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Peninsula Pulse August 28-September 4, 2020

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In this issue

  • Neighbor to Neighbor Celebrates Achievements

    Neighbor to Neighbor celebrated its achievements during its recent online annual meeting, when Lisa Musil received the Office Volunteer Star Award for her initiative, trustworthiness and dedication to her volunteer role. Jimmy John’s in Sturgeon Bay also hosted a fundraiser recently: For every sandwich sold, $1 was donated to Neighbor to Neighbor, raising $345.  Neighbor […]

  • Featured Pet: Kaleesi

    Kaleesi (wihumane.org/adopt/animal?id=45230557) is a sweet, eight-year-old cat who’s available for adoption at the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) Door County Campus.  Not a fan of socializing, Kaleesi is an introvert who prefers to spend her days in quiet solitude, so don’t be surprised if she retreats to her favorite hiding spot when guests come over. Once […]

  • Height, Setback Variances Granted for Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding

    Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay is preparing to upgrade its facilities at 605 N. 3rd Ave. in preparation for work on the U.S. Navy guided-missile frigate contract that was awarded to Fincantieri Marinette Marine in April. The company secured variances Tuesday from the Sturgeon Bay Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to encroach setbacks and […]

  • Golf League Results: Aug. 28, 2020

    IDLEWILD Ladies’ Sundowners Golf League Aug. 19, 2020 • Top golfers: Mary Aiken 47, Pat Krueger 53, Lynn Kranich 53, Rita Hunt 54, Pam DeMelle 55, Lori Bloomer 58, Sandy Charles 63  • Pars: Mary Aiken 1, Lori Bloomer 1 • Special event: fewest putts: Mary Aiken 17 IDLEWILD Senior Men’s Thursday 8:30 am Group  Aug. 20, 2020  […]

  • Know Your Grower: Fruit Forward: Soren’s Valhalla Orchards

    Location: 2600 Idlewild Road, Sturgeon Bay – follow the signs! Acreage: Two acres of strawberries, 100 acres of cherries, 2,500 apple trees and 100 acres of additional crops (corn, soybean, wheat, green beans and alfalfa) Meet your growers: The Sorensen family: Terry, Toni and their three young sons Terry and Toni both have farming in […]

  • Framed: Henry Pudlo

    Henry Pudlo glances over his shoulder at the Charisma III while teaching adult sailing lessons in Sturgeon Bay on Aug. 5. Photo by Tim Sweet.

  • Manners Matter: No Free Lunch … Even When There Should Be?

    Dear Mary Pat, I went on a casual job interview last week that happened to be over lunch. It was a friend-of-a-friend scenario, and we met outside at a restaurant. When the bill came, I assumed that he would pick up the check. He said, “Are you OK with splitting this?” I was a little […]

  • Server of the Week: Michelle Oren at Harbor Fish Market & Grille

    Peninsula Pulse (PP): What is your favorite item on the menu at Harbor Fish Market & Grille? Michelle Oren (MO): The Harbor Hash is delicious. PP: What is your favorite thing about being a server here? MM: I work with a team of people that is more like a family than a group of co-workers. […]

  • Door to Nature: Baneful Plants

    These doll’s eyes are looking at you I’ve led mushroom hikes in Door County for nearly 45 years, and people often ask whether a particular mushroom that we find is edible. The answer is always to learn the identity of the mushroom and study what the field guides say about eating it. The same applies […]

  • Wild Things: Hunters, Anglers Praised for Conservation Efforts

    It’s not every day that a top official from the Trump administration is in Green Bay to make a major conservation announcement, but that was the case Friday when U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt delivered remarks and took questions from the press at Smokey’s on the Bay tackle shop near the Green Bay […]

  • County Hopes Updated Rule Closes Door on Billboards

    When a new electronic billboard lit up on the west side of Highway 42/57 just north of Sturgeon Bay this month, it raised a lot of eyebrows for those who thought new billboard structures were a thing of the past in northern Door County.  In fact, the Door County Land Use Services Department thought it […]

  • Camp Zion Sues for Right to Expand Facilities in Ellison Bay

    The operators of Camp Zion, a Christian retreat in Ellison Bay, have filed a complaint in federal court asking the court to decide where it may build an expanded dining room and conference center on the grounds.  On July 14, the Door County Zoning Board of Adjustment rejected a request for a variance and conditional […]

  • Egg Harbor Joint Fire Commission Meeting: Long on closed discussion, short on open answers

    Members of the Egg Harbor Joint Fire Commission – with their fire chief and attorney present – spent the majority of their Aug. 20 meeting behind closed doors. When they reemerged, they said nothing to the crowd about the reason why the crowd had assembled. What drew people to the meeting at the Kress Pavilion […]

  • Two Firefighters Fired

    Another one suspended, demoted and put on probation Two Egg Harbor firefighters have been fired from the Egg Harbor Fire Department and another suspended. The letters of termination, dated Aug. 17, were sent by certified mail to Dan Kiehnau and his son, Dustin.  The two had requested six-month leaves of absence in July after the […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Thank You, Belgian Heritage Center Kermiss Supporters!

    Kermiss is a traditional harvest festival that has been celebrated in the Belgian communities of Door and Kewaunee counties for more than 160 years. The community gathers to eat, drink, listen to music and socialize. For the Belgian Heritage Center, it is also our most important fundraising event. This year, for everyone’s safety, we limited […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Republican Seeking Reasons to Reelect Trump

    As a lifelong Republican, I’m still looking for some valid arguments in favor of reelecting President Trump. Please, someone make the case so that we can have a civil discussion about the most important decision I have to make in my lifetime. I’m not a Democrat. I don’t believe in the party’s progressive agenda, tax-and-spend […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Fire Commission Should Bring In New Leader

    It’s interesting to note that the Egg Harbor Fire Department is in disarray, and I believe courtesy of the Joint Fire Commission. A letter to the editor last week highlighted the fact that the person the commission picked as chief, Andy Staats, may not be – and in my opinion, will never be – the leader […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Eliminate Hateful Rhetoric and Focus on the Issues

    When I read the recent letters about the upcoming election, it seems that some people “hate” Trump, based on the language they use. Instead of objectivity and logic, letter writers use hyperbole and make claims that cannot be substantiated. In doing so, they sound an awful lot like Trump himself! Or, for that matter, Joe […]

  • Letter to the Editor: ‘Our Freedoms Have Never Been Absolute’

    Few countries value individual freedoms as much as this one. However, those freedoms have always come with limitations. We have freedom of speech, but not to shout “Fire!” in a crowded movie theater. We have freedom to bear arms, but not to engage in target practice with our deer rifles in a crowded urban area. […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Remembering Our Priorities

    As one watches the news these days, it’s amazing to see what passes for “hardship.” I guess we should feel sorry for the athletes who have to be quarantined for a month or more at Disney World in Florida. They haven’t seen their families, but they can socially distance when they play golf or go […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Wisconsin’s Redistricting Process Is Broken and Expensive

    Every 10 years, following the census, states must redraw their legislative and congressional district lines. This involves two related, but distinct, processes, both of which are essential to upholding the principle of “one person, one vote.”  Reapportionment consists of reallocating the 435 congressional districts among states to account for changes in population. Redistricting involves redrawing […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Our Caring Community

    As a year-round resident of Door County for 14-plus years, I am continually reminded of its amazing spirit of caring. When a child is stricken with cancer, the whole community rallies around. When a business burns down, people are there to help rebuild. We are strong survivors of polar vortex winters and April Fool’s Day […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Out of Petty Theft Came a Friendship and More

    On Aug. 22, two Biden campaign signs that I had placed on my property earlier that day were run over by someone driving through our ditch and then stolen, along with several of our neighbors’ signs. This is petty, childish and counterproductive behavior. I ask whoever did this to please stop.  For anyone who thinks […]

  • Editor’s Note: What’s Happening in Your Neighborhood?

    Some weeks have an outsized number of meetings that draw public participation. This past week was one of those. The issues were widespread: Disruption continues at the Egg Harbor Fire Department. Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding is constructing new buildings at its Sturgeon Bay shipyard. Some Washington Island residents want the Door County Board of Supervisors to […]

  • The Door Prize for Portraiture

    An Australian tradition sparked a personal art show in Baileys Harbor The Door Prize for Portraiture – the annual portrait show that Cheryl Stidwell Parker has run for that past 10 years – will look a little different during its 11th run. For one thing, its date has moved from just after the summer solstice to Aug. […]

  • Wisconsin Dairy Products Association to Modify Dairy Symposium

    The Wisconsin Dairy Products Association (WDPA) is modifying its 2020 Dairy Symposium to increase health protocols because of COVID-19. Renamed the WDPA Fall Celebration, it will host guests Oct. 4 at the Landmark Resort for a two-hour, outdoor celebration reception with extensive measures in place to help ensure guests’ safety. The reception grounds and facilities […]

  • WEDC Receives Department of Agriculture Grant

    The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) will receive a $79,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide assistance to small businesses in rural Wisconsin. The grant is part of $866,000 that the USDA is providing to 13 organizations in Wisconsin to help rural businesses create jobs and increase economic opportunities. The federal […]

  • Jodi Rose Studio Wins Business-Plan Contest

    The Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) and UW-Green Bay Small Business Development Center (SBDC) congratulate Jodi Gonzales of Jodi Rose Studio on submitting an exceptionally written business plan to win the 19th annual Door County Entrepreneur Training Program business-plan contest. It scored 97 out of 100 points. Jodi Rose Studio will receive $1,000 in […]

  • Virtual Climate Change Coalition Event at Björklunden

    The Climate Change Coalition of Door County will host a virtual event Sept. 2, 7 pm, when Jeffrey Clark, a Lawrence University professor of geosciences, will discuss climate science and technology at the micro level, exploring opportunities and constraints in achieving carbon neutrality. Clark will also take questions from attendees after his presentation at the […]

  • Shoreline Protection and Rehabilitation Project Installed at Clark Lake

    Like many other bodies of water, Clark Lake, near the Town of Jacksonport, has experienced elevated water levels during recent years. They are a result of excessive spring rains that have caused erosion and a loss of shoreline along lakeside properties.  In 2019, members of the Clark Lake Advancement Association (CLAA) identified a plot of […]

  • Out With the Cherry, In With the Apple Cider

    Wood Orchard Market, north of Egg Harbor at 8112 Hwy 42, has turned the corner from summer to fall with its latest donut transition. On Aug. 20, staff members sold the market’s final cherry donuts, and they stocked the first apple cider donuts of the year Aug. 21.  The seasonal, family-friendly market is known for its […]

  • A Year Without Death’s Door BBQ

    This weekend would have been – in normal times – the weekend of the annual Death’s Door BBQ competition on Washington Island, which draws teams of grillers and smokers to compete for “most delicious” in a variety of categories.  Although that event isn’t being held in 2020, you can still get your barbecue fix at […]

  • Hatch Distilling Nominated for Best New Craft Distillery

    Hatch Distilling Co. in Egg Harbor has been nominated for USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best New Craft Distillery. The Egg Harbor company celebrated its two-year anniversary this year, and owner Chris Roedl is thrilled to hear about the nomination.  “It’s exciting to be included in a great list of nominees,” he said.  […]

  • Fall Sports Receive Green Light

    But only if public-health ratings are in the low-to-medium range by Mike Shaw Nicole Norton had seen her spring 2020 softball season shelved and wasn’t looking forward to the depressing prospect of a possible sequel this fall. So Norton was understandably thrilled to hear that her final year of volleyball for the Southern Door Eagles […]

  • Visit Fellow Republicans

    Area residents who want to help Republican candidates can visit the new Door County Republican headquarters, 827 Egg Harbor Road in Sturgeon Bay, Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 2 pm.  “We encourage people to stop by and say hi, volunteer to help our candidates, pick up materials and be part of our winning team,” […]

  • West Jacksonport Rallies to Claim Baseball Crown

    It took a stunning rally in the bottom of the ninth inning for West Jacksonport to stun Kolberg, 7-6, and claim the title in this summer’s Door County Baseball Tournament.  The two teams had upset top seeds Sister Bay and Egg Harbor during the semifinals to earn the right to play for the title in […]

  • The Status of Wild Parsnip on State Highways

    The journey to learn how the invasive plant is being fought It first came up during an Aug. 6 Door County Highway Safety Commission meeting. The agenda item said, “Status of wild parsnips on state highways.”  When you join the virtual meeting, you learn that Supervisor Roy Englebert, who chairs the group, had included it […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Great Lesson from the Pulse

    What a great lesson the Pulse provided in the August 14-21 edition. On its arrival each Friday, I peruse the content to see what’s happening in the Door and catch up on the hot topics of the week. I briefly looked over the Letters to the Editor section and said to myself, “Same old negative […]

  • Rogue Theater Presents ‘The Golden Age of Comedy’

    Rogue Theater brings back the days when family television was king in The Golden Age of Comedy. Lucille Ball, Bob Newhart, Carol Burnett, Harvey Corman, Tim Conway, Lily Tomlin, Minnie Pearl and more comedians and entertainers will come to life on the Rogue Theater drive-in stage Aug. 29 and 30, 6 pm.  Artistic director Stuart […]

  • Midsummer’s Music Presents Fifth Week of Virtual Concerts

    Midsummer’s Music (midsummersmusic.com) will present its fifth week of free virtual concerts – titled Musical Mountains and Fjords – Sept. 2-6. Sirius XM and St. Louis 107.3 radio host John Clare will host the program, which features works by two remarkable Scandinavian composers, Elfrida Andrée and Edvard Grieg.  All virtual concerts will stream online at midsummersmusic.com […]

  • Northern Sky’s ‘Double Doug Dare’

    Northern Sky Theater will kick off its autumn virtual season with dual-concert fun: “Double Doug Dare” events that will be broadcast live via Zoom. The first will be Aug. 29, 7 pm, titled When Life Gives Ya cLemons: a live, high-energy, fun, interactive cabaret performance featuring Doug Clemons. He will broadcast this cabaret from the […]

  • POLLENPOLOOZA, Nature by Appointment, Volunteering Opportunities at Crossroads

    POLLENPOLOOZA at the Crossroads at Big Creek (crossroadsatbigcreek.org) on Aug. 29, 1-3 pm, will be the culmination of a week of education about and appreciation of pollinators. Wild Ones of the Door Peninsula, the Beekeepers of Door County, Victory Garden volunteers and Friends of Crossroads are collaborating to offer this free educational program to the […]

  • Plenty of Outdoor Activities at The Ridges Sanctuary

    Join a Ridges naturalist for a relaxing, informative walk through the Ridges Sanctuary Tuesdays – Fridays, 10 am. Hikes include seeing the Upper Range Light lantern room and historical cabins. The walks are appropriate for all ages, limited to six participants and require advance  registration. The cost is $5 per member, $8 for the public, […]

  • Beach of the Week: Otumba Park Beach

    In our final installment of this summer’s Beach of the Week, we’re highlighting a favorite park in the middle of it all in Sturgeon Bay. Otumba Park is near the heart of Sturgeon Bay’s west side, and it’s a favorite place to play, swim and picnic.  The three-acre park features a sandy beach connected to […]

  • Brunette Scores Hole-in-One

    Larry Brunette scored a hole-in-one Aug. 22 on hole #17 during the Forestville-Maplewood Lions’ outing at Maxwelton Braes Golf Course.

  • DC Habitat for Humanity Hosts First Golf Outing

    Door County Habitat for Humanity (DCHH) is hosting its first Home in One Golf Outing at Idlewild Golf Course on Sept. 10 and is seeking additional golfers and hole sponsors to participate. Social distancing and other safety protocols will be in place.  Golfers can sign up individually or as a team of four. The cost […]

  • Sister Bay, Liberty Grove Host Shredding, Recycling, Drug Drop-off Day

    The Liberty Grove Town Board and the Sister Bay Village Board will host a shredding, appliance-recycling and prescription-drug drop-off day Sept. 12, 9 am – 1 pm, at the Liberty Grove Town Hall, 11161 Old Stage Road. All residents, business owners or operators, and property owners in the Village of Sister Bay and Town of […]

  • Music Educators Have New Cultural Resource

    PBS Wisconsin Education and the Wisconsin School Music Association have partnered with music educators to create a new collection of classroom media resources featuring Wisconsin musicians from four distinct cultural groups. These musicians share a composition and discuss their musicianship and how their cultural identities and experiences shape their music.  Re/sound: Songs of Wisconsin is […]

  • Woman Stabbed to Death in Sturgeon Bay

    A woman died after being stabbed in Sturgeon Bay early Tuesday morning. She was allegedly killed by her roommate, who is being held in jail on a $1 million cash bond. Susan Soukup, 52, appeared in Door County Circuit Court Tuesday afternoon on a charge of first-degree intentional homicide, according to the Sturgeon Bay Police […]

  • Obituary: Benjamin “Ben” Joseph Coopman, Jr.

    December 3, 1950 ~ August 22, 2020 Benjamin Joseph Coopman, Jr., “Ben” to all who knew him, 69, of Sturgeon Bay, died on Saturday, August 22, 2020 while in the comfort of his home, after a brief illness. Ben was born to Benjamin Joseph Coopman, Sr. and Dorothy Mae (Valitchka) Coopman on December 3, 1950 […]

  • Obituary: Anna May Sauer

    December 18, 1933 ~ August 24, 2020 Anna May Sauer, 86 of Sister Bay, died Monday, August 24, 2020 at Good Samaritan Society-Scandia Village, Sister Bay. She was born December 18, 1933 in Chicago to the late Tony and Mary (Walter) Mitroff. On July 13, 1957, Anna married Kenneth Paul Sauer at Bethel Lutheran Church […]

  • Obituary: Berwyn “Bub” John Lieffort

     August 14, 1932-August 19, 2020 Berwyn “Bub” or “BJ” John Lieffort, 88, of Vero Beach, FL and Sturgeon Bay, WI, died on Wednesday, August 19, 2020. He was born in Green Bay, WI on August 14, 1932 to Cyril and Florence (Dionne) Lieffort. Bub served his country with the United States Air Force, entering into […]

  • Obituary: Lori Joy Gray

    April 4, 1957 ~ August 18, 2020 Lori Joy Gray, 63, of Baileys Harbor, died on August 18, 2020 in the comfort of her home and in the loving hands of her family. She was born April 4, 1957 in Wausau, daughter of the late Theodore and Viola (Nehring) Frick. Lori attended Wausau West High […]

  • Obituary: Loretta Mary Prust

    October 10, 1936 ~ August 18, 2020 Loretta Mary Prust, 83, of Baileys Harbor, died on August 18, 2020 at the Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay. She was born October 10, 1936 in Sturgeon Bay, daughter of the late Leonard Eugene and Mary Madeline (Maccaux) Reinhardt. Loretta attended Gibraltar High School and graduated […]