Capturing Island Beauty in Watercolor: Cathy Meader, Artist
May 9, 2013 – Cathy Meader loves to paint in the open air—in the manner of certain schools of French impressionist painting, “pleinair” in French—coloring our Island sky with gorgeous hues in pinks and purples; our autumn…
Spring Dredging at Jackson Harbor and Rock Island Eases Problems Caused by Low Lake Level
May 9, 2013 – A great many people – including DNR officials and fish biologists, Mike Kahr of Death’s Door Marine, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Washington Island Ferry Line – have worked together this spring to ensure that the water at both the state dock and the town dock in…
State Joint Finance Committee Approves Funds for Dredging – Next Step is Legislative Approval
May 9, 2013 – On April 30, 2013, the Joint Committee on Finance of the Wisconsin State Legislature approved a motion that includes $5.2 million for the dredging of the Detroit Harbor channel…
National Postal Museum: Cheryl Ganz
Apr. 25, 2013 – On a recent trip to Washington D.C., Jim and Kathleen Morris met up with Island resident Cheryl Ganz, who is chief curator of philately at the National Postal Museum of the Smithsonian Institution…
Library News
Apr. 25, 2013 – It has been business as usual at the Washington Island Library this winter. Approximately 4,500 books, magazines and movies have been circulated so far this year and we are soon moving into our busy season…
Circumnavigation of the Island: on the Ice With Lee Engstrom & Friends
Apr. 25, 2013 – On March 12, 2013, at 10:00 a.m., Lee Engstrom and friends Bill Benson, Merrill Lundberg, Jim Morris, and Dave Ranney, set out on the beach at Sunset Resort to circumnavigate the Island. Friends, Don Benson and Jim Goodwin, joined the group on other days, but…
Island Son Jeremy Lindsay Earning Critical Acclaim
April 11, 2013 – Many Islanders know Jeremy Lindsay as the son of Ben and Norene Lindsay, nephew of Chick and Joy Richards, and lead singer of JT and the Clouds: “their music is Chicago music-–rough edged, sad, hopeful, and shot through with…
Island 1950s Baseball: a Conversation with Jake Ellefson and Ray Hansen
April 11, 2013 – Islanders have been playing baseball since 1875 when the boys from St. Martin’s Island came over for a game. After that, games were mostly played between Island players. In 1903, Will Jess organized the baseball team into an…
Detroit Harbor Master Plan Committee Meeting
April 11, 2013 – At the committee meeting on March 25, the Detroit Harbor Master Plan final draft was presented to the public by Ed Freer, plan consultant with SmithGroup JRR. The Detroit Harbor Master Plan Committee, Naletta Burr of…
ATVs & UTVs Permitted on Town Toads After Signage in Place
March 14, 2013 – Drivers as young as 12 will soon be able to drive all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility vehicles (UTVs) on town of Washington roads. On Feb. 27, members of the Washington Island Town Board voted unanimously…
Early Maple Sugar Camp on Rock Island
March 14, 2013 – Making maple syrup has been a springtime ritual on Washington Island for so many years, and has involved so many families, that I was surprised by the lack of photographic images and documentation in our Archives…
Firehouse and Police Office Expansion Proposed
March 14, 2013 – Fire Chief Peter Nehlsen and Police Chief Tyler McGrane teamed up during the Feb. 27, 2013, Town Board meeting to present to Board members and observers their need for expanded and upgraded fire and police facilities…
The Pipes are Calling: Bob Gillespie, Piper
Feb. 28, 2013 – When Bob Gillespie reached 50 years of age, he decided that he would learn to play a musical instrument. “I considered piano lessons,” he said, “but when I heard the robust sound of the great highland bagpipes, played at a Bethel Church Memorial Day service, I knew I wanted to play the pipes.” That summer…
Bald Eagles Return to the Door Islands
Feb. 28, 2013 – The largest “top of the food chain” bird inhabiting the Door Islands is the bald eagle. The scientific name, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, signifies a sea (halo) eagle (aeetos) with a white (leukos) head. This species can grow to more than 33 inches long with a wing span of up to eight feet. Females are larger than the males…
Training for an Ice Rescue
Jan. 31, 2013 – On the afternoon of Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, the Washington Island Fire Department practiced ice rescue techniques at the unused ferry dock in Detroit Harbor. The WIFD was able to find thin ice near the fish tug, Sea Diver, owned and operated by Ken Koyen. WIFD personnel put on Mustang water immersion and survival suits, which are waterproof and…
Woven Images: Connie Westbrook, Weaver
Jan. 31, 2013 – In the autumn of 2002, Connie and Dan Westbrook purchased property on Jackson Harbor Road and a lovely old cottage, known to Islanders as the Johnny Young house. The following summer at the Art and Nature Center, they saw a weaving demonstration by Virginia Thomas. “I was mesmerized,” Connie recalls, “and knew that this is what I wanted…
Potato Dock Now the Go-To Place
Jan. 31, 2013 – “Our primary objective has been achieved,” said Washington Island Ferry Line president Hoyt Purinton. “Dependable transportation to and from Washington Island.” The Potato Dock opened for business on Monday, Jan. 21, as the Island temperatures plummeted to about 2 degrees…
Soup and Bread Suppers: A Trinity Church Tradition
Jan. 17, 2013 – Soup and bread suppers, at 6 p.m. on Wednesday nights at Trinity Lutheran Church, are a tradition going back about 23 years. Originally held during the six weeks of Lent, the weekly suppers with their homemade soups and home-baked breads now take place from…
Have Low Lake Levels Revealed Additional Wreckage of the Kate Williams?
Jan. 17, 2013 – Rock Island is fast becoming a favorite hiking destination. With Lake Michigan water levels continually falling, it is now possible to walk to Rock Island without getting your feet wet. At least that’s true on most days. In fact, the water levels are now reaching a point where it will soon be possible to walk to Rock Island…
Two Lanes Now Open to Rock “Peninsula” State Park
Jan. 17, 2013 – “When we heard that the water level in Lake Michigan was so low that a walkway to Rock Island was wide enough for two pickups to drive on side by side, we had to see it for ourselves,” said Joe Farrenkopf on Dec. 31, 2012. Farrenkopf and Al Joranlien, who live most of the year in Madison but were on Washington Island for a week at…
Dredging Finished at Potato Dock
Jan. 17, 2013 – The final stages of the dredging of the Potato Dock to make it wide enough and deep enough to be usable for the icebreaking ferry Arni J. Richter have been completed. The last Roen bargeload of dredge spoils was off-loaded early on the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 8. Mike Kahr of Death’s Door Marine continued digging Tuesday in several…
New Lockbox Security Program
Jan. 3, 2013 – The local emergency departments are looking to start a rapid entry system that will allow personnel of the Washington Island Fire Department, Washington Island Police Department and Door County Emergency Medical Services quick access to buildings or homes without damaging the door or building in cases of emergencies…
Dredging Progress at Potato Dock
Jan. 3, 2013 – On Dec. 19, 2012 – a calm, sunny and mild day – Roen Salvage began dredging the Potato Dock in preparation for its use as this winter’s Island dock for the Washington Island Ferry Line. Dredging operations began with…
Birds You Might See in Your Bird Feeders in Early
Jan. 3, 2013 – Several bird species are likely to frequent Island feeders in early winter. A good bird book is needed to confirm your identifications; books by Peterson, Sibley, Stokes, or National Geographic are excellent. See the sidebar for descriptions of these books…
Winter Landing: Potato Dock
Dec. 16, 2012 – With guaranteed certainty because of reduced lake levels this past month, when it comes time to break ice with the Arni J. Richter this winter, the Potato Dock will be the only available Island landing. “Drawing slightly over 11 feet when loaded…
Business Retention Ideas for Washington Island
Dec. 13, 2012 – On Monday, Dec. 3, Sam Perlman, economic development manager at the Door County Economic Development Corporation, visited Washington Island and made a presentation about the DCEDC’s business retention programs. Perlman’s visit came at the invitation of…
New Dock to be Completed Early December
Nov. 15, 2012 – Construction of a new dock serving the Coast Guard station on Washington Island was delayed for several days earlier in November, but now it’s expected to be completed in early December. Plans call for drilling into bedrock 10 feet for the dock supports…
Detroit Harbor Planning Under Way After Consultants Meet with Island Residents
Nov. 29, 2012 – For three days, beginning on Monday, Nov. 12, four staff members of the planning firm SmithGroupJJR visited Washington Island to meet with Island residents. Their visit was part of their preparation of the Detroit Harbor master plan for the town of Washington. Meeting with residents was the planning-workshop phase…
Washington Island Ferry Line Purchases Karfi
Nov. 29, 2012 – On Nov. 14, 2012, Washington Island Ferry Line president Hoyt Purinton announced the purchase of the Karfi from Jeff Cornell. The Karfi is a 36-foot steel vessel built in Escanaba, Mich., in 1967. It has been carrying campers, hikers and day visitors between Jackson Harbor and Rock Island State Park. During each of the past 46 summers the Karfi was operated by members of the Cornell family…
Town Electors Reject Proposed 2013 Budget; Levy for 2013 to Remain Unchanged
Nov. 29, 2012 – Following a public budget hearing that began at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 104 town electors in attendance voted down the 2013 budget proposed by the Town Board. The vote of 74-30 occurred about an hour after the start of the hearing. Numerous residents spoke to criticize the proposed budget, along with the proposed 8 percent increase in the property tax levy. During the hearing, no one in the audience spoke to defend the proposals…
Town Receives Emergency Funding from State for Engineering Study of Detroit Harbor
Nov. 15, 2012 – On Oct. 29, 2012, Gov. Scott Walker announced that the town of Washington had been granted $182,700 in emergency funds through the Harbor Assistance Program. These funds were made available outside the normal funding cycle. The grant will allow the town to complete the “final engineering” needed before any additional state funding…
Proposed 2013 Town of Washington Budget to Fund Continuation of Island Capital Improvement Plan
Nov. 15, 2012 – The Washington Island Town Board is proposing a town budget of $2,638,477 for 2013. In addition to funding usual levels of town operations, this budget is expected to also provide support to an ongoing capital improvement plan (CIP) designed to provide future Island infrastructure needed to support the town’s vision. The budget is summarized and compared with its 2012 counterpart…
Games We play: Hand and Foot – No, this is not a disease!
Nov. 15, 2012 – Hand and foot is a card game, not a disease as some might think. It’s a game with lots of cards, lots of points, lots of laughs. Betty and Leon Shellswick introduced the game when they retired to the Island in 2000. Friends had taught them the game earlier when they lived in Racine. In 2012 the Shellswicks still enjoy playing. “We have a number of people we can call upon when we feel the urge to play,” Betty explains…
Washington Island Music Festival Comes of Age
Nov. 8, 2012 – “You’re sure it’s time?”
They nodded.
“We can’t stay another year?”
“Look, you’re 21 years old! It’s time for you to stand on your own two feet.”
“But we’ve had such a great relationship!”
“And we’ll continue to be good friends. But you’re all grown up now. It’s time for you to be your very own nonprofit…”
Meeting Helps Calm the Waters Around Detroit Harbor Buoys
Nov. 8, 2012 – On Oct. 23, 2012, Washington Island Ferry Line captains met at Station Washington Island with three representatives of the U.S. Coast Guard: BM1 Ryan Beddes of the Sturgeon Bay Coast Guard Station who is also the supervisor of the seasonal Washington Island Station; Doug Sharp, marine information specialist from the Aids to Navigation (ATON) office of the Ninth Coast Guard District…
Lake Michigan Water Level: Can it be Related to the Weather?
Nov. 8, 2012 – As you look out of your window and see the moisture-laden clouds (or fog) for a second or third straight week, it is hard to imagine that we are experiencing a drought. Even the U.S. Drought Monitor for Oct. 16, 2012, [see page 7] shows Door County as the only county in the state not experiencing drought conditions. How can this be? Well, it is a bit of a deceiving picture because it is only a one-month snap…
Fragrant Isle, LLC: New Island Business Launched
Nov. 8, 2012 – Fragrant Isle, LLC, recently announced that it has begun operations on Washington Island. Fragrant Isle will be planting lavender at several Island locations early in 2013 and then will produce lavender and other herbal products, including lavender bundles, oils, soaps, creams, culinary lavender products and…
The Danish Mill: Baking Every Day – Early!
Oct. 4, 2012 – Even though Tom Nikolai and the staff at the Danish Mill do a lot of the prep work for the morning baking on the day before, “I usually don’t get my first cup of coffee until about 8 o’clock,” says Tom Nikolai. “Before that, it’s nonstop.” Just when does “before” start? “I get in here at about 4:45 every morning,” said Nikolai…
Mack and Maple Syrup
Oct. 4, 2012 – Washington Island has a large number of sugar maple trees. In the late winter the sap in those trees “runs,” and ambitious Islanders spend weeks collecting that sap and reducing it to make maple syrup. The process is hard work, but as all say “the results can be sweet.” One Islander who spends late February and March making maple syrup is Mack Gunnlaugsson…
Lyons Isle Vineyards: Introducing Verjus
Oct. 4, 2012 – You have just sautéed some fresh mushrooms or onions and are ready to create a sauce. You look in your cupboard or refrigerator for something to “deglaze the pan” – to add moisture and flavor while scraping up all those delicious bits from the bottom of the pan. You consider vinegar, but its flavor would compete with the coq au vin entrée. Hmmm … what can you use? …
Island Orchard Cider: Brittany Comes to Washington Island
Oct. 4, 2012 – When Bob and Yannique Purman bought a house on Washington Island in 1996, they didn’t have a business plan for Island Orchard Cider, the growing young business they have since cultivated. At that time, they hadn’t even thought about starting a business here. They just liked the Island and wanted to put down roots, so to speak, so…
Island Bread Company
Oct. 4, 2012 – The Island Bread Company has had a busy summer. Since the bakery’s move to Detroit Harbor Road next to the Red Cup, “our business has doubled,” according to owner and baker Heidi Gilbertson. Thanks also to Kickstarter, an online alternative funding resource for small businesses, the Island Bread Company now has a brick oven at the back of the Red Cup’s parking lot…
Ted Hansen Recovering
Sept. 20, 2012 – Ted Hansen, recovering from shoulder surgery, has been selling his farm produce from a roadside stand in front of his Main Road farm this summer. Photo by Dick Purinton…
Great Lakes Pirate Dan Seavey and the Schooner Wanderer
Sept. 20, 2012 – Dr. Richard Boyd, underwater archeologist and author, presented an intriguing and, at times, humorous Archives program on pirate Dan Seavey, on Aug. 23, 2012, at the TPAC on Washington Island. These two photos are from Boyd’s book, “A Pirate Roams Lake Michigan: The Dan Seavey Story,” published by the Wisconsin Underwater Archeo-logy Association…
Coast Guard Reconsiders Removal of Metal Buoys in Detroit Harbor
Sept. 20, 2012 – The U.S. Coast Guard has stated it will replace the all-weather metal buoys that were removed from Detroit Harbor by a crew aboard a Coast Guard Aids to Navigation (ATON) craft from Muskegon, Mich., during the week of Aug. 6. The reinstalled metal buoys will remain in place for the coming winter. In an email received on Sept. 6, 2012, by Washington Island Ferry Line president, Hoyt Purinton…
EMS on Washington Island: Nurse Direct or 911?
Sept. 20, 2012 – I was asked this question several times in the last month: “Can you explain the difference between calling Nurse Direct and calling 911?” Well, sure I can! 911 is all about emergency response. Think of it like this: “I need help now!” Call 911…
Work Continues at Plum Island; Public Access Likely in Future
Sept. 20, 2012 – On Saturday, Aug. 25, a group of volunteers met on Plum Island to remove invasive plants and to shore up buildings before winter. MaryBeth Volmer, Sue Griem, Ida Whitney and Kristin Piel filled 10 bags with spotted knapweed, an invasive plant, that they pulled from in front of the lifesaving station…
