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Peninsula Pulse October 9-16, 2020

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In this issue

  • A Reading Teacher’s Struggle to Teach Her Youngest to Read

    by Jeanne Schopf I had been teaching as an elementary teacher for 17 years when my beliefs on how to teach reading were shattered.  Prior to my revelation, I had earned a master’s degree in reading, attended so many conferences and workshops, and read every professional book about reading that I could buy. I was […]

  • Between Pandemic and Politics, Art Remains Relevant

    Proprietors of art galleries in Door County report that business during this season of COVID-19 was not as bad as they’d feared, and in some cases, business was even better than last year. “We started six weeks late – the tail end of June,” said Dan Cross, owner and director of Idea Gallery at the […]

  • THIS OLD STORE: Trodahl’s at Madison and Maple

    ‘The busiest grocery store in town’ Anyone born in Sturgeon Bay since 1967 can tell you there’s been a gas station on the northwest corner of Madison and Maple streets for as long as they’ve lived. And they’re right. But for 97 years before that, a grocery story occupied that corner.  The first one was […]

  • Bank of Luxemburg Opening Branch in Fish Creek

    The branch will be the first – and only – nonretail business allowed in the Top of the Hill Shops If things go as planned, the Bank of Luxemburg will open a branch location before the 2021 summer season on the north end of Fish Creek in the Top of the Hill Shops. The location […]

  • Recovery Funds: Who is Getting What?

    Wisconsin’s Routes to Recovery Local Government Aid Grants are funded by $200 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars and administered by the Department of Administration. Of the $200 million, $10 million will be allocated to Wisconsin’s tribal nations, with the remaining funds distributed to every Wisconsin county, city, village […]

  • Pulse of Philanthropy: COVID-19’s Impact on Charitable Giving

    Although the story of COVID-19 in the United States is still being written, the first bit of research is shedding some light on how the virus and the resulting recession are beginning to affect charitable giving. The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s Women’s Philanthropy Institute at Indiana University just released “COVID-19, Generosity and Gender: How […]

  • City Reduces 2021 Tax Levy Increase

    Budget vote is Oct. 12; public hearing and final levy adoption are Nov. 2 Sturgeon Bay alders managed to shave several percentage points off the estimated increase to the 2021 property tax levy during a second budget workshop Monday evening. With each percentage point of tax levy equal to $68,000, it took a number of […]

  • Inmate Population Beginning to Rise Again

    Jail inmate populations haven’t been excluded from the list of things that have been affected by COVID-19. In Door County, as the chart and graph show, inmate populations were cut almost in half by COVID-related revisions within criminal justice system policies, processing, and handling, including for probation and parole. Door County also furloughed its Huber […]

  • Civil Complaint Filed over Fincantieri Variances

    Two Sturgeon Bay business owners want the court to overturn a Sturgeon Bay Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) decision to allow height and setback variances for improvements that Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding intends for its Sturgeon Bay shipyard. Daniel Bach – a Jefferson, Wisconsin, attorney representing plaintiffs Kelly Catarozoli and Hans Christian Reumschuessel – filed a complaint Sept. […]

  • Two Firefighters End Their Grievance Battle

    Two firefighters have gone as far as they intend to go with grievances filed against the Egg Harbor Fire Department.  Dan Kiehnau and his son, Dustin, filed grievances against Fire Chief Andy Staats after Staats terminated them as a result of their requests for a six-month leave of absence. The two requested the leaves in […]

  • Land Trust Adds 20 Acres to Washington Island Lands

    Door County Land Trust has announced the protection of 20 acres on Washington Island as part of the Big and Little Marsh State Natural Area – a property that’s home to a northern hardwood forest with mature maples and American beech.  This newly protected land connects other conservation land to the east and west, forming a […]

  • Door to Nature: Autumn Color and the Virginia Creeper

    Autumn is the time to enjoy nature’s transition from the greens of summer to the glorious colors of changing leaves on trees and many plants. Sunny days help to increase the vibrant hues. Ash trees are being attacked by the emerald ash borer and may not be on the landscape for too many more years. […]

  • Server of the Week: Stacey Volkmann at Valmy Happy Hour

    The Valmy Happy Hour is the place to be for shots with Stacey In the parking lot you will find many tables  To enjoy a great meal and cocktails with friends and family If you’re looking for the best broasted chicken in Door County,  This is the place to be Stacey will always serve you […]

  • Wild Things: Young Guns Get Early Shot at Abundant Whitetails

    Blaze orange will join the fiery reds, brilliant yellows, glowing greens and rusty browns of autumn this weekend during Wisconsin’s annual youth gun deer hunt. It’s a chance for licensed hunters age 15 and younger to get an early shot at some venison – and valuable hunting experience – under the watchful eye of an […]

  • Golf League Results: Oct. 9, 2020

    IDLEWILD Thursday 8:45 am Fall After Senior Men’s Group  Oct. 1, 2020 • Longest putt and closest to the pin: John Melland • Best Scores: Osterhaus 45, Forbes 50, Melland 52, Utley 53 Play will continue until two consecutive weeks of less than 8 players. The group is open to all senior (age 50 or older) men, […]

  • Framed: Jimmy John’s and Edward Jones Team DC

    On Sept. 12, Jimmy John’s partnered with Edward Jones Team Door County to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association through the virtual Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Taylor Anschutz, owner of Jimmy John’s, presented the check to Edward Jones financial adviser Spencer Feivor.

  • The Living Newspaper

    The Federal Theatre Project, Part One Following the greatest economic disaster this country had ever faced, the New Deal made funding for the arts one of its largest priorities. Five government-funded arts projects were born out of Federal Project Number One, and though these projects were slowly phased out and defunded over time, one of […]

  • The Hand Angels

    Certified aromatherapist Linda Donovan and her group of volunteers shine their lights in some of the scariest places in the world by Julie Ricks McClintic This year – this 2020 – has been an ugly nightmare of a year for everyone. Fires, quarantine, economic instability, quarantine, protests and rioting, quarantine – all of it. But in […]

  • Suds with Sophie: Brewing Ingredients, Part Five

    Hops, Part Two by Sophie Nelson, [email protected] The last time we chatted about beer ingredients, I gave a little history and country-specific information about hops. The use of hops in beer, however, is much more complicated than simply throwing the little, green flower into some liquid. There’s a whole lot of chemistry behind the process, […]

  • Day of Mending on Oct. 24

    The Harborettes Homemakers Club will sponsor a Day of Mending as a community-service project Oct. 24, 9 am – 1 pm, at Egg Harbor’s Bertschinger Community Center. Take your clothing or linens that need mending, and club members will sew on buttons, repair seams, patch items and the like, but sorry – no zipper repairs. The […]

  • Algoma Public Library Hosting a Virtual Halloween Costume Contest

    The Algoma Public Library is hosting a virtual Halloween costume contest. Send submissions to [email protected] by Oct. 23. Submitted photos will be added to an album on Facebook where viewers can vote for their favorites. Prizes will be awarded for the scariest costume, best costume, best couples costume and funniest costume. All ages are welcome. […]

  • Prevea Health Matters Series Hosting Virtual Nutrition Events

    Through its free, virtual Prevea Health Matters series, Deb Guenterberg, a Prevea Health registered dietitian nutritionist, will explore “Stress Eating COVID-19 Style” on Oct. 15, 5:30-6:30 pm. She will discuss the difficulties of eating healthfully during a challenging time and provide guidance and tips on how to make improvements.   Guenterberg will also present “Eating the […]

  • Farmers to Families Food-Box Event Oct. 14 and Oct. 21

    Community members are welcome to stop by the Farmers to Families food-box event Oct. 14, 4-6 pm, at John Miles County Park; and Oct. 21, 4-6 pm, in the parking lot of the former Shopko building. Cars may begin lining up at 3:45 pm. Attendees should remain in their cars, and masks are highly encouraged. […]

  • USDA Rural Development Investing in Choice Orchards

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development office is investing $2.7 million in rural Wisconsin to help 14 agricultural producers and small businesses develop new products and expand their business lines. Among them is Choice in Sturgeon Bay, which will receive a $250,000 grant to help with the brand development and packaging of pitted, […]

  • DCMM Welcomes Julie Sarter to Board of Directors

    The Door County Maritime Museum and Lighthouse Preservation Society has welcomed Julie Sarter to its board of directors. She is the president and owner of Sarter Marine Towing in Sturgeon Bay, but her  career has included positions with Century 21 Real Estate, Nicolet Broadcasting, Door County Medical Clinic and Bliss. She has volunteered for the […]

  • Baldwin Votes to Stop Trump Lawsuit to Overturn ACA

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) joined her Democratic colleagues in the Senate last week to vote for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s bill to block Attorney General William Barr and the Justice Department from supporting President Trump’s lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the Supreme Court. The vote was […]

  • High School Athletic Competitions Closed to Public

    Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and Packerland Conference rules, all athletic competitions will be closed to the general public, and these guidelines will be in place: Each high school or middle school athlete will receive a specified number of passes to distribute to her or his fans; masks or face coverings will be required at […]

  • DCEDC Hosting Pitch Event for Entrepreneurs

    The Door County Economic Development Corporation has partnered with numerous other economic-development organizations on a pitch event for entrepreneurs. To qualify, entrepreneurs must be at least 18 years old, have a W8 or W9, and be pre-revenue or early stage, meaning that there is less than $300,000 invested through capital raised and/or revenue received. To […]

  • DENN Creative Market Opens South of Sturgeon Bay

    A store built from shipping containers has opened in Door County! DENN (DennShop.com) is a creative market for all things local, artistic, reclaimed and antique. The owners did all the construction and artwork themselves to create an eclectic, inspiring atmosphere where visitors can find antiques, DIY supplies and items made by artisans from around the […]

  • Door County Medical Center Enacts Covid Surge Plan

    Fourth Door County death reported. Evers limits public gatherings statewide. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have surged in northeastern Wisconsin and throughout the state during the past two weeks, prompting Door County Medical Center to enact its surge plan. “Our healthcare partners in Brown County are reporting being overwhelmed,” according to a Public Health Emergency alert […]

  • Bits & Bites: Fall Food

    Menus are changing along with the weather, so now is the time to revisit local establishments to see what’s new for fall – in a safe and socially distanced way, of course. Spicy, warm, rich and hearty come to mind when thinking about autumn dining and drinking, and there’s plenty to discover across the county. Here’s […]

  • Caldwell Joins Northern Sky Board

    Northern Sky Theater has welcomed Susan Caldwell to its board of directors. A former University of Nebraska faculty member and manager at Nestle USA, Caldwell has long been involved in nonprofit leadership, serving in various capacities with organizations including the Girl Scouts USA board, the Purdue University alumni board and church committees. She’s also been […]

  • SBHS Meets Criteria for WSMA Accreditation

    Sturgeon Bay High School has met the criteria for 2020-21 Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) accreditation, which includes current WSMA membership, participation in a district Solo and Ensemble Festival and participation by at least one of each type of performing group – band, choir and orchestra – in a concert group festival or clinic experience annually. This […]

  • Maxwell’s House Hosts ODBS Fundraiser

    Maxwell’s House, 7763 Hwy 42 in Egg Harbor, will host a meet-and-greet fundraiser for Open Door Bird Sanctuary (ODBS, opendoorbirdsanctuary.org) on Oct. 24, 1-5 pm. For the last several years, Maxwell’s House has hosted ODBS during Pumpkin Patch Festival, and this year, store management decided to create its own special meet-and-greet. Make the acquaintance of […]

  • New Fall Art and Craft Fair

    Select Door County artists and artisans will sell their products, art and provisions at the first annual Door County Wildflower Candles & More Fall Art and Craft Fair on Oct. 17, 9 am – 2 pm; and Oct. 18, 9 am – 12 pm, at 11576 Beach Road in Sister Bay. Some of the offerings […]

  • Practice Excavation at Crossroads

    Crossroads at Big Creek (crossroadsatbigcreek.org) is offering Archaeology by Appointment at The Cove Preserve, 817 S. 20th Place in Sturgeon Bay, on Oct. 9. This is a chance to participate in an authentic archaeological dig by helping to excavate a test unit, which appears to date back to the Late Woodland period. Sign up for […]

  • See a Show of Scarecrows in Egg Harbor

    Although the annual Pumpkin Patch Festival is not happening this year, members of the Egg Harbor Business Association (EHBA) wanted to keep a special tradition alive: the annual pumpkin and scarecrow display contest.  “The pumpkin and scarecrow displays are a long-standing tradition of Egg Harbor’s Pumpkin Patch Festival and one that is beloved by residents […]

  • Improve Drawing Skills through Inktober® Contest

    Inktober® is a monthlong art challenge created by artist Jake Parker that focuses on improving drawing skills and developing positive drawing habits. Every day during October, participants create an ink drawing and post it online. The Algoma Public Library (algomapubliclibrary.org) decided to join the fun last year with its inaugural Inktober® contest. “Though we don’t […]

  • Obituary: Roberta Boyle

    September 24, 2020 It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Roberta Boyle, known as “Bert”, on September 24, 2020 at the age of 60. Bert was born in Sturgeon Bay in 1960 to Robert J. and Donna (Haen) Peterson. She graduated from Sevastopol High School in 1978. Bert spent her early […]

  • Obituary: Ronald “Ron” Sweetman

    August 30, 1940 ~ October 4, 2020 Surrounded by his family, Ronald Richard Sweetman, 80, of Sturgeon Bay died on Sunday, October 4, 2020, after a 1 ½ year struggle with cancer.  Ron was born in Manitowoc on August 30, 1940, to Walter and Violet (Potratz) Sweetman.  He was a 1958 graduate of Lincoln HS, […]

  • Dollar General Sets Sights on Egg Harbor Land

    Public hearing set for Nov. 5, 6 pm The developer who had sought approval late last year from the Sister Bay Plan Commission to build a Dollar General store has selected a new site for the bargain chain store – this one within the Town of Egg Harbor. Developer Peter Oleszczuk of Midwest Property Development […]

  • Nominations Open for Kohl Award

    The State of Wisconsin is accepting nominations of Wisconsin teachers for 2021 Herb Kohl Teacher Fellowship Awards. The nomination deadline is Oct. 13, 5 pm.  Nominees who choose to apply will be considered for a $6,000 personal grant and a $6,000 matching grant for his or her school. The Herb Kohl Foundation annually selects 100 […]

  • Gibraltar Sets Example for Dyslexia Training

    by Donna Hejtmanek, Legislative Chair, International Dyslexia Association, Wisconsin Branch During the last legislative session, Decoding Dyslexia and the International Dyslexia Association, Wisconsin Branch (IDA-WI) wrote nine bills around dyslexia, but sadly, only one became law: Act 86. This law allows for the development of a guidebook related to dyslexia and related conditions.  Act 86 […]

  • Obituary: Deb Dendler

    September 25, 1950~September 23, 2020 Deb Dendler died Sept. 23 after a long battle with breast cancer, two days before what would have been her 70th birthday. She was born in Chicago in 1950 to Inez (Bon) Burrows and John Wenner, the middle of three daughters. Her family moved frequently and eventually settled in a […]

  • Obituary: Joanne Teich

    March 8, 1938 ~ September 28, 2020  On September 28, 2020, Joanne Teich, 82, of Sturgeon Bay died. Born on March 8, 1938 to Frank and Marie Kohlbeck, Joanne was the fifth of seven children.  She married Loney F. Teich on November 29, 1958 at Corpus Christi parish in Sturgeon Bay, and said goodbye to […]