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Peninsula Pulse May 1-May 8, 2020

In this issue

  • Obituary: Don H. Johnson

    December 27, 1944 – April 20, 2020 A resident of Cincinnati OH and native of Sister Bay WI The son of Clifford & Florence (Anderson) Johnson His elementary education was at the two room Appleport School in Sister Bay. He attended Gibraltar High School in Fish Creek participating in baseball, basketball and football graduating with […]

  • Old Crow Medicine Show, Tanya Tucker Headline Door Community Auditorium Schedule

    Door Community Auditorium (DCA) has announced its 2020-21 Main Stage performance schedule, featuring a diverse array of performers that includes Old Crow Medicine Show, Chick Corea, The Four Tops, Tanya Tucker, The Wailers and more. DCA staff said many of them believe the 2020 season is the Auditorium’s best ever. They also acknowledge the uncertainty […]

  • Manners Matter: Prefer to Shop Local

    Dear Mary Pat, We have been staying at home for a month and a half now and go out only when absolutely necessary – so really just to get groceries and supplies and to get some exercise with a quick walk around our neighborhood.  Our adult children live six hours away and are so worried about […]

  • Getting Out: Newport State Park

    Most visitors to Door County are well aware of Peninsula State Park, but relatively few make the trek north to Newport, the state’s only designated Wilderness Park. For a beautiful, easy hike, head to Europe Bay for a trek on the Hotz Trail.  Difficulty: Easy, with some small hills to climb Distance: The Hotz Trail […]

  • Suds with Sophie: German Adjunct Lagers, Part 1

    by SOPHIE NELSON, [email protected] Beer first arrived in the U.S. aboard British ships during the 1600s, with its makers harboring hopes of brewing this widely loved beverage in a new land. Attempts at brewing beer here were unsuccessful, however, because of the discovery that the brewing barley – the precursor to malt – would not grow […]

  • Wild Things: Anglers, Birders, Hunters Enjoying Mental-Health Break

    Hundreds of anglers will be spread out along Door County’s bayside shorelines this weekend to get after smallmouth bass.  Even though a rule change allows catch-and-release fishing for both largemouth and smallmouth bass prior to the opener in most areas, opening day (May 2) is still special. Boat launches are open, including in state parks. […]

  • Framed: Urbans Measure Old Tree

    On Earth Day, Adam Urban took his two kids on an educational trip to the Town of Gardner to measure and score an old tree using the methods and formulas from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ champion-tree web page. This particular tree measured 19 feet, eight inches in circumference; was 101 feet tall; had […]

  • Server of the Week: Chenta at Eagle Harbor Inn

    She’s the queen of clean, Keeping the inn in tip-top shape With a willing staff Culled from family and friends From LA, Bulgaria, Chicago, Russia, Gibraltar – Growing up with your care To fly on wings of their own. Thank you, Chenta, for your 20 years of dedication, Guidance and steadfastness to Eagle Harbor Inn. […]

  • J-1 Student Workers’ Travel to Door County Delayed

    Phil Berndt, membership director of Destination Door County (formerly the Door County Visitor Bureau), said the latest guidance he’s received regarding J-1 student workers is that they will not be coming until after June 15. That date may be delayed again and is subject to national travel restrictions. Door County businesses brought more than 500 […]

  • Safer at Home Stories: The Curtain of Isolation

    Welcome to our first installment of Door Posts: Safer-at-Home Stories. Brought to you by The Hal Prize and Write On, Door County, these stories feature tales of those living at home during the quarantine. Find out how to submit your story at writeondoorcounty.org. The Curtain of Isolation by Jane Hensge, Sturgeon Bay During the third […]

  • Small Business Administration Accepting Applications for Paycheck Protection Program

    The Small Business Administration (SBA) started accepting new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program on April 27. If you have not yet applied for the Paycheck Protection Program Loan, you’re strongly encouraged to apply through your local SBA lender. It’s anticipated that the funds will be allocated very quickly, so it’s critical to apply as […]

  • WDOR Featuring ‘Yes, We’re Open’ Segment for Local Businesses

    WDOR has launched a “Yes, We’re Open” segment that will air on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until the governor’s Safer at Home order is lifted. Each segment will feature three local businesses that have had to alter their services under the order, but are indeed still open. If you would like your business to be featured, […]

  • Farm Service Agency Encourages Farmers to Enroll in ARC or PLC Programs by June 30

    Farm Service Agency (FSA) staff are ready to help Wisconsin farmers obtain credit for spring farm-operating needs, service loans or sign up for programs, including the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2020.  Producers need to enroll in the ARC or PLC program – their 2019 crop year program election […]

  • COVID-19’s Next Target? Municipal Budgets

    Uncertainty drives conservative approach to budgeting As impacts from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continue to percolate through almost all aspects of life, county and municipal budgets will not be spared. Local officials are bracing for a drop in revenue that could lead to declining services, delayed projects and deferred maintenance. The county began implementing a […]

  • Door County Trails in Census Response

    Door County is lagging behind much of the state in responding to the 2020 census. Dan Powers, a member of the Door County Complete County Committee, said Door County’s response rate is less than 38 percent, while the statewide response rate was almost 61 percent through April 26.  Powers said many people don’t realize just […]

  • Door County Reports Second COVID-19 Death, Brown County Outbreak Surges

    Door County reported its second death related to COVID-19 on April 27, a patient in their 70s. The Door County Public Health Department did not release further details about the case.  The county reported two additional cases of COVID-19 as well, bringing the total to 12 as of April 29.  In neighboring Brown County, the […]

  • Victory Gardens: Penne Wilson revives the food-growing efforts of WWI and WWII

    At first glance, Penne Wilson may seem like an unlikely general in the battle against COVID-19. She’s not a health-care provider or grocery store employee or emergency responder. Yet, as she watched the COVID-19 outbreak take hold in our country, she came up with a powerful way to help. “We’ve got this little army of […]

  • Sturgeon Bay’s 2020 Commencement Plans

    Sturgeon Bay High School’s Class of 2020 commencement ceremony – scheduled for May 30, 1 pm – will be prerecorded and broadcast through various social media outlets. It will include remarks by Superintendent Dan Tjernagel, salutatorian Fletcher Hubbard, valedictorian Nicholas Herbst and Principal Robert Nickel; and the Senior Night slide show.  A boat procession will take the […]

  • Sturgeon Bay Excels at State Math Meet

    The Sturgeon Bay state math team placed second in Class B at the State Math Meet held at individual schools the week of March 9. Chilton High School scored 122 points to Sturgeon Bay’s 119. Michael Laxo, Fletcher Hubbard and Henry Pudlo were first-team all-state winners! The team comprised seniors Nick Herbst, Fletcher Hubbard, Marina […]

  • NWTC First Technical College in Wisconsin to Earn Patent

    The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has awarded Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) a patent for Mobile Modular Training Systems (mobilemodulartraining.com): innovative training equipment and curricula to teach advanced manufacturing skills. The institution is the first technical college in Wisconsin to hold a patent.  NWTC electromechanical instructors Joseph Barker, Edward Kralovec, Troy Giese and Jacob Morois […]

  • Perspectives: We Must Hold Together as One County

    In the aftermath of 2012’s Hurricane Sandy and the flooding in the Mid-Atlantic, national foundation leaders observed the inadequacy of the philanthropic response to that devastating crisis. Every responsible foundation across the nation recognized that it needed to better prepare for the crisis that one day would arrive at its own front door. Although hurricanes […]

  • Letter to the Editor: A Letter to Main Street Market Customers

    Thank you for being cooperative during these hard times. Things have been chaotic since we closed our doors and asked you to leave your shopping to us. We were not prepared for anything like a global pandemic to happen, so we are still trying to adjust to this new life. Our system isn’t perfect, but […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Concerned about the Barker Child Development Center Closing

    I would like to express my concern over the recent announcement of the closure of the YMCA Barker Center. It was announced on April 22 that the center would be closing to regular childcare and reevaluating childcare programming in the fall. They moved to offer an older children’s day-camp offering for ages four to seven.  […]

  • Letter to the Editor: ‘It Is Time to Get Back to Life’

    Our county’s lifeblood is our economy. Without it, we do not have the means to pursue all of the things that we love about being here. Broadly described, we sit on a three-legged stool: local life, seasonal residents and tourism. They are all intertwined, and each depends on the others. Take one away, and the […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Our Festival Is Canceled; Our Pride Is Not

    Out of concern for the health and safety of all community members, Open Door Pride has canceled our fourth annual festival, scheduled for June 27 in Martin Park. We are one of many organizations needing to cancel major events, and our hearts go out to all those impacted. Although the Pride Festival is the most […]

  • Letter to the Editor: COVID-19 Testing: Can We Get Serious?

    Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, National Governors Association leader, asked President Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act to expedite COVID-19 test production. Trump’s response was that the U.S. already leads the world in testing. On April 20, the cumulative total number of tests conducted in the U.S. reached 4 million: more tests than any other country […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Fixed-Income Challenge

    Many of us here in Door County are living on what’s called a “fixed income” – you know, Social Security and a small IRA or savings.  This countrywide shutdown has an impact on those of us on fixed incomes: We do not get out. We do not go out to a Friday-night fish fry. We […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Protest

    There is plenty in our current situation to protest. We might begin with the virus itself, but it has no human conscience. We could go on to protest economic systems around the world that put so many millions of working people at risk by cultivating inequality.  We could come closer to home to protest an […]

  • Letter to the Editor: My Experience with Changing Habits around Litter

    I enjoyed the article “Changing Habits: Classic Anti-litter Campaigns” by Myles Dannhausen Jr. because it reminded me of a project I worked on in 2014, when I was tasked with writing ecotourism management plans for three national parks in Bangladesh.  The country is extremely challenging to work in. Air, water and land pollution are prevalent, […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Be Safe

    Robin Vos, speaker of our Wisconsin Assembly, is encouraging protesters to go to Madison to support suspending the Safer at Home order. I suggest that Mr. Vos and the protesters sign an agreement that says, “I don’t want help if I or a family member gets COVID-19.” That agreement should be posted on their front […]

  • Southern Door Alumna Helen Parks Selected as an Ambassador at Southern Illinois University

    Helen Parks, a 2019 Southern Door alumna, was selected to be an ambassador for the College of Agricultural Sciences at Southern Illinois University. She’s double-majoring in animal science, with a specialization in equine science; and fine arts, with a specialization in communications design.

  • Shutdown Accelerates Fish Creek Highway Project

    Gibraltar Town Chair Steve Sohns said work on the Highway 42 and downtown street improvements in Fish Creek is moving faster than expected because of the shutdown. Crews have finished placing sidewalks and the retaining wall from Spruce Street to Hill Street. They’ve also finished placing many sidewalk and driveway aprons and have begun to […]

  • Gov. Tony Evers Lifts Select Business Restrictions

    Gov. Tony Evers lifted some business restrictions April 27, allowing nonessential businesses to do curbside drop-off of goods and animals. The order allows businesses such as dog groomers, small-engine repair shops, upholstery businesses and others to safely open.  The order also applies to outdoor recreational rentals such as boats, golf carts, kayaks, ATVs and other […]

  • Southern Door Alumnus Brock McArdle Graduates from Air Force Academy in Colorado

    Brock McArdle, a 2012 Southern Door alumnus, graduated with honors from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on April 18. Second Lieutenant McArdle will report soon to a base in Mississippi, where he will begin flight school to become a fighter pilot.  Officer McArdle served three years of active duty prior […]

  • Gibraltar School Board President Steps Down

    Longtime Gibraltar School Board member Mark Weborg stepped down as president at the beginning of a virtual board meeting on April 27, citing the stress of the position. Weborg, who has served on the board for 21 years, will remain on the board as a member until his term ends in April 2021. “I have […]

  • CITY: Lodging Remains an Essential Service

    Though Gov. Tony Evers is discouraging nonessential travel, Sturgeon Bay Administrator Josh VanLieshout reminds residents that lodging remains an essential service.  “Lodging facilities – be they hotels, motels or other short-term rentals – are often home for temporary workers and displaced persons,” he said.  The city has received informal complaints about cars with out-of-state license plates showing […]

  • A Lost Season: High School Seniors Lament Missed Opportunities

    A legitimate chance at a state title. A chance at redemption. An opportunity to break a school record. A return trip to state competition. An appreciation for great experiences. For many local senior athletes, the cancellation of spring sports means lost opportunities to end careers at the highest levels. “Of course as a coach, to […]

  • Humanities and Cultural Organizations May Apply for Aid

    Wisconsin’s humanities and cultural organizations may now apply for financial relief from the Wisconsin Humanities Council through its  Wisconsin Humanities CARES Relief Grant program, which will distribute close to $540,000 in federal relief funding to help organizations weather the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn about eligibility and apply for grants of up to $10,000 at wisconsinhumanitiescares.org. The […]

  • Midsummer’s Music Delays Further Ticket Sales

    Midsummer’s Music is delaying further ticket sales for the 2020 season because its audiences and musicians are of paramount concern. There will likely be necessary adjustments to programming and scheduling, and those changes will be announced as they are determined.  Existing ticket holders have flexible options. Should programs be canceled, please consider a full or […]

  • Birch Creek Cancels Summer Season

    After carefully considering the health and safety of Birch Creek’s students, visitors, faculty, workers and volunteers, the board of trustees and executive director have unanimously voted to cancel Birch Creek’s 2020 summer season, including all events, programs, sessions and performances, June 1 – Aug. 10.  During any given summer, talented students, staff and faculty from […]

  • State Updates Rules for Parks

    The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced that all state parks will reopen with limitations. Recent closures did not impact any of Door County’s five state parks, but new rules will. State parks and forests will now be open from 6 am to 7 pm daily, a change from the previous hours of 6 am […]

  • Obituary: Cleida Jeanne (Johnson) Galligan

    April 27, 1932 ~ April 25, 2020      Cleida Jeanne (Johnson) Galligan, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away on April 25, 2020, two days before her 88th birthday.      She was born April 27, 1932 in Sturgeon Bay, the daughter of Palmer and Sylvia (Icke) Johnson. After attending Lawrence University, she finished her bachelor’s degree at U.W. Madison. […]

  • Obituary: Daniel H. Kaye

    October 12, 1948 ~ April 24, 2020 Daniel Harold Kaye, 71, of Brussels, passed away on April 24, 2020, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Green Bay.  He was born on October 12, 1948, in Little Sturgeon to Harold and Doris (Destree) Kaye.  On November 10, 1973, he married Noretta Englebert-Knapp, in Brussels. Dan graduated in […]

  • Obituary: James Robert Koessl

    October 9, 1945 – April 18, 2020 James Robert Koessl, 74, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, April 18, 2020 with his loving wife Laurie at his side. He was born on October 9, 1945 in Sturgeon Bay, WI to Anton and Margaret Koessl.  Jim attended Newport and Sister Bay grade schools and graduated […]

  • Obituary: Shirley Mae Baxter

    March 5, 1933 ~ April 20, 2020 Shirley Mae Baxter, 87, of Washington Island, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, April 20, 2020.      A funeral service to honor Shirley’s life will be held via Facebook live on Friday, April 24, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Alan Shaffmeyer of Trinity Lutheran Church (Washington Island) officiating. […]