Judith Kalb: Growing a Living Out of Stone

Judith Kalb first visited Door County on a rainy May weekend in 1980. She decided then and there that the place she lived was going to play a more important role in her life than the career she pursued. “Door County felt immediately like home,” she recalls, “but I knew I was going to have to be resourceful and do a lot of odd jobs to make it mine.”

When Judith moved to Fish Creek later that summer, she brought a woodworking business with her. She laughs, “There was a recession going on and I thought my business might close. This looked like as good a place as any to close a business and make a fresh start!”

Photo by Suzi Hass.

The business, Up a Tree, didn’t fail, and for many years she made and sold signature, artistic, handcrafted toys and other wooden items. She needed to supplement her income, however, and did what many self-employed people do — she took a job waitressing at the White Gull Inn. “Door County is a good place for cottage industries. Service jobs are available to supplement your dream job.”

Over the years, the litany of side jobs Judith’s done in addition to waitressing is impressive and may be familiar to those who struggle to eke out a living in a seasonal, tourist-driven economy. She describes herself as a worker bee.

“If people had an odd job, they’d call me. When Edgewood Orchard held its annual pig roast event, I coordinated the kitchen. When the Cupola House in Egg Harbor was being remodeled, I slung a hammer there. I did childcare. I watched my neighbors’ houses and fed their cats and dogs. I catered. I served on the town board.”

Judith currently teaches yoga and runs a flourishing massage therapy practice. She describes this chapter of life as a good fit for her. “I was starting to feel like my mind was atrophying. I love to learn and, with this career, I can take classes the rest of my life if I want to.”

Through tenacity, creativity and just plain hard work, Judith has succeeded in creating a life in Door County. She bought property, built a small home and a detached studio, and has established a retirement fund. She admits, however, that it hasn’t always been easy. “I think that the people here reflect the county’s unique ecology. They grow out of rock,” she says, comparing her friends and neighbors to the ubiquitous cedar trees that seem to thrive on Door County’s thin soil. “People have to struggle like the plants do, but this kind of environment produces real gems, too, like the rare orchids Door County is known for.”

The interesting people and thriving arts community are what first attracted Judith to Door County. She’s questioned that decision in recent years when the influx of young people seemed particularly low. She states unequivocally, “I never intended to live in a retirement community!”

She has been more encouraged lately by changes taking place. “I attended an art school event not long ago and saw more multi-generational families than I’m used to seeing. There seems to be a burgeoning of new energy in Door County, more new businesses, more 20 and 30-somethings. It’s a tenuous situation, but I’m feeling optimistic.”

All told, Judith is sanguine about her decision to cobble together a life in Door County. “If I had gone to any other small town, I’m not sure it would have worked out as well. There are so many characters here, so much culture. The author Michael Perry jokes that the farther north you get, the crazier people are and he may be right!” She pauses, “It takes people with a certain amount of inner resources to live here, but it makes for an interesting life.”