Category: Perspectives

Originally published in issue v12i05 (March 2006) The roar had become deafening. By the end of the fall semester at UW-Green Bay, I was ending my hour and a half commute from Sister Bay with a droning headache.

Many people are witnessing a “finch winter” in Door County, and throughout much of the state, such as they’ve never experienced before. Thousands of American Goldfinches, Pine Siskins and a smaller number of Common Redpolls are coming to feeders and are also being seen feasting on their preferred wild foods.

A bit of etiquette advice…

An etiquette tip…

My wife and I felt environmentally responsible when we purchased our 2007 Honda Civic hybrid automobile. But at 30,000 miles when we needed to outfit our fuel-efficient car with a fourth set of tires, we were feeling anything but green.

March 9 marks the anniversary of the birth of Amerigo Vespucci. Born in 1454, most likely in Florence, Vespucci was an explorer of some fame during his lifetime, though as time progressed and other explorers emerged on the scene, his achievements fell considerably behind many of his contemporaries.

“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.

How pleasant it has been creating and maintaining a wildlife oasis in our front yard over the past 27 years. What began as a small spot containing a few year-around bird feeders has gradually grown to an area roughly 25’x 40’containing many annual and perennial flowers during the growing season, and nine different bird feeders and a bird bath which are stocked with food and water all year.

A few weeks before Christmas, the 60 Minutes television program on CBS aired a segment entitled, “A Second Mortgage Disaster on the Horizon?” If you didn’t see the program you can read it and/or view it on the Internet.

“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. Dr. Steiner holds a Ph.D. in Applied Social Psychology. In […]

A bit of advice on cell phone etiquette.

There are times when living along the Door Peninsula can seem isolated. For those of us who live north of the canal, or for that matter north of the peninsula’s tip on Washington Island, it’s easy to feel detached from the world-at-large; however, 2008 at the Pulse was refreshing in the fact that we had a number of contributors who shared their journeys to far off lands.

A great discovery highlighted the year in maritime news.

“Why Is It…?” was designed by Dr. Steiner to address readers’ questions about human behavior from a social psychological perspective.

Dear Mary Pat, I just joined a gym to get a head start on my fitness goals for the New Year. Is there such a thing as gym etiquette? I have witnessed a couple of questionable situations. What advice can you offer? Signed, Pumped Up Gills Rock, WI Dear Pumped Up, Thank you for your […]

The nation-wide Christmas Bird Counts (CBC’s) are now in progress, the count period being Dec.14 – Jan. 4. Occasionally those who feed and watch birds report some highly unusual species at this time.

During the post civil war expansion period on the Great Lakes, inter-coastal trading was one of the earliest forms of getting produce and merchandise between ports in Door and surrounding counties.

Can you imagine going to cut your Christmas tree in a forest that has remained virtually untouched for the past 10,000 years?

[NOTE: For this issue I offer an assortment of holiday trivia and fact for you to share with friends at whatever gathering you might be attending.] • Franklin Pierce was the first United States President to decorate an official White House Christmas Tree. • For every real Christmas tree harvested, two to three seedlings are […]

“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.