United Way of Door County Adds New Board Members

Sophie Nelson, one of four new United Way board members.

• United Way is pleased to announce the addition of Billy Kletzien to their Board of Directors. Kletzien is a graduate of Manitowoc Lincoln High School and UW-Madison, earning degrees in political science and economics. In 2007 he moved to Door County and is a Financial Advisor with Robert W. Baird & Co. in Sturgeon Bay.

In addition to his new responsibilities with United Way of Door County, he currently serves as the president of the University of Wisconsin Alumni Club of Door County and also volunteers for the Door County YMCA.

Also, after receiving applications from numerous qualified high school students, United Way of Door County board members voted on a policy to increase the number of youth members that can sit on their Board of Directors.

Gibraltar High School junior Sophie Nelson and Sturgeon Bay High School juniors Rebecca Fredrickson and David Tauber, Jr. were each elected to serve a one-year term. After their first term, they will be eligible to serve an additional year prior to graduating from high school.

All three students recognize the value of contributing to their community and making a positive impact in people’s lives.

“I would like to become more service-oriented,” said Tauber. “I think United Way is a great place to start because they provide financial assistance to so many charities in Door County.”

For more information and/or to learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact United Way of Door County at 920.746.9645 or visit http://www.unitedwaydc.com.

Gibraltar students modeled for the Gibraltar Historical Association’s “Tea and Fabric” event. (Left to right) Susan Foch, Courtney Demmin, Arianna Fearing, Kylei Struab, Nora Harris, Vivian Harris, Anya Kopischke, and fashion show coordinator, Karin Kopischke.

• The historic White Gull Inn served as the setting for an elegant afternoon of tea, fashions, and memories of a bygone era for the “Tea and Fabric Show.” The event was a collaboration of the Gibraltar Historical Association and students from Gibraltar School served as gracious models.

Karin Kopischke, a GHA Board member and well know costume designer arranged the presentation, which featured antique corsets, chemises, pettipants, and petticoats from1860 – 1910.

Because all 70 tickets for this show sold out, an encore Tea and Fabric Show is being planned in another historic setting and with a few additional fashion surprises. For more information call 920.868.2091 or visit http://www.historicnoblehouse.org.

• Mari McClelland, a senior at Southern Door High School in Brussels, recently took part in an Earthwatch research expedition in California to gather specimens for a 100-year database of plant data in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. McClelland’s expedition was funded by a grant from the Durfee Foundation.

From July 11 to July 25, McClelland joined eight other students from across the U.S. for the “Mapping Change in California’s Mountains” project. Rusty Russell, Collections Manager for the Botany Department of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, headed the research project.

McClelland and her fellow students utilized GPS technology and other equipment to locate, document, and collect specimens and prepare them for transport back to the United States National Herbarium. There the plants will be incorporated into the existing collection and used to document and study changes in species composition in the area over time.

For more information about Earthwatch, the world’s largest environmental nonprofit volunteer organization, visit http://www.earthwatch.org.

• National Preparedness Month is a month set-aside to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and communities. The Red Cross, among others, urges everyone to take steps now to be ready when emergencies happen.

“Being prepared today can save lives tomorrow,” said Steve Hansen, Regional Chapter Executive. “You are your best defense against emergencies. The Red Cross can show you what simple steps you need to take to prepare yourself and your loved ones for emergencies.”

There are three things families should do to be prepared – build an emergency preparedness kit, make a plan as to what to do in an emergency, and be informed about what resources are available in the community and what types of disasters could occur there.

Emergency preparedness kits should contain enough supplies for three days. The Red Cross also recommends having at least two weeks worth of supplies at home, including water, nonperishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra batteries, first aid kit, a 7-day supply of medications, a multi-purpose tool, sanitation and personal hygiene items, and copies of important personal documents.

For more information about local activities during National Preparedness Month, visit http://www.newredcross.org.

• The Sister Bay Advancement Association (SBAA) is launching a new program, the “Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Volunteer of the Year,” to recognize volunteers by awarding someone who has volunteered their time, skills, and expertise in the northern end of the peninsula.

The SBAA is sponsoring the award as a means to highlight the local organizations supported by volunteers and raise awareness of local volunteer opportunities.

“Our goal is to honor the people in these two communities who give their heart and soul toward helping the communities they live in be better places,” said Ron Kane, president of the SBAA. “A majority of volunteers give so much without ever receiving anything in return. This is our way of saying thanks, of recognizing the time, energy and selflessness of volunteers.”

The SBAA Board of Directors will review all nominations to select the recipient, based on descriptions of the nominee’s volunteer activities. The chosen volunteer will be announced at the 65th Annual Fall Fest during the Saturday morning parade on October 16, and will receive a unique piece of art created by a Sister Bay/Liberty Grove artist.

To be eligible for the award, nominees must have volunteered their time and services within the Village of Sister Bay or the Town of Liberty Grove, within the last year – from October 2009 through September 2010 – and must not have received monetary compensation.

For more information, or to fill out a nomination form, visit: http://www.sisterbaytourism.com, call 920.854.3230, or email: [email protected].

• The Ridges Sanctuary honored its invaluable volunteers at a reception Sunday, August 15 at the Peninsula School of Art in Fish Creek.

(Left to right) The Ridges Sanctuary volunteers of the year, George Cobb, Julie Knox, and Jane Whitney were presented colorful birds hand-crafted by Ridges’ volunteers.

The Ridges has an extraordinary corps of volunteer workers, who in the past year have donated more than 3,500 hours, doing everything from trail maintenance to stream monitoring, office work to invasive species control and a host of other tasks.

At the August 15 reception, The Ridges honored three people as “Volunteers of the Year” for their exceptional service.

George Cobb, who co-leads The Ridges’ signature Saturday morning Discovery Bird Hikes, works weekly on the buildings and grounds with the Wednesday Crew and helps organize the annual Ridges’ Ride for Nature. Cobb helped initiate the annual golf outing and served for seven years on the Board of Directors, three of them as president. He continues to serve on the Development Committee.

Jane Whitney and Julie Knox have volunteered in virtually every capacity at The Ridges. They have worked on education programs, including the “No Family Left Inside” effort and the McArdle Library and the science outreach program at Gibraltar School. The duo have also researched and monitored for the park and worked in the Nature Center.

In addition, the reception honored long-time volunteer David Sinnett for his many years as chair of the Wednesday Crew, which works weekly on building and grounds maintenance.

For more information call 920.839.2802 or visit http://www.ridgessanctuary.org.

• Local swimmer, Margaret Carroll, swam across Death’s Door on Sunday, August 22, raising $500 for the Door County YMCA.

Carroll set out from Northport very early in the morning and swam the four miles across to Washington Island, stopping midway to take a break near Pilot Island. Mike Boryk accompanied her in his boat during the crossing.

“The Y is appreciative of Margaret taking the initiative to do this swim as a fundraiser for the Y. It is the support of members like Margaret that allows the Door County YMCA to do so much in the community,” said Cindy Weber, Financial Development Director at the Door County YMCA. “Thank you to Margaret for her efforts and to all that made a donation in her honor.”

When asked why she chose to support the Y, Carroll said, “I’m excited to do a fundraiser for the Y because to me the Y is one of the biggest assets in living in Door County. I regularly swim at the Sturgeon Bay Program Center and love the facilities and staff!”

To make a pledge to the Door County YMCA in honor of Carroll’s swim, send a check to Door County YMCA, 1900 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 with a note indicating the pledge is in recognition of “Margaret’s swim.” All pledges will go towards enhancing swim programs at the Y.