UPDATE: Ephraim is also under a burn ban effective September 30th. The village shares its Fire Chief Justin MacDonald with Egg Harbor.

With extremely dry conditions persisting and causing concern for the chance of wildfires, the Egg Harbor Fire Department has issued a Burn Ban until significant precipitation is received.  Fire Chief Justin MacDonald posted the burn ban on social media Monday afternoon and says no burn permits will be issued, including for any brush piles, burn barrels, the burning of leaves.  The burn ban does not impact campfires in organized campgrounds and for cooking or warming fires in a contained ring. 

Door and Kewaunee counties were listed as having a “moderate” level of fire danger according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources WISBURN's current fire situation.  There have been 899 wildfires reported so far this year in Wisconsin, with over 1,440 acres of land burned.

You should check with your local municipality or fire department for burning permits and if a ban has been placed in effect.  

The where, when, and who can ride an electric bike and scooter depends on where you live. Last week, a Sturgeon Bay boy had to be taken to Door County Medical Center to be treated for severe injuries Tuesday afternoon after he was struck by an oncoming vehicle on his electric scooter. Witnesses say the boy was "fixated" on crossing the street and did not attempt to stop or look for oncoming traffic as he rode. The rules regarding electric bikes and electric scooters vary depending on the municipality. In bigger cities like Milwaukee and Green Bay, they are not allowed to travel on sidewalks but can utilize bike lanes and the streets. In nearby Howard, electric bike users must have a valid driver's license to operate and will be cited if they cause an accident or are caught riding recklessly. In Sturgeon Bay, electric bikes and electric scooters are treated like their analog versions, and anyone can operate them on sidewalks. Sturgeon Bay Assistant Police Chief Dan Brinkman says you should know the rules of the road to stay safe and to avoid incidents like what happened last week.

Brinkman says that while electric bike and scooter usage is on the upswing locally, he does not see any changes coming in the near future unless they become a big problem.

A Sturgeon Bay man had to be transported to Door County Medical Center for injuries he sustained after he drove into the rear end of another vehicle on Friday. The accident occurred at 10 a.m. Friday on County Highway I near West Carlsville Road in the Town of Egg Harbor. A 74-year-old Cedarburg woman and her 42-year-old passenger from Grafton were inside their sports utility vehicle waiting to turn into a business when they were struck from behind by the Sturgeon Bay man’s sports utility vehicle. Despite a witness stating that the Sturgeon Bay man did not slow down or stop prior to the collision, no citations were issued.  The two women were uninjured in the crash, but both vehicles had to be towed due to disabling damage. 

A 19-year-old Sturgeon Bay man was cited for failing to stop at a stop sign that led to a two-vehicle accident involving five individuals Thursday night.

The crash occurred before 11 p.m. near the intersection of Lake Michigan Drive and County Highway T in the Town of Sturgeon Bay. According to the accident report, The Sturgeon Bay man was driving north on Lake Michigan Drive in his sedan when he pushed the brakes too late, approaching CTH T, causing skid marks in the process. The other vehicle, a minivan driven by a 19-year-old Sturgeon Bay man and his 19-year-old passenger from Jacksonville, Fla., could not avoid the collision as they were driving on CTH T. The crash sent one vehicle heading east onto CTH and the other onto South Brauer Road.

The driver and his passenger, a 17-year-old Egg Harbor boy, suffered injuries in the crash but refused medical treatment despite one of them suffering a large contusion under their arm and the other showing signs of a concussion. The accident report mentions that they were not wearing their seatbelts. The driver and the passenger of the other vehicle were wearing their seatbelts. 

You will have several more opportunities to hear about Sevastopol School District's upcoming operational referendum before Election Day on November 5th. Sevastopol and Washington Island are among the 120 school districts with referendums on their local ballot, accounting for 136 total questions. Sevastopol voters will decide if they will let the district exceed the revenue limit for four years for non-recurring purposes by $4.25 million for the 2025-2026 school year, $4.5 million for the 2026-2027 school year, and $4.75 million for the 2027-2028 and the 2028-2029 school years. With the additional funding, the district hopes to maintain its current staffing, educational programming, and facilities. While the numbers seem big, Sevastopol Superintendent Randi Anderson says the changes to the mill rate are small and even go down in some cases to where it is currently.

Operational referendum information sessions are scheduled for 7 p.m. on September 30th and October 8th, and 4 p.m. on October 23rd. 

A new educational pathway for students to learn with a hands-on approach is growing in Algoma. The Algoma Venture Academy, which opened in the fall of 2021 with 27 students attending, currently serves 35 students and operates within the Algoma School District.  Founder and Instructor Abagail Robinson says the staff of three instructors focuses on project and community-based learning to engage students in their learning and passions. 

The Algoma Venture Academy is offered to students from seventh grade through high school. Principal Katie Horn says the structure works better for certain students than the traditional learning format found in typical classrooms.

Planning usually four major passion projects throughout the school year, Horn says kids will have their projects showcased on January 15 during a public open house at the school. Students at the Algoma Venture Academy are graded on their projects with either a Developing, Proficient, or Advanced grade level.

You can listen to the entire conversation with Robinson and Horn on the podcast page here.  

We are past the meteorological fall, the autumnal equinox, and crowds of fall festivals, but for us at Crossroads, the new season starts when the maple trees start to change color, and with the new season comes several new activities.

Don't worry; we aren't dropping any of our regular programs, but this week, we are starting the Fall Session of Junior Nature Club, plus an adult program called "Current Ecological Events Club."  The Wisconsin Science Festival is scheduled from October 14-20, but Door County organizers --Crossroads and the Door County Library ----, with help from our friends from the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society, will offer a "pre-fest" lecture on Tuesday, October 8  featuring this year's SciFest theme: Agriculture.

Later in the month, we will schedule "School's Out Excursions" on school vacation days.

The Tuesday Current Ecological Events Club is in response to a survey conducted by our Door County Seed Library colleagues. It seems, and is indeed reasonable, now that the daylight hours are decreasing, that many life-long learners are reluctant to drive at night. So, while we will continue to host evening programs at Crossroads, we have decided to try offering daytime educational programs for adults every Monday. Programs will range from webinars and films to discussion groups.

The Current Ecological Events Club is envisioned as a combination of a current events club and a book club. Meeting on the first Monday of each month, adults who love to read will dive deep into current articles about the environment by gathering for lively discussions, new friendships, and a deepening understanding of the natural world. 

Reservations are not required, and drop-ins are welcome. Interested adults are invited to stop by the Collins Learning Center to pick up copies of the articles whether or not they plan to participate in the discussion. This month, the topics will be "Fear Mediated Food Webs", "Fire Ecology", and "30x30 Initiative." 

Not surprisingly, our Saturday Science Program on October 5 will feature maple trees, the DPAS Viewing Night will focus on fall constellations, and on Wednesday, the Wandering Wednesdays hikers will enjoy the fall foliage. 

But then watch our website for the schedule of Door County Wisconsin Science Festival programs focused on Agriculture.

Fall and agriculture.....at least agriculture as we know it… are indisputably linked. Scholars from astronomers, ecologists, and anthropologists have speculated about how life would be different if the Earth's axis were not tilted and if we had no seasons. We will never know.

Presumably, deciduous trees would not have evolved without seasons, which would mean we would have no fall colors. 

But what we do know for sure is that without agriculture, there would not be enough food to feed the world’s human population. Most of the grains and vegetables we grow to feed ourselves and our livestock are planted in the spring, grow in the summer sun, and are harvested in the fall. Our orchard trees and grapes bloom in spring, develop their fruit in summer, and are harvested in fall. They require winter cold to go through dormancy. The cold of winter also protects us from insect-borne diseases and crop destruction. We depend on seasons.

It's the beginning a fall...the time for crisp air, glorious colors and harvest bounty. Throughout history and in many cultures, this is a time of celebration. Celebrate at Crossroads.

Friday, October 4

10:00 Junior Nature Club

Junior Nature Club is a free, six-week series aimed at connecting pre-school-aged children and their families to the natural world. Through storytelling, games, activities, and play in nature, the Junior Nature Club promotes physical well-being, social engagement, and curiosity about nature in both children and their parents or guardians. Visit the Crossroads website for more information and to enroll.

2:00 Hanson House Tour

Spend part of your “Afternoon with Bertha,” our costumed interpreter who will describe the history of the Hanson House and the Greeves farm.

Meet at the Hanson Homestead, 2022 Utah St., Sturgeon Bay (across from the Cove Estuary). Registration is not required. The event is open to the public and free, thanks to the generosity of donors like you.

Saturday, October 5

2:00 Science Saturday: Maples

The program is geared for elementary students, but learners of all ages are invited to learn about this exceptional tree species through indoor and outdoor activities. Meet in the Collins Learning Center. Free and open to the public 

Monday, October 7

1:30 Current Ecological Events Club

Love reading? In this ecology club, we will deep dive into current ecological articles for lively discussions, new friendships, and deepening our understanding of the natural world! This adult discussion group will meet each month to review articles about current ecological issues. Drop ins always welcome! Stop by the Collins Learning Center any time before the meeting to receive free copies of the articles for the next meeting. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Registration is not needed. Open to the public and free thanks to the generosity of donors like you!

Tuesday, October 8

7:00 DPAS Lecture: Astronomy and Agriculture

Join the members of the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society for a pre-fest program the 2024 Door County series of Wisconsin Science Festival events. From primitive humans to NASA research, agriculture and astronomy have been linked. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Stonecipher Astronomy Center,2200 Utah, Sturgeon Bay.

A familiar face will be among the more than 300 Wisconsin National Guard soldiers set to be deployed this weekend. Egg Harbor Assistant Fire Chief Jason Staats participated in a send-off ceremony earlier today at Volk Field Air National Guard Base in Camp Douglas, Wis. According to the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, the soldiers being deployed are part of the 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry Regiment, the 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery Regiment, the 132nd Brigade Support Battalion, and the 457th Chemical Company. As a part of their year-long deployment, the soldiers will support the efforts of the U.S. Central Command in Southwest Asia and U.S. Africa Command located in the Horn of Africa by providing medical care capabilities and participating in tactical missions. Staats has been a part of the Wisconsin National Guard for approximately 15 years and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2019.

As we continue through the transition of summer to fall and the activities surrounding our agricultural community, which we are so proud of, I wanted to share some observations. I have written many times about our efforts to coordinate and provide guidance to our local agricultural community regarding their operation on public roads and their obligation to us as a community and to other motorists sharing that same public road.

In some of these areas, we have been successful, while in others, we continue to see areas of improvement. We have seen transfer site operations where there is proper signage and practices that mitigate risk, while still, others fail to take the time and effort to create a safe environment for both their workers as well as others in the adjacent area. We have seen haulers make use of tarping mechanisms so as to minimize debris leaving their loaded trailers, while others take shortcuts and continue to disregard their obligation to the community they are working in.

I bring up these contrasts between responsible and irresponsible operations as a call to action. I am asking that those farms, haulers, and contractors that have taken the time and spent the resources to do the right thing call out their counterparts who are failing in their obligation to run a legitimate and safe operation.

While we in law enforcement will continue to respond to the complaints, attempt to identify those in violation, and issue the proper and well-earned citations, we cannot be everywhere. If we ever hope to arrive at a place of truly professional and accountable agricultural community, we will need to work together.

Just as in law enforcement, when one officer's actions reflect on all other officers, so too does the behavior of one hauler or farmer reflect on the entire agricultural community.

Thank you to all of those who do the right thing each and every day. Thank you to those operations who have created and nurtured a culture of safety rather than a culture of expedience for the purpose of profit. Thank you to those who are truly doing their best to be good neighbors in our community, which relies so heavily on the success of our agricultural industry. Whatever role you may have on a given day, ask yourself- “Am I doing the Right Thing?”  

The newest title from Kewaunee author Chase Pagel will allow you and your children to get a tour of local agriculture all from the comfort of your home. On October 2nd, Pagel's second book, "Big Farms, Little Farms," will hit store shelves and online booksellers. While her previous book, "Roscoe's Sweet Treats," told a story from her family's farm in Coleman, "Big Farms, Little Farms" explores all different kinds of operations that produce not just milk and meat but honey, maple syrup, apples, and even Christmas trees. Pagel says she wanted to do a book like this to showcase the farms that do not always get the storybook treatment.

Following the book's launch, Pagel will host a story time at the Kewaunee Public Library on October 4th at 10:30 a.m.

While celebrating the future of the Ephraim Fire Museum, the department, and the community will honor the legacy of one of its fallen firefighters. Thursday marked the 20th anniversary of the passing of former Assistant Fire Chief Bill Weborg. According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, the 25-year veteran of the department was responding to a boat fire at the Fish Creek Marina when his father, Niles Weborg, found that he collapsed as they prepared to head out. Ephraim Fire Chief Justin MacDonald says the department and the community owe Weborg a great deal of gratitude for his service.

Weborg will be honored when the department rededicates its Ephraim Fire Museum along Water Street (State Highway 42) on Sunday at 4:45 p.m. The commemoration will not only honor Weborg's life but also showcase the improvements that have been made to the museum, which includes a new floor. State Highway 42 will be closed at 4 p.m. between Moravia Street and County Highway Q to allow people to attend the ceremony. Following a social after the ceremony, the highway will reopen to traffic at 6 p.m.

You had to find a different way to Sister Bay and Baileys Harbor after an accident closed State Highway 57 for several hours on Thursday afternoon. Emergency personnel were called to the scene near the Citgo station in Sister Bay shortly before 1 p.m. to the report of power lines being down after a boom truck from a well-pump replacement company caught them as they were leaving the property. Lt. Bill Apple from the Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Department believes that Wisconsin Public Service had to replace two utility poles and some transformers in addition to restringing the power lines due to the accident. Firefighters had to block the highway near the State Highway 42/57 juncture and County Q because wires were spread across the roadway. When firefighters first arrived on the scene, motorists were still trying to navigate the roadway around the downed wires, which is a no-no in Apple's book.

Apple complimented Wisconsin Public Service for its efficient response to the incident. Firefighters were cleared from the scene about two hours after they arrived, but Apple says the barricades remained up for several hours after that.  

Picture courtesy of Door County Sheriff's Department

Sister Bay officials are a step closer to giving you a safer place to bike and jog in the future, thanks to the state's Transportation Alternatives Program. Governor Tony Evers announced on Friday more than $32 million in federal funding for 56 local improvements across the state thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal passed in 2021. Among the awards was $906,390 for a multi-modal trail in Sister Bay. The 4,500-foot trail will run parallel to State Highway 57 from Highway 42 to Northwoods Drive. The village learned they would receive the grant in July, and Administrator Julie Schmelzer told them how important it was to get funding for what has become a need in the community.

The trail would address serious traffic concerns for the area that has seen 12 accidents over the last 20 years, including an incident in 2022 that resulted in a pedestrian suffering severe injuries. Schmelzer is hopeful they can complete the new trail by next May.

The artists featured during the Midsummer's Music Autumn Series will change along with the leaves you see along Door County roadways next month. Midsummer's Music launches its second annual Autumn Series in Sister Bay and Egg Harbor, with the UW-Madison-based Pro Arte Quartet headlining the performances with pieces by Schubert on October 5th and 6th. The following weekend, Midsummer's Griffon String Quartet will host its performances on October 12th and 13th in Sister Bay and Sturgeon Bay. Musicians Roy Meyer, Alex Norris, Jesse Nummelin, and Oryann Tsaig have performed around the country with different ensembles. Still, they all agreed that there is something special about their performances in Door County.

Midsummer's Music closes its Autumn Series on October 19th and 20th, with violinist David Perry and pianist Jeanine Yu performing the works of Brahms, Clarke, and Beethoven in Sister Bay and Egg Harbor. You can find the full schedule and ticketing information below and a link to listen to our interview and performance with the Griffon String Quartet.

Autumn Music Fest, October 5 to October 20

Schubert's Death and the Maiden

Pro Arte Quartet

String Quartet in G Major, Op. 33, No. 5, Hob.III:41, "How do you do?" • Joseph Haydn

String Quartet No. 14 in D Minor, D. 810, "Death and the Maiden" • Franz Schubert

October 5, 7:00 pm: St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Sister Bay

October 6, 3:00 pm: Kress Pavilion, Egg Harbor

Haydn and Ginastera's Haunted Ride

Griffon String Quartet

String Quartet in G Minor, Op. 74, No. 3 "Rider" • Joseph Haydn

Ritornello • Caroline Shaw

String Quartet No. 1 • Alberto Ginastera

October 12, 7:00 pm: St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Sister Bay

October 13, 3:00 pm: Muse, Sturgeon Bay

Brahms and Beethoven

David Perry, violin, and Jeannie Yu, Piano

Violin Sonata in G Major, No. 1 • Johannes Brahms

Midsummer Moon • Rebecca Clarke

Piano Sonata No. 20 in G Major, Op. 49, No. 2 • Ludwig van Beethoven

October 19, 7:00 pm: St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Sister Bay

October 20, 3:00 pm: Kress Pavilion, Egg Harbor

You can find tickets available here

An incident Wednesday afternoon served as a reminder that you must take extra precautions for the immediate future when starting a fire. The Southern Door Fire Department responded to a series of small grass fires at about 4:15 p.m. Fire Chief Rich Olson says the cause of the fire is unknown except that a vehicle was involved. Firefighters were able to put out the fires quickly, but the incident showed how dry the weather had been lately. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Door County and portions of 19 other counties are currently experiencing moderate drought conditions. With fall clean-up season around the corner, Olson advises that if you plan on burning, you should do it in the morning.

According to The Weather Channel, Mother Nature will not help make things less dry outside of the morning dew. Over the next ten days, only two days have a chance of rain higher than 15 percent.

A Sturgeon Bay boy had to be taken to Door County Medical Center to be treated for serious injuries Tuesday afternoon after he was struck by an oncoming vehicle on his electric scooter. The accident occurred after 3:30 p.m. near the intersection of Kentucky Street and 7th Avenue. According to the accident report, the boy was crossing 7th Avenue on an electric scooter, and he was struck by a Sturgeon Bay woman driving her sports utility vehicle. Witnesses say the boy was “fixated” on crossing the street and did not attempt to stop or look for oncoming traffic as he rode. When Sturgeon Bay Police officers arrived, the boy was lying in the street with his broken electric scooter under the damaged vehicle. No citations were issued due to the accident, and the intersection was reopened to traffic shortly after 4 p.m.

No matter which side of the county line you are on, you can celebrate Hispanic culture on Saturday. Celebrations scheduled for Sturgeon Bay and Kewaunee coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month, commemorating people from Latin American countries' contributions to the United States.

In Sturgeon Bay, the free event will feature a variety of vendors, live music, kids' activities, resource tables, and more at the Door County YMCA. United Way of Door County Executive Director Amy Kohnle says the event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., is an example of the diversity, inclusion, and equity work they have been doing in the community.

In Kewaunee, a similar celebration will occur at the Agricultural Heritage Farm from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The trade skill of welding took on a whole new angle Wednesday at the Northeastern Wisconsin Technical College parking lot in Sturgeon Bay.   Under bright sunny skies, the first-ever Welding Rodeo was held on the NWTC Campus and included six teams working up to eight hours to build a nautical-themed sculpture from donated scrap metal materials.  Local industry employers like Therma Tron X, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, and Kewaunee Fabrication sponsored teams and provided a STEM career fair to connect with those looking for career opportunities.  NWTC Instructor John Geitner shares how the Welding Rodeo played out on Wednesday afternoon.

NWTC Dean of Trades and Engineering Technologies Amy Kox shares how the nine-month welding program prepares students for attractive welding careers with local manufacturing companies.

The Welding Rodeo concluded Wednesday afternoon. with judging, an award ceremony, and a live auction for the finished artwork at 6 p.m.  The program was made possible by a $600,000 grant from the Department of Navy with all proceeds from the auction going toward NWTC welding student scholarships. 

The Door County Sheriff’s Department has given its final say in last week’s loose pig incident that ended with the animal being shot by a deputy. According to a post on Wednesday, the Door County Sheriff’s Department ruled that the actions of Deputy Daoust “were within policy and justified based on the totality of the situation. Proximity to the highway, time of day, the number of times it entered the roadway, and the previous unsuccessful attempts to corral the animals were among the considerations taken before the animal was shot. The pig had been reportedly loose for two days before it was shot at about 6:45 p.m. on Friday. The incident caused Sheriff Tammy Sternard to address the incident Saturday afternoon, adding then that she appreciated the community’s concern about the incident and that the department places “a high priority on maintaining a professional level of service in every area of our responsibility and we recognize the importance of ethics and commitment to our duties, protecting the public and this incident is no different.”

The department posted four angles of the incident from three deputies and the squad car to accompany the statement. The post says that department officials have spoken to “numerous community members” over the past week, and many expressed that “they hope to move forward and put the incident behind our community.” Comments for the post were turned off due to many threats to department staff and their families' safety. Commentary on previous posts was split, with some applauding the decision to keep the pig from potentially re-entering the roadway. In contrast, others expressed their disgust while calling for the deputy to be reprimanded. 

PREVIOUS POSTS FROM THE DOOR COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ABOUT THE INCIDENT

You can experience a family tradition that brings the community together to celebrate and support the oldest park in Kewaunee County.  On Saturday, Bruemmer Park west of Kewaunee is hosting the 13th annual Zoobilee and Kewaunee County Parks Director David Myers says the free event, co-sponsored by the Kewaunee County Zoological Society, has raised funds in the past for major projects, including the new pheasant exhibit.  .

Myers says the funds from this year's Zoobilee will go towards replacing the older restroom with a new building and classroom, giving people more opportunities to enjoy the park. The Bruemmer Park Zoobilee will feature a car show, free kids' games, food and drinks, and a craft fair. The event will be from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.     

You will soon be able to walk one of the most popular areas at the Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor this fall.  A project to rebuild the Sandy Swale Memorial Bridge is nearing completion.  Executive Director Katie Krouse says the finishing touches are being made on the trail as benches and railings will be constructed in the next few weeks.  She says the Wednesday Crew of volunteers has been hard at work getting the boardwalk project done.

Krouse anticipates the boardwalk project to be completed by mid-October, and the Tribute Boards for the Sandy Swale Memorial Bridge are available for purchase by contacting the Ridges Sanctuary.

The Ridges Sanctuary is a 1,600-acre preserve and land trust that is listed as a National Natural Landmark. Founded in 1937, it was the first land trust in Wisconsin and has over five miles of hiking trails. 

(photo submitted)

This Thursday, you can participate in a special walk in Sturgeon Bay dedicated to honoring the memory of loved ones who have passed away.  Jay’s Legacy Home Care and Door County Medical Center’s Senior Life Solutions, along with the Door County YMCA, are sponsoring the “Be The Light” Grief Luminary Walk.  YMCA Mission Advancement Executive Brett Cleveland says the event is free to the public and offers the opportunity to learn more about grief and the resources available for healing.

The “Be The Light” Grief Luminary Walk is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Door County YMCA’s Peterson Park in Sturgeon Bay.  Participants will decorate a luminary bag to place along the pathway and have a chance to connect with others who have experienced loss during the walk.  No registration is necessary, and children are welcome. 

You will be able to view 69 selected pieces of artwork from Door County artists and beyond at the Miller Art Museum in Sturgeon Bay starting on Saturday.  The 49th Juried Annual will begin on Saturday and features 69 artworks from 69 artists from Door County and across Wisconsin.

 A reception will be held this Friday, September 27, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and is open to the public. Welcome remarks and awards will be presented at 6 p.m., with eight winners announced for three Special Merit Awards, three Juror’s Choice Awards, the Gerhard Miller Award of Excellence, and the Bonnie Hartmann Award for Outstanding Creativity.
Curator of Exhibitions and Collections Helen Del Guidice says the Juried Annual is one of the most anticipated exhibits of the year.
 

 
 A total of 278 works were submitted for consideration and judged by three jurors. This year’s panel included Hector Acuna, artist and educator from Grafton; Laura Bickford, curator at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan; and Rebecca Carlton, artist and co-owner of Juddville Contemporary Studio Gallery in Fish Creek.
 
 The Juried Annual has expanded in recent years, including the lower-level main galleries and the upper-level Ruth Morton Miller Mezzanine. The exhibition will be on view in downtown Sturgeon Bay through Saturday, November 9.

You can inspire the next generation of hunting in Wisconsin beginning next week when the youth deer hunt occurs. The youth deer hunt allows kids 15 years old and younger to go hunting with a mentor at a time when deer are less pressured than the traditional nine-day gun hunt in November. Mentors must be at least 18 years of age and able to see and speak to the youth hunter at all times. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Conservation Warden Chris Kratcha says hunting with a mentor is a great way to learn about the activity you cannot learn in a classroom.

The youth deer hunt takes place on October 5^th and 6^th. As of Tuesday, more than 6900 deer have been harvested during the first two weeks of the deer hunting season, restricted to archery and crossbow. That includes 84 deer (35 antlered, 49 antlerless) harvested in Door County and 35 (17 antlered, 18 antlerless) in Kewaunee County.

UPDATE: The Ukraine Candle reached the Round of 16 for voting. You can click the link below to learn how to cast your ballot.

You can help ensure that Door County Candle stays in the spotlight as a part of the Coolest Thing Made In Wisconsin Contest orchestrated by the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. The business’ Ukraine candle is among the dozens of items up for a vote highlighting the best things produced in Wisconsin. The candle, which has raised more than $1 million for Razom of Ukraine since it was first produced in 2022, is up against items like Bucket of Bread, U.S. Navy guided-missile frigates, the Bucky Badger mascot costume, and a variety of different sodas. The Ukraine candle is used to the bright lights after it was launched shortly after the country became embroiled in battles with Russia. Door County owner Christiana Trapani said on the Faces of the Farmers podcast earlier this month that the Ukraine candle has had a big impact at home and abroad.

The first round of voting ends today (Tuesday), so you can click this link to cast your ballot. Marine Travelift in Sturgeon Bay, SAS Forks in Luxemburg, and the Washington Island Ferry are among the several local businesses featured in the Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest over the past few years.   

You have more time to stock up on your Forever stamps after the United States Postal Service announced it was holding off on its proposed rate increases until July 2025. The rate increases would have affected what the USPS considers to be Market Dominant products like first-class mail. "Our strategies are working, and projected inflation is declining," DeJoy said in a statement. "Therefore, we will wait until at least July before proposing any increases for market-dominant services." The decision comes just months after stamps went up a nickel in July and 13 cents since 2022. The announcement is great news for people sending letters and birthday cards. Businesses and non-profits like the United Way of Door County use the mail to connect with customers and donors. United Way of Door County Executive Director Amy Kohnle says the organization spent $8,000 on postage in 2023, a number that was likely around $5,000 just a few years ago. She adds that every price increase means they have to raise even more money during their annual campaign to fund the programs they support.

Rate increases are not the only issue the USPS is facing entering the fourth quarter of the year. Politicians on both sides of the aisle have criticized the agency for slow service, which has caused newspapers to be delivered late and inspired distrust for mail-in ballots ahead of the election.

The final note of Birch Creek Music Performance Center’s 50th season next year in Egg Harbor will also be the last for Executive Director Mona Christensen. The organization and Christensen announced the changing of the guard on Monday as they begin their search for her replacement immediately.

Birch Creek Board of Trustees Steve Gormoll applauded Christensen’s time with the organization, citing the expansion of its programs, the modernization of its facilities, and the growth of its endowment among her greatest successes.

Christensen said it has been an honor and privilege to be a part of Birch Creek Music Performance as she commended the students, faculty, volunteers, trustee members, and supporters she has known. “While I look forward to the next chapter in my life, I will cherish the memories and the incredible sense of purpose this organization has given me. I am confident that Birch Creek will continue to thrive and inspire generations to come,” Christensen said.

Birch Creek is accepting applications through October 18th for the role, with an expected hiring date of March 1st. Christensen will mentor the new executive director until her full retirement takes place on September 1st.  

Benefiting from ideal weather and a curious public on Saturday, the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society (SBHS) saw over 500 people attend the soft opening of the newly restored Teweles & Brandeis Grain Elevator in Sturgeon Bay. Sturgeon Bay Historical Society Board President Laurel Hauser says the turnout was incredible. Attendees packed the room well before the 1:00 start time, with many in awe of the completed Door County Granary. She says the space is very cozy and welcoming for all visitors.

Hauser notes that the Door County Granary was granted a temporary occupancy permit from the city and expects to have open hours for the public in October, with a Grand Opening planned a year from now. The Phase 3 part of the project is now to raise additional funds to allow visitors to go up on the second-level grain bin floor and the head house, which is 75 feet above ground level. 

A shipwreck found in Algoma earlier this month may have taken them only five minutes to find, but the hard work of Brendon Baillod and Bob Jaeck began weeks before they ever put their boat into the water. The duo, which discovered the shipwrecks of the Trinidad and Margaret A. Muir the last two years, uncovered the John Evenson on September 13th. In 1895, the 54-foot-long tug boat was assisting the I. Watson Stephenson just a few miles northeast of Algoma when it came across the bow of the large steamer and got crushed. There were previous attempts to find the Evenson with dive crews in the 1980s, but there was no luck to be found. Baillod says finding it so quickly was a stroke of luck, but a lot goes into their process to increase their chances of finding shipwrecks like the Evenson.

Within a day or two of their discovery, Baillod said representatives from the Wisconsin State Underwater Archaeology Department traveled to Algoma to take hundreds of photographs of the site to create a 3D photogrammetry model of the John Evenson. The shipwreck will now be nominated for the National and State Registers of Historic Places. Baillod teased that they plan to release a book on the three recent Algoma shipwreck discoveries to generate even more interest in the stories of what they found.

Photo by Brendon Baillod

This Wednesday, you can dive into a new career at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College's first-ever Welding Rodeo. Welding has a long tradition in Sturgeon Bay, dating back to World War II when NWTC first began collaborating with the maritime industry to develop its workforce. NWTC has helped train over 100 new welders to join Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding as their demand grows.  NWTC Sturgeon Bay Regional Manager April Konitzer says the event will feature the beautiful art that can be done by welding while also connecting local employers who may be inspired when they attend.

The welding rodeo was born out of a $600,000 grant from the Department of Navy in May to help attract and grow an even bigger talent pool in the region. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the NWTC's Sturgeon Bay campus and will include a welding competition and auction, a STEM career fair, and other activities. 

A California couple was left high and dry last Thursday after being involved in a hit-and-run accident in the Town of Egg Harbor. The accident occurred before 2:40 p.m. when a 67-year-old woman from Lora Lompoc, Calif., was driving south on State Highway 42 with her 69-year-old male passenger. When they attempted to turn left onto County Highway I, a driver of a black jeep failed to yield to the right of way and tried to turn left from County Highway I to head south onto State Highway 42. As a result, the two vehicles crashed in the middle of the roadway. According to the accident report, when the California couple moved their vehicle out of the roadway, the jeep driver sped away without exchanging information. The California woman did suffer a possible injury, but she did not have to be transported to an area hospital. 

If you have any additional information about this accident, you can contact the Door County Sheriff's Department.

Taking the proper precautions can help prevent you from dealing with a bear during your next camping trip. After the confirmation of bear scat in one of the campgrounds and second-hand reports of sightings within Peninsula State Park, Superintendent Eric Hyde, and other park employees took to the trails earlier this month to post signs about the possibilities of bears in the area. Bears have been more common in Newport State Park near Ellison Bay than Peninsula State Park, which he says last had bear sighting in the 1990s. Bears are common enough in Newport State Park that each campsite has bear boxes to store food and other equipment that might make them curious. While bears are often not dangerous unless they are provoked, Hyde says there are things you can do to help prevent encounters from occurring.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources estimates there are approximately 24,000 to 26,000 black bears in the state, many of which reside in northern Wisconsin. While they are considered abundant in nearby Oconto and Marinette counties, bears are deemed rare in Door and Brown counties and transient in Kewaunee and Manitowoc counties. 

Picture courtesy of Pixabay and user ArtTower

You can help change people's lives in your community by helping them improve their literacy skills. Literacy Partners of Kewaunee County has been around for nearly 20 years, assisting people to master the intricacies of the English language through one-on-one and group tutoring sessions.  Barb Baldwin has been a tutor for over 20 years, helping a like-minded organization in Green Bay before joining the Literacy Partners of Kewaunee County. She says it is an enjoyable experience, adding that many people they work with are thrilled that the program exists.

The Literacy Partners of Kewaunee County depends on volunteers to help keep up with the program's demand, which currently has a waiting list of 12 people. You can learn more about the Literacy Partners of Kewaunee County at an orientation meeting at HUB@ESI in Algoma on September 24th from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. You are encouraged to RSVP ahead of time using the information below.

Serving more families in the growing northern Door County community will be possible thanks to work beginning this week in Sister Bay. The Northern Door Children's Center will break ground on the second phase of its construction efforts. The project will change every section of the facility's interior that dates back to 1999. After the reconstruction is complete, an outdoor classroom will be added, and other rooms will be more efficiently designed to give everyone and everything a little more room. Northern Door Children's Center has raised 92 percent of its $3.6 million goal for both phases of its construction. Thanks to a $1 million gift from an anonymous donor and $50,000 from a larger $3.5 million State of Wisconsin innovation grant, the center was able to add a new large classroom space for its 4K program and a combination garage/workspace for its teachers.  Northern Door Children's Center's Karen Corekin-DeLaMer says none of this would be possible without the community's support and its recognition of the importance of childcare in the county.

The center will officially break ground on the project on Thursday, September 26th at 4 p.m. 

Two seniors from Luxemburg-Casco High School were named semifinalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Cady Bevins and Hudson Thiry will now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for over 6,800 scholarships totaling $26 million, which will be offered next spring. 

 
Over 1.3 million students entered the scholarship program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test last year as juniors.  Bevins and Thiry represent less than one percent of all U.S. high school seniors of the 16,000 semifinalists.

Luxemburg-Casco High School Principal Tyson Tlachac says the honor speaks volumes about Bevins and Thiry's work throughout their academic careers.

 
To be considered for the scholarship award, Bevins and Thiry fulfilled several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. They had to submit an essay and a detailed scholarship application with a high school academic record.  Semifinalists also had to list participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honor awards received.

If Bevins and Thiry advance to the finalist level, they will be notified next February. The winners will be announced in April 2025.  

At Crossroads at Big Creek, we and many of our friends obsess about clouds. Appropriately, “Clouds” will be the topic for the weekly “Science Saturday” program….but clouds—the presence or absence of clouds—will affect most of the programs and projects we have planned.

For example, on Friday, September 27, the fifth grade from Sunrise School will celebrate Astronomy Day at Crossroads. We will host the event with assistance from the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society.

Despite the fact that that DPAS is a science-based organization, its members are (in jest, we hope) superstitious about clouds, joking that the more they pay for a new piece of astronomical equipment, the longer they will experience cloud cover. And a fabulous new astronomical camera (purchased with funds from the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium matched by member donations) will arrive just about then. Whether or not, the Sunshine School (and with luck, sunshine) will be with us on Friday.

Then, on Saturday morning, the Door County Mushroom Club will hold their Fall Fungi Fest at Crossroads from 9:00AM to 12:00 noon, and that event will include a mushroom hike at 11:45. These people are yearning for clouds—rain clouds!-- because mushroom foraging tends to be best a couple of days following significant rainfall.

This is not superstition. It is fungi survival. [And just saying, human survival depends on fungi survival].  A fungus is not a plant nor an animal, but it is a living organism classified in Kingdom Fungi.

Some, but certainly not all, species of fungi produce fleshy fruiting bodies that we call mushrooms. Mushrooms rarely appear during a dry spell, but they do seem to pop up almost overnight to disperse their tiny spores when the moisture and temperature are adequate for spore germination.

The mushroom hike will be far more productive if rain clouds dump on us soon. And for that matter, when our Junior Nature Club [we still have a few openings—see our website for information and to register a child] has its lesson on fungus, we hope there will be more mushrooms than we find now.

 We do not anticipate a salmon run in Big Creek this year. The water level is just too low. In the same vein, our restoration team is hoping for a few good drenchings so we can go into winter with moisture in the soil.

Whatever the weather, our free weekly kid's program, “Science Saturday,” will include a video, “states of matter” demonstrations using dry ice, and several experiments about clouds. While this program is geared for kids---we encourage learners of all ages to participate.

Even our Nature Exploration After School program on Monday will be sun/cloud-dependent. The colors of autumn leaves are determined,  in part, by the amount of sunshine they receive in late summer and early fall.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, all of these programs and trail use are free and open to the public. Donations are welcome and appreciated.

Friday, September 27                                                                                                       

2:30-4:30 Tours of the Hanson House (Afternoon with Bertha)

Spend part of your “Afternoon with Bertha,” our costumed interpreter who will describe the history of the Hanson House and the Greeves farm. Meet at the Hanson Homestead, 2022 Utah St., Sturgeon Bay (across from the Cove Estuary). Registration is not required. Open to the public and free thanks to our donors, but donations are welcome.

Saturday, September 28

9:00-12:00 pm Mushroom Club’s Fall Fungi Fest

The Door County Mushroom Club is sponsoring a morning of mushrooms, mushroom products, and mushroom art! The lecture "Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms of Door County" will be presented at 10 a.m., followed by a Mushroom Hike at 11:45 a.m. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

2:00 Science Saturday: Clouds

Science Saturdays is a family program geared toward elementary school students, but learners of all ages are welcome. This week, participants will learn how clouds form and recognize the types of clouds. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Registration is not required. Open to the public and free thanks to our donors.

Monday,  September 30

3:30 Nature Exploration: Leaf Colors (Kids Program)

This program is intended for elementary school students but is open to all ages. It will be an outdoor program looking for examples of early fall colors, but we will offer demonstrations in the lab if the weather does not cooperate. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Registration is not required. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, it is open to the public and free.

Before celebrating the football team’s win over Peshtigo Friday night, community members got to see where their referendum dollars went toward during an open house hosted by Southern Door School District. Hours before kickoff, school district officials cut the ribbon on its new Talon Fitness Center, which includes an indoor turf gym facility that was a part of $14.9 million in capital improvements to the campus. The process had a lot of people’s fingerprints on the project, including three superintendents. Through it all was Southern Door School Board President Janel Veeser, who is happy with the community’s feedback now that they have had a chance to experience it.

The referendum projects also included a new greenhouse, an updated septic system, parking lots, and a relocated district office.

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UPDATE: Door County Sheriff Tammy Sternard addressed the incident in a post Saturday afternoon, explaining the decision to shoot the pig. Commenters were split on the decision, with some applauding the decision to keep the pig from potentially re-entering the roadway while others expressed their disgust, pointing out that a rescue organization was nearby to take the pig

The Door County Sheriff's Department is reviewing the death of a pig that was reportedly euthanized by one of its deputies. Deputies had been trying to capture the pig for the last two days, focusing their efforts near STH 42/57 and County MM south of Sturgeon Bay on Friday. According to a Facebook post where they shared a picture of the loose animal, the sheriff's department had been trying to track down the pig and reunite it with its owner for two days. 

Late Friday night, Captain Carl Waterstreet shared that the department learned that a deputy had shot the pig at approximately 6:40 p.m. Friday. While investigating the incident, the department will review witness and deputy reports and body camera footage. 

Photo courtesy of posts from Door County Sheriff's Department

You do not have to look for one of the most popular Sturgeon Bay Farmer's Market vendors on Saturday: follow your nose. Door County Custom Meats has grown from coming to the market with several packs of brats in a galvanized wash tub to operating out of a big red trailer where you can enjoy a brat for your walk around the city's downtown district and pick up more for future meals. On market days, Keith and Jackie Birchschein fire up the grill about two hours before the market officially opens and does not shut it down until some vendors begin packing up for the day after noon. With no storefront of their own, farmer's markets are the best way for people to buy their products and for the Birnscheins to interact with their customers. After an 18-week season, the Birnscheins say the vendors and many of their customers have become close-knit.

While the Sturgeon Bay Farmer's Market season is winding down, other aspects of Door County Custom Meats are heating up. In addition to their catering gigs, the Birnscheins say they have already seen plenty of deer come in as a custom venison processor. You can listen to the rest of this interview on the Faces of the Farmer's Market podcast page.

You still have time to plan your trips to Door and Kewaunee counties to catch a glance at the changing colors of the leaves. Travel Wisconsin activated its fall color map earlier this month to help visitors plan their trips to the state. While most counties are hovering between five and 15 percent peak, Forest County near the Wisconsin/Michigan border currently sits at 35 percent peak. Closer to home, Door County is at a 15 percent peak, while Algoma/Kewaunee County are at a 0-5 percent peak. Destination Door County Chief Communications Officer Jon Jarosh says their office has been fielding calls on the colors since August, sharing details on what they call a "rolling peak" when it comes to the area's leaf-changing habits.

Barring drastic changes in the weather, such as really cold temperatures, Door and Kewaunee counties expect to be at peak fall colors by the third week of October.

Without a challenge from Helen Keller nearly 100 years ago, you may have never seen the Lions Club's impact on preventable blindness in your community. According to their website, Keller's appearance at the 1925 Lions Clubs International Convention included a call to members to "become knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness." In the years since, area Lions Clubs have initiated several different programs aimed at helping people with their eyesight, such as vision screenings at area schools and distributing reading glasses and sunglasses. Forestville-Maplewood Lions Club Member Tom Mueller says new technology has allowed their screenings to be even more effective, and they have been able to branch out to other areas that can also impact a person's sight.

Area Lions Clubs also contribute to the operation of its Wisconsin Lions Camp in Rosholt. The camp is open to adults and youth with blindness, deafness, or intellectual disabilities. The Lions Clubs' efforts are supported through many different means, such as the upcoming collection of deer hides during the hunting season and the Forestville-Maplewood Lions Club's Sportsman's Night Out Banquet at the Gala in Sturgeon Bay on October 24th.

Despite a state Supreme Court decision last year that ruled in their favor, you will likely still see local municipalities have to go to mediation over the property tax evaluations of its big-box stores. The most recent example went final on Tuesday when the Sturgeon Bay Common Council approved a settlement with Wal-Mart over its property tax bill. The settlement reduces Walmart's city tax by $3,300 per year for 2023 and 2024, more than half of Walmart’s original protest or claim that would have reduced their city tax by over $10,000 in both years. It is a tactic that other big-box stores have used in communities to reduce their property taxes, arguing that the buildings themselves should be subject to the assessment and not factor in the business they are generating. In their arguments, big-box stores compare like-sized buildings around the state that are standing but shuttered. The Wisconsin State Supreme Court issued a rare win for municipalities in February 2023, ruling against Lowe’s Hardware Store’s attempt to lower its property tax assessments in the City of Delavan. Sturgeon Bay City Administrator Josh VanLieshout says it is a lengthy and labor-intensive process for municipalities and one that he does not see disappearing anytime soon.

Despite Wisconsin passing on the opportunity to address the “dark store” loophole in recent years, nearby states have not. Indiana passed bipartisan legislation in 2015 and 2016 preventing assessors from valuing new big box stores as if they were abandoned. Michigan legislators introduced a similar bipartisan bill this past July.

Supporting your needs as you grow older in Door County is the goal of a new coalition formed this fall. Recently, Do Good Door County received one of 37 Department of Health Services grants to create or enhance a local coalition to address the unique needs of groups like the county's aging population.

According to the U.S. Census, Door County has a median age of 53.6 years old, and its largest population segments are between 55 and 74. The coalition hopes to improve the social isolation in the community, which the U.S. Surgeon General says "poses a significant risk for individual health and longevity." By allying with other like-minded organizations like Door-Tran, Door2Door Rides, Aging and Disability Resource Center,  and Door County Connect, Do Good Door County's Cynthia Germain hopes they can address many of the community's concerns and needs.

One of Do Good Door County's programs, Match Up Door County, has matched 20 individuals with part-time jobs with area businesses as a way for them to get involved and interact with community members.

You will see the development of a large three-story apartment complex being built in Algoma when you travel along Fifth Street.  Algoma City Administrator Matt Murphy says the project started with $1.7 million of Community Block Grant funding to blight about two-thirds of the block between Clark Street and Steele Street.  After the blighted vacant properties were removed from the lot, a contract was awarded to Commonwealth Development in Madison after the Request for Proposals was vetted.  Murphy shares the planned layout for the housing project.

Murphy says rent for the workforce development housing would start at about $600 monthly for a one-room apartment with a sliding scale based on your income.    The complex is slated for tenants to move in by October 2025. 

Do not be surprised if you encounter farmers on your daily commute over the next several weeks. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the dry weather allowed farmers nearly a full seven days suitable for fieldwork last week. That has allowed farmers to catch up on its corn for silage harvest, which at 23 percent complete puts the state about three days behind last year and two years behind average. Soybean coloring reached 75 percent, four days ahead of the pace of last year and the average, while 41 percent had leaves dropping. Harvesting crops is not the only thing keeping farmers busy, as winter wheat planting was 23 percent complete, and the fourth cutting of alfalfa is about 63 complete. 

All of these different activities are keeping farmers out on the road for long periods of time, something Rio Creek Feed Mill agronomist Adam Barta suggests will occur over the next six weeks. With the country recognizing National Farm Safety and Health Week through September 21st, Barta says there are things we can all do to keep each other safe.

In honor of National Farm Safety and Health Week, Door County Medical Center is offering free yard signs to remind motorists of the slow traffic on the roadway.

According to the most recent Wisconsin Farm Related Fatalities report, nearly one in five farm deaths occur on state roads. Below, you can find more tips about what to do when you encounter a slow-moving vehicle.

• Slow down immediately
• Increase following distance to create a safety cushion
• Be alert and watch for unexpected turns
• Pass with care only when it is safe and legal to do so
• Be aware that animal-powered vehicles may make unanticipated movements
• Be aware that equipment in tow may sway on the road
• Remember slow moving vehicle operators may have poor visibility due to loads and equipment in tow

Area seniors have a resource they count on in Door County if they are contemplating suicide. According to the National Council on Aging, over 10,000 of the 49,449 suicides in 2022 were attributed to people ages 65 and up, with men 75 and older facing the highest overall rate of suicide. Jennalee Lundquist from Door County Medical Center's Senior Life Solutions says social isolation and risky behaviors are signs of someone suffering from something more profound.

Lundquist encourages people to ask their friends and family if they are okay and do what they can to be there, keep them safe, and stay connected.

Door County Medical Center's Senior Life Solutions, the Door County YMCA, and Jay's Legacy Home Care are hosting a grief luminary walk on September 26th at Peterson Park in Sturgeon Bay beginning at 5:30 p.m. to commemorate National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. You can listen to our full interview with Lundquist by visiting the Door County Medical Center Community Connections podcast page.

As Kewaunee County officials got their first look at the budget on Tuesday, the Kewaunee County Economic Development Corporation chairperson asked for additional funding to support their current work. Using the public comment portion of Tuesday's meeting, KCEDC Chairperson and Bluewater Services owner John Mastalir requested that the supervisors approve the organization's funding to go up from $40,000 to $60,000. Mastalir cited the rising costs of doing their work for the $20,000 increase despite the increase in donations from individuals and businesses. Without the additional funding, Mastalir fears the KCEDC may cease to exist as they try to address affordable housing and workforce development.

Kewaunee County administrator Jeremy Kral gave the board a peek at the budget as a part of his report. Thanks to an increase in equalized property values, Kewaunee County is proposing a 1.4 percent levy increase and a tax rate decrease of about 9.1 percent over last year. The budget is expected to be passed at the November meeting.  

A couple from Hinsdale, Ill., and a 74-year-old Sturgeon Bay man had to be transported to area hospitals following a two-vehicle crash in the Town of Sevastopol Wednesday morning. The accident occurred before 8:40 a.m. near State Highway 42/57 and Gordon Road. The Illinois couple was sitting at the stop sign at Gordon Road, ready to turn onto STH 42/57, when the Sturgeon Bay man struck their vehicle with his. According to the accident report, the Sturgeon Bay man said he was trying to make a right-hand turn onto Gordon Road and struggled to locate the brake pedal. Instead of navigating the turn, he went over a small median before striking the other vehicle. The Sturgeon Bay man’s car ended up in a ditch in front of the nearby gas station while the other vehicle struck the stop sign. He was cited for failure to keep his vehicle under control and was transported to a Green Bay hospital for treatment of his injuries. The Illinois couple, which included a 64-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man, were transported to Door County Medical Center to be treated for their injuries. 

A free seven-week prevention program offered by the Aging & Disability Resource Centers in Door and Kewaunee counties can teach you essential skills and information to help prevent severe falls in your home. 

 
The Stepping On program has proven to reduce falls and build confidence in older people. A community-based, small-group workshop, Stepping On, was developed in Australia, and testing resulted in a 31% reduction in falls. 

ADRC of the Lakeshore Family Caregiver Specialist Lisa Van Remortel says the class is designed for those over 60 who want to improve their physical strength and balance while walking confidently. She says experts will come in during the sessions to explain how to avoid fall hazards and make your home safer.
 

The Stepping On classes began in Kewaunee County on September 16 and are held every Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Luxemburg. You can still sign up for the remaining six sessions by calling the ADRC of the Lakeshore in Kewaunee. 

  
The Door County YMCA and the ADRC of Door County offer the Stepping On class at the ADRC facility on Mondays from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., which started on September 9.  

You can still have your child participate in a variety of sports and after-school programs at the Jackie & Steve Kane Center in Fish Creek this fall. Youth and Healthy Living Director Bailey Cox says although flag football is already full, many other exciting opportunities exist, like kickball and the dance program. She shares the importance of young kids interacting before and after school, even if they choose the Y's art and STEM programs over the sports.  

For the younger children, Cox says Door County also offers a playgroup at both locations for three-to-five-year-olds, along with a creative movement program.  Parents looking to work out in the morning at the YMCA can take advantage of the new Kid Care, a two-hour program from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. weekdays at the Kane Center in Fish Creek.  You can visit the YMCA website for additional information and registration for all youth-related programs.  

Traffic by the intersection of Highway 42/57 and Gordon Road in Sturgeon Bay Wednesday morning was slowed for over 30 minutes after a two-vehicle accident. 

Emergency personnel, including the Door County Sheriff’s Department, Sturgeon Bay Fire Department, and Door County Ambulance, arrived at about 8:45 a.m. for a reported crash at the intersection just north of Sturgeon Bay that has been the scene of many accidents in the past few years.  

Both vehicles were heavily damaged and sitting off the roadway after the collision but the eastbound lane of Gordon Road near the highway was closed while emergency personnel attended to the vehicles’ occupants and conducted their investigation.  No other details are available at this time. 

The road reopened, and the scene was cleared at about 9:15 a.m., according to Door County Dispatch. 

The Sturgeon Bay Common Council took several actions Tuesday night while getting a glowing financial review before entering in the 2025 budget discussion meeting on September 30.

The council first heard from a Robert W. Baird representative who reported on the final pricing of the $3,360,000 general obligation promissory note issue.  He said Moody’s rated Sturgeon Bay favorably with a Double-A Two rating and a 3.41 true interest cost.

The policy for sidewalk installation, financing, and replacement, developed to advance the sidewalk component of the City’s transportation infrastructure, was approved based on a local transportation board recommendation.  This will eliminate the assessment of sidewalk costs to specific property owners in Sturgeon Bay. 

A Finance/Purchasing & Building Committee recommendation on a purchase agreement with GFL Environment was approved at a price of $10,500 per acre for about three acres of city property recently purchased from the Neville family. GFL would use the additional land for container storage and not for any waste.

The settlement agreement between Wal-Mart and the City of Sturgeon Bay was formally accepted by the common council, avoiding legal action over the company’s tax assessment.

The council denied Stone Harbor Resort & Conference Center's request for a deck that had already been built on city property without an inspection or permit. Dan Williams made a motion that the deck must be taken down within 30 days and that a new plan needs to be agreed upon between Stone Harbor and City staff. That motion was approved 5-0, with Kirsten Reeths abstaining from the vote.

The final business item for the Sturgeon Bay Common Council was discussing the Granary Development Agreement. City Administrator Josh Van Lieshout informed the council that the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society will need a temporary occupancy permit on Friday after a fire inspection of the Sturgeon Bay Granary before the soft opening planned for Saturday can happen. 

There are still parts of trails in Kewaunee County where you will have to find a different path almost a month after a storm came through the area. On August 27th, winds as high as 50 miles per hour on the ground and close to 100 miles per hour a mile up in the air caused trees to get uprooted and widespread power outages in the Kewaunee area. Kewaunee County Promotions and Recreation Department Director Dave Myers says they cleaned up over 100 downed trees from the Ahnapee Trail and dozens more at Bruemmer Park and Ryan Park. That required nearly a week-and-a-half of time dedicated solely to cleaning up trees, leaving Myers thankful the damage was contained to just one community instead of being widespread throughout the county. Thanks to a dedicated team and good weather, Myers says storm cleanup is about over.

As of today, only a small portion of the single-track trails in Ryan Park, usually reserved for mountain biking, have storm-related blockages. Myers expects all of the storm cleanup to be finished in the coming days.

This will be the last year you will see the speed limit signs change with the leaves in the Village of Ephraim this year. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation notified village officials last week that it was removing all seasonal regulatory speed limits throughout the state. Ephraim had the last remaining one after Townsend residents saw theirs disappear earlier this month in Oconto County. Ephraim's central business district, located on State Highway 42, had a speed limit of 25 miles per hour during the peak season and 35 miles per hour during the off-season. The northern and southern segments of State Highway 42 leading into Ephraim's central business also fluctuated with the season. Beginning November 1st, the speed limit signs will change one final time to 30 miles per hour through the central business district and 40 miles per hour on either side of it. Traffic Engineer Rod Hamilton says the data is on their side, and other municipalities that have gone through change have been supportive of their efforts.

The changes will also make Ephraim similar to other northern Door County communities that also have a 30 miles per hour speed limit through their central business districts. 

An 80-year-old Luxemburg woman running a red light Sunday evening led to her and two other people being sent to the hospital following a three-vehicle crash in Sturgeon Bay. Just after 6:30 p.m., deputies arrived at the intersection of State Highway 42/57 and Duluth Avenue, where three heavily damaged vehicles sat in the roadway. According to the accident report, a witness saw the sport-utility vehicle run the red light while traveling south on STH 42/57, striking another sport-utility vehicle driven by a 69-year-old Sturgeon Bay man and his 73-year-old passenger. The impact of the first crash sent the Luxemburg woman’s vehicle into a passenger van traveling north on the highway. The driver of the third vehicle, a 56-year-old Green Bay woman, was unharmed. As a result of the crash, the Sturgeon Bay man had to be extricated from his vehicle before he was transported to a Green Bay hospital for treatment for his suspected severe injuries. The Luxemburg woman and the Sturgeon Bay woman were transported to Door County Medical Center for their suspected serious injuries while all three vehicles had to be towed from the intersection due to the damage sustained in the accident. The accident closed a small portion for about an hour to clean up after the accident, eventually reopening before 7:30 p.m. The Luxemburg woman was cited for failing to obey traffic signals.

The Centers for Disease Control recommend taking extra precautions when out in the community as COVID-19 levels rise in the state. According to wastewater data, many locations across the state, including Green Bay, are reporting high concentrations of SARS-CoV-2. DHS relies on wastewater data to track COVID-19 activity since tests are done privately in the home, and there is no wastewater data specific to Door and Kewaunee counties available through the department's portal. The state's COVID level is at an 8, which is on par with neighboring states such as Minnesota (10), Illinois (9), and Iowa (8), according to WBAY. The uptick comes as updated COVID-19 vaccinations roll out into the area, including at Door County Medical Center. Director of Clinic Services Lindsey Donohue says residents have always done an excellent job protecting themselves and others by getting vaccinated. 

DHS encourages you to stay home if you're sick, wash your hands with soap and water, and keep a social distance if you have to go out. 

A local non-profit organization that connects employers with job seekers is hosting a unique open house with a tasty angle.  We are HOPE of Door County, once known as the Door County Job Center, lost its state funding six years ago and had to take on a new identity after losing its designation as a certified job service center.  Financial Director Cathy Clark says the redirecting and rebranding efforts have helped many people learn the skills to be successful while We are Hope has become the employability hub in the community.  She says the free services include help with digital literacy, interviewing skills, and resume writing.

We are Hope is hosting the first-ever "Grub at the Hub" fundraiser and open house this Tuesday, September 17.  The event will be from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Cherry Point Mall location and feature the choice of smoked shredded pork or brisket meal for $14.  Attendees can either eat-in or take-out by calling in advance at 920-743-7273. 

Thanks to Mother Nature, you will be able to get a taste of summer while celebrating the fall in Sturgeon Bay. Destination Sturgeon Bay is welcoming the fall season with its annual Harvest Fest and Street Art Auction this weekend. The festival begins Friday at 5:30 p.m. with the Old Bolts Car Club’s annual “Cruise by the Bay” Classic Car Parade before the activities pick up again Saturday. The event features the Oktoberfest firkin tapping with Mayor David Ward presiding, a craft fair, food vendors, and more on the streets of Sturgeon Bay.

This year’s edition of Harvest Fest will feature some musical accompaniment while visitors get one last look at the Bass Around the Bay pieces before they are auctioned off. For the first time, Harvest Fest will feature a live band at Martin Park, with Glas Hamr playing from 4-7 p.m.

The Friends of Potawatomi State Park have a lot of projects they would like to take on in the coming months, and you can help them knock some of those out one mile at a time. The group will host its annual Run Wild on October 12th with a quarter-marathon and 5K for the big kids and the Smokey Bear Fun Run for the little ones. The event has funded several initiatives over the years, including a park naturalist, invasive species monitoring, improvements for campsite facilities, resurfacing playground areas, and more. According to co-race director Carol Mulinix and Friends of Potawatomi State Park President Traci Bournoville, the projects they tackle begin at the race's start line.

 and even bring a check with you on race day, Sunday is the last day you can register and guarantee your t-shirt. At over 40 years, the Run Wild has been the longest-running silent sports event of its kind in Door County.

You will be able to experience LGBTQ+ history the next time you visit the Sturgeon Bay branch of the Door County Library. The Open Door Pride display at the branch coincides with Library Card Sign-Up Month, a nationwide effort to get Americans to ensure they have an up-to-date library card. The display features pictures from  Open Door Pride's Cathy Grier to the Governor's Mansion earlier this year and the seven unique awards given to the seven recipients of the Sandy Brown Award. Since 2018, the Sandy Brown Award has honored someone or an organization who exemplifies the Open Door Pride mission. While Pride Month is in June, Grier says the timing is also a sobering reminder for those who struggle with acceptance during National Suicide Prevention Month.

According to The Trevor Project, 41 percent of LGBTQ+ young people considered seriously attempting suicide in 2023, including roughly half of transgender and non-binary youth. The display will be up through the end of September.

For almost a decade, the Teweles and Brandeis Grain Elevator has not just been a monument to Sturgeon Bay's agricultural past but also of controversy. The structure, now known as the Door County Granary, will host a soft opening on September 21st as a part of the Sturgeon Bay Harvest Festival. The events begin at 1 p.m. with docent-led building tours and a history talk by the National Railroad Museum's Daniel Liedtke on the granary's role in the city's railroading past. Part of the Door County Granary's history includes contentious city council meetings, a raze order from the Sturgeon Bay Fire Chief, two trips across the Maple/Oregon Street Bridge, and other delays along the way. At the center of much of it was Laurel Hauser, who served on the Sturgeon Bay Common Council when community members started to make progress on saving the structure and now serves as the President of the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society Foundation Board. Although the progress was slower than many would have liked, Hauser is proud that so many people got to see their hard work through.

While Saturday's soft opening is a milestone for the Door County Granary, Hauser says there is still work to be done before its grand opening next year. They hope to extend its development agreement with the city at Tuesday's Sturgeon Bay Common Council meeting. They are also looking to raise additional funds to provide access to the head house at the top of the granary and install interpretative elements. When it is complete, it will be the three-season museum and event venue with additional space that includes a public restroom and drinking fountain. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Door County is bringing back an old event to highlight the great things they do in the community. On hiatus since the pandemic, the organization is hosting its Start Something BIG Breakfast at Stone Harbor Resort in Sturgeon Bay beginning at 7:30 a.m. With the help of Judge Jennifer Moeller, Big Sister Lori Vorpal, and Patti Vickman, Greta Gaworek of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Door County says the event highlights the impact they have had on area youth since the organization was founded in 1972.

On a regional level, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Wisconsin served more than 520 children across Brown, Door, and Shawano counties in 2023.

No matter the race, you will be getting at least one opportunity to hear from the candidates on the November ballot this fall. Whether it be a debate or public forum format, an opportunity to hear from the candidates for federal and state office is on the calendar. Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris had their first and, as of now, only debate last Tuesday. Their Vice Presidential picks of JD Vance and Tim Walz will hit the debate stage on October 1st. U.S. Senate candidates Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Eric Hovde are set to square off on October 18th while U.S. House candidates Tony Wied and Kristin Lyerly will debate each other on September 27th. Though it is not a debate, the League of Women of Door County will host a candidate forum for First District Assembly candidates Rep. Joel Kitchens and Renee Paplham on October 7th from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Southern Door High School. Dan Powers from the League of Women Voters of Door County believes everyone benefits when candidates are able to share their stances and hear what voters care about.

The October 7th forum is just one of the many of activities the League of Women Voters of Door County has organized ahead of Election Day. That includes voter registration events in Sturgeon Bay on September 17th, 25th, 28th, and October 3rd and a presentation on the election process with Door County Clerk Jill Lau in Sister Bay on October 2nd. 

At Crossroads at Big Creek, our restoration team is completing the grant close-out reports for our multi-year restoration projects at The Cove Estuary Preserve and the Big Creek Preserve. This week, the Climate Change Coalition will bring   Lee E. Frelich, the Director of the University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology to present the program "The Future of Boreal Forests." and this week, the Climate Change Coalition will bring   Lee E. Frelich, the Director of the University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology to present the program "The Future of Boreal Forests."  

We have a remnant boreal forest at Crossroads, though we are unsure why. Maybe the extremely thin soil is moist because its drainage is blocked. Or maybe cool air settles in this protected microclimate. But the grove is very small and getting smaller with every winter ice storm because the spire-shaped trees are broken and regeneration is not taking place. (Join us for Wandering Wednesday to enjoy this unique habitat.)

When we look at the 1835 Sylvester Sibley Land Survey of Wisconsin, it appears that conifer forests predominated at both the Big Creek and Ida Bay preserves. So, is our restoration goal to return the land to that condition? 

It is important to understand that when Europeans first explored the Great Lakes Region, the Earth was in a cool period, dubbed the Little Ice Age. During this difficult time between 1650 and 1850, although there were no global glacial advances, both Europe and North America experienced longer winters and cooler summers, which resulted in crop failures, economic hardship, and human mortality.

The climate then would have resembled what we find in northern Canada, and when Europeans arrived on the peninsula, many of the mature trees were probably boreal species.

Clearly, we are not going back. We can't. The climate has changed and will continue to change.

This past summer, Crossroads offered a series called Resources for Landowners. The first guest speaker was  Mike Grimm who explained that the initial step in land restoration is to develop a vision. (By the way, his  inspiring lecture and other videos of  the series is available on You Tube -Crossroads at Big Creek) Our long-term vision is for Crossroads to evolve into a coherent landscape of healthy, diverse, and largely self-sustaining ecological communities, providing wildlife habitat for various species. Ecological resilience is a priority in all of our planning, including using climate change modeling to help inform our efforts. 

So, we are pleased to be hosting the Climate Change Coalition's Fall Planet Potluck, which begins at 5:00 with a shared meal. At 6:30, the program featuring the renowned forest ecologist Lee Frelich will focus on the "Future of Boreal Forests."

In addition to our Monday and Wednesday after-school programs and Saturday Science, we soon will offer the Junior Nature Club, a free, six-week series of classes aimed at connecting pre-school-aged children and their families with nature. Through storytelling, games, activities, and outdoor play, the Junior Nature Club classes promote physical well-being, social engagement, and curiosity in both children and their parents or guardians.

Junior Nature Club classes start on October 4, 2024, and will be offered every Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. through November 8. This is a family program, so parents or guardians must remain with the group throughout each class. Siblings and family members are welcome to participate. For more information and to register, please visit the Crossroads at Big Creek (www.crossroadsatbigcreek.org) website Events Calendar.

Wednesday, September 18

1:30 pm Wandering Wednesday

Join the naturalist on a guided hike over the North Bridge, around the Arboretum, and through the remnant boreal forest. No reservations are required. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the hike is open to the public and free. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Wednesday, September 18 

3:30 pm Nature Exploration: Meet the Fawn

This program is intended for elementary school students but is open to all ages. Weather permitting, it will begin with a hike in search of deer beds and other "deer signs." Then, the group will return to the learning center to examine the fawn in our Wisconsin Wildlife Exhibits. No reservations are required. It is free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Friday,  September 20

2:30 pm 4:30 Hanson House Tour

Spend part of your “Afternoon with Bertha,” our costumed interpreter who will describe the history of the Hanson House and the Greeves farm. Meet at the Hanson Homestead, 2022 Utah Street (across from The Cove Estuary) in Sturgeon Bay. 

Friday, September 20th 

5:00  Climate Change Coalition's Fall Planet Potluck

6:30 Climate Change Coalition Lecture: "The Future of Boreal Forests"

The Climate Change Coalition brings Lee E. Frelich, the Director of the University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology, to discuss the future of boreal forests and climate change. This program is free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan

Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

September 21

2:00 Science Saturday: Camouflage

This program is geared toward elementary school students, but learners of all ages are welcome to join us to learn how marking on animals helps them hide. There will be indoor and outdoor activities. It is free and open to the public. Meet in the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Tuesday, September 24

6:30 Wild Ones/Master Gardener Lecture: "Nature's Flower Show, the Grand Finale" 

The native fall flowers of Door County are glorious, but they are also essential because they provide the nectar that enables butterflies to migrate. They provide nectar so honeybees can survive the winter. They also provide the pollen and nectar that many native bees require to provision their nests, providing food for the next generation. Learn which plants are beautiful and beneficial and the best ways to plant them.

Our Door County Seed Library friends will offer free native wildflower seeds. This program is co-sponsored by Wild Ones-Door Peninsula, Master Gardeners, and Crossroads at Big Creek. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

Pictures courtesy of Crossroads at Big Creek

With schools being back in session for another productive and educational year, it is a good time to talk about safety and prevention. Just a few weeks ago, I wrote an article about the basic back-to-school safety precautions such as school bus safety awareness and pedestrian safety awareness. This time, my message is focused directly on our students and the challenges they may face in making good decisions amid sometimes overwhelming peer pressure.

When we consider the population of our combined school districts when in session, they constitute communities onto themselves in regards to sheer numbers and the diversity and dynamics of those “School Communities”. While we as parents like to believe that our children are there for strictly academic pursuits, we know full well that there are also social lessons being learned and that many of the decisions that they make can and will have long-term impacts on their lives. We are grateful for the educational staff that takes on the daunting role of planting the seeds of knowledge in an environment that all too often is hijacked by distractions ranging from situations at home to situations in social life.

Our message to our children is the same as the message that our parents attempted to send to us: make good choices. I don’t know about any other parents, but I feel that our children believe that we are naïve to the pressures they face and the challenges to making good decisions as a young person in today’s world. In some ways, they are right. We did not have a constant social presence due to the advent of social media and the proliferation of electronic devices in our everyday lives. We did, however, face consequences for our actions in no uncertain terms. We look at today’s society and see the glaring absence of that key element that is essential in maintaining a functional society: accountability.

Over the next few weeks, our “School Communities” will be celebrating various events such as homecoming games, dances, and opportunities for social gatherings. These are all wonderful traditions and can be events that will bring fond memories for years to come, or they can become tragic events that will scar both individuals and communities well into the future. The difference will be the choices that are made at critical moments. I for one am not now nor have I ever been perfect, but I have been fortunate to have been raised among great role models and amazing teachers both in the classroom and out in the community.

While many may consider law enforcement’s role in raising our children as strictly an enforcement component, I would challenge you and ask that you think of us as an educational resource. Kewaunee County is fortunate to have men and women who serve not just to enforce our laws and respond to calls for service, but who are willing and able to serve as a great resource in the lives of our children. We have not only our own experiences to share but also a unique perspective as a result of the work that we do. We welcome any opportunity to share our lives and experiences if that sharing helps avoid a tragedy.  I hope that all have a safe and enjoyable school year, and appreciate the privileges you have been given both in the form of our educational system as well as the communities you are fortunate to be part of. 

Health providers hope you roll up your sleeve before the flu or COVID-19 potentially wrecks your fall and winter. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is recommending Wisconsinites get vaccinated against respiratory illnesses such as influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. The flu and COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone six months or older, while the shot for RSV is encouraged for those over 60. DHS says getting all three vaccines simultaneously is safe if you are eligible. According to WISN, Dr. Stephanie Schauer noted only 35 percent of Wisconsinites received one of the three vaccines last year, including 19 percent for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Door County Medical Center is among the health providers in the area urging you to schedule your vaccination appointments online. The first flu shot appointments in Sturgeon Bay are available on Monday. The Sister Bay Clinic began accepting appointments on Friday, with other sites in Algoma and Washington Island coming on other dates. The updated COVID-19 vaccine will be offered once it becomes available. You can find the schedule below. You can also contact your health provider or pharmacy to see where and when you can receive your vaccinations.  

DCMC Flu Vaccine Drive Through Clinic (Adults 18 and up)  Located at our Lab Drive-Thru at 319 S 18th Ave., in the building in front of Emergency entrance, follow signs. Patients can self-schedule through the portal or call (920) 746-0510

Monday, Sept. 16, 8:00am 4:00pm
Thursday, Sept. 19, 8:00am 4:00pm
Friday, Sept. 20, 7:30am - 3:30pm
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 8:00am 4:00pm
Friday, Sept. 27, 7:30am 3:30pm
Thursday, Oct. 3, 8:00am 4:00pm
Friday, Oct. 4, 7:30am 3:30pm
Tuesday, Oct. 8, 8:00am 4:00pm
Friday, Oct. 11, 7:30am 3:30pm
Tuesday, Oct. 15, 8:00am 4:00pm
Friday, Oct. 18, 7:30am - 3:30pm

Portal patients, please pre-register through the portal If not, be prepared to provide insurance and demographic info You must wear a short sleeve shirt Please stay home if sick Leave all pets at home Must have no history of fainting with injections Follow all signs for instructions and remain in your vehicle Staff will approach the vehicle after it is in the parked position.

Sister Bay Clinic (Adults 18 and up) Located inside the Sister Bay Clinic -you can self-schedule through the portal or call (920) 868-3511.  Children by appointment-call (920) 868-3511

Friday, Sept. 13, 9:00am 3:00pm
Monday, Sept. 16, 9:00am 3:00pm
Thursday, Sept. 19, 9:00am 3:00pm
Friday, Sept. 20, 9:00am 3:00pm
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 9:00am 3:00pm
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 9:00am 3:00pm
Friday, Sept. 27, 9:00am 4:30pm
Monday, Sept. 30, 8:00am 11:00am
Monday, Oct. 7, 8:00am 11:00am
Monday, Oct. 21, 8:00am 11:00am
Monday, Oct. 28, 8:00am 11:00am

Portal patients, please pre-register through the portal If not, be prepared to provide insurance and demographic info Please stay home if sick

Algoma Clinic (All ages) Located inside the Algoma Clinic. Call (920) 487-3496 for an appointment

Friday, Oct. 4, 8:00am 4:30pm
Monday, Oct. 21, 8:00am 4:30pm

Washington Island Clinic( Age 12 and above) for an appointment call - (920) 847-2424

Tuesday, Sept. 17, 9:00am 3:00pm at Washington Island school gym
Wednesday, Oct. 23, 1:00pm 3:00pm at DCMC Washington Island Clinic - flu vaccination only

Children’s Center (Children through 18 years of age) Located in the Children’s Center in Sturgeon Bay. Call (920) 746-3666 for an appointment

Wednesday, Sept. 18, 1:00pm 5:00pm
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 8:30am 5:00pm
Thursday, Sept. 26, 8:30am 5:00pm
Wednesday, Oct. 16, 1:00pm 5:00pm
Wednesday, Oct. 22, 8:30am 5:00pm

*Covid vaccine is no longer funded by the federal government and will be processed through your insurance. Please discuss coverage with your insurance company prior to receiving the vaccine.

The human remains found on private property in Manitowoc County last Sunday have been positively identified as Elijah Vue.  The Two Rivers Police Department announced Friday afternoon that the skeletal remains found in the woods by a deer hunter were that of the three-year-old Vue, who has been missing since February 20.  Vue’s mother, Katrina Baur, and her boyfriend, Jesse Vang, are in custody, facing child neglect charges related to the case.

While its new Talon Fitness Center is the most noticeable addition to its campus, Southern Door School District officials hope you see all the improvements they made thanks to community support. Two years ago, voters approved an operational referendum and a capital referendum that authorized the district to borrow up to $14.9 million to construct the new fitness center and greenhouse, relocate the district office, and update its septic system and parking lots. Southern Door Superintendent Kevin Krutzik came to the district just in time to see the projects wrap up. He is excited to show off what he hopes becomes a true community space.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house will take place on September 20th, before the homecoming football game against Peshtigo. The afternoon starts with the ceremony at 4 p.m., followed by tours, activities, and refreshments inside the facilities from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

It is not the name as much as the people behind the name that are important to area businesses and a key hurdle to their growth moving forward. The Door County Economic Development Corporation released a summary of its 2024 Door County Business Survey, which featured answers from 75 businesses across the peninsula, covering different sizes and sectors along the way. Employee recruitment and retention were big topics of concern for businesses, with 59 percent of respondents saying they would like to grow their businesses if they had the people to go with it. Housing, pending retirements, and childcare are major factors that contribute to those concerns. Door County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Michelle Lawrie says the organization is collaborating with many different stakeholders on trying to address this.

Lawrie is thrilled that the county's businesses have been able to adapt to the changing climate posed by the pandemic and the challenges that followed. You can click this link to read the summary from the report.

Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski has seen the number of suicide prevention courses he gives go up every year recently, and he is happy that you continue to ask him to do so. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 49,476 Americans died by suicide in 2022, which makes it the 11th leading cause of death in the country. That is just a fraction of what could have been, however, as it was estimated that there were more than 1.6 million suicide attempts. With 94 percent of adults believing that suicide could be prevented, that is where QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training and other efforts come into play. Joski is happy that people are more willing to talk about their mental health and that others are willing to be proactive in helping a friend or family member in a time of need.

You can register here for one of two suicide prevention classes Joski is teaching this month. The classes will take place on Monday, September 16th, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Kewaunee Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Luxemburg and on Wednesday, September 25th, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Algoma Wellness Center.

With farmers in Door and Kewaunee counties nearing harvest for some crops, a Sturgeon Bay event on September 18th may show you what could happen afterward. Peninsula Pride Farms is hosting a cover crop open house at the Peninsular Agricultural Research Station to show how different plants protect the land from runoff and promote soil health. State Soil Health Coordinator Jamie Patton says that while conservation techniques have been around for decades, more and more farmers are realizing that what happens below ground is just as important as the crops growing above it.

Visitors will be able to talk to Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) agronomists and explore different test plots as a part of the open house, which runs from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, nine percent of the corn harvest was used for silage, with nine percent complete, two days behind last year's pace and three days behind the average. Oats were 98 percent harvested, while winter wheat planting was 11 percent complete as farmers took advantage of the cool and mostly dry weather with six days suitable for fieldwork last week.

A new fire inspector has been hired in the City of Algoma. Joann Sala has joined the Algoma Fire Department and will handle annual fire inspections at local businesses and industries. Fire Chief Tom Ackerman says they are excited to welcome Sala and her wealth of experience, including work with the Village of Ashwaubenon Office of Public Safety.

Sala, an Algoma resident, is licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services as a fire detection, prevention, and suppression inspector and is an NFPA-certified fire inspector 1.  In addition to its duties within the city limits, the  Algoma Fire Department also serves the towns of Ahnapee, Lincoln, and Pierce and seven miles of DNR Nature Trails while assisting with the United States Coast Guard for nine miles of Lake Michigan shoreline.

Thanks to extensive work done over the last eight years, you can step into 1912 when you visit the Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse in the future. The latest project, a $10,000-plus painting project, was approved by the Kewaunee City Council earlier this month. Painters will sand and paint the entire first story of the lighthouse, an approximately two-week ordeal that will begin next week. The Friends of the Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse is financing the whole project, as they had done when they refurbished the upper portion of the lighthouse in 2017, installed new windows in 2023, and added a metal sheeting band around the base of the building to prevent water from seeping in earlier this year. Friends of the Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse Vice President Jake Heffernan says allowing the public to get close and personal with the structure has deepened the connection between the community and the lighthouse and generated more support to save it.

Heffernan adds that after pouring approximately $200,000 into the lighthouse over the last dozen years thanks to funding from donors and grants, the focus moving forward will be restoring the structure's interior. The Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse will offer one more tour opportunity this year on October 5th as part of the Fall Lighthouse Festival orchestrated by the Door County Maritime Museum. The lighthouse was passed from the National Park Service to the city in September 2011 and added to the National and State Registers of Historic Places in 2022. 

Picture courtesy of Friends of the Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse Facebook page

Giving you the tools needed to address common challenges with your children is the goal of the Positive Parenting Program, which will return this fall courtesy of the Door County Partnership for Children and Families. The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program uses over three decades of data to create strategies to help parents address frustrating moments like temper tantrums, bedtime and mealtime struggles, homework and chores, lying and swearing, and bullying. In partnership with the United Way of Door County, the Door County Partnership for Children and Families introduced the program two years ago to help parents feel more confident in raising their kids. Community Impact Coordinator Chad Welch said at the program's launch that it teaches parents to be proactive by reinforcing positive behaviors rather than reacting to negative ones.

Welch will offer the Triple P classes at Sawyer Elementary School in Sturgeon Bay on September 24th (Power of Positive Parenting), October 22nd (Raising Competent, Confident Children), and November 25th (Raising Resilient Children). The classes run from 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., and a meal and child care are provided. You must register by clicking this link by September 13th.

Your first opportunity to bag a buck or doe this year begins on Saturday. September 14th is the first day of the archery and crossbow season for deer hunting, sprinkling other weapons in and out through the end of January. Door and Kewaunee counties are among the 30-plus counties with a holiday hunt (December 24th through January 1st) and an extended archery season stretching to January 31st. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Conservation Warden Chris Kratcha says having your license and tags in order is essential before you make your way toward the woods.

Kratcha adds there are several safety precautions you should take to ensure a safe hunt for everyone.

Wisconsin hunters harvested over 294,000 deer across all of last year's season, with slightly more antlered deer (147,236) being shot than antlerless (146,788). That includes 2,889 in Kewaunee County and 3,728 in Door County. 

There is something special about Sevastopol School District, and it is part of the reason why you see Randi Anderson in the superintendent’s office. Anderson was hired earlier this year to replace Kyle Luedtke, who left his role to take the same position at Frederic School District. Her wide-ranging career in education also included stints as the superintendent in Shawano, Wis. and Pelican Rapids, Minn. She became intrigued by the position not just because of the district’s high academic standing in the state but also by watching videos that showcased the community’s support. When she welcomed staff back to the district a few weeks ago, she said she focused on the word “relationships” and how that would help guide the community through the upcoming school year.

Anderson adds that her immediate focus will be the upcoming non-recurring operational referendum on ballots this November. The referendum was initially supported in 2008 and has been renewed five times since then. The district will hold listening sessions five times leading up to the November election, including September 12th, 24th, and 30th. You can listen to our full interview by clicking on this link.

You can celebrate the first of the many Door County festivals for the fall season this Saturday as Baileys Harbor will host its annual Autumnfest Pin ups & Pistons along County Road F in Baileys Harbor.  Baileys Harbor Community Coordinator Cynde Krowas says the event draws hundreds of people every year, and many memories are shared by locals and visitors alike.  She notes that plenty of arts and crafts will be displayed along with various foods to enjoy.  

All the festivities will be held at the town hall with live music from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Kendall Park. There will be a new Car Cruise downtown on Highway 57 beginning at 3 p.m., following the Car & Motorcycle Show awards ceremony.   You can find more information about the Baileys Harbor Autumnfest here. 

With Wisconsin ranked number one for the highest rate of deaths related to falls in the country, the Door County YMCA is hosting a workshop during National Fall Prevention Awareness Week.  You can receive a free fall risk assessment by attending the Fall Prevention Workshop at the two Door County YMCA locations later this month.

Specialty Wellness Director Abby Teich says the workshop can help you prevent future falls and keep you independent and healthy.  She says the biggest risk of falling is caused by the lack of confidence. 

Teich notes that Fall Prevention classes, like Tai Chi and Stepping On, at the YMCA highlight how to properly go up and down stairs, community risks, and how to navigate space. The Fall Prevention Workshop is 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday, September 25, at the Jackie and Steve Kane Program Center and 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 26, at the Sturgeon Bay Program Center.  

A woman was taken to the hospital for suspected injuries early Monday evening after the driver of a pickup truck in Sturgeon Bay accidentally hit her motorized wheelchair scooter.  According to the police report, Shortly before 6:00 p.m., the 57-year-old woman was crossing Georgia Street and heading north on North 14th Avenue on the crosswalk when a 69-year-old man from Luxemburg bumped into her scooter after stopping his vehicle at the intersection and heading west on Georgia Street.  Witnesses stated that the sun was so bright it was tough to see what was in front of them while driving and that the truck barely bumped the woman in the scooter.  The scooter did not tip over or eject the woman from the impact, and the truck driver said the sun caused a glare, and he did not see her until it was too late.  The woman was treated by EMS and sent to Door County Medical Center.  She told DoorCountyDailyNews.com Wednesday that she suffered whiplash-like injuries from the impact that spun her scooter around.  The pickup truck driver was cited for failing to yield to a pedestrian.

The world-famous International Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima will be on display at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Sturgeon Bay on Wednesday. On Tuesday, it visited Stella Maris Parish in Egg Harbor and is on a Fatima Tour For Peace throughout the United States this year.  The statue was sculpted by Jose Thedim, considered the Michelangelo of Portugal, and has been traveling internationally since 1947.  The purpose of a Pilgrim Virgin Statue tour is to introduce people to Our Lady’s message of hope, peace, and salvation.  Parishioner and Green Bay Diocesan Division Secretary of the Blue Army Suzi O’Hern says Wednesday’s opening ceremony at 7:45 a.m. begins with a procession and mass at 8:20 a.m. with St. John Bosco students in attendance.

The statue will be displayed at Corpus Christi Church until 6 p.m., with Knights of Columbus members standing guard throughout the day.  St. Mary’s Church in Algoma will host the International Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima on Thursday from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.  

When you head to The Augusta Club for a community conversation event in Baileys Harbor, you will get more than just a free tree and composting bucket. The Baileys Harbor Community Association is hosting a Talk of the Town event this Thursday, featuring a presentation ahead of a question/answer session and community conversation. The focus will be on the town’s efforts to go green, which include local composting efforts, plans for a new geothermal HVAC upgrade at the town hall and library, and the pursuit of Community Green Tier certification.

The event begins at 6:15 p.m. and runs for about an hour. The villages of Egg Harbor and Ephraim, the Town of Gibraltar, and the City of Sturgeon Bay are among the Door County communities that have achieved Green Tier Legacy status.

Pictured: Baileys Harbor Town Hall, which will be receiving an upgrade to its HVAC system with the use of geothermal technology

The work you have seen the Door County Land Trust pour into Hibbard Creek over the last quarter century bore more fruit in recent weeks as the organization added two new properties to its portfolio. Hibbard Creek and the surrounding watershed has been a focus of the Door County Land Trust since 1998, accumulating more than 250 acres in that time. The most recent additions came from the Universities of Wisconsin and the other came from Mike Bacsi and Patti Seger. Although the land they help protect is not contiguous, DCLT Executive Director Emily Wood says with every piece of land they acquire, they are able to better protect the animals and birds that call it home.

The purchase of the new Hibbard Creek Natural Area properties was made possible by membership contributions and Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program funds, the Fox River and Green Bay Natural Resources Trustees grant, and the North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant.

Picture by Dan Eggert, Map courtesy of Door County Land Trust

The map of the Hibbard Creek watershed below shows the two most recent properties under Door County Land Trust(DCLT) protection. The yellow rectangle indicates the University of Wisconsin property purchase and the green rectangle is the location of the former Mike Bacsi and Patti Seger property. Red rectangles designate land under protection by the Land Trust and the white shapes indicate DCLT conservation easements.

A familiar face at the Extension UW-Madison Kewaunee County office will help guide your family through its 4-H program. Erin Dahle was officially hired as the new 4-H Program Educator late last month after the position was vacant for nearly a year. Dahle previously served as its communications and education program support specialist in the Extension office. She says her experience in that role and having kids go through the program will help her hit the ground running this fall as she supports the dozen clubs spread out across the county.

The enrollment window for returning and new 4-H members throughout the state opened on September 1st and runs through October. You can see the program in Kewaunee County with its Taste of 4-H event scheduled for September 30th at the Kewaunee County Exposition Hall in Luxemburg from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

While Tuesday’s debate stokes extra flames onto the Presidential race that has spilled over into other federal and state races, two local school districts will also have measures on the ballot this November. Sevastopol and Washington Island are among the 120 school districts with referendums on their local ballot, accounting for 136 total questions. Approximately 40 percent of the referenda are for capital projects, while the remainder are for the districts to address operational expenses. When the dust settles this November, there will have been almost three times the number of school referendums in 2024 as in 2023. Revenue limits imposed on schools have not kept pace with inflation, and pandemic funding is also set to expire this year. Sevastopol voters will decide if they will let the district exceed the revenue limit for four years for non-recurring purposes by $4.25 million for the 2025-2026 school year, by $4.5 million for the 2026-2027 school year, and $4.75 million for the 2027-2028 and the 2028-2029 school years. Washington Island’s is a recurring referendum asking the voters to exceed the revenue by $995,000. You can find the full questions below. Out of the 103 referendums that have already gone to voters statewide, about 60 percent of them have passed.

Shall the School District of Sevastopol, Door County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $4,250,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, by $4,500,000 for the 2026-2027 school year, by $4,750,000 for the 2027-2028 school year and by $4,750,000 for the 2028-2029 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of maintaining educational programs and paying operational and maintenance expenses?

Sevastopol will have a series of informational meetings about the referendum leading up to the election, including September 12th at 4 p.m., September 24th at 7:30 p.m., and September 30th at 7 p.m. in the Pioneer Room.

Recurring Referenda for the Washington Island School WHEREAS, the School Board of the Washington Island School District in the Town of Washington, Door County, Wisconsin has determined that it is in the best interests of the students of the District to exceed the revenue limit to meet certain facility, equipment, and programming needs of the School District.

You can be part of a new community mural in Green Bay this weekend that Sturgeon Bay native Zane Statz has created in the past ten years.   Statz, a graphic artist and 2010 Sturgeon Bay High School graduate, has been painting a Packers Fence across from Lambeau Field on Lombardi Avenue since its inception in 2014.  This year's newly painted mural will be on a 70-foot-long and six-foot-high fence.  With the help of the community volunteers, the "paint-by-numbers" artwork will be done over three days leading up to the Packer home opening next Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.  Statz says everyone, young and old, can be part of the painting crew on Saturday and help finish the " LAMBEAU" mural," which will feature eight original player illustrations.   

About 200 volunteers and community members showed up last year, and Statz welcomes you to help anytime from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday.  You volunteer by showing up at the area directly across from the Atrium on Lombardi Avenue. 

(Photo submitted)

Depending on your height, information to combat substance abuse in Door County is coming from above on September 24th. The Door County Alcohol and Other Drug Coalition welcomes Officer Jermaine Galloway back to Sturgeon Bay for two free sessions for the public to attend. Standing at 6'9", the "Tall Cop" not only stands tall in stature but also when it comes to addressing substance abuse in communities.  His "High in Sight" program showcases the latest trends in alcohol and drug concealment as well as strategies for identifying and fighting against it. After Galloway's appearance in Sturgeon Bay last year, Stephanie Short from the Door County Alcohol and Other Drug Coalition says his message was too powerful not to have back again.

Galloway will host two free sessions of his "High in Sight" program on September 24th: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The sessions will take place at Stone Harbor Resort in Sturgeon Bay. Registration is required. Click on this link to register.

You can be a part of the solution when protecting your community and reversing a decades-long trend. According to a National Public Radio report earlier this year, the number of volunteer firefighters across the country has declined over the last three decades. That is especially troubling in Wisconsin, where more than 92 percent of the state's 812 fire departments are either volunteers or mostly volunteers. The Brussels-Union-Gardner Fire Department is down ten members from its roster, thanks mainly to retirements. Fire Chief Curt Vandertie says they are particularly thin during the daytime when many current and prospective firefighters hold down full-time jobs. He says recruitment is a point of concern up and down the peninsula.

The department's relationship with Southern Door School District has produced several firefighters who are currently on their force. Vandertie says registered nurses looking to give back to the community also have opportunities with the fire departments as they combine forces with local emergency responders.

Vanderties encourages community members to contact their local fire department to see how they can get involved with their operations. For BUG residents, training is provided at no additional cost, and classes are tentatively scheduled to start on October 14th.

The Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office is actively investigating the discovery of human skeletal remains located on private property in the Town of Two Rivers that could end over six months of searching for a missing toddler. On Saturday, a local deer hunter came upon the remains and immediately notified law enforcement. In a social media post, the department acknowledged that it could be the remains of missing 3-year-old Elijah Vue, who disappeared in February. However, at this time, they cannot confirm if the remains discovered are related to that case.

The department is working with the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, the Wisconsin State Crime Lab, the University of Wisconsin Crime Lab, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Anthropology Department, the Two Rivers Police Department, and the Manitowoc County Coroner’s Office in the investigation.

Vue went missing on February 20th, prompting months of exhaustive searches by law enforcement and volunteers. The boy’s mother, Katrina Baur, and her boyfriend, Jesse Vang, are on trial for child neglect.

PRESS RELEASE FROM MANITOWOC COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

The Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office is actively investigating the discovery of human skeletal remains located on private property in the Town of Two Rivers on Saturday, September 7, 2024. A local deer hunter came upon the remains and immediately notified law enforcement.

This is an ongoing investigation, and we are unable to provide specific information regarding the race, sex, or age of the remains. Determining the identity will be a lengthy process. The Sheriff's Office is working closely with the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Wisconsin State Crime Lab, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Anthropology Department, Two Rivers Police Department, and the Manitowoc County Coroner's Office.

We are fully aware of the ongoing case of missing 3-year-old Elijah Vue, who disappeared in February. However, at this time, we are unable to confirm if the remains discovered are related to this case.

No additional information will be released at this time. Further updates will be provided as they become available. We appreciate the public's patience and understanding as we continue the investigation.

Sheriff Dan Hartwig

For more than a decade, Prevent Suicide Door County has offered an opportunity to show that you are never alone when it comes to dealing with your mental health. The organization will host its annual Walk for Hope on Monday, beginning at Sawyer Park at 4:30 p.m.  Walkers will begin their path across both bridges at 5:30 p.m., where they are encouraged to carry a sign or a picture of a loved one affected by suicide. The event will feature Door County Human Services Behavioral Health Case Manager Scott Dadam as its keynote speaker.  A chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserves, Dadam will share how suicide affects family, friends, and the community.  As we reported last week, the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Summary Report released by the Wisconsin Department of Instruction showed that 16 percent of Door County students seriously consider suicide, and 23 percent of them cause self-harm without intending to die. Community Impact Coordinator of Mental Health Cami Peggar says kids deal with a lot of issues you cannot see, and they often lack the resources needed to deal with them.

You can find more details about the walk by clicking this link. Below, you can also find some important numbers to call if you're struggling with your mental health and potentially contemplating suicide. 

A local organization is digging deeper into the mental health crisis that is impacting people of all ages in Door County and beyond.  The Women's Fund of Door County is hosting a free panel discussion entitled "Mental Health Across Generations" as part of its Celebrate Women Luncheon on Friday, September 13, in Sturgeon Bay.  Women's Fund of Door County board member Kristen Jeanquart says the annual panel discussion circles back to the keynote speaker's address.  This year's keynote speaker features the award-winning podcaster and author Amy Schmidt.  Jeanquardt explains why the discussion is important and the panel's makeup, including moderator Ally Bretl, a licensed clinical social worker from Door County Medical Center.

Each panelist will represent a different generation and will explore what the Door County community is doing to address each generation's mental health needs. The one-hour "Mental Health Across Generations" panel discussion is free and open to the public, starting at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 13, at Stone Harbor Resort & Conference Center in Sturgeon Bay.  

(photo of previous Women's Fund Luncheon at Stone Harbor)

The 2024 International Observe the Moon Night is Saturday, September 14, so Crossroads is collaborating with the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society to celebrate the NASA-sponsored event. Crossroads' weekly 2:00  PM family program, Science Saturday,  will feature the Moon. DPAS will open the Astronomy Campus for Moon Viewing that evening at 7:00 PM.

According to NASA," International Observe the Moon Night is a time to come together with fellow Moon enthusiasts and curious people worldwide. Everyone on Earth is invited to learn about lunar science and exploration, participate in celestial observations, and honor cultural and personal connections to the Moon."

But why---when the famous Harvest Moon will "shine on" next week—would NASA select the First Quarter Moon for its annual observance?

Clearly (and DPAS will cancel if the sky is not clear), NASA  astronomers know that the night of the  Full Moon. [and this September, it will be a so-called "Super Moon"] is the worst night of the month for lunar observation. It's just too bright!  A Full Moon is not so bright that it could damage your eyes like you would by looking directly at the Sun, but it's uncomfortable.   However, observation difficulty goes beyond eye comfort. 

When the Sun is shining directly on the Earth-facing surface of the Moon (which it does during a Full Moon) an earthbound observer does not see shadows. The Moon appears to be one-dimensional. It looks flat. 

In contrast, during the First Quarter, we can observe crater rims and jagged mountains (especially along the center line separating the light and dark part of the Moon) because sunlight coming from the side results in dramatic shadows. Not only can we see the lunar features, but amazingly, the First Quarter Moon is only 1/11th as bright as the Full Moon because the shadows reduce the reflected light.

Demonstrations during Science Saturday will help learners of all ages visualize this phenomenon, learn how the craters were formed, and enjoy "moon snacks” while watching some NASA videos. No reservations are required, but please let us know if participants have dietary restrictions.) 

Then, participants will be prepared to observe the Moon from home or elsewhere but will see it much better through telescopes and astronomical binoculars during the DPAS Moon Observation Night, which will be sponsored by the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society at 7:00 PM at the Astronomy Campus at 2200 Utah Street in Sturgeon Bay.

Crossroads after-school programs are underway. On Wednesday, September 11, at 3:30, elementary students will learn about insect mouthparts, and on Monday, September 11, at 3:30, the topic is insect galls. Families and interested adults are more than welcome to participate. For adults, we offer Wednesday Wandering, a naturalist-led hike exploring one of the distinct habitats of the Big Creek Preserve.  

Wednesday, September 11

1:30 Wandering Wednesday

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

The program is intended for elementary students, but learners of all ages are welcome to learn about insect mouthparts.  We start with a short video and then, using common household items, demonstrate the various ways insects eat their preferred food. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay

Saturday, September 14

2:00 Science Saturday: International Observe the Moon Night

This program for learners of all ages will prepare folks to participate in NASA's International Observe the Moon Night.  Learners of all ages will find out how the craters were formed and why the moon has phases, and enjoy some "moon snacks” while watching some NASA videos. No reservations are required, but please let us know if participants have dietary restrictions.) Meet in the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay. Open to the public free of charge thanks to the generosity of our donors.

Monday, September 16

3:30 Nature Exploration: Insect Galls

This program is for elementary students, but learners of all ages are welcome to learn about insect galls. Then (weather permitting), the group will hit the trails on a gall scavenger hunt. No reservations are required. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, this program is open to the public free of charge.

Tuesday, September 17

6:30 Door County Beekeepers

At the monthly meeting of the Door County Beekeepers, presenter Peggy De Santo will present a program on wintering bees and storing equipment. The program will include a virtual presentation on “Hive Hugger” wraps. Meetings are free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay.

With all of our young people embarking upon new chapters of their lives, I wanted to share some thoughts on the challenges that await them. Whether you are heading off to Grade School, High School, College, or even heading out into the workforce, no doubt you will be faced with choices and challenges that are difficult. It may be new topics of study, or interacting with new people. It may be doing something you have not done before, and the mere thought of it creates within you an increased level of anxiety. There is a word for that feeling, it’s called growth, and you are not the first to feel its effect.

Each and every time we step out of our comfort level, and challenge ourselves to new experiences, we will be met with similar uncomfortable feelings. These are to be embraced not avoided, for within them are the pathways to being the person we were meant to be. If we remain in a static state of comfort, there is no growth. If we allow ourselves to be paralyzed by fear, there is no growth.

There is no greater indicator in our success than our ability to overcome fear. It is not our age, gender, social status or lack of wealth that will hinder us in our lives, but rather our ability to push back against fear, and move forward.

Throughout our lives we are given special people who see within us the potential we may not see in ourselves. They may arrive in our lives as teachers, mentors, or family members who may be further along in this journey of life, and are in a unique position to provide both guidance and perspective. You may see in them only their current state of relative success, but know that behind that is a lifetime of growth. Just like them, you can not skip the steps of what you have to do in life just so that you can get right on to what you want to do in life.

Whatever place in this journey you find yourself, you may be saying: “This is Hard!” You are right it is, and that’s the good stuff. Embrace what is hard and soon, what is hard will become easy. However, if you become content with what is easy, everything will seem hard.

Just as in taking our first steps, or mastering those early math principles, those things that challenged us earlier in our lives, faded into simplicity, and become second nature.

Never Quit! The act of quitting in and of itself creates an invisible impediment rooted in fear, that slows growth and becomes that much harder to overcome. Perseverance however, does just the opposite; it creates a momentum that feeds on itself, growing in confidence and fueled by courage. It becomes a self-perpetuating energy source that will propel you through whatever challenge you confront.

So, regardless of your age, and whatever seemingly impossible obstacle stands before you, know that you have it in you to confront and overcome that obstacle. Just remember you are not in it alone.

It turns out that Christiana Trapani's brush with fame two years ago was just the tip of the wick when it comes to her Door County Candle products supporting the causes you care deeply about in the community.  Her Ukraine candles, released in 2022, raised over $1 million for Razom for Ukraine. The cause catapulted to headlines not just in Wisconsin, but also across the country and worldwide. The experience inspired the tagline "Candles Creating Change" and has raised thousands of dollars for other causes, such as the MACC Fund, Make-A-Wish, and Door County's tourism coordinators, for their back-to-school drive. While her location in Carlsville receives plenty of traffic now, this year's State Highway 42 construction slowed traffic dramatically. That was enough for Trapani to bring her candles and her mission to create a positive change to the Sturgeon Bay Farmer's Market this year.

In addition to her normal stock of candles, Trapani introduced the candle bar this year, which allows small groups to get their own taste of candlemaking.

You can listen to the full interview with Trapani by checking out the Faces of the Farmer's Market Podcast here.

Data released this summer shows why the United Way of Door County continues investing heavily in addressing the area's mental health challenges. According to the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey Summary Report released by the Wisconsin Department of Instruction, 59 percent of high school said they experienced at least one mental health challenge over the past year. That includes more than half of the surveyed students experiencing anxiety, a third of them experiencing depression almost every day for two weeks or more, and a fifth reporting non-suicidal self-harm. Closer to home, the data shows that 16 percent of Door County students seriously consider suicide, and 23 percent of them cause self-harm without intending to die. Community Impact Coordinator of Mental Health Cami Peggar says kids deal with a lot of issues you cannot see, and they often lack the resources needed to deal with them.

According to the United Way of Door County, there is one mental health provider for every 710 people, which lags well behind the state (1 for every 400 people) and the nation (1 for every 320 people). STRIDE, which helps provide on-site mental health services at all five Door County school districts, announced the details this week for its upcoming STRIDE Creative Mighty Teens Empowerment project for kids in grades 5-7. The seven-week online art journal club runs on Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m. October 8th through November 19th. Registration opens on September 9th.

If you are cruising around Door County in your Jeep this weekend, The Thirsty Cow Taphouse in Baileys Harbor hopes you duck on in for a good cause. For the second year in a row, the business is hosting its Door County Jeep Jam Cancer Benefit from 9:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. Last year, nearly 60 Jeep enthusiasts cruised around the county together before spending the rest of the day with other community members at the restaurant for food, music, and other revelry to raise thousands of dollars for DoorCancer. Holly Butenhoff from The Thirsty Cow Taphouse says the money that goes to DoorCancer supports many different things that Door County families need when dealing with cancer.

The early fall is a popular time for many organizations to hold fundraisers ahead of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Last year, several area volleyball teams supported other cancer-related charities by dedicating a home game to the cause. Kewaunee School District is expanding on that concept next month when they do their Kewaunee High School Take Cancer By Storm event at the soccer (10/7), volleyball (10/10), and football (10/11) games.

Picture courtesy of Thirsty Cow Taphouse

No matter the challenges you may be facing in your life, a farm in Luxemburg has animals going through a similar battle, too. Wilson's Wish has been around as an animal sanctuary since 2019, but it became an officially licensed non-profit earlier this year. It also added to its diverse herd of animals, but the organization is known for its unique ones like the wheelchair-wielding goat Lilly Beans or Herbie the five-legged cow, which has two more legs than fellow Wilson's Wish resident Lyle the Cow. Many of the Wilson's Wish animals are showcased to groups on the farm and other places throughout the community. Founder Tonya Boelter Edwards hopes people who visit with their animals walk away with more than a few cuddles.

If you missed Edwards and the Wilson's Wish crew around the area this summer, you have a second chance this weekend. Wilson's Wish is hosting its Fall on the Farm event this Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.  

You'll have the opportunity to talk about the future of the facilities at Kewaunee School District. At a special meeting on Monday, the Kewaunee School Board will review its facilities plan with EUA and Miron before discussing a community facility survey through School Perceptions. The district collaborated with EUA and Miron Construction to update its facilities plan, which looks at the current buildings' condition and tries to determine what may need to be added. While the high school has room for continued growth, elementary and middle schools are nearing capacity. In addition to other improvements throughout the buildings, plumbing and HVAC projects not addressed in 2016 will need to be included in any work accomplished this time. Kewaunee School District Superintendent Scott Fritz says it is important to stay proactive regarding its facilities and collect the thoughts of the community it serves.

In addition to the planned survey, public feedback sessions are scheduled for later this fall. The school board meeting will occur in the district's community room on Monday at 5 p.m.

Investigators are trying to determine what may have started a structure fire in the unincorporated community of Pilsen Thursday morning. Firefighters from Luxemburg Community Fire Department reported to Paplham Welding and Fabrication, located on State Highway 29, at 5:45 a.m., where an attached portion of the building was fully engulfed. Fire Chief Lew Duchateau called in mutual aid from Kewaunee, Denmark, Casco, and Brussels-Union-Gardner to assist in the blaze that originated in the attached section's utility room. He says controlling the heat was vital in allowing firefighters to enter the building to try to contain the fire on the inside.

The building suffered significant damage due to the flames and smoke from the fire and the water used to put it out. Nobody was injured in the fire, and STH 29 was fully reopened before 8 a.m., with firefighters able to clear the scene about an hour later. 

Picture courtesy of Luxemburg Community Fire Department

A 26-year-old Sturgeon Bay man received three citations following a two-vehicle accident in the Town of Egg Harbor on Tuesday that sent three people to the hospital for additional treatment. The crash occurred before 11:40 a.m. near State Highway 42 and Sunny Slope Road. According to the accident report, a 68-year-old Greenleaf woman was driving with her husband, heading south on the highway when she slowed down to turn left. As she slowed down, the Sturgeon Bay man struck them from behind in his vehicle. He told the responding deputy that he could not stop in time to avoid the accident with a witness, adding that he had swerved multiple times leading up to the collision. Both cars were towed because of the accident, and the three individuals had to be transported to Door County Medical Center for additional treatment for suspected minor injuries. The road had to be closed for approximately 40 minutes to clean up after the accident, with the roadway reopening shortly after 12:20 p.m. The Sturgeon Bay man was cited for operating a vehicle without a valid license, not carrying insurance, and following too closely in an automobile. 

It is not too late to join in on the Door County YMCA's fall programming, even though classes started this past Tuesday.  Jackie and Steven Kane Center Executive Director Holly Butenhoff says you can still sign up for the Fall Session this week before classes that do not meet the minimum participation level get canceled next week.  She says the hours of operations at the Door County YMCA in Sturgeon Bay and Fish Creek have expanded for the season.

Butenhoff notes that the Door County YMCA offers 24-hour key fobs for adult members, which gives them the opportunity to workout anytime during the day or night. For a one-time $20 fee, you can gain 24/7 access to the gymnasiums, lifestyle center, weight room, and public restrooms at both facilities. You can find more information on the programs offered at the Door County YMCA by clicking this link. 

A cruise ship that flies under the French flag will arrive at Algoma on Thursday morning for the first time.  The Le Champlain, which can accommodate up to 184 guests, will make its first port stop in Algoma after leaving Milwaukee for Thunder Bay, Ontario, on an 11-day cruise.  Algoma Chamber of Commerce Executive Directory Rosemary Paladini says the brief eight-hour stopovers by passengers are greeted warmly by the local businesses and residents.   

This is the seventh stopover in Algoma for cruise ships on Lake Michigan this season.  The previous six were by the Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris cruise ships. 

The Le Champlain cruise ship will return to Algoma on Monday, September 23. Viking Cruises has two more port stops in Algoma this year, listed below.

Wednesday, September 18, 2024: Viking Octantis (Direction: Toronto to Duluth), 0800-1800/ 8 AM – 6 PM CT

Tuesday, October 1, 2024: Viking Octantis (Direction: Duluth to Toronto), 0700-1500/ 7 AM – 3 PM CT

Arrival and departure times are subject to change depending on weather conditions.

(photo courtesy of Tauck.com)

You can look for a bigger payout for the evening coming on Friday, as the Mega Millions jackpot had no winner matching the six numbers on Tuesday night.  The estimated jackpot for Friday night is $740 million. If you are the lucky winner on Friday, the $366.3 million cash buyout is another option.  The $740 million jackpot would represent the seventh-highest jackpot in the game’s history.  The last time a larger winner amount was drawn was back in March when a player from New Jersey won $1.128 million.  That winner has yet to claim their prize and has one year from the drawing date to claim it in New Jersey.

Friday’s drawing will be at 10:00 p.m., and the odds of winning the jackpot are estimated at one in 302,575,350. 

On Tuesday night, Sturgeon Bay was able to move quickly on another housing development within the city as the Common Council meeting efficiently finished in just a 20-minute session.   

The council approved a development agreement with JPLS, LLC to build five duplexes on the west side of N. 15th Avenue. The agreement requires the city to pay the developer $15,000 per unit, for a total of $150,000 as they are constructed. The project is expected to be covered through tax increments from TID #6 on Egg Harbor Road, and the new duplexes are expected to generate $3.5 million in property value.

In other business, the Sturgeon Bay Common Council unanimously approved adopting new zoning code amendments for businesses that offer animal services.  The Plan Commission came up with three options, recommending option one that was more detailed with potential uses for boarding use, daycare use, and veterinarian use based on length of stay and whether veterinarian services are provided.  The council approved that option which will require a public hearing sometime in October. 

A consideration for a street closure during the Harvest Fest Car Cruise was approved, which included waiving the Certificate of Liability requirement. The Old Bolts Car Club organizes the cruise, which will be on Friday, September 21. It starts up on Bayshore Drive and goes through the downtown area.

Lastly, Mayor David Ward reported that the Century Ride will be headquartered in Sturgeon Bay this weekend and advised residents to be aware of the influx of bicyclists who will be navigating the streets.   

It is not a matter of if but when Kewaunee County will have to address two of its most significant facility needs. The Kewaunee County Finance and Public Property Committee will meet on Thursday to discuss funding future capital projects. The Kewaunee County Board has wrestled with decisions for years regarding its main highway shop in Footbridge and its jail in Kewaunee. Most recently, the Kewaunee County Board voted not to pursue an owner's representative contract with Cadence Consulting, which would have assisted in the jail's construction. Kewaunee County Board Chairperson Daniel Olson says the ongoing staffing challenges within the sheriff's department and welcoming a new highway commissioner have delayed progress. Still, he believes they are in a better position moving forward.

Olson is proud of the board for being able to take the information given, have meaningful conversations, and make hard decisions on behalf of the citizens they represent. The Kewaunee County Finance and Public Property Committee meeting on Thursday begins at 8 a.m. at the Kewaunee County Administration building.

While enjoying a taste of the past, you can listen to how Destination Door County hopes to impact the future positively. The organization will host a stewardship plan presentation before the "Bookmobile, Books, and Booyah" event on September 14th, hosted by the Belgian Heritage Center and the Door County Bookmobile. Destination Door County unveiled the stewardship plan in April to help guide tourism strategy and investment and identify opportunities for the county's 19 distinctive communities and its business leaders to take advantage of in the future. Destination Door County Community Engagement Manager Amanda Stuck says the feedback on the stewardship plan has been overwhelmingly positive as the organization becomes more involved in area issues like workforce development, affordable housing, and the environment. She adds that sharing information at events like "Bookmobile, Books, and Booyah" is part of that mission.

Stuck says Destination Door County is planning similar events throughout the area to share more of that vision. You can attend the stewardship plan presentation at the Belgian Heritage Center on September 14th at 10 a.m. before attending the "Bookmobile, Books, and Booyah" event at the Belgian Heritage Center in Brussels.

The fall general election is on November 5th, but the first ballots cast could come as early as later this month. Municipal clerks across the state have until September 19th to get ballots to voters who have already filed their absentee request for the fall election, which has been possible since earlier this year. A couple of clicks of a mouse or a written letter, along with a copy of your photo identification, is all it will take for you to get your absentee ballot if you are already registered to vote. Door County Clerk Jill Lau says if you plan on voting absentee, the earlier you can get the process going, the better for everyone.

You have until October 31st to request an absentee ballot. In-person absentee voting does not begin October 22nd. 

You will see area school districts bubble with activity beginning on Tuesday. That is when the eight school districts of Door and Kewaunee counties will welcome back their students for the first time since late May for some and early June for others. Teachers and other staff members have returned to their respective schools for in-service days over the last two weeks for the upcoming year. Tuesday will also be the first day of school for Dr. Kevin Krutzik of Southern Door and Randi Anderson of Sevastopol, who both began their roles as superintendent for their districts on July 1st. Jesse Brinkmann is beginning his third year at the helm of Algoma School District and has had to toggle between bidding out projects associated with its recently passed referendum and his other duties as superintendent. He says there is a lot of excitement in the district to get the school year underway.

Sturgeon Bay School District Superintendent Dan Tjernagel is the dean of the administrators in Door and Kewaunee counties when it comes to experience as he gets ready for year number 11. He hopes teachers and students get off on the right foot on Tuesday morning.

With the school year starting on Tuesday, local law enforcement is encouraging you to pay extra attention to your driving due to the increased number of pedestrians and school buses in the community.

The unofficial end of summer means fewer opportunities for you to take a trip to and from Washington Island. The Washington Island Ferry will have a new schedule beginning on Tuesday. Trips will run hourly from the island to the mainland from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from the mainland to the island from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  The current schedule has ferries running every 45 minutes beginning at 6:45 a.m. to the mainland and 7:30 a.m.

The new schedule will run from September 3rd to October 20th. Beginning on September 6th, the Washington Island Ferry Line will also reduce the number of Friday night trips from three roundtrips to two. August 30th and September 1st marked the year's last Saturday and Sunday night trips.

One year after they collaborated on an album, two Door County-based performers hope you check them out again this fall. Midsummer's Music announced last month that its Griffon String Quartet would again play alongside Eric Lewis in a series of concerts this fall. The pair played a sold-out show at Northern Sky Theater's Gould Theater last September to promote their collaboration on "Beneath the Waves." Lewis was thrilled with the work, saying, "It is a dream come true to perform this music with such high caliber musicians and to preserve it on record." Midsummer's Music Executive Director Allyson Fleck says it is a privilege to showcase these songs to a broader audience around northeast Wisconsin.

The concerts will take place at 7:00 p.m. on September 13th at the Woodwalk Gallery in Egg Harbor, at 3:00 p.m. on September 14th at the Trueblood Performing Arts Center on Washington Island, and at 7:00 p.m. on September 15th at the Tarlton Theatre in Green Bay.

Wisconsin health officials want you to take proper precautions to protect yourself from mosquitoes after two Wisconsinites died and another was hospitalized last week because of West Nile virus (WNV) illness.

The cases of West Nile Virus occurred in Outagamie, Fond du Lac, and Brown counties. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the virus has also been detected this year in mosquitoes, animals, and healthy blood donors whose blood screened positive for WNV. Earlier this summer, Kewaunee County Public Health Director Cindy Kinnard advised those venturing outside where mosquitos are in the mood to bite to wear the proper clothing and spray themselves.

DHS Bureau of Communicable Diseases Director Traci DeSalvo says that although people with weakened immune systems tend to be at most significant risk, severe West Nile virus can occur in people of all ages. 

The search for good employees in Door County may become even harder to find in the coming years. It was one of the many subjects Door County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Michelle Lawrie touched on during her presentation to the Door County Board last Tuesday. She highlighted their progress halfway through its 2023-2025 strategic plan, which focused on business advancement and advocacy, entrepreneurial growth, sustainable living, and communications and engagement. Part of the presentation previewed a survey conducted by the DCEDC that will be released later this week, touching on workforce challenges. While affordable housing and childcare have already been well-documented, Lawrie says concerns surrounding the high number of retirees coming down the pipeline was one of her big takeaways from the survey results.

In addition to releasing its business survey, the DCEDC is planning a workforce development conference on September 20th. You can watch Lawrie’s presentation below.

You may soon say goodbye to buffering and hello to reliable internet, thanks to potentially millions of dollars being made available in grant funding. Door County Broadband Coordinator Jessica Hatch shared the news with the Door County Board last Tuesday as a part of her prepared remarks. To date, Door County has received more than $8.2 million in Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) broadband expansion grant funding has been awarded, covering over 11,000 locations in the area. Of Door County's 19 municipalities, 10 have grants or municipal self-funding in place, while six have internet service providers (ISP) picked out, but they are trying to line up the financing. The City of Sturgeon Bay is considered served and eligible for additional funding, while the villages of Ephraim and Forestville have not made arrangements yet. What is at stake for the six municipalities with an ISP but no funding is potentially $30 million in BEAD (Broadband Equity Access and Deployment) grants for the county's 7,379 eligible locations. Hatch says time will be of the essence once the maps are finalized.

The first round of BEAD sub granting opens to invited entities and begins on November 1st. Subsequent rounds would open on February 1st, 2025, and April 15th, 2025. You can watch Hatch's full presentation below.

This past week marked a milestone for the jail project. After almost 10 years of planning and numerous revisions to the project plans, the initiative was formally shelved. About a year ago, the plans for the new facility were accepted by the county board, followed by a failed motion to fund the project. This began a year of revisiting the project scope and the process that got us to that point.

Last month, we engaged with a consultant to provide us with a contract to serve as an Owner’s Representative to review once again all of the work that had been done thus far and make recommendations for moving forward. At this week’s County Board meeting, the resolution to approve that contract failed, thus putting this project into a state of inconclusion.

One of the main driving forces to this action, or lack thereof, is a matter that I have shared many times throughout the past decade: the need for adequate staffing. When we embarked upon this project, the ability to ramp up for the necessary staffing in this new facility was not a major concern, however, what we have seen in the past few years is a widespread shortage of qualified candidates throughout our discipline. As our experienced Deputies have transitioned into retirement or, in some cases, switched career paths altogether, we have seen the pool of potential employees dwindle. This is important as we can not and should not proceed with a project dependent on staffing for basic operations until that staffing is solidified.

Another driving force to our current state is the misinformation and misunderstanding of what I, as Sheriff, can and cannot do regarding the housing of inmates. After numerous presentations and reports, there are some that demand we ship all of our inmates out of county or that we put them on electronic monitoring in lieu of housing them. This is neither possible nor logical. Some feel our facility is adequate and just needs some cosmetic fixes. The deficiencies of our current facility go well beyond cosmetics. Our current facility's mere design and configuration have been and continue to be the greatest source of concern and risk.

With all of that being said, the reality is we will remain in our current facility for the foreseeable future. This will result in addressing the numerous deficiencies the State identified in our current facility. Knowing that once we can arrive at the proper staffing levels in the next few years, we will once again move forward with this project, we intend to do the absolute minimum to maintain the safest possible environment for both the inmates in our care as well as the Deputies who provide that care. We owe a great deal of appreciation to those men and women who continue to work in this current facility with all of its limitations and inherent risks. This is not the outcome I anticipated or hoped for when we began this journey many years ago. While I will not be Sheriff when (Not If) this project is once again embarked upon, I will do my best maintain and transition as much knowledge and documentation so that any future efforts are not once again starting from scratch.

I want to thank the County Board members who spent many hours in Committee meetings and study groups reviewing countless pages of data and information. I also want to thank those members who asked thoughtful questions to better inform themselves about the many details of this project.