It’s
often said that the famous Wizard of Oz story has a lot to say about
life and what’s really important to people as they make their life
journey. All we need to do is look carefully at the dilemma (and
ultimate resolution) faced by the principal characters of the tale. The
Scarecrow seeks a brain, the Tinman seeks a heart, the Cowardly Lion
wishes for more courage, and Dorothy really wants to go home, where all
is well.
Holly Olm’s life
journey has been full of challenges, both physical and emotional, but
lately an abundant amount of resolution has enveloped her body and
spirit, and all this goodness is heard in her musical compositions and
felt by anyone listening to her mellow voice and soothing sounds flowing
from her richly-toned guitar.
Berserk loved the
water. Of all the inhabitants of Jacksonport, she was the one most
likely to be seen walking the beach that wistfully wrapped the easterly
border of this gorgeous place with liquid joy. At least most of the
time. Upon rare occasion, the glistening tranquility of Lake Michigan
would stir up with a vengeance and result in pain, suffering, and
sorrow. Shipwrecks. Drownings. But not today. It was bright and sunny
but gusty with the following winds from the finally-departed front that
had drenched the Door Peninsula for almost a week. Berserk reveled in
the weather change, happily removing her stockings and shoes. She loved
to walk barefooted along the point at which the waves broke on the sandy
shore, savoring the scratchy sand slowly squishing between her slender,
skinny toes.
Harvest time was back in full swing. The past weekend was especially
trying for area farmers. Some crops had been ruined, but there was hope
for the squash, pumpkins, beets, and tomatoes. Ben, as Bernard liked to
be called, was out with their father on this rescue mission, his leaky
boots sinking in the mud. "Wet socks again, dad burn it," he thought to
himself. The strong autumn wind in his face was refreshing but was
becoming somewhat annoying as the work day progressed. It seemed sharp
and chilly, a sober reminder that the season was soon to change.
Ber's chores on the
farm had been completed. She had fed the horses and chickens and helped
Mama with the laundry. School lessons were sure to be in disarray after
yesterday's sudden demise of the old schoolmaster.
Six
graduating seniors from Gibraltar High School are showing their
gratitude to the community by performing a benefit concert for the
Scandia Village Capital Funds campaign. The concert will take place on
Wednesday, June 12, 7 p.m at Ephraim Moravian Church, 9970 Moravia
Street, Ephraim, WI.
Tickle
and tantalize your taste buds at Sip & Savor, Sister Bay’s newest
event on the waterfront, June 8! Try your hands at kayaking or stand up
paddleboarding at Paddlefest from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., sponsored by Bay
Shore Outfitters.
From 12-4 p.m., swirl and sample wine and hard cider from 6 Door County
wineries: Harbor Ridge, Island Orchard Cider, Orchard Country, Red Oak,
Simon Creek, and Von Stiehl. Savor cheese from Door County
cheesemakers: Door County Creamery, Renards and Schoolhouse Artisan
cheese. And learn more about cheese and wine during demonstrations by
the professionals throughout the afternoon. Taste your way
through Sister Bay restaurants’ select menu items during the Taste of
Sister Bay. Tickets are $10 for wine and cheese, $10 for food at Taste
of Sister Bay, $5 for kids 10 and younger.
Joe Kelly
stared blankly out the kitchen window with a long face. Gus was already
waiting to come inside the back door, slowly wagging his black
half-tail. Rain was pouring down in sheets and making pinging sounds on
the window panes and flat roof of the back side of the Kelly home near
downtown Jacksonport. Joe hurriedly poured hot black coffee from a large
metal pot into a stained porcelain cup.
“Well, Millie, I sure
wouldn't be surprised if Father Jameson preaches about that ark and that
Noah person again this morning,” he muttered to himself. “Millie, my
dear, you downstairs yet?" He took a big sip of coffee and looked up,
his eyes catching the date on the wall calendar above the kitchen
counter ... Sunday, October 14, 1917. Kelly shook his head in disgust
with the continued miserable weather that had disrupted harvest
activities all over Door County, Wisconsin.
Last year
around this time we started a Kickstarter campaign to help us renovate
an old storage space into a working theatre. Because of the overwhelming
success of that campaign, we not only met our financial goal, but met
our overall goal of opening our new theatre to the public.
Now
that big storage space is home to a beautiful, 84-seat theatre, and Door
County's newest professional theatre troupe, TAP's Stage Door Theatre
Company.
Our goal this time is a bit more modest, but
nonetheless urgent. We are looking to raise funds to cover costs for
our season opener, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, the great American classic play
by Tennessee Williams, making our Kickstarter donors the major sponsors
for this production.
The Door
County Economic Development Corporation announced Tuesday that the
Wienke Family, owners of Wienke's Market in Southern Door County, are
the winners of the tenth annual Door County Entrepreneur of the Year
Award. The announcement came during the DCEDC annual investors meeting
at Stone Harbor Resort & Conference Center in Sturgeon Bay.
Wienke's Market has been a family owned-and operated business for over
35 years. Don and Jane Wienke moved to their unique Door County
farmstead in 1967. When their hobby garden became too large for their
family, they started selling their bountiful crops in a roadside stand.
Blemished fruit and vegetables were canned and preserved by both Don and
Jane's mothers. In 1982 their barn was converted into a market.
The Door
County Economic Development Corporation announced Tuesday that Renard's
Cheese Store & Deli is the winner of the Door County Industry of the
Year Award. The annual award recognizes a local construction, service
or manufacturing business that has made a substantial impact on the
community and enjoyed significant accomplishments during the past year.
The announcement came during the DCEDC annual investors meeting at Stone
Harbor Resort & Conference Center in Sturgeon Bay.
Renard's
Cheese is a family owned and operated business that is now on its third
generation of cheesemakers. Over the past 51 years, Renard's Cheese has
become an iconic Door County business, and is on a trajectory to
successfully build upon that status for many years to come. Though many
things have changed throughout the years, their commitment to producing
quality, gourmet, and handcrafted cheeses has never wavered.
Midsummer's
Music will host the first Door County concert in the 2013 chamber music
season featuring the world famous Pro Arte Quartet on Thursday, May 9.
The concert will be held at the Ephraim Moravian Church at 7:30 PM. Pro
Arte will delight the audience with a classic repertoire. Tickets are
priced at $25 for adults and $10 for students. Reservations are
recommended, as it is always a popular and often sold out event.
Pro Arte Quartet is the only quartet in the world to have reached
legendary longevity. The ensemble has been in continuous existence since
1911-1912, when its founding students at the Brussels Conservatory in
Belgium organized the group. Two of the current members of the quartet
are also regular members of Midsummer's Music, violinist David Perry and
violist Sally Chisholm. They are joined by violinist Suzanna Beia and
cellist Parry Karp. All hold positions at UW-Madison.
Paul Salm and son Finn, with business partner Matt Koehler.
The new
owner of The Cornerstone Pub, well he was new in 2010, along with his
business partner whom he met in junior high, says, “I feel that I’m a
steward of this property; it has a rich history.”
Paul Salm and
Matt Koehler have already been adopted by this Northern Door community
where the former Weisgerbers’ restaurant and pub enjoyed the loyalty of a
large group of regulars and also the admiration of summer visitors.
Selvick Marine tugboat Jimmy L assists 1000 ft. freighter James R. Barker through Sturgeon Bay bridges.
Due to a snowstorm in
February, the Door County Maritime Museum’s popular Speaker Series
extends into the spring this year. Weather postponed the scheduled
program by George Houde, one of the executive producers of last summer’s
“Great Lake Warriors” television series on the History Channel.
Never fear, the program has been rescheduled for Thursday, April 4, at the Sturgeon Bay museum beginning at 7 p.m.
Stage Door Theater Company presents "The Rainmaker".
The Stage
Door Theatre Company continues its series of informal staged readings
of classic and contemporary plays with THE RAINMAKER by N. Richard Nash
on Sunday afternoon, April 7 at 2 pm.
Admission to the readings is free, although donations will be gratefully accepted.
A classic romantic
comedy set against the sweeping landscape of the American West. On her
family's drought-ridden ranch, Lizzie's hopes and dreams have run as dry
as the barren fields. When the irresistible Starbuck arrives in town,
selling the promise of rain, Lizzie must decide: is he a con man, or
does he hold the key to everything she desires?
Gibraltar students Ben Anderson and Carl Witteborg.
Over
1,000 Marketing Education Students were involved in 46 different
competitive events at the State DECA Career Development Conference in
Lake Geneva recently. Gibraltar’s team of Ben Anderson and Carl
Witteborg competed in the Sports and Entertainment Marketing Promotion
Plan event. They researched and developed a promotion plan for the Red
Putter. They placed 7th overall in the State of Wisconsin. The contest
involved written examinations in marketing and the proposal
presentation to a business executive.
Their written proposal and professional presentation earned a 99 out of
100 score. Their judge is quoted as saying, “This is a very doable
proposal. These young men know what they’re talking about and have a
very professional proposal.” DECA is an international marketing
organization for students learning marketing, entrepreneurship and
management skills in high school. Anderson and Witteborg worked with
business professionals and their advisor to develop their presentation.
My own “Y
Story” started when I was just two years old. My family had recently
moved to Door County and my mom took me to the Y to join and sign me up
for a toddler gym class. Now, fifteen years later, the Y is a big part
of my life. I have participated in everything from Saturday soccer, to
after school sports, to a homeschool gym class, to swim lessons, to
Pilates, and so much more. As a homeschooled student, the Y has been a
big part of my family’s physical activity as well as a place where we
have met many of our friends.
This year, I am honored to serve
as a youth member on the YMCA board as well as an official Y employee.
My volunteer work as a dance teaching assistant has grown into my job as
a head dance teacher for some of the smallest Y members. I enjoy being a
Y employee and I also enjoy my visits to the Y several times each week
to take classes, to volunteer for a program, or just to exercise.
Doug
Mancheski and Amy Ensign star in this unique imaginative, and romantic
love story. The play opens Thursday, February 14 in the Studio Theater
at TAP.
LOVE LETTERS centers on the long distance relationship
of Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III as seen through 50
years of letters filled with hopes and ambitions, dreams and
disappointments, victories and defeats - that have passed between them
throughout their separated lives.
The Door
County Maritime Museum’s popular Speaker Series resumes Thursday, Feb.
7, with a program presented by George Houde, one of the executive
producers of last summer’s “Great Lake Warriors” television series on
the History Channel.
The eight-installment series centered on
tug operations on the western Great Lakes. At the center of the series
was John Selvick, whose family is synonymous with tug boats on the
Sturgeon Bay waterfront. Both Selvick’s Calumet River Fleeting operation
in Chicago and Selvick tugs in Sturgeon Bay were featured in the weekly
program.
Door
Community Auditorium’s popular winter event series is well underway and
will continue this weekend with a mainstage Coffeehouse Concert by
acclaimed New York City singer-songwriter Freedy Johnston on Saturday
night, and a lecture about Chinese political trends on Saturday morning.
Lecture: Chinese Politics
On
Saturday, February 9, at 9 a.m., the DCA’s Distinguished Lecture Series
will offer a lecture entitled “Recent Trends in Chinese Politics,”
presented by Dr. Wayne Patterson, professor of history at St. Norbert
College.
Door Community Auditorium
(DCA) has announced the final installments of its popular winter “Movies at the
Door” Series, which will take place three more Friday nights this season:
February 8, February 22, and March 1. Movies at the Door screenings take place
at 7 p.m. and are free to the public; freewill donations are accepted and
encouraged.
On Friday, February 8,
DCA presents Frankenweenie, Tim
Burton’s hit 2012 stop-motion fantasy film. Warmly received by critics and
audiences alike, Frankenweenie is the
story of Victor, a young boy who loses his dog and tries to resurrect him using
the power of science.
“My
favorite part of dance class is dressing up for class. I love dressing
up!” says five year old Sydney Hatton, wearing a kitty cat costume with a
pink tutu. Sydney is a student of the Sturgeon Bay YMCA’s “All-Star
Dance School.”
With 105 students currently enrolled in the
program, the dance school is one of the largest programs at the Sturgeon
Bay Y, and is also a big part of the community.
It’s
“Door County Reads” time again, thanks to support from the Door County
Library Foundation, the Friends of Door County Libraries, library staff
members, volunteers from community organizations and businesses! Start
the year by reading the book that hundreds of others in Door County will
be reading.
Beginning January 2, at your local Door County
Library, pick up a free copy of “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice” by Laurie
R. King as long as supplies last. Extra copies of the book will be
available for check-out through the library catalog at InfoSoup.org.
The
Peninsula Music Festival’s February Fest will take place on two
consecutive Saturdays starting AFTER the Super Bowl. Mark your calendars
for Saturday, February 9 and Saturday, February 16 at 2:00 p.m.
The
concerts will be held at Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church on Highway
42 at the top of the Ellison Bay hill.
Reading, writing and arithmetic, according to an old song, were taught to the tune of a hickory stick.
Well, we’ve come a long way from the one-room schoolhouse where there
were no electives and the basics were revered. But among the three,
reading is generally more loved than writing or math.
Here in Door County, home each year to Door County Reads, a multi-town
project where people agree to read the same book in the midst of winter,
yes, here there is a kind of reading maven.
The Door
County Visitor Bureau is inviting residents and visitors to drop off new
or gently used coats, sweaters, hats, mittens and other warm clothing
items as part of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s “The Big Bundle
Up” campaign. “The Big Bundle Up” is a statewide collection program
running from Dec. 3, 2012 – Jan. 4, 2013.
Last year’s first-ever
mitten collection program was an enormous success.
American Folklore
Theatre (AFT) has announced the release of the 2012 World Premiere,
Victory Farm, album featuring the original cast recorded live in
Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, Wisconsin.
"The buzz for
Victory Farm was great all summer long and we are so pleased to be able
to offer this CD to our fans." said Holly Feldman, Manager of Marketing
and Audience Development. The Victory Farm CD is currently available for
order on the AFT website at www.FolkloreTheatre.com.
The Egg
Harbor Business Association (EHBA) announces this year’s Frosty Fest
schedule to include Egg Harbor’s New Year’s Day parade, a one-mile Icy
Fun Run and great New Year’s holiday shopping specials. Egg Harbor is
sure to be the desired family-friendly place for zany fun this holiday
season!
The village of Egg Harbor comes to life on January 1 at
1:00 pm for the 35th annual New Year’s Day Parade. There’s an open
invitation to virtually anyone to join the Egg Harbor New Year’s Day
parade. The parade lineup begins at Stella Maris Parish, 7710 Hwy 42 in
downtown Egg Harbor. The parade runs north through the village from
Harbor School Road to County Hwy E. Parking is available on Church
Street. There is no formal registration required.
L to R: Isaiah Spetz, Josie Morkin, Andrew Olson, and Becky Thoma rehearse a scene from “The Birds’ Christmas Carol”.
One of
the greatest things about Door County is the many artistic opportunities
available for people of all ages. The Third Avenue Playhouse has
created an opportunity of excellent quality with the addition of the
StageKids theater company.
StageKids is Door County’s newest community
theater company, featuring plays and workshops for children and teens
from the community. It is also a terrific chance for children to be able
to act with more experienced adults.
Door
County residents who hesitate to travel about the county during nasty
weather will appreciate the option of a low cost, shared ride option
offered by Door 2 Door Rides.
In the past, Door County had been
faced with the challenge of a lack of affordable, accessible public
transportation for its residents and visitors. A true year-round public
transportation system had simply not been available – especially if the
rider required transportation in a wheelchair.
After
receiving rave reviews for her performance last year at Door Community
Auditorium, powerhouse vocalist Ruthie Foster will bring her
unmistakable brand of fiery blues back to DCA on Saturday, November 24,
at 7 p.m.
The Grammy-nominated Foster weaves the heat of Memphis soul,
the redemption of American gospel, and the groove of southern blues into
a rich musical tapestry that is all her own. The Boston Globe writes,
“When someone with real chops like Ruthie Foster steps up, attention
must be paid.”
American
Folklore Theatre (AFT) has announced its line up for the 2013 Summer and
Fall Seasons in Door County, Wisconsin.
"This is by far the
earliest we have ever had the privilege of announcing our season," said
Artistic Director Jeffrey Herbst. "Because AFT creates new musicals
year after year, our workshop process can sometimes take us well into
January before we can officially put a show on the docket for that
summer."
The Egg
Harbor Business Association (EHBA) announces this year’s Holly Days Festival to be held the weekend of Thanksgiving, November 23 and 24. The
event is to kick off the official Christmas shopping season with a
little family fun, lots of holiday decorations and festive activities
for all ages.
The event starts with Breakfast with Santa at the Landmark Resort on Friday, November 23 from 8:30 to 10:30 am.
A packed box with items for a Door County soldier.
When the
kids in the middle school and high school youth groups at Hope Church
found out about The Door County Adopt-a-Soldier program, they wanted to
get involved. It all started when high school youth group co-leader, Sue
Ann Hubbard discovered the program. “I found out about the program and I
thought it would be meaningful for our youth groups because it involves
helping soldiers from Door County.” Hubbard invited the local
Adopt-a-Soldier’s founder, Nancy Hutchinson, to come to youth group one
Wednesday night to talk to the kids about the program and what they
could do to help.
Recently,
Sturgeon Bay High School students came together to celebrate school
pride as a part of their annual Homecoming Week. Throughout the week,
each class competes for points. Everything counts- from the number of
people participating in dress up days, to window and float designs, to
the grade that represents this year’s theme the best. The four grades
take this very seriously, portraying the theme of Rockin’ Red the best
they can, and hoping to come out on top. The prize? The spirit stick of
course! The class with the most points and school spirit in the end wins
the honor of claiming the spirit stick for themselves.
Planning
for the 2013 season is well underway and we couldn't be more excited for
what's in store for our audiences next summer. Along with the selection
of two plays never performed by Door Shakespeare, we are also
introducing a new model of artistic leadership: bringing multiple
like-minded artists together to create a team of Artistic Associates.
The four actors, directors, and scholars we've assembled represent a
broad spectrum of talent and experience, and all agree that Door
Shakespeare is a place to challenge, engage, and enchant with thrilling,
fresh productions.
The Door
County Maritime Museum kicks off its 2012-2013 Maritime Speaker Series
Saturday evening, November 10, at 7 pm with a presentation by Dr. Lawson
Brigham at the museum in Sturgeon Bay.
Brigham is one of the
country’s leading experts on Arctic studies. He is currently the
Professor of Geography & Arctic Policy at the University of
Alaska-Fairbanks. A career U.S. Coast Guard officer, he commanded four
Coast Guard cutters, including the polar icebreaker Polar Sea. His
presentation will be a homecoming of sorts since Brigham was the first
commanding officer of the Mobile Bay, which is home ported in Sturgeon
Bay.
Third
Avenue Playhouse will hold its annual fundraising banquet on Friday,
November 30 at the Draft Haus Banquet Hall, Sturgeon Bay, from 5:30 -
10:00 pm.
Join us in celebrating the past year at the Third
Avenue Playhouse, with performances from musicians and actors who have
performed on TAP's stages in the last 12 months. Join the party at 5:30
and mingle at the cash bar.
Bid on dozens of silent auction
items donated by Door County businesses. Enjoy a delicious buffet
dinner, hear a brief update on TAP, then enjoy an evening of
entertainment! Door Prizes will be awarded throughout the evening.
Dr.
Melissa Nelson knows Door County. She also knows Lame Deer, Montana and
various locales in India, Nepal, Japan, Alaska and New Zealand.
As a self-professed pioneer who is impassioned about enabling young
professionals to move forward in the healing arts and also a strong
proponent of women’s rights and related issues, she explains, “There is
so much polarization and reactive behavior today. I believe it’s
important to start with young women and to model for them and encourage
them to step into their power.”
The Door
County Humane Society (DCHS) recently announced expansion plans to
increase its building size by 6735 square feet at a cost of $1.2
million, including renovation of the current 5300 square foot building.
The shelter, located at 3475 County Road PD across from Cherryland
Airport, was built in 1999 to house 28 cats and 28 dogs.
As of October
17, there are 131 cats and 8 dogs at the Humane Society. Through nine
months, the Humane Society has cared for 82 more animals than the same
period last year. Total 2012 intake is anticipated to exceed 700
animals.
For its
Fall 2012 Book & Author program, the Friends of Door County
Libraries will host Bryan Gruley, award-winning author of the Starvation
Lake mystery series.
Gruley will talk about his writing and
sign copies of his books at two events: 7:00 pm on Friday, October 26 at
the Miller Art Museum, 107 S. 4th Avenue in Sturgeon Bay, and at 10:00
am on Saturday, October 27 at the Sister Bay Liberty Grove Fire Station,
2258 Mill Road, Sister Bay.
The Door
County Maritime Museum will add more festivity to the holiday season
this year with a new event that is expected to fill the Sturgeon Bay
museum and its galleries with decorated Christmas trees.
The “Merry-Time Festival of Trees” will run from November 17 through
December 11 and will feature artificial trees decorated by local
organizations and businesses.
Painters
become tour guides as they direct viewers down visual paths in the
exhibition, "Travels Within the Frame," on display from November 9 -
December 30, at Peninsula School of Art, 3900 County Road F, Fish Creek.
Using both narratives and diagrams placed alongside each of their
paintings, artists demonstrate how they control the movement of a
viewer's eyes through composition, color and value.
The
Wisconsin artists include: Terrence Coffman, Emmett Johns, Bonnie Paruch
and Peggy Zalucha. The other featured artists include: Judith Bergerson
(MN), Greg LaRock (CA), and Kathleen Newman (IL).
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.
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