Door County Pulse Podcast

It's a phrase we all use, but what exactly does it refer to? This week in the Pulse we sought to determine where the line demarcating northern Door County is – and found that it depends on who you ask. Myles Dannhausen Jr. and Andrew Kleidon break it down.

If Door County is the Cape Cod of the Midwest, and the Cape is a far more thickly settled and visited place than Door County, what can Door County learn from the Cape about balancing environmental protections and economic progress? That's the conversation the Door County Environmental Council wanted to start when it guest-hosted the Cape Cod Commission's Erin Perry this fall. Andrew Kleidon talks with Deb Fitzgerald about that discussion and what Door County may be able to learn from the Cape's example.

The Sister Bay Marina Committee is considering eliminating commercial activity at the popular marina. That has ignited an avalanche of backlash from locals and visitors, including some of the 50,000 people who use the services each year to get on the water. Myles Dannhausen Jr. and Andrew Kleidon discuss the reasons behind the discussion, and what it might mean.

The fiction, nonfiction, poetry and photography winners of the Pulse's annual Hal Prize have been released in this year's 8142 Literary Review, which is hot off the press and available now. Grace Johnson, editor of the literary review, talks with Pulse editor Debra Fitzgerald about this year's contest winners (a local writer won the fiction category), the making of a literary journal and the local screening judges who decided which of the 686 submissions would be sent for final judging in each category.

Three weekends of Christkindlmarkt kicks off in Sister Bay over Thanksgiving weekend, and John Nelson of the Sister Bay Historical Society joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to tell us what to expect, new highlights, and what went into the creation of a hugely popular new holiday event.

Door County Sheriff Tammy Sternard talks with Debra Fitzgerald about the county's largest, tax-levy-supported department and how they enforce the law, community policing, mental health crisis call challenges, the county's jail population, and finding the employees needed for Door County's vital, public safety sector.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Grace Johnson to talk about how she spends her winter: with books. Door County Reads is on the horizon, plus a sneak peak at a profile on Door County author Jill Stukenberg from the winter Door County Living magazine. After the break, a deep dive into the final evolution of the cheese board: the butter board. What is it, and why was it the best thing Kleidon tasted all year?

What if we didn’t design our communities around cars? That’s the question Nate Bell, a trustee for the Village of Sister Bay and an avid cyclist, has been thinking about a lot since he started biking in 2020. He joins the podcast to talk about changing thinking when it comes to connecting communities and steps the village hopes to take in the coming years.

A walk in the park is something most of us take for granted. Adam Peronto and Kinect M1 are trying to make it possible for those who can’t. Myles Dannhausen Jr. talks to Peronto about the Action Trackchair the organization hopes to donate to Peninsula State Park, and the experiences it provides for people with disabilities.

For Pulse Editor Debra Fitzgerald, election season brings adrenaline - and frustration. She joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to discuss how the national political discourse now infiltrates the letters page of a small-town local newspaper, and how she wades through the mess. They also talk about the election signs that now dominate the county roadsides.

It’s a weekend of frightening fun in Door County, and Andrew Kleidon and Myles Dannhausen Jr. break down what they’re looking forward to, and Andrew airs his Halloween grievances. Then, they discuss the fire at Mr. G’s and the art of Nathan Hatch.

The Director of HELP of Door County, Milly Gonzales, joins Myles Dannhausen JR. to talk about the struggle to stop and prevent domestic abuse in Door County, and the many ways it impacts the community.

Susan Kohout and Ann Morgan with the League of Women Voters of Door County sits down with Debra Fitzgerald to talk about the organization's nonpartisan work to inspire civic involvement and education, and how they're recruiting the next generation of civic leaders who are so important to local communities and to the health of a strong republic.

Myles Dannhausen Jr. and Andrew Kleidon talk upcoming Halloween events, Fall 50 runners, and last week’s improv show at Peach Barn. Plus, they recap a Fall Fest weekend that has become much more than crowds and drinking, Dannhausen says.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Pulse reporter Sam Watson to talk about journalism, discovering Door County through writing, and how Watson tackles news reporting versus arts and entertainment writing.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Third Avenue PlayWorks artistic director Jacob Janssen to talk about his return to Door County, his first season at TAP, the importance of bringing a community together through theater, and TAP’s upcoming Play Reading Club.

Myles Dannhausen Jr. and Andrew Kleidon talk Pumpkin Patch and broadband progress in Liberty Grove. Then, we remember Patty Williamson, who for 14 years wrote hundreds of articles for the Pulse and became our office grandmother. Patty died in September not long after turning in her final article.

Michelle Lawrie, new executive director of the Door County Economic Development Corporation, talks with Pulse editor Deb Fitzgerald about the rebuilding of the nonprofit organization, the various economic challenges Door County faces, and the different economic industries that contribute to the peninsula's GDP (gross domestic product). She also talks about the October awareness campaign for Door County's largest economic industry - manufacturing.

Jessica Hatch, Door County broadband coordinator, sits down with Debra Fitzgerald to give an update on what her office is doing to help bring fast, reliable, affordable broadband to all homes and businesses in Door County.

Disc golf has rapidly gained popularity on the peninsula, with a half dozen courses now open or in the works. Shane Solomon of the Night Owls Disc Golf Podcast joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about the sport’s growth and potential in Door County.

When a young woman faces a life-changing decision, she calls upon her inner circle to gather for an outdoor camping trip. Sunflowered is on stage at Northern Sky’s Gould Theater, and Andrew Kleidon is joined by Lachrisa Grandberry, Molly Rhode, Alexis J Roston, and Aidaa Peerzada to talk about the musicals inception, workshopping, and world premiere this season.

DKAF is back in person for the first time since 2020, and Andrew Kleidon is joined by Alan Kopischke to talk about the history and mission of the event, some of the guest artists who have come to Door County to workshop their art, and the full schedule of events this week at Bjorklunden. Find out more and buy tickets at doorkinetic.com

There are roughly 29 known species of orchids at The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor and Tony Kiszonas is now responsible for assuring their health, productivity and future. While that may be a bit of an overstatement, it's not far from the truth: Tony is the Ridges new Director of Research, the organization's first. Tony talks with Debra Fitzgerald about the research being done at the Ridges – including what smelling an orchid root can reveal about the plants.

Sister Bay residents are fighting to preserve the old village hall, while Liberty Grove makes plans to remove old fishing shacks from its new public waterfront. Myles Dannhausen Jr. and Andrew Kleidon discuss how the two communities are thinking about the price of preserving history. Plus, a look at the new issue of Door County Living magazine, which includes a look back at Door County through images from 1974, before the boom.

Are small towns too small to self-govern? Myles Dannhausen Jr. and Deb Fitzgerald dive into that question in a week when Sevastopol officials held a last-second meeting to reconsider a rezoning request along an important highway corridor, and Judge Todd Ehlers overruled the Egg Harbor Plan Commission’s denial of a Conditional Use Permit for Shipwrecked’s expansion.

In this episode, Grace Johnson is joined by the 2022 Hal Prize Poetry judge Adrian Matejka. Matejka was named the new editor of Poetry Magazine in 2022, is the author of seven books and his poetry collection, The Big Smoke, was awarded the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award and was a finalist for the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize in poetry. The two talk poetry, how music inspires Matejka and the future of Poetry Magazine.

Peninsula State Park is in line for a host of upgrades this fall, including the repaving of some of its most-traveled roads. Superintendent Eric Hyde joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about new roads, a new playground, the totem pole, and more improvements coming to the state’s second most-popular-park.

The end may be coming for the Sister Bay Village Hall. The village has struggled to figure out what to do with the building for years, but its plan commission has now recommended it be removed to potentially make way for a new visitor center with better facilities. Andrew Kleidon talks to Myles Dannhausen Jr. about the hall’s future, then they discuss the county’s deliberations over what to do with the intersection by Culver’s, where a run of crashes has left many looking for safety improvements.

In this episode, the Pulse's literature editor, Grace Johnson, is joined by author Toya Wolfe. Wolfe is one of the featured authors at the 2022 Washington Island Literary Festival, Sept. 15-17. Wolfe's debut novel, The Last Summer on State Street, was released this year to rave reviews. The two discuss how Wolfe's life experiences in the Robert Taylor Homes informed her story, writing fiction and how her story fits in with the theme of this year's festival – "Crossroads."

George Harmon, the winner of the 2021 Hal Prize for nonfiction visits the podcast studio to read his winning story, “The Beast that Ate Words.” Nonfiction judge Faith Adiele called the story “a breathless beast of an essay that reads like fiction.” Harmon recounts the scene of his early days in the newspaper industry at the Chicago Daily News, when the newsroom was rollicking, loud, and full of characters. The deadline for the 2022 Hal Prize is Sept. 16. You can read Harmon’s story, and all the winners of the 2021 Hal Prize, in the 8142 Review, available at DoorCountyPulse.com/store.

Brian Stephens, CEO of Door County Medical Center, joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about construction progress at the hospital’s new Sister Bay clinic. They discuss what patients can expect to find there when it opens in the spring of 2023, the data behind the decision to build it, and what is next for the Fish Creek clinic.

As Door County's population and numbers of visitors continue to rise, so do the calls for help due to car crashes, falls, and accidents on the water and local trails. Aaron LeClair, director of the Door County Emergency Services department, joins Debra Fitzgerald in the Baileys Harbor studio to talk about the growing demand for his department, the top emergency calls they receive, where those emergencies are most likely to happen, educational opportunities to prevent emergencies and what the future holds for his county-wide department.

And just like that it's August! Andrew Kleidon and Sara Lancaster sit down to talk about the Dog Days of summer and all the sights, sounds and activities you'll want to cram into the final weeks of summer, including a tour of Door County's beaches by activity and trailblazer singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco's upcoming performance at Door Community Auditorium.

The “totem pole” that stood for 91 years on the Peninsula State Park Golf Course was quietly taken down this summer. Myles Dannhausen Jr. talks to Andrew Kleidon about why it came down, and the story behind why and how it was erected in the first place. Plus, they discuss the reaction to a proposed housing development in Ephraim.

“Well, it’s been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon, Minnesota, my hometown, out there on the edge of the prairie…” The News from Lake Wobegon comes to Fish Creek as Garrison Keillor, writer, humorist and radio personality — most well known for hosting A Prairie Home Companion — brings his tour to Door Community Auditorium July 30. In advance of the show, Arts & Entertainment editor Sara Rae Lancaster caught up with Keillor by phone to talk about the tour, how he approaches writing for the stage versus the page, and why getting older is the best exercise for learning to live in the moment.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Sara Rae Lancaster, which means there is a ton of stuff to get out and do this weekend, like the debut of the Death’s Door Dance Festival. Also, Plein Air starts up this weekend, and a quick roundup of a few new restaurants that opened this year.

Debra Fitzgerald sits down with Nic and Christiana Trapani, owners of Door County Candle Company in Carlsville, to talk about their wild journey that began with an intent to help their relatives in Ukraine and exploded into the sale of tens of thousands of candles and $700,000 donated to date to a Ukrainian nonprofit.

Andrew Kleidon talks to Myles Dannhausen Jr. about major changes that may be coming to Ephraim’s north end (and Andrew discovers where north Ephraim is!) in the form of a housing development and walking paths. Plus, a look at noise ordinances in Sister Bay and an airing of old grievances.

Andrew Kleidon and Sara Rae Lancaster are joined by Pulse intern Erica Bouska to talk about exploring Door County with fresh eyes. Bouska has taken it upon herself to hike every trail in Newport State Park, and you’re invited to join her on her journey.

As Egg Harbor continues to refine its plans for redesigning Highway 42 next year, Myles Dannhausen Jr. and Andrew Kleidon discuss concerns raised by property owners on the north end of the village about the impact the project will have on the landscape there. They also discuss the Women’s Walks that took place in Sturgeon Bay and Sister Bay earlier this week.

Myles Dannhausen Jr. catches up with Sarah and Jason White, owners of the Peach Barn Farmhouse and Brewery, to talk about the life U-turn that brought them to Sister Bay, stumbling into opening a brewery, and raising three girls in a beer garden.

Andrew Kleidon talks with Debra Fitzgerald about the cruise ship that came to town, the 32 awards the Peninsula Pulse received at the Wisconsin Newspaper Association contest and the transportation utility that Gibraltar has created to help pay for road maintenance.

Andrew Kleidon and Sara Rae Lancaster have pulled together a solid calendar of events taking place this holiday weekend, and are here to chat about some of the ones they are most excited about.

Grace Johnson is joined by the 2022 Hal Prize fiction judge, Joshua Phillip Johnson, to talk fantasy, his debut novel, writing habits and what he is looking for in a story.

Myles Dannhausen Jr. flies solo this week with some thoughts on the retirement of Public Health Director Sue Powers. Then, a trip through the final night for JJ’s La Puerta as it has come to be known and loved.

In this episode, Grace Johnson talks with Dominic Frandrup, the new director of the Door County Library. Frandrup talks about his time with the library, making the move to Door County and what he is looking forward to in his new position.

Trying to get to the bottom of what ‘affordable’ housing and ‘workforce’ housing means, and why rental prices that are supposed to be affordable for working people are not affordable for them, Peninsula Pulse Editor Debra Fitzgerald talks with Professor Kurt Paulsen, an urban planner and economist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Paulsen’s research and teaching focuses on housing, affordable housing finance and policy. He’s also the author of the report, “Falling Behind: Addressing Wisconsin’s Workforce Housing Shortage to Strengthen Families.”

Door County’s first History Days kicks off June 20. Cody Schreck joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about the week of events and why local history matters, both the good and the bad.

Sara Rae Lancaster is taking her yoga to new heights – about three feet off the ground to be precise. Lancaster and Andrew Kleidon talk all about trapeze yoga at Ironwood, as well as year two of the Sol Grass Music Festival on Washington Island. Also, this weekend the goats will take to the streets of Sister Bay for Goat Fest. Lancaster goes into the history of the festival, and a special surprise coming up next week.

Andrew Kleidon talks with Peninsula Pulse editor Debra Fitzgerald about some of the news of the day, including who's running in the upcoming elections, what's happening with the Niagara Escarpment and the latest effort to help solve the affordable housing shortage.