find an […]

  • Culture Club: Write On, Door County Defined

    Since joining the Write On, Door County family in June, I’ve found this time of transition to be one of invaluable introspection. It’s an interesting thing, going from being a teacher and always knowing a slice of the Door County youth and their families, to a role that finds me most often sitting quietly and […]

  • News Bulletin: Back-to-School Program Recieves 15,000 Donations

    WHAT HAPPENED • Kewaunee County kids had more than 15,000 donated school supplies to choose from at the annual Back-to-School Program, organized by the Kewaunee County Public Health Department. On Aug. 15 at Lakehaven Hall, approximately 300 students were able to choose backpacks, lunch boxes, notebooks, folders, crayons, markers, colored pencils, scissors, glue, tissues and […]

  • Department of Administration Secretary Distributes Grant Checks

    Three projects benefit from Wisconsin Coastal Management Program Department of Administration Secretary-designee Joel Brennan spent Aug. 20 in Door County to talk with county and municipal officials and Jim Schuessler of Door County Economic Development Corporation. In the afternoon, Brennan headed to Pinney Park to present a total of $251,378 for three Door County projects. […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Preserve the Ellison Bay Ball Field

    I wanted to reach out and share some thoughts about Fitzgerald Park in Ellison Bay – specifically the ball-field. I have heard that there has been some discussion about converting the ball-field to a dog park. While I’m a dog-owner and dog-lover and applaud the idea of a dog park in Northern Door I’m also […]

  • Workshop: Wild Mushrooms of Door County

    Instructor Charlotte Lukes will introduce participants to the diverse world of fungi and teach them the skills to identify wild mushrooms. Then the group will walk on The Clearing property to observe fungi and learn how to collect and identify them using field guides. Wear sturdy walking shoes, and take a notebook, pen, camera and […]

  • Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony at Northern Haus

    Northern Haus held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 19 to celebrate the completion of the premier event space at 10414 Fieldcrest Road in Sister Bay. The venue can accommodate up to 300 guests in the newly finished building on 30 acres of property. Local business owners and Sister Bay Village President Dave Lienau attended to welcome […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Gallagher Voted No to Sensible Gun Control

    There have been 9,092 gun deaths in the U. S. since the beginning of the year. Did you know that 93 percent of Americans, 89 percent of Republicans and 87 percent of gun owners support background checks for all gun buyers? (True according to a March, 2019 Quinnipiac poll.) Then why would our elected representative, […]

  • By the Numbers: New Report on Economic Impact of Agriculture in Wisconsin

    A new report from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for Community and Economic Development provides insight on the impact of agriculture on Wisconsin’s economy. Despite depressed prices for farmers, the industry has grown since 2012, primarily due to the growth in food processing. We break down some big numbers from the report here. 7.1 Percent […]

  • State News: Evers, Democrats Unveil Universal Background-Check Bill

    Gov. Tony Evers and Democratic lawmakers rolled out a proposal to expand background checks on gun sales in Wisconsin. Under the bill, which is sometimes called a universal background-check measure, gun sales would have to be made through a federally licensed firearms dealer and involve a background check.  Flanked by the Democratic lieutenant governor, attorney […]

  • Letter to the Editor: We Aren’t Winning, We Are Losing: Lives, Farms and More

    More dots for all to consider and connect. The Republican Trump Administration Agricultural Secretary has referred to the backbone of America and Wisconsin, our farmers, as “Whiners.” Perdue was appointed by the Republican Trump Administration and confirmed by the Republican Senate. The Trump Trade War is taking its toll on the Wisconsin economy, once America’s […]

  • Reps in the News: Birth Control, Clean Energy; More

    Representative Joel Kitchens  Rep. Kitchens testified before the Assembly Health Committee on AB 304, his bill to allow women to obtain hormonal contraceptive patches and self-administered oral hormonal contraceptives – including common birth-control pills – through a prescription from a pharmacist. Currently, women can get most of their birth control only through a prescription from […]

  • Want Birds? Plant Native Species

    by Coggin Heeringa, Director, Crossroads at Big Creek; Vice President, Wild Ones of the Door Peninsula Things certainly are lush and green this summer, and most trees look really healthy. Of course, if you look closely, you’ll see that some tree leaves are riddled with holes while others are still in perfect condition. Insect-resistant trees […]

  • Letter to the Editor: From Ireland to Algoma to Riverdance

    It was lovely to read the article about the [Algoma] murals project [in the summer 2018 Door County Living magazine, [doorcountypulse.com/a-communitys-vision-the-murals-of-algoma] as I was one of the Walldogs that took part in the event but I wanted to mention that I travelled a bit further than was mentioned in the article.  I came over from […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Christ Child Society Thankful for Community Support

    We are grateful for the support of our generous community, attendees and businesses who made our Annual Fundraiser Luncheon on August 7 a wonderful success. Special acknowledgement goes to Door County Medical Center for sponsoring our event. The Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club provided a delicious lunch and beautiful atmosphere. Stone Silo Studios encouraged us to […]

  • Winning Seasonal Housing Plan Could Face Battle

    County board to address number of cabins allowed at campgrounds An Illinois couple was recently recognized as the winner of the 18th annual Door County Entrepreneur Training Program Business Plan Contest with a seasonal housing plan they hope to make a reality for the 2020 season. Jamie and Greg Schab were honored in what was […]

  • Letter to the Editor: What Is a First-Grade Class?

    A first-grade class is a group of six-year-olds, none of which look, act, think, behave, talk or grow in the same way. Its members are all victims of the magical age during which they pass from five-year-old babies to seven-year-old children. It comes with assorted needs, ranging from affection to Kleenex. It has stars in […]

  • Fincantieri & Vigor Deliver Two Response Boat-Mediums to U.S. Coast Gaurd

    Fincantieri Marinette Marine and Vigor (Team RB-M) announced the deliveries of two additional Response Boat-Mediums (RB-Ms) to the U.S. Coast Guard. These boats are part of an approved foreign military sale to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan through the Department of Homeland Security. Fincantieri Marinette Marine was the prime contractor and program manager for the […]

  • Alumni Door County Profile: Kat Gebauer

    Kat Gebauer went from being the shy kid in class to running 35 miles at a time through Glacier National Park in a hot-pink tutu and a pair of fairy wings. And she’s usually doing it with a camera in her hand. Her journey started when a friend asked her to run a half marathon, […]

  • Continuing Education for CCR Partners

    There is a very particular sense of shared purpose among people who serve others, and this spirit of cooperation and collaboration is extraordinarily strong in Door County. Every professional I have ever had the opportunity to work with knows that we can serve people better when we have not just an awareness of our community […]

  • Featured Pet: Scooter

    Meet Scooter, an eight-year-old lady available for adoption from the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) Door County Campus. Scooter was found as a stray in Egg Harbor and came through our doors in rough shape. She was suffering from inflamed eyes, dirty ears, congested breathing and a broken tooth, and she smelled like motor oil. After […]

  • Door County Chapter Forming for Hearing Loss Association of America

    Door Advocates for Hearing Impaired (DAHI) will meet Aug. 28, 10:30 am, at the Aging and Disability Resource Center in Sturgeon Bay. DAHI is in the process of forming a new chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America within the Door County community. This month, Caroline Ludka of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ […]

  • Rotary Club Holds Old-Fashioned Picnic to Welcome Students

    The Rotary Club of Sturgeon Bay invites the community to celebrate the end of summer at an old-fashioned picnic Aug. 29, starting at 5:30 pm. Enjoy swimming (supply your own life jackets), food, refreshments, games, a bonfire, s’mores and fellowship. Take your best beach or Packers attire and your family! The club will also introduce […]

  • Community Blood Drive Sept. 5 at Kress Pavilion

    The Door County Visitor Bureau will be working with the Community Blood Center (CBC) to hold a community blood drive Sept. 5, 10 am – 2 pm, at the Kress Pavilion in Egg Harbor. The CBC has been partnering with the Door County Medical Center to provide blood and blood products since fall 2018.

  • Water Quality Task Force Notices Public Hearing in Green Bay

    Chairman Todd Novak (Dodgeville), and members of the Water Quality Task Force will hold a public hearing in Green Bay on Wednesday, August 28 at 12:30PM in Fort Howard Hall at the Weidner Center. The committee will welcome public testimony at this hearing. Invited testimony will begin at 12:30PM and is expected to conclude at […]

  • Literacy Door County Holds Tutor Training Sessions

    Become a tutor, and change a life! Literacy Door County invites potential volunteers to an orientation meeting – Sept. 9, 4:30-5 pm, at Hope Church, 141 S. 12th Ave. in Sturgeon Bay – to learn more about the organization and decide whether they want to continue with tutor training or volunteer in another capacity.  The first […]

  • Prevent Suicide Walk is Sept. 9 in Sturgeon Bay

    Join the Prevent Suicide Door County–Nathan Wilson Coalition for Walk for Hope on Sept. 9, 5-7 pm. Meet in Sturgeon Bay’s Martin Park at 5 pm; the walk will start at 5:30 pm. T-shirts will be available for $10 each; snacks, carabiners and wristbands will be provided for free. The event is part of National […]

  • 100+ Women Who Care Grows to 278 Women in First Year

    On July 29, 100+ Women Who Care of Northern Door County celebrated its first anniversary. The organization now numbers 278 women (149 teams) who are having an important positive effect on the Door County community. Founded by Ann Morgan and Peggy Reineck, the group met for the first time in July 2018 with 68 women […]

  • Altrusa Back-to-School Fair Serves 600 Door County Kids

    The Door County Community Foundation (DCCF) and the Women’s Fund have again generously supported Altrusa of Door County’s Back-to-School Program. Altrusan Cheri Meyvis applied to the DCCF for support in purchasing school supplies, and the Women’s Fund helped to maximize the learning experience for girls participating in the program. Held Aug. 3 at Sturgeon Bay […]

  • Riley Smith Named to John Wood Community College Dean’s List

    Riley Smith has been named to the dean’s list for the 2019 summer term at John Wood Community College in Quincy, Illinois. To be eligible, full- and part-time students must earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

  • Questions & Artists: Rodger Bechtold

    Starting his art career in the world of commercial-art illustration, Rodger Bechtold has spent the past 30-plus years painting landscapes as a full-time artist. His paintings capture the exuberance and wildness of the natural world.  “Caught up in an ever-hyper-busy world, we seem to be drifting away from something very precious, a bond with the […]

  • EGGstravangzana Brings in More Than $95,000

    According to Kathy Beck, chair of the Public Arts Initiative (PAI) of Egg Harbor, the second EGGstravaganza auction – held Aug. 17 at the Kress Pavilion – was an “egg-normous community success,” with more than 300 people attending the gala event. “It was standing room only, hanging from the rafters,” said PAI co-chair Bev Prohl. “It was […]

  • Door County Wearable Art Show Returns to Sister Bay

    The Door County Wearable Art Show will return for its ninth year Aug. 24-25, when the Sister Bay Village Hall will again become a showroom and boutique full of local and regional designer-made, contemporary wearables.   Shoppers seek this popular annual event to discover the newest creations by some of their favorite makers from Wisconsin, Illinois […]

  • Orthober to Prepare Bird for DCHM Diorama

    Master taxidermist Mike Orthober will make his final appearance of the season at the Door County Historical Museum (DCHM) on Aug. 24, 10 am – 4 pm, when he will be mounting another bird for inclusion in the museum’s Seasons of Life diorama – which he designed and built – and answering questions about the art and […]

  • Make Your Own Straw Ornaments with Marcy Farber

    Years ago, Marcy Farber, owner of Cousin’s Walk in Ellison Bay, saw a tree full of Scandinavian straw ornaments. Because of her Swedish heritage, she wanted a straw-ornament tree of her own and learned how to make them. After making the ornaments for Cousin’s Walk, she began sharing this craft with others and offering a […]

  • ‘Be Your Own Illuminary’ Opens at Woodwalk

    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the new abstract exhibit at Woodwalk Gallery builds on that idea: that each artist is his or her own light in the art world, blazing a unique path. Be Your Own Illuminary opens Aug. 29 and features longtime Door County artist Christy Kelly-Bentgen, who has been […]

  • Andrea Kinsey-Jauquet Presents ‘A History in Paint’ on Aug. 29

    Andrea Kinsey-Jauquet invites the community to share her Fish Creek memories through a free event, “A History in Paint,” on Aug. 29, 7 pm, at Gibraltar’s Old Town Hall. Light refreshments will be served. The Thorps, Claflins and Kinseys are longtime residents of Fish Creek. The members of the Kinsey family grew up knowing their […]

  • Clay Bay Pottery Opens ‘Balance and Beauty’ Aug. 31

    Clay Bay Pottery will host an opening of Balance and Beauty on Aug. 31, 10 am – 5 pm, to present new works by Judith Bergerson and Carl Homstad, plus new pieces – both realistic and abstract depictions that reflect the beauty of Door County – by resident potters Jeanne and David Aurelius. Enjoy refreshments and meet […]

  • Hoffman to Present at Quilt Expo in Madison

    Landscape Painting with Fabric – a hands-on, daylong workshop led by Susan Hoffmann of Baileys Harbor – will be among the hundreds of lectures, workshops and presentations that quilters of all skill levels can attend during Wisconsin Public Television’s 15th annual Quilt Expo, coming up Sept. 5–7. The expo will be held in the Exhibition Hall […]

  • Work of Abstract Painter Lori Wier on Display at TAP

    The artwork of Lori Wier – an abstract painter who works primarily in acrylics on canvas – is now on display in Third Avenue Playhouse’s Lobby Gallery. She shows her work throughout Wisconsin and northern Illinois, and 12 of her original paintings are in private collections. Wier is also a professional musician who plays violin and viola, […]

  • Sibilsky Honored for ‘Crone Wisdom, Eve’s Legacy’ Sculpture

    Algoma artist Bren Sibilsky has earned an Award of Excellence in the 2019 HerStory international juried art show hosted by New York-based Manhattan Arts International. She also received an Award of Excellence in this annual show in 2016 and 2007. Sibilsky is a full-time sculptor and painter who works in a wide variety of media. […]

  • Sturgeon Bay High School Students Win Art in the Schools Project

    The sail that Sturgeon Bay High School seniors Quincy Gibson and Ellie Johnson painted received the most votes from attendees at Nicolet Bank Tall Ships, held July 26-28 in Green Bay. By receiving the most votes, the school’s art program received a $1,000 scholarship from the PMI Entertainment Group Foundation. In February, eight northeastern Wisconsin […]

  • Publishing Industry News: Aug. 23, 2019

    door coutnyCurious about what’s happening in the world of books and publishing? Catch up on the biggest acquisitions, news, adaptations and more here! • Meika Hashimoto’s book The Trail has been optioned for a film by Imagine Entertainment. It follows 12-year-old Toby as he embarks on a life-altering journey: hiking the last 400 miles of […]

  • J. F. Riordan and Mary Wagner at Novel Bay Signings

    Novel Bay Booksellers welcomes two award-winning authors for discussions and book signings. J.F. Riordan will visit Aug. 24, 1 pm. She’s been called a latter-day Jane Austen whose mesmerizing literary fiction makes the Great Lakes region a character in her continuing series, North of the Tension Line. The series represents a Midwestern sensibility though the […]

  • Door County Authors’ Pop-Up Shop is Sept. 7

    Several writers are hosting a Door County authors’ pop-up shop Sept. 7, 9 am – 4 pm, at the NWTC Learning and Innovation Center in Sister Bay. Judy DuCharme, author of Blood Moon Redemption and The Cheesehead Devotional; and children’s authors Sue Steckart Jarosh (Door County’s Eagle Bluff Lighthouse Mouse and Lighthouse Hero), Kimberly Eisch-Wood […]

  • Door County Library Receives Curating Community Digital Collections Grant

    Laura Kayacan, the adult-services librarian at Door County Library in Sturgeon Bay, is supervising a Curating Community Digital Collections (CCDC) grant from Wisconsin Library Services.   “The CCDC project is especially important to Door County Library because we have a number of digital projects and files that need to be preserved, and since we hope to […]

  • Northern Door Volleyball League Results: Aug. 23-30, 2019

    StandingsAs of Aug. 14Husby’s 40-5PC Junction 36-6    Boathouse 37-6Blue Horse 23-18Roots Inn & Kitchen 22-23Maxwell’s House 21-23Door County Brewing 10-35Nicolet Beach 2-38Camp David 1-38 Aug. 14 ResultsRoots Inn 3, Nicolet Beach 0PC Junction 3, Maxwell’s House 0Boathouse 3, Door County Brewing Co. 0Husby’s 3, Blue Horse 0PC Junction 3, Boathouse 0Roots Inn 3, Camp […]

  • Forestville Women’s Modified-Pitch Softball Results: Aug. 23-30, 2019

    Aug. 14 ResultsTippy Canoe 20Chaser’s Sports Bar 3• WP: Cassie Dart• Dana Deterville 4 hits, McKenzie Ronsman 4 hits S&R Truck Center 10Alberts Plastering 0• WP: Megan Hawkey• Katie Miller 4 hits (2 triples), Hailey Geyer 2 hits Bullpen Bar and Grill 12Clark’s Family Bar and Restaurant 4• WP: Grace LeGrave• Michelle Schinkten 2 hits, […]

  • Door County Rod & Gun Club Results: Aug. 23-30, 2019

    StandingsAs of Aug. 15 A DIVISIONTeam, points, totalDenessen Contracting 4.5, 76Meissner Landscaping 8, 63Institute Saloon 5, 61Harbor Retreat 5, 57.5Wolters Engraving 1.5, 57.5Howie’s Tackle & Archery 1, 55.5 Lily Bay Sand & Gravel 1, 45.525: Kevin Bley, Kurt Hein 24: Jake Schartner, Tom Leist23: Travis Mueller, Dean Anschutz, Dylan Smith, John Propsom  B DIVISIONTeam, points, totalBissen Asphalt […]

  • Door County League Baseball Results: Aug. 23-30, 2019

    Aug. 18 ResultsWest Jacksonport 5, Sister Bay 8 Maplewood 5, Egg Harbor 4 Aug. 25 Championship Game1:30 pmMaplewood @ Sister Bay

  • High School Fall Athletics: Aug. 23-30, 2019

    GIBRALTARCross Country Aug. 29 Chief K Invitational, 2 pm FootballAug. 23 @ Florence, 7 pm Aug. 29 vs. Gillett, 7 pm Soccer (Boys)Aug. 27 vs. Kiel, 6:30 pmAug. 29 @ Peshtigo, 4:30 pm VolleyballAug. 26 @ Wausaukee, 1 pm SEVASTOPOLCross CountryAug. 29 @ Gibraltar, 2 pm FootballAug. 23 @ Suring, 7 pmAug. 29 vs. Algoma, 7 pm […]

  • Run the Door Race-Circuit Standings

    Presented by the Door County Silent Sports Alliance, the Run the Door race circuit is a year-round opportunity for runners to collect points by participating in runs held in Door County.  The Alliance keeps track of points. The top 25 overall runners, top three youth runners (ages 12 and younger) and the top five out-of-county […]

  • Once Upon Our Peninsula: Aug. 23-30, 2019

    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 ExpositorAugust 21, 1874 The house of Henry Eaton, in Carlton, Kewaunee County, was struck by lightening, yesterday morning about 6 o’clock, instantly killing Mrs. Eaton and badly […]

  • Firefly Outfitters: A Specially Curated Library of Wine

    Firefly Outfitters is like walking into a well-loved bookstore, except instead of shelves full of books, there is carefully curated wine; instead of searching by genres and new releases, you’ll browse by countries of import and grape varietals. Having relied primarily on word-of-mouth promotion since opening in 2016, the shop flies slightly under the radar, […]

  • Northern Sky Theater: Past, Present and Future

    Remember the popular 1990s game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, based on the premise that any two people on earth are six or fewer acquaintance links apart? Holly Feldman, director of development and public relations for Northern Sky Theater, used that idea during a presentation to the Door County Historical Society to relate how the theater company […]

  • A Joyful Escape: TAP’s ‘La La Lucille’ 

    I have often been accused of being overly analytical and can’t count the number of times I’ve been told to “just relax and enjoy” whatever book, movie, TV show or theatrical production was in my sights. Although I usually relish diving into the complexities of a production, I was happy to sit back, relax and […]

  • Steeped in the Blues

    Rosie Flores playing solo at the Tambourine Lounge If you go to rosieflores.com and listen to the music she has posted there, you’ll get a good taste of her longtime interest in the blues because, as she sings in “Rosebud Blues,” “This country girl knows how to play the blues.” And then she shows you […]

  • 5 Washington Island Gems

    The atmosphere on Washington Island in August feels like all the best parts of a black-and-white photograph, complete with sticky hands from melting ice cream, sandy toes, cruising with the windows down, sunburned shoulders and freckles. Full of hidden gems and time-tested favorites, Washington Island is the best place to while away the last, golden […]

  • John Fons Found His Roots in 110-Year-Old Cabin

    The members of the Baileys Harbor Historical Society, like those of every other similar organization in Door County, have heard many presentations by people whose ancestors were early settlers. The most recent program, however, was different. Rather than speaking about his known roots, John Edwin Fons of Madison was searching for them. He had a […]

  • Horseshoe Bay Farms Announces Public Tours, Stakeholder Sessions

    Horseshoe Bay Farms Inc., the new nonprofit organization working to preserve and guide the historic Egg Harbor property, held its first stakeholder session Aug. 19.  Representatives from local historical societies, municipal governments, businesses and families with ties to the property were invited to share stories, visions and possibilities for the future of the property located […]

  • Municipal Meetings: Aug. 26-28

    DOOR COUNTY City of Sturgeon Bay: Aug 27 – Finance/Purchasing & Building Committee, 4 pm. Aug. 28 – Joint Park & Recreation Committee and Common Council meeting at Memorial Field complex, 5 pm. County of Door: Aug. 27 – County Board, 9 am. Aug. 29 – CCS/CST/CCOP Committee, 12:30 pm. Town of Gibraltar: Aug. 27 […]

  • Enter Photos in State Parks Calendar Contest

    There’s still time for those who love the properties of the Wisconsin State Park System to enter a photo contest for inclusion in the 2020 Friends of Wisconsin State Parks (FWSP) calendar. The deadline for all submissions is Sept. 3, 2019. In addition to being available for purchase, the calendar will be distributed to more […]

  • Door County’s Seasonal Housing Crisis

    by Jim Schuessler, Executive Director, Door County Economic Development Corporation Door County’s local housing shortfall – particularly for both “workforce” and “seniors” – has been well documented.  Another housing crisis, not as loudly discussed, is the growing need for seasonal housing, especially during the busiest portions of the tourism season. What has caused this to become […]

  • First-Cut-of-Steel Marks Start of Construction on Great Lakes Bulk Carrier

    Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and the Interlake Steamship Company held a ceremonial first-cut-of-steel event to celebrate the start of construction on the first U.S.-flagged Great Lakes bulk carrier built in more than 35 years. “The first cut of steel is a major milestone that signifies we, along with Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, are ready to begin production on […]

  • More Door County Students Choosing Technical College

    Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) unveiled a new logo and a new tagline, Soar Higher, on Aug. 13. The moves come at a time when perceptions about technical college are changing.   “The future expectations of our students are changing the face of higher education,” President H. Jeffrey Rafn said. “Our role at NWTC is to […]

  • Door to Nature: Mushroom Hunting Season Begins

    Many people ask me whether I’m finding a lot of mushrooms, and usually I say that late summer and autumn are the best times to look for them, especially after a rainy spell. In July, 8.25 inches of rain fell in north-central parts of the county, and some nice chanterelles were harvested. Now parts of […]

  • 2019 Wet Whistle Wine Fest

    The 2019 Wet Whistle Wine Fest will be held Sept. 13, 5-9 pm; and Sept. 14, 10 am – 6 pm, at the von Stiehl Winery (vonStiehl.com), 115 Navarino St. in Algoma. If offers a grape stomp, hearty sandwiches, cider, beer, soda and lots of wine: red, white, rosé, semi-sweet, dry, you name it. Food […]

  • Dinner in the Vineyard to Feature Matt Poole

    Matt Poole of Hotel Washington will prepare the entrée this year for this year’s five-course Dinner in the Vineyard, Aug. 29 on Washington Island. “I don’t always get to be there with guests while they are enjoying their meal,” he said. “I’m excited to be able to share a meal, especially at Gathering Ground, which […]

  • Will Durst to Present ‘BoomeRaging: From LSD to OMG’ at TAP

    Comedian Will Durst returns to Third Avenue Playhouse (TAP) in Sturgeon Bay for four nights only with his tribute to the history, growth, joys, achievements, looming terrors and still-vibrant role of the baby-boom generation in today’s youth-obsessed society. BoomeRaging: From LSD to OMG will be performed Sept. 4-7, 7:30 pm.  Only two weekends remain for […]

  • Hymn Sing at Zion United Methodist Church Sept. 1

    The community is invited to the second of the Zion United Methodist Church’s two annual hymn sings Sept. 1, 5 pm, at the church, 8781 Cty F in Fish Creek. Begun in 1993 at the little country church that’s now 144 years old, the evening features old-time hymns chosen by the audience. Rev. Don Heeringa, […]

  • Birch Creek’s Fall Concert Series and Associates’ Fall Fundraiser

    Birch Creek will offer five performances during its Fall Concert Series, plus an evening at a jazz club-style bistro created in Juniper Hall for the Associates’ Fall Fundraiser. On Aug. 31, Liam Teague, an internationally renowned steel-pan virtuoso and director of the Percussion Session’s steel band, will perform with an ensemble that includes Birch Creek […]

  • Isadoora Presents Dark Comedy ‘The Moors’

    Isadoora Theatre Company is presenting The Moors, by Jen Silverman, Aug. 30 – Sept. 1 and Sept. 6-8, at the Inside/Out Theatre at the Margaret Lockwood Gallery in Sturgeon Bay. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 pm; Sunday performances are at 2 pm.  Two sisters and a dog live out their lives on the […]

  • There’s Still More Midsummer’s Music to Love, and the Labor Day Benefit Is Coming

    Tickets are available for Midsummer’s Music’s Labor Day Concert Series, including the annual end-of-season benefit. On Aug. 25, the season will resume with Profound Piano Quartets, including music by Brahms, Schubert and Robert Kahn. David Perry, violin; Sally Chisholm, viola; Walter Preucil, cello; and Jeannie Yu, piano, will be featured.  This concert will be performed […]

  • Thought-Provoking ‘Silent Sky’ Now on Stage at Peninsula Players

    Peninsula Players Theatre’s Silent Sky by Lauren Gunderson will be performed Aug. 21 – Sept. 1 at the troupe’s Fish Creek theater in a garden.  Silent Sky is the story of unsung astronomer Henrietta Swan Leavitt, who leaves her home in Wisconsin for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. When she arrives at the Harvard observatory, however, she […]

  • Attend Tai Chi and Qigong Sessions and Demonstration

    Tai chi Master Chan Ming Shu will lead an international tai chi symposium – teaching tai chi and qigong during four two-hour sessions – Aug. 26-29 at Egg Harbor’s Kress Pavilion. Laughing Tiger Tai Chi and Junction Center Yoga are cosponsoring the symposium. Chan has been practicing tai chi for nearly 40 years, has represented Taiwan […]

  • Experience Chanting HU

    Experience chanting HU (a sacred sound and ancient mantra), contemplative time and spiritual conversation with others of like heart Aug. 24, 2-3 pm, at the Sturgeon Bay Library. Discover how the sound of HU can bring a higher form of creativity, inner peace and calm, spiritual self-discovery and growth, and healing of the body, mind […]

  • Obituary: John N. Acker

    Sept. 9, 1935 – Aug. 15, 2019 John N. Acker, 83, of Sturgeon Bay died peacefully in his home with his wife by his side. John was born to Norman J. and Eleanor A. Acker of Rockford, Illinois. On February 13, 1959, he married the love of his life, Constance E. Dearth. They recently celebrated 60 wonderful […]

  • Register Now for Backyard Restoration Symposium at The Ridges

    Registration is open for The Ridges’ (ridgessanctuary.org) program Backyard Restoration: A Native Plant Symposium, to be held Sept. 7, 8:30 am – 4 pm. Keynote speaker Neil Diboll will discuss the many benefits of planting native and how to create native communities in your own yard. Tickets are $50 per person. Space is limited, so […]

  • Sunflower Fest: New Name for Sunshine House’s Fundraiser

    The Sunshine House’s annual fundraiser is getting a new name and moving to a new location. Formerly called Corn Fest, the new Sunflower Fest will be held Sept. 7, 9 am – 3 pm, in Sturgeon Bay’s Martin Park. The family-friendly event will feature music by WiFEE and THE HUZz BAND, a bake sale, silent […]

  • Space the Focus of Crossroads Programs Aug. 25 and 28

    Crossroads at Big Creek’s family programming continues with a screening of the half-hour documentary Cosmic Collisions on Aug. 25, 2 pm. Created by the American Museum of Natural History and NASA, and narrated by Robert Redford, it explains the many collisions that have resulted in the solar system as we know it. Families may participate […]

  • Heritage Garden Spotlighted in Yesteryear Program Aug. 24

    The Door County Historical Society will host – and Nancy Goldberg will present – its yesteryear program about the Heritage Garden on Aug. 24, 1 pm, in the Vignes School in the Heritage Village at Sturgeon Bay’s Crossroads at Big Creek.  “The Heritage Garden began initially as a joint project of the Sturgeon Bay Garden Club and […]

  • Gospel Legend Mavis Staples to Grace DCA Stage Aug. 29

    Gospel legend Mavis Staples will perform at the Door Community Auditorium in Fish Creek on Aug. 29, 8 pm. Staples has been a solid foundation of American music, from the Delta-infused gospel sound that she helped to create in the 1950s, to her engaged protest music during the civil-rights era, to a series of chart […]

  • From Vermont to Baileys Harbor, Kat Wright Delivers Vocals and Horns

    Kat Wright – four-time winner of Best Vocalist in Vermont – and her eight-piece band will bring their sound to the Door County Brewing Co. Taproom and Music Hall on Aug. 23, 8 pm. Described as a “young Bonnie Raitt meets Amy Winehouse,” Wright and her band promise a night of soulful vocals, powerful horns, dancing and […]

  • House of Hamil Offers Fiddles and Harmonies

    Woodwalk Gallery, 6746 Cty G in Egg Harbor, will continue its concert series when House of Hamil takes the stage Aug. 23, 7 pm. Brian and Rose are both accomplished traditional fiddle players and classical violinists, and despite being young, they have more than 25 years of writing and performance experience between them. Together, they […]

  • Ellison Bay’s Blues on the Bay Returns Aug. 24

    The fifth annual Blues on the Bay music festival will return to Ellison Bay Community Park, 11953 Hwy 42, on Aug. 24, 2-8 pm, featuring performances by well-known national and regional blues musicians. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated to support the festival’s nonprofit beneficiary, Door County Secret Santa, which helps local families that […]

  • Historical and Current Holes-in-One

    The county’s first hole-in-one was above-the-fold front-page news in the Thursday, Aug. 30, 1928, edition of the Door County Democrat. Nearly 91 years later, on Aug. 11, 2019, Roger “Timmer” Larson scored his first hole-in-one at Maxwelton Braes Golf Course on hole #17.

  • Obituary: Ann Marie (Keenan) Flood

    July 17, 1948 – Aug. 18, 2019 Ann Marie (Keenan) Flood died with her family by her side at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay. A loving wife, mother of five and grandmother to four, she and her husband, Michael, a physician’s assistant and nurse practitioner, shared a passion for the health and well-being of the people […]

  • Door Bluff Headlands County Park Expands

    The Door County Facilities and Parks Department is pleased to announce the addition of 72.68 acres of undeveloped land to Door Bluff Headlands County Park. The newly added parcels expand Door County mainland’s most northerly park and represents a major promontory of the Niagara Escarpment, holding several habitats of ecological interest that contains hardwood forest […]

  • Obituary: Helen Van Akkeren

    Feb. 26, 1919 – Aug. 16, 2019  Helen G. Van Akkeren, 100, of Sturgeon Bay died at Pine Crest Village. She was born in Sheboygan to John and Amanda DeMaster. On June 22, 1940, she married Harley Van Akkeren in Sheboygan. He died on Feb. 12, 2005.  For many years, Helen and Harley directed numerous YMCA camps throughout the […]

  • Obituary: Frederick L. Luebeck

    Sept. 24, 1926 – Aug. 16, 2019 Frederick Leonard Luebeck, 92, of Sturgeon Bay died at Sturgeon Bay Health Services. He was born in Suring, Wisconsin, to Leonard and Hilda (Scheer) Luebeck. On October 23, 1954, he married Betty Papke at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. She preceded him in death on May 19, 1995. He […]

  • Obituary: Marilyn F. Johnson

    Aug. 10, 1947 – Aug. 15, 2019  Marilyn Faye Johnson, 72, of Sturgeon Bay died at Sturgeon Bay Health Services, six days after her beloved husband, Leland. She was born in Green Bay, the daughter of Norbert “Jim” and La Verne M. (Cornell) Miller. Marilyn graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School in 1965. On October 28, 1989, […]

  • Obituary: Joan H. Clark

    Aug. 4, 1944 – Aug. 15, 2019 Joan Clark, 75, of Algoma died at the Algoma Long-Term Facility.  She was born in Sturgeon Bay to Charles J. Vertz and Lena Oberer. On May 16, 1964, she married Eugene L. Clark in Sturgeon Bay. Joan was a former First Lady of the Elks Club, past president […]