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january 30-february 6/2026 • v32i05

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+Events Calendar Education | Southern Door

What the $3.15M April Referendum Would Fund

Business | Door County

Changes at the Top of Destination Door County

Music | American Idol

Heyward Advances

Outdoor | In the Cold

Hiking the Winter Wonderland

assembly Passes Knowles-nelson bills That block new Land Purchases / Two Door County restaurants Get james beard nominations / More Time to build, bigger Incentive recommended for West Waterfront apartment Project / Spring Groundbreaking for new Washington Island School Gym / egg Harbor Postmaster retires / new aquatics Center Opens in Sister bay / an artist unconﬁned / Get to Know the Groundhog / Hardy releases 2026 exhibit Schedule / a new Way to Play / business finds focus in Community building + Gallery Guide / Classifieds / Public Notices / Obituaries / Letters / Crossword

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on the cover Six more weeks of winter? An early spring? Either way, this groundhog seems unfazed, more entranced by the parachuting dandelion seeds (or are those snowﬂakes?) – a good example for us all. Digital Illustration by Ellie Johnson.

2 january 30-february 6/2026

PENINSULA PULSE

We listen. We observe. We serve. We aim to make Door County a better place for all who live here and visit here. We publish stories about the people and places that make our community special and the news that matters most in our lives, with a particular interest in people who are using their creativity and ingenuity to propel Door County forward.

AROUND THE DOOR

We love Door County and our mission goes beyond telling stories. We are advocates for Door County as a place for people to live, to visit, and to thrive. Our community engagement goes well beyond our pages. We celebrate our community through our events, daily encounters, social media, podcasts, and video. We record our time.

editor Debra Fitzgerald digital editor Myles Dannhausen Jr. creative director Katie Hohmann editorial assistant Sam Watson reporter (news & sports) Kevin Boneske reporter (education & general assignment) Eleanor Corbin page designer Sharon Anderson graphic designer Ellie Johnson graphic designer, advertising Renee Puccini palate/server of the week Mike Bacsi photographer Larry Mohr photography intern Remy Carmichael sales director Jess Farley Nielsen sales manager Steve Grutzmacher inside sales manager Claudia Rudzinski courier The Paper Boy, LLC distribution experts Jeff Andersen, Todd Jahnke, Guy Fortin, Dan Farrell, Kevin Lawell office manager Ben Pothast public notices/digital content coordinator Kait Shanks chief technology officer Nate Bell contributors Tom Groenfeldt, Natalie Dorrler-Hyde, Kevin Naze, Wisconsin Humane Society Door County Campus, Karlie Martens, Loretta Heath. office dog Oxford Blue publisher David Eliot owners David Eliot and Myles Dannhausen Jr. founders David Eliot and Tom McKenzie Peninsula Pulse, LLC 8142 Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202 920.839.2121 info@ppulse.com doorcountypulse.com volume 32 issue 05 21,575 copies (17,509 mailed)

Following the Jan. 24 killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents, people gather Jan. 25 within the City of Sturgeon Bay to stand with Minnesota. reMy CarMICHaeL

Local Protest Stands for Minnesota by DEBRA FITZGERALD debra.fitz@ppulse.com

rotests erupted across the nation after Green Bay native Alex Pretti was shot and killed in Minneapolis on Saturday, Jan. 24, by federal immigration enforcement agents – U.S. Border Patrol agents under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Door County was no exception, with an impromptu protest taking place at Sawyer Park near the Oregon Street Bridge in downtown Sturgeon Bay on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 25. Between 50 and 75 people gathered, holding signs and marching across the Oregon Street bridge, down 3rd Avenue and back on the Michigan Street bridge. One of those who helped organize the gathering was Emily Kraynak of Northern Door Activism. “You can tell by the fact that we didn’t even count how many people were there that we’re not paid protesters, we’re just a bunch of scrappy, angry parents and grandparents and business owners and teachers and social workers and other similarly furious citizens who wanted to protest peacefully to demand action today,” she said by email. U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin held a virtual press conference on Jan. 27, calling for the resignation or removal of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem. Baldwin also demanded an independent investigation into the federal killings

“

Protestors brought their own signs. Some others said “Borders are Fake, Trauma is Real;” “ICE Out Now;” “No Human is Illegal;” and “No One is Illegal on Stolen Land.” reMy CarMICHaeL

of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. She said she would not support DHS funding unless strong accountability measures – including body cameras, identification badges and restrictions on masked agents – were implemented to rein in Immigration, Customs and Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol operations.

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”

The Peninsula Pulse, Door County’s resource for news, arts and entertainment, is published weekly by Peninsula Publishing & Distribution, Inc., 8142 Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202. The Peninsula Pulse accepts email submissions of letters to the editor and story ideas (letters@ppulse.com); press releases, happenings, gallery listings and photos (pr@ ppulse.com); line classifieds (classifieds@ ppulse.com); and legal notices (legals@ppulse. com). All submissions are due on Fridays at noon EXCEPT: letters, due Mondays at noon; classified ads, due Tuesdays at noon; and legal notices, due Wednesdays at 9:30 am. To order a subscription, please mail a check for $50 for third-class mail or $125 for first-class mail (recommended for prompt delivery) to Peninsula Pulse, 8142 Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202. If you would like to advertise, please visit doorcountymarketing.com. All photos are submitted unless specific photo credits are included.

© Peninsula Publishing & Distribution, Inc. All rights reserved. The Peninsula Pulse is a Peninsula Publishing & Distribution, Inc. company. Locally owned. Locally minded. Recheck it. Reread it. Reuse it.

DON’T MISS A BEAT! SIGN UP FOR PULSE PICKS TO GET DOOR COUNTY NEWS AND ENTERTAINMENT EMAILED DAILY. pulsepicks.com ALSO CHECK OUT PENINSULA FILMWORKS, OUR VIDEO MEDIUM FOR TELLING STORIES. peninsulaﬁlmworks.com

news NOTES

by PENINSULA PULSE STAFF

DOOR COUNTY LIBRARY EXPLAINS WHAT’S UP WITH HOOPLA LIBRARY Door County – If you are a Door County Library Hoopla user, you may have recently received an error message when trying to access Hoopla’s digital media content (ebooks, audiobooks, movies, etc.) even if you have not reached your personal monthly four-use limit. The message reads: “The collective daily borrow limit set by your library has been reached and will reset at midnight. Please browse and add titles to favorites so you can easily access them after midnight.” While Hoopla is free for patrons, it operates on a cost-per-circulation model, meaning the Library is charged each time a Door County Library cardholder accesses an item. Due to rapidly increasing demand over several years, the Library has had to implement a daily budget cap on Hoopla use. Patrons getting the error message can try accessing Hoopla materials after midnight when the daily limit resets. Demand also tends to decrease towards the end of the month, so trying to borrow items after the 15th may also improve access. The Library is actively seeking additional funds to increase its Hoopla budget for 2026, though growing demand maymake this approach unsustainable in future years.

as part of a state-wide borrowing consortium, Door County Library will continue to offer Libby, which provides access to thousands of e-books, e-audiobooks, and e-magazines. unlike Hoopla’s instant-access model, Libby operates more like a traditional library with most titles checked out by one patron at a time, or patrons can join a waiting list if the title is unavailable. This model is more sustainable and allows the Librry to manage resources efficiently. Door County Library is not alone in these challenges. Many Wisconsin libraries have discontinued Hoopla due to rising costs, reflecting a nationwide trend: digital licenses for e-books, e-audiobooks, and other e-materials are increasing in cost much faster than physical items. The Library routinely evaluates collections and services to ensure the budget meets user needs. Currently, only about 8% of library cardholders use Hoopla, yet Hoopla accounts for approximately 24% of the Library’s resource budget.

NAME THE PARK Gibraltar – The Town of Gibraltar is asking residents to help name the town’s park at 4148 Main St. in fish Creek (directly along the waterfront in the center of town). Send your suggestions to tinyurl.com/yknm7ksr by feb. 20.

PUBLIC INVITED TO HELP SHAPE DOOR COUNTY TRAILS Door County – The citizen-led nonproﬁt Door County Trails is hosting open houses for the public to help shape the future of walking and bicycling across Door County by participating in two upcoming public open

–ALBERT CAMUS

houses as part of its Strategic Master Plan process. “We’re asking the community to help us define where future trails should go and how they can best serve Door County,” said Susan Stauber, Door County Trails board president. “This Strategic Master Plan will help align resources, identify high-priority corridors, and ensure trail development is coordinated, consistent, and reflective of what people value most.” each open house will begin with a brief 15-minute presentation covering what Door County Trails has learned so far from its community survey and where the project stands in the planning process. after the presentation, the event will shift to an open, informal, and interactive format. attendees are invited to walk around, view maps, ask questions, and share feedback directly with Door County Trails representatives. The open houses will be held on Thursday, feb. 5, 5-6:30 pm, at the Sturgeon bay Library, jane Greene room, 107 S. 4th ave in Sturgeon bay. The second will be held on Saturday, feb. 14, from 11 am – 1 pm at the Gibraltar Town Hall, 4176 Maple St. in fish Creek. In addition to attending an open house, community members are encouraged to participate in the Strategic Master Plan survey, which takes approximately 5 minutes to complete, at forms.office. com/r/DCMPLzqrWQ. To learn more, visit doorcountytrails.org

EGG HARBOR AMENDS NOISE ORDINANCE Village of Egg Harbor – The egg Harbor Village board of Trustees amended the Peace and Order Section of its ordinances, pertaining to loud and unnecessary noise prohibitions, approving the changes jan. 14.

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january 30-february 6/2026 3

WISCONSIN

Assembly Passes Knowles-Nelson Bills That Block New Land Purchases by DEBRA FITZGERALD debra.fitz@ppulse.com

he Assembly passed two Republican-authored bills on Jan. 22 that opponents say significantly weaken the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, while supporters describe them as a necessary compromise to keep the program alive. The 37-year-old program, which funds land conservation and outdoor recreation projects statewide, is set to expire in 2026 after not being reauthorized in the 2025-2027 budget. Assembly bills 315 (AB315) and 612 passed along party lines – 53 Republicans voted for it, 44 Democrats against. The bills are now with the Senate. AB612 provides the funding framework for AB315, a newer twobill strategy that attempts to curtail a potential gubernatorial veto. The final bills would reauthorize Knowles-Nelson for two more years at $28.25 million annually, down from the current $33.25 million. The funding could be used for maintenance and management of existing lands, and grant programs that enhance outdoor recreation and conservation. However, the bills eliminate funding for new land acquisitions. Instead, they direct the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to inventory past and proposed land acquisitions and their purposes in coordination with counties and certain nonprofit organizations. By removing land-acquisition funding, the bills strip the program of its core purpose, according to Democratic lawmakers who opposed the bills.

Team Knowles-Nelson at Gathering Waters is urging residents across the state to submit a Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program citizen resolution on behalf of their county through the Wisconsin Conservation Congress. The Conservation Congress submission period ends on Feb. 5. Team KnowlesNelson has already developed the resolution language at knowlesnelson. org/2026-conservation-congress/.

“Without land acquisition, Republicans have neutered this program and rendered it Knowles-Nelson in name only,” said Rep. Vinnie Miresse (D-Stevens Point), Jan. 22. Republican supporters, including Rep. Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay), said the compromise is imperfect but preferable to letting the program lapse. “I am not entirely happy with it, but, in light of the court decision, it is a major victory that we have an opportunity to save the program at all,” Kitchens wrote to constituents by email. “I can promise you that this proposal is the best we can do right now. We do not know at this point whether the Senate will take it up, so it still may not be enough.” In 2024, a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling, Evers v. Marklein, invalidated the Joint Committee on Finance’s (JCF) oversight of stewardship purchases. Before that decision, any purchase over $250,000 had to be approved by an anonymous JCF vote. After the court’s decision, Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam), JCF co-chair, said “the entire program is now in jeopardy.” Named for former governors Warren Knowles, a Republican, and Gaylord Nelson, a Democrat, Knowles-Nelson is often cited as a bipartisan success.

Advocates said the Senate offers a final chance to preserve that legacy. If funding were restored for land acquisition, it would be a “workable Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program to carry us through to the next state budget,” said Charles Carlin, Director of Strategic Initiatives for Gathering Waters: Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts, in an email update. Carlin said the Senate bills are unlikely to pass on a party-line vote. He urged Wisconsin residents to reach out to their legislators to help champion restored land-acquisition funding. “I’ve been at the Capitol all week, and nearly every legislator mentions constituent emails and phone calls about Knowles-Nelson,” Carlin said. “Your outreach truly matters.” Since its inception, the KnowlesNelson has invested $1.3 billion in Wisconsin, protecting 650,000 acres, and delivering 1,500 grants to support local parks, trails and campgrounds, and 400 grants to support Wisconsin boating facilities, according to knowlesnelson. org. A significant portion of that has gone to Door County projects – $30,829,500 across 265 projects. Emily Wood, Land Trust executive director, told the Peninsula Pulse in December that over the past three decades, the program has helped the Land Trust protect more than 4,700 acres through over 100 land protection projects, preserving shorelines, wetlands and wildlife habitat central to Door County’s natural heritage. “The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program is absolutely critical to the Door County Land Trust’s mission,” Wood said.

STURGEON BAY

More Time to Build, Bigger Incentive Recommended for West Waterfront Apartment Project by KEVIN BONESKE kevin@ppulse.com

four-story apartment project planned on Sturgeon Bay’s West Waterfront would have 10 more months to complete at least 75% of the units, under development agreement amendments recommended Jan. 27 by the city’s Finance/Purchasing and Building Committee. Construction hasn’t yet begun on the 49-unit apartment building known as Sawyer Park Flats. The developer, Richard Robinson of the St. Louis-based First and Main Properties, planned to break ground last July, but said the project was delayed because he had yet to finalize financing for it. The development agreement included a completion date of Sept. 1 for a project Robinson estimated would take 13 months to construct. The committee recommended extending the completion date until July 1, 2027. Robinson said he now plans to start construction on April 1, after putting together the necessary financing, and open the building for tenants to move

in on May 1, 2027. But he asked for an additional two months on top of that to complete the project in the event of unforeseen delays. The committee also recommended increasing the maximum financial incentive paid to the developer by $61,742, from $2,878,848 to $2,940,590, because of a higher-than-expected project value, from which 90% of the annual property taxes generated would be paid back to Robinson for the incentive. As part of Robinson seeking to obtain financing to construct the apartment building, which will have a parking garage on the ground floor and three stories with apartment units above, Community Development Director Rebbeca Kerwin said an appraisal was completed showing the project’s value would be higher than previously estimated. As a result, Kerwin said it is the city assessor’s opinion that the project’s completed assessed value would be $16.81 million, $2.31 million higher than the original estimated project value. In light of the higher-than-anticipated value and additional time required to secure financing, Robinson requested

Developer Richard Robinson of the St. Louis-based First and Main Properties speaks Jan. 27 before Sturgeon Bay’s Finance/ Purchasing and Building Committee. KEVIN BONESKE

the two amendments the committee recommended and forwarded to the Common Council for consideration at the council’s Feb. 3 meeting. The development agreement Robinson has with the city in Tax Incremental District (TID) #4 also obligates the city to sell the project site to him for $1 and construct an adjacent parking lot with at least 32 spaces that would allow nonexclusive tenant parking. Incentive payments would cease when TID #4 closes or the maximum incentive amount is reached. The city would retain 10% of the annual tax increment until $2,940,590 in incentive payments are reached, and then 100% of the increment thereafter.

STURGEON BAY

City Planner/Zoning Administrator Leaving for Appleton by KEVIN BONESKE kevin@ppulse.com

he City of Sturgeon Bay’s planner/zoning administrator position will soon be vacant. Stephanie Lynaugh, who has been in the position for three years, announced at the Jan. 21 Plan Commission meeting that she is leaving for an economic development specialist position with the City of Appleton to be closer to where her family lives. “When this opportunity came up, it was really something I couldn’t say ‘no’ to,” she said. “I’m really going to miss all the people I work with. That’s really the thing I love the most about

THIS WEEK ON THE

Blending New and Old in Ephraim In a village with the historic pride of Ephraim, every change is made under a microscope, so when several major projects had piled up 10 years ago, the village had to make a plan to address them that took that pride and history into account. Brent Bristol and Ken Nelson join Myles Dannhausen Jr. to discuss how the village prioritized the highway project, north end path, village hall, Anderson Dock, and maintenance building needs to allow for as much community input as possible in the process. Learning in Retirement With Jeff Schmeckpeper Door County’s large, educated retirement population is a curious, engaged, and eager-to-learn crowd who share knowledge, making Door County’s version of Learning in Retirement a model for the rest of the state. Jeff Schmeckpeper, the nonprofit board’s current president, talks with Debra Fitzgerald about how the program has evolved, the numerous courses offered, the peer leaders who offer the courses (including the most popular) and why the program is vital in a place like Door County. Listen at DoorCountyPulse.com/podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

my job, and I’m excited for this new opportunity still, but I’ll miss everyone dearly.” Lynaugh, who attended Hortonville High School, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in 2022 before being hired as Sturgeon Bay’s planner/zoning administrator. She said her last day on the job is Feb. 2, before beginning her new position in Appleton on Feb. 9. Lynaugh replaced Christopher Sullivan-Robinson, who left in September 2022 after five-plus years as Sturgeon Bay’s planner/zoning administrator to begin a senior planner position in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mayor David Ward, who chairs the Plan Commission, said Lynaugh has “done an excellent job” as the city’s planner/ zoning administrator over the past three years. Commission member Mark Holey quipped that it will be “worse than looking for a new head coach” to have to replace Lynaugh. She has been part of the city’s three-person Community Development Department. The director, Rebecca Kerwin, replaced Marty Olejniczak, who retired last summer after 23 years in the position. Kerwin previously was a planner in the Door County Land Use Services Department, where she began in 2005. The Community Development Department also has an administrative assistant, Colleen Michiels.

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DOOR COUNTY MUNICIPALITIES Those municipalities that publish their public notices with us are indicated below with “PN.” COUNTY OF DOOR, POP. 30,066- PN co.door.wi.gov 920.746.2200 County Board meets 4th Tuesday of month Cty Clerk: Jill Lau jlau@co.door.wi.us TOWN OF BAILEYS HARBOR, POP. 1,223 - PN admin@baileysharbor.gov 920.839.9509 Town Board meets 2nd Monday of month Clerk: Haley Adams admin@townofbaileysharborwi.gov TOWN OF BRUSSELS, POP. 1,125 - PN townofbrussels.com 920.493.1836 Town Board meets 2nd Wednesday of month Clerk: Sherri Dantoin clerk.townofbrussels@gmail.com TOWN OF CLAY BANKS, POP. 385 - PN tn.claybanks.wi.gov 920.493.7383 Town Board meets 2nd Monday of month Clerk: Jessica Bongle townofclaybanks@gmail.com TOWN OF EGG HARBOR, POP. 1,458- PN townofeggharbor.org 920.743.6141 Town Board meets 3rd Monday of month Clerk: Pam Krauel clerk@townofeggharbor.org VILLAGE OF EGG HARBOR, POP, 358 - PN villageofeggharbor.org 920.868.3334 Village Board meets 2nd Wednesday of month Clerk: Lynn Ohnesorge lohnesorge@villageofeggharbor.org VILLAGE OF EPHRAIM, POP. 345 - PN ephraim-wisconsin.com 920.854.5501 Village board meets 2nd Tuesday of month Clerk/Treasurer: Andrea Collak acollak@ephraim-wisconsin.com TOWN OF FORESTVILLE, POP. 1,063 - PN forestvilletown.wi.gov 920.639.2431 PO Box 175, Forestville, WI 54213 Town board meets 3rd Monday of month Clerk: Theresa Tlachac clerk@forestvilletown.wi.gov VILLAGE OF FORESTVILLE, POP. 482 villageofforestvillewi.gov 920.536.3181 Village board meets 3rd Monday of month Clerk: Tiffany Dufek clerk@villageofforestvillewi.gov TOWN OF GARDNER, POP. 1,218 - PN townofgardner.org 920.825.1137 Town board meets 2nd Wednesday of month Clerk: Amy Sacotte togclerk@townofgardnerwi.gov TOWN OF GIBRALTAR, POP. 1,228- PN gibraltarwi.gov 920.868.1714 Town board meets 1st Wednesday of month Clerk: Laura Reetz clerk@gibraltarwi.gov TOWN OF JACKSONPORT, POP. 878 - PN jacksonportwi.gov 920.823.8136 Town board meets 4th Tuesday of month Clerk/Treasurer: Colleen Huberty clerk@jacksonportwi.gov TOWN OF LIBERTY GROVE, POP. 2096 - PN libertygrove.org 920.854.2934 Town board meetings 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of month Clerk/Treasurer: Pam Donart town@libertygrovewi.gov TOWN OF NASEWAUPEE, POP. 1,984 -PN townofnasewaupee.com 920.495.0920 Town board meets 3rd Thursday of month Meetings: 3388 Cty PD Clerk: Jill Lau clerk@townofnasewapeewi.gov TOWN OF SEVASTOPOL, POP. 2,826 - PN townofsevastopol.com 920.746.1230 Town board meets on the 3rd Monday of month Clerk/Treasurer: Amy M. Flok office@townofsevastopolwi.gov VILLAGE OF SISTER BAY, POP. 1,148 - PN sisterbaywi.gov 920.854.4118 Village board meets 3rd Tuesday of month Clerk: Julie Thyssen info@sisterbaywi.gov CITY OF STURGEON BAY, POP. 9,646 - PN sturgeonbaywi.org 920.746.2900 Common Council meets 1st & 3rd Tuesday of month Clerk: Stephanie Reinhardt info@sturgeonbaywi.org TOWN OF STURGEON BAY, POP. 821 - PN townofsturgeonbay-wi.gov 920-338-5246 Town board meets 2nd Monday of month Clerk: Michelle Sternard clerk@townofsturgeonbay-wi.gov TOWN OF UNION, POP. 1,005 - PN https://townofuniondoorwi.gov/ 920.493.9559 Town board meets 2nd Wednesday of month Clerk: Beth Hanson clerk@townofuniondoorwi.gov TOWN OF WASHINGTON, POP. 777 - PN washingtonisland-wi.gov Town board meets 3rd Wednesday of month Clerk/Treasurer: Alexandria McDonald townoffice@washingtonisland-wi.gov

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4 january 30-february 6/2026

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))education

What Southern Door’s $3.15M April Referendum Would Fund And what would happen if it fails by ELEANOR CORBIN eleanor@ppulse.com

fter forgoing a referendum in the 2025 April election due to a perceived lack of community support, the Southern Door County School Board voted to seek a nonrecurring operational referendum this year. On April 7, district residents will vote to allow the school district to exceed its revenue limit by $3.15 million each year for the next three years, replacing the current operational referendum of $975,000, which expires this year. In a letter to parents, district superintendent Kevin Krutzik broke down how the money would be spent. A little over half would cover the projected structural deficit of $1.67 million, resulting from a combination of rising costs, approved budget deficits and the gap left by the existing referendum. The remaining $1.47 million would fund district improvements identified in an October 2025 survey sent to residents, including middle and high school students, to gauge where the funds would be most appreciated. The 654 survey respondents said the district should focus on safety and security, financial responsibility,

staff recruitment, facilities maintenance and student achievement. As such, the district plans to update security systems, increase the fund balance, increase salaries and compensation packages and complete necessary maintenance across the campus, among other goals. Because debt from the district’s 2022 capital referendum continues to decline, the mill rate is projected to stay flat at $6.99 over the next three years if the referendum passes. The mill rate represents the amount taxpayers pay per $1,000 of assessed property value. For example, a home assessed at $350,000 would generate approximately $2,446.50 in school district taxes in the Southern Door County School District. The board made the decision not to go to a referendum last year based on the results of a 2024 survey, which indicated low voter support for the resolution, with many citing a lack of transparency and issues with the handling of previous referendum funds. In the time since then, Krutzik and business manager Heather Kraeuter have made significant efforts to communicate the district’s financial situation to the community by attending town hall meetings, sending out district newsletters and hosting an educational roundtable.

In these meetings, Krutzik said he often heard that community members wanted more concrete information on how the referendum funding, or its lack, would affect the district. “The great majority of the time, people would say, ‘We really want to see specifically what you would spend the money on, and then specifically what would get cut if it didn’t pass,’” he explained. In response, the district created a breakdown of what it would cut if the referendum didn’t pass, including over 16 staff positions, co-curricular and athletic offerings and updates to technology. Krutzik explained that finding the money in the budget to cover the $1.67 million structural deficit would be diﬃcult. “We would have to figure out what core areas, what elective areas, what associates need to be reduced, and we’d have to be really, really creative with how we would make that work,” he said. In the hopes of communicating with as many community members as possible prior to the April election, the district plans to host a number of “listening and learning” sessions to encourage discussion and hear feedback. To learn more about the upcoming referendum and view a breakdown of projected costs, visit sdsd.k12. wi.us/operational_referendum_information.

Bradley Jordan Foundation Prepares to Break Ground on New Washington Island School Gymnasium by ELEANOR CORBIN eleanor@ppulse.com

fter over a year of fundraising, the Bradley Jordan Foundation will break ground in the spring on the new gymnasium for Washington Island School. The organization has raised $4.51 million of its $5 million goal – enough to complete construction on the building, said Sue Cornell, Washington Island School administrator of business services. The nonprofit organization was founded in memory of school alumnus Bradley Jordan, who died in 2023 in Baileys Harbor after a motorist crashed into the motorcycle Jordan was driving. The new gym will be named the Bradley Jordan Memorial Community Gymnasium and will feature a full-sized basketball

court, permanent spectator bleachers and a lobby/concessions area. Students currently have to commute to the town’s Community Center for physical education classes and indoor recess. The new gym will be accessed directly from the school. The start of construction will depend on weather conditions, specifically the ground thawing, but may begin as early as mid-March, according to a school press release. That could put Washington Island students in their own gym by next November, Cornell said. The latest completion estimates are January 2027, when the school has committed to hosting its first-ever Great Lakes Islands Basketball Tournament. For the school, this development is longawaited.

“We’ve been talking about this for so long, and it’s going to be a reality,” Cornell said. Half of the raised funds were gifted by a small group of anonymous donors who pledged to match up to $2.5 million in donations, about $2.25 million of which has been met. They will continue to match the $250,000 donated to the fund. The foundation will use this money to outfit the gym once complete, including a speaker system, sports equipment, a traverse climbing wall and a concession stand. They also plan to raise around $250,000, which the school is matching, to keep in a high-interest account as a long-term maintenance fund for the gym. The hope is that when the gymnasium needs future renovations, like structural work or a roof replacement, the school

What’s happening around Door this week? Check it: this issue’s calendar of events

WE’RE GOING ON AN

ADVENTURE

We’re excited to announce a major step forward in patient care. Starting February 7th, Door County Medical Center will transition LAUNCH to Epic, a leading EMR platform. DATE:

will already have the money to do so, rather than turning to taxpayers, Cornell explained. “It could be 20 years before we have to touch that,” she said. This maintenance fund was a stipulation of the group of anonymous donors. They also requested that the school use a local contractor, Cornell said. Early in the design process, the foundation collected bids from island companies, ultimately partnering with CR Meyer. Contributions to the gymnasium project can still be made online at bradleyjordanfoundation.com or by mail to P.O. Box 251, Washington Island, WI 54246. Contact info@ bradleyjordanfoundation.com with any questions.

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january 30-february 6/2026 5

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The facility includes a 10-person sauna. HannaH PauLuS

“Contact us for all your electrical needs. No job too big or too small!” Inside the new Peninsula Aquatics Center.

HannaH PauLuS

Making A Splash New aquatics center opens in Sister Bay by MYLES DANNHAUSEN JR. myles@ppulse.com

long-simmering dream has come to fruition in Sister Bay, where Rachel Stollenwerk has opened Peninsula Aquatics Center after nearly eight years of research and planning. “Time goes by very fast, and if you’re not making moves, it’s gone,” Stollenwerk said, explaining what spurred her to jump into a business with big start-up costs and a model that doesn’t exist in the area. “I just am determined and fully committed. I think about the kids who don’t even exist yet. If I don’t do something now, what are those kids going to have in 30 years?” Stollenwerk, who also leads training rides for cyclists and triathletes, also relies on her passion to make the model work. “Having someone interested and experienced and capable of running an aquatics facility is key,” she said. “It’s what I want to do.” Stollenwerk started swimming when she was nine and has been involved in swimming ever since. After coaching at the YMCA for several years, Stollenwerk branched out to offer lessons on her own during COVID-19. For several years, she offered swim classes at Northern Door resorts and hotel pools, juggling times and facilities to fill requests.

A young student swims against the current.

“It’s really cool seeing these little kids actually learn how to swim, and I started to love teaching them,” she said. “I had been used to coaching and training, but teaching is a different beast.” Part of her inspiration comes from the local environment. In a community surrounded by water, Stollenwerk said it’s natural to have a swim culture, both for competition and safety. “It’s a fun thing to do,” she said. “It should be part of the culture.” The fact that so many kids are growing up at the water’s edge gives her confidence that demand exists to support the facility. More than 100 kids are signed up for lessons this winter and spring. Unlike a resort pool or beach, the center isn’t built for recreation. “It’s a training and instructional facility,” Stollenwerk explained. “The focus is on getting people in here to be in the water to improve, build or repair something. A specific purpose.” The facility has a waiting room for parents to work or watch their kids during lessons, and a 10-person sauna. The center features two propulsion pools that each have two motors that can create a current to swim against, giving swimmers the sensation of moving through the water, similar to a treadmill. “You set the pace based on how you want to move,” Stollenwerk said. Though her long-term plan is to build an outdoor

HannaH PauLuS

lap pool, splash pad and an indoor play facility, Stollenwerk sought a more affordable, smaller pool to get the facility up and running. She received a $250,000 Community Development Investment Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to support the center. “I was looking for unique solutions that allowed me to do as much as I could without bearing the cost of a traditional-sized pool,” she said. “I could do almost everything I want to do in these pools.” Stollenwerk hopes to bring in rehabilitation services with a physical therapist. One pool has two underwater treadmills for use by people who simply want or need to walk in the water. The facility will also be available by appointment for adults who want to sign up for training sessions, check-ins or just to check out the pools. “My goal is to encourage adults who may not know how to swim to come in and work with me, but supplement that with a training plan,” she said. The pools allow for more specific instruction than a traditional large pool, Stollenwerk said. “With the current, you can do so much with static swimming,” she said. “You can show people form in a way you can’t in other pools. You have the perception of moving through water and the stability of learning the correct form. You can teach people what speed feels like.” Peninsula Aquatics Center is located at 10464 Hwy 57, Sister Bay.

Rachel Stollenwerk (right) has more than 100 kids signed up for swimming classes this winter and spring. HannaH PauLuS

Julie Gilbert to Step Down as DDC President & CEO Jon Jarosh appointed interim CEO eﬀective Feb. 9

estination Door us much stronger and more County (DDC) resilient moving forward. President & We are grateful for her CEO, Julie willingness to remain Gilbert, has informed fully engaged during the Board of Directors this transition and of her decision to to work closely resign from her role. with the board and Gilbert will continue staff to position the to serve as CEO in organization and the coming weeks and county for continued work with the Board of success.” Directors and leadership The board emphasized team to ensure an orderly that DDC’s mission and transition. strategic priorities remain Jon Jarosh SubMITTeD Gilbert joined DDC in unchanged. The organization’s 2021 from Buffalo, New York strength continues to lie in and Destination Niagara USA. the dedication, professionalism, Since she arrived in Door and community-focused work County, she has led the of its staff, partners and organization through a stakeholders. period of significant As part of its growth and progress, transition planning, strengthening its the board has role as a steward appointed Jon Jarosh, of the local visitor currently DDC Chief economy and building Communications strong partnerships Oﬃcer, to serve as throughout the Interim CEO, effective community, according Feb. 9. Jarosh brings deep to Jeff Lutsey, chair of institutional knowledge, the DDC Board of Directors. strong leadership experience Julie Gilbert Gilbert is relocating out of and a proven commitment to SubMITTeD state and will continue her the organization’s mission. professional career in the “Jon is a passionate, trusted tourism industry. leader who deeply understands our “We have the deepest respect and work and our community,” Lutsey said. appreciation for Julie and the leadership “His appointment reflects the board’s she has provided to Destination Door confidence in his leadership.” County and the greater community,” The board has initiated a Lutsey said. “Under her leadership, DDC comprehensive search process for has transformed and grown stronger DDC’s next CEO. During this time, the as a leader in destination marketing, organization’s priorities, programs, as well as community collaboration and day-to-day operations will continue and stewardship. And this has made without interruption.

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Call Mike (920) 412-8204 FREE Estimates • Fully Insured (From left) 14-year-old Gertie, dad Phillip, 4-year-old Saﬀron, 2-year-old Felix, 16-year-old Elliot, mom Laura Lee and SubMITTeD 12-year-old Gwen Lotto.

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y 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, married duo Laura Lee and Phillip Lotto had already owned their 35-acre property in Algoma for 10 years, but were ready for a new direction. “We were trying to find our niche,” Laura said. “What’s the thing that really works for us?” As part of this evolution, they wanted to change the name from its original moniker, Lotto’s Lazy Acres. Around the same time, they welcomed a new baby girl, and their fourth child of five, whose astrological chart featured seven planets in the sign of Aquarius. As a professional astrologer, Laura recognized the ideals of Aquarius as the ideals of their homestead – communityfocused with the hope of leaving a place better than they found it. While walking around the land one day, the name came to her – Aquarian Acres. “I asked the land, what do you want to be called?” she said. In the five years since, Laura and Phillip have transformed their land to serve a variety of purposes, many of which connect to the family’s passions and life experiences. The on-site bakery, for instance, is entirely gluten-free as a result of the oldest son’s serious gluten intolerance. “We wanted to come up with a bread recipe that, among other kinds of treats, he could have,” Phillip said. “Then we decided that if we’re able to create something like this, why not offer it to others who are in similar situations?” Additionally, the homestead’s largest new addition, a disc golf course, was inspired by Laura’s brother, Ricky, who has been playing the sport for over a decade. Ricky actually designed much of the course himself, using his experience to decide the best placement for different holes. Aquarian Acres started with a nine-hole course last year before expanding to a full 18-hole course this year, Phillip said. In August, the couple started a Wednesday night league, where players contribute a buy-in of $10 for a night of competition, with the winner taking home most of the pot. The group also keeps a running “ace” pot for anyone who makes a hole-in-one. Outside of organized competitions, the Aquarian Acres disc golf course is open year-round and costs just $5 for a full day of use. The family has discs available for rent, and plans to sell disc sets in the future.

“It is possible to golf in this [snow],” Phillip said. “There are weirdos who do it,” Laura followed up with a laugh, referring to themselves. While their land is currently blanketed in snow, during the warmer months, Aquarian Acres is also lush with fruiting trees and vegetable gardens. Laura and Phillip also welcome visitors to see this side of their operation with weekly volunteer opportunities every Thursday. In return for assistance with hands-on gardening, planting and farm chores, volunteers can take home a small portion of the day’s harvest and gain free access to the disc golf course for the day. Not only do such programs increase awareness of farming and sustainability practices, but spread general knowledge about how people can grow their own food. “Philip and I are very passionate about helping to educate people on the things we’ve learned, especially things we’ve learned the hard way,” Laura said. “We can prevent people from having to make the mistakes we made.” The land is also available to rent for events, from birthday parties to work retreats. The three oldest Lotto children – ages 12, 14 and 16 – have all started to get involved with the business, assisting with event planning and social media posts. As Aquarian Acres continues to evolve and find its niche, Phillip and Laura enjoy looking back at how far their family has come. “It’s [Aquarian Acres is] something we’re really proud of, and it’s fun to watch it develop, very naturally and organically, out of our interests,” Laura said. Learn more about Aquarian Acres at theaquarianacres.com.

BUSINESS briefs (from left) Tyler baudhuin, 2026 Wisconsin Outstanding young farmer, and Lucy Wiese.

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People compete at the Aquarian Acres Wednesday night disc golf league. SubMITTeD

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TYLER BAUDHUIN NAMED OUTSTANDING YOUNG FARMER The Wisconsin Outstanding young farmer (Oyf) program has selected Tyler baudhuin of Sturgeon bay as the 2026 Wisconsin Outstanding young farmer during the 72nd annual awards Weekend, jan. 23-24. baudhuin is the fourth generation on the Sturgeon bay dairy farm, where he helps operate in partnership with other family members. He started his personal involvement in farming in 2014 when he purchased 46 acres of land. Since that time, he has become a partner in his family dairy that has recently been expanded to more than 300 cows. Their total 900 acres of crop land includes corn, alfalfa, soybeans, wheat, peas, oats and straw. baudhuin is sponsored by forest Construction, Greenstone fCS and Total Dairy Services.

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Pinky Promise Coffee in Sturgeon bay is officially for sale, according to an announcement on the business’s facebook page. The sale of this fully operating, turn-key specialty coffee business includes commercial espresso equipment, brewing systems, grinders, fixtures and a full in-house coffee roasting operation with production equipment. Sean Gorich, the shop’s owner, announced on Sept. 30, 2025, that he was running as a Democratic candidate for Wisconsin’s 1st Senate District, a seat currently held by andré jacque. The shop will continue normal operations while buyer interest and offers are reviewed. Message sean@ pinkypormisecoffee.com for details. Pinky Promise Coffee is located at 60 Madison ave in Sturgeon bay.

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january 30-february 6/2026 7

))perspectives

FEATURED PET

EDITOR’S NOTE

Trust Your Feet by DEBRA FITZGERALD debra.fitz@ppulse.com

f you’re like me this winter, you’ll study the groundhog’s predictions on Feb. 2 about spring’s arrival with the intensity of a bomb detonation expert. Winters on our lovely peninsula are usually moderate, as is our year-round climate. This winter, moderation has been nowhere to be found. I love staying in on snowy, cold weekends, cooking something hearty. But you can only plan

so many weekends in a row around a stew. What was homey and comforting at first – like those bought-at-the-Alaska State Fair sweaters – has become increasingly heavy and itchy. I remind myself that the first mile is the hardest. I thought that this past weekend when we set out for our Sunday morning hike. The temperature was, I don’t know, minus something, with a ‘brisk’ wind, and about an eighth of a mile in, my mind started lobbying hard to turn around, go back. This isn’t working. It’s too cold and gray. I said nothing to my partner, Luther. Despite my mind’s protests, my feet kept moving

letters to the editor Shame on ICE One Day Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This is the title of a book I recently finished by Omar El Akkad, which focused on the genocide happening in Gaza, but has caused me to think deeply about my own responsibility to call out and acknowledge atrocities as they are happening. I wish more of our representatives, leaders and everyday citizens were saying what I’d like to say here: shame on Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A mother of three was shot in the head and murdered in plain daylight in front of a crowd of people, including a doctor who tried to give her medical care but was denied the chance to do so. A six-month-old baby, in a car with family and on the way home from a sibling’s basketball game, took tear gas to the face and stopped breathing. The baby could only breathe again after being transferred to a nearby hospital. A five-year-old preschooler was sent from Minneapolis to Texas with his father, only after he was used as “bait” to allow ICE agents to open the door to his home. The most abhorrent and sadistic story might be that a group of ICE agents sat down in a restaurant in Minnesota, ate a meal, and then later came back to detain the very people who worked there. These are only a handful of the stories, and only from the past few weeks. Please take a moment to consider what it feels like to be treated with respect and dignity. Contrast that feeling with the stories above. I would argue that we should care about these incidents no matter where they are occurring, but if Maine and Minnesota feel distant to you, know that ICE has signed agreements with Sheriff’s Departments in both Kenosha and Sauk County. I beg you to join me in using any privilege you may have to be a voice for those who are vulnerable, and who cannot risk speaking out for themselves. These people, six-month-olds and fiveyear-olds especially, need our voices. Emily Kraynak Northern Door Activism Fish Creek, Wisconsin

I Stand With Minnesota We are not domestic terrorists. We are ordinary Americans standing up for our American way of life, which values the freedom of speech and the right to be

News Notes continued from page 2 The ordinance states it “shall be unlawful for any person to make, continue, or cause to be made or continued, any loud and unnecessary noise.” In addition, “no noise shall produce a sound level that when measured from the adjacent property line of the noise making premise by two independent individuals and two independent devices results in a decibel level over 90 decibels from 7 am to 9:59 pm. after 10 pm, amplified noise is prohibited and noise should not be heard by the naked ear beyond property lines,” according to the official ordinance language. ninety decibels is similar to the sound of truck traffic, power tools or a lawn mower, according to deciblemeter.org.

SIX ARRESTED LAST WEEK ON DRUG CHARGES Sturgeon Bay – On jan. 21, personnel from the Door County Sheriff’s Office, the Sturgeon bay Police Department and the Door County SWaT Team conducted a coordinated operation stemming from a long-term investigation into fraud and drug trafficking. as part of this operation, two residential search warrants were executed and a high-risk traffic stop was

forward. It’s almost as if they’re used to this nuisance chatter traveling down my spine from my head and have learned to ignore it – good advice. So I did too and, unsprisingly, felt fabulous at the end of the four miles. What tools work for you when the world feels cold, dark, snowy and uncertain? Send them to debra.fitz@ppulse.com for a future column, and we’ll see if we can’t inspire and motivate each other – because despite what the groundhog might say, we know we’ve still got a lot of winter to go.

protected by the rules of our country. The unacceptable is happening in Minneapolis. The videos don’t lie. Renee Good was turning her car to leave, and she was shot in the head and killed by armed, masked ICE agents. Alex Pretti, with a phone in one hand and his other hand up, was going to help a woman who had been knocked down by ICE agents. He was shot and killed with multiple gunshots by the cowardly masked ICE agents who pepper-sprayed him and then killed him. As much as Donald Trump, Stephen Miller, and Kristi Noem lie about what’s happening, we know they’re lying. We see the videos. Donald Trump’s approval ratings are cratering, according to a New York Times/Siena College Poll on Jan. 22. Most Americans don’t like what’s happening. Our democracy will only thrive if we speak up and protest. We have to speak up for our values. This brutal cruelty of an unrestrained president and his ICE cannot continue. We must speak up by protest vigils and marches, talking to friends and neighbors, and letting our elected oﬃcials know that we’ve had enough. I plan to contact Senator Tammy Baldwin to let her know I support the Senate refusing to pass a budget that increases money for ICE. I plan to contact Senator Ron Johnson and Representative Tony Wied to express my opposition to their support of Trump and ICE. Let’s support our local police forces who do their jobs every day and are held accountable by our laws and the Constitution. Let’s increase funding to them – not to ICE, whose enforcement practices raise serious concerns about training, restraint and discipline. Glenna Peters Sister Bay, Wisconsin

They Lie

Sweetie is 1 year old, weighs 10 pounds and is available for adoption at the Wisconsin Humane Society Door (WHS) County Campus. Sweetie’s name absolutely ﬁts her personality. Her foster parents said Sweetie is quiet and a bit shy, but loves to greet them in the morning. She also enjoys eating treats and napping in her cat tree or cat bed. all cats and dogs at the WHS are neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. They go home with a free bag of starter food and a certiﬁcate for a free vet exam. Visit available pets during adoption hours at the WHS Door County Campus and take a furry friend home the very same day.

it to everyone who is being abused at the hands of our government. We owe it to ourselves. “We the People” have had enough.

Let’s Keep Perspective

Lisa Tetzloff Egg Harbor, Wisconsin

Peaceful Protests Are Not Harmful, They’re a Badge of Honor Regarding a Letter to the Editor in the Jan. 23 issue of the Peninsula Pulse, suggesting that protests against the Trump administration are bad for our economy and reputation – I couldn’t disagree more. People in every county in the U.S. are putting themselves out there to peacefully protest. Our Constitution gives us the right to speak out, to gather, to present our grievances to the government. Anything less is tyranny. I was part of the protest a couple of weeks ago in the heart of Egg Harbor, where about 200 people gathered on a windy, chilly Saturday. It was heartening to see the caring camaraderie. So many friends and neighbors – some of whom I didn’t expect to see – get out of the house to take a stand against the myriad of appalling anti-democratic actions in place right now. The vast majority of drivers passing by honked their horns in support, smiling, thumbs up. And many of those vehicles had out-of-state license plates. Facts don’t support the assertion that peaceful protests are a detriment to our tourist economy. County sales tax data remains strong. I believe it’s a badge of honor that so many residents of Door County, rather than shrugging their shoulders, gathered to speak out against the outrages. Like one sign said, “Silence is Complicity.” I’m proud to be part of the greater Door County and national community that wants their voices to be heard.

The United States government killed an innocent man and lied about it. Our president, vice president, Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretary of Defense and other government oﬃcials lied about it. They lied even though we already knew the truth, even though we saw it with our own eyes. They called Alex Pretti an “assassin.” They called him a “domestic terrorist.” They said he intended a “massacre.” They said he deserved it. They even said the murderers were the victims. The U.S. government killed a man who saved lives. Veterans’ lives. The people who fight for us. It’s stunning. The immorality, the inhumanity of our government, including those in Congress who are complicit, is heartbreaking and enraging. We cannot let this stand. We owe it to Alex Pretti. We owe it to Renee Good. We owe it to the children. We owe

conducted in an eﬀort to take those involved into custody. as a result of the investigation, approximately 125.6 grams of cocaine were seized and six individuals were arrested. additional arrests and charges are anticipated as the investigation continues. Charges related to these arrests include unauthorized use of an Individual’s Personal Information or Documents, Theft by fraud, Delivery of Cocaine (greater than 40 grams), Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine (greater than 40 grams), Conspiracy to Deliver Cocaine, Possession with Intent to Deliver THC, Possession of an electric Weapon, Possession of THC, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and felony bail jumping. The incident remains under investigation. no further information is being released at this time.

Lisa Van Laanen Egg Harbor, Wisconsin

In response to a Letter to the Editor in the Jan. 23 issue of the Peninsula Pulse about ICE agents going after “very bad hombrés, such as rapists, pedophiles, aggravated assaulters, murderers, and sex traﬃckers.” Lest we forget, we have a president who (a) was found civilly liable for sexual abuse – not by some liberal media, or liberal elite or left-wing terrorists – but by a jury of common, everyday Americans. And (b) a president who was all too happy palling around with Jeffrey Epstein. Enough said. Curt Wessel Ellison Bay, Wisconsin

PENINSULA PULSE LeTTerS POLICy Please email letters to the editor to letters@ ppulse.com. If you have questions, use the same email or call 920.839.2121. • Letters are limited to 350 words. Letters must include the author’s name, daytime phone number, mailing address and email address, but only the author’s name and town/state of residence will appear in the paper. Deadline for letters is Mondays at noon. • We will publish only one letter by a given author within a 30-day period. Multiple letters by different authors addressing similar topics may be omitted, and in most cases, we do not publish letters that have appeared in other publications. • The Peninsula Pulse reserves the right to edit and refuse letters, to add titles to or retitle them, and to print them at the time of our discretion. • Letter writers who express anything other than opinions, such as facts, figures, or quotes, must submit a link to their sources with their letter. If no sources are sent, we will not publish the letter. If misinformation, disinformation or inaccuracies are included within a letter – statements that have been proven to be false – that information will be edited out of the letter. • All opinions expressed in letters are those of their authors and not those of the Peninsula Pulse, its owners or staff.

HELLERTOON

PULSE PICKS POLL

Have you had the flu this season? Have you had the ﬂu this season?

January 8 February 2

Yes

Flu Season Last week, we asked if you’ve had the ﬂu this season. Here is the response of 286 individuals:

CORRECTIONS • In the jan. 23 issue in the story “fairways: an Indoor Golf Destination,” Susan felhofer was mistakenly referred to as “the late,” which is not the case. We apologize for the error. • In the jan. 23 issue in the Connection Through Cooking column, “The Grassroots eﬀort bringing back Community at Scandia Village,” Heidi Pentchoﬀ is from The Simple Solution of Door County, not from bargains unlimited. We apologize for the error.

This week, we’re getting ready for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Which winter sport is your favorite? Please let us know by the end of Monday, feb. 2, by visiting forms.gle/jCu6L56PfV4ayqaf6 or scanning this Qr code.

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public notices & classifieds Public Notices this week: County of Door; City of Sturgeon Bay; Towns of: Baileys Harbor, Brussels, Sturgeon Bay School District Public notices submissions are due by 9:30am on Wednesday. Send them to legals@ppulse.com.

COUNTY OF DOOR

COURT ORDERS

STATE OF WISCONSIN, CIRCUIT COURT, DOOR COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF BARBARA J. LAWRIE Order Limiting Time for Filing Claims (Formal Administration) Case No. 26 PR 01 A Petition for Formal Administration was filed. THE COURT FINDS: The decedent, with date of birth May 17, 1942 and date of death December 31, 2025 was domiciled in Door County, State of Wisconsin, with a mailing address of 200 N. 7th Avenue, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235. 2. All interested persons waived notice. THE COURT ORDERS: 1. The deadline for filing a claim against the decedent’s estate is April 13, 2026. 2. A claim must be filed at the Door County Justice Center, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, Room C258. BY THE COURT: /s/ Regan Hendrickson Court Commissioner 01/09/26 Pinkert Law Firm LLP 454 Kentucky Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 920-743-6505 Bar Number 1082283 Run: Jan 16, 23, 20, 2026 WNAXLP STATE OF WISCONSIN, CIRCUIT COURT, DOOR COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE NAME CHANGE OF Dean Barry Falkinburg By (Petitioner) Dean Barry Falkinburg By (Co-Petitioner) Notice of Name Change Hearing Case No. 26CV6 NOTICE IS GIVEN: A Petition was filed asking

to change the name of the person listed above: From: [First] Dean [Middle] Barry [Last] Falkinburg To: [First] Connor [Middle] Lifeglade [Last] O’Thalyn Birth Certificate: [First] Dean [Middle] Barry [Last] Falkinburg This Petition will be heard in the Circuit Court of Door County, State of Wisconsin: Judge’s Name David Weber Place Door County Justice Center, 1209 S. Duluth Ave, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 Date 2/18/26 Time 9:30 am If you require reasonable accommodations due to a disability to participate in the court process, please call prior to the scheduled court date. Please note that the court does not provide transportation. Notice of this hearing shall be given by publication as a Class 3 notice for three weeks in a row prior to the date of the hearing in the Peninsula Pulse, a newspaper published in Door County, State of Wisconsin. Run: Jan 23, 30, Feb 6, 2026 WNAXLP STATE OF WISCONSIN, CIRCUIT COURT, DOOR COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE NAME CHANGE OF Jesse Dean Ronnebaum By (Petitioner) By (Co-Petitioner) Notice of Name Change Hearing Case No. 26CV7 NOTICE IS GIVEN: A Petition was filed asking to change the name of the person listed above: From: [First] Jesse [Middle] Dean [Last] Ronnebaum To: [First] Jesse [Middle] Dean [Last] Egeland Birth Certificate: [First] Jesse [Middle] Dean [Last] Ronnebaum This Petition will be heard in the Circuit Court of Door County, State of Wisconsin: Judge’s Name David L. Weber

Place Door County Justice Center, 1209 S. Duluth Ave, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 Date 2/18/2026 Time 11:30 am If you require reasonable accommodations due to a disability to participate in the court process, please call 920-746-2280 prior to the scheduled court date. Please note that the court does not provide transportation. Clerk of Circuit Court 1/20/26 Notice of this hearing shall be given by publication as a Class 3 notice for three (3) weeks in a row prior to the date of the hearing in the Peninsula Pulse, a newspaper published in Door County, State of Wisconsin. Run: Jan 23, 30, Feb 6 WNAXLP STATE OF WISCONSIN, CIRCUIT COURT, DOOR COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF Roger W. Schopf Notice to Creditors (Informal Administration) Case No. 26PR03 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: 1. An application for informal administration was filed. 2. The decedent, with date of birth November 30, 1935 and date of death November 27, 2025 was domiciled in Door County, State of Wisconsin, with a mailing address of 5125 County Highway I, Egg Harbor, WI 3. All interested persons waived notice. 4. The deadline for filing a claim against the decedent’s estate is 4/20/2026. 5. A claim may be filed at the Door County Courthouse, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, Room C253. BY THE COURT: /s/ Regan Hendrickson Register in Probate 1/20/26 Herbert C. Liebmann IV 218 N 14th Ave, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 920-743-9117 Bar Number 1064291 Run: Jan 23, 30, Feb 6, 2026 WNAXLP

continued on page 2

Featured in Classifieds: Autos, For Rent, For Sale, Garage/Yard Sales, Miscellaneous, Real Estate, Rec Vehicles, Services, Wanted, Help Wanted Line classifieds submissions are due by noon on Tuesday. Send them to classifieds@ppulse. com.

FOR RENT APARTMENT Apartment (Income Qualified) Sister Bay 2 bed 1bath $1,260/mo. Security deposit special $300. Minimum 12 month lease. Total household gross income per family size cannot exceed ad follows: 1 person $42,360; 2 people $48,420; 3 people $54,420; 4 people $60,480. No market rate units available at this time. Good credit, background and rental history needed. Call/Text 920.85436559 or email blackstoneharbor@ accmanagementgroup.com Apartment THE GLEN ESTATES. Apartment for Rent! All floor plans are available. 2 bedroom/2 full bath, Washer/ Dryer and Attached Garage. Includes Heat. Pet Friendly! Onsite Management. Sister Bay. 920.854-0167 COMMERCIAL Sister Bay Commercial space available Two adjacent commercial spaces available in the Country Walk- one space was the former Tapuat brewing facility. Has been state certified kitchen space, 3 compartment sink, exhaust hood. Second space is commercial/retail ready. Call or text Jared at 920.228.0329 Office Space – Sturgeon Bay Across from post office on 4th Ave, off street parking, remodeled unique building in the heart of downtown, 1 suite 1000 sq ft available. Sturgeonbayofficerental. com or call/text Steve at 920.333.2855

RESIDENTIAL HOME Country Living Close To Town 2BR, 2Ba ranch; good condition; 1.8 acres just north of 42/57 Jct. $1400/mth; heat, yard maintenance included; 2 car gar w/ workshop; available now; 1 yr preferred, open to other terms; on Hwy 57 just past The Farm; call/ text Mike 503.699.4000 ROOM FOR RENT Studio kitchenettes month to month Jan-April Furnished housekeeping rooms have kitchen wall with full size fridge, apt size stove and oven, appliances, dishes/ flatware, cookware. Room includes all utilities and has flat screen internet TV and wifi. You provide towels, bedding and all cleaning and paper products. $1250 per month. No tax. 920.746.4046 VACATION RENTAL Seasonal Rental in The Villages, FL Our updated furnished 2/2 home is available on a weekly, monthly or seasonal basis. Call 239.450.2600 for rates and details. It’s warm and sunny here!

FOR SALE FIREWOOD Firewood For Sale Firewood for sale. dry seasoned hardwood. Log lengths available. Camp fire wood also. Contact Steve 920.559.0830 Firewood For Sale Seasoned, split, dry hardwood. Delivered by the truckload. Call or text Steve at 920.205.1621 or email stumpchumpfirewood@ gmail.com Seasoned Firewood Fish Creek 1/2 face,face,1/2 cord & cords of seasoned hardwood firewood for pick up or delivery. Stacking & custom lengths available for wood

stoves.Credit cards accepted. 920.495.1344 or email seasonedfirewoodfishcreek@ gmail.com Logcrafter Dry split hardwood. GENEROUS half or full cords. Custom cutting & bulk orders available. 920.746.0122 HOUSEHOLD ITEMS Sister Bay, Furniture for Sale Sofa Sleeper Queen; Dinning Table Round Glass Top & four chairs; Breakfast Bar chairs 32”; Swivel Chair; Patio Chairs two; Queen Bed with solid wood frame; other miscellaneous items. Call Ron 414.881.5728 Sister Bay Items for Sale Furniture, electronics, sportscards, books, vintage magazines, clothes, vintage bicycles, bicycle car carrier, garden Items, large ceramic flower pots, toys, plastic model kits, lanterns and much more, call Ron 414.881.5728 MISCELLANEOUS HYLINE ORCHARD FARM MARKET 2 miles north of Egg Harbor on Hwy 42. (920.868.3067) OPEN YEAR ROUND 9am to 5pm. HOMEMADE CHERRY & APPLE PRODUCTS FROM OUR ORCHARDS. Cherries galore. NEW freeze dried cherries, our own sparkling cider & juice, Cherry & many more. Locally grown state certified beef, ground, steaks & roast. Also our cherry and apple pies baked or ready to bake. A variety of cheese, cheese spreads and cheese curds. Door County beer and wines. Natural homemade soaps. Door County Watch Us Grow liquid fertilizer. Honey crisp dried apples, large variety of fruit pie fillings including Cherry & Honey Crisp apple. Jams, Jellies, Pies, Salsa, BBQ Sauce, (Cherries: frozen, canned and dried), Cherry Cider, Honey Crisp Blend Apple Cider, our new apple grape continued on page 3

MoldMold Remediation Mold Remedia ater DamageWater Clean Water Up Damage Clean UpFire Damage Fire Clean FireUp Damage Up Remediation Damage Clean UpDamage Clean Up Clean

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2 | PUBLIC NOTICES & CLASSIFIEDS january 30-february 6/2026

 CPA with the former Leuthner Tax Ofﬁce  Regular hours Monday - Saturday  Special pricing for Hospitality Services workers  Full Federal and State electronic ﬁling  New ‘25 and ‘26 tax law changes Rick Gaumer, CPA

Call for an appointment Monday – Sunday | 920-365-9641 217 N. 4th Ave Sturgeon Bay | #27 [upstairs]

Public Notices continued from page 1

PUBLIC WORK CONTRACT REQUEST

Notice of Intent to Award Public Work Contract County of Door, Wisconsin The County of Door intends to award contract for the purpose of Fire Alarm System Jarvis Poehler Drop Off Bins: Replacement and upgrade Sturgeon Bay Owner at Cana Island County Park 728 N. 4th Ave. located at 8800 E Cana (920) 495-1040 Ace Hardware Island Road, Baileys Harbor, 1225 Egg Harbor Rd. Wisconsin 54202. The entirety Northern Door of this work will be performed • Cutlery Knives for an estimated total cost 3630 Fairview Rd. • Construction tools of $5,099.23. This notice is Ace Hardware Sister Bay given pursuant to Section • Lawn Tools 10636 N Bay Shore Dr. 59.52 (29)(a) of the Wisconsin • Grooming Clippers Ace Hardware Lux Casco Statues, which provides that • and Much More! 606 Center Dr. if the estimated cost of public work is between $5,000 and $25,000, the board shall give a class 1 notice under ch. 985 of the Wisconsin Statues before it contracts for the work. The contract will not be executed until at least one BudgetBlinds.com/lakeshore-wi week following publication of Locally Owned & Operated this notice. Low Price County Promise! of Door David Englebert, Board - Shutters - Drapes Chairperson WNAXLP

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HEARING The City of Sturgeon Bay Plan * 1/4 mile west of the intersection of Commission will conduct a public hearing in the Council County A & County E Chambers, 421 Michigan (Peninsula Center) Locally Owned & Operated Ephraim Street, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin on Wednesday, *Must present coupon. Offer notFishvalid Creek with other offers or discounts. A Valid thru 09/30/13. Offer valid at time of estimate only. February 18, 2026, at 6:00 E Egg Harbor Baileys Harbor p.m. or shortly thereafter, Jacksonport regarding a petition from 42 For info call Gorman and Company for 57 Rocky Ridge approval of a conditional use 920-421-1032 Storage under section 20.09(3) of the 3487 County E, Baileys Harbor Sturgeon Bay Municipal Code, which requires conditional use approval for multi-family dwellings in the C-1 zoning district. The applicant is Door County’s proposing a multi-family residential development Premier for property located on the Painting Service northeast corner of Highway Bonded • Insured • Local References. 42-57 and Columbia Avenue. The subject property is parcel • Interior & Exterior Painting Benjamin Moore® Paints #281-66-12001511B and • Staining Sold Here parcel #281-66-12001508C. • Fine Finishes The application materials are on file with the Community Now offering Wallpapering! Development Department,

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located at 421 Michigan Street, and can be viewed during normal business hours. The public is invited to give testimony in regard to the proposed conditional use request, either in person at the hearing or in writing. By order of: City of Sturgeon Bay Plan Commission WNAXLP

MUNICIPALITIES ORDINANCES BRUSSELS

TOWN OF BRUSSELS, DOOR COUNTY, WISCONSIN ORDINANCE NO. 39-2025 AN ORDINANCE REGULATING FOOD TRUCKS AND MOBILE FOOD VENDORS IN THE TOWN OF BRUSSELS SECTION 1 – PURPOSE The purpose of this ordinance is to regulate the operation of food trucks and mobile food vendors in the Town of Brussels to protect public health, safety, and welfare, ensure orderly operations, and provide a mechanism for annual permitting. SECTION 2 – DEFINITIONS Food Truck / Mobile Food Vendor: A vehicle, trailer, or cart from which food or beverages are sold to the public, either for immediate consumption or takeaway. SECTION 3 – PERMIT REQUIREMENT 1. No person may operate a food truck or mobile food vendor in the Town of Brussels without first obtaining an annual permit issued by the Town. 2. The permit is valid for the calendar year and expires December 31, 2026, and annually thereafter. 3. The permit fee shall be as posted on the Town’s Fee Schedule, available on the Town website. SECTION 4 – APPLICATION AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS To obtain a permit, applicants must submit: 1. A completed application form provided by the Town, including: Applicant name, business name, contact information, and Wisconsin seller’s permit number (if applicable). Vehicle information: make, model, license plate, VIN. Proposed vending location(s) with site permission from

property owners (if applicable). Type of food or beverages to be sold. Hours of operation (limited to 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.). 2. Proof of current liability insurance providing at least $1,000,000 per occurrence. 3. Copy of Door County Public Health license or certification. 4. Acknowledgement of compliance with operational rules: No amplified sound. No additional signage beyond what is on the vehicle. Not allowed to operate in the Town Park when events are occurring that utilize the fields for parking, due to public safety concerns. 5. Provide the Town at least 10 days’ prior notice before beginning operations at a new location. SECTION 5 – OPERATIONAL RULES 1. Food trucks may operate only at approved locations. 2. Hours of operation shall be 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.. 3. Amplified sound and additional signage beyond the vehicle are prohibited. 4. Vehicles must comply with all applicable state and local health and safety regulations. SECTION 6 – ENFORCEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY 1. The Town Clerk or their designee shall monitor compliance with this ordinance. 2. Permits may be suspended, revoked, or denied renewal for violations, including: Operating without a valid permit. Violating operational hours, noise, or signage rules. Failing to maintain required insurance or health certifications. 3. Violators may also be subject to penalties under state law and Town ordinances. SECTION 7 – SEVERABILITY If any provision of this ordinance is held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION 8 – EFFECTIVE DATE This ordinance shall take effect on the day following its publication. Ordinance shall apply to all food trucks and mobile food vendors operating within the Town of Brussels after approval date. Adopted this 11th day of December, 2025

TOWN OF BRUSSELS By: Joe Wautier, Chairperson Attest: Sherri Dantoin, Town Clerk WNAXLP

PUBLIC HEARINGS BAILEYS HARBOR

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Town of Baileys Harbor Public Notice is hereby given that the Town of Baileys Harbor will hold a public hearing at the Baileys Harbor Fire Department, located at 2404 Park Road, WI 54202, on Monday February 9, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. The hearing will consider the conclusions and recommendations of a Wastewater Facilities Plan that has been prepared on behalf of the Town. The Wastewater Facilities Plan recommends upgrades to existing facility infrastructure and maintaining current treatment systems. This Plan is required by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for the Town to qualify for funding opportunities, such as the Clean Water Fund Program. The public hearing will include a discussion of the wastewater facility planning process, treatment alternatives, proposed upgrades and repairs, and the anticipated financial impact of the proposed improvements to the community. At this hearing, questions regarding the Wastewater Facilities Plan will be answered and public comments will be accepted for consideration and submission to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. A copy of the Wastewater Facility Plan will be available for public review at the Baileys Harbor Town Office at 2392 Country Road F, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202. Additional copies of the report may be obtained from MSA Professional Services, Inc., 2901 E. Enterprise Ave., Ste. 500, Appleton, WI 54913, for a fee of $75.00 each. Written comments regarding the subject project will be accepted via email at bh_ wwtf_upgrades@msa-ps.com, until February 8, 2026. Please send comments with Attention to Joe Martirano, P.E. Dated this 15th day of January 2026. Town of Baileys Harbor Haley Adams, Clerk Publish: 1/23/2026, 1/30/2026 WNAXLP

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SCHOOL DISTRICTS AGENDAS

STURGEON BAY

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF STURGEON BAY Board of Education Annual Retreat And 2:45 P.M. Special Meeting re. Roofing Consultant Wednesday, February 4, 2026 8:30 A.M. Board of Education Annual Retreat Sturgeon Bay City Hall Community Room CALL TO ORDER: 1. Roll Call 2. Motion to Adopt Agenda AGENDA: 1. Strategic Action Plan & Priorities – Teaching & Learning Reminder: The 2025-2026 Strategic Action Plan & Priorities document was approved at the August 20, 2025, Board meeting. 2. Annual Education Convention highlights 3. Strategic Action Plan & Priorities – Community Engagement 4. Strategic Action Plan & Priorities – Facilities, Finance, & Operations 5. Board vision/reflecting/

Classifieds continued from page 1 and peachy apple and apple cranberry ciders. Fresh Eggs, Maple Syrup, Honey, Pickles, Spices, Fudge, Gifts & Gift Boxes and Much More. Pick Your Own Cherries and Apples in season. Six Generations Growing and Marketing Fruits and Vegetables. Wholesale and Retail products. We ship UPS. Accept WIC checks. Door County Kraut Co. / Mr. Burns Peppertorium The 2026 BHCA winter Farmer’s/ Craft Markets are relocated 5 mi. north of town at 2604 Grove Rd. on the lower-drive office entrance. Watch for Blue & White DOT signs on ROW and turn west on Grove Rd. for 1/2 mile – turn right. Thank You to all for coming out in the snowstorm on January 10 to patronize vendors committed to customer service. We appreciated your efforts. Multiple vendors will be present selling wares on Valentines Day Saturday February 21, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. with ample parking & HC access. Unique products in one location while supporting local vendors. DC Kraut/Mister Burns Farm specializes in fermented products – raw sauerkrauts and hot sauces, BBQ sauces, and Salsa’s from mild to very spicy. DC Kraut features scratch breakfast buns, muffins, breads/ rolls, pies, cakes, pastries and more, fresh brined refrigerator Oriental style Daikon Radish , Cucumber-Onion sweet/ sour, and Garlic dill pickles, A-2 Cheeses, Seasonings made from our forest and farm grown produce. Shipping available on some items. We accept credit cards at this location. For sales/questions between markets and special-order items call Ann at 920.839.2288

MISCELLANEOUS SPECIALS For Sale at Hyline Orchard Bulk firewood, landscaping wood mulch. Delivery available. Call Hyline Orchard, 8240 Hwy 42, fish Creek. 2 miles north of Egg Harbor. 920.868.3067 or 920.493.4083

SERVICES Look for additional Service display advertisements within this section. CARPENTRY Handyman and remodeling services available now I am a licensed and insured contractor available now, taking on work for the winter. Available for handyman/odd jobs as well as remodeling. Experience with flooring, tile, carpentry of all kinds, outbuildings, decks, installations, renovations, interior/exterior.. Call or text Leo at 414.699.2909 to inquire. No job too small. Affordable rates.

january 30-february 6/2026 PUBLIC NOTICES & CLASSIFIEDS | 3

future planning 6. Adjourn 2:45 P.M. SPECIAL MEETING: 1. Motion to Adopt Agenda 2. Approve Roofing Consultant 3. Adjourn NOTE: This notice may be supplemented with additions to the agenda that come to the attention of the board prior to the meeting. If there are changes, a final agenda will be posted and provided to the media no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting or no later than 2 hours prior to the meeting in the event of an emergency. WNAXLP

DNR PERMITS

Notice of Pending Application for Proposed Dredging Greg Cook, 4401 Bay Shore Dr, Sturgeon Bay, WI, 54235, has applied to the Department of Natural Resources for a permit to Dredging. The project is located on Green Bay at 4401 Bay Shore Drive in Town of Sevastopol, Door County. The project consists of mechanically dredging 400 cubic yards of material from 4,000 square feet surrounding the existing pier to aid in navigation. The Department will review the proposal provided by the applicant and any information

CLEANING House Cleaning Service Accepting clients for weekly/biweekly/monthly cleaning service! Call/text 920.427.7557 for an estimate. HEALTH DC Weight Support Group Saturdays 8:00 a.m. Bayview Luth. Church, Sturgeon Bay. Education and support for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. No fee, free will donations. All are welcome. Contact judyksargent1@gmail.com HiddenSpringTherapy www. hiddenspringtherapy.com Explore a range of therapy services designed to support individuals, families, and couples in managing stress, improving relationships, and enhancing overall well-being. Each session is tailored to meet your specific needs, providing a comprehensive approach to your therapeutic journey. MISCELLANEOUS NEED SOMETHING HAULED?

Are you tired of looking at that pile of junk and want to reclaim your space? Let A CLEANING CREW do it for you. Or you just want something hauled from point A to point B. Give us a call and let’s get it done. Boxes, Furniture, Appliances, Yard Waste, Scrap Metal, Junk and more. We are family Owned and Operated, Insured and Eco-friendly. Servicing all of Door County. Call 414.803.2540 FASTTAXGUY.com Now Accepting New Clients 920.493.3278 SCRAP MAXX

We will take the stress out of your mess, we are a family owned business, and we can clean out your mess, weather it is old appliances, old furniture, yard waste or just a garage full of junk that you want gone! 920.255.6868 Auto Interior Detailing Get the salt and dirt out of your car. Thorough car detailing offered in Fish Creek. Call or text Inside the Door Detailing for an appointment. 920.421.1493 Need a piece of jewelry fixed? I can restring, fix a clasp or broken parts, etc. so you can wear it again! Call Pam at Earth Art Studio in Sister Bay at the Country Walk Shops: 920.854.1912 or stop by Thurs to Sat 10 am – 1 pm

from public comments and the public informational hearing. The Department will determine whether the proposal complies with ss. 1.11, 30.20 , 30.208, 281.36, Wis. Stats., and ch. NR 150, Wis. Adm. Code, and ensure that the required mitigation meets the standards in s. 281.36(3r), Stats. if the project impacts wetlands. The Department has made a tentative determination that it will issue the contract for the proposed activity. If you would like to know more about this project or would like to see the application and plans, please visit the Department’s permit tracking website at https://permits. dnr.wi.gov/water/SitePages/ Permit%20Search.aspx and search for Seitzer or WP-IP- NE-2025-15-X1205T15-19-42. Reasonable accommodation, including the provision of informational material in an alternative format, will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Any person may submit comments and/or request a public informational hearing by emailing angel.henschel@ wisconsin.gov, over the phone at (920) 366-7249, or writing to Angel Henschel, 2984 Shawano Ave., , Green Bay, WI 54313 by U.S. mail.

If you are submitting general comments on the proposal, they must be emailed, verbalized, or postmarked within 30 days after the date this notice is published on the Department’s website. If you are requesting a public informational hearing, the request must be emailed, verbalized, or postmarked within 20 days after the date this notice is published on the Department’s website. A request for hearing must include the docket number or applicant name and specify the issues that the party desires to be addressed at the informational hearing. If no hearing is requested, the Department may issue its decision without a hearing. If a public informational hearing is held, comments must be postmarked no later than 10 days following the date on which the hearing is completed. The final decision may be appealed as indicated in the decision document. Docket Number IP-NE-2025-15-03828 STATE OF WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES For the Secretary BY: Angel Henschel Water Management Specialist Date: January 20 2026 WNAXLP

PAINTING

regarding menu, taking orders, data entry into restaurant software, handling cash, check and credit card transactions. 2 years experience as a server, customer service, food prep or related. Send resume to Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant, 10698 N Bay Shore Dr, Sister Bay, WI, 54234 or email: freedolfs@gmail.com

JR Painting Door County Call 920.421.2830 to request a consultation. SKILLED TRADES Flooring Services Professional Flooring installer with 50 yrs experience. Can install carpet, vinyl, ceramic tile, laminate, luxury vinyl plank and tile. Will do carpet repairs, re-stretch carpet, tile & other repairs. Contact Greg Kaufman, Elegant Installations 920.421.1608

HELP WANTED Look for additional Help Wanted display advertisements within this section. HOTEL/LODGING Front Desk Position We’re looking for a friendly, reliable person to run the front desk during 2nd shift. You’ll greet guests, answer phones, and keep things running smoothly in the evening. If you’re good with people, show up on time, and can handle a calm-but-busy shift — we want you. Call/text 920.421.3336 or stop at Julie’s Park Motel at 4020 Main St, Fish Creek Help Wanted – Front Desk Full time front desk. Nights and weekends. Seasonal May-October. Competitive wages. Email Sarah at sarah@ephraimmotel.com or call 920.854.5959 Guest Service Representative – Eagle Harbor Inn Attend to guests’ needs, including, but not limited to, registration, reservation, checkout and cashiering, paperwork, and tasks. 920.854.2121

Server Responsibilities include take customer orders and submit them to kitchen staff; serve food and beverages; make sure customer is satisfied; take payment from customer; remove dishes and clean tables after customers leave; prepare tables for meals. 2 years experience as a server, customer service, food prep or related. Send resume to The English Inn, 3713 State Hwy 42, PO Box 609, Fish Creek, WI, 54212 or email: englishinnfc@gmail.com continued on page 4

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ls ta n e Katie Voight owner/stylist Re bl ir aila Unit 31 • Garden Level Country Walk Shops a Sister Bay • (920) 854-9866 Ch Av Hiring for Winter & Spring 2026

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Bobcat Work New Driveways | Top Soil | Gravel | Plowing Rock (small and big) | Brush Hog/Field Mowing Help Wanted for 2026 Season Contact Dave for more information!

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THYME

RESTAURANT & CATERING

WE’RE HIRING

MISCELLANEOUS Volunteer Tram Tour Drivers Wanted – 2026 Season The Ephraim Historical Foundation is seeking friendly, reliable individuals to serve as tram tour drivers for the 2026 season. Drivers lead engaging historic tours of the village and interact with visitors of all ages. Ideal candidates enjoy local history, working with the public, and being part of a team. Training provided. Seasonal, part-time positions. For more information, email Laura at lmcmahon@ephraim.org or call our office at 920.854.9688 RESTAURANT Restaurant Support Staff Food Preparation tasks include -assembling bread baskets and associated food items, filling glasses of water, coffee, soft drinks and similar drink preparations. All food preparation will take place in the dining room and at server prep stations in the dining room. Service duties include sanitizing the dining area, food and beverage service. Serving duties include answering questions

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EVENING LINE COOK Year-Round | Competitive Pay Join a creative, fast-paced kitchen in a supportive and team-oriented environment. Opportunity for growth. Apply in-person or email contact@thymecuisine.com ThymeDoorCounty.com 10339 Hwy 57 Sister Bay | 920.421.5113

roost banter

JOIN OUR TEAM We’re looking for a year-round barista and a year-round cook to join our café team. If you’re passionate about good coffee, good food, good people, and good work—we’d love to meet you.

Classifieds continued from page 3

8984 State Hwy 42 Fish Creek, WI

We are hiring year round housekeepers and seasonal landscapers. GREAT pay and perks. Work at one of the best resorts, with one of the best teams, in Door County.

Contact the resort at 920-868-9950 or send a resume to Linda@little-sweden.com

What We Offer: • A supportive, team-focused work environment • Opportunities to grow and contribute creatively • Competitive pay, shift meals, and flexible scheduling for the right candidate • A beautiful, community-centered café space to work in

let’s chat! email: info@roostandbanter.com or stop by the cafe!

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

JOIN US ON OUR DOOR WAY TO EXCELLENCE

Registered Nurses Housekeepers/Technicians

Immediate openings for Housekeepers CAREER OPPORTUNITIES and Maintenance Manager Full or Part-Time, Year Round CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Email your resume references to JOIN US ON OUR DOOR and WAY TO EXCELLENCE roman@birchwoodlodge.com

JOIN US ON OUR DOOR WAY TO EXCELLENCE

Cook Prepare and cook dishes as per the restaurant’s established menu items. Assist in planning and preparation of the menu and daily specials. Requires 2 years experience in food prep, cook or related. Send resume to: Village Cafe, PO Box 440, 7918 WI-42, Egg Harbor, WI, 54209 or email: kjensen@ mojorestaurantgroup.com Part-Time Server at Island Orchard Cider Looking for part-time, yearround, taproom servers to join our team! Duties include serving hard cider, selling retail products, and more. Must be 21+, and able to lift up to 50lbs. Starting pay $15/hr + tips! Send resume to ashtyn@ islandorchardcider.com. MULTIPLE POSITIONS! Cashier, Food Truck, Line Cook SAVOR BBQ IS HIRING! We need people with character, gusto, a positive work ethic & must love BBQ. CASHIERS, PREP/LINE COOK, FOOD TRUCK OPERATOR. Must be able to stand for long periods of time & dependable PT/ FT send resume & references to savorbbqco@gmail.com

Full Time Server at Island Orchard Cider Looking for a full-time taproom server to join our team for the 2026 season. Duties include serving hard cider, selling retail products, and more. Must be 21+, and able to lift up to 50lbs. Housing included if needed! Starting pay $15/hr + tips! Send resume to ashtyn@ islandorchardcider.com. Chef / Line Cook Nightingale Supper Club seeks an experienced Line Chef. We’re not short-staffed — just hiring the right fit. Part or full time. Call 920.743.5593 RETAIL Clerk Responsibilities include attend to customers, stock shelves and counters, setup in-store displays, receive payment, affix price tags to merchandise, prepare store for next day before closing. 2 years experience in retail, customer service, hospitality or related. Send resume to Bay Wear, 9428 Cedar Ct, Fish Creek, WI, 54212 or email: amos220165@gmail.com SKILLED TRADES Car/boat/yacht detail More than 15 years of experience in detailing. Contact us for more information. 920.629.6701

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

JOIN US ON OUR DOOR WAY TO EXCELLENCE

Join our Team

Radiology Technicians Physical Therapists Certified Nursing Assistants

PENINSULA PULSE

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323 South 18th Avenue, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 (920) 746-3702 Fax: (920) 746-3561 www.dcmedical.org

323 South 18th Avenue, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 323(920) South746-3702 18th Avenue,Fax: Sturgeon WI 54235 (920)Bay, 746-3561 (920) 746-3702 Fax: (920) 746-3561 www.dcmedical.org

DCMC offers a competitive wage and benefit package including health, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, retirement plan, continuing education, student loan assistance and more.

DCMC offers a competitive wage and benefit package including DCMC offers a competitive wage and benefit package including health, dental, lifelifeinsurance, disability, retirement health, dental, insurance, long-term long-term disability, retirement plan,plan, continuing education, loanassistance assistance and more. continuing education,student student loan and more.

At DCMC we encourage employee involvement, support growth and development, and recognize and reward efforts. DCMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

At DCMC we we encourage employee support growth development, At DCMC encourage employeeinvolvement, involvement, support growth andand development, recognize and rewardefforts. efforts. DCMC DCMC isisan Opportunity Employer. and and recognize and reward anEqual Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Now hiring fun, energetic applicants that “dig” plants, people, & gardening for the following positions: • Spring Planting Team • Retail Greenhouse Team • Garden Shop Checkout Team We offer flexible scheduling (work just 1 day or up to 5 days per week, for all or part of the season), a fantastic employee discount, & a place to get your hands dirty & have FUN!

Visit SunnypointDoorCounty com to Apply Questions? email Kori@sunnypointdoorcounty.com

323 South 18th Avenue, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 (920) 746-3702 Fax: (920) 746-3561 www.dcmedical.org DCMC offers a competitive wage and benefit package including health, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, retirement plan, continuing education, student loan assistance and more. At DCMC we encourage employee involvement, support growth and development, and recognize and reward efforts. DCMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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JOIN OUR INDUSTRY LEADING COMPANY AT OUR EXACTECH FABRICATION SHOP, OR OUR ASSEMBLY SHOP AND CORPORATE OFFICES AT MARINE TRAVELIFT - ALL LOCATED IN STURGEON BAY’S INDUSTRIAL PARK

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Peninsula Pulse

january 30-february 6/2026

COMMUNITY Door notes / Green / Wild Things / Sports / Life notes

Not all winter ﬁshing is guys (and gals) on ice. A herring gull had success in open water along Lake Michigan, snagging a young bullhead. brIan reInKe

doorcountypulse.com

WILD THINGS

page 4

Sensory Seekers Explores a New Way to Play by ELEANOR CORBIN eleanor@ppulse.com

(From top) The exploration den, complete with sensory bins. / The discovery room is set up with ﬁber optic lights and other visual stimuli. / The wiggle room, featuring trampolines and play structures. / The tranquility room, with books and couches. SubMITTeD

here’s something unexplainably pleasing about plunging your hand into a tub of dry pasta noodles and feeling the way they chalkily slide against one another, or squeezing a handful of wet sand until the grains compress together into a clump. Experiences that engage the five senses – taste, touch, sight, sound and smell – are good for kids, encouraging them to explore their environment while practicing their fine motor skills, explained mom and new business owner Hailee Sternard. “Our bodies seek input all the time, even if we don’t realize it,” she said. That need for stimulation is the idea behind Sensory Seekers Play Cafe in Sturgeon Bay, a new indoor recreation space for families with young children that Sternard opened in December with her husband. For $13, children get two hours of access to four rooms set up to engage the senses in different ways. The “wiggle room” features trampolines, slides and spinning office chairs where kids can get their energy out; the “exploration den” is focused on tactile play, with tubs full of Orbeez and Kinetic Sand; and the “discovery room” is filled with bubble tubes, fiber optics lights and an LED ball pit for visual stimulation. For those in need of a calmer space, the “tranquility room” offers soft spaces to sit, books to read and quiet games to play. “All of our rooms are different, and they’re all geared towards different things, depending on what your child seeks,” Sternard said. Sternard discovered the need for a versatile play environment through her own 2½-year-old son, Hudson, who was diagnosed with autism last year.

In her experience, some traditional recreation spaces can be overwhelming for Hudson. While Sternard loves the amenities at Otumba Park in Sturgeon Bay, for instance, Hudson often finds the bright light and loud noises too much. “He just kind of stands off in the corner, and he doesn’t want to interact because he’s overstimulated,” she said. “But at Sensory Seekers, where the lights are controlled, and, for the most part, the noise is controlled, he definitely has an easier time integrating.” Sternard described Sensory Seekers as an environment for all children that accommodates neurodivergent kids as well, allowing everyone to play together. “It’s nice to have a space where everybody can integrate,” she said. Right now, the majority of activities at the cafe are aimed at children under 10 years of age, though Sternard hopes to expand offerings to include a more traditional indoor playplace and a gaming area to appeal to a slightly older crowd of kids. She also hopes to extend the business’s hours come spring. Currently, Sensory Seekers is open on Wednesdays from 10 am to 2 pm, Thursdays and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm, and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 6 pm. For those planning to stop by more regularly, the cafe offers membership pricing starting at $250, and monthly memberships beginning at $40, getting less expensive if more children are added to the membership. To learn more about Sensory Seekers Play Cafe, located at 41 3rd Ave. in Sturgeon Bay, visit sensoryseekersplayground.com or check out “Sensory Seekers Play Cafe” on Facebook.

))sports GIRLS BASKETBALL

Eagles Show Growth in Win Over Pioneers by KEVIN BONESKE kevin@ppulse.com

outhern Door took control early in its 60-24 Packerland Conference home victory over Sevastopol on Jan. 22. When the two teams faced each other in the conference opener Dec. 2 at Sevastopol, it was the Pioneers who defeated the Eagles, 42-38. “We played much better defense and moved the ball well,” said Southern Door head coach Dawn Thorson. “We cut down on our turnovers and were more aggressive, we showed great enthusiasm and are playing great together.” The Eagles applied a full-court press and forced the Pioneers into multiple turnovers. Southern Door jumped out to a 9-0 lead with 12:20 left in the first half on a layup by Lilly Vandertie off a turnover. Sevastopol got on the scoreboard with 11:56 before halftime on a free throw by Braelyn Staats. The Pioneers didn’t score from the field until around 6:35 left in the first half on a three-pointer by Staats to

cut Southern Door’s lead to 24-4. The half ended with the Eagles in front, 31-7. Kyleigh Claflin led three Southern Door players in double figures with 18 points, followed by Alanah Kaye with 14 and Vandertie with 11. Chelsie Claflin added eight points, with Alyssa Bouche scoring six more. Vikings’ Ranks Thinned in Loss to Blazers When the final seconds ticked down in Gibraltar’s Jan. 22 matchup against NEW Lutheran, the Vikings had just four players available to compete. After trailing 22-12 at halftime, Gibraltar starters Megan Schar and

Josie Martin, as well as reserve player Gabi Solomon, fouled out in the second half. Injury or illness kept starters Celeste Jauregi and Emilie Glocke off the court in the final 18 minutes, leaving the Vikings a player short in the 46-22 non-conference loss. Megan Gallant led Gibraltar with six points, followed by Solomon with five points. The Blazers were led by Meredith Lemke-Scott and Evelyn Buyarski with 13 points apiece. Addison Bruley added nine points. The Vikings trailed 35-11 at halftime Saturday in a 55-22 loss to Gillett. Glocke led the Vikings with nine points. Maggie Kaczmarek led the Tigers with a game-high 17 points, which included five three-pointers. Clara Schaal added 10 points.

(From left) Southern Door’s Kyleigh Claﬂin and Sevastopol’s Luna Ramirez tie up in the lane during the Jan. 22 Packerland Conference girls basketball game in the Eagle Gym. KeVIn bOneSKe

BOYS BASKETBALL

Berg’s 28 Not Enough to Net Eagles First Win by KEVIN BONESKE kevin@ppulse.com

auden Berg’s big night was almost enough to deliver Southern Door its first Packerland Conference

victory of the season at Peshtigo on Jan. 24. The Eagles tallied 10 threepointers in regulation but scored only two points in overtime as they fell to the Bulldogs, 64-56. Berg led Eagles with 28 points, including three three-pointers,

and Dawson Schwartz added eight points, with a pair of threes. The Bulldogs were led by Dominik Baxter with a game-high 32 points, including four threepointers. Levi Hodgins also scored in double figures with 16.

Tom Anschutz (right) with his boss, Brad Koenig, postmaster of Northeastern Wisconsin, during a presentation of Anschutz’s retirement, eﬀective Jan. 31. SubMITTeD

Egg Harbor Postmaster Retires Tom Anschutz, who ‘worked and worked’ his whole life, said he ‘never had a job’ by DEBRA FITZGERALD debra.ﬁtz@ppulse.com

“I

t’s an amazing feeling,” Tom Anschutz said when asked about retirement. “I think there will be less stress on a regular basis.” For someone who described himself as having “worked and worked,” reaching full retirement age of 67 brought genuine delight. Anschutz spent 14 years with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), zig-zagging from Egg Harbor to Algoma to Sturgeon Bay to Fish Creek, before finishing his career back in Egg Harbor. He was temporarily promoted to postmaster in April 2021 and made permanent in January 2022. The postal service was his second career. From 1983 to 2008, Anschutz worked at the Door County Advocate, where he was circulation director. His wife, Kathy, is the daughter of former Advocate owner, editor and publisher, Chan Harris, whose family founded the paper in1862. Anschutz was abruptly laid off during the Gannett cuts that would eventually gut and then close the Sturgeon Bay office. “My life was cut out from underneath me with the Advocate,” he recalled. He regained his footing with the USPS, where his circulation experience proved valuable. He served as a supervisor in Sturgeon Bay before moving to the top spot in Egg Harbor. Training for his postmaster role was brief – “I had one day,” he said. His temporary replacement, Rusann Williams, had a week-and-a-half to acclimate. “You have to know what you’re doing when you go in and accept the position,” he said, likening the job to the military with which the civilian agency’s past is deeply intertwined. Williams was appointed the officer in charge of the five-person Egg Harbor post office until a new postmaster is hired – potentially herself, if she applies. Anschutz said she had been transferred from Menasha to Green Bay to Sturgeon Bay to Egg Harbor. During his tenure, Anschutz witnessed dramatic shifts in mail volume. Letters declined as catalogs and advertising flyers disappeared. Amazon, often blamed for overloading rural post offices with deluges of last-mile package delivery, presented a more nuanced picture. “It is part of what has kept the post office going,” Anschutz said. UPS, once a major USPS partner, left last year, though rumors persist of its return. Amazon, which accounts for roughly 7-10% of the USPS revenue, may also leave to operate its own distribution hub after its contract expires in October. “You won’t need all the people who deliver all the packages and mail and letters that you used to deliver,” Anschutz said. The influx of packages has changed daily routines. “The amount of Amazon being delivered by postal employees affects them delivering the mail in their own personal or postal vehicles,” he said. “They don’t have the space to do it on one trip in one day.” Still, he valued the service the post office provides to rural communities. “We deliver what they can’t get delivered,” he said – whether it’s bathroom tissue, microwaves, cases of water, or 60-pound bags of autosubscription dog food. “I’ve been known to put four of those 50-60-pound bags in the car and it’s full,” he said. There was such a thing as too much for USPS delivery. One business ordered 59 boxes of ceiling tile, another 26 mattresses. “They came and got them,” he said. Having been a daily presence in the community, Anschutz said he knew the Egg Harbor post office was a place where customers could be taken care of one-on-one. “You don’t leave unless you’re happy,” he said. “So many people had my phone number in Egg Harbor.” He said he will miss both public interactions and his coworkers. “Egg Harbor had a good crew,” he said. “They weren’t afraid to do what they needed to do.” He also thought the public would miss him – and his wife’s monthly cakes. “Once a month, she would crank out a cake and we would put it out there,” he said. In these first days of retirement, Anschutz is taking it easy and enjoying simple pleasures he hasn’t done in decades, like making breakfast for his wife. He’ll still provide DJ services for local benefits – a hobby he’s pursued since age 18 – but no more predawn hours meeting the mail or Amazon trucks in all kinds of weather, even on federal holidays. Not that he ever considered it work, he insists. “I never had a job,” he said. “Whatever I did, I loved doing.”

2 | COMMUNITY january 30-february 6/2026

sports NOTES EAGLES DROP DUALS AT OCONTO Three Southern Door boys wrestlers went 2-0 in a pair of duals they competed in Jan. 22 at Oconto, where they faced both the Blue Devils and Peshtigo. The Eagles’ Lance Veeser won both of his contested matches on pins at 165 pounds. Clark LeFevre (126) recorded two wins on a forfeit and a decision. Chance Dekeyser (132) won twice with a forfeit and a pin. Southern Door, which lost 30 points because of forfeiting five matches in the weight classes for each dual, dropped the dual to both Oconto, 36-18, and Peshtigo, 36-15.

ROSEMARY J. WECKLER Feb. 27, 1935 - Jan. 22, 2026

“Mom and dad had celebrated 50 years of married life in 2004, and then on Nov. 15, 2004, she lost her beloved husband, our father. We were all there beside his bed and watched him go home. We saw the pain in her face, and we knew just how much she will miss him, but she knew she had to be strong for the rest of the family. Now she will be at peace again knowing she will be joining dad in her new home with our blessed Father above and all her family and friends who went before her.” Rosemary Julia Weckler, 90, of Sturgeon Bay, was called Home to be with the Lord, late Thursday night, Jan. 22, 2026 at the Pete and Jelaine Horton Skilled Nursing Center. She was a dependable, loyal hard-working, and loveable woman. Rosemary was born at home above the family tavern in Duvall, Town of Red River, in Kewaunee County on Feb. 27, 1935, the daughter of George Frank Romdenne, Sr. and Anna (Swoboda) Romdenne. She grew up helping on the family farm located off County Road S. Rosemary attended Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Casco and graduated from Casco High School with class of 1954. She was united in marriage to Grant Hans Weckler on June 12, 1954 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sturgeon Bay where she remained a member throughout her life. Together, Rosemary and Grant resided in Sturgeon Bay, moving to different neighborhoods over years. They were blessed with eight children: Debra, Thomas, Geneva, Bruce, Bradley, Susan, Todd, and Michael. Rosemary was initially employed with Santa Rosa Shoe Factory/Milwaukee Shoe Company for 19 years. She went to work for Doerr Electric Emerson Motors as assembler for 17 years until her retirement in 1998. Rosemary went back to work part-time for Evergreen Nursery, while taking care of her husband when he fell ill in 1997. She enjoyed tending to her fruit and vegetable and flower gardens. Her gardens usually included corn, potatoes, strawberries, and rhubarb; and astilbes, spirea, roses, and peonies. Rosemary also liked putting puzzles together. “The past 90 years have been filled with many challenges and accomplishments. But all in all, well worth the journey. Thanks for being there. We love you, we’ll miss you, and you’ll always be in our hearts! Oh, one more thing, Mom, give Dad a BIG HUG from all of us, and tell him how much we all LOVE and MISS HIM dearly!” Rosemary’s love will live on in the hearts of her family: children, Debra (James) Baudhuin of Casco, Geneva (Dale) Macco of Duvall, Bradley Weckler of the Town of Brussels, Bruce (Bonnie) Weckler, Susan (Richard) Christianson, both of Sturgeon Bay, Todd (Heather) Weckler of Forestville, and Michael Weckler of Sturgeon Bay; grandchildren, Jamie (Angel) Baudhuin, Jason (Cindy Dalebroux) Baudhuin, and Elizabeth (Tom) Crockett, Philip (Alison) Weckler, Sierra Schmeider, and Mikayla Weckler, Shane Macco and Janelle (Doug) Binsfeld, Jessica Weckler, Bruce (Jessica) Weckler and RJ (Amy) Steward, Allen (Samantha) Christianson and Nicole “Nikki” Christianson, Lyle (Angeleana “Angel”) Weckler and Randy (Hayley Heindel) Vogel, and Echo Ruggles and Linda (William) Kimpston; beloved great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; Margie (Jerome) Braun of the Town of Nasewaupee and Richard (Becky) Romdenne; brother-in-law, Melvin Malvitz of Sturgeon Bay; nieces and nephews; and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Thomas Weckler; daughter-in-law, Sandra Weckler; siblings, Nathalie (Martin) Frisque, George (Joanne) Romdenne, Jr., Elroy Romdenne, LeRoy Romdenne, and baby girl Romdenne; siblings-in-law, Duane (Diane) Weckler, and Gloria Malvitz; and other relatives. Rosemary’s life was honored with a Mass of Christian Burial prayed at 11 am on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 110 N. 5th Avenue, Sturgeon Bay, with Fr. Matthew Rappl as celebrant. She was laid to rest beside her husband, Grant, in St. Joseph Mausoleum in the Town of Sevastopol. Visitation for family and friends was held from 4 until 7 pm on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at Huehns Funeral Home, 1414 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 with the Rosary prayed at 3:30 pm and a Parish Wake Service concluding the evening at 7 pm led by Dcn. Mark Bortle. Visitation continued at the church on Wednesday from 9 until 10:30 am. Memorials may be given in Rosemary’s name for St. Joseph Parish (MAIL TO: 526 Louisiana Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235); or the Pete and Jelaine Horton Skilled Nursing Center (PAYABLE TO: Door County Medical Center Foundation, P.O. Box 230, Sturgeon Bay WI 54235). “Our family would like to express heartfelt thanks to the staffs of the Skilled Nursing Center, Compassus Hospice, Unity Hospice, and Kathy Neuville for the wonderful and compassionate care you gave to our mother.” Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Rosemary may be shared with her family through her tribute page at HuehnsFuneralHome.com

PENINSULA PULSE

Apple Valley Classic League Jan. 19, 2026 • Team / high game/series: Sawyer Harbor Pub & Grill 737/1,921 • Women / high game: Michelle Pfannenstiel 226, Penny Kramer 207, Megan Pavlik 204 • Women / high series: Michelle Pfannenstiel 645, Penny Kramer 568, Megan Pavlik 542 • Men / high game: Justin Hartel 280, TJ Lautenbach 276, Scott Nellis 263 • Men / high series: Scott Nellis 736, Bob Kramer 697, Justin Hartel 672 Mixed Masters League Jan. 19, 2026 • Team / high game/series: VanOss Enterprises 546/1,581 • Women / high game: Rebecca Hankins 233, Shalon Voeks 223, Natasha LeMieux 213 • Women / high series: Rebecca Hankins 615, Shalon Voeks 597, Natasha LeMieux 591

• Men / high game: Brandon Umentum 246, Dan Barrett 233, Jamie White 205 • Men / high series: Brandon Umentum 651, Dan Barrett 596, Jamie White 548 Columbia 300 Washout League Jan. 21, 2026 • Team / high game/series: Innovative LED Solutions 1,137/3,338 • Women / high game: Natasha LeMieux 206, Kathy Franke 204, Rebecca Hankins 192 • Women / high series: Kathy Franke 558, Natasha LeMieux 544, Angela LaPlant 510 • Men / high game: Aaron Shepit 279, Matt Heldmann 256, Aaron Welch 249 • Men / high series: Scot Hilsabeck 698, Mike Cuculi 686, Andy Alger 684

CHRISTOPHER C. HECHT March 5, 1966 - Jan. 19, 2026

In Loving Memory of Christopher “Chris” Hecht Christopher Hecht, 59, passed away peacefullysurrounded by his family on Jan. 19, 2026, at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay. Born March 5, 1966, in Milwaukee to David Hecht and Karen (Stromski) Wollenburg, Chris grew up with an eagerness to serve and a quiet strength that stayed with him his entire life. He graduated from Pardeeville High School in 1984 and later earned his Associates Degree at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. In 1984, Chris moved to Washington Island, a place that would shape his purpose and deepen his love for community. There, he met Elizabeth “Liz” Jorgenson, the love of his life. They were married on Sept. 26, 1992, at Trinity Lutheran Church. Settling in Sister Bay, they raised two children - Matthew and Helen - who, along with Liz, were the center of Chris’s heart and the joy of his days. Chris began his working life with Anderson Construction before answering a deeper calling: public service. He started as a Firefighter and EMT with the Washington Island Fire Department and, in 1990, moved to the mainland to continue his life’s work. Over the next 33 years, Chris served the Door County community as a Paramedic with Emergency Services of Door County and a Firefighter with the Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Department. In 2001, he became Fire Chief, a role he held for 24 years – guiding, protecting, and mentoring with steadiness and care. Chris’s influence reached far beyond Door County. Following the 9/11 attacks, he joined Salisbury Fire Apparatus as a salesman and designer, helping support the rebuilding of FDNY. Later, he continued serving at a national level as a consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton, contributing to contracts with the United States Marine Corps and Navy. “Retirement” was never in his vocabulary –service was not just what he did, it was who he was. Chris was, in every sense, a pillar of the community. He was the first call in a crisis, the calm in the storm, and the steady voice that turned fear into action. A mentor to many, Chris led with knowledge and respect, offering just enough firm guidance to keep people safe and on the right path. He modeled what it means to be a servant leader: he listened, sought to learn from others’ perspectives, and left room for mistakes, knowing that growth often begins there. He was nonjudgmental, inclusive, and steadfastly supportive – a neighbor to all, regardless of background or belief. Door County knew him by his favorite saying: “Door County doing what Door County does best.” Neighbors helping neighbors. That simple phrase became the mission of his days and the imprint of his legacy. The full measure of Chris’s achievements and awards is too vast to list; more powerful than any accolade was the trust he earned and the lives he touched. Door County has lost one of its very best, and his absence leaves a profound hole in many hearts. Chris is survived by his loving wife, Liz, who was always by his side; his son, Matthew (Ashley Ellefson) Hecht, and beloved grand-pup Remy; his daughter, Helen (Nicholas) Peppler; his mother, Karen (Fred) Wollenburg; his father, David Hecht; his sisters, Elizabeth “Beth” (John Schwingel) Hecht and Jennifer Hecht; his brother, Noah (Emmy) Wollenburg; his brothers-in-law and sisters-inlaw; and many cherished nieces and nephews. The Funeral Service for Chris will be held on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, at 11 am at Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church, 10836 Hwy 42, Ellison Bay. A visitation for family and friends will take place at the church on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, from 3 - 6:45 pm, and again on Friday from 9 - 10:30 am. Uniformed personnel will be participating in a ceremonial walk-through on Thursday at 6:45 pm and on Friday at 10:30 am. Washington Island was the place his heart called home. He will be laid to rest on the island at a later date. Rest in Peace, Chris. We will take it from here. Memorial donations may be made in Chris’s name to Door CANcer, P.O. Box 423, Sturgeon Bay WI 54235; doorcancer.com Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, LLC in Sister Bay is assisting the Hecht family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Chris may be shared with his family through his tribute page at CaspersonFuneralHome.com

life NOTES As a free public service to our readers, the Peninsula Pulse presents Life Notes, devoted to the notable milestones in life, from birth to significant birthdays to engagements, weddings and obituaries. The deadline for submissions is noon on Friday. Send submissions to lifenotes@ppulse.com. The Pulse reserves the right to edit submissions to conform to space. Call 920.839.2121 for details. Birth notices are from Door County Medical Center in Sturgeon Bay unless otherwise noted.

DEATHS See full obituaries. Mary Frances Dionne March 8, 1957 - Jan. 26, 2026 William J. Nelson d. Jan. 26, 2026 Rosemary J. Weckler Feb. 27, 1935 - Jan. 22, 2026 Christopher C. Hecht March 5, 1966 - Jan. 19, 2026 Karen Moeller b. 1967 - Jan. 16, 2026

OBITUARIES Thomas “Tom” Edward Polster Feb. 2, 1943 - Jan. 25, 2026 Thomas Edward Polster, 82, formerly of Carlsville, passed away Sunday night, Jan. 25, 2026 at Amethyst Health in Algoma with family at his side. His life will be honored with a funeral service held at 4 pm on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 at Huehns Funeral Home, 1414 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, with his brother, Rev. Stephen Polster, officiating. Tom will be laid to rest beside family in Blossomberg Cemetery in Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek. Visitation for family and friends will be held at the funeral home on Saturday from 2: until 3:45 pm. A complete obituary will be available in the near future.

continued on page 3

KAREN MOELLER b. 1967 - Jan. 16, 2026

Karen Kay Moeller was born in Downers Grove, Illinois in 1967. In 1971, her mother Judie and her two older siblings, Vicki and Mark, moved to Sturgeon Bay. Soon after, Judie married Arthur Robert Moeller, a 4th generation Sturgeon Bay native and co-owner of Moeller’s Garage at the corner of 3rd and Jefferson. Karen was a gifted athlete, excelling in golf, bowling and track (hurdling, sprinting, long- and triple-jump). Karen was student assembly vice president, head cheerleader, and valedictorian of the Sturgeon Bay High School Class of 1985. Karen studied acting at the University of Iowa where she met her future husband. Karen spent her junior year abroad in London, England, studying acting, voice and stage combat from instructors of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. During that year she traveled to Edinburgh, Dublin, Stockholm, Paris and Leningrad in what was then the Soviet Union. She received her bachelors degree in psychology from Hunter College in 1998. Karen’s passion was theatre. She was a commercial actor and model in New York City from 1990 to 2000. Moving back to Wisconsin, she performed with many theatre companies including Forward Theater, the theatre companies of the Bartell Theatre, Peninsula Players, Northern Sky, and Third Avenue Playworks. Non-stage work included voiceovers, radio commercials, the YouTube series Chad Vader, and phone trees where a nice person tells you to “please listen to the whole message because our options have recently changed”. She was Artistic Associate for Forward Theater in their first decade, managing projects, providing casting options from her database of Wisconsin actors, and coordinating the judging of scripts for their biannual Monologue Festival. Karen used her acting skill to train many doctors in empathy at the UW Hospital in a longform improvisation as a patient or loved one experiencing stress. Beautiful and graceful, with a soothing alto voice, she prided herself on her emotional honesty and listening. Other off-stage occupations included tour guide, internet advice columnist, jewelry-maker, advertising account representative, podcaster, and sensory analyst for Oscar Mayer where she graded lunch meats for sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami on a scale of 1 to 15, while vigilant to detect unwanted flavors such as oxydization or barnyard/zoo. Other passions included hiking, hosting, history, travel, home renovation, baking cookies, training her standard poodles Butter and Roxie, caring for her father, weightlifting, gift-giving, thank-you notes and birthday cards. She recently conquered her fears by learning how to swim, and became a licensed skydiver with 62 solo jumps. She is renowned for her outdoor Christmas decorations on Fremont Avenue on the north side of Madison, and at the corner of 12th and Utah in Sturgeon Bay. Creative, intelligent, generous, thoughtful and compassionate, Karen treated all people she met with kindness and respect, from the nervous actor in an audition room to the President of the United States. Karen was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in late August 2025, and succumbed on Jan. 16, 2026 at age 58. She was preceded in death by her sister Vicki, her mother Judie, and her father Bob Moeller. She is survived by her husband of 27 years, Tony Trout, her brother Mark Moeller and sister-in-law Jennifer Moeller of Sturgeon Bay, her uncle Matt Sisak, and cousins Judy, Jeff and Peter Sisak of Racine, Wisconsin. Memorial donations can be sent to either the Door County Land Trust, the Door County Historical Society, or Forward Theater of Madison. There will be a memorial gathering Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 1 to 4 pm at Third Avenue Playworks (TAP), 239 N 3rd Ave, Sturgeon Bay. Forbes Funeral Home is serving the family.

DOORCOUNTYPULSE.COM

Obituaries continued from page 2 Tina Ostrand d. Jan. 24, 2026 Tina Ostrand, age 66, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away on Jan. 24, 2026, following a long illness with her lifelong partner of 31 years, Jeff Lautenbach, by her side. She is survived by her three children and four grandchildren. While deeply saddened by her passing, her family is comforted by cherished memories. Details regarding a full obituary, visitation, and burial arrangements will be announced at a later date, with services planned for spring of 2026. The family appreciates the thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Forbes Funeral Home is serving the family. Arba M. Turner June 12, 1939 - Jan. 6, 2026 Arba Marvin Turner, 86, of Washington Island, died at his home. He was born in Pierre, South Dakota, the son of Howard and Edna (Marvin) Turner. When Arba was 4, his family moved to Waupun. After graduating high school in 1957, Arba joined the Navy. He spent 20 years serving his country with honor and distinction, including a tour in Vietnam. After leaving the service he moved to Chicago where he met and married Maggie. After his parents’ passing in 1984, they moved to Washington Island. Arba found work at Peikos woodshop. He and Maggie divorced shortly after the company closed. Arba worked for many years at Lamperts Lumber. Later, he landed his dream job, working for the Washington Island Ferry Line. He met the love of his life, Pam Goodlet, in 1986, at a Christmas party. He is survived by Pam Goodlet and his many friends.

MARY FRANCES DIONNE March 8, 1957 - Jan. 26, 2026

Mary Frances Dionne, 68, of Sturgeon Bay, died early Monday morning, Jan. 26, 2026 at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay. Born March 8, 1957, Mary was the loving daughter of Marcel and Augusta (Brey) Dionne. Mary brought the joy of Christmas into her home as she entertained family and friends by playing Christmas carols on her organ. Working with youth at the Boys and Girls Club always raised her spirits. Mary’s chuckle was always heard and a broad smile was always on her face especially when she was the winner of card and board games. She cheered for her favorite baseball teams and, of course, for her beloved Packers! Mary is survived by her brothers, John (Sonia) Dionne, and Michael Dionne; nephews, Jason Dionne, and Ryan Dione; nieces, Sarah Morgan, and Laura Ravago; and by good friend, Faye Goldsmith. Mary greatly missed her late brother, Don Dionne. Her life will be honored with a Mass of Christian Burial prayed at 11 am on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in Maplewood, 7491 County Road H, Sturgeon Bay, with Fr. William Brunner as celebrant and Fr. Anthony Birdsall concelebrating. Mary will be laid to rest beside family in the church cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4 until 7 pm on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 at Huehns Funeral Home, 1414 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay. THERE WILL BE NO VISITATION ON SATURDAY. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Mary may be shared with her family through her tribute page at HuehnsFuneralHome.com

WILLIAM J. NELSON d. Jan. 26, 2026

William Jay Nelson, 83, of Kangaroo Lake, Baileys Harbor passed away on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026 at Serenity Springs at Scandia Village in Sister Bay from complications of dementia.

Known as “Bill” or “Jay” to his friends and coworkers, he was a man of many facets. Bill was a father who taught his two sons how to work hard and play hard. He instilled in them the importance of honesty and the value of being a loyal friend. While Bill could be a bit mercurial on the golf course and elsewhere, earning the nickname “Wild Bill”, he had a big heart and was always willing to help a person in need. Bill was a loving father-in-law and grandfather who cared deeply for his entire family. Intense, competitive, funny and smart are words that describe Bill. Perhaps he wasn’t always the most at ease showing his softer side, but he cared deeply for his family and friends. He did the best he could with the emotional tools and upbringing that he experienced early in life. Bill worked hard to assure his family lived in comfort, got good educations and learned the basics of life’s most practical matters. He did his best to be a good man and an earnest friend. He never gave up on life’s simple principles. He is survived by his wife, Kay; sons, William A. (Rosa) [and their daughter, Lillian], and Patrick (Julie) [and their son, Van]; along with his two brothers Bud and Bob, and sister Betty and their lovely families. “We, Bill’s family, would like to offer our most sincere thanks to the wonderful nursing staff at Serenity Springs and Unity Hospice, who helped Bill, and all of us, through this long and challenging illness. The care of him in his final days showed amazing compassion and professionalism. Your support and kindness will never be forgotten.” In accordance with Bill and family wishes, there will be no formal service. Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, LLC in Sister Bay is assisting the Nelson family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Bill may be shared with his family through his tribute page at CaspersonFuneralHome.com R.I.P. Bill. You are FREE again!

door NOTES AGE-FRIENDLY HOME REPAIRS Door County Habitat for Humanity can help residents make their homes aging-friendly through a program that offers assistance with home improvements like installing ramps or bathroom grab bars, repairing flooring or leaky faucets, and helping with interior projects. Outdoor project help includes the repair of stairs leading into the home, repairing siding or the installation of outdoor handrails. Program eligibility requirements include being 55 or older, having resided in Door County for at least 12 months, and having a family income at or below 80% of the median family income for the county. To request an application, call 920.743.2869, extension 101.

RACIAL JUSTICE WORKSHOP SERIES The Feb. 1 Sunday service at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Door County (UUFDC) will kick off a racial justice workshop series, Through the Shaded Lens, presented by Reverend Mark Richards. The service will discuss the impact of white supremacy culture, starting at 10 am at the UUFDC, 10341 Water St. (Hwy 42) in Ephraim. That afternoon, the UUFDC will present the first installment of a fourpart workshop series that explores the shifting power dynamics between Black and white leaders within the Unitarian

january 30-february 6/2026 COMMUNITY | 3 Universalist Association, examining how a liberal faith navigates systemic inequity. Sessions take place from 12 to 2 pm on Feb. 1, March 1, April 12 and May 3.

DOG CARE IN THE COLD After closing all its locations last Friday due to the extreme cold, the Wisconsin Humane Society shared the following tips for dog owners whose pets don’t want to do their business outside in harsh temperatures. • Create a winter-friendly bathroom area by laying down some straw (not hay), shoveling a patch of grass or otherwise designating a spot close to the door to reduce exposure to snow and wind. • Right before going outside, have a play session indoors to help stimulate their digestive system so they can get down to business quickly once they reach the yard. • Bundle them up. A well-fitted coat can make a big difference, especially for small, short-haired, senior or thin dogs. For paws, try booties or look into petsafe salves and homemade recipes for protective balms. • Keep bathroom trips short and purposeful. Take them out on leash to their usual potty spot, use a consistent cue and reward them immediately so they can head back inside quickly. • Do not punish your pet for an accident, especially in these conditions. Instead, use praise and treats help reinforce the habit. • Consider temporary indoor options. Puppy pads, turf trays or a litter setup can be short-term solutions during extreme cold, especially for older dogs or those with medical needs.

NEW GIRL SCOUT COOKIE DEBUTS

Scouts will sell a new cookie this year, Exploremores, a rocky road ice creaminspired sandwich cookie filled with chocolate, marshmallow and toastedalmond-flavored creme. To find Girl Scout cookie sales near you, visit tinyurl.com/yhhn3y46 and enter your zip code.

FREE TRAINING FOR CAREGIVERS The Center for Aging Research and Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing is offering two free trainings at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) in Green Bay for those who care for older adults. Interactive presentations and handson activities will cover key topics in older adult care, including personcentered care, dementia care, vision, maintaining mobility, nutrition, pain and emergency preparedness. A CARE U workshop on Feb. 26 is designed for people who provide direct care, including certified nursing assistants (CNAs), personal care workers, family caregivers and others. Those interested in learning best practices in older adult care can register at tinyurl.com/855vs94b. A CARE U Train-the-Trainer workshop on Feb. 25 and 26 is designed for those who provide health education or professional development to direct care workers who support older adults. Those interested in learning how to offer CARE U workshops in their workplacesmay apply at tinyurl.com/ ybae62f3. Both workshops will take place at NWTC in Green Bay, 2740 Mason St., from 8:30 am to 5 pm. Learn more about the two workshops at care.nursing.wisc.edu. Contact pbizot@wisc.edu or 608.263.5268 with questions.

It’s cookie season for the Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes, Jan. 16 through April 5.

))green

Fish Creek Park.

GRIFFIN MILLIREN, STANTEC

Update on Fish Creek Restoration Enhancing and preserving our community’s namesake waterway by NATALIE DORRLER-HYDE, Stantec Environmental Grant Specialist

he Town of Gibraltar has kicked off a major restoration project at the recently expanded Fish Creek Park, with improvements underway to restore the Fish Creek stream

Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, the Door County Community Investment Fund, and donations from private individuals/foundations. Additional grants are being pursued to fund future phases in full. Preliminary site assessments are underway. Environmental and cultural reviews are being completed to ensure regulatory compliance and protection of critical resources.

What’s Next The project will occur in phases over several years. corridor. Ecosystem restoration in upland habitats is planned to In partnership with Stantec start this winter. Crews will Consulting Services – a global manage invasive species both design engineering firm with manually and mechanically, local offices in Sturgeon Bay and will remove fallen trees and throughout Wisconsin – from the stream channel. the collaborative effort brings Once invasive species have together science, engineering, been sufficiently controlled, ecological restoration and the areas will be planted with community partnerships to native wildflowers, grasses, enhance the function and shrubs and trees. value of the town’s namesake Findings from site natural resource. assessments will guide The current project, recommendations for years in the making, is improvements to address building from and expanding stream flow, channel erosion, upon the town’s long-time aquatic passage barriers efforts to restore the Fish and decreased biodiversity. Creek corridor. The recent Modeling and conceptual expansion of Fish Creek drawings will help visualize Park is indeed a ‘watershed proposed improvements. moment,’ offering an Engineered design plans opportunity to influence will be developed before the legacy of this critical initiating the stream ecosystem for generations to restoration. Proposed come. practices will prioritize Thanks to the recent streambank stabilization, expansion of Fish Creek improved flow, aquatic Park, in partnership with habitat, and fish passage. the Redmann family, the Monitoring the system’s property’s critical habitats Fish Creek Park. GRIFFIN MILLIREN, STANTEC response throughout will now be protected and restoration will guide adaptive open to the public forever. These include the creek’s management and ongoing maintenance. headwaters, wetlands, and old-growth forests, as well Ecological restoration is also underway in nearby as the Niagara Escarpment bluff and its unique talus Peninsula State Park this winter. Take a drive along habitat at its base. Shore Road to get a glimpse of forest restoration similar The goals of the restoration project are to improve to what is planned in Fish Creek Park – and plan to help stream flow, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, at community tree-planting events in the spring! biodiversity and opportunities for public recreation, The project reflects the community’s dedication to creating lasting benefits for the environment and the conservation and public access. The Town and project community. team are committed to keeping the public informed and Nearly all costs are supported by grants secured by involved. Watch for updates and invitations to events the town in collaboration with Stantec. The project and informational sessions as the project progresses. is made possible through funding from the US Forest Questions about the project can be referred to the Service, Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, North town office, or to a Stantec team member: Sara Majerus, American Wetland Conservation Act, Ducks Unlimited, project manager and wetland biologist, sara.majerus@ US Fish & Wildlife Service Coastal Program, Natural stantec.com; Melissa Curran, senior scientist/botanist Resource Damage Assessment Restoration Program, and environmental grant specialist, melissa.curran@ and Fund for Lake Michigan. stantec.com; or Natalie Dorrler-Hyde, environmental Land acquisition funding was also provided by grant specialist and Fish Creek resident, at natalie. Wisconsin’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund, the dorrler@stantec.com.

4 | COMMUNITY january 30-february 6/2026

PENINSULA PULSE

WILD THINGS

Warmer Weekend, Snow Midweek? DNR fisheries biologists Sam Schaick and Jason Lins were among the presenters. They were expected to talk about the years of habitat work on the lower bay and toxic sediment cleanup in the Fox River. The area now supports some of the best walleye, perch and muskie fishing in the state.

After a week’s worth of subzero chills, 20s will be nice by KEVIN NAZE goﬁshwisconsin@gmail.com Peninsula Pulse contributor

ebruary’s arrival on Sunday can’t come soon enough for those whose least-favorite month is often 31 days of pure cold. The 10-day forecast calls for moderating temperatures, with highs in the low 20s this weekend and upper 20s to 30 next weekend. There’s a shot at light snow, with midweek looking the most likely for a few inches of fresh powder. Ice anglers are finding whitefish aplenty in the deeper water from Larsons Reef to Dyckesville, along with yellow perch, walleyes and northern pike scattered from the shallower weeds on out to the deeper reefs and mud. Bear Tag Record? At Wednesday’s meeting in Madison, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was expected to ask the state Natural Resources Board to approve a record number of black bear licenses for the fall hunt. DNR large carnivore specialist Randy Johnson planned to address the board and recommend 15,245 licenses be available, a 16% increase over the 13,110 last year and an all-time high in Wisconsin. If approved, most of the increase would occur in Zones C, E and F in the southern portions of the state’s bear range. Zone D would also see an increase, while there would be slightly fewer tags awarded in Zones A and B. Last year, more than 146,000 people applied for either a harvest license

Big game biologist Randy Johnson said about 23,000 black bears roam Wisconsin. Annual fall hunts help reduce bear nuisance complaints and damage to crops, bee hives and backyard bird feeders. Photo source: Wisconsin DNR.

(32,284 applicants) or a preference point (113,737 applicants). Of all licenses awarded, 95% went to Wisconsin residents, consistent with the last decade. The minimum number of preference points needed to draw a license last year was 10 in both zones A and B, two in both zones C and D, and 1 in Zones E and F. The DNR says there are an estimated 23,000 or so black bears in the state before each hunting season. That takes into account both annual harvest and new cub recruitment. A total of 3,836 were killed by hunters last fall, including 51 on ag damage tags, 34 during Learn to Hunt events and 27 by Ojibwe tribal members off reservation land. Zone A has the most bears, with a pre-hunt estimate of about 7,775, and a harvest target of 1,000. Zone B’s estimate is nearly 6,000, with a harvest target of 850. The others include Zone C (4,500, target of 875); D (4,500, target of 1,100); E (1,000, target of 50); and F (unknown, target of 50). The DNR’s bear management goal is to maintain a healthy and sustainable

population that fulfills the numerous ecological, social and cultural benefits of bears while minimizing bear-human conflicts. Wisconsin’s Bear Advisory Committee consists of DNR staff, federal and county agency partners, Ojibwe tribes, and stakeholder groups representing hunting and agricultural interests. The group held a public meeting Dec. 3 to discuss data and criteria to help determine zonespecific bear population objectives. That criteria included bear nuisance complaints, agricultural damage, hunter satisfaction, hunter crowding/conflict, hunter success rates and data on bear health. Once bear population objectives were identified, scientific population model projections were presented to determine harvest targets. Improved Fisheries A two-hour public meeting updating the lower Green Bay Area of Concern was held Wednesday evening at the Green Bay DNR Service Center.

Amazing Bird Pics From herons that stare into your soul to a color-coordinated convergence between bird and butterfly, check out some of the most stunning images from the more than 16 million photos that people contributed to the Cornell Lab’s Macaulay Library through eBird last year at allaboutbirds.org/news/macaulaylibrary-best-bird-photos-2026/. Next Fish Tales The second Fish Tales lecture series of the year is set for Feb. 12 at Crossroads at Big Creek. DNR fisheries biologist Jason Breeggemann will talk Green Bay walleyes, including how the fishery is currently being monitored and managed. It begins at 7 pm, with Zoom and Facebook Live links available that night. Visit doorcountylibrary.org/event on the date of the talk to access the link. Lake Levels Inch Up Winter rainstorms and the accompanying run-off contributed to a 2-inch rise in Lake Michigan water levels in the past month. The lake is about 5 inches lower than last January, and 4 feet below the all-time monthly high set in 2020. Water levels are still about 19 inches above the record monthly low, set in 2013. The Fish Thief If you’ve heard about the terrific sea lamprey documentary, The Fish Thief, but haven’t yet seen it, here’s the link: youtube.com/watch?v=8toayz9KfkY.

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Support Door County’s Charities in 2026! The Door County Half Marathon’s Run for a Cause program has helped runners raise more than $258,000 for area charities since 2010. To join the effort, email register@peninsulapacers.com. Runners receive a free entry to the Door County Half Marathon or Nicolet Bay 5K when they raise at least $250 for an area charity of their choice. Find more information at doorcountyhalfmarathon.com.

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Peninsula Pulse

january 30-february 6/2026

doorcountypulse.com

WINTER HIKES | PAGE 3 GENEVIEVE HEYWARD ON AMERICAN IDOL | PAGE 4 WALLFLOWERS AT DCA | PAGE 5

Get to Know the Groundhog

arts+entertainment

Cultured, Sway Sway was nominated for a James Beard Award for Wine and Other Beverages Program.

Get

BRETT KOSMIDER

Cultured was nominated for the James Beard Award for Outstanding Bakery. SUBMITTED

James Beard Nominations

wo Door County restaurants have been nominated for one of the top honors in the restaurant world. Sway Brewing + Blending and Cultured have been named semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards. Both nominations

are for nationwide awards. Sway was nominated for the Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program, while Cultured was nominated for Outstanding Bakery. Sway is one of 20 restaurants nominated for the honor. The “Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program” category recognizes restaurants that demonstrate exceptional care and skill in the pairing of wine and other beverages with food.

Cultured is one of 20 bakeries nationwide nominated for Outstanding Bakery. The nominations are the second and third such nominations for Door County eateries. The late, great Wickman House was nominated for Outstanding Restaurant in 2023. Chef Carlos Selgado of La Sirenna was a finalist for Best Chef: California at his Costa Mesa, CA Restaurant, Taco Maria, in 2023 before opening his Ephraim restaurant last year. Sway is located at 2434 County Road F, Baileys Harbor. Cultured is located at 2570 County Q, at the corner of Highway 57 and County Q between Ephraim and Sister Bay. See the full list of nominations at jamesbeard.org.

by ELEANOR CORBIN eleanor@ppulse.com

Scenes from a raucous Groundhog Day parade in 2023. FILE RACHEL LUKAS

hen they’re not predicting the weather, groundhogs – also known as woodchucks, whistle pigs or land beavers – are an important part of Wisconsin’s rich ecosystem, including right here in Door County. These critters are members of the large ground squirrel family, equipped with a pair of sharp incisors and long, curved claws to help them dig burrows. According to the Library of Congress, the myth behind this rodent’s climate clairvoyance evolved from a Germanic folk belief that badgers could predict the weather. Groundhogs, as similarly small, hibernating mammals, filled that spot for immigrants to the United States. Compiled with the help of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and naturalist Coggin Heeringa from Crossroads at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay, here are some fun facts about the creature behind the celebration. • The name “whistle pig” comes from the unique, high-pitched whistling sound groundhogs make to warn the rest of their colonies of perceived danger, according to the USFWS. • Groundhogs’ burrows are intricate systems with multiple entrances, five on average, according to the USFWS. They even include separate “bathroom” chambers. • Groundhog babies, known as kits, are born blind and don’t open their eyes until they are about 4 weeks old. By 6 to 7 weeks old, they’ll be exploring outside the burrow, and in a couple of months, they’ll be digging burrows of their own, FILE ROY LUKES according to the DNR. • The ecosystem benefits from groundhog burrows, which can provide homes for other small species once abandoned, like foxes, rabbits and weasels, according to the DNR. • Don’t underestimate groundhogs because of their stout and stocky

STRONG something to train for GRIT DETERMINATION OPPORTUNITY POWER MAY 2, SWEAT 2026 POSITIVITY JOY PRIDE Get to Know the Groundhog continued on page 5

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A RUN IN THE PARK CLOSED COURSE, JUST FOR RUNNERS! PARTY AT THE FINISH LINE

COMMITTMENT

SUPPORTING SPONSORS:

2 | A&E january 30-february 6/2026

PENINSULA PULSE

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SINGERS UNITE FOR CHOIR-NUCOPIA

To reserve tickets, visit sdauditorium. org or call 920.676.1920.

Numerous local choirs will come together for Choir-Nucopia, a night of singing and camaraderie. The free performance will take place on Sunday, Feb. 1, at 7 pm, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1756 Michigan St. in Sturgeon Bay. Choirs from Christ the King/Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, Corpus Christi Catholic Parish, Hope United Church of Christ, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, St. Francis and St. Mary Catholic Parish, Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church and Sturgeon Bay High School will perform. Pamela and Jarrod Parks will emcee. Each choir has prepared one song to sing on its own, along with a piece to sing as a combined choir. The combined choir is directed by David Mennicke and accompanied by Janet Anderson. Doors will open at 6:15 pm, and the Griffon String Quartet will play preevent music starting at 6:30 pm before the 7 pm choir concert. While the event is free, a freewill offering will support the Interfaith Coalition for Housing – Sturgeon Bay. Overflow parking is available at the office complex across the street and at the YMCA. For more information, call 920.743.7750.

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The one-woman variety show “Darci Lynne and Friends Up Close and Personal Tour” will make a stop in Southern Door. The performance is set for Friday, Jan. 30, at 7 pm at the Southern Door Community Auditorium, 2073 Cty DK in Brussels. Actor, singer and ventriloquist Darci Lynne was 12 years old when she starred on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. She became one of the youngest winners in the show’s history and the youngest ventriloquist ever to win a televised talent competition. Lynne continues to balance fanfavorite puppet performances with solo spots and high-profile collaborations in music, film and television. This all-new show features Lynne and her puppets, including Petunia, Oscar, Edna and Andy, each brought to life with distinct personalities. With original comedy, music and audience interaction, it’s a clean, high-energy show for all ages. A VIP meet-and-greet package is also available, including an autograph and photo with Lynne after the show.

FITNESS TALK, PEGASIS SHOW AT DCA Door Community Auditorium (DCA) will continue its 2026 winter season on Saturday, Feb. 7 with two events: a 10 am Door County Talks lecture about fitness and wellness, and a 7 pm Coffeehouse Concert by Green Bay band Pegasis. Dr. Rory and Tess Johnson’s morning lecture will be the third 2026 installment of DCA’s annual Door County Talks series, which explores the concept of “blue zones,” regions in the world where people live to or beyond age 100 with few degenerative aging diseases. Johnson is a nutrition coach for the Door County YMCA’s weight loss program, where she has been leading diabetes prevention and weight loss classes for nearly eight years. Her husband, Rory Johnson, provides family medicine services at Door County Medical Center’s Sister Bay Clinic. The talk is free, but donations are encouraged. Coffee and blue zonefriendly breakfast items will be available for purchase. Each lecture in the Door County Talks series includes a short break, a post-talk Q&A session and social time. The evening Coffeehouse Concert in the DCA lobby features Pegasis, a band that delivers vocal harmonies, pulsing rhythms and tight arrangements. Hopping between jazz, funk, R&B, pop, world, Latin and everything in between, Pegasis offers audiences an eclectic vibe with lyrics in both English and Spanish. Each Coffeehouse Concert this year will feature a Door County student opening act. This show will feature jazz trio Miles Richmond, Luke McCormack and Blake Ouradnik of Gibraltar. Tickets cost $20, and reservations are strongly suggested. Coffee and baked goods will be available for purchase. To buy tickets, call 920.868.2728, visit dcauditorium.org, or drop by the DCA box office at 3926 Hwy 42 in Fish Creek.

PLAY READINGS AT TAP Third Avenue PlayWorks (TAP) has announced the lineup for the 11thannual WinterWorks play reading series. Four contemporary plays will run each Saturday in February at 7:30 pm at TAP’s Steve and Jackie Kane Theatre, 239 N. 3rd Ave. in Sturgeon Bay. Topher Payne’s The Perfect Arrangement, directed by Ray Jivoff, starts the series on Feb. 7. The show follows Bob and Norma, two U.S. State

Department employees in 1950 tasked with identifying sexual deviants within their ranks. There’s just one problem: both employees are gay, and have married each other’s partners as a carefully constructed cover. Up next on Feb. 14 is Tate Hanyok’s Dog Mom, directed by Mallory Metoxen. It follows Liz, a tough-as-nails New Yorker whose life is rapidly falling apart before a scruffy stray dog shows up on her stoop and she reluctantly agrees to foster it. The following Saturday, Feb. 21, brings Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon’s The Shark is Broken, directed by Jacob Janssen. The show dives deep into the making of a major motion picture with feuding costars, unpredictable weather and a shark prop whose constant breakdowns look like an omen for the movie’s future. Closing out the series on Feb. 28 is Donald Margulies’s Lunar Eclipse, directed by Sophie Widman. As a lunar eclipse unfolds above their shared farm, married couple George and Em reflect on their decades-long relationship, looking for answers in the stars to find meaning on earth. The play readings are free, but donations are welcome. Doors open at 6:30 pm, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Concessions will be available before each reading. For more information, visit thirdavenueplayworks.org/winterworks.

BIG BAND BENEFIT CONCERT The Swingin’ Door Big Band will perform a benefit concert for Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, helping the church fund cleanup and repairs from flooding and water damage in December. The show will take place on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 7 pm, at MUSE Sturgeon Bay, 330 Jefferson St. The concert is free to attend, with freewill donations encouraged. “Prince of Peace has long been a generous community partner, graciously welcoming us into their space for rehearsals, meetings and concerts,” Swingin’ Door Big Band board president and member Mike Fordney said. “We’re grateful for their hospitality, and we’re glad to do what we can to support them during this challenging time.” The Swingin’ Door Big Band will perform an evening of big band favorites and swing-era classics, led by guest conductor Tim Fox. The band is grateful to MUSE for offering their space to host this benefit concert. For more information, contact peninsulasymphonicband@gmail.com.

))outdoor

field*notes GROUNDHOG SCIENCE AT CROSSROADS

Families will learn about the sleep habits of groundhogs and explore what shadows can tell us about the sun and seasons during a Saturday Science program at Crossroads at Big Creek. Designed for elementary students but open to all ages, the program will take place on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 2 pm. Up next is an Environmental Exploration program, Kids dig in the snow where videos and hands-on activities will teach kids the at Crossroads at Big science of bubbles. Creek. SUBMITTED The after-school event is set for Tuesday, Feb. 3, at 3:30 pm. Like the Saturday Science program, it is geared towards elementary students, but open to all. The following day will bring a Wandering Wednesday program, an easy, naturalist-guided hike on Feb. 4 at 1:30 pm. Events meet at Crossroads’ Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan St. in Sturgeon Bay.

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Hiking the Winter Wonderland

TOFT POINT STATE NATURAL AREA

ith winter’s snow and cold sticking around for a bit, it’s time to revel in the cold. Grab your scarf, your balaclava and your crampons and get yourself some fresh, cool air on the trail. Here are three great winter hikes to get you started.

BLACK TRAIL, WHITEFISH DUNES STATE PARK

7590 Ridges Road, Baileys Harbor Distance: 1-mile Difficulty: Easy Highlights: One of the more remote hikes on the peninsula, Toft Point features two miles of Lake Michigan Shoreline. The trail begins off Ridges Road and it travels northeast through a mile of forest toward a spectacular, rocky dolomite shoreline on Moonlight Bay. Round trip, the easy hike is about two miles, and it provides various points of interest along the way, including the historic Toft guest cottages and barn, remnants of a stone quarry and an old lime kiln, which – according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources – is one of the state’s best intact examples of the early circular kilns that once dotted parts of the Niagara Escarpment.

An old cabin at Toft Point State Natural Area. MARY SPITTELL

3275 Clark Lake Road, Sturgeon Bay Distance: 2.5 miles Time: 30-45 minutes Difficulty: Easy Highlights: The 2.5-mile Black Trail begins near the shoreline and weaves through paper birch and towering white pines. Look for eagles and woodpeckers, deer and other animals as you hike. The trail intersects with Cave Point County Park as well for those who want to take a tangent to see the ice on Cave Point’s famous bluffs.

Take a tangent from the trail to check out the ice at Cave Point County Park. RACHEL LUKAS

DOOR BLUFF HEADLANDS COUNTY PARK The view from atop the bluff at Door Bluff Headlands County Park. MYLES DANNHAUSEN JR.

10118 Moravia Street, Ephraim EPHRAIM PRESERVE Distance: 1 mile Time: 1 hour AT ANDERSON POND Difficulty: Moderate, but in some winter conditions, it can be difficult. There are hills at the entrance and exit, and the snow-covered trails can be slick. You may want to take a walking stick, and definitely wear shoes with a good grip. Highlights: The trail begins atop a cobblestone beach ridge at Moravia Street, descends into juniper fields and forest, and circles the namesake pond, which was once used for winter skating. See remnants of the Anderson farmstead and orchard, and admire the Niagara Escarpment on the back side of the preserve. Tucked off Moravia Street in Ephraim sits the Snow weighs Door County Land Trust’s Ephraim Preserve at Anderson Pond, a 26-acre preserve with down branches a spring-fed pond as its centerpiece. The land here once served as pasture, orchard and at Ephraim farmland, but in the hands of Aslag Anderson and his descendants, much of the land was Preserve at undisturbed on the edge of the village for 150 years before the family sold it to the land Anderson Pond. trust in the spring of 2005. MARY SPITTELL If you go: You’ll have to pay close attention to find the entrance between sections of split-rail fence along the edge of the road. From there, you’ll follow the trail down a slope to a small opening where there’s a kiosk and trail map.

12900 Door Bluff Park Rd, Ellison Bay Distance: Roughly 2.5 miles Time: 1-2 hours Difficulty: Hard (in winter). The trail is not cleared, and many areas can be icy and slick. Hike with extreme caution at any time of year. Highlight: The lookout from atop the bluff provides a beautiful, panoramic view of the ice-covered bay. Aside from an access road to the interior of the park, Door Bluff Headlands County Park is almost entirely undeveloped, with towering bluffs and 6,800 feet of Green Bay shoreline. If you go: Wear good hiking boots and crampons for grip, and use a walking stick. Trails aren’t marked, so a map or cell phone is recommended as well.

Broomball is Back in Sister Bay

fter a two-year hiatus, Broomball play returned to the Teresa K. Hilander Community Ice Rink on Wednesday, Jan. 21. The 2026 Northern Door Broomball League season kicked off with two games at the rink in Sister Bay.

In game one, the Peninsula Pulse slipped, slid and scrambled to a 6-1 victory over the Mink River Basin. In game two, the Peninsula Pacers defeated Casey’s BBQ 5-1. Play continued on Jan. 28 after this issue went to press. The final week of play will take place on Feb. 4 with the

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Mink River Basin taking on Casey’s at 6 pm followed by the Peninsula Pacers vs. the Peninsula Pulse at 7 pm. The recreational rink is available for skating while broomball play takes place on the competition rink. A season-ending tournament for the Hilander Cup will be scheduled after the

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))music W I N T E R F E S T ’ S H O T S P O T. Winter is the perfect time to stop by the Bayside Tavern with family and friends. Warm up with “Smilen” Bob’s Chili or a Bayside Flaming Coffee. Savor our pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, salads and fish fry.

by ELEANOR CORBIN eleanor@ppulse.com

hen Genevieve Heyward first received a direct message from an American Idol crew member on Instagram, encouraging her to audition, she thought it was a scam. “There’s no way,” she recalls thinking. “This isn’t real.” Turns out, it was very real. Heyward’s audition aired on ABC to an audience of millions on Jan. 25. From the very beginning of her singing career, people have told Heyward to bring her talents to the masses through Idol, but the crew member’s Instagram message gave her the push she needed to finally give it a try. “When somebody that’s at the level of one of the most-watched singing TV shows ever reaches out to you, it feels very good,” she said. “It felt like all the hard work paid off.” Despite now living in Nashville, Tennessee, Heyward considers herself “a very proud Wisconsin woman,” having grown up in Lake Geneva and started her music career in Door County. Heyward has visited the peninsula since she was a baby, making trips to her parents’ cabin on Washington Island. When her parents moved to the peninsula full-time after her high school graduation, Heyward decided to join. She described the local music scene as incredibly influential to her development as an artist. “The music scene in Door County 100% changed my life,” she said. She stays close with musicians like pat mAcdonald of the Holiday Music Motel and Steel Bridge Creative Foundation and bassist Greg Roteik, who guided her early in her career. Heyward continues to visit Door County, not only to see her parents, but to play shows at venues like MUSE Sturgeon Bay, Peach Barn Farmhouse and Brewery, and Stone Harbor Resort. She also participated in the return of Steelbridge Songfest last year. She moved to Nashville a few Genevieve Heyward years back because she felt it was auditions for season a challenge she was ready to take 24 of American on. DISNEY/ERIC Idol. MCCANDLESS “The one thing with Door County is it’s easy to be a big fish

in a little pond,” she said. “I was kind of ready for that next level.” Living in Nashville has helped Heyward come into her own and find her sound, she said. She’s evolved from country Americana to bluesy soul to indie pop-rock, where she finds herself now. “I feel most myself when I’m playing that kind of

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ARD IN STUR EYW GE H ON E V E I BA Genevieve Heyward is one of EV

the headliners for Love on Holiday: Songs of Love and Love Gone Away on Friday, Feb. 13, at 7 pm at MUSE Sturgeon Bay, 330 Jefferson St. For this concert of live, original songs, musicians first “spin the bottle” to form songwriting teams, then spin again to be paired with original visual art that serves as inspiration for new songs. Tickets cost $20+ per person (pay-what-you-can) and can be purchased at steelbridgecreativefoundation. org.

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Heyward Advances on Idol

4 | A&E january 30-february 6/2026

SUBMIT

TED

music,” she said. This sensibility is reflected SUBMITTE in her D American Idol audition song choice, “Magic Man” by Heart, a powerful woman-led rock tune that requires impressive vocal control to sing. Celebrity judge Carrie Underwood complimented Heyward’s ability to make the song her own, saying, “I want to hear more.” With yeses across the board, Heyward will be moving on in the competition. As nerve-wracking as the audition process was, Heyward had a ton of fun. The entire crew was accommodating and tried to make the experience as enjoyable as possible, she said. Heyward hopes to show off her goofy, energetic personality in addition to her vocal talents. Auditioners style themselves, giving them the chance to showcase a bit of their personality, she said. Heyward’s short black dress with translucent sleeves that show off her tattoos gave “women of rock” vibes all the way. New episodes of season 24 of American Idol will premiere on Monday nights at 7 pm Central Time.

liner*notes Zen of Thieves performs.

Chris Kroeze.

SUBMITTED

NEW ALBUM FEATURES NORTHERN SKY STARS Northern Sky Theater co-founder Doc Heide has released a new album of original songs with his band Zen of Thieves. Titled Birthplace of the Thunder, the album features many Northern Sky performers, including Eric Lewis, Steve Koehler, Karen Mal, Jimmy Kaplan, Amy Chaffee, Matt Zembrowski, Holly Feldman and Lee Becker. Also featured are cellist/bassist Hans Christian and drummer Paul Taylor, both Grammynominated local artists. Written by Heide, the songs explore themes like compassion and hope in dark times, as well as several Wisconsin-based stories, like “Adele,” inspired by the devout Belgian immigrant Adele Brise and her survival of the Peshtigo Fire. Heide wrote some of the songs for his close friend Fred Alley, a Northern Sky co-founder who passed away 25 years ago at age 38. “Fred’s voice was extraordinary, and he left us before we were able to record several of our favorite songs,” Heide said. “We’re sharing new

versions of them on this album with lead vocals by Steve Koehler [Guys on Ice] and Matt Zembrowski [Something in the Water, Dad’s Season Tickets].” One song on the album, “PureHeart Guitar,” is about Heide and Alley’s relationship, featuring quotes from many of Alley’s songs and musicals. Its lead vocals are by Amy Chaffee, who has done vocal coaching for film stars including Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Kathy Bates and Orlando Bloom. While some songs on the album were written decades ago but never recorded, others were written in the last few months. A unifying theme is a lyrical focus on human possibilities. “At a time like this, it is important to reconnect to our fundamental goodness,” Heide said. “Music can be a powerful method for that. This album is trying to take a step in that direction.” A CD of Birthplace of Thunder is available at northernskytheater.com. The album is streaming on all major platforms. For more information, visit zenofthieves.com.

SUBMITTED

CHRIS KROEZE AT THE KRESS Country rock star and The Voice runner-up Chris Kroeze is the next performer featured in the Art of Music winter concert series in Egg Harbor. The show is set for Friday, Feb. 13, at 7 pm at the Kress Pavilion, 7845 Church St. in Egg Harbor. Growing up, Kroeze would sneak into the family basement, where there sat a guitar no one was supposed to touch. On his sixth birthday, Kroeze got a guitar of his own and hasn’t put it down since. A small-town boy through and through, Kroeze still lives in his hometown of Barron, Wisconsin, though his country music career has taken him across the United States and beyond. All shows in the Art of Music series start at 7 pm at the Kress Pavilion. Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased via cash or check at the door. These concerts tend to sell out, so to reserve tickets, visit kresspavilion. org/winterconcertseries. For more information, call 920.493.5979.

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Wallflowers Will Kick Off Auditorium Season

celebration of one of the biggest rock albums of the ‘90s will kick off the Door Community Auditorium’s 2026 season on Friday, June 12. The Wallflowers will play their debut album, Bringing Down the Horse, in its entirety, in sequence – including favorites like “One Headlight,” “6th Avenue Heartache,” and “The Difference.” Originally released in 1996, the album was certified quadruple platinum and helped define a generation of American rock. Tickets go on sale this Friday, Jan. 30, at 2 SUBMITTED pm. The tour also features a special tribute performance honoring the 50th anniversary of Long After Dark by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, performed in full, making it a unique, two-album evening. Led by Jakob Dylan, The Wallflowers remain a standout live act, known for their thoughtful songwriting and melodies that an entire generation knows by heart. Get tickets at dcauditorium.org, at the box office, or by calling 920.868.2728. To get a jump on tickets, become an Auditorium Society member with an annual donation of at least $100. The full 2026 Mainstage Season will be announced later this spring,

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hibernation to catch up on their sleep. They don’t leave their burrow during this process, just continued from page 1 On the Scandia Village Campus Off sleeping, then drifting back into hibernation. Canterbury Lane & Hwy. 57 • Because of their hibernation patterns, groundhogs appearance; they are surprisingly quick-footed, 10578 Applewood Road, Sister Bay are “true hibernators,” according to the DNR. This good at both swimming and climbing trees, 920-854-9669 • bargainsunlimited.org means they rely entirely on body fat reserves for according to the USFWS. energy throughout the winter, usually from late • Groundhogs experience what is called “periodic October through March or April, arousal” while 763 STATE RD. 42 • GILLS ROCK when mating season begins. hibernating, ELLISON BAY, WI 54210 • Groundhogs have two layers according ELLISON BAY GROUNDHOG 920-854-2268 • FAX 920-854-7299 of fur – a dense, gray undercoat to Heeringa. DAY PARADE and a long coat of banded guard Hibernation hairs – which gives the animal a Ellison Bay will hold its annual Groundhog Day isn’t the same Over 100 different varieties available parade on Monday, Feb. 2 at 4 pm. “frosted” appearance, according to as sleep; it’s an To join the Inclement Weather Marching Band, the USFWS. extended form For Home-Made Goodness….Start at the meet in the parking lot of The Vault (12046 Hwy 42) of torpor, where around 3:45 pm to hone your cacophonous noiseTop & Shop the Rock! the metabolism making skills with others before the parade. Bring Monday - Saturday 9:00 -3:00 is decreased. your pots and spoons, tambourines and recorders, The bodily Closed Sundays and stumpf fiddles and washboards. functions of Have you had a special relationship with an animal? If you have a vehicle or float to ride in the parade, www.beashomadeproducts.com line up along Garrett Bay Road near the Ellison Bay the hibernating Maybe it was life with a beloved pet or a brief encounter with a bird, post office. animal are squirrel or even a butterfly that left you feeling you’d met a special The route extends from the intersection of Garrett so reduced being. It’s because they are special – a spark of the Divine, like you. Bay and state Highway 42 to Brew Coffeehouse. that sleep “To the who 6,has touched Join us man Sat., May 1:00 to 2:30the PM robe Cars and floats can turn around at The Ellison Inn isn’t possible, th and Lounge (the former Hügel Haus). of God, there 107 is no of race orfor Bay, at the Door Co. Library, S. distinction 4 Ave., Sturgeon Heeringa Join the party afterward at the Mink River Basin belief, no consciousness of nationality, n informal discussion to share your experiences. a explained, so for camaraderie and free Groundhog Stew (made and noAnimals religiousAre difference.” Soul, too! groundhogs with pork. No groundhogs were harmed). FILE wake up from Non-denominational. All beliefs are recognized, welcomed, & respected. Free. Sponsored

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Student volunteers pull in competitors for the toilet seat toss at Winter Fest in Fish Creek. The fest returns Feb. 7.

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WINTER(FEST) IS COMING Get ready to bundle up next weekend for Fish Creek’s annual Winterfest, set for Friday through Sunday, Feb. 6 through 8. Fish Creek’s annual celebration of goofball fun will feature intense competition like the toilet seat toss, bike toss, ice bowling and a lot more. Plus, you’ll find great food, live music, fireworks and the stumpf fiddle contest. Festivities kicking off on Friday night with a cosmic glow shoot at Peninsula Gun Club, but the heart of the event is Saturday, Feb. 7, with activities in and around the big tent at Clark Park. Then on Sunday morning you can join the Fruit Loop Fun Run through Fish Creek. Find the full schedule of events at DoorCountyPulse.com and in the Feb. 6 edition of the Pulse.

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Emilie Coulson Salgado and Carlos Salgado of La Sirenna Few restaurant openings have been as hotly anticipated as that of La Sirenna last summer. And no wonder - it’s the first time a restaurant has opened with a Michelin Star and James Beard Award pedigree. Chef Carlos Salgado and his wife and business partner Emilie Coulson Salgado joined Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about what called them to Door County from California, how their restaurant vision was formed, life in family restaurants and what’s to come from the kitchen at La Sirenna. Listen at DoorCountyPulse.com/podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Listen at DoorCountyPulse.com/podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Info: email newi.wss@gmail.com Websites: Eckankar.org RESTAURANT Eckankar-wi.org

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Winter Special Tenderloins Tips $22.95 Mon - Thurs

Serving Dinner Monday-Saturday 4pm

Call for Reservations

920-746-9460 • donnysgliddenlodge.com 4670 Glidden Dr., Sturgeon Bay

SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church

Mass Schedule

ELCA, Ellison Bay, WI Church Ofﬁce: 920-854-2988 Jim Honig, Pastor A Stephen Ministry Congregation

Thursday 8:30 am Rosary at 8:00

Sunday 8:00 am

Handicap Accessible Hearing Loop System Air Conditioned

Sunday 1:00 pm

Spanish Speaking

Office (920) 743-4842 Hwy 57 • Institute • www.sspeterpaulsb.org

ELCA LUTHERAN CHURCHES Bay View Lutheran

340 W. Maple St. • Sturgeon Bay Sunday Worship 9:15AM • 10:15AM Coffee & Fellowship All are welcome!

Hearing Loop Equipped

Sturgeon Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church 6121 Gordon Rd • Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 920-743-9511

Join us in Sunday Worship!

9:30 AM Worship w/communion in person, drive-in or watch live on the church website. 10:30 AM Coffee & fellowship / Sunday School

Bible Study: Saturday 9:30 a.m. Worship Service: Saturday 11:00 a.m. sturgeonbaywi.adventistchurch.org

For more information visit: www.shepherdofthebay.org

First Baptist Church Corpus Christi Catholic Church Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church Weekend Mass Times Weekend Mass Time Saturday 4:30pm Sunday 8:45am Sunday 7am Sunday 10:30am www.holynameofmary.church www.ccparish.net 7491 County Road H 811 W. Juniper St. Sturgeon Bay, WI Sturgeon Bay, WI

Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Hainesville Lutheran

3944 Co. Rd. M • Sturgeon Bay • Pastor, Mary Lou Plummer Sunday Worship 9:30AM • 10:30AM Brunch

Sunday School 8:30 - 9:15 am Sunday Worship 9:30 am

Pastor James Gomez 1756 Michigan Street, Master’s Cup Coffee House Sturgeon Bay Tues-Thurs • 9am-3pm 920.743.7750 Fri • 9am-Noon princeofpeacesb.com FREE WIFI E P • @baypoplc

The Episcopal Church welcomes you! Holy Nativity

Christ the King

3434 County Rd. V Jacksonport Holy Eucharist 5:00 Saturday

512 Michigan St. Sturgeon Bay Holy Eucharist 9:30 Sunday

You are invited. Communion is open to all. The Rev. Olin Sletto 920-743-3286 – www.ctkhn.org

Immanuel Lutheran Church-LCMC Sunday Worship 10 AM Christmas Worship Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 7 PM Christmas Day Worship 10 AM

7973 Hwy 57 Immanuel Lutheran Church Baileys Harbor, WI 54202

Rooted in Christ + Growing in Faith 920.839.2224

Worship Schedule In person and live on Facebook

handicapped

Serving in Faith and Mission since 1896 10am Worship in person, or on YouTube. Free lunch for the community the first Wednesday of the month followed by Northern Door Cancer Support @ 12:45

Bethel Baptist Church Bethel Baptist Church

bethelbaptistellisonbay.org Pastor Jim Peterson bethelellisonbay.org | Pastor Joel Rose

WEDNESDAY SUNDAY

Join us this Sunday! School Elevate Youth Sunday 7:00 - 8:30 PM * Meetsfor at First Baptist all ages Church - 9:15 Worship Service - 10:30 Next Step Classes

ccfishcreek.org E Join us on Sundays at 9420 Cottage Row Fish Creek Handicap Accessible

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

Calvary & Zion United Methodist Churches

2336 Canterbury Lane, Sister Bay

Pastor Frank Maxwell

We are Merging Excitement and Hope Into a Vital Faith

The Rev. Brit Bjurstrom Frazier, Rector Holy Eucharist 10 am Sunday • 5:30 pm Wednesday All are welcome! stlukes-sisterbay.org

St. Joseph Catholic Church

Combined Worship Service 9:30 AM at Calvary 4650 Cty E, Egg Harbor Jan • Feb • March

110 N. 5th Ave • Sturgeon Bay

WEEKEND MASS TIMES:

Saturday 4pm Sunday 10am www.stjosephsb.com

Handicap Accessible

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST

Visit our website (uufdc.org) or Facebook page (facebook. com/uufdc) for connection details to our Sunday Services.

February 1 - 10 AM Through a Shaded Lens Rev. Mark Richards

UU History Workshop Noon-2PM Early Approaches to Race Relations

parishofﬁce@calvaryzionumc.org www.calvaryandzionumc.org (920) 868-3112

***************************

Corner of Old Stage and Hill Roads, Sister Bay

ccfishcreek@gmail.com

Pastor Gary Scharrig accessible 7973 Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202 Phone: 920.839.2224 Web: Immanuel-Lutheran.org

FELLOWSHIP OF DOOR COUNTY

Sister Bay Moravian Church

SUNDAY SERVICE 9:30 AM

LCMC - A Lutheran Congregation in Mission for Christ

“The Great Being saith: Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.” – Baha’u’llah - ca. 1863

Pastor Daniel Bowman Associate Pastor Ryan Bowman

Sunday 10 am

Baha’i Faith

Baha’i devotions are held at 4pm each Wednesday via Zoom. Fireside chat is every fourth Friday. Please email or call us to obtain a link and further information: doorcountybahais@gmail.com • 920-868-5050

JESUS CENTERED WORSHIP

Immanuel-Lutheran.org

****************************

11836 WI-42• Ellison Bay • Pastor, Jim Honig Sunday Worship 9:30AM • 10:30AM Coffee & Fellowship

SUNDAY SERVICE:

10341 Hwy 42 ~ North Ephraim ~ 920.854.7559

10:00AM

St. Paul Lutheran Church A Small Church With A Big Heart

where faith meets real life

9:15 AM

PASTOR ED HOUSE 2731 HWY 42, SISTER BAY (920) 421-1525

852 Europe Bay Rd. | Ellison Bay, WI | 920.854.4490

February 1, 2026 • Sunday Worship 9:00 AM

Pastoral Installation Service

Saturday, 10:30 am on Washington Island Saturday, 4:00 pm Fish Creek Saturday, 6:00 pm Jacksonport Sunday, 8:00 am Baileys Harbor Sunday, 10:00 am Sister Bay For weekday Mass times, locations, and other information see www.stellamarisparish.com or call (920) 868-3241.

836 Michigan St - Sturgeon Bay

Sunday Worship @ 10 a.m. Sunday School 10-11 a.m. Recorded Services on Website & WDOR 93.9 FM Sundays @ 9:30 a.m. Pastor JoAnn Meyer

www.sturgeonbayumc.org

NURSERY, CAFÉ, 24/7 FOOD PANTRY

BIBLE BASED • CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP • NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Rev. Jon Omer Gallatin • 2:00 PM Holy Communion Will Be Celebrated 4167 Juddville Rd. Fish Creek www.stpauljuddville.com

Weekend Mass Times:

WEDNESDAY SERVICE: 6:30PM (SEPTEMBER-APRIL) Bible Study (Adults) Treasure Seekers (Kids 5-12)

FOR MORE INFO: DOOROFLIFE.ORG

Solution to crossword puzzle from page 3 of ART/CULTURE.

Roman Catholic worship and sacraments at six sites in northern Door County

Home Church Model

****************************

Fellowship 10:15 AM We livestream ourCoffee services on Worship Service 10:45 AM Check our website for more information

Rev. Thomas Farrell, Pastor

EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH Meeting at a home in Ephraim 10337 North Shore Road 10:00 AM SUNDAYS https://theorchardefca.org VISITORS ARE WELCOME! Questions? Call 816-536-3138

***************************

Rev. Matthew Rappl

Want to know what’s happening around the Door? DON’T MISS A BEAT! Sign up for Pulse Picks to get Door County news and entertainment emailed daily. pulsepicks.com

DOORCOUNTYPULSE.COM

january 30-february 6/2026 A&E | 7

))history

Historical Society Turns 100 New logo unveiled to mark the occasion

s the Door County Historical Society (DCHS) begins its 100th anniversary year, the organization is reflecting on the community-led effort that launched a century of preservation and education. In the fall of 1926, residents were increasingly concerned that important historic sites, landmarks and stories across Door County were being lost. Newspaper articles from that time document a coordinated effort to form a countywide historical organization to preserve the area’s past for future generations. Several respected figures led the effort. Hjalmar R. Holand of Ephraim – historian, author of The History of Door County and nationally recognized authority on early Midwestern history – played a central role in organizing DCHS and defining its purpose. He was joined by the Reverend S. J. Groenfeldt of De Pere, former president of the State Historical Society, whose experience helped guide the organization’s early direction. Reverend Clement Hoefler of Green Bay served as a principal speaker for the founding meeting, lending regional support and credibility. Judge H. R. Leland, a well-known historian, was also deeply involved. Community organizations played important roles, too. The Men’s Club of Ephraim had already begun identifying and marking historic sites and supported early preservation efforts, including work connected to what is now Peninsula State Park. On Oct. 1, 1926, representatives from communities across Door County gathered at the courthouse in Sturgeon Bay to formally establish DCHS. Their goals were clear and forward-looking: to identify and mark historic sites, preserve old trails and landmarks, commemorate early Indigenous and

European history, and educate both residents and visitors about Door County’s heritage. From the beginning, founders understood that preservation would strengthen education, community pride and tourism. “That original vision is still very much alive today,” DCHS Executive Director Amy Frank said. “Our founders believed history mattered enough to protect it, share it and pass it on. One hundred years later, we are guided by the same commitment, made possible by community involvement, volunteers and generous support.” Today, DCHS continues to rely on public engagement to care for historic sites, steward collections and offer countywide educational programs.

The Door County Historical Society’s new logo. SUBMITTED

New Logo To kick off its 100th anniversary celebration, DCHS has unveiled its new logo. The organization worked with Osvaldo Lopez, a freelance graphic designer and University of Wisconsin-Green Bay graduate, to create a logo that reflects historical authenticity and local identity. Central to the design concept is Porte des Morts, a name that connects Potawatomi, French and

early European history, reflecting the relationship between land and water that has shaped the peninsula for centuries. In the logo, waves crashing into the bluff symbolize Porte des Morts, representing both the beauty and danger of Lake Michigan and the stories tied to the shoreline. The bluff itself represents the Niagara Escarpment, the ancient geological formation that shaped the peninsula’s landscape, influenced settlement patterns and continues to define the peninsula’s dramatic shoreline. The tree in the design reflects the natural beauty that draws visitors to Door Hjalmar R. Holand. County and COURTESY OF acknowledges THE DOOR COUNTY the early HISTORICAL SOCIETY logging industry that attracted many European settlers and played a key role in the county’s early economy. The tree also loosely represents Door County’s cherry orchards. Early sketches of the new logo focused on simplifying the ideas of land, water and history into a form that would be clear, recognizable and adaptable. As the design evolved, it became clear that the story was not complete without a human element. The addition of a lighthouse represents guidance, safety and continuity, while also referencing the role DCHS played in preserving local maritime history. The final design incorporates subtle art deco influences, a nod to DCHS’s founding year of 1926, and a border reminiscent of a ship’s porthole, reflecting the county’s maritime roots.

Sister Bay Historical Society Nominated for State Award

he Sister Bay Historical Society has been nominated for a 2026 Governor’s Tourism Award in the Arts, Culture and Heritage category, recognizing the organization’s role in preserving local history while enhancing Wisconsin’s tourism experience. Presented annually by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, the Governor’s Tourism Awards honor individuals, organizations and destinations that elevate Wisconsin tourism, drive economic impact and strengthen communities across the state. The Arts, Culture and Heritage Award celebrates organizations that showcase cultural and historical assets to enhance tourism and economic well-being. The Sister Bay Historical Society Sister Bay Historical Society programming includes children’s education. (SBHS) was nominated for preserving SUBMITTED Sister Bay’s heritage and transforming it into engaging, immersive experiences for residents and visitors. SBHS operates the Corner of the Past Museum, a seven-acre historic site that offers docent-led tours, educational programs and special events, as well as Christkindlmarkt, the European-style holiday market held on the museum grounds. In addition to preserving historic structures and artifacts, SBHS maintains archives and digital collections, including Sister Bay Stories, an archive of oral histories.

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FREE CLASSES AT THE YOGA WOMB The Yoga Womb, a wellness studio in Sturgeon Bay, is offering several free classes. Foundations in Meditation is offered on Sunday mornings, from 10 to 11 am. Suitable for motivated meditators of all experience levels, the class explores classical mindfulness techniques. A Soul Powered Sobriety Circle meets on Monday mornings, from 10 to 11:30 am. The event is for those who are sober or sober-curious; participants don’t need to identify with the terms “alcoholic” or “addict” to join. The group will practice embodiment and meditation, and facilitate an integration healing circle. Slow Flow Yoga for Trauma Survivors takes place on Monday evenings, from 5:15 to 6:45 pm. Designed for women who have experienced physical, psychological or emotional abuse in any setting at any age, the class can be the start, or a part, of one’s healing journey. Each themed class includes embodiment, wisdom, breathwork and meditation. Events take place at The Yoga Womb, 58 W. Maple St. in Sturgeon Bay. Visit theyogawomb.org for more information.

credit cards accepted

FIRST WELLNESS WEEKEND BRINGS OUT LOCALS AND VISITORS Sister Bay’s inaugural Winter Wellness Weekend exceeded expectations, said Ellie Soderberg-Guger, coordinator for the Sister Bay Advancement Association (SBAA). “Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many visitors sharing that they planned their trip specifically around Wellness Weekend,” Soderberg-Guger said. “While others were excited to discover the activities once they arrived.” Local residents took part in many of the activities that ranged from yoga classes to craft sessions and food and drink options at area restaurants over the weekend of Jan. 16-18. The SBAA plans to bring the event back for a second edition in 2027.

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Peninsula Pulse

january 30-february 6/2026

art/culture

doorcountypulse.com

*art))beat HARDY RELEASES 2026 EXHIBIT SLATE

Art enthusiasts gather at the Hardy Gallery. SUBMITTED Thomas “Bud” Skupniewitz (below) is an artist of many mediums. He donated woodcut prints of Norb Blei’s coop (above) to raise money for Write On, Door County, where he has also volunteered his time as a handyman and in the construction of the Council Rink pergola. SUBMITTED

A vessel created by the artist, who also does photography and painting. He signs his work with the initials RS in memory of his niece, Sara, who died of leukemia in 2011.

“Eclipse,” a largescale landscape sculpture by Skupniewitz. You can find more examples of his sculpture on the grounds of Edgewood Orchard Galleries. SUBMITTED

SUBMITTED

An Artist Unconfined Thomas “Bud” Skupniewitz does a little of everything by TOM GROENFELDT

ou can ask Thomas “Bud” Skupniewitz what he does, but don’t expect his answer to be short. The Edgewood Orchard Galleries website shows his work in ceramics and imposing, abstract steel sculpture. His Cline Artworks website, named after his mother, shows his smaller bronze sculptures. His Instagram page features some of his photos and prints, such as a limited-edition loon, hand-carved in Japanese shina plywood and printed on Italian Pescia blue paper. Skupniewitz has also made limited-edition woodblock prints to raise funds for the Aldo Leopold Foundation and to depict Norb Blei’s chicken coop writing studio for Write On, Door County. He’s been retired for eight years, after around 10 years of building a body of work in preparation to become a full-time artist in retirement. “Before that, for 42 years, I was a wallpaper contractor in Madison,” Skupniewitz said. “I did wallpaper and historic restoration of homes, including plaster work and painting.” All the best wallpaper hangers in Madison also did art on the side, he said on The Potters Cast podcast. Wallpaper and fine art draw on some similar talents and disciplines – an appreciation for working with fine materials, knowing the importance of layout, and thinking carefully about what you are doing in the creation process. Now, his primary creative field is ceramics. He has always leaned towards pottery, but that doesn’t exclude other artistic practices. He’d just finished an oil painting of Eagle Bluff in Ephraim, he said on a recent call. “I did pottery the last two days,” Skupniewitz added. “I will probably do prints tomorrow, and then steel sculpture.” He has also worked in photography, including making pinhole cameras and shooting infrared. He casts small bronze sculptures and crafts the occasional torso in clay. He has taken the occasional workshop and given workshops himself. Retirement hasn’t made much impact on his work. Even when he was busy with wallpaper, some artwork was always close by.

“I was always doing art,” Skupniewitz said. “I didn’t own a television set for 25 years. I would strictly work in Madison and then come home and work on some sort of art project with the kids or by myself. I was always drawn to it.” Curiosity and perseverance drove his practice. A raku pot by “I was completely Skupniewitz. self-taught,” he said. “I SUBMITTED am very curious, and I don’t mind taking on a new medium, knowing it won’t work out, and keep at it until I get it.” Years ago, he lived in the country, where there was no ceramics studio to provide instruction and access to a wheel and a kiln. Now, artists anywhere can find used equipment on Craigslist and get ideas from YouTube. “If you want to be a potter, all you have to do is find a potter that will mentor you,” Skupniewitz said. “In bigger towns, they have co-ops you can join and keep making stuff and keep improving. In a co-op, you are around a lot of other potters that are quite a ways along in their careers. I have never met a potter that doesn’t share with younger potters. I think that because most people can’t afford a studio with a kiln, a co-op is the way to go.” He lives in downtown Lake Mills, between Madison and Milwaukee, where his wife works. He has a sculpture studio at home and another on a property an hour north, where he can do raku firing and steel sculpture (which can be pretty noisy work). Skupniewitz has shown his work at Edgewood in Fish Creek for 14 years. He tries to keep prices under $2,000 and heights under 6 feet for his steel sculptures. “I think I have pretty much learned most of the mediums that I want to work in, and now I will focus on bouncing back and forth between sculpting, painting, pottery and printmaking,” he said. “I usually have a general idea of what I will do in a day, but it can bounce around. Not having to make a living from it really frees you up. “Sculpture is nice because you can stop anytime,” Skupniewitz continued. “You’re just welding, and that’s pretty forgiving, but printmaking, once you get the ink out, you want to do the job. You don’t want to make a mess for a couple of little things.” More examples of the work of Thomas Skupniewitz can be seen at Edgewood Orchard Galleries or at clineartworks.com.

v ni

ary of frst fe s r s e

10t

June 27, 2026 t

The Hardy Gallery in Ephraim has announced the exhibition schedule for its 64th season in 2026. The season starts with the 64th-annual Wall-to-Wall Juried Exhibit from May 22 to July 5, kicking off with an opening reception on Friday, May 22, from 5:30 to 7 pm. This exhibit provides an opportunity for both emerging and established artists to show their work in a wide variety of media. The public is encouraged to cast votes for their favorite piece to receive the People’s Choice Award. This year’s juror is Rebecca Carlton, local artist and owner of Juddville Contemporary Clay Studio Gallery. She will deliver a juror talk on Friday, June 14, from 2 to 3 pm. Up next are the Collection Invitational and Collector’s Choice Benefit and the Community Mosaic Project, on view simultaneously from July 10 to Aug. 23. The shows start with an opening reception and mosaic unveiling on Friday, July 10, from 5:30 to 7 pm. The annual Collection Invitational and Collector’s Choice Benefit features work by more than 40 established local and regional artists. Each artist shows two works, donating one to be sold in the Collector’s Choice Benefit, The Hardy Gallery’s largest special event fundraiser. Now in its 19th year, the Community Mosaic Project typically consists of 300 6-by-6-inch works of art, contributed by artists of all ages and backgrounds. Visitors can purchase one of the canvases through a blind mailing, with all proceeds benefiting the Hardy The final show of the 2026 season is Stories + Senses: Reflections in Nature, on display Aug. 28 through Oct. 11, beginning with an opening reception on Friday, Aug. 28, from 5:30 to 7 pm. The exhibit will feature three regional artists: Mary Ellen Sisulak of Ellison Bay, Naomi Moes Jenkins of Egg Harbor/De Pere and Marilyn Prescott of Appleton. These artists are all engaged in a process of translating what they see in their immediate environments. The surfaces of Prescott’s abstract paintings are rich with references to her walks along the Fox River. The materiality of Naomi’s sculptures seems to be pulled right out of Prescott’s paintings, creating a feeling of entering into a world of mythology. Sisulak’s work, created from materials ranging from leather to watersoluble encaustic, emulates the sense of magic and mystery present deep within a forest. The Hardy Gallery closes for the season on Oct. 11 at 3 pm. During the season, it is open from 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday and 12 to 5 pm on Sunday. Admission is free. The gallery will be closed for exhibit installation from May 18 to 21, July 6 to 9 and Aug. 24 to 27. For details on participating in the Wallto-Wall Juried Exhibit or the Community Mosaic Project, visit thehardy.org or contact 920.854.2210 or info@thehardy. org. The Hardy Gallery is located at 3083 Anderson Lane in Ephraim.

MAIFEST ARTISTS NEEDED Jacksonport will celebrate Maifest for the 53rd time this year on Memorial Day weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24. The event at Lakeside Park and Erskine Rest Area includes a parade, kids’

Art Beat continued on page 2

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2 | ART/CULTURE january 30-february 6/2026

))art GALLERY guide It may be helpful to confirm galleries’ hours before visiting.

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12171 GARRETT BAY ROAD n ELLISON BAY 920 - 854 - 4088 n WWW.THECLEARING.ORG Listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places

Clay on Steele Pottery Studio 221 Steele St. (920) 487-8076 Equilibrium Fine Arts and Creative Workshops 314 Steele St. (920) 404-0483 Fishline Studios Art Collective 213 Steele St. (920) 473-0415 Ladybug Glass Studio & Gallery 219 Steele St. (920) 591-2883 Robert Ray Gallery 520 Parkway St. (920) 495-6677 Steele Street Trading Co 300 Steele St. (920) 487-3840 The Pottery CO-OP 610 Fourth Street (847) 772.0401 Yonder 321 Steele St. (906) 295-0993 BAILEYS HARBOR

Custom Framing and Contemporary Art in Sturgeon Bay’s Steel Bridge Creative District

39 South 3rd Ave. Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 (920) 495-5991 hello@arton3rdsb.com

Standing with Minnesota

Bazyli Studio Wearable and Textile Art 2551 Ahrens Road (847) 347-3562 By appt. only Chez Cheryl Art Space 8360 High Plateau Road off EE (920)421-1690 Call to schedule a studio visit EGG HARBOR Angela Lensch Gallery 7653 Hwy 42 (920) 868-5088 By appt. only

Cappaert Contemporary Gallery 7901 Hwy 42 (920) 868-3987 By appt. only Mike Judy Studio & Gallery 6252 Bay Shore Dr. (920) 743-2614 mikejudyart.com Open by Appt. Plum Bottom Gallery (Downtown) 7813 Hwy 42 (920) 743-2819 Plum Bottom Gallery (Plum Bottom Road) 4999 Plum Bottom Road (920) 743-2819 ELLISON BAY Clay Bay Pottery 11650 Hwy 42 (920) 854-5027 Gills Rock Pottery 12020 Lakeview Road (920) 854-2774 K Wilder Fine Art 12495 Door Bluff Road kwilderart.com (773) 636-6289 Open by Appt. Lynn’s Pottery 12030 Garrett Bay Road (920) 421-4384 Rob Williams Studio/Gallery 753 Isle View Rd (920) 854-9823 Turtle Ridge Gallery 11736 Mink River Road (920) 854-4839 EPHRAIM Blue Dolphin House and BDH Studio 10320 N. Water St. (920) 854-4413 George Burr Gallery 10325 Hwy 42 (920) 854-7877 UU Gallery 10341 Water St. (920) 854-7559 FISH CREEK Haven Studio In Settlement Shops, 9110 Hwy 42 (920) 207-0171 Gallery of Gold 4091 Main St. (920) 868-9020 Open by Appt.

Art Beat continued from page 1

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activities, live music, refreshments, a horse pull, a fun run, and an arts and crafts fair. To apply for the arts and crafts fair, visit jacksonport.net, find the registration form under Events at the top of the page, then send in the application with payment as listed. The deadline is May 1 or until space is filled. Applicants will be notified of their status by May 5. After notification, the application fee is non-refundable to accepted vendors. If space is available, the fee for

Interfibers Studio Gallery 9204 Silk Road (920) 868-3580 Link Gallery 3942 Hwy 42 (920) 868-2728 Peninsula School of Art and Guenzel Gallery 3906 Cty F (920) 868-3455 Plum Bottom (Fish Creek) 4175 Main St. (920) 393-7885 Quarry House Gallery 8896 Spring Rd. (414) 322-0617 JACKSONPORT Idea Gallery 6551 Cty T (West Jacksonport) (920) 655-1340 JUDDVILLE Deanna Clayton Glass 8499 Hwy 42 Fish Creek, WI 54212 (920) 421-1604 SISTER BAY Earth Art Studio Country Walk Shops – Garden Level (920) 854-1912 Frykman Studio Gallery 2566 S. Bayshore Dr. (920) 854-7351 Hartmann Sign Studio and Art Gallery 10673 Sumac Lane (920) 854-5378 Meadows Art Gallery 10560 Applewood Road (920) 854-2317 Mill Road Gallery 2328 Mill Road (920) 854-4416 STURGEON BAY Andrea Naylor Studio + Gallery 45 S. 3rd. Ave. andreanaylor.com ARTicipation Studio & Gallery 10 E. Oak Street (920) 857-8544 Audrey M. Off Gallery & Framery 40 N. 3rd Ave. (920) 743-2259

applications after May 1 will increase from $115 to $150. Setup time is from 7 to 9 am on Saturday, May 23. Vendors can set up on the afternoon of Friday, May 22, but there is no security on Friday overnight; security is provided for Saturday overnight. Visit jacksonport.net for more application details. The parade application form and the entry form for the 10K and 2K fun runs are also available at jacksonport.net.

CALL FOR ARTISTS IN SISTER BAY The Sister Bay Advancement Association invites Wisconsin-based

Art on 3rd 39 S. 3rd Ave. hello@arton3rdsb.com (920) 495-5991 Blue Moon Framery & Gallery 185 Walnut St., in the Door County Economic Development Center by appt: bluemoonframery.com Brian Pier Gallery/ Forever Grateful 20 S. Madison (920) 818-0366 Community Foundation Gallery 222 N. 3rd Ave. (920) 746-1786 Hope Church Gallery 141 S. 12th Ave. (920) 743-2701 Lily Bay Pottery 3450 N. Lake Michigan Dr. (920) 412-4872 M Anderson Gallery 44 S. 2nd Ave. (920) 765-1332 Margaret Lockwood Gallery 7 S. 2nd Ave. (920) 493-3635 Miller Art Museum 107 S. 4th Ave. (920) 746-0707 Mona Lucy Gallery 626 Jefferson St. (920) 495-0651 Plum Bottom Gallery (Sturgeon Bay) 231 N. 3rd Ave. (920) 393-7885 Popelka Trenchard Glass Studio 64 S. 2nd Ave. (920) 743-7287 Ranly Maritime Gallery 1009 Egg Harbor Road (920) 559-6194 Reclaimed & Co. Jewelry 24 N. 3rd Ave. reclaimedcojewelry.com Shan Bryan-Hanson Studio 242 Michigan St. shanbryan-hanson.com Studio 1865 22 E. Pine St. TAP Lobby Gallery 239 N. 3rd Ave. (920) 743-2206 Two Bridges Studio and Gallery 22 S. 3rd Ave. twobridgesdoorcounty.com

artists to apply for the 23rd-annual Door County Festival of Fine Arts by May 1. Applicants must be working artists residing in Wisconsin, either full-time or part-time. All artwork must be the sole, original work of the exhibiting artist, created by the artist in both concept and execution, and must demonstrate professional-level craftsmanship. Artists will be notified of their acceptance by May 31. The Festival of Fine Arts takes place on Saturday, Aug. 8. To apply and find the full list of eligibility requirements, visit form. jotform.com/260066019829157. Contact ellie@sisterbay.com for questions and more information.

ON EXHIBIT

“Dedicated to Preserving Your Treasures”

e v a H e W ! k o o L w e AN

THE SEARCHING EYE

MILLER EXHIBITS

Peninsula School of Art, 3900 Cty F in Fish Creek Through Feb. 28

Miller Art Museum, 107 S. 4th Ave. in Sturgeon Bay Through March 28

Selected works by artists connected to the school in various ways, embodying founder Madeline Tourtelot’s sense of exploration.

The main show, Patrick Farrell | Ever After, includes still life paintings, while Measured Light features black-andwhite landscape photographs.

STOP IN TO SEE THE UPDATES IN THE SHOP & RECEIVE 10% OFF OF YOUR ORDER WHEN YOU MENTION THIS AD!

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Door County Community Foundation Lobby Gallery, 222 N. 3rd Ave. in Sturgeon Bay Through winter A Door County artist shows her work inspired by abstract expressionism and mid-century modern styles.

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JUNE 20, 2026

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PRESENTING SPONSOR

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SUPPORTING SPONSORS HAYDEN WATER COMPANY | THE DORR HOTEL

CHARITABLE PARTNER SUNSHINE RESOURCES

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january 30-february 6/2026 ART/CULTURE | 3

We A

! N E P O

Tis The Season A Shop For All Seasons

Seasonal Home Décor and Gifts

CELEB PAIRINGS by Myles Mellor

ACROSS 1. Raise Cain 5. ‘Neath opposite 8. Jovial 11. Local entrepreneurial orgs. 15. “La la” preceder 18. Hand lotion ingredient 19. Take for granted 21. In an inescapable position 23. Celeb pairing 26. Sounds of woe 27. ___ Cruces, N.M. 28. Cavaliers and Indians, on scoreboards 29. Hindu clerk 30. Director Welles 34. Contract need, abbr. 35. Hindu god of war and weather 37. Abbr. at the bottom of a letter 38. They moved to Citi Field in 2009 39. Huskies’ vehicle 41. H.S. biology topic 42. Smallest American dollars 45. E.R. order 46. ___ chi ch’uan 47. Quitter’s cry 49. Fools 53. Celeb pairing 57. Earth sci. 58. Switch settings 59. “Uh-huh” 60. Great report card column 61. Disgust 64. Like Beethoven 67. Rep’s forte 69. Noted artist Jean 72. “All Over the World” singers, for short 73. Draft classification? 75. Master 76. Mayo, por ejemplo 77. Passed on 79. Apt. balcony 80. Tippler 81. Too fussy 82. Poacher’s collection? 85. Partakes of 87. Beef-grading govt. agcy. 91. Celeb pairing 98. Sushi offering 99. Wheels setting 100. ___ pinch 101. Large lake

After Inventory

Sale!

Friday & Saturday • 10-4pm Sunday • 10-2pm

(920) 868-2829 Store is closed in January Located at 7828 HWY 42, Egg Harbor, WI SOLUTION on page 6 of A&E. 102. Old French coins 104. Ring org. 105. Championed 106. Indian tourist site 107. Compass point 110. Indian dish 112. Bearded revolutionary 113. Welcome 114. Brad, for one 117. Vow words 118. Arles assent 119. Grayish brown 121. Celeb pairing 129. Sheer fabric robe 130. African pests 131. Down in the dumps 132. Sample 133. Mercury measure 134. One engaged in, suffix 135. Be off base 136. Kind of blocker DOWN 1. Rule opposed by Gandhi 2. UN working conditions agcy. 3. “Sweet!” 4. It’s an honor 5. Grand Ole ___ 6. Notable times in history 7. Clergyman’s address 8. Soviet Union labor camp 9. Nos. on checks 10. Biblical assent 11. Burn 12. Ravel classic 13. Flood escape vessel 14. Arrogant person 15. Group of people 16. Military information gathering, for short

17. For the “specific purpose” 20. Assured 22. Actress/model Mendes 24. Freight weight 25. Mapmaker Andrew 30. City in the SW Russian Federation 31. Put a new price on 32. Say 33. Bone: Prefix 34. Timex alternative 35. Machu Picchu builder 36. Willy Loman, for one 39. Sault ___ Marie 40. Quebecois water 41. IV league? 43. Suffix with west 44. Agave rug fiber 47. Not mailed 48. Ample shoe width 50. Demand 51. The Family Circus cartoonist 52. Bachelor parties 54. Like the sky 55. Prefix with European 56. The Stepford wives 62. Organized chorus 63. One of Samuel Johnson’s cats 65. Broke bread 66. Honeymoon Travels director, first name 68. Formula One car 69. Kaffiyeh wearers 70. Chicago star, abbr. 71. Costa del Sol section 74. Beseech 78. Medicinal plants 83. Heater 84. Con

86. It’s a piece of cake 88. Say “@#$%!” 89. Dreary sound 90. Burning 92. Matrix character 93. Figure skater Thomas 94. Hispanic aunt 95. “The loneliest number” 96. Cool in the ‘80s 97. Milk source 103. 2000 Martin Landau film 105. “I can take ___!” 107. Barely enough 108. When haroseth is eaten 109. Plaintive piece 111. Venomous snake 112. More attractive 113. Econ. indicator 115. Corner piece 116. “So ___” 118. Seine tributary 119. Textile worker 120. It dissolved in Dec. 1991 122. “Long, long time ___” 123. No. for a drive 124. Vane direction 125. Chicago lyricist 126. Hearty brew 127. Groove 128. Type of voyage

“INTROVERT HAPPY HOUR” CONTINUES After holding its first meeting earlier this month, the Silent Book Club of Door County has announced that meetings will continue on the first Tuesday of every month. The next meeting is on Feb. 3 at the Kress Pavilion, 7845 Church St. in Egg Harbor. Referred to by organizers as “introvert happy hour,” the group is a book club with no assigned reading. Participants may bring their own book or pick one out at the venue. “Many of our friends shared that traditional book clubs often felt limiting – fixed book selections, unofficial deadlines that caused stress, and, over time, a loss of passion for reading,” organizers wrote in a press release. Silent Book Club meetings start at 6 pm with snacks and socializing, where participants are encouraged to discuss what they’re reading. A silent reading hour goes from 6:30 to 7:30 pm, followed by optional socializing or reading from 7:30 to 8 pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring snacks and beverages to share.

BESTSELLERS

HARDCOVER FICTION 1. The Correspondent, by Virginia Evans 2. Heart the Lover, by Lily King 3. Wild Dark Shore, by Charlotte McConaghy 4. My Friends, by Fredrik Backman 5. The First Time I Saw Him, by Laura Dave

HARDCOVER NONFICTION 1. Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and FlockFleecing Frauds, by John Fugelsang 2. The Greatest Sentence Ever Written, by Walter Isaacson 3. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This, by Omar El Akkad 4. Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection, by John Green 5. Always Remember: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and the Storm, by Charlie Mackesy

CHILDREN’S ILLUSTRATED 1. Moo, Baa, La La La!, by Sandra Boynton 2. Your Truck, by Jon Klassen 3. The Going to Bed Book, by Sandra Boynton 4. A Snow Day for Amos McGee, by Philip C. Stead, Erin E. Stead (Illus.) 5. Smooches!, by Sandra Boynton

Protecting Door County’sTrust Exceptional Lands and Wa Door County Land

Protecting Door County’s Exceptional Lands and Waters...Forever

Myles Mellor is one of the top crossword writers in the world, and his puzzles are published in more than 600 magazines, newspapers and web outlets. Subscribe to Mellor’s crosswords at ilovecrosswords.com.

))literature

*bookmarks

Door County Lan

Tonight We Crossed the Moon

Become a member today! DoorCountyLandTrust.org 920.746.1359

920-839-9276 8024 hwy 57 baileys harbor

Open Tues 12-5 Weds-sat 10-3

Semi-Annual

clearance JOIN OUR WINTER KAL!

by ROBIN SAUERWEIN

We are walking to Northeast Middle School for my son, Dylan’s swimming lesson. There is a field of fresh snow before us and the wind has been busy making divots into its surface. The white pockets of snow resemble craters and the ground sparkles a silvery blue. It reminds me of the glitter I used to sprinkle on my mother’s nose as a kid while she dozed in her recliner in the early evening. And tonight, the snow is untouched by human footprints. “Look we’re crossing the moon!” I say. Dylan laughs at my silliness but he is willing to play along. He looks up at the real moon high above the sky, with its twisted orange lips hiding all expression. We step out onto the field and our boots crunch and sink down a few inches into the earth. The stars above blink on and off like a hotel vacancy sign. My lungs breathe in the cool air. Behind me, the street lights dim and the dark road empties of all cars. I feel a momentary lightness until our boots once again land onto the hard parking lot surface of the middle school. Author and Write On, Door County educator Robin Saurwein is based in Minneapolis and has spent over a decade teaching creative writing. At Write On, FILE she has helped workshop participants explore a variety of genres, from flash fiction to personal memoir. Her next course at Write On is an eightweek online class called Family, Friends and Food: Writing Our Life Stories, on Tuesdays, March 10 through April 28, from 6 to 8 pm.

The Midwest Independent Booksellers Association (MIBA) Bestseller List Midwest (Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula), for the week ended Jan. 18, 2026. To find an independent bookstore near you, visit IndieBound.org

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FRIENDS of DOOR COUNTY LIBRARIES

BOOK SALE Sat. Feb. 14th • 9:30am-12pm Wed. Feb. 25th • 11am-1pm Thousands of Bargains Pre-sorted & Organized! Everyone is Welcome! Door County Library 107 S 4th Sturgeon Bay Proceeds benefit all 8 Door County Library locations

ROCKSHOP | JEWELRY | DECOR | MINING

NORTH EPHRAIM | OPEN EVERY DAY www.doorcountyrockandgem.com

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 12 0 2 9 W I - 4 2 , E L L I S O N B A Y , W I

Cabin Fever Night Collage and Company

Thursday, February 5th | 4-6pm Ages 21+ Beat the winter blues! Grab a group of friends or coworkers and join us for a lively evening of creativity, community, and fun. Enjoy cozy refreshments while you create a collage from photographic material, patterned papers, and more. All materials are provided.

Winter SUNDAY

Sicilian fried chicken & lasagne feature

Specials

MONDAY

BOGO 50% off pizzas. Dine-in only.

TUESDAY

Wood-fired steak & half-price bottles of wine

THURSDAY Ramen night!

Suggested donation: $10 per person

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FARM-TO-TABLE BRUNCH

AUTHENTIC SOUTHERN ITALIAN CUISINE

BlueBearEB.com 920.854.3284

DellaPortaDC.com 920.633.4014

3900 County F, Fish Creek | 920.868.3455

Stop in and check out the grab and go soups, Italian specialties and more in our retail freezer!

Door County Acupuncture + Wellness

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Women’s Health

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58 N. 3rd Ave. Sturgeon Bay, WI | (920)743-6722

THE AEROLASE NEO ELITE LASER PERMANENTLY REDUCES HAIR ON ALL SKIN TYPES WITH NO PAIN OR SIDE EFFECTS • PERMANENTLY REDUCES HAIR AFTER 4-6 TREATMENTS.

SCAN THE QR CODE TO VIEW A FULL MENU OF SERVICES AND BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT!

utopianskin.com | 920.737.1820 430 Jefferson St. Sturgeon Bay Door County | Green Bay

Magic Savings are Swirling!

35% OFF In Stock Wall Art, Lamps & Pillows 60% OFF All Remaining Holiday 60-75% OFF in Kelton’s Klearance Corner A sophisticated and fresh array of accessories for the home, for you, for LIFE! Visit us soon and stroll the charm of Downtown Sturgeon Bay!

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Peninsula Pulse

january 30-february 6/2026 quartet headlines a double-bill with opener Cool Bay Jazz.

PERFORMANCE

HAPPENINGS CALENDAR

DARCI LYNNE & FRIENDS Southern Door Auditorium, 2073 Cty DK, Brussels. 920.676.1920. 7:30pm. A one-woman variety show by an actor, singer & ventriloquist. Visit southerndoorauditorium. org for tickets.

INDOOR

Happenings submissions are due by noon on Friday the week prior. Send them to pr@ppulse.com.

FRI 1/30 LIVE MUSIC RAMONA & THE FLOWER Cherry Lanes Arcade Bar, 127 N 4th Ave, Sturgeon Bay. 920.818.0093. 7-10pm. Green Bay acoustic duo. DADDIO MUSE Sturgeon Bay, 330 Jefferson Street, Sturgeon Bay. 920.333.2859. 7pm. Contemporary improv jazz

ADRC ACTIVITIES Aging & Disability Resource Center of Door County, 916 N. 14th Ave., Sturgeon Bay. 920.746.2372. 9am. Cardio drumming (independent); poker; chess. 10am. DVD Fitness. 11am. Zumba Gold. PRESCHOOL STORYTIME Forestville Library, 123 Hwy 42, Forestville. 920.856.6886. 9:30am. Participants learn a number & letter each week through reading, singing & dancing. HOW GLACIERS SHAPED THE PENINSULA Door County Historical Museum, 18 N. 4th Ave., Sturgeon Bay. 920.743.5809. 10am-12pm. Examine LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) maps to see how glaciers shaped the peninsula. MAGIC COMMANDER NIGHT The Gnoshery, 23 N. 3rd Ave., Sturgeon Bay. 920.818.0727. 3-9pm. Play Magic the Gathering in Commander format. SURVEY SLAM TRIVIA Cherry Lanes Arcade Bar, 127 N 4th Ave, Sturgeon Bay. 920.818.0093. 6pm. Like Family Feud with real-world data.

SAT 1/31 LIVE MUSIC AUSTIN SKALECKI Harbor Ridge Winery, 4690 Rainbow Ridge Rd, Egg

Harbor. 920.868.4321. 1-4pm. An afternoon of blues, rock & folk at the winery. GOOD FOR THE SOUL Door 44 Winery, 5464 County Hwy P, Sevastopol. 1-4pm. Acoustic duo. PAUL TAYLOR Drömhus Door County, 611 Jefferson St., Sturgeon Bay. 608.333.4553. 3-5pm. Jazz, country & folk. BEN LARSEN Door County Brewing Co. and Music Hall, 8099 Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor. 920.839.1515. 3-7pm. Amusing acoustic Americana. OPEN TAB Red’s Pub & Grill, N6318 Hwy 42, Algoma. 920.677.8499. 4-7pm. Pop, country & rock favorites & classic throwbacks. ELYSIAN STEW Twelve Eleven Wine Bar, 10339 Hwy 57, Sister Bay. 920.421.9463. 5-7pm. Alternate tunings blended with Western elements. KATIE DAHL Door Community Auditorium, 3924 Hwy 42, Fish Creek. 920.868.2728. 7pm. Singer/songwriter/ playwright performs in the Coffeehouse Concert Series in the lobby after an opening set by a local student. $20/ person. Refreshments available for purchase. JOHN MCCLANE AND THE DC PLAYERS MUSE Sturgeon Bay, 330 Jefferson Street, Sturgeon Bay. 920.333.2859. 7pm. Jazz-funk fusion powerhouse

PERFORMANCE GROUNDHOG DAY – A LIVE RADIO PLAY Drömhus Door County, 611 Jefferson St., Sturgeon Bay. 608.333.4553. 7pm. Bayside Radio Theatre invites audiences to the story Groundhog Day with a live radio adaptation. $25.

FOOD & DRINK RED WINE TASTING Twelve Eleven Wine Bar, 10339 Hwy 57, Sister Bay. 920.421.9463. 4-7pm. Join our sommelier to taste five varietals from around the world. $50.

INDOOR POKÉMON CLUB The Gnoshery, 23 N. 3rd Ave., Sturgeon Bay. 920.818.0727. 9-11 am. A fun-filled

doorcountypulse.com

COURTESY OF THE BAND

Ramona and the Flower

Jan. 30, 7-10 pm, Cherry Lanes Arcade Bar, 127 N. 4th Ave. in Sturgeon Bay This Green Bay acoustic duo gets its name from Ramona Flowers, a character from the movie Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. morning of battles, trades and more whether you’re a Pokémon master or just starting your journey. WARM SIPS & WINTER MAKES Glen Innish Farm, E5427 2nd Road, Kewaunee. 920.251.7450. 9am-4pm. Enjoy warm beverages & hands-on winter projects at this drop-in workshop. BLUE ZONES LECTURE Door Community Auditorium, 3924 Hwy 42, Fish Creek. 920.868.2728. 10am. “Sense of Purpose” with Michael Brecke. Part of the free Door County Talks series. Refreshments available for purchase. A PARTY WITH PETE THE CAT Sturgeon Bay Library, 107 S 4th Ave, Sturgeon Bay. 920.743.6578. 12:30-1:30pm. Stories, crafts, games & snacks with Pete the Cat.

LITERATURE TELLING THE TRUTH OF OUR LIVES READING Write On, Door County, 4210 Juddville Rd, Juddville. 920.868.1457. 10am. Participants in Write On’s mentoring program for women share work created over the past year.

OUTDOOR WINTER GUIDED HIKE Ridges Sanctuary – Cook-Albert Fuller Center, 8166 Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor. 920.839.2802. 10:30am & 1:30pm. Snowshoes available for $5/pair. $10/ public, $7/member, free/16 & younger. Register at ridgessanctuary.org. SCIENCE SATURDAY – GROUNDHOGS AND SHADOWS Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan St, Sturgeon Bay. 920.746.5895. 2pm. Learn the sleep habits of groundhogs and what we can learn from shadows.

Intended for elementary students, but learners of all ages are welcome. Meet at the Collins Learning Center

SUN 2/1 LIVE MUSIC OPEN MIC The Gnoshery, 23 N. 3rd Ave., Sturgeon Bay. 920.818.0727. 12:30pm signup starts, 1-4pm open mic for musicians, poets & storytellers hosted by musician Jeanne Kuhns. Food, drinks & games for sale. COOL BAY JAZZ Drömhus Door County, 611 Jefferson St., Sturgeon Bay. 608.333.4553. 5-7pm. World-class professional musicians.

peninsulacenturyspringclassic.com

PRESENTING

PREMIER

MAJOR

SUPPORTING GFL Environmental • Hayden Water Co. • Kick Ash Door County • The Fireside Restaurant • Door County Medical Center • Nelson Shopping Center • fm 106.9 The Lodge

continued on page 2

Teresa K. Hilander Community Ice Rink Skate Rentals • Concessions • Warming House

Where families make memories that last a lifetime!

Open Mon-Fri 4-8pm • Sat 10-8 • Sun 10-6 (when the weather cooperates)

located at the Sister Bay Sports Complex 2155 Autumn Ct., Sister Bay

Fresh Views

Salty History

2 | EVENTS january 30-february 6/2026

PENINSULA PULSE

Sunday continued from page 1

PERFORMANCE FEBFEST Birch Creek Music Performance Center, 3821 Cty E, Egg Harbor. 920.854.4060. 2pm. The Peninsula Music Festival presents a brass quintet performance. $35/person. CHOIRNUCOPIA Prince of Peace Church, 1756 Michigan St, Sturgeon Bay. 920.743.7750. 6:15pm. A festival of local choirs with a 100-voice finale.

by MIKE BACSI copydesk@ppulse.com

GALLERIES STAINED GLASS SUNCATCHER WORKSHOP State Street Creation Station, 219 State St., Algoma. 920.487.8041. 12-3pm. Cut, foil, solder & finish a custom suncatcher. For participants 14 & older; 14-16 must be accompanied by an adult. $35/person.