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Peninsula Pulse March 1-8, 2019

In this issue

  • Preview: Controlling Meerstein is Key to Gibraltar’s Hopes Tonight

    Unfamiliar territory. Familiar opponent. That would be the most apt way to describe the Gibraltar boys basketball team’s Division 5 Ashwaubenon Sectional semifinal matchup tonight with Packerland Conference rival Green Bay NEW Lutheran. The Vikings exorcised the demons of heart-breaking regional title games of the past when they defeated Phelps 63-32 Saturday to win their […]

  • Deer, Wild Turkeys Struggle through Old-Fashioned Winter

    A brutal winter is taxing some wildlife species, and we’re not out of the woods yet. For the first time since 2013, deep snow and extended cold threaten to trim some deer and wild turkeys from the landscape. The good news: It was a fairly easy start to the winter, and most of the wild […]

  • The Nature of History: Honoring the legacy of Roy Lukes 

    by Julie Hein, Lake Ledge Naturalist and Director of Special Projects, Egg Harbor Historical Society Most often, when one reads the word history, it evokes a vision of people, places and artifacts. Even the definition of the word puts humans front and center: History is the study of past events, particularly in human affairs. Yet […]

  • Connecting to the Refugee Experience

    Lebanese performance artist brings project to Sturgeon Bay It can be easy to feel cut off from the wider world in Door County. The geography of a peninsula equates to some degree of isolation. By car, there are only three ways people can leave the peninsula. Sure, we can feel in touch with the world […]

  • Bestseller List: March 1, 2019

    TRADE PAPERBACK FICTION1. The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin2. Less by Andrew Sean Greer3. The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff4. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris5. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman TRADE PAPERBACK NONFICTION 1. Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann2. White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo3. Sapiens by […]

  • Birch Creek Jazz Quartet Visits Door County Schools

    Nearly 300 Door County students from choir and band programs at Southern Door, Sturgeon Bay, Sevastopol and Gibraltar schools took part in Birch Creek’s Artists in the Schools program on Feb. 15. It began in 2002 as a way for Birch Creek and its faculty to give back to the community, and now nationally acclaimed […]

  • The Peninsula’s Poetry

    curated by the Door County Poets Collective This month’s poetry selections come from Judy Roy, a Milwaukee native who has lived in Wisconsin for nearly all her life. Since her retirement from teaching French and psychology in Marshfield, Wisconsin, she has lived in Baileys Harbor. Roy wrote her first poem in elementary school and has […]

  • State News: Redistricting, Lame Duck Laws, Tax Cut Veto

    Evers to Propose Nonpartisan Redistricting Process Gov. Tony Evers will use his state budget to propose a nonpartisan redistricting process that would reduce the power of lawmakers to draw their own district lines. The move comes two years before Wisconsin’s next round of redistricting, and at a time when the current legislative map, drawn in […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Support for Sarah Evenson

    Sarah Evenson is running for District 5 council alderwoman for Sturgeon Bay. She deserves the support of everyone living there. I have known Sarah since she first moved back to Door County. She has an amazing ability to communicate and work with people of all backgrounds and ages. I’ve been impressed by her honesty and […]

  • Commentary: Principles of Collaboration

    Collaboration has become one of the trendiest ideas in the nonprofit world. Donors and grantmakers are increasingly demanding it, and the charities are responding accordingly. Generally speaking, this is a good thing. A strong and robust collaborative partnership leads to greater organizational efficiencies and increased effectiveness, and it can accelerate the speed of social and/or […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Dave Ward for Mayor

    About 35 years ago I first hired Dr. Dave Ward as an expert finance witness for a trial. As our trial relationship continued, our friendship grew. He became a good friend but please know I write this as someone who knows him to be a very accomplished person. During those 35 years, Dave has had/experienced […]

  • County Approves $450,000 for Purchase of Door Bluff Headland Park Expansion

    At its Feb. 26 meeting, the Door County Board of Supervisors approved “bridge financing” of $450,000 for 72.63 acres of land for the Door Bluff Headland Park while Ben Nelson, county parks director, continues seeking grants to pay for the entirety of the piece of land. At an earlier meeting, the board had stipulated that […]

  • Vietnam Vets on Mission of Peace and Healing

    Eugene “Terry” Therrien of Sturgeon Bay celebrated his 72nd birthday on Feb. 24 by joining 52 other randomly chosen Vietnam veterans for a two-week, all-expenses-paid Old Glory Honor Flight to Vietnam. It’s called the Return to Nam Honor Flight, and the mission is described as one of peace and healing. Each veteran on the trip […]

  • A Bite of the Big Easy in Egg Harbor

    Since settling The Fireside restaurant into its new Egg Harbor home at the close of 2018, owners Blake and Lauren Schar have been busy baking up a new addition to their food ventures: Big Easy Bagel and Beignet. The new, breakfast-focused business opened its doors on Valentine’s Day in the space next door to The […]

  • Cathy Ash Celebrates 10 Years With Ross Estate Planning

    The Ross Estate Planning team in Sturgeon Bay congratulates Cathy Ash on her 10 years of service. Ash joined Ross Estate Planning in 2009 as its client-service specialist and in 2010 added the duties of funding coordinator, focusing on client accounts and trust assets. She works closely with all clients to ensure that personal estate […]

  • Half Marathon Registration Crosses 1,600 Mark

    The Door County Half Marathon and Nicolet Bay 5K is 10 weeks away: a perfect time to kick-start your training to cover 13.1 miles through Peninsula State Park. The race returns Saturday, May 4, 2019. More than 1,600 runners have already committed to run in the 12th annual event. All half-marathon finishers receive a long-sleeved […]

  • Photo by Grace Johnson

    Framed: A Life in the Theatre

    (Left to right) Doug Mancheski and Brandon Bogenschutz chat with the audience after their reading of A Life in the Theatre by David Mamet on Feb. 22. The reading was part of the Third Avenue Playhouse Winter Play Reading Series. Photo by Grace Johnson.

  • Door/Kewaunee Legislative Days April 3-4

    Get ready to educate and lobby state officials about Door and Kewaunee counties in Madison, April 3-4, during the ninth biennial Door/Kewaunee Legislative Days. The deadline to become a delegate is March 4. Agenda topics include support for additional funding for improving rural broadband, requiring rental agencies to remit room tax by municipality, support for […]

  • Manners Matter: Waiting for Love

    Dear Mary Pat, I’ve been seeing a man for the past six months who has been legally separated from his wife for nearly four years. I believe (and I think he does, too) that we are perfectly matched in so many ways, and our relationship is serious. We want to get married. The only thing […]

  • Cheers!: Gnomes to the Rescue!

    La Chouffe. Gesundheit! Kidding! La Chouffe is my new favorite winter beer because it is so very malty, and the warming feeling of malty beer is just what a cold soul needs in the dead of a dead winter. A pal invited me over for a trio of delicious pizzas (my favorite was an alfredo […]

  • Pharmacy Opening in Sister Bay Following Closing of Shopko Pharmacy

    Hometown Pharmacy announced it will open a pharmacy at Country Walk Shops in Sister Bay in the wake of the closing of the Shopko Pharmacy last month, with former Shopko pharmacist Maria Angelici as pharmacist. It will be located next to Blue Heron Studio. Hometown has 40-plus locations in Wisconsin, including Sturgeon Bay, which opened […]

  • Boys Basketball Regional Schedule for March 1

    GIBRALTAR Boys Basketball March 1: Regionals @ Florence, 7 pm SOUTHERN DOOR Boys Basketball March 1: Regionals vs. Kiel, 7 pm STURGEON BAY Boys Basketball March 1: Regionals @ Denmark, 7 pm

  • Letter to the Editor: Time For A Grand Idea

    Many have scoffed at grand ideas. But what is the harm in discussing grand ideas? We didn’t have national parks until a Republican president acted. Teddy Roosevelt initiated a “grand” idea to preserve and protect American land providing national parks for all our citizens to enjoy. Republican Dwight D. Eisenhower had the “grand” idea to […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Hoping to Bring ‘Fresh Ideas’ to Egg Harbor Town Board

    The Pulse has always done a thorough job providing extensive coverage of local elections and issues that matter to this community. As a result, voters are now better informed than ever and new faces are energized to get involved in local affairs. I am one of those and have chosen to seek a seat on […]

  • Snowy Days Medallion Winner Announced

    The Snowy Days Medallion Search, sponsored by the Lodge at Leathem Smith, is over. The search began Feb. 4 and ended Feb. 22. Participants in the Snowy Days Medallion Search could purchase a $5 button for the chance to win $1,000. All proceeds go to the Wisconsin Humane Society Door County Campus. Jedediah Schulz was […]

  • 2019 Robert Muckian Scholarship Now Open

    The Rotary Service Above Self Vocational/Technical Robert Muckian Scholarships have been awarded for the past 12 years to deserving high school seniors who plan to attend a two-year, accredited technical college after graduation. These scholarships – funded by the Rotary Club of Sturgeon Bay Charitable Trust and an endowment from the estate of Rotarian Robert Muckian […]

  • Kinnard Farms Now Accepting Scholarship Applications

    Kinnard Farms is now accepting applications for its Excellence in Agriculture Scholarships. Three scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to graduating high school seniors in good standing from Kewaunee, Luxemburg-Casco, Algoma, Denmark and/or Southern Door high schools. To qualify, applicants must be accepted into a two-year, four-year or short-course program; be enrolling in that […]

  • 84th Steamboat Dinner Held on March 9

    The 84th annual Steamboat Dinner will be held March 9, 4-7 pm, at the Sturgeon Bay Masonic Lodge, 31 S. 3rd Ave. in Sturgeon Bay. The all-you-can-eat dinner will feature roast beef, turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, baked beans, cole slaw, gravy, rolls, a beverage and pie à la mode. Attendees may dine in or carry […]

  • Sturgeon Bay Historical Society Announces Contractors for Granary Restoration

    The Sturgeon Bay Historical Society (SBHS) has contracted with structural-engineering services firm Silman to oversee the restoration of the historic Teweles and Brandeis Granary. The SBHS has raised private donations to restore the structure and is working with the City of Sturgeon Bay to finalize plans to return it to its original location on the […]

  • Action 2 News Meteorologist Visits Boys & Girls Club

    Steve Beylon, Action 2 meteorologist, engaged and entertained the kids of The Boys & Girls Club of Door County. A funny blizzard story, a scientific explanation of “why thunderstorms are like your spaghetti dinner” and some digital storm-watching held the children’s attention.

  • Southern Door Auditorium Host to Free Screening of ‘Paper Tigers’

    The community is invited to join the Door County Partnership for Children and Families for a free showing of the film Paper Tigers and a panel discussion. This film follows a year in the life of an alternative high school that has radically changed its approach to discipline after the principal learned about the Adverse […]

  • St. Luke’s Church Donates to Door of Life Food Pantry

    St. Luke’s Episcopal Church set aside the Sundays in February to collect food and other donations for the Door of Life Church’s free food pantry in Sister Bay, with a focus on hearty, main-course items. Each week, the collected items have been delivered, and the shelves have been stocked. Although we may not see it, […]

  • EHHS Presents Video Interview, March 4

    The Egg Harbor Historical Society (EHHS) will present a video interview with Sarah Anschutz and her late husband, Bill, on March 4, 1 pm, at the Kress Pavilion. EHHS board member Sandra Dirks had a 45-minute chat with the couple, who owned the old Carlsville Tavern, and learned about their Carlsville, Egg Harbor and Door […]

  • Door County Humane Society, Featured Pet

    DCHS Featured Pet: Snap

    This week’s featured pet is eight-year-old Snap. When he was brought to the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) Door County Campus as a stray on Jan. 14, he was not feeling his best. Thanks to their wonderful team, Snap got the care he needed and is feeling so much better. He is a cautious, yet talkative […]

  • In Memoriam: Ken Wendt

    A dozen years ago, when Scott McFarlane left active-duty service with the Army and returned to his hometown of Green Bay, he started discovering the world of veterans benefits. And then he heard there was an opening for Door County’s Veteran Service Officer (VSO). “I don’t know how many people told me, ‘Apply for that […]

  • Vince Sherrick

    Celebrating a Century: Vince Sherrick Turns 100

    Vince Sherrick celebrated his 100th birthday with his entire family – two daughters, four grandsons and eight great-grandchildren – at Anna’s Healthcare in Sturgeon Bay on Feb. 4. Sherrick is a veteran of World War II, having served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bataan in the Pacific. The Brooklyn native has been coming to Door […]

  • Trivia: When was the Peace Corps established?

    Question: When was the Peace Corps established? Answer: March 1, 1961

  • Server of the Week: Caroline Smith at Nicolet National Bank

    For 14 years Caroline Smith has been in banking.At the Sister Bay branch you’ll find her in top ranking. Arriving in the county as a teen in ’85, She loves the people and community that make her thrive. Originally from Bad-Hersfeld in Germany,She considers herself lucky to have Baileys as her home. When not at […]

  • Overheard and Obsessions: March 1, 2019

    OVERHEARD Are there tidbits of conversations you’ve heard while standing in line at the grocery store, serving a table or walking down the sidewalk that make you smile, cringe or laugh out loud? “I don’t want to get rid of the sensation of eating.” “There’s going to be a lot of good cosmic energy coming […]

  • Sturgeon Bay, Gibraltar Open Regionals with Victories

    Sturgeon Bay opened the Division 4 playoffs with a 62-59 win against Cedar Grove-Belgium Tuesday night. Gunnar Tebon’s two free throws with 10 seconds remaining sealed the win for the 13-10 Clippers. Sturgeon Bay travels to Denmark Friday for a 7 pm tip. The Clippers opened a 51-41 lead with 7:40 remaining, but the Rockets […]

  • Sturgeon Bay Pops Concert

    The 2019 Sturgeon Bay Schools Pops Concert will be held March 9, 4 pm, in the Sturgeon Bay High School gym. The cabaret-style concert highlight the high school’s 50th anniversary with the theme “50 Years of Favorites” and feature bands from grades six through 12, including jazz, playing pop tunes from the past 50 years. […]

  • Edith Wharton-Inspired Play Reading

    Peninsula Players Theatre will present a reading of Tales of Men and Ghosts – a new play adapted by playwright and actor Steve Pickering from stories by Edith Wharton – as part of the Players’ winter program, The Play’s the Thing, on March 4, 7 pm, at Björklunden. Admission is free. Wharton’s vast collection of […]

  • Ephraim Road Construction Could Start March 11

    The snow may be piled high, but the reconstruction of Highway 42 in Ephraim will be starting soon. Village officials will meet with contractors March 1 to get an update on when work will begin. Village Administrator Brent Bristol said indications are that the hard closure of the highway won’t start until at least March […]

  • Get Ready for a Northern Sky Summer

    Tickets for the 2019 summer and fall seasons of Northern Sky Theater will go on sale March 1. The summer season includes three musical comedies playing in rotating repertory from June 12 to Aug. 24. The world premiere of We Like It Where?, by Corrie Beula Kovacs and Stephen Kovacs, features veteran company members Alex […]

  • All Hail AleFest

    Trying unlimited samples of craft beer while enjoying the beauty of the bay are what you can expect at AleFest on Sept. 14 in Egg Harbor’s Harbor View Park. Tickets are on sale now. Brass Differential will play 12-4 pm, and take advantage of complimentary trolley transportation, 11 am – 7 pm, to and from […]

  • Shipyard Tours

    The Rotary Club of Sturgeon Bay will present its 26th annual Shipyard Tour on May 4. For one day each year, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding and CenterPointe Yacht Services open their doors for public tours, and for the first time, advance tickets will be available for online purchase. Tours departing from Fincantieri Bay Ship Shipbuilding and […]

  • Aldo Leopold and More at Crossroads

    Celebrate Aldo Leopold Day and the 70th anniversary of A Sand County Almanac with a showing of Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time on March 2, 3 pm, at Crossroads at Big Creek. The Emmy Award-winning documentary traces Leopold’s life journey, which led him to develop his “land ethic.” Refreshments […]

  • Owl-O-Rama at The Ridges

    It’s time for the fourth annual Owl-O-Rama, to be held March 2, 9 am – 4 pm, at The Ridges’ Cook-Albert Fuller Nature Center in Baileys Harbor. The whole family can learn more about owls: fascinating birds of prey known for their distinctive calls, nocturnal habits and silent flight. Activities include night hikes, crafts, workshops, seeing […]

  • The Clearing’s Annual Exhibit of Winter Student Work

    The Clearing’s Winter Program Annual Student Exhibit will take place March 2 and 3, 10 am – 4 pm, at The Clearing’s Jens Jensen Visitor Center, 12171 Garrett Bay Road in Ellison Bay. The exhibit of original works and class displays highlighting art, fine crafts, nature studies and other projects is the culmination of a wonderful […]

  • Hope Art Alcoves Showcases Art of Beverly Hart Branson

    The works of mixed-media artist Beverly Hart Branson are being featured at the Art Alcoves gallery of Hope United Church of Christ in Sturgeon Bay through March 11. Branson, a lifetime artist who feels that her creations are constantly evolving, works in watercolor, ink, acrylic, oil and pencil. She enjoys plein air painting and creating […]

  • Mary White Featured in ‘Art Show 2’ at Plum Bottom

    Plum Bottom Pottery and Gallery’s Art Show 2 will showcase the work of Mary White on March 2, 10 am – 4 pm. She will be on hand all day to discuss her newest collection and will demonstrate her unique painting technique 11 am – 2 pm. Working in acrylic, White captures the feeling of the Door […]

  • Photography of Dennis Connolly on Display in TAP Lobby Gallery

    Dennis Connolly’s photos of refugees from Central America, Vietnam and Cambodia will be on exhibit March 1-3 to complement Third Avenue Playhouse’s performances of Right To Live. The Door County photographer wrote in his artist statement: “Famine and wars, with the accompanying factors of oppression, persecution, starvation and lack of opportunity have forced people to […]

  • James May Gallery Presents ‘Rupture’ Group Show

    James May Gallery will display Rupture Feb. 28 – April 27. The exhibit focuses on combining two- and three-dimensional ceramics and how such work ruptures conventional notions of order through an elemental approach to form and surface. Featured artists are Samuel Johnson, James LaChance and Ani Kasten. The opening reception will be March 1, 5:30-8 […]

  • Obituary: Jaroline ‘Jeri’ Ann Fleming

    March 24, 1938 – Feb. 25, 2019  Jaroline “Jeri” Ann Fleming, 80, of the Town of Sevastopol, died at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay with her family at her side. Jeri’s life will be honored with a funeral service held at 11:30 am on Saturday, March 2, at Sturgeon Bay United Methodist Church, with Pastor David […]

  • Obituary: Sandra Ann ‘Sandy’ Meyer

    March 5, 1957 – Feb. 25, 2019  Sandra Ann “Sandy” Meyer, 61, of Brussels, died at Bellin Hospital. She was born in Algoma to Roy and Germaine (Berger) Renard. On June 24, 2000, she married James J. Meyer Sr. in Sturgeon Bay. Sandy worked at Emerson Motors for many years and was later employed by Walmart. She will always be […]

  • Obituary: Louis Andrew Munao, Sr.

    Oct. 13, 1960 – Feb. 19, 2019  Louis Andrew Munao, Sr., 58, of Washington Island, died on Feb. 19, 2019. A funeral service to honor Lou’s life will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church on Washington Island at 11 am. Pastor Alan Schaffmeyer of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and Pastor Rick Smith of […]

  • Obituary: Alvin ‘Itsie’ Elmer Krause

    April 3, 1925 – Feb. 20, 2019  Alvin “Itsie” Elmer Krause, 93, died peacefully at The Bay at North Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center in Manitowoc. He was born in Miles City, Montana, and moved to Fish Creek shortly after his birth. Itsie graduated in the Class of 1943 at Gibraltar High School. Not long after he […]

  • Obituary: June C. Fledderjohn

    Feb. 20, 2019 June C. Fledderjohn, 95, formerly of Greenville, Pennsylvania, died at Anna’s Healthcare in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, where she had family. There will be no local services. Burial will be at Shenango Valley Cemetery in Greenville, Pennsylvania. The Loutzenhiser-Jordan Funeral Home of Greenville has handled the arrangements.

  • Obituary: Douglas B. Butchart

    May 17, 1930 – Feb. 19, 2019  Douglas Bradbury Butchart, “Mr. Thumb Fun,” 88, of Fish Creek died at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay. He was born in Evanston, Illinois, the only child of the late James Douglas and Margaret (Shackell) Butchart. His mother died when he was six years old, and during his early […]

  • Obituary: Kenneth Charles Wendt

    Sept. 10, 1935 – Feb. 19, 2019 Kenneth Charles Wendt, 83, of Sturgeon Bay, died at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Green Bay. He was born in West Jacksonport to Ervin and Clara (Schink) Wendt. On September 10, 1960, he married Mary Louise Roberts in Sturgeon Bay. After high school, Ken served his country in the U.S. Army […]