Construction is officially underway on the Cobblestone Hotel in Sturgeon Bay, marked with a groundbreaking Monday afternoon on Egg Harbor Road in Sturgeon Bay. Blasting for foundational footings has begun on the four-story, 62-room ‘corporate’ hotel, the siting of which abuts the Tall Pines Estate apartments toward the back of the 1.92-acre lot.

A handful of City and County representatives showed up to shovel some soil, and heard words of support for the economic impact the new hotel could have on the local community. 

Door County Economic Development Director Michelle Lawrie touted the convenience of the hotel to the highway, for travelers. This is the third location in the city that Cobblestone Hotels considered for locating the hotel. 

The hotel location within Tax Incremental District (TID) #6, will help finance the development agreement for Cobblestone Hotels to receive a total of $1.2 million in financial incentives, $810,000 within 30 days of an occupancy permit being issued to the hotel, and $390,000 in annual payments of $26,000 over a span of 15 years.

Cobblestone President of Development Jeremy Griesbach talked about the decades-long efforts that went into the siting and development of the Sturgeon Bay hotel. This property is considered a corporate property, and is not franchised like others. 

Construction is expected to take the remainder of 2026, and most of 2027. 

A 32-year-old Green Bay woman was cited for inattentive driving for her role in a two-vehicle crash that left a 63-year-old Sturgeon Bay man injured in the town of Sevastopol Saturday afternoon.

The crash occurred shortly after 2 p.m. on State Highway 42 near Cherry Road. According to the crash report, the Sturgeon Bay man was waiting to turn into his driveway when the Green Bay woman rear-ended his vehicle.

The woman told responding deputies she was reaching for her coffee and did not realize the man had stopped with his turn signal on while waiting to turn.

The crash damaged both vehicles and left the man with a small cut on his hand. EMS evaluated both drivers and the woman’s two passengers, but no one required hospitalization.

Cleanup took approximately 30 minutes, with the Door County Sheriff’s Office clearing the scene before 2:45 p.m.

A significant increase in request for Meals on Wheels deliveries, and in participants at the free meal sites around Door County, were reported Monday during the reporting of the results of the annual Nutrition Survey performed by the Adult Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of Door County.

With the increase in food costs, this came as no surprise to Nutrition Advisory Council members, nor to Assistant ADRC Director Nikki Scharrig.

Meals on Wheels Coordinator Barb Snow, noted that the demand for frozen meals has increased significantly, just in the last two months. Total meals delivered increased 10 percent from January through August 2026, and isn’t slowing down as gas prices climb alongside food prices. The meal requests from the MOW rural routes have also increased. Noteworthy alongside the survey results reporting that most of the respondents don’t want to or are unable to drive more than one to five miles for a meal.

ADRC manages the free and reduced cost meal program offered at four locations around Door County - Baileys Harbor, Liberty Grove, Sturgeon Bay, and Washington Island. The participation in those meal offerings increased 30 percent from the first to the second quarter of 2026. 

The meal offerings provided by the ADRC, and Meals on Wheels, rely heavily on financial and product donations. The center can also accept produce, meat and dairy donations from area farmers, or gardeners who have an overabundance. 

Kewaunee County Board Chairperson Dan Olson is hopeful the mistakes made while planning a new Kewaunee County Public Safety Building will not be repeated as the county gets closer to awarding contracts for its upcoming highway shop projects.

The board approved borrowing up to $4.2 million in May for the design, construction, and renovations of the department’s main highway shop in Footbridge and its facilities in Algoma, Casco and Stangelville.

Just a few years ago, Kewaunee County Board supervisors were trying to find a solution to decades-long concerns about the county’s aging jail facility. In 2023, bids for a new jail facility came in $8 million over budget, and the county spent thousands of dollars on consulting fees before eventually shelving the project in 2024.

Olson thinks that experience helped the county plan for the highway projects and believes the numbers will be on its side this time around.

Olson says the board will likely be able to review bids for the projects at its Oct. 20 meeting, which will also serve as its budget hearing.

A 33-year-old Fish Creek man was cited for operating while intoxicated and operating left of center after losing control of his car and striking a tree in Sister Bay on Friday night.

The crash occurred just before 8:20 p.m. at the intersection of South Bay Shore Drive and Fieldcrest Road. According to the crash report, the man was traveling south on South Bay Shore Drive and attempting to turn left onto Fieldcrest Road when he lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree.

Deputies later found him near Glen Lane, just south of the crash scene, and arrested him for OWI. He suffered a possible injury but did not require hospitalization.

If you love Winnie-the-Pooh, Door County is turning October into a celebration of the beloved bear, his friends and the timeless stories of A.A. Milne.

Winnie-Pooh-Looza marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of Milne’s classic “Winnie-the-Pooh,” first published in 1926. The countywide celebration, organized by the Friends of Door County Libraries, features activities throughout October, including Hundred Acre Wood walks, story and poetry trails, creative workshops, nature activities and special programs at Door County’s eight libraries.

Friends of Door County Libraries Treasurer Carol Burns says the celebration is about honoring the lasting impact of the characters.

“We just wanted to celebrate that legacy of A.A. Milne's beloved characters.”

Burns says the group also hopes the celebration encourages people to experience Door County’s own natural spaces.

“We are trying to invite people to go out and enjoy the 100 acre woods we call home, Door County.”

The month kicks off Friday, Oct. 2, at MUSE in Sturgeon Bay with an adults-only fundraising event from 6 to 8 p.m. The evening includes appetizers, music, and a cash bar featuring local actors bringing favorite Hundred Acre Wood adventures to life. Tickets are $50.

And the celebration supports a local cause.

“We are fundraising for the kids programming in all eight libraries,” Burns said

.

So whether you’re a lifelong Pooh fan or simply looking for a reason to explore Door County this fall, Winnie-Pooh-Looza offers plenty of ways to step into the Hundred Acre Wood.

For a full calendar of events or more information, visit the Friends of Door County Libraries website.

Hundreds of people dodged raindrops Friday and Saturday to welcome the autumn season at Sturgeon Bay Harvest Festival. Destination Sturgeon Bay planned activities on both sides of the water for this year’s event, with the Ferris wheel and Set Sail in Sturgeon Bay art pieces - displayed along the West Waterfront Promenade.

On Saturday, the Old Bolts Car Show took its spot along Third Avenue, displaying a wide variety of cars from yesteryear and today.

On the west side of Michigan Street along Third Avenue, the street fair atmosphere from the morning’s Sturgeon Bay farmers market continued into the afternoon, with Mayor David Ward tapping the annual Oktoberfest firkin among the highlights.

Autumn revelers have more events to choose from in Door County over the next several weeks as the colors start to turn across the state. Outside of Iron County in northern Wisconsin, most areas, including Door and Kewaunee counties, have only the occasional branch showing fall colors. That likely will not be the case next month when Egg Harbor hosts its annual Pumpkin Patch, Oct. 9-11, and Sister Bay hosts Fall Festival, Oct. 16-18.  

You are seeing more electric bikes and scooters in your daily life, and Sturgeon Bay is no exception.

According to Future Market Insights Inc., the electric bike market is expected to reach $59.35 billion in 2026 and $134.19 billion by 2036.

That growth comes as states such as New York, New Jersey and California crack down on some high-speed models and municipalities grapple with whether they should be treated as bicycles that do not require a license to operate or vehicles that do.

The debate over e-bikes and e-scooters has spilled into local government, with Sturgeon Bay’s Local Transportation Board tackling the issue. Board Chairperson Spencer Gustafson says officers and community members alike have expressed concerns about the prevalence of e-bikes and e-scooters. He is hopeful the state will address the issue through upcoming legislation.

Until then, Gustafson says the city will take a more educational approach to its guidance on e-bike and e-scooter safety, though an ordinance is already in place prohibiting vehicles on city sidewalks in the downtown area. He would like to see safety presentations in schools and incentive programs in the community to encourage children to operate e-bikes and e-scooters safely.

According to NPR and health data and analytics firm Truveta, injury rates involving e-bikes and e-scooters have increased 7.5-fold since 2023.

The camaraderie of a shared soccer (futbol) game will kick off the festivities of the third annual Sabor de la Door. On Saturday, Sept. 26, beginning at 2pm, anyone ages 14 and older is invited to the soccer fields at the Door County Fairgrounds/John Miles County Park  in Sturgeon Bay. 

The ‘taste’ of Door County will begin at 3pm inside the fairgrounds, centered around the stage, and merchant tent. Multicultural food trucks will tantalize your tastebuds. Music from two different bands will get your feet tapping, and there’s word of dance contests, so wear your dancing shoes. 

A number of Door County-based resource organizations will attend Sabor de la Door, to share their available resources with you. Visit the Merchant tent to learn more. visit doorcountyparents.com/hispanic-heritage-month.

Organizers talked with Door County Daily News about the planned futbol game.

An expanded Sunflower Cottage is getting closer to reality thanks to public support of Sunshine Resources’ 5-5-5 Campaign. The trio of fives represents the $5 million needed to accomplish five strategic initiatives over the next five years.

Among the key projects is the nearly $1.9 million Sunflower Cottage, designed to support senior care and specialized programming, as well as upgrades to existing facilities and expansion into northern Door County. Sunshine Resources CEO Barry Metzentine says the organization has raised approximately 70% to 75% of the money needed for the Sunflower Cottage project, which he identified as the county’s most significant need. Director of Business Development Jeremy Pasczak says the Sunshine Resources story is a powerful one, and people are learning how the organization impacts their loved ones.

The 5-5-5 Campaign is also tasked with creating an alternative school program, developing a Northern Door facility and program, renovating the PATH building, modernizing its Yew Street facility, and establishing an endowment fund.

You can learn how you can support Sunshine Resources’ campaign here.

If you think birds and monarch butterflies are the only creatures migrating through Door County this time of year, take a closer look at the skies.

Dragonflies are also making their seasonal journey south, with the Common Green Darner among the species that can be spotted around the peninsula in late summer and early fall.

“Each species has their own migratory pattern,” said Sam Koyen, Executive Director of Crossroads at Big Creek. “Darners migrate and are the larger dragonfly that people think of as the most iconic dragonfly.”

Koyen said dragonflies are far more diverse than many people realize.

“Each dragonfly species is highly unique,” she said.

Door County’s Lake Michigan shoreline provides an opportunity to see these insects as they move through the area. Some dragonflies can travel hundreds of miles during migration.

But not every dragonfly heads south. Many species spend the winter underwater as nymphs.

“You can’t see it, but there are a lot of dragonfly larvae burrowing into the earth,” Koyen said.

If you want to experience Door County’s seasonal changes up close, Crossroads at Big Creek will host a Wandering Wednesday naturalist-led hike at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 30.

So the next time a dragonfly zips past you, stop for a second. You might be watching one of Door County’s smallest seasonal travelers on a much longer journey than you imagined.

When you take your dog for a walk, you may think a brisk stroll down the sidewalk is all the exercise and enrichment they need. But if you’re holding a short leash and setting the pace, your dog may be missing an important part of the experience: the chance to simply be a dog.

The Wisconsin Humane Society recommends trying a “decompression walk,” where you give your dog freedom to explore safely, follow their nose and set the pace.

“These walks allow your dog to take things at their own pace, slow down and really find their own enrichment and exercise,” said Corey Viars, media specialist for the Wisconsin Humane Society.

Instead of rushing along a route, you let your dog stop, sniff, wander and investigate. Sniffing and exploring can provide mental stimulation while helping dogs relax.

“These walks not only provide health benefits but behavioral benefits as well,” Viars said.

For a decompression walk, choose a quiet, open area such as a trail, beach, field or backyard. A long line and well-fitted, nonrestrictive harness can give your dog room to explore while keeping them safe.

Most importantly, take your cues from your dog.

“The walk should be 100% guided and driven by your dog,” Viars said.

Over the past few months, I have found myself on the road more than usual. I have been everywhere from the Canadian border in the north to Mississippi in the south, West to Omaha, and east to Michigan. In one trip, I believe we traveled through 5 different states in a single 24-hour period. Our mobility, and the infrastructure that supports it, is truly something that I find awe-inspiring. Although the road construction would seem perpetual, and the product of those efforts is something that so many of us take for granted, our reality would be greatly different without our system of public roadways.

In all of that traveling, I was able to do some reflection on human behavior as it relates to our interaction with fellow motorists.

Since the advent of the automobile, we as Americans have had a special relationship with our individual means of transportation. Our vehicles are in fact an extension of our own identity. From the color to the style and the accessories, we add to them. Similarly, how we operate our motor vehicles is also an extension of who we are as human beings. Those who have never met us are able to draw conclusions as to our personalities, temperament, and character. This is where the phrase “Car-mmunication” comes into play. It is said that in any given conversation, it is not the actual words we say, but rather in what people see that has the greatest impact. This is known as our “Non-verbal” communication.

As we operate our vehicles from place to place, we are in fact non-verbally communicating or “Car-mmunicating”. When we speed, we are communicating a lack of planning and disrespect for those who did plan and are able to maintain the proper speed. When we follow too closely, we are communicating impatience and aggressiveness. When we pass in a no passing zone, we are saying to those around us that our lives and theirs mean little in the pursuit of our goals. When we fail to use our directional signals, we communicate that we are oblivious to those around us.

The same can be said for the equipment on our vehicles. If we modify our exhaust, resulting in excessive noise, or play our music at an unreasonable volume, we are communicating our disregard for the peace and tranquility of our community. If, as operators of commercial trucks, we make unnecessary use of our engine brakes, we are communicating that either we lack the skill to operate that vehicle, or again we are just disregarding our community and that we lack the essential character strength of respect.

It all comes down to the accountability we have to each other. I have often felt that placing our names prominently on our vehicles would be a great step in this increased accountability, but regardless of our anonymity, we should each consider what our actions, especially behind the wheel, are saying about our character. Let’s all make an effort to “Car-mmunicate” respect, patience, and care for those around us. While we are at it, maybe consider adding a cheerful wave as we meet. There is a quote from Francesca Reigler that states: “We either make ourselves Miserable or Happy. The amount of work is the same.” Choose Happiness!

Visitors to Destination Sturgeon Bay’s Harvest Fest can wish “fair winds and following seas” to approximately two dozen steel sailboats as the summer art installation wraps up its season.

Many of the artists gathered Friday night to meet each other and talk about their pieces, which were displayed across the city over the last few months. While some of the artists are longtime participants in the annual rite of summer, others took part in the experience for the first time.

Artist Paula Hare brought back a taste of a previous piece, “Wisconsin Woodland Violet,” which she presented to former first lady Laura Bush.

 

 

 

 

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Artist Tiffany Baseler was encouraged to participate in Set Sail in Sturgeon Bay by another artist and decided to share her love of Door County nature with the community.

 

 

 

 

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Artist Shari Brzinski chose a different strategy for her piece, “Twin Sturgeon,” using foam insulation to mimic fish intertwining with each other and the sail’s structure.

 

 

 

 

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You can find all of the Set Sail in Sturgeon Bay pieces along the West Waterfront near the Door County Granary and Door County Maritime Museum. You can also bid on the pieces by clicking on this link.

An expanded Harvest Festival in Sturgeon Bay this weekend is providing a festive atmosphere for the 125th anniversary of the opening of the Teweles & Brandeis Grain Elevator.

On Friday, September 18, from 4 - 8 PM, the Granary Wharf Cafe will sell drinks and  snacks for the Set Sail Artist Reception, and a Ferris wheel will provide free rides overlooking the bay. Then on Saturday, a Czech-themed celebration will honor Teweles’s and Brandeis’s heritage; both  men and their families immigrated from Prague, Bohemia (modern day Czech Republic) in the  late 1800s. 

The Granary will be open 10 AM - 7 PM with Czech-inspired refreshments, including Zel?a?ka (sauerkraut soup), available at the Granary Wharf Cafe. Live music will rock the elevators from noon to 5:30pm, including a set from the legendary polka band Jerry Voelker and  the Jolly Gents (Fun fact: polka was invented in Bohemia.) There will also be a short program highlighting historic events from 1901. 

Be sure to pick up a copy of the special 125th anniversary t-shirt and Historic  Events of 1901 booklet, all proceeds from the events benefit the preservation and operation of the Door County Granary.  

Visit the  Granary during open hours to tour the historic building and learn more about its significance to the area. Learn more about the upcoming events at the Granary at:  

sturgeonbayhistoricalsociety.org/sbhs-events

Between the chatter, excited greetings, and pleas to purchase raffle tickets, Door County’s female movers and shakers celebrated a year of community support and action at the 10th annual Women’s Fund of Door County Celebrate Women Luncheon on Friday at Stone Harbor Resort and Conference center in Sturgeon Bay. 

For the 17th consecutive year, Marti Spittell Ziegelbauer enraptured the room, with details about the $245,000 granted to Door County organizations during the last year.

Highlighted was a $5,000 grantee - the Door County Medical Center’s Birthing Center - and Registered Nurse and Lactation consultant Jessica Skinner talked about the equipment and supplies the birthing center purchased with the grant money, and the support that money has provided DCMC’s lactation depot. To date, women in our community have donated over almost 5 times the amount of breast milk to the milk bank that has been used in our community.

Information about that job, and more information about the Women’s Fund of Door County, can be found on WomensFundDoorCounty.org 

There is still time for things to change, but Kewaunee County taxpayers could be in for some good news this fall. A relatively quick Kewaunee County Board meeting was highlighted by a sneak peek at the upcoming 2027 budget from Kewaunee County Administrator Jeremy Kral.

Kewaunee County Board Chairperson Dan Olson says the county held the line on overall spending while providing cost-of-living increases for employees and adjusting to an increase in health care costs. As a result, Olson says the proposed tax rate per $1,000 of equalized value would drop by just over 7%. The tax levy is also expected to inch down approximately 1.8%.

He credits an increase in the county’s equalized value and a projected reduction in debt service for the drop in the tax rate. Olson adds that the downward trend in the tax rate is encouraging.

A public hearing for the 2027 budget will take place as part of the Kewaunee County Board’s next meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 20.

The Luxemburg Sportsman’s Club is making it easier and more exciting for those getting into clay pigeon shooting to have fun outdoors. Funded in part by a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources grant and donations from local businesses, the club opened its new fully automated sporting clays course this month. Shooters walk a trail to 10 different stations to shoot clay pigeons in a setting similar to bird hunting.

At each station, shooters can scan a QR code to see the trajectory of the clays and use a card to pay for the clays being launched before hopefully shooting them out of the sky.

Brian Rueckl of the Luxemburg Sportsman’s Club hopes the handicap-accessible course allows more people to be introduced to the sport.

The Luxemburg Sportsman’s Club will host a grand opening event this Saturday beginning at 8 a.m.

Your child’s fun does not have to stop when they need a break from the playground or beach at Sunset Park in Sturgeon Bay. The city of Sturgeon Bay and United Way of Door County joined forces to create the Born Learning Trail, part of a national program featuring interactive signs with fun, active learning activities for families to participate in together.

On Sturgeon Bay’s trail, volunteers helped paint a hopscotch course, letters and circles to start the fun. United Way of Door County Executive Director Amy Kohnle credited Child Care Community Coordinator Molly Gary with getting the ball rolling on the project’s installation and said she cannot wait to see how families interact with it for years to come.

Kohnle says more activities will be added to the trail next spring, and the paint will be refreshed annually.

Experience artistic creation from conception to fruition during the Door Kinetic Arts Festival, returning to the peninsula for its 10th year this week.

The weeklong festival begins Sunday, Sept. 20, and continues through Saturday, Sept. 26, with events centered on the Björklunden campus in Baileys Harbor.

The festival was created by Door County playwright and filmmaker Eric Simonson as a way for performing artists to gather, collaborate and develop new work. For local residents and visitors, the week's events offer opportunities to see that creative process unfold through performances, film screenings, staged readings, workshops, artist discussions and other events.

Alan Kopischke, producer of Door Kinetic Arts, said this year's festival represents an important milestone, and attendees should expect the busiest Festival to date.

“It is both our tenth anniversary and our tenth year,” Kopischke said. “This is our biggest and best year ever; Eric has gone above and beyond. We have things happening every single night from Sunday through Saturday and even some afternoon."

Whether you're interested in theater, film, dance, music, writing or simply getting a behind-the-scenes look at how new artistic work is created, you'll find something of interest during the week. At a previous festival, playwright Brian James Polak conceptualized "The Call List", a theatrical performance currently running on the Third Avenue Playworks stage.

It’s Barn Dance season!

Dust off your dancing shoes for the first Barn Dance of the season this Sunday at MUSE in Sturgeon Bay, 3-5pm.

The Door County Folk Alliance is once again hosting the annual community get togethers, for all to enjoy. DCFA Board President Mike Grimm shared a brief history of barn dances – they’re not all held in barns!

The purpose of the dances is not only movement and the sharing of dance and music, but to build community.

No previous dancing experience is necessary, only the desire to move to the music and enjoy life. DCFA does ask for children to be 8 years or older. The Barn Dances are alcohol free events. No charge to attend the dances; donations are requested to help offset costs.

For the full schedule of DC Folk Alliance barn dances, visit DCFolk.com

As the season begins to turn, Kewaunee County 4-H is inviting area youth to discover their spark indoors and outdoors next month. On Saturday, Oct. 3, attendees can sample a wide variety of activities at Kewaunee County 4-H’s Outdoor Adventure Day at Black Ash Gun Club in Algoma. Kayaking, fire building, woodworking and leathercraft are just some of the activities kids can try.

On Oct. 5, the Taste of 4-H Open House will give families a peek at what area clubs and projects do throughout the year. Kewaunee County 4-H Educator Erin Dahle says the best way to learn is to do.

While both activities are taking place next month, registration for the organization’s Outdoor Adventure Day closes Friday. 4-H organizations across the country, including those in Kewaunee and Door counties, are welcoming new and returning members this month as part of their registration periods.

In the weeks leading up to the November election, Door County sheriff candidates Tammy Sternard, Randy Wagner, and Curt Vandertie have had both positive and negative aspects of their law enforcement careers shared publicly for voters to consider.

In June, the Door County Sheriff’s Deputies Association issued a vote of no confidence in Sternard, the current sheriff. The resolution cited the handling of a case involving the shooting of a feral pig, low morale in the jail division, and poor attendance at monthly meetings among members’ concerns with Sternard. The resolution stated that members had lost faith in Sternard’s ability to effectively lead the agency.

Sternard responded in writing after the resolution was obtained through an open records request, addressing some of the concerns directly. She wrote that it was unfortunate some association members did not approach her about most of the allegations before airing their grievances through the resolution.

Last month, Wagner shared his 14-page disciplinary file from his time with the Denver Police Department after being asked whether he had anything to hide regarding his internal affairs record. Discourtesy, a preventable accident, failure to attend court and inappropriate force were among the allegations listed in the report. Wagner said complaints are a reality in law enforcement, adding that what matters is how complaints are handled, what the facts reveal and whether an officer is willing to be accountable for their actions.

On Wednesday, a Facebook page titled “Corruption in Door County” was created and shared documents it identified as Vandertie’s disciplinary file. The documents detailed allegations of harassment involving another deputy and the use of personal time while on the clock.

Vandertie released written and video statements, saying he wanted to focus on running a positive campaign but felt the need to “address the ongoing attacks and rumors” about his character.

“My annual performance evaluations before, during and after this isolated incident consistently recognized my professionalism, leadership and commitment to serving the people of Door County,” Vandertie wrote. “I remain committed to leading with professionalism, fairness, accountability, integrity and genuine community connection.”

Sternard, Wagner and Vandertie will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot, with absentee voting already underway.

Construction on the long-awaited extension of South 18th Avenue in Sturgeon Bay is nearing completion, bringing a decades-old city goal closer to reality.

You can soon use the new created roadway, which connects Memorial Drive and Utah Streets. The private roadway paralleling Bayview Bridge was brought under city control this year after the City reached an agreement to purchase the needed parcel of land for approximately $80,000. This easement allowed South 18th Avenue to extend to Memorial Drive, creating a public roadway.

Sturgeon Bay Mayor David Ward has gone on record to say that bringing the roadway under city control had been on the city's to-do list for nearly 30 years. The extension was included in the city's 2026 street improvement plan. Mayor Ward is optimistic that the project will be completed in short order.

This month, crews will put the finishing touches on the project, with paving work underway as the roadway approaches completion.

'Signal Red' is the aptly named paint color being applied this week to the Algoma Pierhead Lighthouse, which is currently undergoing repairs and painting at the Roen Salvage yard in Sturgeon Bay.

The 109 year old structure didn't need a whole lot of work, according to Ryan Gustafson, owner of Door County Color Professional Painting, and assistant Tyler Woodgate.

The City of Algoma is ready for the navigational landmark to return to port after the work is complete, said City Administrator Matt Murphy. A total of 10 gallons of epoxy primer put on the first coat, and the painters will use 10-15 gallons of Signal Red paint to put on 2 coats of color. 
 

Working on this project is more than just a paycheck for Gustafson, whose family roots date to 1835, and Door County's first 'official' white settlers, the Claflins.
 

For now, the reconstruction of the catwalk to the Algoma Pierhead Lighthouse remains in question. The website SavetheCatwalk.com, dedicated to raising $400,000 to rebuild the catwalk, reports $44,000 raised to date.