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 600 stories from all past issues of the magazine, contained in our archives. Use the search fields below to find what you're interested in.
Discover the fun of winter at Lautenbach's Orchard Country Winery & Market on Saturday, February 4th from 10 am - 5pm.
The
winery and market’s 7th Annual Winter Wine and Cherry Fest will include
wine and product tasting featuring the popular tart Montmorency cherry
in celebration of National Cherry Month; plus an assortment of food and
bakery items to purchase.
The
popular winter festival highlights the annual Cherry Pit Spit
Competition. The contest begins at 1:30 pm, is open to all ages, and
awards prizes to the winner in each category.
On
Saturday, February 11, at 7 p.m., six Door County teens will compete
for the title of 2012 Door County Idol. This highly anticipated annual
event serves as both a vibrant community gathering and as a celebration
of Door County’s abundant homegrown talent.
From dozens of auditioning students, Door County Idol screeners have
chosen six finalists for this year’s competition.
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:
The
Jacksonport Polar Bear Club is preparing to take their annual plunge
into Lake Michigan for the 26th time at 12 Noon CST on Sunday January 1,
2012.
For
the past twenty-five years the Jacksonport Polar Bear Club has
celebrated the New Year by going for an icy dip into Lake Michigan at
Lakeside Park in Jacksonport along Door County Wisconsin’s eastern
coast. An estimated 600-800 swimmers are expected to take the plunge
during the group’s 26th annual event, which puts this polar bear swim
among the largest in the country.
Hi
Everyone! It's Skipper here, Door County's born and bred (and beloved, I
might add) otter. Welcome to my new column: "Skipper's Word Challenge".
I hope you enjoy it ... this is my second one.
Readers and friends are always asking me questions about Door County
life outdoors, places to go, things to see, not to mention social advice
like getting along with others and how to stay out of trouble. Now it's
my turn to ask YOU the questions. Yep, I'm going to make you do some
brainwork in these columns! It's all about cool words and their
meanings.
The
Rotary Interact Club in Sturgeon Bay is holding a spaghetti dinner
December 10 to support their global service project, MAP International.
This project will help send doctors, medicine, and supplies to third
world countries in an effort to promote health care.
The dinner
is December 10 at Bayview Lutheran Church, 340 West Maple St., in
Sturgeon Bay, and will have three different serving times - 6:15, 7:00,
and 7:15 p.m. It would help if those planning to attend made
reservations, but walk-ins are welcome.
Hi
Everyone! It's Skipper here, Door County's born and bred (and beloved, I
might add) otter. Welcome to my new column: "Skipper's Word Challenge".
I hope you enjoy it ...
Readers and friends are always asking me questions about Door County
life outdoors, places to go, things to see, not to mention social advice
like getting along with others and how to stay out of trouble. Now it's
my turn to ask YOU the questions. Yep, I'm going to make you do some
brainwork in these columns! It's all about cool words and their
meanings.
Keeping
children safe is every parent’s first concern, which is why traffic
safety is so important. During the holidays, when families are traveling
and daylight ends sooner, parents need to pay extra attention to
traffic hazards at home and on the road.
Traffic
accidents continue to be the leading cause of death for children ages 1
through 12 in the United States, according to the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
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!
Open auditions for Door County youths ages 15-19 will take place the week of November 14 at Door County high schools.
Gibraltar HS - Monday, November 14 from 4:00 p.m.-5:15 p.m. Sevastopol HS - Tuesday, November 15 from 4:00 p.m.-5:15 p.m. Sturgeon Bay HS - Wednesday, November 16 from 4:00 p.m.-5:15 p.m. Southern Door HS - Thursday, November 17 from 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
There are many treatments to help children who are easily distracted.
Almost
all children have times when their attention or behavior veers out of
control. From rambunctious play to being distracted during homework
time, parents often have to find creative solutions to keep their
children on task.
However, for some children, hyperactivity and inattentiveness are more than an occasional problem.
“Children
with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, have behavior
problems that are so frequent and severe they interfere with their
ability to function adequately on a daily basis,” says Mark Wolraich,
MD, FAAP, of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Bo and visiting buds play video games in the hospital.
Hi
everyone, Skipper here. The guys here at the magazine finally let me
get some extra computer time so I could write this story. It was kind of
my own idea, because when I ventured up to Sister Bay to sneak a peek
at the big Fall Fest that the humans do every year, I saw scads of the
humans wearing orange thingys on their heads and on their wrists and
stuff. They all read "Go Bo!"
So I asked my own self, what in the heck is this "Go Bo" craze all
about? Orange, orange, orange, everywhere. Humans large and small were
dancing around (see the vid below by Chris Miller), shouting happy
slogans loudly, and generally having a great time. I also spotted humans
putting money into hats and buckets ... very cool, but why?
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.
Do you want your kids to be sensible about money, but aren’t sure where to begin? You’re not alone.
Most
teens --55 percent according to a new study from Capital One Financial
Corporation-- say they would like to learn more about money management
skills. However, half (51 percent) of them report that their parents
discuss money and banking concepts with them once a month or less.
The kids learn how to make apple juice with volunteer John Kierstyn.
Remember
our story last spring about the third graders who planted their gardens
as a class project? The kids are now fourth graders. Read the previous story here.
Sturgeon Bay,
Wisconsin's 4th grade classes from all of that city's schools returned to the
Peninsular Agricultural Research Station on October 4th to harvest the
crops they planted last spring. This field trip project for the kids is
sponsored each year by Door County Master Gardeners, a volunteer
organization of folks who know a lot about plants!
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.
Egg Harbor's Annual Pumpkin Patch Festival is
one of the best events in Door County for kids. It's held in early October in downtown Egg Harbor. Going strong now for
about two decades, Pumpkin Patch seems to have become synonymous with
colorful fall fun on the Peninsula. People come from all over the
Midwest and beyond, year after year, to soak in the feeling this busy
event imbues. They eat, play, relax, and depart with cheer. Children are
major participants in this festival.
Kids truly
love Pumpkin Patch Festival, plain and simple. Why? Perhaps for them
it's sort of a two-day mini version of Disney World or Great America.
There is no Mickey Mouse or Hurricane Harbor Water Park to be found, but
kids will have plenty to keep them enthused all weekend long. It's
about lots of cool things going on, lots of delicious food, lots of
sights to see, lots of rides, and lots of just plain fun to be had!
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.
Kids can use cell phones to check in regularly with parents.
Being
a parent can sometimes feel like your heart is walking around in
someone else's body. And while your instinct is to protect your children
from any and all harm, it is also important to give them an appropriate
amount of freedom to prepare them for the real world.
"Parents
will always have a lot to worry about," says Tony Pham, vice president
at Life360, a company that uses technology to keep families connected
everyday and during emergencies.
It's
car show season in Door County, and this Saturday brings the annual
Bayland Classic at Jim Olson Motors in Sturgeon Bay. Cars, trucks,
motorcycles, and a variety of other vehicles will be on display from
8:00 am until mid-afternoon when trophies are awarded. The show is
sponsored and hosted by Jim Olson Motors and Carquest of Door County,
located right next door.
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?
A visit to the pediatrician will help keep your child healthy for school.
As the new school year gears up and to-do lists get longer, make sure to put your child's health on the list.
Updating
vaccinations, scheduling annual physicals and alerting your child's
school about allergies and illnesses are crucial steps to ensure their
academic success, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
On Saturday, August 6, boat building teams will spend the morning building their little wooden
boats. They'll use Sikaflex to hold them together. Later these gallant sailors take to the
water, and they hope that the water doesn't take them. You're
probably wondering what Sikaflex really is. Well, you'll see it being
used to seal up the pieces of the boats in the accompanying video. It
comes in a tube, much like regular caulk compound, and it's white and
gooey. It makes the little craft watertight if applied correctly.
The
Door County Maritime Museum is building off the "Boats, Books &
Brushes" theme it introduced two years ago at this year's Classic &
Wooden Boat Festival as it continues to broaden its appeal beyond the
collection of interesting and stunning vessels it attracts each summer. There
will still be plenty of boats on the museum grounds in Sturgeon Bay the
weekend of Aug. 6-7 and the ever-popular Sikaflex Challenge boat
building competition returns for its two-day run, but some new elements
have been added to entertain and educate all ages.
Growing children shouldn't carry more than 20 percent of their weight.
School may be a figurative pain in the neck for many children, but what about a literal pain in the neck - and back?
These days, the answer is yes, and backpacks are to blame. Or more specifically, the improper use of backpacks.
"The average child
carries a backpack that would be the equivalent of a 39-pound burden for
a 176-pound man, or a 29-pound load for a 132-pound woman," says Dr.
Rick McMichael, president of the American Chiropractic Association
(ACA).
Annual eye exams may help improve school performance.
Did
you know that 80 percent of what we learn is acquired visually? From
reading to visual mnemonics (think stop signs and multiplication
tables), vision plays a critical role in your child's academic success.
That's why it's important to put a visit to the eye doctor on your back-to-school to-do list.
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!
There's
lots to do for humans of all ages at Door County's great state parks.
I've collected the following info from my good friends at the DNR. If
you have any questions about our state parks, please email them to:
skipper (at) doorcountytravelersjournal (dot) com.
I love to get email and I do answer it!
Steel
Bridge Songfest in Sturgeon Bay brings together musicians of all ages,
and one of the coolest aspects of the week-long experience is the
opportunity for mentoring the new faces on the music scene. Thus was the
case during the 2011 event, where the three youngest participants, two
guys and a gal, spent a lot of time with their older musical peers and
had a blast learning, playing music, and just plain having fun.
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
Kids
will have a chance to look behind the scenes of a professional theater
at American Folklore Theatre's Creative Kids Day in Peninsula State
Park.
This annual "casting call for creative kids" provides an opportunity for
children ages 5-16 to spend a few hours with AFT company members and
volunteers. Participants will spend the day playing theater games,
joining in on cast sing-a-longs, and sneaking a rare peek inside the AFT
dressing room. Creative Kids Day will take place on and around the AFT
stage in Peninsula State Park on Friday, July 15th.
You can find great summer learning activities online.
There's
nothing kids look forward to more than summer vacation. But summer can
also be a prime time for the summer slide -- when grade school students
forget some of the reading and math skills they learned during the
school year, according to the National Center for Family Literacy
(NCFL).
That learning gap forces teachers to play catch-up when school starts again in the fall.
"From the start it has been the theatre's business to
entertain people ... it needs no other passport than fun" - Bertolt Brecht
Fun and play is exactly what is in store with Door
Shakespeare's educational summer program for kids, Doorways: Creating Theatre
For Children.
Founded in 2000, Doorways offers children the opportunity to
explore the power of creativity through developing original theatre pieces.
During each session students will play traditional theatre games, learn
improvisation skills, and experience group acting exercises.
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
Hundreds
of kids in Door County add fun to their summer by playing soccer with the Door
County Soccer Association (DCSA). They love to come to the John Miles County Park (the
fairgrounds) to practice their dribbling, shooting and passing, and other
soccer skills. Volunteer coaches
help the kids at practices and games.Here is some information about DCSA
soccer.
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.
