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Peninsula Pulse June 12-June 19, 2020

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In this issue

  • HSHS Hospitals Update Visitor Policies

    The hospitals of HSHS, including St. Vincent and St. Mary’s in Green Bay, have updated visitor policies to allow more patients to safely receive visitors. These policies are now in effect:  • All adult patients may have one designated person as part of their care team, and the person must stay in the patient’s room at […]

  • Ellison Bay Pottery to Celebrate 46 Years Virtually

    John Dietrich and Diane McNeil will host a 46th-anniversary celebration of Ellison Bay Pottery on Aug. 23, 4 pm. Everyone is invited to join them online for stories of John’s early years in Fish Creek with Abe and Ginka Cohn, then in his barn in Ellison Bay, with photos. He’ll demonstrate the wheel and share […]

  • Hardy Gallery Announces 2020 Exhibit Schedule

    The Hardy Gallery will open for an eight-week season, July 11 – Sept. 13. It will present the 58th annual Juried Exhibit July 11 – Aug. 9. The show is open to both emerging and established artists, features a variety of media by local and regional artists, and is one of the gallery’s most notable exhibits. […]

  • Turtle Ridge Showcases Asian-Inspired Apparel

    Chie Okada is a designer who was born and raised in Japan, has lived in Japan and America as an adult, and today resides in Hawaii. She creates Asian-inspired apparel collections for global women in free-size silhouettes, fitting women size 6 to 18. In collaboration with another Japanese designer, Okada chooses a motif from the […]

  • Kewaunee County Offering Loan Extension

    To focus on recovery from COVID-19 closures, Kewaunee County is giving small businesses that borrowed from the Revolving Loan Fund an optional extension before they must reinstate payments.  The Kewaunee County Finance Committee has agreed to allow deferral of all principal and interest payments through Sept. 30, 2020 – a four-month extension. The Emergency Order signed […]

  • Golden Acupuncture to Open June 18

    Mackenzie Schneider, owner and operator of Golden Acupuncture, will begin offering services June 18 within Northern Door Chiropractic and Wellness in Sister Bay’s Country Walk Shops.  Schneider graduated as valedictorian from Northwestern Health Sciences University in 2019. She began receiving acupuncture as a teenager to help manage her Lyme Disease symptoms, and its effectiveness was […]

  • Editor’s Note: A Few Thoughts Upon Reentry

    There were multiple reasons why I chose to pick up and move to Door County to work here at the Pulse. At times during the past six weeks, those reasons have been buried beneath the extreme duress of selling a house, packing a house, storing all of our earthly belongings in an unseen warehouse somewhere, […]

  • Cedar Court Inn Remodel Ideal for Social Distancing

    Door County visitors who are adhering to Wisconsin’s coronavirus safety guidelines will find fresh, clean, completely remodeled interiors at Fish Creek’s Cedar Court Inn, plus abundant green space and a spacious pool patio that’s ideal for social distancing. First-year owners Matt and Susie Cottick purchased the historic lodging property in April 2019. “Our renovated rooms […]

  • Bank of Luxemburg Receives Federal Grant

    The Bank of Luxemburg received a $20,000 federal grant as part of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago’s (fhlbc.com) COVID-19 Relief Program to support small businesses and nonprofits.  The following local nonprofits received these amounts: East Shore Industries, $1,000; Paul’s Pantry, $4,000; Kewaunee County Food Pantry, $4,000; HELP of Door County, $4,000; Boys and […]

  • 2020 NEW BUSINESSES: Amid Uncertainty, Entrepreneurs Charge Forward

    After the Great Recession of 2008-09, businesses throughout Door County struggled through difficult times. Many closed their doors, ending dreams and destroying livelihoods. But in the wake of what we had, at the time, considered to be a once-in-a-lifetime economic crisis, many entrepreneurs risked everything and continued pursuing their dreams.  To acknowledge and honor that […]

  • Pioneer Pantry Brings Discount Shopping to Brussels

    Pioneer Pantry opened in December in Brussels, and like so many new businesses, it began with a dream. Having purchased a Door County getaway in Gardner in 2014, Nick Waack, 37, from Kiel; and Heather Truett, 41, from Green Bay, wanted to capitalize on Nick’s retail experience to open a store and earn a living […]

  • Sturgeon Bay Utilities and Destination Sturgeon Bay Partnering to Bolster Small Businesses

    Sturgeon Bay Utilities (SBU) and Destination Sturgeon Bay (DSB, sturgeonbay.net) are partnering to bolster small businesses. The not-for-profit utility will add $25 to every $50 gift card purchased through DSB, with a limit of $100 in total additions per person.  Community members who want to support local businesses can purchase qualifying gift cards in $50 […]

  • Pedal That Trolley!

    A new business that began during the tail end of last year’s season allows participants to get a moderate workout while touring local bars, wineries and distilleries. Door County Pedal Trolley Tours in Sturgeon Bay, co-owned by Steve Delarwelle and Jason Estes, will open for both private and public tours this weekend.  The pedal trolley […]

  • Dovetail Acres Campground Opening in July

    Tucked behind Dovetail Trading in Liberty Grove off Highway 57 is the new, 23-acre Dovetail Acres Campground, an RV park. “It’s not a trailer park,” said Terry Wurster, who owns the campground with his wife, Linda. “A trailer park implies that people are here year-round. We’re not doing any type of full-season rentals or storage […]

  • Fish Creek Construction Takes Next Step

    The reconstruction of Highway 42 in Fish Creek took another step forward June 5 as crews reopened the highway from through the village up to County F, shortening the detour route for vehicles to get around the major reconfiguration.  Work continues on the section of Highway 42 between County F and the crosswalk by the […]

  • DCMC Announces Next Steps for Medical Services

    As Wisconsin moves forward in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Door County Medical Center (DCMC) is taking steps to make health-care services more accessible while maintaining safety and meeting patients’ needs.  The status of DCMC medical services is as follows.  • Urgent care and emergency department: Anyone needing urgent or emergency care for any health […]

  • Formal Parklet Program Concept Dies

    The Sturgeon Bay Community Protection and Services Committee did not take any action last week to create a parklet program that would have allowed local businesses to expand their operations into parking spaces along several streets in Sturgeon Bay. The committee referred instead to the Common Council’s decision, also made last week, to agree to […]

  • Tax Deadline Extended – for Some

    The Door County Board passed a resolution in May allowing the deadline for July 31 property taxes to be extended to Oct. 1 this year. The resolution, however, also requires the 19 municipalities in Door County to pass a similar resolution for it to go into effect. As of June 8, Door County Treasurer Jay […]

  • Candidate Filing Period Ends

    The candidate filing period ended June 8 for this year’s county elections, and only one local office – county treasurer – has drawn multiple candidates for both parties. Incumbent County Treasurer Jay Zahn filed his notice of noncandidacy on April 15. The partisan primary election will be held Aug. 11 for the Nov. 3 general election. […]

  • This Parade Goes On

    Though most festivals and parades have been canceled thus far for 2020, one tradition went on June 9. The 17th annual Freddie K. tractor ride cruised slowly down Town Line Road on its way to the AC Tap, the old stomping ground of the late, great Door County Polka King, Freddie Kodanko. He was known […]

  • Technical Difficulties Delay Review of Camp Zion Proposal

    The next steps for a proposed conference and retreat center at Camp Zion in Ellison Bay will have to wait. The Door County Board of Adjustment was slated to review the proposal through a Webex virtual meeting platform on June 9, but the incorrect meeting number and access code were included on the posted agenda.  […]

  • Bits and Bites: Scaturo’s Adds House-Made Kringles to the Menu

    Scaturo’s Adds Kringles to Bakery Menu Scaturo’s in Sturgeon Bay is now serving kringles: Wisconsin’s official state pastry (yes, it’s really a thing). The Scandinavian baked good is a type of sweet, flaky, filled pastry that’s served for breakfast or as a dessert.  Asked how this new item came about, co-owner Rob Scaturo said, “Honestly, […]

  • Outward Bound: Restaurants and Cafes Ramp Up Their Outdoor Spaces

    Al fresco drinking and dining have been on the rise during the last decade, giving customers the popular choice of enjoying the summer weather while they eat and imbibe.  Now, though, with heightened concerns about the spread of the coronavirus in confined spaces, the outdoor dining experience is poised to get another big boost this […]

  • Running in the Rushes

    Just off Logerquist Road, across from an old barn sporting the words “Logerquist Bros.” in large lettering, an unassuming wooden sign stands at the entrance to the Rushes Nature Preserve. At the top, it reads:  In Wildness is the preservation of the world.  — Thoreau  Often, during morning runs along Logerquist Road, I’ve passed this […]

  • Manners Matter: Speak Up Online … or Not?

    Dear Mary Pat, My friend and I differ on what we post on our business social-media accounts. I believe that you should take a stand for your beliefs and be as vocal as possible when you see something wrong or unjust. And I also think that as a business owner, I have a responsibility to […]

  • Framed: Sturgeon Bay School District Thanks Baileys Harbor Fish Company

    Members of the Sturgeon Bay School District’s food-service staff thanked Baileys Harbor Fish Company for loaning them a refrigerated truck for the last few months while they’ve been feeding breakfasts and lunches to students in the community. During May alone, the staff delivered 49,700 meals. Photo courtesy of Jenny Spude. 

  • Wild Things: Picture-Perfect Plan for Kids Fishing Day at Little Lake

    There are no entry fees and plenty of prizes for kids who take part in the 35th annual Kids Fishing Derby at Little Lake in Sturgeon Bay next Sunday – Father’s Day.  Although it’s not an official event this year because of continuing concerns about large gatherings, Gary and Cheryl Nault are inviting families to participate […]

  • NWTC Learning and Innovation Center to Offer CPR Classes

    The Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Learning and Innovation Center, 2438 S. Bay Shore Dr. in Sister Bay, is partnering with the American Heart Association to offer classes in CPR Heartsaver AED and Heartsaver First Aid on June 25 and July 27. CPR will be held 9 am – 12 pm; First Aid will take place […]

  • Door-Tran Awarded Funds to Help Meet Increased Demands

    Door-Tran was recently awarded $20,025 from the R. Bruce and Alyce S. Kopseker Trust Fund of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation to help it meet increased demands for transportation, half-price travel vouchers and mobility management. Door-Tran also receives funding from the Door County Community Foundation, United Way of Door County and Wisconsin Department of […]

  • PET TIP: The Trade Game

    In response to COVID-19, the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) Door County Campus has temporarily suspended adoption services, and all adoptable animals have been moved to the Green Bay and Milwaukee campuses. To learn about WHS’s response to COVID-19, visit wihumane.org/coronavirus. Until adoption services resume, WHS will provide tips to help pets stay healthy and happy.  […]

  • Gibraltar Community Organizes Drive-In Graduation

    Gibraltar community members celebrated the school’s Class of 2020 on the big screen Sunday, June 7. They held a virtual graduation celebration at the Skyway Drive-In Theatre in Fish Creek, complete with video congratulations from former Packers quarterback Brett Favre, as well as NFL and NBA announcer Kevin Harlan. Photo by Brett Kosmider.

  • Packerland Conference Announces Scholar Athletes

    The Packerland Conference announced its 2019-20 Scholar Athlete Awards. Each honoree must be a second-semester senior, hold a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0, and have earned at least four varsity letters through athletic participation. Principals at each school are allowed to nominate two boys and two girls for the awards.  Algoma Boys: […]

  • LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Graduation Issue Brought Back Memories

    Reader Jean Smejkal wrote to say that the recently published Peninsula Pulse Graduation Issue brought back many fond memories of her days attending Sturgeon Bay High School. The Class of 1949 held a 70-year class reunion at the ADRC last year.  “Speaking for myself and for my classmates, we wish all the graduates from all […]

  • LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Dear Anonymous Caller

    On Tuesday, June 2, you chose to call the police on a group of peaceful protesters in Sister Bay. I can only assume that you were one of the many who drove past our signs while shaking your head and giving a thumbs-down.  When confronted with challenges to your privilege, your response was to weaponize […]

  • LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Crucial Leadership Failures Exposed

    The pandemic has exposed crucial leadership failures in Wisconsin. The lessons are clear. First, courts are not equipped to provide leadership in an emergency. It is not their job. The Wisconsin Supreme Court held that the governor did not have the power to delay the election. It did not decide whether the election should be […]

  • LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Door County Does Not Need Better Internet Availability

    Door County does not need better internet availability! That was the decision of the county’s Resource Planning Committee (RPC) last week. If you disagree, now is the time for you to contact your elected County Board supervisor to express emphatically that we need more and better availability of internet access. Last week, 19 people testified […]

  • LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Southern Door Will Miss Nicolet Bank Branch

    I would like to think that I am speaking for the majority of Southern Door County in speaking up about the Brussels branch of Nicolet Bank being closed. Are we upset about it? Oh, yes, we are. But what upsets us even more is something specific that Mr. Atwell [Bob Atwell, chair and CEO] said […]

  • LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Connecting Dots: Racism, Poverty, Fossil Fuels, COVID-19 and Climate

    John Muir said, “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it is hitched to everything else in the Universe.” Connections exist among fossil-fuel combustion, air pollution, public health, racism, poverty, COVID-19, jobs, economic health, climate and, not to be forgotten, our farmers. Although money buys some of us insulation from some […]

  • LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Military Report Urges Climate Action

    In support of a recent letter by Betsy Rogers, I want to draw attention to a remarkable document on climate change and national security. Sixty-four senior U.S. military and security leaders have endorsed “A Climate Security Plan for America.” It’s signed by more than 20 admirals and generals, including Rear Admiral David Titley, former oceanographer […]

  • LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Personal Reckoning Required to Help Conquer Racism

    I appreciated the June 3 Pulse podcast about police brutality. Police brutality and the many policies that sustain systemic racism are topics well worth our discussion here in (as the podcast called it) the “Door County bubble.”  However, I’d like to caution us against seeing Door County as a “bubble” when it comes to racism, […]

  • Tree Damage from Tropical Air Mass

    A tropical air mass with gusty winds moved through Door County on Tuesday evening, downing trees such as this one seen early Wednesday morning across Settlement Road just west of Highway 57. The storm delivered the heaviest rains in southern Wisconsin, according to the National Weather Service in Green Bay. In Door County, about an […]

  • Sheriff Asks for Protective Helmets, Body Shields

    Two who voted against the request say county doesn’t need riot gear Door County Sheriff Tammy Sternard received approval from the Door County Public Safety Committee to buy 34 sets of protective helmets and body shields for individuals within her department at a cost of $9,995.32.  Sternard said the equipment is “basic minimum protection” for […]

  • Obituary: Rita Mary Bloedel

    April 6, 1931 ~ June 7, 2020 Rita Mary Bloedel, 89, of Sturgeon Bay, previously of Edgar, died as a result of an automobile accident in Door County on Sunday afternoon, June 7, 2020. She was born April 6, 1931 in Waukesha County, daughter of the late Ralph and Cecelia (Graf) Heaton. Rita attended school […]

  • Victim of Sister Bay Crash Identified

    Sturgeon Bay woman is county’s first traffic fatality of 2020  The Door County Sheriff’s Office has identified the woman who died in a car crash in Sister Bay Sunday, June 7.  Rita Bloedel, 89, of Sturgeon Bay died when Bruce Lamb, 75, of Janesville drove his vehicle across the centerline of Highway 42 and struck […]

  • Peninsula Players Theatre Earns Wisconsin Arts Board Grant

    A Wisconsin Arts Board grant has gone to Peninsula Players Theatre through the board’s Creation and Presentation Program. The funds will support the theater company’s continued development and presentation of outstanding community programs and theatrical productions. Peninsula Players Theatre’s community outreach includes preshow seminars, postshow discussions and its winter play-reading series, The Play’s the Thing. […]

  • Peninsula Players Theatre Announces Student Award Recipients

    Peninsula Players Theatre has announced the recipients of its annual student awards of $500 each. Graduating Door County high school seniors who have demonstrated achievements in and enthusiasm for the performing arts or who are pursuing secondary education in arts management, music or theater are eligible. Shelby LaViolette of Sturgeon Bay High School has earned […]

  • Ploor Earns PMF’s Verheyden Memorial Scholarship

    Recent Sevastopol High School graduate Mya Ploor is this year’s recipient of the Peninsula Music Festival’s George Verheyden Memorial Scholarship. She will attend Luther College in the fall to pursue a double major in music performance and music education.  Ploor maintained an impressive academic record throughout high school and plays more than 20 instruments. Beyond […]

  • Rogue Theater Presents ‘Drive-in Theater’

    This summer, weather permitting, Rogue Theater will present “drive-in theater” matinees on July and August Saturdays and Sundays in the parking lot of Sturgeon Bay’s Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. The sloped lot offers an amphitheater-like setting. Actors will use microphones plugged in to the church’s radio frequency so that patrons can enjoy the shows […]

  • Kewaunee Area Chamber Cancels Independence Day Celebration

    The Kewaunee Area Chamber of Commerce has canceled its annual Independence Day celebration. Keeping the community safe and healthy is the organization’s top priority, and the event’s size prevents compliance with social-distancing restrictions. Next year, plan to celebrate with music, food, fun and an even bigger and better fireworks show by the Brown family.

  • Root Beer Festival Canceled

    The Door County Historical Society (DCHS) has canceled its 2020 Root Beer Festival, which had been scheduled for July 11. The society’s board made the decision out of concern for the health of all involved. “We hope our September festival will be able to include all of the aspects of Root Beer Festival that have […]

  • Crossroads Hosts UW-O Center Studying Water Quality

    Researchers from the Environmental Research and Innovation Center at UW-Oshkosh have set up a lab at Crossroads at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay to study water quality: testing beaches for pathogens, researching sand and nutrient loading in area creeks, and resuming a well-testing program for Door County residents and businesses. Until Sept. 1, contactless bottle […]

  • Unearthing The Cove Resort

    The Cove Preserve – one of the properties of Crossroads at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay – was named for a body of water and also recalls a resort called The Cove, built in 1901, that was once in the area. Crossroads had received grants from the Raibrook Foundation and the Cliff and Clara Herlache […]

  • One Barrel Brewing Launches Family Fun Days

    One Barrel Brewing Company is back for its second summer in Door County. All the great things folks enjoyed about the tap room last year are returning with some extras and socially distanced improvements. One Barrel aims to create an environment that’s fun for the whole family, so it’s designated four Saturdays – June 20, Aug. […]

  • ‘Discover Wisconsin’ Highlights Land Trust Days

    Discover Wisconsin (discoverwisconsin.com) will shine its spotlight on Wisconsin Land Trust Days – a series of fun, outdoor events hosted by land trusts each year in August and September – during its June 13 episode at 6:30 pm. The half-hour show will kick off with the first Wisconsin Land Trust Days event at Villa St. Joseph near […]

  • Obituary: Roger M. Wilke Sr.

    November 19, 1933 ~ June 8, 2020 Roger M. Wilke Sr., 86, of Sturgeon Bay died on Monday, June 8, 2020 at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay.  Roger was born November 19, 1933 to Melvin and Lucille (Schulties) Wilke.  On February 4, 1967, he married Thea Gunderson in Sturgeon Bay.  She preceded him […]

  • Steel Bridge Songfest Goes Virtual

    The 2020 Steel Bridge Songfest – heading into its 16th year – is going virtual June 12 and 13 at 7:30 pm each day. The festival was founded in 2005 to benefit the preservation of Sturgeon Bay’s Michigan Street Bridge. Now the weeklong event centers around a focused writing and recording collaboration called Construction Zone, which […]

  • Golf League Results: June 12, 2020

    IDLEWILD Ladies Sundowners Golf League May 27, 2020 • Top 10 golfers: Amy Konop 50, Anna Larsen 51, Mary Aiken 52, Pat Krueger 52, Pam DeMelle 53, Patti Baur 53, Rita Hunt 54, Lynn Kranich 59, Mary Ann Miller 61, Janet Proctor 63   • Pars: Mary Aiken 1, Amy Konop 1, Anna Larsen 1, Patti Baur 1, […]

  • Obituary: Thomas J. Bee

    July 6, 1959 ~ June 7, 2020 Thomas James Bee 60, of Sturgeon Bay, WI died at 3:45 AM CDT Sunday June 7, 2020 at Sturgeon Bay Health Services in Sturgeon Bay, WI.  He was born July 6, 1959 in Chicago, Illinois the son of late Richard “Tex” and Kathryn Bee. He is also preceded […]

  • Obituary: Roland Walter Honold

    November 27, 1939 ~ June 4, 2020 Roland Walter Honold died at Sturgeon Bay Health Services on Thursday, June 4, 2020 after a two-year battle with cancer. He was born at home in Baileys Harbor on November 27, 1939 to George and Charlotte (Eckert) Honold, graduated from Gibraltar High School, and married Joan Anschutz in […]

  • Obituary: Martin “Marty” D. Schram

    July 4, 1960 ~ June 3, 2020 Martin Donald Schram, 59, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away at Door County Medical Center on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. He was born July 4, 1960 to Martin “Gene” and the late Betty (Krueger) Schram in Sturgeon Bay. Martin graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School. He received an associate […]

  • Obituary: William C. Mack

    March 25, 1932 ~ May 29, 2020 William “Bill” Mack, 88 years of Sturgeon Bay, died on Friday, May 29, 2020. Bill was born March 28, 1932 in Milwaukee the son of the late Perry E. and Constance (Miller) Mack.  For a bit of history, Bill’s father was one of the founding members of the […]

  • Pete Thelen’s Got His Blues Working, and He Just Wanted to Let You Know

    Baileys Harbor belter releases what he says is his last CD Baileys Harbor resident Pete Thelen comes out swinging on his latest – and what he says is his last – CD release with the equally upbeat and ominous title Best for Last.  Sounding like Door County’s version of smooth bluesman Bobby “Blue” Bland, Thelen […]