The battle over the mass cutting of trees in Potawatomi State Park is headed to court.

The recently formed conservation group Potawatomi Advocates for Trees, Conservation and Heritage filed a lawsuit Friday against the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and DNR Secretary Karen Hyun in an effort to stop future work inside the state park.

Hundreds of trees were cut during the winter as part of a road construction project that widened roads by up to 10 feet to accommodate new bike lanes.

PATCH alleges the DNR caused environmental harm to the park by destroying portions of the forest canopy and damaging wildlife habitat. PATCH Executive Director Dave Allen said the DNR did not hold a public hearing on the project, nor did it receive approval from the Natural Resources Board, as other projects have in the past.

Allen said the project violates the park's 2018 Master Plan, which states that any road project should be completed at its current development level. He argues that the work completed this spring exceeded those guidelines. While the organization cannot reverse what has already been done, Allen hopes the lawsuit can protect other parts of the park from a similar fate.

The project also drew criticism from State Rep. Joel Kitchens and State Sen. Andre Jacque earlier this month, with both lawmakers calling for a public hearing on the project.

"After re-reading the plan online, it is extremely vague on specific plans for the road widening," Kitchens said. "While they may have technically met the legal requirement regarding notice and gathering public input, they did not come close to meeting the public's expectations for transparency."

Allen added that PATCH will host a gathering in the coming weeks to build additional support.

Photos courtesy of PATCH

The latest report from United for ALICE shows many households are struggling to make ends meet.

ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and 29% of U.S. households meet that definition. When combined with households living in poverty, more than 40% of U.S. households experienced hardship  according to 2024 data.

Basic needs, including food, shelter, child care and transportation, continue to contribute to families struggling to get by as costs often outpace wage increases. United for ALICE Director Stephanie Hoopes says ALICE families are facing headwinds across the country.

Wisconsin is in better shape than many other states, with approximately 35% of households below the ALICE threshold. The state ranks seventh among states with the lowest rates of hardship.

United Way of Brown County President and CEO Robyn Davis says the picture is not as rosy in every community.

Hoopes and Davis say communities are stepping up to support local ALICE populations. That includes employers assisting with child care and scheduling challenges, state and local governments finding ways to offer health care and transportation, and community colleges offering flexible schedules and lower-cost courses.

Data for 2025 will be shared later this month.

The Kewaunee County Board will hear reports from several officials during its meeting Tuesday.

In his final annual report presentation, Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski will share changes the department has experienced over the past year, along with statistics related to calls for service.

"While the challenges remain regarding the complexity of calls and the limited resources for mental health crisis services, we as a community have come together to meet those challenges," Joski wrote.

Included in the meeting agenda packet, Joski's report highlights a new roof for the old jail, the creation of the Kewaunee County Deflection Program for residents battling substance abuse, and the purchase of LifeVac choking rescue devices and less-lethal weapons.

The Kewaunee County Board will also hear from the director of the Kewaunee County Promotions and Recreation Department. Among the department's highlights are record revenue from Winter Park ticket sales and concessions, as well as increased fairgrounds rental fees. The success at Winter Park was driven by a record number of private group rentals.

The board will also hear from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College President Dr. Kristen Raney and Kewaunee County Administrator Jeremy Kral before reviewing committee reports and entering closed session.

Tuesday's meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Kewaunee County Administration Building in Kewaunee.

Sixty days before voters head to the polls for the fall primary election for Door County sheriff, the Door County Sheriff's Deputies Association has issued a vote of no confidence in incumbent Tammy Sternard.

The organization signed its resolution on June 1 of its vote, saying the resolution "reflects the collective judgment of the membership regarding a pattern of concerns impacting leadership, communication, engagement and trust within the agency."

The resolution was sent to Sternard, Door County Administrator Ken Pabich and Judiciary and Public Safety Committee Chairman Collin Jeanquart.

While the resolution acknowledges that Sternard has made positive changes to the department, it states those accomplishments have been "deeply overshadowed." It cites the handling of a case involving the shooting of a feral pig, low morale in the jail division and poor attendance at monthly meetings among the concerns members have with Sternard and why "they have lost faith in the sheriff's ability to effectively lead this agency in a manner consistent with the best interests of its personnel and the citizens of Door County."

Sternard responded to the resolution in writing, addressing some of the concerns directly.

"It is unfortunate that some within the association chose not to come and talk to me about most of what's alleged in the document, but rather to air their grievances in this manner," Sternard wrote. She said she released the resolution after it was requested through an open records request.

She added that, having previously served in association leadership herself, she understands the importance of maintaining open dialogue and said the concerns had not been brought to her attention before.

"These are public attacks on my character and an attempt to portray me in a way that is inconsistent with my actions and record as sheriff," Sternard wrote. "This has been personally hurtful, but one of my strengths is to stand tall, ride out the storm and remain focused on my responsibilities as sheriff. My commitment remains the same today as it was yesterday: to serve the people of Door County and support the professionals who put on this uniform every day."

Both Sternard and the Door County Sheriff's Deputies Association said in their written statements that there would be no further comment.

You can click the links below to read the documents provided by the Door County Sheriff's Department.

Resolution from Door County Sheriff's Deputies Association

Written Statement from Door County Sheriff Tammy Sternard

The latest turn in the battle over the future of the Alpine Resort Lodge came to an end earlier this month with the stroke of a pen in Door County Circuit Court.

Judge Jennifer Moeller signed the order for dismissal June 5 ahead of a previously scheduled hearing June 8.

The case dates back to last November, when 10 Egg Harbor residents filed for a restraining order against the Village of Egg Harbor, its Zoning Board of Appeals and Sagorac Enterprises LLC over the possible demolition of the Alpine Resort Lodge.

According to court records, the request for a temporary restraining order was filed about a month after the Egg Harbor Zoning Board of Appeals voted in favor of granting owner Matt Sagorac the certificate of appropriateness needed to demolish the Alpine Resort Lodge.

The decision came nearly two months after Sagorac Enterprises issued a news release formally evicting Alpine Resort operator Randy Abrahams and his affiliated entities over alleged lease violations and unpaid rent.

The Alpine Resort said it had terminated its ongoing negotiations with Sagorac Enterprises and had no knowledge of the issue until its access was blocked. The resort added that it had been negotiating the lease and repurchase of the waterfront parcels and blamed recent delays on sudden changes to the agreement.

The golf course and on-site restaurant have since opened to the public.

You can be part of the fastest-growing sport in the country right here in Door County, thanks in part to the efforts of the Door County Pickleball Club.

With courts from Brussels to Washington Island, the club offers plenty of opportunities to get outside, spend time with friends and enjoy a good workout.

Pickleball was created in 1965 and experienced significant growth in 2019 and 2020 as people looked for ways to stay active and socialize while maintaining social distance. Don Helm, vice president of the Door County Pickleball Club, recommends taking a lesson or class before stepping onto the court for the first time.

Helm said lessons help new players learn the rules and fundamentals of the game. Pickleball has unique scoring and serving rules, and understanding those basics can make the game more enjoyable for beginners.

In addition to offering classes for new players, the Door County Pickleball Club has several events scheduled throughout the summer. A clinic featuring professional pickleball player Gina Cilento is scheduled for June 27. The Pickleball for Kids' Sake Tournament, benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Door County, will be held Aug. 7, and the club's annual social is scheduled for Aug. 30 at Sunset Park.

To learn more about classes, open-court times and upcoming events, visit doorcountypickleball.com.

Friday marks the first opportunity this summer to experience some of the best chamber music in Door County.

Midsummer’s Music opens its 36th season Friday with a special gala event at Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Egg Harbor. The performance kicks off a summer schedule featuring more than 40 concerts at unique venues across the peninsula. Audiences will hear works by familiar composers such as Mozart and Brahms, as well as some of their lesser-known contemporaries.

With ensembles featuring artists from the Pro Arte Quartet and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Midsummer’s Music Executive Director Allyson Fleck said it is a unique opportunity to experience world-class musicians close to home.

The season concludes Sept. 7 with a special gala event at Björklunden.

Midsummer’s Music’s Beauty and Brilliance program, featuring works by Mozart, Schubert and Raff, will be performed at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Sister Bay on June 13, Hope United Church of Christ in Sturgeon Bay on June 16, and Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church in Ellison Bay on June 17, in addition to Friday’s gala at Birch Creek Music Performance Center.

Depending on where you're headed in Kewaunee County on Saturday, you could encounter a rainbow of antique tractors along your route.

For more than 20 years, Agricultural Heritage and Resources Inc. has organized the Great Lakeshore Tractor Rally, giving farmers and agriculture enthusiasts a chance to see 35 miles of Kewaunee County countryside from the comfort of a tractor seat or wagon.

Agricultural Heritage and Resources Inc. board member Bill Roethle said many farmers and tractor enthusiasts work hard to restore and maintain their antique and vintage machinery, only to have it sit unused in a barn. The Great Lakeshore Tractor Rally changes that for at least a few hours each year.

The route begins and ends at Homestead Kitchen and Tap in Algoma and follows roads south of Highway 54 and east of County Road E. Stops at the Muskrat Sportsman's Club and Heim's Hillcrest Dairy are scheduled along the way.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., with the ride starting at 8:30 a.m. Proceeds from the $40 event will support the work of Agricultural Heritage and Resources Inc.0

Roethle said the organization is working to put more of its collection of agricultural implements manufactured in Kewaunee County on display.

One of the most photographed spots in Door County will be officially celebrated Saturday when the Village of Sister Bay hosts its annual Roofing of the Goats Parade and Festival.

The tradition of goats on the roof at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik in downtown Sister Bay began in 1973 as a practical joke between friends shortly after the eatery installed its now-famous grass roof. In the years since, goats have taken up residence on the roof during the tourist season.

While the goats make their way to the roof each May, Saturday’s event marks the 12th year the roofing has been officially celebrated. Other goats are invited to participate in the parade, which begins at 11 a.m., before food, music, games and other activities take over for the rest of the afternoon.

You can learn more about the event at this link.

While many recent high school graduates are waiting for their first day of college this fall, others are already weeks into their careers. From Kewaunee to Gibraltar and everywhere in between, high schools hosted a different kind of signing day that still marks a tremendous achievement in a young person's life.

Rather than committing to a school to play a particular sport, students committed to businesses to perform specific jobs. Many of these opportunities grew out of experiences gained through the Northeast Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship (NEWYA) program. Participation continues to grow across schools in Door and Kewaunee counties.

Door County Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Michelle Lawrie says these signing-day ceremonies highlight what is possible for students and businesses alike.

Youth Apprenticeship (YA) is a state-certified, work-based learning program overseen by the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and supported in the region by CESA 7 and NEWYA.

All those extra people driving around Door County during the summer months contributed to a record year for the county's tourism economy.

According to newly released data from global research firm Tourism Economics, Door County saw a $34.6 million increase in total economic activity from the previous year, a 5.3% increase. The county's total economic impact reached a record $685.8 million as tourism continued to benefit communities across Wisconsin.

Direct visitor spending totaled $551.6 million in 2025, with an additional $134.2 million generated through indirect and induced impacts. That ranks seventh among Wisconsin counties, which Destination Door County Interim President and CEO Jon Jarosh said is impressive given the area's seasonal nature.

Because of tourism's impact on the local economy, Jarosh said the $55.7 million generated in state and local tax revenue offsets what more than 3,700 households would otherwise have to pay to maintain current levels of government services.

Door County's success was part of a statewide trend of tourism growth.

According to state officials, Wisconsin's tourism industry generated a record $27 billion in total economic impact in 2025 — about $74 million per day. It marked the fourth consecutive year the state set a new tourism economic impact record.

"These numbers are a big deal for our state, our economy and the countless hardworking folks in the industry who make it all happen — the folks who work each day to promote our state as the premier place to visit and explore, as well as the tour guides, waiters, restaurateurs, hoteliers and the friendly faces in communities across Wisconsin that keep folks coming back for one more adventure year after year," Gov. Tony Evers said in a statement announcing the figures.

State officials credited several factors for the growth, including increased holiday-season tourism in Door County following the television debut of A Cherry Pie Christmas. They also cited the NFL Draft in Green Bay, record attendance at EAA AirVenture, Beloit Sky Carp games and the Northern Wisconsin State Fair.

This week on Y-Wednesday, find out how to enroll your children in the upcoming Camp in the Park at Sturgeon Bay's Otumba Park and Summer Baseball programs for students in 4K through sixth grade.

We spoke with Sturgeon Bay YMCA Youth and Sports Program Executive Paul Briney about both programs and how registrations are currently being accepted. The baseball program includes both tee-ball and coach-pitch divisions, making it a great way for children to get started in America's pastime.

Listen to the full Y-Wednesday interview here.

It's not goodbye, but rather "see you later" to a popular Algoma landmark along the shores of Lake Michigan.

As part of the reconstruction of the north breakwater wall at the Algoma Marina, Roen Salvage Co. removed the iconic red pierhead lighthouse so further demolition work can take place. The removal comes just a couple of weeks after the catwalk was removed from the wall.

While the future of the catwalk remains uncertain, the red lighthouse made the trip from Algoma to Sturgeon Bay on Tuesday evening, where it will remain for several weeks and receive a fresh coat of red paint before returning home.

City Administrator Matt Murphy said it was great to see how much the city-owned lighthouse means to residents.

Murphy said the multimillion-dollar project, led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, remains on schedule and is expected to be completed on time, meaning it won't be long before the lighthouse returns to its rightful spot.

The city will celebrate its temporarily departed landmarks Saturday at the Algoma Boat Club from noon to 6 p.m. as part of a fundraiser to help save the catwalk.

Two of the newest additions to the National Register of Historic Places can be found in Kewaunee County.

Earlier this month, the Wisconsin Historical Society announced the addition of the Town of Carlton's Sandy Bay Pier and Algoma's Tug John Evenson shipwreck to the National Register of Historic Places.

Located offshore from the Kewaunee Power Station, the pier served as an important part of the economy in the mid-1800s, supporting area residents as well as the nearby Sandy Bay sawmill and commercial complex. It played a key role in the years immediately before and the decades after the 1854 Treaty of Wolf River, when forests along the northwestern Lake Michigan coast were opened to exploitation and Euro-American settlement.

The Wisconsin Historical Society also points to archaeological deposits found around the site that help tell the story of the people and businesses that relied on Sandy Bay Pier.

In 1895, the 54-foot tugboat John Evenson was assisting the I. Watson Stephenson a few miles northeast of Algoma when it crossed in front of the larger steamer's bow and was crushed.

The vessel was discovered by Brendon Baillod and Bob Jaeck in 2024 before being added to the State Register of Historic Places last year.

Picture of the John Evenson courtesy of Brendon Baillod

They lost a day in the fields compared with the previous week, but that was quite all right for area farmers.

According to the USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report, farmers had 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork, down from 6.7 days the previous week. Despite the lost time, corn and soybeans were both more than 95% planted. Corn emergence is right in line with the five-year average at 81%, while soybeans are seven percentage points ahead of the usual pace at 79%.

The first cutting of alfalfa hay is also well ahead of the five-year average, at 70% compared with 63%. Other crops, including oats and winter wheat, are also progressing nicely.

Deer Run Dairy owner Duane Ducat said the rain is coming at the right time.

More rain is in the forecast, with precipitation expected Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Ducat is hosting this month’s Peninsula Pride Conservation Conversation on how agricultural waterways can help direct water at 6 p.m. Thursday, weather permitting.

When you find kids enjoying their summer break, there is a good chance you will find them curling up with a good book.

More than 770 books will be mailed to Door County children next month through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Through the generous support of United Way of Door County and other partners, approximately 95% of children from birth to age 5 participate in the program, which mails books to them each month.

That is far higher than the approximately 30% participation rate Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library officials told United Way of Door County Executive Director Amy Kohnle to expect when the organization first joined the program. Kohnle is happy the community has found ways to get books into the hands of children.

While some communities have placed participation caps on the program, Kohnle said generous donors have allowed any family who wants to sign up to do so.

Door County residents can sign up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at this link.

No matter where you live in Door County, you will likely see Sunshine Resources' impact.

The Sturgeon Bay-based organization is launching its "Five Initiatives, Five Years, $5 Million" plan, which will touch people of all ages and abilities throughout the county.

The plan includes creating an alternative school program; developing a Northern Door facility and program; building a new Sunflower Cottage; renovating the PATH building; modernizing its Yew Street facility; and establishing an endowment fund. All are on the calendar within the next five years.

It is an exciting time at Sunshine Resources for President and CEO Barry Metzentine, who started the job 20 months ago. While some of the initiatives have been years in the making, others have reared its head over the last few months. He said the partnerships and conversations he has had throughout the community have led to this moment.

Metzentine said that while Sunshine Resources is working on all five initiatives, increasing capacity at Sunflower Cottage from 17 clients to 60 clients will be its primary focus for the immediate future.

More information about the campaign is available on the organization's website.

This is the time of year when you should take Charlie Berens' advice to "watch for deer" a little more seriously.

Deer activity on area roads increases during May and June because of spring fawning and yearling dispersal. According to the Door County Sheriff's Department's 2025 annual report, June had the third-highest number of vehicle-deer crashes, with 58, trailing only November, with 80, and October, with 62.

While you should keep an eye on the road for deer crossings, you also might have to watch for fawns in your yard. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Conservation Warden Chris Kratcha said deer can have their young in some interesting locations and then disappear for hours at a time.

Kratcha reminds residents that wildlife cares for its young differently than humans do, and intervening too soon can cause more harm than good when it comes to a young fawn's survival.

If you encounter a fawn in your yard, do not move it and give it time to leave on its own. Kratcha said residents should not contact the DNR or a wildlife sanctuary unless they know for certain the fawn's mother has been killed or the animal is injured.

The next time you take in the views at Sugar Creek County Park in Brussels, you'll have a little more to do.

Door County Parks Director Wayne Spritka and other officials from the Door County Facilities and Parks Department cut the ribbon on a new playground made possible through support from the Friends of Door County Parks and the Destination Door County Community Investment Fund.

In addition to the new playground, improvements at Sugar Creek County Park include a new pavilion and an ADA-accessible grill for visitors to use.

Spritka said residents have long asked for new amenities at county parks, especially those in southern Door County. After about two years of planning and construction, Spritka said he is happy everything is ready for people to enjoy.

Sugar Creek County Park is not the only county park receiving extra attention this summer. Chaudoir's Dock will undergo major improvements in the coming weeks, including additional dredging to make it easier for boaters to access the water.

The sights and sounds of classic cars in Sturgeon Bay will not disappear this fall after all.

Destination Sturgeon Bay and the Old Bolts Car Club announced Monday that the car show will return to the event after nearly a month of uncertainty.

Last month, the Old Bolts Car Club, which organizes the Harvest Fest car show, announced that space concerns would not allow it to return to its traditional spot along Third Avenue in downtown Sturgeon Bay.

“Our members have remained committed and willing to continue the event, but without the necessary downtown street space, we do not feel we can provide the type of show participants and spectators have come to expect,” the organization wrote May 11.

Destination Sturgeon Bay responded a day later, saying that “this decision was about public safety, crowd flow, emergency access and making sure Harvest Fest can continue to grow safely for everyone attending.”

On Monday, Destination Sturgeon Bay announced not only that the car show would return to Harvest Fest, but also that some activities — including a Ferris wheel, food vendors and street art sculptures — would be hosted on the West Side Promenade.

“Most importantly, Destination Sturgeon Bay and the Old Bolts Car Club share the same goal: creating a fun, welcoming, safe and successful event for our community,” the organizations said in a joint statement.

“We appreciate the volunteers, sponsors, businesses, participants and attendees who help make these events possible, and we are excited to continue working together to make this year’s Harvest Fest the best and biggest one yet!”

Sturgeon Bay Harvest Fest is scheduled for Sept. 19.

Your formal introduction to summer is on the way this week as warmer temperatures arrive in northeast Wisconsin.

While the lake will keep the Door Peninsula in the mid- to upper 70s, the National Weather Service is forecasting that parts of Kewaunee and Brown counties could see temperatures reach the low 90s, with the heat index making it feel even warmer.

While Brown County reached 90 degrees in late May, Door and Kewaunee counties have not seen 90-degree temperatures since last August.

Kewaunee County Public Health Director Cindy Kinnard says that, in addition to staying in the shade, avoiding strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day and wearing loose-fitting clothing, one of the best ways to beat the heat is by paying attention to what you drink and eat.

The midweek warm spell will be accompanied by summer storms that could bring temperatures back into a more comfortable range by the end of the week.

You can find more tips on staying safe in the heat this summer below.

Door County’s newest entry on the State Register of Historic Places is a three-for-one experience in the Town of Liberty Grove.

The Wisconsin Historical Society announced last week that the Tostenson Pier Archaeological District was officially added to the register. Unlike some entries on the State Register, the Tostenson Pier Archaeological District consists of a pier and two shipwrecks: the scow schooner Maria and the schooner Sardinia.

The two vessels played a critical role in the area’s lumber industry. The Maria sank near the pier in 1883, while the Sardinia followed in 1900.

According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, the pier cribbing and shipwreck sites remain fully submerged beneath the water’s surface in 10 to 15 feet of water.

Placement on the State Register of Historic Places prohibits divers from removing artifacts from the sunken vessels and makes it a crime to further damage the sites.

The Maria and the Sardinia are two of more than 240 shipwrecks surrounding Door County, many of which are also listed on the State Register of Historic Places.

For a story you may have never heard about one of the greatest movies ever made, Sturgeon Bay’s Third Avenue PlayWorks invites you to pull up a chair.

Entering its first full week on stage, Moonlight and Magnolias takes audiences back to the late 1930s, when producer David O. Selznick, director Victor Fleming and screenwriter Ben Hecht desperately tried to take Gone With the Wind from failure to fantastic over the course of five days.

Written by playwright Ron Hutchinson and featuring actors Rudy Galvan, Paige Klopfenstein, John Taylor Phillips and Nick Vidal, Artistic Director Jacob Janssen says the play does an excellent job telling the stories behind the stories behind the movie’s memorable scenes and dialogue.

Moonlight and Magnolias runs at Third Avenue PlayWorks through June 21. You can learn more about the production at this link.

Picture courtesy of Third Avenue Playworks

Nearly two weeks after coming to the rescue of a swarm of bees at Sturgeon Bay's T.J. Walker Middle School, math teacher Craig Sigl says his newest residents are doing great.

Sigl's hobby of beekeeping came in handy recently when a swarm of bees was discovered near a school bench. What was a scary situation for some was an exciting one for Sigl, who ran home to grab his beekeeping equipment and remove the swarm.

After about two hours, Sigl was able to bring the bees home in a plastic tote before introducing them to their new hive alongside his existing hive. He said he was 90% sure everything had gone according to plan when he left T.J. Walker Middle School, but after offering the bees sugar water and monitoring them for a couple of days, he was certain he had successfully established a new hive at his home.

With just one hive, Sigl said he was able to produce about 4 to 5 gallons of honey. With a second hive now established, he is brainstorming ideas for how the additional honey could help kick off fundraising efforts for the Sturgeon Bay Athletic Complex development.

Residents and visitors will have an opportunity to explore Sturgeon Bay's rich history on foot when the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society Foundation hosts a free historical hiking tour on Thursday, June 11.

The guided tour will begin at 10 a.m. at the historic Door County Granary and will take hikers on an approximately three-mile walk through both of Sturgeon Bay's downtown districts.

Along the route, hikers will travel paved pathways and cross both the Michigan Street Steel Bridge and the Oregon Street Bridge while learning about the city's development, maritime heritage and industrial past.

The tour offers a unique opportunity to experience the stories behind many of Sturgeon Bay's most recognizable landmarks while gaining insight into how transportation, shipping and agriculture helped shape the community.

"The history of Sturgeon Bay is best understood by experiencing the places where it happened," said Nicole Matson, Executive Director of the Sturgeon Bay Historical Foundation. "This hiking tour gives you a chance to connect with the people, places and landmarks that helped shape the city while enjoying some of the its most iconic views and historic sites."

The Door County Granary, which serves as the tour's starting point, is one of the city's most significant historic structures. Built in 1901 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the grain elevator played a key role in connecting Door County's agricultural economy to Great Lakes shipping and rail transportation.

"Whether you've been here your entire life or are in Sturgeon Bay for the first time, there's always something new to learn about the city's history," she said. "We hope everyone leaves with a deeper appreciation for the history that surrounds them every day."

Space is limited, and advance registration is encouraged through the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society Foundation website.

Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared for changing weather conditions. Public parking is available near the Door County Maritime Museum and the Door County Granary.