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Peninsula Pulse – Dec. 23-30, 2016

In this issue

  • Frosty Mini Golf, A Polar Plunge, and the Best of New Year Celebrations in Door County

    Celebrate the New Year the Door County way! From New Year’s Eve celebrations to New Year kickoffs, we’ve got our top picks for starting 2017 right! Friday, December 30 Animal Tracks Join the folks at The Ridges Sanctuary to learn more about the foot and hoof prints you see in the snow, then make your […]

  • Monday Night Volleyball: Dec. 19, 2016

    STANDINGS As of Dec. 19, 2016 A League, W-L Nicolet Beach Concessions, 16-2 Music Masters DJs, 15-3 Some Spike It Hot, 10-8 The P.E.S.T.S., 9-9 To Be Determined, 5-13 The Rads, 0-18   B League, W-L Red Room, 17-1 Econo Double Baggers, 13-4 Door County Coffee, 11-7 Bay Ship Sharks, 10-8 Peninsula Podiatry, 9-9 Institute […]

  • 16 for 2016: Len Villano’s Best Door County Photos of the Year

    Len Villano selects his 16 favorite photos of 2016, photos that capture the people, places, and scenes that defined the year for Door County’s preeminent photographer. Browse this collection, and if you’d like to take Len’s photography home, check out his book, Door County Living in Pictures, featuring stunning photos from the pages of Door […]

  • Sister City May Boost J-1 Visa Numbers

    The relationship with Door County’s Sister City, Jingdezhen, China, may result in an increased number of J-1 visa students working in the county next summer. The government-sponsored Sister City program helped strengthen the relationship between the two parts of the world and students at Jingdezhen University are eager to participate in the new opportunity. “The […]

  • “Drive Sober” Campaign Running Through Jan. 1

    Alcohol-related crashes killed 190 people in Wisconsin last year. In an effort to save lives and prevent injuries, the Door County Sheriff’s Department is participating in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” national enforcement campaign running through Jan. 1.

  • Walker Hints at Third Gubernatorial Campaign

    Governor Scott Walker Gov. Walker said a Republican administration in Washington gives him “great interest” in seeking a third term as governor, although he hasn’t yet announced his intentions. “I’ll still do any sort of announcement after the budget, because I think I need to focus my time and energy on that, but I’m having […]

  • Protect Our Water Presentation Dec. 29

    Protect Our Water (POW!) invites you to join a conversation with Gordon Stevenson at Door County Fire Co., 
38 S. 3rd Ave., Sturgeon Bay, on Dec. 29 at 7 pm. Gordon will speak on northeast Wisconsin’s vulnerable geology and the impacts of expanding industrial agriculture in northeast Wisconsin, and what that means for the landscape […]

  • Peninsula Gun Club Seeks Zoning Change

    The Peninsula Gun Club is seeking a zoning change at their two 20-acre parcels on Juddville Road to allow for potential relocation and expansion of the shooting range. After the Gibraltar Plan Commission did not recommend supporting the change, the town board voted unanimously to recommend the zoning change with Brian Merkel absent. The 60-year-old […]

  • Sister Bay Buzz: Dec. 23 – 30

    By Zeke Jackson, Village Administrator I know I sound like a broken record, but it simply cannot be said enough – the holiday decorations and lights in Sister Bay are absolutely beautiful! If you haven’t been up here yet, put it on your “must do” list. I guarantee that you’ll be pleasantly surprised. This year’s […]

  • Manners Matter: Selfish Scrooges

    Dear Mary Pat, I own a boutique in the county and I’m known for my gift wrapping. I’ve always offered it for my customers free of charge. We had a busy Saturday and I had a line of people waiting to check out and at least half of them needed items wrapped for Christmas. While […]

  • Cheers!: It’s Your Turn to Milk the Dragon

    On a recent snowy day, after kneading a loaf of honey wheat bread until my arms felt like rubber bands and setting it aside to rise, I reached into the magic fridge and, thankfully, pulled out a bottle of Bourbon Barrel-aged Dragon’s Milk Stout from the New Holland Brewing Co. Oh, you lucky breadmaker! I […]

  • Server of the Week: Danielle Ferguson

    Do you want to impress with your holiday dress? Danielle Ferguson is here to make you look your festive best! She is one of the beloved Patricia Shoppe gals One who will dress you, and dress you well.   For her two favorite pooches, her love knows no bounds Boy, aren’t they some lucky coonhounds! […]

  • Keeping the Christmas Lights On in Sister Bay

    If you have been enjoying the Christmas lights in beautiful downtown Sister Bay, you can thank the village parks crew for many of them. Parks Director Steve Mann and his three-man crew – Joe Felhofer, Jim Hirschmiller and Jake Bastian – create holiday displays mostly out of recycled village materials and energy-efficient LED lights. “Every […]

  • Municipal Meetings: Dec. 23 – 30

    DOOR COUNTY City of Sturgeon Bay: The Finance/Purchasing & Building Committee meets at 4 pm on Dec. 27. The Parks & Recreation Committee meets at 7 pm on Dec. 28.  County of Door: The Administrative Committee meets at 8:30 am on Dec. 27, followed by the county board meeting at 10 am. Town of Gibraltar: […]

  • Framed: Santa in Baileys Harbor

    He’s making his list and checking it twice! Keira Clark shares her wish list with Santa during Harbor Holidays in Baileys Harbor earlier this month. Photo by Len Villano.

  • Featured Pet: Pickle

    This is Pickle, and the only thing she wants from Santa this year is a family to call her own. She has been living at Door County Humane Society (DCHS) since April of 2015 and is ready to have a true home that’s all her own. She’s not a big fan of other cats so […]

  • Christmas Day Dinner for Veterans

    A free dinner will be provided to veterans and immediate family members at 1 pm on Christmas Day at the VFW Post 3088 clubhouse, 744 Delaware St., Sturgeon Bay. Veterans are requested to call the veterans office to make a reservation at 920.746.2226.

  • Midnight Mass at Champion Shrine

    Christmas Eve midnight Mass has been one of the richest traditions in the Catholic Church for decades. But many parishes in the area, and throughout the country, have moved away from midnight Mass in order to offer more services earlier in the evening. “Midnight Mass was long an important part of the Christmas celebration for […]

  • Pet Talk: Watch the Holiday Treats

    Q: With the holidays here and doing entertaining, how can I convince my guests not to give any food to the dog and cat? Last year my dog got sick from eating too much food he shouldn’t have had. He loves to be out with the people, but I don’t want him getting sick again. […]

  • Northeast Wisconsin Shipping Canals Will Remain Open This Winter

    The Sturgeon Bay Police Dept. warns that the Coast Guard is maintaining shipping channels this winter with icebreaking operations from Rock Island Passage to the Fox River. The tracks through the ice will extend to Escanaba, Marinette-Menominee, Sturgeon Bay and Green Bay. Before icebreaking, a 72-hour advance notice will be given. Outdoor enthusiasts are reminded […]

  • Education, Zoning, Unemployment Focus of Next Legislative Session

    Rep. Joel Kitchens met with the Door County Legislative Committee and several county department heads on Dec. 20 to discuss issues that might or should be brought up in the next legislative session. Kitchens began by explaining that because of his 15 years on the Sturgeon Bay School Board and his vice chair of the […]

  • Overheard and Shout Outs: Dec. 23, 2016

    OVERHEARD Are there tid-bits of conversations you’ve heard while standing in line at the grocery store, serving a table, or walking down the sidewalk that make you smile, cringe or laugh out loud?   “I tried doing that in NYC and got into seven arguments and fistfights.”   “He was totally fine, but he was […]

  • Attorney General Calls on Trump to Withdraw Clean Power Plan

    Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel joined a 24-state mainly Republican coalition urging President-elect Donald Trump and congressional leaders to withdraw President Obama’s Clean Power Plan and take the necessary steps to ensure similar or more extreme proposals never again take shape. The letter – addressed to Vice President-elect Mike Pence, Senate President Mitch McConnell and […]

  • Kewaunee County Changes Lighthouse Lenses

    The Coast Guard announced a proposal to remove the Fresnel classical lenses from two lighthouses in Kewaunee County – the Algoma Pierhead Lighthouse in Algoma and the Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse. The Fresnel Classical lenses will be replaced with modern light-emitting-diode lanterns, which are more dependable and energy efficient. The lenses will be removed and preserved. Due to […]

  • Washington Island Ferry Line Posts Near-Record Year

    Although Hoyt Purinton, president and general manager of the Washington Island Ferry Service, is careful to call 2016 a record-breaking year for the ferry, “I would lie if I said it wasn’t around the best we’ve had yet.” In the Sept. 9 edition of the Pulse, we reported that the ferry was on track to […]

  • Pulse Price Report: How Much Does the Twelve Days of Christmas Cost?

    While we all know that favorite Christmas tune “The 12 Days of Christmas,” have you ever thought how much it would actually cost to get your true love all of those gifts? Luckily, PNC Financial does the math for you. Used for 30 years as a fun way to mark inflation, they compile the price […]

  • Door County Snowmobile Trail System: All Sections Open Dec. 22 at Noon

    All four sections of the Door County Snowmobile Trail System will be open as of noon on Dec. 22, 2016. The northern section will open at 12 pm on Dec. 22. The southwest, southeast and central sections of the Door County Snowmobile Trail System remain open at this time. Conditions are listed as: poor to […]

  • Obituary: Lillian (Paul) Hucek

    Lillian (Paul) Hucek, 95, of DePere, formerly of Forestville, died December 20, 2016.  She was born on May 27, 1921, in Luxemburg to William and Margaret (Kreilkamp) Paul.  Lillian was a 1939 graduate from Luxemburg High School.  She was employed at the Algoma Net Company and the Algoma Plywood office before her marriage to Frank […]

  • Obituary: Diane Lynn Jome

    Diane Lynn Jome, 66, of Sturgeon Bay passed away at St. Vincent’s Hospital on December 16, 2016.  She was born September 3, 1950 in Sturgeon Bay to Franklin and Agnes (Roble) Jome. Diane graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh with a B.A. in elementary education.  She taught her whole career (34 years) in the […]

  • Obituary: Jon C. Peterson

    Jon C. Peterson, 77, died on Friday, December 16, 2016 at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay. Arrangements are being made for a Memorial Service to be held in early Summer. A Complete Notice will be made available when arrangements are completed.

  • Obituary: Jean Marie Granius

    Jean Marie Granius, 71, of Brussels, Wis., died Dec. 14, 2016, with her family at her side.  Jean was born May 27, 1945, in Milwaukee, WI to Arthur & Ruth (Lauscher) Graf.  She was the middle of 7 children.  On June 20, 1964, she married Gerald C. Granius in Maplewood. Jean was a homemaker and retired from […]

  • Obituary: Elvera S. Krajewski

    Elvera Stultz Krajewski, 99, of Sister Bay, died Dec. 13, 2016, at the Meadows in Good Samaritan Scandia Village in Sister Bay. She was born on August 29, 1917 to Herman and Martha Knaack in Dunn County, Wisconsin. She attended Beyer Settlement Grade School and graduated from Menomonie High School in 1936. Elvera was married to […]

  • Obituary: James ‘Jim’ W. Willer, Sr.

    James “Jim” W. Willer, Sr., 77, of Egg Harbor, and Marco Island, FL, formerly of Brookfield, died Dec. 12, 2016 at his home in Egg Harbor following a battle with cancer. He was born July 22, 1939 in Richland Center, the son of the late Kurt and Blanche (Berry) Willer. Jim was graduated from Messmer High […]

  • Births: Dec. 9-12, 2016

    Katy and Chris Lau, Sturgeon Bay, are the parents of a daughter born on Dec. 12, 2016, at Door County Medical Center, Sturgeon Bay. Maternal grandparents are Jill and Bruce Knaup, Brussels. Paternal grandparents are Shannon and Jeff Lau, Sturgeon Bay. Brittany and Joseph Meyer, Sturgeon Bay, are the parents of a daughter born on […]

  • Molina Healthcare Continues Partnership with Door County Medical Center

    Molina Healthcare of Wisconsin recently announced that it will continue its provider network partnership with Door County Medical Center. The partnership allows Molina Marketplace and Medicaid members in Door County and Medicaid members in Kewaunee County to receive services at Door County hospitals, clinics, and urgent care centers. “We are pleased to continue our partnership […]

  • Donors Offer $7,000 Matching Challenge to Salvation Army

    Two generous donors have stepped forward with a challenge of matching donations up to $7,000 for the last seven days of The Salvation Army Red Kettle Christmas campaign. The dates run from Dec. 17 through Dec. 24. Having donations being doubled helps create an incentive to not pass by the kettles this last week before […]

  • Community Invited to Episcopal Churches Christmas Services

    Father Olin Sletto, Vicar of the Episcopal Churches of Christ the King in Sturgeon Bay and Holy Nativity in Jacksonport, invites the community to celebrate Christmas in both places. On Dec. 24, the first service will be at 2 pm at the Church of Christ the King, 5th Ave. and Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay. The […]

  • Heidi Kratcha Teaches Childbirth Education Classes at Nelson Healing Center

    Childbirth education classes are now available at Nelson Healing Center in Sturgeon Bay. Classes will be held on Wednesdays, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, beginning Jan. 11. Heidi Kratcha is a certified Childbirth Educator and Birth Doula. Her classes are extensive and help to prepare parents for labor, birth, the postpartum period, breastfeeding, and adjusting to […]

  • Boys & Girls Club of Door County Holds Wrapping Party to Benefit Member Families

    Classic games, new toys, warm coats and hats by the boxful were wrapped with care and affection by more than 20 volunteers at the Boys & Girls Club of Door County (BGCDC) recently. Manning the tables covered with brightly colored paper and ribbon, the group tackled wrapping hundreds of gifts for 63 families of club […]

  • Northern Door Children’s Center Receives St. Luke’s Outreach Ministries Donation

    St. Luke’s Episcopal Church’s Outreach Ministries selected Northern Door Children’s Center (NDCC) to receive a $1,000 gift. Each year, the church gives more than five percent of its operating budget to local, regional and global ministries that serve others. This is in response to one of the promises they make, “to seek and serve Christ […]

  • Sevastopol Wants $100,000 for Liquor License

    Santa must have been feeling a little testy after having to cancel an appearance at the Sevastopol School holiday concert to attend the Sevastopol Town Board meeting at the same time on Dec. 19. Santa (aka town Supervisor Tony Haen) made the motion to set the price for one of the three unused Class B […]

  • HELP of Door County Receives Grant for Visitation & Exchange Program

    Steve Vickman, executive director of HELP of Door County, announced the Aurora Health Care Better Together Fund has awarded a grant for $60,000 to HELP’s Visitation & Exchange program. This program provides free child visitation and exchange services to families that have been disrupted by separation, divorce or custody disputes, helping to re-establish parent child […]

  • Neighbor to Neighbor Receives Grant for Bariatric-Size Medical Equipment

    The Green Bay Packers Foundation has awarded a grant of $1,500 to Neighbor to Neighbor Volunteer Caregivers to support their Medical Equipment Loan Program through the purchase of bariatric-sized medical equipment to accommodate individuals weighing up to 500 lbs. and labeling for the medical equipment. Neighbor to Neighbor is a local nonprofit organization that provides […]

  • Neighbor to Neighbor Receives Rib Fest Funding from Catholic Financial Life

    Catholic Financial Life – Chapter 180 of Maplewood presented Neighbor to Neighbor with supplemental funding for their Rib Fest event at the organization’s volunteer Christmas gathering. The chapter additionally supports the event through the donation of desserts and supplies and by providing volunteers for planning, set up, and at the event. For more information call […]

  • Local Prep Sports Standings: Dec. 18

      Girls Basketball Standings –Packerland Conference (School, Conference Record, Overall Record, Conference PCT) Kewaunee, 5-0, 6-1, 1.000 Southern Door, 4-1, 5-2, .800 Green Bay N.E.W., 3-1, 3-4, .750 Gibraltar, 2-2, 5-3, .500 Algoma, 2-2, 2-6, .500 Oconto, 2-3, 5-3, .400 Sevastopol, 0-4, 1-6, .000 Sturgeon Bay, 0-5, 0-9, .000 Boys Basketball Standings –Packerland Conference (School, […]

  • Golfers Invited to 2017 Frostbite Open

    It has become Door County New Year’s tradition for many people: The Frostbite Open at The Red Putter Mini Golf in Ephraim. On Jan. 1 players brave the cold and snow and challenge each other to miniature golf on the frozen greens. Everyone is invited to join the fun on New Year’s Day. The tournament […]

  • High School Winter Athletics: Dec. 23-30, 2016

    SOUTHERN DOOR Wrestling Dec. 23 @ Kewaunee, 2 pm Dec. 29 – Varsity Invitational @ UW-Oshkosh, 9:30 am   STURGEON BAY Boys Basketball Dec. 28 – Tournament @ UWGB Kress Center, 12 pm Girls Basketball Dec. 29 vs. Chilton, 2:30 pm Wrestling Dec. 29 – Invitational @ UW-Oshkosh, 9:30 am  

  • Holiday Lights Run in Sturgeon Bay

    The fourth annual Holiday Lights Bridge to Bridge 3-Mile Fun Run/Walk is set for Dec. 27, 6:30 pm, starting and finishing at Kitty O’Reilly’s Irish Pub in Sturgeon Bay. Presented by the not-for-profit Door County Silent Sports Alliance, the free run/walk is designed as a fun way to see the city at night, work off […]

  • Sister Bay Tavern League Bowling Scores: Dec. 15, 2016

    High Series: Tyler Adams 628, John Voight 620, Leif Mickelson 618 High Game: Aaron Shepit 259, Brian Tourmo 248, Leif Mickelson 236 High Team Game: AC Tap 901 High Team Series: Husby’s 2,570

  • No Injuries in Dec. 18 Brussels Apartment Fire

    No one was injured in an apartment building fire that required the aid of 27 fire departments from Door, Kewaunee and Brown counties on Sunday night. Curt Vandertie, Fire Chief for the Brussels-Union-Gardner (BUG) Fire Department said it was the worst conditions he has seen in his 19 years of service. “We had issues with […]

  • Midnight Mass Celebrated at Champion Shrine

    Christmas Eve midnight Mass has been one of the richest traditions in the Catholic Church for decades. But many parishes in the area, and throughout the country, have moved away from midnight Mass in order to offer more services earlier in the evening. “Midnight Mass was long an important part of the Christmas celebration for […]

  • Trivia: What Year Did the St. Lawrence Seaway Open?

    Question: In what year did the St. Lawrence Seaway open for traffic? Answer: 1959

  • Letter to the Editor: Time to Step Up

    The remarks by Kathy Kuntz, which you published last week, are indeed timely. Her words are simple, but carry important optimistic messages. She speaks of people acting to increase sustainability and, thereby, decrease greenhouse gases, which are the major factors causing climate change. I especially like how she sets aside politics, politicians and big government […]

  • Climate Change Coalition Introduces 2017 Carbon Footprint Challenge for Businesses

    The Climate Change Coalition of Door County (CCCDC) announces a yearlong “Carbon Footprint Challenge” to businesses countywide, scheduled to launch Jan. 1. The Carbon Footprint Challenge is designed to help Door County businesses understand the impact of their energy consumption on not only the climate, but also on their bottom line. A carbon footprint is […]

  • Step Afrika! Headlines Door Community Auditorium’s Winter Season

    On the heels of a successful 25th anniversary season, Door Community Auditorium (DCA) announces a diverse and compelling winter season. DCA Executive Director Cari Lewis says this year’s winter programming is DCA’s most creative and interconnected yet. “We’ve expanded our cultural and off-season programming,” Lewis says. “And we’ve been able to find strong connections between […]

  • Door County Film ‘The Emissary’ Screened at Threshold in Madison

    The Emissary, a movie that was selected to open the 2015 Green Bay Film Festival, will play at Threshold in Madison on Jan. 13 at 6 pm. The Emissary is a comical, family-friendly science fiction quest shot in Door County. Mindfulness matters in a race to find a time bomb from outer space. “What do […]

  • DCA Announces Movie and Lecture Winter Series Lineup

    The Door Community Auditorium (DCA) will offer its weekly Saturday morning St. Norbert College Distinguished Lecture Series in January and February. This year lectures will be held on South African student activism (Jan. 14), cultural identities (Jan. 28), Cuban art and culture (Feb. 11), the limits of moral progress (Feb. 25), and the gender balance […]

  • ‘Greeting Card Birds’ Lecture at Crossroads at Big Creek

    In the predawn hours of Dec. 21, Wisconsin (and every place in the Northern Hemisphere) experienced the Winter Solstice. In astronomical terms, this means the Earth’s axis is tilting away from the Sun; days are shorter and the nights are very long. The Winter Solstice also means the start of the skiing and snowshoeing season […]

  • Sign Up Now for Door County Adventure Center Summer Camps

    Door County Adventure Center is now taking reservations for 2017 summer camps. The camps are: Camp Confidence Day Camp (ages 8-11): Campers will spend half-days at various locations throughout Door County enjoying team building activities that incorporate experiences like climbing, zip lining, swimming, paddling, as well as other activities on their ropes course. This camp […]

  • DCA Announces Coffeehouse Concert Series Lineup

    On Jan. 14, Door Community Auditorium (DCA) will launch its annual Coffeehouse Concert Series. This year, the series will offer eclectic American folk from Copper Box musicians Belle and the Bohemians (Jan. 14), progressive original folk from Small Forest (Jan. 28), the poetry/music coffeehouse Words on Fire (Feb. 11), locally grown folk/bluegrass from Terry Murphy […]

  • Turquoise-Accented Kitchenware at Plum Bottom Pottery & Gallery

    Plum Bottom Pottery and Gallery has the perfect last-minute gifts for that hard to shop for person on your list. Arizona artists Ron and Christine Sisco are incorporating turquoise into their hardwood dining accessories. Check out their latest collection of beautiful and functional salad servers as well as cheese and bread knives. Grab a set […]

  • The Photography of Jim Rossol at Northern Door YMCA

    Jim Rossol’s award-winning fine art photography will deck the halls of the Northern Door YMCA during December. Rossol brings the Y images from his once long-term vacation destination and home for the last 13 years, Door County, and his longstanding current winter vacation destination, the Yucatan Peninsula. Be prepared for an eclectic mix of monochromatic, […]

  • Paint & Sip Classes Held over the Holidays at Dancin’ On The Door

      Door County Paint & Sip classes at Andria’s Dancin’ On The Door in Egg Harbor will have extended hours over the Christmas holiday and classes for the whole family. Classes are as follows: Dec. 26, 4-6 pm, for all ages; Dec. 29, 4-6 pm, for teens; and Dec. 29, 7-9 pm, for adults 21 […]

  • Arlene Stanger Wins Black & White Photography Award

    Baileys Harbor resident Arlene Stanger’s image “Fashionista” has been chosen for Black & White magazine’s 2017 photo contest Special Issue in the Portraiture category. She was also included in last year’s 2016 photo contest Special Issue in the Still Life/Objects category. Black & White has a circulation of more than 40,000 in 60 countries. The […]