This week, Crossroads at Big Creek will not be offering our regular family program, Saturday Science,  because on Saturday, September 7, from 12:00 noon to 3:30 pm we will hold our fall fundraiser, “Trails and Ales” (for information and to purchase tickets, visit crossroadsatbigcreek.org/event/trails-ales) But that doesn’t mean we will not provide science-based learning experiences. We ARE Crossroads, after all.

The designated Ale Trail is a mere one-third mile long, but at intervals along the trail, participants will visit beer sampling stations representing all eight Door County breweries. As a bonus, the Trail passes through a variety of habitats during the peak of the fall wildflower season and when autumn leaves are just beginning to show their colors. Consequently, the event is, in a very real way, a nature hike.

Brewing is an art, but it is also a science. The Green Bay Rackers, a group of home-brew enthusiasts, will be on hand to explain the science of the eight-step process, from selecting the appropriate ingredients to fermentation and conditioning. Their presentations will be enlightening.

Now that schools are back in session, Crossroads will offer after-school programs from 3:30 to 4:30 on Mondays and Wednesdays. While the activities are intended for elementary students, we welcome families and learners of all ages to participate.

The Monday, September 9 class will visit Big Creek to look for creatures that hide under the rocks. Many creatures do “go below,” especially during dry summers like this one, when the creek water is a mere trickle. But the creek bottom sediments remain moist even in very dry years, so the micro-habitats under the rocks are teeming with a fascinating variety of life. 

The Wednesday, September 11 program will feature insect mouth parts adapted to the specific food sources of each species. Using common household items, including a straw, a baby spoon, a syringe, a pair of plyers, and a sponge, the group will learn about the feeding habits of local insects and, weather-permitting, go outside and catch (and release) a few. 

And don’t forget Wednesday Wanderings, offered each week at 1:30. These naturalist-led hikes to destinations in the Big Creek Preserve will introduce environmental concepts, provide stress-reducing exercise, and, for Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners, qualify for education hours. 

Reservations are not required, and the educational programs are open to the public, free of charge, thanks to the generosity of our donors.

Thursday, September 5

5:30 Resources for Landowner Series

As the final part of the 2024 Landowners Series, local non-profit organizations will share their resources and conservation work. Reservations are Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Friday, Sept 6

 2:30-4:30 Tours of the Hanson House

Spend part of your “Afternoon with Bertha,” our costumed interpreter who will describe the history of the Hanson House and the Greeves farm. No pre-registration is required. Meet at the Hanson Homestead (across from The Cove Estuary, 2200 Utah, Sturgeon Bay. Free and open to the public. Donations accepted.

Saturday, Sept. 7

Noon-3:30 Trails and Ales

Stroll the trails and enjoy beer from Door County Brew Masters. For details and tickets, crossroads atbigcreek.org/event/trails-ales/

Monday, September 9

3:30 Afterschool Program: Creatures Under Rocks

This after-school program is intended for elementary students, but learners of all ages are welcome to learn about the insects and other creatures that hide under the rocks when the creek is low.  Water shoes are helpful but not required. No pre-registration is required.  Free thanks to the generosity of our donors. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay

Tuesday, September 10

7:00 DPAS Meeting: “Shakespeare and Science

At the September meeting of DPAS, Tom Minahan will present “Shakespeare and Science.” How much did Shakespeare know about the developments in cosmology during his writing years, and how are his works informed by such? Tom also will comment on English astronomy before 1600 and the speculative use of a telescope before Galileo. Meet at the  Stonecipher Astronomy Center, 2200 Utah Street, Sturgeon Bay

Wednesday, September 11

1:30  Wandering Wednesday: Native Flowers of Meadow Trail

Join the naturalist on a guided hike through the meadow of Crossroads, observing the flowers that provide nectar for butterflies. No pre-registration is required.  About an hour. Easy walking. Open to the public; Free thanks to the generosity of our donors. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay

3:30 Nature Exploration: Insect Mouthparts

Learn about the insect mouth parts that enable insects to eat their preferred food. Demonstrations and ( weather permitting) outdoor netting. This program is geared to elementary students but is open to learners of all ages. Free of charge thanks to the generosity of our donors. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay

The Luxemburg Police Department is looking for some honesty or, at the very least, some help in solving a vandalism case from Tuesday night.

On Wednesday, Luxemburg Police Chief Chris Gulbrand announced it was searching for suspects of a break-in at Luxemburg Feed Mill between 4 p.m. August 27th and 7 a.m. August 28th. In addition to breaking through a dead-bolted door, the vandals spray-painted a word in green on the side of a grain bin.

On Friday, Gulbrand released two images of suspects that appeared on camera within 10 minutes of each other beginning shortly before 8:40 p.m. One was a young man wearing a yellow shirt and black shorts, and two others were donning blue jeans. 

A third set of images, featuring a man in a blue shirt, black shorts, and white shoes and a woman in a tan top and blue jean shorts, was taken between 10:55 p.m. and 11:05 p.m.

If it is you or you might recognize the people in the photos, you are encouraged to call the Luxemburg Police Department at 920-845-5381.   

A lot has changed over the last 25 years, but there are more than 11 million reasons why you can thank United Way of Door County Executive Director Amy Kohnle. Since she was hired as the organization's first full-time employee in August 1999, she has helped the United Way of Door County raise more than $11.1 million for various programs throughout the area, many of which the organization still supports today. One of those programs is Door-Tran, an idea Kohnle championed after a personal tragedy caused by a car accident. Now, Door-Tran not only helps support 40,000 rides for community members annually, it also provides thousands of dollars in vouchers to help people with car repairs and vehicle purchases. Kohnle says the United Way of Door County has grown alongside the community's needs.

After starting with an annual campaign goal of $285,000 in 1999, that total has grown to $1 million this year. Kohnle hopes they are at 20 percent of that goal by this weekend.

In the months since Governor Tony Evers and other stakeholders cut the ribbon on its new facility in Sevastopol, DOCO Child Development has been able to address the community's needs. Thanks partly to a Wisconsin Workforce Innovation Grant and partnerships with the United Way of Door County and the Door County Community Foundation, DOCO Child Development officially opened its new center in January, boasting better flow for its current students and teachers and additional space to welcome new families. The licensed group, child care center, can now serve up to 150 children ranging from six weeks to seven years old, eliminating their lengthy waitlist for new families. In addition, the building now allows DOCO Child Development to offer an additional preschool program thanks to a partnership with HeadStart, increased infant care spots, afterschool and summer camp programs, enrichment programming, emotional intelligence initiatives, and community rental spaces. All that extra elbow room excited Executive Director Alexis Fuller back in January.

Fuller adds that it has been amazing to see the children flourish in a center designed specifically for them by our dedicated Early Childhood Educators.

You can cap off the unofficial end of summer this weekend in Sister Bay at their annual Marina Fest celebration. Billed initially as a thank-you note to the community for supporting the Sister Bay Marina, the annual festival features food, live music, and family-friendly activities on Saturday and Sunday. Marina Fest also showcases the various non-profit organizations that help the village in various ways. Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Chief Chris Hecht estimates that the department has spent a portion of the last 25 Labor Day weekends serving hundreds of pancake breakfasts to hungry guests before they explore the rest of the waterfront on Saturday morning. Hecht says it is an important time for its outreach to the community and to raise important funds for needs like its planned drone purchase.

Other Marina Fest highlights include the children's boat-making station run by the Sister Bay Lions Club, its Saturday night fireworks, and its two-day arts and crafts fair. You can find the full schedule of events here.

You can expect heavier road traffic this holiday weekend in Door and Kewaunee Counties.  AAA predicts a nine percent increase over last year in people traveling throughout the Labor Day weekend.  Adding to the boost in anticipated traffic is the fact that the average price of gasoline is about 30 cents cheaper than it was over Labor Day weekend in 2023.  Door County Sheriff Chief Deputy Pat McCarty advises drivers to plan accordingly with the influx of traffic.

The best time to travel is before noon on Friday and avoid the peak travel in the afternoon and early evening (2:00 – 6:00 p.m.)  If you decide to travel on Saturday, leaving in the afternoon is your best choice to avoid more traffic.  See the chart below for the worst and best times to travel by car over the weekend, according to AAA. 

You have seen plenty of changes at Southern Door School District over the past year, and it is not just the new face in charge. Dr. Kevin Krutzik took the district's reins on July 1st after being named the superintendent in February. Krutzik carries with him a 19-year career in education to go along with his studies at Edgewood College, Silver Lake College, Marquette University, and Lakeland University. He served as a Principal at Sheboygan Falls High School, Assistant Principal at Fond du Lac School High School, Middle/High School Principal at Oshkosh Lourdes Academy, and Business & Information Technology Teacher and Interim Principal at Manitowoc Lincoln High School before his appointment. Krutzik has not just had to get used to new faces and names like everybody does when they switch jobs. He says he has been trying to get out in the community to talk to people and get their thoughts and some reminders along the way.

Krutzik has also had to navigate the final months of several referendum-related projects, including the construction of a new indoor turf gym and greenhouse. As the third Southern Door superintendent to oversee the improvements, he says it has been very exciting to be in his seat.

Southern Door students start the school year on September 3rd. At 4 p.m. on September 20th, the district will host a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to showcase the new Talon Community Fitness Center and other referendum projects. Following the ceremony, guests can check out the improvements before the homecoming football game against Peshtigo.

Click this link to listen to our full interview

You are running out of opportunities to catch theater in the garden this year as Peninsula Players embarks on the final shows of its season. This weekend marks the final performances of Mary's Wedding before the theatre switches over for the final weeks with The Stranger. Mary's Wedding is a love story that is bound together through letters and dreams during the World War I time period. The Stranger is based on a recently discovered short story written by Agatha Christie about a woman who ends a years-long engagement to run off with a new flame. While rehearsals have been going on for weeks, Audra Baakari Boyle from Peninsula Players says a lot of work goes into closing one show and opening another.

The curtains close for Mary's Wedding on September 1st, while The Stranger runs from September 4th through October 20th. You can click this link to listen to our full interview, which includes previews for both shows.

Over the next year, you will have to find a different route around Sevastopol and Jacksonport. On Wednesday, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Governor Tony Evers announced a contract worth $3,257,378 to improve four State Highway 57 drainage structures between Sturgeon Bay and Baileys Harbor. Beginning September 3rd, crews will work at Lily Bay Creek to replace a concrete box culvert and at Geisel Creek to install a new box girder bridge. The work is expected to last until November. DOT Spokesperson Mark Kantola says the area around the closures will be open to local traffic but adds that you cannot cross where the work is being done.

STH 57 will close two other times next year. From April to July 2025, the highway will close at Logan Creek to replace existing culvert pipes with a new at-grade slab span bridge. The same improvements will be done to the highway at Hibbard Creek, forcing its closure from September 2025 to November 2025. You can find the detour information below.

Traffic impacts

WIS 57 will be CLOSED AND DETOURED during the replacement of these drainage structures. No vehicles will be allowed to cross the structures during construction. There will be no access across the streams. Local, business, and emergency access will be maintained at all times.

Upcoming closure

WIS 57 will be CLOSED at both the Lily Bay and Geisel Creek structures beginning Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024. The bridge is expected to open by November 2024. 

Detour: The WIS 57 detour will follow WIS 42 and County I. 

WIS 57 will remain open to businesses and properties in the closed portion of WIS 57.

Please use the detour or other local routes to get around the construction zone if you do not have a destination within the closed portion of WIS 57.

Future closures

During the construction of the Logan Creek structure, the WIS 57 detour will follow County T and County V. 

During the construction of the Hibbard Creek structure, the WIS 57 detour will follow County V, County A, and County E.

A tradition of singing and helping others will continue on Sunday as Zion United Methodist Church hosts an Old Fashion Hymn Sing to help another organization.  The Zion Mission Committee has raised over $44,000 for Door County non-profits since 1993 and will hold its September singing event to benefit Crossroads at Big Creek’s Learning Center and Nature Preserve in Sturgeon Bay.

The Hymn Sing has attracted participants from over 13 local congregations and visitors to Door County. Pastor Don Heeringa directs the hymn sing-along, which is open to all. 

The Old Fashion Hymn Sing at Zion United Methodist Church will be held at 5 p.m. this Sunday, September 1.  The free will offerings raised funds for Door County Habitat for Humanity at July's hymn sing. 

The Kewaunee County community came together late Tuesday to deal with the aftermath of a major thunderstorm that rolled through Kewaunee and caused travel within the city to come to a near standstill with fallen trees and power lines.  Emergency Management Director Tracy Nollenberg says her department was out immediately following the storm to do a damage assessment and utilized the Emergency Notification System to let Kewaunee County residents know to avoid driving through the city of Kewaunee.

In addition to emergency and Wisconsin Public Service crews working to clear roadways and restore power, many volunteers, including some from the Algoma Street Department and the Kewaunee Storm football team, helped to remove debris and clean up large fallen branches on neighboring lawns along streets. WPS reported 58 customers were still without power in the Kewaunee area as of 10:30 Wednesday morning.   

(photo above courtesy of Casey Gretz on Kewaunee Speak Up)

Starting this week, you will see one of the more popular and utilized park pavilions in Sturgeon Bay getting a new facelift.  The City of Sturgeon Bay will begin the long-awaited improvements to the Sunset Park pavilion on Wednesday, which will cost $439,237 to renovate fully.  Municipal Services Director Mike Barker says the process will begin with removing some of the existing concrete and require closing the public bathrooms in the shelter.  He describes how the new pavilion will have cultured stone and resemble the one at Otumba Park on the city's west side, which also has a stone fireplace and grill.   

Barker adds that the contractor, Portside Builders, expects to complete the project by mid-November. During the pavilion renovation period, visitors to Sunset Park will be able to use the portable restrooms located just north of the pavilion.    

You or a team can participate in a dual event offered again at the Door County YMCA in Sturgeon Bay next month.  After a one-year hiatus, The Door County YMCA Duathlon is back at the YMCA Aquatics Center and Peterson Park on Saturday, September 21.  Aquatics Director Heidi Honold says the competition is fun for youth six years or older and includes an adult division for the first time this year.  She notes that the registration is open until September 13, and you can sign up to compete as an individual or a two-person team with a runner and a swimmer.

Honold notes that the swim portion of the Duathlon covers between 200 and 500 yards, depending on your age group, while the running leg ranges from two to four laps around Peterson Park.  The Door County YMCA Duathlon includes a free t-shirt with registration and a custom swim cap for the top three finishers in each age group.  You can find more information on the event here. 

UPDATE:  As of 5 am. Wednesday, 39 WPS customers in Kewaunee are without power. 

Over 1800 homes and businesses in Kewaunee were left without power for several hours Tuesday afternoon after a major thunderstorm ripped through the area over the noon hour.  As late as 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, over 4900 WPS customers in Northeastern Wisconsin were still without power, including 2765 in Kewaunee County.  With winds reportedly over 50 miles per hour, the storm downed several trees and lamp posts on the downtown streets, including Ellis Street and Highway 42, causing the closure while crews worked to remove debris and fallen trees.  Many businesses closed due to the power outage and damage, including Waterfront Bar & Grill, which had a tent piping dislodged and destroyed an outside air conditioning unit. 

(Photos courtesy of Susan Szydel)

The Door County Board voted 17-2 on Tuesday to move forward with a plan for the Door County Library's Sturgeon Bay campus and the Miller Art Museum to go their separate ways within the next five years. According to the agreement, the Door County Library and the Miller Art Museum will use the next five years to plan and raise the necessary money to accomplish their goals for the future. If the museum remains in the city, the agreement also states that Sturgeon Bay officials will cooperate with the Miller Art Museum to pursue grants and offer financial support for needs like public restrooms and parking. If the museum cannot vacate the library by September 1st, 2029, it will pay a rent of $3,500 monthly for up to one year. Supervisor Nissa Norton said during the meeting that the county's Library Board disapproves of the agreement, but Door County Administrator Ken Pabich and Door County Board Chairperson David Englebert added that it is two entities on different paths.

Supervisors Nissa Norton and Phillip Rockwell were the dissenting votes, while two others were absent. The board discussed other upcoming capital projects it would like to address in the coming years as part of its budget planning process.

LISTEN TO THE FULL CONVERSATION HERE

The burst of hot weather is causing utility companies to ask their users to do some small things to make a big impact on their power usage.

Also called a conservative operation day by its bulk-service provider Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Sturgeon Bay Utilities customers issued an Energy Aware Day message to its customers on Tuesday with temperatures expected to be in the mid-80s and the heat index making it feel like it is in the 90s. Sturgeon Bay Utilities General Manager Jim Stawicki says it can tax the power grid, especially when people get home from work.

Stawicki adds that the area only gets a few energy-aware days a year, which can even occur during the winter months on bitterly cold days. You can limit your power usage by raising your thermostat a few degrees, using your ceiling fans, and waiting until after 7 p.m. to do some of your household chores like dishwashing and laundry. 

Picture courtesy of Sturgeon Bay Utilities

You can thank construction for taking you to different parts of Potawatomi State Park if you are hiking on the Ice Age Trail in Sturgeon Bay. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced last week that construction near the shuttered observation tower will begin September 3rd and last into December. The trails to the tower and N. Norway Road from the Old Ski Hill Overlook to Shoreline Road will be closed due to the construction. This will force Ice Age Trail users onto more inland trails from the Old Ski Hill Overlook before they rejoin the original route. The vault toilet near the tower will remain open for visitors, as will N. Norway Road from the pull-off east of the tower to Shoreline Road, but only to pedestrians.

Picture courtesy of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

With the start of classes for many families in Door and Kewaunee counties less than a week away, the Kewaunee County Public Health Department wants to help you scratch one item off your to-do list. The department is hosting its annual Back-to-School Vaccination Clinic on Wednesday at the Kewaunee County Fairgrounds Exposition Hall from 2 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. for all school-aged children.  DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis), Polio, Hepatitis B, MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella), Varicella, and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) are the vaccines that are available for school requirements. Your kids can also get vaccinated for influenza, HPV (human papillomavirus), and meningitis. 

Although appointments are preferred for the clinic, walk-ins are also welcomed. You can always contact Door County Public Health to schedule your vaccinations or talk to your healthcare provider.

The Sturgeon Bay Fire Department gave its assistance to help put a fire out behind Door County Scrap Metal in Sturgeon Bay Monday morning. Firefighters reported to the business along Shiloh Road after 8 a.m. on Monday, where contents inside and next to a container behind the business were found on fire. Sturgeon Bay Fire Chief Kalin Montevideo says the fire next to the container had been inside before employees began taking some of the contents out, which is when they discovered the flames. Montevideo says they were able to extinguish the fire quickly.

Though no determination was made on how the blaze started or how much damage the fire did to the container, Montevideo says no employees or firefighters were injured.

Door and Kewaunee counties may be outside the heat advisory zone other parts of northeast Wisconsin are facing, but you will still likely face some of the warmest summer weather to kick off this week. Nearby Oconto, Brown, and Calumet counties are all under a heat advisory from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Monday, thanks to a high temperature of 90 degrees and a heat index of between 100 and 105. It will be even hotter in central and western Wisconsin, where heat indices could reach as high as 114. It will not feel warm in Door and Kewaunee counties, where it is expected to have a heat index of 89 in Sturgeon Bay and 80 on Washington Island. Door County Public officials still remind you to drink plenty of fluids, stay away from strenuous activities, and wear loose-fitting clothing to stay cool.

The heat wave will be relatively short-lived, with high temperatures returning to the 70s on Wednesday. You’re also reminded not to leave your pets or children inside your vehicle for long periods. Even when the outside temperature is 70 degrees, it could reach nearly 90 degrees after 10 minutes and over 100 degrees in 30 minutes.

The investigation into what caused a two-story home in the Village of Egg Harbor to catch fire will continue on Monday. Fire departments in northern Door County were paged to the home on White Cliff Road just before 3 p.m., coinciding with a fundraiser for the Egg Harbor Fire Department at a local campground and the wedding ceremony for one of its firefighters. The response time was still within 10 minutes, with smoke coming out of the eaves of the second floor and the attic greeting them upon their arrival. Fire Chief Justin MacDonald says he immediately called for additional help due to the hot, humid weather.

The fire took about two hours to control, with all Door County fire departments and units from as far away as Algoma, New Franken, and Howard chipping in to help. The home itself suffered significant damage due to the fire, but MacDonald says they were able to relocate many of the belongings that were susceptible to further water damage. No injuries were reported, but MacDonald estimates it caused approximately $900,000 in damage. Having to leave their own party is a part of the job sometimes, but MacDonald was thankful for the support of all of the responding units and the community.

Insurance adjusters and the Wisconsin State Fire Marshal will be on the scene on Monday to help determine a potential cause of the fire. 

For the Hispanic and Latino populations of Door and Kewaunee counties, getting the help they need often requires a conversation with Imelda Delchambre.

For the last 31 years, Delchambre has helped countless Spanish-speaking community members as a liaison to navigate the health system at Door County Medical Center. This month, the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative recognized Delchambre's efforts by bestowing her the 2024 Rural Health Ambassador Award. The need for her help is growing in Door and Kewaunee counties. According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, the population that identifies as Hispanic or Latino increased by 70 percent in Door County and 80 percent in Kewaunee County in the 2020 census. Delchambre says that with more people coming to work at the area's dairy farms and restaurants, getting those people the help they need is important.

While she admits she could use a little help at times, Delchambre is proud of the work she has done and hopes to continue in her hospital role for as long as she is able.

By September 2029, you could be experiencing art in Sturgeon Bay in a new place.

On Tuesday, the Door County Board of Supervisors will weigh in on a new occupancy agreement with the Miller Art Museum, which has called a portion of the Sturgeon Bay campus of the Door County  Library home for decades since it was founded in 1975. According to the agreement published in the agenda packet for Tuesday’s meeting, the timing would allow the Door County Library and the Miller Art Museum to plan and raise the necessary money to accomplish their goals for the future. Both entities are looking at ways to expand, which cannot happen given the current circumstances. The county and the City of Sturgeon Bay will each pay $500,000 to the Miller Art Museum Foundation before the museum fully vacates its space at the library. If the museum remains in the city, the agreement also states that Sturgeon Bay officials will cooperate with the Miller Art Museum to pursue grants and offer financial support for needs like public restrooms and parking. If the museum cannot vacate the library by September 1st, 2029, it will pay a rent of $3,500 a month for up to one year.

The Door County Board of Supervisors will also discuss the purchase of a replacement highway department vehicle and airport fueling system and the adoption of a new speed limit on County Highway A when they meet on Tuesday at 9 a.m. inside the Door County Government Center in Sturgeon Bay.

Homeowners in Door and Kewaunee counties will have opportunities to have their well water tested to ensure its safety. In Kewaunee County, water samples may go to several locations in hopes of boosting participation in the name of cost savings. The county offered a price break on testing in May, but it was not free like in previous iterations. As a result, only 105 samples were collected, with more than a third coming from the Town of Lincoln. Kewaunee County Land and Water Conservation Director Davina Bonness said during this month's Land and Water Conservation Committee meeting that she is working with the Environmental Protection Agency and UW-Stevens Point on the fall testing that will require more moving parts but a lower price for homeowners.

The next well-testing date in Kewaunee County is October 21st, with registration opening on September 3rd. The cost will be $10 and you can learn more about it by clicking on this link. In Door County, homeowners can work with UW-Oshkosh and their well-monitoring program. The university has worked with Door County residents through the program since 2019. Registration is open now through October 4th to participate in the test that needs to be returned on October 18th or 19th. You'll be able to learn more about that program below.

When we at Crossroads at Big Creek selected “Bubbles” for the topic for  “Saturday Science” on the final day of August, the idea was to offer an effervescent, fun-filled final fling to end our summer programming.  Who doesn’t delight in blowing bubbles?  And we all know about soap suds, carbonated beverages, and the little air bubbles in fish tanks. But what do bubbles have to do with science? Quite a bit!

In fact, a few years back, the BBC produced a documentary called “Pop! The Science of Bubbles.” According to their promotional material, “Dr. Helen Czerski presents one of those rare science programs, which — if you’re not a physicist — is likely to change how you see the world…

“The study of bubbles, explains Dr. Czerski, is helping scientists solve some of the toughest mathematical problems in nature. By observing the colors on the surface of a soap bubble, they can follow fluid flows and study systems that would otherwise be inaccessible or invisible —say, the storms in Jupiter’s atmosphere...

"Emperor penguins store air in their feathers, which they release to form bubbles, reducing the density of water and increasing their speed by up to 50 percent. ….”  and on and on and on.

This week’s Saturday Science program will start with several clips from this documentary and will introduce a number of concepts about these floating iridescent spheres, which enhance our beverages, make ice cream soft enough to eat and carry oxygen to our lungs and the oceans. Finally (weather permitting), participants will have a bubble-blowing summer-ending fling outdoors.

However, the science concepts may bubble up in our other programs this week. Our Wednesday Wander will visit Big Creek (which this time of year might better be called Itsy Bitsy Creek.) But if a torrential downpour refills the creek, we may find large mounds of suds in the water. When dead plant parts –leaves, sticks, logs- decompose, they release organic surfactants, unlike soap, which release the surface tension of the water so bubbles form. Mounds of suds add energy (and hiding places) to the creek.

We may encounter another kind of bubble when we wade into our wetlands during the afterschool Nature Exploration on Wednesday at 3:30. Called swamp gas, these bubbles are produced in wetlands when organic matter breaks down in waterlogged soils, creating a mixture of methane, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and trace phosphine. (Yes, it smells pretty bad.)

However, beneficial air bubbles are formed when wind creates small waves that add oxygen into the watery environments.

Finally, we can’t resist mentioning  “Ales & Trails,” the upcoming Crossroads fundraiser scheduled for Saturday, September 7th. (See the Crossroads website for details and to purchase tickets.)

What would ales be without bubbles and foam? In the case of beer, the bubbles are carbon dioxide gas. This carbonation occurs naturally because carbon dioxide and alcohol are produced when the yeast digests the sugar. Sometimes, a brewer will force additional carbon dioxide into a keg or container. Anyway, when the container is unsealed, and the pressure is released, the carbon dioxide rises to escape, creating bubbles and a head of foam. Bubbles!! 

Saturday, August 31

2:00 Saturday Science—Bubbles

This final summer program is geared toward elementary students but open to learners of all ages, who will explore the science of bubbles through short video clips and fun-filled interactive activities involving bubbles. Pre-registration is not required. This program is open to the public and free, thanks to the generosity of our donors. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay

Monday,  Sept 2  Learning Center Closed

 Wed. Sept 3

 1:30 Wandering Wednesday: Big Creek in Late Summer

Join the naturalist on a guided hike along the creek (which may or may not be dry), looking for signs of aquatic life. No pre-registration is required.  About an hour. Easy walking. Open to the public; Free thanks to the generosity of our donors. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

3:30  Nature Exploration: Wetland Metaphors

During this afterschool program, through a learning game, elementary students (and learners of all ages ) will learn why wetlands are so valuable for water quality and wildlife habitat. No reservations are necessary. Free thanks to the generosity of our donors. Meet in the Lower Level of the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

The missing body of Bill Salnik, a missing sailboater for nearly six weeks, has been found.  According to the  Marinette County Sheriff’s Office, shortly after noon Saturday, a boater had reported finding a possible body near Green Island in the bay of Green Bay.  The Marinette County Sheriff’s Department says, “Upon arrival at the location, the body was located, recovered, and later identified as missing boater Bill Salnik, who had gone missing in July of this year.  The incident remains under investigation by the Marinette County Medical Examiner's Office and the Marinette County Sheriff’s Office”.  The 32-year-old Salnik and his two children went sailing on July 13 and never made it back to a marina south of Oconto.  Two days later, the sailboat was found in the waters of Door County near Chamber’s Island, and Salnik’s two children’s bodies were recovered later that day. 

If you have received a package in Door County from UPS over the last quarter century, you might have Scott Scharenbrock to thank for it. Scharenbrock was inducted into the UPS Circle of Honor for his years of accident-free customer service, primarily in Door County. During his tenure at UPS, he has driven over 1.5 million miles, equivalent to driving on every mile of Door County roadway over 740 times. He's done that not just accident-free but while delivering 1.6 million packages along the way. What started as a seasonal job while he was a student at UW-Green Bay has turned into a rewarding career for Scharenbrock.

Scharenbrock joins three other drivers at the Bayview Customer Center in Green Bay to reach 25 years of safe driving. 

You can join in a discussion on agroforestry's impact in helping solve climate change, water pollution, and biodiversity loss in Door County.  Speaker Nate Lawrence currently leads the Savanna Institute's efforts in quantifying and improving the ecosystem services of agroforestry, which includes sustainable, regenerative farming practices that integrate trees, crops, and livestock. Lawrence, an Ecosystem Scientist at the Savanna Institute in Madison, will present "Agroforestry for Water Quality Improvement, next Wednesday in Sturgeon Bay.  He says four practices incorporate Agroforestry that can positively impact the environment and have trees play a key role in the food production system.

The free program sponsored by the Door County Environmental Council will be held in-person at Crossroads at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay starting at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 28, and online with a Zoom link at dcec-wi.org.   

Now that the state is over a week removed from this month's primary and the pageantry of the political parties' conventions is over, you will start seeing candidates and their surrogates hit the trail before the November 5th election. Area Democrats will see former Presidential candidate and current U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren tour communities in northeast Wisconsin next week, including a stop at the Kress Pavillion in Egg Harbor on Monday at 5:45 p.m.

Door County Republican Party Chairperson Stephanie Soucek was one of the district's delegates when the Republican National Convention occurred in Milwaukee last month. While she does not know of any major candidate or surrogate stops in Door County for the immediate future, she knows the enthusiasm for the party is high.

In addition to the Presidential race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, other races to look for this November include U.S. Senate (Eric Hovde and Tammy Baldwin), Eighth Congressional District (Tony Wied and Dr. Kristin Lyerly) and First District State Assembly (Joel Kitchens and Renee Paplham).

Picture courtesy of Pixabay

Southern Door alum Thomas Jackson is onto the next step of his military career after graduating from the United States Military Academy’s Cadet Basic Training. With his parents, sisters, and grandparents watching on, Jackson participated in the Acceptance Day ceremonies at the United States Military Academy’s parade grounds in West Point, New York. The event marks a cadet’s formal acceptance into the student body and the commencement of the academic year. The ceremonies include the entire corps of cadets marching onto the parade grounds before they face the rest of the student body, which is ordered to open their ranks to accept their newest members. Jackson, who graduated from Southern Door earlier this year as its valedictorian, will take over 20 credits this fall, including accelerated math and Spanish coursework. When he graduates from West Point in 2028, Jackson will be required to serve at least eight years in a combination of Active Duty and Reserve Component Service.

Picture and anecdotes courtesy of Christopher Jackson, video courtesy of West Point

It is that time of the year again when you have to drive with more patience than you have been used to over the past several months. Over the past week, the United States Department of Agriculture says farmers have been busy harvesting small grains and potatoes and cutting hay in area fields. In two weeks, families will return to their post-Labor Day routine with kids returning to school. Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski says that in our area, motorists are used to agricultural traffic because it is always going on outside of the winter months. When it comes to classes going back in session, Joski adds that it takes motorists to get used to the school buses, additional cars, and more pedestrians.

Joski reminds motorists that school buses are outfitted with new lights that warn motorists that they are slowing down to stop with amber lights before they eventually turn red. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, passing a stopped school bus with flashing red lights can cost you between $30 and $300, depending on the severity or number of offenses. 

A taste of fall is available now if you know where to look in Door and Kewaunee counties. After a wet spring and start to the summer, the warm weather over the last few weeks has allowed apple growers to pick some of their early-season varieties a week earlier than usual. For Steve Wood of Wood Orchard in Sturgeon Bay, that means Rave apples, a cross between Honeycrisp and MonArk varieties, are coming off the trees and into the market. Wood says the recent stretch of dry weather has been a blessing for his crop.

In Kewaunee County, Hillside Apples owner Bill Roethle says the mild temperatures throughout the growing season means customers can expect their varieties to become available earlier than usual.

Spanning dozens of different varieties, Wisconsin's apple growers produce about 56 million pounds of fruit yearly.

His grandma and a good book inspired Appleton Xavier High School student and Yum Yum Rolls CEO Aaron Vanden Heuvel to hit the kitchen and the Sturgeon Bay Farmer's Market or a good cause. 

Often found wandering the market before it opens in his chef's hat, Vanden Heuvel started Yum Yum Rolls after his grandma's death in sixth grade. He made a batch of caramel rolls for her casket as a final sign of respect for his grandma. When someone asked if they could buy some afterward, a business was born with the idea of paying it forward. Through the sales of his Yum Yum Rools, he raised over $15,000 for Water for South Sudan, a tribute to the book he was reading at the time of his grandma's passing. He is thrilled with the support he has received and the opportunity to help another organization in need.

Vanden Heuvel and his Yum Yum Rolls can be found at the Sturgeon Bay Farmer's Market on select Saturdays during the season, including each of the next two weeks before school restarts. You can listen to our full interview by visiting the Faces of the Farmer's Market Podcast feed.

The wait for a new jail in Kewaunee County will have to wait a little longer. The Kewaunee County Board voted 9-9 on an amended motion to not move forward with Cadence Consulting as its owner-representative for its proposed jail project. The amended motion added additional stipulations to the original contract. If the project had moved forward, Cadence Consulting would have acted on behalf of the county for the jail project, starting with the Request for Proposal (RFP) and concluding with the facility's construction. The contract was divided into two phases, the second phase being when shovels could go into the ground. Future staffing challenges, cheaper costs to send inmates elsewhere, higher costs for building materials, and the election were all reasons supervisors would not support it. Supervisor Joe Lukes says whatever needs to be done needs to start.

Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski acknowledged their staffing challenges but said the county cannot continue to count on other counties to do their work.

The Kewaunee County Board did approve resolutions calling for state investment in mental health funding and declaring its commitment to affordable internet access. You can watch the full discussion of the Cadence Consulting contract below. 

Giving you a glimpse of what farming used to look like in Kewaunee County is the goal of this weekend's Casco Thresheree. While the event is still in its infancy compared to similar events in Valmy and Rosholt, the fourth annual Casco Thresheree will feature live demonstrations of agricultural equipment all weekend long, including horse-drawn machinery on Saturday and an antique tractor pull on Sunday. Event organizer Luke Michalski says he continues to learn how to make the experience better for his guests while trying to add something new or different with every passing year.

The Casco Thresheree, which this year features John Deere tractors, runs from August 23rd to August 25th, beginning at 8 a.m.

Picture courtesy of Casco Thresheree

A new era of the Door Community Auditorium is on the horizon. Earlier this week, the DCA announced the public phase of its ENCORE! Fundraising Campaign. The goal is to construct a new multi-purpose space across the street from the DCA, temporarily known as The Annex. In a past life, the site was the home to a restaurant before community funding allowed the DCA to tear down the building last year and use it for parking. Once built, The Annex will allow the DCA to expand its offerings to include indoor and outdoor performances, music practice rooms, a full catering kitchen, and more. It will also allow the DCA to host salon-style or cabaret concerts, chamber and jazz concerts, lectures, and more. DCA executive director Cari Lewis said, “We are so excited to enrich what DCA already offers and, most of all, to deepen the community connection that can happen in Fish Creek.”

Groundbreaking is set to occur later this year, with the building’s opening slated for 2025. You can donate to the DCA's efforts by clicking this link.

You can gain better balance and learn the skills to help you stay safer and prevent dangerous falls with a program offered at the ADRC in Sturgeon Bay.  The Door County YMCA features a fall prevention class starting Monday, September 9.  Specialty Wellness Director Abby Teich says the course has been proven to reduce your chances of falling by 31 percent.  She notes that the seven-week program created by the Wisconsin Institute of Healthy Aging addresses how to identify fall risks and how to prevent them.

Teich also runs a Tai Chi-based class at the Door County YMCA that helps with fall prevention. The 12-week program is more of a physical class than a lecture style and has proven to reduce falls by nearly 50 percent. All Fall 1 Session registrations are this week, with classes beginning as early as Tuesday, September 3.  

You might want to avoid eating whole cucumbers for a while.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that over 400 people had been affected with Salmonella sickness across 31 states, including Wisconsin, as of last week.  Of the 449 reported illnesses, 125 people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have occurred due to the outbreak.  The outbreak was linked to two growers of cucumbers in Florida.

To prevent getting sick from Salmonella, the CDC recommends washing your hands, utensils, and surfaces often.  Rinse fruits and vegetables under running water before eating, cutting, or peeling.  You should keep food that won’t be cooked separately from raw meat, poultry, and seafood. When cooking your food, use a thermometer and make sure food is cooked at a temperature high enough to kill germs (usually at least 140 degrees).  Refrigerate perishable food within two hours after cooking, and always thaw frozen food in your refrigerator.

Salmonella infection symptoms often show between six hours and six days after swallowing the bacteria. Diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and stomach cramps are common.

A development agreement for a 79-lot residential subdivision on Sturgeon Bay's west side was one of eight recommendations approved by the Common Council Tuesday evening.  The Sturgeon Bay Common Council unanimously voted to move forward with the project proposed by Lexington Homes.  The property is located at the north end of South Grant Avenue, west of Target and just off Highway 42/57. The Common Council recently approved financial incentives for the project, subject to creating a tax increment district. The single-family residential development will have a price point of $280,000 to $500,000.  Mayor David Ward says the project expands the housing market in Sturgeon Bay and ties nicely with a water and sewer extension contract that was also approved on Tuesday.

The infrastructure includes the construction of the Grant Avenue extension to Sawyer Drive and the looping of the water main to Columbia Avenue, which are vital to the overall area. 

Another development agreement recommendation by the Finance/Purchasing and Building Committee was approved for Harbor Point Holdings.   Michelle Stimpson would bring a 76-unit apartment complex to a newly established tax incremental district (TID).  The revenue from this project would help offset the city's financial obligations for the Lexington Homes project. 

The Sturgeon Bay Common Council's final action on Tuesday was to approve a development agreement with Rodac for the 80-room Hampton Hotel on the corner of North 12th Avenue and Egg Harbor Road.  The agreement is subject to some final adjustments.  

The United Way of Door County announced Tuesday that it is setting a $1 million fundraising goal to support the dozens of non-profits and agencies serving the community.  

Over 120 volunteers and community members gathered Tuesday evening at Woodwalk Gallery in Egg Harbor to participate in the United Way of Door County’s annual Campaign Kick-Off.

Executive Director Amy Kohnle says the $1 million goal, which reflects a twenty percent increase,  is huge but necessary to address the increasing need for those struggling and create impactful change in Door County.   

The United Way’s focus on change will address education, financial stability, and healthy lifestyles for thousands of Door County residents who are in need every day.   

The 2024 annual campaign began Tuesday evening with pledge cards distributed to attendees. It will include several partnerships with local businesses to raise funds through the end of the campaign in early January. The United Way of Door County set a record last year by raising over $800,000.

As Door County officials work to sign residents up for the new Door County Ready emergency alert system, Emergency Management Director Jeb Saelens cannot help but think what could have been if the technology had existed 26 years ago this week. It was August 23, 1998, when an F3 Tornado carved a five-mile–long, half-mile-wide path through Egg Harbor, starting just south of Frank Murphy County Park and making its way inland. According to the National Weather Service, estimated wind speeds hit 160 miles per hour. Only two people were injured, but the tornado’s 15-minute journey toward Jacksonport caused nearly $7 million in damage. Saelens says sometimes people think they are isolated from such events because they live on a peninsula, but earlier this month, there were warnings that conditions could have allowed a water spot to form. With many communities like Sturgeon Bay opting not to use tornado sirens any longer, Saelens says the Door County Ready emergency alert system is the best way to keep you informed.

You can sign up for the Door County Ready system by clicking on this link or by calling Door County Emergency Management to have them walk you through the steps.  

You will see the future of nutrient and fertilizer application at a Peninsula Pride Farms field day at Heim's Hillcrest Dairy in Algoma. On display are two new pieces of technology that could be used on area farms to get nutrients to the right places at the right time. Drones are being used to fly over fields to spray fungicides, herbicides, and dry fertilizer on growing crops without the risk of a farm's heavy equipment ruining the field.

Also on display at Wednesday's field day is an attachment for a sprayer that uses cameras to identify weeds before it applies the herbicide. In both cases, Peninsula Pride Farms President Duane Ducat says it is just the latest way farmers are embracing technology to do their jobs smarter.

The field day at Heim's Hillcrest Dairy begins at 2 p.m. 

Screenshot from Heim's Hillcrest Dairy

If you need a smile, Bruce Hake and some of his closest friends know to grab a ukulele and start playing.

The Ukulele Society of Door County has grown to over 30 players in recent years. Many players will join the fun on August 31st to celebrate National Play on the Porch Day in Fish Creek. Much like racquet sports enthusiasts have leaned on pickleball to get back into the game, the same can be said about musicians and ukuleles. After the club began over a decade ago, Hake is thrilled that people continue to take an interest in playing, and the club grows year after year.

Hake says they play familiar tunes that people can sing along with when they play at the Noble Square Gazebo in Fish Creek beginning at 10 a.m. 

You can catch a glimpse of the first supermoon of the year this week in the area.  The full moon peaked Monday afternoon and will continue to appear full through early Wednesday morning.  According to Space.com, the August supermoon is called a Sturgeon Moon because the Sturgeon fish were an important food source for Native Americans who lived in the Great Lakes region, inspiring the name of August’s full moon in the Old Farmer’s Almanac.

A supermoon occurs when the full moon coincides with it being at the point in its orbit closest to the Earth. 

You won’t need binoculars or a telescope to enjoy the spectacular view, but Newport State Park in Ellison Bay is listed as having one of the best views of the night sky. 

(photo of blue moon courtesy of unation.com)

There is still time to squeeze in your trip to Door County's five state parks this summer.

According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, interest in Wisconsin's state parks remains high even as attendance levels off from post-pandemic highs. More than 518,000 people purchased annual park stickers in 2023, compared to shy of 400,000 in 2019. Park Superintendent Erin Brown-Stender says campsites have still been hard to come by, especially after a soggy start to the camping season.

Potawatomi State Park has become even more popular in recent years thanks to investments in accessibility. The Friends of Potawatomi State Park hopes to begin the construction of an accessible kayak launch after an accessible fishing pier was installed in recent years. Brown-Stender is proud of how inclusive the state park has become as the home of one of the few accessible cabin camping opportunities at a Wisconsin State Park.

She is also excited about the construction of a new park entrance facility, which will start before the end of this year and be completed in late 2025.

Over the next two weeks, you have eight more opportunities to catch chamber music across several different communities in Door County. Midsummer's Music will be tackling the music of  Théodore Dubois, Sakari Dixon Vanderveer, Mélanie Bonis,  Ernst von Dohnányi,  John Ireland, and Ludwig van Beethoven during the performances that stretch from August 25th through September 2nd. Executive Director Allyson Fleck says it has been another great season for Midsummer's Music, filled with larger crowds and new faces attending performances. She feels that Door County visitors who love the arts constantly expand their palate to take in live music at unique venues.

The concerts will take place at venues in Egg Harbor, Baileys Harbor, Ellison Bay, Sister Bay, and Sturgeon Bay. The summer season concludes with its Labor Day Gala at Bjorklunden in Baileys Harbor at 3 p.m. Larger crowds this year have meant sellouts at select venues, so Fleck recommends reserving your seats in advance.

You can listen to a preview of the performances below.

There could be more heads in beds in Sturgeon Bay thanks to a pair of development agreements the city’s common council will consider on Tuesday.

Lexington Homes is proposing to develop an approximately 79-lot residential subdivision on property on the north end of S. Grant Avenue. The city would pay two $1 million payments to Lexington Homes to complete the necessary infrastructure improvements for the housing parcels. The money would come from the city’s newly established tax increment district (TID) to make the project a reality.

Another housing development agreement with Michelle Stimpson would bring a 76-unit apartment complex to the TID. According to the agenda packet, the revenue from this project would help offset the city’s financial obligations for the Lexington Homes project. A maximum of $2.2 million would be returned to Stimpson if her complex can reach certain performance initiatives and reach a minimum assessed value of over $8.36 million.

The city is also trying to finalize a development agreement with Rodac to build a 80-room Hampton Inn hotel at the corner of Egg Harbor Road and 12th Avenue. The city would provide $2 million in financial assistance when the hotel is completed with the minimum assessed value of $13.9 million. The development agreement includes various safeguards if the assessed value drops below that amount. Back in April, the city projected that the project will be able to generate enough to pay back the principal and interest on the incentive. The city’s financial consultant, R.W. Baird, projects that the hotel could actually generate an additional $700,000 that could be used for other projects in Tax Increment #6. 

The Sturgeon Bay Common Council meets on Tuesday at 6 p.m. inside city hall’s council chambers.

Area Democrats will direct their attention to Chicago this week as the Democratic National Convention occurs. The event is taking place approximately a month after former President Donald Trump formally accepted the presidential nomination and named JD Vance his running mate during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. According to Newsweek, current President Joe Biden, former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, and several Democratic governors are scheduled to speak before Kamala Harris and Tim Walz accept their nominations as President and Vice-President, respectively. Kewaunee County Democratic Party Chairperson Stan Johnson believes the theme of the week will be centered around what the party can do for all Americans.

The Democratic National Convention runs from August 19th to 22nd. 

When you see N.E.W. Community Clinic's mobile health unit taking a ferry ride to Washington Island next year, you will see a dream realized by its executive director, Kim Franzen. Door County Medical Center announced Wednesday its plans to transition its dental clinic to N.E.W. Community Clinic. The Green Bay-based organization serves a similar clientele at its four locations, dealing mostly with individuals and families who are underinsured or cannot afford insurance. Franzen says the shared mission of serving underserved populations, keeping a sustainable approach to the future, and showing a commitment to the community attracted them to the partnership with Door County Medical Center.

Franzen adds that, with its growth in behavioral health, N.E.W. Community Clinic can eventually help address the shortage of mental health providers in Door County.

The Door County Medical Center Dental Clinic will transition to N.E.W. Community Clinic in January 2025, making it the third such facility in northeast Wisconsin not including its mobile health clinic.

Getting the ball rolling again for a proposed jail in Kewaunee County could begin with a majority vote at Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting. After tabling a decision at the July meeting, supervisors took the last month to take a deeper look at the proposed contract with Cadence Consulting. After interviewing three firms, the county asked the Milwaukee-based firm to be its owner's representative, which acts on the county's interests regarding the projects, starting with the Request for Proposal (RFP) and concluding with the jail's construction. Cadence Consulting owner Michael Hacker addressed the board at the last meeting, explaining how they can help the county get the project off the ground after having conversations locally about it for the past two decades.

The Kewaunee County Board will discuss resolutions adjusting their budget to reflect a healthcare calculation correction, asking the state to invest more into mental health care, and reinforcing their commitment to expanding affordable internet access. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Kewaunee County Administration Center in Kewaunee.

Looking at the array of programs at Crossroads this week, we begin to see patterns…repeating patterns… of hexagons. If we are “looking,” we are seeing thanks to hexagons because the photoreceptors (light-catching cones in the back of our eyeballs) form closely packed hexagon-shaped patterns.

This week, we will see hexagons everywhere, from the honeycombs displayed during the annual Door County Beekeepers Community Honey Harvest to the turtle shells that sun themselves along the edge of Crossroads’ Cove Estuary.

On Thursday evening, August 22, at 5:30, our “Resources for Landowners Lecture Series” will feature Allison Willman, who will describe the Wisconsin DNR wetlands programs and the resources they offer landowners.

Knowing that many of our local wetlands are recharged by melting snow and ice, we note that snowflakes and ice crystals form because their water molecules (almost always) arrange themselves in lattices of hexagons.

A honeycomb is an iconic example of repeating hexagons. The Door County Beekeepers will hold their annual Community Honey Harvest on Saturday, August 24, from 9:00 to noon to celebrate the honey and wax that come from a honeycomb.

Various educational stations in and outside the Collins Learning Center will interest participants of all ages. Visitors will get a close view of honeybees through the glass window of an observation hive, taste and compare honey samples, and try honey lemonade and mead.

Guests also will have the opportunity to roll wax candles. A demonstration of dipping hot wax candles will take place inside the building.

In the children’s tent, kids can pet a live drone (male) honeybee and explore beekeeper tools and hive boxes, among other activities.

Honey extraction, the central process of beekeeping, involves removing honey from the hexagon-shaped cells of a honeycomb. Flow-hive extractions will be done at the Crossroads Apiary at an active hive from 9:30 to 10:00 and 10:30 to 11:00. Conventional Langstroth extractions will be done indoors, away from the bees, from 10:00 to 10:30 and 11:00 to 11:30.

Representatives from Crossroads, Wild Ones-Door Peninsula, the Door County Seed Library, and the Door County Master Gardeners Association will be in the lecture hall, offering demonstrations and videos about pollination and pollinators. They will distribute free native wildflower seeds.

That afternoon at 2:00, Saturday Science, our weekly family program, will continue the hexagon theme with videos and activities featuring hexagons ranging from ancient coral fossils to the elegant hexagon-shaped, gold-plated mirror segments of the James Webb Telescope.

Monarch Tagging is a traditional Crossroads/Wild Ones collaboration, so on Sunday afternoon at 2:00, guest Naturalist Karen Newbern will offer a fascinating program on the life cycle of monarch butterflies. She will describe the amazing migration these orange and black butterflies make to a forest grove in Mexico, where they overwinter.

Then, participants, armed with nets, will venture out into the meadows at Crossroads to catch, tag, and release the monarchs, assuming weather conditions and monarch migration patterns cooperate. Perhaps (this has happened in the past) a butterfly tagged at Crossroads will be retrieved in Mexico.

For decades, researchers have been fascinated by the evidence that butterflies born this summer can find their way to the very grove of conifers in which their great-great-great-grandparents and countless generations roosted to overwinter.

Monarch migration is quite complicated and still under investigation. Still, an article in the National Library of Medicine explains, “Recent studies of the iconic fall migration of monarch butterflies have illuminated the mechanisms behind the navigation south, using a time-compensated sun compass. Skylight cues, such as the sun itself and polarized light, are processed through both eyes and likely integrated in the brain’s central complex, the presumed site of the sun compass.”

Monarch butterflies' relatively enormous compound eyes consist of thousands of hexagon-shaped ommatidia, which sense light and movement.

Nature is full of hexagons, and Crossroads at Big Creek is full of nature. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, our trails are open all day, every day, free of charge.

Thursday, August 22

5:30 pm Resources for Landowners-Wetlands

This summer, Crossroads is hosting the Resources for Landowners lecture series, a speaker series aimed at connecting Door County landowners with the tools and resources available for restoring and managing the natural resources found on their land. Allison Willman will speak on the Wisconsin DNR wetlands program and the resources it offers landowners. Thanks to our donors, the lecture will be free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Friday, August 23                                                                                                                  

  2:30-4:30 Tours of the Hanson House and Grounds

Delve into the past during an “Afternoon with Bertha,” which included a tour of the Hanson House and the former Greeves family farm beside Big Creek. Registration not required. Open to the public and free thanks to our donors. Donations accepted. Meet at 2022 Utah St., Sturgeon Bay (across from The Cove Estuary)

Sunday, August 25                                                                                                                  

  2:00 Monarch Tagging Day

Monday, August 26

10:00 Make and Take: Handmade Nature Notecards

Participants of all ages will learn a bit about nature as they produce a handmade notecard. Appropriate for all ages, free and open to the public, thanks to our donors. Meet in the Lower Level of the Collins Learning Center.

Tuesday, August 27

10:00 Summer Nature Programs: Native Flower Colors

Participants of all ages will learn why native flowers are often yellow and purple this time of year. Indoor and outdoor activities.  Free and open to all ages, thanks to our donors. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay.

Wednesday, August 28

10:00 Summer Nature Program: Rocks

Participants will learn about the rock cycle and how to recognize the rocks brought here by the Ice Age Glaciers and which rocks are fossils (often hexagon-shaped) of ancient sea creatures. Free and open to the public. Each participating family will receive a free fossil pamphlet. Meet at the Collins Learning Center.

The week of September 8th has been set aside as National Suicide Prevention Week. This is a difficult yet important issue to discuss, as anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide can tell you that there are no clear indicators, and too often, those left behind struggle with a deep sense of guilt. 

It is reported that every 12.8 minutes, someone in our country dies by suicide and that suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for those 15-24 years of age.

For many, the act of reaching out for help is a struggle in itself. We, as a culture, attach a stigma to those struggling with depression or mental crisis. While we think nothing of seeking help for the pain caused by any number of physical ailments, the mere suggestion that someone seek professional help for the pain or suffering they are experiencing in their minds is taboo. We as a culture have been told to suppress these feelings or that whatever pain we are feeling, it will pass.

Although everyone is different and their circumstances unique, general warning signs may be visible. Some may exhibit a sense of hopelessness, recklessness, or anger; other signs may be increased anxiety, withdrawal, or purposelessness. In some cases, individuals may attempt to harm themselves as a way to cry out for help, while in other cases, there are no threats of action, just the tragic event itself.

Throughout the years, I have had the unfortunate experience of notifying families of those who have taken their own lives. The lesson I draw from these incidents is to always take the time to help the person next to you and never be too busy to stop and visit. Not just to ask how they are doing in passing but to actually stop and listen to their answer to that question. Very few of us can claim to have the educational background to analyze or treat these afflictions, but every one of us has the ability to listen and lend support to those who are struggling and to let them know we care.

We have heard a great deal about the need for “Wellness,” but we should not forget that true wellness has three basic components: Physical, Mental, and Spiritual. Each of these supports the other, and being truly strong in one requires strength in the other two. Let’s all work together to sustain each other’s wellness.

I realize that this article and its topic are a bit early, but I am hoping that the additional time will allow for consideration of hosting a suicide prevention event. I have been very fortunate to have provided QPR presentations throughout Kewaunee County and adjacent counties to various groups, businesses, and organizations. I am willing to do so during September and throughout the year. I have spoken to as few as five and as many as 50. It is a message of hope, healing, and helping those around us. Feel free to contact me for more information. (920)255-1100

For more information on suicide prevention and the resources available, visit: https://qprinstitute.com/

Law enforcement, volunteers, and the family of Bill Salnik want nothing more than closure related to the search efforts that have left them flummoxed for nearly a month. Salnik was sailing between Oconto and Door County with his two children when he went missing on July 13th. Salnik's boat was found on July 16th, south of Chambers Island, followed by his two young children a few hours later. Since then, several agencies spanning two states and multiple jurisdictions and volunteers have searched the water primarily around Chambers Island for Salnik. That includes Bruce's Legacy, a Black River Falls-based volunteer organization that provides search and recovery operations for drowning victims. Door County Sheriff's Department Chief Deputy Pat McCarty says searching for Salnik remains a fixture of their marine patrols. He hopes they can give the family any new information as it becomes available.

McCarty adds Door County remains in contact with law enforcement agencies in Wisconsin's Oconto and Marinette counties and Menominee County in Michigan to share information about their search efforts. He wants people to continue sharing tips with the department if they see something concerning the Salnik search while on the water. 

If Tuesday's primary election was any indication, you should make sure you have everything you need to vote in November ahead of time. According to the Associated Press, Tuesday’s statewide turnout for the partisan primary election was 26 percent, the highest in 60 years. Recent redistricting and two constitutional amendments were pointed to as reasons more people went to the polls than usual. More than 10,000 ballots in Door County and 5,600 in Kewaunee County were cast, far more than is usually seen in a fall partisan primary. Kewaunee County Clerk Jamie Annoye says they are preparing to order ballots for the fall general election, and she believes they are in store for another really big turnout.

In addition to the Presidential race and the federal, state, and county offices up for election, the November ballot will feature another statewide referendum question. The Citizenship Voting Requirement Amendment would explicitly include in the state constitution that only U.S. citizens 18 years old or older can vote in federal, state, local, or school elections. The fall general election is November 5th.

You will not see a popular scholarship program at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College fade to black after Metallica’s charitable arm partnered with the school once again. The Metallica Scholars program aims to seek and destroy the workforce shortage issues in many high-demand careers, with $2.6 million distributed to approximately 60 colleges nationwide, including $50,000 in scholarships to NWTC. Students with qualifying needs can receive up to $1,000 in scholarships towards NWTC programs dealing with manufacturing, health care, human services, construction, information technology, and transportation. NWTC Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator Sarah Scharenbrock is thrilled the Metallica Scholars Initiative is back so students with limited financial means do not have to go through the never-to-find their calling.

Thanks to the Metallica Scholars program, Vongai Hove of Green Bay did not have to become frantic trying to find more money to go to school. She is thankful that her career was a dream no more but rather a reality.

Funding for the Metallica Scholars program comes from the band’s All Within My Hands organization, which distributes millions of dollars every year through different avenues. Lead singer James Hetfield says that the Metallica Scholars program aims to break the stigma of trade skills. “Trade skills are vital to society, and what’s even more important is to support the many folks who are trying to create a career by learning and using these skills. I am so proud - we all are - to see how this program is changing lives by providing much-needed resources to empower students, and it’s great that we’re able to make our biggest grant yet to support these students and the future workforce.” NWTC students can click this link to apply.

The kids may have gone home, but you will still find plenty of music filling the hallways at Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Egg Harbor. This week marked the first of three musical retreats for adults, with the wind ensemble participants wrapping up their session on Saturday. Chamber musicians will have their retreat August 19th-22nd, while pianists will tickle the ivories August 25th-28th. Birch Creek Executive Director Mona Christensen says many of the musicians who participate in the retreat are active in various ensembles in their communities. She adds that seeing so many still pursuing their musical interests is great.

Even if you are not attending the retreats, you can still experience the fruits of their labor. Each session will conclude with a free concert inside the Dutton Concert Barn beginning at 2 p.m. 

Work continues to help Peninsula State Park become a mecca for cycling in Door County. In February, the Friends of Peninsula State Park received $150,000 from the Destination Door County Community Investment Fund to help create eight to ten miles of mountain biking trails, including designated loops for beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders. Last month, Peninsula State Park Superintendent Eric Hyde said an Upper Michigan-based contractor was hired to take on the project with hopes that work on the new trails could begin later this month. Hyde says some behind-the-scenes work had to be done before one of the country’s premier trail builders could carve out great places for people to ride.

Hyde also said that they are working with the Town of Gibraltar to establish a multi-modal trail on the property, which involves applying for grants and other funding sources to make that happen.

The person who left a bag of money in Sturgeon Bay was fortunate enough to get it back on Thursday, thanks to an honest citizen. The Sturgeon Bay Police Department posted on social media Tuesday that a person had found the bag and turned it into authorities. 

When attempts failed at the bank by officers to track down the customer or owner of the bag, Sturgeon Bay Police asked the person who lost the money to describe the bag, the dollar amount, and the bank indicated on the bank slip.

The Sturgeon Bay Police Department updated its post to indicate that the owner had claimed the bag. Assistant Police Chief Dan Brinkman says, “It is refreshing that we have honest people living in our community” who would turn in a bagful of money.  

Now that the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse has received some much-needed tender loving care, you will see the rest of the property enter a time machine thanks to the efforts of the Door County Historical Society. The organization recently finished the first phase of its restoration of the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, which included brick replacement, stone washing, fresh paint, and new windows. The project's second phase will look to renovate the space that has been impacted by increased temperatures and moisture and has added to the deterioration of some of the items inside the lighthouse. The third phase will reconstruct buildings that used to be on the site, which includes a barn and a summer kitchen. Door County Historical Society Executive Director Amy Frank says the $50,000 grant from Destination Door County’s Community Investment Fund to help reconstruct those buildings will assist them in telling the story of the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse.

Frank says fundraising for the project, which stands at $3.2 million, is ongoing. The Destination Door County Community Investment Fund also issued grants to the Kolberg Athletic Club, the Village of Ephraim, the Door County YMCA, and the Belgian Heritage Center, totaling more than $256,000 in funding for projects aided by room tax dollars.

Picture courtesy of Door County Historical Society

Door County Fairgoers were treated to good music and food, and even better weather as the annual event kicked off on Wednesday. The action started well before attendees got to try out the fair's new digital ticketing system when the grounds officially opened at 3 p.m. Exhibitors led their animals to their stalls inside the barns in preparation for their five-day residency while others headed to the junior fair and horticulture buildings to have their projects judged. Door County 4-H Educator Candis Dart says approximately 900 projects were entered in this year's fair, which would be an increase from previous years.

Seeing the carnival and the midway full ahead of Wednesday's musical performance by Boogie and the Yo-Yoz was a welcome sight for Door County Fair Board President Tom Ash. He says it is the culmination of a year's work and meetings, and he hopes people enjoy what they were able to create.

Thursday's slate of activities includes the first animal shows of the fair and the opening night of the Budweiser Grandstand. The Door County Fair runs through Sunday. You can find the full schedule online here and buy your tickets in advance here.

You must keep an eye on your speedometer and for posted signs the next time you drive through Luxemburg.

Following the village board’s approval in July, the Luxemburg Police Department announced two speed limit changes on Wednesday that will be in effect once the public works department posts the correct signage. 

The first change involves Main Street/N. Main Street. The speed limit will now be 25 miles per hour on Main Street, from the south Village limits to Heritage Rd. This replaces the former 30 and 35 miles per hour limits. The speed limit from Heritage Rd north to the Village limits will now be 35 miles per hour, replacing the former 45 miles per hour limit. 

The other change is at Frontier Rd between Enterprise Rd and Church Rd, where it will be raised to 35 miles per hour from 25 miles per hour.

Luxemburg Police Chief Chris Gulbrand explained online that Main Street has become busier, with pedestrians and parked cars posing a possible hazard, giving the village reason to lower the speed limit in that area. As for Frontier Road, Gulbrand said it was marked as 25 miles per hour when extended because of the Village ordinance. The width of the street, low traffic volume, and minimal residential development allowed the village to increase the speed limit. Gulbrand expects an adjustment period, so you do not have to worry about citations for a while unless you travel well above the speed limit.

You will still be able to find affordable dental care in Door County if you are uninsured or underinsured, but it will be under a different banner beginning January 1st. Door County Medical Center announced Wednesday its plans to transition its dental clinic to N.E.W. Community Clinic. The Green Bay-based organization serves a similar clientele at four locations, including two dental clinics. N.E.W. Community Clinic also recently launched a mobile unit to expand its services further into northeast Wisconsin. It is a bittersweet moment for Door County Medical Center President and CEO Brian Stephens, but he says it is in the best interest of the patients they have served.

If you are a patient at the Door County Medical Center Dental Clinic, you do not have to worry. Patients will automatically become a part of the N.E.W. Community Clinic roster and will still receive care from the current dental team staff and providers at the Sturgeon Bay facility. The transition will also allow Door County residents to access some of N.E.W. Community Clinic's physical and behavioral health support services, which address a major need in the area.

You will see pet lovers leading their furry friends along the trail by the Sturgeon Bay YMCA this year while supporting the Wisconsin Humane Society Door County Campus.  The 5th annual Pet Walk is Sunday, September 8, and will be held at Peterson Park.  Lori Nachtwey of the Door County Humane Society says the event is the largest family-friendly outdoor fundraiser supporting the animals at the Wisconsin Humane Society Door County Campus.  She shares the excitement the Pet Walk creates for all the participants.

The event begins at 9 a.m., with the walk starting at 10 a.m. It includes music, vendors and exhibitors, kids' activities, dog costume contests, and games. All the proceeds benefit the animals at the Door County Campus. You can take advantage of early bird registration by going to petwalkdoorcounty.com.  

(photo from WHS-DoorCountyCampus)

The Sturgeon Bay Police Department reminds drivers and pedestrians to be mindful of the additional traffic expected in the city over the next few days due to the Door County Fair and other planned activities. Assistant Police Chief Dan Brinkman says everyone should expect some delays due to the large number of people coming and going from the Door County Fair, especially along North 14th Avenue.

Brinkman adds that the streets of Sturgeon Bay are busy every day, especially during the summer months. Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are reminded to share the roads and responsibilities safely while avoiding distractions. The Door County Fair wraps up on Sunday at 4 p.m. after opening on Wednesday at 3 p.m. 

The success of the Door County YMCA swim team begins with the first fall sessions starting next month. YMCA Youth Development Executive Paul Briney says the Fall Prep Swim program basically prepares the kids for the competitive swimming season that starts in November.  He expects the excitement surrounding the recently concluded Summer Olympics in Paris will motivate many kids to participate this year.

The Fall Prep Swim program is set up after school hours at the Door County YMCA and is held at the Carla and Ellsworth Aquatic Center in Sturgeon Bay.  Last year, over 140 swimmers participated in the swim team that holds a "Midnight Swim" event to kick off the season in late October.  You can find more information about the DCY Swim Team here.   Registration for all Fall 1 programs begins next Monday, August 19, for members and on Wednesday, August 21, for non-members. 

You can enjoy a witty and whimsical comedy performance in Sturgeon Bay while honoring the veterans in attendance when Rogue Theater kicks off the play "Heroes" on Thursday night at the DC Arts Center.

Rogue Theater Co-founder and Director Stuart Champeau says Heroes is set in 1959 in France inside a retired home for military men. He says the three World War I veterans who are planning their great escape from the facility are played perfectly by experienced actors Richard Carlson, Kent Moraga, and Ross Dippel.

Rogue Theater Co-founder and Business Manager Lola DeVillers adds that they are excited about opening night and that performances are free to all veterans and active military personnel. 

The "Heroes" show will be performed August 15-18 and August 22-25 at 7:30 p.m.  Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with the Sunday Matinee at 2 p.m.   You can find ticket information online at roguetheater.org.   

Joel Kitchens will go for his sixth District 1 Assembly term in November’s election after soundly defeating Republican challenger Milt Swagel in Tuesday’s primary election.

Kitchens will now face Democrat Renee Paplham in the general election after getting 77 percent of the votes (7,858), while Swagel received 23 percent (2319). In Door County, Kitchens had an even bigger margin, 88.6% to Swagel’s 13.4%. 

In the race for the U.S. House of Representatives, the three-way battle in the Republican special and regularly scheduled primary was won by Tony Wied.  Getting 41 (special) percent and 43 percent (regular) of the vote, Wied defeated Roger Roth (34%, 33%) and Andre Jacque (25%, 24%).  Wied will now face Democrat Kristin Lyerly in November with the winner of the special general election to serve until January 3, the end of Rep. Mike Gallagher’s term to be followed by the winner of the regular general election (a two-year full term). 

Governor Tony Evers and all future governors will retain their power to distribute federal money without legislative input after voters voted down two referendum questions on Tuesday. The first question, which prohibited the legislature from delegating their appropriations duties, was defeated by a 57.4 percent-42.6 percent margin. The second question, which would have required legislature approval for federal funds, was also defeated 57.5 percent-42.5 percent. It was a win for Democrats, who campaigned that the questions were confusing and it put red tape on funds that could delay response in emergencies. Republicans felt the current system allowed the governor too much power with federal money, as they charged Evers with during the pandemic. Locally, Door and Kewaunee counties were split on the issue with Kewaunee County residents voting yes on both questions and Door County residents voting no on both questions.

You do not have to wonder where your money goes when you donate to the United Way of Door County: you can often see it. From distributing tokens at Farmer's Market so those using SNAP benefits can participate to assisting in groundbreakings for affordable housing projects, the projects the United Way of Door County supports are becoming more visible in the community. While the organization's annual campaign tends to grab headlines, United Way of Door County Executive Director Amy Kohnle says their efforts are putting faces and places to the causes they support.

Last year's annual campaign raised over $800,000. The United Way of Door County will kick off its 2024 Annual Campaign on August 20th at the Woodwalk Gallery in Egg Harbor beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Farmers want Mother Nature to help them get good corn and soybean crops off their fields this year. According to the United States Department of Agriculture's Crop Progress and Condition Report, Wisconsin farmers had over five days suitable for fieldwork last week, overcoming some early week rains to harvest small grains and cut hay. Corn silking is at 84 percent, which slipped off last week's pace from one to four days behind last year. Five percent of the crop is at the denting stage, the first sign corn shows on its way toward getting harvested. In Kewaunee, Deer Run Dairy owner Duane Ducat says farmers are starting to see their crops turn the corner after being challenged earlier in the year, something a long growing season will only help.

While the corn crop is playing catch-up, soybeans and oats are ahead of schedule. Eighty-eight percent of the soybean crop is blooming, with another 66 percent setting pods three days ahead of last year. Oats coloring is at 95 percent, and 58 percent of the oats for the grain crop have been harvested, three days ahead of last year. 

If you want to complement your Door County Fair experience with more family fun and agriculture, members of the Northeastern Wisconsin Antique Power Association hope you make the short trip to Valmy this weekend. The organization will host its 41st edition of its Valmy Thresheree on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, featuring Massey tractors this year. The Valmy Thresheree is a throwback to yesteryear with its blacksmith shop, replica gas station, and antique farm implement demonstrations. NEWPA member Ralph Bochek says the event will also feature antique tractors and chainsaws showing their power.

The Valmy Thresheree also features food, music, kids' activities, and the Sunday mud pig wrestling event. The full schedule of events is below.

Friday

?Gates Open at 6:00 PM - Free Admission

?No Carry-Ins Anytime

?Food & Refreshments Available

?7 - 11 PM - Music and Dancing in the Barn

?

Saturday

?7:00 - 10:00 AM - Pancake Breakfast

?8:30 - 10:00 AM - Weigh In/Registration - Tractor Pull

10:15 AM - Drivers Meeting

10:30 AM - Tractor Pull Starts

$20 Per Entry - Per Tractor - Per Class

???Two Eliminators in Operation

Pullers Welcome!

?PURE STOCK CLASSES: ?2800, 3200, 3500, 4000, 4500, 5000, 5500, 6000, 7000 and 8500

?FARM STOCK CLASSES: ?3750, 4250, 5250, 6250, 7250 and 9250

?IMPROVED CLASSES: 3750, 4000, 4500, 5500 and 6500

?MODIFIED CLASSES: 3750, 4000, 5000 and 5500

?Trophies awarded to to the Top 3 in each class

?Contact Kellen Michels 920.559.1275

11 AM - 3 PM - Wilsons Wish Animal Sanctuary - Live animal interaction opportunity

?12:00 Noon - Vintage Chainsaw Competition, ?11:00 AM - Registration

?2:00 - 5:00 PM: Afternoon "Barn Dance" with Jerry Voelker Orchestra

?5:30 PM: Saturday Evening Polka Mass celebrated with Reverand Dillen and Jerry Voelker Orchestra

??8:00 - 12:00: ?Music featuring the Hottest Country Music Dance Band "Eight Second Ride"

???

?Sunday

?7 AM - 10:00 AM  - French Toast Breakfast

?8:30 AM - Lutheran Church Service

?10:00 AM 

?Kids Pedal Tractor Pull

Little Farmer Contest (following the Tractor Pull)

Straw Stack Hunt - Sand Pile

?10:00 AM - Champion Garden Tractor Pull

?12:00 Noon - Cavalcade of Power: Parade of Antique machines in front of the Grandstand

?11:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Club Members playing all your favorite hits

?3:30 PM - MUD PIG WRESTLING

Please pre-register with Ralph Bochek 920.559.0466

A tradition that dates back well over 150 years in southern Door County will be celebrated on Sunday.  The Belgian Heritage Center in Namur will be hosting the annual Belgian Kermiss, a celebration of the Belgian harvest that brings together the entire community and features ethnic favorites.  The first Kermiss in Door County was held in Rosiere in 1858. Belgian Heritage Center President Joe Alexander says the Kermiss' history is an important part of community pride that highlights the hard work and the life on the farm from the past and present.  He notes that over 100 volunteers help to put on the event every year.

Visitors will have a chance to watch an antique farm implement show and learn about the history of the Belgian settlement in the new theatre area and displays at the center.   

A new Mystery Treasure Safe Raffle will be added this year, and the Kermiss, the organization's largest fundraiser, will run from 11 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 18th. 

Wednesday is the start of the Door County Fair, but you will notice a lot of the work that goes into it begins now. Some of the carnival rides that will be featured on the midway this year were heading towards John Miles County Park in Sturgeon Bay on Monday, fresh off of some of the other fairs occurring in the state over the weekend. The set-up for the grounds itself is also underway. Making sure the park is ready to welcome the thousands of people who attend the fair is how Mike Kuehn of Door County Custom Creations stayed involved in the event over the years. He says the fair is a great opportunity for the community to unite.

At home, members of 4-H, FFA, and other organizations ensure their projects are ready to be judged on Wednesday before they go on display for the remainder of the fair. Door County 4-H Educator Candis Dart says exhibitors should keep many things in mind before they bring their projects.

The Door County Fair runs Wednesday through Sunday at John Miles County Park in Sturgeon Bay. You can buy your digital tickets by clicking on this link.

If you want to take the next step towards being an early childhood educator, United Way of Door County will give you a free ride. The United Way of Door County and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College are teaming up to offer coursework in early childhood education. The NWTC certificate program consists of eight-week courses that include health safety and nutrition, infant and toddler development, social science, art and music, and child development. The United Way offers grants to cover your full tuition and participation supplies.

The classes offered through NWTC may also qualify as dual enrollment for high school students. The classes run September 4th, 2024, to May 19th, 2025, on Mondays and Wednesdays at the NWTC Sturgeon Bay Campus from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Your chance to pick the candidates for the general election in November comes on Tuesday. Two referendum questions and contested Republican primaries for the Eighth U.S. Congressional District and First State Assembly District highlight the ballot. The fall primary turnout tends to be much lower than the general election, usually hovering at around 20 to 30 percent. Sister Bay Village Clerk Heidi Teich was shocked at how slow early voting was this year, adding that mail requests were way down compared to past years and low numbers coming to her office to vote. She points out two items on the ballot that have confused voters so far that you should remember when you head to your polling location on Tuesday.

Teich says you must bring your photo identification when you come to the polls, which are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Accepting a tradition while ensuring visitors do not draw anywhere else continues to be a struggle for Ephraim officials.

On August 2nd, crews painted one side of the Anderson Dock warehouse. By August 6th, dozens had already etched their name onto the otherwise brown exterior, continuing a tradition that dates back to the 1910s when sailors would write their names on the side of the building. The practice has continued for over a century but has now crossed over to nearby garbage cans, posts, and the pavement surrounding the building.

 

 

 

 

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Addressing the graffiti now has become even more important as village officials look to improve Anderson Dock, which includes replacing or resurfacing the concrete, repairing portions of the warehouse, and making drainage improvements. In addition to repainting portions of the building regularly to ensure there is room for people to leave their mark, Ephraim officials want to develop ways to educate the public about the site's history and address guidelines for acceptable behavior.

The Ephraim Village Board is scheduled to discuss the current graffiti situation and future improvements at Anderson Dock on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The board will consider closing a portion of Water Street (STH 42) in front of the Ephraim Fire Museum to honor the 20th anniversary of the Line of Duty death of Assistant Chief Bill Weborg. If approved, the ceremony will occur on September 29th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

Door County Medical Center is doing what it can now to address a potential shortage of 19,000 nurses statewide 15 years from now. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development released a grim forecast last month, pointing to demographic pressures in the workforce. Current registered nurses are aging out of the workforce, leading to high vacancy rates of registered nurses in Wisconsin hospitals and a low unemployment rate. Door County Medical Center has been proactive in addressing the concern locally. In 2023, Door County Medical Center combined forces with Northeast Wisconsin Technical College to create the Start the Path to a Rewarding Career (SPARC program) to help future Certified Nursing Assistants, Certified Medical Assistants, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Registered Nurses complete the work they need to jumpstart their careers. Christa Krause from Door County Medical Center is proud of what the program has accomplished and how well the hospital has retained the people they have on their team.

The state is suggesting extra efforts to retain current nurses, advancing measures that would allow nurses to care for more patients, and supporting public health to reduce the number of patients to help balance the nursing shortage. You can read the full report by clicking on this link.

The Greater Escarpment Organization of Door County is closer to introducing you to one of the area's most noticeable geological features, with a new park planned to open in 2025. The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program recently awarded the organization $6,500 to cover a portion of the cost for four full-color interpretative signs for the planned park along State Highway 42 in Ellison Bay. The panels will educate visitors about how the Niagara Escarpment was formed and how it has defined an area that stretches from northeast Wisconsin to Niagara Falls along the United States/Canada border. The grant gets GEO-DC closer to realizing a dream that started as a proposed discovery center when they purchased the property in 2017. After a failed building inspection and the pandemic, GEO-DC was forced to reverse course and create a new vision for the property. After GEO-DC received a $15,000 grant from the Destination Door County Community Investment Fund earlier this year, Board Member Maryanne O'Dowd said there has been a renewed enthusiasm for the project since they shifted gears towards a park.

GEO-DC hopes to be able to have a grand opening for the park next summer.

Crossroads at Big Creek will be busy this August with some regular programs, some new offerings, and some back by popular demand. This week, all programs feature water in some way. 

Saturday Science, our program for kids, families, and lifelong learners, will be a youth WaterFest! During the year-long Celebrate Water events sponsored by Healthy Water Door County several years ago, Crossroads hosted a huge fall event with a concert, films, speakers, exhibitors, and kids programs.  This Saturday from 2:00-4:00 we will pull out the kids programs and, rain or shine, they will get wet by participating in indoor and outdoor activities…and each will receive one of the few remaining tee-shirts (Youth L only) from that waterful day.

On Fridays, in response to popular demand, we will offer “Afternoons with Bertha,” presented by a costumed interpreter who will share stories of pioneer life along the banks of Big Creek at the Hanson House on Utah Street.

For the remainder of summer, we are reviving our free “Make and Take” program, which will be offered on Monday mornings at 10:00. This will, however, be more than a craft program. Each program will help kids learn about nature, and this week, we will learn about Insect Mouth Parts. Each participant will take home a hand-made project.

Not exactly new, Crossroads will be offering regular weekly nature hikes called  "Wandering Wednesday” at 1:00. The inaugural “wander” will be a visit to the bridges at the north end of the Big Creek Preserve. The summer and wetland wildflowers should be lovely, and the pace and terrain will be gentle.

We will continue with the Summer Nature programs, which feature water-related topics such as frogs, fossil hunting (best when rocks are wet!), and wading into wetlands.

Finally, the Door County Beekeepers will hold their Summer Social on Tuesday night. Max and Mark will facilitate a Q&A session. Discussions will likely focus on late summer hive management, honey harvesting, and preparing bee colonies for fall. The event is open to members and anyone interested in beekeeping. Hah! Not about water?

Water is essential for honeybees. Bees drink water, but in summer, they also need –desperately need --water to regulate the temperature in their hives. If hives are too hot, the queen and her broods will suffer, and extreme heat will melt the wax. Think sticky hot mess!!!!

On warm days, some of the worker bees stop gathering nectar and instead visit a water source, slurp up the liquid, store it in their crops, and fly back to the entrance of the hive, where other worker bees are waiting. These bees flap their wings vigorously to fan the water, creating air currents that cause the water to evaporate. As the water evaporates, it absorbs the heat from the air in the hive—natural air conditioning!!

Stay cool this month, and thanks again to evaporation, you will be cooler near the water and in the forest where transpiration is taking place.

Wednesday, August 14 

10:00 Summer Nature Program-Frogs

Join one of our naturalists for some free family-oriented activities and nature exploration. Through activities and wetland exploration, learn about the frogs that live at Crossroads. This event is suitable for all ages. Participants may get wet. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

1:00 pm Wandering Wednesday – Bridges of Big Creek

Join the naturalist on this weekly guided hike through the trails of Crossroads. This week, we will wander through the forests and over the bridges on the north end of the preserve. It is easy walking, and no reservations are required. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads. 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay

1:00 Wandering Wednesday – Bridges of Big Creek

Join the naturalist on this weekly guided hike through the trails of Crossroads. This week we will wander through the forests and over the bridges on the north end of the Big Creek Preserve. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Crossroads. 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay

Friday, August 16

2:30-4:30 “Afternoons with Betha” at the Hanson House

Delve into the past, recalling history by touring the Hans and Bertha Hanson House and hearing stories of Big Creek and The Cove Estuary from a costumed interpreter. Meet at the Hanson House. Registration is not required. Open to the public and free thanks to our donors. 2022 Utah Street, Sturgeon Bay

August 17

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm                           

Science Saturday – Waterfest!

Science Saturdays are back by popular demand! This week's topic is WaterFEST! Participants will try a wide variety of hands-on activities pertaining to water. This fest is appropriate for K-5 students, but learners of all ages are welcome. Participating kids will receive a free t-shirt (size Youth L only). Registration is not required. Open to the public and free, thanks to our donors. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads,  2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay

Monday, August 19

10:00 am  Monday Make & Take

This week, learners of all ages will enjoy learning how insects eat by comparing insect mouthparts to familiar articles. Each participant will make a model of a mouthpart to take home. The event is suitable for all ages. Registration is not required. It is open to the public and free, thanks to our donors.

Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay

Tuesday, August 20

10:00 Summer Nature Programs: Finding Fossils

Join one of our naturalists for free family-oriented activities and nature exploration as we look for fossils, which is easiest when the rocks are wet! Each family will receive a free Door County Fossil Pamphlet to take with them for future fossil hunting.  Suitable for all ages. Registration is not required. Open to the public and free thanks to our donors. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Crossroads, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

6:30 pm Door County Beekeeper Club: Summer Social

The August Door County Beekeepers Club meeting will be a summer social event. It will be a nice opportunity for newer members to get acquainted and talk with other members about beekeeping. While there will be no formal program, Max and Mark will facilitate a Q&A session for all attendees. Discussions will likely focus on late summer hive management, honey harvesting, and preparing bee colonies for fall. The event is open to members and anyone interested in beekeeping. Members are asked to bring a snack to share. Meet Crossroads at Big Creek 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay

A swim meet timing system, outdoor exhibits, and a new concession/restroom facility will now be possible thanks to your room tax dollars. Destination Door County announced its latest round of Community Investment Fund grants on Thursday, distributing $256,190 to five local projects. The biggest of these awards was to the Kolberg Athletic Club, which received a $100,000 grant to build a new concession/restroom facility to provide better accommodations for its visitors, from Kolberg Braves games to sports camps. The Village of Ephraim, the Door County YMCA, and the Door County Historical Society each received $50,000 in grants for their respective projects. Ephraim officials are looking to create a pedestrian trail in the northern part of the village while the Door County Historical Society wants to reconstruct a barn and summer kitchen at Eagle Bluff Lighthouse inside Peninsula State Park. The Door County YMCA will use its funds to purchase and install a new timing system so they can host more swim meets in the future. The $6,190 grant to the Belgian Heritage Center is combined with additional funds from the Door County Community Foundations to create new outdoor campus exhibits. Destination Door County President and CEO Julie Gilbert says that awarding these grants has been a rewarding and educational experience for her.

GILBERT1

Since the Community Investment Fund was created over a year ago, Destination Door County has awarded over $1.6 million to 28 local projects. The next grant application deadline is September 23rd.

Missing your favorite vendors at the Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market does not have to be a bad thing, no matter which side of the table you are on Saturday morning. Farmer's markets across the county are hitting their stride as fresh produce and other items come into the season. It is also a busy time for businesses that set up across the county, like Tori Martinez of Mauricio's. Her mango salsa and pico are among the more popular items you can get at the Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market, but they are in high demand outside of 3rd Avenue because of their food trailer and catering events. Even when they and other vendors, Martinez says the market is diverse enough on the street and on the waiting list to thrive.

Even if some vendors cannot show up every week, those spots do not go empty. With a waiting list of daily vendors over 20 businesses long, Destination Sturgeon Bay's Alexa Soto says it does not take much to fill a spot for a week or two.

The Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market runs Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon through October 12^th. You can learn more about the Farmer's Market and some of its vendors by listening to the Faces of the Farmers Market, now in its second season, at DoorCountyDailyNews.com

Voters will head to their polling places on Tuesday with two Republican primaries headlining the ballot.

For the second straight election cycle, Kewaunee farmer Milt Swagel is challenging incumbent State Rep. Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) for the Republican nomination for Wisconsin State Assembly’s First District. The First District stretches through Door and Kewaunee counties and includes a small piece of Brown County. You can click on the links above to read their answers to our questionnaire.

Congressional candidates Andre Jacque, Roger Roth, and Tony Wied have been crisscrossing the district over the last several weeks ahead of their August 13th primary for U.S. Congress. Jacque currently represents Door and Kewaunee counties as the First District State Senator. Roth was the State Senate President from 2017 to 2021 and served in the Senate until 2023. Wied ran a successful gas and convenience store enterprise in the Green Bay area before selling the business last year.

Democrats will be able to cast their ballots for their candidates as well, which are Dr. Kristin Lyerly for U.S. Congress and Renee Paplham for First District Assembly. 

Two referendum questions also appear on the ballot. The first question looks to prohibit the legislature from delegating its power to appropriate money, while the second query would require legislative approval before the governor can spend federal funds.

Polling places in Door and Kewaunee counties are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

If you missed the sight of road crews on State Highway 42, you are in luck. On Friday, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced that maintenance crews will be repairing pavement on STH 42 between South Grant Drive and the connector from North STH 42 in Sturgeon Bay. Construction will occur from Monday, August 12th, to Thursday, August 15th, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Since the work is occurring in the north and southbound lanes, various lanes will be closed during the repairs.

Elsewhere in the county, the Door County Highway Department will continue the County Highway P project it started on August 5th. The work extends from Highway 42 to Highway 57. After crews finish marking and cutting driveways, they will resurface the highway, improve the road’s shoulders, and paint stripes. The road will remain open during construction, with flaggers being used to help control traffic. If Mother Nature cooperates, the expected completion date is September 9th.

Two U.S. Coast Guard ships called Sturgeon Bay’s working waterfront home on Friday, coinciding with the end of the city’s Maritime Week celebrations. On Wednesday and Friday, the USCG Cutter Mobile Bay offered tours of its ice-cutting vessel. Coast Guardsman took people around the ship and its adjoined barge. Among those taking tours of the Cutter Mobile Bay were retired members of the U.S. Coast Guard who had also worked on the ship during their tour of duty.

 

 

 

 

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Across the bay, USCG Spar was docked near Graham Park as it prepared for its next mission. According to the Door County Maritime Museum, the Duluth-based vessel maintains aid to navigation in the Twin Ports and Great Lakes. It is in town assisting the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with its efforts to mark sunken ships within the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary.

The two ships floated in the foreground of the Coast Guard Picnic, the last event of Sturgeon Bay’s Maritime Week festivities. Earlier in the week, BMC Luke Berghuis of the Cutter Mobile Bay was honored as the 2024 Sturgeon Bay Coast Guard Person of the Year. MK3 Taiten Cogswell, from Station Sturgeon Bay and MST1 Michael Thacker from Marine Safety Unit Sturgeon Bay was also nominated.

The work being done in your backyard by area farmers is being honored by a state conservation group this month. Peninsula Pride Farms was named one of eight Lake Michigan Champions of Conservations by the non-profit group Lake Michigan Stakeholders. The farmer-led watershed group joins Rep. Katrina Shankland, Neenah High School graduate Nigel Thao, Friends of Stony Brook founder Joe Bach, Lake Sturgeon Rehabilitation Project Coordinator Mary Holleback, Wisconsin DNR Great Lakes District Fisheries Supervisor Brad Eggold, Oneida Nation Environment Project Manager Tony Kuchma, and former Kenosha mayor John Antaramian as recipients for the award.

The organization uses the awards as a way to honor groups and individuals for their environmental achievements that have had a positive impact on Lake Michigan. Peninsula Pride Farms is coming off a year where their conservation practices reduced phosphorus runoff by nearly 61,000 pounds. Peninsula Pride Farms President Duane Ducat says it is an honor to receive the recognition and a thrill to showcase how their practices are making a difference.

The group also reduced greenhouse gas emissions by almost 4,500 metric tons, equivalent to over 1,000 cars driven yearly. Peninsula Pride Farms will be formally recognized at the Lake Michigan Stakeholders' annual Lake Michigan Day celebration in Manitowoc on Friday afternoon.

There is no shortage of activities this weekend as communities host some of the area’s final summer events.

Algoma will honor its fishing history with its Shanty Days Celebration of the Lake Friday through Sunday. Although its fishing contest opened the festivities on Thursday, Shanty Days officially opens at 3 p.m. on Friday with live music and food ahead of its car cruise and parade on Saturday and fireworks on Sunday.

Heading away from the Shanty Days grounds on the lakefront, the Casco Lions Club will host its annual celebration beginning on Friday. Casco Lions Days is centered around three days of softball at Casco Village Park, but the event also features a cornhole tournament and a Sunday parade kicking off in front of the Village Kitchen at noon.

In Sister Bay, the Door County Festival of Fine Arts will welcome artists from across the region to show off their work at Sister Bay Waterfront Park. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event features an all-ages activity tent featuring stained glass artist Gary Chaudoir and other displays. 

State Rep. Joel Kitchens is preparing to run for his sixth term in the Wisconsin State Assembly representing the First District as he faces off against Milt Swagel in Tuesday's Republican Primary. The First District stretches through Door and Kewaunee counties and includes a small piece of Brown County. The answers below were edited for punctuation and grammar. The winner of Tuesday’s Republican Primary will face Kewaunee’s Renee Paplham in the Fall General Election in November. We posted Swagel's answers on Thursday and we will have links to both articles for the Sunday’s Electronic Newspaper.

Why are you running to represent the First Assembly District? I am running because I love this area. I have lived here for 40 years, raised a family, and started a business. I served as president of the school board because it is important to me that the next generation enjoys the same opportunities I found here.  I am running because I want to protect our quality of life and assure that everyone here is as successful as possible.   

What are your goals for the upcoming session of the Wisconsin State Legislature? I will always strive to keep the government small and taxes even smaller. This session, I authored the Right to Read Act, which returns Wisconsin to the phonics-based approach to reading, the same way most of us learned to read. For too long, our state moved away from that type of instruction, and our reading scores plummeted. As chair of the Education Committee, I will continue to work to make sure this important change is implemented in our schools.

What will your approach be on some of the biggest issues facing the First Assembly District?

Affordable Housing: While affordable housing is an issue throughout the state, it is especially acute in the 1st Assembly District. It is not just tourism workers who lack housing, it is also healthcare workers and educators. Last session, we passed a package of bills to remove red tape in approving housing projects and to provide tax incentives to build affordable housing. We need to build on that and work with businesses and community groups to incentivize and facilitate the building of workforce housing.
 

Workforce Development: As chairman of the Committee on Education, my goal is for every student to graduate with a plan so that they can enter the workforce and become contributing members of society. Four-year college is expensive, and it is not for everyone. We have been successful in introducing kids to career options through the youth apprenticeship program, and our technical schools are seeing solid growth. We are seeing declining birth rates, so it is vital that we keep young people in Wisconsin and that they have a plan to enter the workforce.
 

Child Care: It is nearly impossible for childcare centers to charge working parents a rate they can afford while remaining economically viable. As with affordable housing, we must work with our businesses to incentivize them to assist with childcare. In this age of worker shortages, it is a key for them to maintain a stable workforce. This session, we also passed a childcare tax credit that was signed into law. Government should not take over the task of raising children, but we can work with providers, businesses, and parents to make it more affordable and keep these people in the workforce.

Mental Health: Mental illness is certainly on the rise in the U.S., particularly among young people. In the long run, the key will be to focus on early treatment and prevention. I wrote the bill that allows mental health providers to see students within the schools. Studies show that young people are much more likely to see a professional in that setting and that early treatment is far more likely to be successful. Clinical depression has also risen with the increased access to the internet and social media. Next session, I will introduce legislation to ban cell phones in the classroom. While it won’t solve the entire problem, it has had a positive impact in places that have implemented it.
 

Clean Water: Improving our groundwater and surface water quality has been a top priority since I was first elected, and I have been honored by numerous conservation and farm groups for my efforts. My approach has always been to bring the conservation and agriculture groups together to find solutions. We will never solve these problems without buy-in from the farm community. We implemented restrictions on spreading manure that reflect the soil depth in northeast Wisconsin, and we incentivized producer-led watershed groups, like Peninsula Pride, to try new conservation practices. I am proud to say that Door and Kewaunee Counties now rank in the top half for water quality in spite of having the shallowest soil in the state. There is work yet to be done, but I will continue on this collaborative approach that has proven so successful.

 

How will you try to work with your colleagues from across the aisle to accomplish things for the state of Wisconsin? Every opponent I have ever had says that they will reach across the aisle if elected, yet very few members actually do it once elected. While I will never sacrifice my core principles, I have built a reputation for being reasonable and willing to work with Democrats when our goals align. Last session, I authored the Right to Read Act, which will have a huge impact on educational outcomes in our state. I did it by meeting with Governor Evers and working with members of both parties to an extent that has never happened in this administration. There is not a great deal of trust between the parties in Madison, but I have built solid relationships with many Democrats.
 

Why should people vote for you? I have proven that I am a very effective advocate for our area. I work very hard and I listen to my constituents. This session, I wrote three bills that were passed into law that came to me directly from citizens of our area who saw a gap in the current law and had an idea on how to make it better. I promise to continue to work tirelessly to keep the government as small as possible and to advance the priorities of our wonderful area.

 

Say something nice about your opponent. I appreciate anyone who is willing to step up and offer to serve the great people of our area.

If you plan to enjoy Lake Michigan's beaches and waters this weekend, you will want to monitor the weather conditions.  The National Weather Service in Green Bay predicts that colder air will move over the relatively warm waters of the bay and Lake Michigan on Friday and Saturday, which can make for favorable waterspout conditions.  Waterspouts can be dangerous and cause significant damage to boats. They are more common in the morning or evening when cold, moist air moves across the lake's surface or when fast-moving pressure systems push air across the water.  The National Weather Service says you should monitor weather conditions this weekend and be prepared to seek shelter immediately if a waterspout appears to approach shore.  
 

More than 25 years after its founding, your generosity continues to help DoorCancer meet the area's needs, even after distributing more than $2.5 million in the community.

The organization supports Door County families going through cancer in several ways, whether gas cards and hotel stays to defray travel costs or cover rent or utility bills when money gets tight. Early in the organization, a couple of thousand dollars was all that was needed to support the community. That number has grown to tens of thousands of dollars, including over $30,000 just last month. DoorCancer's Danny Hanson and Jenny Brandenburg say the number shows that the need in the community continues to grow as more people become affected by cancer and become aware of how their organization can help them. It also displays how much support Door County residents and visitors have for their mission.

Brandenburg and Hanson are both proud that much of the money raised by DoorCancer is distributed and stays in the community. One way you can support DoorCancer's mission is by attending the return of their Clips for a Cause event on August 27th at Sonny's Italian Kitchen. You can hear more about that event below.

You will have to wait a while before you can visit the Rocky Mountains via Green Bay again via Frontier Airlines. The carrier announced this week that it was cutting 43 routes across the country, including its direct flight between Green Bay and Denver. According to Colorado Public Radio, the airline cut routes to balance supply and demand better. Austin Straubel Airport Marty Piette says these things tend to happen to seasonal routes. Flights between the two cities are at the highest during the summer months, so if a pause was going to happen, just before the fall makes sense. Piette says they have talked to Frontier Airlines, and the carrier is staying in the market.

Frontier Airlines' last flight between Denver and Green Bay is August 12th.

Despite the news, Piette says passenger numbers for its other carriers, like United, American, and Delta, continue to grow. He points to the bigger airplanes flying in and out of the airport as a positive sign.

It will soon be the Democrats' turn to share with you their talking points ahead of the fall election. The Democratic National Convention will take over the United Center in Chicago for four days beginning on August 19th, one month after Republicans wrapped up their convention at Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum. A lot changed that month, with President Joe Biden opting out of his bid for a second term, paving the way for his Vice President, Kamala Harris, to take control of the ticket along with her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Kewaunee County Democratic Party Chairperson Stan Johnson says that national enthusiasm has trickled down into local races, including Dr. Kristin Lyerly for U.S. Congress and Renee Paplham for First District Assembly.

In November, Lyerly will face the winner of Tuesday's Republican Congressional primary between State Senator Andre Jacque, Former State Senator Roger Roth, and Tony Wied. Paplham will challenge the winner of Tuesday's Republican Primary between Rep. Joel Kitchens and Kewaunee County Supervisor Milt Swagel. Lyerly and Paplham will appear at a town hall meeting hosted by the Kewaunee County Democratic Party on Monday at 7:00 p.m. in Algoma. You have to register in advance to attend by using this link.

For the second straight election cycle, Kewaunee farmer Milt Swagel is challenging incumbent State Rep. Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) for the Republican nomination for Wisconsin State Assembly’s First District. The First District stretches through Door and Kewaunee counties and includes a small piece of Brown County. The answers below were edited for punctuation and grammar. The winner of Tuesday’s Republican Primary will go on to face Kewaunee’s Renee Paplham in the Fall General Election in November. We will post Kitchens’ answers on Friday and have links to both articles for the Sunday’s Electronic Newspaper.

Why are you running to represent the First Assembly District? I'm running for state assembly first district because change is needed in Madison!!   I will fight for the people. I will not vote for the establishment!!  The State Budget is 99 billion, up 12 percent from the last budget!!   This corrupt waste is totally wrong!!   I will not vote for this waste of the taxpayer's money.  My opponent voted for this!!   Some legislators want some sort of abortion to be legal in Wisconsin. I say NO!!   Life begins at conception, I must speak for the innocent preborn babies,  they can't speak for themselves!!   I stand for the Second Amendment,  no infringement, no changes!!  I stand for traditional Christian family values and school choice and vouchers!!   I'm Change for the people!!   

What are your goals for the upcoming session of the Wisconsin State Legislature? My goals for the upcoming session include lowering the state budget, cut wasteful spending!!   Maintain the roads!!   Ensure that the parent's rights are respected!!  Do Not allow the abortion Left to allow abortion.   Do Not allow any infringement or change to the Second Amendment!!   Fight for the people, Not the establishment!!   

What will your approach be on some of the biggest issues facing the First Assembly District?

Affordable Housing: I will work with all communities to be able to provide affordable housing. This is very important for people.  

Workforce Development: I will work with all communities that desire workforce development.  

Child Care: I will work with communities and businesses for necessary affordable childcare. 

Mental Health: The continuing needs for mental health treatment is getting larger.  I will work on proper care where the need arises, but we must treat the family and also work on family structure.   

Clean Water: I drink my own well water so yes clean drinking water for the people is important. The laws and regulations must be followed ensuring clean, safe drinking water.    

How will you try to work with your colleagues from across the aisle to accomplish things for the state of Wisconsin? I will gladly work with colleagues from the other side of the aisle get accomplishments for the people of Wisconsin.  I will not bend, waver or change my conservative ideals for them.  

Why should people vote for you? The great people of the first assembly district should vote for me because of all the statements I made with these questions.  Change is needed in Madison, and I am that Change!!  I will vote No to the waste and corruption in Madison!!  I also am a Military Veteran. I took the oath to follow the American Constitution and protect the American people!!   God Bless All!!!  

Say something nice about your opponent. My Opponent is a good dressed individual that works with the other side of the aisle.

You can catch the final notes of the Birch Creek Music Performance Center's Academy season this week when the second Big Band Jazz session wraps on Saturday. Academy musicians and Birch Creek faculty members performed over 30 times inside the Egg Harbor campus' concert barn. That number skyrockets when you include jazz ambassadors, shows across the county, and intermission performances under the gazebo. 

It will be a long ride home for the nearly 70 percent of Birch Creek's students who came from out of state this year to attend one of Birch Creek's four sessions. That includes Jacob, Kyle, and Linnea, who will join their classmates at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, Ill. next week as they prepare for the upcoming marching band season after the ensemble won a 4A Division State Championship last year. Playing at other high-caliber competitions in Illinois introduced the trio to other great musicians who sang the high praises of Birch Creek.

While academy students get hands-on training with world-class musicians from across the country, Jacob, Kyle, and Linnea all said that performing and interacting with the community were some of their favorite parts of their Birch Creek experience.

Jacob, Kyle, and Linnea were not the only Huskies to attend Birch Creek. Their classmate Ethan was named one of the most improved wind players during the first Big Band Jazz sessions. Birch Creek wraps up the Academy season on August 10th with a free family concert at 1 p.m. and another performance at 7 p.m. You can find ticketing information here.

You can combine two high-intensity workout classes while participating in a challenge this month at the Door County YMCA.   The YMCA is holding End of Summer Wellness Center Pop-ups for the next three weeks.  Specialty Wellness Director Abby Tesch says the classes and open house-style events are open free to members and to non-members with a daily pass.  The classes include Raptor Training for sprinting and a Sports Performance Challenge to win prizes. 

Wellness Center Coordinator Aiden Labbe says the new facility, which opened about one year ago, offers members many resources that can help them achieve their fitness goals.

The End of Summer Wellness Center Pop-ups run from August 12 – August 30 Monday through Friday at the Sturgeon Bay Program Center.  You can find the complete schedule of free classes and open house times at the Door County YMCA website.  

You might see local farmers harvesting their crops, especially corn, later this season as Mother Nature challenges the agricultural community this summer.  Many local farmers had to plant crops later in the spring because of excessive rainfall and flooded fields. 

Jim Wautier of Church-Site Farms in Brussels says he expects corn silage and corn for grain to be harvested later than usual in August due to this year's late start.

Wautier adds that last week's hot, humid weather dried out fields, but the cooler, sunny weather mixed with some rain this week is a welcome sight for farmers.

He notes that the wheat crop harvested last week was good, as were other crops, but the corn will vary greatly depending on the location of the fields.

On Wednesday, the United Wisconsin Grain Producers reported the Dec '24 corn is holding above the contract low price of $3.95 but not by much as the contract is trading around $4.02.

A growing local organization recently celebrated its impact on the community and saluted one of its key volunteers.  At the annual meeting for Neighbor to Neighbor, Nancy Gamble was presented with the "Volunteer Star Award" for her service in the medical equipment loan and the peer companion/respite care programs.  Executive Director Ann Bennett says Gamble reflects the best of the organization with her many years of volunteering for Neighbor to Neighbor.  

Neighbor to Neighbor loans medical equipment at no charge for up to three months to individuals at three locations throughout Door County. Volunteers also visit homebound residents for an hour weekly as part of the companion peer program. Nearly 2000 people were served by Neighbor to Neighbor in 2023, and 50 volunteers shared 1,747 hours with the organization. 

(photo submitted)

After a brief business meeting in an open session on Tuesday, the Sturgeon Bay Common Council unanimously agreed in a closed session to settle with Walmart and avoid litigation over the store's tax assessment over the past two years.  For the past several years, Walmart has been challenging cities around the country concerning the evaluation of property taxes.  Mayor David Ward says the city's decision boiled down to agreeing to about $300,000 less than the original $6.6 million assessment.  The 2025 assessment in Walmart's initial offer was not accepted since Sturgeon Bay is planning a city-wide assessment next year.  Mayor Ward explained that the council decided to settle mainly because they could only lose in court, and the value could never be raised.

Ward added that the settlement would reduce Walmart's city tax by $3,300 per year for 2023 and 2024.  Walmart's original protest or claim would have reduced their city tax by over $10,000 in both years.   

With a little luck and your support, more groundbreakings will be held near a cul-de-sac on Ava Hope Trail in Sister Bay. Last week, the Door County Housing Partnership, Door County Habitat for Humanity, United Way of Door County, and others celebrated the groundbreaking for a new home to be built for the family of Ali Hernandez and Rimvydas Balciunas. It marked the first of potentially ten new homes slated for the subdivision thanks to an arrangement with the Village of Sister Bay and the Door County Housing Partnership. The organization used a $100,000 grant from the United Way of Door County to purchase the lots from the village, a fraction of what the parcels could have gone for on the open market. Using the Community Land Trust model, the Door County Housing Partnership ensures that the home and its land remain affordable for the foreseeable future. The Door County Housing Partnership is now raising funds to ensure Hernandez and Balciunas have neighbors shortly. Mariah Goode from the Door County Housing Partnership says the organization appreciates that the village saw the need and threw its support behind their efforts.

You can support the efforts by donating to the Door County Housing Partnership or contacting Door County Habitat for Humanity to help with the current home build.

Making your house more green could help you put more green in your wallet after Governor Tony Evers announced the country's first home energy rebate program. The Home Efficiency Rebate (HOMES) program will reward home owners making energy-saving home improvements with rebates thanks to a partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and previously approved federal funding. Evers also announced that homeowners can receive discounts on efficient electric appliances and equipment like heat pumps, insulation, and air-sealing through the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (HEAR) program. The concepts of the programs are nothing new for architect Meghan Hawkins. As the founder of Evolve Design Workshop in Madison, she designs homes with sustainability in mind by paying attention to the materials she uses and other factors. She says it is great that consumers will have more options to save money, stay healthy, and be green in their homes.

To qualify for the rebates, your home undergoes an energy assessment to identify where savings can occur. Rebates are then awarded based on income level and the amount of energy you are expected to save. You'll be able to read more about the program here.

Kewaunee County law enforcement agencies are reminding you where and when you can drive your ATVs and UTVs in the area.

Five years ago, the Kewaunee County Board passed an ordinance that provided a template for individual communities to adopt that raised the minimum age for operators from 12 years old to 16 years old, set a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour, and created restrictions on the hours of operation. Individual communities were allowed to draw up stricter guidance if they so chose to do so, which was the case in the Village of Luxemburg when they allowed ATVs and UTVs on all village streets except for State Highway 54/Center Drive and County Highway AB/Main Street between Church Road and Spartan Way. Luxemburg Police Chief Chris Gulbrand said this week that they have received complaints about vehicles driving on Main Street.

Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski says the biggest issue he sees is people traveling on a road where it is legal to operate their ATV and UTV, and the speeds change to the point where it becomes illegal.

Joski credits the community for coming together through ATV and UTV usage and being safe about it. In the five years since the ordinance was passed, he could only recall one accident involving an ATV or UTV on a public roadway.

Picture courtesy of Pixabay

If you are looking for an appetizer for next week’s Door County Fair, the Washington Island Lions Club has you covered this Saturday. The organization will host its annual Island Fair at Washington Island School, featuring live music, games, food, a parade, and more. The event acts as one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the Washington Island Lions Club, which in turn gives that money back to the community. Club Treasurer Joel Gunnlaugsson says it shines a spotlight on other organizations and groups that make Washington Island what it is.

The Island Fair kicks off at noon on Saturday and runs until 3 p.m. Gunnlaugsson says this year the event is free to attend but encourages fairgoers to pitch in a few dollars to support their efforts.

Picture courtesy of Washington Island Lions Club

Starting next year, you will not have to live in Door County to be crowned Miss Door County or Miss Door County Teen. Kylee Duessler and Emily Bley, who currently hold the respective titles, announced on social media Monday that students attending Algoma and Luxemburg-Casco would now be eligible to compete in Miss Door County and Miss Door County Teen pageants. Currently, students from those schools, along with Kewaunee High School, compete in the Miss Green Bay Area Pageant along with not just kids from Brown County but also from Calumet, Manitowoc, Oconto, Outagamie, and Shawano counties. Miss Door County organizer Susan Fochs says this will allow their pageant to grow while allowing more girls the opportunity to earn scholarships and build confidence.

The 2025 Miss Door County Pageant is scheduled for February 1st at the Southern Door Auditorium.

A quick look at the phone may be to blame for a two-vehicle accident involving a Wisconsin State Patrol vehicle that sent an Egg Harbor man to the hospital last Friday afternoon. The accident occurred just before 1:40 p.m. near the intersection of State Highway 57 and County Highway Y when the Wisconsin State Patrol sports utility vehicle driver veered out of the right lane into the rear end of a parked trailer. According to the incident report, the 62-year-old man from Marshall told deputies on the scene that he had looked down at his phone when he was receiving a call, and by the time he looked up again, it was too late for him to avoid the crash. He added that he might have crossed the white fog line where the work truck and trailer were parked. An employee of Ashley’s Property Maintenance was securing items on the trailer when it was struck, throwing him into the air before he landed on the roadway. The man was transported to a Green Bay hospital, where he was treated for suspected major injuries. He told the Door County Sheriff’s Department on Sunday that he was parked off the roadway over the fog line with hazards on his vehicle activated. The driver of the other vehicle suffered minor injuries, but he did not need to be transported. He did, however, receive a citation for unsafe lane deviation. The accident did require southbound STH 57 to be closed for just over an hour so the scene could be cleaned up.

The City of Sturgeon Bay will celebrate its U.S. Coast Guard roots this week as it celebrates Maritime Week throughout the area. Coast Guard Station Sturgeon Bay was built in 1902, and the military branch's presence has expanded to include ice-cutting operations with the Cutter Mobile Bay and its Marine Safety Detachment, which was established in 1971. In 2014, Sturgeon Bay was named the 15th U.S. Coast Guard City in the country and the first in Wisconsin. Maritime Week celebrates that heritage beginning with Monday's Coast Guard Person of the Year and Mariner Award Dinner at the Door County Maritime Museum. The festivities also include Tuesday's golf outing, Wednesday's special Concert in the Park, sail races on Thursday, and a picnic on Friday. Door County Maritime Museum Deputy Director Sam Perlman says the Coast Guard plays a major role in the city's identity.

The City of Sturgeon Bay has reapplied to maintain its U.S. Coast Guard City distinction, which Perlman says they should hear back on in the coming weeks.

You are not alone if you feel your wallet is getting pinched by the cost of your child care. Announced by Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families earlier this week, the 2024 Market Rate Survey for child care in the state showed a larger than predicted increase for childcare provider prices between 2022 and 2023. According to the 2024 report, Wisconsin families with an infant in center-based care are seeing an average 11 percent increase in monthly tuition prices, while Wisconsin families with an infant in family-based care are seeing an average 14 percent increase. Not only does that outpace the inflation rate, it also resulted in a drop of affordable child care slots by 25 percent. The situation could grow even more dire next year when the Child Care Counts program runs out of funding. Both sides of the political spectrum have offered solutions to the issue, with Democrats looking to make the Child Care Counts program permanent. In contrast, Republicans offered several reforms allowing centers to welcome more children and create a loan program for providers. United Way of Door County Childcare Community Coordinator Molly Gary was not shocked by the survey results and says childcare providers and parents are running out of options.
 

Gary adds that the United Way of Door County is still trying to support child care centers and individuals who want to offer the service out of their homes.

The Thursday evening  “Restoration for Landowners” program will be an Introduction to the Door County Invasive Species Team and Door County Soil and Water.  Tim Dahl and Jason Miller will discuss programs that will improve habitats for wildlife and birds.  But even after Crossroads’ habitat restoration efforts, we no longer hear the enthusiastic morning choruses, and come to think about it, this time of year, we don’t see as many birds either.

One of the Summer Nature Programs this week will feature Fantastic Flyers, a program about migration.

In the “Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior”, illustrator/author  David Sibley wrote: "Migratory activity is exceptionally strenuous, involving peak energy demands as much as seven to fifteen times greater than the bird would use when resting. These higher energy demands may be expended over periods of continuous flight between two and six days without rest.

“Scientists estimate that an equivalent feat of physical endurance for a human would be to run a 4-minute mile for 80 hours straight.”

He then goes on to describe how display and territorial behavior, courtship and mate selection, nest building, egg development, and care of the offspring are extremely energy-intensive. 

But those activities are winding down. Male birds no longer sing to attract mates and defend territories. The young have fledged. One would think that this would be a nice respite for the birds…a time to relax and chill.  But no!

Depending on the species, birds must replace some or all of their worn feathers before migration. Songbirds lose their feathers gradually, so they are never naked. However, they have a ragged appearance this time of year and usually remain quiet and well-hidden during the process because they are vulnerable to predation. Also, because feathers provide insulation, birds must use huge amounts of energy just to maintain body heat.

Migratory birds are still around, and we don’t notice them much at this time of year. But that is no reason to avoid our trails. Our forested trails offer a cool retreat on a warm day, and our summer programming will help you learn as you have fun.

Wednesday, August 7

10:00 Summer Nature Programs – Fantastic Flyers         

Learners of all ages are invited to this free program about bird migration. No reservations are required. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay

Thursday, August 8

5:30 pm Resources for Landowners Series: DCIST and Door County Soil & Water

This summer, Crossroads is hosting the Resources for Landowners lecture series, a speaker series aimed at connecting Door County landowners with the tools and resources available in the county for restoring and managing the natural resources found on their land. Tim Dahl and Jason Miller will speak on Door County Soil & Water and the Door County Invasive Species Team, their programs and the they offer landowners. Free and open to the public. Collins Learning Center, Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Monday, August 12

10:00 Summer Make and Take Program: Make Your Own Fossil (model)

Learners of all ages will enjoy learning how fossils were formed using edible demonstrations. Each participant will take home a model fossil.  Free and open to the public. No pre-registration is required, but please let us know if participants have food restrictions. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Tuesday, August 13

10:00 Summer Nature Program: Insect Safari

Participants will practice “sweeping" with an insect net using bubbles. Then, participants will visit the Pollinator Garden and the upland meadows of Crossroads during this capture/release activity. Nets provided. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Crossroads. 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

7:00 pm Meeting of the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society

The featured program at this meeting will be “Photographing Auroras,” presented by DPAS member Rebecca Ann Struck. Night sky viewing to follow. Meet at the Stonecipher Astronomy Center, 2200 Utah, Sturgeon Bay.

 Wednesday, August 14

10:00 Summer Nature Program: Frogs!

Learn about the frogs that live at Crossroads through activities and wetland exploration. Fun for the whole family. No pre-registration is required. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

1:00 pm Wandering Wednesday

Join the naturalist on this weekly guided hike through the trails of Crossroads. This week, we will wander through the forests and over the bridges on the north end of the Big Creek Preserve. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

As we continue through these amazing summer days, I wanted to reflect on the days of winter, specifically the days surrounding our Holiday season and the charity that so many provided in supporting the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. It may be a stretch to remember those cold and snowy days when you paused at the Kettle site, made a donation, and maybe even visited with the volunteer ringing their bell.

As I have shared in the past, I have the privilege of being the Kewaunee County Voucher Writer for the Salvation Army. In doing so, I have the unique opportunity to interact with those who are in need throughout our community on a regular basis, and I am always humbled by their willingness to share what they are going through.

As you may recall, the funds for these types of assistance interactions are derived from the donations that you, the community, provide through the Kettle Campaign, which runs from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. These Kettles are placed at businesses throughout Kewaunee County, and requests for assistance are also received from our neighbors throughout Kewaunee County.

Recently, I provided a voucher to a family struggling with unforeseen medical bills to assist with their utilities. In another instance, I was able to provide assistance to a gentleman who was recently unemployed and struggling to make ends meet as he awaited his first paycheck in his new job. Yet, in another time of need, your generosity provided fuel for a young woman’s vehicle so that she could get to a job interview. Unfortunately, very seldom a week goes by that I do not receive a request for help in some way. Fortunately, most of these needs can be met. While I am able to provide assistance through the Salvation Army on most of these occasions, other charitable organizations assist our community with resources as well. I am very grateful for the local food pantries and the Lakeshore Community Pantry Thrift Shop. There have also been so many situations in which local businesses have stepped forward to assist a family or individual with help in the area of their expertise.  

In a world that tends to fixate on the negative, we can never let ourselves be distracted from the fact that they are vastly outnumbered by the positive events and supportive people that are around us every day. Even in those negative people or events, it doesn’t take a great deal of effort to peel away the layers to find the good.

Many times, we feel helpless as we watch events unfold around the world and even in our own communities. While we cannot change so much of what we see, we can ensure that it does not change us. Please know that every time we can assist someone in our community, we are sending a message that we will always be here for each other without judgment and without hesitation. That in itself is the definition of community. I remain grateful to be a part of this community and the generosity it shows to those in need.

You can find out more about the issues and concerns surrounding the growth of two different algae found in local waters at a special presentation next Wednesday in Sturgeon Bay. 

Gina LaLiberte, the Statewide Harmful Algal Bloom Coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will speak on the harmful cyanobacterial blooms and Cladophora in Wisconsin and the Door Peninsula.  A research scientist with the DNR's Water Quality Program who has studied algae for 30 years, LaLiberte says different environmental conditions can lead to the growth of both blue-green algae and green algae.  She hopes attendees will better understand the impact of algae on the environment and how to identify it.

LaLiberte adds that kuwaga and zebra mussels in the water have cleaned the water so much that the sunlight is causing the proliferation of algae growth in the lake and bay.  The free program "What's that Green Stuff in the Water and on the Beach?" will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 7 at the Johns Collins Learning Center at Crossroads at Big Creek. Hosted by the Door County Environmental Council, LaLiberte's presentation will be found online via Zoom at dcec-wi.org. 

If you have not reached Birch Creek Performance Center in Egg Harbor for a concert this summer, you are running out of notes to hear. Including tonight's show (8/2), just six shows remain in the second Big Band Jazz session, the final of four sessions, including Percussion, Steel Band, and World Music and Symphony. Executive Director Mona Christensen continues to be amazed by the quality of performers they have welcomed to their campus this summer, who have performed no less than three shows a week since June 20th. It is not just the students who wow audiences inside the concert barn, either. Christensen says their faculty often flexes its musical muscle, which includes access to music that has not been seen in decades.

Christensen also advised music lovers to look out for pop-up concerts performed around the county by their student ambassadors. The last Big Band Jazz concert is scheduled for August 10th. You can listen to our full interview with Christensen by clicking this link.

If you are heading to West Allis for the Wisconsin State Fair over the next week, you may encounter some familiar faces from Door and Kewaunee counties. Thursday marked not just the first day you could ride on the Sky Glider or devour your first Cream Puff, but it also served as the opener for several livestock shows, including dairy cattle, rabbits, dairy goats, and pigs. Among those exhibiting is Pilsen Skylighters member Molly Salentine, who made it to the final round of her dairy showmanship class for thirteen-year-olds. Spending her time with other kids from the Kewaunee County Dairy Project, she says exhibiting at the Wisconsin State Fair is a great experience.

In addition to local kids exhibiting animals throughout the 11-day event, several projects from this year's Kewaunee County Fair and last year's Door County Fair are on display. You will also find Luxemburg-Casco alum Joey Theucks, who is performing with Kids from Wisconsin during their fair-long residency. The Wisconsin State Fair runs until August 11th. 

Picture courtesy of Jenny Salentine

It was in the middle of Lake Michigan, but you are reading this correctly: there was an earthquake near Sturgeon Bay on Friday morning. According to the United States Geological Service, an earthquake with a magnitude of 2.9 was located 24 miles east of Sturgeon Bay shortly before 9:20 a.m. at a depth of more than six miles. According to Michigan Tech University, an estimated 500,000 earthquakes of this magnitude are felt yearly. If they occur in the right area, they are often felt but will only cause minor damage, if any at all. If it is in the water like this one, a representative from the USGS says you are unlikely to see much of an impact. According to Wisconsin Public Radio, a 2.5 magnitude earthquake in Crandon in January 2024 was the state’s first earthquake in 11 years. 

Screenshot from Google

A different spin on the tradition of having a beer with your Bloody Mary on Sunday in Sturgeon Bay represents just some of the fun you can have this weekend in Door County.

Returning for the fourth year, Destination Sturgeon Bay is hosting its Bloodys, Brews, and Bacon event at Sonny’s Italian Kitchen along the waterfront. Revelers will be able to settle the debate on which local restaurant serves the best Bloody Mary while also enjoying breakfast pizza and bacon along with some locally brewed beer. The crowd gathers just in time for the Sikaflex Challenge to begin outside of the doors of the Door County Maritime Museum, which is hosting its annual Classic and Wooden Boat Show. You can click on this link to purchase your tickets for Bloodys, Brews, and Bacon, which runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Jacksonport Historical Society is hosting its 30th Cherry Fest at Lakeside Park on Saturday. Celebrating the area's tie to cherries, the event features a bakery booth paying homage to the popular fruit, a car show, an arts and crafts fair, and a penny hunt for the kids. Cherry Fest runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Washington Island is hosting its own festivities on Saturday with its annual Scandinavian Dance Festival Over 100 dancers are expected to partake in the event at the Jacqueline Cornell Foss Memorial Stage, located next to the Mosling Recreation Center. The music begins at 7 p.m.

Maritime history was made on Wednesday as Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding delivered the largest U.S. Jones Act-compliant vessel ever. 

The 12,000 cubic meter capacity LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) bunker barge, named Progress, was delivered to Crowley, a logistics, marine, and energy solutions company based in Jacksonville, Florida.

Progress is a 416-foot vessel that will provide ship operators at the port in Savannah, Georgia, with access to a cleaner energy source. LNG is the lowest-carbon fuel used in maritime shipping, and is reported to have 23 percent less greenhouse gas emissions compared to very/ultra low sulphur fuel oil.  

Vice-President and General Manager of FBS Jan Allman says "Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding continues to be an industry leader in building LNG bunkering barges.  We take tremendous pride in seeing another FBS-built vessel leave Sturgeon Bay to its new operational home port. I am proud of the work of our entire Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding team."

The Crowley is the third LNG barge built by Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay.  The last one built was the Clean Everglades last October and was the sistership to the Clean Canaveral built two years prior. 

The Door County Maritime Museum wants to see your creations as a part of its annual Classic and Wooden Boat Show this weekend in Sturgeon Bay. While previous iterations have focused on a specific manufacturer, this year's event is celebrating those who take on the task of building their vessels. The celebration is highlighted by guest speaker Roberta Hegy, a highly successful amateur boatbuilder who took on the hobby after she retired in 2009. Door County Maritime Museum Deputy Director Sam Perlman hopes the event inspires amateur boatbuilders and restorers to keep showing off their projects and following their passion.

The Classic and Wooden Boat Show, which includes the Sikaflex Boatbuilding Challenge, runs from August 2nd through August 4th. You can find the full schedule of events at this link.

The Kewaunee County Finance and Public Property Committee is giving a local couple more time to make their dream of running a small business. The committee voted 2-1 with one abstention to give Cody and Haley Gille until September 2027 to build out its proposed New Wave Campground to hold 40 campsites. After purchasing the property in the summer of 2020, the Gilles spent two years demolishing the buildings at the location on Ninth Road in Algoma in addition to other clean-up efforts. They also suffered some obstacles when they discovered the site's underground wiring was insufficient for the 800 amp service they were installing. Despite the challenges, New Wave Campground plans to open 16 sites later this summer and other improvements. The Gilles asked for the extension to allow them to build out new campsites, construct a bathhouse, drill a new well, and run a new underground power line. The Gilles requested an extension to 2026 to open the 40-site campground fully and to 2028 to pay off the promissory note to the county. The committee agreed to give him an extra year beyond the initial request, pushing the dates to 2027 and 2029. A thankful Cody Gille said that the extension does not mean he is going until the last moment to finish everything.

The committee also heard updates from Kewaunee County Finance Director Paul Kunesh and Kewaunee County Treasurer Michelle Dax as a part of the nearly hour-long meeting.

Jennifer Moeller's first day on the job carried some history with it as she was sworn in as Door County Circuit Judge. Moeller took her oath of office with fellow Circuit Court Judge David Weber, who administered the proceedings in front of friends and family on Thursday morning at the Door County Justice Center in Sturgeon Bay.

Moeller previously served as the Door County Family Court Commissioner for 12 years and said after the ceremony that she is proud to be Door County's first female circuit court judge.

Moeller added that she will have a few days of training and mentoring before taking on some of her first cases as circuit court judge on Tuesday. She is the 16th judge in Door County history, following in the footsteps of Judge D. Todd Ehlers after 24 years on the bench for Circuit Court #1.

 

 

 

 

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Making it easier for you to visit local businesses, non-profit organizations, and government entities is the goal of a new grant program through Destination Door County.  On Wednesday, the tourism organization announced the launch of its new Accessibility Mini-Grant program. Like its EV grant program, Destination Door County is awarding up to $1,000 toward improvements made to improve accessibility, such as audio description of materials, adult changing tables, mobi-mats, or ramps. Community Engagement Manager Amanda Stuck believes the improvements these grants help make possible can help everyone in Door County.

The Accessibility Mini-Grant Program is part of DDC's broader Care for Door County program efforts, which began in 2021. Applications for the program opened Thursday morning and will be available on a first-come, first-serve. If you do not get in this year, don't worry: the program will return in 2025.