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Peninsula Pulse June 19-26, 2020

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In this issue

  • Groundbreaking Launches Graham Park Project

    A small group of civic and government leaders gathered Monday morning to witness the groundbreaking on the Graham Park project, which will enhance the green space at the foot of the Oregon Street bridge in downtown Sturgeon Bay. Approximately one acre will be developed at the waterfront location by Sturgeon Bay contractor Sterling Landscape Services. […]

  • Sturgeon Bay Serves Up Cherries Jubilee

    Fiberglass cherries decorated by local artists popped up along downtown Sturgeon Bay streets last week as part of the 20th annual Street Art Project. The 25 total projects will be auctioned off virtually this year, with people able to make their bids all summer. All cherries will be on display until Sept. 19. The link […]

  • FSA Accepting Nominations for County Committee Members

    The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting nominations for Door County (and other county) committee members through Aug. 1.  “I encourage America’s farmers, ranchers and forest stewards to nominate candidates to lead, serve and represent their community on their county committee,” said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “There’s an increasing need for diverse representation, including underserved […]

  • Issue to Watch: Communications Towers

    Door County Board of Supervisors, June 23, 9 am During its June 23 meeting in Sturgeon Bay, the Door County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to receive a recommendation from the Resource Planning Committee (RPC) that amends the county ordinance regulating communications towers, including fixed wireless broadband towers. The RPC is recommending amendments to the […]

  • Oscar Boldt’s Impact: Construction industry icon died June 9 at 96

    When construction industry giant Oscar C. Boldt died last week, he was remembered not only as the man who built the Boldt Company into a $900 million business and one of the leading construction-management firms in the country, but also as a philanthropist who helped to build the civic life of the Fox Valley.  The […]

  • Passing Down the Training of ‘Wild to Mild’

    Jesus ‘Chewy’ Jauregui and son Fernando will compete in the Extreme Mustang Makeover Competitions generally don’t exist to test the things fathers pass on to their children. That’s not the case for Jesus “Chewy” Jauregui, however: He’s handing down his extraordinary skills in working with horses in general, and with wild mustangs in particular.  His […]

  • A Child Care Conundrum: Barker closure would leave families, employers in limbo

    When Alexis Heim Peter and her husband, Matt, welcomed their son, Jackson, to the world two and a half years ago, they encountered a challenge that an increasing number of Door County families are facing: securing child care once they return to work. Initially, the Sturgeon Bay residents couldn’t get into the full Barker Child […]

  • Three Ways to Create Art at Home

    Although we can’t gather with large groups of friends or attend concerts and festivals this summer, there are still many ways to make this season a meaningful and fulfilling one. All that’s needed is a little inspiration and creativity. Thankfully, Door County is full of both. Check out these three ways to stretch your creative […]

  • Reflecting on a First Fathers’ Day

    By Andrew Kleidon-Linstrom There is so much I want to teach my son. I cried the first time he fell asleep on my chest in the hospital. I’ve cried a few times since then just because I love him so much and I can’t believe he’s real sometimes. I want to teach him that it’s […]

  • 2020 Door County New Food & Drink

    Bangkok Asian Takeout, 7778 Hwy 42, Egg Harbor Fresh Asian takeout from the Mojo Restaurant Group will eventually be located at the old Villaggio’s location in Juddville. For now, order from its pop-up location at Mojo Rosa’s in Egg Harbor. Bearded Heart, 8093 Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor The coffee shop that had been located in […]

  • Brewing Ingredients Part 1: Water

    Did you know that your beer is 95 to 98 percent water? That’s an extremely high percentage, yet its importance in creating beer is often overlooked.  Nowadays, courtesy of a pretty keen understanding of water chemistry and how to manipulate it, the water composition at a brewing location is not very important. If a brewer […]

  • Hole in One!

    Glenn Elliott made his fifth – yes, fifth! – hole in one June 6. He was using a 9 iron on hole 15 at Peninsula State Park Golf Course. Submitted.

  • Golf League Results: June 19, 2020

    IDLEWILD Ladies Sundowners Golf League June 3, 2020 • Top 10 golfers: Anna Larsen 45, Amy Konop 47, Mary Aiken 47, Kim Bridenhagen 49, Deb McDermis 50, Lynn Kranich 52, Patti Baur 54, Pat Krueger 54, Rita Hunt 54, Lori Bloomer 56 • Pars: Anna Larsen 1, Patti Baur 1, Rita Hunt 1, Pat Krueger 2, Amy […]

  • Finding Calm and Community at Ironwood Yoga

    “And now, reach your hands up toward the ceiling … I mean sky,” said Ironwood Yoga instructor Jacqueline Soukup. Usually, the yoga class that I was attending would be held inside Ironwood’s heated yoga studio, but that day, and for the foreseeable future, outdoor yoga is the safest option for both participants and instructors.  In […]

  • Manners Matter: Not Ready for Visitors

    Dear Mary Pat, Our niece and nephews always stay with us when they visit Door County in late June. We’ve been telling them that we don’t want to confirm any plans just yet because we’re still concerned about the spread of the virus. Now that it’s getting closer, their parents want a firm answer so […]

  • Server of the Week: Tammi Pinski @ Waseda Farms

    Best concert you’ve ever been to? AC/DC, Back in Black tour. I came in late but ended up in the 11th row!  Best thing to do when you’re not working? Ride my bike. (Tammi is also a three-time Ironman triathlete!)  Three words that you’d use to describe yourself? Happy, grateful and hopeful. 

  • Experiencing Maritime History Aboard the Belafonte

    Peering over the sides of the inflatable Belafonte raft, I could see massive, mossy beams stacked underwater like a fallen tower of giant Jenga blocks. The sunken remains of the schooner Grape Shot – sitting under just eight feet of water near Plum Island – seemed close enough to touch.  While aboard the Belafonte – captained by Matt […]

  • Door to Nature: Look for Thimbleberries in Bloom

    I remember the very dry summer of 1976. One August morning, I ventured out to pick some thimbleberries. I had an old ice cream bucket with me in which to collect them and carefully stepped over fallen trees to reach some of the fruit.  After about an hour of picking, with only one layer of […]

  • Wild Things: Millions of Pounds of Surplus Whitefish in Lower Green Bay

    Door County commercial fisher Charlie Henriksen said there’s even more lake whitefish in Green Bay than we reported here last week. Henriksen was quoted as saying that the harvestable whitefish surplus in Green Bay was more than a million pounds and could be split between commercial and sport fishers.  On Monday, he called to clarify […]

  • A Family-Focused Fyr Bal

    Arguably one of Door County’s most recognizable festivals, Fyr Bal lights up the shore of Eagle Harbor every June. It’s inspired by traditional Norwegian celebrations of the summer solstice, so it marks the end of winter and the triumph of summer – a transition symbolized by the burning of the proverbial “winter witch.”  Although the […]

  • COVID Cases Flat in Door County: Health Department still strongly urges continued vigilance

    Door County’s tally of COVID-19 cases has held steady for nearly two weeks, with 39 positive test results and three deaths. It’s good news, said Door County Public Health Manager Sue Powers, but not a reason for residents and visitors to let their guard down.  “My biggest concern is that people get tired of the […]

  • Sturgeon Bay Senior Feldman Earns Schmelzer Memorial Scholarship

    Sturgeon Bay senior Georgia Feldman earned the second annual Steve Schmelzer Memorial Scholarship. Gretchen Schmelzer presented it in memory of her late husband, Steve Schmelzer; and in honor of the many students he inspired during his 25-year social studies and coaching career in the Sturgeon Bay School District.  Feldman was honored for the many forward-thinking […]

  • Sturgeon Bay High School Seniors Awarded Bordui Foundation Scholarship

    Seniors Kasia Klotz, DJ Lenius and Nick Herbst are winners in the 2020 Bordui Foundation scholarship competition. Lenius will receive $20,000 to support his attendance at Marquette University; Klotz and Herbst will each receive $5,000 to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The foundation’s trustees selected the winners based on grade point average, test scores, an […]

  • Climate Change Coalition of Door County: Energizing and Broadening the Base

    Local Climate Change Coalition founders talk about their efforts to help create a more sustainable future During the 2012 presidential debates, Sister Bay resident Dick Smythe recalls being profoundly disappointed not hearing any discussion about climate change. Smythe considers himself a lifelong environmentalist and environmental researcher, and has always been fond of the outdoors. “I’ve […]

  • GREEN TIPS: Jun. 19-26

    Get pedaling In the U.S., 50 percent of car trips are less than two miles. Biking or walking 10 miles each day instead of riding in a car can save up to 1.9 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere every year.  Unplug Electronics use energy even when they’re turned off, so unplug them […]

  • Green Photo of the Week: The Plastic Monster

    The Plastic Monster was created by Dave LaLuzerne of the Climate Change Coalition of Door County from some of the plastic that is discarded into the environment everyday. The Plastic Monster asks that you think of him before making the decision not to reduce, reuse and recycle plastic materials.

  • Letter to the Editor: It’s Time, Folks

    Are you as devastated by the news as I am? It’s time, folks. Time to do more than just talk and wring our hands. Please, everyone, do something. Take at least one action to help right the world. Imagine the power in that!  I realize many are busy, stressed, working multiple jobs, and caring for […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Black and Blue Lives Matter

    Names such as David Dorn don’t appear on signs of BLM marchers but should. Skin in the game? Anyone should prefer law and order over looting and killing, regardless of what skin they have. And the potential for the black police officer to make a huge difference against racism, both individual and systemic, should be […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Community-building Means Honoring All People

    The death of George Floyd was documented in its entirety. The lies told by the policemen involved were immediately exposed by corroborating video. And we are left to wonder whether criminal charges would have been brought had people not taken to the streets. You may disagree. As a Unitarian Universalist (UU), I’m guided by the […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Mask-wearing Should Extend to Officers

    On June 4, at the rally in Sturgeon Bay, none of the officers wore protective masks. This is most unfortunate as this made them the only irresponsible ones at the rally. It is the recommendation of the CDC for all of us to protect each other by wearing masks, and there were our officers – sworn […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Correcting a Misstatement

    While we were very happy with the article promoting our campground in last week’s Peninsula Pulse, there is one item about which I spoke mistakenly that I would like to correct. The article quoted me as saying that we bought our present business in a bankruptcy procedure, and this was not the case. I did […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Sturgeon Bay Declares June Open Door Pride Month

    At the June 2 Sturgeon Bay Common Council meeting, Mayor David Ward presented Open Door Pride with a proclamation declaring June as Open Door Pride Month in the City of Sturgeon Bay. As a founding member of Open Door Pride, I am filled with Pride each year that we publicly receive a proclamation. Proclaiming June […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Riot Gear in Door County?

    When I read a report of Sheriff Stenard’s request for this purchase in the Pulse, I thought it was a misprint. What’s the thinking here? “Hmmm … amidst calls to demilitarize the police and change the culture of law-enforcement agencies nationwide, I should check our closet to see whether we have any riot gear.”  I’ve […]

  • Fathers’ Day: For the Birds?

    Entomology professor Doug Tallamy probably never imagined he’d be teaching so many of us about birds. According to him, there’s a whole lot more going on in our home landscapes than we may have imagined, and Father’s Day is a great opportunity to reflect on this.  Chickadees, for example, are truly dedicated parents. Just half […]

  • Publisher’s Note: Growing

    My parents had two vegetable gardens in the backyard when I was growing up. We planted and weeded as a family. I remember plucking potato bugs. Every time I thought I had removed them all, another one would appear. It was a tedious exercise. The same was true for the weeds that persistently popped up […]

  • Editor’s Note: We Can’t Destroy ‘It Was,’ Only Correct What Is

    People across the country want to destroy contentious symbols of America’s past – monuments to Confederate soldiers, statues of Christopher Columbus, bronzes of controversial politicians, flags, the names of forts, lynching trees. All are being viewed as physical manifestations of our country’s history of oppression and racism. I wouldn’t argue that they’re not that. I […]

  • 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 […]

  • PET TIP: Dangerous Foods for Pets

    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.  […]

  • Destination Sturgeon Bay to Close Part of 3rd Avenue on Saturdays

    Destination Sturgeon Bay (DSB) will start closing 3rd Avenue between Jefferson and Michigan from 4 to 10 pm on Saturdays starting July 11, transforming those three blocks into a pedestrian walkway for shopping and dining. The program will run through the last Saturday in August.  With the street closure, dining businesses will have additional space […]

  • USPS Hosts Virtual Meeting on Shipping Efficiency

    Join the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) for a virtual meeting to learn how the USPS can help you reach more potential customers and ship your products while saving you money, time and frustration. Door County business solutions sessions will be held June 17, 10-10:30 am and 10:30-11 am. Additional open sessions will be held June […]

  • Willow Clothing Company Opens

    Willow Clothing Co. (willow-clothingco.com) – known for casual and comfortable clothing, accessories and gifts at its flagship store in Suamico – has opened at 8085 Hwy 57 in Baileys Harbor.  “We had been looking on both sides of the peninsula for a space that would be the right fit for us,” said Willow owner Christine Herman. […]

  • Summer Baseball Tournament Announced

    There will be baseball in Door County this summer after all. The Door County League’s directors and coaches canceled the season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the nonprofit Nor Door Athletics has organized a local amateur baseball tournament beginning June 26 and running through Aug. 9.  The top four teams will play semifinal games […]

  • Who’s Owned the Little Grocery That Persisted?

    That would be L.P. and Wallace Hill, 1895-1914; J. Poirier and Bessie Graham, 1914-16; Ed and Lottie Schreiber, 1916-70; and Geri and Ann Norz, creators of the Norzwich,1970-2000.  When Mitch and Nancy Larson bought the building in 2000, they did a complete renovation. In 2002, Mitch’s cousin, Jeanne Hyde; and her husband, Mike, bought the […]

  • New Owners for Fish Creek Market

    Fish Creek Market is opening its 125th season under new owners Cristina and Stephen Jones, who moved to Door County from Minnesota. They’re the ninth operators in the history of the market, which was established in 1895 by Wallace and L.C. Hill and is the oldest continuously operating grocery store in Door County.  “There will […]

  • THIS OLD STORE: Fish Creek General Store/Fish Creek Market

    The Hill brothers are credited with building the two-story Fish Creek General Store in the heart of the little village in 1895. Wallace Hill was the architect and contractor, but the title L.P. Hill & Co. headed the business stationery in March 1904. The company advertised itself as dealers in general merchandise, fresh and salt […]

  • Midsummer’s Music to Offer Virtual Events

    Midsummer’s Music is adapting its 30th-anniversary season to share some musical joy during these trying times by presenting virtual concerts starting in August. Program details will be announced by July 1. Virtual lobbies, receptions, coffee chats and special events will give Midsummer’s Music audiences new ways to hear from Jim Berkenstock, artistic director; Allyson Fleck, […]

  • SBHS Continues Farm Markets, Garden Walk

    This was going to be a year of celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Sister Bay Historical Society (SBHS, sisterbayhistory.org), but although many events have been canceled, the society’s members will use the downtime to improve and remodel displays, and work on maintaining and restoring their buildings. SBHS’s annual Garden Walk is still going on, […]

  • Algoma Sunday Farmers’ Market Canceled

    The 2020 Algoma Sunday Farmers’ Market has been canceled to help ensure the safety of customers and vendors. Visit the Algoma Sunday Farmers’ Market Facebook page, where vendors and their products will be featured regularly. The organizers will monitor the COVID-19 situation to see whether it will be possible to open later in the season.

  • Open Door Bird Sanctuary Open Every Saturday

    Open Door Bird Sanctuary is open for the season, and – new this year – will be open every Saturday, June 20 – Sept. 5; plus July 3 and Sept. 6. The sanctuary is open 12-4 pm and offers an exciting program at 1 pm and guided trail hikes at 2:30 pm. This year, masks will be required […]

  • Crossroads Trail Run Goes Virtual

    The Crossroads Trail Run 2020 is going virtual. Participants may choose to do a 2K, 5K or 10K distance in a location of their choosing, but Crossroads will mark race routes for those who wish to run in the preserve. Registration is open through June 20. Participants may run wherever they like between June 16 […]

  • Try YogaDoodles at Tree of Life Yoga Studio

    Join Jodi Rose Gonzales for YogaDoodles on June 20, 10-11:30 am, at the Tree of Life Yoga Studio at the Spa at Sacred Grounds in Ephraim. It’s a fun workshop that combines creativity and yoga for self-discovery and stress management.  The $27 registration fee includes an author-signed copy of Rose’s book, Drawn to Yoga. Space […]

  • Peg Egan PAC Cancels Sunset Concert Series

    The 2020 Peg Egan Performing Arts Center (PAC) has canceled its Sunset Concert Series based on guidelines released by health officials regarding COVID-19 concerns. This would have been the 12th year that the Village of Egg Harbor hosted the concerts. “Other communities around us have also canceled their concerts for the season, and we felt […]

  • Obituary: Lloyd Alexander

    April 24, 1924 ~ June 16, 2020 Lloyd John Alexander, 96, Sturgeon Bay died on June 16, 2020 at Sturgeon Bay Health Services.  He was born April 24, 1924 in Maplewood to John and Emma (Wautlet) Alexander. Lloyd graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School and later served in the U. S. Army in Europe under […]

  • Obituary: Stanley LaViolette

    April 2, 1931 ~ June 15, 2020 Stanley George LaViolette, 89, of Sturgeon Bay, died on June 15, 2020, at Sturgeon Bay Health Services.  He was born April 2, 1931, in Nasewaupee to Stanley and Edna (Hembel) LaViolette.  Stan served his country in the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot and mechanic during the Korean […]

  • Finance Committee Rejects Helmet and Shield Purchase

    The Door County Finance Committee squashed a request by Sheriff Tammy Sternard for nearly $10,000 to buy 34 sets of protective helmets and shields for her department. The request had come to the committee’s Monday meeting from the Public Safety Committee, which approved the nonbudgeted item last week before sending it on to the Finance […]

  • Obituary: Lucille Renier

    March 15, 1926 ~ June 12, 2020 Lucille Helena Renier, 94, of Sturgeon Bay, WI died at Anna’s Healthcare on June 12, 2020.  She was born March 15, 1926 in Nadeua, Michigan to Clarence and Lena (Thiry) Servais.  On January 22, 1945 she married Roy F. Renier at St. Mary’s Church in Algoma.  He preceded […]

  • Obituary: Patricia Ann Walter

    August 19, 1926 ~ June 13, 2020 Patricia Ann Walter, 93, of Sturgeon Bay,died on Saturday, June 13, 2020 surrounded by her family at the Door County Medical Center. She was born August 19, 1926 in Sturgeon Bay, daughter of the late John and Jennie (Propsom) Conlon. Pat graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School with […]

  • Obituary: John “Jack” Edwin Parsons

    May 14, 1946 ~ June 10, 2020 John “Jack” Edwin Parsons, 74, of Washington Island, died on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. He was born May 14, 1946 in Buffalo, NY, the son of the late Earl Vincent Parsons and Annette Hatti (Bartz) Parsons. After graduating from high school, Jack enlisted in the United States Coast […]

  • Obituary: Harold A. Malvitz

    April 24, 1930 ~ June 12, 2020 Harold A Malvitz, age 90, of Little Sturgeon, died peacefully on Friday, June 12th, 2020 at GranCare Nursing Center, Green Bay, WI with his loving wife Joyce and family by his side. He was born on April 24, 1930 in Kewaunee to the late William and Hilda (Lohrey) […]