If you, or someone you know, has demonstrated strong community involvement during their high school career, and is beginning college in fall of 2012, you are encouraged to apply. This year there will be four, one-time $500 scholarships for college or technical school awarded.

Applications detailing the criteria for consideration for the awards have been distributed to the local high schools and the Volunteer Center of Door County. The application is also available on the United Way’s Website at www.unitedwaydc.com. All high school seniors residing in Door County, whether home-schooled or attending any in or out of county school district, are eligible for these scholarships.

A few of the goals of the program:

• to encourage volunteerism,
• to promote greater understanding of the stewardship role of the United Way,
• to stress the importance of education in young people’s lives.

Scholarships are given on the basis of their community involvement, rather than academic achievement.

The service-based scholarship program was initiated by former United Way Youth Board members, Michele Lodl and Jacque Jorns of Sturgeon Bay. Volunteerism in general has been on the rise within the younger population, especially in Door County. In fact, 73% of young people nationwide think their efforts can have a positive impact on their communities according to a report released by the Research Department at Princeton University. The report also asserted that the younger a person began volunteering, the more likely he or she would continue later in life.

“United Way of Door County encourages all high school seniors who live in Door County and have volunteered at some point during their high school career to apply for this scholarship,” says Amy Kohnle, Executive Director of United Way of Door County. ”United Way wants to reward young adults for the positive impact that they have had on their communities.”

The deadline for submitting applications for the program is March 31, 2012. This year’s recipients will be announced at the annual awards ceremonies at their high school. Any questions about the guidelines for the scholarship program can be directed to the United Way of Door County office at 920.746.9645.

Individual, confidential sessions will be held the second Tuesday of each month, from 8am until Noon at the Sister Bay Fire Station, 2258 Mill Road. The next date will be Tuesday, February 14th. An appointment is requested and can be made by contacting Sam Perlman at 920.743.3113 x 204 or via e-mail at sam@doorcountybusiness.com. Walk-ins are also welcome, based on availability. (There might even be chocolate involved!)

DCEDC Economic Development Manager Sam Perlman offers free, one-on-one business counseling sessions, providing advice on business planning, financing, business incentives and other issues. As a member of the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Network, DCEDC also has the ability to tap into the expertise of the statewide support network to help find solutions to business issues and questions.

Sam Perlman is the Economic Development Manager for the Door County Economic Development Corporation, a position he has held for eight years. His efforts on behalf of local entrepreneurs were recognized by the Wisconsin Innovation Service Center, which named Sam a 2007 “Wisconsin Innovation Champion Award” winner. He is also Past-President of the Northeast Wisconsin Regional Economic Partnership and a member of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Economic Development Association.

The Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) is a public/private partnership dedicated to improving the economic vitality of the county and its residents. Founded in 1989, DCEDC has been successful in helping existing businesses create and retain thousands of jobs through a myriad of programs and initiatives. Additionally, DCEDC places strong emphasis on fostering entrepreneurial instincts in county residents as well as those who vacation on the Door County Peninsula. Door County Economic Development Corporation offices are located within the small business incubator DCEDC founded in 1997 at 185 East Walnut Street in the Sturgeon Bay Industrial Park.

Deepwater Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs) for Tidewater Inc.

The Door County Maritime Museum’s Speaker Series continues with a topic that is always of interest to Door County residents and particularly those in the Sturgeon Bay area. Gene Caldwell will provide a general overview of current work underway at the yard including some of the projects associated with the wintering fleet. He’ll also discuss parent company Fincantieri’s improvement projects at the yard as well as an update on the construction status of the deepwater Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs) for Tidewater Inc.

Last fall, Bay Shipbuilding announced the beginning of construction of the 303-ft. PSV vessels which are used to ferry materials and personnel to offshore oil platforms and other offshore structures.

The Speaker Series will then continue the first Thursday in March with a presentation on the War of 1812 and its impact on the Great Lakes by the Museum Executive Director Bob Desh. The series concludes on Thursday, March 29, with a program on the Museum’s hugely popular boat building program.

All of the programs begin at 7 pm at the Sturgeon Bay museum. They are free of charge and open to the public with donations appreciated. For more information contact the Museum at 920.743.5958 or visit www.dcmm.org.

Steven Link at "Untitled" - Sturgeon Bay's Used and Rare Book Store

The first Friday of each month will offer area residents the opportunity to enjoy downtown Sturgeon Bay with many shops remaining open until 8 pm. Participating businesses include the Shops on Jefferson Street, Third Avenue and Madison Avenue.

The goal of these monthly events is to increase business traffic in downtown Sturgeon Bay and to increase public awareness of Door County’s local non-profit organizations. United Way of Door County will be the featured non-profit for January followed by the Wellness Center in February. Subsequent months will feature FISC, Sexual Assault Center, HELP, The Community Garden, Women’s Employment Project (WEP), Neighbor-to-Neighbor, the Door County Maritime Museum, and many more. Information on the organizations will be available at various locations throughout the shopping district.

“Untitled” Used and Rare Books will celebrate its first anniversary by initiating First Friday Poetry Readings. Readings will take place from 5 to 8 pm with coffee and tea available. Local residents are invited to read from their own works or those they love during the poetry and spoken word open mic. A salon will follow with wine and cheese.

Come support our local businesses, learn more about our non-profit organizations that serve the community and just enjoy the lively downtown scene in Sturgeon Bay. For more information please contact United Way of Door County at 920.746.9645 or info@unitedwaydc.com.

On Sunday, December 4, several of Sturgeon Bay’s top Bed & Breakfast hospitality providers participated in the Annual B&B Christmas Walk, collecting more than $600 in donations for United Way of Door County.

David Tauber, Jr. and Rebecca Fredrickson presenting a check for $600 to United Way

On Thursday, December 22 the students of Sturgeon Bay High School hosted a Talent Show which helped their Student Council to support United Way of Door County with a $600 donation.

But the local United Way chapter still has a bit further to go to meet its annual goal. Your donation to Door County’s United Way is invested locally in nonprofit programs that focus on helping needy families and individuals meet basic needs, provide community wellness programs, health care and assist in addressing alcohol and other drug related issues.

The money that is raised in Door County stays in Door County to help nearly 7,000 people from Brussels to Washington Island and all areas in-between, who receive assistance from 42 human service programs. The staff and volunteers at those agencies thank you for your support of their work through your donation to United Way of Door County.

To learn more about United Way of Door County, please visit their Website at www.unitedwaydc.com. If you would like to help your neighbors in 2012 by making a donation, or by making a pledge towards the 2011 goal, you can call the office at 920.746.9645 or visit online. All pledges and donations for the 2011 goal must be postmarked no later than January 7, 2012.

She was born on her father’s birthday, October 16, 1947, in Green Bay to Mary and Carl Witteborg. Ellen attended St. John’s Grade School, graduated from St. Joseph Academy and received a degree from UW Green Bay in Environmental Design.

Ellen Witteborg’s creative talents were manifested in her art, cooking, knitting, graphic design and writing, to name a few. Spring maple syrup production at her Ten High Sugar Bush was an annual event. She was a challenging Scrabble opponent and crossword whiz, and was once a ski instructor in Aspen.

She was a grassroots activist in a host of local community efforts, politics and an advocate of environmental awareness. Her efforts included Citizens for Our Bridge, Steel Bridge SongFest, Sturgeon Bay Main Street Org. and the Baileys Harbor Community Association. She was an advocate of many Door County planning and political issues and author of frequent letters to the editor.

With her dog, Honey, and her nephew, Marty, she regularly harvested invasive weeds at Anclam Beach in Baileys Harbor.

Ellen was a familiar face as a waitress, bartender and hostess at many local establishments, most recently at the Greenwood Supper Club in Fish Creek.

Ellen was a proud aunt to her nephews Marty and Carl Witteborg. She is also survived by her siblings Anne (Dick) Egan, Clark Lake; Fred (Barb), Kansas City, Mo.; Cassie (Oscar) Wallace, Bangor, Me.; John (Morag),Sturgeon Bay; Drew (Mary), Jacksonport, five other nephews, two nieces, their children and many dear friends.

A memorial fund in Ellen’s name has been established at Door County Memorial Hospital (Ministry Door County Medical Center).

Friends are invited to share memories of Ellen at a reception to be held Monday, January 2 from 4 to 7 pm at Bjorklunden in Baileys Harbor. Refreshments and manhattans will be served.

Huehns Funeral Home is assisting the family. Sign online guest book and offer condolences at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com .

The public shared ride taxi service is affordable and wheelchair accessible and will now accommodate a larger Sturgeon Bay service area, as well as select portions of northern Door County.

The expanded south service area will include Towns of Nasewaupee, Sturgeon Bay and Sevastopol and the entire City of Sturgeon Bay. The south service will continue to operate 7 days per week with additional taxis available during all scheduled hours.

The new north service area will provide localized public transit (shared ride taxi) in the Villages of Ephraim and Sister Bay, the Town of Gibraltar, and the southern portion of the Town of Liberty Grove. The Northern Door service area will initially operate Monday through Friday only.

Roger Tepe, director of the Door County Department of Social Services is excited about the expansion. “This is a community effort that will have beneficial side effects for individuals, families, seniors, and persons with disabilities to take fuller advantage of all the opportunities in Door County, whether for work, recreation, education or any other purpose they can think of.”

Door 2 Door Rides is a collaboration between the County of Door and the local non-profit transportation organization Door-Tran. The vans are all wheelchair accessible; and drivers have experience and training to assist passengers with special needs – whether they use a wheelchair, have mobility limitations, or are students needing a ride home from basketball practice.

“All of the drivers have received Passenger Sensitivity Assistance Training through a certified program. This program coupled with our internal program teaches drivers to treat passengers with dignity and respect,” says Mark Jones, owner of the taxi provider, Abby Vans, Inc..

For additional information on the Door 2 Door Rides program or other Door-Tran initiatives, visit www.door-tran.com or contact Pam Busch directly at 920.743.9999 or 877.330.6333.

Door 2 Door Rides is a shared ride taxi service offering public transportation in the Sturgeon Bay and select Northern Door areas. Their mission is to offer safe, clean and wheelchair-accessible transportation at an affordable price to persons of all ages.

Photo by Len Villano

The village lights will glow brightly Friday, November 25 beginning at 4:30 pm with the lighting of luminaries around downtown and the Village Christmas tree and decorations at the corner of Mill Road and N. Bay Shore Dr. (Hwy. 42). Father Christmas will bring good tidings and merriment to all with his arrival and as he leads the children to the Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Library for storytelling and crafts, after the tree lighting. Light refreshments will be served at the tree lighting.

Bring your sweet tooth, creativity and children to the Holiday Cookie decorating on Saturday, Nov. 26 from 3-5 pm at the Sister Bay/Liberty Grove Fire Station. The Piggly Wiggly, Family Centers of Door County and the Sister Bay Advancement Association are sponsoring these sugary treats.

Shop locally for gifts for your family and friends at the annual Friends of Gibraltar Arts & Crafts Show inside the Village Hall November 26 – 27 from 10 am – 4 pm each day.

Help support the Northern Door Children’s Center and buy tickets for the Holiday Home Tour, Friday 4 – 8 pm and Saturday 10 am – 4 pm. Call 920.854.4244 for tickets.

Visit Sister Bay stores having special sales and offering free holiday treats and refreshments:

• Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik: 25-50% off store wide in Butik
• Bayside Bakery: Buy a coffee and get a Free tart!
• Bay Shore Outdoor Store: Store wide Sale
• Coachlite Inn: Stop by for treats and warm drinks
• Earth Art Studio: Stop in for treats
• Ecology Sports: Select items on sale
• Frykman’s Studio Gallery: Holiday Open House Friday & Saturday – Free Drawing and refreshments!
• Gage, Inc.: 20-40% off store wide sale
• Hammersmith TV & Radio Shack: National Radio Shack specials apply on Friday
• Hudson Road Trading: 35% off purses; Stop in for treats
• Julie’s Upscale Resale: In-store sales
• Lampert Yards: Sale on Christmas items
• Northern Door Communications: Don’t miss Cellcom’s Black Friday sales event
• Pamida: Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday store wide sales
• Paper Work Plus: 15% off all 2012 calendars – Free treats
• Passtimes Books: 10% off all merchandises (some special orders too.) Free book with purchase of $20 or more
• Piggly Wiggly – Open Thanksgiving Day 7:30 am – 12 pm
• Pipka’s of Door County: Free drawing to win 1 of 3 large Santas – coffee and cake too!
• Points North: Stop in for holiday deals
• On Deck Clothing Co.: Store wide sale; Free drawings for gift certificates!
• Tannenbaum Holiday Shop: 20% discount on purchases
• Village Clothier & Consignment: 20% off resale sweaters and knits; Resale slacks: Buy one, get one free!
• Yachtworks: Clothing sale: 25% off galleyware and gift items

There was a time not that long ago, when attending a Democratic Party meeting in Door County would result in spending face time with the same two or three tired faces that attended every meeting. But in 2004, things started to change as the Democratic Party came back to life with surprising vitality.

Now, they are flexing that muscle…

This short film is chapter one in a grassroots documentation by this magazine to report on the actions undertaken by the citizens in northeastern Wisconsin and Door County, where people of all ages and across political dividing lines are coming together to correct a situation that many believe threatens the well being and prosperity of their state. Can they succeed in helping to meet the statewide requirements to collect signatures of more than 540,208 eligible voters within the 60-day deadline?

Richard Allen Boone (June 18, 1917 – January 10, 1981) was an American actor ... Gun – Will Travel, which made him a national star with his role as Paladin

Stay tuned… as we meet up with Door County’s advocates and opponents of the Recall Scott Walker Campaign. Would you like to be included in the film? Leave a comment below and let’s make a date for coffee.

Have cam – will travel. Wire Editor.

“Any recall attempts filed will be nothing more than a Shameless power grab by the Democrats and their liberal special interests, and will not deter Republicans from moving the state forward under responsible leadership.” – Republican Party spokeswoman Nicole Larson