Door County offers the traveler so much to do in summer. Sometimes it's overwhelming to figure out what to do when ... there's so much choice! Let us help you find some fun things to do. Check out our articles! Our kids section pays particular attention to what kids might want to do during their visit. After all, it's their vacation too, right? We're working on several feature articles to be published soon, and we'll be covering as many of the festivals this year as we can. Look for write-ups and lots of photos. Why not bookmark this site for future reference? See you in Door County, where every season charms the spirit.
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Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Copyright 2008
For those of us old enough to remember drive in movie theatres, we’re also old enough to remember when they began to disappear. Having grown up near Chicago, a double screen drive in theatre was one of our favorite family destinations. Sadly, the majority of the drive in theatres that once existed no longer do. In Wisconsin, the number of drive ins has dropped from sixty-five to just ten. One such gem is the Skyway Drive In located between Fish Creek and Ephraim.
Founded by Orville and Elton Voeks, the Skyway was their second theatre business, having founded the Lake Cinema in Baileys Harbor. Unfortunately, after just over fifty years of business, Lake Cinema, one of the last Quonset Hut-style theatres left in the country, was sold in 2000 and torn down in 2001 after changing hands for sixth time.
Luckily for us, who have fond memories of drive in theatres or have yet to experience one, the Skyway did not meet the same fate. Built as a single screen theatre, the Skyway Drive In began operation on July 26, 1950, and has been operational continually ever since, making it the second longest running drive in theatre in Wisconsin.
"Wine is sunlight held together by water." ~ Galileo
In 1976, the world of wine was turned upside down when California beat France in a blind taste test. It began with a dream, turned into perfection of process, a few other events that turned nicely into a "based on a true story" movie, and resulted in a chardonnay that rocked the foundation of wine culture. "You mark my words," Alan Rickman (as sommelier Steven Spurrier) states, "we’ll be drinking wines from South American, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, India, China ... this is not the end ... this is just the beginning."
As Cole Porter once sang , “Another opening, another show.” When it comes to Peninsula Players, Theatre in a Garden, it is more like three days. Three days to tear down one show, and put up another. A simple task? Far from it.
One of the greatest things about Peninsula Players is the family feel you can’t help but notice upon stepping onto the grounds – from the interns to the crew to the recurring actors – Peninsula Players is a place of family. Everyone pitches in – to pull out carpet staples from the floor, to tag costumes for the next show, gathering props and hanging lights. It takes everyone to make this miraculous change in just seventy-two hours. And when the new show starts, it is hard to believe another stage, another cast, another show existed in this very space.
But that is just part of the magic that is Peninsula Players.
Ross Partridge and Kathryn Aselton dry off and warm up after a tumble in the snow with the help of the Feed the Fish crew
Door County has always been known for its beautiful scenery and cute shops, delicious cherries and tasty wine, its many lighthouses and bicycle trails. Now, though, Door County will be known for something else as well – films.
If you’ve been in Door County in the last month or so, you may have seen men and women walking around, bundled up in snow pants, thick jackets with hand warmers stuffed into their pockets, carrying cameras, lighting equipment and gaffers tape. But did you know they are shooting the feature film Feed the Fish? Written and directed by Michael Matzdorff, Feed the Fish is a romantic comedy that takes place in Door County, and will feature several well-known Door County locations such as The Viking Grill in Ellison Bay and the Skyway Drive-In between Fish Creek and Ephraim on State Highway 42.
The Door Community Auditorium is pleased and excited to present its 19th season’s summer/fall schedule.“Each year we strive to enrich and entertain through a wide variety of performance opportunities, and this year is no exception,” said Patti Podgers, DCA public relations manager. “Our program director Pete Evans has done a fabulous job of selecting performances for every musical taste and every age."
“It’s a great line-up, everything from comedy to country, stirring marches and the joy of children’s singing; everyone is going to enjoy our shows this season.It’s going to be a powerful season of entertainment.”
In 1937, a small group of summer residents envisioned a year round Door County arts community that would blossom in an environment of beauty. The fledging group of the gradually evolved into the Peninsula Arts Association (PAA), which in turn parented three successful organizations: Peninsula Music Festival, the Peninsula Art School, and the Francis Hardy Gallery.
As the children left the nest, PAA recognized the need for a means of communication among the “family members.” And so the Peninsula Arts and Humanities Alliance (PAHA) was established.
Eli Mattson, Door County’s own piano man, is appearing in concert at the Door Community Auditorium on Saturday, May 2 at 8 pm!The runner-up of the third America’s Got Talent competition, singer/songwriter/pianist Eli Mattson has captured the hearts of fans with his unique vocal and performance style.Drawing inspiration from Elton John, Billy Joel, and Bruce Hornsby, Eli is
DoorCounty’s very own.Passionate and dynamic, Eli embraces every song with emotion, his hands playing the piano keys with a confidence that belies his youth.
With a resounding thunder of applause, six high school students stepped onto the Door Community Auditorium stage before a sold-out house February 7th to compete in the 5th Door County Idol competition. Singing from the heart, the contestants performed songs from Broadway musicals, pop tunes, ballads, and original compositions.
Representing Gibraltar, Southern Door, and Sturgeon Bay High Schools, Ben Kerwin, Lily Larsen, Monica Lenius, Kirsten Logerquist, Liz Neuman, and Wesley Schwartz received rave reviews from judges Hervy Hodges, Jeanne Kuhns, and Larry Thoreson. Following the final ballot count, the winner was…senior Lily Larsen.
