Door County Pulse Podcast

Andrew Kleidon and Myles Dannhausen Jr. discuss some interesting takeaways from the recent census, including that the county's population has increased by the most significant margin in decades. Also, a look at the increasing COVID-19 numbers and hospitalizations, and more.

Myles Dannhausen Jr. catches up with new Door County YMCA Director Heidi Erickson and membership director Tonya Felhofer. They talk about how the Y is bouncing back from COVID, why Erickson came back to the Door, and big plans for the Sturgeon Bay program center.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Myles Dannhausen to go over Egg Harbors decision on whether or not to bury their power lines as a part of their highway project, as well as a look at room tax numbers from spring, and what they might tell us about how many people are visiting the county.

David Eliot and Thomas McKenzie became co-founders of the Peninsula Pulse in the summer of 1996. In this episode of the Story of the Pulse, Andrew Kleidon is joined by McKenzie to talk about his recollection of spending time with his uncle, James McKenzie, backstage at the Peninsula Players Theatre, his meeting Eliot at Lawrence University, and how the Pulse was born.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Myles to talk a bit about Egg Harbors upcoming meeting on whether or not to bury their power lines, as well as a slew of other happenings coming up this weekend and beyond, including Sturgeon Bay’s Maritime Week, the Peninsula Pulse Presents: The Danberry’s, Andrew’s thoughts on Northern Sky’s Not Even Remotely, and much more.

The father/daughter duo of Tad and Coburn Dukehart discuss capturing faces behind masks, what makes a great photograph, and what they’ll be looking for as co-judges of this year’s Hal Prize for photography, (and what they’re NOT looking for).

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Myles Dannhausen to discuss the latest COVID-19 numbers, and how Door County compares to the rest of the U.S. and abroad, and Myles shares his feelings coming away from a meeting this week where the Ephraim Planning Commission denied O'Malley's Inn into affordable, workforce housing.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Sara Rae Lancaster to talk about the tips, stories, and vendors featured in the all new 2021 Door Wedding magazine.

Andrew Kleidon and Myles Dannhausen talk about the battle for Door County League supremacy between the first-place Sister Bay Bays and the second-place Washington Island Islanders that took place on Washington Island. Also, a look at the importance of exploring Cave Point County Park safely, after multiple water rescues and fatalities in the County over the last year. And, Myles remembers Bob Lautenbach, and looks at what he spent his life building, after his passing last week.

In 2002 journalist Dan Egan wrote an article for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel titled “Is Door County too pretty for its own good?” about fears the peninsula was attracting too many people. Sound familiar? He joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to give some historical context to the debate about overtourism. Plus, they discuss his recent New York Times article about how climate change threatens Chicago, and what to take from this summer’s declining water levels. Dan Egan is an environmental journalist and author of the book The Death and Life of the Great Lakes. Dan is one of the foremost chroniclers of the Great Lakes region, He now lives in Milwaukee where he is a journalist in residence at the Center for Water Policy at UW - Milwaukee, but he’s also a longtime visitor to Door County. Chicago: A Battle Between a Great City and a Great Lake https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/07/07/climate/chicago-river-lake-michigan.html

Andrew Kleidon recently sat down with Peninsula Players Artistic Director Greg Vinkler on the Door County Pulse Podcast, to talk about projects the Players embarked on in 2020, why in-person seasons look different at professional theaters this year, and what people can expect from the Players 2021 season.

The Door County Triathlon returns July 17-18, which can’t come soon enough for director Sean Ryan. He joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about what it was like to be an event director without events during the pandemic and what to expect at this year’s event. They also discuss the impact silent sports events have had on the local economy and the changing face of the Door County visitor.

Andrew Kleidon and Myles Dannhausen Jr. discuss the latest on Egg Harbor's highway construction project, including their plans for developing Church Street, as well as a look at Liberty Grove's ongoing discussion on Short Term Rental regulation. Also, a look at The Peninsula Pulse Presents: A Tale of Two, the southern gothic rock band performing in Door County this summer, Lars Topplemann takes his wing foil out into Ephraim harbor, and more.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Northern Sky's Artistic Director Jeff Herbst to talk about the 2021 season. What did the company learn from a year of virtual performances? What concessions had to be made to produce a live season this year, and why do those concessions have to be made? And a look at all of the shows coming up in Peninsula State Park and at the Gould theater in Fish Creek this year.

Dave Eliot joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. on the podcast to talk about the return of Fourth of July celebrations to the peninsula this weekend. They talk about where to go to catch big events, fireworks, parades, and why we love Independence Day in Door County. Plus, a look inside the pages of the new Door County Living magazine.

Andrew Kleidon and Myles Dannhausen discuss the latest at Mariners Park in Gills Rock, as well as the recent sale of the old Nicolet Bank building in Sturgeon Bay. Also, a number of festivals are coming up this weekend, from Open Door Pride, to new events like the Sol Grass Music Festival on Washington Island, and the Times of Future Past festival in Kewaunee.

Deb Fitzgerald sits down with Steve Vavrus, Sr. Scientist at the Nelson Institute at UW-Madison, to talk about climate change and what’s in store for Wisconsin in general and Door County’s specifically. They also discussed what’s causing climate change, and some ways people can change their behaviors to reduce their carbon footprints.

Last year parents in Sturgeon Bay nearly lost their primary child care provider. In northern Door County, talk of Gibraltar School adding 4 year-old kindergarten has the area's main child care provider on edge. Myles Dannhausen Jr. is joined by Cindy Trinkner-Peot of Northern Door Children's Center and Alexis Fuller of the Door Community Child Development Center to discuss the challenges that area child care providers are facing and what the future of child care might look like.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Special Issues Editor Grace Johnson and Vanessa McGowan, musician and Pulse music writer, to talk about everything you can find within the 2021 Summer Music Preview. This years issue is full to the brim with featured musicians, including two bands presented by the Peninsula Pulse, weekly live music, performance venues, interesting band names, and more. For more live music, concerts, and more, check out the events calendar at https://doorcountypulse.com/events/

Andrew Kleidon and Myles Dannhausen sit down to talk about a trifecta of Gibraltar news stories, including a lawsuit between the town and the Alibi Docks, the school district looks at starting 4K kindergarten, and three administrators have resigned in less than a month. Also, Andrew recaps Northern Sky's production of Not Even Remotely, and looks forward to their first in-person show.

A Weekend Full of Festivals by Door County Pulse Podcast

Myles Dannhausen Jr. and Andrew Kleidon discuss the state of tourism in Door County, specifically whether the county is tapped out. They look back at tourism’s late-90s peak, the impact of room tax and public investments in attractions and infrastructure, and the data that could give us insights into whether tourism has - in fact - reached a new level in Door County. For more context on Door County’s recent tourism history: From 2007: Treading Lightly: Can Door County Maintain its Character While Attracting More Visitors? https://doorcountypulse.com/treading-lightly/ From 2009: How tourism expenditures are calculated https://doorcountypulse.com/playing-with-numbers/ From 2008: Tourism Spending Dropped in 2007 https://doorcountypulse.com/tourism-spending-dropped-in-2007-2/ From 2008: Steve Grutzmacher on the Stagnant Door County Tourism Industry https://doorcountypulse.com/an-outlook-10/ From 2008: Rebounding: Bringing Tourism Market Back Requires More than Marketing https://doorcountypulse.com/rebounding/ From 2010: Time for New Thinking: Expert gives perspective on how a community can retain its character https://doorcountypulse.com/time-for-new-thinking/ From 2012: Dead Zone: Sister Bay Business Climate Goes Cold https://doorcountypulse.com/dead-zone-sister-bay-business-climate-goes-cold/ From 2017: Dead Zone No More: How Sister Bay Came Back https://doorcountypulse.com/dead-zone-no-more-sister-bays-rebound/

Myles Dannhausen Jr. talks to New York Times best-selling author Andrew Maraniss, author of “Singled Out,” the story of Glenn Burke, Major League Baseball’s first openly gay player and the inventor of the high five. Maranis discusses why Burke was run out of baseball in his prime, as well as the importance of writing trusting young readers with difficult subjects.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Myles Dannhausen Jr. to remember Curtis Mickelson, a 22 year-old airman who died in a plane crash in 1951, and Bill Guenzel, a founding board member of Write On, Door County and a generous donor to dozens of Door County nonprofits and causes ranging from arts and culture, to health care, to youth projects, who died on May 7 at the age of 74. Also, a preliminary conceptual plan for a subdivision of 43 lots on the quarry property near George Pinney County Park is proposed.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by David Eliot to kick off Memorial Day Weekend with a quick list of some of the great new and returning events this year, including the first in-person run in the county this summer, live music is back in a big way, several gallery openings and exhibits to see, and much, much more. Check out the events calendar at www.doorcountypulse.com for even more great stuff to do all summer long.

Andrew Kleidon and Myles Dannhausen chat about some of the new businesses and experiences available this year, from Myles' jaunt up the newly completed Eagle Tower, a look inside the Dorr Hotel, and a few shoutouts from the New Business issue of the Peninsula Pulse, available now.

Debra Fitzgerald sits down with Annette Langlois Grunseth, a Green Bay poet who recently launched her latest book, Combat and Campus: Writing Through War, with a virtual event at Write-On. The book of poems was inspired by her brother, Sgt. Peter Langlois, and includes his correspondence home during the Vietnam war.

How does Door County get big acts? Vanessa McGowan joins Andrew Kleidon to discuss the hacks that touring artists use to squeeze big shows into small towns like Sturgeon Bay and Fish Creek. But first, Myles Dannhausen Jr. joins Kleidon to talk about a county coming to life after a year in lockdown. Galleries are hosting shows, restaurants are re-opening their doors, and event directors are making plans for a summer sort of normal.

A proposed ordinance in the Town of Sevastopol would have crippling implications for vacation home rental operators in the community. Myles Dannhausen Jr. talks to Debra Fitzgerald about why the town is considering limits on short-term-rentals, how it could impact the industry, and the larger questions about STRs raised in communities throughout the peninsula.

Andrew Kleidon and Myles Dannhausen Jr. discuss what's in store for The Alpine now that it has sold after 100 years in the Bertschinger family. They also take a look at what's happening with another historic lodge, the former Little Sister Resort property, and the ongoing development pressures in Egg Harbor.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Door County's resident Star Wars Super Fan Lauren Ward to talk about all things Star Wars, including how she would include Star Wars trivia as extra credit when she was a teacher at Gibraltar, the three generations of Star Wars Fans, and the different levels of fandom, controversial Star Wars opinions, and more. May the Fourth be with you!

Debra Fitzgerald sits down with Sturgeon Bay poet Mike Orlock, who was appointed Door County’s new poet laureate during the March 23 meeting of the Door County Board of Supervisors, to talk about his upcoming tenure, his approach as a poet, and his two poetry collections: You Can Get There From Here: Poems of Door County & Other Places and Poetry Apocalypse & Selected Verse.

Debra Fitzgerald sits down with the Door County Economic Development Corporation's Executive Director Steve Jenkins, and Director of Communications & Workforce Development Kelsey Fox to talk about the challenges that face Door County businesses in 2021, including challenges with J-1 workers, limited workforce housing, and more.

Andrew Kleidon sits down with Debra Fitzgerald to talk about this years Sustainability special issue, including answering the question: "Do trees talk to each other?" Also, a short discussion on the difference between a town, a village, and a city, following questions about the Bailey's Harbor vote to purchase the Nelson's property on April 20th, and a look the upcoming season as more businesses begin to open each week.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Myles Dannhausen Jr to discuss the town of Bailey's Harbor's vote to purchase the waterfront property that was once Nelson's Hardware. Also, Eagle Tower will be open to the public on April 30th, and an update on the current percentage of vaccinated people in Door County.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about the 2021 Door County Living Magazine Philanthropy Issue – how it was put together, some unique stories from the past year, including how nonprofits and other organizations took their meetings online and the advantages that provided some of them, a look at several community members who stepped up and lead by example, and the announcement of the 2021 Philanthropist of the Year: David Eliot.

Andrew Kleidon and Debra Fitzgerald discuss a few stories of the week, including the city of Sturgeon Bay's decision to remove their tornado sirens, worker shortages in the manufacturing sector, and the lighting design of Jimmy Balistreri. Also, Deb spoke with leading climate scientist and communicator Katharine Hayhoe about the most important thing you can do to fight climate change: Talk about it.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Pulse Co-Founder David Eliot and his dog, Oxford, to talk about the history of the Peninsula Pulse. On this episode, Dave takes us back to 2008, where a conversation was taking place around a table at Al Johnson's that would lead to the very first Door County Half Marathon, and the formation of the Peninsula Pacers, which would bring thousands of new faces to Door County to run, bike, play hockey, and drink good beer for years to come.

The 2021 Hal Prize is open and accepting submissions in fiction, nonfiction, poetry and photography until September 15th. This week Andrew Kleidon chats with Leena and Glenn Meyers who won the Hal Prize in Photography in 2019 and 2020 respectively, to talk about how their photography journey began, and how Glenn continues to be inspired by his daughters work.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Baileys Harbor Interim Town Chair David Eliot to talk about what the future might look like after the Baileys Harbor Town Board voted unanimously on March 25th to agree to a purchase price of $1.95 million for the former Nelson's Hardware Store property adjacent to the town marina. The proposal will go to a vote at the Baileys Harbor annual meeting April 20.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about the Premier Resort Area Tax that Ephraim will vote on April 6, as well as a brief discussion on COVID vaccination progress in Door County. They also touch on Baileys Harbor's proposal to purchase the Nelson's Hardware store property and new businesses are popping up in 2021.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Pulse Co-Founder David Eliot and his dog, Oxford, to talk about the history of the Peninsula Pulse. On this episode, Dave goes over the last five years, coming to call Bailey's Harbor home, how the community has changed, and how it's stayed the same. Also, in 2020 after years of construction to create the Pulse's final home, Dave sits alone in the office one March morning after sending the staff to work from home in response to rapidly increasing cases of COVID-19 in America, wondering when – or if – the newly finished office will be full again.

Andrew Kleidon and Debra Fitzgerald go over some of the stories from the last week, including 13 fishermen were rescued from the ice in Nasewaupee, tracking the strange path of governmental approvals regarding an ATV trail in Sturgeon Bay, and what went down at the Egg Harbor Board of Supervisors meeting to deny the proposed Dollar General, and how residents reacted.

Horseshoe Bay Farms has been an icon of Egg Harbor for more than a century, but a new nonprofit has formed to bring it new life. Myles Dannhausen Jr. talks to its new Executive Director, Drew Richmond, about its past, present, and the ambitious plans for the future of the historic property.

A few short years into the publication of the Peninsula Pulse, Myles Dannhausen Jr. saw within its pages, not only stories that spoke to him as a kid in Door County, but an opportunity to grow his fledgling family business, Dano’s Peninsula Pizza through advertising. Luckily for him, when Pulse founder David Eliot walked through the doors of Dano’s for the first time, he saw an opportunity in Dannhausen as well – free pizza. 25 years later, Eliot and Dannhausen are business partners, and on this episode of the Door County Pulse Podcast Dannhausen remembers the early days of the Pulse, how his contributions grew beyond pizza to writing, and the journey he and Eliot have gone on together as the Pulse evolved.

Destination Door County’s Jon Jarosh joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about what the 2021 summer might look like. With vaccine news looking better each day, how close to normal should visitors, business owners, and event planners expect things to look?

Andrew Kleidon sits down with Pulse Co-Founder David Eliot and his dog Oxford to tell the story of the Peninsula Pulse. Over the years the Pulse offices have been located all across the county, save for a few spots. In this episode Dave recounts the first five years of the paper, all of the many offices the he's worked out of, and the people who've come and gone through the doors.

When Brett Kosmider pulled out his camera on main street in Fish Creek last July, he didn’t anticipate getting a photo to define the pandemic summer. But that’s what he got when Matthew Moellendorf showed up in a suit and a mask. Mollendorf and Kosmider join the Podcast to share the story behind the photo of the year, which was recently awarded second place in the Wisconsin Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest.

Myles Dannhausen Jr. sits down with Dave Eliot for an expansive conversation about the future of room tax. They talk about why Eliot is making the case to raise room tax from 5.5% to 8%. They discuss how room tax was originally implemented (1:58), how it has helped to market the county and improve amenities (15:10), and how an increase could be used to address the needs of local communities (23:06). They also explore the arguments against the increase (39:52), how it can be used (43:38) and what might be possible (49:55).

The owners of Shipwrecked Brew Pub are proposing an expansion that would make the restaurant one of the largest in Door County. But with parking at a premium in the center of Egg Harbor, that raises a lot of issues for the plan commission. Myles Dannhausen Jr. breaks down the proposal and the issues at play. Then, Andrew Kleidon and Dannhausen take a look at the latest info on the condominiums proposed for the former Little Sister Resort site, and good news on the COVID-19 vaccine front.