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Peninsula Pulse August 7-14, 2020

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In this issue

  • Meat-Free Options at Roots Inn and Kitchen

    The Sister Bay inn and kitchen has made a name for itself among those who eat meat-free diets – or who at least go meatless for a meal.  “The menu has always been vegetarian friendly – the tacos are the big vegetarian seller – but this year we added the broccoli ‘wings,’ and that has put […]

  • Door County Confectionery’s Nostalgic Goodies

    Door County Confectionery’s locations in Fish Creek, Sturgeon Bay, Sister Bay and Ephraim have all created happy memories during many families’ trips, but for some, the candy itself takes them down memory lane.  “We have a lot of nostalgic candies, and people are just thrilled when they find them,” said Judy Voight, who was working […]

  • New Owners Add New Items at The Spoon

    Karen Wannemaker and Anthony Sikora – the new owners of what had been The Frozen Spoon, 210 S. 1st Ave. in Sturgeon Bay – have begun to make the business their own with a new name, new menu items, an updated interior and exterior, and new signage arriving soon. The couple purchased the frozen-yogurt business in […]

  • Know Your Grower: Big Dog Farm

    Location: 5135 Forest Road, Sturgeon Bay Acreage: Two acres, with four gardens, one hoop house and five bee hives Meet your growers: Randall and Lisa Manges Now in its 13th season, Big Dog Farm has come far from where it started. In fact, when they began their garden in Sturgeon Bay, Randall and Lisa Manges […]

  • Golf League Results: Aug. 7, 2020

    IDLEWILD Ladies’ Sundowners Golf League July 29, 2020 • Top 10 golfers: Anna Larsen 42, Amy Konop 47, Mary Aiken 47, Lynn Kranich 49, Pat Krueger 50, Pam DeMelle 53, Rita Hunt 53, Ellen Felhofer 53, Kim Bridenhagen 54, Carey Potier 55  • Pars: Lynn Kranich 2, Mary Aiken 2, Anna Larsen 2, Pam DeMelle 1, Rita […]

  • Framed: Olson Family

    The members of the Helen and Burdette Olson family have been summer residents in Fish Creek since 1950. Although Helen and Burdette have both passed on and are buried in Blossomberg Cemetery in Peninsula State Park, their six children have carried on the tradition of an annual family reunion on Gibraltar Road. This year they […]

  • Manners Matter: Silent Neighbor

    Dear Mary Pat, I pass my neighbor in the hallway of our apartment building a few times a day. I say “Good morning” or make a comment about the weather – you know, just general chitchat – and I barely get a reply. Given the fact that I can’t see her facial expression under her mask, you’d […]

  • Server of the Week: Jonah Ritt at Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf

    Peninsula Pulse (PP): What’s your favorite part about working at a mini-golf course? Jonah Ritt: Definitely the laid-back atmosphere. PP: What makes you such a top-notch server? JR: I can work a mean register. PP: What is your favorite album by the Rolling Stones? JR: Sticky Fingers. PP: Who is your biggest celebrity influence in […]

  • Wild Things: Visiting Anglers Net Lifetime Memories Fishing Kewaunee/Door Waters

    With a record 3,290 participants in the recent Kewaunee/Door (K/D) County Salmon Tournament, there’s bound to be a few fish stories, right? Trophy-size chinooks certainly play a role in those tales, but it’s not just the big catches that create lifetime memories. Bryan Sheets of South Dakota said his group of eight includes three generations […]

  • Beach of the Week: Newport Beach

    Stretching along 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, Newport State Park offers beachgoers the opportunity to work up a sweat before taking a break on the beach or in the cool, calm waters of the lake.  From Parking Lot 3, the walk to the water is brief. This part of the beach, located near the […]

  • Can Problematic Plays Be Saved? Should They Be Saved?

    It is possible, dear, for someone to hit you – hit you hard – and not hurt at all. Last week we examined how modern productions can adapt problematic scenes in classic theater for contemporary audiences. This week I’ll look at when it’s appropriate to change old texts for modern sensibilities, and when I feel it’s more […]

  • Stephen King’s The Stand: A Perfect Pandemic Read

    Welcome to a new installment of the Door County Readers series. Twice a month, we invite readers to talk about which books have been most influential to them, their favorite authors, what they’re reading now and more. This week, Peninsula Pulse editorial intern Solomon Lindenberg discusses reading Stephen King’s The Stand during a pandemic. Let […]

  • Midsummer’s Music Celebrates 30th Anniversary

    Local artists transform violins into art pieces for virtual auction It’s enough of a challenge to transform a blank canvas into a work of art, but it’s even more so when that canvas is a violin. Fortunately, when Allyson Fleck, assistant artistic director of Midsummer’s Music, presented local artists with violins, the unconventional form generated […]

  • Egg Harbor Condo Plan Moves to Final Phase

    The plan for a 14-unit condominium and retail complex in the center of Egg Harbor has one more hurdle to clear. The Egg Harbor Plan Commission instructed Administrator Ryan Heise, attorney James Kalny and staff to outline a set of detailed conditions for the commission to consider for approval during its next regularly scheduled meeting […]

  • Census Takers Starting Follow-up with Nonresponding Households

    With a current self-response rate of 46.1 percent to the 2020 census by Door County residents, census takers will now begin visiting the remaining addresses to collect responses in person. These census takers are hired from the local community and will follow all local public-health guidelines when visiting addresses. If no one is home when […]

  • DOT Maintains Funding for Local Road Projects

    State grant dollars awarded for critical transportation projects around the state, including four within Door County, will be funded after all.  The Multimodal Local Supplement (MLS) grant program was created through Gov. Tony Evers’ partial veto of the 2019-21 budget. Then the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned that veto July 10, putting the MLS grant program […]

  • Lake Michigan Reaches Record July High-Water Level

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports that Lake Michigan has reached its highest recorded July water level. Lake Michigan-Huron (considered one body of water) is now two inches above the July record, set in 1986; three inches above the July 2019 level; and 34 inches above the average lake level for July.  That’s just […]

  • County Reports Spike in Positive COVID-19 Tests

    On Aug. 5, Door County reported its highest single-day count of positive COVID-19 tests, with seven new positive tests. That brought the county’s total to 98, with 16 active cases. Kewaunee County now reports 111 total cases, and Brown County reports 4,063 positive cases. 

  • Editor’s Note: A Higher Perspective

    Has your energy been flagging lately? You’re not alone. No matter where you stand, it’s probably with a bit of a slump. Even the adrenaline that carried us through the initial fight of this virus – and then each other – is waning. If this is a war, it sure feels like we’re losing to this […]

  • Pulse of Philanthropy: Think about Who’s Asking You to Wear a Mask

    Pretend for a moment that the governor did not issue an order requiring everyone in Wisconsin wear a mask. Imagine that you’ve never heard of Dr. Fauci, and the president doesn’t tweet. Consider a world with no talking heads on cable news fostering division to drum up ratings, and no politicians exploiting the pandemic for […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Adding to the History of Gilbert Farms

    As the family historian, I would like to add to the article in the Peninsula Pulse about Gilbert Farms (“A Visit with Gilbert Farms,” July 24).  In 1878, John Gilbert, with his wife and two young sons, set off from his father’s farm in Germantown with a loaded wagon pulled by a team of oxen. […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Water Levels and Climate Change Connection Questions

    Thank you for your recent article titled “Why Are Water Levels So High?” (Peninsula Pulse, July 2). Science is messy, and it takes time to go from hypothesis to theory. It’s a matter of observations that are measurable and consistent by a community of scientists working in related fields of study. Good science deserves respect and […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Not the Republican Party I Grew Up With

    My wife and I were headed back to Door County recently, and on I-43, I noticed some signage promoting the present occupant of the White House with the tagline, “Keep America Great.” I chalked it up to his unmitigated narcissism.  When we got home, I picked up my copy of the Pulse and turned to […]

  • Letter to the Editor: ‘Riot’ Gear

    Regarding the Door County Board of Supervisors’ vote to accept the donation for helmets and shields, I have some thoughts. Yay for the acceptance. And bravo and thumbs up to Richard Virlee for his enlightened take on the overall situation.  This cherished view that most of us hold of living in some kind of throwback […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Trump Bashing Getting Old, Even for a Non-supporter

    There were five letters to the editor in the Pulse the week of July 24-31. It appeared that four of them were blaming and/or accusing President Trump in some way for our troubles. Though to be fair, one of them just used the term “glorious leader,” so maybe it wasn’t sarcastic. I’m amazed by how […]

  • Land Trust Protects 40 Acres with Easement Agreement

    The Door County Land Trust has announced the protection of 40 acres in Baileys Harbor owned by Tom and Cynthia Wolfe through a perpetual conservation easement agreement. It will protect the property from future development and add to protected lands within an important nearby Northern Door wildlife corridor. The Wolfes purchased the property in 1981 […]

  • Share Your Memories of Yesteryear’s Grocery Stores

    We want your recollections of classic Door County grocery stores. Patty Williamson is continuing her series on Door County’s lost rural grocery stores and is looking for information about stores from the Sturgeon Bay and Southern Door County areas.  If you had family members or knew people who owned or worked in any of those […]

  • Nor Door Athletics Baseball: Aug. 7-14

    Results July 31 Egg Harbor 19, Baileys Harbor 4 Aug. 2 Sister Bay 9, Washington Island 7    Kolberg 11,  Institute 6 Maplewood 2, West Jacksonport 1  Standings Egg Harbor, 6-0 Sister Bay, 6-0 Kolberg, 4-2 Institute, 2-4 Maplewood, 2-4 Washington Island, 1-5 Baileys Harbor, 0-6 Schedule Aug. 7 Kolberg vs. West Jacksonport @ Baileys […]

  • 42nd Door County Century Ride Postponed to 2021

    Organizers providing refund of registration fee Rising COVID-19 concerns have caused the organizers of the Door County Century (DCC) bicycle ride to cancel the Sept. 13, 2020, event. They will instead plan to run the 42nd ride during the same weekend in 2021.  The Door County Century typically meets its capacity of 3,000 participants with […]

  • Suds with Sophie: Sour Smoothie Beers

    by Sophie Nelson, [email protected] The other week I was chatting with a friend about a beer release at a brewery he follows. This, of course, is not a novel conversation. The beer style, however, is what caught my attention: a line of smoothie sour beers. Yes, you read that right. I admit I’m not the […]

  • Department of Transportation Seeks Public Input on Connect 2050 Plan

    As the Wisconsin Department of Transportation develops its new 30-year transportation plan, Connect 2050, it’s seeking input from the public to help shape the future of transportation in the state. The Connect 2050 project team has created a survey, which can be taken through September at Connect2050Survey.com. Participants are asked to prioritize and comment on […]

  • Home Builders Association Hosting Virtual Home Showcase

    In response to the canceled in-person Showcase of Homes event in May, the Door County Home Builders Association is hosting its first Virtual Showcase of Homes to encourage the public to explore four newly constructed Door County properties at dchba.org. The event is free, and no special code is needed. The showcase is available now […]

  • Door 2 Door Rides Celebrates Ten Years

    Door County’s first public-transit service, Door 2 Door Rides (D2D), provided its first ride on Aug. 10, 2010. Since then, it has provided more than 360,000 rides, with an average of many more than 3,000 per month. When D2D began, it was limited to a three-mile radius within the City of Sturgeon Bay, with a […]

  • National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help to Celebrate with Novena

    The National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, 4047 Chapel Dr. in Champion, will celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with a novena leading up to the Feast Day mass Aug. 15, 11 am. The noveva includes nine days of prayer, Aug. 7-15, and prayers will be included in the shrine’s daily […]

  • Featured Pet: Chester

    Meet Chester (wihumane.org/adopt/animal?id=45121672), a handsome two-year-old cat who’s available for adoption at the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) Door County Campus. He’s outgoing and friendly, yet independent – the type of cat who will enjoy your company rather than your lap. Chester is also FIV-positive (feline immunodeficiency virus). Cats with FIV can live a normal lifespan when […]

  • Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding to Upgrade Shipyard Equipment

    Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding (FBS) is planning to upgrade its shipyard equipment and facilities this year to assist with work on the Navy’s new guided-missile frigate. Although the improvements will be within its current shipyard perimeter, FBS is working with the City of Sturgeon Bay and the state to ensure that all growth is understood and […]

  • OneEighty Petals Offering Pick-your-own Experience

    Enjoy a day among the flowers! OneEighty Petals (oneeightypetals.com) – a specialty cut-flower farm and floral studio at 8999 S. Highland Road in Fish Creek – is offering a new Door County pick-your-own experience in its flower fields Saturdays and Sundays, 9 am – 12 pm and 2-5 pm; and weekdays by appointment. Owned and […]

  • Pipka’s Closing at End of 2020

    Pipka Ulvilden has announced that she’s retiring at the close of the year, marking the end of 45 years in business, including 40 in Sister Bay. Ulvilden announced the news on Facebook, saying that the coronavirus “invaded our country, our thoughts, our businesses and our families,” causing her to reevaluate the future of the business.  […]

  • Peninsula Singer Choir Cancels Fall Season, Winter Concert

    For the continued safety and well-being of its members, supporters and the community, the Peninsula Singers choir has canceled its fall season and winter concert. Its board of directors will continue to provide updates about the spring 2021 season. Learn more from Jean Severson at 920.559.9750 or [email protected].

  • Northern Sky Welcomes Cyndy Stiehl as New Board Chair

    After serving Northern Sky Theater for 23 years as board vice chair, Cyndy Stiehl will step into the board-chair role to succeed Mary Seeberg, who had served in that role since 1997. Fred Alley and Mary Seeberg approached Stiehl in 1997 to join the board as one of the inaugural members of its expanded structure […]

  • Door Shakespeare Offers Virtual ‘Rosalind’

    Door Shakespeare will present its first virtual production, J.M. Barrie’s Rosalind, Sept. 2-13. Shows will be Wednesdays – Fridays, 7:30 pm; Saturdays, 5 pm and 7:30 pm; and Sundays, 5 pm. Rosalind tells the story of the mother of a famous London stage actress, known for her portrayal of Rosalind in Shakespeare’s As You Like […]

  • Midsummer’s Music Continues Streaming Concerts

    Midsummer’s Music (midsummersmusic.com) will feature three composers of color – George Walker, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Florence Price – during its second streaming concert program, Soaring Spirits, Aug. 12-16. Walker’s quartet is heartfelt, even devout. Coleridge-Taylor’s piece reminds listeners of his ability to tap into European tradition while blending in his own style and mixed heritage. […]

  • Destination Sturgeon Bay Cancels 2020 Harvest Festival

    Destination Sturgeon Bay has canceled the 2020 Harvest Festival in the interest of participants’ safety. The event is a destination festival that can attract up to 7,500 attendees and features more than 50 vendors statewide.  Cherries Jubilee – the 20th annual street-art auction – will still take place virtually Sept. 19. More details regarding this live auction […]

  • Run Wild 2020 Goes Virtual

    The Friends of Potawatomi State Park’s Run Wild 2020 (runwild.org) – the 32nd year running – will go virtual this year, Sept. 10 – Oct. 10. Participants may complete the run/walk anywhere, but they’re encouraged to complete it at Potawatomi State Park, where the course’s start and finish lines and mile markers will be marked. The options […]

  • Drive-Through Kermiss at Belgian Heritage Center

    The Belgian Heritage Center, 1255 Cty DK in Brussels, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary and will host a drive-through kermiss Aug. 16, 11:30 am – 2 pm. Burgers, trippe, jutt and Belgian pies will be on the menu, and the center’s famous booyah will be sold by the bowl, quart and gallon. Find out how […]

  • Explore The Ridges Sanctuary by Day and Night

    Join a Ridges naturalist at The Ridges Sanctuary for a relaxing, informative, guided hike Tuesdays – Fridays, 10 am. It includes the Upper Range Light lantern room and historical cabins and is appropriate for all ages. Groups are limited to six. Meet at the Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center, 8166 Hwy 57 in Baileys Harbor. The […]

  • Fundraising Day for Open Door Bird Sanctuary at Wisconsin Cheese Masters

    Wisconsin Cheese Masters and Open Door Bird Sanctuary (ODBS) are partners in an ODBS and You fundraising day Aug. 9, 10 am – 3 pm, when ODBS will receive a portion of cheese sales. Stop by Wisconsin Cheese Masters, 4692 Rainbow Ridge in Egg Harbor, to meet some of the sanctuary’s raptor residents. ODBS’s goal […]

  • Youth Coalition to Host Show & Tell Aug. 7-8

    Door County Youth Coalition will host a Show & Tell – a set of free, family-based, COVID-friendly activities – on Aug. 7-8 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1756 Michigan St. in Sturgeon Bay. Activities include a family movie night Aug. 7, 9 pm, in the parking lot; a mini Vacation Bible School on Aug. 8, […]

  • Perseid Viewing Nights at Crossroads’ Astronomy Campus

    Crossroads at Big Creek is continuing its Nature by Appointment program Tuesdays – Saturdays, with appointments available at 9, 10 and 11 am. Safer-at-home units, individuals and small groups of friends may participate in a 45-minute, private outdoor nature program with a naturalist. Masks and social distancing are required.  A new tour of the bird […]

  • Baileys Harbor to Consider Short-term Rental Ordinance

    The Town of Baileys Harbor will consider a new ordinance to regulate short-term rentals during its Aug. 10 meeting. The ordinance largely mirrors a similar measure enacted in the Village of Egg Harbor that requires those who operate short-term rental homes to obtain an annual rental license. The license would require that the owner or […]

  • DMV Explains Steps to Obtain ID to Vote

    Most Wisconsin voters already have some form of identification (ID) needed to vote, including a Wisconsin driver’s license or ID. There is no separate “voter ID,” and a federally compliant REAL ID card is not required for voting purposes.  The Wisconsin Elections Commission provides a list of acceptable options to take to the polls at […]

  • Partisan Primary Election on Aug. 11

    Voters will head to 21 polling locations around Door County on Tuesday, Aug. 11, to participate in the state’s partisan primary election. Votes are cast for only one party’s primary. The ballot in Door County contains congressional, legislative and state seats that are up for election this year.  The Door County treasurer’s seat is the […]

  • Southern Door Receives Financial-Literacy Grant

    The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction have awarded the Southern Door School District one of 10 grants to enhance its education in personal finance and financial literacy.  Southern Door Middle School will partner with United Way of Door County, local financial institutions and Pockets Change: a New York […]

  • Edward Jones Financial Adviser to Host Women’s Virtual Coffee Club

    Edward Jones financial adviser Tara Pierre will host an informal, virtual coffee club for women Aug. 12, 8 am, via Zoom to provide education on financial market topics and an update on the stock market and economy. Call 920.746.0781 to learn how to connect to this virtual coffee club.

  • Door Community Child Development Center to Begin Providing Child Care Services

    The Door Community Child Development Center (DCCDC) plans to begin providing child care services Sept. 7! It will be located in Sturgeon Bay’s former Barker Child Development Center, which was shuttered in March because of the pandemic and permanently closed in July. Enrollment will begin Aug. 10. The quick reopening of Sturgeon Bay’s primary child […]

  • Back to School: Project Preparation for Door County Districts

    School districts polish up plans for welcoming students back to school Door County’s five public school districts are poised to welcome back some 3,500 students next month in what could arguably be the most challenging school year of any educator’s career. That means hammering out what a school year looks like beneath the shadow of […]

  • School Reopening: Washington Island Votes to Bring Students Back

    Washington Island School District Current enrollment: 75 students What it’s doing: In-person instruction five days a week. School will start Tuesday, Sept. 1. During its brief Aug. 3 school board meeting, the Washington Island School District voted unanimously to reopen its school at full capacity. Washington Island Principal/Curriculum Director Michelle Kanipes said that among the […]

  • School Reopening: Sturgeon Bay to Open for In-Person Instruction

    Sturgeon Bay School District Current enrollment: 1,200 students What it’s doing: In-person instruction five days per week with a remote/virtual learning option. School will begin Tuesday, Sept. 1. What’s next: Consensus came July 27 among school board members that masks/facial coverings should be required for all students and staff, even before Gov. Tony Evers’ mask […]

  • School Reopening: Sevastopol Plans to Phase Reopening

    Sevastopol School District Current enrollment: 557 students What it’s doing: Phased reopening with an option for virtual learning. What’s next: The district’s school board will meet Aug. 20 and is scheduled to have an annual meeting Aug. 26. The Sevastopol School District approved a reopening plan for the 2020-21 school year during its July 16 […]

  • School Reopening: Southern Door Plans for In-Person Return

    Southern Door School District Current enrollment: 1,029 students What it’s doing: In-person instruction five days per week with a remote/virtual learning option. School will begin Tuesday, Sept. 1. What’s next: The school board will meet Aug. 10 and 17. The Aug. 10 special board meeting will focus on the administrative team sharing more details about […]

  • School Reopening: Gibraltar to Use Threshold Plan

    Gibraltar Area School District Current enrollment: 541 students What it’s doing: Will open if the Door County COVID-19 activity level is below a certain threshold based on the COVID-19 activity level for Door County. School will begin Tuesday, Sept. 8. What’s next: The school board is scheduled to meet Aug. 10 and will discuss adjustments […]

  • Obituary: LuAnn Fox

    April 8, 1935 ~ August 1, 2020 Lucile Anne, “LuAnn” (Neufeld) Fox, 85, of Sturgeon Bay, died, Saturday morning, 1 August, 2020 with her family at her side. In the early morning hours of 8 April, 1935 LuAnn popped out before her mother, Amy L. (Buhl) Neufeld, could get up onto the birthing table in […]

  • Obituary: James Lawrence Jolin

    September 20, 1934 ~ July 31, 2020 James Lawrence Jolin, 85, of Sturgeon Bay, died Friday morning, July 31, 2020 at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay. He was born September 20, 1934 in Sturgeon Bay, the son of Lawrence James Jolin and Genevieve Mae (Wiest) Jolin. Jim graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School and […]

  • Obituary: Robert John Maples, Sr.

    January 30, 1931 ~ July 31, 2020 Robert John Maples, Sr., died Friday evening, July 31,2020 Bob was the oldest of four children with his younger siblings, Anita, Sara, and Timothy. In his teenage years, he worked ten-hour days for the Evergreen Nursery for $0.25/hr. Bob grew up attending St. Joseph Parish in Sturgeon Bay […]

  • Obituary: Barbara Asher

    November 3, 1942 ~ July 30, 2020 Barbara M. (Tagge) Asher, of Sturgeon Bay, died on July 30, 2020 at the age of 77.  Barb was born November 3, 1942, in Green Bay to Roger Tagge and Agnes (Kustka) Tagge.  She graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School in 1960. Barb went on to earn her […]

  • Obituary: Harvey J. Malzahn

    September 14, 1933 ~ July 30, 2020 Harvey J. Malzahn, 86 of Fish Creek, died Thursday morning, July 30, 2020 at his home with family by his side. He was born September 14, 1933 in Baileys Harbor, the son of the late Harvey and Rose (Wesa) Malzahn. Harvey graduated from Gibraltar High School in 1951 […]

  • Obituary: Paul Hurley

    May 14, 1956 ~ July 29, 2020 Paul Andrew Hurley, 64, of Sevierville, TN and Panama City Beach, FL, passed away July 29, 2020. Paul was born to Joseph and Maxine (Verhoef) Hurley on May 14, 1956 in Evergreen Park, IL.  He graduated from the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in 1978.  He worked for American […]

  • Obituary: Eric Falk

    June 20, 1959 – July 21, 2020 Eric Falk, 61, died in Machida, Japan. The son of the late Calvin Falk and Kay (Falk) VanDeWeghe. Eric’s love of Japan began as a Rotary Exchange student in High School. And later returning as a college student at the University of Tokyo for one year while at […]

  • Obituary: Craig Daniel Franke

    October 20, 1974 ~ July 29, 2020 After a long struggle with multiple health problems, Craig Daniel Franke, died on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Carrie Franke; sister-in-law, Chrissy Bergwin; brother, Paul Franke; and many friends and family. In honor of Craig’s wishes, private services will be held. […]