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Peninsula Pulse September 17-24, 2021

In this issue

  • Golf Resurgence Continues: Wisconsin outpaces other states in midsummer rounds played

    A resurgence in golf popularity continues nationwide this year, and especially in Wisconsin, according to data in a recent National Golf Foundation (NGF) report. Rounds played in July 2021 were actually down 3.9% nationwide from the “furious pace” of July 2020, but they’re way up from 2019 levels, NGF reported. In July 2020, NGF recorded […]

  • Schools Putting Masking Orders in Place

    Concerns about statistics, positive COVID cases causing local schools to revise pandemic-protocols A growing proportion of Door County students will be required to wear masks inside school buildings starting Monday morning, Sept. 20. The Sturgeon Bay School District was the first to revise its masking requirements through a decision made with a 5-4 vote that […]

  • DNR, NRB Playing Politics with State Fish, Wildlife

    Like it or not, politics is taking center stage on almost every controversial decision being made these days by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Wolves – and Natural Resources Board (NRB) chair Fred Prehn’s refusal to step down until his successor is confirmed by the Senate – are at the heart of the current […]

  • FOUNTAIN ON ITS WAY

    Sturgeon Bay – Snug up against the Oregon Street bridge, just below 1st Avenue, a bare, weedy lot has been transformed into a public green space with gardens, seating and free amenities for artistic activities and community games.  Sturgeon Bay’s newest green space, Graham Park, announces itself gateway-style to provide what Destination Sturgeon Bay describes […]

  • Parks Committee Denies Tree-Removal Request

    The Sister Bay Parks Committee issued a resounding “no” Monday to a request made by David Van Gemert on behalf of Marina View Condominium owners to remove four trees from Waterfront Park. Van Gemert asked the village to remove four trees that line the road in front of the marina and appear in the view […]

  • Grants Available for Event Venues

    Governor Tony Evers announced several grant programs for event venues Thursday aimed to help businesses recover from COVID-19 hardships.  Businesses and venues that generate more than half of its revenue through live events are eligible for the grants.  Grants are also available for movie theater operators, and for vendors of live events venues and businesses.  […]

  • Bill Introduced to fund Potawatomi Tower Repair

    Political shell game stalling action on ailing structure Rep. Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) has introduced a bill that would fund the repair of the Potawatomi State Park Observation Tower. LRG-4689 would direct the governor to use up to $750,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to restore the historical structure. Kitchens introduced the […]

  • Novel Bay Adds to Its Shelves

    Check out some of the newest releases that Novel Bay Booksellers, 44 N. 3rd Ave. in Sturgeon Bay, has added to its shelves. Maybe you’ll find your next read here! CHILDREN Earth Messages by Jill Harding This delightful picture book by Door County author and artist Jill Harding offers simply sweet messages related to caring […]

  • Friends of the Poor Walk/Run Returns Sept. 25

    The Friends of the Poor Walk/Run fundraising event will return to Stella Maris Catholic Church in Sister Bay on Sept. 25. Registration will begin at 8:30 am; the event will start at 9 am. Stella Maris and the St. Vincent de Paul Society are co-hosting the society’s only 2021 fundraiser.  Participants can register online at […]

  • Walk to End Alzhimer’s Raises $11,500

    About 75 people took part in the Walk to End Alzhimer’s on Sept. 11 in Sturgeon Bay. The two-mile walk left from Graham Park and raised $11,500 for the Alzheimer’s Association to fund research for a cure, advocacy, and patient and caregiver support. Walkers carried flowers in memory of loved ones affected by the disease. […]

  • Indie Bookstore Tour: Two Locations, Twice the Fun at Peninsula Bookman

    Year opened: 2002Locations: 4083 Main St. in Fish Creek and 10580 Country Walk Dr. in Sister BayOwner: Peter Sloma Stocking and maintaining one bookstore seems like a big commitment, but with the kind of stock Peter Sloma keeps at both locations of the Peninsula Bookman, I am always impressed. Books fill the shelves, accompanied by […]

  • Dietrich Employs Kurinuki in New Ikebana Vases

    John Dietrich – resident and master potter of Ellison Bay Pottery, 12156 Garrett Bay Road in Ellison Bay – has been having new, exciting pottery adventures with kurinuki while creating a series of ikebana flower vases. Kurinuki is a traditional Japanese form of handbuilding. It means “carving out,” and it involves shaping a solid block of clay, […]

  • Interested in Establishing a Wood-Carving Club?

    Fish Creek resident Jim Bator is gauging community interest in a Northern Door wood-carving club that would be open to all adults. No experience would be required because an initial carving class and instruction in basic safety would be offered to anyone who needs them. A fee to join the club would help cover the […]

  • Sweater Weather Trunk Show at Turtle Ridge

    Turtle Ridge Gallery is introducing another great handmade product: Sue Peterson’s line of fun, artistic sweaters, hand loomed and delightfully knit in cotton/linen yarn and plenty of colorful combinations. Each piece also has a special detail added. Whether it’s a pocket, pleat or unusual topstitching, these details are part of the thought and care that […]

  • Nicki Shockz Combines the Physical and Digital with an Optimistic Palette

    At a small operation such as the Hardy Gallery in Ephraim, staff members end up doing a little bit of everything, said Sarah Zamecnik, the gallery’s executive director. As an example, she had spent time that morning repairing a lockbox.  Such an environment has been a good fit for Nicki Shockz: someone who thrives on […]

  • Nature-themed Playground, Green-energy Efforts in the Works

    Baileys Harbor’s town board took steps toward more inclusive and greener practices Monday. GameTime Playground Design Parks Committee member Kari Baumann and Baileys Harbor Community Association (BHCA) coordinator Ellie Soderberg received board approval to begin fundraising to replace the old playground equipment in Kendall Weisgerber Memorial Park behind the town hall. The new playground equipment […]

  • Workshop in Racial Equity

    Sturgeon Bay – A link between environmental justice and social justice is an increasingly direct one, said Matt Luders, president of the Crossroads at Big Creek board.  “No hiding behind the argument that our mission doesn’t include this,” he said. “A healthy Earth should be an equally distributed right, and we need everyone’s voice, everyone’s […]

  • On Top of Spaghetti Fundraiser for JAK’s Place

    The JAK’s Place On Top of Spaghetti annual fundraiser will be held Sept. 28, 5-7 pm, in a pickup-only format this year. The dinner includes spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, a beverage and dessert. The fundraiser also features a silent auction that’s available online at 32auctions.com/jaksplace21. Auction items include a two-hour sailing cruise on the Edith […]

  • Write On Hires Marketing and Community-Outreach Coordinator

    Write On, Door County has welcomed Sam Leary to the new position of marketing and community-outreach coordinator. Among his responsibilities will be developing social-media content, implementing the annual marketing plan and working with the organization’s directors to help foster its continued growth. Leary joins the Write On team from the nation’s second-oldest creative-writing program: the […]

  • She Served, He Served Dinner Thanks Veterans

    Door County Habitat for Humanity (DCHH) is hosting a She Served, He Served dinner to recognize and thank area veterans from all branches of military service as part of She Served: a Habitat for Humanity Wisconsin grant-program initiative to build, educate, employ, engage and honor women veterans during She Served Week, Sept. 19-25. DCHH is […]

  • Exploring the Library: Auto-Repair Manuals and Driving Tests in One Convenient Location

    by Tina Kakuske, Director, Door County Library  Chilton, long the staple of auto-repair manuals, has been used for years by those who work on cars, but the manuals are large, bulky books that take up valuable shelf real estate when libraries collect and store them. Finding car-repair information has changed a lot over the years, […]

  • Door-Tran Begins Northern Door Office Hours

    Door-Tran is now offering office hours in northern Door County at the NWTC Learning and Innovation Center, 2438 S. Bay Shore Dr. in Sister Bay.  Volunteer coordinator Kim Gilson began staffing the office Sept. 15 and will be there every third Wednesday thereafter, 10 am – 12:30 pm, to meet with clients and volunteers. “This […]

  • Stepped-up Support for Veterans

    Adopt A Soldier-Door County focuses not only on the needs of men and women from Door and Kewaunee Counties who are currently serving in the armed forces. Now the group has stepped up to support those who have already served through help with financial and medical needs and home repairs. Recent projects include replacing water […]

  • DCHS Featured Pet: Turtle

    Meet Turtle (wihumane.org/adopt/animal?id=48385169), a 10-month-old kitten who’s available for adoption at the Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) Door County Campus. Rescued from a hoarding situation, Turtle is nervous in new environments, so, like his namesake animal, this shy guy will need a little help coming out of his shell and some time to feel comfortable in […]

  • Legal Brief: Vigilantes in America

    Vigilantism is alive and well in America. Defined generally as taking the law into one’s own hands, vigilantism has been at the center of violent, extralegal justice since before the American Revolution, when “regulators” in South Carolina fought against colonial officials they thought were corrupt.  Later, in Virginia, Justice of the Peace Charles Lynch set […]

  • What Room Tax Can Do for All of Us

    “We already have too many people here. Why would we raise room tax to increase marketing and bring more of them?”  That’s a question I’ve heard dozens of times throughout the past year as I’ve made the case for increasing our countywide room tax. My short answer is this: Room tax is about much more […]

  • SERVER OF THE WEEK: Dennis Krishka

    It’s 5 pm, midway through Labor Day weekend at Alpine Golf Course. Dennis Krishka has not yet wrapped up a long shift. He and his team have their hands full while accommodating the post-golf bar crowd. Golfers looking for an evening nine pop in, as do visitors with questions about the ongoing rejuvenation of the […]

  • Native Plants Education

    Wild Ones of the Door Peninsula is a chapter of a national organization dedicated to “promoting environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities.”  To further its mission, Wild Ones is hosting two public programs. On Sept. 18, 4 pm, enjoy the autumn beauty of two […]

  • Ridges Offers Curious Citizen Programs

    The Ridges Sanctuary is offering Curious Citizen programs.  The first, An Afternoon in the Meadow, will be held Tuesday, Sept. 21, 1-3:30 pm, to explore fall blooms in the meadow at Appel’s Bluff. Participants will find and identify the flowers in the meadow and finish with a leisurely, two-mile hike through Appel’s Bluff preserve. There […]

  • DID YOU KNOW? The three-arrow recycling symbol doesn’t mean a product is recyclable?

    Yes, you read that right. The ubiquitous symbol featuring three arrows chasing each other in a triangle that’s found on myriad products from water bottles to plastic bags doesn’t mean the object is recyclable. There is no standard for use of the symbol. Last week the California State Assembly passed a bill banning companies from […]

  • Damaging Invader Wriggles Its Way into Door County

    Barb and Doug Henderson spent 25 years creating elegant woodland and bayshore gardens, and then spent about 25 days watching an alien worm destroying parts of their personal sanctuary. “It’s horrifying,” Barb said, because the discovery this year of invasive jumping worms in many portions of their Bay Shore Drive property – just a year after […]

  • A Jamaican Pop-up at Husby’s

    The Garage at Husby’s is adding The Jamaican Door to the food mix by serving its jerk chicken, jerk dogs and vegan dogs on Mondays, 5-8 pm, through September. Also this month, The Jamaican Door will be rotating through MAX at Maxwelton Braes in Baileys Harbor, on Tuesdays; and Roots Inn & Kitchen, in Sister […]

  • Commemorating the Great Fire of 1871

    The Belgian Heritage Center will host three days of programming to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Great Fire of 1871. Fires on Oct. 8 devastated the landscape on both sides of the bay of Green Bay, including a large part of the Belgian settlement area in Door, Brown and Kewaunee counties, and forever changed […]

  • THIS OLD STORE: Fontaine’s Store Served Namur for Decades

    William Struck built his store and cheese factory in 1916 near the big curve on Highway 57 just south of Namur (then known as Fairland). The building, the big curve and Namur are still there, but the store closed more than 50 years ago and Highway 57 now bypasses Namur on the east. To learn […]

  • DCMC Launches Telemedicine Platform

    Door County Medical Center (DCMC) is launching its Virtual Care telemedicine platform: the ability to use technology to communicate with a medical provider without having to be in the same room.  “We need to be able to connect with our patients when and how they need,” said Chief Clinical Officer Jodi Hibbard. “This is one […]

  • Bolton Takes Over at The Edge Salon

    Kari Bolton has purchased The Edge Salon in Fish Creek from its longtime owner, Dawn Berna-Donley.  Bolton got her start at The Edge as a receptionist in 2005 before working as a stylist in the Milwaukee area for 12 years. She eventually moved back to Door County and returned to The Edge in 2016. Berna-Donley […]

  • Corcoran Retiring After Six Decades in the Marine Business

    It may seem odd to find a large boat business and outboard motor shop several miles from any body of water. To customers and employees of Charlie Corcoran, it will be even more strange to see a “Closed” sign on Corcoran Marine between Sturgeon Bay and Brussels on Highway 57. He’s decided to retire after […]

  • The Rules of the Road: Cyclists and drivers both need education

    It’s that time of year again when complaining about cyclists becomes one of Door County’s favorite pastimes. The animosity between drivers and cyclists is always there, but it reaches a peak in September, when two large cycling events take place in Door County. There’s the 3,000-person Door County Century Ride, which took place last weekend […]

  • Fall in Love with Fall

    There’s a nip in the air and a hint of color in the trees. My latte has been spiced with pumpkin. Autumn is here. I know some are still clinging to summer with everything they’ve got, but Sturgeon Bay is celebrating the harvest this weekend, and who am I to argue? September and October are […]

  • It’s Not Too Late to Ride

    On-site registration is available for Peninsula Century Fall Challenge “You may delay, but time will not.” — Benjamin Franklin Benjamin Franklin may have a point, but you still have two more chances to join the Peninsula Century Fall Challenge on Sept. 18. Register in person Friday, Sept. 17, 4-7 pm; or on race day, Sept. […]

  • Sister Bay to Host Inaugural Christkindlmarkt

    This holiday season, the Sister Bay Historical Society will host Door County’s first Christkindlmarkt, or Christmas market, with support from a Wisconsin Department of Tourism Joint Effort Marketing grant.  The Christkindlmarkt Door County (doorcountychristmasmarket.com) – scheduled to be open Nov. 26-28, Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 10-12 at the Corner of the Past Museum – will showcase vendors […]

  • Crossroads Adds Little Free Library

    The Junior Nature Club is a new, free, outdoor activity that Crossroads at Big Creek is trying this fall. Children aged 3-6, their siblings and parents are all welcome. The first gathering will be Sept. 17, 10 am. Crossroads has also added a Little Free Library that’s stocked with nature guides, bird books, tree-identification keys, […]

  • Nickolas Butler Headlines Write On Gala

    The Write On, Door County dream has become a reality thanks to the dedication of early and ongoing supporters. Join the organization to celebrate the completion of its writing center and continued growth during the Write On Gala on Thursday, Sept. 23. The evening will start with cocktails and conversation at 5:30 pm; dinner will […]

  • Obituary: Mae Anna Williamson

    May 30, 1926 ~ September 8, 2021 Mae Anna Williamson, 95, of Washington Island, died late Wednesday night, September 8, 2021 at Autumn’s Promise Assisted Living in Green Bay. She was born May 30, 1926 in Savage, MT the daughter of Francisco and Genoveva (Torres) Silva, who were direct descendants of the original 32 Spanish […]

  • Obituary: Darlene S. (Gillick) Krauel

    February 4, 1948 ~ September 12, 2021 Darlene S. Krauel, 73, of Carlsville, Sturgeon Bay, died early Sunday morning, September 12, 2021, at St. Vincent Hospital following unexpected complications from surgery three weeks prior. She was born February 4, 1948, in Sturgeon Bay the daughter of the late Verner and Jeanette (Pigeon) Gillick.  Darlene attended […]

  • Obituary: Lester F. Berns

    June 1, 1918~September 12, 2021 Lester F. Berns Sr., 103, died on Sunday September 12, 2021. Born June 1, 1918 in Sister Bay to William and Leona (Bunda) Berns, Lester was a loved and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; an accomplished musician; a consummate storyteller; and a devoted member of his church and community. Lester […]

  • Obituary: Noel Anthony Helle

    January 3, 1950 ~ September 3, 2020 Noel Anthony Helle, 70, of Odessa, Florida, passed away in Florida on September 3, 2020, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Chicago on January 3, 1950. He graduated from Lane Technical High School in Chicago in 1968 and immediately enlisted in the United States […]

  • Obituary: Myrtle N. Felhofer

    Oct. 31, 1920 – Sept. 11, 2021 Myrtle N. Felhofer, 100, of Sturgeon Bay, died at Pine Crest Village. She was born in the Town of Egg Harbor to Charles and Ella (Graf) Martens. In 1944, she married Wallace “Bud” Felhofer; he died Jan. 26, 2003. Myrtle was a 1938 graduate of Sturgeon Bay High School and […]

  • Sister Bay on Hunt for New Administrator After Bernhoft Takes Little Chute Position

    Beau Bernhoft resigned as Sister Bay Village Administrator Friday to take a new position as administrator in Little Chute, Wisconsin.  “As an administrator, Little Chute is the logical next step to growing in my professional career,” Bernhoft said in a statement sent to Peninsula Pulse. “The community is growing exponentially and is in a very […]

  • Obituary: Verna Elizabeth Sperber

    May 31, 2021 – Sept. 9, 2021 Verna Elizabeth Sperber (Wierschke), 96, of Sturgeon Bay died in Green Bay. She was born in Algoma to Fred and Anna Wierschke. As a young girl, she attended school in Algoma and graduated from Algoma High School. She married Willard “Bill” Sperber on June 24, 1944; he died May 11, […]

  • Obituary: Patricia Ann “Patty” (Soberski) Poling

    Dec. 31, 1961 – April 7, 2021 Patricia Ann Poling, “Patty” to all who knew and loved her, of Missouri City, Texas, died at the age of 59. She was born on New Year’s Eve in 1961 in Park Ridge, Illinois, the sixth of (eventually) seven children of George Aloysius Soberski and Charlotte Magdalene (Wasicki) […]

  • Obituary: Evelyn Rita (Massart) Havel

    April 8, 1939 – Sept. 7, 2021 Evelyn Rita (Massart) Havel, 82, of Sturgeon Bay, died at Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay. She was born on the family farm in Rosiere to Louie and Agnes (Stache) Massart. Evelyn graduated from Casco High School in 1956. It was there that she met the love […]