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Peninsula Pulse May 7-14, 2021

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In this issue

  • The Lighting Design of Bryce Foster

    Bringing the Stage to Life Bryce Foster has a fear of heights. To overcome that fear, he hoisted himself 40 feet into the air, up onto the catwalk of his high school theater in Aurora, Colorado, leaned out over the open area above the stage, and started hanging lights.  Lighting wasn’t Foster’s introduction to technical […]

  • Overseas Restrictions Limit J-1 Visa Arrivals: Door County Businesses Prepare For Workforce Shortage

    COVID-19-related restrictions have bottlenecked the visa process in overseas countries that have historically provided a cultural exchange and an important part of the summer workforce. As a result, there will be fewer J-1 visa students in Door County this summer.   “Vaccine rollouts are not consistent throughout the world, and that is making it difficult because […]

  • Sara Rae Lancaster Joins Peninsula Pulse Staff

    Peninsula Publishing & Distribution welcomes Sara Rae Lancaster as its new social-media editor. She joins the Baileys Harbor publisher of the Peninsula Pulse and Door County Living after serving as an administrative assistant for the Town of Gibraltar for the past three years. Prior to that, she was a freelance writer and journalist in southeast […]

  • NSB to Reactivate Coin Counting and Exchange in Response to National Coin Shortage

    There is again a coin shortage across America, so the Federal Reserve is limiting its coin allocations to banks.  In response, North Shore Bank (NSB) will reactivate its coin counting and exchange for dollars, May 10 – June 30, to help increase local coin supply as businesses and consumers become more active. This free service is […]

  • SailTime Door County to Host Open House Aboard New Yacht

    SailTime Door County owner and captain Bill Wons will welcome guests aboard the new yacht Leah Helen, a 39-foot Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 389, during an open house May 22, 11 am – 4 pm, at Wave Pointe Marina and Resort, in Sturgeon Bay. It will mark the Leah Helen’s inaugural season on the water. SailTime’s 35-foot Beneteau […]

  • Reynolds House Reopens as the Door County Dragonfly Bed-and-Breakfast

    Lauren and Matt Huston have revamped and reopened the former Reynolds House in Sturgeon Bay as the Door County Dragonfly bed-and-breakfast. They retained the historical charm of the 3,800-square-foot house, built in 1900, but have added fresh elements. The new owners had not planned to open a bed-and-breakfast, but when the pandemic affected their jobs […]

  • Edward Jones Ranks Highest in Investor Satisfaction

    Financial services firm Edward Jones ranks highest in investor satisfaction among full-service brokerage firms, according to J.D. Power’s 2021 U.S. Full-Service Investor Satisfaction Study, which evaluates firms in seven areas. The firm scored 770 in overall satisfaction and scored highest in the area of trust, convenience and problem resolution.“It’s the deep relationships we’re able to […]

  • Groundbreaking Kicks Off at Peninsula Title’s New Building

    A May 4 groundbreaking event kicked off construction of Peninsula Title’s new office building at 512 S. Lansing Ave. in Sturgeon Bay. Sturgeon Bay Mayor David Ward gave opening remarks and said, “The new office is going to be a unique, signature building as you come into Sturgeon Bay.”  In attendance were representatives of Peninsula […]

  • This Old Store: Frank’s Superette Lives On through Annual Sausage Daze

    Frank and Sarah Hobart bought Sig Anderson’s grocery store on Maple Street near Corpus Christi School (now St. John Bosco) in Sturgeon Bay in 1961, when Barb and Jim, their two older children, were in high school. Frank had previously worked as the head butcher at Trodahl’s Grocery Store at Madison and Maple. Treiva Wiltering […]

  • Bits & Bites

    Fat Belly Is Back Fat Belly, 10621 N. Highland Road in Sister Bay, opened last week with an updated menu. Following the success of its weekly Mac Mondays last year, mac & cheese specialties are now menu staples, including the three-cheese truffle, chicken bacon ranch, and barbecue mac with Door Karma bacon. Dining by the […]

  • “We’re Here for the Kids”: School’s Out for Vickman after 45 years

    When Patti Vickman retires effective June 30 after a 45-year career, she’ll take with her a steadfast belief about public schools and their employees. “Everyone’s role here is, they’re educators,” she said. “We’re all here for the kids.” It was 7:40 on a Wednesday morning, and the Southern Door superintendent had just finished handing coffee […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Enjoyable Days of Learning in Honor of Mother Earth

    A rousing thank-you to all of the individuals, businesses and organizations that gave generously to make possible the Every Day Is Earth Day events honoring Mother Earth on April 22, 24 and 25. The virtual program that took place on April 22 can still be viewed on the Kress Pavilion Facebook page. The documentary that […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Your Six-minute Call Can Help Protect Local Lands and Waters

    This note is a request for six minutes of your time during the next few days to protect more of Door County’s exceptional lands and waters. Please take six minutes (three minutes per call) to call our legislators, Rep. Joel Kitchens and Sen. André Jacque, to ask them to support a 10-year extension of the […]

  • Letter to the Editor: Planning and Balance Are Essential

    “Zoning is a method of planning in which a municipality or other tier of government divides land into areas called zones, each of which has a set of regulations for development that differs from other zones. Zones may be defined for a single use (for example, residential, industrial); they may combine several compatible activities by […]

  • May Is Mental Health Awareness Month: Together, We’re Not Letting the Illness Win

    by Samuel Burris Program Director, JAK’s Place Mental Health Resource Center Lakeshore Community Action Program of Wisconsin We’ve lost the battle. We’ve lost one of our own. Now what? Jonah Andrew Klapatch ended his life in June 2005 after a long battle with mental illness. He left friends and family and a community with so […]

  • Northern Door Volleyball League Registration Opens

    Registration is open for the Northern Door Volleyball Summer League on the County A courts in Fish Creek. New teams are encouraged to form and join.  Teams will compete on Wednesday nights under the lights and stars, June 2 – Aug. 11, with a potential rain date on Aug. 18. The team entry fee is […]

  • County League Baseball Opens with No-Hitter

    Door County League (DCL) baseball returned to action May 9 with an opening-day highlight: Egg Harbor’s Aly Burne threw a no-hitter in a 7-0 victory over Maplewood.  Prior to Sunday’s games, host teams observed a moment of silence for two DCL icons who died in the fall of 2019.  Jennings “Jocko” Rader was the soul […]

  • Crossroads Run Adds Chip-Timing

    The 12th annual Crossroads Trail Run, hybrid hustle style, will take place June 19 at Crossroads at Big Creek. The chip-timed race with awards will have a staggered start, beginning at 8 am. All runners and walkers are asked to social distance and wear masks if they enter the Crossroads building at 2041 Michigan St. […]

  • Jane Hamilton to Lead Fiction Master Class

    Author Jane Hamilton will lead a Fiction Master Class at Write On, Door County Aug. 23-27, 9 am – 12 pm. Hamilton is the critically acclaimed author of several novels. Her debut, The Book of Ruth, earned the PEN/Hemingway Award for first fiction. The Short History of a Prince was a Publishers Weekly Best Book of […]

  • Grants Available For Indie Bookstores

    The Book Industry Charitable Foundation (bincfoundation.org) has opened applications for its Survive to Thrive grant program, which is designed to provide substantial grants to as many as 200 independent bookstores and comics purveyors. Applications will be accepted until May 10, 4 pm, and the grants will be awarded to the selected stores in early June. Fundraising […]

  • Mike Orlock Signs Books at Novel Bay

    Door County’s newest poet laureate, Mike Orlock, visited Novel Bay Booksellers in Sturgeon Bay on April 17 for a book signing and reading. Orlock and his granddaughter recited a poem that he wrote for her, “Cinderella Spring,” and Orlock signed copies of his books for attendees. The program raised $75 for Write On, Door County.

  • New Releases at Novel Bay Booksellers

    Looking for something new to read? Glean some inspiration from these recent additions to the shelves at Novel Bay Booksellers (novelbaybooks.com), 44 N. 3rd Ave. in Sturgeon Bay. CHILDREN’S BOOKS Moimoi by the University of Tokyo Baby Lab This little board book promises a lot: “Shapes, colors and sound that will soothe your crying baby.” […]

  • Exploring the Library: Genealogy Resources

    by Laura Kayacan, Adult Services Librarian Local history and genealogy are very popular in Door County, and the Door County Library plays a big role in helping researchers find the information they need to understand their roots.  The gold standard for genealogy research is Ancestry.com, and the Library Edition is available at all branches on […]

  • The Big Plant Comes to Baileys Harbor

    The Big Plant, a part of this year’s Earth Day celebration organized by the Door County Climate Change Coalition, will offer free trees to families Saturday, May 8, from 10 am – 2 pm behind the Baileys Harbor Town Hall.  Up to two trees per family will be given away.  Recipients can choose Balsam fir, […]

  • Peninsula Poetry: Donna Johnson

    Peninsula Poetry is a monthly column curated by the Door County Poets Collective, a 12-member working group that was formed to publish Soundings: Door County in Poetry in 2015 and continues to meet. Upon moving to Door County in 2012, Donna Johnson quickly took advantage of the abundant arts community. She often calls Door County […]

  • Miller Art Museum Presents Home Grown Public-art Project

    The Miller Art Museum, 107 S. 4th Ave. in Sturgeon Bay, is presenting Home Grown: a six-foot-wide public-art project that’s a grassroots response to the cancellation of summer youth programming during the pandemic. It was created in collaboration with Jodi Rose Studio and other partners, and it’s on display through May 29, along with the […]

  • Plum Bottom Gallery Features Blown-glass in Newest Show

    Plum Bottom Road Gallery, 4999 Plum Bottom Road in Egg Harbor, will host a blown-glass show May 15, 11 am – 4 pm, featuring the work of Ron Hinkle, Mark Rosenbaum, Corey Silverman and Bryce Dimitruk.  This exclusive collection offers a range of size, function, style, color, vibrancy, texture and patterns, but all of the artists […]

  • DCHS Featured Pet: Zuzu

    Zuzu (wihumane.org/adopt/animal?id=46936799) is a special cat who’s available for adoption at the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) Door County Campus.  This sweet senior is 15 years old and has one crinkled ear resulting from a past surgery, but she doesn’t let it bother her. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind furry companion with lovely green eyes, […]

  • Kids Nationwide Can Connect through Camp Invention

    Summer learning has no boundaries! Camp Invention Connect makes it possible for kids nationside to connect, collaborate and create by attending weekly national editions of its STEM enrichment camp. Families that have no program in their area or local-camp scheduling conflicts will still have access. And, with camps running every week of the summer, it’s […]

  • North Shore Bank Raises Money for Animal-focused Organizations

    Zoos and humane societies across Wisconsin will be the focus of North Shore Bank’s second community give-back program, Bank on Kindness: a campaign to support the efforts of nonprofit organizations in the state.  Until May 31, members of the public can donate to the local, animal-focused community partner(s) of their choice through an online portal, […]

  • Peninsula Preschool Hosts Open-registration Day May 15

    The Peninsula Preschool will hold an open house May 15, 9 am – 12 pm, when interested parents may visit the classroom and meet the director to learn about the curriculum. That will also be an open-registration day for the 2021-22 school year. Registration will be filled in person on a first-come, first-served basis. Mail-in registration […]

  • Coffee Club for Women Held May 12

    Edward Jones (edwardjones.com) financial adviser Tara Pierre will host a coffee club for women May 12, 8 am, at GLAS Coffeehouse, 67 E. Maple St. in Sturgeon Bay. She’ll share information about financial market topics virtually and in person. Seating may be limited, so reserve a seat – or find out how to connect virtually – […]

  • WILD THINGS: Bass Fanatic Hooks the Trout of a Lifetime off Door County

    Door County’s spring sport fishery is among the most impressive in North America. Five-pound smallmouth bass, 10-pound walleyes and 20-pound northern pike aren’t out of the question.  But a 32-pound, nine-ounce brown trout that Ben Otto of Pulaski caught while casting for bass April 24 near Sand Bay turned the world-class potential up a notch. […]

  • Wild Ones: That’s Good! That’s Bad!

    Remember the comedy routine, or maybe the children’s book by Margery Cuyler called That’s Good! That’s Bad!? This time of year, when it comes to invasive species, there is good (well, sort of), and there is bad (mostly). For people intent on removing invasive species, this is the best time of year to do it. […]

  • Door to Nature: Bird Conservation Events in May

    Global Big Day – the annual, worldwide birding event – will be held May 8, and anyone with internet access can participate. It is a way to conduct a one-day census of bird species and numbers throughout the world’s birding community. Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, developed the online eBird organization through its Cornell Lab for […]

  • Manners Matter: Not Your Personal Travel Adviser

    Dear Mary Pat, We’ve been living in Egg Harbor almost full time for a year. I’ve had two Facebook friends (whom I don’t hang out with) ask me where to stay or what fun things there are to do in Door County. I do answer reluctantly but feel used, and all I get in response […]

  • Art That Moves: Damon Counard creates custom-painted skateboards

    Damon Counard picked up a skateboard for the first time in 2013. Now, eight years later, he’s combining his favorite pastime with a blossoming talent in painting to create designer skateboards through his own company, Burnout Skateboards.  Counard is a carpenter at Portside, and although he hasn’t had much formal training outside of an art […]

  • Destination Door County Initiates Leave No Trace Tuesday

    Destination Door County (DDC) has created Leave No Trace Tuesday: a new community initiative and mixer that will take place monthly on the second Tuesday. That’s when DDC staff and interested community members will tackle service projects throughout the county. The inaugural event is set for May 11, 5:30-7:30 pm, at Sunset Park in Sturgeon […]

  • Spring Packerland Volleyball Final Standings

    Sevastopol: 4-1 Sturgeon Bay: 4-1 Southern Door: 3-2 Gibraltar: 2-3 Kewaunee: 2-3 Algoma: 0-5

  • Short-term-rental Eyes on Sevastopol

    Several municipalities in Door County are considering ordinances that seek to regulate a balance between property owners who are legally allowed to use their properties as short-term rentals (STRs), and property owners who seek protection for their quality of life and neighborhood stability.

  • Giving the Gift of Motherhood: Abby Duebler’s surrogacy journey

    Abby Duebler posted news on social media in February that she was pregnant again. Family and friends were delighted to hear that she and her husband, Ryan, would be welcoming their fourth child. The celebrations soon turned to confusion, however: The baby wasn’t hers. Duebler is instead a surrogate who is carrying a baby for […]

  • Players Returns to the ’60s

    The next episode of Peninsula Players Presents will recall some of the company members who delighted audiences during the mid- to late 1960s. From 1964 through 1989, the following company members, including Lorinne Vozoff, worked on nearly 100 shows at the theater.  Lynn Bilek started as an apprentice in 1964 and earned her Equity card. […]

  • TAP Rebrands

    As Third Avenue Playhouse (TAP, thirdavenueplayhouse.com) oversees the renovation of its downtown Sturgeon Bay building, the theater company’s board and staff members have also been constructing a solid framework to ensure the future success of the growing organization. Through a sustainability grant from the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, TAP hired a consultant to guide […]

  • Alpine Resort Sold: Owner intends to preserve lodge, re-open golf course

    After 100 years under the ownership of the Bertschinger Family, the Alpine Resort is changing hands. The name of the new owner was announced only as Alpine Resort Acquisition Company, LLC. and the sale price was not immediately revealed. Broker Jacinda Duffin of True North Real Estate, who represented the buyer, said fans of the […]

  • Make Mother’s Day last all weekend long

    This weekend will be the first time my mother and I have been together on Mother’s Day since she became a grandmother. A proper celebration is definitely in order to mark the occasion, so I set out to find some unusual and memorable options for Mother’s Day treats and dining around the county. Boy, did […]

  • Seven Farmers Markets Ready to Go

    Season opens May 7 Farmers markets, those dependable signs that summer is on its way in Door County, will soon be popping up in all the usual places.  Surprisingly, almost everyone who was in charge of a market last year said that – even with the changes that were required because of COVID-19 – business […]

  • The hidden history of the Nelson’s hardware property

    Hardware stores have contributed to the American do-it-yourself spirit since the pioneer days. A tour with Gary Nelson inside the Nelson Shopping Center buildings that he’s selling to the Town of Baileys Harbor offered a glimpse into just how much his dad, Gordy, celebrated that DIY enthusiasm. Additions and alterations made for business and family […]

  • Hike This: The Ancient Shores Trail at Potawatomi State Park

    A short way into Potawatomi State Park, near the park’s store, lies the Ancient Shores Trail: a half-mile trek that takes hikers up and down along three ancient shorelines.  This is a great hike for families with children because of its short length, wide paths and the educational content along the trail, which identifies plant […]

  • Maritime Museum to Christen Lighthouse Tower

    The Door County Maritime Museum will christen Sturgeon Bay’s newest landmark – the Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower – on May 22, 11 am, in the museum’s parking lot. Please maintain a safe distance from those who are not in your group, and wear a face mask inside the museum. This waterfront attraction will educate and […]

  • Crossroads Has Big Plans for Global Big Day

    Spend part of Global Big Day – May 8 – at Crossroads at Big Creek (crossroadsatbigcreek.org), 2041 Michigan St. in Sturgeon Bay.  Start with a 7 am bird hike at Ida Bay Preserve to look for birds of all kinds. Participants should take binoculars if they have them and meet at the parking lot at the intersection […]

  • Obituary: Sandra “Sandy” Lamb

    October 28, 1962 ~ May 1, 2021 Sandra “Sandy” Lamb, 58, of Sturgeon Bay and formerly of Florida, died at home on May 1, 2021.  She was born October 28, 1962 in Florida to Raymond and Patricia Lamb.She is survived by siblings and friends.  No services are planned at this time.  Forbes Funeral Home is […]

  • Obituary: Shawn R. Madden

    December 4, 1951 ~ May 3, 2021 Shawn R. Madden, 69 years of Sturgeon Bay, died Monday May 3, 2021 at his home.   He was born December 4, 1951 in Sturgeon Bay the son of the late John and Elizabeth (Feuerstein) Madden.  Shawn attended Sevastopol High School.  With his talent for construction and a hard […]

  • Obituary: Adolf Walser

    September 10, 1925 ~ May 1, 2021 Adolf Walser, 95, of Egg Harbor, died Saturday, May 1, 2021 at Pete and Jelaine Horton Skilled Nursing and Hospice Care Center at Door County Medical Center. He was born September 10, 1925, in St. Gallen, Switzerland, the son of Johannes and Hulda (Schmid) Walser. Adolf was a […]

  • Obituary: William Patrick Richards, Jr.

    February 13, 1938 ~ April 26, 2021 William Patrick Richards, Jr., 83, of Washington Island, died peacefully on Monday evening, April 26, 2021 at the Pete and Jelaine Horton Center Skilled Nursing Facility in Sturgeon Bay. He was born February 13, 1938 in Forest Park, Illinois, son of the late William Patrick and Lenore Mae […]

  • Obituary: Larry E. Harvell

    June 29, 1927 ~ April 24, 2021 Larry Eugene Harvell died surrounded by his family on April 24, 2021 at the age of 93, on Washington Island, Wisconsin. He faced a diagnosis of cancer in the late spring of 2020, and, as he faced all of life challenges, addressed this one with courage, strength and […]

  • Obituary: Jeannine M. (Collins) Kelsey

    May 13, 1966 ~ April 25, 2021 Jeannine Marie (Collins) Kelsey, 54, of Sturgeon Bay died and was reunited with her husband, Mike, late Sunday evening, April 25, 2021 at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay. She was born May 13, 1966 in Green Bay, the daughter of Irvin “Irv” Carl Collins and Saundra Lee […]

  • Obituary: Dorothy E. Twiton

    November 21, 1928 ~ April 27, 2021 Dorothy E. Twiton, 92, a long-time Door County resident, died peacefully at Door County Medical Center after a short illness.  She was born in Sun Prairie on Nov. 21, 1928, and grew up in Sun Prairie, the oldest child of H. Russell & Dora (Bergsland) Twiton.  She graduated […]