When a sign that welcomes habitual visitors to Door County goes missing, its bound to be noticed, and even missed. After recently being shipped off for a refurbishment, Door County Parks Manager Burke Pinney said that he’d return to work on Mondays to listen to voicemails from people like vacationers and seasonal residents who were curious where their Door County greeting went. When finding out it went away for a facelift, they would need to know what will happen to it. 

Pinney said over time issues accumulated include the LED style lighting they used becoming outdated, faded painting, damaged aluminum panels, and the letters had enough depth for animals to make nests in. Pinney says that the animals coupled with harsh Door County winters aged the sign over time. The sign will look the same with the naked eye, but letters will have significantly less depth, which was not an option in 2008 when the original sign was erected. After the sign made it 13 years without needing a touch-up, Pinney is confident the refurbished version will make it at least a decade.