Quick Notes

• The Door County Community Foundation announced that it is inviting local charities to submit applications for financial support from the Community Foundation’s Environmental Fund. Thanks to the generosity of both year-round and seasonal residents, the Community Foundation also offers grants to charities out of its Arts Fund, Health and Human Needs Fund, Lifelong Education Fund, Children and Youth Fund and many others. The Community Foundation welcomes applications from traditional environmental organizations that are working to sustain and preserve our environment. However, it also encourages non-environmental charities to bring forth ideas on how they might incorporate an environmentally conscious perspective into their work. Applications are available online at http://www.doorcountycommunityfoundation.org. Applications and all supporting materials must be received by September 22.

• The 49th Annual House & Garden Walk was a success, hosting almost 1,300 people from all over Wisconsin and Illinois, and netting approximately $40,000, all of which goes to the Door County Memorial Hospital’s Inpatient Services & Emergency Department addition. The Door County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary wishes to thank all those who contributed to the success of the event, from the numerous volunteers, to the generous homeowners, to sponsors and the press. Everyone is encouraged to mark their calendars for next year’s walk on Tuesday, July 27, 2010.

• Ephraim Historical Foundation’s new Archival Resource Center features a new brick walkway at its north entrance. Titled “A Pathway to History,” the walkway commemorates Helen Sohns and Warren Davis, founders of the Ephraim Historical Foundation. Ephraim residents and supporters can be part of this tangible, long-lasting tribute as well. The engraved, tan-colored 4” x 8” bricks are available for sale at the Ephraim Historical Foundation office. Over 42 bricks have been ordered from the available 1,000 bricks since board members Don Nelson and Doug Schultz initiated the campaign over a month ago. For more information on the memorial walkway, please call the Foundation office at 920.854.9688, or email the foundation at [email protected].

Photo by Thomas Gaertner

• Neighbor-to-Neighbor Volunteer Caregivers of Door County is sponsoring the first Door County Rib Fest, Saturday, October 3, 4 – 8 pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Cooks are needed to compete for the title of Best Ribs in Door County. Restaurants and citizens are invited to share their winning ribs with the general public. Community members are invited to taste the submissions and vote for their favorite in each category. Tickets for the event are $15 a person and include rib samples, coleslaw, baked beans and roll. Trophies will be awarded to the winner in each division. A DJ and silent auction will also be part of the evening. For an entry form, please contact Jan Scoville, Executive Director at 743.7800.

• The Wisconsin Speleological Society (WSS) is pleased to host an educational presentation about the safety of Door County’s drinking water. On Saturday, August 15, 11 am, Brian Forest, Conservationist with the Door County Soil & Water Conservation Department, will discuss the unique geology of the Door Peninsula and illuminate the sensitive nature of the peninsula’s drinking water aquifer. A combination of natural attributes provides Door County with an environment that is highly susceptible to contamination from surface activities. Forest’s presentation will take place in the Jane Greene Room on the second floor of the Sturgeon Bay Library, 107 S. 4th Avenue, Sturgeon Bay. Please call Bob Bultman 920.421.CAVE (2283) with questions.

• On Saturday, August 15, the Wisconsin Speleological Society is offering the rare opportunity for guided trips to local caves, some of which are on private property and not generally open to the public. Individuals interested in learning about the unique geology of Door County first hand should meet at Murphy County Park, 7119 County G at 1:30 pm.  

Attendees must bring three independent sources of light with fresh batteries. Cave environments in Wisconsin are cool and damp, and encountering mud and water is to be expected. Door County caves are typically small. Crawling, some climbing and stoop walking are the norm. Coveralls or other outer shell layer of clothing is recommended. Sturdy footwear, gloves, helmet, kneepads and water/snacks will help make the experience more enjoyable. Child/Senior friendly options are available.

To ensure proper preparation, phone calls are encouraged. Please call Bob Bultman at 920.421.CAVE (2283).

• The entire community is invited to join the Door County YMCA in August and “Pay the Day.” The joining fee to become a member of the Y will equal the day the entire month of August.

For example, anyone who joins August 7 will pay $7 or $8 if joining on August 8. Pay the Day will continue through August 31. This is an opportunity for people to take advantage of savings of up to $79 off the YMCA joining fee and get their post-summer routine going earlier. For more information on “Pay the Day” contact the YMCA at 920.743.4949 in Sturgeon Bay or 920.868.3660 in Northern Door.

• Habitat for Humanity of Door County will soon have a new home for all of its operations. By the end of the year, Habitat will be located at 410 North 14th Avenue in Sturgeon Bay, thanks to a significant contribution by the previous property owner, Allen and JoAnn Schley. The new location will bring together Habitat’s offices, storage/warehouse facilities and a brand new ReStore, which will be open by April 2010.

The ReStore, the first in Door County, will be open to the public and sell a variety of great quality used building and home improvement products such as building supplies, furniture and appliances at a fraction of retail prices. When guests shop at or donate materials to the ReStore, they help build a family’s home and reduce the amount of materials sent to the local landfill.

For more information, please call 920.743.2869 or visit http://www.doorhabitat.com.

• Thanks to a federal grant through HUD’s SHOP program, 3.32 acres of land will enable Habitat for Humanity to bring five more affordable homes to Door County. Habitat for Humanity of Door County was recently awarded a $60,000 grant to purchase the land that was recently owned by Door County Skate on Leeward Street between Shiloh and Neenah. The grant was part of HUD’s SHOP (Self Help Home Ownership Program) which is designed to support the creation of affordable housing. SHOP provides funds for eligible national and regional non-profit organizations and consortia to purchase home sites and develop or improve the infrastructure needed to set the stage for sweat equity and volunteer-based homeownership programs. For more information, call 920.743.2869, or visit http://www.doorhabitat.com.

• In an effort to urge first‐time home buyers into the market, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) is making $5,000 down payment assistance grants available to 31 income-qualifying households in rural Wisconsin.

The grants, once available only to buyers using a WHEDA loan, are now available through any WHEDA‐approved lender in conjunction with conventional loan programs in 50 rural counties in Wisconsin.

The $5,000 grants are available on a first‐time, first‐serve basis and can be used to help cover down payment, closing costs, home buyer education and counseling expenses. To find out if you are eligible to receive down payment assistance in your area visit WHEDA on the Web at http://www.wheda.com. For more information call 800.334.6873.