Political campaigns across Wisconsin come to a close Tuesday as thousands of voters head to their polling places for Election Day.

 

More than 450,000 Wisconsinites have already cast their ballots, including more than 4,200 in Door County and more than 1,300 in Kewaunee County.

 

Races on the ballot include U.S. House, governor, lieutenant governor, state Assembly, state Senate, attorney general, state treasurer, secretary of state, Door County sheriff, Door County clerk of circuit court, Kewaunee County sheriff, Kewaunee County coroner, and Kewaunee County Circuit Court.

 

Voters will also decide on three statewide referendum questions, along with operational referendums for the Sturgeon Bay, Southern Door and Luxemburg-Casco school districts.

 

Voters must bring an acceptable form of photo identification, such as a Wisconsin driver's license, state-issued ID card, U.S. passport, qualifying tribal ID, military or Veterans Affairs ID, or certificate of naturalization.

 

Eligible residents can also register to vote at their polling places on Election Day by providing proof of residence. A valid photo ID is required to receive a ballot.

 

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

If you're not ready to leave fall (and Halloween) behind just yet, read on for some spooky stories, the winners of this year's 'Tales at the Museum'.

The Door County Museum and Archives challenged community writers to create an original short story, poem, even a song that was inspired by a real historical artifact from the museum’s collection housed in Sturgeon Bay. Writers were encouraged to give a ‘spooky or mysterious’ theme to their piece. All entries had to be original, unpublished fiction, with a maximum of 750 words. 

Here's the list of top 3 finishers in each of the 3 categories, Adult (19+), Teen (11-18), Youth (10 years and younger). The full transcripts of the First Place stories follow...BEWARE!

Winners of the 2026 'Tales at the Museum' story contest:

Youth (10 years old and younger)

First Place: Just Keep On Walking, by Skye Christensen

Second: The HORRIFING Black Death, by Thomas Gregory

Third: The Gown, by Genevieve Fuller

Teen (11-18 years old)

First Place: Below the Floorboards, by Maria Tonner

Second: The Seer Stone, by Violet Jackson

Third: Scary Stories for Green Stories, by Riley

Adult (18 and above)

First Place: It’s Smart to be Thrifty, by Luke Linna

Second: The Thirteenth Link, by Zachary Boyea

Third: The Lovely Aunt Grace, by Lori Linna

 

Read on, and beware...

 

FIRST PLACE - ADULT (19+):

It’s Smart to be Thrifty By Luke Linna (Adult category) 

Inspired by ITEM #: 2017.2.4 - Coin Bank 

“You’d better be smart.” 

The clerk bagged the rectangular coin bank alongside my groceries. I stood there catching up to what she said. 

“Excuse me?” 

She took the bank back out and showed the back of it to me, tapping it where the words 'It’s smart to be thrifty' was embossed. 

“Every quarter past four will count against your soul, you know. That’s a dollar per day, do you understand?” 

“N-no, not really..” 

She flashed an uncanny grin and bagged the bank again. 

“Well, eventually you will. Have a wonderful day, and thank you for shopping at Olliver’s!” 

I sat in my car, turning the empty bank over in my hands. I didn’t even remember picking it from a shelf to buy it.. I must have hit the perfect angle, because a quarter popped out of the hole in the bottom. I held it upside down and shook it - no jingle. I tipped it and a second quarter fell out. I thought I understood from that point onwards - one simple purchase per day, little things like candy, knicknacks, et cetera. A sensible effort of frugality kept me at bay. Time went on and I eventually entirely forgot about the little coin bank, living only on my own money.

But time is deceiving. A job, a house, a wife, a family, all of it arrives in the blink of an eye. Surprise expenses came and went, and more often than I’d like to admit, I stared at the safe where I kept my supernatural secret, wishing I could live on magic alone. But I never took more than four quarters a day. 

Misfortunes mounted. The company I worked for made some unwise investments and my pay was cut. As I sat in the dining room dejected, I smelled smoke; the alarm went off. Something I left plugged in in the garage set fire, and I quickly pulled my family out of the burning wreckage of our home. As we tearfully pored over the remains I saw something: the safe, forebodingly spotless amidst the ruins of everything I tried to protect. 

Yet I still had my family, and I would do anything for them. My stomach twisted into a knot as I felt that it was time. I knelt, entered the code for the safe, opened its door, pulled out the bank, and with trepidation shook out the first of thousands of quarters. My family stared in shock as the coins piled up, and I could only utter the words “Help me” in response to their wide-eyed looks of concern. So they did the best they could, and started to gather the coins. 

Hours later, we arrived at the bank with several dozen bags of quarters. As I approached the counter, the teller’s bored face took on a look of shock that I was used to seeing, and then...he grinned. I watched him straighten up and face me as I approached, and something about his grin was painfully familiar. It was like he was being forced to smile. 

“Someone’s being thrifty! What’s all this, then?” he said, with feigned surprise.

I ignored what he said and blurted out, “I’d like to deposit.. all of this.”

My wife, son and daughter were weighed down with coin bags behind me, looking equally drained. His grin slowly faded and he seemed to look at us properly for the first time. 

“I - I see. Sorry about that, let’s get started.” 

He asked us a couple questions during the process, and one caught me off-guard. 

“And where do you work, sir?” 

“Olliver’s.” 

I said it without thinking, as though I had always been working there. And it was true, wasn’t it? I’ve been working there twenty years. I wasn’t sure why I was so against this irrevocable, undeniable truth. I worked at Olliver’s. There wasn’t another company I was working for. I didn’t understand the look my wife gave me when I said this to the teller, and the look she continues to give me when I tell her I’m off to work. 

I got a new home, a new car, and a new lease on life after that. And every day I clock in at work at my favorite general goods store, where an old clerk with a very, very, very wide grin tells me I’m a smart, thrifty man.

 

FIRST PLACE - TEEN (11-18)
Below the Floorboards, by Maria Tonner (age 14)

Inspired by Artifact: Wicker Baby Carriage

I wake up to pounding. Thwack! It’s just the washing machine strange Uncle Ed won’t
move off the wall. His house is dusty, hot, and sour. Unfortunately, I’m stuck spending the summer on the farm with him. Mum and Dad say he needs the company after Aunt Jane died, and apparently, I am that company.
I check the red glow of the clock. 2:30 AM. My thoughts spiral in the silence of my
windowless room. Every room in the house is windowless…except the basement. Uncle Ed won't let me go down to explore it. What’s down there? Thwack! I decide to go down and investigate the basement.
I open my door quietly. The hallway is pitch black, the sour stench hitting me. I can’t see
anything, but I don’t dare turn on a light and wake Uncle Ed. Every floor board groans as I move across them. My breath catches as I pass by Uncle Ed’s room. His door is left ajar, which he never allows. I look inside, but nothing is visible.

The golden knob of the basement door is surrounded with a ring of light. I skulk towards it. It's cold and electric on my hand as I turn it. The knob squeaks as I slowly open the door. I leave the door open, and take the first step down.
I descend onto the concrete floor. It’s hotter down here. I gulp and feel along the wall for a light switch. Nothing. I stare straight ahead. There’s no other choice. I creep across the basement, ending in the center of it. There’s nothing down here. I can see the dimness of the upstairs. Suddenly, a shadow appears in the doorway. I hear the door close and lock. The figure is no longer visible. I hear footsteps slowly coming down the stairs. A raspy, demonic voice speaks.
“Follow her.”
Then, silence. It’s deafening. Through my labored breathing, I manage a “H-hello?” No
reply. All I hear is the shuffling of feet getting closer…I dash around the corner, then stop to hide and listen. It’s quiet…Wait. Squeak. Squeak. Squueeaakk. It sounds like- wheels.

Then suddenly, a red glow appears. I turn my head in horror to see a wicker baby carriage, slowly zig-zagging across the floor. It’s radiating the eerie red light, stopping in front of me.

A voice in my head tells me, Open it, Ava. My heart pounds. I lift the hood off the top of the carriage. A scream stops in my throat. It's a doll. Lying there, its head twisted backward. Only a few hairs cling to its scalp.
Then its head slowly turns toward me. I shriek. Blood is streaked on its face, the doll’s smile toothless. It rises up to a standing position. I back away and bolt.

I feel a door knob brush my hand. I turn around to see the carriage following me. I turn the knob and burst into the room, shutting and locking the door. There’s a dim light flickering and buzzing on the ceiling. I gasp. It illuminates coffins. Coffins everywhere. I inspect the stacks of them.

One stands apart, with a pink heart on its crooked lid. Again, a voice in my head calls to me. Open it. I hold my breath, and lift the lid. I scream. It can’t be. Aunt Jane. She’s laying there, pale, her eyes staring blankly ahead. I turn around and burst through the door, gasping. I come face to face with Uncle Ed. His black eyes stare straight into my soul.
“Ava," he says, sweetly.
I drop to my knees, and notice the baby carriage behind him. The doll is upright. I raise
my eyes to see Uncle Ed grab the doll and smash it over my head.

3 Years Later…
I woke up to pounding on the wall. Thwack! It was the washing machine. Strange Uncle
Ed won’t move it for anything. He lost my sister Ava, who he claimed died of a heart attack in the basement. I wouldn’t be here if Mum hadn’t insisted. Another bang from the washer sounds.
Time to go down to the basement and see what he’s hiding.
I’ve been down here a while. There’s nothing here. I left the door open, and I could see
upstairs. Suddenly, a shadow appears in the doorway. I hear the door close and lock. The figure is no longer visible. I hear footsteps slowly coming down the stairs. A raspy, demonic voice speaks.
“Follow her.”
Then, silence.

 

FIRST PLACE - YOUTH (10 years and younger)

Just Keep on Walking, by Skye Christensen (age 10) 

Inspired by Artifact: Dolls by Carol Gresko 

 

Oakley, 14, only child 

The Diary of Oakley, OCTOBER 31,1923 

Dear diary, 

It's me, Oakley again. I haven't really had anything happen much. Except it’s Halloween, which is my favorite holiday. It's a rainy day and mom and dad are at work so, might as well go on a walk. I will take me with you so I can “write down my thoughts about earth” like my teacher tells me when I'm bored about something. I'm on my way out the door right now. It's very stormy. Sometimes when it's stormy I like to go to the creek. I don't know why I like it. I think it's because I get to be away from the world and just watch how beautiful the world is. Anyways, I'm right by the creek now. As I was walking, I noticed there were three dolls in the creek. I decided to get them out of the water so now my hands are holding mucky dolls. They're kinda creepy actually. I noticed they were wearing old-timey clothes. It's giving me chills honestly. Something about this doesn't feel right, but I'm taking them home. 

I noticed this guy watching me. He was wearing this creepy clown suit smiling. The clown suit had yellow and a dirty red striped outfit. Clowns give me the hibbie-gibbies, so I just told myself “It's Halloween he's probably just trying on his outfit.” That made no sense to me but, it’s whatever makes me feel good. To distract me from whatever is happening right now, I'm thinking of where I should go trick or treating. You're probably wondering why I'm taking home these creepy abandoned dolls, diary. Well, I think it would be a good idea to add them to my decorations to scare off children. 

I just arrived home and I can't shake this feeling I’m being watched. I'm probably just over reacting. I feel uneasy…Did I just see...the clown outside my house?...SHUT UP OAKLEY… 

Diary, I'm thinking of going to the store to get my Halloween costume. Last year I dressed up as Ghost face from Scream. This year I'm thinking of going with my dog, Peanut, the weener dog. He could be the dog Chucky and I could be the normal Chucky. I love dressing up my dog. Peanut is my best friend. Speaking of Peanut, she keeps on barking at the dolls. It's weird, it's like she feels a presence or something. Just another “great” thing added to my day...

I took Peanut with me so he could tell me what he thinks. It's kind of empty honestly, like I swear it's only me, Peanut, and ONE cashier. Me and Peanut just found the CUTEST Halloween costume! Diary, I'm not joking when I say this Peanut is literally pouncing once we found this costume! It's a dog firefighter costume and the owner's costume is a fire! We bought it!

We're at the checkout and you know that clown I was talking about? He's right behind me in line. The worst part is, he doesn't even have anything to buy! Well except for this knife.. NOT ANY BETTER!!! I just grabbed the costume, Peanut, and darted off quickly. When we were running out of the store, the store's lights shut down out of the corner of my eye. Diary, I'm running right now.vA raindrop splashed on this page…it looks like...BLOOD...I can see the clown...diary I'm going to take a breather in my room I'll update you when it's time to trick or treat.

Diary, I'm back. It's time to trick or treat. Me and Peanut are in our costumes. You might be thinking, “why in the world are you going trick-or-treating after all that's happened???” 

Weeeelllll, 

1. NO WASTING MONEY!!! 

2. Me and Peanut look soooo cute! I CANNOT wait another year for that!!! 

3. It's my favorite holiday! I waited ALL year... 

Diary, we are on our way! Peanut looks adorable! Me and him are gonna go now, I'll keep you updated!

Diary, th- the dolls.. Are in the basket. I left them at home i-i swear...Diary, please help...Me and Peanut are the only ones here...Me and Peanut are running home...The clown is chasing us...

DIARY THE CLOWN - HE'S HERE HE'S INSIDE ME HOUSE...I'm hiding...Oh no... 

DIARY! 

SLASH 

Don't worry the dog made it...

THE END 

 

Diary I'm still out there...

– Oakley

 

Photo: Youth category winner Skye Christensen poses with her First Place award for her spooky story submitted for the 2026 Tales at the Museum for the Door County Museum and Archives. (Submitted)

 

While commemorations were held last month, the Belgian Heritage Center will take its remembrance of the Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871 one step further this weekend when it hosts “Beyond Survival: The True Cost of the Fires of 1871.” The fire burned for about a day but killed between 1,200 and 2,500 people and destroyed approximately 1.2 million acres, including swaths of land in Door and Kewaunee counties. Guests will learn more about those affected by the fire through biographical cards they will receive. Capt. David Siegel, author Susan D. Levitte and historian Barb Englebert Chisholm will also participate in a panel discussion sharing stories of the communities that had to rise from the ashes. Sandy Orsted of the Belgian Heritage Center says interest in the Great Peshtigo Fire never seems to fade.

 

 

The event will take place Nov. 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Belgian Heritage Center in Brussels. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

Winnie the Pooh and friends will receive a special package of more than 130 letters in the coming days, sent after a month-long celebration in Door County of Pooh's 100th anniversary.

Door County Library Director Dominic Frandrup talked about the various letter submissions, and how they came to land in the Winnie-Pooh-Looza mailboxes.

 

 

Colorfully decorated envelopes carry greetings to Pooh Corner in Hartfield, England

from children across Door County. Letters and drawings were collected during October in special boxes at libraries and Write On, Door County, with contributions from family letter-writing sessions, classroom assignments and a class at Northern Door Children’s Center. The letters were part of Winnie-Pooh-Looza, the monthlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh organized by the Friends of Door County Libraries.

 

Frandrup said Washington Islanders got very involved, going so far as to re-name the town for a day on October 14 to '100 Acre Wood' to celebrate the 100th anniversary of publication.

 

 

Photo: Door County Libraries Director Dominic Frandrup, left, and letter writer Theo Curtin prepare to send a special delivery to Pooh Corner in Hartfield, England, at the Sturgeon Bay Post Office. (Submitted)

More stops and new swag are part of the second edition of Door County’s newest holiday tradition: the Door County Christmas Movie Trail. Organized by Destination Door County, approximately 20 locations are included on this year’s trail, including places featured in the movie “A Cherry Pie Christmas” and others that were not featured but still played a role in its production.

 

Participants can check in at each location using their phones and earn prizes, including an ornament and a cheese grater, along the way. Those who shop and visit participating locations also have a chance to win Destination Door County gift certificates.

 

The Trail was relaunched Sunday following last year’s success, which attracted more than 3,000 participants from 35 states and generated more than $36,000 in trackable sales between Nov. 1 and Jan. 5. 

 

Destination Door County Director of Media Relations Jen Rogers is excited about the additional opportunities for visitors and residents to explore the peninsula while following in the footsteps of their favorite “A Cherry Pie Christmas” characters.

 

 

If you cannot get free tickets to Destination Door County’s screening of “A Cherry Pie Christmas,” the movie is available on YouTube, Tubi, and Roku, and will be available on Netflix beginning Nov. 19.

Cleaning out your home or business before winter? The County of Door wants to help you dispose of hazardous wastes, for free.

 

The county is holding two household hazardous waste collection events: Friday, Nov. 6 at the Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Station, from 2:00-4:00pm; and Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Door County Highway Dept., from 9-11am.

 

Bring unwanted items such as old gasoline, oil mixtures, pesticides, cleaners, paint products and batteries. This is NOT an electronics recycling event.

 

Limited funding is available for this program, and the collection will be operated on a first come, first served basis. There is no cost to the agricultural business or homeowner as part of this program. Costs are funded by the County of Door and the State of Wisconsin. 

 

The County reminds you to stay in your vehicle and bring materials in a box or container. Before you go, check the county’s list to make sure your items are accepted.

As autumn leaves settle onto the forest floor and cooler temperatures arrive, mushrooms begin appearing throughout the woods. Their colors, shapes, and unexpected locations often spark curiosity, but mushrooms are much more than seasonal decorations. They are signs that an important process is taking place beneath our feet.

 

Fall is one of the best times to find mushrooms because many fungi produce their fruiting bodies when conditions are cool and moist. Recent rains and lower temperatures create ideal conditions for a wide variety of species to emerge.

 

When most people think of fungi, they picture mushrooms. However, a mushroom is only a small part of a much larger organism. Hidden underground or within decaying wood is a network of threadlike structures called mycelium. This unseen portion of the fungus is often busy long before a mushroom appears.

 

Fungi play a critical role in ecosystems as decomposers. They break down fallen leaves, dead trees, and other organic material that would otherwise accumulate on the landscape. Through this process, nutrients are released back into the soil, where they can be used by plants and other organisms.

 

The next time you notice a fallen log slowly returning to the earth, consider the hidden community of fungi helping make that transformation possible. Even when no mushrooms are visible, mycelium may be hard at work recycling nutrients and supporting the health of the forest.

 

This month, Crossroads invites visitors to discover the fascinating world of fungi through a variety of mushroom-themed experiences. Throughout November, guests can enjoy a self-guided storybook walk along Meadow Trail featuring Mushrooms Know: Wisdom from Our Friends the Fungi by Kallie George. Beginning at the west trailhead, the story unfolds along the trail, combining outdoor exploration with lessons from the fungal kingdom. Inside the Collins Learning Center, hands-on exploration stations will offer learners of all ages opportunities to investigate mushrooms and their role in nature.

 

For those who prefer to learn alongside a naturalist, join us Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 1:30 p.m. for Wandering Wednesday. This free guided hike explores seasonal changes in the preserve and often reveals fungi, wildlife and other signs of autumn along the trail.

 

Young nature enthusiasts can continue the exploration during Nature Club on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 1 p.m. Children ages 6-8 are invited to discover, investigate and learn about the outdoors through hands-on activities. Preschool-age children and their families can join Junior Nature Club on Friday, Nov. 6, at 10 a.m. for a morning of outdoor adventure and discovery.

 

The fungi theme continues Friday, Nov. 6, at 1:30 p.m. with Fantastic Fungi: Movers & Shapers of Forest Ecosystems. Glen Stanosz, a former professor of tree and forest health at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will explore the important role fungi play in maintaining healthy forests and ecosystems. If you've ever wondered what mushrooms are doing beneath the surface, this program offers a chance to learn from an expert.

 

While fungi may be the focus this month, nature offers plenty of other surprises. On Monday, Nov. 9, at 3:15 p.m., children ages 6-12 can join Crossroads Critter Club: Let's Get Batty to learn about some of the forest's most fascinating flying mammals.

 

The combination of moisture, cooler temperatures, and abundant organic material makes autumn an especially rewarding season to explore fungi. As you walk the trails at Crossroads, take a closer look at fallen leaves, decaying logs, and tree stumps. You may discover mushrooms in surprising colors and forms or evidence of fungi quietly carrying out one of nature's most important jobs.

 

For those interested in mushroom hunting, remember that many edible species have poisonous look-alikes. Never eat a wild mushroom unless it has been positively identified by a qualified expert.

 

So, this month at Crossroads, take a hike, follow a story, attend a program and look a little closer. You may discover that some of the most important work in the forest is being done by organisms that are mostly hidden from view.

 

Upcoming programs

Throughout November

Enjoy a self-guided storybook walk along Meadow Trail, starting at the west trailhead. The featured story in November is Mushrooms Know: Wisdom from Our Friends the Fungi by Kallie George.

Trails are open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at no charge. The Collins Learning Center will feature a variety of hands-on exploration stations for all ages to discover more about mushrooms.

 

Wednesday, Nov. 4

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 leashes.

Registration is not required. This program is free and open to the public.

Location: Crossroads at Big Creek Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

 

Thursday, Nov. 5

1 p.m. | Nature Club

A free program for children ages 6-8 who love to discover, investigate and learn about the outdoors. Space is limited, so registration is required.

Location: Crossroads at Big Creek Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

 

Friday, Nov. 6

10 a.m. | Junior Nature Club

A free outdoor adventure designed for preschool-age children and their families to discover, investigate and learn about the outdoors. Space is limited, so registration is required.

Location: Crossroads at Big Creek Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

1:30 p.m. | Fantastic Fungi: Movers & Shapers of Forest Ecosystems

Ever wonder about the role fungi play in our ecosystems? Find out from Glen Stanosz, a former professor of tree and forest health at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Location: Crossroads at Big Creek Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

 

Monday, Nov. 9

3:15 p.m. | Crossroads Critter Club: Let's Get Batty

Swoop on over to Crossroads at Big Creek to learn all about bats and what makes them so fascinating! Children ages 6-12 are invited to join this interactive program about these remarkable flying mammals. Space is limited, so registration is required.

Location: Crossroads at Big Creek Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay.

Explorations of place, identity and memory through water, are the focus of the November exhibition at The Miller Art Museum in Sturgeon Bay.

 

As part of its ongoing invitational 12x12 Project, the Miller announced Ciel Skål as the November featured artist. This series spotlights contemporary artists from Wisconsin and the greater Midwest.

 

Skål's works will be on view November 2-30; the public is invited to celebrate the exhibition with an Artist Talk and reception, featuring a conversation between Skål and Curator of Exhibitions and Collections Suzanne Rose on Saturday, November 7, at 4pm.

Born in the Pacific Northwest in 1994, Skål is now a Wisconsin-based multidisciplinary artist exploring identity, memory, grief, and the meaning of home. She earned bachelor’s degrees in Art History and Arts Management from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, and began pursuing an MFA in Interdisciplinary Research at the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2026, integrating studio practice with pigment research and water studies.

Late fall is the time to transition to quieter indoor activities, and the Algoma Public Library has options for all ages. Following are a few of the noteworthy events happening at the APL in November. 

• Paper quilling holiday cards with Katie, Thursday, November 6, 1 - 4pm. Roll, shape and glue narrow strips of paper into decorative 2D and 3D designs. For ages 18-plus.

• Toddler Time every Tuesday at 10:30am. Designed for children ages 1-3, this interactive story time will spark your child's love of books through engaging stories, lively songs and playful activities.

• Join the Library for a relaxed evening of Gratitude Journaling, Thursday, November 19, 5-6pm. Simple prompts will help you notice the good, big and small. Refreshments will be served, and you'll receive a free journal to decorate and take home so you can continue your gratitude practice long after the event. For ages 10–18.

• Quilting with Niki: Saturday, November 7 from 10 am-2pm. Quilting with Niki is back with a quick and easy Halloween table runner, with some easy applique to spice it up! Sign up is required due to limited seating, and available pre-cut kits. For ages 18-plus.

• Book Clubs, November 5, 12, and 17. Check library website for locations and club information.

Library CLOSED November 26-29, for a Thanksgiving break.

For details on these, and other Algoma Public Library events, visit the APL website.

 

Be aware and prepared - especially during your morning commute - for the scheduled Bayview Bridge (WI 42/57) closure on Monday, November 2 through Wednesday, November 4. The Bayview Bridge will be closed to vehicles and marine navigation from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. all three days.

 

Work being done includes replacement of the live load shoes. Live load shoes, also called live load bearings or reaction assemblies, support components on movable bridges that carry the weight of traffic (live loads) when the span is closed and seated.

The Southern Door High School Student Council and the American Red Cross are sponsoring a blood drive from 9 am to 2 pm on Monday, November 2 in the SDHS Gym, in Brussels. Enter at door #11.

Anyone who is at least 17 years of age, weighs at least 110 pounds, or is 16 with parent
permission, and is in good health, may donate blood. Under 18 will need to fill out the parent permission form on the Red Cross website.

 

To sign up to give blood you can either walk in, or sign up for a designated time at the High School, online at www.redcross.org. Search for your nearest blood drive using 54204. 

 

The American Red Cross reminds you that the need for blood is constant, and only volunteer donors can fulfill that need for patients in our community. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every 2 to 3 seconds, and most of us will need blood in our lifetime.

For the first time since July, the USS Silversides is docked in Muskegon, Michigan, after spending the summer in Sturgeon Bay. The World War II submarine was towed back to its home port overnight after leaving Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding at approximately 4 p.m. Friday.

 

 

It was only the second time the USS Silversides had traveled on an open-water trip since arriving in Michigan in 1987. The submarine underwent a $3.5 million restoration to help preserve it as a maritime attraction for decades to come.

 

 

The USS Silversides Museum documented the restoration efforts throughout the submarine's stay in Sturgeon Bay, ranging from zebra mussel removal to the addition of numerals that had not been seen on the submarine in years.

 

 

By 9 a.m. Saturday, the USS Silversides was greeted by onlookers as it returned home. The USS Silversides joins the USS Cobia as one of the submarines that have recently called Sturgeon Bay home for dry-dock work.

After putting the Halloween candy away, remember to turn your clocks back one hour this Sunday as Daylight Saving Time comes to an end. With this extra hour of sleep comes  earlier sunsets and later sunrises until the solstice on December 21. 

While proponents of Daylight Saving Time say it saves energy and makes better use of daylight, the National Fire Protection Association reminds you to use the time change as a reminder to test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke alarms with non-replaceable batteries are designed to last up to 10 years, but others should get a fresh battery annually. 

Daylight Saving Time will resume on March 14, 2027.

While many of us are relishing in autumn's last hurrah this weekend with Halloween on a Saturday, Sister Bay is already thinking of winter holidays, and drawing visitors back to the Village after the leaves fall.

The Sister Bay Historical Society announced the dates for its sixth annual Christkindlmarkt, or Christmas market, scheduled to take place on three weekends in November and December: Nov. 27–29, Dec. 4–6, and Dec. 11–13.

 

Christkindlmarkt events are held worldwide, especially in northern Europe, where they originated in the 13th Century. Christkindlmarkt Door County vendors set up in small huts and historic buildings at the Sister Bay Historical Society’s Corner of the Past Museum on the outskirts of the Village of Sister Bay. The event is limited to 50 arts and crafts vendors, and there's a wide variety to browse, says SBHS spokesperson Lisa O'Hern.

 

 

Door County’s popular Christkindlmarkt showcases vendors selling handcrafted, mainly locally-made goods, plus food booths selling traditional German and Nordic street food and drinks. The first five Christkindlmarkt Door County events (2021-2025) drew more than 10,000 visitors each year, according to event organizers, benefitting not only the Historical Society, but also northern Door County businesses.

 

 

In honor of the Christmas movie “A Cherry Pie Christmas,” partially filmed on the Christkindlmarkt property, the Sister Bay Historical Society will be offering “Cherry Pie in a Cup”, host a pop-up baked goods and holiday ornament sale, in addition to selling the organizations Glühwein -  hot mulled red wine - with the offer to purchase a collectible Glühwein mug designed by Sarah Koehler, a Door County artist based in Ephraim. And a local brewery has crafted a special Winter Ale for the Markt.

 

Kids’ can decorate and personalize a holiday ornament or write a letter to Santa Claus on printed stationery. Sister Bay’s USPS office has a special mailbox for letters to Santa. 

 

Live Christmas music at this year’s market will be performed outdoors by both Gibraltar School band and choir students, and professional carolers.

 

 

Corner of the Past Museum is located at the corner of Fieldcrest Rd. and Hwy 57 in Sister Bay (10310 Fieldcrest Rd.). Attendee parking is at nearby Sister Bay locations; throughout the event, buses will ferry attendees to and from these nearby parking lots. Paid parking available adjacent to Markt grounds.

 

For all the details, visit the Door County Christmas Market website.

 

As I enter into the final 60 days of my time as Sheriff, I think back over the amazing experience that it has been, and the equally amazing people I have had the opportunity to work alongside in keeping Kewaunee County a great place to live, work, and raise our children. Over the past few weeks, I have started the process of transition, to include cleaning out my office, which has brought back so many memories and reflections of projects, plans, initiatives, and overall work that I have had the honor of being part of. Bringing me to my topic for this week: Capacity.

 

The word capacity comes from the Latin word “capacitas,” which means breadth or being able to hold much. In this article, I will apply the word capacity to our ability handle the various pressures, stressors, and challenges that we face in life. Each of us has our own unique capacity for such loads, but what is truly remarkable about each and every one of us, is that we have the ability to increase our capacity. 

 

In the mechanical world, capacity is static. If you have a half-ton truck, you know its payload capacity is 1,500 to 2,300 pounds. If you have a three-quarter ton truck, that capacity is 3,000 to 4,268 pounds. Anyone who has grown up on a farm, knows the consequences of exceeding the capacity of your truck. It doesn’t end well. 

 

In the world of human nature, however, we can grow that capacity. We do this by continually challenging ourselves, accepting failure, then building on that failure with the knowledge gained through it. In the resiliency world, we call this “Failing Forward”. As I look back over the past 34 years in law enforcement with 20 of those as Sheriff, I have done a great deal of Failing Forward.

 

When I ran for this office, I was a young 36-year-old patrol officer, with what I thought was a significant amount of life experiences to meet the challenge before me. To be honest, I didn’t know if I had what it would take, but I was blessed with a strong sense of optimism, so away we went. Remarkably, I was able to convince enough people in this community to have as much faith in me as I had in myself. My capacity was about to tested.

 

From the moment I raised my right hand, my life changed forever. I ceased to be Matt Joski, and took on both the title and obligations that went along with my new identity: Sheriff Joski. 

 

There has not been a day that hasn’t challenged me. Every interaction increased my capacity through a broadening of perspective, an increase in tolerance, and an appreciation for the beauty of each person with whom I interacted. There were times when that broadening came easy, and was a result of a pleasant event or conversation. Other times, it was the result of an event or interaction filled with pain and suffering. What is important, is that in either circumstance there was in fact growth, and an increase in capacity. I can never be that idealistic 24-year-old that put on the uniform so many years ago. I’ve seen too much, and I am grateful for all of it, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, for it has made me who I am. 

 

Within us, we each have our unique capacity to handle the many challenging events and people in our lives. Don’t be afraid to expand that capacity.

The Sturgeon Bay Common Council will cross a major item off its to-do list Tuesday when it holds its first meeting of November. The council will hold a public hearing on its 2027 budget before considering its approval.

 

Last week, Sturgeon Bay Mayor David Ward estimated that the city's property tax levy would increase by 3%. In an update provided by City Administrator Josh Van Lieshout, the council will need to pass two resolutions before officially adopting the budget and tax levy. The resolutions would increase the general fund contingency line item by $500,000, offset that increase by appropriating an additional $500,000 from the general fund balance, and update the 2026 tax increment figures and transfers for the affordable housing tax incremental district and TIDs 4 through 11, according to the finance director's Oct. 28 memo.

 

Overall, the tax levy would increase from $8,832,205 in 2026 to $9,274,494 in 2027. Ward said last week that the council worked hard to keep the levy increase below the rate of inflation.

 

 

The Sturgeon Bay Common Council will also consider rezoning two parcels on Neenah Avenue from office/business park to mixed commercial residential when it meets in the council chambers at City Hall beginning at 6 p.m.

 

If there is gold to be had lately, Gibraltar alum Brandon Stillman has been nearby.

 

As Upper Deck Company's associate manager of talent relations, Stillman followed up his gold medal-clinching experience with the U.S. hockey team in February with a spot under the catwalks of Tropicana Field when the Milwaukee Brewers clinched their first World Series title in franchise history.

 

Stillman attended games in all three of the Brewers' playoff series, catching a foul ball in San Diego during the National League Division Series being among the highlights. He says being around so many Wisconsinites during the Brewers' three games in Tampa Bay made his first World Series experience even more special than he expected.

 

 

Stillman feels fortunate to have a job that has allowed him to witness so many memorable sports moments in person, many involving his favorite teams.

 

 

With a Packers Super Bowl victory still on his bucket list, Stillman has plenty of events on his Upper Deck calendar, including NHL and NBA action.

Residents at Door County Medical Center's Pete and Jelaine Horton Center Skilled Nursing Facility had several special guests Friday who helped celebrate Halloween while putting their school's annual fund theme into practice.

 

St. John Bosco Catholic School's 4K and 5K students dressed up in their Halloween costumes and visited the facility to play bingo with residents and see artwork they had created for them earlier in the year. The visit was part of St. John Bosco's "Faith in Action" theme for the school's annual fund drive, which supports its operations. St. John Bosco School Board Trustee Ashley Schanock says students are learning how small acts of kindness can make a difference, even at a young age.

 

 

Schanock says work is already underway for its Advent Angels project to collect food, tolietries, and other items to make lufe brighter this holiday season. The school's annual fund drive, which runs throughout the year, has already raised more than $20,000 toward its goal of $50,000 by the end of November.

As deer activity rises in Door and Kewaunee counties, so does the chance of encountering one on the road when you least expect it. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, deer-related crashes account for about 14% of all traffic crashes statewide, totaling more than 17,000. Closer to home, Kewaunee County has already experienced 273 deer-related crashes, matching its total at this point in 2020 and nine more than at this time last year. Door County has recorded fewer deer-related crashes this year, with 324 compared to 466 at this point last year. Nearly two dozen deer-related crashes have occurred this week, something Door County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Kyle Veeser says is likely due to cooler temperatures and the start of the rut. He adds that it is important to remain vigilant while driving, especially around dawn and dusk.

 

 

If you hit a deer, Veeser says it is important to contact the Sheriff's Office so deputies can ensure the deer and any debris are removed from the roadway to keep other motorists safe. Deer-related crashes are also part of the reason the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Conservation Warden Chris Kratcha encouraged hunters last week to use all available tags associated with their licenses to help control the deer population.

With October 31 falling on Saturday in 2026, Halloween-themed activities abound on the peninsula. The following are a sampling of community Halloween events happening around Door and Kewaunee Counties. For the complete details on each event, look up the event online.

 

Start the day off with Thrills and Chills in Sturgeon Bay! The childrens’ costume parade begins at 9:45am and will  close Third Avenue, while the Jack O’ Lantern Days in Fish Creek costume march begins at 1pm, in Clark Park by the Town docks.

Ephraim and Baileys Harbor are hosting family friendly activities Saturday afternoon and into the evening. 

Jack O Lantern Days in Fish Creek continues Saturday evening, 4:30-6:30pm with the Haunted Trail. 

For trick or treating times in each Door County community, please look online.

 

In Kewaunee County, family activities are offered at Lakehaven Hall, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm. 

Trick or Treat times by community, check VisitKewauneeCounty.com for community specific times.

Even as the United Way of Door County's Techquity program comes to an end, its impact will last for years to come. Thanks to a grant from Techquity WI, United Way of Door County and the Door County Economic Development Corp. partnered to provide free, long-term laptop loans and digital navigation assistance to eligible Wisconsin residents.

 

Hundreds of laptops were distributed as part of the program, helping people better connect to their schoolwork, health records, job applications and more. United Way of Door County Executive Director Amy Kohnle says they heard amazing stories about how the program was changing lives.

 

 

Kohnle adds that volunteers are distributing the final laptops this week as they work through the program's waiting list.

 

United Way of Door County has reached approximately 27% of its $1.25 million annual campaign goal. To support the campaign, the organization will host its annual Door County Jeep Run on Nov. 7. You can learn more about the event at this link.

What if George Bailey ran down Third Avenue in Sturgeon Bay instead of Genesee Street in Bedford Falls? Third Avenue PlayWorks is not going quite that far, but they are giving the story a local feel as the cast of It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Door County prepares to begin rehearsals next month.

 

Adapted by Neil Brookshire, It's a Wonderful Life: Live in Door County gives the 1940s radio play classic a new spin, with some Door County businesses starring in some of the commercial reads.

 

Artistic Director Jacob Janssen says TAP has performed It's a Wonderful Life many times in the radio play format, and the cast is definitely in the holiday spirit as they prepare for the show's December opening.

 

 

Tickets are on sale now, with the production opening for a pay-what-you-will preview Dec. 2 and running through Dec. 27. TAP will also host a post-show conversation Dec. 11 following its 2 p.m. matinee. You can listen to our full preview of the show here.

 

Mother Nature gave Wisconsin farmers a helping hand last week, allowing them to move from field to field as they worked to finish harvesting crops and planting for next year.

 

According to the USDA's latest Crop Progress and Condition Report, farmers had 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork last week, two more than the previous week.

 

The favorable conditions helped farmers make significant progress, with the soybean harvest reaching 87% completion, 11 percentage points ahead of the five-year average.

 

Farmers also made up ground on other crops, with the corn-for-grain harvest reaching 42% completion, just 1 percentage point behind the five-year average. Winter wheat planting reached 88% completion, 4 percentage points behind average.

 

 

Your commute across Sturgeon Bay's downtown bridges could be interrupted in the coming days by a World War II submarine.

 

The USS Silversides Museum announced this week that the USS Silversides could begin its journey back to its home dock in Muskegon, Michigan, as early as Thursday. However, its departure could be delayed until Nov. 4 if weather conditions do not cooperate.

 

The historic World War II submarine made the 113-mile journey to Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay in July, marking its first open-water trip since 1987. Shortly after its arrival, the submarine began undergoing a $3.5 million restoration to help preserve it as a maritime attraction for decades to come.

 

USS Silversides Museum staff showcased some of the improvements on social media as part of the submarine's homecoming announcement.

 

 

 

 

Before becoming part of the USS Silversides Museum, the submarine sank 23 Japanese ships, destroyed 16 sea mines and rescued two downed pilots during its World War II service.

 

The departure of the USS Silversides will make room at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding for the winter fleet, which is expected to begin arriving in the coming weeks.

 

Last year, Manitowoc's USS Cobia underwent similar dry-dock repairs at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding.

 

You can follow the USS Silversides Museum on Facebook for the latest updates on the submarine's departure.

 

The skill of learning to read another language takes time, patience, and is made easier with the help of someone fluent in that language. Gaining that skill is something to celebrate, and Literacy Door County (LCD) hosted an intimate gathering Tuesday evening to celebrate 11 years of helping people achieve literacy.

 

More than 40 people gathered - former students and family members, tutors and supporters - at the Kress Center in Door County for 'The Next Chapter Gala' of LDC. (Door County Media Group/NEW Radio/Door County Daily News is a supporter of Literacy Door County and the Gala).

 

The story of LDC's formation and services was shared, and organization board President Kelly Hellmann thanked sponsors, and especially the tutors who share their time and knowledge. The organization trains volunteers to provide one-on-one English tutoring to any adult in need.

 

 

Viktor, a former welder at Therma-Tron-X (TTX), moved to America three years ago from Ukraine. He connected with the Literacy center in Sturgeon Bay and tutor Joyce. While tutoring Viktor to read, write and solve math problems in English, she accompanied him to TTX to help him learn the tools of his trade. 

 

"Literacy center is a great opportunity for people new in this country, who want to learn English and make their life better," Viktor said, while briefly sharing his story of immigration and starting a new life in the U.S.

 

Per LDC's code of privacy, last names were withheld at the Gala.