A relatively new concept founded in Japan and used as a tool for people to help grieve the loss of a loved one will have a permanent place in Sturgeon Bay at Sunset Park.  Josh Gregory, who lost his mother Judy a year ago, is working to put up a “wind phone” that is meant to help people ease their grief and bring closure in some cases.  In 2010, a Japanese landscaper who was grieving the loss of his cousin built a phone booth in his garden with a disconnected rotary phone to “talk” to him.  The “wind phone” was open to the public a year later after an earthquake and tsunami disaster hit Fukushima with people streaming to use it.  The popularity grew with other “wind phones” popping up around the world.  Gregory is grateful to the City of Sturgeon Bay for unanimously approving the installation of the “wind phone” at Sunset Park.  He explains the next steps in the project and how the “wind phone” is dedicated to the memory of his mother Judy.

Gregory notes that this will be the first “wind phone” installed in Northeastern Wisconsin with completion expected by the end of July. A GoFundMe page this week has already raised well over $500 for the “wind phone” with plans to add a bench and landscaping around it with more donations. 

(photo is a submitted rendering of the future "wind phone" at Sunset Park)