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Sister
Bay Marina, located in Northern Door County, has gone through a
complete transformation. Those who haven’t been to Sister Bay recently
may find it hard to recognize the waterfront park and newly expanded
marina that now boasts more slips and amenities than any other in
Northern Door County.
“The new marina means a greater maritime experience for both visitors
and residents of Sister Bay,” commented Robert Kufrin, Sister Bay
Village Administrator.
I met Mary and Eric Erickson during the course of routine
business in the summer of 2011. Basically,
I sell houses and they wanted one.
A condominium in Sister Bay, to be exact, because their family had
visited Mariner’s Pointe on vacation and had fallen in love with the community
and with Sister Bay in its entirety as a year-round village. During their transaction, Mary and I
developed a friendship that lasted beyond the sale. Besides the fact we both have a healthy sense of humor and
can text reallyreallyfast, we have
one sure thing in common—we both love northern Door County.
While Eric is very calm (exactly the trait I would want
in a surgeon, if I were due for some surgery), Mary is a lightning bolt,
Nor
Door Adult Day Services, a program being operated by N.E.W. Curative
Rehabilitation, Inc., came to fruition in June 2010 through the
inspiration, dedication, time and effort of Carl Shakal, Team Leader,
and a group of volunteers who supported the concept of adult day
services which provide needed care as well as concern for the social
needs of participants in the program.
The program is now referred to as “Carl’s Club.” You can reach Carl at
920-495-2016 or cshakal@newcurative.org -Days and Hours: Mondays and
Wednesday: 11:30AM to 4:30PM; Friday 8AM to 4:30PM Appel Newman
Building, 10539 Applewood Drive, Sister Bay, WI
Quick!
The ice has finally formed, and it’s time to wager your guess for when the ice
will officially “go out” of Sister Bay. Voting boxes are in businesses around
Sister Bay waiting for your votes. In 2011, the Ice Out raft started floating
at 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, April 9. When do you think it will float this year?
For
2012, these businesses are offering prizes to the person who guesses the date
and time of day closest to when the official Ice Out raft marks the ice leaving
the bay. A winner will be chosen from each business’ box:
The
snow is snowing, the wind is blowing, but three Door County women,
local business owners, have a prescription for curing the winter blues …
a special get-away weekend for women only. Art & Soul Weekend,
February 17 - 19, will feature fragrant treats, visual delights,
tantalizing edibles, and personal pampering.
Embracing
Door County’s quiet season with enthusiasm, Angie McMahon of Viva la
Cottage, The Spa at Sacred Grounds’ Diane Ludwigsen, and Pipka Ulviden
of Pipka’s of Door County, have planned a weekend that guarantees
memory-making moments. From a private champagne and appetizer welcome,
to a candlelight dinner, guests will savor the personal attention of the
peninsula’s best and brightest.
Sister Bay's first
settlers were Scandinavians who immigrated to the area in 1757. It
became an incorporated village in April of 1912. The village was named
after the Sister Islands which lie at the entrance to the harbor.
Ironically, 1912 was a tragic year for
the little village. There was a drought which caused crop failures and a
hail storm in which fowl from the Koessl farm totally disappeared. In
addition, grasshoppers came and destroyed everything in sight before
leaving, and the fire of 1912 destroyed six downtown buildings - four
stores, a large hotel, and a home. The buildings (which were where
Husby's and the Sister Bay Bowl are today) and the general store (which
housed the post office) were burned to the ground.
The Eagle Bluff Room at Door County Lighthouse Inn.
Quiet.
That's what you'll find here on the Door Peninsula during the winter
months ... the "off-season". Unlike the busy summer and fall months, you
won't find crowds or waiting lines at the eateries. In fact, after the
sun sets, you will probably notice that the sidewalks are rolled up and vehicles disappear from village streets and even highways. It's charming.
You're up for a getaway, with no kids or mother-in-laws. It's just you
and quite possibly your significant other. Where to stay? Where to eat?
What to do that is fun and might result in a special purchase by which
to remember the time you had here? Let's get started.
Ernest Beutel (right) congratulates his art mentor, Tom Seagard, the newest addition to the Door County Master Artist honor roll.
On
Saturday afternoon, Nov. 12, a crowd of artists and arts supporters
gathered at the Miller Art Museum in Sturgeon Bay for the annual Door
County County Art League exhibition and the reception honoring the new
Door County Master Artist. DCAL
president, Marcia Nickols, announced that Tom Seagard is the Door
County Master Artist for 2011. The award was presented to Tom by one of
his students, artist Ernest Beutel.
Warm
up your holiday spirit, tune up your caroling voice, bundle up the kids
and join the festivities at Sister Bay’s Capture the Spirit event,
November 25 & 26!
The village
lights will glow brightly Friday, Nov. 25 beginning at 4:30 p.m. with
the lighting of luminaries around downtown and the Village Christmas
tree and decorations at the corner of Mill Road and N. Bay Shore Dr.
(Hwy. 42).
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?
The
second annual showing of "Small Works of Art" will be presented by the
Door County Art League (DCAL) at the Sister Bay Village Hall on Saturday
and Sunday, Oct. 8-9.
According to
DCAL Exhibits Chairperson Pat Olson, "This show features an array of
affordable, creative works of art - perfect for holiday gift-giving. Our
members are offering oils, acrylics, collage, pastels, woodcarvings,
watercolors. All art will be 11"x14" or smaller."
Do
you know someone who has brought vital, life-changing contributions to
an organization or community by volunteering, especially in the Village
of Sister Bay or the Town of Liberty Grove? The Sister Bay Advancement
Association is again offering the Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Volunteer of
the Year award to recognize volunteers by recognizing someone who has
volunteered their time, skills and expertise in the northern end of the
peninsula.
Grab
a front-row seat for a beautiful sunset at Fred & Fuzzy's
Waterfront Bar & Grill in Sister Bay on Sunday, September 18th from 4 - 8pm as they host a benefit evening for the Wellness Center of Door
County, Inc.
Director
of Development at the Wellness Center Katie Schnorr is very excited
about the opportunity. "It will be a wonderful chance to spend time with
family and friends at a beautiful spot, all while supporting our
mission of compassionate and affordable health care for women and men."
Stars
are
bright with minimal light in Sister Bay, creating an ideal venue for
star
gazing. Hobby and professional astronomers, and anyone who enjoys
looking at
and contemplating the celestial bodies in the night sky, are invited to
attend
a Star Gazing Party on August 13, 2011 in the Sister Bay Sports Complex.
Stargazing begins after dark. (The event had been scheduled for August
6, but cloudy conditions intervened.)
Is
it Wonderful Tonight or Hard Day's Night? Will it be
straight-outta-Tupelo Elvis, or the rhinestoned King? Food, wine, the
best music ever, and fun, fun, fun in the summer's best party is less
than two weeks away. "Rockin' for the Shelter", the major fundraiser of
the year for the Door County Humane Society is set for Friday, August 5
on the waterfront in Sister Bay beginning at 6:30pm. Tickets are $75
per person, and only a handful remains. August 1-7 has been proclaimed
"Friends of Door County Humane Society Week" in the village of Sister
Bay recognizing the invaluable role played by DCHS in caring for
homeless animals.
Artistic
demonstrations at art festivals may be commonplace, yet few festivals
require every artist to demonstrate their craft for the public as
artists do at the invitational Door County Festival of Fine Arts. The
8th annual DCFA is August 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the expanded
Sister Bay Waterfront Park, at the northern end of the beautiful Door
peninsula.
Each
artist who participates in the annual Door County Festival of Fine Arts
shows off their talent not only with finished pieces of fine art at the
Festival, but by demonstrating their artistic process to the public at
least two scheduled times during the day.
I
was driving through Sister Bay with the top down trying to beat the
heat with my three sons last weekend when I spotted Santa and Mrs.
Claus. These were not the run of the mill, fake Santa and Mrs. Claus
that you find around every corner at the malls in December. This was
Santa with the most beautiful, and genuine, silver beard and mustache.
Mrs. Claus looked timeless with her warm smile and classic cherry
jewelry made by Pipka. They were standing in the shade of the trees
among a bounty of bulbous hydrangea blossoms and bursting lilies in the
gardens that surround Pipka's shop. The scene looked so inviting that I
had to stop.
Stars are
bright with minimal light in Sister Bay, creating an ideal venue for star
gazing. Hobby and professional astronomers, and anyone who enjoys looking at
and contemplating the celestial bodies in the night sky, are invited to attend
a Star Gazing Party on August 6, 2011 in the Sister Bay Sports Complex. Stargazing begins after dark.
All
are invited to bring their own telescopes to the Sports Complex (on Woodcrest
Road, at the east end of Mill Road), and train them on a celestial body in the
sky.
Many
are already familiar with the Sister Bay Historical Society and the
Corner of the Past Museum. Each Saturday for over ten years the Corner
of the Past Farmer's Market has been held from early June to late
October. Locally grown produce and local food products are offered for
sale. There are also local artisans who graciously offer complimentary
demonstrations of their skills during farm market hours. To make an
event of your trip you can also spend time touring the well-maintained
historical house and barns as well as the meticulously tended gardens.
The gardens were included in "A Day in the Garden" garden walk on July
7, 2011.
Iraq War veteran Steve Williams and his family vacation at the Coachlite Inn, Sister Bay.
Running
an Inn in Door County brings all sorts of people with all sorts of
stories to my door. On the Monday before Independence Day this year, I
met a most ordinary family, very much like my own. After checking a
man named Steve in at the front desk, I walked him out to his car and
met his family. There were two sweet little girls. Hannah, the 18
month old, was still fast asleep in her car seat. Sweet little golden
ringlets of hair plastered to her forehead. Haley, age four, was giving
her mom, Christin, a run for her money. She was clinging to her hand
and swinging her around like a ribbon on a maypole, while whooping
loudly in the parking lot. Tyler and Jarred, the eleven year old
twins, were wandering around inspecting the plants and trees and
sporadically interjecting bits of entomological information. Tyler was
on a search for a stag beetle. This family was plainly just like my
own.
Viva la Cottage is a contented blend of some things old and some things
new, a combination of vintage and contemporary that works well for owner Angie
McMahon. "I love vintage and visiting vintage markets, especially those that
have a flair for displaying their wares in unusual ways, demonstrating how to
blend vintage items in new ways," she explained.
And on Saturday, July 9th, McMahon will share her enthusiasm
for everything vintage in an all-day market amid the gardens surrounding her
shop in Sister Bay.
The Door County Folk Festival (DCFF) is one
of the most fun-filled, enjoyable and educational dance weekends held
in the Midwest. Each year, the DCFF attracts hundreds of participants
to Door County, Wisconsin, from all around the U.S., Canada and often
other countries.
The Festival begins on the Wednesday
following Independence Day. The 2011 Festival begins on
Wednesday, July 6th and continues through Sunday, July 10th.
Summer's Best Party Also Benefits Homeless Animals
Music
to make you twist and shout, dishes by signature Door County chefs,
special libations to keep the party rocking, and a dance floor looking
out on the Bay waters are just some of the plans for the best evening of
the summer. "Rock & Roll for the Shelter" will be held in Sister
Bay on Friday, August 5 from 6:30-11:00pm. This is the most important
annual fundraiser for shelter operations at the Door County Humane
Society.
Creative students at Artrageous Studio in Sister Bay
What?
You say that your children aren't always enthused about browsing in all
of the wonderful antique, garden and art studios around the area?
They're not excited about hanging out at the orchards while you do a
little wine tasting? There's something new in Sister Bay that may keep
the whole family happy.
Meet Emily
Salm. Emily and her family recently moved to Sister Bay from Sturgeon
Bay, opening Artrageous Studio this spring. Artrageous is a place where
children can go to have a great time creating and expressing themselves
with the guidance of an art professional. Emily uses the natural
environment around her home and a sunlit room above her garage as the
backdrops for inspiring and engaging art activities for children. I'll
let Emily introduce herself.
Get
ready for Jumpin' June in Sister Bay! Formerly called Blossom Fest,
there's fun in store for the whole family. It's all happening on
Saturday, June 11 at various locations in and around the Village of
Sister Bay. Highlights are the Children's Parade at 11:30 am, the Grand
Opening of the Sister Bay Skatepark from 1:00 - 4:00 pm, and a bonfire
with S'mores (YUM) starting at 7:30 pm.
The
main thing that I love about travel is the opportunity to experience
things that I can't find at home. Viva La Cottage is one of those
unique experiences in Sister Bay. Viva La Cottage is a boutique of
vintage and vintage-inspired original creations. I would argue that
Viva is not just a boutique; it's an experience. Each item is a treat,
each display a dish, and each display leads you to the whole effect,
which is a feast for the senses.
The 21st century tourist
relies on 21st century technology - smart phones, internet, WIFI,
iPods - to show them places to go and tell them about things to do. With
this
in mind, the Sister Bay Advancement Association (SBAA) has launched a
new
website designed specifically with the 21st century tourist in
mind:
www.cometosisterbay.com.
This
new site incorporates technology that is a necessity for the
21st
century tourist: it's smart phone and mobile media friendly, sends out
information via Twitter, and YouTube videos from members of the
community give
visitors a feel for Sister Bay festivals and life.
Well, Sister Bay was hopping this past Saturday, May 21, during the seventh Annual Village of Sister Bay Rummage Sale. There were over 40 vendors and events on the map this year. It was my first chance to be there, and it turned out to be a terrific day.
When I knew that I was going to be in Sister Bay for the weekend, I was excited to hear that there was going to be this great sale. My family and I are moving to the area and a smaller living space. Being the "collectors" that we are, we had a lot to pare down. I envisioned alternately tending our own sale and shopping for new treasures. I had also committed to writing an article about the event.
For over twenty years I have been a tourist to Door County. This June my family and I will become permanent year around residents in Sister Bay. Currently, I consider myself a resident/tourist. I hope that my knowledge as a resident, paired with my vacationer's appreciation and perspective, will give readers a real feel for local events and places, as well as practical information to make their experience in Door County the best it can be. This is the first in a series of articles that I plan to submit for travelers to Sister Bay, or those who would like to visit vicariously.
Someplace You Have to Experience in Sister Bay: or, Where Your Treasure is, There Your Heart Will Be Also ...
Ice is out of the harbor, open water
teal colored, its whitecap lace shining.
Only one mound of snow
remains in my lane,
the black squirrel is getting frisky,
and Reuben's tulips are rising.
Cranes and crows and gulls
trumpet awake! awake!
The Peninsula Singers are proud to present this
year's Christmas concert, "A Season of Carols." The first performance
will be held Saturday, Dec. 11 at 7 pm at the Sturgeon Bay United
Methodist Church. The second will be held Sunday, Dec. 12 at 3 pm at the
First Baptist Church in Sister Bay.
Artistic director Merle
Colburn, piano accompanist David Beck, and the Peninsula Singers have
been practicing since September for the two performances, which are
presented to the community free of charge – although guests will have an
opportunity to donate to the group.
Warm up your holiday spirit, tune
up your caroling voice, bundle up the kids and join the festivities at Sister
Bay's Capture the Spirit event, Nov. 26 & 27!
The village lights will glow
brightly Friday, Nov. 26 beginning at
4:30 p.m. with the lighting of luminaries
around downtown and the Village Christmas
tree and star at the corner of Mill Road and N. Bay Shore Dr. (Hwy. 42). Father Christmas will bring good
tidings and merriment to all with his arrival and as he leads the children to
the Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Library for
storytelling and crafts, after the tree lighting. Light refreshments will
be served at the tree lighting. The Door
County Trolley will offer free rides around the village to shoppers and
visitors from 3:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Leaves of golden yellow, fire orange and crimson red are dangling from the trees, signaling autumn's arrival, and with the change of seasons, the time to enjoy the fruits of another successful summer. The 65th annual Sister Bay Fall Fest is October 15, 16 and 17, 2010 throughout the Village of Sister Bay in beautiful northern Door County.
We all like to eat, and Sister Bay has some fabulous restaurants. Husby's is a favorite bar-restaurant of the locals, as is the Sister Bay Bowl. Both serve everything from hamburgers to prime rib. Another place open year round is Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant, which has a menu that doesn't quit. You can't miss it; it's the one with the goats eating grass on the roof! Pancakes with syrup and lingonberries are a favorite as well as pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream. Al's serves three meals a day, and at mealtime during high season you may find people lined up on the sidewalk waiting to get in.
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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