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Peninsula Pulse January 29-February 5, 2021

In this issue

  • County Sales Tax Collection Hits New High in 2020

    At this point, it seems unlikely that there are any appropriate (or even inappropriate) adjectives that have not already been applied to the last calendar year. And yet, the year 2020 can still offer up a few surprises. Consider this: Last year (yes, 2020) Door County generated more sales-tax revenue than in any year prior. […]

  • Door County Delivers Launches Local Courier Service

    Door County Delivers (DoorCountyDelivers.net) launched its local courier service Feb. 1 to deliver goods and messages throughout Door County and surrounding areas. It intends to provide residents with access to more goods and services, and businesses and individuals with a quick, cost-effective delivery option. Door County Delivers will run business and customer errands, deliver customer […]

  • New North Creates System to Support Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

    New North (thenewnorth.com/entrepreneurship-in-the-new-north) has created the New Launch Alliance, a valuable system to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem and its success in Door County and the New North Region. The Door County Economic Development Corporation is a partner.  New North is seeking input from Door County entrepreneurs, mentor candidates, equity investors and innovators through the following […]

  • The Yacht Harbor and DHM Farms Welcome New Management-Team Members

    Dan Schott, owner of The Yacht Harbor (theyachtharbor.com) and DHM Farms of Sturgeon Bay, has welcomed new management-team members. Keith Prust is the marina manager for The Yacht Harbor. He has 25 years’ experience in the marine industry as a U.S. Coast Guard captain and the former owner and operator of his own marina in […]

  • Dörr Hotel to Open in May

    The new Dörr Hotel will open in downtown Sister Bay in late May. It will feature 47 contemporary rooms and suites; a two-story, cedar-beamed lobby with a fireplace and lobby bar; a large outdoor courtyard, fire pit and lawn games; and a guest-experience team to serve as area ambassadors and create personalized tour itineraries. The […]

  • Virginia Hanson: A View from the Top of the Hill

    96-year-old has been Liberty Grove’s history keeper for more than 70 years This is Part I of a two-part story. Read Part II here>> Ellison Bay hill offers, arguably, the most picturesque of all the panoramic views in Door County, demanding in all seasons that passersby pause to notice. Virginia Hanson, a lifelong resident of […]

  • Winter Adaptations for the Door County Vegetarian

    Dining out as a vegetarian can often mean eating the one option on the menu or getting creative by adapting the plentiful, carnivore-friendly dishes that most mainstream restaurants serve.  The COVID-19-induced quarantine has driven a significant increase in home cooking, but occasionally, when the energy to cook has vanished, it’s nice to get takeout or […]

  • Bits & Bites

    Pink Bakery Launches Valentine’s Day Box Pink Bakery is accepting orders for a special Valentine’s Day box that’s available for pickup or delivery. It includes half a dozen freshly baked scones, Pink Bakery scone mix, a jar of Seaquist Orchards’ chopped-cherry jam, a half dozen heart-shaped cookies and a pound of Pink Bakery’s signature coffee. […]

  • Gov. Evers Going After Corporate PFAS Contaminators

    Gov. Tony Evers announced last week that he’s preparing to take legal action against companies responsible for PFAS contamination in Wisconsin.  PFAS – or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – are a group of human-made chemicals that have been used for decades in numerous products, including nonstick cookware, fast-food wrappers, stain-resistant sprays and certain types of firefighting […]

  • Education Notes

    Gibraltar Strategizes ‘Study and Review’ of Teacher Resignations The Gibraltar District School Board met in closed session last Thursday to “understand our role” in a review of conditions that have led to untimely teacher resignations, according to board President Stephen Seyfer. Initially, the board indicated it would conduct an “investigation” following the midterm resignation of […]

  • Rotary Club Helps Gibraltar Students Learn in Nature

    The Rotary Club of Door County North has joined with The Ridges Sanctuary to support Gibraltar students. The club had discussed supporting mental-health initiatives for young students but had not found a realistic way to do so. The Ridges’ environmental educators had already been working with Gibraltar K-6 students and the Friends of Gibraltar through […]

  • Packerland Conference Math Meet Results

    PACKERLAND CONFERENCE MATH MEET Jan. 25, 2021 (Name, high school, points) Seniors: Abram Abeyta, Sturgeon Bay, 37; Jack Hitzeman, Gibraltar, 31; Kobe Rose, Kewaunee, 26; Breanne Schmidt, Algoma, 24; Hannah Lee, Algoma, 23 Juniors: Maggie Stephens, Sturgeon Bay, 37; Andrew Konop, Sturgeon Bay, 33; Cole Pierucki, Oconto, 24; Grace Holmgren, Oconto, 23; Malia Bicoy, Sturgeon […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Open Letter to the Gibraltar Town Board and Comments about Recent Pulse Articles

    Please reconsider the financing method for the recent additions (sidewalks and lights) to Highway 42 by taxing the few. Our sister communities of Ephraim and Sister Bay have recognized that everyone benefits from these improvements and have spread the cost over all taxpayers. There are statutes in place (WI 66-701) outlining steps to notify affected […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Cancel Culture at Work

    How is it in this nation that people’s lives and businesses can be destroyed just by having a viewpoint contrary to those in power? People being “punished” for not falling in line with the powers that be? Our Bill of Rights and the Constitution – the law of the land – are not being abided by. […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Biden Shows Leadership by Rejoining Paris Climate Agreement

    Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and a number of his Republican colleagues have criticized President Joe Biden for signing an executive order to have the United States rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement. Notably, all national commitments in the Paris accord are voluntary, and individual nations determine the ambition and design of their own climate plans. The […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Letter Was a ‘Seditious Assault on the Constitution’

    Thanks, Peninsula Pulse, for bringing home to Door County the incompetence of elected state Sen. André Jacque, whose knowledge of the Constitution is so lacking that he had to be schooled by the (then) vice president of the United States. After advocating to the VP postponement of the Jan. 6 electoral certification, Jacque needed to […]

  • Letter to the Editor: You Are Not Alone

    I hope for those conservatives, Republicans, free thinkers and independents who read this paper that you know there are many of us in Door County. We are here. We go about our days; we work; we contribute to our communities. Have faith, and know you are not alone! Rachel Stollenwerk Fish Creek, Wisconsin

  • Letter to the Editor: Why I Don’t Wear a Mask

    People insist on bullying me because I do not wear a mask/muzzle/face diaper – however you want to term the thing. It doesn’t matter how you bully, berate, try to intimidate or shame me, my mind will not be changed regarding my disregard for “masking up,” and here’s why: Since May of 2020, I have spent […]

  • Servers of the Week: Deb and Scott Davis

    Deb and Scott Davis spent their Christmas Eve Handing out meals to families in need At the Sister Bay Fire Station, and what’s more, They’ve been working for days with their boots on the floor Volunteering in Sturgeon Bay to help with vaccines. These two will do anything to help their fellow human beings. 

  • High School Sports Mash-Up

    Athletic directors weave football, soccer, volleyball between winter and spring After a fall without football and other activities in northern Door County, many high school athletes will juggle multiple sports this winter and spring. The Gibraltar District School Board last week approved proceeding with a staggered schedule of starting dates for “fall sports” and spring […]

  • Bowling League Results

    Apple Dumpling League Jan. 29, 2021 • High team game: Strike Force 898 • High team series: Strike Force 2,361 • High game (women): Gail Chadek 216, Kathy Franke 201, Lisa Hartel 194 • High series (women): Kathy Franke 592, Lisa Hartel 538, Gail Chadek 504, Tracy May 504 • High game (men): John Moore 268, […]

  • Packerland Conference Standings

    Girls Basketball Jan. 30, 2021 (School, won-lost) Kewaunee 7-0Peshtigo 6-2 Southern Door 6-2 Sevastopol 5-3NEW Lutheran 4-4 Gibraltar 3-4Oconto 3-5 Algoma 1-7Sturgeon Bay 0-8 Boys Basketball Jan. 30, 2021 (School, won-lost) Southern Door 8-0Kewaunee 6-2 Oconto 6-2Gibraltar 5-3Peshtigo 4-4 Sturgeon Bay 3-5NEW Lutheran 2-5 Algoma 0-6 Sevastopol 0-7

  • Featured Pet: Pink Floyd

    Meet Pink Floyd, an eight-month-old kitten who’s available for adoption from the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) as a “working cat.” Cats such as Pink Floyd are deeply undersocialized, want nothing to do with people and get extremely stressed when confined. They thrive in a “working” environment, where they can patrol a barn, stable, outbuilding, shed […]

  • Islanders Stand for Dan: Neighbors plan multiple fundraisers for Nelson family

    Washington Islanders have launched the We Stand for Dan campaign, rallying in a big way for a family in crisis. Sixty-two-year-old carpenter Dan Nelson and wife, Dawn, had recently taken on a big project and investment: They were renovating the Frog Hollow bed-and-breakfast when Dan was diagnosed with skin cancer this summer. The cancer has […]

  • The Abstract Representation of Ernest Beutel

    Artists have faced quandaries over what to paint since painting began, but for professionals, historically, the issue was often resolved by direction from a patron – generally a royal or religious figure. Today’s artists have no such accepted direction. Whether cursed or free to paint whatever they want, many find inspiration in their surroundings. Sturgeon […]

  • Artisan Market Celebrates Valentine’s Day with Gift Packages

    Eleven Door County artisans and makers have combined their products into Valentine’s Day “Love, Door County” gift packages. These limited-edition packages have a retail value of more than $135 each, but they sell for $85 each at doorcountywildflowercandles.com. Their goal is to give recipients – in Door County and beyond – the chance to sample the products […]

  • Door County Writes: ‘Bartenders’

    Nonfiction by Michael Brecke Mamie Nyberg, John Padjen, Ted Tafelski, Nina Wiese, Old George, Matt Deverens, Jim Stadler, Mark Terry, Travis, J.B., Bonnie: and the list of some of the bartenders in my life goes on. Mamie Nyberg owned and operated a bar just off Main Street in my hometown. It was one of my […]

  • Door County Writes: ‘Nearing Solstice 2020’

    Poetry by Sharon Auberle for James and Jonah twin boys arrived in the world todayconceived and born in this terrible yearwhat joys and sorrows I wonderwill their days hold in these timesof plague    burning    war yet at sunset tonight under brooding skiesthere appeared at the last momenta few ribbons of gentle rosesomething like […]

  • Door to Nature: The Well-known Mallard

    Which duck would you say is the most common – and perhaps the first one you learned to identify as a youngster? I remember, as a child, our family trips to the Milwaukee lakefront to see the wildlife (the birds, not the people), and the mallards were the most numerous of any waterfowl there. At the […]

  • Wild Things: DNR Misses the Boat on Dividing Door North-South

    When it comes to deer and deer hunting, there’s no way to make season recommendations that will please everyone. But if you’re one of the more than 300 hunters who provided written comments on the Door County Deer Advisory Council’s (CDAC) preliminary three-year population objectives and unit boundaries, you might feel doubly frustrated this week. […]

  • Run This: A Hilly 7.5 Miles: High Roads to North Maple

    This route outside Baileys Harbor won’t let you down by Jake Danen If you’re looking for a challenging road run with some soaring views of Door County’s beautiful landscape and geography, the following route outside of Baileys Harbor won’t let you down. This route covers about 7.5 miles, with some gentle elevation to get you […]

  • Manners Matter: Book Lending and Borrowing

    Dear Mary Pat, I’m an avid reader and have a decent number of books. I also know plenty of people who enjoy reading as well, and I don’t mind lending my books to people. However, I do have a few rules when I hand them out. Books aren’t cheap, and I like to keep mine […]

  • Novel Bay Booksellers 2020 Bestsellers

    Novel Bay Booksellers (novelbaybooks.com), 44 N. 3rd Ave. in Sturgeon Bay, shared its list of top sellers for 2020. AUTHORPatricia Skalka BOOK40 Thieves on Saipan by Joseph Tachovsky with Cynthia Kraack CLASSICThe Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien POETRY/PHILOSOPHYSimply Mindful by Albert Bellg CURRENT EVENTSWhite Fragility by Robin DiAngelo FICTIONIn the Unsettled Homeland of Dreams by Thomas […]

  • Tlachac-Toonen Receives Children’s Book Award

    Story Monsters has announced the winners of the 2020 Royal Dragonfly Book Awards: a global competition that honors excellence in literature and book marketing, recognizing works in 71 genre categories.  A Firefly Tale, by local author and illustrator Janet Tlachac-Toonen, earned a first-place award in the Children’s Picture Book Ages 6 and Up category. Her […]

  • Big Read Events Start Jan. 28

    The Door County Library is launching its newest NEA Big Read – featuring Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel – this coming week with free, virtual events. The library received an NEA Big Read grant and financial support from the Women’s Fund Endowment of Door County, Carol Coryell Charitable Fund, Adele and Ed Douglass […]

  • College Football Bowl Pool Donates to Food Pantry

    For a Miller Lite College Football Bowl pool that almost didn’t get started due to COVID-19, the group finished strong, with more than $6,000 going to the Door County Food Pantry Coalition. A final figure will be reported next week. The largest portion of the donation came from the family of the late Gary Gilroy. […]

  • Washington Island Rec Center Receives Donations

    Several donors have provided the Washington Island Foundation with a generous gift to underwrite an engineering study to assess the structural and aesthetic condition of the island’s Rec Center – a resource that’s been at the center of Washington Island’s social and recreational activities since 1988. These donors would also provide seed money for future fundraising […]

  • UW Extension Offers Courses on ‘Cultivating Optimism’

    The UW-Madison Division of Extension’s Life Span Program will present the Wise Wisconsin Winter Series: courses that allow participants to join with others statewide to learn how to increase joy and satisfaction during the cold, snowy winter. The virtual courses include Cultivating Optimism on Feb. 3, Social Connections on Feb. 10, Finding Your Joy on […]

  • Input Needed on Entrepreneurial Development in Door County

    New North, Inc. has created the New Launch Alliance, in which Door County Economic Development Corporation is a partner. This is a valuable system to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem and entrepreneurial success in Door County and the New North Region. Information on the Alliance may be found at https://www.thenewnorth.com/entrepreneurship-in-the-new-north/ .  New North is soliciting input from […]

  • Wisconsin State Journal Finds There Were Not Thousands of Complaints about Voter Fraud

    In December, with then-President Donald Trump continuing to falsely claim that massive fraud and voting irregularities caused him to lose the election, Republicans within the Wisconsin Legislature said they were reviewing “thousands of complaints.” Republicans insisted that investigating those complaints would restore faith in the system and legitimize the election for those voters. However, the […]

  • Gibraltar School Board to investigate teacher departures

    A teacher’s resignation at midterm has caused the Gibraltar School Board to schedule an investigation of its own practices and the district’s overall responsiveness to educators’ needs. Board President Stephen Seyfer also mentioned previous resignations as a reason to have a special meeting, in closed session Thursday evening, to discuss and investigate personnel matters.  The […]

  • Mixed Reviews on Phased-in Learning at Gibraltar

    During the open-comment portion of Monday’s Gibraltar School Board meeting, some residents expressed aggravation at the slow phase-in of in-person learning.  Parent Lauren Schar said she had been looking forward to sending her children back to school when the second semester began next week, but she would not want to send them to school to […]

  • Renstrom to Lead Granary-Restoration Project

    The Sturgeon Bay Historical Society Foundation (SBHSF) has engaged Beth Renstrom as acting executive director to lead its efforts to convert the 1901 Teweles and Brandeis granary to a three-season event space as part of the City of Sturgeon Bay’s West Waterfront redevelopment plan. The SBHSF, which owns the structure, is working to fulfill an […]

  • Building Rescue Progresses on 3rd Avenue

    Renovation progress has clipped along on both sides of 3rd Avenue in downtown Sturgeon Bay this winter, including one project that’s taking place at 234 3rd Ave., across the street from the major renovation at Third Avenue Playhouse.  The 234 3rd Ave. building was tilting inward in front and had loose bricks at the bottom […]

  • Thumbs Up for West Side School Conversion

    The development firm that intends to convert the old Sturgeon Bay West Side School building into apartments received permission last week in the form of a conditional use permit (CUP) from the Sturgeon Bay Plan Commission. The CUP gives Northpointe Development the green light to turn the long-vacant building at 17 W. Pine St. into […]

  • Bagel Company Gets OK to Operate From Home

    The Sturgeon Bay Planning Committee granted a conditional use permit (CUP) to Patrick and Alexandra Cole that will allow them to continue their retail sale of baked goods – bagels, specifically – from their home at 364 S. Duluth Ave., on the corner of West Spruce Drive.   The Coles’ new business, Door County Bagel Company, is […]

  • County Puts Island Dairy Rehab out to Bid

    The Door County Board of Supervisors sent the Washington Island Government Facility out to bid during its Tuesday meeting. Door County intends to renovate the historical dairy at 1309 Range Line Road on Washington Island into an emergency medical services (EMS) facility.  The county purchased the property for $800,000 in July 2020. Construction costs have […]

  • Mayor Sets 2021 Priorities

    Sturgeon Bay Mayor David Ward doesn’t vote unless a tie-breaker is needed, so he conceded during the Sturgeon Bay Common Council’s second meeting of the year that he needs to convince the rest of the council members that the things he wants to commit to in 2021 are worthy of priority attention. That was his […]

  • Egg Harbor to Hold Referendum to Fund Kress Pavilion

    The Village will ask voters to allow it to exceed the tax-levy limit by up to $120,000 per year for seven years to provide operating funds for the Kress.

  • Jacque’s Letter Called a ‘Threat to Democracy’

    County board supervisor calls for action against Sen. Jacque The man who represents Door County in the Wisconsin Senate – Sen. André Jacque (R-Bellevue) – was one of the 15 Republican legislators who asked former Vice President Mike Pence to postpone the Jan. 6 electoral count.  Jacque’s contribution shouldn’t go unnoticed, said Door County Board […]

  • Obituary: Robert Strege

    November 8, 1930 ~ January 1, 2021 Robert E. Strege, age 90, died on January 1, 2021. He was born on November 8, 1930 to parents Richard and Amelia (nee. Schultz) Strege in Jacksonport, WI. On September 6, 1952, Robert married the love of his life, Anna Mae Stoffel, and together, raised 6 children. They […]

  • Obituary: Beatrice L. Barnstein

    January 18, 1933 ~ January 22, 2021 Beatrice L. Barnstein, 88, Lenexa, KS, died Friday, January 22, 2021. She was born January 18, 1933 to Helen and Otis Kimber in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Beatrice was a homemaker and a member of the Lenexa United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles […]

  • Obituary: Dr. Charles Moore

    January 10, 2021  Dr. Charles Moore, 71, of Ellison Bay, Wisconsin and Georgetown, Kentucky, died January 10, 2020 in Georgetown. He was born to Harold J. Moore and Charlotte Lueck Moore  He graduated from Central Michigan University in 1982 with a Doctor of Psychology degree.  In 2007, he was appointed by Governor Thompson to the […]

  • Obituary: Arlene Kirschenbaum Zide

    January 8 , 2021 Dr. Arlene Kirschenbaum Zide died January 8th in Chicago from the effects of Covid-19. Born in 1940, she grew up in the South Bronx and Queens, graduating from New York’s esteemed High School of Music and Art (now LaGuardia). She had degrees from Queens College, University of Pennsylvania and a PhD […]

  • Monthly Discussions Address ‘Our Final Chapter’

    Join registered nurse and life doula Marggie Hatala to share concerns and questions and feel the support of the community during free, monthly discussions about “our final chapter.” These discussions welcome adult children, aging parents, those facing terminal disease and all interested others to gain support from one another. The first discussion will be held […]

  • Donors Can ‘Name’ a Bench Near New Eagle Tower

    With the opening of the new Eagle Tower anticipated later this spring, the Friends of Peninsula State Park are offering an opportunity to preserve tower and park memories through a limited number of benches near the tower. They are available to “name” to honor a loved one or acknowledge a personal or family connection. Gift […]

  • Obituary: Robert M. Olson

    March 10, 1931 ~ January 24, 2021 Robert M. “Bob” Olson, 89, of Sturgeon Bay, died on January 24, 2021, at Door County Medical Center.  On March 10, 1931, he was born on the family farm to Melvin and Clara (Viste) Olson.  Robert graduated from Algoma Highschool in 1948.  On September 7, 1957, he married […]

  • Obituary: Jerry D. Slavik

    July 23, 1928 ~ January 23, 2021 Jerry D. Slavik, 92, of Sturgeon Bay died peacefully at Sturgeon Bay Health Services after a short illness. Jerry was born in Sturgeon Bay to Vincent and Mayme (Gauthier) Slavik on July 23, 1928. He graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School, and from the University of WI-Madison with […]

  • Obituary: William L. Knudson

    February 12, 1936 ~ January 24, 2021 William L. Knudson, 84, of Sturgeon Bay, died Sunday morning January 24, 2021 with family at his side. He was born February 12, 1936 in Baileys Harbor the son of the late Leslie and Viola (Root) Knudson.  Prior to starting high school in 1949 he attended Appleport School. […]

  • Obituary: Dean E. Dickinson

    April 12, 1952 ~ January 22, 2021 Dean Elton Dickinson, 68, of the Town of Sevastopol, died January 22, 2021 at his home, following a recent illness. He was a lifelong resident of Sturgeon Bay, born April 12, 1952, the son of Elton Lester Dickinson and Hazel Violet (Mickelson) Dickinson. Dean grew up attending Cherry […]

  • Obituary: Nick Lauter

    December 13, 1972-January 7, 2021 Nicholas Christopher Lauter was born on December 13, 1972 in Appleton, the son of Charles and Estella (Loomis) Lauter, now of Fish Creek. Nick was a member of the Appleton Boy Choir and spent two years in Germany—one in Kassel with his family and one as a Rotary Scholar in […]

  • Obituary: Dorothy Elizabeth Berch

    December 29, 1961 ~ January 19, 2021 Dorothy E. Berch, 59 years of Sister Bay, WI, formerly of Downers Grove, IL died January 19, 2021 at her home with family at her side. She was born December 29, 1961 in Chicago, IL the daughter of the late Theodore and Margaret (Heidecker) Berch. Dorothy attended Downers […]

  • Obituary: Gene Charles Anderson

    March 16, 1934 ~ January 19, 2021 Gene C. Anderson, 86, of Sister Bay, died Tuesday morning, January 19, 2021 at Sturgeon Bay Health Services where he had resided for the past three years. He was born March 16, 1934 in Sister Bay the son of the late Roy and Gladys (Hilander) Anderson and graduated […]

  • Obituary: Sandra Kay Pierre

    August 5, 1938 ~ January 21, 2021 Sandra Kay Pierre, 82, died in the early morning January 21, 2021, at The Inn at Winchester Trail in Canal Winchester, Ohio, the area in which she had lived for the past six years. She was born Sandra Kay Nardin on August 5, 1938, the oldest of the […]

  • Obituary: Scott William Hetherington

    March 13, 1947 ~ January 19, 2021 Scott William Hetherington, 73, of Sturgeon Bay, died at his home surrounded by his entire family on January 19th, 2021 after a valiant 3 month battle with pancreatic cancer.  Scott ran the race with strength, courage, dignity, and faith.  Scott was born on March 13, 1947 to William […]