In this issue
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Gibraltar Referendum Informational Meeting
The Gibraltar Area School district will have a public informational meeting on its upcoming referendum March 1, 6:30 pm, at the Gibraltar Town Center, 4097 Hwy 42. Any person needing assistance to participate in this meeting, should contact the Office of the Town Clerk at 920.868.1714 24 hours prior to the meeting to let the […]
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Invader Crusader Nominations Wanted
The Wisconsin Invasive Species Council, an advisory council to the Department of Natural Resources, is accepting nominations for its Invader Crusaders Awards. These honors in volunteer and professional categories will go to state residents, groups or organizations that made significant contributions in 2022 to prevent, control or eradicate invasive species that harm Wisconsin’s native wildlife. To […]
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Registration is now open for professionals, citizens and bird lovers to attend the March 24-25 Bird Conservation Conference in Oshkosh. Registration is $50 for adults and $35 for students. See the full agenda and register by the March 6 deadline at wisconsinbirds.org.
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Crossroads at Big Creek is replacing its Pike Passage Bridge – work that’s done during the winter to minimize land disturbance and avoid the spring fish spawning. The original structure was removed Feb. 8, and the area around the bridge will be closed for construction until further notice. The work is part of a multiyear restoration […]
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Owl-O-Rama is returning to The Ridges Sanctuary March 3-4, when attendees can learn about these nighttime predators, which owl species are found in Door County and how we can protect them. The event starts March 3, 6-8:30 pm, with an owl prowl. After a presentation in the Nature Center, 8166 Hwy 57 in Baileys Harbor, […]
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Local Students Wanted for Ground School
Gathering Ground’s summer internships are focused this year on finding local students to participate. The organization – which facilitates hands-on learning in agriculture and teaches responsible Earth stewardship – has designed the 2023 schedule so that those who hold other jobs on Washington Island or elsewhere in Door County can still attend. The main horticultural lessons […]
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Balancing the Deer with the Forest
Foresters Want Fewer Deer So Understory Can Grow Hunters and nature lovers enjoy how easy it is to spot deer throughout Door County, but those who track woodland regeneration mainly see how whitetails damage the understory. “If what you are trying to grow are trees, there’s too many deer on the landscape. And it can’t […]
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Lucky is a handsome, 4-year-old dog who’s available for adoption at the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) Door County Campus. Lucky weighs 50 pounds and would do best in a home where any children are older than 8. Like all dogs at WHS, Lucky (wihumane.org/adopt/animal?id=51945704) has been neutered, vaccinated and microchipped, and he goes home with […]
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Midsummer’s Music Establishes Scholarship Fund
In 2022, Midsummer’s Music partnered with the Ephraim Historical Foundation and Ephraim Moravian Church to present three concerts featuring music by African American composer Florence Price, and admission was collected to establish a music scholarship fund for people of color. Concertgoers donated $1,749 to provide scholarships to Griffon String Quartet students.
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The Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Lakeshore is hosting an in-person Virtual Dementia Tour (VDT) on March 8, 1-3 pm, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 700 Heritage Road in Luxemburg. The VDT is a simulation tool that allows caregivers to experience what it might be like to experience life with dementia. The event […]
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Volunteer Opportunities at the ADRC
The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Door County is seeking volunteers for two programs. The Benefit Specialist Program wants to train several volunteers to become Medicare SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselors – individuals who educate and assist with information related to Medicare. Training will be provided. Direct questions and express interest to […]
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We Are Hope is Latest WWC Award Recipient
Those attending the 100+ Women Who Care (100+WWC) of Door County’s January gathering gave the giving circle’s primary award of $13,750 to We Are HOPE. Midsummer’s Music and the Clean Water Action Council also received awards of $6,875 each. The 100+WWC giving circle has given more than $394,000 to 47 Door County nonprofit organizations since […]
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The U.S. government’s downing of mysterious flying objects in February may have everyone eyeing the skies more carefully these days. That’s not the case for Ryan Mueller – his eyes were already there. “In fact, pretty much any night I’ve actually taken the time to look up or out into the sky for more than […]
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Presentation on Mental-Health Support
JAK’s Place volunteer Roy Jilburg will present a program Feb. 26, 9-10 am, in the fellowship hall of Hope United Church of Christ. Jilburg will speak as a parent – his daughter, Anna Lisa, had multiple mental illnesses – and as a trained facilitator of mental-health support groups. The program at the church, 141 S. […]
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Sturgeon Bay’s Solid-Waste Fees on the Rise
Sturgeon Bay’s Finance/Purchasing and Building Committee backed a recommendation Feb. 14 from city treasurer/finance director Val Clarizio to increase the city’s monthly solid-waste user fee by 13.4% each year for the next five years. The current monthly fee of $10.42 included in utility bills would rise to $11.82 in 2024, $13.40 in 2025, $15.20 in […]
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Panel On Loneliness and Connections
A panel discussion on loneliness, connection and community featuring UW-Green Bay staff will be held Feb. 25, 10 am, at Door Community Auditorium. The panelists will share different disciplinary perspectives and discuss the issue of loneliness from a variety of angles. The event is part of the Door County Talks program at the auditorium, 3926 […]
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Boundaries for TID #8 Proposed in Sturgeon Bay
The city’s Plan Commission discussed proposed boundaries Feb. 15 to form Sturgeon Bay’s eighth tax increment district (TID) near the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Jefferson Street. TID #8 would be created as a condition of a development agreement that Shirley Weese Young has with the city to build a music venue and school called […]
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Message from Door County to State: Fix Potawatomi Tower
County board to consider repair resolution Friday, Feb. 24 More clear messages are being sent from Door County to the state to forget a costly ramp and repair the Potawatomi State Park observation tower now, before it’s too late. The tower has been shuttered since 2017 and numerous reports done on options for repair. The […]
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Fundraiser to Support Gibraltar Alumna
A fundraiser in the form of a volleyball tournament will support Gibraltar alumna Wilhelmina (Swanson) Leist as she deals with a cancer diagnosis – her third in eight years. The March 10, 6 pm, tournament at the Gibraltar High School gym, 3924 Hwy 42 in Fish Creek, will include bucket raffles, food and a silent auction […]
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Red Kettle Campaign Exceeds $93,000
The Salvation Army Service Extension of Door County thanks all the businesses countywide that hosted bell ringers during the 2022 Red Kettle campaign, including Al Johnson’s, Baileys 57 BP, Tadych’s Econofoods, Main Street Market, Pick ’n Save, Piggly Wiggly, Pioneer Store, Sister Bay Historical Society, Walgreens and Walmart. Many thanks also go to the volunteers […]
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Nasewaupee on Track to Create New Fire Department
The Town of Nasewaupee’s plan to split from the Southern Door Fire Department (SDFD) continues to move forward, despite recent efforts from the department’s three other municipalities to persuade the town to stay, said Nasewaupee chair Steve Sullivan. “They did make one offer to us that if we were to stay, they would give us […]
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Fincantieri Defends Workmanship on Criticized Navy Combat Ships
A shipbuilder with local ties defended its workmanship after a Feb. 4 New York Times article noted how the U.S. Navy wanted to retire its littoral combat ships (LCS), but Congress decided to resume building them to retain jobs. The Navy and Pentagon were both disappointed that the littoral combat ships failed to hold up […]
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Sturgeon Bay Fleet Farm Project Advances
Fleet Farm cleared two separate city boards last week on its way to constructing a 91,952-square-foot retail store on land the city annexed from the Town of Nasewaupee, south of where Grant Avenue connects with Highway 42/57. The city’s Aesthetic Design and Site Plan Review Board approved a “certificate of appropriateness” for the project – […]
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Alpine Accepting Docking Reservations for 2023
Alpine Resort is accepting transient overnight reservations starting March 1 for the 2023 boating season. The pier will be open May 1 – Oct. 15. Transient docking rates include entry into the Alpine Resort for the Wednesday-night live-music series, laundry, showers, ice, and shuttle service to and from Egg Harbor. Courtesy docking is available on […]
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Scandia Sail Loft Becomes UK Sailmakers Door County
Scandia Sail Loft, a division of Scandia Canvas Works, is the newest sail loft to join the UK Sailmakers group and will be known as Scandia Canvas Works and UK Sailmakers Door County. “Our loft will work closely with UK Sailmakers Chicago on sail design and construction,” said John McMahon, president of UK Sailmakers Door […]
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Primary Narrows Fields for April Election
Voters narrowed the fields Feb. 21 for the April 4 election in four Door County municipalities. The top vote-getters will now advance to the April 4 election. Below are the results for Sister Bay, Gibraltar, Nasewaupee and Gardner, as well as the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Village of Sister Bay Seven candidates ran for three seats, […]
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New Nurse Advocate at DJ Ferguson and Associates
Ellen Brzezinski, who has experience in both case management and direct private-care nursing, has joined the De Pere–based DJ Ferguson and Associates as a nurse advocate. The life-care-planning firm serves residents in the area, including Door County. Brzezinski graduated from Mankato State (now Minnesota State) with a B.S. in nursing. Prior to senior care, she […]
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Ridges Forest School teaches kids to explore their natural surroundings
When the Gibraltar Area School District’s daily 4K classes at Gibraltar and Northern Door Children’s Center began last year, The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor reimagined one of its programs that used to educate those children. The result was Ridges Forest School, which takes place from September through June, 9-11:30 am, three days per week. […]
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Youth Mini-Grant Opportunities
The Door County Service Club Coalition has partnered with the Door County Community Foundation to offer two youth-grant programs. Youth as Resources Grants provide financial support to projects in which youth use their skills, talents and abilities to serve or educate others. Youth in Theatre Grants provide financial support to Door County theatrical productions in […]
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Holland Named VP of Philanthropic Services at DCCF
Jessica Holland has joined the Door County Community Foundation (DCCF) as its vice president of philanthropic services. With a background in social work and music, she has provided anti-violence education and advocacy for area youth, delivered crisis intervention and prevention for aging adults, organized efforts to expand access to high-quality and affordable child care in […]
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DCEDC Calls for Business-Award Nominations
Deadline for nominations is March 10, 5 pm The Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) is accepting nominations for three business awards that will be presented during its annual meeting May 18. They are the Range Lights Award for New Business of the Year, the Light Keeper Award for Women- and Minority-Owned Business of the […]
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Letter to the Editor: Let the Pipeline Relocation Move Forward
As someone who works in the propane industry and daily gets to speak to homeowners, farmers and business owners about the importance of affordable, plentiful propane, I know how much our state relies on this important source of energy. Unfortunately, because some have turned a commonsense pipeline project in northern Wisconsin into a political football, […]
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Although the official fifth anniversary of OtherWorlds Books & More in Sturgeon Bay was Jan. 21, owners Margaret and David Magle celebrated the opening of their store during the city’s Fire & Ice festival. Since opening, OtherWorlds has expanded from 450 square feet to close to 2,000, and it’s now hosting a space in the […]
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Guest Column: Lessons from ‘Tobacco Road’
by CHRIS WEIDENBACHER, Director, Rogue Theater For 11 years, I have wanted to share the story of Tobacco Road by Erskine Caldwell, but I was introduced to the play version by Jack Kirkland longer ago – when I was an apprentice and observed my mentor’s production. It proved to be frustrating for him because there are […]
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Tourism & the Visitor Economy: Caring Is an Action
by JULIE GILBERT, President and CEO, Destination Door County February is referred to as the month of love, and to love is to care about the people and places that are most important to us. Caring for what we love isn’t just a feeling; it’s an action. It includes all of our cultural, quality-of-life and […]
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Wild Things: Tupa Remains Sound Supporter of Science
Door County’s Wisconsin Conservation Congress open house is set for April 3 by KEVIN NAZE, [email protected], Peninsula Pulse contributor David Tupa has served as a member of the Door County delegation to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) since 1995, and he’s seen a lot of changes during that time. “I’m not sure how many more […]
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Gibraltar Student Art Displayed at Ridges
The Ridges Sanctuary is exhibiting works by art students in Gibraltar secondary schools that focus on how those students engage with nature. The exhibit will be on display through March. The show’s signature piece is a large mural on canvas that depicts the Baileys Harbor range lights and the flora and fauna that inhabit the […]
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Painting through the Pain: Meg Lionel Murphy
The giant-empowered art of Meg Lionel Murphy Seen from across a gallery, Meg Lionel Murphy’s paintings look joyful. Her canvases are splashed with brilliant colors depicting lovely women, often naked or in fairly transparent attire; brightly painted foliage; and little knights on horseback set against large female figures who may also be holding John Deere […]
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Rogue Theater Reads Play Set During Great Depression
Rogue Theater is performing a dramatic reading of Tobacco Road by Jack Kirkland, adapted from the novel by Erskine Caldwell, on March 4, 7 pm, and March 5, 2 pm. Chris Weidenbacher is directing the 10-person cast. Tobacco Road, published in 1932, is set during the Depression in the depleted farmlands surrounding Augusta, Georgia. It’s […]
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Cast Announced for Peninsula Players’ “Changing Channels” Reading
Peninsula Players Theatre has announced the cast for Changing Channels – the second in its The Play’s the Thing winter play-reading series – set for March 6, 7 pm, at Björklunden. The actors, under the direction of artistic director Linda Fortunato, will be Frankie Breit, Erica Elam, Andrés Enriquez, Karl Hamilton and Noah Simon. Changing Channels […]
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Mike at the Movies: Best-Picture Rundown, Part I
by MIKE ORLOCK The proliferation of awards shows this time of year (the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild, People’s Choice, BAFTA, et al.) has dulled the luster of the Academy Awards somewhat, relegating as rather passé the spectacle of glamorous movie stars dressed to the nines, clutching gold statues and reading off lists of names […]
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Passion on a Plate at Harbor Fish Market
Harbor Fish Market chefs push boundaries with pop-up dinners Tell Harbor Fish Market & Grille chef and kitchen manager Dan Karpinski that one of the most interesting things you’ve ever eaten is haggis, and he might look at you thoughtfully and wonder whether it might have a place on the menu – at least during […]
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Crossroads at Big Creek volunteers and those who want to know more about volunteering at Crossroads are invited to the Friends of Crossroads Volunteer Mixer on Feb. 24, 5-7 pm, in the Collins Learning Center. Sandwiches and beverages will be available, and attendees are welcome to share a dish to pass. School-aged children, families and […]
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Crowd Turns Out to Rock the Rink
Hundreds of players and supporters were at the Teresa K. Hilander Community Ice Rink in Sister Bay on Feb. 11 to get in as much play and fun as they could. It wasn’t the full pond-hockey tournament that organizers and players had hoped and planned for, with warm temperatures forcing the cancellation of the tournament […]
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Ski School Is in Session with Peninsula Nordic Ski Club
Though skiing might seem like an intimidating sport for kids to get into, it doesn’t have to be, according to Peninsula Nordic Ski Club facilitator Chris Schmitz. The hardest part, according to Schmitz, is “getting over that initial hump of feeling like you can’t do what you want to do on skis.” But for most […]
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I have noticed a female sharp-shinned hawk catching birds in my front yard since last November. I can tell she’s a “sharpie” by the squared-off end of her tail, and by her head, which is smaller than that of a Cooper’s hawk. She is also distinctive in that she has several small patches of white […]
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Don your favorite pink and red clothing for the Door County Folk Alliance’s barn dance Feb. 25, 7-9 pm, at the Kress Pavilion. Admission is free, but $10 donations are suggested and appreciated to cover the cost of the hall rental. Children ages 8 and older are welcome. All dances involve close contact with others, […]
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Four Folk Songwriters Come Together
Katie Dahl, Jess Holland and Jeanne Kuhns will join Jenny Bienemann of Chicago for two concerts this weekend. The singers will share their songs in an intimate, in-the-round format, commenting on and adding texture to one another’s work. All four musicians are firmly rooted in the folk tradition, yet their songs also freely explore country, jazz […]
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Cathy Grier and Paul Taylor at DCA
Cathy Grier and Paul Taylor will light up Door Community Auditorium (DCA) on Feb. 25, 7 pm. Gritty vocals and a dynamic stage presence underscore Cathy Grier’s poignant lyrics – her way of telling her life story. She’ll share the stage with Paul Taylor – a Grammy- and Emmy-nominated multi-instrumentalist who moved from Memphis to […]
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Folk-Rock Duo Oxbow and Moor Plays at Anchored Roots
Have a glass of wine while enjoying the music of Oxbow and Moor on Feb. 25, 2-4 pm, at Anchored Roots Vineyard & Winery. These musicians are Wisconsin transplants who were next-door neighbors along the Fox River for a year, but they didn’t start playing music together until they lived hours apart. Some of their […]
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Door County Primary Election Results (Feb. 21, 2023)
Fields narrowed for the April 4 election in four Door County municipalities on Feb. 21. The top vote-getters will now advance to the April 4 election. Below are the results. Village of Sister Bay Seven candidates ran for three seats, requiring the elimination of the one person who received the fewest votes. The votes were […]
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May 5, 1946 ~ February 18, 2023 Michael T. Olson, 76 of Ellison Bay, died Saturday February 18, 2023, at Door County Medical Center after living with Parkinson’s the past few years. He was born May 5, 1946 in Sturgeon Bay, the son of the late Clyde and Bessie (Tong) Olson. Mike graduated from Gibraltar […]
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1966-2023 James Alan Rose, known by family and friends as Jim, died on February 6, 2023, in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, at 56. Jim was born in Beech Grove, Indiana, and spent the majority of his childhood abroad, living in France, Puerto Rico, and England. He attended Bard College in New York briefly before completing a […]
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Obituary: Deborah Lou Bathke (Zimmerman)
Deborah Lou Bathke (Zimmerman), of Sturgeon Bay, died at her Winter home in Neptune Beach, Florida, on February 18th, after a hard fought battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family and passed peacefully. Deb was 70 years old. Deb was born and raised in Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin, the daughter of Reinhold and […]
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Obituary: Katie “Kate” L. Differt
July 15, 1972 ~ February 9, 2023 Katie “Kate” L. Differt, 50 years, of Sturgeon Bay, died Thursday, February 9, 2023 at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa surrounded and comforted by her husband and three children. She was Mom to Alex, Aly, and Sam, and dear wife to Jeff. On July 15, 1972, Katie was born to Kent […]
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Obituary: Cecilia “Katie” V. Freund
October 14, 1929 ~ February 3, 2023 Cecilia “Katie” V. Freund died peacefully at Scandia Village on February 03, 2023, surrounded by special friends, music and prayer. She was born in Milwaukee, WI, to Jerome and Angeline (nee Beth) Van de Kamp on October 14, 1929, the eldest of their three daughters. As a young teen Katie entered […]
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Obituary: Marion “Mimpsy” L. (Tracy) Orlock
November 11, 1928 ~ February 16, 2023 Marion “Mimpsy” L. Orlock, 94, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, died Thursday, February 16, 2023, in the late afternoon surrounded by her family. She had been battling various health ailments for the past few months, so when the end came, it was a blessing that relieved her suffering however […]
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November 26, 1942 ~ February 18, 2023 Ellamae Helen Sternard, 80, of Sturgeon Bay, died on Feb. 18, 2023, at Aurora Bay Care in Green Bay. She was born Nov. 26, 1942, in Sturgeon Bay to Vernon (Pearl) Konrad Sr. On March 26, 1960, she married Wenzel R. Sternard at St. John’s Lutheran Church in […]
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Obituary: Don “YUKON” Erickson
March 6, 1937 ~ February 8, 2023 Don “YUKON” Erickson, age 85 of Sun City Center, FL and originally from Sister Bay, Door County WI passed away on February 8, 2023 after a brief illness. He was born March 6, 1937 to Paul Erickson and Alice (Linden) Erickson and lived most of his life in […]
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May 25, 1949 ~ February 15, 2023 Paul Edward Leary Jr., 73, of Sturgeon Bay, WI died at his home on Feb. 15, 2023. He was born May 25, 1949 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Paul and Wilma (Wood) Leary. Paul graduated from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN where he earned his BS degree in […]
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Obituary: Dean Michael Trafelet
February 1, 1942 ~ February 12, 2023 Dean Michael Trafelet died on February 12, 2023. Born on February 1, 1942, he was a resident of Chicago and Door County, Wisconsin, with his wife of thirty years, Louise Bronner Trafelet. Early indifference to academic achievement and pranks of spectacular creativity, Dean overwhelmed the patience of the […]