In this issue
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Sept. 23, 1927 – Jan. 8, 2024 Gloria Berg, age 96 of Sister Bay, “flew away” (as she spoke of it) to her heavenly home on Jan. 8, 2024, at her daughter’s home in Egg Harbor. She passed away on the same date as her mother had, 45 years prior. Gloria was born on Sept. […]
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Sept. 25, 1927 ~ Jan. 12, 2024 Janet M. Reimer, 96 of Sister Bay, died on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 at Hearthside in Sister Bay after a lengthy illness. She was born Sept. 25, 1927 in Milwaukee and raised in West Allis, the daughter of the late John and Lillian (Teich) Stoll. She graduated from Franklin […]
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Around the Door But more on the way Schools were closed and activities canceled on Jan. 9 as Door County braced for a snowstorm. The storm under-delivered – Door County was in the 5-10 inch zone, but topped out at 3 inches, others far less – with rain during a portion of Tuesday foiling some […]
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Server of the Week: Brenda Jeanquart, Birminghams’s in Sevastopol
Down by the shore just south of Little Harbor, You walk in, she says “hi,” and the friendliness couldn’t be larger. Warm a seat at the bar for some drinks and some burgers, And she’s full of conversation that’s not just for Sturgers. After 47 years it’s not work, it’s family-speak, As she helps create […]
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Hardcover Fiction 1. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride 2. Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus 3. Tom Lake, by Ann Patchett 4. Prophet Song, by Paul Lynch 5. Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver Hardcover Nonfiction 1. The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year, by Margaret Renkl 2. The Wager: A Tale […]
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Door County Author Publishes Poetry Book
Door County resident Joseph M. Lopez recently published Gas Station Stories and Other Poems. An observation of extraordinary people in ordinary communities, the book is a collection of works that mention or hint at gas stations. “Where I live, they [gas stations] bring people together,” Lopez said. “We know the owners and co-workers at these […]
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Miller Art Museum Debuts “Vestiges of the Tide”
This month, Sturgeon Bay’s Miller Art Museum will debut its first exhibitions of 2024: Vestiges of the Tide in the first-floor main galleries, and Charles L. Peterson in the Permanent Collection on the Ruth Morton Miller Mezzanine. Vestiges of the Tide features drawings and paintings by Chicago-based artists Mary Porterfield and Ellen Holtzblatt. Porterfield is […]
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Rogue Theater Announces 2024 Season
Community theater troupe Rogue Theater will perform six shows from March to December 2024. The season starts with Rogue’s annual murder-mystery dinner show, which supports local restaurants during the off-season. This year’s show is Sam Club, Private Eye, in The Case of the Malted Falcon. The titular investigator is guarding a priceless chocolate sculpture when […]
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A Reading, A Residency And A Writer’s-Block Remedy
Head to Write On, Door County Jan. 14, 2-4 pm, for a multigenre reading. The reading will feature work by participants in the 2023 session of Telling the Truth of Our Lives, a year-long women’s writing mentorship program. On Jan. 16, 6-7 pm, writers interested in applying for a 2025 residency at Write On can […]
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Free Fiction Class For High School Students
Write On, Door County will host a free fiction-writing program for high school students Jan. 20, 1-3 pm, led by novelist and Write On writer-in-residence, Emmett Knowlton. A former staffer at HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel with a master’s degree in creative writing, Knowlton’s work has appeared in The New York Times, Insider, The […]
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The Door County Folk Alliance is back to hosting monthly barn dances at the Kress Pavilion this winter and spring. The dates of this year’s dances are Jan. 27, Feb. 24, March 23, April 26 and May 2, all at 7 pm. All dates are Saturdays except for April 26, which is a Friday. The […]
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Third Avenue PlayWorks (TAP) in Sturgeon Bay recapped 2023 with a by-the-numbers synopsis as follows: One world-premiere play Nine TAP stage debuts 40+ artists hired 80 nights of performance 200+ people participated in TAP’s library ticket program 7,200 people saw a show at TAP (an all-time best for the theater) $8,000+ raised for TAP’s community […]
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“Two And A Half Belgians” At Southern Door Community Auditorium
Green Bay theater company Let Me Be Frank Productions marked 25 years of entertainment in 2023. To celebrate, they will revive one of their most successful shows, Two and a Half Belgians, with a performance at the Southern Door Community Auditorium on Feb. 18, 3 pm. Two and a Half Belgians takes place at Dyckesville’s […]
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15 Years of Door County Short Film Festival
2024’s fest will present 20+ short films, three feature-length movies Northern Sky’s Gould Theater in Fish Creek will host the 15th annual Door County Short Film Fest (DCSFF) Feb. 16 and 17. The theme of the 2024 festival is “love in Wisconsin.” Each of the three feature-length films – Love and Irony, Love Differently, and […]
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The Day Sipper offers private wine-education classes The world of wine can seem daunting to the uninitiated. That’s why when many people pick out a wine to have with dinner or at the end of a long day, they stick with old standbys like chardonnays and cabernets rather than branch out, according to certified sommelier […]
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Free Fishing Weekend Announced
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is hosting a Free Fishing Weekend Jan. 20 – 21. No fishing license or trout and salmon stamps are required. Anglers can fish in state waters where there is an open fishing season. All other fishing regulations apply, including limits on the size and number of fish that can […]
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Upcoming Events At Crossroads At Big Creek
The next Crossroads at Big Creek Saturday Science Program will feature comets. On Jan. 13 at 2 pm, families and individuals are invited to attend a demonstration during which the Comet Chef will concoct a frigid comet model. This free program is for all ages and will be held indoors. Also on Jan. 13 at […]
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Sept. 27, 1956 – Jan. 7, 2024 Richard (Rick) Soukup Sr., 67, died at his home on Sunday Jan. 7, 2024, with his loved ones by his side. Rick was born in Sturgeon Bay on Sept. 27, 1956, to the late Raymond Soukup and Joanne LeCloux. He graduated from Southern Door High School and married his […]
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Meet Macaroon, a 2-month-old female puppy available for adoption at the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) Door County Campus. Macaroon will melt your heart with her adorable face and playful puppy charm. This pretty girl weighs 14 pounds and cannot wait to find a loving home to share snuggles and fun times. Like all dogs at […]
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Dabble in glass-fusing, candle-making – and so much more Patrons can check out books at any library – but at the Egg Harbor Library, they can also “check out” new art mediums and techniques, thanks to the Ellie Helm Maker Space. The collaborative workspace is filled with art tools including Cricut smart-cutting machines, sewing machines, […]
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Slow Flow Yoga, Community Meditation At Studio234
Beginning Jan. 14 at 8-8:30 am and continuing every Sunday, Sturgeon Bay’s STUDIO234 will host community meditations. The goal of these meditations is to foster presence and compassion through the strength of community. Bolsters and blankets are provided, and participants are invited to donate non-perishable food items. Starting on Jan. 14, 8:30-9:20 am, STUDIO234 will […]
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Results from Sturgeon Bay and Brussels Christmas Bird Counts
Record-highs for bald eagles in Sturgeon Bay and tundra swans in Brussels The annual winter bird surveys that we do on a single day during the specific three-week window, Dec. 14 to Jan. 5, are so different from one year to the next. The weather, of course, plays an important role, but so does the […]
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Sept. 14, 1931 – Dec. 27, 2023 Anthony F. Tanzi, 92 of Sturgeon Bay, died on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023 at his home. Anthony was born September 14, 1931 in Boston, MA to the late Mario Amore and Lillian (Ruffalo) Tanzi. Anthony was a member of the United States Army serving during the Korean War. […]
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Florian II Building Staying in the Family
The Augusta Club space becomes available in June Change is coming to a Door County site with a rich history spanning from its past as an upscale, Polynesian-styled lounge and steakhouse to its eras as a nightly dance-music venue and lakefront supper club. One thing that won’t change at the 11,000-square-foot building housing Florian II […]
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Contactless Motel Opening in Fish Creek
A new contactless, boutique motel – the first of its kind in Door County – will open for the 2024 season in the heart of downtown Fish Creek. Katie Wanzer and Mitch Ehly partnered in September with their West Bend, Wisconsin neighbors, Luke and Katie Nelsen, to purchase the By-the-Bay Motel from John and Mary […]
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Local Companies Sign The Fish Pledge
Six companies in Door and Kewaunee counties have signed the 100% Great Lakes Fish Pledge, publicly committing to using 100% of each commercially caught Great Lakes fish productively by 2025. As part of the pledge, the companies – Lindal Fisheries, Dramm Corporation, Dan’s Fish, Henriksen Fisheries, Baileys Harbor Fish Company and J&M Fisheries – will […]
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The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is accepting applications from individuals to be the 77th Alice in Dairyland. Alice in Dairyland serves as a full-time spokesperson, cultivates relationships with television, radio and print media outlets throughout the state, writes and delivers speeches at events and utilizes social media to tell the […]
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Realtor Group Charitable Activities
The Door County Board of Realtors (DCBR) recently held its Winter Social – a charitable event aimed at supporting local families in need during the holiday season. The focus of the Winter Social was the Toys for Kids program. The attendees collected a significant number of toys for Door County children, with food and funds […]
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Bus Driver Safety Effort Pays Off at Gibraltar
A Door County school official and a parent in December recognized a bus driver for actions and routines that kept students from getting injured when a car slammed into a bus. Angela Sherman in late December urged the Gibraltar Area School Board to recognize or present an award to Dale Krolick due to the Department […]
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Gibraltar Psychologist Earns UW-Whitewater Award
Colleen Tillis, Gibraltar Area Schools’ psychologist, received the 2023 Outstanding Capstone Award from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater School of Graduate Studies. While helping at Milton schools and working on her college project in 2022 – “Improving Students’ Visual Spatial and Math Reasoning Skills in the Early Childhood Classroom with Weekly Teacher Video Training” – she […]
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Gibraltar Seeks Pupil Services Director
The Gibraltar Area School board on Monday accepted the resignation, effective Jan. 5, of Lisa Wing, Pupil Services Director, and approved the advertising of the job opening. Wing was promoted from within the teaching staff to a combined elementary principal and Director of Learning position during the 2021-22 school year and then to District Pupil […]
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Gibraltar Makes Room for Extra 4K Students
Gibraltar’s school board on Jan. 8 approved 15 extra open-enrollment spaces – partially to make room for families from outside of the district who are interested in the district’s 4-year-old kindergarten programming. Superintendent Brett Stousland said he has heard of families from neighboring districts interested in enrolling students for next fall when Gibraltar adds its […]
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Nature-Based Public 4K at The Ridges Sanctuary
Learn more about Gibraltar School District’s three 4K programs Jan. 25 The Gibraltar Area School Board unanimously approved the addition of a public 4K classroom at The Ridges Sanctuary for the 2024-2025 school year on Dec. 11, expanding Gibraltar’s offerings for free, public 4K and presenting an opportunity for the community to participate in a […]
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Village Erects Signs to Direct Motorists to Businesses
Signs assuring motorists that Egg Harbor is open for business went up this week along state Highway 42 after some initial construction-zone confusion. The Village of Egg Harbor received Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) permission to place arrows around the local construction zone to show motorists different ways to drive to downtown businesses, said Megan […]
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Town Revokes Transportation Utility Ordinance
The Town of Gibraltar revoked its transportation-utility ordinance, effective immediately, during a 3-2 vote at a Jan. 3 town board meeting. Created in June 2022, the transportation utility made the town an annual $400,000 for roads, charging all properties a fee for road use, including properties like nonprofit organizations that are typically exempt from taxes […]
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Renovations Planned for Historic Building on Louisiana Street
Sturgeon Bay’s Historic Preservation Commission has approved external renovations to the building at 339 Louisiana St. located along the alley between the Post Office and The Marketplace. Jess and Carrie Haak of J.C. Properties requested the changes to the commercial building they intend to remodel to look like its original construction, and then find tenants. […]
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Compiled by DEBRA FITZGERALD Bill Proposed For Legalizing Medical Marijuana Lawmakers are currently seeking co-sponsors for a bill that would legalize medical cannabis in Wisconsin, and Rep. Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) has signed on. If the bill became law, Wisconsin would become the 39th state to legalize medical cannabis to help patients with chronic illnesses. […]
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Public Meetings To Discuss County Transportation
The County of Door is hosting two meetings in January to discuss existing and potential transportation providers and services. The meetings will be held in the Peninsula Room at the Door County Government Center, 421 Nebraska St. in Sturgeon Bay on Monday, Jan. 29, 5-6:30 pm, and Wednesday, Jan. 31, 10-11:30 am. Virtual attendance is […]
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Contractor Completes Marina Park Wall
The Baileys Harbor Town Board on Jan. 8 approved a payment of more than $188,190 to Generations Landscaping and Excavating for the stone wall it assembled near the shore on property previously occupied by the former Nelson’s hardware and motel. The crew also completed a stone perimeter border on Jan. 8, before heavy snow was […]
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Leaks at the rear, west wall of the town marina building led to a mold problem in need of remediation that goes far beyond the current use of dehumidifiers and air purifiers. Baileys Harbor town supervisors approved a $9,400 contract for Armstrong Cleaning of Sturgeon Bay to eliminate mold and perform duct cleaning. Supervisor Terry […]
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League Of Women Voters Seeks Input On Issues
Through Jan. 20, candidate forum requests can be made to the League of Women Voters of Door County (LWVDC) by contacting Dan Powers at [email protected] or 920.743.6796. Forums may be requested by any candidate, non-partisan group, or individual citizen within the local electorate. For more information email [email protected]. In addition, all are invited (LWVDC membership […]
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Sturgeon Bay Fire Department Buying a New Drone
The Sturgeon Bay Fire Department (SBFD) is getting an upgrade for its drone program that has been in place for the past five years. On Tuesday, the Common Council approved a Finance/Purchasing and Building Committee recommendation to purchase a replacement drone from Titletown Drones in Suamico for $17,971, and to allow spending up to an […]
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Habitat For Humanity Preparing For Next Build
Door County Habitat for Humanity (DCHH) has raised $37,000 towards its goal of $200,000 needed for a 2024 home build in Sister Bay. This will be the 50th home completed by the organization since its founding in 1993. DCHH builds and repairs homes to support affordable home ownership. Homes are made affordable due to the […]
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100+ Women Who Care January Giving Event
The next 100+ Women Who Care Door County (100+WWC) Giving Event will be held from 6:30-7:30 pm on Jan. 22. The event will be in-person at Kress Pavilion in Egg Harbor, and via livestream. Registration and social hour begins at 5:30 pm. Over $30,000 will be awarded to local nonprofits by the group’s 395 members. […]
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Glas Hamr Plays Door County Gala
Glas Hamr will take the stage at Door County Gala on Jan. 13, breathing new life into party-rock songs from the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. The Sturgeon Bay ensemble is known for their high-energy performances, which lead audiences down memory lane with a seamless mix of classic eras and genres. Doors open at 7 pm […]
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The Year for the Ice Age Trail
Prolific trail-building year with record volunteer hours The Ice Age National Scenic Trail became an official unit of the National Park System in December, but that landmark event wasn’t the only momentous development for the trail in 2023. After a robust trail-building season, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail now boasts 698 officially complete miles. […]
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The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) is asking individuals to send Valentine’s Day cards for veterans living at the Wisconsin Veterans Homes in Chippewa Falls, King and Union Grove. Last year, WDVA received and distributed 24,000 valentines to appreciative veterans. Mail valentines to: Wisconsin Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Attn: Veteran Valentines, PO Box 7843, […]
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Indoor Golf Opportunities Grow in Door County
Indoor golf opportunities in Door County more than doubled between 2020 and 2023, and that reflects state, national and global trends. According to a November 2023 National Golf Foundation report, the number of Americans hitting golf balls in a simulator grew by 73% between the pre-pandemic year 2019 and 2023. Two Sturgeon Bay businessmen are […]
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WILD THINGS: Long Wait for ‘Safe’ Ice
Our first below-zero low temperatures of the season are expected Sunday through Tuesday, but ice anglers shouldn’t celebrate just yet. That’s because the brutal cold snap is expected to be accompanied by very strong west winds that’ll prevent good ice formation in the deep water, instead creating large waves and strong currents that will bust […]
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Sheriff Seeks Video of Vehicle Break-ins
The Door County Sheriff’s Office alerted the public on Jan. 9 to a series of vehicle break-ins in the Sister Bay area. Chief Deputy/Undersheriff Pat McCarty said there were five vehicle break-ins, and they happened within the village of Sister Bay and just outside it. The Sheriff’s Office requested the public’s assistance by checking doorbell […]
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Sister Bay Seeks Feedback on Comprehensive Plan
The Village of Sister Bay is hosting an interactive open house at the Fire Station, 2258 Mill Road, on Saturday, Jan. 13, 9 am – 1 pm to take public feedback on key elements of its comprehensive plan, such as transportation, land use, agriculture and more. Wisconsin’s Smart Growth law, adopted in 1999, required that […]
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Jacqué Tours Sister Bay Affordable-Housing Complex
Sen. Andre Jacque (R-De Pere) visited The Shoals apartment complex in Sister Bay on Jan. 8 to hear from residents, business owners and community leaders about how the project has impacted the community. The 45-unit affordable housing complex – completed in mid-2023 – was funded in part by tax credits from the Wisconsin Housing and […]
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CULTURE CLUB: Writing the Stories of Our Lives
by MELISSA RESCH “I recently joined the circus,” my friend Judy told me over drinks in 1999. “My days as a therapist are over.” She showed me a photo of herself wearing a sparkly green costume. My jaw dropped. “I want you to know that the bravery you showed in your life gave me courage […]
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City Changes Short-Term-Rental Rules
The Sturgeon Bay Common Council gave final approval Jan. 9 to changing the city code as it relates to short-term rentals (STRs), also referred to as tourist rooming houses. The city’s impetus for changing the code was a potential lawsuit from the Wisconsin Realtors Association (WRA), which sought to repeal a part of the city […]
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Village Leans Against New Cell Tower for 5G on Public Property
Egg Harbor village board members took a stand this winter against allowing a cellular company to put up a cell tower on public land if that tower is any taller than necessary to correct a problem village employees encountered. When wastewater treatment plant operator Bert Sawyer lost 5G service for making or receiving a call […]
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Planned Industrial Building Shifting Focus to Smaller Businesses
City grants an extension on its arrangement with the developer A general contractor has shifted plans for a building in Sturgeon Bay’s Industrial Park and will reduce the size of the project to attract smaller businesses. The Sturgeon Bay Common Council worked with Howard Immel, Inc., Jan. 9, by granting the general contractor a seven-month […]
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City Waterfront Redevelopment Authority Dissolving
Sturgeon Bay’s Waterfront Redevelopment Authority (WRA), which was formed in 1990 to oversee the redevelopment of the city’s waterfront, is on its way out. The Common Council voted Jan. 9 to dissolve the WRA, which had recommended that action last month. The remaining contract that was under WRA’s jurisdiction that is being reassigned to the […]
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The Inside Scoop on the 5 Great Winter Hikes
Door County is the perfect place to be if your New Year’s resolution is to get outside more. We asked representatives from local state parks (and one nature sanctuary) which trails are best suited for winter hiking – specifically, which ones provide scenic winter views, or are easy to walk even in wintry conditions. Here […]