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.
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.
Third
Avenue Playhouse in downtown Sturgeon Bay will open its fourth play of
the inaugural season for the new 84-seat Studio Theater with a special
opening night benefit for the GO BO Fund. The date is Thursday,
September 20 and showtime is 7:30 pm, with doors open for general
seating at 7:00 pm. The play is Almost, Maine, written by John Cariani
and directed by James Valcq. It stars Door County actors Amy Ensign,
Anne St. Henry, Chad Luberger and Ryan Patrick Shaw.
Bo Johnson is the 13-year old Sister Bay boy who has been battling a
rare form of childhood leukemia for the better part of a year.
Tremendous community support has been an inspiration to him and his Mom,
Annika Johnson, daughter of the late Al Johnson and part owner of Al
Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay. Now Sturgeon Bay joins the
entire county for a special GO BO evening.
Those of us, who paint plein air, pursue this path for the love of it.
Painting and sketching on location in the “open air” is foremost an
affair of the heart. The quick sketch an artist designs to gather
information for a personal painting is not usually a “Quick paint” in a
park. The plein air sketch may be a finished piece or it may serve as a
means to an end which is only present in the mind’s eye of the artist.
I’ve participated in several invitational Plein air painting events since the late 90’s.
In Sister
Bay’s Country Walk Shops’ Garden Level lies a whimsical shop featuring a
plethora of homemade treats. Cheesecake, Etc. is aptly named for its
high-quality desserts, plus a wide selection of other sweet and savory
delights.
Owner Scott Dell, along with his baker wife, Belkis,
opened the shop three years ago after moving with their kids from the
Madison area. “My wife is a fourth generation baker. I’m a first
generation [baker], so I just get to hang out and sample her things”
Scott jokes.
Belkis’ former
generations of bakeries include a store in New York and abroad in the
Dominican Republic. It is with this family knowledge and recipes that
she makes these wonderful cheesecakes.
Zumba Instructor Victor Nino to teach Master Class.
In the
mid-1990s, fitness instructor Alberto “Beto” Perez created a new dance
exercise program by happy accident. Arriving at class without his
traditional aerobics music, Beto improvised with the sounds of his
native Columbia.
The new exercise program born that day came to
be known as Zumba, and today is celebrated by more than 12 million
people in 125 countries around the world … including Door County.
Join us for one of Door County's largest summer parties!
Salsa as a tasty condiment? Absolutely. Salsa as a style of Latin
dancing? Of course. But the salsa that matters in Door
County this summer combines the first two to create “Salsa for the Shelter” on
Friday, August 3 in Sister Bay.
“Salsa for the Shelter” is the most important fundraiser for the Door
County Humane Society, and continues a dance-themed tradition set four years
ago. Tickets are available now at
a cost of $75 per person, with table sponsorships at $1000 including 8 tickets.
Aliens,
androids and a rhyme-fueled spaceship - talk about an adventure-filled
summer read for middle graders! And that’s just what Door County native
James Mihaley will be doing in two upcoming fun-filled family
presentations where he will read excerpts from his new book, “You Can’t
Have My Planet, But Take My Brother Please” (published by Feiwel and
Friends, an imprint of Macmillan publishers.)
This will be the first time that the Friends of Door County Libraries’ Book & Author series will feature a kid’s author.
Beaconing
out from the sunny Sister Bay Marina, one boat stands above the rest:
Sail Door County’s Edith M. Becker. She is the newest addition to their
charter fleet, and her rich history gives patrons an unforgettable
experience aboard.
Owner
Peder Nelson explained the background of his new ship while on a recent
afternoon cruise, along with the typical staff of a captain and two
crew members.
Olivia Demarinis, a native to northern Door County, will be
the newest addition to the staff of DoorCountyTravelersJournal.com. The Journal, formed in 2005 as a travel website and then as a digital magazine in 2011, serves the
growing market of online vacationers and locals alike who turn to the Internet
for information on who and what is happening on the peninsula.
As the summer intern, Demarinis will write articles and try
to expand awareness about the online magazine publication, as well as bolster
her own skills in professional writing.
A graduate of Gibraltar Area School, Demarinis was
involved in a variety of activities in high school. Most notable was the
founding of The Viking Voice, a
student newspaper, with several classmates, during her junior year.
"Timberline Tails". Pastel on Ampersand Pastel board. 11x14 plein air.
Today was "one of those days" when the pursuit of
a plein air painting can seem like an elusive goal. I started my day with my
pastels packed and ready to go. The temperatures were mild, the sun was out
early and so was I.
Every time I've driven through Ephraim of late a group of
buildings clustered on the hillside has got my painting chops in motion.
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,
Whenever
I teach I'm always asked "what are the rules for painting"? One of the
few tried and true "rules" I can come up with is the fact that warm hued
light produces cool shadows, and conversely, cool light produces warm
shadows. Remember, it's all relative to the relationships of color and
light that are established by the painting and by paying attention to
the natural effects of light on objects.
In
my workshops I often do a demonstration with a yellow, red, blue and
green light. It's a great way to see the effect of light in relationship
to the complements we see in the color wheel.
"Faith at Rest" behind Charlie's Fish House! 6 x 8 oil on panel.
Last
week I spent a glorious afternoon painting up in Gills Rock. I've
already posted about the creation of the painting "The Last Ice at
Garrett Bay". What I didn't discuss then was that my original intention
was to see if any of the fishing boats were in their "summer spot"
behind Charlie's Fish House. I really wanted to paint an old boat called
"Faith".
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.
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.
