Bird City Wisconsin logo designed and donated by artists Tom and Mary Uttech.

On Sunday, May 26 the Village invites you to enjoy a tour of birding areas in and around Egg Harbor aboard the “Birdie Bus.” Paul Regnier will drive the bus, stopping at 4 to 6 different locations inland and along the shoreline that are likely spots to see some of wonderful species that inhabit those regions.

Regnier and the Village hope to educate and inform participants about the various full time resident and migratory birds that will be discovered. This special birding outing is free and is sponsored by the Village of Egg Harbor. While there is no cost to join in the adventure, it is likely that the bus will fill quickly. The birdie bus departs Harbor View Park in the heart of downtown Egg Harbor at 10:15 am on a trip lasting approximately 90 minutes.

From 10 am to 1 pm, an information booth will also be set up in Harbor View Park to provide:

• free copies of the new Egg Harbor Birding Trail Map,
• free packets of sunflower seeds to encourage home bird-feeding stations,
• and talk with anyone interested in learning more about the “Bird City” designation and its meaning for the Village.

The Village has created an ad-hoc committee to drive the bird-friendly effort and has recently authorized the planting of Prairiefire Crabapple trees as an ideal nesting and feeding choice. Click the links for more information on Bird City Wisconsin or the Village of Egg Harbor.

There’s an age restriction that you have to be 35 years old or older to participate. It’s called the “Old Fogey” class, or the “Old Fart” class. Just a bunch of old ladies riding around on their pretty horses. So, I ride my young horse in the Jack Benny Walk Trot class because he needs the practice, and because I am now old.

Lisa Madsen

My horse rode through the class perfectly. I thought there might be a good chance that this young pup in the Jack Benny class would win it. I was listening intently as the announcer called out the results.

The announcer called the first place winner. Number 47. She didn’t remember her number. Not an unusual problem in the Jack Benny class. The announcer continued by saying her name. It didn’t quite register with her yet. Then she recognized her horse’s name over the loudspeaker.

“OH, THAT’S ME!!!!!!!!!!!!” she cried out as she rode out of the line up. “I WON!!!!!!!!” she screamed as she threw her arms into the air in a celebratory wave. “WHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!”

She collected her trophy at the exit gate, then jumped off her horse and proceeded to bear hug everyone within five feet (even her horse). There were huge smiles. There were big (happy) tears. She took off her hat for just a moment to wipe away those tears, or perhaps the sweat off her brow from the heat of the day.

In that moment, I saw why this little win was so big for her. She was bald. The kind of bald that cancer brings. The kind of bald that doesn’t let you do a lot of horseback riding, much less horse showing. The kind of bald that means you are lucky to be alive. The kind of alive that you feel when you win the old fogey walk trot class at a horse show.

The perfect ride I had on my young horse earned us second place to number 47. A red ribbon. And a big reminder to never take anything for granted.

Editor’s Note: This article was written by Sara back in December, 2010. Lisa Madsen put up a fierce battle for life and she won several more years than expected. Like Bo Johnson, she set an example of personal strength and courage to resist the odds, one that will remain with everyone who knew her long after her passing. YOLO…

So what’s a Young Eagles Flight like?

On the ground:
Your pilot explains what will happen during the flight. This might include talking about the airplane, reviewing an aeronautical chart (or map), identifying reference points during the flight, completing a careful “walk around” preflight inspection of the airplane, and identifying the parts that control the airplane.

Just before take-off:
Your pilot helps you buckle your seat belt and describes the interior of the airplane, including the instrument panel.

In the air:
You have a whole new view of the earth and sky. And, if you want, your pilot may let you take the controls! The flight lasts between 15 and 20 minutes, but if you’re like most Young Eagles, you’ll remember this experience for the rest of your life.

Enjoy grilled brats, burgers and hotdogs, and a variety of soda… free to any Young Eagle and their parents.

Bring in old monitors, TV sets, computer screens, cell phones, batteries or anything else electronic that may be sitting in your garage.  The event will be held at the Sturgeon Bay High School parking lot. All proceeds from this event will be donated to a global organization of the groups’ choice.

Rotary Youth Interact is a student lead organization that focuses on giving back to their community and the world. At the beginning of the year, the “interactors” set a goal to raise a certain amount of money that will be given to a global organization. It so happens that this year they choose to donate all their proceeds to Heifer International, an organization that gives third world families animals allowing them to become self-reliant. The interactors goal is to purchase an ark which will have a pair of each animal. The value of the ark is $5,000. Throughout the year they have had multiple fundraisers like Rotaraking, helping with the Shipyard Tours, Mr. Door County 2013 and lately, the electronics event.

The interactors will not be charging the public to drop off old electronics at this event.

“We are just looking for ways to raise more money and make a difference and hopefully our community will help us!” says Brandi Hernandez, Secretary of Rotary Youth Interact. Contact her with any questions… at hernandezbrandi28@yahoo.com or call 920.256.1795.

Myrna Leigh Cohn

Myrna Leigh Cohn presents an introduction to memoir-writing, a free 2-hour workshop on Thursday, May 23. She bases her class on the popular “Turning Memories into Memoirs” program written way back in 1988 by notable author and teacher Denis Ledoux. Since then, he has influenced tens of thousands of people around the world to apply his method, detailed in his book (by the same title) to preserve their memories through the power of the written word. Myrna has been applying his writing tips and techniques since then, and she has been coaching individuals and corporate business leaders to do the same.

The May 23 introductory session will begin at 1 pm, taking place in Ephraim at the UU Fellowship. It will focus on the essential core methods of creating a writing plan, utilizing a “memory list,” and writing a brief life-story. No prior writing experience is required. Plan to bring a notebook and your favorite pen. You may surprise yourself and furthermore surprise your family and friends with what you create as you work under Myrna Cohn’s directives in employing the “Turning Memories” method.

This workshop is free and open to the public; however, advance registration is required by May 19. To register, contact the UUFDC office at 920.854.7559.

For more information about Denis Ledoux and his organization, visit his Website: www.TheMemoirNetwork.com and “Like” the Soleil Lifestory Network on Facebook.

Norbert Blei

The event was comprised of four speakers presenting their thoughts on the creative process as personally experienced by a writer, an artist, a musician and a theologian. They respectively included: Norbert Blei, Chick Peterson, Katie Dahl and Phil Sweet. In essence, Norb Blei presented a recounting of the story of his life. Little did I know, this would be the last time I would ever hear him speak. Norbert Blei (August 23, 1935 – April 23, 2013) wrote 17 books of non-fiction, fiction, poetry and essays. In 1994, he established Cross+Roads Press, dedicated to the publication of first chapbooks by poets, short story writers, novelists and artists. The following is a transcript of the video recording included below:

I guess I’m in a clean-up spot here. Huh? I know some of you are asleep. Stay that way please! I don’t want to try to bother you.

Phil would probably understand, I have a bit of a problem with today’s theme. So, please excuse me for my occasional contrariness, not to mention, off-subject departures at times, trying to wend my way from what we’re supposed to be talking about and all the stuff floating around in this scattered old mind of mine.

Throw an old dog like me a bone called courage, or creativity, or both… and I’ll gnaw it to nothingness in a matter of hours or days. They didn’t used to call me the county curmudgeon or worse for nothing, you know.

I can already hear Phil murmuring to himself, ‘Oh no! But what else could I expect inviting this guy to my party?’

Then, excuse me please if I uh… take Rollo May the author of the “Courage to Create,” somewhat to task and as you see, I have my old dollar-ninety-five cent paperback from nineteen seventy-five which I discovered in my book shelf just days ago, entire passages underlined heavily in black, felt-tipped pen.

I realize too that I never did finish the book but I… (laughter) I can always tell when the last part is free of pen.

I’ll uh just underline passages in heavy black-tipped pen. I’m sure… I swallowed whole every word as a young writer trying to justify his own life unaware of all the years ahead that it would take to actually become a writer, living those years now some fifty years later, still expecting every morning, with little courage, to be born again the instant that I pick up the pen or the pencil or begin to click the keyboard with the hope of magic appearing on the screen keeping in mind as ever, Hemingway’s sound advice, quote “that every writer needs a built-in shit detector to face the world,” reminded as well of Rilke’s sacred words almost carved into the desk where I am staring out the window:

“The purpose of life” said Rilke, “is to be defeated by a greater and greater things.”

Courage? Did you say courage? You want courage? Don’t look to this sorry creative soul. Look instead into the heart of a thirteen-year-old boy, Bo Johnson, who stared death in the eyes every day and was more concerned about making it easier for others knowing that his own time was passing without ever experiencing all the wonder of all the years most of us are granted. Now, that’s courage.

Let me suggest that it doesn’t take courage to create as as much as it does take stupidity, with more than a dash of curiosity, perseverance and what at times becomes mindless compulsion, a certain helplessness, something you can’t do a thing about but eventually accept it for what it is. This is what you do, all you can do. This is who you are and why you were put here. In my case,to write.

So there deal with that. Do what you can with it. See where it takes you. Success, isn’t even a factor. Remember, the purpose of life is to be defeated by a greater and greater things. Begin with whatever words given you at the moment and make them say what you want them to say or need them to say and just try to get better at the job every day.

At this point, I come to you by way of notes, notes and more notes, the writer’s way, nothing, everything ever quite finished to satisfaction the way most unprepared, perplexed writers find themselves caught in the midst of a subject greater than they can handle given the rush of time and for me overwrought, overburdened, overworked, overextended, lost in a floating mindscape waiting for the restoration of one’s senses, one’s self, one’s energy after a serious bout of bad health two years ago but still trying to put those words together.

So, I note. I scribble. I say to myself, to whoever is listening, or reading, that there is a double life to be content with; the life others expect you to live - friends, family, spouses, neighbors - and the life you have little control living, doing what you want and must do to create if you will. Not always easy, always open to conflict and criticism, being true to yourself.

Do I detect an element of courage there? Well, possibly.

Note: Creativity and chaos how they go hand in hand.
Every day the serious writer tries to establish some kind of order out of chaos. Does that take courage? I’m not sure. I know that the challenge of making something out of nothing but words, words, words and shaping that chaos day after day ’til… Well, there! Everything finds some kind of place. Fini, the end. Not too bad.

Note: One’s personal history in finding his way to the freedom to write and this would take hours, years to deal with. It would take a novel, a memoir, something huge, the message being, without freedom you cannot create. And it takes a little courage to break whatever bonds that keep you from who you are and what you must do.

But back to the stupidity factor I mentioned in the beginning. Stupidity, was leaving a secure job teaching Honors English on a high school level and later literature in a junior college, a contract, a comfortable enough salary, a great pension plan, respect in the family, the neighborhood, among the friends, students who loved what your ability to encourage, to teach on your own terms and was all about? But no! You wanted to write.

So, you threw all that overboard after less than ten years, without the safe money stashed away in your pension fund, traveled throughout Europe for months and months living in Paris awhile, was a rite of passage for every real writer you had ever read. Throwing all that away, come home. No real job. Nothing in mind but the stupid and growing desire to live a writer’s life.

Now, few people would call that courage. That’s not what my parents called it, not what my in-laws called it, and my mostly blue-collared boyhood friends with a future, all on the way to a house and family in the suburbs 0 earning good bucks for what they did with their hands, banking on retirement and social security.

Did it take courage for me to finally get a job delivering mail door-to-door for the US Postal Service? and occasionally filling in as a substitute teacher? …while all the while wanting to write? The explanation of the joke was, whenever some someone asked my in-laws, or my wife, “What’s …he doing?” And their pert reply was, “Oh, he’s thinking.” or “Oh, he’s trying to find himself.” …as I slowly did, beginning to publish my first short stories for little-known, little read, underground literary magazines of little payment but copies, and then beginning to publish major features in all the major magazines and newspapers from Chicago that paid real money.

But was the writer in me satisfied? No. Of course not. Did it take courage to leave all this behind and… I do mean all, especially work …courage to pull up stakes, leave all that behind for the peace and quiet of the backwoods of Door County because everything, the city especially was getting too loud? I couldn’t concentrate on the serious stuff. Everybody wanted to be a writer but nobody was writing.

For ten years, I survived as what was known in the trade as a freelancer. In other words, a gun for hire, living on the road back-and-forth, Door County to Chicago, going down there to look up the stories, take the notes bring ‘em back, write the story and wait for the check. Back-and-forth writing to put food on the table and… writing serious short stories, and essays, and novels, attempting to get at both the art and the matter, which is pretty much where I find myself to this very day, though I have chucked the freelancing for the most part and devote most of my time to honing the art of writing.

Note: Well there’s so much more…
But you people have been sitting here long enough already and I don’t have the time or space and I have no doubt that I have already worried the subject to death and wore out my welcome and I didn’t even get to the serious hazards of …this trade, of any artistic persuasion. By that I mean alcoholism. Because, when you get right down to it, what’s it really all about, Alfie? Nothing.

I have a lost less-than-courageous friends through everything that I have described thus far, writer friends, painter friends, photographer friends, all going down in one way or another.

You want depression? Here’s Joseph Conrad’s wife describing her experience living with one of the world’s great writers:

“The novel is finished but the penalty has to be paid. Months of nervous strain have ended in a complete nervous breakdown. 30 Poor Conrad is very ill and Doctor Hackney says it will be a long time before he is fit for anything 0 requiring mental exertion. I know both you and dear Mrs. Melgram will feel every sympathy with him. There is the manuscript, complete but uncorrected and his fierce refusal to let even I touch it. It lays on a table at the foot of his bed and he lives mixed up in the scenes and he holds and converses with the characters. I have been up with him night and day since Sunday week and he who wish usually so depressed by illness, maintains he is not ill and accuses the doctor and I of trying to put him away into an asylum.”

Here’s another thing in Conrad’s life that often leads to depression, a life that often drives many serious writers a little crazy writing stuff you don’t want to write, but have to write, to survive, writing pot-boilers. I wasn’t aware that this was true even of… uh… Conrad’s life ’til I picked up this biography of him recently. Conrad led with exhausting vitality from his actual roles as husband and father.

There’s a famous anecdote Illustrating a quite literal and domestic instance of that quality of appearing aloof and apart which Virginia Wolf noted in his genius. He would allow Jesse and the boys to travel with him in a train compartment but only if they pretended not to be with him and was once most annoyed when the evidently sorely tired Jesse needed him to help with the luggage.

One biographer has compared Conrad’s literary career and his financially insecure but artistically flourishing period to that of the hero of Henry James’ short story “The Next Time.” Pressurized by his family commitments, the writer then tries even harder to write in the popular manner he feels will provide a money-spinning bestseller only to find that every “next time,” he produces a work more brilliant and unsaleable than the last.

Final note: Where is the joy?
Well, you’re gonna have to ask me back another time to talk about that. But, let me leave you with this, that uh… It’s all joy. That uh… every stupid and courageous minute of it is really pure joy. I have lived an impoverished life, richer than anyone could ever imagine, and to hear just one person say, “You know, what you wrote, changed my life.” end of quote… is the only social security payment that matters.

Thank you.

Production Credits: DesignWise Studios, Sturgeon Bay, WI Video-journalist: Stephen Kastner Music: Alastair Cameron Sound Recording Engineer: Sheila Saperstein, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Bob Desh, Executive Director of the Door County Maritime Museum leads Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett on a tour of the historical Tug John Purves.

Wisconsin Department of Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett joined the governor at this informal news conference held at the Door County Maritime Museum. Governor Walker is pleased that reports on the economic impact of Wisconsin’s tourism have shown unusual strength and growth in what has been a slow economy for the past few years.

The State Dept. of Tourism reports that for every dollar spent on tourism advertising, six dollars were returned to the state in additional tax revenue. In addition, visitors generated $1.3 billion in state & local taxes in 2012, saving Wisconsin taxpayers nearly $575 per household.

Governor Walker and Secretary Klett were joined in speaking by Bob Desh Executive Director of the Door County Maritime Museum and Jack Moneypenny, President of the Door County Visitor Bureau. Afterward, they took time to enjoy a brief tour of the historical Tug John Purves.

Publisher: Door County Style Magazine
Video Journalists: Stephen Kastner and Alisa Landman,
Production: DesignWise Studios,
DC Style Theme Music: Alastair Cameron

John Nichols

Each year, Democrats traditionally celebrate an evening of fun and fellowship by honoring Revolutionary Era progressive, Thomas Paine. This year, John Nichols, a well-known progressive commentator and author, will provide insights into the current political scene. There will be an outstanding buffet dinner with a cash bar.

The “Gray Donkey” silent auction features a collection of specially selected new and “pre-owned” items. Come prepared to bid.

The Cost to attend is $25 per person which includes dinner, dessert, coffee, the evening’s entertainment and the silent auction.
An RSVP is necessary! Please, contact Francha Barnard 920.839.2829 or email fbarnard@newwis.com to reserve space(s) so they have dinner for all.

You may contribute new or gently-used items for the “Gray Donkey” silent auction. Items may be delivered  to the Door County Democratic Party office at 62 S. 3rd Ave., Sturgeon Bay on Thursdays from Noon – 5 pm. If you need to have items picked up, contact Barb Perloff via email at wperloff@me.com or call 920.839.9282 to arrange pickup.

Left to right: Violinist David Perry, cellist Parry Karp, violinist Suzanne Beia and violist Sally Chisholm.

Featuring David Perry, violin; Suzanne Beia, violin; Sally Chisholm, viola; and Parry Karp, violoncello, the Pro Arte Quartet will be joined by violist Allyson Fleck in this special event. Pro Arte never fails to delight audiences with classic string works like those of Mozart, an archetype of the Classical style. Their May 9 Door County concert performance will consist of the following;

Adagio and Fugue in C Minor, K. 546 (1788)

String Quartet in G Major, K. 387 (1782)
Allegro vivace assai
Menuetto: Allegretto
Andante cantabile
Molto allegro

INTERMISSION

String Quintet in C Major, K. 515 (1787)
Allegro
Menuetto: Allegretto
Andante
Allegro

Tickets are priced at $25 for adults and $10 for students. Reservations are recommended, as the Pro Arte Concerts are always popular and often sold out events.

Midsummer’s Music Festival also provides audience members with an opportunity to meet these world renowned artists after the concert, sharing refreshments and conversation. The May 9 concert is the first of two opportunities to hear the Arte Quartet in Door County. A second appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, September 17 at Woodwalk Gallery in Egg Harbor.

On Friday, June 7, Midsummer’s Music Festival will host the annual Gala Opening Night concert and reception with guest speakers, champagne and chocolate at Birch Creek, in Egg Harbor beginning at 7:30 pm.

You can review the entire 2013 chamber music concert schedule and buy tickets online at: www.MidsummersMusic.com or by calling 920.854.7088.

That winter a plan was hatched… Nancy decided to open a metaphysical bookstore and one night, as she was lying in bed, the name Star Gazer simply popped into her head. Twenty-five years have passed by and as Nancy explains, ”although it never made much money, there are those few customer-friends who have looked deeply into my eyes and literally touched my soul in recognition of my intention for opening Star Gazer.”

She explains, “Hundreds, maybe thousands of people who have visited Star Gazer may have realized later, that walking through that humble door was entering into a whole new definition of the Universe.” One of those many “customer-friends” is Diana Blagdon, a person who has decided to continue to build upon the foundation that Nancy Brown has established.

“I first discovered Star Gazer and met Nancy Brown in 2007, when I dropped by to introduce myself and share some thoughts about my psychic work and the retreats that I facilitate,” Diana explains. “I wondered out loud if she had ever considered selling the shop.”

Nancy was surprised at Diana’s natural insight and enthusiastically replied, “Wow! You really are good. I have not thought of that until just recently as I have a potential job with the Urantia Society in Chicago. And, I will be selling my business if that comes through.”

That job offer did not pan out, but over the years, Diana continued to check in with Nancy to chat and to update her on readings and on the classes that Diana was teaching.

When one of Nancy’s best friends who also happened to be Diana’s hairdresser, posted a status update on Facebook about Nancy’s passing, Diana contacted her saying, “We need to talk about Nancy. I spoke to her several times about buying her business.”

Debra Ripp also responded with surprise, “Wow! Her Mom just asked me this morning if I knew who Nancy had been talking to about buying the business and here you are!”

Negotiations commenced and a smooth transfer of ownership came to pass.

Diana Blagdon and husband Larry

“It has always been my dream to own a metaphysical bookstore and to develop a spiritual resource center,” says Diana Blagdon. “I believe that we all have a life purpose to fulfill and it is my vision through StarGazers, to support individuals on their path of discovery. As each person I encounter works to realize their life’s purpose, it is my role to encourage and empower their personal development and spiritual growth.”

As a practicing psychic life and business coach, Diana is well equipped to carry on the task of providing a path of discovery, one that includes many of the metaphysical products and books that Star Gazer was known for. She also plans to expand the services with psychic readings, classes and workshops on a variety of spiritual disciplines including art, meditation and music.

A memorial service for Nancy Brown is scheduled for Saturday, May 4 at 4 pm at the Fish Creek Community Church. The new StarGazers will open in Nancy’s honor on Sunday, May 5 at 10 am.

“Regardless of where you are now, we see you as a perfectly wonderful work in progress,” Diana explains. “At StarGazers we are excited to support you and witness that journey.”

You will find StarGazers located in its traditional spot among the Founder’s Square shops in Fish Creek and online at StarGazersDoor.com. Telephone 920.868.1780 with questions, for seasonal hours or to make an appointment.