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Peninsula Pulse Dec. 1-8, 2023

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  • Hyde, Brown Honored by Parks Friends Groups

    Door County park leaders stood out this year for their cooperation with voluntary state park Friends groups. Just before Thanksgiving, the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks presented Outstanding DNR Land Manager awards to both Erin Brown Steder, land manager for Potawatomi State Park and Whitefish Dunes State Park; and Eric Hyde, superintendent of Peninsula, Rock […]

  • Obituary: Donna Marie Lundberg

    Dec. 9, 1943 – Dec. 2, 2023 Donna Marie Lundberg (nee Lind), 79, of Washington Island, Wisconsin, died on Dec. 2, 2023 after a valiant, four-year-fight with pancreatic cancer. She was born on Dec. 9, 1943, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Arthur Cornelius Lind and Jeannette (Zito) Lind. Donna graduated from Fenton High School […]

  • Obituary: Joan Therese Champeau

    Nov. 9, 1926 – Dec. 1, 2023 Joan Therese (Vieth) Champeau, 97, of Sister Bay, passed away peacefully, Friday morning, Dec. 1, 2023. She was born Nov. 9, 1926, in Menomonee, Michigan, the daughter of Otto Gustave Vieth and Angeline Rose (L’Hote) Vieth. Joan graduated from Menomonie High School with the class of 1944. On […]

  • Obituary: Carol June Karnitz

    June 11, 1933 – Dec. 2, 2023 Carol June Karnitz, 90, Algoma, passed away peacefully with her family at her side, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023.  She was born June 11, 1933, in Wrightstown, to Gerhardt and Esther (Laabs) Koehler.  Her family moved up to this area, and she graduated from the Brussels High School.  She […]

  • Obituary: Reginald J. Laaksonen

    Oct. 15, 1983 – Nov. 30, 2023 Reginald J. Laaksonen, born Oct. 15, 1983, sadly passed away Nov. 30, 2023. He was born in Sturgeon Bay to Reginald L. Laaksonen and Linda Laaksonen. He was blessed with a daughter, Kaylee Laaksonen. Reggie loved fishing, bow hunting, and anything with being outdoors. He was employed at […]

  • Obituary: Katherine Marie Micolichek

    b.1937 – Nov.7, 2023 On Nov. 7, 2023, Katherine Marie Micolichek (Williams), age 86, got her wings and went to walk, dance, and sing with the angels. She died at Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine, surrounded by love. Katherine was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Jerome Albert Micolichek, her son Michael […]

  • Obituary: Agnes Evelyn Kubicz

    June 11, 1928 ~ Nov. 30, 2023 Agnes Evelyn Kubicz (nee Wolff), age 95 of Sister Bay, died on Nov. 30, 2023. Agnes was born on June 11, 1928, to Charles and Oma Wolff of Downers Grove, Illinois. She graduated from Downers Grove High School in 1946. Agnes married Stanley “Ted” Kubicz of Chicago on […]

  • Obituary: Susan P. Smith

    June 12, 1951 ~ Nov. 21, 2023 Susan P. “Susie” Smith (nee Pryor), age 72, of Sister Bay, died on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at Good Samaritan Society – Scandia Village. Susie was born on June 12, 1951, to the late William and Marilyn (Wyatt) Pryor in Manitowoc. She is a 1969 graduate of Neenah […]

  • In Memoriam: Former Police Chief, Mayor Remembered

    Dennis McIntosh, a former Sturgeon Bay mayor and police chief, is being remembered by those who worked with him. McIntosh, 76, died Saturday, Nov. 25. McIntosh, whose funeral was set for Friday at 11 am at the Forbes Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay, became a deputy for the DuPage County Sheriff’s Department in Illinois before […]

  • DCHS Featured Pet: Millie

    Meet Millie, a 2-year-old dog available for adoption at the Wisconsin Humane Society Door County Campus. This happy fella weighs 46 pounds and is black with a white tuxedo coat. He’s friendly and has a smile for everyone he meets. Due to no fault of his own, this lovely boy has come to us twice […]

  • Registration Opening For Clearing Classes

    Registration opens Dec. 6 for the 49th year of winter classes at The Clearing Folk School. Classes start Jan. 3 and end Feb. 28, 2024. Over 70 adult day classes will be offered, many of which run multiple weeks. Class catalogs will be delivered to Clearing student mailboxes in early December, and are also available […]

  • Small Works Exhibit At Idea Gallery

    Idea Gallery unveiled its 8th annual Small Works Exhibit on Nov. 24. The exhibit features smaller, reasonably-priced works for holiday gift-giving, including jewelry, pottery, paintings, glasswork, photos, paper collages, sculptures and assemblages. The gallery will add new works each week.  Idea Gallery is located at 6551 County Road T in Egg Harbor. It will be […]

  • Poetry Collection By Ellison Bay Author

    Ellison Bay author James Stehle has released a new book, Poetic Lessons: Bible and Life in Poetry. The book is a collection of poems about faith, love and devotion. After each poem, the author reflects on relevant scripture passages and how they can be a source of comfort in difficult times. The collection can be […]

  • Albert Belleg Signs New Book

    Local author Albert Belleg will discuss and sign his new book, Living the Deepest Truth You Know, 10 am – 12 pm on Dec. 2. The book explores the guidance that’s made available by looking inward. Through personal stories from his own and others’ lives, Belleg describes the process of learning to trust one’s deepest […]

  • Sample Saturday At Henriksen’s Fish House

    On Dec 2 from 11 am – 5 pm Henriksen’s Fish House will celebrate their first holiday season at their new home in Ellison Bay. Sample whitefish spreads, whitefish cakes, salmon spreads and special holiday treats. Henriksen’s Fish House is located at 11644 Old Stage Road in Ellison Bay.

  • Obituary: Daniel Robert Christl

    Sept. 15, 1959 – Nov. 24, 2023 Daniel Robert Christl, 64, of Sister Bay, died suddenly at his home on Friday Nov. 24, 2023 of apparent natural causes. He was born Sept. 15, 1959 in Offenburg, Germany the son of Robert, brewmaster, and Christine (Schafer) Christl, beauty salon owner. His family moved to the United […]

  • New Happy Hour In Baileys Harbor

    Harbor Fish Market & Grille offers small plates and drink specials at their new Harbor Happy Hour, 4:30-7:30 pm every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. Open year-round, Harbor Fish Market & Grille is currently open Wednesday-Sunday, serving breakfast and lunch from 10 am – 3 pm, and dinner starting at 4:30 pm. Harbor Fish Market & […]

  • 2024 State Park Stickers Available

    The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced the 2024 state park and forest annual admission stickers and trail passes are now available. An annual vehicle admission sticker is $28 for Wisconsin residents or $38 for nonresidents. If more than one vehicle is registered to the same household, additional vehicle stickers are available for $15.50 for […]

  • Door To Nature: Waxwings

    What a strange name for a bird species! How could a bird have wax on its wings and be able to fly? The name was given to this species because of wax-like red secretions on the ends of their secondary wing feathers. Cedar waxwings return to Wisconsin each spring to breed and raise their young. […]

  • Obituary: Daniel J. Dahms

    March 7, 1943 – Nov. 29, 2023 Daniel John Dahms “Red Fox”, 80, of Forestville died unexpectedly at his home on Nov. 29, 2023. He was born on March 7, 1943, to the late Alfred and Ruth (Keller) Dahms. On Aug. 17, 1968, he married the love of his life, Anna Mae Flavion, at St. […]

  • Wisdom Wednesday Meditation

    Reiki master and intuitive Sammi Rae will lead two meditation sessions on Dec. 6 and 20, 6-7 pm.  The focus of the meditation will be releasing expectations, inviting compassion and letting go of old blocks and false teachings that hold one back.  No meditation experience is needed. A $15 donation is suggested.  Both sessions will […]

  • Obituary: Ella Maccoux

    June 11, 1937 – Nov. 29, 2023 Ella Maccoux, a resident of Brussels, died at home on Nov. 29, 2023, surrounded by her family. She was born on June 11, 1937, to George and Clara (Denamur) Kinnard. On Sept, 28, 1957, she married the love of her life, Vincent Joseph Maccoux. Ella worked at Fort […]

  • Peninsula Players Announces 2024 Season Lineup

    Peninsula Players Theatre will perform five plays during its 89th season, which will take place from June 18 – Oct. 20, 2024. The season will start with I Ought to Be in Pictures, performed June 18 –  July 7. Written by Neil Simon in 1980, the play is a poignant comedy about a burned-out Hollywood […]

  • Help Fund Death’s Door Dance Festival

    Death’s Door Dance Festival [DDDF] is requesting donations to ensure its free, yearly dance event can continue into 2024. The organization’s goal is to collect $20,000 by Jan. 5, 2024. If it reaches this goal, DDDF’s 2024 event will look much the same as previous years. If it only reaches $15,000, DDDF’s return will be […]

  • White Gull Inn Concert Series Starts With The Special Consensus

    Two-time Grammy-nominated bluegrass band The Special Consensus will kick off the 39th season of winter concerts at Fish Creek’s White Gull Inn on Dec. 6 and 7, 8 pm. The Special Consensus has performed twice at the Door Community Auditorium, numerous times in Fish Creek’s Concert in the Park series and at several previous sold-out […]

  • Dorothy Scott Kicks Off Art Of Music Concert Series

    On Dec. 8, Dorothy Scott and the Peacekeepers will kick off the Kress Pavilion’s Art of Music winter concert series with a blend of pop, folk and blues favorites. Scott complements her fierce, passionate vocals with acoustic guitar and keyboard, while Tony Besson’s electric guitar, Paul Sowinski’s bass and Adam Cain’s drums round out her […]

  • Griffon String Quartet Awarded Project: Music Heals Us Grant

    Plus, upcoming fundraiser and holiday concerts The Griffon String Quartet, Midsummer’s Music’s resident string ensemble, received a second grant from Project: Music Heals Us to support its work with marginalized Door County residents, especially those who can’t access live performances due to their home life, health care needs, economic needs or physical location.  Drawing from […]

  • Senior Citizens Holiday Party At Southern Door

    The Southern Door School District cordially invites southern Door community senior citizens, age 62 and above, to its Annual Holiday Party on Dec. 13 at 1 pm. The event is sponsored by the students and faculty of Southern Door High School. Guests will enjoy an afternoon that includes student-crafted prizes and holiday-themed music. A student-prepared […]

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters Presentation

    Hope United Church of Christ will host Jennifer Aldrich, program coordinator of Door County Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin, who will give a presentation on mentoring a child on Dec. 3 at 9 am. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer-supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes monitored matches between adult volunteers […]

  • Open House With Santa And Pets

    The Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) Door County Campus will host a holiday open house on Dec. 2 from 1-3 pm. Bring your social pets and kids for a photo with Santa and a chance to win raffle prizes. Photos cost $10 per family – cash or check only – and will directly benefit the animals […]

  • Lions Club Hosts Dinner With Santa

    The Sturgeon Bay Lions Club will host dinner with Santa on Dec 2, 4-7 pm at the Corpus Christi Parish social hall. The menu includes chicken booyah, hamburger macaroni and cheese, and dessert. Activities include cookie decorating for kids. Tickets available at the door: Adult $8, kids ages 4-12 $5, and free for kids under […]

  • Community Voices: How Can We Not Be Thankful?

    The only thing missing from a trip to check out the beautiful job done thus far on this historic beauty was my mother. My name is Connie and the man in this photo (shown above) is my father, John Enigl Sr.  What was a secret, planned event for the day’s outing for dad turned into […]

  • TAP Window Display Lights Up City Intersection

    Renovation of the Third Avenue PlayWorks theater two years ago created three stories of windows, and a TAP actor jumped at the chance to use them for a holiday display. Seasonal lights create a festive mood throughout downtown Sturgeon Bay, and Ray Jivoff surely set up the most unusual scene near Third and Jefferson. Jivoff […]

  • The Language Teachers

    Literacy Door County opens the world, through English, to adult learners From job applications to rental agreements to road signs, English is everywhere in America. For those who read, write and speak English fluently, its ubiquity doesn’t pose a problem. For those who can’t, being surrounded by incomprehensible sounds and symbols can quickly become isolating. […]

  • New Public Access TV Contract Expands Online Content

    The City of Sturgeon Bay will pay Mann Communications $65,500 annually under a new, three-year agreement to provide programs on the four public, educational and government (PEG) cable television channels in the city, and to expand the city’s online presence so that others besides cable television subscribers could receive that content. Mann Communications will continue […]

  • New Contract For Sevastopol Fire Protection

    The Sturgeon Bay Fire Department (SBFD) will continue to provide fire protection services to the Town of Sevastopol for the next three years following approval of a new agreement last week by the Sturgeon Bay Common Council. The SBFD provides fire protection in the city as well as the towns of Sturgeon Bay and Sevastopol. […]

  • Residents Authorize Town To Exceed Levy Cap

    Residents in the Town of Clay Banks authorized the town with a 14-0 vote during a special meeting Nov. 13 to exceed the state’s levy limit, as they had done the previous year. State law allows electors in towns with a population of less than 3,000 to exceed the levy limit by adopting a resolution […]

  • West-Side Kwik Trip Opening Dec. 14

    The Kwik Trip built on Sturgeon Bay’s west side is set to open Dec. 14 at 5 am, according to an email sent to city officials from Kwik Trip’s director of real estate, Troy Mleziva. Mleziva’s email also stated the store’s formal open house will take place on Dec. 20 from 10 am to noon, […]

  • Adaptive Playground Installed

    A local parent, Kari Baumann, and the Baileys Harbor Community Association (BHCA), planned a soft opening for Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 am – 3 pm for a new handicap-accessible playground behind the Baileys Harbor Town Hall. Baumann said the opening is mainly for the children to see the new equipment. Baumann and BHCA Destination […]

  • Gibraltar Director Inducted To State Hall Of Fame As Her Students Take Home Awards

    Gibraltar performing arts director Lizbeth Thomas was inducted into the Wisconsin Interscholastic Theater Hall of Fame at Green Bay’s Weidner Center during the 2023 Wisconsin Interscholastic Theatre Festival. In addition to being the high school musical director at Gibraltar, Thomas coaches the forensics team and directs Gibraltar High School One Act. One Act has qualified […]

  • New Staff Member At Northern Sky

    Sophie Widman is Northern Sky Theater’s new Marketing Director and Events Coordinator. Originally from California, Widman graduated from Ripon College in 2018 with a degree in theater and music. She worked at The National Theatre for Children for the last five years as a School Communications Outreach Manager, where she marketed educational theater programs to […]

  • History Along the Shore

    by MYLES DANNHAUSEN SR.  President of the Egg Harbor Historical Society. This summer I joined some of my kids and grandkids for what has become a summer family tradition when kids come home for vacation – a simple pontoon boat rental excursion along the Green Bay shore.  We left the dock in Sister Bay and […]

  • Culture Club: Harmonizing the Holidays

    The Unconventional Caroling Journeys of Griffon String Quartet by ALLYSON FLECK Executive Director, Midsummer’s Music The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to spread the festive cheer than with unexpected encounters of a string quartet caroling in the most unconventional places? Griffon String Quartet, the only year-round professional ensemble in Northeastern Wisconsin, […]

  • Jamming with Joe

    Easy-listening acoustic sessions are a staple in Door County’s live music scene – but a harder sound is coming to Sturgeon Bay soon. On Dec. 2, the Caledonia-based Higgins Band will light up the stage with an all-original set of rock, punk and stoner songs. They’ll be joined by Electromag, a four-piece rock unit from […]

  • December’s Holiday Events in Door County

    The holidays are in full swing on the peninsula. To help get you in the holiday spirit, check out the events happening throughout the area: Final Weekend for ChristkindlmarktDec. 8-10This weekend is your last chance to check out the Sister Bay Historical Society’s Christkindlmarkt at the Corner of the Past Museum. The event features handcrafted, […]

  • Zion Closure Leaves Families in Flux

    Just as the final nails are getting pounded into place at the new Door County Child Development Center near Culver’s in the Town of Sevastopol, and the Northern Door Children’s Center (NDCC) embarks on phase II of its expansion campaign in Sister Bay, a new bombshell was dropped into the laps of families at Zion […]

  • WILD THINGS: Deer Harvest Takes a Dip

    If you didn’t bring home some venison during the gun deer season, you’re in good company. Based strictly on license sales and harvest, one might figure that about 380,000 hunters failed to get a deer. But since some hunters shoot multiple whitetails, it’s likely that well over 400,000 members of the blaze orange gang were […]

  • WRESTLING PREVIEW: Eagles Aim for the Top

    After placing second to Peshtigo in the Packerland Conference last season, Southern Door’s wrestling team will be shooting for the top of the league standings in 2023-24. The Eagles, who went 3-1 in the Packerland, return three boys who were WIAA Division 2 sectional qualifiers – senior Mason Motquin, who also made the All-Packerland Conference […]

  • Server of the Week: John Moore, Apple Valley Lanes

    When it’s time to bowl a few frames, you’re in great hands at Apple Valley Lanes. That’s where you’ll find the great John Moore, always ready to lend a hand and never a bore. Behind the bar or down to the pits he’ll run, even on his own time to get the job done. Hardworking […]

  • The World in Black and White: The photography of Toby Vandenack

    In 1978 Toby Vandenack’s uncle, a French teacher in Green Bay, invited him to take an empty slot on a student trip to Paris and perhaps help chaperone. “I was 19 years old, barely out of high school myself, and I’d always wanted to go to Paris,” he said. “Coming from Green Bay, you want […]

  • State Settles With Dollar General For Price Accuracy Violations

    The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced a major settlement with Dollar General Corporation resolving 662 alleged violations of Wisconsin price accuracy laws and 53 alleged violations of refund policy disclosure requirement laws by the retailer. Under the settlement, Dollar General does not admit to any violation of Wisconsin law, but […]

  • Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Grant

    The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) invites Wisconsin farmers and cooperating entities to apply for commercial Nitrogen Optimization Pilot Program research grants through Jan. 31, 2024. These grants aim to enhance the understanding of and refine new methods that optimize commercial nitrogen applied to agricultural fields in a way that benefits […]

  • Door County Schools Score Well on State Report Cards

    The annual reports also identified district challenges with low-income, special-education and English-language-learning students Door County school districts received solid test scores on the annual state report cards, with areas needing improvement centered on high school students in target groups for several of the districts. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) released the annual report […]

  • School Looking at Logging Some 200 Trees Killed by Pests

    Cutting down dying trees for safety purposes could bring in some revenue for Southern Door County School district, according to a local resident and forestry expert. Jerremy Massart, a Green Bay city forestry worker, serves on a forest committee and volunteers for the district with its educational and nature programs on the 20-acre school forest. […]

  • Gibraltar Wins Advanced Placement Gold

    The Advanced Placement Office, also known as the College Board, named Gibraltar High School to its Gold honor roll in November. Gibraltar School District Superintendent Brett Stousland said Gibraltar was one of nine public schools out of 17 high schools overall (public and private) in Wisconsin to earn the AP gold rating.  “For a small […]

  • Fundraising For Playground Projects At Sturgeon Bay Elementary Schools

    Sawyer Elementary and Sunrise Elementary schools in the Sturgeon Bay School District are planning to improve their playgrounds to be developmentally appropriate, handicap accessible and safe. With areas intended for group play to enhance social skills and sensory break areas for kids who get overstimulated, the new playground designs are intended to inspire creativity, interaction […]

  • Luxemburg-Casco Schools Ranked Among Top 7% Of Wisconsin Districts

    The Luxemburg-Casco School District continued to be one of the highest-performing  districts in Northeast Wisconsin and across the state based on the District Report Cards from 2022-23 released by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). The Luxemburg-Casco School District serves more than 2,000 Northeast Wisconsin students annually through four schools located on a single […]

  • Sip Reopening Following Remodel

    Sip restaurant reopened its doors earlier this month after a brief hiatus to complete an addition and reinvent its menu.  In June 2022, Swedish siblings Jennie and Fred Bexell opened Sip in what was formerly the Rusty Rabbit Gift Shop on Ephraim’s north side. Completely revamping the space, the duo designed the restaurant with intentionality.  […]

  • Home(Grown) For the Holidays

    Fish Creek flower farm OneEighty Petals will host two holiday pop-ups on Dec. 2 and 9, 10 am – 2 pm.  Visitors can enjoy hot cocoa and cookies while perusing OneEighty’s selection of everlasting flowers, wreaths, ornaments, handcrafted soaps and more.  OneEighty Petals is located at 8999 Highland Rd. in Fish Creek.

  • Ho, Ho, Ho – It’s Tax Bill Time

    A look at revaluations and the individual property tax impact December at the Door County Treasurer’s Office is a different kind of seasonal rush, one where employees spend their time folding and stuffing roughly 43,000 property tax bills. “If everything goes well, everything can get printed in two weeks and we can usually keep up […]

  • Residents Say ‘No’ to Taxing for Roads

    Final budget hearing and 2024 budget/tax levy vote Dec. 11 The Town of Gibraltar packed the house last week before Thanksgiving to ask residents for a $400,000 tax levy increase for roads.  Electors said “no” with a 71-37 vote.  “Am I disappointed that democracy wins? No. Absolutely not,” said Travis Thyssen, town administrator, the morning […]

  • PULSE OF PHILANTHROPY: Fundraising in Advance of a Health Crisis

    When word got out that Willie Leist was confronting a life-threatening medical condition, it didn’t take long for those who love her to get organized and launch an online crowdfunding campaign to help with her expenses. As someone with countless friends and family, Leist’s team exceeded their fundraising goal by over 20%. Unfortunately, Leist’s experience […]

  • Guest Column: Remembering Rosalynn

    by JOSEPH W. KNAAPEN Don’t  be disarmed by her gracious smile or soothing Southern charm; you trifle with Rosalynn Carter at your own risk. I learned, to my chagrin, that the petite Mrs. Carter was a lady of giant iron will, and she staunchly defended her husband and her commitment to Christian principles and humanitarian […]

  • 2024 Village Budget Approved in Forestville

    The Forestville Village Board gave final approval Monday to the 2024 village budget with $201,001.15 in total revenues and expenditures, an increase of more than $35,000 from the previous year. Village President Terry McNulty said the main reason for the budget increase is because the village received an increase of more than $38,000 in shared […]