In this issue
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Letter to the Editor: Do We No Longer Teach Civics in High School?
The interview with Yana Zenefski was quite uplifting (“The Unsilencing of Yana Senefski,” Jan. 5 Peninsula Pulse). Ms Zenefski’s civic involvement is an inspiration, irrespective of her political persuasion. What matters is that she gets up off the couch, puts her e-device aside, and not only does something but leads others in her efforts – […]
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June 7, 1938 – December 29, 2023 Maestro / Captain Joel Arthur Blahnik, age 85, passed away Friday afternoon, Dec. 29, 2023 – a day prior to the one year anniversary of the death of his loving wife Mary Ann’s – at the Pete and Jelaine Horton Center Skilled Nursing Facility in Sturgeon Bay. While […]
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March 30, 196 – Jan. 4, 2024 Alison M. Fletcher, 58, of Baileys Harbor, passed away Jan. 4, 2024, at Aurora Bay Care Medical Center after a short bout with cancer. She was born March 30, 1965, in Green Bay. The daughter of Maxwell “Keyes” Fletcher and Ardis M. (Anderson) Fletcher. Following her graduation from […]
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Nov. 5, 1951 – Jan. 7, 2024 Rita Audrie Hunt, 72, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away after a short illness on Jan. 7, 2024, at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay. She was born Nov. 5, 1951, in Sturgeon Bay to Eldon and Audrie (Nelson) Watkins. On Jan. 12, 1974, she married David Hunt at […]
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Obituary: Willard Howard Kolstad
Dec. 15, 1960 – Oct. 17, 2023 Willard Howard Kolstad, son of Willard George Kolstad and Artifice Fay (LaViolette) Kolstad, died Oct. 17, 2023 in Milwaukee. He was born in Frankfurt, Germany on Dec. 15, 1960. He moved back to Forestville in 1963. Surviving are his son, Liam; parents, Willard and Fay Kolstad; brother, Craig […]
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Obituary: Barbara Lee Tolzmann
Sept. 27, 1934 – Jan. 1, 2024 Barbara Lee Tolzmann, age 89, died on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 at her home with her daughter Jeni Tolzmann and family friend Katie Fons at her side. In accordance with Barbara’s wishes, no services will be held. Barbara was born Sept. 27, 1934 in Milwaukee to Albert and […]
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Obituary: Susan Mary Hegenbarth
Sept. 8, 1932 – Sept. 29, 2023 Susan Mary Hegenbarth, 91, died on Sept. 29, 2023 in Overland Park, Kansas following a period of declining health. She previously resided in Door County, before moving to the Kansas City area in 2022 to be closer to family. Susan Mary Smith was born Sept. 8, 1932 in […]
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WILD THINGS: Bring Back Deer Tags?
Wisconsin deer hunters have seen more regulation changes in the past decade than at any other time period in history. Some of those resulted in a loss of time-honored traditions, not to mention a big drop in income for hundreds of businesses that registered the thousands of deer brought in by hunters each fall. In […]
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Proper Disposal of Christmas Greens
Wild Ones Invasives can be spread through out-of-county decorations Misfortune will befall those who keep holiday decorations up beyond the Twelfth Night – or so goes the superstition from England. Depending on how one counts, this would be Jan. 5 or 6, and though the people of Great Britain, Canada and many parts of the […]
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Server of the Week: Asher Feest, Carrington
Up on the bluff in the land of eggs, For great food and great times you won’t have to beg He’s a pretty new server at Carrington, Quickly making people want to come in. The little things and big, he hits them all With enthusiasm too, no request too small. He serves with a smile, […]
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It’s easier than ever for people in major cities to get help with errands, thanks to the prevalence of app-based delivery services like UberEats and DoorDash. But for people who live in rural areas like Door County, getting help is often harder. That’s why Erin Husander created Erin’s Errands. The new business is designed to […]
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Toddler Toy Earns National Award
The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) awarded SpillAgain – a toy created by Sturgeon Bay company Fun City USA – as the ASTRA Toy of the Year in the Baby and Toddler category. The toy is a small tower filled with colorful balls that encourages active play and cause-and-effect learning. Fun City USA is […]
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Lori DeJardin, owner of DeJardin Cleaners in Sturgeon Bay, is opening a self-service laundromat at 24 N. Madison Ave., adjacent to her cleaners, in mid-January. The laundromat will feature arcade games and vending machines, and a smartphone app will allow customers to see the availability of washers and dryers remotely. Text alerts are sent to […]
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Training Available For Entrepreneurs
The Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) is offering its Entrepreneurial Training Program in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Small Business Development Center. The eight-session program begins Jan. 18 at the DCEDC Business Center and is open for all Door County individuals and businesses to apply. The Entrepreneurial Training Program is designed to […]
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Well Nest Spa Operator Coming to Egg Harbor
The Egg Harbor building formerly occupied by Brilliant Stranger didn’t go empty for long. The new occupant already had a close tie to the building. Jessica “Jessa” Fournier plans to open The Well Nest Spa at 7896 Hwy 42 this winter, and using the downstairs spaces will keep her closer to family. Fournier’s dad and […]
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Educator Settling Into New Role
Heather Mleziva began her position as Luxemburg-Casco Intermediate School Principal in July of 2023, after six years as an eighth-grade special education teacher at Denmark Middle School. In the months since Mleziva started, she has introduced several initiatives influenced by her educational approach. That approach is based on four fundamentals: relationships, sense of belonging, knowledge […]
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Districts Support Hiring Retirees When Needed
School districts collaborating on teacher recruitment and retention Door County school officials are looking at multiple ways to deal with teacher shortages. One of those is a bill to allow schools and governments to hire back retirees and to allow those retirees to continue receiving retirement and pension payments. The bill has the backing of […]
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Never Again Will This Cold Moon Appear The last full moon of 2023, known as the Cold Moon, was photographed Dec. 26, 2023 by Door County resident David Hollinger from his front yard. David used a new spotting scope with his iPhone 14 pro to capture the image, according to Rosann, his wife. The scope […]
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Town Partners with AT&T on $8.5-million Broadband Project
The Town of Egg Harbor wrapped up 2023 secure in the knowledge that it would be delivering fiber-powered broadband access to more than 2,100 addresses over the next couple of years through an $8.5-million public-private project with AT&T. “We are excited about this collaboration with AT&T to bring high-speed broadband to the residents of Egg […]
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Human Trafficking Prevention Act Advances Legislation aimed at preventing human trafficking and other illegal activity in strip clubs cleared a Wisconsin Assembly committee unanimously, Dec. 13, with an aim to protect women from becoming victims of sex slavery. Sen. André Jacque (R-Sturgeon Bay), co-author of the Human Trafficking Prevention Act (AB-60) along with Rep. Ty […]
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Winter Hikes at the Ridges Every Friday at 1:30 pm and Saturday at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm, starting Jan. 5 at the Ridges Sanctuary, 8166 WI-57 in Baileys Harbor Join a naturalist for a wintry exploration of the Ridges. Hikes cost $7 for members and $10 for non-members. Hikers under 16 are free. Snowshoes […]
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Environmental Survey Finds No Issues With Schauer Road Reroute
The Department of Natural Resources did not find anything in environmental and archaeological surveys to prevent the creation of a new 45-foot-wide right-of-way for rerouting Schauer Road, the Sevastopol Town Board learned on Dec. 18. The town and County of Door split the cost of the surveys for about $2,250 apiece. If the project proceeds, […]
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The Unsilencing of Yana Zenefski
Teens Making a Difference Yana Zenefski is a board member for the Door County Democrats and her youthful presence on a political board seemed a good reason to reach out to the 17-year-old senior at Southern Door High School. I assumed before our discussion that her stint with the Door Dems was the start of […]
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City Waterfront Redevelopment Authority Votes to Dissolve Itself
The governmental body formed in 1990 to oversee the redevelopment of the City of Sturgeon Bay’s waterfront now supports eliminating itself. The city’s Waterfront Redevelopment Authority (WRA) recommended Dec. 13 that the Common Council dissolve the WRA. Community development director Marty Olejniczak, who has also served as WRA’s secretary, said the WRA has “more or […]
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Lions Club Surprises Staff With Classroom Cash
The Brussels Lions Club presented six grants to Southern Door School staff as part of the club’s Classroom Cash project. The Classroom Cash grants ranged from $200 to $300. Individual staff members submitted applications that specified how a grant would improve their classrooms. A committee of Lions Club members graded the applications and selected the […]
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The Door County Toys for Kids drive provided holiday cheer to 604 Door County children in need. This year’s toy drive brought together 84 area businesses that served as collection points for toy donations, making it convenient for community members to contribute to the cause. Dozens of volunteers assisted with the organization and distribution of […]
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Tavern League Raising Funds For Vets Roll
The Door County Tavern League (DCTL) has raised over $7,500 of its $10,000 goal for the Vets Roll program. Vets Roll conducts all-expenses-paid trips for senior veterans to visit memorials in Washington DC and other important historical sites. A recent $500 donation from Blue Water Amusements received a matching $500 contribution from Wisconsin Amusement and […]
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Aging Resource Fair In Sister Bay
The Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) Learning and Innovation Center in Sister Bay is hosting a free “Lunch & Learn: Aging Resource Fair” from 11 am – 2 pm on Jan. 11. Participants can browse the information booths and attend workshops to learn ways to care for themselves and others. The event will include representatives […]
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Registration Begins For Older Adult Classes
Registration for the 2024 Spring Semester of Door County Learning in Retirement (DCLIR) is now open. DCLIR is offering 117 classes for the Spring Semester on a variety of topics including arts and crafts, health, music, history and current events, senior issues, cooking, personal computing and tours of points of interest around the county. Membership […]
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Vets Provide Taste Of Door County
Forestville American Legion Post 372 recently shipped gift boxes containing Door County specialty food products to active duty service members. Businesses that donated products for the boxes included Country Ovens in Forestville, Marchant’s Meats in Brussels and Renard’s Cheese in Sturgeon Bay. Financial sponsorship was provided by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, Door County Dairy Promotion […]
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Voter Information Event In Sister Bay
The League of Women Voters of Door County will provide voting information on Jan. 11 from 11 am – 2 pm at the NWTC Sister Bay Learning and Innovation Center. If you moved, changed your name, did not vote in the last four years, or recently became a US citizen, you may need to update […]
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Meet Hunter, a 6-month-old male dog available for adoption at the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) Door County Campus. Hunter is quick to warm up to new people and is looking to share his friendly and playful energy in a home of his own. Like all dogs at WHS, he is neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, and goes […]
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Land Trust Finishes 2023 With Last-Day Deal
Door County Land Trust wrapped up a busy 2023 by completing one additional land-protection deal on the last business day of 2023. DCLT on Dec. 29 completed negotiations to create a conservation easement to protect 689 feet of shoreline and rocky Niagara Escarpment bluff. DCLT did not release full details on short notice, but noted […]
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Scenes of Ephraim recorded on 4 x 5-inch glass plates could be the stars of the Ephraim Historical Foundation’s 2024 exhibition. “The glass plates were made in the early 1910s and were still in their original paper envelopes,” said Jeff O’Keeffe, Curator and Collections manager, who has since transferred them to archival housing while preserving […]
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Ask The Personal Trainers At The ADRC
If your New Year’s Resolution is to exercise more, but you’re new to the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Door County’s exercise room, stop by an Ask the Personal Trainers session on the second Tuesday of each month. Personal trainers Aiden and Laine will provide instructions on how to safely use the equipment […]
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Learn how to care for yourself as you age, or how to care for an aging loved one, at a Lunch and Learn program on Jan. 11 at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College’s (NWTC) Learning and Innovation Center in Sister Bay. From 11 am – 2 pm, participants can talk to representatives from relevant local organizations, […]
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Midsummer’s Music’s Composer Receives Award
Midsummer’s Music’s composer-in-residence, Will Healy, received the 2023 Leonard Bernstein Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Foundation. The Bernstein family gives the award to one composer each year. Photo courtesy of Midsummer’s Music.
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Miniature-Painting Jan. 11, 4-7 pm, The Gnoshery, 23 N. 3rd Ave. in Sturgeon Bay Paint a miniature to use in your favorite board game or role-playing game. Free miniatures are provided while supplies last.
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Stay Warm: Campfire at Crossroads
Jan. 5, 5:30-7 pm, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St. in Sturgeon Bay Enjoy s’mores and songs around the campfire.
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Jan. 6, 6:30 pm, Stone Harbor Resort, 107 N. 1st St. in Sturgeon Bay This four-piece band has been performing rock and roll hits from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s together for decades.
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DNR Hiring Summer Community Service Officers
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Division of Public Safety and Resource Protection offers a Community Service Officer (CSO) summer position for those exploring career opportunities in natural resources/public safety fields. CSOs are primarily responsible for facilitating customer service and public safety through education and outreach efforts within an administrative area or on state-owned properties […]
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First Friday And Science Saturday Events At Big Creek
Crossroads at Big Creek will host its First Friday Campfire on Jan. 5 from 5:30-7:30 pm, brightening the long winter night with a campfire, s’mores and campfire songs. Hexagons are the subject of the next Science Saturday at 2 pm on Jan. 6. The program begins with a video: Hexagons are the Bestagons. Attendees will […]
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Mike At the Movies: Ten of My Favorite 2023 Films
by Mike Orlock Pick up a newspaper or magazine this time of year, you’re likely to be inundated with year-end lists and retrospectives. It kind of goes with the territory as the calendar flips from one year to the next. I used to take this kind of thing more seriously than I do now, back […]
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Peninsula Players Announces 2024 Play-Reading Series
Peninsula Players Theatre’s 2024 winter play-reading series, “The Play’s The Thing,” will take place on Feb. 5, March 4 and April 1. The series kicks off with The Nature Plays by Patrick Gabridge. The performance is made up of several short plays, designed by Cabridge to coincide with a walk through Boston’s Mount Auburn Cemetery, […]
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The plays featured in Third Avenue PlayWorks’ (TAP) 2024 season will span genres from murder-mystery to comedy to drama to chamber musical. The season starts May 1-19 with Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B by Kate Hamill, a rollicking murder-mystery that’s filled with suspense and unexpected twists. Stones in His Pockets by Marie […]
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Confessions of a Sailor, a feature film created in Door County, recently brought home awards from two international film festivals and one stateside competition. The movie won an award in the Narrative Feature category at the Madrid International Short Film Festival, where it made its European premiere. It later won an award for Best Short […]
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Family Movie Night At Southern Door Community Auditorium
The family-friendly movie, Lyle, Lyle Crocodile, will be shown at the Southern Door Community Auditorium, Jan. 6 at 6 pm. In the movie, a reptile shares a home with a boy named Josh and his family. In addition to its humor and slapstick comedy, the film highlights important lessons around compassion, courage, teamwork, family and […]
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When the WPA Brought an Art Master to Sturgeon Bay
Sturgeon Bay post office patrons might not realize that they walk past the work of one of Wisconsin’s masters of Social Realism when they buy stamps or mail packages. The 5-foot by 15-foot mural installed in 1940 above the entrance to the postmaster’s office maintains great historical value even if it does not convey the […]
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Miller Art Museum A Founding Member Of New State Art Collective
The Miller Art Museum collaborated in the creation of a new art museum collective, Wisconsin Art Destinations. Wisconsin Art Destinations is an assembly of 13 art museums working together to raise the profile of the state as a destination for the visual arts and increase attendance at participating museums. The new collective is the first […]
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Creative Crochet At Sturgeon Bay Library
On Jan. 10, 10-11 am, designer and crochet expert Rose Anderson will demonstrate and discuss her unique style of crochet. Anderson crafts her sweaters and shawls, which can be seen in local boutiques, from machine-washable acrylic yarn. The event will take place at Sturgeon Bay Library, 107 S 4th Ave. in Sturgeon Bay.
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DCA Announces Winter 2024 Lineup
Door Community Auditorium’s (DCA) 2024 winter season will include the Door County Talks morning lecture series, three Coffeehouse Concerts by local musicians and several main-stage shows. Passport Program Main Stage Shows DCA’s first main-stage show of 2024 will be a Jan. 30 performance by interactive prehistoric puppetry troupe Dinosaur World Live at 6 pm. Next, […]
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Blues harmonica-player and pianist Corky Siegel started performing in 1965, and hasn’t slowed his roll since. After learning his craft from first-generation blues artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Willie Dixon, Siegel went on to record with labels like RCA Records, Vanguard Records and Deutsche Grammophon and was later inducted into the Chicago Blues […]
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Peninsula Is State’s #2 Campground
Peninsula State Park was the second most-popular camping destination in the Wisconsin State Parks system in 2023. Through Nov. 28, campers had filled 42,593 nights at the park’s 460 campsites. Those nights came across 19,282 bookings at the campground, up from 18,698 in 2022 and nearly as many as the record 19,601 bookings in 2021. […]
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Village Tightens Rules for Future STRs in Residential Zones
New application and annual fee applies to all STRs The Egg Harbor Village Board this month tightened its short-term-rental (STR) rules within its residential districts, but only for future STRs, not those in existence as of December 2023. The revised ordinance passed this month limits owners of properties in districts zoned Rural Residential or Residential […]
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Who’s Running in Your Neighborhood
No primaries are needed on Feb. 20 to whittle down the number of candidates running for local offices, but April 2 ballots will still have some contests. In other cases, no one officially filed nomination papers by the Jan. 2 deadline to run for office – including two seats on the Door County Board of […]