DoorCountyNavigator.com Homepage Change!

In our survey you asked us to "clean-up" our Homepage and unclutter it! So we have taken our first step tonight to do that. We have cleaned up a lot of the graphics on the Homepage and installed a new and simple Drop-Down Menu system which will lead you to all the same places the cluttered graphics lead you to!

So look on our Homepage, top-center, for the "Also Quickly Jump to" menu - and this will be available from more pages than just the Homepage - so you have greater access to all of the information that is on our site, simply and easily!

Let us know what you think! There is more to come!

"Spirit of LaSalle" Sails into Sunset . . .

Last year, the Spirit of LaSalle ran a ferry service from Sturgeon Bay to the Waterfront district of Menominee, Michigan. People seemed to enjoy the option of heading to Michigan for an excursion.

But DoorCountyNavigator.com has been informed by the lines owner that the ship has set sail for the sunset and will be sailing no more in 2008.

Sad but true.

So, in the meantime, head to Washington Island and enjoy a great 20 minute ferry boat ride across Death's Door!

Carlsville Day Coming Up - A Fun Town!

We like the little town of Carlsville, located between Sturgeon Bay and Egg Harbor right off Hwy 42. Some of our favorite places are there or nearby, like Door Peninsula Winery, Door County Coffee & Tea, Pet Expressions (great little shop!), Schopf's Dairy View Country Store, and Simon Creek Vineyard & Winery.

We just received this press release about the upcoming Carlsville Day, so enjoy!
* * *

PRESS RELEASE

Contact Info:
Dina Boettcher for Carlsville Business Association
920.818.0377

CARLSVILLE DAY 2008

Saturday, July 26, 2008 marks the 7th anniversary of the incredibly
popular Carlsville Day Parade and Festival held in beautiful Door
County.

The day opens with a Family Fun Run/Walk that will start at 8:30am at
Schopf’s Dairy View Farm on Cty Rd I and proceed up to Harbour Village
Camping Resort and Waterpark - just north of the intersection of Cty
Rd I and Hwy 42. Registration begins at 7:00am at Schopf’s.

At 10:00 the annual parade promises a good time with floats, the VFW
State Color Honor Guard and homespun entertainment for all. Other
highlights that morning will include a Civil War Reenactment at 11:00
and again at 1:30, a Cherry Stomp from 11:00-1:00 at Door Peninsula
Winery and a Doggie Contest followed by Pet Psychic Gail Ritchey at
11:30, both at Pet Expressions.

Pony and Tractor Rides will get started at noon followed by a
presentation by the Door County Drill team at 12:30 and a Horse Speed
Show at 1:00 – all held at Schopf’s Dairy View Farm.

Guests young and old alike are asked to try their luck at a cherry pie
eating contest that will be held promptly at 1:00 at Door County
Coffee. Directly across the street, Blues lovers take note: PERRY
WEBER and the DeVilles will take the stage from 1-5pm at the Roadhouse
of Downtown Carlsville stage.

Meanwhile, Harbour Village Camping Resort will be the setting for two
separate Pow-Wows hosted by the Menominee Tribal School. These Native
American dance and drumming performances will be held at 2:30 and
7:00pm.

Events taking place all throughout the day include - free Winery Tours
at Door Peninsula Winery, free Waterpark passes at Harbour Village
Camping Resort and a Craft and Food Fair that will feature a brat fry,
roasted corn on the cob and other delicious fare.

All Carlsville Day events will be held at various Carlsville Business
locations. Event maps will be available at each participating
Carlsville business. To make transportation from one event locale to
another as easy and safe as possible, FREE parking and trolley rides
will be offered throughout the day.

Carlsville is snuggled in the heart of Door County at the crossroads
of Highway 42 and Cty Rd I, just 7 miles north of Sturgeon Bay. Come
explore a place where classic Door County rings true - where smiles
abound, taking you back to a simpler time. Carlsville - come discover
the heart of Door County. Carlsville can always be found on the web
at www.carlsvilledoorcounty.com.

_________
Participants from last year's Carlsville Day Cherry Pie Eating
Contest. Carlsville Day 2008 will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2008.

Door Community Auditorium Link Gallery News

We just received this Press Release - enjoy!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press contact:
Patricia Podgers
(920) 868.2728
patricia@dcauditorium.org

The Door Community Auditorium
Link Gallery
Presents the Door County Art League Exhibit
“The Way We See It III”


In support of the Door County Art League’s mission—to develop an active community interest in the field of the creative arts--the Door Community Auditorium’s Link Gallery presents “The Way We See It III,” an exhibit featuring nearly 70 original works of art. The exhibit continues through August 4.
The Door Community Auditorium box office is open to the public Monday through Friday, 10 – 3 pm; weekend show days, 11 – 3 pm; and one hour prior to a performance. The Door Community Auditorium is located in Fish Creek, just north of the town center on Highway 42. For more information call DCA at 920.868.2728.

Here and there

One of the largest events on the Door Peninsula is the Door County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary’s House and Garden Walk. This year it’s set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, and there are some wonderful homes featured. Included is the Fish Creek home and gallery of painter Kathy Glasnap. I recently got a personal tour of the home for a decorating story. It’s a sprawling one-story home, and the gallery also will be open on the House Walk (which includes six properties this year). Kathy has a wonderful personal art collection and a creative way of putting accessories together. For more information on the House Walk, call 920/746-1071. The donation is $25.
Liberty Square is a mall with a new name and face, 7755 Hwy. 42, Egg Harbor. Shops have gourmet food, women’s clothing, jewelry and home décor such as six lines of outdoor furniture.
Also find the Bistro Restaurant and the Board Room. The latter is decorated with a baby grand piano, tasteful furniture and pleasant lighting. People who don’t like to shop can come here and just enjoy live piano music on late afternoons. This year, a new Bravissima--a four-course Italian dinner followed by a vocalist singing Italian songs--is being planned in the Board Room. Dates are July 6, 13, 17, 24, 31 and Aug. 3 and 14. But call for availability, reservations or more information, 920/868-4800. Until next time, see you here and there on the Door Peninsula, Donna Marie Pocius, freelance writer

Here and there

I really admire how hard Door County shop owners work at creating such unique and pleasant retail environments. The backdrops are almost as intriguing as the merchandise. And there are so many examples of artists who have worked hard to restore old buildings, too. And they all know just how to put it all together to make you want to shop there for like hours!
City Farmer comes quickly to mind. The old 1886 dairy barn that houses City Farmer at 10432 Hwy. 42 Ephraim was nearly empty at the end of last year; I was there shopping the sale (everything remaining after a certain date was marked down 50 percent).
When I went back in May to see what was new, the store was absolutely transformed. It’s filled again and looks stunning—furnishings, pottery, linens and more. I especially enjoyed the new garden room (formerly holding books) and bought a cement sculpture for the garden as well as a skin care product made in Italy for me. The outdoor courtyard garden is filled with new pieces as well.
Artists have carved out gallery and studio space from buildings in dire condition. Sandra and Wence Martinez, fiber artists, have turned an old garage into a fantastic studio and gallery for Wence’s one-of-a-kind tapestries and Sandra’s art—scarves, handbags, paintings and more. And it's easy to find; the house on the property is bright green—5877 Hwy. 57, Jacksonport.
Another place to put on your list is Woodwalk Gallery. Painter Margaret Lockwood and her husband Allin Walker have created an outstanding gallery in a vintage barn in Egg Harbor, 6746 Cty Rd. G. You’ll really enjoy this space, which presents Margaret’s paintings as well as art by 30 regional artists in a variety of price points. Until next time, see you here and there on the Door Peninsula, Donna Marie Pocius, freelance writer

Real People Videos Released Today!

Last week, we spent some time talking to folks on the street in Fish Creek, and they told us where they like to stay, dine and what they like to do in Door County! These are real people visiting the Peninsula, some for the first time!

We just released two videos of these on-the-street interviews, Real People Take 1, and Real People Take 2! They are linked on our Homepage under New Videos! Check them out - who knows, YOU may be the next featured person starring in our Real People series visiting Door County! So look for us - we may film again at the end of the month! Say "hello" if you see us!

And tell us what you think, right here, about the new Real People videos - hit the Comments button below and leave a message!

The Fish Shack - Late Nite Fare at Harbor Fish Market & Grille!

Looking for something cool to do between 10PM and 2AM? Well head over to the Harbor Fish Market & Grille's new late night Fish Shack - right in the bar area of the restaurant. Here you will find lots of variations of martinis, late night food, music and . . . well, even romance maybe! Tuesdays - Saturdays this summer. The owners tell us that they will have 20 different kinds of martinis, great bar food and desserts, plus specialty coffees like espresso, cappuccino etc. - so check them out and tell them DoorCountyNavigator.com sent you!

Here's their line up that they sent to us:

Tuesday
Ladies Night! Music & More! Ladies drink rail & domestic beer for free from 10:30 to
11:30 p.m.

Wednesday
Buy 1, Get 1 Free!
aka, “Twofers” As simple as that!


Thursday
$5 Martini Night! Choose from 20 specialty martinis for only $5, all night!
Plus, Great Tunes!

Friday
Margarita/Wine Night! ½ price margaritas and wine all night!

Saturday
Mood is everything! Dance Party! “Black Out Party

Bistro 42 Is Open in Carlsville!

For the past few weeks, Bistro 42 has been open in Carlsville. Occupying the same location as The Vineyard once occupied, Bistro 42 claims a great chef and a great new menu.

Here is their press release, along with a photo of Chef Billie Jane Bach in front of the new fire baked pizza oven.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Jaime Forest at 920-743-7431 or dpwmarketing@wildblue.net
Bistro 42 Opens With Bach Lineage Coming Back
June 3, 2008
Sturgeon Bay, WI -Door County has attracted yet another fabulous chef to the area, this time with the opening of Bistro 42 in Carlsville at Door Peninsula Winery. Billie Jane Bach leads the staff as executive chef and general manager of the new casual cuisine lunch and dinner restaurant.
Bach’s love for cooking started at a very young age in the Kodiak Islands of Alaska where she worked with her father on his fishing boats as a cook and deck hand. The specialty of the time was the highly prized bologna sandwiches. Since then, Bach has broadened her skills with well traveled culinary experiences including earning a degree in Oregon’s Culinary Hospitality program, work in Norwegian Cruise Lines Hawaii adventures, a Costa Rican beach front restaurant, and most recently, the well known Madison, Wisconsin institution that many of us may recognize, Alt ‘n Bachs Restaurant.
Bach is most inspired by her mother and Aunt Kathy, owner of the family restaurant, Alt ‘n Bachs, but her favorite dishes to prepare are seafood, stemming from her days on her father’s fishing boat. Already growing in popularity in the recently opened Bistro 42 are her Italian style dishes, most notably the Caprese fire-baked pizza and the homemade ravioli. Bach continues to build the popularity of Bistro 42 with an out pouring of business during the opening on Memorial Day weekend. She is supported by long time friend of ten years, Ben Coggin, as Sous Chef. This well accomplished pair is excited to relocate to Door County and offer reasonably priced genuinely home-made food in a classic and casual setting.
Bach claims to be local, and certainly will be asked about it, as she tells her friends and neighbors of her deep rooted ancestry to the area. Her great, great, great, great, great grandfather was the light keeper of the lighthouse on Rock Island, William Betts. Since migrating south to Sturgeon Bay, you can find Ms. Bach (and Mr. Coggin) at Bistro 42, 5806 Hwy 42 in Carlsville, or by making your reservation at 920-743-WINE (9463).

Door County Art League - Events Coming!

We just received this notice of upcoming events of the Door County Art League:

According to Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, “art” is defined as “skill acquired by experience, study, or observation; a branch of learning.” Organized in 1986, the Door County Art League’s mission is founded on those exact principles. In support of the Art League’s mission—to develop an active community interest in the field of the creative arts--the Door Community Auditorium’s Link Gallery presents “The Way We See It III,” an exhibit featuring nearly 70 original works of art. The exhibit opened on June 13 and continues through August 4.
Diverse in style, subject matter, media, and scale, the exhibiting artists represent a diversity of art forms within the context of the “visual arts.” DCAL artist members include potters, printmakers, wood carvers, and painters in all mediums.
In the 22 years since DCAL was founded, its membership has grown from several emerging artists to a directory of more than 300. A Door County residency is not required for DCAL membership. “Anyone can belong to this organization,” emphasized past president Jeanne Whildin, “and you don’t have to live in Door County. The importance of our organization is that you want to support the visual arts in Door County.”
This spring the Door County Art League has premiered its own gallery located in the Top of The Hill Shops in Fish Creek. Seasonal summer hours are Thursday through Monday, 10 – 4 pm. DCAL member Jane Delcarson has been named manager of the gallery which features the artwork of its members.
Artist demonstrations will be open to the public during the weekends. Watercolorists Barb Kenyon, Thursday, June 19, and Penny Pfister, July 21 will present throughout the day. Trattoria Dal Santo continues to serve as the “Showcase Gallery” and features DCAL artists on a rotating basis throughout the year. Charlene’s Gallery Ten in Ellison Bay is DCAL’s designated winter gallery.
The public is invited to attend an open house at the Door Community Auditorium on Wednesday, June 18, at 6 - 8 pm. “The Way We See It III” exhibitors will be present to discuss their work. Door County Art League members will provide information on their organization and membership particulars. Refreshments will be served. The public is invited to attend this event.
The Link Gallery is open Monday through Friday, 10 – 3 pm; Friday; show days, 11 – 3 pm; and during all DCA performances. For additional information contact the DCA box office at 920-868-2728. The Auditorium is located in Fish Creek on Highway 42, north of the town center.
Membership fees, donations, and sponsorships support the Door County Art League, a non-profit organization. For membership information contact DCAL president at
920-823-2532 or PO Box 405, Fish Creek, WI, 54212. The DCAL website www.doorcountyartleague.org provides complete details on all exhibits, demonstrations, and gallery information.
The Door County Art League is hosting a series of artist demonstrations and exhibits July 10 -13, August 8 - 10, and October 10 - 12. Entitled “Art in the Barn,” the special events will be hosted by Carolyn Kimbell at 8820 Hwy. 57, Baileys Harbor. The public is invited to attend these special events daily from 10 – 5 pm. For information, call DCAL at 920-868-2288

Summer Fun Video Released Today!

We just released our Summer Fun video just about an hour ago!

Take a look - it is linked to from our Homepage under New Videos on the upper left, and from our Sights & Sounds page under New Releases!

So . . . go take a peak and have some Summer Fun! Then hit the ole Comment button below and tell us what you think!

Heard on the Street - A Couple of Closings

Unfortunately, one of our favorite dining places, The Cookery in Fish Creek, has had a major fire, and the restaurant will be closed until February 2009. Very sad - Carol and Dick and their whole family are great folks, and have been running the restaurant from 1977. We will miss it for this upcoming season, and wish them a speedy return.

Also, Village Wok in Sister Bay (Country Walk Shops) has closed. A new Italian restaurant, Pasta Vino, opened in the same spot. More on that later.

If you've dined at The Cookery and liked it, please tell us below and we'll collect up a bunch of your nice comments and we'll send them along to Carol and Dick(the owners) to maybe make them feel a little bit better!

And the Wagon Trail Resort Winner is . . .

Well we quickly got to our maximum number in this special giveaway!

Thanks to Jim and Cathy for letting us give away the two night stay that they won last August - they could not use the certificate in time and let us share it with you!

And the winner is . . . . Barb Crosby! Congratulations!

Busy, Fun Day

9:00 PM and we are finally eating dinner - at Gibraltar Grill in Fish Creek.

After leaving Fred and Fuzzy's, we shot some fun video at Shoreline Restaurant in Gills Rock- after we had some of their "Sawdust Pie" - wow - pecans, graham cracker crust, coconut, some kind of rum sauce, whipped cream - whew!

Then we headed south and stopped at the Sister Bay Marina to see Captain Peder of Sail Door County, and Captain Jim of Shoreline Scenic Cruises.

Not finished yet! We headed to Fish Creek, and interviewed some folks on the street to see what they do in Door County - fun!

Ah - crab cakes are here - have to go!
Dan and Reno
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Great Day at Fred and Fuzzy's!

Just finished shooting video at Fred and Fuzzy's Waterfront Bar and Grill in Sister Bay - part of Little Sister Resort!

Now we are eating lunch here looking at the water and enjoying the sun! Ahhh great! Try it you'll like it!
BTW - hi Julie!!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Dinner. . .

Well, heading back south, we just had to stop in Door County Ice Cream & Sandwich Factory, in Sister Bay across for the Tannenbaum Holiday Shop. We met with Todd, the owner, and sampled his new sorbets - the lemon is just awesome. We shot a little video there as well, then headed over to Baileys Harbor for dinner.

In Baileys Harbor, we dined at the Florian II restaurant. We had a table at the window overlooking the lake - very nice. Food was awesome, so we asked to speak to one of the owners, chef/owner Jerry. Great guy, been doing this for 32 years, and loves it! It shows.

Fun time - now it's really time to rest.

Hooked on Whitefish Chowder

Just completed shooting video at Ephraim Shores Motel, so guess what? We stopped in at the Trollhaugen Lodge in Ephraim to see the owners, Norma and Terry - we enjoyed a nice lemonade with them, then continued north for some whitefish chowder at The Shoreline Restaurant in Gills Rock - delicious - I have a few spoonfuls left. Highly recommended!

Back to the chowder now - bye!
Dan
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Bread Pudding Break

Well, a foggy day in Door County. We just shot another video at Little Sister Resort in Sister Bay. About to shoot another but we just finished some great soup and super bread pudding at the Second Story Restaurant, above Ephraim Shores Motel - awesome!

Well . . . Back to work!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Just in . . . Casey's

Just arrived - ordered ribs, so let's see. Hey, I just saw "Wheels" cooking in the kitchen! You might remember him making great pizzas at Digger's in Fish Creek for over 20 years!
Meats here are smoked.
Ribs: smoked, so not the boiled kind - good flavor, great sauce.
Prime rib sandwich - tender and flavorful, with a Jack Daniels reduction sauce - nice!
So far so good!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Seafood Chowder Break!

Well, we are still in Baileys Harbor - now at Weisgerber's enjoying a nice bowl of seafood chowder, which goes real nice with an Island Wheat beer, I hear :)

More later! See you in Door County!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Video and Coffee - What Else!

Well, we're shooting more video - 4 more resort videos and a restaurant too. Just finished shooting in Fish Creek at Harbor Guest House - should be up in a couple of weeks. We are taking a coffee break right now at Custard's Last Stand in Baileys Harbor - ahh a nice warm coffee - it's a bit chilly outside and this takes the edge off!

Later we'll head to Casey's in Egg Harbor for dinner - maybe! See ya there!
Dan + Reno
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Who Wants 2 Free Nights in Door County?

Some of our loyal users from Illinois, Jim and Cathy, notified us that they could not use the Two Night Stay that they won last August at the Wagon Trail Resort in Rowleys Bay. The certificate must be used by August 5th 2008, and is for accommodations in the Main Lodge, a whirlpool Room, subject to advance reservations and availability. No extensions are possible, no refunds, no cash value. It excludes July and August festivals and holidays.

So - who wants it? If you do, make sure you can use it by the expiration date - we WANT someone to win who can use it! Here is what we will do: we will award this prize to one of the first 20 Comments made on this entry, by 20 different people (don't enter more than once, and don't enter more than once per physical address)!

Here is what you have to do:

1) Leave a Comment below, indicating in your own way that you would like to win! Use your First Name and last initial.

2) THEN you must send me an email saying that you posted on the BLOG, and provide your full name, address, phone number and email address. Send me an email at Dan@DoorCountyNavigator.com.

When we hit 20 Comments by 20 different individuals here, and emails are received by me for each entry, we will do a random drawing from the 20 names, and one will be awarded!

So, let's get going!

Heard on the Street

Dateline: Egg Harbor! We have yet to check it out, but what was once a bar on the south end of downtown Egg Harbor called, Lena's, Bub's Pub, 19th Hole (and other bars in the past) is now reopened as "John Henry's." We hear they will have bar-type food til late, and mainly be a bar. Well, good for Egg Harbor to have another place to go at night.

We will check it out. . .maybe this week!

June Giveaway has Begun! You Could Stay at the Lull-Abi Inn!

The Two-Night Stay at the Lull-Abi Inn in Egg Harbor has begun! Running all through June,you have lots of opportunity to enter the Giveaway and increase your chances of winning!

AND - IF you are a DoorCountyNavigator.com email Subscriber you received an alert today about the Giveaway, and some special instructions in the email about how to get 10 extra entries! So subscribe now if you are not already registered!

After you enter the first time too, you will receive an email confirming your entry, and in it will be additional ways to earn more entries! Have fun! See you in Door County soon!