Oct. 2 – 9

• During the months of May, June and July 2009, Door County residents saved more on their prescriptions using the FamilyWize Prescription Drug Discount Card than residents in any other participating county in Wisconsin.

“This comparison is not a per capita comparison – our population of 27,000 people saved three times more on prescription drugs than Brown County with a population of more than 227,000,” said Christine Salmon, Community Relations Director for United Way of Door County. Door County residents also saved more than Milwaukee and Dane Counties, with populations of more than 950,000 and 476,000 respectively.

Even if an individual has health insurance, he or she may be eligible for bigger discounts with the FamilyWize prescription drug discount card being distributed by United Way of Door County. The card is free and there are no enrollment fees. There are also no income or age restrictions and the card can be used as often as needed until the year 2012, when replacement cards will be made available.

For further information or to have cards mailed to you, please contact United Way of Door County at 920.746.9645 or [email protected].

• American Folklore Theatre (AFT) is pleased to announce that they have received a Creation and Presentation Grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board. This is the second year the grant was awarded to AFT, which received a 36 percent increase in their allocation from last year and will be awarded the same amount in 2010.

The funds will help support AFT’s mission – the creation and presentation of original musical shows that are family appropriate. In 2009 AFT produced three world premieres, Cheeseheads, the Musical; Sunset & S’mores; and the current hit playing to sold-out audiences, Guys & Does. Over 45,000 patrons will enjoy AFT productions this season.

For additional information, contact the AFT office at 920.854.6117 or visit http://www.FolkloreTheatre.com.

• Door County residents will have the opportunity to hear about the “Current Status of Health Care Reform” at a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Door County (LWVDC) on Saturday, October 24, 10 – 11:30 am, at the Paul J. Bertschinger Community Center in Egg Harbor.

Melanie Ramey, President, Wisconsin League of Women Voters, and Director, HOPE of Wisconsin, will lead the discussion and a panel of Door County agency representatives will discuss the agencies and the needs of their clients related to health care reform. As time allows, there will be questions and answers and discussion.

Registration will take place and refreshments served at 9:30 am. Pre-registration is not required, but would be appreciated for preparation of handouts. Contact Shirley Senarighi at [email protected] or 920.743.1691.

• The Door County YMCA and the Parish Nurses Network of Door County will be holding their annual Community Health Fair at the Door County YMCA, Sturgeon Bay Program Center, on Tuesday, October 27 from 8:30 am – 1 pm.

The Community Health Fair is free and open to the public with information for all ages to learn more about health needs and tips for taking care of current health concerns. Dozens of local businesses will be on hand to share health-related information and offer interactive free screenings throughout the day including, breast cancer risk assessment, lasik screening, hearing tests, blood glucose, bone density and blood pressure screenings and foot massages. Appointments for skin cancer and prostate screenings are also available free of charge. Contact the Door County YMCA at 920.743.4949 to schedule an appointment.

Aurora Healthcare will be holding a “Shoo the Flu” flu shot clinic during the health fair with flu shots for $30 and pneumonia shots for $45. Also, anyone who joins the Door County YMCA on the day of the Community Health Fair will receive 50 percent off the joining fee. The Community Health Fair is sponsored by Aurora Health Care and Bay Pharmacy. For more information on the Community Health Fair contact the Door County YMCA in Sturgeon Bay at 920.743.4949.

• The collection of filled shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child – also known as Christmas in a Shoebox – will be held both locally and nationally November 16 – 22. The program distributes the shoebox gifts to over 100 countries around the world.

The First Baptist Church of Sturgeon Bay is a relay center for the program, collecting over 1,000 boxes in 2008 and hoping to collect 1,100 in 2009. The church, located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Georgia Street, will be open for relay November 16 – 22 from 3 – 5 pm Monday through Friday and 1 – 3 pm Saturday and Sunday.

Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to fill a standard size shoebox for a girl or a boy in one age category (two – four years, five to nine years, or 10 – 14 years). Appropriate items for the boxes include school supplies, hygiene items, toys, flashlights with extra batteries, hard candy/gum in a Ziploc bag, and clothes – such as a t-shirt or socks.

The following items are not allowed in the boxes – which travel in extreme heat or cold: liquids, perishables, glass, items that melt, war related items or used items.

Add $7 or more (make checks to Samaritan’s Purse) to cover shipping costs or pay online at http://www.samaritanspurse.org and track the box around the world.

For more information, contact Pamela Parks at 920.825.1104 or visit the Samaritan’s Purse Web site to order free materials for your church, civic group, youth organization or family.