Door County Pulse Podcast

Myles Dannhausen Jr. talks to Dan Peterson about the sale of the Viking Grill, the Ellison Bay mainstay that he has owned since 1984. We also outline potential plans to expand sanitary lines in Fish Creek and what that could mean for future housing development.

Andrew Kleidon sits down with Sara Rae Lancaster to talk about the ice carving competition this weekend during Fire & Ice in Sturgeon Bay. Also, Carly Sarkis of Destination Sturgeon Bay breaks down all of the events offerings, from fireworks, the online auction, community snowman building, and more.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Northern Door Pride's President Owen Alabado to talk about his journey from L.A. to Door County, the beginnings of Northern Door Pride, their mission and creative events, and a sneak peak at the upcoming cabaret performance: For the Love of Love on Feb. 17. Learn more about the performance here: https://www.northerndoorpride.com/event-details/for-the-love-of-love-a-cabaret

Andrew Kleidon talks with Sara Rae Lancaster about the upcoming Pond Hockey tournament at the Sister Bay ice rink. Also, a conversation with Pond Hockey veteran Simon Hedeen about the ins and outs of the sport, and the pros and cons of it's new location.

Andrew Kleidon sits down with Pulse editor Debra Fitzgerald to talk about a pending management change — and perhaps even a change in the location, down the road — for the Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market; how the county is looking at spending some $5.3 million in pandemic-related funding; and the latest on the Potawatomi State Park Observation Tower.

In October 2021, Write On, Door County held the first Door County author book fair, bringing together more than 30 local authors. Following the fair, the authors continued to meet to provide support for each other, eventually coming together formally as the Door County Published Authors Collective. They hope to make Door County not only a center of the visual arts, but literature as well. Grace Johnson chats with one of the group organizers and author, Dan Powers, to learn more about the group and how other authors can join.

Andrew Kleidon and Myles Dannhausen Jr. break down the latest info from Door County Medical Center about the number of hospital beds being filled by COVID patients. After the break, a look at how many restaurants have changed owners, been revamped, or been closed over the last year, including the recent turnover at the Whistling Swan and Harbor View Grille.

The Boys and Girls Club of Door County has experienced a lot of turnover in recent years. New CEO Eric Blumreich joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to talk about the future of the club, it’s role in the community, and how he hopes to bring stability to the position and the organization. Blumreich comes to Door County from St. Norbert College, where he spend the last five years in development department, and Blumreich has been involved with a number of other youth-focused organizations including Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), International Youth Sailing of Oshkosh, and PALS as a mentor and board member.

Peninsula Pulse editor Debra Fitzgerald talks with high-performance architect and home builder Virge Temme upon the occasion of Temme's retirement from building sustainable and net-zero homes in Door County; and what's next for an architect who still wants to change the world one house at a time.

Pulse editor Debra Fitzgerald talks with Beth Renstrom, executive director of the Door County Granary project, and Laurel Hauser, vice president of the board of the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society Foundation that owns the structure, about the history of the granary, how the project came to be and what's in store for the project by June of this year.

Myles Dannhausen Jr. talks to journalist Gloria Liu about how officials and organizers in Crested Butte, Colorado have found ways to address the shortage of affordable housing in the seasonal ski resort town. Liu’s article “How to Save A Ski Town,” appeared in Outside magazine in November, and describes a situation strikingly similar to Door County’s own housing struggles.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Grace Johnson to talk about 2022 reading goals, and ways to help you meet yours, like local book clubs, reading groups, and the upcoming Door County Reads events. Also, submissions for the 2022 Hal Prize are now open for Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry and Photography.

Myles Dannhausen Jr. catches up with Nate Bell, the Pulse’s Chief Technology Officer and a Sister Bay Trustee. Bell, who graduated from Gibraltar in 1999, talks about growing into public service in his hometown, how a personal crisis and COVID-19 collided to lead to his own physical and mental health transformation, and how becoming a cyclist made him rethink how we plan our communities.

After a completely tangential conversation about The Matrix, Myles Dannhausen Jr. and Andrew Kleidon give you the lowdown on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day festivities in Door County.

It started with one man and a dream, and now each Jan. 1 J.R. Jarosh is joined by hundreds of friends for a dip in Lake Michigan. Myles Dannhausen Jr. talks to Jarosh about the Jacksonport Polar Bear Club, pro tips for a successful plunge, and what makes a great home bar.

Myles Dannhausen Jr. and Andrew Kleidon discuss the $3.5 million grant to support child care initiatives in Door County. Then Larry “Thor” Thoreson joins the podcast to read his moving eulogy for the late Carol Newman, who kept the light on at the Pioneer Store for more than 50 years.

Before the Year in Review issue of the Peninsula Pulse is available this week, Andrew Kleidon and Myles Dannhausen Jr. sit down to go over the biggest stories from the year. Topics of discussion include: How restaurants navigated the labor shortage, steps forward on internet access and affordable housing, an ambitious year in theater, and much more. Plus, our predictions on what 2022 has in store.

Myles Dannhausen Jr. is joined by Destination Door County’s new CEO, Julie Gilbert, to discuss what brought her to the peninsula, what she’s learned during her first month on the job and how she’s attacking the challenges facing the organization and the industry.

Heidi Hammel, the Vice President for Science at the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. to discuss the James Webb Space Telescope, scheduled to launch Dec. 22. The telescope is expected to revolutionize astronomy. Hammel, one of the world’s leading astronomers, tells you what the Webb will mean for science and our understanding of the universe.

Dr. Jim Heise of Door County Medical Center talks to Myles Dannhausen Jr. about the spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations in Door County and the strain it is putting on an already taxed hospital staff. Nearly all of the hospitalizations in Door County are unvaccinated individuals, who now make up almost half of the daily inpatient census at the hospital.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Myles Dannhausen Jr. to wish JJ's bartender Dave Johnson well as he moves on to work at the Alpine, and how small town bartenders help create the fabric of a community. Also, Myles does a deep dive on the history of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, who is playing at Door Community Auditorium on Dec. 11, and a car accidentally drives through the Family Video next to Pizza Hut in Sturgeon Bay.

Amy Kohnle, executive director of United Way of Door County, joins the podcast to talk about the convergence of problems pinching the pocketbooks of the peninsula’s working poor. From the rising cost of basic goods to the lack of housing, it’s getting more difficult for people to get ahead. Kohnle talks about what United Way is doing to try to help, and the organization’s goal for the 2021 fundraising campaign.

Amy Kohnle, executive director of United Way of Door County, joins the podcast to talk about the convergence of problems pinching the pocketbooks of the peninsula’s working poor. From the rising cost of basic goods to the lack of housing, it’s getting more difficult for people to get ahead. Kohnle talks about what United Way is doing to try to help, and the organization’s goal for the 2021 fundraising campaign.

Few destinations offer the experience found in Door County – great wages for seasonal work, easy proximity to beaches and incredible outdoor experiences, great nightlife, and as much work responsibility as you want to take on. That’s why Peninsula Pulse is launching a workforce recruitment campaign to put the peninsula back on the agenda of high school students, college students looking for summer jobs, and parents who want to see their kids make money, take on a challenge, and get great work and life experience. Myles Dannhausen Jr. is joined by David Eliot to talk about their experiences working as young adults in Door County, and the need they are seeing to bring a stronger workforce back. Then, a conversation with Peninsula Filmworks intern turned Pulse photographer Rachel Lukas about her experience working in the county for the first time, and why she's chosen to stay.

Morgan Mann and Steven Rice from the Door County Library stopped by the Peninsula Pulse recording studio to talk with Grace Johnson about the featured books, event highlights and 15 years’ worth of Door County Reads. There may even be a few trivia questions, too!

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Myles Dannhausen Jr. to round up all of the upcoming Thanksgiving and Holiday events happening over the next three weekends in Door County.

Andrew Kleidon and Myles Dannhausen Jr. discuss what may be the peak of AJ Dillon's career – getting the key to Door County. Then a discussion of COVID-19 hospitalizations. And, on Monday, voters in the Town of Gibraltar approved the purchase of 0.49 acres of property on the shoreline adjacent to the town dock for $3.5 million.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Grace Johnson to talk about what she's been diving into lately. From her epic homemade Beetlejuice halloween costume, to beginning NaNoWriMo, and her experience with the new Door County Pilates studio. Also, a few weeks back we pondered whatever happened to the Scholastic Book Fair of our youth, and we had several people write us with more information. Johnson did a deep dive into the book fair's inner workings, and answered the question, though the journey left her feeling conflicted.

Andrew Kleidon and Myles Dannhausen Jr. share sneak peaks of the Winter 2021 Door County Living Magazine, and the Peninsula Pulse's newest publication, the 1842 Review, a literary magazine which contains this years Hal Prize winners. Also, a look back at the past as the historic ship, the SS Badger, returns to Bay Shipbuilding. And, a reflection on the life of Ephraim artist Franne Dickinson, who passed away in October.

For five years Cal Poly professor Dave Amos has been making complex planning and zoning topics interesting and even fun through his YouTube channel, CityBeautiful. The Sturgeon Bay native joins Myles Dannhausen Jr. for a conversation about what makes a beautiful neighborhood. What makes a neighborhood walkable? What role do trees play in making great public spaces? Should we get rid of parking minimums? Do wider roads make for safer communities? How does single-family zoning drive up the cost of housing? Amos touches on all these topics and more in this episode and dives in even deeper in his video series, which we urge you to explore at https://www.youtube.com/c/CityBeautiful

For the past few months the Peninsula Pulse has been working in support of the team at Wisconsin Watch on a series of articles examining how a climate “tug of war” is driving extreme shifts in Lake Michigan’s water levels. Wisconsin Watch reporter Mario Koran speaks to Myles Dannhausen Jr. about what he learned reporting on the issue from Door County. The first story is available here: “The Water Always Wins”: Calls to protect shorelines as volatile Lake Michigan inflicts heavy toll

Andrew Kleidon grabs David Eliot for a quick chat before hundreds of runners make their way into Peninsula State Park for the Door County Half Marathon this weekend. The race was postponed from May 2020 to October 2021, which means runners will have a full summer of training under their belt as they run through the fall colors of the park.

This week on the podcast we have stories about what this community means to us, and to others discovering it for the first time. Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon joins the podcast (at the 28:42 mark) to talk about his love of all things Door County and the Packers’ five-game winning streak as they prepare to take on the Washington Football Team. But first, Andrew Kleidon and Myles Dannhausen Jr. catch up on the news of the week, including a look at what July’s room tax returns tell us and a recap of the sporting event of the year – the Fall Fest Derby.

On this week’s Door County Pulse Podcast, Myles Dannhausen Jr. talks to Pam Seiler and Cameryn Ehlers-Kwaterski about what’s next for Destination Sturgeon Bay as Seiler hands over the reins of the organization. Ehlers-Kwaterski and Dannhausen also discuss how the changes to the city and throughout the county are helping to draw home young families like hers.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by a very tired Myles Dannhausen Jr., who had just come away from two back-to-back Egg Harbor Plan Commission meetings, to discuss Shipwrecked's denied proposal to expand their restaurant, and One Barrel Brewing's accepted proposal to add additional parking spaces, as well as add a storage building. Also, Dannhausen talks about Fish Creek's accepted $3.5 million bid to expand their town dock, and Destination Door County's hiring of Julie Gilbert as their new President and CEO.

Myles Dannhausen Jr. talks to Louise Howson about what’s coming at Sister Bay’s 75th annual Fall Festival this weekend, including the return of a long-lost event and a Sunday surprise. Get the details on the key times for the big events, music, food and what makes Fall Fest so special.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by former Pulse intern turned Pulse photographer Rachel Lukas to talk about how she approaches photographing the sights, people, and events of Door County.

Door County Medical Center is building a 30,000 square foot clinic in Sister Bay, bringing a dramatically expanded service to northern Door County. Brian Stephens talks to Myles Dannhausen about the plan, what it brings to the community, and the future of health care in northern Door County.

In August, the U.S. Census Bureau released the data necessary for state and local governments to redraw the political-district maps that will be in place for the next 10 years. While state lawmakers wrangle new district lines into place for the state’s 99 Assembly seats, 33 Senate seats and eight congressional districts, counties map out their own districts. Door County appointed an ad hoc committee that worked with county staff to get the job done, and the Door County Board of Supervisors approved those once-in-a-decade maps last week for the county’s 21 county supervisory districts. The number of districts has remained the same, but the configurations have changed – some significantly. Andrew Kleidon is joined by Debra Fitzgerald for a civics lesson on what these maps do, how they are drawn, and what special considerations are placed upon them to ensure equal and fair representation for voters.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Sara Rae Lancaster to talk all about food and Fall. Sara breaks down a number of stories she's done on local efforts to reuse food waste through composting, as well as some tips she has for the aspiring homesteader on harvesting, foraging, and preserving your bounty through the winter. Also, a look at the science behind the fall colors, when they may peak, and how vibrant they might be this year – and some tips for fall camping.

After a brief conversation on event fashion, Andrew Kleidon and Myles Dannhausen Jr. talk about a number of recent galas and gatherings, including the Door County Economic Development Corporation’s (DCEDC) reimagined and expanded award ceremony, which honored new faces and old during the DCEDC’s annual investors’ meeting and luncheon Sept. 22 at Stone Harbor Resort in Sturgeon Bay. Also, Paula Anschutz has worked hard to preserve several cabins from the Little Sister Resort property, which she plans to convert into affordable seasonal housing, and Myles breaks down the Egg Harbor Village Board's new parking ordinance.

Andrew Kleidon is joined by Grace Johnson to talk about her journey to visit all of seven of Door County's independent booksellers from Algoma all the way to Washington Island. Johnson shares her experience at each shop, what they stock, and where to find what you're looking for whether you're a casual book reader, or a die-hard enthusiast.

Room tax rates will go up to 8% on Jan. 1, which has caused many people to ask why we need more money for tourism attraction. But Dave Eliot, who has led the room tax charge, said it’s not about getting more money for marketing, but creating a tool to invest in our biggest problems.

Debra Fitzgerald talks with Nickolas Butler, author of the internationally bestselling and prize-winning Shotgun Lovesongs, which has been optioned for film development, The Hearts of Men – short-listed for two of France’s most prestigious literary prizes even before being published in America – as well as Little Faith, Beneath the Bonfire, In Western Counties and newly released this year, Godspeed. Butler talks about his process, his inspirations, and his return to Door County this year for the Write On Gala on Thursday, Sept. 23.

11 units coming to Baileys Harbor at the Lakeshore Adventures location in Baileys Harbor, Door County Economic Development Center executive director Steve Jenkins' idea to build a modular home factory in Door County, and Paula Anschutz's attempt to save some cabins from the Little Sister Resort property to use for seasonal housing in Sister Bay. Also, an update on the steadily growing COVID-19 numbers in Door County, and a quick look at the upcoming Walk to End Alzheimer's on Sept. 11.Also, an update on the steadily growing COVID-19 numbers in Door County, and a quick look at the upcoming Walk to End Alzheimer's on Sept. 11.

Storytellers wanted! Want to get published in 25,000 copies of the Peninsula Pulse and in the inaugural 8142 Review, the new literary journal from the Peninsula Pulse and Write On, Door County? The Hal Prize offers prizes for works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and photography. Work will be judged by a prestigious panel of writers and photographers. Coburn and Tad Dukehart will lend their eye to the photography contest in 2021. Coburn is the multimedia director for the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, and Tad retired to Door County after a 40-year career in news photography in Washington DC. Faith Adiele takes on the mantle for nonfiction this year. Adiele has won a Pen Award, been featured in a documentary for PBS and was Thailand’s first Black Buddhist nun. She has worked in collaboration with HBO’s Calm, where her story was read by actor Idris Elba. Lan Samantha Chang joins this year’s lineup as the fiction judge. This Appleton native is is the director of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and has received creative writing fellowships from Stanford University, Princeton University, the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. Mark Wunderlich, the author of four books and winner of the Rilke Prize, will judge poetry. He is a member of the Literature Faculty at Bennington College in Vermont, and where he became the first director of Poetry at Bennington. He is the recipient of Writers at Work Award, the Jack Kerouac Prize and fellowships from the Bread Loaf Writers Conference and the MacDowell Colony. Prizes First place in all categories receives $250 and a Hal Prize mug from Clay Bay Pottery Second place in all categories receives $100 Third place in all categories receives $50 The 8142 Review will be published in November 2021, when winners are announced. Visit www.thehalprize.com to enter and for more information.

Debra Fitzgerald talks with Egg Harbor resident and retired Marine Lt. Col. Craig Harvey, a 24-year veteran who served two combat tours in Iraq and a year of duty in Afghanistan. They cover the execution of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, how the war has been framed for the American people over the past two decades and America's role in foreign countries.

Andrew Kleidon sits down with his wife, Victoria Linstrom, to talk about Fika Bakery and Coffeehouse, located just north of the Fish Creek YMCA. Fika is a family run bakery with deep Swedish roots going on its 5th season in Door County, offering baked goods, coffee, cafe items, and – of course – cinnamon rolls as big as your head.

Peninsula Pulse Editor Debra Fitzgerald sits down with Pulse freelancer Jackson Parr, a fellow with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, to discuss some of the findings that emerged from the Door County Budget Project. A year in the making, the project commissioned by the Pulse allows readers to compare and contrast the spending habits and values of all Door County’s 19 municipalities and the County of Door based upon the 2021 budgets. The report is intended to increase transparency between residents and their local governments, educate municipal officials and their constituents on trends and challenges in local government finance and improve local budget reporting at the Pulse.

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 Eliot and McKenzie, who share stories about meeting at Lawrence University, their eventual move to Door County and the first five years of the publication.