Every once in a blue moon my husband and I like to take a day off of work, when the kids are at school and daycare, to spend some quality time with one another.  I’d like to call it, a break from the insanity, and it’s simply wonderful.  That day started out like any other day.   We got dressed and went out to breakfast.  We aren’t the type of people to sit home and waste the day, and living in Door County, why would we want to?  We drove through town when suddenly we spotted a group of people on Segways. As it turned out, Segway the Door Tours was doing an “Everything Sturgeon Bay” Tour.  I asked the Gentleman when their next tour would be and before you know it, there we were, Helmets on and going through our training.  There’s usually always a training session on how to appropriately use your Segway. We were each given an opportunity to get on/off the Segway, and a quick loop around the room.  Luis (of course) was a pro. I, on the other hand weebled and wobbled (but I didn’t fall down) Believe it or not, it’s not as hard as it may seem.  “It’s no different than standing” as our instructor kept trying to instill in us.  Within 10 minutes we were on our Segways lined up on Historic Downtown Sturgeon Bay’s 3^rd Ave, and away we were.   Our first stop was underneath the Oregon Street Bridge where we were given a brief history lesson on that and the Historic Michigan Ave Steel Bridge.  We then traveled on through the beautiful Gardens of the White Lace Inn B&B.  After more stops through town we were back at our home base. The experience lasted about 45 minutes but the memories we made that day will last much longer.

With Segway the Door Tours you can choose your adventure, From Shipwrecks to nature in Sturgeon Bay, amazing views of Peninsula State Park in Fish Creek, the Lighthouse Tours of Baileys Harbor, the High Bluffs and Picturesque Roads of Ellison Bluff County Park in Ellison Bay, or a half day scenic tour of Washington island.    You can even bring the fun to you with private parties.

For more information, rates and reservations, contact Segway the Door Tours at 1-920-376-0256 or email segway@doorcounty.com You can also visit their website at www.segwaythedoor.com.  The staff is knowledgeable, friendly and you are guaranteed to have a GREAT time!!

I’d been waiting and waiting for it to open.  It’s next to what used to be “The Ladder House”, in the building that was “The Third Avenue Café”.  Over the course of the summer the whole interior has been re-done, a new name and a new awning has gone up and the food and ambiance is just this side of spectacular … To all those who have been waiting with bated breath … buon appetito!

Who are they?  T.J. Samonds is the Chef.  T.J. was born and raised here (Sturgeon Bay) then left to get his education and work ina professional high quality kitchen (Hyatt) and see the world (Italy).   He’s home now and he and Illinois businessman,  John Martin Brasch Jr., who owns a home in Sturgeon Bay, joined forces to decide on the type of atmosphere and fare a new restaurant in town should have, and they decided on Italian-American and called it “John Martin’s” in honor of John’s father.

Inside the new décor is simple, warm and inviting.  A red brick wall with the name and slogan “John Martin’s – Where Customers become Friends” is the focal point, and the colors are warm red and dandelion, with heavy chairs and dark flecked table tops.  The restaurant has a beer and wine license and an expansive bar with a couple of flat screen TV’s.   You are welcome to order and eat from the menu at the bar or in the main dining room.

I sampled TJ’s Rack of Lamb (served with chef’s selection of vegetables, super thin cut sweet potato fries set on top and a serving of apple mint jam and his Panko and Thyme encrusted Whitefish (with red potatoes, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, arugula, lemon aioli and basil oil) a couple of weeks ago during a photo shoot and was very impressed.  TJ has a heavy emphasis both on from-scratch cooking and fresh quality ingredients which results in interesting, fresh flavors.  He also is strong on balance, which you can best appreciate if you try his chili.  TJ has a way with balancing sweet and spicy, and he has created a flavor both complex and hearty, with enough of a kick to make it well worth ordering.

When we first decided to eat out on MY watch (it was a Tuesday and this means if I am not cooking, I am paying) I had suggested we grab a burger.  Bill agreed and suggested we go to John Martin’s.  I was thinking John Martin’s lunch menu was also available at night* and I looked forward to a burger or a BBQ chicken sandwich.  As we looked at the menu, it became clear that John Martin’s has separate lunch and dinner menus.  I looked at Bill.  He was grinning.  I think he thought he’d pulled one over on me. (*TJ has since told me he will accommodate requests for lunch menu items at night as long as he is not too busy)

So when Bill ordered the Pork Tenderloin (over red potatoes with Brussels sprouts and bacon and sage finished with apple maple glaze) for $16.95, I was a little miffed.  I ordered the Rigatoni Marinara (Rigatoni tossed in Marinara and Arugula topped with Goat Cheese and your choice of Jumbo Grilled Shrimp or Chicken Breast) priced at $9.95.

Imagine my glee when our plates were presented (pasta selections are priced from $8.95 to $11.95) and Bill’s mouth fell open.   My pasta dish looked and tasted fabulous.  There were no fewer than three nice sized shrimp on my plate and the goat cheese (which I like, not love, and only when it is fresh) tasted wonderful.  I knew Bill would love the pork tenderloin (and he did) because it an artful dish and is skillfully prepared.  What tickled me the most, though, is that my $9.95 pasta made him have second thoughts about HIS choice and it was prepared with skill, fresh ingredients AND was below my price point.  Take THAT Bill!

John Martin’s is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (year around) and their slogan “Where customers become friends” is fast becoming a wholehearted theme of the restaurant.   Stop and see them soon!

Everyone’s heard of all the great food products that are made in Door County like the wine, preserves, coffee and candy, but we often forget that there are also some great non perishable things too.  Whenever friends and family visit they always take time to shop, mostly because they want to take a piece of Door County home with them.   This got me thinking that instead of buying all my holiday gifts online, last minute, why not go out and see what I can find around town.

From this point forward my family and friends are banned from reading the rest of this blog until after the holidays. Sorry – spoiler alert!

The first place I found was Fish Creek Moccasin Works just down the road from my house.  My mom is notorious for having cold feet, and wears out those big fuzzy slippers in a matter of months, so having some custom made moccasins, that actually last, is the perfect gift.  They also repair golf bags and create hats, slings and boots from hunting excursions so if I can’t find something for my husband or my dad I’ll definitely be back.

Next stop was more fun than anything because it always brings back so many great memories.  Candleworks of Door County is one of those places you can spend hours walking down the rows of candles, smelling each one to try and find the perfect scent, only to find that in the end that you grabbed one of each anyway.   Let me explain…I had to have the Sugar Cookie and Banana Nut Bread because it reminded me of my mom, the Door County Cherry because it’s my favorite, the Lilac because no matter where I lived growing up we always had lilac trees, the Northwoods because it reminds me of some of my favorite times camping, the….well you get the point.  It’s a simple gift but when you give a candle that reminds you of camping to my sister, she will tell remember when stories all night long and it makes the holidays together that much more special.

The next ten stops were at various galleries where I found personalized gift ware, photography, paintings and sculptures by local artists.  I knocked of at least 5 people from my list and didn’t break the bank doing it.  There are so many great galleries around town it was hard not to redecorate my house in the process.

Final stop every year is any place I can get a “Nobody loves me more than me” gift.  It may sound selfish but everyone is entitled to at least one gift a year to reward them of all the stresses and successes they’ve gotten through.  That and you’ll never be disappointed because it’s “exactly what you wanted!”  This year it’s a piece of handmade jewelry from one of the most eclectic shops in the County.  When you walk in Samara’s you feel like you’re walking into a gallery versus a jewelry store because every piece is so unique.   This year I set my eyes on a custom made stone necklace, or maybe the earrings….

One “might” wonder what there is to do and see in Door County after the colors of fall have diminished and the weather has cooled. One “might” be very surprised. Although a few things do close for the winter months, some of my favorite times in the county are in the fall and winter months.

I have seen some spectacular views on the water and around the bluffs of Door County during inclement weather. The strong gales on the water and the waves crashing into the bluffs are very picturesque with forever changing views. Sitting on the rocks under a large cedar tree listening to the waves crash is most definitely very serene and relaxing.

“CheeseCake, Etc.”

When a new restaurant or shop has a really, really good product, sometimes it surprises me how long it takes to get the word out. The reason for this Blog is to tell you about CheeseCake, Etc. in Sister Bay so you can be sure not to miss it yet this season.

CheeseCake, Etc. is going into its second year and is located in the garden level of the Country Walk Shops in Sister Bay. (To get there: drive behind the Piggly Wiggly, in front of Paper Work Plus /Innovative Printing) down to the lower level, park and walk past Village Clothier & Consignment Shop; you’ll see some outdoor seating and then look for CheeseCake, Etc.)

Inside CheeseCake, Etc. you see brightly colored walls, plenty of seating, a display case with some of the most mouthwatering selection of cheesecakes EVER, (offered as a whole cake, by the slice, mini and a tiny two- mouthful sized servings), a table with loaves of freshly baked bread, an ice cream case with over 24 varieties of Chocolate Shoppe ice cream (The Madison-based quality ice cream brand with the funky cow) and a Steep & Brew coffee bar behind the customer service area. Most days you’ll also see either Henry Cifre or Janae Dell behind the cash register ready to take your order. On weekends and in the summer, you might see Belkis or Scott Dell, or bread baker Manuel Cifre. Henry and Manuel bake the bread. Belkis is the cheesecake “master”, and she is the one with the creativity and skill to create these fabulously fresh, sweet and tantalizing taste sensations. Born in the Dominican Republic, baking has been in her family for over three generations. Everything is made from “secret family recipes” and everything she touches in the shop is made with the skill and caring of an artist.

Henry and Janae are the “next generation” and you will find their cheerful outlook on life and their genuine love of people truly refreshing. Belkis, if you meet her, will undoubtedly strike you as humble and angelic, and Scott Bell, the father, is high energy and obviously loves what he does.

Henry told me his Mom (Belkis) always stocks their original cheese cake with sour cream topping, a New York cheesecake, and a chocolate cheesecake, made with chocolate cookie crust. This time the chocolate cheese cake was TRIPLE chocolate (Yum!) and a Baileys Irish Crème cheesecake and a chocolate chip cheesecake were the “special” cheese cakes. Henry was quick to point out that all of the cakes his Mom makes are prepared with the highest quality ingredients and EVERYTHING she does she does by hand, including the graham cracker and chocolate cookie crusts. When I asked him to tell me more about the sour cream topping on the “original”, he told me with a serious expression that it was “sour cream” and then he grinned and said “I can’t tell you. “That’s a family secret” and that was all I could get out of him. Eating a bite of their original cheese cake was pure heaven. Smooth, sweet (but not too), rich and … FRESH.

In addition to incredible cheesecake, CheeseCake, Etc. also makes incredible bread. The varieties offered are spicy cheese bread, raisin challah (braided Jewish egg bread), regular challah and honey wheat. Last week I bought a loaf of the spicy cheese bread (which comes as a round bread) and between Bill and I, it was gone in two days. Made from a family recipe (are you surprised?) this bread is made with fresh red peppers, parsley and chives and stuffed with provolone and Monterey jack cheeses. The result is a moist, flavorful bread with a nice “kick” that would be wonderful with a variety of soups had we not eaten it so quickly. Margaret and Jerry Needelman (Margaret co-owns Hudson Road Trading Company, a shop specializing in artisan jewelry of local, national and international artists located at 10647 N. Bay Shore Drive, downtown Sister Bay) stopped at CheeseCake, Etc. during my visit with Henry. They told me they consider the challah to be “dessert bread” and that the loaf only lasts a couple of days at their house. That’s what I’ll be trying next time …

Other wonderful things Cheesecake, etc. offers are Steep & Brew coffee made fresh every cup, freshly made sandwiches, .99 waffles, and every day in season (and on weekends in the off-season), a variety of soups (made by Belkis) like chicken noodle, matzo ball, tomato & red pepper and vegetable, each and every one made by hand from … are you ready? … Secret family recipes!

Cheesecake, etc. is in the lower level at the Country Walk Mall (the mall anchored by Piggly Wiggly & Top Shelf Gourmet Shop) right before you reach downtown Sister Bay. CheeseCake Etc. can and will bake cheese cakes to order, so think about them next time you have a special occasion and they just obtained their beer & wine license, so now you can enjoy wine with your cheese (cake), or a beer with Packer Football on Sundays on their big screen TV. They’ll be staying open year around (Winter weekends) & they offer free wi-fi, so stop soon and be sure to tell them Martha sent you.

Growing up in a big city and seeing nothing but perhaps a squirrel or chipmunk every now and then, I always looked forward to going to the petting zoo and visiting the animals.  My mother would buy me a bag of animal feed and I would walk up to the fence and feed the goats (my favorite part).  It was such a treat.  They were so absolutely adorable and all I wanted to do was squeeze and cuddle them (of course, I couldn’t from behind the fence).   Having such fond memories as a child, I leaped at the opportunity to share that experience with my two boys.

It was a warm and sunny Tuesday afternoon.  I just happened to have the day off and my oldest (The “I’m always bored” one) asked what we were going to do.  I had heard of THE FARM from a friend of mine who had recently taken her two young children.  I decided that it would be a great way to spend some time.  Boy, if I thought feeding goats through a fence at the City Zoo was fun, this was Mardi Gras.  As we walked in, we were greeted by a member of the staff who gave us a map to the property.  After paying our admission, we were given tickets (for a small fee) to redeem for feed and bottles.   As we walked through the back door we were greeted by a almost dozen baby goats, just itching to play (and eat).  I was amazed at how” hands on” it was.  We had the opportunity to feed and pet goats, sheep, kittens, rabbits and many other large and small animals.

It was wonderful to watch my boys interact with their favorite animals.  It warmed my heart to see how loving and gentle they were.    It was a great way to spend an afternoon and I will definitely go back for years to come.   THE FARM is located 4 miles North of Sturgeon Bay, WI and is open Memorial Day-Mid October.  Admission is $8.00 for Adults 13 and Older, $4.00 for Children ages 4-12 and Free for Children under 3.

When I’m out of town and tell people I’m from Door County I frequently get the same comment,  “Oh, I love Door County but everything is sooo expensive”. My response back is generally always the same when  I tell them they just need to know where to go.  I live here year round and I’m not on a millionaires salary so knowing the good stops is a need to know.   Just to prove my point, that you can still be a tourist and stretch your dollar without sacrificing quality, I’ve listed just a few of my favorite stops.

Breakfast:

• The Bistro inside Liberty Square has a “Fill-Me-Up” breakfast from 8-11am for $4.99 that includes all you can eat hash browns.  (Pretty sure even McDonalds doesn’t have anything of that quantity that cheap and definitely not as good)

Brunch

• Hands down brunch has to be Alexander’s in Fish Creek.  On Sundays they put on a spread like no other with cook to serve omelets, gourmet salads, tons of fruit with specialty breakfast and lunch dishes.  They even include mimosa’s and the whole shebang is right around $15 a person.  The last time I checked my coffee and breakfast sandwich from Starbucks cost more than that.

Lunch

• Now the Harbor Fish Market is one of my all time favorite stops for every meal but when I can’t afford the luxury dinner and bottle of wine I can still stop in for a beer and a burger at the bar with the same quality food and service.  They offer a gourmet burger with lettuce, tomato and onion on a toasted Kaiser roll with fries for right around $5.00.  Enough said.

Dinner

• The Nautical Inn in Sturgeon Bay has an all-you-can eat pasta buffet featuring two types of soup, garlic bread, salad bar, and a variety of pasta sauces and topping choices for $8.25 for dinner or $6.95 for lunch.
• Kitty O’Reillys has great drink specials at happy hour and a fish fry on Fridays for $9.99.

Groceries

• You can’t beat the prices at the farmers markets and it’s all grown local and fresh.  During the summer and fall there is just about one every day of the week.
• Scaturo’s two for one bread specials on Wednesdays

Attractions & Tours

• Free concerts in the park throughout the county
• Free wine tasting at Door Peninsula Winery, Harbor Ridge, Simon Creek and Lautenbach’s
• Geo-Caching
• 5 State Parks- Passes start at $3 for the day and include access to beaches, boating, diving, fishing, hiking and biking trails.
• Take a scenic ferry ride across Death’s Door to Washington Island for $12.
• Schopf’s Dairy – Free ice cream tasting

It’s Friday and I am in northern Door visiting members, picking up brochures and checking to be sure no one is misbehaving (only kidding).  I stopped to pick up Susan Schieble, the manager of member business Champeau Floor Coverings in Sister Bay.  The last time we had spoken business was somewhat slow, so I was delighted to hear it had now picked up and there was enough happening that she was feeling productive and happy.  We decided we should lunch at the Sister Bay Café in downtown Sister Bay because it’s close for Susan, and because it’s a good place to have a girl lunch (Which is not to say boys can’t be delighted with lunch there, it’s just I’d heard owners Sue and David Daubner know how to make a salad, and salads have long been classified as girl food).

When we arrived we passed the troll in the lobby (I love him) and were seated at a nice center table. The atmosphere at the Café is very Norwegian with a color scheme of blues and red with white lace, which is both cheerful and charming. We greeted owner Sue Daubner who was seated at an adjoining table.  I have to confess I immediately wanted to have the Bergen Special (a perch sandwich with dill sauce) the Pepper Jack cheeseburger with bacon or the Club sandwich (a triple decker BLT with turkey) all of which I have had before, but with my husband, Bill, or my kids.  AND THEN I wanted to have the Sister Bay Café’s bread pudding with lemon sauce for dessert, because it is the best in the universe, and it won a place at my last Thanksgiving’s Day-after celebration at home, because Sue Daubner shares recipes.  I ended up sticking with the “girl lunch” theme of the day because Susan Schieble knows a ton about Sister Bay since she’s a Sister Bay local, so when she selected the Fresh Mixed Greens Salad, I went with that.  Susan and I chatted about the busy Door County season and life in the County overall … and then I spotted someone at a nearby table get the BLT.  I had to remind myself of the merits of girl lunches; the BLT looked wonderful and I could see the sliced turkey and smell the bacon…

A moment later our lunch was served and it looked delightful.  A gorgeous mound of green and red lettuce, topped a healthy portion of feta cheese over pear slices, walnuts and craisins.  The dressing was a wonderful balsamic vinaigrette.  It always amazes me when I eat a salad with things I wouldn’t have thought to combine and it tastes so good.  The sweetness of the craisins and the pears “popped” against the earthy walnut and oaky balsamic flavors, the greens were fresh and perky and the feta was the perfect touch.  The salads at the Sister Bay Café are priced in the range of $7.95 to $11.25.  All of the sandwiches run from $8.25 to $11.25 and some of them are geared to those of us who think we might have Scandinavian taste buds, like the Lillehammburger, a 9 oz. Olympic-sized burger with havarti cheese and a side of lingonberries, or the Lefse wrap of the day.  The Café is also open for breakfast and dinner, and in both cases has enough Norwegian touches to please a Norwegian, or anyone looking for something a little bit different.  The Sister Bay Café is right downtown Sister Bay and has a gift shop and a custard stand all under the same roof.  Jeg liker Norsk!

Cherry season is one of my favorite times of year in Door County.  Every year we venture out to one of the many orchards and pick until our hands are stained red.  Whether the cherries are early or late August 1st always seems to be a safe bet that the trees will be full. I’ll never forget my first year picking.  We found out it was cheaper to pick your own so my husband and I set out to pick 12 gallons of cherries.  I’ll never forget the look on the little girls face when she asked us how many bags we needed and then found out there were only two of us to fill them. “You know you can order them by the 5 gallon pail pre-picked right?” she said.  I think she thought we were going to be there for days.  It really didn’t take that long but after we filled our first bucket we knew we were in for the long hall. A few hours later the car was loaded and we were up to our eye balls in cherries…literally because I think you end up eating as many as you pick.

The next step is to figure out all the crazy things you can do with the cherries.  Just about every year we make cherry bounce, cherries soaked in alcohol and sugar, that are ready for consumption right around the holidays.  Believe me when I tell you my entire family looks forward to each year’s batch, it makes for quite the get-together. This year we decided to do something new- cherry butter.  For those of you that don’t know what cherry butter is you have to try it.   It’s cooked down until its thicker than jam or preserves and is just about the same consistency as butter.  You can spread it on bread or use it to dip pretzels in.  We took it one step further and threw in a habenero and some brandy.  That right cherry habenero brandy butter!  Sounds crazy but it makes and unbelievable turkey sandwich.  Now to find something even more creative for next year!

I recently went for a ride up to northern Door County to see the ever-changing views along the water.  Ellison Bluff County Park was my first stop.  I have been there several times and like to return frequently to view the wonders of Door County.  As I walked down the walkway closer to the edge of the bluff, the harder it became to breathe.  It wasn’t because of a lengthy walk, but rather the beautiful scenery took my breath away.  Even though it was a cloudy day, it was just as beautiful as the first time I was there.

After leaving Ellison Bluff County Park, my next destination was Door Bluff Headlands County Park.  It was such a great place for a bit of excitement and MORE beautiful scenery.    It was exciting to hike down through the woods to the beach because it wasn’t just walking down a flat path but rather an exciting climb down the bluffs to the beach.  I took my time and stopped frequently to look around because it seemed like after every step I took, there was a different view of the trees growing through the rocky bluffs.  It is so interesting to see what lies below the surface in Door County and is so amazing to see how great big trees can grow in mostly all rock.

When I got to the bottom of the bluffs and walked out on the beach, I was impressed yet again.  Visitors that had previously visited the beach on separate occasions had taken branches that washed up on the beach and stood them up to form a tee-pee.  Other visitors had made small rock pyramids.  When I started the little climb to get back up to the parking lot, everything looked different again from the perspective of looking up rather than down.  It was a great little hike!!!

Summertime in Door County.  For those of you who have experienced it, just saying those first four words seems to force your eyes to close, and you sigh deeply as you reminisce about the incredible things you did when you were in Door County.  You have a few precious moments when you block out the ringing of the phone, the screaming kids or the sounds of traffic around you.  You can think about what summertime in Door County means to you.

For me, summertime means endless opportunities to see plays.  We are very fortunate to have many venues for the performing arts, and especially the theatres that perform “under the stars”.  American Folklore Theatre, Door Shakespeare and Peninsula Players are 3 of these in Door County.

Too often I find myself in the middle of August and realizing that I haven’t been to all three of these star-worshiping places and I have to scramble to make time to see a show.  This year has been quite different from most in the past: I’ve made a commitment to myself to get out and play tourist in my own town on a regular basis.  Of course, that means that our house and the gardens have suffered so that I can play, but so far I have no regrets (Phil hasn’t fully embraced my 2011 carefree attitude… yet.  I’ll do the laundry tomorrow.  Yeah, tomorrow.  Definitely.)!

My first outdoor performance for the summer of 2011 was AFT’s “Bing! The Cherry Musical”, with Phil and Hadley.  Driving off the highway in Fish Creek and slowing down to enjoy the winding roads of Peninsula State Park helped to put us in the mood to sit back, relax and enjoy after a day of work.  After parking the car in the designated field, we casually strolled along a path in the woods before we arrived at the outdoor theatre.  AFT has upgraded from the split logs that once served as seats and they now have rows and rows of wood benches with backs to enjoy their shows.  This year, they are offering 3 different musical comedies during the summer, and 2 for the fall season – all their shows are family-friendly and SO enjoyable!  The opening act for “Bing! The Cherry Musical” is a cherry pit spitting contest with volunteers from the audience.  Hadley’s hand shot in the air so fast and she was selected as a contestant along with 2 others.  It’s a great warm-up for those of us in the audience – we were already laughing before the play itself began!

A couple of weeks later we had the opportunity to attend Door Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”.  Their theatre is set up at Bjorklunden, south of Baileys Harbor.  Again, after a long day of work, Hadley and 3 of our friends set out to see what a “roaming performance” was all about.  Door Shakespeare is experimenting with something new this year at 2 performances a week for “Twelfth Night”.  After we were seated, we were given the option of roaming the grounds to see some of the opening scenes, or staying in our seats.  We opted to roam and set off towards the shore of Lake Michigan to watch as Viola appeared after having been shipwrecked.  After that, we followed along to the next scene where we were introduced to Sir Toby, Sir Andrew and Maria.  One more scene helped to lay the groundwork for the story that was about to unfold back at the main theatre setting.  We fully enjoyed the roaming option and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Door Shakespeare also takes audience participation and interaction to a new level: handing various items to audience members, talking directly to others, and once even pulling a woman from the crowd to be part of a scene.  Well done!!  Seating for Door Shakespeare is individual folding chairs set on risers……. Or, treat yourself to seating in the Queen’s Box which offers the only overhead cover with royal tenting.  Door Shakespeare is also performing “Pride & Prejudice” this summer on alternating nights from “Twelfth Night”.

Both AFT and Door Shakespeare use their outdoor setting to their advantage: At AFT, on especially windy or slightly rainy nights, you feel more a part of the play – especially with “Bing!”, which has the majority of their scenes in an outdoor setting.  As the massive trees around you sway and leaves twitter, the cherry orchard is within reach.  Door Shakespeare uses a natural hill as their stage, with the only set being a gate at the rear of the “stage”, an open doorway at stage-left, and a bench or two.  Actors pull branches from trees around them as disguises and run across the open area surrounding the seats, appearing and disappearing from all directions.

At Peninsula Players, their beginnings were every bit as humble: starting in 1935 in the open-air, later improvements included draping canvas over the audience, and today a magnificent roofed, open-sided structure has been so beautifully placed in the wooded surroundings that it still feels like the trees are unobstructed overhead… and the occasional theatre-loving bat still flies through.

Solid performances and impressive set designs are assured at Peninsula Players.  Somehow they manage to put together 5 shows each summer between mid-June and mid-October, each one with about a 2-1/2 week run.  This summer, my sister Pamela drove up from Green Bay after work one day and after a tasty dinner in Egg Harbor, we were treated to a performance of “The Importance of Being Earnest” that still has me shaking my head and chuckling.  I just love that English humor and the nonsense that always surrounds mistaken (and false) identities!!  We loved the entire night – from the delicious drink in the beer garden, watching the sun drop lower in the sky over the Bay, striking up conversations with some of our county’s visitors and taking pictures of groups who needed an amateur photographer “on-the-spot”.

Seeing a play at these theatres isn’t just about the show – it’s about the memories you create that surround the play.  It’s about the appreciation for the actors who strive for perfection with an intensely shortened rehearsal period.  It’s about the surroundings of the theatre that have everything to do with nature.  It’s about closing your eyes and enjoying the moment that you’re in, so when that phone starts ringing and the kids are screaming and the traffic noise is unrelenting………. You have something incredible to remember about your time in Door County.

One thing that never gets old in Door County are the festivals.  There are holiday festivals, food festivals, blossom festivals, welcoming of the season festivals, end of the season festivals – you name it – there’s a festival.   As a local you get to experience the fun first hand and if you tried to experience them all I’m pretty sure it’d just be considered goofing around.

January first, noon sharp, starts the first major Door County event of the year – the Jacksonport Polar Bear plunge.   It all started when a couple of brothers decided the weather was just a little too warm and they needed to do some cooling off.  Now, 25 years later nearly 1000 people turn out to jump in the frigid waters of Lake Michigan.

You’d think a dive into icy waters would be enough chill to keep you indoors for the rest of the season, but then in February the Fish Creek Winter Festival takes the lead.  Hundreds of people come out of the wood work to compete in ridiculous games like minnow races, toilet seat toss and ice volleyball.

Throughout the spring there are blossom festivals with Scottie Dog parades, music festivals with classical chamber music and, believe it or not, there is even a side pork festival the first week of June which, ironically enough, involves a 5k run.  Summer kicks off with the Steel Bridge Festival highlighting over 100 bands and soloists on 10 stages.  If that doesn’t appeal to you wait a week and there is a lighthouse festival, paddle festival and the welcoming of the summer solstice festival in Ephraim – Fyr Bal.   My favorite time of year in Door County has got to be the Fourth of July. All the communities come together and the celebrations stretch from the bottom of the Peninsula all the way up to Washington Island.  It doesn’t matter if it’s a weekday or weekend you are sure to get your fill of music, parades, fireworks and arts and crafts.

I don’t know about you but I’m only half way through the year and we are just scratching the surface on this whole festival thing in Door County.  Next on the agenda is the Folk Festival, Plein Air Festival, Scandinavian Festival, Classic & Wooden boat show festival, Cherry Festival, Door County Festival of the Arts, West Fest, Tug Fest, Marina Fest, Corn Fest, Harvest Fest, Autumn Fest, Pumpkin Patch Festival, Fall Fun Fest and finally to cap off the season Fall Fest in Sister Bay.   This isn’t even all of them!

For a full list of events go to www.doorcounty.com/events

One day, more than a month ago, on my drive back home to Baileys Harbor from work in Sturgeon Bay, I noticed a very large and very colorful square stuck to the side of a barn on Highway 57, just south of Sevastopol Schools.  It was one of those things that just caught my attention for a tiny moment as I was zooming by (but completely obeying the speed limit, mind you).  Who knows how many more times I went past before I noticed it again.  And then, yet again.  So I started wondering “what’s with that…. ‘thing’?”

Lucky for me, I happen to know that the people at the Door County Visitor Bureau can point anyone in the right direction!  It turns out that there is an organized project in Door County that is putting these colorful objects on our rural landscape.  They are known as Barn Quilts.  Of course, keeping things simple (at least initially) I wanted to know where I could see more of them!  So, I picked up a brochure had just been printed and distributed this month – it provides the locations for 23 different Barn Quilts in Door County.

It doesn’t take much to convince me to get behind the wheel of my car and drive.  Somehow, I manage to put on more than 30,000 miles a year without leaving Door County very often!!  According to the Barn Quilts of Door County Location Guide, there’s another one on my drive home that I had never noticed, and another that I had passed on one of my occasional trips to Green Bay.  Within a week, I had seen 5 of them without much effort.  Actually, I saw 6 of them:  Kewaunee County has the same project and there is one right down the road from my brother-in-law’s place just south of the Door-Kewaunee county line.

They’re beautiful.  Simply beautiful.  Each has its own individual design and colors, with descriptions like “Apple Tree”, “Crazy Quilt”, “North Star” and “Storm at Sea”.  I know that I’m not doing them justice to only view them as I’m cruising past, traveling at highway speeds.  They deserve my attention, to allow myself time to really see the pattern within each quilt.  But, now I’m getting more curious and I want to know more about them and how they came to be.

The brochure explains that the Door County Barn Quilt Program started in 2010 and the driving force behind it is the Door County UW-Extension office.  This project has successfully combined history, agriculture, architecture and art and is encouraging education and economic development, as well.  Wow!  So much for keeping it simple!  The majority of them are in the Southern part of our county and I’m always looking for a reason to explore my old “stomping grounds” again.

These Barn Quilts are wooden blocks that are anywhere from 6 – 8 square feet and are painted a variety of colors – vibrant, beautiful colors that jump off the side of the host barns.  I wonder how I could have ever missed them!!  There must have been dozens, if not hundreds, of volunteers who helped create them – 4-H & FFA members, adult leaders and volunteers, other youth helpers.  It’s more than a beautiful addition to our remarkable landscape – it’s another example of what an incredible community Door County is.  All these people, coming together to create something that they believe in: without pay, without fanfare.  And, we’re the ones who benefit from their hard work, skill, talent, and passion.

It’s so easy to wander into a gallery in one of our lovely downtown areas and to gaze upon the beauty that is perfectly displayed and maintained.  We are so fortunate to have that opportunity.  But, to have our rural landscape transformed into a random, unexpected display of art…. well, it sure makes you realize that you just never know where you’re going to find art.  So, as you’re driving around Door County, turn off the highway, slow down and enjoy the scenery of the back roads.  You just might be rewarded with one of 23 Barn Quilts!  Or – keep it simple and pick up a Barn Quilt brochure and follow the map.  Whatever you decide, enjoy yourself.

Door County, like most places in the Country has had some pretty interesting weather lately.   There’s nothing quite like having a 90 degree sun shiny day and a 50 Degree rainy day all in the same week.  Fortunately, for such occasions Door County has plenty of Indoor activities. To keep us occupied.  That being said, we decided it would be a great day to visit the Door County Maritime Museum

My son, who had gone earlier in the year on a class field trip, was quite the tour guide and led us through the museum.  The main exhibit, the Haunted Lighthouses of the Great Lakes, was my favorite.  Reading tales of all mysterious phenomena, viewing pictures and watching the videos were very interesting.  “I don’t believe in ghosts Mom,” my cynical 8 year old chimed in, while tightly squeezing my hand.

As we moved through the Museum my husband found an area of model ships that he absolutely fell in love with.  This was especially true when he came across a U.S. Coast Guard Cutter that was the exactly likeness of the cutter where he was stationed in the Coast Guard (right here in Sturgeon Bay).  He beamed with pride while explaining what every part of that cutter was and its purpose.

Between the model ships, ghost tales and so much more, it was a great way to spend the day.  We ended our visit with a trip to the gift shop where bought a poster and a key chain to remember our day.  Yet another day well spent in the County we call home.

Sometimes I just get sick of walking the aisles at the grocery store week after week after week.  I start to think to myself, if I were on vacation would I walk through a chain grocery store our get out and experience all that the communities have to offer.  There are so many family run businesses in Door County that sometimes making the extra effort to visit them makes it all worth the while.  Not to mention that June is a gorgeous time of year to see all the new blooms.

I usually start my shopping adventure in Southern Door at Renard’s Cheese.  They have some of the strangest and best cheese combinations you’ll ever taste and it’s all made locally by the Renard family.  My favorite has to be the Tomato Basil Cheddar and if you are a mash potato lover you have to try mixing the Cream Cheese and Chive Spread into your next batch of mashed baby reds.  Unlike your most grocery stores they always have fresh samples to taste and, as of yet, I haven’t been kicked out for trying too many.

I then head north on Hwy 57  and take a detour on County Rd S where I find Weinke’s Market.  They’ve been around for over 40 years and have some of the best homemade preserves and pickles around.  They too have samples and they too have yet to kick me out for trying too many.

After Weinke’s I head back into Sturgeon Bay to Scaturo’s.  This family owned bakery and café is my bread stop.  They do homemade specialty breads and on Wednesday’s they do a two for one special.   I wish I could say I only stop on Wednesdays but the thought of fresh baked bread for dinner keeps me coming back on a regular basis.

Right next door to Scaturo’s is Marchant’s, my meat stop.  Marchant’s has a great meat counter and they always have a cutter on site so I can get exactly what I’m looking for.   Even if I don’t know what I want they have meat already cut and more in their freezers.

Starting this month and running thru October there are farmers markets almost every day of the week up and down the Peninsula.   This stop usually rounds out my shopping list.  There are so many great deals I generally load up my car with a month worth of produce and end up freezing it for future meals.  There are just too many choices to leave any behind.  A great resource for finding all the farmers markets is the Orchard and Farm Market brochure of Door County.  Its available for easy download here.

Last fall I visited the Mink River Basin late in the day to try to find a time to chat with its owner, Linden Ray.  Mink River Basin is right “downtown” in Ellison Bay, in the same locale as The Viking Restaurant and about a block from the Savory Spoon.  When I arrived, I found Linden behind the bar with four customers.  He gave me a big smile and teased me for the amount of time since my last visit as he poured a tap beer.  Just then, a customer came in the front door and sat at the bar, and Linden put the beer he’d just poured in front of him.  The bar’s door opened and I watched the same thing happen again.  Without appearing to even look toward the door, Linden had poured the beer the customer wanted and set it down without any conversation.  Another customer came in.  It happened again.  Aside from an exchange like “How ya doin?” no words passed between them.  While he waited on these new arrivals, he asked what he could get for me.  I said I was just there to chat when he had a moment, but I couldn’t help but express amazement about what I had witnessed.  He grinned and said, “I would’ve known what YOU wanted, too, if you ever came to see me.”  He’d scored a point.

So, after the long winter, I decided to meet Mary Ellen Sisulak, resident artist and owner of the Turtle Ridge Gallery on Mink River Road in Ellison Bay at the Basin to catch up before the upcoming season.  It was a Wednesday, so The Basin wasn’t too crowded.  Linden was our bartender and waiter.  We both ordered frosty mugs of Frostop root beer and Linden took our order, a ½ lb. cowboy burger (bacon, BBQ sauce & cheese) with French fries and a cup of the soup of the day, a creamy tomato with polish sausage and cabbage.  The soup’s flavor was so complex and flavorful I asked Linden if it was a specialty.  “Naw,” he said with a smile. “I just give my chef free rein, and he comes up with some pretty incredible combinations.”  It WAS incredible!  We had a great meal for less than $25.00 and saw three local folks I hadn’t seen all winter, so it was well worth the trip. (FYI – The Mink River Basin’s dinner menu offers pretty diverse fare that focuses on locally caught seafood, pasta and steaks.)

I rounded out my visit to Ellison Bay by going to Turtle Ridge Gallery with Mary Ellen after lunch to get a sneak peak at her new 2011 inventory.  Turtle Ridge is a must see for anyone interested in exquisite hand-tooled leather handbags, purses and fiber arts that include beautiful silk shawls, scarves and fiber bags as well as limited edition prints, all inspired by Mary Ellen living and working so close to the Mink River Estuary.  Even those of us who aren’t artistic can appreciate the intricacies of nature that Mary Ellen so beautifully translates to her medium.

So when next in Ellison Bay, stop and see Linden at The Basin. Then, take Mink River Road to Turtle Ridge Gallery and say “Hi” to Mary Ellen for me!

I’ll admit it: I’m a Facebook junkie.  I rely on it to get my “fix”.  Sure, I watch the local news every morning before I leave for work, but that just doesn’t give me what I really need!  I need to know what my friends did yesterday, what they’re doing today and planning for the weekend.  It’s a more reliable recommendation than any other media – my friends tell me that I “absolutely must see this show” or that the music “brought me to tears”.  So, of course, I go!  I must!  My friends told me to!

Now, I am not usually a follower, but my friends are very reliable.  So, when I was invited (personally, not just through one of those invite-everyone-you-know messages) by Lizz Thomas, an incredibly talented woman on-and-off stage, to attend Gibraltar High School’s performance of “Fiddler on the Roof”, I knew I needed to find time in my schedule to attend one of the few shows of the weekend.  Lizz is consistent in her ability to create beauty on stage.  Whether she’s directing a bunch of adult community-theatre wannabes, or creating an award-winning high school musical (ala GHS’ 2010 “Suessical the Musical”), or just opening her mouth to sing, Lizz was born to provide quality entertainment.  How lucky am I to have a friend like her!

The Sunday matinee of “Fiddler” seemed to be the best time for Hadley and I to attend and, although Phil often enjoys taking in a show, the timing of this performance was going to cause a conflict – The Masters golf tournament was on tv and they needed him home to watch. Cue: eye-rolling.

“Fiddler on the Roof” is a story that isn’t light and fluffy, so I wondered if taking my 12-year-old daughter to it might prove to be a little too much for her.  It was an unnecessary worry: within 5 minutes of arriving at the Door Community Auditorium we found 2 of Hadley’s classmates and sat with them and their families in the fourth and fifth rows, center.

You may be thinking that a high school performance could only be mildly entertaining, especially with something as challenging as “Fiddler”.  In the case of Gibraltar High School, you couldn’t be more wrong!  They take all their performances seriously – the set was magnificent and the costumes……. Well, we do have the benefit of having an amazing costume designer living right here on the Door Peninsula (and her daughter just happened to be on stage).

The individual actors were captivating.  They transformed themselves from high school kids to grownups (with children!) to the extent that during the performance, I had forgotten that they were only teenagers.  Who would have expected that a high school boy could take the role of Tevye to the same heights as the 50-something professional I watched in Illinois last year?  And that a young woman could portray Golde as though she were actually the mother of five daughters, but in reality those “daughters” are her classmates.  And, they made me laugh!  More than once!

In the end and for days afterward, I’d catch myself singing “All day long I’d biddy biddy bum” and my 12-year-old?  I caught her more than once singing “Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match.” … should I be worried?

Ultimately, I realized that we expect great performances from our professional and semi-professional actors here in Door County.  And we have huge talents on many stages to revel in their craft.  But with our youth – we’ve learned to expect the unexpected!  And we are always pleasantly rewarded.  Do yourself a small favor: challenge yourself to find a school production, or a youth-based performance of some kind while you travel our beautiful peninsula.  Even the awkward silences and slip-ups are refreshingly entertaining!

Photo credit to Suzi Hass.

This morning I met my friend Susie for breakfast at Top of the Hill Café in Fish Creek. You might not even know where that is. It’s cleverly hidden in the “crook of elbow” of the B building at the Top of the Hill Shops, across from the Door Community Auditorium. The Café is a quaint little place that serves breakfast and lunch, and features hi-speed wi-fi, a brand new coffee bar, home baked cookies & muffins, local jams & syrups and interesting handmade jewelry made by owner, Jamie Kaus. Jamie and Dennis have owned the café for 2 years and most days of the week, Jamie will be there to greet you. I had the Café Signature Breakfast, because I was hungry! Susie had 2 eggs, marbled rye toast with fresh chopped cherry jam and three plump sausages. The Café Signature Breakfast includes 2 eggs (mine were sunny side up) 2 light & fluffy pancakes or old fashion egg bread French toast (that’s what I chose) plus 2 strips of hickory smoked bacon or sausage. I went with bacon. It’s a pretty sweet deal for $8.95 and everything was cooked to perfection. This is a perfect spot to stop with friends or alone, because it has wi-fi and a big screen T.V. that is kept on, but the volume is kept reasonably low, with closed caption so as not to intrude on conversation. In the off-season, Top of the Hill Café is open daily from 8:00 – 1:30 and closed on Mondays. In season, the Café is open from 8:00 – 3:00 every day. Whether you are looking for a big breakfast or just a snack, and whether you have work to do or just want a cute little place to sit and chat, think about Top of the Hill Café. In summer they have outside seating!!!

I originally got hooked on Mexican Hot Chocolate when my husband Bill was still working in New Mexico. He’d bring home packages of big thick chocolate spheres spiced with cinnamon to break up into hot milk in our blender and serve with whipped cream. So last week when Bill and I decided to go out for authentic Mexican food at Sturgeon Bay’s “El Sazon” after working out at the Y, I was delighted to see “Try our Mexican Hot Chocolate” on their specials board. It was the first thing I ordered (before a decision about the chili rellenos!) and it was served in a big clay mug with a saucer; the steaming with hot milk and melted Mexican chocolate with whipped cream all topped with cinnamon sugar. YUM! So today at the office when the craving overcame me I ran over to El Sazon to get Yvonne homemade guacamole & chips and some hot chocolate. Once back from my Mexican food run, I divided the hot chocolate between me, Michelle, Bob and Carol, because my co-workers had never tried it. Michelle thought is tasted like it had a “red hot” in it. I tried to tell her that was a PRO, not a CON. Bob loved it and so did Carol. To sample the best Mexican Hot Chocolate north of the border, go to El Sazon, in the West Marine Plaza (on the East side of Hwy 42/57) about a mile south of the Hwy S (Walgreens) intersection. Family owned and operated, chances are you’ll see Laura in the kitchen and her husband Diroberto will be serving you. Andale!!! Muy Bueno!