Juniper Hall at Birch Creek Music Performance Center

In granting this award, the WAB recognizes Birch Creek as an organization with the highest level of quality in its programs, community outreach and administration. Birch Creek Music Performance Center, Inc. is a summer music school in Egg Harbor for advanced young musicians from across the country. Students are taught by nationally known performers and educators during the day, and perform alongside them in concerts at night.  Birch Creek’s mission is to provide their students with significant performance experience in front of live audiences.

When Birch Creek receives an Arts Board grant all of Door County benefits. Since 2002, Birch Creek’s Artists in the Schools program has brought nationally-recognized performers and teachers into local schools to provide hands-on workshops for hundreds of Door County music students. Door County music students have attended Birch Creek nearly every year since Birch Creek opened its doors in 1976. During the concert season, Door County residents and visitors alike have numerous opportunities to hear performances by professional musicians of the highest caliber. Each year Birch Creek has a measurable and documented economic impact of more than $500,000 on the Door County community, bringing nationwide attention to the Peninsula…

Wisconsin Public Television was in Door County to capture an evening of big band jazz, recently broadcasting the sights and toe-tapping sounds of Jazz at Birch Creek on January 30.

The Wisconsin Arts Board operates with funds appropriated by the state legislature and a National Endowment for the Arts partnership grant. With this investment of public funds, the Arts Board helps Wisconsin’s nonprofit arts and culture sector generate millions into the local economy. The Arts Board’s Creation and Presentation grant program helps make the arts available to broad audiences, keep ticket prices down and allows non-profits to plan for future sustainability.

For more information about Birch Creek visit their Website: www.birchcreek.org or call 920.868.3763.

Mike Orthober

Orthober is well known in the taxidermy field, having won many national and worldwide awards, most recently “Best in World” for warm-water fish and “2nd in World” for a non-game bird. He also judges World Taxidermy Championships and teaches others his methods. Locally, his work is on display at the Door County Historical Museum which commissioned Orthober to create its natural history wildlife diorama. The spectacular exhibit encompasses four seasons and features a life-sized beech tree along with native species including over 100 birds, white-tailed deer, bear, badger, fisher and more.

Mike Orthober’s Wildlife Wizardry Studio is located at 6453 Oak Road, just off Bay Shore Drive in Egg Harbor. Following the tour, participants will head outdoors for some roadside birding.

The Early Birders program is designed for families with kids ages 6-11, but younger or older children are also encouraged to attend. Each monthly meeting includes birding activities, crafts, bird watching hikes, special guests (both human & avian), and much more. For an annual fee of $15, each family receives a copy of Wild About Wisconsin Birds, a wonderful birding book designed just for children, and a Door County bird check list. The drop-in fee for the program is $5 per family.

For more information on The Early Birders Club or other Ridges programs, call 920.839.2802, or visit the Sanctuary’s Website.

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.

Dippel holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse and a Master of Fine Arts in Classical Theatre from the prestigious Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Academy of Classical Acting at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.. Professional memberships include Actor’s Equity Association and The Society of American Fight Directors.

Dippel has an extensive background in education, including serving as an Adjunct Professor of Communications at the College of Menominee Nation in Keshena, Wisconsin; a company member and teacher for the Educational Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. and Assistant Technical Director/Guest Lecturer of Theater Arts at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. He co-founded the Stone Theatre Company in Seattle, Washington and founded The Acorn Theatre in Baraboo, Wisconsin, both producing works of Shakespeare. He served acting internships at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater and American Players Theatre, performed at The Utah Shakespearean Festival and The Seattle Shakespeare Company, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Olney Theatre and many others.

A native of Baraboo, WI, he is deeply connected to Wisconsin Theatre and committed to continuing Door Shakespeare’s reputation for quality productions while strengthening its presence in the community and state. Locally, Dippel is a proud graduate of the 2011 Leadership Door County class, co-founder of the West Side Food Cooperative and a graduate of the Door County Economic Development Corporation’s NexLevel Training.  Licensed as an Adjudicator by the Wisconsin High School Forensics Association he served as Interim Forensics Coach for Sturgeon Bay High School. Dippel is a former board member of Isadoora Theatre and directed several of the company’s plays including the highly successful production of the musical Chicago and the timely, Waiting for Lefty.  He directed and performed in staged readings of The Boys in Autumn with the Peninsula Players for The Big Read and the Ray Bradbury One Acts for the Door County Library’s Door County Reads.  Most recently, he performed on stage opposite Mark Moede in Tuesdays with Morrie at Third Avenue Playhouse.

Dippel lives in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin with his wife, Christine Henkel and their enthusiastic daughter, Isabella.

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.

The Buy Local Mixer will feature a presentation on “Timely Tax Tips” by Inge Bacon, Baylake Bank Trust Officer and will also provide an update from the Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) about the status and activities of the Buy Local program. The Door County Buy Local program is a grass-roots economic development initiative that seeks to strengthen local businesses, increase employment opportunities and educate the public about the importance of buying locally whenever possible.

The Buy Local Initiative encourages networking opportunities between local businesses. A second priority is educating the public about the economic value of keeping as many dollars as possible in Door County along with efforts to share information about what services and products are available through Door County enterprises. A third focus encourages non-profit, civic organizations and governmental bodies to do as much business as practical with Door County firms.

The February 7 event is open to anyone interested in learning more about the Buy Local initiative in Door County. There will be food and beverages available; attendees are asked to make a $5 donation to help defray costs. Please, RSVP for this event by February 3 or ask questions with a phone call the DCEDC at 920.743.3113 ext. 203 or by email to Bill@doorcountybusiness.com.

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.

The Niagara Escarpment spans two North American countries and joins the two peninsulas through bedrock of dolomitic limestone formed over 400 million years ago. Like our own peninsula, the Bruce Peninsula is a relatively small area – only about 60 miles long. And like Door County, this strip of land attracts attention for its beaches, forested trails and limestone caves.

The Bruce Peninsula tour itinerary will showcase many of the area’s natural features including woodlands filled with wildflowers, migrating birdlife, water features and, of course, incredible geology. Through boat trips and guided walks and talks, trip participants will experience first-hand the natural treasures found on the Canadian Niagara Escarpment.

For The Ridges, the tour represents much more than the opportunity to experience the unique attractions of our “sister peninsula.”

“This trip is the first step in developing collaborations between the U.S. and Canadian groups working to protect and preserve the Escarpment, “ says Steve Leonard, Executive Director of The Ridges. “ There is so much we can learn from what they have done to protect and promote healthy communities and ecological preservation.”

Joining the group is Ridges naturalist Karen Newbern, geologist Dr. Roger Kuhns and naturalist and tour planner Paul Regnier.

The Bruce Peninsula Tour is open to members of The Ridges. The cost is $1999 per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement is available for $450. The fee includes coach transportation to and from Sturgeon Bay, 7 nights lodging, most meals, tour guides, park fees and more. A deposit of $450 is required to secure reservations. Final payment is due April 1, 2012. Checks should be made payable to Door County Nature & Travel LLC . Register and pay the $450 deposit by February 15 to receive a $50 per person discount. Registrations forms are available online at RidgesSanctuary.org and should be sent with deposit to: Door County Nature and Travel, P.O. Box 136, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202-0136. Space for this tour is limited. Advance registration is required.

For information about becoming a member of The Ridges, call 920-839-2802.

This tour is planned and organized by Paul Regnier, owner and lead Naturalist for Door County Nature and Travel LLC. For more information about the Bruce Peninsula Tour go to the Ridges Sanctuary’s website, http://RidgesSanctuary.org or call Karen Newbern at The Ridges Sanctuary office, 920-839-2802, or contact Paul Regnier at doorcountypaul@gmail.com

Lili-Anne Brown

Produced in coordination with Door County Reads and its exploration of the novel, the reading will feature Players actors Lili-Anne Brown, Anya Kopischke, Osiris Khepera and Alan Kopischke, as well as local actors Mark Moede, Hervy Hodges, Chad Luberger, David Maier,  Amy Ensign and Brandon Bogenschütz.  Signing actor Robert Schlieffer will portray the pivotal role of the mute John Singer.   Players Artistic Director Greg Vinkler and Players Development Director Alan Kopischke are directing the reading. Brown was last seen at the Players in “Little Shop of Horrors” and will appear Off-Broadway this fall in “A Twist of Water.”

Osiris Khepera

Khepera was in last season’s “A Few Good Men” and has created a one-man show he will launch in Chicago in February. Schlieffer recently played John Singer in the Steppenwolf production of “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter” in Chicago.

Peninsula Players is fortunate to be able to work with some fine local talent. Anya Kopischke is a Gibraltar High School junior who was last on stage with the Players in “A Little Night Music” and will perform in Door Idol in February and as Erma (Bonnie) in “Anything Goes” at Gibraltar in April. Moede, Hodges, Luberger and Ensign are all active in the Door County theater community with such companies as American Folklore Theatre, Door Shakespeare, Isadoora Theatre Company, Third Avenue Playhouse and Theatre M. Bogenschütz is a Gibraltar senior who will play Sir Evelyn Oakleigh in “Anything Goes.” Maier, Managing Director of American Folklore Theatre, and Alan Kopischke both had long professional acting careers prior to their theater administration careers in Door County.

Door County Reads is in its second year, having grown out of the Library/Players partnership to bring The Big Read to Door County for three years. This year’s read focuses on the beautiful novel by Carson McCullers, “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.” A full listing of events can be found at www.doorcountyreads.org.

Peninsula Players is America’s oldest professional resident summer theater and is unique in the country for its diverse productions, continuing loyalty to a resident company, and its beautiful setting of 16 wooded acres along the cedar-lined shores of Green Bay.  In the past 76 years, the theater has become a Door County landmark and its cornerstone arts institution, attracting audience members from throughout Wisconsin and across the country. 

Acknowledged by peers and press alike as one of the premier political satirists in the country, Will Durst has patched together a comedy quilt of a career, weaving together columns, books, radio and television commentaries, acting, voice overs and most especially, stand up comedy, into a hilarious patchwork of outraged and outrageous common sense.

The New York Times calls him “possibly the best political comic in the country.” Fox News agrees, “he’s a great political satirist,” while The Oregonian hails him as a hilarious stand-up journalist. He is a 5-time Emmy nominee; has been fired by PBS three times; told jokes in 14 countries; racked up 7 nominations for Stand- Up of the Year; and his 800+ television appearances include Letterman, HBO, Showtime, CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, the BBC and many more.

Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 students, on sale at the theater box office, 230 N. Third Avenue, Sturgeon Bay, 920.743.1760, from 10 am – 3 pm, Monday – Friday and for one hour prior to performances. Tickets are also available at Dancing Bear, 13 N. Third Avenue, Java on Jefferson at the corner of Fifth & Jefferson and on-line at www.ThirdAvenuePlayhouse.com.

“Enter Will Durst who just happens to be this country’s best political satirist. A dapper chap with just the right sense of whimsy, Durst is an equal opportunity slayer of bloated political dragons, making him a solid choice for folks who enjoy witty and thought-provoking comedy. Simply in a league of his own.” – Las Vegas Review-Journal