Welcome to Door County's Quick and Happy read. In addition to this week's front page articles found below, we invite you to enjoy over 700 stories from all past issues of the magazine, contained in our archives. Use the search fields below to find what you're interested in.
Dear Skipper, I'm
12 and I need help making some New Year's Resolutions. My parents are
making some, but I really don't know how to do this. I thought maybe if
you shared yours I could get some good ideas. So what are yours? And are
there some that would work for a girl my age? Love, Jessica Sister Bay
Dear Jessica, I
am so glad that you want to make New Year’s Resolutions! It is good to
look at your life and see what things you are doing that you really
like and what things you want to add to your life. There may also be
things that you are doing that you wish you would not do (like say
unkind things to a classmate or brother or sister). Here are some tips
for making New Year’s Resolutions:
Dear Skipper, We
like to see all the birds that come to our bird feeder, especially in
the winter. Our cats enjoy watching! But we have squirrels that come
and eat all the birdseed in 30 seconds. They are big pigs. No matter
what we do they seem to find their way into the feeders. Do you have
any ideas about how to solve this problem without being mean to the
squirrels or to the birds? Love Cynnie Greene, Maine
Dear Cynnie, First of all, thanks for having a bird feeder in your backyard to help feed the birds!
Dear Skipper: Many of the birds I usually see in Door County are gone. They migrated south for the winter months. But
I keep seeing lots and lots of Blue Jays and some other types of birds
at the feeder in our backyard. Why are these birds still here and do
they stay all winter? Your friend, Margaret Sturgeon Bay
Dear Skipper,
I love to celebrate Halloween, but I need some good ideas for a
costume. Do you have any clever, easy to make costumes that you could
suggest? Thanks! Have a happy Halloween, Skipper! Your friend, Charlotte K. DePere, WI
Dear Skipper: I have a nature
question for you, since I know you love the outdoors. The other day I
saw a brown and black caterpillar crawliing along our driveway. I'm not
sure where he was going, but he was moving fast!
My Dad came out of
the house to see this little creature. He said it was a Woolly Bear
caterpillar and that they can predict how bad the winter will be by
their colors. But then he didn't know how you can tell.
Dear Skipper,
I love fall. I like how the air smells and the cooler temperatures and
the blustery wind. I have a question for you about the leaves. Why do
they change color in the fall? Please tell me.
I am starting school next week and I am really nervous. What if
the work is too hard and I do not do well in school? I am worried about
my grades. I want to do well, but I am scared.
Dear Skipper the Otter, I
need some help solving a problem. I have a friend named Tommy. I like
to play with him because we both like sports and he is really fun and
funny. One thing I do not like is that when we are together, he
sometimes says mean things about other boys and girls we know. This
makes me feel uncomfortable. I feel funny saying something to him
because I do not want him to be mad at me. But, I feel funny not saying
something to him because I feel like I am being mean to my friends if I
do not stick up for them. What should I do? From, Carter J. Luxemburg, WI
Dear Skipper:
I need your advice. My mom is helping me to organize my schedule for
fall. I like to play soccer, but I have several friends who are signing
up for dance class. I like being with my friends and do not want to
feel left out of their dance class. But, I like soccer and I want to
keep getting better at it. My mom says I need to choose one, because
they meet at the same time. What do you think I should do?
My family loves the water. We would like to go kayaking or
canoeing when we come to Door County on our vacation next month. Can
you recommend a place to rent equipment? What are some family friendly
and beautiful places to explore the water? Have you ever been kayaking
or canoeing?
Thanks for your help in making our vacation full of nature, scenery and fun! I love you, Skipper!
Dear Skipper, We
are camping in Peninsula State Park next weekend. Can you please
recommend a fun trail for my family to hike? My family loves to be
outside. The kids in our family are 10, 12 and 14 years old. My
brother likes a challenge and would like a hike that has a lot of climbs
and drops. Otherwise he gets bored just walking along. I like a pretty
view when I am hiking. What can you recommend for us? Sincerely, Addyson 12 years old Ripon, Wisconsin
Dear Skipper: Are there any places to ride a pony or a horse in Door County? My whole family rides, and we enjoy nature trails and stuff. Please write back. Your column is awesome. Thanks, Molly Age 12, Fond du Lac
Dear Skipper, My
family loves Door County and we like to be outside. What are your
favorite places to hike in the area? We would love some suggestions for
nice nature spots to hike and explore. Thanks! Your friend, Molly, age 9 Milwaukee, WI
Dear Skipper: Our
family is visiting Door County this coming July. There are four of us
boys, ages 10, 12, 13, and 15. We want to ride go karts one of the days.
Do you know if there are any go kart tracks in Door County? Our Dad
will probably want to ride too. We
like your column. It always has something interesting being discussed.
Keep up the good work, Skipper! You are an awesome reporter. Rock on, Robbie Age 15, Milwaukee
Dear Skipper:
I am wondering who your favorite musicians are. What kind of music do you like? Which artists are your favorites? Do you like Justin Bieber?
Do you have an iPod? Do otters go to concerts and just hang out with friends and listen to stuff?
Full-service gas station in the 1950's. Photo courtesy Wikipedia
Dear Skipper:
The other day I heard my grandma and grandpa talking about full-service
gas stations. We were on our way up to Fish Creek to visit some friends,
and we stopped to get gas. There was a sign on the pumps that read
"Self-Serve." Actually that's all I have ever seen at any gas station.
Then there is a little building where you can buy candy and other stuff.
So Skipper, what is a "full-service gas station" and where is one? What
am I missing? Do they have more food and drinks in them or what?
Dear Skipper: I'm
not a kid anymore at 29+ years old, but I have a question I've always
wondered about since I was a youngster. Here it is: We often see
squirrels running along power lines and even scampering across high
voltage transformers high atop utility poles. How come they don't get a
shock or even electrocuted by doing this? Do you know the answer or can you look into this for me? Surely other people have wondered too. Thanks
for writing your column. It's enjoyable, and I like the diversity of
subjects you are covering with your answers. I hope more kids (and
grownups!) write to you. Have a nice spring. I think it is finally here. Sincerely, Bonnie J. Kewaunee
Dear Skipper: I think you are cool. Since you are
outdoors a lot of the time, you probably see quite a few rainbows. I am
wondering what causes a rainbow. Sometimes they are in the sky after it
rains. Why do we see them and why are there so many nice colors? Your friend, Jessica, Sturgeon Bay Age 8
Dear Skipper: This week I thought I
heard a lot more birds outside. Did you hear them too? For sure I heard
some chickadees singing that "chick-a-dee-dee-dee" song. I think
chickadees stay around here all winter long. Why would they be singing
and making other noises a little more than usual these days? Is it a
sign of spring? What other birds
have you heard yourself? Are birds that migrated south for the winter
starting to come back? Isn't it a little early?
Our family is coming to Door County for a few days vacation in July. We
are renting a cottage in Fish Creek. What do you recommend for us kids?
My big brother Joey is 15, my sister Brianna is 12, and I have a little
brother Sam, age 6. My parents aren't sure if there is enough to do for
the whole family. What places do you enjoy for having fun and learning
stuff? Where should we eat that is not too expensive?
Our fourth grade class goes out to recess every day, and a bunch of us
girls like to play a special game with a ball on the parts of the
playground that are not full of snow. The boys usually make snow forts
but now there is not enough snow left to do that. So, three of them are
always running through our spot and disrupting our game. They go back
and forth doing this until the playground supervisor yells at them. But
they keep doing it every day this week and it is very annoying. What do
you think we should do? One girl thinks we should go over and wreck
their snow fort, but it is melting anyway.
Your friend,
Jessica, Fish Creek
Dear Skipper: I am wondering what otters eat. And how do they get their food? What happens in the winter? Do they hibernate? You are a cool otter...you rock! Love, Jacob Grade 1, Sturgeon Bay
Dear Skipper,
My parents just got me a cell phone so I can stay in touch with them
when at school and especially during after school activities. I'm a
freshman this year. Do you think it's ok to send text messages to my
friends or even my mom during class? Some kids do this a lot and I am
just wondering. By the way, I love your glasses ... you look a little
like Harry Potter.
Thank you for your advice.
Your friend,
Brianna, Green Bay
In
keeping with modern business practices requiring workers to take mandatory
furloughs from their job even when there is plenty of work to be done,
Skipper is on furlough this week. He was last seen frolicking in the
Kewaunee River with his little friends. Skipper's column returns next
week. You really otter check it out!
Skipper's
expertise is in life outdoors, but he will also address questions about
other topics such as food, school issues, sports, getting along with
others, family pets, etc. So what's your question?
Dear Skipper: How
are you? Did you know that Groundhog Day was last week? I don't
understand how this works. Why do people believe a groundhog about the
weather? When did this start and why is it a ground hog and not some
other animal like maybe a bear, a chipmunk, or a mouse? I bet you wish
it was an otter. Your friend, Brandon, age 8 Sevastopol
Dear Skipper: Do
you know where the best places to swim are in Door County? Being an
otter, I thought you might know where some good spots are. I bet you're a
great swimmer too. My family is coming to Door County in June, and we
are staying at the Landmark Resort in Egg Harbor. They have indoor and
outdoor pools there, which will be fun, but my little sister and I want
to find a beach where we can swim and maybe build a sand castle. Thank
you Skipper for answering and I love your new column! Jason W., Grade 5, Appleton
Dear Skipper: I have saved up almost $30 from my allowance from several months and some money I got for Christmas from my gramma. My parents think I should save it in my bank account. But i really want to buy something for myself that I have always wanted. I'm a fourth grader. What do you think I should do? Your friend, Brittany M, Sister Bay
Dear Skipper, I am very happy to read that a non-human creature is going to be writing stories and publishing them on the web.
So
here is my question. When I go hiking or playing in some of the wilder
places in Door County, do you think I might see or get chased by a wolf?
Skipper the Otter is now hard at work in Door County after a busy year at the Kewaunee County Star-News, where he served in a variety of capacities.
He recently accepted a position as columnist at the Door County
Travelers Journal, where he will answer questions about a variety of topics as posed
by kids who write to him.
Updated constantly ... What's going on in Door County
Welcome to DoorCountyTravelersJournal.com!
If you are looking for interesting places to visit and things to do, you're in the right place. This online magazine features articles that help you get the most out of your vacation in Wisconsin's magical Door Peninsula. Get useful visitor information and be sure to check out our Kids Edition to find places that children like to go. The opinions and recommendations herein are solely those of our contributing writers. Event information subject to change without notice.
We also publish articles of interest to local residents. Submissions and story ideas are welcome.
