Peninsula Art School is holding it’s first-ever pitfire on Saturday, October 13. The Peninsula Art School in Fish Creek will host a pitfiring with John Dietrich and Diane McNeil of Ellison Bay Pottery.
Pit fired pottery is the oldest known method of firing clay. It is also the ultimate source of all modern firing variations used by potters. Unfired pots are nestled together in a pit in the ground and then covered with burnable materials such as wood shavings, leaves, metal oxides, salts and sawdust. The top of the pit is protected with moist clay, shards, and larger pieces of wood or metal baffles. The filled pit is then set on fire and carefully tended until most of the inner fuel has been consumed. After cooling, pots are removed and cleaned to reveal dramatic patterns and colors left by ash and salt deposits.
John Dietrich and Diane McNeil of Ellison Bay Pottery have been leading a fall pitfire at their studio for several years and have agreed to bring their expertise to the Peninsula Art School.
Cathy Hoke-Gonzales, Peninsula Art School's Executive Director says "This is a 'no experienced required' event. There are ways for both students and appreciators of ceramics to participate." She talked about the new opportunity for people to stretch their artistic abilities.
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Participants may choose the all day workshop to learn the basics of pit construction and surface decoration and then stay for afternoon's firing. Students may bring their own pieces or purchase pre-fired pieces from John and Diane.
Another option is to participate in the afternoon session after the pit has been constructed. Participants will pick out a favorite pre-fired piece of pottery, treat the surface with the same common and uncommon surface treatments the potters used and help build the bonfire.
A potluck will follow as the potters keep a close eye on the flame until the moment to cover the pit becomes clear. Students return Sunday at 11 am to find the pots among the ashes. They will clean and seal the surface of their works and take their ancient art home.
For more information about the event contact:
Cathy Hoke-Gonzales
Executive Director
(920) 868-3455

Founded 25 years ago, the concept of Parish Nursing is based on the positive approach of maintaining wellness. An international program, Parish Nursing’s approach to good health embraces the whole person including spiritual, physical, emotional, social, vocational and intellectual needs.
Carol Stevenson of Ellison Bay is one of five nurses ministering in Door County through the auspices of Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church. Visiting individuals in their homes, she and her colleagues assess the needs of their clients from the rugs on the floor to blood pressure screenings. “It is important to look for everything and anything that can affect well-being,” she explained. “That means looking at the environment, from rugs that might cause a fall to an undiagnosed elevated blood pressure that could lead to a more serious medical situation.”
Parish Nursing is not based on religious affiliation or financial ability to pay. “We serve everyone,” Stevenson emphasized. “There are more than 10 Door County churches participating in Parish Nursing and anyone of them will arrange for a visit. Parish Nursing is particularly important in Door County as so many of our population do not have family nearby to assess health needs.”
Parish Nursing is free of charge and available to all ages and genders.
For a list of local churches participating in Door County’s parish nursing program contact Shepherd of the Bay Lutheran Church.

Some law makers would like Whitefish Dunes renamed as Governor John W. Reynolds Whitefish Dunes State Park. Representative Garey Bies introduced the bill in August. In the first story in this series you heard from Department of Natural Resources Northeast Region Land Leader Jean Romback-Bartels. She says its the DNR's job to recommend park names. Most of the time, proposed park names are based on geological features in that area. Romback-Bartels guessed that less than ten Wisconsin state parks were named after a certain individual. She could not say either way if Whitefish Dunes should be renamed after former Governor Reynolds. If the name of the park would not be fitting, one option might be memorializing him within the park. Romback-Bartels says renaming the nature center, the shelter or creating a trail might be a way to honor the former governor, building a statue or memorial could be another.
Above all, Romback-Bartels said it is not the department's job to make any decisions, they simply make recommendations. She believes it would be a good idea to have a public discussion on this matter.
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The cost of the name change could be anywhere from $24,500 - $40,500. That cost would replace public information material and signage.
Those concerned should contact representative Garey Bies (608) 266-5350 or (920) 854-2811 Rep.Bies@legis.wisconsin.gov , Senator Alan Lasee Madison (608)266-3512 or District: (920)336-8830 Sen.Lasee@legis.wisconsin.gov or Tourism, Recreation and State Properties Committee Chair Representative Dean Kaufert (608) 266-5719 Or (920) 729-0521 Rep.Kaufert@legis.wisconsin.gov.
Click Here For More About AB473!

With increasing issues across the country, concerning depleted size of the fish population, Door County's climate is as good as it's every been. A Business Week article discussed how of the 67 depleted fish stocks from ten years ago, 64 still remain troubled despite legislation from Congress. The number comes from New England and Alaskan refineries just to name a few. Utter disregard for fishing limits is a huge part the cause. The troubled waters, however, have not leaked into Lake Michigan and Door County. Gary Nault from Gary's Guide Service, says fishing in Door County is doing just fine.
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Nault says fish populations are not depleted and none are in any serious danger. The perch are making a comeback in Lake Michigan as well. However, he recognizes that issues always exist, and they stem from reoccurring problems.
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The main problem, other refineries around the country face, is over fishing certain populations according to Business Week. In Wisconsin, no limits are placed on sport fisherman. However, limits are placed on charter fishing trips, those are determined by the pound. Nault thinks people generally follow the limits which contributes to a healthy fish population in Door County. Nault says, as a charter fisherman, they always ask for higher limits, but with the fish populations as healthy as they are, charters have enjoyed success.
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As ocean fishing is in hot water, Door County enjoys a successful fishing climate. The better the sport fishing, the more fisherman contribute to the economic success of Door County.

It may be months away, but Feed My People/Clothe My People is gearing up for the holidays right now. Director Estella Huff says the Christmas Profiles Program will get underway soon. That means families who may be struggling to get by should contact Feed My People if they need some help this year.
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Huff knows some parents may struggle a bit around the holidays. This is a time when the Door County community really pulls together to help each other out. Huff says parents should stop by Feed My People/Clothe My People before the end of November.
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Huff says there are many people in Door County who step up to help out during this time of year. Some organizations commit to helping dozens of children while others prefer taking on a specific family. Huff says it is not uncommon that she pairs up donor families with for example a family of two girls. She does her best with pairing up families like that. Last year over 120 Door County families got help from Feed My People and the community over the holidays. If you need help providing gifts for your family or if you could help others who may need help, contact Feed My People/Clothe My People. Families in need must reply by the end of November.

Water main installation on sections of Third Avenue will begin October 15. Sturgeon Bay City Engineer Tony Depies says multiple crews will work on the project, making it take six weeks instead of eight, as it was originally planned.
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Depies says it was known that this work would need to be done, however the urgency of addressing the issue was not noticed until recently.
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New mains will be connected on October 22 and that means businesses will be without water. Depies says the water will be turned back on later that same day. Since crews will begin on each end and work inwards, portions of the entire street will need to be closed.
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The low bid for this project came in at $427,000. Depies was pleased that bids came in lower than expected. Third Avenue roadwork will begin on October 15 and Depies hopes crews will be finished by November 17. Detours will be posted. Depies expects crews will be done before hunting season and prime winter shopping weeks. The Third Avenue reconstruction will get underway in April.