'Signal Red' is the aptly named paint color being applied this week to the Algoma Pierhead Lighthouse, which is currently undergoing repairs and painting at the Roen Salvage yard in Sturgeon Bay.

The 109 year old structure didn't need a whole lot of work, according to Ryan Gustafson, owner of Door County Color Professional Painting, and assistant Tyler Woodgate.

The City of Algoma is ready for the navigational landmark to return to port after the work is complete, said City Administrator Matt Murphy. A total of 10 gallons of epoxy primer put on the first coat, and the painters will use 10-15 gallons of Signal Red paint to put on 2 coats of color. 
 

Working on this project is more than just a paycheck for Gustafson, whose family roots date to 1835, and Door County's first 'official' white settlers, the Claflins.
 

For now, the reconstruction of the catwalk to the Algoma Pierhead Lighthouse remains in question. The website SavetheCatwalk.com, dedicated to raising $400,000 to rebuild the catwalk, reports $44,000 raised to date.

If you’re a home gardener, you can learn ways to preserve and enjoy your harvest during “Putting Up Your Harvest” from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Crossroads at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay.

Alumna Master Gardener Stacia Dick-Schuster will lead the presentation, sharing ideas for preserving home-grown vegetables while helping gardeners make the most of their harvest.

“Preserving your garden’s bounty is a great way to enjoy the flavors and nutrition of fresh vegetables long after the growing season ends,” Dick-Schuster said. “There are many simple and practical ways to put up your harvest.”

Dick-Schuster will also offer door prizes during the program.

The event is co-sponsored by the Door County Seed Library and the Door County Master Gardeners. The presentation is free and open to the public.

After Baileys Harbor kicked off the autumn festival season last weekend, Sturgeon Bay will take the torch this Friday and Saturday when Harvest Fest returns to the city.

Friday will see the biggest changes with the addition of activities on the west side near the Door County Maritime Museum and Door County Granary. Free Ferris wheel rides will be available, while visitors can participate in a meet-and-greet with the artists behind the Set Sail in Sturgeon Bay street art project before the pieces are auctioned off.

The Old Bolts Car Show will host its Cruise-In Meet and Greet at The Lodge at Leathem Smith instead of the usual parade through town.

Saturday’s activities will bring back plenty of old favorites, including the Old Bolts Car Show, firkin tapping and a stein-holding contest. Destination Sturgeon Bay’s Alexa Soto says Martin Park will look a little different this year, with kids' activities and local nonprofits dotting the green space.

Activities run until 8:30 p.m. Friday and 5:30 p.m. Saturday. You can see the full schedule of activities at this link.

For farmers like Brey Cycle Farm’s Jacob Brey, what goes into the ground can be just as important as what comes off it. According to the USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report, the corn silage harvest was 32% complete after nearly six days suitable for fieldwork across the state last week. That is 10 percentage points ahead of the five-year average.

Some farmers are even harvesting corn for grain if their fields were exceptionally dry over the summer. Brey Cycle Farm was planning to harvest its corn for silage this week if Mother Nature allowed, while also getting equipment ready to plant cover crops such as triticale with a grain drill close behind.

Brey says they do it this way to take advantage of every opportunity to get the cover crop established before winter settles in.

Winter wheat planting is about on par with the average at 17% complete, while 27% of soybeans were dropping leaves, about 7 percentage points ahead of the five-year average.

A lifetime of family mental health trauma, and a career investigating and reporting on the American mental health crisis, has again brought Meg Kissinger to Door County to share her knowledge and expertise. 

Kissinger is scheduled to be the keynote speaker for the sold out 17th annual Women’s Fund of Door County’s Celebrate Women luncheon, on Friday, September 18, 2026 at Stone Harbor Resort & Conference Center in Sturgeon Bay.

Friday's keynote will differ from the Thursday evening program, Kissinger said.

New this year, the public is welcome to attend a complimentary reception with Kissinger the evening before the luncheon, Thursday, September 17, at 6 p.m. at the Kress Pavillion. Kissinger is a Pulitzer Prize finalist for investigative reporting and the author  of "While You Were Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an  Era of Silence,". She, along with local mental health advocates from Door County Medical Center, Emily Kraynak and Allycia Bretl, will host a conversation about how to support families and break  the shame of mental illness.  

Following the conversation, local organizations will offer a Health Fair for guests to learn more  about mental health education, resources, and support available in Door County. 

All proceeds raised during the Celebrate Women Luncheon will benefit the Women’s Fund of  Door County’s mission of building, enriching, and nurturing the lives of women and girls  through collective wisdom and philanthropy.  In its 17 years as a component fund of the Door County Community Foundation, the Women’s Fund has awarded more than $1.1 million in grants, and supported more than 100 programs throughout the peninsula.

There is no shortage of activities coming up at the Door County YMCA’s program centers in Sturgeon Bay and Fish Creek as the seasons begin to turn. During this week’s Y-Wednesday podcast, Healthy Living Director Sarah Gavin shared details about activities coming up over the next several weeks.

This month, both program centers will commemorate Fall Prevention Awareness Week with fall risk assessments Sept. 21 in Fish Creek and Sept. 22 in Sturgeon Bay, Wisdom Wednesday presentations with UW-Madison’s Elizabeth Collinson on Sept. 16 in Fish Creek and Sept. 23 in Sturgeon Bay, and a program spotlight on tai chi.

Gavin also highlighted some of the YMCA’s October programming, including the Pay the Day membership promotion, Active Aging Week from Oct. 5-9 and Trunk or Treat on Oct. 30.

You can listen to the full conversation by clicking on this link.

The Door County Housing Partnership broke ground Tuesday on its tenth home in Door County, the third on Galley Place in Sturgeon Bay, marking another step in the organization’s effort to help create permanently affordable housing.

DCHP President Scott Bader and State Assemblyman Joel Kitchens joined housing partnership representatives for the groundbreaking ceremony, taking turns talking about the Housing Partnership efforts, and the impact on the greater community.

Kitchens emphasized the impact of housing like this on not only the family living in the home, but on the community at large.

The Door County Housing Partnership works to create housing opportunities for local residents while ensuring the homes remain affordable for future generations. Its model protects the initial public and private investment in the properties and keeps the homes permanently affordable through long-term land agreements.

Under the partnership’s model, buyers purchase the home at below-market value while entering into a 98-year land lease. The arrangement allows the homeowner to build equity while ensuring the property remains affordable when it is eventually sold to another qualified buyer.

By preserving affordability over the long term, the Door County Housing Partnership aims to create a lasting supply of attainable homes rather than providing a one-time benefit to individual homeowners.

DCHP is beginning its next fundraising campaign this fall.

Pictured in groundbreaking photo (L to R): Krystal Kubichka, Rep. Joel Kitchens, Sean Linnan, Mariah Goode, Frank Paul, Scott Bader, Sam Nelson, Tim Halbrook.

Hope Church in Sturgeon Bay will host an educational forum Sunday, Sept. 27 focused on autism, neurodiversity and the experiences of those living with autism.

“The Unique & Authentic Journey Through Autism: A Discussion Through Neurodivergency” is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sunday at Hope Church, 141 S. 12th Ave, Sturgeon Bay.

The forum will provide an opportunity to learn more about autism through personal experiences and open discussion. The event will also include a question-and-answer session, giving attendees an opportunity to ask questions and engage in conversation about neurodiversity.

Organizer Sandy Brown says the event is open to people of all ages and invite community members to attend, “All are welcome,” says Brown, whether they have a personal connection to autism or simply want to better understand the experiences of neurodivergent individuals.

The forum is designed to encourage education, awareness and conversation surrounding autism and the diverse ways people experience and navigate the world.

UW Extension Regional Dairy Educator Aerica Bjurstrom says you can add diesel prices to the common farming conversation of “expect the unexpected.” Diesel prices hit an all-time high Tuesday at $6.10 per gallon, which is 84 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and $2.65 per gallon higher than a year ago.

Conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, paired with high demand, are causing sticker shock at the pump. For Wisconsin farmers, there is not much they can do because now is the time for corn to come off, cover crops to go on, and manure to be spread. All of that equipment uses diesel fuel — and a lot of it.

Bjurstrom says many farmers bought their diesel fuel ahead of time, either storing it on-site or contracting for delivery at a lower price. She adds that there are some things farmers can do to stretch their fuel supply and avoid more pain at the pump.

Regular gasoline prices have also seen better days, with the average price in the Green Bay metro area sitting at $4.15 per gallon. That is 24 cents per gallon more than a month ago and $1.29 per gallon more than a year ago.

A 32-year-old Baileys Harbor man was arrested and cited in connection with a hit-and-run crash in Sister Bay on Thursday night. The crash occurred shortly before 8:30 p.m. near the intersection of Bay Shore Drive and Mill Road.

According to the crash report, the man was driving south on Bay Shore Drive when a 21-year-old Egg Harbor woman was walking across the street. The report noted that she was walking outside the angled crosswalk, taking a more direct path across Bay Shore Drive. The man did not see her in time and struck her at an unknown speed. He stopped briefly before leaving the scene.

The woman drove herself to Door County Medical Center to be treated for her injuries.

Following an investigation, the man was arrested a day later and cited for operating while under the influence causing injury and hit-and-run. The woman was not cited for jaywalking or failure to yield the right of way.

A third school district in Door and Kewaunee counties will go to voters in November to help fund its operations. The Luxemburg-Casco School District announced Tuesday that it will seek $1.8 million per year for three years through an operational referendum.

The proposed referendum would replace the three-year referendum approved in 2024, which also provides $1.8 million per year. Because of that, the district says the referendum would have a net-zero impact on its mill rate.

Luxemburg-Casco Superintendent Jo-Ellen Fairbanks says she deeply appreciates the community’s support and the partnerships the district has formed, including the Ahnapee Automotive and Diesel programs, the Northeast Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship Program and two student business and enterprise programs.

“Our schools are at the heart of our community,” Fairbanks says. “Together, we can ensure Luxemburg-Casco remains a place where students thrive, families belong, and our community grows stronger.”

She adds that the district has reduced bus purchases and routes, changed or contracted services, and reduced and restructured positions while actively seeking additional revenue sources, such as grants and fundraising, to keep its budget in check.

“We are proud of the education we provide for our students and remain committed to being good stewards of our community’s resources while giving every student the opportunities they need to thrive,” Fairbanks said.

The district will announce dates and times for community meetings where residents can learn more about the referendum and ask questions.

Sturgeon Bay and Southern Door announced their operational referendum plans last month. The Sturgeon Bay School Board approved resolutions asking voters to support an operational referendum that would allow the district to exceed its revenue limit by $3.75 million in each of the next five years. The Southern Door School Board approved resolutions asking voters to exceed the revenue limit by $2.055 million per year for three years.

Voters will decide on the referendum questions as part of the Nov. 3 general election.

Boaters and other small craft are advised to stay off the water this evening.

The National Weather Service has issued a small craft advisory for the Bay of Green Bay from 4-9PM on Monday, with gale warnings from 9PM this evening until 7AM Tuesday.

South winds 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 25 kt and waves 1 to 3 ft are expected. For the Gale Warning, south winds 15 to 25 kt with gusts up to 35 kt and waves 3 to 6 ft are expected. For the second Small Craft Advisory, southwest winds 15 to 20 kt veering west, with gusts up to 30 kt and waves 3 to 6 ft expected.

Mariners should alter plans to avoid these hazardous conditions. Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for hazardous conditions.

Video taken Sunday, Sept 13, 2026 of a windy Death’s Door crossing on the Washington Island Ferry. Winds registered 15-20kts out of the SW.

Instead of riding a bus for multiple hours a day to and from Green Bay for alternative placement programming, students in Door County are staying closer to home thanks to a partnership with Sunshine Resources. The Sturgeon Bay organization is piloting its Sunshine Bridges program for the 2026-27 school year to provide programming at the PATH building for students with extraordinary social and behavioral needs from area school districts.

Sunshine Resources CEO Barry Metzentine says some school districts do not have the resources or staffing to give those students the tools and help they need to succeed in the classroom. Sevastopol was the first to partner with Sunshine Resources, with Sturgeon Bay and Southern Door following suit. Together, the districts have seven students involved in the Sunshine Bridges program.

With discussions also underway with Gibraltar and Washington Island, and potentially soon with Algoma and Kewaunee, Metzentine says the program is a great way to keep more students local instead of sending them back and forth to Green Bay.

As the program grows, Sunshine Resources is looking for additional student aides to help meet future demand.

The Door County Historical Society (DCHS) was recognized with two prestigious honors from the Wisconsin Historical Society during ceremonies held at Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Fish Creek, and Heritage Village in Sturgeon Bay, on Wednesday, Sept 9th.

The DCHS received the 2026 Historic Preservation Award at Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, recognizing the organization’s work in rehabilitating the 158 year old Door County landmark.

The award celebrates years of planning, fundraising, restoration and collaboration that helped restore the lighthouse and its historic grounds while preserving the site for future generations.

Later in the day at Heritage Village, the Door County Historical Society received the Reuben Gold Thwaites Trophy for Local History.

The annual award recognizes a local historical organization for outstanding service in preserving and sharing Wisconsin history. The honor reflects the collective efforts of DCHS staff, board members, volunteers, members, donors and supporters who have contributed to the organization’s mission.

The Reuben Gold Thwaites Trophy is now on display at the Door County Historical Society office on Fourth Avenue in downtown Sturgeon Bay, where visitors can view the latest recognition of the organization’s efforts to preserve and celebrate Door County history.

New interpretive and educational panels were unveiled Sunday, Sept 13, at Escarpment Park in Ellison Bay. Members of the Greater Escarpment Organization of Door County were onsite to answer questions and talk about the process of creating the panels.

More panels are still to come in Spring 2027!

Pictured (left to right): Suzi Johnson Hass, Janet Johnson, Walter ‘Bud’ Kalms, and Nancy Goss.

See

That old gas in your garage, expired oil-based paint in the basement, and used ink cartridges in your drawer would be better off at the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds this Thursday than in your home. The Kewaunee County Emergency Management Department is hosting its Clean Sweep hazardous waste collection event this week, accepting everything from ammunition and medications to household chemicals and agricultural pesticides.

Household hazardous waste can pile up after a while, with the average U.S. household generating about 30 pounds of it each year. Kewaunee County Emergency Management Director Tracy Nollenberg says if you have it, you should bring it in before something happens.

Registration is requested through the Kewaunee County Emergency Management Department. Some items are not accepted at the event and will need to be taken to the Riverview Transfer Station for a fee. You can find the full list of accepted and non-accepted items below.

A 29-year-old Baileys Harbor man is behind bars after multiple collisions Saturday that included damage to a Sturgeon Bay Police Department vehicle.

The department was called to assist the Door County Sheriff’s Office after the man rear-ended a vehicle on State Highway 57 near Jorns Road while traveling south. He continued south until exiting the roundabout from State Highway 42/57 onto Michigan Street.

The man then struck a police vehicle head-on and stopped near the intersection of Michigan Street and 18th Avenue. A second squad car boxed in the man before officers ordered him to show his hands and exit his vehicle. He instead ignored the commands and told responding officers he had a gun.

The man eventually exited the vehicle and walked toward officers, continuing to ignore their commands until he was stunned with a Taser and arrested. He remains in the Door County Jail awaiting charges.

One police officer suffered minor injuries when his squad car was struck head-on. He was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and released.

The start of Saturday’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s began before a single dollar was donated, a single person registered or a single step was taken. The walkers, many of them donning shades of purple and carrying spinning flowers, brought stories of their loved ones’ struggles with the disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and accounts for the majority of dementia cases. For some walkers, like Rachel, it was a chance to remember the fun times they had with grandparents before they died.

For others, like Jamie, Carla and Mark, the walk was about supporting their moms as they struggle with Alzheimer’s every day.

As of Monday morning, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Door County was approximately $8,000 short of its $107,500 goal. If you missed Saturday’s walk, you still have one more chance to participate when the Walk to End Alzheimer’s comes to Fish Creek this Saturday, Sept. 19, at Stella Maris Church.

A 63-year-old Manitowoc man was taken to a Green Bay hospital Saturday after his motorcycle collided with an oncoming car. The crash occurred shortly before 2 p.m. on Mathey Road near the Wisconsin Motorcycle Memorial in the town of Sevastopol.

According to the incident report, the motorcyclist was attempting to turn left out of the memorial when he noticed a car driven by a Sturgeon Bay teenager heading north. The motorcyclist tried to accelerate out of the driveway and around the car as its driver changed lanes in an attempt to avoid the collision, but it was too late.

The motorcyclist was thrown from the motorcycle after the collision tore off its rear wheel. Both drivers were shaken up after the crash, but the motorcyclist was cited for failure to yield while making a left turn.

The crash closed the road for about an hour while the vehicles were towed and the area was cleaned up.

With many projects either already underway or about to get going in the coming weeks, Sturgeon Bay Mayor David Ward hopes the city is making a significant dent in its housing needs. The Sturgeon Bay Common Council will have a light agenda when it meets Tuesday at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

One item the council will address is an updated development agreement for the DOCO Iron Gate and DOCO Bay Heights developments along Division Road. Once built out, the developments are expected to yield 30 workforce dwellings, 36 market-rate dwellings and 34 storage units with optional living spaces.

The meeting comes on the heels of continued work at Heron Crossing and the groundbreaking for The Avenue, which is slated to bring 39 affordable housing units to 14th Avenue between Georgia Street and Iowa Drive. Ward says some lengthy meetings earlier this summer are allowing these types of projects to get off the ground and will keep the area busy for years to come.

After Tuesday’s meeting, much of the focus will turn to the city’s budget. Ward says officials need to gauge how the Premier Resort Area Tax and the new stormwater utility are affecting the city’s bottom line.

While their humans are in the fields chopping corn for the silage harvest, the heifers at Brey Cycle Farm in Sturgeon Bay are enjoying the sunshine and fresh air before the seasons turn. In 2022, Brey Cycle Farm turned more than 140 acres of row crops into pasture for its heifers to roam freely while enjoying a mixture of cover crops and grasses. The switch allowed the farm to reduce soil erosion and phosphorus runoff while saving money on feed costs and other inputs.

When Brey Cycle Farm hosts Tuesday’s Peninsula Pride Farms Conservation event at 5 p.m., owner Jacob Brey hopes farmers can see a great way to do right by their cows, their land and their bottom line.

Do not be mistaken: Brey and other farmers are working hard to make sure their herds have plenty to munch on during the winter months when delicious winter rye and summer cocktail mixes could be under snow. According to the USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report, Wisconsin farmers are 14% complete with their corn silage harvest, 6 percentage points ahead of the five-year average.

Corn in the dough stage, at 93%, and soybeans dropping leaves, at 12%, were also several percentage points ahead of their five-year averages, while winter wheat planting, at 7%, was slightly behind.

What was once old is new again for the City of Algoma as the clock is officially ticking on its new city hall and police station. Bayland Buildings announced Wednesday that it had been awarded the contract to renovate the former Associated Bank building into the new city hall and police station.

The contract also includes upgrades to the HVAC and electrical systems and new utility services for the existing public library. Earlier in the process, all three were going to share the former bank building, but the library will stay in its current space thanks to the generosity of a donor.

Algoma City Administrator Matt Murphy says the building is in great shape but still requires some changes to fit the needs of city government and its police department.

Murphy adds that crews are slowly moving over to the building as work at the soon-to-be-opened fire station finishes. Once city hall and police operations move into their new home, Murphy says the current city hall and police station property will be put on the market.

For those who take the time to look, autumn's transition is already underway, even if summer's warmth still lingers.

Along the Lake Michigan shoreline, monarch butterflies are gathering before beginning their remarkable journey to Mexico. Warblers, thrushes, shorebirds, and other migratory birds are passing through local forests, fields, and shorelines, stopping to rest and refuel before continuing south. Trees are quietly storing nutrients for winter, even while their leaves remain green, and bats are feeding heavily before migrating or settling into hibernation sites.

According to Interpretive Naturalist Jess Poppie, migration season offers a reminder that Door County sits along one of nature's busiest travel corridors.

"Many people are noticing monarch butterflies gathering along the shoreline right now," Poppie said. "At the same time, we're seeing a variety of migrating birds passing through Crossroads preserves. Some of these travelers have come from northern Wisconsin or Canada and are headed thousands of miles south. It's a season filled with incredible journeys."

Some migratory birds may eventually reach destinations in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, or beyond. Many songbirds travel under the cover of darkness, taking advantage of cooler temperatures and favorable winds. Before departing, they build up fat reserves that fuel astonishing long-distance flights. A Wood Thrush, for example, may eventually cross the Gulf of Mexico on its journey south.

Our popular Wandering Wednesday hike returns on Wednesday, September 23, at 1:30 p.m. As monarchs drift overhead, migrating birds move through local habitats, and splashes of gold begin appearing along trails and wetlands, participants can join a naturalist-led walk through the preserve to see what signs of fall are emerging. No two hikes are ever quite the same, which is part of the fun.

The arrival of fall also signals a new season of exploration for Crossroads' youngest naturalists. Beginning Tuesday, September 29, at 10 a.m., Junior Nature Club invites children ages 3 to 5 and their adults to discover the wonders of nature through a six-week series focused on observation, exploration, and learning through the senses.

Fall's beauty can also be found right in our own backyards. On Tuesday, September 29, at 6:30 p.m., Crossroads will host Leave the Leaves, a presentation sponsored by the Door County Master Gardeners Association and Wild Ones Door Peninsula. The program will explore how fallen leaves support pollinators and other wildlife, improve soil health, and contribute to a healthier ecosystem while reducing yard work. As trees prepare for winter and begin their annual leaf drop, it is a timely reminder that nature's processes often work best when given a little space.

Visitors can also enjoy the changing season at their own pace through Crossroads' current Trail Tales Storybook Walk. Beginning at the West Trailhead and following the Meadow Trail, families can experience Hiking Day by Anne Rockwell, beautifully illustrated by her daughter Lizzy Rockwell.

As pages of the story unfold along the trail, readers are invited to share the simple pleasures of spending time outdoors. With lyrical text and vibrant illustrations that practically leap from the page, Hiking Day is a perfect companion for an autumn walk, encouraging children and adults alike to slow down, explore, and appreciate the natural world around them.

As migration season continues, Crossroads encourages visitors to keep an eye on the skies and listen for the calls of birds moving through Door County. Simple actions, such as making windows more bird-friendly with decals, screens, or other visual markers, can help reduce collisions and make the journey a little safer for these remarkable travelers.

Whether you're watching monarchs prepare for migration, listening for a passing warbler, noticing the first hints of color in the canopy, leaving the leaves beneath your trees, or sharing a story along the trail, fall offers countless opportunities to connect with nature.

All programs are held at the Crossroads at Big Creek Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, unless otherwise noted. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are able to offer free programming for all ages. If you cannot attend a program, remember that the trails at Crossroads and Ida Bay Preserve are open all day, every day, free of charge. Fall migration is already underway, and there is plenty to discover outside.

Upcoming Programs

Wednesday, September 23

1:30 p.m. | Wandering Wednesday

Join a naturalist-led hike through the preserve. Enjoy easy walking and seasonal discoveries during this approximately one-hour outing. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on leash.

Registration is not required. This program is free and open to the public. Meet at: Crossroads at Big Creek Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St, Sturgeon Bay, WI

Thursday, September 17

1:00 p.m. | Nature Club: Fall Session

Nature Club is a free, six-week program for children ages 6-8 who love to discover, investigate, and learn about the outdoors. Each week, kids will connect with nature through hands-on activities that encourage movement, friendship, and a lifelong sense of wonder. Class is full; contact us to join the wait list. Meet at: Crossroads at Big Creek Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St, Sturgeon Bay, WI

Tuesday, September 29

10:00 a.m. | Junior Nature Club: Fall Session

Six-week program for ages 3-5 and their adults, learning about observing nature with their senses. Drop in. Registration is not required. Meet at: Crossroads at Big Creek Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St, Sturgeon Bay, WI

6:30 p.m. | Talk: Leave the Leaves

Presented by Door County Master Gardeners Association and Wild Ones - Door Peninsula, those fallen leaves aren’t yard waste—they’re an essential part of a healthy ecosystem. Discover how leaving leaves can enrich your soil, protect overwintering pollinators and other wildlife, and support a healthier landscape—all while reducing fall yard work. Speaker: Coggin Heeringa of Wild Ones – Door Peninsula Chapter. Free and open to the public. Meet at: Crossroads at Big Creek Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St, Sturgeon Bay, WI

It is not every production where the cast has the show’s playwright looking on, but that has been the case for Third Avenue Playworks’ world premiere of “The Call List.”

Written by Brian James Polak and starring Eva Nimmer, “The Call List” tells the story of a young woman who is handed a list of names to call to alert them of a law firm client’s death, only to discover a mystery unfolding in front of her.

It is a show Artistic Director Jacob Janssen has been helping Polak develop for many years. “The Call List” was previously workshopped at the Door Kinetic Arts Festival before being completely rewritten. Janssen says it has been exciting for everybody to be part of the show’s evolution from words on a page to a production on stage.

“The Call List” is part of the World Premiere Wisconsin Festival and will first take the stage at Third Avenue Playworks on Sept. 23. You can also expect more premieres in the future as Janssen’s team reads through more than 700 scripts that could be part of a winter festival of productions. You can listen to our full conversation with Janssen here.

Earlier this summer, I had the opportunity to spend some time with the Wisconsin National Guard, where we convoyed to northern Minnesota for our training. Operating large vehicles in a convoy for that distance is a unique experience that I truly enjoyed, and it provided me with a different perspective regarding the respect we show for large vehicles operating on our roadways.

While I was traveling down the road, the topic for this article became very clear to me as I witnessed numerous passing maneuvers by motorists with either a high sense of urgency or a low sense of patience. The topic is the statute related to passing.

Wisconsin State Statute 346.07, “Overtaking and passing on the left,” states the following: The operator of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. Statute 346.07 goes on to state that the driver of a motor vehicle may not drive on the left side of the center of a roadway in any portion that is marked as a no-passing zone.

One of the questions has been, “Is it allowable to pass a vehicle as long as I start the passing maneuver in a passing zone, even though I may be in a no-passing zone before I return to the right lane?” The answer is no. You must be able to initiate and complete your passing maneuver in a passing zone. It is also worth mentioning that even if you are in a passing zone, you are not allowed to pass if your view of oncoming traffic is obstructed.

Another question was, “Is it allowable to speed while executing a passing maneuver?” Again, the answer is no. The speed of the vehicle you are overtaking must be slow enough that you are able to execute the passing maneuver without exceeding the posted speed limit.

An interesting exception to the no-passing law is that if a vehicle is traveling at less than half the posted speed limit, you may legally pass that vehicle. An important exception to that exception is that you cannot pass any implements of husbandry, or farm equipment, in a no-passing zone, even if they are traveling at less than half the posted speed limit.

Another interesting provision of State Statute 346.07 is that if you are driving the vehicle being overtaken, you are not allowed to increase your speed while being passed.

Putting yourself and your vehicle in the opposite lane of traffic is a risky maneuver at best and a fatal maneuver at worst. Please consider this before you place yourself, as well as others on the roadway, in peril because of your need to save a little bit of time. Plan ahead, leave early and enjoy the ride!