This Week at Door County’s Crossroads: Thursday Meet DCIST, Live Music with Global Accord

Posted on 14. Jul, 2010 by in Invasives

We celebrate folk  music from around the world this week at Crossroads at Big Creek, while reviling the invasive plants which came along with immigrants from those same foreign lands.

Small alien trees called  Buckthorns were brought from Europe to Wisconsin in the 1880s… a time when Door County was being settled by European immigrants. It seems to me that European settlers should be considered invasive aliens since they outcompeted the native people and altered the environment extensively.

Buckthorns were imported for use as ornamental shrubs, ideal for creating dense hedges. For this purpose, they indeed are ideal. Buckthorns grow rapidly, creating natural fencing and hedgerows which are impentrable. The trees have shiny green leaves and pretty fruit which attracts birds in late summer and fall.

Over the years, birds have eaten the fruit (whole) and consequently, have spread the plants throughout much of the Midwest. And for many years, most people failed to notice. Only when these fast growing trees started dominating native forests did we become alarmed.

Many  property owners  in Door County have become aware of invasive plant species, and most agree that benign neglect or “letting nature take its course” is no longer a viable land management option. Unfortunately, the invasive species problem is just too big for most individuals to handle alone.

On Thursday, July 15, at 1:15 , the Door County Invasive Species Team (DCIST) and The Ridges Sanctuary will hold a “Contractor Meet and Greet” in the lecture hall of the Collins Learning Center at Crossroads. This meeting will give landowners the opportunity to learn about local businesses able to provide noxious weed control.

Marne Kaeske, Stewardship Coordinator at The Ridges suggests, “Put faces to the names of certified contractors available for aquatic and terrestrial invasive species removal.”

The meeting also will  include a brief undate on ongoing projects, including a presentation on permitting regulations and procedures. Snacks will be provided. For more information, contact Marne at 920.839.2801 or marne@ridgessanctuary.org

Every Sunday afternoon, Door County Historical Society hosts a special event  at the Historical Village at The Crossroads.  This Sunday, from 1:30 – 3:30 pm the guest performers will be Global Accord, an orchestra made up of local musicians who play folk music from around the world on traditional instruments. Visitors will enjoy the lively and varied music as they tour the buildings. The concert and tours are free.

During summer, Family Programs are offered at 11 am, Monday – Thursday by our summer educator, Joan Wilkie. Activities are appropriate for all ages (you don’t have to bring a family)  and are free.

Visitors  always are welcome to visit Crossroads. The trails are always open and during the summer months, the Collins Learning Center and Wildlife Exhibits are open 1:30-3:30. The Collins Learning Center and The Historical Village at The Crossroads are located at 2041 Michigan (County TT) in Sturgeon Bay.

Wednday, July 14, 11 am
Family Program: “Country Store and Garden”

Visit the Green General Store to learn of the storekeeper and his wife. What’s for sale in 1900? And what’s growing in the garden? Free. Meet  at the Greene General Store in The Historical Village.

Thursday July  15, 1:15 pm
DCIST   Contractor Meet and Greet

The Door County Invasive Species Team and The Ridges Sanctuary will host a gathering which will give landowners the opportunity to learn about what local businesses can provide for noxious weed control. Free. Meet in the lecture hall of the Collins Learning  Center.

Sunday, July 18, 1:30-3:30 pm
Concert by Global Accord  and Tours of The Historical Village

Global Accord, a local orchestra  specializing in folk music from around the world , will celebrate the cultural heritage of Door County. Costumed members of the Door County Historical Society will be on hand to show you the buildings. Free.

Monday, July 19, 11 am
“A School Day in 1900”

Enjoy lessons in a country  crossroads school where reading, writing and arithmetic, history, science and music were taught in one room. About an hour.  Meet at the Vignes School in The Historical   Village at The Crossroads. Free

Tuesday, July 20, 11 am
“Family Program:  “Great Lakes Fish”

Think you know all the fish that live in Lake Michigan, right at our shores?   Discover them and learn much more. About an hour. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Free.

Wednesday, July 21, 11 am
Family Program: “The 1900 Chapel”

Visit the Chapel  and hear hymns on    the pump organ and stories of the  pioneer churches of Door County. Meet in The Chapel in The Historical Village. Free.

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