In this issue
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Staff Reflections: Peninsula Pulse – The Paper in Your Hands
The other day I was idly wondering what Door County would be like if there was no Peninsula Pulse. If you join me in this speculation, I’m sure that all of you would lament the loss of the county’s most entertaining and informative publication.
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Staff Reflections: Clarifying Health Care with a Trip to the Vet
Our dog’s eyes were sunken, her walk pained, and she had thrown up all over the house. I called the veterinarian, but on a Saturday afternoon it was going to cost $90 just to walk in the door; so, my girlfriend and I pushed our luck and hoped Jeff (our dog, a girl, long story) would be better in the morning.
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Staff Reflections: Beet Salad Re-defined
When I learned that Pam Murphy, a Door County artist was raising her own fruits and vegetables as well as her own goats, rabbits, and ducks in an attempt to eat as locally as possible, I was very intrigued – but also, admittedly, a little skeptical.
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Staff Reflections: Far-Flung in ‘09
If I had to point to two themes of my life in 2009 – and I do, since our editorial staff dreamed up this exercise! – they would have to be travelling and reconnecting with friends and family.
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Staff Reflections: A Sunday Afternoon in August
It only took 15 minutes to put the kayaks on top of the Jeep and just 10 minutes to get to Sister Bay’s kayak launch. We had a short trip planned: just out of Sister Bay, around the corner, onto Pebble Beach at Fred & Fuzzy’s, and back.
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Staff Reflections: Welcoming the Heavy Arm of the Law
In the year of the H1N1 hysteria, I was thrilled to learn this past May that the SB181 had come to Wisconsin. No, this is not another code name for a flu associated with an animal, but a piece of Wisconsin legislation signed by our Governor Doyle better known as the Smoke Free Wisconsin Bill.
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Staff Reflections: 2009: Work Hard, Play Hard
While I’ve always tried to abide by the Door County mantra – work hard, play hard – 2009 seemed to be the year I’d realize what this really means. No, I didn’t make an extra effort to foray into the late-night bar scene, rather I attempted my first triathlon.
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In seven years, we've got a whole new body. – Li-Young Lee, Breaking the Alabaster Jar
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From Saturday Nights at the Crystal Ball
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A Review: Door County’s Islands
The string of very good Burton books remains unbroken. It continues intact with Door County’s Islands, the fifth contribution to the Door County bookshelf from this prolific husband and wife writing team.
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In the last year we have had a group of quality writers contributing reviews for publication in the literature section.
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He marched into her classroom with that air of confidence particular to ten-year-old males. After two decades in Room 106 – 4th grade she could detect it.
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When thinking back over the poetry that we printed last year, the first item that comes to mind is the still lingering effect of Sharon Auberle’s stunning volume of poems remembering her parents, Saturday Nights at the Crystal Ball, Cross+Roads Press # 31.
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2009 Hal Grutzmacher’s Writers’ Exposé and Photography Jubilee Results
Prose First Place: “The Visit” by Gary Jones Second Place: “Interstate Clarity” by Joe Gozdowiak Third Place: “Vern’s” by R.M. Hunt Honorable Mention: “Other People’s Children” by Judy Drew “Fishing Buddies” by Chuck Gress “The Dogrunner” by Gary Jones “After a Death” by John A. Maloney Poetry First Place: “Miscarriage” by Katie Schnorr Second Place: […]
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My grandfather Eugene Fletcher, like the man he was, reduced Christmas to its essence. Being a humble man didn't mean to reduce Christmas to its essence, but he did it anyway.
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As in the past, we continue to seek contributions of literary essay for inclusion in the literature pages. Literary essay can take many forms, and we have been fortunate to have some great variation from the writers we have featured.
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If we think of a year’s worth of publication as a diamond the size of an iceberg, space allows us to mention only the very tip of such a splendiferous gem.
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Dear Mary Pat, I can’t seem to get my act together when it comes to my Christmas cards. Every year (usually as early as mid-November) I search for the perfect box of cards.
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Server of the Week: Jake Samuels
Congratulations to Jake Samuels! In the town of Fish, There’s a great bartender, Who’ll grant your wish, Regardless of your gender. He’s a whiz behind the bar, And he’s always ready with a joke, Whether you’re there for a soda or a sidecar He’ll make you cheer, “Golly! What a nice bloke!” So this holiday […]
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Capricorn (December 22 – January 19): Create a New Year’s resolution that will diminish but not eliminate the joy of acting like a valley girl. Aquarius (January 20 – February 18): Pat your self on the back for a job well done, then slap yourself on the wrist for patting your self on the back. […]
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Jeanne Kuhns and George Sawyn, who will be performing at the Door Community Auditorium on Dec. 23, also announce the release of their new Christmas CD, My Christmas Day.
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Wisconsin State Legislature For refusing once again to bring Wisconsin’s drunk driving penalties anywhere close to the severity of the rest of the nation’s laws.
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Al Johnson and Earl Willems Al Johnson’s restaurant celebrated 60 years of serving pancakes and providing good jobs, and the bowling lanes Earl Willems installed at the Sister Bay Bowl 50 years ago gave residents another winter with something to do in Sister Bay.
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First Concert a Success Despite Snowstorm
Wednesday Dec. 9 will go down in history at the Holiday Music Motel: Jackson Browne makes it through the biggest snowstorm since 1990 to perform for 42 people in an intimate acoustic house concert – the first ever at the Holiday Music Motel.
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Tickets Now On Sale for “Home for the Holidays with AFT’”
Local musical favorites Doc Heide and Eric Lewis will be featured in "Home for the Holidays," a special winter concert show presented by American Folklore Theatre (AFT) during New Year's Week.
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Bodenberg Reversible Jewelry Available at Santa Fe Shop
Lynn and Don Bodenberg have been producing quality jewelry since 1989. The jewelry features sterling silver with gemstones, mother of pearl, coral and crystals.
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Turned Wood Creations on Display at Craft Cottage
The Jacksonport Craft Cottage is pleased to welcome the outstanding work of Jeff Gasper into their collection fine arts and crafts. Gasper uses different types of native wood – black walnut, box elder, oak and maple – to create his one-of-a-kind turned vases, bowls and goblets.
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Door County Humane Society’s Featured Pets of ‘09
Throughout the course of 2009, the Pulse has been highlighting animals at the Door County Humane Society that are in need of new homes. At press time for this issue, 16 dogs, 7 puppies and 13 cats that graced the pages of this newspaper thus far in 2009 have found homes.
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Many of the county’s artists are busy creating new work during the “off-season,” and Judi Ekholm is no exception. “The Time in Between” is one of Ekholm’s new oil paintings on linen.
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Alcoholics Anonymous & Al-Anon 800.746.0901 or 920.746.0900 www.aadoorcounty.org The local chapter offers 20 meetings throughout the week at various times and locations throughout Door & Kewaunee Counties.
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• The State of Wisconsin has changed its guidelines for who is eligible to receive the H1N1 vaccine. The vaccine is now available free-of-charge to the general public.
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Public Invited to Make SOUP! Bowls
Peninsula School of Art is inviting everyone to hand-build or decorate ceramic bowls for the fourth annual SOUP! project during Saturday Family Art Days on January 2 and January 16, from 10 am – 2 pm.
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Weekly Snowshoe Hikes Offered at Ridges Sanctuary
Snowshoeing is a great way to explore Door County in winter, and burn off some of those extra holiday calories. Starting on January 8, The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor will sponsor weekly, guided Snowshoe Hikes.
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Still Time to Register for The Clearing’s Winter Program Classes
Registration continues for The Clearing Folk School’s Winter Program classes, which start Monday, January 4 and end Friday, February 26. Over 100 day-classes are offered this year.
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The Washington Island Bucks boys basketball team is back strong this year. The team defeated the Sevastopol junior varsity team Dec. 5, then defeated the Twin City Eagles home school team from the Marinette and Menominee area.
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GIBRALTAR VARSITY ATHLETICS • Gibraltar Girls Basketball Jan. 5, @ Sturgeon Bay, 7:30 pm Jan. 8, @ Kewaunee, 7:30 pm • Gibraltar Boys Basketball Dec. 28 – 29, @ Lena Holiday Tournament, TBA Jan.
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T. Ashwell’s Announces New Years Eve Menu and Entertainment
T.Ashwell’s in Ellison Bay is pleased to present its 2009 New Years Eve Menu and entertainment schedule. The decadent menu includes five courses and represents a just a small taste of the culinary stylings of Thomas Ashwell Smith.
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Jacksonport Polar Bear Club 24th Annual Plunge
The Jacksonport Polar Bear Club’s 24th Annual Plunge into Lake Michigan is just around the corner. On New Year’s Day at precisely noon, folks with polar bear tendencies are invited to take the plunge at Lakeside Park in Jacksonport, and everyone is invited to watch the festivities.
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Crossroads Presents Opportunities for Bird Enthusiasts
On Saturday, December 19, Crossroads at Big Creek will take part in the annual Sturgeon Bay Christmas Bird Count, helping local birders get involved in the 110-year-old tradition in which bird watchers and scientists, families and individuals throughout North America take a day out of the busy holiday season to count all of the birds they see in an assigned area.
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Thomas Blackwood – A Life in the Park
“How does a kid from the south side of Milwaukee wind up managing a park in Northern Wisconsin?” Peninsula State Park Superintendent Thomas Blackwood laughed.
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• Liberty Grove officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the newly renovated town hall on Old Stage Road Dec. 16. With a handful of board members and employees in attendance, longtime clerk Bud Kalms and former Chairman Bill Casey cut the ribbon, opening the doors to the new hall.
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• The joint Egg Harbor Town and Village meeting to discuss the Egg Harbor Fire Department and Fire Station Number 1, originally scheduled for Dec. 9, was cancelled due to a snowstorm.
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Arni Richter (Feb. 5, 1911 – Dec. 13, 2009)
Moonlight reflected from fresh fallen snow as Four ferries danced in the wind at their island moorings, Steel fenders grinding on heavy Rubber cushions, groaning against the pier’s face.
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It’s always rewarding and informative to look back at the year that was in this issue, but it’s also time to get a jump on the issues and debates that will enliven, and frustrate, in the year ahead.
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A Look at the Door County Decade in Numbers
1,467 The combined enrollment of Sevastopol, Gibraltar, Southern Door and Sturgeon Bay high schools in 2000 1,269 The combined enrollment of the four high schools in 2009, a drop of 198 students 202 The current high school enrollment of Gibraltar, the smallest in the county 27,961 The Door County population in 2000 27,771 The estimated Door County population as of 2008, a drop of 0.
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Marina Projects Stirred Emotions in Northern Door
If you thought the only places to find pouting, walk-outs and shouting in 2009 were the school playground or a health care forum, you didn’t make it to any of the marina discussions in Egg Harbor or Gills Rock.
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Economy On Minds Throughout 2009
When 2009 began the nation was reeling from an economic collapse that had everyone focused on Wall Street. But on the isolated shores of Door County, business owners and their employees wondered how the collapse would trickle down to peninsula cash registers.
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In our third annual Sustainability Issue, we looked at the possibility of taking Door County off the power grid with a dream scenario of providing all of its own energy.
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Sustainability Fair Expanded Scope in 2009
The second annual Door County Sustainability Fair moved to the Door Community Auditorium and broadened its scope to include an array of distinguished speakers.
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Incentives Stimulate Green Investments
Sustainable technologies received a boost in 2009 thanks to new financial incentives included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Though at year’s end the United States didn’t see the massive boost of green jobs many had hoped for, the incentives did spur millions of Americans to reinsulated homes, install solar panels, and build new homes more energy efficient.
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"It is all about keeping the wealth in the community that creates it. What happens today is so much of the wealth gets transferred out…Wouldn't it be better if we could give it to your local farmers? It seems to me like that would make sense.
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Great Lakes Study Attracted Controversy
The final report on the impact of 1962 St. Clair River dredging on Great Lakes water levels was released Dec. 15, the culmination of a year of controversy over the study’s preliminary findings that sited climate, not dredging, as the culprit for declining lake levels.
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Door County has come a long way since its beaches first came under scrutiny after a contamination incident at Nicolet Bay Beach in 2002. A pro-active effort to find the cause of the contamination events traced the problem to storm water runoff.
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that my husband doesn’t tell me he loves me as much as I tell him?
"Why Is It…?" was designed by Dr. Steiner to address readers' questions about human behavior from a social psychological perspective in order to inform and stimulate dialogue about the ways in which our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are influenced by the presence of other people.
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Article posted Tuesday, December 22, 2009 11:54am
• A few women tennis players yell out a loud grunt, or UH!, when they hit the ball. Maria Sharapova may be the loudest of all, for her forehand shrieks have been measured at 101 decibels, about as loud as a jackhammer.
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• A "ribbon" cutting was held the afternoon of Wednesday, December 16 to officially open the new and remodeled Town Hall and offices. Janet, Bud and Bill Casey did the honors of cutting the bright red ribbon.
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It’s nearly Christmas, a time when nature shares its own array of sights and aromas of the season. Surely these include the brisk, outdoor-perfumed Balsam Fir trees so common in the North Woods, their lovely spire shapes often decorated with glistening snow.
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C&C to Re-open as Cooper’s Corner
An architectural rendering of the plans for the C&C Supper Club building in Fish Creek shows major changes for the landmark location. Bob Pollman, owner of the Door Peninsula Winery, bought the property in November, which is being remodeled and will re-open as Cooper’s Corner in May.
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Business News Dec. 23 – Jan. 8
• The Door County Home Builders Association (DCHBA) elected new members to its board of directors Dec. 10. The 2010 officers were installed by Doug Scott, president of the Wisconsin Builders Association, Madison, during the DCHBA annual membership meeting in Sturgeon Bay.
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One of the great things about the Holiday Season is the innumerable and varied traditions this time of year brings. These traditions can be within one’s family, within one’s region, or within one’s country.
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What Happened to Fixing Things?
Somewhere along the line we got away from fixing things. I'm not sure exactly when, but it seems that it was around the mid-90s that I started to hear the phrase "it's cheaper to buy a new one" all the
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There wasn't much hype this week as the Packers and Bears prepared to face each other for the 180th time, kind of sad for a rivalry which once brought so much excitement in otherwise dismal Packer seasons. I
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Publisher Norbert Blei introduced Dick Purinton to an attentive audience at the Sister Bay Public Library on Saturday, December 5.
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In preparation for The Big Read Door County 2010, free copies of the book My Antonia by Willa Cather are available at Door County libraries, gifts of the Friends of Door County Libraries.
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Art Gallery Calls for Creative Writers
Gallery 42 is putting out the call for creative writers of all ages to use Tim Nyberg's "Story Starters" series of paintings as inspiration for short stories, poems and other literary forms.
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He woke up before the crowing of the rooster, something he hadn’t done in a long time. There was only one rooster left now, a strutting white leghorn with tan wings and black spots on his chest. John didn’t feel like waiting for the bird’s morning call though – he was wide-awake.
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The air in the inn was heavy with the odor of stale drink. A thick layer of smoke clung to the ceiling like brown algae. Dense yellow light from ancient gas lanterns streaked the room which was jammed with anxious customers murmuring in the murk.
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Candidates for next November’s elections are already lining up. Here’s an early look at major candidates. For a complete list of all candidates declared in all 2010 races visit http://elections.
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November in Door County No sunset cruise, no Cherry Train, No gentle, soft, refreshing rain; No trilliums, no daffodils, No biking up those long steep
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American Life in Poetry: Column 245
I love the way the following poem by Susie Patlove opens, with the little rooster trying to “be what he feels he must be.” This poet lives in Massachusetts, in a community called Windy Hill, which must be a very good place for chickens, too.
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Water-related Issues Keep Rising in Egg Harbor
Egg Harbor’s effort to rebuild its public beach to manage storm water runoff and mitigate E. coli contamination has hit a snag. A design error has left a large portion of storm water still running down the bluff and into the bay without running through one of the new biofilters.
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• Sturgeon Bay Mayor Tom Voegele announced that he will not run for another term. Voegele will finish his first term as mayor, which began when he won the election in April of 2007.
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• Sturgeon Bay’s West Side Food Co-op is hosting a meeting to discuss its future Dec. 16. The meeting will be at the Sturgeon Bay library from 6:30 – 7:30 pm and will focus on membership and how to fulfill member needs.
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Item #1: As I sit at the computer this morning, we are in the midst of the first blizzard of the winter (and, hopefully, last). And with the Holiday season now well underway, it seems appropriate that I write about that most perplexing of all Holiday mysteries: what in the world is wassailing? I should note, before I get too far along here, that the spelling I have chosen to use for the word wassail is the most commonly accepted version today.
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A Cold Silent Air The wind is silent But the windmill is turning Haunted winter wind No pine branch moving Ghostly windmill revolving In the still night air A knock on the door The cold air […]
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Server of the Week: Scottie Weborg
Congratulations to Scottie Weborg! The locals all know that if you need assistance, there’s one guy in Ephraim who’ll give you no resistance. His name is Scottie and he’s always lending a hand, whether it’s at the fire station or at Gibraltar Schools-land.
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Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21): Remember, Santa has been watching your every move, so he may have questions about what exactly that dance motion was.
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Neal and Leandra Featured in Concert at White Gull Inn
The Minneapolis-based duo of Neal Hagberg and Leandra Peak will perform at the White Gull Inn on Wednesday, December 16. Tickets for the 8 pm concert, the second in a series of six concerts this winter at the Fish Creek inn, are $15.
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Emerson Series Features Vocalist
Award-winning Soprano Alisa Jordheim will perform a recital of vocal music including works of Grieg in Norwegian and Sibelius in Swedish on Friday, Dec.
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Eli Mattson Comes “Home for the Holidays”
The Southern Door Community Auditorium is proud to bring Eli Mattson back “Home For The Holidays” for a live concert December 18 at 7:30 pm. Brought to international attention as second place winner on season three of America’s Got Talent, Mattson has fans spanning the globe begging for more music.
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A Christmas Opry in Door County
In the spirit of the old time Opry radio shows, when families would gather round the big RCA and listen to their favorite country stars perform on the Opry stage in front of a live audience, Door Jam Productions presents a Christmas Opry in Door County.
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Peninsula Chamber Singers Present Christmas Concert
The harmonious voices of the Peninsula Chamber Singers (PCS) will present their 2009 Christmas Concert series entitled, “The Many Moods of Christmas,” on Dec.
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A Renaissance Outreach from Midsummer’s Music Festival
Two of the musicians from the Chicago Early Music Consort will be giving five demonstrations of Renaissance period instruments to students at Door County area schools and in Green Bay.
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Hammered Dulcimer Takes Center Stage at Joe Jo’s
Hammered dulcimer master Phil Passen will be featured as part of the winter music series at Joe Jo's Pizza and Gelato in Ephraim on Friday, December 18, from 7 – 9 pm.
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Isadoora to Present Two Plays in Upcoming “Off Season”
Isadoora Theatre Company is proud to announce its eighth season of community theatre in Door County’s off season. Isadoora, the company that brought you last February’s hit She Loves Me at Birch Creek’s Juniper Hall, will this year present Neil Simon’s The Dinner Party, directed by Henry Timm; and Tina Howe’s Painting Churches, directed by John Wilson.
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“Christmas at the Door” Family Holiday Show at DCA
Presenting some of the peninsula’s most talented performing artists, “Christmas at the Door” features a delightful original musical variety show with entertainment for the entire family just in time for the holidays.
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‘Tis the Season for the Hagen Family Christmas Show
The Hagen Family returns to Third Avenue Playhouse for their annual Christmas concert on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at 7:30 pm. The harmonies, humorous presentation, wide variety of material and family values of this multi-generational group have made the Hagens favorites throughout the county and the state.
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“The Other Side of the Door” on Display at The Link
“The Other Side of the Door,” a sampling of 25 photos selected from hundreds of submissions in the United Way of Door County photographic project, is featured during the month of December in the Link Gallery at the Door Community Auditorium.
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Manhattan Art Show Features Local Artist
Bren Sibilsky, an Algoma-based sculptor, has been invited to participate in the “Art With A Heart” exhibition at Nadiya Jinnah’s Studio Gallery, 500 West 52 Street in Manhattan.
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Whitefish Dunes State Park Welcomes Winter Visitors
As the winter weather hits the peninsula and the holidays are around the corner, Whitefish Dunes State Park continues to offer visitors a splendor of activities.
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Movies That Matter Continue at UUF
A blend of art history and World War II will be featured in a free screening of Rape of Europa, the next film slated for the Movies That Matter Series on December 15 at 7 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (UUF), Ephraim.
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Ridges Sanctuary Sponsors Christmas Bird Count
Volunteer bird enthusiasts all over the country are gearing up for the annual Christmas Bird Count, sponsored by the National Audubon Society. The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor coordinates two local bird counts, the Ephraim and Northern Door Counts, which are scheduled for Saturday, December 19.
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Special Events Upcoming at Crossroads
The Friends of Crossroads have decked the halls of the Collins Learning Center and the Door County Historical Society has decorated the Historical Village at The Crossroads for the season.
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Winter Speaker Searies Launched at the Maritime Museum
The Door County Maritime Museum (DCMM) and Friends of the Maritime Museum launched their popular Winter Speakers Series on December 3 with a presentation by Bonnie Harmann on Gerhard Miller’s life and art.
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Santa Claus will be making a return visit to the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay this year to gather gift requests from area children. The jolly gent will welcome children aboard the tug John Purves, the museum’s 90-year-old in-water exhibit, from 10 am – 2 pm on Saturday, Dec.
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John McGivern Captures the Heart, Soul & Hilarity of Holidays in Winter Tales
Actor, comedian and master storyteller John McGivern brings his popular one-man show, Winter Tales, for its Door County premiere when he performs at Third Avenue Playhouse on December 11 – 13.