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News & Happenings in Sturgeon Bay

Keep informed and up to date with all of the critical happenings in and around Sturgeon Bay, Door County. From event updates to developments with our members, our news will help planning for any last minute details that may come up.

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Maritime Speakers Series

November 24, 2009

The Door County Maritime Museum and Friends of the Maritime Museum will launch their popular Winter Speakers Series on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. at the Museum in Sturgeon Bay. It will be the first of five Thursday night programs extending to March 25, 2010.

The first presentation is centered on the life and art of Gerhard Miller. Noted for his diverse repertoire of work, much of Miller’s work was inspired by Door County and its strong maritime influences before his death five years ago at the age of 100. Bonnie Hartmann, director of the Miller Art Museum in Sturgeon Bay, will provide this introspective on one of Door County’s most beloved citizens. While many are aware of the gallery he and his wife Ruth donated to the community, not as many know of Miller’s initial support for the construction of the new Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay. Included in that support was the donation of 500 limited edition prints of one of Gerhard’s Cana Island works to help fund the museum’s planning. A number of signed prints remain and will be available for sale on the night of Dec. 3. The Miller Museum will also have some of Gerhard’s prints for sale that evening. Holiday shoppers will be happy to know the Museum’s gift shop will be open throughout the evening.

The series resumes after the holidays on the first Thursday evening of each month, before winding up on the March 25th.

Judy Beck from the Environmental Protection Agency will present a program on Jan. 7 related to the EPA’s work on the Great Lakes. On Feb. 4, representatives from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation in Green Bay will talk about the planning and progress associated with the Michigan Street Bridge rehabilitation. Come March 4, the spotlight will be on Marine Travelift and its amazing gargantuan 1,000-ton lift. The Museum’s Executive Director Bob Desh will present the final program in the series, a look at the International Ice Patrol and the role it has played tracking icebergs since being formed in the wake of the Titanic disaster. Desh served as the commanding officer of the Ice Patrol during his service in the United States Coast Guard.

The Speakers Series is sponsored by the Friends of the Door County Maritime Museum, an organization dedicated to assisting the Museum both through fundraising projects and volunteer service. Admission to the program is free. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends groups. Donations will be appreciated.

For more information on the Speakers Series or the Museum call 920-743-5958 or visit our website

Sturgeon Bay Festival Looking for Carvers

January 12, 2010

Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center is planning its first event of the new year, the Fire & Ice weekend February 12-14, and is currently looking for creative carvers to sculpt ice & snow blocks into cool works of art!! The carving starts on Saturday morning, 9am and is expected to be completed and ready for judging at 2:00pm with winners receiving cash prizes & ribbons for their efforts. A special “Peoples Choice” award will also be awarded with a prize & ribbon as well.

In 2009, a small group of professional carvers created some very large snow carvings; this group, which includes national & international carvers, will be back again to display their award-winning skills on jumbo blocks of snow placed around town. New this year, several smaller snow blocks, approximately 3’ x 5’, will be carved along with the larger 4’ x 8’ blocks.

Additional activities for the Fire & Ice weekend include the annual Dinner Dance & Silent Auction Saturday night at Stone Harbor Resort. The festive evening will include a fabulous meal, followed by fiery hot music for dancing with the Milwaukee Bucks House band, Streetlife!

For information on Fire & Ice snow and ice carving, the Fire and Ice dinner dance and additional weekend activities, please call the Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center, 920-743-6246 or 800-301-6695

DCMH expands popular “art for health” program for kids.

November 24, 2009

The Women’s and Children’s Health Center at Door County Memorial Hospital is announcing another group of Art for Health workshops for children beginning in January. The Art for Health program is a series of FREE workshops for children that focus on music and art by way of performance and entertaining demonstrations.

These classes, suitable for children ages 4-12 years old, strengthen each participant's relationship with art and emphasize how creativity in a child's life contributes to their overall health. Plus they’re a whole lot of fun!

“This program has been an absolute joy for everyone involved,” commented Jennifer Fischer, Director of the Women’s and Children’s Health Center at Door County Memorial Hospital. “Children are, of course, naturally creative and have been surprisingly anxious to grab a microphone and belt out a tune.”

Each Art for Health session runs for five consecutive weeks. The first session begins January 13 and runs each Wednesday through February 10. The second session begins February 17 and runs each Wednesday through March 17. All classes will be held at the Children’s Center at Door County Memorial Hospital in Sturgeon Bay at 4:00 P.M and 6:00 P.M. Classes run approximately 1 hr each.

Each class includes a craft or project linked together with music and movement. Activities for the children range from creating their own rain sticks, to painting their own masterpieces, to creating short, fun skits. Most classes include “jam sessions” with popular Door County musicians such as Dorothy Scott and Julian Hagan. Kids can shift their little bodies into gear with expression through dance, yoga and interpretive movement.

“We are so fortunate to have the support of organizations like the Peninsula Arts Association and the Door County Community Foundation to help us offer this type of programming,” added Fischer. “It has truly been a positive, collaborative effort.”

For more information on the Art for Health program, including a full schedule of activities, visit DCMH’s website or call the Women’s and Children’s Center at (920) 743-3666. Door County Memorial Hospital is a fully accredited, acute-care hospital and outpatient medical center with four separate locations throughout Northeast Wisconsin.

Upcoming Events

see more events

Feb
13-14

Fire & Ice
Stroll around town and watch iceblocks turn into art!!!
Mar
13

St. Patrick's Day Parade
Sturgeon Bay will be green for a day! Bring your clan and join the parade.
Apr
23-25

Groovin' Sisterhood Weekend
Come and enjoy and weekend escape that caters to women
May
29-30

Fine Art Fair
12th annual juried multi-media art show
Jun
25

Maritime Museum Ports of Call
Enjoy dinner prepared and served by Gordon Lodge staff and a cruise themed evening with casino games. . .